Patent Publication Number: US-2017354123-A1

Title: System and Method for Real-Time Imaging of Body Composition Traits of Food Animals

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/349,885 filed Jun. 14, 2016 titled Scanning and Auto Processing for Fat, Loin, and IMF, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to animal imaging systems and, more particularly, to an imaging method and system for scanning and displaying key body composition and quality traits of swine (food animals) in real time. Swine or pig is used as an example of a food animal in the remainder of the document as food animals for use with the present invention may also include beef cattle and other livestock. 
     Genetic swine companies and independent breeders have been scanning live swine for years using real-time ultrasound. Analytic tools have been developed that allow for the accurate and quantitative measurement of three body composition and quality traits from anatomically correct ultrasound images: (1) body composition traits of backfat depth and loin muscle depth, and (2) the quality trait of intramuscular fat. The process can be cumbersome, time consuming, and in some cases, dangerous to both the ultrasound operator and the pig depending on facilities and scanning protocol. A 250-pound pig is best described as a bundle of raw, undirected and explosive energy, constantly fighting and resisting every attempt by the operator to place the probe and capture proper ultrasound images that can later be processed for the body/quality measurement results. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method and system for first restricting the movement of the pig before the scanning process by gently lifting the pig off all 4 feet using a lift apron. The lifting method renders the animal virtually immobile. While the pig is suspended on the lift apron, the operator can safely and quickly position the ultrasound transducer in the correct anatomical position to obtain the body composition/quality measure results. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system and method according to the present invention for scanning a pig to determine body composition data in real time while the pig is suspended in mid-air by a lift apron includes an ultrasound probe suspended from a transducer fixture proximate the lift apron and configured to generate a “target image” from the pig while the pig is suspended by operation of the lift apron. A “target image” as referred to in the present disclosure refers to a continuous real-time video stream of successive images showing appropriate tissue interfaces and reference points. The ultrasound probe is vertically displaced from and vertically adjustable relative to the transducer fixture so that the ultrasound probe is selectively positioned, vertically and laterally, in relative space. With reference to the target image, processing algorithms calculate quantitative measurements in real time for backfat depth, muscle depth, and intramuscular fat. An electronic monitor is in data communication with the ultrasound console and configured to display the target image and the quantitative measurements within milliseconds. Body composition/quality measurement results are stored in a computer database for later use. 
     The present invention adapts the ultrasound image capturing and automatic processing technology from the inventors&#39; previous patents for a pork carcass grading system, called BioQscan® and summarized in the following disclosure. BioQscan® uses an ultrasound scanning system, computer and electronics processing modules, and a transducer fixture for housing the ultrasound probe, a sensor and indicator lights. The operator positions the transducer fixture to “hot” hanging pork carcasses, with carcasses moving at line speeds up to 1,400 per hour. Automatic capturing and processing of sensor data and real-time images happen within millisecond, resulting in quantitative measurements for body composition traits of backfat depth and muscle depth as well as the quality trait of intramuscular fat. These data are stored in a database and can be merged with other packing plant data systems. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a system and method for scanning a pig to determine body composition and quality measurements data in real time while the pig is suspended and immobilized in mid-air. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a system and method for scanning a pig, as aforesaid, having an ultrasound probe mounted in a fixture in the proximity of a pig which is raised in the air by a lift apron. The ultrasound assembly is configured to generate a video stream of internal tissues by scanning through the skin of a pig. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a system and method for scanning a pig, as aforesaid, that determines a body composition including, but not limited to, characteristics such as backfat depth, muscle depth, and intramuscular fat. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a system and method for scanning a pig, as aforesaid, that enables a plurality of static images to be stored in a memory for later review. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a system for scanning and displaying key body composition and quality traits of swine in real time; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the scanning system as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the scanning system as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4 a    is a front view of the scanning system as in  FIG. 1  illustrating the pulley reel assembly and transducer fixture at one lateral position relative to a framework; 
         FIG. 4 b    is a front view of the scanning system as in  FIG. 1  illustrating the pulley reel assembly and transducer fixture at another lateral position relative to a framework; 
         FIG. 4 c    is a front view of the scanning system as in  FIG. 1  illustrating the pulley reel assembly and transducer fixture at a vertical position relative to a framework; 
         FIG. 4 d    is a front view of the scanning system as in  FIG. 1  illustrating the pulley reel assembly and transducer fixture at another vertical position relative to a framework; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an animal crate for use with the present invention, illustrated with all gates in closed configurations; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view as in  FIG. 5 , illustrated with all gates in open configurations; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a lift apron for use with the present invention, illustrated in a lowered configuration; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the lift apron as in  FIG. 7  illustrated in a raised configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the scanning system as in  FIG. 1  illustrating the system in use with a pig in the crate. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an ultrasound transducer fixture according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11 a    is a front view of the transducer fixture as in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11 b    is a front view of the monitor displaying an ultrasound image in use; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 13 a    is a flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 13 b    is a flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram of the electronic components of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A system and method for imaging swine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 14  of the accompanying drawings. The imaging system  10  includes an ultrasound probe  24  mounted to a transducer fixture  20  and an electronic monitor  28  in data communication with the computer processor  30 . The imaging system  10  also includes an ultrasound console  36  (also referred to merely as “the console”), which preferably includes a computer processor  30  configured to determine backfat depth, muscle depth, and intramuscular fat of a pig while the pig is suspended and immobilized above the ground by a lift apron using data from a video stream generated by the ultrasound probe  24 . In other words, the ultrasound probe  24  is in data communication with the console  36  and computer processor  30  via a data cable  38  or bundle or cords, the console  36  being configured to generate real-time images from data received from the probe  24 . The console  36  may be situated in an electronics cabinet attached to side brace  62  of the main framework  60  ( FIG. 1 ) or upon another table or shelf adjacent the framework  60 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the imaging system  10  of the present invention is intended for use with a livestock crate  40  for restricting movement of a pig to be scanned and a lift apron  50  positioned inside the crate  40  for selectively lifting the pig into the air prior to being scanned. The crate  40  may include a plurality of fence-like brace members  42  arranged to form a box or individual stock pen, each brace member  42  being spaced apart from one another so as to leave ample openings for ventilation while still inhibiting the pig from escaping. The crate  40  may include a top gate  44  pivotally movable between an open configuration enabling access to the interior of the crate  40  and a closed configuration not allowing access to the crate interior. In use, the top gate  44  is opened after the pig to be scanned is lifted upwardly in the crate  40  by the lift apron  50 . The crate  40  may also include pivotal front  46  and rear  48  gates configured to allow a pig to enter and exit the crate  40 , respectively. Alternatively, one or both end gates may be configured to move vertically in a guillotine fashion. 
     The lift apron  50  is a device similar to a jack that may be situated within the interior of the crate  40  and configured to raise or lift a pig upwardly and be suspended above the ground when energized. More particularly, the lift apron  50  may include an elevator member  51  that is selectively movable between raised and lowered configurations and includes a lift plate  54  coupled to the elevator member  51 . The lift plate  54  may have an elongate and planar configuration that is adapted to engage the underbelly of a pig that is standing above the lowered lift plate  54 . The lift apron  50  may be operated by a lift motor  52  ( FIG. 1 ) and is configured to raise the pig off the ground when energized (see  FIGS. 7 to 9 ). It is understood that the elevator member  51  may be taken from a group consisting of a hydraulic lift, pneumatic lift, motor driven lift, and an electric lift. 
     The ultrasound probe  24  is an electronic device configured to generate a video streaming series of images of the internal body structures of a human person or animal. More particularly, ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses ultrasonic pulses (sound waves) to generate electronic images of internal structures such as muscles, tendons, organs, and the like. In use, the ultrasound probe  24  requires a couplant to allow transmission of the sound waves from the ultrasound probe  24  through the skin of a human person or animal to the internal body structures below the skin. The couplant material used to allow transmission of the sound waves may be water, vegetable oil or an appropriate acoustical gel. Images may be generated in the form of a real-time video stream when the ultrasound probe  24  is positioned on the skin of a body proximate the tissues or organs to be scanned. 
     In the present invention, the ultrasound probe  24  may include an input member  26  ( FIG. 10 ) configured, when actuated, to begin capturing a subsequent series of images. The input member  26  may be a momentary thumb switch on the ultrasound probe  24  itself, on the transducer fixture  20 , or on a keyboard associated with the ultrasound console  36  electrically connected to or in wireless communication with the computer processor  30 , ultrasound probe  24 , or an on-screen touch button on a touch screen monitor  28 . The ultrasound console  36  and processor  30  are configured to receive and process the streaming series of images being collected and generated by the ultrasound probe  24 . 
     The ultrasound probe  24  is electrically connected to and in data communication with ultrasound console  36 , computer processor  30  and a video monitor  28  which may also be referred to as a video display or computer display. The video monitor  28  may be integrally connected to an upper edge of the ultrasound probe  24  and, preferably, integrated therewith as an ultrasound transducer fixture  20 , or referred to merely as a “transducer fixture.” It is understood that the video monitor  28  and ultrasound probe  24  of the transducer fixture  20  are in data communication with the ultrasound console  36  and under its control via operation of a computer processor  30 . An integrated transducer fixture  20  enables a user to view instructions, option menus, and images being generated ( FIG. 10 ). The integrated transducer fixture  20  may be suspended in the air and configured to be manipulated spatially by a user so as to be placed in contact with a pig suspended in the air to be scanned as will be described below. The transducer fixture  20  may include one or more handles  22  configured to enable a user to grasp and move the transducer fixture  20  vertically and horizontally. As introduced previously, the ultrasound transducer fixture  20  may also include a processor  30  and a non-volatile memory  32  in data communication with the processor  30 , the memory  32  being configured to store data and a plurality of programming instructions to be executed by the processor  30  as will be described later in more detail. The processor  30  and related electronics may be powered by a power source  34  such as a battery or by AC power via a power cord. 
     Preferably, the ultrasound transducer fixture  20  is suspended from a framework  60  and configured to move both vertically and laterally. More particularly, the framework  60  may include one or more upstanding side braces  62  and an upper brace  64  extending between free ends of the side braces  62 . In an embodiment, the side braces  62  may be length adjustable such that the framework  60  is height adjustable (compare  FIGS. 4 c  and 4 d   ). A bottom surface of the upper brace  64  may define a channel extending between the side braces  62  of the framework  60 . 
     The ultrasound transducer fixture  20  is configured to move vertically and laterally relative to the upper brace  64 . More particularly, a pulley reel assembly  66  may be operatively coupled to the channel and, therefore, to the framework  60 . It is understood that a chain drive, belt drive, gear mechanism, or the like (not shown) may be positioned in the channel that is operatively coupled to the pulley reel assembly  66  and configured to move laterally therealong when energized. The pulley reel assembly  66  may include a cable  68  that is selectively movable between a stowed configuration inside a pulley reel housing  69  and a deployed configuration substantially outside the pulley reel housing  69 . A distal end of the cable  68  may be coupled to the ultrasound transducer fixture  20 . The pulley reel assembly  66  may be configured as a counterbalance that enables the transducer fixture  20  to be suspended in the ambient air. In other words, the transducer fixture  20  may be pulled downwardly or pushed upwardly by the user and then it holds its position in space—becoming virtually weightless. 
     In an embodiment, the pulley reel assembly  66  may be moved manually by a user in a lateral position along the channel or moved via the cable  68  between stowed and deployed configurations. Alternatively, an electric or electronic device (not shown) could be added to the controls  39  allowing electronic movements laterally and stowed or deployed configurations of the pulley reel assembly  66 . In an embodiment, the console  36  may be displaced from the transducer fixture  20 , such as mounted or positioned on an adjacent cabinet. Further, the console  36  may be electrically connected to the transducer fixture  20  via one or more data cables  38  configured to transfer data from the transducer fixture  20  through the console  36  to the computer processor  30  for long term storage. 
     The ultrasound probe  24 , when connected to the ultrasound console  36  and powered up, generates a continuous real-time video stream of images, and when not in contact with an object, the video stream shows blank images. Under software control, the streaming images (that is, real-time video) may be displayed on the screen of the monitor  28  which is attached to the transducer fixture  20 . 
     With a couplant applied to the skin and when the transducer fixture  20  is moved into a desired position touching the skin of the pig, the video stream shows internal tissues of that portion of the pig anatomy being scanned by the ultrasound probe  24 . When the user views a “target image” showing the desired tissue interfaces and anatomical reference points, the input member  26  may be pressed to enable the computer processor  30 . When enabled, the computer processor  30  captures the series of real-time images where they may be mathematically processed, displayed, archived, or stored for later review. 
     Specifically, the images may be stored in a non-volatile memory  32  for later review, archival, or printing. From the captured image stream data, the computer processor  30  is programmed to determine body composition and quality traits, such as backfat depth, muscle depth, and intramuscular fat. 
     A process  100  illustrating the steps of the method for scanning a pig to determine body composition data according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 12 . At step  102 , the processor  30  performs a series of diagnostic tests to verify operation of the ultrasound console  36  communication, input member  26 , and other components. Then, at step  104 , the pig to be scanned is properly positioned in the crate  40  with top gate  44  closed before raising the pig on the lift apron. After the pig is raised, the top gate  44  can be opened to display the back of the pig. At step  106 , a user moves the transducer fixture laterally and vertically relative to the framework  60  and positions the ultrasound probe  24  on the skin of the pig. A video stream showing the targeted section of the animal is displayed on the video monitor  28  when the ultrasound probe  24  is energized. At step  108 , when the user presses input member  26  indicating that a target image is achieved on the display, images from the video steam are collected by the computer processor  30  under software control. 
     Then, the processor  30 , under program control, is configured to process the captured images and determine body composition traits as described above and to display that information on the video monitor  28  for real-time review by the operator. At step  114 , the processor  30  determines if the operator has accepted the images and, if so, saves the data to memory at step  116  and the user lowers the pig for release. If not accepted, however, the process returns to step  106  to again collect images. 
     With specific reference to the operation of the software and methodology concerning review and approval of captured image data (step  114 ), it is noted that after capturing and processing a predetermined number of images for composition and quality measurements, a single representative reference image appears on the monitor  28 . A series of overlays displayed on the reference image shows the operator exactly where and how the measurements were made for the current pig that was just scanned. At this point, the operator makes an assessment as to whether the scanning and processing yield a correct interpretation in regards to the body composition and quality measures. If correct, the operator touches a “Next” button on the touch screen display  28  to prepare for the next pig. Otherwise, he presses a “Rescan” button and program control returns to step  106  ( FIG. 11 b   ). 
       FIGS. 13 a  and 13 b    expound upon each step described above and this disclosure is incorporated into the present specification in its entirety. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.