Measuring device and method for foot sole pain of rodent

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of foot sole pain sense measurement, and particularly relates to a measuring device for foot sole pain sense of rodents, which comprises a base and a measuring box, the measuring box is arranged at the top end of the base, a top cover is arranged at the top end of the measuring box, supporting columns are fixed at four corners of the bottom of the measuring box, and the bottom ends of the supporting columns are fixedly connected with the top of the base. An aluminum wire mesh is arranged at the bottom end of the measuring box, a lower support is arranged below the aluminum wire mesh, vertical parts on the two sides of the lower support are fixed to the side wall of the base, and a thermal imaging camera is arranged at the top end of a straight part at the bottom of the lower support. The movement track of the Von Frey cellosilk is accurately mastered to micron-level precision, it is ensured that stimulation conditions are stable as one in the whole process from animal foot sole positioning to stable pressure applying, errors caused by force and position deviation in traditional manual operation are effectively avoided, and a foundation is laid for accurately obtaining pain sense data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of plantar pain measurement, in particular to a device and method for measuring plantar pain of rodents. Background Art

[0002] Pain testing is an important means to study pain mechanisms, evaluate the efficacy of analgesics, and develop new analgesic therapies. In biomedical research, rodents (such as mice and rats) are widely used as experimental animal models because of their similar physiological and genetic characteristics to humans. By performing pain testing on rodents, we can gain a deeper understanding of the physiological mechanisms of pain, evaluate the effectiveness and safety of potential analgesics, and provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment.

[0003] At present, the main techniques for pain testing in rodents include the following:

[0004] (1) Mechanical stimulation method: using mechanical stimulation of different intensities (such as Von Frey measurement method) to assess the pain threshold of animals

[0005] (2) Thermal stimulation method: Use thermal radiation (such as hot plate method) or thermal conduction (such as Hargreaves method) to evaluate the animal's pain response.

[0006] (3) Chemical stimulation: using chemical substances (such as formalin) to induce pain response in animals.

[0007] (4) Electrical stimulation: Use electrical stimulation to induce pain response in animals.

[0008] Among them, the Von Frey measurement method is one of the most commonly used mechanical stimulation methods. This method uses fibers of different hardness (Von Frey fibers) to stimulate the soles of animals and evaluate their pain threshold to mechanical stimulation.

[0009] Limitations of the traditional Von Frey measurement method. Although the Von Frey measurement method is widely used, the traditional Von Frey measurement method has the following disadvantages:

[0010] (1) Low efficiency of manual operation:

[0011] Cumbersome fiber replacement: Traditional methods require the experimenter to manually replace different types of Von Frey fibers. The experimenter needs to select the appropriate type from a group of fibers according to the predetermined measurement sequence and install it on the measurement device. This process is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also prone to human errors, such as improper installation or wrong model selection.

[0012] Inconvenient observation: The experimenter needs to observe the sole of the mouse's foot through the mirror on the base and visually judge whether the sole of the foot is lifted. This method has the following problems: ① Visual fatigue: Long-term observation can easily cause visual fatigue of the experimenter, affecting the accuracy of judgment. ② Strong subjectivity: Different experimenters have inconsistent judgment standards for animal reactions, resulting in poor repeatability of results. ③ Reaction time error: There is a delay in manual observation and recording of reaction time, which affects data accuracy.

[0013] The measurement efficiency is extremely low: Due to the above reasons, traditional methods take a lot of time for each measurement, making it difficult to achieve high-throughput experiments.

[0014] (2) Measurement conditions are difficult to guarantee:

[0015] The test sequence is difficult to randomize: Von Frey pain measurement theory requires that the test sequence be random to reduce experimental bias. However, traditional measurement methods rely entirely on manual operation, making it difficult to ensure the randomness of the test sequence. The experimenter may be fatigued, inattentive, or have other factors that may cause the measurement sequence to become regular, thus affecting the accuracy of the experimental results.

[0016] Inaccurate pressure control: Von Frey pain measurement requires a constant pressure value, but it is difficult to accurately control the pressure value manually. The experimenter may apply uneven force or improperly install the fiber, resulting in a deviation between the applied pressure value and the set value, affecting the reliability of the measurement results.

[0017] (3) Inefficient data recording and analysis:

[0018] Manual data recording: Traditional methods require experimenters to manually record measurement data, including information such as animal reaction time and reaction intensity. This process is not only prone to human errors, such as recording errors or missing data, but also inefficient and difficult to adapt to the needs of large-scale experiments.

[0019] Complex data analysis: After the experiment, the experimenter needs to organize and analyze a large amount of data. This process is cumbersome and prone to errors, which affects the reliability of the experimental results.

[0020] To this end, the present invention provides a device and method for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents. Summary of the invention

[0021] In order to make up for the deficiencies of the prior art, at least one technical problem raised in the background technology is solved.

[0022] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: a device for measuring plantar pain sensation of rodents described in the present invention includes a base and a measuring box, a measuring box is arranged at the top of the base, a top cover is arranged at the top of the measuring box, support columns are fixed at the four corners of the bottom of the measuring box, the bottom ends of the support columns are fixedly connected to the top of the base, an aluminum wire mesh is arranged at the bottom of the measuring box, a lower bracket is arranged below the aluminum wire mesh, vertical portions on both sides of the lower bracket are fixed to the side walls of the base, a thermal imaging camera is arranged at the top of the straight portion of the bottom of the lower bracket, three shielding plates are arranged at equal intervals inside the measuring box, and plantar stimulation components are arranged at both ends of the top of the base.

[0023] Preferably, the measuring box is composed of a steel frame, the rectangular structure formed by four squares is the steel frame, and the four side panels and the top panel of the measuring box are made of transparent glass panels.

[0024] Preferably, three shielding plates divide the interior of the measuring box into four small square areas, four thermal imaging cameras are provided, a thermal imaging camera is correspondingly provided under each small square area, and the aluminum wire mesh is in the shape of small hollow grids.

[0025] Preferably, the plantar stimulation component includes a mechanical arm arranged at both ends of the top of the base, slide rails are arranged on both sides of the bottom of the mechanical arm, and sliders are arranged on the inner walls of the slide rails. The sliders can slide on the slide rails and are fixed on both sides of the bottom of the mechanical arm. A fixing clamp is arranged on the top of one end of the mechanical arm, and fiber filaments are clamped on the fixing clamp. A telescopic rod is arranged on the bottom of one end of the mechanical arm, and the output end of the top of the telescopic rod protrudes from the top of the base and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the fixing clamp.

[0026] A method for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents, the method comprising the following steps:

[0027] S1. Experimental preparation: four rodents were placed in four small square areas respectively, and the following parameters were input into the computer software: the fiber model to be tested, the pain measurement interval, the pressure value applied by the robot arm, the allowed silent time, and whether to randomize the measurement order;

[0028] S2, measurement process, after starting the software, the robotic arm clamps the corresponding fiber filament according to the parameters set by the experimenter, and under the guidance of the thermal imaging camera, accurately stimulates the sole of the animal and applies a fixed pressure;

[0029] Thermal imaging camera monitors the animal's foot reaction in real time:

[0030] If the animal's foot is observed to be lifted, the operation is stopped and positive data is recorded;

[0031] If the animal still does not respond after the allowed silent time, the operation is stopped and negative data is recorded;

[0032] The robotic arm will perform a new round of measurement according to the set pain measurement interval after the countdown ends;

[0033] If the new round of measurement requires the replacement of the Von Frey fiber, the robotic arm will automatically replace it before performing the pain measurement operation;

[0034] S3, randomized measurement. If the experimenter checks the randomized measurement, the software will automatically generate the measurement sequence to ensure the randomness of the test sequence;

[0035] S4, data recording and analysis, the software analyzes the collected data and generates statistical charts on the result page for easy reference by the experimenter;

[0036] Statistical charts can include the following:

[0037] The average reaction time of each group of animals, the positive reaction rate of each group of animals, and the reaction intensity distribution of each group of animals.

[0038] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0039] 1. The device and method for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents described in the present invention, through an intelligent robotic arm, with its advanced motion control and high-precision pressure sensor feedback technology, can accurately control the movement trajectory of Von Frey fibers to micron-level accuracy, from locating the plantar of the animal to applying stable pressure, ensuring that the stimulation conditions are stable throughout the entire process, effectively avoiding errors caused by force and position deviations in traditional manual operations, and laying a solid foundation for accurately obtaining pain data.

[0040] 2. The device and method for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents described in the present invention can automatically measure multiple animals at the same time, and a special test platform is divided into multiple small areas, which can accommodate multiple animals at one time. The robotic arm can quickly switch work targets under the intelligent scheduling of the software, and efficiently complete the stimulation, monitoring and data collection of multiple animals in turn, greatly shortening the total experiment time; on the other hand, the robotic arm has its own intelligent recognition module, which can automatically replace Von Frey fiber filaments without manual intervention, which not only saves time in filament replacement, but also reduces the risk of manual operation, ensuring a smooth experimental process.

[0041] 3. The device and method for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents described in the present invention use a thermal imaging camera to accurately monitor the plantar reactions of animals in real time, and use objective image data to determine whether the plantar is lifted, completely replacing manual observation with the naked eye, and completely eliminating the subjectivity and errors caused by differences in human judgment, making data collection more real and reliable.

[0042] 4. The device and method for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents described in the present invention fully exert the core regulatory function through software, generate a random measurement sequence according to a preset algorithm, and accurately control the robotic arm to stimulate the animals in sequence, effectively breaking the conventional fixed sequence mode, reducing experimental bias, and ensuring that the experimental results are purely objective.

[0043] 5. The device and method for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents described in the present invention minimize the interference of human factors, and comprehensively ensure the standardization and consistency of experimental conditions from precise and stable mechanical stimulation, objective and real-time reaction monitoring, to random and orderly measurement processes, so that the experimental results are highly repeatable, providing solid support for subsequent in-depth research and application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 It is the overall structural diagram of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 2 It is a local structure cutaway view of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0047] Figure 3 It is a local structure cutaway view of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0048] Figure 4 It is a partial structural diagram of the plantar stimulation component in the present invention.

[0049] In the figure: 1. base; 2. measuring box; 21. top cover; 22. support column; 23. aluminum wire mesh; 24. shielding plate; 3. lower bracket; 31. thermal imaging camera; 4. robotic arm; 41. slide rail; 42. slider; 43. fixing fixture; 44. fiber filament; 45. telescopic rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In order to make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects achieved by the present invention easy to understand, the present invention is further explained below in conjunction with specific implementation methods.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, a device for measuring plantar pain sensation of rodents according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 1 and a measuring box 2, wherein the measuring box 2 is arranged at the top of the base 1, the top of the measuring box 2 is arranged at the top of the measuring box 2, support columns 22 are fixed at the four corners of the bottom of the measuring box 2, the bottom ends of the support columns 22 are fixedly connected to the top of the base 1, an aluminum wire mesh 23 is arranged at the bottom end of the measuring box 2, a lower bracket 3 is arranged below the aluminum wire mesh 23, the vertical portions on both sides of the lower bracket 3 are fixed to the side walls of the base 1, a thermal imaging camera 31 is arranged at the top of the straight portion of the bottom of the lower bracket 3, three shielding plates 24 are arranged at equal intervals inside the measuring box 2, and plantar stimulation components are arranged at both ends of the top of the base 1.

[0052] The measuring box 2 is composed of a steel frame. The rectangular structure composed of four squares is the steel frame. The four side panels and the top panel of the measuring box 2 are made of transparent glass panels. The transparent glass panels serve as walls to ensure that the experimenters can observe the status of the animals.

[0053] Three shielding plates 24 divide the interior of the measuring box 2 into four small square areas, and an experimental animal is placed in each area. The shielding plates 24 can prevent the animals from interfering with each other. Four thermal imaging cameras 31 are provided, and a thermal imaging camera 31 is correspondingly arranged under each small square area for identifying the plantar area of ​​the animal and recording the animal's reaction. The aluminum wire mesh 23 is in the shape of hollow small grids, and each small grid can allow the Von Frey fiber filament 44 clamped by the fixed clamp 43 on the intelligent robotic arm 4 to pass through, so as to stimulate the plantar of the experimental animal.

[0054] The thermal imaging camera 31 has high resolution and fast imaging capabilities, and can monitor the temperature changes of the soles of animals in real time. When the soles are lifted, the heat source becomes farther away and the temperature decreases, thereby assisting in judging the animal's reaction.

[0055] The plantar stimulation component includes a mechanical arm 4 arranged at both ends of the top of the base 1, and slide rails 41 are arranged on both sides of the bottom of the mechanical arm 4. Slide blocks 42 are arranged on the inner side walls of the slide rails 41. The slide blocks 42 can slide on the slide rails 41 and are fixed on both sides of the bottom of the mechanical arm 4. A fixing clamp 43 is arranged on the top of one end of the mechanical arm 4, and a fiber filament 44 is clamped on the fixing clamp 43. A telescopic rod 45 is arranged on the bottom of one end of the mechanical arm 4, and the output end of the top of the telescopic rod 45 protrudes from the top of the base 1 and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the fixing clamp 43.

[0056] The fiber filaments 44 are installed on both sides of the measuring box 2. Each fiber filament 44 is responsible for the pain measurement operation of two adjacent square areas. The fiber filaments 44 can be controlled by computer software.

[0057] The fiber filament 44 is installed on a fixing fixture 43 at one end of the robotic arm 4. Different types of fiber filaments 44 can be replaced according to experimental requirements to apply pressure stimulation to the soles of the animal's feet. The fixing fixture 43 is pushed up by the telescopic rod 45 to drive the fiber filament 44 clamped thereon to move up through the hollow grids of the aluminum wire mesh 23 to stimulate the soles of the animal's feet.

[0058] A method for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents, the method comprising the following steps:

[0059] S1. Experimental preparation: four rodents are placed in four small square areas respectively, and the following parameters are input into the computer software: the fiber filament 44 model to be tested, the pain measurement interval, the pressure value applied by the robot arm 4, the allowed silent time, and whether to randomize the measurement order;

[0060] S2, measurement process, after starting the software, the robot arm 4 clamps the corresponding fiber filament 44 according to the parameters set by the experimenter, and under the guidance of the thermal imaging camera 31, accurately stimulates the sole of the animal and applies a constant pressure;

[0061] Thermal imaging camera 31 monitors the animal's foot reaction in real time:

[0062] If the animal's foot is observed to be lifted, the operation is stopped and positive data is recorded;

[0063] If the animal still does not respond after the allowed silent time, the operation is stopped and negative data is recorded;

[0064] The robot arm 4 performs a new round of measurement after the countdown ends according to the set pain measurement interval;

[0065] If a new round of measurement requires replacement of the Von Frey fiber filament 44, the robot arm 4 automatically replaces it and then performs the pain measurement operation;

[0066] S3, randomized measurement. If the experimenter checks the randomized measurement, the software will automatically generate the measurement sequence to ensure the randomness of the test sequence;

[0067] S4, data recording and analysis, the software analyzes the collected data and generates statistical charts on the result page for easy reference by the experimenter;

[0068] Statistical charts can include the following:

[0069] The average reaction time of each group of animals, the positive reaction rate of each group of animals, and the reaction intensity distribution of each group of animals.

[0070] Software system:

[0071] The main functions of the software system include:

[0072] (1) Parameter setting: The experimenter can set the following parameters through the software:

[0073] The fiber filament 44 model to be tested, the pain measurement interval, the pressure value applied by the intelligent robotic arm 4, the allowed silent time, and whether to randomize the measurement order;

[0074] (2) Data collection: The software automatically collects the following data through the thermal imaging camera 31 and the robotic arm 4:

[0075] Animal reaction time, animal reaction intensity, applied pressure value, measurement time;

[0076] (3) Data analysis: The software analyzes the collected data and generates the following statistical charts:

[0077] The average reaction time of each group of animals, the positive reaction rate of each group of animals, and the distribution of reaction intensity of each group of animals;

[0078] (4) Data storage and management: The software can store experimental data in a database and provide functions such as data query and export to facilitate subsequent analysis and processing by experimenters.

[0079] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may have various changes and improvements, which fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents, comprising a base (1) and a measuring box (2), characterized in that: A measuring box (2) is arranged at the top of the base (1), a top cover (21) is arranged at the top of the measuring box (2), support columns (22) are fixed at the four corners of the bottom of the measuring box (2), the bottom ends of the support columns (22) are fixedly connected to the top of the base (1), an aluminum wire mesh (23) is arranged at the bottom of the measuring box (2), a lower bracket (3) is arranged below the aluminum wire mesh (23), the vertical parts on both sides of the lower bracket (3) are fixed to the side walls of the base (1), a thermal imaging camera (31) is arranged at the top of the flat part of the bottom of the lower bracket (3), three shielding plates (24) are arranged at equal intervals inside the measuring box (2), and plantar stimulation components are arranged at both ends of the top of the base (1).

2. A device for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measuring box (2) is composed of a steel frame. The rectangular structure formed by four squares is the steel frame. The four side panels and the top panel of the measuring box (2) are made of transparent glass panels.

3. A device for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents according to claim 2, characterized in that: The three shielding plates (24) divide the interior of the measuring box (2) into four small square areas. Four thermal imaging cameras (31) are provided, and a corresponding thermal imaging camera (31) is provided below each small square area. The aluminum wire mesh (23) is in the shape of a hollow small grid.

4. A device for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sole stimulation component comprises a mechanical arm (4) arranged at both ends of the top of a base (1), slide rails (41) are arranged on both sides of the bottom of the mechanical arm (4), and sliders (42) are arranged on the inner side walls of the slide rails (41), and the sliders (42) can slide on the slide rails (41) and are fixed to both sides of the bottom of the mechanical arm (4), a fixing clamp (43) is arranged at the top of one end of the mechanical arm (4), and a fiber filament (44) is clamped on the fixing clamp (43), and a telescopic rod (45) is arranged at the bottom of one end of the mechanical arm (4), and the output end of the top of the telescopic rod (45) protrudes from the top of the base (1) and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the fixing clamp (43).

5. A method for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents, using the device for measuring plantar pain sensation in rodents as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The measurement method includes the following steps: S1. Experimental preparation: four rodents are placed in four small square areas respectively, and the following parameters are input into the computer software: the model of the fiber (44) to be tested, the pain measurement interval, the pressure value applied by the robot arm (4), the allowed silent time, and whether to randomize the measurement order; S2, measurement process, after starting the software, the robot arm (4) clamps the corresponding fiber filament (44) according to the parameters set by the experimenter, and under the guidance of the thermal imaging camera (31), accurately stimulates the sole of the animal's foot and applies a constant pressure; Thermal imaging camera (31) monitors the animal's foot plantar response in real time: If the animal's foot is observed to be lifted, the operation is stopped and positive data is recorded; If the animal still does not respond after the allowed silent time, the operation is stopped and negative data is recorded; The robotic arm (4) performs a new round of measurement according to the set pain measurement interval after the countdown ends; If a new round of measurement requires replacement of the Von Frey fiber (44), the robotic arm (4) automatically replaces the fiber before performing the pain measurement operation; S3, randomized measurement. If the experimenter checks the randomized measurement, the software will automatically generate the measurement sequence to ensure the randomness of the test sequence; S4, data recording and analysis, the software analyzes the collected data and generates statistical charts on the result page for easy reference by the experimenter; Statistical charts can include the following: The average reaction time of each group of animals, the positive reaction rate of each group of animals, and the reaction intensity distribution of each group of animals.

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