A swine oral fluid population sampling device

Abstract

The application discloses a pig group oral fluid group sampling device, and relates to the technical field of animal epidemic disease monitoring and sampling devices, which comprises a mounting frame, a chew rope is installed on the front side of the mounting frame, a collecting assembly is installed on the lower side of the mounting frame, a squeezing and separating mechanism for squeezing the chew rope is arranged above the collecting assembly, driving mechanisms for moving out and retracting the chew rope are assembled and connected to the two ends of the chew rope, and the squeezing and separating mechanism and the collecting assembly are arranged outside the pen. When the chew rope is in the moving-out state, the chew rope is located outside the mounting frame and inside the pen, and the pig group chews the chew rope; when the chew rope is in the retracting state, the chew rope is located outside the pen and directly above the collecting assembly, and the collecting assembly collects the oral fluid absorbed by the chew rope when the squeezing and separating mechanism squeezes the chew rope. The pig group oral fluid group sampling device can realize the separation of sampling and liquid squeezing without the need of personnel entering the pen, so that the pigs are not frightened and harmed, and the risk of cross-pen cross-contamination is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of animal disease monitoring and sampling devices, and in particular to a group sampling device for oral fluid from pig herds. Background Technology

[0002] Control of major swine diseases such as African swine fever and classical swine fever relies on high-frequency, comprehensive monitoring of the infection status of pig herds. Currently, pig farm sampling is mainly done by individual sampling, that is, obtaining samples from a single pig through blood collection from the anterior vena cava, pharyngeal swabs, or anal swabs. Each pig needs to be restrained, which is labor-intensive and stressful. Personnel must come into contact with each pig and move between pens, which can easily lead to cross-contamination and is difficult to support high-frequency surveys in large-scale pig farms. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a group sampling device for swine oral fluid to solve the problem of not being able to complete the collection and separation of fluid without restraining the pigs or having personnel enter the pen, thus avoiding disturbing and harming the pigs and reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the above shortcomings, this invention provides a swine herd oral fluid sampling device that can automatically sample oral fluid from swine herds. The specific technical solution is as follows: A swine herd oral fluid sampling device includes: a mounting frame; a chewing rope mounted on the front side of the mounting frame; a collection component mounted on the lower side of the mounting frame; a compression separation mechanism for squeezing the chewing rope above the collection component; and drive mechanisms for removing and retracting the chewing rope at both ends of the chewing rope. Both the compression separation mechanism and the collection component are located outside the pen. When the chewing rope is in the removed state, it is located outside the mounting frame and inside the pen for the swine to chew. When the chewing rope is in the retracted state, it is located outside the pen and directly above the collection component. When the compression separation mechanism squeezes the chewing rope, the collection component collects the oral fluid absorbed by the chewing rope. The chewing rope and the collection component each have corresponding identification parts. The collection component has a sealed interface that seals with the outlet of the compression separation mechanism, preventing the oral fluid from being exposed to the external environment after entering the preservation solution.

[0004] Preferably, the collection assembly includes multiple storage tanks, each of which has a liquid receiving funnel attached to its opening, and the spacing between two adjacent storage tanks is equal.

[0005] Preferably, a placement plate is provided on the lower upper side of the mounting bracket, the liquid receiving funnel is located on the upper side of the placement plate, and the upper side of the placement plate is provided with a groove corresponding to the shape of the bottom of the storage tank.

[0006] Preferably, the storage container contains a preservation solution for inactivating oral fluid viruses, the mouth of the storage container is sealed with an elastic septum, the lower conduit of the liquid receiving funnel pierces the elastic septum, a hydrophobic filter membrane vent is provided on the upper side of the storage container, and the storage container is threadedly connected with a sealing cap.

[0007] Preferably, a guide rail is installed between the mounting bracket and the placement plate, and a handle is provided on one side of the placement plate.

[0008] Preferably, the extrusion separation mechanism includes multiple sets of extrusion components, each extrusion component including two pressure plates, the lower parts of the two pressure plates being symmetrically inclined outwards. When the chewing rope is in the retracted state, the chewing rope is located between the two pressure plates, and translation components are assembled and connected to the upper side of the multiple sets of extrusion components.

[0009] Preferably, a connecting strip is assembled and connected between the upper parts of the two pressure plates, multiple sets of the extrusion members are simultaneously connected to the connecting strip, and the translation member is assembled and connected to the upper side of the connecting strip.

[0010] Preferably, the driving mechanism is a telescopic cylinder assembled and connected to both sides of the mounting frame, and the output end of the telescopic cylinder is assembled and connected to a connecting block, with the chewing rope connected between the two connecting blocks.

[0011] Preferably, a protective plate is fixedly connected to the lower front side of the mounting frame, and the protective plate is located on the lower and upper sides of the chewing rope.

[0012] Preferably, a sliding rod is fixedly connected to the upper side of the connecting strip, the sliding rod passes through a through hole provided on the upper part of the mounting bracket, and an anti-detachment block is fixedly connected to the top of the sliding rod.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention uses a driving mechanism to switch the chewing rope between the inside and outside of the pen, and the squeezing separation mechanism and collection components are both located on the outside of the pen. Sampling personnel do not need to enter the pen or contact the pigs, which avoids disturbing the pigs and causing mechanical damage, and also reduces the risk of cross-contamination caused by personnel moving across pens. By using pen-level pooling, one sample can reflect the infection status of the entire pen of pigs, which is complementary to existing individual sampling methods.

[0014] 2. The collection component of this invention has a sealed interface, so that the oral fluid is not exposed to the external environment after entering the preservation solution, and no splashing or aerosol is generated; the sample enters the preservation solution at the collection site, eliminating the exposure risk in the temporary storage and transportation process and improving the biosafety of the sampling operation.

[0015] 3. The chewing rope and the collection component of this invention are equipped with corresponding identification parts. After the two are paired, a unique correspondence between the sample and the enclosure is established in terms of structure. If a positive result is detected, it can be directly located to the specific enclosure to support accurate removal. The identification pairing also avoids the mismatch that is easy to occur with manual marking.

[0016] 4. The invention has a simple structure and is easy to implement: The device uses the mounting frame as a fixed base, integrating chewing, removal and recovery, squeezing, collection, traceability and sealing into a structure that can be hung on the pen partition. It does not require power or restraint equipment. A single person can complete the sampling of a pen in a few minutes, which is convenient for high-frequency and full-coverage promotion in large-scale pig farms. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the extrusion separation mechanism and collection assembly of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the extrusion separation mechanism of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a side view of the extruded part of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the storage tank of the present invention.

[0019] 1- Mounting frame, 11- Placement plate, 2- Chewing rope, 3- Collection assembly, 31- Storage tank, 32- Liquid receiving funnel, 33- Sealing cap, 4- Squeezing separation mechanism, 41- Pressing block, 42- Translation component, 43- Connecting strip, 44- Slide rod, 45- Anti-detachment block, 5- Drive mechanism, 51- Telescopic cylinder, 52- Connecting block, 6- Protective plate. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0022] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. Where the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes and to distinguish technical features, they should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the sequential relationship of the indicated technical features.

[0023] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0024] Example 1 Reference Figures 1-5 This invention provides a swine oral fluid mass sampling device, comprising: a mounting frame 1, with a chewing rope 2 mounted on the front side of the mounting frame 1. The chewing rope 2 is made of cotton or porous woven material, with a napped surface to increase fluid retention and chewing points, and an enlarged section at the end of the rope to increase the pigs' chewing interest and fluid retention. To improve the effective collection volume, a fluid storage core can be installed inside the chewing rope 2, which can be achieved through a hollow woven layer or a porous core material, pre-filled with an attractant liquid; when the pigs chew, the rope is compressed, and the attractant liquid seeps out as needed, forming a positive feedback loop of "chewing-release-re-chewing," extending the effective chewing time.

[0025] One end of the chewing rope 2 can be connected to a detachable connector, which is connected to the drive mechanism 5, such as a hook or buckle with a set tension threshold. When the tension on the rope exceeds the set threshold, the detachable connector will automatically detach to prevent the rope from wrapping around the pig's limbs and causing strangulation.

[0026] A collection component 3 is installed on the lower side of the mounting frame 1. A compression separation mechanism 4 for squeezing the chewing rope 2 is provided above the collection component 3. A drive mechanism 5 for moving the chewing rope 2 out and retracting is assembled and connected to both ends of the chewing rope 2. The drive mechanism 5 is assembled and connected to both ends of the chewing rope 2 to drive the chewing rope 2 to switch between the moved-out state and the retracted state.

[0027] Both the squeezing separation mechanism 4 and the collection component 3 are located outside the pen. When the chewing rope 2 is in the extended state, it is located outside the mounting frame 1 and inside the pen for the pigs to chew. When the chewing rope 2 is in the retracted state, it is located outside the pen and directly above the collection component 3. When the squeezing separation mechanism 4 squeezes the chewing rope 2, the collection component 3 collects the oral fluid absorbed by the chewing rope 2. The squeezing separation mechanism 4 is located above the collection component 3 and outside the pen. It is used to apply pressure to the chewing rope 2 when it is in the retracted state, so that the oral fluid absorbed by the rope is separated from the rope. The chewing rope 2 and the collection component 3 are each equipped with a matching identification part, which corresponds to each other. Their function is to establish a unique and verifiable correspondence between the collected sample and its source compartment. A positive result can be directly located to the specific compartment for precise removal. Simultaneously, the conduit of the receiving funnel 32 and the opening of the storage container 31 can be uniquely matched with a shape or color code, preventing the rope and funnel corresponding to compartment A from physically connecting to the storage container 31 in compartment B. This transforms the managerial "mismatch prevention" into a structural "foolproof interlock." The collection component 3 has a sealed interface that seals with the outlet of the squeezing separation mechanism 4, preventing the oral fluid from being exposed to the external environment after entering the preservation solution. The mounting frame 1 is fixed to the pen partition. The drive mechanism 5 moves the chewing rope 2 out of the pen and suspends it inside the pen. The pigs, driven by their natural gnawing instinct, repeatedly chew the rope, absorbing oral fluid. After sampling, the drive mechanism 5 retracts the chewing rope 2 to the outside of the pen, directly above the collection component 3. The squeezing separation mechanism 4 then squeezes the rope to detach the oral fluid, which flows through the outlet and sealed interface into the preservation solution within the collection component 3. During this process, sampling personnel do not enter the pen or contact the pigs; the entire liquid transfer is closed.

[0028] It should be noted that, in the attached diagram, for ease of illustration, the drive mechanism 5 is located on both sides of the collecting component 3 and the squeezing and separating mechanism 4. In actual use, the drive mechanism 5 can be set away from the collecting component and the squeezing and separating mechanism 4. When the pigs are chewing the chewing rope 2, they will not come into contact with the drive mechanism 5. The drive mechanism 5 can be set in a corner of the wall or outside the pigpen, so as not to affect the pigs.

[0029] Reference Figure 2 The collection component 3 includes multiple collection containers 31, each with a liquid-receiving funnel 32 attached to its opening. The spacing between adjacent collection containers 31 is equal. In this embodiment, multiple collection containers 31 are used to collect oral fluid simultaneously.

[0030] Reference Figure 2 A placement plate 11 is provided on the upper lower side of the mounting bracket 1, and a liquid receiving funnel 32 is located on the upper side of the placement plate 11. The upper side of the placement plate 11 has a groove corresponding to the shape of the bottom of the storage tank 31. The groove is designed to ensure that the distance between adjacent storage tanks 31 is the same when storing the tanks 31, so as to accurately locate the placement position of the storage tanks 31 and align them with the squeezing and separating mechanism 4.

[0031] The receiving tank 31 contains a preservation solution for inactivating the virus in the oral fluid. This solution receives the oral fluid detached from the chewing rope 2 by the squeezing and separating mechanism 4, and mixes with it the instant the oral fluid enters the receiving tank 31. This inactivates the swine fever virus in the oral fluid and stabilizes the released nucleic acid, facilitating subsequent nucleic acid amplification and detection. The key to using an inactivated preservation solution is that swine fever virus nucleic acid detection only requires nucleic acid, not live virus. The transport of samples from the pig farm to the laboratory is a risk point for virus transmission. "Sampling and inactivation" ensures that the transported solution is a non-infectious nucleic acid solution, thus eliminating biosafety hazards while maintaining detection capabilities. The receiving tank 31 has a sealed elastic septum at its opening. The tank 31 is used to quantitatively hold the preservation solution, receive the oral fluid, and seal the main body. The lower conduit of the receiving funnel 32 pierces the elastic septum. The material is preferably medical-grade silicone or butyl rubber, which has good elastic recovery and resistance to disinfectant corrosion. Its functions are as follows: Pre-sampling sealing: The elastic septum completely seals the can opening, preventing the stored liquid inside from evaporation and external contamination; Puncture-through: When the lower conduit of the receiving funnel 32 punctures the elastic septum, the septum is partially opened to form a closed channel, allowing oral fluid to be injected directly into the can through the conduit without passing through the open space at the can opening; Self-sealing upon withdrawal: After sampling is completed and the conduit is withdrawn, the elastic septum closes and heals itself due to its own elasticity, restoring the can opening to a sealed state. The upper side of the storage can 31 is equipped with a hydrophobic filter membrane vent, containing a hydrophobic microporous filter membrane, preferably a PTFE membrane with a pore size of 0.22μm. The storage can 31 is threadedly connected to a sealing cap 33. After sampling is completed and the receiving funnel 32 is removed, the sealing cap 33 is tightened onto the can opening, providing secondary compression and physical sealing of the elastic septum, ensuring that the storage can 31 does not leak or release toxins during subsequent transportation and testing. Preferably, the inner wall of the sealing cap 33 is provided with a pressure ring that matches the outer periphery of the elastic septum. When tightened, the edge of the septum is simultaneously compacted, further improving the sealing reliability. Before sampling, the mouth of the collection container 31 is sealed by the elastic septum, and the inside contains a quantitative preservation solution. The chewing rope 2 is retracted to the outside of the ring and positioned directly above the collection component 3 by the drive mechanism 5. The squeezing separation mechanism 4 squeezes out the oral fluid, which falls into the receiving funnel 32. The liquid pierces the elastic septum through the lower conduit and is injected into the collection container 31. After mixing with the preservation solution, it is immediately inactivated. During liquid injection, the gas in the container is discharged through the hydrophobic filter membrane exhaust port, while the virus is intercepted. After sampling, the receiving funnel 32 is removed, the elastic septum closes automatically, the sealing cap 33 is tightened, and the collection container 31 enters the transportation and testing stage in a fully sealed state. Throughout the entire process, from the time the oral fluid is separated from the chewing rope 2 to when it enters the preservation solution and is sealed, it remains in a closed environment and is not exposed to the outside world. It should be noted that the size of the receiving funnel 32 is large enough that the oral fluid falling from the squeezing and separating mechanism 4 can fall into the receiving funnel 32.

[0032] In addition, the outer wall of the collection tank 31 is equipped with markings such as color marks, coding rings or barcodes, which, together with the corresponding markings on the chewing rope 2, form a unique and verifiable correspondence between the collected samples and their source pens. The test results can be directly located to the specific pen, which can support the decision-making for the precise eradication of diseases such as African swine fever.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 A guide rail is installed between the mounting bracket 1 and the placement plate 11, and a handle is provided on one side of the placement plate 11.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 A protective plate 6 is fixedly connected to the lower front side of the mounting frame 1. The protective plate 6 is located below and above the chewing rope 2. In this embodiment, the protective plate 6 can isolate the pigs from the storage tank 31. With the protective plate 6 in place, it is inconvenient to remove the storage tank 31. The storage tank 31 can be removed by pulling out the placement plate 11. The guide rail allows for easy pulling out of the placement plate 11.

[0035] Reference Figure 2-4 The squeezing and separating mechanism 4 includes multiple sets of squeezing components, each including two pressure plates 41. The lower parts of the two pressure plates 41 are symmetrically inclined outwards. When the chewing rope 2 is in the retracted state, the chewing rope 2 is located between the two pressure plates 41. A translation component 42 is assembled and connected to the upper side of the multiple sets of squeezing components. In this embodiment, the setting of the squeezing and separating mechanism 4 is further explained. The lower part of the pressure plate 41 is inclined outwards to ensure that the chewing rope 2 can enter between the two pressure plates 41. When the pressure plate 41 moves downwards, the chewing rope 2 enters the narrowing part of the pressure plate 41, and the pressure plate 41 squeezes the chewing rope 2, squeezing out oral fluid. Squeezing ribs can be provided on the inner side of the pressure plate 41, and oral fluid can slide down along the vertical squeezing ribs.

[0036] Reference Figure 3 A connecting strip 43 is assembled and connected between the upper parts of the two pressure plates 41. Multiple sets of extrusion parts are simultaneously connected to the connecting strip 43, and a translational part 42 is assembled and connected to the upper side of the connecting strip 43. In this embodiment, the connecting strip 43 enables simultaneous connection with multiple pressure plates 41, and the connecting strip 43 can simultaneously drive multiple pressure plates 41 to move.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 The drive mechanism 5 is a telescopic cylinder 51 assembled and connected to both sides of the mounting frame 1. The output end of the telescopic cylinder 51 is assembled and connected to a connecting block 52, and the chewing rope 2 is connected between the two connecting blocks 52. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 5 is further defined as follows: the telescopic cylinder 51 is a multi-stage telescopic cylinder, and sliding plates can be set on the upper and lower sides of the connecting block 52. The sliding plates are fixedly connected to the mounting frame 1, and slide along the mounting frame 1 when the connecting block 52 moves.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 A slide rod 44 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the connecting rod 43. The slide rod 44 passes through a through hole provided on the upper part of the mounting bracket 1, and an anti-detachment block 45 is fixedly connected to the top of the slide rod 44. In this embodiment, the slide rod 44 can limit the rotation of the connecting rod, and the anti-detachment block 45 is used to limit the descent height of the extrusion component, so that the extrusion separation mechanism 4 will not continue to descend after descending to a specified height.

[0039] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device for mass sampling of oral fluid from pig herds, characterized in that, include: Mounting frame (1), with a chewing rope (2) mounted on the front side of the mounting frame (1) and a collection assembly (3) mounted on the lower side of the mounting frame (1). A squeezing and separating mechanism (4) for squeezing the chewing rope (2) is provided above the collection assembly (3). Both ends of the chewing rope (2) are connected to a drive mechanism (5) for moving the chewing rope (2) out and retracting it. The squeezing and separating mechanism (4) and the collection assembly (3) are both located outside the pen. When the chewing rope (2) is in the removed state, the chewing rope (2) is located outside the mounting frame (1) and inside the pen, for the pig herd. Chewing; when the chewing rope (2) is in the retracted state, the chewing rope (2) is located outside the ring and directly above the collection component (3). When the squeezing separation mechanism (4) squeezes the chewing rope (2), the collection component (3) collects the oral fluid absorbed by the chewing rope (2); the chewing rope (2) and the collection component (3) are respectively provided with mutually cooperating marking parts, and the two correspond to each other; the collection component (3) is provided with a sealed interface, and the sealed interface is sealed and connected to the liquid outlet of the squeezing separation mechanism (4) so ​​that the oral fluid is not exposed to the external environment after entering the preservation liquid.

2. The swine herd oral fluid mass sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection component (3) includes a plurality of collection tanks (31), each of which is fitted with a liquid receiving funnel (32) at its opening, and the distance between two adjacent collection tanks (31) is equal.

3. The swine herd oral fluid mass sampling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, A placement plate (11) is provided on the upper side of the lower side of the mounting bracket (1), and the liquid receiving funnel (32) is located on the upper side of the placement plate (11). The upper side of the placement plate (11) is provided with a groove corresponding to the shape of the bottom of the storage tank (31).

4. The swine herd oral fluid mass sampling device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The storage container (31) contains a preservation solution for inactivating oral fluid viruses. The mouth of the storage container (31) is sealed with an elastic septum. The lower conduit of the receiving funnel (32) pierces the elastic septum. The upper side of the storage container (31) is provided with a hydrophobic filter membrane exhaust port. The storage container (31) is threadedly connected with a sealing cap (33).

5. The swine herd oral fluid mass sampling device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A guide rail is installed between the mounting bracket (1) and the placement plate (11), and a handle is provided on one side of the placement plate (11).

6. The swine herd oral fluid mass sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The extrusion separation mechanism (4) includes multiple sets of extrusion components. Each extrusion component includes two pressure plates (41). The lower parts of the two pressure plates (41) are symmetrically inclined to the outside. When the chewing rope (2) is in the retracted state, the chewing rope (2) is located between the two pressure plates (41). The upper side of the multiple sets of extrusion components is equipped with a translation component (42).

7. The swine herd oral fluid mass sampling device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A connecting strip (43) is assembled and connected between the upper parts of the two pressure plates (41), and multiple sets of the extrusion parts are simultaneously connected to the connecting strip (43). The translation part (42) is assembled and connected to the upper side of the connecting strip (43).

8. The swine herd oral fluid mass sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive mechanism (5) is a telescopic cylinder (51) assembled and connected to both sides of the mounting frame (1). The output end of the telescopic cylinder (51) is equipped with a connecting block (52), and the chewing rope (2) is connected between the two connecting blocks (52).

9. The swine herd oral fluid mass sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A protective plate (6) is fixedly connected to the lower front side of the mounting bracket (1), and the protective plate (6) is located on the lower and upper sides of the chewing rope (2).

10. The swine herd oral fluid mass sampling device according to claim 7, characterized in that, A slide rod (44) is fixedly connected to the upper side of the connecting strip (43). The slide rod (44) passes through the through hole provided on the upper part of the mounting bracket (1). An anti-detachment block (45) is fixedly connected to the top of the slide rod (44).

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