The health and welfare of feedlot animals are observed with a monitoring system that is simple to implement and easily expandable depending on the feedlot operator's need. The monitoring system uses a sleeve that is removably attached to an appendage of the animal, such as its tail. The sleeve contains a biosensor for sensing the animal's physiological parameters and a microprocessor for processing these sensed parameters. When the animal's monitored physiological parameter is out of a predetermined "healthy" range, the microprocessor activates an alarm to alert the feedlot operator of a potential health problem for that particular animal. The sleeve can optionally contain a transmitter so that the sensed physiological parameters can be transmitted to a base station. Additionally, the monitoring system can be expanded to include animal tracking capability so that the animal's feeding and watering habits can also be monitored at the base station. A GPS-system or a tag-based system may be used to track the animals.
An apparatus for and method of detecting, storing, and retrieving information relating to an animal over a period of time is disclosed. The method includes electrically coupling an atomic resolution storage device to a detecting device within a single unit. The single unit is attached to an animal, such as a mammal or a fish. At least one monitored parameter, such as a location of the animal, a heart rate of the animal, a blood flow rate of the animal, or a temperature of the animal, is stored in the storage device over a period of time. The information stored within the storage device is retrieved from the single device after a period of time.
A monitoring system (800) is operative for receiving sensor signals and analyzing the sensor signals to identify events or conditions of interest, such as colic, with respect to a monitored animal. The sensors may be animal-borne sensors such as motion related sensors. The system (800) includes a processor (802) operative to identify the conditions of interest based on a stored pattern database (806), threshold tables (808) and heuristic engines (812). Upon identification of a condition of interest, a human expert may be consulted and alerts may be generated as required.
Hydrogels containing catalase co-immobilized with an analyte-sensitive enzyme such as glucose oxidase are disclosed. The hydrogels may be pH-sensitive, and preferably are thin and lightly crosslinked. The catalase is present in concentrations ranging generally from 100 units/ml to about 1000 units/ml. These hydrogels have much faster swelling response times as compared to hydrogels without catalase, and are useful in biosensors and analyte-responsive drug delivery devices. The hydrogels also have an increased useful life, due to protection of the immobilize analyte-sensitive enzyme from degradation by hydrogen peroxide.
A skin patch includes first and second layers of material and a telesensor sandwiched between the first and second layers. The first layer has a coating of skin-compatible adhesive material on its face that is remote from the second layer.
An integrated subject monitoring system facilitates measurement, collection and analysis of data pertaining to the health status of a subject. The system includes a network-coupled computer and subsystems monitoring subject location within a defined space and the curtilage thereof and obtaining measurements of a subject's physiological or behavioral/cognitive parameters within the defined space. Parameter data is obtained primarily passively, without the cooperation or active participation of the subject. A method of monitoring the physiological and behavioral/cognitive health status of an ambulatory subject involves monitoring in a primarily passive fashion, irrespective of the active collaboration of the subject. Subject health indicia parameters are continuously monitored, sampled and recorded. Captured values are compared to initial baseline values established for each of the measured parameters as well as to the trend for the parameter of that subject. Readings falling outside the boundaries trigger a signal to be sent to an appropriate party.
