WO2022258863A1 - System for housing laboratory animals for the study of the transmission of infectious agents by means of direct contact - Google Patents

System for housing laboratory animals for the study of the transmission of infectious agents by means of direct contact Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022258863A1
WO2022258863A1 PCT/ES2022/070328 ES2022070328W WO2022258863A1 WO 2022258863 A1 WO2022258863 A1 WO 2022258863A1 ES 2022070328 W ES2022070328 W ES 2022070328W WO 2022258863 A1 WO2022258863 A1 WO 2022258863A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
peripheral
central
trough
housing system
animals
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PCT/ES2022/070328
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Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Inventor
Bruno GONZÁLEZ ZORN
Gabriel Moyano Ortega
Irene SÁNCHEZ MÉNDEZ
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Universidad Complutense De Madrid
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Publication of WO2022258863A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022258863A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
    • A01K1/02—Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
    • A01K1/03—Housing for domestic or laboratory animals
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
    • A01K1/02—Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
    • A01K1/03—Housing for domestic or laboratory animals
    • A01K1/031—Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A90/00—Technologies having an indirect contribution to adaptation to climate change
    • Y02A90/10—Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Definitions

  • the present invention falls within the field of housing for laboratory animals. Specifically, in the housing sector used in the study of interactions between laboratory animals, specifically interactions by direct contact, and the relationship of said interactions with the transmission of infectious agents.
  • Infectious diseases can be transmitted in multiple ways, both by direct contact (terminology that includes direct physical contact with an infected individual and transmission by exhaled droplets), and by indirect contact (which includes airborne, fomite, or biological vector transmission). or mechanical). Transmission by direct physical contact can occur by skin-to-skin contact, contact between mucous membranes, and transmission by direct contact is even defined as that which occurs by contact with soil or vegetation in which the infectious agent is found.
  • US6782845B1 which refers to a system of trays in which sterile air is introduced and in which there is a sentinel animal that behaves as a bioindicator for the detection of particles infective in samples of expired air from other animals housed in the same system
  • US20080087231A1 which describes a system of closed shelves in which the animal trays are housed and includes a system to introduce filtered air, another to control the flow of air and its direction within each shelf, and another to extract air from the shelves , so that negative pressure can be created in the cuvettes
  • W02008098297A1 which describes a system that has a tray in which one or more sentinel animals are housed and that is connected to other adjacent trays, all of them with openings and air inlets and outlets (which may have filters).
  • BPM behavioral pattern monitor
  • a housing system In order to carry out studies on the transmission of infectious diseases through direct physical contact interactions in laboratory animals, a housing system has been developed that allows housed animals to contact each other orally or nasally, but prevents contact with the droppings or bedding of other animals, and individualizes the administration of food and drinking water.
  • direct physical contact is understood as contact between two individuals skin to skin or between mucous membranes (in this case, oral or nasal), following the indications and definitions established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of USA.
  • the housing system presented can house a maximum of 6 or 7 animals individually.
  • the maximum number of animals housed depends on their size, which conditions both the size and the characteristics of the trays for their accommodation.
  • the housing system consists of five peripheral trays that are located radially on a base sheet, giving rise to a central tray that is delimited, on five of its sides, by the central walls of the peripheral basins; while the sixth side of the central basin is delimited by an independent feeder.
  • This invention is designed to house animals individually, with individualized feeders for each animal and only allowing direct contact between animals through a contact hole of adequate size and location so that the animals can introduce their snouts.
  • the housing system contains 5 peripheral cuvettes, each peripheral cuvette consists of:
  • a square or rectangular central wall that presents a contact hole of adequate size and position so that the individuals of the animal species for which the housing system is designed can easily introduce the snout, but cannot introduce the rest of the body .
  • a feeder which constitutes the external wall of the peripheral trough, so that the animals have access to food and water.
  • the peripheral troughs have the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped from which a trough protrudes which, at the same time, delimits the external wall of the peripheral trough.
  • the floor is placed above the lower limit of the walls, generating four raised edges that define the lower perimeter of the basin as lower tabs.
  • the peripheral trays are coupled to a base sheet of the housing system that houses all the trays and in which suitable grooves have been excavated to receive the four lower flanges of the lower perimeter of each one of the peripheral trays. .
  • This design allows the peripheral trays to be watertight and independent, so they can be detached from the base sheet for easy cleaning and disinfection.
  • the housing system also includes a central trough that is hexagonal and delimited by the placement of the peripheral troughs; its limits are the central walls of the five peripheral troughs and a separate feeder wall.
  • the floor of this tray is made up of a hexagon-shaped platform that is placed on top of the base sheet so that the floor of this tray remains at the same height as the floor of the peripheral trays when they are attached.
  • the shape of the bottom of the central trough is a regular hexagon; in this way, the animal housed in the central trough has the same possibilities of contacting any of the animals housed in the peripheral troughs and differences between central walls are avoided, which could affect the behavior of the animal in the central trough.
  • the sixth wall of the central trough is delimited by a separate, removable trough, similar to those attached to the peripheral troughs.
  • the side walls are square or rectangular and act as tabs that fit into the grooves of the base sheet of the housing system.
  • an inclined sheet is added inside the trough, in such a way that it brings the food closer to the trough. the communication window between this trough and the central bucket. The inclination is preferably 45°.
  • the side walls of this feeder each have a rail in which a removable grid is attached that allows the animal to access the food.
  • the feeders of the peripheral troughs are made up of two triangular walls with a rail to introduce a grid that allows access to the food and an outer inclined wall. These troughs are included in the structure of the peripheral troughs.
  • Both the peripheral troughs and the trough of the central trough are embedded in grooves between 1 and 4 cm deep, excavated in the base sheet of the housing system, so that once they are placed in place they remain fixed on the base sheet.
  • the fully assembled system generates six independent housings, five peripherals that contact the central one through a contact hole in the central wall of each of them, and a central hexagonal housing that contacts the peripherals on five of its sides and with the independent feeder on its sixth wall.
  • the dimensions of the peripheral and central trays are different, as well as the diameter and location of the hole that is used for snout-snout contact between animals.
  • the independent feeder in the central trough is replaced by a sixth peripheral trough with the same characteristics as the other five peripheral troughs.
  • the trays are larger than the size of the peripheral trays intended to house mice, rats or hamsters and independent feeders are eliminated, since the animals are provided with food and drink in containers placed on the floor of the house itself. basin, replacing them with an external wall with the same dimensions as the central wall. In this housing system, therefore, the number of animals that can be housed individually rises to 7.
  • the design of independent feeders allows to dose the food to each animal separately.
  • the diameter of the contact hole is determined in such a way that it considerably reduces the possibility of cross-contamination between the animals and limits the contact between them to punctual nasal-oral contacts, at the moment in which the animal simultaneously introduces the snout central and some of the peripherals. This diameter ranges from 0.5 cm for mice to 4 cm for larger animals such as ferrets.
  • the size of the contact hole is always the essential minimum, which prevents the animal bedding material (contaminated with feces or urine) from passing through the contact hole from one tray to another.
  • the height of the contact hole with respect to that of the floor of the tray must be sufficient so that the animal can introduce its snout in an unforced position, but sufficiently separated from the floor so that digging animals are not capable of throwing material. bed against it and make it pass to the central basin.
  • an overhead recording system can be used to count the number of contacts between the animal housed in the central trough and the animals housed in the peripheral troughs while they are housed in the troughs.
  • the cover that determines the upper surface of the housing system is made of transparent material, preferably glass.
  • the central cuvette houses the animal that has been inoculated with the infectious agent to be studied and that, through the contact holes, can establish direct contact with up to a maximum of 5 or 6 peripheral animals.
  • This animal is called a donor animal.
  • infectious agent in this specification, is meant any biological entity capable of establishing itself in the animal in question and producing or not an infectious disease in the host, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, prions, protozoa, helminths, etc.
  • infectious agent in this specification, is meant any biological entity capable of establishing itself in the animal in question and producing or not an infectious disease in the host, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, prions, protozoa, helminths, etc.
  • the use of this invention is based on the individual accommodation of an animal in each tray and the inoculation of the animal housed in the central tray, followed by a transmission period in which the animal housed in the central tray will contact the animals of the peripheral cuvettes. In this sense, depending on the infectious agent to be used, the infection protocols
  • the invention can be used to study the transmissibility of any type of infectious agent capable of surviving in the oral mucosa of animals and of being transmitted by direct physical contact.
  • This housing system represents an innovation in the study of the transmission of infectious agents, since it allows modeling its dynamics in a controllable and quantifiable animal model, in addition to allowing factors such as treatments with drugs, substances or individualized diets to be introduced to the animals without the need for of using invasive methods and improving the ethical quality of experiments.
  • the invention presented in this application allows animals to contact by direct snout-snout contact and limits contact with fomites such as bedding material and other secretions such as feces or urine.
  • the transparent cover makes it possible to follow the activity of the animals, even by recording, to determine the moment in which they make contact and to quantify it, in order to later be able to relate it to the transmission phenomenon.
  • the removable nature of the system allows complete and easy disinfection, allowing the model to be reused, guaranteeing its cleaning and disinfection.
  • Figure 1 Diagram of a top view of the housing system for small laboratory animals, such as mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs or gerbils.
  • Figure 2 Diagram of the three-dimensional arrangement of the trays of the housing system for small laboratory animals, such as mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs or gerbils.
  • FIG. 1 Diagram of a peripheral tray (2) with a trough (21).
  • Figure 4 Diagram of the parts of the peripheral basin (2) and its dimensions.
  • FIG. Diagram of the independent feeder (11) of the central basin (1). Two views (A and B) are shown.
  • Figure 6 Diagram of the parts that make up the independent trough (11) of the central basin (1).
  • Figure 7 Diagram of the base sheet (6), of the grooves (61) and of the central platform (5).
  • Figure 8 Diagram of the three-dimensional arrangement of the trays of the housing system for medium-sized laboratory animals (rabbits, ferrets).
  • FIG. 9 Diagram of a peripheral basin (2) of the storage system for medium-sized laboratory animals (rabbits, ferrets).
  • 26 external wall of the peripheral troughs (2) in the housing system for medium-sized animals (such as ferrets or rabbits),
  • a housing system was developed to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between mice, the scheme of which can be seen in Figure 1 (top view) and Figure 2 (three-dimensional scheme).
  • the system was made with 20mm-thick transparent methacrylate for the base sheet (6) and 4mm for the peripheral trays (2), a 1.5cm-thick glass lid and metal grids to allow mice access to the tubes. feeders, with a thickness of bars of 0.5 cm and a distance between bars of 1 cm.
  • This contact hole (3) was placed 7.5cm from the lower limit of the central wall (6.5cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to the lateral limits of the same.
  • a steel grid was placed with a distance between bars of 0.5cm so that the animals could access food and water.
  • a flange 14.2 cm long and 1.4 cm wide was placed, which acts as an external tab (25).
  • Central wall (111) a wall with a base of 14.2cm and a height of 16cm with a hole 3cm from its lower edge of 11cm x 11cm to give rise to a window (1111) for communication between the independent feeder (11) and the central basin (1) (figure 5B and figure 6A).
  • a base sheet (6) (figure 7) of 20mm thick methacrylate and dimensions of 150cm x 150cm was prepared in which grooves (61) 1 cm deep and 4 mm thick were made, in which the lower external (25), internal (28) and lateral (27) tabs of the peripheral trays (2) and the lower tabs (116) of the independent trough (11).
  • a regular hexagonal platform (5) with a side of 15 cm was placed, which serves as the floor for the central tray (1) and whose sides determine the radial arrangement of the five peripheral trays (2).
  • the hexagonal platform (5) of the central trough (1), the inner walls of the peripheral troughs (2) and the independent trough (11) give rise to the central hexagonal trough (1).
  • grooves (61) were made one centimeter deep radially to it.
  • the grooves (61) were made with measurements of 15cmx28cm to house the peripheral trays and 15cmx8cm to house the independent feeder.
  • the peripheral basins (2) therefore, in this example, have a surface area of 405cm 2 and a total capacity of 5670cm 3 , while the central basin (1) obtains a surface area of approximately 585cm 2 and a total capacity of 8.775cm 3 .
  • a 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.
  • the housing system described in example 1 was completed with a video surveillance device that allows counting and quantifying the number of contacts between the donor animal housed in the central trough (1) and the animals in the peripheral troughs (2).
  • an overhead recording device (wide-angle camera) was placed on the central cuvette that allows visualizing both the donor animal and the peripheral animals.
  • This recording device was connected to a storage system (external hard drive) that allowed the videos to be stored and viewed later.
  • the video surveillance system was installed, the donor animal was inoculated with a culture of Klebsiella pneumoniae and allowed to elapse for 24 hours. During this transmission period, the animals were free in their respective trays and could make snout-snout contact due to their curious and social behaviour.
  • the videos were retrieved from the storage system and displayed, which made it possible to count the number of contacts between animals, their duration and the moment in which they occur. In this case, an average of 20 contacts between the donor and recipient animal was obtained, with an average duration of 1.38 seconds each contact, with most contacts occurring between hours 14 and 15 after inoculation.
  • a housing system similar to the one described in example 1 was developed, but varying its measurements to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between rats (figures 1 and 2).
  • the system was made with 30mm-thick transparent methacrylate for the base sheet and 4mm-thick for the peripheral trays (2), a 1.5cm-thick glass lid and metal grids to allow rats access to the feeders, with a thickness of bars of 0.5cm and a distance between bars of 1cm.
  • This hole was placed 13cm from the lower limit of the central wall (11cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to the lateral limits of the same.
  • a steel grid was placed with a distance between bars of 1 cm for the animals to access food and water.
  • a flange 20.2 cm long and 2.4 cm wide was placed, which It acts as an external flange (25) to fit into the groove (61) of the base sheet (6).
  • Central wall (111) a wall with a base of 20.2cm and a height of 20cm with a hole 3cm from its lower edge of 11cm x 13cm to give rise to a window (1111) for communication between the independent feeder (11) and the central basin (1) (figure 5B and figure 6A).
  • Lateral walls (112) two lateral walls with a base of 11cm and a height of 20cm, on the central edge of which a step (1122) 1cm wide and 17cm high was excavated, 3cm from the lower edge of the wall (112).
  • a base sheet (6) (figure 7) of 30mm thick methacrylate and dimensions of 200cm x 200cm was prepared in which grooves (61) 2 cm deep and 4 mm thick were made, into which the the lower flanges (25, 27 and 28) of the peripheral trays (2) and the lower flanges (116) of the independent trough (11).
  • a regular hexagonal platform (5) with a side of 21 cm was placed, which serves as the floor for the central basin (1) and whose sides determine the radial arrangement of the five peripheral basins (2).
  • the hexagonal platform (5) of the central trough (1), the inner walls of the peripheral troughs (2) and the independent trough (11) give rise to the central hexagonal trough (1).
  • grooves (61) were made two centimeters deep and 0.4cm wide radially to it.
  • the grooves (61) were made with measurements of 21cmx40cm to house the peripheral trays and 21cmx11cm to house the independent feeder.
  • a 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.
  • a housing system similar to the one described in example 1 was developed, but varying its measurements to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between hamsters.
  • the housing system is diagrammed in figure 1 (top view) and in figure 2 (three-dimensional diagram).
  • the system was made with 20mm thick transparent methacrylate in the base sheet and 4mm in the peripheral trays (2), a 1.5cm thick glass lid and metal grids to allow access to the feeders, with a bars thickness of 0.5cm and a distance between bars of 0.5cm.
  • This contact hole (3) was placed 7.5cm from the lower limit of the central wall (6.5cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to its lateral limits.
  • a steel grid was placed with a distance between bars of 0.5cm for the animals to access food and water.
  • a flange 20.2 cm long and 1.4 cm wide was placed, which It acts as a lower external flange (25), to fit into the corresponding groove (61) of the base sheet (6).
  • Central wall (111) a wall with a base of 20.2cm and a height of 16cm with a hole 4cm from its lower edge of 11cm x 13cm to give rise to a window (1111) for communication between the independent feeder (11) and the central basin (1) (figure 5B and figure 6A).
  • a base sheet (6) (figure 7) of 20mm thick methacrylate and dimensions of 200cm x 200cm was prepared in which grooves (61) 1 cm deep and 4 mm thick were made, into which the the lower flanges (25, 27 and 28) of the peripheral trays (2) and the lower flanges (116) of the independent trough (11).
  • a regular hexagonal platform (5) with a side of 21 cm was placed, which serves as the floor for the central basin (1) and whose sides determine the radial arrangement of the five peripheral basins (2).
  • the hexagonal platform (5) of the central trough (1), the inner walls of the peripheral troughs (2) and the independent trough (11) give rise to the central hexagonal trough (1).
  • grooves (51) of two centimeters deep and 0.4cm wide were made. radial shape to it.
  • the grooves (51) were made with measurements of 21cmx40cm to house the peripheral trays (2) and 21cmx8cm to house the independent feeder (11).
  • a 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.
  • a housing system similar to the one described in example 1 was developed, but varying its measurements to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between ferrets (figure 8). In this case, given the feeding system that this species requires, the independent feeder (11) was eliminated and another peripheral trough (2) was added in its place.
  • the system was made with transparent methacrylate 6cm thick in the base sheet (6) and 2cm in the peripheral trays (2).
  • Two side walls (22) formed by a rectangle with a base of 2m and a height of 55cm.
  • This contact hole (3) was placed 20cm from the lower limit of the central wall (15cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to its lateral limits.
  • a base sheet (6) of methacrylate 6 cm thick and 5 m 2 was prepared in which grooves (61) 5 cm deep and 2 cm thick were made, in which the lower tabs (25, 27 and 28) fit. ) of the peripheral cuvettes (2).
  • a regular hexagonal platform (5) with a side of 1.5 m was placed, which It serves as the floor for the central basin (1) and whose sides determine the radial arrangement of the six peripheral basins (2).
  • the interior walls of the peripheral basins (2) give rise to the central hexagonal basin (1).
  • grooves (61) 5 cm deep and 2 cm wide were made radially to it.
  • the grooves (61) were made with measurements of 1.5mx2m to house the peripheral trays (2).
  • a 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.
  • a housing system similar to the one described in example 4 was developed, but varying its measurements to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between rabbits (a scheme is shown in figure 8).
  • the system was made with transparent methacrylate 6cm thick in the base sheet and 2cm in the peripheral trays (2).
  • Two side walls (22) formed by a rectangle with a base of 2.5m and a height of 55cm.
  • This contact hole (3) was placed 20cm from the lower limit of the central wall (15cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to its lateral limits.
  • a 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
  • Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for housing laboratory animals, which can be adapted to small animals (mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils) or medium-size animals (rabbits, ferrets). For small animals, five peripheral trays (2) which each comprise a trough (21) are used, in addition to a separate trough (11). These six structures are arranged radially, thereby providing a central hexagonal tray (1) in communication with the peripheral trays (2) by means of a contact hole (3) located in a central wall (23) of each peripheral tray (2). For medium-size animals, the troughs (21) are eliminated and the separate trough (11) is replaced by a sixth peripheral tray (2). In both cases, the six elements are fitted, by means of bottom flanges, into grooves (61) made in a base plate (6).

Description

D E S C R I P C I Ó N DESCRIPTION
Sistema de alojamiento de animales de laboratorio para el estudio de la transmisión de agentes infecciosos mediante contacto directo. Laboratory animal housing system for the study of the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact.
SECTOR DE LA TÉCNICA TECHNIQUE SECTOR
La presente invención se encuadra en el sector de los alojamientos para animales de laboratorio. En concreto, en el sector de los alojamientos empleados en el estudio de las interacciones entre los animales de laboratorio, específicamente las interacciones por contacto directo, y la relación de dichas interacciones con la transmisión de agentes infecciosos. The present invention falls within the field of housing for laboratory animals. Specifically, in the housing sector used in the study of interactions between laboratory animals, specifically interactions by direct contact, and the relationship of said interactions with the transmission of infectious agents.
ANTECEDENTES DE LA INVENCIÓN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Las enfermedades infecciosas pueden transmitirse de múltiples maneras, tanto por contacto directo (terminología que incluye el contacto físico directo con un individuo infectado y la transmisión por gotículas exhaladas), como por contacto indirecto (lo cual incluye transmisión aérea, por fómites o por vectores biológicos o mecánicos). La transmisión por contacto físico directo puede ocurrir por contacto piel con piel, contacto entre mucosas e incluso se define como transmisión por contacto directo aquella que ocurre por contacto con suelo o vegetación en la que se encuentra el agente infeccioso. Infectious diseases can be transmitted in multiple ways, both by direct contact (terminology that includes direct physical contact with an infected individual and transmission by exhaled droplets), and by indirect contact (which includes airborne, fomite, or biological vector transmission). or mechanical). Transmission by direct physical contact can occur by skin-to-skin contact, contact between mucous membranes, and transmission by direct contact is even defined as that which occurs by contact with soil or vegetation in which the infectious agent is found.
Hasta ahora los estudios llevados a cabo para determinar las características epidemiológicas de agentes infecciosos y sus mecanismos de transmisión se basan en estudios epidemiológicos en los que influyen numerosas variables no controlables que pueden sesgar los resultados. Otros tipos de estudio que históricamente se han llevado a cabo en los casos en los que se sospecha la transmisión aérea del agente incluyen modelos animales (mayormente modelos con hurones para ensayar la transmisión de virus respiratorios) en los que el espacio aéreo de las cajas individuales es compartido para permitir el paso del agente infeccioso de un animal a otro. En las escasas ocasiones en las que se ha intentado llevar a cabo un estudio en un modelo animal para agentes en los que la transmisión por contacto directo es la predominante, los modelos empleados utilizan el alojamiento conjunto de los individuos, lo que no permite detectar la vía exacta de transmisión predominante (contacto directo físico, por fómites o por excreciones, etc.) ( Animal Model To Study Klebsiella pneumoniae Gastrointestinal Colonization and Host-to-Host Transmission. Taylor M. Young et ai. Infection and Immunity. Oct 2020, 88 (11) e00071-20; DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00071-20). Until now, the studies carried out to determine the epidemiological characteristics of infectious agents and their transmission mechanisms are based on epidemiological studies influenced by numerous uncontrollable variables that can bias the results. Other types of studies that have historically been carried out in cases where airborne transmission of the agent is suspected include animal models (mostly ferret models to test for transmission of respiratory viruses) in which the airspace of individual boxes it is shared to allow the passage of the infectious agent from one animal to another. On the few occasions in which an attempt has been made to carry out a study in an animal model for agents in which transmission by direct contact is predominant, the models used use the joint housing of individuals, which does not allow the detection of transmission. exact route of predominant transmission (direct physical contact, e.g. fomites or by excretions, etc.) ( Animal Model To Study Klebsiella pneumoniae Gastrointestinal Colonization and Host-to-Host Transmission. Taylor M. Young et ai. Infection and Immunity. Oct 2020, 88 (11) e00071-20; DOI: 10.1128 /IAI.00071-20).
Dados los datos epidemiológicos de los agentes infecciosos en los que el contacto físico directo es su principal medio de transmisión, utilizar un modelo animal específico para comprender mejor la epidemiología del agente es indispensable para comprender mejor su dinámica y establecer medidas de control. En los estudios de transmisión por contacto físico directo en modelos animales, hasta la fecha, la necesaria cohabitación para permitir el contagio desemboca en la incapacidad para discernir el tipo de transmisión predominante que está generando la diseminación del agente. En estos sistemas de alojamiento los animales se encuentran en estrecho contacto, tanto físicamente entre ellos, como con las deyecciones que generan, por lo tanto, la relevancia del contacto directo físico, independizado de otro tipo de mecanismos de transmisión, no se puede estudiar. Given the epidemiological data of infectious agents in which direct physical contact is their main means of transmission, using a specific animal model to better understand the epidemiology of the agent is essential to better understand its dynamics and establish control measures. In studies of transmission by direct physical contact in animal models, to date, the necessary cohabitation to allow contagion results in the inability to discern the predominant type of transmission that is generating the spread of the agent. In these housing systems, the animals are in close contact, both physically with each other and with the droppings they generate. Therefore, the relevance of direct physical contact, independent of other types of transmission mechanisms, cannot be studied.
En el estado de la técnica respecto a los modelos animales para el estudio de la transmisión de agentes infecciosos, se conocen sistemas adecuados para analizar la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas por vía aérea. Entre estos sistemas, se pueden mencionar los descritos en las patentes: US6782845B1, que se refiere a un sistema de cubetas en las que se introduce aire estéril y en el que se cuenta con un animal centinela que se comporta como bioindicador para la detección de partículas infectivas en muestras de aire expirado por otros animales alojados en el mismo sistema; US20080087231A1, que describe un sistema de estantes cerrados en los que se alojan las cubetas de los animales e incluye un sistema para introducir aire filtrado, otro para controlar el flujo de aire y su dirección dentro de cada estante y otro para extraer aire de los estantes, de manera que puede crearse presión negativa en las cubetas; W02008098297A1 , en la que se describe un sistema que cuenta con una cubeta en la que se aloja uno o más animales centinela y que se conecta con otras cubetas adyacentes, todas ellas con aberturas y entradas y salidas de aire (que pueden contar con filtros) de manera que el flujo de aire pasa a través de las cubetas adyacentes y puede estudiarse el paso de los agentes infecciosos hasta los animales centinela. Otro tipo de sistemas es el conocido como “behavioral pattern monitor” (BPM) que describieron originalmente Geyer y col. en 1986 ( Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 25, pp. 277-288). En este caso se trata de una cubeta que tiene una serie de agujeros practicados en el suelo y en las paredes y en la que cada agujero está equipado con un haz de infrarrojos. Mediante la red de infrarrojos que se genera, se detectan los movimientos de los animales y, con ello, se estudia el comportamiento de un animal o grupos de animales en régimen de cohabitación. In the state of the art regarding animal models for the study of the transmission of infectious agents, adequate systems are known to analyze the transmission of infectious diseases by air. Among these systems, it is worth mentioning those described in the patents: US6782845B1, which refers to a system of trays in which sterile air is introduced and in which there is a sentinel animal that behaves as a bioindicator for the detection of particles infective in samples of expired air from other animals housed in the same system; US20080087231A1, which describes a system of closed shelves in which the animal trays are housed and includes a system to introduce filtered air, another to control the flow of air and its direction within each shelf, and another to extract air from the shelves , so that negative pressure can be created in the cuvettes; W02008098297A1 , which describes a system that has a tray in which one or more sentinel animals are housed and that is connected to other adjacent trays, all of them with openings and air inlets and outlets (which may have filters). so that the airflow passes through the adjacent trays and the passage of infectious agents to the sentinel animals can be studied. Another type of system is known as "behavioral pattern monitor" (BPM) that was originally described by Geyer et al. in 1986 (Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 25, pp. 277-288). In this case, it is a basin that has a series of holes made in the floor and in the walls and in which each hole is equipped with an infrared beam. Through the infrared network that is generated, the movements of the animals are detected and, with this, the behavior of an animal or groups of animals cohabiting is studied.
Actualmente no existe ningún sistema de alojamiento para animales de laboratorio que permita un contacto físico directo limitado, puntual y cuantificable, en el que los animales se encuentren aislados de las excreciones de sus compañeros y que además permita tratar a cada animal mediante sistemas de alimentación y bebida independientes. Currently there is no housing system for laboratory animals that allows limited, punctual and quantifiable direct physical contact, in which the animals are isolated from the excretions of their companions and that also allows each animal to be treated through feeding and independent drink.
EXPLICACIÓN DE LA INVENCIÓN EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION
Sistema de alojamiento de animales de laboratorio para el estudio de la transmisión de agentes infecciosos mediante contacto directo. Laboratory animal housing system for the study of the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact.
Para poder llevar a cabo estudios de transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas mediante interacciones por contacto físico directo en los animales de laboratorio, se ha desarrollado un sistema de alojamiento que permite que los animales alojados puedan contactar entre ellos de manera oral o nasal, pero impide el contacto con las deyecciones o la cama de otros animales, e individualiza la administración de alimento y agua de bebida. In order to carry out studies on the transmission of infectious diseases through direct physical contact interactions in laboratory animals, a housing system has been developed that allows housed animals to contact each other orally or nasally, but prevents contact with the droppings or bedding of other animals, and individualizes the administration of food and drinking water.
En este documento se entiende por “contacto físico directo” el contacto entre dos individuos piel con piel o entre mucosas (en este caso la oral o nasal), siguiendo las indicaciones y definiciones establecidas por los Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) de EEUU. In this document, “direct physical contact” is understood as contact between two individuals skin to skin or between mucous membranes (in this case, oral or nasal), following the indications and definitions established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of USA.
El sistema de alojamiento presentado puede alojar a un máximo de 6 o 7 animales de forma individual. El número máximo de animales alojados depende del tamaño de los mismos, que condiciona tanto el tamaño como las características de las cubetas para su alojamiento. Para animales de laboratorio de tamaño pequeño, incluyendo en esta categoría: ratones, ratas, hámsteres, cobayas, jerbos, y otros animales de tamaño semejante, el sistema de alojamiento se compone de cinco cubetas periféricas que se sitúan de forma radial sobre una lámina base, dando lugar a una cubeta central que queda delimitada, en cinco de sus lados, por las paredes centrales de las cubetas periféricas; mientras que el sexto lado de la cubeta central queda delimitado por un comedero independiente. Esta invención está diseñada para alojar animales de forma individual, con comederos individualizados para cada animal y permitiendo únicamente contacto directo entre animales mediante un orificio de contacto de tamaño y localización adecuados para que los animales puedan introducir el hocico. The housing system presented can house a maximum of 6 or 7 animals individually. The maximum number of animals housed depends on their size, which conditions both the size and the characteristics of the trays for their accommodation. For small laboratory animals, including in this category: mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and other animals of similar size, the housing system consists of five peripheral trays that are located radially on a base sheet, giving rise to a central tray that is delimited, on five of its sides, by the central walls of the peripheral basins; while the sixth side of the central basin is delimited by an independent feeder. This invention is designed to house animals individually, with individualized feeders for each animal and only allowing direct contact between animals through a contact hole of adequate size and location so that the animals can introduce their snouts.
A continuación, se pasa a detallar cada elemento del sistema de alojamiento para animales de laboratorio de tamaño pequeño de forma individual. El sistema de alojamiento contiene 5 cubetas periféricas, cada cubeta periférica se compone de:Next, each element of the housing system for small-sized laboratory animals is detailed individually. The housing system contains 5 peripheral cuvettes, each peripheral cuvette consists of:
- Dos paredes laterales rectangulares, ambas con las mismas dimensiones. - Two rectangular side walls, both with the same dimensions.
- Una pared central cuadrada o rectangular que presenta un orificio de contacto de tamaño y posición adecuados para que los individuos de la especie animal para la que se diseña el sistema de alojamiento puedan introducir el hocico con facilidad, pero no puedan introducir el resto del cuerpo. - A square or rectangular central wall that presents a contact hole of adequate size and position so that the individuals of the animal species for which the housing system is designed can easily introduce the snout, but cannot introduce the rest of the body .
- Un comedero, que constituye la pared externa de la cubeta periférica, para que los animales accedan a la comida y al agua. - A feeder, which constitutes the external wall of the peripheral trough, so that the animals have access to food and water.
- Suelo rectangular que se coloca entre 1-4cm por encima del borde inferior de las paredes de la cubeta periférica e independiza el contenido de cada cubeta periférica. - Rectangular floor that is placed between 1-4cm above the lower edge of the walls of the peripheral trough and separates the content of each peripheral trough.
Las cubetas periféricas tienen forma de paralelepípedo rectangular del que sobresale un comedero que, al mismo tiempo, delimita la pared externa de la cubeta periférica. Por otro lado, el suelo se coloca por encima del límite inferior de las paredes, generando cuatro bordes resaltados que delimitan el perímetro inferior de la cubeta a modo de pestañas inferiores. Mediante estas pestañas inferiores, las cubetas periféricas se acoplan a una lámina base del sistema de alojamiento que acoge a todas las cubetas y en la que se han excavado unos surcos adecuados para recibir las cuatro pestañas inferiores del perímetro inferior de cada una de las cubetas periféricas. Este diseño permite que las cubetas periféricas sean estancas e independientes, por lo que se pueden desacoplar de la lámina base para limpiarlas y desinfectarlas fácilmente. Además, la estanquidad de cada una de las cubetas garantiza que la orina del animal alojado en ella no contacta con otros animales. El sistema de alojamiento también incluye una cubeta central que es hexagonal y se delimita por la colocación de las cubetas periféricas; sus límites son las paredes centrales de las cinco cubetas periféricas y una pared de comedero independiente. El suelo de esta cubeta está compuesto por una plataforma con forma de hexágono que se sitúa encima de la lámina base para que el suelo de esta cubeta se mantenga a la misma altura que el suelo de las cubetas periféricas cuando estas se acoplan. Preferentemente, la forma del suelo de la cubeta central es un hexágono regular; de esta manera, el animal alojado en la cubeta central tiene las mismas posibilidades de contactar con cualquiera de los animales alojados en las cubetas periféricas y se evitan las diferencias entre paredes centrales, que podrían afectar al comportamiento del animal de la cubeta central. The peripheral troughs have the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped from which a trough protrudes which, at the same time, delimits the external wall of the peripheral trough. On the other hand, the floor is placed above the lower limit of the walls, generating four raised edges that define the lower perimeter of the basin as lower tabs. By means of these lower flanges, the peripheral trays are coupled to a base sheet of the housing system that houses all the trays and in which suitable grooves have been excavated to receive the four lower flanges of the lower perimeter of each one of the peripheral trays. . This design allows the peripheral trays to be watertight and independent, so they can be detached from the base sheet for easy cleaning and disinfection. In addition, the tightness of each of the trays guarantees that the urine of the animal housed in it does not come into contact with other animals. The housing system also includes a central trough that is hexagonal and delimited by the placement of the peripheral troughs; its limits are the central walls of the five peripheral troughs and a separate feeder wall. The floor of this tray is made up of a hexagon-shaped platform that is placed on top of the base sheet so that the floor of this tray remains at the same height as the floor of the peripheral trays when they are attached. Preferably, the shape of the bottom of the central trough is a regular hexagon; in this way, the animal housed in the central trough has the same possibilities of contacting any of the animals housed in the peripheral troughs and differences between central walls are avoided, which could affect the behavior of the animal in the central trough.
Además de las cinco paredes centrales de las cubetas periféricas, la sexta pared de la cubeta central se delimita por un comedero independiente, extraíble, similar a los que tienen acoplados las cubetas periféricas. En el caso de este comedero y para darle mayor estabilidad, preferentemente, las paredes laterales son cuadradas o rectangulares y actúan como pestañas que encajan en los surcos de la lámina base del sistema de alojamiento. Además, para ser capaces de darle inclinación a la comida y bebida que se administre al animal alojado en la cubeta central y que pueda acceder fácilmente a ella, se añade una lámina inclinada en el interior del comedero, de tal manera que acerca la comida a la ventana de comunicación entre este comedero y la cubeta central. La inclinación es, preferentemente de 45°. Asimismo, las paredes laterales de este comedero poseen un raíl cada una en el que se acopla una rejilla desmontable que permite al animal acceder al alimento. In addition to the five central walls of the peripheral troughs, the sixth wall of the central trough is delimited by a separate, removable trough, similar to those attached to the peripheral troughs. In the case of this feeder, and to give it greater stability, preferably, the side walls are square or rectangular and act as tabs that fit into the grooves of the base sheet of the housing system. In addition, in order to be able to incline the food and drink that is administered to the animal housed in the central trough and that can easily access it, an inclined sheet is added inside the trough, in such a way that it brings the food closer to the trough. the communication window between this trough and the central bucket. The inclination is preferably 45°. Likewise, the side walls of this feeder each have a rail in which a removable grid is attached that allows the animal to access the food.
En una realización preferida, los comederos de las cubetas periféricas se componen de dos paredes triangulares con un raíl para introducir una rejilla que permite el acceso al alimento y una pared inclinada exterior. Estos comederos están incluidos en la estructura de las cubetas periféricas. In a preferred embodiment, the feeders of the peripheral troughs are made up of two triangular walls with a rail to introduce a grid that allows access to the food and an outer inclined wall. These troughs are included in the structure of the peripheral troughs.
Tanto las cubetas periféricas como el comedero de la cubeta central se encajan en surcos de entre 1 y 4 cm de profundidad, excavados en la lámina base del sistema de alojamiento, de modo que una vez colocados en su sitio quedan fijos sobre la lámina base. El sistema completamente montado genera seis alojamientos independientes, cinco periféricos que contactan con el central a través de un orificio de contacto en la pared central de cada uno de ellos, y un alojamiento hexagonal central que contacta con los periféricos en cinco de sus lados y con el comedero independiente en su sexta pared. En función de la especie animal que se va a utilizar, las dimensiones de las cubetas periféricas y central son diferentes, así como el diámetro y la localización del orificio que sirve para que tenga lugar el contacto hocico-hocico entre animales. Both the peripheral troughs and the trough of the central trough are embedded in grooves between 1 and 4 cm deep, excavated in the base sheet of the housing system, so that once they are placed in place they remain fixed on the base sheet. The fully assembled system generates six independent housings, five peripherals that contact the central one through a contact hole in the central wall of each of them, and a central hexagonal housing that contacts the peripherals on five of its sides and with the independent feeder on its sixth wall. Depending on the animal species that is going to be used, the dimensions of the peripheral and central trays are different, as well as the diameter and location of the hole that is used for snout-snout contact between animals.
En el caso del sistema de alojamiento para animales de laboratorio de tamaño mediano (como pueden ser el conejo y el hurón, por ejemplo) el comedero independiente de la cubeta central se sustituye por una sexta cubeta periférica de idénticas características a las otras cinco cubetas periféricas. En esta alternativa, las cubetas son de tamaño superior al tamaño de las cubetas periféricas destinadas a alojar ratones, ratas o hámsteres y se eliminan los comederos independientes, puesto que se proporcionan a los animales alimentación y bebida en recipientes depositados sobre el suelo de la propia cubeta, sustituyéndolos por una pared externa con las mismas dimensiones que la pared central. En este sistema de alojamiento, por lo tanto, se eleva a 7 el número de animales que se pueden alojar de forma individualizada. In the case of the housing system for medium-sized laboratory animals (such as rabbits and ferrets, for example), the independent feeder in the central trough is replaced by a sixth peripheral trough with the same characteristics as the other five peripheral troughs. . In this alternative, the trays are larger than the size of the peripheral trays intended to house mice, rats or hamsters and independent feeders are eliminated, since the animals are provided with food and drink in containers placed on the floor of the house itself. basin, replacing them with an external wall with the same dimensions as the central wall. In this housing system, therefore, the number of animals that can be housed individually rises to 7.
El diseño de comederos independientes permite dosificar la alimentación a cada animal por separado. El diámetro del orificio de contacto se determina de manera que reduce considerablemente la posibilidad de que haya contaminación cruzada entre los animales y limita el contacto entre ellos a puntuales contactos naso-orales, en el momento en el que introduzcan de forma simultánea el hocico el animal central y alguno de los periféricos. Este diámetro va desde los 0,5 cm para los ratones a los 4cm para animales de mayor tamaño como los hurones. Para la correcta funcionalidad del sistema es necesario que el tamaño del orificio de contacto sea siempre el mínimo imprescindible, lo que evita que el material de cama de los animales (contaminado con heces u orina) atraviese el orificio de contacto de una cubeta a otra. Además, la altura del orificio de contacto con respecto a la del suelo de la cubeta debe ser suficiente para que el animal pueda introducir su hocico en una postura no forzada, pero lo suficientemente separada del suelo para que animales escarbadores no sean capaces de lanzar material de cama contra el mismo y hacerlo pasar a la cubeta central. Opcionalmente, puede utilizarse un sistema de grabación cenital que permita contabilizar el número de contactos entre el animal alojado en la cubeta central y los animales alojados en las cubetas periféricas mientras se encuentren alojados en las cubetas. Para ello, la tapa que determina la superficie superior del sistema de alojamiento se realiza en material transparente, preferentemente vidrio. The design of independent feeders allows to dose the food to each animal separately. The diameter of the contact hole is determined in such a way that it considerably reduces the possibility of cross-contamination between the animals and limits the contact between them to punctual nasal-oral contacts, at the moment in which the animal simultaneously introduces the snout central and some of the peripherals. This diameter ranges from 0.5 cm for mice to 4 cm for larger animals such as ferrets. For the correct functionality of the system, it is necessary that the size of the contact hole is always the essential minimum, which prevents the animal bedding material (contaminated with feces or urine) from passing through the contact hole from one tray to another. In addition, the height of the contact hole with respect to that of the floor of the tray must be sufficient so that the animal can introduce its snout in an unforced position, but sufficiently separated from the floor so that digging animals are not capable of throwing material. bed against it and make it pass to the central basin. Optionally, an overhead recording system can be used to count the number of contacts between the animal housed in the central trough and the animals housed in the peripheral troughs while they are housed in the troughs. For this, the cover that determines the upper surface of the housing system is made of transparent material, preferably glass.
En la cubeta central se aloja al animal que ha sido inoculado con el agente infeccioso que se desea estudiar y que, a través de los orificios de contacto, puede establecer contacto directo con hasta un máximo de 5 o 6 animales periféricos. A este animal se le denomina animal donador. Por agente infeccioso, en esta memoria descriptiva, se entiende cualquier entidad biológica capaz de establecerse en el animal en cuestión y producir o no una enfermedad infecciosa en el hospedador, incluyendo virus, bacterias, hongos, priones, protozoos, helmintos, etc. La utilización de esta invención se basa en el alojamiento individualizado de un animal en cada cubeta y la inoculación del animal alojado en la cubeta central, seguido de un periodo de transmisión en el que el animal alojado en la cubeta central irá contactando con los animales de las cubetas periféricas. En este sentido, dependiendo del agente infeccioso que quiera utilizarse, se variarán los protocolos de infección y los tiempos de transmisión. The central cuvette houses the animal that has been inoculated with the infectious agent to be studied and that, through the contact holes, can establish direct contact with up to a maximum of 5 or 6 peripheral animals. This animal is called a donor animal. By infectious agent, in this specification, is meant any biological entity capable of establishing itself in the animal in question and producing or not an infectious disease in the host, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, prions, protozoa, helminths, etc. The use of this invention is based on the individual accommodation of an animal in each tray and the inoculation of the animal housed in the central tray, followed by a transmission period in which the animal housed in the central tray will contact the animals of the peripheral cuvettes. In this sense, depending on the infectious agent to be used, the infection protocols and transmission times will vary.
La invención puede utilizarse para el estudio de transmisibilidad de cualquier tipo de agente infeccioso capaz de sobrevivir en la mucosa oral de los animales y de transmitirse por contacto físico directo. The invention can be used to study the transmissibility of any type of infectious agent capable of surviving in the oral mucosa of animals and of being transmitted by direct physical contact.
Este sistema de alojamiento representa una innovación en el estudio de la transmisión de agentes infecciosos, ya que permite modelizar su dinámica en un modelo animal controlable y cuantificable, además de permitir introducir factores como tratamientos con fármacos, sustancias o dietas individualizadas a los animales sin necesidad de utilizar métodos invasivos y mejorando la calidad ética de los experimentos. This housing system represents an innovation in the study of the transmission of infectious agents, since it allows modeling its dynamics in a controllable and quantifiable animal model, in addition to allowing factors such as treatments with drugs, substances or individualized diets to be introduced to the animals without the need for of using invasive methods and improving the ethical quality of experiments.
La invención que se presenta en esta solicitud permite que los animales contacten mediante contacto directo hocico-hocico y limita el contacto con fómites como el material de la cama y otras secreciones como heces u orina. La tapa transparente permite seguir la actividad de los animales, incluso por grabación, determinar el momento en el que contactan y cuantificarlo, para luego poder relacionarlo con el fenómeno de transmisión. Además, el carácter desmontable del sistema permite una desinfección completa y fácil, permitiendo reutilizar el modelo garantizando la limpieza y desinfección del mismo. The invention presented in this application allows animals to contact by direct snout-snout contact and limits contact with fomites such as bedding material and other secretions such as feces or urine. The transparent cover makes it possible to follow the activity of the animals, even by recording, to determine the moment in which they make contact and to quantify it, in order to later be able to relate it to the transmission phenomenon. In addition, the removable nature of the system allows complete and easy disinfection, allowing the model to be reused, guaranteeing its cleaning and disinfection.
Hasta la fecha, no se conoce un sistema similar al expuesto en este documento, que permita el control del contacto entre animales, la cuantificación del mismo y, además, sea fácilmente manejable en cuando a su montaje y mantenimiento. To date, there is no known system similar to the one presented in this document, which allows the control of contact between animals, its quantification and, in addition, is easily manageable in terms of its assembly and maintenance.
BREVE DESCRIPCIÓN DE LOS DIBUJOS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figura 1. Esquema de una vista cenital del sistema de alojamiento de animales de laboratorio de pequeño tamaño, como ratones, ratas, hámsteres, cobayas o jerbos. Figure 1. Diagram of a top view of the housing system for small laboratory animals, such as mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs or gerbils.
Figura 2. Esquema de la disposición tridimensional de las cubetas del sistema de alojamiento de animales de laboratorio de pequeño tamaño, como ratones, ratas, hámsteres, cobayas o jerbos. Figure 2. Diagram of the three-dimensional arrangement of the trays of the housing system for small laboratory animals, such as mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs or gerbils.
Figura 3. Esquema de una cubeta periférica (2) con comedero (21). Figure 3. Diagram of a peripheral tray (2) with a trough (21).
Figura 4. Esquema de las piezas de la cubeta periférica (2) y sus dimensiones. Figure 4. Diagram of the parts of the peripheral basin (2) and its dimensions.
Figura 5. Esquema del comedero independiente (11) de la cubeta central (1). Se muestran dos vistas (A y B). Figure 5. Diagram of the independent feeder (11) of the central basin (1). Two views (A and B) are shown.
Figura 6. Esquema de las piezas que componen el comedero independiente (11) de la cubeta central (1). Figure 6. Diagram of the parts that make up the independent trough (11) of the central basin (1).
Figura 7. Esquema de la lámina base (6), de los surcos (61) y de la plataforma central (5). Figure 7. Diagram of the base sheet (6), of the grooves (61) and of the central platform (5).
Figura 8. Esquema de la disposición tridimensional de las cubetas del sistema de alojamiento de animales de laboratorio de tamaño mediano (conejos, hurones). Figure 8. Diagram of the three-dimensional arrangement of the trays of the housing system for medium-sized laboratory animals (rabbits, ferrets).
Figura 9. Esquema de una cubeta periférica (2) del sistema de alojamiento de animales de laboratorio de tamaño mediano (conejos, hurones). Figure 9. Diagram of a peripheral basin (2) of the storage system for medium-sized laboratory animals (rabbits, ferrets).
A continuación, se proporciona una lista de los distintos elementos representados en las figuras que integran la invención: Below is a list of the different elements represented in the figures that make up the invention:
1 = cubeta central, 1 = central basin,
I I = comedero independiente, I I = separate feeder,
I I I = pared central del comedero independiente (11) de cubeta central (1),I I I = central wall of the independent trough (11) of the central trough (1),
1111 = ventana del comedero independiente (11) de cubeta central (1), 1111 = window of the independent trough (11) of the central basin (1),
112 = paredes laterales del comedero independiente (11) de cubeta central (1),112 = side walls of the independent trough (11) of the central trough (1),
1122 = escalón para la rejilla de la pared lateral (112) del comedero independiente (11) de la cubeta central (1), 1122 = step for the grill on the side wall (112) of the independent trough (11) of the central trough (1),
113 = pared exterior del comedero independiente (11) de cubeta central (1), 113 = outer wall of the independent trough (11) of the central trough (1),
114 = pared inclinada del comedero independiente (11) de cubeta central (1),114 = inclined wall of the independent trough (11) of the central trough (1),
115 =suelo del comedero independiente (11) de la cubeta central (1), 115 = floor of the independent trough (11) of the central bucket (1),
116 = pestañas inferiores del comedero independiente (11) de la cubeta central (1),116 = lower tabs of the independent trough (11) of the central trough (1),
2 = cubeta periférica, 2 = peripheral cuvette,
21 = comedero de cubeta periférica (2), 21 = peripheral trough feeder (2),
211 = pared inclinada del comedero (21) de cubeta periférica (2), 211 = inclined wall of the trough (21) of peripheral trough (2),
22 = pared lateral de cubeta periférica (2), 22 = side wall of peripheral tray (2),
223 = hendidura para la rejilla del comedero (21) de la cubeta periférica (2), 223 = slot for the trough grid (21) of the peripheral trough (2),
23 = pared central de cubeta periférica (2), 23 = central wall of peripheral tray (2),
24 = suelo de cubeta periférica (2), 24 = floor of peripheral tray (2),
25 = pestaña inferior externa de la cubeta periférica (2), 25 = external lower flange of the peripheral bowl (2),
26= pared externa de las cubetas periféricas (2) en el sistema de alojamiento para animales de tamaño mediano (como hurones o conejos), 26= external wall of the peripheral troughs (2) in the housing system for medium-sized animals (such as ferrets or rabbits),
27 = pestañas inferiores laterales de las cubetas periféricas (2), 27 = lower lateral flanges of the peripheral trays (2),
28 = pestañas inferiores internas de las cubetas periféricas (2), 28 = internal lower flanges of the peripheral trays (2),
3 = orificio de contacto, 3 = contact hole,
5= plataforma hexagonal de la cubeta central (1), 5= hexagonal platform of the central basin (1),
6= lámina base, 6= base sheet,
61= surcos excavados en la lámina base (6) 61= grooves excavated in the base plate (6)
REALIZACIÓN PREFERENTE DE LA INVENCIÓN Ejemplo 1. Sistema de alojamiento para ratones. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Example 1. Housing system for mice.
Se elaboró un sistema de alojamiento para estudiar la transmisión de agentes infecciosos mediante contacto directo entre ratones, cuyo esquema se puede ver en la figura 1 (vista cenital) y en la figura 2 (esquema tridimensional). A housing system was developed to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between mice, the scheme of which can be seen in Figure 1 (top view) and Figure 2 (three-dimensional scheme).
El sistema se fabricó con metacrilato transparente de 20mm de grosor en la lámina base (6) y 4mm en las cubetas periféricas (2), una tapa de cristal de 1 ,5cm de grosor y rejillas metálicas para permitir el acceso de los ratones a los comederos, con un grosor de barrotes de 0,5cm y una distancia entre barrotes de 1cm. The system was made with 20mm-thick transparent methacrylate for the base sheet (6) and 4mm for the peripheral trays (2), a 1.5cm-thick glass lid and metal grids to allow mice access to the tubes. feeders, with a thickness of bars of 0.5 cm and a distance between bars of 1 cm.
Se elaboraron 5 cubetas periféricas (2) iguales (figuras 3 y 4), cada una de ellas con:5 identical peripheral trays (2) were made (figures 3 and 4), each with:
- Dos paredes laterales (22) formadas por un rectángulo de 28cm de base, 16cm de alto y un triángulo rectángulo que hace de pared del comedero cuyo lado interno se corresponde con la profundidad de una hendidura (223) de 13cm y 0,5 de anchura, esta pared del comedero tiene un lado cateto superior de 8cm y una hipotenusa de 17cm que se extiende hasta anclarse a 1cm del límite inferior del rectángulo, dejando una pestaña inferior lateral (27) de 1cm. - Two side walls (22) formed by a rectangle with a 28cm base, 16cm height and a right triangle that acts as the wall of the feeder whose internal side corresponds to the depth of a slit (223) of 13cm and 0.5 of width, this wall of the trough has an upper leg of 8cm and a hypotenuse of 17cm that extends to anchor 1cm from the lower limit of the rectangle, leaving a lower lateral flange (27) of 1cm.
- Una pared central (23) rectangular de 14,2 de base y 16cm de altura con un orificio de contacto (3) central de 0,5cm de diámetro por el cual los animales son capaces de meter el hocico. Este orificio de contacto (3) se colocó a 7,5cm del límite inferior de la pared central (6,5cm del suelo de la cubeta) y centrado con respecto a los límites laterales de la misma - A rectangular central wall (23) with a base of 14.2 and a height of 16 cm with a central contact hole (3) with a diameter of 0.5 cm through which the animals are able to insert their snouts. This contact hole (3) was placed 7.5cm from the lower limit of the central wall (6.5cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to the lateral limits of the same.
- Un comedero (21) en forma de prisma triangular, que constituye la pared externa de la cubeta periférica (2) y está formado por las regiones triangulares de las paredes laterales (22), una pared inclinada (211) de 17cm de alto y 14,2cm de base. En la hendidura (223) que dejan las paredes laterales (22) se colocó una rejilla de acero con una distancia entre barrotes de 0,5cm para que los animales puedan acceder a la comida y al agua. Entre las dos paredes laterales (22), más concretamente, entre las dos pestañas laterales (27), y alineado con el límite externo del suelo de la cubeta, se colocó una pestaña de 14,2cm de largo y 1,4cm de ancho que actúa de pestaña externa (25). - A trough (21) in the shape of a triangular prism, which constitutes the external wall of the peripheral trough (2) and is formed by the triangular regions of the side walls (22), an inclined wall (211) 17cm high and 14.2cm base. In the slit (223) left by the side walls (22) a steel grid was placed with a distance between bars of 0.5cm so that the animals could access food and water. Between the two side walls (22), more specifically, between the two side flanges (27), and aligned with the external limit of the bottom of the tray, a flange 14.2 cm long and 1.4 cm wide was placed, which acts as an external tab (25).
- Suelo (24) de metacrilato rectangular de 14,2cmx27,2cm que se colocó 1cm por encima del borde inferior de las paredes de cada cubeta periférica (2), dando lugar a una pestaña inferior interna (28) y dos pestañas inferiores laterales (27) de 0,4cm de grosor y 1cm de profundidad. Se elaboró también un comedero independiente (11) para la cubeta central (1) cuyas paredes laterales se diseñaron rectangulares para darle mayor estabilidad (figuras 5 y 6). Las medidas de este comedero independiente (11) fueron: - Floor (24) of rectangular methacrylate measuring 14.2cmx27.2cm that was placed 1cm above the lower edge of the walls of each peripheral tray (2), giving rise to a lower internal flange (28) and two lower lateral flanges ( 27) 0.4cm thick and 1cm deep. An independent trough (11) was also made for the central basin (1) whose side walls were designed rectangular to give it greater stability (figures 5 and 6). The measurements of this independent feeder (11) were:
- Pared central (111): una pared de 14,2cm de base y 16cm de alto con una oquedad a 3cm de su borde inferior de 11cm x11cm para dar lugar a una ventana (1111) de comunicación entre el comedero independiente (11) y la cubeta central (1) (figura 5B y figura 6A). - Central wall (111): a wall with a base of 14.2cm and a height of 16cm with a hole 3cm from its lower edge of 11cm x 11cm to give rise to a window (1111) for communication between the independent feeder (11) and the central basin (1) (figure 5B and figure 6A).
- Paredes laterales (112): dos paredes laterales de 8cm de base por 16cm de alto en cuyo borde central se excavó un escalón (1122) de 0,9cm de anchura y 13cm de alto a 3cm del borde inferior de la pared (112), como se muestra en la figura 6B, para crear una hendidura en la que acoplar una rejilla de acero, con una distancia entre barrotes de 0,5cm, para que el animal pueda acceder a la comida y al agua desde la cubeta central (1). - Side walls (112): two side walls with a base of 8cm and a height of 16cm, on the central edge of which a step (1122) was excavated, 0.9cm wide and 13cm high, 3cm from the lower edge of the wall (112). , as shown in figure 6B, to create a slit in which to fit a steel grid, with a distance between bars of 0.5cm, so that the animal can access food and water from the central trough (1 ).
- Pared exterior (113) de 14,2cm de base y 16cm de alto como la pared central (111).- Exterior wall (113) with a base of 14.2cm and a height of 16cm like the central wall (111).
- Pared inclinada interna (114): en el interior del comedero independiente (11) se incluyó una pared para dar inclinación a la comida que se coloca en el comedero y permitir que el animal acceda a ella (figura 5A). Esta pieza se realizó con una base de 14,2 cm y una altura de 17 cm y se colocó con una angulación de 45° respecto al suelo (115) del comedero independiente (11). - Internal inclined wall (114): inside the independent feeder (11) a wall was included to give an inclination to the food that is placed in the feeder and allow the animal to access it (figure 5A). This piece was made with a base of 14.2 cm and a height of 17 cm and was placed at an angle of 45° with respect to the floor (115) of the independent feeder (11).
- Suelo (115) de metacrilato de 7,2cm x 14,2cm colocado, como en las cubetas periféricas (2), 1cm por encima del borde inferior de las paredes laterales (112), central (111) y exterior (113) del comedero independiente (11), dando lugar a una pestaña inferior (116), de 1cm de altura, en cada una de las paredes. - 7.2cm x 14.2cm methacrylate floor (115) placed, as in the peripheral trays (2), 1cm above the lower edge of the side (112), central (111) and exterior (113) walls of the independent trough (11), giving rise to a lower flange (116), 1 cm high, on each of the walls.
Se preparó una lámina base (6) (figura 7) de metacrilato de 20mm de espesor y unas dimensiones de 150cm x150cm en la que se practicaron surcos (61) de 1 cm de profundidad y 4 mm de grosor, en los que se encajan las pestañas inferiores externas (25), internas (28) y laterales (27) de las cubetas periféricas (2) y las pestañas inferiores (116) del comedero independiente (11). En el centro de la lámina base (6) se colocó una plataforma hexagonal (5) regular de 15cm de lado que sirve de suelo a la cubeta central (1) y cuyos lados determinan la disposición radial de las cinco cubetas periféricas (2). La plataforma hexagonal (5) de la cubeta central (1), las paredes interiores de las cubetas periféricas (2) y el comedero independiente (11) dan lugar en su interior a la cubeta central (1) hexagonal. Junto a cada uno de los lados de la plataforma hexagonal (5) se realizaron los surcos (61) de un centímetro de profundidad de forma radial a la misma. Los surcos (61) se practicaron con unas medidas de 15cmx28cm para alojar las cubetas periféricas y de 15cmx8cm para alojar el comedero independiente. A base sheet (6) (figure 7) of 20mm thick methacrylate and dimensions of 150cm x 150cm was prepared in which grooves (61) 1 cm deep and 4 mm thick were made, in which the lower external (25), internal (28) and lateral (27) tabs of the peripheral trays (2) and the lower tabs (116) of the independent trough (11). In the center of the base sheet (6) a regular hexagonal platform (5) with a side of 15 cm was placed, which serves as the floor for the central tray (1) and whose sides determine the radial arrangement of the five peripheral trays (2). The hexagonal platform (5) of the central trough (1), the inner walls of the peripheral troughs (2) and the independent trough (11) give rise to the central hexagonal trough (1). Along each side of the hexagonal platform (5) grooves (61) were made one centimeter deep radially to it. The grooves (61) were made with measurements of 15cmx28cm to house the peripheral trays and 15cmx8cm to house the independent feeder.
Las cubetas periféricas (2) por lo tanto, en este ejemplo, tienen una superficie de 405cm2 y una capacidad total de 5670cm3, mientras que la cubeta central (1) obtiene una superficie de aproximadamente 585cm2 y una capacidad total de 8.775cm3. The peripheral basins (2) therefore, in this example, have a surface area of 405cm 2 and a total capacity of 5670cm 3 , while the central basin (1) obtains a surface area of approximately 585cm 2 and a total capacity of 8.775cm 3 .
Para cubrir el sistema de alojamiento se utilizó una tapa de cristal transparente de 1,5 cm de grosor. A 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.
Ejemplo 2. Monitorización de los contactos entre animales. Example 2. Monitoring of contacts between animals.
Se completó el sistema de alojamiento descrito en el ejemplo 1 con un dispositivo de vídeo-vigilancia que permite contabilizar y cuantificar el número de contactos entre el animal donador alojado en la cubeta central (1) y los animales de las cubetas periféricas (2). The housing system described in example 1 was completed with a video surveillance device that allows counting and quantifying the number of contacts between the donor animal housed in the central trough (1) and the animals in the peripheral troughs (2).
Para llevar a cabo esta vigilancia, se colocó un dispositivo de grabación cenital (cámara de gran angular) sobre la cubeta central que permite visualizar tanto al animal donador como a los animales periféricos. Este dispositivo de grabación se conectó con un sistema de almacenamiento (disco duro externo) que permitió almacenar los vídeos y visualizarlos posteriormente. Una vez instalado el sistema de vídeo-vigilancia, se inoculó al animal donador con un cultivo de Klebsiella pneumoniae y se dejaron transcurrir 24 horas. Durante este periodo de transmisión, los animales se encontraban libres en sus respectivas cubetas y podían contactar hocico-hocico debido a su comportamiento curioso y social. To carry out this surveillance, an overhead recording device (wide-angle camera) was placed on the central cuvette that allows visualizing both the donor animal and the peripheral animals. This recording device was connected to a storage system (external hard drive) that allowed the videos to be stored and viewed later. Once the video surveillance system was installed, the donor animal was inoculated with a culture of Klebsiella pneumoniae and allowed to elapse for 24 hours. During this transmission period, the animals were free in their respective trays and could make snout-snout contact due to their curious and social behaviour.
Transcurrido el periodo de transmisión se recuperaron los vídeos del sistema de almacenamiento y se visualizaron, lo que permitió contabilizar el número de contactos entre animales, la duración de estos y el momento en el que se producen. En este caso se obtuvo una media de 20 contactos entre el animal donador y receptor, con una duración media de 1,38 segundos cada contacto, produciéndose la mayoría de contactos entre las horas 14° y 15° tras la inoculación. Ejemplo 3. Sistema de alojamiento para ratas. Once the transmission period had elapsed, the videos were retrieved from the storage system and displayed, which made it possible to count the number of contacts between animals, their duration and the moment in which they occur. In this case, an average of 20 contacts between the donor and recipient animal was obtained, with an average duration of 1.38 seconds each contact, with most contacts occurring between hours 14 and 15 after inoculation. Example 3. Housing system for rats.
Se elaboró un sistema de alojamiento similar al descrito en el ejemplo 1 , pero variando sus medidas para estudiar la transmisión de agentes infecciosos mediante contacto directo entre ratas (figuras 1 y 2). A housing system similar to the one described in example 1 was developed, but varying its measurements to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between rats (figures 1 and 2).
El sistema se fabricó con metacrilato transparente de 30mm de grosor en la lámina base y 4mm en las cubetas periféricas (2), una tapa de cristal de 1,5cm de grosor y rejillas metálicas para permitir el acceso de las ratas a los comederos, con un grosor de barrotes de 0,5cm y una distancia entre barrotes de 1cm. The system was made with 30mm-thick transparent methacrylate for the base sheet and 4mm-thick for the peripheral trays (2), a 1.5cm-thick glass lid and metal grids to allow rats access to the feeders, with a thickness of bars of 0.5cm and a distance between bars of 1cm.
Se elaboraron 5 cubetas periféricas (2) iguales (figuras 3 y 4), cada una de ellas con:5 identical peripheral trays (2) were made (figures 3 and 4), each with:
- Dos paredes laterales (22) formadas por un rectángulo de 40cm de base, 20cm de alto y un triángulo rectángulo que hace de pared del comedero cuyo lado interno se corresponde con la profundidad de una hendidura (223) de 16cm y 0,5cm de anchura, esta pared del comedero tiene un lado cateto superior de 11cm y una hipotenusa de 21 cm que se extiende hasta anclarse a 2cm del límite inferior del rectángulo, dejando una pestaña inferior lateral de 2cm (27) en cada pared lateral. - Two side walls (22) formed by a rectangle with a 40cm base, 20cm height and a right triangle that acts as the wall of the feeder whose internal side corresponds to the depth of a slit (223) of 16cm and 0.5cm deep. width, this trough wall has a 11cm upper leg and a 21cm hypotenuse that extends to anchor 2cm from the bottom edge of the rectangle, leaving a 2cm lower lateral flange (27) on each side wall.
- Una pared central (23) rectangular de 20,2 de base y 20cm de altura con un orificio de contacto (3) central de 1cm de diámetro por el cual los animales son capaces de meter el hocico. Este orificio se colocó a 13cm del límite inferior de la pared central (11cm del suelo de la cubeta) y centrado con respecto a los límites laterales de la misma. - A rectangular central wall (23) with a base of 20.2 and a height of 20 cm with a central contact hole (3) with a diameter of 1 cm through which the animals are able to insert their snouts. This hole was placed 13cm from the lower limit of the central wall (11cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to the lateral limits of the same.
- Un comedero (21) en forma de prisma triangular, que constituye la pared externa de la cubeta periférica (2) y está formado por las regiones triangulares de las paredes laterales (22), una pared inclinada (211) de 21cm de alto y 20,2cm de base. En la hendidura (223) que dejan las paredes laterales (22) se colocó una rejilla de acero con una distancia entre barrotes de 1cm para que los animales accedan a la comida y al agua. Entre las dos paredes laterales (22), más concretamente, entre las dos pestañas laterales (27), y alineada con el límite externo del suelo de la cubeta, se colocó una pestaña de 20,2cm de largo y 2,4cm de ancho que actúa de pestaña externa (25), para encajarse en el surco (61) de la lámina base (6). - A trough (21) in the shape of a triangular prism, which constitutes the external wall of the peripheral trough (2) and is formed by the triangular regions of the side walls (22), an inclined wall (211) 21 cm high and 20.2cm base. In the slit (223) left by the side walls (22) a steel grid was placed with a distance between bars of 1 cm for the animals to access food and water. Between the two side walls (22), more specifically, between the two side flanges (27), and aligned with the external limit of the bottom of the tray, a flange 20.2 cm long and 2.4 cm wide was placed, which It acts as an external flange (25) to fit into the groove (61) of the base sheet (6).
- Suelo (24) de metacrilato rectangular de 20,2cmx39,2cm que se colocó 2cm por encima del borde inferior de las paredes de cada cubeta periférica (2), dando lugar a pestañas inferiores (25, 27 y 28) de 0,4cm de anchura y 2cm de largo. Se elaboró también un comedero independiente (11) para la cubeta central (1) cuyas paredes laterales se diseñaron rectangulares para darle mayor estabilidad (figuras 5 y 6). Las medidas de este comedero independiente (11) fueron: - Floor (24) of rectangular methacrylate of 20.2cmx39.2cm that was placed 2cm above the lower edge of the walls of each peripheral tray (2), giving rise to lower tabs (25, 27 and 28) of 0.4cm wide and 2cm long. An independent trough (11) was also made for the central basin (1) whose side walls were designed rectangular to give it greater stability (figures 5 and 6). The measurements of this independent feeder (11) were:
- Pared central (111): una pared de 20,2cm de base y 20cm de alto con una oquedad a 3cm de su borde inferior de 11cm x13cm para dar lugar a una ventana (1111) de comunicación entre el comedero independiente (11) y la cubeta central (1) (figura 5B y figura 6A). - Central wall (111): a wall with a base of 20.2cm and a height of 20cm with a hole 3cm from its lower edge of 11cm x 13cm to give rise to a window (1111) for communication between the independent feeder (11) and the central basin (1) (figure 5B and figure 6A).
- Paredes laterales (112): dos paredes laterales de 11cm de base por 20cm de alto en cuyo borde central se excavó un escalón (1122) de 1 cm de anchura y 17cm de alto a 3cm del borde inferior de la pared (112). - Lateral walls (112): two lateral walls with a base of 11cm and a height of 20cm, on the central edge of which a step (1122) 1cm wide and 17cm high was excavated, 3cm from the lower edge of the wall (112).
- Pared exterior (113) de 20,2cm de base y 20cm de alto como la central. - Exterior wall (113) with a base of 20.2cm and a height of 20cm like the central one.
- Pared inclinada interna (114): en el interior del comedero independiente (11) se incluyó una pared para dar inclinación a la comida que se coloca en el comedero y permitir que el animal acceda a ella (figura 5A). Esta pieza se realizó con una base de 20,2 cm y una altura de 21 cm y se colocó con una angulación de 45° respecto al suelo.- Internal inclined wall (114): inside the independent feeder (11) a wall was included to give an inclination to the food that is placed in the feeder and allow the animal to access it (figure 5A). This piece was made with a base of 20.2 cm and a height of 21 cm and was placed at an angle of 45° with respect to the ground.
- Suelo (115) de metacrilato de 10,2cm x 20,2cm colocado, como en las cubetas periféricas (2), 2cm por encima del borde inferior de las paredes laterales (112), central (111) y exterior (113) del comedero independiente (11), dando lugar a una pestaña inferior (116) de 2cm de altura. - 10.2cm x 20.2cm methacrylate floor (115) placed, as in the peripheral trays (2), 2cm above the lower edge of the side (112), central (111) and exterior (113) walls of the independent feeder (11), giving rise to a lower flange (116) 2 cm high.
Se preparó una lámina base (6) (figura 7) de metacrilato de 30mm de espesor y unas dimensiones de 200cm x 200cm en la que se practicaron surcos (61) de 2 cm de profundidad y 4 mm de grosor, en los que se encajan las pestañas inferiores (25, 27 y 28) de las cubetas periféricas (2) y las pestañas inferiores (116) del comedero independiente (11). En el centro de la lámina base (6) se colocó una plataforma hexagonal (5) regular de 21cm de lado que sirve de suelo a la cubeta central (1) y cuyos lados determinan la disposición radial de las cinco cubetas periféricas (2). La plataforma hexagonal (5) de la cubeta central (1), las paredes interiores de las cubetas periféricas (2) y el comedero independiente (11) dan lugar en su interior a la cubeta central (1) hexagonal. Junto a cada uno de los lados de la plataforma hexagonal (5) se realizaron los surcos (61) de dos centímetros de profundidad y 0,4cm de anchura de forma radial a la misma. Los surcos (61) se practicaron con unas medidas de 21cmx40cm para alojar las cubetas periféricas y de 21cmx11cm para alojar el comedero independiente. Para cubrir el sistema de alojamiento se utilizó una tapa de cristal transparente de 1,5 cm de grosor. A base sheet (6) (figure 7) of 30mm thick methacrylate and dimensions of 200cm x 200cm was prepared in which grooves (61) 2 cm deep and 4 mm thick were made, into which the the lower flanges (25, 27 and 28) of the peripheral trays (2) and the lower flanges (116) of the independent trough (11). In the center of the base sheet (6) a regular hexagonal platform (5) with a side of 21 cm was placed, which serves as the floor for the central basin (1) and whose sides determine the radial arrangement of the five peripheral basins (2). The hexagonal platform (5) of the central trough (1), the inner walls of the peripheral troughs (2) and the independent trough (11) give rise to the central hexagonal trough (1). Next to each of the sides of the hexagonal platform (5) grooves (61) were made two centimeters deep and 0.4cm wide radially to it. The grooves (61) were made with measurements of 21cmx40cm to house the peripheral trays and 21cmx11cm to house the independent feeder. A 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.
Ejemplo 4. Sistema de alojamiento para hámsteres Example 4. Housing system for hamsters
Se elaboró un sistema de alojamiento similar al descrito en el ejemplo 1 , pero variando sus medidas para estudiar la transmisión de agentes infecciosos mediante contacto directo entre hámsteres. El sistema de alojamiento está esquematizado en la figura 1 (vista cenital) y en la figura 2 (esquema tridimensional). A housing system similar to the one described in example 1 was developed, but varying its measurements to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between hamsters. The housing system is diagrammed in figure 1 (top view) and in figure 2 (three-dimensional diagram).
El sistema se fabricó con metacrilato transparente de 20mm de grosor en la lámina base y 4mm en las cubetas periféricas (2), una tapa de cristal de 1,5cm de grosor y rejillas metálicas para permitir el acceso de las a los comederos, con un grosor de barrotes de 0,5cm y una distancia entre barrotes de 0,5cm. The system was made with 20mm thick transparent methacrylate in the base sheet and 4mm in the peripheral trays (2), a 1.5cm thick glass lid and metal grids to allow access to the feeders, with a bars thickness of 0.5cm and a distance between bars of 0.5cm.
Se elaboraron 5 cubetas periféricas (2) iguales (figuras 3 y 4), cada una de ellas con:5 identical peripheral trays (2) were made (figures 3 and 4), each with:
- Dos paredes laterales (22) formadas por un rectángulo de 40cm de base, 16cm de alto y un triángulo rectángulo que hace de pared del comedero cuyo lado interno se corresponde con la profundidad de una hendidura (223) de 13cm y 0,5cm de anchura, esta pared del comedero tiene un lado cateto superior de 8cm y una hipotenusa de 17cm que se extiende hasta anclarse a 1cm del límite inferior del rectángulo, dejando una pestaña de 1cm (27). - Two side walls (22) formed by a rectangle with a 40cm base, 16cm height and a right triangle that acts as the wall of the feeder whose internal side corresponds to the depth of a slit (223) of 13cm and 0.5cm deep. width, this wall of the trough has an upper leg of 8cm and a hypotenuse of 17cm that extends to anchor 1cm from the lower limit of the rectangle, leaving a 1cm flange (27).
- Una pared central (23) rectangular de 20,2 de base y 16cm de altura con un orificio de contacto (3) central de 0,5cm de diámetro por el cual los animales son capaces de meter el hocico. Este orificio de contacto (3) se colocó a 7,5cm del límite inferior de la pared central (6,5cm del suelo de la cubeta) y centrado con respecto a los límites laterales de la misma. - A rectangular central wall (23) with a base of 20.2 and a height of 16 cm with a central contact hole (3) with a diameter of 0.5 cm through which the animals are able to insert their snouts. This contact hole (3) was placed 7.5cm from the lower limit of the central wall (6.5cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to its lateral limits.
- Un comedero (21) en forma de prisma triangular, que constituye la pared externa de la cubeta periférica (2) y está formado por las regiones triangulares de las paredes laterales (22), una pared inclinada (211) de 17cm de alto y 20,2cm de base. En la hendidura (223) que dejan las paredes laterales (22) se colocó una rejilla de acero con una distancia entre barrotes de 0,5cm para que los animales accedan a la comida y al agua. Entre las dos paredes laterales (22), más concretamente, entre las dos pestañas laterales (27), y alineada con el límite externo del suelo de la cubeta, se colocó una pestaña de 20,2cm de largo y 1,4cm de ancho que actúa de pestaña inferior externa (25), para encajarse en el correspondiente surco (61) de la lámina base (6). - Suelo (24) de metacrilato rectangular de 20,2cmx39,2cm que se colocó 1cm por encima del borde inferior de las paredes de cada cubeta periférica (2), dando lugar a pestañas inferiores (25, 27 y 28) de 0,4cm de anchura y 1cm de largo. - A trough (21) in the shape of a triangular prism, which constitutes the external wall of the peripheral trough (2) and is formed by the triangular regions of the side walls (22), an inclined wall (211) 17cm high and 20.2cm base. In the slit (223) left by the side walls (22) a steel grid was placed with a distance between bars of 0.5cm for the animals to access food and water. Between the two side walls (22), more specifically, between the two side flanges (27), and aligned with the external limit of the bottom of the tray, a flange 20.2 cm long and 1.4 cm wide was placed, which It acts as a lower external flange (25), to fit into the corresponding groove (61) of the base sheet (6). - Floor (24) of rectangular methacrylate of 20.2cmx39.2cm that was placed 1cm above the lower edge of the walls of each peripheral tray (2), giving rise to lower flanges (25, 27 and 28) of 0.4cm wide and 1 cm long.
Se elaboró también un comedero independiente (11) para la cubeta central (1) cuyas paredes laterales se diseñaron rectangulares para darle mayor estabilidad (figuras 5 y 6). Las medidas de este comedero independiente (11) fueron: An independent trough (11) was also made for the central basin (1) whose side walls were designed rectangular to give it greater stability (figures 5 and 6). The measurements of this independent feeder (11) were:
- Pared central (111): una pared de 20,2cm de base y 16cm de alto con una oquedad a 4cm de su borde inferior de 11cm x13cm para dar lugar a una ventana (1111) de comunicación entre el comedero independiente (11) y la cubeta central (1) (figura 5B y figura 6A). - Central wall (111): a wall with a base of 20.2cm and a height of 16cm with a hole 4cm from its lower edge of 11cm x 13cm to give rise to a window (1111) for communication between the independent feeder (11) and the central basin (1) (figure 5B and figure 6A).
- Paredes laterales (112): dos paredes laterales de 8cm de base por 16cm de alto en cuyo borde central se excavó un escalón (1122) de 0,5cm de anchura y 13cm de alto a 3cm del borde inferior de la pared (112) (figura 6B). - Side walls (112): two side walls with a base of 8cm and a height of 16cm. A step (1122) 0.5cm wide and 13cm high was excavated at the central edge, 3cm from the lower edge of the wall (112). (FIG. 6B).
- Pared exterior (113) de 20,2cm de base y 16cm de alto como la pared central (111).- Exterior wall (113) with a base of 20.2cm and a height of 16cm like the central wall (111).
- Pared inclinada interna (114): en el interior del comedero independiente (11) se incluyó una pared para dar inclinación a la comida que se coloca en el comedero y permitir que el animal acceda a ella (figura 5A). Esta pieza se realizó con una base de 20,2 cm y una altura de 17cm y se colocó con una angulación de 45° respecto al suelo.- Internal inclined wall (114): inside the independent feeder (11) a wall was included to give an inclination to the food that is placed in the feeder and allow the animal to access it (figure 5A). This piece was made with a base of 20.2 cm and a height of 17 cm and was placed at an angle of 45° with respect to the ground.
- Suelo (115) de metacrilato de 7,2cm x 20,2cm colocado, como en las cubetas periféricas (2), 1cm por encima del borde inferior de las paredes laterales (112), central (111) y exterior (113) del comedero independiente (11), dando lugar a una pestaña inferior (116) de 1cm de altura. - 7.2cm x 20.2cm methacrylate floor (115) placed, as in the peripheral trays (2), 1cm above the lower edge of the side (112), central (111) and exterior (113) walls of the independent trough (11), giving rise to a lower flange (116) 1 cm high.
Se preparó una lámina base (6) (figura 7) de metacrilato de 20mm de espesor y unas dimensiones de 200cm x 200cm en la que se practicaron surcos (61) de 1 cm de profundidad y 4 mm de grosor, en los que se encajan las pestañas inferiores (25, 27 y 28) de las cubetas periféricas (2) y las pestañas inferiores (116) del comedero independiente (11). En el centro de la lámina base (6) se colocó una plataforma hexagonal (5) regular de 21cm de lado que sirve de suelo a la cubeta central (1) y cuyos lados determinan la disposición radial de las cinco cubetas periféricas (2). La plataforma hexagonal (5) de la cubeta central (1), las paredes interiores de las cubetas periféricas (2) y el comedero independiente (11) dan lugar en su interior a la cubeta central (1) hexagonal. Junto a cada uno de los lados de la plataforma hexagonal (5) se realizaron los surcos (51) de dos centímetros de profundidad y 0,4cm de anchura de forma radial a la misma. Los surcos (51) se practicaron con unas medidas de 21cmx40cm para alojar las cubetas periféricas (2) y de 21cmx8cm para alojar el comedero independiente (11). A base sheet (6) (figure 7) of 20mm thick methacrylate and dimensions of 200cm x 200cm was prepared in which grooves (61) 1 cm deep and 4 mm thick were made, into which the the lower flanges (25, 27 and 28) of the peripheral trays (2) and the lower flanges (116) of the independent trough (11). In the center of the base sheet (6) a regular hexagonal platform (5) with a side of 21 cm was placed, which serves as the floor for the central basin (1) and whose sides determine the radial arrangement of the five peripheral basins (2). The hexagonal platform (5) of the central trough (1), the inner walls of the peripheral troughs (2) and the independent trough (11) give rise to the central hexagonal trough (1). Next to each one of the sides of the hexagonal platform (5) grooves (51) of two centimeters deep and 0.4cm wide were made. radial shape to it. The grooves (51) were made with measurements of 21cmx40cm to house the peripheral trays (2) and 21cmx8cm to house the independent feeder (11).
Para cubrir el sistema de alojamiento se utilizó una tapa de cristal transparente de 1,5 cm de grosor. A 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.
Ejemplo 4. Sistema de alojamiento para hurones Example 4. Housing system for ferrets
Se elaboró un sistema de alojamiento similar al descrito en el ejemplo 1 , pero variando sus medidas para estudiar la transmisión de agentes infecciosos mediante contacto directo entre hurones (figura 8). En este caso, dado el sistema de alimentación que requiere esta especie, se eliminó el comedero independiente (11) y se añadió otra cubeta periférica (2) en su lugar. A housing system similar to the one described in example 1 was developed, but varying its measurements to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between ferrets (figure 8). In this case, given the feeding system that this species requires, the independent feeder (11) was eliminated and another peripheral trough (2) was added in its place.
El sistema se fabricó con metacrilato transparente de 6cm de grosor en la lámina base (6) y 2cm en las cubetas periféricas (2). The system was made with transparent methacrylate 6cm thick in the base sheet (6) and 2cm in the peripheral trays (2).
Se elaboraron 6 cubetas periféricas (2) iguales (figuras 8 y 9), cada una de ellas con:6 identical peripheral trays (2) were made (figures 8 and 9), each with:
- Dos paredes laterales (22) formadas por un rectángulo de 2m de base y 55cm de alto. - Two side walls (22) formed by a rectangle with a base of 2m and a height of 55cm.
- Una pared central (23) rectangular de 1 ,5m base y 55cm de altura con un orificio de contacto (3) central de 3cm de diámetro por el cual los animales son capaces de meter el hocico. Este orificio de contacto (3) se colocó a 20cm del límite inferior de la pared central (15cm del suelo de la cubeta) y centrado con respecto a los límites laterales de la misma. - A central rectangular wall (23) with a base of 1.5m and a height of 55cm with a central contact hole (3) with a diameter of 3cm through which the animals are able to insert their snouts. This contact hole (3) was placed 20cm from the lower limit of the central wall (15cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to its lateral limits.
- Una pared externa (26) similar a la pared central (23) pero sin orificio de contacto (3).- An external wall (26) similar to the central wall (23) but without contact hole (3).
- Suelo (24) de metacrilato rectangular de 1,5m x 2m que se colocó 5cm por encima del borde inferior de las paredes de cada cubeta periférica (2), dando lugar a una pestaña inferior externa (25), dos pestañas inferiores laterales (27) y una pestaña inferior interna (28), todas ellas de 2cm de grosor y 5cm de largo. - 1.5m x 2m rectangular methacrylate floor (24) that was placed 5cm above the lower edge of the walls of each peripheral basin (2), giving rise to a lower external flange (25), two lower lateral flanges ( 27) and an internal lower flange (28), all of them 2cm thick and 5cm long.
Se preparó una lámina base (6) de metacrilato de 6cm de espesor y 5m2 en la que se practicaron surcos (61) de 5 cm de profundidad y 2cm de grosor, en los que se encajan las pestañas inferiores (25, 27 y 28) de las cubetas periféricas (2). En el centro de la lámina base (6) se colocó una plataforma hexagonal (5) regular de 1 ,5m de lado que sirve de suelo a la cubeta central (1) y cuyos lados determinan la disposición radial de las seis cubetas periféricas (2). Las paredes interiores de las cubetas periféricas (2) dan lugar en su interior a la cubeta central (1) hexagonal. Junto a cada uno de los lados de la plataforma hexagonal (5) se realizaron los surcos (61) de 5 cm de profundidad y 2cm de anchura de forma radial a la misma. Los surcos (61) se practicaron con unas medidas de 1 ,5mx2m para alojar las cubetas periféricas (2). A base sheet (6) of methacrylate 6 cm thick and 5 m 2 was prepared in which grooves (61) 5 cm deep and 2 cm thick were made, in which the lower tabs (25, 27 and 28) fit. ) of the peripheral cuvettes (2). In the center of the base sheet (6) a regular hexagonal platform (5) with a side of 1.5 m was placed, which It serves as the floor for the central basin (1) and whose sides determine the radial arrangement of the six peripheral basins (2). The interior walls of the peripheral basins (2) give rise to the central hexagonal basin (1). Next to each of the sides of the hexagonal platform (5), grooves (61) 5 cm deep and 2 cm wide were made radially to it. The grooves (61) were made with measurements of 1.5mx2m to house the peripheral trays (2).
Dadas las dimensiones del sistema, se realizó con las paredes y los suelos desmontables, así el sistema se formó colocando las láminas de metacrilato de forma independiente. Given the dimensions of the system, it was made with removable walls and floors, thus the system was formed by placing the methacrylate sheets independently.
Para cubrir el sistema de alojamiento se utilizó una tapa de cristal transparente de 1,5 cm de grosor. A 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.
Ejemplo 5. Sistema de alojamiento para conejos Example 5. Housing system for rabbits
Se elaboró un sistema de alojamiento similar al descrito en el ejemplo 4, pero variando sus medidas para estudiar la transmisión de agentes infecciosos mediante contacto directo entre conejos (se muestra un esquema en la figura 8). A housing system similar to the one described in example 4 was developed, but varying its measurements to study the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact between rabbits (a scheme is shown in figure 8).
El sistema se fabricó con metacrilato transparente de 6cm de grosor en la lámina base y 2cm en las cubetas periféricas (2). The system was made with transparent methacrylate 6cm thick in the base sheet and 2cm in the peripheral trays (2).
Se elaboraron 6 cubetas periféricas (2) iguales (figuras 8 y 9), cada una de ellas con:6 identical peripheral trays (2) were made (figures 8 and 9), each with:
- Dos paredes laterales (22) formadas por un rectángulo de 2,5m de base, 55cm de alto. - Two side walls (22) formed by a rectangle with a base of 2.5m and a height of 55cm.
- Una pared central (23) rectangular de 1 ,5m base y 55cm de altura con un orificio (3) de contacto central de 3cm de diámetro por el cual los animales son capaces de meter el hocico. Este orificio de contacto (3) se colocó a 20cm del límite inferior de la pared central (15cm del suelo de la cubeta) y centrado con respecto a los límites laterales de la misma. - A rectangular central wall (23) with a 1.5m base and 55cm height with a central contact hole (3) with a 3cm diameter through which the animals are able to insert their snouts. This contact hole (3) was placed 20cm from the lower limit of the central wall (15cm from the bottom of the tray) and centered with respect to its lateral limits.
- Una pared externa (26) similar a la central (23) pero sin orificio de contacto. - An external wall (26) similar to the central one (23) but without a contact hole.
- Suelo (24) de metacrilato rectangular de 1 ,5m x 2,5m que se colocó 5cm por encima del borde inferior de las paredes de cada cubeta periférica (2), dando lugar a una pestaña inferior externa (25), dos pestañas inferiores laterales (27) y una pestaña inferior interna (28), todas ellas de 2cm de grosor y 5cm de largo. Se preparó una lámina base (6) de metacrilato de 6cm de espesor y 5m2 como la descrita en el ejemplo 4, en la que los surcos (61) se practicaron con unas medidas de 1,5m x 2,5m para alojar las cubetas periféricas (2). - 1.5m x 2.5m rectangular methacrylate floor (24) that was placed 5cm above the lower edge of the walls of each peripheral basin (2), giving rise to a lower external flange (25), two lower flanges sides (27) and an internal lower flange (28), all of them 2cm thick and 5cm long. A base sheet (6) of methacrylate 6cm thick and 5m 2 was prepared as described in example 4, in which the grooves (61) were made with measurements of 1.5m x 2.5m to house the trays. peripherals (2).
Dadas las dimensiones del sistema, se realizó con las paredes y los suelos desmontables, así el sistema se formó colocando las láminas de metacrilato de forma independiente. Given the dimensions of the system, it was made with removable walls and floors, thus the system was formed by placing the methacrylate sheets independently.
Para cubrir el sistema de alojamiento se utilizó una tapa de cristal transparente de 1,5 cm de grosor. A 1.5 cm thick transparent glass lid was used to cover the housing system.

Claims

REIVINDICACIONES
1. Sistema de alojamiento de animales de laboratorio para el estudio de la transmisión de agentes infecciosos mediante contacto directo que incluye: 1. Housing system for laboratory animals for the study of the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact that includes:
- seis cubetas periféricas (2), para el alojamiento individual de animales de laboratorio, todas con las mismas dimensiones, cada una de las cuales presenta: - six peripheral trays (2), for the individual housing of laboratory animals, all with the same dimensions, each one of which presents:
- una pared central (23) con un orificio de contacto (3) de tamaño y localización adecuados para que los animales alojados puedan introducir el hocico,- a central wall (23) with a contact hole (3) of suitable size and location so that the housed animals can introduce their snouts,
- dos paredes laterales (22), - two side walls (22),
- una pared externa (26), - an external wall (26),
- suelo (24) - soil (24)
- en todas las paredes, pestañas inferiores (externa (25), laterales (27) e interna (28)) delimitadas por las paredes (externa (26), laterales (22) y central (23), respectivamente) de la cubeta periférica (2) y el suelo (24) de la cubeta periférica (2), - on all the walls, lower flanges (external (25), lateral (27) and internal (28)) delimited by the walls (external (26), lateral (22) and central (23), respectively) of the peripheral basin (2) and the floor (24) of the peripheral basin (2),
- una lámina base (6) que presenta surcos (61) en los que se encajan las pestañas inferiores (25, 27 y 28) de las seis cubetas periféricas (2), - a base sheet (6) that has grooves (61) into which the lower flanges (25, 27 and 28) of the six peripheral trays (2) fit,
- una tapa transparente que cubre todo el sistema de alojamiento, donde las seis cubetas periféricas (2) quedan dispuestas de forma radial sobre la lámina base (6) determinando, en el centro de la distribución, una cubeta central (1) de forma hexagonal, formada por las paredes centrales (23) de las seis cubetas periféricas (2). - A transparent cover that covers the entire housing system, where the six peripheral trays (2) are arranged radially on the base sheet (6) determining, in the center of the distribution, a central tray (1) of hexagonal shape , formed by the central walls (23) of the six peripheral basins (2).
2. Sistema de alojamiento según la reivindicación 1 en el que los animales de laboratorio para los que se diseña dicho sistema de alojamiento se seleccionan del grupo formado por: hurones y conejos. Housing system according to claim 1, in which the laboratory animals for which said housing system is designed are selected from the group consisting of: ferrets and rabbits.
3. Sistema de alojamiento según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores en el que el orificio de contacto (3) tiene un diámetro de 3 cm y está situado a 20 cm del suelo (24) en posición centrada con respecto a los límites laterales de la pared central (23) de la cubeta periférica (2). 3. Housing system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the contact hole (3) has a diameter of 3 cm and is located 20 cm from the floor (24) in a central position with respect to the lateral limits of the wall. center (23) of the peripheral bowl (2).
4. Sistema de alojamiento según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores que incluye una plataforma hexagonal (5) que constituye el suelo de la cubeta central (1), caracterizada por tener el mismo grosor que el suelo (24) de las cubetas periféricas (2). 4. Housing system according to any of the previous claims that includes a hexagonal platform (5) that constitutes the floor of the central basin (1), characterized by having the same thickness as the floor (24) of the peripheral basins (2).
5. Sistema de alojamiento de animales de laboratorio para el estudio de la transmisión de agentes infecciosos mediante contacto directo que incluye: 5. Housing system for laboratory animals for the study of the transmission of infectious agents through direct contact that includes:
- cinco cubetas periféricas (2), para el alojamiento individual de animales de laboratorio, todas con las mismas dimensiones, cada una de las cuales presenta: - five peripheral trays (2), for the individual housing of laboratory animals, all with the same dimensions, each of which presents:
- una pared central (23) con un orificio de contacto (3) de tamaño y localización adecuados para que los animales alojados puedan introducir el hocico,- a central wall (23) with a contact hole (3) of suitable size and location so that the housed animals can introduce their snouts,
- dos paredes laterales (22), - two side walls (22),
- un comedero (21) que constituye la pared externa, - a trough (21) constituting the external wall,
- suelo (24), - floor (24),
- en las paredes, pestañas inferiores (laterales (27) e interna (28)) delimitadas por las paredes (laterales (22) y central (23), respectivamente) de la cubeta periférica (2) y el suelo (24) de la cubeta periférica (2), - On the walls, lower flanges (lateral (27) and internal (28)) delimited by the walls (lateral (22) and central (23), respectively) of the peripheral basin (2) and the floor (24) of the peripheral cuvette (2),
- una pestaña inferior externa (25) situada entre las dos pestañas inferiores laterales (27), - a lower external flange (25) located between the two lower lateral flanges (27),
- un comedero independiente (11) cuyas paredes (central (111), laterales (112) y exterior (113)) y suelo (115) delimitan cuatro pestañas inferiores (116), - an independent trough (11) whose walls (central (111), side (112) and outer (113)) and floor (115) delimit four lower flanges (116),
- una lámina base (6) que presenta surcos (61) en los que se encajan las pestañas inferiores (25, 27 y 28) de las cinco cubetas periféricas (2) y las pestañas inferiores (116) del comedero independiente (11), - a base sheet (6) that has grooves (61) into which the lower flanges (25, 27 and 28) of the five peripheral trays (2) and the lower flanges (116) of the independent trough (11) fit,
- una tapa transparente que cubre todo el sistema de alojamiento, donde las cinco cubetas periféricas (2) y el comedero independiente (11) quedan dispuestos de forma radial sobre la lámina base (6) determinando, en el centro de la distribución, una cubeta central (1) de forma hexagonal, formada por las paredes centrales (23) de las cinco cubetas periféricas (2) y la pared central (111) del comedero independiente (11). - A transparent cover that covers the entire housing system, where the five peripheral trays (2) and the independent trough (11) are arranged radially on the base sheet (6) determining, in the center of the distribution, a tray central (1) of hexagonal shape, formed by the central walls (23) of the five peripheral trays (2) and the central wall (111) of the independent feeder (11).
6. Sistema de alojamiento según la reivindicación 5 en el que los animales de laboratorio para los que se diseña dicho sistema de alojamiento se seleccionan del grupo formado por: ratones, ratas, hámsteres, cobayas y jerbos. Housing system according to claim 5, in which the laboratory animals for which said housing system is designed are selected from the group consisting of: mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and gerbils.
7. Sistema de alojamiento según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 5-6 en el que el orificio de contacto (3) tiene un diámetro entre 0,5-1 cm y está situado a 5-13 cm del suelo (24) en posición centrada con respecto a las paredes laterales (22) de cada cubeta periférica (2). 7. Housing system according to any of claims 5-6 in which the contact hole (3) has a diameter between 0.5-1 cm and is located 5-13 cm from the floor (24) in a central position with respect to the side walls (22) of each peripheral basin (2).
8. Sistema de alojamiento según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 5-7 que incluye una plataforma hexagonal (5) que constituye el suelo de la cubeta central (1), caracterizada por tener el mismo grosor que el suelo (24) de las cubetas periféricas (2). 8. Housing system according to any of claims 5-7 that includes a hexagonal platform (5) that constitutes the floor of the central tray (1), characterized by having the same thickness as the floor (24) of the peripheral trays ( two).
9. Sistema de alojamiento según cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores que, además, incluye un dispositivo de vídeovigilancia que permite contabilizar y cuantificar el número de contactos entre el animal alojado en la cubeta central (1) y los animales alojados en cada una de las cubetas periféricas (2). 9. Housing system according to any of the preceding claims, which also includes a video surveillance device that allows counting and quantifying the number of contacts between the animal housed in the central trough (1) and the animals housed in each of the troughs. peripherals (2).
PCT/ES2022/070328 2021-06-08 2022-05-30 System for housing laboratory animals for the study of the transmission of infectious agents by means of direct contact WO2022258863A1 (en)

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CN205030314U (en) * 2015-05-06 2016-02-17 张宏伟 Directly install and remove formula pet cage
US20180206447A1 (en) * 2015-07-24 2018-07-26 Universite De Montpellier Instrumented device for characterising the capacity of a mouse to orientate itself

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CN101803962A (en) * 2010-04-23 2010-08-18 中国人民解放军军事医学科学院微生物流行病研究所 Rodent oronasal suction dynamic exposing device
CN205030314U (en) * 2015-05-06 2016-02-17 张宏伟 Directly install and remove formula pet cage
US20180206447A1 (en) * 2015-07-24 2018-07-26 Universite De Montpellier Instrumented device for characterising the capacity of a mouse to orientate itself

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