APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR ANIMAL MONITOR
First Claim
1. A monitor of sufficient density to be retained in the reticulorumen of a ruminant animal, the monitor comprising;
- a housing of non-ferrous, non-magnetic material and having a body comprising first and second portions;
the first portion supporting at least two physiological sensors including a pH sensor;
the second portion supporting electrical components including an identification module, an antenna, a transmitter, and a weighted power source;
at least one conducting surface on the first portion and at least one conducting surface on the second portion, the conducting surfaces configured to mutually interface when the first and second portions are joined together in a coupled configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method enable monitoring of one or more physiological conditions in an animal including pH. A monitor may take the form of a bolus that may be installed in a stomach of an animal such as in a reticulorumen of a ruminant animal. The monitor may include sensors for detecting one or more of the pH, temperature, pressure, and position. The monitor includes a power source and electronics for processing, storing, and transmitting signals representing the physiological conditions detected by the sensor(s). The monitor may include first and second portions that are releasably joined, and that may support respective components for ease of assembly during manufacture and servicing. The monitor may form part of a system having a receiver for receiving and interpreting the signals from the monitor. The method includes installing the monitor in an animal and monitoring the animal by detecting physiological characteristics.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A monitor of sufficient density to be retained in the reticulorumen of a ruminant animal, the monitor comprising;
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a housing of non-ferrous, non-magnetic material and having a body comprising first and second portions; the first portion supporting at least two physiological sensors including a pH sensor; the second portion supporting electrical components including an identification module, an antenna, a transmitter, and a weighted power source; at least one conducting surface on the first portion and at least one conducting surface on the second portion, the conducting surfaces configured to mutually interface when the first and second portions are joined together in a coupled configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for monitoring the identity, location, and physiological condition of a ruminant animal, the system comprising:
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a regurgitation-resistant, non-magnetic monitor having a first portion and a second portion; the first portion comprising electronic and sensing components; the electronic components comprising an identification device; the sensing components comprising a pH sensor; the second portion comprising a weighted power source; the monitor further comprising a logic chip configured to compare a sensor reading to a pre-programmed standard; the monitor further comprising a transmitter; the system further comprising a receiver; and the system further comprising a data recorder. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for monitoring the identity, location, and physiological condition of a ruminant animal, the method comprising:
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providing a regurgitation-resistant, non-magnetic animal monitor configured to communicate animal identity and to sense and communicate at least one physiological condition including a pH of contents in the reticulorumen of an animal; providing a receiver configured to recognize and interpret signals representing one or more of the identity and pH; and reading the signals from the monitor with the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification