Claims
- 1. An apparatus capable of monitoring the ruminal pH of a ruminant comprising:
(a) a pH sensing means, which measures pH, functionally connected to (b) a means for producing a signal, corresponding to a measured pH; and (c) a signal collection and storage means; and/or (d) a signal transmitting means, wherein said apparatus is capable of being affixed to the ruminant and taking a plurality of ruminal pH measurements.
- 2. The apparatus of claim I comprising a signal transmitting means and further comprising a receiving station located outside of the ruminant and capable of receiving signals sent by the transmitting means.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the receiving station's location is independent of the ruminant's movement.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising: (a) an aspect external to the ruminant; (b) an indwelling aspect, and (c) an intermediate aspect functionally connecting the external and indwelling aspects.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the apparatus is capable of being fixedly attached externally to the ruminant.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the indwelling aspect comprises the pH sensing means and wherein the external aspect further comprises a housing attached to and protecting the:
(i) signal collection and storage means and/or (ii) signal transmitting means.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 6 which further comprises a cannula capable of providing an avenue through which the pH sensing means may be maintained in functional contact with the:
(i) signal collection and storage means and/or (ii) signal transmitting means.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the cannula is less than about 3 inches in diameter.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pH sensing means is capable of being maintained continuously within the rumen for at least 48 hours.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a signal transmitting means.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the signal transmitting means is capable of transmitting the signal to a location independent of the movement of the ruminant.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ruminant is a bovine.
- 13. A method for monitoring the ruminal pH of a ruminant, comprising:
(a) providing a pH sensing means to the rumen of the ruminant and measuring the pH of the rumen; (b) generating a signal representing the ruminal pH; and (c) providing said signal to:
(i) a signal collection and storage means and/or (ii) a signal transmitting means.
- 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the ruminant is bovine.
- 15. The method of claim 13 comprising fixedly attaching to the ruminant an apparatus comprising:
(a) a pH sensing means, which measures pH, functionally connected to (b) a means for producing a signal, corresponding to a measured pH; and (c) signal collection and storage means; and/or (d) signal transmitting means.
- 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the apparatus comprises an aspect external to the ruminant; an indwelling aspect, and an intermediate aspect functionally connecting the external and indwelling aspects.
- 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the apparatus is fixedly attached externally to the ruminant.
- 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the indwelling aspect of the apparatus comprises the pH sensing means and wherein the external aspect of the apparatus further comprises a housing attached to and protecting the:
(i) signal collection and storage means and/or (ii) signal transmitting means.
- 19. The method of claim 16 where the apparatus further comprises a cannula through which the pH sensing means is maintained in functional contact with the:
(i) signal collection and storage means and/or (ii) signal transmitting means.
- 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the cannula is less than about 3 inches in diameter.
- 21. The method of claim 15 wherein the pH sensing means is capable of being continuously maintained in the rumen for at least 48 hours.
- 22. The method of claim 13 comprising providing said signal to a signal transmitting means and further comprising transmitting said signal to a receiving station.
- 23. The method of claim 22 wherein said receiving station is:
(a) adapted to receive said signal during functional contact with said signal transmitting means, or (b) in a location which is independent of the movement of the ruminant.
- 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the receiving station comprises a computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA).
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/285,160 filed Apr. 20, 2001, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60285160 |
Apr 2001 |
US |