Conformal Equine Limb Inertial Sensor for Lameness Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lameness detection systems in horses face challenges such as difficulty in detecting subtle lameness, interference with natural head motion, high data volume leading to spurious correlations, and inadequate signal processing, which affects accuracy and ease of use under field conditions.
Innovation Solution
A conformally shaped biosensor device attached to the lower leg, capable of measuring three-dimensional equine limb motion, with automated analysis tools for data processing and reporting on portable devices, providing objective and quantified evidence of lameness location, severity, and type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard subjective evaluation methods such as visual observation are used, then the evaluation is easy to perform, but the detection of mild lameness is difficult and subjective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual observation with objective inertial sensing technology using accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure limb motion. This substitution of mechanical sensing systems eliminates human subjectivity while maintaining ease of use through automated data collection and analysis algorithms that process sensor signals to detect lameness objectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces portable inertial sensors as intermediaries between the horse's limb motion and the evaluation process. These sensors attach to the limb and serve as mediators that capture motion data, which is then processed by algorithms to provide objective lameness detection, bridging the gap between simple attachment and precise measurement.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are placed on head or pelvis to measure vertical acceleration, then the system is easy to attach, but interference with natural head motion occurs when handlers pull on lead rope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing location from the head/pelvis region to the lower limb. By placing inertial sensors on the limb segments rather than on the head or pelvis, the system eliminates the harmful interference caused by lead rope manipulation while still capturing the necessary gait information through limb motion analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing sensors specifically on limb segments where they can measure local motion characteristics without being affected by external forces on the head. This localized sensing approach captures region-specific gait abnormalities while avoiding the harmful effects of head restraint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all-encompassing biosensor systems measure motion of any body part under various trajectories, then the system is versatile, but sensitivity and repeatability in detecting subtle lameness are hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement system to focus specifically on limb segments rather than monitoring all body parts. By dividing the gait analysis into specific limb segment measurements and comparing them against normative data for that specific segment, the system achieves higher sensitivity and repeatability for detecting subtle lameness while maintaining practical versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the measurement approach to specific limb segments with segment-specific normative databases. This localized measurement strategy improves detection sensitivity by focusing on the relevant motion characteristics of each limb segment rather than using a generic whole-body approach.
4Reliability
If sensors are attached to limbs to measure high acceleration and vibration, then the system can capture full equine limb inertia patterns, but separating true signals from spurious vibrations becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by securing the sensors firmly to the limb segments before data collection begins. This proper initial attachment minimizes spurious vibrations and ensures that the sensors capture true limb motion signals from the outset, reducing the need for extensive signal filtering and preserving signal accuracy while maintaining completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback through automated algorithms that analyze the collected signal data to distinguish between true gait signals and spurious vibrations. The system processes the raw sensor data, identifies artifacts, and separates them from meaningful lameness indicators, maintaining both signal completeness and accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables accurate and convenient detection of lameness, offering immediate feedback and ease of use, even under field conditions, with improved signal integrity and reduced spurious vibrations, allowing for precise monitoring of gait abnormalities and progression over time.
Implementation Method 1
A conformally shaped biosensor device, perhaps contained within a casing, may be attached to the lower leg... measuring three-dimensional equine limb motion
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a limb motion sensor system (100) used to objectively assist detection of equine lameness and even monitor change in gait quality over time. Biosensors (102) may be attached to the pair of front and/or hind limbs. Each conformally shaped biosensor device may be placed lateral to the metacarpal/metatarsal bone (e.g., attached to the lower limb). Inertial data may be collected by the set of sensor devices and may be wirelessly transferred to a portable, perhaps wearable, mobile controller and analytics unit (104) (e.g., smart phone, tablet, or the like). A signal processor application (108) may automatically segment each stride into phases and perform analyses to quantify limb motion metrics and uniformity over time for a single limb (unilateral consistency) or between the contralateral limbs (bilateral symmetry). Three-dimensional motion metrics may be processed, displayed, stored on, and even transmitted from the mobile information system.