Apparatus and method for detection of estrus and/or non-pregnancy
First Claim
1. An apparatus, useful for monitoring the estrus-state and/or non-pregnancy of a tailed mammal, comprising:
- (a) a housing, suitable for being maintained within the vagina of said tailed mammal for at least about 48 hours and having interior space suitable for installation of one or more means for monitoring, intra-vaginally, at least one physiological parameter(s) indicative of said estrus-state;
(b) monitoring means, suitable for being disposed within said interior space, for;
(i) measuring each of said parameters, and (ii) converting the resulting measurements into one or more signals representing each of said parameters;
(c) means for transmitting said signal(s) to a receiving station located outside the mammal and capable of receiving and interpreting said signal(s) to indicate whether the mammal is in estrus, and (d) a relatively inflexible arm connecting said housing with said transmitting means such that, when the housing is within the mammal'"'"'s vagina, said transmitting means is capable of being substantially external and proximal to the mammal'"'"'s body.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to devices for detection estrus-state and/or non-pregnancy in mammals and methods for using the same. The device and/or methods may be of particular use in cattle. The devices disclosed include at least a housing of a size, shape, and outer surface quality permitting it to be securely maintained within a mammals vagina. The housing has at least one interior space for installation of instrument(s) for measuring, intra-vaginally, at least on indicia of estrus (heat) or non-pregnancy, converting the resulting measurement into a signal or signals (electronic or otherwise). The device also comprises a signal transmitting means and, optionally, a remote receiving station capable of interpreting the signal(s).
68 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. An apparatus, useful for monitoring the estrus-state and/or non-pregnancy of a tailed mammal, comprising:
-
(a) a housing, suitable for being maintained within the vagina of said tailed mammal for at least about 48 hours and having interior space suitable for installation of one or more means for monitoring, intra-vaginally, at least one physiological parameter(s) indicative of said estrus-state;
(b) monitoring means, suitable for being disposed within said interior space, for;
(i) measuring each of said parameters, and (ii) converting the resulting measurements into one or more signals representing each of said parameters;
(c) means for transmitting said signal(s) to a receiving station located outside the mammal and capable of receiving and interpreting said signal(s) to indicate whether the mammal is in estrus, and (d) a relatively inflexible arm connecting said housing with said transmitting means such that, when the housing is within the mammal'"'"'s vagina, said transmitting means is capable of being substantially external and proximal to the mammal'"'"'s body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method for determining the optimal time for breeding a tailed mammal to achieve pregnancy, the method comprising:
-
(a) disposing within a tailed mammal'"'"'s vagina an apparatus comprising;
i. a housing sized for residence within the mammal'"'"'s vagina, and having a space to accommodate installation of one or more physiological-parameter sensors;
ii. one or more physiological-parameter sensors, disposed within said housing, each capable of measuring said parameter(s) and converting said measurement(s) into one or more signals representing each of said parameters;
iii. a transmitting means for transmitting said signal(s) to a receiving station capable of receiving and interpreting said signal(s) and iv a relatively inflexible arm connecting said housing with said transmitting means such that, when the housing is within the mammal'"'"'s vagina, said transmitting means is capable of being substantially external and proximal to the mammal'"'"'s body;
(b) measuring one or more physiological parameters and transmitting one or more signals representing said measurements to a receiving station;
(c) interpreting the transmitted signal(s) to provide measured data regarding the physiological parameter;
(d) comparing said measured data to a set of reference data; and
(e) selecting a time to breed the mammal, based on the data comparison. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
-
Specification