Apparatus for the delivery to an animal of a beneficial agent
First Claim
1. Apparatus for determining a level of pain experienced by an animal, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) at least one motion sensor for sensing motion of the animal, each of said motion sensors having an output, said motion sensor output being divided into a frequency and an amplitude component for separate analysis thereof by a control unit;
(b) the control unit operatively connected to the output of each motion sensor, the control unit being capable of generating a trigger signal when the output of the motion sensor exceeds a predetermined level, said trigger signal being representative of the level of pain experienced by the animal;
wherein said apparatus further includes a dispensing means operatively connected to the trigger signal of the control unit, the dispensing means causing a beneficial agent to be discharged from a storage chamber into the animal upon reception of the trigger signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for the automatic delivery to an animal of a beneficial agent such as analgesia by infusion with the pain of the animal being taken into account when determining the rate of dispensing the agent. As the pain experienced by an animal and therefore its distress is manifested in increased agitation, the apparatus includes elements for the measurement of the frequency and amplitude of an animal'"'"'s movement and the generation of a trigger signal when the either the frequency or the amplitude exceeds a predetermined threshold. The trigger can be used to generate a visual or audible alarm. The apparatus also preferably includes a dispensing means for delivering doses of beneficial agent to the animal in response to the trigger signal. The apparatus serves primarily to reduce the post-operative distress experienced by an animal by providing for timely administration of analgesic compounds. The apparatus also aids the animal care-giver by reducing the amount of time spent assessing the animal and administering beneficial compounds.
140 Citations
22 Claims
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1. Apparatus for determining a level of pain experienced by an animal, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) at least one motion sensor for sensing motion of the animal, each of said motion sensors having an output, said motion sensor output being divided into a frequency and an amplitude component for separate analysis thereof by a control unit;
(b) the control unit operatively connected to the output of each motion sensor, the control unit being capable of generating a trigger signal when the output of the motion sensor exceeds a predetermined level, said trigger signal being representative of the level of pain experienced by the animal;
wherein said apparatus further includes a dispensing means operatively connected to the trigger signal of the control unit, the dispensing means causing a beneficial agent to be discharged from a storage chamber into the animal upon reception of the trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. Apparatus for determining a level of pain experienced by an animal, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) at least one motion sensor for sensing motion of the animal, each of said motion sensors having an output;
(b) a control unit operatively connected to the output of each motion sensor, the control unit being capable of generating a trigger signal when the output of the motion sensor exceeds a predetermined level, said trigger signal being representative of the level of pain experienced by the animal;
wherein the motion sensor consists of a metabolic cage for housing the animal and wherein the motion sensor consists of a motion platform placed in the metabolic cage, the metabolic cage being of dimensions which prevent the animal from turning around while allowing the animal to stand or lie down; and
wherein said apparatus further includes a dispensing means operatively connected to the trigger signal of the control unit, the dispensing means causing a beneficial agent to be discharged from a storage chamber into the animal upon reception of the trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification