Project Overview
Background
In the medical research environment, many researchers utilize animal models to provide a better understanding of complex biological and physiological mechanisms. Currently, the biological effects that occur on the animals due to existing rodent restraint methods are not particularly well studied. However, restraints are required because rats will fight and potentially injure themselves or researchers while undergoing testing. Also, the guidelines set by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee state that animals may not be restrained for longer than eight minutes without acceptable reasoning.
Project Statement
The issue with current restraint models is that they require the aid of multiple researchers to secure the rat or the rat may be unwilling to enter the restraint subsequent times. The TRAPT design group was tasked with developing a restraint device that is comfortable enough to restrain a rat successfully for several hours, without causing additional stress, and do so ethically. This device should require less manpower to effectively implement it in research experiments. This restraint will measure temperature, respiration rate, and pressure exerted by the restraint on the rat.