Dual Spectrum Illuminator for Rodent Cage Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems for animal cages, such as those using fiber optics or single-spectrum LEDs, face challenges in providing uniform lighting, managing shadows, and integrating with existing cage systems, which complicates computer-based behavior monitoring and requires significant modifications.
Innovation Solution
A dual spectrum illumination device with uniformly distributed infrared and broad-spectrum LEDs, mounted on the cage lid, allowing independent intensity control and compatibility with existing systems, providing uniform overhead lighting and minimizing shadow issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If side-mounted lights are used for monitoring animals, then the system can monitor animal behaviors, but the lighting is not uniform and creates shadows within the cage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional side-mounted lighting approach by implementing overhead lighting that shines downward through the cage lid. This inversion allows light to illuminate the entire cage floor uniformly from above, eliminating shadows cast by animals and objects within the cage, thereby resolving the lighting uniformity issue without requiring complex shadow elimination mechanisms.
2Illumination intensity
If fiber optic cables are used for lighting, then illumination can be provided, but the system becomes more expensive and less manageable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive fiber optic cables with inexpensive LED light sources that can be directly mounted on the cage lid. LEDs provide sufficient illumination capability while being significantly cheaper and easier to install and manage, eliminating the need for complex fiber optic infrastructure and reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the lighting function from the complex fiber optic system and implements it directly using simple LED sources mounted on the cage lid. This extraction eliminates the need for fiber optic cables and associated infrastructure, simplifying the system while maintaining illumination capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If single-spectrum LEDs are used, then cost is reduced, but uniform illumination and shadow management become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple single-spectrum LED sources of different wavelengths (e.g., blue, green, red LEDs) to create a composite broad-spectrum illumination system. This merging approach achieves uniform full-spectrum lighting comparable to traditional bulbs while maintaining the cost advantages and manageability of LED technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining multiple types of LEDs with different spectral characteristics to create a unified illumination system. This composite LED array provides broad-spectrum coverage and uniform illumination while maintaining the economic and management advantages of using discrete LED components rather than traditional incandescent or fiber optic systems.
4Illumination intensity
If existing cage systems are modified significantly to accommodate lighting, then illumination can be provided, but integration becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the lighting system as a universal overhead module that can be mounted on standard cage lids without significant modification. The system is designed to be compatible with existing cage and rack configurations, allowing it to serve multiple facilities and cage types, thereby enhancing adaptability and reducing integration complexity.
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
Facilitates uninterrupted, automated video monitoring of rodent behavior with reduced disturbance, enabling natural and non-invasive imaging in laboratory settings, and fits seamlessly into existing cage and rack systems without significant modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a second plurality of illumination devices providing light as a second wavelength or second series of wavelengths, the second wavelength or second series of wavelengths being invisible to the animals
Implementation Method 2
a first plurality of illumination devices providing light at a first wavelength or first series of wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed device provides uniform illumination of variable intensity for a plant or animal container, e.g., a rodent cage, using infrared and broad spectrum light. Manual control or a timer can be provided. The device can mount on top of the container without need for substantial modification of the cage-or cage configuration.