CZ305148B6 - Apparatus for measuring pH values of rumen fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, there is disclosed an apparatus for measuring pH values of rumen fluid wherein the invention is characterized in that the apparatus comprises a measuring probe (17) attached to a rumen cannula (23), wherein the measuring probe (17) consists of a tube (1) that is closed at its both ends by two lids (2, 9), wherein the tube (1) lower lid (2) is provided with an opening with a cable feed-trough (7) for passage of a combined glass electrode along with a reference electrode (8). A protective flange (3) with openings (4) is attached to the tube (1) lower lid (2). In the tube (1) upper lid (9), there is arranged another cable feed-trough (10) for passage of an antenna cable (11), which protrudes above the tube (1), is attached to a lid (24) of the cannula (23) arranged in the animal (22) abdomen wall, and lead out above the surface of the monitored animal (22). ). A spring-hook (18), for securing the measuring probe (17) to the rumen cannula (23) lid (24), is attached to the antenna cable (11). On the measuring probe (17) external side close to the lower edge thereof, there is situated a stabilization weight (16) and inside the measuring probe (17), there are disposed, a module (12) of the electrode signal amplifier, a module (13) with a microprocessor and a transmission element, a power supply unit (14) and a bag (15) with silicagel, whereby the measuring probe (17) signal is received by an antenna (19) connected through the mediation of an interface (20) and a USB port with a computer (21) for wireless transmission of measuring results from the surface of at least one animal (22).

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a device for measuring the pH of a rumen fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The rumen pH of ruminants is important for monitoring animal health, particularly in relation to subclinical and clinical acidosis. Records of pH changes throughout the day are required to correctly assess the acid state. Obtaining this data by conventional means is very laborious and expensive.

The method of measuring the pH of rumen contents can be divided into two basic methods: measurement outside the animal and measurement inside the rumen of the animal.

In the first case, the pH of the rumen fluid collected from the rumen is measured with a laboratory pH meter using an esophagus probe or, in the case of cannulated animals, through a rumen cannula using a large capacity syringe or pump. When taking an oesophageal probe, it is necessary to fix the animal well, which requires the cooperation of a larger number of nurses, and there is also a higher risk of injury due to animal restlessness. All-day changes in pH values cannot be well captured by this procedure, as only a limited number of samples can be taken during the day due to the high measurement effort. Another drawback of this method is the change in rumen fluid parameters due to air contact, which may affect the measured pH values (Smith, 1941; Dado and Allen, 1993; Marden et al., 2005). Both problems, measurement intervals and air contact, are partly addressed by the method published by Corley et al. (1999) and Marden et al. (2005). In this procedure, the ruminal fluid is continuously sucked through a weight-fixed filter on the bottom of the rumen vent bag by means of a pump located outside the animal and is led through a tubing through the rumen cannula lid to a measuring cell separated from the external environment. This method can generally be expected to be more unreliable due to the increased likelihood of system clogging.

In the latter case, the pH is measured inside the rumen, whereby the signal from the pH sensor can be transmitted to conductors outside the animal by means of conductors or the collection device is placed together with the pH sensor in a probe fixed at the bottom of the rumen. transferred to the computer in the file after the measurement. This method of continuous pH measurement and its modifications are the most commonly used and have been published in several works. A device with processing and data collection outside the animal has been patented (US 2002/0156356 A1, Mehrotra V. P., October 24, 2002). The use of similar devices has been published by Dado and Allen (1993), Nocek et al. (2002) and AlZahal et al. (2007). The use of data processing and data collection equipment located in a DASCOR probe (Canada) has been published by Penner et al., (2006). Due to the high impedance of the pH sensor, signal transmission over longer distances is often subject to interference, which reduces the reliability of the measured values. Placing a data processing and collection device inside an animal eliminates the source of interference, but it is not possible to continuously check the functionality of the device without removing it from the rumen and transferring the data to the computer.

The above mentioned drawbacks are eliminated by a device which is able to wirelessly transmit the processed data to the central computer. A general problem with these devices is the high signal attenuation when passing through body fluids, especially at higher frequencies. This requires a retransmitter in the vicinity of an animal that is normally placed on the neck in the form of a registration plate. New technologies have allowed the size of these devices to be reduced, allowing them to be applied to the rumen orally. One type of this device has been disclosed in an article by Gasteiner et al. (2008). Various modifications to this method of continuous sensing of rumen parameters (e.g. pH, temperature, pressure) with wireless data transmission have been published in patents (US

- 1 GB 305148 B6

2004/0133131 A1, Kuhn et al., July 8, 2004), (US 7,062, 308 B1, Jackson WJ, Jun 13, 2006), (WO 01/13712 A1, Verstege A. M. M. et al., March 1, 2001), (WO 02/073194 A2, Van Over JE, September 19, 2002), but the results obtained were not always accurate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned disadvantages are overcome by the rumen fluid pH measuring device according to the invention, which consists of a probe which is inserted through the rumen cannula onto the rumen bottom of the animal, and the probe is then attached to the rumen cannula cover by an antenna cable. The probe forms a hermetically sealed housing and consists of a tube with a neck on the underside into which a lid is inserted in which there is an opening with a cable gland for the passage of the pH electrode. A protective flange with holes is attached to the lower tube cover. In the upper tube lid there is a cable gland for the passage of the antenna cable that protrudes above the tube, extends above the surface of the animal to be examined through the rumen cannula cover, and a carabiner is attached externally to the antenna cable to secure the probe to the rumen cannula cover. A stabilizing weight is placed on the outside of the probe at its lower edge, and inside the probe are two electronic modules, a power supply and a silica gel bag. The measurement results transmitted from the probe antenna are sensed by the receiving antenna, which is connected to a computer via an interface and USB port and allows wireless transmission of the measurement results from at least one animal to the computer.

The device according to the invention is further characterized in that the pH measuring electrode comprises a combination of a glass electrode with a gel reference electrode.

The device according to the invention is further characterized in that the tube, the upper and lower lids and the protective lip are made of novodur or possibly other suitable inert material.

The device according to the invention is further characterized in that one module is a signal amplifier from the measuring electrode.

The device according to the invention is also characterized in that the second module is composed of a microprocessor with control software and a transmitter.

The device according to the invention is further characterized in that an arrangement of the receiving antenna, interface and USB port is provided in the computer for simultaneous processing of the signal from more than one probe and thus for simultaneous monitoring of several animals.

The device according to the invention is part of a system which ensures the measurement of the pH of the rumen fluid and its wireless transmission from the rumen rumen bag of the ruminant via the receiving antenna to a computer located in an adjacent laboratory. The device was used by the inventor to measure the pH of the rumen fluid, a conclusive indication of the health status of the animal being monitored. Use is foreseen in ruminants equipped with a rumen cannula. The measurement of this parameter is carried out continuously at selectable time intervals and the measured animal is not bothered in any way because it is well tolerated by the rumen cannula and its operation is performed with local anesthetic of the abdominal wall.

Transmission and reception of the signal is as follows: The receiving antenna is connected to the computer via the interface and USB port. The control software can be used for an unlimited number of measuring probes used simultaneously, ie several animals.

The device according to the invention consists of a tube, in particular a neodymium or other acceptable inert material, which forms a protective sleeve hermetically sealed from both sides. On the underside of the pipe there is a neck into which the lower lid is removably fastened by means of a seal. In the lower lid, the opening is provided with a cable gland through which the pH electrode passes and serves to measure the pH values. A protective rim made of the same is attached to the lower tube cover

-2E 305148 B6 as a probe. The protective rim is provided with several large openings for good contact of the measuring electrode with the rumen fluid. The inventors found it useful when the protective rim was approximately 4.5 cm long, the diameter was identical to the tube, the holes were approximately 3.5 cm x 3 cm in diameter. The hem is attached to the lower lid by two screws.

In the upper tube cover there is a cable gland through which an antenna cable with a diameter of about 5 mm passes, which protrudes above the upper tube cover approximately 1 m and serves as a transmitting antenna. At a height of approximately 40 cm above the top of the tube, a carabiner is mounted on the antenna surface of the animal to be examined, which serves externally to fix the probe to the rumen cannula lid. The top 10 cm of antenna cable is shielded to ensure the transmission function. The cannula lid is part of the rumen cannula, inserted into the abdominal wall and freely accessible from the outside.

On the outside of the probe, closer to the lower edge, a stabilization weight of approximately 1.5 kg is placed to hold the probe at the bottom of the rumen ventral bag of the ruminant.

Inside the probe there is an electronic part consisting of two modules and a power supply. The first module is an approximately 2 x 7 cm amplifier that amplifies the signal from the measuring electrode. The second module of approximately 1 x 2 cm is composed of a microprocessor and a transmitter. The microprocessor is equipped with control software, which is part of the data processing and signal transmission system. The probe also has a porous silica gel bag that provides a dry environment for the electronics.

The device according to the invention is easy to operate, the measurement results obtained were very accurate and the animals were well tolerated and calm. After a small modification of the evaluation system in particular, the new device according to the invention can also be used for the examination of other ruminant species. The rumen probe can easily be inserted into the bottom of the ventral rumen bag through the rumen cannula after removal of the cannula lid. Thus, it is a device for measuring the pH of rumen fluid maintained by an additional weight at the bottom of the rumen bag of ruminants, in particular bovine, and intended for continuous measurement of pH values of rumen contents with wireless data transfer to the central computer via an antenna led through the rumen cannula.

In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 shows a side view of an end portion of the device according to the invention, i.e. a probe. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the probe; Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the probe; and Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the entire animal observation with transmission and recording of measured values.

The following examples illustrate the invention without limiting it in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Example 1

The examined animal 22 - lactating dairy cow weighing 600 kg and 4 years old - was subjected to local anesthesia to operate the rumen cannula 23 into the abdominal wall of the rumen so that the lid 24 of the cannula 23 is freely accessible from outside the animal 22. long. The measuring probe 17 is inserted into the ventral rumen bag via the rumen cannula 23 after removal of the cannula cover 24. The inserted probe 17, hermetically sealed from both sides, is made of a 20 cm long, 8 cm diameter novodur tube 1. The lower lid 2 is inserted into the pipe throat despite the seal 6. On said lower lid 2 there is one opening provided with a cable gland 7 through which the combined pH electrode 8, i.e. the glass electrode with the gel reference electrode, passes. This is used to measure pH values and as a reference electrode. On the lower lid 2 of the tube 1 is

A protective lip 3 made of the same material as the tube and probe 17 is attached. The protective lip 3 is provided with 4 large apertures 4 for good contact of the rumen fluid with the electrode 8. The protective lip 3 has a length of approximately 4.5 cm, the diameter is identical to the tube 1, the openings 4 have a diameter of approximately 3.5 cm x 3 cm and may be oval or round. The skirt 3 is attached to the lower lid 2 of the E7 probe by two screws 5.

In the upper lid 9 of the tube 1 there is a cable gland 10 through which an antenna cable 11 of about 5 mm diameter extends, which protrudes above the upper edge of the tube 1 approximately 1 m and functions as a transmitting antenna. It extends above the surface of the animal to be examined 22 and is placed on the lid 24 of the cannula 23 on the abdominal wall of the animal 22. At a height of approximately 40 cm above the upper lid 9 of the tube 1, a carabiner 18 is fastened externally to the antenna cable 11. The rumen cannula 23. The top 10 cm of the antenna cable 11 is shielded to provide a transmission function.

On the outside of the tube 1, closer to the lower edge, a stabilization weight 16 of approximately 1.5 kg is placed, which ensures a stabilized placement of the probe 17 at the bottom of the rumen ventral bag of the ruminant.

Inside the probe 17 is located an electronic part consisting of a module 12, a module 13 and an electrical power supply 14, which preferably constitutes an accumulator. The module 12 is an approximately 2 x 7 cm amplifier that amplifies the signal from the measuring electrode 8. The 1 x 2 cm module 13 is comprised of a microprocessor and a transmitter. The microprocessor is equipped with control software, which is part of the signal transmission system. Further, the probe 17 is provided with a porous silica gel bag 15 which provides the dry environment required for the electronics function. The rumen fluid measurement results are transmitted wirelessly from the rumen bag of the animal 22 via the transmitting antenna 11 to the receiving antenna 19 to a computer 21 located in an adjacent laboratory, via an interface 20 and a USB port. The control software can be used for an unlimited number of measuring probes 17, so that several probes 17 can be connected to the computer 21 simultaneously to investigate several animals 22.

Four animals, predominantly bovine animals, were successfully examined by the device according to the invention in 2008 and it has been shown that it is fully functional and much more friendly to the examined animals than the existing devices used. The obtained measurement results were very accurate.

Industrial applicability

It is a device for measuring the pH values of rumen fluid maintained by an additional weight at the bottom of the rumen bag of ruminants, especially cattle, and intended for continuous measurement of pH values of rumen contents with wireless data transmission to the central computer via an antenna led through the rumen cannula to the animal.

Literature

AlZahal O., Rustomo B., Odongo N. E., Duffielt T. F., McBride B. W. 2007. Technical note: A system for continuous recording of ruminal pH in cattle. J. Anim Sci., 85: 213-217

Corley R. N., Murphy M. R., Lucena J., Panno S. V. 1999. Technical note: a device for obtaining time-integrated samples of ruminal fluid. J. Anim Sci., 77: 2540-2544

Dado R.G. and Allen M.S. 1994. Variation and relationships among feeding, chewing, and drinking variables for lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci., 77: 132-144

Gasteiner J., Fallast M., Rosenkranz S., Hausler J., Schneider K., Schwab M., Guggenberger T. 2008. Moglichkeiten zur mesung des pH-wertes im pansen. Nutztierpraxis Aktuell, 25: 14-21

Claims (6)

A device for measuring the pH values of a rumble fluid, characterized in that it consists of a measuring probe (17) mounted on the rumen cannula (23), wherein the probe (17) consists of a tube (1) hermetically sealed by two lids (2) , 9), wherein the lower lid (2) of the tube (1) is provided with an opening with a cable gland (7) for the passage of the pH electrode (8), whereby a protective flange (3) is attached to the lower lid (2) of the tube (1); apertures (4), wherein in the upper lid (9) of the tube (1) there is a cable gland (10) for the passage of the antenna cable (11) that protrudes above the tube (1) is attached to the lid (24) of the cannula (23) in the abdominal wall of the animal (22), extending above the surface of the animal (22) to be monitored and a carabiner (18) externally mounted thereon to secure the probe (17) to the lid (24) of the rumen cannula (23); a stabilizing weight (16) is located at the lower edge of the probe (17), and an electrode amplifier module (12), a microprocessor-emitter module (13), a power supply (14), and a silica gel bag (15) are provided, the signal from the probe (17) being received by an antenna (19) connected via an interface (20) ) and a USB port with a computer (21) for wirelessly transmitting the measurement results from the surface of at least one animal (22). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrode (8) is a combination of a glass electrode with a gel reference electrode. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube (1), the lower lid (2), the upper lid (9) and the protective flange (3) are made of novodur. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the module (12) is a signal amplifier from the pH measuring electrode (8). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the module (13) is composed of a microprocessor with control software and a transmitter. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement of the receiving antenna (19), the interface (20) and the USB port in the computer (21) is designed to simultaneously process the signal from more than one probe (17) and thereby simultaneously monitoring several animals (22).