Tranquilizer dart

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a tranquilizer dart (100) having a drug chamber (502) for storing a drug, a needle (102) adapted to pierce a skin for injecting the drug, and a housing (104) to facilitate the selective actuation of the drug in the needle (102). The housing (104) includes a valve (106) defining a cylindrical body and is adapted to linearly move relative to the housing (104). The valve (106) includes a first end (120) having a plurality of ports (122) and is in fluid communication with the drug chamber (502), and a second end (124) adapted to couple with the needle (102). The valve (106) is adapted to shift from the closed position to the open position. The second end (124) is adapted to receive a force to facilitate the movement of the valve (104) in an open position from a closed position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an injection device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a needle-assisted system to facilitate an injection of a drug / medication inside a body of an animal.BACKGROUND

[0002] A tranquilizer dart is adapted to be loaded in a dart gun or an air rifle and shot at the animals to pierce the tranquilizer dart into the animal. The tranquilizer dart penetrates the skin of the animal and releases a drug or medicine into a body of the animal to tranquilize the animal. However, the tranquilizer dart typically has problems in anchoring and tends to dislodge from the animal skin before the administration of the drug is complete. The falling back of the tranquilizer dart limits the injection of the full drug into the body of the animal. This situation is not desirable for the animal as the proper dosage of the drug is not injected into the animal leading to underdosing. In addition, other tranquilizer darts are fired at the animal which may lead to overdosage. This hit-and-trial method of tranquilizing the animal is dangerous and leads to overdosage and / or underdosage. The right amount of drug is not administered which may be dangerous for the animal.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a tranquilizer dart for piercing into the skin of an animal and releasing the complete drug into the body of the animal thereby facilitating the monitoring and administering of the right amount of drug into the body of the animal.SUMMARY

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a tranquilizer dart having a drug chamber for storing a drug, a needle adapted to pierce a skin for injecting the drug, and a housing to facilitate the selective actuation of the drug in the needle. The housing includes a valve defining a cylindrical body and is adapted to linearly move relative to the housing. The valve includes a first end having a plurality of ports and is in fluid communication with the drug chamber, and a second end adapted to couple with the needle. The valve is adapted to shift from the closed position to the open position to establish a fluid communication between the ports and the needle. The second end is adapted to receive a force to facilitate the movement of the valve in an open position from a closed position upon the receipt of a force.

[0006] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a housing for a tranquilizer dart. The housing includes a valve defining a cylindrical body and is adapted to linearly move relative to the housing. The valve includes a first end having a plurality of ports and is in fluid communication with the drug chamber, and a second end adapted to couple with the needle. The valve is adapted to shift from the closed position to the open position to establish a fluid communication between the ports and the needle. The second end is adapted to receive a force to facilitate the movement of the valve in an open position from a closed position upon the receipt of a force.

[0007] The tranquilizer dart is adapted to be mounted on any of the existing syringes or an air gun which makes the tranquilizer dart universally fit on any dart assembly or the air gun. The tranquilizer dart facilitates better hooking within the skin of the animal as the hook portion and the extension facilitate the unidirectional motion of the needle and the tranquilizer dart. In addition, the hook portionfacilitates the locking of the tranquilizer dart within the skin of the animal. Further, the tranquilizer dart facilitates in the complete injection of the drug dose into the animal body and avoid multiple firing of the tranquilizer dart to administer required volume of drug, which is otherwise needed in case of unwanted dislodgement of conventional darts. This further reduces injuries to the animal and causes no overdosing or underdosing of the drug into the body of the animal.

[0008] In this manner, the overall efficiency of the tranquilization process is improved, and the animals may be tranquilized with one single shot reducing the overall pain caused to the animal. For the removal of the tranquilizer dart the indentation disposed on the housing is pressed that pushes the extension and the hook portion thereby enabling an easy removal of the tranquilizer dart from the animal's body. In addition, the indentation disposed on the housing facilitate the proper holding of the tranquilizer dart and facilitate in removal of the tranquilizer dart once the drug injection is complete within the animal skin.

[0009] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tranquilizer dart for piercing into a skin of an animal, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the tranquilizer dart adapted to be mounted on a syringe assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 3 illustrates an enhanced view (A) of a needle of the tranquilizer dart, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a valve of the tranquilizer dart, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 5 illustrates a side perspective view of the valve of the tranquilizer dart, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a housing of the tranquilizer dart, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembly of the tranquilizer dart in a closed configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0018] Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve of the tranquilizer dart in an open configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale.

[0020] Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details thatare pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0021] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the various embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates.

[0022] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the present disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0023] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as "one or more features" or "one or more elements" or "at least one feature" or "at least one element." Furthermore, the use of the terms "one or more" or "at least one" feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, "there needs to be one or more…" or "one or more elements is required."

[0024] Reference is made herein to some "embodiments." It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and / or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specificfeatures and / or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

[0025] Use of the phrases and / or terms including, but not limited to, "a first embodiment," "a further embodiment," "an alternate embodiment," "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "multiple embodiments," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," "further embodiment", "furthermore embodiment", "additional embodiment" or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and / or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and / or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and / or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and / or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

[0026] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

[0027] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or othercomponents or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tranquilizer dart 100 to be pierced into a skin of an animal, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the tranquilizer dart 100 may be adapted to be mounted on a syringe assembly 500, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tranquilizer dart 100 may be adapted to pierce into the skin of the animal (not shown) and facilitate the tranquilization of the animal, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

[0030] The tranquilizer dart 100 may be adapted to be loaded in a dart gun or an air rifle and shot at the animal. The tranquilizer dart 100 may be adapted to penetrate the skin of the animal and release a drug or medicine of a predetermined dose into the body of the animal to tranquilize the animal.

[0031] The tranquilizer dart 100 may include a needle 102 adapted to pierce into the skin of the animal for injecting the drug into the skin of the animal. In addition, the tranquilizer dart 100 may include a housing 104 coupled with the needle 102 to facilitate the entry of the drug into the needle 102. In addition, the tranquilizer dart 100 may include a valve 106 may be adapted to couple with the housing 104 and the needle 102 and control the actuation of the drug inside the needle 102 upon piercing into the animal's skin. In addition, the tranquilizer dart 100 may be adapted to couple with the syringe assembly 500. Further, the tranquilizer dart 100 may include a drug chamber 502 may be adapted to hold the drug of the syringe assembly 500. In another embodiment, the drug chamber 502 may be integrated with the tranquilizer dart 100. Further, the syringe assembly 500 may include a plunger 504 to facilitate the injection of the drug from the drug chamber 502.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the needle 102 may include a first end 108 having a pointed edge adapted to inject / penetrate inside the skin of the animal, and a second end 110 disposed opposite the first end 108 and may be adapted to couple with the housing 104 and the valve 106. In addition, the needle 102 may include a conduit 112 (shown in Figure 7, and Figure 8) adapted to extend within the needle 102 and extend between the first end 108 and the second end 110 to facilitate the transfer of the drug to the pointed edge of the needle 102.

[0033] Referring to Figure 3, which illustrates an enhanced view (A) of the needle 102 of the tranquilizer dart 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The needle 102 may include a bore extending within the needle 102 to facilitate the transfer of the drug within the needle 102. In addition, the needle 102 may include an opening 114 extending from the conduit 112 to an outer surface of the needle 102. The opening 114 facilitates the exit of the drug from the needle 102. In addition, the needle 102 portion disposed proximate to the opening 114 may include a hook portion 116 having an extension 118 extending outwardly towards the second end 110 of the needle 102.

[0034] In an embodiment, the extension 118 of the hook portion 116 may be adapted to point towards the second end 110 of the needle 102. The outer surface of the hook portion 116 and the extension 118 is flush with the outer surface of the needle 102. The extension 118 may be adapted to facilitate the insertion of the needle 102 in the skin of the animal and restrict the outward movement of the needle 102 from the skin of the animal.

[0035] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5, the valve 106 of the housing 104 is shown. Specifically, Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the valve 106, in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 illustrates a side perspective view of the valve 106, in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. The valve 106 of the housing 104 may be adapted to be disposed / positioned inside the housing 104 (not shown in Figure 4). As shown, the valve 106 may include a first end 120 may be adapted to couple with the drugchamber 500. In addition, the first end 120 of the valve 106 may include a plurality of ports 122 to facilitate the entry of the drug into the valve 106.The valve 106 may be adapted to shift from the closed position to the open position to establish a fluid communication between the plurality of ports 122 and the needle 102.

[0036] Further, the valve 106 may include a second end 124 disposed opposite to the first end 120 and may be adapted to couple with the needle 102. The second end 124 of the valve may be adapted to receive a force to facilitate the movement of the valve 106 in an open position from a closed position upon the receipt of a force. As shown in Figure 4, the valve 106 defines a cylindrical body configuration and is disposed concentrically within the housing 104. The cylindrical body configuration of the valve facilitates the linear movement of the valve 106 within the housing 104. In another embodiment, the valve 106 may be adapted to linearly move relative to the housing 104 to facilitate the actuation and blocking of the drug into the needle 102.

[0037] In addition, the valve 106 may include a notch portion 126 extending outwardly from the first end 120 of the valve 106 towards the second end 124 of the valve 106. The notch portion 126 may be adapted to block and unblock the conduit 112 of the needle 102 to facilitate the entry of the drug upon actuation and restrict the entry of the drug into the animal. In an embodiment, the notch portion 126 may be adapted to fluidically block the needle 102 along the second end 110 of the needle 102 when valve 106 is disposed in a closed configuration. Further, the notch portion 126 is tapered to facilitate the partial resting of the notch portion 126 within the bore and the conduit 112 of the needle 102.

[0038] In one example, the valve 106 of the housing 104 may include a seal 136 disposed proximate to the first end 120 of the valve to facilitate the blocking of the drug within the housing 104 and further prevent any further leakage of the drug from the tranquilizer dart 100. In an embodiment, the seal 136 may be an O-ring seal to facilitate the blocking of the drug within the housing 104 and the needle 102.

[0039] Referring to Figure 6, a perspective view of the housing 104 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the housing 104 may be adapted to be coupled with the valve 106, and the needle 102. The housing 104 facilitates the resting of the valve 106 and further facilitates the mounting with the drug chamber 500 (not shown in Figure 6). In addition, the entry of the drug is via the housing 104 to the valve 106. In addition, the locking and unlocking movement of the valve 106 may be adapted to have inside the housing 104.

[0040] In an illustrated embodiment, the housing 104 may include an indentation 140 projected inwardly from an outer surface of the housing 104 to facilitate the positioning of the fingers of the user of the professional. In another embodiment (not shown), the housing 104 may include a flat surface (not shown) to facilitate the holding and provide an ergonomic construction to the housing 104. The indentation 140 and the flat surface on the housing 104 facilitate the proper holding of the tranquilizer dart 100 and facilitate in removal of the tranquilizer dart 100 once the drug injection is complete within the animal skin.

[0041] Referring to Figure 7, a closed configuration of the valve 106 resting inside the housing 104 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The closed configuration of the valve 106 is when the tranquilizer dart 100 is not inserted inside the skin of the animal. In the closed configuration, no injection of the drug happens and the valve 106 is sealed inside the housing 104. As shown, in the closed configuration, the notch portion 126 of the valve 106 may be adapted to block the conduit 112 of the needle 102. The blocking of the conduit 112 restricts any movement of the drug into the conduit 112 and restricts the drug within the drug chamber 502 (not shown in Figure 6) of the syringe assembly 500 (not shown in Figure 6).

[0042] Referring to Figure 8, an open configuration of the valve 106 resting inside the housing 104 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The valve 106 may be adapted to be in an open configuration when thetranquilizer dart 100 is pierced into the skin of the animal. In an open configuration, the second end 110 of the needle 102 may be adapted to push the second end 124 of the valve 106 in response to the piercing of the needle 102 inside the animal's skin. The pushing of the valve 106 towards the housing 104 thereby determines an open configuration of the valve 106. As shown in the open configuration, the notch portion 126 of the valve 106 is disposed spaced apart from the conduit 112 of the needle 102 thereby opening the conduit 112 to facilitate the actuation of the drug inside the valve 106. The drug entering from the drug chamber 502 of the drug chamber 500 enters the valve 106 via the plurality of ports 122. The drug is pushed into the conduit 112 from the valve 106. In this manner, the drug is injected into the animal's body via the opening 114 disposed proximate to the first end 108 of the needle 102.

[0043] The tranquilizer dart 100 may be adapted to be mounted on any of the existing syringes or an air gun making it universally fit on any dart assembly or air gun. The tranquilizer dart 100 facilitates better hooking within the skin of the animal as the hook portion 116 and the extension 118 facilitate the unidirectional motion of the needle 102 and the tranquilizer dart 100. In addition, the hook portion 116 facilitates the locking of the tranquilizer dart 100 within the skin of the animal. Further, the tranquilizer dart 100 facilitates the complete injection of the drug dose into the animal body and prevents multiple hitting of the tranquilizer dart 100 to get the desired tranquilization. This further reduces injuries to the animal and causes no overdosing or underdosing of the drug into the body of the animal.

[0044] In this manner, the overall efficiency of the tranquilization process is improved, and the animals may be tranquilized with one single shot reducing the overall pain caused to the animal. For the removal of the tranquilizer dart 100, the indentation 140 disposed on the housing 104 is pressed to push the extension 118 and the hook portion 116 thereby enabling an easy removal of the tranquilizer dart 100 from the animal's body. In addition, the indentation 140 disposed on the housing 104 facilitates the proper holding of the tranquilizer dart 100 and facilitatesin removal of the tranquilizer dart 100 once the drug injection is complete within the animal skin.

[0045] While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

Claims

1. A tranquilizer dart (100) comprising: a drug chamber (502) for storing a drug; a needle (102) adapted to pierce a skin for injecting the drug; and a housing (104) to facilitate the selective actuation of the drug in the needle (102), the housing (104) comprising: a valve (106) defining a cylindrical body and is adapted to linearly move relative to the housing (104), the valve (106) comprising: a first end (120) includes a plurality of ports (122) and is in fluid communication with the drug chamber (502), wherein the valve (106) is adapted to shift from the closed position to the open position to establish a fluid communication between the ports (122) and the needle (102); and a second end (124) adapted to couple with the needle (102), wherein the second end (124) is adapted to receive a force to facilitate the movement of the valve (104) in an open position from a closed position upon the receipt of a force.

2. The tranquilizer dart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the needle (102) comprising: a first end (108) defining a pointed portion to facilitate the piercing in the skin; a second end (110) adapted to rest inside the housing (104); a bore defining a conduit (112) extending within the needle (102) to facilitate the transfer of the drug within the needle (102); an opening (114) disposed proximate to the first end (108) and extending from an outer surface of the needle (102); and a hook portion (116) pointing towards the second end (110) of the needle (102), wherein an outer surface of the hook portion (116) is flush with the outer surface of the needle (102).

3. The tranquilizer dart (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein an outer surface of the housing (104) includes an indentation (140) projected inwardly within the housing (104).

4. The tranquilizer dart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve (106) includes a seal (136) disposed proximate to the second end (124).

5. The tranquilizer dart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (136) is an O-ring seal.

6. The tranquilizer dart (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a notch portion (126) adapted to fluidically block the needle (102) along the second end (110) of the needle (102) when valve (106) is disposed in a closed configuration, wherein the notch portion (126) is tapered to facilitate the partial resting of the notch portion (126) within of the needle (102).

7. A housing (104) for a tranquilizer dart (100), comprising: a valve (106) defining a cylindrical body disposed concentrically within the housing (104) and adapted to linearly move relative to the housing (106), the valve (106) comprising: a first end (120) includes a plurality of ports (122) and is in fluid communication with the drug chamber (502), wherein the valve (106) is adapted to shift from the closed position to the open position to establish a fluid communication between the ports (122) and the needle (102); and a second end (124) adapted to couple with the needle (102), wherein the second end (124) is adapted to receive a force to facilitate the movement of the valve (104) in an open position from a closed position upon the receipt of a force.8.The housing (104) as claimed in claim 7, an outer surface of the housing(104) includes an indentation (140) projected inwardly within the housing(104).9.The housing (104) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the valve (106) includes a seal (136) disposed proximate to the second end (124).10.The tranquilizer dart (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal (136) isan O-ring seal.