U.S. patent application number 09/426121 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-09 for syringe drench adapter for livestock.
Invention is credited to HUNT, ROY H.
Application Number | 20020055718 09/426121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23689394 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020055718 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUNT, ROY H |
May 9, 2002 |
SYRINGE DRENCH ADAPTER FOR LIVESTOCK
Abstract
A syringe drench adapter for livestock includes a collar having
a frustroconical nose and a generally cylindrical skirt extending
from the nose which is removably fittable over an end of a syringe,
and an elongated tube extending from the nose. The skirt defines a
syringe-receiving opening having an inner diameter which is less
than an outer diameter of the syringe barrel. The skirt includes a
circumferential ridge which extends radially inwardly and is
disposed adjacent to the syringe-receiving opening, and a plurality
of longitudinal slots extending from the syringe-receiving opening
which provide flexion. The slots are disposed about the periphery
of the skirt and are configured so as to reveal syringe measurement
markings when the collar is fitted over the end of the syringe. The
elongated tube defines a fluid passageway having an inlet removably
connected to the nose of the collar, and an outlet for the
expulsion of fluids. The fluid passageway adjacent to the inlet is
configured to form-fit a nozzle of the syringe.
Inventors: |
HUNT, ROY H; (ROSAMOND,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCOTT W KELLEY ESQUIRE
KELLEY BAUERSFELD LOWRY & KELLEY LLP
6320 CANOGA AVENUE SUITE 1650
WOODLAND HILLS
CA
91367
|
Family ID: |
23689394 |
Appl. No.: |
09/426121 |
Filed: |
October 22, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/198 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 39/12 20130101;
A61M 2039/1077 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/198 |
International
Class: |
A61M 005/32; A61M
025/16; A61M 025/18; A61M 039/00; A61M 039/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A syringe drench adapter for livestock, comprising: a collar
removably fittable over an end of a syringe, the collar including a
frustroconical nose and a generally cylindrical skirt extending
from the nose, the skirt defining a syringe-receiving opening
having an inner diameter which is less than an outer diameter of
the syringe, the skirt including a plurality of longitudinal slots
extending from the syringe-receiving opening; and an elongated tube
extending from the nose of the collar, and defining a fluid
passageway for the expulsion of fluids through an outlet at an end
of the tube opposite the nose of the collar.
2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein a portion of the elongated tube
defining an inlet thereof is removably connected to the nose of the
collar.
3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the nose includes an interiorly
threaded aperture for threadably receiving the portion of the
elongated tube defining the inlet.
4. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the fluid passageway adjacent to
the inlet is configured to form-fit a nozzle of the syringe.
5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the elongated tube includes
abutting inlet and outlet sections which are angularly offset from
one another.
6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the slots are disposed about the
periphery of the skirt and are configured so as to reveal syringe
measurement markings when the collar is fitted over an end of the
syringe.
7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the skirt includes a
circumferential ridge which extends radially inwardly and is
disposed adjacent to the syringe-receiving opening.
8. A syringe drench adapter for livestock, comprising: a collar
removably fittable over an end of a syringe, the collar including a
frustroconical nose and a generally cylindrical skirt extending
from the nose, the skirt defining a syringe-receiving opening
having an inner diameter which is less than an outer diameter of
the syringe, the skirt including a plurality of longitudinal slots
extending from the syringe-receiving opening and a circumferential
ridge which extends radially inwardly and is disposed adjacent to
the syringe-receiving opening; an elongated tube defining a fluid
passageway having an inlet removably connected to the nose of the
collar, and an outlet at an end of the tube opposite the inlet for
the expulsion of fluids.
9. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the nose includes an interiorly
threaded aperture for threadably receiving the portion of the
elongated tube defining the inlet.
10. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the fluid passageway adjacent
to the inlet is configured to form-fit a nozzle of the syringe.
11. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the elongated tube includes
abutting inlet and outlet sections which are angularly offset from
one another.
12. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the slots are disposed about
the periphery of the skirt and are configured so as to reveal
syringe measurement markings when the collar is fitted over an end
of the syringe.
13. A combination drench adapter and syringe for livestock,
comprising: a syringe having a barrel, a plunger slidable within
the barrel, a cap formed on the barrel opposite the plunger, and a
nozzle extending from the cap; and a drench adapter comprising: a
collar removably fittable over the cap and an adjacent portion of
the barrel of the syringe, the collar including a frustroconical
nose and a generally cylindrical skirt extending from the nose, the
skirt defining a syringe-receiving opening having an inner diameter
which is less than an outer diameter of the barrel of the syringe,
the skirt including a plurality of longitudinal slots extending
from the syringe-receiving opening and, a circumferential ridge
which extends radially inwardly and is disposed adjacent to the
syringe-receiving opening; and an elongated tube defining a fluid
passageway having an inlet removably connected to the nose of the
collar, and an outlet at an end of the tube opposite the inlet for
the expulsion of fluids.
14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the nose includes an
interiorly threaded aperture for threadably receiving the portion
of the elongated tube defining the inlet.
15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the fluid passageway
adjacent to the inlet is configured to form-fit the nozzle of the
syringe.
16. The combination of claim 14, wherein the elongated tube
includes abutting inlet and outlet sections which are angularly
offset from one another.
17. The combination of claim 13, wherein the slots are disposed
about the periphery of the skirt and are configured so as to reveal
syringe measurement markings.
18. The combination of claim 13, wherein the collar and the
elongated tube are formed of metal.
19. The combination of claim 15, wherein the drench adapter and the
syringe engage one another only at the circumferential ridge and
the fluid passageway adjacent to the inlet of the elongated tube.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to livestock drenches. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a livestock drench
adapter for use with a traditional syringe.
[0002] Veterinarians and livestock owners oftentimes must orally
administer fluids, such as liquid medications, to livestock and
other animals. This procedure is oftentimes referred to as
drenching. Particularly in the case of liquid medications, the
dosage may be relatively low and the liquid may be highly
concentrated. Due to the need for proper dosage as well as the
expense of the medication, it is desirable to accurately and fully
administer the drench solution.
[0003] A variety of drenching guns are currently used to deliver
drench to the mouth of the animal, such as a cow, sheep or horse.
Drenching guns typically comprise a handle and cylinder adapted to
deliver a quantity of drench solution to an elongated rod at the
end of the device. The elongated rod is inserted into the animal's
mouth. The cylinder usually includes measurement markings so that a
measured dose may be given. The elongated rod has one end attached
to an outlet end of the cylinder and also a discharge end opposite
the cylinder. The elongated rod may be bent at a desired angle to
facilitate administration of the drench solution to the animal. A
piston within the cylinder is connected to a piston rod which is in
turn connected to operating means to control the dosage. A trigger
within the handle may be employed as part of the operating means to
administer the dosage, and may be configured to incrementally eject
a predetermined amount of fluid so that several animals may be
drenched before refilling the cylinder. Depending on the drench
gun, the rate of flow of the drench solution may be adjusted and
one-way valves may be used to prevent backflow into the
cylinder.
[0004] Although currently used drench guns perform adequately, many
livestock owners do not own a drench gun due to cost and storage
limitations. Instead, these livestock owners use syringes to drench
the animal. Syringes are relatively inexpensive and are used for a
variety of other procedures, such as intradermal injections, so it
is common for the veterinarian or livestock owner to readily have
syringes on hand. However, there are problems associated with using
standard syringes. The syringe is usually composed of a plastic
which is easily damaged when forced into the mouth of the animal.
It is also not uncommon for the animal to chew on the end of the
syringe during drenching, rendering the syringe incapable of future
use. Another problem experienced when using syringes to drench
animals is that syringes have relatively short nozzles. Therefore,
in order that the drench solution not be lost, a portion of the
syringe itself must be inserted into the animal's mouth. This also
prohibits the viewing of the measurement markings on the syringe
during drenching. Insertion of the syringe into the animal's mouth
further requires that the undamaged syringe be cleaned before its
next use so as not to contaminate the drench solution.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an adapter which provides
the benefits of a drench gun while allowing use of traditional
syringes. There is also a need for an adapter which is easily
stored and transported, economical to manufacture and durable in
use. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other
related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention resides in a syringe drench adapter
for livestock which adapts a traditional catheter syringe for use
as a drench syringe. The syringe drench adapter of the present
invention is economical, easily stored and transported. The syringe
drench adapter is also efficient in operation and durable in
use.
[0007] The present invention is intended to be used with syringes
having a barrel, a plunger slidable within the barrel for the
intake and expulsion of fluids, a cap formed on the barrel opposite
the plunger and an open-ended nozzle extending from the cap.
[0008] The syringe drench adapter of the present invention includes
a collar removably fittable over the cap and an adjacent portion of
the barrel at an end of the syringe. The collar comprises a
frustroconical nose and a generally cylindrical skirt extending
from the nose. The skirt defines a syringe-receiving opening having
an inner diameter which is less than an outer diameter of the
syringe barrel so as to form a tight friction fit between the skirt
and the syringe. The skirt includes a plurality of longitudinal
slots extending from the syringe-receiving opening which provide
flexion, and a circumferential ridge which extends radially
inwardly and is disposed adjacent to the syringe-receiving opening.
The slots are disposed about the periphery of the skirt and are
configured so as to reveal syringe measurement markings when the
collar is fitted over the end of the syringe.
[0009] An elongated tube extends from the nose of the collar and
defines a fluid passageway having an inlet removably connected to
the nose of the collar and an outlet opposite the inlet for the
expulsion of fluids. The nose includes an interiorly threaded
aperture for threadably receiving a portion of the elongated tube
defining the inlet. The fluid passageway adjacent to the inlet is
configured to form-fit the nozzle of the syringe. In one form, the
elongated tube includes abutting inlet and outlet sections which
are angularly offset from one another to form a bend in the
elongated tube.
[0010] The collar and elongated tube of the syringe drench adapter
are preferably comprised of metal so as to be durable, washable and
reusable.
[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such
drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded side elevational view of a drench
adapter embodying the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front elevational assembled view of the drench
adapter and syringe of FIG. 1, illustrating the alignment of a slot
with measurement markings on the syringe;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drench adapter of FIGS.
1 and 2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an elongated tube separated
from a collar of the syringe drench adapter of FIGS. 1-3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the
syringe drench adapter of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the drench adapter of
FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 thereof, illustrating the threaded
connection between the elongated tube and collar and the taper of
the elongated tube which form-fits a nozzle of a syringe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the
present invention is concerned with a syringe drench adapter,
generally referred to by the reference number 10 in FIGS. 1-4, and
by the reference number 12 in FIGS. 5 and 6. The drench adapters 10
and 12 are used with a syringe 14, such as a catheter syringe.
[0020] A typical catheter syringe 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2, generally comprises a cylindrical barrel 16 which holds a
liquid. A plunger and rod 18 are inserted into an open end of the
barrel 16 and are sized so as to be movable in and out of the
barrel to either draw liquid into the barrel or expel the liquid
out of the barrel while maintaining a liquid-tight seal with the
barrel 16. On an end of the barrel 16 opposite the plunger and rod
18 is formed a cap 20 and a hollow open-ended nozzle 22 which
extends outwardly from the cap 20. The cap 20 is typically somewhat
conical in shape to facilitate fluid flow into and out of the
syringe 14. The nozzle 22 extends from the cap 20 only a fraction
of an inch to perhaps two inches depending on the size and design
of the syringe 14. The nozzle 22 may be generally cylindrical, or
may also be tapered as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0021] The drench adapters 10 and 12 are removably fitted over the
cap 20 and an adjacent portion of the barrel 16 of the syringe 14.
The drench adapters 10 and 12 are each generally comprised of a
collar 24 and an elongated tube 26. The collar 24 includes a
frustroconical nose 28 having an angled interior surface which
generally matches the conical surface of the cap 20. An aperture 30
is formed in the nose 28 and is interiorly threaded to receive the
elongated tube 26.
[0022] A cylindrical skirt 32 extends from the nose 28 to define a
syringe-receiving opening 34. A ridge 36 extends radially inwardly
about the circumference of the skirt 32 adjacent the
syringe-receiving opening 34, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The inner
diameter of the skirt 32 at the ridge 36 is less than the outer
diameter of the barrel 16 of the syringe 14 so that a tight
frictional fit is formed when the collar 24 is placed over the
syringe 14. The nominal inner diameter of the skirt 32, however, is
typically slightly greater than the outer diameter of the barrel 16
of the syringe 14. Longitudinal slots 38 are formed in the skirt 32
to provide flexion and expansion of the skirt 32 to allow the
placement and removal of the collar 24 to the syringe 14. The slots
38 are sized and configured so as to, when properly aligned, allow
reading of measurement markings 40 of the syringe 14 even when the
collar 20 is placed over the end of the syringe 14.
[0023] The elongated tube 26 forms a fluid passageway 42 having an
inlet 44 and an outlet 46 opposite the inlet 44. The elongated tube
26 extends from the nose 28 of the collar 24. Typically, an
exterior portion of the tube adjacent the inlet 44 is threaded 48
so as to be removably screwed into the nose 28 of the collar 24. A
portion 50 of the fluid passageway 42 adjacent to the inlet 44 is
tapered to match and accept the taper of the inserted nozzle 22.
The tapered portion 50 acts to form a tight seal with the inserted
nozzle 22 which prevents movement of the nozzle 22 within the
elongated tube 26. Thus, when the drench adapter 10 or 12 is
properly fitted to the syringe 14, the points of engagement between
the two are at the ridge 36 and the tapered portion 50. Other
facing components of the syringe 14 and the drench adapter 10 or 12
are slightly spaced from one another.
[0024] The elongated tube 26 may include abutting inlet and outlet
sections 54 and 56 which are angularly offset from one another,
resulting in a bend in the elongated tube 26 of the adapter 10, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The inlet and outlet sections 54 and 56
are preferably formed integrally with one another. It is believed
that such a bend in the elongated tube 26 facilitates the insertion
of the elongated tube 26 into the mouth or even throat of certain
animals. The elongated tube 26 may also be continuously linear, as
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0025] In use, the drench is drawn into the syringe 14. This may be
done with or without the drench adapter 10 and 12 fitted onto the
syringe 14. Assuming the drench is drawn without the adapter 10 or
12, prior to dispensing the drench the elongated tube 26 is screwed
into the nose aperture 30 and the collar 24 is forcibly inserted
over the cap 20, nozzle 22 and adjoining portion of the barrel 16.
The elongated tube 26 is forced into the animal's mouth and the
proper dosage of drench is administered. As with drench guns,
several animals may be drenched with a single syringe 14 full of
liquid drench as the administer can view the syringe measurement
markings 40.
[0026] The syringe drench adapters 10 and 12 are comprised of any
suitable durable material, but metal is preferred. After drenching,
the drench adapter 10 or 12 may be removed from the syringe 14 and
washed. It should be noted that the nozzle 22 fits so tightly
within the tapered portion 50 that removal of the drench adapter 10
and 12 may not be necessary to clean the adapter 10 and 12 and the
syringe 14. The elongated tube 26 may be further removed for
cleaning or compact storage. The typically plastic syringe 14 is
protected during the drenching by the metal drench adapter 10 and
12, and may thus be used for later drenchings, or intradermal
injections.
[0027] Although several embodiments have been described in detail
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the
appended claims.
* * * * *