US5573002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measuring internal tissue characteristics in feed animals
Assignee: MWI Veterinary Supply Co
•
Filing: 1995-02-27
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Granted: 1996-11-12
•
Expires: 2015-02-27
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic apparatus for evaluating internal tissue characteristics in livestock is described. The apparatus comprises a reservoir containing a conductive liquid, an ultrasonic transducer, and a handpiece which is liquidly coupled to the reservoir. As with any electronic apparatus, the apparatus of the present invention can be controlled by one or more computers. The handpiece may further comprise a dispenser for dispensing conductive liquid from the reservoir and onto the livestock. A liquid pump is liquidly connected to both the conductive liquid reservoir and the dispenser. The apparatus also preferably includes a switch unit that is liquidly coupled to the pump and the dispenser, and electrically coupled to the transducer and the computer. The switch unit includes at least a liquid switch for actuating the pump and a transducer switch for actuating the transducer. A method for measuring internal tissue characteristics using the apparatus also is described. The ultrasound transducer is positioned on an animal's hide so that the transducer is substantially focused on a rib-eye muscle. Conductive liquid, such as water, vegetable oil or mineral oil, is dispensed from the reservoir through the dispenser and onto the hide by actuating the pump. An ultrasound image is then obtained by actuating the transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Pratt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:49
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K29/00; A01K29/004; A22; A22B; A22B5/00; A22B5/0064; A22B5/007; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0858; A61B8/46; A61B8/467
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A system for measuring internal tissue characteristics in livestock, comprising: a stall for positioning livestock; a reservoir containing a conductive liquid; an ultrasonic transducer; and a handpiece which is liquidly connected to the reservoir, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing liquid from a reservoir onto livestock positioned in the stall.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
A system for measuring internal tissue characteristics in livestock, comprising: a stall for positioning livestock; a reservoir containing a conductive liquid; an ultrasonic transducer; and a handpiece which is liquidly connected to the reservoir, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing liquid from a reservoir onto livestock positioned in the stall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a computer electrically coupled to the transducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 and further including a liquid pump that is liquidly connected to both the reservoir and the handpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 and further including a switch unit that is liquidly coupled to both the handpiece and the pump, and electrically coupled to the transducer and the computer, the switch unit including at least a liquid switch for actuating the pump and a transducer switch for actuating the transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the switch unit further includes a computer switch for controlling computer functions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic positioner for positioning the handpiece adjacent the livestock.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for measuring internal tissue characteristics in livestock, comprising: a stall for positioning livestock; a liquid reservoir containing a conductive liquid; an ultrasonic transducer; a hand-held handpiece for positioning the ultrasonic transducer adjacent livestock positioned in the stall, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing liquid from the reservoir onto the livestock; a liquid pump liquidly connected to both the reservoir and the dispenser; and a computer electrically coupled to the transducer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for measuring internal tissue characteristics in livestock, comprising: a stall for positioning livestock; a liquid reservoir containing a conductive liquid; an ultrasonic transducer; a hand-held handpiece for positioning the ultrasonic transducer adjacent livestock positioned in the stall, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing liquid from the reservoir onto the livestock; a liquid pump liquidly connected to both the reservoir and the dispenser; and a computer electrically coupled to the transducer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 and further including a switch unit that is liquidly coupled to the pump and the dispenser, and electrically coupled to the transducer and the computer, the switch unit including at least a liquid switch for actuating the pump and a transducer switch for actuating the transducer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the switch unit further includes a computer switch electrically coupled to the computer for actuating computer functions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 and further including a computer monitor that is electrically coupled to the transducer and the computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 7, further comprising an automatic positioner for positioning the handpiece adjacent the livestock.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
An internal tissue measuring system for cattle, comprising: a stall; a reservoir containing a conductive liquid, the reservoir being positioned adjacent the stall; an ultrasound transducer positioned adjacent the stall; a hand-held handpiece for positioning the transducer adjacent livestock restrained in the stall, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing conductive liquid from the reservoir and onto the livestock; a liquid pump liquidly connected to both the conductive liquid reservoir and the dispenser; and a computer electrically coupled to the transducer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
An internal tissue measuring system for cattle, comprising: a stall; a reservoir containing a conductive liquid, the reservoir being positioned adjacent the stall; an ultrasound transducer positioned adjacent the stall; a hand-held handpiece for positioning the transducer adjacent livestock restrained in the stall, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing conductive liquid from the reservoir and onto the livestock; a liquid pump liquidly connected to both the conductive liquid reservoir and the dispenser; and a computer electrically coupled to the transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 and further including a switch unit that is liquidly coupled to the pump and the dispenser, and electrically coupled to the transducer and the computer, the switch unit including at least a liquid switch for actuating the pump and a transducer switch for actuating the transducer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 and further including a computer monitor electrically coupled to the computer and the transducer and being positioned for viewing by the operator while operating the apparatus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 12, further comprising an automatic positioner for positioning the handpiece adjacent the livestock.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
127 words
An internal tissue measuring system for cattle, comprising: a stall; a reservoir containing a conductive liquid, the reservoir being positioned adjacent the stall; an ultrasonic transducer positioned adjacent the stall; a hand-held handpiece for positioning the transducer adjacent livestock restrained in the stall, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing conductive liquid from the reservoir onto the livestock; a liquid pump liquidly connected to both the reservoir and the dispenser; a computer for controlling the transducer; and a hand-held switch unit that is liquidly coupled to the pump and the dispenser, and electrically coupled to the transducer and the computer, the switch unit including a liquid switch for actuating the pump, a transducer switch for actuating the transducer, and a computer switch for actuating computer functions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
127 words
An internal tissue measuring system for cattle, comprising: a stall; a reservoir containing a conductive liquid, the reservoir being positioned adjacent the stall; an ultrasonic transducer positioned adjacent the stall; a hand-held handpiece for positioning the transducer adjacent livestock restrained in the stall, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing conductive liquid from the reservoir onto the livestock; a liquid pump liquidly connected to both the reservoir and the dispenser; a computer for controlling the transducer; and a hand-held switch unit that is liquidly coupled to the pump and the dispenser, and electrically coupled to the transducer and the computer, the switch unit including a liquid switch for actuating the pump, a transducer switch for actuating the transducer, and a computer switch for actuating computer functions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 and further including a computer monitor electrically coupled to the computer and the transducer and being positioned for viewing by the operator while operating the apparatus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 16, further comprising an automatic positioner for positioning the handpiece adjacent the livestock.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for measuring internal tissue characteristics in livestock, comprising: positioning a live animal in a stall; providing an ultrasound measuring apparatus comprising a reservoir containing a conductive liquid, an ultrasonic transducer, a handpiece for positioning the transducer adjacent livestock positioned in the stall, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing conductive liquid from the reservoir onto the livestock, a liquid pump liquidly connected to both the reservoir and the dispenser, and a computer; positioning the ultrasound transducer on an animal's hide so that the transducer is substantially focused on a rib-eye muscle; dispensing conductive liquid from the reservoir through the dispenser and onto the hide by actuating the pump; and obtaining an ultrasound image.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for measuring internal tissue characteristics in livestock, comprising: positioning a live animal in a stall; providing an ultrasound measuring apparatus comprising a reservoir containing a conductive liquid, an ultrasonic transducer, a handpiece for positioning the transducer adjacent livestock positioned in the stall, the handpiece further comprising a dispenser for dispensing conductive liquid from the reservoir onto the livestock, a liquid pump liquidly connected to both the reservoir and the dispenser, and a computer; positioning the ultrasound transducer on an animal's hide so that the transducer is substantially focused on a rib-eye muscle; dispensing conductive liquid from the reservoir through the dispenser and onto the hide by actuating the pump; and obtaining an ultrasound image.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein the conductive liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, vegetable oil and mineral oil.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein the transducer is positioned between rib 12 and 13.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein the step of dispensing comprises dispensing a sufficient amount of the conductive liquid to increase the ultrasonic conductivity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 22 wherein less than about 50 milliliters of conductive liquid are dispensed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 19 and further including the step of viewing an ultrasound image on a monitor during any or all of the steps of positioning the transducer, dispensing the liquid and obtaining an ultrasound image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 19 wherein the step of positioning the ultrasound transducer on an animal's hide comprises automated positioning.
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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) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |