CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Serial No. 61/531,256 filed on September 6, 2011 entitled ANIMAL SPECIMEN POSITIONING SYSTEM, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to animal specimen positioning systems and more particularly to animal specimen positioning systems used with imaging devices.

BACKGROUND

Animal specimen positioning systems are known. Numerous animal specimen positioning systems allow for the positioning and imaging of a single animal specimen. These systems do not, however, allow for the imaging of multiple animal specimens simultaneously or positioning multiple animal specimens within an imaging device such that each animal is in the field of view or is equivalently positioned with respect to the imaging device. Such positioning results in the best image for each animal.

Accordingly, there is a need for an animal specimen positioning system that allows for the convenient positioning, imaging and transporting of a plurality of animal specimens. Such an animal positioning system can also ensure that the images obtained are conducive to meaningful comparisons between animal specimens.

SUMMARY

The present invention satisfies these and other objects through an animal specimen positioning system comprising a mount, at least two elongated receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen and an imaging adaptor. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an animal specimen positioning system comprising a mount, at least two elongated receptacles, each of which are sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen and comprising an axis of elongation, a connection system and an imaging adaptor for securing the animal positioning system to an imaging device. The connection system releasably secures the at least two elongated receptacles to the mount and is configured to allow rotation of the at least two elongated receptacles around the axis of elongation after securement to and without removal from the mount.

In another embodiment, the present invention comprises an animal specimen positioning system comprising a mount comprising at least two openings, at least two elongated receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen and a delivery system for delivering anesthesia to said at least two elongated receptacles and an imaging adaptor for securing said animal positioning system to an imaging device. The at least two elongated receptacles comprise an axis of elongation, and include an end portion releasably securable within the at least two openings of the mount. The delivery system is connected to said mount and comprises at least one port for receiving the anesthesia and at least one tube in communication with the at least one port. The tube is in further communication with each of the at least two openings and the end portions of the at least two receptacles are configured to allow flow of anesthesia throughout the at least two openings.

In still another embodiment, various iterations of the animal specimen positioning system may together form a kit. In one embodiment the kit comprises an animal specimen management kit comprising a plurality of mounts, a plurality of elongated receptacles and a plurality of connection systems for securing the plurality of elongated receptacles to at least one of said mounts. Each of the at least two elongated receptacles are sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen and comprise an axis of elongation. Each of the plurality of mounts comprises at least two different locations for securing the plurality of receptacles, such that the plurality of connection systems enable positioning of the at least two elongated receptacles in multiple orientations on the mounts. In yet another embodiment, the present invention comprises an animal specimen positioning system comprising a mount, at least two elongated receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen and a connection system for securing the at least two elongated receptacles to the mount and an imaging adaptor for securing said animal positioning system to an imaging device. The at least two elongated receptacles are configurable in a plurality of different orientations on the mount.

These embodiments may include various additional features. The at least two receptacles and the mount may comprise a ball and detent

arrangement to releasably lock a rotation angle for each of the at least two elongated receptacles. The mount may comprise at least two openings and the at least two elongated receptacles may comprise end portions releasably securable within the openings, with the end portions configured to allow rotation. An outer surface of the end portion may define at least one groove. The mount may comprise a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion releasably securable to the second portion, such that one or more of the at least two elongated receptacles is capable of being laid in the first portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of elongation and without movement in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation before securement of the second portion. The mounts may further include a plurality of openings for receipt of the plurality of elongated receptacles, with a first mount including openings positioned side-by-side and a second mount comprising at least one opening overlying another opening. The connection system may also comprise a plurality of apertures and connectors securable to the apertures, the apertures and connectors positioned on at least one of the mount and the at least two elongated receptacles. The at least two elongated receptacles may comprise two to four elongated receptacles. The at least two openings may be in communication with one another through the at least one tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the following description and drawings wherein identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical features that are common to the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective partially exploded view of a first embodiment of an animal specimen positioning system constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the animal specimen positioning system includes two elongated receptacles to receive and hold animal specimens.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention showing an animal specimen positioning system including four elongated receptacles to receive and hold animal specimens.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention showing an animal specimen positioning system including three elongated receptacles to receive and hold animal specimens.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention showing an animal specimen positioning system including three elongated receptacles to receive and hold animal specimens.

FIG. 5A is a perspective partially exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the invention showing an animal specimen positioning system including an anesthesia delivery system.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the animal specimen positioning system of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective partially exploded view of an elongated receptacle to receive and hold animal specimens constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 7A is an exploded cross-sectional view of the elongated receptacle of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the animal specimen positioning system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the animal specimen positioning system of FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a perspective partially exploded view of a seventh embodiment of the invention showing an animal specimen positioning system including four elongated receptacles to receive and hold animal specimens, wherein the elongated receptacles are integral to a monolithic block.

FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of an eighth embodiment of the invention showing an animal specimen positioning system including four elongated receptacles to receive and hold animal specimens, wherein pairs of elongated receptacles are integral to monolithic blocks.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an animal specimen management kit in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention, wherein the animal specimen management kit comprises two mounts including two different polygonal arrays of locations for securing elongated receptacles.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an animal specimen management kit in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the invention, wherein the animal specimen management kit comprises two mounts including one polygonal array of locations and one linear array of locations for securing elongated receptacles.

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of an eleventh embodiment of the invention showing an animal specimen positioning system including four elongated receptacles to receive and hold animal specimens releasably securable to the mount.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a ball and detent arrangement in partial cross section positioned on the elongated receptacles and mount.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the end portion of one of the four elongated receptacles.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the internal mechanisms contained within the mount, including the anesthesia delivery system and the openings for receipt of the elongated receptacles.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the mount, illustrating a bipartite design.

FIG. 18B is another perspective view of the bipartite design of

FIG. 18 A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This application claims priority to U.S. Serial No. 61/531,256 filed on September 6, 2011 entitled ANIMAL SPECIMEN POSITIONING SYSTEM, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Reference is made to U.S. Serial No.13/xxx,xxx filed on even date entitled ANIMAL SPECIMEN POSITIONING SYSTEM to Hurley et al, which claims priority to (1) U.S. Serial No. 61/531,256 filed on September 6, 2011, and to (2) U.S. Serial No. 12/475,623 filed June 1, 2009 by Feke et al. entitled TORSIONAL SUPPORT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CRANIOCAUD AL ROTATION OF ANIMALS .

The present invention will now be described in conjunction with the drawings, beginning with FIG. 1, which shows an exploded view of an animal specimen positioning system 10a constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Animal specimen positioning system 10a includes a mount la, a plurality of elongated receptacles 2a (typically two to four), including two elongated receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen, a connection system 6a for securing plurality of elongated receptacles 2a to mount la, and an imaging adaptor 3 for securing animal positioning system 10a to an imaging device.

Each elongated receptacle 2a may comprise a hollow tubular member having an axis of elongation and whose cross- sectional shape may be, for example, a circle, square, rectangle, hexagon, octagon, or an irregular shape. The animal specimens may include, for example, mice, rats, rabbits, or monkeys. Each animal may be held such that its craniocaudal axis is substantially aligned with the axis of elongation of the tubular member. The tubular members comprise at least one area constructed of a material that is substantially transparent to energy or fields involved in fluorescence imaging, luminescence imaging, Cherenkov imaging, reflectance imaging, X-ray imaging, radioisotopic imaging, CT scanning, PET imaging, SPECT imaging, or MRI imaging. For example, the tubular members may comprise at least one area that is substantially transparent to light, including visible and near-infrared light. The tubular members may also comprise at least one area that is substantially transparent to X-rays. The tubular members may also comprise at least one area that is substantially transparent to gamma rays. The tubular members may also comprise at least one area that is substantially transparent to magnetic fields. Examples of such materials include acrylic, polycarbonate, PETG, polystyrene, cycloolefin polymer, Zeonor, Zeonex, or glass. The material may be optically clear. The material may be a low autofluorescence material. At least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the tubular member may comprise an anti-reflection coating. The tubular member may comprise an extruded material, a cast material, or a molded material and the other portions of the receptacle 2a and mount la may be injection molded or extruded as well. The areas which are substantially transparent to energy or fields involved in imaging are arranged with respect to the animal to enable interaction of the energy or fields between the animal and one or more imaging systems.

Each receptacle 2a may further comprise opposing end panels 102a. The opposing end panels 102a may be removable and replaceable, for example, to facilitate receiving an animal.

Connection system 6a may include a plurality of apertures 4a comprised, in FIG. 1, of two apertures and a plurality of connectors 5a securable to apertures 4a, wherein apertures 4a are positioned on mount la and connectors 5a are positioned on elongated receptacles 2a, for example, integral with one of the opposing end panels of each elongated receptacle 2a. One of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, understand that connection system 10a may include apertures positioned on the elongated receptacles and connectors positioned on the mount or both. In addition, various other connection systems may be employed, including screws, nuts, tapped holes, threaded studs or magnets. Connectors 5a may be secured to receptacles 2a using known techniques, such as fasteners. Alternatively, connectors 5a may be releasably secured without the use of tools by known techniques such as a frictional coupling. The number and positioning of the ports may vary depending on the number of elongated receptacles 2a, including between at least two and ten or more ports.

Connection system 6a can enable connection of the plurality of elongated receptacles 2a into repeatable positions so as to facilitate registration and alignment of the chambers and animals in the one or more imaging systems. The imaging device may be capable of fluorescence imaging, luminescence imaging, Cherenkov imaging, reflectance imaging, X-ray imaging, radioisotopic imaging, CT scans, PET imaging, SPECT imaging, or MRI imaging. Each elongated receptacle may also comprise various structures for maintaining the gas content within the elongated receptacle, such as valves.

FIG. 2 shows an animal specimen positioning system 10b constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. Animal specimen positioning system 10b includes mount lb, a plurality of elongated receptacles 2b including four elongated receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen, a connection system 6b, not shown, for securing elongated receptacles 2b to mount lb, and the imaging adaptor 3 of FIG. 1 for securing animal positioning system 10b to an imaging device. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, connection system 6b may include plurality of apertures, comprised in FIG. 2 of four apertures, and plurality of connectors securable to the ports. The number and positioning of the apertures may vary depending on the number of elongated receptacles 2b, including between at least two and ten or more apertures.

FIG. 3 shows an animal specimen positioning system 10c constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. Animal specimen positioning system 10c includes mount lb of FIG. 2, a plurality of elongated receptacles 2c including three elongated receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen, the connection system 6b of FIG. 2, not shown, for securing elongated receptacles 2c to mount lb, and the imaging adaptor 3 of FIG. 2 for securing animal positioning system 10c to an imaging device.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show that plurality of elongated receptacles 2b and 2c are configurable in a plurality of different orientations on mount lb, with only one of four possible configurations shown. In addition, mount lb may be released from imaging adapter 3, such that different mounts with different configurations of ports can be used with the overall system, thereby further enabling modularity. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of different mounting faces (not shown) with a plurality of different mounting configurations may be secured to mount lb. FIG. 4 shows an animal specimen positioning system lOd constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. Animal specimen positioning system lOd includes a mount lc, a plurality of elongated receptacles 2c including three elongated receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen, a connection system 6c, not shown, for securing elongated receptacles 2c to mount lc, and the imaging adaptor 3 of FIG. 1 for securing animal positioning system lOd to an imaging device. Connection system 6c includes a plurality of apertures 4c comprised of three ports and a plurality of connectors 5a securable to the ports.

FIG. 5A shows and an exploded view of an animal specimen positioning system lOe constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention. Animal specimen positioning system lOe includes mount lb, the plurality of elongated receptacles 2b, connection system 6b, and imaging adaptor 3 of FIG. 2. Animal specimen positioning system lOe also includes anesthesia delivery system 7 in communication with the plurality of elongated receptacles 2b. Delivery system 7 is positioned within mount lb. As shown by way of example in FIG. 4a, delivery system 7 is integral to mount lb and includes a network of channels and apertures for distribution of anesthesia to the plurality of elongated receptacles 2b via nosecones 8 integral to the plurality of elongated receptacles 2b. Delivery system 7 may also be used to deliver agents other than anesthesia as well as electroconvulsive shock.

FIG. 5B shows the unexploded view of animal specimen positioning system lOe of FIG. 4a. As shown in FIG. 4b, delivery system 7 is constructed so as to align with nosecones 8.

FIG. 6A shows an exploded view of elongated receptacle 20 to receive and hold animal specimens constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention. Elongated receptacle 20 includes a bed 100, a hatch 101, and opposing end panels 102b.

FIG. 6B shows the unexploded view of elongated receptacle 20 of FIG. 6A. Hatch 101 engages with end panels 102b so as to provide an enclosure for animal specimens recumbent upon bed 100. FIG. 7A shows an exploded cross-sectional view of elongated receptacle 20 of FIG. 6A. Hatch 101 may be in the form of a spring clip as shown in FIG. 6A, specifically a cylindrical tube truncated such that the included arc extends greater than 180 degrees and constructed of material that has an elastic modulus that enables expansion of hatch 101 when downward force is applied to engage hatch 101 with end panels 102b. A spring clip may be advantageous because it may enable a simpler construction relative to other known techniques for implementing a hatch, such as a hinge.

FIG. 7B shows the unexploded cross-sectional view of elongated receptacle 20 of FIG. 6A. The combination of bed 100 and hatch 101 comprise a continuous circular cross section.

Elongated receptacles having circular cross-section are particularly useful for the present invention when used in a polygonal array as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Firstly, elongated receptacles having circular cross section minimize the diameter of the confinement zones 200 and 201 in which the animal specimens are held while maximizing the interior cross-sectional area of the elongated receptacle. For example, receptacles 2b and 2c in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively, have inner diameter 1.125 inches and outer diameter 1.250 inches. Hence, receptacles 2b and 2c have interior cross-sectional area equal to 0.994 square inches. Given that connection system 6b is constructed so as to minimize the diameter of confinement zone 200, defined as the circle that circumscribes the interior cross-section of elongated receptacles 2b, confinement zone 200 has diameter 2.907 inches. If elongated receptacles 2b in FIG. 8 instead had square cross-sectional shape with interior side length of 1.125 inches, then although the interior cross-sectional area would be increased to 1.266 square inches, one interior corner of each of the four receptacles 2b would extend outside the 2.907 inch diameter zone. It is often advantageous to confine animal specimens to a minimum confinement zone so as to prevent some portion of the animal specimens from falling outside the field of view of an imaging system, for example a CT scanning system, a PET imaging system, a SPECT imaging system, or an MRI imaging system. If receptacles 2b in FIG. 8 instead had square cross- sectional shape with interior side length of 0.795 inches, then the confinement zone would be redefined as the largest circle intersecting the corners of all four interior squares of the elongated receptacles and thereby provide a diameter of 2.907 inches, but the interior cross-sectional area would be decreased to 0.632 square inches.

Secondly, elongated receptacles having circular cross-section minimize the confinement zone upon reconfiguration in a different orientation, especially a polygonal array having a different number of vertices. For example, connection system 6c enables a confinement zone 201 having diameter 2.580 inches. It is often advantageous to minimize the confinement zones among multiple configurations of the receptacles because the spatial resolution of PET imaging is optimal in the center of the field of view and decreases radially outward. It is, therefore, advantageous to use animal specimen positioning system lOd for imaging three animals because the smaller diameter of confinement zone 201 maximizes spatial resolution relative to the larger diameter of confinement zone 200 for animal specimen positioning system 10c.

FIG. 10 shows an animal specimen positioning system lOf constructed in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention. Animal specimen positioning system lOf includes mount lb of FIG. 2, a plurality of elongated receptacles 2d including four receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen, a connection system 6d for securing elongated receptacles 2d to mount lb, and the imaging adaptor 3 of FIG. 1 for securing animal positioning system lOf to an imaging device. Connection system 6d includes plurality of ports 4b comprised of four ports and plurality of connectors 5b securable to the ports. The plurality of receptacles 2d is integral to a monolithic block 9a. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that an alternative connection system may comprise a plurality of ports and plurality of connectors each with fewer number than the plurality of elongated receptacles.

FIG. 11 shows an animal specimen positioning system lOg constructed in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the invention. Animal specimen positioning system lOg includes mount lb of FIG. 2, a plurality of elongated receptacles 2e including four elongated receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen, a connection system 6e for securing elongated receptacles 2e to mount lb, and the imaging adaptor 3 of FIG. 1 for securing animal positioning system lOg to an imaging device. Connection system 6e includes plurality of apertures 4b comprised of four ports and plurality of connectors 5c securable to the ports. The plurality of elongated receptacles 2e are pairwise integral to a plurality of monolithic blocks 9a comprised of two monolithic blocks. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that an alternative connection system may comprise a plurality of ports and plurality of connectors each with fewer number than the plurality of elongated receptacles.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show animal specimen management kits 30 and 31, in accordance with ninth and tenth embodiments, respectively, of the invention. The kits 30 and 31 comprise mounts lb, lc and Id and plurality of elongated receptacles 2b. Mounts lb, lc and Id, each of which can be releasably secured to one or more imaging adapters, such as imaging adapter 3, as in FIG. 1, comprise different orientations of apertures 4b, 4c and 4d. These different orientations offer users an extensive degree of modularity when employing the kits 30 and 31. Kit 30 is particularly useful for selectively imaging three or four animal specimens configured in a polygonal array.

An arrangement of animal specimens in a polygonal array is often advantageous for imaging systems such as CT scanning systems, PET imaging systems, SPECT imaging systems or MRI imaging systems; this is because these imaging systems may have a cylindrical field of view and the energy or fields involved in these imaging systems are not substantially obscured by the animal specimens themselves. An arrangement of animal specimens in a linear array is often advantageous for imaging systems such as fluorescence imaging systems, luminescence imaging systems, Cherenkov imaging systems, reflectance imaging systems, X-ray imaging systems or radioisotopic imaging systems; this is because these systems may have a planar field of view and the linear array may lie within the planar field of view. Further, the energy involved in fluorescence imaging systems, luminescence imaging systems, Cherenkov imaging systems and reflectance imaging systems is substantially obscured by the animal specimens themselves; the linear array enables a configuration of animal specimens so that no animal specimen obscures another. In addition, depending on the animal positioning systems included with the kits, the orientations of the openings on the mounts may differ. As described herein, one orientation may comprise at least one opening overlying another opening, as for example shown in FIG. 1, and another orientation may comprise openings side-by-side, as for example shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 shows a partially exploded view of an animal specimen positioning system constructed in accordance with an eleventh embodiment of the invention. The animal specimen positioning system includes mount 40, elongated receptacles 54 including four elongated receptacles sized and shaped to receive and hold an animal specimen, and an imaging adaptor 56 for securing animal positioning system to an imaging device.

The mount 40 comprises a plurality of openings 52 for receiving the end portions 50 of the elongated receptacles 54. The openings 52 include a small hole within the opening 61 for receipt of a projection (not shown) positioned on an end of the elongated receptacles 54. The diameter of the small hole within the opening 61 is slightly larger than the diameter of the projection (not shown) so that the elongated receptacle can rotate around its axis of elongation "A" for enhanced viewing of the animal specimen. In addition, as best seen in FIG. 15, the opening 52 and receptacle include a ball and detent arrangement to releasably lock a rotation angle for each of the receptacles.

Referring again to FIG. 14, mount 40 further comprises first top holes 41 for receiving posts 58. The mount 40 also comprises second top holes 48 for receiving ports 46, which are adapted to receive anesthesia or warm air. This anesthesia or warm air may be introduced through the ports 46 and flow through the opening 52 and into the elongated receptacles 54.

The elongated receptacles 54 further include end portions 50 which are received by the openings 52 in the mount 40. As best seen in FIG. 16 an outer surface of these end portions 50 defines at least one grooved channel 62. The at least one grooved channel 62 comprises a path 64 for introduction of anesthesia from the opening 52 of the mount 40 after insertion of the end portions 50 therein. Anesthesia or warm air flows into the grooved channel 64 from the tubes 60 and into the elongated receptacles 54. The imaging adaptor 56 comprises a plurality of posts 58. The posts 58 are inserted through the first top holes 41 so that the mount 40 may be secured to the imaging adapter 56 by nuts 42.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of internal mechanisms connected to and positioned within mount 40, including the anesthesia delivery system. The anesthesia delivery system comprises second top holes 48 for receiving ports 46 and tubes 60 for delivering anesthesia to the elongated receptacles 54. The tubes 60 are in fluid communication with the ports 48 and elongated receptacles 54 through apertures 64 in their end portions 50. Anesthesia or warm air flows from the ports 48 into the tubes 60 for delivering anesthesia to the openings 52 and thus into receptacles 54. This allows the multiple different openings 52 and elongated receptacles 54 to remain in fluid communication.

FIG. 18A and FIG.18B show a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the mount 40, illustrating a bipartite design. The mount 40 comprises a first portion 66 and a second portion 68, with the first portion 66 releasably securable to the second portion 68. This advantageous configuration allows one or more of the at least two elongated receptacles 54 to be laid in the first portion 66 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of elongation "A" of the elongated receptacles 54 and without movement in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of elongation "A" before securement of the second portion 68. Placing the elongated receptacles 54 into the mount in this orientation prevents unwanted movement of the animal specimen within the receptacles 54 in a direction parallel to the axis of elongation "A." A gasket 70 may be placed in between the first 66 and second portions 68.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims.