Adjustable three-dimensional positioning and fixing device suitable for newborn experimental animals

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of neuroscience and experimental zoology, and discloses an adjustable three-dimensional positioning and fixing device suitable for newborn experimental animals, the adjustable three-dimensional positioning and fixing device comprises a base, a fixing seat, an adjusting part and a mounting part, the base is provided with a fixing hole and a plurality of mounting holes, the fixing hole is used for accommodating the experimental animals, and the mounting hole is used for accommodating the experimental animals. The mounting holes are located in different surfaces of the base respectively, the fixing seat is adjustably mounted on the base and used for the head of an experimental animal, the adjusting part penetrates through the fixing seat and is movably connected with the base, and the position of the fixing seat relative to the base can be adjusted by adjusting the adjusting part; the mounting piece is detachably mounted in the mounting hole. The device adopts a multi-component modular design, and flexible adjustment and fixation are realized through splicing, so that the device can be applied to different experimental scenes, flexible fixation and positioning of the head of a newborn experimental animal are realized, and the device is particularly suitable for experimental animals such as newborn mice, newborn rats and newborn rabbits which have soft skull and cannot be fixed by ear rods.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the fields of neuroscience and experimental animal science, and in particular to an adjustable stereoscopic fixing device suitable for newborn experimental animals. Background Art

[0002] In neuroscience and animal experiments, precise positioning and fixation of the brain of experimental animals is crucial, especially in experiments such as stereotaxic injection, sampling, in vivo electrophysiological and electrochemical testing. Traditional experimental equipment is usually designed for adult animals and mainly relies on fixed bone parts (such as ear bars, teeth or nose) to keep the animal's head stable. These devices can effectively control the movement of the head during experimental operations and ensure the accuracy of brain injection or sampling.

[0003] However, the physical characteristics of newborn animals (usually referring to pups a few days after birth), such as newborn mice, rats and rabbits, are significantly different from those of adult animals, especially their skulls have not yet fully hardened, their heads are soft and structurally fragile, and their ears, teeth and other fixation points have not yet matured. Traditional fixation methods are not only unstable, but may even damage the animal's head, affecting the accuracy and reliability of experimental results. In experiments on newborn experimental animals, accurate positioning and fixation has always been a technical problem, and traditional devices are not suitable for such animal experiments.

[0004] Existing fixation devices for newborn experimental animals are relatively limited. Researchers usually use simple foam, plasticine or soft materials as temporary fixation tools, but these methods have poor stability and often cause the head of the experimental animal to move during operation, resulting in inaccurate experimental results. In addition, these temporary solutions lack structural support, and it is difficult to balance flexibility and stability in complex experimental operations.

[0005] In addition, the structure of traditional stereotaxic equipment is relatively complex, and it is designed mainly for adult animals. It is large in size and complex to adjust, so it is not suitable for experimental operations on small animals. Especially when dealing with newborn mice, operators often need to adjust the angle and posture more flexibly in order to conduct experiments such as brain injection, optogenetics or drug delivery. Therefore, in experiments on newborn mice, there is an urgent need for a positioning and fixing device that is suitable for their miniaturized body size, can provide sufficient flexibility and precision, and minimize damage to the body of the mice.

[0006] Therefore, developing a fixation device suitable for newborn animals, with flexible adjustment functions, without damaging the animals, and able to meet various experimental needs such as stereotactic injection, in vivo electrophysiological and electrochemical signal detection has become an urgent problem to be solved in the current field of experimental technology. Summary of the invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an adjustable stereoscopic positioning fixation device suitable for newborn experimental animals. The device adopts a multi-component modular design and realizes flexible adjustment and fixation through splicing, so that the device can be used in different experimental scenes to realize flexible fixation and positioning of the head of newborn experimental animals. It is particularly suitable for experimental animals such as newborn mice, newborn rats, and newborn rabbits whose skulls are soft and cannot be fixed with ear rods.

[0008] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0009] The present invention discloses an adjustable stereoscopic positioning fixing device suitable for newborn experimental animals, comprising: a base, the base is provided with a fixing hole and a plurality of mounting holes, the fixing hole is used to accommodate the experimental animal, and the plurality of mounting holes are respectively located on different surfaces of the base; a fixing seat, the fixing seat is used to fix the head of the experimental animal; an adjusting member, the adjusting member is passed through the fixing seat and is movably connected to the base, and the position of the fixing seat relative to the base can be adjusted by adjusting the adjusting member; and a mounting member, the mounting member is detachably mounted on the mounting hole and is connected to an external fixing structure so that the adjustable stereoscopic positioning fixing device suitable for newborn experimental animals presents different postures to meet various angle experimental operations on the brain area of ​​the experimental animals.

[0010] In some embodiments, the adjustable stereotaxic fixation device suitable for newborn experimental animals further includes an elastic member, which is sleeved on the adjusting member, and one end of the elastic member abuts against the base, and the other end abuts against the fixing seat.

[0011] In some embodiments, the adjusting member is an adjusting bolt, the head of the adjusting bolt abuts against a surface of the fixing seat facing away from the base, and the screw rod of the adjusting bolt passes through the fixing seat and is connected to the base.

[0012] In some embodiments, the fixing seat includes a fixing portion and a guiding portion, the fixing portion is used to fix the head of the experimental animal, one end of the guiding portion is connected to the fixing portion, and the other end is extended in a direction close to the base, and a guiding structure is provided between the guiding portion and the side wall of the base, and the guiding structure is used to guide the movement direction of the fixing seat.

[0013] In some specific embodiments, a guide groove is provided on the guide portion, and the guide structure includes a guide column and a stop portion, the guide column is connected to the base and cooperates with the guide groove, and the stop portion stops at the guide portion.

[0014] In some specific embodiments, there are two guide portions, and the two guide portions are respectively arranged at two ends of the fixing portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the adjustable stereotaxic fixation device suitable for newborn experimental animals further includes a support pad, which is disposed on the base and is used to support the head of the experimental animal.

[0016] In some embodiments, the mounting member is provided with a threaded section, and the mounting member is threadedly connected to the mounting hole; or: the mounting member is provided with a spherical hinge joint, and the mounting member is rotatably connected to the mounting hole.

[0017] In some embodiments, the base, the fixing seat, the adjusting member and the mounting member are all manufactured by 3D printing.

[0018] In some embodiments, the base, the fixing seat, the adjusting member and the mounting member are plastic members.

[0019] Beneficial effects of the adjustable stereo positioning fixture for newborn experimental animals of the present invention: It can be understood that in the actual working process, the adjustment piece can be adjusted according to the size of the experimental animal, so that the position of the fixing seat relative to the base changes, so that the head of the experimental animal is stably fixed between the base and the fixing seat, and sufficient support and protection can be provided to the head of the experimental animal to ensure that no additional damage is caused to it during the fixing process, so that the stereo positioning fixture of this embodiment can achieve flexible fixation and positioning of the head of the newborn experimental animal, especially suitable for experimental animals such as newborn mice, newborn rats, and newborn rabbits whose skulls are soft and cannot be fixed with ear rods. Since the mounting piece is detachably mounted on the mounting hole and connected to the external fixing structure so that the stereo positioning fixture presents different postures, the mounting piece can be assembled on different side walls of the fixing seat according to the requirements of the specific experiment, so that the stereo positioning fixture of this embodiment can be flexibly adjusted and fixed by splicing, so that the device can be used in different experimental scenes.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a first installation posture of an adjustable stereo positioning fixture for newborn experimental animals according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a second installation posture of the adjustable stereo positioning fixture for newborn experimental animals according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3It is a structural schematic diagram of a third installation posture of the adjustable stereo positioning fixture for newborn experimental animals according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of a fourth installation posture of the adjustable stereo positioning fixation device suitable for newborn experimental animals according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Reference numerals:

[0026] 100, base; 110, fixing hole; 120, mounting hole; 200, fixing seat; 210, fixing part; 220, guide part; 221, guide groove; 300, adjusting member; 400, mounting member; 410, spherical hinge joint; 500, elastic member; 600, guide structure; 700, support pad. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for the convenience of description, only the parts related to the present invention, rather than all structures, are shown in the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral whole; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0028] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0029] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", etc., directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish in the description and have no special meaning.

[0030] The present invention discloses an adjustable stereotaxic fixing device suitable for newborn experimental animals (hereinafter referred to as the stereotaxic fixing device for convenience of description), comprising a base 100, a fixing seat 200, an adjusting member 300 and a mounting member 400. The base 100 is provided with a fixing hole 110 and a plurality of mounting holes 120. The fixing hole 110 is used to accommodate the experimental animal. The plurality of mounting holes 120 are respectively located on different surfaces of the base 100. The fixing seat 200 is adjustably mounted on the base 100. The fixing seat 200 is used for the head of the experimental animal. The adjusting member 300 is penetrated by the fixing seat 200 and is movably connected to the base 100. The position of the fixing seat 200 relative to the base 100 can be adjusted by adjusting the adjusting member 300. The mounting member 400 is detachably mounted on the mounting hole 120 and is connected to an external fixing structure so that the stereotaxic fixing device presents different postures to meet various angle experimental operations on the brain area of ​​the experimental animal. It is understandable that, in the actual working process, the adjusting member 300 can be adjusted according to the size of the experimental animal, so that the position of the fixing seat 200 relative to the base 100 changes, so that the head of the experimental animal is stably fixed between the base 100 and the fixing seat 200, and sufficient support and protection can be provided to the head of the experimental animal to ensure that no additional damage will be caused to it during the fixing process, so that the stereo positioning fixing device of this embodiment can realize the flexible fixing and positioning of the head of the newborn experimental animal, and is particularly suitable for experimental animals such as newborn mice, newborn rats, and newborn rabbits whose skulls are soft and cannot be fixed with ear rods. Since the mounting member 400 is detachably mounted on the mounting hole 120 and is connected to the external fixing structure so that the stereo positioning fixing device presents different postures, the mounting member 400 can be assembled on different side walls of the fixing seat 200 according to the requirements of the specific experiment, so that the stereo positioning fixing device of this embodiment can be flexibly adjusted and fixed by splicing, so that the device can be used in different experimental scenes.

[0031] Optionally, the shape and size of the fixing hole 110 can be designed according to actual needs. For example, when the experimental animal is a newborn mouse, the fixing hole 110 is a round hole with a diameter of 7mm-10mm, when the experimental animal is a newborn rat, the fixing hole 110 is a round hole with a diameter of 12mm-15mm, when the experimental animal is a newborn guinea pig, the fixing hole 110 is a round hole with a diameter of 22mm-25mm, and when the experimental animal is a newborn rabbit, the fixing hole 110 is a round hole with a diameter of 25mm-28mm. Of course, the shape of the fixing hole 110 can also be other shapes such as square, and the size can also be designed according to the specific experimental animal, and is not limited to the above examples. The size of the entire device can be determined according to the specific needs of different newborn animals.

[0032] Optionally, the fixing seat 200 has an arc-shaped surface that matches the head of the experimental animal, and the surface of the fixing seat 200 is covered with a flexible material, and the flexible material is used to reduce the pressure on the head of the experimental animal, thereby improving the comfort of the fixation of the experimental animal. Further optionally, the flexible material on the surface of the fixing seat 200 is medical grade silicone or other biocompatible materials, and the flexible material can also select other materials according to actual needs, which can provide safe support for the head of the experimental animal and reduce the mechanical pressure generated during the fixation process. In an alternative embodiment, the entire fixing seat 200 is made of a flexible material (such as medical grade silicone or a soft foam material), which can also fit the shape of the head of the experimental animal and reduce the pressure on the head of the experimental animal.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the stereo positioning fixing device also includes an elastic member 500, which is sleeved on the adjusting member 300, and one end of the elastic member 500 stops at the base 100, and the other end stops at the fixing seat 200. It can be understood that in the actual adjustment process, when the adjusting member 300 adjusts the fixing seat 200 to move downward, it will squeeze the elastic member 500 to store elastic energy. When an experiment is completed and the experimental animal needs to be replaced, it is only necessary to adjust the adjusting member 300 again to release the fixing seat 200, and the fixing seat 200 can rebound under the action of the elastic member 500, so that the user can adjust the fixing seat 200 again. It should be noted that the elastic member 500 can be a spring or a shrapnel, which can be selected according to actual needs.

[0034] Optionally, the adjusting member 300 is an adjusting bolt, the head of the adjusting bolt abuts against the surface of the fixing seat 200 away from the base 100, and the screw of the adjusting bolt is passed through the fixing seat 200 and connected to the base 100. It is understandable that in the actual working process, since the head of the adjusting bolt abuts against the fixing seat 200, and the screw of the adjusting bolt passes through the fixing seat 200 and is threadedly connected to the base 100, when the height of the fixing seat 200 needs to be adjusted, the forward rotation of the adjusting bolt can drive the fixing seat 200 to move downward, and when the reverse rotation of the adjusting bolt, the head of the adjusting bolt will be separated from the fixing seat 200, and the fixing seat 200 can move upward under the action of the elastic member 500 until the fixing seat 200 abuts against the head of the adjusting bolt again. The position adjustment of the fixing seat 200 relative to the base 100 is achieved by adjusting the bolt, and micron-level precision adjustment can be achieved to meet the experimental needs of different experimental animal individuals. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting member 300 may also be a structure of an adjusting bolt and an adjusting nut. Specifically, the adjusting bolt passes through the fixing seat 200 and the base 100, and the adjusting nut abuts against the fixing seat 200 or the base 100. In actual operation, the position of the fixing seat 200 relative to the base 100 is adjusted by rotating the adjusting nut. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, the structure of the adjusting member 300 may also be adjusted according to actual needs, and is not limited to the above examples.

[0035] Optionally, the fixed seat 200 includes a fixed portion 210 and a guide portion 220, the fixed portion 210 is used to fix the head of the experimental animal, one end of the guide portion 220 is connected to the fixed portion 210, and the other end is extended in the direction close to the base 100, and a guide structure 600 is provided between the guide portion 220 and the side wall of the base 100, and the guide structure 600 is used to guide the movement direction of the fixed seat 200. It is understandable that in the actual working process, when adjusting the position of the fixed seat 200, if the fixed seat 200 is skewed, it will cause the experimental animal to be unable to be stably clamped, and it may even cause damage to the experimental animal. In this embodiment, the head of the experimental animal is fixed by the fixed portion 210, and the guide portion 220 cooperates with the base 100 through the guide structure 600. In the process of adjusting the fixed seat 200, due to the existence of the guide structure 600, the fixed portion 210 can only slide along the fixed direction, which better avoids the phenomenon of the fixed portion 210 being skewed, thereby ensuring that the fixed seat 200 can stably clamp the animal and can better avoid damage to the experimental animal. Further optionally, the fixing portion 210 and the guide portion 220 are an integrally formed part, and in the actual manufacturing process, the fixing seat 200 can be manufactured by 3D printing technology. On the one hand, fixing seats 200 of different shapes can be printed according to actual needs to meet the needs of different types of animals. On the other hand, the manufacturing process of the fixing seat 200 can be simplified, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0036] Further optionally, a guide groove 221 is provided on the guide portion 220, and the guide structure 600 includes a guide column and a stop portion, wherein the guide column is connected to the base 100 and is matched with the guide groove 221, and the stop portion stops at the guide portion 220. It is understandable that during the adjustment of the fixed seat 200, the guide column can slide along the guide groove 221, so that the fixed portion 210 can only slide along the direction in which the guide groove 221 extends, which better avoids the phenomenon of the fixed portion 210 being skewed, thereby ensuring that the fixed seat 200 can stably clamp the animal. The stop portion can prevent the guide column from escaping or getting stuck in the guide groove 221 during the actual movement, thereby ensuring that the fixed seat 200 can move stably.

[0037] Optionally, the guide structure 600 is a guide bolt, the guide column is a screw of the guide bolt, and the stop portion is the head of the guide bolt. It is understandable that, in the actual adjustment process, the guide bolt is rotated so that the head of the guide bolt releases the guide portion 220, and then the position of the fixed seat 200 relative to the base 100 is adjusted by the adjustment member 300. During the adjustment process, the screw can guide the fixed seat 200 to prevent the fixed seat 200 from being skewed. After the adjustment is complete, the guide bolt is rotated so that the head of the guide bolt stops on the guide portion 220 to lock the base 100, which can better ensure that the fixed seat 200 is maintained at a specified height to ensure stable fixation of the experimental animal.

[0038] Further optionally, there are two guide parts 220, and the two guide parts 220 are respectively arranged at the two ends of the fixing part 210. Thus, it can be further ensured that the fixing seat 200 will not be skewed during the adjustment process, ensuring that the stereoscopic fixing device of the present invention can stably fix the experimental animal.

[0039] Of course, it should be supplemented that, in an alternative embodiment, the guide portion 220 is provided with a guide groove 221, and the guide structure 600 includes a guide protrusion integrally formed on the base 100 and matched with the guide groove 221, or the guide structure 600 includes a guide pin plugged into the side wall of the base 100. In other embodiments of the present invention, the guide structure 600 between the base 100 and the guide portion 220 can be adjusted according to actual needs, and it is only necessary to ensure that the fixing seat 200 can only move along a predetermined trajectory during the adjustment process.

[0040] refer to Figure 1As shown, the stereotaxic fixture also includes a support pad 700, which is arranged on the base 100 and is used to support the head of the experimental animal. It is understandable that the additional support pad 700 is a flexible structure that can fit the head shape of the experimental animal and provide additional support and comfort. The material of the support pad 700 can be selected according to actual needs, such as medical grade silicone or soft foam material, as long as the experimental animal can be protected. It should be supplemented that the support pad 700 can be fixed to the base 100 by bonding, which can facilitate the experimenter to change the appropriate support point according to the head shape of the experimental animal, thereby ensuring that the experimental animal can be comfortably and stably fixed on the stereotaxic fixture, which is conducive to the normal and stable conduct of the experiment.

[0041] refer to Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, the mounting member 400 is provided with a threaded section, and the mounting member 400 is threadedly connected to the mounting hole 120. It can be understood that the base 100 is designed with fixing holes 110 that cooperate with the mounting member 400 in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Researchers can screw the mounting member 400 into the fixing hole 110 through threads, thereby ensuring that the head of the experimental animal can be fixed in an upright or sideways posture, so that it is suitable for experimental scenarios that require fixation in a specific direction, further improving the accuracy and flexibility of the experiment.

[0042] refer to Figure 4 As shown, a spherical hinge joint 410 is provided on the mounting member 400, and the mounting member 400 is rotatably connected to the mounting hole 120. It can be understood that by designing the spherical hinge joint 410 on the mounting member 400, the base 100 can be rotated up and down around the spherical hinge joint 410 as the axis, and researchers can flexibly adjust the angle of the head of the experimental animal according to the experimental requirements to achieve multi-angle fixation, thereby ensuring the stability and position accuracy of the head in experiments such as injection and signal recording. This structure is very suitable for experimental operations that require high precision, such as deep brain injection or experiments targeting specific brain areas, and through this structure, the experimental needle or probe can accurately reach the target depth and position set by the experimenter, thereby solving the limitations of the existing device in fixed angle adjustment, and can also adapt to a variety of experimental needs, such as stereotactic injection, in vivo electrophysiological and electrochemical signal detection, optogenetic stimulation, optical imaging, etc.

[0043] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, when there are multiple mounting members 400, the multiple mounting members 400 may all be provided with threaded sections and threadedly connected to the mounting hole 120; the multiple mounting members 400 may all be provided with spherical hinges 410 and rotatably connected to the mounting hole 120; the multiple mounting members 400 may also be provided with threaded sections in part and threadedly connected to the mounting hole 120, and the other part may be provided with spherical hinges 410 and rotatably connected to the mounting hole 120. In other words, the number of mounting members 400 and the connection method with the base 100 can be selected according to the needs of the actual experiment, so that the fixed stereo positioning fixture of this embodiment can allow the user to flexibly adjust at multiple angles and directions, ensure the stability of the head of the experimental animal, and accurately locate the injection position of the needle.

[0044] Optionally, the base 100, the fixing seat 200, the adjusting member 300 and the mounting member 400 are all manufactured by 3D printing. Thus, the various components of the stereoscopic positioning fixture are manufactured by 3D printing technology. Through 3D printing technology, the various components of the stereoscopic positioning fixture can be customized according to the needs of the laboratory. Different experiments may have specific requirements for the size, angle adjustment range, fixing method, etc. of the stereoscopic positioning fixture. 3D printing technology can quickly respond to these requirements and produce customized stereoscopic positioning fixture modules that meet specific experimental needs.

[0045] Optionally, the base 100, the fixed seat 200, the adjusting member 300 and the mounting member 400 are plastic parts. The material is preferably a biocompatible lightweight plastic or polymer. This material is not only light in weight and easy to operate, but also has high durability and stability, and can maintain good performance in long-term experiments. The biocompatibility of the material ensures that the stereotaxic fixture will not produce adverse reactions to the skin or tissue of experimental animals. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, the material of the base 100, the fixed seat 200, the adjusting member 300 and the mounting member 400 can be selected from other types of materials according to experimental needs, as long as it can be ensured that the base 100, the fixed seat 200, the adjusting member 300 and the mounting member 400 will not produce adverse reactions to the skin or tissue of experimental animals.

[0046] The advantages of the stereotactic fixation device of the present invention are as follows:

[0047] First: Multi-angle adjustment and flexibility: Through modular design and precise adjustment structure, the fixed stereotactic fixture allows users to flexibly adjust at multiple angles and directions to ensure the stability of the experimental animal's head and to accurately locate the injection position of the needle.

[0048] Second: Reduce animal damage: Compared with traditional stereotactic fixation devices for adult animals, this device adopts a design that suits the physiological characteristics of newborn experimental animals, reduces pressure and damage to the head, and the use of soft materials makes the fixation process safer and reduces the risk of trauma in experiments.

[0049] Third: Reduce experimental errors: The stereotaxic fixture provides high stability and precise positioning capabilities, greatly reducing the head displacement of newborn animals during the experiment and avoiding experimental data errors caused by head movement or needle deviation.

[0050] Fourth: Comfortable and safe fixation: The use of flexible materials and multi-point support design ensure that the head of the experimental animal will not be subjected to excessive pressure during the fixation process, effectively reducing the stress response during the experiment and ensuring the smooth progress of the experiment.

[0051] Fifth: Flexible manufacturing with 3D printing: Through 3D printing technology, stereotactic fixtures can be customized according to laboratory needs.

[0052] Sixth: Environmentally friendly materials: The present invention gives priority to the use of environmentally friendly materials to ensure that there will be no adverse reactions to experimental animals during use. At the same time, lightweight materials facilitate the cleaning and reuse of the equipment, extending the service life of the product.

[0053] Seventh: Wide adaptability: This stereotactic fixation device is not only suitable for brain injection, but also for various neuroscience experiments such as optogenetics, in vivo electrophysiological and electrochemical recordings, and drug delivery, and has broad experimental application prospects.

[0054] The stereotactic fixation device of the present invention is applicable to a variety of neuroscience experiments, especially in the brain experiments of newborn mice, and has significant advantages. The applicable experimental types include but are not limited to:

[0055] Stereotaxic brain injection: Multi-angle adjustment function ensures precise brain injection operation.

[0056] Brain tissue sampling: Adjust and fix the head of the experimental animal to facilitate the precise positioning and collection of brain tissue, blood, cerebrospinal fluid and other samples from specific brain areas.

[0057] Optogenetics research: Able to fix the head of newborn animals to facilitate fiber optic implantation or light stimulation at different angles.

[0058] In vivo electrophysiological experiments: By adjusting the angle and position of the stereotaxic fixture, the electrodes can be precisely positioned in specific brain areas and remain stable for long-term neural signal recording.

[0059] Electrochemical signal detection: The use of the stereotactic fixation device provided by the present invention can ensure that the probe is stably inserted into the brain tissue during the electrochemical detection process, thereby achieving accurate detection of electrochemical signals such as neurotransmitters.

[0060] In vivo optical imaging: This stereotaxic fixture can be flexibly adjusted and is suitable for in vivo optical imaging (such as multiphoton microscopy imaging, calcium imaging, etc.), ensuring the stability of the animal's head, reducing motion artifacts, and improving image quality.

[0061] Ultrasound imaging or stimulation of the brain: High-frequency ultrasound imaging and ultrasound brain stimulation experiments require precise head fixation to ensure the focus and consistency of the ultrasound signal. This stereotaxic fixation device can be used in such experiments to ensure a stable head position.

[0062] Drug delivery experiments: can be used to precisely locate drug delivery, especially for experiments that require long-term continuous drug delivery to specific brain areas. It can make it easier to integrate drug delivery systems and other devices (such as micropumps) to ensure stable drug delivery.

[0063] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "some embodiments", "other embodiments", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0064] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, various obvious changes, readjustments and substitutions can be made without departing from the protection scope of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable stereotaxic fixation device suitable for newborn experimental animals, characterized in that: include: A base (100), wherein the base (100) is provided with a fixing hole (110) and a plurality of mounting holes (120), the fixing hole (110) being used to accommodate an experimental animal, and the plurality of mounting holes (120) being respectively located on different surfaces of the base (100); A fixing seat (200), the fixing seat (200) being used to fix the head of the experimental animal; an adjusting member (300), the adjusting member (300) being disposed through the fixing seat (200) and being movably connected to the base (100), and the position of the fixing seat (200) relative to the base (100) can be adjusted by adjusting the adjusting member (300); A mounting member (400) is detachably mounted on the mounting hole (120) and is connected to an external fixing structure so that the adjustable stereotaxic fixing device suitable for newborn experimental animals can present different postures to meet the requirements of various angles of experimental operations on the brain area of ​​the experimental animals.

2. The adjustable stereotaxic fixation device for newborn experimental animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises an elastic member (500), wherein the elastic member (500) is sleeved on the adjusting member (300), and one end of the elastic member (500) abuts against the base (100), and the other end abuts against the fixing seat (200).

3. The adjustable stereotaxic fixation device for newborn experimental animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting member (300) is an adjusting bolt, the head of which abuts against a surface of the fixing seat (200) facing away from the base (100), and the screw rod of the adjusting bolt passes through the fixing seat (200) and is connected to the base (100).

4. The adjustable stereotaxic fixation device for newborn experimental animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing seat (200) comprises a fixing portion (210) and a guiding portion (220), wherein the fixing portion (210) is used to fix the head of the experimental animal, one end of the guiding portion (220) is connected to the fixing portion (210), and the other end is extended in a direction close to the base (100), and a guiding structure (600) is provided between the guiding portion (220) and the side wall of the base (100), and the guiding structure (600) is used to guide the movement direction of the fixing seat (200).

5. The adjustable stereotaxic fixation device for newborn experimental animals according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide portion (220) is provided with a guide groove (221), and the guide structure (600) comprises a guide column and a stop portion, wherein the guide column is connected to the base (100) and matched with the guide groove (221), and the stop portion stops at the guide portion (220).

6. The adjustable stereotaxic fixation device for newborn experimental animals according to claim 4, characterized in that: There are two guide parts (220), and the two guide parts (220) are respectively arranged at two ends of the fixing part (210).

7. The adjustable stereotaxic fixation device for newborn experimental animals according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a support pad (700), which is arranged on the base (100) and is used to support the head of the experimental animal.

8. The adjustable stereotaxic fixation device for newborn experimental animals according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The mounting member (400) is provided with a threaded section, and the mounting member (400) is threadedly connected to the mounting hole (120); or: The mounting member (400) is provided with a spherical hinge joint (410), and the mounting member (400) is rotatably connected to the mounting hole (120).

9. The adjustable stereotaxic fixation device for newborn experimental animals according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The base (100), the fixing seat (200), the adjusting member (300) and the mounting member (400) are all manufactured by 3D printing.

10. The adjustable stereotaxic fixation device for newborn experimental animals according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The base (100), the fixing seat (200), the adjusting member (300) and the mounting member (400) are plastic members.

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