Dividers for small vertebrate animal cages

Abstract

Dividers for small vertebrate animal cages are provided. In one aspect, a small vertebrate animal cage including a floor and a plurality of walls forming a housing area and a divider dividing the housing area into a common milieu area and two or more segregated individual nesting areas. The divider includes two or more dividing walls connected together to form an angle therebetween.

Description

ABOR.021WO PATENT DIVIDERS FOR SMALL VERTEBRATE ANIMAL CAGES CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63 / 517,539, filed August 3, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. BACKGROUND Field

[0002] The present disclosure is related to small vertebrate animal cages, and more particularly, to dividers used for such cages. Description of the Related Technology

[0003] Both in the wild and in domesticated situations rodent populations fight for a multitude of reasons. For example, mouse populations have been known to fight for dominance, resources, territory, breeding, or aberrant behavior. Some animal models used for research, such as mice with traumatic brain injury are more likely to be aggressive. Data indicate that the presence of a cage divider reduces aggression among laboratory animals, thereby improving animal welfare. In a laboratory environment, aggressive interactions between rodents may exceed normal levels known to experts in the field leading to negative effects both on the well-being of the animals and on the validity of experimental results.

[0004] Improved devices and techniques for reducing such aggression are needed. SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

[0005] One aspect of the disclosed technology is a small vertebrate animal cage, comprising: a floor and a plurality of walls forming a housing area; and a divider dividing the housing area into a common milieu area and two or more segregated individual nesting areas, wherein the divider comprises two or more dividing walls connected together to form an angle therebetween.

[0006] In some embodiments, the two or more dividing walls are connected together to form a vertex.

[0007] In some embodiments, the two or more dividing walls form an A-frame.

[0008] In some embodiments, the angle between the two or more dividing walls is between 10° to 45°.

[0009] In some embodiments, the divider further comprises: a frame to which the two or more dividing walls are attached.

[0010] In some embodiments, the two or more dividing walls are attached to the frame with adhesive tape.

[0011] In some embodiments, the frame has a triangular prism shape.

[0012] In some embodiments, the frame is formed of pulp.

[0013] In some embodiments, the two or more dividing walls are formed of pulp sheets.

[0014] In some embodiments, the small vertebrate animal cage further comprises: a lid configured to fit to an opening formed by the plurality of walls, the lid comprising a feed hopper, wherein the divider is configured to be held in place by the feed hopper.

[0015] In some embodiments, the two or more dividing walls are opaque.

[0016] In some embodiments, the divider is configured to provide airflow and access to food and water from each of the common milieu area and the two or more segregated individual nesting areas.

[0017] Another aspect is a divider for a small vertebrate animal cage, comprising: two or more dividing walls connected together to form an angle therebetween, wherein the two or more dividing walls are configured to divide a housing area of a small vertebrate animal cage into a common milieu area and two or more segregated individual nesting areas.

[0018] In some embodiments, the two or more dividing walls are connected together to form a vertex.

[0019] In some embodiments, the two or more dividing walls form an A-frame.

[0020] In some embodiments, the angle between the two or more dividing walls is between 10° to 45°.

[0021] In some embodiments, the divider further comprises: a frame to which the two or more dividing walls are attached.

[0022] In some embodiments, the two or more dividing walls are attached to the frame with adhesive tape.

[0023] In some embodiments, the frame has a triangular prism shape.

[0024] In some embodiments, the two or more dividing walls are formed of pulp sheets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood these drawings depict only certain embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting of its scope; the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. An apparatus, system or method according to some of the described embodiments can have several aspects, no single one of which necessarily is solely responsible for the desirable attributes of the apparatus, system or method. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how illustrated features serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG.1 provides a view of the small vertebrate animal cage from a first end of the small vertebrate animal cage.

[0027] FIG.2 provides a view of the small vertebrate animal cage from a first side of the small vertebrate animal cage.

[0028] FIG. 3 provides another view of the small vertebrate animal cage from the first end of the small vertebrate animal cage.

[0029] FIG. 4 provides a view of the dividing walls from an end of the dividing walls.

[0030] FIG. 5 provides a view of the dividing walls from a side of the dividing walls. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present disclosure provides a solution for excessive aggression in small animal populations, such as group-housed rodents. Indeed, experiments conducted during thecourse of developing embodiments for the present disclosure determined the storing of animals (e.g., mice or other rodents) in a housing area having 1) a common milieu area and 2) segregated individual nesting areas resulted in reduced aggression among the mice in comparison to mice stored in housing areas having only a common milieu area.

[0032] Aggression in the present disclosure may include hostile, violent, forceful, attacking, aloof, assertive or territorial behaviors that manifest between members within a small animal population. For example, these behaviors may include one or more of posturing (including, for example, sparring, tail-thump, mounting, barking, pouncing, and chasing), scuffling, biting, blood, and severe injury.

[0033] Laboratory animals spend the vast majority of their life in their home cage. It is in the interest of both the animals and the researcher that in this home cage an environment is created that provides for the animals’ physiological and ethological needs. When the greatest care for animal welfare is provided, the animals will then respond more uniformly, more reliably to experimental protocols, and thereby experimental results will be more reliable. For these reasons, research into housing conditions for laboratory animals that also take into account experimental, economic, and ergonomic preconditions is highly prioritized.

[0034] The present standardized housing of laboratory animals often fulfils the needs of its inhabitants only marginally. As a result, the animals may behave abnormally and their well-being may be compromised. One of the problems often encountered in laboratory animal facilities is excessive aggression in group-housed male mice. Since mice comprise a high number of all animals used in research, a solution to this problem would have great impact on a large number of animals (see, Van Loo, et al., (2003) Laboratory Animals 37, 300-313).

[0035] The present disclosure addresses this need. Indeed, experiments conducted during the course of developing embodiments for the present disclosure determined the storing of animals (e.g., mice or other rodents) in a housing area having 1) a common milieu area and 2) segregated individual nesting areas resulted in reduced aggression among the mice in comparison to mice stored in housing areas having only a common milieu.

[0036] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides housing, systems, kits and methods for reducing aggression among laboratory rodents stored within a common housing. In particular, the present disclosure provides housing, systems, kits and methods related to alaboratory rodent housing having 1) a common milieu area and 2) segregated individual nesting areas.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the present disclosure includes various types of rodent housing including a common milieu area and two or more segregated individual nesting areas. In some embodiments, each of the two or more segregated individual nesting areas are separated by dividing walls. In some embodiments, the rodent housing further includes a common water and food area. In some embodiments, the dividing wall is opaque. In some embodiments, the dividing wall is configured to provide line-of-sight evasion between a dominant small animal on a first side of the dividing wall and a subordinate small animal on a second side of the dividing wall. In some embodiments, if a dominant small animal is within line-of-sight of a submissive small animal then the dominant small animal will exhibit aggressive behaviors.

[0038] According to aspects of this disclosure, the small vertebrate animal cages disclosed herein can employ compressed material for the dividing wall(s). In one embodiment, the compressed material may comprise AlphaDri® pulp sheets. The compressed material can be used in lieu of corrugated cardboard to form the individual dividers that separate the individual nesting areas.

[0039] In certain embodiments, rather than the using perpendicular angles for the dividing walls, the pulp sheets can be arranged designed in an “A-frame” style to accommodate different materials and universal sizing. FIGs. 1-3 provide a number of views for an embodiment of the small vertebrate animal cage with compressed material dividing walls in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIGs. 4 and 5 provide a number of views for an embodiment dividing wall(s) in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

[0040] In some embodiments, the dividing walls can enable a rodent or vertebrate animal to eat through the divider. For example, when the dividing walls are formed of pulp sheets, a rodent or vertebrate animal can eat through at least a portion of the dividing wall within a predetermined length of time (e.g., 2 weeks).

[0041] In addition, in the illustrated example, the shape of the small vertebrate animal cage allows for a plurality of small vertebrate animal cages to be stacked for transport and storage.

[0042] The small vertebrate animal cage can advantageously reduce aggression displayed by mice within same cage dwelling, mimics burrows, and provides access to food and water to promote improved health and wellbeing of animals. For example, by providing a housing area having both a common milieu area and segregated individual nesting areas, certain small vertebrate animals may display lower levels of aggression. The cage may also be able to mimics burrow and provides access to food and water to promote improved health and wellbeing of animals. Example Embodiments of the Divider and Small Vertebrate Animal Cage

[0043] FIGs. 1-3 provide a number of views for an embodiment of the small vertebrate animal cage 100 with compressed material dividing walls in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 provides a view of the small vertebrate animal cage 100 from a first end of the small vertebrate animal cage 100. FIG. 2 provides a view of the small vertebrate animal cage 100 from a first side of the small vertebrate animal cage 100. FIG.3 provides another view of the small vertebrate animal cage 100 from the first end of the small vertebrate animal cage 100.

[0044] With reference to FIGs.1-3, the small vertebrate animal cage 100 includes exterior walls 102, a floor 104, and a lid 106. The walls 102 may extend substantially perpendicular to the floor 104. The lid 106 is configured to fit tightly to an opening formed by the exterior walls 102 such that the lid 106 cannot be removed by the animals or if the small vertebrate animal cage 100 is bumped. In some embodiments, the exterior walls 102, the floor 104, and the lid 106 can be formed of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic. However, in other embodiments, the exterior walls 102, the floor 104, and the lid 106 can be formed of other transparent materials.

[0045] In some embodiments, the floor 104 includes a substantially flat surface. In some embodiments, the floor 104 is substantially rectangular. In some embodiments, the exterior walls 102 extended substantially perpendicular upward from the floor 104. In some embodiments, the exterior walls 102 extend upward from the floor 104 such that the perimeter of the top of the exterior walls 102 is larger than the perimeter of exterior walls 102 where they attach to the floor 104. In some embodiments, the small vertebrate animal cage 100 can have a shape that enables a plurality of the small vertebrate animal cages 100 to be stacked for transport and storage. For example, portions of the floor 104 and lid 106 may be substantiallycomplementary to allow the floor 104 of one small vertebrate animal cage 100 to be relatively stable when stacked on the lid 106 of another small vertebrate animal cage 100.

[0046] The small vertebrate animal cage 100 can also include nesting materials 108 on the floor 104 and a divider 110. The divider 110 can be configured to separate the small vertebrate animal cage 100 into a housing having both 1) a common milieu area 112 and 2) segregated individual nesting areas 114. In some embodiments, the shape or design of the divider 110 are such that each can be positioned within the small vertebrate animal cage 100 in a manner which not only retains the common milieu area 112 but further generates the segregated individual nesting areas 114. In some embodiments, the divider 110 are configured to not impede airflow or access to food and water for the animals.

[0047] In some embodiments, the divider 110 is an insert that is held in place by a feed hopper 116, which can be formed as part of the lid 106. In some embodiments, the divider 110 is designed to provide a burrow-like environment, appear to be psychologically larger, and provide for more physical activity. In the embodiments of FIGs. 1-3, the divider 110 effectively separates the area of the small vertebrate animal cage 100 into four areas without decreasing floor space or impairing daily observations and health checks by animal care personnel. The divider 110 does not impede airflow or access to food and water.

[0048] The divider 110 provides a simple, cost effective means to improve the animals’ welfare and reduce aggression for everyday housing of vertebrate animals. One particular use may be in the housing of laboratory mice for research. The divider 110 reduces experimental variability between animals and improve scientific rigor of studies, particularly by maintaining a social housing environment.

[0049] In some embodiments, the divider 110 is opaque. In some embodiments, the divider 110 is configured to provide line-of-sight evasion between a dominant small animal on a first side of the divider 110 and a subordinate small animal on a second side of the divider 110. In some embodiments, if a dominant small animal is within line-of-sight of a submissive small animal then the dominant small animal will exhibit aggressive behaviors.

[0050] In some embodiments, the divider 110 can be formed at least partially of compressed material. In one embodiment, the compressed material may include AlphaDri® pulp sheets, although other types of pulp sheets may also be used in other embodiments. Thecompressed material can be used in lieu of corrugated cardboard to form the individual dividers that separate the individual nesting areas 114.

[0051] In certain embodiments, rather than the using perpendicular angles for the divider 110, the pulp sheets can be arranged designed in an A-frame style. Advantageously, the A-frame design enables the divider 110 to accommodate different materials. Another advantage to an A-frame design is universal sizing of the divider 110, for example, enabling the same size of divider 110 to be used in small vertebrate animal cage 100 of varying sizes.

[0052] FIGs. 4 and 5 provide a number of views for a divider 110 in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. In particular, FIG. 4 provides a view of the divider 110 from an end of the divider 110 while FIG. 5 provides a view of the divider 110 from a side of the divider 110.

[0053] As shown in FIGs.4 and 5, the divider 110 can be formed from two dividing walls 120 of the compressed material attached to a frame 122. In some embodiments, the dividing walls 120 can be attached to the frame 122 using an adhesive, such as adhesive tape 124 or glue. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto and the dividing walls 120 can be attached to the frame 122 using any type of fastener without departing from aspects of this disclosure.

[0054] In some embodiments, the frame 122 can have a substantially triangular prism shape. The sides of the frame 122 to which the dividing walls 120 are attached can be angled such that the divider 110 forms an A-frame. For example, the dividing walls 120 can be connected together to form a vertex (or apex) with an angle formed between the dividing walls 120. In some embodiments, the angle between the two dividing walls 120 can be 10°, 12°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, or any value or range therebetween. In some embodiments, the frame 122 and the dividing walls 120 can be formed of the compressed material, such as pulp.

[0055] In some embodiments, the divider 110 can enable a rodent or vertebrate animal to eat through the divider 110. For example, when the dividing walls 120 are formed of pulp sheets, a rodent or vertebrate animal can eat through at least a portion of the dividing walls 120 within a predetermined length of time (e.g., 2 weeks). When the frame 122 is formed of pulp, the rodent or vertebrate animal can also eat through the frame 122 in addition to the pulp dividing walls 120.

[0056] The small vertebrate animal cage 100 including the divider 110 described herein can advantageously reduce aggression displayed by mice within same cage dwelling, mimics burrows, and provides access to food and water to promote improved health and wellbeing of animals. For example, by providing a housing area having both a common milieu area and segregated individual nesting areas, certain small vertebrate animals may display lower levels of aggression. The small vertebrate animal cage 100 may also be able to mimics burrow and provides access to food and water to promote improved health and wellbeing of animals. Other Variations

[0057] The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems, devices, and methods can be practiced in many ways. The use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.

[0058] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and / or depicted in the figures can be combined, interchanged, or excluded from other embodiments.

[0059] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations can be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0060] Directional terms used herein (for example, top, bottom, side, up, down, inward, outward, etc.) are generally used with reference to the orientation or perspective shown in the figures and are not intended to be limiting. For example, positioning “above” describedherein can refer to positioning below or on one of sides. Thus, features described as being “above” may be included below, on one of sides, or the like.

[0061] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (for example, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims can contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (for example, “a” and / or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example, the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0062] The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0063] Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with orwithout user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0064] Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function and / or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and / or within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.

[0065] It will be further understood by those within the art that any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, can be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” Further, the term “each,” as used herein, in addition to having its ordinary meaning, can mean any subset of a set of elements to which the term “each” is applied.

[0066] Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0067] The above description discloses embodiments of systems, apparatuses, devices, methods, and materials of the present disclosure. This disclosure is susceptible to modifications in the components, parts, elements, steps, and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of the disclosure. Consequently, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the scope and spirit of the subject matter embodied in the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A small vertebrate animal cage, comprising: a floor and a plurality of walls forming a housing area; and a divider dividing the housing area into a common milieu area and two or more segregated individual nesting areas, wherein the divider comprises two or more dividing walls connected together to form an angle therebetween.

2. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 1, wherein the two or more dividing walls are connected together to form a vertex.

3. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 1, wherein the two or more dividing walls form an A-frame.

4. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 1, wherein the angle between the two or more dividing walls is between 10° to 45°.

5. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 1, wherein the divider further comprising: a frame to which the two or more dividing walls are attached.

6. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 5, wherein the two or more dividing walls are attached to the frame with adhesive tape.

7. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 5, wherein the frame has a triangular prism shape.

8. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 5, wherein the frame is formed of pulp.

9. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 1, wherein the two or more dividing walls are formed of pulp sheets.

10. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 1, further comprising: a lid configured to fit to an opening formed by the plurality of walls, the lid comprising a feed hopper, wherein the divider is configured to be held in place by the feed hopper.

11. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 1, wherein the two or more dividing walls are opaque.

12. The small vertebrate animal cage of Claim 1, wherein the divider is configured to provide airflow and access to food and water from each of the common milieu area and the two or more segregated individual nesting areas.

13. A divider for a small vertebrate animal cage, comprising: two or more dividing walls connected together to form an angle therebetween, wherein the two or more dividing walls are configured to divide a housing area of a small vertebrate animal cage into a common milieu area and two or more segregated individual nesting areas.

14. The divider of Claim 13, wherein the two or more dividing walls are connected together to form a vertex.

15. The divider of Claim 13, wherein the two or more dividing walls form an A- frame.

16. The divider of Claim 13, wherein the angle between the two or more dividing walls is between 10° to 45°.

17. The divider of Claim 13, further comprising: a frame to which the two or more dividing walls are attached.

18. The divider of Claim 17, wherein the two or more dividing walls are attached to the frame with adhesive tape.

19. The divider of Claim 17, wherein the frame has a triangular prism shape.

20. The divider of Claim 13, wherein the two or more dividing walls are formed of pulp sheets.

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