Devices and methods for analyzing rodent behavior

US10238085B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Children's Medical Center Corporation · US
• President and Fellows of Harvard College · US

Inventors

• Clifford J. Woolf · Newton, US
• David P. Roberson · Cambridge, US
• Alexander B. Wiltschko · Somerville, US
• Sandeep Robert Datta · Newton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 2014
• Grant date: Mar 26, 2019
• Expiry date: Jul 27, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T7/20
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A device for detecting and recording animal behavior is provided. The device includes at least one corral that defines contained field, the base surface of the at least one corral being sensitive to the animal's footprint. The device also includes an image capturing device that cooperates with the base surface to capture both a profile of the animal's full footprint and a profile of the animal's toe print when the animal is standing on its toes. In some embodiments, the device is capable of providing a stimulus to the animal and observing the resulting behavior of the animal via the image capturing device.