Cage for animal testing

Abstract

The disclosed animal experiment cage comprises a receiving portion providing a rearing space for an experimental animal, a cover portion coupled to close the open surface of the receiving portion, and a mounting portion for an imaging device provided on the outer surface of the cover portion, wherein the mounting portion for the imaging device comprises a guide rail extending along one direction of the cover portion, and a grip portion mounted so as to be repositionable relative to the guide rail and securing the imaging device.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an animal testing cage that can safely and hygienically protect and isolate the rearing environment of experimental animals from the external environment, and facilitates multi-faceted observation of experimental animals during the rearing process. Background Technology

[0002] Animal testing refers to experiments conducted on animals for scientific purposes, such as education, testing, research, and the production of pharmaceuticals. Animals used in such experiments are called laboratory animals, and representative laboratory animals include small rodents such as mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs (also known as marmots), and hamsters.

[0003] Containers called cages are primarily used as devices for housing laboratory animals. Cages are typically made of transparent or translucent resin material to allow for internal observation. Structurally, they consist of a housing section that forms the space for housing the animals and a cover section that is attached to close the open top surface of the housing section. Additionally, the cover section is equipped with a grill for holding water bottles or feed, and it features an open-closed structure to prevent the animals from escaping.

[0004] Although early cages had a simple structure as described above, there are many functional requirements that must be considered for animal testing. One of these is the cage's airtightness. When raising laboratory animals, if various odors, such as ammonia, spread within the animal housing room, it not only has a negative impact on the environment but can also deteriorate the rearing environment as this contaminated air is recirculated into the cage, causing the concentration to gradually increase. Furthermore, laboratory animals can contract diseases due to changes in the external or internal environment or artificial factors; in particular, if infected with an infectious disease, there is a risk of transmission to other animals through contact or the air. This can lead to the loss of value of the laboratory animals or mass mortality, and in the case of expensive, long-term new drug development trials, failure can result in massive losses.

[0005] Therefore, to thoroughly manage the rearing environment of cages, it is important not only to maintain the cleanliness of the rooms housing the laboratory animals, as well as the entire facility and system, but also to ensure the airtightness of the cage itself. Recently, sealed cages that combine a structure allowing ventilation with a sealed cover made of the same material as the housing have become common and essential.

[0006] Another important consideration is observing the normal behavior of laboratory animals as well as any abnormal behaviors or postures that occur during the experiment. Particularly for animals that cannot speak, these behaviors serve as their only means of communication (body language); therefore, managers must be able to observe changes in the animals' behavior while maintaining the existing environment as much as possible, without directly touching or moving the animals inside the cage. To achieve this, the cage must maintain a sealed structure while allowing for clear observation of the animals from the outside. However, observation is often difficult due to factors such as the low transparency of the materials in the lower housing and upper sealed cover, material opacity over time, the presence of structures like water bottles and grills, and limited visibility when multiple cages are placed in a cabinet.

[0007] To address these issues, there is a need for cages that safely and hygienically protect and isolate the rearing and experimental environment of laboratory animals from the outside, while enabling visual observation by observers or multi-faceted monitoring using various sensors and cameras during the experiment. In particular, there is a demand for the development of laboratory animal cages that allow for the observation of the animals' natural behaviors and postures without moving or touching them, while maintaining their original living environment. Prior art literature

[0008] Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-1831928 The problem to be solved

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an animal testing cage that can safely and hygienically protect and isolate the rearing environment of experimental animals from the external environment, and facilitate multi-faceted observation of the experimental animals during the rearing process.

[0010] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0011] The present invention relates to a cage for animal testing. According to one embodiment, the cage comprises a receiving portion that provides a rearing space for an experimental animal, a cover portion that is coupled to close the open surface of the receiving portion, and a mounting portion for an imaging device provided on the outer surface of the cover portion. The mounting portion for the imaging device comprises a guide rail extending along one direction of the cover portion, and a grip portion that is mounted so as to be repositionable relative to the guide rail and fixes the imaging device.

[0012] The guide rail comprises a pair of rails extending parallel to each other and spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the cover portion, and a plurality of mounting grooves are formed spaced apart at a predetermined interval on the surface of each rail, and the grip portion comprises at least one rod seated in the mounting grooves facing each other of the pair of rails, and a nut member detachably fastened to the end of the rod, and the grip portion can be fixed to the guide rail by the frictional force of the nut member pressing against the rail.

[0013] Alternatively, the guide rail may include a pair of rails extending parallel to each other and spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the cover portion, and each rail may be provided with a plurality of mounting holes formed through them at predetermined intervals, and the grip portion may include at least one plunger that moves elastically to be connected to or separated from the mounting holes facing each other of the pair of rails.

[0014] The above grip portion may include a first grip mounted on the guide rail and a second grip capable of adjusting the gap by extending and retracting relative to the first grip.

[0015] An optical window providing a view of the rearing space of the receiving section may be placed between the above pair of rails.

[0016] The above pair of rails can provide a curved track extending to the upper surface of the cover portion and to the front and / or rear.

[0017] The first grip and / or second grip are provided with gripping members on inner surfaces facing each other, and the mounting height of the gripping members can be changed by the selective fastening position of the groove and the projection for the first grip and / or second grip.

[0018] In one embodiment, the pair of rails may be integrally formed with respect to the cover portion.

[0019] Alternatively, the pair of rails may be formed in a structure that allows for separation and connection with respect to the cover portion, and may be a two-piece structure in which each rail is formed separately, or a one-piece structure in which the pair of rails are formed integrally.

[0020] A pair of rails forming a one-piece structure may be provided with a sealing member that seals by closely adhering to the perimeter of an optical window disposed between the pair of rails.

[0021] Meanwhile, the above cover portion includes an air supply valve and an exhaust valve that are elastically opened and closed by a first spring means, and the air supply valve and the exhaust valve are opened when they retract due to an external force exceeding the preload of the first spring means, and can maintain a seal against the external environment in a closed state when an external force less than the preload is applied.

[0022] The above cover portion may have at least one ventilation opening and a filter cover detachably coupled to the ventilation opening.

[0023] The front and / or rear of the above-mentioned receiving portion includes an auxiliary water supply port and a water supply port cover that elastically opens and closes the auxiliary water supply port by means of a second spring, and the water supply port cover can maintain a seal against the external environment in a closed state.

[0024] The above-mentioned receiving portion is provided with a packing member that is in close contact along the coupling surface of the receiving portion, and the above-mentioned cover portion can be detachably connected to a push button provided in the receiving portion.

[0025] In one embodiment, the cover portion is provided with an inlet vent and an outlet vent positioned opposite each other with respect to the guide rail, and the outlet vent has a larger ventilation area than the inlet vent and can also be positioned further away from the supply valve.

[0026] The above air supply valve may be equipped with an inlet feeder that directs the airflow introduced into the animal experiment cage upward or downward.

[0027] The above inlet feeder may be a pipe-type inlet feeder having a curved outlet, or a fin-type inlet feeder in which air is introduced into the space between a plurality of inclined fins. Effects of the invention

[0028] The animal experiment cage of the present invention, comprising the above-described configuration, enables continuous recording regardless of working hours, nights, or holidays by utilizing the imaging device mounting portion provided in the cover portion, without the inconvenience of having to install a separate fixing mechanism such as a tripod or significant spatial constraints. Furthermore, the imaging device mounting portion provided in the cover portion offers many advantages for animal experiments, such as ensuring reliable recording by always securing a consistent field of view and allowing the imaging device to capture at various viewing angles via a curved guide rail.

[0029] In addition, the animal experiment cage of the present invention can safely and hygienically protect and isolate the rearing environment of experimental animals from the external environment by applying a sufficient sealing structure to key parts that can circulate with the outside air, such as the joint between the receiving part and the cover part, auxiliary water supply port, and air supply / exhaust valve.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and include other effects that are clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description throughout the specification but are not explicitly mentioned. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal experiment cage according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the animal testing cage of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a detailed drawing of the mounting part of the imaging device provided in the animal testing cage of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a detailed drawing illustrating another embodiment of the mounting part of the imaging device. FIG. 5 is a drawing exemplarily showing various viewing angles provided by the mounting unit of the imaging device. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting part of the imaging device of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a detailed drawing illustrating another embodiment of the mounting part of the imaging device. FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating another embodiment of the grip portion. FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating an air supply valve and an exhaust valve provided in a cover portion. FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of an auxiliary water supply port provided in a receiving section. FIG. 11 is a drawing showing the coupling structure between the cover part and the receiving part. FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating one embodiment of a cover part for improving the airflow entering and exiting an animal testing cage. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the airflow through the cover portion of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating an example of a pipe-type inlet feeder coupled to the inside of an air supply valve. FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating an example of applying the pipe-type inlet feeder of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating an example of a pin-type inlet feeder coupled to the inside of an air supply valve. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise. The terms used herein are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text.

[0034] As used in the specification, "comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal testing cage (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the animal testing cage (10) of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the overall configuration of the animal testing cage (10) includes a receiving portion (100) corresponding to a lower container, a cover portion (200) coupled to the receiving portion (100), and a mounting portion (300) for a camera device mounted on the cover portion (200).

[0037] The receiving section (100) provides a rearing space for experimental animals. The cover section (200) is coupled to close the open surface of the receiving section (100), that is, the upper surface of the receiving section (100). By coupling the cover section (200), the rearing space is isolated from the outside, and access to the rearing space is made through the removal of the cover section (200), thereby enabling the handling and other management of experimental animals. The receiving section (100) and / or the cover section (200) may be made of a transparent or translucent resin material for internal observation of the rearing space. For example, resin materials such as polycarbonate, polysulfone, and plastic may be applied. In the following description, except for springs made of metal material (e.g., stainless steel, etc.) or silicone material for sealing, most components are understood to be made of resin material unless otherwise specified.

[0038] In addition, the animal testing cage (10) of the present invention includes a shooting device mounting portion (300) provided on the outer surface of the cover portion (200). The shooting device mounting portion (300) refers to a fixing mechanism that allows various shooting devices, i.e., various devices that generate visual materials such as photos and videos, to be mounted and removed adjacent to the cover portion (200). The shooting device includes both digital and analog devices that generate photos and videos, and, for example, a smartphone can be used as a shooting device.

[0039] The imaging device mounted on the imaging device mounting section (300) creates an image recording of the inside of the receiving section (100) through the cover section (200). By using the imaging device mounting section (300) provided on the cover section (200), recording is possible at any time without being restricted by working hours, nights, or holidays. Furthermore, the imaging device mounting section (300) provided on the cover section (200) offers many advantages for animal experiments, such as eliminating the inconvenience of having to install a separate fixing device like a tripod and ensuring reliable recording by always securing a consistent field of view without any spatial constraints.

[0040] The mounting portion (300) of the imaging device includes a guide rail (310) that extends along one direction of the cover portion (200), for example, the longitudinal direction indicated in FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2, and a grip portion (320) that is mounted so as to be repositionable relative to the guide rail (310) to fix the imaging device. The guide rail (310) and the grip portion (320) can be implemented in various forms.

[0041] A specific embodiment of the mounting portion (300) of the imaging device illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is clearly shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the guide rail (310) includes a pair of rails (312) that are extended parallel to each other and spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the cover portion (200). Additionally, a plurality of mounting grooves (314) spaced apart at a predetermined interval are formed on the surface of each rail (312). Correspondingly, the grip portion (320) includes at least one rod (323) that is seated in the mounting grooves (314) facing each other of the pair of rails (312), and a nut member (324) that is detachably fastened to the end of the rod (323). That is, when the nut member (324) is loosely loosened, the rod (323) of the grip portion (320) is inserted into the mounting groove (314) of the guide rail (310), and when the nut member (324) is tightened, the grip portion (320) can be fixed to the guide rail (310) by the frictional force pressing against the rail (312). As shown in FIG. 3, since the mounting groove (314) of the guide rail (310) is provided in a much larger number than the number of rods (323), the fixed position of the grip portion (320) can be adjusted over a considerable range on the cover portion (200).

[0042] FIG. 4 is a detailed drawing illustrating another embodiment of the mounting portion (300) of the imaging device. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the guide rail (310) includes a pair of rails (312) that are spaced apart by a predetermined distance and extended parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the cover portion (200), and each rail (312) has a plurality of mounting holes (316) formed through them at predetermined intervals. Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the difference is that the mounting holes (316) of FIG. 4 form a closed structure that penetrates each rail (312). Accordingly, the grip portion (320) may include at least one plunger (325) that moves elastically to be connected to or separated from the mounting holes (316) facing each other of the pair of rails (312). By extending and retracting the plunger (325), the end of the plunger (325) is inserted into the mounting hole (316) of the rail (312), thereby fixing the grip portion (320). Additionally, depending on the embodiment, the shape of the through holes formed in a row on the rail (312) may be arranged such that circular holes and elongated holes alternate, making it easier to mount the grip portion (320).

[0043] And, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the grip portion (320) may include a first grip (322) mounted on a guide rail (310) and a second grip (326) that can adjust the spacing by extending and retracting relative to the first grip (322). A shooting device is gripped in the space between the first grip (322) and the second grip (326), and by varying the spacing between the first grip (322) and the second grip (326), a shooting device of various sizes can be securely fixed.

[0044] Additionally, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an optical window (210) providing a view of the breeding space of the receiving section (100) may be placed between a pair of rails (312). The optical window (210) refers to an optically transparent window that provides a clear view to the imaging device. For example, the optical window (210) may be made of a material with sufficient strength, such as tempered glass or transparent polycarbonate. Additionally, if necessary, various functional coating layers, such as an anti-glare coating or a UV blocking coating, may be formed on the optical window (210).

[0045] And, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a pair of rails (312) can provide a curved track extending from the upper surface of the cover portion (200) to the front and / or rear. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide rail (310) forms a track extending from the upper surface of the cover portion (200) to the front, but it may also form a track extending to the rear.

[0046] In this way, the guide rail (310) forms a curved track extending from the flat upper surface of the cover portion (200) to the front and / or rear, thereby enabling the imaging device mounting portion (300) to provide various viewing angles. That is, as compared in (a) and (b) in FIG. 5, (a) when the grip portion (320) is fixed to the flat area of ​​the guide rail (310), a top-down view is provided to the imaging device, and (b) when the grip portion (320) is fixed to the curved area of ​​the guide rail (310), a bird's-eye view is provided to the imaging device. In this way, by forming a curved track extending from the upper surface of the cover portion (200) to the front and / or rear, the optimal imaging view can be freely selected during animal testing.

[0047] As in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, a pair of rails (312) of the guide rail (310) may be integrally formed with respect to the cover portion (200). Alternatively, as in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 6 regarding the embodiment of FIG. 4, a pair of rails (312) may be formed with a structure (or detachable structure) that allows for separation and attachment with respect to the cover portion (200). For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, a pair of rails (312) may be attached to the cover portion (200) with a structure of protrusions and grooves. By manufacturing the guide rail (310) of a complex structure as a separate part, productivity during injection molding can be improved.

[0048] Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows a two-piece structure in which a guide rail (310), that is, a guide rail (310), is composed of a pair of rails (312) that are separable and attachable to the cover portion (200), but as in another embodiment of FIG. 7, a one-piece structure in which a pair of rails (312) are integrally formed may also be formed. A one-piece guide rail (310) can be advantageous in terms of productivity improvement as the number of parts is reduced. In addition, the one-piece guide rail (310) is attached to the cover portion (200) in a snap-fit ​​structure, thereby improving user convenience and ensuring a secure attachment.

[0049] Additionally, the guide rail (310) forming a one-piece structure may be provided with a sealing member (318) that seals by closely adhering to the circumference of the optical window (210) positioned between a pair of rails. Referring to FIG. 6, the sealing member (318) is positioned between the optical window (210) and the cover portion (200), but in FIG. 7, the sealing member (318) is integrally coupled to the one-piece guide rail (310) itself. This guide rail (310) with the sealing member (318) integrated achieves sealing of the optical window (210) through the rigid fastening of the snap-fit ​​structure, and also improves the convenience of assembly and use.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating another embodiment of the grip portion (320). According to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the first grip (322) and / or the second grip (326) are provided with a grip member (328) on the inner surface facing each other, and the mounting height of the grip member (328) can be changed by the selective fastening position of the groove and the protrusion for the first grip (322) and / or the second grip (326). The height of the grip member (328) can be appropriately selected considering the size and / or structure of the imaging device, thereby enabling more stable mounting of the imaging device.

[0051] In the foregoing, various embodiments of the mounting portion (300) of the imaging device have been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. The guide rail (310) and the grip portion (320) can be combined in various ways, and such combinations are not limited to those shown in the exemplary drawings. For example, the guide rail (310) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can also be made in a structure that allows it to be separated and attached to the cover portion (200). Therefore, unless the configurations are conflicting with one another, each embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8 can be understood as being compatible with one another in at least a part.

[0052] And, various other configurations provided in the animal testing cage (10) of the present invention will be further described.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating an air supply valve (220) and an exhaust valve (222) provided in a cover portion (200). Referring to FIG. 9, the cover portion (200) may include an air supply valve (220) and an exhaust valve (222) that are elastically opened and closed by a first spring means (224). The air supply valve (220) and the exhaust valve (222) are opened when an external force exceeding the preload of the first spring means (224) is applied and they retract, as shown in FIG. 9 (a). Conversely, in a closed state, i.e., a neutral state, where an external force less than the preload is applied to the first spring means (224), as shown in FIG. 9 (b), they maintain a seal against the external environment. By forming a restricted airflow using the air supply valve (220) and the exhaust valve (222), the rearing environment of the receiving portion (100) can be managed more strictly. To seal when the supply valve (220) and exhaust valve (222) are closed, each valve may be provided with a sealing member such as an O-ring.

[0054] Additionally, the cover portion (200) may be provided with at least one ventilation opening (230) and a filter cover (232) that is detachably coupled to the ventilation opening (230). The location of the ventilation opening (230) may be selected in various ways. For example, as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, a pair of ventilation openings (230) may be arranged on opposite sides of the cover portion (200). Alternatively, as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13, a pair of ventilation openings (230) may be arranged on the upper surface of the cover portion (200) adjacent to both sides of the guide rail (310). Although the configuration of the filter is omitted in the drawings, it may be preferable to use a large microbiological filter with a virus and bacteria filtration efficiency of approximately 99.99999% or more to be suitable for animal testing. Additionally, the filter cover (232) may be provided with a packing member (not shown) for sealing.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an auxiliary water supply port (130) provided in a receiving section (100). Through the auxiliary water supply port (130), a spout (tap of an automatic water supply device) can enter the receiving section (100) to supply water to an experimental animal. The front and / or rear of the receiving section (100) may be provided with an auxiliary water supply port (130) and a water supply port cover (134) that elastically opens and closes the auxiliary water supply port (130) by means of a second spring means (136). The auxiliary water supply port (130) may be provided with a pair of flanges (132) that are coupled to each other inside and outside the receiving section (100), and the water supply port cover (134) maintains close contact with the flanges (132) by means of a second spring means (136), for example, a torsion spring. Each part of the auxiliary water supply port (130), including the second spring means (136), the flange (132), and the water supply port cover (134), can be made of a metal such as stainless steel.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing the connection structure between the cover portion (200) and the receiving portion (100). The receiving portion (100) may be provided with a packing member (110) along the upper edge that is in close contact with the connection surface of the cover portion (200). The cover portion (200) may be detachably connected to a push button (120) provided in the receiving portion (100). The overall sealing of the animal testing cage (10) is maintained by the packing member (110), and the cover portion (200) can be easily detached by the push button (120). Additionally, a grill (138) for holding items necessary for raising experimental animals, such as water bottles or feed, may be installed inside the receiving portion (100). The grill (138) may be made of a metal material such as stainless steel, and may have a shape in which one side is bent downwardly so that the experimental animal can easily access a water bottle or feed.

[0057] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating an embodiment that allows the rearing environment of experimental animals to be managed hygienically by optimally improving the airflow entering and exiting the animal experiment cage (10). The airflow entering and exiting the animal experiment cage (10) is properly managed by the cover portion (200) of FIG. 12.

[0058] As described with reference to FIG. 9, air can be supplied into the animal testing cage (10) through the air supply valve (220). Also, with reference to FIG. 12, an inlet vent (234) and an outlet vent (236) are positioned on opposite sides of each other with respect to the guide rail (310) on the upper surface of the cover portion (200). Here, the inlet vent (234) is provided in a small rectangular shape, while the outlet vent (236) is provided in a relatively large size in the shape of the English alphabet "L". In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet vent (236) has a size approximately four times larger than the inlet vent (234). Looking at the positions of the inlet vent (234) and the outlet vent (236) relative to the air supply valve (220), the outlet vent (236) is positioned further away from the air supply valve (220). However, it is understood that the above L-shape, four times the size, etc. are mentioned merely as examples and do not limit the shape of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the inflow and outflow of air in the animal testing cage (10) of FIG. 12. Air introduced through the supply valve (220) strikes the inner surface opposite the cover portion (200) and forms a circulating flow that flows around the receiving portion (100). The air introduced through the supply valve (220) is basically discharged through the exhaust valve (222), but as shown in the drawing, some of the air forming the circulating flow can be designed to be discharged through the vent (230). At this time, the air circulating inside the animal testing cage (10) is discharged more towards the outlet vent (236), which is farther from the supply valve (220) and has a larger ventilation area. Because the outlet vent (236) is further away from the supply valve (220), the incoming air forms a larger circulation flow inside the animal testing cage (10), thereby facilitating air exchange inside the animal testing cage (10).

[0060] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an inlet feeder (240) coupled to the inside of an air supply valve (220). The inlet feeder (240) of FIG. 14 is a curved pipe-shaped inlet feeder (242), and by having an inlet feeder (240) outlet that is inclined, the flow of air introduced into the animal testing cage (10) can be actively adjusted upward or downward.

[0061] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the airflow when the pipe-type inlet feeder (242) of FIG. 14 is applied. If the curved outlet of the pipe-type inlet feeder (242) is positioned upward, an upward flow directed toward the upper surface of the cover portion (200) can be formed as shown in FIG. 15 (a), and if positioned in the opposite way, a downward flow directed toward the lower part of the receiving portion (100) can be formed as shown in FIG. 15 (b). For example, the application example of FIG. 15 (a) can be applied when air exchange is desired to occur smoothly by lowering the resistance that blocks air flow by the outlet vent (236)—for example, by lowering the resistance that blocks air flow by the outlet vent (236)—leaving aside the basic air discharge mechanism through the exhaust valve (222) and the air circulation mechanism that can be induced by the presence of the outlet vent (236) (if there were no outlet vent (236), the air flow would be blocked by the closed surface of the cover part (200), thus increasing the resistance) and the application example of FIG. 15 (b) can be applied when new air is desired to be introduced into the widest possible breeding space inside the animal testing cage (10).

[0062] FIG. 16 illustrates a pin-type inlet feeder (244) as another example of an inlet feeder (240). The pin-type inlet feeder (244) is equipped with a plurality of inclined pins, and air is introduced into the space between the inclined pins. Thus, the airflow introduced into the animal testing cage (10) can be adjusted upward or downward by the pin-type inlet feeder (244), and the same airflow as FIG. 15 can be formed.

[0063] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical concept or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. Explanation of the symbols

[0064] 10: Experimental animal cage 100: Reception area 110: Packing member 120: Push button 130: Auxiliary water inlet 132: Flange 134: Water inlet cover 136: Second spring means 138: Grill 200: Cover part 210: Optical window 220: Air supply valve 222: Exhaust valve 224: First spring means 230: Vent 232: Filter cover 234: Inlet vent 236: Outlet vent 240: Inlet Feeder 242: Pipe-type Inlet Feeder 244: Pin-type inlet feeder 300: Camera mounting unit 310: Guide rail 312: Rail 314: Mounting groove 316: Mounting hole 318: Sealing member 320: Grip part 322: First Grip 323: Rod 324: Nut member 325: Plunger 326: Second grip 328: Grip member L: Length direction

Claims

Claim 1 delete Claim 2 A cage for animal testing, comprising: a receiving portion providing a rearing space for experimental animals; a cover portion coupled to close the open surface of the receiving portion; and a mounting portion for an imaging device provided on the outer surface of the cover portion; wherein the mounting portion for the imaging device comprises: a guide rail extending along one direction of the cover portion; and a grip portion mounted so as to be repositionable relative to the guide rail and fixing the imaging device; wherein the guide rail comprises a pair of rails extending parallel to each other and spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the cover portion, and a plurality of mounting grooves spaced apart by a predetermined interval are formed on the surface of each rail; wherein the grip portion comprises at least one rod that is seated in the mounting grooves facing each other of the pair of rails, and a nut member detachably fastened to the end of the rod; and wherein the grip portion is fixed relative to the guide rail by the frictional force of the nut member pressing against the rail. Claim 3 A cage for animal testing, comprising: a receiving portion providing a rearing space for experimental animals; a cover portion coupled to close the open surface of the receiving portion; and a mounting portion for an imaging device provided on the outer surface of the cover portion; wherein the mounting portion for the imaging device comprises: a guide rail extending along one direction of the cover portion; and a grip portion mounted so as to be repositionable relative to the guide rail and fixing the imaging device; wherein the guide rail comprises a pair of rails extending parallel to each other and spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the cover portion, and each rail is provided with a plurality of mounting holes formed through them spaced apart by a predetermined interval; and wherein the grip portion comprises at least one plunger that moves elastically to be connected or separated relative to the mounting holes facing each other of the pair of rails. Claim 4 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the grip portion comprises a first grip mounted on the guide rail and a second grip capable of adjusting the gap by extending and retracting relative to the first grip. Claim 5 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an optical window is positioned between the pair of rails to provide a view of the rearing space of the receiving portion. Claim 6 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pair of rails provides a curved track extending to the upper surface of the cover portion and to the front and / or rear. Claim 7 An animal testing cage according to claim 4, wherein the first grip and / or second grip are provided with gripping members on inner surfaces facing each other, and the gripping members can change their mounting height by the selective fastening position of the groove and protrusion for the first grip and / or second grip. Claim 8 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pair of rails is integrally formed with respect to the cover portion. Claim 9 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pair of rails is formed in a structure that allows for separation and fastening to the cover portion. Claim 10 In claim 9, the above pair of rails is a two-piece structure in which each rail is formed separately, or a one-piece structure in which the pair of rails are formed integrally, for an animal testing cage. Claim 11 An animal testing cage according to claim 10, wherein a pair of rails forming a one-piece structure are equipped with a sealing member that seals in close contact along the perimeter of an optical window disposed between the pair of rails. Claim 12 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cover portion comprises an air supply valve and an exhaust valve that are elastically opened and closed by a first spring means, and the air supply valve and the exhaust valve open when retracted by an external force exceeding the preload of the first spring means, and maintain a seal against the external environment in a closed state when an external force less than the preload is applied. Claim 13 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cover portion comprises at least one ventilation opening and a filter cover detachably coupled to the ventilation opening. Claim 14 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the front and / or rear of the receiving portion comprises an auxiliary water supply port and a water supply port cover that elastically opens and closes the auxiliary water supply port by means of a second spring, and wherein the water supply port cover maintains a seal against the external environment in a closed state. Claim 15 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the receiving portion has a packing member that is in close contact along a coupling surface with respect to the cover portion, and the cover portion is detachably connected to a push button provided in the receiving portion. Claim 16 An animal testing cage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cover portion is provided with an inlet vent and an outlet vent positioned opposite each other with respect to the guide rail, and the outlet vent has a wider ventilation area than the inlet vent and is positioned further away from the supply valve. Claim 17 In claim 16, the above-mentioned supply valve is an animal experiment cage having an inlet feeder that directs the airflow introduced into the animal experiment cage upward or downward. Claim 18 In claim 17, the inlet feeder is a pipe-type inlet feeder having a curved outlet, or a fin-type inlet feeder in which air is introduced into the space between a plurality of inclined fins, for an animal testing cage.

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