Noninvasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device

Abstract

The invention discloses a non-invasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device which comprises a front body fixing brace, a rear body fixing brace and two adjustable threaded pressurizing guide rails, the front body fixing brace comprises a front limb fixing assembly, and the rear body fixing brace comprises a rear limb fixing assembly. The two adjustable threaded pressurizing guide rails are fixedly arranged between the forelimb fixing assembly and the hind limb fixing assembly, one adjustable threaded pressurizing guide rail is located on the left side, and the other adjustable threaded pressurizing guide rail is located on the right side. According to the application, the adjustable threaded pressurizing guide rail is arranged between the forelimb fixing assembly and the posterior limb fixing assembly, and the axial pressure is applied by combining the forelimb fixing main body and the posterior fixing main body, so that the anteflexion of the animal spine is controlled, and the condition of lumbar disc herniation is simulated. The noninvasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device does not cause secondary injury to animals, can simulate the progressive pathological process of lumbar disc degeneration, and improves the modeling success rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of animal modeling, and in particular to a non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation. Background Art

[0002] Animal modeling technology plays a crucial role in biomedical research, widely used in drug development, disease mechanism research, and treatment evaluation. By simulating specific diseases or physiological states in animals, we can more realistically reflect the development and progression of human diseases, providing crucial experimental evidence for their treatment. The establishment and optimization of animal models is fundamental to research and a key step in new drug screening and treatment development.

[0003] Existing animal modeling technologies include direct structural damage models, mechanical indirect damage models, and spontaneous models.

[0004] 1. Direct Structural Damage Model

[0005] Direct structural injury models directly destroy the intervertebral disc structure through physical or chemical means. Common methods include annulus puncture, endplate drilling, and chemical injection. Annulus puncture is simple to operate and has a short cycle, and can significantly show a decrease in intervertebral disc height; chemical injury, on the other hand, induces degeneration by injecting specific molecules (such as fibronectin fragments), with clear pathological characteristics. Although these methods are easy to operate and reproducible, they are highly traumatic, have a high risk of infection, and are irreversible in tissue damage. In addition, the chemically induced pathological process is quite different from natural human degeneration, making it difficult to simulate the progressive course of the disease.

[0006] 2. Mechanical Indirect Damage Model

[0007] Mechanical indirect injury models study intervertebral disc injuries by simulating biomechanical abnormalities. Common methods include position fixation, spinal instability, or chronic compression. The mechanical stress model simulates the stress of human walking, such as fixing the rabbit spine in an upright position. Pathological changes are related to mechanical loads. The foraminal compression model compresses the nerve roots by implanting L-shaped rods, which can simulate clinical symptoms and is suitable for magnetic therapy research. Although these models can more realistically reflect pathological changes, the mechanical stress model has a low success rate and requires a long time (more than 8 weeks), with a success rate of approximately 65%. The foraminal compression model relies on surgical implantation of foreign objects (such as copper rods), which has the risk of displacement and may affect imaging detection.

[0008] 3. Spontaneous Model

[0009] The spontaneous model simulates the natural degeneration process by using animals with genetic predisposition such as sand rats, combined with high-salt diet to induce metabolic abnormalities. The advantage of this model is that it does not require intervention and can more truly reflect the natural degeneration. However, the cycle is long, the experiment needs to last for more than 5 months and only about 50% of the animals will appear degeneration, resulting in low experimental efficiency; in addition, the anatomical structure of sand rats is quite different from that of humans, which limits its clinical transformation value. SUMMARY

[0010] Therefore, the present application provides a non-invasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device to solve the problem that the animal modeling method in the prior art causes secondary damage to the animal, resulting in the inability to simulate the progressive pathological process of lumbar disc degeneration, and low modeling success rate.

[0011] To achieve the above purpose, the present application provides the following technical solutions:

[0012] A non-invasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device, comprising a forebody fixing support, an afterbody fixing support and two adjustable threaded pressure rails, the two adjustable threaded pressure rails are fixedly arranged between the forebody fixing support and the afterbody fixing support, and one is located on the left side and the other is located on the right side, the two adjustable threaded pressure rails are used to apply axial pressure to the forebody fixing support and the afterbody fixing support, thereby controlling the forward bending of the spine of the animal;

[0013] The forebody fixing support comprises a forebody fixing body, a shoulder and neck fixing assembly and two forelimb fixing assemblies, the shoulder and neck fixing assembly is fixedly connected with the forebody fixing body, one of the forelimb fixing assemblies is fixedly arranged on the left side of the forebody fixing body, and the other forelimb fixing assembly is fixedly arranged on the right side of the forebody fixing body;

[0014] The afterbody fixing support comprises an afterbody fixing body, a hindlimb lumbar fixing assembly and two hindlimb fixing assemblies, the hindlimb lumbar fixing assembly is fixedly connected with the afterbody fixing body, one of the hindlimb fixing assemblies is fixedly arranged on the left side of the afterbody fixing body, and the other hindlimb fixing assembly is fixedly arranged on the right side of the afterbody fixing body; one of the adjustable threaded pressure rails is fixedly arranged between the left side forelimb fixing assembly and the hindlimb fixing assembly, and the other adjustable threaded pressure rail is fixedly arranged between the right side forelimb fixing assembly and the hindlimb fixing assembly.

[0015] Preferably, the forelimb fixing assembly includes an upper arm fixing piece, a first chuck and a forearm fixing piece, the upper end of the first chuck is fixedly connected to the lower end of the upper arm fixing piece, the upper end of the upper arm fixing piece is fixedly connected to the forequarter fixing body, and the lower end of the first chuck is fixedly connected to the forearm fixing piece; the hindlimb fixing assembly includes a thigh fixing piece, a second chuck and a calf fixing piece, the upper end of the second chuck is fixedly connected to the lower end of the thigh fixing piece, the upper end of the thigh fixing piece is fixedly connected to the hindquarter fixing body, and the lower end of the second chuck is fixedly connected to the calf fixing piece; the adjustable threaded pressurized guide rail is fixed on the first chuck and the second chuck.

[0016] Preferably, the upper arm fixing member, the forearm fixing member, the thigh fixing member and the calf fixing member are all fixed to the animal's limbs via fixing belts.

[0017] Preferably, the fixing belt is a fixing belt with Velcro.

[0018] Preferably, the front body fixing body and the rear body fixing body are made of lightweight metal material.

[0019] Preferably, the adjustable threaded pressurized guide rail includes a threaded rod and a nut, one end of the threaded rod is slidingly connected to the forelimb fixing assembly, and the other end is slidingly connected to the hindlimb fixing assembly, and the nut is threadedly connected to the threaded rod.

[0020] Preferably, the threaded rod is slidingly connected to the forelimb fixing assembly and the hindlimb fixing assembly via a sliding connector.

[0021] Preferably, the sliding connection member is a slider or a sliding sleeve.

[0022] Preferably, a pressure gauge is further included, and the pressure gauge is fixedly arranged at the end of the threaded rod.

[0023] Preferably, the shoulder and neck fixing assembly and the hind limb waist fixing assembly adopt fixing belts.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, this application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0025] This application provides a non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation. By disposing an adjustable threaded pressure rail between the forelimb and hindlimb fixation assemblies, and combining the forelimb and hindlimb fixation bodies to apply axial pressure, the device controls the flexion of the animal's spine to simulate lumbar disc herniation. This non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation does not cause secondary damage to the animal and can simulate the progressive pathological process of lumbar disc degeneration, thereby improving the success rate of modeling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] To more intuitively illustrate the prior art and the present application, exemplary drawings are provided below. It should be understood that the specific shapes and structures shown in the drawings should not generally be considered as limiting conditions for implementing the present application; for example, based on the technical concepts disclosed in this application and the exemplary drawings, those skilled in the art are capable of easily making routine adjustments or further optimizations to the addition / reduction / attribution division, specific shapes, positional relationships, connection methods, dimensional ratios, etc. of certain units (components).

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation provided in this application;

[0028] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the forequarter fixation brace and hindquarter fixation brace structures of a non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation provided in this application;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the forelimb fixation component and hindlimb fixation component of a non-invasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device provided in this application.

[0030] Description of reference numerals:

[0031] 1. Forequarters fixing brace; 101. Forequarters fixing body; 102. Shoulder and neck fixing assembly; 103. Forelimb fixing assembly; 1031. Upper arm fixing piece; 1032. First chuck; 1033. Forearm fixing piece; 2. Hindquarters fixing brace; 201. Hindquarters fixing body; 202. Hindlimb waist fixing assembly; 203. Hindlimb fixing assembly; 2031. Thigh fixing piece; 2032. Second chuck; 2033. Calf fixing piece; 3. Adjustable threaded pressure rail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present application will be further described below in detail through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0033] In the description of this application: unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more. The terms "first", "second", "third", etc. in this application are intended to distinguish the objects referred to and do not have any special meaning in terms of technical connotation (for example, they should not be understood as emphasizing the importance or order, etc.). Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "having", etc. also mean "not limited to" (certain units, components, materials, steps, etc.).

[0034] The terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "middle", etc. cited in this application are usually used to indicate the general relative position relationship for the convenience of intuitive understanding by referring to the drawings, and are not absolute limitations on the position relationship in the actual product.

[0035] See also Figure 1 The present application provides a non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation, comprising a forequarters fixation brace 1, a hindquarters fixation brace 2 and two adjustable threaded pressure guide rails 3. The two adjustable threaded pressure guide rails 3 are respectively fixed between the forequarters fixation brace 1 and the hindquarters fixation brace 2, with one located on the left and the other located on the right. The two adjustable threaded pressure guide rails 3 are used to apply axial pressure to the forequarters fixation brace 1 and the hindquarters fixation brace 2, thereby controlling the animal's spinal flexion.

[0036] See also Figure 2 In a non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation provided in the present application, a forelimb fixation brace 1 includes a forelimb fixation body 101, a shoulder and neck fixation assembly 102 and two forelimb fixation assemblies 103. The shoulder and neck fixation assembly 102 is fixedly connected to the forelimb fixation body 101, one forelimb fixation assembly 103 is fixedly arranged on the left side of the forelimb fixation body 101, and the other forelimb fixation assembly 103 is fixedly arranged on the right side of the forelimb fixation body 101.

[0037] The hindquarters fixation brace 2 includes a hindquarters fixation body 201, a hind limb waist fixation assembly 202 and two hind limb fixation assemblies 203. The hind limb waist fixation assembly 202 is fixedly connected to the hindquarters fixation body 201. One hind limb fixation assembly 203 is fixedly arranged on the left side of the hindquarters fixation body 201, and the other hind limb fixation assembly 203 is fixedly arranged on the right side of the hindquarters fixation body 201; an adjustable threaded pressure guide rail 3 is fixedly arranged between the forelimb fixation assembly 103 and the hind limb fixation assembly 203 on the left side, and the other adjustable threaded pressure guide rail 3 is fixedly arranged between the forelimb fixation assembly 103 and the hind limb fixation assembly 203 on the right side.

[0038] The present application provides a non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation, which controls the flexion of the spine of an animal (e.g., rabbit, mouse) by setting an adjustable threaded pressure guide rail 3 between the forelimb fixation component 103 and the hindlimb fixation component 203, and combining the forelimb fixation body 101 and the hindlimb fixation body 201 to apply axial pressure to simulate lumbar disc herniation (when the applied axial pressure reaches a certain level, the animal's lumbar disc will be compressed, thereby simulating the condition of lumbar disc herniation).

[0039] See also Figure 3In a non-invasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device provided by the present application, the forelimb fixing assembly 103 includes an upper arm fixing piece 1031, a first chuck 1032 and a forearm fixing piece 1033, the upper end of the first chuck 1032 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the upper arm fixing piece 1031, the upper end of the upper arm fixing piece 1031 is fixedly connected to the forequarter fixing body 101, and the lower end of the first chuck 1032 is fixedly connected to the forearm fixing piece 1033; the hindlimb fixing assembly 203 includes a thigh fixing piece 2031, a second chuck 2032 and a calf fixing piece 2033, the upper end of the second chuck 2032 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the thigh fixing piece 2031, the upper end of the thigh fixing piece 2031 is fixedly connected to the hindquarter fixing body 201, and the lower end of the second chuck 2032 is fixedly connected to the calf fixing piece 2033; the adjustable threaded pressurized guide rail is fixed on the first chuck 1032 and the second chuck 2032.

[0040] In a non-invasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device provided in the present application, the upper arm fixing part 1031, the forearm fixing part 1033, the thigh fixing part 2031 and the calf fixing part 2033 are all fixed to the animal limbs by fixing straps. Specifically, the fixing strap adopts a fixing strap with Velcro. This fixing strap has good flexibility and adjustability and can adapt to animal limbs of different sizes. The Velcro design allows the fixing strap to be easily attached and detached, making it convenient for experimenters to quickly fix and release animals.

[0041] In the non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation provided herein, the forequarter fixation body 101 and the hindquarter fixation body 201 are made of lightweight metal materials. Because lightweight metal materials (such as aluminum alloys and titanium alloys) have high strength and rigidity, they can withstand axial pressure and other external forces applied during experiments, ensuring the stability of the device during experiments. These materials ensure structural strength without placing an additional burden on the animal due to their own weight.

[0042] In a non-invasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device provided by the present application, an adjustable threaded pressurized guide rail 3 includes a threaded rod and a nut, one end of the threaded rod is slidably connected to the forelimb fixing assembly 103, and the other end is slidably connected to the hindlimb fixing assembly 203, and the nut is threadedly connected to the threaded rod. Specifically, the threaded rod is slidably connected to the forelimb fixing assembly 103 and the hindlimb fixing assembly 203 through a sliding connector, and the sliding connector adopts a slider or a sliding sleeve. Specifically, the adjustable threaded pressurized guide rail 3 is composed of a threaded rod and a nut, one end of the threaded rod is connected to the forelimb fixing assembly 103, and the other end is connected to the hindlimb fixing assembly 203. By rotating the nut, the length of the threaded rod can be changed, thereby changing the distance between the forelimb fixing assembly 103 and the hindlimb fixing assembly 203, thereby applying axial pressure to the animal's spine.

[0043] The non-invasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device provided in this application also includes a pressure gauge fixedly mounted on the end of the threaded rod. The pressure gauge can monitor the applied pressure in real time to ensure that the pressure is within a safe range.

[0044] In the non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation provided in the present application, the shoulder and neck fixation component 102 and the hind limb waist fixation component 202 use fixation belts.

[0045] The modeling process of the non-invasive lumbar disc herniation animal modeling device provided in this application specifically includes:

[0046] Step 1: Experimental preparation stage;

[0047] Experimental rabbits (rats) were subjected to adaptive fixed training (30 minutes per day × 3 days).

[0048] Step 2: Animal fixation;

[0049] Forequarters Fixation: Place the animal's forequarters on the forequarters fixation body 101, and fix the animal's forelimbs through the forelimb fixation assembly 103. The forelimb fixation assembly 103 can firmly fix the animal's forelimbs to the forequarters fixation body 101 by means of straps, clamps, or other fixing devices.

[0050] Hindquarters fixation: The animal's hindquarters are placed on the hindquarters fixation body 201, and the animal's hind limbs are fixed by the hind limb fixation assembly 203. The hind limb fixation assembly 203 can also firmly fix the animal's hind limbs to the hindquarters fixation body 201 by means of straps, clamps or other fixing devices.

[0051] It should be noted that chest compression should be avoided during animal fixation.

[0052] Step 3: Axial pressure application;

[0053] Install the adjustable threaded pressure rail 3: Install the adjustable threaded pressure rail 3 between the forequarters fixing body 101 and the hindquarters fixing body 201. The adjustable threaded pressure rail 3 consists of a threaded rod and a nut. One end of the threaded rod is connected to the forelimb fixing assembly 103, and the other end is connected to the hindlimb fixing assembly 203.

[0054] Pressure Adjustment: Rotating the nut moves the threaded rod. This movement changes the distance between the forelimb fixation assembly 103 and the hindlimb fixation assembly 203, thereby applying axial pressure to the animal's spine. During pressure adjustment, uniform, stepped pressure is applied: 50 N x 10 min → 100 N x 20 min → 150 N x 30 min. For unilateral disc herniation modeling, asymmetric pressure application is used.

[0055] Pressure Control: By precisely controlling the rotation angle of the nut, the applied pressure can be finely adjusted. The pitch of the thread determines the change in pressure applied per rotation of the nut. For example, if the pitch is 1mm, each rotation of the nut will move the threaded rod 1mm, and thus apply a corresponding amount of pressure.

[0056] It should be noted that during the modeling process, modeling training needs to be conducted once a day (60 minutes each time) for 4-8 weeks. The size data of different animals are shown in Table 1:

[0057] Table 1

[0058]

[0059]

[0060] Step 4: Pressure monitoring;

[0061] Pressure gauge installation: Install a pressure gauge (such as an electronic pressure sensor) at the end of the threaded rod or the part that contacts the animal to monitor the applied pressure in real time and record the pressure data in real time to ensure that the pressure is within a safe range.

[0062] Step 5: Simulate lumbar disc herniation;

[0063] Flexion Control: By adjusting the nut, the axial pressure is gradually increased to gradually flex the animal's spine. The flexion angle and pressure can be adjusted according to experimental requirements.

[0064] Inducing lumbar disc herniation: When the applied axial pressure reaches a certain level, the animal's lumbar disc will be compressed, thus simulating lumbar disc herniation. By controlling the magnitude and duration of pressure, different degrees of lumbar disc herniation can be simulated.

[0065] Step 6: After the experiment, the applied pressure is gradually released by rotating the nut in the opposite direction to restore the animal's spine to its natural state. The activity of the experimental rabbit is observed and its neurological function (such as hind limb movement and pain response) is evaluated. An MRI examination is then performed to observe the decrease in intervertebral disc height, the integrity of the annulus fibrosus, and the displacement of the nucleus pulposus.

[0066] Pathological types are classified according to imaging features:

[0067] Bulging type: local bulging of the annulus fibrosus without rupture;

[0068] Herniation type: The nucleus pulposus breaks through the outer layer of the annulus fibrosus but does not detach;

[0069] Prolapse type: The nucleus pulposus moves free into the spinal canal.

[0070] This application provides a non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation. By disposing an adjustable threaded pressure rail 3 between the forelimb fixation assembly 103 and the hindlimb fixation assembly 203, and combining the forelimb fixation body 101 and the hindlimb fixation body 201 to apply axial pressure, the device controls the flexion of the animal's spine to simulate lumbar disc herniation. This non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation does not cause secondary damage to the animal and can simulate the progressive pathological process of lumbar disc degeneration, thereby improving the success rate of modeling. Specifically:

[0071] (1) The success rate of modeling has been increased to over 92% (the success rate of modeling with traditional methods is only 65%);

[0072] (2) Postoperative survival rate is 100% (the postoperative survival rate of traditional methods is about 85%);

[0073] (3) The pathological process is controllable (progressive degeneration over 4-8 weeks);

[0074] (4) A herniation classification (bulging type, protrusion type, and extrusion type) that conforms to the clinical characteristics can be obtained.

[0075] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily (as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features). In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described; these embodiments that are not explicitly written should also be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation, characterized in that: The invention comprises a forequarters fixing brace, a hindquarters fixing brace and two adjustable threaded pressure rails, wherein the two adjustable threaded pressure rails are respectively fixedly arranged between the forequarters fixing brace and the hindquarters fixing brace, with one located on the left side and the other located on the right side. The two adjustable threaded pressure rails are used to apply axial pressure to the forequarters fixing brace and the hindquarters fixing brace, thereby controlling the forward flexion of the animal's spine; The forequarter fixing brace comprises a forequarter fixing body, a shoulder and neck fixing assembly, and two forelimb fixing assemblies, wherein the shoulder and neck fixing assembly is fixedly connected to the forequarter fixing body, one forelimb fixing assembly is fixedly arranged on the left side of the forequarter fixing body, and the other forelimb fixing assembly is fixedly arranged on the right side of the forequarter fixing body; The hindquarters fixing brace includes a hindquarters fixing body, a hind limb waist fixing assembly and two hind limb fixing assemblies, the hind limb waist fixing assembly is fixedly connected to the hindquarters fixing body, one hind limb fixing assembly is fixedly arranged on the left side of the hindquarters fixing body, and the other hind limb fixing assembly is fixedly arranged on the right side of the hindquarters fixing body; one of the adjustable threaded pressure guide rails is fixedly arranged between the forelimb fixing assembly and the hind limb fixing assembly on the left side, and the other adjustable threaded pressure guide rail is fixedly arranged between the forelimb fixing assembly and the hind limb fixing assembly on the right side.

2. The non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The forelimb fixing assembly includes an upper arm fixing piece, a first chuck and a forearm fixing piece, the upper end of the first chuck is fixedly connected to the lower end of the upper arm fixing piece, the upper end of the upper arm fixing piece is fixedly connected to the forequarter fixing body, and the lower end of the first chuck is fixedly connected to the forearm fixing piece; the hindlimb fixing assembly includes a thigh fixing piece, a second chuck and a calf fixing piece, the upper end of the second chuck is fixedly connected to the lower end of the thigh fixing piece, the upper end of the thigh fixing piece is fixedly connected to the hindquarter fixing body, and the lower end of the second chuck is fixedly connected to the calf fixing piece; the adjustable threaded pressurized guide rail is fixed on the first chuck and the second chuck.

3. The non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper arm fixing piece, the forearm fixing piece, the thigh fixing piece and the calf fixing piece are all fixed to the animal's limbs through fixing belts.

4. The non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fixing belt is a fixing belt with Velcro.

5. The non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front body fixing body and the rear body fixing body are made of light metal material.

6. The non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjustable threaded pressurized guide rail includes a threaded rod and a nut. One end of the threaded rod is slidably connected to the forelimb fixing assembly, and the other end is slidably connected to the hindlimb fixing assembly. The nut is threadedly connected to the threaded rod.

7. The non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation according to claim 6, characterized in that: The threaded rod is slidably connected to the forelimb fixing assembly and the hindlimb fixing assembly through a sliding connection piece.

8. The non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sliding connection member is a slider or a sliding sleeve.

9. The non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a pressure gauge, which is fixedly arranged on the end of the threaded rod.

10. The non-invasive animal modeling device for lumbar disc herniation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shoulder and neck fixing component and the hind limb waist fixing component adopt fixing belts.

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