Ruminant Bolus With Electronic Control For Time-Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bolus designs for ruminant animals are limited to sustained release of supplements or medicines, lacking time-controlled release capabilities and are costly and time-consuming for regulatory approval, especially for combination drugs, and existing tracking methods are expensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Development of a delayed release device with an electronic control system, including a timer, remotely operable activation switch, and power coil to deliver a magnetic field, allowing for timed and controlled release of active ingredients, and an animal management device with a short-range transceiver and memory for storing and transmitting animal information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional sustained release bolus designs are used, then the supplement or medicine is released gradually over time, but time-controlled release at specific intervals cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical sustained-release mechanism with an active electronic control system. A microcontroller unit (MCU) monitors elapsed time and controls a magnetic field generator to expel ferromagnetic pellets at predetermined time intervals, enabling precise time-controlled release rather than continuous gradual release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static sustained-release design to a dynamic time-controlled system. The MCU can adjust release timing and intervals based on programmed parameters, allowing the release pattern to be modified remotely without physical intervention in the animal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drugs are combined in a standard bolus, then combination therapy can be provided, but significant testing and regulatory approval costs and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the combination drug system into separate modular components. Each ferromagnetic pellet contains a single active ingredient, and multiple pellets can be independently controlled to release at different times. This segmentation allows combination therapies to be achieved without requiring regulatory approval for fixed-combination products, as each ingredient can be approved separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows preliminary separation of drug components into individual pellets, which are then independently controlled for release timing. This enables flexible combination regimens to be implemented without the lengthy regulatory process required for pre-approved combination products.
3Loss of information
If conventional tracking methods such as RFID tags are used, then animal location can be monitored, but high costs for tags and readers are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates animal tracking functionality into the existing medicine delivery bolus device. The same bolus that delivers medication also contains a transponder for identification and location tracking, eliminating the need for separate RFID tags and readers, and reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking function is merged with the medicine delivery system. The bolus device incorporates both the medication delivery mechanism and a transponder for identification, combining two functions into a single low-cost device rather than using separate expensive tracking tags.
4Ease of operation
If ferromagnetic pellets are used for magnetic field actuation, then precise time-controlled release can be achieved, but the device complexity increases with electronic control components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex electronic control components (MCU, power management, magnetic field generation) into a separate swallowable bolus device, while the animal retains only a simple passive transponder for identification. This separation reduces the complexity burden on the animal side of the system.
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
Enables precise, time-controlled delivery of active ingredients over a longer period, reducing costs and regulatory hurdles, while also providing an efficient and cost-effective solution for tracking ruminant animals.
Implementation Method 1
a power coil positioned to deliver a magnetic field to the pellet
Implementation Method 2
a ferromagnetic pellet positioned in the interior region
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein include devices for time release of measured quantities of an active ingredient and storage of animal management information. One embodiment disclosed herein releases an active ingredient, which is useful in the ruminant art, within the rumen and, then, at optionally varied intervals, releases additional doses into the same environment. The active ingredients are compartmentalized and, upon receiving an appropriate signal, use a magnetic field to expel the active ingredient into the rumen of the animal. The doses of active ingredient may be delivered simultaneously, sequentially, or independently. Further, the doses of active ingredient may be the same active ingredient or different active ingredients, in any formulation. Another embodiment described herein stores animal management information, such as identification or dosage information, and wirelessly communicates the stored information to an external device.