Portable Faecal Imaging for Near-Real-Time Parasite Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing internal parasitic infections in livestock involve costly laboratory analysis, leading to overuse of anti-parasitic drugs and drug resistance due to indiscriminate treatment of entire herds, rather than targeted treatment based on testing results.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for on-site faecal sample preparation and digital imaging, followed by wireless communication of the image to an off-site analysis module for near-real-time determination of parasitic infection characteristics, using image analysis software to identify and quantify parasite eggs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory faecal analysis is used to diagnose parasitic infections, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to sample transport and processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the faecal sample that can be transmitted electronically to remote laboratories for analysis. This digital replica preserves the diagnostic information while eliminating the need for physical sample transport, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sample preparation and imaging at the collection site before analysis. By preparing the sample and creating the digital image in advance, the patent eliminates subsequent transport delays and enables immediate transmission of ready-to-analyze data to the laboratory.
2Reliability
If whole herd dosing is implemented, then reliability of infection control is improved, but loss of substance increases due to unnecessary drug administration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables differentiation between infected and non-infected individuals within the herd through rapid diagnostic testing. This allows treatment to be applied locally (only to infected animals) rather than uniformly to the entire herd, maintaining infection control effectiveness while eliminating unnecessary drug administration to healthy animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides rapid feedback on individual infection status, enabling farmers to make informed treatment decisions. This feedback mechanism allows the herd management strategy to adapt to actual infection patterns, treating only those animals that require intervention while sparing uninfected animals from unnecessary medication.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable kit for generating a digital image of a faecal sample suitable for microscopic analysis, comprises a faecal sample preparation device configured to receive a faecal sample and a faecal flotation fluid, filter a suspension comprising the faecal sample and the faecal flotation fluid to provide a filtrate, a translucent faecal sample support, and a portable digital imaging module. The portable digital imaging module comprises a housing, a camera/microscopic lens assembly configured to generate a digital image of the faecal sample on the sample support, an illumination system, a seat for receiving the faecal sample support disposed between the camera/microscopic lens assembly and illumination system, a memory for storing the digital image, a communication system for communicating the digital image to an off-site image processing module via a communications network, and a battery operatively connected to the camera and microscopic lens assembly, memory and communication system.