A Wireless Small Animal Monitor

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的研究计划侧重于开发无线小动物生理监测器（SAM）。SAM系统将提供同时监测多达32只实验室动物（最初为大鼠和小鼠）的能力，并连续记录、同步和显示生理数据，包括心率、呼吸率、三维运动活动、皮肤温度和环境温度。将通过佩戴在动物背部表面的微型轻量模块收集每只动物的数据，传感器集成到适当尺寸的耐咀嚼夹克中。数据将通过无线方式上传到连接到PC的共享接收器单元，该接收器单元整合传入的数据流，将所有数据存档在PC的硬盘上，并在PC上提供实时数据显示，从而实现对测量变量的远程监控。第一阶段的工作将证明SAM传感器护套在麻醉（仰卧）和清醒（俯卧）大鼠和小鼠中的概念验证。将进行心率和呼吸率的调节，以建立SAM系统跟踪测量变量动态变化的能力。所有SAM时间序列数据将使用Bland-Altman分析直接与标准测量值进行比较。SAM系统将通过消除对传感器的外科植入的需要并提供对关键生理参数的无线监测的能力来显著改善许多研究实验的动物福利。公共卫生相关性：SAM系统将提供改进的仪器，这将促进基本上所有NIH研究所的生物医学和行为科学研究，因为大鼠和小鼠是医学研究中最常用的脊椎动物。此外，SAM系统将使目前因缺乏适当监测设备而受到限制的领域的研究成为可能。例如，许多关于啮齿动物的饲养和饲养方法以及环境条件和/或外部事件对这些动物的影响的问题仍然没有答案。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed 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 32 laboratory animals (initially rats and mice) simultaneously, with continuous recording, synchronization, and display of physiological data, including heart rate, respiratory rate, three dimensional motion activity, skin temperature, and ambient temperature. Data will be collected from each animal via a miniature, lightweight module that is worn on the dorsal surface of the animal, with sensors integrated into an appropriately sized, chew-resistant jacket. Data will be uploaded wirelessly to a shared receiver unit that connects to a PC, and which consolidates the incoming data stream(s), archives all data on the PC's hard disk, and provides real-time data display on the PC, enabling remote monitoring of the measured variables. The Phase I effort will demonstrate proof of concept for the SAM sensor jacket in both anesthetized (supine) and conscious (prone) rats and mice. Modulation of heart rate and respiratory rate will be performed to establish the ability of the SAM system to track dynamic changes in the measurement variables. All SAM times-series data will be compared directly with criterion measures using Bland-Altman analyses. 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 parameters. 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 medical 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.