Animal enclosure and animal imaging system

Abstract

The application relates to an animal cage and an animal imaging system. The animal cage is used for carrying an animal to be scanned into a scanning channel, one end of the animal cage is connected with a scanning bed, and the other end is provided with a stabilizing assembly. The stabilizing assembly comprises a base, a driving member and a plurality of supporting members. The base is fixedly arranged on the animal cage. The supporting members are slidingly connected along the radial direction of the base, and the supporting members are uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction of the base. The driving member is arranged on the base and is movably connected with each supporting member, and is used for driving each supporting member to synchronously slide along the radial direction of the base. When each supporting member is expanded, the stabilizing assembly can abut against and press the inner wall of the scanning channel, can finely adjust the animal cage, can improve the coincidence degree of the axis of the animal cage and the axis of the scanning channel, and can center the animal cage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of magnetic resonance imaging equipment, and in particular to an animal crate and an animal imaging system. Background Technology

[0002] In some animal imaging systems, the animal compartment is cantilevered on the magnet and has a cantilever structure. The animal compartment is used to carry the object being scanned into the scanning channel for scanning. Accessories such as insulated water bath pipes are usually distributed on the animal compartment.

[0003] Due to limitations in imaging quality requirements, such as the working environment of ultra-high field MRI systems, animal chambers are mostly made of engineering plastics. On the one hand, due to the inherent creep properties of plastics and the fact that the scanning process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, the front end of the animal chamber will creep and sink over time under the cantilevered installation structure and its own weight. On the other hand, due to the thermal expansion properties of plastics, the animal chamber will deform with changes in the temperature of the water in the insulated water bath.

[0004] Both of these deformations will cause the scanned object to shift during the scanning process, thus affecting the image quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an animal container and animal imaging system that will not deform during the scanning process, which may cause displacement of the scanned object and a decrease in the quality of the image, in order to address the problem that the animal container of the current animal imaging system may deform during the scanning process.

[0006] This application first provides an animal chamber for carrying an animal to be scanned into a scanning channel. One end of the animal chamber is connected to a scanning bed, and the other end is provided with a stabilization component. The stabilization component includes a base, a drive component, and multiple support components. The base is fixed to the animal chamber, and the support components are all slidably connected along the radial direction of the base. The multiple support components are evenly distributed along the circumference of the base. The drive component is disposed on the base and movably connected to each of the support components, for driving each support component to slide synchronously along the radial direction of the base.

[0007] In one embodiment, each of the supports includes a slide bar and a support block fixed to the end of the slide bar, wherein the curvature of the support block on the side face away from the center of the base is equal to the curvature of the inner wall of the scanning channel.

[0008] In one embodiment, the driving element includes a synchronous execution unit and a driving unit, the synchronous execution unit being rotatably connected to the base and connected to each of the support members, and the driving unit being connected to the synchronous execution unit for driving each of the support members through the synchronous execution unit.

[0009] In one embodiment, the drive unit includes a first gear and a second gear. The first gear is rotatably connected to the base, and the second gear is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft of the synchronous execution unit. The first gear meshes with the second gear to drive the synchronous execution unit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the base includes a radial groove with openings on both the side away from the center in the radial direction of the base and the side closer to the synchronous execution unit in the axial direction. The slide rod is slidably connected to the radial groove, and the slide rod is fixed with a sliding pin that protrudes along the opening in the axial direction of the radial groove.

[0011] In one embodiment, the synchronous execution unit includes a rotating shaft and a main body plate perpendicular to the rotating shaft. The main body plate is provided with the same number of drive grooves as the support member. The drive grooves are eccentric arc grooves whose extension direction does not pass through the rotating shaft, and the multiple drive grooves are arranged in an array around the rotating shaft. The main body plate is located on the opening side of the radial groove in the axial direction. Each drive groove is respectively connected to a sliding pin, and the sliding pin can slide within the drive groove.

[0012] In one embodiment, the animal hold includes a compartment for accommodating animals and a mounting portion located on the side of the compartment away from the stabilization component. The drive also includes an adjustment rod that extends through the compartment to the mounting portion along the axial direction of the base.

[0013] In one embodiment, the animal enclosure further includes a receiving portion located between the enclosure section and the mounting section, the enclosure section and the receiving portion being connected by a through hole, the temperature-controlled water pipe and the signal wire being housed in the receiving portion and extending into the enclosure section through the through hole.

[0014] In one embodiment, the animal compartment further includes a fixing cover that is detachably fixed to the mounting portion to clamp and fix the adjusting rod in conjunction with the mounting portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the curvature of the support block near the center end face of the base is equal to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the base.

[0016] A second aspect of this application provides an animal imaging system, which includes an imaging body, a scanning bed, and the aforementioned animal chamber. The imaging body has a scanning channel, the scanning bed is connected to the entrance of the scanning channel of the imaging body, and the animal chamber is slidably connected to the scanning bed. The animal chamber can be operably controlled to extend into the scanning channel through the sliding connection.

[0017] The aforementioned animal chamber is equipped with multiple support members that are radially slidably connected to the base. Each support member extends along its respective sliding direction to abut against the inner wall of the scanning channel, thereby supporting the animal chamber, restricting the degree of freedom of movement at the end of the animal chamber, and preventing deformation of the animal chamber due to creep or thermal expansion. At the same time, the support members can uniformly support the animal chamber in the circumferential direction. Even if there is an error in the axis between the animal chamber and the scanning channel when the animal chamber is inserted into the scanning channel, the stabilization component can play a fine-tuning role for the animal chamber by abutting and squeezing against the inner wall of the scanning channel when the support members are extended, improving the coincidence of the axis of the animal chamber and the axis of the scanning channel, and achieving a centering and alignment effect. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the animal enclosure used in this application;

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram at point A;

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the stabilization component when the support retracts;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram along direction B;

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the stabilization component when the support extends;

[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram along direction C;

[0024] Figure 7 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the stabilization component;

[0025] Figure 8 for Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram of the central locking part.

[0026] Reference numerals: 100, scanning channel; 10, animal compartment; 11, compartment section; 12, mounting section; 13, receiving section; 14, through hole; 15, fixing cover; 20, stabilization component; 21, base; 211, radial groove; 22, support component; 221, slide rod; 222, support block; 223, sliding pin; 23, driving component; 231, synchronous execution unit; 231a, rotating shaft; 231b, main body plate; 231c, driving groove; 232, driving unit; 232a, first gear; 232b, second gear; 232c, adjusting rod. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0029] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0030] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0032] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0033] Please combine Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, this application first provides an animal chamber for carrying an animal to be scanned into a scanning channel 100. One end of the animal chamber 10 is connected to the scanning bed, and the other end is provided with a stabilization component 20. The stabilization component 20 includes a base 21, a drive component 23, and multiple support components 22. The base 21 is fixed to the animal chamber 10, and the support components 22 are all slidably connected along the radial direction of the base 21. The multiple support components 22 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the base 21. The drive component 23 is disposed on the base 21 and is movably connected to each support component 22, for driving each support component 22 to slide synchronously along the radial direction of the base 21.

[0034] In this article, the radial direction of the base 21 refers to the direction that is parallel to or coincides with the radial direction of the scanning channel 100; the axial direction of the base 21 refers to the direction that is parallel to or coincides with the axial direction of the scanning channel 100; and the circumferential direction of the base 21 refers to the direction around the axial direction of the base.

[0035] The drive unit 23 drives each support member 22 to retract along the radial direction of the base 21, so that the stabilization component 20 and the animal chamber 10 can be normally inserted into the scanning channel 100. After being inserted into the scanning channel 100, the drive unit 23 drives each support member 22 to extend synchronously and equidistantly along the radial direction of the base 21 and abut against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100. The stabilization component 20 supports the animal chamber 10 at its end, restricts the degree of freedom of movement at the end of the animal chamber 10, and prevents the animal chamber 10 from deforming due to creep or thermal expansion. This fixes the scanned object at the scanning center of the scanning channel 100 without displacement, thereby improving the imaging quality.

[0036] Please combine Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, each support member 22 includes a slide bar 221 and a support block 222 fixed to the end of the slide bar 221. The arc of the end face of the support block 222 away from the center of the base 21 is equal to the arc of the inner wall of the scanning channel 100.

[0037] In this application, the curvature of the end face of the support block 222 away from the center of the base 21 is equal to the curvature of the inner wall of the scanning channel 100. Therefore, when the support block 222 abuts against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100, the two curved surfaces fit together completely. The support member 22 can uniformly support the animal chamber 10 in the circumferential direction. Even if there is an error in the axis of the two when the animal chamber 10 is inserted into the scanning channel 100, the stabilizing component 20 can play a fine-tuning role for the animal chamber 10 by the abutment and compression of each support block 222 against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100 when it is unfolded, thereby improving the coincidence of the axis of the animal chamber 10 with the axis of the scanning channel 100 and achieving the effect of centering.

[0038] Furthermore, each support member 22 extends and retracts synchronously under the drive of the drive member 23, so that the outer surface of each support member 22 (the surface that abuts against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100) is always in the same circle, and the center of the circle is located on the extension line of the animal chamber 10 axis. Since the center of the circle is located on the axis of the scanning channel 100 after each support member 22 extends to abut against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100, setting the center of the circle on the extension line of the animal chamber 10 axis can ensure the centering effect of the stabilization component 20 and ensure that the axis of the animal chamber 10 and the axis of the scanning channel 100 are completely coincident after each support member 22 extends.

[0039] The radial movement referred to in this application can also mean that the displacement of the support member 22 has a component in the radial direction of the base 21. That is, the support member 22 can also move in other directions, as long as the support member 22 has a displacement in the radial direction of the base 21.

[0040] In the above embodiments, the base 21 is directly fixed to the structure of the animal crate 10, so that the stabilization component 20 does not need to introduce other support structures, reducing the number of parts and cost of the stabilization component 20, and reducing adjustment costs. Of course, in some embodiments, the base 21 can also be detachably fixed to the animal crate 10, so that the stabilization component 20 can be installed or removed as needed, increasing the versatility of the stabilization component 20.

[0041] In some embodiments, the support block 222 is made of a flexible material, and the support block 222 is parallel to the tangential direction of the corresponding position of the base 21 when not subjected to external force; the support block 222 is used to abut against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100 to provide a support effect.

[0042] Due to considerations of image quality, animal imaging systems typically change the gradient coils depending on the size of the animal being scanned. This means that the inner diameter of the scanning channel 100 will change. Traditional curved rigid support blocks cannot always fit perfectly against scanning channels 100 with different inner diameters, resulting in relatively poor support. However, by selecting a flexible and deformable support block 222, after the inner diameter of the scanning channel 100 changes, as the slide bar 221 moves radially, the support block 222 can deform under the combined action of the extrusion force of the slide bar 221 and the reaction force of the inner wall of the scanning channel 100 until it fits perfectly against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100, thereby improving the support stability of the stabilization component 20.

[0043] Of course, the support block 222 can also be arc-shaped or other shapes, as long as it can abut against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100. This application does not make any further limitations here.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the drive unit 23 includes a synchronous execution unit 231 and a drive unit 232. The synchronous execution unit 231 is rotatably connected to the base 21 and connected to each support member 22. The drive unit 232 is connected to the synchronous execution unit 231 and is used to drive each support member 22 through the synchronous execution unit 231.

[0045] Specifically, the drive unit 232 includes a first gear 232a, a second gear 232b, and an adjusting rod 232c. The first gear 232a is rotatably connected to the base 21, and the second gear 232b is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 231a of the synchronous execution unit 231. The first gear 232a and the second gear 232b mesh to drive the synchronous execution unit 231. The adjusting rod 232c passes through the compartment 11 to the mounting part 12 along the axial direction of the base 21.

[0046] Rotating the adjusting rod 232c will drive the synchronous execution unit 231 to rotate through the transmission effect of the first gear 232a and the second gear 232b, thereby driving each support member 22 to extend and retract along the radial direction of the base 21. Through the transmission method of the first gear 232a and the second gear 232b meshing, while ensuring transmission, the position of the adjusting rod 232c is offset from the center of the animal compartment 10, leaving space for the placement of the scanned animal in the compartment 11.

[0047] Of course, if an animal crate 10 with a larger placement space is used, the adjusting rod 232c can also be directly fixed to the center of the synchronous execution unit 231 to further reduce the number of parts in the stabilization component 20. This application does not make any further limitations here.

[0048] In some embodiments, an adjustment knob is fixed at the end of the adjustment rod 232c away from the stabilization component 20 so that the operator can hold it. The operator can rotate the adjustment rod 232c by adjusting the knob to control the radial extension and retraction of the support member 22 along the scanning channel 100.

[0049] Of course, the driving component can also be a hydraulic rod, a motor or other commonly used driving structure, as long as it can drive the support 22 to extend and retract along the radial direction of the base 21. This application does not make any further limitations here.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the animal chamber 10 includes a chamber 11 for accommodating animals and a mounting portion 12 located on the side of the chamber 11 away from the stabilization component 20. An adjusting rod 232c extends through the chamber 11 to the mounting portion 12 along the axial direction of the base 21, so that after the animal chamber 10 enters the scanning channel 100, the end of the adjusting rod 232c is located outside the scanning channel 100, which facilitates the operator to rotate the adjusting rod 232c and support the animal chamber 10 through the stabilization component 20.

[0051] Please combine Figures 3-7As shown, in some embodiments, the base 21 includes a radial groove 211. The radial groove 211 has openings on both the side away from the center in the radial direction of the base 21 and the side near the synchronous execution unit 231 in the axial direction. The slide rod 221 is slidably connected to the radial groove 211. The slide rod 221 is fixedly provided with a sliding pin 223, which protrudes along the opening in the axial direction of the radial groove 211. The synchronous execution unit 231 includes a rotating shaft 231a and a shaft perpendicular to the rotating shaft 231a. The main body plate 231b has the same number of drive grooves 231c as the support member 22. The drive grooves 231c are eccentric arc grooves that do not extend through the rotating shaft 231a, and multiple drive grooves 231c are arranged in an array around the rotating shaft 231a. The main body plate 231b is located on the opening side of the radial slide groove 211 in the axial direction. Each drive groove 231c is connected to a corresponding sliding pin 223, and the sliding pin 223 can slide in the drive groove 231c.

[0052] By sliding the slide bar 221 itself to the radial groove 211, there is no need to set an additional slider structure on the slide bar 221, which further reduces the overall thickness of the stabilization component 20 and reserves enough scanning space for the animal chamber 10 to enter the scanning channel 100. Of course, the slide bar 221 can also be slidably connected to the radial groove 211 and the drive groove 231c in other ways. For example, each slide bar 221 has two sliders, and the two sliders are slidably connected to the corresponding radial groove 211 and the drive groove 231c respectively.

[0053] The specific principle of the synchronous execution unit 231 driving the support member 22 to extend and retract is as follows:

[0054] There is an angle between the tangential direction at any position on the drive groove 231c and the tangential direction of the corresponding base 21, so that when the drive unit drives the synchronous execution unit 231 to rotate relative to the base 21, the inner wall of the drive groove 231c presses against the support member 22. Since the support member 22 is simultaneously slidably connected to the corresponding radial groove 211 and the drive groove 231c, the inner wall of the radial groove 211 can restrict the support member 22 from displacing in the tangential direction. Therefore, under the combined action of the pressing force of the inner wall of the drive groove 231c and the limiting effect of the inner wall of the radial groove 211, the support member 22 can move in the radial direction of the scanning channel 100 as the synchronous execution unit 231 rotates.

[0055] Furthermore, in the aforementioned structure where the support member 22 is extended and retracted via the base 21 with a specific groove and the synchronous execution unit 231, the thickness of the stabilization component 20 is the sum of the thicknesses of the base 21 and the synchronous execution unit 231. This results in a relatively small thickness for the stabilization component 20 and a compact overall structure. On the one hand, the space occupied by the stabilization component 20 after it extends into the scanning channel 100 is relatively small, allowing sufficient scanning space for the animal chamber 10. On the other hand, the compact stabilization component 20 is easy to disassemble and can be used as an accessory for the animal chamber 10, making it more versatile.

[0056] In some embodiments, the drive groove 231c can also be a straight groove or a non-arc curved groove, as long as there is an angle between the tangential direction of the drive groove 231c and the tangential direction of the corresponding base 21.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the animal enclosure 10 further includes a receiving portion 13, which is located between the enclosure portion 11 and the mounting portion 12. The enclosure portion 11 and the receiving portion 13 are connected by a through hole 14. The temperature-controlled water pipe and the signal wire are housed in the receiving portion 13 and extend into the enclosure portion 11 through the through hole 14.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the radial groove 211 is T-shaped, and the slide rod 221 abuts against the inner wall of the radial groove 211 along the axial direction of the scanning channel 100. The radial groove 211 can limit the displacement of the slide rod 221 along the axial direction of the scanning channel 100, reduce the possibility of the support member 22 shaking during radial extension or abutment against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100, and increase the support stability of the stabilization component 20.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the animal compartment 10 further includes a fixing cover 15, which is detachably fixed to the mounting portion 12 to cooperate with the mounting portion 12 to clamp and fix the adjusting rod 232c.

[0060] The extension and retraction of the support member 22 is controlled by rotating the adjusting rod 232c, and the support member 22 is fixed by clamping the adjusting rod 232c with the fixing cover 15 and the mounting part 12. No matter where the support member 22 is extended or retracted, it can be fixed by fixing the adjusting rod 232c. Therefore, for scanning channels 100 with different inner diameters, the support member 22 of the stabilization component 20 can extend to abut against and be fixed to the inner wall of the scanning channel 100, thereby achieving support for the animal chamber 10 in scanning channels 100 with different inner diameters and increasing its versatility.

[0061] In some embodiments, the fixing cover 15 can be fixed to the mounting part 12 by screw fixing, snap-fit ​​fixing or other commonly used fixing methods, as long as the fixing cover 15 can cooperate with the mounting part 12 to clamp the adjusting rod 232c to limit the rotation of the adjusting rod 232c.

[0062] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the portion of the adjusting rod 232c corresponding to the mounting portion 12 has at least one plane, which abuts against the surface of the mounting portion 12 when the support 22 abuts against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100.

[0063] By abutting the outer surface plane of the support member 22 against the mounting part 12, the reliability of the clamping and fixing of the support member 22 by the fixing cover 15 and the mounting part 12 can be increased, thereby increasing the support stability of the stabilizing component 20.

[0064] In some embodiments, the cross-section of the portion of the adjusting rod 232c corresponding to the mounting portion 12 is polygonal, so that for scanning channels 100 with different inner diameters, the adjusting rod 232c always has an outer surface plane, which can abut against the surface of the mounting portion 12 when the support member 22 abuts against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100, thereby increasing the support stability of the stabilizing component 20 in scanning channels 100 with different inner diameters.

[0065] Please combine Figure 4 as well as Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the curvature of the end face of the support block 222 near the center of the base 21 is equal to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the base 21, so that the support block 222 can shrink to completely fit the outer peripheral surface of the base 21 when it shrinks, thereby minimizing the volume of the stabilization component 20 and facilitating the miniaturization of the equipment.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, six support members 22 are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the base 21. The central angle of the part of each support member 22 that abuts against the inner wall of the scanning channel 100 is in the range of 50°~60°, so as to achieve uniform contact with the inner wall of the scanning channel 100, increase the support stability, and at the same time improve the coincidence of the axis of the animal chamber 10 and the axis of the scanning channel 100. Of course, different numbers of support members 22 can also be set according to the actual use.

[0067] In some embodiments, the material of the stabilizing component 20 may be an engineering plastic such as POM (polyoxymethylene) or PEEK (polyetheretherketone).

[0068] The second aspect of this application provides an animal imaging system, which includes an imaging body, a scanning bed, and the aforementioned animal chamber. The imaging body has a scanning channel 100, the scanning bed is connected to the entrance of the scanning channel 100 of the imaging body, and the animal chamber 10 is slidably connected to the scanning bed. The animal chamber 10 can be operably controlled to extend into the scanning channel 100 through the sliding connection.

[0069] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0070] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An animal container for carrying an animal to be scanned into a scanning channel (100), characterized in that, The animal chamber (10) is connected to the scanning bed at one end and is equipped with a stabilization component (20) at the other end. The stabilization component (20) includes a base (21), a drive component (23), and multiple support components (22). The base (21) is fixed to the animal compartment (10), the support members (22) are all slidably connected along the radial direction of the base (21), and the multiple support members (22) are evenly distributed along the circumference of the base (21). The driving member (23) is disposed on the base (21) and is movably connected to each of the support members (22) for driving each of the support members (22) to slide synchronously along the radial direction of the base (21). Each of the support members (22) includes a slide bar (221) and a support block (222) fixed to the end of the slide bar (221). The arc of the support block (222) away from the center end face of the base (21) is equal to the arc of the inner wall of the scanning channel (100). The drive unit (23) includes a synchronous execution unit (231) and a drive unit (232). The synchronous execution unit (231) is rotatably connected to the base (21) and connected to each of the support members (22). The drive unit (232) is connected to the synchronous execution unit (231) and is used to drive each of the support members (22) through the synchronous execution unit (231). The base (21) includes a radial groove (211), which has an opening on the side away from the center along the radial direction of the base (21) and on the side close to the synchronous execution unit (231) along the axial direction. The slide rod (221) is slidably connected to the radial groove (211), and the slide rod (221) is fixedly provided with a sliding pin (223). The sliding pin (223) protrudes along the opening of the radial groove (211) in the axial direction.

2. The animal crate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive unit (232) includes a first gear (232a) and a second gear (232b). The first gear (232a) is rotatably connected to the base (21), and the second gear (232b) is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft (231a) of the synchronous execution unit (231). The first gear (232a) and the second gear (232b) mesh to drive the synchronous execution unit (231).

3. The animal crate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The synchronous execution unit (231) includes a rotating shaft (231a) and a main body plate (231b) perpendicular to the rotating shaft (231a). The main body plate (231b) is provided with the same number of drive grooves (231c) as the support member (22). The drive grooves (231c) are eccentric arc grooves whose extension direction does not pass through the rotating shaft (231a), and multiple drive grooves (231c) are arranged in an array around the rotating shaft (231a). The main body plate (231b) is located on the opening side of the radial slide groove (211) in the axial direction. Each drive groove (231c) is connected to a corresponding sliding pin (223), and the sliding pin (223) can slide in the drive groove (231c).

4. The animal crate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The animal hold (10) includes a compartment (11) for accommodating animals and a mounting part (12) located on the side of the compartment (11) away from the stabilization component (20). The drive unit (232) also includes an adjustment rod (232c) that passes through the compartment (11) to the mounting part (12) along the axial direction of the base (21).

5. The animal crate according to claim 4, characterized in that, The animal enclosure (10) also includes a receiving part (13), which is located between the enclosure part (11) and the mounting part (12). The enclosure part (11) and the receiving part (13) are connected by a through hole (14). The temperature-controlled water pipe and the signal wire are housed in the receiving part (13) and extend into the enclosure part (11) through the through hole (14).

6. The animal crate according to claim 4, characterized in that, The animal compartment (10) also includes a fixing cover (15), which is detachably fixed to the mounting part (12) to cooperate with the mounting part (12) to clamp and fix the adjusting rod (232c).

7. An animal imaging system, characterized in that, The animal imaging system includes an imaging body, a scanning bed, and an animal chamber as described in any one of claims 1 to 6. The imaging body has a scanning channel (100), the scanning bed is connected to the entrance of the scanning channel (100) of the imaging body, and the animal chamber (10) is slidably connected to the scanning bed. The animal chamber (10) can be operably controlled to extend into the scanning channel (100) through the sliding connection.

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