[0001] BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to animal procedure tables for performing various procedures on small anmals, such as rodents.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] In general, procedure tables such as “morgue tables” typically include a detachable “drainage grating” that allows embalming and other fluids to drain through the grating to the table top proper rather than remaining in contact with the body. The grating rests upon a slab of smooth material, the slab in turn resting upon supports in a frame. Many of these are supported by a stand having three legs and are adjustable in pitch and yaw movements, but not roll. The slab lies somewhat below the top of a frame so that a shallow container is formed, with a drainage opening adjacent to one end for connection with a hose or other suitable outlet means. Since the work surface is the drainage grating itself, there is no continuous, single recessed area in the work surface to funnel blood, buffer, perfusate, and other fluids into a collector attached to the bottom of the table. Rather, the table itself is a collector. Moreover, morgue tables are not designed to achieve all three modes of movement (pitch, yaw, and roll), and are not suitable for bench-top or biological sample cabinet (BSC) usage.

[0006] Small animal procedure tables may provide a tripod, allowing all three modes of movement, but do not provide for securing perfusion or anesthesia lines, nor a collector attached to the underside of the table. Other procedure tables are not plastic and do not have a continuous, single recessed area in the work surface to funnel fluids into a collector attached to the bottom of the table, and do not provide for securing perfusion or anesthesia lines, nor means to connect the procedure table to a tripod.

[0007] Despite the apparent convenience of the known procedure tables, problems remain. Drain conduits must be provided to route fluids to a separate drain unit. The labor required, and the lengths of these conduits add greatly to the capital and operating expense, especially when the procedure table is separated from the drain by long distance. These disadvantages may cause frequent maintenance headaches, and in the worse case outright table downtime for extended periods. Cleaning and maintenance of the known procedure tables, drainage conduits, and drains may take away time that otherwise could be used in research.

[0008] It would be advantageous to provide animal procedure tables employing reduced length of drain conduits, reducing labor, capital expense, and operating expenses, and reduced equipment foot print compared with presently available systems, and which may significantly reduce maintenance issues. As may be seen, current procedure tables may not be economical in all circumstances, and may result in one or more deficiencies as noted above. There remains a need for animal procedure tables that are easy to use, maneuverable in all three of pitch, yaw, and roll movements, that are safe, small enough to use in a BSC, and that are less susceptible to maintenance and cleaning issues. The animal procedure tables of the present disclosure are directed to these needs.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] In accordance with the present disclosure, anumal procedure tables are described which reduce or overcome many of the faults of previously known systems and processes.

[0011] A first aspect of the disclosure are animal procedure tables comprising (or consisting essentially of, or consisting of): a) a plastic or plastic-covered board (preferably polyoxymethylene homopolymer (Delrin® or other)); (machined, molded, printed, or otherwise formed); (optionally one-piece or multiple pieces fitted together) having first and second major surfaces and a through-hole extending from the first major surface to the second major surface serving as a drain, the drain positioned in a non-central location of the plastic board or plastic-covered board; b) the first major surface having a continuous, single recessed work area shaped to allow fluids (blood, buffer, perfusate, and the like) to gravity-flow or otherwise be directed (for example, pushed) into a collector in fluid and structural communication with the drain, the continuous, single work area being a major portion of the first major surface (certain embodiments may comprise a collector adapter, as described herein, whereby the collector removably attaches to the collector adapter, and the collector adapter removably attaches to the table); c) one or more metal (preferably stainless steel) posts extending perpendicularly away from the plastic or plastic-covered board from a minor portion of the first major surface; and d) the second major surface having a centrally located male or female attachment configured to accept a mating attachment of a stand (preferably a tripod), the stand configured to allow the plastic or plastic-covered board to achieve all three modes of movement (pitch, yaw, and roll) (certain embodiments may comprise a table adapter, as described herein, whereby the stand removably attaches to the table adapter, and the table adapter removably attaches to the table). [0012] As used herein “animal” refers primarily to small animals, such as rodents used in research settings, wherein the entire device may be placed in a BSC, although conceivably the tables described herein could be scaled up for larger animal use. “Plastic” means polymeric, filled or unfilled with one or more fillers, whether active or passive fillers. “Plastic-coated” means the boards may comprise a metal core with a plastic material coated or layered thereon so that the plastic comprises at least the continuous, single recessed work area.

[0013] In certain embodiments the plastic or plastic-covered board may be formed by a procedure selected from one or more subtractive processes, one or more additive processes, one or more molding processes (for example, but not limted to, injection molding extrusion, rotational molding, and blow molding), or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments the stand is a tripod allowing the plastic or plastic-covered board to achieve all three modes of movement (pitch, yaw, and roll). In certain embodiments the drain may be circular having threads and the collector may be a transparent or partially transparent bottle having a circular, mating threaded opening. In certain embodiments the bottle may be a transparent plastic.

[0014] These and other features of the animal procedure tables, assemblies including a table, and methods of making and using same of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon review of the brief description of the drawings, the detailed description, and the claims that follow.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The manner in which the objectives of this disclosure and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached drawings in which: [0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, illustrating how the tables may be used with a small animal;

[0018] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic perspective views of another animal procedure table embodiment in accordance wih the present disclosure;

[0020] FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are perspective schematic illustration views of one embodiment of a table adapter in accordance with the present disclosure used in certain embodiments to connect an animal procedure table to a stand;

[0021] FIGS. 9 and 10 are bottom and top plan schematic illustration views, respectively, of the table adapter illustrated in FIGS. 5-8;

[0022] FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic end and side elevation views, respectively, of the table adapter illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5-10; [0023] FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective schematic illustration views, FIGS. 15 and 16 are bottom and top plan schematic illustration views, respectively, and FIGS. 17 and 18 are schematic side elevation views of one embodiment of a collector adapter in accordance with the present disclosure used in certain embodiments to connect a collector (bottle or other) to an animal procedure table;

[0024] FIGS. 19, 20, 21, and 22 are perspective schematic illustration views, FIGS. 23 and 24 are bottom and top plan schematic illustration views, respectively, and FIGS. 25 and 26 are schematic end and side elevation views, respectively, of another embodiment of a table adapter in accordance with the present disclosure used in certain embodiments to connect an animal procedure table to a stand;

[0025] FIGS. 27 and 29 are schematic perspective views, FIG. 28 is a schematic side elevation view, FIG. 31 a schematic end elevation view, FIG. 30 a schematic top plan view, FIG. 32 is a schematic bottom plan view, and FIG. 33 is a schematic exploded view of one animal procedure assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0026] FIGS. 34 and 36 are schematic perspective views, FIG. 35 is a schematic side elevation view, FIG. 38 a schematic end elevation view, FIG. 37 a schematic top plan view, FIG. 39 is a schematic bottom plan view, and FIG. 40 is a schematic exploded view of another animal procedure assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0027] FIGS. 41 and 42 are schematic perspective views, FIGS. 43 and 44 are top and bottom plan views, respectively, and FIGS. 45 and 46 are end and side elevation views, respectively, of the animal procedure table of the animal procedure assembly illustrated schematically in FIGS. 27-33;

[0028] FIGS. 47 and 48 are schematic perspective views, FIGS. 49 and 50 are top and bottom plan views, respectively, and FIGS. 51 and 52 are end and side elevation views, respectively, of the animal procedure table of the animal procedure assembly illustrated schematically in FIGS. 34-40; and

[0029] FIGS. 53 and 54 are perspective schematic illustration views, FIGS. 55 and 56 are top and bottom plan schematic illustration views, respectively, and FIGS. 57 and 58 are schematic side elevation views of another embodiment of a collector adapter in accordance with the present disclosure used in certain embodiments to connect a collector (bottle or other) to an animal procedure table.

[0030] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings are not to scale, and illustrate only typical animal procedure table and assembly embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the drawing figures are not to be considered limiting in scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. Identical reference numerals are used throughout the several views for like or similar elements.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the animal procedure tables and assemblies of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the apparatus disclosed herein may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible. All technical articles, published and non-published patent applications, standards, patents, statutes and regulations referenced herein are hereby explicitly incorporated herein by reference, irrespective of the page, paragraph, or section in which they are referenced. Where a range of values describes a parameter, all sub-ranges, point values and endpoints within that range or defining a range are explicitly disclosed herein. All percentages herein are by weight unless otherwise noted.

[0033] All numbers disclosed herein are approximate values, regardless whether the word “about” or “approximate” is used in connection therewith. They may vary by 1%, 2%, 5%, and sometimes, 10 to 20%. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, RL and an upper limit, RU, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R = RL + k*(RU-RL), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1% to 100% with a 1% increment, i.e., k is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, . . . , 50%, 51%, 52%, . . . , 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed.

[0034] It should be understood that wherever the term “comprising” is used herein, other embodiments where the term “comprising” is substituted with “consisting essentially of’ are explicitly disclosed herein, and vice versa. It should be further understood that wherever the term “comprising” is used herein, other embodiments where the term “comprising” is substituted with “consisting of’ are explicitly disclosed herein, and vice versa. Moreover, the use of negative limitations is specifically contemplated; for example, certain animal procedure tables may include threaded connections for the container, while other embodiments may be devoid of these features. In certain embodiments the board plastic may be devoid of fillers. In certain embodiments the board may be devoid of metal. Certain animal procedure assemblies may be devoid of one or both adapters described herein. The term “comprising” and derivatives thereof is not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the same is disclosed herein. In order to avoid any doubt, all systems, processes, and compositions claimed herein through use of the term “comprising” may include any additional component, step, additive, adjuvant, or compound whether monomeric, oligomeric, polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term, “consisting essentially of’ excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. The term “consisting of” excludes any component, step or procedure not specifically delineated or listed. The term “or”, unless stated otherwise, refers to the listed members individually as well as in any combination. The term “a” includes a single item as well as multiple items.

[0035] As mentioned herein, despite the apparent convenience of known procedure tables, problems remain. There remains a need for animal procedure tables and assemblies including same that are easy to use, maneuverable in all three of pitch, yaw, and roll movements, that are safe, small enough to use in a BSC, and that are less susceptible to maintenance and cleaning issues. The animal procedure tables and assemblies of the present disclosure are directed to these needs.

[0036] In certain embodiments the stand may be a tripod allowing the plastic or plastic-covered board to achieve all three modes of movement (pitch, yaw, and roll). One suitable tripod may be that known under the trade designation Manfrotto MTPIXI-B, which features versatile, lightweight stainless steel, and portable construction, as well as a universal mounting system. In addition to being useful with the boards of the present disclosure, a user may use the tripod with most DSLR cameras, and with the help of various nozzles, users can attach a camera, GoPro® brand compact action camera or other brand action camera, or smartphone. A button mechanism allows mounting and fixing a ball head with a quick movement. A button, when pressed, allows a hinge to move freely and very easily. When the button is down, the hinge is automatically locked in the selected position. Rubber feet ensure a stable fixation on any surface. 360 degrees panoramic rotation is allowed. Other suitable tripods may incude adjustable length lengths, and may be made of aluminum. Another suitable tripod may be that known under the trade designation SLIK Mini-Pro V, which when equipped with a ball attachment allows pitch, yaw, and roll movements, and features a suction cup at the bottom of a central column for additional stability. A handle may be used to control the frame. Certain useful tripods may include an integrated ball head or mini -ball head, which allows adjustment in pitch, yaw, and roll as the user wishes. Tripods of this nature may be used to mount almost any animal procedure table thereto, or camera, smartphone, or other device, using a 14-20 screw (where 'A is the nominal width in inches of the screw, and 20 is threads per inch) or other size screw.

[0037] In certain embodiments the plastic or plastic-covered board may have a first perimeter shape selected from rectangular, triangular, oval, and circular, and a first plan area ranging from about 80 in ² to about 120 in ² (from about 520 cm ² to about 770 cm ² ), or from about 90 in ² to about 110 in ² (from about 590 cm ² to about 700 cm ² ). In certain embodiments the continuous, single recessed work area has a second perimeter shape selected from rectangular, triangular, oval, and circular, the second perimeter shape being same as or different than the first perimeter shape, and a second plan area smaller than the first plan area. The second plan area may be 10 percent smaller, or 20 percent smaller, or 30 percent smaller, or 40 percent smaller, or 50 percent smaller than the first plan area. In certain embodiments the continuous, single recessed work area may have a depth ranging from about 10 percent to about 50 percent of the thickness of the plastic or plastic-covered board, or from about 15 to about 35 percent of the thickness of the plastic or plastic-covered board. The depth may be uniform or nonuniform; example of nonuniform depth include those where the depth increases from the sides of the board toward the centerline of the board, and embodiments where the depth is greatest at the drain but less in other areas. In certain embodiments the board or table may comprise, on its non-working major side, a grid of plastic members. The grid may be in the form of vertical panels with arcuate edges connecting the panels with the second major surface of the board or table.

[0038] In certain embodiments the drain hole may be circular having threads and the collector may be a transparent or partially transparent bottle having a circular, mating threaded opening. In certain embodiments the bottle may be a rigid or flexible transparent plastic, for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), copolymers, mixtures, and layered versions of two or more of these, and the like. In other emplbodiments the collector may be glass, such as that known under the trade designation PYREX, or other glassware such as E-glass, S-glass, and the like. In certain embodiments the collector may be a plastic bag comprising flexible plastic such as polyethylene, the bag having a rigid attachment spount that may be threaded or snapped onto a table or table adapter. [0039] In certain embodiments the one or more metal posts may be adjustable in height away from the plastic or plastic-covered board, for example by threaded adjustment, friction fit adjustment, telescoping adjustment, and the like. The metal posts may also be extended by securing a metal or other material extension thereon.

[0040] In certain embodiments the one or more metal posts may comprise first and second metal posts positioned on opposite side of the drain, third and fourth metal posts positioned further away from the drain than the first and second metal posts, and fifth and sixth metal posts positioned on opposites sides of a utility cutout portion of the board positioned distal from the drain.

[0041] Certain animal procedure assembly embodiments described herein may comprise a collector adapter and a table adapter, as further explained in reference to the drawings. The collector adapter may allow a user to employ different size collectors, or collectors with different size openings, with the same table. Table adapters are designed for easy and quick attachment/detachment of a stand (tripod or other).

[0042] Referring now to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is a high-level schematic perspective view, general illustrating the top of one animal procedure assembly embodiment 100 in accordance with the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a high-level schematic perspective view, generally illustrating the bottom of embodiment 100. Embodiment 100 includes an 8 inch x 12 inch (20 cm x 30 cm) plastic or plastic-covered board or table 2 having a first major surface of 4, a second major surface 6, and a continuous, single recessed work area 8. Embodiment 100 includes a drain through-hole 10 (also referred to herein as simply a drain) extending from the continuous, single recessed work area 8 to second major surface 6, which allows fluids to flow into a detachable container 12, in embodiment 100 a transparent plastic bottle. Second major surface 6 of table 2 of embodiment 100 includes a neck 14 formed in the plastic and in fluid communication with drain 10. Embodiment 100 includes a tripod 16 having three legs 17A, 17B, and 17C positioned about 120 degrees apart, and (as better illustrated in FIG. 2) an optional center leg 26 for extra support. A suction cup 28 on bottom of central leg 26 may be provided as an option for extra stability. A major portion 22 of first major surface 4 is illustrated, as is a minor portion 24 of first major surface 4, and embodiment 100 includes first and second metal posts 18, 20. Legs 17A-C may be folded inward for storage.

[0043] FIG. 2 further illustrates length adjustments 30A, 30B, and 30C for legs 17A, 17B, and 17C, respectively, where the length adjustments in embodiment 100 are tent pole twist adjustments, but any other adjustment mechanism, such as threaded bolts with wing nuts, would be satisfactory. Embodiment 100 includes a threaded locking/unlocking nut 32 for attaching various attachments to tripod 16, such as a ball connector 34 in this embodiment and a locking/unlocking nut 36 for ball connector 34. A centrally located male or female attachment 38 is configured to accept a mating attachment of tripod 16, allowing the plastic or plastic- covered board or table 2 to achieve all three modes of movement (pitch, yaw, and roll). A female or male extension 40 is provided to mate with centrally located male or female attachment 38. A cotter pin 29 is provided in embodiment 100 for securing male or female attachment 38 to female or male extension 40. A platform 42 may be provided for supporting female or male extension 40.

[0044] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment 200 having many features in common with embodiment 100. Embodiment 200 features, in addition to first and second metal posts 18, 20, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth metal posts 50, 52, 54, 56 and a cutout portion 58 for anesthesia conduits, perfusion conduits, and the like. Through holes 60, 62, 64, and 66 are provided for metal posts 50, 52, 54, and 56, respectively, and threads 68 are provided on neck 14.

[0045] Table Adapters, Collector Adapters, and Animal Procedure Assemblies

[0046] The following paragraphs describe embodiments of table adapters, collector adapaters and animal procedure assemblies that include an animal procedure table. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made to these specific embodiments, which are considered within the scope of the present disclosure and claims.

[0047] FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are perspective schematic illustration views of one embodiment of a table adapter 70 in accordance with the present disclosure used in certain embodiments to connect an animal procedure table to a stand, for example, but not limited to, a tripod. Embodiment 70 includes a body 72 having a bottom surface 74 and a top surface 76. Bottom surface 74 faces a stand, while top surface 76 faces the second major surface 6 of table 2 when connected thereto. Embodiment 70 further includes a connector element 78, a box-like component (which may be solid or hollow), having a male part 80 which is configured to slide or snap into a female part of a stand or tripod connector (not illustrated) and four sides 82. Embodiment 70 also includes arcuate flange connections 84 where connector element 78 connects to body 72. Sliding or snap connector elements 86 are provided in this embodiment for removably connecting table adapter 70 to a stand or tripod. Through holes 88 are provided for threaded connectors that allow connection of table adapter 70 to an animal procedure table. Lightening and alignment through holes 90, 92 in body 72 allow alignment of table adapter 70 to an animal procedure table, while reducing weight. Short or end edge 94 of body 72 and long or side edge 96 of body 72 are further noted.

[0048] FIGS. 9 and 10 are bottom and top plan schematic illustration views, respectively, of the table adapter 70 illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, while FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic end and side elevation views, respectively, of table adapter 70 illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5-10.

[0049] FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective schematic illustration views, FIGS. 15 and 16 are bottom and top plan schematic illustration views, respectively, and FIGS. 17 and 18 are schematic side elevation views of one embodiment 102 of a collector adapter in accordance with the present disclosure used in certain assembly embodiments to connect a collector 12 to an animal procedure table described herein. Collector adapter 102 comprises a generally triangular body 104 having three sides 106, a planar surface or “face” 108 that is configured to face the collector when a collector is removably attached to collector adapter 102, and a planar surface or “face” 110 that is configured to face the table when collector adapter 102 is removably attached to a table. Embodiments of other collector adapters having other than generally triangular shape are considered within this disclosure, such as generally hexagonal, generally octagonal, and the like. Collector adapter embodiment 102 further includes a female threaded hole 112 to mate with male threads on collectors, and a female threaded hole 114 to mate with male threads on a table. Three through holes 116 are provided in embodiment 102 for threaded fittings for removably attaching collector adapter 102 to a table using threaded member (bolts, screws, and the like). Generally triangular body 104 also features three vertices 118.

[0050] FIGS. 19, 20, 21, and 22 are perspective schematic illustration views, FIGS. 23 and 24 are bottom and top plan schematic illustration views, respectively, and FIGS. 25 and 26 are schematic end and side elevation views, respectively, of another embodiment 120 of a table adapter in accordance with the present disclosure used in certain embodiments to connect an animal procedure table to a stand. Table adapter 120 includes a body 122, vertical support panels 124 that are parallel to the long axis of table adapter 120, and vertical support panels 126 that are parallel to the short axis. This forms a grid, with arcuate portions 132, 134 serving as transitions between panels 124, 126 and a bottom surface 130 of table adapter 120. Four non-arcuate flange connections 128 connect connector element 78 to body 122. Table adapter embodiment 120 may be lighter (weigh less) than embodiment 70, but because it has a more complicated shape embodiment 120 may be manufactured using one or more additive processes, such as 3D printing or other process described herein, using one or more plastic materials.

[0051] FIGS. 27 and 29 are schematic perspective views, FIG. 28 is a schematic side elevation view, FIG. 31 is a schematic end elevation view, FIG. 30 is a schematic top plan view, FIG. 32 is a schematic bottom plan view, and FIG. 33 is a schematic exploded view of one animal procedure assembly 140 in accordance with the present disclosure. Animal procedure assembly 140 includes an animal procedure table 142 connected via table adapter 70 to a ball connector 34 via a slide or snap connector 144 having surfaces that mate to corresponding slide or snap connector elements 86 on table adapter 70 as previous described. (Animal procedure table 142 is described in more detailed herein with reference to FIGS. 41-46.) As illustrated schematically in exploded view of FIG. 33, embodiment 140 includes sleeves or guides 146 for metal posts 18, 20, 50, 52, 54, 56. In this embodiment each sleeve or guide 146 has both internal and external threads, where the external threads are forced into the table plastic material and held in the table by friction threaded fittings, while the internal threads mate with external threads on lower portions of each metal post 18, 20, 50, 52, 54, 56. Threaded connectors 148 are provided for connecting connector adapter 102 to table 142. Another set of threaded connectors 149 are provided for connecting table adapter 70 to table 142.

[0052] FIGS. 34 and 36 are schematic perspective views, FIG. 35 is a schematic side elevation view, FIG. 38 is a schematic end elevation view, FIG. 37 is a schematic top plan view, FIG. 39 is a schematic bottom plan view, and FIG. 40 is a schematic exploded view of another animal procedure assembly 150 in accordance with the present disclosure. Animal procedure assembly 150 is similar to embodiment 140 but differs by employing a different animal procedure table 202, collector adapter 160, and table adapter 120. Animal procedure table 202 is described in reference to FIGS. 47-52 herein, while collector adapter 160 is described with reference to FIGS. 53-58 herein. With reference to FIGS. 36 and 39 it will be noted that, because of the grid structure of the non-working side of table 202, sockets 204 are provided for the threaded connectors. Sockets 204 are typically molded, printed, or otherwise builtin to the table, although in certain embodiments they maybe added in after producing the table, for example using adhesives or friction fittings. In any event, it may be appreciated that animal procedure assembly 150 will be considerably less weight than embodiment 140, due to the different table, table adapter, and collector adapter constructions employed.

[0053] FIGS. 41 and 42 are schematic perspective views, FIGS. 43 and 44 are top and bottom plan views, respectively, and FIGS. 45 and 46 are side and end elevation views, respectively, of the animal procedure table 142 of the animal procedure assembly 140 illustrated schematically in FIGS. 27-33. In table embodiment 142, holes for metal posts 18, 20, 50, 42, 54, 56 are provided, as well as an alignment ring 192 for collector adapter 102, and alignment rings 194 for table adapter 70. Holes 196 for threaded members to connect table adapter 70 to table 142 are provided, as well as holes 198 for threaded members to connect collector adapter 102 to table 142.

L0054J FIGS. 47 and 48 are schematic perspective views, FIGS. 49 and 50 are top and bottom plan views, respectively, and FIGS. 51 and 52 are side and end elevation views, respectively, of the animal procedure table 202 of the animal procedure assembly 150 illustrated schematically in FIGS. 34-40. Animal procedure table 202 includes sockets 204 for threaded members to connect metal posts 18, 20, 50, 52, 54, 56 to table 202, as well as sockets 206 for threaded members to connect table adapter 120 to table 202. Animal procedure table 202 differs in structure from animal procedure table 142 primarily in two features. The first structural difference is the inclusion of a support grid 208 on non-working surface 6 extending the entire length and width of table 202, where support grid 208 comprises a series of length- wise panels and a series of cross-width panels forming a checkerboard pattern with recesses. The first structural difference necessitates the second structural difference, the inclusion of sockets 204, 210, and 212. Referring again to FIG. 40, sockets 204 receive threaded sleeves 146. Sockets 210 (see FIGS. 48 and 50) receive threaded members 149 for attaching table adapter 120 to table 202, and sockets 212 receive threaded members 151 for attaching collector adapter 160 to table 202.

[0055] FIGS. 53 and 54 are perspective schematic illustration views, FIGS. 55 and 56 are bottom and top plan schematic illustration views, respectively, and FIGS. 57 and 58 are schematic side elevation views of another embodiment 160 of a collector adapter in accordance with the present disclosure used in certain embodiments to connect a collector (bottle or other) to an animal procedure table such as embodiment 150. Collector adapter 160 includes a generally triangular body 164, three sides 166 of body 164 which define a recess 168 of generally triangular body 164. Embodiment 160 includes a centrally positioned, internally threaded cylindrical connector 170 supported by three stmts 172. Internally threaded cylindrical connector 170 includes internal threads 174. A through hole 176 is provided for fluidly connecting with table 202, and through holes 178 function with threaded fittings 151 for connecting collector adapter 160 to table 202. A bottom face 180 of generally triangular body 164 is configured to be adjacent non-working surface 6 of table 202. [0056] The apparatus and assemblies illustrated schematically in the various figures comprise several non-limiting examples. Other configurations are possible, depending upon the specific design parameters. With regard to the table structure, stand, adapters, and collectors/container/bottles, the embodiments illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1-58 are just some simple arrangements and obviously could take on additional forms including various table shapes, lengths, widths, thicknesses, collector volumes, and the like. As those skilled in this art will readily appreciate, there are countless variations possible and the embodiments herein are simple and effective - but not necessarily optimized.

[005'7] Suitable metals for the metal posts include stainless steels, for example, but not limited to, 304, 316, as well as titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, copper, copper alloys, and the like. High-strength materials like C-110 and C-125 metallurgies that are NACE qualified may be employed. (As used herein, “NACE” refers to the corrosion prevention organization formerly known as the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, now operating under the name NACE International, Houston, Texas.) The skilled artisan, having knowledge of the particular application, temperatures, and available materials, will be able design the most cost effective, safe, and operable components for each particular application without undue experimentation. [0058] The materials of construction of the tables, table adapters, collector adapters, collectors, stands, and other members may comprise any moldable or printable plastic (polymeric) material, or ceramic material, or metallic material, or combination thereof that is approved for use in biomedical research facilities. The members may comprise a single material, or combination of materials. The members may comprise more than one layer of material, and each layer may be the same or different. The polymeric materials may be filled with various fillers, extenders, pigments, and other additives. In embodiments consisting essentially of moldable and/or biocompatible polymeric material, these fillers, extenders, pigments, and other additives may be present in limited amounts to the extent necessary to substantially exceed minimum safety and effectiveness standards. Suitable polymeric materials include thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, elastomers, and thermoplastic elastomers. The polymeric materials may comprise co-polymers, ter-polymers, and blends of two or more chemical types of polymers, or blends of two or more polymers of the same chemical type, for example, a blend of two thermoplastics having different molecular weights.

[0059] Examples of specific polymers include light-curable polymer-based resins designed for the fabrication of parts by additive manufacturing, such as acetals, polyacrylics, polyvinyls, polyvinyl alcohols, and the like. An example of a suitable polymeric material is a durable fade- proof acrylic that retains its shape and color for at least four- five years. Other polymeric materials that may be useful include nitinol, silicone, polyamides, polyimides, PTFE, e-PTFE, polypropylene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene fluoride and combinations thereof.

[0060] As noted in the Summary, in certain embodiments the plastic or plastic-covered board may be formed by a procedure selected from one or more subtractive processes, one or more additive processes, one or more molding processes (for example, but not limited to, injection molding extrusion, rotational molding, and blow molding), or a combination thereof.

[0061] The one or more substractive processes may be selected from machining operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, and turning, all of which may be computer-aided or non-computer- aided.

[0062] The one or more additive processes may be selected from rapid prototyping, 3D printing, stereolithography (SLA) printing, near-net or net-shape casting, and combinations thereof.

[0063] In certain embodiments, the plastic or plastic-covered board may comprise a plastic homopolymer, a plastic copolymer, mixtures thereof, and layered versions thereof, wherein the plastic homopolymer may be unfilled or partially filled with one or more fillers, wherein the plastic copolymer may be unfilled or partially filled with one or more fillers, wherein the filler may be selected from fibrous materials, non-fibrous materials, and mixtures thereof.

[0064] In certain embodiments the plastic homopolymer may be a polyoxymethylene carboxylate having a reaction rate constant for thermal degradation at 222 °C of less than 1% by weight per minute, substantially all polymer chains of the polyoxymethylene carboxylate having the structural formula RiC(O)O(CH2O) _n C(O)R2 wherein Ri and R2 are organic radicals having from 1 to about 17 carbon atoms and are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylene, cycloalkyl, and aryl, and n is an integer greater than about 500, as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,768,994 and 2,998,409, incorporated herein by reference. These specific products are known under the trade designations Delrin® acetal homopolymer, commercially available from duPont.

[0065] Certain products may be copolymers, where about 1-1.5% of the -CH2O- groups are replaced with -CH2CH2O-. Copolymer resins are commercially available from several manufactures and are known under the trade designations Kocetal® (Kolon Plastics, South Korea), Ultraform® (BASF), Celcon® (Celanese), Ramtal® (Polyram Plastic Industries LTD, Israel), Duracon® (Polyplastic Co., China), Kepitai® (Korean Engineering Plastics Co., LTD), Polypenco® (Quadrant Polypenco, Korea), Tenac® (Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation, Japan), and Hostaform® (Celanese). Most of these products are available in a variety of formulations, depending on their intended use. Although they have many benefits as unfilled materials, acetal homopolymers and copolymers may also be filled with solid lubricants, glass fibers, polyaramid fibers, colorants, and the like to enhance their structural, bearing and wear properties, and/or simply their appearance. Materials such as glass, PTFE, graphite and oil are all available in standard sizes.

[0066] In embodiments where the table, table adapter, or collector adapter comprise a single solid body, the component in question may be integrally molded using special molds, or may be made using additive manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing. In certain embodiments, one or more molding or printing steps may be required to build up the component to functional length, width, height, and diameter. Also, the methods may include printing steps featuring specific polymers, colors, shapes, software, and the like. 3D printers that may be useful are the 3D printers known under the trade designation Formlabs Form 3B+ and 3BL, available from Formlabs, Millbury, Ohio (USA).

[0067] Various components, such as tables as described herein may be made using a variety of additive and/or subtractive processes, including molding, machining, stamping and like additive processes, and/or subtractive processes such as net-shape casting (or near-net shape casting) using rapid prototype (RP) molds. Net-shape or near-net shape casting methods of making a variety of molds for producing a variety of complex products are summarized in patents assigned to 3D Systems, Inc., Rock Hill, South Carolina, U.S.A., for example U.S. Pat. No. 8,285,411. As summarized in the ‘411 patent, a number of technologies presently exist for the rapid creation of models, prototypes, and objects for limited run manufacturing. These technologies are generally called Solid Freeform Fabrication (“SFF”) techniques. Some SFF techniques include stereolithography, selective deposition modeling, laminated object manufacturing, selective phase area deposition, multi-phase jet solidification, ballistic particle manufacturing, fused deposition modeling, particle deposition, laser sintering, film transfer imaging, and the like. Generally, in SFF, complex parts are produced from a build material in an additive fashion as opposed to conventional fabrication techniques, which are generally subtractive in nature. For example, in most conventional subtractive fabrication techniques material is removed by machining operations or shaped in a die or mold to near net shape and then trimmed. In contrast, additive fabrication techniques incrementally add portions of a build material to targeted locations, layer by layer, in order to build a complex part. SFF technologies typically utilize a computer graphic representation of a part and a supply of a build material to fabricate the part in successive layers. According to the ‘411 patent, SFF technologies may dramatically shorten the time to develop prototype parts, can produce limited numbers of parts in rapid manufacturing methods, and may eliminate the need for complex tooling and machining associated with conventional subtractive manufacturing methods, including the need to create molds for custom applications. In addition, customized parts can be directly produced from computer graphic data (e.g., computer-aided design (CAD) files) in SFF techniques. Generally, in most techniques of SFF, structures are formed in a layer by layer manner by solidifying or curing successive layers of a build material. For example, in stereolithography a tightly focused beam of energy, typically in the ultraviolet radiation band, is scanned across sequential layers of a liquid photopolymer resin to selectively cure resin of each layer to form a multilayered part. In selective laser sintering, a tightly focused beam of energy, such as a laser beam, is scarmed across sequential layers of powder material to selectively sinter or melt powder (such as a metal or ceramic powder) in each layer to form a multilayered part. In selective deposition modeling, a build material is jetted or dropped in discrete droplets, or extruded through a nozzle, such that the build material becomes relatively rigid upon a change in temperature and/or exposure to actinic radiation in order to build up a three-dimensional part in a layerwise fashion. In another technique, film transfer imaging ("FTI"), a film transfers a thin coat of resin to an image plane area where portions of the resin corresponding to the cross-sectional layer of the part are selectively cured with actinic radiation to form one layer of a multilayer part. Certain SFF techniques require the part be suspended from a supporting surface such as a build pad, a platform, or the like using supports that join the part to the supporting surface. Prior art methods for generating supports are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,595,703; 6,558,606; and 6,797,351. The Internet website of Quickparts.com, Inc., Atlanta, GA, a subsidiary of 3D Systems Inc., has more information on some of these techniques and materials that may be used.

[0068] Methods of making apparatus of the present disclosure using additive manufacturing may comprise scanning a previously made example device employing a laser scanning appliance to produce a pointcloud image of a device, uploading the pointcloud image to a computer having one or more design software programs loaded thereon or available remotely through an Internet connection, and producing a software version of apparatus from the pointcloud image. The software version of the device may then be uploaded to a 3D printer, followed by 3D printing the device or portions thereof. Laser scanning images is a well- established practice in the medical industry. See for example the laser scanners available from Laser Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota (U.S.A.). See also U.S. Patent Nos. 7,184,150; 7,153,135; and 9,522,054. In some cases, a 3D rendering may be made from a 2D image, such as a photograph or 2D drawing of a device. See for example U.S. Patent Nos. 8,165,711 and 8,605,136. Imaging equipment, CAD/CAM and imaging analysis software are available from various sources, including 3 Shape, Renishaw, 3M, and others.

L0069J In alternative embodiments, the various components need not have specific shapes or arrangements as illustrated in the drawings, but rather could take any shape, such as a box or cube shape, elliptical, triangular, prism-shaped, hemispherical or semi-hemispherical-shaped (dome-shaped), or combination thereof and the like, as long as the apparatus performs the desired range of movements. The board cross-section and plan shape need not be rectangular, but may be arcuate, such as semicircular, oval, and the like. It will be understood that such embodiments are part of this disclosure and deemed with in the claims. Furthermore, one or more of the various components may be ornamented with various ornamentation produced in various ways (for example stamping or engraving, or raised features such as reflectors, reflective tape), such as facility designs, operating company designs, logos, letters, words, nicknames (for example KAISER, and the like). Animal procedure tables of the present disclosure may include optional hand-holds, which may be machined or formed to have easy- to-grasp features for fingers, or may have rubber grips shaped and adorned with ornamental features, such as raised knobby gripper patterns.

[0070] From the foregoing detailed description of specific embodiments, it should be apparent that patentable animal procedure tables and assemblies have been described. Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of describing various features and aspects of the systems and processes and is not intended to be limiting with respect to their scope. It is contemplated that various substitutions, alterations, and/or modifications, including but not limited to those implementation variations which may have been suggested herein, may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, certain embodiments may be devoid of exotic metals; or devoid of low-strength steels; or devoid of threaded fittings; or devoid of welded fittings; or devoid of adapters.