WO2019082178A1

WO2019082178A1 - Device, in-line system and method for detecting somatic cell level during milking

Info

Publication number: WO2019082178A1
Application number: PCT/IL2018/051129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduard PAPIROV; Sela SHEFY
Original assignee: Hi Impacts Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-23
Filing date: 2018-10-23
Publication date: 2019-05-02
Also published as: IL255211A0

Abstract

A device and system for performing somatic cell level detection during milking.

Description

DEVICE, IN-LINE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING SOMATIC

CELL LEVEL DURING MILKING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device, system and method for somatic cells level detection during milking, and in particular to such a device, system and method for rendering an objective diagnostic measurement somatic cell counts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various animals are milked for generating milk, most commonly cows are milked, however a great variety of mammals may be similarly milked.

A dairy farm's primary concern is the health of its herd so as to ensure that the herd is a profitable one. The biggest health concern for a milking cattle farm is infection of the mammary glands called mastitis as it affects the cattle's ability to generate milk of acceptable quality. Adult lactating cattle are most at risk for infection, either while lactating or during the lactation dry period.

Mammary gland is at high risk for infection, during the dry period which follows the lactation cycle. The dry period begins 1-2 days after the end of lactation and continues for a period of 45-60 days.

The dry period has traditionally been used to provide herd members with medication and/or treatment for preventative mastitis. Such treatments include preventative antibiotic treatment which has been a standard of care for about 30 years as a mastitis management measure.

Mastitis is a potentially fatal infection of the mammary glands in dairy cattle. Almost any bacterial or mycotic organism that can cause infection can cause mastitis. However, most infections are caused by various species of streptococci, staphylococci, and gram- negative rods, especially lactose-fermenting organisms of enteric origin, commonly termed coliforms.

Intra- mammary infections are often described as subclinical or clinical mastitis. Subclinical mastitis is the presence of an infection without apparent signs of local inflammation or systemic involvement .

Chronic infections persist for at least 2 months. Once established, many of these infections persist for the entire lactations or the life of the cow. Detection of both clinical and subclinical mastitis is commonly done by examination of milk for somatic cell counts, which are positively correlated with the presence of infection. Normal levels of somatic cell counts is generally between 100,000 cells/mL and 300,000 cells/mL. Cows with a somatic cell count of >280,000 cells/mL generally have a >80% chance of being infected with mastitis.

Clinical mastitis is typically displayed in a single udder and spreads one udder at a time.

The cure rate with antibiotic therapy during lactation is low. Infected cows that become chronic cases often have to be culled with prevalence 3-5% continually.

All dairy herds have cows with subclinical mastitis; however, the prevalence of infected cows varies from 15-75% during a year. The magnitude of subclinical mastitis towards the economic loss is conspicuous from the fact that in USA, it is responsible for 60 to 70 % of total economic losses associated with all mastitis infections.

Chronic mastitis is an inflammatory process that exists for months and may persist from one lactation cycle to another. It is manifested for the most part as sub- clinical and may flare-up periodically as sub-acute or acute form for a short period of time.

Typical treatment is with antibacterial drugs for all 4 quarters of infected cows to ensure elimination of the pathogen and to prevent possible cross -infection of a non- infected quarter. Cure rates can often be 75-90%. Treated cows must be monitored by somatic cell counts and bacteriology. Usually, 30-day monitoring intervals are successful.

About 70% of the production losses due to subclinical mastitis are attributed to decreased milk production (Moniri et al., 2007). Subclinical mastitis has higher economic burden than clinical mastitis for the reason that losses associated with subclinical infection are widespread and less treated. In quarters affected with subclinical mastitis, total milk loss is on an average 10 -26% .

Mastitis cannot be eradicated from a herd and no complete recovery is forecast for a quarter affected with clinical mastitis. The economic loss due to decreased milk production, increased milk replacement cost, discarded milk, drug costs, veterinary fees and labor cost aggregates to about 10% of total value of milk sales.

The estimates of the cost of clinical mastitis is $444 US per clinical prevalence - of which, 70% of the cost is connected with decreased milk production and milk withheld from the market, over 20% with drugs, veterinary costs and replacement cost and with labor (Rollin et al, Preventive Veterinary Medicine 122 (2015) 257-264). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Mastitis is a persistent problem for dairy farmers where early detection and treatment would greatly reduce associated costs. Presently detection is only available during milking.

The most common measurement for mastitis is called the California Mastitis Test

(CMT). The method is based on estimating the number of somatic cells within a milk sample and is achieved by the reaction of cells suspended in a milk sample with a detergent. Accordingly, a milk sample is mixed with a reagent, most preferably detergent and/or caustic soda, forming a test sample. Any somatic cells within the milk sample will cause the milk sample to thicken. Severe cases of will cause the milk to form a gel consistency. The viscosity of the test sample is therefore correlated to the somatic cell count and in turn to the health of the milk sample and indicative of general health of the cow so as to determine if the cow is suffering from mastitis.

State of the art methods for performing the CMT do not offer an objective measure of the cell counts. Instead, current CMT tests are very subjective where results are solely based on the tester's experience and not on an objective measure of the test sample's properties.

While the CMT and other test exist for determining the health status of a cow and quality of milk yield, however these tests are generally performed after milking is done. Therefore current methods do not provide repeatable automated means for determining the status of the milk. Milk with a high somatic cell count, above 400K cells/mL, is generally rendered not usable and/or consumable therefore resulting in financial losses for the dairy farmer.

Presently tests for mastitis, at the milking stage level are labor intensive and expensive. Furthermore, the test is results themselves are subjective in that they do not provide a proper objective measure of the somatic cell counts in a test sample, instead allowing the individual preforming the test determine the gravity of the infection.

Moreover, present method for determining mastitis does not allow farmers to control or even know the cumulative somatic cell levels in the farm's yield. This lack of knowledge leads to many unknowns and greatly increases the farm's risk for financial losses due to an unforeseen case of mastitis within the herd.

The timing of the test is significant to the farmer so as to reduce potential losses. In large farms that include a large herd the milk is aggregated into a collective tank from all members of the herd. Therefore it only takes one or a few infected herd members to "spoil" the collective milk harvested from the entire herd. Presently a dairy farmer does not have the ability to test the milk quality in real time from individual members or a group of herd members.

Current CMT testing of somatic cell counts in milk does not provide sufficient real time indication of any underlying problem, before it is too late. Therefore early detection is paramount to reduce financial losses.

There remains an unmet need for, and it would be highly useful to have a device, system and method that provide an objective measure of somatic cell counts and in particular one that provides a real time somatic cells level detector during milking.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a device and system for in-line somatic cells level detector during milking that test milk quality, substantially in real time, during the milking process of individual herd members.

In embodiments the device and system may be implemented at any one or more point along the milking line network from the individual milking member to the entire heard. For example, a device may be placed at the highest resolution level, wherein each teat is monitored; and/or or an individual cow (all teats) may be tested such that all teats are collectively tested; and/or a group of cows, are collectively tested and up to collective testing of the entire milk line.

In embodiments the device and system may be implemented at a plurality of points along the milking line network.

In embodiments of the present invention, a system is configured to function in an inline manner such that it functions in parallel to the milking pipeline and disposed between the milk source, animal for example an individual cow, and the collective milk tank. The system is configured to take a controllable milk sample from the milking line so as to test it for somatic cells counts by undertaking the CMT to objectively determine the somatic cell counts per milliliter.

In embodiments, the test for somatic cells is provided by mixing a milk sample with a measured amount of a reagent, for example including but not limited to caustic soda, so as to objectively measure and determine the viscosity of the mixture. The resultant viscosity measure is then measured against a viscosity to somatic cell count scale and/or chart so as to determine the somatic cell count per milliliter in the sample. The results may thereafter be communicated to a local and/or remote monitoring server and/or computer, for example including but not limited to a central milking computer, for additional monitoring. In embodiment a central milking computer may be configured take additional action so as to control the overall quality of the collective milk batch and/to monitor the health of the herd members. For example, additional action may for example include but is not limited to stop milking form a particular member and/or group of herd members so as to maintain the overall quality of milk.

In embodiments a central milking computer may be configured monitor a threshold level of somatic cell counts so that the collective milk batch is under a threshold level of somatic cell counts so as to ensure the overall quality of the batch. For example, the central milking computer may be configured to control all milking braches of the milk production network line so as to ensure that the somatic cell counts for the entire batch is under an acceptable threshold somatic cell count, for example 400,000 cells per milliliter or the like predetermined threshold level.

Embodiments of this invention therefor provide for obtaining real time somatic cell count measurements that functions along controllable locations along the milking line network so as to measure somatic cell counts at various levels and at a controllable frequency so as to detect mastitis as early as possible. Such early detection provides for fast treatment, reducing disease gravity, faster recovery, and increase the likelihood of successful treatment.

While the present invention is described with respect to cows, and cow's milk, however, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to use with cows or the like bovine animal. Embodiments of the present invention may equally apply and be configured for use with any milking mammals for example including but not limited to humans, goats, swine, camels, buffalo,, sheep, yak, horse, or the like.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Implementation of the method and system of the present invention involves performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2. shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary measuring module functioning within the system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a device and system according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows schematic illustration of an optional acoustic measuring module used with the device and system of the present invention for determining somatic cell counts in a milk sample according to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 5A-C show schematic illustrations of optional gravitational measuring module used with the device and system of the present invention for determining somatic cell counts in a milk sample according to embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. The following figure reference labels are used throughout the description to refer to similarly functioning components are used throughout the specification hereinbelow.

50 branch of milk line network;

50i milk line inlet;

50o milk line outlet;

55 central milking processor;

150 in-line milk testing system;

100 milk testing device;

100c cleaning fluid inlet;

lOOi inlet; 100ο outlet;

101 controlling module/ processor;

102 controllable valve;

104 reagent stores;

105 reagent

110 reaction chamber;

120 mixing module;

121 driving module;

122 actuator (motor);

124 stirring/agitator/mixer;

125 measuring module;

126 sensing module;

140 ferromagnetic weight/ball;

130 cleaning module;

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention for an in-line somatic cell count detector device 100 that may be fit along a branch of an automated milking line 50 and/or a branch thereof.

In embodiments device 100 may be configured as stand-alone device that is operated by an individual following milking using a milking sample. In some embodiment device 100 may be configured to be a hand held device.

In embodiments at least one or more device(s) 100 may be configured to function as part of an in-line milk testing system 150 that comprises at least one or more device(s) 100 coupled in parallel to at least one branch of central milking line network 50 and wherein device(s) 100 are in communication with a central processing center for example in the form of a central milking computer 55.

Milking line 50 having an inlet 50i that is in fluid communication with the milk source for example a milking mammal such as a cow, goat, sheep, or the like, and an outlet 50o that is in communication with a milking line network that eventually leads to a central container and/or vat for collecting milk from at least one or more sources and/or network branches that form the milking line network 50.

Milk testing device 100 may be associated and/or coupled with milk line network 50 at variable points along the network. Ranging from portion of the line network that are connected to an individual teat and/or nipple or to an individual milking member, for example a cow, including all teats being milked, and/or at a point of the network that collectively accounts for a number of members (cows).

In embodiments device 100 comprises:

a controller module 101 including electronic circuitry providing for powering, controlling, communication and processing capabilities of device 100 and components thereof;

an inlet lOOi for receiving a milk sample from a user and/or a branch of a milk line network 50;

at least one controllable valves 102 for facilitating flow of milk sample in device 100;

at least one reagent chamber and/or storage 104 provided for storing at least one reagent 105 for performing the CMT reaction with a sample of milk; preferably reagent chamber 104 is in fluid communication with a reaction chamber 110;

a reaction chamber 110 provided for receiving the milk sample and at least one or more reagent for performing a reaction, preferably CMT, to determine the somatic cell count in the sample of milk,

a mixing module 120 provided for facilitating mixing the contents of the reaction chamber within the reaction chamber 110, for example provided in the form of an actuator, motor, pump, piston, syringe, mixing motor the like or any combination thereof;

a measuring module 125 provided for measuring the somatic cell count within of the sample of milk; the measuring module including a sensing module comprising at least one or more sensor for facilitating measuring the somatic cell count within the sample; and a cleaning module 130 provided for cleaning and/or flushing the test chamber 110 following testing, the cleaning module having an inlet 100c and an outlet 100ο through which the test chamber 110 is flushed following use.

In some embodiment reaction chamber 110 may be provided from multiple sub- portions and/or sub-chambers, a non-limiting example of which is shown in FIG. 7C, including at least a first chamber for performing a CMT reaction and a second chamber for performing a measurement of the somatic cell count.

In some embodiments chamber 110 may be provided from a single chamber wherein both the CMT reaction is undertaken and the somatic cell count measurement and/or analysis is performed.

In some embodiments device 100 may comprise at least one or more reagents 105. In embodiments reagent 105 may be provided in the form for example including but not limited to a detergent, and/or caustic soda, and/or cell lysing agent, and/or a surface active agent, and/or a group of surface active agents containing long chain hydrocarbon salts that are visibly altered in the presence of native proteins of cellular origin, the like or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments device 100 may comprise at least one reagent chamber 104.

In some embodiments device 100 may comprise at least two or more reagent chambers 104, preferably each reagent chamber provided for storing an individual reagent 105.

In embodiments device 100 may comprise a plurality of flow controlling valves 102 for controlling flow in and out of device 100 and more preferably for controlling the flow to, in and out, of reaction chamber 110.

In embodiments cleaning module 130 may be provided in optional forms for example including but not limited to a flushing pipeline including an inlet 100c and outlet lOOo. Inlet 100c may be connected to an external fluid cleaning source (not shown) for example in the form of a water pipeline and/or a standalone water tank and/or cleaning reservoir having sufficient volume to clean reaction chamber 110.

In embodiments device 100 is configured to controllably sample and/or obtain a volume of milk for somatic cell line testing through an inlet lOOi. Accordingly inlet lOOi features a controllable valve 102 so as to control the timing and volume of milk sample entering the device 100.

In embodiments device 100 is controlled with a controlling module 100 preferably comprising both communication and processing capabilities may for example be provided in the form of electronic circuitry and/or a computer so as to render device 100 operational and so as to control the overall operations of device 100 in performing the testing sequence and determining the somatic cell counts within the milk sample. Preferably controlling module 101 provides for processing and controlling aspects of device 100, for example including but not limited to controlling valves 102 so as to control the sampling volume, sampling frequency, controlling and coordinating function of the mixing module 120 and measuring module 125, processing the results, communicating the results to an auxiliary processing devices and/or processing centers such as a central milking computer 55 as part of in-line system 150.

Device 100 is configured to perform a testing sequence to seamlessly determine the somatic cell count of a sample of milk obtained from a user and/or directly from a branch milking line network 50. In embodiments testing module includes a mixing module 120 provided for mixing and/or facilitating a reaction between a milk sample and at least one reagent 105 stored in a reagent chamber 104 within a reaction chamber 110. Once reagent 105 and the milk sample have reacted by way of mixing with mixing module 120 the viscosity of the test sample is measured with measuring module 125 and sensing module 126 so as to determine the somatic cell count of the sample.

By determining the sample's viscosity device 100 provides for inferring the somatic cell count in the milk sample. Preferably controlling module 101 provides for correlating the measured sample viscosity to the somatic cell count based on a reference chart and/or normalized chart that correlates the obtained measured results with the somatic cell counts of a pre-defined controlled sample. For example, non-somatic milk will have a viscosity measure of 1-3 cP (centipoise) generally indicative of the presence of up to about 400,000 cells/ml in the milk sample.

For example, a milk sample indicative of somatic milk will have a viscosity measure of 20-500 cP (centipoise) which is indicative of a somatic cell count of more that 1M cells/ml (1 million) in a sample.

In embodiments device 100 may utilize optional mixing module 120 and measuring modules 125 to determine the viscosity so as to infer the somatic cell counts in the milk sample. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, mixing module 120 and measuring module 125 may be combined so as to share common resources, realized in the form of an actuator 122 having an associated agitator 124 and sensor 126, where the combined modules 120,125 are utilized both to generate a test sample and to measure the viscosity by sensing, with sensor module 126, the resistance applied against agitator 124.

Accordingly, the viscosity may be measured by determining the electrical profile utilized by the actuator 122 to mix the test sample within test chamber 110. Increased viscosity will alter the power profile utilized by the actuator to mix the sample. The electrical profile may for example include but is not limited to actuator speed, actuator acceleration, actuator resistance, actuator power, actuator current utilization, the like or any electrical usage profile that may be measured relative to the use of the actuator.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, mixing module 120 may utilize an actuator 122 preferably having two functions. First is to mix the reagent(s) 105, with the milk sample, forming the test sample. Optionally the actuator may utilize a stirrer and/or agitator 124 for mixing the milk sample and reagent(s) 105. Second, as part of the measuring module 125, is to determine the viscosity of the test sample, provided by measuring the energy consumed by the actuator and/or motor at a pre-set speed so as to determine the viscosity of the sample.

In embodiments, testing module 100 has a predefined and controlled reaction chamber 110 wherein the reaction is undertaken. More preferably a reagent 105, for example including but not limited to a detergent and/or caustic soda, cell lysing agent, a surface active agent, a group of surface active agents containing long chain hydrocarbon salts that are visibly altered in the presence of native proteins of cellular origin, may be provided in a separate controllable reaction chamber 104, provides the reactive material for performing the CMT. Preferably reagent(s) 105 causes any somatic cells found in the milk sample to break up in turn increasing the test sample's viscosity, when compared to a known scale. Most preferably the amount and/or volume of reagent(s) 105 extracted from chamber 104 and utilized within the reaction chamber 110 is controllable with a controllable valve 102 disposed between a passageway between reaction chamber 110 and reagent chamber 104. Controllable valve 102 may, for example be provided in the form of a remotely controllable an electronic valve, so as to allow on command from a computer and/process 101 to extract a measured amount of reagent(s) 105 into the reaction chamber 110.

In embodiments, a sensing module 126 for example in the form of a speed detector, may be utilized with the actuator 122 in order to set the motor to a specific preset speed, providing for determining the viscosity of the reaction mixture within reaction chamber 110 once the milk sample is mixed with reagent 105.

Following the reaction and determining the viscosity of the test sample, the reaction chamber 110 is cleaned with cleaning module 130. In embodiments, the cleaning module 130 is coupled to the reaction chamber 110 over a controllable valve 102 at cleaning fluid inlet 100c, for example as shown in FIG. 1.

In embodiments, the valve 102 allowing on command from a controller module 101 to flow water or the like cleaning fluid in order to wash the reaction chamber 110 and components therein before the next measurement is undertaken. Following washing the reaction chamber 110 is flushed and/or drained for example via outlet 100ο to ready the reaction chamber for the next sample.

In embodiments, measuring module 125 and sensing module 126 are utilized to determine the somatic cell count following the reaction in the reaction chamber 110.

Sensing module 126 may comprise at least one or more sensors of variable forms for example including but not limited to electronic flow sensor, speed sensor, voltmeter, ammeter, acoustic sensor, ultrasonic sensor, optical sensor, gravitational sensor, hall effect sensor, magnetic field sensor, positional sensor, accelerometer sensor, positional sensor, magnetic field sensor, laser sensor, viscosity sensor, frequency sensor, wavelength sensor, phase shift sensor, interferometer, the like or any combination thereof or electronics to render sensing module functional.

In embodiments, device 100 may further comprise a controlling module 101 for example provided in the form of a computer and/or processor having communication capabilities so as to control the testing phase. In embodiments controller module 101 may for example provide for controlling test parameters for example including but not limited to determining the frequency of testing, reaction time for each test, or the like.

In embodiments, the sampling and testing rate may be controlled and/or based on various parameters for example including but not limited to previous test results, individual animal, particular milk lines or the like parameters.

In embodiments, controlling module 101 is provided with wired and/or wireless communication capabilities allowing communication with an external and/or auxiliary processing and communication device for example including but not limited to a smartphone, mobile phone, mobile computer, server, milking computer 55, agricultural agencies servers, environmental agencies servers, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) servers, the like or any combination thereof.

FIG. 2. shows a schematic box diagram of an embodiment of the actuator control module 101 and mixing module 120 in the form of an actuator as depicted in FIG. 1 in wireless and/or cellular communication with a milking center server and/or computer 55.

Mixing module 120 in the form of an actuator may for example include a actuator driving module 121 providing for controlling the energy provided to the motor 122, which is functionally coupled with agitator and/or stir 124 so as to adequately mix the reaction sample. Sensing module 126 in the form of a speed sensor provides for obtaining reading of the motor rotation and agitator so as to provide feedback to the driving module 121. In this example measuring module 125 may for example be realized in the form of a resistor (4) that may be used as measuring point of the current on the motor. The data from measuring module 125 and in particular driving module 121 and sensing module 126 is preferably stored in controlling module 101 and thereafter communicated to a central milking processor 55 and/or an alternative auxiliary computer (not shown).

In embodiments controlling module 101 may for example comprise a plurality of submodules for facilitating communication, processing and of system 100. For example controller module may for example include an analog signal input and/or measurement device (6), an analog to digital converter (7); a central processor in the form of a microprocessor (8) and a display (9) or the like human interface sub-module, and memory.

FIG. 3A-B shows an optional embodiment of device 100 as used in system 150 similar to that previously described however the measuring module 125 and sensing module 126 are provided in the form of a gravitational measurement to determine the viscosity of the test sample and therefore the sample's somatic cell count.

FIG. 3A-B show an implementation of Stokes Law where a ferromagnetic weight and/or ball 140 is allowed to move down and/or traverse the test sample so as to determine the sample's viscosity and thereafter the somatic cell count is determined based on a reference and/or normalized chart. The rate of the weight and/or ball 140 movement through the test sample is indicative of the viscosity that in turn infers the somatic cell level. In embodiments, measuring module provides for determining the viscosity of the test sample by measuring the time required for a ferromagnetic weight 140 to traverse a portion of test chamber 110.

FIG. 3A shows an optional embodiment wherein reaction chamber 110 is provided from multiple sub segments a first segment 110a for rendering the reaction using module 120 and a with a second portion 110b provided for performing somatic cell count determination with measuring module 125 and sensing module 126. Optionally flow between fist segment 110a and second segment 110b may be controlled with controllable valve 102.

In some embodiment utilizing a weight 140 the reaction chamber 110 may be provided from a single chamber.

FIG. 3B shows a close up schematic illustration of a gravitational based

measurement module 125 and sensing module 126 may comprise an electromagnetic ball holder that provides for placing the weight 140 at the start position (top of the reaction chamber 110b) and releasing the ball while sensor module 126, for example including but not limited to a time and hall sensor, disposed at the end position (bottom of the reaction chamber 110b) is configured to identify when the weight 140 has traversed the sample in chamber 110b, and the timer determine the traversal time. A test sample having high viscosity and somatic cell counts will take longer to traverse the reaction chamber 110b.

In embodiments, measurement module 125 may comprise an electronic circuitry and components to form a functional electromagnetic holder and/or actuator for actively moving the weight and/or ball 140 to the start position, a timer for determining traversal time and a dedicated sensor 126 for identifying the stop position of the weight and/or ball 140.

In some embodiments device 100 may comprise a plurality of ferromagnetic weights

140.

FIG. 4 shows an optional measuring module 125 and sensing module 126 for determining the somatic cell count of the test sample, as may be optionally utilized with system 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG.4 shows the use of an acoustic based measuring module 125 wherein an acoustic receiver and transceiver are used to generate and sense the behavior of optional acoustic signals as traverses the testing sample. In embodiments the acoustic signal may for example include but is not limited to ultrasound, high amplitude acoustic pulses, sound of variable frequency, sound of variable amplitude the like or any combination thereof. Preferably measuring module 125 and sensing module 126 provide for measuring the acoustic impedance of the generated signal to determine the viscosity of the testing sample and in turn determine the somatic cell counts relative to a reference and/or normalized chart.

FIG. 5A-C show optional embodiments for a gravitational based viscosity sensing that may be utilized within system 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5A-B the test sample or a measured portion thereof may be introduced to a slope and/or inclination, forming the measuring module 125 and sensing module 126, for example a portion of test chamber 110 may be provided with a region that is sloped.

Measuring module 125 provides for measuring the fluid properties of the sample as it flows down the sloped portion and/or inclination will determine the viscosity of the sample.

FIG. 7C shows an optional embodiment wherein reaction chamber 110 is provided with multiple sub segments a first segment 110a for rendering the reaction using module 120 and a with a second portion 110b that is sloped providing the measuring module 125 and sensing module 126, wherein a controllable valve 102 provides for controlling the amount of test sample that is introduced from reaction chamber first portion 110a to second portion 110b. Preferably measuring module 125 and a sensor module 126 provide for measuring the flow time along the length of sloped portion 110b so as to determine the viscosity and corresponding somatic cell counts relative to a normalized chart for a given slope. Further modifications of the invention will also occur to persons skilled in the art and all such are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiment, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not described to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the invention.

Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of the specification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A device for performing a somatic cell count in a sample of milk, the device comprising

a. a controller module (101) including electronic circuitry providing for powering, controlling, communication and processing capabilities;

b. an inlet (lOOi) for receiving a milk sample from a user and/or a branch of a milk line network (50);

c. at least one controllable valve (102) for facilitating flow of milk sample into a reaction chamber (110) of the device (100);

d. at least one reagent chamber (104) provided for storing at least one reagent (105) to be mixed with the sample of milk; wherein reagent chamber 104 is in fluid communication with the reaction chamber (110);

e. a reaction chamber (110) provided for receiving the milk sample and at least one or more reagent (105) for performing a reaction capable of determine the somatic cell count in the sample of milk;

f. a mixing module (120) provided for facilitating mixing the contents of the reaction chamber within the reaction chamber (110);

g. a measuring module (125) provided for measuring the somatic cell count within of the sample of milk; the measuring module including a sensing module (126 )comprising at least one or more sensor for facilitating measuring the somatic cell count within the sample; and

h. a cleaning module (130) in fluid communication with the test chamber (110) and provided for cleaning and/or flushing the test chamber (110).

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the cleaning module (130) comprises an inlet (100c) and an outlet (100ο) through which the test chamber (110) is flushed following use.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the mixing module (120) is provided in the form selected from the group consisting of at least one or more of: an actuator, a motor, a pump, a piston, a syringe, a mixing motor, and any combination thereof.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the reaction chamber (110) is provided from multiple sub-portions (110a,110b).

5. The device of claim 5 wherein a controllable valve separates each test chamber sub-portion.

6. The device of claim 1 comprising at least one or more reagents 105 selected from the group consisting of: a detergent, caustic soda, a cell lysing agent, a surface active agent, a group of surface active agents containing long chain hydrocarbon salts that are visibly altered in the presence of native proteins of cellular origin, and any combination thereof.

7. The device of claim 1 having at least one reagent chamber 104.

8. The device of claim 1 having at least two or more reagent chambers 104 wherein each reagent chamber is provided for storing an individual reagent (105).

9. The device of claim 1 having a plurality of flow controlling valves (102) for controlling flow in and out of device 100.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the plurality of flow controlling valves (102) provide for controlling the flow to, in and out, of the reaction chamber (110).

11. The device of claim 2 wherein cleaning module (130) is provided in the form of a flushing pipeline including an inlet (100c) wherein the inlet (100c) is connected to an external fluid cleaning source selected from a main water pipeline and/or a standalone water tank and/or cleaning reservoir having sufficient fluid volume to clean reaction chamber (110).

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the measurement module (125) and sensor module (126) comprise a ferromagnetic weight (140) and an electromagnetic actuator so as to determine the time taken to travers a test sample within a portion of the test chamber (110).

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the measurement module (125) and sensor module (126) determine viscosity by measuring the electrical profile needed to mix a test sample with mixing module (120).

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the measurement module (125) and sensor module (126) comprises acoustic receiver and transceiver adapted to measure acoustic impedance of a test sample so as to detect the somatic cell level within the sample.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein measurement module (125) and sensor module (126) determine the viscosity of the test sample by measuring the flow rate of a test sample along a sloped inclination to detect the somatic cell count in the sample.

16. A system (150) for in-line detection of somatic cell counts in a milk production line, the system including at least one device (100) according to any one of claim 1-14 coupled in parallel to a portion of the milk production line (50) at an inlet (lOOi), the system comprising:

a. an inlet coupled to the milk production line, the inlet controlled with an automated controllable valve, wherein the automated controllable valve is configured to allow a milk sample to flow from the milk line and into the testing module;

b. a reaction chamber configured to accept the milk sample; the reaction chamber fit with detection device and actuator; and at least one or more reagent chamber coupled thereto over a controllable valve;

c. the reaction chamber further fit with a washing line having a cleaning port inlet coupled to a washing liquid line over a controllable valve and a cleaning outlet drain coupled over a controllable valve, the washing line provided for cleaning the reaction chamber following a test.

17. The system of claim 15 further comprising an electronics module including a processor and communication module for controlling a plurality of controllable valves, processing test results and for communication test results to an auxiliary monitoring device.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the auxiliary monitoring device is central milking computer (55).

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the reagent chamber includes a reagent selected from the group consisting of a detergent, caustic soda, a cell lysing agent, a surface active agent, surface active agents containing long chain hydrocarbon salts that are visibly altered in the presence of native proteins of acellular origin, and any combination thereof.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the actuator is a controllable mixing motor provided for mixing the milk sample with at least one reagent from said reagent chamber.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein the viscosity detector is provided in the form of a gravitational time test utilizing a ferromagnetic weight wherein the time taken for the weight to traverse a test sample is measured and correlated to somatic cell levels.

22. A method for controlling the somatic cell levels in a milk yield batch the method comprising actively monitoring the milk yield in real time with the system and device of any of claims 1-21 and continuously monitoring the cumulative somatic cell counts until a threshold somatic cell count is reached with the auxiliary computer (55).

23. The method of claim 12 wherein the threshold somatic cell count is below 400K somatic cells per milliliter.