Animal Imaging Head Post and Treadmill System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for imaging animals in an awake state are limited by animal stress and movement due to physical restraint, leading to imaging artifacts and compromised data quality, as most imaging is conducted under anesthesia which affects brain function and interacts with tested compounds.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a treadmill with rotatable rollers and a head post arrangement to train animals to remain still, minimizing stress and allowing them to walk, thus maintaining head stability during imaging without electric motor assistance, compatible with MRI, CT, or PET apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If physical restraint is used to keep the animal still during imaging, then the animal's movement is reduced, but the animal experiences stress which causes unavoidable movement
Solution Approach 1:
A trainer animal is introduced as an intermediary to mediate between the subject animal and the imaging environment. The trainer animal, which is already acclimated to the apparatus, guides and comforts the subject animal through social interaction, reducing stress-induced movement without requiring physical restraint
Solution Approach 2:
The trainer animal undergoes preliminary acclimation to the imaging apparatus before being introduced to the subject animal. This preliminary adaptation allows the trainer to effectively guide the subject animal, reducing stress and movement artifacts during imaging
2Stability of the object's composition
If the animal is imaged under anesthesia, then the animal remains still during imaging, but brain functions are compromised and data may be skewed
Solution Approach 1:
The natural instinct of animals to move and explore during imaging is converted into a beneficial force by providing a treadmill. The animal can satisfy its movement drive by walking on the treadmill while remaining head-stable for imaging, transforming what would be harmful motion into a controlled, beneficial activity that maintains both animal welfare and data quality
3Reliability
If the animal is allowed to move freely during imaging, then the animal remains in a natural state, but imaging artifacts occur due to movement
Solution Approach 1:
The animal's body is functionally segmented into two zones: the head region is constrained to the imaging plane for high-quality imaging, while the body is free to move on the treadmill. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of imaging precision and natural animal behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where the treadmill can move with the animal's body while the head remains stabilized. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to accommodate natural animal movement patterns while maintaining imaging quality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly increases the success rate of imaging awake animals by reducing stress and movement, providing more accurate data without the limitations of anesthesia.
Implementation Method 1
treadmill with rotatable rollers
Implementation Method 2
a conventional imaging apparatus 10, such as an MRI scanner, is illustrated. As shown, a typical MRI apparatus forms a strong magnetic field around the area to be imaged
Implementation Method 3
the patient 14 is temporarily exposed to an oscillating magnetic field applied by a Radio Frequency (RF) coil 16 of the MRI apparatus 10 at the appropriate resonant frequency. The excited hydrogen atoms in the tissue of the patient 14 become excited by the oscillating magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
The contrast between different tissues is then determined by the rate at which excited atoms return to an equilibrium state
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for training an animal, such as a rodent, to maintain its head substantially motionless during an imaging procedure using an imaging and training system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the imaging and training system includes a frame defining an enclosure for enclosing an animal therein during the imaging procedure. The frame includes a head post that is attached to the head of the animal and a treadmill having a plurality of rollers that the animal is in operative contact such that one or more of the plurality of wheels rotate when the animal is in a walking motion and stop rotating when the animal is in a substantially motionless state. This arrangement trains the animal to remain substantially motionless when disposed within an imaging apparatus.