Vital signs monitoring system for animals

• US 7,196,628 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2001
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tom Hixson
• Original Assignee: Tom Hixson
• Inventors: Hixson, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/837,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20020154015A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,168 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/573.1, 340/539, 340/870.16, 340/870.17, 340/870.09, 128/899, 128/903
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/40 Animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A self powered monitoring device for monitoring an animal'"'"'s temperature and other vital signs. The device may be mounted in the animal'"'"'s ear, under the animals skin, or in any location which can be used to generate a reliable indication of the animals temperature and other vital signs. The temperature probe for the device is inserted subcutaneously and thermally and/or electrically connected to the housing of the device. Power for the device is provided by a miniature array of solar cells, the power from the solar cells being used to drive digital circuitry which processes signals from the various probes used to gather data concerning the animal'"'"'s vital signs. The size of the array is chosen to be commensurate with the number of vital signs monitored, with the amount of sunlight, density of herd, and other factors being considered to ensure sufficient power for the device.

Claims

1. An animal monitoring device comprising:

a display, said displaying capable of displaying one or more vital signs associated with the animal;

a keypad for effecting various device functions;

a solar cell array for providing power to the device, said power serving to operate circuitry for generating data corresponding to said vital signs;

wherein the size of said solar array is proportional to the number of functions said circuitry performs.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said display is illuminated when the animal'"'"'s temperature exceeds a predetermined limit.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein a transmitter powered by said solar cell array is activated when the animal'"'"'s temperature exceeds a predetermined limit.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein a G.P.S. transmitter/receiver is used to allow for determination of the position of the animal.