Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology offer
- POD Reference
- TOLV20250506011
- Term of Validity
- 6 May 2025 - 6 May 2026
- Company's Country
- Latvia
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- A company from Latvia involved in medical equipment designing and production has elaborated fast, accurate, and animal-friendly tool that uses electrical signals to detect when a mouse is ready to breed. Female mice go through different phases in their reproductive cycle, and knowing when they are in the estrus phase is important for breeding, experiments, and minimising the number of animals needed for research. The company is looking for commercial collaborations with technical assistance.
- Full Description
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Determining the estrus cycle stages in mice is essential for optimizing breeding strategies, synchronizing experimental timelines, and facilitating studies in behaviour, drug testing, and genetics. It is critical for reducing the production of genetically unmodified offspring in the generation and investigation of genetically modified animal models. An accurate detection of the estrus cycle is particularly relevant in the context of replacement, reduction, and refinement. The estrus cycle, encompassing the reproductive phases of mice, is key to refining experimental designs and addressing ethical issues related to the use of animals in research.
How the device works:
Tiny Probe: The device has a small, smooth probe that is gently inserted into the mouse’s vagina.
Electric Resistance Measurement: The probe sends a tiny electric signal that’s too weak to harm the mouse but strong enough to measure the resistance of the tissue inside the vagina. The resistance changes depending on what stage of the reproductive cycle the mouse is in.
Estrus Detection: During estrus, the tissue has higher resistance compared to other phases. When the device measures resistance higher than a certain threshold (about 6 kΩ), it tells the researchers that the mouse is in estrus.
Technical Data:
Measurement Range, kΩ 0–50
Accuracy, kΩ 0.1
Operating frequency, kHz (sinusoidal) 1
Mode Auto, Manual
AV (sinusoidal) through probe electrodes (Auto and Manual mode), mV 0.4–4.0
Maximum AC through probe electrodes (Auto mode), µA <1
Maximum DC through probe electrodes (Auto and Manual mode), µA <1
Probe, mm L20xO.D.1.82
Dimensions (without cable), mm L138xO.D.12.5
Weight (without cable), g 30
Color graphic 2.4” Touch Display, Dimensions, mm 117 × 79 × 33
Weight (including batteries), g 220
Battery, 1.5V, AA, element 3
Battery Life (when used continuously), hour >12
Cable AUX Jack 3.5mm Male to Male Audio for Headphones, m 1 - Advantages and Innovations
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Unique: So far devices only for rats have been designed. This estrus detector for mice can be used also for rats, but is specifically designed for mice.
Quick & Painless: The process takes only a second, doesn’t hurt the mouse, and doesn’t cause stress.
Accurate: The device is more reliable and faster than older methods like visual checks or lab tests of blood and urine. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
- The company is looking for new collaboration partners to enter new markets and possibly - new partners for common research projects.
- Stage of Development
- Already on the market
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
- IPR status
- IPR granted
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
- Assistance in acquiring new markets, new collaborations in research.
- Type and Size of Partner
- SME 50 - 249
- Big company
- SME 11-49
- University
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 06001005 - Diagnostics, Diagnosis
- 06001012 - Medical Research
- 09003 - Electronic measurement systems
- Market keywords
- 03004003 - Other electronics related equipment
- 03007002 - Other measuring devices
- 03007003 - Other analytical and scientific instrumentation
- 05001007 - Other diagnostic
- 05004003 - Laboratory equipment
- Sector Groups Involved
- Electronics
- Health
- Targeted countries
- All countries
