An animal behavior detection device and method based on infrared laser light sheet

Abstract

This invention relates to an animal behavior detection device and method based on an infrared laser light sheet. The detection device includes a test platform module, an optical path module, an imaging module, and a control module. The test platform module includes a through-hole and a light-transmitting aperture for placing the animal to be tested. The optical path module employs a Powell prism structure, with a one-dimensional laser line generated by the optical path module aligned with the light-transmitting aperture. When the animal behavior detection device is in use, the one-dimensional laser line generated by the optical path module fills the light-transmitting aperture. The imaging module's first camera records changes in reflected light signals, while a second camera uses a beam splitter to record animal behavior. The control module is connected to the first and second cameras, sending trigger signals to them and recording the image data transmitted back by the first and second cameras for subsequent experimental analysis. This invention features a simple and flexible device structure. Parameters such as the light source wavelength and the height of the padding can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the experimental animals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of animal behavior detection technology, and in particular relates to an animal behavior detection device and method based on infrared laser light sheet. Background Technology

[0002] Animal behavior research is used in various fields such as drug testing, psychology, and neurobiology, driving significant discoveries in life sciences. However, many animal behavior experiments cause irreversible trauma to the animals, which can affect the results and pose ethical challenges. Furthermore, animal behavior experiments require extensive behavioral monitoring, including whether behavior occurred, its duration, and its progression; all of these indicators need to be quantified.

[0003] In neurobiological research, scientists often use various methods to quantify the behavior of experimental animals. However, insects, due to their small size and rapid behavior, present challenges in behavioral detection.

[0004] Chinese patent CN208064278U discloses a semi-open wind tunnel device for insect behavior and chemical ecology research, belonging to the field of insect behavior and ecology research. It includes a wind tunnel main frame structure formed by a left side wall, right side wall, front wall, rear wall, and bottom wall, creating a semi-enclosed frame. An air inlet is located on the front wall, with an air source at its front end. An air outlet is located on the rear wall. An insect placement platform is mounted on the main frame, and a cylindrical outer insect cage is installed on the platform. The lower end of the outer insect cage is placed inside the cavity of the main frame, and an outlet is located at the lower end of the side wall of the outer cage. The outer cage is equipped with controls for opening and closing the outlet. This device places an odor source within the main frame, and the airflow within the frame provides a more natural experimental space. However, this device is only a small wind tunnel and does not possess optical detection capabilities.

[0005] Chinese patent CN208925005U discloses a novel device for testing the olfactory behavior of small moths. It includes a miniature air pump, whose outlet is connected to an activated carbon filter column via an air guide tube. The outlet of the activated carbon filter column is connected to a gas flow meter via the same air guide tube. The outlet of the gas flow meter is connected to a water filter column via the same air guide tube. The outlet of the water filter column is connected to a T-junction via the same air guide tube. The other two ends of the T-junction are connected to a behavioral testing device. This device can simultaneously test the behavioral responses of 20-30 test insects to the odorant being tested, significantly improving work efficiency. The cold light source, incandescent lamp, ensures consistent illumination intensity for the test insects in the activity chamber from all directions, effectively preventing the influence of light differences on the insects' movement orientation and thus their behavioral choices in response to different odor stimuli. However, this device only tests the olfactory behavior of small moths and cannot effectively detect changes in other behavioral details (such as feeding, exploration, and gait variations). Summary of the Invention

[0006] Given the current lack of devices in the technology that can flexibly detect details of animal behavior (such as eating, probing, and gait changes), this invention provides an animal behavior detection device and method based on infrared laser light sheets.

[0007] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] This invention provides an animal behavior detection device based on an infrared laser sheet, comprising a test platform module, an optical path module, an imaging module, and a control module.

[0009] The test bench module includes a top plate, a bottom plate, a middle plate, and a padding layer.

[0010] The top plate, middle plate, padding layer, and bottom plate are laid out sequentially from top to bottom. The top plate and bottom plate are made of transparent material, while the middle plate is opaque. The middle plate has a through hole that runs vertically through the middle plate. The hole is used to place the animal to be tested. The padding layer has light-transmitting holes, and the holes are connected to the light-transmitting holes.

[0011] The optical path module adopts a Powell prism structure, which can redistribute the Gaussian-distributed collimated beam and unfold it into a uniform light sheet. The uniform light sheet generated by the optical path module is aligned with the light-transmitting hole. When the animal behavior detection device is used, the uniform light sheet generated by the optical path module fills the light-transmitting hole.

[0012] The imaging module includes a first camera, a second camera, and a beam splitter. The first camera is located below the base plate and parallel to the base plate. The second camera is located below the base plate and perpendicular to the base plate, and is located directly below the hole. The beam splitter is located below the base plate and directly below the hole. The beam splitter is also located at the intersection of the paths of the first camera and the second camera. The first camera is used to record changes in reflected light signals, and the second camera uses the beam splitter to record animal behavior.

[0013] The control module is connected to the first camera and the second camera, and is used to send trigger signals to the first camera and the second camera, and then record the image data transmitted back by the first camera and the second camera for subsequent experimental analysis.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the top plate is made of transparent acrylic sheet, which allows for easy observation of small animal behavior.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the base plate is made of transparent inorganic glass, which is scratch-resistant.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the middle plate is made of milky white acrylic sheet, which can block the laser light source.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the middle plate is sufficient to allow the animal to be tested to move within the hole.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the animal is a small insect, including but not limited to fruit flies.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, four pads are provided, located at the four corners of the base plate. The pads are made of frosted cellophane with a thickness of 0.1 mm, thereby forming light-transmitting holes with a thickness of 0.1 mm.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical path module adopts a Powell prism structure, including an infrared light source, a laser, a three-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering, a two-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering, a Powell prism, and a steering micro-manipulation platform.

[0021] The laser is mounted on a three-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering. A micro-manipulation platform is set in front of the laser. The micro-manipulation platform is mounted on a two-axis micro-manipulation platform. The Powell prism is mounted on the micro-manipulation platform. The Powell prism is used to redistribute the Gaussian collimated beam generated by the laser into a uniform light sheet. The infrared light source is set above the test bench module and is used to provide light to the imaging module.

[0022] In the optical path module of this invention, the infrared light source is used to provide illumination for the camera imaging of the imaging module. The location of the infrared light source is independent of the laser; its location only needs to meet the light source requirements of the camera imaging of the imaging module.

[0023] In the optical path module of the present invention, the three-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering is used to adjust the position and angle of the laser, and the two-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering is used to adjust the position and angle of the steering micro-manipulation platform.

[0024] In the optical path module of this invention, a three-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering, a two-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering, and a steering micro-manipulation platform are used in combination to adjust the angles of the light source and the Powell prism as a whole, ultimately forming an optical sheet and improving the uniformity of the optical sheet.

[0025] In the optical path module of this invention, the three-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering is mainly capable of moving and adjusting in three vertical directions, and the two-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering is mainly capable of moving and adjusting in two vertical directions. The steering micro-manipulation platform is used to install the Powell prism and to fine-tune the position or angle of the Powell prism.

[0026] The three-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering consists of a first axial displacement platform, a right-angle fixing block, a second axial displacement platform, a third axial displacement platform, and a first rotary displacement platform. The third axial displacement platform is located at the bottom, the second axial displacement platform is located above the third axial displacement platform, the first axial displacement platform is fixed to the second axial displacement platform by the right-angle fixing block, the first rotary displacement platform is located on the first axial displacement platform, and the laser is located on the first rotary displacement platform. The first axial displacement platform is used to realize vertical movement, the second and third axial displacement platforms are used to realize horizontal movement, and the movement directions of the second and third axial displacement platforms are perpendicular to each other. The second rotary displacement platform is used to realize rotation.

[0027] The two-axis steering micro-operation platform consists of a fourth axial displacement platform, a fifth axial displacement platform, and a second rotary displacement platform. The fourth axial displacement platform is positioned above the fifth axial displacement platform. The fourth and fifth axial displacement platforms are used to achieve horizontal movement, and their movement directions are perpendicular. The second rotary displacement platform is positioned on the fourth axial displacement platform and is used to achieve rotation. The steering micro-operation platform is mounted on the second rotary displacement platform.

[0028] The steering micro-operation platform includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket is connected to the two-axle steering micro-operation platform via a connecting rod. The Powell prism is fixed to the second bracket, and the second bracket is connected to the first bracket.

[0029] The first bracket is provided with a screw hole, and the second bracket is provided with a fine-tuning bolt that matches the screw hole. The connection between the second bracket and the first bracket is achieved by connecting the fine-tuning bolt with the screw hole. The middle of the first bracket is a hole for accommodating the Powell prism.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting rod may be selected as a telescopic rod with adjustable length.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, four screw holes and four fine-tuning bolts are provided, and they are evenly distributed around the circumference of the holes. Since the placement angle of the Powell prism directly affects the angle and uniformity of the light sheet, the present invention also provides fine-tuning bolts on the second bracket used to fix the Powell prism. When the second bracket is connected to the first bracket, the placement angle of the Powell prism can be finely adjusted by adjusting the tightness of the fit between the fine-tuning bolts and the screw holes. The two-axis steering micro-operation platform is used to adjust the front-back, left-right position of the Powell prism. In use, the two-axis steering micro-operation platform is adjusted first, and then the fine-tuning bolts are adjusted.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first axial displacement stage, the second axial displacement stage, the third axial displacement stage, the fourth axial displacement stage, and the fifth axial displacement stage are all manual axial displacement stages, such as the BOCIC PTS100M precision translation stage. The first rotary displacement stage and the second rotary displacement stage are both manual rotary displacement stages, such as the Soleborg MSRP01 Ø1.4-inch manual rotary displacement stage. The right-angle fixing block can be the BOCIC RAB102 right-angle fixing block.

[0033] The optical path module of this invention is designed to obtain a uniform optical sheet. Specifically, a Powell prism is used to redistribute the optical power of a Gaussian-distributed collimated beam, unfolding it into a uniform optical sheet. Compared to cylindrical lenses, the Powell prism can eliminate the central hot spot and fading edge distribution of the Gaussian beam, achieving better line uniformity. Within 80% of the laser line's central symmetry, the non-uniformity is <30%. Multiple micro-manipulation platforms are designed within the optical path module, allowing for flexible adjustment of parameters such as distance and rotation angle.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the Gaussian-collimated beam used in the optical path module is far-infrared light with a wavelength of 1066 nm. Far-infrared light is invisible to most experimental animals and will not affect their vision during experiments; therefore, the Gaussian-collimated beam used in the optical path module is far-infrared light with a wavelength of 1066 nm.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, both the first camera and the second camera are industrial cameras.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first camera (31) is a deep infrared camera and the second camera (32) is an infrared camera.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control module includes a host, a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and a junction box. The host is connected to the display, keyboard, mouse, and junction box respectively. The junction box is also connected to a first camera and a second camera. The junction box sends trigger signals to the first camera and the second camera to transmit the image data returned by the two cameras to the host for subsequent experimental analysis.

[0038] In this invention, the device, after the optical path module and the experimental platform module are combined, uses a uniform light sheet passing through the light-transmitting hole of the experimental platform to fill the space 0.1 mm from the base plate with far-infrared light during small animal experiments. When any part of the small animal's body enters the far-infrared light region, it will generate strong reflection. The reflection signal and the real-time behavior of the small animal will be recorded by the imaging module. One camera records the changes in the reflection signal, and the other camera uses a beam splitter to record the small animal's behavior.

[0039] The present invention also provides a method for detecting animal behavior based on an infrared laser sheet, which is performed using the aforementioned animal behavior detection device and includes the following steps:

[0040] S1. Place the base plate, padding layer, and middle plate, place the animal to be tested, place the top plate, and assemble the experimental platform module;

[0041] S2. Adjust the position of the optical path module and turn on the laser source;

[0042] S3. Turn on the imaging module and control module, and trigger the imaging module to capture the behavior of the animal to be detected;

[0043] S4. The control module analyzes the behavioral data of the animal to be tested.

[0044] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0045] 1. High experimental accuracy. Conventional video recordings are insufficient to determine the behavioral details of freely moving small animals. This device, with the aid of infrared light, can accurately determine whether behavioral details (such as eating, exploring, and gait changes) have occurred.

[0046] 2. Safe and non-invasive. Utilizing infrared light detection eliminates the need for additional surgery, such as implanting sensors in animals, minimizing the impact on laboratory animals.

[0047] 3. The device of this invention has a simple and flexible structure. Parameters such as the wavelength of the light source and the height of the padding can be changed according to the characteristics of the experimental animals. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the animal behavior detection device based on infrared laser light sheet in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the test bench module in Example 1;

[0050] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the combined structure of the test bench module in Example 1;

[0051] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path module in Example 1;

[0052] Figure 5 This is a detailed structural diagram of the optical path module in Example 1;

[0053] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the imaging module in Example 1;

[0054] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the control module in Example 1;

[0055] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the workflow of an animal behavior detection method based on infrared laser light sheets.

[0056] Figure 9 This is a screenshot of the fruit fly experiment in Example 2;

[0057] Figure 10 The results are from the fruit fly experiment in Example 2. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0059] Example 1

[0060] refer to Figure 1 and combined Figures 2-7 This embodiment provides an animal behavior detection device based on infrared laser light sheet, including test platform module 1, optical path module 2, imaging module 3 and control module 4.

[0061] Further reference Figure 2 , Figure 3The test bench module 1 includes a top plate 11, a bottom plate 12, a middle plate 13, and a pad 14. The top plate 11, the middle plate 13, the pad 14, and the bottom plate 12 are laid out sequentially from top to bottom. The top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12 are made of transparent material, while the middle plate 13 is opaque. The middle plate 13 has a through hole 131 for placing the animal to be tested. The pad 14 has light-transmitting holes, and the holes 131 are connected to the light-transmitting holes.

[0062] The optical path module 2 adopts a Powell prism structure, which can redistribute the Gaussian collimated beam 27 evenly and unfold it into a uniform light sheet 28. The uniform light sheet 28 generated by the optical path module 2 is aligned with the light-transmitting hole. When the animal behavior detection device is used, the uniform light sheet 28 generated by the optical path module 2 fills the light-transmitting hole.

[0063] Further reference Figure 6 The imaging module 3 includes a first camera 31, a second camera 32, and a beam splitter 33. The first camera 31 is located below the base plate 12 and is parallel to the base plate 12. The second camera 32 is located below the base plate 12 and is perpendicular to the base plate 12, and is located directly below the hole 131. The beam splitter 33 is located below the base plate 12 and directly below the hole 131. The beam splitter 33 is also located at the intersection of the paths of the first camera 31 and the second camera 32. The first camera 31 is used to record changes in reflected light signals, and the second camera 32 uses the beam splitter 33 to record animal behavior.

[0064] The control module 4 is connected to the first camera 31 and the second camera 32, and is used to send trigger signals to the first camera 31 and the second camera 32, and then record the image data transmitted back by the first camera 31 and the second camera 32 for subsequent experimental analysis.

[0065] In this embodiment, the top plate 11 is made of transparent acrylic sheet, which facilitates observation of small animal behavior. The bottom plate 12 is made of transparent inorganic glass, which is scratch-resistant. The middle plate 13 is made of milky white acrylic sheet, which can block the laser light source. The thickness of the middle plate 13 is sufficient to allow the animal to be tested to move within the hole 131. The animal is a small insect, including but not limited to fruit flies. Four pads 14 are provided, located at the four corners of the bottom plate 12. The pads 14 are made of frosted cellophane with a thickness of 0.1 mm, thus forming light-transmitting holes with a thickness of 0.1 mm.

[0066] In this embodiment, the optical path module 2 adopts a Powell prism structure, including an infrared light source 21, a laser 22, a three-axis steering micro-manipulation platform 23, a two-axis steering micro-manipulation platform 24, a Powell prism 25, and a steering micro-manipulation platform 26.

[0067] Further reference Figure 4 The laser 22 is mounted on a three-axis micro-manipulation platform 23 with steering. A micro-manipulation platform 26 is provided in front of the laser 22. The micro-manipulation platform 26 is mounted on a two-axis micro-manipulation platform 24 with steering. The Powell prism 25 is mounted on the micro-manipulation platform 26. The Powell prism 25 is used to redistribute the Gaussian collimated beam 27 generated by the laser 22 into a uniform light sheet 28. The infrared light source 21 is located above the test bench module 1 and is used to provide a light source to the imaging module 3.

[0068] In this embodiment, the infrared light source 21 is used to provide illumination for the camera imaging of the imaging module 3. The location of the infrared light source 21 is independent of the laser 22; the location of the infrared light source 21 only needs to meet the light source requirements of the camera imaging of the imaging module 3.

[0069] In the optical path module of this embodiment, the three-axis micro-manipulation platform 23 with steering is used to adjust the position and angle of the laser 22, and the two-axis micro-manipulation platform 24 with steering is used to adjust the position and angle of the steering micro-manipulation platform 26. In the optical path module of this embodiment, the three-axis micro-manipulation platform 23 with steering, the two-axis micro-manipulation platform 24 with steering, and the steering micro-manipulation platform 26 are used in combination to adjust the angles of the light source and the Powell prism as a whole, ultimately forming a light sheet and improving the uniformity of the light sheet.

[0070] Further reference Figure 5 In the optical path module of this embodiment, the three-axis micro-operation platform 23 with steering is mainly able to realize movement and adjustment in three vertical directions, the two-axis micro-operation platform 24 with steering is mainly able to realize movement and adjustment in two vertical directions, and the steering micro-operation platform 26 is used to install the Powell prism 25 and realize the fine adjustment of the position or angle of the Powell prism 25.

[0071] Further reference Figure 5 The three-axis micro-manipulation platform 23 with steering is composed of a first axial displacement platform 231, a right-angle fixing block 232, a second axial displacement platform 233, a third axial displacement platform 234, and a first rotary displacement platform 235. The third axial displacement platform 234 is located at the bottom layer, and the second axial displacement platform 233 is located above the third axial displacement platform. The first axial displacement platform 231 is fixed to the second axial displacement platform 233 by the right-angle fixing block 232. The first rotary displacement platform 235 is located on the first axial displacement platform 231. The laser 22 is located on the first rotary displacement platform 231. The first axial displacement platform is used to realize vertical movement, the second axial displacement platform and the third axial displacement platform are used to realize horizontal movement, and the movement directions of the second axial displacement platform and the third axial displacement platform are perpendicular to each other. The second rotary displacement platform is used to realize rotation.

[0072] Further reference Figure 5 The two-axis steering micro-operation platform 24 consists of a fourth axial displacement platform 241, a fifth axial displacement platform 242, and a second rotary displacement platform 243. The fourth axial displacement platform 241 is positioned above the fifth axial displacement platform 242. The fourth and fifth axial displacement platforms are used to achieve horizontal movement, and their movement directions are perpendicular. The second rotary displacement platform 243 is positioned on the fourth axial displacement platform 241 and is used to achieve rotation. The steering micro-operation platform 26 is mounted on the second rotary displacement platform 243.

[0073] Further reference Figure 5 The steering micro-operation platform 26 includes a first bracket 261 and a second bracket 262. The first bracket 261 is connected to the two-axle steering micro-operation platform 24 via a connecting rod 263. The Powell prism 25 is fixed to the second bracket 262, and the second bracket 262 is connected to the first bracket 261.

[0074] The first bracket 261 is provided with a screw hole 264, and the second bracket 262 is provided with a fine-tuning bolt 265 that matches the screw hole 264. The connection between the second bracket 262 and the first bracket 261 is achieved by connecting the fine-tuning bolt 265 with the screw hole 264. The middle of the first bracket 261 is a hole 266 for accommodating the Powell prism 25.

[0075] The connecting rod 263 can be selected as an adjustable telescopic rod.

[0076] Further reference Figure 5 In this embodiment, four screw holes 264 and four fine-tuning bolts 265 are provided, and they are evenly distributed around the circumference of the hole 266. Since the placement angle of the Powell prism 25 is directly related to the angle and uniformity of the light sheet, the present application solution also provides fine-tuning bolts 265 on the second bracket 262 used to fix the Powell prism 25. When the second bracket 262 is connected to the first bracket 261, the placement angle of the Powell prism 25 can be finely adjusted by adjusting the tightness of the fit between the fine-tuning bolts 265 and the screw holes 264. The two-axis steering micro-operation platform 24 is used to adjust the front-back and left-right positions of the Powell prism 25. When using it, the two-axis steering micro-operation platform 24 is adjusted first, and then the fine-tuning bolts 265 are adjusted.

[0077] More specifically, in this embodiment, the first axial displacement stage, the second axial displacement stage, the third axial displacement stage, the fourth axial displacement stage, and the fifth axial displacement stage are all manual axial displacement stages, such as the BOCIC PTS100M precision translation stage. The first rotary displacement stage and the second rotary displacement stage are both manual rotary displacement stages, such as the Soleborg MSRP01 Ø1.4-inch manual rotary displacement stage. The right-angle fixing block can be the BOCIC RAB102 right-angle fixing block.

[0078] In this embodiment, the optical path module is configured to obtain a uniform optical sheet. Specifically, a Powell prism is used to redistribute the optical power of the Gaussian-distributed collimated beam, unfolding it into a uniform optical sheet. Compared to cylindrical lenses, Powell prisms can eliminate the central hot spots and fading edge distribution of Gaussian beams, achieving better line uniformity. Within 80% of the laser line's central symmetry, the non-uniformity is <30%. Multiple micro-manipulation platforms are designed within the optical path module, allowing for flexible adjustment of parameters such as distance and rotation angle.

[0079] In this embodiment, the Gaussian-distributed collimated beam used in the optical path module 2 is far-infrared light with a wavelength of 1066nm. For most experimental animals, far-infrared light is an invisible light source and will not affect the animals' vision during the experiment. Therefore, the Gaussian-distributed collimated beam used in the optical path module is far-infrared light with a wavelength of 1066nm.

[0080] In this embodiment, both the first camera 31 and the second camera 32 are industrial cameras. More specifically, the first camera 31 is a deep infrared camera, and the second camera 32 is an infrared camera.

[0081] Further reference Figure 7 In this embodiment, the control module 4 includes a host 41, a display 42, a keyboard 43, a mouse 44, and a junction box 45. The host 41 is connected to the display 42, the keyboard 43, the mouse 44, and the junction box 45. The junction box 45 is also connected to the first camera 31 and the second camera 32. The junction box sends trigger signals to the first camera 31 and the second camera 32 to transmit the image data returned by the two cameras to the host 41 for subsequent experimental analysis.

[0082] The device provided in this embodiment, after the optical path module and the experimental platform module are combined, uses a uniform light sheet passing through the light-transmitting hole of the experimental platform to fill the space 0.1mm from the bottom plate with far-infrared light during small animal experiments. When any part of the small animal's body enters the far-infrared light area, it will generate strong reflection. The reflection signal and the real-time behavior of the small animal will be recorded by the imaging module. One camera records the changes in the reflection signal, and the other camera uses a beam splitter to record the behavior of the small animal.

[0083] This embodiment also provides an animal behavior detection method based on an infrared laser light sheet, which is performed using the aforementioned animal behavior detection device. The workflow diagram is shown below. Figure 8 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0084] S1. Place the base plate 12, padding layer 14, and middle plate 13, place the animal to be tested, place the top plate 11, and assemble the experimental platform module.

[0085] S2. Adjust the position of optical path module 2 and turn on the laser source;

[0086] S3. Turn on imaging module 3 and control module 4, and trigger imaging module 3 to capture the behavior of the animal to be detected;

[0087] S4, Control Module 4 analyzes the behavioral data of the animal to be tested.

[0088] Example 2

[0089] Based on the specific animal behavior detection device and method based on infrared laser light sheet provided in Example 1, taking the walking behavior of fruit flies as an example, fruit flies need to alternately lift and lower their six legs when walking. When the legs are lifted off the ground, they are out of the far-infrared light zone and do not reflect light. When the legs touch the ground, they reflect light. This can be used for fruit fly gait analysis.

[0090] Taking gait analysis as an example, a photoinhibition experiment was performed on a specific descending neuron X in a fruit fly (i.e., when illuminated with 505nm green light, a specific descending neuron was inhibited). Simultaneously, image data of the fruit fly under normal and inhibited states were collected and compared with those of a normal fruit fly. The experimental image screenshots are shown below. Figure 9 As shown. Figure 9 (Left) is an example of an image captured by infrared camera 32. Figure 9 (Middle and right) are examples of images captured by the deep infrared camera 31. The red circle shows the reflective signals formed by the six legs of a small animal (fruit fly) on the film. Based on the image data, information such as whether the fruit fly's six legs touched the ground at various times and their landing positions can be determined. Further gait data (standing time on the inner hind leg during turning, stride frequency, stride length, etc.) can be obtained. Figure 10 As shown. Figure 10 The image on the top is a schematic diagram of small animals stepping on light plates; Figure 10The figures below are violin plots of three gait analysis indicators (stance of standing on the inner hind leg during turning, gait frequency, and stride length) for small animals under different experimental conditions. Taking the duration of standing on the inner hind leg during turning as an example, the control group consisted of normal fruit flies, while group X consisted of light-inhibited transgenic fruit flies. The control group included 365 sets of data when the light was on (ON) and 390 sets of data when the light was off (OFF). Group X included 357 sets of data when the light was on (ON, i.e., when specific neurons were inhibited) and 471 sets of data when the light was off (OFF, i.e., when neurons were not inhibited). It can be found that after specific neuron X was inhibited, the duration of standing on the inner hind leg during turning of the fruit flies became shorter.

[0091] Similarly, the device of the present invention can be used to analyze eating behavior and social behavior.

[0092] The above description of the embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand and use the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to these embodiments, and the general principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without inventive effort. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and any improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An animal behavior detection device based on an infrared laser sheet, characterized in that, It includes a test bench module (1), an optical path module (2), an imaging module (3), and a control module (4). The test bench module (1) includes a top plate (11), a bottom plate (12), a middle plate (13), and a pad layer (14). The top plate (11), middle plate (13), pad (14), and bottom plate (12) are laid out from top to bottom. The top plate (11) and bottom plate (12) are made of transparent material, while the middle plate (13) is opaque. The middle plate (13) has a through hole (131) that runs vertically through it. The hole (131) is used to place the animal to be tested. The pad (14) has light-transmitting holes, and the hole (131) is connected to the light-transmitting holes. The optical path module (2) adopts a Powell prism structure, which can redistribute the Gaussian collimated beam (27) and unfold it into a uniform light sheet (28); when the animal behavior detection device is used, the uniform light sheet (28) generated by the optical path module (2) fills the light-transmitting hole. The imaging module (3) includes a first camera (31), a second camera (32), and a beam splitter (33). The first camera (31) is located below the base plate (12) and parallel to the base plate (12). The second camera (32) is located below the base plate (12) and perpendicular to the base plate (12), and is located directly below the hole (131). The beam splitter (33) is located below the base plate (12) and directly below the hole (131). The beam splitter (33) is also located at the intersection of the routes of the first camera (31) and the second camera (32). The first camera (31) is used to record changes in reflected light signals, and the second camera (32) uses the beam splitter (33) to record animal behavior. The control module (4) is connected to the first camera (31) and the second camera (32) and is used to send trigger signals to the first camera (31) and the second camera (32) and then record the image data transmitted back by the first camera (31) and the second camera (32) for subsequent experimental analysis.

2. The animal behavior detection device based on an infrared laser sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top plate (11) is made of transparent acrylic sheet, the bottom plate (12) is made of transparent inorganic glass, and the middle plate (13) is made of milky white acrylic sheet to block the laser light source.

3. The animal behavior detection device based on an infrared laser sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the middle plate (13) is sufficient to allow the animal to be tested to move within the hole (131), and the animal is a small insect.

4. The animal behavior detection device based on an infrared laser sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are four pads (14) in total, located at the four corners of the base plate (12). The pads (14) are made of frosted glass paper with a thickness of 0.1 mm, thus forming light-transmitting holes with a thickness of 0.1 mm.

5. The animal behavior detection device based on an infrared laser sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical path module (2) adopts a Powell prism structure, including an infrared light source (21), a laser (22), a three-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering (23), a two-axis micro-manipulation platform with steering (24), a Powell prism (25), and a steering micro-manipulation platform (26). The laser (22) is mounted on a three-axis micro-manipulation platform (23). A micro-manipulation platform (26) is set in front of the laser (22). The micro-manipulation platform (26) is mounted on a two-axis micro-manipulation platform (24). The Powell prism (25) is mounted on the micro-manipulation platform (26). The Powell prism (25) is used to redistribute the Gaussian collimated beam (27) generated by the laser (22) and unfold it into a uniform light sheet (28). The infrared light source (21) is set above the test bench module (1) and is used to provide a light source to the imaging module (3).

6. The animal behavior detection device based on an infrared laser sheet according to claim 5, characterized in that, The steering micro-operation platform (26) includes a first bracket (261) and a second bracket (262). The first bracket (261) is connected to the two-axis steering micro-operation platform (24) via a connecting rod (263). The Powell prism (25) is fixed on the second bracket (262). The second bracket (262) is connected to the first bracket (261). The first bracket (261) is provided with a screw hole (264). The second bracket (262) is provided with a fine-tuning bolt (265) that matches the screw hole (264). The connection between the second bracket (262) and the first bracket (261) is achieved by connecting the fine-tuning bolt (265) with the screw hole (264).

7. The animal behavior detection device based on an infrared laser sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module (4) includes a host (41), a display (42), a keyboard (43), a mouse (44), and a junction box (45). The host (41) is connected to the display (42), the keyboard (43), the mouse (44), and the junction box (45). The junction box (45) is also connected to the first camera (31) and the second camera (32). The junction box sends trigger signals to the first camera (31) and the second camera (32) to transmit the image data returned by the two cameras to the host (41) for subsequent experimental analysis.

8. A method for detecting animal behavior based on infrared laser light sheets, characterized in that, Based on the animal behavior detection device according to any one of claims 1-7, the process includes the following steps: S1. Place the base plate (12), padding (14), and middle plate (13), place the animal to be tested, place the top plate (11), and assemble the experimental platform module; S2. Adjust the position of the optical path module (2) and turn on the laser source; S3. Turn on the imaging module (3) and control module (4) to trigger the imaging module (3) to capture the behavior of the animal to be detected; S4, Control Module (4) analyzes the behavioral data of the animal to be tested.

9. The animal behavior detection method based on infrared laser light sheet according to claim 8, characterized in that, After the optical path module and the experimental platform module are combined, the uniform light sheet passes through the light-transmitting hole of the experimental platform, so that the space 0.1mm away from the base plate (12) during the small animal experiment is filled with far-infrared light. When any part of the small animal's body enters the far-infrared light area, it will form a strong reflection. The reflection signal and the real-time behavior of the small animal will be recorded by the imaging module. One camera records the change of the reflection signal, and the other camera uses a beam splitter to record the behavior of the small animal.

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