Wearable experimental equipment for animal toxicology

Abstract

According to the wearable experimental equipment for animal toxicology, the advanced sensor technology and the low-power-consumption wireless communication module are integrated, real-time online collection of physiological parameters of the face of an animal is achieved, the integrated head-mounted bandage is used for being worn on the head of the animal, and the wearable experimental equipment is convenient to use. A plurality of biological electrodes are installed on the inner side face, located in the animal face area, of the bandage and used for collecting bio-electricity signals. The control box is installed on the bandage located above the head of the animal, a storage battery, a data receiving unit and a wireless communication unit are arranged in the control box, the data receiving unit is connected to the wire, the wireless communication unit is connected with the data receiving unit, and collected data can be transmitted to a control terminal. The problems, such as disordered wires, poor fixity and easiness in falling off, encountered in the traditional biological electrode mounting process are solved, and the reliability and the efficiency of electromyographic signal data acquisition are improved through an integrated design and an optimized structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of toxicology experimental device technology, and is used as a device for testing drug inhalation in live animals, specifically a wearable experimental device for animal toxicology. Background Technology

[0002] Inhalation toxicity testing is an experimental method for assessing the potential health effects of chemicals, drugs, or environmental pollutants after they enter the body through the respiratory system. This type of testing is crucial for understanding potential risks in fields such as occupational safety, environmental protection, and new drug development. Inhalation toxicity testing aims to simulate the passive or active inhalation of drug components by humans or animals in real-world exposure scenarios, assessing their impact on physiological changes. Traditionally, inhalation toxicity testing primarily uses mice and rats as models. Animals are placed in specially designed inhalation exposure chambers where the concentration of harmful substances in the air is strictly controlled. However, small animals such as rats are unsuitable for studying the physiological responses to drugs after inhalation; larger animals, such as cattle, sheep, monkeys, or pigs, are typically required. However, primates are expensive. Existing technologies, such as the biosafety primate large animal bioaerosol oral-nasal exposure system disclosed in invention patent CN109512545B, are only designed for primate experiments and cannot be used with pigs. Furthermore, when obtaining electromyographic (EMG) signals from animals in inhalation toxicity experiments, their movement cannot usually be restricted. Existing techniques typically require restricting the animal's activity to allow it to passively inhale the toxic gas. Such restrictions can lead to instinctive resistance movements in the animal, and these unnecessary movements can affect the noise level in the EMG signal acquisition, thus impacting the data. Therefore, this method is not suitable for pigs as experimental subjects.

[0003] However, the existing installation process for bioelectrodes presents numerous inconveniences:

[0004] Exposed and messy wires: Traditional electrodes often have long wires that extend from the skin surface to connect to the data acquisition device. These wires not only look messy but are also susceptible to physical interference, such as being scratched or bitten off by animals.

[0005] Poor fixation: Electrodes are typically attached to the animal's skin or facial muscles using tape or other adhesives, a common practice, but not always secure enough. Natural animal movement can cause the tape to loosen or detach, especially during prolonged monitoring or when the animal is sweating. If the electrode moves or even completely leaves its position for these reasons, it will affect the quality of signal acquisition, causing data loss or noise, making the collected information unreliable.

[0006] Repeated setup is time-consuming: Electrodes need to be repositioned and reattached before each experiment, a time-consuming and tedious process. This is especially true for studies that require multiple tests to obtain reliable data, significantly increasing the overall workload and causing considerable inconvenience. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings and defects of the existing technology, the inventors have innovatively designed a device to solve problems encountered during the installation of traditional bioelectrodes, such as messy wires, poor fixation, and easy detachment. This invention improves the reliability and efficiency of electromyography signal data acquisition through integrated design and optimized structure. Specifically, this invention achieves the following:

[0008] A wearable experimental device for animal toxicology includes: an integrated headband for wearing on an animal's head, with several bioelectrodes mounted on the inner side of the headband in the animal's facial region for collecting bioelectrical signals; each bioelectrode is connected to a control box via a wire integrated on the headband; the control box is mounted on the headband in the region above the animal's head and contains a battery, a data receiving unit, and a wireless communication unit; the data receiving unit is connected to the wire, and the wireless communication unit is connected to the data receiving unit, enabling the transmission of collected data to a control terminal.

[0009] Furthermore, the integrated headband includes: a main nose ring that is annularly joined together for fitting and binding the nasal turbinates and lower part of the animal's head; and two secondary head rings, divided into left and right sections, with one end of each ring fixedly connected to the upper middle part of the main nose ring, and the other end wrapping around the ear and connecting to the lower side of the main nose ring.

[0010] Furthermore, the two ends of the main nose ring are provided with first fastening components, which can be connected and fixed or opened to facilitate wearing; the other end of the auxiliary head ring is connected to the lower side of the main nose ring through a second fastening component; used to adjust the length of the auxiliary head ring; the first fastening component and the second fastening component can both include Velcro kits at both ends, which can be glued together, or a buckle with a pin at one end and several holes arranged on the other end.

[0011] Furthermore, the main nose ring or / and the secondary nose ring are made of silicone or textile material. The main nose ring is broken off at a section on the side and connected by an elastic component; the elastic component is a rubber band or elastic fabric.

[0012] Furthermore, the control box is mounted on the secondary head ring, and the wire is embedded in the main head ring or the secondary head ring, or sewn or attached to the surface of the main head ring or the secondary head ring.

[0013] Furthermore, the bioelectrode is a dry electrode or a gel electrode, and the bioelectrode is located inside the main nasal ring or secondary head ring in the orbicularis oculi muscle, frontalis muscle, or buccinator muscle region of the animal's head.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a collar, which is connected to the top of the secondary head collar and the bottom of the main nose collar, and has third fastening components at both ends for wearing around the animal's neck.

[0015] Furthermore, it also includes a mask that is detachably mounted on the main nose ring. The shape and size of the mask are sufficient to cover the animal's mouth and nose area, and the tail end of the mask is connected to a ventilator.

[0016] The working principle of this invention is as follows: The integrated headband of this invention is used to stably position bioelectrodes in key muscle areas of an animal's head (such as the orbicularis oculi, frontalis, or buccinator muscles) to collect electromyographic signal data after the animal ingests toxic substances for experimental data collection. The combination of a main nose ring and a secondary headband provides a more uniform pressure distribution and ensures stable wear on the animal's head. The main nose ring is worn on the outer periphery from the animal's cheek to below the chin, and the secondary headbands are worn behind the animal's ears, forming a triangular area on the animal's face. The control box serves as a centralized area for circuit board components and batteries, and contains a power supply, data receiving unit, and wireless communication unit. The collected data is processed in real time (the circuit design realizes signal noise reduction, amplification, conversion, and transmission, etc.) and transmitted wirelessly to a remote monitoring computer or other terminal equipment. Since the wires are combined with or embedded in the wearing ring, no additional physical connection cables are required, reducing interference that may be caused by animal activity. The main nose collar and secondary head collar use adjustable fastening components, employing Velcro or a combination of buckles and holes for quick and easy adjustment of the strap tightness. This ensures a secure fit while effectively fixing the electrodes in place against the animal's facial skin, preventing displacement due to animal movement and ensuring data accuracy. The main nose collar and secondary head collar utilize silicone for their softness and biocompatibility; textile straps are lightweight and breathable while providing tension. Combining both, with elastic bands or fabric added at appropriate locations to enhance elasticity, improves stability and facilitates stable monitoring over extended periods. Different types of electrodes are selected based on specific needs: dry electrodes are suitable for frequent replacements and are easy to clean and maintain; while gel electrodes provide better skin contact, contributing to a more stable electrical signal. The collar is an optional component, adding an extra support point to help distribute pressure across the entire device, making the overall structure more robust. It also serves as a backup measure, using a modular design to create stress points from the bottom of the main nose collar and the top of the secondary head collar, further enhancing stability and secureness. Masks and ventilation tubes are also optional accessories. For certain research scenarios, such as when the amount of drug gas inhaled needs to be guaranteed, a mask is installed and the experimental gas containing the drug is injected through the ventilation tube. The gas enters the mask through the ventilation tube and can be fully and efficiently inhaled by the animal. It can ensure that the animal's inhalation amount is guaranteed within a specific time period. At the same time, several ventilation holes can be opened on the mask, or the ratio of air or oxygen in the gas can be ensured to ensure that the animal's normal breathing is not restricted.

[0017] The beneficial technical effects of this utility model compared with the prior art are:

[0018] 1. Convenient wearable device for electromyography (EMG) signal acquisition: The integrated headband can stably position bioelectrodes in key muscle areas of the animal's head, such as the orbicularis oculi, frontalis, or buccinator muscles. This facilitates continuous and accurate acquisition of EMG signal data even during animal activity. It is beneficial for applications in drug toxicity testing, environmental toxicology, and inhalation toxicology, enabling researchers to conveniently conduct studies on the effects of toxicity on bio-EMG signals.

[0019] 2. A well-designed and ingenious system: The main nose collar and secondary head collar are designed with uniform pressure distribution in mind, utilizing soft, biocompatible materials (such as silicone) and elastic components (such as rubber bands or elastic fabric) to ensure a stable and secure fit against the animal's head, guaranteeing stable electrode contact. Operation is convenient; adjustable fasteners allow for quick adjustments to the strap tightness to accommodate animals of different sizes. The built-in wireless communication unit instantly transmits collected data to a remote monitoring computer or other terminal devices, allowing researchers to acquire experimental data in real time without disturbing the animal. Because the wires are embedded or sewn into the straps, cable wear or breakage caused by animal movement is reduced, and restrictions on animal movement are lessened. The collar, acting as an additional support point, helps distribute pressure across the entire device, making the structure more robust and preventing device displacement due to animal movement.

[0020] 3. Applicable to multiple research scenarios: The mask and ventilation tube assembly provide options for specific research needs. For example, in the study of drug gases, toxicological assessments can be accurately conducted by controlling the gas composition and flow rate. This wearable experimental device is not only suitable for basic scientific research, but can also be widely used in life science-related technological research in multiple fields such as medicine and environmental protection; it can improve the quality and efficiency of data acquisition, providing researchers with powerful tool support. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the integrated headband structure of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation location of the bioelectrode of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the adjustable connection structure between the secondary headband and the main nose band of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation method of the adjustable tension main nose ring of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the integrated headband of this utility model in use;

[0026] Figure 6 The three-dimensional view of the structure in this embodiment 2;

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the mask structure in Embodiment 2;

[0028] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the mask's usage status in this embodiment 2;

[0029] Among them: 1—integrated headband, 2—bioelectrode, 3—control box, 4—main nose ring, 5—secondary head ring, 6—first fastening component, 7—second fastening component, 8—elastic component, 9—wire, 10—neckband, 11—face mask. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of this utility model.

[0031] Example 1: A wearable experimental device for animal toxicology, mainly comprising the following components:

[0032] Integrated headband 1: A specially shaped and designed headband that is designed to be comfortably and stably secured to the animal’s head, ensuring that it will not easily slip off or cause discomfort throughout the experiment.

[0033] Bioelectrode 2: The electrode, acting as a sensor, is placed inside the strap. Several electrodes are arranged as needed, and their positions are pre-designed based on the desired data collection sites, allowing direct contact with the animal's facial skin. It is used to capture bioelectrical signals within the animal, primarily electromyographic signals from the face. These signals reflect the animal's physiological state and responses.

[0034] Lead wire 9: Each bioelectrode 2 is connected to the control box 3 via a lead wire 9 integrated in the strap. These leads wires 9 are responsible for transmitting the bioelectrical signals collected from the electrodes and for supplying power to the electrodes.

[0035] Control box 3: Located on the strap above the animal's head, it contains: a battery; a data receiving unit responsible for receiving signals from the bioelectrode 2 via the wire 9 and performing preliminary processing; and a wireless communication unit that transmits data wirelessly to the researcher's control terminal, such as a computer or tablet, via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other proprietary wireless technologies. Researchers can remotely monitor and store the animal's electromyographic signal data.

[0036] The main nose ring 4 and secondary head ring 5 are designed as follows: The ring-shaped main nose ring 4 covers the animal's nasal concha and the outer part of its lower jaw, ensuring the device is securely fixed in its base position on the animal's head. The segmented design of the secondary head ring 5 wraps around the animal's ears and connects to the main nose ring 4 at the top and bottom, forming a three-dimensional triangular support structure. This effectively distributes pressure, increasing stability and comfort when worn. This structural design helps reduce device slippage during animal movement, maintaining the accurate positioning of the bioelectrode 2.

[0037] Flexibility of the fastening components: The presence of the first and second fastening components, especially the use of Velcro or pin buckles, makes wearing and adjustment simple and quick. These fastening components allow users to easily adjust the tightness of the straps according to the animal's head size, ensuring that it is neither too tight nor too loose, securing the device without causing discomfort to the animal. This design improves the versatility and adaptability of the device.

[0038] Elastic component 8: The use of elastic bands or elastic cloth in specific parts of the main nose ring 4 enhances the adaptability of the strap, allowing it to stretch and contract appropriately with the slight movements of the animal's head, maintaining good electrode fit and ensuring stability and reliability.

[0039] Control box 3 integration and wire 9 layout: The installation position of control box 3 and the embedded design of wire 9 optimize the overall layout of the device, avoiding the risk of tangling or damage that may result from exposed wire 9. By integrating wire 9 inside or on the surface of the strap, not only is the electrical connection protected, but interference with the animal's daily behavior is also reduced, improving safety.

[0040] Location of Bioelectrode 2: Bioelectrode 2 is located in key facial muscle areas of the animal, such as the orbicularis oculi, frontalis, or buccinator muscles. Changes in electrical signals in these areas can reflect the animal's physiological state. The choice between dry or gel electrodes depends on experimental needs. Dry electrodes are easier to replace and clean, while gel electrodes provide better skin contact and signal quality, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data acquisition.

[0041] Preferably, the device also includes a collar 10 as an additional component, which not only provides extra support points for the entire device and distributes the weight, but also increases the stability of the device around the animal's neck. The adjustability of the collar 10 further ensures the fit and safety of the overall device.

[0042] Preferably, the device also includes a mask 11, which is equipped with a ventilation tube. The mask 11 is designed for specific experimental needs, such as controlling gas intake and ensuring consistency of experimental conditions. Its detachability provides flexibility, while the connection of the ventilation tube allows the experimenter to control the composition and amount of gas inhaled by the animal. The reasonable design of the mask 11 also ensures the animal's normal breathing and maintains the animal's safety during the experiment.

[0043] Example 2: Actual Operation Procedure

[0044] 1. Check the equipment: Ensure that all components, including the integrated headband 1, control box 3, bioelectrode 2, collar 10, mask 11, and ventilation tube, are intact, have sufficient power, and that the wireless communication unit is correctly set up and paired with the monitoring terminal.

[0045] 2. Clean the animal's face: Gently clean the pig's face with a mild, non-irritating cleanser and a soft cloth, especially the orbicularis oculi, frontalis, and cheek muscles, to remove grease and dirt so that the electrodes can better contact the skin.

[0046] 3. Install the main nose ring 4: Connect the main nose ring 4 in a loop, slip it over the pig's nose bridge, under the nasal concha, and down to the outside of the lower jaw. Ensure that the main nose ring 4 is securely wrapped between the pig's nose bridge and lower jaw.

[0047] 4. Adjust the secondary head ring 5: Fix the left and right sections of the secondary head ring 5 to the upper middle part of the main nose ring 4, then wrap it around the pig's ears and place it around the base of the ears. Connect it to the lower edge of the main nose ring 4 through the second fastening component 7, such as a buckle with a buckle hole. Adjust the length of the secondary head ring 5 to ensure that it does not compress the ears or slip off.

[0048] 5. Install control box 3: Fix control box 3 in a suitable position on the secondary head ring 5 or the main nose ring 4, ensuring that it does not obstruct the pig's vision or movement and remains stable.

[0049] 6. Connect bioelectrode 2: The dry or gel bioelectrode 2 is pre-positioned and attached or fixed to the inside of the main nose ring 4 and the secondary head ring 5, aligned with the orbicularis oculi muscle, frontalis muscle, and buccinator muscle area. It is connected to the data receiving unit of the control box 3 through the wire 9 integrated in the strap. Check whether the bioelectrode 2 is in contact with the facial muscles. If necessary, use a patch for assistance.

[0050] 7. If necessary, use collar 10: wrap collar 10 around the pig's neck, connect the binding number, and connect collar 10 to the top of the secondary head collar 5 and the bottom of the main nose collar 4. Adjust the tightness to a suitable degree through the third fastening component to help support the entire device.

[0051] 8. Install mask 11 if necessary: ​​Detachably fix mask 11 to main nose ring 4 to ensure that it covers the pig's mouth and nose area. When necessary, put it on the pig's nose and mouth area and connect it to the main nose ring 4. Connect mask 11 to the ventilation tube. The other end of the ventilation tube is connected to the gas injection with the set gas flow rate and composition according to the experimental requirements.

[0052] 9. Activate the system: Turn on the power to the control box 3, confirm that the data receiving unit and the bioelectrode 2 are successfully connected, and that the wireless communication unit is ready to communicate with the monitoring terminal. Start the gas supply device, or place the pig in a closed space that is supplied with this gas.

[0053] 10. Data Acquisition: Bioelectrode 2 continuously monitors changes in electrical signals of facial muscles in adult healthy pigs, which represent muscle contraction and relaxation activities.

[0054] 11. Data processing and transmission: The circuit board built into the control box 3 is responsible for noise reduction, amplification and digital processing of the signal. The processed data is transmitted in real time to a remote monitoring computer or other terminal equipment through the wireless communication unit.

[0055] 12. Remote monitoring: Researchers view and analyze the received electromyographic signal data in real time on a monitoring terminal to assess the effects of toxic substances on pig muscle activity.

[0056] 13. Signal Analysis: The processed electromyographic signals are transmitted to the researchers' monitoring terminal via wireless communication technology. The software analyzes these signals and displays graphical or numerical data of muscle activity, providing intuitive data for assessing toxic effects.

[0057] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of this utility model.

Claims

1. A wearable experimental apparatus for animal toxicology, characterized by It includes: Integrated head strap (1) for wearing on the head of an animal, a plurality of bioelectrodes (2) are mounted on the inner side of the animal's face area on the strap, for collecting bioelectric signals, each bioelectrode (2) is connected to the control box (3) through the lead (9) integrated on the strap; The control box (3) is mounted on the strap in the area above the animal's head, and has a battery, a data receiving unit and a wireless communication unit, the data receiving unit is connected to the lead (9), and the wireless communication unit is connected to the data receiving unit, which can transmit the collected data to the control terminal.

2. The wearable test device for animal toxicology according to claim 1, wherein The integrated head strap (1) includes: The main nose ring (4) can be circularly connected, used to cover and bind the nasal concha and the lower frontal external of the animal's head, The auxiliary head ring (5) is divided into two parts, one end of each part is fixedly connected to the middle part of the upper end of the main nose ring (4), and the other end is connected to the lower side edge part of the main nose ring (4) through the ear.

3. The wearable test device for animal toxicology according to claim 2, wherein The two end parts of the main nose ring (4) are provided with first buckling parts (6), which can be connected and fixed or opened, facilitating wearing; the other end of the auxiliary head ring (5) is connected to the lower side edge part of the main nose ring (4) through the second buckling part (7); For adjusting the length of the auxiliary head ring (5); the first buckling part (6) and the second buckling part (7) can each include magic tape parts at both ends, which are pasted and bound to each other, or one end is a buckle with a pin, and the other end is provided with a plurality of arranged buckle holes.

4. The wearable test device for animal toxicology according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The main nose ring (4) or / and the auxiliary head ring (5) is made of silicone material or textile belt material, and the main nose ring (4) is disconnected at a part of the side part and connected by using an elastic part (8); the elastic part (8) is a rubber band or elastic cloth.

5. The wearable testing apparatus for animal toxicology according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The control box (3) is mounted on the auxiliary head ring (5), and the lead (9) is embedded in the main nose ring (4) or the auxiliary head ring (5), or is sewn or attached on the surface of the main nose ring (4) or the auxiliary head ring (5).

6. The wearable testing apparatus for animal toxicology according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The bioelectrode (2) is a dry electrode or a gel electrode, and the bioelectrode (2) is located in the inner side of the main nose ring (4) or the auxiliary head ring (5) in the orbicularis oculi muscle, frontal muscle or buccinator muscle area of the animal's head.

7. The wearable testing device for animal toxicology according to claim 2 or 3, wherein It also includes a collar (10), which is connected to the top of the auxiliary head ring (5) and the bottom of the main nose ring (4), and is provided with a third buckling part at both ends, used for wearing on the neck of the animal.

8. The wearable testing device for animal toxicology according to claim 7, wherein It also includes a mask (11), which is detachably mounted on the main nose ring (4), the shape and size of the mask (11) can cover the mouth and nose area of the animal, and the tail end of the mask (11) is connected with a ventilation pipe.

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