Biodegradable giant panda staged self-expansion tracking neck ring

Abstract

The invention discloses a biodegradable giant panda staged self-expansion tracking neck ring and system, and belongs to the technical field of wild animal tracking and monitoring. Comprising a strip-shaped main body structure made of a biodegradable polymer, a self-expansion unit composed of a biodegradable elastomer lining and a telescopic structure, a tracking and data processing unit and an energy module which are sealed in the biological inert micro protection cabin, and a connecting piece made of a corrodible metal alloy. The degradation or corrosion rates of all the parts are synergistically configured, so that the neck ring can adapt to the growth of the neck of the panda and stably work within a preset wearing period of 18-24 months, and then the neck ring automatically breaks and falls off and is completely degraded in the natural environment. The core technical problems that an existing tracking neck ring cannot adapt to growth of pandas, secondary anesthesia removal is needed, and environment residues exist are solved, and high unification of animal welfare, long-term continuous scientific research monitoring and environment protection is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wildlife tracking and monitoring technology, specifically to a biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas. Background Technology

[0002] As a rare and endangered species unique to China, the study of giant pandas' individual behavioral ecology, habitat selection, and dispersal patterns is the scientific foundation for effective conservation management. Long-term tracking of sub-adult giant pandas is particularly important, as this stage is crucial for them to learn independent survival and establish habitat ranges. Obtaining continuous activity data during this period is invaluable for understanding population dynamics and habitat requirements. Currently, tracking research on wild giant pandas mainly relies on radio or satellite tracking collars worn around their necks.

[0003] Existing tracking collar technologies reveal several insurmountable drawbacks when applied to giant pandas. First, giant pandas grow rapidly from cubs to sub-adults, with significant changes in neck circumference. The fixed-size structure of traditional collars cannot accommodate this growth process, posing risks of neck injury or behavioral disruption, highlighting animal welfare concerns. Second, to ensure years of continuous operation, traditional collars typically use high-strength engineering plastic shells and disposable lithium batteries, resulting in relatively large weight and size. When the battery is depleted or the research period ends, the equipment must be removed through a dangerous secondary anesthesia and capture operation, posing additional risks to both the panda and researchers. More seriously, if removal fails or the equipment accidentally detaches, these non-biodegradable collars and their electronic components will become long-term foreign objects remaining in the high-altitude bamboo forest ecosystem, causing potential environmental pollution. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas, solving the problems mentioned in the background section.

[0005] (II) Technical Solution To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a biodegradable panda staged self-expanding tracking collar, comprising a strip-shaped main body structure, characterized in that: the strip-shaped main body structure is made of a biodegradable polymer material, and a self-expanding unit is fixedly connected inside the strip-shaped main body structure. The self-expanding unit consists of a biodegradable elastic liner fixed to the inner side of the strip-shaped main body structure and a telescopic structure formed on the strip-shaped main body structure. The telescopic structure allows the strip-shaped main body structure to slide and expand along its length direction under the push of the biodegradable elastic liner. The strip-shaped main structure houses a tracking and data processing unit, which includes a bio-inert micro-protective chamber and core electronic components sealed inside the micro-protective chamber. The micro-protective chamber is fixed to the strip-shaped main structure and contains an energy module that powers the tracking and data processing unit. Corrosion-resistant connectors are fixedly connected to both ends of the strip-shaped main structure to releasably connect the two ends. The corrosion-resistant connectors are made of a metal alloy that is corroded in bodily fluids. The degradation or corrosion rates of the biodegradable polymer material, the biodegradable elastomer liner, and the corrosive connectors are synergistically configured so that the neckband maintains structural integrity and function within a preset wearing period of 18-24 months. After the wearing period ends, the corrosive connectors first cause structural separation due to corrosion failure, and then the main strip structure continues to degrade in the environment until it is completely broken.

[0006] Preferably, the main strip structure is a carrier strip woven from composite fibers of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone, wherein the mass percentage of PCL is 20%-40% to regulate the degradation rate and provide the necessary flexibility.

[0007] Preferably, the biodegradable elastomer liner is made of modified polycaprolactone or biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethane and is pre-stretched and fixed, with the radial expansion force provided controlled in the range of 3-5N to ensure comfortable and effective progressive expansion.

[0008] Preferably, the telescopic structure is a shingled or rail-type overlapping structure, and is provided with a physical limiting structure to prevent the strip-shaped main structure from expanding excessively.

[0009] Preferably, the two relatively sliding parts of the telescopic structure are connected by one or more corrosion-resistant weakening pins; when the expansion force acting on the telescopic structure exceeds a preset threshold, the corrosion-resistant weakening pin breaks, allowing the two parts to slide further relative to each other; the fracture threshold of the corrosion-resistant weakening pin is precisely set by its alloy composition, diameter and heat treatment process.

[0010] Preferably, the miniature protective cabin is made of medical-grade PEEK or titanium alloy; the tracking and data processing unit includes a Beidou / GPS dual-mode positioning chip and a LoRa wireless communication module, and the core electronic components also include a triaxial accelerometer for behavior classification and a flash memory chip for data caching.

[0011] Preferably, the energy module includes a flexible thin-film solar cell attached to the outer surface of the micro protective cabin, and a micro supercapacitor or a low self-discharge rate lithium primary battery coupled to the solar cell for energy storage and management.

[0012] A giant panda tracking system, characterized in that it includes: At least one biodegradable self-expanding tracking collar as described in any one of the above; A low-power wide-area network data relay network deployed within the monitoring area; The wireless communication module of the tracking collar is configured to operate in an intermittent mode with a low duty cycle and is synchronized with the data relay network. The data relay network is optimized to listen for and receive data at a period that matches the communication intermittent mode of the tracking collar, and forward the received data to the remote monitoring center; the tracking collar is also equipped with a continuous sensor, which can trigger the final emergency data transmission protocol when the integrity of the collar structure is detected to be compromised.

[0013] (III) Beneficial Effects This invention provides a biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas, which has the following beneficial effects: 1. Addressing the rapid changes in neck circumference in subadult giant pandas, this invention utilizes a stretchable structure driven by a pre-stretched, biodegradable elastic liner. This allows the neck collar to provide continuous, gentle, and limited radial expansion force, enabling adaptive growth of the neck circumference. This design fundamentally eliminates the neck compression, skin damage, or behavioral disturbances that can occur with traditional fixed-size neck collars. It ensures the animal remains in a natural and comfortable state throughout the 18-24 month research period, thereby obtaining authentic and reliable behavioral and ecological data, significantly improving the ethical standards and data quality of the research.

[0014] 2. This invention creatively employs a time-sequential synergistic degradation design. The collar's main body is made of PLA / PCL composite fiber, the elastic lining is made of modified PCL, and the connectors are made of porous magnesium alloy. The biodegradation and corrosion rates of these three components are precisely designed and matched, ensuring that the collar maintains its structural and functional integrity throughout the research period. After the period ends, it sequentially fails, breaks, and ultimately completely mineralizes in the natural environment. This mechanism allows the collar to automatically degrade after completing its scientific mission, eliminating the need for secondary anesthesia and capture of precious giant pandas to remove the equipment. This not only eliminates the risks to animals and personnel from the operation itself but also completely avoids the pollution of the native habitat by non-degradable electronic waste. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a top view of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the self-expanding unit in this invention; Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the miniature protective cabin in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the working logic of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the tracking system in this invention.

[0016] Among them, 1. Strip-shaped main structure; 11. Bearing belt; 2. Self-expanding unit; 21. Biodegradable elastic inner liner; 22. Telescopic structure; 23. Corrosion-resistant weakening pin; 24. Physical limiting structure; 3. Tracking and data processing unit; 31. Miniature protective cabin; 32. Core electronic components; 4. Energy module; 41. Flexible thin-film solar cell; 5. Corrosion-resistant connector. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] Example 1: like Figure 1-6 As shown in the figure, this embodiment of the invention provides a biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas. The collar is designed to be worn for approximately 24 months, with an initial neck circumference of about 28 centimeters, and can safely expand to over 42 centimeters as the panda grows.

[0019] The core support structure of the tracking neckband is a strip-shaped main structure 1. Specifically, the strip-shaped main structure 1 is a support strip 11 approximately 4 cm wide and 2 mm thick. The support strip 11 is woven from a composite fiber of polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) in a 70:30 mass ratio, with a weaving angle of approximately 45 degrees. The addition of PCL effectively improves the brittleness of PLA, providing necessary structural strength while imparting good flexibility to the material. Accelerated aging test data under standard soil composting conditions shows that this material ratio maintains over 80% of its initial strength in the early stages of wear, ensuring structural reliability; strength begins to significantly decrease during 18-24 months; and after approximately 30 months, the material's weight loss exceeds 90% and it completely breaks apart. By adjusting the PLA to PCL ratio, the service life of the main structure can be precisely controlled within the range of 18 to 30 months.

[0020] The collar's adaptive function to animal neck circumference growth is achieved through a self-expanding unit 2. This unit comprises a biodegradable elastomer liner 21 and a telescopic structure 22. The elastomer liner 21 is a thin film of modified polycaprolactone (PCL) approximately 0.5 mm thick, formed by solution casting. Before assembly, it is pre-stretched to 120% of its original length at 50°C and then shaped. Material testing shows that this treatment enables it to provide a sustained, gentle radial recoil force of approximately 4.0 ± 0.5 N. The telescopic structure 22 employs a nested sliding design: a fixed sleeve is provided at one end of the support belt 11, within which a guide rod is slidably mounted, the other end of which is connected to the support belt 11. The pre-stretched elastomer liner 21 connects to the inside of the guide rod, and its recoil force drives the guide rod to contract inward into the sleeve, thus manifesting as an expansion of the entire collar circumference.

[0021] To ensure a safe and reliable expansion process, the self-expanding unit 2 integrates a dual safety mechanism. The first layer is a physical limiting structure 24, with a limiting block fixed at the end of the guide rod that extends into the sliding sleeve. When the expansion reaches the preset maximum neck circumference, the limiting block 24 will abut against the end of the sliding sleeve, achieving rigid physical limiting. The second layer is a safety redundancy, with a corrosion-resistant weakening pin 23 made of absorbable medical-grade magnesium alloy running laterally through the overlapping part of the sliding sleeve and the guide rod. This weakening pin acts as a mechanical fuse; when encountering an abnormal expansion force exceeding a preset 60 N threshold, it will shear and break first, allowing the guide rod to slide and release a certain distance immediately, thereby immediately relieving the abnormal restraint on the animal.

[0022] The tracking and data processing unit 3 and the power module 4 are integrated and packaged to withstand harsh outdoor environments. The core electronic components 32, including an ultra-low-power MCU, a BeiDou / GPS dual-mode positioning module, a LoRa wireless communication module, a three-axis accelerometer, and data storage flash memory, are completely sealed within a miniature protective enclosure 31 precision-machined from medical-grade titanium alloy. This enclosure 31 has an IP68 waterproof rating, providing permanent protection for the electronic system. The power module 4 includes a flexible thin-film solar cell 41 attached to the surface of the enclosure 31 and a lithium thionyl chloride main battery. The solar cell 41 provides minute replenishment to the main battery through a high-efficiency management circuit, aiming to extend battery life. Calculations show that under typical operating conditions, the system can operate stably for over 28 months.

[0023] The reliable closure and planned detachment of the collar are controlled by the corrosive connector 5. Connector 5 is a porous magnesium alloy clip manufactured using powder metallurgy. Accelerated corrosion experiments in simulated body fluids show that its mechanical strength will decrease by more than 90% after 20-24 months, making it unable to withstand the stress of daily activities and causing it to break first, opening the collar. Subsequently, the continuously degrading strip-shaped main structure 1 will completely break within a short period of time, achieving the overall detachment of the equipment.

[0024] Example 2: This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 1, except that the telescopic structure 22 of the self-expanding unit 2 adopts a different specific configuration and further refines the working mode of the tracking system.

[0025] The telescopic structure 22 employs a shingled design. The support belt 11 is divided into two overlapping layers at one end along its length, with the lower layer sliding relative to the upper layer. A pre-stretched elastic liner 21 is bonded to the lower surface of the sliding layer. The physical restraint structure 24 consists of rigid blocks molded onto the support belt 11. A corrosion-resistant weakening pin 23 vertically penetrates the overlapping portion of the shingles, connecting the upper and lower layers. When an abnormal force exceeds a threshold, the weakening pin 23 breaks, allowing the sliding layer to release urgently. This design provides an alternative equivalent mechanical implementation of the self-expanding function.

[0026] At the system operation level, this embodiment specifically optimizes the collaborative mode between the tracking collar and the data relay network. The LoRa wireless communication module built into the tracking collar is configured to operate in a low duty cycle intermittent mode, for example, waking up once every 4 hours, transmitting data within a short transmission window, and then immediately entering deep sleep. To minimize the overall system power consumption and improve communication reliability, the solar-powered LoRa gateway network deployed in the monitoring area adopts a time-synchronized listening strategy. The gateway's wake-up and listening cycle is strictly matched with the collar's transmission cycle, and the receiving function is activated only within a preset, short time window. This optimization eliminates the unnecessary power consumption of continuous gateway listening and significantly reduces wireless channel conflicts, resulting in a data packet reception success rate of over 95% in complex mountainous environments.

[0027] Furthermore, to address potential unforeseen circumstances during the collar detachment phase, this embodiment strengthens the final data protection mechanism. An integrated conductive circuit, serving as a continuity sensor, is incorporated within the support belt 11. When the collar breaks due to corrosion of the connector 5 or degradation of the main body, this circuit is broken. Upon detecting the open circuit signal, the microcontroller (MCU) combines this with the power supply voltage status to determine that a collar detachment event has been triggered. Subsequently, the device initiates the final emergency data transmission protocol: departing from the normal intermittent operating mode, continuously waking up the positioning and communication modules, attempting multiple precise positioning attempts, and repeatedly transmitting all untransmitted core data from the flash memory at the highest transmission power several times. The aim is to successfully transmit the critical research data of the final stage back to the network before the device's power supply is completely cut off, ensuring the integrity of the scientific research data chain.

[0028] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas, comprising a strap-shaped main structure (1), characterized in that: The strip-shaped main structure (1) is made of biodegradable polymer material. A self-expanding unit (2) is fixedly connected inside the strip-shaped main structure (1). The self-expanding unit (2) consists of a biodegradable elastic liner (21) fixed inside the strip-shaped main structure (1) and a telescopic structure (22) formed on the strip-shaped main structure (1). The telescopic structure (22) allows the strip-shaped main structure (1) to slide and expand along its length direction under the push of the biodegradable elastic liner (21). The strip-shaped main structure (1) is equipped with a tracking and data processing unit (3), which includes a bio-inert micro protective chamber (31) and a core electronic component (32) sealed inside the micro protective chamber (31). The micro protective chamber (31) is fixed to the strip-shaped main structure (1). The micro protective chamber (31) is equipped with an energy module (4) that supplies power to the tracking and data processing unit (3). Corrosion-resistant connectors (5) are fixedly connected to the beginning and end of the strip-shaped main structure (1) for releasably connecting the beginning and end of the strip-shaped main structure (1). The corrosion-resistant connectors (5) are made of a metal alloy that is corroded in body fluids. The degradation or corrosion rates of the biodegradable polymer material, the biodegradable elastomer liner (21), and the corrosive connector (5) are configured in a coordinated manner so that the neck collar maintains structural integrity and function within a preset wearing time period, and breaks and falls off due to the failure of the corrosive connector (5) and the degradation of the strip-shaped main structure (1) after the wearing time period ends.

2. The biodegradable, phased self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main strip structure (1) is a carrier strip (11) woven from composite fibers of polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL).

3. The biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas according to claim 1, characterized in that: The biodegradable elastomer liner (21) is made of modified polycaprolactone (PCL) or biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and is pre-stretched and fixed.

4. The biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic structure (22) is a shingled or rail-type overlapping structure, and is provided with a physical limiting structure (24) to prevent the strip-shaped main structure (1) from over-expanding.

5. The biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two relatively sliding parts of the telescopic structure (22) are connected by one or more corrosion-resistant weakening pins (23); when the expansion force applied to the telescopic structure (22) exceeds a preset threshold, the corrosion-resistant weakening pins (23) break, allowing the two parts to slide further relative to each other.

6. The biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas according to claim 1, characterized in that: The micro protective cabin (31) is made of medical-grade PEEK or titanium alloy; the tracking and data processing unit (3) includes a Beidou / GPS dual-mode positioning chip and a LoRa wireless communication module.

7. The biodegradable, phased, self-expanding tracking collar for giant pandas according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy module (4) includes a flexible thin-film solar cell (41) attached to the outer surface of the micro protective cabin (31).

8. A giant panda tracking system, characterized in that, include: At least one biodegradable, self-expanding tracking collar as described in any one of claims 1-7; a low-power wide-area network data relay network deployed within a monitoring area; wherein the wireless communication module of the tracking collar is configured to operate in an intermittent mode with a low duty cycle and synchronize with the data relay network; the data relay network is optimized to listen for and receive data at a period matching the communication intermittent mode of the tracking collar and forward the received data to a remote monitoring center.

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