Ingestible Rumen Bolus for Automated Digestive Efficiency Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rumen monitoring systems for ruminant animals require scientists to manually analyze raw data from rumen boluses, which is time-consuming and does not provide actionable insights for improving digestive efficiency and animal health, as they lack automated data processing and analysis capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an ingestible rumen bolus equipped with sensors for temperature, pH, and redox monitoring, which transmits data to a remote server for processing, allowing for the derivation of parameters indicative of digestive efficiency, and optionally includes on-board processing to provide pre-analyzed data, enabling real-time monitoring and management of rumen environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If scientists manually analyze raw data from rumen boluses, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically processing and analyzing rumen data through onboard processors that calculate digestive efficiency parameters, microbial activity indicators, and health metrics without requiring external scientist intervention, thus eliminating time loss while maintaining measurement precision through algorithmic processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual analysis process with automated electronic processing systems that use algorithms to interpret sensor data, transforming the analysis workflow from human-centric manual examination to machine-based automated computation, thereby dramatically reducing analysis time while preserving data accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If raw data is transmitted without processing, then device complexity is minimized, but loss of information occurs as actionable insights are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidactionable insights

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the data processing function from the monitoring function, with onboard processors handling analytical computations and a separate communication system transmitting both raw and processed data, allowing the bolus to provide actionable insights without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bolus performs preliminary actions by pre-processing sensor data onboard to generate digestive efficiency parameters and health indicators before transmission, so that actionable insights are already prepared when data reaches the receiver, preventing information loss while minimizing the complexity burden on the receiving end

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If continuous real-time monitoring is implemented, then productivity is improved through actionable insights, but use of energy increases due to continuous data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedigestive efficiency monitoringVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by transmitting data at optimized intervals rather than continuously, with the onboard processor analyzing data and sending transmissions only when significant changes occur or at predetermined time intervals, thereby maintaining productive monitoring capabilities while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the onboard processor evaluates data significance and transmission conditions, adjusting transmission frequency based on rumen state changes and energy levels, allowing continuous monitoring productivity while optimizing energy use by reducing unnecessary transmissions when parameters remain stable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system enables continuous, real-time monitoring of rumen conditions, improving feed conversion efficiency, detecting health issues early, and optimizing fermentation processes, thereby enhancing animal productivity and welfare by providing actionable insights for farmers and veterinarians.

Implementation Method 1

sensors for temperature, pH, and redox monitoring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH measurement:

Implementation Method 2

sensors for temperature, pH, and redox monitoring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 3

sensors for temperature, pH, and redox monitoring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox potential measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP2720532B1Bolus and system for in-rumen monitoring

Publication Date: 2023.06.14 KAHNE

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AI summary

A system for monitoring digestive efficiency within the rumen of one or more ruminant animals comprises rumen boluses shaped and sized to be retained within the rumen dorsal sac and each comprising temperature, pH sensor, and redox sensors, and a wireless transmitter. A processor is arranged to derive from the sensor data one or more parameters indicative of animal digestive efficiency including any combination of one or more of hydrogen scale (rH), partial pressure of hydrogen (pp[H2]), oxygen fugacity (f(O2)) and free energy of the system (?G). A method and bolus are also claimed.