WHOLE-BODY PLETYSMOGRAPHY SYSTEM FOR THE CONTINUOUS CHARACTERIZATION OF SLEEP AND BREATHING IN A MOUSE

摘要

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device for whole-body plethysmography (WBP) of a mouse for the continuous characterization of sleep and breathing. The inherent limitations of standard WBP are addressed to enable the continuous recording of validated measures of tidal volume, tidal airflow, and respiratory effort surrogate in an unrestrained, unanesthetized mouse. The addition of standard EEG and EMG recording technology allows for respiratory patterns to be fully characterized during sleep and wakefulness. The present invention also allows for the demonstration of the development of dynamic upper airway obstruction [inspiratory flow limitation (IFL)] during sleep in a susceptible, obese murine strain.

主权项

1. A device for whole body plethysmography of a small mammal, comprising:
a first sealed chamber having an outer wall defining an inner chamber configured for receiving the small mammal; a second sealed chamber coupled to the first sealed chamber via a pressure transducer, such that the second sealed chamber acts as a reference chamber for the first sealed chamber; a sensor bladder disposed within the first sealed chamber and configured to transduce a mechanical pressure change associated with a breath taken by the small mammal; a reference bladder configured to produce a signal for cancellation of noise a chamber pressure signal; and a pressure transducer coupling the sensor bladder to the reference bladder, such that the resultant signal represents the respiration of the small mammal without the noise.