WO2014200365A1 - Bolus pour la panse - Google Patents

Bolus pour la panse Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014200365A1
WO2014200365A1 PCT/NZ2014/000116 NZ2014000116W WO2014200365A1 WO 2014200365 A1 WO2014200365 A1 WO 2014200365A1 NZ 2014000116 W NZ2014000116 W NZ 2014000116W WO 2014200365 A1 WO2014200365 A1 WO 2014200365A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rumen
housing
bolus according
cap
bolus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ2014/000116
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paul Benjamin Mallinson
Frank Welfare BROOKS
Original Assignee
Kahne Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kahne Limited filed Critical Kahne Limited
Publication of WO2014200365A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014200365A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/145—Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissue
    • A61B5/14539—Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissue for measuring pH
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K11/00—Marking of animals
    • A01K11/006—Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals
    • A01K11/007—Boluses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/07—Endoradiosondes
    • A61B5/073—Intestinal transmitters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B2503/00—Evaluating a particular growth phase or type of persons or animals
    • A61B2503/40—Animals
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/42—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems
    • A61B5/4222—Evaluating particular parts, e.g. particular organs
    • A61B5/4238—Evaluating particular parts, e.g. particular organs stomach

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for monitoring the physiological condition of a ruminant, and in particular to a rumen bolus for cattle.
  • a rumen bolus is a device that is ingested into the rumen (stomach) of an animal, such as a cow or sheep for example, for monitoring the physiological state of the animal.
  • Kahne Ltd has developed a wireless rumen bolus that monitors in-rumen Ph, temperature, and pressure.
  • the bolus can transmit data in real time or at a specific time of day, which is received by the end user in raw format.
  • the bolus is mainly used as a scientific instrument for those involved in rumen research. It assists scientists by providing a continuous and real-time flow of in vivo measurements from cattle living under realistic commercial conditions. Such devices can be costly with a relatively short useful life and are not useful when deployed in a commercial or production scenario.
  • the invention may broadly be said to consist of a device for monitoring the physiological state of a rumen of a ruminant animal, the device comprising:
  • a housing formed substantially from a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material, and one or more sensing components retained within the housing for obtaining information relating to a physiological state of the animal.
  • LCP liquid crystal polymer
  • the housing is substantially sealed from an outside environment.
  • the housing is substantially impermeable to gas, moisture and/or other contaminants present within the rumen.
  • the housing comprises an open end and a closed end.
  • the bolus further comprises a cap element configured to couple the open end and substantially seal the open end of the housing in the assembled state.
  • the cap element is formed from a LCP material.
  • the open end of the housing comprises a groove about a peripheral edge of the open end for sealingly engaging a corresponding rib extending about the peripheral edge of the cap element.
  • the rib and groove are sealingly coupled via ultrasonic welding.
  • the device comprises a pH sensing component to provide data indicative of pH within the rumen.
  • the pH sensing component comprises:
  • a body having an electrochemical cell therein formed from a reference electrode and a measurement electrode, the measuring electrode having a sensing surface protruding from and external to the body for exposure to a rumen environment, and
  • a voltage sensor electrically coupled between the measurement electrode and the reference electrode for measuring electrical potential indicative of a pH associated with the rumen environment to which the sensing surface is exposed.
  • the pH sensing component forms the body of the cap element.
  • the body comprises an outer reference cavity and an inner reference cavity for retaining a chemistry of the reference electrode therein.
  • the voltage sensor is coupled to the measurement electrode and the electrochemistry of the inner reference cavity.
  • the outer reference cavity comprises a complex and/or convoluted path therein.
  • the measurement electrode is a glass electrode and the sensing surface protruding from and external to the body is a glass bulb of the glass electrode.
  • the body comprises an aperture extending through the outer reference cavity and external to the body.
  • a salt bridge is retained within the aperture between the outer reference electrode and the external (rumen) environment.
  • the salt bridge is a wick.
  • an area of the aperture of the associated with the wick is approximately between 0.001mm 2 and 0.5mm 2 , more preferably between approximately 0.01mm 2 and 0.1mm 2 , and most preferably less than approximately 0.01mm 2 .
  • the body comprises a dividing wall between the outer reference cavity and the inner reference cavity.
  • the body comprises an aperture through the dividing wall for retaining a salt bridge between the chemistry of the outer reference cavity and the chemistry of the inner reference cavity therein.
  • the salt bridge is a wick.
  • a plug is located within the aperture to retain the wick in place.
  • an area of the aperture through the dividing wall is approximately between 0.001mm 2 and 0.5mm 2 , more preferably between approximately 0.01mm 2 and 0.1mm 2 , and most preferably less than approximately 0.01mm 2 .
  • the body is formed from two opposed parts.
  • the body is formed from a LCP material.
  • the two opposed parts are sealingly coupled via ultrasonic welding.
  • the first body part comprises a base and a receptacle extending from the base and open at an end opposing the base.
  • the receptacle comprises a groove about a peripheral edge of the receptacle at the open end.
  • the receptacle is divided by a wall into an outer reference section and an inner reference section corresponding to the outer reference cavity and the inner reference cavity with a recess in the wall corresponding to the aperture of the first dividing wall.
  • the second body part comprises a receptacle open at one end and having an outer reference section and an inner reference section, corresponding to the outer reference cavity and the inner reference cavity respectively, divided by a wall with a recess in the wall corresponding to the aperture of the dividing wall.
  • the receptacle of the first body and the receptacle of the second body comprise corresponding formations at the open end of each receptacle to enable sealable engagement of the open ends of the receptacles and thereby form the outer reference and the inner reference cavities of the body, and to thereby form the aperture of the dividing wall.
  • the open end of the receptacle of the first body part comprises one or more grooves and the open end of the receptacle of the second body part comprises one or more ribs for sealingly engaging the first and second body parts.
  • the one or more grooves extend about a peripheral edge of the receptacle of the first body part and along the wall dividing the first and second sections of the receptacle, and the one or more ribs extend about a peripheral edge of the receptacle of the second body part and along the wall dividing the first and second sections of the receptacle.
  • the receptacle of the first body part comprises one or more wall sections extending within the first section corresponding to the reference cavity and correspondingly the receptacle of the second body part comprises one or more wall sections extending within the first section corresponding to the reference cavity, to thereby form the complex and/or convoluted path within the outer reference cavity when the first and second body parts are coupled.
  • each wall section of the first section of the receptacle of the first body part comprises a groove at an edge of the wall section
  • each wall section of the first section of the receptacle of the second body part comprises a rib at an edge of the wall section for sealingly engaging the corresponding groove of the corresponding wall section when the first and second body parts are coupled.
  • the body of the pH sensor comprises an aperture through the body for sealingly accommodating the measuring electrode therein.
  • the first body part comprises an aperture and the second body part comprises a corresponding aperture to form the aperture of the body for accommodating the measuring electrode therein.
  • a peripheral edge of the aperture of the first body part comprises a groove and a peripheral edge of the aperture of the second body part comprises a corresponding rib configured to sealingly engage the groove of the aperture of the first body part.
  • the grooves of the first body part are sealingly coupled to the ribs of the second body part via ultrasonic welding.
  • the base of the first body part comprises a rib extending about a peripheral edge of the base in the same direction of extension as the receptacle.
  • the housing comprises an open end having a groove about a peripheral edge of the open end for sealingly engaging the corresponding rib extending about the peripheral edge of the base of the first body part of the pH sensing component.
  • the rib and groove are sealingly coupled via ultrasonic welding.
  • the body of the pH sensing component is integral with the housing.
  • the body of the pH sensing component is sealingly coupled to the housing via ultrasonic welding.
  • the device further comprises a temperature sensor within the housing to provide data indicative of temperature within the rumen.
  • the device further comprises a redox sensor within the housing to provide data indicative of the oxidation-reduction potential within the rumen.
  • the device further comprises a wireless transceiver to transmit/receive data or derived parameter(s) to and from a remote station.
  • the transceiver comprises an antenna.
  • the antenna is configured to provide substantially uniform radiation about all axes of transmission/reception.
  • the antenna is a two-plane antenna having a first and second substantially orthogonal antenna sections.
  • a first section of the antenna is oriented substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the housing and a second section is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
  • the first section is a substantially annular section and the second section is substantially linear.
  • the second section extends substantially centrally from the first section.
  • the device comprises a memory component in the housing for storing identification data unique to the device and measurement data obtained by the sensors of the device.
  • the housing of the device is shaped and sized to be retained within the rumen of the animal, and more preferably within the dorsal sac of the rumen.
  • the device has an overall density of approximately less than or equal to lg/cm 3 .
  • the device further comprises a retention mechanism for retaining the bolus within the rumen.
  • retention mechanism comprises a wing structure at an end of the housing.
  • the wing structure is at an end of the housing opposing the pH sensing component of the device.
  • the wing structure is coupled to a closed end of the housing opposing the pH sensing component.
  • the housing is elongate along a longitudinal axis.
  • the wing structure comprises one or more wings spanning substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
  • the wing structure further comprises a sleeved base configured to couple about the corresponding end of the housing.
  • the wing structure comprises a pair of wings extending transversely and symmetrically from either side of the sleeved base.
  • the closed end of the housing comprises one or more ribs on an outer surface of the housing for engaging one or more corresponding grooves on an inner surface of the sleeve of the wing structure to secure the wing structure on the housing.
  • the wing structure is formed from a substantially flexible material, being relatively more flexible than the housing.
  • the wing structure may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer such as Polypropylene, Nylon, Polyethylene or any other suitable alternative material.
  • the bolus also comprises a processor and memory associated with the processor storing one or more thermodynamic and/or physiological equations, the processor arranged to input the sensor array data into one or more or all of the equations to obtain as an output one or more parameters indicative of fermentation and/or animal digestive efficiency.
  • the invention may broadly be said to consist of a device for monitoring the physiological state of a rumen of a ruminant animal, the device comprising :
  • one or more sensing components retained within the housing for obtaining information relating to a physiological state of the animal including a pH sensing component to provide data indicative of pH within the rumen, a body of the pH sensing component being formed of a same material and integrally coupled with the housing.
  • the body retains a reference electrode and a measurement electrode of an electrochemical cell therein.
  • the body comprises an outer reference cavity and an inner reference cavity for retaining chemistry of the reference electrode therein and an aperture for retaining the measurement electrode therein.
  • the pH sensing component further comprises a voltage sensor electrically coupled between the measurement electrode and the reference electrode for measuring electrical potential indicative of a pH associated with the rumen environment to which the sensing surface is exposed.
  • the body comprises an outer reference cavity and an inner reference cavity for retaining a chemistry of the reference electrode therein.
  • the voltage sensor is coupled to the measurement electrode and the electrochemistry of the inner reference cavity.
  • the outer reference cavity comprises a complex and/or convoluted path therein.
  • the measurement electrode is a glass electrode and the sensing surface protruding from and external to the body is a glass bulb of the glass electrode.
  • the body comprises an aperture extending through the outer reference cavity and external to the body.
  • a porous element is retained within the aperture to form a salt bridge between the outer reference electrode and the external (rumen) environment.
  • the porous element is a plastic wick.
  • an area of the aperture of the associated with the wick is approximately between 0.001mm 2 and 0.5mm 2 , more preferably between approximately 0.01mm 2 and 0.1mm 2 , and most preferably less than approximately 0.01mm 2 , or
  • 0.05mm 2 and 0.5mm 2 is approximately between 0.05mm 2 and 0.5mm 2 , more preferably between approximately 0.1mm 2 and 0.3mm 2 , and most preferably approximately 0.2mm 2 .
  • the body comprises a dividing wall between the outer reference cavity and the inner reference cavity.
  • the body comprises an aperture through the dividing wall.
  • a wick is located and retained within the aperture of the dividing wall to provide a salt bridge between the chemistry of the outer reference cavity and the chemistry of the inner reference cavity.
  • a plug is located within the aperture to retain the wick in place.
  • an area of the aperture through the dividing wall is approximately between 0.001mm 2 and 0.5mm 2 , more preferably between approximately 0.01mm 2 and 0.1mm 2 , and most preferably less than approximately 0.01mm 2 , or
  • the body is approximately between 0.05mm 2 and 0.5mm 2 , more preferably between approximately 0.1mm 2 and 0.3mm 2 , and most preferably approximately 0.2mm 2 .
  • the body is formed from two opposed parts.
  • the body is formed form a LCP material.
  • the two opposed parts are sealingly coupled via ultrasonic welding.
  • the first body part comprises a base and a receptacle extending from the base and open at an end opposing the base.
  • the receptacle comprises a groove about a peripheral edge of the receptacle at the open end.
  • the receptacle is divided by a wall into an outer reference section and an inner reference section corresponding to the outer reference cavity and the inner reference cavity with a recess in the wall corresponding to the aperture of the first dividing wall.
  • the second body part comprises a receptacle open at one end and having an outer reference section and an inner reference section, corresponding to the outer reference cavity and the inner reference cavity respectively, divided by a wall with a recess in the wall corresponding to the aperture of the dividing wall.
  • the receptacle of the first body and the receptacle of the second body comprise corresponding formations at the open end of each receptacle to enable sealable engagement of the open ends of the receptacles and thereby form the outer reference and the inner reference cavities of the body, and to thereby form the aperture of the dividing wall.
  • the open end of the receptacle of the first body part comprises one or more grooves and the open end of the receptacle of the second body part comprises one or more ribs for sealingly engaging the first and second body parts.
  • the one or more grooves extend about a peripheral edge of the receptacle of the first body part and along the wall dividing the first and second sections of the receptacle, and the one or more ribs extend about a peripheral edge of the receptacle of the second body part and along the wall dividing the first and second sections of the receptacle.
  • the receptacle of the first body part comprises one or more wall sections extending within the first section corresponding to the reference cavity and correspondingly the receptacle of the second body part comprises one or more wall sections extending within the first section corresponding to the reference cavity, to thereby form the complex and/or convoluted path within the outer reference cavity when the first and second body parts are coupled.
  • each wall section of the first section of the receptacle of the first body part comprises a groove at an edge of the wall section
  • each wall section of the first section of the receptacle of the second body part comprises a rib at an edge of the wall section for sealingly engaging the corresponding groove of the corresponding wall section when the first and second body parts are coupled.
  • the body of the pH sensor comprises an aperture through the body for sealingly accommodating the measuring electrode therein.
  • the first body part comprises an aperture and the second body part comprises a corresponding aperture to form the aperture of the body for accommodating the measuring electrode therein.
  • a peripheral edge of the aperture of the first body part comprises a groove and a peripheral edge of the aperture of the second body part comprises a corresponding rib configured to sealingly engage the groove of the aperture of the first body part.
  • the grooves of the first body part are sealingly coupled to the ribs of the second body part via ultrasonic welding.
  • the base of the first body part comprises a rib extending about a peripheral edge of the base in the same direction of extension as the receptacle.
  • the housing comprises an open end having a groove about a peripheral edge of the open end for sealingly engaging the corresponding rib extending about the peripheral edge of the base of the first body part of the pH sensing component.
  • the rib and groove are sealingly coupled via ultrasonic welding.
  • the body of the pH sensing component is sealingly coupled to the housing via ultrasonic welding.
  • the invention may broadly be said to consist of a device for monitoring the physiological state of a rumen of a ruminant animal, the device comprising:
  • one or more sensing components retained within the housing for obtaining information relating to a physiological state of the animal
  • a wireless transceiver to transmit and receive data to and from a remote station, the transceiver having an antenna configured to provide substantially uniform radiation about all axes of transmission/reception.
  • the antenna is a two-plane antenna having a first and second substantially orthogonal antenna sections.
  • a first section of the antenna is oriented substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the housing and a second section is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
  • the first section is a substantially annular section and the second section is substantially linear.
  • the second section extends substantially centrally from the first section.
  • the invention may broadly be said to consist of a method of manufacturing a device configured to monitor the physiological state of a rumen of a ruminant animal, the method comprising the steps of:
  • the method further comprises the step of inserting in the sensor housing electrochemistry associated with a reference electrode of the pH sensor.
  • the method further comprises, prior to the step of ultrasonically welding the first part of the sensor to the housing of the bolus, the step of coupling a measurement electrode to the sensor housing of the pH sensor.
  • one or more electronic monitoring components is/are inserted and retained within the hollow interior of the housing.
  • This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form bolus of the invention in the assembled form
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bolus of figure 1 showing hidden detail within the housing ;
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bolus of figure 1 showing the components in an exploded form
  • Figure 4 is a top perspective view of an exploded housing for a pH sensing component in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of the housing of figure 4;
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the housing of figure 4 in the assembled form ;
  • Figure 7 is a close up perspective view of the retention mechanism of the bolus of figure 1 ; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the electronics of the bolus of figure 1.
  • a preferred form device 100 for monitoring the rumen environment and in particular for monitoring the physiological state of the animal while residing in the stomach or rumen of the animal.
  • the device 100 (hereinafter also referred to as bolus 100) is preferably ingestible and configured to be retained within the rumen.
  • the bolus 100 comprises a hollow body or housing 110 that is elongate and closed at both ends (at least in an assembled state of the bolus).
  • electronics 120 for monitoring and preferably reporting the physiological state of the animal within the rumen are retained within the housing 110.
  • an interior 111 of the housing is substantially sealed from the outside environment.
  • the bolus 100 and its housing 110 are formed to be substantially impermeable to gaseous and/or liquid chemicals and/or other substances present within the rumen of the animal.
  • a retention mechanism 130 is provided at one end of the housing 110 for retaining the bolus 100 within the rumen.
  • the retention mechanism 130 is in the form of a winged structure 130 having a pair of lateral wings 131a/b extending from the corresponding end of the housing 110.
  • the wings 131 are substantially flexible to enable retraction and expansion during movement within the body of the animal (e.g. during ingestion and then within the rumen).
  • the bolus 100 further comprises a pH sensing element 140 for measuring the pH of the rumen environment to aid with the physiological monitoring.
  • the housing 110 is formed from a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) based material.
  • LCP Liquid Crystal Polymer
  • the housing 110 is preferably formed using injection moulding of an LCP material. It will be appreciated that the material from which the housing 110 is formed may be pure LCP or blended with any number of other materials.
  • the material comprises at least 5% LCP by mass. In some configurations the material comprises at least 10% LCP by mass. In some configurations the material comprises at least 20% LCP by mass. In some configurations the material comprises at least 50% LCP by mass. In some configurations the material comprises at least 85% LCP by mass. In a preferred embodiment the material comprises a 15% glass fibre filled LCP.
  • the housing 110 is closed at both ends 113 and 114. Both ends 113/114 of the housing 110 are also formed from an LCP material in the preferred embodiment.
  • end 113 is closed and formed integrally with the remainder of the housing 110 during the injection moulding process.
  • End 114 is formed as an open end of the housing 110 during the injection moulding process and then later sealingly closed with a cap element or part 150 formed from a LCP material during assembly. The open end 114 enables the insertion and retention of the electronics 120 within the hollow interior 111 of the housing 110 during assembly of the bolus 100.
  • the part 150 is sealingly coupled about open end 114 to close the end 114 of the housing 110.
  • the part 150 is preferably integrally coupled to the end 114 of the housing.
  • the part 150 is also formed from an LCP material, making it suitable to utilise ultrasonic welding to couple the part 150 to the housing 110 and integrate the part 150 with the end 114 of the housing 110.
  • the part 150 comprises an upstanding rib 151 about a peripheral edge of the part 150 that is configured to couple a corresponding groove 114a formed about the peripheral edge of the open end 114 of the housing 110.
  • the rib 151 is inserted within and engages the groove 114a.
  • the rib 151 is forced fully home into the groove 114a and in the process moulding to the shape of the groove 114a.
  • an ultrasonic welding technique is utilised which is particular achievable and synergistic with LCP materials.
  • the part 150 forms the housing (or part of) for a pH sensing component 140 of the bolus 100.
  • the pH sensing component comprises a reference electrode and a measurement electrode, both housed within a body of the component 140.
  • the measurement electrode 170 comprises a sensing surface, bulb or probe 171 protruding from the body of the component 140.
  • a voltage sensing element electrically couples between the measurement electrode 170 and the reference electrode to measure the pH of the external rumen environment.
  • the chemistry retained within the sensing component 140 to form the reference and measurement electrodes will not be described in detail as it is not the subject of the invention. Any suitable solution/chemistry may be provided to build the appropriate electric circuit for sensing as is well known in the art.
  • the mechanical structure of the sensing component 140 will now be described in detail in accordance with the preferred embodiment.
  • the pH sensing component 140 comprises a two part housing or body 150 and 160. When coupled together, the two parts 150/160 form two cavities for the reference electrode chemistry and an aperture for the measurement electrode of the sensing component 140. Each part 150/160 of the body of the pH sensing component 140 comprises a hollow interior forming a receptacle 152/162 for the associated reference electrode chemistry to be retained therein. When the two body parts 150/160 are coupled, the outer walls of the two opposed and complementary receptacles 152/162 of the pH sensing component 140 form an enclosed chamber therein for sealingly retaining the reference electrode chemistry of the pH sensor.
  • the reference electrode of the sensor 140 comprises two electrochemical half cells that are based on any chemistry known in the art of pH sensing or electrochemistry.
  • Each body part 150/160 comprises two cavities within the associated receptacle 152/162.
  • a first outer reference cavity 153/163 of each receptacle 152/162 of the first and second body parts 150/160 is intended to contain the outer reference electrode chemistry therein when the parts are coupled together and provides the interface to the rumen.
  • a second inner reference cavity 154/164 of each receptacle 152/162 of the first and second body parts 150/160 is intended to contain the inner reference electrode chemistry therein when the parts are coupled together for coupling to the voltage sensor/electronics.
  • the two cavities 153-154/163-164 of each body part 150/160 are separated and by a dividing wall 155/165 extending across the receptacle 152/162.
  • the wall 155/165 bisects the receptacle 152/162 but may alternatively divide the two sections at any other location within the receptacle to provide the required volume for each associated cell.
  • the first reference cavity 153/163 of the pH sensing component 140 comprises one or more upstanding wall sections 153a/163a for creating a complex and/or convoluted path from the outer reference cavity to the inner reference cavity (between aperture 157 and aperture 155a/165a) .
  • the two wall sections 153a/163a extend substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the dividing wall 155/165 to form a substantially snaked, sinuous, serpentine or 'S' shaped cavity 153/163 for the reference cell.
  • Alternative methods for creating a complex/convoluted path within the reference cavity may be employed, for example using any combination of one or more straight or curved walls that are parallel, orthogonal or at another angle to the dividing wall 155/165.
  • the body part 150 comprises a base portion 156 with the receptacle 152 extending from this base portion 156.
  • An aperture 157 extends through the base portion 156 and into the outer reference cavity 153 of the receptacle 152.
  • a plug preferably fabricated from LCP is used to trap a wick and close the aperture 157. This provides a salt bridge between the outer reference chemistry and the external rumen environment.
  • an area of the aperture 157 is approximately between 0.001mm 2 and 0.5mm 2 , more preferably between approximately 0.01mm 2 and 0.1mm 2 , and most preferably less than approximately 0.01mm 2 . In some configurations the aperture size is approximately 0.04mm 2 .
  • each receptacle 152/162 comprises a recess 155a/165a at the end of the complex/convoluted path of the first cavity 153/163.
  • the opposing recesses 155a/165a engage to form an aperture that connects the outer reference cavity 153/163 with the inner reference cavity 154/164 of the receptacle 152/162.
  • a wick (not shown) is located within this aperture in the assembled state of the pH sensing component 140 to provide a salt bridge between the outer and inner reference chemistries or the reference electrode.
  • the wick is retained within the aperture by a plug (not shown) sized to be sealingly accommodated within the aperture 155a/165a.
  • the plug seals the aperture to prevent contaminants from being transferred from the outer reference cell to the inner reference cell.
  • an area of the aperture formed by the recesses 155a/165a is approximately between 0.001mm 2 and 0.5mm 2 , more preferably between approximately 0.01mm 2 and 0.1mm 2 , and most preferably less than approximately 0.01mm 2 . In some configurations the aperture size is approximately 0.04mm 2 .
  • An aperture 159/169 is provided in each of the body parts 150/160 for receiving and retaining a sensing/measurement electrode 170 of the pH sensing component 140 therethrough.
  • Each aperture 159/169 extends transversely through the entire section of the body part 150/160. Referring also to figure 6, in the assembled state when the body parts 150/160 are coupled and the electrode 170 is inserted therethrough, a sensing surface or bulb 171 of the electrode 170 protrudes outside of the part 150 for exposure to the external rumen environment, and an opposing end 172 of the electrode 170 protrudes from the body part 160 to connect to electronics within the housing 110.
  • a voltage sensing element is electrically connected at one terminal to the end 172 of the sensing probe 170 and at the other terminal to the inner reference cell in cavity 154/164 to provide a voltage signal indicative of the pH sensed at the bulb 171 of the electrode 170.
  • the measurement electrode 170 is preferably a glass electrode 170 of any type as is known in the art of pH sensing.
  • the glass electrode is coupled to the wall 159a/169a of the aperture 159/169 by means of an adhesive or other alternative.
  • An annular seal/O-ring optionally also with glue is preferably provided between the glass electrode 170 and the wall of the aperture 159/169 for sealingly retaining the glass electrode therein.
  • a peripheral edge of the receptacle 152 of the first body part 150 comprises one or more grooves 158 for receiving and retaining one or more corresponding ribs 168 on a peripheral edge of the receptacle 162 of the second body part 160.
  • the one or more grooves 158 and corresponding ribs 168 are preferably continuous about the peripheral edges of the receptacles but may alternatively be discontinuous.
  • the one or more grooves 158 and ribs 168 also extend along the wall sections 153a/163a and the dividing wall 155/165 and about the peripheral edge of the probe aperture 159/169.
  • a single groove 158 and single rib 168 preferably extend continuously along this entire path.
  • any combination of one or more grooves 158 and one or more corresponding ribs 168 may extend either continuously or discontinuously along adjacent surfaces of the two body parts 150 and 160, which could include any combination of the receptacle peripheral edges, the wall sections, and/or the peripheral edge of the wall aperture.
  • the grooves may alternatively be located on part 160 or some on part 150 and some on part 160 and corresponding ribs may be located on part 150 or some on part 160 and some on part 150 respectively to achieve the required engagement.
  • the two parts 150 and 160 are preferably sealingly coupled to one another via ultrasonic welding.
  • the two parts 150 and 160 are formed from a LCP material.
  • the housing 150/160 of pH sensing component 140 is preferably integrated with the housing 110 of the bolus 100 as described above with reference to part 150.
  • the parts 150/160 are formed by injection moulding.
  • the two parts are preferably integrally coupled via ultrasonic welding as described above.
  • the bolus 100 comprises a retention mechanism 130 at the closed end 113 of the housing 110.
  • the retention mechanism 130 comprises a winged structure 131 having a pair of lateral wings 131a and 131b and a central sleeved base or sleeve 132 configured to (substantially sealingly) couple the end 113 of the housing 110 of the bolus 100.
  • the winged structure comprises a pair of substantially linear, linearly aligned, and flat wings extending laterally from either side of the sleeve 132/housing 110. The application has found this particular wing structure to be particularly useful for retention of the bolus within the rumen of a cow, and to prevent regurgitation of the bolus 100.
  • winged structures may be employed having any number, orientation and profile of wings as is necessary for the intended application.
  • the structure 130 is formed from a relatively flexible material, such as polypropylene, but alternatively from any other thermoplastic polymer, Nylon, Polyethylene or any other suitable alternative flexible material. This enables the wings to deform and flex as the bolus moves within the animal during ingestion and retention within the rumen.
  • the inner wall of the sleeve 132 and the outer wall of the housing 110 at end 113 preferably comprise complementary formations for coupling the sleeve 132 to the housing 110.
  • one or more ribs 115 are provided on outer wall of the housing 110 at end 113 for engaging one or more corresponding grooves 133 on the inner wall of the sleeve 132.
  • the outer wall of the housing is preferably also rounded at end 113 to complement the rounded inner wall profile of the sleeve 132.
  • An abutment or stop 116 is provided along the outer wall 112 of the housing 110 to engage the open end 134 of the sleeve 132 of the wing structure 130.
  • the housing 110, sleeve 132, and body parts 150 and 160 are all annular in profile. It will be appreciated that other external and/or internal shapes of any one or more of these components may be employed in alternative forms without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • a preferred application of the monitoring is for the monitoring of fermentation and/or process associated with the digestive efficiency of the animal.
  • the bolus 100 is preferably configured to be retained within an upper part of the rumen, such as the dorsal sac.
  • the bolus 100 is preferably shaped and sized to have an overall (assembled) density of substantially less than or equal to the density of water and/or substantially less than or equal to lg/cm 3 .
  • the bolus is light weight, preferably less than 100 grams, which along with buoyancy further assists it to be retained within the dorsal sac and not to fall through to the bottom of the rumen.
  • the bolus 100 may be sized and shaped to be retained within any other location of the rumen or stomach of an animal, including for example the ventral sac or reticulum.
  • the electronics 120 retained within the housing 110 comprise an electric circuit board 121 having coupled thereon any combination of one or more sensors, one or more power supplies, such as a battery 122, one or more processing units and associated memory components and/or one or more transmitters, receivers or transceivers.
  • the bolus 100 may further comprises any combination of one or more other components including but not limited to temperature, redox, pressure, conductivity, sodium, potassium, chloride and ammonium sensors.
  • the bolus 100 may send the data in raw format to a remote server which performs the processing and analysis of the data and/or an on-board processor in the bolus 100 may carry out such processing and transmit the derived parameters, or alternatively again the on-board processor may carry out some pre-processing before sending data to the server for further processing.
  • the bolus 100 communicates to the server through wireless telemetry.
  • the board 121 may be retained within the housing in any mechanical manner but is preferably coupled at one end to upstanding projections on an outer surface of part 160 of the pH sensing component 140 and at an opposing end to an orthogonal internal disc coupled to the inner periphery of the housing 110.
  • the bolus 110 comprises a transceiver for sending/receiving information relating to and from a remote station external of the animal.
  • the transceiver comprises an antenna for sending/receiving radiation of a predetermined frequency (such as 433MHz for example) to an associated transceiver of a remote station.
  • the antenna 180 is preferably configured to provide a substantially uniform signal across multiple planes (preferably 3 axes) to enable substantially uniform transmission regardless of the orientation of the device.
  • a two plane antenna 180 is provided within the housing at the end 121a of the circuit board 121.
  • the two plane antenna 180 comprises first and second substantially orthogonal components 181 and 182 respectively.
  • the first component 181 extends along the surface of the board 121 and the second component 182 extends along an orthogonal disc 123 retained within the housing.
  • the first components 181 comprises a pair of substantially linear legs 181a/b oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing 110 and the second component 182 comprises a substantially annular shape extending from the first leg 181a about the outer edge of the disc 123 and to the second leg 181.
  • the annular component 182 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 110.
  • the applicant has found this configuration of a two plane antenna 180 to provide a desired distribution/pattern of radiation during transmission for the rumen monitoring application.
  • Other transmitters/antenna configurations may be employed in alternative embodiments.

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un bolus pour la panse qui permet de surveiller l'état physiologique de la panse d'un ruminant, ledit bolus pour la panse pouvant comprendre un boîtier constitué d'un matériau polymère à cristaux liquides, un boîtier comportant une extrémité ouverte et un capuchon conçu pour se coupler à ladite extrémité ouverte et la fermer d'une manière sensiblement hermétique, un composant détecteur de pH comprenant un corps à base du même matériau et ne formant qu'un tout avec le boîtier, et/ou un émetteur/récepteur sans fil muni d'une antenne conçu pour fournir un rayonnement uniforme sur tous les axes d'émission/réception.
PCT/NZ2014/000116 2013-06-11 2014-06-11 Bolus pour la panse WO2014200365A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ61179713 2013-06-11
NZ611797 2013-06-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014200365A1 true WO2014200365A1 (fr) 2014-12-18

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WO (1) WO2014200365A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107242859A (zh) * 2017-07-11 2017-10-13 中国农业科学院农业信息研究所 一种电子药丸
WO2018201139A1 (fr) 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 Phase IV, Inc. Système d'antenne de bolus
CN110897614A (zh) * 2019-12-30 2020-03-24 光明牧业有限公司 一种多功能瘤胃监测装置
US11529310B2 (en) 2020-12-08 2022-12-20 Ruminant Biotech Corp Limited Devices and methods for delivery of substances to animals

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US20080236500A1 (en) * 2007-02-20 2008-10-02 Hodges Terry E Apparatus, system, and method for animal monitor
EP2438812A1 (fr) * 2009-06-19 2012-04-11 Incorporated National University Iwate University Dispositif de détection, et procédé de récupération et système de contrôle pour celui-ci
WO2012047150A1 (fr) * 2010-10-04 2012-04-12 Delaval Holding Ab Détermination in vivo de niveaux d'acidité
WO2012054085A2 (fr) * 2010-10-19 2012-04-26 Bella Technologies, Llc Système de surveillance d'un animal

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080236500A1 (en) * 2007-02-20 2008-10-02 Hodges Terry E Apparatus, system, and method for animal monitor
EP2438812A1 (fr) * 2009-06-19 2012-04-11 Incorporated National University Iwate University Dispositif de détection, et procédé de récupération et système de contrôle pour celui-ci
WO2012047150A1 (fr) * 2010-10-04 2012-04-12 Delaval Holding Ab Détermination in vivo de niveaux d'acidité
WO2012054085A2 (fr) * 2010-10-19 2012-04-26 Bella Technologies, Llc Système de surveillance d'un animal

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018201139A1 (fr) 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 Phase IV, Inc. Système d'antenne de bolus
CN110799099A (zh) * 2017-04-28 2020-02-14 费斯四工程部公司 药丸天线系统
EP3614921A4 (fr) * 2017-04-28 2020-12-09 Phase IV Engineering, Inc. Système d'antenne de bolus
CN110799099B (zh) * 2017-04-28 2022-09-20 费斯四工程部公司 药丸天线系统
CN107242859A (zh) * 2017-07-11 2017-10-13 中国农业科学院农业信息研究所 一种电子药丸
CN107242859B (zh) * 2017-07-11 2023-11-10 中国农业科学院农业信息研究所 一种电子药丸
CN110897614A (zh) * 2019-12-30 2020-03-24 光明牧业有限公司 一种多功能瘤胃监测装置
CN110897614B (zh) * 2019-12-30 2023-07-18 光明牧业有限公司 一种多功能瘤胃监测装置
US11529310B2 (en) 2020-12-08 2022-12-20 Ruminant Biotech Corp Limited Devices and methods for delivery of substances to animals

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