Method and apparatus for tracking a laboratory animal location and movement
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for automatically tracking the location of animal comprised of:
- a. a walled enclosure;
b. a plate made of electrical insulating material defining an animal floor thereat;
c. a plurality of electrodes made of electrically conductive thin pieces, which are separated from each other by a predetermined space and wherein a plurality of capacities existing in between said electrodes, placed on the surface of said plate;
d. a plurality of conductive wires connecting said electrodes in groups in such way that each electrode and its neighboring electrodes are not in the same group;
e. means to measure the capacitances between said groups of electrodes and the neighboring electrodes;
f. means to selectively establish electrical connection to any set groups of electrodes to said capacitances measuring means; and
g. means to determine the location of the animal based on the changes of said capacitances.
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Abstract
A system for tracking the laboratory animal position and movement in a walled enclosure or cage for observation and evaluation is disclosed. The system consists of a plate placed on the bottom of the cage whereon multiple electrodes are configured as column-row two-dimensional electrode array, an electronic circuit detecting and measuring the capacitance between said electrodes, and a microprocessor determining the animal'"'"'s location. The electronic circuit repeatedly measures the capacitance between the electrodes in a sequential manner. The animal'"'"'s location and movement is determined by detecting the changes in capacitance on said plate.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically tracking the location of animal comprised of:
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a. a walled enclosure; b. a plate made of electrical insulating material defining an animal floor thereat; c. a plurality of electrodes made of electrically conductive thin pieces, which are separated from each other by a predetermined space and wherein a plurality of capacities existing in between said electrodes, placed on the surface of said plate; d. a plurality of conductive wires connecting said electrodes in groups in such way that each electrode and its neighboring electrodes are not in the same group; e. means to measure the capacitances between said groups of electrodes and the neighboring electrodes; f. means to selectively establish electrical connection to any set groups of electrodes to said capacitances measuring means; and g. means to determine the location of the animal based on the changes of said capacitances. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification