A safe animal experiment treadmill device capable of preventing mice from rolling in

Abstract

The utility model provides a track sliding formula prevents mouse to roll into's safe type animal experiment running track device, including running track main part, including support platform, even being equipped with a plurality of running track partition cover and controller on support platform upper end, the support platform of running track partition cover bottom all is equipped with running belt, stimulating device, is equipped with on running belt rear side upper end, is fixed on running track partition cover, prevents rolling mechanism, including being equipped with the slide rail of running track partition cover top wall, the micro -type gyro wheel of sliding being equipped with in slide rail, micro -type extension spring and being equipped with mouse tail connecting piece of micro -type extension spring other end in movable connection micro -type gyro wheel lower extreme. The utility model will track sliding gyro wheel mechanism and spring gradual pull back organic integration, realizes asymmetric dynamic protection, fills in the existing running track behavior restriction and static protection's blank, has remarkable novelty and creativity, has solved mechanical gap hidden danger while maintaining stimulation efficiency, the improvement cost is low, is easy to existing equipment integration, improves experimental efficiency and data accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of medical and biological experimental equipment technology, specifically relating to a track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device to prevent mice from being drawn in, and in particular to a safety protection mechanism for the connection gap between the conveyor belt and the stimulation electrode in the animal experimental treadmill. Background Technology

[0002] Animal treadmills, as a common biomedical research tool, are primarily used for running training in rodents such as mice to simulate physiological stress environments, replacing traditional swimming training methods and thus more accurately quantifying training intensity indicators. These devices are widely used in fields such as physical fitness assessment, endurance testing, sports injury model construction, observation of nutritional intervention effects, drug toxicology evaluation, and research on physiological and pathological mechanisms. Existing animal treadmills on the market (such as the ZH-PT / 5S small animal treadmill from Anhui Zhenghua Bio-Instrument Equipment Co., Ltd., and the KW-PT small animal treadmill from Nanjing Calvin Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) employ a multi-lane design, equipped with an adjustable-speed conveyor belt (speed range 0-60 m / min, acceleration 0-10 m / s² adjustable), and electrical stimulation electrodes (current 0-5 mA adjustable) at the end of the conveyor belt. Animals are stimulated to move forward through electric shocks, and the devices also support tilt angle adjustment (-25°~+25°), exhaustion control (599 times / 300s adjustable), and multimodal stimulation (electric, light, and sound). These features make the treadmill an indispensable tool in scientific research, capable of storing multiple sets of data and enabling data uploading and remote monitoring through touchscreen operation and IoT interfaces.

[0003] However, the current design of animal laboratory treadmills has significant safety hazards and technical limitations: (1) Mechanical gaps (approximately 1-5 mm wide) often form at the connection between the conveyor belt tail and the electrode, which stems from the engineering requirements of roller assembly, support structure, and electrode grid. In particular, in some case-related sports injury models, such as mice with energy metabolism disorders, diabetic mice, and mice with movement disorders, such as arthritis mice, mice are prone to slipping and falling during running due to their small size (body length 10-20 cm, tail length similar), easily fatigued motor coordination, and stress responses (such as panicked retreat or tail swinging). This can lead to claws or tails getting caught in the rotating conveyor belt mechanism, causing mechanical pinching, sprains, or even death. According to actual observations, existing traditional treadmills lack effective safety protection devices. In actual observations, our research team found that even at very low speeds (6-8 m / min), the probability of diabetic mice being pinched or dying was still over 30-40%. Literature records that various exercise models typically require continuous running for 4-8 weeks. Assuming a repetition count of n=5, the entire model cycle requires a cumulative total of 5*7*(4 / 8)=140-280 mouse runs. With such a high count, there is a small probability that 2-3 mice will be lost. This not only violates international animal welfare standards (such as the 3R principle emphasized in EU Directive 2010 / 63 / EU and Chinese GB / T35892-2018: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), but also leads to experimental interruption, data bias, and increased animal replacement costs.

[0004] (2) While current electrical stimulation mechanisms are effective, their coverage is limited, and they may not be triggered in time when the animal lags behind, thus increasing the risk of fall. Furthermore, the lack of dynamic protective measures prevents real-time responses to behavioral variations in animals (such as abnormal movements before and after exhaustion). In addition, existing patented technologies (such as the treadmill safety key mechanism in CN202202639U, and commercial treadmill products from Ugo Basile or TSE Systems) primarily focus on basic structural optimization, speed control, or multimodal stimulation, but few offer specific solutions for the problem of tail entanglement in rodents. Some human treadmill patents (such as the anti-pinch design in US11938369) mention gap protection, but their scale and mechanical parameters are not suitable for the microscopic physiological characteristics of mice and cannot be directly transplanted.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, existing attempts at improvement have largely been limited to passive structural adjustments, such as raising the runway sidewalls or adding static protective shields. However, these methods have failed to resolve dynamic lag behavior and may introduce new variables (such as restricting the animal's natural gait, affecting the accuracy of energy consumption data). This further highlights the need for a non-invasive, dynamically adaptive safety mechanism that can prevent involvement risks and maintain stimulus efficacy without interfering with experimental variables.

[0006] In summary, a safe animal experimental treadmill device with a sliding track to prevent mice from getting caught needs to be designed to overcome the above-mentioned problems. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the mechanical safety defects of existing animal experimental treadmills and to provide a safe animal experimental treadmill device with a sliding track to prevent mice from being entangled.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a track-sliding safety animal experimental running table device to prevent mice from being entangled, comprising: The main body of the running platform includes a support platform, a plurality of track dividers evenly arranged on one side of the upper end of the support platform, and a controller arranged on the other side of the support platform. Each track divider is provided with a running belt on the support platform at the bottom. The stimulation device is located at the upper rear end of the running belt and is fixed to the track divider cover. The anti-roll mechanism includes a slide rail on the top wall of the runway divider, a miniature roller slidably disposed in the slide rail, a miniature extension spring movably connected to the lower end of the miniature roller, and a mouse tail connector disposed at the other end of the miniature extension spring. The mouse tail connector is used for detachable and fixed connection with the animal tail.

[0009] The purpose of this utility model and the technical problems to be solved can be further achieved by the following technical measures.

[0010] Furthermore, the miniature roller consists of a central rotating shaft and rollers connected to both sides of the rotating shaft via bearings; A connecting rod is fixedly provided at the middle of the lower end of the rotating shaft. The lower end of the connecting rod is detachably connected to the upper end of the micro extension spring, and the lower end of the micro extension spring is detachably connected to the mouse tail connector.

[0011] Furthermore, each end of the miniature extension spring is integrally connected to a connecting ring, and a spring rope buckle is detachably connected to each connecting ring. The lower end of the connecting rod is provided with a hanging hole, and the spring rope buckle is detachably connected to the hanging hole.

[0012] Furthermore, the mouse tail connector is a medical tape, with its two free ends attached to the mouse tail, and the annular portion formed in the middle being detachably connected to the spring rope buckle.

[0013] Furthermore, the mouse tail connector is a magnetic clip, one end of which is fixedly connected to a pull rope, and the other end of the pull rope is integrally provided with a rope loop, which is detachably connected to the spring rope buckle.

[0014] Furthermore, the magnetic clip consists of a pair of biocompatible magnetic rings, the inner walls of which are lined with a silicone pad.

[0015] Furthermore, the slide rail has a T-shaped track.

[0016] Furthermore, the slide rail is a through groove formed in the top wall of the runway partition cover, and a stop pin is provided at one end of the through groove near the stimulation device.

[0017] Furthermore, the runway partition cover is equipped with an openable door panel.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. This utility model discloses a track-sliding, safe animal experimental treadmill device to prevent mice from being entangled. It organically integrates a track-sliding roller mechanism with a spring-progressive pull-back mechanism to achieve asymmetric dynamic protection, filling the gap in existing treadmill behavior restrictions and static protection. It has significant novelty and inventiveness, solving the hidden dangers of mechanical gaps while maintaining stimulation efficacy. It does not interfere with the normal gait and energy consumption data of mice, and can respond quickly when there is a lag. It significantly reduces the animal mortality rate from the original 10-20% to <1%, reduces experimental interruption and replacement costs, and strictly complies with international animal welfare guidelines (such as the 3R principle).

[0019] 2. The present invention relates to a track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device for preventing mice from being entangled. It can be modified at a low cost by opening track grooves in the top wall of the existing track divider cover. It can be seamlessly compatible with all parameter settings such as speed, acceleration, and tilt angle of the existing treadmill, and is easy to integrate with existing equipment, thereby improving experimental efficiency and data accuracy.

[0020] 3. The present invention relates to a track-sliding safety animal experimental running table device for preventing mice from being entangled. By using detachable connections (such as spring rope buckles and hanging holes) between the spring and the roller and between the spring and the mouse tail, it is easy to clean and disinfect and to regularly replace vulnerable parts, thereby improving practicality and reducing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the track-sliding safety animal experimental running table device for preventing mice from being entangled, provided by this utility model. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the track-sliding safety animal experimental running table device for preventing mice from being entangled, provided by this utility model. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of another embodiment at point A; Figure 5 This is an enlarged structural schematic diagram of the miniature roller in this utility model; Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Running platform main body; 11. Support platform; 12. Running track divider cover; 13. Controller; 14. Running belt; 15. Rotating shaft; 16. Drive motor; 17. Door panel; 2. Stimulation device; 3. Anti-roll mechanism; 31. Slide rail; 32. Miniature roller; 321. Rotating shaft; 322. Bearing; 323. Roller; 324. Connecting rod; 325. Hanging hole; 33. Miniature extension spring; 331. Connecting ring; 332. Spring rope buckle; 34. Mouse tail connector; 341. Medical tape; 342. Magnetic clip; 343. Pull rope; 344. Rope loop; 35. Stop pin. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. These embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical principles and application effects of this invention and do not limit the scope of protection of this invention. Without departing from the spirit and substance of this invention, those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications, substitutions, or improvements, all of which fall within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0023] Please see Figures 1 to 3 A track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device to prevent mice from being entangled, comprising: The main body of the running platform 1 includes a support platform 11, a plurality of track dividers 12 evenly arranged on one side of the upper end of the support platform 11, and a controller 13 arranged on the other side of the support platform 11. Each track divider 12 is provided with a running belt 14 on the support platform 11 at its bottom. The running belt 14 is connected to the track divider 12 by a rotating shaft 15 arranged on both sides of the lower end of the track divider 12. One end of one of the rotating shafts 15 is connected to a drive motor 16. The specific structure and connection method of the main body of the running platform 1 and the running belt 14 can adopt existing technology, which will not be described in detail in this device. Stimulation device 2 is located at the upper rear end of the running belt 14 and is fixed on the track divider cover 12; the stimulation device 2 here can be a stimulation electrode in the prior art. The anti-roll mechanism 3 includes a slide rail 31 on the top wall of the track divider 12, a miniature roller 32 slidably disposed in the slide rail 31, a miniature extension spring 33 movably connected to the lower end of the miniature roller 32, and a mouse tail connector 34 disposed at the other end of the miniature extension spring 33. The mouse tail connector 34 is used for detachable and fixed connection with the animal tail.

[0024] In this device, the length and width of the electrode grid need to be customized according to specific circumstances. For example, when improving the existing ZH-PT / 5S animal experimental treadmill, to maintain the original excitation function, we extended the electrode grid by adding a silver-plated copper alloy conductive strip (5-10cm in length, 55mm in width matching the treadmill), seamlessly covering the safety distance area (extending from the original electrode tail to the spring pull-back threshold position), and ensuring compatibility with existing electrical stimulation parameters (adjustable current 0-5mA) and multimodal modes (electric, optical, acoustic). After the device is assembled, standard parameters are set on the touchscreen controller: speed 12 m / min (recommended value for mice), acceleration 2 m / s², tilt angle 0°, and exhaustion control 599 times / 300s. The testing process included mechanical simulation (without animal verification of roller sliding and spring tension) and animal experiments (n=10 mice): When mice ran forward normally, the roller moved forward, and the spring was slightly tensioned or relaxed (tension <0.05N), allowing for high degrees of freedom; when lagging, the roller moved backward, and the spring elongation increased (x=30-80mm), generating a progressive tension (F=0.05-0.1N, calculated according to Hooke's Law F = -kx), dynamically pulling the animal back to a safe distance (5-8cm) to prevent the tail or claws from getting caught in gaps; the extended electrodes simultaneously triggered stimulation, prompting forward movement. Results showed that the mortality rate decreased from the original 15% to <1%, and the experimental data (such as endurance indicators) deviation was <3%, fully demonstrating the innovative integration of track sliding and spring pull-back, achieving asymmetric protection (loose in front, tight in back), and solving the gait restriction problem of the original fixed-point design.

[0025] Preferably, the miniature roller 32 consists of a central rotating shaft 321 and rollers 323 connected to both sides of the rotating shaft 321 via bearings 322; the rollers 323 are made of stainless steel or plastic to ensure a smooth and non-toxic surface. A connecting rod 324 is fixedly installed at the lower middle of the rotating shaft 321. The lower end of the connecting rod 324 is detachably connected to the upper end of the miniature extension spring 33, and the lower end of the miniature extension spring 33 is detachably connected to the mouse tail connector 34. By using detachable connections between the miniature extension spring 33 and the miniature roller 32, and between the miniature extension spring 33 and the mouse tail connector 34, cleaning, disinfection, and regular replacement of vulnerable parts are facilitated, improving practicality and reducing costs.

[0026] Preferably, each end of the miniature extension spring 33 is integrally connected to a connecting ring 331, and a spring rope buckle 332 is detachably connected to each connecting ring 331. The lower end of the connecting rod 324 has a hanging hole 325, and the spring rope buckle 332 is detachably connected to the hanging hole 325. The spring rope buckle 332 allows for detachable connection between the miniature extension spring 33 and the hanging hole 325 on the connecting rod 324 at the lower end of the miniature roller 32, facilitating the separation of the miniature extension spring 33 from the miniature roller 32 and enabling component replacement.

[0027] Preferably, the mouse tail connector 34 is a medical tape 341. The two free ends of the medical tape 341 are adhered to the mouse tail, and the annular portion formed in the middle can be detachably connected to the spring rope buckle 332. The medical tape 341 is used for non-invasive fixation of the mouse tail base. Specifically, the tape is wrapped around the animal's tail base 2-3 times, leaving a section in the middle to form a loop, ensuring no compression of blood vessels. The loop is then connected to the spring rope buckle 332 at one end of the micro-extension spring 33. To address the risk of skin inflammation or hair loss at the tail base that may result from long-term use of the medical tape 341, it can be replaced with biodegradable tape (e.g., a polymer material based on polylactic acid or alginate).

[0028] Preferably, the mouse tail connector 34 is a magnetic clip 342. One end of the magnetic clip 342 is fixedly connected to a pull rope 343, and the other end of the pull rope 343 is integrally provided with a rope loop 344. The rope loop 344 is detachably connected to the spring rope buckle 332. The magnetic clip 342 clamps and fixes the tail to the base, and the rope loop 344 connects to the spring rope buckle 332 at the end of the spring, achieving rapid, glue-free adhesion. The fixing method using the magnetic clip 342 reduces the risk of chemical irritation and allergies, ensuring that the device is suitable for long-term repeated experiments, while also facilitating cleaning and disinfection, and meeting animal welfare standards.

[0029] Preferably, the magnetic clip 342 consists of a pair of biocompatible magnetic rings, the inner walls of which are covered with a silicone pad.

[0030] Preferably, the slide rail 31 has a T-shaped track. Its inner wall is smooth, the coefficient of friction is <0.1, and the resistance is very small and negligible.

[0031] Preferably, the slide rail 31 is a through groove formed in the top wall of the track divider 12, and a stop pin 35 is provided at one end of the through groove near the stimulation device 2. The miniature roller 32 is embedded in the middle through groove of the top wall of the track divider 12 to achieve free movement along the track; taking the existing ZH-PT / 5S type animal experimental treadmill as an example, the top cover of the track divider 12 is made of transparent acrylic material, and the hollow structure in the middle, i.e., the through groove, is located in the center of the width direction (central position), with a width of 10mm (matching the roller as a whole, the connecting rod 324 below can pass through, and avoids jamming or shaking, but the roller cannot pass through), and a length of 300-350mm (covering the effective area of ​​the track, starting from an offset of 50-100mm from the front end, leaving a buffer of 100-200mm at the rear end, allowing a total sliding stroke of about 300mm). The inner wall of the through groove is smooth, with a friction coefficient of <0.1, and the resistance is very small and negligible.

[0032] Preferably, the runway partition cover 12 is provided with an openable door panel 17, which facilitates the loading and unloading of experimental animals, replacement of parts, and cleaning of the internal space.

[0033] The working principle of this device is as follows: Open the door panel 17, fix the tail of the test animal (taking a mouse as an example) with biodegradable tape or magnetic clip, then connect one end of the biodegradable tape or magnetic clip to one end of the micro-extension spring 33 through the spring rope buckle 332, and then connect the other end of the micro-extension spring 33 to the connecting rod 324 at the lower end of the micro-roller 32, and close the door panel 17; start the drive motor 16 and apply electricity to the stimulation electrode. When the mouse runs forward normally, it is located in the front part of the running belt 14, the micro-roller 32 moves forward, and the micro-extension spring 33 is in a slightly stretched or relaxed state (extension of 10-20mm, tension <0.05N, not interfering with gait); when the mouse moves backward... When the mouse deviates, the miniature roller 32 moves backward and is in a progressively tightened state (extension of 30-50mm, tension gradually increases to 0.05-0.08N, dynamically pulled back to maintain a safe distance). When the mouse is about to slip or get close to the gap, the mouse approaches the tail of the running belt 14, the miniature roller 32 approaches the stop pin 35 at the rear end, and the miniature extension spring 33 is in the maximum extension state (extension of 50-80mm, tension reaches 0.08-0.1N, triggering the maximum pull-back force and electrical stimulation), thereby limiting backward hysteresis (the miniature extension spring 33 gradually pulls back, maintaining a safe distance of 5-8cm), thus effectively avoiding injury or death caused by the tail or claws getting caught in the rotating parts.

[0034] Furthermore, this device can be further optimized: to address the potential fatigue fracture caused by repeated stretching of the micro-extension spring 33, and the potential behavioral impact of the sliding mechanism (such as roller wobbling restricting mouse head turning or lateral movement, introducing stress variables), the existing ZH-PT / 5S animal experimental treadmill body can be further optimized and improved by integrating infrared sensors (detection range 5-10cm) and pressure sensors (range 0-0.2N) at both ends of the track (i.e., the through-slot on the top wall of the track divider 12) and the spring connection point. When abnormal tension (e.g., exceeding the 0.1N threshold) or roller position deviation is detected, the sensor-linked controller automatically pauses the conveyor belt (response time <1s) and triggers a light / sound auxiliary warning. The system allows for customizable thresholds via a touchscreen, and a silicone oil damper (damping coefficient 0.05Ns / m) can be added inside the spring to smooth the tension change curve and minimize interference with mouse gait and energy consumption data (deviation controlled within <5%). In addition, by using the Internet of Things interface to connect to the mobile app, the roller trajectory curve, abnormal event recording and remote intervention can be realized, further improving security and data reliability. The specific control connection method can be referred to the existing technology, and will not be described in detail here; (2) In response to the problem found in actual observation that mice tend to grab the hollow parts of the track-type top cover (such as the edge of the track groove or the ventilation hole of the top cover) to escape movement, this solution adds low-voltage AC electrodes or fine wire mesh fences (diameter 0.5-1mm, spacing 2-3mm, material is biocompatible stainless steel or silver-plated alloy) to the side wall of the track to form a controllable conductive closed loop. When the mouse's forelimbs or paws grab the side wall, its body contacts the electrodes or wires, triggering a mild electrical stimulation circuit (current intensity 0.1-0.5mA, the threshold can be adjusted by the controller to avoid excessive stress), prompting the animal to quickly release and return to the conveyor belt running path. This mechanism integrates with the existing electrical stimulation system, detecting grasping behavior through sensors (e.g., pressure sensors integrated into the sidewall, detecting force >0.05N) and automatically activating stimulation via a controller (response time <0.5s). Simultaneously, it records event logs to optimize experimental protocols. This optimization ensures stimulation is limited to alert levels, conforming to the animal welfare 3R principles (Refinement), reducing the incidence of escape behavior, and is compatible with multi-lane designs, improving overall experimental efficiency and data reliability.

[0035] The present invention has been further described above with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A track-sliding, safe animal experimental treadmill device to prevent mice from being entangled, characterized in that, It includes: The main body of the running platform (1) includes a support platform (11), a plurality of track dividers (12) evenly arranged on one side of the upper end of the support platform (11), and a controller (13) arranged on the other side of the support platform (11). Each track divider (12) is provided with a running belt (14) on the support platform (11) at the bottom. Stimulation device (2) is located on the upper rear side of the running belt (14) and fixed on the track divider cover (12); The anti-roll mechanism (3) includes a slide rail (31) on the top wall of the runway divider (12), a miniature roller (32) slidably disposed in the slide rail (31), a miniature extension spring (33) movably connected to the lower end of the miniature roller (32), and a mouse tail connector (34) disposed at the other end of the miniature extension spring (33). The mouse tail connector (34) is used to make a detachable and fixed connection with the animal tail.

2. The track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device for preventing mice from being entangled, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that: The miniature roller (32) consists of a central rotating shaft (321) and rollers (323) rotatably connected to both sides of the rotating shaft (321) via bearings (322); A connecting rod (324) is fixedly provided at the middle of the lower end of the rotating shaft (321). The lower end of the connecting rod (324) is detachably connected to the upper end of the miniature extension spring (33). The lower end of the miniature extension spring (33) is detachably connected to the mouse tail connector (34).

3. The track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device for preventing mice from being entangled, as described in claim 2, is characterized in that... The two ends of the miniature extension spring (33) are integrally connected to a connecting ring (331), and a spring rope buckle (332) is detachably connected to each connecting ring (331). The lower end of the connecting rod (324) is provided with a hanging hole (325), and the spring rope buckle (332) is detachably connected to the hanging hole (325).

4. The track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device for preventing mice from being entangled, as described in claim 3, is characterized in that... The mouse tail connector (34) is a medical tape (341). The two free ends of the medical tape (341) are attached to the mouse tail, and the annular part formed in the middle can be detachably connected to the spring rope buckle (332).

5. The track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device for preventing mice from being entangled, as described in claim 3, is characterized in that... The mouse tail connector (34) is a magnetic clip (342). One end of the magnetic clip (342) is fixedly connected to a pull rope (343), and the other end of the pull rope (343) is integrally provided with a rope loop (344). The rope loop (344) is detachably connected to the spring rope buckle (332).

6. The track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device for preventing mice from being entangled, as described in claim 5, is characterized in that... The magnetic clip (342) consists of a pair of biocompatible magnetic rings with a silicone pad attached to the inner wall of the magnetic rings.

7. The track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device for preventing mice from being entangled, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The slide rail (31) has a T-shaped track.

8. The track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device for preventing mice from being entangled, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The slide rail (31) is a through groove opened on the top wall of the runway divider (12), and a stop pin (35) is provided at one end of the through groove near the stimulation device (2).

9. A track-sliding safety animal experimental treadmill device for preventing mice from being entangled, as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The runway partition cover (12) is equipped with an openable door panel (17).

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