INTEGRATED SELF-CONTAINED RECORDER OF BIOLOGICAL DATA FOR SMALL ANIMAL RESEARCH

• US 20070244374A1
• Filed: 10/18/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexei L. Vyssotski, Dmitri L. Vyssotski
• Original Assignee: Alexei L. Vyssotski, Dmitri L. Vyssotski
• Inventors: Vyssotski, Alexei L., Vyssotski, Dmitri L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,160,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the recording of physiological variables in small animals are described. The apparatus is an integrated self-contained recorder including a converter of biological signals into a digital form, a data storage unit, a data output for transporting the stored data from the recorder after the end of recording session, a power source and an electrical connector arranged for connection of the recorder with at least one sensor of biological signal and mechanical fixation of the recorder at the head of an animal. The recorder may contain a sensor, which receives signals from an external source for synchronization of the stored data with external equipment or observed/registered animal behavior.

Claims

1. An integrated self-contained recorder of biological data for a small animal comprising:

a converter for conversion of at least one biological signal to digital data,

a data storage unit for storing the digital data,

a data output for transporting the stored digital data from the recorder after a recording session,

a power source,

a head connector that attaches to the head of a small animal, the head connector comprising at least one sensor of a biological signal from the small animal, and

an electrical connector for connecting the recorder with the head connector.

2. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector comprises at least one screw joint for preventing disconnection of the electrical connector.

3. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the sensor of biological signal communicates biological signals to the converter via the electrical connector.

4. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is attached rigidly to a non-flexible combination of the converter, the data storage unit, the data output, and the power source.

5. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is attached to a non-flexible combination of the converter, data storage unit, the data output, and the power source by a flexible substrate.

6. The recorder of claim 5, wherein the flexible substrate comprises polyimide or polyester.

7. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the data storage unit comprises a nonvolatile integrated circuit memory chip.

8. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the data storage unit comprises a removable memory card.

9. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the data output comprises a removable memory card and a slot for receiving the memory card.

10. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the data output comprises an electrical connector for transferring the biological signals.

11. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a capacitor, a coin cell battery, or a thin film battery.

12. The recorder of claim 1, wherein a protective tube surrounds a board comprising the connector, the data storage unit, and the power source, wherein the protective tube receives a protective cap, whereby the electrical connector is pushed toward the head connector.

13. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the head connector and the electrical connector are joined by a screw that is received by an electrode.

14. The recorder of claim 1, wherein a screw passes through the head connector into an electrode.

15. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the head connector and the electrical connector comprise rigid connection via a single-lead, shift-in connector that is attached to an electrode.

16. The recorder of claim 1, wherein electrodes are fixed to an animal'"'"'s head, and conductive wires connect the electrodes with contacts of the head connector.

17. The recorder of claim 1, wherein the converter amplifies and filters biological signals from the animal'"'"'s head.

18. An integrated self-contained recorder of biological data comprising:

a converter for conversion of at least one biological signal to digital data,

a sensor capable of receiving a signal from an external source for synchronization of the digital data with an external event,

a data storage unit for storing the digital data and information received from the external event,

a data output for transporting stored data from the recorder after a recording session, and

a power source.

19. The recorder of claim 18, wherein the sensor is a mechanical sensor, an acoustic sensor, or an optical sensor.

20. The recorder of claim 19, wherein the optical sensor is an infrared sensor.

21. The recorder of claim 18, wherein the sensor is a radio wave receiver.

22. A method of measuring physiological variables in small animal comprising:

providing an integrated self-contained recorder of biological data for a small animal comprising;

a converter for conversion of at least one biological signal to digital data;

a data storage unit for storing the digital data;

a data output for transporting the stored data from the recorder after the recording session;

a power source;

a head connector that attaches to the head of a small animal, the head connector comprising at least one sensor of a biological signal from the small animal;

the recorder comprising an electrical connector for connecting the recorder with the head connector;

fixing the head connector the head of the animal;

connecting the recorder to the head connector via the electrical connector; and

acquiring at least one physiological signal.

23. A method of measuring physiological variables comprising:

providing an integrated self-contained recorder of biological data for a small animal comprising;

a converter for conversion of at least one biological signal to digital data;

a sensor capable of receiving a signal from an external source for synchronization of the digital data with an external event;

a data storage unit for storing the digital data and the information received from the external event;

a data output for transporting the stored data from the recorder after the recording session; and

a power source;

fixing the recorder to the small animal;

providing at least one synchronizing signal; and

acquiring at least one physiological signal.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronizing signal is being sent simultaneously with an animal stimulating signal.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the stimulating signal is a light signal, a sound signal, or an electric signal.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the stimulating signal is an electric signal supplied through a grid floor.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the stimulating electric signal is supplied through implanted electrodes.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronizing signal is being sent when the animal'"'"'s location changes.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronizing signal contains information about the animal'"'"'s location.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronizing signal contains spatial coordinates of the animal.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronizing signal contains a time record.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronizing signal is set going manually by an operator.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronizing signal is set going by an animal action.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the animal action is a pressing on a lever or is a crossing of an infrared beam.

35. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronizing signal is provided by a global positioning system receiver.

36. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronizing signal is provided by a computer.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the computer receives information about animal location via video camera.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the computer receives information about animal location via intersection of infrared beams by animal body.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the computer analyzes animal behavior, splits the animal behavior into behavioral episodes, classifies the behavioral episodes and sends labels of these episodes to the recorder.