Automatic Feeder with Switchable Food Container for Rodent TRF
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic feeders for laboratory rodents are cumbersome, unsuitable for large-scale or long-term experiments, and lack the ability to implement genuine time-restricted feeding (TRF) schemes due to inadequate food access blocking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A programmable automatic feeder system that includes a food container with an accessible and blocked region, switchable between states using an actuator and electric circuit, allowing for precise control of food access based on pre-set TRF schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manually add and remove food at regular time points, then TRF schemes can be implemented, but labor-intensive and requires great deal of manpower and time
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic feeder system enables the feeding process to service itself through automated mechanisms. The food container with movable food compartment automatically transitions between accessible and blocked states without human intervention, eliminating the need for researchers to manually add and remove food while maintaining reliable TRF scheme implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of researchers adding and removing food with an automated mechanical system. The movable food compartment mechanism, driven by automated control, substitutes human hands and time, transforming a labor-intensive manual process into an autonomous mechanical system that reliably enforces TRF protocols
2Object-affected harmful factors
If food tray located at the top of the cage to reduce contamination, then food contamination is reduced, but rodents must access food from top which may be cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The food container incorporates a movable food compartment that can dynamically transition between different positions. The food compartment moves between an accessible region where rodents can easily access food and a blocked region where access is prevented, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on whether feeding or fasting is intended, thus maintaining both contamination reduction and access convenience
3Extent of automation
If use existing automatic feeders with scheduled food release only, then automation is achieved, but genuine TRF scheme cannot be accomplished due to inadequate food access blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The food container is segmented into distinct functional regions: an accessible region where rodents can access food and a blocked region where food is prevented from access. The food compartment itself is divided into portions that can be independently positioned, allowing the system to reliably implement TRF schemes by controlling which portion is accessible at any given time, thereby achieving both automation and TRF accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The movable food compartment acts as an intermediary mechanism between the food source and the rodent. It mediates food access by transitioning between the accessible and blocked regions, enabling the automated system to reliably enforce TRF protocols by controlling the intermediate state of food availability rather than directly controlling rodent behavior
4Reliability
If food container is switchable between accessible and blocked states, then genuine TRF schemes can be implemented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The food container employs a dynamic movable food compartment that transitions between accessible and blocked states. This dynamic mechanism, rather than requiring multiple static containers or complex automated dispensing systems, achieves reliable TRF implementation through simple positional changes of the food compartment, thereby balancing reliability with manageable complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic feeder apparatus for feeding a rodent in a cage is provided. The automatic feeder apparatus comprises a food container for holding food, and the food container comprises an accessible region and a blocked region. The food container is configured to be automatically switchable between an accessible state, in which the food is accessible to the rodent, and a blocked state, in which the food is blocked from access to the rodent.