JP2010266289A - Weight-measuring and recording apparatus for small experimental animal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To identify an individual small experimental animal, measure its weight speedily and accurately, and record as data on the small experimental animal, with the value of weight being determined. <P>SOLUTION: The weight-measuring and recording apparatus includes an electronic balance 1 for measuring the weight of a mouse 7 in which an IC tag 6 is embedded; a reader/writer 2, which is covered with a magnetic shielding plate and is placed within a housing 12 of the electronic balance 1 to read the identification code (UID) of the IC tag 6 via the communications with the antenna coil 21; an antenna coil 21 for use in the communications with the IC tag 6, which is placed so that load is not applied around a receiving dish 3 placed on a weight-measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1 via a holding member 4; the receiving dish 3 for measuring the weight of the mouse 7 placed in the receiving dish 3 which is placed on the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1 via the holding member 4; and a PC 5 for storing the value of the weight of the mouse 7 measured by the electronic balance 1 associated with the identification code identifying the mouse 7 and displaying it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a weight measuring and recording device for small laboratory animals for the purpose of measuring the weight and recording accuracy of a large number of small experimental animals in which IC tags are embedded for individual identification.

In order to manage small laboratory animals such as mice, there are many examples in which an IC tag is adopted as a means for identifying a solid and is attached to a body part or embedded in a body part.
On the other hand, as one of the management contents of small experimental animals such as mice, their body weights are measured every day, and the measured values are recorded in a notebook, or manually entered into a PC (personal computer) for storage and management. Things have been done.
However, in these conventional body weight measurement and recording operations, even if each small experimental animal is confirmed by an IC tag, it is mistaken for the body weight measurement, or wrong when recording or inputting the measured value to a notebook or a PC. There are dangers such as filling in the column and making a mistake in posting, and the labor spent on this work is also large.

  Patent Document 1 relates to a poultry individual management system, which can be attached to a plurality of poultry, can store different identification codes for each poultry, and can perform data communication in a non-contact manner. A tag, a reader means capable of reading the identification code from the storage tag by a non-contact method and presenting the read identification code, and a growth process for each poultry corresponding to the identification code read by the reader means Storage means for storing the poultry management information regarding, input means for inputting the poultry management information in association with the identification code to the storage means, and the poultry management information stored in the storage means by the input means to the administrator A poultry individual management system comprising an output means for presenting, wherein the poultry management is stored in the storage means in association with an identification code Distribution is a poultry population management system is a weight value of the poultry or the like.

  This poultry individual management system uses a storage tag attached to an individual poultry to identify individual poultry by an identification code held by the tag, but after identifying the poultry by the identification code, The weight of the poultry is measured by the weight measuring means, and the value is manually input using an input means such as a keyboard or a mouse. Therefore, similar to the example described at the beginning, there is a risk that the poultry may be mistaken and there is a possibility that the input field is mistaken when inputting the weight value.

  Patent Document 2 relates to an animal health management device, which includes a weight value input means for inputting the weight value of an animal, an impedance measurement electrode in contact with the base of the limb of the animal, and an impedance value between the front and rear legs. From the impedance measurement means for measuring, the distance input means between legs for inputting the distance between the front and rear leg bases of the animal, the weight value, the impedance value between the front and rear legs, and the distance between the front and rear leg bases, the health evaluation An animal health management apparatus having health evaluation data calculation means for calculating data.

  In this animal health management device, the body weight value input means further includes a holding means for placing and holding at least one of the animal's chest, abdomen, both legs, or the base of the limb, and holding the animal's legs. It is configured to measure and input the weight of the held animal by holding it in a state where it is not in contact with any means other than the means. If the target animal is held in the holding means, the weight is automatically set. It seems to measure and input the value. Therefore, it is unlikely that an error will occur in that case, but there is no means for specifying the target animal, so there is a problem of the mix-up. Even if this is specified by some means, the input is not easy. There is a problem that the input has to be input, is troublesome, and erroneous input cannot be completely avoided. Further, the retaining means does not seem to be appropriate as a means for retaining small experimental animals such as mice that are agile.

  Patent Document 3 relates to an animal weight measuring device, which includes an electronic balance unit that outputs, in time series, measured weight data sampled at regular time intervals with respect to an analog measured signal during weight measurement, A deviation value detection function unit that compares actual measured body weight data before and after and obtains a deviation value thereof, a deviation value determination function unit that determines whether or not the deviation value is a preset value or less, and the deviation value is set It is an animal weight measuring apparatus provided with a data reading function unit that reads measured weight data when the value is equal to or less than a value as normal weight data.

  This animal weight measuring apparatus seems to be able to read a more accurate value speedily even if the animal to be measured moves around during measurement and the measured body weight value fluctuates. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is no means for specifying the measurement object. Therefore, when specifying and recording it by some other means, there is no choice but to input it manually. In that respect, there are the same problems as the first example and the examples of Patent Documents 1 and 2.

JP 2006-81495 A JP 2004-254616 A Utility Model Registration No. 3007595

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and in the management of small laboratory animals such as mice, it is possible to quickly and accurately measure each body weight after accurately identifying individual small laboratory animals. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals that can be accurately registered in the PC database as the data of the specified small laboratory animals.

The first aspect of the present invention relates to a small laboratory animal in which an IC tag that retains an identification code for identifying an individual and can communicate data including the identification code with an external reader / writer without contact is measured. The measured body weight was measured and stored in correspondence with the identification code of the small experimental animal obtained by communication with the IC tag, so that the weight of the small experimental animal could be managed. A weight measuring and recording device for small laboratory animals,
An electronic balance for measuring the body weight of a small experimental animal together with the weight of the saucer and the holding member, on a weight measuring surface composed entirely or partly of metal,
In order to communicate data including an IC tag embedded in a small laboratory animal and the identification code held by the IC tag, the electronic tag is attached to the electronic balance, and the communication antenna coil is not placed on the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance. The reader / writer
An IC tag embedded in a small laboratory animal and the reader / writer are made of a material that does not interfere with communication using electromagnetic waves, and are arranged on the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance via the holding member. The saucer used to place a small laboratory animal and measure its weight;
In order to position the tray at a predetermined position of the electronic balance, the IC tag and the reader embedded in a small laboratory animal fixed to the predetermined position of the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance and placed in the tray A holding member made of a material that does not interfere with communication using electromagnetic waves with the writer;
Each of the weight values of the individual small laboratory animals measured by the electronic balance and the identification codes held by the IC tag embedded in the small laboratory animals received via the reader / writer are received and associated with the identification codes. A computer having storage means for storing and holding the weight value, and a monitor for displaying the weight value in association with the identification code;
Is a body weight measurement and recording device for small laboratory animals.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals according to the first aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary antenna coil electromagnetically coupled to the antenna coil for communication of the reader / writer is attached.

  3 of the present invention is the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals according to 1 or 2 of the present invention, wherein the saucer is made of plastic, wood and ceramic, or any of these, and the IC tag and the A combination of metals in a range that does not interfere with communication with the reader / writer using electromagnetic waves is used.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the tray is detachably coupled to the holding member.

  5 of the present invention is the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals of 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the present invention, wherein the distance between the bottom surface of the saucer and the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance is set in the saucer. The interval between the IC tag embedded in the small experimental animal to be inserted and the reader / writer is set at an interval that does not hinder communication using electromagnetic waves.

  6 of the present invention is the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals of 5 of the present invention, wherein the distance between the bottom surface of the tray and the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance is set to 50 mm or more.

  7 of the present invention is a weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 according to the present invention, and comprises a cylindrical connecting part that hangs down from the bottom peripheral side to the saucer. In the upper part of the holding member, an upper-opening annular locking groove into which the cylindrical connecting portion can be inserted and removed is configured.

  8 of the present invention is the weight measuring and recording apparatus for a small laboratory animal of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 of the present invention, wherein the antenna coil for communication of the reader / writer is connected to the electronic device. It is supposed to be supported by a support or an independent support coupled to the balance housing.

  According to the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals of 1 of the present invention, when a small experimental animal is placed in the tray, the identification code held by the IC tag embedded in the small laboratory animal is read by the reader / writer via electromagnetic waves. The small laboratory animal that is read and transmitted to the computer through the data transmission path and stored in its storage means, while the small laboratory animal placed in the saucer is measured for its weight with an electronic balance, its value is similarly The data is transmitted to the computer through the data transmission path, and stored in the storage means in association with the identification code. At the same time, the weight value is displayed on the computer monitor in association with the identification code. In addition, before starting measurement, this apparatus performs an operation for adjusting the reading of the electronic balance to zero, that is, zero setting for resetting the weight of the holding member and the receiving tray arranged on the body weight measurement surface in advance. And

  In this way, simply by sequentially inserting small laboratory animals at the timing allowed in the tray of the device, the identification code for identifying the small laboratory animals is automatically read, the body weight is measured, and the identification code is correlated. It is stored in the storage means of the computer and displayed on the monitor at the same time. There is no troublesome manual input, and erroneous input that may occur in the process can be reliably avoided.

  In the above operation process of the apparatus, the tray and the holding member are made of a material that does not adversely affect communication using electromagnetic waves between the IC tag and the reader / writer. It can be done reliably. Since the reader / writer and the antenna coil for communication are installed so as not to affect the weight measuring function of the electronic balance, the value of the weight of the small experimental animal obtained is accurate.

  According to the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals of 2 of the present invention, communication using radio waves between the IC tag in the small laboratory animals placed in the saucer and the reader / writer attached to the electronic balance is more reliable. Can be done.

  According to the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals of 3 of the present invention, the tray and the holding member are made of a material that does not adversely affect communication using electromagnetic waves between the IC tag and the reader / writer. Therefore, the identification code can be reliably read.

  According to the body weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals of 4 of the present invention, since the tray is detachable from the holding member, it can be easily removed and cleaned or disinfected as necessary. it can.

  According to the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals of 5 or 6 of the present invention, communication using radio waves between the IC tag in the small laboratory animals placed in the saucer and the reader / writer attached to the electronic balance is performed. Thus, it is possible to avoid the adverse effects caused by the reflection of electromagnetic waves by the metal on the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance, and to carry out more reliably.

  According to the weight measuring and recording apparatus for a small laboratory animal according to 7 of the present invention, since the tray can be easily attached to and detached from the holding member, the tray is removed from the holding member as necessary for cleaning and disinfection. Can be done. Further, the configuration is simple and can be easily created.

  According to the body weight measurement and recording apparatus for a small laboratory animal of the present invention, it is possible to support the antenna coil for communication of the reader / writer in a state where there is no possibility of weighting the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance. Therefore, accurate weight measurement of small experimental animals can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the first embodiment (the power cord in the housing is omitted). The figure which shows the screen of the database software displayed on the monitor of PC of Example 1. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows Example 2 (The power cord in a housing | casing is abbreviate | omitted). Schematic diagram showing Example 3 (the power cord in the housing is omitted). Sectional drawing which shows the primary antenna coil of Example 3, and a secondary antenna coil. Sectional drawing for description of the saucer and holder of Examples 1, 2, and 3. FIG. The table | surface figure which shows the UID reading probability in the relationship between the distance of an electronic balance weight measurement surface and a saucer bottom face.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The form for inventing is demonstrated based on Examples 1-3, referring drawings.

<Example 1>
As shown in FIG. 1, the weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals of Example 1 is configured as a mouse body weight measuring and recording apparatus, and basically an electronic balance for measuring the weight of the mouse 7. 1, a reader / writer 2 attached to the electronic balance 1, a saucer 3 for measuring the body weight of a mouse 7, and the saucer 3 placed on the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1. The weight value of the mouse 7 obtained by measurement and the weight value of the mouse 7 obtained by measurement are stored in association with the identification code for identifying the mouse 7 obtained by communication with the IC tag 6 embedded in the mouse 7. And a portable personal computer (computer, hereinafter referred to as PC) 5 for display.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic balance 1 includes a stainless steel weight measuring surface 11 on a top plate portion of a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 12, a weight measuring portion 13 accommodated therein, and a bottom surface. .. Are arranged in the vicinity of the four corners, and the weight measuring surface 11 and the weight measuring unit 13 adopt a well-known load cell type structure. Although not shown, the electronic balance 1 includes a calibration unit for calibrating the measured weight value. The calibration unit can also function as a zero setting unit that resets the weight of the tray 3 and the holder 4.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reader / writer 2 is disposed in an empty space of the housing 12 of the electronic balance 1 after being covered with a magnetic shield plate (not shown), and for communication of the reader / writer 2. The antenna coil 21 is arranged around the receiving tray 3 mounted on the holder 4 in a state where the axes are substantially coincident with each other. The reader / writer 2 and the antenna coil 21 are connected via an input / output terminal 15 and an antenna wiring 17 disposed on one side of the housing 12 of the electronic balance 1. A coaxial cable is used for the antenna wiring 17.

  The reader / writer 2 corresponds to the IC tag 6 embedded in the mouse 7 to be measured, and uses an electromagnetic wave for the identification code and other data held by the IC tag 6 via the antenna coil 21 for communication. To communicate. In the first embodiment, the reader / writer 2 has a carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz and an output of 1 W.

  The antenna coil 21 is a loop antenna, and as described above, the center of the antenna coil 21 is substantially coincident with the center of the tray 3 and is arranged around it. The height is determined by finding the most sensitive one experimentally, but in the first embodiment, the height is positioned slightly above the bottom surface 33 of the tray 3. This is a height position slightly exceeding 50 mm from the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1. In the first embodiment, the antenna coil 21 is supported by an antenna support 22 independent of the electronic balance 1 as shown in FIG. The antenna support 22 is a member made of an acrylic resin. As shown in the figure, the lower support base 221 that is enlarged, a support 222 that stands upright from the support base 221, and the support 222 The antenna coil 21 is arranged in a vinyl chloride annular support pipe 224 in a state where the antenna coil 21 is disposed in the vinyl chloride annular support pipe 224. It is designed to be supported at the tip.

  As described above, the IC tag 6 corresponds to the reader / writer 2 and has a strip shape (length 12 mm width 2 mm width) in which an inlet made of an IC chip and an antenna coil is covered with a urethane sheet. It is a proximity type RFID having a resonance frequency of 13.56 MHz. In the first embodiment, the IC chip employs a storage means capable of storing an identification code called UID and other various data up to 125 bytes and also having an arithmetic function. As data other than the UID, the pedigree, date of birth, breeding history, weight, body temperature, etc. of the mouse 7 are retained.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, in the first embodiment, the saucer 3 is configured to have a cylindrical saucer body 31 with an upper portion extending upward, and a lower portion straight from the bottom peripheral side of the saucer body 31. A cylindrical connecting portion 32 that hangs down is configured. 1 and 6, reference numeral 33 denotes a bottom surface of the tray 3. Further, in this embodiment 1, the tray 3 is formed of ABS resin (acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer resin), and the size is 190 mm at the inner diameter D3 of the upper end opening, and the height H2 of the tray body 31. Is 100 mm, the inner diameter D4 of the lower cylindrical connecting portion 32 is 100 mm, and the height H3 is 40 mm. Note that the inner surface of the saucer 3 is processed as smoothly as possible so that the mouse 7 cannot escape by raising its nails. From this point of view, the ABS resin is sufficiently effective, but is more preferably made of a harder plastic.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the holder 4 includes a disk-like holder base 41 that has a lower surface bonded and fixed to the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1, and the holder in the first embodiment. A cylindrical portion 42 rising from the peripheral edge of the base portion 41 and an annular locking groove 43 opened at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 42 are configured. As shown in the figure, the annular locking groove 43 is configured such that the cylindrical connecting portion 32 at the lower portion of the tray 3 can be inserted smoothly but without causing unnecessary gaps therebetween. The receiving tray 3 can be detachably coupled to the holder 4 by allowing the lower cylindrical connecting portion 32 to be removably inserted into the former annular locking groove 43. . The holder 4 is made of ABS resin in the same manner as the tray 3 and has a height H4: 40 mm, an outer diameter D6: 112 mm, an inner diameter D5: 94 mm, and an annular locking groove 43. The groove width W is about 3 mm so that the cylindrical connecting portion 32 of the tray 3 can be inserted smoothly, and its depth H5 is 30 mm.

  Note that, as described above, the holder 4 is configured to bond and fix the lower surface of the holder base 41 to the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1. In Example 1, the holder 4 is bonded using an adhesive. Fixed. Further, this adhesive fixing is performed by aligning the center of the holder base 41 with the center of the weight measuring surface 11.

  As described above, the PC 5 is a portable type, and in the first embodiment, a commercially available general one is adopted. As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 5 is connected to the weight measuring unit 13 and the reader / writer 2 of the electronic balance 1 via the input / output terminal unit 15 of the electronic balance 1. Both of these connections are based on the RS232C interface. The input / output terminal portion 15 is also extended with power lines for the electronic balance 1 and the reader / writer 2, and a power cord 16 is drawn from the connection portion.

  In the first embodiment, the PC 5 registers a UID that is an identification code of the mouse 7 to be measured, a weight value that is a measurement value, and a measurement date and time, and constitutes a database that can perform various other processes. The program is installed, and as a result, these data are stored in a built-in hard disk that is a storage means of the PC 5, and are displayed on the monitor 51 in a table format as shown in FIG. .

  In the first embodiment, when the PC 5 starts a measurement operation by a program installed therein, the PC 5 communicates with the weight measuring unit 13 and the reader / writer 2 of the electronic balance 1 via the RS232C interface. It is designed to exchange signals.

  Specifically, when the measurement start button 511 displayed on the monitor 51 is clicked and data can be accepted, the PC 5 sends a signal to that effect to the weight measuring unit 13 and the reader / writer 2 of the electronic balance 1. To do. Thereafter, when weight value data and UID data are issued from the weight measuring unit 13 and the reader / writer 2 that have received them, they are received, and date / time data is read from the clock function of the PC 5. The weight value data, UID data, and date / time data are registered in association with each other, the weight value data is displayed in the measurement data column 512, and the associated data is displayed in the data display column 513. In addition, the number of measurement cases at this time is displayed in the measurement number column 514. The number of measured cases is obtained by counting the number of received weight value data and displaying the numerical data.

  When the above operation is completed, the PC 5 sends a signal indicating that data can be accepted and repeats the above operation. After the weight measurement and recording of the necessary number of mice 7, 7,... Are completed, when the end button 515 is clicked, in this embodiment 1, all the data more than registered are stored in the storage means built in the PC 5. It is stored on a hard disk, and then the operation of this database software is terminated. In addition, in the first embodiment, all the above data can be saved in the CSV format by clicking the CSV save button 516.

  When new weight value data for a UID that has already been saved is to be saved, new weight value data and date / time data are added to the storage area of the corresponding UID.

  In the figure, reference numeral 52 denotes a keyboard which is an input means of the PC 5.

Therefore, the mouse body weight measurement and recording apparatus of Example 1 is used as follows.
First, the cleaned and sanitized clean tray 3 is fixed to the holder 4 fixed on the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1, and the former cylindrical connecting portion 32 is connected to the annular locking groove as described above. Set by inserting into 43. Further, the PC 5 is connected with a cable using the RS232C interface, the plug of the power cord 16 is connected to an outlet, etc., the main switches of the electronic balance 1 and the reader / writer 2 are turned on, and the power of the PC 5 is turned on. Launch the installed database software.

  Before and after the above preparation operation, an operation for adjusting the reading of the electronic balance 1 to zero, that is, a zero setting for resetting the weight of the holder 4 and the tray 3 arranged on the body weight measuring surface 11 is performed. I will do it in advance. Further, the adjustment legs 14, 14... Arranged on the lower surface of the housing 12 of the electronic balance 1 are adjusted so that the upper surface of the housing 12 is horizontal.

  Thereafter, the user clicks the measurement start button 511 displayed on the monitor 51 of the PC 5 to start the operation. Thereafter, when data can be accepted on the PC 5 side, a signal to that effect is sent to the weight measuring unit 13 and the reader / writer 2 of the electronic balance 1, and from the weight measuring unit 13 and the reader / writer 2 receiving this signal. In response, weight value data and UID data are generated. Upon receiving these, the PC 5 further reads the date / time data from the clock function of the PC 5 and registers the weight value data, UID data and date / time data in the database in association with each other, and measures the weight value data. The data displayed in the data column 512 and the associated data or more are displayed in the data display column 513. In addition, the number of measurement cases at this time is displayed in the measurement number column 514. The number of measurement cases is obtained by sequentially counting the number of received weight value data and displaying the numerical data.

  When the operation of one cycle is completed, the PC 5 sequentially sends a signal indicating that data can be accepted to the electronic balance 1 and the reader / writer 2 and repeats the above operation cycle. After the weight measurement and recording of the necessary number of mice 7, 7... Are completed, when the end button 515 is clicked, in this embodiment, all the data registered in the database is stored in the PC 5. The data is stored in the hard disk as a means, and then the operation of the database software is terminated.

  In the above, the identification of the mouse 7 is performed by reading the UID which is the identification code held by the former when the IC tag 6 embedded in the mouse 7 and the reader / writer 2 communicate via electromagnetic waves. By doing. The reader / writer 2 sends the UID data to the PC 5 according to the above-described procedure. If the PC 5 is a new UID, the new UID is newly registered in the database, and the weight value data from the electronic balance 1 to be read separately is stored in the predetermined UID. Fill in the registration field. As described above, the measurement date and time is also entered and registered in the corresponding predetermined entry field.

  Thus, since the UID data for specifying the mouse 7 and the weight value data of the mouse 7 are automatically associated and registered, there is no possibility of misunderstanding as in the case of manual operation.

  If the UID is already registered, the UID in the database is searched, and the weight value data read from the electronic balance 1 is additionally registered in a predetermined entry column of the UID. Also in this case, since it is automatically associated with a predetermined UID, there is no possibility of making a mistake as in the case where this is performed manually.

  The weight measurement of the mouse 7 is automatically performed by placing the target mouse 7 in the tray 3. At this time, the antenna coil 21 for communication of the reader / writer 2 is connected to the electronic balance 1. The mouse to be measured is supported by the antenna support 22 independent from each other, is not in contact with the tray 3 and the holder 4 at all, and has no possibility of applying a load to the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1. 7 can be accurately measured.

  In the tray 3, the height H3 of the cylindrical connecting portion 32 is 40 mm, the height H4 of the holder 4 for inserting and connecting it is 40 mm, and the depth H5 of the annular locking groove 43 is 30 mm. Therefore, the height of the bottom surface 33 of the tray 3 is 50 mm from the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1. On the other hand, the antenna coil 21 of the reader / writer 2 is also arranged at a height slightly exceeding 50 mm from the weight measuring surface 11. Accordingly, electromagnetic wave communication with the IC tag 6 of the mouse 7 placed in the saucer 3 is performed at a height exceeding 50 mm from the weight measuring surface 11, thereby avoiding adverse effects due to the reflection of electromagnetic waves from the weight measuring surface 11. Can do. Therefore, there is almost no possibility of problems such as reading errors of data such as UID data.

Since the tray 3 and the holder 4 are made of ABS resin, this aspect does not adversely affect communication using electromagnetic waves between the IC tag 6 and the reader / writer 2.
Furthermore, since the tray 3 is detachably disposed on the holder 4, it has an advantage that it can be removed and cleaned and disinfected as necessary.

  When measurement of all the mice 7, 7. Is stored in the hard disk as the storage means, and then the operation of the database software is terminated. In the first embodiment, all the above data can be saved in the CSV format by clicking the CSV save button 516 if necessary.

  When the body weight measurement and recording of 600 mice 7, 7,... Were performed with the body weight measurement and recording apparatus for the small laboratory animals of Example 1, the body weight measurement and recording were performed well, and the IC tag 6 and the reader / writer. There was no communication error between the two. As shown in FIG. 7, when the height from the bottom surface 33 of the tray 3 and the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance 1 of the antenna coil 21 exceeds 50 mm, the reading of the UID is 100% successful. On the other hand, only the saucer 3 and the holder 4 are exchanged, the bottom surface of the saucer is set to a height of 40 mm from the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance 1, and the height of the antenna coil 21 is also 40 mm from the weight measuring surface. As shown in the figure, about 7% of UID reading errors occurred. However, in the case of such a height, even if an error occurred in one reading, the reading was successful when the direction of the mouse 7 in the saucer was changed. In addition, the parallel diagonal line part in FIG. 7 has shown the dispersion | variation in the availability of UID reading.

<Example 2>
The weight measuring and recording device for small laboratory animals of Example 2 is configured as a weight measuring and recording device for mice as in Example 1, and basically, as shown in FIG. An electronic balance 1 for measuring the weight of the mouse, a reader / writer 2a attached to the electronic balance 1 in a separate housing 2a2, and a tray 3a for measuring the weight of the mouse 7 And a holder 4a for placing the tray 3a on the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1, and an IC tag 6a in which the weight value of the mouse 7 obtained by measurement is embedded in the mouse 7. The portable computer 5 is configured to store and display the mouse 7 in association with a UID that is an identification code for identifying the mouse 7 obtained by communication.

In the second embodiment, the electronic balance 1 and the PC 5 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. The PC 5 has the same database software installed therein.
The reader / writer 2a has a configuration of itself, except that the output is 300 mW and the inner diameter of the antenna coil 2a1 for communication is 99 mm and slightly smaller. -It is exactly the same as Writer 2. However, the reader / writer 2a is not arranged in the housing 12 of the electronic balance 1 like the reader / writer 2 of the first embodiment, but the influence from the electronic balance 1 is placed in the original housing 2a2. In order to avoid this, it is covered with a magnetic shield plate. As shown in the figure, the housing 2a2 has the same size and shape as the housing 12 of the electronic balance 1, and the adjustment legs 14, 14... Of the housing 12 of the electronic balance 1 are arranged near the four corners of the lower surface. Similar adjustment legs 2a3, 2a3,... Are arranged. The electronic balance 1 is placed on the housing 2a2 of the reader / writer 2a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna coil 2a1 of the reader / writer 2a is supported by an antenna support 2a4 raised from the side of the housing 2a2 of the reader / writer 2a. As shown in the figure, the antenna coil 2a1 is arranged around the receiving tray 3a mounted on the holder 4a so that its axes are substantially aligned with each other. The reader / writer 2a and the antenna coil 2a1 are connected via an input / output terminal portion and an antenna wiring 2a6 arranged on one side of the housing 2a2 for the reader / writer 2a. A coaxial cable is used for the antenna wiring 2a6. A power cord 2a5 extending from the reader / writer 2a is extended from the housing 2a2.

  As described above, the antenna coil 2a1 is arranged around its center so that its center substantially coincides with the center of the tray 3a. Naturally, the height is determined by finding the most sensitive one experimentally, but in the first embodiment, the height is positioned slightly above the bottom surface 3a3 of the tray 3a. This is a height position slightly exceeding 50 mm from the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1. In the second embodiment, the antenna coil 2a1 is supported by an antenna support 2a4 raised from the side of the housing 2a2 of the reader / writer 2a as shown in FIG. This antenna support 2a4 is a member made of acrylic resin, and as shown in the figure, a horizontal base 2a41 extending in the lateral direction of the lower part, a column part 2a42 standing upright from the horizontal base 2a41, and the column part 2a42 The antenna coil 2a1 is supported at the tip of the support arm 2a43. The support arm 2a43 extends laterally from the upper end. Specifically, the antenna coil 2a1 is inserted into an annular support pipe 2a44 made of vinyl chloride and supported by the support arm portion 2a43 of the antenna support 2a4 via the annular support pipe 2a44. .

  The saucer 3a has the same basic configuration as the saucer 3 of the first embodiment, is made of the same material, and includes the same components. That is, the upper upper spreading cylindrical main body 3a1 and the lower straight cylindrical connecting portion 3a2 are configured. 3 and FIG. 6, 3a3 is a bottom face of the saucer 3a. The saucer 3a is different from the saucer 3 of Example 1 only in the size. The inner diameter D3 of the upper end opening is 175 mm, the height H2 of the saucer body 3a1 is 100 mm, the inner diameter D4 of the lower cylindrical connecting portion 3a2 is 92 mm, and high. The length H3 is 40 mm.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the holder 4 a is substantially the same as the holder 4 of the first embodiment, and is composed of components having the same function and the same material. Specifically, it comprises a disc-shaped holder base 4a1, a cylindrical portion 4a2, and an annular locking groove 4a3 opened at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 4a2. Needless to say, the annular locking groove 4a3 is configured such that the cylindrical connecting portion 3a2 of the tray 3a can be inserted smoothly but without causing unnecessary gaps therebetween. The retainer 4a can be detachably coupled by allowing the tray 3a to be removably inserted into the former annular locking groove 4a2 and the lower cylindrical connecting portion 3a2 to be removably inserted. . The holder 4a is formed of the same material as that of the tray 3a. The size of the holder 4a is H4: 40 mm, outer diameter D6: 104 mm, inner diameter D5: 86 mm, and the annular locking groove 4a3. The groove width W is 3 mm, and the depth H5 is 30 mm.

  As described above, the holder 4a is configured to bond and fix the lower surface of the holder base 4a1 to the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment. The adhesive was fixed using an adhesive. In addition, this adhesive fixing is performed by aligning the center of the holder base 4a1 with the center of the weight measuring surface 11.

  The IC tag 6a has almost the same configuration as the IC tag 6 of the first embodiment, has the same communication function, data storage function and calculation function, and is used by being embedded in the mouse 7. It corresponds to the reader / writer 2a and can communicate well with it.

  Therefore, the mouse body weight measurement and recording apparatus of Example 2 can be used in the same manner as that of Example 1, and has the same effect.

The slightly different part is described below.
The reader / writer 2a of the second embodiment is 300 mW while the output of the reader / writer 2 of the first embodiment is 1 W, but the communication with the IC tag 6a embedded in the mouse 7 is almost the same. Could be done without inconvenience. I tried to measure and record 600 mice 7, 7 ... continuously, but 3 of them could not immediately read the UID. In that case, change the position of the mouse 7 slightly. , Both succeeded in communication immediately. Therefore, it can be said that the reader / writer 2a was able to read the UID, which is an identification code for specifying the mice 7, 7,.

  The effective inner diameter of the communication antenna coil 2a1 of the reader / writer 2a of the second embodiment is also smaller than that of the antenna coil 21 of the first embodiment, but this also has no problem at all. A reliable communication between the reader / writer 2a and the IC tag 6a can be ensured.

Furthermore, although the diameter of the saucer 3a of Example 2 is slightly smaller than that of the saucer 3 of Example 1, the ease of use is not so much a problem.
The case where the housing 2a2 of the reader / writer 2a is configured separately is that the two housings 2a2, 12 of the housing 2a2 and the housing 12 of the electronic balance 1 are overlapped, and the adjusting legs 14, 14. It may be a little annoying to adjust 2a3, 2a3..., But it can be maintained stably for a long period of time by adjusting it once, and it is not a time-consuming work.
Furthermore, since the antenna support 2a4 is raised from the side of the housing 2a2 of the reader / writer 2a, the housing 12 of the electronic balance 1 is accurately placed at a predetermined position on the housing 2a2. As a result, the antenna coil 2a1 supported by the antenna support 2a4 is naturally accurately positioned. Therefore, there is an advantage that the antenna coil 2a1 can be easily positioned. Of course, the stability of the antenna support 2a4 itself is also increased.

<Example 3>
The weight measuring and recording apparatus for small experimental animals of Example 3 is configured as a mouse body weight measuring and recording apparatus as in Examples 1 and 2, and basically, as shown in FIG. An electronic balance 1 for measuring the weight of the mouse 7, a reader / writer 2 housed in and attached to the electronic balance 1 in a separate housing 2a2, and a weight for measuring the weight of the mouse 7 A receiving tray 3b, a holder 4 for placing the receiving tray 3b on the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1, and an IC tag 6 in which the weight value of the mouse 7 obtained by measurement is embedded in the mouse 7. The portable PC 5 is configured to store and display the mouse 7 in association with the UID that is an identification code for specifying the mouse 7 obtained through communication with the PC.

  In the third embodiment, the electronic balance 1, the reader / writer 2, the IC tag 6, the PC 5, and the holder 4 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. The PC 5 has the same database software installed therein. A housing 2a2 that accommodates the reader / writer 2 is the same as the housing 2a2 of the second embodiment. Therefore, these are not specifically described, and only other elements are described.

  The reader / writer 2 has the same configuration as the reader / writer 2 of the first embodiment, but the antenna coil 24 for communication is different from the antenna coil 21 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the antenna coil 24 will be described. The antenna coil 24 is composed of a primary antenna coil (antenna coil) 241 and a secondary antenna coil (auxiliary antenna coil) 242 that is electromagnetically coupled.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the primary antenna coil 241 is a loop antenna having a loop diameter D1 of 150 mm and made of a conductor having a diameter d1 of 3 mm. The secondary antenna coil 242 is a cylindrical antenna and has a loop diameter. The antenna coil has D2 of 110 mm, thickness T2 of 0.08 mm, and width W2 of 35 mm. As shown in FIG. 4, the primary antenna coil 241 and the secondary antenna coil 242 are respectively supported by upper and lower support arms 253 and 254 of the antenna support 25 as will be described later. The reader / writer 2 is connected via a coaxial cable.

  The primary antenna coil 241 is arranged around the center of the saucer 3b, and the secondary antenna coil 242 is located below the primary antenna coil 241 and similarly around the center of the saucer 3b. It is placed around it in the state. The height of the former electronic balance 1 from the weight measuring surface 11 is about 100 mm, and the height of the latter lower end from the weight measuring surface 11 is 60 mm.

  The secondary antenna coil 242 is electromagnetically coupled to the primary antenna coil 241 and simultaneously serves to reinforce the electromotive force of the primary antenna coil 241 due to electromagnetic waves received from the IC tag 6.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the antenna support 25 is a member made of acrylic resin, and a horizontal base 251 extending laterally from the side of the housing 2a2 of the reader / writer 2 below the antenna support 25, The primary antenna coil includes a support column 252 standing upright from the outer end of the horizontal base 251 and two upper and lower support arms 253 and 254 extending in the opposite lateral direction from the upper end of the support column 252, as described above. 241 is supported in an interior state by an annular support pipe 255 made of vinyl chloride coupled to the tip of the upper support arm 253. More specifically, the primary antenna coil 241 is coupled to the coaxial cable via a matching circuit disposed in the support arm 253 and is coupled to the reader / writer 2 via the coaxial cable. The secondary antenna coil 242 is fixed to the tip of the lower support arm 254. The secondary antenna coil 242 described above may be attached to the post receiving body 3b1 or the cylindrical connecting portion 3b2 described later and separated from the antenna support 25. However, in this case, the width of zero setting performed by the calibration unit of the electronic balance 1 is slightly increased.

  As described above, the primary antenna coil 241 and the secondary antenna coil 242 are held at predetermined positions as described above.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 243 denotes antenna wiring.
The power cord 2a5 for supplying power to the reader / writer 2 is pulled out to the outside via the input / output terminal portion of the housing 2a2, as in the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the saucer 3 b has the same basic configuration as the saucer 3 of the first embodiment, is made of the same material, and includes the same components. That is, the upper upper spreading cylindrical main body 3b1 and the lower straight cylindrical connecting portion 3b2 are configured. 4 and 6, 3b3 is the bottom surface of the tray 3b. The saucer 3b differs from the saucer 3 of Example 1 only in the size, the inner diameter D3 of the upper end opening is 190 mm, the height H2 of the saucer body 3b1 is 100 mm, the inner diameter D4 of the lower cylindrical connecting portion 3b2 is 100 mm, and high. The length H3 is 50 mm.

As described above, the holder 4 has the same material and the same configuration as the holder 4 of the first embodiment.
As described above, the holder 4 joins and fixes the lower surface of the holder base 41 to the weight measuring surface 11 of the electronic balance 1. The adhesive was fixed using an agent. Further, this adhesive fixing is performed by aligning the center of the holder base 41 with the center of the weight measuring surface 11.

  Therefore, the mouse body weight measurement and recording apparatus of Example 3 can be used in the same manner as that of Examples 1 and 2 and has the same effect.

Only a slightly different part is described below.
In the third embodiment, the primary antenna coil 241 and the secondary antenna coil 242 are adopted as the antenna coil for communication of the reader / writer 2 and arranged as described above. Therefore, the IC tag embedded in the mouse 7 is further layered. Communication with 6 was started stably, and 1000 body weights were measured and recorded, but no communication error occurred.

  Since the antenna support 25 is raised from the side of the housing 2a2 of the reader / writer 2 in the same manner as the antenna support 2a4 of the second embodiment, the electronic balance 1 is placed on the housing 2a2. If the casings 12 are accurately stacked, the primary antenna coil 241 and the secondary antenna coil 242 that are naturally supported by the antenna support 25 are accurately positioned. Therefore, there is an advantage that the primary antenna coil 241 and the secondary antenna coil 242 can be easily positioned. Of course, the stability of the antenna support 25 itself is higher than that of the antenna support 22 of the first embodiment.

  When the secondary antenna coil 242 was removed and tested, a communication error of about 50% occurred. However, this is a result of the primary antenna coil 241 being located at a high position on the premise of the presence of the secondary antenna coil 242. The primary antenna coil 241 is slightly higher than the bottom surface 3b3 of the tray 3b. If it is arranged at the height position, it is predicted that the same result as in Example 1 will be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic balance 11 Weight measuring surface of electronic balance 12 Housing of electronic balance 13 Weight measuring part 14 Adjustment leg 15 Input / output terminal part 16 Power cord 17 Antenna wiring 2 Reader / writer 21 Antenna coil 22 Antenna support body 221 Support base part 222 support 223 support arm 224 annular support pipe 24 antenna coil 241 primary antenna coil (antenna coil)
242 Secondary antenna coil (auxiliary antenna coil)
243 antenna wiring 25 antenna support 251 horizontal base 252 support 253 upper support arm 254 lower support arm 255 annular support pipe 2a reader / writer 2a1 antenna coil 2a2 reader / writer housing 2a3 reader / writer housing Adjustable legs 2a4 Antenna support 2a41 Horizontal base 2a42 Supporting column 2a43 Support arm 2a44 Toroidal support pipe 2a5 Power cord 2a6 Antenna wiring 3 Receptacle 31 Receptacle body 32 Cylindrical connection part 33 Receptacle bottom surface 3a Receptacle 3a1 Receptacle body 3a2 Cylinder Shaped connection part 3a3 Bottom surface of saucer 3b Receptacle 3b1 Receptacle body 3b2 Cylindrical connection part 3b3 Bottom surface of saucer 4 Holding tool (holding member)
41 holder base part 42 cylindrical part 43 annular locking groove 4a holder 4a1 holder base part 4a2 cylindrical part 4a3 annular locking groove 5 personal computer (computer, PC)
51 Monitor 511 Measurement start button 512 Measurement data field 513 Data display field 514 Measurement number field 515 End button 516 CSV save button 52 PC keyboard 6 IC tag 6a IC tag 7 Mouse

Claims (8)

Obtained by measuring the body weight of a small experimental animal having an identification tag that retains an identification code for identifying an individual and that is embedded in an IC tag capable of communicating data including the identification code with an external reader / writer without contact. Weight measurement value for small laboratory animals that can be stored in correspondence with the identification code of the small laboratory animal obtained by communication with the IC tag, so that the weight of the small laboratory animal can be managed And a recording device,
An electronic balance for measuring the body weight of a small laboratory animal together with the weight of the saucer and the holding member together with a weight measuring surface composed entirely or partly of metal;
In order to communicate data including an IC tag embedded in a small laboratory animal and the identification code held by the IC tag, the electronic tag is attached to the electronic balance, and the communication antenna coil is not placed on the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance. The reader / writer
An IC tag embedded in a small laboratory animal and the reader / writer are made of a material that does not interfere with communication using electromagnetic waves, and are arranged on the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance via the holding member. The saucer used to place a small laboratory animal and measure its weight;
In order to position the tray at a predetermined position of the electronic balance, the IC tag and the reader embedded in a small laboratory animal fixed to the predetermined position of the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance and placed in the tray A holding member made of a material that does not interfere with communication using electromagnetic waves with the writer;
Each of the weight values of the individual small laboratory animals measured by the electronic balance and the identification codes held by the IC tag embedded in the small laboratory animals received via the reader / writer are received and associated with the identification codes. A computer having storage means for storing and storing the weight value, and a monitor for displaying the weight value in association with the identification code;
A body weight measuring and recording device for small animals.   The weight measuring and recording apparatus for a small laboratory animal according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary antenna coil electromagnetically coupled to an antenna coil for communication of the reader / writer.   The receiving tray is either plastic, wood, ceramic, or any of these and a combination of metals in a range that does not interfere with communication using electromagnetic waves between the IC tag and the reader / writer. The weight measuring and recording device for small laboratory animals according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured as described above.   The weight measuring and recording device for a small laboratory animal according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the tray is detachably coupled to the holding member.   The distance between the bottom surface of the saucer and the weight measuring surface of the electronic balance is such that the communication between the IC tag and the reader / writer embedded in the small experimental animal placed in the saucer is not hindered. The weight measuring and recording apparatus for small laboratory animals according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4.   The weight measuring and recording apparatus for a small laboratory animal according to claim 5, wherein a distance between a bottom surface of the tray and a weight measuring surface of the electronic balance is set to 50 mm or more.   A cylindrical connecting part that hangs down from the bottom peripheral side is formed in the tray, and an upper-opening annular locking groove is formed in the upper part of the holding member so that the cylindrical connecting part can be removably inserted. 1. Body weight measurement and recording device for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 small laboratory animals.   The antenna coil for communication of the reader / writer is supported by a support body or an independent support body coupled to the housing of the electronic balance. Body weight measurement and recording device for small laboratory animals.

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