# US 11,439,371 B2 · Saliva test device and method, and animal monitoring system and method using same

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- Number: US 11,439,371 B2
- Document ID: US11439371B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/306,128
- Filed: 2017-06-19
- Published: 2020-04-02
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-27
- Assignees: Wellness Farmer Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Tovss
- Inventors: Joon Taik Lee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439371B2

## CPC

- A61B 10/0051: {for taking saliva or sputum samples (devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00)}
- A01K 7/02: Automatic devices
- A61B 5/00: Measuring for diagnostic purposes (radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00); Identification of persons
- A61B 10/00: Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposes (for taking samples of blood A61B5/15); Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex determination or ovulation-period determination; Throat striking implements
- G01N 1/14: Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
- G01N 33/487: of liquid biological material
- A01K 29/005: {Monitoring or measuring activity}
- A61B 2503/40: Animals
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A saliva test device includes: a means for generating an approach detection signal; a means for generating a contact detection signal; a drinking water supply unit for controlling the supply of drinking water in response to at least one of approach detection signals and contact detection signals; a pump for suctioning and collecting saliva in response to a contact detection signal; a test unit for testing whether a disease is present; a communication unit for informing test result information; a control unit for generating a system driving control signal in response to an approach detection signal, generating a pump driving control signal in response to a contact detection signal, generating a drinking water supply control signal in response to saliva collection, and controlling transmission of the test result information; and a memory for storing data. The saliva test device reduces animal stress and testing fees and improves productivity.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A saliva test device comprising:
a means for generating an approach detection signal;
a means for generating a contact detection signal;
a drinking water supply unit for controlling supply of drinking water in response to at least any one of a plurality of approach detection signals and contact detection signals;
a pump connected to one end of a tube installed at an end portion of a drinking water pipe to suction and collect saliva in response to the contact detection signal;
a test unit for performing a disease occurrence test on the collected saliva and outputting test result information;
a communication unit for informing a management center of the test result information;
a control unit for generating a system driving control signal in response to the approach detection signal, generating a pump driving control signal in response to the contact detection signal, generating a drinking water supply control signal in response to collection of the saliva, and performing transmission control on the test result information; and
a memory for storing an operation program and storing inputted and outputted data.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device saliva test according to claim 1, wherein the test unit includes:
a saliva storage unit connected to the other end of the tube to store the collected saliva;
a saliva supply unit for supplying the stored saliva;
a test module for performing a disease occurrence test; and
a saliva discharge unit for discharging the saliva.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The saliva test device according to claim 1, wherein the pump is a peristaltic tubing pump.

### Claim 4

A saliva test method comprising the steps of:
driving a system in response to generation of an approach detection signal;
collecting saliva from a mouth of a corresponding animal by driving a peristaltic tubing pump in response to generation of a contact detection signal;
generating a peristaltic tubing pump drive stop signal and a drinking water supply control signal and providing drinking water when the collected saliva reaches a predetermined amount;
supplying the collected saliva to a test unit and performing a disease occurrence test in real-time;
generating and outputting test result information of the disease occurrence test; and
informing a management center of the test result information.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The saliva test method according to claim 4, wherein a solenoid valve installed in a drinking water pipe is opened in response to the drinking water supply control signal.