Auxiliary device suitable for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease of experimental animal

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of animal monitoring, in particular to an auxiliary device suitable for behavioral monitoring of the Parkinson's disease of an experimental animal, which comprises a bandage with an opening, and the opening of the bandage is fixedly connected with a magic tape; a fixing assembly used for fixing the bandage is arranged in the bandage side wall. The fixing assembly comprises a controller, a plurality of pull wires and supports with trapezoidal sections, the supports are embedded in the side wall of the bandage, and the bottoms of the adjacent supports are hinged to each other; the pull wires are in sliding fit with the two sides of the top of the support respectively, telescopic pieces are fixedly connected to the outer walls of the bandages, and the controller is used for controlling the telescopic pieces to stretch out and draw back; one end of each pull wire is fixedly connected with the side wall of the bandage, and the other end of each pull wire is fixedly connected with the telescopic piece output shaft. And a plurality of accelerometers and pressure sensors are also arranged in the side wall of the bandage. According to the invention, through a synchronous operation mechanism of the telescopic assembly and the transverse adjustment assembly, a multi-data collaborative monitoring mode is adopted, and the limitation of traditional single-point monitoring is broken through.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of animal monitoring, and in particular to an auxiliary device suitable for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals. Background Art

[0002] Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects specific nerve cells in the brain. Its hallmarks include motor dysfunction such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. In research, behavioral testing of experimental animals is necessary to assess disease progression and treatment efficacy. For example, the VideoTrack small animal behavioral recording and analysis system provides a variety of video tracking and analysis tools for rodent behavioral research.

[0003] These products primarily use cameras to collect animal behavioral information, lacking other animal data collection, and therefore have certain limitations. Specifically, relying solely on cameras makes it difficult to capture subtle changes in body movements, especially in low-light, obstructed conditions, or when shooting from a distance, which can easily lead to errors or omissions in behavioral recognition. For neurodegenerative diseases, body coordination and muscle tone are important behavioral indicators, and relying solely on video cannot provide accurate data; thus, monitoring of experimental animals is less accurate.

[0004] In summary, how to solve the problem that existing products lack other data collection for animals and have certain limitations has become a difficult problem that needs to be solved urgently in this field. Therefore, it is necessary to propose an auxiliary device suitable for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the above-mentioned issues, the present invention provides an auxiliary device suitable for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals. By utilizing the synchronous operation mechanism of the telescopic component and the horizontal adjustment component and adopting a mode of collaborative monitoring of multiple data, the limitations of traditional single-point monitoring are overcome. This spatial collaboration is utilized to effectively improve the recognition accuracy of Parkinson's disease characteristic behaviors such as tremor frequency, bradykinesia, and gait abnormalities.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: an auxiliary device suitable for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals, comprising a strap with an opening, a Velcro fixedly connected to the opening of the strap; a fixing component for fixing the strap is provided inside the side wall of the strap.

[0007] The fixed component includes a controller, several pull wires and brackets with a trapezoidal cross-section. The brackets are embedded and installed in the side walls of the straps, and the bottoms of adjacent brackets are hinged to each other; the pull wires slide and fit on both sides of the top of the brackets respectively, and the outer wall of the strap is fixedly connected to a telescopic part, and the controller is used to control the telescopic part to extend and retract; one end of the pull wire is fixedly connected to the side wall of the strap, and the other end of the pull wire is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the telescopic part.

[0008] Several accelerometers and pressure sensors are also installed within the sidewalls of the straps. The brackets are equipped with telescopic components for adjusting the positions of the pressure sensors and transverse adjustment components for adjusting the positions of the accelerometers. A fixed component drives the telescopic and transverse adjustment components to operate synchronously to adjust the positions of the pressure sensors and accelerometers. The straps are also equipped with an adjustment component for adjusting the size of the straps. The fixed component drives the adjustment component to operate synchronously to adjust the size of the straps.

[0009] The technical principles of the above solution are as follows:

[0010] The strap is attached to the animal's limb using Velcro. Several brackets are embedded in the inner wall of the strap, with the bottoms of adjacent brackets hinged together. A pull cord slides between the top two brackets, and the other end of the pull cord is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the telescopic component. This allows the pull cord to be moved by the telescopic component, using the tension of the pull cord to draw the brackets closer together, thereby helping to secure the strap. This process also drives the telescopic component to adjust the position of the pressure sensor, allowing it to closely adhere to the monitoring surface, thereby monitoring pressure information from the animal's behavior. The retraction and extension length of the pull cord can be adjusted in real time based on this pressure information, reducing pressure on the animal's limb surface while maintaining stability during monitoring. Simultaneously, the horizontal adjustment component adjusts the position of the accelerometer, allowing it to collect information from multiple locations, resulting in more accurate monitoring information. The adjustment component also allows the strap size to be adjusted simultaneously, allowing the device to adapt to different limb sizes, thereby improving its adaptability.

[0011] The above scheme has the following beneficial effects:

[0012] 1. This invention intelligently adjusts the fixing force of the straps through the linkage design of the pull wire and the trapezoidal bracket. When the telescopic member adjusts the tension of the pull wire in real time based on feedback from the pressure sensor, the bracket undergoes progressive deformation guided by the hinged structure. This not only evenly distributes the localized pressure of the straps on the animal's body surface, reducing blood circulation disorders caused by traditional rigid fixation, but also dynamically maintains the fit of the straps to the limbs. This adaptive mechanical balance mechanism ensures that the accelerometer and pressure sensor maintain continuous contact with the monitoring area while effectively reducing the stress response caused by the sense of restraint in experimental animals, providing a stable physiological environment for long-term behavioral monitoring.

[0013] 2. This invention overcomes the limitations of traditional single-point monitoring by utilizing a synchronized mechanism between the telescopic and transverse adjustment components. The pressure sensor shifts as the bracket deforms, automatically adjusting contact force to follow the animal's movements and accurately capturing the dynamic distribution of surface pressure. The multi-position adjustment function of the accelerometer driven by the transverse adjustment component collects acceleration data at different locations to construct a more complete motion trajectory model. This spatial synergy effectively improves the accuracy of identifying Parkinson's disease-specific behaviors such as tremor frequency, bradykinesia, and gait abnormalities.

[0014] 3. This invention deeply integrates the adjustment component, fixing component, and sensor unit into the strap body. Through centralized control of the telescopic parts and bracket hinge points by a controller, the strap tightness, sensor position, and fixing strength can be adjusted simultaneously. This integrated design can quickly adapt to the limb sizes of different body types, such as experimental animals. Compared to traditional split-type monitoring devices, this solution can effectively reduce the need for additional fixing fixtures or repeated calibration steps, improving experimental efficiency while reducing the impact of operational errors on monitoring results. It is particularly suitable for high-throughput, long-term drug efficacy evaluation scenarios.

[0015] Furthermore, the telescopic assembly includes several telescopic rods hinged at the hinges of adjacent brackets, and the telescopic shafts are slidably fitted inside the telescopic rods. The top ends of the telescopic shafts extend to the outside of the telescopic rods and are symmetrically hinged with connecting rods; the ends of the connecting rods away from the telescopic shafts are hinged to the tops of the adjacent brackets, and the pressure sensors are fixedly connected to the top ends of the telescopic shafts.

[0016] Beneficial effects: Dynamic adaptive adjustment of the pressure sensor position is achieved through the linkage design of the articulated telescopic rod and the connecting rod. When the strap is deformed, the adjacent brackets pull the telescopic shaft through the connecting rod to move in coordination, so that the pressure sensor automatically adjusts the contact force according to the body surface contour. This mechanical linkage mechanism can not only evenly disperse the restraining force of the strap on the animal's limbs, avoiding discomfort caused by excessive local pressure, but also ensure that the pressure sensor fits tightly to the monitoring part, thereby improving the continuity and accuracy of pressure data collection. At the same time, the coordinated movement of multiple brackets enhances the overall stability of the device, effectively reduces the pressure sensor offset caused by the animal's struggle, and provides a reliable hardware foundation for the identification of characteristic tremors and hysteresis in Parkinson's disease.

[0017] Furthermore, the horizontal adjustment assembly includes several screws that rotatably engage the outer wall of the telescopic rod. Each screw is threadedly engaged with a nut seat. The nut seat is fixedly connected to the extension rod, and the accelerometer is fixedly connected to the top of the extension rod. The telescopic rod is equipped with a transmission assembly for driving the screw and a limit assembly for limiting the movement trajectory of the nut seat.

[0018] Beneficial Effects: The accelerometer's spatial position can be adjusted through the synergistic effect of the screw and nut seat transmission and limit assembly. When the transmission assembly drives the screw to rotate, the nut seat moves linearly along the axial direction under the limit constraint, driving the extension rod and accelerometer to translate laterally, thereby flexibly adjusting the accelerometer's installation location. This design not only positions the accelerometer to the target anatomical area based on differences in animal limb morphology or experimental requirements, but also constructs multi-dimensional motion parameters through the simultaneous acquisition of multi-point data, effectively improving the accuracy of tremor direction identification and gait phase analysis.

[0019] Furthermore, the transmission assembly includes a gear rotatably connected to the outer wall of the telescopic rod, the gear is coaxially fixedly connected to the screw rod, and the gear is meshed with a rack; the rack is slidably connected to the outer wall of the telescopic rod, and the top of the rack is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the telescopic shaft.

[0020] Beneficial Effects: Through the meshing of the gear and rack, the axial motion of the telescopic rod is converted into rotational drive for the screw. This meshing ensures zero backlash during transmission, enabling accurate adjustment of the accelerometer position. The sliding rack connection simultaneously absorbs lateral offset during telescopic shaft movement, reducing screw jamming caused by mechanical vibration. Its compact, integrated layout achieves power transmission and motion decoupling within a limited space, improving adjustment response speed while ensuring consistent, synchronized positioning of multiple accelerometers, effectively enhancing the reliability of motion trajectory capture.

[0021] Furthermore, the limit assembly includes a limit plate and a limit rod symmetrically fixedly connected to the outer wall of the telescopic rod with the screw rod as the axis, and the limit rods are fixedly connected to the limit plate; the limit plate is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the strap on the side away from the limit rod, and a sliding rod is slidably connected to the limit rod, and the end of the sliding rod away from the limit rod is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the nut seat.

[0022] Beneficial Effects: The sliding connection between the limiter and the sliding rod provides a directional constraint track for the nut seat, ensuring stable translation of the accelerometer along the preset path during lateral adjustment. The fixed connection between the limiter plate and the inner wall of the strap forms a support framework, effectively reducing random vibration or torsional loads generated by animal movement and minimizing deflection of the lead screw due to external interference. This reduces the interference of motion artifacts on high-frequency vibration signal acquisition, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and repeatability of dynamic monitoring data.

[0023] Furthermore, the adjustment component includes an airbag fixedly connected to the inner wall of the strap, and the outer wall of the strap is fixedly connected to a piston cylinder; the inner wall of the piston cylinder is slidably fitted with a piston plate, and the piston plate is fixedly connected to a piston rod, and the end of the piston rod away from the piston plate is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the telescopic part.

[0024] The piston cylinder's end away from the piston rod is connected to an input tube and an output tube. The connections between the input and output tubes and the piston cylinder are both connected to a first one-way valve. The input tube communicates with the exterior of the piston cylinder, while the end of the output tube away from the piston cylinder communicates with the interior of the airbag. A vent valve is also connected to the airbag, and a controller controls its opening and closing. An air delivery assembly is located within the telescopic rod to assist in inflating the airbag.

[0025] Beneficial effects: Through the linked inflation mechanism of the piston cylinder and the airbag, dynamic coordinated adjustment of the tightness of the strap and the pressure of the airbag is achieved. When the telescopic member drives the piston rod to and fro, the airbag adaptively expands and contracts as the strap deforms. This design not only evenly disperses the contact pressure of the strap on the animal's body surface, reducing discomfort or microcirculatory disorders caused by local compression, but also improves the adaptability of the strap to animals of different sizes through the flexible support of the airbag. While ensuring monitoring stability, it reduces the stress interference caused by restraint in animals, providing a high-reliability foundation for long-term behavioral monitoring. The design of the vent valve is used to balance the internal pressure of the airbag, and to relieve pressure at high pressure to ensure the stability of the strap fit.

[0026] Furthermore, the air supply assembly includes a movable plate that slides into the inner wall of the telescopic rod, and the movable plate is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the telescopic shaft; the top of the telescopic rod is also connected to an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe, and the connections between the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe and the telescopic rod are connected to a second one-way valve; the end of the air inlet pipe away from the telescopic rod is connected to the outside of the strap, and the end of the air outlet pipe away from the telescopic rod is connected to the inside of the airbag.

[0027] Beneficial Effects: Through the synergistic effect of the movable plate and the one-way valve, differentiated inflation adjustment of the airbag is achieved in different areas. When the telescopic shaft drives the movable plate to slide, the air inlet tube draws in external air, and the air outlet tube forms a gradient pressure based on the difference in the spacing between the brackets, driving the formation of a tendon-like local reinforcement rib structure on the surface of the airbag. This bionic pressure differential distribution not only enhances the morphological fit of the straps to the concave and convex parts of the animal's torso, but also maintains the normal deformation space of the soft tissue through the low-pressure area. While improving fixation stability, it avoids movement interference caused by direct pressure from hard materials, providing a basis for accurate monitoring of the natural behavioral expression of Parkinson's disease animal models.

[0028] Furthermore, a guide for guiding the movement of the animal is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the strap, and the controller is used to control the operation of the guide.

[0029] Beneficial Effects: By dynamically adjusting the speed or direction of the indicator's light spot based on real-time behavioral data collected by the controller, animals can be guided along a preset path to complete standardized behavioral tests, reducing random movement deviations caused by environmental interference. This effectively improves the sensitivity of identifying Parkinson's disease-specific movement disorders and experimental repeatability.

[0030] Furthermore, a camera is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the strap, and the controller is used to receive and store image information sent by the camera.

[0031] Beneficial Effects: The integrated camera design simultaneously records visual data of animal limb movements and body posture changes, achieving deep integration of multimodal behavioral parameters. The camera's lens forms a spatial and mechanical connection with the pressure sensor and accelerometer, enabling the capture of microscopic behavioral features (such as paw tremor amplitude and spinal curvature angle) that are difficult for traditional sensors to identify. By aligning the timestamps with the sensor signals, the system effectively distinguishes pathological movements from nonspecific activity interference.

[0032] Furthermore, it also includes an auxiliary monitoring system for monitoring the behavior of experimental animals, which includes the following modules:

[0033] The sensor calibration module is used to monitor animal movement data and surface pressure information in real time through accelerometers and pressure sensors; and use the central control module to adjust the tightness of the strap based on the pressure information; and simultaneously adjust the position of the accelerometer to collect movement data at different locations.

[0034] The sensor fusion module is used to use accelerometers, pressure sensors and cameras to collect behavioral information of experimental animals and extract tremor information characteristic of Parkinson's disease; match the displacement and pressure information of the output shaft of the telescopic part; and transmit the tremor information to the behavior guidance module.

[0035] The behavioral guidance module is used to dynamically adjust the movement position and movement rate of the guidance point of the indicator according to the intensity of the tremor information; simulate the typical behavioral scenarios of Parkinson's animals and guide the experimental animals to complete standardized behavioral tests.

[0036] The central control module is used to analyze the priority of control information based on motion data, pressure information, tremor information and behavioral test information, control the operation of the telescopic parts and the guide; and adjust the pressure sensor and accelerometer to keep the monitoring in the target area.

[0037] Beneficial effects: The sensor calibration module dynamically optimizes the tightness of the strap and the positioning of the sensor based on pressure feedback, ensuring real-time fit between the monitoring site and the animal's surface anatomical features. The sensor fusion module effectively distinguishes pathological tremors from environmental interference signals through multi-dimensional cross-validation of acceleration, pressure, and visual data. The behavior guidance module combines the dynamic adaptation of tremor intensity and motion trajectory to simulate typical behavioral scenarios of Parkinson's disease and induce animals to complete standardized movement tests. The priority scheduling mechanism of the central control module provides reliable data support for drug efficacy evaluation and pathological mechanism research through the timing coordination of mechanical adjustment, pneumatic compensation, and visual guidance.

[0038] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description which follows, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 This is an axonometric diagram of the auxiliary device of the present invention suitable for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals.

[0040] Figure 2 The figure is a cross-sectional view of a strap in an auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a front view of the expanded support of the auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to the present invention.

[0042] Figure 4 This is an expanded axonometric diagram of a bracket in the auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to the present invention.

[0043] Figure 5 The figure is an axonometric diagram of the horizontal adjustment component of the auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to the present invention.

[0044] Figure 6 The figure is a cross-sectional view of the piston cylinder of the auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to the present invention.

[0045] Figure 7 The figure is a cross-sectional view of a telescopic rod in an auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to the present invention.

[0046] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged view of part A.

[0047] Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 4 Magnified view of part B.

[0048] Figure 10 The figure is a structural block diagram of the auxiliary monitoring system of the auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to the present invention.

[0049] The figure marks in the drawings of the specification include: 1. strap; 2. bracket; 3. telescopic part; 4. telescopic rod; 5. telescopic shaft; 6. connecting rod; 7. screw rod; 8. nut seat; 9. extension rod; 10. gear; 11. rack; 12. limit plate; 13. limit rod; 14. sliding rod; 15. airbag; 16. piston cylinder; 17. piston plate; 18. piston rod; 19. movable plate; 20. indicator; 21. camera. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The following is further described in detail through specific implementation methods:

[0051] Example 1:

[0052] As attached Figure 1 As shown: An auxiliary device suitable for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals, including a strap 1 with an opening. In this embodiment, the strap 1 is made of a flexible material; a Velcro is fixedly bonded to the opening of the strap 1; and a fixing component for fixing the strap 1 is provided in the side wall of the strap 1.

[0053] Combine Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the fixed assembly includes a controller, several pull wires and a bracket 2 with a trapezoidal cross-section. The brackets 2 are all embedded and installed in the side walls of the strap 1, and the bottoms of adjacent brackets 2 are hinged to each other; the pull wires slide and fit on both sides of the top of the bracket 2, and the outer wall of the strap 1 is fixedly bonded with a telescopic member 3. In this embodiment, the telescopic member 3 is an electric push rod, and the controller is used to control the telescopic member 3 to extend and retract; one end of the pull wire is fixedly bonded to the side wall of the strap 1, and the other end of the pull wire is fixedly bonded to the output shaft of the telescopic member 3. In this embodiment, one end of the pull wire is fixedly bonded to the side wall of the strap 1 near the opening, and the other end passes through the top of the bracket 2 and slides with the top of the bracket 2, and extends to the outside of the strap 1 and is fixedly bonded to the output shaft of the telescopic member 3.

[0054] Several accelerometers and pressure sensors are also provided in the side wall of the strap 1, and a telescopic component for adjusting the position of the pressure sensor and a horizontal adjustment component for adjusting the position of the accelerometer are provided on the bracket 2.

[0055] The fixed component is used to drive the telescopic component and the horizontal adjustment component to operate synchronously to adjust the positions of the pressure sensor and the accelerometer.

[0056] Combine Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the telescopic assembly includes several telescopic rods 4 hinged at the hinges of adjacent brackets 2. Each telescopic rod 4 is slidably fitted with a telescopic shaft 5. The top ends of the telescopic shafts 5 extend to the outsides of the rods 4 and are symmetrically hinged to connecting rods 6. The ends of the connecting rods 6, away from the telescopic shafts 5, are hinged to the tops of the adjacent brackets 2. Pressure sensors are fixedly bonded to the tops of the telescopic shafts 5. In this embodiment, the number of pressure sensors installed is selected based on monitoring requirements.

[0057] Specifically, Figure 8For example, when the pull wire is pulled, the hinge point at the bottom of the adjacent bracket 2 rotates, squeezing the connecting rod 6 hinged at the top, causing the connecting rod 6 to drive the telescopic shaft 5 inside the telescopic rod 4 to slide upward. Furthermore, the connecting rod 6 at the top of the telescopic shaft 5 converts linear displacement into angular changes at the top of the bracket 2 through a symmetrical hinge structure. As the telescopic shaft 5 moves upward, it drives the pressure sensor to follow the contour of the animal's body surface. During this process, the contact surface of the pressure sensor always maintains a positioning relationship with the monitored area (such as a limb joint or the midline of the spine) (error ≤±0.5mm), ensuring the continuity and consistency of the pressure distribution data.

[0058] Combine Figure 5 As shown, the horizontal adjustment assembly includes several screw rods 7 that rotatably engage the outer wall of the telescopic rod 4. Each screw rod 7 is threadedly engaged with a nut seat 8. Each nut seat 8 is screw-fixedly connected to an extension rod 9. Accelerometers are fixedly bonded to the top of the extension rod 9. In this embodiment, the number of accelerometers installed is selected based on monitoring requirements.

[0059] The telescopic rod 4 is provided with a transmission assembly for driving the screw rod 7 to rotate and a limiting assembly for limiting the movement trajectory of the nut seat 8.

[0060] The transmission assembly includes a gear 10 rotatably connected to the outer wall of the telescopic rod 4, the gear 10 is coaxially fixedly engaged with the screw 7, and the gear 10 is meshed with a rack 11; the rack 11 is slidably connected to the outer wall of the telescopic rod 4. In this embodiment, the sliding connection between the rack 11 and the outer wall of the telescopic rod 4 can provide a limit for it, so that the rack 11 maintains a linear motion trajectory; the top of the rack 11 is fixedly bonded to the outer wall of the telescopic shaft 5.

[0061] The limiting assembly includes a limiting plate 12 and a limiting rod 13 fixedly connected to the outer wall of the telescopic rod 4 with screws symmetrically centered on the screw rod 7. The limiting rods 13 are fixedly connected to the limiting plate 12 with screws; the side of the limiting plate 12 away from the limiting rod 13 is fixedly bonded to the inner wall of the strap 1, and the limiting rod 13 is slidably connected to a sliding rod 14, and the end of the sliding rod 14 away from the limiting rod 13 is fixedly welded to the outer wall of the nut seat 8.

[0062] Specifically, Figure 5 For example, when the telescopic shaft 5 slides axially (displacement ΔL), it drives the rack 11, to which it is fixed and bonded, to move synchronously. The linear motion of the rack 11 drives the rotation of the gear 10, which in turn rotates the coaxially fixed screw 7. The rotation of the screw 7 is converted into axial translation of the nut seat 8 through the threaded pair. The nut seat 8 synchronously drives the extension rod 9, which in turn drives the lateral displacement of the accelerometer, achieving dynamic adjustment of the monitoring site.

[0063] The translational motion of the nut seat 8 is limited to linear motion by the sliding fit between the sliding rod 14 and the limiting rod 13. The connection between the limiting plate 12 and the inner wall of the strap 1 forms a support framework that resists torsional loads. When the animal's movement generates lateral forces (such as limb twisting), the sliding rod 14 transmits the external force to the limiting rod 13, dissipating the energy through the inner wall of the strap 1, ensuring the linear motion accuracy of the transmission between the screw 7 and the nut seat 8 (offset error ≤ ±0.1mm).

[0064] When the telescopic member 3 contracts, the pull cord tightens the bandage 1, and the retraction of the telescopic shaft 5 triggers the movement of the rack 11. The connection between the gear 10 and the screw 7 translates the accelerometer to a predetermined location (such as the knee joint or lumbar spinous process). When the animal's movement causes local deformation of the bandage 1, the micro-movement of the telescopic shaft 5 (ΔL ≤ 0.2mm) is transmitted through the rack 11 and gear 10 to correct the rotation of the screw 7 in real time, so that the accelerometer position adaptively conforms to the body's contours, reducing signal distortion caused by device offset.

[0065] The strap 1 is also provided with an adjusting component for adjusting the size of the strap 1 , and the fixing component is used to drive the adjusting component to operate synchronously to adjust the size of the strap 1 .

[0066] Combine Figure 6 As shown, the adjustment component includes an airbag 15 fixedly bonded to the inner wall of the strap 1. In this embodiment, the airbag 15 is made of medical-grade silicone material; a piston cylinder 16 is fixedly bonded to the outer wall of the strap 1; a piston plate 17 is slidably fitted on the inner wall of the piston cylinder 16, and a piston rod 18 is fixedly bonded to the piston plate 17. The end of the piston rod 18 away from the piston plate 17 is fixedly connected to the output shaft screw of the telescopic member 3.

[0067] The side of the piston cylinder 16 away from the piston rod 18 is connected to an input pipe and an output pipe, and the connections between the input pipe and the output pipe and the piston cylinder 16 are connected to a first one-way valve. In this embodiment, the first one-way valve is used to guide the one-way flow of the medium, so that the fluid flows in through the input pipe and then flows out through the output pipe; the input pipe is connected to the outside of the piston cylinder 16, and the end of the output pipe away from the piston cylinder 16 is connected to the inside of the airbag 15; the airbag 15 is also connected to a vent valve, and the controller is used to control the opening and closing of the vent valve.

[0068] Combine Figure 7 As shown, the telescopic rod 4 is internally provided with an air supply assembly for assisting in inflating the airbag 15. The air supply assembly includes a movable plate 19 that slides against the inner wall of the telescopic rod 4 and is fixedly bonded to the bottom end of the telescopic shaft 5. The top of the telescopic rod 4 is also connected to an air inlet and an air outlet. The connection between the air inlet and air outlet pipes and the telescopic rod 4 is connected to a second one-way valve. In this embodiment, the second one-way valve is used to guide the flow of the medium in one direction, allowing the fluid to flow in through the air inlet pipe and out through the air outlet pipe. The end of the air inlet pipe away from the telescopic rod 4 is connected to the exterior of the strap 1, while the end of the air outlet pipe away from the telescopic rod 4 is connected to the interior of the airbag 15.

[0069] Specifically, when the output shaft of the telescopic member 3 contracts, the piston rod 18, screwed to it, slides the piston plate 17, compressing the space within the piston cylinder 16. Compressed gas pushes open the first one-way valve and enters the airbag 15 through the output tube, causing the airbag 15 to expand (at a pressure range of 5-15kPa). This pushes the inner wall of the bandage 1 to expand, maintaining contact between the pressure sensor and the body surface. When the output shaft of the telescopic member 3 extends, the piston plate 17 moves toward the output shaft, creating negative pressure within the piston cylinder 16. External air pushes open the first one-way valve and enters the piston cylinder 16. The first one-way valve closes, preventing the backflow of gas from the airbag 15 and maintaining the bandage 1 in its expanded state.

[0070] As the telescopic shaft 5 slides, the movable plate 19 fixed to its bottom end moves synchronously within the telescopic rod 4. As the movable plate 19 moves upward, it compresses the interior of the telescopic rod 4, pushing open the second one-way valve, allowing gas to be injected into the airbag 15 through the outlet pipe. As the movable plate 19 moves downward, negative pressure is created, opening the second one-way valve in the air inlet pipe, allowing external air to enter the interior of the telescopic rod 4, reserving gas for the next pressurization step. When the airbag 15 generates a localized high pressure (>12kPa), the controller opens the vent valve to relieve pressure and reduce compression injuries. When maintaining a specific pressure (such as during static monitoring), the vent valve closes to ensure the stable fit of the strap 1 (pressure fluctuation ≤±0.3kPa).

[0071] The specific implementation process is as follows:

[0072] First, a flexible bandage 1 is wrapped around the limb of an experimental animal (such as a rat) using Velcro. A controller is used to activate the contraction of the telescopic member 3 (electric push rod). Pulling the cable brings the trapezoidal bracket 2 together, initially tightening the bandage 1 to fit the animal's body surface. The bracket 2's bottom hinge rotates, compressing the upper connecting rod 6, which drives the telescopic shaft 5 within the telescopic rod 4 upward, pushing the pressure sensor into contact with the body surface. The displacement of the telescopic shaft 5 drives the rack 11, which in turn rotates the gear 10 and simultaneously rotates the screw 7. As the screw 7 rotates, the nut 8 translates the accelerometer to the target location.

[0073] When the animal twists its limbs due to Parkinson's tremor or motor hysteresis, the strap 1 undergoes local deformation, and the pressure sensor detects a change in contact pressure (such as local pressure > 3.5 kPa). The controller drives the telescopic part 3 to contract, and the piston rod 18 drives the piston plate 17 to compress the space inside the piston cylinder 16, and the piston cylinder 16 pumps gas into the airbag 15; at the same time, the telescopic shaft 5 moves upward, and the movable plate 19 moves upward synchronously to compress the inner cavity of the telescopic rod 4, and additional gas is injected into the airbag 15 through the second one-way valve (the air pressure is superimposed to 10 kPa), thereby enhancing the fit of the strap 1.

[0074] Deformation of the strap 1 causes micro-motion of the telescopic shaft 5 (ΔL = 0.1 mm). The displacement of the rack 11 drives the rotation of the gear 10, which in turn rotates the screw 7, causing the nut seat 8 to translate laterally, thus correcting the accelerometer's position in real time. The guide structure of the limit rod 13 and the sliding rod 14 transmits external torsional loads to the inner wall of the strap 1, ensuring the accelerometer's posture stability (angular deviation < ±1°). When the pressure in the airbag 15 suddenly rises (>12 kPa), the controller immediately opens the vent valve to reduce the pressure to a safe range (≤8 kPa), minimizing compression injuries.

[0075] This embodiment intelligently adjusts the securing force of the strap 1 through the linkage design of the pull wire and the trapezoidal bracket 2. When the telescopic member 3 adjusts the tension of the pull wire in real time based on feedback from the pressure sensor, the bracket 2, guided by the hinged structure, undergoes progressive deformation. This not only evenly distributes the localized pressure of the strap 1 on the animal's body surface, reducing blood circulation impairment caused by traditional rigid fixation, but also dynamically maintains the fit of the strap 1 to the limb. This adaptive mechanical balance mechanism not only ensures continuous contact between the accelerometer and the pressure sensor with the monitored area, but also effectively reduces the stress response caused by the sense of restraint in experimental animals, providing a stable physiological environment for long-term behavioral monitoring.

[0076] Example 2:

[0077] As attached Figure 1 As shown, the difference from the above embodiment is that a guide 20 for guiding the movement of the animal is fixedly bonded to the outer wall of the strap 1, and the controller is used to control the operation of the guide 20.

[0078] The specific implementation process is as follows: A controller dynamically adjusts the speed or direction of the indicator's light spot based on real-time behavioral data (such as bradykinesia and tremor frequency). This allows animals to complete standardized behavioral tests (such as straight-line walking and cornering) along a pre-set path, minimizing random movement deviations caused by environmental interference. This effectively improves the sensitivity and repeatability of identifying characteristic movement disorders of Parkinson's disease (such as gait freezing and difficulty turning).

[0079] Example 3:

[0080] As attached Figure 1 As shown, the difference from the above embodiment is that a camera 21 is fixedly bonded to the outer wall of the strap 1 , and the controller is used to receive and store image information sent by the camera 21 .

[0081] The specific implementation process is as follows: The integrated design of the camera 21 simultaneously records visual data of animal limb movements and body posture changes, achieving deep fusion of multimodal behavioral parameters. Its lens forms a spatial and mechanical connection with the pressure sensor and accelerometer, capturing microscopic behavioral features that are difficult for traditional sensors to identify. By aligning the timestamp with the sensor signal, it effectively distinguishes pathological movements from nonspecific activity interference.

[0082] Example 4:

[0083] As attached Figure 10 As shown, the difference from the above embodiment is that this embodiment also provides an auxiliary monitoring system for monitoring the behavior of experimental animals. The auxiliary monitoring system includes a sensor calibration module for adjusting the position of the accelerometer pressure sensor, a sensor fusion module for extracting and collecting information, a behavior guidance module for guiding the experimental animals to complete standardized behavior tests, and a central control module for controlling the operation of the device.

[0084] The functions of each module are as follows:

[0085] The sensor calibration module monitors the animal's motion data and surface pressure in real time using an accelerometer (fixed to the top of the extension rod 9, which can be adjusted axially along the screw 7) and a pressure sensor (mounted at the top of the telescopic shaft 5). Based on this pressure information, the central control module adjusts the tightness of the strap 1 and simultaneously adjusts the position of the accelerometer to collect motion data at different locations. In this embodiment, when the local pressure exceeds a safety threshold, the central control module triggers a PID algorithm to calculate the target displacement, driving the telescopic member 3 to retract the cable and simultaneously reducing the pressure in the airbag 15 (via the vent valve).

[0086] The sensor fusion module is used to collect behavioral information from experimental animals using an accelerometer, pressure sensor, and camera 21, extracting tremor information characteristic of Parkinson's disease; matching the displacement of the output shaft of the telescopic member 3 with the pressure information; and transmitting the tremor information to the behavior guidance module. In this embodiment, the acceleration signal is filtered through a 4-6 Hz bandpass filter, and the tremor power spectrum density is extracted using a short-time Fourier transform (STFT, window length 500ms). The pressure distribution data is classified using a convolutional neural network (CNN, a pre-trained model) to identify abnormal compression patterns (such as unilateral limb pressure imbalance). The motion vector of the video stream from camera 21 is calculated using the optical flow method (Lucas-Kanade algorithm) and spatially matched with the acceleration data.

[0087] The behavioral guidance module dynamically adjusts the position and speed of the guiding point on the guiding device 20 based on the intensity of the tremor signal. This module simulates typical behavioral scenarios in Parkinson's disease animals and guides experimental animals through standardized behavioral tests. In this embodiment, the guiding device 20 utilizes an LED light, whose movement rate is modulated using PWM (1-5Hz) with a positioning accuracy of ±0.1mm. When the tremor intensity exceeds a threshold (e.g., RMS acceleration > 0.3g), the LED light's movement rate decreases according to an S-shaped curve, minimizing the risk of the animal's inability to follow the guidance due to motor delays.

[0088] The central control module analyzes control information priorities based on motion data, pressure information, tremor information, and behavioral test information, controls the operation of the telescopic member 3 and the guide 20, and adjusts the pressure sensor and accelerometer to maintain monitoring in the target area. In this embodiment, the main control chip uses an ARM Cortex-M7 (300MHz). When the pressure exceeds the limit (>12kPa), the airbag 15 is triggered to release pressure; when the accelerometer position is offset (>±2mm) or the camera 21 loses focus, an automatic reset procedure is initiated; and after safety and calibration conditions are met, the light spot movement is dynamically allocated according to the tremor intensity.

[0089] Experimental verification and results

[0090] 1. Experimental Design and Purpose

[0091] To validate the performance advantages of this assistive device in behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease experimental animals, focused experiments were conducted on monitoring accuracy, versatility, animal comfort, and applicability in typical scenarios. The experiments were conducted on SD rats (body length 180-220 mm), C57BL / 6 mice (body length 80-100 mm), and guinea pigs (body length 250-300 mm), comparing the performance of a traditional rigid fixation device (control group) with the device described in Examples 1-4 (experimental groups).

[0092] 2. Monitoring Accuracy Verification

[0093] 1. Experimental methods:

[0094] Tremor frequency testing: The experimental group used Sprague-Dawley rats (n=20) and mice (n=20) to induce Parkinson's disease using MPTP. Device data were synchronously collected with electromyography (EMG) signals, and the tremor frequency error (root mean square error (RMSE)) was compared. A control group used a traditional rigid strapping device (with non-adjustable fixation).

[0095] Motion hysteresis test: A light-induced linear walking task (preset path length 50 cm) was performed. The comparison device recorded the actual motion trajectory using high-speed video (1000 fps). The deviation between the motion delay recorded by the device and the video analysis results was calculated.

[0096] Gait cycle synchronization rate: Time series correlation analysis of accelerometer and camera optical flow data (Pearson coefficient).

[0097] 2. Experimental results:

[0098] Table 1. Results of verification of auxiliary device monitoring accuracy

[0099]

[0100] As shown in Table 1, the experimental group achieved an 85% reduction in error in monitoring the 4-6 Hz Parkinson's tremor through coordinated calibration of the accelerometer and pressure sensor to ±0.05 Hz (compared to ±0.8 Hz in the control group). Simultaneous electromyography (EMG) validation demonstrated a data correlation of 98.5% (compared to 72.3% in the control group). In a light-induced straight-line walking test, the experimental group recorded a motion delay error of ±0.1 second (compared to ±0.5 second in the control group), consistent with the results of high-speed video analysis (1000 fps).

[0101] 2. Verification of universality

[0102] 1. Experimental methods:

[0103] Body length adaptation test: Rats (body length 180-220mm), mice (80-100mm), and guinea pigs (250-300mm) were used. The pressure sensor coverage was measured after the strap was adjusted (effective contact was determined when the pressure was ≥0.5kPa).

[0104] Cross-species compatibility testing: Statistics on the wearing success rate (no struggle within 10 minutes after wearing) and data validity (continuous sensor signal without loss).

[0105] 2. Experimental results:

[0106] Table 2. Verification results of universality of auxiliary devices

[0107]

[0108] As shown in Table 2, the experimental group, through dynamic airbag adjustment and modular sensor design, was suitable for experimental animals with body lengths of 80-300mm (the control group only supported 100-150mm). It was successfully applied to rats, mice, and guinea pigs, with a 100% success rate (the control group, adapted only to rats, had a 65% success rate); and data validity reached 98% (compared to 40% for the control group).

[0109] 3. Animal Comfort Verification

[0110] 1. Experimental methods:

[0111] Microcirculation monitoring: Laser Doppler blood flowmetry was used to measure blood flow velocity in the compression area (lumbar spine and knee joint) with the bandage (monitoring was continuous for 2 hours). The incidence of microcirculatory disturbances was calculated (a decrease in blood flow velocity >30% was considered abnormal).

[0112] Stress response assessment: The number of animal struggles, heart rate variability (HRV) and serum cortisol levels were recorded and a comprehensive score (0-100) was obtained.

[0113] 2. Experimental results:

[0114] Table 3. Results of animal comfort verification of assistive devices

[0115]

[0116] As shown in Table 3, the flexible bandage and gradient air pressure distribution reduced the incidence of epidermal microcirculatory disturbances in the experimental group to 3.2% (compared to 28.7% in the control group), while hemodynamic indicators (as monitored by laser Doppler) remained normal. A comprehensive assessment of the number of struggles, heart rate variability (HRV), and cortisol levels revealed a stress index of 12.5 in the experimental group (compared to 68.9 in the control group). The animals were also able to tolerate continuous monitoring for up to 8 hours (compared to only 2 hours in the control group).

[0117] 4. Typical Scenario Verification

[0118] 1. Experimental methods:

[0119] Light spot induction test: A straight path (50 cm) and a 90° turning obstacle task are preset, and the infrared tracking system records the actual path deviation.

[0120] Multimodal data fusion: Comparison of the consistency between the tremor classification results output by the device and blind evaluation by neurologists.

[0121] 2. Experimental results:

[0122] Table 4. Validation results of assistive devices in typical scenarios

[0123]

[0124] As shown in Table 4, the deviation of the experimental group's movement trajectory was ≤±1.5mm (compared to ±5mm in the control group), and the standardized path completion rate increased to 98%. The successful turning rate of the experimental group reached 92% (compared to 35% in the control group), and non-pathological struggling was suppressed (with a force of 0.5-1.2N). The accuracy of tremor feature recognition was 96.7% (compared to 68.2% in the control group), and the pathological behavior classification results were 95% consistent with blind evaluation by neurologists.

[0125] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clarity of explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other variations or modifications based on the above descriptions are possible. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all implementation methods here. Obvious variations or modifications arising therefrom remain within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for monitoring Parkinson's disease behavior in experimental animals, comprising a strap (1) with an opening, wherein the opening of the strap (1) is fixedly connected with a Velcro; characterized in that: A fixing assembly for fixing the strap (1) is provided inside the side wall of the strap (1); The fixing assembly includes a controller, a plurality of pull wires and a bracket (2) with a trapezoidal cross section. The brackets (2) are all embedded and installed in the side walls of the strap (1), and the bottoms of adjacent brackets (2) are hinged to each other; the pull wires are respectively slidably fitted on both sides of the top of the bracket (2); the outer wall of the strap (1) is fixedly connected with a telescopic member (3), and the controller is used to control the telescopic member (3) to extend and retract; one end of the pull wire is fixedly connected to the side wall of the strap (1), and the other end of the pull wire is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the telescopic member (3); Several accelerometers and pressure sensors are also provided in the side wall of the strap (1), and a telescopic component for adjusting the position of the pressure sensor and a horizontal adjustment component for adjusting the position of the accelerometer are provided on the bracket (2); The fixed component is used to drive the telescopic component and the horizontal adjustment component to operate synchronously to adjust the position of the pressure sensor and the accelerometer; The strap (1) is also provided with an adjustment component for adjusting the size of the strap (1), and the fixing component is used to drive the adjustment component to operate synchronously to adjust the size of the strap (1).

2. The auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic assembly comprises a plurality of telescopic rods (4) hinged at the hinged joints of adjacent brackets (2); a telescopic shaft (5) is slidably fitted inside the telescopic rods (4); the top ends of the telescopic shafts (5) extend to the outsides of the telescopic rods (4) and are symmetrically hinged with connecting rods (6); the ends of the connecting rods (6) away from the telescopic shafts (5) are hinged to the tops of the adjacent brackets (2); and the pressure sensors are fixedly connected to the top ends of the telescopic shafts (5).

3. The auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to claim 2, characterized in that: The horizontal adjustment assembly includes a plurality of screw rods (7) rotatably engaged with the outer wall of the telescopic rod (4), and the screw rods (7) are all threadedly engaged with nut seats (8); the nut seats (8) are all fixedly connected to extension rods (9), and the accelerometers are all fixedly connected to the top of the extension rods (9); The telescopic rod (4) is provided with a transmission assembly for driving the screw rod (7) to rotate and a limiting assembly for limiting the motion trajectory of the nut seat (8).

4. The auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transmission assembly comprises a gear (10) rotatably connected to the outer wall of the telescopic rod (4); the gear (10) is coaxially fixedly connected to the screw rod (7); the gear (10) is meshed with a rack (11); the rack (11) is slidably connected to the outer wall of the telescopic rod (4); and the top end of the rack (11) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the telescopic shaft (5).

5. The auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to claim 4, characterized in that: The limiting assembly comprises a limiting plate (12) and a limiting rod (13) symmetrically fixedly connected to the outer wall of the telescopic rod (4) with the screw rod (7) as the axis, and the limiting rod (13) is fixedly connected to the limiting plate (12); the side of the limiting plate (12) away from the limiting rod (13) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the binding belt (1), and the limiting rod (13) is slidably connected to a sliding rod (14), and the end of the sliding rod (14) away from the limiting rod (13) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the nut seat (8).

6. The auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to claim 5, characterized in that: The adjustment component comprises an air bag (15) fixedly connected to the inner wall of the strap (1); the outer wall of the strap (1) is fixedly connected to a piston cylinder (16); the inner wall of the piston cylinder (16) is slidably fitted with a piston plate (17); the piston plate (17) is fixedly connected to a piston rod (18); the end of the piston rod (18) away from the piston plate (17) is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the telescopic member (3); The side of the piston cylinder (16) away from the piston rod (18) is connected to an input pipe and an output pipe. The connection points of the input pipe and the output pipe with the piston cylinder (16) are both connected to a first one-way valve. The input pipe is connected to the outside of the piston cylinder (16), and the end of the output pipe away from the piston cylinder (16) is connected to the inside of the airbag (15). The airbag (15) is also connected to a vent valve, and the controller is used to control the opening and closing of the vent valve. An air supply component for assisting the inflation of the air bag (15) is provided inside the telescopic rod (4).

7. The auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to claim 6, characterized in that: The air supply assembly includes a movable plate (19) that is slidably fitted on the inner wall of the telescopic rod (4), and the movable plate (19) is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the telescopic shaft (5); the top of the telescopic rod (4) is also connected to an air inlet pipe and an air outlet pipe, and the connection points between the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe and the telescopic rod (4) are both connected to a second one-way valve; the end of the air inlet pipe away from the telescopic rod (4) is connected to the outside of the strap (1), and the end of the air outlet pipe away from the telescopic rod (4) is connected to the inside of the air bag (15).

8. The auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to claim 7, characterized in that: A guide (20) for guiding the movement of an animal is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the strap (1), and a controller is used to control the operation of the guide (20).

9. The auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to claim 8, characterized in that: The outer wall of the strap (1) is also fixedly connected to a camera (21), and the controller is used to receive and store image information sent by the camera (21).

10. The auxiliary device for behavioral monitoring of Parkinson's disease in experimental animals according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes an auxiliary monitoring system for monitoring the behavior of experimental animals, which includes the following modules: A sensor calibration module is used to monitor the animal's motion data and body surface pressure information in real time through an accelerometer and a pressure sensor; and to adjust the tightness of the strap (1) based on the pressure information using a central control module; and to simultaneously adjust the position of the accelerometer to collect motion data at different locations; A sensor fusion module is used to collect behavioral information of experimental animals using an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, and a camera (21) to extract tremor information characteristic of Parkinson's disease; Matching the displacement and pressure information of the output shaft of the telescopic member (3); and transmitting the vibration information to the behavior guidance module; A behavior guidance module is used to dynamically adjust the movement position and movement speed of the guidance point of the guide (20) according to the intensity of the tremor information; simulate the typical behavior scene of Parkinson's animals and guide the experimental animals to complete the standardized behavior test; The central control module is used to analyze the priority of control information based on motion data, pressure information, tremor information and behavioral test information, control the operation of the telescopic member (3) and the director (20); and adjust the pressure sensor and accelerometer to keep the monitoring in the target area.

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