SYSTEM FOR DETECTING A PATHOLOGY IN A CAT

Abstract

A detection system (10) for at least one pathology of a cat, said system (10) being intended to be mounted in the vicinity of a cat litter box and comprising at least one gas sensor (11) configured to measure the quantity of at least one gas representative of a pathology of a cat, at least one alarm device (12) configured to emit an alarm, and at least one electronic unit (13) configured to activate the alarm device (12) if the quantity of gas measured is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Description

The use of litter to identify kidney pathologies. When the pattern is abnormal, an alert is appropriately raised. Advantageously, the detection system includes at least one temperature sensor to optimize the measurement of the quantity of a gas. Indeed, in the case of a MOS-type gas sensor, the measured temperature allows for optimizing the temperature setting of the heating layer to accurately determine the gas being measured. Preferably, the gas sensor is of the MOS type. This allows the same sensor to measure the quantity of different gases. Advantageously, the alerting device is configured to emit a visual, audible, and / or digital alert. This allows a user to be easily notified when an alert is triggered. Preferably, the alert includes information about the detected pathology. The invention also relates to an assembly of a litter container and a detection system as described above, wherein the detection system is fixed to the container, specifically in a central portion of the container. Thus, the system according to the invention can be mounted on any type of existing container, thereby reducing costs since only a detection system is required for such detection. Central positioning allows for optimal measurement of urine-related gases. The invention further relates to a method for detecting a disease in a cat using a detection system as described above, positioned near a cat litter box. The method comprises a step of measuring, in the vicinity of the litter box, a quantity of at least one gas representative of a disease, a step of comparing the measured quantity of gas to at least a predetermined threshold, and a step of issuing an alert if said threshold is exceeded. Such a method is therefore time-efficient, allowing for the rapid issuance of an alert without delay. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 schematically represents one embodiment of a detection system according to the invention. Figure 2 schematically represents a litter box in which a detection system from Figure 1 is mounted. Figure 3 schematically represents a toilet house in which a detection system from Figure 1 is mounted, and Figure 4 schematically represents one implementation of the detection method according to the invention. It should be noted that the figures explain the invention in detail for implementing the invention, said figures being of course able to serve to better define the invention where appropriate. DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE METHODS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND DEVELOPMENT With reference to Figure 1, a schematic representation shows a detection system 10 for at least one feline pathology, adapted to detect and measure the amount of gas in the air near a cat litter box. Such gases are representative of various feline pathologies, such as diabetes, the presence of bacteria, poor diet, etc. In this embodiment, the detection system 10 includes a gas sensor 11, an alarm device 12 and an electronic unit 13 controlling the alarm device 12. The gas sensor 11 is configured to detect and measure the amount of gas present in the air near the litter box. The detected gas originates from the cat's urine, allowing for cat diagnosis. The gas sensor 11 can be configured to detect gas either once or periodically, as described later, to monitor the cat. The gas sensor 11 detects at least one gas indicative of a feline pathology. Such a gas may include: ammonia or aliphatic amines, which are characteristic of a pathology linked to bacterial contamination, branched-chain fatty acids, such as butyric acid or 2-amino-7-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-4-thiaheptanoic acid, also known as felinine, which are characteristic of hormonal variation, particularly after castration in male cats; phenols, such as ethylphenol, paracresol, ethanol, or n-propanol; and / or volatile sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, 3-mercapto-3-methyl-1-butanol, which are characteristic of an abnormal variation in hormone levels. When the quantity of such gases exceeds one or more predetermined thresholds associated with said measured gases, they are representative of a pathology in the cat, including diabetes, bacterial infection, etc. Preferably, the gas sensor 11 is configured to perform measurements of several gases and comparisons at several predetermined thresholds in order to determine a signature representative of a pathology. According to one embodiment of the invention, the gas sensor is a metal-oxide sensor, also known as a MOS sensor. Such a MOS sensor comprises a layer sensitive to at least one gas and a heating layer mounted on said sensitive layer. The sensing layer is in contact with the air near the bedding and is designed to absorb molecules of the gas being measured. The absorption of these molecules changes the electrical conductivity across the sensing layer via a redox reaction, allowing the quantity of the gas present in the air in contact with the sensing layer to be determined. In this case, the quantity of gas is measured from the change in resistance dR relative to the initial resistance Ro of the MOS sensor. In other words, the measured quantity of gas is equal to the ratio dR / Ro. The heating layer is controlled, preferably by the electronic unit 13, to modify the temperature of the sensing layer, allowing the sensing layer to absorb different gases: each temperature of the sensing layer enables the measurement of the quantity of a specific gas. Thanks to the heating layer, a single sensing layer can measure different gases, thus limiting the electrical power consumption and the cost of the MOS sensor. The detection system 10 could also include more than one MOS sensor. For example, MOS sensors with different oxides could be used to detect different components of the gas being measured, thus optimizing measurements and increasing detection accuracy. While a MOS sensor has been presented, it goes without saying that an electrochemical sensor could also be suitable, particularly one sensitive to different gases such as ammonia. Alert device 12 is configured to issue an alert when one or more predetermined thresholds are exceeded. In other words, a pathology is associated with a combination of threshold exceedances. Such an alert can be audible or visual, and the alerting device 12 can include an audible alarm, at least one LED, and / or a display screen. This informs a user when a pathology is detected. Preferably, the alerting device 12 is configured to emit an alert corresponding to the detected pathology. For example, LEDs of different colors can be provided depending on the detected pathology. In one embodiment, the alerting device 12 may also include a communication module, preferably wireless, in particular of the Bluetooth type. The communication module is then configured to communicate with a user terminal, such as their smartphone, so that the user receives alerts there. The alert device 12 can also display the detected pathology, in particular on the display screen of the alert device or on the terminal. The electronic unit 13 controls the warning device 12 based on measurements taken by the gas sensor 11. For this purpose, the electronic unit 13 is configured to receive the measurements taken by the gas sensor 11, to compare these measurements to predetermined thresholds and to command the emission, by the warning device 12, of an alert when a measurement exceeds one or more predetermined thresholds. The electronic unit 13 can also control the MOS gas sensor 11, specifically to determine the gas to be measured. For this purpose, the electronic unit 13 is configured to control the temperature of the MOS sensor's heating element. Thus, the gas sensor 11 measures the gas(es) representative of the desired pathology. Preferably, the electronic unit is in the form of a microprocessor. According to one embodiment, the detection system 10 further comprises an energy storage unit 14, such as a battery or cell, for supplying electrical energy to the various elements of the detection system 10, in particular the gas sensor 11, the component alert 12 or electronic unit 13, and thus ensure the autonomy of the detection system 10 in electrical energy. The detection system 10 may also include a storage unit 15, such as a memory, to record the measurements taken. This allows for monitoring of the measurements, in particular to analyze the evolution of the quantity of different gases over time. Thus, a pathology can be detected early. Predetermined thresholds can also be stored in the storage unit 15. The detection system 10 may include other sensors to optimize pathology detection. In particular, the detection system 10 may include a temperature sensor 16 configured to measure the temperature in the vicinity of the bedding. Such a temperature sensor 16 also allows the temperature of the MOS sensor's heating layer to be adjusted according to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 16. A humidity sensor can also be used to detect cat urine. This allows for the detection of a period of urine absence, which can be indicative of a health problem. Furthermore, gas measurement can be activated when urine is detected. This ensures measurements are taken at the optimal time, as soon as urine is present. This minimizes the risk of gases being missed, particularly if absorbed by the litter or evaporating. Additionally, it reduces power consumption by only performing relevant measurements. A presence sensor 18 can be configured to trigger a gas measurement when the cat approaches the litter box. This ensures that measurements are taken at the optimal time, i.e., when the cat is urinating. Since the litter absorbs urine, which in turn absorbs or destroys gases, the gas measurement must be taken before such absorption or destruction occurs. Furthermore, presence detection prevents false gas readings caused by a lingering odor rather than cat urine. Finally, the detection system 10 may include a particle sensor 19 configured to detect airborne particles. Such particles include alumina, silicate, and / or silica particles that may be released during litter handling. Since these particles can cause cancer, particularly sarcoidosis, the warning device 12 is configured to issue an alert regarding the risks associated with these particles when they are detected. Similarly, particle measurements are compared to one or more predetermined thresholds. The detection system 10 is configured to be mounted on a litter container so that it is close to the litter used by a cat and thus detects a pathology of the cat in its urine vapors. The 10 detection system adapts to any type of container so that it can be retrofitted to an existing container. The 10 detection system is mounted in a removable manner so that it can be reused on another container, for example, using a clip or similar mechanism. With reference to Figure 2, a container in the form of a litter tray 20, containing litter L, is schematically represented. This litter tray 20 comprises a wall defining a cavity in which the litter L is placed. The detection system 10 can then be mounted on the wall so as not to disturb the cat while remaining in the vicinity of the urine vapors emanating from the litter L. With reference to Figure 3, a container in the form of a litter box 30 is schematically represented. Such a litter box 30 comprises a lower part 31 and an upper part 32. The lower part 31 is shaped similarly to a litter tray in which litter L is placed. The upper part 32 is mounted on the lower part 31 to form a roof covering the litter L. Thus, the litter is placed in an enclosure into which urine vapors are diffused. The detection system 10 is advantageously mounted on the upper part 32, specifically inside it, to optimize gas detection within the enclosure of the litter box 30. This ensures optimal detection, independent of the area in which the cat has urinated. The litter box 30 can also include an access hatch through which the cat enters the litter box to urinate. The presence sensor 18 of the detection system 10 can then be configured to detect the opening of the access hatch and thus trigger a relevant measurement of the amount of gas after the access hatch has been opened. With reference to Figure 4, an example of implementation of the method according to the invention for detecting a pathology using a detection system 10 will now be described. To measure gases, the user mounts the detection system 10 near the litter box used by the cat in which they wish to detect a pathology. For this purpose, the detection system 10 is mounted in an existing litter box 20 or litter box 30. When using the detection system 10, the presence sensor 18 detects the presence of a cat at the litter box L. The gas sensor 11 then measures, in a step E1, the quantity of different gases, such as ammonia, sulfide and / or ketone, in the air. The electronic unit 13 then receives the measurements and compares them to predetermined thresholds in step E2. If the quantity of a gas exceeds its associated threshold, the electronic unit 13 activates the alarm device 12 in step E3. The alarm device 12 then emits an audible, visual, or digital alert via the wireless communication module. The user is thus informed that a pathology has been detected. The measurement of the quantity of a gas by gas sensor 11 following the detection of its presence has been described. However, it is understood that such a measurement could be performed on an ad hoc basis or at regular time intervals to enable continuous detection over a period of time. Continuous detection also makes it possible to detect a decrease in the frequency of a cat's urination, which is a sign of a nutritional disorder, particularly a diet too high in salt. According to one aspect of the invention, the electronic unit 13 records the measurements taken by the various sensors 11, 16, 17, 18, and 19. The electronic unit 13 can thus activate the alarm device 12 if it has detected, from the presence sensor 18 and / or the gas sensor 11, that the cat has not urinated for an extended period. Similarly, the electronic unit 13 can activate the alarm device 12 if it has detected, from the gas sensor 11, that the litter needs to be changed.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A system for detecting at least one pathology in a cat, said system (10) being intended to be mounted in the vicinity of a cat litter box and comprising: o at least one gas sensor (11) configured to measure the quantity of at least one gas representative of a pathology in a cat, at least one alerting device (12) configured to issue an alert, and o at least one electronic unit (13) configured to activate the warning device (12) if the measured quantity of gas is greater than at least a predetermined threshold.

2. Detection system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the gas sensor (11) is configured to measure a quantity of ketone representative of diabetes.

3. Detection system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the gas sensor (11) is configured to measure an amount of ammonia and / or sulfide representative of bacterial infection.

4. Detection system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least one presence sensor (18).

5. Detection system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one temperature sensor (16).

6. Detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gas sensor (11) is of the MOS type.

7. Detection system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the warning device (12) is configured to emit a visual, audible and / or computer alert.

8. Assembly of a container (20, 30) for litter and a detection system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the detection system (10) is fixed to the container (20, 30), in particular, in a central part of the container (20, 30).

9. A method for detecting a pathology in a cat by means of a detection system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 positioned in the vicinity of a cat litter box, said method comprising: o a measurement step (E1), in the vicinity of the cat litter, of a quantity of at least one gas representative of a pathology, o a comparison step (E2) of the quantity of gas measured at at least a predetermined threshold, and 5 o an emission step (E3) of an alert in case of exceeding said threshold.

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