Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for animal health monitoring

US6270462A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
8References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 3, 2000
Grant dateAug 7, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 3, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2503/40
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for automatically collecting a sample of cow's breath. The apparatus comprises an inlet (5) in an animal stall, e.g. a cattle stall, which is connected to collecting or analysing apparatus. A sensor (16) is provided for sensing a flow of breath into the apparatus. A food incentive is automatically dispensed when the sensor is activated, thereby inducing the animal to provide a breath sample. A method for training an animal to use the apparatus is also described, comprising the distribution of food incentives in the locality of the apparatus at random time intervals, together with the gradual increasing of the length and/or strength of exhalation necessary to result in the dispensing of food incentive.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.