JP2001321015A - Equipment for rearing experimental animal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide experimental animal-rearing equipment which can lighten the electric power source of a transmitter, continuously obtain biological signals, maintain a good experimental rearing environment over a long period, and easily supply feeds and water to an animal. SOLUTION: This experimental animal-rearing equipment characterized by comprising a rearing box 13 for receiving an animal 12, an animal-fixing device 14 which has a magnet disposed on the animal and an electromagnet 20 disposed on the rearing box and can attract the magnet to the electromagnet to temporarily restrain the animal, when the electromagnet is energized, and a washing device which has a jet nozzle capable of jetting a fluid to the excretory portion of the animal restrained with the animal-fixing device and a treating device for discharging an excrement 45 separated from the excretory portion of the animal with the fluid jetted from the jet nozzle, whereby the animal in the rearing box is temporarily restrained with the animal-fixing device and the excrement of the animal is removed with the washing device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a space experiment apparatus for animals, and more particularly to an animal experiment breeding apparatus for breeding animals under microgravity or zero gravity.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Animal experimental breeding in space under microgravity or weightlessness was first performed in 1967 on Sputnik 2 using Leica dogs. At this time, in an environment where the animal is forcibly fixed in the life support device,
Breeding or acquisition of biological signals such as brain waves and myoelectric potential have been performed. Since that time, animal experiment breeding in such a state has continued for some time. However, since around 1980, the entire spacecraft has become larger, the time spent in space has been prolonged, and the ethics of animal experiments have changed. Yes, animal experiment breeding in an unrestrained state as freely as possible has been required.

Conventionally, this kind of animal experiment breeding apparatus is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a transmitter 3 attached to an animal, for example, a rat 2 housed in an incubator 1 in an unrestrained state.
And a receiver 4 provided in the incubator 1;
And a data processing / recording device 5 connected to the device.

[0004] The biological signal obtained from the rat 2 is converted into a radio signal 6 in the transmitter 3, and the radio signal 6 is transmitted from the transmission end 7 of the transmitter 3 and then transmitted to the receiver 4. And the data processing / recording device 5 performs predetermined data processing and recording.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional animal experimental breeding apparatus, the rat 2
In order to acquire the biological signal, it is necessary to continuously supply power to the power source of the transmitter 3 from the outside via electromagnetic waves or optical energy. However, in such a device for supplying electromagnetic waves or optical energy, it is necessary to provide a three-dimensional coil, a receiving circuit, and the like in the power source, and to cope with all postures of the rat 2, so that the transmitter 3 There is a problem that it is too large and heavy. Also,
When a small battery is used to reduce the size and weight of the power source, it is necessary to frequently replace or charge the battery due to lack of capacity, and such work is performed manually by an operator, which is extremely troublesome. And it took time. Further, since the acquisition of the biological signal is interrupted for a long time every time the battery is replaced or charged, it is extremely difficult to continuously measure the biological signal.

Further, under microgravity or weightlessness, excrement adheres to animals or scatters in the incubator 1,
There was also a problem that a good experimental breeding environment could not be obtained.

Furthermore, feeding or watering unrestrained animals under microgravity or weightlessness is inconvenient and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and aims to reduce the size and weight of a power source of a transmitter, continuously acquire a biological signal, and provide a good experimental breeding environment for a long period of time. The present invention provides an animal experiment and breeding apparatus capable of easily feeding and supplying water to animals while holding the animal experiment.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an animal experimental breeding apparatus for breeding animals under microgravity or weightlessness, comprising: a breeder for accommodating an animal; a magnet provided on the animal; And an animal fixing device for temporarily restraining the animal by energizing the electromagnet and attracting the magnet to the electromagnet, and an excretion part of the animal restrained by the animal fixing device. A cleaning device having an ejection nozzle capable of ejecting a fluid to the animal, and a treatment facility for ejecting excreta separated from the excretion part of the animal by the fluid ejected from the ejection nozzle. is there.

[0010] In a preferred aspect, there is provided a blower for forming a circulating flow along a jet direction from the jet nozzle,
Further, a filter is provided on the downstream side of the processing device, and the processing device is an adsorption paper capable of adsorbing the excrement, and further, an excrement scattering prevention wall is provided around the processing device. is there.

The present invention also relates to an animal experimental breeding apparatus for breeding animals under microgravity or weightlessness, wherein the breeder accommodates animals, the magnet provided on the animals, and the breeder. Having an electromagnet, attracts the magnet to the electromagnet by energizing the electromagnet, an animal fixing device for temporarily restraining the animal, a transmitter provided to the animal, and a signal from the transmitter. A biological signal acquiring device having a receivable receiver, and the biological signal acquiring device includes a connector connectable to a power source of the transmitter while the animal is restrained by the animal fixing device, The power source of the transmitter can be charged via a connector.

[0012] In a preferred aspect, an ejection nozzle capable of ejecting a fluid to the excretion portion of the animal restrained by the animal fixing device, and excreta separated from the excretion portion of the animal by the fluid ejected from the ejection nozzle The apparatus further includes a cleaning device having a processing facility for discharging the wastewater, wherein the electromagnet is configured to be movable between the living body acquisition device and the cleaning device.

Further, the present invention relates to an animal experimental breeding apparatus for experimentally breeding animals under microgravity or weightlessness, wherein the breeding machine accommodates the animal, the magnet provided on the animal, and the breeding machine. Having an electromagnet, attracting the magnet to the electromagnet by energizing the electromagnet and temporarily fixing the animal; an animal fixing device; and an animal fixed to the animal fixing device can be fed or watered. And a feeding device configured as described above.

[0014] In a preferred aspect, an ejection nozzle capable of ejecting a fluid to the excretion portion of the animal restrained by the animal fixing device, and excreta separated from the excretion portion of the animal by the fluid ejected from the ejection nozzle The apparatus further includes a washing device having a processing facility for discharging the water, and the electromagnet is configured to be movable between the feeding device and the washing device.

Still preferably, at a predetermined time, the animal is restrained by the animal fixing device, and after performing a predetermined process in any of the washing device, the biological signal acquiring device, and the feeding device, the animal is stopped. Is provided with a control device for controlling the release from the animal fixing device.

With this configuration, the animal in the incubator is temporarily restrained by the animal fixing device, the excrement of the animal is removed by the washing device, and the living body of the animal is removed by the biological signal acquiring device. A signal is continuously obtained and the animal is fed or watered by the feeding device.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an animal experimental breeding apparatus 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The animal experiment breeding apparatus 11 removes excrement of the rat 12, and a breeder 13 that accommodates an animal, for example, a rat 12, in an unrestrained state, an animal fixing device 14 capable of temporarily restraining the rat 12. , A biological signal acquiring device 16 for acquiring a biological signal of the rat 12, and a feeding device 17 for feeding or watering the rat 12.

The animal fixing device 14 is provided with an electromagnet moving rail 19 provided along the wall surface 18 of the incubator 13.
And an electromagnet 20 provided to be able to move up and down along the electromagnet moving rail 19, and an electromagnet power supply 21 for supplying power to the electromagnet 20;
The electromagnet 20 is made of a non-magnetic material having a smooth surface such as plastic.
Arranged so that the poles come. Further, the animal fixing device 14 includes a fixing confirmation switch 22, and the animal fixing device 14 of the rat 12 is operated by the fixing confirmation switch 22.
You can check the restraint state at

The cleaning device 15 includes an injection nozzle 23 capable of jetting a cleaning fluid such as air or water downward, a driving device 24 for driving the injection nozzle 23, and the injection nozzle 23.
Adsorption paper 25, for example, filter paper coated with an adhesive, and the ejection nozzle 23 and the adsorption paper 25
And a blower 27 for forming a circulating flow along the jet direction of the jet nozzle 23, provided upstream of the blower 27 and downstream of the adsorbent paper 25. HEPA filter 28 provided.

The biological signal acquisition device 16 is provided with the rat 1
2, a receiver 30 provided outside the incubator 13, a data processing / recording device 31 connected to the receiver 30, and a floating device to which the transmitter 29 can be connected. And a connector 32. The transmitter 29 is provided with a restraining band 3 together with an elongated permanent magnet 33.
4, fixed to the back of the rat 12, the permanent magnet 33 is, for example, N pole in the head direction of the rat 12,
It is fixed so that the south pole comes toward the tail. Since the restraining band 34 has a hole (not shown) through which the four limbs of the rat 12 are inserted, the transmitter 29 and the permanent magnet 33 are firmly attached to the back of the rat 12. And does not fall off due to the operation of the rat 12. Also, a small rechargeable battery (not shown) is accommodated in the transmitter 29, and the receiver 30 has a receiving end 35 capable of receiving a radio signal from the transmitter 29.

The feeding device 17 includes a feeding unit 36 and a water supply unit 3.
And the feed section 36 is a feed tank 38 for storing feed.
And a feed pipe 39 for distributing the feed in the feed tank 38.
And a feed port 40 provided at the tip of the feed pipe 39. The water supply section 37 includes a water supply tank 41, a water supply pipe 42, and a water supply port 43 similarly to the feed section 36.

The animal experiment breeding apparatus 11 includes a control device 44 for controlling the operations of the animal fixing device 14, the washing device 15, the biological signal acquiring device 16, and the feeding device 17, and their respective devices. And a power supply device (not shown) for supplying power to the power supply.

Next, the operation of the cleaning device 15 will be described.

At a predetermined time under the control of the control device 44, the electromagnet 20 is energized from the electromagnet power supply 21 to form a magnetic field in the breeder 13, and the rat 1
2 is attracted to the electromagnet 20 via the permanent magnet 33. In a microgravity or weightless environment, the rat 12 can be easily attracted even if the intensity of the magnetic field formed in the incubator 13 is small, so that the amount of electricity of the electromagnet power supply 21 in this case is small. . Since the north pole of the permanent magnet 33 is located on the head side of the rat 12 and the south pole of the electromagnet 20 is located on the upper side, as shown in FIG. The animal is restrained by the animal fixing device 14 with its part facing upward, and the restrained state of the rat 12 is confirmed by the fixation confirmation switch 22. Thereafter, the electromagnet 20 descends along the electromagnet moving rail 19 and stops at a preset position under the control of the control device 44. At this time, since the wall surface 18 on which the electromagnet moving rail 19 is provided is made of a non-magnetic material having a smooth surface, the electromagnet 20 moves smoothly.

The driving device 24 is started, and a fluid having a predetermined pressure and a predetermined flow rate, for example, air, is injected from the injection nozzle 23 toward the excreted portion of the rat 12. The excrement 45 of the rat 12 is separated from the excretion part and is adsorbed on the adsorbent paper 25. Is discharged. At this time, the spray nozzle 23 and the suction paper 25 are surrounded by the scattering prevention wall 26, and
Since the circulating flow is formed by the blower 27 along the jet direction of the injection nozzle 23, the separated excrement 44 does not scatter. Further, the suction paper 25
Since the HEPA filter 28 is provided on the downstream side of the suction paper 2, for example,
Even if it passes through 5, it is not scattered in the incubator 13 because it is collected by the HEPA filter 28. Therefore, the inside of the incubator 13 is always kept in a clean environment.

When the processing of the excrement 45 of the rat 12 is completed, the electromagnet 20 is controlled under the control of the controller 44.
Rises along the electromagnet moving rail 19 and returns to the predetermined position again. Then, the power supply to the electromagnet 20 is released, and the rat 12 is released into the incubator 13,
It becomes an unrestricted state, and the unrestricted state is confirmed by the fixing confirmation switch 22.

Next, the operation of the biological signal acquiring device 16 will be described.

The biological signal of the rat 12 which is not restrained in the incubator 13 is detected by the transmitter 29,
After that, it is converted into an electric signal and transmitted continuously as a wireless signal. The wireless signal is received by the receiving end 35 and sent to the data processing / recording device 31 via the receiver 30, where predetermined data processing and recording are performed. Note that the above-described series of acquisition of the biological signal is executed under the control of the control device 44.

As in the case of the cleaning device 15, the electromagnet 20 is energized from the electromagnet power supply 21 at a predetermined time under the control of the control device 44, as shown in FIG. Numeral 12 is restrained by the animal fixing device 14 with the head facing upward. Then, under the control of the control device 44, the electromagnet 20 moves up along the electromagnet moving rail 19, and the transmitter 29 is connected to the power supply device (not shown) via the floating connector 32. The battery (not shown) in the transmitter 29 is charged. In this case, the charging is performed by connecting the battery to the power supply device via the floating connector 32, so that charging can be performed in a short time. Since there is no need to provide a dimensional coil, a receiving circuit, and the like, the transmitter 29 can be reduced in size and weight.

When the charging of the battery is completed, the electromagnet 20 descends along the electromagnet moving rail 19 under the control of the control device 44, and returns to the predetermined position. Then, the power supply to the electromagnet 20 is released, and the rat 1
2 is released into the incubator 13 and is in an unrestricted state.

Next, the operation of the feeding device 17 will be described.

As in the case of the above-described cleaning device 15 and biological signal acquisition device 16, under the control of the control device 44,
As shown in FIG. 2, the rat 12 is restrained by the animal immobilization device 14 with its head facing upward. afterwards,
The electromagnet 20 moves up along the electromagnet moving rail 19 and stops at a preset position. Under the control of the control device 44, predetermined amounts of food and water are supplied into the feeding tank 38 and the water tank 41, respectively, and the food and water pass through the feeding pipe 39 and the water pipe 42, respectively, and the feeding port is provided. The water is supplied to the rat 12 from a water supply port 40 and a water supply port 43.

When the feeding and water supply to the rat 12 are completed, the electromagnet 20 descends along the electromagnet moving rail 19 and stops at a predetermined position again.
Is turned off, and the rat 12 is in an unrestricted state.

In the above embodiment, the animal fixing device 14 is provided on the wall surface 18 of the incubator 13 so that the restrained rat 12 moves vertically. Animal fixing device 14 on the ceiling
And various changes are possible, such as configuring the rat to move horizontally.

It is needless to say that the restraint position and orientation of the rat 12 can be arbitrarily set by changing the position of the electromagnet 20 and the direction of its electrodes.

Further, in the above embodiment, the excrement 45 separated from the excreted portion of the rat 12 is adsorbed on the adsorbing paper 25 and discharged, but the excrement 45 is directly discharged using a suction pump. Other processing equipment such as discharging to the outside may be provided.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the size and weight of the transmitter can be reduced, and continuous acquisition of biological signals can be easily performed. Further, since the excrement of the animal can be easily washed without being scattered in the breeding apparatus, a favorable experimental breeding environment can be maintained for a long period of time. Furthermore, various excellent effects such as easy and reliable feeding and water supply to the animals in the incubator are exhibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which an animal is restrained in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 animal experiment breeding device 12 rat 13 breeder 14 animal fixing device 15 washing device 16 biological signal acquisition device 17 feeding device 20 electromagnet 23 injection nozzle 25 adsorption paper 26 scattering prevention wall 27 blower 28 HEPA filter 29 transmitter 30 receiver 32 floating Connector 33 Permanent magnet 44 Controller 45 Excrement

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Kan Nakano, Inventor 2-4-1, Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside the Space Development Agency (72) Inventor Yasushi Kawano 2-4-1, Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. Space Development Agency

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An animal experiment breeding apparatus for breeding animals under microgravity or zero gravity, comprising: a breeder for accommodating an animal; a magnet provided for the animal; and an electromagnet provided for the breeder. An animal fixing device that temporarily attracts the animal by energizing the electromagnet to attract the magnet to the electromagnet; and an ejection nozzle capable of ejecting a fluid to an excreted portion of the animal that is restrained by the animal fixing device. An animal experiment and breeding apparatus, comprising: a washing device having a treatment facility for discharging excreta separated from the excreted part of the animal by the fluid ejected from the ejection nozzle. 2. The animal experiment and breeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a blower for forming a circulating flow along a jet direction from the jet nozzle. 3. The animal experiment and breeding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a filter is provided downstream of the processing apparatus. 4. The animal experiment and breeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing device is an adsorption paper capable of adsorbing the excrement. 5. The animal experiment and breeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an excrement scattering prevention wall is provided around the processing apparatus. 6. An animal experimental breeding apparatus for experimentally breeding animals under microgravity or zero gravity, comprising: a breeder for accommodating an animal; a magnet provided on the animal; and an electromagnet provided on the breeder. Then, by energizing the electromagnet, the magnet is attracted to the electromagnet, and an animal fixing device for temporarily restraining the animal; a transmitter provided on the animal; and a reception capable of receiving signals from the transmitter. And a biological signal obtaining device having a device, the biological signal obtaining device includes a connector connectable to a power source of the transmitter in a state where the animal is restrained by the animal fixing device, via the connector An animal experiment and breeding apparatus, wherein the power source of the transmitter can be charged. 7. An ejection nozzle capable of ejecting a fluid to an excretion portion of an animal restrained by the animal fixing device, and a process of ejecting excrement separated from the excretion portion of the animal by the fluid ejected from the ejection nozzle. The animal experiment and breeding device according to claim 6, further comprising a washing device having equipment, wherein the electromagnet is configured to be movable between the biological signal acquisition device and the washing device. 8. An animal experimental breeding apparatus for experimentally breeding animals under microgravity or zero gravity, comprising: a breeder for accommodating an animal; a magnet provided for the animal; and an electromagnet provided for the breeder. Then, by energizing the electromagnet, the magnet is attracted to the electromagnet, and an animal fixing device for temporarily restraining the animal, and an animal fixed to the animal fixing device can be fed or watered. An animal experiment breeding device, comprising: a feeding device. 9. An ejection nozzle capable of ejecting a fluid to an excretion portion of an animal restrained by the animal fixing device, and a process of ejecting excreta separated from the excretion portion of the animal by the fluid ejected from the ejection nozzle. 9. The animal experiment and breeding apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a washing device having equipment, wherein the electromagnet is configured to be movable between the feeding device and the washing device. 10. At a predetermined time, the animal is restrained by the animal fixing device, and the washing device, the biological signal acquiring device,
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a control device that controls the animal to be released from the animal fixing device after performing a predetermined process in any of the feeding devices. Animal experiment breeding equipment.