Patent Description:
The quality of milk produced by a lactating mammal is dependent on a number of factors, such as the health of the animal, nutrition, immune status, physical factors that contribute to well-being such as shelter, access to quality food and water, and emotional security, among others. In a commercial setting, the ability to gauge and optimize these factors is important, since improved animal health leads to higher profit margins due to improved milk quality and reduced operational costs.

Milk producers already face significant challenges with falling milk prices, increased labor costs, and demanding regulatory regimes, especially concerning the presence of antibiotics and the like in milk. Traditional means for tracking the health of a lactating mammal are invasive, time-consuming, and not typically automated, requiring increased personnel with a certain degree of expertise. In addition, valuable information regarding the health of the lactating mammal may be contained in the milk it produces, but typically requires chemical testing to obtain. This chemical testing may not be easily performed on-site, which can lead to long delays before the information can be acted upon. Moreover, certain stringent regulatory regimes require the destruction of entire batches of milk for even the nominal presence of antibiotics or blood components.

<NPL> describes an implementation of optical sensor technology to monitor milk quality on dairy farms and milk processing plants for early detection of altering production processes.

<CIT> describes a system for observing and predicting a physiological state of an animal. The system includes at least one sample providing device for repetitively providing at least one sample of a body fluid of the animal, an analysis apparatus for analyzing the at least one sample, so as to obtain at least one sample value of at least one parameter of the body fluid, repetitively entering the sample value of the at least one parameter in the database, wherein the database is adapted to store multiple database entries representing the sample value of the at least one parameter at various points in time, and perform at least one mathematical analysis of the at least one sample value, and selecting, on the basis of the at least one mathematical analysis, the point in time for providing a subsequent sample and performing a subsequent analyses of said subsequent sample for at least one of the parameters.

<NPL> describes how the principles of representative layer theory can explain some of the light scattering properties of milk and examines several of the techniques used to separate the effects of absorption and scattering.

<CIT> describes a method for on-line channeling of milk based on predicted coagulation properties where the method comprises sampling raw milk from a milk line between a milking station and a collection point, performing spectral analysis of one or more of optical transmission, optical reflectance, scatter and fluorescence on the raw milk sample, predicting at least one coagulation parameter on-line based on the spectral analysis, and channeling milk from the milking station on-line to one of a plurality of destinations based on the at least one coagulation parameter.

<CIT> describes methods and apparatus for measuring component concentration in a liquid containing relatively large particles and relatively small particles. The methods and apparatus may be utilized for measuring fat and casein concentrations in a dairy product.

As such, there is room for improved techniques for testing milk and for assessing the health state of a lactating mammal.

In accordance with a broad aspect, there is provided a method for assessing a health state of a lactating mammal, as defined in claim <NUM>. A sample of milk obtained from the lactating mammal is illuminated with a light beam. Scattering data resulting from an interaction between the light beam and the sample of milk is collected. The scattering data is processed to determine at least one characteristic of the sample of milk. The health state of the lactating mammal is assessed based on the at least one characteristic of the sample of milk.

The scattering data is indicative of light from the light beam being scattered along at least a first scattering angle greater than <NUM>°.

In some embodiments, the light beam comprises light of at least a first wavelength and a second wavelength.

In some embodiments, the scattering data is indicative of light from the light beam being scattered along at least a first scattering angle associated with the first wavelength and of light from the light beam being scattered along a second scattering angle associated with the second wavelength, wherein the scattering data comprises a plurality of data sets each associated with a respective scattering angle.

In some embodiments, processing the scattering data comprises comparing the scattering data with angular profiles of reference milk samples having known characteristics.

In some embodiments, processing the scattering data comprises comparing the standard deviation of pixel intensity for a set of scattering profiles against the standard deviation of pixel intensity for a previous set of scattering profiles.

In some embodiments, processing the scattering data comprises processing the scattering data using a neural network.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises training the neural network using reference milk samples having known characteristics.

In some embodiments, the at least one characteristic of the sample of milk comprises at least one of a fat content, a fat-to-protein ratio, an antibiotic content, a blood content, and a somatic cell content.

In some embodiments, assessing the health state of the lactating mammal comprises determining whether the lactating mammal is likely to be in ketosis.

In some embodiments, assessing the health state of the lactating mammal comprises estimating the progesterone levels of the lactating mammal.

In accordance with another broad aspect, there is provided a system for assessing a health state of a lactating mammal, as defined in claim <NUM>. The system comprises a light source configured for directing a light beam toward a sample of milk obtained from the lactating mammal; an imaging device configured to collect scattering data resulting from an interaction between the light beam and the sample of milk; and a processing system. The processing system is communicatively coupled to the imaging device for: processing the scattering data to determine at least one characteristic of the sample of milk; and assessing, based on the at least one characteristic of the sample of milk, the health state of the lactating mammal.

In some embodiments, the processing system implements a neural network, wherein processing the scattering data comprises processing the scattering data using the neural network.

In some embodiments, the processing system is further coupled to the imaging device for training the neural network using reference milk samples having known characteristics.

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The collection of milk from lactating mammals has a long history, given the lauded nutritional properties of milk. Now, modern techniques for collecting milk from lactating mammals are highly mechanized and automated. The lactating mammal, which may be a cow, a goat, a sheep, or any other suitable mammal, enters a designated milking station and a mechanical apparatus is connected to the udder and/or teats of the mammal for extraction of milk. The collected milk is then sent to a milk processing facility where the milk may be tested, filtered, purified, or otherwise treated to be ready for consumption or used for making other products.

With reference to <FIG>, a light-scattering detection system <NUM> for testing milk obtained from a lactating mammal is shown. The light-scattering detection system <NUM> may be used to evaluate various characteristics of milk obtained from a lactating mammal, to assess the quality of the milk, and/or to assess a health state of the lactating mammal which produced the milk. The light-scattering detection system <NUM> includes a light source <NUM>, a sample container <NUM>, an imaging device <NUM>, and optionally a computing device <NUM>. It should be noted that the milk used in conjunction with the light-scattering detection system <NUM>, as detailed hereinbelow, may be collected from a single lactating mammal, or from a group of lactating mammals, for example when milk from multiple lactating mammals is pooled for processing. The light-scattering detection system can be attached in-line to conventional milking systems in dairy barns or facilities where milking takes place.

The light source <NUM> is configured to illuminate a sample of milk held in the sample container <NUM> with a light beam <NUM>. In some embodiments, illuminating the sample of milk with the light beam <NUM> includes directing light produced by the light source <NUM> as a central ray of light at the sample of milk, for example by using a collimating lens. The light source <NUM> may be a source of laser light or of diffuse light, as appropriate, and may use a collimating lens to produce a central ray of light, as appropriate. The light beam <NUM> produced by the light source <NUM> may be of substantially a single wavelength, or may include light of a plurality of wavelengths. In some embodiments, the light source <NUM> produces a light beam <NUM> which includes light having a wavelength of approximately <NUM>, although other wavelengths may be used. In some embodiments, multiple light sources <NUM> are used, for example with each one of the light sources <NUM> producing a respective light beam <NUM> having a distinct wavelength. In some embodiments, the light source <NUM> also includes a stand or other supporting structure for supporting the light source <NUM>.

The sample container <NUM> serves to receive and, in some embodiments, hold a sample of milk produced by the lactating mammal which is used to perform scattered-light-based measurements. In some embodiments, the sample container <NUM> is connected to a larger milk collection system and is provided with the sample of milk from one or more lactating mammals by the milk collection system via one or more tubes or other conduits. The sample container <NUM> may be cylindrical, oval, or take on any other suitable shape. In some embodiments, the sample container <NUM> is further connected to the milk collection system for returning the sample of milk after testing has been performed on the sample of milk, for example to a reservoir or other holding tank. In some other embodiments, the sample container <NUM> is configured to allow milk to flow through in a substantively continuous fashion, and the sample of milk used for testing is any milk present in the sample container <NUM> at a time when a test is performed. A diverter can be incorporated for separating milk on the basis of desired physical parameters, such as fat content and characteristics such as low somatic cells, or other desired characteristics. For instance, the diverter can be positioned at an output end of the sample container <NUM> for separating milk after the analysis is performed at the sample container <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sample container is a component of a milking line in the processing system. In other components, the sample container <NUM> is embodied in a portable device which can be carried, along with the light source <NUM>, the imaging device <NUM>, and optionally the computing device <NUM> for use at remote locations, on a milk transport system taking the milk from a producer to a milk processor, or separate from the milk collection system. In still further embodiments, the light-scattering detection system <NUM> may be implemented in a laboratory setting or even at a milk processing facility for quality assurances or other purposes before the milk from a producer is processed.

In order to illuminate the sample of milk in the sample container <NUM>, the light source <NUM> and the sample container <NUM> are positioned to direct the light beam <NUM> from the light source <NUM> toward the sample container <NUM>, for example toward an input view port <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>. The input view port <NUM> may be an opening or other aperture produced in the sample container <NUM> and sealed with a transparent or otherwise light-permitting material, for instance glass, plastic, and the like.

The sample container <NUM> also has an output view port <NUM> through which forward-scattered light <NUM> is allowed to propagate and can be detected. The output view port <NUM> may be substantively similar to the input view port <NUM>. In some embodiments, a field of view of the output view port <NUM> is wider than a field of view of the input view port <NUM>. The forward-scattered light <NUM> results from interactions between the light beam <NUM>, which enters the sample container <NUM> via the input view port <NUM>, and the milk in the sample container <NUM>. When the light beam <NUM> comes into contact with the milk in the sample container <NUM>, some or all of the light is scattered by the milk. Depending on the wavelength of the light in the light beam <NUM>, the amount of scattered light, and the angle at which the light is scattered, may be indicative of the presence or absence of particular molecules and/or cells in the milk. In some embodiments, the light source <NUM> and the viewing ports <NUM> and <NUM> are implemented using fiber optics and one or more microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which may be located inside the sample container <NUM>,.

In this context, light scattering is caused by the interaction of the oscillating dipole of the light source with the dipoles within the particles that make up the substance. This interaction results in secondary excitation of dipoles, causing the scattering phenomena. Most of the detection of particles relies on the particles having a size and a distinct polarizability due to differences in the dipoles within the particles. Larger sized particles, such as somatic cells in the milk can be detected at narrow forward scattering angles (as described by patent #<CIT>, which is referenced in its entirety). However, the detection of dissolved particles such as antibiotics, hormones, or the like, can require further processing of the scattering data using various mathematical techniques, as discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. For example, mathematical techniques involving either an image or a sequence of images, edge detection methods associated with image processing, standard deviation of parts within a sequence of images, or other digital filters for finding specific features, can be employed. In some embodiments, the present disclosure can differ from previous approaches, inter alia, as it makes use different mathematical techniques to characterize a scattering measurement.

The forward-scattered light <NUM> is received by the imaging device <NUM>, which is positioned in a suitable way for receiving the forward-scattered light <NUM> as emitted from the output view port <NUM>. The light source <NUM>, the sample container <NUM>, and the imaging device <NUM> are positioned such that the sample container <NUM> is located substantively between the light source <NUM> and the imaging device <NUM>. According to the claimed invention, the imaging device <NUM> is configured to receive light having a forward scattering angle of more than <NUM>°. For example, the imaging device <NUM> receives the forward-scattered light <NUM> which has forward scattering angles between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, or any other suitable range. It will be appreciated that characteristics of the optical components, including the focal length of a lens on the imaging device <NUM>, can result in numerical changes in the disclosed angles.

In some embodiments, the imaging device <NUM> is a digital camera using any suitable image-capturing technology. For example, the imaging device <NUM> is a webcam or other off-the-shelf digital camera. In one particular embodiment, a webcam with an image resolution of <NUM> x <NUM> pixels and a <NUM> focal length lens can be used. In another example, the imaging device <NUM> is a wide-angle camera. The imaging device <NUM> is configured for collecting scattering data relating to the forward-scattered light <NUM>. The scattering data provides a "scattering profile" for the milk, which is indicative of the way the light beam <NUM> is scattered by the milk to produce the forward-scattered light <NUM>, for example based on the intensity of the forward-scattered light <NUM>. The scattering data is based on a so-called "forward scattering angular range" for the forward-scattered light <NUM>. That is to say, the scattering which is produced in the same direction of transmission as the light beam <NUM>, and based on an angle of incidence of the light beam <NUM> on the milk in the sample container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the scattering data is a data array which consists of numerical data. For example, the numerical data is indicative of a grey-scale representation of the forward-scattered light <NUM>, of a colour-coded representation of the forward-scattered light <NUM>, and/or of any other suitable scheme that identifies the intensity, frequency, phase, or any other suitable parameter of the forward-scattered light <NUM> as received by the imaging device <NUM>.

By analyzing the scattering data, for example with the computing device <NUM> or another processing system, which may be incorporated as part of the imaging device <NUM> or may be a separate entity, various characteristics about the milk in the sample container <NUM> may be determined. For instance, measurement of the frequency shifts, angular distribution, the polarization, and the intensity of the forward-scattered light <NUM> is indicative of the size, shape, and molecular interactions in the scattering material.

Traditionally, analysis of scattering data has relied on a determination of the intensity of the scattering as a function of the forward scattering angle. Mathematical means including time-dependent statistical mechanics, electrodynamic calculations, curve fitting, and statistical measures, such as concentration-dependent changes, are used to determine some characteristic of a scattering medium, for example structural features or molecular dynamics. In contrast, the approach of the claimed invention evaluates the standard deviation of pixel intensity in images captured by the imaging device <NUM>. As described in greater detail hereinbelow, changes in the standard deviation of the intensity of scattered light at particular angles, or within a region of interest, can be indicative of the presence of irregular substances present as particles or dissolved in milk, and in fluids generally.

It should be noted that during milking, the physical characteristics of the produced milk changes: concentrations of fat, free fatty acids, lactose, total solids, water content, and density can all vary during milking. Each of these components of the milk is associated with some aspect of health of the animal, and affects the forward-light-scattering properties of the milk.

The production of the forward-scattered light <NUM> results from the interaction between the light beam <NUM> and the sample of milk. The light beam <NUM> induces an oscillating polarization (or some other state of excitation) of electrons in various molecules in the milk which act as secondary sources of light, producing the scattered light <NUM>. The scattered light can be produced by cells, parts of cells, and the like. For instance, the presence of substances such as chemicals (hormones, antibiotics) or biological agents (bacteria, foreign cells) may be indicated by the scattering data. In some embodiments, one or more of fat content, protein content, fat-to-protein ratio, somatic cell distribution, estimate of ketosis, hormone levels, such as progesterone, or the presence of antibiotics and/or blood can be determined based on analysis of the scattering data.

It should be noted that processing of the acquired data can be done on-site, i.e. where the sample of milk is obtained, or remotely using a processor capable of acquiring data, storing data for mathematical processing and interpretation, and for storing data so historical information can be available.

In addition, it should be noted that determining various characteristics of the milk from the scattering data does not require the use of additives such as dyes, emulsifying agents, chemicals or biological agents, antibodies, thermal regulation, dilution, or the like. Changes in the chemical or nutritional properties of the milk being tested are not required, leaving the sample of milk suitable for any subsequent intended use.

With reference to <FIG>, there is shown a method <NUM> for assessing a health state of a lactating mammal. The method <NUM> may be implemented via the light-scattering detection system <NUM>. At step <NUM>, a sample of milk obtained from a lactating mammal, for example the sample of milk held in the sample container <NUM>, is illuminated with a light beam, for instance the light beam <NUM> produced by the light source <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, scattering data, resulting from an interaction between the light beam <NUM> and the sample of milk in the sample container <NUM>, is collected, for example via the imaging device <NUM>. The scattering data may include any suitable information about the forward-scattered light <NUM> produced by the light beam <NUM> and the milk. The forward-scattered light <NUM> on which is based the scattering data may include forward-scattered light having a forward scattering angle between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. It should be noted that the angles of light-scattering are, in some embodiments, at least in part determined by the optical geometry and distances between the imaging device <NUM> and the sample container <NUM>, and that the optical geometry of the light-scattering detection system <NUM> can be optimized for detection. The position of pixels in the scattering data collected by the imaging device <NUM> can be associated with the angle of scattering.

In some embodiments, a neural network or other machine-learning tool is used to process the scattering data to perform determinations about characteristics of the milk in the sample container <NUM> and/or about a health state of the lactating mammal. The neural network may be implemented by the imaging device <NUM> and/or by the computing device <NUM>, as appropriate. In order for the neural network to process the scattering data, the neural network may need to first be trained.

Thus, optionally, at step <NUM>, the neural network is trained using reference samples of milk having known characteristics. In some embodiments, a number of scattering profiles for samples of milk having known characteristics are used as a training set for the neural network. The known characteristics may include fat content, fat-to-protein ratio, protein content, somatic cell count, water content, antibiotic and/or blood presence, presence of water, and the like. The number of scattering profiles may be a dozen, several dozen, a hundred, several hundred, a thousand, several thousand, several tens of thousands, or any other suitable number. For example, several hundred scattering profiles for samples of milk having a known fat content are used to train the neural network. In another example, several thousand scattering profiles for samples of milk having known red and/or white blood-cell counts are used to train the neural network.

In some embodiments, the scattering profiles for samples of milk having known characteristics are used in a semi-supervised machine-learning approach with a multiple causes, multiple indicators model. In some embodiments, the neural network is aided by a heuristic model. In other embodiments, an unsupervised learning model is used. In addition, the neural network may be implemented via discrete application packages, which interface via an application programming interface (API).

At step <NUM>, the scattering data is processed to determine at least one characteristic of the sample of milk in the sample container <NUM>. The scattering data may be processed by the imaging device <NUM> itself, or by the computing device <NUM>, where appropriate. The processing may involve various types of mathematical transformations of the image, including evaluating the standard deviation of the pixels to assess angular ranges at which the greatest changes in scattering intensities are occurring. The scattering data may be used to determine one or more of a fat content, a protein content, a fat-to-protein ratio, a somatic cell distribution, a level of progesterone, a presence of antibiotics, a presence of blood, and the like. In some embodiments, the scattering data is processed by comparing the scattering profile of the milk in the sample container <NUM> against a library of scattering profiles from milk samples with known characteristics. The comparison may be performed using standard computational techniques, including suitable statistical methods and best fit techniques, or using the neural network described hereinabove.

At step <NUM>, a health state of the lactating mammal is assessed based on the at least one characteristic of the sample of milk. For example, the characteristics of the sample of milk can be used to determine whether the lactating mammal is in a state of ketosis. In another example, the presence of antibiotics, as determined at step <NUM>, can be used to determine other health characteristics of the lactating mammal.

The health state of the lactating mammal may be assessed by the imaging device <NUM> and/or the computing device <NUM>, as appropriate. In some embodiments, the neural network used at step <NUM>, or another neural network, is used to perform the assessment of the health state of the lactating mammal. For instance, a library of health characteristics of lactating mammals having known health states is used to train the neural network to identify an unknown health state of a lactating mammal which produces milk having particular characteristics, as determined at step <NUM>. In other embodiments, other computational techniques are used to assess the health state of the lactating mammal.

With additional reference to <FIG>, the method <NUM> can alternatively, or in addition, be used to determine whether irregularities are present in milk. In the present context, the term "irregularities" can refer to any one or more of blood cells, including white and red blood cells, hormones, undesirable chemicals, antibiotics, and the like, and/or biological agents, including bacteria, foreign cells, and the like. In some cases, the embodiment of step <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is the embodiment of step <NUM> used as part of method <NUM> when used for assessing the health state of the lactating mammal. In other cases, other embodiments of step <NUM> can be used as part of method <NUM> when used for assessing the health state of the lactating mammal.

At step <NUM>, the scattering data is processed to detect the presence, or absence, of light scattered at a predetermined angle relative to a normal orientation. The normal orientation can be any suitable orientation, for instance parallel with an angle of incidence of the light beam, with an angle of detection of the imaging device <NUM>, or any other orientation. As the light beam interacts with the milk, various substances in the milk can cause the light to be scattered at respective angles. One or more predetermined angles can be established as being indicative of associated substances: for instance, penicillin may cause scattering at one or more angles between <NUM>° and <NUM>°; in another instance, progesterone may cause scattering at one or more angles between <NUM>° and <NUM>°; in a further instance, certain antibiotics may cause scattering at one or more angles between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. When detected, in some embodiments, the scattered light presents as a ring or disk, located substantially in a plane and centered about the normal orientation. In other embodiments, the scattered light is detected based on a count of received photons at particular pixels of the imaging device <NUM>. Still other embodiments are considered. Thus, the scattering data obtained at step <NUM> can be processed to detect the presence or absence of light scattered at one or more of the predetermined angles associated with substances which can be present in the sample of milk.

At step <NUM>, the presence of irregularities in the sample of milk can be determined based on the presence or absence of light scattered at the predetermine angle. For example, if, at step <NUM>, the presence of light scattered at an angle associated with progesterone is detected, then the presence of progesterone in the sample of milk can be determined. Similarly, if the presence of light scattered at an angle associated with white blood cells is detected at step <NUM>, the presence of white blood cells in the sample of milk can be determined.

Although the foregoing discussion relating to steps <NUM> and <NUM> were in relation to a single predetermined angle, in order to determine the presence of irregularities, it should be noted that step <NUM> can be performed by processing the scattering data to detect the presence or absence of light scattered at multiple predetermined angles, each of which associated with respective irregularities, in order to determine whether multiple different irregularities are present. In addition, other numerical techniques, such as principal component analysis, curve-fitting techniques, and integration can be used.

With additional reference to <FIG>, another embodiment of step <NUM> used as part of method <NUM> is illustrated. As part of this embodiment of step <NUM>, a set of scattering frames is used: a scattering frame can be a snapshot of the scattering pattern produced by the operation of the light-scattering detection system <NUM>, for instance as captured by the imaging device <NUM>. The set of scattering frames can include any number of scattering frames; in some embodiments, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> scattering frames are used to form a set, but any other suitable number can be used. Each of the scattering frames are of substantially the same size, such that a pixel on one scattering frame corresponds to the same pixel (i.e., at the same location in the frame) in each of the other scattering frames.

At step <NUM>, a standard deviation for each corresponding pixel of the scattering frames is determined. The standard deviation is relative to the intensity of each corresponding pixel across the scattering frames of the set of scattering frames. The intensity values for the pixels located at point (<NUM>,<NUM>) in each of the scattering frames is evaluated to determine the standard deviation for the pixel at (<NUM>,<NUM>); similar determinations are also made for the remaining pixels in the scattering frames.

At step <NUM>, a new scattering frame is acquired, for instance by the operation of the imaging device <NUM>. New scattering frames can be acquired periodically, for example every few milliseconds, or every few seconds, or can be acquired in response to a trigger or event, as appropriate. At step <NUM>, the earliest scattering frame of the set is removed, and the new scattering frame is added to the set. The earliest scattering frame can be determined, for example, based on timestamps associated with the scattering frames. By removing the earliest scattering frame and adding the newest one, the total number of scattering frames in the set is kept constant.

At step <NUM>, a new standard deviation is calculated for the set of scattering frames, including the new scattering frame. Substantially similar operations may be performed. At step <NUM>, based on the new standard deviation, a determination is made regarding whether irregularities are present in the sample of milk. For example, the particular changes in the standard deviations of specific pixels can be indicative of the presence of one or more irregularities in the sample of milk.

In some examples outside the scope of the claimed invention, the previous standard deviation is compared against the new standard deviation on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and changes in the standard deviation which exceed a particular threshold can be used as an indication of the presence of particular irregularities in the sample of milk. In other examples, steps <NUM> to <NUM> are repeated iteratively, and changes in the standard deviation over multiple iterations is used as an indication of the presence of particular irregularities in the sample of milk. Still other embodiments are considered.

With reference to <FIG>, in some embodiments, processing the scattering data is performed by selecting, from the totality of the scattering data, a region of interest. <FIG> illustrates a scattering frame <NUM> for raw milk, and <FIG> illustrates a scattering frame <NUM> for milk which contains an irregular substance. In order to analyze the scattering frame <NUM>, a region of interest <NUM> can be selected. The region of interest can extend substantially from a centre point of the scattering data, which corresponds substantially with the normal orientation, to an outer edge of the scattering data.

With reference to <FIG>, the scattering data found in the region of interest, for instance over an entire set of scattering frames, can be evaluated to identify standard densities of intensity of the scattered light relative to the forward scattering angle, for example as plotted in the graph <NUM>, in which the standard deviation of intensity for raw milk is shown in dotted line <NUM>, and the standard deviation of intensity for milk with the irregular substance is shown in line <NUM>. Graph <NUM> can be used to determine the presence of irregularities: for example, the angles at which there exists scattered light when the irregular substance is present, but not in raw milk, can be used as a signature for the particular substance. For instance, any one or more of peaks <NUM> could be used as the signature for the irregular substance. As described in greater detail hereinbelow, a procedure for determining appropriate signatures for various substances can be developed.

Although the preceding discussion focused primarily on lactating mammals which are domesticated animals, including cows, goats, and sheep, it should be noted that similar techniques as those described herein are applicable to human milk. Milk collecting from a lactating human may be illuminated with one or more light beams and forward-scattered light resulting from the interactions between the light beams and the human milk may be collected and analyzed to assess one or more health attributes of the lactating human.

With reference to <FIG>, the method <NUM> may be implemented by a computing device <NUM>, comprising a processing unit <NUM> and a memory <NUM> which has stored therein computer-executable instructions <NUM>. Embodiments of the computing device <NUM> include the computing devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> described hereinabove.

The processing unit <NUM> may comprise any suitable devices configured to implement the method <NUM> such that instructions <NUM>, when executed by the computing device <NUM> or other programmable apparatus, may cause the functions/acts/steps of the method <NUM> described herein to be executed.

In some embodiments, the memory <NUM> can also be used to store various information, including reference information and the like, as discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, which may be used during implementation of the method <NUM>, or of other methods disclosed herein.

With reference to <FIG>, the computing device <NUM> is configured for implementing a health state assessment (HSA) system <NUM>. The HSA system <NUM> is configured for receiving forward-scattered light, for example forward-scattered light <NUM>, resulting from an interaction between a light beam, for example the light beam <NUM> produced by the light source <NUM>, and a sample of milk, for example the sample of milk held in the sample container <NUM>. The light source <NUM> illuminates the sample of milk in the sample container <NUM> with the light beam <NUM>, as per step <NUM>. The HSA system <NUM> includes a light collector <NUM>, a scattering analysis module <NUM>, a milk characteristic module <NUM>, and a classification module <NUM>.

The light collector <NUM> is configured for receiving the forward-scattered light <NUM> resulting from the interaction between the light beam <NUM> and the sample of milk. The light collector may include one or more digital cameras, for example a webcam or other off-the-shelf camera. The light collector <NUM> is communicatively coupled to the scattering analysis module <NUM> to provide the scattering analysis module <NUM> with information regarding the forward-scattered light <NUM>. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the light collector <NUM> is a component of the scattering analysis module <NUM>.

The scattering analysis module <NUM> is configured to collect light-scattering data based on the forward-scattered light <NUM>, which results from the interaction between the light beam <NUM> and the sample of milk, as per step <NUM>. The scattering analysis module <NUM> is configured to collect any suitable light-scattering data, including light intensity, light frequency, light phase, and the like. In some embodiments, the scattering analysis module <NUM> collects the light-scattering data in the form of one or more arrays of data. The scattering analysis module <NUM> is configured for providing the light-scattering data to the milk characteristic module <NUM>.

The milk characteristic module <NUM> is configured for processing the light-scattering data obtained from the scattering analysis module <NUM> to determine at least one characteristic of the sample of milk, as per step <NUM>. For example, the milk characteristic module <NUM> determines one or more of a fat content, a protein content, a fat-to-protein ratio, a somatic cell distribution, a level of progesterone, the presence of antibiotics and/or blood, and the like. In some embodiments, the milk characteristic module <NUM> has access to a database <NUM> which stores a library of scattering profiles from milk samples with known characteristics against which the scattering profile of the milk in the sample container <NUM> is compared. In some other embodiments, the milk characteristic module <NUM> implements a neural network for comparing the scattering profile of the milk in the sample container against the library of scattering profiles from milk samples with known characteristics. In some embodiments, the neural network implemented by the milk characteristic module <NUM> uses the library of scattering profiles from milk samples with known characteristics in the database <NUM> as a training set, as described in step <NUM>. In some embodiments, each of the characteristics being determined about the sample of milk is associated with a respective library of scattering profiles. The milk characteristic module <NUM> is configured for providing the characteristics of the sample of milk to the health state module <NUM>.

The health state module <NUM> is configured for assessing, based on the milk characteristics obtained from the milk characteristic module <NUM>, a health state of the lactating mammal which produced the milk sample held in the sample container <NUM>. In some embodiments, the neural network implemented by the milk characteristic module <NUM>, or another neural network, is used to assess the health state of the lactating mammal. The neural network used to assess the health state of the lactating mammal may be trained based on a data set found in the database <NUM>. In other embodiments, other computational techniques are used to assess the health state of the lactating mammal.

In some embodiments, the health state module <NUM> uses a variety of predictive classification models (PCMs) to assess the health state of the lactating mammal. For example, the health state module <NUM> uses a progesterone PCM to assess high, low, and medium levels of progesterone in the lactating mammal. In another example, the health state module <NUM> uses a fat PCM to assess a fat content of the milk produced by the lactating mammal, which may then be used to bin the mammal into one or more health states. In a further example, the health state module <NUM> uses an antibiotics PCM to assess the presence or absence of antibiotics in the milk produced by the lactating mammal, which may then be used to assess a health state of the lactating mammal. In a still further example, the health state module <NUM> uses a nutritional health PCM to assess a nutritional health of the lactating mammal, which may then be used to assess whether the lactating mammal is in ketosis.

For instance, the presence of progesterone (sometimes called P4) in milk can be an indicator of reproductive status of the lactating mammal. In some cases, cows which are not pregnant beyond a <NUM> day post-calving period will produce lower quantities of milk, which can result in financial losses. Thus, the health state module <NUM> can use the progesterone PCM to warn a milk producer of potential problems related to the progesterone levels of a particular cow. In addition, the health state module <NUM> can use the progesterone PCM to inform a milk producer regarding whether or not a previously-inseminated cow is pregnant or not.

It should be noted that the principles described herein may also be used to detect abnormalities with a milk collecting system. For example, a particular scattering profile may be indicative of cleaning products or other undesirable elements being present in the milk held in the sample container <NUM>. An approach similar to that disclosed in the method <NUM> may thus be used to evaluate a health state of a milk processing plant, for example to locate issues with cleaning systems or infiltration of undesirable substances, to evaluate whether certain regulatory cleaning steps have been successfully undertaken, and/or to evaluate whether acid wash and detergent wash cycles have been successfully completed in an appropriate order and for an appropriate cleaning duration.

In addition, in some embodiments, one or more of the light collector <NUM>, the scattering analysis module <NUM>, the milk characteristic module <NUM>, and the health state module <NUM> can be combined or further subdivided, as appropriate. For example, the scattering analysis module <NUM>, the milk characteristic module <NUM>, and the health state module <NUM> can all be implemented as a single module.

In some embodiments, the HSA system <NUM> can be configured to evaluate only scattered light at certain predetermined scattering angles, for example light-scattering angles associated with the presence of irregularities and/or particular substances in milk. This approach may, for example, allow for the use of lower-capability processing systems and/or reduced hardware requirements.

With reference to <FIG>, the techniques disclosed herein can be used to analyze the composition of a fluid, which can be milk, as disclosed hereinabove, or another suitably translucent fluid, in accordance with a method <NUM>. At step <NUM>, a sample of the fluid is illuminated with a light beam. At step <NUM>, light-scattering data resulting from an interaction between the light beam and the sample of fluid is collected. A setup substantially similar to the light-scattering detection system <NUM> shown in <FIG> could be used.

At step <NUM>, the light-scattering data is processed to identify a light-scattering pattern produced by the interaction. At step <NUM>, the composition of the fluid is analyzed based on the light-scattering pattern. The processing and analysis steps can substantially mirror those presented in the method <NUM>. For instance, depending on the particular scattering angles produced by the interaction between the fluid sample and the light beam, various determinations about the presence of one or more substances in the fluid can be made.

With reference to <FIG>, a method <NUM> for determining a light-scattering pattern associated with the presence of a predetermined substance in a predetermined fluid is illustrated. The method <NUM> can be used to identify a "signature" for the predetermined substance, indicative of a scattering pattern produced when the substance is present in the fluid.

At step <NUM>, a sample of the predetermined fluid, containing a predetermined quantity of the predetermined substance, is obtained. For example, a sample of milk containing a predetermined quantity of a particular hormone, such as progesterone, can be obtained. At step <NUM>, the sample of the fluid is illuminated with a light beam. At step <NUM>, light-scattering data resulting from an interaction between the light beam and the sample of fluid is collected. A setup substantially similar to the light-scattering detection system <NUM> shown in <FIG> could be used.

At step <NUM>, the light-scattering data is processed to identify a light-scattering pattern produced by the interaction. At step <NUM>, the light-scattering pattern produced is compared against a reference light-scattering pattern to determine differences between the two. The reference light-scattering pattern can produced by a second interaction between a second light beam and a reference sample of the fluid known not to contain the predetermined substance. For example, a reference sample of milk, known not to contain progesterone, can be used to obtain the reference light-scattering pattern. The differences between the light-scattering pattern of the sample and the reference light-scattering pattern can be used to assess the additional light-scattering produced by the predetermined substance present in the sample.

At step <NUM>, at least some of the differences between the light-scattering pattern of the sample and the reference light-scattering pattern are associated with the predetermined substance. For example, if the light-scattering pattern of the sample exhibits additional scattered light at a particular angle X, at which the reference light-scattering pattern does not, then light scattering at the angle X can be associated with the predetermined substance. In this fashion, when light scattering at the angle X is detected in a subsequent sample, it is understood that the subsequent sample also contains the predetermined substance. In some embodiments, there may be multiple differences, that is to say multiple angles at which light scattering is present in the light-scattering pattern of the sample but not of the reference light-scattering pattern. In some such embodiments, only a single angle is associated with the substance; in some other such embodiments, more than one of the angles is associated with the substance. These angle(s) can be referred to as the "signature" or "response" of the predetermined substance. The processing and analysis hardware and software used in the method <NUM> can substantially mirror those used in the method <NUM>.

The methods and systems described herein may be implemented in a high level procedural or object-oriented programming or scripting language, or a combination thereof, to communicate with or assist in the operation of a computer system, for example the computing device <NUM>. Alternatively, the methods and systems described herein may be implemented in assembly or machine language. The language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Program code for implementing the methods and systems described herein may be stored on a storage media or a device, for example a ROM, a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a flash drive, or any other suitable storage media or device. The program code may be readable by a general or special-purpose programmable computer for configuring and operating the computer when the storage media or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described herein. Embodiments of the methods and systems described herein may also be considered to be implemented by way of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. The computer program may comprise computer-readable instructions which cause a computer, or more specifically the processing unit <NUM> of the computing device <NUM>, to operate in a specific and predefined manner to perform the functions described herein, for example those described in the method <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>.

The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure.

Claim 1:
A method for assessing a health state of a lactating mammal, comprising:
illuminating (<NUM>), with a light beam (<NUM>), a sample of milk obtained from the lactating mammal, wherein the light beam comprises light of at least a first wavelength;
collecting (<NUM>) scattering data from a set of images received from an imaging device configured to receive forward scattering intensities (<NUM>) from a range of angles greater than <NUM> degrees resulting from an interaction between the light beam and the sample of milk;
processing (<NUM>) the scattering data by comparing, for each pixel in said set of images, a corresponding pixel in each image of said set of images to determine a standard deviation of forward scattering intensity for each of said pixels to obtain a scattering intensity standard deviation profile for said sample of milk, said scattering intensity standard deviation profile including said determined standard deviation of forward scattering intensity as a function of forward scattering angle; and
assessing (<NUM>) the health state of the lactating mammal by comparing peaks (<NUM>) of the scattering intensity standard deviation profile against at least one scattering intensity standard deviation profile of milk samples with known characteristics.