System arranged to monitor and control application of milk sample to lateral flow wand

Abstract

The system (100) is arranged to monitor and control the application of a milk sample extracted from an animal (101) to a sample pad (210) of a lateral flow wand (110). The milk dosing arrangement (105) comprises a tube element (145) and a needle (150) arranged as a transverse flow wand (110) receiving a milk sample and applying the milk sample to the carrier (145) when in an application position. The system (100) comprises a movable structure (160) arranged to hold the milk dosing arrangement (105) and to move the needle (150) between an application position and a retracted position at a distance (d) from the carrier (115). The system (100) comprises a drive unit (165) acting on the movable structure (160) and a controller (130) for determining a distance (d) between the needle tip (151) and the carrier (115) in the retracted position; comparing the distance (d) with a predetermined distance; and when the distance (d) is different from the predetermined distance: adjusting the distance (d) or the predetermined distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This document discloses a system according to claim 1. More particularly, a system arranged to monitor and control the application of a milk sample extracted from an animal to a sample pad of a lateral flow rod is described, wherein the lateral flow rod is arranged to indicate the presence of a biomarker in the milk sample. Background Art

[0002] In animal farms, it is important to keep animals healthy in order to increase milk / meat production. For example, it is important to inseminate animals at the optimal moment in order to successfully inseminate animals such as dairy cows. In the event that animals are not successfully inseminated, milk production will be affected.

[0003] Several biomarker measurements can be made on animals, such as measuring the levels of progesterone, LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), BHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate) and urea. This can yield important information about, for example, estrus detection and / or pregnancy (based on measured progesterone levels) as well as mastitis (based on LDH) and ketosis (based on BHB) in individual animals. In addition, energy balance can be estimated (based on urea).

[0004] Biomarker measurements can be performed on the farm by applying a milk sample of the test animal during the milking process and applying the sample to the prepared lateral flow stick / dry stick. This can preferably be performed in an automated manner, for example during the milking process. The milk analysis device / service module can then extract a milk sample of the animal.

[0005] A known concept is proposed in document WO 2018236271, in order to help farmers to handle lateral flow sticks in a convenient and automated way, they are kept mounted on a carrier tape, which in turn can be kept in a box. When a new milk sample is to be applied to the lateral flow stick, the carrier tape can be transferred to the next unused lateral flow stick.

[0006] The milk sample may be provided to the lateral flow rod via a needle which is held in a movable structure in the milk analysis device / service module. The needle may be held in a retracted position when the lateral flow rod or the carrier tape comprising the lateral flow rod is moved to a position a certain distance from the needle. The reason for holding the needle in the retracted position during positioning of the lateral flow rod is to avoid damage to the carrier tape / lateral flow rod by the needle.

[0007] When the milk sample is to be applied, the needle tip may be brought into the application position close to the sample pad of the lateral flow stick. The milk sample is then applied to the sample pad.

[0008] A problem that arises in this case is that the distance between the sample pad and the needle tip of the lateral flow stick may not always be the same when the needle remains in its retracted position. Reasons may be, for example, insufficient precision during calibration of the needle and / or variations in the tension of the carrier tape during use.

[0009] Therefore, moving the needle from the retracted position towards the lateral flow stick by the same distance may result in the needle tip not completely reaching the surface of the sample pad of the lateral flow stick, which may result in milk sample remaining on the outside of the needle and thus causing a carry-over effect, i.e., the milk sample of the previous animal affects the milk sample of another animal to be tested. Alternatively, the needle tip may pierce and pass through the lateral flow stick and waste milk sample outside the back side of the lateral flow stick. In both cases, the result may be a wasted milk sample that cannot be used. Cleaning may also have to be performed to avoid a carry-over effect between milk samples, thereby delaying testing capacity.

[0010] It would be desirable to find a way to help farmers ensure that extracted milk samples are correctly applied to lateral flow wands in order to perform biomarker measurements on farm during milking. Summary of the invention

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to address at least some of the above mentioned problems and to ensure correct application of the extracted milk sample to the lateral flow stick.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a system. The system is arranged to monitor and control the application of a milk sample extracted from an animal to a sample pad of a lateral flow rod. The lateral flow rod is arranged to indicate the presence of a biomarker in the milk sample extracted from the animal.

[0013] Biomarkers are generally measurable indicators of a biological state or condition of an animal. Biomarker value measurements can be correlated with animal pregnancy / reproduction.

[0014] The system comprises a milk dosing arrangement. The milk dosing arrangement comprises a tube element arranged to obtain a milk sample. Furthermore, the milk dosing arrangement comprises a needle arranged to receive the milk sample via the tube element and apply the milk sample to a sample pad of the lateral flow stick when the milk dosing arrangement is held in an applying position. In the applying position, the needle tip abuts the sample pad of the lateral flow stick.

[0015] The expression "the needle tip abuts the sample pad" means that in the application position, the needle tip of the needle may abut the surface of the sample pad of the lateral flow stick, i.e. only touch the surface of the sample pad. Additionally or alternatively, the needle tip of the needle may abut the sample pad of the lateral flow stick, wherein the surface of the sample pad can be deflected in the direction of movement of the needle in the application position. Additionally or alternatively, the needle tip may abut the sample pad of the lateral flow stick by penetrating the surface of the sample pad in the application position, while not allowing the needle tip to pass through the sample pad and exit on the opposite side.

[0016] In all of the above definitions, the problem of milk sample remaining on the outside of the needle is addressed because the capillary forces of the sample pad (possibly in combination with gravity) are allowed to act on the milk sample to transfer the milk sample from the needle to the sample pad of the lateral flow stick.

[0017] The system comprises a movable structure. The movable structure is arranged to hold a milk dosing arrangement and to move a needle of the milk dosing arrangement between an application position and a retracted position. In the application position, the needle tip abuts a sample pad of a lateral flow stick. In the application position, a milk sample is applied to the sample pad via the needle. In the retracted position, the needle tip is located at a distance from the lateral flow stick.

[0018] The system further comprises a drive unit arranged to act on the movable structure such that the movable structure moves the needle of the milk dosing arrangement a predetermined distance between the retracted position and the applying position.

[0019] Furthermore, the system comprises a controller. The controller is communicatively connected to the drive unit. The controller is configured to determine a distance between a needle tip of the milk dosing arrangement and the lateral flow rod when the needle is in the retracted position. The controller is further configured to compare the determined distance with a predetermined distance. When the determined distance differs from the predetermined distance, the controller is configured to update the predetermined distance to correspond to the determined distance; or to adjust the distance between the needle tip of the milk dosing arrangement and the lateral flow rod to correspond to the predetermined distance when the needle is in the retracted position.

[0020] The predetermined distance may be stored in and retrieved from a memory device communicatively coupled to the controller.

[0021] Thanks to the provided solution, it is ensured that the predetermined distance that the movable structure moves the needle between the retracted position and the application position corresponds to the actual measured distance between the retracted position and the application position, which is achieved by setting the predetermined distance to the determined distance or adjusting the needle position so that the actual distance is consistent with the predetermined distance.

[0022] The solution can be conveniently implemented without involving manual interaction and before experiencing any failed milk sample application when performing lateral flow measurements. Reliable functionality of biomarker measurements of milk samples is thereby ensured.

[0023] In a first specific implementation of the system according to the first aspect, when the needle of the milk dosing arrangement is located in the applying position, the needle tip of the needle of the milk dosing arrangement abuts against the surface of the sample pad of the lateral flow stick.

[0024] In the second embodiment of the system according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof, the controller may be configured to determine the distance by setting the speed of the drive unit below a speed threshold limit. In addition, the controller may be configured to cause the drive unit to act on the movable structure so that the movable structure moves the milk dosing arrangement from the retracted position towards the lateral flow rod. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to count each step moved by the drive unit until it is detected that the tip of the needle abuts against the sample pad of the lateral flow rod. The controller may also be configured to determine the distance based on the number of counted steps moved by the drive unit.

[0025] An advantage of distance determination based on the number of steps of the drive unit is that no dedicated sensor is required for determining the distance, which saves costs.

[0026] In a third embodiment of the system according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof, the controller is configured to detect that the tip of the needle abuts against the sample pad of the lateral flow stick by setting a motor power of the drive unit below a power threshold limit and by detecting that the drive unit is stopped, thereby determining the distance between the tip of the needle and the lateral flow stick when the needle of the milk dosing device is in the retracted position.

[0027] In a fourth embodiment of the system according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof, the system may include a camera directed to capture an image of the lateral flow rod. The controller may also be configured to determine the distance directly or indirectly by causing the movable structure to move the milk dosing arrangement from the retracted position toward the lateral flow rod. In addition, the controller may be configured to cause the camera to capture at least one image of the lateral flow rod. The controller may be configured to obtain the captured image from the camera and then detect that the tip of the needle abuts the sample pad of the lateral flow rod based on an image analysis of the captured image.

[0028] In a fifth implementation of the system according to the fourth implementation, the controller may be configured to detect that the tip of the needle abuts the sample pad of the lateral flow rod by detecting light reflection generated by the tip of the needle when the tip abuts a foil covering the sample pad of the lateral flow rod.

[0029] An advantage of the fifth embodiment is that any suitable kind of drive unit can be used to move the movable structure. Another advantage is that, according to other embodiments, the verification of the distance can be combined with a method involving counting the number of steps performed by the stepper motor, thereby eliminating or at least reducing the risk of incorrectly determining the distance.

[0030] In the sixth specific implementation of the system according to the first aspect or any specific implementation thereof, the device may include a sensor connected to the controller in a communicative manner. The controller may be configured to directly or indirectly determine the distance by emitting electromagnetic waves to the lateral flow rod via an emitting element of the sensor. The controller may also be configured to receive the reflection of the emitted electromagnetic waves reflected by the lateral flow rod via a receiving element of the sensor. In addition, the controller may be configured to measure the time period between the emission of the electromagnetic wave and the reception of the reflection of the electromagnetic wave. In addition, the controller may be configured to directly or indirectly determine the distance based on the measured time period.

[0031] In the seventh implementation of the system according to the first aspect or any implementation thereof, the controller may be configured to determine the distance at regular time intervals.

[0032] By regularly determining the distance between the needle tip and the lateral flow stick when the needle is in the retracted position, any risk of malfunction due to incorrect positioning of the needle during application of the milk sample to the sample pad of the lateral flow stick is eliminated or at least reduced.

[0033] In an eighth embodiment of the system according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof, the lateral flow rod may be arranged on a carrier comprising a plurality of lateral flow rods. The carrier may be replaceable. The controller may be configured to detect replacement of the carrier. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine a distance between a needle tip of the milk dosing arrangement when the needle is in the retracted position and the lateral flow rod when a change of the carrier is detected.

[0034] By determining the distance between the needle tip and the lateral flow rod when the needle is in the retracted position each time the carrier is changed, any risk of malfunction due to incorrect positioning of the needle during application of the milk / liquid sample to the sample pad of the lateral flow rod is eliminated or at least reduced.

[0035] In a ninth implementation of the system according to the first aspect or any implementation thereof, the system may include a user interface enabling an operator to trigger the distance determination. The controller may be configured to determine the distance upon receiving a trigger signal from the operator via the user interface.

[0036] The operator can for example visually detect deviations from a normal / expected situation concerning the position of the needle of the milk dosing arrangement when in the retracted position, the lateral flow stick and / or the position of the movable structure. By determining the distance upon request by the operator, the risk of malfunctions during application of the milk sample to the sample pad of the lateral flow stick due to incorrect positioning of the needle during application of the milk sample to the sample pad is eliminated or at least reduced.

[0037] Thanks to the described aspects, the biomarker values ​​of a milk sample of an animal can be successfully determined by applying the milk sample to a lateral flow stick and performing a lateral flow measurement by determining the distance between the needle tip and the lateral flow stick when the needle is in the retracted position.

[0038] Thus, various conditions, for example related to the reproduction of the animals or various animal deaths or other abnormalities, can be determined with high reliability without having to repeat failed lateral flow measurements due to incorrectly applied milk samples.

[0039] Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 An example of an arrangement and system for measuring biomarker values ​​of a milk sample of an animal is shown.

[0042] Figure 2A An example of a system and a movable structure is shown which holds a needle of a milk dosing arrangement in a retracted position at a distance from the transverse flow stick.

[0043] Figure 2B An example of a system and a movable structure that holds a needle of a milk dosing arrangement in an application position is shown, wherein the needle is positioned when a milk sample is applied to a sample pad of a lateral flow stick.

[0044] Figure 3A Shown is a side view of a lateral flow stick according to an embodiment.

[0045] Figure 3B Shown is a top view of a lateral flow rod according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The embodiments of the present invention described herein are defined as a system that can be put into practice in the embodiments described below. However, these embodiments can be illustrated and implemented in many different forms and are not limited to the examples set forth herein; on the contrary, these illustrative examples of the embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete.

[0047] Still other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for illustration only and are not intended to define the limitations of the embodiments disclosed herein, for which reference may be made to the appended claims. Further, unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are intended only to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

[0048] Figure 1 A scenario is shown with an animal 101, which may be included in a herd of dairy cows at a dairy farm, and a system 100. The system 100 is arranged to monitor and control the application of a milk sample extracted from the animal 101 to a sample pad of a lateral flow stick 110. The lateral flow stick 110 is arranged to indicate the presence of a biomarker in the milk sample extracted from the animal 101.

[0049] An "animal" may be any domesticated, milk-producing female mammal of any type, such as cows, goats, sheep, and the like.

[0050] The lateral flow bars 110 may be individually arranged on a carrier 115 comprising a plurality of lateral flow bars 110a, 110b, 110c. Each of the lateral flow bars 110a, 110b, 110c individually arranged on the carrier 115 may be arranged separately from each other. The carrier 115 may be embodied as, for example, a carrier tape or a blister pack. In an embodiment where the carrier 115 is embodied as a carrier tape, the carrier 115 may be included in a box for rapid processing.

[0051] The carrier 115 may comprise a longitudinal extension in the Y direction. In some embodiments, an undisclosed drive arrangement may cooperate with the carrier 115 to move the carrier 115 in the Y direction, thereby moving one lateral flow rod 110a, 110b, 110c at a time to a predetermined position in the Y direction enabling application of a milk sample.

[0052] Each lateral flow rod 110 may be individually sealed by a foil covering the lateral flow rod 110 and the carrier 115. For example, the foil may be made of a transparent plastic / elastomer. In these embodiments, the foil may be peeled off before the milk sample is applied to the lateral flow rod 110. In the case where the carrier 115 is embodied as a blister pack, the sealing cover of the blister pack may be pierced before the milk sample is applied to the lateral flow rod 110.

[0053] Milk from the animal 101 may be extracted and drained from milking equipment that is part of a milking parlor via a milk line leading to a milk tank or similar milk storage device.

[0054] During milking of the animal 101, or in close connection with the milking of the animal, a milk sample is transferred from the milking equipment / milk line and provided to a milk dosing arrangement 105 included in the system 100. The milk dosing arrangement 105 may include, for example, a tube element 145 for attachment to an interface of the milking equipment / milk line, a pump configured to act on the tube element 145 to transport the milk sample. The milk dosing arrangement 105 may also include a valve 140, a mixing chamber 155, and a needle 150 for receiving the milk sample via the tube element 145.

[0055] In some embodiments, the milk sample is mixed with a diluent in the mixing chamber 155, thereby forming a liquid sample comprising a mixture of milk and the diluent.

[0056] The needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 may be aligned with the lateral flow rod 110 , wherein a milk sample / liquid sample may then be applied via the needle 150 to the lateral flow rod 110 for lateral flow measurement.

[0057] The system 100 comprises a movable structure 160 arranged to hold the milk dosing arrangement 105 and to move a needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 between an application position and a retracted position. In the application position, a needle tip 151 of the needle 150 abuts against a sample pad of the lateral flow rod 110. The needle 150 is arranged to apply the milk sample to the sample pad of the lateral flow rod 110 in the application position. In the retracted position, the needle tip 151 of the needle 150 is located at a distance d from the lateral flow rod 110.

[0058] The system 100 further comprises a drive unit 165, such as a motor or an engine. For example, in some embodiments, the drive unit 165 may be a stepper motor. The drive unit 165 is arranged to act on the movable structure 160, so that the movable structure 160 moves the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 between the retracted position and the application position by a predetermined distance.

[0059] The system 100 comprises a controller 130. The controller 130 is communicatively connected to the drive unit 165. The controller 130 is configured to determine the distance between the needle tip 151 of the needle 150 and the lateral flow rod 110 when the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 is in the retracted position. The determined distance d is then compared with a predetermined distance.

[0060] The predetermined distance is a distance that the drive unit 165 causes the movable structure 160 to move the needle 150 between the retracted position and the applying position.

[0061] The controller 130 is further configured to compare the determined distance d with a predetermined distance; and when the determined distance d is different from the predetermined distance, update the predetermined distance to correspond to the determined distance d; or adjust the distance between the needle tip 151 of the needle 150 and the lateral flow rod 110 to correspond to the predetermined distance when the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 is in the retracted position.

[0062] When the comparison results in the detection that the determined distance d is identical to the predetermined distance (possibly within a tolerance range of deviations), it is possible to continue with the upstream flow measurement of the lateral flow rod 110 .

[0063] Adjustment of the distance d between the needle tip 151 of the needle 150 and the lateral flow rod 110 when the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 is in the retracted position can be performed by adjusting the position of the milk dosing arrangement 105 relative to the lateral flow rod 110 , ie the retracted position of the needle 150 .

[0064] Then, the controller 130 is enabled to run a lateral flow measurement. The needle tip 151 of the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 is thereby positioned in the application position so that the needle tip 151 abuts the sample pad of the lateral flow stick 110. The extracted milk sample or a liquid sample comprising a mixture of milk and a diluent can then be applied to the sample pad.

[0065] The lateral flow rod 110 can react to the presence and / or amount of one or more biomarkers, for example by changing color, hue, or intensity of color / hue. A camera 120 included in the system 100 can capture images. The camera 120 can be communicatively connected to the controller 130. The captured images of the lateral flow rod 110 can then be provided to and analyzed by the controller 130, and the presence and / or amount of the biomarkers in the milk sample can be estimated based on the intensity of the color.

[0066] In various embodiments, the biomarker measured can be, for example, progesterone, glycoprotein, estrogen, and / or gonadotropin-releasing hormone or any other similar biomarker related to reproduction of animal 101 .

[0067] Figure 2A Schematically shown is a device 100 comprising a movable structure 160 which holds a needle 150 of a milk dosing arrangement 105 in a retracted position at a distance d from the transverse flow rod 110 .

[0068] The drive unit 165 is arranged to act on the movable structure 160 so that the movable structure 160 moves the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 from Figure 2A The retracted position shown moves to Figure 2BApplication position shown. In various embodiments, drive unit 165 may include a linear motor or a stepper motor.

[0069] In the illustrated example, the drive unit 165 rotates the movable structure 160 around the axis 275. However, this is only one possible solution among many. The movement may be a linear movement or a lever movement.

[0070] The controller 130 may be configured to determine the distance between the tip 151 of the needle 150 and the lateral flow stick 110 when the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 is in the retracted position. The lateral flow stick 110 may be primarily positioned at a predetermined position in the Y direction, wherein application of a milk sample via the needle 150 is enabled.

[0071] The controller 130 may then be configured to set the speed of the drive unit 165 to be below the speed threshold limit.

[0072] The controller 130 may further be configured to cause the drive unit 165 to act on the movable structure 160 so as to move the milk dosing arrangement 105 from the retracted position towards the carrier 115 and / or the lateral flow rod 110, for example by rotating the movable structure 160 around the axis 275. Furthermore, the controller 130 may be configured to count each step of the movement by the drive unit 165 from the retracted position towards the lateral flow rod 110 until abutment of the needle tip 151 of the needle 150 against the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow rod 110 is detected.

[0073] The controller 130 may be configured to determine the distance d based on the counted number of steps moved by the drive unit 165 , causing the movable structure 160 to move the milk dosing arrangement 105 from the retracted position towards the lateral flow rod 110 until the tip 151 of the needle 150 abuts the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow rod 110 .

[0074] By counting the steps and knowing the distance moved in each step, the distance d can be determined. In this embodiment, the drive unit 165 may be a stepper motor.

[0075] In some embodiments, the estimated rod deflection distance may be reduced from the determined distance d. The estimated rod deflection distance may be a global constant that may be applied.

[0076] In various embodiments, the controller 130 may be configured to detect the contact of the tip 151 of the needle 150 with the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow rod 110 in several different ways.

[0077] In some embodiments, the controller 130 may be configured to detect that the tip 151 of the needle 150 abuts against the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow rod 110 by detecting that the drive unit 165 stops.

[0078] In order to stop the drive unit 165 when the needle tip 151 of the needle 150 abuts the sample pad 210, the controller 130 can be configured to set the motor power of the drive unit 165 to be below the power threshold limit. The power threshold limit can be set to a power level that ensures that the drive unit 165 will stop when the needle tip 151 of the needle 150 abuts the sample pad 210.

[0079] In yet other embodiments where the system 100 includes the camera 120 , the controller 130 may be configured to detect that the tip 151 of the needle 150 abuts the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow rod 110 based on image analysis of images captured by the camera 120 .

[0080] The controller 130 may be configured to cause the camera 120 to capture at least one image, such as a continuous sequence of images, of the lateral flow rod 110. The captured one or more images may then be obtained from the camera 120, after which the controller 130 may be configured to perform image analysis of the captured images. Based on the results of the image analysis, the controller 130 may detect that the needle tip 151 of the needle 150 abuts against the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow rod 110.

[0081] Based on the analysis of the image, the controller 130 may detect the light reflection generated by the needle tip 151 when interacting with the foil covering the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow rod 110. The controller 130 may then be configured to abut the needle tip 151 of the detection needle 150 against the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow rod 110 when the light reflection of the foil is detected.

[0082] The device 100 may comprise a sensor 265 communicatively connected to the controller 130. The sensor 265 may be arranged and directed to measure a distance directly or indirectly representative of the distance d when the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 is held in the retracted position and the lateral flow stick 110 is positioned in a predetermined position in the Y direction enabling application of a milk sample.

[0083] In various embodiments, sensor 265 may include, for example, a camera, a lidar, a radar, an ultrasound device, a time-of-flight camera, or the like.

[0084] The controller 130 may be configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to the lateral flow rod 110 via the transmitting element of the sensor 265. Then, reflections of the transmitted electromagnetic waves reflected by the lateral flow rod 110 may be received via the receiving element of the sensor 265.

[0085] The controller 130 may further be configured to measure a time period between emission of an electromagnetic wave and receipt of a reflection of the emitted electromagnetic wave; and determine the distance d directly or indirectly based on the measured time period by knowing the speed of the emitted / reflected electromagnetic wave.

[0086] Direct measurement of the distance d between the tip 151 of the needle 150 and the lateral flow rod 110 when the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 is in the retracted position requires that the sensor 265 is located at the position of the tip 151 , pointing towards the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow rod 110 .

[0087] Since this may be inconvenient, it may be advantageous to instead perform an indirect measurement of the distance d between the needle tips 151 of the needles 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105 when the needles 150 are in the retracted position.

[0088] The indirect measurement of the distance d can be performed in several different ways by the sensor 265 by measuring a distance representing the distance d between the sensor 265 and the sample pad 210 of the lateral flow stick 110. The sensor 265 can then be mounted on the movable structure 160 with a fixed relative distance between the sensor 265 and the needle tip 151 of the needle 150 of the milk dosing arrangement 105.

[0089] The controller 130 may be configured to determine the distance d at regular time intervals (eg, every 24 hours) or at some other suitable or configurable time interval.

[0090] Alternatively, the controller 130 can be configured to determine the distance after a predetermined number of lateral flow measurements; that is, the controller 130 can be configured to track the number of lateral flow measurements made after the last distance determination of distance d, and then repeat the distance determination after every n lateral flow measurements, where 1 < n < 1000, for example, approximately 400.

[0091] In embodiments where the carrier 115 comprising the plurality of lateral flow rods 110a, 110b, 110c is replaceable, the controller 130 may be configured to detect replacement of the carrier 115. The controller 130 may then be configured to determine the distance d upon detection of replacement of the carrier 115.

[0092] The detection of the replacement of the carrier 115 can be performed by a sensor for detecting the presence / absence / replacement of the carrier 115 .

[0093] The carrier 115 may alternatively include a unique identifier, such as a code such as a QR code, a barcode, etc., that can be scanned by the camera 120 communicatively connected to the controller 130. Thus, unauthorized carriers 115 and lateral flow rods 110a, 110b, 110c can be detected. Since these kinds of products are generally of lower quality, a more robust distance determination scheme can be applied to unauthorized carriers 115 and lateral flow rods 110a, 110b, 110c, for example, every hour, every ten minutes, every minute, every ten seconds, before each lateral flow measurement, etc.

[0094] When scanning the code of the entrusted carrier 115 , the controller 130 may be configured to determine the distance on the first transverse flow bar 110 on the carrier 115 relatively infrequently, for example.

[0095] In some embodiments, the device 100 may include a user interface 170 enabling an operator to trigger the distance determination of the distance d. The controller 130 may then be configured to determine the distance d upon receiving a trigger signal from the operator via the user interface 170.

[0096] In yet other embodiments, the controller 130 can be configured to track the success or results of each lateral flow measurement performed, and when k unsuccessful lateral flow measurements have been performed within a threshold period, the distance d can be determined. For example: in some embodiments, 1<k<10. The threshold period for triggering distance determination may involve a time period, such as 2 failed lateral flow measurements within 20 minutes. The threshold period for triggering distance determination may alternatively involve multiple lateral flow measurements, that is, if there are 2 failed lateral flow measurements in the last 10 lateral flow tests; or 2 failed lateral flow measurements occur in succession, then the distance determination of distance d can be triggered.

[0097] Figure 3A The lateral flow rod 110 is shown viewed from the side, and Figure 3B The lateral flow rod 110 is shown viewed from above.

[0098] The lateral flow bar 110 may include a backing plate 220 which may be made of cardboard, paper or similar material. The backing plate 220 may form a base on which other components of the lateral flow bar 110 may be mounted.

[0099] The lateral flow rod 110 includes a sample pad 210. The sample pad 210 is a part of the lateral flow rod 110, and when the milk dosing arrangement 105 is in the applying position, the milk sample / liquid sample is applied to the sample pad through the needle 150. The sample pad 210 may include a porous structure for achieving capillary flow, such as cellulose fibers and / or a woven mesh.

[0100] The lateral flow rod 110 includes a conjugate pad 230 containing a conjugate 270. The conjugate 270 may include gold particles treated with an antibody, and when the milk sample / liquid sample flows from the sample pad 210 through the conjugate pad 230, the gold particles are dispersed into the milk.

[0101] The conjugate 270 will react with the biomarker to be measured (eg, progesterone in the milk of the applied liquid sample).

[0102] Thus, the conjugate 270 may be embedded in the conjugate pad 230, which may include the glass fiber portion of the lateral flow rod 110. Alternatively, the conjugate pad 230 may include cellulose and / or a surface-modified polyester.

[0103] In addition, the lateral flow rod 110 may include an indication zone 250 arranged to indicate a biomarker of the milk sample / liquid sample based on the conjugate 270. The lateral flow rod 110 may also include a porous membrane 240 for receiving the capillary flow of the milk sample / liquid sample from the conjugate pad 230, thereby transferring the conjugate 270 dispersed in the milk sample / liquid sample to the indication zone 250.

[0104] In various embodiments, the porous membrane 240 can include, for example, nitrocellulose membrane, cellulose, glass fiber, polyester, rayon, polymer, glass fiber, woven fiber, nonwoven fiber, chromatographic gel membrane, diatomaceous earth, silica gel, silicon oxide, diatomaceous earth or other filter membranes. The porous membrane 240 can be designed to improve the capillary pumping speed of liquid through the lateral flow stick 110. The indicator area 250 of the porous membrane 240 can include a test line 251 and a control line 252.

[0105] The test line 251 may be treated with a biomarker reference such as a progesterone reference that is bound to the antibody-treated gold particles of the milk sample / liquid sample and thereby causes the test line 251 to change color tone when exposed to milk containing a progesterone level below a threshold limit. Thus, when the milk has no progesterone level or has a low progesterone level, the test line 251 may change color tone to red / reddish. If / when the animal 101 is in estrus, the progesterone level in the milk sample is close to zero. This color change may then be detected by the camera 120 and may be reported to the farmer and / or stored in a database associated with the identity and / or time reference of the animal 101. This may also trigger the scheduling of an insemination of the animal 101 (in the case where the biomarker is progesterone), or, for example, the scheduling of a veterinary examination (in the case of another biomarker).

[0106] The control line 252 in the indicator area 250 of the porous membrane 240 can be treated with an antibody reference of gold particles treated with an antibody reference bound to a milk sample / liquid sample, regardless of the progesterone level in the milk, and thereby the control line 252 can change color when exposed to milk containing gold particles treated with an antibody reference, thereby ensuring that the milk / liquid has successfully capillary flowed through the porous membrane 240.

[0107] The lateral flow bar 110 may include an absorbent pad 260. The absorbent pad 260 may include an absorbent configured to absorb excess milk / liquid from the porous membrane 240.

[0108] Figure 1 , Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 3A ,or Figure 3B The embodiments shown in or parts thereof may be advantageously combined with each other to obtain additional benefits.

[0109] The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the described system 100. Various changes, substitutions and / or alterations may be made without departing from the embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0110] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the term "or" should be interpreted as a mathematical OR, that is, as an inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR), unless otherwise expressly stated. Additionally, the singular forms "one", "a", and "the" should be interpreted as "at least one", and therefore may also include multiple entities of the same kind, unless otherwise expressly stated. It will be further understood that the terms "include", "comprise" specify the presence of stated features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. For example, a single unit of a processor can implement the functions of several items recited in a claim. The fact that certain measures or features are described in mutually different dependent claims, shown in different drawings, or discussed in conjunction with different embodiments does not mean that a combination of these measures or features cannot be used to advantage. The computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium provided together with or as a part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless communication systems.

Claims

1. A system (100) arranged to monitor and control the application of a milk sample extracted from an animal (101) to a sample pad (210) of a lateral flow rod (110), wherein the lateral flow rod (110) is arranged to indicate the presence of a biomarker in the milk sample extracted from the animal (101); The system (100) comprises: A milk dosing arrangement (105), the milk dosing arrangement comprising: a tube element (145) arranged to obtain the milk sample; and a needle (150) arranged to receive the milk sample via the tube element (145) and to apply the milk sample to the sample pad (210) of the lateral flow stick (110) when the milk dosing arrangement (105) is held in an application position in which the needle tip (151) abuts the sample pad (210); and A movable structure (160) arranged to hold the milk dosing arrangement (105) and to move the needle (150) of the milk dosing arrangement (105) between the following positions: the application position, wherein the needle tip (151) abuts the sample pad (210) of the lateral flow rod (110) while applying the milk sample to the sample pad (210), and a retracted position, wherein the needle tip (151) is located at a distance (d) from the lateral flow rod (110); a drive unit (165) arranged to act on the movable structure (160) so as to cause the movable structure (160) to move the needle (150) of the milk dosing arrangement (105) by a predetermined distance between the retracted position and the application position; A controller (130) communicatively connected to the drive unit (165), wherein the controller (130) is configured to determine the distance (d) between: the needle tip (151) of the needle (150) when the needle (150) of the milk dosing arrangement (105) is in the retracted position, and The lateral flow rod (110); comparing the determined distance (d) with the predetermined distance; and when the determined distance (d) is different from the predetermined distance: updating the predetermined distance to correspond to the determined distance (d); or The distance (d) between the needle tip (151) of the needle (150) and the lateral flow rod (110) when the needle (150) of the milk dosing arrangement (105) is in the retracted position is adjusted to correspond to the predetermined distance.

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein when the needle (150) of the milk dosing arrangement (105) is located in the application position, the needle tip (151) of the needle (150) of the milk dosing arrangement (105) abuts against the surface of the sample pad (210) of the lateral flow stick (110).

3. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the controller (130) is configured to determine the distance (d) by: Setting the speed of the drive unit (165) to below a speed threshold limit; causing the drive unit (165) to act on the movable structure (160) so that the movable structure (160) moves the milk dosing arrangement (105) from the retracted position towards the transverse flow rod (110); Counting each step moved by the drive unit (165) until the needle tip (151) of the needle (150) is detected to abut against the sample pad (210) of the lateral flow rod (110); and The distance (d) is determined based on the counted number of steps moved by the drive unit (165).

4. The system (100) of claim 3, wherein the controller (130) is configured to determine the distance (d) by: setting the motor power of the drive unit (165) to below a power threshold limit, and The contact of the needle tip (151) of the needle (150) with the sample pad (210) of the lateral flow rod (110) is detected by detecting that the driving unit (165) stops.

5. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a camera (120) for capturing an image transverse to the flow rod (110); and The controller (130) is configured to directly or indirectly determine the distance (d) by: causing the movable structure (160) to move the milk dosing arrangement (105) from the retracted position towards the transverse flow rod (110); causing the camera (120) to capture at least one image of the lateral flow rod (110); Obtaining a captured image from the camera (120); and Abutment of the needle tip (151) of the needle (150) against the sample pad (210) of the lateral flow stick (110) is detected based on image analysis of the captured image.

6. The system (100) of claim 5, wherein the controller (130) is configured to detect that the needle tip (151) abuts the sample pad (210) of the lateral flow rod (110) by detecting a light reflection generated by the needle tip (151) when the needle tip (151) abuts a foil covering the sample pad (210) of the lateral flow rod (110).

7. The system (100) of any one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a sensor (265) communicatively connected to the controller (130), wherein the controller (130) is configured to determine the distance (d) directly or indirectly by: emitting electromagnetic waves to the lateral flow rod (110) via an emitting element of the sensor (265); receiving, via a receiving element of the sensor (265), a reflection of the emitted electromagnetic wave reflected by the lateral flow rod (110); measuring a time period between the emission of the electromagnetic wave and the reception of the reflection of the electromagnetic wave; and The distance (d) is determined directly or indirectly based on the measured time period.

8. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the controller (130) is configured to determine the distance (d) at regular time intervals.

9. A system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lateral flow rod (110) is arranged on a carrier (115) comprising a plurality of lateral flow rods (115a, 110b, 110c), and the carrier (110) is replaceable; wherein the controller (130) is configured to detect replacement of the carrier (115); and wherein the controller (130) is configured to determine the distance (d) when the replacement of the carrier (115) is detected.

10. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a user interface (170) enabling an operator to trigger the distance determination; and wherein the controller (130) is configured to The distance (d) is determined when a trigger signal is received from the operator via the user interface (170).

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