Animal Nutritional Deficiency Detection With Biomarker Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting nutritional deficiencies in animals are cumbersome, costly, and do not account for bioavailability, leading to inefficient nutrient utilization and management, particularly in livestock and poultry production systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using ex-vivo blood measurements and a parameterized model to correlate biomarker concentrations in animal blood with feed nutrient concentrations, enabling real-time detection and correction of nutritional deficiencies through computer-aided supplementation, primarily via drinking water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wet chemistry methods are used to determine nutrient deficiencies, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring specialized equipment and trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex wet chemistry laboratory equipment with simplified optical detection devices that measure nutrient concentrations in animal fur, feathers, or skin. This substitution maintains measurement precision while eliminating the need for specialized lab equipment and trained personnel, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If wet chemistry methods are used to detect nutritional deficiencies, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to time-consuming procedures and specialized requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming wet chemistry procedures with rapid optical scanning of animal surfaces. The device captures images or spectral data from fur, feathers, or skin and processes them through algorithms to determine nutrient status, reducing detection time from hours to minutes while maintaining precision and eliminating specialized operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables farmers to perform nutritional assessments themselves without needing trained laboratory personnel. The automated image capture and analysis process allows non-experts to obtain accurate nutrient deficiency diagnoses by simply scanning animal surfaces, dramatically improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If feed batches are modified to correct nutritional deficiencies, then nutritional state improves, but productivity deteriorates due to slow response time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables real-time detection of nutrient deficiencies in living animals, allowing farmers to identify and correct nutritional problems immediately rather than waiting for feed batch cycles. By monitoring individual animals continuously, the system triggers immediate corrective actions such as supplemental feeding or water additives, ensuring rapid nutritional correction without disrupting production schedules.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and computer-implemented method are provided for detecting a deficiency in a nutritional state of animals.