Intelligent fistula device for ruminant rumen gas monitoring and monitoring method

Abstract

The invention discloses an intelligent fistula device for ruminant rumen gas monitoring and a monitoring method.The device is characterized in that a detachable sealing cover is arranged at the outer end of a fistula, a monitoring module is arranged at the inner end of the fistula, and the monitoring module comprises a main control circuit board, a wireless communication circuit board and a sensor circuit board; a temperature and humidity sensor and a pressure sensor are integrated on the sensor circuit board, and a pluggable methane sensor is arranged on the sensor circuit board; the main control circuit board and the communication circuit board work cooperatively, and temperature, humidity, pressure and rumen methane concentration which are collected in real time are transmitted to an external receiving terminal. According to the invention, long-term, stable and online monitoring of rumen gas and environmental parameters is realized, the problems of gas dissipation and the like in traditional sampling are avoided, and the accuracy of methane emission evaluation is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of animal physiological research instruments, and in particular to an intelligent fistula device and monitoring method for rumen gas monitoring in ruminants. Background Technology

[0002] Ruminants consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide through metabolism to maintain their life activities. It is well-known that large-scale livestock production makes a significant contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions. However, unlike non-ruminant livestock, ruminants (such as cattle and sheep) rely on rumen microorganisms for cellulose fermentation during digestion. This unique physiological mechanism is accompanied by the generation and emission of large amounts of methane (CH4). Once released into the atmosphere, methane is difficult to degrade effectively by natural processes, and its greenhouse effect potential is extremely high, with a warming potential per unit mass 23 times that of carbon dioxide.

[0003] According to the 2023 report "Research Progress on the Mechanism of Ruminant Methane Emissions from the Rumen and Nutritional Emission Reduction Strategies," methane produced by intestinal fermentation in ruminants accounts for 66% of total methane emissions from agricultural production, making it the second largest source of agricultural greenhouse gases after carbon dioxide, and accounting for approximately 14.5% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, ruminant methane emissions must be given due attention and in-depth study as an independent branch within the agricultural greenhouse gas research system. Accurate monitoring of physiological parameters within the rumen not only helps assess the health status and feed digestibility of ruminants but also provides a scientific basis for optimizing feed formulations and improving feeding management strategies, thereby achieving the sustainable development goal of emission reduction and efficiency improvement.

[0004] Currently, traditional methods for measuring methane emissions mainly include the respiration chamber method, carbon balance method, and isotope tracing method. However, these methods are mostly indirect measurements and suffer from problems such as discontinuous sampling, sensor susceptibility to body fluid contamination, poor installation stability, and lack of real-time remote monitoring capabilities. They cannot reflect the dynamic changes of gas inside the rumen in real time, and are complex to operate, costly, and difficult to achieve long-term continuous monitoring. In recent years, with the development of sensor technology and wireless communication, direct in vivo monitoring based on fistula-type devices has gradually become a research hotspot. By implanting a fistula in the rumen of ruminants and integrating a gas sensor module at the end of the fistula, in-situ, real-time, and continuous monitoring of methane concentration in the rumen can be achieved.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a rumen gas intelligent monitoring device that is compact, has good biocompatibility and sealing performance, integrates multi-parameter sensing functions, and can work stably for a long time, in order to meet the needs of precision agriculture and low-carbon aquaculture development. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an intelligent fistula device and monitoring method for rumen gas monitoring in ruminants. This method is intended to enable long-term, continuous, and accurate online monitoring of greenhouse gas emission concentrations such as methane (CH4) in the rumen of ruminants such as cattle and sheep, thereby avoiding problems such as gas escape in traditional sampling and improving the accuracy of methane emission assessment.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution: The present invention provides an intelligent fistula device for rumen gas monitoring in ruminants, characterized in that it comprises: A fistula, wherein one end of the fistula is the outer end and the other end is the inner end; The fistula is provided with an outer seat at the outer end and an inner seat at the inner end. The outer seat and the inner seat respectively clamp the animal's epidermis and stomach wall to achieve stable fixation and sealing of the device in the body. The inner and outer ends of the fistula are connected, and a monitoring module is threadedly connected to the outer end. The outer end face of the monitoring module is provided with a cap, and the top surface of the cap is provided with a strip-shaped handle extending along the diameter direction for screwing the cap. The cap and the monitoring module are connected by threads, and a first sealing ring is provided at the connection between the two to form a waterproof and dustproof first sealed chamber between the monitoring module and the cap. The monitoring module and the fistula are also connected by threads, and a second sealing ring is provided at the connection between the two to form a second sealed chamber that is waterproof and dustproof between the monitoring module and the outer seat; The monitoring module includes: a lithium battery, a main control circuit board, a wireless communication circuit board, and a sensor circuit board; The lithium battery is detachably fixed to one side of the main control circuit board via a battery slot, and is used to power all circuit boards in the sealed cavity. A microcontroller is integrated on the other side of the main control circuit board; The wireless communication circuit board is electrically connected to the main control circuit board via a first FPC connection line; The wireless communication circuit board is soldered with an RF chip and a glue rod antenna to enable wireless data transmission. The sensor circuit board is connected to the main control circuit board via a second FPC connection cable; One side of the sensor circuit board, located between the first sealed chamber and the second sealed chamber, is covered with an insulating and waterproof back plate, and the insulating and waterproof back plate, the sensor circuit board and the monitoring module are fastened together by bolts. The other side of the sensor circuit board integrates a temperature and humidity sensor and a pressure sensor, and is equipped with a gas sensor socket for connecting a methane sensor. The monitoring module has an opening on its bottom surface, and a waterproof and breathable membrane is provided at the opening.

[0008] The monitoring method of the intelligent fistula device of the present invention is characterized by being carried out according to the following steps: Step 1: Using the methane sensor, temperature and humidity sensor and pressure sensor in the intelligent fistula device, collect the methane gas, temperature, humidity and pressure of the gas environment in the gas layer of the rumen of the rumen of the ruminant, and transmit the data to the microcontroller of the main control circuit board for processing to obtain sensor data. Step 2: The microcontroller sends the sensor data to an external receiving terminal via a wireless communication circuit board for visualization, generating dynamic curves showing the changes in methane concentration, temperature, humidity, and pressure over time.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. This invention enables long-term, in-situ, real-time monitoring of methane gas in the rumen. By integrating a methane sensor into a sealed monitoring module at the end of a fistula and placing it within the rumen gas layer, continuous, dynamic, and highly responsive in-situ detection of methane concentration can be achieved, overcoming the limitations of traditional in vitro measurement methods that cannot reflect changes in rumen gas in real time.

[0010] 2. This invention features a modular and detachable design, making maintenance convenient and usage flexible. The monitoring module is connected to the cap via a threaded structure and can be installed and removed using a handle; the sensor is plug-in mounted on the circuit board socket, supporting quick on-site replacement and calibration, greatly improving the maintainability of the equipment and its applicability to ranches.

[0011] 3. This invention is integrated and intelligent, supporting multi-parameter sensing and wireless transmission. It integrates lithium battery power, FPC flexible interconnection, temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors, and a wireless communication module to achieve synchronous acquisition of multiple parameters and remote data upload, improving measurement accuracy and system intelligence, and meeting the needs of modern smart farming for precise carbon emission management. The device adopts a modular design, facilitating maintenance and upgrades, and is suitable for livestock research, precision feeding, and greenhouse gas emission reduction monitoring. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the intelligent fistula device for monitoring rumen gas in ruminants according to the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 Side view; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Top view; Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the methane gas monitoring system inside the fistula device of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation and monitoring process of the intelligent fistula for rumen gas monitoring in ruminants according to the present invention. Figure 6 This is a block diagram of the internal circuit connection of the intelligent fistula for monitoring rumen gas in ruminants according to the present invention; Figure 7 This is a block diagram of the intelligent fistula monitoring interface for rumen gas monitoring in ruminants according to the present invention; Numbered in the diagram: 1. Cap; 2. Monitoring module; 3. Fistula outer seat; 4. Fistula; 5. Fistula inner seat; 6. Lithium battery; 7. Battery slot; 8. Main control circuit board; 9. Microcontroller; 10. Wireless communication circuit board; 11. RF chip; 12. Glue rod antenna; 13. Bolt; 14. Insulating and waterproof backplate; 15. Sensor circuit board; 16. Gas sensor socket; 17. Temperature and humidity sensor; 18. Pressure sensor; 19a. First FPC connection cable; 19b. Second FPC connection cable; 20. Waterproof and breathable membrane; 21a. First sealing ring; 21b. 22 Second sealing ring; 23 Methane sensor; 24 First sealed chamber; 25 Second sealed chamber; 26 Epidermis; 27 Biological tissue; 28 Stomach wall; 29 Gas layer; 20 Liquid layer; 31 Solid-liquid mixture layer; 32 Rumen parameter monitoring interface; 33 Reset circuit; 34 Crystal oscillator circuit; 35 Power supply circuit; 36 Port parameter configuration; 37 Port connection status; 38 Data receiving area; 39 Data transmitting area; 40 Methane gas display; 41 Temperature data display; 42 Humidity data display; 43 Pressure data display. Detailed Implementation

[0013] In this embodiment, an intelligent fistula device for monitoring rumen gas in ruminants enables long-term, stable, and online monitoring of rumen gas and environmental parameters, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the device includes: Fistula 4 has an outer end and an inner end. The fistula 4 is a hollow cylindrical structure that penetrates the animal's body wall, forming a physical channel from the inside of the rumen to the outside of the body.

[0014] The fistula 4 is provided with an outer seat 3 and an inner seat 5 at both ends. The outer seat 3 and the inner seat 5 respectively clamp the animal's epidermis 25 and stomach wall 27 to achieve stable fixation and sealing of the device in the body. like Figure 4 As shown, the monitoring module 2 has a cylindrical shell structure and is connected to the fistula 4 via an external thread and an internal thread at the outer end. A second sealing ring 21b is provided at the connection between the two to form a second sealed chamber 24 that is waterproof and dustproof between the monitoring module 2 and the outer seat 3.

[0015] The outer end face of the monitoring module 2 is provided with a cap 1. The top surface of the cap 1 is provided with a strip-shaped handle extending along the diameter direction for screwing the cap 1, which facilitates manual operation and enhances the sealing performance.

[0016] The plug 1 and the monitoring module 2 are connected by threads to achieve a detachable seal. A first sealing ring 21a is provided at the connection between the two to form a waterproof and dustproof first sealed chamber 23 between the monitoring module 2 and the plug 1, preventing external pollutants from entering and ensuring the continuity and accuracy of the monitoring process.

[0017] Monitoring module 2 includes: lithium battery 6, main control circuit board 8, wireless communication circuit board 10, and sensor circuit board 15; The lithium battery 6 is detachably fixed to one side of the main control circuit board 8 via the battery slot 7, and is used to provide stable power supply to all circuit boards in the sealed chamber. It is a detachable power source.

[0018] On the other side of the main control circuit board 8, a microcontroller 9 is integrated, which is used to receive and process signals from various sensors, and control the operation of the entire system according to a preset program. At the same time, it communicates with external devices to realize data interaction and remote monitoring functions.

[0019] The wireless communication circuit board 10 is electrically connected to the main control circuit board 8 via the first FPC connection line 19a to achieve stable power supply and control signal transmission.

[0020] The wireless communication circuit board 10 has an RF chip 11 and a glue rod antenna 12 soldered on it for wireless data transmission. The RF chip 11 supports specific wireless communication protocols and is responsible for modulation, demodulation, and RF signal processing. The glue rod antenna 12 is used for efficient radiation and reception of electromagnetic waves, ensuring that the device has good communication distance and anti-interference capability within the specified frequency band. The wireless communication circuit board 10 also integrates matching circuits and filtering components to optimize RF performance and reduce signal loss.

[0021] The sensor circuit board 15 is connected to the main control circuit board 8 via the second FPC connection line 19b; An insulating and waterproof backplate 14 covers one side of the sensor circuit board 15, located between the first sealed chamber 23 and the second sealed chamber 24. The insulating and waterproof backplate 14, the sensor circuit board 15, and the monitoring module 2 are securely connected by bolts 13. This insulating and waterproof backplate 14 possesses excellent electrical insulation properties, effectively preventing liquid penetration or moisture intrusion between the two sealed chambers, thereby protecting the sensor circuit board 15 from environmental influences and ensuring its long-term stable operation. The bolts 13 are made of corrosion-resistant material, providing reliable mechanical fixation while also enhancing the overall structure's sealing and vibration resistance.

[0022] On the other side of the sensor circuit board 15, a temperature and humidity sensor 17 and a pressure sensor 18 are integrated, and a gas sensor socket 16 is provided for connecting the methane sensor 22. The temperature and humidity sensor 17 is used to monitor the temperature and relative humidity in the rumen in real time, and has high accuracy and fast response characteristics. The pressure sensor 18 is used to detect the pressure change in its chamber. The gas sensor socket 16 adopts a standard interface design, supporting plug-and-play of the methane sensor 22, which is convenient for on-site installation, replacement or calibration. The methane sensor 22 is electrically connected to the sensor circuit board 15 through this socket, which can continuously detect the methane concentration in the rumen and transmit the data to the microcontroller 9 on the main control circuit board 8.

[0023] The bottom surface of the monitoring module 2 has an opening, and a waterproof and breathable membrane 20 is installed at the opening. The waterproof and breathable membrane 20 is made of hydrophobic polymer material (e-PTFE) and has a microporous structure, which allows air and gas molecules to pass through freely, thereby achieving air pressure balance inside and outside the module. Its micropore size is much smaller than that of liquid water droplets, which can effectively block moisture, dust and pollutants from entering the first sealed chamber 23 and the second sealed chamber 24, ensuring the long-term stable operation of internal electronic components (such as sensor circuit board 15, main control circuit board 8, etc.) in humid, dusty or harsh industrial environments.

[0024] like Figure 5 As shown, the method of using the device of the present invention is as follows: The rumen's internal environment is divided into a solid-liquid mixture layer 30, a liquid layer 29, and a gas layer 28 from bottom to top. The gas layer 28, located at the top of the rumen, is mainly composed of gases such as methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by microbial fermentation and is the primary source of methane emissions. A methane sensor 22 of the monitoring device is located in the gas layer 28, with a waterproof and breathable membrane 20 above it. This membrane allows gas molecules to diffuse freely into the sensor chamber while effectively blocking gastrointestinal fluid infiltration and preventing moisture corrosion of electronic components. The methane sensor 22, temperature and humidity sensor 17, and pressure sensor 18 in the intelligent fistula device collect data on methane gas, temperature, humidity, and pressure in the gas layer 28. This data is transmitted via sensor circuit board 15 to the microcontroller 9 on the main control circuit board 8 for processing. The sensor data is then transmitted via wireless communication circuit board 8 to an external receiving terminal, enabling continuous and accurate online monitoring of rumen methane concentration.

[0025] like Figure 6As shown, the microcontroller 9 includes a reset circuit 32, a crystal oscillator circuit 33, and a power supply circuit 34. The microcontroller 9 is electrically connected to the methane sensor 22 via a USART interface and to the temperature and humidity sensor 17 and the pressure sensor 18 via an IIC interface. The microcontroller 9 receives the transmitted data from the methane sensor 22, the temperature and humidity sensor 17, and the pressure sensor 18 and displays this data in a line graph format on the rumen parameter monitoring interface 31 on the PC via the wireless communication module 10.

[0026] like Figure 7 As shown, the intelligent fistula device for monitoring rumen gas in ruminants provides a rumen parameter monitoring interface, including port parameter configuration 35, port connection status 36, data receiving area 37, data sending area 38, methane gas display 39, temperature data display 40, humidity data display 41, and pressure data display 42.

Claims

1. A smart fistula device for monitoring rumen gas in ruminants, characterized in that, include: A fistula (4), one end of which is the outer end and the other end is the inner end; The fistula (4) has an outer seat (3) at its outer end and an inner seat (5) at its inner end. The outer seat (3) and the inner seat (5) respectively clamp the animal’s epidermis (25) and stomach wall (27) to achieve stable fixation and sealing of the device in the body. The inner end of the fistula (4) is connected to the outer end, and the outer end is threadedly connected to the monitoring module (2); The monitoring module (2) has a cap (1) on its outer end face. The top surface of the cap (1) has a strip-shaped handle extending along the diameter direction for screwing the cap (1). The plug (1) and the monitoring module (2) are connected by threads, and a first sealing ring (21a) is provided at the connection between the two to form a waterproof and dustproof first sealed chamber (23) between the monitoring module (2) and the plug (1); The monitoring module (2) and the fistula (4) are also connected by threads, and a second sealing ring (21b) is provided at the connection between the two to form a second waterproof and dustproof sealed chamber (24) between the monitoring module (2) and the outer seat (3); The monitoring module (2) includes: a lithium battery (6), a main control circuit board (8), a wireless communication circuit board (10), and a sensor circuit board (15); The lithium battery (6) is detachably fixed to one side of the main control circuit board (8) via the battery slot (7) and is used to power all circuit boards in the sealed cavity. A microcontroller (9) is integrated on the other side of the main control circuit board (8); The wireless communication circuit board (10) is electrically connected to the main control circuit board (8) via the first FPC connection line (19a); The wireless communication circuit board (10) is soldered with an RF chip (11) and a glue rod antenna (12) for wireless data transmission. The sensor circuit board (15) is connected to the main control circuit board (8) via the second FPC connection line (19b); The sensor circuit board (15) is covered by an insulating and waterproof backplate (14) on one side and between the first sealed chamber (23) and the second sealed chamber (24), and the insulating and waterproof backplate (14), the sensor circuit board (15) and the monitoring module (2) are fastened together by bolts (13). On the other side of the sensor circuit board (15), a temperature and humidity sensor (17) and a pressure sensor (18) are integrated, and a gas sensor socket (16) is provided for plugging in a methane sensor (22). The bottom surface of the monitoring module (2) is provided with an opening, and a waterproof and breathable membrane (20) is provided at the opening.

2. The monitoring method for the intelligent fistula device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The procedure is as follows: Step 1: Using the methane sensor (22), temperature and humidity sensor (17), and pressure sensor (18) in the intelligent fistula device, collect the methane gas, temperature, humidity, and pressure of the gas environment in the gas layer (28) of the rumen of the ruminant, and transmit the data to the microcontroller (9) of the main control circuit board (8) through the sensor circuit board (15) for processing to obtain sensor data; Step 2: The microcontroller (9) sends the sensor data to an external receiving terminal via the wireless communication circuit board (10) for visualization, so as to generate dynamic curves of methane concentration, temperature, humidity and pressure changing over time.

Images