Arrangement, cassette and service module for biomarker analysis of a milk sample
AssigneeDeLaval Holding AB
InventorsClaus Dallerup Rasmussen, Per Sonnich Thomsen
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Abstract
An arrangement is provided that is configured to measure a biomarker value of an animal milk sample, including a cassette including a carrier tape having test zones indicating the biomarker value, and an inspective window. The carrier tape is disposed on first and second spools configured to cooperate with a cassette external motor. The arrangement also includes a service module including a camera configured to inspect the test zone, a motor configured to be engaged with a cassette spool, and a tube element configured to provide the milk sample to the test zone.
Claims11
An arrangement configured to measure at least one biomarker value of a milk sample of an animal, the arrangement comprising:
- a cassette comprising:
- a carrier tape comprising a plurality of test zones configured to indicate the biomarker value of the milk sample, the carrier tape being disposed on a first spool and a second spool, the first and second spools being configured to cooperate with a cassette external motor for positional adjustment of the carrier tape, and
- an inspection window configured to enable inspection of one of the test zones;
- a service module configured to be connected to a milking equipment of the animal and configured to receive the cassette therein, the cassette being detachably inserted into the service module, the service module comprising:
- a camera configured to inspect the one test zone on the carrier tape through the inspection window of the cassette and to capture images of the one test zone,
- at least one motor configured to be engaged with at least one of the first spool and the second spool of the cassette, in order to adjust the position of the one test zone on the carrier tape in relation to the inspection window,
- a tube element configured to receive the milk sample of the animal via the milking equipment and configured to provide the milk sample to one of the test zones,
- a needle configured to receive the milk sample of the animal and apply the milk sample to one of the test zones, and
- at least one pump configured to act on the tube element to provide the milk sample to the needle;
- and
- a controller connected to the service module, the controller being configured to control the at least one motor to adjust the position of the one test zone on the carrier tape, based on the captured images of the one test zone and to align the needle and the one test zone, alignment of the needle and the one test zone being supervised by the same camera through the inspection window of the cassette,
- wherein the captured images are used to determine the presence of the at least one biomarker value of the milk sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.