Animal exhalation monitoring
First Claim
1. Apparatus for collecting an exhalation sample from a ruminant animal comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- a flow path from the inlet to the outlet;
a device for introducing the sample into the apparatus and a device for expelling the sample from the apparatus;
wherein the device for introducing the sample into the apparatus includes a sensor for distinguishing between rumen gas and exhalation from the animal'"'"'s lungs; and
a device for facilitating flow of the sample into the apparatus, said flow facilitating device being operatively connected to said sensor whereby flow into the apparatus is facilitated when an exhalation from the animal'"'"'s lungs is detected, but not when an emission of rumen gas is detected.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and a method for monitoring animal exhalation, to provide an indication of the condition of an animal is disclosed. Apparatus for collection and temporary or permanent storage of animal exhalation sample is disclosed, together with apparatus for conditioning a sample prior to analysis. A method of conditioning a sample prior to analysis is also disclosed.
Use may be made of the above mentioned apparatus and method in the diagnosis of the condition of an animal. Conditions of interest include metabolic conditions of animals such as dairy cattle; these can be monitored by measuring analytes in the exhaled breath, emanations from the milk or both. Use may also be made of said apparatus and method in the detection of antibodies present in samples of blood, milk and mucus particulates in exhaled breath. It is preferred that the monitoring apparatus is portable.
24 Citations
24 Claims
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1. Apparatus for collecting an exhalation sample from a ruminant animal comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- a flow path from the inlet to the outlet;
a device for introducing the sample into the apparatus and a device for expelling the sample from the apparatus;
wherein the device for introducing the sample into the apparatus includes a sensor for distinguishing between rumen gas and exhalation from the animal'"'"'s lungs; and
a device for facilitating flow of the sample into the apparatus, said flow facilitating device being operatively connected to said sensor whereby flow into the apparatus is facilitated when an exhalation from the animal'"'"'s lungs is detected, but not when an emission of rumen gas is detected. - 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)
- a flow path from the inlet to the outlet;
Specification