Method and apparatus for indicating parturition

• US 4,936,316 A
• Filed: 08/03/1988
• Issued: 06/26/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Foalert, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonodyne America Limited
• Inventors: Jewett, Warren
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): LACYK, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US07/231,833
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 128/774, 128/775, 128/778, 128/788, 340/573
• US Class Current: 600/588
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 17/008 for detecting birth of animals, e.g. parturition alarm

Abstract

An animal birth detector is described comprising apparatus attached in the proximity of the animal'"'"'s vulva for detecting the birth of offspring by monitoring the swelling of the vulva during the period prior to and during delivery of the newborn. More specifically, the animal birth detector comprises a unitary device containing a transmitter attached to the skin proximate one side of the animal'"'"'s vulva, the transmitter utilizing a reed relay switch to sense the proximity of a permanent magnet located in the device. As the vulva dilates at time of delivery, the magnet is moved out of the magnetic field sensing area of the reed switch, turning on the transmitter whose transmissions are received by a receiver monitored by an attendant.

Claims

1. A device for detecting parturition in a female animal, which comprises an electrical circuit including:

a signal transmitter;

a source of electrical power for activating the signal transmitter;

and a switch means electrically connecting the signal transmitter to the power source;

said switch means for energizing and de-energizing the circuit, said transmitter being activated by energizing the circuit;

remote control means for operating said switch;

an enclosure means for the sealed containment of the transmitter with the power source, and the switch within a closed chamber;

said enclosure means including an open-ended bore having no communication with the chamber, for mounting therein the remote control means;

whereby said remote control means, the presence of which in a position within the bore, will maintain the switch in a de-energized circuit position and the absence of which from a position within the bore will maintain the switch in a circuit energizing position; and

means connected to the remote control means having one end extending externally from said device for removal of said remote control means from the bore by parturition.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the switch is a reed switch and the remote control means is a magnet.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the enclosure is moisture-proof.

4. A device of claim 1 wherein the mounting of the remote control means in the bore is by a sliding frictional fit.

5. A device of claim 1 wherein the power source is a replaceable dry cell.

6. A device of claim 1 wherein the means for removal of the remote control means comprises a thong.

7. A method of detecting parturition in a pregnant female animal, which comprises;

providing a device, which comprises an electrical circuit including;

a signal transmitter;

a source of electrical power for activating the signal transmitter;

and a switch means electrically connecting the signal transmitter to the power source;

said switch means for energizing and de-energizing the circuit, said transmitter being activated by energizing the circuit;

remote control means for operating said switch;

an enclosure means for the sealed containment of the transmitter with the power source, and the switch within a closed chamber;

said enclosure means including an open-ended bore having no communication with the chamber, for mounting therein the remote control means;

whereby said remote control means, the presence of which in a position within the bore, will maintain the switch in a de-energized circuit position and the absence of which from a position within the bore will maintain the switch in a circuit energizing position;

means connected to the remote control means having one end extending externally from said device for removal of said remote control means from the bore by parturition;

attaching said device on one side of the animal'"'"'s vulva;

attaching the one end of the means for removal on another side of the animal'"'"'s vulva;

whereby parturition will activate the means for removal to remove the remote control means from the mounting;

providing a radio receiver tuned to receive a signal from the signal transmitter; and

monitoring the radio receiver for receipt of said signal.