RU86866U1 - INSTRUMENTAL REFLEX RESEARCH DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for researching instrumental reflexes containing an experimental chamber, tube, automated feeder, feeder tray and support platforms for limbs, equipped with strain gauges, a control panel of the subject equipped with manipulation tools made in the form of a lever fixed to the axis of the potentiometer, an experimental panel equipped with a computer , means for recording motor reactions of a test subject, characterized in that the control panel of the test subject is made in the form of a figured panel, made of plastic material with the possibility of changing its configuration, while the panel is equipped with several manipulation levers that are placed on the panel horizontally, symmetrically to the test subject, standing on the supporting platforms, and are equipped with signal stimulus sources and sensory landmarks made in the form of removable geometric figures fixed on the panel above the manipulation levers, and the experimental camera is equipped with means of video recording of the test subject, containing a video camera and video magnets offon, while the device is equipped with means for recording the breath and heart rate of the test subject, made on the basis of implanted sensors, the lead-out conductors of which are mounted on the test subject’s head and are included in an electrical circuit containing an amplifier, a monitor, a recording instrument and a computer connected in series, and the experimenter's control panel equipped with means to enable signal stimuli and supply reinforcements, and the computer is equipped with hardware and software tools that determine the order of presentation

Description

The proposal relates to experimental medicine and physiology and is used to conduct physiological studies in an animal experiment.

A device is known that contains an experimental chamber, a feeder, a manipulation lever, registration means (Buresh Y., Bureshova O., Houston J.P., 1991). The device provides the formation and implementation of phase instrumental food reflexes to environmental stimuli.

A device is also known that contains an experimental chamber, an automated feeding trough, means signaling approaching a target, support platforms for limbs equipped with strain gauges, a control panel of the test subject, a control panel of the experimenter equipped with a computer, means for recording the subject's motor reactions (Albertin S.V. RF Patent No. 79775 dated January 20, 2009 - a prototype of the device).

The device provides registration of positive and inhibitory conditioned reflexes, as well as instrumental phase and tonic food reflexes and behavioral reactions in animals under conditions of visual tracking.

However, these devices have the following limitations:

1. The device does not allow to investigate local precision motor responses to the presentation of spatially distributed manipulation tools and related signal stimuli.

2. The device does not allow to study the comparative effect of signal triggering stimuli and sensory landmarks in the implementation of the subjects instrumental responses.

3. The device does not allow to investigate chain (cyclic) motor reflexes sequentially performed by different operant limbs with systemic presentation of signal stimuli.

4. The device does not allow to study the tonic motor reactions of the testee associated with postural restructuring during the implementation of instrumental reflexes, which require a quick change of one operant limb to another.

5. The device does not provide registration of vegetative components of instrumental reflexes.

6. The device does not allow the use of tactile stimuli of the test subject as conditioned reflex signals.

7. The device does not provide the opportunity to study instrumental reflexes in the conditions of defensive (avoidant, aversive) behavior.

8. The device does not provide the opportunity to study instrumental reflexes in the combined use of food and aversive stimuli.

The purpose of the proposal is to expand the operational capabilities of the device while expanding the class of tasks solved by the device, as well as creating optimal conditions for the study of instrumental eating behavior and physiological testing of the experimental animal.

The essence of the proposed device, containing an experimental chamber, tube, automated feeder, feeder tray and supporting platforms for limbs, equipped with strain gauges, a control panel of the subject equipped with manipulation tools made in the form of a lever fixed on the axis of the potentiometer, an experimental panel equipped with a computer, means registration of motor reactions of the test person, is that the control panel of the test person is made in the form of a figured panel made of pl material with the possibility of changing its configuration, the panel is equipped with several manipulation levers that are placed on the panel horizontally, symmetrically to the test subject, standing on the supporting platforms, and are equipped with signal stimulus sources and sensory landmarks made in the form of removable geometric figures fixed on the panel above the manipulation levers, and the experimental camera is equipped with means of video recording of the test subject, containing a video camera and a VCR, while The device is equipped with means for recording the test's breathing and heart rate, made on the basis of implanted sensors, the lead-out conductors of which are attached to the head of the subject and are included in an electrical circuit containing a series-connected amplifier, a monitor, a recording device and a computer, while the control panel of the experimenter is equipped with means for activating signal incentives and reinforcements, and the computer is equipped with hardware and software that determine the order of presentation of signal timuli, their duration and time intervals between them.

The essence of the device also lies in the fact that the manipulation device is made in the form of a spring-loaded pedal, movably connected with the axis of the potentiometer, while the pedals are mounted vertically on the panel of the control panel of the subject, with the ability to adjust the angle of the pedal and its distance to the subject, and are placed in one planes with the test subject standing on supporting platforms, while the sources of signal stimuli are made in the form of LEDs mounted on the pedals, and the touch landmarks are made in the form of removable plates Stin mounted on the upper working surface of the pedal.

The essence of the device also lies in the fact that the device is equipped with electrostimulation means that contain series-connected skin electrodes and an electrostimulator, the electrostimulator being connected to the control panel of the test person, the control panel of the experimenter and the computer, while the manipulation tools located on the control panel of the test person are equipped with contact switches current, the control panel of the experimenter is equipped with means to turn on electrical stimulation, and the computer is equipped with software drugs that determine localization, the magnitude of tactile stimulation, the order of their alternation, as well as the duration and frequency of the applied stimulation.

Figure 1 shows the proposed device in a perspective view with a horizontal arrangement of manipulation tools, where

1 - experimental camera (top view, cover removed)

2 - tube

3 - feeding trough

4 - feeder tray, equipped with a strain gauge

5 - supporting platforms for limbs, equipped with strain gauges

6 - control panel of the subject

7 - manipulation lever equipped with a potentiometer

8 - sources of signal stimuli

9 - sensory landmarks

10 - video camera (not shown in the figure, mounted on the top cover of the camera)

11 - landing slots for handling levers

Figure 2 shows the proposed device in a perspective view with a vertical arrangement of manipulation tools, where

12 - manipulation pedal equipped with a potentiometer

Figure 3 shows the construction of the pedal (A) and the location of the pedals at various angles of inclination of the panel when changing its configuration (B), where

13 - pedal stock

14 - pedal platform

15 - fixing screw

16 - spring (dotted line shows the support sleeve limiting the pedal stroke)

17 - panel of the control panel of the subject

18 - axis of the potentiometer

19 - cam

20 - cotter pin

21 - holes for mounting the pedal rod to the eccentric axis of the potentiometer

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a device where

22 - load cells supporting platforms and feeder tray

23 - potentiometers of the manipulation lever (pedals)

24 - respiratory sensor

25 - heart rate sensor

26 - multi-channel amplifier

27 - monitor

28 - recording device

29 - experimenter control panel

30 - computer

31 - electrical stimulator

32 - skin electrodes (vibrators)

33 - video recorder

A device for determining the purposefulness of animals is depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and contains an experimental chamber (1), a tube (2) equipped with a feeder (3), a feeder tray (4), support platforms for limbs (5). The feeder tray and support platforms are equipped with load cells (22). The control panel of the testee (6) is made in the form of a figured panel made of plastic material with the possibility of changing its configuration, while the panel is equipped with manipulation tools made in the form of manipulation levers (7) equipped with counterweights that are mounted horizontally on the panel and are fixed on axis of the potentiometer (23) and are located symmetrically to the test subject, standing on the supporting platforms (5). The manipulation tools are equipped with sources of signal stimuli (8), for example, electric bulbs, and sensory landmarks (9), which are made in the form of removable geometric figures mounted on a panel above the manipulation levers (7). Depending on the research task, the manipulation tools can be mounted vertically on the panel, while they are in the same plane as the test person standing on the supporting platforms (Fig. 2). At the same time, the manipulation means of the device are made in the form of a spring-loaded manipulation pedal, movably connected with the axis of the potentiometer. The manipulation pedal is configured to adjust the angle of the pedal and its distance to the subject, while the sources of signal stimuli (8) are made in the form of LEDs mounted on the pedals, and the touch landmarks (9) are made in the form of removable plates mounted on the upper working surface of the pedal . To convert the forward and backward movement of the pedal to the rotational movement of the axis (18) of the potentiometer, the pedal is equipped with a spring (16) and an eccentric (19), which connects the rod (13) of the pedal to the axis (18) of the potentiometer. The experimenter's control panel (29), is equipped with a computer (30). The device is equipped with means for detecting motor reactions based on strain gauges (22) and potentiometers (23), as well as means for recording breathing (24) and the heart rate (23) of the test subject, made on the basis of implanted sensors, the lead-out conductors of which are attached to the subject's head. Sensors for recording motor reactions, respiration, and heart rate are included in an electric circuit containing a series-connected amplifier (26), a monitor (27), and a recording device (28), while the experimenter's control panel (29) is equipped with means for activating signal stimuli and supplying reinforcement, and computer (30) is equipped with hardware and software that determines the order of presentation of signal stimuli, their duration and time intervals between them. The device is equipped with video tools containing a video camera (10) and a video recorder (33). The device is also equipped with electrostimulation means made in the form of skin electrodes (electromechanical vibrators) (32) connected to an electrostimulator (31), an experimenter's control panel (29) and a computer (30), while the manipulation tools are equipped with current limit switches, an experimenter's control panel (29) is equipped with electronic stimulation enablers, and the computer (30) is equipped with software and hardware that determine the magnitude, duration, and frequency of the applied electrical stimulation.

The device operates as follows (Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4):

An experimental animal, previously trained to stand on supporting platforms (5) in the experimental chamber and periodically receive food reinforcement from the tray (3) of the feeder, is trained in the instrumental conditioned reflex of squeezing the manipulation lever or pedal when the signal stimulus located above (on) the manipulation means is turned on, followed by turning off the signal stimulus and supplying reinforcements.

Depending on the chosen research task, the test person’s control panel (6) is installed in the camera with a panel of various configurations, with a horizontal or vertical arrangement on the panel of manipulation tools (Figs. 1, 2), the order of alternation of signal stimuli, their duration, time intervals between them. Changing the configuration and the angle of the panel made of plastic material, as well as using additional landing sockets (11) provide the necessary location of the manipulation tools on the control panel panel (6) and the distance between the manipulation levers (7) and the subject. When the manipulation tools are located vertically on the panel of the test person’s control panel (29), the angle of the manipulation pedal and its distance to the test person are controlled by changing the working length of the pedal rod (13) and the screw (15) that fixes the rotation of the pedal platform (14). Experiments can be carried out in the presence or absence of sensory landmarks (9), which show the location of the manipulation levers and pedals and are removable. If necessary, investigate the test subject's instrumental motor reactions under conditions of defensive (avoidable) behavior, with the combined use of food and electrodermal reinforcement, and also, if necessary, use tactile stimuli as signal (warning) stimuli during the development and implementation of instrumental reflexes, the device is equipped with electrical stimulation, made in the form of skin electrodes (electromechanical vibrators) (32) connected to an electrical stimulator rum (31) which is connected to the test control, the experimenter's control unit (29) and a computer (30).

When performing instrumental reflexes, the following are recorded: marks of the supply of signal (visual, tactile) stimuli, unconditional food (electrodermal) reinforcement, tensometric indicators of the adjustment of the subject’s posture in preparation for the upcoming response, vegetative components of the instrumental reflex (change in the patient’s breathing and heart rate), latent period of the instrumental reactions, mechanograms of the squeezing of the manipulation lever (pedal) fixed on the axis of the potentiometer, the time of implementation of the tool cial response as well as video footage from the experience and sound recording behavioral test reactions at the implementation tool behavior.

To register the above indicators, the test subject is placed in an experimental chamber; strain gauges (22) of support platforms (3), feeder tray (4), potentiometers (23) of manipulation levers (7), or pedals (12), electrical connector for respiratory sensors (24) and heart rate (23) mounted on the subject’s head attached to a multi-channel amplifier (26); skin electrodes and / or vibrators (32) are connected to an electric stimulator (31). They include an amplifier (26), a monitor (27), a recording device (28), an electric stimulator (31), an experimenter's control panel (29), a computer (30), a video camera (10) and a video recorder (33), and charge the feeder. When using the experiment of electrostimulation, the thresholds of tactile and pain stimulation are determined individually for each subject, before the start of the experiment, by recording the subject's behavioral, motor and vegetative reactions to the test stimuli.

A program determining the selected mode of signaling (visual, tactile) stimuli and unconditional food (electrodermal) reinforcement and a program for recording and storing recorded test and motor responses of the subject to environmental stimuli and presentation of signal stimuli are loaded into computer (30).

After the experiment is completed, the devices are turned off and the sensors are disconnected in the reverse order.

DEVICE ADVANTAGES

1. The device allows you to explore local precision motor reactions to the presentation of spatially distributed manipulation tools and signal stimuli. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the control panel of the test is made in the form of a figured panel made of plastic material with the ability to change its configuration, while the panel is equipped with several manipulation levers that are mounted horizontally on the panel and are located symmetrically to the test person standing on the supporting platforms , and are equipped with sources of signal stimuli and sensory landmarks made in the form of geometric figures fixed on a panel above the manipulation levers .

2. The device allows you to explore the comparative effect of signal triggering stimuli and sensory guidelines on the choice of subjects of the corresponding manipulation lever. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the sensory landmarks mounted on the panel above the manipulation levers, or fixed on the upper working surface of the manipulation pedal, are removable.

3. The device allows you to explore chain (stereotypic) motor reflexes, sequentially performed by different operant limbs. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the control panel of the test is made in the form of a figured panel made of plastic material with the ability to change its configuration, while the panel is equipped with several manipulation levers that are placed on the panel horizontally, symmetrically to the test, standing on the supporting platforms, and equipped with sources of signal stimuli and sensory landmarks, made in the form of removable geometric shapes, mounted on a panel above the manipulation levers, when The computer volume of the experimenter's control panel is equipped with hardware and software that determine, in particular, the stereotypical order of presentation of signal stimuli.

4. The device allows you to explore the tonic motor reactions of the testee associated with postural restructuring, requiring a quick change of the operant limb when performing the appropriate motor response to the consistent presentation of discriminated triggering signals and changing the order and speed of their alternation. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the manipulation levers are mounted horizontally on the figured panel and are located symmetrically to the test subject, standing on the supporting platforms, and are equipped with signal stimulus sources and sensory landmarks mounted on the panel above the manipulation levers, while the experimenter's control panel computer is equipped with hardware - software that determines the order of presentation of signal stimuli, their duration and time intervals between them, and supporting platforms s equipped with strain gauges, pressure supporting and registering operant extremities.

5. The device provides registration of vegetative components of instrumental reflexes. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the device is equipped with means for recording the breath and heart rate of the test subject, made on the basis of implanted sensors, the lead wires of which are connected to the electrical connector mounted on the head of the test subject, and are included in an electrical circuit containing an amplifier, monitor and recording device.

6. The device provides free choice of the preferred forelimb when the subject performs an instrumental motor response. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the manipulation tools are made in the form of a pedal, which are mounted vertically on the panel and are in the same plane as the test subject standing on the supporting platforms, while the signal stimulus sources are made in the form of LEDs mounted on the manipulation levers, and sensory landmarks are made in the form of removable plates fixed on the upper working surface of the pedal.

7. The device allows you to quickly change the location of the manipulation tools on the control panel of the subject, as well as adjust the distance between the subject and the manipulation levers. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the panel of the control panel of the test person is made of plastic material, with the possibility of changing the configuration, is equipped with additional sockets for the manipulation levers, and the design of the manipulation pedal allows you to adjust the working length of the pedal rod and the angle of the pedal platform, fixed to the rod with a screw .

8. The device allows you to explore the instrumental motor reactions of the test subject in conditions of defensive (avoidable, aversive) behavior, as well as with the combined use of food and electrodermal reinforcement in the development and implementation of instrumental reflexes. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the device is equipped with electrostimulation means made in the form of skin electrodes connected to an electrostimulator that is connected to the control panel of the experimenter and a computer, while the manipulation tools of the control panel of the subject are equipped with current limit switches, the control panel of the experimenter is equipped with switching means electrical stimulation, and the computer is equipped with software and hardware that determine the size, duration and frequency of oh electrostimulation.

9. The device allows the use of tactile stimuli of operant limbs of a test subject as conditioned reflex or warning signals. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the device is equipped with electrical stimulation means made in the form of series-connected electromechanical skin vibrators and an electric stimulator, and the computer is equipped with software and hardware that determines the duration, frequency of tactile stimulation of the skin of the subject, as well as the localization and order of alternation of tactile stimuli.

10. The device allows you to study the effect of electrical stimulation of the brain on instrumental behavior using electrodes implanted in various brain structures. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the device is equipped with means of electrical stimulation, and the computer is equipped with software and hardware that determine the physical parameters of stimulation.

11. The device allows for covert video recording of the experiment with the registration of behavioral and voice reactions of the subject. This advantage is achieved due to the fact that the device is equipped with a VCR and a video camera mounted on the inner surface of the lid of the experimental camera.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

1. Buresh Y., Bureshova O., Houston J.P. Methods and basic experiments to study the brain and behavior. M., Higher School, 1991, p. 210.

2. Albertin S.V. A method for determining purposefulness in an animal experiment. Bull. Inv., 2009, No. 2.

Claims (3)

Device for researching instrumental reflexes containing an experimental chamber, tube, automated feeder, feeder tray and support platforms for limbs, equipped with strain gauges, a control panel of the subject equipped with manipulation tools made in the form of a lever fixed to the axis of the potentiometer, an experimental panel equipped with a computer , means for recording motor reactions of a test subject, characterized in that the control panel of the test subject is made in the form of a figured panel, made of plastic material with the possibility of changing its configuration, while the panel is equipped with several manipulation levers that are placed on the panel horizontally, symmetrically to the test subject, standing on the supporting platforms, and are equipped with signal stimulus sources and sensory landmarks made in the form of removable geometric figures fixed on the panel above the manipulation levers, and the experimental camera is equipped with means of video recording of the test subject, containing a video camera and video magnets offon, while the device is equipped with a means of recording the breath and heart rate of the test subject, made on the basis of implanted sensors, the lead-out conductors of which are mounted on the head of the test subject and are included in an electrical circuit containing an amplifier, a monitor, a recording instrument and a computer, and the experimenter's control panel equipped with means to enable signal stimuli and supply reinforcements, and the computer is equipped with hardware and software tools that determine the order of presentation detecting signal stimulus, their duration and time intervals between them. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the manipulation means of the device are made in the form of a spring-loaded pedal, movably connected with the axis of the potentiometer, while the pedals are mounted vertically on the panel of the control panel of the subject, with the possibility of adjusting the angle of the pedal and its distance to the subject, and are placed in the same plane as the test subject, standing on the supporting platforms, while the sources of signal stimuli are made in the form of LEDs mounted on the pedals, and sensory landmarks are made in the form of removable plates, for signal- ing on the upper working surface of the pedal. 3. The device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the device is equipped with electrostimulation means, which contain serially connected skin electrodes and an electrostimulator, wherein the electrostimulator is connected to the control panel of the test person, the experimenter's control panel and a computer, while the manipulation tools are located on the remote control the control of the test subject, equipped with contact current switches, the control panel of the experimenter is equipped with means for activating electrical stimulation, and the computer is equipped with a software device by means of determining localization, the magnitude of tactile stimulation, the order of their alternation, as well as the duration and frequency of the applied stimulation.