Small animal lateral position fixation device based on fundus imaging equipment

Abstract

This utility model discloses a small animal lateral recumbent position fixation device based on a fundus imaging device, comprising an iron main board and a metal base plate; the front of the main board is provided with three identical magnetic fixation bases, each with a fixing strap connected to it; the fixing straps include nylon straps, buckles, and length adjustment buckles; the front of the main board is symmetrically provided with two sufficiently long ear clips and magnetic ear clip bases; the back of the main board is provided with plastic pads and three pairs of circular slots; the back of the main board is repeatedly provided with two hinges, which are connected to the metal base plate; the back of the main board is symmetrically provided with two plastic pads; the base plate includes a U-shaped groove, inside which is provided a pivot and two support rods; the two support rods are connected by a crossbar; the side of the main board is provided with a handle. This utility model achieves stable fixation of the animal by using multiple straps to fix the torso and ear clips to fix the head; the device achieves good lateral recumbent position fixation through the hinges and lateral angle adjustment settings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a device for fixing laboratory animals, and more particularly to a device for fixing small animals during in vivo imaging. Background Technology

[0002] Existing animal restraint equipment can be broadly categorized into three scenarios: live animal restraint, restraint after anesthesia, and restraint after euthanasia. Restraint after euthanasia often uses pins, while restraint after anesthesia does not restrict the animal's movement and is therefore unsuitable for restraining conscious, live animals.

[0003] In research or experiments on conscious live animals, it is often necessary to immobilize their limbs and torso to restrict their movement and prevent escape, thus facilitating experiments. Existing traditional immobilization methods include using cylindrical containers to compress mice by narrowing the internal space, resulting in low immobilization precision. For example, Chinese utility model patent CN215915031U discloses a "novel small animal immobilization device," which only supports intraperitoneal and tail vein injections in the immobilized animal. Other methods often use ropes to bind the limbs, but the length of the ropes and the immobilization points are mostly non-adjustable, easily leading to overly tight bindings that could injure the animal, or insecure immobilization. Some patents have addressed these issues. For example, Chinese utility model patent CN205286592U discloses a "immobilization device for medical experimental animals," which innovatively uses components such as "screw holes" and "air bladders," but its operation is overly complex, requiring multiple people to work together, and the adjustment range and flexibility of the immobilizer are still limited.

[0004] Meanwhile, most existing small animal restraint devices fix small animals in a supine or prone position, with few suitable for lateral recumbent positions. The few existing lateral recumbent restraint devices focus excessively on achieving the desired lateral angle, resulting in simplistic and crude devices that compromise animal welfare; most only fix the limbs, lacking fixation above the neck, leading to poor overall fixation; and they can only achieve stability at a 90° angle after lateral recumbency, offering poor adjustability and flexibility. For example, Chinese utility model patents CN221556089U and CN218792613U disclose a "surgical restraint device for lateral recumbent positions of experimental mice." Both use only thin rings to fix the limbs, resulting in excessive pressure on the limbs after lateral recumbency, potentially injuring the mouse; both only fix the limbs, offering only mediocre fixation; and both can only achieve 90° stability, with no adjustable lateral recumbent angle.

[0005] In summary, existing methods either have unsatisfactory fixation effects, are complicated to operate, or cannot easily cope with differences in body size and morphology among animals. Furthermore, the number of lateral recumbent fixation devices is small, the design is simple and crude, the fixation effect is average, and the adjustability is poor. Utility Model Content

[0006] In order to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as unsatisfactory fixation effect, complex fixation operation, and inconvenience in dealing with differences in body size and morphology among animals, as well as the problems of simple and crude design, mediocre fixation effect and poor adjustability of lateral recumbent fixation devices, this utility model provides a novel lateral recumbent animal fixation device.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the problem of the prior art is:

[0008] A small animal lateral recumbent fixation device based on fundus imaging equipment includes an iron main board and a metal base plate; the front of the main board is provided with three identical magnetic fixing strap bases, and each fixing strap is connected to a fixing strap; the front of the main board is symmetrically provided with two sufficiently long ear clips and magnetic ear clip bases.

[0009] Specifically, a handle is provided on the side of the motherboard.

[0010] Preferably, the back of the motherboard is provided with plastic gaskets and three pairs of double-row card slots; the back of the motherboard is repeatedly provided with two hinges, which are connected to the metal base plate; the back of the motherboard is symmetrically provided with two plastic gaskets.

[0011] Preferably, the base plate symmetrically includes two grooves, each groove containing a pivot and a support rod; the two support rods are connected by a connecting rod.

[0012] Specifically, the fixing strap includes a nylon strap, a buckle, and a length adjustment buckle.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0014] This invention utilizes multiple adjustable straps of varying positions and lengths to meet the needs of limb (excluding extremities) fixation in a lateral recumbent position. The use of multiple straps on the torso improves the overall fixation effect. Ear clips provide precise head fixation, ensuring smooth operation for delicate tasks such as eye imaging, while maintaining a unified fixation. The application of a magnetic base and snap-on straps facilitates fixation by the operator; the combination of the magnetic base and the iron main plate allows for arbitrary adjustment of the relative position of the fixation device, effectively adapting to differences in animal size and shape. For the lateral recumbent position, the novel main plate design allows for spatial rotation via hinges, enabling precise fixation in this position; the three-position adjustable lateral recumbent angle overcomes the limitations of existing technologies with a single 90° angle fixation. Furthermore, this invention considers the animal's own gravity in the lateral recumbent position and incorporates design features to maximize animal welfare. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a front view of the iron motherboard of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a front view of the metal base plate of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lateral decubitus position (positioned at 90°) according to this utility model.

[0018] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the fixing strap of this utility model.

[0019] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0020] 1. Mainboard; 2. Handle; 3. Fixing strap; 3.1. Nylon strap; 3.2. Strap buckle; 3.3. Length adjustment buckle; 4. Fixing strap base; 5. Ear clip; 6. Ear clip base;

[0021] 7. Base plate; 8. Shaft; 9. Support rod; 10. U-shaped groove; 11. Crossbar; 12. Hinge;

[0022] 13. Plastic gasket, [4. Circular slot]. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0024] like Figure 1The small animal lateral recumbent fixation device based on fundus imaging equipment shown includes an iron main board 1 and a metal base plate 7; the front of the main board 1 is provided with three identical magnetic fixation bases 4, and each fixation base 4 is connected to a fixing strap 3; it is worth noting that the fixing strap 3 and the fixation base 4 form an integrated structure.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the base plate 7 includes a U-shaped groove 10, inside which a pivot 8 and two support rods 9 are provided; the two support rods 9 are connected by a crossbar 11; it is worth noting that the ear clip 5 and the base 6 form an integrated structure.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the back of the motherboard 1 is provided with plastic pads 13 and three pairs of circular slots 14; the back of the motherboard 1 is repeatedly provided with two hinges 12, which are connected to the metal base plate 7 through the hinges 12; the back of the motherboard 1 is symmetrically provided with two plastic pads 13.

[0027] like Figure 4 As shown, the fixing strap 3 includes a nylon strap 3.1, a buckle 3.2, and a length adjustment buckle 3.3; the front of the main board 1 is provided with two sufficiently long ear clips 5 and a magnetic ear clip base 6.

[0028] like Figure 4 As shown, it is worth noting that, considering the animal welfare of mice in the lateral recumbent position, a nylon strap with increased length and soft material was selected as strap 1; and a clamp with a relatively large width and moderate shear force was selected as ear clip 5.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, it is worth noting that, considering the gravity of the mouse in the lateral position, strong magnets were selected as the three fixation bases 4 and the two ear clip bases 6.

[0030] Specifically, this solution includes the following steps: During fixation, the magnetic fixator base 4 can be removed from the iron main board 1 and used to secure the mouse's limbs. Before securing the mouse's limbs, both the main board 1 and the base plate 7 are placed horizontally, with the main board 1 stacked on top of the main board 7. Loosen the buckle 3.2, wrap the nylon strap 3.1 around the mouse's limb once, and then fasten the buckle 3.2. Adjust the length adjustment buckle 3.3 to accommodate mice of different sizes. The three fixation straps 3 can be tied to the mouse's abdomen, chest, and neck respectively to achieve a better fixation effect. Remove the magnetic ear clip base 6 from the iron main board 1 and clip the two ear clips 5 onto the animal's left and right ears respectively. The ear clips are long enough to accommodate animals of different sizes.

[0031] Furthermore, this solution includes the following working process: After fixing the three fixing straps 3 and the two ear clips 5 to the mouse's limbs, the three magnetic fixation bases 4 and the two magnetic ear clip bases 6 are sequentially attached to the appropriate positions on the main board, and the mouse is fixed to the main board in a prone (or supine) position; the relative positions of the three magnetic fixation bases 4 and the two magnetic ear clip bases 6 can be adjusted arbitrarily by the operator according to the fixation accuracy requirements and the size of the small animal.

[0032] Furthermore, this solution includes the following working process: After fixing the small animal to the main board 1, hold the handle 2 and rotate the main board 1, which will rotate around the two hinges 12; it is worth mentioning that the base plate 7 is set with a large mass, which will easily separate from the main board 1 and stabilize it on the table; hold the connecting rod 11, and the support rod 9 will rotate around the pivot 8; insert the two support rods into the optional pair of circular slots 14 to support the main board to stand stably on its side; it is worth mentioning that the maximum opening angle of the two hinges 12 is set to 90°.

[0033] As can be seen from the above working process, by adjusting the length of the three fixing straps 3 and by adjusting the relative positions of the three magnetic fixing bases 4 and the two magnetic ear clip bases 6, it is possible to accurately fix small animals of different sizes and shapes.

[0034] According to the above working process, the main board 1 can be flipped upward by hinge 12, and the main board 1 can switch from a horizontal state to a vertical state (or other two side-standing states) so that the small animal can be adjusted to a side-lying position.

Claims

1. A lateral recumbent fixation device for small animals based on fundus imaging equipment, characterized in that: It includes an iron main board (1) and a metal base plate (7); the main board (1) has three identical magnetic fixing strap bases (4) on its front side, and each fixing strap base (4) is connected to a fixing strap (3); the main board (1) has two sufficiently long ear clips (5) and magnetic ear clip bases (6) symmetrically arranged on its front side.

2. The small animal lateral recumbent fixation device based on fundus imaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motherboard (1) has a handle (2) on its side.

3. The small animal lateral recumbent fixation device based on fundus imaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The back of the motherboard (1) is provided with plastic gaskets (13) and three pairs of circular slots (14); the back of the motherboard (1) is repeatedly provided with two hinges (12), which are connected to the metal base plate (7) through the hinges (12); the back of the motherboard (1) is symmetrically provided with two plastic gaskets (13).

4. The small animal lateral recumbent fixation device based on fundus imaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base plate (7) includes a U-shaped groove (10), inside which a rotating shaft (8) and two support rods (9) are provided; the two support rods (9) are connected by a crossbar (11).

5. The small animal lateral recumbent fixation device based on fundus imaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing strap (3) includes a nylon strap (3.1), a buckle (3.2), and a length adjustment buckle (3.3).

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