A Wireless Small Animal Monitor

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的第二阶段研究计划侧重于无线小动物生理监测仪（SAM）的开发。SAM系统将提供同时监测多达16只实验动物（最初是大鼠和小鼠）的能力，具有连续记录、同步和显示生理数据的能力，包括心率、呼吸频率、运动活动、皮肤温度和环境温度。每只动物的数据将通过一个微型的、轻量级的“背包”收集，这个“背包”被戴在动物的背部表面，传感器被集成到一个适当大小的、耐嚼的设计中。可选的无线摄像机可以安装在实验室或动物饲养区域，并集成到SAM系统中，对动物进行实时远程视觉监控。SAM系统数据（生理数据和视频数据）将以无线方式上传到与PC机（可以是本地或通过互联网）接口的共享接收器单元。PC将整合传入的数据流，将所有数据存档到硬盘上，并提供实时数据显示，从而实现对所有仪器动物的远程同时监控。拟议的第二阶段研究是在第一阶段成功的基础上进行的，第一阶段的研究证明了SAM系统在麻醉（仰卧）和清醒（俯卧）大鼠和小鼠身上的概念和可行性。第二阶段的研究将包括创建一个功能齐全、具有商业可行性的SAM系统，该系统将在各种大鼠和小鼠的实验室实验中进行评估，包括在一周的时间内同时对几只动物进行实验。通过消除手术植入传感器的需要和提供关键生理变量的无线监测能力，SAM系统将显著改善许多研究实验的动物福利。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed Phase II research program focuses on the development of a wireless Small Animal Physiological Monitor (SAM). The SAM system will provide the capability to monitor up to 16 laboratory animals (initially rats and mice) simultaneously, with continuous recording, synchronization, and display of physiological data, including heart rate, respiratory rate, motion activity, skin temperature, and ambient temperature. Data will be collected from each animal via a miniature, lightweight "backpack" that is worn on the dorsal surface of the animal, with sensors integrated into an appropriately-sized, chew-resistant design. Optional wireless cameras can be mounted in laboratories or animal housing areas and integrated into the SAM system for remote visual monitoring of animals in real time. SAM system data (both physiological and video data) will be uploaded wirelessly to a shared receiver unit that interfaces to a PC (which can be local or over the Internet). The PC will consolidate the incoming data stream(s), archive all data on a hard disk, and provide real-time data display, enabling remote, simultaneous monitoring of all instrumented animals. The proposed Phase II research follows a successful Phase I effort that demonstrated proof of concept and feasibility for the SAM system in both anesthetized (supine) and conscious (prone) rats and mice. The Phase II research will involve creation of a fully-functional, commercially-viable SAM system that will be evaluated in laboratory experiments conducted on a variety of rats and mice, including several animals simultaneously over a one-week period. The SAM system will significantly refine animal welfare for many research experiments by eliminating the need for surgical implantation of sensors and providing the capability for wireless monitoring of key physiological variables. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The SAM system will provide improved instrumentation that will facilitate biomedical and behavioral science investigations across essentially all NIH institutes, as rats and mice are the most commonly used vertebrates in research. Additionally, the SAM system will enable research in areas that are presently constrained by the absence of suitable monitoring devices. For example, many questions regarding housing and husbandry practices of rodents and the impact of environmental conditions and/or external events on these animals remain unanswered.