A small animal behavior experiment evaluation device
By designing a cage structure that is easy to disassemble, the problems of fixed cage space layout and cleaning in existing devices are solved, enabling diversified placement of props and reducing pollution, thus improving the flexibility of experiments and the accuracy of data.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WUHAN NANXIN BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing small animal behavior experiment devices have fixed cage layouts, which cannot meet the diverse needs for prop placement. Furthermore, animal excrement and food contamination are difficult to clean during experiments, affecting the accuracy of experimental data.
A small animal behavior experiment evaluation device was designed. The cage can be easily disassembled and fixed by disassembling the components, including a combination of pull rod, limit block, fixing groove and spring, which facilitates the placement and cleaning of the props.
It enables convenient disassembly and fixation of the cage, meets the diverse needs of prop placement, reduces pollution, and improves the accuracy of experimental data and cleaning efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN224473828U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of behavioral experimental technology, specifically a device for evaluating the behavior of small animals. Background Technology
[0002] Small animal behavioral experiments are a scientific experimental method that studies animal psychology, cognition, learning ability, emotion, and neural mechanisms by observing, measuring, and analyzing the behavior of small animals. In neuroscience research, small animal behavioral experiments help reveal the neural mechanisms of the brain; in the field of drug development, small animal behavioral experiments are an important means of evaluating drug efficacy and safety.
[0003] Existing experimental evaluation devices often place small animals in cages to observe their behavior. Studying different animal behaviors often requires setting up complex experimental scenarios, but existing cages lack the flexibility to adjust their internal structure and cannot meet the diverse needs of prop placement, hindering the diversity and depth of experiments. Furthermore, during experiments, animal excrement and leftover food contaminate the inside of the cages. Because it is difficult to completely disassemble the cages, cleaning becomes difficult, leaving many blind spots. Long-term residue can breed bacteria and viruses, affecting animal health and ultimately interfering with the accuracy of experimental data. Utility Model Content
[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved
[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a small animal behavior experiment evaluation device with the advantage of easy disassembly of the cage. It solves the problems of fixed spatial layout of existing cages used in experimental evaluation, which cannot meet the diverse needs of prop placement. Furthermore, during the experiment, the excrement or food produced by the small animals will contaminate the inside of the cage, and the cage is difficult to disassemble, resulting in inconvenience for cleaning.
[0006] (II) Technical Solution
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a small animal behavioral experimental evaluation device, comprising a main component, wherein the main component includes:
[0008] The experimental table has a cage on top;
[0009] A visualization frame, one end of which is hinged to the top of the experimental platform;
[0010] The camera is fixedly connected to the top surface inside the visualization frame;
[0011] The experimental platform and the cage are equipped with disassembly components, the disassembly components including:
[0012] A cavity is formed inside the experimental platform;
[0013] A spring, one end of which is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cavity;
[0014] A limiting block is slidably connected inside the cavity, and the limiting block is fixedly connected to the other end of the spring;
[0015] A pull rod is fixedly connected to the top of the limiting block, and the top end of the pull rod extends through and to the top of the experimental table. A through groove is provided on the experimental table for the pull rod to move.
[0016] A fixing groove is symmetrically opened on the top of the experimental platform, and the fixing groove is interconnected with the cavity;
[0017] A fixing block is symmetrically and fixedly connected to the bottom of the cage;
[0018] A limiting groove is formed on the fixed block.
[0019] Preferably, the limiting block and the limiting groove are interference-fitted.
[0020] Preferably, the outer side wall of the cage is symmetrically and fixedly connected with handles.
[0021] Preferably, the top side of the limiting block has an inclined surface.
[0022] Preferably, a temperature and humidity sensor is provided on the inner sidewall of the visualization frame, and a temperature and humidity regulator is also provided on the inner sidewall of the visualization frame. The temperature and humidity regulator and the temperature and humidity sensor are electrically connected through a controller.
[0023] Preferably, the cage is covered with a light shield.
[0024] (III) Beneficial Effects
[0025] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a small animal behavior experiment evaluation device, which has the following beneficial effects:
[0026] This experimental evaluation device features easy cage disassembly. Pulling the lever to the left causes the limiting block to disengage from the limiting slot and retract into the cavity. The cage can then be lifted to expose its interior. Experimenters can place experimental equipment and food on the top of the experimental table. After placement, pulling the lever to the left again causes the limiting block to retract into the cavity and compress the spring. The fixing block at the bottom of the cage is then inserted into the fixing slot. Releasing the lever causes the spring force to spring the limiting block into the limiting slot, thus securing the cage. This device solves the problems of existing experimental evaluation cages with fixed spatial layouts that cannot accommodate diverse equipment placement needs, and the difficulties in cleaning caused by animal excrement or food contaminating the cage's interior due to the difficulty in disassembling the cage. Attached Figure Description
[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;
[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled cage structure in this utility model;
[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the light shield in this utility model when it is covered;
[0030] Figure 4 This is a front view cross-sectional diagram of the cavity and fixing groove in this utility model.
[0031] In the picture:
[0032] 1. Main components; 11. Experimental table; 12. Cage; 13. Visualization frame; 14. Camera;
[0033] 2. Disassembly components; 21. Cavity; 22. Spring; 23. Limiting block; 24. Pull rod; 25. Fixing groove; 26. Fixing block; 27. Limiting groove;
[0034] 3. Temperature and humidity regulator; 31. Temperature and humidity sensor; 4. Handle; 5. Sunshade. Detailed Implementation
[0035] 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 some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0036] Example 1
[0037] See Figure 1-4A small animal behavior experiment evaluation device includes a main component 1, which includes: an experimental table 11 with a cage 12 mounted on its top; a visualization frame 13, one end of which is hinged to the top of the experimental table 11; and a camera 14, which is fixedly connected to the top surface inside the visualization frame 13. A disassembly assembly 2 is provided on the experimental table 11 and the cage 12, the disassembly assembly 2 including: a cavity 21, formed inside the experimental table 11; a spring 22, one end of which is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cavity 21; and a limiting block 23, which is slidably connected. Inside the cavity 21, the limiting block 23 is fixedly connected to the other end of the spring 22; the pull rod 24 is fixedly connected to the top of the limiting block 23, and the top end of the pull rod 24 extends through and to the top of the experimental table 11. The experimental table 11 has a through groove for the pull rod 24 to move; the fixing groove 25 is symmetrically opened on the top of the experimental table 11, and the fixing groove 25 communicates with the cavity 21; the fixing block 26 is symmetrically and fixedly connected to the bottom of the cage 12; the limiting groove 27 is opened on the fixing block 26. The limiting block 23 and the limiting groove 27 are interference-fitted, and the interference value is between 0.05mm and 0.15mm. The outer wall of the cage 12 is symmetrically and fixedly connected with handles 4.
[0038] In use, the experimenter first rotates the visualization frame 13 to the rear through the hinge joint between the visualization frame 13 and the experimental table 11, and then pulls the lever 24 to the left. The lever 24 causes the limiting block 23 to disengage from the limiting groove 27 and retract into the cavity 21. At this time, the cage 12 is lifted upward to expose the internal area of the cage 12. The experimenter places experimental props and food on the top of the experimental table 11. After placement, the experimenter pulls the lever 24 to the left again, and the limiting block 23 retracts into the cavity 21 and compresses the spring 22. At this time, the fixing block 26 at the bottom of the cage 12 is inserted into the fixing groove 25. Then, the lever 24 is released, and the elastic force of the spring 22 causes the limiting block 23 to spring into the limiting groove 27, limiting the fixing block 26, thereby fixing the cage 12. The small animal is placed inside cage 12 through the front door. The visualization frame 13 is rotated and closed, and camera 14 observes and evaluates the behavior of the small animal inside cage 12. After the experiment, the experimenter can disassemble cage 12 by pulling lever 24, which facilitates separate cleaning of experimental table 11 and cage 12, or replacement of other experimental equipment, avoiding contamination of experimental table 11 and facilitating different types of experiments.
[0039] The interference fit between the limiting block 23 and the limiting groove 27 generates significant friction and clamping force, effectively preventing relative displacement during operation and ensuring reliable connection. When assembling, disassembling, or performing routine maintenance on the cage 12, the handle 4 serves as a leverage point, allowing for easier lifting or flipping of the cage 12, facilitating various operations and improving work efficiency.
[0040] Cage 12 contains various experimental props for conducting different types of experiments, such as learning and memory experiments: for example, the Morris water maze experiment, used to test the spatial learning and memory abilities of small animals such as mice. In this experiment, the small animals need to find hidden platforms in the water. Through repeated training, the time it takes to find the platforms and the path selection are observed to assess their learning and memory levels; emotion and anxiety experiments: for example, the elevated cross maze experiment, which utilizes the small animals' fear of new environments and their exploratory instincts. Observing their behavior, such as the time they spend in open and closed arms and the number of times they enter, helps to determine their anxiety level; social behavior experiments: such as the three-room social experiment, which places small animals in three interconnected rooms and observes the time and manner of their interaction with unfamiliar companions, familiar companions, and inanimate objects to study their social preferences, social memory, and social cognition.
[0041] Example 2
[0042] An auxiliary function has been added based on Embodiment 1.
[0043] See Figure 1-4 The limiting block 23 has a sloping surface on its top side. A temperature and humidity sensor 31 is installed on the inner wall of the visualization frame 13, and a temperature and humidity regulator 3 is also installed on the inner wall of the visualization frame 13. The temperature and humidity regulator 3 and the temperature and humidity sensor 31 are electrically connected via a controller. A light-shielding cover 5 is fitted over the outside of the visualization frame 13.
[0044] The inclined surface on the limiting block 23 allows the experimenter to fix the cage 12 without pulling the lever 24 in advance: the experimenter inserts the fixing block 26 into the fixing groove 25. When the edge of the fixing block 26 contacts the inclined surface of the limiting block 23, it pushes the limiting block 23 into the cavity 21, and the spring 22 is compressed. When the fixing block 26 is fully inside the fixing groove 25, the limiting block 23 and the limiting groove 27 are at the same horizontal line. The spring 22 automatically springs the limiting block 23 into the limiting groove 27, thereby achieving automatic fixing of the cage 12 and increasing the convenience of installing the cage 12. During the experiment, the temperature and humidity sensor 31 monitors the temperature and humidity inside the visualization frame 13, converting the temperature and humidity signals into electrical signals and transmitting them to the controller (not shown in the figure). The controller compares the received temperature and humidity signals with the set temperature and humidity, thereby controlling the temperature and humidity regulator 3 to make corresponding adjustments. This facilitates the normal physiological functions of the small animals, reduces the interference of environmental factors on the experimental results, and can simulate different natural environmental conditions according to experimental needs, so as to study the behavioral adaptability of small animals under various environmental conditions in greater depth. Many animals seek dark places to rest or hide from predators in their natural environment. The light shield 5 can create a similar dim environment for the animals in the cage 12, making them feel safer and helping to reduce the animals' stress response, allowing them to live more naturally and exhibit normal behavioral patterns in the artificial breeding environment.
[0045] The aforementioned temperature and humidity regulator 3 comprises two parts: a temperature regulation module and a humidity regulation module. The temperature regulation module includes heating and cooling equipment, while the humidity regulation module includes dehumidification and humidification equipment. As long as it can regulate temperature and humidity, the specific structure will not be described in detail here.
[0046] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A small animal behavior experiment evaluation device, comprising a main component (1), wherein the main component (1) includes: The experimental table (11) has a cage (12) on its top. The visualization frame (13) is hinged at one end to the top of the experimental platform (11); The camera (14) is fixedly connected to the top surface inside the visualization frame (13); The feature is that: a disassembly assembly (2) is provided on the experimental platform (11) and the cage (12), the disassembly assembly (2) comprising: A cavity (21) is formed inside the experimental platform (11); A spring (22) is fixedly connected at one end to the inner wall of the cavity (21); The limiting block (23) is slidably connected inside the cavity (21), and the limiting block (23) is fixedly connected to the other end of the spring (22); A pull rod (24) is fixedly connected to the top of the limiting block (23). The top end of the pull rod (24) extends through and to the top of the experimental table (11). A through groove is provided on the experimental table (11) for the pull rod (24) to move. A fixing groove (25) is symmetrically opened on the top of the experimental table (11), and the fixing groove (25) is interconnected with the cavity (21); The fixing block (26) is symmetrically and fixedly connected to the bottom of the cage (12); A limiting groove (27) is provided on the fixing block (26).
2. The small animal behavioral experimental evaluation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting block (23) and the limiting groove (27) are in an interference fit, and the interference value of the interference fit is between 0.05mm and 0.15mm.
3. The small animal behavioral experimental evaluation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer side wall of the cage (12) is symmetrically connected with handles (4).
4. The small animal behavioral experimental evaluation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The limiting block (23) has a sloping surface on its top side.
5. The small animal behavioral experimental evaluation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A temperature and humidity sensor (31) is provided on the inner wall of the visualization frame (13), and a temperature and humidity regulator (3) is also provided on the inner wall of the visualization frame (13). The temperature and humidity regulator (3) and the temperature and humidity sensor (31) are electrically connected through a controller.
6. The small animal behavioral experimental evaluation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The visualization frame (13) is covered with a light shield (5).