FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION: “A DEVICE TO ENSURE ACCURATE THAWING FOR ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION.”

2. APPLICANT:
(a) NAME : PROMPT EQUIPMENTS PVT. LTD.
(b) NATIONALITY : INDIAN
(c) ADDRESS : 7TH Floor, Shaligram Corporates
Behind Dishman House, C J Marg
ISCON Ambli Road
Ahmedabad 380 058
Gujarat India

3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
PROVISIONAL
The following specification describes the invention.
þCOMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination. The present invention belongs to a technical field of artificial insemination equipment for animal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thawing device to ensure accurate thawing systems of frozen semen such as animal semen to be used for artificial insemination.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Nowadays, reproductive inefficiency or low Conception Rate (CR) of dairy animals poses a significant concern for the Indian Dairy Industry in its efforts to enhance milk production. Due to this reason, artificial insemination and embryo transfer technology of animal has been widely used and promoted. The artificial insemination using frozen-thawed semen of assured fertility sire is the only means to breed and improve huge dairy bovine population in the country. The lower overall conception rate of 35-40% (pregnancy rate 32-35%) achieved under field in hands of AI technicians/Gopal mitras is perhaps for irrational handling and improper thawing of frozen semen. Further, the tools and related materials that need to be prepared for routine thawing include beakers, thermometers, hot water, tweezers, etc. When thawing, you need to put hot water into the beaker, add appropriate cold water, and then use a thermometer to adjust the temperature, and then thaw after reaching the ideal temperature. After thawing, if you need to thaw again, you need to re-adjust the water temperature. The process of adding cold and hot water to adjust the water temperature is cumbersome and wastes time.
Over the years, a number of improvements in the technique of artificial insemination of animals have been made to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of results. An initial problem was the fact that semen could not be efficiently stored for any appreciable length of time. This hurdle was overcome by utilizing a process of freezing the semen at -196°C in liquid nitrogen for storage and must be thawed before use. However, the activity of the semen decreases considerably upon improper thawing; this decrease in activity is generally attributed to damage occurring to the semen cells during the thawing process. More specifically, a critical period appears to occur during the physical stage when the semen is in a semi-crystalline state, at the transition temperature range from a frozen storage state to a liquid operational state.
In order to improve efficiency and reduce costs, technologies and equipment that directly use artificial insemination have emerged. Using artificial insemination technology, the frozen semen method is generally applied to produce frozen sperm in a balanced manner. That is, a large amount of semen is collected and the semen is stored in a low temperature and cryopreservation. It is used in the peak season of the breeding and the frozen essence must be thawed before use. One such publication discloses that the thawing method for the frozen essence using the thin tube freezing technique are mostly used: the frozen essence is taken out from the liquid nitrogen at -196 °C and quickly placed in a pure water tank having a temperature of about 50 °C. Use the counter to measure the thawing time then take out the semen straw and put it into another pure water tank with a temperature of about 37 °C. Although it is simple and easy to use, but it has the following defects: in the pure water tank with about 50 °C, due to the measurement error or human error of the thawing time, it is easy to cause the defrosting of the slime semen to be incomplete or excessive, resulting in the activity of the semen. Reduce, or even all die; that is, less time, a large number of animals sperm cannot be revived. Also, too much time, damage the sperm acrosome and integrity, resulting in the death of animal sperms.
Additionally, thawing of frozen semen at specific temperature for particular period of time is necessary to restore “Motility” of sperm cells and its sustenance for a longer period of time in the female reproductive tract. The sperm straw for female cow and buffalo needs to be thawed in the temperature range of 35°C to 38°C for the minimum time duration of 20-30 Seconds. Some sexed semen needs thawing up to 120 seconds. The motility of sperm cells depends on the temperature-time combination, which has direct impact on the Conception Rate (CR).

Overall, the best vitality, ultra-structure and fertility are maintained if rapidly frozen straws are thawed rapidly and maintain at uniform body temperature or little lower. Hence thawing temperature-time combination is of great importance for getting optimum post-thaw motility and sperm quality that gives some 8-10% higher conception rate when used as compared to irrational / unscientific thawing.

Research has been done to find out impact of temperature and time on the “Motility” and “Ultra-structure’” of bull sperm, which is one of the important parameters to improve Conception Rate (CR). Experiment done by researcher with following combination of temperature & time:
• 5°C for 5 min ice water (slow thawing)
• 37°C for 20-30 sec water bath
• 60°C for 8 sec (rapid thawing)
Accessing experiment results with statistical methods conclude that:
Thawing procedures 60°C for 8 sec and 37°C for 30 sec surpassed others thawing and 60°C for 8 sec surpassed 37°C 30 sec, but thawing procedure 37°C for 30 sec is recommended as it is actual temperature and easy to manage at field by AI technicians, and the results show that optimal quality of post-thaw semen is practically difficult to maintain for 60°C for 8 sec thaw rate in field, since longer exposure of straws at higher temperature rapidly deteriorates the vitality and fertility of frozen-thawed sperm.

Further, many equipment from various manufacturers are already available in the market to thaw the frozen semen. The equipment may have capability to maintain defined temperature. It may give alarm when pre-set time cycle completed. Some other thawing equipment can have ability to store and send data remotely through device i.e. Bluetooth and Mobile Application. But in order to ensure perfect thawing in the field feedback / information on below listed parameters are required:
• Adequate level of water inside the thawing device: For the uniform thawing of sperm straw, it is very necessary to maintain adequate level of water in thawing device.
• Exact time of putting semen straw in device: If the semen straw is placed in thawing device before reaching desired temperature (37°C), semen will experience variation in temperature. This variation has negative effect on the “Motility” of sperm and hence on conception rate (CR).
• Exact time of taking semen straw from device: If the semen straw is withdrawn from the thawing device before the desired time cycle (30-40 second) ends or it is kept for more than desired time cycle, it has adverse effect on the “Motility” of semen and hence on CR.
• Temperature profile during Thawing: Variation in the desired temperature during the thawing cycle also affects the semen quality and consequently the CR.

To address these above mentioned issues, it is crucial to focus on improving the semen preservation and thawing process for artificial insemination. So, in order to solve the problems of complicated thawing process, the present invention develop an advanced thawing device that incorporate assurance and feedback mechanisms for maintenance of optimum temperature and time that offer traceability features and enable real-time monitoring, which is the need of the hour. Such advancements would contribute to enhancing reproductive efficiency, boosting milk production, and positively impacting the economic and social aspects of the dairy industry, especially in developing countries.

Overall, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the above circumstances and provide a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination for animal frozen semen which is safe, reliable, low in cost and high in work efficiency. The present invention has developed an innovative, smart and intelligent thawing device which ensures the entire thawing process is accurate, thereby ensuring that the correct thawing process is followed. Furthermore, it incorporates monitoring and alarm systems to ensure that correct temperature and time are maintained.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
The principle object of the present invention is to provide a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination.
The other object of the present invention is to provide an innovative, smart and intelligent thawing device which ensures the entire thawing process is accurate.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination which incorporates digital systems which ensures that correct thawing SOP (standard operating procedure) for Thawing of semen is followed and monitored remotely.
The other object of the present invention is to provide a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination that ensure the accurate thawing SOP is followed which depend on type of animals and also the type of semen.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination which ensures that recommended time is followed for putting semen straw and to take out the straw from the device by user at the end of the cycle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide timely alerts to ensure corrective actions and minimize risk of failure of correct AI.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination which is battery operated.
Further object of the present invention is to provide analytical report on proper implementation on ground level and increases reliability of AI programs.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide different Thawing temperature and time combination and due to this it directly impact on the “Motility” of male animal sperm cells/semen which is one of the important parameters that improve the conception rate, productivity of milch animals and enhanced birth rate of animal/cattle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide Thawing device which has capability to maintain accurate (tolerance of +/- 0.5 C) selected temperature throughout the thawing procedure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an advanced thawing device that incorporate assurance and feedback mechanisms for maintenance of optimum temperature and time that offer traceability features and enable real-time monitoring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 illustrates block diagram of the present invention.
Fig. 2 depicts graphical view of the thawing process with respect to different time range, temperature range with predetermined value (37°C) of temperature.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination. The present invention is relates to a phase transition system so that thawing of frozen semen can precisely follow thawing protocols. The thawing device comprises plurality of sensors, a vibrator, a battery, a buzzer, a microcontroller, a digital display with input device, a RTC(real time clock), a wireless device and a user device with data interfacing and connectivity module. During the thawing process, a water sensor measured the accurate volume of water and object sensor indicated the right time of putting or taking semen straw from thawing machine. Further, at predetermined temperature the vibrator is started functioning to heat water uniformly and when predetermined temperature is reached; the buzzer is indicated to put frozen semen straw in thawing device. Time of putting semen straw is noted and stored automatically in thawing device. A temperature sensor started functioning to ensure consistent temperature of waterbath and at the end of time cycle; the buzzer is ON and send audible indication for the completion of thawing process and the digital display show the temperature and time of completion of the entire process. Furthermore, all the data related to thawing process are stored in the microcontroller which is inside the thawing device and send notifications to the user device through wireless device. The present invention further include a cloud based system that provide a real time data monitoring and a process control through user device to ensure that correct temperature and time are maintained.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details. The invention is capable of other embodiment and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
Before discussing specific embodiments, it is to be noted that the term “user device” may include mobile phone, tablet, desktop and laptop.

The term “user” means an AI worker / Veterinary Doctor or practitioner that takes semen straw from the liquid nitrogen with hand or manually and also put into the thawing device and said user take out the semen straw once thawing process get completed.

The ‘microcontroller’ is a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. It can include a processor, memory and input/output peripherals on a single chip. It mostly used in devices, robots, home appliances and motor vehicles etc.
Further the ‘input device’ means hardware that refers to the physical parts of the computer and related devices i.e key board, mouse etc.
The term “thawing” refers to the process of decreasing the temperature of the frozen semen straw -196°C to 37°C for AI.
The term “straw” as refers to the plastic cover which is used to store the frozen semen.
A device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination for thawing frozen semen to be used for artificial insemination such as animal semen is described herein.
Figure 1 describes, the device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination of the present invention which comprises plurality of sensors, a vibrator (5), a battery (10), a buzzer (6), a microcontroller (1), a digital display with input device (8), a RTC (real time clock) (7), a wireless device (9) and a user device with data interfacing and connectivity module (12). The plurality of sensors comprises a water sensor (4) which is configured to measure the accurate volume of water required for effective thawing. An object sensor/straw detector (2) configured to ensure and indicate right time of putting or taking semen straw from thawing machine at right temperature by user. A temperature sensor (3) configured to ensure consistent temperature of water bath with minimal fluctuation up to 0.5°C. Further, each sensor (2, 3, 4) is electrically connected to the microcontroller (1).
According to the present invention, the vibrator (5) is configured to look over for uniform temperature of water to ensure uniform thawing and said vibrator (5) started functioning when temperature reached less than 5 °C of predetermined temperature (37° C) which is set by the user to heat water uniformly. Furthermore, the suitable electrical buzzer (6) configured to provide an audible indication to place semen straw containing frozen semen into thawing device when predetermined temperature is reached and also indicate at the end of the time cycle of thawing process. Simultaneously, the digital display device with input device (8) configured to visually indicate the display of the temperature and time during the thawing process. Said vibrator (5), buzzer (6) and digital display (8) are electrically connected with the microcontroller (1).
Continue to Figure 1 of the present invention, said microcontroller (1) is configured with each component peripherally for controlling the thawing process and transferred all the notification/signal to user device (12) through wireless device (9). Said microcontroller (1) also shares the stored data to cloud server via user device with data interfacing and connectivity module (12). In preferred embodiment of the present invention the wireless device (9) is configured to transfer all the data related to thawing process i.e time- temperature of placing taking semen straw by the user, temperature profile during thawing, water level, geo location of device, date-time, date wise sample number etc which are noted and stored automatically inside the device. In continuation, the user device is provide with the data interfacing and connectivity module (12) to look over for the sense of optimum time and temperature combination and real time data log generation for each straw incubated and also to look over for the entire thawing process to ensure that accurate thawing SOP (standard operating procedure) is followed by the user.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention further includes cloud based system that provide a real time data monitoring and a process control through user device to ensure that correct temperature and time are maintained. In preferred embodiment of the present invention RTC (real time clock) (7) is configured to obtained precise time and said RTC (7) has its own battery backup even if the system power is OFF, the time is not lost. Furthermore, the RTC (7) is a time keeping device to maintain the data and timeup to date such as, said RTC (7) precisely records time of putting semen straw in the device and also the time at which the semen straw is taken out from the device.
According to the present invention, it is to be understood that the predetermined period of the temperature-time combination is fixed for different animal or cattle and for the type of semen.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thawing device is provided with the battery (10), battery charger and power supply (11) and each are electrically connected with the microcontroller (1).

A method of a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination for thawing frozen semen comprises following steps:
a) An adequate amount of water (40ml) is poured into the thawing deviceto start the power supply (11),
b) Required thawing combination with respect to temperature and time is selected based on the animals and the type of semen,
c) Vibrator (5) is started at temperature less than 5° C of predetermined i.e. 37 °C temperatureto heat the water uniformly,
d) Said device notified to the operator/user through buzzer (6) to put the frozen semen straw in to the thawing device after the temperature is stable at the predetermined temperature,
e) The time for putting semen straw in the thawing device is noted which is stored automatically into the said device via microcontroller (1) and at the end of the time cycle, user is again notified through buzzer (6),
f) Again the exact time of taking the semen straw out of the device is noted and stored into the device by the microcontroller (1).
g) All the stored data is transferred to the user device through wireless communication device (9) all the notifications of the thawing process also imparted to the user device through data interfacing and connectivity module (12).

It is to be understood that all the data related to thawing as mentioned in step (g) are i.e. time, temperature of putting and taking semen straw, temperature profile during thawing, water level, geographical location of the device, date-time, date wise sample number etc. Based on the data acquired, cloud based server also generate report on quality of Thawing, sending it to the concern authority for accessing quality of “Thawing” done by particular AI worker.

The present invention is illustrated more in details in the following experimental examples. The example describes and demonstrates the embodiments within the scope of the present invention. This example is given solely for the purpose of illustration and is not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from spirit and scope.

Example 1 illustrates that the thawing device of the present invention is able to maintain the thawing temperature in the range of +/- 0.1 C.

Several trails were conducted using different temperature variation in the device in a range of 36.9 °C to 37.1 °C for 32 hours, while the predetermined temperature of thawing is 37°C as outlined in Table 1.

Fig. 2 shows graphical view which depicts in Table 1.

Table 1 shows different time range, temperature range of thawing process with predetermined set value of temperature:

Time (Hour) Range Temperature Range Predetermined set Temperature
2 hour 37.1 °C 37 °C
4 hour 37.1 °C 37 °C
8 hour 37 °C 37 ° C
11 hour 37 °C 37 °C
13 hour 37 °C 37 °C
14 hour 36.9 °C 37 ° C
20 hour 36.9 °C 37 °C
31 hour 36.9 °C 37 ° C

Observation and conclusion:
From aforementioned result, it is observed and concludes that the presently invented thawing device accurately monitoring, controlling and maintaining the set temperature range (37 °C) between +/- 0.1°C in the time span of 2 to 32 hours.

Example 2 illustrates thaw start time and thaw end time which enable to calculate the duration of thawing process

As per the example 2, the thawing device precisely record time of putting semen straw and also record the time at which the semen straw was taken out from the thawing device. Based on the conducted experiments, the time of putting semen straw was noted and stored automatically in thawing device. Below table provides experiment data and determined thaw duration.

Table 2 describe the thaw duration:
No of AI(artificial insemination) Type of AI AI Date Thaw water heat temperature Thaw
start time Thaw End Time Total thaw duration Thaw update/
status
1 First AI 11/03/24 37 °C 18:42:43 18:43:16 33 seconds Thaw succeed
2 First AI 12/03/24 37 °C 13:10:03 13:10:42 39 seconds Thaw succeed

Observation and conclusion:
From aforementioned result, it is observed and concludes that total time duration for first sample was 33 seconds and total time duration for second sample was 39 seconds which indicates perfect traceability features and real-time monitoring which indirectly play important role in improving conception rate.

For example, the conception rate in cattle/buffalo in India is very low, nearly 33 to 35 %. There are number of factors affects on the conception rate. One of them is thawing quality.

The present invention is an innovative, smart and intelligent device which ensures that the accurate thawing process is followed. The present invention also incorporated the monitoring and alarm systems to ensure that accurate temperature and time are maintained. Each component of the present invention has been developed with high mechanical precision to ensure high success rate of artificial insemination in the dairy animals.

The present invention specifically provides following advantages:
• A better conception rate and enhanced birth rate of cattle.
• Improved productivity of milk cattle.
• Reduced costs of Artificial Insemination programs.
• Higher profits for farmers & Dairy industry in nation.
• The present invention is based on AI(Artificial intelligence) system which allows the thawing and storage of semen straw with a minimum loss of the activity of the semen contained therein and also increases reliability of AI programs.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention.

List of Reference Numerals
(1) Microcontroller
(2) Object sensor
(3) Temperature sensor
(4) Water sensor
(5) Vibrator
(6) Buzzer
(7) Real time clock
(8) Digital display and input device
(9) Wireless device
(10) Battery
(11) Power supply and battery charger
(12) User device with data interfacing and connectivity module

,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination and a user device with data interfacing and connectivity module (12);

said plurality of sensors includes a water sensor (4), an object sensor or straw detector (2) and a temperature sensor (3) which is electronically connected with microcontroller (1); said water sensor (4) is configured to measure accurate volume of water require for thawing, an object sensor or straw detector (2) is configured to ensure and indicate right time to ensure and indicate right time of putting or taking semen straw from thawing machine at right temperature by user and a temperature sensor (3) is configured to ensure consistent temperature of water bath with minimal fluctuation up 0.5 °C, said all sensors (2, 3, 4) are electrically connected to the microcontroller (1);

said microcontroller (1) is configured with each component peripherally to controlled the thawing process and transferred all notifications to the user device with data interfacing and connectivity module (12) through a wireless device (9) which are stored into a cloud system.

2. The device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a vibrator (5) which is electronically connected with the microcontroller (1) to look over for uniform temperature of water to ensure uniform thawing.

3. The device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a buzzer (6) which is connected with the microcontroller (1) to provide an audible indication to the user to place frozen semen straw when the temperature reaches 37 °C and also indicate at the end of the thawing cycle.

4. The device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a digital display with input device (8) is configured with microcontroller (1) to visually indicate the temperature and time during the thawing process.

5. The device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a battery (10) backup system which is configured with microcontroller to complete the thawing without interruption.

6. The device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a real time clock wherein said cloud based system determined a real time data monitoring of time and temperature combination and real time data log generation for each straw incubated.

7. A method to perform the device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination comprising following steps:
a. pouring 40 ml of water into the thawing device to start power supply,
b. selecting the combination of temperature and time required for thawing based on animals and type of semen,
c. starting the vibrator (5) at 32 °C to heat the water uniformly till 37 °C,
d. notifying the user through buzzer (6) to put the frozen semen straw into the thawing device after the temperature is stable at 37 °C,
e. remarking the time to putting the semen straw into the thawing device by real time clock (7);
f. notifying the user again through the buzzer (6) at the end of the time cycle,
g. taking the semen straw out of the device and again remarking the exact time by real time clock (7);
h. controlling all the thawing method and storing the data and notifications by microcontroller (1) to cloud server;
i. transferring all the stored data and notifications from the microcontroller (1) to the user device with the data interfacing and connectivity module (12) through wireless communication device (9).

8. The method of a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination as claimed in claim 7 step (i), wherein stored data related to thawing is time and temperature of putting and taking semen straw, temperature profile during thawing, water level, geographical location of the device, date-time and date wise sample number.

9. The method of a device to ensure accurate thawing for artificial insemination as claimed in claim 7 step (h), wherein cloud based server generate report on quality of thawing and sending it to the concern authority for accessing quality of thawing based on the data.