U.S. patent number RE34,936 [Application Number 08/096,075] was granted by the patent office on 1995-05-09 for animal marker implanting system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bio Medic Data Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Neil E. Campbell, Chinsoo Park.
United States Patent |
RE34,936 |
Campbell , et al. |
May 9, 1995 |
Animal marker implanting system
Abstract
A system for implanting a solid marker in an animal is provided.
The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an entrance and an exit
opening. A support is provided for supporting a hollow tube. A
plunger is slideably disposed between a first position and a second
position within the support. The plunger cooperates with the
support and the tube. The plunger engages the marker proximate to
the entrance opening of the tube, and ejects the marker through the
tube when the plunger is moved from a first position to a second
position.
Inventors: |
Campbell; Neil E. (Hasbrouck
Heights, NJ), Park; Chinsoo (Rutherford, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Bio Medic Data Systems, Inc.
(Maywood, NJ)
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Family
ID: |
25441597 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/096,075 |
Filed: |
July 22, 1993 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
919152 |
Oct 6, 1986 |
04787384 |
Nov 29, 1988 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/117; 40/300;
604/62; 606/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K
11/006 (20130101); A61M 37/0069 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01K
11/00 (20060101); A01K 011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;604/57,59,60,62
;606/116,117 ;40/300 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0042719 |
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Dec 1981 |
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EP |
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0090899 |
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Oct 1983 |
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EP |
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2242064 |
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Mar 1975 |
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FR |
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0806702 |
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Jun 1951 |
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DE |
|
0472560 |
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Sep 1937 |
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GB |
|
1525841 |
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Sep 1978 |
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GB |
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2188028 |
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Sep 1987 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Pellegrino; Stephen C.
Assistant Examiner: Dawson; Glenn K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stroock & Stroock &
Lavan
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for implanting a marker in an animal comprising; a
hollow tubular means having an entrance opening and an exit
opening, a sharp edge formed at the exit opening, support means
configured to permit said tubular means to be releasably mounted in
said support means, said support means includes a housing and a
chamber in said housing, said chamber being adapted to receive said
tubular means, and a cover slideably mounted to said housing and
adapted to be disposed between a first position in which said
tubular means can be inserted into said chamber and a second
position wherein said tubular means is maintained securely within
said chamber and projects from said housing; and a plunger means,
slidably disposed between a first position and a second position,
said plunger means operatively supported by said housing and
adapted to enter said tubular means when said tubular means is
maintained securely in said housing and is displaced from a first
position to a second position and to engage said marker of said
tubular means for ejecting said marker through said exit opening in
response to said plunger means being coordinately displaced from
said first position to said second position.
2. An apparatus for implanting a marker as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said housing is configured to store said tubular means
therein, said chamber including an opening for permitting each said
tubular means stored in said housing to be dispensed
therethrough.
3. An apparatus for implanting a marker as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the housing comprises at least a pair of opposed ramp means
projecting from said housing, each said tubular means containing a
pair of diagonally opposed slots therein, said slots being
dimensioned to operate with said ramps to position each said
tubular means in place in said housing and permit said tubular
means to slide along one of said ramps.
4. An apparatus for implanting a marker as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said plunger means includes a rod and a knurled surface
integrally formed at one end of said rod, said knurled surface
projecting through said cover to permit said plunger means to be
displaced.
5. An apparatus for implanting a marker as claimed in claim 4,
wherein said cover has an elongated opening and said knurled
surface extends through said elongated opening in said cover to
allow displacement of said knurled surface within said opening.
6. An apparatus for implanting a marker as claimed in claim 5,
wherein the rod is of a first predetermined length and said opening
in said cover is a second predetermined length so that said cover
displaces said knurled surface and rod to a position without said
chamber when said cover is displaced into an open position so that
said tubular means can be releasably inserted in said chamber.
7. An apparatus for implanting a marker as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said tubular means including a friction means projecting
therein for frictionally engaging a marker within said tubular
means and preventing said marker from movement therein during
storage and handling of the tubular means.
8. An apparatus for implanting a marker as claimed in claim 7,
wherein said means for retaining the marker in place comprises an
opening in a side of said tubular means, a projection extending
through said opening and projecting in contact with said marker
with sufficient force to secure said marker within said tubular
means during storage and handling thereof.
9. An apparatus for implanting a marker as claimed in claim 8,
wherein said marker is contained within said tubular means
proximate to said exit opening.
10. An apparatus for implanting a marker as claimed in claim 1,
wherein a layer of material surrounds at least a portion of said
marker and provides a friction surface for preventing movement of
said marker in said tubular means during storage and handling of
said tubular means.
11. A needle assembly for use in an implanting apparatus including
a hollow tube having an exit opening and an entrance opening, a
marker positioned in said tube proximate to said .[.entrance.].
.Iadd.exit .Iaddend.opening wherein said marker includes a coating
thereon for defining an interference fit of said marker in said
tube and a drive pin means disposed in said tube between said
marker and said entrance opening for positioning said tube, said
marker being a glass capsule and said coating being of a non-glass
material.
12. A needle assembly as claimed in claim 11, and including a plug
means formed about said tube at the entrance opening thereof to
permit insertion of the tube into a suitable implantation
implement.
13. A system for implanting a marker in a laboratory animal
comprising an apparatus for implanting a marker in an animal
including a hollow tubular means having an entrance opening and an
exit opening, configured to permit said tubular means to be
releasably mounted in said support means wherein said support means
includes a housing and a chamber in said housing, said chamber
being adapted to receive said tubular means, and a cover slideably
mounted to said housing and adapted to be disposed between a first
position in which said tubular means can be inserted into said
chamber and a second position wherein said tubular means is
maintained securely within said chamber and projects from said
housing and a plunger means, slideably disposed between a first
position and a second position, said plunger means cooperatively
supported by said housing and adapted to enter said tubular means
when said tubular means is maintained securely in said housing and
is displaced from a first position to a second position and to
engage said marker in said tubular means for ejecting said marker
through said exit opening in response to said plunger means being
coordinately displaced from said first position to said second
position, and that can be grasped in an operator's hand, and an
open cylinder adapted to receive and immobilize the head of an
animal so that said instrument can be operated without
difficulty.
14. An apparatus for implanting a marker in an animal comprising; a
hollow tubular means having an entrance opening and an exit
opening, a housing configured to permit said tubular means to be
releasably held in said housing and a plunger means, slideably
disposed between a first position and a second position, said
plunger means cooperatively supported by said housing and adapted
to enter said tubular means when displaced from a first position to
a second position and to engage said marker in said entrance
opening of said tubular means for ejecting said marker through said
exit opening in response to said plunger means being coordinately
displaced from said first position to said second position, and
wherein said housing is configured to store said tubular means
therein, said housing including an opening for permitting each said
tubular means stored in said housing to be dispensed therethrough,
wherein said housing means comprises at least a pair of opposed
ramp means projecting from said housing, each said tubular means
containing a pair of diagonally opposed grooves formed therein,
said grooves being dimensioned to receive said ramps and position
each of said tubular means in said housing and permit said tubular
means to be dispensed through said opening one at a time.
15. The apparatus for implanting a marker of claim 14, further
including a second pair of opposed ramp means projecting from said
housing, said second pair of opposed ramp means being disposed
within said housing below said first ramp means to position a
second plurality of said tubular means within said housing and
permit said tubular means to be dispensed through said opening one
at a time after completion of the dispensing of said tubular means
positioned on said first ramp means.
16. The implanting apparatus of claim 14, further including
positioning means located at an end of the opposed ramp means
positioned closest to said opening of said housing to prevent
lateral sliding of said tubular means and guide said tubular means
through the opening in the housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates, in general, to a system for implanting an
identification marker in an animal and, in particular, to a system
for facilitating implantation and retention of an identification
marker into a laboratory animal.
Heretofore, the marking of animals for tracking and testing
purposes has involved marking the animal externally, i.e.,
tatooing, branding or tagging. These external markers are difficult
to read when identifying the animal and are extremely limited in
the mount of information about the animal that can be carried by
the external marker.
In order to overcome the disadvantages noted above with external
markers, a system has been proposed whereby markers carrying
information that can be read by an external detector can be
implanted in a test animal. However, such a system requires an
instrument that permits a marker to be delivered into the animal
without difficulty and wherein the marker will remain securely
embedded in the lab animal for a considerable length of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, an improved
apparatus for implanting a marker into an animal is provided. The
apparatus includes a hollow tube having an opening at each end. An
entrance end of the hollow tube is supported within a housing. An
exit end of the tube is sharp to allow subcutaneous penetration of
the tube underneath the skin of a laboratory animal. A plunger is
slideably mounted within the housing. The plunger is adapted to
displace the marker from a first position in the tube out of the
exit end of the tube.
In an exemplary embodiment, an electronic transponder containing
information about the animal, such as identification numbers, is
placed in the marker. When the tube is inserted below the skin of
the animal and the plunger is displaced, the marker containing the
electronic transponder is forced through the tube, lodging it
underneath the skin of the animal.
An object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for
implanting markers in laboratory animals.
A further object of this invention is to provide an implanting
system for facilitating identification of laboratory animals.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide an easy to
use implanting instrument for implanting a marker into a laboratory
animal.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an implanting
system for implanting a marker subcutaneously in the animal so that
the marker will be retained within the animal.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be
obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification and the
drawings.
The invention accordingly comprises features of construction,
combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be
exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope
of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to
the following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal marker implanting
instrument constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the instant invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG.
3;
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG.
3;
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1,
when the needle assembly is inserted therein;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the implanting instrument
illustrated in FIG. 1 in use;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the implanting instrument illustrated in
FIG. 1 in use;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the implanter
instrument illustrated in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the implanting instrument taken
along line 12--12 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the needle assembly;
FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the marker depicted in FIG. 11;
FIG. 15 is a sectional view depicting a sectional view taken along
line 15--15 of FIG. 13;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a cylinder to be used as part of
the instant invention;
FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of an implanting instrument
constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
instant invention;
FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18--18 of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along line 19--19 of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the implanting instrument depicted
in FIG. 18, in operation; and
FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the implanting instrument depicted
in FIG. 18, in operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is initially made to FIGS. 1 through 15, wherein an
animal marking system including an implanting instrument, generally
indicated at 10 (FIG. 1), a needle assembly, generally indicated as
19 (FIG. 13) and an animal marker, generally indicated as 30 (FIGS.
11, 12 and 14) is depicted. As is explained in greater detail
below, the cooperation of the needle assembly, marker and
implanting instrument permits the facile implantation of a marker
into a laboratory animal and the retention of the marker within the
animal during long periods of laboratory monitoring and
testing.
Reference is now particularly made to FIGS. 1 through 5, wherein
instrument 10 is illustrated in detail. Instrument 10 defines two
opposed half walls 27 which are molded in mirror image and secured
together to define a unitary housing in the shape of a handle
31.
Each opposed wall 27 is defined by a substantially parallelogram
shaped configuration including lengthwise mating walls 27a and
lateral mating walls 27b and 27c. As is explained in greater detail
below, mating walls 27a are inclined with respect to lateral mating
walls 27b to define handle 31 and to facilitate storage therein of
a plurality of needle assemblies. A cap 34 is slideably mounted to
the housing defined in opposed wall 27. In an exemplary embodiment,
at least one of the opposed walls 27 can be transparent or
translucent to allow the user to view the needle assemblies 19
disposed within the handle.
Cap 34 is normally disposed in a closed position, and can be
displaced in the direction A (FIG. 2) from a closed position (solid
lines in FIG. 2) to an open position (phantom lines in FIG. 2). As
is illustrated in FIG. 7, cap 34 includes side walls 34a and
gripping walls 34b which are disposed in elongated slots 27' formed
in opposed walls 27. Cap 34 includes ribs 35 on the side for
permitting the cap to be easily gripped and can be displaced
between an open and closed position. An arrow 37 or other indicia
can be imprinted on cap 34 to indicate the proper directions for
sliding.
Opposed lateral walls 27b are covered by cap 34 when cap 34 is in a
closed position. Opposed lateral walls 27b are configured to define
opposed recessed walls 38a and an open chamber, generally indicated
at 38, for receiving a needle assembly and for permitting each
needle assembly to be dispensed through the opening from the
interior of the housing when cap 34 is displaced to an open
position. Opposed lateral walls 27b are further configured to
define a channel 39 which orients the needle assembly when it is
positioned in chamber 38.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 10 through 15, needle assembly 19
is formed from a stainless steel hollow tube 20 having an exit
opening 21 and an entrance opening 23. Exit opening 21 is formed in
the shape of an inclined edge 22 which forms a sharp point for
permitting the tube to easily penetrate an animal's skin. The side
of tube 20 having entrance opening 23 is molded in a plug 24. Plug
24 includes a sleeve 25 integrally formed therewith and projecting
about tube 20 to extend along a portion of the tube's length. Plug
24 includes arcuate end walls 24a for facilitating the positioning
of the plugs in chamber 38 in a manner that will be discussed in
detail below. As is particularly illustrated in FIG. 15, marker 30
is positioned in tube 20 near the exit opening 21 thereof. A drive
pin 16 is used to position the marker within the tube. Drive pin 16
includes a sealing disc that is integrally molded therewith.
Sealing disc 17 has an outside diameter that is sufficient to
interference fit with the inside diameter of the tube 20 and
prevent displacement of the drive pin during normal stoage and
handling of the needle assembly. Drive pin 16 aids in positioning
the marker in the tube. However, it has been found necessary to
facilitate positioning of the marker in tube 20 particularly when
the marker is a glass capsule in order to prevent the marker from
slipping out of the exit opening of the tube.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 11 and 12 wherein a projection 29
integral with sleeve 25 extends through opening 28 in order to
prevent the marker from slipping or moving in the tube prior to the
discharge of same into the animal. This projection can be easily
formed during assembly of the hollow tube within plug 24 by molding
the plug about the tube and permitting the resin used to form the
tube to enter aperture 28. Projection 29 is intended to
frictionally engage marker 30 when the marker is positioned within
tube 20 to prevent the marker from sliding in the tube. Projection
29 will hold the marker in place until a force sufficient to push
marker 30 through tube 20 is applied to a plunger and, in turn, to
the marker.
In an exemplary embodiment, tube 20 is stainless steel. However,
tube 20 may be made from other rigid FDA approved materials, such
as Ultem.RTM., manufactured by General Electric. Also, as
aforenoted, sleeve 25 and plug 24 can be integrally formed by
injection molding a plastic resin about the entrance opening of
tube 20. Also, the sleeve and plug may be formed of rigid materials
other than plastic.
Needle assembly 19 is easily positioned in chamber 38 when cap 34
is displaced into an open position. Moreover, needle assembly 19 is
tightly secured within chamber 38 by returning cap 34 to a closed
position. This prevents any wobbling of the needle 19 assembly
during use.
Plunger 18 includes a rod 41 and a knurled surface 43 integrally
formed at one end of rod 41. Plunger 18 is slideably mounted within
elongated channel 39 formed by lateral walls 27b formed in the top
of the housing. Knurled surface 43 projects through elongated
opening 44 in cap 34 and permits the plunger to be displaced
between a start position and an implanting position. Channel 39 is
coaxially aligned with the entrance opening 23 of tube 20 of the
needle assembly 19 and alignment channel 49 to form a continuous
pathway for rod 41 when needle assembly 19 is retained in chamber
38. Knurled surface 43 extends through elongated opening 44 (FIG.
9) in cap 34, allowing displacement of the plunger 18 by pushing
knurled surface 43 from a start position to an implanting position.
Plunger 18 also includes seats 18a projecting therefrom which rests
against stops 27e formed by opposed half walls 27. Stops 27e and
seats 18a cooperate to normally maintain the plunger at the start
position depicted in FIG. 6.
The distance of the placement of the marker in the tube from the
exit opening and the length of elongated opening 44 have relative
lengths with respect to each other. When cap 34 is displaced in the
direction A into an open position, it will capture knurled surface
43 if it is not already in a start position and displace the
plunger to a start position so that rod 41 is entirely displaced
outside of the entrance opening 23 of the needle assembly 19.
Furthermore, the distance of the placement of the marker from the
exit opening determines the distance through which the rod will be
displaced and, hence, the preferred distance of elongaged opening
44. Moreover, this distance further assumes that rod 41 is entirely
displaced without the entrance opening of the tube when plunger 18
is in a start position. This permits placement of needle assembly
19 in chamber 38.
When cap 34 is returned to a closed position, stop 27e helps
maintain plunger 18 at its start position so that the plunger is
not unintentionally pushed forward. If slideable cap 34 is not
pushed entirely into a closed position, knurled surface 43 is
prevented from being pushed forward sufficiently to cause plunger
18 to eject the marker 28 from the needle assembly 19. This
configuration prevents use of the instrument unless the needle
assembly 19 is fully secured within chamber 38 and is securely
captured by cap 34 being displaced into a closed position. Also,
since knurled surface 43 of the plunger 18 comes in contact with
the cap at the limits of elongated opening 44, the plunger 18 is
automatically positioned by manipulating the cap.
Reference is now also made to FIG. 8, wherein operation of the
instant invention is depicted. In an exemplary embodiment, marker
30 is stored within tube 20 and is retained therein by a projection
25. Cap 34 is then slid into an open position. Needle assembly 19
is then pivotably displaced into chamber 38. Cap 34 is then
displaced forward into a closed position supporting and anchoring
needle assembly 19 securely in place within chamber 38 and channel
49.
Next, a test animal, such as a mouse 46, must be stabilized. As
illustrated in FIG. 8, a mouse can be picked up in the user's one
hand and the implanting instrument held in the user's other hand.
However, as is illustrated in FIG. 16, in an exemplary embodiment,
a cylinder 80 that is open at both ends can be utilized to render
the head of the mouse immobile. By inserting the mouse's head in a
cylinder the mouse cannot turn its head and bite the user's hand or
otherwise interfere with the procedure. Furthermore, once the
mouse's head is immobilized in the cylinder it permits the hand of
the user to be used to stretch the animal's skin and thereby
facilitate manipulation of the mouse during subcutaneous
implantation. Accordingly, the implanter systems of the instant
invention contemplates the use of different sized tubes to
accommodate the distinct differences in the size of the laboratory
animals. Once the animal is immobilized, the user is prepared to
insert tube 20 into the laboratory animal.
Exit end 21 of tube 20 is inserted subcutaneously into mouse 46
until the animal's skin 48 reaches the edge of sleeve 25. This
automatically places marker 30 at the desired position beneath the
skin. Knurled surface 43 of the plunger 18 is then pushed forward,
preferably with the user's thumb 50, with enough force such that
plunger 18 engages drive pin 16. Knurled surface 43 is displaced
until knurled surface 43 is disposed into an implanting position so
that rod 43 comes in contact with the end of opening 44 in cap 34.
At this point, plunger rod 41 of plunger 18 has engaged drive pin
16 and extends far enough within tube 20 to have forced drive pin
16 to eject marker 20 from tube 20 underneath the animal's skin.
Next, the implanting apparatus is removed from animal skin 48, cap
34 is pulled back and needle assembly 19 is removed and discarded.
The process may then be repeated for another animal.
In an exemplary embodiment, marker 30 is a glass capsule having
therein an electronic transponder containing identification
information about the animal. This is used by way of example only.
This process is adaptable to the implantation of any type of
marker. Marker 30 is formed by embedding an electronic transponder
(not shown) in a glass capsule. By using an electronic transponder,
the amount of storable information is greatly increased, especially
when transponder information can be directly linked to computer
systems containing further information and processing software.
Because the capsule is glass, it tends to slide easily in stainless
tube 20. It is for this reason that projection 29 is used to
interference fit the capsule in the tube and prevent same from
moving within the tube during storage and handling of the needle
assembly.
Each needle assembly 19 is sealed within a sanitary sleeve 33 which
can be easily removed when the needle assembly is displaced into
chamber 38 for use in the manner described above. Moreover, after
sanitary sleeve 33 is used to cover the exit opening of the tube, a
sterilant gas can be injected into a chamber defined by tube 20,
drive pin 16 and sealing disc 17 and the sleeve 33. By introducing
a sterliant gas, the marker can be sterilized and remain sterilized
until the needle assembly is ready for use. Furthermore, as is
illustrated particularly in FIGS. 2 through 5 and 13, the opposed
side walls 27 of the housing and the plug 24 of each needle
assembly are configured in a manner discussed below to permit each
needle assembly to be stored in the handle and removed therefrom
for easy use.
Specifically, a pair of opposed ramps 45 are formed in each wall
27. Ramps 45 are formed in mirror image on each wall so that they
are disposed in registry with each other when walls 27 are brought
together to form the housing defining handle 31. Furthermore, each
ramp is disposed in parallel with lateral wall 37c and at an angle
with respect to the lengthwise extent of the handle. Ramps 45 are
spread a sufficient distance apart to permit two rows of needle
assemblies to be stored in the handle.
The plug of each needle assembly includes positioning grooves 26
found in opposed surfaces, the grooves being disposed on an angle
with respect to the lengthwise extent of the plug and diagonally
opposed with each other to facilitate placement of each needle
assembly in the housing during assembly of the product. As is
illustrated with some particularity in FIGS. 3 through 5, each
needle assembly can be positioned within handle by racking the plug
onto a first ramp 45 so that the ramp is positioned within the
positioning groove 26. The groove 26 and ramp 45 prevent any
substantial lengthwise displacement of each needle assembly during
storage and use of the instrument. The opposing ramp assists in
positioning the plug by pressing against the plug. Each ramp 45
includes a positioning ramp 45a that is parallel with the
lengthwise side walls 27a of handle 31. Positioning ramp 45a does
not protrude as far as ramp 45 and is provided to assist in
preventing the plug from sliding laterally and to further assist in
guiding the needle assembly through the opening in chamber 38 when
a needle assembly is to be removed from the handle.
In an exemplary embodiment, ten needle assemblies are stored on
each ramp 45. As noted above, wall 27a and ramp 45a facilitate
delivery of each needle assembly to the operator.
As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the opening in chamber 38 is
sufficiently large to permit the needle assembly to be removed
therethrough. Accordingly, when a needle assembly is needed, cap 34
is displaced from a closed position to an open position. By
manipulating the orientation of the housing, a needle assembly
positioned closest to chamber 38 will then slide out of the housing
through opening 38. As aforenoted, such manipulation can be
facilitated by forming one of the opposed walls 27 forming handle
31 out of a transparent or translucent material. It is then a
simple matter to position plug 24 of the needle assembly in chamber
38, slide cap 34 to a closed position and remove the sanitary
sleeve 33, so that the user is ready to begin implantation of the
marker in the manner discussed above.
Reference is now made to FIG. 14, wherein a marker 30 is formed of
a smooth material 81, such as glass. As aforenoted, the use of a
glass marker can be problematical. First, when the needle assembly
does not include a projection 29, marker 30 is not secured in the
tube and, hence, the marker may slide out of the tube of the needle
assembly. Also, it has been observed that when a glass encapsulated
transponder is implanted in a laboratory animal, migration of the
transponder out of the wound of the animal can occur. Accordingly,
in a preferred embodiment, one-half of marker 30 is coated with a
layer 83 having a high coefficient of friction. For example,
Silastic.RTM., manufactured by Dow Coming, has been successfully
used. Also, polypropylene has been used as a coating. By utilizing
a layer coating marker 30, projection 29 can be eliminated, thereby
allowing for a thinner tube 20 having a greater inner diameter than
the embodiments containing projection 29.
The instant invention further contemplates a method of forming
layer 38 about a glass marker. Specifically, markers are partially
inserted into a mold cavity. Thereafter, a polypropylene resin is
injected into the mold cavities and cured about the marker to
define a suitable non-slippery surface.
In a further embodiment, the outer surface of glass of marker 30
can be etched. Although etching of the outer glass coating prevents
migration in the animal, projection 29 is still needed to hold
marker 30 in place in the tube 20. However, etching has been found
to weaken the marker and although experimentally viable, does not
appear to offer the same efficiency as the use of a coating on the
glass capsule.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 wherein an alternate
embodiment of the implanting apparatus of the instant invention is
depicted. Again, the implanting apparatus includes a needle
assembly 52, a housing, generally indicated at 57, and a plunger
mechanism, generally indicated as 63.
Housing 57 includes an elongated member 61 having finger retainers
58 integrally projecting therefrom on its opposed sides to prevent
rotation of the implanting apparatus during use. Ribs 59 are formed
on elongated member 61 opposite retainers 58 to prevent slipping of
the fingers, and to give added grip while using the apparatus. A
stop 62 is formed at the rear of housing 57 for limiting the
displacement of the plunger mechanism.
Needle 52 is fixedly supported within housing 57 and is formed from
a hollow tube 53 having an exit opening 54 and an entrance opening
55. Exit opening 54 is characterized by an inclined edge opening 56
which defines a pointed surface. Edge 56 permits easy subcutaneous
insertion of the implanting apparatus.
Plunger mechanism 63 includes a rod 68 and a hurled surface 69
integrally formed at one end of rod 68. Plunger mechanism 63 is
slideably mounted in an elongated bored opening 60 within housing
57. Elongated bored opening 60 is axially aligned with and forms a
continuous pathway with hollow tube Plunger mechanism 63 is
slidably disposed in housing 57 and is displaced by pushing on
knurled surface 69 in a direction toward exit opening 56 in tube
53. A channel 67 is formed within the top of elongated member 61
and extends from stop 62 to retainers 58. This allows the passage
of knurled end 69 past stop 62. When knurled end 69 is displaced
forward and comes in contact with the retaining end of the channel,
rod 68 extends into needle 52. This causes a marker 70, displaced
in the pathway of plunger 63 to be ejected through the exit opening
of tube 53.
A marker cartridge assembly, generally indicated as 64, includes a
circular hub member 72, and a plurality of marker holders 73
projecting from circular hub member 72. Holders 73 are equally
spaced about circular hub member 72. Each holder 73 has a depth
that is longer than the length of marker 70. Marker 70 is held
within a bore 74 which opens at each end. Bore 74 is sized to
interference fit snugly about marker 70 so that a force is needed
to push marker 70 loose from bore 74. Each holder 73 of marker
cartridge 64 is sized to fit within a chamber 77 formed in
elongated member 61. Chamber 77 is axially positioned between tube
53 and elongated opening 60. Chamber 77 is sized to received and
retain holder 73 in place within housing 57, and also permits
holder 73 to be released when sufficient force is applied to marker
cartridge assembly 64. A rib 78 is located on each side of chamber
77 and is positioned in parallel with plunger 63 to assist in
securing holder 73 within chamber 77. When in place, bore 74 of
holder 73 is axially aligned with plunger 63.
In operation, plunger 63 is displaced to a loading position such
that knurled surface 69 is disposed beyond stop 62 and rod 68 is
clear of channel 77. The marker cartridge assembly is removed from
a sanitary transport package (not shown), and is releasably
inserted into chamber 77. Each holder is individually sealed within
a sanitary package (not shown) which is torn away when the holder
73 is displaced into chamber 77. As discussed above, in this
position plunger mechanism 63, marker 70 contained within holder
73, and needle 52 are all axially aligned. Knurled surface 69 of
plunger mechanism 63 is then pushed forward until knurled surface
69 is aligned with stop 62. The length of rod 68 is selected so
that it will engage marker 70 in the bore 74 of holder 73 and push
marker 70 into the entrance opening 55 of needle 52. Rod 68 is now
disposed through bore 74.
Marker cartridge assembly 64 is removed from chamber 77 to keep
cartridge assembly 64 from interfering with proper use of the
implanting apparatus when injection into the animal occurs. Rod 68
passes through slot 75 allowing easy removal of marker cartridge
assembly 64 from cavity 77.
As described above, an animal 79 is then held in either hand, while
the implanting apparatus is held in the other hand. Needle 52 is
inserted into animal 79 and knurled surface 69 is pushed forward
from the stop position to the implanting position so that knurled
surface 69 comes into contact with the end of the channel 67
causing rod 68 to be disposed within tube 53 and to eject marker 70
from needle 52 under the animal's skin. The needle 52 is then
removed from beneath skin 80, cleaned and another holder 73 having
a new marker 70 is inserted into the chamber so that the process
can be repeated for a different animal.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those
made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently
attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended
to cap all of the generic and specific features of the invention
herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention
which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
* * * * *