Abstract
Development of Mouse Pulse Oximeter for Laboratory Study of Mice in Motion:
Continuous physiological monitoring in mouse models is an area that remains challenging. This is due to the lack of reliable, small, affordable, and non-invasive sensing methods, especially for use in cases of awake monitoring. This study focuses on the design, development, and validation of a wearable pulse oximetry device for mice in lab settings, which measures heart rate (HR) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂). The system consists of an infrared sensor, an Arduino microcontroller, a Python-based graphic user interface for data processing and visualization, and a lightweight, adjustable collar. Signal processing includes bandpass filtering optimized for mouse physiology and a peak detection algorithm for HR estimation. SpO₂ is determined using a ratio calibrated for mice of red and infrared signals from the sensor. Device performance was assessed in mice under ketamine/xylazine anesthesia protocols and performed by ACUC-approved members of the Proctor Lab. HR measurements from the device showed no significant difference compared to manually calculated HR values (p = 0.720) in the first two validation experiments, but were found to be significantly lower (p = 0.0381) in the final validation experiment; additional validation should be performed to determine overall trends. Both HR and SpO₂ readings fell within the established physiological ranges for ketamine-anesthetized mice reported in the literature. Hardware was designed through an iterative process to improve sensor placement and fit, and enhance mouse comfort. This device offers a low-cost and effective method for monitoring physiological data in real time for small animal studies. Future work will consist of improving performance in restrained, awake mice and developing the design to be MRI-compatible.
STS Analysis of Neuralink Animal Testing:
This paper focuses on analyzing the controversy surrounding Neuralink’s animal testing at the University of California Davis (UC Davis) through the lens of actor-network theory (ANT). Neuralink, a company focused on the development of brain-computer interface (BCI) devices, faced widespread criticism in 2022 surrounding reports of the mistreatment of monkeys in early testing of the Neuralink device and implantation procedures. Criticism was initially driven by the advocacy group, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), which accused Neuralink of mistreating their animals in violation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). This criticism included allegations of inadequate care of animals, use of unapproved surgical materials, and the cause of unnecessary suffering through rushed and poorly executed surgeries. Neuralink and UC Davis released statements defending their experiments, claiming that all procedures were done in compliance with federal regulations and institutional requirements.
Using ANT as a framework, I argue that the mistreatment of animals in the Neuralink testing cannot be attributed to a single person or group but instead can be attributed to the network of associations and influences among many diverse actors. Some key actors in the network include Neuralink employees, surgeons, and veterinarians, Elon Musk, UC Davis, UC Davis’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), federal regulations like the AWA, and the monkeys themselves. I argue that pressure from leadership at Neuralink to quickly develop technology created a company culture that prioritized technological development over the welfare of their animals. Employee concerns regarding animal welfare were often overlooked due to the emphasis on speed and progress within Neuralink. In addition to this, the paper explores how regulatory systems and oversight may have enabled harm to the animals by permitting procedures that caused them suffering. Overall, I conclude that the neglect of animal welfare during the Neuralink testing at UC Davis resulted from the interactions, relationships, and power imbalances between actors within the network.
Connection Between Technical and STS Research:
While my technical and STS theses focus on different aspects of biomedical technology and development, both emphasize the need for and importance of ethical and responsible animal research. My technical project focuses on developing a non-invasive pulse oximeter for improved physiological monitoring in mouse studies. This device allows researchers to collect continuous, real-time health data, which will help to improve mouse safety and comfort during experiments. My STS research examines the relationships between various actors involved in Neuralink’s animal testing at UC Davis, highlighting how failures in the network contributed to the mistreatment of animals. In conjunction with each other, the two research projects emphasize the responsibility of researchers and engineers to ensure animal welfare in the design and testing processes. My STS analysis focuses on the broader ethical and social systems that govern animal testing and research, while my technical project addresses a need for the improvement of existing animal testing procedures.
