Remote physiological monitoring with the reticulum of livestock
First Claim
1. A device for monitoring at least one physiological parameter from within the stomach of ruminant animals comprising:
- a) a sensor component for obtaining physiological data and providing the data in a form accessible from an external location by radio frequency communication;
b) a weight component of a size and shape for introduction to the stomach of a ruminant animal, the weight component comprising a cow magnet; and
c) a cord connecting the sensor component and the weight component to each other;
d) so that as the weight component settles to a location in the stomach the cord tethers the sensor component to float in spaced relation to the weight component.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring physiological parameters within the stomachs of ruminant animals and including two primary interdependent components. Both components are linked by radio frequency communication and software designed specifically for this application. The first component is a sensing transceiver, battery power and electric components hereafter referred to as the device that is tethered by a cord to a weight in the form of a conventional cow magnet. The second component includes both stationary and portable readers/transmitters capable of initiating radio frequency communication with the device(s) for receiving data from them and sending data to them. Software residing in both components utilizes digitized data and operating commands for transmission between the components, for storing selected data and program commands and manipulating the data for viewing, hearing and related analysis.
74 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for monitoring at least one physiological parameter from within the stomach of ruminant animals comprising:
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a) a sensor component for obtaining physiological data and providing the data in a form accessible from an external location by radio frequency communication; b) a weight component of a size and shape for introduction to the stomach of a ruminant animal, the weight component comprising a cow magnet; and c) a cord connecting the sensor component and the weight component to each other; d) so that as the weight component settles to a location in the stomach the cord tethers the sensor component to float in spaced relation to the weight component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for monitoring at least one physiological parameter within the stomach of at least one ruminant animal comprising:
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a) a device for introduction into the stomach of the animal and comprising a sensor for obtaining physiological data and providing the data in a form accessible by radio frequency communication, a weight component of a size and shape for introduction to the stomach of the animal and for settling by gravity to a low region of the stomach, the weight component comprising a cow magnet, and a cord tethering the sensor to the weight component; and b) a radio frequency communication device located external to the animal for communicating with the device to obtain the physiological data. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for monitoring at least one physiological parameter within the stomach of at least one ruminant animal comprising:
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a) introducing into the stomach of the animal a device comprising a sensor for obtaining physiological data and providing the data in a form accessible by radio frequency communication and a weight of a size and shape for introduction to the stomach of the animal and for settling by gravity to a low region of the stomach, the weight comprising a cow magnet, and a cord tethering the weight to the sensor; and b) accessing data from the sensor externally of the animal utilizing a radio frequency communication device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for monitoring at least one physiological parameter within the stomach of at least one ruminant animal comprising:
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a) introducing into the stomach of the animal a device comprising a sensor for obtaining physiological data and providing the data in a form accessible by radio frequency communication and a weight of a size and shape for introduction to the stomach of the animal and for settling by gravity to a low region of the stomach and a cord tethering the weight to the sensor; b) the device being introduced to the stomach of the animal by restraining the animal, placing the device in a jell capsule, and discharging the encapsulated device into the upper esophagus of the animal using a balling gun inserted in the back of the animal'"'"'s mouth; and c) accessing data from the sensor externally of the animal utilizing a radio frequency communication device.
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Specification