A biological x-ray device irradiation cage dedicated to experimental mice

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of biomedical experimental equipment and provides a biological X-ray irradiation cage specifically for laboratory mice. It includes a cage bottom cover with an open cage box cover. A fixed central axis assembly is provided between the bottom cover and the cage box cover. The fixed central axis assembly includes a fixed shaft rotatably mounted on the cage box cover, and several partitions are arranged circumferentially on the fixed shaft. This invention uses a fixed cage to fix the relative positions of the animals in each irradiation location to the irradiation unit, ensuring that the irradiated animals receive equal irradiation distances within the conical radiation area generated by the irradiation unit. The cage height is set to match the body thickness range of the laboratory mice, and partitions are placed between each animal to ensure stable posture, preventing them from standing or stacking, and keeping them at the same horizontal level from the radiation source, achieving consistent irradiation doses and ensuring objective and accurate experimental results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of biomedical experimental equipment, specifically a biological X-ray device irradiation cage for laboratory mice. Background Technology

[0002] Animal irradiation experiments are primarily used to study the effects of ionizing radiation on organisms. Mice are widely used in irradiation experiments because they share highly similar biological characteristics with humans (especially radiation sensitivity) and have a clear genetic background, as well as significant advantages in body size and reproductive cycle. In mouse irradiation experiments, it is often necessary to fix animals with the same radiation dose or from the same group in a single device before irradiation.

[0003] Currently, many problems exist in existing technologies, often leading to subjective irradiation results and affecting the accuracy of experimental findings. For example, some restraint devices only provide space for the animals; the free movement of mice within the container during irradiation (e.g., standing, overlapping, reciprocating motion) affects the uniformity of the irradiation dose. If anesthetics are used to reduce animal activity, there is a risk of animal injury or death due to individual differences and varying levels of drug control within the confined space. Using forced restraint methods can cause stress or tissue damage in animals, affecting experimental results. Furthermore, the geometric characteristics of irradiation cages of certain shapes (rectangular, square, or other irregular shapes) can result in inconsistent distances from the irradiation source to each animal. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a biological X-ray device irradiation cage specifically designed for laboratory mice, thereby resolving the issues of difficulty in animal fixation, poor irradiation uniformity, and inconvenience in use found in existing technologies.

[0005] A biological X-ray irradiation cage for laboratory mice includes a cage bottom cover, on which a cage box cover with an opening is provided. A fixed central axis assembly is provided between the cage bottom cover and the cage box cover. The fixed central axis assembly includes a fixed shaft rotatably mounted on the cage box cover. A partition assembly is provided on the fixed shaft. The partition assembly includes a sealing plate adapted to the opening. A plurality of partition plates are arranged circumferentially on the fixed shaft. The sealing plate is fixedly connected to the corresponding partition plate.

[0006] Preferably, the lower end of the fixed shaft passes through the bottom cover of the cage and is threaded with a locking nut.

[0007] Preferably, a sleeve is fitted onto the fixed shaft, and a plurality of the partition pieces are fixedly disposed on the side of the sleeve.

[0008] Preferably, the cage bottom cover, cage box cover, and partition components are all made of polyphenylsulfone.

[0009] Preferably, the cage cover is provided with a number of ventilation holes for ventilation.

[0010] Preferably, the cage lid is provided with several label boxes for placing identifiers to distinguish irradiated animals.

[0011] Preferably, the ventilation holes on the cage lid are covered with a breathable membrane.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] 1. This utility model uses a fixed cage to fix the position of the animals in each irradiation location relative to the irradiation unit, so that the irradiated animals receive equal irradiation distances within the cone-shaped radiation area generated by the irradiation unit. The cage height is set according to the body thickness range of the experimental mice, and a partition is set between each animal to ensure that the experimental animals are in a stable posture and cannot be in a standing or stacked state, and are at the same horizontal plane from the radiation source, so as to achieve consistent irradiation dose and ensure that the experimental results are objective and true.

[0014] 2. This utility model reduces the probability of animals being pinched when the open or sliding cover is closed, and the probability of animals escaping when the cover is opened, by using a method of rotating one compartment to place one animal. It is more convenient to use and more in line with animal behavior characteristics.

[0015] 3. By using polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) as the material for the cage, this invention not only enables multiple disinfections and high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization during use, but also reduces the absorption and reflection of X-rays by the material itself, controlling the irradiation dose loss rate to within 5%, which greatly increases the accuracy of the irradiation dose for experimental animals. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of this utility model.

[0019] In the picture:

[0020] 1. Cage bottom cover; 2. Cage box cover; 3. Fixed central shaft assembly; 301. Fixed shaft; 302. Locking nut; 4. Divider assembly; 401. Sleeve; 402. Divider plate; 403. Sealing plate; 5. Ventilation hole; 6. Label box; 7. Breathable membrane. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model.

[0022] As attached Figure 1 To be continued Figure 3 As shown:

[0023] Example 1: This utility model provides a biological X-ray irradiation cage specifically for laboratory mice. The cage has a circular structure with an overall radius of 10cm and a height of 4cm, which corresponds to the body thickness of laboratory mice in the range of 3-4cm. It mainly consists of a cage bottom cover 1, a cage cover 2, a fixing central axis assembly 3, and a partition assembly 4.

[0024] As attached Figure 3 As shown: The bottom cover 1 of the cage is circular with edges and is made of several hexagonal partitions in the middle.

[0025] As attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 3 As shown: The cage lid 2 has an opening, which facilitates the placement and removal of laboratory mice. At the same time, the opening design, together with the partition component 4, can effectively prevent mice from escaping. The fixed central shaft component 3 connects the cage bottom cover 1 and the cage lid 2, ensuring the stability of the entire cage structure. The fixed shaft 301 is rotatably mounted on the cage lid 2, realizing the rotation function of the cage lid 2 relative to the cage bottom cover 1.

[0026] As attached Figure 3 As shown: The fixed central shaft assembly 3 includes a fixed shaft 301. The lower end of the fixed shaft 301 passes through the cage bottom cover 1 and is connected to the locking nut 302 by a thread. This connection method not only ensures the stability of the connection between the fixed shaft 301 and the cage bottom cover 1, but also facilitates disassembly for cleaning, disinfection or replacement of parts when needed.

[0027] As attached Figure 3 As shown: A partition assembly 4 is fitted onto the fixed shaft 301. The partition assembly 4 consists of a sleeve 401, partition plates 402, and a sealing plate 403. The sleeve 401 is fitted onto the fixed shaft 301, and several partition plates 402 are fixedly installed on the side of the sleeve 401, dividing the space inside the cage into multiple independent areas. The area and height of the partitioned areas are precisely calculated based on the size range of the mice. Each area corresponds to one experimental mouse, preventing the mice from interfering with each other, stacking, or moving around randomly during irradiation. The sealing plate 403 is adapted to the opening of the cage lid 2. When the cage lid 2 is rotated so that the sealing plate 403 is aligned with the opening, the opening can be closed to prevent the mice from escaping.

[0028] The cage bottom cover 1, cage box cover 2, and partition component 4 are all made of polyphenylsulfone (PPS). PPS is transparent, wear-resistant, non-toxic, highly stable, and heat-resistant. It can undergo multiple sterilizations and high-temperature, high-pressure sterilizations at 180°C, reducing the absorption and reflection of X-rays by the material itself and controlling the radiation dose loss rate to within 5%, thus ensuring the accuracy of the radiation dose for laboratory animals.

[0029] As attached Figure 1 As shown: Several ventilation holes 5 are provided on the cage lid 2 to provide sufficient fresh air for the experimental mice and prevent them from suffocating due to lack of oxygen during irradiation.

[0030] As attached Figure 1 As shown: Several label boxes 6 are set on the cage lid 2 to place identification objects to distinguish irradiated animals, so as to facilitate the experimenters to number and record different mice and facilitate the sorting and analysis of experimental data.

[0031] As attached Figure 2 As shown: Example 2: This example is basically the same as the previous example, except that a breathable membrane 7 is attached to the vent 5. The breathable membrane 7 is a high-efficiency filter membrane with a pore size ≤0.2um. While ensuring air circulation, it can prevent cross-infection between animals and contamination of the inner chamber of the irradiation equipment by feces and urine.

[0032] Working principle: Before the experiment, each component is sterilized using a high-temperature, high-pressure sterilizer to ensure the irradiation cage is sterile. After sterilization, the fixing shaft 301 of the fixing central shaft assembly 3 is passed through the cage bottom cover 1, and the locking nut 302 is screwed on the lower end for fixation. The sleeve 401 is then fitted onto the fixing shaft 301, ensuring that the separators 402 are evenly distributed on the side of the sleeve 401.

[0033] Place the cage lid 2 onto the fixed shaft 301, allowing the fixed shaft 301 to rotate and be positioned on the cage lid 2. Rotate the cage lid 2 so that the opening aligns with one of the partitioned areas, and carefully place a laboratory mouse into that area. Continue rotating the cage lid 2, and in the same way, place the other laboratory mice into their respective partitioned areas until all areas are occupied. Rotate the cage lid 2 so that the sealing plate 403 aligns with the opening, sealing the opening to prevent the mice from escaping.

[0034] The irradiation cage containing the laboratory mice was then placed in the designated location of the biological X-ray device, and the irradiation was carried out according to the designed irradiation dose and parameters. During the irradiation process, the researchers could observe the mice's condition at any time through the transparent material of the irradiation cage.

[0035] After irradiation, remove the irradiation cage from the apparatus. Rotate the cage lid 2 so that the opening is aligned with the area where the mice were placed, and remove the experimental mice one by one for subsequent observation and testing. Disassemble all parts of the irradiation cage again for cleaning and sterilization, in preparation for the next experiment.

[0036] The embodiments of this utility model are given for the purpose of illustration and description. Although embodiments of this utility model have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the utility model. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A biological X-ray irradiation cage specifically for laboratory mice, characterized in that: The cage includes a bottom cover (1), on which a cage box cover (2) with an opening is provided. A fixed central shaft assembly (3) is provided between the bottom cover (1) and the cage box cover (2). The fixed central shaft assembly (3) includes a fixed shaft (301) rotatably mounted on the cage box cover (2). A partition assembly (4) is provided on the fixed shaft (301). The partition assembly (4) includes a sealing plate (403) adapted to the opening. A plurality of partition pieces (402) are provided circumferentially on the fixed shaft (301). The sealing plate (403) is fixedly connected to the corresponding partition piece (402).

2. The biological X-ray irradiation cage for laboratory mice as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the fixed shaft (301) passes through the cage bottom cover (1) and is threadedly connected to a locking nut (302).

3. The biological X-ray irradiation cage for laboratory mice as described in claim 2, characterized in that: A sleeve (401) is fitted onto the fixed shaft (301), and several partition pieces (402) are fixedly disposed on the side of the sleeve (401).

4. The biological X-ray irradiation cage for laboratory mice as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cage bottom cover (1), cage box cover (2) and partition component (4) are all made of polyphenylsulfone.

5. The biological X-ray irradiation cage for laboratory mice as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cage cover (2) is provided with several ventilation holes (5) for ventilation.

6. The biological X-ray irradiation cage for laboratory mice as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cage cover (2) is provided with several label boxes (6) for placing identification objects to distinguish irradiated animals.

7. The biological X-ray irradiation cage for laboratory mice as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The ventilation holes (5) on the cage cover (2) are fitted with a breathable membrane (7).

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