WO2007079790A1

WO2007079790A1 - Device for measuring parameters of the interior of a body and for telemetrically transferring data

Info

Publication number: WO2007079790A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/008454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Liselotte Schlumpp
Original assignee: Scherling Liselotte
Priority date: 2005-12-30
Filing date: 2006-08-29
Publication date: 2007-07-19
Also published as: DE202005020487U1; EP1966575A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for measuring and transferring physiologically relevant parameters of a living being, which device has at least one sensor (2), one radio unit (6), a connection (4), suitable for transferring the measurement values, between the at least one sensor (2) and the radio unit (6), and a means (16) for attaching the device as a semi-implant, wherein the device is designed such that it can be used as a semi-implant in which the sensor (2) is situated in the interior of the body and the radio unit (6) on the body surface of the living being.

Description

Device for measuring parameters of the interior of the body and for the telemetric transmission of data

Background of the invention

Physiological parameters are important for assessing the health of an individual. A stress-free, continuous or frequent (at least hourly) collection of various parameters allows the evaluation and research of physiological processes and rhythms such as. the sexual cycle in mammals as well as in humans, as well as the early detection and the course of diseases. In contrast to the surface temperature, in particular the body temperature is best suited for this purpose. So far, however, rarely or too seldom has it been used even in cases of illness, since the conventional rectal or vaginal measurement involves effort (possibly catching, fixing, measuring, cleaning) and in certain animals (eg aggressive or timid game and zoo animals) or housing is also risky. In addition, stress-related measurement fluctuations are described in the literature. Therefore, the survey of body temperature is often limited to emergency.

Increasing livestock in bulk increases the effort to automatically measure and process these values to facilitate herd management and reduce losses (described, for example, in US Patent 3,534,728 and US Patent 3,297,020). In the further development of the technology, these efforts make use of inventions from other fields, such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) (US Patent 5,526,772) and RFID-like (US Patent 5,682,149) transponders own to end in universal 'universal claims' (for example, US patent application 2003/0137431 Al).

The hitherto largest problem not solved economically for this purpose is the design / incorporation of the sensor (US Pat. No. 5,105,763). The previous solutions relate to:

1. The pinna or the ear canal (for example, US Pat. No. 4,854,328, US Pat. No. 4,510,495, US Pat. No. 3,781,837, US Pat. No. 4,651,750) and a subfascial cavity behind the ear (US Pat. No. 4,083,364) are disadvantages:

Measurements on or in the pinna are highly dependent on ambient temperature (described in U.S. Patent 4,387,742) and do not reflect body temperature;

- Sensors are poorly tolerated in the ear canal by reflex and they can damage the eardrum;

- the loss rate is high in practice;

- The subfascial cavity with access at the highest point is predestined for infections and therefore unsuitable.

2. The vagina (for example, US Patent 4,387,724). The reflective ejection of the sensor or transmitter should be prevented by means of a special anchor, which claws into the mucous membrane in front of the cervix. Disadvantages are:

- The method is naturally not applicable to male and very young individuals;

- the device interferes with insemination / treatment and must be removed for delivery;

- mucous membrane irritation occurs. Therefore, the author may therefore recommend only one use over maximum 50 days;

- The existing thick muscle layers require more transmit power with increased energy consumption or, in the case of passive transponders, larger field strengths with the same transmission volume, which reduces either the transmission duration or the range - in some cases crucially.

A bolus in the rumen (e.g., 6,012,415, U.S. Patent 5,697,384, U.S. Patent 5,634,432, U.S. Patent Application 2004/0155782, Al, U.S. Patent Application 2005/0228223 Al extends this to humans). Disadvantages are:

- The use is limited to ruminating ruminants, so even unsuitable for calves, since the rumen is not developed here;

- The temperature of the rumen content is determined by the respective rumen flora (bacteria and infusoria) and naturally decreases with each feed and water intake;

- Here too, large layer thicknesses are to be bridged with the above-mentioned problem of high energy expenditure for transmission power or high field strengths.

The completely subcutaneous implantation of an active sensor / transmitter unit (similar to a pacemaker), which is relatively complex and therefore largely limited to humans. Under conditions in the stable, infections can be expected. In addition, the operation constitutes an intervention in accordance with the Animal Protection Act.

Subcutaneous injection of passive transponders, which is widely used to identify animals. Such transponders can also be equipped with sensors Disadvantages are:

- The necessary small distance to the reader, that is, the data can only be read when a reader is held directly on the transponder or the individual, for example, through a narrow antenna portal. Since this occurs only at larger and / or irregular intervals, it is primarily not possible to detect oestrus in female animals

it is known that a not inconsiderable proportion of the transponders injected "migrate", with possibly a few centimeters making it impossible to read data. In practice, many transponders are no longer found, which brings problems especially in meat-producing animals.

Further problems that are not sufficiently solved, such as the sufficiently frequent reading out of the data about relevant routes and their fast availability, the energy supply, etc., are largely the result of these unsatisfactory application methods.

In addition to the specific disadvantages listed above, none of the patents cited above, or patent applications, provides a basis for an automatic telemetric transmission of the measured values under practical conditions in the barn (at least 100 m). They reach a maximum range of 1 meter (US Pat. No. 5,526,772), must be forwarded with cables (US patent application 2004/0155782 A1, US Pat. No. 5,322,034), must be downloaded from the animal (US patent application 2003/0137431 A1) , or need a male animal to detect the female oestrus (US Patent 4,503,808; US Patent Application 2003/0137431 Al). Object of the invention

The core problem is the practical and permanent introduction of sensor / s into the body, with simultaneous data transmission preferably from the body surface.

Therefore, the focus is on the attachment / attachment of a device for (historical) measurement of reliable physiological data from the body inside of individuals - especially livestock - and their forwarding. These are, in particular, the body temperature, but also, if required, other parameters - also to be measured externally - such as Pulse, movement, ambient temperature, humidity etc.

The (sterilizable) device should as possible without long effort and danger of infection, even in non-sterile environment without complications permanently attached, be biocompatible and not wander. The device must provide a distinctive individual identifier, removal or damage may trigger a (remote) alarm. The data transmission should preferably be able to take place automatically and at least once a hour, preferably (additionally) also on request, in real time and from practice-relevant distance (at least 100 m) in order to enable timely progress measurements.

The energy released / transferred during the data transfer should be as minimal as data losses or collisions. The device should be robust, have a low rate of loss and possibly remain functional for 6 to 8 years maintenance-free. Summary of the invention

These objects are achieved by an apparatus of claim 1.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for measuring and transmitting physiologically relevant parameters of living beings, comprising at least one sensor (2), a radio unit (6), a connection (4) suitable for transmitting the measured values between the at least one sensor (2). and the radio unit (6) and a means (16) for fixing the device as a semi-implant, wherein the device is designed so that it can be used as a semi-implant, wherein the sensor (2) inside the body and the radio unit (6 ) is located on the body surface.

Detailed description of the invention

The newly developed device is designed as a biocompatible semi-implant (i.e., one part is buried in the tissue, the other remains visible, preferably on the outer skin) for permanent residence-comparable to a human piercing or e.g. a nose ring in the animal. That is, the attachment requires perforations) of the outer and / or mucosa (1).

The device contains one or more measuring sensors (2) for determining physiologically relevant information of an individual from the inside of his body, in particular the internal body temperature and / or also from the body surface (3). The at least one additional sensor (3) is connected via the connection (5) to the radio unit (6), wherein the at least one sensor (3) is suitable for measuring moisture, ambient temperature, movement or conductivity. Due to the type of implantation, the or the sensors are in contact with the inside of the body necessary tissue eg for Unterhautbinde- or muscle tissue, in a variation but also for example in the oral or nasal cavity.

As is known from piercing, in compliance with certain hygiene standards double perforations heal at suitable places relatively quickly, since a simple secretion discharge is possible. The material in contact with wounds is biocompatible: it is either smooth and inert or rough and stimulates ingrowth.

The sensor or sensors preferably have a direct connection (4, 5) to the radio unit (6), consisting of a microcontroller (7), a transmitter unit or better a transmitter / receiver unit (8) together with power supply (9) and, if necessary, Measured value converter (10) (FIG. 1). The key advantage here is that in this way no reader is needed, associated high energy consumption and high field strengths can be avoided and a maintenance-free life of 6-10 years is realistic.

The energy supply can take place by means of a battery, solar cell or energy harvesting (eg movement, temperature gradient).

The direct connection (4) for data transmission is preferably at least partially integrated in the means (16) for fixing the device. The means (16) for securing the device is preferably designed to penetrate the skin of the animal. Thus, it is advantageous if the means (16) for securing the device is biocompatible. Furthermore, it is preferably inert or stimulates ingrowth. The means (16) is preferably in the form of a stirrup or hook.

The radio unit is preferably located in the extracorporeal housing part (11), thereby providing minimal energy Transmission or reception (12) over at least 100 m to a receiver (base station, 13) possible, with transmission via GPRS without similarly acting systems everywhere. Interfaces for further applications are optional.

In one variation, if required, the device is (also) provided with an integrated reader for reading a nearby implanted transponder equipped with sensors.

The device provides the technical basis for an economical telemetric transmission of measured values from inside the body.

The device has a unique individual identifier, a correspondingly shaped closure (14) is at the same time fixation and protection against tearing of the device. The closure is preferably a disposable closure, more preferably a seal.

Loss or removal of the device sistiert the

Data transfer and pulls an alarm on the base station

(13) or the server (15) automatically.

This combination is the technical basis for the largely fraud-proof labeling and monitoring of

Creature.

Another possible training for permanent or temporary (hours to days) use: The device quasi as a stylet of a commercial venous indwelling cannula and with appropriate closure (preferably Luer-Lock) attached, the connected radio unit comes to rest outside.

The following are possible applications of the present invention, wherein the body temperature of the animal is measured and the values obtained optionally with other parameters (in particular movement) are combined:

1. fertility control in cattle, possibly also other species, in particular a) determination of ovulation or insemination time, heat detection b) pregnancy diagnosis or abortion indication c) birth announcement d) cycle monitoring or early detection of disorders

2. herd management, health monitoring, in particular early detection of individual diseases, stress early detection of existing diseases

In addition, the following developments are conceivable:

Interface for patient record: palm or handheld to be developed for veterinarians or farmers for on-site documentation of findings and treatments, performance data incl. Read-in drug batch no., RFID, barcode, etc. This enables the following applications:

Documentation / access to an individual history or medical history,

Substitute for drug delivery document,

Facilitated billing,

Forensic documentation

"Sovereign" surveillance

-Available: Documentation or forwarding of data to certification authorities or quality labels, ordered: Use in state food control eg targeted residue tests in case of fever animals, compliance with the waiting time for slaughter animals and monitoring in the state animal disease control. Distinctive animal identification

The data obtained by the device according to the invention are largely forgery-proof, since individual temperature profile upon removal of the device or death of the animal is hardly imitable. This allows for monitoring of animal traffic (automatic, up-to-date inventory, locating individuals).

Finally, the present invention can be extended to other species, especially after further miniaturization, e.g. On zoo animals, horses, pigs, but also on humans (for example, fertility diagnosis).

The drawings are only examples of possible embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(1) external and / or mucous membrane

(2) Sensor

(3) Sensor

(4) Connection for transmitting the measured values

(5) Connection for transmitting the measured values

(6) Radio unit

(7) microcontroller

(8) Transceiver unit

(9) energy supply

(10) transducer

(11) extracorporeal housing part

(12) Radio signal

(13) Base Station

(14) closure

(15) servers

(16) Means for attaching the device as a semi-implant

Claims

cLAIMS

1. Apparatus for measuring and forwarding physiologically relevant parameters of a living being, comprising at least one sensor (2), a radio unit (6), a connection (4) suitable for transmitting the measured values between the at least one sensor (2) and the radio unit (6 and a means (16) for securing the device as a semi-implant, the device being adapted to be used as a semi-implant, wherein the sensor (2) is located inside the body and the radio unit (6) on the body surface of the body Living thing is located.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the connection (4) is at least partially integrated in the means (16) for fixing the device.

The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the means (16) for securing the device penetrates the skin of the animal.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (16) for fixing the device is biocompatible or inert or stimulates ingrowth.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (16) for fixing the device has an optionally releasable closure.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the closure is a Einrnalverschluß.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the closure is a seal.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sensor can measure parameters in the interior of the body.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sensor can measure the body temperature inside.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one additional sensor (3) and a connection (5) between the sensor (3) and the radio unit (6), wherein the sensor (3) are mounted on the body surface of the living being can.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor (3) is suitable for measuring moisture, ambient temperature, movement, heart rate or conductivity.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio unit (6) comprises a measured value amplifier (10), a microcontroller (7), a radio module (8) and a power supply unit (9).

13. Use of a device comprising at least one sensor (2) and a radio unit (6) and a connection (4) between the at least one sensor (2) and the radio unit (6), as a semi-implant in a living being, wherein the Sensor (2) inside the body and the radio unit (6) located on the body surface, for the measurement and transmission of physiologically relevant parameters of the living being.

Use according to claim 12, wherein the device is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. Device for measuring and forwarding physiologically relevant parameters of a living being, comprising at least one sensor (2), a radio unit (6), a connection (4) suitable for transmitting the measured values between the at least one sensor (2) and the radio unit (6 ), wherein the device is designed such that it can be inserted into a venous Verweilkanüle, wherein the sensor (2) inside the body and the radio unit (6) is located on the body surface of the living being.