Use of ultrasonography to evaluate size and echotexture of gonadal and accessory genital structures in domestic animals
AssigneeBiostar, Inc.
InventorsJohn G. Manns, Gregg P. Adams, Roger A. Pierson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Ultrasonography together with computer analysis tools are used to obtain measurements of gonadal density and size in male livestock, and particular in immunologically castrated boars in a slaughterhouse. These measurements are compared with reference thresholds with the main purpose of determining whether the immunologically castrated boars have entered puberty. Boars are likely to be subject to meat tainting subsequent to the onset of puberty due to biological secretions which occur at that time. This method allows the majority of tainted meat to be screened out prior to delivery.
Claims12
A method of determining the state of gonadal function of an animal comprising subjecting a sexual organ of the carcass of the animal to ultrasonic scanning, obtaining from the ultrasonic scanning a measurement of the size or texture of the sexual organ, comparing the measurement with stored reference values and determining from the comparison an indication of the gonadal function of the animal.
Apparatus for determining the gonadal function of animal carcasses comprising means for conveying the carcasses, artificial vision means for locating a sexual organ of each of the carcasses as they are conveyed, an ultrasonic scanner having an ultrasonic transducer, means dependent on the artificial vision means for positioning the ultrasonic transducer in relation to the sexual organs to carry out ultrasonic scanning of the sexual organs, computing means connected to the ultrasonic scanner to compute from signals input from the ultrasonic scanner values for the volume or texture of the sexual organs and derive therefrom an indication of the gonadal function of the carcasses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.