Automated inhalation toxicology exposure system

• US 6,904,912 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2001
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Roy, Chad J., Hartings, Justin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/919,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20020103443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.14, 128/200.14, 119/420
• US Class Current: 128/203.18
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0806 by whole-body plethysmography measuring blood flow using plethysmography A61B5/0295; impedance plethysmography A61B5/053; measuring volume of the body or parts thereof A61B5/1073
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/04 Devices for anaesthetising animals by gases or vapours; Inhaling devices

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes but is not limited to exposing an animal to an inhalant; acquiring near real time measurement of at least respiration during said exposing; and calculating a received dose of the inhalant in response to the near real time measurement of the at least respiration during said exposing. In one embodiment, a method includes but is not limited to automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber; and automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in the inhalant chamber. In one embodiment, a method includes but is not limited to displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in an inhalant chamber. In addition to the foregoing, other method embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. In one or more various embodiments, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the foregoing-described method embodiments; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the foregoing-described method embodiments depending upon the design choices of the system designer. In one embodiment, a system includes but is not limited to at least one inhalant chamber; and at least one animal respiration sensor integral with the at least one inhalant chamber.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber including maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the environmental factor is a temperature of the inhalant chamber; and

automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in the inhalant chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

controlling the environmental factor via monitoring a temperature sensor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said controlling the environmental factor via monitoring a temperature sensor comprises:

controlling the environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the temperature sensor and adjusting a temperature driver.

4. A method comprising:

automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in an inhalant chamber; and

automatically controlling an environment of the inhalant chamber comprising;

maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the environmental factor includes a humidity of the inhalant chamber.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

controlling the environmental factor via monitoring a humidity sensor.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said controlling the environmental factor via monitoring a humidity sensor comprises:

controlling the environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the humidity sensor and adjusting a humidity driver.

7. A method comprising:

automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in an inhalant chamber; and

automatically controlling an environment of the inhalant chamber comprising;

maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the environmental factor includes an airflow in to the inhalant chamber.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

controlling the environmental factor via monitoring an input airflow sensor.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said controlling the environmental factor via monitoring an input airflow sensor comprises:

controlling the environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the input airflow sensor and adjusting an input airflow driver.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber further comprises:

maintaining a second environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the second environmental factor includes a pressure of the inhalant chamber.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said maintaining the second environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

controlling the second environmental factor via monitoring a pressure sensor of the inhalant chamber.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said controlling the second environmental factor via monitoring the pressure sensor of the inhalant chamber comprises:

controlling the second environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the pressure sensor and adjusting a pressure driver.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein said automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in the inhalant chamber further comprises:

dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

dispersing a substance having a wet aerosol form.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

dispersing a substance having a aerosol form.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

dispersing a substance having a gaseous substance form.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

dispersing a substance having a mist form.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

dispersing a substance having a fog form.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

dispersing a substance having a fume form.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

dispersing a substance having an airborne substance form.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

controlling the one or more inhalant dissemination devices via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from a chamber pressure monitor.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

controlling the one or more inhalant dissemination devices via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from an inhalant-concentration sensor.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein said dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

controlling the one or more inhalant dissemination devices via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from a gas sensor.

24. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in the inhalant chamber.

25. The method of claim 7 wherein at least a portion of an animal extends into the chamber.

26. The method of claim 7 wherein gaseous input and gaseous egress from the inhalant chamber are controlled.

27. A method comprising:

automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in an inhalant chamber; and

automatically controlling an environment of the inhalant chamber comprising;

maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the environmental factor includes an exhaust airflow out of the inhalant chamber.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

controlling the environmental factor via monitoring an exhaust output airflow sensor.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said controlling the environmental factor via monitoring an exhaust output airflow sensor comprises:

controlling the environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the output airflow sensor and adjusting an exhaust output airflow driver.

30. A method comprising:

automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber; and

automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in the inhalant chamber comprising;

controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant comprises:

controlling the flow rate out of the inhalant chamber via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from an inhalant concentration sensor.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant comprises:

controlling the flow rate out of the inhalant chamber via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from a gas sensor.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein said controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant comprises:

controlling the flow rate out of the inhalant chamber via a Proportional Integral Derivitive (PID) controller receiving input from an input airflow sensor.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein said controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant comprises:

controlling the flow rate out of the inhalant chamber via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from an output airflow sensor.

35. A method comprising:

automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber;

automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in the inhalant chamber; and

displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in an inhalant chamber comprising;

displaying animal-related dosimetry data.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in an inhalant chamber further comprises:

displaying a temperature of the inhalant chamber.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in an inhalant chamber further comprises:

displaying a humidity of the inhalant chamber.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein said displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in an inhalant chamber further comprises:

displaying an airflow into the inhalant chamber.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein said displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in an inhalant chamber further comprises:

displaying an airflow out of the inhalant chamber.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein said displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in an inhalant chamber further comprises:

displaying animal-related respiration data.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein said displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in an inhalant chamber further comprises:

displaying a pressure of the inhalant chamber.

42. A system comprising:

means for automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in an inhalant chamber; and

means for automatically controlling an environment of the inhalant chamber comprising;

means for maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the environmental factor includes an airflow in to the inhalant chamber.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein said means for maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

means for controlling the environmental factor via monitoring an input airflow sensor.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein said means for controlling the environmental factor via monitoring an input airflow sensor comprises:

means for controlling the environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the input airflow sensor and adjusting an input airflow driver.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein said means for automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber further comprises:

maintaining a second environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the second environmental factor includes a pressure of the inhalant chamber.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein said means for maintaining a second environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

means for controlling the second environmental factor via monitoring a pressure sensor of the inhalant chamber.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein said means for controlling the second environmental factor comprises:

means for controlling the environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the pressure sensor and adjusting a pressure driver.

48. The system of claim 42, wherein said means for automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in the inhalant chamber comprises:

means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices.

49. The system of claim 42 further comprising:

means for displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in the inhalant chamber.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein said means for displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in an inhalant chamber comprises:

means for displaying a pressure of the inhalant chamber.

51. The system of claim 42, wherein said means for automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber further comprises:

means for maintaining a second environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the second environmental factor is a temperature of the inhalant chamber.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein said means for maintaining the second environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

means for controlling the second environmental factor via monitoring a temperature sensor.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein said means for controlling the second environmental factor via monitoring the temperature sensor comprises:

means for controlling the second environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the temperature sensor and adjusting a temperature driver.

54. The system of claim 42, wherein said means for automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber further comprises:

means for maintaining a second environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the second environmental factor includes a humidity of the inhalant chamber.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein said means for maintaining the second environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

means for controlling the second environmental factor via monitoring a humidity sensor.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein said means for controlling the second environmental factor via monitoring a humidity sensor comprises:

means for controlling the second environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the humidity sensor and adjusting a humidity driver.

57. The system of claim 42 wherein at least a portion of an animal extends into the chamber.

58. The system of claim 42 wherein gaseous input and gaseous egress from the inhalant chamber are controlled.

59. A system comprising:

means for automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in an inhalant chamber; and

means for automatically controlling an environment of the inhalant chamber comprising;

means for maintaining an environmental factor via feedback control, wherein the environmental factor includes an exhaust airflow out of the inhalant chamber.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein said means for maintaining the environmental factor via feedback control comprises:

means for controlling the environmental factor via monitoring an exhaust output airflow sensor.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein said means for controlling the environmental factor via monitoring an exhaust output airflow sensor comprises:

means for controlling the environmental factor via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from the output airflow sensor and adjusting an exhaust output airflow driver.

62. A The system comprising:

means for automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber; and

means for automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in the inhalant chamber comprising

means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices, said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance comprising;

means for dispersing a substance having a wet aerosol form.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices further comprises:

means for dispersing a substance having a dry aerosol form.

64. The system of claim 62, wherein said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices further comprises:

means for dispersing a substance having a gaseous substance form.

65. The system of claim 62, wherein said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices further comprises:

means for dispersing a substance having a mist form.

66. The system of claim 62, wherein said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices further comprises:

means for dispersing a substance having a fog form.

67. The system of claim 62, wherein said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices further comprises:

means for dispersing a substance having a fume form.

68. The system of claim 62, wherein said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices further comprises:

means for dispersing a substance having an airborne substance form.

69. The system of claim 62, wherein said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

means for controlling the one or more inhalant dissemination devices via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from a chamber pressure monitor.

70. The system of claim 62, wherein said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

means for controlling the one or more inhalant dissemination devices via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from an inhalant-concentration sensor.

71. The system of claim 62, wherein said means for dispersing either an organic or inorganic substance via electronic control of one or more inhalant dissemination devices comprises:

means for controlling the one or more inhalant dissemination devices via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from a gas sensor.

72. A system comprising:

means for automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber; and

means for automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in the inhalant chamber comprising;

means for controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein said means for controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant comprises:

means for controlling the flow rate out of the inhalant chamber via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from an inhalant concentration sensor.

74. The system of claim 72, wherein said means for controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant comprises:

means for controlling the flow rate out of the inhalant chamber via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from a gas sensor.

75. The system of claim 72, wherein said means for controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant comprises:

means for controlling the flow rate out of the inhalant chamber via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from an input airflow sensor.

76. The system of claim 72, wherein said means for controlling a flow rate out of the inhalant chamber in response to a specified dispensement of the inhalant comprises:

means for controlling the flow rate out of the inhalant chamber via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller receiving input from an output airflow sensor.

77. A system comprising:

means for automatically controlling an environment of an inhalant chamber;

means for automatically controlling a concentration of an inhalant in the inhalant chamber;

means for displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in the inhalant chamber comprising;

means for displaying animal-related dosimetry data.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein said means for displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in the inhalant chamber further comprises:

means for displaying a temperature of the inhalant chamber.

79. The system of claim 77, wherein said means for displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in the inhalant chamber comprises:

means for displaying a humidity of the inhalant chamber.

80. The system of claim 77, wherein said means for displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in the inhalant chamber further comprises:

means for displaying an airflow into the inhalant chamber.

81. The system of claim 77, wherein said means for displaying near real time measurement data related to an animal in the inhalant chamber comprises:

means for displaying an airflow out of the inhalant chamber.