Sterilizable Wireless Animal Scale Using Flexible Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vivarium cage weighing systems are labor-intensive, invasive, and prone to contamination, leading to delayed detection of animal health issues and inaccurate study results due to manual handling and the need for frequent equipment replacement.
Innovation Solution
A wireless, sterilizable scale with a flexible membrane and load cells arranged in a triangular configuration, allowing for accurate weight measurement without electrical penetrations, using infrared communication and battery-powered components that can be chemically or heat-sterilized, minimizing interference with animal behavior and maintaining pathogen-free conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual weighing is used, then labor time and cost increase, but frequency of weighing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scale enables automatic weighing without human intervention. The animal simply steps onto the scale platform, and the system automatically records the weight data and transmits it wirelessly, eliminating the need for manual handling and recording by researchers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical weighing operations with an automated electronic system. Load cells convert mechanical weight into electrical signals, which are then processed and transmitted digitally, substituting the manual mechanical process with an automated electromechanical system.
2Measurement precision
If manual handling of animals is performed, then weight measurement is obtained, but sterility of cages and animals is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The scale system is completely removed from the sterile cage environment. It is positioned externally, with only a flexible membrane extending into the cage. This extraction eliminates the need for wired connections, battery compartments, or electronic components within the sterile zone, thereby maintaining sterility while enabling continuous weighing.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane serves as the interface between the sterile cage interior and the external non-sterile scale mechanism. This thin film allows mechanical coupling for weight measurement while maintaining the sterile barrier, enabling the scale to function without compromising cage sterility.
3Ease of operation
If wired electronic equipment is placed in cages, then power and data transmission are enabled, but pathogen contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
All electronic components, including load cells, signal processing circuits, and wireless transmitters, are extracted from the sterile cage environment and positioned externally. Only the flexible membrane extends into the cage, eliminating wired connections and electronic equipment within the sterile zone, thereby preventing pathogen contamination while maintaining full electronic functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If batteries are placed in cages for wireless operation, then wireless functionality is achieved, but equipment size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery power source is extracted from the cage environment and positioned externally with the electronic components. This eliminates the need for heavy batteries within the cage, reducing equipment weight and size while maintaining wireless operation capability through external power supply.
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 frequent, accurate, and non-invasive animal weight monitoring, reducing labor costs and maintaining sterility, while minimizing contamination risks and interference with animal behavior, thus improving the reliability and consistency of study results.
Implementation Method 1
The upper module comprises a flexible membrane on its top surface, through which the weight of the upper modules and animal are mechanically coupled
Implementation Method 2
The lower module comprises three load cells arranged in a triangle so as to support the upper module
Implementation Method 3
The upper module is sealed using a conformal coating on at least a portion. The upper module may be sterilized using heat sterilization. The upper module may comprise electronics; however, the electronics are not damaged by heat of sterilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless, sterilizable scale comprising an upper module, on which an animal sits or explores, and a lower module that measures the weight of the animal. The lower module comprises a flexible membrane, through which the weight of the upper module and the animal is mechanically coupled. The flexible membrane is affixed at its perimeter to the perimeter of the lower module. The lower module is sealed by the membrane and comprises a load cell, batteries and electronics. The upper module removes easily from the lower module leaving the lower module intact and sealed for chemical sterilization. Electronics in the upper module connects to electronics in the lower module via an electrical connector that also penetrates the flexible membrane. IR communications from the upper modules transmits a series of weight values at two different data rates. The scale may be in a sterile cage free of electrical penetrations.