Abstract: An automated fiber optic rotary joint (FORJ) dynamically measures, using an angle encoder, twists in an optical fiber cable caused by movements of a mouse or other animal and automatically unwinds the optical fiber cable(s) by engaging a motor. To optimize its efficiency, the unwinding process is activated automatically only when the angle encoder reaches a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the optical fiber is unwound in increments of 360°. Various embodiments allow simultaneous transfer of optical signals through independent channels to and from multiple sites of a freely moving animal through a rotating interface and with minimal mechanical impact on the natural behavior of the animal. The design principle leads to a minimal variation of light transmission over rotation suitable for life science applications. A single channel FORJ device can be readily expanded to a two-, three- or more-channel device.

Abstract: A device for detecting and recording animal behavior may include at least one corral that defines a contained field, the base surface of the at least one corral being sensitive to the animal's footprint. The device also includes an image capturing device that cooperates with the base surface to capture both a profile of the animal's full footprint and a profile of the animal's toe print when the animal is standing on its toes. In some embodiments, the device is capable of providing a stimulus to the animal and observing the resulting behavior of the animal via the image capturing device.

Abstract: A system for monitoring ruminant animal foraging that utilizes a piezoelectric film sensor in communication with a computer processor to record and characterize jaw movement data for the foraging ruminant animal. The processor applies pattern algorithms to categorize the jaw movement data so that the jaw movements are categorized as at least chewing, biting, ruminating, and/or idling.

Abstract: A device is provided for studying the ability of at least one mouse to find its bearings in a maze, the device including a plurality of houses distributed around a central agora and in which at least one stimulator allows the at least one mouse to carry out certain activities and/or satisfy certain primary needs. Each house further includes at least one sensor for measuring the activity of the mouse in the house, and more particularly its use of the at least one stimulator. Finally, a sensor makes it possible to detect and measure the movements of each mouse in the device. Quantitative parameters originating from these measurements thus make it possible to highlight the quality of the geographical memory of the at least one mouse.

Abstract: An animal ear tag contains control circuitry for generating data. An antenna in the tag emits a wireless signal including the data, and an energy storage provides electric energy to the control circuitry and the antenna. The energy storage is arranged in a first part of the tag and the antenna is arranged in a second part of the tag. When attached to the animal, the first and second parts are interconnected via a shaft member inserted through an ear of the animal in such a manner that the first part is located on a first side of the ear and the second part is located on a second side of the ear. When the first and second parts are interconnected, the energy storage is located off-centered from a symmetry axis of the shaft member. As a result, the tag becomes relatively fixed in a well-defined orientation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating with a guide animal are provided. One embodiment of a method includes determining a first command to provide to a user to proceed to a destination, determining a second command to provide to the guide animal to correspond with the first command, and outputting the first command to direct the user toward the destination. Some embodiments include outputting the second command to direct the guide animal toward the destination, where the second command is outputted to be imperceptible by the user but is perceptible by the guide animal.

Abstract: Video processing for motor task analysis is described. In various examples, a video of a person carrying out a motor task, such as placing the forefinger on the nose, is input to a trained machine learning system to classify the motor task into one of a plurality of classes. In an example, motion descriptors such as optical flow are computed from pairs of frames of the video and the motion descriptors are input to the machine learning system. The motor task analysis may be used to assess or evaluate neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and/or Parkinson's.

Abstract: A system and device for capturing or entrapping pests, such as rodents, is described herein. In some embodiments, the device includes an opening in the bottom of the device which allows the pest to enter the device. In some embodiments, the device may include a kill trap. In other embodiments, the device may be used to live capture the pest.

Abstract: A system for testing spontaneous social interactions of group-housed mice placed in an experimental apparatus. The system includes a plurality of compartments (101-104) bridged by corridors (105). At least one compartment (101-104) has a perforated partition wall (106,107) separating the compartment into a territory available for mice (106b, 107b) and a territory to be explored by olfaction (106a, 107a). In the territory available for mice (106b, 107b), above the partition wall (106, 107), there is an infrared laser curtain (201). The system also includes a photographic device (202) for acquiring the intersection of a mouse in the light of the infrared curtain. In the territory to be explored by olfaction (106a, 107a), there is a source of olfactory stimuli (203).

Abstract: There is a need in the point-of-care diagnostic community for an efficient and portable method for testing blood and other biological fluids that can be easily translated across multiple applications. An aspect of the invention described involves monitoring the optical properties of molecularly-mediated nanoparticle assemblies though an optically transparent and magnetically active microfluidic chip, which has recently emerged as an attractive method for biomarker detection as it is an efficient tool for monitoring the binding events that take place in a sensing assay. In one embodiment, this device is directed towards two-nanoparticle assays that rely on the assembly or disassembly of plasmonic and magnetic nanoparticles in response to a certain analyte. A further embodiment is directed to a spiral microfluidic using inertial forces to filter fluid components by size, connected to a magnetically active channel comprised of a nickel micropad array, optically transparent microchannel, and permanent magnets.

Abstract: A system for examining resistance exercise includes a first trap compartment, a second trap compartment, a main track compartment and a pulley system which can be aligned to form a continuous tunnel. Each of the compartments can have adjustable dimensions to retain small animals of various sizes. The pulley system includes a clamp and a pulley shaft. The pulley shaft is pivotally attached to the clamp at a lower end and a first pulley wheel at an upper end. A second pulley wheel is pivotally attached to the clamp. A rope is trained on the pulley wheels. The tunnel can be positioned on an elevated support surface. One end of the rope is attachable to a rat on the elevated support surface and the other end of the rope is to attached to liftable strength training objects positioned below the elevated support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing compliance with animal welfare on an animal for slaughter. The apparatus has an image capture unit with a capture region in which a section of a surface of the animal is optically captured and in which pixels are captured. The capture unit provides pixel data in a transmittable manner. The apparatus has an evaluation unit connected to the capture unit to capture the pixel data. A normative model of the animal is stored in the evaluation unit and represents a formation of animal-related features conforming to animal welfare. The evaluation unit relates the pixel data to the model and determines a deviation of the pixel data from the model and provides the deviation as a deviation of the animal from the model in a form that can be output. A method for assessing compliance with animal welfare is carried out on the apparatus.

Abstract: A device for detecting and recording animal behavior is provided. The device includes at least one corral that defines contained field, the base surface of the at least one corral being sensitive to the animal's footprint. The device also includes an image capturing device that cooperates with the base surface to capture both a profile of the animal's full footprint and a profile of the animal's toe print when the animal is standing on its toes. In some embodiments, the device is capable of providing a stimulus to the animal and observing the resulting behavior of the animal via the image capturing device.

Abstract: Mobile platforms and air table arrangements for supporting an animal under investigation include a mobile platform and an underlying air table platform that defines a perforated upper surface and a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with a source of air under pressure. The mobile platform is adapted to glide over the perforated upper surface and includes a base defining an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface, at least one sidewall circumscribing the upwardly facing surface, and at least one partition wall dimensioned and arranged to divide the downwardly facing surface into a plurality of downwardly facing open compartments. The base defines a first profile having a first maximum dimension, and the perforated upper surface defines a second profile having a second maximum dimension, such that the ratio of the second maximum dimension to the first maximum dimension is less than 2 to 1.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer code products for monitoring the behavior, health, and/or characteristics of an animal are disclosed herein. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters. These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various means such as computers and/or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions and facilitate early illness detection.

Abstract: Described herein are various apparatus and systems useful in sensory discrimination. Through the use of a multi-well sample plate, the high-throughput analysis apparatus and method allow for rapid sensory discrimination of a large number of samples.

Abstract: A device for conducting scientific experiments in space has a housing having dimensions of about 100×100×150 mm or smaller. Within the housing is an electronic processor, a camera, and a chamber for containing living or non-living test subjects. A mirror is positioned next to the chamber so that the camera lens can view both a face of the chamber, and the mirror, which reflects a side of the chamber. The chamber can additionally include sensors and a fan controlled by the processor to change conditions within the housing based upon sensor data.

Abstract: A mobile telephone adapts to use as a gundog training tool by interfacing with a dog collar using a wireless communication device, such as a WWAN text or IP interface, a WLAN interface or a radio transceiver that couples to the mobile telephone and is accessible to a training application running on the mobile telephone. The dog collar includes a GPS receiver to provide position information to the mobile telephone and a shock device to provide training stimulus to the dog. A wireless headset interfaces with the mobile telephone to provide audible indications of position to an end user, such as a dog point and tone indicators of directions to the dog. A wireless handset interfaces with the mobile telephone to accept inputs for application to the collar, such as training stimulus.

Abstract: A device disposed on a subject to maintain the subject within a containment zone and track the subject if the subject exits the containment zone. The device includes a positioning unit for generating position data including satellite positioning data. There is a processor unit to determine from the position data if the subject is inside or outside of the containment zone. The processor unit operates in a containment mode when the subject is inside the containment zone and in a tracking mode when the subject exits the containment zone. A correction unit issues a stimulus when the subject exits the containment zone and terminates the stimulus when the processor unit enters the tracking mode from the containment mode. There is a communication unit which transmits an alert to an electronic device of an operator when the processor unit transitions from the containment to tracking mode.

Abstract: A device disposed on a subject to maintain the subject within a containment zone and track the subject if the subject exits the containment zone. The device includes a positioning unit for generating position data including satellite positioning data. There is a processor unit to determine from the position data if the subject is inside or outside of the containment zone. The processor unit operates in a containment mode when the subject is inside the containment zone and in a tracking mode when the subject exits the containment zone. A correction unit issues a stimulus when the subject exits the containment zone and terminates the stimulus when the processor unit enters the tracking mode from the containment mode. There is a communication unit which transmits an alert to an electronic device of an operator when the processor unit transitions from the containment to tracking mode.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for automated assessment of pruritus comprising detecting movement of a band located on a limb of a subject animal so as to obtain a signal associated with the detection movement, processing the signal associated with the detected movement through an algorithm configured to establish a scratch movement trigger, and translating the processed signal into scratch counts.

Abstract: Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system for detecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wake detection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike other detection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handler positions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents in the air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trained scent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier of the item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler, the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detection effectively, specific rigorous training is utilized.

Abstract: An animal movement prediction method including the steps of establishing, receiving and predicting. The establishing step establishes a wireless mesh network of a plurality of remote sensors. Each sensor is established in the wireless mesh network by installing said sensor on an object to detect the animal in a detection zone; activating the sensor; and capturing a geographic coordinate in a mobile device for at least a portion of the detection zone apart from the sensor. The receiving step receives animal detection information from the sensors by way of the mesh network. The animal detection information includes a time of detection. The predicting step predicts the future movements of animals dependent upon the animal detection information.

Abstract: Monitoring behavior of a rodent within a cage includes applying a vibration stimulus to a component of the cage and after applying the vibration stimulus, sensing a signal from a piezoelectric sensor within the cage, the sensed signal indicative of a behavioral response of the rodent. A plurality of attributes of the signal can be determined and the attributes can then be stored in a manner that associates the behavioral response of the rodent with the vibration stimulus.

Abstract: A system and device for capturing or entrapping pests, such as rodents, is described herein. In some embodiments, the device includes an opening in the bottom of the device which allows the pest to enter the device. In some embodiments, the device may include a kill trap. In other embodiments, the device may be used to live capture the pest.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and methods for tracking the positions and behaviors of moving objects such as animals. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more tracking unit, one or more base nodes, one or more remote data hubs, and one or more remote processor with display. Each tracking unit (e.g. attached or inserted into the tracked animals) could transmit acoustic signal with a unique signature. The base nodes, after time stamping the received signals, relate the signals to the remote processors where the signals will be processed and the 3-dimensional spatial coordinates of the tracking units, and hence the animals, can be identified. Further processing of the positional information would reflect the activities and behaviors of each animal. Additional sensors included in the tracking unit provide further information about the states of the animals such as temperature, heart rate or blood pressure etc.

Abstract: A method for an observational screening method or a drug screening method, includes the steps of providing an enclosure for at least one animal with outer sidewalls, preferably 4 outer sidewalls; providing temperature sensing device for sensing a body temperature of at least one animal and/or activity measurement device for measuring at least one parameter related to physical activity of at least one animal; sensing a body temperature of at least one animal and/or measuring at least one parameter related to physical activity of at least one animal; providing data processing device; and processing data related to body temperature and/or to the parameter related to physical activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the analysis of the diverse behaviors of animal subjects in defined areas are provided, including tools for filtering and analysis of high-resolution behavioral data. These systems and methods provide an opportunity to examine behavioral patterns with levels of precision and quantization that have not been previously achieved. Methods and systems for managing and analyzing the very large and unique datasets produced by behavioral monitoring systems, including quality assessment and control, archiving, data query, data reduction, analytical procedures and visualization techniques are provided. Such detailed analyses of spontaneous behavior provide fundamental insights into the neural organization of behavior and enable detection of genetic, pharmacological and environmental influences on brain function with high sensitivity.

Abstract: A rodent enclosure dimensioned in length, width and height so as to allow a rodent to run freely along the length of the enclosure, but not turn around without standing on its hind legs. The enclosure has a floor with bars extending transversely to allow access for a force sensor's probe from below. A force measurement device for use with the rodent enclosure to measure the tactile response of a rodent comprising a measurement probe connected to a device body. The probe has a tip which can be engaged with a rodent's paw through the floor of the enclosure. The device body has a fixed body part and a rotatable body part arranged to allow relative rotation between them. A rotation sensor detects the relative rotation and outputs a measurement parameter having values that are calibrated against force values associated with forces applied to the probe's tip.

Abstract: A device and method for delivering drugs or sending or receiving information to or from a lab test animal over a long period of time without having the cords attached to the animal tangle as it moves around in its enclosure.

Abstract: A detecting platform for holding a tiny insect includes a main body forming a containing space, which passes through the main body and is surrounded by side walls of the main body. A first side wall and a second side wall of the side walls are opposite to each other, and the area of the second side wall is smaller than that of the first side wall. The main body forms a first opening and a second opening passing through the first side wall and the second side wall respectively for the tiny insects entering and leaving the containing space. A bottom plate covers a first through surface of the containing space to form a bottom surface and a detecting area is configured thereon to holding the tiny insects. Accordingly, the tiny insects can stay on the detecting area so as to detect the characteristics of the tiny insects expediently.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the condition of livestock comprises a plurality of sensors (115, 103, 113, 111, 107, 105) for sensing a plurality of different behavioral parameters of an animal. The sensed data is transmitted by a unit (115), wirelessly, t a central processor (119) and a plurality of status conditions of the animal is determined on the basis of the transmitted, sensed data such as the onset of parturition, fertility status and other health status conditions. The unit (115) may be permanently worn by the animal and may keep an electronic record of the status conditions of the animal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for detecting motion of an object, such as the paw of rat. A tag comprising an inductive element and a capacitive element may be attached to the object and the motion detected by monitoring the affect of the tag on a time-varying magnetic field.

Abstract: A rodent enclosure dimensioned in length, width and height so as to allow a rodent to run freely along the length of the enclosure, but not turn around without standing on its hind legs. The enclosure has a floor with bars extending transversely to allow access for a force sensor's probe from below. A force measurement device for use with the rodent enclosure to measure the tactile response of a rodent comprising a measurement probe connected to a device body. The probe has a tip which can be engaged with a rodent's paw through the floor of the enclosure. The device body has a fixed body part and a rotatable body part arranged to allow relative rotation between them. A rotation sensor detects the relative rotation and outputs a measurement parameter having values that are calibrated against force values associated with forces applied to the probe's tip.

Abstract: The invention facilitates transport of an immobilized, anesthetized small animal across multiple single-modality or multiple-modality imaging workstations at the same or different physical locations without loss of subject positional information. The animal holder is compatible with preclinical animal imaging stations such as micro-CT, micro-MR, micro-PET, micro-SPECT, and FMT. The animal holder is configured to be accommodated by (for example, fit within) individual imaging chambers of such instruments and is fabricated from materials that are compliant with all of the imaging modalities used. In certain embodiments, an integrated set of fiducial marker wells accommodates the dispensing of markers that are picked up by several modalities simultaneously in multiple planes. The fiducial markers then are aligned in standard image processing or image analysis software with simple image translation and rotation operations, without the need for more advanced scaling, distortion or other operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and acquiring data concerning the health of poultry and animals housed in one or more barns or enclosed environments predicated upon the frequencies and intensity of sounds generated by the poultry and animals to obtain baseline data of healthy and happy poultry and animals.

Abstract: An animal feeding system for slowing the eating process of an animal, e.g., a dog, and simultaneously entertains the animal. The animal feeding system includes a floor, retaining walls, and obstacles which form a food maze. The obstacles may vary, for example, in shape (e.g., as letters, words, geometric shapes, etc.), form (e.g., rigid structure, flexible fingers, etc.), size, height, etc. In addition, the obstacles may include structures to further slow an animal's eating, such as tunnels, slides, ramps, etc. The animal feeding system may be fabricated of any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, silicone rubber, natural rubber, metal, and ceramic.

Abstract: A method for an observational screening method or a drug screening method, includes the steps of providing an enclosure for at least one animal with outer sidewalls, preferably 4 outer sidewalls; providing temperature sensing device for sensing a body temperature of at least one animal and/or activity measurement device for measuring at least one parameter related to physical activity of at least one animal; sensing a body temperature of at least one animal and/or measuring at least one parameter related to physical activity of at least one animal; providing data processing device; and processing data related to body temperature and/or to the parameter related to physical activity.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer code products for monitoring the behavior, health, and/or characteristics of an animal are disclosed herein. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters. These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings, alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various means such as computers and/or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions and facilitate early illness detection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring laboratory animals includes a tag comprising an inductive element and a capacitive element attached to a portion of a laboratory animal. The position of the portion is detected by monitoring the effect of the tag on a time-varying magnetic field having different frequencies, one near tag resonance, and one away from tag resonance.

Abstract: An automated feeding station feeds an animal in a feeding event. An automated collection system, such as a urine collection system, fecal collection system, or combination urine/fecal collection system, collects and excrement from the animal in an excrement elimination event. The feeding event and excrement elimination events provide insights into the health of the animal.

Abstract: A system for providing an interface for interacting with a laboratory animal and the method of using the system are disclosed.

Abstract: An animal memory training system with a closed rotary maze comprises a maze device and a stimulating device. A rotary wheel (6) driven by a motor (4) is provided on the bottom of the case (1) of the maze device. The motor (4) is set in a central column, and its output shaft is tightly connected with the rotary wheel (6) along the central column shaft direction, thus the rotary wheel (6) is driven by the motor (4) to rotate around said central column. A number of pulleys (12) are set on the lower periphery of the frame of the case (1) to support said rotary wheel (6), and a sieve-like supporting net (5) is arranged above the rotary wheel (6). The stimulating device includes an automatic manipulator stimulating device and a remote control stimulating device. Compared with the existing maze model, the rotary drive action of the training system's rotary wheel is moderate, and is more coincident with the movement actual of animals' normal physiological behavior.

Abstract: A movement analysis device for rodents capable of variably adjusting a space where a rodent is placed in order to stimulate the behavior of the rodent so that motor functions of the rodent can be analyzed more effectively. The movement analysis device for rodents includes a body including a pair of side plates distanced from each other with a predetermined gap and a connector plate connecting one ends of the side plates together, the connector plate having a slit extending from one to the other one of the side plates; and an adjustment unit including an adjustment plate configured insertable between the side plates of the body and into the slit of the connector plate of the body and a support plate extending to a height reaching from a bottom to the slit to support the adjustment plate at one portion thereof. The support plate is semi-cylindrically shaped to form a cylindrical space together with the connector plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for delivering drugs or sending or receiving information to or from a lab test animal over a long period of time without having the cords attached to the animal tangle as it moves around in its enclosure.

Abstract: The present apparatus and method provides for real-time automated, non-invasive infrared thermography information of an animal to be used for both thermal and behavioural measurement, thereby providing an earlier and more accurate predictor of onset of disease, growth states, or reproductive states in that animal. More specifically, the present system and method provide for the use of thermal images (taken, for example, at a water station) to obtain both temperature and behavioural information about one or more animals at a time, and to utilize that information to determine the health, growth, or reproductive state of the animal. The combination of thermal biometric data, such as radio frequency identification infrared thermography, and behavioural biometric information, such as behavioural fidgets can be used to detect early-onset of these biological steady and non-steady states in animals.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for convenient management of animals within a rodent containment cage system that includes labeling components, receiving data, associating the data, reporting the data and/or associations and locating components within the cage system. The management of the system may be self-contained, networked through a controller, local server and/or main server.

Abstract: A system for providing an interface for interacting with a laboratory animal and the method of using the system are disclosed.

Abstract: An intelligent doghouse full-automatic processor includes a cage bracket module, and an automatic excrement treating device, a feeding module, a water feeding module, a snack feeding module, a disinfection and heat preservation device and a video/audio module which are arranged on the cage bracket module as well as an automatic door control module, a host computer control module, a network communication module, a background control service module, a terminal use program and the like. With the modules, an owner can remotely monitor an intelligent doghouse, perform video/audio conversation with a pet dog and control and manage the eating and drinking, defecation and entering and exiting cage of the pet dog, disinfection of the cage and temperature regulation of air inside the cage by a computer or a mobile phone through a network browser. Moreover, parameters of the intelligent doghouse can be set through network.

Abstract: A pet feeding systems for slowing the eating process of a pet, e.g., a dog, and simultaneously entertain the pet. The pet feeding system includes a floor, retaining walls, and obstacles which form a food maze. The obstacles may vary, for example, in shape (e.g., as letters, words, geometric shapes, etc.), form (e.g., rigid structure, flexible fingers, etc.), size, height, etc. In addition, the obstacles may include structures to further slow a pets eating, such as tunnels, slides, ramps, etc. The pet feeding system may be fabricated of any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, silicone rubber, natural rubber, metal, and ceramic.