Mechanical full-automatic cage box replacing system for experimental animals

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of experimental animal feeding management, and discloses a mechanical full-automatic experimental animal cage box replacement system which comprises a replacement concentration table, a cage box conveying track and a plurality of feeding frames, the replacement concentration table is located in the center of a feeding room, and a datamation statistics module is integrated on the replacement concentration table; the cage box conveying rail is provided with a replacement concentration table, an animal exchange table is arranged on the replacement concentration table, a plurality of feeding frames are distributed on the two sides of the conveying direction of the cage box conveying rail, a plurality of animal cage boxes are placed on each feeding frame, and the cage box conveying rail passes through the lower portion of the animal exchange table; and the robot transfers the animal cages and the experimental mice in the animal cages among the animal exchange platform, the feeding frame and the cage conveying track according to the instruction. The mouse cage replacing and disinfecting device has the effects of improving the intelligence and safety of mouse cage replacing and disinfecting and improving the mouse cage replacing working efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of experimental animal feeding and management, and in particular to a mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals. Background Art

[0002] The laboratory animal industry refers to the industry that provides laboratory animals for scientific research, drug development, disease model research, education and training purposes. This industry includes the breeding, feeding, and sales of laboratory animals, as well as related services, such as the design and construction of animal laboratory facilities, animal laboratory technology training, laboratory animal health monitoring, and disease prevention. The laboratory animal industry plays a vital role in biomedical research, providing scientists with the models they need to study disease mechanisms, test the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, and assess the impact of environmental pollutants.

[0003] Common experimental animals include mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats, non-human primates, etc. They have different advantages in genetic background, physiological characteristics, disease models, etc., and are suitable for different research fields.

[0004] In the prior art, the breeding process of experimental mice requires breeders to regularly replace the cages (including bedding) according to the breeding density to ensure the healthy quality of life of the experimental mice, thereby improving the quality of life of the experimental mice. However, the larger the scale of breeding experimental mice, the more the number of breeding staff needs to be. The reduction in the number of workers of working age, the increase in employment costs, and the difficulty in recruitment will increase the difficulty of managing the breeding of experimental mice. When there are too many breeders, the risk of negligence in personnel management is likely to increase. For example, breeders bring their own microorganisms into the culture room of experimental mice, causing infectious bacteria to spread among experimental mice, ultimately leading to a significant decline in the quality of experimental animals. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to improve the intelligence and safety of replacing and disinfecting mouse cages, and to improve the work efficiency of replacing mouse cages, the present application provides a mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals.

[0006] The present application provides a mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals, which adopts the following technical solutions: A mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals comprises a replacement centralized platform, a cage transmission track and a plurality of feeding racks, wherein the replacement centralized platform is located at the center of a feeding room, a data statistics module is integrated on the replacement centralized platform, and an animal exchange platform is arranged on the replacement centralized platform, a plurality of feeding racks are distributed on both sides of the transportation direction of the cage transmission track, and a plurality of animal cages are placed on each of the feeding racks, the cage transmission track passes through the animal exchange platform, and the feeding room is further provided with a plurality of signal-operated automatic load-carrying robots, which transfer the animal cages and the experimental mice therein between the animal exchange platform, the feeding racks and the cage transmission track according to instructions.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the robot takes the animal cage that needs to be replaced from the feeding rack according to the instruction and places it on the cage conveyor track; the cage conveyor track transports the animal cage to the bottom of the animal exchange table, and the robot takes the experimental mouse out of the animal cage and places it on the animal exchange table; on the animal exchange table, the central table is replaced to conduct necessary inspections and records on the experimental mice; after completing the inspection and recording, the robot transfers the experimental mice to a new sterile animal cage and places the new cage on the cage conveyor track; the cage conveyor track transports the new sterile animal cage back to the corresponding feeding rack position, and the robot places the cage on the feeding rack, completing a fully automatic cage replacement operation. The automatic replacement of experimental mouse cages through the mechanized fully automatic cage replacement system can reduce the direct contact between the breeder and the experimental animals, thereby reducing the risk of experimental animals contracting diseases, improving the intelligence and safety of feeding management, and also reducing personnel costs and management difficulties.

[0008] Optionally, a dirty cage box flow track is provided on one side of the replacement concentration table, the dirty cage box flow track passes through the animal exchange table, and a cage box cleaning and disinfection device is provided on the dirty cage box flow track.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, adding a flow track for contaminated cages and a cage cleaning and disinfection device, the system can achieve full-process sterile management of cages and automatic cleaning and disinfection of contaminated cages, effectively ensuring the health of experimental animals and the cleanliness of their living environment.

[0010] Optionally, the cage cleaning and disinfection device includes a cage contaminated bedding collection box, a disinfection soaking and flushing box, and a cage drying and disinfection box in sequence along the conveying direction of the dirty cage flow track. A mobile machine gripper for grabbing dirty animal cages is provided on one side of the dirty cage flow track. The mobile machine gripper grabs the dirty animal cages and enters the cage contaminated bedding collection box, the disinfection soaking and flushing box, and the cage drying and disinfection box in sequence.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the dirty animal cages are suspended and inverted by using the mobile machine gripper, and all the dirty bedding in the cages is collected in the cage contaminated bedding collection box. The dirty cages are transported to the disinfection soaking and flushing collection box through the track for disinfection. The cleaned cages are picked up by the mobile machine gripper and further transported to the cage drying and disinfection box, and the potential microorganisms in the cages are removed by high temperature sterilization. The three steps of cleaning, disinfection soaking and disinfection drying can enhance the degree of cleaning and disinfection of dirty cages, providing a clean and hygienic living environment for experimental mice.

[0012] Optionally, an automated bedding box is provided along the conveying direction of the dirty cage flow track at a side of the cage drying and disinfection box away from the animal exchange table, and the discharge port of the automated bedding box is located directly above the dirty cage flow track. When the sterile animal cages are conveyed along the dirty cage flow track to directly below the automated bedding box, the automated bedding box fills the sterile animal cages with sterile bedding.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the cleaned cage box is filled with sterile bedding material using an automatic bedding material box, thereby improving the automation level of the system.

[0014] Optionally, a placement rack is provided on the dirty cage box flow track at the end away from the replacement and centralization table, and the placement rack is used to place sterile animal cages filled with padding. A sterile cage box flow track is provided between the sterile cage box placement rack and the replacement and centralization table.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, after the sterile animal cage is filled with bedding, it can be transported to the sterile cage placement rack via the track as a spare reserve when it is not needed immediately.

[0016] Optionally, the interior of the automated bedding material box is separated into a storage bin and an equipment bin by a horizontally arranged mounting plate, the equipment bin is located below the storage bin, and a feed opening connecting the equipment bin and the storage bin is provided on the side of the mounting plate close to the side wall of the automated bedding material box, a material transfer cylinder is provided on the bottom side wall of the automated bedding material box close to the feed opening, a filling port for filling sterile bedding material into sterile animal cages is provided on the bottom wall of the material transfer cylinder, an electric negative pressure air gun is provided in the equipment bin, and the air outlet of the electric negative pressure air gun faces the material transfer cylinder.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, when the sterile cage box passes through the automated litter box, the electric negative pressure air gun is started, and the litter that falls from the storage bin into the equipment bin is pushed into the transfer barrel through the airflow, and then poured into the cage box from the filling port. This not only can accurately control the amount of litter pushed to avoid waste and overflow, but also improves the efficiency of litter filling.

[0018] Optionally, a push plate is provided at the air outlet of the electric negative pressure air gun facing the material transfer barrel, and a spring is connected between the push plate and the electric negative pressure air gun.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the cooperation of the push plate and the spring further improves the accuracy and consistency of filling, wherein the function of the spring is to ensure that the push plate can automatically reset after pushing the pad material, preparing for the next filling.

[0020] Optionally, the cage box transfer track, the dirty cage box flow track and the sterile cage box flow track are connected end to end in a ring shape.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the smoothness of cage transmission and the efficiency of replacement processing are improved, and the intelligence level and work efficiency of experimental animal breeding are further improved.

[0022] Optionally, a high-definition thermal imaging capture device is installed on the replacement and concentration platform directly above the animal exchange platform.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the high-definition thermal imaging trap can not only capture the real-time status of experimental animals through high-definition cameras, but also use infrared technology to distinguish between male and female animals and realize automatic nest separation. At the same time, the trap can also transmit the appearance status and real-time data of experimental animals to the computer operation background for operators to perform subsequent operations according to experimental needs, such as marking injured mice, pregnant mice, gestational mice, old mice, abnormal mice, etc.

[0024] Optionally, a weight identification and recording platform is installed on the animal exchange platform.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the weight identification and recording table is installed in the middle part of the animal exchange table, which can sensitively record the weight of the animals passing through when changing cages, and summarize and organize them in the file.

[0026] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. According to the instructions, the robot takes the animal cage that needs to be replaced from the feeding rack and places it on the cage conveyor track; the cage conveyor track transports the animal cage to the bottom of the animal exchange table, and the robot takes the experimental mouse out of the animal cage and places it on the animal exchange table; on the animal exchange table, the central table is replaced to conduct necessary inspections and records on the experimental mice; after completing the inspection and record, the robot transfers the experimental mice to a new sterile animal cage and places the new cage on the cage conveyor track; the cage conveyor track transports the new sterile animal cage back to the corresponding feeding rack position, and the robot places the cage on the feeding rack, completing a fully automatic cage replacement operation. The automatic replacement of experimental mouse cages through a mechanized fully automatic cage replacement system can reduce direct contact between breeders and experimental animals, thereby reducing the risk of experimental animals contracting diseases, improving the intelligence and safety of feeding management, and also reducing personnel costs and management difficulties; 2. The newly added dirty cage flow track and cage cleaning and disinfection device enable the system to achieve full-process sterile management of cages and automatic cleaning and disinfection of contaminated cages, effectively ensuring the health of experimental animals and the cleanliness of the living environment; 3. Use the mobile machine gripper to hang the dirty animal cage upside down, and collect all the dirty bedding in the cage into the cage contaminated bedding collection box. The dirty cage is transported to the disinfection soaking and flushing collection box through the track for disinfection. The clean cage is picked up by the mobile machine gripper and then transported to the cage drying and disinfection box. The potential microorganisms in the cage are removed by high temperature sterilization. The three steps of cleaning, disinfection soaking and disinfection drying can enhance the degree of cleaning and disinfection of dirty cages, providing a clean and hygienic living environment for experimental mice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the replacement centralizing platform in the embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the automated filling box in the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Description of reference numerals: 1. Replacement of centralized platform; 11. Data statistics module; 12. High-definition thermal image capture device; 13. Weight identification and recording platform; 14. Animal exchange platform; 2. Cage box conveying track; 21. Dirty cage box flow track; 22. Sterile cage box flow track; 3. Feeding rack; 31. Universal positioning wheel; 4. Animal cage box; 5. Cage box cleaning and disinfection device; 51. Cage box contaminated litter collection box; 511. Litter scraper; 52. Disinfection soaking and flushing box; 53. Cage box drying and disinfection box; 6. Automatic litter box; 61. Mounting plate; 611. Dropping port; 62. Storage bin; 621. Air vent; 63. Equipment bin; 631. Electric negative pressure air gun; 632. Spring; 633. Pushing plate; 64. Transfer barrel; 641. Filling port; 7. Placement rack; 8. Robot; 9. Mobile machine gripper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following is combined with Figure 1-3 This application is described in further detail.

[0032] The embodiment of the present application discloses a mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 A mechanized fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals includes a replacement centralized platform 1, a cage conveying track 2, and a plurality of feeding racks 3. The replacement centralized platform 1 is located at the center of the feeding room. A data statistics module 11, a high-definition thermal image capturer 12, and a weight identification and recording platform 13 are integrated and installed on the replacement centralized platform 1. An animal exchange platform 14 is fixedly arranged on the replacement centralized platform 1. Universal positioning wheels 31 are installed at the bottom of the distribution of the plurality of feeding racks 3 and are distributed on both sides of the transportation direction of the cage conveying track 2. A plurality of animal cages 4 are placed on each feeding rack 3. A dirty cage flow track 21 and a sterile cage flow track 22 are also arranged on one side of the replacement centralized platform 1. The cage conveying track 2, the dirty cage flow track 21, and the sterile cage flow track 22 are connected end to end in a ring. A cage cleaning and disinfection device 5 and an automatic bedding box 6 are fixedly installed on the dirty cage flow track 21, a placement rack 7 is fixedly installed between the dirty cage flow track 21 and the sterile cage flow track 22, and a number of signal-operated automatic load-carrying robots 8 are also installed in the breeding room.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2According to the instruction, the robot 8 takes the animal cage 4 to be replaced from the feeding rack 3 and places it on the cage conveying track 2; the cage conveying track 2 transports the animal cage 4 to the animal exchange table 14, and the robot 8 takes the experimental mouse out of the animal cage 4 and places it on the animal exchange table 14; the dirty animal cage 4 continues to be transferred to the dirty cage flow track 21 along the cage conveying track 2, and is cleaned and disinfected by the cage cleaning and disinfection device 5 and filled with stuffing by the automatic filling box 6 during the transfer process of the dirty cage flow track 21, and sterile The animal cages 4 are conveyed to the placement racks 7 by the dirty cage flow track 21, and the robot 8 arranges them on the placement racks 7; the sterile animal cages 4 accumulated on the placement racks 7 are conveyed to the animal exchange table 14 along the sterile cage flow track 22 as needed, and the robot 8 transfers the experimental mice to the sterile animal cages 4 and places the new cages on the cage conveying track 2; the cage conveying track 2 transports the new sterile animal cages 4 back to the corresponding feeding rack 3 position, and the robot 8 places the sterile animal cages 4 on the feeding rack 3, completing a fully automatic cage replacement operation.

[0035] Reference Figure 2 The high-definition thermal imager 12 is installed just above the animal exchange table 14. It can mainly refer to the technical guidance of the basic data setting to judge the weight of the mice in the nest and confirm whether the mice are separated. It can also use the male and female mouse identification system to use infrared rays to distinguish between males and females for nest separation. At the same time, the current state and appearance of the experimental mice can be directly transmitted to the computer operation background in real time. The operator can perform subsequent operations according to their status, such as marking injured mice, pregnant mice, gestational mice, old mice, abnormal mice, etc. The weight identification and recording table 13 is installed in the middle of the animal exchange table 14, which can sensitively record the weight of the experimental mice passing through the cage box when changing the cage, and summarize and organize them for record.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 The cage cleaning and disinfection device 5 includes a cage contaminated bedding collection box 51, a disinfection soaking and flushing box 52, and a cage drying and disinfection box 53. The cage contaminated bedding collection box 51, the disinfection soaking and flushing box 52, and the cage drying and disinfection box 53 are arranged along the conveying direction of the dirty cage flow track 21. A mobile machine clamp 9 is installed on one side of the dirty cage flow track 21. The mobile machine clamp 9 grabs the dirty animal cage 4 and enters the cage contaminated bedding collection box 51, the disinfection soaking and flushing box 52, and the cage drying and disinfection box 53 in turn.

[0037] Reference Figure 1The mobile machine gripper 9 suspends the dirty animal cage 4 upside down and collects all the dirty bedding in the cage contaminated bedding collection box 51. The cage contaminated bedding collection box 51 is provided with a bedding scraper 511 to assist in accelerating the dropping of the dirty bedding. The dirty animal cage 4 is clamped by the mobile machine gripper 9 and immersed in the disinfection soaking and flushing collection box. After the disinfection time is reached, a second disinfection soaking and flushing will be performed to ensure that the dirty animal cage 4 is cleaned. The cleaned cage is picked up by the mobile machine gripper 9 and continued to be transferred to the cage drying and disinfection box 53. The potential microorganisms in the cage are removed by high-temperature sterilization.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The automatic bedding box 6 is located on the side of the cage drying and disinfection box 53 away from the animal exchange platform 14 along the conveying direction of the dirty cage flow track 21. The interior of the automatic bedding box 6 is separated into a storage bin 62 and an equipment bin 63 by a horizontally fixed mounting plate 61. The side wall of the storage bin 62 is provided with moisture-proof and breathable air holes 621. The equipment bin 63 is located below the storage bin 62, and a drop opening 611 connecting the equipment bin 63 and the storage bin 62 is provided on the side of the mounting plate 61 close to the side wall of the automatic bedding box 6. A material transfer cylinder 64 is fixedly provided at the bottom side wall of the automatic bedding box 6 close to the drop opening 611, connecting the equipment bin 63. A filling port 641 for filling sterile bedding into the sterile animal cage 4 is provided on the bottom wall of the dirty cage flow track 21. The filling port 641 is located directly above the dirty cage flow track 21.

[0039] Reference Figure 3 An electric negative pressure air gun 631 is fixedly installed in the equipment warehouse 63, and the air outlet of the electric negative pressure air gun 631 faces the material transfer cylinder 64, and the air outlet of the electric negative pressure air gun 631 on the side of the material transfer cylinder 64 is connected to a push plate 633 through a spring 632, and the push plate 633 moves toward the material transfer cylinder 64.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 When the sterile animal cage box 4 is conveyed to the bottom of the automated bedding material box 6 along the dirty cage box flow track 21 , the automated bedding material box 6 fills the sterile animal cage box 4 with sterile bedding material.

[0041] The implementation principle of the mechanized fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals in the present application embodiment is as follows: the system monitors and manages the entire replacement process through a digital statistical module 11. When the cage needs to be replaced, the robot 8 will take the dirty animal cage 4 from the feeding rack 3 according to the instruction and place it on the cage conveying track 2; When passing through the animal exchange table 14, the robot 8 takes the experimental mice out of the animal cage 4 and places them on the animal exchange table 14. On the animal exchange table 14, the experimental mice are subjected to necessary inspection and records through the digitized statistical module 11, the high-definition thermal image capture device 12 and the weight identification and recording table 13; The dirty animal cages 4 continue to be transferred along the cage transfer track 2 to the dirty cage flow track 21, and are cleaned and disinfected by the cage cleaning and disinfection device 5 and filled with stuffing by the automatic filling box 6 during the transfer process of the dirty cage flow track 21. The sterile animal cages 4 are transferred to the placement rack 7 by the dirty cage flow track 21, and the robot 8 arranges them on the placement rack 7; The sterile animal cages 4 accumulated on the placement rack 7 are transferred to the animal exchange table 14 along the sterile cage flow track 22 as needed. After inspection and recording, the experimental mice are transferred to the cage transfer track 2 by the robot 8, and when they are transferred to the vicinity of the corresponding feeding rack 3, they are placed back on the feeding rack 3 by the robot 8, completing the replacement process of the animal cages 4.

[0042] The whole process not only improves work efficiency, but also greatly reduces the contact between personnel and experimental mice, thereby reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.

[0043] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, all equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals, characterized in that: The invention comprises a replacement central platform (1), a cage box conveying track (2) and a plurality of feeding racks (3). The replacement central platform (1) is located at the center of a feeding room. A data statistics module (11) is integrated on the replacement central platform (1). An animal exchange platform (14) is arranged on the replacement central platform (1). The plurality of feeding racks (3) are distributed on both sides of the transportation direction of the cage box conveying track (2). A plurality of animal cages (4) are placed on each of the feeding racks (3). The cage box conveying track (2) passes through the animal exchange platform (14). The feeding room is also provided with a plurality of signal-operated automatic load-carrying robots (8). The robots (8) transfer the animal cages (4) and the experimental mice therein between the animal exchange platform (14), the feeding racks (3) and the cage box conveying track (2) according to instructions.

2. The mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: A dirty cage box flow track (21) is provided on one side of the replacement concentration platform (1), the dirty cage box flow track (21) passes through the animal exchange platform (14), and a cage box cleaning and disinfection device (5) is provided on the dirty cage box flow track (21).

3. The mechanized fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cage cleaning and disinfecting device (5) includes, in sequence along the conveying direction of the dirty cage flow track (21), a cage contaminated bedding collection box (51), a disinfection soaking and flushing box (52), and a cage drying and disinfection box (53), and a mobile machine gripper (9) for grabbing dirty animal cages (4) is provided on one side of the dirty cage flow track (21). The mobile machine gripper (9) grabs the dirty animal cages (4) and sequentially enters the cage contaminated bedding collection box (51), the disinfection soaking and flushing box (52), and the cage drying and disinfection box (53).

4. The mechanized fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals according to claim 3, characterized in that: An automated bedding box (6) is provided along the conveying direction of the dirty cage flow track (21) at a side of the cage drying and disinfecting box (53) away from the animal exchange table (14); the discharge port of the automated bedding box (6) is located directly above the dirty cage flow track (21); when the sterile animal cage (4) is conveyed along the dirty cage flow track (21) to the bottom of the automated bedding box (6), the automated bedding box (6) fills the sterile animal cage (4) with sterile bedding.

5. The mechanized fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals according to claim 3, characterized in that: A placement rack (7) is provided on the dirty cage box flow track (21) at the end away from the replacement concentration table (1), and the placement rack (7) is used to place sterile animal cage boxes (4) filled with padding. A sterile cage box flow track (22) is provided between the sterile cage box placement rack (7) and the replacement concentration table (1).

6. The mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals according to claim 4, characterized in that: The automated bedding material box (6) is internally separated into a storage bin (62) and an equipment bin (63) by a horizontally arranged mounting plate (61); the equipment bin (63) is located below the storage bin (62); and a feeding port (611) for connecting the equipment bin (63) and the storage bin (62) is provided on a side of the mounting plate (61) close to the side wall of the automated bedding material box (6); a material transfer cylinder (64) is provided at a bottom side wall of the automated bedding material box (6) close to the feeding port (611) and connected to the equipment bin (63); a filling port (641) for filling sterile bedding material into a sterile animal cage (4) is provided on a bottom wall of the material transfer cylinder (64); an electric negative pressure air gun (631) is provided in the equipment bin (63); an air outlet of the electric negative pressure air gun (631) faces the material transfer cylinder (64).

7. The mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals according to claim 6, characterized in that: A push plate (633) is provided at the air outlet of the electric negative pressure air gun (631) facing the material transfer cylinder (64), and a spring (632) is connected between the push plate (633) and the electric negative pressure air gun (631).

8. The mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cage box transfer track (2), the dirty cage box flow track (21) and the sterile cage box flow track (22) are connected end to end in a ring shape.

9. The mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: A high-definition thermal image capture device (12) is installed on the replacement centering platform (1) directly above the animal exchange platform (14).

10. The mechanized and fully automatic cage replacement system for experimental animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: A weight identification and recording platform (13) is installed on the animal exchange platform (14).

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