Systems and methods for injecting poultry

Abstract

A syringe, injection system and method for injecting a product into poultry, wherein the syringe comprises: a holding member, wherein at least one hole is formed in the holding member; a holding member support surface supporting the holding member; and an injection needle movable through the hole. The longitudinal axis of the injection needle and the axis perpendicular to the holding member support surface form a vertical angle between 15° and 45°.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a veterinary practice aid for injecting a veterinary product into poultry or birds by intramuscular injection using a needle movable through a hole formed in a holding member for grasping the bird and injecting into a target muscle.

[0002] The invention also relates to processes and methods for injecting and / or vaccinating poultry using these devices. Background Art

[0003] In the field of poultry farming, veterinary products (specifically, vaccines) are often injected into poultry. The prior art proposes devices for assisting the injection of veterinary products. Specifically, US 2011 / 0054401 A1 (the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describes a device for injecting veterinary products into poultry by intramuscular injection (specifically, targeting the pectoralis major muscle). The injection can be performed in a muscle area near a bone having a detectable shape in the poultry body. The device includes a retaining member having a device for supporting the detectable bone, a hole formed in the retaining member, and an injection needle, the needle being movable through the hole. In the device, the retaining member has an anatomical shape that conforms to the body of the poultry and provides a structure for supporting the poultry, the anatomical shape comprising: a support surface for the body at the muscle; at least two contact sensors, the contact sensors being actuated by the poultry and disposed on the anatomical shape, wherein at least one contact sensor is located on the support surface; and one or more holes disposed between the sensors.

[0004] US 2011 / 0054401 A1 focuses on the structure of the retaining members, in particular the anatomical shape of the mould, to obtain satisfactory approximate positioning of the bird, sensors for precise activation and support means for correct presentation of the bird in the device.

[0005] However, the document does not mention any structure and / or method for minimizing the incidence of vaccine reflux after injection. After the injection needle is inserted into the muscle, vaccine reflux may occur after the injection channel is formed in the muscle. If the vaccine is not retained in the target area of ​​the muscle, vaccine reflux will reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine response. In addition, the vaccine can act very actively in the tissue surrounding the target muscle and damage the surrounding tissue. For these reasons, vaccine reflux should be reduced as much as possible.

[0006] US 2011 / 0054401 A1 also does not mention any structure and / or method for minimizing misplacement of vaccine injection.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to have an apparatus and method for injecting veterinary products in poultry, particularly intramuscular vaccines, that minimizes the incidence of vaccine reflux and vaccine misplacement, thereby ensuring effective vaccination. Summary of the invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to remedy the deficiencies of the prior art. More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for administering veterinary products intramuscularly in poultry, which maximizes the quality of the injections performed by minimizing the incidence of vaccine reflux and increasing the hit rate in the target area.

[0009] To this end, one aspect of the present invention relates to a device for injecting a veterinary product into a bird by intramuscular injection. The injection can be performed in a muscle area near a bone having a detectable shape in the bird's body, specifically, the pectoralis major muscle. The device includes: a retaining member, wherein at least one hole is formed in the retaining member; a retaining member support surface that supports the retaining member; and an injection needle that is movable through the hole. The retaining member includes an anatomical shape that includes a cavity that conforms to the body of the bird.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the injection needle and an axis perpendicular to the support surface of the retaining member form a vertical angle comprised between 15° and 45°.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining member has two holes, each hole forming a passage through which an injection needle is movable.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the device has a base with a height between 130 mm and 190 mm (or most preferably or exactly 160 mm).

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining member is removably mounted on a housing, the housing containing means for driving the injection needle.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the length of the injection needle is between 8 mm and 20 mm.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing has a rear hatch for the drive device to enter.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises two holes and two injection needles, each of which is movable through the holes. In this embodiment, the vertical angle between the longitudinal axis of each injection needle and the axis perpendicular to the support surface of the holding member is between 15° and 45°, and the longitudinal axes of the two injection needles form a horizontal angle between 15° and 25° with each other.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the injection time is between 0.25 seconds and 0.5 seconds.

[0018] The device according to the invention can be used for injection, vaccination and / or treatment of all types of birds, such as conventional poultry, hens, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, geese, pigeons or parrots. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known device from the side of the retaining member,

[0021] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to the present invention,

[0022] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention, and

[0023] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention from the rear hatch side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] As noted above, the system and method of the present invention relates to a device for injecting avian veterinary products, specifically vaccines, into the pterygoid muscles that run along the breastbone of a bird.

[0025] Figure 1 A known device for injecting veterinary products into poultry is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the device 1 comprises a housing 2 including a rear hatch 6 which allows access to the components assembled inside the housing 2 .

[0026] According to one feature of the device, the retaining member 4 is removably mounted on the retaining member support surface 3. And as further described in US 2011 / 0054401 A1, the present invention can be used Figure 1 The retaining member in.

[0027] refer to Figure 2 and 3 , respectively describe a perspective view of a device according to the invention and a cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the retaining member 4 is a component manufactured by molding using a mold manufactured specifically according to the body brand of the target bird.

[0029] As shown, a hole 5 is formed in the retaining member 4, which hole 5 forms a channel through which the injection needle 7 can be translated from a non-injection position at the rear of the retaining member 4 to an injection position, the needle moving through the hole, or vice versa.

[0030] According to another feature, the hole 5 has an oval shape so that the position of the needle 7 can be adjusted by the length of the corresponding hole 5. In this way, the position of the needle 7 can be adjusted according to the target area on the bird's body without modifying or replacing the holding member 4.

[0031] As shown, the longitudinal axis I of the injection needle 7 is movable through the hole 5. The axis Y is formed perpendicular to the plane formed by the holding member support surface 3. The longitudinal axis I of the needle 7 and the axis Y form a vertical angle α between 15° and 45° (preferably, between 20° and 40°). In a more preferred embodiment, the vertical angle α is 25° to 35°, 28° to 32°, 29° to 31°, or most preferably approximately or exactly 30°. Injecting birds into the muscle with an injection needle at a vertical angle α between 15° and 45°, 25° and 35°, 28° and 32°, 29° and 31° (or most preferably, 30°) will form an injection channel in the muscle in a different manner from a 0° vertical angle α. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that when the injection needle 7 obliquely perforates the muscle fibers of the bird at a certain angle, after injection, the natural pressure dynamics of the muscle will automatically close the fibers. Thus, the incidence of vaccine backflow is minimized compared to known injection devices in which the injection needle is oriented with its longitudinal axis at a vertical angle α of 0° to the Y axis.

[0032] Although an angle α is shown, in which the longitudinal axis I of the injection needle is positioned below the axis Y, in principle the longitudinal axis I of the injection needle may also be oriented above the Y axis to form the angle α.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the holding member support surface 3 is located on a base 9, the height h of which is 130 mm to 190 mm, and preferably about 160 mm.

[0034] The device according to some embodiments of the present invention can be conveniently placed on a table or other elevated surface. Since the process of vaccinating birds may involve a large number of repetitive actions by a person manually lifting each bird into the holding member 4, the height h of the base 9 being between 130 mm and 190 mm is also ergonomically beneficial to the user.

[0035] The holding member support surface 3 also forms an angle γ with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base 9, such as Figure 3The angle γ may range from 5° to 45°, preferably from 10° to 40°, more preferably from 20° to 30°, and most preferably from 25°. The angle γ of the holding member support surface 3 is helpful for maximizing the efficiency of the syringe and for ergonomic reasons for the user.

[0036] According to another feature, the injection needle 7 is 8 to 20 mm long. The depth of the injection must be controlled to prevent the needle from penetrating the sternum. If the vertical angle α is changed, the injection depth can be controlled by changing the length of the injection needle 7 to compensate for the change in the injection angle.

[0037] Figure 4 The device according to the invention is shown on the rear hatch side.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the device has two holes 5, each hole forming a channel through which an injection needle 7 can move, and a support device extending between these holes 5. In this way, the device is capable of performing a double injection of a veterinary product. Note that the presence of two holes 5 makes it possible to use the device according to the invention to perform injections of two separate products or two injections of the same product. Preferably, each needle 7 produces an injection at a different location in the muscle of the bird. In this way, damage to the bird and to the tissues surrounding the injection site can be minimized compared to having two needles 7 inject the vaccine at the same location.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal axes I1 and I2 of the two injection needles 7 form a horizontal angle β between each other between 15° and 25° (preferably between 20° and 25°). More preferably, the horizontal angle β is between 18° and 22°, and most preferably, the horizontal angle β is approximately or exactly 20°. Note that the injection of veterinary products (particularly, intramuscular injection in poultry) must be performed accurately so as not to inject into organs or bones near the target muscle. If the horizontal angle between the two injection needles is too large, there is a risk that the injection may be made in the sternum. If the horizontal angle formed by the two longitudinal axes of the two injection needles is too large, another risk is that the two injection needles will inject the same position on the bird. Both situations are undesirable and can cause harm to the bird and reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. On the other hand, if the horizontal angle β is too small, the vaccine reflux rate may increase significantly. Therefore, controlling the horizontal angle β between 15° and 25° (preferably between 20° and 25°) can minimize the risk of injection in the sternum, the pressure applied to the bird, and the incidence of vaccine reflux.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, two injection needles 7 are used, each having a longitudinal axis I1 and I2, which form a vertical angle α between 15° and 45° relative to the axis Y, and also form a horizontal angle β between 15° and 25° relative to each other. By orienting the needles at two-dimensional inclined angles, backflow events can be reduced over the largest range of bird sizes. For example, it is often necessary to vaccinate birds of different sizes and types in the same facility, such as breeding chickens, laying hens and broiler chickens. As described above, orienting the needles at both α and β is considered to be a particularly effective method, especially when used in conjunction with a device having a retaining support member surface oriented at an angle γ between 5° and 45°.

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, the device comprises a housing 2 which contains in particular drive means 8 for translating each needle 7. In addition, the housing 2 has a rear hatch 6 which allows access to the components fitted inside the housing 2, and in particular the drive means 8. The drive means 8 may be mounted on a plate 10 removably attached in the housing 2, which needs to be moved in order to be able to access the syringe.

[0042] Furthermore, the drive device 8 may be attached to the plate 10 via a support member, the position of which may be adjusted on the plate 10 , thereby changing the position of the needle 7 relative to the elongated hole 5 .

[0043] The movement of the needle 7 can be driven by a cylinder. The movement of the cylinder and the needle 7 can be controlled by any system with automatic, electronic, programmable operation or any other operation known to those skilled in the art to provide a predetermined injection range and to adjust the penetration distance of the needle in the muscle according to the size of the muscle to be injected and the target bird. The device is controlled by an automatic controller. The automatic controller is configurable so that the device is used to perform two injections or one injection. In this way, within the scope of any maintenance operation, access to the interior of the housing 2 is obtained from the rear, which limits the risk of technicians being injured by the injection needle 7 pointing to the front of the device.

[0044] According to a specific embodiment, the injection time is between 0.25 seconds and 0.5 seconds, and preferably 0.25 seconds. In this way, the incidence of vaccine reflux can be reduced, especially in the case of laying hens.

[0045] The device of the present invention is particularly suitable for intramuscular injection of poultry vaccines, especially inactivated vaccines for various diseases, such as Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), Infectious Bronchitis (IBV), Avian Influenza, Marek's disease, Avian Encephalomyetis, Chicken Anemia Virus, Egg Drop Syndrome, Laryngotracheitis, and Reovirus Infection.

[0046] The invention also relates to a method for injecting and / or vaccinating poultry, comprising the steps of grasping a bird, positioning the bird on a device 1 and pressing the bird positioned in this way against the device 1. The device 1 comprises: a holding member 4, wherein a hole 5 is formed in said holding member 4; a holding member support surface 3; and an injection needle 7 movable through said hole 5.

[0047] According to a particular embodiment, the longitudinal axis I of the injection needle 7 of the device used in the method forms a vertical angle between 15° and 45° (preferably, between 20° and 40°) with the axis Y perpendicular to the support surface 3 of the holding member. In a more preferred method, the vertical angle α is 25° to 35°, 28° to 32°, 29° to 31°, or most preferably approximately or exactly 30°. Since the injection of poultry into the muscle at a vertical angle α between 15° and 45°, 25° and 35°, 28° and 32°, 29° and 31° (or most preferably, 30°) forms an injection channel in the muscle in a different manner from a vertical angle α of 0°, the incidence of vaccine reflux in the method is minimized compared to known injection methods, in which the injection needle is oriented to have a longitudinal axis that is at a vertical angle α of 0° with the axis Y.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal axes I1 and I2 of the two injection needles 7 of the device used in the method form a horizontal angle β between each other of between 15° and 25°, preferably between 20° and 25°. More preferably, the horizontal angle β is between 18° and 22°, and most preferably, the horizontal angle β is approximately or exactly 20°.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the longitudinal axes I1 and I2 of the two injection needles 7 of the device in the method form a vertical angle α between 15° and 45°, and also form a horizontal angle β relative to each other between 15° and 25°. As mentioned above, the method of injecting poultry using a device with the longitudinal axes of both needles 7 oriented at α and β is considered to be particularly effective, especially when used with a device having a holding support member surface 4 oriented at an angle γ between 5° and 45°.

[0050] As mentioned above, all types of birds (and in particular, poultry such as chickens, turkeys, hens, ducks, guinea fowl, quail, partridges, geese, pigeons or parrots) can be vaccinated and / or treated in this way.

[0051] Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A device for injecting a product into poultry, the device comprising: a retaining member, wherein at least one hole is formed in the retaining member; a retaining member supporting surface supporting the retaining member; and wherein the retaining member has two holes, each hole forming a channel through which an injection needle can move, and the device has two injection needles, wherein the longitudinal axis of each injection needle forms a vertical angle α between 15° and 45° with an axis perpendicular to the support surface of the retaining member; wherein the longitudinal axes of the two injection needles form a horizontal angle β between 15° and 25° with each other; The holding member support surface forms an angle γ between 5° and 45° with respect to a line perpendicular to the ground surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a base having a height between 130 mm and 190 mm.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining member is removably mounted on the retaining member support surface.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for driving the injection needle.

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the injection needle has a length between 8 mm and 20 mm.

6. The device according to claim 4, further comprising a housing having a rear hatch for access by the device for driving the injection needle.

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of the injection needle and the axis perpendicular to the holding member support surface form a vertical angle α comprised between 25° and 35°.

8. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of the injection needle and the axis perpendicular to the holding member support surface form a vertical angle α comprised between 28° and 32°.

9. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of the injection needle and the axis perpendicular to the holding member support surface form a vertical angle α comprised between 29° and 31°.

10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of the injection needle and the axis perpendicular to the holding member support surface form a vertical angle α of 30°.

11. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal axes of the two injection needles form a horizontal angle β between each other comprised between 20° and 25°.

12. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal axes of the two injection needles form a horizontal angle β between each other comprised between 18° and 22°.

13. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal axes of the two injection needles form a horizontal angle β of 20° with each other.

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