Experimental mouse accurate drinking water control device and drinking water regulation and control method
By using a dual-unit cage and a central control unit, precise control of the mice's drinking water and automated data recording are achieved, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional devices and improving experimental efficiency and space utilization.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511442954.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies cannot accurately control and record the amount and duration of water intake in laboratory mice, making it difficult to meet complex water intake regulation needs. Furthermore, traditional devices have low space utilization and cannot conduct parallel experiments simultaneously.
The design incorporates a dual-unit cage and control unit, including a drinking unit and a central control unit, enabling precise control of mouse drinking and automated data recording. It supports both normal and controlled drinking modes and features micro-level control precision and data recording capabilities.
It improves experimental efficiency and space utilization, enables precise control of the time and amount of water drinking in mice, reduces human error, and supports complex control schemes and flexible experimental designs.
Smart Images
Figure CN121533341A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of experimental animal feeding, and particularly relates to an experimental mouse precise water drinking control device and a water drinking control method. BACKGROUND
[0002] In life science, medicine and pharmacology research, mice are one of the most commonly used experimental animals. The water drinking behavior of mice is an important indicator for evaluating physiological state, metabolic level, drug efficacy and toxicity response. At present, the traditional ball water bottle is generally used for mice in the laboratory. Although this method is simple, it has obvious shortcomings.
[0003] The water drinking amount and water drinking time of each mouse cannot be accurately controlled and recorded, and only the total consumption of the water bottle can be estimated, which has large errors, lacks automatic data recording function and is low in efficiency. It is difficult to realize complex water drinking control schemes, and the water supply state needs to be manually operated, which is easy to introduce human errors. For experiments that require precise control of liquid intake, such as diuretic evaluation, material metabolism research or conditional position preference experiment, the existing technology cannot meet the requirements. Moreover, the traditional cage can only feed one mouse at a time, and if two groups of parallel experiments need to be carried out at the same time, double the equipment space needs to be occupied. Therefore, a new type of experimental mouse precise water drinking control device and water drinking control method are needed to solve the above problems. SUMMARY
[0004] To solve the above existing problems, the present application provides an experimental mouse precise water drinking control device and water drinking control method with a double-unit cage design that can simultaneously feed two mice, suitable for parallel experiments, which can precisely control the water drinking or drug dosage of experimental mice, and is convenient to operate and high in automation.
[0005] The technical scheme adopted by the present application is as follows: the experimental mouse precise water drinking control device of the present application comprises a cage, two groups of water drinking units and a control unit, the bottom of the cage is provided with a detachable excrement collection tank, a vertical partition plate is arranged inside the cage along the length direction, the partition plate divides the cage into two independent feeding units for simultaneously feeding two experimental mice, the two groups of water drinking units are symmetrically installed on the outer sides of the two ends of the cage, and the control unit is arranged above the cage.
[0006] Further, the water drinking unit comprises a water drinking ball water bottle, a control water drinking bottle, a water valve and a control valve. The water drinking ball water bottle and the control water drinking bottle are arranged side by side. The water drinking ball water bottle and the control water drinking bottle are each provided with a longitudinal label scale. The water drinking ball water bottle has a bottle mouth facing downward and is sealingly connected with an L-shaped stainless steel water outlet nozzle. The lower end of the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet nozzle penetrates the cage wall and extends into the corresponding breeding unit. The bottom of the control water drinking bottle is connected with the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet nozzle of the water drinking ball water bottle through a food-grade silica gel pipe. The water valve is arranged at one end of the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet nozzle. The control valve is arranged on the food-grade silica gel pipe.
[0007] Further, the control unit comprises a central control unit and a control panel. The control panel is electrically connected with the central control unit and is used for parameter setting and mode switching. The central control unit comprises a control mainboard, a data storage module, a power module and a communication module. The central control unit is electrically connected with the control valve module and is controlled by the control valve module to open or close the water flow. The communication module is used for data exchange and remote control with an external computer or a mobile terminal. The control valve module is a high-precision micro electromagnetic valve. The liquid passing amount of one-time opening of the control valve module can be accurately controlled to the microliter level.
[0008] Further, the breeding cage is provided with a liquid drop sensor. The liquid drop sensor is arranged below the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet nozzle. The liquid drop sensor is used for real-time monitoring of whether water drops and feeding back a signal to the central control unit.
[0009] Further, the central control unit further comprises an alarm module. When the residual water amount in the water drinking ball water bottle is lower than a set threshold value or the actual water drinking amount deviates from the set water drinking amount by more than 5%, the alarm unit issues an audible and visual alarm.
[0010] A precise water drinking regulation method for experimental mice, characterized by comprising the following steps:
[0011] S1, device initialization, injecting experimental drinking water or drinking water containing drugs into the four water drinking ball water bottles;
[0012] S2, selecting normal water drinking mode or control water drinking mode for the two breeding cages through the control panel or remote instruction;
[0013] If the normal water drinking mode is selected, the central control unit controls the water valve to be always open and the control valve to be always closed, so that the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet nozzle outputs the water in the water drinking ball water bottle. The mice can drink water freely by licking the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet nozzle.
[0014] If the control water drinking mode is selected, the central control unit controls the water valve to be always closed, so that the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet nozzle outputs the water in the control water drinking bottle and executes a preset water drinking control program.
[0015] S3. Set parameters. Users can set the following: daily total water consumption limit, single drinking time period and duration, water supply during a single drinking time period, and drinking interval.
[0016] S4. Program execution: The central control unit precisely controls the opening and closing time and frequency of the control valve according to the set program to achieve precise control of the drinking volume and drinking time, with control precision reaching micro-level. At the same time, the central control unit records and stores the actual drinking behavior data of mice in each feeding chamber in real time, including the number of drinking times, the amount of water consumed each time, and the drinking time.
[0017] S5. Data recording and feedback: After each drinking water program is completed, the central control unit stores the "execution time, set dose, actual dose, and deviation value" in the storage module, and the display screen updates the latest drinking water record; if a low water level or dose deviation exceeds the threshold occurs, the alarm unit is activated and the fault type is displayed on the screen.
[0018] S6. After the experiment, export the stored drinking records through the communication module or data export interface, disassemble the drinking ball water bottle, control water bottle, L-shaped water outlet and silicone tube for cleaning and disinfection, and clean the excrement collection trough at the bottom of the cage.
[0019] Furthermore, in the controlled drinking mode, combined with the feedback signal from the liquid drip sensor, when water is detected but the mouse does not lick it within a preset time, resulting in water waste, the central control unit can pause the water supply and record the abnormality.
[0020] Furthermore, by switching and controlling the side-by-side water bottle with ball bearings, controlling the water valves between the water bottles, and controlling the valves, different liquids can be provided to the same mouse at different times.
[0021] The beneficial effects achieved by the present invention using the above structure are as follows:
[0022] 1. One device can conduct experiments on two mice at the same time, which improves space utilization and experimental efficiency, saves equipment space and experimental costs, and is especially suitable for control experiments.
[0023] 2. It has two modes: normal drinking and controlled drinking, and can realize complex control schemes. It can precisely control the drinking time and amount of water in mice at the micro-level, meeting the high-standard scientific research needs.
[0024] 3. It has achieved automation of drinking water control and data recording, greatly reducing manual operation and errors.
[0025] 4. The program control module supports one-click mode switching and precise parameter setting, automatically records and exports drinking water data, reduces human error, and improves experimental efficiency.
[0026] 5. The dual-bottle design facilitates the provision of different solutions, increasing the flexibility of the experiment. Attached Figure Description
[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the precise drinking water control device for experimental mice proposed in this scheme.
[0028] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: 1. Cage; 2. Drinking unit; 3. Control unit; 4. Excrement collection trough; 5. Feeding unit; 6. Water bottle with ball bearing; 7. Control water bottle; 8. Drinking valve; 9. Control valve; 10. L-shaped stainless steel spout; 11. Food-grade silicone tubing; 12. Central control unit; 13. Control panel; 14. Liquid drip sensor. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the experimental mouse precise drinking control device proposed in this scheme includes a cage 1, two sets of drinking units 2 and a control unit 3. The bottom of the cage 1 is provided with a detachable excrement collection trough 4. The cage 1 is provided with a vertical partition plate along the length direction inside the cage 1. The partition plate divides the cage 1 into two independent feeding units 5 for feeding two experimental mice at the same time. The two sets of drinking units 2 are symmetrically installed on the outer sides of both ends of the cage 1. The control unit 3 is located above the cage 1.
[0031] The drinking unit 2 includes a ball-operated water bottle 6, a control water bottle 7, a drinking valve 8, and a control valve 9. The ball-operated water bottle 6 and the control water bottle 7 are arranged side by side. Both the ball-operated water bottle 6 and the control water bottle 7 have vertical markings on their bodies. The opening of the ball-operated water bottle 6 is facing downwards and is sealed to an L-shaped stainless steel spout 10. The lower end of the L-shaped stainless steel spout 10 penetrates the cage wall and extends into the corresponding feeding unit 5. The bottom of the control water bottle 7 is connected to the L-shaped stainless steel spout 10 of the ball-operated water bottle 6 through a food-grade silicone tube 11. The drinking valve 8 is located at one end of the L-shaped stainless steel spout 10, and the control valve 9 is located on the food-grade silicone tube 11.
[0032] The control unit 3 includes a central control unit 12 and a control panel 13. The control panel 13 is electrically connected to the central control unit 12 and is used for parameter setting and mode switching. The central control unit 12 includes a control motherboard, a data storage module, a power supply module, and a communication module. The central control unit 12 is electrically connected to the control valve 9 module and is controlled by it to open or close the water flow. The communication module is used for data exchange and remote control with an external computer or mobile terminal. The control valve 9 module is a high-precision micro-electromagnetic valve, and the liquid flow rate of its single opening can be precisely controlled to the microliter level.
[0033] The feeding chamber is equipped with a liquid dripping sensor 14, which is located below the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet 10. The liquid dripping sensor 14 is used to monitor whether water is dripping in real time and to feed the signal back to the central control unit 12.
[0034] The central control unit 12 also includes an alarm module. When the remaining water in the ball-bearing water bottle is lower than the set threshold or the actual drinking water volume deviates from the set drinking water volume by more than 5%, the alarm unit will issue an audible and visual alarm.
[0035] A method for precisely regulating the drinking water of laboratory mice, characterized by comprising the following steps:
[0036] S1. Equipment initialization: Fill the four ball bearing water bottles with experimental drinking water or drinking water containing medicine.
[0037] S2. Select the normal drinking mode or the controlled drinking mode for the two feeding chambers respectively via the control panel 13 or remote command.
[0038] If the normal drinking mode is selected, the central control unit 12 controls the drinking valve 8 to be normally open and the control valve 9 to be normally closed, so that the L-shaped stainless steel spout 10 outputs water from the drinking ball water bottle 6, and the mouse can drink freely by licking the L-shaped stainless steel spout 10.
[0039] If the water dispenser is selected to be controlled, the central control unit 12 controls the water valve 8 to be normally closed, so that the L-shaped stainless steel spout 10 outputs water from the water dispenser 7 and executes the preset water control program.
[0040] S3. Set parameters. Users can set the following: daily total water consumption limit, single drinking time period and duration, water supply during a single drinking time period, and drinking interval.
[0041] S4. Program execution: The central control unit 12 precisely controls the opening and closing time and frequency of the control valve 9 according to the set program to achieve precise control of the amount and time of drinking water, with control precision reaching micro-level. At the same time, the central control unit 12 records and stores the actual drinking behavior data of mice in each feeding chamber in real time, including the number of drinking times, the amount of water consumed each time, and the drinking time.
[0042] S5. Data recording and feedback: After each drinking water program is completed, the central control unit 12 stores the "execution time, set dose, actual dose, and deviation value" to the storage module, and the display screen updates the latest drinking water record; if a low water level or dose deviation exceeds the threshold occurs, the alarm unit is activated and the fault type is displayed on the screen.
[0043] S6. After the experiment, export the stored drinking water records through the communication module or data export interface, disassemble the drinking water ball bearing water bottle 6, control the drinking water bottle 7, L-shaped water outlet and silicone tube for cleaning and disinfection, and clean the excrement collection tank 4 at the bottom of the cage 1.
[0044] In the controlled drinking mode, combined with the feedback signal from the liquid drip sensor 14, when water is detected but the mouse does not lick it within a preset time, resulting in water waste, the central control unit 12 can pause the water supply and record the abnormality.
[0045] By switching between the side-by-side water bottle 6 and water bottle 7, and the control valve 8 and control valve 9, different liquids can be provided to the same mouse at different times.
[0046] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0047] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A precise drinking control device for laboratory mice, characterized in that: The device includes a cage, two sets of drinking water units, and a control unit. The bottom of the cage is equipped with a removable excrement collection trough. The cage is equipped with a vertical partition along its length, which divides the cage into two independent feeding units for simultaneously feeding two laboratory mice. The two sets of drinking water units are symmetrically installed on the outer sides of both ends of the cage. The control unit is located on the top of the cage.
2. The precise drinking control device for laboratory mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drinking unit includes a ball-operated water bottle, a control water bottle, a drinking valve, and a control valve. The ball-operated water bottle and the control water bottle are arranged side by side. Both the ball-operated water bottle and the control water bottle have vertically marked graduations on their bodies. The opening of the ball-operated water bottle is facing downwards and is sealed to an L-shaped stainless steel spout. The lower end of the L-shaped stainless steel spout penetrates the cage wall and extends into the corresponding feeding unit. The bottom of the control water bottle is connected to the L-shaped stainless steel spout of the ball-operated water bottle through a food-grade silicone tube. The drinking valve is located at one end of the L-shaped stainless steel spout, and the control valve is located on the food-grade silicone tube.
3. The precise drinking control device for laboratory mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit includes a central control unit and a control panel. The control panel is electrically connected to the central control unit and is used for parameter setting and mode switching. The central control unit includes a control motherboard, a data storage module, a power supply module, and a communication module. The central control unit is electrically connected to the control valve module and is controlled by it to open or close the water flow. The communication module is used for data exchange and remote control with an external computer or mobile terminal. The control valve module is a high-precision micro-electromagnetic valve, and the liquid flow rate of its single opening can be precisely controlled to the micro-liter level.
4. The precise drinking control device for laboratory mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding chamber is equipped with a liquid drip sensor located below the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet. The liquid drip sensor is used to monitor whether water is dripping in real time and to feed the signal back to the central control unit.
5. The precise drinking control device for laboratory mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central control unit also includes an alarm module. When the remaining water in the ball-bearing water bottle is lower than the set threshold or the actual drinking water volume deviates from the set drinking water volume by more than 5%, the alarm unit will issue an audible and visual alarm.
6. A method for precisely regulating the drinking water of experimental mice based on the device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Equipment initialization: Fill the four ball bearing water bottles with experimental drinking water or drinking water containing medicine. S2. Select the normal drinking mode or controlled drinking mode for each of the two feeding chambers via the control panel or remote command. If the normal drinking mode is selected, the central control unit controls the drinking valve to be normally open and the control valve to be normally closed, so that the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet spout outputs water from the drinking ball water bottle, and the mouse can drink freely by licking the L-shaped stainless steel water outlet spout. If the water dispenser is selected to be controlled, the central control unit controls the water valve to remain closed, so that the L-shaped stainless steel spout outputs water from the water dispenser and executes the preset water control program. S3. Set parameters. Users can set the following: daily total water consumption limit, single drinking time period and duration, water supply during a single drinking time period, and drinking interval. S4. Program execution: The central control unit precisely controls the opening and closing time and frequency of the control valve according to the set program to achieve precise control of the drinking volume and drinking time, with control precision reaching micro-level. At the same time, the central control unit records and stores the actual drinking behavior data of mice in each feeding chamber in real time, including the number of drinking times, the amount of water consumed each time, and the drinking time. S5. Data recording and feedback: After each drinking water program is completed, the central control unit stores the "execution time, set dose, actual dose, and deviation value" in the storage module, and the display screen updates the latest drinking water record; if a low water level or dose deviation exceeds the threshold occurs, the alarm unit is activated and the fault type is displayed on the screen. S6. After the experiment, export the stored drinking records through the communication module or data export interface, disassemble the drinking ball water bottle, control water bottle, L-shaped water outlet and silicone tube for cleaning and disinfection, and clean the excrement collection trough at the bottom of the cage.
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that: In the controlled drinking mode, based on the feedback signal from the liquid drip sensor, when water is detected but the mouse does not lick it within a preset time, resulting in water waste, the central control unit can pause the water supply and record the abnormality.
8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that: By switching between side-by-side water bottles with ball bearings, controlling the water valves between the water bottles, and controlling the valves, different liquids can be provided to the same mouse at different times.