Livestock parturition monitoring device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a parturition monitoring device inserted into the cervix of livestock, the parturition monitoring device including: a controller; a monitoring and control module including a biosensor module, which is connected to the controller and senses biometric information that includes changes in the body temperature, activity and pressure of livestock, and a communication module, which can transmit / receive data to / from the outside, is connected to the controller, transmits the biometric information to the outside, and selectively receives a control signal from the outside; a housing module in which the monitoring and control module is accommodated; one or more fixing modules, which are inserted and coupled to the housing module and elastically fix the housing module to the inner wall of the cervix; and a plurality of holder rings formed in a ring shape, and inserted and coupled to the housing module so as to fix, in place, the fixing module to the housing module.

Description

Livestock parturition monitoring device

[0001] The present invention relates to a parturition monitoring device that collects biometric information while stably positioned within the cervix of a livestock and allows a user to appropriately monitor and control it.

[0002] In large-scale livestock farming environments, farrowing managers often cannot accurately predict the exact timing of individual calving, requiring them to constantly monitor and respond to each animal's progress. A system that automatically notifies farrowing managers of individual calving dates in real time plays a crucial role in reducing their inconvenience and minimizing damage during farrowing.

[0003] Regarding livestock parturition management, the prior art, Republic of Korea Utility Model Registration No. 20-0438778 (February 26, 2008), discloses a temperature-sensing, implantable parturition start automatic notification device.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following limitations: As the number of livestock births increases, the elasticity of the cervix decreases, or when the rupture of membranes and the first stage of labor begin, the inserted device may be dislodged from the body due to expansion and pressure changes in the vaginal space, which may provide inaccurate information to the farrowing manager.

[0005] Additionally, repeated reuse of exposed sensors inserted into the cervix significantly increases the risk of contamination and infection, which carries the risk of transmitting diseases to other livestock.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a parturition monitoring device that can overcome physical changes such as a decrease in elasticity of the cervix and an expansion of the space depending on the number of livestock births, or differences in the size of the space of the cervix depending on the breed.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a parturition monitoring device that is stably positioned within the cervix of a livestock, detects biometric information related to parturition signs, and can induce parturition acceleration according to a user's selection.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a delivery monitoring device that can prevent contamination and infection due to reuse and reduce the unit cost of the product by designing the delivery monitoring device structure by dividing it into a single-use part and a reusable part.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a parturition monitoring device is a parturition monitoring device inserted into the cervix of a livestock, and comprises a controller; a biosensor module connected to the controller and detecting bio-information including body temperature, activity level, and pressure changes of the livestock; and a communication module capable of transmitting and receiving data with the outside, the communication module being connected to the controller and transmitting the bio-information to the outside and selectively receiving a control signal from the outside; a housing module in which the parturition control module is accommodated; one or more fixing modules fitted into the housing module and elastically fixing the housing module to the inner wall of the cervix; and a plurality of holder rings formed in a ring shape and fitted into the housing module to fix the fixing module in a fixed position on the housing module.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing module may include a first housing including a first body in which the monitoring control module is accommodated therein, and a first sealing cap for sealing the inlet of the first body; and a second housing including a second body in which the first housing is accommodated therein and a fixing module or a holder ring is coupled to an outer surface thereof, and a second sealing cap for sealing the inlet of the second body.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first housing can be accommodated in the second housing such that the first sealing cap faces the second sealing cap.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixed module or holder ring can be fitted in a direction toward the bottom surface at the entrance of the second main body.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixed module may include a base holder formed in a ring shape and fitted into the second body, and tightly fixed by interlocking with the holder ring on one or both sides along the circumference; and a plurality of flexible arms arranged radially at regular intervals along the circumference of the base holder.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible arm may have a curved end to prevent damage to the cervical wall, or a support disk may be fitted to the end to increase the contact area with the cervical wall.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixed module includes a first fixed module and a second fixed module arranged in the upper and lower direction of the second housing, and the flexible arms of each fixed module can be arranged to face opposite directions.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the holding rings is disposed between the first and second fixed modules, and may be disposed above or below the fixed modules for vertical position adjustment of the fixed modules.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring control module may further include a vibration module connected to the controller to generate vibration.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by adjusting the number of fixing modules for fixing the parturition monitoring device within the cervix installed in the housing module, the position at which the fixing modules are placed in the housing module, etc., the parturition monitoring device can be stably fixed within the cervix regardless of the physical changes or breed of the livestock.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the monitoring control module is housed in the first housing, the biosensor module and the vibration module can be positioned so as to face the bottom surface of the first main body, and the communication module can be positioned so as to face the entrance of the first main body. Accordingly, when the parturition monitoring device is inserted into the body of a livestock, the bottom surface of the first main body can be positioned so as to face the uterus and cervix, thereby effectively performing biometric information detection or vibration transmission, and the entrance of the first main body can be positioned so as to face the vulva, thereby facilitating data transmission and reception with an external device.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by housing the first housing in which the surveillance control module is housed inside the second housing in which the fixed module is coupled, the second housing exposed to the body of the livestock can be used once, and the second housing housed inside it can be reused.

[0021] Figure 1 is a drawing showing the location where the cervix and parturition monitoring device of a livestock is inserted.

[0022] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a monitoring control module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a delivery monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the delivery monitoring device of Figure 3.

[0025] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second sealing cap according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fixed module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 is an example of a combination of arrangements of a fixed module and a holding ring that constitute a delivery monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description have been omitted for clarity of description, and the same reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0030] Additionally, throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0031] A parturition monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device that minimizes natural dislodging by resolving the difference in the number of times livestock give birth and the size of the cervical space of various breeds of livestock, and is designed with a structure in which a single-use part and a reusable part are combined with each other, thereby preventing contamination or infection and reducing the unit price of the product.

[0032] Figure 1 shows the location where the cervix and parturition monitoring device of livestock is inserted.

[0033] Referring to Fig. 1, the parturition monitoring device (10) can be inserted into the cervix of a livestock that is pregnant or about to parture. The livestock parturition manager (hereinafter referred to as the "user") can sufficiently apply medical lubricant to the surface of the parturition monitoring device (10) to prevent damage to the cervix, then insert his / her hand into the anus to determine the insertion location between the vagina and the cervix, and then insert the parturition monitoring device (10).

[0034] This parturition monitoring device (10) may include a monitoring control module (100) that collects bio-information within the cervix and allows the user to properly monitor and control it, a housing module (200) that blocks the infiltration of bodily fluids into the monitoring control module (100), and a fixing module (300) that stably secures the parturition monitoring device (10) within the cervix, which has various sizes depending on the dilatation state of the cervix and / or the breed.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a monitoring control module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a delivery monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the delivery monitoring device of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second sealing cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]

[0037] Supervisory control module (100)

[0038] First, let's look at the monitoring control module (100) with reference to Fig. 2.

[0039] The monitoring control module (100) may include a controller (110), a bio sensor module (120), a communication module (130), a battery (140), a vibration module (150), a USB interface (160), and a display (170), and the components constituting the monitoring control module (100) may be integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0040] The controller (110) can collect and analyze bio-information detected by the bio-sensor module (120), and determine the condition of the livestock based on the analysis results. The controller (110) can receive signals from the outside through the communication module (130), and control the components of the surveillance control module (100) according to the received signals. Accordingly, the user can turn the surveillance control module (100) on / off through the controller (110). Alternatively, the switch can be turned on / off by the sensor of the bio-sensor module (120) by shaking the surveillance control module (100) a predetermined number of times.

[0041] The above communication module (130) communicates with the monitoring control module (100) and an external device (management server or user terminal), and can transmit and receive data (signals) to and from each other. The communication module (130) can use a communication method of Bluetooth, a low-power long-distance communication network LPWAN (Low-Power Wide Area Network), and in particular, low-power BLE, or LoRa, an LPWAN method, can be used.

[0042] The above biosensor module (120) is connected to the controller (110) and may include an acceleration sensor (121), a gyro sensor (122), a temperature sensor (123), a pressure sensor (124), and a pH sensor (125) to detect bioinformation including body temperature, activity level, and pressure changes of livestock.

[0043] The acceleration sensor (121) can obtain acceleration information of livestock. For example, the acceleration sensor (121) can detect the acceleration value of livestock in real time and generate acceleration information.

[0044] The gyro sensor (122) can obtain angular velocity information of livestock. For example, the gyro sensor (122) can detect the angular velocity value of livestock in real time and generate angular velocity information. The gyro sensor (122) is implemented in the form of a chip using MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology based on the principle of a gyroscope, and is therefore very small in size, so that it can be easily integrated into a biosensor module (120).

[0045] By using an acceleration sensor (121) and a gyro sensor (122), the movement of a parturition monitoring device (10) equipped with a bio sensor module (120) can be detected, and as a result, the movement (activity) of livestock can be detected. The roll, pitch, and yaw of the bio sensor module (120) can be detected by combining the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor (121) and the angular velocity of the gyro sensor.

[0046] The temperature sensor (123) can obtain temperature information within the cervix of livestock. For example, the temperature sensor (123) can detect the temperature value within the cervix in real time and generate temperature information. The temperature sensor (123) can include an RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) sensor, a thermistor sensor, a thermocouple sensor, or a bio-implant sensor.

[0047] The above pressure sensor (124) can obtain pressure information generated by contraction and / or relaxation of the uterus in real time.

[0048] The above pH sensor (125) can obtain pH information inside the uterus. For example, the pH sensor (125) can detect the pH concentration of the uterus of livestock in real time and generate pH information.

[0049] As described above, acceleration, angular velocity, temperature, pressure and pH information obtained from various sensors for collecting bio-information can be transmitted to a management server (not shown) through a communication module (130).

[0050] The above battery (140) can supply power to each component constituting the biosensor module (120) and can be implemented as various types of energy storage devices such as a lithium-ion battery, a lead battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, etc. The battery (140) can be charged via a USB interface.

[0051] The vibration module (150) is connected to the controller (110) and can selectively generate vibrations in response to a control signal received from a user. The vibration module (150) may include a small vibration motor that can operate with low power, or a piezoelectric vibrator that converts an electric signal into mechanical vibration using a piezoelectric element.

[0052] If the user determines that childbirth is imminent based on the collected biometric information, the user can transmit a vibration generation signal to the childbirth monitoring device (10). The controller (110) that receives the vibration generation signal can promote childbirth by generating vibration in the vibration module (150).

[0053] The above USB interface (160) may support a USB interface for power supply and / or data transmission, and may include a USB 2.0 interface and a USB Type C interface.

[0054]

[0055] Housing module (100)

[0056] Next, let's look at the housing module (200).

[0057] The above housing module (200) can house the monitoring control module (100) in a watertight manner therein, thereby preventing the monitoring control module (100) from being contaminated by bodily fluids within the cervix.

[0058] To achieve this purpose, the housing module (200) is designed to be divided into a single-use part and a reusable part, and can be composed of a first housing (210) in which the monitoring control module (100) is accommodated, and a second housing (220) in which the first housing (210) is accommodated inside and a fixed module (300) is coupled outside.

[0059] The first housing (210) is housed in a watertight state inside the second housing (220) and does not come into contact with body fluids, so it can be reused. The second housing (220) is directly exposed to the cervix and can be contaminated with body fluids, so it can be immediately disposed of when discharged from the cervix.

[0060] The above first housing (210) may be composed of a first main body (211) in which the monitoring control module (100) is stored and a first sealing cap (215) that seals the inlet (211a) of the first main body (211).

[0061] The first main body (211) may be formed in a cylindrical shape with one side open, and a monitoring control module (100) may be housed inside through the opened first inlet (211a). The monitoring control module (100) may be housed such that a communication means (not shown) related to the communication module (130) faces the inlet (211a) of the first main body (211), and a biosensor module (120) or a vibration module (150) faces the bottom surface of the first main body (211).

[0062] In a state stored in this manner, the delivery monitoring device (10) is inserted into the bottom part of the first main body (211) so that the bottom part faces the uterus and cervix, and the first sealing cap (215) located at the top of the first main body (211) can face the vulva.

[0063] Accordingly, the biosensor module (120) and vibration module (150) face the uterus and cervix, so that they can effectively perform bioinformation detection and vibration transmission, and the communication means faces the vulva, so that data transmission and reception with an external device can be smoothly performed.

[0064] The second housing (220) may be composed of a second body (221) and a second sealing cap (225). The second body (221) may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a second inlet (221a) provided on one side, and the first housing (210) inserted through the second inlet (221a) may be accommodated in the internal space of the second body (221). The first housing (210) may be inserted into the second body (221) so that the first sealing cap (215) and the second sealing cap (225) may face each other.

[0065] The second sealing cap (225) can be coupled to the second body (221) to seal the second inlet (221a). The second sealing cap (225) can have one or more first fastening protrusions (227a, 227b) formed along the lower circumference thereof to protrude toward the second inlet (221a). The second sealing cap (225) can have a plurality of catches (226) formed along the inner circumference thereof to protrude.

[0066] The above-mentioned catch (226) can be fitted into the catch groove (223) of the second body (221) and connected when the second sealing cap (225) is connected to the second body (221). Accordingly, the number of catch grooves (226) and the spacing between the catch grooves can be provided to correspond to the number of catch grooves (223) and the spacing between the catch grooves.

[0067] The second main body (221) may include one or more second fastening jaws (222) formed along the outer circumference of the lower portion.

[0068] The above first fastening jaw (227) and second fastening jaw (222) are configured to prevent the fastening module (300) or holder ring (400) described later from rotating when fitted into the second body (221).

[0069]

[0070] Fixed module (300) and holder ring (400)

[0071] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fixed module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a holding ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Referring to the drawing, the fixed module (300) can be detachably attached to the housing module (200) and can be joined by a fitting method. When the fixed module (300) is joined to the housing module (200), the housing module (200) can be stably fixed to the cervix.

[0073] The above-mentioned fixed modules (300) may be provided in one or more forms and coupled to the housing module (200). The number of the fixed modules (30) may vary depending on the size of the cervix, the condition of the cervical wall according to the number of deliveries, the type, or the position of insertion. For example, a pair of fixed modules (300A, 300B) may be coupled to the housing module (200) in a vertical direction (see FIG. 2).

[0074] The above fixed module (300) may include a base holder (310) that is fitted into the housing module (200) and a flexible arm (320) that is provided on the base holder (310) and elastically fixes the housing module (200) to the inner wall of the uterus.

[0075] The above base holder (310) is formed in a ring or cylindrical shape with a central portion that is perforated, and can be fitted and connected to the second body (221). The base holder (310) connected to the second body (221) can be fixed in a form that surrounds a portion of the outer circumference of the second body (221).

[0076] The above base holder (310) may include a pair of fastening grooves (311a, 311b) that are formed along the circumference at the top and bottom and face each other. The fastening grooves (311a, 311b) may be provided in a plurality of pairs (311, 312, 313, 314) and arranged at a constant interval along the circumference of the base holder (310). The fastening grooves (312a, 312b) are configured to engage with the fastening pieces (412a, 412b) of the holder ring (400) when the holder ring (400) described below is arranged on either the upper or lower side of the base holder (310).

[0077] The above flexible arms (320) may be provided in multiple numbers (320a, 320b, 320c, 320d) and arranged along the outer circumference of the base holder (310) and formed in a radially extending shape.

[0078] The flexible arm (320) may be formed in a smooth S-curve shape from one end (fixed end) connected to the base holder (310) to the other end (hereinafter referred to as the “contact end”) (321). The contact end (321) of the flexible arm (320) may be formed in a curved shape to prevent damage to the inner wall of the cervix during the process of contacting or adhering to the inner wall.

[0079] At this time, the flexible arm (320) can be elastically bent or stretched during the process in which the contact end (321) is in contact with the inner wall of the cervix, and for this purpose, can be made of a biocompatible elastic material.

[0080] Accordingly, the housing module (200) can be elastically fixed to the uterine wall through the flexible arm (320).

[0081] The fastening grooves (312a, 312b) and flexible arms (320) of the above base holder (310) may be arranged alternately along the outer circumference. For example, a pair of fastening grooves (312a, 312b) and a flexible arm (320) may be arranged alternately along the outer circumference of the base holder (310). Referring to the drawing, a structure in which four pairs of fastening grooves (311, 312, 313, 314) and four flexible arms (320a, 320b, 320c, 320d) are arranged along the circumference can be confirmed.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a holder ring (400) is configured to fix a fixed module (300) coupled to a housing module (200) in a fixed position so that it does not move, and may be formed in a ring shape with a central portion that is perforated. The holder ring (400) may be fitted into the second body (221) of the housing module (200). The holder ring (400) coupled to the second body (221) may be fixed in a form that surrounds a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second body (221).

[0083] By fixing the fixing module (300) to the housing module (200) in the above-mentioned holding ring (400), the labor monitoring device (10) can be stably positioned within the cervix.

[0084] Specifically, the holder ring (400) may include a pair of fastening pieces (411a, 411b) that protrude along the circumference at the top and bottom and face each other. The fastening pieces (411a, 411b) may be provided in multiple pairs (411, 412, 413, 414) and arranged at regular intervals along the circumference of the holder ring (400).

[0085] A holder ring (400) of this structure can be fitted into a housing module (200) so that the fastening pieces can engage with the fastening grooves formed at the top or bottom of the base holder. In this specification, a configuration in which the fastening grooves of the base holder and the fastening pieces that engage with them are provided in four pairs has been described, but it should be noted that the number is not limited thereto.

[0086]

[0087] Layout structure of fixed modules and holder rings

[0088] The number or installation location of the aforementioned fixed modules installed in the housing module can be adjusted so as to correspond to various types of cervixes, and accordingly, the fixed modules and the holder ring can be combined with the housing module in various ways.

[0089] Figure 8 is an example of a combination of arrangements of a fixed module and a holding ring that constitute a delivery monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] Referring to the drawing, on the outer surface of the second main body (221) of the delivery monitoring device, the fixed modules and the holding rings can be combined through various arrangement combinations, and the first and second fixed modules (300A, 300B) and the first to third holding rings (400-1, 400-2, 400-3) can be arranged in various combinations. In this structure, the second main body (221) is fitted with the second fixed module (300B), the first fixed module (300A) is coupled last, and the second fixed module (300B) can be fastened by engaging with the fastening jaw (222) of the second main body (221).

[0091] Looking at <Layout Combination 1>, three holder rings (400-1, 400-2, 400-3) can be positioned between the first and second fixed modules (300A, 300B). The three holder rings (400-1, 400-2, 400-3) are structured to be positioned on the lower side of the first fixed module (300A) and on the upper side of the second fixed module (300B).

[0092] Looking at <Layout Combination 2>, the first holder ring (400-1) is positioned on the upper side of the first fixed module (300A), and two holder rings (400-2, 400-3) can be positioned between the first and second fixed modules (300A, 300B). The two holder rings (400-2, 400-3) are structured to be positioned on the lower side of the first fixed module (300A) and on the upper side of the second fixed module (300B).

[0093] Looking at <Layout Combination 3>, two holder rings (400-1, 400-2) are positioned between the first and second fixed modules (300A, 300B), and a third holder ring (400-3) can be positioned on the lower side of the second fixed module (300B).

[0094]

[0095] A structure in which a vibration motor is inserted into the support disk of a flexible arm

[0096] Meanwhile, the flexible arm (320) has a wiring (not shown) inserted therein that is electrically connected to the monitoring control module (100), and the wiring can be electrically connected to a microscopic vibration device (not shown) provided at the contact end (321).

[0097] The above monitoring control module (100) can induce effective promotion of parturition by independently controlling whether vibration occurs at each contact end (321) of the flexible arm (320) and applying a customized vibration pattern according to the breed of livestock or the progress of parturition.

[0098]

[0099] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the patent claims, the detailed description of the invention, and the attached drawings, and it is obvious that this also falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0100] [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10: Delivery monitoring device 100: Monitoring control module

[0102] 200: Housing module 210: First housing

[0103] 220: Second housing 300: Fixed module

[0104] 310: Base holder 320: Flexible arm

[0105] 400: Holdering

Claims

1. A parturition monitoring device inserted into the cervix of livestock. controller; A bio sensor module connected to the above controller and detecting bio information including body temperature, activity level and pressure changes of livestock; and A communication module capable of transmitting and receiving data with the outside, which is connected to the controller, transmits the biometric information to the outside, and selectively receives a control signal from the outside; A supervisory control module including; A housing module in which the above surveillance control module is stored; One or more fixing modules fitted into the housing module and elastically fixing the housing module to the inner wall of the cervix; and A plurality of holder rings formed in a ring shape and fitted into the housing module to secure the fixed module in place on the housing module; Including, Labor monitoring device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above housing module, A first housing including a first main body in which the above-mentioned monitoring control module is stored, and a first sealing cap that seals the inlet of the first main body; and A second housing including a second body having the first housing accommodated therein and a fixing module or holder ring coupled to an outer surface thereof, and a second sealing cap for sealing an inlet of the second body; Including, The above first housing, The first sealing cap is accommodated in the second housing so as to face the second sealing cap, The above fixed module or holder, Fitted in the direction toward the bottom surface at the entrance of the second main body, Labor monitoring device.

3. In paragraph 2, The above fixed module, A base holder formed in a ring shape and fitted into the second body, and interlocked with the holder ring on one or both sides along the circumference and fixed in close contact; and A plurality of flexible arms arranged radially at regular intervals along the periphery of the above base holder; Including, Labor monitoring device.

4. In paragraph 3, The above flexible arm, The end is curved to prevent damage to the cervical wall, or a support disc is fitted to the end to increase the contact area with the cervical wall. Labor monitoring device.

5. In paragraph 3, The above fixed module, Including a first fixed module and a second fixed module arranged in the upper and lower direction of the second housing, The flexible arms of each fixed module are positioned so that they face opposite directions. Labor monitoring device.

6. In paragraph 5, The above holding ring is, At least one or more fixed modules are arranged between the first fixed module and the second fixed module, and are arranged above or below the fixed modules for adjusting the position of the fixed modules in the vertical direction. Labor monitoring device.

7. In paragraph 1, The above monitoring and control module, Further comprising a vibration module connected to the above controller and generating vibration, Labor monitoring device.

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