Patent Application
20240156056
The present invention relates to applicators and data collection.
In particular, though not solely, the present invention is directed to applicators for animal husbandry and collection of data from them.
There is a desire in animal husbandry to capture data about the animal and any and all treatments and experiences the animal has undergone. At a basic level this extends from the time it was born, and the lineage of its parents.
However, increasingly this data capture occurs at every step of an animal's life, its regular weigh ins, food consumed (including what, when and from where), locations it has been (what farm, where, and for how long, what paddock etc), and medications applied.
This data forms part of a bigger information picture for farmers and the like, from herd weights, to energy use on farm, water usage and location, and herd yields for example.
One challenge to date is also ensuring when a medication or the like is applied to an animal, that the correct amount is applied, in the correct way, and to the correct animal.
There can be undesirable consequences in the instance where an incorrect amount is applied, for example too much as the dose is too high for that animal weight, or too little for that animal weight, or the full dose is not applied, for example application is initiated before animal contact, or the applicator is withdrawn from the animal before the full dose applied. In these situations the medication delivered, if too high may injure the animal, or make its products unsafe for consumption, or if too low may not properly protect the animal and make it vulnerable to disease, or similar affliction.
Likewise if the correct amount is applied, but incorrectly, then this may harm the animal, cause it undue stress, and again may result in under or overdosing of the animal with unintended and or undesirable consequences.
Further, specific medications may need to be applied to certain animals, and not others, or a specific amount applied based on weight. Identifying the correct animal and then correctly dosing it ensures the animal is protected or treated to the correct level, not under, or over dosed.
Previously there was not this focus on such precision farming. Herds were dosed with an average dose, whether they needed it or not, and whether they were over or under the target weight for that average dose. This led to over and underdosing the herd, even if on the whole, or average the dose received the correct amount. Further such application may result in overuse of a medication where it is not needed and thus cost which could be avoided. Alternatively, if too little is applied then medication may be left over which may not be able to be returned, or used at a later date, again causing cost that could otherwise be avoided.
Where such data was recorded, if at all, it was done manually, either by hand into a notebook, or into a laptop or similar. Such recording was reliant on the correct entry, matching to the animal etc, and correct and up to date data being available to make the dosing decision on. Such manual entry was open to errors of entry at the time, or at the later date into a database (for example at the conclusion of dosing) and also required additional users, time, and therefore cost. If the task became too onerous or time costly then it would not be done, or slowly fall from practice as there is only so much farming margin that can be tolerated being reduced, or only such much time a single farmer has to do all the tasks necessary to run a successful farm.
There are therefore short comings in the industry that need to be addressed which can save time, cost to the farmer and trauma to the animals.
Such benefits can be derived on all stock and cattle animals such as, but not limited to cows, sheep, swine, goats, alpaca, fowl and other birds. The benefits can extend over many product lines including, but not limited to milk, meat and hides.
In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved applicator and data acquisition therefrom, or to provide an improved applicator that provides data on any one of more of the dose delivered, quality of application, or animal delivered to, or to overcome any one or more of the above shortcomings or address the above desiderata, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
An applicator of a treatment for an animal according to the present invention includes the features as described herein.
The applicator is suitable to apply a dose of the treatment and therefore is also indicated here below as “dose applicator”.
The applicator comprises a chamber including the treatment/medicament to be applied.
The chamber is for instance a barrel. The chamber may include a quantity of fluid suitable to apply a plurality of treatments to different animals.
The applicator includes means movable in the chamber. Movement of the means serves to eject the treatment outside the chamber (and ultimately outside the applicator) towards the animal. The movable means is for instance a piston. Delivery of one dose of the treatment is made by moving the piston in a predetermined volume/stroke inside the chamber.
The applicator includes actuating means to actuate the movable means (the piston). The actuating means includes preferably a handle, functionally connected to the movable means. Each actuation of the handle may deliver one dose.
According to the present invention, a control module is coupled to the chamber, outside the chamber. The control module implements or contributes to implement, among other, the function of sensing (detecting) how much fluid is delivered (ejected) outside the chamber, when the actuating means are actuated. Therefore, the control module is also indicated in the present application as “dose applicator sensor”.
The control module includes a memory, a radio module, a battery and a processor unit.
The control module further includes a sensor or multiple sensors.
Hereafter the sensor may be also indicated with first sensor, first sensor unit or sensor unit, in general. These wordings (sensor, first sensor, first sensor unit or sensor unit) are not limiting on the number of sensors including in first sensor, first sensor unit or sensor unit. These wordings (sensor first sensor, first sensor unit or sensor unit) are used to for distinguishing the first sensor, first sensor unit or sensor unit with respect to other sensors, in particular with respect to a needle sensor.
The sensor unit is adapted to measure a signal proportional to the movement of the movable means in the chamber, when the movable means are actuated through the actuating means before releasing. The movement of the movable means is for instance the stroke of the piston in the chamber. The signal is used to indirectly measure the length of the movement made by the piston when the actuated means are actuated. A volume of treatment/medicament ejected is calculated based on the length measured, for instance the stroke of the piston.
For easy of explanation, it is also said in the description below that the sensor unit is adapted to measure the length of the movement of the movable means (piston) in the chamber, when the movable means are actuated through the actuating means, although the length is indirectly measured by means of the signal detected by the sensor unit.
The control module also includes communication means for communicating with an external device. The communication means includes preferably a Bluetooth module. The external device is preferably a smartphone or a rugged device.
The communication means are configured to transmit to the external device information concerning or suitable for determining a quantity of the treatment ejected outside the chamber.
In particular, according to different embodiments, the quantity of the treatment ejected outside the chamber (dose volume) can be calculated:
More in particular, in said embodiment a), the memory and the processor of the control module are configured to store information on the chamber to which the control module is coupled (such as the size of the chamber) and the processor of the control module calculates the quantity of the treatment ejected outside the chamber (dose volume) based on the length of the movement of the piston and on the information of the chamber.
In the embodiment b) the control module is configured to receive information on the chamber (such as the size of the chamber) from the external device and is further configured to calculate the quantity of the treatment ejected outside the chamber based on the length of the movement of the piston and on the information on the chamber 28 received from the external device.
In the embodiment c), the control module is configured to transmit the length of movement of the piston to the external device, so as the quantity of the treatment ejected outside the chamber based on the length of the movement of the piston is calculated in the external device, based on information of the chamber stored in the external device, the information including the size of the chamber.
In one aspect of the disclosure, the control module transmits a signal proportional to or representative of the length movement of the piston to the external module (i.e. without calculating the length of the movement) and also the length of the movement is calculated in the external device.
In another aspect, which may be combined to other aspects of the present disclosure, the information on the chamber, including its size, are determined by the external device, based on a model series of the applicator, which is read by means of a tag reader.
The tag reader reads a tag attached to the applicator, the tag storing information on the model series and/or directly the size of the chamber. The tag reader is in radio communication with the external device. For instance, the tag reader is connected via Bluetooth module with the external device.
The communication means of the control module are configured to transmit to the external device further information, concerning at least one among the following:
The start time is detected when the sensor unit starts sensing a movement of the piston, in particular in one direction, corresponding to the direction for ejecting fluid. The end time is detected when the sensor unit stops sensing a movement of the piston, in particular towards the direction for ejecting fluid.
An adapter is provided to mount the control module on the applicator.
The adapted is suitable to couple (with a shape or other means) of the applicator. A known applicator, not manufactured to support or include the control module, may be adapted by means of the adapter to support the control module. A plurality of (different) adapters may be provided to couple to a plurality of (different) applicators. The plurality of adapters may be suitable to couple with a same (type of) control module, for instance with a shape coupling or other means of the control module and the adapted.
The (coupling) mounting is preferably not removable. More preferably, at least one part of the applicator, the control module or the control module is adapted to be broken (or removed by the means of special tools), if the adapted or the control module is dismounted, respectively, from the applicator or the adapter. The broken part prevents from using the control module with another adapter or applicator. However, electric part of the control module which is no more usable may be recycled.
In particular, the adapter include means to engage the adapter to the applicator and means to engage the adapter to the control module and coupling the control module to the chamber, in position suitable to sense movement of the piston in the chamber. The engagement of the adapter with the applicator and/or the engagement of the adapter with the control module is breakable. In an aspect, the engagement is removable only by means of special tools.
The applicator may be suitable to apply treatment in different ways, as specified in the following description, including treatment by injection.
For instance, in case of treatment for injection, the control module may be further configured to control correct insertion of a needle of the applicator inside the animal and to control the ratio of fluid ejected from the applicator (chamber) when the needle is correctly inserted.
This further control prevents from considering an injection properly applied to the animal if the amount of fluid ejected from the applicator is a normal dose range and part of the fluid ejected has not been delivered correctly to the animal, due to an inappropriate insertion of the needle or due to the fact that the insertion of the needle was correct but for an insufficient time for delivery a complete dose. Moreover, part of the fluid ejected may be not delivered correctly because the penetration depth of the needle was insufficient.
For instance, according to this aspect, the applicator includes a profile surrounding the needle to prevent contacts of the needle with other objects or bodies at rest.
The profile is retractable with respect to the needle to allow insertion of the needle in the animal's body under a pressure applied by the operator on the profile when it is put in contact with the animal skin. The profile is also said in the following description “needle guard”.
For a correct insertion of the needle in the animal body, the pressure has to be sufficient to move the needle guard from the position at rest to an operative position, the position at rest and the operative position having a predetermined distance, which is known in advance.
In the operative position, the needle guard is retracted from the needle tip of a measure X and the needle tip is entered in the animal at a corresponding depth X, where the injection may be effectively applied.
According to the present disclosure, the control module includes a needle sensor unit adapted to measure a movement of the guard with respect to the needle. As indicated above in connection with the first sensor unit, also the needle sensor unit may detect a signal. By means of the signal detected, a length of the movement of the needle guard may be calculated. Technical details on the first sensor unit and the needle sensor unit, and the way they sense the signal, are provided in the detailed description.
The wireless communication means of the control module are configured to transmit to the external device information concerning or suitable for determining if the operative position is reached.
More particularly, it is checked how long the operative position has been kept while making the injection. This information (duration of injection in the correct position) is compared with the duration of the ejection of fluid outside the chamber.
In order to apply correctly the treatment/medicament the following condition have to apply:
1) the dose ejection/injection has to start only when the needle guard is completely retracted (the needle guard has to be in the operative positon) and
For instance, for a correct dose application, the following timing should be detected:
More particularity, the dose has to be injected between Tb and Te.
It is therefore the movement of the piston between Tb and Te which gives information on whether or not a full dose has been delivered to the animal.
Movement of the piston before Tb or after Te, instead, gives information on quantity of liquid lost (since ejected from the chamber but not correctly injected into the animal).
The technical problem mentioned above is also solved by a method according to the present invention for controlling correct application of a treatment to an animal.
The method includes a communication between a control module of an applicator of the type described above and an external device, such as a smartphone or rugged device.
The communication is based on a radio communication protocol, for example Bluetooth.
The method comprises the following steps:
The control module, once initialized, can work with or without the external device. If the external device is present, the data can be exchanged between control module and external device. If the external device is not present, the control unit stores all session data in the memory and upload them once the external device gets connected (off-line mode operation).
The step of measuring the length of movement may be made indirectly by measuring a signal which is proportional to the movement made by the movable means (piston) in the chamber, by means of the sensor unit.
In an embodiment a) of the method, the control module stores information on the chamber of the applicator to which the control module is coupled, including a size of the chamber, and the processor calculates the quantity of the treatment ejected outside the chamber based on the length of the movement of the piston and on the information of the chamber. In this embodiment, the control module is programmed in factory with information of the applicator.
In an embodiment b) of the method, the control module receives information on the chamber from the external device, including a size of the chamber, and calculates the quantity of the treatment ejected outside the chamber based on the length of the movement of the piston and on said information on the chamber received from the external device.
In an embodiment c) of the method, the control module transmits the length of movement of the piston to the external device, and the external device calculates the quantity of the treatment ejected outside the chamber based on the length of the movement of the piston and on information of the chamber stored in the external device, the information including a size of the chamber.
In an aspect of the disclosure, external device is suitable to detect a type or model of applicator.
For instance, the applicator includes a tag identifying, among other, a model of the applicator, wherein the information of the chamber is associated to the model of the applicator, and the external device includes a tag reader, wherein the tag reader reads the tag and retrieves information on the chamber, including its size, from the tag of the applicator.
The tag reader of the external device may further read a RFID tag on the animal.
The RFID tag on the animal is used to electronically identify the animal.
Accordingly, the step of determining whether the treatment has not been applied correctly includes comparing the quantity of the treatment which has been ejected from the applicator with respect to the quantity necessary to correctly treat the animal, considered the information on the animal.
The invention also covers a control module which is applicable to an applicator of a treatment for an animal.
Hereafter, several aspects and embodiments are disclosed, along with particulars of the features already introduced above.
A dosing applicator sensor is provided to sense a dose of medication applied to at least one subject animal by the dose applicator.
The dosing applicator sensor is made of a sensing unit. The sensing unit comprises at least one sensor (first sensor or first sensor unit or sensor unit). The sensing unit is also referred by the term control module.
The sensing unit is connectable to the dose applicator.
More preferably, the sensing unit is configured to be applied to a prior art applicator, for instance by means of an adapter but once applied, remain fixed to the applicator or, when removed, is no more usable with another applicator, for instance due to rupture of a part thereof.
In other embodiments, the sensing unit is removable.
The sensing unit includes a first sensor (sensor unit) adapted to non-contactingly sense an amount of movement of a piston of the dose applicator.
The piston includes an element moving therewith, which is adapted to be sensed by the first sensor unit. The first sensor unit senses the movement of the piston from a first position to or towards a second position dispensing the dose of the medication to, and out, an applicator end of the dose applicator. The first sensor unit outputs a position signal which is proportional to the movement of the piston. For instance, the position signal is proportional to a length of the movement of the piston in an axial direction, also said “length of the movement”.
The sensing unit includes a power source, and—an onboard memory.
In one embodiment, the memory stores position data for each position signal of the dose applied to the at least one subject animal. Position data includes the position of the piston in the chamber.
The memory store a time stamp data for the dose applied to the at least one animal. Time stamp data includes the time when the treatment (one dose) is started and the time when the treatment is ended.
The sensor unit may store or retrieve at least one information or characteristic of the dose applicator. The information includes for instance the size of the chamber or barrel of the applicator.
When combined with the position signal or position data (position of the piston in the chamber), the at least one characteristic of the dose applicator allows a determination of whether a full dose or part dose was dispensed, such that the amount of medication applied to each said at least one subject animal is known or can be calculated, and whether that dose was successful, or not, given the identity of that at least one animal.
Preferably the dose applicator applies the medication subcutaneously, topically, orally, nasally, by implantation into an orifice of the at least one subject animal (eg a bolus into the mouth).
Preferably the sensing unit is removably connectable to the dose applicator via a complimentary fitting or adaptor between the sensing unit and the dose applicator.
Preferably the complimentary fitting can be secured such that the sensing unit cannot be removed.
Preferably the non-contactingly sensing of the first sensor unit is any one or more of: Magnetic, optical, or capacitive sensing.
Preferably if the non-contactingly sensing of the first applicator is magnetic, the piston, or part thereof, or connected thereto has a magnetic element for the first sensor unit to sense movement of.
In one embodiment of the disclosure, a second sensor of the sensing unit can in addition sense an identity or attribute of the dose applicator, user, application location, and or medication type, dose and volume to be applied.
However, preferably, according to the present invention, such second sensor is not provided in the sensor unit and attributes of the applicator (such as the size of the chamber), to which the sensor unit is destined to be applied, are stored at the factory in the memory of the sensor unit.
Accordingly, based on the movement of the piston and on the attributes of the applicator, such as the size of the chamber where the piston moves, a quantity of treatment delivered may be calculated in the second unit.
Preferably the first sensor and the second sensor (if provided) sense, and the onboard memory stores data derived from the first and second sensor.
Preferably the position data stores the amount of movement of the piston for that dose applied, or at least whether the amount of movement of the piston was sufficient to deliver the correct dose amount for a successful dose.
Preferably the correct dose amount for a successful dose will depend on the unique identity of attribute of the at least one subject animal and may lie between a minimum dose volume and a maximum dose volume.
According an aspect, the unique identity or attribute of the at least one subject animal is detected by the external device, for instance by means of a communication with a RFID reader device adapted to read the unique identity or attribute of the animal from a tag applied to the animal, such as on an ear.
Alternatively, the dose applicator is adjusted, or otherwise adapted such that a successful dose volume is the full volume the dose adapter can deliver, whether that full volume is adjusted per subject animal, or for a group of subject animals.
Preferably the position data stores the amount of medication that is applied in that dose based on the at least one characteristic (information, such as the size of the chamber).
Preferably the volume of the dose applied, or data to calculate that volume, to that at least one subject animal is stored along with the unique identity or attribute of at least the at least one subject animal the dose is, or is to be, applied to. According to an aspect, the volume is stored in the external device, or retrieved by the external device by means of a communication with the RFID reader device adapted to read the unique identity or attribute and the volume of treatment to be applied, from the tag applied to the animal.
Preferably the time stamp data is an actual time, date or is a code that can be synchronised to determine the time and/or date of the dose(s).
Preferably the at least one characteristic is a unique identifier of the dose applicator, area, diameter or radius of the piston, or volume the piston displaces in a full stroke from the first position to the second position.
The at least one characteristic is retrieved from information on the applicator. The information is for instance a size of the chamber, an area, diameter or radius of the piston, or volume the piston displaces in a full stroke from the first position to the second position, during delivery of a dose.
Preferably the at least one subject animal may be a group of subject animals, and it is only necessary to identify the group of subject animals, rather than an individual subject animal.
Preferably there is a third sensor, the needle sensor unit, to sense whether there has been suitable contact with the at least one subject animal.
Preferably the suitable contact may be time dependent, pressure on, or displacement of, or any combination thereof of a component of the dose applicator.
Preferably the suitable contact may be sensing whether an application portion at the applicator end has moved the correct distance and/or time. The application portion may be a profile surrounding the needle.
Preferably the application portion is a sheath (or profile).
Preferably the sheath covers and uncovers a needle at the applicator end and whether the sheath has been displaced enough (whether time or distance) for correct depth insertion of the needle.
Preferably the second sensor, when provided, may be an RFID sensor, optical code sensor or similar Preferably the sensing unit, has, or is connected, or connectable to a transceiver to transmit the at least the first data piece and receive other application data.
Preferably the on-board memory from time to time, in real time, or when instructed, transmits the data stored therein via the transceiver.
Preferably the transceiver transmits the first data piece in real time, or once dosing of the at least one animal, or group of animals is complete.
Preferably a successful dose is classed as one that includes any one of more of the following attributes: a dose volume at the specified level, or at least greater than a minimum dose volume and less than a maximum dose volume, sufficient contact time with the animal, or movement of a subject animal contact portion.
Preferably at least the first sensor unit contains an array of magnetic field sensors each set a known distance apart from each other to sense the magnetic element when in proximity of the magnetic field sensors.
Preferably the signal strength from a particular magnetic field sensor is proportional to the distance the magnetic element is from that magnetic field sensor.
Preferably the sign of the signal from each magnetic field sensor is dependent on which side of a centre line, perpendicular to a line of movement of the magnetic element, of that magnetic field sensor the magnetic element is on.
Preferably the array is linear.
Preferably the position of the magnetic element between two adjacent magnetic field sensors is calculated by comparing the signal strength between the two adjacent magnetic fields sensors and multiplying that comparison by the distance between them. The signal strength of one magnetic field sensor is at a peak value when the magnetic element is precisely in front of (aligned with) the magnetic field sensor, at a minimum distance therefrom. Therefore, when the signal strength is less that the peak value, it means that the magnetic element is distancing from said one magnetic field sensor (after reaching its peak value). When distancing from said sensor, the magnetic element approaches to the other magnetic field sensor and the signal strength thereof (of the other sensors) increases up to the peak value, when the magnetic element is precisely in front of (aligned with) the other magnetic field sensor, at a minimum distance therefrom. Considering the peaks is advantageous, since position is detected based on decrease from a peak, and not necessarily considering the value of the signal. Moreover, the distance from the two adjacent sensors is known. Therefore, based on the distance of the magnetic element from each of the two adjacent sensors, and the signal strength of each of the two adjacent sensors, position of the magnetic element between the adjacent sensors may be calculated, for instance by interpolation.
Preferably the signal from a first magnetic field sensor is stronger when the magnetic element is nearer the first magnetic field sensor, than a signal from a second magnetic field sensor proximate the first magnetic field sensor.
Preferably the distance the magnetic element, and hence the piston, has moved along its line of travel is calculated by adding the distance between the current two adjacent magnetic field sensors the magnetic element is between, and the number of other adjacent magnetic field sensors pairs it has crossed previously.
Preferably the change of sign of the signal gives a precise location of the magnetic element relative to that magnetic field sensor, and provides a calibration point each time the centre line of a magnetic field sensor is crossed.
Preferably the third sensor (the needle sensor unit) operates in a similar way to the first sensor unit to calculate a proportional distance the application portion has moved.
Preferably the array is aligned with a principal line of movement of the element to be sensed.
Alternatively, the third sensor (needle sensor unit) only senses whether the application portion has moved to a certain position, for example, a microswitch or similar when the application portion has moved to a set position.
Preferably the array of magnetic sensors will sense across a wide range of dose applicators the sensing unit is applied to, such range of dose applicators potentially having a variance of distance between them of the magnetic element(s) distance to the sensor(s) on the sensing unit.
Alternatively, the third sensor (needle sensor unit) senses whether the application portion has moved its full distance only.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure consists in an applicator with on board data sensing (in short, applicator), to sense a dose of medication applied to at least one subject animal.
The applicator includes,
The applicator may include a second sensor to sense and record a unique identity of at least the at least one subject animal, the dose, or part thereof, is applied to.
Preferably the first position, and or the second position is variable to enable variation of the dose to be delivered.
Preferably the sensing unit has an onboard memory to store one or more of the application data records.
Preferably the sensing unit, has, or is connected, or connectable to a transceiver to receive application data, and transmit application data,
Preferably the piston actuating assembly is selectively engageable with the dosing body.
Preferably there is an actuation member between the user operable handle and the piston to drive the piston between the first position and the second position.
Preferably a connection between the actuation member and the piston, and or the dosing body and user operable handle is a releasable one.
Preferably the application is via needle in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet valve, and there is an application portion (or profile or guard), for example a sheath, that covers the needle in a covering position, and which pushes back when placed against the animal to expose the needle, the guard moving to an exposing position when the needle is fully inserted the correct depth into the animal.
Preferably there is a third sensor (needle sensor unit) to sense when the guard is in the covering position and in the exposing condition.
Preferably the first sensor unit uses a magnetic array to sense movement of a magnetic element that is moving proportionally to the movement of the piston between the first position and the second position.
Preferably the magnetic element is contained in, on, or is part of, the piston.
Preferably the sensing unit outputs a user sensible output to indicate,
Preferably the user sensible output is haptic and includes light(s), sound(s), or any combination of these.
Preferably the status of the application includes that the application portion is fully in the exposed condition (indicating the needle or other applicator is exposed and inserted the correct depth, or time), there is medication present (that is, the applicator or supply thereto is not empty), the piston is moved fully from the first position to the second condition (that is the correct full dose is applied).
Preferably the status of the application includes that there is sufficient contact time with or pressure against, the animal to allow a successful dose to be delivered.
Preferably the status of the application includes the sequence of movement of the guard and piston is done in the correct order.
Preferably the piston will only return from the second position to the first position if there is a supply of medication present (that is the supply has not run out).
The sensing unit can be removed from the dosing body and fitted to another dosing body or applicator to provide data about that applicator and its use via the complimentary fitting. Preferably the sensing unit cannot be removed from the dosing body and cannot be fitted to another dosing body or applicator to provide data about that applicator and its use via the complimentary fitting. In other words, the attachment of the sensing unit to the dosing body is permanent.
Preferably there are different complimentary fittings so that only certain sensing units can be connected to certain applicators.
Alternatively, the complimentary fitting is common between many different dose applicators.
Preferably the sensing unit can determine and store information about the applicator such as, but not limited to applicator dose volume, or can have the dose volume entered, the dose volume being the volume dispensed when the piston moves from the first position to the second position, whether this is the same or different to the dose that is actually delivered.
Preferably the transceiver can upload data to, and/or receive data from, a smart device, or the cloud, either in real time or after a work shift is complete.
Preferably the sensing unit can be paused partway during a run of application, for example when replacing and purging medicine supply.
Preferably the first sensor unit, or an onboard analysis of the output thereof, can interpolate between magnets to know with high accuracy the movement of the piston and therefore the dosage delivered.
Preferably the sensing unit will also time stamp the data for each application, or group of application.
Preferably the real time upload of data from the, or multiple sensing unit(s) can be used to control other equipment, such as a cattle press, gate or similar.
Preferably at least the first sensor unit contains an array of magnetic field sensors each set a known distance apart from each other to sense the magnetic element when in proximity of the magnetic field sensors.
Preferably the signal strength from a particular magnetic field sensor is proportional to the distance the magnetic element is from that magnetic field sensor.
Preferably the sign of the signal from each magnetic field sensor is dependent on which side of a centre line, perpendicular to a line of movement of the magnetic element, of that magnetic field sensor the magnetic element is on.
Preferably the array is linear.
Preferably the position of the magnetic element between two adjacent magnetic field sensors is calculated by comparing the signal strength between the two adjacent magnetic fields sensors and multiplying that comparison by the distance between them.
Preferably the signal from a first magnetic field sensor is stronger when the magnetic element is nearer the first magnetic field sensor, than a signal from a second magnetic field sensor proximate the first magnetic field sensor.
Preferably the distance the magnetic element, and hence the piston, has moved along its line of travel is calculated by adding the distance between the current two adjacent magnetic field sensors the magnetic element is between, and the number of other adjacent magnetic field sensors pairs it has crossed previously.
Proportional signal strength between the last crossed magnetic field sensor and the magnetic field sensor being approached and multiplying this by the known distance between these two sensors, to the cumulative magnetic field sensors already crossed, each of their distances being known also.
Preferably the change of sign of the signal gives a precise location of the magnetic element relative to that magnetic field sensor, and provides a calibration point each time the centre line of a magnetic field sensor is crossed.
Preferably the third sensor operates in a similar way to the first sensor to calculate a proportional distance the sheath has moved.
Preferably the first sensor unit, or sensors using the array of magnetic field sensors is adapted to be calibrated during the first cycle of the dose applicator.
Preferably the array of magnetic sensors will sense across a wide range of dose applicators the sensing unit is applied to, such range of dose applicators potentially having a variance of distance between them of the magnetic element(s) they are to sense.
Alternatively, the third sensor (needle sensor unit) senses whether the sheath has moved its full distance only.
In another aspect, the present disclosure consists in a method of use of a dose applicator with on board data sensing for sensing a dose of medication applied to at least one subject animal by the dose applicator, comprising or including the steps of,
Preferably the information entered relates to any one or more of dose target amount, the medication, the applicator used, or similar.
Preferably the user sensible output is haptic and includes light(s), sound(s), vibration(s) or any combination of these.
Preferably the status of the application includes that the application portion is fully in the exposed condition (indicating the needle or other applicator is exposed and inserted the correct depth, or time), there is medication present (that is, the applicator or supply thereto is not empty), the piston is moved fully from the first position to the second condition (that is the correct full dose is applied).
Preferably the status of the application includes that there is sufficient contact time with or pressure against, the animal to allow a successful dose to be delivered.
Preferably the status of the application includes the sequence of movement of the guard and piston is done in the correct order.
Preferably the piston will only return from the second position to the first position if there is a supply of medication present (that is the supply has not run out).
Preferably there are different complimentary fittings so that only certain sensing units can be connected to certain applicators.
Alternatively, the complimentary fitting is common between many different dose applicators.
Preferably the second sensor, transceiver, or a second transceiver can read an RFID tag, such as, but not limited to the applicator, subject animal, group of subject animals, user, application location, and or medication type, dose and volume being applied.
Preferably the sensing unit can determine and store information about the applicator such as, but not limited to applicator dose volume, or can have the dose volume entered, the dose volume being the volume dispensed when the piston moves from the first position to the second position, whether this is the same or different to the dose that is actually delivered.
Preferably the transceiver can upload data to, and/or receive data from, a smart device, or the cloud, either in real time or after a work shift is complete.
Preferably the sensing unit can be paused partway during a run of application, for example when replacing and purging medicine supply.
Preferably the first sensor unit, or an onboard analysis of the output thereof, can interpolate between magnets to know with high accuracy the movement of the piston and therefore the dosage delivered.
Preferably the sensing unit will also time stamp the data for each application, or group of application.
Preferably the real time upload of data from the, or multiple sensing unit(s) can be used to control other equipment, such as a cattle press, gate or similar.
Preferably at least the first sensor unit contains an array of magnetic field sensors each set a known distance apart from each other to sense the magnetic element when in proximity of the magnetic field sensors.
Preferably the signal strength from a particular magnetic field sensor is proportional to the distance the magnetic element is from that magnetic field sensor.
Preferably the sign of the signal from each magnetic field sensor is dependent on which side of a centre line, perpendicular to a line of movement of the magnetic element, of that magnetic field sensor the magnetic element is on.
Preferably the array is linear.
Preferably the position of the magnetic element between two adjacent magnetic field sensors is calculated by comparing the signal strength between the two adjacent magnetic fields sensors and multiplying that comparison by the distance between them.
Preferably the signal from a first magnetic field sensor is stronger when the magnetic element is nearer the first magnetic field sensor, than a signal from a second magnetic field sensor proximate the first magnetic field sensor.
Preferably the distance the magnetic element, and hence the piston, has moved along its line of travel is calculated by adding the distance between the current two adjacent magnetic field sensors the magnetic element is between, and the number of other adjacent magnetic field sensors pairs it has crossed previously.
Proportional signal strength between the last crossed magnetic field sensor and the magnetic field sensor being approached and multiplying this by the known distance between these two sensors, to the cumulative magnetic field sensors already crossed, each of their distances being known also.
Preferably the change of sign of the signal gives a precise location of the magnetic element relative to that magnetic field sensor, and provides a calibration point each time the centre line of a magnetic field sensor is crossed.
Preferably the third sensor (needle sensor unit) operates in a similar way to the first sensor unit to calculate a proportional distance the sheath has moved.
Preferably the first sensor unit, or sensors using the array of magnetic field sensors is adapted to be calibrated during the first cycle of the dose applicator.
Preferably the array of magnetic sensors will sense across a wide range of dose applicators the sensing unit is applied to, such range of dose applicators potentially having a variance of distance between them of the magnetic element(s) they are to sense.
Alternatively, the third sensor unit senses whether the sheath has moved its full distance only.
In another aspect, the disclosure consists in an applicator with on board data sensing as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
In another aspect, the disclosure consists in a method of use of an applicator with on board data sensing as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.
As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.
The term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present, but other features can also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprised” are to be interpreted in the same manner.
It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7).
The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.
This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements and features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The terms Fig., Figs., Figure, and Figures can be used interchangeably in the specification to refer to the corresponding figures in the drawings.
Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to
A first embodiment of an applicator is disclosed with reference to the schematic drawing of
The applicator, indicated with reference number 1, is adapted to provide a treatment for an animal, by spraying, injection of other type of application. The treatment maybe therefore stored inside the applicator in gas or in fluid form or any other status (like a gel) depending on the treatment. The applicator 1 includes a chamber 28 where the gas or fluid or gel, etc is stored.
The applicator 1 in
Means 6 are movable in the chamber 28 in order to push the treatment (liquid, gas, gel, etc) outside the chamber 28. In
The movable means 6 is for instance a piston 6. Different movable means may be provided according to different embodiments of the application, with the same function of pushing or enabling ejection of the fluid outside the chamber and towards the animal, under control of an operator. In this respect, actuating means 32 for the operator are schematically represented in
The features of the applicator 1 disclosed above may be fully mechanical parts, for instance same mechanical parts of an applicator 1 as known from the prior art.
According to the present invention, the applicator 1 is provided with electrical components of the type disclosed below.
A control module 4 or sensing unit 4 is provided to sense the movement of the piston 6, and to ultimately determine or allow determination of the quantity of treatment delivered, in order to check if the dose ejected is sufficient or not for an animal to be treated. The control module 4 is arranged in correspondence to the chamber 28 to check movement of the piston 6 inside it. This check may be done in different ways, one way being based on a non-contact coupling between a sensor unit 5 in the control module 4 and a magnet in the chamber 28. The magnet is associated to the piston 6. In this respect, an applicator 1 of the prior art which is not provided with the magnet and the control module 28, may be adapted to measure the quantity of fluid delivered by adapting the piston 6 (i.e. coupling a magnet to the piston) and by attaching a control module 4 to the applicator 1. Such adaptation is supported by an adapter 40, which is schematically represented in
The control module includes a memory and a processor. The sensor unit 5 is adapted to measure a length L of movement of the movable means 6 in the chamber 28, when the movable means 6 are actuated through the actuating means 32 before releasing. The length L is indicated in
Communication means are provided in the control module for communicating with an external device 42, also depicted in
For instance, the length of movement L in
Even when the quantity of fluid, gas or gel ejected through the application 1 is considered sufficient to make the treatment, it may happen that such quantity is not actually delivered to the animal body, for instance because something goes wrong or is not properly done between the terminal end of the applicator and the body of the animal. For instance, if the terminal end is a needle 20 and the needle 20 is not properly inserted in the animal's body, an amount of fluid ejected by the applicator 1 may be in the normal range for the treatment but no fluid enters the animal body.
To further check the amount of fluid actually injected, the applicator includes a profile or guard 18, 19 which is depicted in the left side of
A needle sensor unit 11 is adapted to measure a movement of the profile 18, 19 with respect to the needle 20 and the communication means are configured to transmit to the external device 42 information concerning or suitable for determining if the operative position is reached, and preferably for how long the needle is kept in the operative position. The duration of ejection of fluid, gas or gel from the applicator 1 may be compared to the duration of injection of fluid, gas or gel into the animal body to determine whether or not a sufficient amount of the treatment ejected has been injected.
In particular, the control module 4 is configured to detect a time Tb when the needle guard (the profile) starts reaching the operative position and a time Te when the needle guard starts moving back to the position at rest. The control module 4 calculates the quantity of liquid injected into the animal between time Tb and time Te or to transmit to the external device time Tb and time Te to calculate in the external device said quantity of liquid injected into the animal.
In order to apply correctly the treatment/medicament to the animal, the dose ejection/injection has to start only when the needle guard is completely retracted at the operative position and the dose ejection/injected has to be completed before the needle guard starts going back to the rest position. It is therefore the movement of the piston between Tb and Te which gives information on whether or not a full dose has been delivered to the animal. Movement of the piston before Tb or after Te, instead, gives information on quantity of liquid lost (since ejected from the chamber but not correctly injected into the animal).
A method to control correct application of a treatment to an animal, is now disclosed with reference to
The method includes a communication between the control module 4 of the applicator 1 mentioned above and an external device 42, preferably a smartphone 42 or tablet.
The communication is preferably based on a radio communication protocol, for instance Bluetooth, but other protocols may be used.
At an initial stage, a communication session between the control module 4 and the external device 42 is set up. The initial stage may include recognizing the control module and the external device according to a predefined authentication patent. The external device, in the same way in which recognize the control module 4, may recognize one or more other devices provided with a communication interface, such a balance used to measure the weight of the animal, or an RFID reader of a tag attached to the animal, to cite some. Each one of the other devices may contribute to monitoring the animal according to a sequence of controls which are driven by the external device. The external device is programmed, in this respect, to implemented the function of a smart hub collecting information from several devices, and informing the using on which device in the sequence he has to use for monitoring the animal, for applying the treatment, and to ensure appropriate controls and data retrieval, which may be requested for subsequent analytics.
For what concerns the applicator 1, the following communication with the external device is provided.
After the initial stage and authentication, the applicator 1 measures through the sensor unit 5 of the control module 4 a length of movement of the movable means 6 in the chamber 28, in particular when the movable means 6 are actuated through the actuating means 32 of the applicator.
The step of measuring through the sensor unit 5 is part of a sequence of controls to be applied in the communication session mentioned above, for treatment of the animal.
Indeed, a transmission from the control module 4 to the external device 42 is provided to send information concerning, or suitable for determining in the external device 42, a quantity of the treatment ejected outside the chamber 28.
Once the quantity is transmitted or determined, the external device compare the quantity delivered to the animal with the quantity expected to be delivered, this last (quantity expected) being based on information on the animal itself. For instance, this information may be retrieved by means of a communication between the external device and a reader of the tag on the animal, storing, among other, a weight, an age of the animal, or directly the amount of the specific treatment which is expected for the specific animal.
Based on the result of the comparison, the external device determines whether the treatment has not been applied correctly, in particular when the quantity of the treatment is less than a predetermined quantity.
In
Further examples and details of the features introduced above with reference to schematic
A first example dosing applicator 1 is shown in
In the examples shown this is a sliding dove tail arrangement, however any complimentary fitting that retains the sensing unit 4 to the dose applicator 1 in a rigid way that will not disengage through normal use, but that can be easily applied and removed as needed would be suitable. In the preferred form the complimentary fitting is common across the range of applicators the sensing unit 4 is to be applied to. In other, less desirable forms a sensing unit 4 may only fit a certain range of dose applicators, there being other sensing units to fit other ranges, or there is only a one-to-one fitting to each applicator type. In other forms there may be a locking element to retain the sensing unit to the dose applicator, and this locking element may require a special or controlled access key to control who, or when the sensing unit may be removed.
The dose applicator, for example that shown in
The medication path being from the supply of medication, through the one-way inlet valve 29, to the barrel as the piston moves from the second position to the first position displacing the medication therein, and then out of the barrel via the one way fluid outlet valve 30 as the piston moves from the first position 8 to the second position 9.
The piston is moved, at least from the first position 8 to the second position 9 by the user moving the user operable handle 32, which is part of the piston actuating assembly 31, which in turn causes an actuation member 33 to move the piston from the first position 8 to the second position 9. Return of the piston from the second position 9 to the first position 8 may be under a bias, such as that which might return the user operably handle 32 to the ready to administer position, such as shown in
In the embodiment shown the dose applicator 1 consists of the piston actuating assembly 31 and the dosing body 27, which contains the barrel, inlet and outlet valves and applicator end and outlet. The embodiment shown here has the assembly 31 removable from the body 27.
The dose applicator in
The sensing unit 4 is shown connected to the dose applicator 1 in
On or about the time of administering the dose to the subject animal the sensing unit 4 also senses through a second sensor 11 a unique identity of attribute of the subject animal, to enable identification of that subject animal, or a group of subject animals. For example, but not limited to, the RFID tag 21 of the animal, or group, a geospatial identifier (GPS or similar grid), for example when in a particular location on a farm or in a pen or stock yard, sow crate or similar, a visual identifier, such as a bar code, QR code, unique pattern on the animal.
Likewise, the second sensor can also be used to sense further information such as, of the dose applicator, user, application location, and or medication type, dose and volume to be applied. Again, this may be via any one or more of and RFID 21, visual code or similar. Identifying the dose applicator may for example supply information about the dose volume it is capable off and inform the calculation of dose delivered in conjunction with the data from the first sensor unit. Identifying the user can be important in gaining insights into operator behaviour, such as who is a well-trained and able operator of the dose applicator, and who is not, and requires further training or re-tasking. Identifying the medication type will inform what is the appropriate correct dose for a particular animal, for example a medication will have a certain efficacy range of amount per body weight of animal. The weight of the animal may be known from a data base when that animal is identified, or weighed at the time of application, and with the amount per body weight of the identified medication will determine what is a correct dose. This can then be compared to the actual dose applied to determine whether a correct dose was delivered or not.
It is understood that while a dose of medication is dispensed (dose delivered) from the dose applicator 1, this does not necessarily mean that a subject animal has received that full dose, or that the dose actually delivered was the correct one. For example, squeezing the user operable handle 32 in the absence of correct application, for example time on the animal, or correct insertion depth of needle, and order of application, to the subject animal is not a correct dose application, even if the correct volume for that weight animal is pushed out of the applicator end. For example, when applying a subcutaneous medication, the dose applicator must first be applied to the animal and the needle inserted the correct distance, and then the handle 32 squeezed and the correct volume of dose applied, for that animal weight, age or size, while the needle is still in the animal. Missing any of these steps or doing them out of order risks incorrect dosing.
Therefore, a third sensor unit may be present to detect correct or suitable contact has been made by the dose applicator with the animal. Such a sensor may be a proximity sensor to the animal or may detect movement of a portion of the dose applicator, such as for example the application portion. Movement of the application portion may uncover an applicator, for example a needle, and indicate the needle has been applied into the skin of the animal. The third sensor unit may detect accurately the movement of the part being applied to the animal, in a similar way the first sensor unit does, or may detect the part has moved from a first position, e.g. a covering position 34 to an uncovering position 35, on the basis that covering to uncovering is achieved by bringing the dose applicator against the surface or orifice of the animal.
The third sensor t unit herefore may be for example, but not limited to, a second version of that used in the first sensor unit, or a less accurate version that simply detects whether in a covered or uncovered position, microswitches to detent movement from a covered to uncovered position, or at least the uncovered position, and may include a time sensing as well for how long the dose applicator is held in that position.
Another variant of dose applicator 1 is shown in
Again, the sensing unit 4 attaches to the dose applicator 1 via a complimentary fitting 16. This may, preferably, be the same fitting as earlier described so the one sensing unit 4 can be used with many different dose applicators 1. The adapter 40 may be unitary with the dose applicator, or may be removable with a tool, or may be fitted thereon, but very difficult to remove. Again, being able to add the adapter 40 to an already existing tool or dose applicator 1 means the sensing unit 4 can be easily fitting to existing tools 1. If no sensing element 7 is present to move with the piston 6, then one can be fitted by disassembling the dose applicator 1, or part thereof in the usual way for maintenance and cleaning. Either the sensed element 7 can be added to, or connected directly or indirectly with, the existing piston 6 to move therewith, or a new piston or part thereof may be added that contains the sensed element 7.
In both
The sensing unit 4, for example in detail as shown in
The sensing unit 4 is preferably water proof and robust to deal with normal usage in a farming or similar situation. There are actuation buttons 43 to turn the unit on and off, pause recording by the sensing unit (for example when the supply of medication needs changing) change settings, or initiate transceiving data to or from the unit 4, for example recording the information from the second sensor 11.
In
The sensing unit may have one or more feedback systems present to inform the user of various occurrences. One example of these is visual 39 and is shown in
In use, for example in
The user then uses the dose applicator 1 to apply medication, for example by injection using the needle 20 at the applicator end 10. The dose applicator is brought into contact with the surface of the animal 3 and the unique identity of the animal is sensed by the second sensor 11, for example by the RFID tag 21 of that animal. The user then pushes the applicator end 10 against the animal, causing the sheath 19 in this instance to move from the covering position 34 of the needle, to slide back as the needle is inserted into the animal, to the exposing position 35. This movement, or range of movement, may be sensed by the third sensor unit 17. The time this is held in the position against the animal is sensed, along then with the movement of the piston as the user actuates the handle 32, or other trigger to move the piston and dispense the medication. The removal of the dose applicator 1 from the surface of the animal is then sensed as the sheath 19 moves from the exposed position to the covering position to then cover the needle, this again is sensed, and so from the time stamp of covered, to exposed, to covered again for example the time in contact with the animal is recorded, or at least the time stamps are so that correct contact time can be calculated. The amount of medication delivered is also sensed by the first sensor unit as outlined below. A green light, or other haptic feedback as earlier described is then shown to tell the user the dosage was successful, or a red light or similar haptic feedback is shown to tell the user the dosage was not successful.
The sensing unit 4 may also send data it has collected from its three sensors, such as the dose delivered to each identified subject animal, and whether each dose was successful or not. This may occur for each dose, or periodically or at the end of the shift the container of medication, or once a certain number or group of animals is dosed.
This data may then be uploaded to a central database or cloud 45 for later use, or supplied to an application programming interface, as shown in
The sensing unit 4 or many sensing units 4 may also communicate with other devices or equipment 37 to control them. For example, as shown in
A preferred implementation for the first sensor unit 5, and optionally a form of the third sensor unit 17 will now be described with reference to
In the preferred form the array 46 of magnetic field sensors 23 is linear and matches the path of the sensed element.
The position of the magnetic element 7 between two adjacent magnetic field sensors 23A and 23B is calculated by comparing the signal strength between the two adjacent magnetic fields sensors and multiplying that comparison by the distance 24 between them.
The signal from a first magnetic field sensor 23A is stronger when the magnetic element 7 is nearer the first magnetic field sensor 23A, than a signal from a second magnetic field sensor 23B proximate the first magnetic field sensor.
The distance the magnetic element 7, and hence the piston 6, has moved along its line of travel 26 is calculated by adding the distance (being a calculated proportion of the distance 24) between the current two adjacent magnetic field sensors 23A and 23B the magnetic element 7 is between, and the number of other adjacent magnetic field sensors pairs it has crossed previously.
In the preferred form the change of sign of the signal gives a precise location of the magnetic element 7 relative to that magnetic field sensor 23, and provides a calibration point each time the centre line 25 of a magnetic field sensor 23 is crossed.
As mentioned preferably the third sensor unit operates in a similar way to the first sensor unit to calculate a proportional distance the application portion has moved.
In the preferred form the first sensor unit, or sensors using the array of magnetic field sensors is adapted to be calibrated during the first cycle of the dose applicator.
In this way, the exact positioning of the smart module on the side of the injector is not required, it just needs to remain substantially steady throughout the dosing cycle.
This main advantage of the above method is that it allows flexibility of different distances between the magnet and the sensor whilst maintaining the same level of positional accuracy. So positional accuracy is not related specifically to magnetic field intensity. This makes the sensing unit 4 adaptable to a variety of existing dose applicators 1 with different physical spacing between sensed element 7 and sensing unit 4. Also, the sensor array is able to “auto-calibrate” during the first cycle of the plunger. In this way, the exact positioning of the smart module on the side of the injector is not required. This allows for ample manufacturing tolerances and mechanical fit variances within the adapter without compromising positional accuracy.
The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 774898 | Apr 2021 | NZ | national |
This application is the United States national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2022/059523 filed Apr. 8, 2022, and claims priority to New Zealand Patent Application No. 774898 filed Apr. 12, 2021, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/059523 | 4/8/2022 | WO |
