US3844276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Probe and method for detecting estrus in animals
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-19
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-07-19
Abstract
Abstract For detecting estrus in animals, particularly cattle and horses, a smooth cylindrical probe that fits snugly into the vagina is advanced into contact with the cervix, and is then withdrawn slightly so that a first electrode, at the inner end of the probe, is out of contact with animal tissue, and the resistance of mucus at the inner end of the probe is measured between said first electrode and another cylindrical electrode in contact with the vaginal wall.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mcdougall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0012; A61D; A61D17/00; A61D17/002; A61B2010/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A probe for detecting estrus, comprising a smooth cylindrical rod insertable into the vagina of an animal and sufficiently conductors to touch the cervix with one end of the rod, said one end having a concavity bounded by a rim, a first electrode in said cavity and exposed at said one end providing a means that is in contact with cervical mucus but being located withiN the concavity and spaced rearwardly of the rim so as to be out of contact with tissue of the animal when the rod is slightly withdrawn to a position away from the cervix, a second elongated electrode along the outside surface of the rod spaced from said one end and held by the rod snugly against the vaginal wall and electrically insulated from the first electrode, and an electrical connection for each of said electrodes at the other end of the rod adapted to be connected to a resistance measuring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A probe for detecting estrus, comprising a smooth cylindrical rod insertable into the vagina of an animal and sufficiently conductors to touch the cervix with one end of the rod, said one end having a concavity bounded by a rim, a first electrode in said cavity and exposed at said one end providing a means that is in contact with cervical mucus but being located withiN the concavity and spaced rearwardly of the rim so as to be out of contact with tissue of the animal when the rod is slightly withdrawn to a position away from the cervix, a second elongated electrode along the outside surface of the rod spaced from said one end and held by the rod snugly against the vaginal wall and electrically insulated from the first electrode, and an electrical connection for each of said electrodes at the other end of the rod adapted to be connected to a resistance measuring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A probe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the rod approximately equals the distance from the cervix to the vulva and the rod is of circular cross section and of a diameter that fits snugly in the vagina.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A probe as claimed in claim 2 for detecting estrus in cattle and horses, wherein the rod is approximately 11 1/4 inches long and approximately 1 1/8 inches in diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A probe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second electrode comprises a tubular conductive sheath extending at least about 8 inches along the length of the rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A probe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second electrode, except for being spaced from said one end, constitutes a tubular conductive sheath extending substantially the entire length of the rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A probe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rod comprises a solid body of molded plastic in which said electrical connections are embedded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe as claimed in claim 2 in combination with an ohmmeter connected to said connections.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of detecting estrus, comprising inserting into the vagina of an animal a smooth probe having one electrode in a cavity on its distal end and that fits snugly in the vagina, advancing the probe until its distal end touches the cervix, withdrawing the probe slightly away from the cervix to ensure that said probe electrode is out of contact with tissue of the animal but in contact with cervical mucus, and measuring the electrical resistance of mucus between said electrode and a second surface mounted probe electrode spaced from said one electrode.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of detecting estrus, comprising inserting into the vagina of an animal a smooth probe having one electrode in a cavity on its distal end and that fits snugly in the vagina, advancing the probe until its distal end touches the cervix, withdrawing the probe slightly away from the cervix to ensure that said probe electrode is out of contact with tissue of the animal but in contact with cervical mucus, and measuring the electrical resistance of mucus between said electrode and a second surface mounted probe electrode spaced from said one electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said measurement is made with said second electrode in contact with the vaginal wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein mucus is collected in said concavity of distal inner end as it is advanced along the vagina.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |