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A team led by Mr Alonso Sanchez at Malsen Medical AS are beginning work to solve the Rodent Shelter Challenge to support recovery and improve the welfare of rodents following surgical procedures.
Following surgery in rodents it is often necessary to singly house animals and remove enrichment items to reduce the risk of damage to their wound and implants. Mice and rats can be susceptible to hypothermia during the recovery phase and current solutions to provide warmth, for example with external heat pads, cannot be used with all cage types. Recognising that there are opportunities to improve rodent post-operative care, AstraZeneca and the University of Gothenburg are sponsoring the Rodent Shelter Challenge to develop an easy-to-use solution that provides shelter, warmth and a means to monitor rodent welfare that is compatible with all cage types.
We have awarded funding to the team at Malsen Medical AS to develop NestLab, a shelter for mice and rats with an integrated Smart Control Module (SCM). NestLab can be placed into the cage and the SCM will provide a controllable wireless heating system for warmth and will be equipped with sensors for continuous non-invasive body heat monitoring, with a feedback loop to maintain a constant temperature. The shelters will be constructed from durable, non-toxic materials designed for easy cleaning, making it a user-friendly and sustainable solution.
Challenge Sponsors AstraZeneca and the University of Gothenburg will work closely with the Malsen Medical team to ensure the NestLab meets end-user requirements and provide in-house testing of prototypes.
‘'It is truly inspiring to work on a project that brings together stakeholders from academia and industry. In this case, it is especially rewarding given the potential for a positive impact on animal welfare. With these elements combined and our expertise in the field, I am confident we will make NestLab a great success.”
Allen Pearson, Head of Product Design and Mechanics at Malsen Medical