Whole brain irradiation fixation device for laboratory mice and its usage

Abstract

This invention discloses a whole-brain irradiation fixation device for laboratory mice, comprising: a fixation component with a closed end and an open end, the open end being connected to a mounting end, through which the mouse enters the fixation component, with the mouse's mandible positioned on the mounting end; a clamping component detachably connected to the open end of the fixation component, the clamping component having a through hole for the mouse's head to pass through and for limiting its position; and a binding component fitted onto the mounting end for fixing the mouse's mandible. The fixation component, mounting end, and clamping component are all made of lightweight radiation-shielding material. This invention enables convenient fixation of mice without anesthesia, improving the accuracy and reliability of animal radiotherapy experiments. Furthermore, the use of tungsten alloy minimizes radiation damage to normal organs and tissues of the mouse, and it is lightweight and non-toxic.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of radiation equipment technology, and in particular to a whole-brain irradiation fixation device for laboratory mice and its method of use. Background Technology

[0002] Mice are the most widely used species in animal radiotherapy experiments. However, mice are naturally active, requiring short-term general anesthesia before radiotherapy, followed by fixing them to lead plates. This process presents challenges in practice.

[0003] Individual mice have varying tolerance levels to anesthetics, making precise dosage control difficult. Excessive dosage can lead to poisoning and death, while insufficient dosage may cause mice to awaken midway through the radiotherapy experiment. The complexity of the anesthesia procedure also results in low efficiency in mouse irradiation experiments. The damage to the central nervous system caused by anesthesia may outweigh the damage caused by radiation, leading to significant errors in mouse head radiotherapy experiments. Furthermore, the difficulty in effectively shielding and protecting non-body areas of mice from radiation can cause damage to normal organs and tissues, affecting their actual survival status and reducing the accuracy and reliability of animal radiotherapy experiments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a whole-brain irradiation fixation device for laboratory mice and its usage method, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It can facilitate the fixation of mice without anesthesia, improve the accuracy and reliability of animal radiotherapy experiments, and at the same time, the use of tungsten alloy can minimize radiation damage to normal organs and tissues of mice, and it has the advantage of being lightweight.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides a whole-brain irradiation fixation device for experimental mice, comprising,

[0006] The fixation member has a closed end and an open end, and a mounting end is connected to the open end. The mouse enters the fixation member through the closed end, and the mouse's mandible is located on the mounting end.

[0007] A clamping member is detachably connected to the open end of the fixing member, and the clamping member has a through hole for the mouse head to pass through and be limited.

[0008] A strap is fitted onto the mounting end and used to fix the mouse mandible;

[0009] The fixing component, the mounting end, and the clamping component are all made of lightweight radiation-proof materials.

[0010] Furthermore, the fixing component is a fixed pipe, the mouse is located inside the fixed pipe, the closed end of the fixed pipe is detachably connected to a sealing component, and the mounting end is a mounting platform, which is fixedly connected to the end of the fixed pipe away from the sealing component.

[0011] Furthermore, the clamping member includes two opposing clamping plates, and arc-shaped grooves are formed on the side walls of the two clamping plates that are close to each other. The two arc-shaped grooves cooperate to form the through hole. One end of the clamping plate near the sealing member is embedded in the fixed pipe and slidably connected to the fixed pipe. The other end of the clamping plate is in contact with the side of the mounting platform near the fixed pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the clamping plate includes an inclined plate, the end face of the open end is adapted to and fits the bottom surface of the inclined plate, the arc-shaped groove is formed on the inclined plate, a clamping plate and a contact plate are fixedly connected to both ends of the inclined plate respectively, a groove is formed on the inner wall of the top end of the fixed pipe, the clamping plate is located in the groove and is slidably connected to the groove, and the end of the contact plate away from the clamping plate contacts the mounting platform.

[0013] Furthermore, the two clamps are provided with a connector, which is a first elastic band. The first elastic band is sleeved on the two clamps and the fixed pipe, and the two clamps are attached to each other and fixed to the fixed pipe by the first elastic band.

[0014] Furthermore, the binding element is a second elastic band sleeved on the mounting platform, and the mouse mandible is fixed on the mounting platform by the second elastic band.

[0015] Furthermore, the sealing component includes a cover plate, and one end of the cover plate near the fixed pipe has a sleeve that fits the outer wall of the fixed pipe, with one end of the fixed pipe located inside the sleeve.

[0016] Furthermore, a flexible limiting layer is sealed inside the fixed pipe, which is used to limit the position of the mouse's body.

[0017] Furthermore, the fixing component, the mounting platform, the clamping component, and the sealing component are all covered with an anti-eating layer.

[0018] Instructions for using a whole-brain irradiation fixation device for laboratory mice.

[0019] S1: Loading the mouse: Insert the mouse's head into the closed end of the fixed tube and drive the mouse to crawl towards the open end of the fixed tube;

[0020] S2. Clamping the mouse's head: Insert two clamps into the groove, fix the two clamps, and wedge the mouse's head into the through hole;

[0021] S3. Fix the mouse mandible: Fit the second elastic band onto the mouse mandible and place the second elastic band on the mounting platform;

[0022] S4. Sealing the closed end: Fill the fixed pipe with a flexible limiting layer and put the cover plate on the closed end of the fixed pipe.

[0023] S5. Start the experiment: Perform radiotherapy on the mice that have been clamped and fixed.

[0024] The present invention discloses the following technical effects:

[0025] 1. By using fixation and clamping components, the mouse's mandible is placed into the mounting end and fixed, achieving effective fixation of the mouse without anesthesia. At the same time, the tungsten alloy fixation and clamping components protect the mouse's body, preventing radiation damage to the mouse's normal organs and components, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of animal radiotherapy experiments.

[0026] 2. The fastener is made of tungsten alloy, which has the advantages of being lead-free, lightweight, and easy to process. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 A 3D view showing the fixture in its fixed position;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view;

[0030] Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram of the clamping plate;

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Side view;

[0032] Figure 5 A structural diagram illustrating the connection method between the fixed pipe and the flexible connection layer;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of Example 2;

[0034] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Exploded view;

[0035] Figure 8 The model is calculated using the MCNP program;

[0036] Figure 9 Table showing the shielding effect of MCNP simulation;

[0037] Among them, 1-through hole, 2-fixed pipe, 3-mounting platform, 4-clamping plate, 41-inclined plate, 42-arc groove, 43-clamping plate, 44-contact plate, 5-groove, 6-first elastic band, 7-second elastic band, 8-cover plate, 9-sleeve, 10-flexible limiting layer, 11-anti-eating layer, 12-support plate, 13-insertion column, 14-connecting plate, 15-connecting hole, 16-fixing bolt. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] Reference Figure 1-5 The present invention provides a whole-brain irradiation fixation device for experimental mice, comprising: a fixation member having a closed end and an open end, the open end being connected to a mounting end, the mouse entering the fixation member through the closed end, and the mouse's mandible being located on the mounting end; a clamping member detachably connected to the open end of the fixation member, the clamping member having a through hole 1 for allowing the mouse's head to pass through and for limiting its position; and a binding member fitted onto the mounting end for fixing the mouse's mandible.

[0042] The mouse's head is inserted through the closed end of the fixation device, and the mouse is moved within the fixation device until its head protrudes from the open end, with the mouse's mandible positioned on the mounting end. Then, a clamping device is installed to clamp and fix the mouse's head, and the mouse's mandible is bound to the mounting end with a binding device to prevent the mouse's head from moving. Finally, the closed end is sealed to prevent the mouse's body from moving, and subsequent radiotherapy experiments can be carried out.

[0043] The fasteners, mounting end, and clamping components are all made of lightweight radiation-shielding materials. The preferred material is tungsten alloy, a tungsten-based high-density alloy that inherits the excellent properties of tungsten while enhancing its hardness, allowing it to maintain a certain shape. Tungsten-nickel alloy, a typical form of tungsten in engineering applications, is selected in this technical solution, with a composition of 90% tungsten, 6% nickel, and 4% carbon.

[0044] like Figure 8 As shown, it is the MCNP program calculation model, such as Figure 9 As shown, it represents the shielding effect simulated by MCNP. Figure 9 As we can see from the table, the simulation results of MCNP show that both tungsten and lead provide effective protection, but tungsten's shielding effect is better than that of lead.

[0045] In addition, the materials are not limited to lead-containing concrete, Lipowitz alloy, lead-boron polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene (PVA-PE), epoxy resin boron aluminum carbide (Al-BC), Rad-block, tungsten functional paper (TFP), etc.

[0046] The scheme is further optimized. The fixing component is a fixed pipe 2, the mouse is located inside the fixed pipe 2, the closed end of the fixed pipe 2 is detachably connected to a sealing component, and the mounting end is a mounting platform 3, which is fixedly connected to the end of the fixed pipe 2 away from the sealing component.

[0047] The fixed pipe 2 has a channel for accommodating mice. The channel is open at both ends. The mouse's body is located in the channel. After the mouse is placed in the channel, the mouse's head protrudes from one end of the channel, and the mouse's mouth rests on the mounting platform 3 for subsequent operations.

[0048] The wall thickness of the fixed pipe 2 is preferably not less than 1 cm to achieve the blocking of radiation.

[0049] Furthermore, the fixed pipe 2 and the mounting platform 3 are preferably integrally formed structures.

[0050] The solution is further optimized. The clamping component includes two opposing clamping plates 4. The side walls of the two clamping plates 4 that are close to each other are provided with arc-shaped grooves 42. The two arc-shaped grooves 42 cooperate to form a through hole 1. One end of the clamping plate 4 near the sealing component is embedded in the fixed pipe 2 and is slidably connected to the fixed pipe 2. The other end of the clamping plate 4 is in contact with the side of the mounting platform 3 near the fixed pipe 2.

[0051] Understandably, the arc-shaped grooves 42 on the two clamps 4 cooperate to form a hole structure, which makes it easy to clamp the mouse's head. One end of the clamp 4 is embedded in the fixed pipe 2. The fixed pipe 2 limits the two clamps 4, so that the two clamps 4 are not easy to detach from the fixed pipe 2 when clamping the mouse's head.

[0052] Furthermore, the inner wall of the arc groove 42 is arc-shaped, the purpose of which is to prevent the mouse from being injured.

[0053] The scheme is further optimized. The clamping plate 4 includes an inclined plate 41. The end face of the open end is adapted to and fits the bottom surface of the inclined plate 41. An arc groove 42 is opened on the inclined plate 41. A clamping plate 43 and a contact plate 44 are fixedly connected to both ends of the inclined plate 41 respectively. A groove 5 is opened on the inner wall of the top end of the fixed pipe 2. The clamping plate 43 is located in the groove 5 and is slidably connected to the groove 5. The end of the contact plate 44 away from the clamping plate 43 contacts the mounting platform 3.

[0054] Understandably, the open end face of the fixed pipe 2 is an inclined surface, which is adapted to fit the bottom surface of the inclined plate 41. The inner wall of the top end of the fixed pipe 2 corresponding to the inclined surface is provided with a groove 5 for accommodating the clamping plate 43. By inserting the clamping plate 43 into the groove 5, the inclined plate 41 and the fixed pipe 2 are connected.

[0055] The contact plate 44 is used to contact the bottom inner wall of the mounting platform 3 and the fixed pipe 2. That is, one end of the contact plate 44 is fixed to the inclined plate 41, the other end of the contact plate 44 is in contact with one end of the mounting platform 3, and the bottom surface of the contact plate 44 is in contact with the bottom inner wall of the fixed pipe 2.

[0056] The inclined plate 41, the clamping plate 43, and the contact plate 44 are preferably integrally formed structures.

[0057] The scheme is further optimized by providing a connector on the two clamping plates 4. The connector is a first elastic band 6, which is sleeved on the two clamping plates 4 and the fixed pipe 2. The two clamping plates 4 are attached to each other and fixed to the fixed pipe 2 by the first elastic band 6.

[0058] Specifically, the specifications of the first elastic band 6 are selected according to the size of the two clamps 4. It can be understood that the first elastic band 6 can be fitted and fixed by putting it on the two clamps 4, and the two clamps 4 can be fixed to the fixed pipe 2 by putting it on the fixed pipe 2.

[0059] The design was further optimized by using a second elastic band 7 that is fitted onto the mounting platform 3 as the binding component. The mouse's mandible is fixed to the mounting platform 3 via the second elastic band 7. The second elastic band 7 is used to fix the mouse's mandible.

[0060] Understandably, when using the second elastic band 7, the mouse's mouth is opened and the second elastic band 7 is put on it. At the same time, the second elastic band 7 is put on the mounting platform 3, which can fix the mouse's mandible.

[0061] The design is further optimized so that the sealing component includes a cover plate 8. One end of the cover plate 8 near the fixed pipe 2 has a sleeve 9 that fits the outer wall of the fixed pipe 2. One end of the fixed pipe 2 is located inside the sleeve 9. The cover plate 8 is used to seal the fixed pipe 2, preventing the mouse from detaching from that end of the fixed pipe 2. The sleeve 9 facilitates the connection and disassembly of the fixed pipe 2 and the cover plate 8.

[0062] Furthermore, support plates 12 are fixedly connected to the bottom ends of the mounting platform 3 and the fixed pipe 2, respectively, with the bottom ends of the support plates 12 flush with the bottom ends of the cover plate 8. Since the outer wall size of the cover plate 8 is larger than the outer wall size of the fixed pipe 2, a corresponding support plate 12 is provided, and the support plate 12 cooperates with the bottom end of the cover plate 8 to support the fixed pipe 2.

[0063] To further optimize the design, a flexible restraint layer 10 is installed inside the fixed conduit 2 to restrain the mouse's body. After the mouse's mandible is fixed, a flexible restraint layer 10 of the appropriate size is filled into the fixed conduit 2 from the closed end to restrain the mouse's body.

[0064] The flexible restraint layer 10 can be a flexible structure such as a sponge block, cotton block, or bubble film. It is used to fill the inside of the fixed pipe 2 to restrain the mouse's body, so that the mouse's body cannot move inside the fixed pipe 2.

[0065] The design was further optimized by covering the fasteners, platform 3, clamping components, and sealing components with an anti-eating layer 11. Since the fasteners are made of tungsten alloy, to prevent mice from accidentally licking or ingesting them and causing metal poisoning, the anti-eating layer 11 was also covered on the inner and outer walls of the fixed pipe 2, the surface of the platform 3, the surface of the clamping plate 4, and the surface of the cover plate 8.

[0066] Specifically, the anti-eating layer 11 is preferably a thermoplastic film, or other materials that are not affected by radiation and can prevent mice from licking the surface of the tungsten plate.

[0067] Instructions for using a whole-brain irradiation fixation device for laboratory mice.

[0068] S1: Loading the mouse: Place the mouse's head into the closed end of the fixed pipe 2, and drive the mouse to crawl towards the open end of the fixed pipe 2. Send the mouse into the fixed pipe 2 from the closed end, pull the mouse's tail, drive the mouse forward, and extend the mouse's head out from the open end of the fixed pipe 2.

[0069] S2. Clamping the mouse's head: Insert two clamps 4 into the groove 5, fix the two clamps 4 and wedge the mouse's head into the through hole 1. Insert the two clamps 4 into the groove 5 respectively, move the two clamps 4 to wedge the mouse's head, use a suitable first rubber band 6 to put on the clamps 4 and fix the two clamps 4 to the fixed pipe 2, so that the mouse's head is restricted and cannot be retracted into the fixed pipe 2.

[0070] S3. Fix the mouse mandible: Fit the second elastic band 7 onto the mouse mandible and place the second elastic band 7 onto the mounting platform 3. Open the mouse's mouth, fit the second elastic band 7 onto the mouse mandible, and fix the mouse mandible to the top surface of the mounting platform 3, so that the mouse's head cannot move.

[0071] S4. Sealing the closed end: Fill the fixed pipe 2 with a flexible limiting layer 10, and then place the cover plate 8 on the closed end of the fixed pipe 2. Insert the flexible limiting layer 10 (e.g., a square sponge) into the fixed pipe 2 to fix the mouse's entire body so that it cannot move. Finally, place the cover plate 8 on one end of the fixed pipe 2.

[0072] S5. Start the experiment: Perform radiotherapy on the mice that have been clamped and fixed.

[0073] a. Adjust the direction of the radiation emitted by the irradiation device (not shown in the figure) downwards, so that the head is at least covered by the irradiation device at the radiation emission position, thus completing the alignment adjustment of the radiotherapy equipment;

[0074] b. After setting the radiotherapy parameters, start the radiotherapy device. The radiation is directed at the mouse's head, while the radiation in other areas is blocked by the tungsten plate.

[0075] c. After irradiation, remove the second rubber band 7, the first rubber band 6, the two clamps 4, the cover plate 8, and the flexible limiting layer 10 in sequence. Finally, drag the mouse by its tail and pull the front of the mouse out of the open end of the fixed tube.

[0076] Example 2

[0077] Reference Figure 6-7 As shown, two opposite outer walls of the fixed pipe 2 are respectively fixed with inserts 13, and the top of the clamping plate 43 is fixed with a connecting plate 14. The connecting plate 14 has a connecting hole 15 for the inserts 13 to pass through. The inserts 13 are threaded with fixing bolts 16. The connecting plate 14 is detachably connected to the inserts 13 through the fixing bolts 16.

[0078] The insertion post 13 is fixed on the outer wall of the fixed pipe 2. The two clamping plates 4 can be fixed by passing the connecting plate 14 through the insertion post 13 and connecting the fixing bolt 16 to the insertion post 13.

[0079] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0080] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A whole-brain irradiation fixation device for laboratory mice, characterized in that: include, The fixation member has a closed end and an open end, and a mounting end is connected to the open end. The mouse enters the fixation member through the closed end, and the mouse's mandible is located on the mounting end. A clamping member is detachably connected to the open end of the fixing member, and the clamping member has a through hole (1) for the mouse head to pass through and be limited. A strap is fitted onto the mounting end and used to fix the mouse mandible; The fixing component, the mounting end, and the clamping component are all made of lightweight radiation-proof materials. The fixing component is a fixed pipe (2), the mouse is located inside the fixed pipe (2), the closed end of the fixed pipe (2) is detachably connected to a sealing component, the mounting end is a mounting platform (3), and the mounting platform (3) is fixedly connected to the end of the fixed pipe (2) away from the sealing component; The clamping member includes two opposing clamping plates (4). The two clamping plates (4) have arc-shaped grooves (42) on their sidewalls that are close to each other. The two arc-shaped grooves (42) cooperate to form the through hole (1). One end of the clamping plate (4) near the sealing member is embedded in the fixed pipe (2) and is slidably connected to the fixed pipe (2). The other end of the clamping plate (4) contacts the side of the mounting platform (3) near the fixed pipe (2). The two clamps (4) are provided with connectors, the connectors being first rubber bands (6). The first rubber bands (6) are sleeved on the two clamps (4) and the fixed pipe (2). The two clamps (4) are attached to each other and fixed to the fixed pipe (2) by the first rubber bands (6). The binding element is a second elastic band (7) sleeved on the mounting platform (3), and the mouse mandible is fixed on the mounting platform (3) by the second elastic band (7); The fixed pipe (2) is sealed with a flexible limiting layer (10), which is used to limit the body of the mouse.

2. The whole-brain irradiation fixation device for experimental mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamp (4) includes an inclined plate (41), the end face of the open end is adapted to and fits the bottom surface of the inclined plate (41), the arc groove (42) is opened on the inclined plate (41), the two ends of the inclined plate (41) are respectively fixed with a clamping plate (43) and a contact plate (44), the inner wall of the top end of the fixed pipe (2) is provided with a groove (5), the clamping plate (43) is located in the groove (5) and is slidably connected with the groove (5), and the end of the contact plate (44) away from the clamping plate (43) is in contact with the mounting platform (3).

3. The whole-brain irradiation fixation device for experimental mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing component includes a cover plate (8), and the end of the cover plate (8) near the fixed pipe (2) is provided with a sleeve (9) that is adapted to the outer wall of the fixed pipe (2), and one end of the fixed pipe (2) is located inside the sleeve (9).

4. The whole-brain irradiation fixation device for experimental mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing component, the mounting platform (3), the clamping component, and the sealing component are all covered with a food-proof layer (11).

5. The method of using the whole-brain irradiation fixation device for laboratory mice, as described in any one of claims 1-4, is characterized in that: S1: Loading the mouse: Place the mouse head into the closed end of the fixed tube (2) and drive the mouse to crawl towards the open end of the fixed tube (2); S2. Clamping the mouse head: Insert two clamps (4) into the groove (5), fix the two clamps (4) and clamp the mouse head into the through hole (1); S3. Fix the mouse mandible: Put the second elastic band (7) on the mouse mandible and put the second elastic band (7) on the mounting platform (3); S4. Seal the closed end: Fill the fixed pipe (2) with a flexible limiting layer (10) and put the cover plate (8) on the closed end of the fixed pipe (2); S5. Start the experiment: Perform radiotherapy on the mice that have been clamped and fixed.

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