Patent ID: 7762953
Filing Date: 2010-07-27
Classification: A01K,A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of identifying emesis in an animal comprising the steps of: receiving monitoring data from the animal, said monitoring data comprising signals reflecting abdominal (AB) dimensions and signals reflecting rib cage (RC) dimensions, said AB and RC signals varying with respiratory motions; determining a characteristic pattern in said AB and RC signals using a processor, said characteristic pattern comprising an increase in an average AB dimension from a baseline AB dimension and a decrease in an average RC dimension from a baseline RC dimension, the increase and decrease occurring abruptly within a few breaths and persisting for several breaths, a decrease in said average AB dimension towards said baseline AB dimension and an increase in said average RC dimension towards said baseline RC dimension, said RC dimension increase and said AB dimension decrease occurring within five (5) breaths, and one or more synchronous breath induced changes in AB and RC dimensions, the amplitude RC dimension change being greater than a baseline RC dimension; and identifying a period of emesis when said characteristic pattern is determined.