AU2020102206A4

AU2020102206A4 - An animal monitoring system

Info

Publication number: AU2020102206A4
Application number: AU2020102206A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Garnett George HALL; Zyrus Firoz Khambatta
Original assignee: Apsyrtus Biotechnology Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Apsyrtus Biotechnology Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-10
Filing date: 2020-09-10
Publication date: 2020-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-10

Abstract

An animal monitoring apparatus is disclosed that comprises a first component implantable into an animal host. The first component includes at least one sensing 5 device arranged to sense at least one biological parameter associated with the host; and a wireless data transmitter arranged to transmit parameter data representative of the at least one sensed biological parameter. The apparatus also includes a second component comprising a wireless data receiver, the second component wearable by the animal host at a location on the animal host such that when the first component is 10 implanted into the animal host and the second component is worn by the animal host, the parameter data transmitted by the first component is receivable by the wireless data receiver. The second component also includes a data interface arranged to facilitate transfer of the parameter data from the second component.

Description

AN ANIMAL MONITORING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an animal monitoring system and to an animal monitoring device for use in an animal monitoring system.

Background of the Invention

Pet ownership is ubiquitous and expectations of owners in relation to pet veterinary care are increasing to the extent that many owners seek a level of healthcare for their pet that is similar to their own.

It is currently known to carry out manual monitoring of a hospitalised animal, for example by: a nurse carrying out various manual operations on the animal including, for example, by inserting a rectal thermometer to monitor temperature; using a stethoscope to monitor heart rate, heart rhythm and character, and respiratory rate, rhythm and character; using a tongue sensor on an unconscious animal to determine blood oxygenation; taking a blood sample to determine blood glucose levels; using a 3-lead ECG monitor to determine ECG information; and noting any vocal distress of the animal.

However, such manual actions are often difficult or impractical to perform, particularly on an awake animal, to the extent that they can only be performed by specifically trained people. In addition, such actions are cumbersome and expensive, since in order to effectively monitor the animal, it is necessary to obtain the monitoring information at periodic intervals, such as at least every 2 hours, and in some circumstances, for example during surgery, every 5 minutes.

Summary of the Invention

Disclosed is an animal monitoring apparatus comprising: a first component implantable into an animal host, the first component including: at least one sensing device arranged to sense at least one biological parameter associated with the host; and a wireless data transmitter arranged to transmit parameter data representative of the at least one sensed biological parameter; and a second component comprising a wireless data receiver, the second component wearable by the animal host at a location on the animal host such that when the first component is implanted into the animal host and the second component is worn by the animal host, the parameter data transmitted by the first component is receivable by the wireless data receiver; and the second component including a data interface arranged to facilitate transfer of the parameter data from the second component.

The first component may be implantable into a sub-cutaneous location at a neck region of the animal host, and the second component may comprise a collar wearable around the neck region by the animal host.

The first component may include a microcontroller arranged to control and coordinate operations in the first component.

The first component may include a wireless power receiver, and the second component may include a wireless power transmitter and a battery, the wireless power transmitter arranged to transmit power from the battery to the wireless power receiver in order to selectively provide power to the first component and thereby provide power to the at least one sensing device. The wireless power transmitter may be a component of the wireless data receiver. The wireless power receiver may be a component of the wireless data transmitter.

The wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver may be arranged to transfer power using magnetic induction.

The wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver may be arranged to transfer power using optical coupling.

The animal monitoring apparatus may comprise a timer used by the animal monitoring apparatus to control when to transmit power from the battery to the wireless power receiver in order to provide power to the first component. The animal monitoring apparatus may be arranged to use the timer to periodically transmit power from the battery to the wireless power receiver.

The data interface may include a network interface that may be a low power wide area network (LPWAN) interface, a Bluetooth interface, Thread, Zigbee, or any other 802.15.4 radio-based technology.

The animal monitoring apparatus may include a location determining device arranged to obtain information indicative of a current location of the animal monitoring apparatus. The location determining device may be disposed in the second component.

The animal monitoring apparatus may include a GNSS device capable of determining a location of the animal monitoring apparatus using GNSS, the location determining device arranged to selectively obtain the location of the animal monitoring apparatus using the GNSS device and, between obtaining the location of the animal monitoring apparatus using the GNSS device, to obtain the location of the animal monitoring apparatus using a most recent location determined by the GNSS device and dead reckoning techniques.

The animal monitoring apparatus may include any combination of accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer to perform position updates using dead-reckoning.

The animal monitoring apparatus may include a Near Field Communication (NFC) device arranged to facilitate transfer of identification data from the animal monitoring apparatus to a Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled device in close proximity to the animal monitoring apparatus.

The second component may include visible machine-readable indicia representative of identification information. The visible machine-readable indicia may include a barcode, serial number or a QR code.

The at least one sensing device may include a blood glucose sensing device arranged to determine blood glucose concentration associated with the animal host.

The at least one sensing device may include an ECG component arranged to capture electro cardio graph (ECG) data usable to determine or infer a respiratory rate, respiratory character and/or pulse rate of the animal.

Instead of disposing the ECG component in the first component, the ECG component may be disposed in the second component.

The at least one sensing device may include a blood oxygen saturation determining device that may comprise a pulse oximeter device. The animal monitoring apparatus may be arranged to use the blood oxygen saturation determining device to infer heart rate and blood flow characteristics.

The at least one sensing device may include a temperature sensing device arranged to measure a local temperature of the animal at the location of the implant. The temperature sensing device may be arranged to use the measured local temperature to determine a core temperature of the animal host.

The second component may include an audio processor arranged to monitor audio associated with the animal host. The audio processor may be disposable in sleep mode and operation mode, wherein the audio processor changes from sleep mode to operation mode when the audio processor detects defined audio.

Also disclosed is an animal monitoring system comprising: at least one animal monitoring apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention; and a monitoring facility remote from the at least one animal monitoring apparatus, the monitoring facility in network communication with the second component so that the parameter data representative of the at least one sensed biological parameter is communicable from the animal monitoring apparatus to the monitoring facility.

The monitoring facility may be arranged to receive the parameter data received from the animal monitoring apparatus, and to store the received parameter data in a data storage device.

The monitoring facility may be arranged to use the received parameter data to make determinations in relation to the animals associated with the parameter data, such as whether the animal has or is developing a disease or condition, is in need of veterinary treatment and/or is or has been experiencing emotional distress.

The monitoring facility may be arranged to send an alert to a defined person by email, automated phone call, social media, through a specific application, or SMS in response to the determination.

The monitoring facility may be accessible using an authorised computing device.

Also disclosed is a method of monitoring an animal host, the method comprising: implanting a first component into an animal host, the first component including: at least one implant sensing device arranged to sense at least one biological parameter associated with the host; and a wireless data transmitter arranged to transmit parameter data representative of the at least one sensed biological parameter; and disposing a second component on the animal host, the second component comprising a wireless data receiver and a data interface, and the second component wearable by the animal host at a location on the animal host such that when the first component is implanted into the animal host and the second component is worn by the animal host, the parameter data transmitted by the first component is receivable by the wireless data receiver; using the data interface to transfer the parameter data from the second component.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an animal monitoring apparatus comprising: a first component implantable into an animal host, the first component including: at least one sensing device arranged to sense at least one biological parameter associated with the host; and a wireless data transmitter arranged to transmit parameter data representative of the at least one sensed biological parameter; and a second component comprising a wireless data receiver, the second component wearable by the animal host at a location on the animal host such that when the first component is implanted into the animal host and the second component is worn by the animal host, the parameter data transmitted by the first component is receivable by the wireless data receiver; and the second component including a data interface arranged to facilitate transfer of the parameter data from the second component.

In an embodiment, the first component is implantable into a sub-cutaneous location at a neck region of the animal host, and the second component comprises a collar wearable around the neck region by the animal host.

In an embodiment, the first component includes a biofuel cell arranged to generate power for the first component using bodily fluids.

In an embodiment, the second component comprises an audio processor arranged to monitor audio associated with the animal host and produce audio data indicative of the monitored audio, wherein the audio processor is disposable in sleep mode and operation mode, and the audio processor is arranged to move from sleep mode to operation mode when defined audio is detected.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an animal monitoring system comprising: at least one animal monitoring apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, a second component of at least one animal monitoring apparatus including an audio processor arranged to monitor audio associated with the animal host and produce audio data indicative of the monitored audio; and a monitoring facility remote from the at least one animal monitoring apparatus, the monitoring facility in network communication with the second component so that the audio data is communicable from the animal monitoring apparatus to the monitoring facility; the monitoring facility arranged to make a determination as to a status of the animal using the audio data.

In an embodiment, the animal host is a non-human animal host.

In an embodiment, the monitoring facility arranged to make a determination as to a whether the animal is in distress using the audio data

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an animal provided with an animal monitoring apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an animal provided with an implantable first component of the animal monitoring apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a wearable second component of the animal monitoring apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of functional components of the animal monitoring apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of an animal monitoring system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a location determining process implemented by the animal monitoring apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 4; and

Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of monitoring an animal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, an animal monitoring apparatus is shown that includes an implantable first component 10 and a wearable second component 12 arranged to communicate wirelessly with the first component 10. As shown in Figure 4, the first component 10 includes first operative components 14 and the second component 12 includes second operative components 16.

In this example, the animal monitoring apparatus is configured for use with a dog 18 and, accordingly, the first component 10 is implanted into a suitable sub-cutaneous location of the dog, for example at a mid-neck location on the dog 18, and the second component 12 is a dog collar configured to be worn around the dog's neck. Importantly, when the collar 12 is worn by the dog 18, the collar 12 is able to communicate wirelessly with the implant 10, in this example so that data is wirelessly transferrable between the collar 12 and the implant 10 and power is wirelessly transferrable from the collar 12 to the implant 10.

Figure 4 illustrates operative components 14 of the implant 10 and operative components 16 of the collar 12.

The implant operative components 14 include a microcontroller 20 arranged to control and coordinate operations in the implant 10, the microcontroller including memory 22 usable to implement programs stored in a data storage device 24.

The microcontroller 20 also includes a near field communication (NFC) component 26 usable to facilitate communication with a near field communication (NFC) enabled device, such as a smartphone, for example so as to transfer data indicative of the animal, such as an identifier associated with the animal and/or an animal name and owner contact details, to the NFC enabled device when the NFC enabled device is disposed in close proximity to the implant 10.

In addition to NFC communication techniques to provide identification information, the collar 12 may in addition or alternatively include visible machine-readable indicia representative of the identification information, such as a barcode or QR code.

In this example, the microcontroller 20 is a LPC8NO4 microcontroller produced by NXP Semiconductors or a RX110 microcontroller produced by Renesas Semiconductor. However, it will be understood that any suitable component or components suitable for implementing the desired control functionality in the implant 10 is envisaged.

The implant operative components 14 include biological parameter sensing components arranged to sense or otherwise determine biological parameter data representative of at least one biological parameter associated with the animal.

In this example, the biological parameter sensing components include a blood glucose sensing device 28 arranged to determine blood glucose concentration. In this example, the blood glucose sensing device 28 is an Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device produced by Senseonics. However, it will be understood that any suitable blood glucose sensing device suitable for inclusion in the implant 10 is envisaged.

The biological parameter sensing components also include an ECG component 30 arranged to capture electro cardio graph (ECG) data usable to determine or infer a respiratory rate, respiratory character and/or pulse rate of the animal. In this example, the ECG component 30 is an ultra low power, single channel integrated biopotential clinical grade analog front end (AFE) device such as MAX30003 integrated circuit (IC) produced by Maxim Integrated. However, it will be understood that any suitable ECG monitoring device suitable for inclusion in the implant 10 is envisaged.

The biological parameter sensing components also include a pulse oximeter device 32 arranged to determine oxygen saturation in blood and for example infer heart rate and blood flow characteristics. In this example, the pulse oximeter device 32 is arranged to determine blood oxygen saturation by determining Sp02 concentration using LED light reflectance, and the pulse oximeter device 32 is for example a MAX30102 module produced by Maxim Integrated or a OB1203 module produced by Renesas Semiconductor. However, it will be understood that any suitable blood oxygen monitoring device suitable for inclusion in the implant 10 is envisaged.

The biological parameter sensing components also include a temperature sensing device 34 arranged to measure a local temperature of the animal at the sub-cutaneous location of the implant 10, and by inference to determine a core temperature of the animal. In this example, the temperature sensing device 34 is a TMP117 digital temperature sensor produced by Texas Instruments or a Si7051 digital temperature sensor produced by Silicon Labs . However, it will be understood that any suitable temperature sensing device suitable for inclusion in the implant 10 is envisaged.

It will be understood that the biological parameter sensing components may include other devices arranged to sense or otherwise determine biological parameters other than ECG data, blood glucose, oxygen saturation and temperature.

The implant operative components 14 also include a wireless data transmitter 40 arranged to transmit implant parameter data representative of the sensed biological parameters from the implant 10 to the collar 12. In this example, the wireless data transmitter 40 is a wireless data transceiver capable of also receiving data from the collar 12.

The wireless data transmitter 40 is also arranged to wirelessly receive power, in this example by magnetic induction using a receiver coil 42 responsive to an incident time varying magnetic field and that produces a voltage across the receiver coil 42 usable to provide power for the operative components 14 of the implant 10. As an alternative to achieving power transfer from the collar 12 to the implant 10 using magnetic induction, it will be understood that other arrangements for achieving this are possible, including through RF coupling techniques.

In this example, the wireless data transmitter 40 is a P9221-R3 module produced by Integrated Device Technology, Inc. However, it will be understood that any suitable wireless data transmitter 40 suitable for inclusion in the implant 10 and capable of transmitting data to the collar 12 and receiving power wirelessly from the collar operative components 16 is envisaged.

The collar operative components 16 include a wireless data receiver 44 arranged to receive implant parameter data representative of the sensed biological parameters transmitted from the implant 10 by the wireless data transmitter 40. Inthisexample, the wireless data receiver 44 is a wireless data transceiver capable of also transmitting data to the implant 10.

The wireless data receiver 44 is also arranged to wirelessly transmit power, in this example by magnetic induction using a transmitter coil 46 to generate a time varying magnetic field that couples with the receiver coil 42 to produce a voltage across the receiver coil 42. As with the wireless data transmitter 40, as an alternative to achieving power transfer from the collar 12 to the implant 10 using magnetic induction, it will be understood that the wireless data receiver 44 may use other techniques for achieving this, including through RF coupling.

In this example, the wireless data receiver 44 is a P9242-R3 module produced by Integrated Device Technology, Inc. However, it will be understood that any suitable wireless data receiver 44 suitable for inclusion in the collar 12 and capable of receiving data from the implant 10 and transmitting power wirelessly to the implant 10 is envisaged.

It will be understood that using the wireless data transmitter 40 and wireless data receiver 44 to wirelessly transfer power from a collar 12 worn by an animal to an implant 10 disposed in the animal, it is possible to provide power to the implant 10 in a selective way when it is desired to acquire biological data indicative of biological parameters associated with the animal. In this way, it is not necessary to include a battery in the implant 10, which assists in providing an implant that provides the desired functionality, but is sufficiently small to be practically implanted into an animal.

However, in an alternate embodiment, instead of providing an arrangement for wirelessly transmitting power to the implant 10, the implant 10 may be provided with a bio-powered device arranged to generate power using molecules in bodily fluids. For example, the implant 10 may include a glucose powered biofuel cell, such as of the type created by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

The collar operative components 16 also include a control module 50. In this example, the control module 50 includes a modem component 52 arranged to enable the collar operative components 16 to communicate wirelessly, for example with a local carrier network, in order to transfer data including biological data indicative of sensed biological parameters associated with the animal to a suitable facility for analysis. In this example, the modem component 52 is arranged to communicate using a low power wide area network (LPWAN), in this example using Cat-M1 and/or NB-loT protocols.

In this example, the control module 50 is also capable of obtaining location data indicative of the location of the control module 50 using a global positioning system, and for this purpose the control module 50 includes global positioning functionality 54. Any suitable Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) may be used, including GPS, GLONASS and/or Beidou.

In this example, the control module 50 also includes a microprocessor 56 arranged to control and coordinate operations in the collar 12, and in particular to implement a location determining process wherein the location of the collar 12 and thereby the location of the animal is determined, for example in accordance with the location determining flow diagram 100 shown in Figure 6, and to implement an operation process as shown in Figure 7 wherein biological data indicative of sensed biological parameters associated with the animal is acquired and communicated to an analysis facility.

In this example, the control module 50 is a LBADOXX1SC module produced by Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. However, it will be understood that any suitable component or components suitable for implementing the desired functionality of the control module 50 is envisaged.

The collar operative components 16 also include a location determiner 58, in this example arranged to determine the location of the collar 12 and thereby the animal using dead reckoning techniques based on intermittent determination of the location of the collar 12 using the global positioning functionality 54.

In this example, the location determiner 58 includes a BH160BP inertial measurement unit (that includes an accelerometer and a gyroscope) and a BMM150 magnetometer produced by Bosch Sensortec. However, it will be understood that any suitable device for determining location using dead reckoning techniques is and suitable for inclusion in the collar 12 is envisaged.

The location determiner 58 is arranged to use an absolute location determined using the GNSS functionality 54 of the control module 50 to produce current location data indicative of the current location of the collar 12 and thereby the animal wearing the collar 12.

Figure 6 illustrates an example location determining process 100 implemented by the location determiner 58. Using the global positioning functionality 54, a location of the collar 12 is first determined using any suitable GNSS arrangement and recorded as the current location, as indicated at step 102. If motion of the collar 12 is not detected by the location determiner 58, the current location is maintained with no update necessary, as indicated at steps 104 and 106. If motion of the collar 12 is detected by the location determiner 58, the location determiner 58 calculates a new location using dead reckoning techniques, for example by estimating the movement from the last obtained GNSS location using a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer, and stores the new current location, as indicated at step 108. If the motion determined by the location determiner 58 using dead reckoning techniques indicates that the collar 12 has moved beyond a defined distance from the last obtained GNSS location, the location determiner 58 obtains a new GNSS location using the global positioning functionality 54 and stores the obtained GNSS location as the new current location of the collar 12, as indicated by steps 110, 112 and 116. If the global positioning functionality 54 is not able to obtain a new GNSS location after expiration of a defined time period, the current position is updated using dead reckoning techniques, as indicated at steps 114, 118 and 120.

It will be understood that since the location determiner 58 uses GNSS sparingly to obtain a location of the collar 12 - when the animal has moved beyond a defined distance from a previous stored location - the power used to obtain location data is kept relatively low.

The determined location may be communicated to the monitoring facility 86 using the modem component 52, for example at defined times, periodically or on request.

The collar operative components 16 also include an audio processor 60 having an associated microphone 62. The audio processor 60 is arranged to monitor audio associated with the animal 18, for example so as to obtain information indicative of the animal respiratory rate and respiratory character, and so as to determine whether the animal is in distress, for example because the animal is barking excessively, vocalising pain or discomfort, or suffering from a respiratory condition. This would be achieved by detecting sounds such as stridor, crackles, wheezes, panting, and 'roaring' (a term used to describe the sound associated with laryngeal hemiplegia).

In this example, the audio processor 60 is arranged to enter sleep mode in order to reduce power consumption and to wake from sleep mode in response to detection of audio or detection of defined audio.

In this example, the audio processor 60 is an IA611 SmartMic audio processor produced by Knowles Electronics LLS. However, it will be understood that any suitable device for monitoring audio that is suitable for inclusion in the collar 12 is envisaged.

The collar operative components 16 include a battery 64 arranged to supply power to the collar operative components 16, and also to supply power to the implant 10 through the wireless data receiver 44. In this example, the battery 64 is rechargeable, for example wirelessly using a wireless power receiver 68 provided with a receiving coil 70 and coupling the wireless power receiver 68 to a charging device provided with a complimentary wireless power transmitter 72 having a transmitter coil 74. In this example, the wireless power receiver 68 and the wireless power transmitter 72 are also capable of transmitting and receiving data, for example so that biological parameter data received from the operative components of the implant 10 and/or received from the operative components of the collar 12 may be transferred to a suitable device disposed locally relative to the collar 12.

In addition or alternatively, the collar 12 may be provided with a charging connection arranged to mechanically and electrically connect with a charging device in order to receive charging power for the battery 64. Other alternative charging arrangements including solar and IR charging arrangements are also envisaged.

In addition to using the modem component 52 to transfer parameter data received from the implant 10 to a remote facility for analysis, the modem component 52 is also used to transfer data determined and/or derived at the collar 12, including location data and audio data.

It will be understood that other biological parameter sensing components arranged to sense or otherwise determine parameter data representative of any one or more other biological parameters associated with the animal may be included in the animal monitoring apparatus, either in the implant 10 or the collar 12.

It will also be understood that one or more biological sensing components may be capable of producing the desired biological data associated with the animal from either the implant 10 or the collar 12 and therefore such biological sensing component(s) may be disposed in either the implant 10 or the collar 12. For example, instead of disposing the ECG component 30 in the implant, the ECG component 30 may instead be disposed in the collar 12 since it is possible to obtain the desired electro cardio graph (ECG) data from the collar 12.

Referring to Figure 5, an animal monitoring system 80 is shown that includes the animal monitoring apparatus (comprising the complementary implant 10 and collar 12).

The collar 12 includes a modem component 52 arranged to communicate with a local carrier network using a low power wide area network (LPWAN) protocol, in this example Cat-Mi and/or NB-loT, that typically includes multiple network gateway devices 82 arranged to facilitate connection by a LPWAN enabled device to a LPWAN network.

The gateway devices 82 ultimately facilitate connection to a wide area network such as the Internet 84, and through the Internet to a monitoring facility 86. In an example, the monitoring facility 86 is arranged to receive data including the biological parameter data and any other desired data obtained and/or derived at the implant 10 or collar 12 and received from the animal monitoring apparatus 10, 12, and to store the received biological parameter data in a data storage device, which may be in the form of a suitable structured database 88. The monitoring facility 86 may also be arranged to carry out defined analysis or monitoring processes using the stored biological parameter data so as to make determinations in relation to the animals associated with the biological parameter data, such as whether the animal has or is developing a disease or condition, is in need of veterinary treatment and/or is or has been experiencing emotional distress. For example, the audio information derived from the microphone 62 may be arranged to make a determination as to whether the animal is in distress. Such determinations may be used to generate alerts for veterinary professionals and/or owners of the animals, for example that are automatically sent to the veterinary professionals or animal owners by email, social media or SMS, and/or recorded in relevant records associated with the animals for future access and review by veterinary professionals or animal owners.

As shown in Figure 5, the monitoring facility 86 may be arranged so as to be accessible using any suitable computing device 92, including a smartphone, tablet computer and/or personal computer, and relevant communications associated with determinations made by the monitoring facility may be provided to users of the computing devices in any suitable way.

An example of operation process of the animal monitoring apparatus and system will now be described with reference to the flow diagram 120 shown in Figure 7.

In this example, the animal monitoring apparatus 10, 12 is arranged to obtain biological parameter data periodically, such as every 5 minutes and, for this purpose a timer, in this example in the control module 50, is used to set the timing of data capture. As indicated at steps 122 and 124, after a defined time period the microprocessor 56 in the control module 50 causes energization of the wireless data receiver 44 and thereby transfer of power from the collar 12 to the implant 10, which causes the implant 10 to initialize and commence operation, as indicated at steps 126 and 127. After initialization of the implant 10, the implant sends a confirmation communication to the collar 12 through the wirelessly connected wireless data transmitter 40 of the collar 12 and the wireless data receiver 44 of the implant 10 to acknowledge the presence of the implant 10 to the collar 12 and confirm that a wireless data connection and a power connection between the implant 10 and the collar 12 are operational.

As indicated at steps 132 and 134, according to the processes defined in the microcontroller 20, the implant 10 then acquires biological parameter data using the implant operative components 14, in this example the blood glucose sensing device 28, the ECG device 30, the pulse oximeter device 32 and the temperature sensing device 34, and transmits the biological parameter data to the collar 12 using the wireless data transmitter 40 of the implant 10 and the wireless data receiver 44 of the collar 12. After reception of the biological parameter data, the microprocessor 56 in the control module 50 causes de-energization of the wireless data receiver 44 and thereby removal of power from the implant 10 and shutdown of the implant 10 in order to conserve power in the battery 64, as indicated at step 136.

The microprocessor 56 in the control module 50 then acquires biological parameter data using the collar operative components 16, in this example the audio processor 50. If required, the control module 50 obtains the current location of the collar 12 stored during implementation of the location determining process 100 shown in Figure 6.

As indicated at step 140, the timer is then restarted.

At least some of the data received by the collar 12 from the implant 10 and at least some of the data acquired and/or otherwise determined by the collar 12 is then communicated to the monitoring facility 86, in this example using a LPWAN network.

It will be understood that the present animal monitoring apparatus and animal monitoring system enable an animal to be monitored substantially continuously by automatically acquiring and/or otherwise determining biological parameter data associated with the animal using internally disposed data acquiring devices and an arrangement to facilitate communication of the data obtained by the internally disposed devices to an external component that is wearable by the animal. In this way, difficult, cumbersome and time consuming manual animal monitoring processes are avoided without causing potential distress to the animal.

It will also be understood that the present animal monitoring system is able to provide a substantially continuous animal monitoring regime wherein a veterinary professional and/or pet owner is able to receive ongoing updates in relation to the health and/or emotional state of the animal in an automated way.

In addition to use by veterinary professionals and pet owners, it will be understood that the animal monitoring apparatus and system may be used by other interested parties, including animal racing operators, for example to monitor vital signs during training, competition and recovery; providers of service animals; or any person or organization desiring to obtain data indicative of the health and/or emotional state of an animal.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are determined to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An animal monitoring apparatus comprising: a first component implantable into an animal host, the first component including: at least one sensing device arranged to sense at least one biological parameter associated with the host; and a wireless data transmitter arranged to transmit parameter data representative of the at least one sensed biological parameter; and a second component comprising a wireless data receiver, the second component wearable by the animal host at a location on the animal host such that when the first component is implanted into the animal host and the second component is worn by the animal host, the parameter data transmitted by the first component is receivable by the wireless data receiver; and the second component including a data interface arranged to facilitate transfer of the parameter data from the second component.

2. An animal monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first component is implantable into a sub-cutaneous location at a neck region of the animal host, and the second component comprises a collar wearable around the neck region by the animal host.

3. An animal monitoring apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first component includes a biofuel cell arranged to generate power for the first component using bodily fluids.

4. An animal monitoring apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second component comprises an audio processor arranged to monitor audio associated with the animal host and produce audio data indicative of the monitored audio, wherein the audio processor is disposable in sleep mode and operation mode, and the audio processor is arranged to move from sleep mode to operation mode when defined audio is detected.

5. An animal monitoring system comprising: at least one animal monitoring apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, a second component of at least one animal monitoring apparatus including an audio processor arranged to monitor audio associated with the animal host and produce audio data indicative of the monitored audio; and a monitoring facility remote from the at least one animal monitoring apparatus, the monitoring facility in network communication with the second component so that the audio data is communicable from the animal monitoring apparatus to the monitoring facility; the monitoring facility arranged to make a determination as to a status of the animal using the audio data.

28 30 Blood Glucose sensing device ECG device 14 20 Microcontroller 26 NFC 2020102206

22 Memory 24 Data storage 40 32 34 Power Pulse oximeter Temperature receiver / data device sensing device transciever 42

16 44 58 60 62 Power transmitter / 46 Location Audio data transciever determiner processor

68 50 Power 52 Control module 54 64 receiver / data transciever LPWAN GNSS 70 Battery Microprocessor

56 74 Power 72 transmitter / data transciever Fig. 4

10 80 Implant 42 46 12 Collar

18 82 82 2020102206

Network Network Network gateway gateway gateway

84 92

92

92 86 Monitoring facility 90 Rules

88

Fig. 5

Obtain GNSS 102 Sep 2020

100 position

106 104 Motion Position detected? N calculation idle Y 108 2020102206

Update position using dead reckoning 110 Motion within defined range from last GNSS position? Y N 112 Attempt to acquire GNSS position

116 114 Update position with GNSS position acquired Y acquisition possible? N GNSS position 120 N Defined period expired? Y 118 Retry for defined time period

Fig. 6

Start timer

124 120 Timer at set point? N Y 126 Energise transmitter 2020102206

coil in collar

128 Receive power at implant and energise implant hardware

130 Implant acknowledges presence to collar

132 Implant acquires data

134 Implant transmits acquired data to collar

136 Collar shuts down power to implant

138 Collar acquires data

140 Restart timer

142 Collar transmits data to control centre using LPWAN network

Fig. 7