Suspended laboratory mouse physical fitness measuring instrument

Abstract

This invention discloses a suspended experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument, and relates to the field of animal experimental equipment. When measuring the physical fitness and motor ability of rats, this invention suspends the rat's limbs through four force-measuring components and leg straps. It measures the magnitude of the pulling force applied to the force sensors and the duration of the struggle when the rat struggles, thereby calculating the rat's physical fitness and motor ability. Furthermore, water spraying can further stimulate the rat's movement. The advantages of this invention for measuring the physical fitness and motor ability of rats are: rats' suspended struggle is an instinctive behavior that requires no skill; the force and duration of their struggle are primarily related to their physical fitness and motor ability, and are unrelated to skill or the rat's cooperation; and this invention measures both the duration and force of the rat's struggle; based on the foregoing reasons, this invention provides a more accurate measurement of rat physical fitness and motor ability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of animal experimental equipment, and more particularly to a suspended experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of biological science research, the assessment of postoperative physical fitness or motor ability of laboratory mice mainly adopts the grip test, rotarod test, and weighted swimming exhaustion test.

[0003] The gripping force test uses a gripping force meter with grippers. Rats grasp the grippers with their forelimbs and hindlimbs, and the gripping force is measured. This test aims to assess the gripping force and muscle strength levels of mice and rats. The experimental data can provide important information about animal muscle strength and coordination, offering researchers an effective way to understand neurological diseases, movement disorders, and other disease models. While the gripping force test can measure the physical condition of rats, it is primarily used to measure muscle strength and coordination, and its effectiveness in measuring overall physical fitness is not high. Furthermore, it is greatly affected by the rat's adaptability and cooperation, and the short duration of the experiment makes it difficult to accurately assess the rat's actual physical fitness.

[0004] The rotundus test involves placing a mouse on a rotating rod. The mouse must adjust its center of gravity to maintain balance and avoid falling off the rod. The mouse's motor and balance abilities are assessed by measuring the time it spends on the rotating rod by adjusting parameters such as the speed, angle, and duration of the rotation. However, the rotundus test is significantly affected by the mouse's adaptability and cooperation. For example, mice with weaker balance or poorer cooperation may fall off the rotundus before exhausting their energy, affecting the accuracy of the experimental data.

[0005] The weight-bearing swimming exhaustion test involves suspending a weight of approximately 10% of the mouse's body weight at the rear third of its tail and gently submerging it in water. The time from when the mouse is placed in the swimming tank until it sinks is recorded; this time is the mouse's weight-bearing swimming time. The weight-bearing swimming exhaustion test only measures swimming time and does not measure the force used by the mouse in swimming. Furthermore, different mice have different swimming skills, which affects the accuracy of the experimental data. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a suspension-type experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument that is more accurate in measuring the physical fitness and motor ability of rats.

[0007] The technical solution adopted to solve the above problems is as follows: A suspended laboratory mouse physical fitness measuring instrument includes a base, a suspension frame, a force-measuring structure, leg straps, a mouse support plate, a water-spraying stimulation structure, and a driving device. The suspension frame includes a vertical pole and a horizontal beam. The lower end of the vertical pole is connected to the base, and the horizontal beam is positioned laterally and connected to the upper end of the vertical pole. The force-measuring structure includes four rectangularly arranged force-measuring components. Each force-measuring component includes a tension sensor, a spring, and a strap connector. The tension sensor is connected to the horizontal beam, the spring is vertically positioned, and its upper end is connected to the tension sensor. The strap connector is connected to the lower end of the spring. There are four leg straps, which can be used with... The components are connected by connectors; there are two drive devices, located on the left and right sides of the force measuring assembly; the water spray stimulation structure includes a water receiving box, a nozzle, and a water supply device, with the nozzle connected to the water receiving box and the water supply device mounted on the base and connected to the nozzle; both the mouse tray and the water receiving box are located below the force measuring structure, with the mouse tray in front of the water receiving box. The mouse tray and the water receiving box are connected to the two drive devices, which can drive the mouse tray and the water receiving box to move up and down, and can also drive the mouse tray and the water receiving box to move back and forth, so that either the mouse tray or the water receiving box corresponds to the position of the force measuring structure.

[0008] Furthermore: the suspension frame includes two connecting beams; there are four uprights arranged in a rectangular pattern, with the four uprights arranged in two rows in the front-to-back direction and in two columns in the left-to-right direction; the connecting beams are set in the front-to-back direction and connect to the tops of the two uprights in one column; there are two crossbeams, which are set at intervals in the front-to-back direction, and both crossbeams are connected to the connecting beams.

[0009] Furthermore, two force-measuring components are connected to the front crossbeam, and two other force-measuring components are connected to the rear crossbeam; the strap connector is a suspension ring, and the leg strap includes a slingshot buckle and a strap body connected together, with the slingshot buckle able to be hung on the strap connector.

[0010] Furthermore, the drive device includes a linear guide rail, an electric telescopic cylinder, and two guide sleeves. The linear guide rail includes a slide rail and a slider mounted on the slide rail. The linear guide rail is arranged in the front-to-back direction. The two guide sleeves are respectively connected to both ends of the slide rail and respectively fitted onto two uprights. The two ends of the electric telescopic cylinder are respectively connected to the connecting beam and the slide rail. The mouse tray and the water receiving box are respectively connected to the sliders of the two linear guide rails.

[0011] Furthermore, the mouse tray includes a tray body and a mouse securing strap that is detachably connected to the tray body.

[0012] Furthermore, the water supply device includes a water tank, a water pump, a heater, and a water supply hose. The water pump and the heater both act on the water tank, and the water supply hose connects the water pump and the nozzle. The water receiving box includes a tray and a water receiving box body. The tray is connected to the drive device, and the water receiving box body is placed on the tray. The water receiving box body is made of transparent material.

[0013] Furthermore, the suspended laboratory mouse physical fitness measuring instrument includes an electronic control device, which is mounted on the base and can control the drive device and the water supply device.

[0014] Furthermore, the suspended experimental mouse physical fitness measuring instrument includes a computer, which is connected to the force measuring structure via a circuit. The computer receives the force sensor signal and calculates the mouse's physical fitness data based on the signal. The calculation method is as follows: First, four force sensor data curves are fitted, with the zero point of the vertical axis being the force sensor output value minus one-quarter of the mouse's weight, and the horizontal axis representing the time parameter. Then, the area between the force curve and the horizontal axis is obtained by integration. Finally, the sum of the areas of the four force sensor curves is divided by the mouse's weight to obtain its physical fitness data.

[0015] Furthermore, the suspended laboratory mouse physical performance measuring instrument includes a photostimulator and an electrical stimulator, both of which are connected to the suspension frame.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. When measuring the physical fitness and motor ability of mice using this invention, the mouse's limbs are suspended by four force-measuring components and leg straps. The magnitude of the pulling force applied to the force sensor and the duration of the struggle are measured when the mouse struggles, thereby calculating the mouse's physical fitness and motor ability. Furthermore, water spraying can further stimulate the mouse's movement. The advantages of this invention for measuring the physical fitness and motor ability of mice are: the mouse's suspension and struggle is an instinctive behavior that requires no skill. The force and duration of its struggle are primarily related to the mouse's physical fitness and motor ability, and are unrelated to skill or the mouse's cooperation; moreover, this invention measures both the duration and force of the mouse's struggle; based on the foregoing reasons, this invention provides a more accurate measurement of the mouse's physical fitness and motor ability.

[0017] 2. The present invention includes a mouse support plate, which can support the mouse before the experimental data is measured, preventing the mouse from being consumed prematurely and minimizing the mouse's physical exertion before the experiment, which also helps to improve the accuracy of the measurement data.

[0018] 3. This invention further stimulates mouse movement by spraying water, which has a good stimulating effect on mice and causes no harm. In addition to spraying water, the water-spraying stimulation structure can also collect water, which helps protect the surrounding environment of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front view of a suspended laboratory mouse physical fitness measuring instrument;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a top view of a suspended laboratory mouse physical fitness measuring instrument;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a left view of a suspended laboratory mouse physical fitness measuring instrument (some structures are omitted).

[0022] Figure 4 These are diagrams of the force-measuring structure and leg straps;

[0023] Figure 5 This is the main view of the water spray stimulation structure;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a top view of the water jet stimulation structure;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the process of using a suspended laboratory mouse physical fitness measuring device.

[0026] Figure 8 This is another diagram illustrating the usage process of the suspended laboratory mouse physical fitness measuring instrument;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of a suspended laboratory mouse physical fitness measuring device with a computer.

[0028] The components in the diagram are labeled as follows: 1. Base; 2. Electrical control device; 3. Suspension frame; 31. Upright pole; 32. Crossbeam; 33. Connecting beam; 4. Force measuring structure; 41. Force measuring component; 411. Tension sensor; 412. Spring; 413. Strap connector; 5. Leg strap; 51. Strap body; 52. Slingshot buckle; 6. Mouse tray; 61. Tray body; 62. Mouse fixing strap; 7. Water spray stimulation structure; 71. Water receiving box body; 72. Tray; 73. Water supply hose; 74. Water tank; 75. Water pump; 76. Heater; 77. Nozzle; 8. Drive device; 81. Linear guide rail; 811. Slide rail; 812. Slider; 82. Electric telescopic cylinder; 83. Guide sleeve; 9. Computer. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 6As shown, the suspended experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument includes a base 1, a suspension frame 3, a force measuring structure 4, leg straps 5, a rat support plate 6, a water spray stimulation structure 7, and a driving device 8. The suspension frame 3 includes a vertical rod 31 and a horizontal beam 32. The lower end of the vertical rod 31 is connected to the base 1, and the horizontal beam 32 is arranged horizontally and connected to the upper end of the vertical rod 31. The force measuring structure 4 includes four rectangularly arranged force measuring components 41. Each force measuring component 41 includes a tension sensor 411, a spring 412, and a strap connector 413. The tension sensor 411 is connected to the horizontal beam 32, the spring 412 is vertically arranged, the upper end of the spring 412 is connected to the tension sensor 411, and the strap connector 413 is connected to the lower end of the spring 412. There are four leg straps 5. The strap 5 can be connected to the strap connector 413; there are two drive devices 8, which are located on the left and right sides of the force measuring component 41 respectively; the water spray stimulation structure 7 includes a water receiving box, a nozzle 77 and a water supply device, the nozzle 77 is connected to the water receiving box, and the water supply device is installed on the base 1 and connected to the nozzle 77; the mouse tray 6 and the water receiving box are both located below the force measuring structure 4, the mouse tray 6 is located in front of the water receiving box, the mouse tray 6 and the water receiving box are respectively connected to the two drive devices 8, the two drive devices 8 can drive the mouse tray 6 and the water receiving box to move up and down respectively, and the two drive devices 8 can drive the mouse tray 6 and the water receiving box to move back and forth respectively so that either the mouse tray 6 and the water receiving box corresponds to the position of the force measuring structure 4.

[0031] The process of measuring the physical fitness and motor ability of mice using this invention is as follows: Figure 2 In the initial state shown, the mouse tray 6 is positioned forward, securing the mouse to the tray 6, and the mouse's limbs are tied together with four leg straps 5. Then, as... Figure 7 As shown, the drive device 8 drives the mouse tray 6 to move backward and upward towards the force-measuring structure 4, so that the mouse on the mouse tray 6 is close to the force-measuring structure 4. Then, the four leg straps 5 are connected to the four force-measuring components 41 respectively. After all preparations are completed, the drive device 8 drives the mouse tray 6 to move downward and forward to reset, and the mouse loses the support of the mouse tray 6 and is in a suspended state, and the measurement data collection begins. The measurement data collection can be performed as follows: Figure 9 The computer 9 and other computing devices are connected to each tension sensor 411 for data collection. When the mouse gives up struggling, the water-spraying stimulation structure 7 can be used to further stimulate the mouse's movement, specifically as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the drive device 8 drives the water collection box to move forward and then upward, covering the mouse; then the nozzle 77 sprays water onto the mouse's head to stimulate further movement. The water collection box collects the water. When the mouse is truly exhausted, the measurement data is collected and processed by the computer 9 to obtain the mouse's physical fitness data.

[0032] When measuring the physical fitness and motor ability of mice using this invention, the mouse's limbs are suspended by four force-measuring components 41 and leg straps 5. The magnitude of the pulling force applied to the tension sensor 411 and the duration of the struggle are measured when the mouse struggles, thereby calculating the mouse's physical fitness and motor ability. The mouse's movement can be further stimulated by spraying water. The advantages of this invention for measuring the physical fitness and motor ability of mice are: the mouse's suspension and struggle is an instinctive behavior that requires no skill; the force and duration of its struggle are primarily related to its physical fitness and motor ability, and are unrelated to skill or the mouse's cooperation; furthermore, this invention measures both the duration and force of the mouse's struggle; based on the foregoing reasons, this invention provides a more accurate measurement of the mouse's physical fitness and motor ability.

[0033] The present invention includes a mouse support plate 6, which can support the mouse before the experimental data is measured, preventing the mouse from being consumed prematurely and minimizing the mouse's physical exertion before the experiment, which also helps to improve the accuracy of the measurement data.

[0034] This invention stimulates mice to move more effectively through water spraying, providing a good stimulus without causing harm. In addition to spraying water, the water spraying structure also collects water, helping to protect the surrounding environment.

[0035] The specific structure of the suspension frame 3 can be as follows: The suspension frame 3 includes two connecting beams 33; there are four uprights 31, which are arranged in a rectangular shape, with the four uprights 31 arranged in two rows in the front-back direction and in two columns in the left-right direction; the connecting beams 33 are set in the front-back direction and are connected to the top of the two uprights 31 in one column; there are two crossbeams 32, which are set at intervals in the front-back direction, and both crossbeams 32 are connected to the connecting beams 33.

[0036] The force-measuring components 41 and leg straps 5 can be configured as follows: two force-measuring components 41 are connected to the front crossbeam 32, and the other two force-measuring components 41 are connected to the rear crossbeam 32; the strap connector 413 is a suspension ring, and the leg strap 5 includes a connected spring clip 52 and a strap body 51. The spring clip 52 can be hooked onto the strap connector 413. The tension sensor 411 uses existing technology. The spring clip 52 is also existing technology, a hook that can automatically seal, preventing it from coming off due to the mouse struggling after being hooked onto the strap connector 413. The leg strap 5 can be a regular wide cotton strap, which can be manually tied to the mouse's limbs.

[0037] The drive device 8 is used to move the mouse tray 6 and the water collection box. The drive device 8 can drive the mouse tray 6 and the water collection box to move back and forth, so that the mouse tray 6 and the water collection box can be facing the force measuring structure 4, or they can be moved away, thus avoiding interference between the mouse tray 6 and the water collection box. The two drive devices 8 can also drive the mouse tray 6 and the water collection box to move up and down, so that the mouse tray 6 and the water collection box can move closer to or away from the force measuring structure 4.

[0038] The specific structure of the drive device can be as follows: the drive device 8 includes a linear guide rail 81, an electric telescopic cylinder 82, and two guide sleeves 83. The linear guide rail 81 includes a slide rail 811 and a slider 812 mounted on the slide rail 811. The linear guide rail 81 is arranged in the front-back direction. The two guide sleeves 83 are respectively connected to the two ends of the slide rail 811 and respectively fitted onto the two uprights 31. The two ends of the electric telescopic cylinder 82 are respectively connected to the connecting beam 33 and the slide rail 811. The mouse tray 6 and the water receiving box are respectively connected to the sliders 812 of the two linear guide rails 81.

[0039] The linear guide rail 81 is existing technology. The slider 812 can move along the linear guide rail 81, thereby driving the mouse tray 6 and the water collection box to move back and forth. The electric telescopic cylinder 82 is existing technology and is used to drive the linear guide rail 81, the mouse tray 6, and the water collection box to move up and down. When the electric telescopic cylinder 82 is connected to the linear guide rail 81, care should be taken to avoid interfering with the movement of the slider 812.

[0040] The specific structure of the mouse tray 6 can be as follows: The mouse tray 6 includes a tray body 61 and a mouse securing strap 62 detachably connected to the tray body 61. A flexible pad can be provided on the surface of the mouse tray 6 to protect the mouse. The mouse securing strap 62 is used to bind the mouse's torso and fix the mouse to the tray body 61. The shape of the mouse securing strap 62 can be X-shaped. The mouse securing strap 62 passes around the mouse's torso, the front of the forelimbs, and the rear of the hind limbs. The mouse securing strap 62 primarily secures the mouse to facilitate the operation of binding the mouse's limbs with the leg straps 5.

[0041] The specific structure of the water supply device 7 can be as follows: The water supply device includes a water tank 74, a water pump 75, a heater 76, and a water supply hose 73. The water pump 75 and the heater 76 both act on the water tank 74. The water supply hose 73 connects the water pump 75 and the nozzle 77. The water receiving box includes a tray 72 and a water receiving box body 71. The tray 72 is connected to the drive device 8. The water receiving box body 71 is placed on the tray 72. The water receiving box body 71 is made of transparent material.

[0042] Water is filled into tank 74, pump 75 draws in and outputs water, which is then delivered to nozzle 77 via supply hose 73 and sprayed out to stimulate the mice. The sprayed water is collected by water collection box body 71. Water collection box body 71 should cover the mice for better water collection. To facilitate observation of the mice, the water collection box body 71 can be made of transparent material. Water collection box body 71 is placed on tray 72 and can be removed to empty the collected water. Heater 76 is used to appropriately heat the water when the water temperature is very low in winter.

[0043] This invention relates to an electric device, and should conventionally include an electrical control device 2 to control the drive device 8 and the water supply device. For example, multiple control buttons can be provided to control the linear guide rail 81, the electric telescopic cylinder 82, the water pump 75, and the heater 76, respectively. The electrical control device 2 can be mounted on the base 1.

[0044] As mentioned above, data collection and calculation require a computer 9 or other appropriate computing equipment. The computer 9 is part of this invention, specifically: the suspended experimental mouse physical fitness measuring instrument includes the computer 9, which is connected to the force measuring structure 4 via a circuit. The computer 9 receives signals from the tension sensor 411 and calculates the mouse's physical fitness data based on these signals. The calculation method is as follows: first, four force sensor data curves are fitted, with the zero point of the vertical axis being the force sensor output value minus one-quarter of the mouse's weight, and the horizontal axis representing the time parameter. Then, the area between the force curve and the horizontal axis is obtained by integration. Finally, the sum of the areas of the four force sensor curves is divided by the mouse's weight to obtain its physical fitness data.

[0045] The suspended laboratory mouse physical performance measuring instrument can also be equipped with a photostimulator and an electrical stimulator, both of which are connected to the suspension frame 3. The photostimulator and electrical stimulator can supplement the water spray stimulation structure 7. The photostimulator and electrical stimulator are common structures in existing animal experimental equipment, and the photostimulator and electrical stimulator of this invention can be achieved using existing technology.

Claims

1. A suspended laboratory rat physical fitness measuring instrument, characterized in that: The system includes a base (1), a suspension frame (3), a force-measuring structure (4), leg straps (5), a mouse tray (6), a water-spraying stimulation structure (7), and a drive device (8). The suspension frame (3) includes a vertical pole (31) and a horizontal beam (32). The lower end of the vertical pole (31) is connected to the base (1), and the horizontal beam (32) is arranged in the left-right direction and connected to the upper end of the vertical pole (31). The force-measuring structure (4) includes four force-measuring components (41) arranged in a rectangle. Each force-measuring component (41) includes a tension sensor (411), a spring (412), and a strap connector (413). The tension sensor (411) is connected to the horizontal beam (32), the spring (412) is arranged vertically, the upper end of the spring (412) is connected to the tension sensor (411), and the strap connector (413) is connected to the lower end of the spring (412). There are four leg straps (5). The strap (5) can be connected to the strap connector (413); there are two drive devices (8), which are located on the left and right sides of the force measuring component (41); the water spray stimulation structure (7) includes a water receiving box, a nozzle (77) and a water supply device. The nozzle (77) is connected to the water receiving box, and the water supply device is installed on the base (1) and connected to the nozzle (77); the mouse tray (6) and the water receiving box are both located below the force measuring structure (4). The mouse tray (6) is located in front of the water receiving box. The mouse tray (6) and the water receiving box are connected to the two drive devices (8) respectively. The two drive devices (8) can drive the mouse tray (6) and the water receiving box to move up and down respectively. The two drive devices (8) can drive the mouse tray (6) and the water receiving box to move back and forth respectively so that either the mouse tray (6) or the water receiving box corresponds to the position of the force measuring structure (4); Four leg straps (5) are used to tie the mouse's limbs. When the mouse is suspended without the support of the mouse support board (6), the tension sensor (411) collects measurement data.

2. The suspended experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The suspension frame (3) includes two connecting beams (33); there are four uprights (31), which are arranged in a rectangular shape. The four uprights (31) are arranged in two rows in the front-to-back direction and in two columns in the left-to-right direction; the connecting beams (33) are set in the front-to-back direction and are connected to the top of the two uprights (31) in one column; there are two crossbeams (32), which are set at intervals in the front-to-back direction and are connected to the connecting beams (33).

3. The suspended experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that: Two force-measuring components (41) are connected to the front crossbeam (32), and two other force-measuring components (41) are connected to the rear crossbeam (32); the strap connector (413) is a suspension ring, and the leg strap (5) includes a sling buckle (52) and a strap body (51) connected together, and the sling buckle (52) can be hung on the strap connector (413).

4. The suspended experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drive device (8) includes a linear guide rail (81), an electric telescopic cylinder (82), and two guide sleeves (83). The linear guide rail (81) includes a slide rail (811) and a slider (812) mounted on the slide rail (811). The linear guide rail (81) is arranged in the front and back direction. The two guide sleeves (83) are respectively connected to the two ends of the slide rail (811) and respectively fitted onto the two uprights (31). The two ends of the electric telescopic cylinder (82) are respectively connected to the connecting beam (33) and the slide rail (811). The mouse tray (6) and the water receiving box are respectively connected to the sliders (812) of the two linear guide rails (81).

5. The suspended experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mouse tray (6) includes a tray body (61) and a mouse securing strap (62) detachably connected to the tray body (61).

6. The suspended experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water supply device includes a water tank (74), a water pump (75), a heater (76), and a water supply hose (73). The water pump (75) and the heater (76) both act on the water tank (74). The water supply hose (73) connects the water pump (75) and the nozzle (77). The water receiving box includes a tray (72) and a water receiving box body (71). The tray (72) is connected to the drive device (8). The water receiving box body (71) is placed on the tray (72). The water receiving box body (71) is made of transparent material.

7. The suspended experimental rat physical fitness measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes an electrical control device (2), which is mounted on a base (1) and is capable of controlling a drive device (8) and a water supply device.

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