A fixation device for in vivo experiments and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a fixing device for living body experiment, which comprises a seat body, a locking structure and a positioning member implantable in a living animal, wherein the positioning member is in engagement with the seat body; the locking structure comprises a frame body and a pressing member mounted on the frame body, and the frame body is in slidable connection with the seat body; by sliding the frame body towards the seat body, the pressing member can lock the positioning member on the seat body by applying pressure. The positioning member is locked on the seat body by sliding the locking structure on the seat body, and the purpose of fixing the living animal for experiment is finally achieved; the overall device is simple, the required parts are less, and the operation is simple. The application further discloses a using method of the fixing device for living body experiment, which comprises the following steps: implanting the positioning member on the living animal body, then clamping the positioning member into the clamping structure, rotating the knob to drive the rotor to rotate, and finally realizing the pressing or releasing of the positioning member by the pressing member. The method has the technical effects of simple operation, convenience and rapidness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biological life sciences, and more specifically, to a fixation device for in vivo experiments and a method of using the same. Background Technology

[0002] In vivo animal experiments are an important research method in the field of biological life sciences. In these experiments, the fixation of live animals is a fundamental step, but it presents certain problems. Existing technologies, such as the head fixation device for live animal experiments described in Chinese invention patent (CN114869532A), primarily involve implanting a large headplate or some irregularly shaped plate-like parts into the animal's body, and then connecting and locking the implanted headplate to the base using screws or other clamping methods. This entire fixation process is not only lengthy and cumbersome, but also prone to causing stress to the live animal, potentially leading to further tearing of the surgical wound. Furthermore, in long-term experiments, large, protruding plate-like parts are easily pulled and torn off by the small animal, causing injury and affecting the experimental process. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to address the aforementioned deficiencies and shortcomings by employing a locking structure, positioning components, and a base to achieve a simple and comfortable method for fixing live animals. Based on this, a fixation device for live animal experiments is provided.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using a fixation device for in vivo experiments.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the specific technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] The present invention discloses a fixation device for live animal experiments, comprising a base, a locking structure, and a positioning element that can be implanted into a live animal, wherein the positioning element is engageably connected to the base; the locking structure comprises a frame and a clamping element installed on the frame, wherein the frame and the base are slidably connected; by sliding the frame toward the base, the clamping element can lock the positioning element to the base by applying pressure.

[0007] Preferably, the fixation device for live experiments further includes a drive mechanism for driving the frame to move. The drive mechanism includes a rotating shaft and a rotor. The base is provided with a mounting groove and a strip hole. The rotor is located in the mounting groove and is eccentrically rotatably connected to the rotating shaft. The frame is connected to the rotating shaft. The eccentric rotation of the rotor causes the rotating shaft to move within the strip hole, thereby driving the frame to slide relative to the base.

[0008] Preferably, the rotating shaft is connected to a knob through a strip hole and a mounting groove.

[0009] Preferably, the rotor has lugs on its peripheral sidewalls.

[0010] Preferably, the positioning element has a limiting notch, and the limiting structure has a limiting block corresponding to the limiting notch.

[0011] Preferably, the limiting notch is configured as a triangle.

[0012] Preferably, the end of the seat body is provided with a locking structure corresponding to the positioning member, the locking structure is configured as an annular groove, the positioning member is configured as a head ring, and the clamping member is configured as an M-shaped tongue.

[0013] Preferably, the positioning element is configured as an ellipse or a polygon.

[0014] Preferably, the frame is configured as a U-shaped rod, an L-shaped rod, or a curved plate.

[0015] A method for using a fixation device for live animal experiments includes the following steps: implanting a positioning component into the body of a live animal, then snapping the positioning component into a locking structure, and rotating a knob to make a rotating shaft drive a rotor to rotate; the rotor abuts against the side wall of the mounting groove, and under the reaction force, pushes the rotating shaft to slide within the slotted hole; the sliding of the rotating shaft drives the frame to move closer to or away from the locking structure, ultimately achieving the clamping component to clamp or release the clamping positioning component.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0017] This invention uses a locking structure that slides onto the base to lock the positioning component to the base, thereby achieving the purpose of fixing live experimental animals. The overall device is simple, requires few parts, and is easy to operate.

[0018] Based on this, the positioning component can be fixed simply by rotating the knob, making the operation convenient and quick.

[0019] In addition, the headband and the annular groove have a high degree of fit with each other, with no gaps, resulting in a firm fixation effect.

[0020] In addition, the headband structure is circular in shape, which is simple and lightweight, reduces discomfort in animals after implantation, and facilitates long-term experiments.

[0021] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the fixing device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the headband structure in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the L-shaped frame in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the U-shaped frame in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the fixing device in use according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0028] 10. Seat body, 11. Locking structure, 12. Mounting slot, 13. Strip hole, 20. Locking structure, 21. Frame, 211. L-shaped rod, 212. Curved plate, 22. Clamping part, 30. Positioning part, 31. Limiting notch, 40. Drive mechanism, 41. Rotating shaft, 42. Rotor, 421. Lug, 43. Knob. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will be further explained and described below through specific embodiments. It should be understood that the purpose of the following embodiments is to make the technical solution of the present invention clearer and easier to understand, and does not limit the scope of protection of the claims.

[0030] The present invention provides a fixation device for in vivo experiments, such as... Figure 1 , 5 As shown, the device includes a base 10, a locking structure 20, and a positioning element 30 that can be implanted into a live animal. The positioning element 30 is engageably connected to the base 10. The locking structure 20 includes a frame 21 and a clamping element 22 installed on the frame 21. The frame 21 is slidably connected to the base 10. By sliding the frame 21 toward the base 10, the clamping element 22 can lock the positioning element 30 to the base 10 by applying pressure.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the fixation device for live experiments further includes a drive mechanism 40 for driving the frame 21 to move. The drive mechanism 40 includes a rotating shaft 41 and a rotor 42. The base 10 is provided with a mounting groove 12 and a strip hole 13. The rotor 42 is located in the mounting groove 12 and is eccentrically rotatably connected to the rotating shaft 41. The frame 21 is connected to the rotating shaft 41. The eccentric rotation of the rotor 42 causes the rotating shaft 41 to move within the strip hole 13, thereby driving the frame 21 to slide relative to the base 10.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the rotating shaft 41 is connected to a knob 43 through the strip hole 13 and the mounting groove 12.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the rotor 42 has lugs 421 on its peripheral sidewalls.

[0034] It should be noted that the lug 421 not only provides power for the rotor 42 and the rotor-driven shaft 41 to slide within the slot 13, but also serves to limit the over-rotation of the shaft 41. That is, when the lug 421 abuts against the mounting groove 12 and the other side of the rotor 42 also abuts against the mounting groove 12, the rotor 42 will not continue to move, ensuring that the shaft 41 will not continue to rotate, thereby achieving the purpose of limiting the over-rotation of the shaft 41.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the positioning component 30 is provided with a limiting notch 31, and the limiting structure is provided with a limiting block corresponding to the limiting notch 31.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the limiting notch 31 is configured as a triangle.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the end of the seat 10 is provided with a locking structure 11 corresponding to the positioning member 30. The locking structure 11 is configured as an annular groove, the positioning member 30 is configured as a head ring, and the clamping member 22 is configured as an M-shaped tongue.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the positioning element 30 is configured as an ellipse or a polygon.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 3-4 As shown, the frame 21 is configured as a U-shaped rod, an L-shaped rod 211, or a curved plate 212.

[0040] A method of using a fixation device for live animal experiments includes the following steps: implanting a positioning member 30 into the body of a live animal, then snapping the positioning member 30 into the locking structure 11, rotating the knob 43 to make the rotating shaft 41 drive the rotor 42 to rotate; the rotor 42 abuts against the side wall of the mounting groove 12, and under the reaction force, pushes the rotating shaft 41 to slide in the strip hole 13; the sliding of the rotating shaft 41 drives the frame 21 to move closer to or away from the locking structure 11, ultimately realizing that the clamping member 22 clamps or releases the clamping member 30.

[0041] The present invention will be further described below through specific embodiments.

[0042] Example

[0043] This embodiment provides a fixation device for live animal experiments, including a base 10, a locking structure 20, and a positioning element 30. The positioning element 30 is implanted into the body of a live animal, for example, in the top of the head of a mouse. The positioning element 30 can also be fixed to the base 10 in cooperation with the base 10 and the locking structure 20. The locking structure 20 is slidably connected to the base 10, and the positioning element 30 can be pressed or released by sliding back and forth.

[0044] It should be noted that during the preparation process before fixing the mouse, the mouse skull needs to be sawed open first, then the positioning piece 30 is placed at the sawed opening of the skull, and then the positioning piece 30 is fixed to the skull by adhesive.

[0045] Specifically, the end of the seat 10 is provided with a locking structure 11, the locking structure 20 includes a frame 21 and a pressing member 22, the positioning member 30 can be inserted into the locking structure 11, the frame 21 and the seat 10 are slidably connected, the pressing member 22 is fixed to the frame 21, and the pressing member 22 can press the positioning member 30 onto the locking structure 11 when the frame 21 slides toward the locking structure 11.

[0046] Specifically, the locking structure 11 is configured as an annular groove, the positioning member 30 is configured as a head ring, and the clamping member 22 is configured as an M-shaped tongue.

[0047] Furthermore, the shape of the positioning element 30 can be a regular circle, an ellipse, or other polygonal shapes such as a triangle or pentagon. As long as it can achieve the locking function, the shape of the positioning element 30 can be freely chosen.

[0048] Of course, the circular headband is a better technical solution. Compared with other shapes, it is a solid structure only on the outer edge and a hollow space in the middle, which saves materials and is lighter. Moreover, the circular shape makes the contact area between the headband and the annular groove larger, resulting in higher fixing strength.

[0049] It should be noted that the construction of the annular groove and the tongue needs to be adapted to the construction of the head ring. For example, if the positioning element 30 is triangular, then the locking structure 11 needs to be set as a corner groove, and the clamping element 22 needs to be set as a truncated lug with a flat top.

[0050] Specifically, the frame 21 can be configured as a U-shaped rod, an L-shaped rod 211, or a curved plate 212.

[0051] The function of the frame 21 is to drive the clamping member 22 to move closer to or away from the locking structure 11 by sliding relative to the base 10. Therefore, the specific construction form of the frame 21 is not limited to the above shape. Any construction form that can drive the clamping member 22 to move can be adopted.

[0052] Specifically, the structure for the sliding of the drive frame 21 on the base 10 is as follows: the fixing device for live experiments further includes a drive mechanism 40, which provides driving power for the sliding of the frame 21 on the base 10; the drive mechanism 40 includes a rotating shaft 41, a rotor 42, and a knob 43; the base 10 is provided with a mounting groove 12 and a strip hole 13; one end of the rotating shaft 41 passes through the strip hole 13 and the mounting groove 12 and is connected to the knob 43; the rotor 42 is sleeved with the rotating shaft 41 and is located in the mounting groove 12; the frame 21 is sleeved with the rotating shaft 41; the rotor 42 is eccentrically connected to the rotating shaft 41 to form a cam-like structure.

[0053] The operation method is as follows: Rotate the knob 43, the rotating shaft 41 rotates, and drives the rotor 42 to rotate; the rotor 42 abuts against the side wall of the mounting groove 12, and under the reaction force, pushes the rotating shaft 41 to slide in the strip hole 13. The sliding of the rotating shaft 41 drives the frame 21 to move closer to or away from the locking structure 11, and finally achieves the purpose of pressing or releasing the pressing positioning component 30 by the pressing component 22.

[0054] It should be noted that the ultimate purpose of the drive mechanism 40 with the above-described structure is to push the frame 21 closer to or away from the locking structure 11, thereby enabling the clamping member 22 to clamp or release the positioning member 30.

[0055] As long as the drive frame 21 can slide on the base 10, other drive structures are also acceptable.

[0056] In addition, the headband is provided with a triangular limiting notch 31. A limiting block (not shown in the figure) is provided on the annular groove corresponding to the limiting notch 31. The limiting block engages with the limiting notch 31 to prevent the headband from rotating.

[0057] Specifically, the rotor 42 has lugs 421 on its peripheral sidewalls, and the entire rotor 42 is whistle-shaped. The lugs 421 abut against the mounting groove 12, which facilitates the rotor 42 to drive the rotating shaft 41 to make axial movement.

[0058] Specific operating methods

[0059] 1. The headband was surgically implanted into the neck of the mouse where it was to be immobilized;

[0060] 2. Rotate knob 43 clockwise to make rotor 42 move eccentrically, which drives shaft 41 to push frame 21 in a parallel direction away from base 10;

[0061] 3. Push the head ring fixed to the animal's body into the annular groove that matches its shape;

[0062] 4. Rotating knob 43 counterclockwise causes rotor 42 to move eccentrically in the opposite direction, driving shaft 41 and frame 21 to tighten the head ring closer to base 10. In addition, the triangular limiting blocks on the annular groove and fasteners cooperate with the triangular limiting notch 31 on the head ring to restrict the rotation of the head ring.

[0063] This invention has been described by way of embodiments, but does not constitute a limitation thereof. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments, which are readily apparent to those skilled in the art, should fall within the scope of the claims of this invention, with reference to the description of this invention.

Claims

1. A fixation device for in vivo experiments, characterized in that: The device includes a base (10), a locking structure (20), and a positioning element (30) that can be implanted into a live animal. The positioning element (30) is engageably connected to the base (10). The locking structure (20) includes a frame (21) and a clamping element (22) installed on the frame (21). The frame (21) is slidably connected to the base (10). By sliding the frame (21) toward the base (10), the clamping element (22) can lock the positioning element (30) to the base (10) by applying pressure. The fixation device for live experiments also includes a drive mechanism (40) for driving the frame (21) to move. The drive mechanism (40) includes a rotating shaft (41) and a rotor (42). The base (10) is provided with a mounting groove (12) and a strip hole (13). The rotor (42) is located in the mounting groove (12) and is eccentrically rotatably connected to the rotating shaft (41). The frame (21) is connected to the rotating shaft (41). The eccentric rotation of the rotor (42) causes the rotating shaft (41) to move within the strip hole (13), thereby driving the frame (21) to slide relative to the base (10).

2. The fixation device for in vivo experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating shaft (41) passes through the strip hole (13) and the mounting groove (12) and is connected to the knob (43).

3. The fixation device for in vivo experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotor (42) has lugs (421) on its peripheral sidewall.

4. The fixation device for in vivo experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the seat (10) is provided with a locking structure (11) corresponding to the positioning member (30). The locking structure (11) is configured as an annular groove, the positioning member (30) is configured as a head ring, and the clamping member (22) is configured as an M-shaped tongue.

5. The fixation device for in vivo experiments according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning component (30) is provided with a limiting notch (31), and the locking structure (11) is provided with a limiting block corresponding to the limiting notch (31).

6. The fixation device for in vivo experiments according to claim 5, characterized in that: The limiting notch (31) is set in a triangle shape.

7. The fixation device for in vivo experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning element (30) is set in an elliptical or polygonal shape.

8. The fixation device for in vivo experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (21) is configured as a U-shaped rod, an L-shaped rod (211), or a curved plate (212).

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