# US 2023/0066038 A1 · Methods and systems for assessing quality of a meat product > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0066038 A1 - Document ID: US20230066038A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/974,207 - Filed: 2022-10-26 - Published: 2023-03-02 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-16 - Assignees: Meq Probe Pty Ltd - Applicants: Meq Probe Pty Ltd - Inventors: Andrew GRANT; Remo CARBONE; Mark HUTCHINSON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230066038A1 ## CPC - G01N 21/6486: {Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells (G01N21/6428 takes precedence)} - G01N 21/645: {Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters} - G01N 21/8507: {Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample} - G01N 33/12: Meat; Fish - G06N 3/0499: Feedforward networks - G06N 3/09: Supervised learning - G01N 2021/6484: {Optical fibres} - G01N 2021/8528: {Immerged light conductor} - G01N 2201/06113: Coherent sources; lasers - G01N 2201/08: Optical fibres; light guides - G06N 3/08: Learning methods - 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) - G06N: COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for assessing the quality of a meat product. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of assessing quality of a meat product, the method comprising receiving data representative of light emitted from the meat product upon application of incident light to the meat product, analysing the data to determine one or more parameters indicative of quality of the meat product, and assessing the quality of the meat product on the basis of the one or more parameters. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 -23. (canceled) ### Claim 24 A probe device, comprising: a housing; at least one probe needle connected to the housing and extending therefrom to be inserted into a meat product; and an optical fibre configured to allow communication with a light source, a light measuring device, and the probe needle; wherein the probe needle is configured to: (i) apply incident laser light from the light source into the meat product; and (ii) receive autofluorescent light emitted from the meat product upon application of the incident laser light to the meat product and transmit it to the light measuring device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The probe device of claim 24, wherein the probe needle comprises an elongate body having a sensing tip configured to receive the autofluorescent light, and a base portion for connecting the probe needle to the housing at an opposite end to the sensing tip. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The probe device of claim 25, wherein the probe needle has an insertion portion for inserting into the meat product, the length of insertion portion measuring in the range of 20 mm and 60 mm, as measured from the sensing tip. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The probe device of claim 25, wherein the probe needle has an overall length of 75 mm as measured from the sensing tip to the base portion. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The probe device of claim 25, wherein the probe needle has an outer diameter of 3 mm. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The probe device of claim 25, wherein the body of the probe needle comprises a bore having an inner diameter of 1 mm. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The probe device of claim 29, wherein the bore spans the sensing tip to the base portion and is configured to receive the optical fibre. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The probe device of claim 25, wherein the body of the probe needle tapers from the base portion to the sensing tip. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) The probe device of claim 24, wherein the housing comprises a handle disposed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the probe needle to facilitate insertion of the probe needle into the meat product. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) The probe device of claim 24, wherein the housing is gun-shaped. ### Claim 34 (depends on 24) The probe device of claim 24, wherein the probe device comprises four of the probe needles. ### Claim 35 (depends on 24) The probe device of claim 24, wherein the probe device comprises a barcode scanner. ### Claim 36 (depends on 24) A system for assessing quality of a meat product, the system comprising: the probe device of claim 24; and the light source. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The system of claim 36, further comprising the light measuring device. ### Claim 38 (depends on 24) A system for assessing quality of a meat product, the system comprising: the probe device of claim 24; and the light measuring device. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the light measuring device is configured to produce data representative of the autofluorescent light emitted from the meat product upon application of the incident laser light to the meat product; ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the light measuring device is configured to communicate with a computer to process the data. ### Claim 41 (depends on 38) The system of claim 38, wherein the system further comprises a plurality of the probe devices. ### Claim 42 A method comprising: inserting at least one probe needle into a meat product to apply incident laser light to the meat product; and receiving autofluorescent light emitted from the meat product upon application of the incident laser light to the meat product, wherein the autofluorescent light is indicative of a measure of meat quality of the meat product. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The method of claim 42, further comprising: determining data representative of the measure of meat quality from the autofluorescent light; and analysing the data to determine one or more parameters indicative of quality of the meat product; and assessing the quality of the meat product on the basis of the one or more parameters.