U.S. patent application number 10/955372 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for vaccinator device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ideal Instruments, Inc.. Invention is credited to Rusnak, Christopher.
Application Number | 20050043681 10/955372 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29999957 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050043681 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rusnak, Christopher |
February 24, 2005 |
Vaccinator device
Abstract
An automatic repeater vaccinator apparatus (10) for dispensing a
predetermined volume of a fluid into an animal, particularly a
fluid which is a vaccine, and reloading after each volume of fluid
is dispensed. The apparatus (10) comprises a handheld syringe (100)
for dispensing the fluid, a flexible conduit (12) for transferring
the fluid from a dispensing means to the syringe (100), and a
reservoir (48) for providing the fluid to the dispensing means. The
dispensing means is electrically activated by a magnetically
closeable switch (preferably a reed switch (142)) in the syringe
(100), which enables a predetermined volume of the fluid to be
dispensed from the syringe (100) when the dispensing means is
activated and reloading fluid from the reservoir (48) to replace
the volume of fluid which has been dispensed from the syringe (100)
when the dispensing means is deactivated. Preferably, the
dispensing means comprises a pump (200 or 500) operated by a linear
actuator such as a solenoid (300), which is electrically activated
by the magnetically closeable switch in the syringe (100). The
apparatus (10) is particularly useful for inoculating poultry,
particularly inoculating the poultry by the wing web method using
the needle and hub assembly (400) which comprises the filament
(402) to prevent leakage between inoculations.
Inventors: |
Rusnak, Christopher; (Des
Plaines, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCLEOD & MOYNE, P.C.
2190 COMMONS PARKWAY
OKEMOS
MI
48864
US
|
Assignee: |
Ideal Instruments, Inc.
Schiller Park
IL
|
Family ID: |
29999957 |
Appl. No.: |
10/955372 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10955372 |
Sep 30, 2004 |
|
|
|
10191147 |
Jul 8, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61D 1/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/151 |
International
Class: |
A61M 001/00 |
Claims
1-10. (Cancelled)
11- A pump for a fluid which comprises: (a) a solenoid coil, with a
linearly movable armature having a distal end and a proximal end,
mounted on a support means, wherein the distal end of the armature
is pulled into the solenoid coil when the solenoid is electrically
activated and retracts automatically when the solenoid is
electrically deactivated; (b) a piston removably connected to a
push rod connected to the distal end of the armature for the linear
movement of the push rod and the piston by the armature when the
solenoid coil is electrically activated and deactivated; (c) a
tubular member with a proximal end for confining the piston for the
linear movement and a distal end; and (d) a connector on the distal
end of the tubular member, with two channels, a first of the
channels containing a one-way valve for filling the tubular member
and the connector when the piston is retracted when the solenoid is
deactivated and a second of the channels containing a second
one-way valve which opens when the piston is advanced by the push
rod when the solenoid is activated to dispense the fluid from the
second of the channels.
12- A pump for a fluid which comprises: (a) a solenoid coil, with a
linearly movable armature having a distal end and a proximal end,
mounted on a support means, wherein the distal end of the armature
is pulled into the solenoid coil when the solenoid is electrically
activated and retracts automatically when the solenoid is
electrically deactivated; (b) a push rod connected to the distal
end of the armature for the linear movement of the push rod by the
armature when the solenoid coil is electrically actuated; (c) a
tubular member with a proximal end for confining the push rod for
the linear movement and a distal end; and (d) a one-way valve
between the distal and proximal ends of the tubular member for
filling the tubular member when the push rod is retracted when the
solenoid is deactivated and a second one-way valve at the distal
end of the tubular member which opens when the push rod is advanced
by the armature when the solenoid is activated to dispense the
fluid from the tubular member to the syringe.
13-34. (Cancelled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
Reference to a "Computer Listing Appendix submitted on a Compact
Disc"
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] (1). Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to an automatic repeater
vaccinator apparatus for dispensing into an animal a predetermined
volume of a fluid, in particular a fluid which is a vaccine, and
reloading after each volume of fluid is dispensed. The apparatus
comprises a handheld syringe for dispensing the fluid, a flexible
conduit for transferring the fluid from a dispensing means to the
syringe, and a reservoir for providing the fluid to the dispensing
means. The dispensing means is electrically activated by a
magnetically closeable switch (preferably a reed switch) in the
syringe, which enables a predetermined volume of the fluid to be
dispensed from the syringe when the dispensing means is activated
and reloading fluid from the reservoir to replace the volume of
fluid which has been dispensed from the syringe when the dispensing
means is deactivated. Preferably, the dispensing means comprises a
pump operated by a linear actuator such as a solenoid, which is
electrically activated by the magnetically closeable switch in the
syringe. The apparatus is particularly useful for inoculating
poultry, particularly inoculating the poultry by the wing web
method using the needle and hub assembly which comprises the
filament to prevent leakage between inoculations.
[0006] (2). Description of Related Art
[0007] Vaccination of poultry has played an increasingly important
role in the poultry industry, particularly since the advent of
large-scale poultry operations which continuously raise poultry
flocks one after an other without any down time between flocks to
sanitize the facilities for raising the flocks. Because production
of poultry is on such a large scale and the margin for profit on a
per bird basis is so thin, there has been considerable interest in
vaccination methods which reduce the time and cost of vaccinating
poultry.
[0008] Traditionally, chicks are vaccinated by filling a handheld
syringe with multiple doses of the vaccine, picking up a chick, and
manually injecting the appropriate dose of vaccine into the chick.
Because the entire vaccination process is manual and a large number
of chicks must be vaccinated within a short period of time, the
dose received by the chicks can be variable because of leakage of
vaccine from the needle and miscalculation. To ensure that the
chicks have received enough vaccine, the tendency is to over
vaccinate the chicks, which increases the vaccine cost per chick.
In addition, the handheld syringe holds only a limited number of
doses which requires refilling the syringe multiple times
throughout the vaccination process. Furthermore, because the
distance the needle is inserted into the chick is determined by
eye, for a number of chicks the needle will either be not inserted
deep enough into the chick or will be inserted to deep which can
kill the chick. To overcome the problems associated with manual
vaccination methods, alternative vaccination methods have been
developed.
[0009] Automatic egg vaccinators such as those disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,158,038 to Sheeks et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,464 to
Lewis, U.S. Patent Re. 35,973 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,979, both to
Paul et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,954 to Phelps et al., and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,032,612 to Williams have been developed. While egg
vaccinators are useful for some vaccine formulations such as
Marek's disease vaccines, egg vaccinators are not useful for other
vaccines such as Newcastle vaccines where maternal antibodies may
negate the efficacy of the vaccine. Therefore, even though
automatic egg vaccinators are available, the most common method for
vaccinating poultry remains vaccinating new-born chicks or young
chicks by hand.
[0010] Thus, a variety of methods for reducing the time and cost of
vaccinating new-born chicks have been developed. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,468,227 to Haskell discloses an apparatus for wing-web
vaccination of new-born or young chicks. To operate the apparatus,
the operator places a chick in a trough in the apparatus, extends
the chick's wing into a recess in the apparatus, and activates a
power switch. The power switch simultaneously activates a solenoid
which pushes a needle into the chick's wing web and activates a
peristaltic pump which pumps vaccine from a reservoir to the needle
and discharging therefrom into the wing web. As the pump shaft
rotates, a pin wheel attached to a shaft connected to the pump
contacts a micro-switch which breaks the circuit thereby
terminating flow of the vaccine and causing retraction of the
needle.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,481 to Gourlandt et al. discloses an
apparatus for vaccinating animals including chicks. To operate the
apparatus, the operator places the animal over an aperture in a
retention plate of the apparatus and activates a switch which
causes a needle afixed to a syringe driven by a piston operated by
an electromagnet motor to extend a predetermined distance through
the aperture and into the animal. When the needle has reached its
predetermined distance, the piston further advances which causes a
predetermined dose of vaccine to be dispensed into the animal and
the electromagnet to be deactivated. A spring causes the piston to
retract which during retraction creates a suction in the syringe
which causes vaccine to be drawn into the syringe from a reservoir
to replace the vaccine which had been dispensed.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,388 to Marshall, Sr. discloses an
apparatus for operating a needle to inoculate the wing web of a
bird. An arm rocks a needle holder back and forth between a serum
container and web positioner, along a path which causes the needle
holder to move substantially vertically into and out of the
container and web positioner. Gears cause the needle holder to
pivot on the arm in response to pivotal movement of the arm, so
that the needle points downwardly throughout its movement.
[0013] While the above apparatuses have been useful, they are
stationary devices which require the animal or chick to be placed
into or held against the apparatus. It would be more convenient to
have a handheld vaccinator but without the disadvantages of the
traditional handheld syringe. To that end, U.S. Pat. No. 2,512,882
to Truesdale and U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,135 to Truesdale, Jr. disclose
a repeater vaccinator for wing web inoculations comprising a
syringe with a reservoir and a reciprocable needle having a portion
movable into and out of the reservoir by action of a manually
operated plunger. The needle has slots on either side or opening
therethrough which are designed to positively attract and hold a
predetermined dose of vaccine. In the rest position, the needle
resides in the reservoir. When the syringe is placed against the
wing web and the plunger is manually pressed, the needle exits the
reservoir carrying with it the predetermined dose of vaccine and
enters the wing web where the vaccine is deposited. Releasing the
plunger causes the needle to retract back into the reservoir. The
number doses contained within the vaccinator is limited by the size
of the reservoir.
[0014] A back-fill repeater syringe which can be attached by a
flexible conduit to a reservoir remote to the syringe is disclosed
in U.S. Patent 4,715,853 to Prindle. The syringe is manually
operated by inserting the needle into an animal and pressing the
head of the syringe against the animal which causes a plunger in
the syringe to move forward to dispense a predetermined dose of
vaccine in the syringe through the needle into the animal. Removing
the needle from the animal causes the plunger to retract which
draws vaccine from the reservoir to replace the dose of vaccine
that had been dispensed.
[0015] While the handheld repeater syringes have been beneficial,
they are manual in that they require constant hand motion to
dispense the vaccine which causes operator fatigue and can lead to
occupational diseases such as carpel tunnel syndrome. Therefore,
there is a need for a handheld repeater syringe that does not
require continual hand motion to dispense the vaccine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention provides an automatic repeater
vaccinator apparatus for dispensing predetermined volumes of a
fluid such as vaccine and reloading after each volume of fluid is
dispensed. The apparatus comprises a handheld syringe for
dispensing the fluid, a flexible conduit for transferring the fluid
from a dispensing means to the syringe, and a reservoir for
providing the fluid to the dispensing means. The dispensing means
is electrically activated by a magnetically closeable switch
(preferably a magnetically closeable reed switch) in the syringe,
which enables a predetermined volume of the fluid to be dispensed
from the syringe when the dispensing means is activated and
reloading fluid from the reservoir to replace the volume of fluid
which has been dispensed from the syringe when the dispensing means
is deactivated. Preferably, the dispensing means comprises a pump
operated by a linear actuator or solenoid.
[0017] Therefore, the present invention provides an improved
handheld syringe assembly which electrically connects to an
electrically powered dispensing means which reloads a liquid to be
dispensed through a conduit to the syringe assembly through a
disposable needle and hub assembly or hub, either mounted on a body
of the syringe assembly, after injecting a dose of the liquid which
comprises (a) a permanent magnet mounted on the body; and (b) a
magnetically closeable reed switch, with spaced apart reeds,
mounted on the body adjacent the magnet and with an electrical
connector to the reeds for connection to the dispensing means,
wherein the reed switch or magnet are moveable relative to each
other on the body, wherein upon the movement a magnetic field from
the magnet closes the reed switch in one position of the movement
to turn on the dispensing means and at another position of the
movement the reed switch is opened away from the magnetic field of
the magnet to turn off the dispensing means.
[0018] The present invention further provides a handheld syringe
assembly for connection to an electrically powered dispensing means
which reloads a liquid to be dispensed through a conduit by the
syringe assembly through a disposable needle and hub assembly or
hub, either mounted on the syringe assembly, after injecting a dose
of the liquid which comprises (a) a body with a distal end and a
proximal end and a passage along a longitudinal axis between the
ends and with a stop on the distal end;. (b) first attachment
means, for removably attaching the hub of the disposable needle and
hub assembly or the hub, mounted on the distal end of the body and
second attachment means for connecting a conduit to the dispensing
means; (c) a shield with a distal end and a proximal end mounted
adjacent the distal end of the body and around at least a portion
of the needle and hub, so that movement of the shield along the
longitudinal axis on the body is limited by the stop between an
extended position prior to the dispensing of the liquid and a
collapsed position during the dispensing of the liquid; (d) a rod
with a distal end and a proximal end mounted on the body parallel
to the longitudinal axis so that the distal end of the rod engages
a proximal end of the shield; (e) a permanent magnet creating a
magnetic field mounted on the proximal end of the rod on the body
parallel to the longitudinal axis with a coil spring which biases
the magnet and rod into the engagement with the shield prior to and
during the dispensing; (f) a magnetically actuatable reed switch
mounted on the body so as to be moveable in proximity to the
magnetic field which closes the read switch with spaced apart reeds
with an electrical connector to the reeds for activating the
electrically powered dispensing means; and (g) a cover over the
body for holding the reed switch, coil spring, permanent magnet and
rod on the body, wherein the movement of the magnet by the shield
and rod means brings the magnet in proximity of the reed switch so
that the reeds are closed to activate the dispensing means and the
reeds are opened upon movement of the magnet and rod away from the
reed switch.
[0019] In a further embodiment of the above handheld syringe
assemblies, the dispensing means is a pump for a fluid. Preferably,
the pump is a piston pump operated by a linear actuator to provide
linear motion for the piston pump.
[0020] In a further embodiment, the linear actuator includes (a) a
solenoid coil, with a linearly movable armature having a distal end
and a proximal end, mounted on a support means, wherein the distal
end of the armature is pulled into the solenoid coil when the
solenoid is electrically activated and retracts automatically when
the solenoid is electrically deactivated; (b) a piston removably
connected to a push rod connected to the distal end of the armature
for the linear movement of the push rod and the piston by the
armature when the solenoid coil is electrically activated and
deactivated; (c) a tubular member with a proximal end for confining
the piston for the linear movement and a distal end; and (d) a
connector on the distal end of the tubular member, with two
channels, a first of the channels containing a one-way valve for
filling the tubular member and the connector when the piston is
retracted when the solenoid is deactivated and a second of the
channels containing a second one-way valve which opens when the
piston is advanced by the push rod when the solenoid is activated
to dispense the fluid from the second of the channels to the
syringe assembly.
[0021] In a further embodiment, the linear actuator includes (a) a
solenoid coil, with a linearly movable armature having a distal end
and a proximal end, mounted on a support means, wherein the distal
end of the armature is pulled into the solenoid coil when the
solenoid is electrically activated and retracts automatically when
the solenoid is electrically deactivated; (b) a push rod connected
to the distal end of the armature for the linear movement of the
push rod by the armature when the solenoid coil is electrically
actuated; (c) a tubular member with a proximal end for confining
the push rod for the linear movement and a distal end; and (d) a
one-way valve between the distal and proximal ends of the tubular
member for filling the tubular member when the push rod is
retracted when the solenoid is deactivated and a second one-way
valve at the distal end of the tubular member which opens when the
push rod is advanced by the armature when the solenoid is activated
to dispense the fluid from the tubular member to the syringe.
[0022] The present invention further provides a pump for a fluid
which comprises (a) a solenoid coil, with a linearly movable
armature having a distal end and a proximal end, mounted on a
support means, wherein the distal end of the armature is pulled
into the solenoid coil when the solenoid is electrically activated
and retracts automatically when the solenoid is electrically
deactivated; (b) a piston removably connected to a push rod
connected to the distal end of the armature for the linear movement
of the push rod and the piston by the armature when the solenoid
coil is electrically activated and deactivated; (c) a tubular
member with a proximal end for confining the piston for the linear
movement and a distal end; and (d) a connector on the distal end of
the tubular member, with two channels, a first of the channels
containing a one-way valve for filling the tubular member and the
connector when the piston is retracted when the solenoid is
deactivated and a second of the channels containing a second
one-way valve which opens when the piston is advanced by the push
rod when the solenoid is activated to dispense the fluid from the
second of the channels.
[0023] The present invention further provides a pump for fluid
which comprises (a) a solenoid coil, with a linearly movable
armature having a distal end and a proximal end, mounted on a
support means, wherein the distal end of the armature is pulled
into the solenoid coil when the solenoid is electrically activated
and retracts automatically when the solenoid is electrically
deactivated; (b) a push rod connected to the distal end of the
armature for the linear movement of the push rod by the armature
when the solenoid coil is electrically actuated; (c) a tubular
member with a proximal end for confining the push rod for the
linear movement and a distal end; and (d) a one-way valve between
the distal and proximal ends of the tubular member for filling the
tubular member when the push rod is retracted when the solenoid is
deactivated and a second one-way valve at the distal end of the
tubular member which opens when the push rod is advanced by the
armature when the solenoid is activated to dispense the fluid from
the tubular member to the syringe.
[0024] The present invention further provides a system for a
handheld syringe assembly for connection to an electrically powered
dispensing means which reloads a liquid to be dispensed through a
conduit by the syringe assembly through a disposable needle and hub
assembly or hub, either mounted on the syringe assembly, after
injecting a dose of the liquid which comprises (a) a body with a
distal end and a proximal end and a passage along a longitudinal
axis between the ends and with a stop on the distal end; (b) a
first attachment means, for removably attaching the hub of the
disposable needle and hub assembly or hub, mounted on the distal
end of the body and second attachment means for connecting a
conduit to the dispensing means; (c) a shield with a distal end and
a proximal end mounted adjacent the distal end of the body and
around at least a portion of the needle and hub, so that movement
of the shield along the longitudinal axis on the body is limited by
the stop between an extended position prior to the dispensing of
the liquid and a collapsed position during the dispensing of the
liquid; (d) a rod with a distal end and a proximal end mounted on
the body parallel to the longitudinal axis so that the distal end
of the rod engages a proximal end of the shield; (e) a permanent
magnet creating a magnetic field mounted on the proximal end of the
rod on the body parallel to the longitudinal axis with a coil
spring which biases the magnet and rod into the engagement with the
shield prior to and during the dispensing; (f) a magnetically
actuatable reed switch mounted on the body so as to be moveable in
proximity to the magnetic field which closes the read switch with
spaced apart reeds with an electrical connector to the reeds for
activating the electrically powered dispensing means; and (g) a
cover over the body for holding the reed switch, coil spring,
permanent magnet and rod on the body, wherein the movement of the
magnet by the shield and rod means brings the magnet in proximity
of the reed switch so that the reeds are closed to activate the
dispensing means and the reeds are opened upon movement of the
magnet and rod away from the reed switch.
[0025] The present invention further provides an improved method
for inoculating a plurality of animals with a liquid with a
handheld syringe assembly which electrically connects to an
electrically powered dispensing means which reloads the liquid to
be dispensed through a conduit to the syringe assembly through a
disposable needle and hub assembly or hub, either mounted on a body
of the syringe assembly, after injecting a dose of the liquid into
one of the plurality of animals which comprises (a) providing the
handheld syringe assembly with a permanent magnet mounted on the
body, and a magnetically closeable reed switch, with spaced apart
reeds, mounted on the body adjacent the magnet and with an
electrical connector to the reeds for connection to the dispensing
means, wherein the reed switch or magnet are moveable relative to
each other on the body, and wherein upon the movement a magnetic
field from the magnet closes the reed switch in one position of the
movement to turn on the dispensing means and at another position of
the movement the reed switch is opened away from the magnetic field
of the magnet to turn off the dispensing means; and (b) inoculating
the plurality of animals with the handheld syringe assembly.
[0026] The present invention further provides a method for
inoculating a plurality of animals with a liquid which comprises
(a) providing a handheld syringe assembly for connection to an
electrically powered dispensing means which reloads a liquid to be
dispensed through a conduit by the syringe assembly through a
disposable needle and hub assembly or hub, either mounted on the
syringe assembly, after injecting a dose of the liquid wherein the
handheld syringe includes (1) a body with a distal end and a
proximal end and a passage along a longitudinal axis between the
ends and with a stop on the distal end; (2) a first attachment
means, for removably attaching the hub of the disposable needle,
mounted on the distal end of the body and second attachment means
for connecting a conduit to the dispensing means; (3) a shield with
a distal end and a proximal end mounted adjacent the distal end of
the body and around at least a portion of the needle and hub, so
that movement of the shield along the longitudinal axis on the body
is limited by the stop between an extended position prior to the
dispensing of the liquid and a collapsed position during the
dispensing of the liquid; (4) a rod with a distal end and a
proximal end mounted on the body parallel to the longitudinal axis
so that the distal end of the rod engages a proximal end of the
shield; (5) a permanent magnet creating a magnetic field mounted on
the proximal end of the rod on the body parallel to the
longitudinal axis with a coil spring which biases the magnet and
rod into the engagement with the shield prior to and during the
dispensing; (6) a magnetically actuatable reed switch mounted on
the body so as to be moveable in proximity to the magnetic field
which closes the read switch with spaced apart reeds with an
electrical connector to the reeds for activating the electrically
powered dispensing means; and (7) a cover over the body for holding
the reed switch, coil spring, permanent magnet and rod on the body,
wherein the movement of the magnet by the shield and rod means
brings the magnet in proximity of the reed switch so that the reeds
are closed to activate the dispensing means and the reeds are
opened upon movement of the magnet and rod away from the reed
switch; and (b) inoculating the plurality of animals with the
handheld syringe assembly.
[0027] In a further embodiment of the above system and methods, the
dispensing means is a pump for a fluid. Preferably, the pump is a
piston pump operated by a linear actuator to provide linear motion
for the piston pump.
[0028] In a further embodiment, the linear actuator includes (a) a
solenoid coil, with a linearly movable armature having a distal end
and a proximal end, mounted on a support means, wherein the distal
end of the armature is pulled into the solenoid coil when the
solenoid is electrically activated and retracts automatically when
the solenoid is electrically deactivated; (b) a piston removably
connected to a push rod connected to the distal end of the armature
for the linear movement of the push rod and the piston by the
armature when the solenoid coil is electrically activated and
deactivated; (c) a tubular member with a proximal end for confining
the piston for the linear movement and a distal end; and (d) a
connector on the distal end of the tubular member, with two
channels, a first of the channels containing a one-way valve for
filling the tubular member and the connector when the piston is
retracted when the solenoid is deactivated and a second of the
channels containing a second one-way valve which opens when the
piston is advanced by the push rod when the solenoid is activated
to dispense the fluid from the second of the channels to the
syringe assembly.
[0029] In a further embodiment, the linear actuator includes (a) a
solenoid coil, with a linearly movable armature having a distal end
and a proximal end, mounted on a support means, wherein the distal
end of the armature is pulled into the solenoid coil when the
solenoid is electrically activated and retracts automatically when
the solenoid is electrically deactivated; (b) a push rod connected
to the distal end of the armature for the linear movement of the
push rod by the armature when the solenoid coil is electrically
actuated; (c) a tubular member with a proximal end for confining
the push rod for the linear movement and a distal end; and (d) a
one-way valve between the distal and proximal ends of the tubular
member for filling the tubular member when the push rod is
retracted when the solenoid is deactivated and a second one-way
valve at the distal end of the tubular member which opens when the
push rod is advanced by the armature when the solenoid is activated
to dispense the fluid from the tubular member to the syringe.
[0030] In a further embodiment of the above system and methods.,
the liquid is a vaccine and in an embodiment further still, the
animals are birds.
[0031] Further still, the present invention provides a needle and
hub assembly comprising (a) a needle with a distal end and a
proximal end and a lumen extending therethrough wherein the distal
end is beveled and the proximal end is secured to a hub comprising
an elongated body with a chamber therein; and (b) a filament
including a rod with a distal end and a proximal end with a head
secured to the proximal end wherein the rod of the filament is
slidably positioned in the needle lumen and the head of the
filament is positioned in the chamber of the elongated body such
that in a first position the head of the filament forms a seal with
proximal end of the lumen of the needle to separate the chamber of
the hub from the lumen of the needle and the distal end of the rod
extends into bevel at the distal end of the lumen of the needle and
in a second position the head of the filament is away from the
proximal end of the lumen of the needle which opens the lumen of
the needle to the chamber of the hub and the distal end of the rod
of the filament no longer extends into the bevel at the distal end
of the lumen of the needle.
[0032] In a further embodiment of the needle and hub assembly, the
lumen of the needle further includes a hole opposite the bevel at
the distal end of the needle.
[0033] The above handheld syringe is particularly useful for
inoculating poultry, particularly inoculating the poultry by the
wing web method using the above needle and hub assembly, because
the filament prevents fluid from leaking from the needle between
inoculations.
[0034] Objects
[0035] Therefore, the present invention provides an embodiment of
an automatic repeater vaccinator which eliminates the continual
hand motion required by the manual repeater syringes.
[0036] These and other objects of the present invention will become
increasingly apparent with reference to the following drawings and
preferred embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 shows an perspective view of the vaccinator apparatus
10 comprising the container 14 and syringe 100.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section view of the container 14 along
line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the piston pump 200 operated by the
solenoid 300 and the reservoir 48 for the vaccine.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the container 14 along line 3-3
of FIG. 2 showing the piston pump 200 operated by the solenoid 300.
Also shown is the transformer 65 for providing 6V DC current to the
reed switch (not shown) in the syringe 100 (FIG. 1) and the relay
70 for controlling activation of the solenoid 300 by the circuit
created when the reed switch is closed.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows cross-section view of the piston pump 200 along
line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0041] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the syringe 100.
[0042] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of the syringe 100 along
line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
[0043] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section view of the syringe 100 along
line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the vaccinator apparatus
10.
[0045] FIG. 9A shows a cross-section view of a needle and hub
assembly 400 with the filament 402 in the closed position.
[0046] FIG. 9B shows a cross-section view of the needle and hub
assembly 400 of FIG. 9A with the filament 402 in the open
position.
[0047] FIG. 10 shows a cross-section view of the modified pump 500
which is preferred for eye drop and wing web inoculations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] All patents, patent applications, government publications,
government regulations, and literature references cited in this
specification are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety. In case of conflict, the present description, including
definitions, will control.
[0049] The present invention provides an automatic repeater
vaccinator apparatus for dispensing predetermined volumes of a
fluid such as vaccine and reloading after each volume of fluid is
dispensed. The apparatus comprises a handheld syringe for
dispensing the fluid, a flexible conduit for transferring the fluid
from a dispensing means to the syringe, and a reservoir for
providing the fluid to the dispensing means. The dispensing means
is electrically activated by a magnetically closeable switch in the
syringe, which enables a predetermined volume of the fluid to be
dispensed from the syringe when the dispensing means is activated
and reloading fluid from the reservoir to replace the volume of
fluid which has been dispensed from the syringe when the dispensing
means is deactivated.
[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing means comprises a
piston pump operated by a means for providing linear motion for
operating the piston in the pump. Means for providing linear motion
include linear actuators such as solenoids and non-solenoid linear
actuators such as air cylinder linear actuators, rod linear
actuators, rodless linear actuators, pneumatic linear actuators,
and piezoelectric linear actuators. Linear actuators are available
from numerous commercial sources including Haydon Switch and
Instruments, Inc., Waterbury, Conn., and CK Design Technology, Simi
Valley, Calif. Preferred non-solenoid linear actuators include
those with a stepper motor and a screw rod as the shaft for
operating the piston pump. Linear actuators which use a screw rod
provide a linear motion which enables very precise volumes of fluid
to be dispensed and reloaded. Alternatively, linear motion can be
provided to the pump by a solenoid linear actuator as shown in
FIGS. 2 to 3 and which is described in more detail below.
[0051] At one end of the syringe is a disposable needle and hub
assembly with a retractable needle shield covering the disposable
needle and hub assembly and at the other end of the syringe is an
attachment means for the flexible conduit connecting the syringe to
the pump and to the reservoir of fluid. The needle shield, which is
operably connected to a permanent magnet, retracts when the needle
is inserted into the skin of an animal. As the needle shield
retracts, the magnet is moved to a position adjacent to the
magnetically closeable switch which closes the switch. The closed
switch completes an electric circuit that activates a solenoid or
other linear actuator operating the pump which causes a
predetermined volume of fluid to be dispensed from the syringe.
When the needle is removed from the skin of the animal, the needle
shield returns to a position covering the needle and hub assembly
which moves the magnet to a position away from the magnetically
closeable switch thereby opening the switch. The open switch breaks
the electric circuit activating the solenoid or other linear
actuator operating the pump which pulls fluid from the reservoir
into the pump to replace the volume of fluid that had been
dispensed from the syringe.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the magnetically closeable switch
is a magnetically closeable reed switch and the pump comprising the
dispensing means is a piston pump operated by a solenoid or other
linear actuator. The preferred automatic repeater vaccinator
apparatus comprising the piston pump operated by the solenoid or
other linear actuator and the reed switch operates as follows.
During use of the preferred vaccinator apparatus, the needle and
hub assembly, the syringe, the flexible conduit connecting the
syringe to the pump, the tubing from the reservoir to the pump, and
the pump are completely filled with the fluid. When the needle
shield covering the needle is pushed against the skin of an animal,
the needle shield is pushed towards a retracted position enabling
the needle to enter the skin. As the needle shield retracts, it
pushes a rod with a magnet at the far end of the rod and which is
biased against a coil spring to keep the rod engaged with the
needle shield towards a reed switch. When the needle is fully
inserted into the skin, the magnet at the far end of the rod is in
a position adjacent to the reed switch. The magnet field of the
magnet closes the spaced apart reeds comprising the reed switch
which completes an electric circuit, preferably a low voltage
circuit. The completed electric circuit activates a solenoid or
other linear actuator which causes a piston in the pump controlled
by the solenoid or other linear actuator to advance. The advancing
piston in the pump creates a positive pressure which forces a
volume of fluid proportional to the volume displaced by the
advancing piston to be dispensed from the needle of the syringe
into the skin of the animal.
[0053] Removing the needle from the skin breaks the electric
circuit because in the absence of the external pressure of the skin
against the needle shield, the needle shield returns to a position
covering the needle and hub assembly by action of the coil spring
biasing the rod with the magnet against the needle shield, which in
turn pulls the magnet away from the reed switch. In the absence of
the magnetic field of the magnet, the spaced apart reeds of the
reed switch open thereby breaking the electric circuit. When the
electric circuit is broken, the solenoid or other linear actuator
is deactivated which causes the piston to return to its original
position. The return of the piston to its original position
produces a negative pressure that pulls a volume of fluid from the
reservoir into the pump to replace the volume fluid that had been
dispensed into the skin of the animal.
[0054] The automatic repeater vaccinator apparatus provides an
improved means for inoculating a plurality of animals, particularly
birds such as poultry, quickly and efficiently, and without
requiring excessive hand movements by the operator which can lead
to fatigue or injury. The novel elements of the apparatus include
the magnetically closeable switch in the handheld syringe which is
closed when the needle comprising the handheld syringe is inserted
into an animal and which operates a solenoid or other linear
actuator driving a pump to dispense the appropriate amount of fluid
into the animal. It is further novel that the apparatus uses a
solenoid or other linear actuator to produce positive pressure in
the pump to dispense the fluid and negative pressure to reload the
pump with the volume of fluid which had been dispensed.
[0055] The embodiment of the automatic repeater vaccinator
illustrated by the Figures is intended to provide a further
understanding of the operation of the invention. The embodiment
shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 8 uses a solenoid to provide the linear
motion for operating the piston pump. However, while the
illustrated embodiment uses a solenoid to provide the linear
motion, other embodiments of the automatic repeater vaccinator can
include other means for providing the linear motion such as
non-solenoid linear actuators, preferably those non-solenoid linear
actuators which comprise a stepper motor and a screw as the
shaft.
[0056] An overall view of a preferred automatic repeater vaccinator
apparatus 10 for vaccinating an animal is shown in FIG. 1. Shown is
a handheld syringe 100 with a retractable needle shield 102 and
needle 104 of a disposable needle and hub assembly (148 in FIG. 6)
at its distal end 101 and an attachment means 112 at its proximal
end 108, which is connected to a flexible conduit 12 for carrying
fluids such as vaccines, antibiotics, hormones, vitamins,
nutraceuticals, and the like from the reservoir (48 in FIG. 2) in
the container 14 to the syringe 100.
[0057] An electrical connector 16 operably provides 6V DC current
to a magnetically closeable reed switch (142 of FIG. 6) in the
syringe 100 which when in the closed position completes an electric
circuit which activates a solenoid (300 in FIG. 2) in the container
14 that drives a piston pump (200 in FIG. 2). When the solenoid 300
is activated, the piston pump 200 pumps fluid through the flexible
conduit 12 and the syringe 100 to the needle 104 in a predetermined
dosage unit. Electric current to operate the syringe 100 and the
solenoid 300 is provided to the vaccinator apparatus 10 through an
electrical cord 18 with standard 110V DC outlet plug 20.
[0058] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the container 14 of the
automatic repeater vaccinator apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 and
shows the preferred dispensing means comprising a piston pump
operated by a solenoid. The Figure shows within the container 14,
support 21 comprising an upper wall 22 with a bottom surface 23 and
a sidewall 24. The flexible conduit 12 for carrying the fluid
enters the container 14 through the opening 26 and the proximal end
28 of the flexible conduit 12 is connected to the distal end 30 of
a two-way connector 32. The proximal end 34 of a flexible tubing 36
for carrying fluid from a reservoir 48 to the two-way connector 32
is connected to an inlet 42 of the two-way connector 32 and the
distal end 40 of the flexible tubing 36 is connected to the distal
end 42 of a rigid tube 44. The rigid tube 44 extends through the
opening 46 of the reservoir 48 containing fluid 50 to be injected
into the animal using the syringe 100. Preferably, the proximal end
52 of the rigid tube 44 is in contact with the bottom 54 of the
reservoir 48. The proximal end 56 of the two-way connector 32 is
connected to piston pump 200 via a rigid tubular member 202.
[0059] The proximal end 204 of the tubular member 202 traverses the
support 21 through opening 25 in the sidewall 24 and is inserted
into the opening 206 of the pump chamber (214 in FIG. 4) located at
the distal end 216 of the piston pump 200. The pump chamber 214
traverses the width of the piston pump 200 from the opening 206 at
the distal end 216 to the opening 218 at the proximal end 220 of
the piston pump 200. The piston pump 200 is secured to the lower
surface 23 of the upper wall 22 of the support 21 by a securing
means such as screws, bolts, welding, brackets, and the like. The
piston pump 200 has a piston rod 208 which is inserted into the
pump chamber 214 through the opening 218 at the proximal end 220 of
the piston pump 200. The distal end 234 of the piston rod 208 is
connected to the proximal end 232 of the piston (224 in FIG. 4).
The piston 224 has a piston head (226 in FIG. 4) which is
positioned within the tubular member 202 and which forms a seal
with the wall (203 of FIG. 4) of the tubular member 202 to provide
positive pressure on the fluid in the tubular member 202 when the
solenoid 300 driving the piston pump 200 is activated and negative
pressure when the solenoid driving the piston pump 200 is
deactivated. The proximal end 210 of the piston rod 208 is
connected to the distal end 302 of the push rod 304 the proximal
end (not shown) of which is connected to the distal end (not shown)
of the armature 310 of the solenoid 300 secured to lower surface 23
of the upper wall 22 of the support 21. The piston rod 208 and
piston 224 move linearly within the pump chamber 214 of the piston
pump 200 in response to activation or deactivation of the solenoid
300. Preferably, the piston 224, piston rod 208, and the push rod
304 connected at its proximal end to the distal end of the armature
310 are in linear alignment along the same longitudinal axis.
However, in particular embodiments, the piston rod 208 and the push
rod 304 can have an offset alignment along the longitudinal
axis.
[0060] The solenoid 300 comprises coils 306 in a support 308
wherein the coils 306 form a central space (not shown) in which is
positioned the armature 310 in which its distal end (not shown) is
connected to the proximal end (not shown) of the push rod 304. The
armature 310 is held in proper alignment in the central space of
the solenoid 300 by guides 320. Positioned behind the proximal end
312 of the armature 310 is stop-block 314, which is secured to the
lower surface 23 of the upper wall 22 of the support 21, and which
has a threaded opening 316 for receiving an adjusting screw 318
with a head (319 in FIG. 3). The head 319 of the adjusting screw
318 rests against the proximal end 312 of the armature 310 when the
solenoid 300 is deactivated. By adjusting the distance the head 319
of the adjusting screw 318 is from the stop block 314, the distance
the armature 310 travels when the solenoid 300 is activated is
correspondingly changed which in turn changes the volume of fluid
dispensed from the needle 104 of the syringe 100. For example, as
the head 319 is moved to a position closer to the stop block 314,
the greater the distance the armature 310 travels when the solenoid
300 is activated. Thus, when the solenoid 300 is activated, the
piston head 226 travels a greater distance within the tubular
member 202 which in turn causes a greater volume of fluid to be
dispensed from the needle 104 of the syringe 100. Conversely, as
the head 319 is moved further from the stop block 314, the lesser
the distance the armature 310 travels when the solenoid 300 is
activated. Thus, the piston head 226 travels a lesser distance
within the tubular member 202 which in turn causes a lesser volume
of fluid to be dispensed from the needle 104 of the syringe 100. In
the above manner, the volume of fluid to be dispensed from the
needle 104 of the syringe 100 can be regulated. The solenoid 300
further includes a spring (not shown) therein which is compressed
by the armature 310 when the solenoid 300 is activated and which
causes the armature 310 to retract when the solenoid 300 is
deactivated.
[0061] The two-way connector 32 contains a one-way flow valve (not
shown) in the channel (not shown) at its distal end 30 and a
one-way flow valve (not shown) in the channel (not shown) of the
inlet 38. The one-way flow valves are designed such that when the
solenoid, 300 is activated, the armature 310 is pulled into the
solenoid 300, which compresses the spring therein, and which causes
the push rod 304 connected to the distal end of the armature 310 to
move the piston rod 208 and piston 224 in the pump chamber 214 of
the piston pump 200 from its rest position towards the direction of
the two-way connector 32. This produces a positive pressure in the
two-way connector 32 which closes the one-way valve in the inlet 38
and opens the one-way valve at the distal end 30 of the two-way
connector 32. In this manner, activating the solenoid 300 causes
the fluid in the system to be dispensed from the needle 104 of the
syringe 100. When the solenoid 300 is deactivated, the push rod 304
connected to the distal end of the armature 310 retracts by action
of the spring which pulls the piston rod 208 and piston 224 back to
its resting position. This produces a negative pressure in the
two-way connector 32 which causes the one-way valve at the distal
end 30 of the two-way connector 32 to close and the one-way valve
in the inlet 38 to open. When the one-way valve in the inlet 38
opens, fluid 50 is drawn from the reservoir 48 to replace the fluid
which had been dispensed from the needle 104 of the syringe
100.
[0062] Electric current to operate the automatic repeater
vaccinator apparatus 10 is controlled by switch 58 which traverses
the opening 60 of the upper wall 22 of the support 21. Also shown
is electrical cord 18 with plug 20 for providing 110V AC current to
the automatic repeater vaccinator apparatus 10 which enters the
container 14 through opening 62 and traverses the upper wall 22 of
the support 21 through opening 64. 6V DC current to the syringe 100
is provided by electrical connector 16 which traverses the opening
26 in the container 14.
[0063] FIG. 3 is an overhead view of the bottom surface 23 of the
upper wall 22 of the support 21 showing the various components
comprising the automatic repeater vaccinator apparatus 10. FIG. 3
shows the alignment of the piston pump 200 to the solenoid 300 and
shows the electrical connections between the power switch 58 for
providing 110V AC electric current to the solenoid 300 and to a
transformer 65 for providing 6V DC electric current to the
magnetically closeable reed switch (142 in FIG. 6) in the syringe
100. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a fuse 66, a capacitor 68, a relay 70,
and a variable resistance pot 72.
[0064] As further shown in FIG. 3, the neutral wire 73 of the
electrical cord 18 carrying 110V AC current is connected to the
neutral pole 74 of the transformer 65 and by wire 75 to the neutral
pole 76 of the solenoid 300. The hot wire 77 of the electrical cord
18 is connected to fuse 66 which is then connected by wire 78 to
the first pole 79 of the switch 58. When the switch 58 is in the
closed (on) position, current travels from the second pole 80 along
wire 81 to the hot pole 82 of the transformer 65 and by wire 83 to
the first pole 84 of the relay 70. When the relay 70 is activated
by the current flowing through the closed reed switch 142 in the
syringe 100, the current travels from the second pole 85 of the
relay 70 by wire 86 to the variable resistance pot 72, through the
variable resistance pot 72, which enables the resistance to be
adjusted, and then by wire 87 to the hot pole 88 of the solenoid
300.
[0065] The transformer 65 converts the 110V AC to 6V DC for
operating the syringe 100. Wire 89 connects the transformer 65 to a
first pole 90 of a panel connector 91 and from there a first wire
(not shown) of the electrical connector 16 to one of the spaced
apart reeds (144 in FIG. 6) of the reed switch 142. A second wire
92 from the transformer 65 is connected to a third pole 93 of the
relay 70. The wire 89 and the second wire 92 are connected to each
other by the capacitor 68 which smooths out voltage spikes in the
circuit. When the spaced apart reeds 144 of the reed switch 142 are
closed by the magnet 134, the 6V DC circuit is completed and
current flows from the transformer 65, enters the relay 70 at the
third pole 93 and exits the relay 70 at the fourth pole 96, travels
along wire 95 to the second pole 94 of the panel connector 91 and
along a second wire (not shown) of the electrical conductor 16
through the closed reed switch 142, back to the panel connector 91
along the first wire of the electrical connector 16, and from the
first pole 90 of the panel connector 91 along wire 89 to the
transformer 65. The completed 6V DC circuit activates the relay 70
which then completes the 110V AC circuit through poles 84 and 85 of
the relay 70 thereby activating the solenoid 300.
[0066] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the piston pump 200. FIG.
3 shows an embodiment wherein the piston pump 200 is secured with
machine screws 212 to the bottom surface 23 of the upper wall 22 of
the support 21. The piston pump 200 comprises piston chamber 214
extending therethrough with opening 206 at the distal end 216 of
the piston pump 200 and opening 218 at the proximal end 220 of the
piston pump 200. The tubular member 202 extends through the opening
206 into the piston chamber 214 of the piston pump 200 and is held
in place by the set screw 222. Seated within the tubular member 202
is the piston 224 with the piston head 226 with O-ring 228 attached
thereto at the distal end 230 of the piston 224. The proximal end
232 of the piston 224 extends into the pump chamber 214 and is
connected to the distal end 234 of the piston rod 208 which extends
into the pump chamber 214 through opening 218. The proximal end 210
of the piston rod 208 is connected to the distal end 302 of the
armature 304 of the solenoid 300.
[0067] Activation of the solenoid 300 causes the push rod 304
connected to the distal end of the armature 310 of the solenoid 300
to push the piston head 226 from its rest position towards the
two-way connector 32. The positive pressure that is produced causes
the one-way valve (not shown) in the distal end 30 of the two-way
connector 32 to open and the one-way valve (not shown) in the inlet
38 to close so that the volume of fluid in the system displaced by
the advancing piston 224 is dispensed from the needle 104 in the
syringe 100. When the solenoid 300 is deactivated, the piston head
226 is pulled back to its resting position. The return motion
causes a negative pressure which causes the one-way valve at the
distal end 30 of the two-way connector 32 to close and the one-way
valve in the inlet 38 to open thereby drawing from the reservoir 48
a volume of fluid to replace the volume of fluid which had been
dispensed from the needle 104 of the syringe 100.
[0068] As can be seen by FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the volume of fluid
that can be dispensed can be adjusted by adjusting the distance the
armature 310 travels in the solenoid 300 during activation. It is
also apparent from the Figures that the volume of fluid can also be
adjusted by concomitantly increasing the diameter of the tubular
member 202 outside the pump 200 and the diameter of the piston head
226. Thus, the unit volume of fluid that can be dispensed is
adjustable over a wide range of volumes and can used to inoculate
small animals such as birds and poultry in particular or large
animals such as pigs, cattle, and horses.
[0069] While a piston pump 200 is shown, the vaccinator apparatus
10 can use other pumps such as a peristaltic pump. When a pump such
as a peristaltic pump is used, the elements shown remain the same
except that the 110V AC current activates the pump directly since
there is no need for the solenoid 300 to operate the pump.
[0070] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the handheld syringe 100. The
syringe 100 comprises a body (130 in FIG. 6) encased in a cover or
sleeve 110, the body 130 further having a distal end 106 and a
proximal end 108 and a slidable needle shield 102 covering a
disposable needle and hub assembly (14 in FIG. 6) removably secured
to the distal end 106 of the body by means of a luer lock. The
proximal end 108 of the body has an attachment means 112, which can
be a luer lock, for attaching the flexible conduit 12 to the
syringe 100. Extending through the center of the body is a passage
(166 in FIGS. 6 and 7) which is continuous with the flexible
conduit 12 and the lumen (168 in FIG. 6) of the needle 104. The
proximal end 114 of the needle shield 102 has internal threads (160
in FIG. 6) for securing the needle shield 102 to the external
threads (162 in FIG. 6) on the neck (115 in FIG. 6) of the ring
collar 116 which is mounted on the distal end 106 of the body 130.
Also shown on the surface 118 of the distal end 106 of the body 130
is the distal end 120 of rod 122 which has at its proximal end (132
in FIG. 6), a magnet (134 in FIG. 6) for closing the magnetically
closeable reed switch (142 in FIG. 6) when the magnet 134 is
adjacent to the magnetically closeable reed switch 142. The distal
end 120 of the rod 122 is adjacent to the proximal surface 124 of
the ring collar 116.
[0071] In further embodiments of the handheld syringe, the depth
the needle 104 penetrates the skin can be controlled by the length
of the needle 104 that is exposed when the needle shield 102 is
retracted, the length of the needle shield 102, by the distance the
needle guard 102 is able to retract over the distal end 106 of the
body 126, or combinations thereof.
[0072] The construction of the syringe 100 is more clearly shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, which is a cross-section along line 6-6
of FIG. 5, the body 126 is shown with a distal end 122 and a
proximal end 108 with the attachment means 112 at the proximal end
108 for attaching the flexible conduit 12 to the body 126. The body
126 has a passage 166 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the body 126 and continuous to the lumen 168 of the needle 104
and an opening (not shown) in the attachment means 112. The
diameter of the body 126 is greater than the diameter of the distal
end 106 of the body 126 which enables the body 126 act as a stop
when the needle shield 102 is retracted. Also shown is needle
shield 102 with opening 170 and edge 17A at the distal end 172.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, a rod 122 resides within a groove 128
which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 126 and
extends along the surface 118 of the distal end 106 of the body 126
and then along the surface 130 of the body 126 to a position 131
within the proximal end 106 of the body 126. At the proximal end
132 of the rod 122 is a permanent magnet 134 which is adjacent to a
coil spring 136 which biases the permanent magnet 134 and distal
end 120 of the rod 122 into engagement with the proximal surface
124 of the ring collar 116 which is threadably connected to the
needle shield 102. Adjacent to the groove 128 is a second groove
138 which is parallel to groove 128 and the longitudinal axis of
the body 126 and which extends along the surface 130 of the body
126 to opening 140 at the proximal end 108 of the body 126.
Residing within the second groove 138 is a magnetically closeable
reed switch 142 with spaced apart reeds 144 operably connected to
the relay 70 by electrical connector 16.
[0074] The magnetically closeable reed switch 142 is positioned in
the second groove 138 so that only when the needle shield 102 is
retracted is the permanent magnet 134 moved to a position adjacent
to the reed switch 142. When the permanent magnet 134 is adjacent
to the reed switch 142, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet
134 causes the spaced apart reeds 144 of the reed switch 142 to
close (contact each other) thereby completing an electric circuit
which activates the solenoid 300. The activated solenoid 300 causes
the piston 224 in the piston pump 200 to advance a particular
distance within the tubular member 202 of the piston pump 200 which
causes a unit, volume of fluid corresponding to the volume
displaced by the advancing piston 224 to be dispensed from the
needle 104. When the magnet 138 is moved away from the closed
spaced apart reeds 144, the spaced apart reeds 144 separate which
breaks the electric circuit and deactivates the solenoid pump 300.
The deactivated solenoid 300 causes the piston 224 of the piston
pump 200 to return to its resting position which produces a
negative pressure that causes a volume of fluid equivalent to the
volume of fluid dispensed from the syringe 100 to be pulled from
the reservoir 48 into the tubular member 202 of the piston pump
200. The rod 122, permanent magnet 134, coil spring 136, and reed
switch 142 are kept in the their respective grooves (128 and 138,
respectively) by the sleeve 110 which fits around the body 126.
[0075] Even though other switches such as mechanical switches and
the like can be used in the syringe 100, the reed switch 142 is
preferred because the reed switch 142 has a considerably longer
useful life than other switches. Ordinary mechanical switches have
an average useful life of about 100,000 on-offs. Since about 10,000
birds are vaccinated per day, an ordinary mechanical switch would
on average have to be replaced every ten days or so. The reed
switch 142 has a useful life of about four to five million on-offs
which enables it to last for about 400 to 500 days of continuous
operation.
[0076] At the distal end 106 of the body 126 is shown the needle
and hub assembly 148 comprising a needle 104 and hub 150 with
external threads, preferably luer lock threads (not shown). An
attachment means, preferably as shown herein, a luer lock collar
152 with internal luer lock threads (not shown) for receiving the
external luer lock threads of the hub 150 is secured to the distal
end 106 of the body 126. In an embodiment not shown, the luer lock
collar 152 has at its proximal end 158 an elongated neck with
threads which enables the luer lock collar 152 to be screwed into a
threaded opening (not shown) at the distal end 106 of the body 126.
The luer lock collar 152 has a diameter greater than the diameter
of the distal end 106 of the body 126 which enables the proximal
end 158 of the luer lock collar 152 to serve as a stop to prevent
the ring collar 116 and needle shield 102 connected thereto from
sliding off the distal end 106 of the body 126 because of the
tension of the coil spring biasing the rod 122 into engagement with
the ring collar 116. The needle shield 102 is threadably connected
by internal threads 160 to the external threads 162 on the neck 115
of the ring collar 116. Further shown is passage 166 which is
continuous with the lumen 168 in the needle 104 and passage (not
shown) in the flexible conduit 12. In the rest position, the needle
104 is contained within the internal space 164 defined by the
needle shield 102.
[0077] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of the syringe 100 along line
7-7 of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows the body 126 encased by sleeve 110 and
the passage 166 which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis the
length of the body 126 to provide a passage for fluid to travel
from the flexible conduit 12 to the lumen 168 of the needle 104.
The Figure further shows the magnet 134 slidably located in the
groove 128 and which is movable to a position adjacent to the reed
switch 142 located in the second groove 138.
[0078] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the vaccinator apparatus
10. 110 AC current to the vaccinator apparatus 10 is controlled by
switch 58 and the circuit protected by fuse 66. When switch 58 is
closed, current is provided to the vaccinator apparatus 10. In the
closed position, 110V AC current is provided to the transformer 65
which converts the current to 6V DC current which is then routed to
the reed switch 142 in the syringe 100. When the needle 104 is
inserted into an animal, the needle shield 102 is pushed into a
retracted position which also pushes the magnet 134 to a position
adjacent to the reed switch 142. The magnetic field of the magnet
134 causes the spaced apart reeds 144 to close (in contact),
thereby completing the 6V DC circuit. Also shown is the capacitor
68 (100 uf35V) bridging the 6V DC current circuit at a point
between the transformer 65 and the relay 70. When the 6V DC current
in the closed circuit passes through the relay 70, the relay 70
closes the 110V AC circuit. The resistance of the current in the
closed 110V AC circuit is adjusted using the variable resistance
pot 72 and the resistance-adjusted 110V AC current activates the
solenoid 300.
[0079] The solenoid 300 activates the piston pump 200 which
produces a positive pressure that forces a volume of fluid
corresponding to the volume of fluid displaced by the advancing
piston 224 of the piston pump 200 through the flexible conduit 12
thereby causing a dose of fluid to be dispensed from the needle 104
of the syringe 100 corresponding to the volume of fluid displaced
by the advancing piston 224. When the needle 104 is withdrawn from
the animal, the magnet 134 is pushed away from the position
adjacent to the reed switch 142 by the coil spring 136 which causes
the needle shield 102 to return to its position covering the needle
104. When that happens, the spaced apart reeds 144 of the reed
switch 142 are opened (out of contact) which breaks the 6V DC
circuit. Because the 6V DC circuit is broken, the relay 70 opens
the 100V AC circuit, which deactivates the solenoid 300, which
causes the plunger 310 to retract, which in turn causes the piston
224 connected to it to retract thereby producing a negative
pressure which causes fluid equivalent to the volume of fluid that
was dispensed from the needle 104 to be pulled from the reservoir
48 into the tubular member 202 of the piston pump 200.
[0080] The vaccinator apparatus 10 is particularly useful for
vaccinating poultry intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, or the like.
Thus, the embodiment of the pump 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and
4 is preferably used with the standard 0.5 inch long syringe needle
and hub assemblies currently used for vaccinating poultry
intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, or the like. For that
embodiment, volumes of fluid from about 0.1 mL to about 0.75 mL are
readily dispensed from the apparatus. Likewise, the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 can be modified by increasing the
diameter of the tubular member 202 and piston rod head 226 to
enable the vaccinator apparatus 10 shown be useful for vaccinating
other livestock. Furthermore, in particular embodiments, the
tubular member 202 is preferably disposable.
[0081] However, vaccinating poultry by the wing web method or the
eye drop method uses far smaller volumes of fluid than is used by
the above method. While proper adjustment of the travel of the
piston rod head 226 in the tubular member 202 will enable very
small volumes to be dispensed, it is preferable for wing web and
eye drop vaccinations to use the vaccinator apparatus 10 with the
modified pump 500 shown in FIG. 10 instead of the pump 200.
Conceptually, the modified pump 500 combines the two-way valve 32,
tubular member 202, and the piston pump 200 into a single unit
(modified pump 500) and replaces the piston rod head 226 with the
distal end of the push rod 304 that is connected to the distal end
of the armature 310 of the solenoid 300. When the vaccinator
apparatus 10 is fitted with the modified pump 500, preferably the
variable resistance pot 72 shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 is not used.
[0082] FIG. 10 shows the modified pump 500 which comprises a valve
body 502 with a distal end 504 and a proximal end 506 and a chamber
508 extending therethrough. At the distal end 504 of the valve body
502 is an opening 510 with threads 511 for receiving the threaded
end 512 of a hub 514 with a channel 516 extending therethrough and
which has a standard luer lock collar 518 with internal luer lock
threads 520. Also shown is O-ring 515 between proximal end 517 of
the hub 514 and the distal end 504 of the valve body 502. The luer
lock collar 518 enables the flexible conduit (not shown) to be
connected to the modified pump 500 via a standard luer lock
connection. Disposed within the chamber 508 of the valve body 502
is a first check valve 522 which is openable under positive
pressure caused when the armature (not shown) of the activated
solenoid (not shown) is pulled into the coils 306. The first check
valve 522 comprises a ball 524 which in the absence of positive
pressure is held against the stop 526 in the chamber 508 by the
spring 528. The distal end 530 of the spring 528 rests against a
stop 532 at the proximal end 534 of the hub 514.
[0083] Under positive pressure, fluid in the chamber 508 causes the
spring 528 holding the ball 524 against the stop 526 in the chamber
508 to compress which enables fluid in the chamber 508 to pass into
the channel 516 in the hub 514 and on down through the flexible
conduit to the syringe (not shown). Under negative pressure and in
the absence of positive or negative pressure, the ball 524 is held
against the stop 526 in the chamber 508 by the spring 528 which
prevents fluid from passing to the syringe or vice versa.
[0084] At a position between the first check value 510 and the
proximal end 506 of the valve body 502 is a cavity 536 in the side
wall 535 of the valve body 502 for receiving a second body 538
which has a channel 540 extending therethrough. The channel 540 is
continuous with the opening 537 at the base 541 of the cavity 536
which leads to the chamber 508. The second body 538 is connectable
at its distal end 539 to flexible tubing (not shown) which leads to
the reservoir (not shown). The flexible tubing can be attached to
the second body 538 by a luer lock or other means. Disposed within
the channel 540 is a second check valve 542 which is openable under
negative pressure caused as the armature of the deactivated
solenoid retracts. The second check valve 542 comprises a ball 544
which in the absence of negative pressure is held against the stop
546 in the channel 540 by the spring 548. The distal end 550 of the
spring 548 rests against a stop 552 formed by the base 541 of the
cavity 536. Negative pressure causes the spring 548 holding the
ball 544 to compress which enables fluid from the reservoir to pass
into the chamber 508. Under positive pressure and in the absence of
positive or negative pressure, the ball 544 is held against the
stop 546 by the spring 548 which prevents fluid from passing from
the reservoir to the chamber 508 or vice versa.
[0085] An O-ring 543 in a groove 545 of the second body 538 is used
to provide a seal which prevents fluid leaks. A set screw 547 which
engages a second groove 549 in the second body 538 keeps the second
body 538 properly positioned in the cavity 536.
[0086] At the proximal end 506 of the valve body 502 is a neck 554
with threaded opening 556 which has a diameter greater than the
diameter of the chamber 508 of the valve body 502. Disposed at the
distal end 558 of the opening 556 is an O-ring 560 held in position
by bracket 562 and felt pad 564 with opening 566 held in position
by second bracket 568. The brackets 562 and 568 are held in place
by set screw 570 which has a hex screw head 572 and channel 574
extending therethrough. Extending through the channel 574 is a push
rod 576 with a distal end 578, which serves as the piston for the
modified pump 500, and a proximal end (not shown) which is
connected to the distal end (not shown) of the armature of the
solenoid 300. The distal end 578 of the push rod 576 extends
through the channel 574 and into the chamber 508 of the valve body
502.
[0087] The surface 580 of the push rod 576 and the O-ring 560 form
a seal which prevents fluid from leaking out of the chamber 508 of
the valve body 508. The felt pad 564 has lubricant infused therein
which lubricates the surface 580 of the push rod 576 as it
reciprocates past the felt pad 564 in response to
activation/deactivation of the solenoid and facilitates the
formation of the seal between the O-ring 560 and the surface 580 of
the push rod 576. The O-ring 560 is compressed between the stop 582
formed by the junction of the chamber 508 and the threaded opening
556 and the bracket 562.
[0088] When the chamber 508 has a diameter of about 0.105 inches
and the push rod 576 has a diameter of about 0.093 inches, the
modified pump 500 can be adjusted to dispense volumes of fluid from
about 0.01 mL to about 0.03 mL. In contrast, the pump 200 can be
adjusted to dispense volumes of fluid from about 0.1 mL to about
0.75 mL.
[0089] For eye drop inoculations, a hub without the needle (not
shown) is secured to the distal end 106 of the body 126 instead of
the needle and hub assembly 148 shown in FIG. 6. The opening 170 at
the distal end 172 of the needle shield 102 is of sufficient
diameter such that the edge 174 at the distal end 172 of the needle
shield 102 surrounds the eye ball. Therefore, for eye drop
inoculations, the edge 174 of the needle shield 102 is positioned
over the eye region of the bird to surround the eye ball. Pressing
the needle shield 102 against the surface of the eye region causes
the needle shield 102 to retract as described previously; however,
the hub is not exposed beyond the edge 174 of the needle shield
102. Thus, the hub does not come in contact with surface of the
eye. In the retracted position, the modified pump 502 is activated
and a drop forms at the end of the hub which is then dispensed into
the eye ball. After the drop is dispensed to the eye ball, the
syringe 100 is removed and the needle shield 102 resumes it rest
position which deactivates the modified pump 502 which causes fluid
to be drawn from the reservoir to replace the fluid which had been
dispensed.
[0090] For wing web inoculations, a needle and hub assembly
suitable for wing web inoculations is secured to the distal end 106
of the body 126. In one embodiment, the novel wing web needle and
hub assembly 400 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is preferred. FIGS. 9A
and 9B shows the needle and hub assembly 400 for wing web
vaccinations which comprises a needle 408 with a beveled area 420
at the distal end 421 and secured to the proximal end 416 of the
needle 408, a hub 401 with a chamber 414 and external luer lock
thread 403 to secure the needle and hub assembly 400 to the luer
lock collar 152 of the syringe 100. The lumen 4.06 of the needle
408 is continuous with the chamber 414 in the hub 401. The needle
further includes a back hole 422 which enables the vaccine to be
dispensed over a range of 360.degree. at the inoculation site.
[0091] As the needle 408 is inserted into the wing web, the tissue
at the inoculation site urges the distal end 418 of the rod 404 of
the filament 402 into the lumen 406 of the needle 408 which pushes
the filament head 410 into the chamber 414 thereby allowing vaccine
from the chamber 414 to enter the lumen 406 and to be dispensed
into the wing web. Because the lumen 406 is greatly restricted by
the diameter of the rod 404 of the filament 402, the filament 402
prevents the vaccine from spurting out of the needle 408 when the
needle 408 is inserted into the wing web. Instead, the vaccine
weeps out of the needle 408 in a 360.degree. radius around the
needle 408. Thus, the filament 402 acts both as a valve between
vaccinations to prevent vaccine from leaking from the needle and
hub assembly 400 and as a wick, which during vaccinations, prevents
vaccine from spurting from the needle 408.
[0092] While the present invention is described herein with
reference to illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that
the invention is not limited hereto. Those having ordinary skill in
the art and access to the teachings herein will recognize
additional modifications and embodiments within the scope thereof.
Therefore, the present invention is limited only by the claims
attached herein.
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