Animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on air floating ball

Abstract

The invention provides an animal behavior training device based on an air floating ball before magnetic resonance imaging, and particularly relates to the technical field of experimental equipment.The animal behavior training device based on the air floating ball before magnetic resonance imaging comprises a supporting mechanism and a floating ball mechanism, an air floating ball base clamping groove is formed in the supporting platform; the floating ball mechanism comprises an air floating ball base arranged in the air floating ball base clamping groove, a semi-circular groove is formed in the air floating ball base, an air floating hole is formed in the bottom of the semi-circular groove, an air floating ball is loaded in the semi-circular groove, a plurality of air inlet pipe openings communicated with the air floating hole are formed in the bottom of the air floating ball base, and the air inlet pipe openings are communicated with the air floating hole. An external air blower is utilized to ventilate air into the air floating holes through the air inlet pipes and drive the air floating balls to suspend, and the four limbs of the small animal can move on the air floating balls in a multi-degree-of-freedom mode and are not limited.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of experimental equipment, and particularly to an animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball. Background Art

[0002] In the research field of magnetic resonance imaging, conducting experiments with awake animals has extremely important scientific value. When an animal is in a waking state, its neural activities can be more truly reflected, which lays a foundation for subsequent behavioral research. Since the noise generated during magnetic resonance imaging can cause strong auditory stimuli to the animal and trigger intense reactions, such intense reactions may lead to an increase in the animal's heart rate, blood pressure, anxiety behavior, and even affect the normal pattern of neural activities. Untrained animals will have violent movements due to the noise during magnetic resonance imaging scanning, which will affect the imaging quality and the success or failure of the experiment. Therefore, adapting the animal to the noise during magnetic resonance imaging scanning before the magnetic resonance imaging is an important step.

[0003] The existing pre-adaptation training devices for magnetic resonance imaging usually adopt fixed platform devices. The fixed platform devices lack freedom of movement during the training process, resulting in a situation where the movement of the animal is restricted during training, which is not conducive to training. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the problem that the existing training devices lack freedom of movement, the present invention proposes an animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball.

[0005] The present invention is realized through the following technical solutions:

[0006] The present invention proposes an animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball, which includes a support mechanism and a floating ball mechanism, wherein:

[0007] The support mechanism includes a support platform, and an air-floating ball base slot is arranged on the support platform; the floating ball mechanism includes an air-floating ball base arranged in the air-floating ball base slot, a semi-circular groove is arranged on the air-floating ball base, air-floating holes are arranged at the bottom of the semi-circular groove, an air-floating ball is loaded in the semi-circular groove, and a plurality of air inlet ports communicating with the air-floating holes are arranged at the bottom of the air-floating ball base. An external blower ventilates the air-floating holes through the air inlet ports and drives the air-floating ball to float to achieve multi-degree-of-freedom training.

[0008] Furthermore, it further includes a head post fixing mechanism. The head post fixing mechanism includes a head post fixing frame arranged on the front side of the air-floating ball base slot. The head post fixing frame is fixedly connected with the support platform, a head post slot is arranged on the head post fixing frame, and a head post is fixed on the head post slot.

[0009] Further, it further includes a monitoring mechanism. The monitoring mechanism includes functional frames arranged on the left and right sides of the air-floating ball. The functional frames are fixedly connected to the support platform. A camera holder is arranged on the top of one of the functional frames, and a mini camera is embedded in the camera holder. Silicone tube grooves for fixing silicone tubes are arranged on the sides of both functional frames.

[0010] Further, it further includes a training box. The training box includes a housing. A top cover and a side cover are respectively arranged on the top and side of the housing. The top cover and the side cover are rotatably connected to the housing.

[0011] Further, a support notch is arranged at the bottom inside the housing, and the support platform is fixed in the support notch.

[0012] Further, a wire collecting groove is further arranged at the rear side of the support notch. A wire collecting notch is arranged on one side of the wire collecting groove. A multi-line voltage stabilizing power supply module is arranged in the wire collecting groove, and a wire outlet is arranged at the rear side of the wire collecting groove.

[0013] Further, it further includes heat dissipation notches and heat dissipation holes. One heat dissipation notch and one heat dissipation hole are respectively arranged on both sides of the housing. Handles are further arranged on the left and right sides outside the housing. The handles are fixedly connected to the housing.

[0014] Further, speaker notches are further arranged on both sides inside the housing, and speakers are fixed in the speaker notches.

[0015] Further, detector holes are arranged around the air-floating ball base, and photoelectric detectors are fixed in the detector holes.

[0016] Further, a screen bracket is arranged at the rear side of the air-floating ball base card slot. A display screen is fixed on the top of the screen bracket. The display screen is used to simulate a virtual environment. There are multiple screens and screen brackets. Each screen bracket corresponds to one screen. The multiple screens are arranged in sequence as a whole and surround the air-floating ball outside at 180 degrees.

[0017] Advantages of the present invention:

[0018] (1) The animal behavior training device based on an air-floating ball proposed by the present invention uses an external blower to ventilate the air-floating holes through an air inlet pipe and drives the air-floating ball to float. The limbs of small animals can move in multiple degrees of freedom on the air-floating ball without being restricted, and the training effect is better.

[0019] (2) The animal behavior training device based on air-floating balls before magnetic resonance imaging proposed by the present invention utilizes an air-floating mechanism to improve the degree of free movement, and cooperates with three screens and speakers to simulate a real natural environment. When conducting adaptive training for small animals before magnetic resonance imaging, it can accelerate the adaptation of experimental animals to complex environments.

[0020] (3) The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on the air-floating ball proposed by the present invention can provide a closed space for the training device by using a training box. After the training is completed, the internal structure of the training box can be removed and directly placed in the magnetic resonance imaging machine, which has good compatibility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is an exploded view of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on the air floating ball of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 A structural diagram of a training box of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air floating ball of the present invention

[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the supporting mechanism of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on the air floating ball of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of the floating ball mechanism of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on the air floating ball of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of the head column fixing mechanism of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on the air floating ball of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of the monitoring mechanism of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on the air floating ball of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 The internal structure connection diagram of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on the air floating ball of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 9 It is an overall structural diagram of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on the air floating ball of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 10 This is an electrical connection structure diagram of the animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on the air floating ball of the present invention;

[0031] In the figure: training box 1, shell 11, side cover 12, top cover 13, support notch 111, handle 112, wire collection notch 113, heat dissipation hole 114, heat dissipation notch 115, speaker notch 116, wire collection slot 117, outlet 118, air float 2, head column fixing mechanism 3, head column fixing frame 31, head column slot 32, support mechanism 4, screen bracket 41, air float base slot 42, screen 43, float mechanism 5, air inlet pipe port 51, air float hole 52, detector hole 53, semicircular groove 54, monitoring mechanism 6, function frame 61, camera card 62, silicone tube slot 63, head column 7;

[0032] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to more clearly and completely illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Please refer to Figures 1 - 10 The present invention proposes a pre-MRI animal behavior training device based on an air floating ball 2, comprising a support mechanism 4 and a floating ball mechanism 5, wherein:

[0035] The supporting mechanism 4 includes a supporting platform; the floating ball mechanism 5 includes an air floating ball 2 base arranged in the air floating ball base slot 42, a semicircular groove 54 is arranged on the air floating ball 2 base, an air floating hole 52 is arranged at the bottom of the semicircular groove 54, the air floating ball 2 is loaded in the semicircular groove 54, and a plurality of air inlet openings 51 connected to the air floating hole 52 are arranged at the bottom of the air floating ball 2 base. An external blower ventilates the air floating hole 52 through the air inlet opening 51 and drives the air floating ball 2 to suspend to realize multi-degree-of-freedom training.

[0036] In a specific embodiment, the air float base slot 42 is used to accommodate the fixed air float 2 base, and the semicircular groove 54 on the base of the air float 2 is used to accommodate the air float 2. The external blower ventilates the air float hole 52 through the air inlet pipe and drives the air float 2 to float. The limbs of the small animal can move with multiple degrees of freedom on the air float 2 without being restricted, which can better perform adaptive training for the small animal before magnetic resonance imaging.

[0037] In one embodiment, the material of the air float ball 2 can be selected according to actual conditions, such as a foam ball, etc. Three circles of protrusions are arranged on the air inlet pipe opening 51 to increase the friction of the air inlet pipe and prevent it from falling off.

[0038] Furthermore, it also includes a head column 77 fixing mechanism 3, which includes a head column 7 fixing frame 31 arranged on the front side of the air float base slot 42, the head column 7 fixing frame 31 is fixedly connected to the support platform, the head column 7 fixing frame 31 is provided with a head column 7 slot 32, and the head column 77 is fixed to the head column 7 slot 32.

[0039] In a specific embodiment, the head column 7 fixing frame 31 is arc-shaped, and the head column 7 slot 32 at the top of the head column 7 fixing frame 31 just corresponds to the top of the air float 2. The bottom surface of the head column 77 is arc-shaped and fits tightly to the skull of the small animal. After the head column 77 is implanted in the head of the small animal through surgery, the animal is placed on the air float 2, and then fixed to the head column 7 slot 32 through the head column 77 with strong glue.

[0040] Furthermore, it also includes a monitoring mechanism 6, which includes a functional frame 61 arranged on the left and right sides of the air float 2, the functional frame 61 is fixedly connected to the supporting platform, a camera card 62 is arranged on the top of one functional frame 61, a mini camera is embedded in the camera card 62, and the sides of the two functional frames 61 are provided with silicone tube grooves 63 for fixing the silicone tube.

[0041] In a specific embodiment, the left and right silicone tubes are used to reward the small animals with sugar water or punish them with air blowing. The camera card 62 can be moved on the top of the functional frame 61. The position of the mini camera can be adjusted by moving the camera card 62 to monitor the movement and pupil changes of the mice in real time.

[0042] In one embodiment, the silicone tube can also select more stimulation functions according to actual conditions.

[0043] In another embodiment, fixing holes are provided at the top of the support platform, the bottom of the functional frame 61 and the bottom of the head column 7 fixing frame 31, and the bottom of the functional frame 61 and the head column 7 fixing frame 31 are fixed to the fixing holes at the top of the support platform through the fixing holes and bolts.

[0044] Furthermore, it also includes a training box 1, which includes a shell 11, and a top cover 13 and a side cover 12 are respectively provided on the top and side of the shell 11, and the top cover 13 and the side cover 12 are rotatably connected to the shell 11.

[0045] In a specific embodiment, the training box 1 is used to carry the entire equipment. Door axis slots are provided on the top and sides of the training box 1. The side cover 12 and the top cover 13 are connected to the outer shell 11 through the door axis slots to form the entire training box 1. The side cover 12 and the top cover 13 can open the top and sides of the training box 1, which is more convenient for installation.

[0046] In one embodiment, the internal structure of the training box 1 of the present invention is 3D printed nylon, has MRI compatibility, and can be placed in a magnetic resonance machine with a diameter greater than 60 cm.

[0047] Furthermore, a support slot 111 is provided at the bottom of the housing 11 , and the support platform is fixed in the support slot 111 .

[0048] In a specific embodiment, the support notch 111 has the same shape as the bottom of the support platform, and the support notch 111 is used to fix the support platform.

[0049] Furthermore, a wire collecting slot 117 is provided at the rear side of the support slot 111 , a wire collecting slot 113 is provided at one side of the wire collecting slot 117 , a multi-line voltage-stabilizing power supply module is provided in the wire collecting slot 117 , and a wire outlet 118 is provided at the rear side of the wire collecting slot 117 .

[0050] In a specific implementation, the wires of the components in the training device are connected to the multi-line voltage-stabilized power supply module after passing through the wire collection slot 113, and the multi-line voltage-stabilized power supply module supplies power to these components.

[0051] Furthermore, it also includes a heat dissipation slot 115 and a heat dissipation hole 114. A heat dissipation slot 115 and a heat dissipation hole 114 are respectively arranged on both sides of the shell 11. Handles 112 are also arranged on the left and right sides outside the shell 11. The handles 112 are fixedly connected to the shell 11.

[0052] In a specific embodiment, the heat dissipation slots 115 and the heat dissipation holes 114 are used to dissipate heat and ventilate the interior, and the handles 112 are arranged on both sides of the housing 11 to facilitate the transportation of the entire device.

[0053] Furthermore, speaker slots 116 are provided on both sides of the housing 11 , and speakers are fixed in the speaker slots 116 .

[0054] In a specific implementation, the speaker can be used to produce 3D stereo sound effects, and further cooperate with the screen 43 to simulate the natural environment.

[0055] Furthermore, detector holes 53 are arranged around the base of the air floating ball 2 , and a photoelectric detector is fixed in the detector hole 53 .

[0056] In a specific embodiment, four detector holes 53 are arranged around the base of the air float 2, and the photoelectric detector is arranged in one detector hole 53. The photoelectric detector does not exceed the hole depth of the detector hole 53 to avoid scratching the foam ball. The photoelectric detector records the movement of the air float 2, which is convenient for real-time recording of the specific movement trajectory of the experimental animal.

[0057] Furthermore, a screen bracket 41 is provided on the rear side of the card slot 42 of the air floating ball base, and a display screen is fixed on the top of the screen bracket 41. The display screen is used to simulate a virtual environment. There are multiple screens 43 and screen brackets 41, and each screen bracket 41 corresponds to a screen 43. The multiple screens 43 are arranged in sequence as a whole and surround the outside of the air floating ball 2 180 degrees.

[0058] In a specific implementation, the screen bracket 41 can be selected according to actual conditions. In the present application, three screens 43 are fixed on the support platform in sequence through the screen bracket 41, with adjacent screens 43 forming an angle of 120 degrees, and finally surrounding the outside of the air float 2 at 180 degrees, so as to simulate the natural environment through the screen 43; in actual use, different numbers of screens 43 can be selected, and multiple screens 43 can be arranged in sequence to surround the outside of the air float 2 at an overall angle of 240 degrees.

[0059] In summary, the specific installation includes the following steps:

[0060] S1. Install the base of the air float 2, place the air float 2 with a diameter of 20 cm into the semicircular groove 54 of the base of the air float 2, then install the photoelectric detector in any detector hole 53 on the outer wall of the base of the air float 2, and install two 1-meter-long air intake pipes at the air intake pipe openings 51 respectively.

[0061] S2. Place the base of the air float 2 into the air float base slot 42 of the support platform, use bolts to install the functional frame 61 and the head column 7 fixing frame 31 to the base of the air float 2, then pass the silicone tube through the silicone tube slot 63 and fix it in the silicone tube slot 63, and install the camera on the camera card 62, and finally insert the three screens 43 into the screen bracket 41 respectively to form a 180-degree field of view screen 43.

[0062] S3. Put the installed support platform into the support slot 111 of the training box 1 and fix it, then collect the photodetector signal line, silicone tube, air intake pipe, HDMI line of the screen 43 and the camera signal line through the wire collection slot 113 and pass through the outlet 118 on the rear side of the support platform to connect with the external controller; install the cooling fan and the speaker in the cooling slot 115 and the speaker slot 116 on both sides respectively, then install the multi-line voltage-stabilized power supply module in the wire collection slot 113, connect the power lines of all equipment components to the multi-line voltage-stabilized power supply module through the wire collection slot 113, and connect the power line of the multi-line voltage-stabilized power supply module to the external power supply through the outlet 118, and finally install the top cover 13 and the side cover 12;

[0063] S4. The mouse is surgically implanted with a head post 77 and placed on a foam ball. The head post 77 on the mouse's head is inserted into the head post 7 slot 32 and fixed with super glue (which can be removed by acetone after the test). Then, the power supply, controller, air pump (connected to the silicone tube) and blower (connected to the air inlet pipe) are started, and the top cover 13 and the side cover 12 are closed;

[0064] S5, the mouse moves freely on the air-floating ball 2, and then is given simulations of MRI environment sound, light, smell, etc. for training. Finally, after the training is completed, the mouse is removed from the training box 1.

[0065] Of course, the present invention may have many other implementations. Based on this implementation, other implementations obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without any creative work are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for animal behavior training before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball, characterized in that: It includes a supporting mechanism and a floating ball mechanism, wherein: The supporting mechanism comprises a supporting platform, on which an air float base slot is provided; the floating ball mechanism comprises an air float base arranged in the air float base slot, a semicircular groove is provided on the air float base, an air float hole is provided at the bottom of the semicircular groove, an air float ball is loaded in the semicircular groove, a plurality of air inlet openings connected to the air float hole are provided at the bottom of the air float base, an external blower ventilates the air float hole through the air inlet opening and drives the air float ball to suspend to realize multi-degree-of-freedom training.

2. The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a head column fixing mechanism, which includes a head column fixing frame arranged on the front side of the air float base slot, the head column fixing frame is fixedly connected to the support platform, the head column fixing frame is provided with a head column slot, and the head column is fixed to the head column slot.

3. The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a monitoring mechanism, which includes functional frames arranged on the left and right sides of the air float, the functional frames are fixedly connected to the support platform, a camera card is arranged on the top of one of the functional frames, a mini camera is embedded in the camera card, and silicone tube grooves for fixing silicone tubes are arranged on the sides of the two functional frames.

4. The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a training box, which includes an outer shell. The top and side of the outer shell are respectively provided with a top cover and a side cover, and the top cover and the side cover are rotatably connected to the outer shell.

5. The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball according to claim 4, characterized in that: A supporting notch is arranged at the bottom of the shell, and the supporting platform is fixed in the supporting notch.

6. The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball according to claim 5, characterized in that: A wire collecting slot is also arranged at the rear side of the supporting slot, a wire collecting slot opening is arranged at one side of the wire collecting slot, a multi-line voltage-stabilizing power supply module is arranged in the wire collecting slot, and a wire outlet is arranged at the rear side of the wire collecting slot.

7. The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a heat dissipation slot and a heat dissipation hole. A heat dissipation slot and a heat dissipation hole are respectively arranged on both sides of the shell. Handles are also arranged on the left and right sides outside the shell. The handles are fixedly connected to the shell.

8. The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball according to claim 7, characterized in that: Speaker slots are also arranged on both sides of the shell, and speakers are fixed in the speaker slots.

9. The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball according to claim 1, characterized in that: Detector holes are arranged around the air floating ball base, and photoelectric detectors are fixed in the detector holes.

10. The animal behavior training device before magnetic resonance imaging based on an air-floating ball according to claim 1, characterized in that: A screen bracket is arranged on the rear side of the card slot of the air floating ball base, and a display screen is fixed on the top of the screen bracket. The display screen is used to simulate a virtual environment. There are multiple screens and screen brackets, each of which corresponds to a screen. The multiple screens are arranged in sequence as a whole and surround the outside of the air floating ball 180 degrees.

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