Quality determination arrangement and quality inspection method

Abstract

An arrangement (100) is arranged to determine the quality of a lateral flow rod (110b) arranged on a carrier (120) for determining a biomarker of milk of an animal (301). The arrangement (100) comprises: a camera (130) that captures an image (200) of the lateral flow rod (110b); a marker (140) arranged to apply a visual indication (180) indicative of a quality of the lateral flow bar (110b) on the lateral flow bar (110b) or the carrier (120); and a controller (150). The controller (150) is configured to: obtain an image (200) of the lateral flow rod (110b); performing image processing on the image (200); determining a quality of the lateral flow rod (110b) based on the image processing; and applying the visual indication (180) via the marker (140). Also disclosed is a method (400) at a farm for checking the quality of the lateral flow bar (110b) by detecting the provided visual indication (180).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The document discloses an arrangement arranged to determine the quality of a lateral flow stick arranged on a carrier, the carrier comprising a plurality of lateral flow sticks separated from each other on the carrier, the lateral flow sticks being configured for determining biomarker values ​​of milk extracted from an animal. Also disclosed is a corresponding method at a farm for checking the quality of the lateral flow stick on the carrier before applying a milk sample to the lateral flow stick for determining biomarker values ​​of milk extracted from an animal. Background Art

[0002] For example, on animal farms, it is important to keep animals healthy to increase milk / meat production and / or monitor when animals are in heat and / or pregnant. In order to successfully inseminate an animal, it is important to inseminate the animal at the optimal moment. In cases where an animal is not successfully inseminated, milk production is 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, the energy balance of the animal can be estimated (based on urea).

[0004] Thus, the farmer is provided with important information about the status of each individual animal. However, performing and analyzing biomarker measurements for all individual animals at the farm (e.g. by applying milk samples on prepared dry sticks / lateral flow sticks and analyzing these samples) is time consuming for the farmer who may have to deal with various other important issues. This also places high demands on the farmer's management skills in terms of: distinguishing biomarker measurement results from different animals; keeping track of when to repeat the biomarker measurement for each individual animal and when to change the biomarker measurement unit; maintenance of the biomarker testing equipment and high demands on cleanliness to not allow the biomarker measurement for one animal to be contaminated by biological substances from another animal.

[0005] The milk analysis device may be arranged to cooperate with a milk extraction device for periodically analyzing milk samples of an animal, for example during or before and after a milking session. The milk analysis device may extract the milk sample and provide it on a lateral flow stick / dry stick / lateral flow test strip or other similar milk analysis unit. The milk may typically be diluted with a diluent before being applied to the lateral flow stick.

[0006] The lateral flow sticks may be held on a carrier, such as, for example, a carrier tape. The carrier tape may in turn be held in a cassette as disclosed in document WO 2018236271. Thus, the lateral flow sticks may be easily managed at the farm by advancing one lateral flow stick at a time on the carrier tape. Typically one lateral flow stick is used per test sample. When all lateral flow sticks on the cassette have been used, the cassette may be replaced with a new one and the old cassette may be returned to the manufacturer for recycling purposes.

[0007] The carrier may comprise, for example, 200 lateral flow sticks or even about 400 to avoid that the farmer will have to change the carrier / box too often.

[0008] A problem when producing carriers and applying lateral flow sticks thereto is that various errors may sometimes occur during the process. An individual lateral flow stick may, for example, have glue stains or discoloration or have been mounted in an unexpected manner, for example upside down, too close to a border of a carrier or another lateral flow stick, etc. For example, a lateral flow stick may have damaged edges or may have been cut too narrow to allow reliable biomarker measurements.

[0009] These deviations can be detected immediately during production or in a quality check after production but before the carrier with the lateral flow sticks is allowed to reach the user, usually resulting in the rejection of the entire carrier with all the lateral flow sticks that have been installed.

[0010] Therefore, a carrier comprising a single faulty lateral flow stick currently results in the waste of all perfectly functioning lateral flow sticks on the carrier.

[0011] It would be desirable to avoid the waste of side flow sticks, thereby conserving resources. Summary of the invention

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve at least some of the above problems and to enable the use of a carrier comprising a plurality of lateral flow sticks even when one or a few of the lateral flow sticks have been disqualified in a quality check.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by an arrangement arranged to determine the quality of a lateral flow stick arranged on a carrier comprising a plurality of lateral flow sticks. The arrangement is typically installed at a production site where the lateral flow sticks are mounted on the carrier.

[0014] The carrier has a longitudinal extension in the Y direction. The lateral flow rods are arranged individually on the carrier and are separated from each other by a distance in the Y direction. The elongation direction of each lateral flow rod extends in a substantially transverse direction relative to the Y direction of the carrier (e.g. with a rotational misalignment of about 45 to 90 degrees relative to the Y direction).

[0015] The lateral flow stick is configured for determining biomarker values ​​of milk extracted from an animal.

[0016] Biomarkers or biological markers generally refer to measurable indicators of some biological state or condition of an animal. The biomarker value measurement result may be related to the pregnancy / reproduction of the animal, the health of the animal and / or the quality of the animal's milk.

[0017] The arrangement includes a camera, which is involved in capturing an image of at least one lateral flow stick in the plurality of lateral flow sticks after the plurality of lateral flow sticks have been arranged (i.e., installed) on a carrier. The arrangement also includes a marker, which is arranged to apply a visual indication indicating the quality of the lateral flow stick on the lateral flow stick or on the carrier. In addition, the arrangement also includes a controller, which is communicatively connected to the camera and to the marker. The controller is configured to obtain an image of a portion of the at least one lateral flow stick and the carrier from the camera. The controller is also configured to perform image processing of the obtained image. In addition, the controller is configured to determine the quality of the at least one lateral flow stick based on the image processing performed. In addition, the controller is configured to generate a command to the marker to apply a visual indication indicating the quality of the at least one lateral flow stick.

[0018] The visual indication of the marker may, for example, include integers, letters, geometric shapes, colors, strings of letters, bar codes, QR codes, holes punched in a carrier, etc.

[0019] During production, or after production but before distribution of the carriers with the lateral flow sticks to the farms of the respective users, a quality check of each individual lateral flow stick on the carrier is performed. When any lateral flow stick not meeting certain predetermined criteria (such as, for example, the shape of the lateral flow stick, the width of the lateral flow stick, the color of the lateral flow stick, the position of the lateral flow stick, etc.) is detected by image processing, the lateral flow stick is marked by a visual indication.

[0020] Since the visual indication marks the faulty lateral flow stick, the carrier can be provided to the user in any manner. At the user's farm, upon detection of the visual indication, the carrier is advanced, thereby conveying away the indicated / marked lateral flow stick to the subsequent lateral flow stick on the carrier which can be tested.

[0021] By adding a number of additional lateral flow sticks to the carrier, the user compensates for a faulty lateral flow stick that cannot be used.

[0022] Through the interaction between the arrangement for detecting and marking any faulty lateral flow sticks prior to distribution and the arrangement for detecting the visual indication at the user side, the requirements for the controller hardware at the user's facility can be kept very low, since no quality check has to be carried out at the farm; only the presence / absence of the visual indication is monitored.

[0023] Thanks to the provided solution, carriers do not have to be wasted just because of a single or a few defective lateral flow sticks on the carrier, which saves resources. The user is also assured that he / she receives at least as many lateral flow sticks on the carrier as he / she expected; and can trust the biomarker measurement results of lateral flow sticks that have passed the manufacturer's quality inspection.

[0024] In a first implementation of the arrangement according to the first aspect, the controller may be configured to perform image processing and estimate the width of the at least one lateral flow stick; and wherein the quality may be related to the estimated width of the at least one lateral flow stick. Thus, a comparison may be made between the estimated width of the lateral flow stick and a minimum reference width. Any lateral flow stick having a width that does not exceed the minimum reference width may be considered to have insufficient quality and be disqualified for use.

[0025] In the case where the lateral flow stick has a width narrower than the minimum reference width, the lateral flow test may not be performed for several reasons. First, it may be difficult or even impossible to find the lateral flow stick and / or align the needle with a very narrow lateral flow stick. Another reason may be that the amount of reactive particles on the lateral flow stick may be too small to provide a reliable visual indication on the test line and / or control line of the lateral flow stick.

[0026] By disqualifying lateral flow sticks that are too narrow, ie having a width narrower than a minimum reference width, the risk of a lateral flow test failing at the user side for this reason is eliminated or at least reduced.

[0027] In a second specific implementation of the arrangement according to the first aspect or any specific implementation thereof, the controller may be configured to perform image processing by contour analysis of the at least one lateral flow stick in the image. The controller may also be configured to determine the outer contour of the at least one lateral flow stick based on the contour analysis. The controller may additionally be configured to compare the determined outer contour of the at least one lateral flow stick with a reference contour. The quality may be related to the difference between the determined outer contour of the at least one lateral flow stick and the reference contour. Therefore, a lateral flow stick with a determined outer contour that deviates from the reference contour may be considered to have insufficient quality and be disqualified for use.

[0028] In case the lateral flow wand has an outer profile that deviates from the reference profile (eg due to damaged edges, asymmetrical cutting of the lateral flow wand etc.), it may not be possible to successfully perform the lateral flow test on the farm.

[0029] By disqualifying lateral flow sticks that deviate from the reference profile, the risk of a lateral flow test failing at the user side for this reason is eliminated or at least reduced.

[0030] In a third implementation of the arrangement according to the first aspect or any implementation thereof, the controller may be configured to, based on image processing: detect discoloration on the at least one lateral flow stick; and wherein the quality may be related to the color and / or discoloration of the at least one lateral flow stick. A lateral flow stick having a color and / or discoloration that deviates from a reference color by more than a threshold level may be considered to have insufficient quality and be disqualified for use.

[0031] In the event that a lateral flow stick has a color that deviates from the expected reference color, for whatever reason, it may be a sign of insufficient quality for successful use.

[0032] By disqualifying lateral flow sticks that deviate from the expected reference color, the risk of a lateral flow test failing for this reason at the user's side is eliminated or at least reduced.

[0033] In a fourth embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof, the controller may be configured to determine, based on image processing, whether the at least one lateral flow stick is arranged on the carrier in a predetermined manner. The quality may be related to the arrangement of the at least one lateral flow stick on the carrier compared to the predetermined arrangement.

[0034] In case the lateral flow wand is arranged on the carrier (e.g. upside down, in reverse direction, with an unexpected tilt outside the reference interval, twisted, clustered, etc.), it will probably not be possible to determine the biomarker values ​​of the milk sample on the farm with the lateral flow wand in question.

[0035] By disqualifying lateral flow sticks that deviate from the intended arrangement on the carrier, the risk of a lateral flow test failing for this reason at the user side is eliminated or at least reduced.

[0036] In a fifth embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof, the shape of the visual indication as provided by the marker, the number of visual indications and / or the position of the visual indication at the carrier or the lateral flow stick forms an information carrier about the determined quality of the lateral flow stick.

[0037] Due to the visual indication provided, various information about the lateral flow stick can be provided to the farm arrangement. The information provided can be, for example, a score for the estimated quality of the lateral flow stick (lateral flow sticks of different quality levels can be used for different purposes); instructions to disallow a lateral flow stick; instructions to advance a carrier to a subsequent lateral flow stick; instructions to adjust the speed when advancing a carrier to a subsequent lateral flow stick; etc.

[0038] In a sixth implementation of the arrangement according to the first aspect or any implementation thereof, the marker may be arranged to apply the visual indication by punching a hole in the carrier.

[0039] Providing the visual indication by means of a hole in the carrier has the advantage that the marking becomes very easily recognizable at the user's side.

[0040] In a seventh implementation of the arrangement according to the first aspect or any implementation thereof, the marker may be arranged to apply the visual indication at a predetermined position on the carrier.

[0041] By providing a visual indication at a predetermined position on the carrier, which predetermined position is specific to a particular side flow stick, the quality of the side flow stick in question can be easily and unambiguously determined at the user side / farm.

[0042] In an eighth implementation of the arrangement according to the first aspect or any implementation thereof, the predetermined position for the visual indication may be located on the carrier adjacent to or associated with the lateral flow stick for which the quality is determined.

[0043] In the ninth embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof, the carrier may be arranged to be advanced in the Y direction so that when image processing is to be performed by the controller, one lateral flow stick is placed successively at a time in a position in which the camera can capture an image; wherein the predetermined position for the visual indication of the lateral flow stick is positioned on the carrier adjacent to the previous lateral flow stick in the Y direction of the carrier.

[0044] When a visual indication is detected at the user side (which can be achieved when taking a picture of the lateral flow stick n), this visual indication is associated with the subsequent lateral flow stick n+1. The quality of the subsequent lateral flow stick n+1 can thus be determined immediately. In the event that the visual indication of the subsequent lateral flow stick n+1 indicates that the lateral flow stick in question is disqualified for use, the carrier can be immediately advanced to the next subsequent lateral flow stick n+2 to repeat the process there.

[0045] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method at a farm, the method being intended to perform an action with respect to a lateral flow stick on a carrier comprising a plurality of lateral flow sticks based on the quality of the lateral flow sticks as indicated by a visual indication provided to the carrier and / or the lateral flow sticks by an arrangement according to the first aspect or any specific implementation thereof.

[0046] The method comprises the steps of obtaining an image of a portion of the carrier and / or of the lateral flow wand. The method further comprises the steps of performing image processing of the obtained image. Furthermore, the method further comprises the steps of detecting a visual indication on the lateral flow wand or on the carrier indicating the quality of the lateral flow wand. The method further comprises the steps of performing an action with respect to the lateral flow wand based on the quality of the lateral flow wand as indicated by the detected visual indication.

[0047] Since the visual indication marks a faulty lateral flow stick, it can be determined directly and unambiguously at the farm whether the lateral flow stick is of a quality that allows the application of a lateral flow test to determine the biomarker value of the applied milk sample, without having to perform any independent quality check of the lateral flow stick on the carrier itself. Thus, the user is assured that all lateral flow tests performed on any approved lateral flow stick (i.e. any lateral flow stick associated with a visual indication of quality indicating the manufacturer's approval) can be reliably used for biomarker measurement, without having to perform any independent quality check of the lateral flow stick itself.

[0048] In a first embodiment of the method according to the second aspect, the action to be performed with respect to the lateral flow wand may include applying the milk sample to the lateral flow wand when the detected visual indication of the lateral flow wand allows the lateral flow wand to be used to determine a biomarker value of a milk sample of milk extracted from an animal.

[0049] In the second embodiment of the method according to the second aspect or any embodiment thereof, the action to be performed with respect to the lateral flow wand may include: not allowing the milk sample to be applied to the lateral flow wand when the detected visual indication of the lateral flow wand does not allow the lateral flow wand to be used to determine the biomarker value of the milk sample of milk extracted from the animal.

[0050] In a third implementation of the method according to the second aspect or any implementation thereof, the carrier may have a longitudinal extension in the Y direction and be arranged to be advanced in the Y direction so as to successively place the lateral flow sticks one at a time in a position in which the milk sample can be applied. Each of the lateral flow sticks may be arranged individually, separated by a minimum distance from any other lateral flow stick on the carrier.

[0051] The action to be performed relative to the lateral flow stick when the detected visual indication of the lateral flow stick does not allow the lateral flow stick to be used to determine the biomarker value includes: advancing the carrier in the Y direction to a subsequent lateral flow stick to repeat the method steps of the second aspect or any specific implementation thereof on the subsequent lateral flow stick.

[0052] In a fourth embodiment of the method according to the second aspect or any embodiment thereof, the action to be performed relative to the lateral flow stick when the detected visual indication of the lateral flow stick does not allow the lateral flow stick to be used to determine the biomarker value may include: adjusting the speed when advancing the carrier in the Y direction to a subsequent lateral flow stick.

[0053] In some cases, for example when a lateral flow stick has glue spots on it, or when two or more lateral flow sticks have been glued to each other on a carrier, it is desirable to propel the carrier at a reduced speed, i.e. a speed lower than a threshold limit, thereby avoiding or at least minimizing problems associated with propulsion of the carrier.

[0054] In a fifth implementation of the method according to the second aspect or any implementation thereof, the image may be obtained from a portion of the carrier comprising predetermined locations dedicated for the visual indication indicating the quality of one specific lateral flow stick.

[0055] The quality of the lateral flow stick is thereby obtained by checking only predetermined locations on a dedicated portion of the carrier, which reduces the search time for visual indications. The risk of misinterpreting, for example, unexpected spots or discoloration on the carrier for visual indications is also substantially reduced.

[0056] The use of a predetermined position on the dedicated part of the carrier to transmit information about the quality of the lateral flow stick also has the advantage that the absence of a visual indicator at the predetermined position can also be used advantageously as an indicator of the quality of the lateral flow stick. For example, the absence of any visual indicator at the predetermined position on the dedicated part of the carrier indicates the high quality of the lateral flow stick.

[0057] The requirement for farmer intervention and / or manual input is eliminated or at least reduced by automatically identifying a faulty lateral flow stick according to the disclosed method. The cost, maintenance, and farmer effort associated with the management of lateral flow sticks used to determine biomarker values ​​for milk samples is thereby also reduced.

[0058] Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0060] Figure 1 An example of a production site arrangement arranged to monitor the production of a carrier comprising a plurality of lateral flow sticks for determining biomarker values ​​of milk extracted from an animal is shown.

[0061] Figure 2 An image captured by a camera from above of a carrier with a lateral flow wand according to an embodiment is shown.

[0062] Figure 3 An example of an arrangement at a farm is shown, the arrangement being arranged to monitor the production of a carrier belt comprising a plurality of lateral flow sticks to perform an action with respect to the lateral flow sticks on the carrier.

[0063] Figure 4 An embodiment of a method at a farm for performing actions relative to a lateral flow wand on a carrier is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as an arrangement and a method at a farm, which can be put into practice in the embodiments described below. However, these embodiments can be exemplified and implemented in many different forms and are not limited to the examples set forth herein; on the contrary, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete.

[0065] 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.

[0066] Figure 1A scene with a production site arrangement 100 is shown, which is arranged to determine the quality of lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c arranged on a carrier 120 and to provide a visual indication of the determined quality on the respective lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c or on the carrier 120.

[0067] The arrangement 100 comprises a camera 130 configured and directed to capturing images of one lateral flow wand 110b at a time on a carrier 120. The arrangement 100 further comprises a marker 140 arranged to apply a visual indication 180 on the lateral flow wand 110b or at the carrier 120 associated with the lateral flow wand 110b, thereby indicating the quality of the lateral flow wand 110b.

[0068] The quality of the lateral flow wand 110b is determined by a controller 150 included in the arrangement 100. The controller 150 is communicatively connected to the camera 130 and to the marker 140.

[0069] The controller 150 is configured to determine the quality of the lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c on the carrier 120 based on image processing of a corresponding image depicting one of the lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c captured by the camera 130. In this context, the quality of the lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c may be assessed on a binary scale (i.e., allowed / not allowed for use) or on a graded scale having, for example, 5 levels (an arbitrary non-limiting example).

[0070] The controller 150 is configured to obtain an image of the at least one lateral flow wand 110 b and a portion of the carrier 120 from the camera 130 (eg, by triggering a photographic action of the camera 130 ) to capture an image of the lateral flow wand 110 b and provide it to the controller 150 .

[0071] The controller 150 is also configured to perform image processing on the obtained image.

[0072] Image processing involves analyzing one or several predetermined key parameters of the lateral flow stick 110b, such as the width of the lateral flow stick 110b, the position of the lateral flow stick 110b on the carrier 120, the color of the lateral flow stick 110b, the outer contour of the lateral flow stick 110b, the thickness of the lateral flow stick 110b, etc. Thus, a visual error inspection of the lateral flow stick 110b is performed.

[0073] Based on the performed image processing, the quality of the lateral flow stick 110b is determined by the controller 150, for example by comparing the determined width of the lateral flow stick 110b with a reference minimum width of lateral flow sticks, and disqualifying lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c that are too narrow.

[0074] After determining the quality of the lateral flow wand 110b, a command is generated and sent to the marker 140 to apply a visual indication 180 indicating the quality of the lateral flow wand 110b.

[0075] In some embodiments, a visual indication 180 regarding the quality of the lateral flow stick 110b may be applied at the predetermined location 170 on the carrier 120 , such as by punching a hole at the predetermined location 170 in the carrier 120 .

[0076] However, the visual indication 180 may include color coding, graphic shapes, letters, numbers, codes such as QR codes, bar codes, Morse codes, etc.

[0077] Thus, the shape of the visual indications 180, the number of visual indications 180 and / or the position of the visual indications 180 on the carrier 120 or on the lateral flow stick 110b may form an information carrier about the determined quality of the lateral flow stick 110b.

[0078] One particular visual indication 180 may mark a lateral flow stick 110a, 110b, 110c of approved quality, and another different visual indication 180 may mark a lateral flow stick 110a, 110b, 110c of unapproved quality. In some embodiments, the visual indication 180 may be made only for unapproved lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c (i.e., no visual indication 180 may be provided when the lateral flow stick 110a, 110b, 110c is of approved quality); or alternatively, vice versa, only for approved lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c.

[0079] In some embodiments, the predetermined location 170 for the visual indication 180 may be positioned on the carrier 120 proximate to the lateral flow stick 110b for which the quality is being determined.

[0080] The carrier 120, which is embodied as a carrier strip, blister or the like, extends in the Y direction. The plurality of lateral flow bars 110a, 110b, 110c included on the carrier 120 are separated from each other and are arranged at a distance d from each other on the carrier 120. The lateral flow bars 110a, 110b, 110c may also be arranged to have a minimum margin distance from any lateral edge 121, 122 of the carrier 120.

[0081] The lateral flow bars 110a, 110b, 110c are arranged on the carrier 120 so that the elongation direction of each lateral flow bar 110a, 110b, 110c extends in a substantially transverse direction relative to the Y direction. The lateral flow bars 110a, 110b, 110c can, for example, be arranged with a 45 to 90 degree deviation compared to the Y direction.

[0082] Each of the lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c is configured for determining biomarker values ​​of milk extracted from animals at a farm.

[0083] An "animal" may be any type of domesticated female milk-producing mammal typically raised on a dairy farm, such as cattle, goats, sheep, and the like.

[0084] In various embodiments, the biomarkers to be determined by the lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c may be, for example, progesterone, glycoproteins, estrogen and / or gonadotropin-releasing hormone, or any other similar biomarker associated with reproduction, milk production, or general health of an animal.

[0085] The lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c may also be referred to as dry sticks, lateral flow test strips, milk analysis units, etc. When a milk sample is applied to the lateral flow sticks 110a, 110b, 110c, the biomarker values ​​of the extracted milk may indicate progesterone in the milk sample, for example, by a lateral flow test.

[0086] The production site arrangement 100 may be positioned at a production site where the lateral flow wands 110a, 110b, 110c are mounted on the carrier 120 with the lateral flow wands 110a, 110b, 110c before the carrier 120 is distributed to a dairy farm.

[0087] The arrangement 100 may further comprise one or several motors for advancing the carrier 120 in the Y direction, thereby enabling the camera 130 to capture images of the lateral flow wands 110a, 110b, 110c one at a time for image processing purposes. This may enable the camera 130 to capture images of the lateral flow wands 110a, 110b, 110c when image processing is to be performed by the controller 150.

[0088] In some embodiments, carrier 120 may, but need not, be included in a box or roll.

[0089] After or during mounting of the lateral flow sticks 110 a , 110 b , 110 c on the carrier 120 , the carrier 120 (or a cassette or roll comprising the carrier 120 ) may be removably inserted into the arrangement 100 .

[0090] In some embodiments, the carrier 120 may be arranged to be advanced in the Y direction so as to successively place the lateral flow wands 110b therein one at a time in a position that enables the camera 130 to capture an image of the lateral flow wand 110b for which the quality is determined by the controller 150. The predetermined position 170 of the visual indication 180 for the lateral flow wand 110b to be determined for quality may be positioned immediately adjacent to a previous lateral flow wand 110a in the Y direction.

[0091] The advantage when the carrier 120 has been distributed to a farm is that when the farm's camera captures an image of the previous lateral flow stick 110a in the Y direction, it is known whether the next / subsequent lateral flow stick 110b in the Y direction on the carrier 120 has a quality that allows a lateral flow test. The advancement speed of the carrier 120 can be determined based on the quality of the next / subsequent lateral flow stick 110b.

[0092] Some examples of possible errors (i.e., deviations from an expected state) of the lateral flow stick 110b that the controller 150 may detect when performing an image processing or visual error checking process may be, for example, detecting glue, dirt, or discoloration on the lateral flow stick 110b; detecting that the position of the lateral flow stick 110b is at least partially outside the expected position range of the lateral flow stick 110b on the carrier 120; detecting that the lateral flow stick 110b is not present within the expected position range of the lateral flow stick 110b on the carrier 120; detecting that the lateral flow stick 110b is installed upside down on the carrier 120; and / or detecting that the lateral flow stick 110b is installed on the carrier 120 in a reverse direction.

[0093] Accordingly, it becomes possible to utilize the carrier 120 at the farm when a few of the lateral flow rods 110a, 110b, 110c are not possible to use.

[0094] This avoids wasting the carrier 120 or the box including the carrier 120 simply because one or a few of the lateral flow rods 110a, 110b, 110c on the carrier 120 are defective.

[0095] At the farm, identifying the visual indication 180 of a faulty lateral flow stick 110b is significantly easier to detect (i.e. requires fewer computing resources) than if image processing of the image of the lateral flow stick 110b, including determining the quality of the at least one lateral flow stick 110b based on the image processing performed, would have to be performed at each farm.

[0096] Resources are saved because fewer carriers 120 / boxes comprising carriers 120 have to be wasted, and also because the computational effort of the farm field controller is saved.

[0097] Figure 2 An example of an image 200 of a lateral flow stick 110b on a carrier 120 is shown. Figure 1 The camera 130 of the illustrated arrangement 100 or a camera comprised in a corresponding arrangement at a farm captures.

[0098] The image 200 is provided to the controller 130 of the arrangement 100 for performing image processing of the obtained image 200. Hereby, the quality of the at least one lateral flow wand 110b based on the performed image processing is determined by the controller 130.

[0099] In some embodiments, the width w of the lateral flow stick 110b can be estimated during image processing. The quality of the lateral flow stick 110b can be related to the estimated width w of the lateral flow stick 110b. A comparison can be made with a reference minimum width of the lateral flow stick. In the event that the lateral flow stick 110b is narrower than the reference minimum width, the lateral flow stick 110b can be disqualified.

[0100] Also shown in the image 200 is an example of a predetermined position 170 for a visual indication 180 indicative of a determined quality of the lateral flow wand 110b.

[0101] Figure 3 An arrangement at a farm is shown 300. Milk from animals 301 may be extracted and drained by milking equipment as part of a milking parlor via a milk line leading to a milk tank or similar milk storage device.

[0102] A milk sample of animal 301 may be extracted during a milking session and provided via valve 340 to tube element 325 , which is configured to receive the milk sample of animal 301 and provide the milk sample to needle 320 .

[0103] Arrangement 300 includes various electronics and equipment, such as camera 330, one or several pumps, tube element 325, needle 320, controller 350, and possibly light source 360. Arrangement 300 may also include a motor or other similar device for propelling carrier 120 in the Y direction.

[0104] Its purpose is to provide the milk sample via the needle 320 to the lateral flow stick 110 b on the carrier 120 .

[0105] However, first a method is performed for determining whether the quality of the lateral flow wand 110b allows the application of a milk sample.

[0106] exist Figure 4 4 shows a method 400. The method 400 may be performed by a controller 350 of an arrangement 300 at a farm. The method 400 is intended to perform actions with respect to a lateral flow wand 110b on a carrier 120 comprising a plurality of lateral flow wands 110a, 110b, 110c. The carrier 120 may have a longitudinal extension in the Y direction and be arranged to be advanced in the Y direction so as to place one lateral flow wand 110a, 110b, 110c successively in a position in which a milk sample can be applied.

[0107] Each of the lateral flow bars 110 a , 110 b , 110 c is arranged individually, separated by a minimum distance from any other lateral flow bar 110 a , 110 b , 110 c on the carrier 120 .

[0108] The action to be performed depends on the quality of the lateral flow stick 110b under consideration, as determined by Figure 1 The previously described arrangement 100 is shown as indicated by the visual indication 180 of the carrier 120 and / or the lateral flow wand 110b.

[0109] The visual indication 180 is a visual mark, such as, for example, an integer, a letter, a geometric shape, a color, a string of letters, a hole in the carrier 120 and / or the lateral flow stick 110a, 110b, 110c, a code such as a bar code, a QR code, etc., which can carry information about the quality of the associated lateral flow stick 110a, 110b, 110c.

[0110] The method 400 comprises obtaining 401 an image 200 of a portion of the carrier 120 and / or the lateral flow wand 110b. The image 200 may be captured by a camera 330 of the arrangement 300, which may be triggered by a controller 350 of the arrangement 300.

[0111] The image 200 may be obtained 401 from a portion of the carrier 120 that includes a predetermined location 170 that is specific to a visual indication 180 indicating the quality of one particular lateral flow stick 110b.

[0112] The method 400 further comprises performing 402 image processing of the image 200 obtained 401 .

[0113] Image processing or computer vision is a technical field that includes methods for acquiring, processing, analyzing, and understanding images and generally high-dimensional data from the real world in order to produce numerical or symbolic information.

[0114] In this case, the computer vision includes searching for visual indications 180 on the lateral flow stick 110b or on the carrier 120 indicating the quality of the lateral flow stick 110b.

[0115] The method 400 further comprises detecting 403 a visual indication 180 on the lateral flow wand 110b or on the carrier 120. When the visual indication 180 is detected, it may be decoded by the controller 350, thereby enabling a determination of the quality of the lateral flow wand 110b, e.g., whether a milk sample may be applied to the lateral flow wand 110b.

[0116] The method 400 further comprises performing 404 an action with respect to the lateral flow wand 110b based on the quality of the lateral flow wand 110b as indicated by the detected 403 visual indication 180 .

[0117] The actions to be performed with respect to the lateral flow wand 110b may include applying the milk sample to the lateral flow wand 110b when the detected 403 visual indication 180 of the lateral flow wand 110b allows the lateral flow wand 110b to be used to determine a biomarker value for the milk sample of milk extracted from the animal 301 .

[0118] Additionally or alternatively, the action to be performed with respect to the lateral flow wand 110b may include not allowing the milk sample to be applied to the lateral flow wand 110b when the detected 403 visual indication 180 of the lateral flow wand 110b does not allow the lateral flow wand 110b to be used to determine a biomarker value for a milk sample of milk extracted from the animal 301.

[0119] In some embodiments, the action to be performed relative to the lateral flow stick 110b when the detected 403 visual indication 180 of the lateral flow stick 110b does not allow the lateral flow stick 110b to be used to determine a biomarker value may include: advancing the carrier 120 in the Y direction to a subsequent lateral flow stick 110c on the carrier 120 to repeat method steps 401 to 404 on the subsequent lateral flow stick 110c.

[0120] The action to be performed with respect to the lateral flow wand 110b when the detected visual indication 180 of the lateral flow wand 110b does not permit the lateral flow wand 110b to be used to determine a biomarker value may alternatively include adjusting the speed when advancing the carrier 120 in the Y direction to the subsequent lateral flow wand 110c.

[0121] In various embodiments, the biomarkers measured may be, for example, progesterone, glycoproteins, estrogen, and / or gonadotropin-releasing hormone, or any other similar biomarker associated with reproduction or health of animal 301. However, in some embodiments, the biomarkers measured may include LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), BHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate), and / or urea; or other biomarkers associated with the status of animal 301. In some embodiments, multiple of the above listed biomarkers may be measured.

[0122] The lateral flow stick 110a, 110b, 110c can be arranged to indicate the biomarker in the milk sample of the animal 301 when performing the lateral flow test. The lateral flow stick 110a, 110b, 110c can include a sample pad to which the milk sample can be applied. The lateral flow stick 110a, 110b, 110c can also include a conjugate pad, which contains a conjugate that is dispersed into the milk sample when the milk sample flows from the sample pad through the conjugate pad. The lateral flow stick 110a, 110b, 110c can also include a porous membrane for receiving the capillary flow of the milk sample from the conjugate pad, thereby advancing the conjugate dispersed into the milk sample to the test line and the control line. The test line is prepared to change the color hue when exposed to the milk containing the biomarker, and the control line is prepared to change the color hue when exposed to the milk sample regardless of the presence of the biomarker in the milk sample.

[0123] The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the described arrangement 100 and / or method 400. Various changes, substitutions and / or alterations may be made without departing from the embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0124] 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 suitable media such as optical storage media or solid-state media supplied together with or as 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. An arrangement (100) arranged to determine the quality of lateral flow sticks (110a, 110b, 110c) arranged on a carrier (120), the carrier having a longitudinal extension in a Y direction, wherein the carrier (120) comprises a plurality of lateral flow sticks (110a, 110b, 110c) separated from each other by a distance (d) in the Y direction on the carrier (120); wherein the elongation direction of each lateral flow stick (110a, 110b, 110c) extends in a direction substantially transverse to the Y direction; wherein the lateral flow sticks (110a, 110b, 110c) are configured for determining a biomarker value of milk extracted from an animal (301); wherein the arrangement (100) comprises: a camera (130) for capturing an image (200) of at least one lateral flow stick (110b) of the plurality of lateral flow sticks (110a, 110b, 110c) after the plurality of lateral flow sticks (110a, 110b, 110c) have been arranged on the carrier (120); a marker (140) arranged to apply a visual indication (180) indicating the quality of the lateral flow stick (110b) on the lateral flow stick (110b) or at the carrier (120); A controller (150) communicatively connected to the camera (130) and to the marker (140), wherein the controller (150) is configured to Obtaining an image (200) of the at least one lateral flow stick (110b) and a portion of the carrier (120) from the camera (130); performing image processing on the obtained image (200); determining the quality of the at least one lateral flow stick (110b) based on the performed image processing; as well as A command is generated to the marker (140) to apply the visual indication (180) indicating the quality of the at least one lateral flow stick (110b).

2. The arrangement (100) of claim 1, wherein the controller (150) is configured to perform the image processing and estimate a width (w) of the at least one lateral flow wand (110b); and wherein the quality is related to the estimated width (w) of the at least one lateral flow wand (110b).

3. The arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the controller (150) is configured to: perform the image processing by contour analysis of the at least one lateral flow stick (110b) in the image (200); as well as Determining an outer contour of the at least one lateral flow stick (110b) based on contour analysis; The determined outer contour of the at least one lateral flow stick (110b) is compared with a reference contour; and wherein the quality is related to a difference between the determined outer contour of the at least one lateral flow stick (110b) and the reference contour.

4. The arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller (150) is configured to: based on the image processing: detecting discoloration on the at least one lateral flow stick (110b); and wherein the quality is related to the color and / or discoloration of the at least one lateral flow stick (110b).

5. The arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller (150) is configured to: based on the image processing: It is determined whether the at least one lateral flow stick (110b) is arranged on the carrier (120) in a predetermined manner; and wherein the quality is related to the arrangement of the at least one lateral flow stick (110b) on the carrier (120) compared to the predetermined arrangement.

6. An arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shape of the visual indications (180), the number of visual indications (180) and / or the position of the visual indications (180) on the carrier (120) or the lateral flow stick (110b) form an information carrier about the determined quality of the lateral flow stick (110b).

7. The arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the marker (140) is arranged to apply the visual indication (180) by punching a hole in the carrier (120).

8. The arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the marker (140) is arranged to apply the visual indication (180) at a predetermined position (170) on the carrier (120).

9. The arrangement (100) of claim 8, wherein the predetermined position (170) for the visual indication (180) is located on the carrier (120) in close proximity to the lateral flow stick (110b) for which the quality is determined.

10. An arrangement (100) according to claim 8, wherein the carrier (120) is arranged to be advanced in the Y direction so as to successively place one lateral flow stick (110a, 110b, 110c) at a time in a position in which the camera (130) can capture the image (200); and wherein the predetermined position (170) of the visual indication (180) for the lateral flow stick (110b) for which the quality is determined is positioned adjacent to a previous lateral flow stick (110a) in the Y direction.

11. A method (400) at a farm for performing an action with respect to a lateral flow stick (110b) on a carrier (120) comprising a plurality of lateral flow sticks (110a, 110b, 110c) based on: the quality of the lateral flow stick (110b) as indicated by a visual indication (180) provided to the carrier (120) and / or the lateral flow stick (110b) by an arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: Acquiring (401) an image (200) of a portion of the carrier (120) and / or the lateral flow rod (110b); performing (402) image processing on the image (200) obtained (401); detecting (403) the visual indication (180) on the lateral flow stick (110b) or on the carrier (120) indicating the quality of the lateral flow stick (110b); and An action is performed (404) with respect to the lateral flow wand (110b) based on the quality of the lateral flow wand (110b) as indicated by the detected (403) visual indication (180).

12. The method (400) of claim 11, wherein the actions to be performed with respect to the lateral flow wand (110b) comprise: When the detected (403) visual indication (180) of the lateral flow wand (110b) allows the lateral flow wand (110b) to be used to determine a biomarker value of a milk sample of milk extracted from an animal (301), the milk sample is applied to the lateral flow wand (110b).

13. The method (400) of claim 11, wherein the actions to be performed with respect to the lateral flow wand (110b) comprise: When the detected (403) visual indication (180) of the lateral flow wand (110b) does not allow the lateral flow wand (110b) to be used to determine a biomarker value of a milk sample of milk extracted from an animal (301), the milk sample is not allowed to be applied to the lateral flow wand (110b).

14. The method (400) of claim 13, wherein the carrier (120) has a longitudinal extension in the Y direction and is arranged to be advanced in the Y direction so as to successively place the lateral flow wands (110a, 110b, 110c) one at a time in a position in which the milk sample can be applied; wherein each of the lateral flow wands (110a, 110b, 110c) is arranged individually, separated by a minimum distance from any other lateral flow wand (110a, 110b, 110c) on the carrier (120); and wherein the action to be performed with respect to the lateral flow wand (110b) when the detected (403) visual indication (180) of the lateral flow wand (110b) does not allow the lateral flow wand (110b) to be used for determining the biomarker value comprises The carrier (120) is advanced in the Y direction to a subsequent lateral flow rod (110c) to repeat method steps 401 to 404 on the subsequent lateral flow rod (110c).

15. The method (400) of claim 14, wherein the action to be performed with respect to the lateral flow wand (110b) when the detected (403) visual indication (180) of the lateral flow wand (110b) does not allow the lateral flow wand (110b) to be used to determine the biomarker value comprises The speed at which the carrier (120) is advanced in the Y direction to the subsequent lateral flow rod (110c) is adjusted.

16. The method (400) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the image (200) is obtained (401) from a portion of the carrier (120), the portion of the carrier comprising a predetermined position (170) dedicated to the visual indication (180) indicating the quality of a specific lateral flow stick (110b).

Images