Overview of the Invention (Introduction)

• This invention provides methods and devices for conducting experiments (assays) in animals, especially aquatic ones.
• It is designed to test how animals respond to various stimuli and compounds, and to measure changes in their behavior, anatomy, or growth.
• Think of it like a high‐tech laboratory setup that lets scientists “cook” an experiment by combining different ingredients (light, gentle electrical shocks, chemicals) in a controlled “reaction well.”

Background and Need

• Traditional methods for testing drugs or studying animal behavior are often slow, error-prone, and influenced by human bias.
• While automated systems exist for simple cell tests, there was a need for an automated, high-throughput system for complex organisms.
• This invention overcomes those challenges by providing a system that precisely controls and monitors experiments automatically.

Key Components of the Apparatus

• Reaction Well: A container designed to hold an animal along with the fluid it needs (like a mini aquarium or fishbowl).
• Removable Lid: A cover that fits on the reaction well and includes built-in components such as:
  • An electrical element that delivers controlled electrical currents (similar to gentle shocks) to the animal.
  • At least one light source for a stimulus (for example, a burst of light) and another for background illumination.
  • A circuit board that connects and controls these components.
• Transparent Viewing Surfaces: Clear parts on both the reaction well and the lid to allow easy observation of the animal.
• Fluid Inlets and Outlets: Ports to add or remove fluid, ensuring the animal’s environment remains optimal.

Additional System Components

• Camera: Captures images or videos of the animal in real time.
• Interface Box: Connects the camera and the circuit board to a computer.
• Image Analysis Software: Processes captured images to automatically measure behavior, movement, and other characteristics.
• Multiple Reaction Wells: The system can include several wells arranged in a tray for high-throughput experiments.

How the System Works (Step-by-Step Method)

• Step 1: Place an aquatic animal in the reaction well filled with the appropriate fluid.
• Step 2: Cover the well with the removable lid, ensuring the transparent parts align for observation.
• Step 3: Use the electrical element to deliver precise electrical currents (like gentle shocks) if needed.
• Step 4: Activate the light sources to provide a visual stimulus or background lighting, much like adjusting room lighting.
• Step 5: The camera captures images or video of the animal’s response in real time.
• Step 6: The image analysis software processes these images to track movement, position, and behavioral changes.
• Step 7: Data is recorded automatically for later analysis, allowing scientists to determine whether a compound or stimulus has a significant effect.

Applications and Types of Assays

• Behavioral Assays: Measure learning, memory, orientation, and movement. For example, training a flatworm to move away from bright light or toward a safe zone.
• Morphological and Anatomical Assays: Monitor changes in body shape, tissue regeneration, or development when exposed to certain compounds.
• Drug Screening: Test libraries of compounds to see which ones modify the animal’s behavior or physical structure.
• High-Throughput Screening: Multiple reaction wells allow simultaneous testing on many animals, boosting efficiency and reducing manual error.

Benefits and Advantages

• Automated Operation: Reduces human error and bias by automatically controlling stimuli and recording responses.
• Precise Control: Allows fine-tuning of electrical currents, light intensity, and timing for consistent experimental conditions.
• Scalability: Adaptable for one animal or many in parallel, making it ideal for high-throughput drug screening.
• Versatility: Can be adjusted for both aquatic and non-aquatic animals by changing the reaction well’s design and environmental conditions.
• Data Rich: Continuous image capture and automatic analysis produce large datasets that can be mined for detailed insights.

Key Terminology and Analogies

• Assay: A test or experiment to measure a biological response; similar to following a recipe to see how ingredients mix.
• Reaction Well: The small container holding the animal and fluid, like a tiny bowl or petri dish.
• Stimulus: A trigger (such as light or a small electrical shock) that causes the animal to react, much like a gentle nudge.
• Image Analysis: The computer process that examines pictures and measures changes, similar to how your eyes and brain notice movement.

Examples of Experimental Use

• Learning and Memory Tests: Experiments with flatworms (planaria) show that the system can train animals to move in specific directions using light and electrical stimuli. Over repeated trials, the animals learn to avoid punishment and perform desired behaviors.
• Drug Effects: By introducing compounds into the reaction well, researchers can observe changes in movement, behavior, or regeneration. For instance, some drugs may increase activity while others decrease it.
• High-Throughput Screening: Multiple wells can be used simultaneously to test different compounds or conditions, similar to testing many recipes at once to find the best one.

Summary of the Patent Claims

• The system includes a reaction well with a transparent viewing surface, a removable lid with integrated electrical and lighting components, a camera, an interface box, and image analysis software connected to a computer.
• It can be configured for single or multiple animals and adapted for various sizes.
• Methods involve culturing the animal, applying stimuli, capturing images, and analyzing responses to identify compounds that affect learning, memory, or morphology.

Overall Impact and Future Applications

• This invention represents a significant advancement in biological assays by automating complex experiments in living animals.
• It enables precise, unbiased, and scalable studies that can accelerate drug discovery and deepen our understanding of animal behavior and physiology.
• Future applications may include studies in genetics, regeneration, neuroscience, and pharmacology, all performed with high efficiency and data quality.

发明概述（引言）

• 本发明提供了一种用于动物（尤其是水生动物）实验（检测）的操作方法和装置。
• 该系统设计用来测试动物对各种刺激和化合物的反应，并测量它们在行为、解剖或生长上的变化。
• 可以把它看作一个高科技实验室装置，让科学家们通过在一个“反应槽”中混合不同的成分（光、温和的电击、化学物质）来“烹饪”实验。

背景与需求

• 传统的药物测试或动物行为研究方法往往缓慢、容易出错且容易受到人为偏见的影响。
• 虽然已有用于简单细胞检测的自动化系统，但针对复杂生物体的自动化高通量检测仍存在不足。
• 本发明通过提供一套自动化系统，精确控制并监测实验，解决了这些问题。

装置的关键组件

• 反应槽：一个专为容纳动物及其所需液体设计的容器，类似于一个小型水族箱或培养皿。
• 可拆卸盖子：覆盖在反应槽上的盖子，内置以下组件：
  • 电气元件：能提供受控电流（类似于轻微电击）给动物。
  • 光源：至少包括一个用于刺激的光源（例如，一阵明亮的光）和一个用于背景照明的光源。
  • 电路板：用于连接并控制上述组件。
• 透明观察面：反应槽和盖子上均有透明区域，便于观察动物。
• 液体进出口：设计有进液口和出液口，以维持适宜的环境。

附加系统组件

• 摄像机：实时捕捉动物的图像或视频。
• 接口盒：将摄像机和电路板连接到电脑上。
• 图像分析软件：处理捕捉到的图像，自动测量动物的行为、运动等特征。
• 多反应槽配置：系统可以包括多个反应槽，排列在托盘中，实现高通量实验。

系统工作原理（逐步方法）

• 步骤1：将水生动物放入充满适当液体的反应槽中。
• 步骤2：盖上可拆卸盖子，确保透明区域对准以便观察。
• 步骤3：利用电气元件提供精确的电流（如轻微电击）作为刺激。
• 步骤4：启动光源，提供视觉刺激或背景照明，就像调节房间亮度一样。
• 步骤5：摄像机实时捕捉动物的反应图像或视频。
• 步骤6：图像分析软件处理这些图像，跟踪动物的运动、位置及行为变化。
• 步骤7：系统自动记录数据，供科学家后续分析，以判断化合物或刺激是否产生显著效果。

应用及检测类型

• 行为检测：测量学习、记忆、定位和运动。例如，训练扁虫在光刺激下做出特定反应。
• 形态及解剖检测：观察动物在暴露于某些化合物后体形、组织再生或发育的变化。
• 药物筛选：测试化合物库，观察哪些化合物能改变动物的行为或结构。
• 高通量检测：多个反应槽可同时进行实验，提高效率并减少人工错误。

优点与优势

• 自动化操作：减少人为错误和偏见，系统自动控制刺激并记录反应。
• 精确控制：允许对电流、光强和时间进行细致调整，确保实验条件一致。
• 可扩展性：可用于单个动物或多个动物并行检测，适合高通量药物筛选。
• 多功能性：通过调整反应槽设计和环境条件，既适用于水生动物，也适用于非水生动物。
• 数据丰富：连续图像捕捉和自动分析产生大量数据，便于深入挖掘信息。

关键术语及类比解释

• 检测（Assay）：指测量生物反应的测试，就像按照食谱混合食材后观察变化一样。
• 反应槽：容纳动物及液体的小容器，类似于一个小碗或培养皿。
• 刺激（Stimulus）：引起动物反应的信号（如光或电击），就像轻轻推一下让人注意一样。
• 图像分析：电脑处理图像并测量变化的过程，就像眼睛和大脑一起观察运动一样。

实验应用实例

• 学习与记忆测试：利用扁虫（平虫）的实验显示，该系统可通过光和电击训练动物做出特定反应，经过多次试验后，动物学会避开惩罚并执行预定行为。
• 药物效应：通过在反应槽中加入化合物，观察动物的运动速度、行为或再生变化。例如，有的药物可能会增强活动，而有的则会抑制活动。
• 高通量筛选：多个反应槽可以同时测试不同化合物或条件，就像同时试做多种菜谱以找出最佳组合一样。

专利权利要求概要

• 该系统包括一个具有透明观察面的反应槽、带有集成电气元件和光源的可拆卸盖子、摄像机、接口盒以及与电脑连接的图像分析软件。
• 系统可配置为检测单个或多个动物，并可适应不同尺寸的实验对象。
• 方法包括培养动物、施加刺激、捕捉图像以及分析行为反应，以识别对学习、记忆或形态产生影响的化合物。

整体影响及未来应用

• 本发明通过自动化复杂动物实验，显著提升了生物检测技术。
• 它实现了精确、无偏、可扩展的实验，能加速药物发现，并加深我们对动物行为与生理机制的理解。
• 未来应用可能涵盖基因、再生、神经科学和药理学等多个领域，均能以高效率和高数据质量进行研究。