Scientific devices for the study of animals, particularly marine animals

Abstract

To provide a scientific device for the study of animals, in particular, marine animals.SOLUTION: One aspect of the invention relates to a device (100) for the study of animals, which can be launched at an animal by a propulsion device in order to tag an animal and to collect a sample from the animal. The device includes an arrow (1) including the following elements, which are coaxial and removable: an arrow body (2), a hollow cutting dart (3) and an insert (5). The hollow cutting dart (3) includes, in a rear part (22), support means for a propulsion device and carrying, in a front part (21), the hollow cutting dart (3) capable of penetrating the skin of an animal on impact and of withdrawing a sample of the animal into a bore (4). The hollow cutting dart (3) externally carrying the insert (5) bearing against a first front shoulder (6) of the arrow body (2) and to be fixed under the skin of the animal. The arrow body (2) includes, at the rear part (22), a second shoulder (7) for stopping the arrow body (2) from penetrating into the animal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a scientific device for animal research, which is configured to tag an animal and be launched towards the animal by a propulsion device for sample collection from the animal, and this device is equipped with an arrow.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of scientific experiments on live animals, and more particularly to marine animals.

Background Art

[0003] Attaching a tracking tag to a live animal is a delicate and difficult task. Scientists are trying to avoid the need to put the animal to sleep or catch marine or aquatic animals in order to attach the tag. This is to avoid causing great stress to the animal.

[0004] The same applies to tissue sampling, which is particularly difficult in wild animals, especially very sensitive species such as sharks. The purpose of collecting tissue samples is to determine the health status of the animal, as well as its disease conditions and genetic abnormalities.

[0005] In the environment where animals live, such as the marine environment, tests have been successful in performing tagging or sampling operations directly at an appropriate distance from the animal using a special propulsion device, which greatly reduces the stress caused by the operation. For the purpose of reducing the impact on the animal's health, other attempts have also been made to combine the operations of tag attachment and sample collection to limit the investigation to one contact with the animal. In particular, the prior art discloses an arrow that can be attached to such species and at the same time collect biological samples from such species. However, this method is not absolutely reliable and often does not penetrate the skin, which means that neither tagging nor sample collection is possible, or even if tagging is done correctly, the animal's flesh does not adhere well to the sampling tube.

[0006] Accordingly, the objective is to improve the reliability of the experimental device, attach tags, and ensure that highly reliable samples can be reliably collected in a single operation.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to improve the success rate of a shot that combines tagging / sampling for animals, more specifically marine animals, and even more specifically sharks such as the spiny dogfish.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a scientific device for animal research, which is configured to be launched towards an animal by a propulsion device for tagging the animal and collecting samples from the animal, and this device is provided with an arrow.

[0009] According to the present invention, the arrow is substantially coaxial in the longitudinal direction and comprises the following elements that are removable from each other, namely, an arrow body, a hollow cutting dart, and at least one insert. The arrow body is provided with support means for the propulsion device at the rear part, and at the front part, it forms a sampling tube intended to pierce the animal's skin during impact and extract the animal's sample into the bore of the hollow cutting dart, and supports the hollow cutting dart longitudinally. The hollow cutting dart has the at least one insert externally intended to be fixed under the animal's skin, and the at least one insert is removable from the arrow body and from the hollow cutting dart, and is intended to abut against a first front shoulder of the arrow body. The arrow body is provided with a second shoulder at the rear part intended to prevent the arrow body from piercing the animal.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] The objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] To enable tagging and sample collection without causing significant damage to animals, the present invention relates to a scientific device 100 for animal research, the scientific device being configured to be launched towards an animal by a propulsion device for tagging the animal and collecting samples from the animal, and comprising an arrow 1.

[0013] This arrow 1 is referred to as an arrow body 2 and comprises a rigid portion forming a support part and a removable tip. The support part is a structural part used for throwing the arrow 1 and pulling out the arrow 1 after a sample has been collected. The removable tip, referred to as a hollow cutting dart 3, serves two functions of piercing the body of the animal and collecting a sample.

[0014] Preferably, as illustrated, the removable tip has a removable insert, and in another embodiment not illustrated, the arrow body has a removable insert.

[0015] The term "insert" is understood in the broadest sense to mean any insert intended to remain within the body of an animal, such as, for example, a tag 60 as illustrated in the figure, in particular for attaching a cable 53 for towing a wireless position transmission tag, or such a tag and / or a sensor permanently inserted into the body of the animal, and / or not only a mounting element 52 for directly attaching the same, but also, for example, an element enabling the treatment and / or closing of an animal's wound, and thus two or more inserts arranged before and after the removable tip can be inserted into the animal in a single operation.

[0016] According to the present invention, therefore, this arrow 1 comprises an arrow body 2, a hollow cutting dart 3, and at least one insert 5 that are substantially coaxial with respect to the longitudinal direction D and removable from each other.

[0017] The arrow body 2 is provided with support means for a propulsion device at the rear part 22. The support means supports the hollow cutting dart 3 longitudinally at the front part 21.

[0018] This hollow cutting dart 3 is intended to form a sampling tube that pierces the animal's skin upon impact and extracts a sample of the animal's tissue into the bore 4 of the hollow cutting dart 3.

[0019] More specifically, the hollow cutting dart 3 has externally at least one insert 5 configured to be fixed under the animal's skin. At least one of these inserts 5, or the insert 5 in the case where only one is present as illustrated in the figure, is removable from the arrow body 2 and from the hollow cutting dart 3 and is configured to abut against the first front shoulder 6 of the arrow body 2.

[0020] The arrow body 2 has at its rear part 22 a second shoulder 7, which is intended to prevent the arrow body 2 from piercing the animal.

[0021] More specifically, the insert 5 has a piercing cone 50 on the outside of the hollow cutting dart 3, which is provided with elastic blades 51 configured to expand radially under the animal's skin and not to come off after the insert 5 has been inserted under the animal's skin. These elastic blades, in the free state, form a conical shape that spreads out in a fan shape as seen in Figure 1. These elastic blades 51, which are deployed when the arrow is in a free configuration, flatten along the hollow cutting dart when the arrow enters the animal's body at the pressure-applied position and then operate to spread out radially so as to prevent the inserted insert from coming out.

[0022] More specifically, the piercing cone 50 is made of a plastic material. Advantageously, this piercing cone 50 is longitudinally stopped by an attachment element 52 provided on the insert 5 or by a radial projection or the like.

[0023] In a particular alternative embodiment, the insert 5 is made of a biodegradable material or a biodegradable plastic material in order to release the tag 60 after a set time.

[0024] In another alternative embodiment, the body of tag 60 is made of a biodegradable material, or a biodegradable plastic material, in order to release tag 60 after a set time.

[0025] In another alternative embodiment, the cable 53 for pulling tag 60 is made of a biodegradable material, or a biodegradable plastic material, in order to release tag 60 after a set time.

[0026] More specifically, each insert 5 is slidably attached in close contact with the hollow cut dart 3.

[0027] More specifically, the arrow body 2 includes front fixing means 23 for reversible fixing of the hollow cut dart 3, and this front fixing means 23 includes complementary front fixing means 32. Near the front fixing means 23, in the extension of the bore 4, there is a discharge channel 8 configured for discharging liquid through at least one discharge port 9. Each discharge port 9 extends obliquely from the end of the hollow cut dart 3 towards the rear part 22 of the arrow body 2, from the periphery of the arrow body 2 towards the outside, and is open in the discharge direction to facilitate discharge. The arrow 1 is thus well adapted for use with marine animals, has a very short drainage path, reduces the overpressure in the tube when the hollow cut dart 3 pierces the animal's skin, and thus increases the possibility and amount of tissue collection. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in the figure, there are three such discharge ports 9 for discharging water, and since the discharge ports 9 are open in the discharge direction, discharge is easy.

[0028] More specifically, in the first alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the front fixing means 23 includes an internal thread configured to cooperate complementarily with an external thread of the hollow cut dart 3 having at least one operating notch 33, for example a radial hole, to facilitate screwing in or out.

[0029] More specifically, in the second alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the hollow cutting dart 3 is fixed to the arrow body 2 by at least one radial assembly element, such as a radial screw 75 or a pin. For example, the front fixing means 23 of the arrow body 2 includes at least one implant having a radial bore 72 in the radial direction R and a support counter bore 71, and the complementary front fixing means 32 includes at least one radial internal thread 73 in the radial direction R. The hollow cutting dart 3 and the arrow body 2 are then integrated with each other by at least one radial screw 75 having an external thread 74 configured to abut against the support counter bore 71 and cooperate with the internal thread 73 via the radial bore 72. FIG. 4 illustrates two such opposing radial screws 75. This second alternative embodiment avoids weakening of the hollow cutting dart by axial threading.

[0030] More specifically, the arrow 1 has rear fixing means 11 for fixing a pole or cable for retrieving the arrow 1 at the rear part 22 and on the opposite side of the hollow cutting dart 3.

[0031] More specifically, in order to hold an animal sample when the arrow 1 is withdrawn, the hollow cutting dart 3 has a plurality of internal barbs 31 and / or the bore 4 of the hollow cutting dart 3 has a rough inner contour. Even more specifically, as seen in FIG. 3, the hollow cutting dart 3 has a plurality of internally spirally arranged barbs 31 in order to minimize mechanical weakening. The presence of the barbs 31 entering the tube at the tip enables the tissue to be held when the arrow 1 is withdrawn.

[0032] More specifically, the hollow cutting dart 3 has a cutting edge 30 at its front end configured to pierce the skin of an animal. Even more specifically, the hollow cutting dart 3 has at least three cutting edges 30 at its front part to ensure an oblique penetration under the skin of an animal. With this design having three cutting edges at the end of the tip, when the arrow 1 hits the animal's skin obliquely, it is guaranteed that one cutting edge will first contact the skin regardless of the orientation of the arrow 1.

[0033] More specifically, the hollow cutting dart 3 is replaceable and is made of a material suitable for piercing the skin of the target type of animal. This is removable, constitutes a replaceable tip portion, and the material of the tip portion can be selected to maximize its mechanical properties and reduce the risk of deformation when piercing the skin. The internal thread 23 of the arrow body 2 is preferably not flush at the end, so that no thread is provided in the region of the hollow cutting body 3 that receives the greatest mechanical stress, preventing weakening.

[0034] More specifically, the materials used to manufacture the arrow body 2 and the hollow cutting dart 3 are corrosion-resistant materials in a marine environment, such as stainless steel and titanium. An example of an interesting material pairing is an arrow body 2 made of 304 stainless steel (corrosion-resistant and excellent in machinability) and a hollow cutting dart made of grade 5 titanium (extremely corrosion-resistant and high in yield strength).

[0035] More specifically, the scientific device 100 for studying animals includes propulsion means 200 intended to shoot an arrow into such an animal's observation and / or tagging zone, and / or pulling means 300 equipped with a pole or cable for retrieving the arrow 1 that encloses the animal sample after the insert 5 has been inserted under the animal's skin, into the hollow cutting dart 3.

[0036] In short, with the device described in the present invention, it is possible to safely perform tag attachment and sample collection in a single operation while protecting the animal under study as much as possible.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 1 Arrow 2 Arrow body 3 Hollow cutting dart 4 Bore 5 Insert 6 First front shoulder 7 Second shoulder 8 Discharge channel 9 Outlet 11 Rear fixing means 21 Front part 22 Rear part 23 Front fixing means 30 Cutting blade 31 Internal barb 32 Supplementary front fixing means 33 Operation notch 50 Piercing cone 51 Elastic blade 52 Mounting element 53 Cable 60 Tag 71 Support counterbore 72 Radial bore 73 Internal thread 74 External thread 75 Radial assembly element 100 Scientific device 200 Propelling means 300 Pulling-out means AA Cutting plane D Longitudinal direction R Radial direction

Claims

1. A scientific device (100) for the study of animals, configured to be launched by a propulsion device towards an animal for tagging the animal and for collecting a sample from the animal, said scientific device comprising an arrow (1) comprising an arrow body (2), a hollow cutting dart (3) and at least one insert (5) which are substantially coaxial with respect to a longitudinal direction (D) and removable from one another, said arrow body (2) comprising at its rear part (22) a support means for said propulsion device and at its front part (21) a support means for said propulsion device, said insert (5) being adapted to pierce the skin of the animal upon impact and to extract a sample from the animal into the bore (4) of said hollow cutting dart (3).

1. A scientific device (100) for longitudinally supporting said hollow cutting dart (3) forming a sampling tube intended to be inserted into the skin of the animal, said hollow cutting dart (3) having on its exterior at least one insert (5) intended to be fixed under the skin of the animal, said at least one insert (5) being removable from said arrow body (2) and from said hollow cutting dart (3) and intended to abut against a first front shoulder (6) of said arrow body (2), said arrow body (2) comprising, at its rear part (22), a second shoulder (7) intended to prevent said arrow body (2) from piercing the animal.

2. 2. The scientific device (100) for animal research according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert (5) has, on the outside of the hollow cutting dart (3), a piercing cone (50) with elastic blades (51) configured to extend radially under the skin of the animal and to prevent the insert (5) from becoming dislodged after it has been inserted under the skin of the animal.

3. A scientific device (100) for the study of animals according to claim 2, characterized in that said piercing cone (50) is made of a plastic material.

4. 2. A scientific device (100) for the study of animals according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert (5) comprises a mounting element (52) for attaching a cable (53) for towing a tag (60).

5. A scientific device (100) for animal research according to claim 4, characterized in that the insert (5) and / or the cable (53) and / or the body of the tag (60) are made of a biodegradable material, or a biodegradable plastic material, in order to release the tag (60) after a set time.

6. 2. A scientific device (100) for animal research according to claim 1, characterized in that each insert (5) is fitted in a sliding manner in close contact with the hollow cut dart (3).

7. 2. A scientific device (100) for animal research according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrow body (2) comprises front fastening means (23) for reversible fixation of the hollow cutting dart (3), said front fastening means (23) comprising complementary front fastening means (32), and in the extension of the bore (4), in the immediate vicinity of said front fastening means (23), comprises an evacuation channel (8) configured for evacuation of liquids via at least one evacuation outlet (9), each of said evacuation outlets (9) extending obliquely from said evacuation channel (8) towards the periphery of the arrow body (2) from a distal end of the hollow cutting dart (3) towards said rear part (22) of the arrow body (2) and opening in the evacuation direction to facilitate evacuation.

8. A scientific device (100) for animal research according to claim 7, characterized in that the front fixing means (23) comprises an internal thread adapted to cooperate complementarily with an external thread (32) provided on the hollow cutting dart (3) which comprises at least one operating notch (33) for facilitating screwing or unscrewing.

9. 8. A scientific device (100) for the study of animals according to claim 7, characterized in that said hollow cutting dart (3) is fixed to said arrow body (2) by means of at least one radial assembly element (75).

10. 10. A scientific device (100) for animal research according to claim 9, characterized in that the front fastening means (23) of the arrow body (2) comprises at least one implant with a radial bore (72) in the radial direction (R) and a supporting counterbore (71), the complementary front fastening means (32) comprises at least one radial internal thread (73) in the radial direction (R), the hollow cutting dart (3) and the arrow body (2) being thereby integrated with each other by at least one radial thread (75) with an external thread (74) arranged to abut against the supporting counterbore (71) and to cooperate with the internal thread (73) via the radial bore (72).

11. 2. A scientific device (100) for the study of animals according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrow (1) has at its rear (22), opposite the hollow cutting dart (3), rear fixing means (11) for fixing a pole or cable for retrieving the arrow (1).

12. 2. A scientific device (100) for animal research as described in claim 1, characterized in that the hollow cutting dart (3) has a plurality of internal barbs (31) and / or the bore (4) of the hollow cutting dart (3) has a rough inner contour to retain the animal sample when the dart (1) is withdrawn.

13. A scientific device (100) for animal research according to claim 12, characterized in that said hollow cutting dart (3) has a number of internal barbs (31) arranged helically in said bore (4).

14. 2. A scientific device (100) for the study of animals according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow cutting dart (3) has at its front end a cutting blade (30) configured to pierce the skin of the animal.

15. A scientific device (100) for the study of animals according to claim 14, characterized in that the hollow cutting dart (3) has at its front part at least three cutting edges (30) to ensure an oblique piercing under the skin of the animal.

16. A scientific device (100) for the study of animals according to claim 1, characterized in that said hollow cutting darts (3) are replaceable and made of a material suitable for piercing the skin of said animal species of interest.

17. 2. A scientific device (100) for animal research according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrow body (2) is made of 304 stainless steel and the hollow cutting dart (3) is made of grade 5 titanium.

18. A scientific device (100) for the study of animals according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises propulsion means (200) intended to throw the dart in an observation and / or tagging zone of the animal and / or comprises extraction means (300) equipped with a pole or cable for retrieving the dart (1) containing a sample of the animal in the hollow cutting dart (3) after the insert (5) has been inserted under the skin of the animal.

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