Wireless Sterile Animal Scale with Flexible Membrane Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual weighing of animals in vivariums is labor-intensive, alters animal behavior and health, and poses sterility risks due to frequent handling and light exposure, while existing automated solutions are not pathogen-free and require frequent battery changes, increasing costs and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless, rechargeable scale with a flexible, compliant membrane that provides a sterile seal and allows for easy sterilization, featuring a load cell and wireless communication with narrow beam optics or radio, minimizing pathogen transmission and avoiding the need for power or data wiring, and allowing tool-less assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual weighing is performed frequently, then weight monitoring accuracy improves, but labor cost and animal handling stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scale enables automatic weighing by allowing animals to walk on the platform independently, eliminating the need for manual handling. The wireless automatic transmission further automates data collection, making the system self-sufficient without human intervention for each weighing event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical weighing operations with an automated electronic scale system. The load cell sensor automatically detects weight changes and the wireless transmission system automatically sends data to the host computer, substituting human labor with automated mechanical and electronic systems.
2Loss of information
If manual handling is performed, then weight data is collected, but animal behavior and health are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The scale enables animals to weigh themselves by simply walking on the platform without human intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the stress and behavioral alterations caused by manual handling, as animals perform the weighing action independently in their normal environment.
3Loss of information
If manual weighing is performed, then weight records are obtained, but sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual weighing operations with an automated electronic scale system that has no moving parts requiring human contact. The sealed enclosure with magnetic seal prevents pathogen transmission, and wireless data transmission eliminates the need for physical connection to external devices, maintaining sterility throughout the weighing process.
4Extent of automation
If electronic equipment is placed inside cages, then automation is achieved, but sterilization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The scale is designed as a removable unit that can be extracted from the cage for sterilization. The sealed enclosure protects internal electronics during sterilization processes, allowing the equipment to be sterilized by immersion or other methods without damage, then reinstalled in the cage for continued automated use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses wireless transmission with magnetic seal for data communication, eliminating physical connection points that would compromise sterility. This allows the electronic equipment to maintain a sealed, sterilizable enclosure while still achieving full automation through wireless data transfer to external systems.
5Reliability
If wireless devices are used, then cage penetrations are minimized, but battery replacement increases contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The scale uses rechargeable batteries that can be charged continuously without removal from the device. The magnetic seal charging interface allows power transfer while maintaining the sealed enclosure, enabling continuous operation without battery replacement and eliminating the contamination risk associated with opening the device for battery changes.
6Object-affected harmful factors
If scale is made chew-proof, then animal safety improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scale uses composite materials combining stainless steel mesh for the weighing platform with chew-resistant coatings or materials for structural components. This composite approach provides both chew-proof protection for animal safety and maintains manufacturability through established material combination techniques.
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
The solution enables continuous, accurate, and sterile animal weighing without altering animal behavior, reducing labor costs and maintaining pathogen-free conditions, ensuring reliable and repeatable study results while being reusable and easy to maintain.
Implementation Method 1
lower module comprising a case with electronics, a load cell, and power source
Implementation Method 2
The membrane is penetrated by a rigid penetrating element that provides both rigid weight-bearing connectivity from the upper module to the load cell
Data Source
AI summary
A communicating sterile scale is described suitable for automated use in animal cages. An upper module provides a weighing platform, electronics, upward facing wireless communication elements, a protecting skirt, and interface to a combined weight-bearing and electrical penetration element. A lower module provides a case, internal electronics, load cell, power source, sterile-sealed flexible complaint membrane and a combined weight bearing and electrical penetration element through the membrane. The upper and lower modules are easily separable for sterilization by immersion in a sterilizing fluid. The power source in the case may be charged through same electrical penetrating element. The membrane comprises a perimeter that is attached and sealed to the case, a penetration area penetrated by the rigid weight-bearing element, and an isolating compliance area. The skirt on upper module protects detritus from entering from below onto the membrane, while providing open-air movement. Upward facing narrow-beam communication elements provide association-free communication protocols.