System for detecting respiration-based diseases in animals

Abstract

The invention relates to a respiration-based disease detection system for animals, which measures, by means of electronic pressure sensors, the vacuum effect generated by animals during respiration, evaluates said measurements, analyzes the magnitude and frequency of the force applied to the diaphragm, assesses the muscular strength of the diaphragm, and provides an output based on said assessment.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SYSTEM FOR DETECTING RESPIRATION-BASED DISEASES IN ANIMALS TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a respiration-based disease detection system for animals, which measures, by means of electronic pressure sensors, the vacuum effect generated by animals during respiration, evaluates said measurements, analyzes the magnitude and frequency of the force applied to the diaphragm, assesses the muscular strength of the diaphragm, and provides an output based on said assessment.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] With conventional methods, the measurement of diaphragm or lung strength in animals is generally carried out through direct and simple observations. This process is typically performed by means of physical examination by veterinarians or farm personnel. Although this approach may provide a general understanding of the operational pattern of the diaphragm and the lungs, such assessments lack a quantitative basis and rely solely on the interpretation of technical personnel. Irregularities in respiratory sounds, wheezing, or respiratory frequencies differing from normal values are considered indicators of respiratory system disorders.

[0006] AIM OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The primary objective of the invention is to enable the detection of respirationbased diseases in animals. By means of conventional methods, it is theoretically possible to observe nasal discharge, coughing, breathing difficulties, or respiratory rate and recovery times after exercise. However, such evaluations cannot be compared over the growth period of a calf, nor can they be reliably compared with other animals of the same or different species, or with other animals within the same groups. With the system presented in the invention, it is possible to convert the diaphragm strength, lung capacity, and swallowing durations of animals into quantitative values with minimal margins of error. The numerical data obtained with low error margins allow comparisons to be made with the animals’ historical data or with data belonging to other animals.

[0008] The measurement of diaphragm strength in animals is of importance for the assessment of respiratory health and overall physiological condition. Since thediaphragm is a muscle group that plays an active role during respiration, the evaluation of the functional strength of this muscle constitutes critical data, particularly for the early diagnosis and prevention of respiratory diseases in animals during the growth period. Within the scope of the invention, the vacuum effect generated by animals during respiration is measured and evaluated by means of electronic pressure sensors. These sensors (electronic pressure sensors) analyze the magnitude and frequency of the force applied to the diaphragm, assess the muscular strength, and provide an output accordingly.

[0009] The use of the system according to the invention in farms is particularly beneficial for optimizing the growth and development processes of young animals. The data obtained also enable the examination of environmental factors affecting animal health, such as housing conditions and air quality, as well as genetic factors. Furthermore, such measurements performed by means of electronic sensors allow veterinarians and farm managers to identify potential risks related to the respiratory system in advance and to carry out interventions at an individual or herd level.

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention relates to a system comprising an electronic device including software that enables the diaphragm strength in animals to be quantitatively measured by means of electronic sensors and allows the measured values to be analyzed with normal data stored in the database of the system.

[0012] The diaphragm functions as a critical muscle group in the respiration process, and the strength of this muscle provides significant information regarding the overall health of animals and the effectiveness of their respiratory systems. This system, which overcomes the limitations of conventional methods, enables the functionality of the diaphragm to be assessed in a more precise and objective manner.

[0013] The fundamental principle of the invention is to measure the vacuum effect generated by animals during respiration through the use of electronic pressure sensors. Said sensors record the magnitude, frequency, and temporal variations of the force exerted by the diaphragm.

[0014] The data collected by the sensors are transmitted to an analysis platform, which is an electronic device comprising software and a processor. Therein, the data are evaluated by means of various algorithms incorporated within the software of the device. As a result of these evaluations, parameters such as the diaphragm musclestrength, lung capacities, and respiratory rhythms of the animals are analyzed in detail and reported.

[0015] The system provides a significant innovation, particularly in terms of monitoring growth and development processes in farm animals. Data such as diaphragm strength provide early information regarding the health of the respiratory systems of animals, thereby enabling proactive measures to be taken for the prevention of respiratory diseases. In addition, the effects of environmental conditions, such as air quality and housing temperature, as well as genetic factors on animal health can also be examined by means of this system.

[0016] The invention is intended to be beneficial not only at the level of individual animals but also at the herd level. For example, data obtained across a herd enable comparisons to be made among animals having similar characteristics. This supports decision-making processes such as genetic selection, optimization of feeding programs, and improvement of housing conditions.

[0017] The details and operating principle of the system according to the invention are set out below.

[0018] The line on which measurements are performed by means of the invention consists of rigid pneumatic pipes and is a system having a closed inlet and a single teat provided at its outlet. One electronic pressure sensor is arranged in the central portion of the line. The system thus configured enables the vacuum effect generated by animals through suction at fixed teats to be detected, in millibar units, by the pressure sensor included in the system.

[0019] Within the scope of the invention, each reporting process takes an average of four minutes and a three-stage measurement is performed:

[0020] • the vacuum effect generated by the animals when no liquid is present in the line, • the vacuum effect generated by the animals when liquid (pure water) is present in the line,

[0021] • the vacuum effect generated by the animals when free liquid flow is present in the line.

[0022] Based on the measurements performed, the animals receive a score between 0 and 100, and during the test period, parameters such as breathing intervals, preservation of the vacuum effect, and intensity values are analyzed and reported by the software. For example, for an average Holstein calf aged 4-6 weeks, the vacuum effect that canbe generated ranges between 70 and 830 mBar. The vacuum effect may vary for each calf depending on the breed, environmental conditions, and genetic tendencies. Within the electronic device included in the system, threshold values are defined for each calf breed.

[0023] In a healthy calf, stabilization of the vacuum strength should be observed from the third week onward, followed by a gradual increase over time. In calves without any diaphragm-based disorders, continuity of the vacuum effect can be observed, exhibiting a half-sinusoidal waveform. In calves with disorders, these data progress in the form of non-linear curves and generate unpredictable patterns. Consequently, this system constitutes a comprehensive tool that can be used not only for the detection of respiratory system-related disorders but also for monitoring the overall health of animals. This innovation, which is of vital importance for both veterinarians and farm managers, has the potential to improve animal health, increase production efficiency, and reduce costs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for detecting respiration-based diseases in animals, characterized in that it comprises a line formed of rigid pneumatic pipes having a closed inlet, and a single teat arranged at an outlet of the line, for measuring the vacuum effect generated by a calf during respiration; a pressure sensor arranged in a central portion of the line and configured to detect, in millibar units, the vacuum effect generated by animals through suction at the teat under conditions in which no liquid is present in the line, liquid (pure water) is present in the line, and free liquid flow is present in the line; and an electronic device including software configured to analyze the values measured by the pressure sensor by comparing them with normal data stored in a database, to score parameters relating to the animals, such as diaphragm muscle strength, lung capacities, and respiratory rhythms, on a scale of 0 to 100, and to enable comparison of the analyzed data with one another.