JP3771911B2 - Drinking water measurement system for small experimental animals - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a small laboratory animal for water consumption measurement system for measuring the water consumption of a small laboratory animal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in medical research facilities, experimental small animals such as mice, rats, and guinea pigs are bred for experimental research such as new drug development. In order to conduct appropriate research using such experimental small animals, It is necessary to accurately grasp the amount of water consumed during breeding.
[0003]
Therefore, in the prior art, for example, while attaching an automatic water supply nozzle to each cage for breeding, while providing a potable water reservoir in the middle of the water supply path between the automatic water nozzle and the water tank, this potable water reservoir In order to detect the water level stored in the light source, a light projecting section in which a large number of light emitting elements are arrayed and a light receiving section in which a large number of light receiving elements are arrayed are arranged along the longitudinal direction across the drinking water storage section. When a small experimental animal drinks water from the automatic water supply nozzle, a water level drop in the drinking water storage unit is detected by the water level detection unit, and the water level drop distance and drinking water are detected. An apparatus has been proposed in which the amount of drinking water is calculated from the product of the pipe cross-sectional area of the reservoir (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-177732
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the following problems remain in the conventional apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above.
[0006]
(1) In the conventional apparatus, the water level detection unit is composed of a light projecting unit in which a large number of light emitting elements are arrayed and a light receiving unit in which a large number of light receiving elements are arrayed. A change in water level cannot be detected at the break. Moreover, since only a few drops are drunk, the water level change at that time is extremely small, and it is extremely difficult to accurately detect the amount of water consumed based on the water level change.
[0007]
(2) Since the water level detection unit has the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements arrayed in a vertical row as described above, a large number of elements are required and the configuration is complicated and expensive. It becomes something. In particular, since a large number of cages for breeding experimental small animals are usually provided, when an apparatus is individually arranged in each cage, the price of the entire system is further increased.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, water consumption of a small laboratory animal than before can more accurately measure, moreover, the small laboratory animal for water consumption measurement system that can be realized at a low cost The purpose is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A drinking water measuring system for experimental small animals according to the invention described in claim 1 includes a plurality of cages in which experimental small animals are bred, a water supply channel having an automatic water supply nozzle for supplying water to each of the cages, and each of the water supply channels. A drinking water measuring device provided in each of the above, and a total processing means for counting the drinking water in each cage measured by each of the above water consumption measuring devices,
The drinking water measuring device temporarily stores water supplied from a water supply source, and supplies a drip container for supplying the temporarily stored water to an automatic water supply nozzle, and a water drop falling in the drip container. A water droplet sensor that detects the number of water droplets detected by the water droplet sensor, a reset device that resets the count value of the counting device, a count value obtained by the counting device, and a reset value And a memory for storing the elapsed time,
The supply pressure of water supplied from the water supply source to the drip container of the drinking water meter is stopped when the water supply from the automatic water supply nozzle is stopped by the air pressure in the drip container. Pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure to be adjusted,
The aggregation processing means obtains data stored in the memory by individually communicating with a drinking water meter provided in each cage, and resets in each cage based on the obtained data. It is characterized by counting the amount of water consumed since the time .
[0010]
Thereby, since the number of water droplets is counted by the water droplet counting means, it is possible to reliably and accurately detect even a very small amount of water that has been drunk about several droplets. Also, since the water supply pressure to the drip container is adjusted in advance by the pressure adjusting means, the water supply to the drip container is automatically stopped when drinking is stopped, so the number of extra water drops is counted by the counting means. There is nothing to do. Therefore, the amount of drinking water can be measured with higher accuracy than in the past. In addition, the configuration of the water droplet counting means is simple, and since a commercially available drip container can be used, an inexpensive apparatus can be obtained.
[0012]
Furthermore , water can be automatically supplied to small laboratory animals housed in a large number of cages, and the amount of water consumed in each cage is individually counted by the aggregation processing means, greatly reducing the labor required to measure the amount of water consumed. Can be reduced. Moreover, even when each drinking water measuring device is individually provided in each cage, each drinking water measuring device itself is inexpensive, so that the entire system can be made cheaper than before.
[0016]
The drinking water measuring system for small experimental animals according to the invention of claim 2 is such that the drip container is supplied with water from a water supply source mixed with the medicine to be administered , and the water droplets counted by the water droplet counting means It further comprises a conversion means for converting the number into the dose of the medicine.
[0017]
Thereby, since the number of water droplets is counted by the water droplet counting means, it is possible to reliably and accurately detect even a very small amount of water that has been drunk about several droplets. Also, since the water supply pressure to the drip container is adjusted in advance by the pressure adjusting means, the water supply to the drip container is automatically stopped when drinking is stopped, so the number of extra water drops is counted by the counting means. There is nothing to do. Therefore, it is possible to measure the amount of drinking water with extremely high accuracy, and by converting the number of water droplets counted by the water droplet counting means into the dosage of the medicine, the dosage of the medicine administered in the water is extremely high. It can be measured with accuracy. In addition, the configuration of the water droplet counting means is simple, and since a commercially available drip container can be used, an inexpensive apparatus can be obtained.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a drinking water measuring system for small experimental animals according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which a cage for drinking small experimental animals and a drinking water measuring device are arranged on a rack shelf. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal processing system of the drinking water measuring device, FIG. 4 is a front view of the same drinking water measuring device, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the same drinking water measuring device, and FIG. 6 is the same drinking water. It is side surface sectional drawing of a measuring device.
[0019]
The drinking water measuring system 1 for experimental small animals in this embodiment includes a plurality of cages 2 in which experimental small animals are bred, a water storage tank 3 serving as a water supply source, and water supply that is branched from the water storage tank 3 to each cage 2. A pressure reducing valve 6 serving as a pressure adjusting means provided in the middle of the water supply path 4 from the water storage tank 3 to each of the water consumption measuring instruments 5, The main components are a totaling processing means 7 composed of a personal computer or the like for totalizing the drinking water measured by each drinking water measuring device 5 and a power supply power circuit 8.
[0020]
All of the cage 2, the water supply channel 4, and the drinking water measuring device 5 are collectively arranged on the rack shelf 11, and each drinking water measuring device 5 is attached to the horizontal rail of the rack shelf 11. Further, each of the drinking water measuring instruments 5 and the total processing means 7 are connected in series with each other via a communication cable having specifications such as RS422, and the power from the power supply circuit 8 is also transmitted via this communication cable 12. It is supplied to each drinking water measuring device 5 and total processing means 7 respectively.
[0021]
The drinking water measuring device 5 includes a drip container 14 that temporarily stores water supplied from the water storage tank 3 and supplies the stored water to the automatic water supply nozzle 13. The drip container 14 is made of a plastic or glass transparent body, and for example, a commercially available product is applied.
[0022]
A container housing recess 18 is formed on the front side of the case 17 constituting the drinking water measuring instrument 5, and the container housing recess 18 has an arcuate hook 19 for hooking the drip container 14, A pair of upper and lower portions 20 are provided, and a locking member 22 for positioning the water supply tube 21 that is a part of the water supply path 4 is provided. As a result, the drip container 14 is inserted from above the container housing recess 18 and hooked on the hooks 19 and 20, whereby the drip container 14 is positioned and fixed at a predetermined position without being inclined with respect to the case 17.
[0023]
Further, a light receiving element 25a such as an LED and a light receiving element 25b such as a photodiode are disposed opposite to each other in the container housing recess 18 of the case 17 with the drip container 14 interposed therebetween. Attached on the wiring board 26 cut out in an arc shape along the recess 18. The light emitting element 25a and the light receiving element 25b constitute a water droplet sensor 25 that detects a water droplet falling in the drip container.
[0024]
Further, in the case 17, a counter 29 as a counting means for counting the number of water droplets detected by the water droplet sensor 25, an internal timer 30 for timing, a memory 31 such as a RAM for storing the count value of the counter 29, a counter An interface 33 for calculating the amount of drinking water based on the count value of 29 and communicating with the controller 32 composed of a microcomputer or the like for controlling each part and the aggregation processing means 7 is provided. The water droplet sensor 25, the counter 29, and the controller 32 constitute water droplet counting means 34 in the claims.
[0025]
Furthermore, on the front side of the case 17, an LED 37 for drop confirmation, a power switch 38, a reset button 39 for resetting the count value of the counter 29, a display switching button 40 for displaying the amount of drink and the number of drops, and a liquid crystal A numerical display unit 41 including a panel or the like is provided.
[0026]
On the other hand, an automatic water supply nozzle 13 for drinking small laboratory animals in the cage 2 is attached to the tip portion of the lower water supply tube 21 connected to the drip container 14. The automatic water supply nozzle 13 and the drip container are also provided. 14 is provided with a manual clamp 44 for adjusting the flow rate.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 7, the automatic water supply nozzle 13 includes a water supply cylinder 45 communicated with the drip container 14, and an open / close valve 46 slidably fitted in the water supply cylinder 45. And a pin portion 46a at the tip of the opening / closing valve 46 is inserted into the reduced diameter portion 45a of the water supply cylinder 45, and a part of the pin portion 46a protrudes to the outside. ), The opening / closing valve 46 is opened to start water supply, and when the drinking operation is stopped, the opening / closing valve 46 is closed to stop water supply.
[0028]
On the other hand, in the pressure reducing valve 6 described above, the water pressure supplied from the water storage tank 3 to each drip container 14 is automatically supplied by the balance of the air pressure in the drip container 14 when the water supply from the automatic water supply nozzle 13 is stopped. It is provided in order to adjust in advance so that the water pressure is automatically stopped.
[0029]
The aggregation processing means 7 communicates with each drinking water measuring device 5 at predetermined time intervals, thereby taking in the changes in the drinking water amount of the experimental small animal every day and the drinking water amount with the passage of time. Programmed to process.
[0030]
Next, the operation in the case of measuring the amount of drinking in the drinking water measuring system 1 for experimental small animals having the above configuration will be described.
[0031]
When measuring the amount of water consumed by the experimental small animal, the drip container 14 is set in advance on the water amount measuring device 5 and the water amount measuring device 5 is attached to the horizontal rail of the rack shelf 11, and then above the drip container 14. The adapter 47 at the tip of the tube 21 is connected to the water supply channel 4.
[0032]
Further, when the automatic water supply nozzle 13 is in a closed state, the water pressure in the water supply path 4 is adjusted by operating the pressure reducing valve 6 so that the water supply is stopped by the air pressure in the drip container 14. The water pressure at this time is set to about 0.1 to 0.3 kg / cm ² , for example. Further, the automatic water supply nozzle 13 is forcibly opened, and the flow rate is adjusted by operating the clamp 44 so that the dropping flow rate in the drip container 14 becomes a constant value (for example, 1 cc for 15 drops). Then, after confirming that the power switch 38 has been turned on, the reset button 39 is pressed to reset the count value of the counter 29.
[0033]
When such preparation is completed, measurement of the amount of water consumed by the experimental small animal is started. Here, when the automatic water supply nozzle 13 is opened by the drinking operation of the experimental small animal, and when the water level in the drip container 14 decreases and the inside of the container 14 becomes a negative pressure to some extent, the water supply via the pressure reducing valve 6 is performed. Water from the path 4 is dropped into the drip container 14.
[0034]
Each time a water droplet falls into the drip container 14, the water droplet is detected by the water droplet sensor 25, and the detection output is given to the counter 29. The counter 29 counts the number every time the detection output of the water droplet sensor 25 is input, and the count value is input to the controller 32.
[0035]
The controller 32 causes the LED 37 to blink each time the count value from the counter 29 is input. Therefore, by observing the blinking state of the LED 37, it can be confirmed that the drinking water measuring device 5 is in the drinking water measuring state. Note that when an abnormality such as a failure of the device occurs, the controller 32 performs a control of blinking the LED 37 at a constant period regardless of the drop of water droplets, so that the occurrence of the abnormality can be recognized.
[0036]
Here, when the experimental small animal stops the drinking operation, the automatic water supply nozzle 13 is closed accordingly, so that the water level in the drip container 14 does not decrease, but the drip container 14 has a water pressure adjusted by the pressure reducing valve 6. If the pressure is still negative, some of the water drops will be dripped in the drip container 14. However, the amount of water supplied from the automatic water supply nozzle 13 to the outside after the automatic water supply nozzle 13 is opened and before the water droplets actually start dropping, and the drop of water drops after the automatic water supply nozzle 13 is closed. Since the dripping amount dropped excessively before actually stopping is a value that is approximately approximate, they cancel each other. Therefore, the number of water droplets counted by the counter 29 is substantially equal to the amount of water actually consumed by the experimental small animal.
[0037]
Thus, in this embodiment, since the number of water droplets is counted by the water droplet counting means 34, even a very small amount of water that has been drunk about several droplets can be detected with high accuracy. In addition, since the water supply pressure to the drip container is adjusted in advance by the pressure reducing valve 6, the water supply to the drip container 14 is automatically stopped when the drinking water is stopped, so that the number of extra water drops may be counted. Absent.
[0038]
Moreover, extremely high-precision measurement can be performed by one set of sensors (elements) 25a and 25b, and the equipment cost for one cage 2 is extremely low. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the cost merit is large in an apparatus that can perform a lot of experiments by providing a drinking amount measuring device 5 in each of a number of cages 2. In addition, since the drinking water data obtained in each of the many cages 2 is automatically statistically processed by the tabulation processing means 7, it is suitable for experiments using many small animals.
[0039]
Each time a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) elapses by the internal timer 30, the controller 32 stores both the elapsed time from the reset time to the present time and the count value obtained by the counter 29 in the memory 31. Further, the controller 32 displays the count value up to the present (that is, the total number of drops) stored in the memory 31 on the numerical value display unit 41 when the drop number display is set by the display switching button 40. Further, when the drinking water amount display is set by the display switching button 40, the total drinking amount from the reset time to the present time is calculated based on the count value stored in the memory 31, and the value is displayed on the numerical display unit. 41.
[0040]
On the other hand, every time a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) elapses, the totalization processing means 7 individually sends a command to each drinking water measuring device 5 via the communication cable 12, and in response to this, each drinking water amount The controller 32 of the measuring instrument 5 transmits the data stored in the memory 31 to the aggregation processing means 7.
[0041]
Therefore, the totalization processing means 7 can know the daily drinking amount of the experimental small animal and the change in the drinking amount with the passage of time based on the data stored in the memory 31 of each drinking amount measuring device 5. Perform aggregation processing. For this reason, by outputting the data after aggregation processing to a display or printer (not shown) attached to the aggregation processing means 7, the daily amount of drinking water of the experimental small animals kept in each cage 2 and its change over time are collectively displayed. It can be easily grasped. Therefore, the labor required for measuring the amount of drinking water can be greatly reduced as compared with the prior art.
[0042]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure shown in said embodiment, Of course, it can change suitably as needed. In particular, it is possible to mix the medicine in the water to be given, and to provide a conversion means for converting the measured value of the measured drinking water into the dosage of the medicine in the tabulation processing means 7 and use it as a medicine dosage measuring system. The present invention includes such a thing.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the drinking water measuring system for small experimental animals according to the present invention, since the number of water droplets is counted by the water droplet counting means, even if it is a minute amount of water that has been drunk about several droplets, it is ensured and accurate. Can be detected. In addition, since the water supply pressure to the drip container is adjusted in advance by the pressure adjusting means, the water supply to the drip container is automatically stopped when drinking is stopped, so the number of extra water drops is counted by the water drop counting means. It will not be done. Therefore, the amount of drinking water can be measured with higher accuracy than in the past. In addition, the configuration of the water droplet counting means is simple, and since a commercially available drip container can be used, an inexpensive apparatus can be obtained.
[0044]
In addition, it is possible to automatically supply water to small experimental animals housed in a large number of cages, and the amount of water consumed for each cage is individually counted by the aggregation processing means, greatly reducing the labor required for measuring the amount of drinking water. Can be reduced. Furthermore, even when each drinking water measuring device is individually provided in each cage, each drinking water measuring device itself can be manufactured at a low cost, so that the cost of the entire system can be reduced as compared with the conventional system.
[0046]
In addition , since the number of water droplets is counted by the water droplet counting means, it is possible to reliably and accurately detect even a very small amount of water that has been drunk about several droplets. Also, since the water supply pressure to the drip container is adjusted in advance by the pressure adjusting means, the water supply to the drip container is automatically stopped when drinking is stopped, so the number of extra water drops is counted by the counting means. There is nothing to do. Therefore, it is possible to measure the amount of drinking water with extremely high accuracy, and by converting the number of water droplets counted by the water droplet counting means into the dosage of the pharmaceutical, the dosage of the pharmaceutical administered by mixing in water is extremely high. It can be measured with accuracy. In addition, since the configuration of the water droplet counting means is simple and a commercially available drip container can be used, an inexpensive apparatus can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a drinking water measuring system for small experimental animals according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a cage for breeding experimental small animals and a drinking water measuring device are arranged on a rack shelf.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a signal processing system of the drinking water measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a drinking water measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the drinking water measuring device.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the drinking water measuring device.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of an automatic water supply nozzle.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Drinking water measurement system for small experimental animals 2 Cage 3 Water storage tank (water supply source)
4 Water supply channel 5 Drinking water meter 6 Pressure reducing valve (pressure adjusting means)
7 Aggregation processing means 8 Power supply circuit 11 Rack shelf 12 Communication cable 13 Automatic water supply nozzle 14 Drip container 17 Case 18 Container storage recess 19 Hook part 20 Hook part 21 Water supply tube 22 Locking member 25 Water drop sensor 25a Light emitting element 25b Light receiving element 26 Wiring Substrate 29 Counter 30 Internal timer 31 Memory 32 Controller 33 Interface 34 Water drop counting means 37 LED
38 Power switch 39 Reset button 40 Display switching button 41 Numerical display section 44 Clamping 45 Water supply cylinder 45a Reduced diameter section 46 Open / close valve 46a Pin section 47 Adapter

Claims (2)

A plurality of cages in which experimental small animals are bred, a water supply passage having an automatic water supply nozzle for supplying water to each of the cages, a water consumption measuring device provided in each of the water supply passages, and each water consumption measurement And tally processing means for tallying the amount of water consumed in each cage measured by the vessel,
The drinking water measuring device temporarily stores water supplied from a water supply source, and supplies a drip container for supplying the temporarily stored water to an automatic water supply nozzle, and a water drop falling in the drip container. A water droplet sensor that detects the number of water droplets detected by the water droplet sensor, a reset device that resets the count value of the counting device, a count value obtained by the counting device, and a reset value And a memory for storing the elapsed time ,
The supply pressure of water supplied from the water supply source to the drip container of the drinking water meter is stopped when the water supply from the automatic water supply nozzle is stopped by the air pressure in the drip container. Pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure to be adjusted ,
The aggregation processing means obtains data stored in the memory by individually communicating with a drinking water meter provided in each cage, and resets in each cage based on the obtained data. A drinking water measuring system for small experimental animals, characterized by counting the amount of drinking since time . The infusion container is intended to be supplied water from a water supply source which drug is mixed for administration, claims a number of water droplets that are counted by the water drop counting means further comprising conversion means for converting a dose of the drug The drinking water measuring system for small experimental animals according to 1.

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