Patent ID: 8851017

Claim:
A carrying tray for holding and transporting a living animal, the tray comprising: a platform that presents a surface for receiving and supporting a live animal; a nosecone mounted to the platform, the nosecone adapted to receive the nose of a live animal supported on the platform; one or more gas ports on an underside of the platform for coupling with an external source of gas and/or fir exhausting gas; one or more electrical connectors on an underside of the platform for coupling with external power and/or signal sources; and a connection mechanism adapted to removably engage with a tray receiving member of an animal imaging system or a sterile workstation such that when the tray engages the tray receiving member, the one or more gas ports and the one or more electrical connectors automatically mate with corresponding elements on the tray receiving member, wherein the connection mechanism includes a handle coupled to a first portion of a locking mechanism, wherein the tray receiving member includes a second portion of the locking mechanism, wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism engages the second portion when the handle is moved from a release position to a locking position, and wherein the first and second portions disengage when the handle is moved from the locking position to the release position.