System for anesthetizing laboratory animals

Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Means for mixing treating agent with respiratory gas

Reexamination Certificate

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C128S203260, C119S416000, C119S417000, C119S418000, C119S419000, C119S420000, C119S421000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06776158

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the administration of anesthesia to laboratory animals, and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for safely and efficiently delivering gaseous anesthetic components to laboratory animals prior to and during laboratory procedures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior to the present invention, laboratory personnel had to devise their own systems to safely and efficiently anesthetize laboratory animals. Such self-devised systems frequently fail to administer gaseous anesthesia in a properly controlled fashion and therefore can lead to situations in which a laboratory animal receives either an insufficient amount of anesthetic or an overdose of anesthetic. In cases where a laboratory animal receives an insufficient amount of anesthetic, the under-anesthetized animal may suffer unnecessarily during a laboratory procedure, such as during a surgical procedure. In severe cases, the laboratory animal may become conscious during a surgical procedure, thereby jeopardizing its safety and the successful completion of the procedure. In case where a laboratory animal receives an overdose of anesthetic, the animal may take longer to recover from the procedure and, in the worst case scenario, may die as a result of a lethal overdose. Either of these situations would adversely influence the successful completion of the procedure.
Prior to the present invention, laboratory personnel would often deal with the inconvenience of working in a laboratory fume hood to prevent the accidental inhalation of anesthetic intended for the laboratory animal. Since laboratory fume hoods are generally not designed for working with laboratory animals, particularly when a procedure involves the simultaneous manipulation of several animals, use of conventional fume hoods may prove to be cumbersome.
Prior to the present invention, laboratory personnel had to devise their own systems for maintaining the normal body temperature of a laboratory animal before, during, and after an experimental procedure. If an experimental procedure requires surgery, then maintenance of a laboratory animal's normal body temperature is essential for the animal's survival. Loss of thermoregulatory homeostasis can lead to physiological shock, which is frequently fatal.
With the foregoing in mind, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for safely and efficiently delivering gaseous anesthetic components to laboratory animals prior to and during laboratory procedures. Moreover, it provides a method and apparatus wherein laboratory personnel can safely and efficiently perform multiple procedures simultaneously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for safely and efficiently anesthetizing laboratory animals prior to and during surgical procedures. Moreover, the invention enables laboratory personnel to perform multiple procedures on different animals simultaneously, thereby reducing the time required to accomplish these procedures. Portable components of the apparatus maximize the ease with which the apparatus can be used with other laboratory equipment. The present invention may be comprised of one or more components that may be selectively used to perform a variety of tests and procedures.
A gaseous anesthetic supply system may be provided, comprising a gas supply and a first regulator which provides means to control the flow rate of the gas stream. The gas supply may supply a stream of pure oxygen. The anesthetic supply system may further comprise a vaporizer which introduces anesthetic components into the incoming oxygen stream, and a second regulator which controls the flow rate of gaseous anesthetic/oxygen mix for delivery to a laboratory animal. Where it is desired to facilitate the rapid recovery of laboratory animals following anesthesia, the anesthetic gas stream may be altered or bypassed by an alternate gas to facilitate recovery of the animal. For example, the system may include an emergency bypass feature that substitutes pure oxygen for anesthetic gas mix.
Anesthetic gas or alternate gas streams may be delivered to the laboratory animal in multiple ways under the present invention. In one embodiment of the invention, gas is delivered directly to a laboratory animal using a delivery mask that conveys the gas stream to the nose of the animal. Gas may also be delivered to one or more laboratory animals by placing the animal or animals in an enclosed imperforate container or host cage and introducing the gas stream into the cage. Where delivery masks are used, the invention provides a variety of delivery masks designed to fit different animal species that are used in laboratory procedures. The delivery masks are configured to conform to the anatomy of the laboratory animal so that gas is delivered directly to the animal with minimal fugitive emissions of gas. By minimizing fugitive emissions of gas, the volume of gas consumed or wasted is reduced, and the risk of exposing lab personnel to gas emissions is lowered.
A thermoregulatory system may be provided to achieve and maintain a set temperature on the exterior of the animal supports where animals are positioned during procedures. By controlling the temperature of the animal supports, the body temperature of the laboratory animal may be maintained within a desired range to ensure the well-being of the animal and facilitate the successful completion of the procedure.
The present invention may further include an exhaust system that removes exhaled gases from the vicinity of the animal. The exhaust system may include filters, such as activated carbon filters, which capture exhaled gases and contaminants. The filters may be used in connection with delivery masks, host cages or other gas delivery mechanisms to capture exhausted gases and contaminants. This feature further minimizes inadvertent inhalation of exhaust gases by laboratory personnel. Filters may be used in conjunction with indicators or sensors that show the remaining absorptive capacity of the filters, signaling when the filter should be changed. In addition to or in lieu of filters, the exhaust system may also comprise a horizontal negative pressure recapture apparatus to vent exhaled gases and excess anesthetic, thereby ensuring the safety of laboratory personnel.
The anesthetizing system may be configured for use on a laboratory bench. Alternatively, the anesthetizing system may include portable components that permit the system to be easily transported and set up in different locations. In one portable system, anesthetic gas may be delivered through a check valve that opens to deliver gas as the animal inhales and closes when the animal exhales. Exhaled gas may be directed through a filter before being discharged. The gas may be delivered through a mask and air exchange chamber mounted adjacent to an animal support base. The support base may be connected to a thermoregulatory system to control the animal's body temperature.


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Braintree Scientific, Inc., “Model 2000 Small Animal Ventilator by Hallowell EMC”, website: http://braintreesci.com/ventilator.htm.
Braintree Scientific, Inc., “Anesthesia Work Station”, webs

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