DEVICE FOR INTRAUTERINE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF LIVESTOCK ANIMALS.

Abstract

Title: Device for the intrauterine artificial insemination of livestock. The invention relates to a catheter (2) for the artificial insemination of livestock, such as sows, and intended to be introduced into a uterus of said animal, the catheter (2) comprising an insert (3) having an opening (30) for the flow of the fluid to be inseminated by the catheter, formed at one end of said insert (3). According to the invention, the catheter (2) further comprises a covering element (4) made of elastomer at least partially covering said insert (3) and having an orifice (40) formed at least partially opposite said opening (30) of said insert (3). Figure for abstract: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR INTRAUTERINE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF LIVESTOCK ANIMALS. Technical field

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and production of instruments used for the artificial insemination of farm animals.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a device for intrauterine artificial insemination of, among others, sows, intended to deliver a dose of semen to the uterus of such livestock. Prior art

[0003] Artificial insemination is considered the oldest of animal reproduction biotechnologies.

[0004] Numerous artificial insemination devices for farm animals are known in the state of the art.

[0005] The equipment used includes a probe that is stuck in the cervix. A catheter slides into this probe, which penetrates the animal's genitals and deposits the semen into the body of the uterus.

[0006] In practice, it is noted that the method of intrauterine artificial insemination as practiced to date requires the user to handle several tools for the same procedure.

[0007] Indeed, the current system has a probe that is stuck in the cervix of the sow's reproductive tract. The purpose of this probe is to seal the cervix and thus prevent the semen from flowing back into the vagina.

[0008] A catheter must slide into this probe; the latter is moved up to the body of the uterus. The catheter is locked, once in position, at the junction between the probe tube and the sliding catheter tube. This can, for example, be done using an optional joint connector.

[0009] The connection of the catheter to the dose of semen is made by means of a flexible tube pre-assembled on said catheter tube.

[0010] However, a disadvantage of such a technique is that the prior introduction of the probe can stress the sow and cause contraction of the vaginal and cervical muscles making insemination difficult or even impossible.

[0011] Indeed, it turns out that the introduction of such a probe, as well as the passage of the catheter, can be stressful for the animal which can cause trauma.

[0012] There is therefore a need to implement a device aimed at improving animal comfort compared to that provided by existing devices.

[0013] In particular, there is a need to implement a device which allows atraumatic use in animals.

[0014] The invention aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. Statement of the invention

[0015] The invention meets this need by proposing a catheter for the artificial insemination of farm animals, such as sows, and intended to be introduced into the uterus of said animal,

[0016] the catheter comprising an insert having a flow opening for the fluid to be inseminated by the catheter provided at one end of the insert. According to the invention, the catheter further comprises an elastomer covering element at least partially covering the insert and having an orifice provided at least partially opposite the opening of the insert.

[0017] Thus, the invention proposes a new and inventive approach making it possible to resolve at least in part the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0018] In particular, by implementing an insert covering element which is made of elastomer, the comfort of the animal is significantly improved compared to existing artificial insemination techniques.

[0019] Such a catheter provided with such a covering element thus allows atraumatic use in animals, while requiring simple and inexpensive means for implementation.

[0020] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment, the covering element is overmolded onto the insert.

[0021] According to a particular aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the covering element has a Shore hardness of between 30 and 50.

[0022] According to a characteristic of at least one embodiment, the covering element is formed from thermoplastic elastomer.

[0023] For its part, the insert can be formed from polypropylene.

[0024] According to a particular characteristic of at least one embodiment, the covering element has a maximum diameter of between 2.5 and 6 mm, preferably approximately equal to 3.5 mm.

[0025] For its part, the covering element may have a maximum thickness of between 0.2 and 0.6 mm, preferably substantially equal to 0.5 mm.

[0026] According to another aspect of at least one embodiment, the insert has, at one end opposite the opening, means for securing to a supply pipe.

[0027] In this case, the securing means may be in the form of circular projections provided on an outer periphery of said insert.

[0028] The invention also relates to a device for the artificial insemination of livestock, such as sows, comprising a catheter according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. Presentation of figures

[0029] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given as a simple illustrative, and non-limiting, example, in relation to the figures, among which:

[0030] [fig. 1] is a perspective view of a catheter according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0031] [fig.2] is a perspective view of a catheter insert according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0032] [fig.3] is a side view of the catheter insert according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2;

[0033] [fig.4] is a top view of the catheter insert according to the embodiment presented in Figure 2;

[0034] [fig.5] is a perspective view of a catheter covering element according to a embodiment of the invention;

[0035] [fig.6] is a side view of the catheter covering element according to the method of realization presented in figure 5;

[0036] [fig.7] is a top view of the catheter covering element according to the method of realization presented in figure 5, and

[0037] [fig.8] is a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0039] The general principle of the invention is based on the implementation of a device aimed at improving animal comfort compared to that provided by existing devices and which allows atraumatic use in the animal, particularly in sows.

[0040] It is recalled that such a device is intended to be introduced into the genital apparatus of the animal so as to inseminate this animal.

[0041] Such a device for artificial insemination of livestock, such as sows, comprises a catheter.

[0042] It is also recalled that a sow's reproductive system comprises the vagina, the body of the uterus, the latter being separated from the vagina by the cervix. The cervix comprises the cervix of the uterus and an extension of the latter comprising rings called cervical tubercles. The extension opens at one end, called the proximal end, into the body of the uterus.

[0043] The principle of the invention therefore relates to a catheter intended to be introduced up to the body of the uterus allowing atraumatic use in the animal.

[0044] It may also comprise, depending on the embodiments, a reservoir of fluid to be inseminated, means for blocking the catheter, or any other suitable means.

[0045] A preferred embodiment of the invention is presented below, in relation to Figures 1 to 8.

[0046] The device for artificial insemination of farm animals comprises a catheter 2 intended to be introduced into the uterus of the animal.

[0047] This catheter 2 is, in this embodiment, of substantially cylindrical shape which makes it easier to insert and limits the risk of causing injuries to the animal because no irregularity in the material is present.

[0048] The catheter 2, illustrated in figure 5, comprises an insert 3 having an opening 30 provided at one end of the insert 3. This opening 30 is provided so as to allow the flow of the fluid to be inseminated through the catheter 2.

[0049] As can be seen in particular in Figures 2 and 3, this opening 30 is open. In other words, it passes right through the insert 3.

[0050] The opening 30 is, in this embodiment, of substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners.

[0051] However, in a variant, an opening of other shapes could be provided. For example, an opening of square, oblong, circular, or elliptical shape could be provided.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in the various figures, and in particular in figures 2 to 4, the opening 30 has a length of between 1.58 mm and 2.5 mm, preferably substantially equal to 2.26 mm.

[0053] Similarly, the opening 30 has a width of between 0.8 mm and 1.4 mm, preferably substantially equal to 1.11 mm.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the insert 3 has, at one end opposite the opening 30, means 31 for securing it to a supply pipe 5.

[0055] In this particular embodiment, the securing means are in the form of circular projections 31 provided on an outer periphery of the insert 3.

[0056] In other words, the insert 3 carries, on its outer periphery, and in the vicinity of the end opposite the end close to the opening 30, rings substantially parallel to each other, thus forming means of attachment to the supply pipe 5.

[0057] It should be noted that these securing means 31 also form sealing means between the supply pipe 5 and the insert 3.

[0058] In this embodiment, the supply pipe 5 is force-fitted at the insert 3 and is placed above the rings formed on the outer periphery.

[0059] One could also imagine other variants of means of securing, for example example of protrusions, a clipping system, or other means known to those skilled in the art.

[0060] According to the invention, the catheter 2 further comprises a covering element 4 made of elastomer at least partially covering the insert 3.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the covering element 4 completely covers the insert 3 with the exception of the portion carrying the securing means 31 to the supply pipe 5.

[0062] Preferably, the covering element 4 is arranged so as to form continuity with the supply pipe 5, when the latter is connected to the insert 3, so as to ensure optimal sealing.

[0063] According to a variant, the covering element 4 could also have an extension beyond the insert 3, partially covering the supply pipe 5, so as to form additional sealing means.

[0064] This covering element 4 is, in this embodiment, formed by overmolding on the insert 3 which forms a single-piece assembly.

[0065] This overmolding can for example be simple or two-material.

[0066] However, other embodiments could be provided in which the covering element is simply fixed reversibly or not to the insert.

[0067] Such variants could for example be implemented for hygiene reasons, for example in the case of disposable covering elements.

[0068] According to the invention, the elastomer material used for producing this covering element 4 has a Shore hardness of between 30 and 50.

[0069] Since Shore hardness makes it possible to measure the hardness of certain materials, in particular elastomers, the use of a covering element in an elastomer having a Shore hardness of between 30 and 50 thus makes it possible to have an outer layer of the catheter, namely the covering element 4, which has sufficient hardness to withstand insertion and insemination operations, while not injuring the animal and making insemination atraumatic.

[0070] Such an elastomer having a Shore hardness of between 30 and 50 may for example be from the family of thermoplastic elastomers, or TPE.

[0071] Preferably, a polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer is chosen as elastomer for reasons of cost and resistance.

[0072] For its part, according to one embodiment of the invention, the insert is formed from polypropylene.

[0073] According to a variant of this embodiment, the insert can also be formed from a material containing polypropylene.

[0074] According to another embodiment of the invention, this insert could be formed from polyethylene.

[0075] According to a further variant of this embodiment, the insert could also be formed from a material containing polyethylene.

[0076] Obviously, other variants of the invention could also be envisaged in which the elastomer used to produce the covering element 4 does not contain polypropylene or polyethylene, but still has a Shore hardness of between 30 and 50.

[0077] In the embodiment illustrated in the various figures, and in particular in figures 5 to 7, the covering element 4 has a maximum diameter approximately equal to 3.5 mm.

[0078] As can be seen in particular in Figure 6, the maximum diameter is reached, in this embodiment, in the vicinity of one end of the covering element 4, more particularly the end opposite the end provided near the means for securing the insert.

[0079] Such dimensions make it possible to ensure a certain comfort for the animal and to have an artificial insemination process which does not traumatize the animal. Indeed, such a diameter proves to be relatively painless to insert.

[0080] According to other variants, the covering element 4 could also have a maximum diameter of between 2.5 and 6 mm.

[0081] Similarly, in the embodiment illustrated in the various figures, and in particular in figures 5 to 7, the covering element 4 has a maximum thickness of between 0.2 and 0.6 mm, preferably substantially equal to 0.5 mm.

[0082] Such a thickness also makes it possible to ensure a certain comfort for the animal and to have an artificial insemination process which does not traumatize the animal due to the fact that the diameter is relatively small.

[0083] As illustrated, the covering element 4 has an orifice 40 arranged so as to allow the flow of the fluid to be inseminated through the catheter.

[0084] As can be seen in particular in Figures 5 to 7, this orifice is open. In other words, it passes right through the covering element 4.

[0085] Obviously, the orifice 40 is provided at least partly opposite the opening 30 of the insert 3 in order to allow the flow of the fluid to be inseminated through the catheter arriving in the insert 3. More particularly, here, the orifice 40 is provided in order to allow the flow of the fluid into the uterine horns of the animal.

[0086] The orifice 40 is, in this embodiment, beveled with a substantially rectangular shape with a curvilinear side.

[0087] However, in a variant, an orifice having other shapes could be provided. For example, an opening of square, oblong, circular, or elliptical shape could be provided.

[0088] In the embodiment illustrated in the various figures, and in particular in figures 5 to 7, the orifice 40 has a length of between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably substantially equal to 1.13 mm.

[0089] Similarly, the orifice 40 has a width of between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably substantially equal to 1 mm.

Claims

Claims

1. Catheter (2) for the artificial insemination of livestock, such as sows, and intended to be introduced into the uterus of said animal, the catheter (2) comprising an insert (3) having an opening (30) for the flow of the fluid to be inseminated by the catheter (2) formed at one end of said insert (3), the catheter (2) further comprising a covering element (4) made of elastomer at least partially covering said insert (3) and having an orifice (40) formed at least partially opposite said opening (30) of said insert (3), characterized in that said covering element (4) is overmolded onto said insert (3).

2. Catheter according to claim 1, characterized in that said covering element (4) has a Shore hardness of between 30 and 50.

3. Catheter according to claim 2, characterized in that said covering element (4) is formed from thermoplastic elastomer.

4. Catheter according to claim one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said insert (3) is formed from polypropylene.

5. Catheter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering element (4) has a maximum diameter of between 2.5 and 6 mm, preferably approximately equal to 3.5 mm.

6. Catheter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering element (4) has a maximum thickness of between 0.2 and 0.6 mm, preferably substantially equal to 0.5 mm.

7. Catheter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insert (3) has, at an end opposite said opening (30), means (31) for securing to a supply pipe (5).

8. Catheter according to claim 7, characterized in that said securing means are in the form of circular projections (31) provided on an outer periphery of said insert (3).

9. Device for the artificial insemination of livestock, such as sows, comprising a catheter according to one of claims 1 to 8, and a reservoir of fluid to be inseminated.

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