U.S. patent number 3,805,784 [Application Number 05/278,112] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-23 for semen capsule for use with an artificial insemination applicator.
Invention is credited to Richard R. Alter.
United States Patent |
3,805,784 |
Alter |
April 23, 1974 |
SEMEN CAPSULE FOR USE WITH AN ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
APPLICATOR
Abstract
A capsule for cold storage of semen that is subsequently used
with a plunger-type artificial insemination applicator. The capsule
container ends are sealed with force fitted one-piece plugs having
tapered confronting inner ends and spaced annular sealing lands
that engage the inner wall of the container. One plug is engaged
and movable by a reciprocable applicator plunger for ejecting
semen.
Inventors: |
Alter; Richard R. (Delavan,
WI) |
Family
ID: |
23063730 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/278,112 |
Filed: |
August 4, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/403 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61D
19/027 (20130101); A61B 17/43 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
17/43 (20060101); A61B 17/42 (20060101); A61D
19/00 (20060101); A61D 19/02 (20060101); A61m
037/02 (); A61d 007/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/234,235,218D,218DA,260,261,272 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gaudet; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Frinks; Ronald L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Root & O'Keeffe
Claims
I claim:
1. A capsule for the cold storage of semen at freezing temperatures
and for subsequent use in an artificial insemination applicator
apparatus of the type embodying an elongated tubular body portion,
and an elongated plunger reciprocable through said body portion in
co-axial relation thereto, and comprising
a. an elongated tubular member adapted to be inserted
longitudinally into said body portion and to receive an end of said
plunger for movement longitudinally therethrough,
b. a one-piece plug normally mounted in one end portion of said
tubular member in position to close the latter and to be engaged by
said end of said plunger and be moved thereby through said tubular
member upon such movement of said plunger therethrough, and
c. another one-piece plug mounted in the other end portion of said
tubular member in position to close the latter;
d. semen disposed in said tubular member between said plugs,
e. each of said plugs including
1. a substantially cylindrical-shaped central body portion disposed
in the respective end portion of said tubular member,
2. an end portion
a. projecting from one end of said last mentioned central body
portion in substantially co-axial relation thereto toward the other
of said plugs, and
b. sloping inwardly toward its axis in a direction away from its
last mentioned central body portion, and
3. two outwardly projecting annular lands
a. extending around the respective central body portion
transversely to the length thereof,
b. disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each
other, and
c. engaging said tubular member with a force fit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to capsules for use in applicator
apparatuses, and, more specifically, to capsules which are
particularly well adapted for use in artificial insemination
operations, and the like.
It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel
capsule for use in an applicator apparatus.
Another object is to afford a novel capsule which is particularly
well adapted for use in artificial insemination operations.
It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel
capsule for use in an applicator apparatus.
Another object is to afford a novel capsule which is particularly
well adapted for use in artificial insemination operations.
Apparatuses embodying elongated tubular housings, through which
elongated plungers are movable therethrough for ejecting fluid from
the housing, are well known in the art. This includes such
apparatuses for use in artificial insemination operations,
apparatuses of this type being shown, for example, in my copending
application for United States Letters Patent, Ser. No. 124,883,
filed Mar. 16, 1971, and now abandoned, and in Heuboski U.S. Pat.
No. 2,841,146, Hill et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,884 and Cassou U.S.
Pat. No. 3,507,281.
Also, capsules of various types, which are adapted to hold a supply
of fluid, such as semen, and which may be used with apparatuses of
the aforementioned type, have been heretofore known in the art,
such as, for example, capsules adapted to be mounted on the outer
end of such a housing, such as shown in the aforementioned Hill et
al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,884; capsules in the form of "straws"
adapted to be mounted in such housings and embodying a plug movable
therethrough to expel fluid therefrom, such as shown in the
aforementioned Cassou U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,281; and capsules in the
form af ampules which may be mounted in such housings, and which
may be turned inside out to expel fluid therefrom, such as shown in
my aforementioned application, Ser. No. 124,883.
However, although capsules of the aforementioned types heretofore
known in the art have been successfully used, they commonly have
had several inherent disadvantages, such as, for example, being
difficult to manufacture; being difficult to fill with fluid; not
affording effective sealing against leakage of fluid therefrom; not
affording effective sealing against the passage of outside air,
gases or liquids thereinto; being inefficient in the discharge of
fluids therefrom; being susceptible to the accidental blowing out
of the sealing members thereof during storage and handling; being
complicated in construction; or being difficult or unreliable in
operation, and the like. It is an important object of the present
invention to overcome such disadvantages.
Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel
capsule for use in applicator apparatuses wherein the parts thereof
are constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner
operable to afford effective sealing of fluid or liquid therein at
all times prior to the desired discharge of such fluid or liquid
therefrom.
A further object of the present invention is to afford a novel
capsule of the aforementioned type wherein the parts thereof are
constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner
effective to insure thorough discharge, in the desired direction,
of fluid therefrom during a discharge operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to afford a novel
capsule of the aforementioned type wherein the parts thereof are
constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner
effective to prevent leakage of liquids, air and gases into the
capsule.
Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel
capsule of the aforementioned type which is practical and efficient
in construction and operation, and which may be readily and
economically produced commercially.
Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent
from the following description and claims and are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, shown a
preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles
thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have
contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the
invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used
and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in
the art without departing from the present invention and the
purview of the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an applicator apparatus, with
parts broken away, having a capsule, embodying the principles of
the present invention, disposed in operative position therein;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through a capsule embodying
the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the capsule shown
in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another portion of the capsule
shown in FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT SHOWN HEREIN
A capsule 1, embodying the principles of the present invention, is
shown in the drawing to illustrate the presently preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
The capsule 1 embodies, in general, an elongated, substantially
straight, tubular member in the form of a "straw" 2, FIG. 2, with
plugs 3 and 4 disposed in respective opposite ends of the tubular
member 2, in sealing relation thereto, a fluid 5 being disposed in
the tubular member 2 between the plugs 3 and 4, and preferably
completely filling the tubular member 3 therebetween. Preferably,
the tubular member 2 and the plugs 3 and 4 are round in transverse
cross section.
The tubular member 2 may be made of any suitable material, but
preferably is made of a suitable plastic material such as, for
example, polypropylene, or the like, and preferably is what is
referred to herein as "severable," which means that it may be
readily cut with a manually operated, sharp cutting edge, such as a
knife blade, scissors, clippers, or the like.
The plugs 3 and 4, also, may be made of any suitable material, but
preferably are made of a suitable plastic material such as, for
example, polypropylene.
The plug 3, shown in the drawings, comprises an elongated member
having oppositely disposed, outer end portions 6 and 7, FIGS. 2 and
3, separated by an elongated, substantially cylindrical-shaped,
central body portion 8. Two annular lands or ribs 9 and 10 extend
around the body portion 8, transversely to the length thereof, in
spaced, parallel relation to each other. Preferably, the lands 9
and 10 are disposed closely adjacent to, but spaced from the end
portions 6 and 7, respectively, FIG. 3.
The end portions 6 and 7 of the plug 3 shown in the drawing are
frusto-conical in shape, terminating at their outer ends in
substantially flat faces 11 and 12, respectively, FIG. 3, which are
smaller in diameter than the inner ends of the respective end
portions 6 and 7.
In the assembled capsule 1, the plug 3 is disposed in the tubular
member 2 with a relative snug, force fit, but is movable
longitudinally therethrough by the application of manual force
applied by suitable means, such as a plunger, to the face 11 of the
end portion 6, as will be discussed in greater detail presently.
Preferably, the plug 3 in the assembled capsule 1 is so disposed in
the tubular member 2 that the face 11 of the end portion 6 thereof
is disposed in uniplanar relation to the outer end 13 of the
tubular member 2.
The plug 4 is somewhat similar in construction to the plug 3,
embodying a frusto-conical shaped end portion 14 tapering inwardly
away from one end of an elongated, substantially
cylindrical-shaped, central body portion 15 and terminating at its
outermost end in a substantially flat face 16, and including two
lands 17 and 18 projecting radially outwardly from opposite end
portions of the body portion 15 in parallel spaced relation to each
other and to the respective adjacent ends of the body portion 15.
However, unlike the plug 3, the end portion of the plug 4 remote
from the end portion 14 comprises a cap or end piece, in the form
of a substantially flat plate 19, which is round in cross section,
transverse to the length of the plug 4, and which projects radially
outwardly beyond the adjacent end of the body portion 15.
Preferably, the cap 19 is of the same outside diameter as the
outside diameter of the tubular member 2, and in the assembled
capsule 1, the outer peripheral edge portion 20 thereof is disposed
in abutting juxtaposition to the end 21 of the tubular member 2
remote from the end 13 thereof, FIG. 2. It will be seen that with
this construction of the plug 4, when the latter is disposed in
operative position in the tubular member 2, the cap 19 affords an
effective abutment member for engaging the outer end 21 of the
tubular member 2, to thereby accurately locate the plug 4 in the
tubular member 2, and to prevent the plug 4 from being pushed
through the tubular member 2, for a purpose which will be discussed
in greater detail presently.
The outside diameter of the lands 9, 10, 17 and 18 preferably are
such that, when the plugs 3 and 4 are disposed in operative
position in the respective end portions of the tubular member 2,
the latter are expanded outwardly somewhat thereby to afford a
liquid-tight sealing engagement between the tube 2 and the plugs 3
and 4. For example, I have found that in making the capsule 1, with
the tubular member 2 and the plugs 3 and 4 made of polypropylene
and with the inside diameter of the unassembled tubular member 2
having a wall thickness of 0.020 inch and an inside diameter of
0.105 inch, the outside diameter of the lands 9, 10 and 17 may be
made in the nature of 0.109 inch and 0.111 inch and preferably
0.110 inch. With this construction, the wall portions of the
tubular member 2, adjacent to the lands 9, 10 17 and 18 in the
assembled capsule 1, are expanded outwardly by the respective lands
to afford a somewhat wrap-around engagement of the tubular member 2
with the lands 9, 10, 17 and 18 which is effective to provide an
efficient seal against leakage of air, gas and liquid past the
plugs 3 and 4, and is effective to hold the plugs 3 and 4 in the
tubular member 2.
In filling the capsule 1 with the fluid 5, the proper amount of
fluid may be inserted into the tubular member 2, with the latter
disposed in horizontally extending position, and the plugs 3 and 4
may then be inserted into operative position in the respective ends
of the tubular member 2 to seal the fluid therein. With this
construction, the lands 9 and 10, and the lands 17 and 18, afford
an effective double-seal at the respective ends of the tubular
member 2 against leakage of the fluid 5 outwardly past the plugs 3
and 4, respectively, and against the passage of liquid, air or
gases past the plugs 3 and 4 into the tube 5, to thereby afford
effective protection against the leakage of the fluid 5 from the
tubular member 2 and against the passage of contaminants from
outside of the tubular member 2 into the fluid 5.
Capsules of the type shown herein are commonly stored in what may
be termed extremely cold refrigerants, such as, for example, liquid
nitrogen, and the like, the temperature of which may be several
hundred degrees below zero, Fahrenheit. Such cooling of the
interior of the capsule 1, of course, causes contraction of any
gases which may be trapped therein between the plugs 3 and 4, so as
to reduce the pressure within the capsule 1 and thus tend to cause
the flow of any surrounding liquid, or gases, or the like, into the
capsule 2. If such inward flow occurs, there is danger of
deleteriously contaminating the fluid 5. In addition, in the event
of any such leakage of liquid nitrogen or a gas into the capsule 1,
subsequent warming of the capsule 1, effective to thaw the frozen
fluid therein is also effective to tend to expand the gas afforded
by any such liquid nitrogen or gas which has passed thereinto, with
the resultant danger that the tubular member 2 might burst or the
end plugs therein might be blown therefrom. If this occurs, of
course, the fluid, which oftentimes is highly valuable, will be
lost, and, in addition, such bursting of the tubular member or
blowing out of the end plugs therefrom creates a danger to
personnel who may be nearby. Therefore, it is of importance that
capsules of the type disclosed herein are effectively sealed
against such inward leakage of liquid or gases, and the like,
thereinto, and the present invention affords effective protection
against such occurrences.
When it is desired to use the capsule 1 in an applicator apparatus,
the end 21 of the tubular member 2 may be opened, and the tubular
member 2, with the fluid 5 and the plug 3 remaining therein may be
inserted into operative position in a suitable applicator
apparatus, such as, for example, the apparatus 22 shown in FIG. 1.
The apparatus 22 is of a type well known in the art and forms no
part of the present invention, except insofar as it affords a part
of the entire combination, with a capsule as disclosed herein.
The apparatus 22 includes an elongated, substantially straight
tubular member 23, which may be made of any suitable material such
as, for example, stainless steel, extruded aluminum or a suitable
plastic such as, for example, polypropylene. It embodies a front
end 24 and a rear end 25, and, preferably, is substantially uniform
in internal diameter from the rear end 25 to a front end portion 26
thereof, adjacent to the front end 24, from which point it tapers
inwardly, in a substantially frusto-conical shape to a discharge
opening 27 in the front end 24.
An elongated plunger 28 having a body portion 29 of such cross
sectional size as to fit snugly within the portion of the tubular
housing 23 rearwardly of the front end portion 26 thereof with a
freely slidable fit, is slidably mounted in the housing 23 in the
assembled apparatus 22. The plunger 28 embodies an enlarged handle
portion 30 at the outer end thereof, and an inner end portion 31,
at the other end thereof, the inner end portion 31 being of reduced
cross sectional size, as compared to the cross sectional size of
the body portion 29, and projecting from the body portion 29 in
substantially axial alignment therewith.
In the use of the capsule 1, in the apparatus 22 shown in the
drawings, after the end 21 has been opened, the tubular member 2,
with plug 3 and the fluid 5 remaining therein, may be inserted into
the housing 23 into position wherein the end thereof remote from
the end 13 is disposed in engagement with the inner face of the
front end portion 26 of the housing 23, as shown in FIG. 1.
Thereafter, the plunger 28 may be inserted into operative position
in the housing 23, wherein the end portion 31, which is of a cross
sectional size adapted to pass through the tubular member 2, is
engaged with the outer end face 11 of the plug 3. When it is
desired to discharge the now thawed fluid 5 from the apparatus 22,
such as, for example, into the vaginal canal of an animal to be
impregnated, the plunger 28 may be manually pressed forwardly into
the housing 23 to thereby cause the plug 3 to be moved forwardly
along the tubular member 2, with the lands 9 and 10 in firm wiping
engagement with the inner surface of the tubular member 2, into
position, such as that shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, and thereby
discharge the fluid 5 outwardly from the tubular member 2 and
through the opening 27 in the housing 23. Preferably, the handle 30
is so disposed relative to the front end of the front end portion
31 of the plunger 28 that it will engage the end 25 of the housing
23 in the most forward position, which is desired for the plunger
28, so as to limit movement of the plug 3 to a position, such as
shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, wherein it is effective to
completely discharge the fluid from the tubular member 2 while
remaining disposed in the latter. Upon completion of the discharge
operation, the plunger 28 may be removed from the housing 23, the
emptied tubular member 2, with the plug 3 remaining therein, may be
removed from housing 23 through the end 25 thereof, and, if
desired, after the housing 23 has been suitably sterilized, another
tubular member 2 with the plug 3 and fluid 5 remaining therein may
be inserted into operative position in the housing 23 for another
insemination operation.
If desired, the force with which the plug 4 is engaged with the
tubular member 2 may be such that, by using a suitable manually
operated tool, such as, for example, a pliers, or the like, the
plug 4 may be manually removed from the tubular member 2 to thereby
open the end 21 thereof. However, it will be remembered that,
preferably, the tubular member 2 is constructed of severable
material, and I prefer that, in the opening of the tubular member
2, the latter be cut off inwardly of, and immediately adjacent to
the inner end 16 of the plug 4. Such opening of the tubular member
2 may be readily accomplished by the use of a knife blade, or the
like, and tends to insure against spillage of the fluid 5 from the
tubular member 2.
It is well known in the art that, heretofore, certain operators
using straws of semen, having plugs at both ends which were of the
type that were movable through the body portion of the straw, such
as, for example, the plug shown in the aforementioned Cassou U.S.
Pat. No. 3,507,281, have resorted to the practice of cutting such
straws in two and using the two halves of the straws in an
artificial insemination operation on two separate animals. This, of
course, reduces the dosage of spermatozoa to one-half of the
intended dosage, and, commonly, the thus reduced dosages have not
proven sufficient to effect the intended impregnation of the animal
receiving the same. This, of course, is a highly undesirable
practice. The construction of the plug 4 is such as to deter such
practice, the cap 19 being of such size, and being so engaged with
the tubular member 2 as to prevent the passage of the plug 4
therethrough, so that in the event the tubular member 2 should be
cut in two, the fluid 5 contained in the half of the tubular member
2 in which the plug 4 is disposed cannot be discharged from the
tubular member 2 by movement of the plug 4 therethrough.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention
affords a novel capsule.
In addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a
novel capsule which is particularly well adapted for storage and
subsequent discharge of semen in the carrying out of artificial
insemination operations.
Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel
capsule embodying novel sealing structures constituted and arranged
in a novel and expeditious manner for effective efficient sealing
against the leakage of fluid therefrom and against the passage of
contaminating liquids, gases, and the like, thereinto.
In addition, it will be seen that the present invention affords a
novel capsule from which fluid may be discharged efficiently and
thoroughly.
Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel
capsule which is practical and efficient in operation and which may
readily and economically produced commercially.
Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred
embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is
capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish
to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire the
avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the
purview of the following claims.
* * * * *