Non-anesthetized in-cage body weight measurement system for non-human primates

Abstract

The application provides a non-human primate non-anesthesia in-cage body weight measurement system, comprising a movable weighing unit, a cage unit and a movable multifunctional load unit. The position of the weighing unit body of the application is selected above the cage, which is different from the traditional platform weighing from below, reducing the problem that liquid and dirt in the cage flushing process easily cause damage to the weighing unit body. This design also solves the problem that animals need to be transferred to a dedicated weighing cage for weighing, and realizes that animals can complete weighing in their own daily life cage. At the same time, the weighing process of the application has a high degree of automation, the weighing time of a single animal is reduced, the work efficiency of laboratory personnel is improved, the animal anesthesia process is avoided, and the demand for measuring the body weight of adult large-sized non-human primates in a relatively harmonious form under a conscious state is met.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of cage weight measurement, in particular to a non-human primate non-anesthetized cage weight measurement system. BACKGROUND

[0002] The higher the evolutionary stage of experimental animals, the closer their response to drugs and physiological and pathological processes in vivo to humans. Non-human primates such as monkeys and baboons are most similar to humans, and they play an irreplaceable role in scientific research and new drug development compared to other rodents and dogs. The body weight of experimental animals is one of the most common measurement data in various research processes, and it requires frequent and accurate detection, and the change in body weight is of great significance to drug and disease research. Determining the body weight of non-human primates is a daily task for experimental animal practitioners.

[0003] Unlike rodents, non-human primates are naturally active, large in size, and many are aggressive. The weighing methods that can be used for rodents cannot be applied to non-human primates (CN201820750725, CN202121023011, etc.). To ensure the accuracy of experimental data and the safety of experimenters, non-human primates are usually weighed after being anesthetized, transferred to a weighing cage, or weighed by experimenters holding them. However, weighing after anesthesia takes a long time and has a greater impact on animals. Transferring to a weighing cage or weighing by experimenters holding them takes time and requires high physical strength from experimenters. For large male animals with a body weight of over 5 kg and sharp teeth, there are still significant safety risks.

[0004] For large animals such as cows and pigs, CN200720173964, CN202220147731, and CN202220498455 are not suitable for the high-frequency weighing needs of non-human primate experimental animals.

[0005] For non-human primates, the solution described in CN201822219481 to some extent solves the above problems, but precise electronic weighing devices cannot be used as the base of general experimental cages for a long time. Animals still need to be transferred to the device manually, which takes time and poses safety risks.

[0006] For the weighing solution of animals in a conscious state, the method described in CN201110149635 can to some extent solve the problem of animal weight fluctuations, but it still cannot meet the frequent measurement needs of data accuracy in the process of scientific research. SUMMARY

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a non-human primate non-anesthesia in-cage body weight measurement system, comprising: a movable weighing unit, a cage unit and a movable multifunctional load unit;

[0008] The movable weighing unit comprises: a first transmission system fixed on the top, a plurality of hanging claws movably fixed below the first transmission system, and a weighing unit body fixedly connected above at least three hanging claws and arranged in parallel with the plane composed of the hanging claws;

[0009] The cage unit comprises: a standard cage / non-standard cage, a plurality of hanging points capable of being nested with the hanging claws arranged on the top of the standard cage / non-standard cage, and a liftable platform movably arranged below the standard cage / non-standard cage and capable of lifting the standard cage / non-standard cage.

[0010] The movable multifunctional load unit comprises: a second transmission system fixed on the bottom, a shell movably fixed above the second transmission system, and an image acquisition point, a snack storage point, a feeding point, a telescopic load platform and a second microprocessor core successively wrapped by the shell from top to bottom.

[0011] Specifically, the first transmission system comprises: two parallel first gear transmission belts, a first numerical control gear transmission motor fixed at both ends of the first gear transmission belt and providing power for the first transmission system, and a plurality of first transmission wheels movably suspended on the first gear transmission belt.

[0012] Specifically, the first transmission wheel is welded with the hanging claw one by one below.

[0013] Specifically, the weighing unit body is welded with at least one hanging claw on each first gear transmission belt.

[0014] Specifically, the weighing unit body is triangular or rectangular.

[0015] Specifically, the weighing unit body further comprises a first microprocessor core located at the center and a pressure sensor located at the periphery.

[0016] Specifically, the hanging point is welded on the top of the standard cage / non-standard cage.

[0017] Specifically, the hanging claw moves horizontally to embed the hanging point in the hanging claw, thereby completing vertical hanging. After the hanging is completed, the liftable platform slowly descends by a certain distance, so that the load bearing of the standard cage / non-standard cage is completely transferred to the movable weighing unit.

[0018] Specifically, the liftable platform is mechanically numerically controlled.

[0019] Specifically, the second transmission system comprises a second gear belt, a second numerically controlled gear transmission motor fixed at both ends of the second gear belt and providing power for the second transmission system, and a plurality of second transmission wheels movably suspended on the second gear belt.

[0020] Specifically, the second transmission wheels are welded below the shell and drive the shell to move.

[0021] Specifically, the shell is a cuboid or a cylinder, and the material is selected from Hastelloy or stainless steel.

[0022] Specifically, the object table is retractable out of the shell, and the material is selected from Hastelloy or stainless steel.

[0023] Specifically, the image acquisition point is connected to the second microprocessor core by a signal and can be used to capture the activity of the non-human primates in the cage.

[0024] Specifically, the snack storage point can store snacks, and when the non-human primates need to eat, the snacks can be transferred to the feeding point to facilitate the eating of the non-human primates.

[0025] Specifically, the in-cage body weight measurement system is also provided with a smart device provided with a body weight recording system.

[0026] Specifically, the smart device and the first transmission system, the weighing unit body, the numerically controlled mechanical liftable platform, and the second transmission system realize data intercommunication and remote control through wireless connection.

[0027] Specifically, the smart device is a mobile phone, a personal computer, a tablet computer, or other electronic devices.

[0028] The present application provides a non-human primate non-anesthesia in-cage body weight measurement system, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] 1. The weighing unit body is located above the cage, which is different from the traditional platform under the weighing unit body, reducing the problem of damage to the weighing unit body caused by liquid and dirt during the cage flushing process. This design also solves the problem that animals need to be transferred to a special weighing cage for weighing, and realizes that animals can complete weighing in their own daily life cage.

[0030] 2. The weighing process has a high degree of automation, which is mainly realized by the movable multifunctional object carrying unit using the characteristics of non-human primates. Food attracts animals to stand on the object carrying unit, realizing the effect of calculating animal weight by twice reading difference.

[0031] 3. The time-consuming of weighing a single animal is reduced to 30 seconds to 1 minute, the saved animal image can be used for backtracking the weighing process; the work efficiency of laboratory personnel is improved, the contact between laboratory personnel and experimental animals during animal operation is reduced, and the stress of animals is reduced.

[0032] 4. The problem that non-human primates need to be anesthetized or artificially fixed when accurately weighing due to the mobility is solved by using the relatively immobile characteristics of the animal feeding process, and the animal anesthesia process is avoided, so that the demand for measuring the body weight of adult large-sized non-human primates in a conscious state is met in a relatively harmonious form. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, the drawings used in the present application are briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 is a front view of the movable weighing unit of the present application.

[0035] Figure 2 is a top view of the movable weighing unit of the present application.

[0036] Figure 3 is a side view of the movable weighing unit of the present application.

[0037] Figure 4 is a structural schematic view of the weighing unit body of the present application.

[0038] Figure 5 is a front view of the cage unit of the present application.

[0039] Figure 6 is a side view of the cage unit of the present application.

[0040] Figure 7 is a top view of the cage unit of the present application.

[0041] Figure 8 is a combination mode of the hanging claw and the hanging point of the present application.

[0042] Figure 9 is a front view of the movable multifunctional carrying unit of the present application.

[0043] Figure 10 is a side view of the movable multifunctional carrying unit of the present application.

[0044] Figure 11This is a schematic diagram (front view) of the standard cage data acquisition of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram (side view) of the non-standard cage data acquisition of the present invention.

[0046] Symbol Explanation

[0047] 1. Portable weighing unit

[0048] 11 First gear transmission belt

[0049] 12 First transmission wheel

[0050] 13 Mounting claws

[0051] 14 Weighing Unit Main Body

[0052] 141 First Microprocessor Core

[0053] 142 Pressure Sensor

[0054] 15 First gear drive motor

[0055] 2 Cage Unit

[0056] 21 Mounting Points

[0057] 22 Standard cages / Non-standard cages

[0058] 23 Liftable Platform

[0059] 3. Movable multi-functional cargo unit

[0060] 31 Image Acquisition Points

[0061] 32 Snack Storage Points

[0062] 33 Feeding Points

[0063] 34. Platform

[0064] 35 Second Microprocessor Core

[0065] 36 Second transmission wheel

[0066] 37 Second gear transmission belt

[0067] 38. Outer shell

[0068] 39 Second gear drive motor

[0069] 4. Animals Detailed Implementation

[0070] The technical solutions in the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of the present application.

[0071] Standard cage: refers to a fixed combination of a cage body and its detachable accessories specified by the test personnel for each test according to different experimental needs, so as to ensure that the weight difference between cages is not large.

[0072] Non-standard cage: refers to a cage used in the test without a unified weight as a baseline when the test personnel cannot form a unified fixed combination for all cages to meet the special requirements in the test (for example, some cages need to be equipped with special accessories to meet the test requirements).

[0073] Embodiment one, basic structure of the present application

[0074] Reference Figures 1-10 The present application provides a non-narcotic state cage weight measurement system for non-human primates, comprising: a movable weighing unit (1), a cage unit (2), and a movable multifunctional load carrying unit (3); the movable weighing unit (1) comprises: a first transmission system fixedly installed on the top, a plurality of hanging claws (13) movably fixed below the first transmission system, and a weighing unit body (14) fixedly connected above at least three hanging claws (13) and arranged in parallel with the plane formed by the hanging claws (13); the cage unit (2) comprises: a standard cage / non-standard cage (22), a plurality of hanging points (21) capable of being nested with the hanging claws (13) and fixedly installed on the top of the standard cage / non-standard cage (22), and a liftable platform (23) movably installed below the standard cage / non-standard cage (22) and capable of lifting the standard cage / non-standard cage (22); the movable multifunctional load carrying unit (3) comprises: a second transmission system fixedly installed on the bottom, a housing (38) movably fixed on the second transmission system, and an image acquisition point (31), a snack storage point (32), a feeding point (33), a load carrying table (34), and a second microprocessor core (35) sequentially wrapped by the housing (38) from top to bottom.

[0075] The first transmission system comprises two parallel first gear transmission belts (11), a first numerical control gear transmission motor (15) fixed at both ends of the first gear transmission belts (11) and providing power for the first transmission system, and a plurality of first transmission wheels (12) movably suspended on the first gear transmission belts (11). A corresponding welding hanging claw (13) is arranged below each first transmission wheel (12). A weighing unit body (14) is welded with at least one hanging claw (13) on each first gear transmission belt (11). The weighing unit body (14) is triangular or rectangular. The weighing unit body (14) further comprises a first microprocessor core (141) at the center and a pressure sensor (142) at the periphery. A hanging point (21) is welded at the top of a standard cage / non-standard cage (22). The horizontal movement of the hanging claw (13) makes the hanging point (21) embedded in the hanging claw (13), so as to complete the vertical hanging. After the hanging is completed, the lifting platform (23) slowly lowers a certain distance, so that the load of the standard cage / non-standard cage (22) is completely transferred to the movable weighing unit (1). The lifting platform (23) is mechanically numerically controlled.

[0076] The second transmission system comprises a second gear transmission belt (37), a second numerical control gear transmission motor (39) fixed at both ends of the second gear transmission belt (37) and providing power for the second transmission system, and a plurality of second transmission wheels (36) movably suspended on the second gear transmission belt (37). The second transmission wheel (36) is welded below the shell (38) and drives the shell (38) to move. The shell (38) is a rectangular or cylindrical body, and the material is selected from Hastelloy or stainless steel. The object table (34) is retractable out of the shell, and the material is selected from Hastelloy or stainless steel. The image acquisition point (31) is connected to the second microprocessor core (35) through a signal and can be used to capture the activity of the non-human primates in the cage. The snack storage point (32) can store snacks, and when the non-human primates need to eat, the snacks can be transferred to the feeding point (33) to facilitate the feeding of the non-human primates.

[0077] The cage body weight measurement system is also provided with a smart device installed with a body weight recording system. The smart device is wirelessly connected to the first transmission system, the weighing unit body (14), the lifting platform (23), and the second transmission system to realize data intercommunication and remote control. The smart device is a mobile phone, a personal computer, a tablet computer or other electronic devices.

[0078] Example two, measurement of animal body weight in a standard cage

[0079] The schematic diagram of the measurement of animal body weight in a standard cage (22) is shown in the reference Figure 11 , and the specific steps are as follows:

[0080] a) Each standard cage (22) has a fixed weight, and the weight of each standard cage (22) is recorded in the body weight recording system on the intelligent device, and the weight of each standard cage (22) is recorded in the body weight recording system on the intelligent device.

[0081] b) The animal enters the standard cage (22), and the standard cage (22) serves as the living cage during the animal experiment. The animal body weight measurement interval and the time point of the measurement day (such as the relatively quiet period of the animal) are set on the body weight recording system according to the experimental requirements, and the weighing program is started;

[0082] c) The weighing unit body (14) moves along the first gear transmission belt (11) to the mounting point (21) above the standard cage (22) to be measured, and the mounting claw (13) below the weighing unit body (14) moves horizontally to embed the mounting point (21) in the mounting claw (13), thereby completing the vertical mounting (the mounting points are distributed below the two parallel first gear transmission belts (11), and there are not less than three, so as to ensure the stable mounting of the standard cage (22) and the accurate reading). After the mounting is completed, the lifting platform (23) slowly descends by a certain distance, so that the weight of the standard cage (22) is completely transferred to the movable weighing unit (1). The pressure sensor (142) in the weighing unit body (14) senses the pressure signal, the first microprocessor core (141) processes and outputs the weighing electric signal, and the data information is transmitted to the intelligent device installed with the body weight recording system at any place outside the laboratory through wireless transmission.

[0083] d) The electric signal generated by the weighing draws a weight curve, and after the curve is stable, the body weight recording system calculates the animal weight (C) according to the difference between the weight of the standard cage (22) (denoted as MO) and the weight of the standard cage (22) containing the animal (denoted as M1).

[0084] Animal weight (C) = weight of standard cage containing animal (M1) - weight of standard cage without animal (M0)

[0085] e) After the body weight recording system obtains the animal weight, the lifting platform (23) slowly rises to the original position, and the mounting claw (13) and the mounting point (21) are dismounted, so that the weight of the standard cage (22) is transferred back to the lifting platform (23).

[0086] f) The weighing unit body (14) moves to the next standard cage (22) to be measured according to the instruction or returns to the original position, and the above operation is repeated until the weighing of all experimental animals at this weighing time point is completed.

[0087] g) As the living cage during the animal experiment, the animal can live in the standard cage (22) and receive in-cage experimental operations of the experimenter, and the weighing is started again at the next weighing time point, and the above process is repeated to complete the weighing at the next time.

[0088] h) After all the weighing time points are completed, the animal is transferred out of the standard cage (22) as required by the experiment.

[0089] Example Three, Measurement of the Body Weight of an Animal in a Non-standard Cage

[0090] The measurement of the body weight of an animal in a non-standard cage (22) is measured using the difference method (such as when the detachable accessories of the cage need to be frequently detached, when the animal is weighed for the first time, and other situations in which the weight of the non-standard cage containing the animal needs to be dynamically changed). First, the data of the non-standard cage (22) containing the animal is collected, and then the data of the non-standard cage (22) not containing the animal is collected, and the two are subtracted to obtain the body weight of the animal in the non-standard cage (22). The specific steps are as follows: Figure 11 The data of the non-standard cage (22) containing the animal is collected, and then the data of the non-standard cage (22) not containing the animal is collected, and the two are subtracted to obtain the body weight of the animal in the non-standard cage (22). The specific steps are as follows: Figure 12 The data of the non-standard cage (22) containing the animal is collected, and then the data of the non-standard cage (22) not containing the animal is collected, and the two are subtracted to obtain the body weight of the animal in the non-standard cage (22). The specific steps are as follows:

[0091] (1) Data collection of the non-standard cage (22) containing the animal:

[0092] a) According to the requirements of the experimental design, the experimenter binds the animal number to the corresponding cage number and records it in the body weight recording system in the intelligent device. The experimenter transfers the animal to the corresponding non-standard cage (22), which serves as the residence cage during the animal experiment.

[0093] b) Set the daily fixed time point (such as selecting a relatively quiet period for the animal) in the body weight recording system to start the weighing program.

[0094] c) The weighing unit body (14) moves along the first gear transmission belt (11) to the mounting point (21) above the non-standard cage (22) that needs to be measured. The mounting claw (13) below the weighing unit body (14) moves horizontally to embed the mounting point (21) into the mounting claw (13), thereby completing the vertical mounting (the mounting points are distributed below the two parallel first gear transmission belts (11), and there are at least three of them to ensure stable cage mounting and accurate reading). After mounting is completed, the lifting platform (23) slowly descends by a certain distance, causing the weight of the non-standard cage (22) to be completely transferred to the movable weighing unit (1). The pressure sensor (142) in the weighing unit body (14) senses the pressure signal, the first microprocessor core (141) processes and outputs the weighing electrical signal, and the data information is transmitted to the intelligent device installed with the body weight recording system at any location outside the laboratory through wireless transmission.

[0095] d) The electrical signal generated by the weighing draws a weight curve, and the weight of the non-standard cage (22) containing the animal (denoted as M2) is recorded after the curve stabilizes.

[0096] e) The weighing unit body (14) moves to the next non-standard cage (22) containing an animal to be weighed or returns to the original position according to the instructions, and the above operation is repeated until the data of all non-standard cages (22) containing animals at this weighing time point are collected.

[0097] (2) Data collection of non-standard cages without animals:

[0098] a) The movable multifunctional loading unit (3) moves to the non-standard cage (22) to be measured according to the instructions.

[0099] b) The image acquisition point (31) starts to capture the situation of the animal (4) in the cage.

[0100] c) The snack storage point (32) feeds a small amount of snacks to the feeding point (33), starts feeding, and releases the loading platform (34) into the cage.

[0101] d) When the animal (4) stands on the loading platform (34) to feed at the feeding point (33), the weight of the animal (4) is transferred from the movable weighing unit (1) to the loading platform (34), and the weight measured by the movable weighing unit (1) at this time is the weight of the non-standard cage (22) without animals (M3).

[0102] e) The electrical signal generated by the weighing produces a weight curve, and after the curve stabilizes, the weight of the non-standard cage (22) without animals (M3) is recorded. The lifting platform (23) slowly rises to the original position, the dismounting of the hanging claw (13) and the hanging point (21) makes the non-standard cage (22) transfer the load back to the lifting platform (23), and the loading platform (34) is retracted. The movable multifunctional loading unit (3) is moved away, and the load of the animal (4) is also transferred back to the lifting platform (23).

[0103] f) The weighing unit body (14) automatically moves to the next cage position or returns to the original position to repeat the above operation, and the lifting platform (23) is moved until the data of all non-standard cages without animals at this weighing time point are collected.

[0104] (3) Difference method for measuring the weight of animals in non-standard cages

[0105] Animal weight (C) = weight of non-standard cage with animals (M2) - weight of non-standard cage without animals (M3).

[0106] Example Four, Manual Operation Part

[0107] a) The technician can manually operate each step of the above units

[0108] b) When the weighing process can not output stable weight signal (such as a few restless or timid animals on the time of the loading rod is too short), the technician can through the video real-time or subsequent repeated watching the weighing process and according to the weighing electric signal diagram to select the animal weight to manually select the electric signal sampling point of the animal when the animal is on the telescopic loading platform (34), or control to start the feeding program again, increase the feeding amount to attract the animal to keep on the telescopic loading platform (34) for a longer time.

[0109] c) For simple domesticated animals, the whole process can be completely automatic.

[0110] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A cage-based weight measurement system for non-human primates in an anesthetized state, characterized in that, include: Mobile weighing unit, cage unit, and mobile multi-functional cargo handling unit; The movable weighing unit includes: a first transmission system fixedly mounted on the top, a plurality of mounting claws movably fixed below the first transmission system, and a weighing unit body fixedly connected above at least three of the mounting claws and arranged parallel to the plane formed by the mounting claws. The cage unit includes: a standard cage / non-standard cage, a plurality of mounting points fixedly installed on the top of the standard cage / non-standard cage that can be nested with the mounting claws, and a movable lifting platform located below the standard cage / non-standard cage and capable of being raised and lowered to support the standard cage / non-standard cage. The movable multi-functional carrying unit includes: a second transmission system fixedly mounted at the bottom, a shell movablely fixed above the second transmission system, and an image acquisition point, a snack storage point, a feeding point, a carrying platform, and a second microprocessor core, which are sequentially enclosed by the shell from top to bottom.

2. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first transmission system includes: two parallel first gear transmission belts, a first CNC gear transmission motor fixed at both ends of the first gear transmission belts and providing power to the first transmission system, and a plurality of first transmission wheels that are movably suspended on the first gear transmission belts.

3. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting claws are welded one-to-one to the bottom of the first drive wheel.

4. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main body of the weighing unit is welded with at least one of the mounting claws on each of the first gear drive belts.

5. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body of the weighing unit is triangular or rectangular.

6. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body of the weighing unit also includes a first microprocessor core located at the center and pressure sensors located around the periphery.

7. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting points are welded to the top of the standard / non-standard cage.

8. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The horizontal movement of the hanging melon causes the hanging point to embed into the hanging melon, thereby completing the vertical hanging. After the hanging is completed, the lifting platform slowly descends a certain distance, so that the load of the standard cage / non-standard cage is completely transferred to the movable weighing unit.

9. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting platform is mechanically CNC controlled.

10. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second transmission system includes: a second gear transmission belt, a second CNC gear transmission motor fixed at both ends of the second gear transmission belt and providing power to the second transmission system, and a plurality of second transmission wheels that are movably suspended on the second gear transmission belt.

11. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second drive wheel is welded to the bottom of the housing and drives the housing to move.

12. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer shell is rectangular or cylindrical, and the material is selected from Hastelloy or stainless steel.

13. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stage is retractable from the outer shell and is made of Hastelloy or stainless steel.

14. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image acquisition point is connected to the second microprocessor core via a signal and can be used to capture the activity of the non-human primate in the cage.

15. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The snack storage point can store snacks, and when the non-human primates need to eat, the snacks can be transferred to the feeding point to facilitate the non-human primates' eating.

16. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cage-based weight measurement system is also equipped with a smart device that has a weight recording system installed.

17. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 16, characterized in that, The intelligent device achieves data communication and remote control with the first transmission system, the weighing unit body, the lifting platform, and the second transmission system through wireless connection.

18. The cage weight measurement system according to claim 16, characterized in that, The smart device is a mobile phone, personal computer, tablet computer or other electronic device.

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