Microfield interface device for monitoring animal cage environments

• US 20040217858A1
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Hahn, David Worthington, Ingley, Herbert Arthur III, Battles, August Henry
• Granted Patent: US 6,998,980 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.26
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

An automatic animal cage monitoring system includes at least one sensor disposed proximate to a cage for detecting conditions within the cage. The sensor data is transmitted by a wireless transmitter system to at least one remotely located device. The system can simultaneously monitor a plurality of cages. A method for remotely monitoring the conditions associated with an animal within a cage includes the step of obtaining sensor data based on at least one condition within the cage and wirelessly transmitting the sensor data to at least one remote location.

Claims

1. An animal cage monitoring system, comprising:

at least one sensor disposed proximate to a cage for detecting conditions within said cage and providing sensor data, and

a wireless transmitter system communicably connected to said sensor for wirelessly transmitting said sensor data to at least one remotely located device.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless transmitter system comprises a wireless transceiver system, said transceiver system adapted for receiving data from a remotely located wireless communications source.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said conditions include at least one of carbon dioxide concentration, ammonia concentration, rate of air flow into said cage, rate of air flow emanating from said cage, temperature within said cage, and humidity within said cage.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least identification element for identifying said cage or an animal in said cage.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said identification element includes an audible element or an illumination source.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising structure communicably coupled to said sensor for delivering sustenance materials for consumption of an animal in said cage based on said detected conditions.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one data repository coupled to said sensor for storing records of said sensor data.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one alarm member, wherein said alarm activates upon the detection of conditions outside a predetermined range.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said remotely located device includes a handheld computing device or a central computing device.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one communication port.

11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising mounting structure for securing said monitoring system to said cage.

12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging system for obtaining images within said cage.

13. A method for remotely monitoring conditions associated with an animal within a cage, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining sensor data based on at least one condition within said cage; and

wirelessly transmitting said sensor data to at least one remote location.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of initiating caring for the animal based on said sensor data.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of changing cage bedding based on said sensor data.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of storing said sensor data.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of identifying at least one of the animal and the cage.