An animal water entry system for the Morris water maze experiment

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of animal maze technology, specifically to an animal water entry system for the Morris water maze experiment, aiming to solve the technical problems of tracking anomalies caused by manual release and time errors caused by human collaboration. The system includes a pool, pipes, an electrically controlled gate, a pedal, and a computer. The pool is filled with water, the pipes are installed on the side wall of the pool, the electrically controlled gate controls the opening and closing of the pipe openings, the pedal controls the electrically controlled gate, and the computer has built-in experimental software for recording experiments. Pipes are installed on the side wall of the pool, and experimental animals are placed inside the pipes. The electrically controlled gate prevents experimental animals from entering the pool. At the start of the experiment, the pedal is pressed, which simultaneously controls the opening of the electrically controlled gate and the start of the experimental software in the computer to avoid time errors. Furthermore, because an electrically controlled gate is used, it avoids the light shadows caused by manually placing experimental animals, thus preventing tracking anomalies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of animal maze technology, specifically to an animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test. Background Technology

[0002] The Morris water maze test is an experiment in which laboratory animals (rats and mice) are forced to swim and learn to find platforms hidden in the water. It is primarily used to test the animals' learning and memory abilities regarding spatial location and orientation (spatial orientation). Currently, the Morris water maze test has the following drawbacks:

[0003] 1. Current Morris water maze experiments rely on manual release of animals. During release, the operator's hands inevitably enter the detection area. Since the light and shadow effects produced by the human hand and the test animal may be the same under lighting conditions, this can easily interfere with the detection software's recognition system, causing it to confuse the operator's hand with the test animal. This results in the inability to accurately capture the animal's movement trajectory, leading to abnormal animal tracking and affecting the accuracy of data collection.

[0004] 2. During the experiment, after the software operator presses the start detection button, they need to use voice commands to instruct the animal handler to release the test animal. However, from the time the software operator issues the command to the time the animal handler receives the command and completes the release, there is a significant time lag in the information transmission and reaction between the personnel. This time error makes it difficult to accurately control the moment each animal is released into the detection area, thus causing errors in the detection data. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the technical problems of tracking anomalies caused by manual release and time errors caused by human collaboration, this invention provides an animal water entry system for the Morris water maze experiment. By connecting the pedal to the experimental software in the computer and to the electrically controlled gate, the experimental software automatically starts the experiment and the electrically controlled gate automatically opens when the pedal is pressed, thereby avoiding time errors and tracking anomalies.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is:

[0007] An animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test includes:

[0008] A pool filled with water;

[0009] A pipe is installed on the side wall of the water tank, and the pipe opening is located above the liquid surface in the water tank.

[0010] An electrically controlled gate is installed on the inner wall of the water tank and located at the pipe opening. The electrically controlled gate can control the opening and closing of the pipe opening.

[0011] The pedal is electrically connected to the electrically controlled gate via a cable and is used to control the opening and closing of the electrically controlled gate;

[0012] A computer with built-in experimental software is connected to the pedal via a data cable.

[0013] Optionally, a pressure sensor is provided on the pedal, and the pressure sensor is connected to the computer and the electrically controlled gate respectively via a data line and the cable.

[0014] Optionally, the pressure sensor is connected to the start button in the computer's built-in experimental software.

[0015] Optionally, the pipe is arranged at an angle.

[0016] Optionally, a notch is provided on the side of the end where the pipe connects to the water tank;

[0017] The electrically controlled gate includes:

[0018] A baffle is movably disposed within the notch and is capable of cutting off the pipe;

[0019] A drive assembly is connected to the pedal via a cable. The drive end of the drive assembly is connected to the baffle and is used to drive the baffle to move within a notch in the pipe.

[0020] Optionally, the driving component includes:

[0021] The motor has its output shaft connected to the baffle.

[0022] Optionally, the baffle has an L-shaped structure and is further provided with threaded holes;

[0023] The driving component also includes:

[0024] The screw is matched with the threaded hole on the baffle, and the screw is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the motor;

[0025] The screw is arranged perpendicular to the pipe.

[0026] Optionally, the driving component further includes:

[0027] A support plate is provided on the outer wall of the pool, with one end of the support plate aligned with a notch on the pipe;

[0028] The baffle is slidably mounted on the support plate.

[0029] Optionally, the driving component includes:

[0030] An expansion joint is provided on the outer wall of the pool. The expansion end of the expansion joint is connected to the baffle and is used to drive the baffle to move within the gap in the pipe.

[0031] Optionally, the telescopic member drives the baffle to move in a direction perpendicular to the pipe.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0033] Pipes are installed on the outer wall of the pool, experimental animals are placed inside the pipes, and an electrically controlled gate prevents the experimental animals from entering the pool.

[0034] When the preparation work is completed and the experiment begins, stepping on the pedal simultaneously opens the electrically controlled gate and starts the experimental software in the computer, thus avoiding time errors. Furthermore, because the gate is electrically controlled, it effectively avoids light and shadow effects caused by manually placing experimental animals, thereby preventing tracking anomalies. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0038] Figure label:

[0039] 10. Water tank; 20. Pipeline; 30. Electrically controlled gate; 40. Pedal; 50. Computer.

[0040] 31. Baffle; 32. Motor; 33. Screw; 34. Support plate. Detailed Implementation

[0041] In the following description, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are considered exemplary in nature and not restrictive.

[0042] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of this invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided in this invention, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0043] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Example

[0045] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment discloses an animal water entry system for the Morris water maze experiment, including a water tank 10, a pipe 20, an electrically controlled gate 30, a pedal 40, and a computer 50. The water tank 10 is filled with water, the pipe 20 is installed on the side wall of the water tank 10, the electrically controlled gate 30 is used to control the opening and closing of the pipe 20, the pedal 40 is used to control the electrically controlled gate 30, and the computer 50 has built-in experimental software for recording experiments.

[0046] Specifically, the water depth in pool 10 is approximately one-third of the total depth of pool 10. A mounting port is provided on the side wall of pool 10, one end of pipe 20 is fixed to the mounting port, and the opening of pipe 20 is located above the liquid surface in pool 10.

[0047] The electrically controlled gate 30 is located inside the water tank 10 and is connected to the pipe 20 outside the water tank 10. The electrically controlled gate 30 can control the opening and closing of the pipe 20.

[0048] The computer 50 is equipped with experimental software, which has a start button. By clicking the start button, the required experimental data can be monitored and recorded.

[0049] A separate pedal 40 is provided, which is a switch or button structure. The pedal 40 is electrically connected to the electrically controlled gate 30 via a cable, so that when the pedal 40 is pressed, the electrically controlled gate 30 is energized and the pipe 20 is opened. In addition, the pedal 40 is connected to the computer 50 via a data cable, and the corresponding driver is installed in the computer 50 so that the start button of the experimental software can be clicked when the pedal 40 is pressed.

[0050] In this embodiment, during preparation, the experimental animal is placed in the pipe 20, and the electrically controlled gate 30 covers the pipe 20 to prevent the experimental animal from entering the pool 10. The computer 50 is then started and the experimental software is opened.

[0051] After preparation, step on pedal 40. Pedal 40 simultaneously controls the opening of the electrically controlled gate 30 and the start of the experimental software in the computer 50, thus avoiding time errors. Furthermore, because the gate 30 is electrically controlled, it effectively avoids light and shadow effects caused by manually placing experimental animals, thereby preventing tracking anomalies.

[0052] In one specific embodiment:

[0053] A pressure sensor is installed on the pedal 40. The pressure sensor is connected to the computer 50 via a data cable and to the electric control gate 30 via a cable. The pressure sensor is connected to the start button in the experimental software built into the computer 50. The pressure sensor can detect minute pressure changes and can start the experiment the instant the pedal 40 is pressed, which greatly reduces experimental errors.

[0054] In another specific embodiment:

[0055] To prevent experimental animals placed in the pipe 20 from suffocating, both ends of the pipe 20 are open. To prevent experimental animals from escaping from the end of the pipe 20 away from the pool 10, the pipe 20 is tilted. In addition, the tilted pipe 20 also allows the experimental animals to enter the pool 10 smoothly at the start of the experiment.

[0056] In another specific embodiment:

[0057] The electrically controlled gate 30 includes a baffle 31 and a drive assembly. The baffle 31 is located inside the water tank 10 and is movably disposed outside the water tank 10. The baffle 31 can cut off the pipe 20 and is used to control the opening and closing of the pipe 20. The drive assembly is disposed outside the water tank 10. The drive end of the drive assembly is connected to the baffle 31 and is used to drive the baffle 31 to close or open the pipe 20.

[0058] In one preferred embodiment, the drive assembly includes a motor 32, the output shaft of which is poweredly connected to the baffle 31, and the output shaft of the motor 32 drives the baffle 31 to close or open the pipe 20.

[0059] Specifically, the baffle 31 is L-shaped, with one end slidably disposed within the notch of the pipe 20, and the other end of the baffle 31 having a threaded hole in which a screw 33 is fitted. One end of the screw 33 is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the motor 32. The axis of the output shaft of the motor 32 is horizontal and perpendicular to the length direction of the pipe 20.

[0060] Generally, a support plate 34 needs to be installed on the outer wall of the pool 10, with one end of the support plate 34 connected to the notch of the pipe 20, and then the baffle 31 is slidably installed on the support plate 34. In addition, the two sides of the support plate 34 can also protrude outward to form a sliding structure, allowing the baffle 31 to move within the sliding structure.

[0061] In another preferred embodiment (not shown in the drawings), the drive assembly includes a telescopic member disposed on the outer wall of the pool 10. The telescopic end of the telescopic member is connected to a baffle 31 and is used to drive the baffle 31 to cut off or open the pipe 20. Generally, the telescopic member can be a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. Specifically, the direction of movement of the telescopic member driving the baffle 31 is perpendicular to the length direction of the pipe 20.

[0062] The embodiments described above merely illustrate specific implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test, characterized in that, include: A pool filled with water; A pipe is installed on the side wall of the water tank, and the pipe opening is located above the liquid surface in the water tank. An electrically controlled gate is installed on the inner wall of the water tank and located at the pipe opening. The electrically controlled gate can control the opening and closing of the pipe opening. The pedal is electrically connected to the electrically controlled gate via a cable and is used to control the opening and closing of the electrically controlled gate; A computer with built-in experimental software is connected to the pedal via a data cable.

2. The animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pressure sensor is installed on the pedal, and the pressure sensor is connected to the computer and the electrically controlled gate via a data line and a cable, respectively.

3. The animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pressure sensor is connected to the start button in the computer's built-in experimental software.

4. The animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipe is installed at an angle.

5. The animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: A notch is provided on the side of the end where the pipe connects to the water tank; The electrically controlled gate includes: A baffle is movably disposed within the notch and is capable of cutting off the pipe; A drive assembly is connected to the pedal via a cable. The drive end of the drive assembly is connected to the baffle and is used to drive the baffle to move within a notch in the pipe.

6. The animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test according to claim 5, characterized in that, The driving component includes: The motor has its output shaft connected to the baffle.

7. The animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test according to claim 6, characterized in that, The baffle has an L-shaped structure and is also provided with threaded holes; The driving component also includes: The screw is matched with the threaded hole on the baffle, and the screw is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the motor; The screw is arranged perpendicular to the pipe.

8. The animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test according to claim 7, characterized in that, The driving component also includes: A support plate is provided on the outer wall of the pool, with one end of the support plate aligned with a notch on the pipe; The baffle is slidably mounted on the support plate.

9. The animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test according to claim 5, characterized in that, The driving component includes: An expansion joint is provided on the outer wall of the pool. The expansion end of the expansion joint is connected to the baffle and is used to drive the baffle to move within the gap in the pipe.

10. The animal water entry system for the Morris water maze test according to claim 9, characterized in that, The telescopic component drives the baffle to move in a direction perpendicular to the pipe.

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