GB1592863A - Chambers for carrying out physiological procedures on living organisms - Google Patents

Chambers for carrying out physiological procedures on living organisms Download PDF

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Publication number
GB1592863A
GB1592863A GB4079977A GB4079977A GB1592863A GB 1592863 A GB1592863 A GB 1592863A GB 4079977 A GB4079977 A GB 4079977A GB 4079977 A GB4079977 A GB 4079977A GB 1592863 A GB1592863 A GB 1592863A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
chamber
panels
electrical
animal
panel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
GB4079977A
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CH Boehringer Sohn AG and Co KG
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
Original Assignee
CH Boehringer Sohn AG and Co KG
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CH Boehringer Sohn AG and Co KG, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH filed Critical CH Boehringer Sohn AG and Co KG
Publication of GB1592863A publication Critical patent/GB1592863A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01KANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K1/00Housing animals; Equipment therefor
    • A01K1/02Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
    • A01K1/03Housing for domestic or laboratory animals
    • A01K1/031Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
  • Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)

Abstract

In order to affect and register physiological processes in living beings, the function chamber consists of a polygonal frame system having mechanical guides for the floor, wall and ceiling elements and replaceable side walls (W) designed as functional modules, a cover (O) and a floor (U). Preferably, the functional modules contain electrical or mechanical measuring, regulating and control devices and are connected to the frame system electrically or mechanically by releasable contacts. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN CHAMBERS FOR CARRYING OUT PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES ON LIVING ORGANISMS (71) We, BOEHRINGER INGEL HEIM GMBH a German company of D-6507 Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to laboratory apparatus comprising a chamber for physiologically observing, stimulating and/or testing one or more living organisms housed therein. The construction of such chambers suitable for physiological methods of this sort take a long time and often delays or prevents planned ex periments or tests especially tests or experiments on animals.
A test chamber constructed for one particular purpose is normally only suitable for use for that purpose (for example as a training cham ber, metabolism chamber, behavioural charn ber), so that for example an animal undergoing a series of tests must be brought to a different chamber for each test. Commercially available chambers known as "Skinner-boxes" have re mained almost unchanged for decades, though it has become obvious in the meantime, that their construction does not correspond any more to modern investigation of behaviour.
The invention provides laboratory appara tus comprising a multi-functional chamber for physiologically observing, stimulating and/or testing one or more living organisms housed therein in use, said chamber comprising a sub stantially polygonal housing constructed of a plurality of readily exchangeable modular panels connected together, at least some of said panels incorporating electrical and/or mechanical means for observing, stimulating and/or testing as aforesaid, such means incorporating panels including connection de vices whereby said means are interconnected and/or connected to external control apparatus, at least one further panel similar to said means incorporating panels but having different elec trical and/or mechanical means for observing, stimulating and/or testing as aforesaid, at least one of said means-incorporating panels being readily interchangeable with a said further panel whereby to alter the function of the chamber.
Apparatus in accordance with the invention may be quickly and easily adapted to any of a number of predetermined functions, i.e. any test, observation or stimulation of the organism within the chamber. The living organism may be animal, vegetable or a micro organism. The procedure may be carried out automatically by means in the chamber or may be initiated or carried out by the organism in the chamber.
For example means may be provided within the chamber for exercising an animal, or stimulating an animal in some way. Light and sound transmitting and detecting means mag be mounted in the wall panels for carrying out observations on the organisms in the chamber.
Preferably, the test chamber includes electrical connector means disposed said means incorporating panels for making electrical connection thereto, and preferably also a programming board to which said electrical connector means are connected whereby any of a variety of electrical lines may be connected to the electrical connector means.
Desirably, said means for carrying out a predetermined procedure includes light transmitting and receiving means for detecting animal movements within the chamber.
A plurality of light receiving means may be provided and electrical lines may be connectable via said programming board to said electrical connector means whereby animal movements detected by each said receiving means or animal movements detected by all of said receiving means may be counted. Said procedure means may include mechanical means for use by an operator or by an animal in the chamber.
A detachable base wall panel may be provided having electrically conductive rods for giving an animal an electrical shock. More than four side wall panels are preferably provided.
Each means-incorporating panel is preferably connected to the chamber electrically and/or mechanically by means of detachable contacts.
Preferably, discrete electrical functions are lead via electrical and/or mechanical connection to a central programming board. The test chamber may be for examining aquatic animals, including a waterproof mechanical connection between the exchangeable panels.
The chamber may be for rendering special metabolic analyses possible, including a gasproof mechanical connection between the exchangeable panels. The chamber may include means for isolating the test chamber from environmental influences of all kinds such as sound, light, temperature and electromagnetic fields.
Desirably the detachable side wall panels carry different means such as lamps, megaphones, heat sources, shock setters etc. as well as registering sensors such as keys, microphones, light beams, extensible measuring tape etc., that can perform their work immedlately after insertion into the framework.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematical representation of the first embodiment of the invention; and Figures 2 to 7 are various views of detachable wall panels employed in a second embodiment of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 shows a multi-sided test chamber having eight side modular wall panels W and top and bottom wall panels for behavioural experiments. A chamber with a large number (preferably more than four) of side walls has proved to be favourable, as more obtuse angles influence behaviour less.
A polygonal framework is formed from the following elements. Vertical rods are mounted at the corners of the polygon on a base wall panel and are held together at their top end by angle strips. Sidewalls are connected to the base wall panel by plug and socket connections (Figure 1, connections S-B) and to the top wall panel through snap connections to the angle strips. The vertical rods have at their top and projections or lugs which are received in locating apertures in the top panel to complete the chamber.
Each side wall panel and top and bottom wall panel may be equipped with electrical and/or mechanical measuring, control and/or pilot units for carrying out either alone or in conjunction with other equipment in the chamber, predetermined procedures on organisms within the chamber. Each wall panel has an electrical plug S for connection to sockets B mounted adjacent the wall panels. The sockets B are connected by cables K to a programming board V whereby any of a variety of electrical lines may be connected to the equipment on each of the wall panels, in accordance with the procedure to be employed. The programming board V to which available electrical pilot and power supply units may be connected, may be constructed easily as a multiple socket for programming. After an interchange of wall panels, the electrical lines to the wall panels may be changed by means of solidly wired programming boards.
The size of the test chambers is variable within wide limits and is guided by the size of the test object.
The material of which the test chamber is made depends upon the organism to be tested.
For land animals aluminium is preferred or, for example, for aggressive animals and in cases where special solidity is required. V2A-steel can be used; for aquatic animals a physiologically inert plastics material is especially suitable.
The detachable wall panels may mount various items of test equipment. Thus for example a tilting bottom actometer may be mounted on the wall panels. In such a case, the side wall panels and top wall panel mount light sources. The bottom wall panel carries a plate positioned at a central point on the panel, the plate changing its support on the rim depending upon the motions of the test animals placed on it. These changes of the spots where the rim is touched by the plate are converted into electrical impulses and registered for counting the frequency of motion of an animal within the chamber. An adjustment of the height of the central point allows for a variation of the sensitivity of the actometer.
As an alternative form of actometer, a jiggle cage actometer may be employed. With such an arrangement, the side walls and top wall panel include light sources. The bottom wall panel is wholly or in part attached to the test chamber by means of a spring bearing. By the motion of the animals undergoing test the base panel is caused to oscillate. Such oscillation is registered mecahnically or converted into electrical signals thereby to give information on frequency and intensity of animal movement.
A further actometer which may be used is based on the principle of an animal under test interrupting a light beam and interruptions being recorded as representing the amount of movement of the animal.
The top wall panel is equipped with a light source and the base wall panel with photo resistive receivers. This provides vertical light beams. Horizontal light beams may also be arranged by providing on one side wall a light source and on an opposite side wall photo resistive receivers.
With such an arrangement it may be useful to record the total of all interruptions of all the beams within the chamber. In other situations it may be useful to record the interruptions of each individual light beam thereby to give more information of the whereabouts of the animal and the direction of movement of the animal. The registration intervals may be made different from test to test.
Such differing requirements are met by connecting the light beams in differing ways and with other peripheral units (clock, relays, counters). Such electrical connections may be prepared on pin boards as fixed programmes, which are plugged into the sockets of a programming board, so that each test programme can be realized quickly and easily.
By the use of exchangeable wall panels, it is possible to include in the same test chamber an actometer employing horizontal light beams in addition to an actometer employing a jigglecage base panel. In so doing, it is possible to register simultaneously the distances moved by the animals by means of the horizontal light beams, and the violence of motion of the animal by means of the movable base panel.
Light equipment may also be provided in the top and side wall panels for other purposes such as for example optical stimulation for orientation and training purposes. The programming board may be arranged to include a peripheral relays and time switches to determine the intensity and time variation of a light signal.
In addition to electrical equipment, mechanical equipment may be included in the wall panels. Thus for example side wall, bottom and top wall panels may be provided with sitting and manipulation equipment, such as climbing rods, running wheels, swings to allow for a great number of stimulations in the chamber. Certain actions of animals within the chamber may be registered mechanically. A reward for example may be provided with food pellets, or punishment for example by blowing air on the animal. The actions of the animal to be registered may be the movement of a lever by the animal or going to a certain place within the chamber.
Referring to the second embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 7, Figure 2 shows a plain top wall panel in side and plan views.
Figure 3 shows a different top wall panel in side elevation and plan views, the top wall panel having interior separation panels and an infrared transmitter 1. The interior separation walls 2 have lenses arranged with respect to the transmitter 1 such that light is directed to photo sensors on the side walls as shown in Figure 5.
Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a side wall panel for the test chamber having an acoustical stimulator 5, an optical stimulator 6, a reaction lever 7, into which may be given food pellets from a food dispenser 9 through a food tube 10 and photo sensors 8 serving to receive the light from lenses 3 shown in Figure 3.
Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a side wall panel having air holes 4 for blowing air through into the chamber to stimulate an animal.
In Figure 6 there is shown a side elevation and plan views of a plain base wall panel.
Figure 7 shows a base wall panel in elevation and plan views having mounted thereon a grid of electrically isolated rods 11 to give electrical shocks when desired to an animal within the test chamber. The rods rest upon transducers 12 to provide the signals to the rods.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS : 1. Laboratory apparatus comprising a multi functional chamber for physiologically observ ing, stimulating and/or testing one or more living organisms housed therein in use, said chamber comprising a substantially polygonal housing constructed of a plurality of readily exchangeable modular panels connected together, at least some of said panels in corporating electrical and/or mechanical means for observing, stimulating and/or testing as aforesaid, such means-incorporating panels in cluding connection devices whereby said means are interconnected and/or connected to external control apparatus, at least one further panel similar to said means-incorporating panels but having different electrical and/or mechanical means for observing stimulating and/or testing as aforesaid, at least one of said means incorporating panels being readily interchangeable with a said further panel whereby to alter the function of the chamber.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including electrical connector means disposed adjacent said means-incorporating panels for making electrical connection thereto.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including a programming board to which said electrical connector means are connected whereby any of a variety of electrical lines may be connected to the electrical connector means.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3 including light transmitting and receiving means for detecting animal movements within the chamber.
5. Apparatus according to claims 3 and 4 including a plurality of light receiving means and including electrical lines connectible via said programming board to said electrical connector means whereby animal movements detected by each said receiving means or animal movements detected by all of said receiving means may be counted.
6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims including a detachable base wall panel having electrically conductive rods for giving an animal an electrical shock.
7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein more than four side walls panels are provided.
8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein each means-ineorporat- ing panel may be connected to the chamber electrically and/or mechanically by means of detachable contacts.
9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein discrete electrical functions are lead via electrical and/or mechanical connections to a central programming board.
10. Apparatus according to any of the pre
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (13)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. connecting the light beams in differing ways and with other peripheral units (clock, relays, counters). Such electrical connections may be prepared on pin boards as fixed programmes, which are plugged into the sockets of a programming board, so that each test programme can be realized quickly and easily. By the use of exchangeable wall panels, it is possible to include in the same test chamber an actometer employing horizontal light beams in addition to an actometer employing a jigglecage base panel. In so doing, it is possible to register simultaneously the distances moved by the animals by means of the horizontal light beams, and the violence of motion of the animal by means of the movable base panel. Light equipment may also be provided in the top and side wall panels for other purposes such as for example optical stimulation for orientation and training purposes. The programming board may be arranged to include a peripheral relays and time switches to determine the intensity and time variation of a light signal. In addition to electrical equipment, mechanical equipment may be included in the wall panels. Thus for example side wall, bottom and top wall panels may be provided with sitting and manipulation equipment, such as climbing rods, running wheels, swings to allow for a great number of stimulations in the chamber. Certain actions of animals within the chamber may be registered mechanically. A reward for example may be provided with food pellets, or punishment for example by blowing air on the animal. The actions of the animal to be registered may be the movement of a lever by the animal or going to a certain place within the chamber. Referring to the second embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 7, Figure 2 shows a plain top wall panel in side and plan views. Figure 3 shows a different top wall panel in side elevation and plan views, the top wall panel having interior separation panels and an infrared transmitter 1. The interior separation walls 2 have lenses arranged with respect to the transmitter 1 such that light is directed to photo sensors on the side walls as shown in Figure 5. Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a side wall panel for the test chamber having an acoustical stimulator 5, an optical stimulator 6, a reaction lever 7, into which may be given food pellets from a food dispenser 9 through a food tube 10 and photo sensors 8 serving to receive the light from lenses 3 shown in Figure 3. Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a side wall panel having air holes 4 for blowing air through into the chamber to stimulate an animal. In Figure 6 there is shown a side elevation and plan views of a plain base wall panel. Figure 7 shows a base wall panel in elevation and plan views having mounted thereon a grid of electrically isolated rods 11 to give electrical shocks when desired to an animal within the test chamber. The rods rest upon transducers 12 to provide the signals to the rods. WHAT WE CLAIM IS :
1. Laboratory apparatus comprising a multi functional chamber for physiologically observ ing, stimulating and/or testing one or more living organisms housed therein in use, said chamber comprising a substantially polygonal housing constructed of a plurality of readily exchangeable modular panels connected together, at least some of said panels in corporating electrical and/or mechanical means for observing, stimulating and/or testing as aforesaid, such means-incorporating panels in cluding connection devices whereby said means are interconnected and/or connected to external control apparatus, at least one further panel similar to said means-incorporating panels but having different electrical and/or mechanical means for observing stimulating and/or testing as aforesaid, at least one of said means incorporating panels being readily interchangeable with a said further panel whereby to alter the function of the chamber.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including electrical connector means disposed adjacent said means-incorporating panels for making electrical connection thereto.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including a programming board to which said electrical connector means are connected whereby any of a variety of electrical lines may be connected to the electrical connector means.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3 including light transmitting and receiving means for detecting animal movements within the chamber.
5. Apparatus according to claims 3 and 4 including a plurality of light receiving means and including electrical lines connectible via said programming board to said electrical connector means whereby animal movements detected by each said receiving means or animal movements detected by all of said receiving means may be counted.
6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims including a detachable base wall panel having electrically conductive rods for giving an animal an electrical shock.
7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein more than four side walls panels are provided.
8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein each means-ineorporat- ing panel may be connected to the chamber electrically and/or mechanically by means of detachable contacts.
9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein discrete electrical functions are lead via electrical and/or mechanical connections to a central programming board.
10. Apparatus according to any of the pre
ceding claims for examining aquatic animals, including a waterproof mechanical connection between the exchangeable panels.
11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims for rendering metabolic analyses possible, including a gasproof mechanical connection between the exchangeable panels.
12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims including means for isolating the chamber from environmental influences.
13. Laboratory apparatus substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB4079977A 1976-09-30 1977-09-30 Chambers for carrying out physiological procedures on living organisms Expired GB1592863A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19762644063 DE2644063C2 (en) 1976-09-30 1976-09-30 Test chamber for influencing and registering physiological processes in living beings

Publications (1)

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GB1592863A true GB1592863A (en) 1981-07-08

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ID=5989263

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB4079977A Expired GB1592863A (en) 1976-09-30 1977-09-30 Chambers for carrying out physiological procedures on living organisms

Country Status (11)

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JP (1) JPS5362685A (en)
BE (1) BE859212A (en)
CH (1) CH625392A5 (en)
DE (1) DE2644063C2 (en)
DK (1) DK431777A (en)
FR (1) FR2365949A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1592863A (en)
IE (1) IE45876B1 (en)
IT (1) IT1090011B (en)
LU (1) LU78198A1 (en)
NL (1) NL7710645A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2397482A (en) * 2003-01-24 2004-07-28 Polaris Instr Ltd Modular Animal Cage
CN114514881A (en) * 2021-12-16 2022-05-20 中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院 Experimental equipment

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7423111U (en) * 1974-10-24 Theiling Geraete Und Volierenbau Animal housing with walls consisting of frame elements
US3234907A (en) * 1963-09-27 1966-02-15 Luis A Palencia Knock down animal cage
FR1584097A (en) * 1968-08-02 1969-12-12
US3774576A (en) * 1971-08-23 1973-11-27 C Moore Animal, bird or like cage
US3830201A (en) * 1973-06-04 1974-08-20 J Coulbourn Modular test cage for animals

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2397482A (en) * 2003-01-24 2004-07-28 Polaris Instr Ltd Modular Animal Cage
CN114514881A (en) * 2021-12-16 2022-05-20 中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院 Experimental equipment
CN114514881B (en) * 2021-12-16 2023-04-21 中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院 Experimental equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE859212A (en) 1978-03-29
LU78198A1 (en) 1978-11-03
IE45876B1 (en) 1982-12-15
IE45876L (en) 1978-03-30
FR2365949A1 (en) 1978-04-28
DK431777A (en) 1978-03-31
IT1090011B (en) 1985-06-18
DE2644063A1 (en) 1978-04-06
NL7710645A (en) 1978-04-03
JPS5362685A (en) 1978-06-05
CH625392A5 (en) 1981-09-30
FR2365949B1 (en) 1982-04-23
DE2644063C2 (en) 1983-04-07

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