Test subject controlled substance administration

Abstract

An apparatus and method for administering a substance to an animal or test subject. may include a device having a housing. The housing may include adjustable supports for adapting the device to many different test subject cages or enclosures. The housing may further have a nose-poke region containing a sensor and a substance delivery port. The sensor may determine when an animal or test subject is present within the nose-poke region. When a test subject is present within the nose-poke region, the device may signal for a chamber containing a ceramic disk to vaporize a substance within the chamber. The ceramic disk may vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency to vaporize the substance, which is then delivered to the nose-poke region via tubes connected to the substance delivery port. Excess substance vapor is removed using a constant-negative pressure vacuum attached to the device via a vacuum port.

Description

TEST SUBJECT CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ADMINISTRATIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 657,419 filed on June 7, 2024, and entitled “TEST SUBJECT CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ADMINISTRATION” the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety and for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to the administration of drugs or other substances to an animal or test subject in a controlled observation environment.BACKGROUND

[0003] In research conducted on live subjects, often a substance may need to be administered to the live subject to study the substance’s effects on the live subject. Administration of the substance may occur through intravenous introduction through a needle (a shot); or through an injection port which may be semi-permanently implanted into the live subject. Alternatively, the substance may be vaporized and administered to the live subject through the live subject’s respiratory system as the subject breathes in a vapor mixture containing the substance.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example system for administering a substance vapor mixture.

[0005] FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of an example apparatus within the system for administering a substance vapor mixture.

[0006] FIG. 2B is a side elevation view of the example apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2A.

[0007] FIG. 2C is a bottom perspective view of the example apparatus illustrated in FIG.2A, further showing an example nose-poke region and sensor.

[0008] FIG. 2D is a rear elevation view of the example apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2A.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a front perspective and partial detail view of the example system for administering a substance vapor mixture illustrated in FIG. I , further showing the rear elevation view of the example apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2D.

[0010] FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the example system illustrated in FIG. 1 in a first configuration.

[0011] FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the example system illustrated in FIG. 1 in a second configuration.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an example method for delivering a substance to a test subject using the example system illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a control unit for the example system of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present disclosure describes a system for allowing test subjects to selfadminister a precise and discrete amount of vaporized solution. The system includes an adjustable, self-administration apparatus, device, or housing that can be used with any other scientific device or animal cage or enclosure in order to deliver a precise and discrete amount of vaporized solution when an animal pokes its nose in a specific region of the device. The main scientific use for this device is to allow an animal to self-administer drugs of abuse to study addiction without the need for the scientist to directly administer a drug. In this way, the animal may demonstrate the desire for the vaporized solution. The animal can "nosepoke" as many times as they want in a prescribed time period. Nose-pokes may be recorded for each test subject or animal to determine how much solution it consumed.

[0015] A test-subject substance administration device may be universally outfitted so that it can be used with a large variety of scientific apparatuses including an animal's home cage or enclosure, allowing testing in various different settings and in conjunction with other behavioral tests such as conditioned place preference and locomotor activity. The device utilizes a nose-poke mechanism to administer a small burst of vaporized liquid to be used for drug self-administration studies. This device effectively allows animals to demonstrate desire for a particular substance / solution which is necessary for studies of addiction. With the assistance of a radio frequency identification (RFI or RFID) reader, the device automatically records which animal activated the nose-poke mechanism and the number of activations per animal are automatically recorded to assess how much vaporized liquid is consumed. This allows the device to be used with groups of animals unlike current devices that require individual animal use, as the device is able to track amounts dosed to each animal separately. Previous devices that include no such identification instead require the amounts dosed to be back-calculated from the starting and ending volumes of the drug, which only identifies the amount dosed by the device overall. As such, these previous devices are only suitable for useby individual animals. This device is designed for scientific research on motivation and drug addiction but may have other applications.

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to various examples which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While this disclosure includes certain examples, it will be understood the disclosure is not intended to limit the claims to these examples. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Furthermore, in this detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

[0017] The instant disclosure includes an apparatus for administration of a substance to a test-subject, in an example a live animal. In an example, the apparatus for administration of a substance may be a self-administration apparatus meaning that the test-subject itself, in some examples a live animal, may on its own be able to activate the apparatus and receive a dose of the substance.

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, an example system 10 for administration of a substance is shown. The example system 10 includes an example apparatus or device 100. The device 100 may be placed in an enclosure of a test subject and be used to deliver a substance to the test subject at the direction and control of the test subject itself. The system 10 may include a vaporizer 200 connected to the device 100 by one or more tubes 150. The vaporizer 200 converts the substance from a liquid form to a vapor-air mixture of the substance (a “substance vapor”). The example system 10 may further include an actuator 300 connected to the vaporizer 200 by one or more tubes 150, where the actuator 300 controls the flow of substance to the device 100. The system 10 further includes a storage component 400 for storing the substance before being delivered to the device 100 by the actuator 300 through the vaporizer 200. The example system 10 may further include a vacuum 500 connected to the device 100 by one or more tubes 550. The vacuum 500 removes excess substance vapor during or after administration to a test subject. The system 10 may further include a controller 600 connected to one or more of the device 100, storage component 400, actuator 300, vaporizer 200, and vacuum 500 by wires 602. The controller may control the vaporization of the substance and delivery of substance to the device 100 and may also control removal of excess substance by the vacuum 500.

[0019] Illustrated in FIG. 2A, the system 10 for administration of a substance includes the example apparatus or device 100. The example apparatus or device 100 for administering a substance includes a housing 102. The housing 102 further includes a vacuum port 104, a nose-poke or substance delivery region 106 and at least one adjustable support 108. The vacuum port 104 may be integral to the housing 102 or may be fastened to the exterior of the housing 102 of the device 100. The vacuum port 104 may further have a first end 110 which is shaped to receive a tube connected to a vacuum. The vacuum port 104 may further have a second end 1 12 which is located near the nose-poke or substance delivery region 106. The second end 112 may be conically shaped or otherwise shaped in the form of a fume-hood, which draws in excess vapor-air mixtures of any substance when such substance is delivered to the nose-poke or substance delivery region 106.

[0020] Shown in further detail in FIG. 2B, the device 100 may further include one or more adjustable supports 108 attached to the housing 102 of the device 100. The adjustable supports 108 may allow the device 100 to attach, fasten to, or otherwise be supported from a sidewall of a test subject enclosure. The adjustable supports 108 may be removably or adjustably attached to the housing 100. In an example, the adjustable supports 108 may be removably fastened to the housing 102 by one or more fasteners. The fasteners may be loosened which may allow the supports 108 to slidably or rotatably adjust within channels of the housing 102 of the device 100 to adjust the device 100 to a position higher or lower within the enclosure or cage of the animal or test subject. In an example, the adjustable supports 108 may contain different widths, where the widths change in a step-wise manner along the length of the adjustable support 108, where the greatest width of the adjustable support is closest to the top of the device 100. The adjustable support 108 step-wise thickness is such that the adjustable supports 108 may fit onto many different test-subject enclosures having different wall thicknesses.

[0021] In an example, the adjustable supports 108 may be fixed in a position by detents, friction fit, or other mechanical methods. In an example, the supports 108 may contain one or more telescoping members nested inside each other. The telescoping members may extend or retract to adjust for a height of the device 100 within the enclosure or cage of the testsubject or animal. The telescoping support members may be fixed by any of a fastener, detent-pin, friction fit, or any other mechanical method to fix the device housing 102 at a fixed position within the test-subject’s cage or enclosure.

[0022] Shown in FIG. 2A and in greater detail in FIG. 2C, the device 100 housing 102 may further consist of a nose-poke or substance delivery region 106. The nose-poke region 106,in an example, may be a recessed region into which a test-subject or animal may place its head, and in particular its nose. The nose-poke region 106 may further include a sensor 114. The sensor 114 in some examples may be a light-based sensor, and in some examples may be any of a radio frequency identification sensor, a physical-touch sensor, a Hall-effect sensor, an infrared sensor, a photovoltaic sensor, a pressure sensor, or any similar sensor. One advantage of using a light-based sensor, in an example, is that some animals may not be able to see or may not be repelled by certain types of light. For example, rodents cannot see red light as a color, and therefore are not repelled by red light. Therefore, using a red-light sensor 114, as shown in FIG. 2C, may be advantageous as it may limit the impact of the sensor on any scientific study.

[0023] In an example, an RFID sensor is used. An RFID chip may be inserted or removably attached to a test-subject or animal, in a location at or near the head and neck region of the animal. In the example, when the animal approaches the nose-poke region 106 of the device 100, an RFID sensor in the nose-poke region may detect the presence of the RFID chip, and thus detect the presence of the animal or test-subject. In this example, using an RFID chip may be advantageous, as the RFID chip attached to the test-subject or animal may also contain information about the animal or test subject’s identity or other information, and allow the device 100 to track the identity and other information of the test subject. For example, the RFID chip may have a unique identifier which may enable the device to detect which animal or test-subject among a plurality of test-subjects or animals activated the substance administration device 100, the time at which the administration was activated, and the device 100 may be able to log how many times the test-subject or animal activated the administration of the substance. For example, the RFID chip may be advantageous as the RFID chip may cause the device to deliver a substance to the animal or test subject based on detecting the RFID chip near the nose-poke region, and the device may, at the same time or at different times, collect certain information from the animal or test-subject, such information being stored on or within the RFID chip.

[0024] This may be advantageous because it may limit the number of devices that may need to be inserted into the animal or test subject, and thus may limit the number of times the animal or test-subject may need to be operated on. For example, without the use of an RFID chip and RFID sensor in conjunction with the device 100, an injection port may need to be inserted into the animal or test subject to deliver the substance. For example, without the use of the RFID chip in conjunction with the device, a separate tagging or identification chip mayneed to be inserted into the animal or test subject to track or identify the animal or test subject.

[0025] In an example, one or more sensors may be used in conjunction with one another to enable many different modes of test-subject detection, and which may take advantage of one or more benefits of the respective sensor types.

[0026] Shown in FIGS. 2C-D, the device 100 further includes a substance delivery port 116 connected to the nose-poke region 106. The substance delivery port 116 may be connected via a tube or tubing to a storage component holding a substance to be vaporized, and when the system 10 vaporizes the substance, the substance may be delivered, via the tubed connection, to the substance delivery port 116 located within the nose-poke region 106.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a partial detail view further illustrating the example system 10 of FIG. 1. Shown in FIG. 3, the system 10 may further include one or more delivery mechanisms 200, 300, 400 which deliver a substance to the device. In an example, the delivery mechanisms incvlude a storage component 400 which stores a substance in a liquid form, the substance to be administered to a test subject.

[0028] In an example, the storage component 400 may be a tank, test tube, infusion bag, or other component which holds the substance in a liquid form. In an example, the storage component 400 may hold the substance in the form of a vapor-air mixture. The storage component 400 is connected to the device 100 by one or more tubes 150. The storage component 400 delivers the substance to the device 100 via the one or more tubes 150. In an example, the storage component 400 is directly connected to the device 100 by one tube and without any intermediary components. In the example, the storage component 400 contains its own actuator for controlling the delivery of the substance from the storage component 400, such as a flow valve, pressure valve, solenoid connected to a port or door opening, or similar mechanism. In an example, the device 100 contains its own actuator for controlling the delivery of the substance received from the storage component 400. In an example, one or more intermediary devices, such as an actuator 300, and / or a vaporizer 200 may form a connection between the storage component 400 and device 100 via one or more tubes 150.

[0029] Shown in FIG. 3, the system 10 further includes one or more actuators 300 as part of the substance delivery mechanism. In the example, the storage component 400 may be connected to the actuator 300 by one or more tubes 150. The actuator 300 controls delivery of the substance to the device 100. The actuator 300 may be a solenoid connected to a piston, port, or door, or the actuator may be a flow control valve, pressure valve, or similar mechanism. In an example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the actuator 300 may be connected to acontroller 600. The controller 600 may send a signal to the actuator 300 to deliver an amount of substance from the storage component 400 to the device 100. In the example, the one or more actuators 300 may be installed on the back of the device 100 or on a cage or enclosure of the test-subject or animal, behind the housing 102 of the device 100.

[0030] Shown in FIG. 3, in an example, the actuator 300 may be a solenoid. In the example, the actuator 300 may control air pressure to create the substance vapor. The actuator 300 may create either a large negative or positive pressure to vaporize the liquid substance into a substance vapor. The actuator may achieve the same result as a vaporizer containing a vibrating or heating ceramic disk. The actuator may create a vapor-air mixture in a similar way (i.e., exciting the substance) and through similar functionality (i.e. through physical or thermal excitement). Any device which may mechanically or thermally excite the substance to produce a vapor-air mixture may be seen as accomplishing the same result by functioning in the same way. In an example, the actuator 300 is a flow switch or a flow control valve and the actuator may not vaporize the substance.

[0031] In an example, the system 10 may further include a separate vaporizer 200 as part of the substance delivery mechanism. Shown in FIG. 3, the system 10 includes a vaporizer 200, which is connected to the nose-poke region 106 of the device 100 by a tube 150. The vaporizer 200 is attached to the housing 102, of the device 100, and vaporizes the substance before being delivered to the device 100 and subsequently to the test-subject or animal. The vaporizer 200 may further include a chamber 202 and a ceramic disk 204 placed inside of the chamber 202. In one example the ceramic disk 204, when receiving a signal from a controller vaporize the substance contained within the chamber 202, vibrates at a high frequency, such as an ultrasonic frequency, to vaporize the substance into a substance vapor. The chamber 202 connects to the device housing 102 by at least one tube 150. The at least one tube 150 carries the substance vapor produced by the ceramic disk 204 from inside the chamber 202 to the nose-poke region 106 of the device 100.

[0032] In an example, instead of vibrating at a high frequency, the ceramic disk 204 may be heated to a high temperature, which may evaporate the substance, creating the substance vapor mixture. The vaporizer 200 containing a chamber 202 and ceramic disk 204 may have certain advantages. For example, the ceramic disk 204 when heating or vibrating, may operate at a noise level which may not alert, upset, or otherwise affect the animal or test subject.

[0033] In an example, the device may have many different chambers containing ceramic disks, and each chamber may be filled with the same or different substances. In an example,based on the identity of the test subject or animal, the control unit may signal one or many different chambers to vaporize their respective substances and deliver to the animal or test subject. In an example, the device may have a plurality of different chambers each corresponding to a test subject or animal. In the example, the identity of the test subject or animal controls which chamber and thus substance the control unit of the device vaporizes and delivers to the test animal or subject. In an example, the number of times the same animal or test subject activates the sensor may determine which among a plurality of chambers is vaporized and delivered to the test subject. In an example, the device may have a plurality of nose-poke regions and a plurality of chambers each containing a substance. In the example, the control unit may direct a different chamber to be vaporized and delivered to test subject based on which nose-poke region was activated by the animal or test subject. In an example, in a device with many chambers containing many substances, the control unit may direct any single or combination of chambers to be vaporized and delivered to the animal or test subject based on any single or combination of data collected by the sensor and delivered to the control unit.

[0034] Shown in FIG. 3, the device 100 may further include a vacuum 500, and at least one tube 550 connected to the vacuum 500 at one end of the tube and to the vacuum port 104 of the device 100 on the other end. The vacuum 500 may operate at a constant negative pressure to remove excess substance vapor mixture during and after the administration of the vaporized substance to the test-subject or animal. In some examples, the vacuum 500 may include a HEPA filter. In some examples, a HEPA filtration system may be connected by one or more tubes 550 to the vacuum port 104 of the device 100 at a first end of the HEPA filtration system, and to the vacuum 500 on a second end of the HEPA filtration system. In the example, the HEPA filter connected to the tubes 550 may remove any excess drug in the vapor being collected from the nose poke region before reaching the vacuum 500.

[0035] FIGS. 4A-B illustrate the system 10 and example device 100 of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-D in an “as-installed” condition within an animal or test-subject enclosure. As shown in FIGS. 4A-B, the device 100, and particularly the housing 102 with supports 108, is designed to be adjustable in order to be used in a large variety of scientific apparatuses or even the testsubject or animal's home cage or enclosure. The supports 108 attached to the housing 102 enable the housing 102 to be attached to a many different sized cages or enclosures.

[0036] In an example, the device 100 is designed for rodents, such as mice or rats, since these are the main subjects used in scientific studies of self-administration. A sensor (shown in FIG. 2C, sensor 114) within the device 100 may detect the presence of a rodent and, inresponse, signal to the system 10 to administer a dose of the substance vapor. In an example, when a light sensor is used, the test-subject or animal’s presence may block light emitted from a light-emitting portion of a sensor from reaching a light absorbing or reflecting portion of the sensor 114. In this example, the sensor 114 may detect that the light has been blocked, and the sensor 114 may indicate the presence of a test-subject or animal.

[0037] In an example, a test subject within an enclosure may be required to poke its nose into the circular area of the nose-poke or substance delivery region (“nose-poke region”) 106 which, using a light-sensing diode controlled by an Arduino circuit board, activates a very small amount of vaporized drug to be released (1.5 pl / 500 msec). In the example, the device 100 delivers a vaporized liquid solution to an animal when they complete a "nose-poke" behavior detected by the device 100 and more generally by the system 10.

[0038] A vaporizer 200 attached to the housing 102 may vaporize a substance for delivery through the device 100, and the vapor may be delivered in the small circular compartment of the nose-poke or substance delivery region 106 where the sensor 114 may be located. The system 10 may further include an actuator 300 for controlling an amount of substance to be delivered to the vaporizer 200, or alternatively directly to the device 100. In an example, the actuator 300 may be connected to a controller 600. In response to a signal detecting a test subject within the nose-poke region 106 of the device 100, the controller 600 may send a signal to the actuator 300 to deliver an amount of substance from the storage component 400 to the vaporizer 200 or to the device 100 directly.

[0039] There may be a vacuum 500 located away from the nose-poke region 106 that has continuous ongoing gentle suction to remove any excess drug vapor from the apparatus. The vacuum 500 may be connected to the device 100 at the vacuum port 104 of the device 100 by a tube 550 extending from vacuum 500 to the device 100. Examples of the device may minimize the sound associated with the vapor delivery and suction of excess vapor. Both the vapor delivery and suction may operate without making substantial noise, as to not startle the animal or test subject when activated. For example, the device may utilize an actuator 300 such as a solenoid valve that controls air pressure to vaporize the substance. Activation of the solenoid valves may cause a loud sound which may affect the animal or test subject. An example device may utilize a separate vaporizer 200 which includes a chamber 202 having a ceramic disk 204 vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency, which may operate without generating substantial noise, to produce the substance vapor. In an example, suction used to remove excess substance vapor is provided by a vacuum 500 operating at a continuous-on low rate, so no change in sound comes from vapor removal. In an example, the device mayincorporate radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader technology which operates the sensor within the nose-poke or substance delivery region 106 to allow identification of individual use from a group of test-subjects.

[0040] In an example, the vacuum 500 may operate at a continuous, low-level rate to not produce a high level of noise which may disturb or otherwise affect the animals or testsubjects. The low-level rate of suction may still be enough to remove any additional substance vapor which may remain after the administration of the substance vapor to an animal or test subject. In an example, the vacuum 500 may be activated and may operate in response to the device 100 being activated or turned on. In an example the vacuum 500 may be activated and may operate in response to a signal that the substance vapor has been administered by the device 100. In an example, the vacuum 500 connected to the device 100 may be located in another room, or may be located within a soundproof container, so that the noise from the vacuum’s operation is not heard by, and does not affect, the animal or test subject.

[0041] Illustrated in FIG. 4A, in one example, one or more test subjects may be placed within the same enclosure. In the example, one device 100 may be used to administer substance to the one or more test subjects. In the example, the test subjects may have RFID tags placed on them, or inserted in them, i.e. as a tagging chip. In the example, the device 100, and more particularly, the sensor (as shown in FIG. 2C) may detect an RFID chip on or inside the test subject, and consequently be able to verify the identity of the test subject. The device 100, connected to controller 600, may store the information corresponding to which test subject tripped the sensor of the device 100, at what time, and may track and record how much of a substance was administered to the test subject. The device 100, and controller 600 may be able to detect and record data sufficient to differentiate how much of a substance was administered to each unique test subject housed within the same enclosure, such that a resulting experiment may be performed on how social, environmental, or societal influences impact how a test subject responds to administration of a substance, such as an addictive substance.

[0042] In an example, multiple devices 100 can be used in the same enclosure. In the example, each device 100 may contain a different substance allowing a test subject to choose between different substances and allowing the behavior of the test subject in choosing between different substances to be observed. In the example, the different substances may be different drugs, a drug substance and a control substance, or even different concentrations of the same drag substance to see which is preferred by one or more test subjects.

[0043] Illustrated in FIG. 4B, in an example, two enclosures may be placed side-by-side. In the example, two devices may be used, with one device placed in each separate enclosure. In an example, a plurality of devices may be used, with each device connected to a different storage component containing a different substance. In an example, multiple storage components may be connected to a single device, such that administration of multiple substances may be observed. In the example shown, a single storage component 400 is connected to a device 100, and one device is installed in each of the adjacent housings. In the example, each device is connected to its own controller 600, such that each controller controls administration of a substance to its own device 100 within a separate enclosure. In the example, the controller may records information about time, quantity, and administration to a test subject for each individual test subject, such that results among each individual device 100 and controller 600 may be compared to one another.

[0044] In an example, two devices 100, each installed in a separate enclosure, may be connected to the same controller, such that a single controller may control administration of a substance to two separate enclosures. The controller would likewise still be able to differentiate administration of a substance as between the separate enclosures, and even as between separate test subjects within each enclosure, as it may detect the presence of a unique RFID tag which activates a sensor within a unique device 100 within an enclosure. In the example, the controller 600 records the activation and administration information, which includes the type and quantity of substance administered, the enclosure in which the substance was administered, the test subject to which the substance was administered, and the time at which the substance was administered.

[0045] In the example, a single controller may be used to conduct multiple experiments occurring in multiple enclosures simultaneously, thus reducing the time needed to conduct such experiments. In an example, any combination of devices 100 connected to controllers 600 may be used to coordinate, run, and simplify multiple experiments within multiple enclosures and for multiple test subjects at the same time.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method 500 illustrating example steps of delivering a substance to a test subject or animal. In an example, the example method may be performed by the device as instructed by a control unit attached to the device. Shown in FIG. 5, the method may include, at block 502, activating the device or turning the device on, which may turn on any or all of a sensor and a constant-operation vacuum. In an example, the sensor may be located at or within a nose-poke region of the device. The sensor may be any or a combination of a light sensor, an RFID sensor, a Hall effect sensor, or similar. Thevacuum may be attached to the device at a vacuum port located on the housing of the device. The vacuum port on the housing may further contain a connection end, to which a tube may be attached which connects a vacuum to the vacuum port of the device. The vacuum port may further have a suction end, the suction end may be located at or near the nose-poke region. The vacuum may operate at a constant, low-pressure which may be effective to remove excess substance vapor delivered by the device to a test subject.

[0047] The method may include, at block 504, detecting or sensing, by the sensor, the presence of an animal or test subject and sending, by the sensor, a signal. In an example, the sensor is a light detection sensor. In the example, when the animal or test subject sticks its nose or head in the nose-poke region, the animal or test subject’s nose or head blocks the light emitted from a light emitting portion of the sensor from reaching the light receiving portion of the sensor. The sensor thus detects an item within the detection field and sends a signal indicating that the sensor has been tripped. In an example, the sensor is an RFID sensor. In the example, when a test subject sticks its nose or head in the nose-poke region, an RFID chip that has been attached or implanted into the animal becomes close enough in proximity to the RFID sensor within the device such that the device may recognize the presence of the RFID chip. The RFID sensor may determine that an animal or test subject is present.

[0048] The method may further include, at block 506 and in the event that an RFID sensor is used in conjunction with the device, gathering information about the RFID chip, which is stored on the chip, and thus gathering information on the test subject. For example, when the sensor is an RFID sensor and the chip is an RFID chip, the RFID sensor may be able to communicate with the chip using RFID communication technology. The chip may be associated with a test subject or animal, such that the device, or more particularly the control unit within the device, may record the unique identity of the RFID chip that triggered the sensor, and the time at which the chip triggered the sensor. This may indicate which test subject or animal activated the sensor, and thus may indicate when and / or how many times a test subject received a dose of a substance.

[0049] The method may further include, at block 508, vaporizing the substance into a substance vapor mixture. For example, when the sensor indicates that an animal or testsubject is presently within the nose-poke region, the control unit may send a signal to a ceramic disk within a chamber holding the substance to begin vibrating at a high, and potentially ultrasonic frequency, which may cause the substance to vibrate and disperse into fine droplets distributed within the chamber. In an example, the ceramic disk may begin toheat rapidly and evaporate the substance into fine droplets dispersed within the chamber. In an example, a solenoid may change the pressure within the chamber, which may vaporize all or a portion of the substance within the chamber. Any thermal or mechanical method of vaporizing the substance into a substance vapor mixture accomplishes the same result by operating in the same way.

[0050] The method may further include, at block 510, administering the substance to the animal or test subject. In an example, the chamber containing the substance and the ceramic disk may be connected to the nose-poke region by at least one tube. In the example, the expansion of the substance through its dispersion into the air may push the substance vapor mixture through the tubes and towards / into the nose-poke region of the device. In an example, the expansion of the substance by heating and vaporizing may push the substance out of the chamber, through the tube, and into the nose-poke region. In an example, a solenoid may push the vaporized substance out of the chamber, through the tube, and into the nose-poke region. In an example, a fan or a vacuum may use either positive or negative pressure to force the vaporized substance through the tube and into the nose-poke region. Once the substance vapor is moved from the chamber containing the substance to the nosepoke region via one or more tubes, the substance may be breathed in by the animal or test subject, which administers the substance to the animal or test subject.

[0051] The method may further include, at block 512, removing the excess substance vapor. In an example, a vacuum is attached to the device at a vacuum port located on the device’s housing. The vacuum may be connected by a tube connecting the vacuum to a connection end of the vacuum port. Once connected, a negative pressure is established at a suction end of the vacuum port, which is located at or near the nose-poke region of the device. Any substance vapor which is not inhaled by the animal or test subject may be sucked into the vacuum port by the negative pressure created by the attached vacuum.

[0052] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example computing device or control unit 600 of the example system 10 of FIG. 1. In an example, the system 10 may further contain a control unit 600 which contains instructions stored on computer-readable memory which when prompted may direct the system 10 to perform any one or a combination of the actions including: detecting the presence of an animal or test subject; recording identifiable information about the animal or test subject obtained by the sensor and / or RFID chip reader; vaporizing a substance stored within a chamber; delivering the substance to the animal or test subject; and / or activating a vacuum attached to the device. In an example, the control unit600 may be an Arduino circuit and corresponding Arduino code. In an example the control unit 600 may be a processor which may be a part of a larger, integrated circuit.

[0053] A computing device 600 is a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, and / or any other electronic device having the ability to execute instructions, such as those stored within a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Furthermore, while described and illustrated in the context of a single computing device 600, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the various tasks described hereinafter may be practiced in a distributed environment having multiple computing devices 600 linked via a local- or wide-area network in which the executable instructions may be associated with and / or executed by one or more of multiple computing devices 600.

[0054] In its most basic configuration, the computing device 600 includes at least one processing unit 602 and at least one memory 604 linked via a bus 606. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device environment, memory 604 is volatile (such as RAM 610), non-volatile (such as ROM 608, flash memory, etc.) or some combination of the two.

[0055] Computing device 600 has additional features and / or functionality. For example, computing device 600 may also include additional storage (removable and / or non-removable) including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks, tape drives and / or flash drives. Such additional memory devices may be made accessible to the computing device 600 by means of, for example, a hard disk drive interface 612, a magnetic disk drive interface 614, and / or an optical disk drive interface 616. As will be understood, these devices, which may be linked to the system bus 606, respectively, allow for reading from and writing to a hard drive 618, reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk 620, and / or for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk 622, such as a CD / DVD ROM or other optical media. The drive interfaces and their associated computer-readable media may allow for the non-volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computing device 600. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that other types of computer-readable media that can store data may be used for this same purpose. Examples of such media devices include, but are not limited to, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories, nano-drives, memory sticks, other read / write and / or read-only memories and / or any other method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable (e.g., computer-implemented) instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Any such computer storage media may be part of computing device 600.

[0056] A number of program modules may be stored in one or more of the memory / media devices. For example, a basic input / output system (BIOS 624), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computing device 600, such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM 608. Similarly, RAM 610, hard drive 618, and / or peripheral memory devices may be used to store computer-executable instructions comprising an operating system 626, one or more applications programs 628, other program modules 630, and / or program data 632. Still further, computer-executable instructions may be downloaded to the computing device 600 as needed, for example, via a network connection. The applications programs 628 may include, for example, computer programs for generating motion profiles, optimizing geometric parameters and / or kinematic constraints, performing exact and / or proximate synthesis, and any other functions previous described, for example, with respect to FIG. 3.

[0057] An end-user may enter commands and information into the computing device 600 through input devices such as a keyboard 634 and / or a pointing device 636. While not illustrated, other input devices may include a microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a scanner, etc. These and other input devices would typically be connected to the processing unit 602 by means of a peripheral interface 638 which, in turn, would be coupled to bus 606. Input devices may be directly or indirectly connected to processing unit 602 via interfaces such as, for example, a parallel port, game port, firewire, or a universal serial bus (USB). To view information from the computing device 600, a monitor 640 or other type of display device may also be connected to bus 606 via an interface, such as via video adapter 642. In addition to the monitor 640, the computing device 600 may also include other peripheral output devices, not shown, such as speakers and printers.

[0058] The computing device 600 may also utilize logical connections to one or more computing device environments. Communications between the computing device 600 and the remote computing device environment may be exchanged via a further processing device, such as a network router 641, that is responsible for network routing. Communications with the network router 641 may be performed via a network interface component 644. Thus, within such a networked environment, e.g., the Internet, wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), or other like type of wired or wireless network, it will be appreciated that program modules depicted relative to the computing device 600, or portions thereof, may be stored in the memory storage device(s) of the computing device 600.

[0059] The computing device 600 may also include localization hardware 646 for determining a location of the computing device 600. In embodiments, the localizationhardware 646 may include, for example, a GPS antenna, an RFID chip or reader, a Wi-Fi antenna, or other computing hardware that may be used to capture or transmit signals that may be used to determine the location of the computing device 600.

[0060] In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for administration of a substance comprises a housing further comprising a delivery region and a vacuum port, the vacuum port having a first end for receiving a vacuum tube and a second end located substantially adjacent to the delivery region. The apparatus further comprises a substance delivery mechanism connected to the delivery region, a sensor fastened to the housing proximate to the delivery region, the sensor in communication with the substance delivery mechanism, and at least one support adjustably fastened to the housing.

[0061] In one aspect of the invention, the substance delivery mechanism further comprises at least one chamber and at least one actuator connected to each of the at least one chambers. Each of the at least one chambers may further comprise a ceramic disk to convert the substance from a liquid to a vapor form. In one aspect, the ceramic disk converts the substance from the liquid to the vapor form by vibration. In one aspect, the ceramic disk converts the substance from the liquid to the vapor form by heat.

[0062] In one aspect of the invention, the actuator is a solenoid. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a vacuum connected to the vacuum port of the housing. The sensor sends a signal to the substance delivery mechanism to deliver the substance to the delivery region in response to detecting a test subject near the delivery region, and an excess of the substance is removed by the vacuum connected to the vacuum port of the housing.

[0063] In one aspect of the invention, the sensor is an infrared sensor. In one aspect of the invention, the sensor is a motion sensor. In one aspect of the invention, the sensor is a photovoltaic sensor. In one aspect of the invention, the sensor is a pressure sensor.

[0064] In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for administration of a substance comprises a housing further comprising a delivery region and a vacuum port, the vacuum port having a first end for receiving a vacuum tube and a second end located substantially adjacent to the delivery region. The apparatus further comprises a controller, a delivery mechanism connected to the delivery region, the delivery mechanism further comprising at least one chamber and at least one actuator connected to each of the at least one chambers, the actuator in communication with the controller. The apparatus further comprises a sensor fastened to the housing proximate to the delivery region, the sensor in communication with the controller, and at least one support adjustably fastened to the housing.

[0065] In one aspect of the invention, each of the at least one chambers further comprises a ceramic disk to convert the substance from a liquid to a vapor form. In one aspect, the ceramic disk converts the substance from the liquid to the vapor form by vibration. In one aspect, the ceramic disk converts the substance from the liquid to the vapor form by heat.

[0066] In one aspect of the invention, the actuator is a solenoid. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a vacuum connected to the vacuum port of the housing.

[0067] In one aspect of the invention, a method for an administration of a substance, comprises the steps of providing an apparatus for the administration of the substance. The apparatus comprises a housing further comprising a delivery region and a vacuum port, the vacuum port having a first end for receiving a vacuum tube and a second end located substantially adjacent to the delivery region. The apparatus further comprises at least one support adjustably fastened to the housing, a substance delivery mechanism further comprising at least one chamber and at least one actuator connected to each of the at least one chambers. The apparatus further comprises a tube having a tube first end and a tube second end, the tube connected to the substance delivery mechanism at the tube first end, and connected to the delivery region of the housing at the tube second end, and a sensor fastened to the housing proximate to the delivery region, the sensor in communication with the substance delivery mechanism.

[0068] The method further comprises attaching a vacuum to the vacuum port of the housing, providing the substance within the at least one chamber of the substance delivery mechanism, sensing, by the sensor, that a test subject has approached the delivery region of the housing, actuating, by the actuator, the substance delivery mechanism, delivering, by the substance delivery mechanism, the substance from the at least one chamber to the delivery region through the tube, and removing, by the vacuum attached to the vacuum port, excess substance from the delivery region.

[0069] While this disclosure has described certain embodiments, it is understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to these embodiments except as explicitly recited in the claims. On the contrary, the instant disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and can be practiced using one or more other embodiments. In other instances, well known methods,procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.

[0070] Some portions of the detailed descriptions of this disclosure have been presented in terms of procedures, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer or digital system memory. These descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A procedure, logic block, process, etc., is herein, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these physical manipulations take the form of electrical or magnetic data capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a computer system or similar electronic computing device. For reasons of convenience, and with reference to common usage, such data is referred to as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like, with reference to various presently disclosed embodiments. It is understood, however, that these terms are to be interpreted as referencing physical manipulations and quantities and are merely convenient labels that should be interpreted further in view of terms commonly used in the art.

[0071] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the discussion herein, it is understood that throughout discussions of the present embodiment, discussions utilizing terms such as “determining”, “outputting”, “transmitting”, “recording”, “locating”, “storing”, “displaying”, “receiving”, “recognizing”, “utilizing”, “generating”, “providing”, “accessing”, “checking”, “notifying”, “delivering”, or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data. The data is represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system’s registers and memories and is transformed into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers, or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices as described herein or otherwise understood to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0072] It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged,or that all illustrated blocks be performed. Any of the blocks may be performed simultaneously. In one or more implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0073] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of’ preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of' does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and / or at least one of any combination of the items, and / or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refers to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and / or at least one of any of A, B, and C.

[0074] The predicate words “configured to,” “operable to,” and “programmed to” do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of a subject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. In one or more implementations, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or component may also mean the processor being programmed to monitor and control the operation or the processor being operable to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute code or operable to execute code.

[0075] Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, one or more implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, one or more implementations, one or more implementations, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.

[0076] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

[0077] The disclosed apparatus has many advantages over the prior art. For example, the insert is small, adjustable, and delivers vaporized drug, upon activation by a nose-poke through the small nose-poke compartment in the unit rather than filling an entire chamber with smoke as is the current convention in the field (vaporizer chambers (www.scientificvapor.com)). Some benefits of this small insert are: (1) The device can be used in virtually any type of apparatus or location because of its small size and adjustable supports. Currently drug administration studies have be completed in a specific selfadministration chamber. The ability to use these inserts anywhere allows them to be used in conjunction with other behavioral or scientific equipment. (2) The addition of an RFID reader on the unit allows identification of the mouse utilizing the unit allowing use with multiple animals. Currently, testing can be done on one animal at a time. This will allow analysis of social behavior on drug intake for the first time. (3) The small vapor window allows very small amounts of drug vapor to be used and collected via the gentle continuous vacuum just above the nose-poke region. This reduces waste and the need for disposal of large amounts of controlled substances making the unit much more economical for laboratories.

[0078] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. V arious modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is Claimed Is:

1. An apparatus for administration of a substance, comprising: a housing further comprising: a delivery region; and a vacuum port, the vacuum port having a first end for receiving a vacuum tube and a second end located substantially adjacent to the delivery region; a substance delivery mechanism connected to the delivery region; a sensor fastened to the housing proximate to the delivery region, the sensor in communication with the substance delivery mechanism; and at least one support adjustably fastened to the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substance delivery mechanism further comprises: at least one chamber; and at least one actuator connected to each of the at least one chambers.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the at least one chambers further comprises a ceramic disk to convert the substance from a liquid to a vapor form.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the ceramic disk converts the substance from the liquid to the vapor form by vibration.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the ceramic disk converts the substance from the liquid to the vapor form by heat.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the actuator is a solenoid.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum connected to the vacuum port of the housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor sends a signal to the substance delivery mechanism to deliver the substance to the delivery region in response to detecting a test subject near the delivery region.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein an excess of the substance is removed by the vacuum connected to the vacuum port of the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a motion sensor.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a photovoltaic sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.

14. An apparatus for administration of a substance, comprising: a housing further comprising: a delivery region; and a vacuum port, the vacuum port having a first end for receiving a vacuum tube and a second end located substantially adjacent to the delivery region; a controller; a delivery mechanism connected to the delivery region, the delivery mechanism further comprising: at least one chamber; and at least one actuator connected to each of the at least one chambers, the actuator in communication with the controller; a sensor fastened to the housing proximate to the delivery region, the sensor in communication with the controller; and at least one support adjustably fastened to the housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the at least one chambers further comprises a ceramic disk to convert the substance from a liquid to a vapor form.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the ceramic disk converts the substance from the liquid to the vapor form by vibration.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the ceramic disk converts the substance from the liquid to the vapor form by heat.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the actuator is a solenoid.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a vacuum connected to the vacuum port of the housing.

20. A method for an administration of a substance, the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus for the administration of the substance, the apparatus comprising: a housing further comprising: a delivery region; and a vacuum port, the vacuum port having a first end for receiving a vacuum tube and a second end located substantially adjacent to the delivery region; at least one support adjustably fastened to the housing; a substance delivery mechanism further comprising: at least one chamber; and at least one actuator connected to each of the at least one chambers; a tube having a tube first end and a tube second end, the tube connected to the substance delivery mechanism at the tube first end, and connected to the delivery region of the housing at the tube second end; and a sensor fastened to the housing proximate to the delivery region, the sensor in communication with the substance delivery mechanism; attaching a vacuum to the vacuum port of the housing; providing the substance within the at least one chamber of the substance delivery mechanism;sensing, by the sensor, that a test subject has approached the delivery region of the housing; actuating, by the actuator, the substance delivery mechanism; delivering, by the substance delivery mechanism, the substance from the at least one chamber to the delivery region through the tube; and removing, by the vacuum attached to the vacuum port, excess substance from the delivery region.

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