US 6,307,362 B1 · Somatic cell analyser

Abstract

An on-line somatic cell analyser and a method for evaluating the quantity of somatic cells present in a sample of milk are provided. A flow cell is connected to a milking hose and admits a constant volume of sampled milk into a flow chamber. A probe with two electrodes is positioned in a zone of optimal sensing inside the flow chamber and provides a modulated signal with an intensity value corresponding to the number of sodium ions present in the sample. A detection unit receives the modulated signal and generates a ion count signal whenever the number of sodium ions is above a reference value. A control unit converts the ion count signal into a somatic cell count (SCC) score. A step graph comprising a plurality of SCC thresholds defining a plurality of milk categories is stored in a memory and used by the control unit to classify the sample in a quality category according to the SCC score of the sample. A set of parameters characterizing the respective milk quality category, including presence of either infectious or environmental mastitis, are finally displayed.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A somatic cell analyser for on-line somatic cell count (SCC), comprising:

a flow cell for receiving a sample of milk;
detection means for providing an indication of the number of sodium ions in said sample and generating an ion count signal whenever the number of somatic cells is higher than a reference assumed to indicate absence of somatic cells in said sample;
control means for receiving said ion count signal, comparing same with a plurality of quality thresholds corresponding to a plurality of quality categories, and classifying said sample in a quality category;
and
means for indicating a set of parameters characterizing said quality category.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Somatic cell analyser

Life of this patent

Somatic cell analyser

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22