Molograph 4.0: A demonstration of a non-invasive, automated system for evaluating aspects of the masticatory process in the horse.
Abstract: We outlined a monitoring system as a demonstration of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in horses that provided the ability to record aspects of the equine chewing process. Here we take up the idea of a Molograph, which was already proposed in the mechanical form in 1941 by Leue and transferred into today's world. As a substantial practical advantage, the system now involved a non-invasive measurement that was taken in the horse's familiar environment. All patients were fed roughage. In terms of the examination scenario, we focused on the determination of the direction of chewing. The system relieves the strain of the examination by automating an otherwise time-consuming and tedious observation, while the results were comparable to those of a human observer. Firstly, examinating the horse with the Molograph 4.0 may provide indications like predominant unilateral chewing that justify a more detailed dental inspection by a veterinarian. The expert may identify the root cause and thus prevent pathologies like diagonal incisor malocclusion or shear mouth. All observed changes in chewing direction occurred in connection with chewing breaks, while the relationship is not bijective.
© 2025 The Author(s).
Publication Date: 2025-04-26 PubMed ID: 40458524PubMed Central: PMC12127863DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100452Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study presents research on a non-invasive, automated system, Molograph 4.0, that evaluates chewing patterns in horses. This system, part of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), offers an efficient method to observe and record equine chewing behavior in a familiar environment.
About Molograph 4.0
- The researchers explore the feasibility and potential utility of an automated monitoring system called Molograph 4.0. This system, reliant on IoMT, was designed to record and evaluate the masticatory process in horses.
- The system made use of non-invasive measurements viewed in the horse’s common environment. This offers a considerable practical advantage and a more comfortable examination scenario for the horse.
Focus of the Examination
- One of the focal areas of the study was understanding the direction of chewing in horses. The Molograph 4.0 was utilized in this respect, proving to be a time- and effort-efficient alternative to observation by a human observer.
- All horses under study were fed roughage as a part of the examination protocol.
Potential Indications and Benefits
- Molograph 4.0 was poised to indicate potential dental issues in horses, such as unilateral chewing, which may warrant a detailed dental inspection from a vet.
- The system’s operation could help identify the root causes of dental problems, preventing potential pathologies such as diagonal incisor malocclusion or shear mouth.
Observations and Results
- The study found that any observed changes in the direction of horse chewing were linked with breaks in chewing. However, the researchers stressed that the relationship between these two factors wasn’t necessarily one-to-one (bijective).
- Despite the automation, the results gleaned from Molograph 4.0’s system were found to be comparable to those obtained by human observers, underscoring its potential as an efficient and effective tool for veterinary medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
Sterkenburgh TR, Ordieres-Meré J, Villalba-Diez J.
(2025).
Molograph 4.0: A demonstration of a non-invasive, automated system for evaluating aspects of the masticatory process in the horse.
Vet Anim Sci, 28, 100452.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2025.100452 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politcénica de Madrid, Madrid, 28006, Spain.
- Independent Consultant in Veterinary Medicine, Dinslaken, 46535, Germany.
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politcénica de Madrid, Madrid, 28006, Spain.
- Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Economics, Heilbronn, 74081, Germany.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad de La Rioja, Edificio Departamental, c/ San José de Calasanz, 31, Logronõ, 26004, Spain.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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