Urine collection and analysis systems and methods of use

Abstract: An animal urine analysis system (11); comprising: a column (21) structured and arranged to receive urine from an animal and to discharge a volume of liquid corresponding to the volume of received urine; measuring means (77) engaged with the column for measuring a characteristic of the urine; and weighing means (107) positioned to collect the volume of liquid discharged from the column (21); the weighing means (107) being structured and arranged to weigh the volume of discharged liquid to determine a weight of the volume of urine corresponding to the volume of discharged liquid, enables automatic collection and testing of animal urine, such as for health checks.

Description: The present invention generally relates to the field of animal husbandry and, in particular, to an apparatus and a method for collecting and automatically analysing urine from an animal over an extended period of time. Veterinarians and others involved in animal husbandry often analyse urine from an animal, such as a cat or a dog, in order to monitor the health of the animal. The urine is frequently measured for its pH, osmolarity and other characteristics which can provide important health information. For example, the pH of a cat's urine may be related to the presence of feline urinary tract disease, a disease which afflicts significant numbers of cats. A single urine sample may be collected to make a spot check, or urine samples may be collected over a period of time to more accurately characterise the animal's health status. Innovations for improving animal health may be developed by monitoring animal health through analysis of urine samples. For example, improved animal feed regimens may be developed from urine analysis health assessments of animals placed on specific feed regimens during the feed regimens. Feed regimens which are found to improve the health of the animals may then be selected for further use. Although analysing animal urine is often a useful method for obtaining information about the health of the animal, urine collection has been difficult or has introduced impurities into the urine sample, while analysis has been time consuming and tedious. A commonly used method of obtaining a urine sample from an animal such as a dog or a cat has been to collect the sample directly from the animal's bladder. A needle is passed through the skin of the animal into the animal's bladder and urine is withdrawn from the bladder. This method of collecting urine, although effective, is invasive and causes the animal discomfort, as well as creating a risk of injury to the animal. Furthermore, repeated urine collection from the bladder can increase the risk of bladder disease in the animal. In addition, each urine sample collected must be individually analysed by a researcher, which may be quite time consuming if several animals are being tested to determine the effect of an innovation, such as a feed regimen. Animal urine collection devices have been developed to provide a more convenient, safer way to collect urine from an animal. US-A-4,869,206 provides an animal cage which permits collection of solid and liquid animal wastes for analysis. The cage has a perforated floor positioned over a sloped floor. Liquid waste from an animal in the cage passes through the perforated floor and is accumulated at the lowest point of the sloped floor where the waste is collected for analysis. US-A-4,326,48 1 provides an apparatus and procedure for collecting urine from cats. Flow-through granular material is used as litter in a pan. Urine from a cat flows through the granular material and pools in the pan where it is collected for analysis. These devices eliminate the need for invasive removal of urine from an animal but do not provide a fresh urine sample for analysis. Urine is accumulated in a pool in each of the devices to be collected at a later time for analysis. Pooled animal urine is quite susceptible to bacterial and/or chemical breakdown. Urine that has been bacterially or chemically altered may yield inaccurate analytical results. Therefore, a fresh urine sample is highly desirable. Furthermore, each urine sample collected from these devices must still be individually analysed by a researcher. JP-A-60117154 discloses a system for analysing human urine by measuring a urine component collected and diluted in the flush water in the U-bend of a conventional toilet bowl, prior to flushing. The present invention provides an animal urine analysis system comprising: a column structured and arranged to receive urine from an animal and to discharge a volume of liquid corresponding to the volume of received urine; measuring means engaged with the column for measuring a characteristic of the urine; and weighing means positioned to collect the volume of liquid discharged from the column, the weighing means being structured and arranged to weigh the volume of discharged liquid to determine a weight of the volume of urine corresponding to the volume of discharged liquid. It is an advantage of the present invention that it is capable of providing apparatus for collecting a urine sample from an animal and automatically analysing the fresh urine sample. By hydrostatic is meant that any liquid will remain where it is put, in the absence of conditions to the contrary. In the case of a U-bend, liquid placed in the "U" will remain there until further liquid displaces it. Thus, where the U-bend is full, liquid entering from the inlet will cause displacement of liquid, which will exit from the outlet. It will be appreciated that the inlet will generally need to be higher than the outlet, in order to avoid reflux of the liquid from the inlet. It is preferred that the collection means, where present, takes the form of a funnel, which may be attached directly to the inlet of the column, or via tubing or piping. In the instance where the column consists essentially of a U-bend, then it is preferred that tubing or piping be used. In general, the animal will be placed in a cage with a floor which permits the passage of urine. Urine falling through the floor can then be collected, such as by a funnel located thereunder, and passed onto the device of the invention. The floor of the cage needs to be able to support the animal while at the same time, permitting passage of urine. It will be appreciated that extraneous matter should not be permitted to pass through to contaminate the urine, so that any holes should be quite small, but it is also important that the passage of the urine should not be unduly hindered. The skilled person will readily be able to judge the necessary parameters. The U-bend may have a monitor located near the inlet to measure such properties as pH or salt concentration, for example. To this extent, the skilled person may desire to modify the U-bend in such a manner as to ensure that the urine in the inlet area is substantially undiluted by the flushing liquid. This could be done, for example, by restricting the diameter of the U-bend in the proximity of the inlet, or by ensuring that the total volume of the U-bend was approximately equivalent to, or smaller than, that of expected urine volumes. The system of the invention may include a cage for an animal, preferably a cat, from which urine is easily collected. The cage has a fluid pervious floor through which urine flows whenever the animal has a urinary event. The cage floor is fluidly coupled to a column so that urine flows through the cage floor to the column. The column has an inlet and an outlet with a U-shaped section between the inlet and outlet. The column is filled with liquid, which is maintained in hydrostatic equilibrium in the column with a trailing edge of the liquid proximal to the column inlet. As urine from the cage enters the column at the column inlet an equivalent volume of fluid is displaced from the column through the column outlet. The urine in the column and the displaced liquid from the column may be analysed to provide information about the urine using any suitable analysing device or measuring means. In one embodiment of the invention, the analysing device or measuring means is a meter having a probe for analysing the ion content of the urine, most preferably to measure the pH. The analysing device or measuring means is advantageously located proximal to the inlet of the column to analyse the urine as the urine enters the column. The weighing means is generally positioned such that it can collect and weigh the liquid, either urine or a rinse fluid, discharged from the outlet of the column. The weighing means is preferably a container located on a scale where, most preferably, the container is free of any attachments so the container may be easily removed from the scale for emptying. Thus, in this embodiment, the liquid discharged from the column is collected in the container, and the scale weighs the liquid collected in the container. In order to make calculations as simple as possible, it will be appreciated that it is preferable that the rinse fluid is chosen to have a specific gravity approximately the same as the specific gravity of urine so that the weight of the discharged liquid, whether rinse or urine, is approximately equal to that of the collected urine. However, if the rinse fluid has a different specific gravity, then this must be taken into account. In a favoured embodiment, a data processing system is in data communication with the analysing device to receive and store data about the urine from the analytical device. The data processing system may also advantageously be in data communication with the weighing means to receive and store data from the weighing means to record the weight of urine from each urinary event and to determine the onset and the completion of a urinary event. It will be appreciated that there may be more than one data processing system with, for example, different systems monitoring the pH and the discharge weight. In a less preferred embodiment, the data processing system may only monitor the weighing means. The column may be rinsed as desired, such as after each urinary event or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. A rinse container containing a liquid rinse for rinsing the column may be fluidly coupled to the inlet of the column. A rinse controlling valve may be employed to control release of the liquid rinse from the rinse container to the column so that the column may be rinsed only when desired. Preferably, a data processing system, such as described above, is connected to the rinse controlling valve to control operation of the valve, so as to automatically rinse the column after a urinary event or after a predetermined period of time. In general, and in a preferred embodiment, a cage is fluidly coupled to the column so that, when the animal urinates, the urine flows through the cage floor into the column inlet. As the urine enters the column, an equivalent volume of liquid is displaced and discharged from the column outlet. The analysing device analyses the urine to determine a specified characteristic of the urine. The discharged liquid flows out of the column into the container. The scale weighs the liquid received in the container to determine the amount of urine excreted by the animal. Data from the analysing device and from the scale is communicated to the data processing system where the data is stored. After the animal urinates the column is rinsed with the liquid rinse. Preferably, the rinse is automatically controlled by the data processing system. The data processing system determines that the urinary event and the analysis of the urine are complete and causes the rinse control valve to open so liquid rinse will flow from the rinse container into the column. In this embodiment, the data processing system also closes a urine controlling valve which prevents urine from the cage from entering the column during the rinse cycle. The column is rinsed to remove the urine from the column. The liquid discharged from the column during the rinse may be collected, but is preferably directed to a drain. The urine collection analysis system of the present invention, as well as its method of use, are particularly useful for collecting and analysing urine from one or several animals over an extended period of time. Each urination from a series of urinary events may be collected and analysed for each animal without extensive monitoring or maintenance. The urine samples are collected with a minimum of risk and discomfort to the animals. The collected urine samples are immediately analysed to prevent introduction of impurities that develop in pooled urine. Furthermore, the collected urine samples are automatically analysed and the analytical data is automatically stored without using a researcher's valuable time. The present invention further provides a method of analysing urine from an animal, comprising: a.) receiving urine into a column directly from an animal in a cage and analysing the urine in the column; and b.) discharging a volume of liquid from the column corresponding to the volume of the urine and weighing the liquid discharged from the column to determine the weight of the volume of urine. It will be appreciated that the column may correspond directly to, or form a part of, any of the embodiments of the apparatus or devices of the invention as described herein. We prefer to automatically rinsing the column with a liquid rinse after analysing the urine in the column and weighing the liquid discharged from the column. It is also preferred to automatically rinse the column with a liquid rinse after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. As above, we further prefer to automatically record data determined by weighing the discharged liquid and by analysing the urine. Analysis of the urine is particularly for Na + , K + , H + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , or Cl - or phosphorus content, and especially for pH. The present invention further provides a method of analysing each urination of a series of urinations from an animal, comprising: a.) receiving urine into a column directly from the animal in a cage for each urination of the series of urinations from the animal and discharging a volume of liquid from the column corresponding to a volume of urine received into the column; b.) analysing the received urine, and weighing the discharged volume of liquid to determine the weight of the volume of the received urine; and c.) repeating steps a.) and b.) for each urination of the series of urinations. In such a method, as in previous methods of the invention, any appropriate considerations in respect of the apparatus or device of the invention apply, as desired. For example, in this method, we prefer to automatically rinse the column with a liquid rinse after each urination once the urine has been analysed and the volume of discharged liquid has been weighed. We also prefer to automatically rinse the column with a liquid rinse after a predetermined time, regardless whether a urination has occurred. As before, we further prefer to automatically store data determined by analysing the urine and weighing the liquid discharged from the column for each urination of the series of urinations. The present invention will be further illustrated with respect to the accompanying drawings, relating to preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of the system; Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the column, the sensor probe support block, the sensor probe, and the inlet and outlet funnels of the system; Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the sensor probe support block of the column; Figure 4 is an isometric view of the tubing of the column supported in the support bracket; Figure 5 is a front view of a frame for supporting the cage located about the housing of the system; and Figure 6 is a schematic view of multiple animal urine analysis systems coupled in communication with a data processing system. The urine analysis system of the present invention is shown in Figure 1, generally designated at 11. The system 11 automatically collects a series of urine samples from an animal, preferably a dog or a cat, most preferably a cat, and monitors samples from an animal, preferably a dog or a cat, most preferably a cat, and monitors specified physical characteristics of the collected samples. Preferably, the physical characteristics to be monitored are indicative of an aspect of the animal's health. For example, the pH of a cat's urine may be monitored to detect the presence of feline urinary tract disease, a disease that is associated with high pH urine. Some of the characteristics that may be monitored by the system 11 include the ion content of each urine sample, preferably to measure acidity, the weight of each urine sample, the total weight of the series of urine samples, and the date and time of each urinary event. Preferably, multiple cages are monitored simultaneously to determine these characteristics for a plurality of animals, where the cage and animal corresponding to a particular urinary event are also recorded. The system 11 is not limited to monitoring these physical characteristics, and may be designed to measure other characteristics, for example the osmolarity of the samples. The urine samples are collected on a continuous basis from the animal in a non-invasive manner and the collected samples are analysed automatically by the system 11, minimising or eliminating impurities that develop in stale urine samples and minimising researcher effort required to analyse the samples. The system 11 is particularly useful for conducting long term tests to determine the health benefits of innovations to improve pet health, for example a feeding regimen to lower, and thereby improve, the pH of urine in cats. Referring still to Figure 1, the system 11 includes a cage 13 for holding an animal. The cage 13 has walls 15, a top 17, and a fluid pervious floor 19 which cooperatively hold the animal within the cage. The cage walls 15 and top 17 may be made of any conventional material used in constructing animal cages such as metal bars, or plastic. The cage floor 19 is structured and arranged to support the animal while being pervious to fluids so that urine from the animal will drain from the cage floor to a hydrostatic column 21 where the urine is analysed. The floor 19 is comprised of upper and lower mesh filter screens 23 and 25 and a tapered collection pan 27. The upper and lower mesh filter screens 23 and 25 extend between and couple the cage walls 15 near the bottom of the cage 13, with the upper mesh filter screen being located directly over the lower mesh filter screen. The animal is supported in the cage 13 on the upper mesh filter screen 23. Urine from the animal passes through the upper and lower mesh filter screens 23 and 25, while the screens filter materials that would interfere with analysis of the urine, such as faeces, hair, and food particles. Preferably, the upper and lower mesh filter screens 23 and 25 are formed of stainless steel with standard mesh sizes of 2¾ and 20 (opening sizes 7 mm and 0.85 mm), respectively. The tapered collection pan 27 is structured and arranged to collect and deliver urine from the cage 13 to tubing 35 which delivers the urine to the column 21. The collection pan 27 extends between and couples the lower ends of the cage walls 15 directly beneath the mesh filter screens 23 and 25. The collection pan 27 is funnel shaped, having a wide mouth 29, an inclined wall 31 and a drain port 33. In one embodiment, the wide mouth 29 of the collection pan 27 is coupled to the cage walls 15. The inclined wall 31 extends from the cage walls 15 to the drain port 33, narrowing from the wide mouth 29 to the drain port. The drain port 33 is located centrally at the bottom of the collection pan 27 to receive and direct urine out of the pan. Urine filtered by the mesh filter screens 23 and 25 flows into the collection pan 27, down the inclined wall 31, and out of the pan via the drain port 33. Preferably, the collection pan 27 is coated with a non-wetting material so that none of the urine remains in the collection pan. Most preferably, the non-wetting material is polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon - trade mark). In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the cage 13 includes a cage support frame 14 which supports an enclosure 16 formed by the cage walls 15, top 17 and floor 19. The cage support frame 14 has a base 18 with side braces 20 coupled to the base 18 and extending transversely upward from the base. A support rail 22 integrally couples the inward face 24 of each side brace 20 opposing an opposite support rail 22. The collection pan 27 is supported in the cage support frame 14 in the support rails 22 and the mesh filter screens 23 and 25 and the cage walls 15 are supported in the frame 14 on the rails 22. Referring back to Figure 1, tubing 35 for delivering urine from the collection pan 27 to the column 21 couples the pan. The tubing 35 and the drain port 33 of the pan 27 are coupled in a fluid-tight relationship so that urine will flow from the drain port into the tubing without leaking. The tubing 35 extends downward from the pan 27 through a urine controlling valve 39 to a column inlet funnel 37 which directs urine into the column 21. Urine from the cage 13 flows by gravity from the pan 27 through the drain port 33 into the tubing 35 and through the tubing to the inlet funnel 37. Preferably, the tubing 35 is formed of a non-wettable resilient material such as silicone rubber so that none of the urine remains on the walls of the tubing and to allow the tubing to be easily pinched open and closed by the valve 39. The urine controlling valve 39 is positioned to control flow of the urine through the tubing 35 from the cage 15 to the column 21. The urine controlling valve 39 is located along the tubing 35 between the pan 27 and the column 21 and is coupled to the tubing to control the flow of urine through the tubing. The valve 39 may be any type of conventional valve which is used for controlling liquid flow in tubing, but preferably the valve is a pinch valve which is normally open so urine may flow through the tubing 35 to the column 21. Most preferably, the valve 39 is an electronically actuated pinch valve which is controlled by a data processing system 41, as described in further detail below. The column inlet funnel 37 receives urine from the tubing 35 or a liquid rinse 43 from a rinse container 45 and directs the urine or rinse into the column 21. The tubing 35 from the pan 27 and tubing 47 from the rinse container 45 are directed into the mouth 49 of the funnel 37. The neck 51 of the funnel 37 is coupled to the inlet 53 of the column. Preferably, the neck 51 of the funnel 37 and the inlet 53 of the column 21 are threaded, so that the column and the funnel may be threadably coupled together. Urine or liquid rinse 43 is deposited in the funnel 37 near the funnel mouth 49 and flows by gravity down the funnel through the funnel neck 51 into the inlet 53 of the column 21. The trailing edge 65 of the liquid 55 is maintained in the neck 51 of the funnel 37 as described in further detail below. The funnel 37 may be any conventional type funnel formed of a non-wettable material, preferably polypropylene, so the urine or the rinse 43 does not remain on the funnel wall. Referring now to Figure 2, the column 21 is structured and arranged to receive urine from the animal in the cage through the funnel 37 and to discharge a volume of liquid corresponding to the volume of urine received from the animal. The column 21 is a hydrostatic column structured to contain a static volume of liquid 55. The column has an inlet section 57 which terminates in the column inlet 53, an outlet section 59 which terminates in the column outlet 61, and a U-shaped section 63 located between and coupling the inlet and outlet sections. Liquid 55 is trapped by gravity in the U-shaped section 63 and in the inlet and outlet sections 57 and 59 of the column 21. The inlet section 57 is positioned to receive urine or liquid rinse 43 through the funnel 37. As described above, the column inlet 53 and funnel 37 are coupled together. Urine or rinse 43 enters the column 21 by gravity through the inlet 53 from the funnel 37. The column 21 is structured and arranged to maintain the trailing edge 65 of the liquid 55 proximate to the inlet 53 and directly above an analysing device 77, so urine received in the column is positioned to be analysed by the analysing device or similar measuring means. The position of the outlet 61 relative to the column inlet 53 and the inlet funnel 37 determines the position of the trailing edge 65 of the liquid 55, since gravity maintains the column 21 in hydrostatic equilibrium with the trailing edge 65 of the liquid and the outlet 61 at an equal height. The outlet 61 is positioned to hold the trailing edge 65 of the liquid 55 in the neck 51 of the funnel 37 just above the column inlet 53 and the analysing device 77. In a preferred embodiment, a bracket 93 holds the outlet section 59 of the column 21 with the outlet 61 in the desired position. Added urine or rinse 43 displaces an equivalent volume of liquid 55 from the column 21 through the column outlet 61. As shown by the dashed line 65 in Figure 2, urine or rinse added to the trailing edge of the liquid 55 in the neck 51 of the funnel 37 causes the volume of liquid in the neck 51 and funnel 37 to increase, raising the trailing edge 65 of the liquid relative to the position of the outlet 61. The increased volume of liquid disrupts the hydrostatic equilibrium of the column and creates a positive liquid pressure head which forces liquid 55 to flow through the column 21 and out of the outlet 61 until the trailing edge 65 is lowered to its initial position and the column regains hydrostatic equilibrium. The outlet section 59 is structured to locate the outlet 61 over an outlet funnel 69 which collects the liquid discharged from the outlet. The outlet section 59 has an inner leg 71 and an outer leg 75 which are coupled together by a bent portion 67 of the outlet section. The inner leg 71 integrally couples the U-shaped section 63 of the column and extends vertically upwards to the bent portion 67. The outer leg 75 integrally couples the bent portion 67 and extends transverse to the inner leg 71 to the outlet 61 so the outlet is positioned over the outlet funnel 69. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the column 21 is formed by a flow-through probe support block 79 and tubing 81 coupled together with a coupler 83. The two part column 21 is designed to permit a sensor probe 85 from the analysing device 77 to be immersed in the liquid 55 in the column. The flow-through portion of the support block 79 forms the inlet section 57 of the column 21. As shown in Figure 3, the support block 79 is preferably formed of a block of acrylic which has been precision drilled to form the inlet section 57 of the column and a probe support aperture 87 that intersects the inlet section 57 and extends transversely from the column 21 to a side 89 of the support block. The probe support aperture 87 is sized so that the probe 85 will fit snugly in the aperture to prevent liquid from leaking about the probe 85 from the column 21 into the aperture. Referring back to Figure 2, the support block 79 supports the probe 85 with a tip 91 of the probe extending into the liquid 55 in the column 21 near the column inlet 53, so the probe is positioned to analyse liquid entering the column. Referring still to Figure 2, the tubing 81 forms the U-shaped section 63 and the outlet section 59 of the column 21. The tubing 81 is secured in the desired position by the bracket 93 which is mounted to the support block 79. Preferably, as shown in Figure 4, the tubing 81 is secured in the bracket 93 by being threaded through apertures 95 in the bracket 93. The tubing 81 is preferably flexible polyvinylchloride (such as Tygon - trade mark) tubing. Referring now to Figure 1, the analysing device or measuring means 77 is engaged with the column 21 or positioned adjacent to the column proximate to the column inlet 53. In a preferred embodiment, a probe 85 of the analysing device 77 is engaged with or positioned adjacent to the column. The probe 85 is positioned just below the trailing edge 65 of the liquid 55 in the column so the probe can analyse urine from the animal as the fresh urine enters the column. The probe 85 may extend into the column 21 to be immersed in the liquid 55 or may be located outside of the column depending on the characteristic being measured. The analysing device 77 or measuring means measures a selected characteristic of urine received in the column 21. Preferably, the analysing device 77 comprises a conventional meter 97, for measuring the ion content of a liquid, and a probe 85. The meter 97 is typically used to measure the urine for ions which provide information about the health of an animal. Preferably, the meter 97 measures the urine for sodium (Na + ), potassium (K + ), hydrogen (H + ), calcium (Ca 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), chloride (Cl - ), or phosphorus ion content. However, measurement of the concentration of other ions is also contemplated. Most preferably, the meter 97 measures the hydrogen ion content (pH) of the urine since the pH of cat urine can be modified to help reduce the formation of struvite crystals or uroliths often associated with feline lower urinary tract diseases. The meter probe 85 is a conventional probe for detecting a selected ion species. Preferably, the probe 85 is a surface-type gel-filled electrode which is used in combination with a reference probe placed in a reference solution. Probes 85 may be interchanged as desired to measure the content of different ion species in the urine. As urine is received and analysed at the column inlet 53, a corresponding volume of liquid is discharged from the column outlet 61 into the outlet funnel 69. The outlet 61 of the column 21 is located over the mouth 99 of the outlet funnel 69 positioned so the entire volume of liquid discharged from the column is received into the funnel 69. The funnel 69 narrows to a funnel neck 101 which couples the inlet 103 of a three way valve 105 in a fluid-tight manner. Liquid from the column 21 flows by gravity out of the outlet 61 into the funnel 69 near the funnel mouth 99, down the funnel to the funnel neck 101, and out of the funnel neck into the three way valve 105. The funnel 69 may be any conventional type funnel formed of a non-wettable material, preferably polypropylene, so the liquid does not remain on the funnel wall. The three way valve 105 directs the liquid into weighing means 107 for weighing the discharged liquid, or into a drain tube 109 which directs the liquid to a drain for disposing liquid waste. The three way valve 105 directs flow of liquid from the inlet 103 of the valve into either one or the other of two valve outlets 111 or 113. Outlet 111 is coupled to the drain tube 109 in a fluid tight manner so liquid may be directed from the funnel 69 to a drain. Outlet 113 is coupled in a fluid-tight manner to tubing 115 directed to the weighing means 107 so liquid may be directed from the funnel 69 to the weighing means. Outlet 113 to the weighing means 107 is usually maintained in an open condition by the valve 105 while outlet 111 to the drain is usually maintained in a closed position. Preferably, the three way valve 105 is a conventional pinch valve that alternatively pinches one of the outlets 111 or 113 closed while opening the other outlet. Most preferably, the three way valve 105 is an electronically actuated pinch valve which is controlled by the data processing system 41, as described in further detail below. Tubing 115 delivers liquid from the valve 105 to the weighing means 107. The tubing 115 extends downward from the valve 105 to the weighing means 107 so the liquid flows by gravity from the valve to the weighing means. Preferably, the tubing 115 is formed of a non-wettable resilient material such as silicone rubber so the liquid does not stick to the walls of the tubing and the tubing can be pinched open and closed. The weighing means 107 weighs the liquid to determine the weight of the urine received in the column. Preferably, the weighing means is comprised of a container 117 and a scale 119. The container 117 receives and holds the liquid discharged from the column 21 by the addition of urine to the column. The container 117 is located on the scale 119, which weighs the liquid received in the container. The liquid 55 passing through the column 21 is either urine or liquid rinse 43. As noted above, the liquid rinse is ideally chosen to have a specific gravity that is approximately equivalent to the specific gravity of urine, so the volume of liquid received in the container 117 will have the same weight as the equivalent volume of urine which displaced the liquid from the column. Preferably, the container 117 is a conventional large beaker which is free of attachments so the container may be easily removed from the scale 119 for emptying. The tubing 115 is positioned over the container 117 so that the tubing may deposit liquid from the column 21 into the container but will not hinder removal of the container from the scale 119. Preferably, the scale 119 includes a conventional autotracking feature so the scale will hold a previously measured liquid weight despite slow evaporation of the liquid from the container 117. The container 117 is open, not closed with the tubing 115 attached to an inlet of the container, since evaporation does not present a problem even when the weight of a series of urinations is to be measured over an extended period of time. The open container 117 may be easily removed from the scale 119. The scale 119 measures the weight of the liquid displaced by the urine for each urinary event of a series of urinary events from the animal over the period of time the animal is held in the cage 13. The measured weight is automatically recorded, preferably by communicating the data to the data processing system 41 for processing and storage. The total weight of the series of urinary events is also measured by the scale 119 by combining and weighing the liquid displaced by each urination in the container 117. As described above, preferably, the scale 119 has an autotracking feature so that evaporation of liquid from the container 117 does not reduce the total measured weight of the series of urinary events. The system 11 includes a rinsing mechanism for rinsing the column 21 after each urination when the urine has been analysed and weighed. Rinse container 45 contains liquid rinse 43 for rinsing the column 21. The rinse container 45 is fluidly coupled to the column by the tubing 47 so liquid rinse 43 from the container may flow from the container to the column 21. Preferably, the rinse container 45 is a carboy with a nozzle 121 for coupling the tubing 47. The liquid rinse 43 is preferably a conventional, commercially available pH buffer solution, most preferably having a pH of 4 or 7. A pH buffer solution is preferred since the solution can be used to rinse and stabilise the probe 85 of the analysing device 77, which is immersed and maintained in the rinse 43 after the column is rinsed. The rinse 43 also is selected to have a specific gravity that is approximately the same as the specific gravity of urine since the rinse is used as the liquid 55 in the column, which is required to have an equivalent specific gravity to that of the urine as described above. Tubing 47 couples the nozzle 121 of the rinse container 45 for delivering the liquid rinse 43 from the container 45 to the inlet funnel 37 and thence to the column 21. The tubing 47 and the nozzle 121 are coupled in a fluid-tight relationship to deliver the rinse 43 to the column without leaking. The tubing is positioned to deliver the liquid rinse 43 by gravity to the mouth of the inlet funnel 37. Preferably, the tubing 47 is formed of a plastic material such as polyvinylchloride (e.g. Tygon tubing). A rinse controlling valve 123 is positioned to control flow of the liquid rinse 43 through the tubing 47 from the rinse container 45 to the column 21. The rinse controlling valve 123 is located along the tubing 47 between the rinse container 45 and the column 21 and is coupled to the tubing to control the flow of rinse 43 through the tubing. The valve 123 may be any type of conventional valve which may be used for controlling liquid flow in tubing, but preferably the valve is a solenoid actuated valve that is normally closed so that the flow of rinse 43 from the rinse container 45 does not interfere with the flow of urine from the cage 13. The valve 123 may be manually activated by pressing a manual rinse switch 124 which is electrically connected to the valve 123 to control operation of the valve. Most preferably, the valve 123 is actuated and controlled by the data processing system 41, as described in further detail below. Preferably, the system includes a data processing system 41. The data processing system receives, processes, stores, and prints data from the analysing device 77 or measuring means and from the weighing means 107. The data processing system also may be used to control operation of the valves 39, 105, and 123 to automatically rinse the column 21 without interrupting collection of data on a series of urinary events and to temporarily suspend operation of the system 11 without terminating a long term test so the cage may be cleaned. The data processing system 41 is comprised of a central processing unit 125 coupled in data communication with a storage device 127, preferably a fixed drive storage device. A user input device 129, such as a keyboard, may also be coupled to the central processing unit 125 so user commands may be entered to the central processing unit 125. A printer 130 is connected to the data processing system 41 so that accumulated data may be printed in hard copy. In a preferred embodiment, the data processing. system 41 is coupled in data communication with a network 131 of remote data processing systems 133 so that information from the data processing system 41 may be communicated to and between the remote data processing systems 133. Most preferably, the data processing system 41 is a dedicated data acquisition and control system. The data processing system 41 collects and stores data from the analysing device 77 and from the weighing means 107. The analysing device 77 and the weighing means 107 are coupled in data communication with the data processing system 41 so measurements made by the analysing device 77 and the weighing means 107 are input to the data processing system 41. The data processing system 41 receives and stores the data in its storage device 127. Preferably, the meter 97 of the analysing device and the scale 119 of the weighing means are coupled in data communication with the data processing system 41. In one embodiment of the invention, the data processing system monitors and stores data relating to the ion content of each urine sample, preferably the pH, the weight of each urine sample, the total weight of the series of urine samples, and the date and time of each urinary event. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 6, the data processing system monitors and stores the above data for a multiple number of systems 11 where each system 11 monitors an animal in a cage. The data processing system 41 is coupled in data communication with the analysing device 77 and the weighing means 107 of each system 11 to receive and store data measured by each analysing device and each weighing means. The data processing system also 41 monitors and stores data regarding the date, time, cage number, and animal identification number for each urinary event of each animal in the cages. The data processing system includes programming which may temporarily suspend receipt and storage of data from the analysing device 77 and the weighing means 107 of a system 11 to permit cleaning of the system's cage without disrupting collection of data from the other systems. Preferably, the data processing system 41 is also used to automatically control the rinsing of the column with liquid rinse 43. The data processing system may be used to initiate and control a rinse cycle after each urinary event and at predetermined time intervals regardless of whether a urinary event has occurred. The column 21 is rinsed to remove urine from the column so urine from a previous urinary event does not interfere with the measurement of urine from a subsequent urinary event; so that protein in the urine does not coat or clog the probe 85; and to maintain a fresh liquid solution about the probe 85. To initiate a rinse cycle, the data processing system 41 determines whether a urinary event has occurred or whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The data processing system 41 determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed by determining when the time elapsed since the previous rinse cycle exceeds a pre-set adjustable time period. Preferably, the pre-set time period is four hours so the column is rinsed at least every four hours. The data processing system 41 determines when a urinary event has occurred by determining first when a urinary event is initiated and then determining when that urinary event ends. The data processing system 41 detects the initiation of a urinary event by a change beyond a threshold limit in the weight indicated by the weighing means 107. The data processing system then proceeds to determine when the urinary event has been completed by determining when the change in weight measured by the weighing means 107 has dropped to an insignificant amount, preferably by scanning input from the scale 119 every 20 seconds to determine whether the change in weight indicated by the scale has fallen below a threshold level. The data processing system 41 is coupled in data communication with the urine controlling valve 39, the rinse controlling valve 123, and the three way valve 105 to control the flow of fluids through the system 11. Once the data processing system 41 has determined that a urinary event is complete or a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the valves 39, 105, and 123 are electronically actuated to permit liquid rinse 43 from the rinse container 45 to rinse the column 21. The urine controlling valve 39 is closed to prevent urine from another urinary event from entering the column. The rinse controlling valve 123 is opened to permit liquid rinse 43 to flow from the rinse container 45 to the column 21. The three way valve 105 is actuated to close outlet 113 to the container 117 so the rinse volume is not measured by the weighing means 107. Simultaneously, the valve 105 is actuated to open the outlet 111 to the drain so liquid rinsed from the column 21 is directed to a drain. The data processing system 41 maintains the valves 39, 105, and 123 in this rinse position for a predetermined period of time. The rinse valve 123 is opened for a period of time to permit a sufficient amount of liquid rinse 43 to flow to the column 21 to thoroughly rinse the column. In a preferred embodiment, the rinse valve 123 is opened for a period of six seconds. The three way valve 105 is switched to open outlet 111 to the drain and to close outlet 113 to the container 117 for a period of time sufficient to allow the entire volume of liquid 55 displaced from the column 21 by the liquid rinse 43 to flow into the drain outlet 111. In a preferred embodiment, the three way valve 105 is switched to the rinse position for a period of 24 seconds. The urine controlling valve 39 is closed during the period of time that the three way valve 105 is open. Further urination by the animal is trapped in the collection pan 31 and tubing 35 by the valve 39 so the urine is not added to the rinse 43 and is retained for measurement after the rinse cycle is complete. In a preferred embodiment the urine controlling valve 39 is closed for a period of 24 seconds after which the valve 39 is reopened to its normally open position. After the rinse is complete, the data processing system controls the valves 39, 105, and 123 to place the valves back into position to collect urine in the column 21. The urine controlling valve 39 is opened to allow urine to flow from the cage 13 to the column 21, the rinse controlling valve 123 is closed to prevent flow of liquid rinse 43 from the rinse container 45 to the column, and the three way valve 105 is switched to open outlet 113 to allow liquid overflow from the column to flow to the container 117 while closing outlet 111 to the drain. In a preferred embodiment, the system 11 is located in a system housing 135. As shown in Figure 1, the housing 135 may be used to support various elements of the system. The housing is divided into sections 141 and 143 which hold the elements of the system 11 in proper position to utilise gravity so the system functions correctly. Preferably, the housing 135 supports the column 21, the analysing device 77, the weighing means 107, funnels 37 and 69, and the three way valve 105, and their elements. Particularly, the housing 135 includes a column support 137 which supports the elements of the column 21 and the inlet funnel 37, and a valve support 139 which supports three way valve 105 and the outlet funnel 69. The housing 135 may also include an electrical power switch 147 for controlling the power supply to the electrically powered elements of the system, such as the analysing device 77, the scale 119, and the valves 39, 105, and 123. As shown in Figure 5, in one embodiment, the cage 13 in its cage support frame 14 is located in a movable frame 149 which may be located about a lift 145 which supports the housing 135. The movable frame has wheels 151 which enable the frame 149 to be rolled away from the housing 135 to permit easy access to the cage 13 so the cage may be regularly cleaned without moving the lift 145 or the housing 135. The movable frame 149 is positioned in front of the lift 145 about the housing with the cage 13 extending over the housing 135. The cage support frame 14 secures the cage 13 in the movable frame 149. As described above, the cage 13 is supported in the cage support frame 14. The cage support frame 14 is supported in rails 148 of the movable frame 149. Latches 153 retain the cage support frame in the rails 148. The latches 153 pivot about pivot pins 155 so the cage support frame 14 may be easily located in or removed from the rails 148, and may be secured in the rails 148 by pivoting the latches to a locking position (shown in solid lines). The frame 149 locates the cage 13 over the housing 135 positioned to be coupled to the tubing 35, which is directed to the column. The collection pan 27 of the cage is removably located in the support rails 22 of the cage support frame 14 beneath the filter screen 25 and over the housing 135. The drain port 33 of the pan 27 is removably coupled to the tubing 35. The lift 145 may be used to adjust the height of the housing 135 relative to the cage in the frame 141 to facilitate coupling the tubing 35 to the cage. The pan 27 may be removed at regular intervals for cleaning by uncoupling the tubing 35 from the drain port and sliding the pan out of the rails 22. In operation, referring again to Figure 1, an animal is placed in the cage for monitoring. When the animal urinates, the mesh filter screens 23 and 25 filter the urine to remove faeces, hair, food particles, or other solid impurities. The urine flows by gravity into the collection pan 27 which directs the urine through the drain port 33 into the tubing 35. The tubing 35 directs the urine from the cage 13 to the column 21. The urine flows through the tubing 35 to the urine controlling valve 39. The valve 39 is maintained in an open position, unless the column 21 is being rinsed, so the urine normally flows through the valve. If the column 21 is being rinsed, the valve 39 halts the flow of the urine until the rinse is completed, then allows the urine to flow to the column 21. The tubing 35 deposits the urine in the inlet funnel 37 which delivers the urine to the column. The urine enters the column 21 from the inlet funnel 37 through the column inlet 53. The fresh urine displaces the liquid in the column and is analysed by the analysing device 77. The analysing device preferably analyses the urine for its sodium (Na + ), potassium (K + ), hydrogen (H + ), calcium (Ca 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), chloride (Cl - ), or phosphorus ion content and, most preferably, for its hydrogen ion content (pH). Preferably, the data determined by the analysing device 77 is communicated to the data processing system 41 which automatically records the data. The urine entering the column 21 displaces an equivalent volume of liquid 55 through the column outlet 61. The liquid displaced through the column outlet 61 flows into the outlet funnel 69 which directs the liquid into the three-way valve 105. The three-way valve 105 directs the liquid through outlet 113 into the tubing 115 which delivers the liquid to the weighing means 107 by gravity. The container 117 of the weighing means 107 receives the liquid for weighing. The scale 119 of the weighing means 107 weighs the liquid to determine the weight of the corresponding volume of urine. The scale 119 is adjusted to compensate for the weight of the container 117 so the container's weight is not included in the determination of the liquid weight. Preferably, the data determined by the weighing means 107 is communicated to the data processing system 41 which automatically records the data. After the animal has completely urinated and the urine has been analysed and its corresponding volume of liquid has been weighed, the column 21 is rinsed. Preferably, the data processing system 41 determines when urine has been received and when the urinary event is complete by monitoring data from the scale 119 as described above. The column is rinsed by controlling the operation of the valves 39, 105 and 123 to allow flow of rinse 43 to the column while blocking the flow of further urine into the column, and to open flow of liquid from the column to a drain while blocking flow of liquid from the column to the weighing means 107. The valves 39, 105 and 123 may be operated manually using the manual rinse switch 124. However, it is preferred that the data processing system automatically control operation of the valves. Rinse 43 from the rinse container 45 flows by gravity through the tubing 47 and the rinse controlling valve 123 to the inlet funnel 37. The rinse 43 flows into the column inlet 53 from the inlet funnel 37 to join the trailing edge 65 of the liquid 55. The rinse 43 displaces liquid 55 through the column outlet 61 into the outlet funnel 69, through the three way valve 105, out the outlet 111 and into the drain tube 109 for disposal in a drain. A sufficient volume of rinse 43 is added to the column 21 to completely flush the column 21 of urine. After the rinse is complete, the valves are returned to a position blocking flow of rinse 43 to the column, while allowing urine to flow to the column, and blocking flow of liquid from the column to the drain while allowing liquid to flow to the weighing means. The data processing system 41 also controls the valves 39, 105, and 123 to automatically rinse the column 21 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, regardless of whether the animal in the cage 13 has urinated. The data processing system periodically measures the period of time elapsed since the last rinse cycle and compares the elapsed time with a predetermined rinse schedule time. If the elapsed time is greater than the predetermined rinse schedule time then the rinse cycle described above is automatically initiated by the data processing system 41. The system 11 is preferably used to analyse and weigh each urination of a series of urinations from an animal in the cage 13. Urine is repetitively received in the column and analysed with the analysing device 77 for each urinary event of a series of urinary events. A volume of liquid corresponding to the volume of received urine is repetitively discharged from the column 21 and weighed by the weighing means 107 for each respective urinary event of a series of urinary events. Preferably, data from the analysing device 77 and the weighing means 107 is transmitted to the data processing system 41, which automatically records the data. The column is then automatically rinsed after the urine of each respective urination has been analysed and weighed, or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Claims: An animal urine analysis system (11), comprising: a column (21) structured and arranged to receive urine from an animal and to discharge a volume of liquid corresponding to the volume of received urine; measuring means (77) engaged with the column (21) for measuring a characteristic of the urine; and weighing means (107) positioned to collect the volume of liquid discharged from the column (21), the weighing means (107) being structured and arranged to weigh the volume of discharged liquid to determine a weight of the volume of urine corresponding to the volume of discharged liquid. A system (11) according to claim 1, wherein the column (21) has an inlet (53) for receiving urine, an outlet (61) for discharging liquid and a U-shaped section (63) located between the inlet (53) and the outlet (61) for capturing and retaining liquid in the column (21), the column (21) having a constant-level volume of liquid (55) therein. A system (11) according to claim 2, wherein the column (21) is structured and arranged to maintain a trailing edge of the liquid (55) proximate to the column inlet (53), and the measuring means (77) is engaged with the column (21) proximate to the column inlet (53) positioned to analyse fresh urine added to the trailing edge of the liquid (55). A system (11) according to any preceding claim, wherein the column (21) is structured and arranged to discharge a volume of the liquid in the column (21) from the column outlet (61) equivalent to a volume of liquid received in the column inlet (53), where the weighing means (107) is positioned to receive the volume of liquid discharged from the column outlet (61). A system (11) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a cage (13) for holding an animal, the cage (13) having a fluid pervious floor (19) through which urine from the animal can drain, the cage floor (19) being structured and arranged to fluidly communicate with the column (21) to immediately deliver fresh urine from the animal to the column (21) for analysis by the measuring means (77). A system (11) according to claim 5, wherein the fluid pervious floor (19) includes a filter (23,25) for removing solid matter from the urine so that the urine is free of impurities. A system (11) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a rinse container (45) having a liquid rinse (43) therein, the rinse container (45) being in fluid communication with the column (21) to enable the liquid rinse (43) to be dispensed from the rinse container (45) to rinse the column (21). A system (11) according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a urine controlling valve (39) positioned to control flow of the urine from the cage (13) to the column (21); if appropriate, a rinse controlling valve (123) positioned to control flow of rinse (43) from the rinse container (45) to the column (21); and a drain valve (105) positioned to control flow of liquid from the column (21) to either the weighing means (107) or a drain; wherein the urine controlling valve (39) and the rinse controlling valve (123) cooperatively control flow of the urine and the liquid rinse (43) to the column (21), and the drain valve (105) controls flow of liquid discharged from the column (21), to permit the column (21) to be rinsed while retaining urine from the animal and while maintaining a volume of liquid in the weighing means (107) corresponding only to a volume of urine previously received from the animal. A system (11) according to claim 8 further comprising a data processing system (41) coupled in data communication with the urine control valve (39), the rinse control valve (123), and the drain valve (105) to automatically control operation of the valves (39,123,105) to automatically rinse the column (21). A system (11) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a data processing system (41) coupled in data communication with the measuring means (77) and the weighing means (107) for receiving and storing data from the measuring means (77) and the weighing means (107). A system (11) according to claim 10, wherein the data processing system (41) is coupled in data communication with the measuring means (77) and the weighing means (107) to receive and store data from the measuring means (77) and the weighing means (107) for each urination of a series of urinations from the animal. A system (11) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the data processing system (41) is structured to determine from data received from the weighing means (107) when urine is initially received in the column (21) from the animal and when receipt of urine from the animal is terminated. A system (11) according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the data processing system (41) is structured to temporarily suspend receipt and storage of data from the analysing device (77) and the weighing means (107) so the cage (13) may be cleaned without interrupting analysis of each urination of the series of urinations. A system (11) according to any preceding claim, wherein the measuring means (77) is a meter (97) for measuring Na + , K + , H + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Cl - , or phosphorus content of urine received in the column (21). A system (11) according to claim 14, wherein the meter (97) is a pH meter. A system (11) according to any preceding claim, wherein the weighing means (107) comprises a scale (119) and a container (117), where the container (117) is positioned to receive liquid discharged from the column (21) and is located on the scale (119) so that liquid received in the container (117) is weighed by the scale (119). A system (11) according to claim 16, wherein the container (117) is removably located on the scale (119), the container (117) being free of attachments so that the container (117) may be freely removed from the scale (119). A system (11) according to any of claims 5 to 17, comprising: a urine controlling valve (39) positioned to control flow of the urine from the cage (13) to the column (21), a data processing system (41) coupled in data communication with the urine controlling valve (39) to automatically control operation of the urine controlling valve (39); a rinse controlling valve (123) positioned to control flow of rinse (43) from the rinse container (45) to the column (21), the data processing system (41) being coupled in data communication with the rinse controlling valve (123) to automatically control operation of the rinse controlling valve (123); and a drain valve (105) positioned to control flow of liquid discharged from the column (21) to either the weighing means (107) or a drain, the data processing system (41) being coupled in data communication with the drain valve (105) to automatically control operation of the drain valve (105). A system (11) according to claim 1, comprising: a plurality of cages (13) for holding a plurality of animals, where each cage (13) holds a respective animal for testing, each cage (13) having a fluid pervious floor (19) through which urine from an animal may drain; a plurality of columns (21), each column (21) being fluidly coupled to a fluid pervious floor (19) of a respective cage (13) for receiving each urination of a series of urinations from an animal in the respective cage (13), where each column (21) is structured and arranged to retain a constant-level volume of liquid therein and to discharge a volume of liquid corresponding to the volume of each urination received from an animal; a plurality of analytical devices (77), each analytical device (77) being located proximate to a respective column (21) positioned to analyse each urination received in the respective column (21); a plurality of weighing means (107), each weighing means (107) being positioned to collect liquid discharged from a respective column (21), each weighing means (107) structured and arranged to weigh liquid discharged from its respective column (21) to determine a weight of the volume of each urination received in its respective column (21); and a data processing system (41) coupled in data communication with each analysing device (77) for each weighing means (107) and receiving and storing data from each analysing device (77) and each weighing means (107) for each urination of a series of urinations from each animal in the cages (13). A system (11) according to claim 19, wherein the data processing system (41) is structured to temporarily suspend receipt and storage of data from each respective analysing device (77) weighing means (107) so each cage (13) may be individually cleaned without disrupting collection of data from the plurality of cages (13). A system (11) according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising a plurality of rinse containers (45) having liquid rinse (43) therein, each rinse container (45) being fluidly coupled to a respective column (21) for dispensing liquid rinse (43) to the respective column (21). A method of analysing urine from an animal, comprising: a.) receiving urine into a column (21) directly from an animal in a cage (13) and analysing the urine in the column (21); and b.) discharging a volume of liquid from the column (21) corresponding to the volume of the urine and weighing the liquid discharged from the column (21) to determine the weight of the volume of urine.

Inventors: RITCHIE DAVID A, RITCHIE, DAVID A.
Applicants: RALSTON PURINA CO, RALSTON PURINA COMPANY
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A01K1
IPC codes: A61B10, A01K1