U.S. patent application number 16/365969 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-19 for apparatus and methods for tissue sampling and identity-tag attachment.
The applicant listed for this patent is PRIONICS AG. Invention is credited to Alexander BERNER.
Application Number | 20190281791 16/365969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55080104 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190281791 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BERNER; Alexander |
September 19, 2019 |
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TISSUE SAMPLING AND IDENTITY-TAG
ATTACHMENT
Abstract
The present specification relates to apparatus, methods and kits
for applying an identification tag to an animal and removing a
tissue sample from the animal. Apparatus of the disclosure cannot
be manipulated to transfer an identification tag from one animal to
another. An apparatus can comprise a sample container, a flap, a
downholder clip and a cutting element that can be placed on a male
part of an ear-tag and at least one element/feature that supports
movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the
male tag toward the female part of the ear-tag.
Inventors: |
BERNER; Alexander; (Furth,
DE) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PRIONICS AG |
Carlsbad |
CA |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
55080104 |
Appl. No.: |
16/365969 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14979815 |
Dec 28, 2015 |
10285379 |
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16365969 |
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62099416 |
Jan 2, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 11/003 20130101;
A61B 10/0266 20130101; A01K 11/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01K 11/00 20060101
A01K011/00; A61B 10/02 20060101 A61B010/02 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A method of attaching an identity tag and removing a tissue
sample comprising: reversibly attaching a male-part of an ear-tag
(male tag) having a tissue cutting element onto an ear-tag
applicator in a position above an ear to which the tag is to be
attached and from which tissue sample is to be obtained from;
placing a female part of an ear-tag (female tag) onto the ear-tag
applicator such that the female tag is below the male tag; placing
a sample container in position below the male tag and the ear and
above the female tag; moving the male-part of the ear-tag by means
of the ear-tag applicator downward toward and through the ear such
that the tissue cutting element of the male tag pierces through the
ear and places the excised ear tissue into the sample container,
thereby obtaining ear-tissue sample in the sample container;
causing the sample container to move transversely out of way of the
descending male tag; continuing to move the male tag downward to
the female tag; and forming a seal between the male tag and female
tag parts, thereby attaching the ear-tag to the ear.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the ear-tag applicator is a
pliers, a commercially available ear-tag applicator or a pliers
adapted to attach ear-tags.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein, the female tag can be placed
detachably in a groove, a cavity or a space of the ear-tag
applicator fashioned to receive at least a part of the female
tag.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the male tag is attached to the
ear-tag-applicator by a pin on the ear-tag applicator that is
movable up and down by means of one or more plier handles about a
pivotable axis.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the male tag comprises a hollow
stalk inside of which is an element designed to fit into the pin of
the ear-tag applicator, the element having a complementary shaped
region to fit into the pin.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the sample container is held in
place prior to and during piercing of the ear tissue by means of a
downholder clip, one or more clamps, a flap and any combinations
thereof.
25. The method of claim 19, wherein the sample container has an
asymmetric shaped bottom which causes transverse movement of the
sample container out of the movement path of the male tag after the
ear tissue is cut and placed inside the sample container.
26. The method of claim 19, further comprising detaching the tissue
cutting element or part thereof from the male tag to form a lid on
the sample container after the excised ear tissue is placed into
the sample container.
27. The method of claim 19, wherein removing the ear tissue sample
can comprise piercing the ear tissue, punching a hole in the ear
tissue, cutting the ear tissue, tearing off the ear tissue or
perforating the ear tissue.
28. A kit for attaching an ear-tag and excising tissue comprising:
a flap operable to reversibly hold: a male tag on an ear-tag
applicator, a sample holder, and one or more clamps; a downholder
clip operable to reversibly hold one or more portions of the flap;
a sample container having an asymmetrical base; and one or more
clamps.
29. The kit of claim 28, further comprising one or more of: an
ear-tag applicator; and an ear-tag comprising male tag components
and female tag components.
30. A kit of claim 28, wherein the sample container is pre-packaged
with a desiccant material, a preservative, and/or a buffer inside
it.
31. A sample container comprising: an asymmetric bottom part;
dimensions configured to be smaller than a chamber of a female part
of an ear-tag (female tag); a chamber designed to contain a tissue
sample; a top part of the sample container configured to be able to
fit a tissue cutting element or part thereof of a male tag part of
an ear-tag (male tag), wherein the tissue cutting element or part
thereof can detach from the male tag form a lid on the sample
container; optionally, an area to store a tissue desiccant or a
tissue preservative; wherein the asymmetric bottom shape is
configured to allow movement of the sample container out of the
movement path of the male tag after an ear tissue is cut and placed
into said sample container, thereby allowing the male tag to move
downward after it pierces through an ear to enter the chamber of
the female tag and form a seal.
32. The sample container of claim 31, further comprising elements
to interact with a clamp.
33. The sample container of claim 31, further comprising elements
to interact with a flap.
34. The sample container of claim 31, further having dimensions to
fit into a single well of a multi-well device.
35. The sample container of claim 34, wherein the multi-well device
is a 96-well device, a 384-well device or a 1536 well-device.
36. The sample container of claim 31, fabricated by selective
laser-sintering.
37. The sample container of claim 31, comprising PA12 powder
reinforced with glass balls.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of pending U.S. application
Ser. No. 14/979,815 filed Dec. 28, 2015, which claims the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/099,416 filed Jan. 2, 2015. The entire contents of the
aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD
[0002] The present specification relates to apparatus, methods and
kits for sampling tissue and attaching an identification tag to an
animal (e.g., an ear-tag). In some embodiments, apparatus, methods
and kits described herein can be used for obtaining a tissue sample
from an animal while attaching a tamper resistant identification
tag to the animal.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Ear-tags are typically used for identifying animals such as
production animals, livestock, farm animals, pets, and even some
wild animals for research purposes. Ear-tags serve primarily to
identify an animal and can be used for purposes such as but not
limited to: organization and recording of livestock, to indicate
the animal's owner, status of having a disease or being free of a
disease, vaccination status, and traceability of livestock animals
such as tracking movement of an animal through life including
tracking its meat, meat processing or other animal product
tracking. For example, in Europe an animal identity is printed on
an official tag and is similar to a "passport ID of the
animal".
[0004] Since procedures such as vaccination and/or testing an
animal for a disease are expensive, attempted fraud procedures for
misusing ear-tags is a possibility and has to be prevented. In
particular, removing an ear-tag from one animal (such as a disease
free and/or vaccinated animal) and transferring it onto another
animal (such as an animal that has not been tested for a disease
and/or not been vaccinated) has to be prevented.
[0005] Several ear-tags are presently available in the market. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,208 describes a two-part cattle
ear-tag having male and female parts that interlock to attach to
the ear and have a cap that protects the device from being removed
and transferred from one animal to another. The cap is designed to
be damaged by any attempt to manipulate the tag and the damaged cap
is an indicator of tag-tampering.
[0006] Several laboratory tests are typically carried out on most
farm and production animals to test the animals for having a
disease, and/or being carriers of a disease, and/or for gene
analysis for breeding purposes. Hence, there is a need to obtain
samples of tissues from animals for laboratory testing. A tissue
sample can conveniently be obtained from an animal during the
application of an ear-tag for identification of the animal. An
ear-tag applicator with a means to remove a part of ear tissue is
described in U.S. Patent Application 2010/0210011. The ear-tag
described in this US Patent application has a male and female part
similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,208, but
additionally comprises a cutting element in the male part and a
sample holder in the female part for removing a sample of the ear
tissue when piercing the ear. However, this device does not prevent
tag-tampering since the sample holder container is located below
the female part. Upon detachment of the sample container, the part
below the female part of this ear-tag is freely accessible to a
manipulator to transfer from one ear to another.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a better ear-tag
attachment device that also provides for sample tissue isolation
and furthermore prevents the ear-tag from being removed and
transferred to another animal.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present specification relates in some embodiments to
apparatus, methods and kits for applying an identification tag to
an animal and removing a tissue sample from the animal. In some
embodiments, the apparatus/device of the disclosure cannot be
manipulated to transfer an identification tag from one animal to
another.
[0009] In some embodiments, the disclosure describes a device for
attaching an identity tag and removing a tissue sample comprising:
an ear-tag applicator; a means to hold a sample container below a
male part of the identity tag (male tag) and above a female part of
the identity tag (female tag) and below the ear to which the
identity tag is to be attached and from which tissue sample is to
be removed; the male tag having a removable tissue cutting element;
at least one holder reversibly connected to the removable tissue
cutting element and/or a clamp reversibly connected to the sample
container; the male tag having a movement path toward the female
tag; and at least one part of the sample container or one part of
the removable tissue cutting element having a feature that supports
movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the
male tag, wherein the sample container and the clamp remain in the
movement path of the male tag when there is a connection between
the holder and the removable tissue cutting element or when there
is a connection between the clamp and the sample container or when
both connections are there, wherein the connection between the
holder and the removable tissue cutting element and/or the
connection between the clamp and the sample container are released
after a tissue sample is removed but before the male tag part
enters the female part, and wherein when the connections (between
the holder and the removable tissue cutting element and/or the
connection between the clamp and the sample container) are released
the sample container retains the removable tissue cutting element
or at least a part thereof and the sample container moves out of
the movement path of the male tag.
[0010] In some embodiments, the feature that supports movement of
the sample container out of the movement path of the male tag is an
asymmetric bottom of the sample container. In some embodiments, the
feature that supports movement of the sample container out of the
movement path of the male tag is a slit in the removable tissue
cutting element. In some embodiments, the feature that supports
movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the
male tag is a hinge integrated in the removable cutting element. In
some embodiments, the feature that supports movement of the sample
container out of the movement path of the male tag is a part of the
removable tissue cutting element wherein the removable tissue
cutting element is made up of more than one parts.
[0011] In some embodiments, of a device of the disclosure, the at
least one element that can cause the sample container to move out
of the movement path of the male tag, following removal of the
tissue sample and placement of cut tissue sample into the container
and detachment of removable cutting element, is: an asymmetric
bottom of the sample container, a tissue cutting element, a part of
the tissue cutting element, a hinge integrated in the tissue
cutting element, or any combination thereof.
[0012] An ear-tag applicator that can be used in a device of the
disclosure is or can be a pliers, a modified pliers or a commercial
ear-tag applicator. A modifies pliers in some embodiments can have
one, more or all of the following modifications such as: 1) a base
upon which is disposed a cavity, a space or a grove where the
female part of an ear-tag can be removable placed or fit upon; 2) a
base upon which is disposed a second cavity, space or a groove into
which a downholder clip can be reversibly placed into; 3) a base
having both features 1) and 2); 4) having at least two handles
pivotable about an axial bore such that a pin attached to a guide
bore connected to the axial bore can move up and down by movement
of the handles; 5) the pin attached to the guide bore having a
shape complementary to the interior of a male-part of an ear-tag
such that the make part of ear-tag can fit onto the pin
detachably.
[0013] In some embodiments, of a device of the disclosure, the
means to hold the sample container below the male tag and above the
female tag is a flap. In some embodiments, the flap further
connects the sample container to the male tag. In some embodiments,
the flap is further connected to the ear-tag applicator. In some
embodiments, the at least one holder is a part of the flap.
[0014] In some embodiments, the flap is fabricated by selective
laser-sintering. In some embodiments, the clamp and the sample
container are fabricated by selective laser-sintering. In some
embodiments the flap, the clamp and/or the sample container are
comprised of PA12 powder. In some embodiments the PA12 powder also
comprises glass balls. In some embodiments the flap can have a
coefficient of elasticity of 1500 MPA.
[0015] In some embodiments of a device of the disclosure, the
removable tissue cutting element or part thereof that is retained
by the sample container after the connections are released forms a
lid on the sample container. A lid so formed can form an airtight
seal and prevents a tissue sample inside the sample container from
being contaminated or degraded.
[0016] In some embodiments, the disclosure describes a device for
attaching an identity tag and removing a tissue sample comprising:
an ear-tag applicator; a sample container; a means to hold a male
tag part of the identity tag onto portions of the ear-tag
applicator; a means to hold a female tag part of the identity tag
below the male tag and below the ear; a means to hold a sample
container below both the ear and the male tag and above the female
tag; the male tag having a tissue cutting element at least a part
of which can detach from the male tag after excision of the ear
tissue and attach to the sample container; and at least one element
that can cause the sample container to move out of the path of
movement the male tag, following removal of the tissue sample and
placement of cut tissue sample into the container and detachment of
tissue cutting element or a part thereof, such that the male tag
can move toward and enter the female tag to fit together thereby
attaching the ear-tag to the ear.
[0017] In some embodiments, the at least one element that can cause
the sample container to move out of the movement path of the male
tag, following removal of the tissue sample and placement of cut
tissue sample into the container and detachment of removable
cutting element, is: an asymmetric bottom of the sample container,
the tissue cutting element, a part of the tissue cutting element, a
hinge integrated in the tissue cutting element or any combination
thereof.
[0018] In some embodiments, the means to hold a male tag part of
the identity tag onto portions of the ear-tag applicator comprises:
a flap; a pin on the ear-tag applicator; and optionally further
comprises a downholder clip; and the means to hold the sample
container below both the ear and the male tag and above the female
tag comprises: the flap; a clamp; and optionally further comprises
the downholder clip. As described in sections below portions of a
flap, a clamp and a downholder clip can be used to hold various
components.
[0019] In some embodiments, the means to hold the female tag part
of the identity tag below the male tag and below the ear is a
space, a cavity or a groove on the ear-tag applicator into which
portions of the female tag part can reversibly fit into. In some
embodiments, a means to hold the female tag comprises a space,
cavity or a groove on the ear-tag applicator wherein at least a
portion of the female part tag can reversibly fit into. In some
embodiments, a means to hold the female tag comprises at least one
of a space, a cavity, a groove, a clamp, a clip, a magnet, a
magnetic force and any combinations thereof that can hold a female
tag or part thereof onto or near an ear-tag applicator.
[0020] In some embodiments of the disclosure, the sample container
comprises a chamber for storing excised tissue. A sample container
can also additional contain a desiccant, a preservative, a buffer
or any combinations thereof.
[0021] In some embodiments of a device of the disclosure, the
tissue cutting element or part thereof which detach from the male
tag after excision of the ear tissue can then attach to the sample
container to form a lid on the sample container.
[0022] In some embodiments, a pin on the ear-tag applicator is
movable up and down by movement of one or more plier handles about
a pivotable axis on the ear-tag applicator. In some embodiments the
pin on the ear-tag applicator has a part shaped to have a
complementary fit with a structure in the male tag.
[0023] Some embodiments of the disclosure describe a device for
attaching an identity tag and removing a tissue sample comprising:
an ear-tag applicator; a sample container having an asymmetric
shaped bottom part; means to hold a male tag part of an ear-tag
onto portions of the ear-tag applicator that can move up and down
to pierce an ear; means to hold a female tag part of an ear-tag
directly below a male tag and ear such that the male tag portions
can enter the female tag to fit together attaching the ear-tag to
the ear; means to hold a sample container below both the ear and
the male tag and above the female tag; and the male tag having a
tissue cutting element and an element that can detach from male tag
after excision of the ear tissue to form a lid on the sample
container.
[0024] A flap, in some embodiments, is a part that is operable to
reversibly hold one or more of the following including: 1) a male
tag; 2) a sample container; and/or 3) one or more clamps, onto or
near an ear-tag applicator.
[0025] A downholder clip, in some embodiments is a part operable to
hold one or more components reversibly onto or near an ear-tag
applicator including: 1) portions of a flap, 2) portions of a
sample holder, and/or 3) one or more clamps.
[0026] The present disclosure in some embodiments describes a
device for attaching an identity tag and removing a tissue sample
comprising: 1) a flap that is operable to reversibly hold one or
more of the following including: a) a male tag; b) a sample
container; and/or c) one or more clamps, onto or near an ear-tag
applicator; 2) a downholder clip operable to hold one or more
components reversibly onto or near an ear-tag applicator including:
a) portions of a flap, b) portions of a sample holder, and/or c)
one or more clamps; a sample container; and one or more clamps.
[0027] In some embodiments, a device of the disclosure can further
comprise an ear-tag applicator. In some embodiments, a device of
the disclosure can further comprise an ear-tag comprising a male
part and a female part.
[0028] In some embodiments, the sample container of a device of the
disclosure can comprise an asymmetric bottom. In some embodiments,
the tissue cutting element or a part of the tissue cutting element
can be configured to have an element that can cause the sample
container to move out of the way of the male tag after the ear is
pierced and the tissue sample is placed into the sample container.
In some embodiments, the element that can cause the sample
container to move out of the way can be a hinge integrated in the
tissue cutting element. In some embodiments, the element that can
cause the sample container to move out of the way can be a slit on
the tissue cutting element. In some embodiments, the element that
can cause the sample container to move out of the way of a male tag
can be a hinge or a slit in the tissue cutting element or a
combination thereof.
[0029] A device of the disclosure, in some embodiments, further
comprises means to enable working with a multi-well sample
processor device. Samples of tissue obtained by a device of the
disclosure in its sample container can be aligned with multi-well
devices, such as 96-wells, 384-wells, 1536 wells and the like since
sample containers of the disclosure have dimensions that allow them
to align onto multi-well plates. For example, the asymmetric bottom
part of sample containers of the disclosure disposes a cut-out or a
cavity into which a protrusion of the next container (in a
multi-well container configuration) can be aligned when aligned in
a multi-well format, such as a 96-well format, a 384-well format,
and/or a 1536 well format.
[0030] In some embodiments, the footprint of each sample container
can be larger than a diameter of 9 mm and would fit into a
multi-well format. Accordingly, devices of the disclosure can be
used with a multi-well processing device for simultaneous sample
tissue processing or testing after tissue extraction by moving
sample containers of the disclosure onto multi-well plates.
[0031] In some embodiments the present disclosure provides a sample
container designed for retaining tissue sample while an ear-tag is
being applied and ear tissue is being removed while the ear-tag is
applied. A sample container of the disclosure is designed for
making removal of tissue and application of an ear-tag easier,
efficient and/or time saving.
[0032] In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a sample
container comprising: an asymmetric bottom part; dimensions
configured to be smaller than a chamber of a female part of an
ear-tag (female tag); a chamber designed to contain a tissue
sample; a top part of the sample container configured to be able to
fit a tissue cutting element or part thereof of a male tag part of
an ear-tag (male tag), wherein the tissue cutting element or part
thereof can detach from the male tag form a lid on the sample
container; optionally, an area to store a tissue desiccant or a
tissue preservative; wherein the asymmetric bottom shape is
configured to allow movement of the sample container out of the
movement path of the male tag after an ear tissue is cut and placed
into said sample container, thereby allowing the male tag to move
downward after it pierces through an ear to enter the chamber of
the female tag and form a seal.
[0033] In some embodiments, a sample container of the disclosure
further comprises elements to interact with a clamp. In some
embodiments, a sample container of the disclosure further comprises
elements to interact with a flap.
[0034] In some embodiments, a sample container of the disclosure is
fabricated by selective laser-sintering. A sample container of the
disclosure can comprise PA12 powder and can additionally comprise
glass balls.
[0035] In some embodiments, a sample container of the disclosure
has dimensions to fit into a single well of a multi-well device.
For example, the asymmetric bottom part of sample containers of the
disclosure disposes a cut-out or a cavity into which a protrusion
of the next container (in a multi-well container configuration) can
be aligned when aligned in a multi-well format, such as a 96-well
format, a 384-well format, and/or a 1536 well format. In another
example, the footprint of each sample container can be larger than
a diameter of 9 mm and would fit into a multi-well format. A sample
container according to the various embodiments can be used in
devices of the disclosure to retain removed ear-tissues. A sample
container of the disclosure can be used to process and/or test
samples obtained in multi-well devices such as a 96-well device, a
384-well device or a 1536 well-device or similar multi-well
devices.
[0036] In some embodiments, the disclosure describes methods of
attaching an identity tag and removing a tissue sample comprising:
reversibly attaching a male-part of an ear-tag (male tag) having a
tissue cutting element onto an ear-tag applicator in a position
above an ear to which the tag is to be attached and from which
tissue sample is to be obtained from; placing a female part of an
ear-tag (female tag) onto the ear-tag applicator such that the
female tag is below the male tag; placing a sample container in
position below the male tag and the ear and above the female tag;
moving the male-part of the ear-tag by means of the ear-tag
applicator downward toward and through the ear such that the tissue
cutting element of the male tag pierces through the ear and places
the excised ear tissue into the sample container, thereby obtaining
ear-tissue sample in the sample container; causing the sample
container to move transversely out of way of the descending male
tag; continuing to move the male tag downward to the female tag;
and forming a seal between the male tag and female tag parts,
thereby attaching the ear-tag to the ear.
[0037] Methods of the disclosure can use any embodiment of devices
as described in this application. In some embodiments, a method can
use ear-tag applicator such as a pliers, a commercially available
ear-tag applicator or a pliers adapted to attach ear-tags.
[0038] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, a female
tag can be placed detachably in a groove, a cavity or a space of
the ear-tag applicator fashioned to receive at least a part of the
female tag.
[0039] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, a male
tag is attached to the ear-tag-applicator by a pin on the ear-tag
applicator. The pin is movable up and down by means of one or more
plier handles about a pivotable axis. In some embodiments of a
method of the disclosure, a male tag comprises a hollow stalk
inside of which is an element designed to fit into the pin of the
ear-tag applicator, the element having a complementary shaped
region to fit into the pin.
[0040] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, the
sample container is held in place prior to and during piercing of
the ear tissue by means of a downholder clip, one or more clamps, a
flap and any combinations thereof.
[0041] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, a sample
container has an asymmetric shaped bottom which causes transverse
movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the
male tag after the ear tissue is cut and placed inside the sample
container.
[0042] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, a hinge
and/or a slit in a tissue cutting element can cause the sample
container to move out of the movement path of a male tag.
[0043] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, an
asymmetric shaped bottom of a sample container and/or a hinge
and/or a slit in a tissue cutting element and any combination of
the above can cause the sample container to move out of the
movement path of a male tag.
[0044] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, further
comprising a step of detaching a tissue cutting element or part
thereof from a male tag to form a lid on the sample container after
the excised ear tissue is placed into the sample container.
[0045] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, removing
the ear tissue sample can comprise piercing the ear tissue,
punching a hole in the ear tissue, cutting the ear tissue, tearing
off the ear tissue or perforating the ear tissue.
[0046] Some other embodiments describe methods for attaching an
identity tag and removing a tissue sample from an animal
comprising: reversibly attaching a male-part of an ear-tag (male
tag) having a tissue cutting element onto an ear-tag applicator in
a position above an ear that is to be tagged and from which sample
is to be obtained; placing a female part of an ear-tag (female tag)
onto or near the ear-tag applicator; placing a sample container
having an asymmetrical bottom part in position below the male tag
and the ear and above the female tag; moving the male-part of the
ear-tag by means of the ear-tag applicator downward toward and
through the ear such that the tissue cutting element of the male
tag pierces through the ear and places the excised ear tissue into
the sample container; continuing to move the male tag downward to
the female tag past the sample container such that movement of the
male tag moves the sample container transversely out of way of the
descending male tag; and forming an attachment between the male tag
and female tag, thereby attaching the ear-tag to the ear and
obtaining ear-tissue sample in the sample container.
[0047] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure an ear-tag
applicator is a pliers, a commercially available ear-tag applicator
or a pliers modified or adapted as described herein to attach
ear-tags and obtain samples. In some embodiments of a method of the
disclosure, a female part of the ear-tag is placed in a groove, a
cavity or a space on the ear-tag applicator fashioned to receive
the female part container. In some embodiments of a method of the
disclosure, a female tag is placed near or onto an
ear-tag-applicator by means of one or more of clamps, clips,
magnets and/or magnetic forces.
[0048] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, a male
tag is attached to the ear-tag-applicator by a pin on the ear-tag
applicator that is movable up and down by means of one or more
plier handles up and down a pivotable axis. In some embodiments of
a method of the disclosure, a the male tag comprises a hollow stalk
inside of which is a complementary shaped element designed to fit
into the pin of the ear-tag applicator and the male tag is attached
to the pin by fitting the complementary shapes on the pin and the
interior of the male tag into each other.
[0049] In some embodiments of a method of the disclosure, a sample
container is held in place prior to and during piercing of the ear
tissue by means of one or more of a downholder clip, one or more
clamps and/or a flap. In some embodiments of a method of the
disclosure, the asymmetric shape of the sample container at the
bottom facilitates the transverse movement of the sample container
following movement of the male tag components toward the female tag
located directly below the original place of the sample
container.
[0050] A method of the disclosure can further comprise detaching
part of male tag to form a lid which is placed on the sample
container after the excised ear tissue is placed in. In some
embodiments, part of the male tag that detaches to form a lid is a
punch or a tissue cutting element thereof.
[0051] The present disclosure, in some embodiments, describes kits
for attaching an ear-tag and excising tissue. A kit of the
disclosure can comprise a flap operable to reversibly hold: a male
tag on an ear-tag applicator, a sample holder, and one or more
clamps; a downholder clip operable to reversibly hold one or more
portions of the flap; a sample container having an asymmetrical
base; and one or more clamps.
[0052] In some embodiments, a kit of a disclosure can further
comprise one or more components including: an ear-tag applicator;
and an ear-tag comprising male tag components and female tag
components. Both these parts are commercially available and one or
more of these parts can be modified as described in this
specification.
[0053] In some embodiments, a kit can have a sample container that
is pre-packaged with a desiccant material, a preservative, and/or a
buffer inside it. Instructions manuals can be part of a kit of the
disclosure.
[0054] Some embodiments of the present disclosure can provide one
or more technical advantages. Exemplary technical advantages of
some embodiments include one or more of the following: superior
tamper-evidence characteristics; prevention of tampering of
ear-tags; more robust alignment of container above female tag blind
hole allows larger tissue cutting force; design that ensures
container does not move till tissue is extracted; works with any
ear-tag & any ear-tag applicator on market; enables comfortable
handling in the field and lab; and/or a design that enables
alignment in a 96 well plate interface.
[0055] One or more advantageous features of the device or method or
kit of the disclosure, in some embodiments, comprise: 1) asymmetric
shape of sample container at the base that allows for transverse
movement of sample container out of way of the male tag following
sample removal; 2) location of sample container being directly
below the male tag and directly above the container of the female
tag into which the male tag parts enter for attachment to ear; 3)
clamp mechanism between sample container and ear-tag which allow
sample container to be released when needed and in-place when
needed; 4) flap to hold male part of ear-tag in place in relation
to the ear-tag applicator; and 5) tamper-proof ear-tag application
while simultaneously obtaining a tissue sample for analysis reduce
the time and money needed for such procedures.
[0056] While specific advantages have been disclosed hereinabove,
it will be understood that various embodiments may include all,
some, or none of the previously disclosed advantages. Other
technical advantages may become readily apparent to those skilled
in the art in light of the teachings of the present disclosure.
[0057] These and other features of the present teachings will
become more apparent from the detailed description in sections
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be
better understood in reference to one or more the drawings below.
The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings, described
below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not
intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any
way.
[0059] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an identification tag
applicator device having a sample withdrawal component and a sample
retainer container and depicts in addition components such as
pliers, male and female parts of an ear-tag, downholder clip and
clamping elements, according to one embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0060] FIG. 2A depicts a side view of part of device of FIG. 1
showing a close-up view of male and female ear-tag parts,
association of male ear-tag part with the pliers, flap and
downholder clip, according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0061] FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG.
2A;
[0062] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the device of FIG. 1 showing
association of both male and female ear-tag parts with the pliers,
flap, downholder clip and clamps, according to one embodiment of
the disclosure;
[0063] FIG. 4 depicts the location of an ear, to which the ear-tag
is to be attached and from which sample tissue is to be removed, in
relation to the device of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of
the disclosure;
[0064] FIG. 5 depicts positioning of an ear, to which the ear-tag
is to be attached and from which sample tissue is to be removed, on
the device of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0065] FIG. 6 depicts cutting component of the device of FIG. 3
starting to pierce ear 25, according to one embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0066] FIG. 7A depicts sample container with ear sample and
position of cutting component and other parts of the device of FIG.
3 following piercing the ear, according to one embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0067] FIG. 7B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7A;
[0068] FIG. 8A depicts sample container with tissue sample and flap
detaching from the ear-tag following ear piercing using the device
of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0069] FIG. 8B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8A;
[0070] FIG. 9A depicts transverse movement of sample container with
tissue sample by detachment of clamp elements and flap detaching
from the ear-tag following ear piercing using the device of FIG. 3,
according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0071] FIG. 9B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8A;
[0072] FIG. 10A depicts further transverse movement of sample
container with tissue sample and shows detachment of pin tip of
pliers to form lid on sample container using the device of FIG. 3,
according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0073] FIG. 10B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10A;
[0074] FIG. 11A depicts movement of male-tag tip toward female-tag
following transverse movement of sample container when using the
device of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0075] FIG. 11B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11A;
[0076] FIG. 12A shows male ear-tag and female ear-tag parts sealing
to cause attachment of ear-tag to ear after using the device of
FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0077] FIG. 12B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12A;
[0078] FIG. 13 shows ear-tag attached to ear and ear moved away
from the device of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0079] FIG. 14A depicts a side view of another embodiment of a
device of the disclosure and depicts a close-up side view showing
association of both male and female ear-tag parts with pliers,
flap, downholder clip and clamps and positioning of an ear, to
which the ear-tag is to be attached and from which sample tissue is
to be removed according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0080] FIG. 14B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14A;
[0081] FIG. 15A depicts the device of FIG. 14A piercing through the
ear, according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0082] FIG. 15B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15A;
[0083] FIG. 16A depicts sample container with tissue sample
detaching from the ear-tag following ear piercing during use of the
device of FIG. 14A, according to one embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0084] FIG. 16B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 16A;
[0085] FIG. 17A depicts transverse movement of sample container
with tissue sample and the male part of the ear-tag traveling
through the slit of the cutting element following ear piercing
during use of the device of FIG. 14A, according to one embodiment
of the disclosure;
[0086] FIG. 17B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17A;
[0087] FIG. 18A depicts a two-dimensional view of sample containers
of the disclosure arranged in an array with their asymmetrical
bottom parts showing alignment as the subsequent container fits
into the grove of the asymmetric portion of the previous container,
according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0088] FIG. 18B depicts a top view of an array of sample containers
of the disclosure arranged in a 96-well format, according to one
embodiment of the disclosure; and
[0089] FIG. 18C depicts a three-dimensional view of an array of
sample containers of the disclosure arranged in a 96-well format,
according to one embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0090] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
current teachings. In this application, the use of the singular
includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the
use of "comprise", "contain", and "include", or modifications of
those root words, for example but not limited to, "comprises",
"contained", and "including", are not intended to be limiting. Use
of "or" means "and/or" unless stated otherwise. The term "and/or"
means that the terms before and after can be taken together or
separately. For illustration purposes, but not as a limitation, "X
and/or Y" can mean "X" or "Y" or "X and Y".
[0091] Whenever a range of values is provided herein, the range is
meant to include the starting value and the ending value and any
value or value range there between unless otherwise specifically
stated. For example, "from 0.2 to 0.5" means 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5;
ranges there between such as 0.2-0.3, 0.3-0.4, 0.2-0.4; increments
there between such as 0.25, 0.35, 0.225, 0.335, 0.49; increment
ranges there between such as 0.26-0.39; and the like.
[0092] The term "or combinations thereof" as used herein refers to
all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the
term. For example, "A, B, C, or combinations thereof" is intended
to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if
order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, ACB,
CBA, BCA, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly
included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item
or term, such as BB, AAA, AAB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and
so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there
is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination,
unless otherwise apparent from the context.
[0093] The section headings used herein are for organizational
purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject
matter described in any way. All literature and similar materials
cited in this application including, but not limited to, patents,
patent applications, articles, books, treatises, and internet web
pages, regardless of the format of such literature and similar
materials, are expressly incorporated by reference in their
entirety for any purpose. In the event that one or more of the
incorporated literature and similar materials defines or uses a
term in such a way that it contradicts that term's definition in
this application, this application controls. While the present
teachings are described in conjunction with various embodiments, it
is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such
embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass
various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be
appreciated by those of skill in the art.
[0094] The specification, in some embodiments, describes an
apparatus or device for attaching or affixing an identification tag
to an animal. In some embodiments, an identification tag of the
present disclosure is an ear-tag. An apparatus of the disclosure,
in some embodiments, comprises an ear-tag applicator device. In
some embodiments, an apparatus for attaching an identification tag
of the disclosure further comprises a tissue sample remover (also
referred to variously herein as cutting element, punch, tissue
cutter, tissue cutting element) to extract a tissue sample from an
animal that the identity tag is being affixed/attached to.
[0095] An apparatus can comprise a sample container, a flap, a
downholder clip and a cutting element that can be placed on a male
part of an ear-tag and at least one element/feature that supports
movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the
male tag toward the female part of the ear-tag.
[0096] Removal or extraction of a tissue can comprise excising a
part of tissue, and/or cutting a part of tissue, and/or forming a
perforation in a tissue and/or punching out a tissue thereby
obtaining part of tissue for use as a sample. Extracted tissue can
then be stored and/or subject to sample processing as and when
needed. Exemplary tissue types that can be extracted by devices and
methods of the disclosure are, but are not limited to, skin,
cartilage, blood, muscle, ear tissue, and the like.
[0097] In some embodiments, an identification tag applied using a
device of the present disclosure, cannot be tampered and removed
and/or moved from one animal to another.
[0098] In some embodiments, apparatus for identity-tag attachment
and sample removal of the present disclosure comprise a sample
holder component and a sample extracting component designed to
interact with a tissue sample, such that a transversely directed
movement path is created for the excised/cut tissue sample after it
is placed in the sample holder. The sample extracting component has
a tissue cutting element and a male part of the identity tag.
According to these embodiments, a movement of the sample holder is
produced which removes the sample (contained in the sample holder)
sideways out of the movement path of the sample extracting
components male tag component. Consequently the male tag part
attaches to a female part of the identity tag (which is positioned
below the sample extracting component), thereby attaching the
identity tag to the tissue that now has a perforation/cut portion
created by the removal of sample tissue. The tissue cutting element
or parts thereof form a lid on the sample holder after tissue
cutting and placement of the cut tissue into the sample holder and
prior to movement of the now sealed (with lid) sample holder.
Identity tag attachment is accomplished without the sample holder
component being in the way of the identity tag. Identity tags
attached by the apparatus of the present disclosure, allow for use
of conventional techniques and/or parts for prevention of
manipulation of an attached identity tag, such as but not limited
to, cover caps to cover the front and back parts of an identity
tag.
[0099] In some embodiments, an identity tag of the disclosure is an
ear-tag. Apparatus of the present disclosure are able to use any
ear-tags, including ear-tags that are available in the market, and
attach such ear-tags and to obtain sample tissue from any ear such
a tag is attached to. These include ear-tags which have been used
for a long time and are officially approved. Apparatus of the
disclosure is not limited to use of any particular ear-tag.
Accordingly, devices of the disclosure enable sample removal while
attaching an ear-tag whilst maintaining a high level of protection
against manipulation.
[0100] Drawings provided herein can be used to understand
embodiments of the present disclosure. While the drawings provide a
guide to understand exemplary embodiments, the drawings are not to
be construed as limiting the teachings of this disclosure. Part
numbers used in the drawings are same or similar in function unless
expressly described as otherwise.
[0101] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic side view of an exemplary
apparatus 10 of the disclosure which is operable to apply an
identity-tag and remove sample tissue, according to one embodiment
of the disclosure. Apparatus 10 comprises pliers 1 (also called
ear-tag applicator herein), ear-tag components comprising male-part
of an ear-tag 7 and female part of the ear-tag 12, flap components
16 (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d . . . and the like), downholder clip 17
(17a, 17b . . . and the like), sample container 22, clamping
elements 18 (18a, 18b . . . and the like).
[0102] Pliers 1, in some embodiments, comprise two handles 5 and 5'
which are mounted so as be pivotable toward one another about an
axial bore 2. Pliers 1 in some embodiments, comprise a bolt 4 which
bears a pin 6 having a pin tip 6' at its bottom end. Bolt 4 is
displaceably mounted in a guide bore 3, and bolt 4 moves when plier
1 handles are moved. Bolt 4 is permanently connected to bolt 2'.
Bolt 2 is fixed to bolt 4 (e.g., by a press fit). Bolt 2' is moved
by handle 5' inside guide bore 3. Bolt 4 is connected to handles 5
and 5' of pliers 1 by part 2' such that pivoting the two handles 5
and 5' of pliers 1 in a pliers-like manner moves pin 6 up and down
during use of a device 10 (or 10') of the disclosure to apply an
identity-tag and remove sample tissue.
[0103] In some embodiments, pliers 1 comprises pin 6 having a pin
tip 6'. Pin tip 6' comprises a bottom end that can complementary
fit with the inside of male ear-tag shank 9 (comprising parts such
as 9a, 9b, 9c, . . . and the like). Top-end 1a of pliers 1 has
handles 5 and 5' and bolt 4. In some embodiments, bottom-end of
pliers 1b is a base in which is disposed grove 1c (also called
cavity or space) which serves as a grove wherein downholder clip 17
is attached thereon by means of a connector 21. In some
embodiments, bottom-end or base 1b also has another grove 1d
wherein one or more components such as sample holder 22, clamping
mechanism 18 and/or parts of female ear-tag 12, such as but not
limited to parts 19 and 15 can be removably placed and/or moved
therein.
[0104] In some embodiments, pliers 1, is an identity-tag
applicator, such as for example an ear-tag applicator. In some
embodiments, pliers 1 can be any ear-tag applicator device
including any ear-tag applicators available in the market. One of
skill in the art in light of the teachings provided herein, will
realize that an apparatus according to the current disclosure, is
not limited to pliers 1 as described in FIG. 1 or as described in
any other drawings herein and any pliers can be modified for use
with apparatus of the present disclosure.
[0105] Removably attached to pliers 1 is a downholder clip 17 (also
called as clip 17). Downholder clip 17 is removably attachable to
pliers 1 by connector 21, which could be a screw, a bolt, a
connector, a roll pin, clamping pin or any connector element. In
some embodiments, downholder clip 17 serves to hold down one or
more of the following sample holder 22, clamping parts 18, female
tag 12, flap components 16 and/or male-tag 7, either directly or
via flap components 16. In some embodiments downholder clip 17 has
additional parts that can be securely attached to the base of
pliers 1 as depicted in FIG. 1 (but not expressly described as part
numbers).
[0106] As depicted in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1,
downholder clip 17 comprises two prongs 17a and 17b, which serve as
guides to move flap 16, sample container 22, clamps 18, and male
and female ear-tag components 7 and 12 respectively, in place while
applying an ear-tag to an ear and withdrawing tissue therefrom.
Other forms of guides are also contemplated. Various attachment
devices can be used to attach and in some embodiments reversibly
attach downholder clip 17 with flap 16. In some embodiments,
downholder clip 17 can be made of materials such as, but not
limited to, metals such as stainless steel, spring steel, coated
steel or a rigid plastic.
[0107] Flap 16 can comprise various components such as but not
limited to arms 16a and 16b. 16a and 16b can have various shapes
(for example, also see the description of FIGS. 14A-17B). As
depicted in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, flap 16 has two
arms 16a and 16b in a A-,V- and/or U-shaped configuration relative
to each other and stacked one above another. As shown in FIG. 1,
the area where arms 16a and 16b join, joint 16e, can be reversibly
attached to end of downholder clip 17a or 17b. Joint 16e, during
use of the device, can also be reversibly attached to portions of
pliers 1 (see for example FIG. 2A). Attachment of flap 16 by joint
16e to pliers 1 can be achieved by several means including by
magnetic means, double sided adhesive tape, a snap fit connection,
a clip attached to the applicator. In some embodiments, the
preferable attachment of 16 to 17 is by part 20 (FIGS. 1-13) or by
part 28 (FIGS. 14A-17B).
[0108] In one embodiment, lower arm 16b can be slidably moved along
or over downholder clip 17. Arms 16a and 16b can comprise one or
more joints 27 along the length (for example see one joint 27 near
part 20 on lower arm 16b). Joints 27 can be tilted up or down.
Lower arm 16b holds sample container 22 at its distal end which is
a container wherein cut/punched ear tissue will be held/retained.
Sample container/holder 22 is held in place on flap 16 by means of
a clamp 18. In some embodiments, part 16b' of flap 16 (shown for
example in FIG. 4) can interact with portions of clamp 18 and
sample container 22. Clamp 18 can comprise one or more clamps that
are operable to clamp sample holder 22 in place during sample
extraction and sample collection. Clamp 18 can be released to allow
sample holder 22 to move transversely out of the way of male
ear-tag 7 following sample extraction and sample collection.
[0109] In one embodiment, upper arm 16a has an extension
(comprising for example, but not limited to, parts 16c and 16d)
that can reversibly hold lower end of male ear-tag 7. As depicted
in the example device of FIG. 1, upper arm 16a has a plurality of
holders 16c. Holders 16c comprise upward extensions and can
optionally have a top hook portion. Holders 16c are operable to
hold onto parts of 9a or on part 9b of male ear-tag 7. In some
embodiments, arm 16a can have at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more
holders 16c. In some embodiments, arm 16a also comprises part 16d
that forms a covering around the circumference of male ear-tag part
9c.
[0110] In some embodiments, parts 16 can be made of rigid or
flexible plastics or metal sheets.
[0111] In some embodiments, sample container 22 is an asymmetric
shaped container having a cylindrical top portion and an
asymmetrically curved bottom portion (see cross-section of
container 22 in FIG. 2B). Sample container 22 in use of the device
is designed to be place directly above female ear-tag chamber 14a
prior to and during ear piercing (described below). The asymmetric
shape of the bottom part of sample container 22, allows for
transverse movement of container 22 out of the way of descending
male tag part 11 following ear-tissue removal such that sample
container 22 with part of cut tissue is no longer directly above
container 14a allowing male-tag conical part 11 enter female tag to
form a complementary fit and secure ear-tag onto ear.
[0112] FIG. 1 also depicts male-part of ear-tag 7 (also called
male-tag or male ear-tag) comprising plate 8 and hole 8a from which
shank 9 extends downward. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, shank
9 comprises sub-parts 9a, 9b and 9c. Internally, shank 9 has a
conically formed part 11 and cutting element 11a (not expressly
shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIG. 2B). Shank 9 is hollow and
operable to receive pin 6 having pin tip 6' (as shown in FIG.
2A).
[0113] While in use, male ear-tag 7 is placed on pin tip 6' (as
shown in FIG. 2A). Shank 9 comprises stalk 9a toward the top and
joining plate 8 at hole 8a, part 9b having a larger diameter than
stalk 9a, and part 9c which comprises a tissue cutting element 11
and 11a (not expressly shown in FIG. 1, but see for example FIG.
2B). Tissue cutting elements 9c (comprising parts such as 11 and
11a) are also referred to as punch and/or tissue cutter and/or
cutting element. In some embodiments, shank 9 is operable to be
reversibly hooked in place by holder 16c.
[0114] FIG. 1 also depicts a female-part of ear-tag 12 (also called
female-tag or female ear-tag) which comprises a perforated plate 13
and hole 14. Hole 14 has a lip 15 around it and immediately below
hole 14 is chamber 14a. Chamber 14a is closed in an ear-tag
manipulation-secure manner by a housing 19 which surrounds chamber
14a.
[0115] Housing 19 provides tamper resistance. If the two ear-tag
parts (male and female) were to be separated, such as by
application of a tensile force, shaft 9 will break. When shaft 9 is
broken, male tag part 7 will not be reusable. Further, as part 9b
will stay in housing 19, female tag 12 also cannot be reused as no
new male tag part 9b can be introduced in the housing 19 as this
space is still occupied by the broken part 9b of the first male
tag.
[0116] A second aspect of tamper-evidence of housing 19 is, that
(if the housing is rigid enough) no direct compressive force can be
applied on 9b and 9b cannot be pushed out of housing 19 when one
would try to separate the two ear-tag parts by a compressive force
to avoid breakage of the part 9.
[0117] Chamber 14a is wider in diameter than the diameter of hole
14 such that the cutting element 9c of male tag 7, after
penetrating the hole 14, is able to latch in due to lip 15 behind
the edge of hole 14a. Consequently, when the identity-tag is
attached, male part 7 and female part 12 of the ear-tag are secured
in relation to one another.
[0118] In use, female-tag container 14a and hole 14 are disposed
directly below sample container 22 and clamping elements 18.
[0119] FIG. 2A depicts a side view of part of device 10 of FIG. 1
and shows device 10 positioned with male ear-tag 7 attached to
pliers 1 via pin 6 and sample container 22 is located directly
below male ear-tag 7. Flap 16 is slidably moved on downholder clip
17 toward pliers 1 and joint 16e is attached to pliers 1. Part 20,
which can be described as an "arm" or a "protrusion" or "arm of a
snap-fit" on lower arm 16b of flap 16 can clip or fit into a
corresponding grove on part 17 to align sample container 22 in
position directly below male-tag 7. In use, when arm 16b slides
over downholder clip 17 and reversibly attaches to pliers 1, male
tag 7 is moved under pin 6. Pin 6 can be inserted into the opening
8a on male ear-tag 7 by movement of the plier handles 5 and 5'
which move bolt 4 down. Alternatively, male tag 7 can be manually
inserted onto pin 6.
[0120] FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view of device 10 as
depicted in FIG. 2A. Internal view of shank 9 depicts conical
structure 11 and cutting element 11a located at the bottom of shank
9 in parts 9b 9c. Top of conical structure 11 fits into pin tip 6'
of pliers 1. Cross section of female-tag 12 depicts internal
container 14a surrounded by housing 19.
[0121] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of device 10 showing association
of female ear-tag 12 with the device. FIG. 3 depicts association of
both male and female ear-tag parts with pliers 1, flap 16,
downholder clip 17 and clamps 18. Chamber 14a of female ear-tag 12
is now positioned in grove 1d of pliers 1 and is located
immediately below sample chamber 22 and clamp 18 and housing 19 of
chamber 14a is visible in this figure. Female-tag 12 can be
positioned manually.
[0122] FIG. 4 depicts an ear 25, to which an ear-tag is to be
attached to and from which sample tissue is to be removed using a
device of the disclosure, such as device 10 according to one
embodiment. Part 16b' shown here is an extension of flap 16 arm 16b
and holds sample container 22 in place. All other parts are as
described in previous figures.
[0123] FIG. 5 depicts positioning of ear 25, to which ear-tag
(comprising male and female tag-parts 7 and 12 respectively) is to
be attached and from which sample tissue is to be removed, on
device 10, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. As shown
herein, handles 5 and 5' of pliers 1 are rotated such that bolt 4
descends downward moving the proximal part of arm 16b parallel to
arm 16a and moving a joint 27 on 16b upward, thereby tilting
slightly downward distal part of 16b and allowing ear 25 to be
almost parallel to arm 16a.
[0124] FIG. 6 depicts cutting component 9c of device 10 starting to
pierce ear 25, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Bolt
4 descends further down to push down the cutting element 9c into
ear 25 to begin cutting. Extensions of arm 16c are shown holding
punch 9c before and during the ear-piercing. In addition, clamps
18a and 18b are shown holding sample container 22 in place during
the cutting.
[0125] FIG. 7A depicts a close-up view of part of device 10,
showing sample container 22 containing ear sample 25' (not
expressly visible in this view, see FIG. 7B) and showing the
position of cutting component 9c and other parts of the device 10,
following piercing of ear 25, according to one embodiment of the
disclosure. Lip 15 of female-tag container 14a is shown positioned
below sample container 22 and clamp 18. Also shown in FIG. 7A is
detachment of flap 16 from the stalk 9 of male ear-tag 7 by
unhooking of holders 16c and movement of distal part of arm
16a.
[0126] FIG. 7B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7A and shows
stalk 9a of male tag 7 connected to pin holder 6 of pliers 1 on the
inside. Stalk 9a continues into an inverted triangular portion 9b
which internally comprises conical part 11 the top of which is
designed to complementarily fit into pin tip 6'. Shank 9 is
operable to be reversibly attached by means holder 16c to flap 16.
Sample container 22 is shown having part of cutting element 9c
including cutter 11a and ear-tissue sample 25' contained therein.
Sample container 22 has an asymmetric shape on the bottom half.
This asymmetric shape allows container 22 to tip transversely
following cutting of tissue and the entry of conical part 11 of
male ear-tag into the female ear-tag portion.
[0127] In FIG. 7B, since ear tissue 25 is already cut, holders 16c
are shown detached and moving away from shank 9. Also depicted is
cutting element 9c of male ear-tag 7, immediately below which is
located cut ear-tissue sample 25' now inside container 22.
[0128] FIG. 8A depicts another close-up view of sample container 22
with tissue sample (not shown) and holders 16c detached from male
ear-tag 7 following ear piercing using device 10 of the disclosure,
according to one embodiment. Element 16b' has been pushed down by
male tag and the outer parts of 16b' push clamp 18 to the side
until clamp 18 no longer supports or holds the position of sample
container 22 in the path of movement of male tag 7. FIG. 8B depicts
a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8A.
[0129] FIG. 9A depicts transverse movement of sample container 22
(which contains tissue sample 25') caused by entry of conical part
11 of male tag 7 past sample container 22 and through hole 14 into
container 14a. Clamps 18a and 18b detach from container 22 as the
container 22 tips transversely allowing container 22 to move away
and make space for male tag to enter female tag. Element 16b' has
been pushed down by male tag and the outer parts of 16b' push clamp
18 to the side until clamp 18 no longer supports or holds the
position of sample container 22 in the path of movement of male tag
7. FIG. 9B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9A.
[0130] FIG. 10A depicts further transverse movement of sample
container 22 with tissue sample (not shown) away from male tag 7
and shows detachment of part 9c of male tag 7 to form a lid on
sample container 22 according to one embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 10B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10A and shows parts
9c forming a lid on sample container 22 at its top side to seal in
collected tissue sample 25'. In some embodiments, lid 9c forms an
air-tight seal keeping tissue sample 25' protected. In some
embodiments, sample container 22 will have a desiccant inside to
keep tissue sample 25' in-tact. Desiccant can be previously placed
in container 22.
[0131] FIG. 11A depicts sample container 22 moved out completely
and movement of male-tag tip 9b toward female-tag hole 14 and
chamber 14a. FIG. 11B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11A
and shows cut sample ear tissue 25' located in the sample container
22 now covered with 9c which now forms a lid 9c on container
22.
[0132] FIG. 12A shows male ear-tag shank 9 inserted into female
ear-tag chamber 14a thereby completing attachment of ear-tag to ear
25 using device 10 according to one embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 12B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12A and shows
location of element 11 and part 9b of male ear-tag into chamber 14a
of female part of ear-tag 12. Container 22 with sample 25' and lid
9c are also depicted.
[0133] FIG. 13 shows ear-tag 26 attached to ear 25 and ear with tag
moved away from device 10. Clamp element 18 is also detached from
device 10.
[0134] FIG. 14A depicts a schematic side view of another exemplary
apparatus 10' for applying an identity-tag and removing a sample
tissue, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.
Apparatus 10' is also tamper-resistant as described in above
sections for apparatus 10. Apparatus 10' comprises pliers 1,
ear-tag components comprising male-part of an ear-tag 7 and female
part of the ear-tag 12. In some embodiments, pliers 1 and ear-tag
components have features as described in sections above for
apparatus 10. Apparatus 10' can have variations in one or more
parts including flap components 16' (comprising 16a', 16b' . . .
and the like), downholder clip 17' (17a', 17b'. . . and the like),
clamping elements 18', and/or sample container and its associated
components.
[0135] FIG. 14A depicts a side-view of device 10' of the disclosure
shows the association of both male ear-tag 7 and female ear-tag 12
parts with pliers 1, flap 16', downholder clip 17' and clamp
element 18' and further shows the positioning of an ear 25, to
which the ear-tag is to be attached to and from which sample tissue
is to be removed according to one example embodiment.
[0136] As shown in this embodiment, flap 16' has two arms 16a' and
16b'. Arm 16a' has a curved arc shape with its proximal end
continuing to the beginning of arm 16b'. Distal end of arm 16a'
joins holder 16c' and base 16d' which removably attach to distal
end of shank 9 of male tag 7. Arm 16b' branches into two forks:
16b1' and 16b2' at its distal end and a space or cavity is disposed
in between the two forks wherein sample container 22 can fit. Flap
16' is attached to pliers 1 by means of a connector 28. Connector
28 can be any connector such as but not limited to a screw which
fits into a throughhole in 16, a clip that can hold in place parts
16' (and 17' in some embodiments) onto pliers 1, a projection of
pliers 1 having a hole shaped to fit flap 16' into it (as well as
downholder clip 17' in some embodiments), a magnetic connector
having a bottom and top magnet (both shown as 28) between which
flap 16' (as well as downholder clip 17' in some embodiments) can
be held by magnetic forces. In some embodiments, flap 16' can be
made of rigid or flexible plastics or metal sheets. Typical pliers
10 or 10' are made of metal and/or rigid plastics.
[0137] Downholder clamp 17' also branches into two arms 17a' and
17b' which lie adjacent to the edges of arm 16b' and forks 16b1'
and 16b2'.
[0138] Sample container 22 has an asymmetrically shaped bottom side
22b similar to that described in embodiments above. Sample
container 22 has a top-part 22' disposing a cavity or hole therein
to allow male-tag part to enter in. Top part 22' includes a closed
counter plate that helps punching the tissue sample. Part 22' also
acts as intermediate part between male tag 7 and clamps 18a and
18b. In use, when male tag 7 pushes part 22' down, part 22' pushes
clamps 18a' and 18b' to the side.
[0139] In one embodiment, device 10' as depicted in FIG. 14A has
clamp element 18' having clamps 18a' and 18b' is disposed on groves
on forks 16b1' and 16b2'. Clamps 18a' and 18b' clamp sample
container 22 in place during ear-piercing and ear-tissue
extraction.
[0140] According to one embodiment, tissue cutter element (also
referred to herein as punch) comprises upper part of punch 9c',
lower part of punch 9d' and 9e', hinges 24 and slit 23 (not
expressly shown in FIG. 14A, see FIGS. 15B, 16B and 17B). Tissue
cutter element described in this embodiment of device 10' is
different from tissue cutter element 9c described above for device
10.
[0141] FIG. 14B depicts a cross-section of device 10' as shown in
FIG. 14A. Inside shank 9 of male tag 7, conical element 11 is
disposed the top part of which fits into pin tip 6' of pliers 1
similar to that described for device 10 in sections above. FIG. 14B
shows further details of 9c', 9d', 9e', slit 23 and hinge 24.
Conical tip of element 11 (bottom part of element 11) fits into
female-tag container 14a.
[0142] In use of device 10' at both the starting position and
during punching or tissue removal, hinge 24 is in its closed
position. In this position slit 23 of the punch/tissue cutter
element in the upper part 9c' of the punch is securely closed by
the lower part 9d' and 9e' of the punch. In this position the punch
sits stiffly on top of male tag 7 and can be pushed through ear 25
by male tag 7. Until the punch enters container 22, the sample
container 22 is securely held in place by the clamps 18a and
18b.
[0143] FIG. 15A depicts device 10' having pierced through ear 25.
Tissue cutting element/punch (comprising portions of 9c', 9d and
9e) is inserted into ear 25 and container 22. Clamps 18a and 18b
already have been pushed to the side by the part 22' which has been
pushed down by the male tag.
[0144] FIG. 15B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15A and
shows movement of element 11 and punch into ear 25 and container
22. FIG. 15B also depicts location of container 22 directly above
female-tag hole 14 and chamber 14a. FIG. 15B also depicts that the
punch has penetrated the lid of 22' and that the part 22' has been
pushed down by the punch.
[0145] FIG. 16A depicts sample container 22 with tissue sample (not
shown) detaching from male part of ear-tag 7 following ear piercing
during use of device 10', according to one embodiment of the
disclosure. Details such as slit 23 and hinge 24 can be seen.
Sample container 22 tips in a transverse direction such as to move
away from the path of element 11 of male-tag 7. The asymmetrical
shape of the bottom part 22b of sample container 22 facilitates the
transverse movement in response to the force of descending part 9c'
of male tag 7 having conical tip 11.
[0146] FIG. 16B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 16A. As soon
as clamping elements 18a' and 18b' are released by the downwards
moving punch 9c', container 22 tips away. Lower part of punch 9d'
and 9e' tip away with container 22 (as there is a form-locking
connection between these two parts). As a result of this, lower
part 9d' and 9e' of punch no longer encases upper part of punch 9c'
and slit 23 of upper part of punch 9c' opens when shank 9 of male
part 7 continues travelling downwards toward female tag container
14.
[0147] FIG. 17A depicts transverse movement of sample container 22
now containing tissue sample 25' (not expressly shown) and lower
portion of male part of ear-tag 7 traveling through slit 23 of
upper part of cutting element 9c' following ear piercing during use
of the device 10' as shown in FIG. 14A, according to one embodiment
of the disclosure. In use, part 11 will continue to traverse down
into female tag container 14a while sample container 22 with tissue
sample 25' and parts of 9c' are released from male punch 7 to form
a lid 9c' over container 22.
[0148] FIG. 17B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17A and
shows parts 9d' and 9e' forming a lid on sample container 22 at end
22' to seal in the collected tissue sample 25' (not expressly
shown). In some embodiments, the seal formed is an air-tight seal.
In some embodiments, lid comprising 9d' and 9e' forms an air-tight
seal keeping tissue sample 25' protected. In some embodiments,
sample container 22 will have a desiccant inside to keep tissue
sample 25' (not shown in figure) in-tact.
[0149] In some embodiments, apparatus of the disclosure can be used
with a multi-well device. For example, samples obtained in sample
container 22 of the disclosure can be aligned with multi-well
devices, such as 96-wells, 384-wells, 1536 wells and the like. In
some embodiments, the sample containers have dimensions that allow
them to align onto multi-well plates and can be used to transfer
multiple samples onto a multiwell format for simultaneous sample
tissue processing or sample testing. An example of sample container
22 of the disclosure fitting onto a 96-well format is shown in
FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C. After tissue extraction and ear-tag 26
application on to ear 25, sample containers 22 can be moved onto
multi-well plates as depicted.
[0150] Accordingly, devices of the disclosure can be used with a
multi-well processing device for simultaneous sample tissue
processing or testing after tissue extraction by moving sample
containers of the disclosure onto multi-well plates. The asymmetric
bottom part of sample containers of the disclosure forms a cut-out
or a cavity into which a protrusion of the next container (in a
multi-well container configuration) can be positioned into when
aligned in a multi-well format, such as a 96-well format, a
384-well format, and/or a 1536 well format. In some embodiments,
the footprint of each container can be larger than a diameter of 9
mm and would fit into a multi-well format.
[0151] FIG. 18A depicts a two-dimensional view of sample containers
22 of the disclosure arranged in an array with their asymmetrical
bottom parts positioned to align with each other as the subsequent
container 22 fits into a grove of the asymmetric portion of a
previous container according to one embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 18B depicts the top view of an array of sample containers 22
of the disclosure arranged in a 96-well format. According to one
embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 18B depicts certain exemplary
dimensions of sample containers arranged in an array that enable
use of the containers of the disclosure in a 96-well format. The
dimension of 10.05 mm shows the maximum footprint edge length which
is larger than the maximum 9 mm.times.9 mm edge length allowed by a
standard 96-well format. The 9 mm.times.9 mm dimension depicted in
FIG. 18B is to illustrate the maximum dimensions allowed by the
96-well format. The diameter of the main body of the container is
7.2 mm according to this exemplary embodiment. FIG. 18C depicts a
three-dimensional view of an array of sample containers 96 of the
disclosure arranged in a 96-well format, according to one example
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0152] One of skill in the art will realize that devices of the
disclosure are not limited to devices 10 and 10' as depicted in
FIGS. 1-13 and FIGS. 14A-18C, but the present description is to
merely illustrate some features of devices of the disclosure.
[0153] In some embodiments, a device for attaching an identity tag
and removing a tissue sample is described comprising an ear-tag
applicator; a means (such as but not limited to flap 16) to hold a
sample container below a male part of the identity tag (male tag)
and above a female part of the identity tag (female tag); the male
tag having a removable tissue cutting element; the removable tissue
cutting element having at least a part configured to form a lid on
the sample container; at least one holder (16c) reversibly
connected to the removable tissue cutting element (punch) 9c; a
clamp (18) reversibly connected to the sample container (22); the
male tag having a movement path toward the female tag; and at least
one part of the sample container or one part of the removable
tissue cutting element characterized by a feature that supports
movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the
male tag, wherein the sample container and the clamp remain in the
movement path of the male tag when there is a connection between
the holder and the removable tissue cutting element and when there
is a connection between the clamp and the sample container, wherein
the connection between the holder and the removable tissue cutting
element and the connection between the clamp and the sample
container are released after a tissue sample is removed but before
the male tag part enters the female part, wherein when the
connections are released the sample container retains the lid and
the sample container with lid move out of the movement path of the
male tag.
[0154] In some embodiments, the means to hold a sample container
below a male tag and above a female tag is a part such as but not
limited to flap 16 as described in the drawings. A device of the
disclosure can have one or more of several features that can
supports movement of the sample container out of the movement path
of the male tag. Non limiting examples of such features include an
asymmetric bottom of the sample container; and/or a removable
tissue cutting element (such as 9c in embodiments of FIGS. 1-13 or
parts 9d' and 9e' in embodiments of FIGS. 14A-17B); and/or a part
of a removable tissue cutting element or a punch as described
herein; and/or a hinge integrated in a punch or cutting element;
and/or a multi-part punch (such as shown in FIGS. 14A-17B).
[0155] In some embodiments, in a device of the disclosure the
release of a clamp is actuated by the position and/or movement of a
tissue cutting element (e.g. such as but not limited to a punch, a
part of a punch, and/or an intermediate part such as 22' that
pushes clamps 18a and 18b to the side).
[0156] In some embodiments, in a device of the disclosure the
release of a clamp is actuated by a predetermined breaking point on
the clamp or the sample container.
[0157] In some embodiments, a device of the disclosure can further
comprise a flap that connects the sample container to the removable
tissue cutting element and male tag. In some embodiments, the flap
is connected to the ear-tag applicator/pliers.
[0158] In some embodiments, the disclosure describes a device for
attaching an identity tag and removing a tissue sample comprising:
an ear-tag applicator/pliers; a sample container; a means to hold a
male tag part of the identity tag onto portions of the ear-tag
applicator; a means to hold a female tag part of the identity tag
below the male tag and below the ear, such that the ear is in
between the male tag and the female tag; a means to hold the sample
container below both the ear and the male tag and above the female
tag; the male tag having a tissue cutting element at least a part
of which can detach from the male tag after excision of the ear
tissue and attach to the sample container to form a lid on the
sample container; the device having at least one element that can
cause the sample container to move out of the movement path of the
male tag following removal of the tissue sample and placement of
cut tissue sample into the container and placement of lid onto the
sample container such that the male tag portions can move toward
and enter the female tag to fit together thereby attaching the
ear-tag to the ear.
[0159] Non limiting examples of the at least one element that can
cause the sample container to move out of the movement path of the
male tag following removal of the tissue sample and placement of
cut tissue sample into the container and placement of lid onto the
sample container are one or more of the following: an asymmetric
bottom of the sample container; and/or a removable tissue cutting
element (such as 9c in embodiments of FIGS. 1-13 or parts 9d' and
9e' in embodiments of FIGS. 14A-17B); and/or a part of a removable
tissue cutting element or a punch as described herein; and/or a
hinge integrated in a punch or cutting element; and/or a multi-part
punch (such as shown in FIGS. 14A-17B).
[0160] In some embodiments of the device described above, a means
to hold a male tag part of the identity tag onto portions of the
ear-tag applicator comprises a flap (such as 16 or 16' as described
above) and can optionally also comprise a downholder clip.
[0161] In some embodiments of the device described above, a means
to hold a female tag part of the identity tag below the male tag
and below the ear, such that the ear is in between the male tag and
the female tag comprises a space, a cavity or a groove on the
ear-tag applicator wherein the portions of the female part tag can
reversibly fit into.
[0162] In some embodiments of the device described above, a means
to hold the sample container below both the ear and the male tag
and above the female tag comprises a flap (such as 16 or 16' as
described above) and may optionally also comprise a downholder
clip. In some embodiments, the means to hold the sample container
below both the ear and the male tag and above the female tag can
further comprise a clamp.
[0163] In some embodiments of the device described above, at least
a part of the male tag having a tissue cutting element which can
detach from the male tag after excision of the ear tissue and
attach to the sample container to form a lid on the sample
container can comprise the entire tissue cutting element or punch
(such as 9c) or parts thereof (such as 9d' and 9e').
[0164] In some embodiments, the disclosure describes a device for
attaching an identity tag and removing a tissue sample comprising:
an ear-tag applicator/pliers; a sample container; a flap and a
downholder clip that are operable to hold: 1) a male tag part of
the identity tag onto portions of the ear-tag applicator; and 2) to
hold the sample container below both the ear and the male tag and
above the female tag; at least one clamp; a female tag part of the
identity tag below the male tag and below the ear, such that the
ear is in between the male tag and the female tag held in place by
a space, a cavity or a groove on the ear-tag applicator wherein the
portions of the female part tag can reversibly fit into; the male
tag having a tissue cutting element, which in entirety or at least
a part of which, can detach from the male tag after excision of the
ear tissue and attach to the sample container to form a lid on the
sample container; and at least one element that can cause the
sample container to move out of the movement path of the male tag
following removal of the tissue sample and placement of cut tissue
sample into the container and placement of lid onto the sample
container such that the male tag portions can move toward and enter
the female tag to fit together thereby attaching the ear-tag to the
ear.
[0165] Non limiting examples of the at least one element that can
cause the sample container to move out of the movement path of the
male tag following removal of the tissue sample and placement of
cut tissue sample into the container and placement of lid onto the
sample container are one or more of the following: an asymmetric
bottom of the sample container; and/or a removable tissue cutting
element (such as 9c in embodiments of FIGS. 1-13 or parts 9d' and
9e' in embodiments of FIGS. 14A-17B); and/or a part of a removable
tissue cutting element or a punch as described herein; and/or a
hinge integrated in a punch or cutting element; and/or a multi-part
punch (such as shown in FIGS. 14A-17B).
[0166] In some embodiments of the device described above, a flap
can comprise elements such as 16 or 16' as described above and a
downholder clip can comprise elements such as 17 or 17'. In some
embodiments of the device described above, at least a part of the
male tag having a tissue cutting element which can detach from the
male tag after excision of the ear tissue and attach to the sample
container to form a lid on the sample container can comprise the
entire tissue cutting element or punch (such as 9c) or parts
thereof (such as 9d' and 9e').
[0167] The present specification also describes methods for
attaching an identity tag to an animal and obtaining samples from
the animal. In some embodiments an identity-tag attached to an ear
using a method and a device of the disclosure cannot be tampered
with (i.e., cannot be removed and/or transferred from one animal to
another).
[0168] Animals to which ear-tags can be attached to by devices and
methods of the disclosure include cattle, cows, bison, buffalos,
sheep, goats, pigs, deer, reindeer and any wild or domestic animals
to which an identity tag is desired to be attached and tissue
sample derived for testing.
[0169] Samples obtained from an animal can be a tissue sample, an
ear sample, a skin sample, a cartilage sample, a blood sample.
[0170] A method of the disclosure in some embodiments comprises:
reversibly attaching a male-part of an ear-tag (male tag) having a
tissue cutting element onto an ear-tag applicator (such as a
pliers) in a position above an ear that is to be tagged and from
which sample is to be obtained; placing a female part of an ear-tag
(female tag) onto or near the ear-tag applicator; placing a sample
container having an asymmetrical bottom part in position below the
male tag and the ear and above the female tag; moving the male-part
of the ear-tag by means of the ear-tag applicator downward toward
and through the ear such that the tissue cutting element of the
male tag pierces through the ear and places the excised ear tissue
into the sample container; continuing to move the male tag downward
to the female tag past the sample container such that movement of
the male tag moves the sample container transversely out of way of
the descending male tag; forming a seal of the male tag and female
tag, thereby attaching the ear-tag to the ear and obtaining
ear-tissue sample in the sample container.
[0171] The ear-tag applicator can be a pliers such as any
commercially available ear-tag applicator or an ear-tag applicator
as described in the present application.
[0172] In some embodiments, the female part of the ear-tag can be
placed in a groove of the ear-tag applicator fashioned to receive
the female part container. In some embodiments, the female tag can
be placed near the ear-tag-applicator by means of clamps, clips or
magnetic forces.
[0173] In some embodiments of the method, the male tag is attached
manually or robotically to the ear-tag-applicator by a pin on the
applicator that is movable up and down by means of one or more
pliers handles up and down a pivotable axis. In some embodiments,
the male tag comprises a hollow stalk inside of which is a
complementary shaped element designed to fit into the pin of the
ear-tag applicator.
[0174] In some embodiments, the sample container is held in place
prior to and during piercing of the ear tissue by means of one or
more of a downholder clip, one or more clamps and/or a flap. In
some embodiments, the asymmetric shape of the sample container at
the bottom facilitates the transverse movement of the sample
container following movement of the male tag components toward the
female tag located directly below the original place of the sample
container.
[0175] In some embodiments of the method, a lid is placed on the
sample container after the excised ear tissue is placed in. In some
embodiments, a part of the male-tag detaches to form the sample
container lid. In some embodiments, the lid part of the male tag is
placed over the sample container while the excised tissue is placed
in the sample container. In some embodiments, of the method the lid
is an air-tight lid.
[0176] In some embodiments, excising ear tissue can comprise one or
more methods selected from: piercing ear tissue, punching a hole in
the ear tissue, cutting the ear tissue, tearing off the ear
tissue.
[0177] In some embodiments, a method of the disclosure enables
comfortable handling while using a device of the disclosure in the
field and lab for removing tissue samples and attaching an ear-tag.
For example, a flap of the disclosure that connects together sample
container, punch and male tag to the ear-tag applicator. This
connection enables a user to simply push a male tag 7 onto pin 6
and attach flap part 20 to a downholder clip 17. Furthermore the
connection between a male tag and sample container during packaging
prevents mixing-up of samples since typically a container will be
labeled with the same animal ID as the ear-tag.
[0178] Samples of ear tissue obtained can be taken to a laboratory
for testing or tested at the sample excision site by other methods
in the art for testing samples. Samples may need to be preserved
for testing and transportation and hence a tissue container can
contain a desiccant, a preservative, a buffer and the like that can
preserve the sample.
[0179] The present disclosure also describes kits for attaching an
identity-tag to an animal and obtaining tissue samples from the
animal. In some embodiments, a kit of the disclosure comprises at
least one or more components of device 10 or 10' as described
herein. A kit can comprise, for example, flap (such as but not
limited to 16 or 16'), a downholder clip (such as but not limited
to 17 or 17'), sample container having an asymmetrical base (such
as but not limited to 22) and clamp elements (such as but not
limited to 18 or 18').
[0180] In some embodiments of a kit of the disclosure, sample
container can be pre-packaged with a desiccant material, a
preservative, and/or a buffer inside it to preserve the tissue
sample obtained by the device of the disclosure. A kit can
optionally comprise an ear-tag applicator (such as but not limited
to pliers 1) as described herein or any other ear-tag applicator
pliers available in the market. A kit can optionally comprise
ear-tags comprising male and female components.
[0181] In some embodiments, a kit of the disclosure will not
comprise ear-tag applicators or ear-tags and the user can use the
other components of the kit with any ear-tag and ear-tag applicator
they have.
[0182] Components of a kit of the disclosure can be packaged in one
or more container means. In some embodiments desiccants and/or
buffer components can be packaged in lyophilized form.
[0183] A kit of the disclosure may also comprise one or more
reagents for processing the tissue sample and can comprise reagents
for extracting, isolating and/or purification of nucleic acids
and/or proteins from the sample tissue. A kit may further comprise
reagents for downstream processing of an isolated nucleic acids or
proteins from tissue by downstream methods such as but not limited
to immunoassays, ELISA's PCR, qPCR, real-time PCR and performing
assays as set forth above. Accordingly, kits of the disclosure may
include without limitation at least one RNase inhibitor; at least
one cDNA construction reagents (such as reverse transcriptase); one
or more reagents for amplification of RNA, one or more reagents for
amplification of DNA including primers, reagents for purification
of DNA, probes for detection of specific nucleic acids; primary
antibodies, secondary antibodies, immunodetection agents and
buffers. A kit of the disclosure may in some embodiments include
components for the identification of specific pathogens in a sample
comprising primer/probes having sequences specific to the
pathogen.
[0184] Reagents and components of kits may be comprised in one or
more suitable container means. A container means may generally
comprise at least one vial, test tube, flask, bottle, syringe or
other container means, into which a component may be placed, and
preferably, suitably aliquoted. Where there is more than one
component in a kit they may be packaged together if suitable or the
kit will generally contain a second, third or other additional
container into which the additional components may be separately
placed. However, in some embodiments, certain combinations of
components may be packaged together comprised in one container
means. Such containers may include injection or blow-molded plastic
containers into which the desired vials are retained.
[0185] A kit of the disclosure can also include instructions for
employing the kit components and may also have instructions for the
use of any other reagent not included in the kit. Instructions can
include variations that can be implemented.
EXAMPLES
[0186] Aspects of the present teachings can be further understood
in light of the following examples, which should not be construed
as limiting the scope of the present teachings in any way.
Example 1
Construction & Assembly of Devices
[0187] The present Example describes embodiments of devices of the
disclosure in relation to FIG. 1. Part numbers used are consistent
with those used in FIG. 1. However, one of skill in the art will
note that the disclosure is not limited by the examples described
here and the examples are merely to illustrate concepts of the
disclosure. Similar fabrication, assembly and use methods as
described below can be used to make and use devices described in
other parts of the specification, including devices described for
example in FIGS. 14A-17B as well.
Pliers and Ear-Tag
[0188] Pliers (also referred to herein as ear-tag applicators) used
is a commercially available standard applicator for ear-tags. Parts
5 and 5' in the pliers used are made of a rigid plastic and can
include materials such as but not limited to glass fibers. All
other parts of the standard ear-tag applicator (e.g. base, bottom
part, top part, pin 6) are made of metal. Ear-tag parts including
male part 7 and female part 12 are also commercially available and
made of plastic. Downholder clip 17 is also made of metal and is
part of a commercially available ear-tag applicator device.
Selective Laser-Sintering
[0189] Sample container 22 and clamp 18 were produced by selective
laser-sintering using PA12 (polyamide 12) powder reinforced by
glass balls. Tissue cutting element (also referred to as removable
tissue cutting element, and, in some embodiments, part 9c) was also
produced by the same material. To strengthen up the cutting edge of
part 9c a metal ring was assembled around the plastic part. For
example, a metal ring or metal sleeve was pushed into the lower
cavity of the plastic parts of sample container 22. Flap 16 and its
components such as one or more of parts 16a, 16b, 16d and 16c were
produced by selective laser-sintering using a PA powder resulting
in parts with a coefficient of elasticity of 1500 MPA. Although
this example describes use of PA12 powder, other similar materials
can be used to fabricate a sample container using the teachings
described here.
Assembly
[0190] A. Pre-assembly of the group of parts including "male
tag-container-clamp-flap": In a first assembly step the flap part
16 (including for example one or more parts of flap including 16,
16b, 16a, 16d, 16c) were connected to container 22 by pushing part
of flap 16 into a cavity of container 22. In a second step clamp 18
was connected to container 22 (for example, clicked into position).
As a final pre-assembling step of the group "male
tag-container-clamp-flap", the tissue cutting element (9c) was put
on part 11 of the male tag and fixed in position by holder and/or
arms 16c.
[0191] B. Assembly of applicator-ear-tag-sampling-device: First
male tag 7 was pushed onto pin 6 of the applicator. In a second
step arms 20 of flap 16 were pushed into the socket of clip 17. As
the last assembly step, female tag 12 is put into the
groove/space/cavity 1d of the ear-tag applicator. The position of
the container 22 above the female tag 12 is defined by the flap
length between arms 20 and container 22.
Example 2
Application of Ear-tag and Tissue Sampling
[0192] Robustness of Device Component Alignment: The first
experiments were done without an ear to test the correctness and
robustness of the alignment of device components before and during
the application of the ear-tag and tissue sampling. To test the
robustness of the connection between container 22 and clamp 18 a
rigid piece of plastic with 3 mm thickness was put between the
container 22 and the male tag 7 to simulate a thick ear that cannot
be penetrated. Even when a lot of hand force is applied on the
ear-tag applicator handles 5 and 5' to close the ear-tag applicator
10, the connection between container 22 and clamp 18 did not fail.
This shows that the connection between the container and clamp is
robust enough to ensure tissue sampling and that container 22 will
not slip away transversally before a tissue sample and tissue
cutting element (punch) or parts thereof are securely introduced in
the container (i.e., tissue sample is placed in container and
tissue cutting element on the male tag is introduced into container
as its lid).
[0193] Functioning of Device: A second experiment was done without
an ear and without any material between container and male
tag/punch. When the punch (tissue cutting element of male tag 7)
pushed the part 16b' down, the part 16b' transversally moved the
clamp 18. When the punch is inside the container 22 as a lid, part
16b' transversally moved the clamp until it no longer supports the
container. When this happens the container slips transversally with
its asymmetric bottom on the surface of the female tag as the male
tag is further moved towards the female tag. Finally the male tag
is locked to the female tag and the container is closed by the
punch which forms a container lid.
[0194] Sample Extraction and Ear-tag Application: Experiments with
a calf ear showed that the container and clamp connection (as
described above) indeed is robust enough so that calf ear tissue
can be cut between the punch (of the male tag) and the top edge of
the container without any displacement or movement of the container
during cutting. The container is only displaced (moves/slips
transversally) when the cut ear tissue sample and the punch are
introduced into the container and the punch has pushed the clamp
aside (such as by means of the part 16b' that holds the container
to the flap 16 and clamp 18). The present experiments as described
above show that devices of the disclosure work reliably.
[0195] Each embodiment disclosed herein may be used or otherwise
combined with any of the other embodiments disclosed. Any element
of any embodiment may be used in any embodiment. Although the
invention has been described with reference to specific
embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for
elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope
of the invention. In addition, modification may be made without
departing from the essential teachings of the invention.
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