Automated Vivarium Urine Analysis Pad with UV Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring animal health in vivariums are labor-intensive, infrequent, and not suitable for continuous, automated urine analysis of multiple animals, especially as they require manual observation and are affected by light interference, which disrupts natural behavior and health monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An automated urine analysis system for vivariums using a pad with test patches and cameras, where urine detection patches and color reference patches are used to determine urine attributes, and IR and color cameras, along with UV light, detect fresh urine without exposing animals to light, allowing for continuous monitoring and identification of individual animals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual observation and out-of-cage testing are performed in light during the day, then the convenience of vivarium operation is improved, but the natural activity period of mice is disrupted and stress is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual observation with an automated imaging system that captures images of animals in their cages. The system uses software to automatically analyze the images for health indicators, eliminating the need for human observers to interact with animals during their activity period. This substitution of mechanical/physical observation with an automated digital system resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational convenience while removing the harmful effect of light exposure on animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary imaging system that allows observation without direct human intervention. The system captures images through the cage barrier, using the cage structure itself as part of the imaging pathway. This intermediary approach enables monitoring during the animal's natural active period without requiring human presence or light exposure, thus resolving the contradiction between operational convenience and animal welfare.
2Productivity
If manual observation is performed once per day per animal, then the labor intensity is reduced, but problems such as sickness are not discovered until after an unacceptable delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring by capturing images at multiple time points throughout the animal's activity period. The system takes images continuously or at frequent intervals, ensuring that health changes are detected as they occur rather than waiting for daily manual checks. This continuous action maintains high productivity while improving reliability through timely detection of health issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of images to detect early signs of health issues before they become apparent. By continuously monitoring and analyzing images, the system can identify subtle changes in animal appearance, behavior, or physical condition at an early stage, enabling early intervention while maintaining efficient operation.
3Measurement precision
If urine test strips are used to measure urine, then urine attributes can be determined, but the method is not suitable for measuring mice urine in a cage and cannot determine which mouse produced the urine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring task into separate components: individual animal identification through image recognition, urine detection through chemical sensors, and data correlation software. The segmentation allows the system to identify which mouse produced urine by analyzing images of individual animals near the sensor, while maintaining the ability to measure urine attributes. This segmented approach enables both precise measurement and adaptability to multi-animal cage environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal monitoring system that can handle multiple animals simultaneously in their home cages. The imaging system recognizes individual animals, the urine sensor detects urine from any source, and the software correlates the data to identify the producing animal. This multi-functional system maintains measurement precision while adapting to the complex environment of multi-animal cages, making it versatile for various vivarium monitoring needs.
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 continuous, automated, and accurate urine analysis in vivariums, reducing stress on animals and improving health monitoring by providing timely and precise data on animal health without disrupting natural behavior.
Implementation Method 1
an ultra-violet (UV) light source. Because urine glows under UV, a camera, either an IR camera or a color camera, detects fresh urine anywhere on the pad.
Implementation Method 2
When the strip is saturated with urine, each square changes color based on one particular attribute of the urine.
Implementation Method 3
The normal activity period for mice is in the dark, so the cage is illuminated by and video monitored with IR. When a mouse is over the pad and urinates, urine or moisture sensors in the pad rapidly change color, which is detected by the IR camera and corresponding software.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of measuring attributes of animal urine, using a test pad comprising multiple test patches and urine detection patches in a BAYER pattern is described. The pad comprises different test patches, each surrounded by urine detection patches. When a camera, electronics and software automatically detect fresh urine from a color change of a detection patch, nearby test patches are read with a color camera, after a specific time delay, and compared to color reference spots. Multiple layers and isolation zones in the test pad allow urine to enter the test and detection patches, while keeping urine puddles from spreading. Once used, detection and test patches are not used again. An array of many detection and test patches allows the test pad to be used for multiple urine samples in one vivarium cage before replacing. Embodiments use a mix of IR and white light, and IR cameras and color cameras.