Abstract: The field of this invention is classifying animal behaviors. In particular the fields of this invention include using animals in vivariums, such as rodents, particularly mice. Ultrasonic vocalizations of mice in a vivarium are compared to a predetermined set of positive phenotypes and to a predetermined set of negative phenotypes. The output of those comparisons are then compared to determine a metric of distance to classify vocalizations as closer to or more distant from elements of the positive or negative sets.

Abstract: A device and method of receiving RFID signals are described using a grid of transceivers driven to generate RF phase synchronous transmissions of RFID query messages, while each transceiver in the grid receives replies from individual RFIDs independently. The transceivers may be located in a planar array at the floor of an animal cage, while the RFIDs are implanted in animals in the cage. Additional transceivers may be located at the sides of the cage. Locations of individual animals in the cage are determined using a corresponding map of the locations of the transceivers.

Abstract: A device and method of receiving RFID signals are described using a grid of transceivers driven to generate RF phase synchronous transmissions of RFID query messages, while each transceiver in the grid receives replies from individual RFIDs independently. The transceivers may be located in a planar array at the floor of an animal cage, while the RFIDs are implanted in animals in the cage. Additional transceivers may be located at the sides of the cage. Locations of individual animals in the cage are determined using a corresponding map of the locations of the transceivers.

Abstract: The field of this invention is classifying animal behaviors. In particular the fields of this invention include using animals in vivariums, such as rodents, particularly mice. Animal behaviors are classified according to behaviors consistent with healthy or unhealthy organs or locations within organs, such as the brain. Injected neoplastic cells may be used to create an unhealthy organ or location within an organ. Classifications also include responses to different therapies. The behavior of the animals is observed using fully automatic, continuous monitoring using per-cage ultrasonic and video sensors, where behavior recording is free of human, manual actions. Observed behavior is consistent with healthy or unhealthy behaviors specific to the injection site. Both positive and negative baseline behaviors are collected, typically using the same system or method.

Abstract: The field of this invention is recording motion of an animal, uniquely identifying the animal, and recording an activity of that animal. Motions of animals on a path when the animal is or can be uniquely identified are tracklets. Tracklets begin and end at ambiguation events, where these are defined as locations and times of an animal where it cannot be uniquely identified. A first animal may be uniquely identified by first identifying all other animals in the first animal's environment. Animal identification may be after the end of a tracklet. Embodiments use optical flow analysis from video of an animal's environment. Embodiments record an animal's activity on tracklets and then use that activity to measure animal health or use that activity as data for a study using animals.

Abstract: An animal exercise device is described in the form a rotating wheel, generally cylindrical in form, open on one face for an animal to enter and exit, and solidly closed on the other face, which also provides a bearing for rotation. The wall and closed face are solid to avoid injury to an animal. The wheel's axis of rotation is at an angle from horizontal. The inside surface of the wall comprises spaced ridges for gripping by the animal's toes or feet. A contrasting marking on the outside surface of the wall aids vision-based rotation measurement. Embodiments are supported solely through the bearing and have no rotation drive other than use by an animal. Methods of use include automated measurement, using equipment external to the cage, of animal health and use in a multihoused cage where unique animal ID is associated with wheel use.

Abstract: A cage for housing at least one experimental animal is disclosed. The cage may include one or more walls that enclose a living space for at least one experimental animal with at least one wall comprising a plastic material. At least one electrical feedthrough may traverse the wall. The electrical feedthrough may include an internal electrical contact located inside the living space and an external electrical contact located outside the living space. The internal and external electrical contacts may be electrically connected. A system for monitoring at least one experimental animal and an electrical feedthrough for providing electrical continuity through a wall of a cage for housing an experimental animal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless, sterilizable scale comprising an upper module, on which an animal sits or explores, and a lower module that measures the weight of the animal. The lower module comprises a flexible membrane, through which the weight of the upper module and the animal is mechanically coupled. The flexible membrane is affixed at its perimeter to the perimeter of the lower module. The lower module is sealed by the membrane and comprises a load cell, batteries and electronics. The upper module removes easily from the lower module leaving the lower module intact and sealed for chemical sterilization. Electronics in the upper module connects to electronics in the lower module via an electrical connector that also penetrates the flexible membrane. IR communications from the upper modules transmits a series of weight values at two different data rates. The scale may be in a sterile cage free of electrical penetrations.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequestering and releasing compounds into the air is provided. The apparatus includes a card with a first side and a second side, and a plurality of compound-sequestering structures affixed to the first side. Each of the plurality of compound-sequestering structures is configured to release a compound into the air when heated to a first temperature.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient for a disease, such as arthritis, is described. Steps include treating an animal for the disease with a first treatment, capturing video frames, then using optical flow to compute vector fields for each frame, then taking a maximum vector value over a first time period, then selecting a set of maximum vector values over a second time period, then clipping those values to a maximum, and then computing an average of those values. This value is an efficacy and it is compared to a baseline efficacy. If the treatment is efficacious, the patient is so treated. A method of applying for a drug for approval is also described, using substantially the same steps.

Abstract: A method of measuring efficacy of test treatment of an autoimmune disease in an animal in a vivarium is described. Animal activity data is collected at multiple times during the night. Sequential time regions of the night are identified as high-activity, activity-drop, or low-activity regions. Embodiments are described to quantify a drop, during the night, of an animal's activity level. These quantified activity-drop scalars for consecutive nights are accumulated in an animal health dataset. This dataset is compared to healthy animals, a standard of care or a reference treatment for the first disease to determine efficacy of the test treatment. One embodiment quantifies an activity-drop by fitting straight-line curves through the data in the three nightly regions. Other embodiment uses a Fourier transform on a circle, LASSO, RANSAC or regression analyses for curve fitting. Another embodiment compares areas under data curves in the regions. Animals may be housed in cages with other animals.

Abstract: The field of this invention is classifying animal behaviors. In particular the fields of this invention include using animals in vivariums, such as rodents, particularly mice. In a vivarium cage, animals create ultrasonic vocalizations. In addition, their phenotype changes over time. The vocalizations, a current phenotype, and the cage environments are inputs to a multi-dimensional classifier using clustering algorithms to find multi-dimensional close relationships. Such close relationships may be identified as particular behavior.

Abstract: A machine suitable for marking codes on rodent tails is disclosed, for marking both machine-readable and human-readable codes and such codes combined. An embodiment comprises two axes of motion: one aligned with the rodent tail and one perpendicular. Only one axis need move at one time for disclosed codes. One axis is linear motion of a marking head on a gantry. The second axis provides a rolling motion of the rodent tail. Codes include symbol sets consisting of orthogonal straight line segments, including both a reduced alphanumeric symbols set and a vine code with a marked spine. Delete markings and replacement locations are defined for marking error correction. Embodiments include mapping tables from animal codes as marked to animal IDs for use in managing animals in vivaria. The mapping tables also provide error detection.

Abstract: A device and method of keeping litter in an animal cage away from equipment in an animal cage. Embodiments comprise two or more walls to define three zones in an animal cage: an equipment zone, a channel zone, and an outsize zone. The channel zone connects the outside zone with the equipment zone. Baffles in the channel zone permit access by animals but block some fraction of litter from passing from the outsize zone into the equipment zone. Embodiments include a weighing scale in the equipment zone. Embodiments include shapes that constrain devices or equipment to predetermined locations within a cage. Embodiments include methods of use and use in a vivarium.

Abstract: The field of this invention is classifying animal behaviors. In particular the fields of this invention include using animals in vivariums, such as rodents, particularly mice. Ultrasonic vocalizations are compared to times-shifted video behaviors of the same mice to identify vocalizations that occur prior to, during, and after particular video behaviors. The comparisons generate correlations weights that may then be used to apply known classifications of the video behaviors to the vocalizations.

Abstract: A method of measuring efficacy of treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) in an animal in a vivarium is described. Animal activity data is collected at multiple times during the night. Sequential time regions of the night are identified as high-activity, activity-drop, or low-activity regions. Embodiments are described to quantify a drop, during the night, of an animal's activity level. These quantified activity-drop scalars for consecutive nights are accumulated in an animal health dataset. This dataset is compared to healthy animals or a standard of care to determine efficacy. One embodiment quantifies an activity-drop by fitting straight-line curves through the data in the three nightly regions. Another embodiment uses a Fourier transform on a circle and a linear combination. Another embodiment compares areas under data curves in the regions. Animals may be housed in cages with other animals.

Abstract: A test pad comprising multiple urine attribute patches and urine detection patches in a BAYER pattern is described. The test pad is suitable for automated urine analysis of multiple animals in a cage. Generalized detection patches may be arranged adjacent to and surrounding each individual test patch for a specific urine attribute. First, fresh urine is detected in a detection patch with a camera; a timer is started; then adjacent urine attribute patches are read. Once a test patch has been used once it is disregarded for future analysis.

Abstract: A communicating sterile scale is described suitable for automated use in animal cages. An upper module provides a weighing platform, electronics, upward facing wireless communication elements, a protecting skirt, and interface to a combined weight-bearing and electrical penetration element. A lower module provides a case, internal electronics, load cell, power source, sterile-sealed flexible complaint membrane and a combined weight bearing and electrical penetration element through the membrane. The upper and lower modules are easily separable for sterilization by immersion in a sterilizing fluid. The power source in the case may be charged through same electrical penetrating element. The membrane comprises a perimeter that is attached and sealed to the case, a penetration area penetrated by the rigid weight-bearing element, and an isolating compliance area. The skirt on upper module protects detritus from entering from below onto the membrane, while providing open-air movement.