Device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a bovine or equine female

Abstract

A device (1) for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a bovine or equine female comprises a guiding catheter (10) introduced, in use, into the genital apparatus of the bovine or equine female and comprising a front portion (10a) having at least a first aperture (11) and a rear portion (10b) arranged at the side of a worker and provided with a second aperture (12). The guiding catheter (10) is provided with a longitudinal cavity (15) which protrudes between the or each first aperture (11) and the second aperture (12). A closure member (20) is, furthermore, provided which is able to move between a closing position of the first aperture (11) during a step of introduction of the guiding catheter (10) into the genital apparatus of the bovine or equine female, and an opening position of the same once that a predetermined operative position is reached. The guiding catheter (10) is made of a stiff and sterilizable material and the front portion (10a) has a tapered shape, in such a way to allow to introduce the guiding catheter (10) in the genital apparatus (250) of the bovine or equine female (200) up to reach said uterus (210) after having passed through the cervix channel in an easy and, at the same time, non- traumatic way.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] DEVICE FOR CYTOLOGICAL SAMPLING AND / OR INTRAUTERINE TREATMENT OF A BOVINE OR EQUINE FEMALE

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Field of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to the veterinary field and in particular it relates to a device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big si ze , in particular belonging to the breed of bovine .

[0006] Description of the prior art

[0007] As known, the incidence of the uterine pathologies in the dairy cows in the first and second post-partum ( first and second 20 days ) changes from 4 to 40% depending on the analytic method that is used . The aforementioned pathologies negatively af fect the productivity of the bovine , and precocious and accurate diagnosis and therapy increase their costs and wellbeing .

[0008] During the first 6 post-partum weeks the phenomenon of the uterine involution occurs in the processes of desquamation, be fore , and after the cell regeneration . Simultaneously with this event , in the first 2 weeks a certain grade of uterine infection is present due to the delivery which has allowed the bacteria to enter .

[0009] I f this infection lasts more than 2 weeks , it becomes a pathologic event and this can depend on many factors such as the presence of substrates , the grade of bacterial infection and the state of the immune defenses of the animal . Another cause of development of uterine infection during the post-partum can be due to hormonal changes which the delivery same caused .

[0010] Furthermore , during and immediately after the delivery, the physical defences as , vulva, vagina and cervix, are not able to carry out their function of barrier allowing the bacteria to enter .

[0011] Some pathogenic bacteria once entered, position themselves at the uterine mucosa adhering to it , replicating and, in some cases , penetrating the same . Instead, others bacteria produce metabolites which inhibit the growth of other bacteria causing a greater proli feration .

[0012] The bacteria which have been more frequently diagnosed in the post-partum are Trueperella pyogenes , which can cause infections on its own, or together with gram negative anaerobic bacteria as fusobacteri um necrophorum and prevotella melaninogeni cus .

[0013] It has been, furthermore , observed that the presence of these 3 bacteria, t . pyogenes , f . necrophorum and p . melaninnogenicus , create a synergic ef fect due to the production of growth promoter factors and substances which limit the chemotaxis and the phagocytosis of the neutrophils faci litating the microbial growth and the development of the infection .

[0014] The Trueperella pyogenes is responsible of the most serious damage to the endometrium due to the presence of a cytotoxin which allows the same to easily destroy the cells of the endometrium .

[0015] The presence of these bacteria in the uterus and the damage they cause have consequences on the fertility of the bovine . In particular , it has been observed that the bovines have no problems in the conception, but have di f ficulty in the nesting and in the first stages of the embryonic development . This event is due to the fact that the inflammatory mediators reduce the cells of the trophectoderm around the embryo causing embryonic resorption .

[0016] The main uterine pathologies which can occur in the post-partum are the metritis , a pathology which af fects the uterus and which appears in the first 20 days after the delivery, and the endometritis , normally advanced by a metritis and which appears normally after 21 days from the delivery .

[0017] Both the aforementioned pathologies can have very serious consequences for the animal and in particular can completely compromise procreation . Therefore , it is of fundamental importance the precocious diagnosis of these pathologies for reducing to the minimum the costs for the animal .

[0018] A diagnostic examination used for detecting the presence or absence of the aforementioned pathologies is the cytological sampling of the endometrium where the polymorphonuclear cells ( PMN) are quanti fied .

[0019] In particular , in order to collect cytological sampling, cytobrush or cyto- flush is used . Once the samples are col lected, the aforementioned devices are dragged on a cytological slide to quanti fy the polymorphonuclear cells .

[0020] In particular , the " cytobrush" is , nowadays , the most widely used device for diagnos ing the inflammatory and infective pathologies of the uterus of the bovine , as described in many publications . In order to allow to collect the samples by cytobrush catheters made of plastic material are used, with a diameter and a flexibility inadequate for the catheteri zation, i f the cervix is closed and the uterus is involuted, that means after about 30 days from the delivery . In this step, the cytological examination and the intrauterine therapies in the bovine are particularly di f ficult , but necessary because highly impacting both on the wellbeing of the animal and on the costs for the breeders .

[0021] The catheteri zation of the cervix is essential in the diagnosis of the uterine pathologies of the postpartum of the bovine , and the cytobrush is the most widely used method .

[0022] However, the catheteri zation of the cervix of the bovine with a catheter of commercial type , that means of flexible type , is complicated i f not impossible , already after 30 days from the delivery . After this period of time , in fact , the cervix of the animal becomes impenetrable to this type of instrument , and makes the cytological sampling impossible .

[0023] Also the females belonging to the breed of equine can have problems analogous to those described above for the females belonging to the breed of bovine , also i f , as can be easily understood by the person skilled in the art , in addition to the post-partum period, also in the period which follows the arti ficial insemination, even though it can concern microorganisms di f ferent from those indicated above .

[0024] Some examples of prior art with the aforementioned drawbacks are described in EP2029026 , US2005 / 277846 , US6336905, US5421346, US2015 / 366545, CA3077217 and

[0025] WO2023 / 154565.

[0026] Summary of the invention

[0027] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big size, in particular a bovine or equine female, that is able to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the devices used nowadays.

[0028] It is, in particular, an object of the present invention to provide a device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big size, in particular a bovine or equine female, which allows that the cervix is catheterized also after more than 30 days from the delivery in order to help the worker and in a non-traumatic way for the animal.

[0029] It is another object of the present invention to provide a device highly versatile because it can be used both for cytological sampling of a female of an animal of big size, in particular a bovine or equine female, and for the intrauterine treatment of the animal.

[0030] These and other objects are achieved by the device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big size, in particular a bovine or equine female, said device comprising:

[0031] — a guiding catheter arranged to be introduced, in use, into the genital apparatus of said bovine or equine female, said guiding catheter being made of a stiff and sterilizable material and comprising:

[0032] — a front portion having at least a first aperture , said front portion having a tapered shape such that it allows to introduce said guiding catheter in the genital apparatus of the bovine or equine female up to reach said uterus after having crossed said cervix channel in an easy and, at the same time , non-traumatic way;

[0033] — a rear portion arranged at the opposite side of said front portion and provided with a second aperture , said rear portion being arranged, in use , on the side of a worker ;

[0034] — a longitudinal cavity which protrudes between said or each first aperture and said second aperture , in particular said longitudinal cavity being arranged, in use , to house a collecting member configured to collect at least a sample o f cells or, preferably alternatively, to be crossed by a predetermined therapeutic or washing solution;

[0035] — a closure member configured to move from a closing position where is arranged to close said or each first aperture during a step of introduction of said guiding catheter into the genital apparatus of said bovine or equine female , to an opening position where is arranged to put in communication said longitudinal cavity with the outside environment through said or each first aperture once that a predetermined operative position is reached; whose main characteristic is that said guiding catheter at said rear portion is provided with a first engagement portion configured to alternatively and selectively engage a second engagement portion of a catching element arranged to facilitate the grip of said guiding catheter and, therefore , and the manoeuvring of said collecting member by a worker for collecting said at least a sample o f cells , or a third engagement portion of an inj ection device configured to inj ect said therapeutic or washing solution in said uterus of said bovine or equine female , in particular through the aforementioned guiding catheter .

[0036] Other features of the present invention and related embodiments are set out in the dependent claims .

[0037] In particular , the aforementioned closure member can comprise an actuation portion configured to be housed inside the longitudinal cavity . More in particular, the aforementioned actuation portion of the closure member can be arranged to be free to move with respect to said guiding catheter , for example by sliding, or rotating, in such a way to cause the closure member to move between said closing position and said opening position .

[0038] In particular, the actuation portion of the closure member has a length such that it protrudes , in use , from the guiding catheter through the second aperture , in such a way to be grasped by a worker .

[0039] In particular, the actuation portion of the closure member can be configured to slide in said longitudinal cavity for moving from an operative position where the closure member is adapted to close the or each first aperture , to a removal position where the actuation portion and the closure member are completely removed from the longitudinal cavity by causing them to slide through the second aperture .

[0040] In particular , the material used for producing the guiding catheter can be a material which can be sterili zed in autoclave , that means an "autoclavable" material .

[0041] In particular, the collecting member can comprise a collecting portion provided with a collecting end configured to collect said sample of cells . More in particular, the collecting portion is arranged to at least partly protrude from the guiding catheter through the or each aperture to be able to collect the sample o f cells . More precisely, the collecting portion of the collecting member at least partly protrudes from the guiding catheter through the or each first aperture when the guiding catheter is positioned in the predetermined operative position .

[0042] In particular , the collecting member can, furthermore , comprise a manoeuvring portion integral to the collecting portion and, advantageously, provided with a grasping portion configured to be grasped by the worker and to cause the same to move in a collecting position where it protrudes from said guiding catheter through said first aperture for collecting the aforementioned sample of cells at said uterus . More in particular , the worker can, in a first step, grasp the manoeuvring portion for introducing the collecting portion in the longitudinal cavity through the second aperture and, advantageously, afterwards , he can cause the same to move in the aforementioned collecting position .

[0043] In particular , the collecting portion and the manoeuvring portion, at respective end portions are provided with respective engagement elements adapted to mutually removably engage with each other .

[0044] In an embodiment of the invention, the engagement elements can comprise a threaded hole at the end portion of the manoeuvring portion or of the end portion of the collecting portion, and a threaded proj ection at the end portion of the collecting portion, or of the end portion of the manoeuvring portion . In particular , the aforementioned threaded hole and the threaded proj ection can be arranged to make a threaded coupling .

[0045] In particular, the front portion of the guiding catheter can have a substantially ogival shape .

[0046] In a preferred embodiment , the guiding catheter can be made of surgical steel .

[0047] In particular , the guiding catheter, close to the front portion, or at the same , can be provided with at least a first lateral aperture arranged to put in communication the longitudinal cavity with the outside environment . More in particular, the collecting member can be arranged, in use , in such a way to at least partly protrude from the guiding catheter through the aforementioned or each first lateral aperture .

[0048] In particular, the guiding catheter can have a maximum si ze dmax of the transversal cross section comprised between 3 mm and 8 mm .

[0049] Preferably, the guiding catheter can have a maximum si ze dmax of the transversal cross section comprised between 4 mm and 6 mm .

[0050] In particular, the guiding catheter can have a length L of at least 40 cm, advantageous ly a length L of at least 45 cm, preferably a length L of at least 47 cm .

[0051] In an embodiment of the invention, the guiding catheter can comprise : a main portion provided with the rear portion; — an end portion provided with the front portion, said main portion and said end portion being configured to removably mutually engage with each other .

[0052] In particular , the main portion and the end portion can be provided with respective threaded surfaces arranged to make a threaded coupling .

[0053] In an embodiment of the invention, the closure member can be a protection sleeve , or sanitary sleeve , configured to be put on the guiding catheter from the side of the front portion . More in particular, the aforementioned protection sleeve can be configured to move from a covering configuration, where is adapted to cover said or each first aperture , for example at least a first lateral aperture , of said guiding catheter, in such a way to isolate said longitudinal cavity from the outside environment , and a working configuration where said protection sleeve is adapted to uncover said or each first aperture for allowing said collecting member to collect said or each sample of cells in said uterus .

[0054] In particular , the collecting portion can be provided with a plurality of bristles , preferably made o f nylon, configured to collect said sample of cells .

[0055] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first , the second and the third engagement portion can be provided with respective threaded surfaces configured to make a threaded coupling of said guiding catheter with said gripping member, or with said inj ection device in such a way to inj ect the aforementioned solution inside the uterus , for example an antibiotic solution, in particular to perform intrauterine therapies . Alternatively, the first , the second, and the third engagement portions can be conf igured to make a bayonet coupling of the rear portion of the guiding catheter alternatively with the gripping member or the inj ection device .

[0056] For example , once that the cervix is catheteri zed and the closure member is removed and, in case , once that the sampling of the cells has been carried out , an inj ection device can be j oined at the rear portion of the guiding catheter, for example by a Luer-Lock connector, for example a syringe , in such a way to be able to inj ect the desired solution .

[0057] According to another aspect of the invention, a device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big size , in particular a bovine or equine female , said device comprising :

[0058] — a guiding catheter arranged to be introduced, in use , into the genital apparatus of said bovine or equine female , said guiding catheter comprising :

[0059] — a front portion having at least a first aperture ;

[0060] — a rear portion arranged at the opposite side of said front portion and provided with a second aperture , said rear portion being arranged, in use , on the side of a worker ;

[0061] — a longitudinal cavity which protrudes between said or each first aperture and said second aperture , in particular said longitudinal cavity being arranged, in use , to house a collecting member configured to collect at least a sample of cells and / or to be crossed by a predetermined therapeutic or washing solution;

[0062] - a closure member configured to move from a closing position where is arranged to close said or each first aperture during a step of introduction of said guiding catheter into the genital apparatus of said bovine or equine female , to an opening position where is arranged to put in communication said longitudinal cavity with the outside environment through said or each first aperture once that a predetermined operative position is reached; whose main characteristic is that said guiding catheter is made of a sti f f and sterili zable material and that said front portion has a tapered shape in such a way to allow the guiding catheter to be introduced in the genital apparatus of the bovine or equine female up to reach said uterus after having crossed said cervix channel in an easy and, at the same time , non-traumatic way .

[0063] Brief description of the drawings

[0064] The invention will be now illustrated with the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof , exempli fying but not limitative , with reference to the attached drawings wherein :

[0065] - Fig . 1 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal cross section view of an embodiment of a guiding catheter of a device , according to the invention, for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big si ze , in particular a bovine or equine female ;

[0066] - Fig . 2 diagrammatically shows a vista partial section view of a portion of the guiding catheter of figure 1 in a disassembled configuration;

[0067] - Fig . 3A diagrammatically shows a view partially sectioned of an application step of the device , according to the invention, for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big si ze , in particular a bovine or equine female ;

[0068] - Fig . 3B shows an enlargement of a part of figure 3A to highlight some technical characteristics ;

[0069] - Fig . 4 diagrammatically shows a vista partially sectioned of a step of introduction of the device , according to the invention, into the genital apparatus of the animal ;

[0070] - Fig . 5 diagrammatically shows an enlargement of a portion of the device of figure 4 to highlight some technical characteristics ;

[0071] - Fig . 6 diagrammatically shows a view partially sectioned of the positioning of the device , according to the invention, in a catheter! zing position of the cervix of the animal ;

[0072] - Fig . 7 diagrammatically shows an enlargement of a portion of the device of figure 6 to highlight some technical characteristics in particular during the removal step of the closure member ;

[0073] - Figures 8 and 9 show a longitudinal cross section view of the device , according to the invention, with the collecting member introduced inside , respectively in a rest position, and in a collecting position;

[0074] - Fig . 10A diagrammatically shows a longitudinal cross section view of a possible embodiment o f the collecting member according to the invention and of the guiding catheter where is housed ready to form the device , according to the invention;

[0075] - Fig . 10B shows an enlargement of a part of figure 10A to highlight some technical characteristics ;

[0076] - Fig . 11 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal cross section view of an alternative embodiment according to the invention of the guiding catheter of figure 1 ;

[0077] - Figures 12 and 13 show a longitudinal cross section view of an alternative embodiment according to the invention of the device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big si ze , in particular a bovine or equine female shown in the figures from 4 to 9 ;

[0078] - Fig . 14A diagrammatically shows a view partially sectioned of a possible application, according to the invention, of the device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a bovine or equine f ema 1 e ;

[0079] - Fig . 14B shows an enlargement of a part of figure 14A to highlight some technical characteristics ;

[0080] - Fig . 14C shows an enlargement of the rear portion of the guiding catheter in the operative conditions of figure 14A to highlight some technical characteristics of another embodiment of the invention;

[0081] - Figures 15A and 15B show a longitudinal cross section view of a further alternative embodiment according to the invention, of the device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big si ze , in particular a bovine or equine female , respectively in a rest position, and in a collecting position;

[0082] - Fig . 16A diagrammatically shows a longitudinal cross section view of still another alternative embodiment , according to the invention, of the device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big si ze , in particular a bovine or equine female , in a rest position;

[0083] - Fig . 16B shows an enlargement of a part of figure 16A to highlight some technical characteristics ;

[0084] - Fig . 16c diagrammatically shows a longitudinal cross section view of the device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big si ze , in particular a bovine or equine female , of figure 16A in a collecting position;

[0085] - Fig . 16D shows an enlargement of a part of figure 16C to highlight some technical characteristics .

[0086] Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0087] In the figures from 1 to 13 are diagrammatically shown some embodiments according to the present invention for a device 1 for cytological sampl ing and / or intrauterine treatment of a female 200 of a mammalian of big si ze , in particular belonging to the breed of bovine or equine . The device 1 comprises a guiding catheter 10 having a longitudinal axis 110 and arranged to be introduced, in use , into the genital apparatus 250 of the animal 200 and comprising a front portion 10a provided with at least a first aperture 11 , in figures 1 and 2 a first aperture 11 oriented along the longitudinal axis 110 , and a rear portion 10b opposite to the front portion 10a and provided with a second aperture 12 . In particular, the rear portion 10b, in use , is arranged on the side of a worker who provides to grasp, advantageously at a catching element 40 , and to manoeuvre the guiding catheter 10 . This , furthermore , provides a longitudinal cavity 15 which protrudes at least between the or each first aperture 11 and the second aperture 12 . As described in detail below, the longitudinal cavity 15 is arranged to house , in operating conditions , a collecting member 50 for collecting at least a sample of cells , for example of the type known as " cyto-brush" ( see for example figures 8 and 9 ) , or another type of sterile tampon, and / or in other cases to be crossed by a predetermined therapeutic or washing solution 70 , in particular through the guiding catheter 10 ( figures 14A and 14B ) .

[0088] It is suitable , at this point , to speci fy that , before introducing the device 1 in vagina 201 , the animal 200 can be appropriately prepared subj ecting the same to a series of preliminary interventions which go from eliminating by hand the faeces to free the rectum 220 to one or more washings of the vulva, for example with water and lubricating gel . Afterwards , the device 1 can be introduced in vagina 201 of the animal by holding with a hand 301 while , with the other hand 302 , positioned in the rectum 220 of the animal , the cervix 205 can be grasped for trying to move the uterus thus helping the guiding catheter 10 same to pass .

[0089] The device 1 , furthermore , advantageously, comprises a closure member 20 configured to move from a closing position ( figures 5 and 12 ) , where is arranged to close the or each first aperture 11 , or I la and 11b, during a step of introduction into the genital apparatus 250 of the bovine or equine female 200 , to an opening position ( figures 7 and 13 ) where is arranged to put the aforementioned longitudinal cavity 15 in communication with the outside environment , in particular with the walls of the uterine body 210 , through the or each first aperture 11 once that the predetermined desired operative position is reached, in particular once that the guiding catheter 10 is positioned at an operative position where the catheteri zation of the cervix 205 of the animal 200 is carried out . More precisely, once that the device 1 , moved along an introduction direction 101 ( figure 4 ) , penetrates the cervix 205 ( figure 6 ) , the direction of a uterine horn 206 is followed and, for example at the third anterior, the closure member 20 can be removed .

[0090] According to what is provided by the present invention, the guiding catheter 10 is made of a sti f f material , and preferably sterili zable . For example , the aforementioned guiding catheter 10 can be made of a metallic material , preferably, a surgical steel . More in particular, the aforementioned material can be a material which can be sterili zed in autoclave .

[0091] In particular, the guiding catheter 10 can have a maximum si ze dmax of the transversal cross section comprised between 3 mm and 8 mm, advantageously between 4 mm and 6 mm . More in particular, the guiding catheter 10 can have a length L of at least 40 cm, advantageously a length L of at least 45 cm, preferably a length L of at least 47 cm . In this way, it is possible to guarantee that the front portion 10a of the guiding catheter 10 , once catheteri zed the cervix of the animal , is able to reach the uterus of the animal with the rear portion 10b protruding from the vagina, in such a way to be easily grasped and manoeuvred by the worker .

[0092] In a preferred embodiment , the front portion 10a has a tapered shape , in such a way to facilitate its introduction in the genital apparatus of the bovine or equine female , up to reach the uterus after having easily passed through the cervix channel and, at the same time , in a non-traumatic way . In particular, the front portion 10a of the guiding catheter 10 has , preferably, a substantially ogival shape .

[0093] As diagrammatically shown in figure 2 , in a preferred embodiment , the guiding catheter 10 comprises a main portion 10 ' comprising the aforementioned rear portion 10b at which the worker is adapted to grip and manoeuvre the guiding catheter 10 ( see figure 3A) and an end portion 10" provided with the front portion 10a . More precisely, the main portion 10 ' and the end portion 10" are configured to removably mutually engage with each other .

[0094] In a preferred embodiment , the main portion 10 ' and the end portion 10" are provided with respective threaded surfaces 16 ' and 16" arranged to make a threaded coupling .

[0095] The guiding catheter 10 , at the rear portion 10b can be , advantageously, provided with a first engagement portion 17 configured to engage a second engagement portion 47 of the catching element 40 arranged to facilitate the grip and the manoeuvring by a worker, in particular during the collecting step by the collecting member 50 . More in particular, the first engagement portion 17 is also configured to alternatively and selectively engage at the second engagement portion 47 , with a third engagement portion 67 of the inj ection device 65 in such a way to inj ect the aforementioned washing solution, for example an antibiotic solution, in particular for performing intrauterine therapies , through the guiding catheter 10 . Therefore , di f ferently from the prior art solutions , the guiding catheter 10 , once correctly positioned, in particular once that the cervix 205 of the animal 200 has been catheteri zed, can be used both for collecting samples of cells by the collecting member 50 , and for washing, by the inj ection device 65 . In this way, on the one hand, it is possible to considerably reduce the invasiveness of the procedure for the animal , and, on the other hand, it is possible to speed up the procedure same and, therefore , with the same amount of time , it is possible to subj ect more animals to cytological sampling and / or to intrauterine treatment .

[0096] As diagrammatically shown in particular in figure 5, the closure member 20 can have an external surface 25 with a curvilinear geometry, for example spherical , or substantially spherical , and, advantageously, able, in the closing position, to protrude from the first aperture 11 of the guiding catheter 10 , or to be positioned flush, or substantially flush, with the end of the front portion 10a .

[0097] The closure member 20 can be provided integral to an actuation portion 21 configured to house inside the longitudinal cavity 15 . More precisely, the actuation portion 21 can be arranged to be free to move with respect to the guiding catheter 10 , in particular at least free to slide , in such a way to allow a worker to cause the closure member 20 to move from the aforementioned closing position to the opening position once that the guiding catheter 10 is positioned in a desired pos ition, in particular once catheteri zed the cervix 205 of the animal 200 . More precisely, as diagrammatically shown in the figures 6 and 7 , the actuation portion 21 and the closure member 20 integral to the same , are withdrawn inside the longitudinal cavity 15 by the worker, up to cause the complete withdrawal of the guiding catheter 10 . In a preferred embodiment , the actuation portion 21 can be made of a metallic material , for example of a surgical steel . In this way, with the guiding catheter 10 in position, in particular with the front portion 10a of this arranged in the uterus 210 of the animal , and, therefore , once catheteri zed the cervix 205 , it is possible in total safety for the animal 200 , to carry out the sampling of the cells by introducing in the longitudinal cavity 15 the aforementioned collecting member 50 , or to perform a therapeutic treatment , for example one or more washings for administering an antibiotic, or a di f ferent drug, to the animal .

[0098] As for example diagrammatically shown in the figures 8 and 9 , in the case that a cytological sampling has to be carried out , the collecting member 50 can comprise a collecting portion 51 configured to collect a sample of cells . In an exemplary embodiment , the collecting portion 51 can be a " cyto-brush " of the type provided with a determined number of bristles 56 , preferably made of nylon, fixed to a central core 58 . In particular, the collecting member 50 can be , furthermore , provided with a manoeuvring portion 55 integral to the collecting portion 51 and that , in working conditions , can protrude from the guiding catheter 10 through the second aperture 12 for allowing a worker to manoeuvre . In a preferred embodiment , the manoeuvring portion 55 can be made of a metallic material , for example a surgical steel .

[0099] In particular , as diagrammatically shown in figure 10A, the manoeuvring portion 55 can be provided with a grasping portion 59 configured to facilitate the grip by the worker . In this way, the worker can easily cause the collecting member 50 to move in the collecting position of figure 9 , where the collecting portion 51 at least partly protrudes from the guiding catheter 10 through the first aperture 11 for collecting a sample of cells at the uterus 210 of the animal 200 subj ected to an examination . The worker, in a previous step , can cause the collecting member 50 and at least a part of the manoeuvring portion 55 to be introduced in the longitudinal cavity 15 through the second aperture 12 , in particular after having withdrawn the closure member 20 from it . This procedure is , in particular , carried out in the case that the closure member 20 and the collecting member 50 are arranged in di f ferent times in the longitudinal cavity 15 of the guiding catheter 10 ( see at this purpose the steps shown in the figures from 6 to 9 ) .

[0100] As diagrammatically shown in the figures 10A and 10B, the collecting member 50 provides , furthermore , a base portion 52 integral to the collecting portion 51 . In particular, the base portion 52 and the manoeuvring portion 55 , at respective end portions 52a and 55a, can be provided with respective engagement elements 53 and 54 arranged to removably mutually engage with each other . In a preferred embodiment , the engagement elements 53 and 54 provide a threaded hole 54 at the end portion 55a of the manoeuvring portion 55 , or alternatively of the end portion 52 a of the base portion 52 , and a threaded proj ection 54 at the end portion 52a of the base portion 52 , or, alternatively, of the end portion 55a of the manoeuvring portion 55 . In this case , therefore , the threaded hole 53 and the threaded proj ection 54 make a threaded coupling . In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the protrusion 53 integral to the manoeuvring portion 55 at the end 55a can be adapted to engage in a hole made at the end 52a of the collecting portion 52 for example by elastically forcing the lateral wall .

[0101] Other embodiments of the invention, not shown in the figure for simplicity, provide that the engagement elements 53 and 54 can be configured to make a snap coupling, or a "bayonet" coupling, or a "snap- fit" coupling, or similar types of removably couplings of known type .

[0102] In an embodiment of the invention, diagrammatically shown in the figures from 11 to 13 , the guiding catheter 10 , close to , or at the front portion 10a, is provided with at least a lateral aperture 11 , advantageously a couple of first lateral apertures I la and 11b, arranged to put the longitudinal cavity 15 in communication with the outside environment . In this case , the collecting member 50 is , advantageously, arranged, in use , in such a way to at least partly laterally protrude from the guiding catheter 10 through the or each first lateral aperture I la and / or 11b . More in particular, the collecting member 50 is arranged in such a way that at least a part of the bristles 56 laterally protrude from the guiding catheter 10 through the or each lateral aperture I la and / or 11b .

[0103] More in particular , as diagrammatically shown in the figures 12 and 13 , in this case , the closure member 20 can be a protection member, of " sanitary sleeve" type , for example made of plastic material . More precisely, the closure member 20 is configured, in this case , to be put on the guiding catheter 10 from the side of the front portion 10a . In particular , the closure member 20 is adapted to move from the closing position of figure 12 , where it covers the guiding catheter 10 at the lateral apertures 11 , in such a way to isolate the longitudinal cavity 15 from the outside environment , to the opening position of figure 13 , where it uncovers the lateral apertures I la and 11b of the guiding catheter 10 for allowing the collecting member 50 , in particular the bristles 56 of this which protrudes from the lateral apertures I la and 11b, to collect a sample of cells inside the uterus 210 of the animal 200 .

[0104] In particular , the guiding catheter 10 , at the rear portion 10b , can be provided with a first engagement portion 17 . More in particular , the first engagement portion 17 can be configured to couple with a second engagement portion 47 of a catching element 40 arranged to facilitate the grip and the manoeuvring of the guiding catheter and, therefore , of the catching element 50 by a worker . More precisely, the aforementioned first engagement portion 17 can be configured to engage , alternatively to the second engagement portion 47 , a third engagement portion 67 of an inj ection member 65 , for introducing a washing solution, for example an antibiotic solution, in the uterus of the animal ( figure 14C ) . Therefore , the first engagement portion 17 can be mutually and alternatively engage to the second engagement portion 47 and to the third engagement portion 67 . In an embodiment of the invention, the catching element

[0105] 40 and the grasping portion 59 can be provided with respective coupling members , not shown in figure for simplicity, for example of snap-fit type , for mutually engage with each other . Furthermore , the catching element 40 can be arranged to engage a "male part" of a Luer-Lock connector of an inj ection device 65 . Therefore, in this case, the catching element 40 can be arranged to alternatively and selectively engage the grasping portion 59 of the collecting member 50 , or the inj ection device 65 .

[0106] In the embodiment diagrammatically shown in the figures from 11 to 13 , the front portion 10a is provided with an end 19 having a curvilinear geometry, in particular circular, in order to give to the guiding catheter 10 a shape able to minimi ze the trauma for the animal 200 due to the introduction of the device 1 into the genital apparatus 250 .

[0107] As diagrammatically shown in the figures from 14A to 14C, once that the cervix 205 is catheteri zed, that means once that it has been positioned in the operative position, the guiding catheter 10 , in case after having carried out a sampling of the cells by the collecting member 50 , at the rear portion 10b of the guiding catheter 10 can be engaged by a third engagement portion 67 , for example provided with a threaded surface 68 , the " female part" of a Luer-Lock connector of an inj ection device 65 , adapted to engage the "male part" of the Luer-Lock connector of the inj ection device 65 same ( as diagrammatically shown in figure 14C ) , in such a way to proceed through the guiding catheter 10 with the infusion of the desired solution 70 inside the uterus 210 of the animal 200 , for example an antibiotic solution, in particular for performing intrauterine therapies . In particular, the aforementioned inj ection device 65 can be , therefore , coupled to the rear portion 10b of the guiding catheter 10 by a Luer-Lock connector . In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the male part of this latter can engage , for example by a snap- fit connection, in the cavity of the catching element 40 , which, there fore , is not removed at the moment of the introduction of the washing solution .

[0108] In particular , in the case that the first engagement portion 17 of the rear portion 10b is provided with a threaded surface 18 , also the second engagement portion 47 will be provided with a respective threaded surface 48 arranged to make a threaded coupling with the same and, therefore , between the catching element 40 and the guiding catheter 10 to facilitate the grip and the manoeuvring by a worker . Therefore , in this way, also the manoeuvring of all the device 1 during the use by the worker and, in particular, of the collecting member 50 is facilitated at the moment of collecting the sample of cells at the uterus of the animal .

[0109] In the figures 15A and 15B is diagrammatically shown, respectively in a rest position, and in a collecting position, another alternative embodiment according to the invention for the device 1 for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big si ze , in particular a bovine or equine female . In this case , the closure member 20 is integral to the collecting member 50 , in particular in a position arranged downstream of the same along an introduction direction of the device 1 into the genital apparatus 250 of the bovine or equine female , for example at the proximal end 50a of this . More in detail , the closure member 20 , preferably with rounded geometry, in particular substantially circular, or ogival , closes the first aperture 11 during the step of introduction of the device 1 into the genital apparatus of the animal 200 and up to its positioning, that means up that the cervix 205 is catheteri zed . Once in position, the worker in charge , acting on the manoeuvring portion 55 causes , at first , the closure member 20 to advance in the longitudinal cavity 15 through the first aperture 11 , causing this way the same to move from the closing position to the opening position, and, therefore , the collecting member 50 and precisely the collecting portion 51 of this to come out of the guiding catheter 10 , in such a way to be able to collect a sample of cells at the uterus 210 of the animal . Afterwards , the worker causes , advantageously, the withdrawal o f the collecting portion 51 to bring the same back inside the longitudinal cavity 15 of the guiding catheter 10 up to bring the closure member 20 in the closing position for closing again the first aperture 11 before withdrawing the device 1 from the genital apparatus 250 of the animal 200 . In this way, it is guaranteed that the collected sample of cells is not contaminated .

[0110] In the figure s from 16A to 16D stil l another alternative embodiment o f the device , according to the invention, is diagrammatical ly shown of the device for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a female of an animal of big si ze , in particular a bovine or equine female . In particular, in thi s case , the collecting member 50 has a front end provided with the closure member 20. Furthermore, the collecting portion 51 is housed, in this case, in a respective longitudinal cavity 57 which communicates with the outside through at least a lateral aperture 57' . In particular, the bristles 56 of the collecting portion 51 are arranged to protrude from the respective longitudinal cavity 57 through the or each lateral aperture 57' . More precisely, during the step of introduction of the guiding catheter 10 and of the collecting member 50 which is housed within the longitudinal cavity 15 of the same, into the genital apparatus 250 of the animal 200, the closure member 20 closes the first aperture 11 and the bristles 56 of the collecting portion 51 are contained inside the longitudinal cavity 15. Once that the cervix 205 of the animal 200 has been catheter! zed, the worker acts on the manoeuvring portion 55 of the collecting member 50 to cause the guiding catheter 10 to advance inside the longitudinal cavity 15. In this way, the closure member 20 is caused to move from the closing position to the opening position and, therefore, the collecting portion 51 of the collecting member 50 is caused to come out of the guiding catheter 10 through the first aperture 11. This causes the bristles 56 of the collecting portion 51 to come out of the supplementary longitudinal cavity 57 through the or each lateral aperture 57' (figures 16C and 16D) in order to be able to collect the sample of cells at the uterus 210 of the animal 200. Afterwards, the worker causes the withdrawal of the collecting portion 51 inside the longitudinal cavity 15 of the guiding catheter 10 up to cause the closure member 20 to move from the opening position to the closing position, as anticipated above for the embodiment diagrammatically shown in the figures 15A and 15B, in order to guarantee that the sample of cells collected at the uterus 210 is not "contaminated". Therefore, it is possible at this point, to proceed to withdraw in total safety the device 1 from the genital apparatus 250 of the animal 200.

[0111] In an embodiment of the invention, a kit for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a bovine or equine female comprises a device 1 for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a bovine or equine female, a collecting member 50 and an injection device 65 as described above. In particular, the collecting member 50 and the injection device 65 are arranged to alternatively work in combination with the guiding catheter 10 to, respectively, carry out the sampling of the cells, or the washing, at the uterus of the bovine or equine female.

[0112] The foregoing description of a specific embodiment will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and / or adapt for various applications such an embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device (1) for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a bovine or equine female, said device (1) comprising:— a guiding catheter (10) arranged to be introduced, in use, into the genital apparatus of said bovine or equine female, said guiding catheter (10) being made of a stiff and sterilizable material and comprising:— a front portion (10a) provided with at least a first aperture (11) , said front portion (10a) having a tapered shape such to allow said guiding catheter (10) to be introduced in the genital apparatus (250) of the bovine or equine female (200) up to reach said uterus (210) after having crossed through said cervix channel in an easy and, at the same time, non-traumatic way;— a rear portion (10b) arranged at the opposite side of said front portion (10a) and provided with a second aperture (12) , said rear portion (10b) being arranged, in use, on the side of a worker;— a longitudinal cavity (15) which protrudes between said or each first aperture (11) and said second aperture (12) , said longitudinal cavity (15) being arranged, in use, to house a collecting member (50) configured to collect at least a sample of cells, or alternatively, to be crossed by a predetermined therapeutic or washing solution;— a closure member (20) configured to move from a closing position, where is arranged to close said oreach first aperture (11) during a step of introduction of said guiding catheter (10) into the genital apparatus of said bovine or equine female, to an opening position, where is arranged to put said longitudinal cavity (15) in communication with the outside environment through said or each first aperture (11) once a predetermined operative position is reached; said device (1) being characterized in that said guiding catheter (10) at said rear portion (10b) is provided with a first engagement portion (17) configured to alternatively and selectively engage a second engagement portion (47) of a catching element (40) arranged to facilitate the grip of said guiding catheter (10) and, therefore, the manoeuvring of said collecting member (50) by a worker for collecting said at least a sample of cells, or a third engagement portion (67) of an injection device (65) configured to inject said therapeutic or washing solution (70) in said uterus (210) of said bovine or equine female(200) through said guiding catheter (10) .

2. Device, according to claim 1, wherein said closure member (20) comprises an actuation portion (21) configured to be housed within said longitudinal cavity (15) , said actuation portion (21) being arranged to be free to move with respect to said guiding catheter (10) in such a way to cause said closure member (20) to move between said closing position and said opening position.

3. Device, according to claim 1, or 2, wherein said collecting member (50) comprises a collecting portion(51) configured to at least partly protrude from said guiding catheter (10) through said or each first aperture (11, Ila, 11b) when said guiding catheter (10) is positioned in said predetermined operative position, in such a way to be in able to collect said sample of cells.

4. Device, according to claim 3, wherein said collecting member (50) comprises, furthermore, a base portion(52) integral to said collecting portion (51) and a manoeuvring portion (55) integral, in use, to said base portion (52) at the opposite side of said collecting portion (51) , said manoeuvring portion (55) being arranged to protrude from said second aperture (12) in such a way to be grasped by said worker to cause said collecting member (50) to move in a collecting position where said collecting portion (51) at least partly protrudes from said guiding catheter (10) through said or each first aperture (11, Ila, 11b) to collect said sample of cells at said uterus (210) .

5. Device, according to claim 4, wherein said base portion (52) and said manoeuvring portion (55) at respective end portions (52a, 55a) are provided with respective engagement elements (53,54) arranged to removably mutually engage with each other.

6. Device, according to claim 5, wherein said engagement elements (53,54) comprise a threaded hole (53) at said end portion (52a) of said base portion (52) or of said end portion (55a) of said manoeuvring portion (55) and a threaded projection (54) at said end portion (52a) of said base portion (52) , or of said end portion(55a) of said manoeuvring portion (55) , said threaded hole (53) and said threaded projection (54) being arranged to make a threaded coupling.

7. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said front portion (10a) of said guiding catheter (10) has a substantially ogival shape.

8. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said guiding catheter (10) is made of a metallic material.

9. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said guiding catheter (10) is made of a surgical steel.

10. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said guiding catheter (10) , close to said front portion (10a) is provided with at least a first lateral aperture (Ila) arranged to put in communication said longitudinal cavity (15) with the outside environment, and wherein said collecting portion (51) of said collecting member (50) is arranged to at least partly protrude from said guiding catheter (10) through said or each first lateral aperture (Ila) when said guiding catheter (10) is positioned in said predetermined operative position.

11. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said guiding catheter (10) has a maximum size (dmax) of the transversal cross section comprised between 3 mm and 8 mm.

12. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said guiding catheter (10) has a maximum size (dmax) of the transversal cross section comprised between 4 mm and 6 mm.

13. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said guiding catheter (10) comprises:— a main portion (10' ) provided with said rear portion (10b) ;— an end portion (10") provided with said front portion (10a) , said main portion and said end portion (10' , 10") being configured to removably mutually engage with each other.

14. Device, according to claim 11, wherein said main portion (10' ) and said end portion (10") are provided with respective coupling surfaces (16' , 16") arranged to mutually engage said main portion (10' ) and said end portion (10") with each other.

15. Device, according to claim 14, wherein said coupling surfaces of said main portion (10' ) and of said end portion (10") are provided with respective threaded surfaces arranged to make a threaded coupling.

16. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said closure member (20) is configured to be put on said guiding catheter (10) from the side of said front portion (10a) and to move from said closing position where is arranged to externally cover said or each first aperture ( 11 , 1 la, 1 lb) , to said opening position where is arranged to uncover said collecting portion (51) of said collecting member (50) protruding at least in part from said guiding catheter (10) through said or each first aperture (11, Ila, 11b) .

17. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said collecting portion (51) is provided with a plurality of bristles (56) configured to collect said sample of cells.

18. Device, according to claims 15 and 16, wherein whensaid collecting member (50) is positioned in said collecting position, said plurality of bristles (56) is arranged to at least partly protrude from said or each first aperture (11, Ila, 11b) .

19. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein said first, second and third engagement portions (17,47, 67) are provided with respective threaded surfaces (18,48, 68) configured to make a threaded coupling of said guiding catheter (10) with said catching element (40) , or said injection device (65) .

20. Device, according to any claim from 1 to 19, wherein said first, second, and third engagement portions (17) are configured to make a bayonet coupling of said guiding catheter (10) alternatively with said catching element (40) or said injection device (65) .

21. Device, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein, said catching element (40) is configured to removably engage at a grasping portion (59) of said manoeuvring portion (55) of said collecting member (50) .

22. Device, according to any previous claim, wherein, said closure member (20) is integral to said collecting member (50) .

23. Device, according to claim 22, wherein said closure member (20) is positioned downstream of said collecting member (50) along an introduction direction (101) of said device (1) into the genital apparatus (250) of said bovine or equine female.

24. Device, according to one or more of the previousclaims, wherein said collecting member (50) is provided with a respective longitudinal cavity (57) arranged to house, in use, said collecting portion (51) , wherein said respective longitudinal cavity (57) is arranged to communicate with the outside at least through a lateral aperture (57' ) , and wherein at said collecting position a plurality of bristles (56) of said collecting portion (51) is arranged to at least partly protrude from said or each lateral aperture (57' ) for collecting said sample of cells.

25. Kit for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a bovine or equine female characterized in that it comprises:— a device (1) for cytological sampling and / or intrauterine treatment of a bovine or equine female, according to one or more claims from 1 to 24;— a collecting member (50) configured to collect at least a sample of cells;— an injection device (65) configured to inject a therapeutic or washing solution (70) in said uterus (210) of said bovine or equine female (200) through said guiding catheter (10) ; and wherein said collecting member (50) and said injection device (65) are arranged to be alternatively and selectively arranged to work in combination with said guiding catheter (10) .

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