Apparatus and method for determining the viability of eggs using IR-measurements

摘要

An apparatus ( 10 ) for determining the viability of an egg, which apparatus ( 10 ) comprises shielding means ( 12, 14 ), emitting means ( 30 ) and detecting means ( 32 ), the arrangement being such that, in use, the shielding means ( 12, 14 ) inhibits exposure of an egg to background infra-red radiation, said emitting means ( 30 ) can emit electromagnetic radiation at infra-red wavelength(s) to impinge on the egg, and the detecting means ( 32 ) are positioned to detect at least a part of said electromagnetic radiation that has passed through the egg, the apparatus further comprising means for processing an output signal of the detecting means to determine whether there is a cyclical variation in the intensity of the infra-red radiation leaving the egg corresponding to action of a heart, the existence of said cyclical variation indicating that the egg is viable.