Compartmentalized Zebrafish Tank System for Space and Water Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for housing and testing zebrafish in genetic research are inefficient, leading to excessive water and space usage, stress on the animals, and time-consuming labeling processes, which hinder the research process and increase the risk of errors.
Innovation Solution
A modular tank system with dividers to create compartments, a housing rack with drainage channels, and a water recycling system that allows for efficient use of space and resources, along with a method for labeling and managing zebrafish samples, facilitating easier handling and monitoring of aquatic species.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If zebrafish are housed in individual tanks ranging from 0.8 liters to 2 liters, then each fish has adequate space, but water and space usage becomes excessive and storage capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large tank into multiple smaller compartments using internal dividers. Each compartment can house individual zebrafish or pairs, maintaining adequate living space while significantly reducing the total water volume required. For example, a 2-liter tank divided into 4 compartments provides similar individual space as four separate 0.5-liter tanks but uses only one tank's worth of water.
2Volume of stationary object
If larger tanks are used to house zebrafish, then storage space per tank increases, but the number of tanks that can be stored on racks decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting large tanks into smaller compartments, the system increases the number of independent housing units that can be stacked on racks. A single rack position that previously held one large tank can now effectively house multiple smaller fish groups through compartmented tanks, increasing overall storage density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where compartmented tanks are placed within rack systems. The tanks themselves contain nested compartments, and multiple tank-rack assemblies can be stacked vertically, creating a nested arrangement that maximizes space utilization at multiple hierarchical levels.
3Ease of operation
If zebrafish are kept off-system during transport, then handling is simplified, but water quality deteriorates and fish stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transport function with the monitoring function by integrating the tanks into the centralized water management system during transport. The tanks remain connected to the system's monitoring infrastructure, allowing automated tracking of water quality parameters even while being moved between locations within the facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank design incorporates multiple functions: housing, transport, and continuous monitoring. The same compartmented tanks used for housing zebrafish are also equipped with integrated sensors and connectivity for the centralized monitoring system, eliminating the need for separate transport containers and maintaining water quality oversight throughout all operations.
4Measurement precision
If researchers manually label each tank, then sample tracking accuracy improves, but time consumption and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical labeling process with an automated electronic identification system. Each tank or compartment is equipped with electronic tags, RFID labels, or integrated sensor arrays that automatically provide unique identifiers. The centralized monitoring system reads these identifiers electronically, eliminating the need for researchers to manually write or apply labels while maintaining accurate sample tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates electronic copies of identification information that can be instantly accessed and transferred. Instead of physical labels that must be read and transcribed, the system uses digital representations of tank and sample information that can be automatically retrieved, stored, and cross-referenced without manual intervention, significantly reducing time while preserving accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for testing and researching aquatic species is provided. The apparatus includes a housing rack for housing a tank. The apparatus further includes one or more dividers for dividing the at least one tank into one or more compartments. The apparatus further includes a collection channel and a downspout in each compartment for draining of water from each compartment. The apparatus further includes one or more lids for covering the one or more compartments.