Equine Tail Optical Heart Rate Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional animal heart rate monitors using electrical sensors wrapped around an animal's torso often produce inaccurate measurements due to interference from fur and vibrations, requiring the animal to be shaved and restrained, which can cause discomfort and behavioral issues.
Innovation Solution
A heart rate monitor with an optical heart rate module attached to an equine's tail using a strap with a cavity to ensure direct skin contact, minimizing vibration and interference, and allowing for wireless data transmission to a computing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical sensors are wrapped around an animal's torso to measure heart rate, then the sensor can detect electrical signals, but the measurements become inaccurate due to interference from fur and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor from the torso location and relocates it to the tail, where the animal's coat is naturally shorter and the area is less prone to vibration interference. This spatial extraction eliminates the harmful factors of fur interference and vibration that compromised measurement accuracy on the torso.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selecting a specific location (tail) with distinct characteristics (shorter coat, lower vibration) that are locally optimal for sensor performance. The tail area provides a localized environment that is more favorable for accurate electrical signal detection compared to the general torso area.
2Measurement precision
If the animal is shaved to remove fur for accurate sensor contact, then measurement accuracy improves, but the animal experiences discomfort and behavioral issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for shaving by selecting a location (tail) where the animal's natural coat characteristics (shortness) are already favorable for sensor contact. This eliminates the harmful procedure of shaving while maintaining good sensor contact, thereby preserving animal comfort and behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the animal's natural tail coat characteristics into a benefit for sensor placement. Instead of viewing the tail area as a compromise location, the patent recognizes that the naturally shorter coat in this area is actually advantageous for achieving accurate sensor contact without requiring any alteration to the animal's coat.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the animal is restrained to hold the sensor in place, then sensor stability improves, but the animal experiences discomfort and behavioral issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for external restraints by utilizing the natural anatomical structure of the tail and applying a securement mechanism that integrates with the tail's geometry. This allows the sensor to be held stable through the tail's natural form rather than through external restraint devices that would cause discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by designing a securement mechanism specifically adapted to the tail's anatomical characteristics. The securement leverages the tail's natural shape and structure to provide stable sensor attachment without requiring broad-based restraints that would be uncomfortable for the animal.
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 provides accurate and comfortable heart rate data collection without the need for shaving, reducing the risk of animal discomfort and behavioral issues, while enabling real-time monitoring and analysis of equine health metrics.
Implementation Method 1
The OHR module can output light into skin of the equine, receive reflected light, and convert the reflected light into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
A heart rate monitor can comprise a heart rate sensor and a strap. The heart rate sensor can contact a tail of an equine and comprise an optical heart rate module (OHR) and a transmitter. The OHR module can output light into skin of the equine, receive reflected light, and convert the reflected light into electrical signals. The transmitter can wirelessly transmit heart rate data based on the electrical signals. The strap can removably receive the heart rate sensor and removably couple to the tail of the equine.