A convenient-to-operate sterile pig feeding isolator

Abstract

The utility model provides an easy operation's sterile pig feeding isolator, including cabin, pig cage, be provided with sterilization space and air return channel in the cabin, the cabin outside is provided with air intake module and air outlet module, heat to air through air intake module and input the heated air in sterilization space, the air in air return channel is discharged through air outlet module, air intake module, sterilization space, air return channel and air outlet module constitute unidirectional laminar flow flow path in proper order, pig cage sets up in sterilization space, pig cage can move along first direction in sterilization space, be provided with the pig driving board of movable along second direction in pig cage. In the utility model, air enters by air intake module, and in proper order through sterilization space and air return channel after by air outlet module and discharge, thereby constitute unidirectional laminar flow flow path, avoid the phenomenon of the temperature inhomogeneity in sterilization space because of the poor air flow, greatly reduce the piglet death risk caused by temperature problem.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of feeding isolators, and in particular to a convenient-to-operate sterile pig feeding isolator. Background Technology

[0002] Laboratory miniature pigs share many anatomical and physiological similarities with humans, and germ-free miniature pigs (hereinafter referred to as germ-free pigs) are widely used in life science research and related industries. In medicine, they can aid in research on gut microbiota diseases and the evaluation of childhood vaccines; in xenotransplantation, they can reduce the risk of infection. In the food industry, they can be used for infant formula quality assessment and the development of special diets. In animal husbandry, they help study the relationship between gut microbiota and disease, promoting disease prevention and control.

[0003] Some existing sterile pigs are raised and grown in isolation pens. Operators need to use gloves provided with the isolation pens to perform operations such as feeding, manure disposal, blood collection, and examination of the sterile pigs.

[0004] However, existing piglet isolators have the following problems in practical use: 1. To ensure that germ-free pigs are not contaminated by the external environment, they live in the isolators from birth. Newborn piglets are weak and need to grow in a warm, uniform, and controllable environment. Although existing isolators can be heated by infrared heating lamps, this heating method is uneven. The temperature in areas exposed to infrared light is higher, even exceeding the tolerance of newborn piglets, while the temperature in areas not exposed to infrared light is lower. In addition, the poor air circulation inside the isolator makes it difficult to achieve a uniform temperature suitable for the growth of newborn piglets, which can easily lead to piglet mortality. 2. In existing piglet isolators, the pig cages are often directly fixed in the isolator and cannot be moved. When operators use the gloves provided with the isolator to perform operations such as feeding, manure disposal, and blood collection, it is difficult to move the pig cages to the required position, causing great inconvenience to actual operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies and provide a convenient aseptic pig rearing isolation device.

[0006] The purpose of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: a convenient-to-operate sterile pig breeding isolator, comprising a cabin and a pig cage. The cabin is equipped with a disinfection space and a return air channel. An air inlet module and an air outlet module are provided on the outside of the cabin. The air inlet module heats the air and inputs the heated air into the disinfection space, while the air outlet module exhausts the air from the return air channel. The air inlet module, disinfection space, return air channel, and air outlet module sequentially form a unidirectional laminar flow path. The pig cage is placed within the disinfection space. The pig cage can move along a first direction within the disinfection space, and a pig-driving board that can move along a second direction is provided inside the pig cage.

[0007] Preferably, the sidewalls of the cabin are double-shell structures, and the return air duct is located in the double-shell structure.

[0008] Preferably, the air intake module includes an air intake box, an air intake fan is installed inside the air intake box, an air intake valve and a heater are installed on the air intake side of the air intake fan, and an air intake filter and a flow equalization membrane are installed on the air outlet side of the air intake fan.

[0009] Preferably, the air outlet module includes an exhaust fan, the air inlet of which is connected to the return air channel through a pipe, and the air outlet of which is equipped with an exhaust valve and an exhaust filter.

[0010] Preferably, the pig cage includes a cage body, a cage door on one side of the cage body, a pig-driving board and a drive mechanism for driving the pig-driving board to move in a second direction inside the cage body, a feeding space is formed between the pig-driving board and the cage door, and a water bottle rack, a movable water nozzle and a feed trough are provided on the cage body.

[0011] Preferably, the disinfection space is equipped with a guide rail, and the bottom of the pig cage is equipped with pulleys, allowing the pig cage to move on the guide rail via the pulleys; the driving mechanism includes a lead screw mounted on the upper end of the cage body, with both ends of the lead screw rotatably connected to the cage body, a lead screw nut connected to the lead screw, the lead screw nut being connected to the pig driving board, and a rotating wheel mounted on one end of the lead screw.

[0012] Preferably, the lower end of the cage is provided with a sliding sleeve and a sliding rod, the sliding sleeve is fixedly connected to the cage, and the sliding sleeve and the sliding rod are in sliding fit; the pulley is fixedly connected to the sliding rod; the cage can move along the axial direction of the sliding rod.

[0013] Preferably, the bottom of the cage is provided with a manure-slatting plate, which has a sleeping area and an excretion area, and the excretion area has several manure-slatting holes.

[0014] Preferably, the bottom of the disinfection space is provided with an excrement collection trough, the bottom surface of the excrement collection trough is inclined, and a drain outlet is provided at the lowest point of the bottom surface of the excrement collection trough; the drain outlet is connected to the collection bucket through a drain pipe, and a first valve and a second valve are provided on the drain pipe.

[0015] Preferably, a transfer component is provided on the outside of the cabin, a transfer channel is provided inside the transfer component, an outer transfer door is provided at one end of the transfer channel, an inner transfer door is provided between the other end of the transfer channel and the disinfection space, and an ultraviolet lamp is provided in the transfer channel.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0017] 1. In this utility model, air is drawn in through the air intake module, heated by the air intake module, and then introduced into the disinfection space. After flowing through the disinfection space, the air enters the return air channel and is then discharged by the air outlet device. The air enters through the air intake module, passes through the disinfection space and the return air channel in sequence, and is discharged through the air outlet module, thus forming a unidirectional laminar flow path. This method enables the air to form a stable unidirectional laminar flow in the disinfection space, which can evenly cover the entire disinfection space inside the isolator. It avoids the phenomenon of "local overheating" or "local undercooling" caused by poor air flow, and ensures that the temperature inside the isolator is always kept within the range suitable for the growth of newborn germ-free pigs, greatly reducing the risk of piglet mortality due to temperature problems.

[0018] 2. This utility model includes a drive device that can move in a first direction and a pig-driving board that can move in a second direction within the disinfection space. The bottom of the pig cage is equipped with pulleys, allowing the cage to move freely along guide rails. When operators perform operations such as transferring items, feeding, handling feces, collecting blood, and conducting inspections, they can easily move the pig cage in multiple directions to the most convenient operating position. This avoids the operational difficulties caused by the limited space of traditional fixed pig cages, significantly reducing operational difficulty and improving work efficiency.

[0019] 3. The system features a water bottle rack and movable drinking spouts, allowing for selection of the optimal water supply method based on site conditions. The water bottle rack is suitable for installation sites where a sterile water source cannot be provided, while the movable drinking spouts are suitable for scenarios where an external sterile water source can be directly connected, thus improving the system's environmental adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model from one direction.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure from another direction of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a pig cage installed in the cabin.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure inside the cabin.

[0024] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the airflow path within the cabin.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pig cage from one direction.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the pig cage from another direction.

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Cabin; 2. Exhaust fan; 3. Inlet valve; 4. Inlet filter; 5. Inlet fan; 6. Exhaust valve; 7. Exhaust filter; 8. Pig cage; 8-1. Cage body; 8-2. Cage door; 8-3. Slatted floor; 8-4. Pulley; 8-5. Lead screw; 8-6. Lead screw nut; 8-7. Rotary wheel; 8-8. Pig herding board; 8-9. Water bottle rack; 8-10. Movable water nozzle; 8-11. Feed trough; 8-12. Sliding rod; 8-13. Sliding sleeve; 8-14. Connecting rod. 9. Guide rail; 10. Control terminal; 11. Transfer component; 12. Drain outlet; 13. First valve; 14. Second valve; 15. Collection bucket; 16. First sealing door; 17. Second sealing door; 18. Glove opening; 19. Bracket; 20. Casters; 21. Anti-slip feet; 22. Disinfection interface; 23. Outer transfer door; 24. Inner transfer door; 25. Transfer channel; 26. Ultraviolet lamp; 27. Heater; 28. Flow equalization membrane; 29. ​​Return air mesh plate; 30. Return air channel; 31. Inlet air box. Detailed Implementation

[0028] 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. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, a convenient aseptic pig rearing isolator includes a cabin 1 and a pig cage 8. The cabin 1 is equipped with a disinfection space and a return air duct 30. A return air mesh 29 is installed between the disinfection space and the return air duct 30. An air inlet module and an air outlet module are installed on the outside of the cabin 1. The air inlet module heats the air and introduces the heated air into the disinfection space, while the air outlet module exhausts the air from the return air duct 30. The air inlet module, disinfection space, return air duct 30, and air outlet module sequentially form a unidirectional laminar flow path. The pig cage 8 is installed in the disinfection space and can move in a first direction within the disinfection space. A pig-driving board 8-8 that can move in a second direction is installed inside the pig cage 8.

[0030] The disinfection space is equipped with a guide rail 9, and the bottom of the pig cage 8 is equipped with a pulley 8-4. The pig cage 8 moves on the guide rail 9 via the pulley 8-4 to achieve the purpose of moving the entire pig cage 8 along the first direction.

[0031] In this invention, air is drawn in through the air intake module, heated by the air intake module, and then introduced into the disinfection space. After flowing through the disinfection space, the air enters the return air channel 30 and is then discharged by the air outlet device. The air enters through the air intake module, passes through the disinfection space and the return air channel 30 in sequence, and is discharged through the air outlet module, thus forming a unidirectional laminar flow path. This method enables the air to form a stable unidirectional laminar flow in the disinfection space, which can evenly cover the entire disinfection space inside the isolator. It avoids the phenomenon of "local overheating" or "local undercooling" caused by poor air flow, and ensures that the temperature inside the isolator is always kept within the range suitable for the growth of newborn germ-free pigs, greatly reducing the risk of piglet mortality due to temperature problems.

[0032] The unidirectional laminar flow path not only solves the temperature problem but also enhances airflow within the isolator through continuous air circulation. Simultaneously, the intake module pre-treats (heats) the incoming air, and combined with the exhaust function of the return air duct 30 and the exhaust module, it effectively maintains a sterile environment in the disinfection space, further ensuring the healthy growth of newborn germ-free pigs.

[0033] This invention features a guide rail 9 within the disinfection space, and a pig cage 8 equipped with pulleys 8-4 at its bottom, allowing the pig cage 8 to move freely along the guide rail 9. The pig cage 8 moves in a primary direction (left and right), enabling it to contact the transfer components located on the outside of the chamber 1. When operators perform operations such as feeding, feces handling, blood collection, and examinations using isolator gloves, they can easily move the pig cage 8 to the most convenient position, avoiding the operational difficulties caused by the limited space of traditional fixed pig cages 8, significantly reducing operational difficulty and improving work efficiency.

[0034] The side walls of the cabin 1 are double-layered shell structures, and the return air duct 30 is located within these double-layered shell structures. The return air duct 30 is integrated into the double-layered shell structure, eliminating the need for a separate return air duct or channel within the disinfection space and avoiding the occupation of that space by additional structures. This allows the disinfection space to focus more on core functions such as the placement of the pig cage 8 and operational activities, providing more ample space for the activity and feeding of aseptic pigs, especially as their body size gradually increases.

[0035] The air intake module includes an air intake box 31, within which an air intake fan 5 is installed. The air intake fan 5 has an air intake valve 3 and a heater 27 on its intake side, and an air intake filter 4 and a flow equalization membrane 28 on its outlet side. The heater 27 directly heats the air entering the air intake box 31. Combined with the air intake valve 3's adjustment of the airflow, the temperature and volume of the air entering the disinfection space can be precisely controlled. Compared to traditional infrared heating lamps, this method of heating the entire air intake ensures uniform air temperature entering the disinfection space from the source. Combined with a unidirectional laminar flow path, this results in a more consistent temperature distribution within the disinfection space, preventing health risks to newborn germ-free pigs due to localized overheating or cooling, and meeting their need for a warm and stable environment. The air intake filter 4 can deeply filter the heated air, effectively removing pollutants such as microorganisms and dust particles, ensuring that the air entering the disinfection space reaches a sterile level, blocking external pollution sources from entering, and ensuring that the breeding environment for sterile pigs is not contaminated. The flow equalization membrane 28 is installed on the air outlet side of the air intake fan 5, which can transform the heated and filtered air into a uniform and stable laminar airflow.

[0036] The air outlet module includes an exhaust fan 2. The air inlet of the exhaust fan 2 is connected to the return air channel 30 through a pipe. The air outlet of the exhaust fan 2 is equipped with an exhaust valve 6 and an exhaust filter 7.

[0037] like Figure 6 As shown, the pig cage 8 includes a cage body 8-1, with a cage door 8-2 on one side. Inside the cage body 8-1 is a herding board 8-8 and a drive mechanism for moving the herding board 8-8. A feeding space is formed between the herding board 8-8 and the cage door 8-2. The cage body 8-1 is equipped with a water bottle holder 8-9, a movable water nozzle 8-10, and a feed trough 8-11. The water bottle holder 8-9, the movable water nozzle 8-10, and the feed trough 8-11 are used for drinking and feeding the sterile pigs. The drive mechanism can drive the herding board 8-8 towards the cage door, reducing the feeding space between the herding board 8-8 and the cage door 8-2, thereby gently pushing the sterile pigs inside the cage towards the cage door. When operators perform feeding, feces handling, blood collection, and examinations using isolator gloves, they do not need to delve into the cage to feel their way around. They can access the sterile pigs simply by looking at the cage door, reducing operational obstruction caused by piglets moving around inside the cage and significantly improving the efficiency of each operation. This design is particularly beneficial for smaller, more agile individuals such as newborn piglets, avoiding the tediousness of manual herding and the potential stress on the piglets. In this embodiment, the overall movement direction of the pig cage 8 (first direction) is perpendicular to the movement direction of the pig herding board 8-8 (second direction).

[0038] The driving mechanism includes a lead screw 8-5 mounted on the upper end of the cage body 8-1. Both ends of the lead screw 8-5 are rotatably connected to the cage body 8-1. A lead screw nut 8-6 is connected to the lead screw 8-5 and is connected to the pig-driving board 8-8. A rotating wheel 8-7 is mounted on one end of the lead screw 8-5. Rotating the rotating wheel drives the lead screw 8-5 to rotate, which in turn moves the pig-driving board 8-8.

[0039] Furthermore, the lower end of the cage 8-1 is provided with a sliding sleeve 8-13 and a sliding rod 8-12. The sliding sleeve 8-13 is fixedly connected to the cage 8-1, and the sliding sleeve 8-13 and the sliding rod 8-12 are in sliding engagement. The pulley 8-4 is fixedly connected to the sliding rod 8-12. The cage 8-1 can move along the axial direction of the sliding rod 8-12. The sliding rod 8-12 is oriented in the same direction as the moving direction of the pig-driving board 8-8. By setting the sliding rod and sliding sleeve, the entire pig cage can move not only in the first direction within the disinfection space, but also along the axial direction of the sliding rod, achieving a bidirectional movement effect.

[0040] Among them, the water bottle rack 8-9 can sterilize external water sources and then aseptically transfer them into the cabin through the transfer window, which is suitable for scenarios where the installation site does not have a sterile water source; the mobile drinking nozzle 8-10 connects to the sterile water interface of the isolator, which can directly provide external drinking water to the sterile pigs, eliminating the need for frequent water bottle replacements, and is suitable for scenarios where a sterile water source can be provided at the installation site.

[0041] The bottom of the cage 8-1 is equipped with a manure-leaking plate 8-3, which has a sleeping area and an excretion area. The excretion area has several manure-leaking holes.

[0042] The bottom of the disinfection space is equipped with an excrement collection trough, the bottom of which is inclined, and a drain outlet 12 is located at the lowest point of the bottom. The inclined bottom allows the excrement (feces, urine, etc.) of the sterile pigs to automatically collect at the lowest drain outlet 12 under the action of gravity, and then be discharged outward through the drain outlet 12, preventing the excrement from accumulating or stagnating in the collection trough and improving the sewage discharge efficiency.

[0043] The sewage outlet 12 is connected to the collection tank 15 via a sewage pipe, which is equipped with a first valve 13 and a second valve 14. During sewage discharge, valves 13 and 14 are opened simultaneously, allowing excrement to flow through the sewage pipe into the collection tank 15. After discharge, valves 13 and 14 are closed simultaneously, and the connection between them is disconnected. Excrement inside the enclosure is then transferred to the outside for separate treatment, thereby reducing the risk of external environmental contamination of the internal environment and ensuring the cultivation of germ-free animals.

[0044] A transfer component 11 is installed on the outer side of the chamber 1, and a transfer channel 25 is installed inside the transfer component 11. One end of the transfer channel is equipped with an outer transfer door 23, and the other end of the transfer channel is connected to the disinfection space with an inner transfer door 24. An ultraviolet lamp 26 is installed in the transfer channel 25. The outer transfer door 23 (which communicates with the outside) and the inner transfer door 24 (which communicates with the disinfection space) form a "double-door interlocking" design: when transferring items, the outer transfer door 23 is opened first to put the items in, and after closing the outer transfer door 23, the items are sent into the disinfection space through the inner transfer door 24, avoiding direct communication between the inner and outer spaces. This structure physically blocks the path of outside air and microorganisms into the disinfection space with the transfer of items, solving the problem of sterile environment destruction caused by single door opening in traditional isolators. The ultraviolet lamps 26 in the transfer channel 25 can quickly and non-contactly disinfect items placed in the channel, killing bacteria, viruses, spores and other microorganisms that may be carried on the surface of the items. Especially for items that are easily contaminated by external microorganisms, such as feed and piglet care supplies, ultraviolet disinfection can eliminate the risk of contamination in advance during the transfer process, forming a synergistic protection with the overall sterile environment of the disinfection space, further reducing the possibility of infection in sterile pigs.

[0045] A first sealing door 16 and a second sealing door 17 are provided on one side of the cabin 1, and glove openings 18 are provided on both the first sealing door 16 and the second sealing door 17. A disinfection interface 22 is also provided on the outside of the cabin 1. A control terminal 10 is provided on the outside of the transfer component 11.

[0046] The bottom of the cabin 1 is equipped with a support frame 19, and the bottom of the support frame 19 is equipped with casters 20 and anti-slip feet 21.

[0047] This utility model is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments. Anyone can derive other forms of products under the guidance of this utility model. However, regardless of any changes made in their shape or structure, any technical solution that is the same as or similar to this application falls within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A user-friendly aseptic pig rearing isolator, characterized in that, It includes a cabin and a pig cage. The cabin is equipped with a disinfection space and a return air duct. The outside of the cabin is equipped with an air inlet module and an air outlet module. The air is heated by the air inlet module and the heated air is introduced into the disinfection space. The air is discharged from the return air duct by the air outlet module. The air intake module, disinfection space, return air duct, and air outlet module sequentially form a unidirectional laminar flow path; the pig cage is set in the disinfection space; the pig cage can move in the first direction within the disinfection space, and a pig-driving board that can move in the second direction is installed inside the pig cage.

2. The easy-to-operate aseptic pig feeding isolator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side walls of the cabin are a double-shell structure, and the return air duct is located in the double-shell structure.

3. The easy-to-operate aseptic pig feeding isolator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air intake module includes an air intake box, an air intake fan is installed inside the air intake box, an air intake valve and a heater are installed on the air intake side of the air intake fan, and an air intake filter and a flow equalization membrane are installed on the air outlet side of the air intake fan.

4. The easy-to-operate aseptic pig feeding isolator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air outlet module includes an exhaust fan, the air inlet of which is connected to the return air channel through a pipe, and the air outlet of which is equipped with an exhaust valve and an exhaust filter.

5. The easy-to-operate aseptic pig feeding isolator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pig cage includes a cage body with a cage door on one side. Inside the cage, there is a pig-driving board and a drive mechanism for driving the pig-driving board to move in a second direction. A feeding space is formed between the pig-driving board and the cage door. The cage body is equipped with a water bottle rack, a movable water nozzle, and a feed trough.

6. The easy-to-operate aseptic pig feeding isolator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The disinfection space is equipped with guide rails, and the bottom of the pig cage is equipped with pulleys, allowing the pig cage to move on the guide rails via the pulleys. The driving mechanism includes a lead screw mounted on the upper end of the cage body, with both ends of the lead screw rotatably connected to the cage body. A lead screw nut is connected to the lead screw, and the lead screw nut is connected to the pig-driving board. A rotating wheel is mounted on one end of the lead screw.

7. The easy-to-operate aseptic pig feeding isolator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower end of the cage is provided with a sliding sleeve and a sliding rod. The sliding sleeve is fixedly connected to the cage, and the sliding sleeve and the sliding rod are in sliding fit. The pulley is fixedly connected to the sliding rod. The cage can move along the axial direction of the sliding rod.

8. The easy-to-operate aseptic pig rearing isolator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The bottom of the cage is equipped with a manure-slatted board, which has a sleeping area and an excretion area. The excretion area has several manure-slatted holes.

9. The easy-to-operate aseptic pig feeding isolator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the disinfection space is provided with an excrement collection trough, the bottom surface of which is inclined, and a drain outlet is provided at the lowest point of the bottom surface of the excrement collection trough; the drain outlet is connected to the collection bucket through a drain pipe, and a first valve and a second valve are provided on the drain pipe.

10. A convenient-to-operate aseptic pig feeding isolator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer side of the cabin is equipped with a transfer component, and the transfer component is equipped with a transfer channel. One end of the transfer channel is equipped with an outer transfer door, and the other end of the transfer channel is equipped with an inner transfer door between it and the disinfection space. Ultraviolet lamps are installed in the transfer channel.

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