DETERMINING RESPIRATORY OR CIRCULATORY HEALTH CONDITION IN ANIMALS FOR IMPROVED MANAGEMENT

• US 20090318801A1
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J. T. Haynes
• Original Assignee: Micro Beef Technologies Ltd (MWI Veterinary Supply Incorporated)
• Inventors: Haynes, John T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,931,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/427
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/508 for non-human patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/08 Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings A61B8/02 - A61B8/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0858 involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4422 related to hygiene or sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/24 Weighing mechanism control arrangements for automatic feed or discharge
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 using a digital network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/922 including image analysis

Abstract

A method and system for managing at least one animal is disclosed. The method can include imaging, such as ultrasound imaging, a lung of a live animal, such as a ruminant animal or bovine animal. The imaging can be performed to determine a degree of respiratory damage from past respiratory illness. After imaging, information regarding respiratory damage can be used to select at least one aspect of the treatment, care or disposition of the animal. For example, the information can be used to select the amount or type of feed provided to the animal at a feedlot. The information also can be used to select how long the animal should be housed at the feedlot prior to slaughter. If an animal is diagnosed with a respiratory illness, information about its degree of respiratory damage from past respiratory illness also can be used to select the appropriate medical treatment or lack of treatment.

Claims

1. A method for managing at least one animal, comprising:

imaging at least one lung of a live animal at a feedlot to determine a degree of respiratory damage in the animal;

assigning the animal a respiratory damage designation corresponding to the animal'"'"'s degree of respiratory damage;

recording the respiratory damage designation in an electronic database;

associating the respiratory damage designation with a unique identifier for the animal in the electronic database; and

allowing a user to review the animal'"'"'s respiratory damage designation from a remote location.