Non-invasive cardio-pulmonary monitor for mice

描述(申请人提供)：第一阶段工作的结果，在此过程中，8只小鼠的生理信号被测定，并与既定的“黄金标准”技术相关联，证明了通过用鞍型传感器测量小鼠的胸部运动来监测和识别清晰可区分的生理信号的可行性。更重要的是，结果清楚地表明，这种传感器可以满足对移动小鼠进行长期和持续监测的需要，特别是那些由于遗传干预和年龄而健康状况岌岌可危的动物，以至于侵入性监测手段不是一种选择。 作为第二阶段工作的一部分，该系统将被微型化，以便整个传感组件可以移动到鼠标上，并将一个微型无线传输系统集成到传感器系统中。实时信号处理算法将得到优化，并完成基于计算机的图形用户界面(GUI)。为了验证传感系统的性能，弗吉尼亚大学将对其脆弱的健康状态不允许进行侵入性监测的小鼠群体进行两项研究。一项研究将涉及患有诱导性强直性肌营养不良的小鼠，而另一项研究将研究哮喘小鼠。 已与一家著名的生理监测设备制造商结成联盟，将该产品商业化。 随着越来越多的小鼠品系被用于测试药物反应、基因工程尝试和其他可能影响这些生物节律的因素，对小鼠心肺节律进行长期监测的需求正在增长。这种传感器技术可以满足对移动小鼠进行长期和持续监测的需要，特别是那些由于遗传干预和年龄增长而健康状况岌岌可危的动物，而侵入性监测手段是不可行的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The results of the Phase I effort, during the course of which the physiological signals of eight mice were determined and correlated with established "golden standard" techniques, have demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring and identifying clearly distinguishable physiological signals by measuring the mouse's chest movements with a saddle-type sensor. More importantly, the results clearly established that this sensor can answer the need for the long-term and continuous monitoring of mobile mice, particularly those animals whose state of health is so precarious as a result of genetic intervention and age that invasive monitoring means are not an option. As part of the Phase II effort the system will be miniaturized so that the entire sensing assembly can be moved onto the mouse and a miniature wireless transmission system will be integrated into the sensor system. The real-time signal processing algorithms will be optimized and a computer-based graphical user interface (GUI) completed. In order to validate the performance of the sensing system, two studies will be performed at the University of Virginia on mouse populations whose fragile state of health does not permit invasive monitoring. One study will involve mice with inducible myotonic dystrophy, while the other will study asthmatic mice. An alliance has been formed with a well-known manufacturer of physiological monitoring equipment to commercialize the product. The need for the long-term monitoring of cardiopulmonary rhythms in mice is growing along with an increasing population of mice strains that are being used to test drug responses, genetic engineering attempts, and other factors that can affect these biological rhythms. This sensor technology can answer the need for the long-term and continuous monitoring of mobile mice, particularly those animals whose state of health is precarious as a result of genetic intervention and age that invasive monitoring means are not an option.