Device for injecting fluids into birds

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for injecting a fluid into a bird, the device having a body (11) with an injection assembly comprising an injection needle and at least one syringe, the needle being movable between a retracted position and an injection position located within an injection zone located outside the body (11). According to the invention, the device comprises: a guide element (12) positioned on the outer surface of a body (11), the guide element (12) having a base (13) and side edges (14) extending from the base, wherein at least the upper back of the bird to be vaccinated is intended to be placed on the base (13) and moved head-first to the injection position along a guide axis (15) defined by the guide element (12); the guide element (12) is additionally configured to keep at least the bird's neck aligned or substantially aligned along the guide axis (15) within the injection zone; and the injection needle is arranged to move along an axis of movement parallel to the outer surface of the base or at an angle to the outer surface during movement between the retracted position and the injection position, the axis of movement extending away from the body beyond an exclusion zone surrounding the guide axis (15).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for automatically injecting fluid substances, such as vaccines, into birds, particularly one-day-old chicks. [Background technology]

[0002] To meet the ever-increasing demand for food, increasing numbers of animals are being produced in intensive agricultural systems.

[0003] Good health in these animals involves preventing the appearance of health problems, such as the appearance of diseases, on the farm, in order to ensure adequate yields, which can be done, in particular, by vaccinating the animals.

[0004] Therefore, in poultry farming, it is known to vaccinate chicks at 1 day of age or 1 to 21 days of age. These chicks are easy to handle, as they are particularly easy to handle and the fineness of their down ensures easy introduction of the injection needle into the chick's skin and therefore the reliability of the injection.

[0005] In order to deliver the injection in the shortest possible time, an automated vaccination device is typically implemented.

[0006] By way of example, patent application WO2018 / 167562(A1) in the name of the applicant discloses an automatic vaccination device.

[0007] The device comprises, inter alia, a frame having a curved front panel defining an injection zone, an injection assembly housed within the frame, the injection assembly comprising one or more syringes and injection needles, and an activation button positioned at an angle formed by the curved front panel.

[0008] When the chick's body is pressed against this activation button with sufficient force, a drive mechanism moves the needle, causing it to protrude from the frame and ensuring administration of the injection into the chick's body.

[0009] Although good results are obtained, the device can be improved.

[0010] First, each chick is presented in a lying position in the injection zone of the device for injection with the vaccine.

[0011] However, this unnatural position of the chick is not only a source of stress to the chick, but also requires the operator to perform repetitive movements of the forearm and corresponding wrist to ensure the chick is properly oriented.

[0012] Therefore, the appearance of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the operator can be observed over time.

[0013] Such a device also allows chicks to be presented to only one side of the device.

[0014] However, this geometry of the device necessarily limits the number of chicks that can be treated in a given period of time.

[0015] Apart from the increased fatigue experienced by the operator due to the repetitive gestures made to treat the chicks, vaccination becomes more complicated for the operator if the side of the device that allows the insertion of the chick does not correspond to the operator's dominant hand (right or left).

[0016] Furthermore, it has been observed that the chicks can be positioned freely in the injection zone of the device, which, considering the injection rates achieved, entails a risk to the health of the animals as well as a risk of accidental injury to the operator.

[0017] Losses associated with injection errors are, of course, a source of increased costs, which is undesirable for operators.

[0018] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device for injecting a fluid substance into an animal to be injected, the original design of which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0019] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a device for automatically injecting a liquid into birds, the design and mode of operation of which makes it possible to inject the liquid accurately and reliably.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is such an injection device that allows a faster rate of vaccination.

[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is an injection device that increases the protection of the operator while respecting the health of the bird. [Means for solving the problem]

[0022] To that end, the present invention relates to a device for injecting a fluid into a bird, the device having a body with an injection assembly comprising an injection needle and at least one syringe, the needle being movable between a retracted position and an injection position (located within an injection zone located outside the body). According to the invention, the device comprises: a guide element mounted on an outer surface of the body, the guide element having a base and side edges extending from the base, wherein at least the upper back of the bird to be vaccinated is intended to be placed on the base and moved head-first to an injection position along a guide axis defined by the guide element; the guide element is additionally configured to keep at least the neck of the bird aligned or substantially aligned along the guide axis within the injection zone; The injection needle is arranged to move along an axis of movement parallel to or at an angle to the outer surface of the base during movement between the retracted position and the injection position, the axis of movement extending away from the body beyond an exclusion zone surrounding the guide axis.

[0023] Advantageously, the part of the bird's body where the injection has to be administered is held in place by the guide element in the injection zone, resulting in greater precision in the injection being performed and less risk to the bird's health.

[0024] Such holding in place also makes it possible to define a protective space called an exclusion zone, in which the injection needle is not present when it is partly outside the body, or in which this needle does not penetrate during the movement between the retracted position and the injection position, this space being intended to accommodate sensitive parts of the bird's body, in particular its spinal column.

[0025] This protective space does not necessarily have to be symmetrical about the guide axis, and a person skilled in the art will understand that this protective space is necessary in the zone where the needle moves out of the body.

[0026] As an example, the injection zone is defined as the space extending at least around the path traveled by an injection needle as it penetrates into the upper end of the body of a living animal to the injection point.

[0027] Purely by way of example, this guide axis is the axis of symmetry of the guide element.

[0028] The term "bird" is understood herein to mean an avian, for example a bird from the class Aves, i.e. a vertebrate, feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic (warm-blooded) and capable of laying eggs. In the context of the present invention, this term more particularly refers to birds of economic and / or agricultural interest, such as poultry (e.g. chickens, turkeys, hens, guinea fowl, quail, partridges, and pigeons), migratory birds (e.g. ducks and geese) and ornamental birds (e.g. swans, parrots, and parakeets).

[0029] Such an injection device is particularly applicable in the field of vaccinating chicks within a few days after hatching, i.e., between 1 and 14 days after hatching. Preferentially, vaccination is carried out on birds 1 to 7 days after hatching. Even more preferentially, vaccination is carried out on birds 1 to 2 days after hatching, i.e., 48 hours after hatching. Even more preferentially, vaccination is carried out on birds 1 day old, i.e., 24 hours after hatching.

[0030] Advantageously, such a configuration of the injection device allows free or even completely open access to the guide elements so that the operator can use both hands to place the bird in the injection position. Therefore, the vaccination rate enabled by this auto-injection device is significantly improved.

[0031] This guide element can be fixed or secured to the outer surface of the body, which outer surface is also curved to impose a certain inclination on the bird's head in order to open up access to the bird's neck for the purpose of inserting the injection needle. The injection is preferably carried out at the bottom of the neck or upper back of the animal to be injected, preferentially just below the neck. Alternatively, the outer surface may itself be shaped to define a guide element recessed within the body, the guide element having a base against which the part of the bird's body against which the injection must be administered is pressed.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the injection device, the base portion of the guide element located in the path along which the needle moves between the retracted position and the injection position is flat or substantially planar.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the injection device, the axis of movement of the needle between the retracted position and the injection position is inclined at an angle of [0-4°] relative to the outer surface of the base. This ensures that the injection needle cannot penetrate too deeply into the animal's body during administration of the injection. By way of example, this angle of inclination between the needle's axis of movement and the base is 2+ / -2°. Such an angle can be obtained in various ways, for example, by keeping the base fixed and pivoting the injection needle, or by keeping the needle unchanged and pivoting the base. Of course, it is also possible to pivot the needle and the base to obtain such an angle of inclination of the needle's axis of movement relative to the base of the guide element.

[0034] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the exclusion zone is a space extending over 2 to 4 mm around the guide shaft. In other words, at the injection position, the free end of the injection needle is located at a distance of 2 to 4 mm from the guide shaft.

[0035] Purely by way of example, the guide element is shaped to align or substantially align at least the animal's cervical vertebrae with the guide axis, e.g., by means of a narrowed portion of the guide element which holds its neck in place, and the needle is positioned so that the path it travels between the retracted position and the injection position is offset laterally by a distance relative to the guide axis and thus relative to the position of the bird's cervical vertebrae. Advantageously, therefore, the injection needle is only introduced into the soft neck tissue or from the upper back of the bird, ensuring that it does not come into contact with the animal's spinal column during injection.

[0036] More generally, the guide element is configured such that when at least the upper back of the bird to be vaccinated is pressed against the base, the bird's spine is located within the exclusion zone and at least the animal's neck is kept aligned or substantially aligned along the guide axis within the injection zone.

[0037] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the axis of movement of the injection needle is contained in a plane parallel to the base of the guide element, and this axis of movement and the guide axis are collinear, or this axis of movement of the needle deviates from this guide axis. This axis of movement of the needle may therefore be parallel to the guide axis by being spaced or offset from the guide axis so as not to pass through or enter the exclusion zone. Alternatively, this axis of movement of the injection needle can be set at an angle to the guide axis, but move away from the guide axis or diverge further and proceed towards the exterior of the body, so that the needle is actually outside the exclusion zone when located within the injection zone.

[0038] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the device is configured so that the body thereof is placed on a flat horizontal surface and the bird is injected in a vertical or substantially vertical position, i.e., an upright position.

[0039] By ensuring that the bird's head is facing the top of the body, i.e. the bird is first moved into the guide element, the bird's weight positions it vertically and ensures that the bird is presented to the injection point in an upright position. The exit of the injection needle can then be performed vertically from top to bottom.

[0040] It is also observed that in such an embodiment the risk to the operator of developing chronic diseases associated with handling chicks is significantly limited.

[0041] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the distance separating the free end of the injection needle from the outer surface of the base along the injection location determines the subcutaneous injection into the bird's neck. Preferably, this distance is typically between 3 and 7 mm.

[0042] This ensures that the needle cannot penetrate too deeply into the animal's body during administration of the injection. Tests performed on one-day-old chicks demonstrated the accuracy of injections performed with the device of the present invention, in particular the absence of blood ("bloody neck") when the needle was removed.

[0043] By way of example only, the needle travel between the retracted position and the injection position is on the order of 23-27 mm.

[0044] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, a portion of the body of the guide element is configured to form a protective barrier located on at least either side of the path along which the needle travels between the retracted position and the injection position. Advantageously, the edges of the guide elements are therefore configured to define such a protective barrier, these edges also forming the lateral guide rails. Therefore, operator safety is significantly enhanced: the proposed raised protective barrier eliminates the risk of accidental puncture of the operator.

[0045] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the guide element comprises a first part of the body having a flared shape and a second part of the body forming a constriction, the first part of the body being arranged to guide the upper part of the body of the bird to which the injection has to be administered towards the constriction. This constriction is advantageously located in the injection zone. The first body portion of the guide element is therefore intended to guide the upper part of the bird's body, preferably gradually, into the second body portion of the guide element, which forms a constriction in which the upper part of the bird's body, in particular its neck, is then wedged to receive the injection needle. Such a guide on the top of the animal's body to be injected also allows blind vaccination of the bird. As an example, the operator can be positioned behind the injection device or at any other position around the device, ie 360° around the device. Advantageously, the body portion of the guide element forming the constriction is configured to be adjustable to suit the size of the bird, in particular in its transverse dimension or width.

[0046] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the body comprises a recess arranged transversely to the guide element to facilitate insertion of the bird to be injected into the guide element by the operator.

[0047] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the body comprises at least one force sensor, preferentially two force sensors. The movement of the needle is controlled only by triggering this sensor or by triggering these sensors simultaneously. Preferably, and advantageously, these force sensors are positioned relative to the guide element to ensure alignment or substantial alignment of at least the part of the bird's spinal column located at this injection position with the outer surface of this base when the bird is pressed against the guide element and bears against the force sensors.

[0048] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the lower end of the guide element communicates with a chute that ensures the removal of the bird after administering the injection. Once the injection is administered, the operator can simply release the bird, which will either fall into a holding basket or can be collected by a chute and discharged into a holding area or another work area. Preferably, the chute is orientable through 180°. This free orientation of the chute can be achieved, for example, around an axis of rotation parallel to the guide axis defined by the guide element.

[0049] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, each injection assembly also comprises a linear actuator, which is a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric actuator.

[0050] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the needle is offset relative to the one or more syringes. The assembly formed by the manifold and needle support is therefore movable and independent of the unit consisting of the cylinder and damper, and can be easily disassembled for maintenance or replacement of the injection needle. Thus, a more compact injection device is obtained, as each injection needle is not mounted on the extension of its syringe.

[0051] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the device comprises two syringes and an injection needle. Advantageously, activation of a control button located on the body of the injection device allows switching from single injection to double injection (activation of one or both cylinders).

[0052] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the syringes are arranged in the body in a manner that ensures the evacuation of air bubbles that may form in the corresponding syringe.

[0053] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the angles of components of the injection device that may come into contact with the bird and / or the operator are rounded. This prevents accidental injury to the animal being injected as well as the operator.

[0054] Furthermore, the injection device is easier to clean.

[0055] According to yet another embodiment of the injection device, the upper end of the body has an elbow that imposes a specific inclination on the bird's head, and this elbow is equipped with one or more retaining elements configured to keep the head of the bird to be vaccinated in a predetermined position. In this way it is ensured that the bird's head is wedged in a position where it can no longer rotate its head, and therefore it is the entire upper part of the body of the live animal to be vaccinated that is kept aligned or substantially aligned along the guide axis. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0056] Other advantages, objects and particular characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of illustration and not of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a device for automatic injection of a liquid substance into a bird according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a partial perspective view of the injection device of FIG. 1, showing the arrangement of the upper end of the guide element relative to the activation button; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the lower part of the injection device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a partial front view of the injection device of FIG. 1, showing the arrangement of the upper end of the guide element relative to the activation button. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the injection device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] The drawings and the following description inherently include elements of a certain specific nature, and therefore they may not only serve to better understand the invention, but may also contribute, where appropriate, to its definition.

[0058] First, please note that the drawings are not to scale.

[0059] 1 to 5 show diagrammatically a device for injecting a liquid substance into a bird according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] The injection device 10 comprises a frame 11 in which an injection assembly is mounted, which in a known manner comprises one or two syringes and an injection needle.

[0061] Each syringe is supplied with the liquid substance by a reservoir (not shown), such as a flexible pouch, mounted on the outside of the frame 11. This reservoir, which determines the storage volume in which the liquid substance is received, is supported by a pouch holder (not shown), optionally telescoping, which is connected to the interior volume of each syringe by a flexible conduit, such as a flexible hose. Each syringe is preferably oriented in a vertical or substantially vertical position to eject the liquid substance upwardly to allow for the evacuation of any air bubbles that form.

[0062] The outer surface of this frame 11 is provided with supports 12 for receiving birds.

[0063] The body of the frame 11 even has a recess or clearance 20 on each side of this support 12 to facilitate movement of the operator's thumb without forcing the operator to bend his wrist, thus facilitating insertion of the chick into the support 12.

[0064] The support 12 comprises a base 13 and edges 14 extending outward from the base 13. The edges 14 project from the base 13 and thereby surround it laterally.

[0065] The support 12 has a flared body part at its lower part and a constricted body part at its upper part, the flared part opening into the constricted part and making it possible to gradually guide the upper part of the bird (head and neck) towards the constricted part.

[0066] The base 13 of the support 12 at this constriction has an elongated shape which, together with the edge 14 , defines a longitudinal axis 15 .

[0067] Thus, the operator who has introduced the bird for vaccination presses the upper part of the animal's back against the base 13 , which is surrounded by the edge 14 .

[0068] The operator can then move the animal head-first along this longitudinal axis 15 to the injection position of the injection device.

[0069] The base 13 of the support 12 at the constriction also comprises a first actuation button 16 extending flat over at least a portion of the base, which is actuated when the neck of the bird to which the injection has to be administered is received within the constriction and thereby pressed against the base.

[0070] This constriction is configured to ensure that the bird's neck is wedged in place so that it is aligned or substantially aligned along this longitudinal axis 15 in the injection zone defined by the movement of the injection needle 21 of the injection device from the body 11.

[0071] A second actuation button 17 is mounted on the bent portion which defines a stop 18 for the bird's head.

[0072] When the upper part of the bird's body is pressed simultaneously with sufficient force against these two actuation buttons 16, 17, a drive mechanism (not shown) installed within the frame 11 moves the injection needle 21, and the injection needle 21 passes from a retracted or pulled-back position inside the frame 11 to an injection position outside the frame 11.

[0073] In this injection position, the needle 21 is placed in a constriction in the support 12 so that the injection can be administered to the base of the bird's neck. When the bird's neck is received in this constriction and the bird's head is pressed against the bent portion that forms the stop 18 for the bird's head, the neck is advantageously released and wedged in place.

[0074] Between these retracted and injection positions, the needle is translatable along an axis of movement parallel to the longitudinal axis 15 and parallel to the outer surface of the base of the support. Therefore, the ejection of the injection needle 21 occurs vertically from top to bottom parallel to the outer surface of the base 13 of the support 12, thereby preventing the support 12 from penetrating into the bird's body at all.

[0075] In accordance with the injection location, the distance separating the free end of the injection needle 21 from the base 13 of the support 12 is 5 + / - 2 mm, thus ensuring subcutaneous injection of the liquid substance administered into the bird's neck.

[0076] Furthermore, the needle is eccentric with respect to the longitudinal axis 15 of the support 12 so as not to inject the product into the spinal column of the animal. An exclusion zone 22 is therefore advantageously defined surrounding the longitudinal axis 15, preventing the injection needle 21 from penetrating the animal and consequently injuring it.

[0077] The path that the injection needle follows while moving between the retracted and injection positions is also surrounded by edges 14 of the support 12. These edges 14 advantageously form a protective barrier to prevent accidental injury to the operator.

[0078] Advantageously, the base 13 of the support is slightly inclined to facilitate insertion into the constriction in the upper part of the bird's body.

[0079] The lower end of the support 12 communicates with a chute 19 to ensure the evacuation of the bird after the injection has been administered.

[0080] The vaccinated bird can then be released by the operator, the chute having a curved shape that dampens its fall. The axis of the bird's fall is aligned with the axis of movement of the needle, minimizing the risk of injury to the bird. The bird lands on its feet, still in a vertical or substantially vertical position.

Claims

1. A device for injecting a fluid into a bird, said device having a body (11) with an injection assembly comprising an injection needle and at least one syringe, said needle being movable between a retracted position and an injection position located within an injection zone located outside said body (11), said device comprising: - comprising a guide element (12) placed on the outer surface of said body (11), said guide element (12) comprising a base (13) and lateral edges (14) extending from said base, at least the upper back of the bird to be vaccinated being intended to be placed on said base (13) and moved head-first to said injection position along a guide axis (15) defined by said guide element (12), - said guide element (12) is additionally configured to keep at least the bird's neck aligned or substantially aligned along said guide axis (15) within said injection zone, said guide element (12) comprising a first part of the body having a flared shape and a second part of the body forming a constriction, said first part of the body being arranged to guide the upper part of the bird's body, where an injection has to be administered, towards said constriction, said base (13) of said guide element (12) at said constriction having an elongated shape which together with said lateral edges (14) defines said guide axis (15), said guide axis (15) being an axis of symmetry of said guide element (12); - the injection needle is arranged to move along an axis of movement parallel to the outer surface of the base or at an angle to said outer surface during the movement between the retracted position and the injection position, said axis of movement extending away from the body beyond an exclusion zone, which is a space extending over 2-4 mm around the guide axis (15).

2. 2. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis of movement of the needle between the retracted position and the injection position is inclined at an angle of [0-4°] to the outer surface of the base (13).

3. 3. An injection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axis of movement of the injection needle is contained in a plane parallel to the base, and the axis of movement and the guide axis (15) are collinear, or the axis of movement deviates from the guide axis (15).

4. 4. The injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide element is configured such that when at least the upper part of the back of the bird to be vaccinated is pressed against the base, the spine of the bird is located within the exclusion zone and the bird's neck is kept aligned or substantially aligned along the guide axis (15) within the injection zone.

5. An injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the distance separating the free end of the injection needle from the outer surface of the base (13) along the injection location determines a subcutaneous injection into the neck of the bird.

6. 6. An injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the injection device is configured so that the body of the injection device is placed on a flat horizontal surface and the bird is injected in a vertical or substantially vertical position.

7. 7. An injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the guide element (12) comprises a flared body first part and a second part of the body forming a narrow part, the first part of the body being arranged to guide the upper part of the bird's body towards the narrow part.

8. 8. An injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the body (11) comprises a recess (20) arranged transversely to the guide element to facilitate the insertion of the bird to be injected into the guide element by an operator.

9. Injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each injection assembly comprises a linear actuator, said linear actuator being a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric actuator.

10. Injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the needle is offset relative to the syringe.

11. Injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises two syringes and an injection needle.

12. An injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the lower end of the guide element (12) communicates with a slide (19) ensuring the ejection of the bird after administering the injection.

13. Injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the corners of parts of the device that can be touched by the bird and the operator are rounded.

14. 14. An injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the upper end of the body has an elbow that imposes a particular inclination on the bird's head, said elbow comprising one or more retaining elements configured to keep the head of the bird to be vaccinated in a predetermined position.

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