Animal energy metabolism measuring device

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of animal energy metabolism measuring device, including box and hatch, the hatch detachably installed at the top of box, the hatch detachably integrated with weighing tube, trough and water tank;The weighing tube, trough and water tank are all suspended in the box;The lower end of handle cover is fixedly connected with weighing sensor adapter plate, weighing sensor adapter plate is connected with weighing sensor, and weighing sensor adapter plate is connected with weighing tube, trough or water tank by weighing adapter connection.The handle cover is arranged on the hatch, the installation problem of weighing tube, trough, water tank and weighing sensor in the box is solved, which helps to realize long-term monitoring of the diet and weight of experimental objects, thereby helping to study animal energy metabolism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of animal experimental device technology, specifically to an animal energy metabolism measurement device. Background Technology

[0002] Laboratory animal energy metabolism monitoring systems are state-of-the-art, representative instruments for monitoring and analyzing the metabolism of individual animals. Utilizing a movable cage system, they can continuously monitor metabolic indicators of laboratory animals under stress-free conditions for extended periods. Combined with monitoring of physiological indicators such as spontaneous activity, feeding, drinking, and excretion, they enable the research, analysis, and evaluation of the overall energy metabolism level of laboratory animals or animal disease models. They are widely used in: Western medicine drug discovery, activity screening of traditional Chinese medicine / ethnic medicine and their effective parts (components), research on the etiology and pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, basic research in nutrition and lipid metabolism abnormalities, cardiovascular diseases, kinesiology, physiology, and related drug screening, and experimental research related to immune metabolism. This is beneficial for accelerating domestic research and development efficiency in drug discovery and metabolic optimization.

[0003] A Chinese patent application with publication number CN205072449U discloses an animal metabolism cage placement cabinet for animal metabolism experiments, comprising: a cabinet body; multiple horizontal partitions disposed within the cabinet body to divide the cabinet body into multiple layers for placing animal metabolism cages; further comprising: a humidity detection element disposed within the cabinet body for detecting the humidity within the cabinet body; and a spray device disposed within the cabinet body for spraying humidification onto the animal metabolism cages within the cabinet body based on the detection results of the humidity detection element.

[0004] Existing technology uses a spray humidifier to humidify the animal's metabolic cage based on the humidity inside the cage, which effectively prevents the evaporation and loss of animal metabolites (such as urine) and facilitates accurate calculation of metabolites. However, it cannot continuously monitor the metabolic indicators of laboratory animals for a long time, as well as physiological indicators such as feeding, drinking, and weight. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the deficiencies in the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an animal energy metabolism measurement device.

[0006] According to the present invention, an animal energy metabolism measuring device includes a box and a cover. The cover is detachably installed on the top of the box and a weighing tube, a feeding trough, and a water trough are detachably integrated on the cover. The weighing tube, feeding trough, and water trough are all suspended within the box. A weighing sensor adapter plate is fixedly connected to the lower end of the cover. The weighing sensor adapter plate is connected to the weighing sensor and is connected to the weighing tube, feeding trough, or water trough through a weighing adapter.

[0007] Preferably, a handle cover is detachably installed on the hatch cover, the hatch cover is provided with a through hole that allows the handle cover to pass through, the lower end of the handle cover extends into the box body, and a weighing tube, a feeding trough or a water trough is installed on the lower end of the handle cover.

[0008] Preferably, a top plate is detachably installed on the hatch via a tube buckle, and the handle cover is connected to the top plate via a snap fastener. The top plate has a through hole that allows the handle cover to pass through.

[0009] Preferably, the weighing pipe is connected to a weighing adapter via a pipe clamp.

[0010] Preferably, there are three handle caps, which are respectively connected to the weighing tube, the feeding trough, and the water trough.

[0011] Preferably, the feeding trough includes a baffle that opens or closes the feeding trough from the side.

[0012] Preferably, a support tube is provided inside the box, with the bottom of the support tube contacting the bottom of the box and the top of the support tube contacting the bottom of the hatch.

[0013] Preferably, the weighing sensors measure the weight of the weighing tube, the food trough, and the water trough in real time.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] 1. This utility model solves the problem of installing the weighing tube, feed trough, water trough and weighing sensor inside the box by setting a handle cover on the hatch cover, which helps to realize long-term monitoring of the diet and weight of experimental subjects, thereby helping to study animal energy metabolism.

[0016] 2. This utility model solves the problem of monitoring and measuring changes in food, water, and animal weight over a long period of time by connecting a weighing adapter to a weighing tube, a feeding trough, and a water trough.

[0017] 3. This utility model solves the problem of food overflowing and falling out of the feeding trough by using a baffle structure, while ensuring that the laboratory mice can eat normally. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Other features, objects, and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is an exploded view showing the overall structure of the measuring device, which is the main feature of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is an axonometric view showing the overall structure of the measuring device, which is the main feature of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the measured drinking water curve, which is the main feature of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This utility model is mainly illustrated by a schematic diagram of the measured animal weight curve.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding curve measured, which is the main feature of this utility model.

[0024] Figure label:

[0025] Box 1, Feeding trough 9

[0026] Weighing pipe 2, water tank 10

[0027] Pipe clamp 3, baffle 11

[0028] Support tube 4, hatch cover 12

[0029] Weighing adapter 5, pipe clamp 13

[0030] Weighing sensor adapter plate 6 Top plate 14

[0031] 7 copper studs, 15 handle caps

[0032] 8-piece cap, 16-piece snap fastener Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the present invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an animal energy metabolism measuring device according to this utility model includes a housing 1, a cover 12, and a monitoring system. The cover 12 is detachably installed on the top of the housing 1, and a weighing tube 2, a feed trough 9, and a water trough 10 are detachably integrated on the cover 12. The weighing tube 2, feed trough 9, and water trough 10 are all suspended within the housing 1. The monitoring system monitors the weights of the weighing tube 2, feed trough 9, and water trough 10 in real time and outputs visualized data.

[0035] The technical solution of this application measures the weight data in real time through the symmetrical weight tube 2, the feeding trough 9 and the water trough 10, and continuously monitors the metabolic indicators of experimental animals in a stress-free environment for a long time. Combined with the monitoring of physiological indicators such as spontaneous activity, feeding, drinking and excretion, the overall energy metabolism level of experimental animals or animal disease models is analyzed.

[0036] Specifically, a handle cover 15 is detachably installed on the hatch cover 12. The hatch cover 12 has a through hole allowing the handle cover 15 to pass through. The lower end of the handle cover 15 extends into the housing 1, and a weighing tube 2, a feeding trough 9, or a water trough 10 is installed at the lower end of the handle cover 15. A top plate 14 is detachably installed on the hatch cover 12 via a pipe buckle 13. The handle cover 15 is connected to the top plate 14 via a snap fastener 16. The top plate 14 has a through hole allowing the handle cover 15 to pass through. A load cell adapter plate 6 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the handle cover 15. The load cell adapter plate 6 is fixed below the handle cover 15 via copper studs 7. A weighing cover 8 connects the load cell adapter plate 6 and the handle cover 15. The load cell adapter plate 6 is connected to the load cell. The load cell adapter plate 6 is connected to the weighing tube 2, the feeding trough 9, or the water trough 10 via a weighing adapter 5. The weighing tube 2 is connected to the weighing adapter 5 via a pipe clamp 3. A support tube 4 is provided inside the box body 1. The bottom of the support tube 4 contacts the bottom of the box body 1, and the top of the support tube 4 contacts the bottom of the hatch cover 12. The support tube 4 serves to support the hatch cover 12.

[0037] The technical solution of this application solves the problem of implanting the weighing tube 2, the food trough 9, the water trough 10 and the weighing sensor adapter plate 6 by adopting the structure of the hatch cover 12 and the top plate 14, so as to enable the experimental mice to drink water, eat food and move freely in the box 1 and the weighing tube 2, so as to monitor the energy metabolism of the experimental mice.

[0038] It should be specifically noted that: the hatch 12 enables the box body 1 to be closed or opened. The hatch 12 and the top plate 14 work together to serve as the mounting base for the handle cover 15. In one feasible implementation, the hatch 12 and the top plate 14 can be an integral structure, that is, there is only one cover plate on the top of the box body 1, which enables the box body 1 to be closed or opened, and also serves as the mounting base for the handle cover 15.

[0039] It should be further explained that the handle cap 15 in this application serves as a support for the weighing tube 2, the feeding trough 9, or the water tank 10, allowing them to be suspended within the housing 1, thus enabling the load cell to detect the weight of the weighing tube, feeding trough 9, or water tank 10. Therefore, in one feasible embodiment, the handle cap 15 may extend into the housing 1 or not. The load cell adapter plate 6, fixedly installed below the handle cap 15, connects to the weighing tube 2, feeding trough 9, or water tank 10 via the weighing adapter 5, thus achieving long-term monitoring of the weighing tube 2, feeding trough 9, or water tank 10. The preferred connection method between the load cell adapter plate 6 and the weighing adapter 5 is a detachable connection such as a snap-fit ​​or threaded connection; in some cases, it can also be a fixed connection formed in one piece.

[0040] The feeding trough 9 includes a baffle 11, which opens or closes the feeding trough 9 from its side. The baffle 11 has a fence-like structure. By adopting the structure of the baffle 11, the technical solution of this application solves the problem of food overflowing and falling from the feeding trough 9, while ensuring that the experimental mice can eat normally.

[0041] This application provides a feasible implementation method:

[0042] Three handles 15 are provided on the hatch cover 12, and the three handles 15 are respectively connected to the weighing tube 2, the feeding trough 9, and the water trough 10. When an animal is placed inside the box 1, it can move freely within the box 1. The heights of the weighing tube 2, the feeding trough 9, and the water trough 10 are designed to accommodate the size of the animal placed inside the box 1. The animal can drink water in the water trough 10, eat in the feeding trough 9, and move around in the weighing tube 2. It should be noted that the technical solution of this application is particularly suitable for rodents. Given the habits of rodents, they will actively enter the weighing tube 2, making it easier to obtain their weight data.

[0043] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the monitoring system includes weighing sensors and a processor. The weighing sensors detect the values ​​of the weighing tube 2, feed trough 9, and water trough 10 in real time, and transmit the detected data signals to the processor. The processor then visualizes the received data signals. The visualization methods include generating time-varying weight change charts and / or real-time voice broadcasting of weight data. This system can detect the animal's food and water intake and body weight, enabling long-term monitoring of dietary and weight changes in experimental animals, thereby facilitating the study of animal energy metabolism.

[0044] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0045] The specific embodiments of this utility model have been described above. It should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the substantive content of this utility model. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. An animal energy metabolism measuring device, characterized in that, It includes a box body (1) and a hatch cover (12), the hatch cover (12) being detachably mounted on the top of the box body (1), and a weighing tube (2), a feeding trough (9) and a water trough (10) being detachably integrated on the hatch cover (12); The weighing tube (2), the feeding trough (9) and the water trough (10) are all suspended inside the box (1); The lower end of the handle cover (15) is fixedly connected to a weighing sensor adapter plate (6), which is connected to the weighing sensor. The weighing sensor adapter plate (6) is connected to the weighing tube (2), the feeding trough (9), or the water tank (10) through the weighing adapter (5).

2. The animal energy metabolism measuring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A handle cover (15) is detachably installed on the hatch cover (12). The hatch cover (12) is provided with a through hole that allows the handle cover (15) to pass through. The lower end of the handle cover (15) extends into the box body (1). A weighing tube (2), a feeding trough (9), or a water trough (10) is installed on the lower end of the handle cover (15).

3. The animal energy metabolism measuring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hatch cover (12) is detachably mounted with a top plate (14) via a pipe buckle (13), and the handle cover (15) is connected to the top plate (14) via a snap fastener (16). The top plate (14) has a through hole that allows the handle cover (15) to pass through.

4. The animal energy metabolism measuring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The weighing pipe (2) is connected to the weighing adapter (5) via a pipe clamp (3).

5. The animal energy metabolism measuring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The handle cover (15) is provided in three parts, and the three handle covers (15) are respectively connected to the weighing tube (2), the feeding trough (9) and the water trough (10).

6. The animal energy metabolism measuring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding trough (9) includes a baffle (11) which opens or closes the feeding trough (9) from the side.

7. The animal energy metabolism measuring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A support tube (4) is provided inside the box (1). The bottom of the support tube (4) is in contact with the bottom of the box (1), and the top of the support tube (4) is in contact with the bottom of the hatch (12).

8. The animal energy metabolism measuring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The weighing sensors measure the weight of the weighing tube (2), the food trough (9), and the water trough (10) in real time.

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