Gastric analysis system and gastric analysis method for livestock.

Abstract

To provide a gastric analysis system and method for livestock that allows for non-invasive or minimally invasive, simple, and long-term analysis of the stomach. [Solution] The stomach analysis system for farm animals comprises a plurality of metal sensors 4 that detect the metal 3a from outside the body of a farm animal after a capsule 3 containing the metal 3a has been swallowed and introduced into the stomach, and an analysis unit 5a that identifies the three-dimensional coordinates of the metal 3a in the stomach based on the detection signals from each of the plurality of metal sensors 4, and stores the group of coordinates identified over time as trajectory information indicating the trajectory of the capsule 3 in the stomach.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a gastric analysis system and a gastric analysis method for industrial animals.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which a wireless sensor terminal is orally administered and placed in the rumen of a cow, and the presence or absence of ruminal tympany is detected based on measurement data wirelessly transmitted from the wireless sensor terminal.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003] [[ID=и3]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technique described in Patent Document 1 enables non-invasive or minimally invasive analysis of the rumen, but analysis becomes impossible when the power of the wireless sensor terminal runs out. A method of removing the wireless sensor terminal from the cow's body and replacing the power supply after a certain period of time is conceivable, but this method is not only difficult but also has a risk of causing an invasion. This is a problem that can occur not only in ruminants such as cows but also when applying the same technology to a wide range of industrial animals.

[0005] In view of the above situation, the present invention has been made, and an object thereof is to provide a gastric analysis system and a gastric analysis method for industrial animals that can easily analyze the stomach non-invasively or minimally invasively over a long period of time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [[ID=и5]] (1) To achieve the above object, a gastric analysis system for industrial animals according to the first aspect of the present invention is Multiple metal sensors detect the metal from outside the body of a farm animal in which a capsule containing metal has been swallowed and introduced into the stomach. The system includes an analysis unit that identifies the three-dimensional coordinates of the metal in the stomach based on detection signals from each of the plurality of metal sensors, and stores the group of coordinates identified over time as trajectory information indicating the trajectory of the capsule in the stomach.

[0007] (2) The gastric analysis system for livestock described in (1) above is A boundary extraction unit extracts coordinates located at the outer boundary of the group of coordinates indicated by the trajectory information as boundary coordinates. An image generation unit generates a stomach estimated shape image, which is a three-dimensional image representing the estimated shape of the stomach, based on the boundary coordinates extracted by the boundary extraction unit. The system may further include a display unit that displays the estimated stomach shape image generated by the image generation unit.

[0008] (3) In the gastric analysis system for livestock described in (1) above, The plurality of metal sensors may be provided on a vest worn by the farm animal.

[0009] (4) In the gastric analysis system for livestock described in any of (1) to (3) above, The aforementioned farm animals are ruminants, The aforementioned stomach may be a rumen.

[0010] (5) In order to achieve the above objective, the gastric analysis method for livestock according to the second aspect of the present invention is The steps involve having a farm animal swallow a capsule containing metal, which is then introduced into its stomach. The steps include detecting the metal from outside the body of the farm animal using multiple metal sensors, The method includes the steps of: identifying the three-dimensional coordinates of the metal in the stomach based on detection signals from each of the plurality of metal sensors, and storing the group of coordinates identified over time as trajectory information indicating the trajectory of the capsule in the stomach. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the stomach can be analyzed easily and non-invasively or minimally invasively over a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of a gastric analysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (A) to (D) are diagrams illustrating the gastric analysis method according to the above embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The gastric analysis system 1 for livestock shown in Figure 1 is configured to analyze the function of the rumen 2a (see Figures 2(A) and (B)), which is the first stomach of a cow 2, as an example of a livestock animal. The gastric analysis system 1 comprises a capsule 3, a metal sensor 4, a controller 5, and a display unit 6.

[0015] Capsule 3 is constructed to contain metal 3a and is intended to be swallowed by the cow 2. Once swallowed by the cow 2, capsule 3 is introduced into the rumen 2a. Capsule 3 is made of a material that is not digested in the rumen 2a and does not interfere with the detection of metal 3a by the metal sensor 4 described later. Metal 3a is, for example, a metal sphere. Capsule 3 is set to have a specific gravity of 1.1 or higher (for example, about 1.2) so that it can circulate within the rumen 2a together with the feed. Capsule 3 is set to a size that can be swallowed by, for example, a newborn cow 2, and after swallowing, it remains in the rumen 2a for the rest of its life.

[0016] The metal sensor 4 detects the metal 3a inside the capsule 3 from outside the body of the cow 2. The metal sensor 4 is composed of, for example, an inductive metal sensor having a coil, and outputs a detection signal according to the inductance of the coil that changes according to the distance to the metal 3a. Note that the metal sensor 4 may be composed of other types of metal sensors such as an ultrasonic metal sensor as long as it is non-invasive or minimally invasive to the cow 2 and outputs a detection signal that changes according to the distance to the metal 3a. <##

[0017] A plurality of metal sensors 4 are provided at positions that can be regarded as immobile with respect to the cow 2. In the present embodiment, a plurality of metal sensors 4 are provided on the body wear 4a worn on the cow 2 so as to surround the body of the cow 2. Note that the installation method of the plurality of metal sensors 4 is arbitrary as long as they can be provided at positions that can be regarded as immobile with respect to the cow 2. For example, a plurality of metal sensors 4 may be provided on a farm gate that restricts the movement of the cow 2. Also, as will be described later, the number of metal sensors 4 is arbitrary as long as the controller 5 can specify the three-dimensional coordinates of the metal 3a in the lumen 2a.

[0018] The controller 5 controls the operations of the plurality of metal sensors 4 and the display unit 6, acquires detection signals from each of the plurality of metal sensors 4, and analyzes the lumen 2a as will be described later. The controller 5 communicates with each of the plurality of metal sensors 4 wirelessly or by wire. When communicating wirelessly, the controller 5 acquires detection signals from each of the plurality of metal sensors 4 via an antenna (not shown). The controller 5 is realized as a part of a computer or as a single function, and has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Fixed data such as an operation program for the CPU to analyze the lumen 2a is stored in the ROM.

[0019] The controller 5 includes, as functional units, an analysis unit 5a, a boundary extraction unit 5b, and an image generation unit 5c. These functional units will be described together with the gastric analysis method described later.

[0020] The display unit 6 is composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc., and displays an image under the control of the controller 5. For example, the display unit 6 displays the gastric estimated shape image 7 described later. Note that the display unit 6 may constitute an information terminal such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone together with the controller 5.

[0021] Hereafter, the gastric analysis method using the gastric analysis system 1 will be described together with each functional unit included in the controller 5.

[0022] (Gastric Analysis Method) (Swallowing Step) In the swallowing step, the capsule 3 containing the metal 3a is swallowed by the cow 2 and introduced into the lumen 2a. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2(A), the capsule 3 is retained in the lumen 2a and eventually circulates in the lumen 2a together with the feed.

[0023] (Detection Step) In the detection step, after the capsule 3 is retained in the lumen 2a of the cow 2, as shown in Fig. 2(B), the metal 3a is detected by a plurality of metal sensors 4 from outside the body of the cow 2. Note that the plurality of metal sensors 4 start detection under the control of the controller 5.

[0024] (Analysis Step) Following the detection step, the analysis step is executed. In the analysis step, first, the analysis unit 5a acquires a detection signal from each of the plurality of metal sensors 4, and based on the acquired detection signal, specifies the three-dimensional coordinates of the metal 3a in the lumen 2a. For example, the analysis unit 5a can specify the three-dimensional coordinates of the metal 3a using a well-known method such as triangulation based on the intensity of each detection signal of the plurality of metal sensors 4 or a grid-based measurement method using the plurality of metal sensors 4 arranged on a three-dimensional grid.

[0025] The analysis unit 5a then stores the group of coordinates identified over time in memory as trajectory information showing the trajectory of capsule 3 within rumen 2a. This trajectory information is time-series data of coordinates and represents the trajectory of capsule 3, as schematically shown in Figure 2(C). The analysis unit 5a may also display an image representing the trajectory information on the display unit 6. The trajectory information displayed on the display unit 6 is not limited to the group of coordinates themselves, but may also show a trajectory generated by interpolating between adjacent coordinates on the time axis using methods such as spline interpolation. This trajectory information makes it possible to investigate how the feed circulating with capsule 3 within rumen 2a moves during the digestion process.

[0026] (Boundary extraction step) Following the analysis step, a boundary extraction step is performed. In the boundary extraction step, the boundary extraction unit 5b extracts coordinates located at the outer boundary of the group of coordinates indicated by the trajectory information as boundary coordinates. The points plotted on the trajectory shown in Figure 2(D) schematically represent the extracted boundary coordinates. For example, the boundary extraction unit 5b can extract boundary coordinates using well-known methods such as (i) a convex hull that calculates the smallest convex polyhedron enclosing the group of coordinates using an algorithm, (ii) an alpha shape that constructs the boundary surface for the group of coordinates using an alpha parameter, and (iii) a Delaunay triangulation that extracts the outer boundary from the result.

[0027] (Image generation step) The image generation step is performed following the boundary extraction step. In the image generation step, the image generation unit 5c generates a three-dimensional image of the estimated shape of the lumen 2a, which is the estimated shape of the stomach, based on the boundary coordinates extracted by the boundary extraction unit 5b. Specifically, the image generation unit 5c generates a three-dimensional shape represented by a set of boundary coordinates (i.e., the outer boundary) using 3D modeling software. Here, the outer boundary (set of outermost points) of the trajectory obtained by tracking the capsule 3 circulating within the lumen 2a for a certain period of time or longer can be considered as the shape of the lumen 2a. With this, the image generation unit 5c displays the generated three-dimensional shape as the estimated shape of the stomach on the display unit 6, as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, the image generation unit 5c may generate a three-dimensional shape with a smooth surface by performing smoothing or interpolation, and display this as the estimated shape of the stomach on the display unit 6. This concludes the explanation of the stomach analysis method.

[0028] According to the gastric analysis system 1 and the gastric analysis method using the gastric analysis system 1 described above, the capsule 3 to be swallowed by the cow 2 does not require a power source, so the rumen 2a can be easily analyzed over a long period of time. Furthermore, since the only component implanted in the cow 2's body is the capsule 3, it is non-invasive or minimally invasive to the cow 2. In addition, proactive feeding management can be realized by predicting the health status of the cow 2 from the shape of the rumen 2a as determined by the estimated gastric shape image 7. Moreover, since the cost of the capsule 3 can be reduced through mass production, it can be widely adopted in livestock farming. Furthermore, from a research perspective, inferring the shape of the rumen 2a in a non-invasive or minimally invasive manner is useful for elucidating the function of the rumen 2a.

[0029] The present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings described above. Modifications (including the deletion of components) can be made as appropriate without altering the essence of the invention.

[0030] The gastric analysis system 1 and gastric analysis method are not limited to application to cattle 2, but may also be applied to ruminants other than cattle 2, such as sheep, goats, buffalo, and yaks, and may be used to analyze the rumen of such ruminants. Furthermore, as long as the capsule 3 can be left in the stomach for a certain period of time or longer, we believe that the gastric analysis system 1 and gastric analysis method can also be used to analyze the stomachs of farm animals (including livestock), including pigs and horses, in addition to ruminants. In other words, the gastric analysis system 1 and gastric analysis method have the potential to be applied not only to ruminants but also to the management of farm animals other than ruminants.

[0031] The size and specific gravity of capsule 3 should be appropriately set according to the species and age of the farm animal to which capsule 3 is to be swallowed. Furthermore, the metal 3a contained within capsule 3 is not limited to a sphere, but may be a metal piece of a shape other than a sphere.

[0032] In the above explanation, explanations of known technical matters have been omitted as appropriate in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

[0033] This invention allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the invention. In other words, the scope of this invention is indicated not by the embodiments, but by the claims. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent scope of the meaning of the invention are considered to be within the scope of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1…Gastric analysis system 2...Cow, 2a...Lumen 3... Capsule, 3a... Metal 4... Metal sensor, 4a... Vest 5...Controller, 5a...Analysis unit, 5b...Boundary extraction unit, 5c...Image generation unit 6…Display section 7…Image of estimated stomach shape

Claims

1. Multiple metal sensors detect the metal from outside the body of a farm animal in which a capsule containing metal has been swallowed and introduced into the stomach. The system includes an analysis unit that identifies the three-dimensional coordinates of the metal in the stomach based on detection signals from each of the plurality of metal sensors, and stores the group of coordinates identified over time as trajectory information indicating the trajectory of the capsule in the stomach. A stomach analysis system for livestock.

2. A boundary extraction unit extracts coordinates located at the outer boundary of the group of coordinates indicated by the trajectory information as boundary coordinates. An image generation unit generates a stomach estimated shape image, which is a three-dimensional image representing the estimated shape of the stomach, based on the boundary coordinates extracted by the boundary extraction unit. The system further comprises a display unit that displays the estimated stomach shape image generated by the image generation unit, The stomach analysis system for livestock according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned multiple metal sensors are provided on a vest worn by the farm animals. The stomach analysis system for livestock according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned farm animals are ruminants, The aforementioned stomach is the rumen. A stomach analysis system for livestock according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The steps involve having a farm animal swallow a capsule containing metal, which is then introduced into its stomach. The steps include detecting the metal from outside the body of the farm animal using multiple metal sensors, The method includes the steps of: identifying the three-dimensional coordinates of the metal in the stomach based on detection signals from each of the plurality of metal sensors, and storing the group of coordinates identified over time as trajectory information indicating the trajectory of the capsule in the stomach. A method for analyzing the stomach of livestock.

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