Abstract: Bird carriers and methods of restraining birds are disclosed. Each bird carrier may include a torso support, one or more leg clamps, and a head support. The head support may further include a beak receiving passage such that at least a portion of the birds' beaks are exposed. The bird carriers may restrain one or both legs and heads of the birds while supporting their torsos. Restraining the legs and the heads of the birds while supporting their torsos may produce a calming effect such that the birds exhibit significantly reduced struggling in an attempt to free themselves from the carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing the legs of livestock animals includes a frame also which defines an entrance and an exit and which presents sidewalls which extend between the entrance and the exit thereby presenting a chute suitable for the ingress and egress of a livestock animal. Near the floor of the chute and between the entrance and the exit are leg bars which are able to move between a retracted position suitable for allowing the lower legs of a livestock animal to move freely between the leg bars and the sidewalls and an extended position in which the leg bars are closer to the sidewalls so that the lower legs of a livestock animal are held securely between the leg bars and sidewalls. The apparatus can be used to secure the lower legs of a livestock animal and thereby immobilize the animal.

Abstract: Bird carriers and methods of restraining birds are disclosed. Each bird carrier may include a torso support, one or more leg clamps, and a head support. The head support may further include a beak receiving passage such that at least a portion of the birds' beaks are exposed. The bird carriers may restrain one or both legs and heads of the birds while supporting their torsos. Restraining the legs and the heads of the birds while supporting their torsos may produce a calming effect such that the birds exhibit significantly reduced struggling in an attempt to free themselves from the carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an animal includes a first mounting surface, a bed sized to support the animal and releasably secured to or integral with the first mounting surface. The apparatus also includes a plurality of straps, each having a first end in a fixed position relative to the bed and a second end for tightening around a limb of the animal. A method for in-vivo imaging of an animal includes providing an animal that has limbs, providing a first mounting surface, and providing a bed removably secured to or integral with the mounting surface and sized to support the animal as well as being coupled to a plurality of straps. The method also includes placing the animal on the bed between the plurality of straps and tightening at least two of the plurality of straps around at least two of the limbs such that the animal is substantially secured in place relative to the bed.

Abstract: A measurement object holder that holds a measurement object in an optical measurement instrument, wherein the optical measurement instrument takes, as the measurement object, a living body in which isotropic scattering of light occurs inside and receives light emitted from the measurement object is disclosed. The measurement object holder includes a block that is formed in a predetermined outer shape by a material having optical properties in which the isotropic scattering of light occurs inside; and a cavity portion that is formed inside the block, that has an inner shape following the outer shape of the measurement object and in which the measurement object is accommodated.

Abstract: A laboratory specimen, such as a mouse or rat, can be accurately and repeatedly imaged in an imaging machine, such as an MRI machine, when securely positioned on a specimen support bed. The support bed includes contours and accessories for centering a specimen on the support bed. One or more bite bars coact with a head clamp to accurately fix a specimen's head in the same position time after time.

Abstract: A dog training device may include a base with a first cross member slidably connected to the base and a second cross member slidably connected to the base. A first set of pedestals may be slidably connected to the first cross member and a second set of pedestals may be slidably connected to the second cross member. Advantageously, the distances between the cross members and the pedestals may be adjusted so that the dog training device may be used with dogs of various shapes and sizes. In addition, the base, cross members and pedestals may be quickly and easily connected and disconnected, which may facilitate transportation and storage of the device. The base, cross members and pedestals may also be securely interconnected to provide a stable and steady dog training device.

Abstract: A low cost specimen holder for accurately positioning an animal or other specimen in an imaging machine is constructed from two thin sheets of formed plastic. Each sheet can be formed with a half cavity corresponding to the size and shape of a rodent or other laboratory animal or specimen. To minimize diffraction of imaging beams, one of the sheets can be formed to accommodate the entire specimen, and the other sheet can be substantially planar. The two sheets may be snap-fit or press-fit together to closely hold or encapsulate a specimen with the resulting cavity.

Abstract: A pet vehicle safety restraint device for protection of household animals, the device including a one piece molded base frame having a pet seating floor and a back panel, the pet seating floor and the back panel being in a substantially ninety degrees relationship to one another; a harnessing system designed to contain the upper torso of a pet and containing an adjustable and flexible chest band; and a first adjustable leash, a second adjustable leash and a third adjustable leash, the adjustable leashes connecting the harnessing system, and subsequently a pet, to the one piece molded frame wherein the one piece molded frame is ultimately connected to the vehicle by means of a vehicle seat belt.

Abstract: The system (10) includes a guide plate (32) covering at least about fifty percent of a distance along a first or a second end edge (28, 30) between first and second side edges (24, 26) of a veterinary table (12). The plate (32) defines five or more cord positioning guides (36) per foot of extension of the guide plate (32) between the first and second table side edges (24, 26). The cord positioning guides (36) secure an animal restraint cord (38) against movement toward the first or second table side edges (24, 26). The cord (38) is secured at one end to a limb (48) of a small animal (22) such as a dog, extends through one of a variety of cord positioning guides (36), and is secured against movement toward the animal (22) by a cord securing apparatus (52).

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an animal includes a first mounting surface, a bed sized to support the animal and releasably secured to or integral with the first mounting surface. The apparatus also includes a plurality of straps, each having a first end in a fixed position relative to the bed and a second end for tightening around a limb of the animal. A method for in-vivo imaging of an animal includes providing an animal that has limbs, providing a first mounting surface, and providing a bed removably secured to or integral with the mounting surface and sized to support the animal as well as being coupled to a plurality of straps. The method also includes placing the animal on the bed between the plurality of straps and tightening at least two of the plurality of straps around at least two of the limbs such that the animal is substantially secured in place relative to the bed.

Abstract: The stabilizer for shoeing a horse is trailer-style apparatus for securely holding horses for close work such as shoeing operations or veterinary procedures. The unit consists of an open-back rectangular perimeter frame with a trailer hitch assembly and an outboard-mounted wheel assembly on each side. The support frame consists of a vertical support in each corner connected by an upper and lower horizontal support on the front, right and left sides and an upper support on the rear side. Mounted in the center of the right and left sides are adjustable retainer bars which slide horizontally inward to restrain the sides of the horse. Elongated spines with retention notches are mounted upon the retainer bars and allow the handler to attach a number of chains for further restraint purposes. An underbelly harness, a back restraint strap, and a neck restraint strap are also connected to the spines and restraint bars.

Abstract: A goniometer (also sometimes referred to as an arthrometer, fleximeter, or pronometer) for measuring the range of motion of an animal knee includes an anchor platform to which an animal's upper leg (femur) may be affixed, and a mobile platform to which the animal's lower leg (shin and tibia) may be affixed so that the upper and lower leg are situated along a common axis. The mobile platform is preferably movable in two degrees of freedom (translational and rotational) about the anchor platform so that the relative motion of the platforms causes the upper and lower leg to move about the intermediate knee joint. A force transducer (such as a spring scale) and/or a torque transducer (such as a common torque wrench) may be used to obtain measurements of the laxity of the knee joint.

Abstract: An adjustable stand includes a stable base, an upright portion upending from the base, and a platform adjustably locked in the base. The platform height preferably may be adjusted continuously rather than incrementally for precise and accurate positioning of a horse hoof or other animate or inanimate object. One platform includes a diverging U-shaped cradle, with a firm but cushioning/shock-absorbing material on its top side for elevating the supported object and absorbing the concussion of the work being performed on the object. Preferably, the firm but cushioning material is a flexible strap slung across the cradle and spaced above the surface of the cradle at its center region. The preferred plastic base and continuous adjustability of the platform provide a quiet, substantially non-metallic, and non-intimidating stand that tends not to frighten horses or other animals.

Abstract: A pet's dressing cart for carrying a pet for dressing includes a mobile cart body, two bearing blocks axially movably supported on the base of the mobile cart body for carrying a pet for dressing, a horizontal adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pitch between the bearing blocks, and a holding down mechanism adjusted to hold down the legs of the pet on the bearing blocks.

Abstract: An elevator-type mechanism which raises and lowers an animal into desired vertical position to facilitate treatment of injuries, treatment of illnesses, grooming, and the like of the animal.

Abstract: A shell of an animal restraint system is made from a radiolucent plastic material shaped to conform generally to the back, neck and head of the animal. The shell also has at least one region with a U-shape to permit the animal to be positioned on its back or on either side.

Abstract: A shell of an animal restraint system is made from a radiolucent plastic material shaped to conform generally to the back, neck and head of the animal. The shell also has at least one region with a U-shape to permit the animal to be positioned on its back or on either side.

Abstract: An animal grooming station wherein a bracket having an animal retaining loop depending therefrom is coupled to a moveable arm attached to a table by a rotational bearing. The axis of rotation of the bearing is in vertical alignment with the retaining loop. Movement of the bracket about the table does not change the position of the retaining loop. The table is contoured to aid in movement of the bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable farrier's stand includes a polyethylene base formed having a large generally flat base and a narrow truncated conical upright receiving portion centrally protruding from the base, a support upright configured to be slidably held within the upright receiving portion and an adjustable holding mechanism for securing the upright within the upright holder at a selected height. A first upright includes a diverging “U” shaped cradle attached to its upper distal end. A nylon strap is slung across the cradle and attached to the opposing ends of the cradle to form a hoof receiving sling. The cradle and strap are configured to securely hold the hoof and absorb concussion associated with nailing and hoof maintenance. A second upright member simply provides a flat surface or platform to receive the bottom of a hoof at an elevated position above the ground for anterior hoof work.

Abstract: A pig holder designed to support pigs by their hind legs while performing operations on the pig or while giving treatment to the pig, includes a support frame which mounts to the rails of a ferring crate. A leg holder assembly including two pairs of hooks are secured to the support frame for engagement with the pig's hind legs. Each pair of hooks is adapted to engage with a respective hind leg of the pig and includes one upwardly facing hook and one downwardly facing hook. The spacing between the first and second pairs of hooks may be adjusted to accommodate pigs of different size or to spread the hind legs of the pig to permit access to the pig's abdomen.

Abstract: An animal restraining device for restraining an animal on a flat support surface is disclosed. Elongated bar members extend substantially parallel to the flat support surface. Clamps are attached to the ends of the bar members for clamping the elongated bar members stationary with respect to the flat surface. The clamp means include a support surface to be placed on the flat surface for supporting the bar members in a spaced relationship from the flat surface and a clamping surface for clamping against an edge surface of the support. The length of the bar members may be adjusted and hence a distance between the clamping surfaces of mutually opposite clamps. Tie-down straps are provided for fastening the limbs of the animal to the bar members. In an alternative embodiment, the restraining device is a frame placed on the support table, with supports to raise the frame above the table.