Olfactometer for the behavioral study of animal specimens and associated behavioral study method

Abstract

The invention relates to a behavioral study olfactometer (1) of an animal specimen (8), referred to as the olfactometer (1). The olfactometer comprises at least three fluidic flow paths (2), referred to as paths (2), communicating by means of a branch (3), fluidic circulation means (4) arranged to circulate at least two fluids, each intended to flow in a separate path, referred to as the inlet path (21, 22), then, through the branch, in the same path, referred to as the mixing path (23), at least one optical system (51, 52) per inlet path; each optical system is arranged to form a laser sheet (61) crossing an inlet path and extending over the whole of a section of said inlet path and one optical sensor (53, 54) per optical system; Each optical sensor is arranged to detect the laser beam, having passed through an input channel, originating from one of the optical systems. Figure for the abbreviation: FIGURE 1

Description

Title of the invention: Olfactometer for the behavioral study of animal specimens and associated behavioral study method. Technical field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of behavioral study of animal specimens.

[0002] The invention relates to an olfactometer for the behavioral study of animal specimens.

[0003] The invention relates, in particular, to an olfactometer for studying the behavior of animal specimens under stimuli and / or environmental changes. Prior art

[0004] The study of behavior and learning phenomena are subjects of great interest in animal biology. In general, these studies consist of subjecting a living specimen to attractive or repulsive stimuli while observing the influence of environmental conditions on behavior and the decision-making process.

[0005] This type of study covers all living organisms, from the smallest, such as insects, to the largest, such as humans. Certain species can serve as type specimens to study, with a very large number of tests, statistical behaviors such as reactions and learning processes.

[0006] The best-known "model" specimen among terrestrial animals belongs to the insect family, namely the fruit fly (Drosophila). If one is looking for specimens characteristic of the aquatic environment, it is possible to consider species such as the freshwater shrimp (Gammarus) or the daphnia (Daphnia).

[0007] To study the behavior of animals subjected to stimuli and / or environmental changes, it is necessary to be able to carry out a very large number of experiments to smooth out the very high variability of the measurements. This significant variability is characteristic of behavioral studies. This is why biologists have developed, and routinely use, a research device commonly called an olfactometer.

[0008] One object of the invention is to provide an olfactometer for the behavioral study of animal specimens: • fully automated, and / or • allowing for a reduction in the amount of data required for the behavioral study, and / or • not requiring, preferably being devoid of, an image acquisition device, and / or • not requiring image processing and / or analysis, and / or • allowing the behavioral study to be carried out over significant study durations, typically exceeding 6 hours, and / or • allowing the behavioral study to be carried out, preferably over significant study periods, without interruption. Description of the invention

[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to an olfactometer for the behavioral study of an animal specimen, called an olfactometer.

[0010] The olfactometer comprises at least three fluidic flow paths, referred to as paths.

[0011] The tracks communicate by means of or at the level of or by means of a branch or of a fluidic connection or node.

[0012] The olfactometer includes fluidic circulation means.

[0013] The fluid circulation means are arranged to circulate at least two fluids.

[0014] Each of the fluids is intended to flow in a separate channel, called the inlet channel, then, through the branch, in the same channel, preferably a single channel, called the mixing channel.

[0015] The olfactometer includes at least one optical system per or for each input channel.

[0016] Each optical system is arranged to form a laser sheet crossing an input channel and / or extending over the entirety of a section of the input channel crossed.

[0017] The olfactometer includes an optical sensor by or for each optical system.

[0018] Each optical sensor is arranged to detect the laser sheet, having passed through an input channel, coming from one of the optical systems.

[0019] Preferably, at least one of the two fluids is distinct from at least one other of the two fluids. Preferably, each of the two fluids is distinct from all the other fluids in the two fluids.

[0020] Preferably, the at least two input paths communicate with the mixing path via the branch.

[0021] Preferably, at least one optical system, preferably each optical system, and / or the laser ribbon associated with an optical system, preferably each laser ribbon associated with an optical system, is arranged opposite or near the branch.

[0022] Preferably, it can be understood by laser sheet: an optical beam, a laser beam, preferably an optical beam or plane laser.

[0023] A planar laser beam or laser sheet can be understood as: a laser beam having one dimension, preferably one dimension perpendicular to the axis of beam propagation, for example a thickness, less than the other dimension, preferably the other dimension perpendicular to the beam propagation axis, for example a width, of the beam.

[0024] Preferably, a planar laser beam or laser sheet is understood to mean: a laser beam having a thickness at least ten times less, preferably at least twenty times less, preferably still at least thirty times less, advantageously at least forty times less and preferably at least fifty times less than the width of the laser beam.

[0025] Preferably, the presence of at least one optical system per input channel (as opposed to the use of cameras or optical devices arranged to acquire image or video streams) and / or the formation of a laser sheet crossing an input channel and / or extending over the entire section of the input channel (as opposed to the emission of a cylindrical, spherical, or conical beam) makes it possible to: - limit the amount of information (i.e., computer data) required for behavioral analysis, - to simplify and / or facilitate data processing, - to obtain simple and / or representative data on the specimen's movements, and / or - to allow the acquisition of data over significant observation periods.

[0026] Preferably, the olfactometer further comprises a processing unit and / or a data processing unit for data acquired from or originating from the optical sensor.

[0027] Preferably, the processing unit is arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to detect or determine a crossing of a laser sheet by the specimen from the data of the optical sensor.

[0028] Preferably, the processing unit is arranged to: - to detect and / or measure or record a moment or time associated with: • a crossing of a laser beam by the specimen, and / or • each crossing of a laser beam by the specimen, and / or • a crossing of each laser layer by the specimen, and / or • each crossing of each laser layer, by the specimen.

[0029] Preferably, the olfactometer is arranged for and / or intended to receive only one specimen at a time.

[0030] Preferably, the olfactometer and / or the processing unit have the effect of enabling the determination of the position of the specimen.

[0031] Preferably, the processing unit is further arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to determine, preferably at each crossing of a laser beam by the specimen: - a position where the specimen crosses the laser beam, preferably a position projected onto the optical sensor, and / or - a dimension of a shadow generated by the crossing of the laser sheet by the specimen, preferably a dimension of the shadow projected onto the optical sensor.

[0032] Preferably, the position of crossing the laser sheet by the specimen and / or the dimension of the shadow generated by the crossing of the laser sheet by the specimen is determined along an axis, called the lateral axis, extending mainly parallel to the optical sensor and / or mainly parallel to a plane along which the laser sheet intended to be detected by the sensor is intended to extend.

[0033] Preferably, the lateral axis is parallel to the width of the laser sheet and / or coincides with the laser sheet.

[0034] Preferably, crossing the laser sheet is understood to mean a passage of the specimen through the laser sheet.

[0035] Preferably, the processing unit is further arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to estimate and / or determine, preferably from the position of crossing the laser sheet by the specimen and / or the dimension of the shadow generated by the crossing of the laser sheet by the specimen, a size of the specimen.

[0036] Preferably, the optical sensor is a linear optical sensor.

[0037] A linear optical sensor can be understood to be a sensor whose length is greater than the width of the sensor.

[0038] Preferably, the linear sensor comprises at least 128 pixels, depending on the length of the linear sensor. Preferably, the linear sensor comprises one or a few pixels, for example between one and ten pixels, depending on the width of the linear sensor.

[0039] Preferably, according to the invention, "width" and "length" of a sensor are understood to mean: the width and length of the sensing surface or the sensitive surface of the sensor.

[0040] Preferably, the linear sensor allows: - to further limit the amount of information (i.e., computer data) required for behavioral analysis, - to simplify and / or facilitate data processing, - to obtain simple and / or representative data on the specimen's movements, and / or - to ensure the reliability of the detected data, and / or - not requiring the use of track lighting, and / or - not to disturb or disrupt the behavior of the specimen.

[0041] Preferably, at least one optical system, or even more preferably each optical system, comprises: - an infrared laser, and / or - one or more optical elements arranged to shape the infrared laser beam into a laser sheet.

[0042] Preferably, the infrared laser is arranged to emit a laser beam having a wavelength greater than or equal to 650 nm and / or a wavelength less than or equal to 1100 nm.

[0043] Preferably, the infrared laser does not disturb the behavior of the specimen (in particular because animal specimens are insensitive to infrared).

[0044] Preferably, the optical element(s) allow the use of cheap lasers, preferably while allowing the obtaining of a laser sheet.

[0045] Preferably: - the infrared laser has a power output of 50 mW or less, and / or - the laser sheet, passing through the input path, has an irradiance less than or equal to 100 mW / cm2.

[0046] Preferably, this aspect of the invention makes it possible not to disturb the behavior of the specimen (in particular because animal specimens are sensitive to light and / or the intensity of light).

[0047] Preferably, this aspect also allows for improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal detected by the optical sensor.

[0048] Preferably, the infrared laser has a power less than or equal to 50 mW, preferably 40, preferably even more 30, advantageously 20, particularly advantageously 10 and very particularly advantageously less than or equal to 5 mW.

[0049] Preferably, the infrared laser has a power greater than or equal to 1 mW.

[0050] Preferably, the laser sheet, passing through the input path, has an irradiance less than or equal to 200 mW / cm2, preferably 140, preferably even more 100, advantageously 70, particularly advantageously 40 and particularly advantageously less than or equal to 20 mW / cm2.

[0051] Preferably, the laser sheet, passing through the input channel, has an irradiance greater than or equal to 20 mW / cm2.

[0052] Preferably, the olfactometer includes an optical filter per optical sensor.

[0053] Preferably, the optical filter is arranged to filter (or to cut) wavelengths less than or equal to 650 nm. Preferably, the optical filter is transparent to wavelengths greater than or equal to 650 nm.

[0054] Preferably, this aspect allows: - to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal detected by the sensor, and / or - to fail to detect the signal coming from ambient brightness and / or ambient lighting.

[0055] Preferably, the olfactometer comprises one or more optical sensor(s) arranged to measure a value of ambient or external light illuminance penetrating into one or more of the channels and / or arranged to perform a colorimetric measurement of the ambient or external light and / or lighting.

[0056] Preferably, this aspect allows us to take into account and / or study the effect of ambient or external light and / or lighting.

[0057] Preferably, the olfactometer comprises at least one pair, preferably a pair or a single pair, of optical systems per input channel.

[0058] Preferably, each pair of optical systems is arranged so that: - the two laser sheets formed are merged in the input path, and / or - a propagation axis of one of the two laser beams is perpendicular to one propagation axis of the other of the two laser sheets.

[0059] Preferably, the use of a pair of optical systems per input channel improves the localization of the crossing position and / or the dimension and / or size of the specimen.

[0060] Preferably, at least one optical system further comprises one or more additional optical elements.

[0061] Preferably, for each optical system, the additional optical element(s) are arranged between the input channel and the optical sensor, arranged to reshape and / or resize the laser sheet that has passed through the input channel.

[0062] Preferably, the fluid circulation means are arranged to inject the at least two fluids each at one end, called the distal end, of a separate entry route.

[0063] Preferably, the olfactometer includes a wave-breaking device by way of inlet.

[0064] Preferably, the wave-breaking device is arranged: - in said entry route, opposite the distal end, or - downstream of the fluid circulation systems, and / or - upstream of said distal end.

[0065] Preferably, the wave-breaking device is arranged to attenuate and / or eliminate waves in the lanes.

[0066] Preferably, the wave-breaking device does not disturb the behavior of the specimen (in particular sensitive specimens or those not living in turbulent and / or wave-filled areas).

[0067] Preferably, in the present application, the terms "downstream" and "upstream" are defined in relation to or with respect to the direction of flow of the fluids in the olfactometer, in particular the flow of the fluids in the channels.

[0068] Preferably, the olfactometer comprises: - an outlet for a mixture of at least two fluids located at one end, called the distal end, of the mixing line, and / or - a wall, preferably a fixed wall, permeable to fluids, preventing the specimen from accessing the drain and / or the distal end of the mixing channel.

[0069] It can be understood by "proximal": the part of a channel located on the side or near the branch.

[0070] "Distal" can be understood as: the part of a pathway located on the opposite side to or at the opposite end of the branch.

[0071] In the present application, "permeable to fluids" may be understood as: allowing the passage or flow of fluids, for example a wall or plate comprising through holes or pores, preferably without offering resistance, or little resistance, to the flow of fluids, or causing little pressure loss, and / or without altering, or with little alteration, the flow rate and / or flow of fluids.

[0072] Preferably, the evacuation is an overflow evacuation.

[0073] Preferably, drainage via overflow: - allows for maintaining a constant height, and / or - allows for the elimination of fluid flow regulation, and / or - allows maintaining a constant height regardless of the fluid flow rate.

[0074] Preferably, a bottom of the mixing channel is, in whole or in part, inclined so that a section of said mixing channel decreases in the direction of the flow of fluids in said mixing channel.

[0075] Preferably, the arrangement of the bottom of the mixing path makes it possible to avoid the concentration of odor(s) and / or of one of the fluids in the same area of ​​the mixing path.

[0076] Preferably, the olfactometer, or even more preferably the mixing channel, includes an acclimatization compartment.

[0077] Preferably, the acclimatization compartment is permeable to fluids.

[0078] Preferably, the acclimatization compartment is arranged to receive and / or contain the specimen.

[0079] Preferably, the acclimatization compartment includes a movable hatch.

[0080] Preferably, the movable hatch is permeable to fluids.

[0081] Preferably, the movable hatch is arranged to selectively close and open the acclimatization compartment such that: - in the closed position, enclose the specimen in the acclimatization chamber, and / or - in open position, allow the specimen to access the branch and / or at least two entry paths.

[0082] Preferably, the acclimatization compartment is delimited in its distal part by the fixed wall.

[0083] Preferably, the acclimatization compartment is delimited in its proximal part by the movable wall.

[0084] According to the invention, a method for studying the behavior of an animal specimen, referred to as the method, is also proposed.

[0085] The process comprises the steps of: - to circulate at least two fluids: • each in a separate entry lane, then • Mix the at least two fluids in the mixing channel. - for each input channel, form at least one laser sheet, and for each considered entry point of said laser sheet: • crosses the entry route in question, • extends over the entire section of the considered entry path, - detect each laser beam that has crossed an entry path.

[0086] Preferably, the olfactometer according to the invention is suitable, more preferably is particularly adapted, even more preferably is designed, and most advantageously is specially designed, for implementing the behavioral study method. Therefore, any feature of the olfactometer according to the invention is directly applicable to the behavioral study method for animal specimens. Brief description of the FIGURES

[0087] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure [1] is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the olfactometer according to the invention, - Figure [Fig. 2] is a schematic representation of an optical system, a laser sheet and an optical sensor according to the invention, - Figure 3 is a schematic representation of two optical systems, each forming a laser sheet, and two associated optical sensors. - Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a section of an input channel crossed by two laser arrays and two optical sensors. - [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the fluid circulation means according to the invention.

[0088] It is understood that the embodiments described below are by no means limiting. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of the features described below, isolated from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art. This selection includes at least one preferably functional feature without structural details, or with only a portion of the structural details if this portion alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0089] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0090] In the figures and in the rest of the description, elements common to several figures retain the same reference. Detailed description of the FIGURES

[0091] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 5, in particular to FIGURES 1 and 2, and according to a non-limiting embodiment, an example of a behavioral study olfactometer 1 of an animal specimen 8, referred to as olfactometer 1, according to the invention, is described.

[0092] With reference, in particular, to FIGURES 1 and 2, the olfactometer 1 comprises at least three fluidic flow paths 2, referred to as paths 2, communicating by means of a branch 3.

[0093] The olfactometer 1 includes fluid circulation means 4 arranged to circulate at least two fluids, each intended to circulate in a separate channel 21, 22, called the inlet channel 21, 22, then to circulate through the branch 3, then to circulate in the same channel 23, called the mixing channel 23. The at least two fluids from the inlet channels 21, 22 are intended to be mixed in the mixing channel 23.

[0094] Preferably, each fluid includes a marker or indicator (for example, an odor or a pollutant). The number of entry points 21, 22 therefore determines the number of choices offered to specimen 8.

[0095] The olfactometer 1 according to the invention is suitable for any specimen 8. The term "animal specimen" means all species belonging to the animal kingdom according to the biological classification.

[0096] Thus, the pathways 2 can be closed and / or airtight when the fluids are gaseous. The use of gaseous fluids is particularly suitable for terrestrial specimens 8. By way of non-limiting examples, terrestrial specimens 8 may be arthropods 8, in particular insects 8, notably fruit flies 8 belonging to a family of interest, or tetrapods 8.

[0097] The channels 2 can be open (particularly on the upper part or top of the channels 2) when the fluids are liquid. The use of liquid fluids is particularly suitable for aquatic specimens 8. By way of non-limiting examples, aquatic specimens 8 may be crustaceans 8, in particular amphipods 8, especially gammarus 8 belonging to a family of interest, or fish 8.

[0098] In all cases, the channels 2 and / or the olfactometer 1 is arranged so that the specimen 8 cannot exit the channels 2. Thus, the specimen 8 can only move in the channels 2.

[0099] The olfactometer 1 comprises three channels 2 according to the embodiment. The olfactometer 1 comprises two inlet channels 21, 22 and one mixing channel 23. Regardless of the number of inlet channels 21, 22, the olfactometer 1 comprises one and / or a single mixing channel 23. However, the invention provides that the olfactometer 1 may comprise four or five channels 2. In other words, the invention provides that the olfactometer 1 comprises three or four inlet channels 21, 22 and one mixing channel 23.

[0100] The olfactometer 1 comprises at least one optical system 51, 52 per inlet channel 21, 22. Each optical system 51, 52 is arranged to form a laser sheet 61 passing through an inlet channel 21, 22. The laser sheet 61 extends over the entire section of the inlet channel 21, 22.

[0101] Typically, the laser ribbon 61 has: - a length greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably 15 mm, preferably 17.5 mm, advantageously 20 mm, particularly advantageously 22.5 mm, most advantageously 25 mm, preferably 27.5 mm, and even more preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm, and / or - a width less than or equal to 5 mm, preferably 4 mm, preferably even more so 3 mm, advantageously 2 mm and particularly advantageously less than or equal to 1 mm.

[0102] The olfactometer 1 includes an optical sensor 53, 54 per optical system 51, 52. Each optical sensor 53, 54 is arranged to detect the laser sheet 61, having passed through an inlet channel 21, 22, coming from one of the optical systems 51, 52.

[0103] Advantageously, the optical sensor 53, 54 extends, and / or is arranged and / or disposed and / or positioned to extend, parallel to a plane along which the laser sheet 61 that the optical sensor 53, 54 is intended to detect extends or is intended to extend.

[0104] Advantageously, for a given optical system 51, 52, the optical system 51, 52 and / or the associated or corresponding input channel 21, 22 are arranged, from preference relative to each other, so that the central or median axis of the laser sheet 61 intersects the center of the associated input channel 21, 22.

[0105] Advantageously, for an optical system 51, 52 considered, the optical system 51, 52 considered and / or the associated or corresponding optical sensor 53, 54 are arranged, preferably relative to each other, so that the central or median axis of the laser ribbon 61 intersects the center of the associated optical sensor 53, 54.

[0106] Advantageously, for an optical system 51, 52 considered, the optical system 51, 52 considered and / or the associated or corresponding input channel 21, 22 are arranged, preferably relative to each other, so that the width of the associated or corresponding laser 61 is equal to or greater than the cross-section of the associated input channels 21, 22.

[0107] According to an improvement of the invention, and with reference to [Fig.4], the optical sensor 53, 54 is a linear optical sensor 53, 54.

[0108] According to the embodiment, the linear optical sensor 53, 54 comprises one pixel along its width. According to the embodiment, the linear optical sensor 53, 54 comprises 3000 pixels along its length. However, it is provided according to the invention that the linear sensor 53, 54 comprises a few pixels along its width (for example, less than ten pixels) and more than one hundred pixels along its length (for example, 128 or 256 pixels, but preferably more than 512 pixels).

[0109] According to an improvement of the invention, each optical system 51, 52 comprises an infrared laser 511 arranged to emit an infrared laser beam 611. According to the embodiment, the laser beam 611 has a wavelength between 650 and 1100 nm.

[0110] According to an improvement of the invention, at least one optical system 51, 52 comprises one or more optical elements 512 arranged to shape the infrared laser beam 611 into a laser sheet 61.

[0111] According to an improvement of the invention, the at least one optical system 51, 52 comprises one or more additional optical elements 513, preferably per or for each laser ribbon 61, disposed between the input channel 21, 22 and the optical sensor 53, 54. The additional optical element 513 is arranged to reshape and / or resize the laser ribbon 61 having passed through the input channel 21, 22.

[0112] The additional optical element 513 allows, for example, the size of the laser ribbon 61, having passed through the input channel 21, 22, to be adapted to the size of the optical sensor 53, 54, that is to say allows the resized laser ribbon 61 to be detected (as a whole) by the optical sensor 53, 54.

[0113] Each laser sheet 61, 62 and / or the optical systems 51, 52 and / or the additional optical element 513 is arranged so that the width of the laser sheet 61, 62 is less than the width of the optical sensor 53, 54 so that the entire laser ribbon 61, 62 is detected by the optical sensor 53, 54.

[0114] Advantageously, the infrared laser 511 has a power of 50 mW or less. The power of the infrared laser 511 is 10 mW or less according to the non-limiting embodiment.

[0115] Advantageously, the laser sheet 61, passing through the input channel 21, 22, has an irradiance less than or equal to 200 mW / cm2.

[0116] The use of power and / or irradiance in the ranges according to the invention makes it possible not to disturb or influence the specimen while providing a signal-to-noise ratio (i.e. the signal detected by the optical sensor 53, 54, 56) sufficient for detection.

[0117] With reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, and advantageously, the olfactometer 1 comprises at least one pair 51-55 of optical systems 51, 55 per input channel 21, 22. Each optical system 51, 55 of a pair 51-55 of optical systems 51, 55 emits a distinct laser sheet 61, 62.

[0118] In practice, each optical system 51, 52 comprises a laser 511, 551. Each laser 511, 551 emits a laser beam 611, 612. Each laser beam 611, 612 is shaped by an optical element 512, 552 to form a laser sheet 61, 62.

[0119] The olfactometer 1 and / or the optical systems 51, 55 of the olfactometer 1 are arranged so that the two laser sheets 61-62 coincide in the input channel 21, 22 through which they pass. For each input channel 21, 22 considered, the two laser sheets 61-62 therefore coincide in the same section of the input channel 21, 22 considered.

[0120] The olfactometer 1 and / or the optical systems 51, 55 of the olfactometer 1, is arranged so that, for each input channel 21, 22, a propagation axis of one of the two laser sheets 61, 62 is perpendicular to a propagation axis of the other of the two laser sheets 62, 61.

[0121] Thus, the optical sensor 53 associated with the optical system 51 detects the laser ribbon 61 and the optical sensor 56 associated with the optical system 55 detects the laser ribbon 62. Also, preferably, the optical sensors 51 and 56 are perpendicular to each other (or the plane of the optical sensor 51 is perpendicular to the plane of the optical sensor 56).

[0122] Preferably, the laser source 511, 551 (or each laser source 511, 551) includes or cooperates with adjustment means arranged to translate and / or rotate or change an orientation of the laser beam 611, 612 and / or the laser sheet 61, 62.

[0123] The olfactometer 1 may include adjustment means arranged to translate and / or rotate the optical sensor 53, 54, 56 (or each optical sensor 53, 54, 56).

[0124] The olfacometer 1 or the optical sensor 53, 54, 56 (or each optical sensor 53, 56) may include a diaphragm disposed in front of the optical sensor 53, 56. The The diaphragm includes a slot arranged to and / or intended to be aligned with the laser sheet. The diaphragm and / or the slot allows ambient light to be blocked so that only the laser sheet is detected by the optical sensor 53, 54, 56.

[0125] According to the embodiment, the olfactometer 1 includes an outlet for a mixture of at least two fluids located at one end 26, referred to as the distal end 26, of the mixing channel 23.

[0126] According to the embodiment, the olfactometer 1 includes a wall 71, permeable to fluids, preventing the specimen 8 from accessing the drain.

[0127] According to the embodiment, the mixing channel 23 advantageously includes an acclimatization compartment 7. The acclimatization compartment 7 is permeable to fluids. The acclimatization compartment 7 is arranged to receive and contain the specimen 8 at the beginning of, or prior to, observation, analysis, or study.

[0128] The acclimatization compartment 7 includes a movable hatch 72 permeable to fluids. The movable hatch 72 is arranged to selectively and / or on command open and close the acclimatization compartment 7. The movable hatch is arranged to take, be positioned in, and / or switch from a closed and an open position. In the closed position, the specimen 8 is enclosed in the acclimatization chamber 7. The closed position is maintained at the beginning of the study while the specimen 8 acclimates to the olfactometer 1. In the open position, the specimen 8 has free access to the branch 3 and to at least two entry points 21, 22. The open position is maintained throughout the study.

[0129] According to a non-limiting embodiment, particularly but not exclusively suitable for liquid fluids, a bottom of the mixing channel 23 is, in whole or in part, inclined so that a section of the mixing channel 23 decreases in the direction of the flow of fluids in the mixing channel 23.

[0130] According to this non-limiting embodiment, the mixing channel 23 has a depth that decreases in the direction of fluid flow. Thus, the entire fluid mixture in the mixing channel 23 is forced to flow towards the outlet, without stagnation in the mixing channel 23 (at the surface or at depth depending on the fluid density).

[0131] With reference to [Fig.5], a non-limiting embodiment of the fluid circulation means 4 is illustrated. The fluid circulation means 4 are arranged to inject at least two fluids each at one end 24, 25, referred to as the distal end 24, 25, of a separate inlet 21, 22.

[0132] Advantageously, the distal ends 24, 25 of the inlet paths 21, 22 may include means (for example a filter wall (perforated) or a grid) arranged to prevent specimen 8 from moving beyond or upstream of the distal extremities 24, 25.

[0133] The embodiment of the fluid circulation means 4 shown in [Fig. 5] is purely illustrative and not limiting. Those skilled in the art will be able to consider all the variants and equivalents that allow the circulation of at least two fluids.

[0134] The fluid circulation means 4 comprise three storage tanks 101, 102, 103. Tank 101 comprises a neutral fluid or carrier, which may be nitrogen, if the fluids are gaseous, or water, if the fluids are liquid. Tanks 102 and 103 comprise distinct compounds of interest, markers or indicators (an odor or a pollutant, for example).

[0135] The fluid circulation means 4 further include: - pumps 41, 42, 43 for liquids or gases (for example peristaltic or diaphragm), - valves, preferably double-way solenoid valves, marked M, one valve, preferably a single-way solenoid valve, marked V, - a recovery tank 104, - a network of fluidic connectors (pipes, tubes or channels) linking, in pairs, the elements of the means of circulation together.

[0136] According to the non-limiting example shown: - tanks 101, 102, 103 are connected to two double-way valves 44, 45; according to a non-limiting example, tanks 101 and 102 are connected to a double-way valve 44 and tanks 101 and 103 are connected to a double-way valve 45, - Valves 44, 45 are each connected to two double-way valves 46, 47.

[0137] The arrangement of tanks 101, 102 and 103 and valves 44, 45, 46 and 47 allows for customized dilutions of the compounds of interest. However, this arrangement also allows for supplying (only) the contents of one of tanks 101, 102 or 103.

[0138] According to the non-limiting example presented: - Valves 46, 47 are each connected to a separate double-way valve 48, 49, - Valves 48, 49 are each connected to a separate pump 42, 43, - each of the pumps 42, 43 is connected to a separate inlet 21, 22.

[0139] The arrangement of the valves 46, 47, 48 and 49 and of the pumps 42, 43 allows the contents from the valves 46, 47 (i.e. the neutral fluid alone, one of the compounds of interest alone (pure or diluted), a mixture of compounds of interest) to be injected selectively into each of the channels 21, 22.

[0140] According to the non-limiting example shown: valves 48, 49 are connected to pump 41 and pump 41 is connected to recovery tank 104. This arrangement allows the contents of the fluid connectors and the contents of the channels 2 to be purged and drained into recovery tank 104.

[0141] According to the non-limiting example shown: the discharge of the mixing line 23 is connected to the single-way valve V, and the single-way valve V is connected to the recovery tank 104. Thus, the fluids discharged from the mixing line 23 are collected in the recovery tank. It should be noted that the recovery tank 10 could be omitted, and the discharged or drained fluids could be discharged directly.

[0142] With reference, in particular, to FIGURES 2 to 4, and according to the non-limiting embodiment, an example of a behavioral study method for an animal specimen 8, referred to as the method, according to the invention, is described.

[0143] In FIGURES 2 to 4, certain parts of the laser beam 611,612 and the laser sheets 61, 62 are not shown for the sake of readability of the FIGURES (in particular the outer parts or parts located on the sides of the laser beams 611,612 and the laser sheets 61, 62).

[0144] The process includes the step of circulating at least two fluids: - each in a separate entry lane 21, 22, then - mix the at least two fluids in the mixing channel 23.

[0145] The method further includes the step of forming at least one laser sheet 61 for each input channel 21, 22.

[0146] The method further includes the step of detecting each laser sheet 61 that has passed through an input channel 21, 22.

[0147] With reference to [Fig. 2], in the absence of crossing the laser sheet 61 (by specimen 8), the optical sensor 53, 54 will detect the laser sheet 61, preferably the laser sheet 61 in its entirety. Thus, in the absence of a break in the laser sheet 61 (by specimen 8), the laser sheet 61 is detected, preferably in its entirety, continuously and / or without discontinuity.

[0148] The crossing of the laser ribbon 61 by the specimen 8 will cause the absence (or interruption) of detection of the signal from the laser ribbon 61 on a part of the optical sensor 53, 54. The part of the optical sensor 53, 54 on which the interruption of the signal is detected corresponds to the shadow area 91, projected onto the optical sensor 53, 54, induced by the crossing of the laser ribbon 61 by the specimen 8.

[0149] Thus, the crossing of the laser sheet 61 by the specimen 8 will induce a (local) break or discontinuity in the detected signal. In other words, each break or discontinuity in the signal detected by the optical sensor 53, 54 will correspond to a crossing of the laser sheet 61 detected by the associated optical sensor 53, 54.

[0150] Thus, according to one optional aspect of the process, the process may include, from the data of the optical sensors 53, 54, the determination of the location of the specimen 8 (as a function of time and in real time) in the olfactometer 1.

[0151] From the data from the optical sensors 53, 54, the location of the specimen 8 can be determined (as a function of time and in real time) in one of at least three zones of the olfactometer 1. The at least three zones of the olfactometer 1 include: - an area corresponding to the part of the channels 2 located downstream of the optical systems 51, 52, in particular downstream of the section of the input channels 21, 22 crossed by their associated laser sheet(s) 61, - a zone, by input channel 21, 22, corresponding to the part of the input channel 21, 22 located upstream of the associated optical system 51, 52, in particular upstream of the section of the input channel 21, 22 crossed by the associated laser sheet 61.

[0152] The number of zones is equal to three according to the embodiment presented, the olfactometer 1 comprises two input channels 21, 22. In general, the number of zones is equal to the number of input channels 21, 22 minus one (in other words is equal to n-1, where n is equal to the number of input channels 21, 22).

[0153] Furthermore, the position of specimen 8 can be determined from the previous position of specimen 8 and the detected crossing. Indeed, since the position of the specimen is known at t=0 (specimen 8 is necessarily in the acclimatization compartment 7 at t=0), the position of specimen 8 is known at any time (from the detected crossing).

[0154] According to an optional aspect of the method, the method may include determining the paths or movements of the specimen 8 in the olfactometer 1 (as a function of time and in real time). The movements or paths may be determined from the data of the optical sensors 53, 54.

[0155] The behavioral study itself (per se) is not part of the invention. The invention aims to provide an olfactometer 1 and a method for obtaining data (optical sensor data 53, 54) which can be used to carry out the behavioral study.

[0156] Thus, the data from optical sensors 53, 54, the location information of specimen 8 in olfactometer 1, and / or the movements or paths of specimen 8 in olfactometer 1 are simplified and reduced in number. This makes studies based on considerably long observation times (i.e., the experimentation time or the time during which the data are acquired) possible.

[0157] Advantageously, the lateral (or vertical) position of specimen 8 in the entry channel 21, 22 and / or the size of specimen 8 is determined from the position and / or the size or dimension (for example the number of pixels), depending on the width of the optical sensor 53, 54, of the projected shadow area 91.

[0158] In the present application, the position of the shadow zone 91 projected onto the optical sensor 53, 54 can be defined: - along or relative to any axis parallel to the plane of the laser sheet 61 and perpendicular to the propagation axis of the laser sheet 61, and / or - according to or relative to the width of the optical sensor 53, 54.

[0159] For example, when the width of the laser sheet 61 is equal to the diameter of the input channel 21, 22, the position of the shadow area 91 projected onto the optical sensor 53, 54 allows the lateral position of the specimen 8 in the input channel 21, 22 to be determined directly. When the width of the laser sheet 61 is greater than the cross-section of the input channel 21, 22, a ratio between the (known) width of the laser sheet 61 and the (known) diameter of the input channel 21, 22 (or vice versa) can be used to determine the lateral position of the specimen 8 in the input channel 21, 22. The same reasoning applies to determining the size of the specimen 8, which is equal to or proportional to the size or dimension (e.g., the number of pixels), depending on the width of the optical sensor 53, 54, of the shadow area 91 projected onto the sensor optics 53, 54.

[0160] The description of [Fig. 2] given above is directly applicable and transposable to FIGURES 3 and 4. In FIGURES 3 and 4, the olfactometer 1 comprises a pair 51-55 of optical systems 51, 55 via input channel 21, 22. Thus, the passage of the specimen 8 through the laser sheets 61, 62 will cause the absence (or interruption) of signal detection on a portion of each of the optical sensors 53, 55. The portion of the optical sensors 53, 56 on which the signal interruption is detected corresponds to the shadow areas 91, 92, respectively projected onto the optical sensors 53, 56, induced by the passage of the specimen 8 through the laser sheets 61, 62.

[0161] In this case, in addition to the lateral position of specimen 8 (deduced from the data acquired by the optical sensor 53), the vertical position of specimen 8 can be deduced from the data acquired by the optical sensor 56.

[0162] Thus, the coordinates (i.e., the lateral and vertical positions) of the crossing of the entry track 21 by specimen 8 can be determined. A more precise determination of the crossing position of specimen 8 will be obtained. The same constant applies to the determination of the size of specimen 8.

[0163] Advantageously, the olfactometer 1 includes a processing unit and / or a data storage unit for data acquired by the optical sensors 53, 54.

[0164] According to one aspect of the invention, the olfactometer 1 comprises a data storage unit. According to this aspect, the data acquired by the optical sensors 53, 54 can be stored and then transmitted to and / or processed later by an external processing unit (not part of olfactometer 1).

[0165] According to another aspect of the invention, the olfactometer 1 comprises: - a processing unit, or - a processing unit and a storage unit.

[0166] The processing unit is arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to implement the process according to the invention.

[0167] The processing unit is arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to detect a crossing of any of the laser sheets 61 by the specimen 8 from the data of the optical sensors 53, 54.

[0168] In particular, the processing unit is arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to determine, along an axis, referred to as the lateral axis, extending mainly parallel to the optical sensor 53, 54 and / or parallel to the laser ribbon 61 intended to be detected by said sensor: - a position where the specimen (8) crosses the laser beam, and / or - a dimension of a shadow generated by the crossing of the laser sheet by specimen 8.

[0169] Advantageously, the processing unit is further arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to estimate a specimen size 8.

[0170] Advantageously, particularly when the fluid is a liquid, the processing unit is arranged to filter the surface movements of the liquid (waves, splashes...) by processing the signal from the optical sensors 53, 54, 56.

[0171] Each aspect or improvement can be implemented individually.

[0172] Each aspect or improvement can be combined with one, several or all other aspects or improvements.

[0173] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0174] Thus, in combinable variants of the embodiments described above: - the olfactometer 1 includes an optical filter per optical sensor 21, 22, and / or - the optical filter is arranged to filter wavelengths less than or equal to 650 nm, and / or - the olfactometer 1 includes one or more additional optical sensor(s) arranged to measure a value of ambient or external light illuminance penetrating into one or more of the channels 2, and / or - The olfactometer 1 includes one or more additional optical sensor(s) arranged to perform a colorimetric measurement of ambient or outdoor light and / or lighting, and / or - according to an optional improvement, particularly but not exclusively suitable for liquid fluids, the olfactometer 1 includes a wave-breaking device by inlet 21, 23, and / or - The wave breaker device is positioned: • in each entry pathway 21, 23 opposite the distal end 24, 25, Or • downstream of the fluid circulation means 4, and / or • upstream of said distal end, and / or - The wave breaker system is designed to mitigate and / or eliminate the waves in lanes 2, and / or - The wave-breaking device may include: • a solid blade or plate extending, from an upper side (or face) of the inlet channel 21, 22, partly into the inlet channel 21, 22 (preferably so as to extend partly into the fluid intended to flow in the inlet channel 21, 22), and / or • a grid extending, from a lower side (or face) of the inlet channel 21, 22, partly into the inlet channel 21, 22 (preferably so as to extend, partly into the fluid intended to flow in the inlet channel 21, 22, preferably even further, as far as the solid blade or plate), and / or - the wave-breaking device is arranged to prevent specimen 8 from move beyond or upstream of the distal extremities 24, 25, and / or - the optical sensor 53, 56 can be a CCD sensor (for Charge-Coupled Device).

[0175] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

Claims

Demands

1. Behavioral study olfactometer (1) of an animal specimen (8), referred to as olfactometer (1), said olfactometer comprises: - at least three fluidic flow paths (2), referred to as paths (2), communicating by means of a branch (3), - fluidic circulation means (4) arranged to circulate at least two fluids, intended to circulate each in a separate path, referred to as an inlet path (21, 22), then, through the branch, in the same path, referred to as a mixing path (23), - at least one optical system (51, 52) per inlet path; each optical system is arranged to form a laser sheet (61) crossing an inlet path and extending over the whole of a section of said inlet path, - one optical sensor (53, 54) per optical system; Each optical sensor is arranged to detect the laser beam, having passed through an input channel, coming from one of the optical systems.

2. Olfactometer according to the preceding claim, further comprising a processing unit arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to detect crossing of a laser sheet (61) by the specimen (8) from data from the optical sensor (53, 54).

3. Olfactometer according to the preceding claim, wherein the processing unit is further arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to determine, along an axis, referred to as the lateral axis, extending principally parallel to the optical sensor (53, 54) and / or parallel to a plane along which the laser sheet (61) intended to be detected by said sensor is intended to extend: - a crossing position of the laser sheet by the specimen (8), and / or - a dimension of a shadow generated by the crossing of the laser sheet by the specimen.

4. Olfactometer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the processing unit is further arranged and / or configured and / or programmed to estimate a specimen size (8).

5. Olfactometer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical sensor (53, 54) is a linear optical sensor.

6. Olfactometer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one optical system (51, 52) comprises: - an infrared laser (511) arranged to emit a laser beam (611) having a wavelength between 650 and 1100 nm, and - one or more optical elements (512) arranged to shape said infrared laser beam into a laser sheet (61).

7. Olfactometer according to the preceding claim, wherein: - the infrared laser (511) has a power of less than 50 mW, and / or - the laser sheet (61), passing through the inlet channel (21, 22), has an irradiance of less than 200 mW / cm2.

8. Olfactometer according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - an optical filter per optical sensor (21, 22), said optical filter being arranged to filter wavelengths below 650 nm, and / or - one or more additional optical sensor(s) arranged to measure a value of ambient or external light illuminance penetrating into one or more of the channels (2) and / or arranged to perform a colorimetric measurement of ambient or external light and / or illumination.

9. Olfactometer according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one pair (51-55) of optical systems (51, 55) per inlet channel (21, 22); each pair of optical systems is arranged so that: - the two laser sheets formed (61-62) are coincident in the inlet channel, and - a propagation axis of one of the two laser sheets is perpendicular to a propagation axis of the other of the two laser sheets.

10. Olfactometer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one optical system (51, 52) further comprises one or more additional optical elements (513), disposed between the input channel (21, 22) and the optical sensor (53, 54), arranged to reshape and / or resize the laser sheet (61) having passed through the input channel.

11. Olfactometer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid circulation means (4) are arranged to inject the at least two fluids each at one end (24, 25), referred to as the distal end (24, 25), of a separate inlet channel (21, 22).

12. Olfactometer according to the preceding claim, comprising an inlet wave-breaking device (21, 23), said wave-breaking device: - is disposed: • in said inlet, opposite the distal end (24, 25), or • downstream of the fluidic circulation means (4), and / or • upstream of said distal end, - is arranged to attenuate and / or suppress waves in the channels (2).

13. An olfactometer according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - an outlet for a mixture of at least two fluids located at one end (26), referred to as the distal end (26), of the mixing channel (23), - a wall (71), permeable to fluids, preventing the specimen (8) from accessing the outlet.

14. Olfactometer according to the preceding claim, wherein the evacuation is an overflow evacuation.

15. Olfactometer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a bottom of the mixing channel (23) is, in whole or in part, inclined so that a section of said mixing channel decreases in the direction of the flow of fluids in said mixing channel.

16. An olfactometer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixing channel (23) comprises a fluid-permeable acclimatization compartment (7) arranged to receive and contain the specimen (8), said acclimatization compartment includes a movable hatch (72), permeable to fluids, said movable hatch being arranged to selectively close and open the acclimatization compartment so as to: - in the closed position, enclose the specimen in the acclimatization chamber, - in the open position, allow the specimen to access the branch (3) and the at least two entry pathways (21, 22).

17. A method for studying the behavior of an animal specimen (8), said method, said method comprises the steps of: - circulating at least two fluids: • each in a separate channel (2), called an inlet channel (21, 22), then • mixing the at least two fluids in a channel (2), called a mixing channel (23), the at least two inlet channels communicating with the mixing channel by a branch, - for each inlet channel, forming at least one laser sheet (61), and for each inlet channel considered said laser sheet: • crosses the inlet channel considered, and • extends over the whole of a section of the inlet channel considered, - detecting each laser sheet having crossed an inlet channel.

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