Small animal living body imager

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of living body imagers, in particular to a small animal living body imager which comprises a shell, a switch door, a control box and a fixed anesthesia mechanism. The opening and closing door is installed on the side face of the shell and combined with the shell to form a sealed space when the opening and closing door is closed. The control box is mounted on the upper surface of the shell, and the fixed anesthesia mechanism is mounted in the shell; the fixed anesthesia mechanism comprises a connecting block, an anesthesia assembly and a telescopic assembly; the connecting block is mounted on the mounting plate, the anesthesia assembly is mounted on the side face of the connecting plate, and the telescopic assembly is mounted in the anesthesia assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of live imaging technology, specifically to a live imaging device for small animals. Background Technology

[0002] Small animal in vivo imaging is a device used for real-time imaging and observation within living animals. It is widely used in biomedical research, particularly in drug development, oncology, neuroscience, and disease model research. It offers various imaging modalities, such as optical imaging, fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and ultrasound imaging. These imaging instruments allow scientists to directly observe the dynamic processes of tissues, organs, and cells within the body without sacrificing the animal, including tumor growth, drug distribution, and cellular activity. They are non-invasive and offer high resolution. Common small animal in vivo imaging techniques include: Optical imaging: using fluorescence or bioluminescence for imaging, suitable for short-duration imaging. MRI: a high-resolution in vivo imaging technique using strong magnetic fields and radio waves. PET / SPECT: combining radiolabels to scan and obtain the distribution of metabolic or biomarkers. Ultrasound imaging: using sound waves for imaging, providing dynamic observation of deeper tissues. These instruments are often combined with specialized biomarkers or fluorescent probes to track specific biological processes or disease states.

[0003] Existing small animal live imaging devices continuously inject anesthetic gas into the imaging cavity during operation. In order to facilitate simultaneous observation and imaging of multiple small animals, multiple anesthesia outlets are often set in the imaging cavity, resulting in a large amount of anesthetic gas being wasted. At the same time, the long-term injection of anesthetic gas causes a large amount of anesthetic gas to accumulate in the imaging cavity, which may affect the operator when the door is opened.

[0004] In view of the above, in order to overcome the above technical problems, this utility model designs a small animal live imaging device, which solves the above technical problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical objective of this invention is to make the fixation and release of small animals faster and more efficient by designing a fixing component, taking into account the use of anesthetic gas under different imaging requirements, and flexibly opening and closing the anesthetic gas release channel.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A small animal live imaging device includes a housing, a switch door, a control box, and a fixed anesthesia mechanism; the switch door is installed on the side of the housing, and when closed, it combines with the housing to form a sealed space; the control box is installed on the top of the housing, and the fixed anesthesia mechanism is installed inside the housing; the fixed anesthesia mechanism includes a connecting block, an anesthesia component, and a telescopic component; the connecting block is installed on a mounting plate, the anesthesia component is installed on the side of the connecting plate, and the telescopic component is installed inside the anesthesia component.

[0008] Preferably, the fixed anesthesia device includes a fixation plate, a fixation assembly, and an anesthesia inhalation tube;

[0009] The fixing plate is installed inside the outer shell, the fixing component is installed on top of the fixing plate, the anesthesia inlet tube is installed inside the outer shell, and one end of the anesthesia inlet tube is connected to the back of the connecting block.

[0010] Preferably, the fixing component includes a fixing strip, a fixing ratchet, and a mating strip;

[0011] The fixing strip is installed on the top of the fixing plate, the fixing ratchet is provided on the outer side of the fixing strip, and the mating strip is installed next to the fixing strip.

[0012] Preferably, the outer side of the mating strip is provided with an installation groove, an installation block is installed on the top of the mating strip, and a snap-fit ​​block is installed in the middle of the installation block.

[0013] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the snap-fit ​​block is T-shaped, and the lower end of the side of the snap-fit ​​block is a bevel.

[0014] Preferably, the side of the connecting block connected to the anesthesia inlet tube has an inlet channel, a transition channel is provided next to the inlet channel, and an outlet channel is provided on the other side of the transition channel; the inlet channel and the outlet channel are conical.

[0015] Preferably, the anesthesia assembly includes an anesthesia sleeve, an input slot, a control slot, and a limiting slide.

[0016] The anesthesia sleeve is installed on the side of the connecting block, the input groove is opened on the side of the anesthesia sleeve, and the limiting slide groove annular array is opened on the inner side of the anesthesia sleeve.

[0017] Preferably, the telescopic assembly includes a control block, an air inlet, a limiting block, a connecting column, a support spring, and a control ball;

[0018] The control block is installed inside the anesthesia assembly, the annular array of air inlets is formed on the surface of the control block, the limiting block is installed on the side of the control block, the connecting column is installed below the control block, the support spring is installed below the control block, and the control ball is installed below the connecting column.

[0019] Preferably, the limiting block is configured as a fan-shaped ring, and the height value of the limiting block is set to half the height value of the control block.

[0020] Preferably, the radius of the control ball is set to be the same as the radius of the control groove.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects achieved by this utility model are as follows:

[0022] 1. This utility model, through the design of a fixing component, makes the process of fixing and releasing small animals faster and more efficient. The fixing component employs a flexible structure, enabling quick and secure fixation of small animals to the operating table, and rapid release through simple operations, thus saving significant time. This design not only improves work efficiency but also effectively helps operators adjust the posture of the small animals, ensuring they are in the correct posture and position during imaging, providing greater convenience for subsequent operations.

[0023] 2. This invention also integrates anesthesia and telescopic components, fully considering the usage of anesthetic gas under different imaging needs. Through a flexible anesthetic gas release channel, operators can adjust the number of animals required during imaging as needed, thereby precisely controlling the flow rate and release time of the anesthetic gas. The anesthesia component achieves immediate use by instantly opening and closing the anesthetic gas channel, avoiding waste of anesthetic gas.

[0024] 3. This invention not only improves the efficiency of anesthetic gas utilization but also effectively reduces the impact of anesthetic gases on operators, lowering the risk of exposure and ensuring their health and safety. Simultaneously, the automated anesthetic gas management system accelerates the entire workflow and improves efficiency during animal imaging. Overall, this invention significantly enhances the accuracy and efficiency of imaging operations by optimizing the coordination of fixation, anesthesia, and telescopic components, and has broad application prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed anesthesia mechanism of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a utility model Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the cooperation between the mounting block and the snap-fit ​​block of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the connecting block of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the anesthesia component and the telescopic component of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the anesthesia component of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the anesthesia component and the telescopic component of this utility model.

[0035] In the diagram: 1. Outer shell; 2. Opening / closing door; 3. Control box; 4. Fixed anesthesia mechanism; 41. Fixing plate; 42. Fixing component; 421. Fixing strip; 422. Fixing ratchet; 423. Matching strip; 424. Mounting groove; 425. Mounting block; 426. Snap-fit ​​block; 43. Anesthesia gas delivery tube; 44. Connecting block; 441. Inlet channel; 442. Transition channel; 443. Outlet channel; 45. Anesthesia component; 451. Anesthesia sleeve; 452. Input groove; 453. Control groove; 454. Limiting slide; 46. Telescopic component; 461. Control block; 462. Gas delivery port; 463. Limiting block; 464. Connecting column; 465. Support spring; 466. Control ball. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0037] like Figure 1-8As shown, its structural design includes an outer shell 1, a switch door 2, a control box 3, and a fixed anesthesia mechanism 4. The outer shell 1 is the main supporting component of the equipment, providing a safe and enclosed operating space. The switch door 2 is installed on the side of the outer shell 1 and can be opened and closed flexibly via hinges or sliding rails. When the switch door 2 is closed, it is tightly connected to the outer shell 1, forming a sealed operating environment to ensure the safety and stability of the imaging process while preventing anesthetic gas leakage. The control box 3 is located above the outer shell 1 and integrates the equipment's operating interface and electronic control module, facilitating settings and monitoring by the operator.

[0038] The fixation and anesthesia mechanism 4 is a crucial component of this equipment, installed inside the outer casing 1, responsible for the fixation and anesthesia of small animals. This mechanism includes a connecting block 44, an anesthesia component 45, and a telescopic component 46. The connecting block 44 is securely mounted on the mounting plate inside the equipment, providing support and positioning. The anesthesia component 45 is fixed to the side of the connecting block 44, precisely delivering anesthetic gas through a specially designed channel to ensure the stability of the small animal during imaging. The telescopic component 46, located inside the anesthesia component 45, can be finely adjusted according to the animal's size and posture, flexibly adapting to different experimental needs. The entire device is compact, functionally integrated, and easy to operate, providing an efficient solution for in vivo imaging of small animals.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the fixation and anesthesia mechanism 4 is an important component of the small animal live imaging system. Its design comprises three main parts: a fixation plate 41, a fixation assembly 42, and anesthesia gas delivery tube 43. The fixation plate 41 is securely installed inside the equipment housing 1, providing a stable mounting base for the fixation assembly 42. The fixation assembly 42 is installed above the fixation plate 41, reliably fixing the small animal and ensuring it maintains a stable posture during imaging, avoiding image deviations caused by movement. The anesthesia gas delivery tube 43 is one of the core components of the anesthesia system, installed inside the housing 1, with a compact and rationally arranged design. One end of the anesthesia gas delivery tube 43 is connected to the back of the connecting block 44, precisely delivering anesthetic gas to the fixation area, providing appropriate anesthesia support for the small animal. The entire fixation and anesthesia mechanism 4 has a scientifically designed structure and clearly defined functions, ensuring the safety and stability of the small animal during imaging operations.

[0040] like Figure 3As shown, the fixation component 42 is a crucial part of the fixation anesthesia mechanism 4. Its design includes a fixation bar 421, a fixation ratchet 422, and a mating bar 423, exhibiting a sophisticated structure and clearly defined functions. The fixation bar 421 is securely mounted above the fixation plate 41, serving as the primary support and fixation component, providing a stable fixation point for the small animal. The fixation ratchet 422 is cleverly positioned on the outer surface of the fixation bar 421; its toothed design allows for multi-level adjustment, effectively preventing loosening and ensuring the firmness and reliability of the fixation. The mating bar 423 is installed adjacent to the fixation bar 421, further enhancing the stability of the fixation through its interaction with the fixation ratchet 422, while also providing a wider range of adjustment to accommodate the needs of small animals of different sizes. The overall design is simple and practical, ensuring that the small animal maintains a stable posture during imaging operations, providing an important guarantee for the accuracy of experimental results.

[0041] The outer side of the mating strip 423 has a mounting groove 424 for securing the component's installation and positioning. A mounting block 425 is installed above the mating strip 423. This mounting block 425 not only serves as a connection and support but also provides a foundation for fixing the snap-fit ​​block 426. The snap-fit ​​block 426 is located in the center of the mounting block 425, and its cross-section is designed in a T-shape to fully consider ease of operation. The upper part of the T-shape is easy to hold, enhancing the grip and control during operation and ensuring smooth adjustment. The lower end of the side of the snap-fit ​​block 426 is specially designed as a bevel. This design effectively improves the snap-fit ​​efficiency with the fixing ratchet 422, making the snap-fit ​​process smoother and more secure. The bevel simplifies the operation steps and enhances the stability of the fixation, thus providing a reliable guarantee for the efficient operation of the equipment. The overall structure is precise and user-friendly, balancing practicality and ease of operation.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the design of the connecting block 44 fully considers the delivery and flow requirements of anesthetic gas. One side, connected to the anesthetic gas delivery tube 43, has an inlet channel 441 for receiving anesthetic gas. Next to the inlet channel 441, a transition channel 442 is cleverly designed to ensure a smooth transition of gas from the inlet to the outlet. The other side of the transition channel 442 is further designed as an outlet channel 443 for precisely delivering the anesthetic gas to the target area. To optimize gas flow characteristics, both the inlet channel 441 and the outlet channel 443 adopt a conical design. This structure not only reduces gas flow resistance but also effectively prevents gas leakage, ensuring the stability and efficiency of delivery. The entire channel design is reasonable, smooth, and safe, providing reliable technical support for anesthesia operations.

[0043] like Figure 6-7As shown, the anesthesia assembly 45 features a sophisticated design and comprehensive functions, including an anesthesia sleeve 451, an input channel 452, a control channel 453, and limiting grooves 454. The anesthesia sleeve 451 is securely mounted on the side of the connecting block 44, serving as the core channel for anesthetic gas transmission and ensuring high efficiency and stability during delivery. The input channel 452 on the side of the sleeve guides the anesthetic gas into the sleeve, ensuring a clear gas flow direction and easy operation. Multiple limiting grooves 454 are arranged in a circular array on the inner side of the anesthesia sleeve 451 to precisely guide the movement of internal components, enhancing the system's sealing and adjustment performance. This design not only improves the accuracy of gas delivery but also effectively prevents gas leakage and component loosening, providing a reliable guarantee for the stable operation of the equipment.

[0044] The telescopic assembly 46 is designed to enhance the flexibility and adaptability of the device. Its structure includes a control block 461, gas inlets 462, a limiting block 463, a connecting post 464, a support spring 465, and a control ball 466. These components work in coordination to achieve efficient functionality. The control block 461 is the core of the telescopic assembly 46, installed inside the anesthesia assembly 45, responsible for the connection of the overall structure and the regulation of gas flow. The surface of the control block 461 has a uniformly distributed annular array of gas inlets 462, designed to evenly release anesthetic gas, ensuring uniform and effective gas distribution. The limiting block 463 is installed on the side of the control block 461, stabilizing the assembly's movement trajectory and preventing deviation or loosening. The connecting post 464 is located below the control block 461, forming a support system together with the support spring 465. The support spring 465 provides elastic support while allowing for fine-tuning of the assembly's vertical movement to accommodate small animals of different sizes. The control ball 466 is fixed to the lower end of the connecting column 464 and is designed in an easy-to-operate shape, facilitating the adjustment of the position of the telescopic component 46 by the operator, thus improving the accuracy and convenience of operation. The overall structure is compact and reasonable, meeting diverse experimental needs and providing strong technical support for equipment operation.

[0045] like Figure 6 As shown, the limiting block 463 is configured as a fan-shaped ring. This fan-shaped design allows the limiting block 463 to closely fit the curved surface structure of the control block 461 while providing sufficient support area. This shape effectively disperses external forces, preventing the component from wobbling or shifting during operation and improving overall stability. The height of the limiting block 463 is set to half the height of the control block 461, allowing the main body of the control block 461 to move freely within the anesthesia sleeve 451. The limiting block 463 is precisely engaged in the limiting groove 454, limiting the movement distance of the control block 461.

[0046] The radius of the control ball 466 is set to be the same as the radius of the control groove 453. This ensures that when the control ball 466 is in the control groove 453, the anesthetic gas cannot escape from the control groove 453, thus realizing the on / off control function of the anesthesia component 45.

[0047] In operation, the operator secures the small animal in the fixing component 42. The specific operation is as follows:

[0048] Place the small animal between the fixing strip 421 and the mating strip 423, adjust its desired imaging posture, snap the fixing strip 421 into the mounting slot 424, move the snapping block 426 up, and after fixing, move the snapping block 426 down so that the snapping block 426 and the fixing ratchet 422 snap and fix it.

[0049] When the head of the small animal is pressed against the control block 461, the control block 461 compresses the support spring 465, causing the control ball 466 to move from the control groove 453 to the input groove 452. The anesthetic gas can then be output from the input groove 452 through the control groove 453 and then through the gas outlet 462, thereby anestheticating the small animal.

[0050] The description herein is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be given the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A small animal in vivo imaging apparatus, characterized by, It includes a shell (1), a switch door (2), a control box (3) and a fixed anesthesia mechanism (4); The switch door (2) is installed on the side of the shell (1), and the switch door (2) and the shell (1) form a sealed space when the switch door (2) is closed; The control box (3) is installed on the upper surface of the shell (1), and the fixed anesthesia mechanism (4) is installed in the shell (1). The fixed anesthesia mechanism (4) includes a connecting block (44), an anesthesia assembly (45) and a telescopic assembly (46); the connecting block (44) is installed on the mounting plate, the anesthesia assembly (45) is installed on the side of the connecting plate, and the telescopic assembly (46) is installed in the anesthesia assembly (45).

2. The small animal live imaging system of claim 1, wherein: The fixed anesthesia mechanism (4) includes a fixed plate (41), a fixed assembly (42) and an anesthesia gas pipe (43); The fixed plate (41) is installed in the shell (1), the fixed assembly (42) is installed on the upper surface of the fixed plate (41), and the anesthesia gas pipe (43) is installed in the shell (1), and one end of the anesthesia gas pipe (43) is connected to the back of the connecting block (44).

3. The small animal live imaging system of claim 2, wherein: The fixed assembly (42) includes a fixed strip (421), a fixed ratchet (422) and a matching strip (423); The fixed strip (421) is installed on the upper surface of the fixed plate (41), the fixed ratchet (422) is arranged on the outer side of the fixed strip (421), and the matching strip (423) is installed beside the fixed strip (421).

4. The small animal live imaging system of claim 3, wherein: The outer side of the matching strip (423) is provided with a mounting groove (424), the upper surface of the matching strip (423) is provided with a mounting block (425), and the middle of the mounting block (425) is provided with a clamping block (426).

5. The small animal live imaging system of claim 4, wherein: The cross section of the clamping block (426) is T-shaped, and the lower end of the side of the clamping block (426) is inclined.

6. The small animal live imaging system of claim 2, wherein: The side of the connecting block (44) connected with the anesthesia gas pipe (43) is provided with an entering flow channel (441), the side of the entering flow channel (441) is provided with a transition flow channel (442), and the other side of the transition flow channel (442) is provided with an output flow channel (443); the entering flow channel (441) and the output flow channel (443) are conical.

7. The small animal live imaging system of claim 2, wherein: The anesthesia assembly (45) includes an anesthesia sleeve (451), an input slot (452), a control slot (453) and a limiting sliding slot (454); The anesthesia sleeve (451) is installed on the side of the connecting block (44), the input slot (452) is arranged on the side of the anesthesia sleeve (451), and the limiting sliding slot (454) is arranged in the inner side of the anesthesia sleeve (451) in an annular array.

8. The small animal live imaging system of claim 7, wherein: The telescopic assembly (46) includes a control block (461), a gas conveying hole (462), a limiting block (463), a connecting column (464), a supporting spring (465) and a control ball (466); The control block (461) is installed inside the anesthesia assembly (45), the gas outlet holes (462) are arranged in an annular array on the surface of the control block (461), the limiting blocks (463) are installed on the side of the control block (461), the connecting columns (464) are installed on the lower surface of the control block (461), the supporting springs (465) are installed on the lower surface of the control block (461), and the control balls (466) are installed on the lower surface of the connecting columns (464).

9. The small animal live imaging system of claim 8, wherein: The limiting blocks (463) are arranged in a fan-shaped annular shape, and the height of the limiting blocks (463) is half of the height of the control block (461).

10. The small animal live imaging system of claim 8, wherein: The radius of the control balls (466) is the same as the radius of the control grooves (453).

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