Introduction Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for monitoring a parameter such as temperature of a livestock animal.

Prior Art Discussion

WO2014/040999 (Gavico) describes a system for monitoring temperature of an animal. It has an animal mountable element with a thermistor for mounting in the tympanic canal, a wireless interface for communicating temperature data, and a base station for receiving the wireless data.

US2011/0251514 (Fults) describes a system having a housing and a probe for manual insertion into the animal's ear canal.

US4854328 (Philip Pollack) describes an animal monitoring device including a receiver attached to the animal and a transmitting device inserted in the animal subcutaneously or in a cavity at a location indicative of the deep body temperature of the animal.

US3781837 (Jac Inc) describes a temperature responsive device for use with cattle, and similar livestock, to furnish signals when the measured body temperature of the animal exceeds predetermined limits which are indicative of infection or disease within the animal. US2015/0282457 (Yarden) describes a system for monitoring physical and physiological features of livestock. A monitoring device is suspended from a gripper engaging ear tissue.

CN106175715 (Ruixu) describes a monitoring device with a temperature sensor on a wire. NL1008869 (Nehls) describes an animal's ear tag with an electronic transponder, and it is pinned to the animal's ear.

WO2016/037190 (Pixobot) describes a monitoring system to track health in animal populations, again having devices which are pinned to the ear. A problem that this invention seeks to address is that some prior art devices hang from the ear like a pendulum and a tube (or thermistor) from the device will be inserted into the ear canal. These devices suffer due to their exposed nature, and there is a strong chance that the tube (thermistor) will disengage and/or become tangled and/or be broken from the ear due to their size and exposure with external farm equipment such as steel feeding rails, concrete walls, and milking systems.

The invention is directed towards providing an improved monitoring device, and system incorporating such devices.

Summary of the Invention

We describe a livestock animal monitoring device comprising:

a temperature probe stem including a temperature sensor and being configured for insertion in an ear canal,

a housing containing a signal processing circuit connected to the temperature sensor and a wireless communication circuit linked to the signal processing circuit for wireless upload of temperature data to a host, and

a fastener for attachment to an animal ear tissue,

wherein the fastener and the probe stem are mounted on opposed sides of the housing so that the device may be retained at or near opposite ends by the fastener being attached to ear lobe tissue and by the probe stem being located in an animal ear canal in use.

The fact that the stem has sufficient stiffness to support the device on one side when inserted in the ear canal, and is located on the opposed side to the fastener, avoids need for the device to be suspended from a fastener on ear tissue and hence being at high risk of being damaged or lost.

Preferably, the fastener comprises a male button tag and female button tag receiver for fastening to an animal ear.

Preferably, the fastener is connected to the housing by a longitudinal support. Preferably, the longitudinal support is adjustable. The longitudinal support may comprise a strap engaging the housing at an adjustment mechanism.

Preferably, the adjustment mechanism comprises a slider arranged to push a tooth type spring surface into the strap.

Preferably, the adjustment mechanism comprises a passage for a tie to surround and compress the strap.

The housing may be detachable from the fastener. The probe stem may comprise a plurality of grooves along some or all of its length.

Preferably, the probe stem comprises a tapered proximal portion joined to the housing. Preferably, said proximal tapered portion is flexible.

Preferably, at least part of the probe stem has a textured soft surface.

The fastener may comprise a recess for ventilation of an animal's ear at a fastening location. The recess may be in a part of the longitudinal support and/or in female button tag receiver.

Preferably, the recess comprises a tapered or funnel-shaped lead.

Preferably, the housing includes an outer layer over-moulded encapsulant with a soft surface texture. The temperature sensor may comprise a thermistor.

Preferably, the temperature sensor is surrounded by a flexible enclosure in said probe stem.

The housing may include an outer layer with a soft surface texture, the outer layer comprising an over-moulded encapsulant fitting around at least part of a rigid plastics housing part, and said probe stem flexible enclosure may be an integral extension of said over-moulded encapsulant.

Preferably, the fastener is detachable from the housing, whereby the housing and stem may be removed, and possibly replaced, while leaving the fastener in place.

Preferably, said signal processing circuit is configured to act as a local gateway for communication of information from or to any other devices on or near an animal. The signal processing circuit may store a unique identifier for the device and uses said identifier in said communications .

We also describe a method comprising the steps of attaching the fastener to ear tissue of the animal and inserting the probe stem into the animal's tympanic canal so that separation of the fastener and the canal match length of the device and the device is supported between opposed supports provided by the probe stem on one side and the fastener on the opposed side.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of adjusting length of the device to said distance between the fastener attachment site and the canal.

Preferably, the method comprises removing the housing and the stem by separating the housing from the fastener while leaving the fastener in situ.

Additional Statements

According to the invention, there is provided an animal monitoring device comprising:

a temperature probe stem including a temperature sensor and being configured for insertion in an ear canal,

a housing containing a signal processing circuit connected to the temperature sensor and a wireless communication circuit linked to the signal processing circuit for wireless upload of temperature data to a host,

a fastener for attachment to an animal,

wherein the housing is connected between the fastener and the probe stem so that the device may be retained at or near opposite ends by the fastener being attached to ear lobe tissue and by insertion of the probe stem in an animal ear canal in use.

In one embodiment, the fastener comprises a male button tag and female button tag receiver for fastening to an animal ear. In one embodiment, the fastener is connected to the housing by a longitudinal support.

In one embodiment, the longitudinal support is adjustable. In one embodiment, the longitudinal support comprises a strap engaging the housing at an adjustment mechanism. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises a slider arranged to push a tooth type spring surface into the strap. In one embodiment, the housing is detachable from the fastener. In one embodiment, the probe stem comprises a plurality of grooves along some or all of its length.

In one embodiment, the probe stem comprises a tapered proximal portion joined to the housing. In one embodiment, said proximal tapered portion is flexible.

In one embodiment, at least part of the probe has a textured soft surface.

In one embodiment, the fastener comprises a recess for ventilation of an animal's ear at a fastening location. In one embodiment, the recess is in a part of the longitudinal support and/or in female button tag receiver. In one embodiment, the recess comprises a tapered or funnel- shaped lead.

In one embodiment, the housing includes over-moulded encapsulant with a soft surface texture.

In one embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor.

In one embodiment, the temperature sensor is surrounded by a flexible enclosure. In one embodiment, the fastener is detachable from the housing, whereby the housing and stem may be removed, and possibly replaced, while leaving the fastener in place.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of mounting a device of any embodiment to an animal, the method comprising the steps of attaching the fastener to tissue of the animal and inserting the probe into the animal's tympanic canal so that separation of the fastener and the canal match length of the device.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of adjusting length of the device to said distance between the fastener attachment site and the canal.

In one embodiment, the method comprises removing the housing and the stem by separating the housing from the fastener while leaving the fastener in situ.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Detailed Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a livestock animal temperature monitoring device of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing major components of the device;

Fig. 3 is a set of (a) a plan view, (b) a side view with maximum separation of the probe stem and button piercing tag, and (c) a side view with minimum such separation;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the device, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the lines A-A of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side view, Fig 7 is an end view, and Fig. 8 is an underneath plan view of the device; Fig. 9 is a further top plan view, showing sectional lines B-B for a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 10, and Figs. 11 and 12 are larger-scale details C and D of Fig. 10;

Figs. 13, 14, 15, and 16 are each a pair of a top plan sectional view and a cross-sectional view along the lines E-E, F-F, G-G, and H-H respectively;

Fig. 17 is a top view of a button piercing tag engaging ear tissue, and Fig. 18 is a cross- sectional view along the lines J-J of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the device in use attached to a livestock animal's ear;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative monitoring device of the invention;

Fig. 21 is an exploded view of the device of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 is a plan view, Fig. 23 is a side view in an extended position, and Fig. 24 is a side view in a contracted position of the device of Fig. 20; and Fig. 25 is a series of views showing four steps for assembly of the device of Fig. 20.

Description of the Embodiments

Referring to Fig. 1 a livestock animal temperature monitoring device 1 comprises a main housing 2 for signal processing and wireless communication circuits. A probe stem 3 protrudes on one side, for insertion in the ear canal of an animal such as a cow. On the opposite side of the housing 2 there is a longitudinal support 5 terminating in a female button tag receiver 40 for fastening to the animal's ear lobe in a manner generally known for identification ear tagging.

In general terms the device 1 is mounted by the female button tag receiver 40 being fastened to the ear lobe, and the probe stem 3 being inserted into the ear canal. Hence the device 1 is supported at both longitudinal ends, and so has a very high chance of remaining in place because it is not hanging or otherwise free to move. Once inserted, the device 1 can wirelessly upload temperature data to a host. Advantageously, the stem 3 has sufficient stiffness and is resilient so that it can support the device at one end when inserted in the ear canal, so that the device is supported at both opposed ends by the fastener and does not hang down. The opposed ends are not necessarily diametrically opposed. They could for example be at any acute angle in excess of 90° and preferably in excess of 135°, provided there is sufficient support provided to retain the full device in place at the two anchorages provided by the stem and the fastener. In more detail, the housing 2 comprises a top part 20 and a bottom part 21 of injection moulded plastics material which mate to form a rigid enclosure. There is an over-mould 23 of soft elastomer for animal contact. A slider 22 is mounted to the housing upper and lower parts 20 and 21 for vertical movement to engage a strap 30 of the adjustable longitudinal support 5. The strap 30 has at its proximal end a ring 32 surrounding and holding the female button tag receiver 40.

The probe stem 3 comprises a tip 10 at the device's distal end containing a thermistor 54 and having external grooves 11. It also comprises a tapered base 12 at the proximal end joined to the housing 2. The outer part of the stem 3 is formed by part of the elastomer over- mould 23. Referring to Fig. 2, the device's components are shown in more detail. This view shows a guide 24 for the slider 22. The major components mounted within the housing 2 are:

a battery 50;

a circuit board 51 with solder pads for contact with the thermistor;

a thermistor inner enclosure 52 configured to extend within the stem 3 to protect the thermistor and its leads; and

a thermistor 54 mounted within the elongate stem inner enclosure 52, the two conductors (leads) of which are visible in Fig. 5.

Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) show the longitudinal support 5 at its longest, allowing a maximum setting for distance between the female button tag receiver 40 and the ear canal. Fig. 3(c) shows the minimum such distance, thereby showing the extent of versatility of mounting of the device on any of a range of different sizes of animal. This illustrates an advantage whereby the device can be securely mounted in a manner without being free to move relative to the animal's ear and without protruding and/or hanging from it. This is achieved irrespective of the size of the ear, the longitudinal support allowing for a variety of distances from the fastening location to the stem in the ear canal. Figs. 4 and 5 show the circumference of the stem 3 at the grooves 11. These allow passage of air within the ear canal during use and contribute to flexibility, while still having sufficient stiffness to support the weight of the device at the location opposed to the fastener. The thermistor 54 is protected by the inner enclosure 52, and this is in turn surrounded by the elastomer over-mould 23.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show the arrangement of connection of the strap 30 to the housing 2, in which it slides within opposed lateral grooves 33.

Figs. 9 and 10 show internal housing components including the battery 50, the board 51, and the enclosure 52 with proximal connector 56 for connection to the board 51.

Fig. 11 shows that the female button tag receiver 40 has an internal shoulder 41 for engagement with the rim of a male button piercing tag for fastening to the ear lobe. It has an outer flange 42 which engages the ring 32 at the proximal end of the strap 30. Advantageously, the female button tag receiver 40 further comprises an inner tapered lead 45, and the ring 32 has an outer tapered lead 46. The internal dimensions of the female button tag receiver 40 are such that the inner lead 45 includes a space around a male button piercing tag 48 when inserted. Moreover, the outer lead 46 forms a recess which provides an air gap between the ring 32 and the ear tissue ET after engagement of the male button piercing tag 48.

Fig. 12 shows a latch 26 for engaging the strap 30, upon pressing of the slider 22 towards the strap 30. It disengages from the latch 26 to allow adjustment on length of the device. Figs. 13 to 16 show the housing configuration building up in stages as follows:

Fig. 13, lower housing 21,

Fig. 14, insertion of battery 50 and PCB 51,

Fig. 15, mating of the upper housing part 20, and

Fig. 16 fitting of the over-mould 23 for animal contact without irritation, and preventing moisture ingress.

Figs. 17 and 18 show connection of the male button piercing tag and female button tag receiver forming a fastener. There is provision of an air gap 47 between the ear tissue and the material of the device due to the recess 46.

Fig. 19 shows the device in general overview in use. As is visible here, the encapsulation 23 is in contact with the ear tissue, and the device 1 is very well secured at one end by the male button piercing tag and female button tag receiver 40, 48 and at the other end by insertion of the stem 3 in the ear canal EC.

The stem tapered portion 12 overmoulds the thermistor leads, preventing moisture ingress, providing a soft texture for skin contact when in-situ on the animal and placed within the ear canal. It has recessed swept areas to increase flexibility, and allow air access and earwax expulsion.

The tip 10 overmoulds the thermistor, encapsulating it and preventing moisture ingress along with providing a soft texture surface for skin contact when in-situ on the animal and placed within the ear canal. The device 1 when used as part of a full system with a wireles sly-linked host allows livestock to be remotely monitored for welfare, health, fertility, calving and geolocation. It records temperature, and this is wirelessly sent to a database and machine learning software and/or IOT platform software identifies events or alerts, which can push notifications for the user to a phone device, a software application, a voice mail server, a Webapp, a PC, or a tablet for example while also creating and updating records for the animal as part of the animal history record. The device 1 can also act as a local gateway for any other devices on or near the animal, for example internal bolus, pedometer, external weighing, feeding, milking, drafting systems for example.

Preferably, each device stores a unique number, either defined for a system or using a livestock animal unique identification number. This allows the device to integrate with other electronic devices and machinery on the farm and communicate with then, either by:

providing the unique number to that equipment or machinery or other device; or that other equipment or machinery or device communicating with the device 1 and sending data to the device 1, which in turn transmits the data onward to the data storage location, and/or host.

The device is discrete and non-invasive, for electronically monitoring livestock tempanic temperature, while also being a discrete sensor for various telematics and sensor connectivity which can be used for livestock use. It is located on the ear, without hanging from the ear. It is approximately horizontally aligned (Fig. 19) from the button tag piercing location to the ear opening. It is concealed as it is not exposed and the conical form of the ear shields it from exposure or entanglement with farm objects such as walls, feeding bars, and farm automation equipment, as shown in Fig. 19. The horizontal array of piercing location support to ear opening support, with electronics in the middle area is very advantageous.

The battery 50 is of type CR2450. The circuit 57 on the PCB 51 operates and performs wireless RF transmission with multi-radio protocol from 315-, 433-, 470-, 500-, 779-, 868-, 915-, 932- MHz and 2.4GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) and SRD (Software define Radio) systems which includes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). It is also envisaged in other embodiments that the device will utilize IOT protocols such as NB IOT. It performs full duplex communication, meaning bi-directional to both send and receive, allowing full firmware upgrades over the air and connectivity to other local devices and local and long range gateways. This also allows active RFID (Radiation Frequency Identification) and NFC (Near Field Communication). The device can be location monitored using triangulation and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication).

The device may be fixed to the ear by tagging with the standard identification tag tools which insert the male button piercing tag 48 into the female button tag receiver 40.

The longitudinal support 5 allows for accurate positioning of the device once it is in-situ on the ear of a grown animal, and allows routine adjustment when used on a calf; as the calf head and ear grows the device can be repositioned when required. The strap 30 also assists in allowing the tagging of animals which may have an identification tag in place. The strap 30 is flexible and can simply sit on top of an existing button tag or allow tagging in a suitable place on the ear. Adjustment can then be made to fit the device into the ear. The strap also allows removal and/or replacement of the housing 2 and the stem 3 without the need to retag. The female button tag receiver 40and strap ring 32 recess 47 at the area of ear piercing aids ventilation at the pierced site. The overmoulding in this area may also have recesses to aid ventilation.

The surface in contact with the ear (underside of housing 2 and strap 30) are made of a soft texture material to minimise irritation to the animal and skin. The tapered portion 12 of the stem 3 acts as a bridge between the solid housing 2 and the more flexible thermistor probe stem 3 at the proximal end of the stem 3. This is very advantageous in holding the device horizontal and discrete on the animal.

The probe stem 3 recesses 11 extend longitudinally with a 2° taper, and these recesses 11 allow for air, ear secretion (ear wax), animal hearing and also provides flexibility while reducing irritation to the animal. The flexible material for contact with animal skin may be of any suitable polymer type, such as polyamide, polyolefin or polyurethane-based resins.

Referring to Figs. 20 to 26 an alternative monitoring device, 100, is shown. The device 100 is similar to the device 1 in many respects, especially its features of having an ear tissue fastener at one end and at the opposite end a probe for ear canal insertion with sufficient stiffness to support that end of the device. The device 100 comprises a housing 101, a fastener 102 with a longitudinal support at one end and a probe 103 at the opposite end. The longitudinal support has a shoulder 105 with a through- slot to receive a cable tie for retaining a longitudinal support strap 120 at the desired location. The probe stem 103 has a smooth external surface, tapering out at its inner end 106 to join the housing 101.

The housing 101 comprises rigid ABS plastics housing parts 111 and 114 which mate together, to encapsulate the electronics and provide structural strength for the device 100. The longitudinal support comprises a flexible elastomer strap 120 which allows adjustment of the device by insertion in a slot of the housing part 114. An over-mould 110 is provided for the same function as that of the device 1, encapsulating the rigid housing and preventing moisture ingress and providing a soft texture surface for skin contact when in-situ on the animal.

The stem part 106 of the encapsulation 110 over-moulds the thermistor leads, encapsulating them and preventing moisture ingress and provides a soft texture surface for skin contact when in-situ on the animal and placed at ear canal entrance. It increases in size to reduce flexibility and stiffen the device to act as an anti-rotation element and prevent disengagement / dislodgement of the device. The outer extremity of the stem over- mould 106 over- moulds the thermistor leads, encapsulating them and preventing moisture ingress along with providing a soft texture surface for skin contact when in-situ on the animal and placed within the ear canal. It can also have recessed swept areas to increase flexibility, allow air access and earwax expulsion (as for the device 1).

The longitudinal support strap 120 provides 45mm adjustable stroke for final adjustment when fitted and later adjustment as the animal grows. This aspect allows interchangeability without re- tagging the animal's ear. The range of adjustment is shown most clearly in Figs. 23 and 24. In this case fastening is by way of a cable tie being tightened around the shoulder strap and passing through the aperture 107 in the shoulder 105. However, any other fastening mechanism may be used to provide an adjustable longitudinal support linking the housing to the fastener 102 (which engages the ear together with a receiver 121).

Fig. 25 shows assembly, beginning with the lower housing part 114, insertion of the battery 113, PCB 112, and thermistor lead 115. The upper housing 111 is applied then, and the encapsulation 110 is applied around the rigid housing parts 111 and 114. This encapsulates and seals to provide a soft surface to seat onto the animal ear and locate within the ear canal. The upper housing 11 may be press or snap-fitted and it may also be ultrasonically welded or glued to the lower housing 114 to seal the housing. A periphery step 116 in the lower housing 114 allows tight mating and sealing with the upper housing 111.

It will be appreciated that the device provides for very effective monitoring from the calf/new born stage to adult, to end of life, by means of regular length adjustment as the animal grows.

Also, the device may be moved from an animal at end of animal life or use on the farm. Also, the device may be easily changed when battery is low or in case of upgrading, without the need to retag the animal minimising stress to the animal.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. The signal processing and wireless communication circuits may be discrete or integrated. The elastomer material may be an integral part of either or both of the housing parts, and indeed in some embodiments there may not be an outer softer material. The fastener may be arranged to attach to an animal tissue other than an ear lobe tissue. The housing may contain minimal circuitry, in which the signal conditioning is sufficient only form basis routing of the data wirelessly, with all validation and processing being carried out on the host. The housing may contain auxiliary components such as location tracking components.