US 2012/0234256 A1 · MECHANICAL CONFLICT DEVICE

Abstract

The present technology provides a mechanical conflict device operable to assess a physiologic experience; for example, pain or drug addiction in an animal, the device comprising: a housing having a floor connected to a plurality of walls, the floor and plurality of walls defining: a holding compartment, an alley compartment connected to the holding compartment, the alley compartment has a plurality of perforations disposed on the floor of the alley compartment, and a compensatory compartment connected to the alley compartment. The compensatory compartment is operable to provide a positive stimulus to the animal. The device also includes a noxious mechanical stimulus the noxious mechanical stimulus having a platform, a plurality of pins disposed on the platform and a platform raising mechanism capable of raising the plurality of pins through the plurality of perforations in the floor of the alley compartment.

Claims49

Dependent claims

A mechanical conflict device (MCD) operable to assess a physiologic experience in an animal, the device comprising:

an enclosure comprising:
a holding compartment;
a compensatory compartment;
and
an alley compartment connecting the holding compartment to the compensatory compartment, the alley compartment having a plurality of perforations disposed on a floor;
and
a noxious mechanical stimulus comprising a platform, a plurality of pins disposed on the platform, and a platform raising means to raise the plurality of pins through the plurality of perforations in the floor of the alley compartment.

4 more elements

A method of measuring pain related behaviors in a laboratory animal, the method comprising:

introducing the laboratory animal to a conflict device comprising an enclosure that comprises:
a holding compartment;
a compensatory compartment;
and
an alley compartment connecting the holding compartment to the compensatory compartment;
exposing the laboratory animal to a stimulus selected from the group consisting of:
a mechanical stimulus, a thermal stimulus, an odor, a sound, an illumination, a food, a drug, a texture, a surface coating, and combinations thereof, while the laboratory animal is located in the holding compartment, the alley compartment, or both;
and
monitoring a position or movement of the laboratory animal within the enclosure in response to exposure to the stimulus.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mechanical conflict device

Life of this patent

Mechanical conflict device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims49