Biometric Signal Measuring Apparatus with Trap Unit for Micro-Vertebrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromyography systems for micro-vertebrates face challenges in simultaneous measurement and are inconvenient for drug screening, as they require inserting micro-vertebrates into agarose gel or coil electrodes, making it difficult to maintain their lives during testing.

Innovation Solution

A biological-signal measuring apparatus with a trap unit that includes multiple trap channels and a lifting/lowering unit to fix and measure micro-vertebrates, allowing for simultaneous signal measurement while maintaining their lives, using comparison electrodes to measure potential differences and an injection chamber for fluid delivery to support drug screening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If micro-vertebrates are inserted into agarose gel or coil electrodes for measurement, then biological signals can be measured, but it is difficult to perform simultaneous measurement of multiple micro-vertebrates and maintains inconvenience for operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiological signal measurementVSAvoidsimultaneous measurement convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is segmented into multiple independent trap channels (first trap channel, second trap channel, etc.) within a single trap unit. Each trap channel can independently hold and measure one micro-vertebrate, enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple subjects without requiring separate agarose gel preparations for each, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trap unit serves multiple functions: it simultaneously holds multiple micro-vertebrates in separate trap channels, provides electrical connection through comparison electrodes for each channel, and enables parallel signal acquisition. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for repeated manual insertion operations while maintaining accurate biological signal measurement across all subjects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If traditional electromyography systems are used for micro-vertebrates, then biological signals can be measured, but it is complicated to perform drug screening and inconvenient to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiological signal measurementVSAvoiddrug screening complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adds a fluid delivery dimension to the traditional electromyography system by introducing an injection chamber connected to each trap channel. This enables drug administration through fluid injection while the micro-vertebrates are held in the trap channels, transforming the system from purely electrical measurement to integrated physiological measurement and drug delivery, thereby simplifying drug screening procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The trap unit merges the functions of subject holding, electrical signal measurement, and drug delivery into a single integrated structure. The comparison electrodes are positioned to contact micro-vertebrates in the trap channels while the injection chamber provides drug administration, combining multiple experimental functions that were previously separate operations into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If micro-vertebrates are fixed in traditional methods, then measurements can be taken, but it is difficult to maintain their lives during testing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiological signal measurementVSAvoidmicro-vertebrate survival
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each trap channel provides a localized environment tailored to the specific needs of the micro-vertebrate it holds. The trap channel structure allows the micro-vertebrate to be positioned with its head oriented in a specific direction while maintaining contact with comparison electrodes, and the injection chamber delivers fluid locally to maintain hydration and vitality. This localized control of environmental conditions enables accurate measurement while preserving micro-vertebrate survival.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local 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

Enables rapid and simultaneous measurement of biological signals from multiple micro-vertebrates, facilitating drug screening by maintaining their lives and simplifying the process of changing drugs, thus improving the efficiency and reliability of experiments.

Implementation Method 1

a lifting/lowering unit that inserts an electrode portion into the micro-vertebrates fixed to the trap unit and measures biological signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical signal detection: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

When the electrode portion is inserted into the micro-vertebrates, a potential difference between the electrode portion and the comparison electrode may be measured to measure biological signals of the micro-vertebrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPotential difference measurement: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3662816B1Biometric signal-measuring apparatus equipped with trap unit for measuring biometric signal of micro-animal
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 DAEGU GYEONGBUK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
  • EP3662816B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3662816B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3662816B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a biological-signal measuring apparatus equipped with a trap unit for measuring biological signals of micro-vertebrates and a method for measuring biological signals of micro-vertebrates by using the biological-signal measuring apparatus, and more specifically, to a biological-signal measuring apparatus equipped with a trap unit for measuring biological signals of micro-vertebrates by which simultaneous measurement of biological signals of a plurality of micro-vertebrates can be rapidly performed while lives of the micro-vertebrates are maintained and a method for measuring biological signals of micro-vertebrates by using the biological-signal measuring apparatus. According to a configuration of the present invention, the biological-signal measuring apparatus equipped with a trap unit for measuring biological signals of micro-vertebrates is provided to include: a trap unit having multiple trap channels to which micro-vertebrates are fixed; and a lifting/lowering unit that inserts an electrode portion into the micro-vertebrates fixed to the trap unit and measures biological signals. The trap channels have a shape formed to fix the head part of the micro-vertebrates put into the trap unit.