A small animal abdominal massage experimental device based on respiratory gating feedback

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of based on respiratory gating feedback small animal abdomen massage experimental device, comprising: operating table, massage instrument cantilever, massage instrument assembly. Operating table is thin flat structure;Operating table is distributed with experimental mouse fixed bandage;Massage instrument cantilever includes the vertical column of one side of operating table, and the horizontal column is fixedly connected with the top of vertical column in one end;The other end of horizontal column extends to the top of operating table and is equipped with mounting position;Massage instrument assembly is fixedly installed in mounting position;Massage instrument assembly includes rotation drive motor, constant pressure buffer piece and flexible massage ball connected in sequence along vertical direction;Constant pressure buffer piece is used to adjust the distance between flexible massage head and rotation drive motor according to the pressure generated by flexible massage head to constant pressure buffer piece. The application can control the pressure on the abdomen of experimental mouse in a smaller range, avoid stress caused by excessive compression on the abdomen of experimental mouse, and improve data accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of animal medical experimental technology, specifically to an experimental device for abdominal massage in small animals based on respiratory gating feedback. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, many research projects in the fields of experimental medicine and animal modeling in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) require extensive animal experiments to verify the neuroimmunological mechanisms (such as the vagus nerve-CAP pathway) of TCM abdominal massage techniques. Existing animal experiments primarily involve manual abdominal massage of small rodents such as mice by laboratory technicians. This approach has drawbacks: differences in technique between operators and variations in fatigue levels among the same operator lead to inconsistent pressure, frequency, and effective duration, severely impacting the reproducibility and reliability of experimental data. Patent application number 202120643995.9 discloses an abdominal massage device for animal experiments. This technical solution involves controlling operating parameters via a controller and using a drive motor to rotate a massage ball, thereby massaging the abdomen of experimental animals. The aforementioned methods all suffer from the following problems: In practice, small rodents such as mice have extremely rapid respiratory rates (approximately 85 breaths / min), resulting in significant abdominal movement. Therefore, the rigid robotic arms used in these methods cannot sense and respond to this abdominal movement, easily causing excessive compression during inhalation (abdomen bulging), which can induce stress responses and interfere with the detection of immune indicators. Furthermore, these methods cannot maintain abdominal warmth during massage, easily inducing defensive contractions of the abdominal muscles and sympathetic nerve excitation. This masks the vagus nerve activation effect of the massage, leading to inaccurate experimental results. Therefore, developing a novel small animal abdominal massage experimental device that overcomes the problems of the existing technology is a direction that requires further research by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a small animal abdominal massage experimental device based on respiratory gating feedback, which can control the pressure on the abdomen of experimental mice within a small range, avoid stress caused by excessive compression of the abdomen of experimental mice, and improve data accuracy.

[0004] This invention provides a small animal abdominal massage experimental device based on respiratory gating feedback, comprising:

[0005] An operating table, which has a thin, flat structure; the operating table is equipped with fixing straps and is used to fix experimental mice.

[0006] The massage device cantilever includes a vertical column fixedly installed on one side of the operating table, and a horizontal column whose one end is rotatably connected to the top of the vertical column; the other end of the horizontal column is provided with a mounting position and extends to the top of the operating table.

[0007] A massage device assembly is fixedly installed in the mounting position; the massage device assembly includes a rotary drive motor, a constant pressure buffer, and a flexible massage ball arranged sequentially in a vertical direction; the output shaft of the rotary drive motor is connected to one end of the constant pressure buffer, and the other end of the constant pressure buffer is connected to the flexible massage head; the constant pressure buffer is configured to adjust the distance between the flexible massage head and the rotary drive motor according to the pressure generated by the flexible massage head on the constant pressure buffer;

[0008] The flexible massage head is used to press on the abdomen of the experimental mouse.

[0009] The vertical column and the horizontal column can be rotatably connected by setting a pivot.

[0010] This technical solution involves first securing the experimental mouse to the operating table with its abdomen facing upwards using straps; then operating the massage device's cantilever arm so that the flexible massage head rests against the mouse's abdomen. The rotary drive motor is then activated, causing the flexible massage head to rotate on the mouse's abdomen, thus performing abdominal massage. During this process, a constant-pressure buffer adjusts the distance between the flexible massage head and the rotary drive motor based on the pressure changes generated by the mouse's abdomen on the flexible massage head during respiration. This ensures that the pressure exerted by the flexible massage head on the mouse's abdomen remains within a specific range. When the mouse's abdomen expands with respiration, the distance between the flexible massage head and the rotary drive motor is shortened, reducing the pressure on the abdomen; when the mouse's abdomen contracts with respiration, the distance between the flexible massage head and the rotary drive motor is restored to prevent excessive pressure. This avoids excessive pressure on the mouse's abdomen, preventing stress during the experiment and improving data accuracy.

[0011] Preferably, in the above-mentioned animal abdominal massage experimental device, the flexible massage head is detachably mounted on the constant pressure buffer;

[0012] The flexible massage head has a hemispherical silicone cap on its surface; the interior of the hemispherical silicone cap has a cavity, and an annular heating film is installed in the cavity; the annular heating film is configured to heat the hemispherical silicone cap. The annular heating film can be powered by a built-in battery. When powered by the built-in battery, the built-in battery can be replaced after the flexible massage head is removed.

[0013] This technical solution involves securing the laboratory mouse to the operating table with its abdomen facing upwards using straps. The massage device's cantilever arm is operated, allowing the flexible massage head to contact the mouse's abdomen. A rotary drive motor is activated, causing the flexible massage head to rotate on the mouse's abdomen, thus performing abdominal massage. Simultaneously, a ring-shaped heating film provides continuous, constant-temperature heating to the hemispherical silicone cap, preventing the flexible massage head from causing cold stimulation to the mouse's abdomen during the experiment. This avoids triggering defensive contractions of the abdominal muscles and sympathetic nerve excitation, which could mask the vagus nerve activation effect of the massage and lead to inaccurate experimental data.

[0014] Preferably, in the above-mentioned animal abdominal massage experimental device, the constant pressure buffer includes a first fixed plate, a spring member, and a second fixed plate connected in sequence; the upper side of the first fixed plate is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the rotary drive motor; the lower side of the second fixed plate is detachably and fixedly connected to the flexible massage head; one end of the spring member is connected to the lower side of the first fixed plate, and the other end is connected to the upper side of the second fixed plate.

[0015] This technical solution involves securing the laboratory mouse to the operating table with its abdomen facing upwards using straps. The massage device's cantilever arm is operated, allowing the flexible massage head to contact the mouse's abdomen. A rotary drive motor is activated, causing the flexible massage head to rotate on the mouse's abdomen, providing abdominal massage. When the mouse's abdomen inflates with respiration, a spring compresses, shortening the distance between the flexible massage head and the rotary drive motor, reducing pressure on the mouse's abdomen. When the mouse's abdomen contracts with respiration, the spring returns to its original position, increasing the distance between the flexible massage head and the rotary drive motor. This avoids excessive pressure on the mouse's abdomen, preventing stress during the experiment and improving data accuracy.

[0016] Another preferred embodiment is that, in the above-mentioned animal abdominal massage experimental device, the constant pressure buffer includes a first fixed plate, a stepper motor, a linear screw transmission mechanism, a pressure sensor, a control module, and a second fixed plate.

[0017] The first fixing plate is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the rotary drive motor; the first fixing plate is also equipped with the stepper motor and the helical transmission mechanism; the output shaft of the stepper motor is connected to the linear helical transmission mechanism; the helical transmission mechanism is connected to the second fixing plate; the stepper motor is used to adjust the distance between the second fixing plate and the first fixing plate through the helical transmission mechanism; the pressure sensor is installed on the upper side of the second fixing plate; the lower side of the second fixing plate is detachably and fixedly connected to the flexible massage head.

[0018] The control module is connected to the pressure sensor and the stepper motor respectively. The pressure sensor is configured to obtain a pressure value when the flexible massage head presses on the abdomen of the experimental mouse. The control module is configured to read the pressure value and adjust the stepper motor to work and shorten the distance between the second fixing plate and the first fixing plate when the pressure value reaches a preset threshold.

[0019] Specifically: the linear screw drive mechanism includes a linear support, a threaded rod, and a screw-nut slider; the top of the linear support is connected to the first fixed plate, and a guide shaft is provided on the linear support; the upper end of the threaded rod is connected to the output shaft of the stepper motor through a coupling; the screw-nut slider is rotatably mounted on the threaded rod and connected to the guide shaft through a positioning ring; the screw-nut slider is connected to the second fixed plate as a whole through an intermediate connecting rod.

[0020] This technical solution involves securing the laboratory mouse to the operating table with its abdomen facing upwards using a strap. The cantilever of the massage device is operated, allowing the flexible massage head to contact the mouse's abdomen. A rotary drive motor is activated, causing the flexible massage head to rotate on the mouse's abdomen, thus providing abdominal massage. During this process, the pressure exerted by the mouse's abdomen on the flexible massage head fluctuates with the mouse's breathing. A pressure sensor collects this pressure value in real time, and the control module reads this value, accordingly controlling the stepper motor to rotate forward / reverse. This ensures that when the mouse's abdomen expands with breathing, the distance between the flexible massage head and the rotary drive motor is shortened; conversely, when the mouse's abdomen expands with breathing, the distance between the flexible massage head and the rotary drive motor is increased.

[0021] Preferably, the control module in the above-mentioned animal abdominal massage experimental device is implemented using an ESP-22NODEMCU. The control module can be further integrated with the stepper motor.

[0022] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: First, this invention achieves precise quantification and control of the four key elements of "force-heat-time-frequency" in animal massage experiments, eliminating human error and greatly improving the reliability of experimental data from National Natural Science Foundation of China projects. Second, through biomimetic silicone, constant temperature heating, and respiratory buffer design, this invention minimizes the pain and fear stress of experimental animals, meets ethical requirements, and obtains purer "vagus nerve-immune" response data. Finally, this invention solves the technical problem that existing mechanical devices are prone to poor contact or crush damage due to fluctuations in animal breathing. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention. The pivot between the vertical column and the horizontal column is omitted in this diagram.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the massage device component in Example 1.

[0025] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of the constant pressure buffer in Example 2. The signal connections between the control module, pressure sensor, and stepper motor are omitted in this diagram.

[0026] Figure 4 This is the circuit diagram of the main control module in Example 2.

[0027] The component names corresponding to the various reference numerals in the diagram are as follows:

[0028] 100. Operating table; 200. Massager cantilever; 300. Massager assembly; 110. Fixing strap; 210. Vertical column; 220. Horizontal column; 310. Rotary drive motor; 321. First fixing plate; 322. Spring component; 323. Second fixing plate; 330. Flexible massage head; 331. Hemispherical silicone cap; 332. Annular heating film; 350. Pressure sensor; 360. Control module; 341. Linear support; 342. Threaded rod; 343. Screw nut slider; 344. Guide optical axis; 345. Coupling; 346. Stepper motor; 347. Positioning ring; 348. Intermediate connecting rod. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Example 1, please refer to Figure 1-2 :

[0031] An experimental device for abdominal massage in small animals based on respiratory gating feedback includes: an operating table 100, a massager cantilever 200, and a massager assembly 300.

[0032] The operating table 100 has a thin, flat plate structure; fixing straps 110 are distributed on the operating table 100, and the experimental mouse is fixed to the upper surface of the plate by the fixing straps 110.

[0033] The massage device cantilever 200 includes a vertical column 210 fixedly installed on one side of the operating table 100, and a horizontal column 220 with one end rotatably connected to the top of the vertical column 210; the other end of the horizontal column 220 is provided with a mounting position and extends to the top of the operating table 100.

[0034] The massage device assembly 300 is fixedly installed in the mounting position; the massage device assembly 300 includes a rotary drive motor 310, a constant pressure buffer, and a flexible massage ball arranged sequentially in the vertical direction; the output shaft of the rotary drive motor 310 is connected to one end of the constant pressure buffer, and the other end of the constant pressure buffer is connected to the flexible massage head 330; the constant pressure buffer is configured to adjust the distance between the flexible massage head 330 and the rotary drive motor 310 according to the pressure generated by the flexible massage head 330 on the constant pressure buffer;

[0035] The flexible massage head 330 is used to press the abdomen of the experimental mouse. The surface of the flexible massage head 330 is provided with a hemispherical silicone cap 331; the interior of the hemispherical silicone cap 331 is provided with a cavity, and an annular heating film 332 is installed in the cavity; the annular heating film 332 is configured to provide heat to the hemispherical silicone cap 331.

[0036] The constant pressure buffer includes a first fixing plate 321, a spring 322, and a second fixing plate 323 connected in sequence; the upper side of the first fixing plate 321 is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the rotary drive motor 310; the lower side of the second fixing plate 323 is detachably and fixedly connected to the flexible massage head 330; one end of the spring 322 is connected to the lower side of the first fixing plate 321, and the other end is connected to the upper side of the second fixing plate 323.

[0037] Its working process is as follows:

[0038] The laboratory mouse is secured to the operating table 100 with its abdomen facing upwards using a fixing strap 110. A flexible massage head 330 is attached, and the annular heating film 332 is activated. The massage device cantilever 200 is operated so that the flexible massage head 330 rests against the mouse's abdomen. The rotary drive motor 310 is activated, causing the flexible massage head 330 to rotate on the mouse's abdomen, thus performing abdominal massage. When the mouse's abdomen expands with respiration, the spring 322 compresses, thereby shortening the distance between the flexible massage head 330 and the rotary drive motor 310, reducing pressure on the mouse's abdomen. When the mouse's abdomen contracts with respiration, the spring 322 returns to its original position, increasing the distance between the flexible massage head 330 and the rotary drive motor 310. This controls the pressure on the mouse's abdomen within a small range, avoiding excessive compression that could cause stress during the experiment and improving data accuracy. Meanwhile, the annular heating film 332 provides continuous constant temperature heating to the hemispherical silicone cap 331, avoiding cold stimulation of the experimental mouse's abdomen by the flexible massage head 330 during the experiment, and preventing the experimental mouse's abdominal muscles from contracting defensively and the sympathetic nerves from being excited.

[0039] Example 2, please refer to Figure 3-4 :

[0040] The difference between Example 2 and Example 1 is that, in this example, the constant pressure buffer does not include the spring 322. Accordingly, in this example, the constant pressure buffer includes a first fixed plate 321, a stepper motor 346, a linear screw drive mechanism, a pressure sensor 350, a control module 360, and a second fixed plate 323.

[0041] The first fixing plate 321 is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the rotary drive motor 310; the first fixing plate 321 is also equipped with the stepper motor 346 and the helical transmission mechanism; and the output shaft of the stepper motor 346 is connected to the linear helical transmission mechanism; the helical transmission mechanism is connected to the second fixing plate 323; the stepper motor 346 is used to adjust the distance between the second fixing plate 323 and the first fixing plate 321 through the helical transmission mechanism; the pressure sensor 350 is installed on the upper side of the second fixing plate 323; the lower side of the second fixing plate 323 is connected to the flexible massage head 3. 30. The detachable fixed connection is integrated into one unit; in this example, the linear screw transmission mechanism includes a linear bracket 341, a threaded rod 342, and a screw nut slider 343; the top of the linear bracket 341 is connected to the first fixed plate 321, and a guide optical shaft 344 is provided on the linear bracket 341; the upper end of the threaded rod 342 is connected to the output shaft of the stepper motor through a coupling 345; the screw nut slider 343 is rotatably mounted on the threaded rod 342 and connected to the guide optical shaft 344 through a positioning ring 347; the screw nut slider 343 is integrated with the second fixed plate 323 through an intermediate connecting rod 348.

[0042] The control module 360 ​​is connected to the pressure sensor 350 and the stepper motor 346 respectively. The pressure sensor 350 is configured to obtain a pressure value when the flexible massage head 330 presses on the abdomen of the experimental mouse. The control module 360 ​​is configured to read the pressure value and, when the pressure value reaches a preset threshold, adjust the operation of the stepper motor 346 and shorten the distance between the second fixing plate 323 and the first fixing plate 321. In this example, the control module 360 ​​is implemented using an ESP-22NODE MCU.

[0043] Its working process is as follows:

[0044] The laboratory mouse is secured to the operating table 100 with its abdomen facing upwards using a fixing strap 110. The cantilever 200 of the massage device is operated so that the flexible massage head 330 rests against the mouse's abdomen. The rotary drive motor 310 is activated, causing the flexible massage head 330 to rotate on the mouse's abdomen, thus performing abdominal massage. During the process, the pressure exerted by the mouse's abdomen on the flexible massage head 330 fluctuates with the mouse's breathing. The pressure sensor 350 collects this pressure value in real time, and the control module 360 ​​reads this pressure value and controls the stepper motor 346 to rotate forward / reverse accordingly. This means that when the mouse's abdomen expands with breathing, the distance between the flexible massage head 330 and the rotary drive motor 310 is shortened; when the mouse's abdomen expands with breathing, the distance between the flexible massage head 330 and the rotary drive motor 310 is increased. This controls the pressure on the mouse's abdomen within a small range, avoiding excessive compression that could cause stress during the experiment and improving data accuracy. Meanwhile, the annular heating film 332 provides continuous constant temperature heating to the hemispherical silicone cap 331, avoiding cold stimulation of the experimental mouse's abdomen by the flexible massage head 330 during the experiment, and preventing the experimental mouse's abdominal muscles from contracting defensively and the sympathetic nerves from being excited.

[0045] In the above embodiments 1-2, the following standard parameters can also be set:

[0046] (1) Temperature setting: 38℃ (simulates human hand temperature to avoid cold stress).

[0047] (2) Frequency setting: 120 revolutions / minute (i.e. 2Hz, which simulates the frequency of human hand rubbing the abdomen and has been proven to be the most effective way to activate the vagus nerve).

[0048] (3) Pressure setting: 1.5N (constant pressure to ensure no damage to internal organs).

[0049] (4) Trajectory setting: clockwise circular motion (simulating "smoothing the spleen earth").

[0050] Compared with existing technologies, this invention achieves for the first time the precise quantification and control of the four key elements of "force-heat-time-frequency" in animal massage experiments, eliminating human error and greatly improving the reliability of experimental data from National Natural Science Foundation of China projects. Through biomimetic silicone, constant-temperature heating, and respiratory buffering design, it minimizes the pain and fear stress of experimental animals, meets ethical requirements, and yields purer "vagus nerve-immune" response data. It also solves the technical problem of existing mechanical devices easily causing poor contact or crush damage due to fluctuations in animal breathing.

[0051] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A small animal abdominal massage experimental device based on respiratory gating feedback, comprising: An operating table, wherein the operating table has a thin, flat plate structure; the operating table is provided with fixing straps and is used to fix experimental mice; characterized in that it further includes: The massage device cantilever includes a vertical column fixedly installed on one side of the operating table, and a horizontal column whose one end is rotatably connected to the top of the vertical column; the other end of the horizontal column is provided with a mounting position and extends to the top of the operating table. A massage device assembly is fixedly installed in the mounting position; the massage device assembly includes a rotary drive motor, a constant pressure buffer, and a flexible massage ball arranged sequentially in a vertical direction; the output shaft of the rotary drive motor is connected to one end of the constant pressure buffer, and the other end of the constant pressure buffer is connected to the flexible massage head; the constant pressure buffer is configured to adjust the distance between the flexible massage head and the rotary drive motor according to the pressure generated by the flexible massage head on the constant pressure buffer. The flexible massage head is used to press on the abdomen of the experimental mouse.

2. The experimental apparatus for abdominal massage in small animals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible massage head is detachably mounted on the constant pressure buffer. The surface of the flexible massage head is provided with a hemispherical silicone cap; the interior of the hemispherical silicone cap is provided with a cavity, and an annular heating film is installed in the cavity; the annular heating film is configured to provide heat to the hemispherical silicone cap.

3. The experimental apparatus for abdominal massage in small animals according to claim 2, characterized in that, The constant pressure buffer includes a first fixed plate, a spring, and a second fixed plate connected in sequence; the upper side of the first fixed plate is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the rotary drive motor; the lower side of the second fixed plate is detachably and fixedly connected to the flexible massage head; one end of the spring is connected to the lower side of the first fixed plate and the other end is connected to the upper side of the second fixed plate.

4. The experimental apparatus for abdominal massage in small animals according to claim 2, characterized in that, The constant pressure buffer includes a first fixed plate, a stepper motor, a linear screw transmission mechanism, a pressure sensor, a control module, and a second fixed plate. The first fixing plate is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the rotary drive motor; the first fixing plate is also equipped with the stepper motor and the helical transmission mechanism; the output shaft of the stepper motor is connected to the linear helical transmission mechanism; the helical transmission mechanism is connected to the second fixing plate; the stepper motor is used to adjust the distance between the second fixing plate and the first fixing plate through the helical transmission mechanism; the pressure sensor is installed on the upper side of the second fixing plate; the lower side of the second fixing plate is detachably and fixedly connected to the flexible massage head. The control module is connected to the pressure sensor and the stepper motor respectively. The pressure sensor is configured to obtain a pressure value when the flexible massage head presses on the abdomen of the experimental mouse. The control module is configured to read the pressure value and adjust the stepper motor to work and shorten the distance between the second fixing plate and the first fixing plate when the pressure value reaches a preset threshold.

5. The experimental apparatus for abdominal massage in small animals according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control module is implemented using an ESP-22NODE MCU.

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