Delivery apparatus and systems

Abstract

Systems and apparatus for delivery of materials to birds and related methods are described herein. Among the related methods are methods of positioning (including confirming proper positioning) of the system components for accurate delivery of materials to birds including, for example, delivery to the oral and / or nasal cavities of birds.

Description

[0001] DELIVERY APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

[0002] RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 652,969 filed 29 May 2024 and titled DELIVERY APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0004] Systems and apparatus for delivery of materials to birds and related methods are described herein.

[0005] The processing of poultry may include activities such as sexing to determine gender, vaccinating or otherwise medicating the birds, feeding the birds, weighing the birds, treating the beaks and / or claws of the birds (to, for example, retard their growth), etc. In many conventional processes, birds are handled manually, that is, individuals must physically hold the birds to, for example, deliver materials to the digestive tracts, eyes, nares, etc.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] Systems and apparatus for delivery of materials to birds and related methods are described herein. Among the related methods are methods of positioning (including confirming proper positioning) of the system components for, in one or more embodiments, accurate delivery of materials to the oral and / or nasal cavities of birds.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the systems and related methods described herein provide for efficient, effective targeted delivery of selected materials such as, e.g., supplements (e.g., vitamins, minerals, etc.), medicaments (including vaccines, antibiotics, etc.), etc. to birds. As compared to conventional systems and methods for delivering materials to birds such as, e.g., medicaments (e.g., vaccines, antibiotics, etc.) or other materials, the delivery systems and related methods described herein may provide efficacy levels equal to, and in many cases significantly better than current delivery systems and methods.

[0009] Current delivery systems and methods may include, for example, spray cabinets in which groups of birds are held in a selected area and the materials to be delivered are introduced through spraying, atomization, etc. with the delivery relying on either direct administration to the eyes, nares, skin, etc. of the birds or ingestion of the materials by the birds due to self-preening or preening of other birds. Disadvantages of this approach include waste because only a fraction of the material delivered to the cabinets actually reaches its intended target, cleaning challenges for the materials that are not properly administered to the birds, and, perhaps most importantly, uncertainty in the percentage of birds that receive the intended dose / amount of the materials used (i.e., less than 100% of the birds may actually receive the intended dose / amount of material).

[0010] Another delivery system and method includes direct delivery to the eyes of birds using, e.g., drops. These systems and methods require manual handling of each bird, opening one or both eyelids, delivering a drop to the open eye(s), and waiting for the birds to blink. Efficacy can be negatively impacted if a bird’s eyelid is closed at the time of delivery, the drop does not reach the eye due to misplacement, the bird does not blink before the material runs off the eye, etc. As a result, these systems and methods may also suffer from uncertainty in the percentage of birds that receive the intended dose / amount of the materials used (i.e., less than 100% of the birds may actually receive the intended dose / amount of material). These systems and methods may also add stress to birds due to the manual handling and need to ensure open eyelids for drop delivery (which may, for example, require waiting to deliver the drops and / or additional manipulation to get the birds to open their eyelids followed by waiting the birds to blink).

[0011] Yet another delivery system and method includes delivering drops to the nares of birds and waiting for the birds to inhale. These systems and methods typically require manual handling of each bird, delivering a drop to one or both nares, and waiting for the birds to inhale. Efficacy can be negatively impacted if the drops are misplaced and / or if the bird does not inhale in a timely manner. As a result, these systems and methods may also suffer from uncertainty in the percentage of birds that receive the intended dose / amount of the materials used (i.e., less than 100% of the birds may actually receive the intended dose / amount of material). These systems and methods may also add stress to birds due to the manual handling, the need for accurate placement, and the need to wait for the bird to inhale after drop delivery.

[0012] The delivery systems and related methods described herein address the problems associated with the known delivery systems and methods described above because, for example, the systems and methods described herein eliminate the requirements for the birds to eat or preen the delivered materials off themselves and other birds associated with spray cabinets (and other external delivery systems and methods), eliminate the requirement for positional accuracy and eyelid opening / blinking associated with eyedrop delivery systems and methods, and eliminate the requirement for positional accuracy and inhalation associated with nare delivery systems and methods.

[0013] The delivery systems and related methods described herein ensure, in one or more embodiments, accurate delivery of materials to the oral cavity and, in one or more embodiments, to the sinus network of birds. In one or more embodiments, the delivery systems and related methods described herein involve a beak splitter holding the beak of a bird open while a delivery tube is inserted into the oral cavity between the upper and lower mandible. With the beak open and the delivery tube in place, fluid is, in one or more embodiments, delivered from a nozzle in the delivery tube towards the tissues and anatomical features found on the underside of the upper mandible.

[0014] Among the benefits that may be provided by use of the delivery systems and related methods described herein is guaranteed delivery of the selected materials to birds, reduced consumption of the delivered materials (which may be particularly beneficial when the materials are costly (e.g., vaccines, etc. - in some instances a 90-97% reduction in vaccine use can be achieved as compared to known methods), reduced mess from overspray and carry over contamination, reduced bird stress and injury due to manual handling, etc.

[0015] One potential benefit of one or more embodiments the delivery systems and methods described herein is that in embodiments in which the fluid is a vaccine or is used to carry a vaccine, the vaccine can be delivered to multiple immune tissues located in the sinus network and any excess may conveniently drain back into the oral cavity through the intra-palatine slit in the roof of the mouth. Delivery to the sinus network immune tissues can be expected to allow generation of a primary IgY antibody response. Because, however, there are multiple immune related tissues within the sinus, there is the potential of generating an even broader mucosal immune response with the production of IgA antibodies.

[0016] Although one or more embodiments of the delivery systems and related methods described herein involve selective delivery of fluid to tissues located in the nasal cavity (e.g., sinus tissue, Harderian glands, nasal associated lymphoid tissues (NALT), etc. through the intra-palatine slit, the delivery systems and related methods described herein may also be used to selectively deliver one or more fluids to any selected tissue and / or target sites within the oral cavity of a bird. Examples of alternative tissue and / or target sites in or accessible through the oral cavity including, but not limited to the palatine papillae, palatal folds, openings of the palatine glands, openings of the maxillary glands, esophagus, respiratory tract (e.g., lungs, etc.), tongue, etc.

[0017] In addition to benefits from targeting delivery to selected tissues, improved control over the amount / dose of materials delivered can also be achieved. When combined with precise targeting of immune tissues, amount / dose control may offer improved immune response in combination with cost savings - particularly when high cost vaccines are delivered using the delivery systems and related methods described herein.

[0018] Although the systems and methods described herein may be used with birds of any age, they may be particularly useful when used with hatchlings, where “hatchlings” are defined as young birds (for example, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, etc.) with an age of one week or less.

[0019] Also, although the delivery systems and related methods described herein are described as opening the beak of a bird, we understood that the term “beak” is used to generically describe beaks, bills, mouth, etc. of birds.

[0020] In a first aspect, one or more embodiments of a system for delivering material to a bird as described herein includes: a beak splitter comprising an upper beak contact surface and a lower beak contact surface configured to hold the beak of a bird open with an upper mandible of the beak separated from a lower mandible of the beak; a delivery tube extending between a delivery end and a supply end, the delivery tube comprising a lumen extending from the supply end to a nozzle proximate the delivery end, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct fluid passing through the nozzle away from a lumen axis extending through the lumen from the supply end to the nozzle; a delivery tube driver configured to move the delivery tube between a retracted position and a delivery position, wherein the delivery end of the delivery tube passes into an oral cavity of the bird between the upper mandible and the lower mandible; a fluid delivery apparatus connected to the supply end of the delivery tube, wherein the fluid delivery apparatus is configured to deliver fluid to the nozzle through the lumen; and a control unit operably connected to the delivery tube driver, wherein the control unit is configured to: operate the delivery tube driver to move the delivery tube between the retracted position and the delivery position, and operate the fluid delivery apparatus to move fluid to the nozzle through the lumen.

[0021] In one or more embodiments of the delivery systems described herein, the nozzle is configured to deliver fluid along a delivery axis, and wherein the delivery axis defines an elevation angle with the lumen axis, the elevation angle being defined between the delivery axis and a portion of the lumen axis extending away from the nozzle and towards the supply end of the delivery tube. In one or more embodiments, the elevation angle is an acute angle, wherein, optionally, the elevation angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, or 50 degrees or less; and / or wherein, optionally, the elevation angle is 30 degrees or more or 45 degrees or more.

[0022] In one or more embodiments of the delivery systems described herein, the nozzle is configured to direct fluid towards the upper mandible and away from the lower mandible.

[0023] In one or more embodiments of the delivery systems described herein, the nozzle is configured to deliver the fluid over a radial arc relative to the lumen axis of 90 degrees or less, 75 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, 30 degrees or less, or 15 degrees or less; and / or optionally wherein the radial arc is 10 degrees or more, 15 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more, or 30 degrees or more. In one or more embodiments of the delivery systems described herein, the nozzle comprises only one orifice or, optionally, the nozzle comprises two or more orifices, wherein each orifice opens into the lumen.

[0024] In one or more embodiments of the delivery systems described herein, the beak splitter comprises a passageway formed through the beak splitter, wherein the delivery tube moves within the passageway in the beak splitter when moving between the retracted position and the delivery position.

[0025] In one or more embodiments of the delivery systems described herein, the fluid comprises at least one gas, wherein, optionally, the gas comprises air.

[0026] In one or more embodiments of the delivery systems described herein, the fluid comprises a vaccine.

[0027] In one or more embodiments of the delivery systems described herein, the fluid comprises at least one gas and at least one vaccine.

[0028] In a second aspect, one or more embodiments of methods of positioning a nozzle in a bird include: opening a beak of a bird by separating an upper mandible from a lower mandible; and advancing a delivery end of a delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird after opening the beak of the bird, wherein the delivery tube comprises a lumen extending from a supply end to a nozzle proximate the delivery end, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct fluid passing through the nozzle away from a lumen axis extending through the lumen from the supply end to the nozzle, and wherein the nozzle faces and is configured to deliver fluid towards the upper mandible of the bird.

[0029] In one or more embodiments of a method of positioning a nozzle in a bird as described herein, the nozzle faces away from the lower mandible of the bird.

[0030] Positioning the delivery tube and nozzle(s) such that materials delivered through the nozzle(s) is directed towards the upper mandible of a bird may be particularly useful to target tissue and / or anatomical structures deliver

[0031] In one or more embodiments of a method of positioning a nozzle in a bird as described herein, opening the beak of the bird comprises inserting a beak splitter between an upper mandible and a lower mandible of a beak of a bird. In one or more embodiments, the beak splitter comprises a passageway formed therethrough, and wherein advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises advancing the delivery tube through the passageway and into the oral cavity of the bird after opening the beak of the bird.

[0032] In one or more embodiments of a method of positioning a nozzle in a bird as described herein, advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises positioning the nozzle proximate the posterior end of an intra-palatine slit of the bird.

[0033] In one or more embodiments of a method of positioning a nozzle in a bird as described herein, advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises positioning the nozzle between the anterior end of an intra-palatine slit and esophagus of the bird.

[0034] In one or more embodiments of a method of positioning a nozzle in a bird as described herein, the nozzle defines a delivery axis along which fluid exiting the nozzle travels, and wherein the delivery tube is oriented delivery axis passes through an intra- palatine slit on the underside of the upper mandible of the bird.

[0035] In one or more embodiments of a method of positioning a nozzle in a bird as described herein, the nozzle is configured to deliver fluid along a delivery axis, and wherein the delivery axis defines a selected angle with the lumen axis, the selected angle being defined between the delivery axis and a portion of the lumen axis extending away from the nozzle and towards the supply end of the delivery tube. In one or more embodiments, the selected angle is an acute angle, wherein, optionally, the selected angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, or 50 degrees or less; and wherein, optionally, the selected angle is 30 degrees or more or 45 degrees or more.

[0036] In one or more embodiments of a method of positioning a nozzle in a bird as described herein, the nozzle is configured to deliver the fluid over a radial arc relative to the lumen axis of 90 degrees or less, 75 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, 30 degrees or less, or 15 degrees or less; and optionally wherein the radial arc is 10 degrees or more, 15 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more, or 30 degrees or more.

[0037] In one or more embodiments of a method of positioning a nozzle in a bird as described herein, the method comprises confirming acceptable positioning of the nozzle of the delivery tube by delivering a colored dye through the nozzle after advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird and, optionally, visually confirming acceptable delivery of the colored dye.

[0038] In a third aspect, one or more embodiments of methods of delivering material to a bird as described herein include: opening a beak of a bird by separating the upper mandible from the lower mandible; advancing a delivery end of a delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird after opening the beak of the bird, wherein the delivery tube comprises a lumen extending from a supply end to a nozzle proximate the delivery end, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct fluid passing through the nozzle away from a lumen axis extending through the lumen from the supply end to the nozzle; and directing material through the nozzle at the upper mandible of the bird through after advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird.

[0039] In one or more embodiments of methods of delivering material to a bird as described herein, the method comprises directing the material towards, optionally through, an intra-palatine slit of the bird.

[0040] In one or more embodiments of methods of delivering material to a bird as described herein, opening the beak of the bird comprises inserting a beak splitter between an upper mandible and a lower mandible of a beak of a bird. In one or more embodiments, the beak splitter comprises a passageway formed therethrough, and wherein advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises advancing the delivery tube through the passageway and into the oral cavity of the bird after opening the beak of the bird.

[0041] In one or more embodiments of methods of delivering material to a bird as described herein, advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises positioning the nozzle proximate the posterior end of an intra-palatine slit of the bird.

[0042] In one or more embodiments of methods of delivering material to a bird as described herein, advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises positioning the nozzle between the anterior end of an intra-palatine slit and esophagus of the bird.

[0043] In one or more embodiments of methods of delivering material to a bird as described herein, the nozzle is configured to deliver fluid along a delivery axis, and wherein the delivery axis defines an elevation angle with the lumen axis, the elevation angle being defined between the delivery axis and a portion of the lumen axis extending away from the nozzle and towards the supply end of the delivery tube. In one or more embodiments, the elevation angle is an acute angle, wherein, optionally, the elevation angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, or 50 degrees or less; and / or wherein, optionally, the elevation angle is 30 degrees or more or 45 degrees or more.

[0044] In one or more embodiments of methods of delivering material to a bird as described herein, the nozzle is configured to deliver the fluid over a radial arc relative to the lumen axis of 90 degrees or less, 75 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, 30 degrees or less, or 15 degrees or less; and / or optionally wherein the radial arc is 10 degrees or more, 15 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more, or 30 degrees or more.

[0045] In one or more embodiments of methods of delivering material to a bird as described herein, the method comprises removing the delivery tube from the oral cavity of the bird after directing material through the nozzle at the upper mandible of the bird.

[0046] In one or more embodiments of methods of delivering material to a bird as described herein, the method comprises confirming acceptable delivery of the material by delivering a colored dye with the material and, optionally, inspecting one or more birds after delivery to confirm acceptable delivery by confirming that the colored dye is present.

[0047] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" or "the" component may include one or more of the components and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Further, the term “and / or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

[0048] It is noted that the term "comprises" and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the accompanying description. Moreover, "a," "an," "the," "at least one," and "one or more" are used interchangeably herein.

[0049] Where used herein, the terms "top" and "bottom" are used for reference relative to each other only and, depending on the orientation of the apparatus when used, may or may not accurately describe the relative positions of the recited features with respect to the ground.

[0050] The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the delivery systems and related methods described herein. Rather, a more complete understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following Description of Illustrative Embodiments and claims in view of the accompanying figures of the drawing.

[0051] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0052] Illustrative embodiments of the invention will be further described with reference to the views of the drawing as briefly described below.

[0053] FIG. l is a schematic depiction of components in one illustrative embodiment of an delivery system described herein.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a delivery system as described herein with the beak opening apparatus lowered and a hatchling cradle located in a delivery location relative to the delivery system with the outline of a bird torso provided in the hatchling cradle.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the illustrative embodiment of the material delivery system depicted in FIG. 2 with the beak opening apparatus raised towards the hatchling cradle in the delivery location depicting the outline of a bird torso in the hatchling cradle.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a side view of the delivery system of FIG. 3 depicting the outline of a bird torso in the hatchling cradle.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a delivery tube assembly that can be used in the delivery systems depicted in FIGS. 2-4 with the delivery tube in a retracted position.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the delivery tube assembly depicted in FIG. 5 with the delivery tube in a delivery position.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the illustrative embodiment of a beak splitter on a beak splitter plate as used in the delivery systems depicted in FIGS. 2-4.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative delivery system depicted in FIG. 2 taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative delivery system depicted in FIG. 3 taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 2 (with the addition of a bird in the hatchling cradle that is not depicted in FIG. 3).

[0061] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bird head and beak splitter of FIG. 9 with the delivery tube positioned in the oral cavity of the bird.

[0062] FIG. 11 is an enlarged top view of the illustrative embodiment of a delivery tube used in the delivery tube assembly as depicted in FIGS. 5-6.

[0063] FIG. 12 is a side view of the delivery tube depicted in FIG. 11.

[0064] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the delivery tube of FIGS. 11-12 taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 11.

[0065] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of another illustrative embodiment of a delivery tube positioned in the oral cavity of a bird between the upper mandible 2-1 and the lower mandible 2-2 as well as between the tongue 3 and the intra-palatine slit 4.

[0066] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the upper mandible of a bird with a delivery tube positioned to deliver fluid from a nozzle towards the underside of the upper mandible as described herein.

[0067] FIG. 16 is a photographic image of the underside of the upper mandible of a bird after delivery of fluid including a colored dye.

[0068] DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0069] In the following description of illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific illustrative embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, like reference numbers across the different figures designate the same features in the various figures of the drawing.

[0070] The delivery systems and related methods described herein involve opening the beaks of birds such that the upper and lower mandibles of the birds are separated to allow for introduction of delivery tubes into the oral cavities of the birds. Illustrative examples of suitable beak opening apparatus that may be used to open beaks of birds for use with the delivery systems and related methods described herein are described in U.S. Patent No. 11,937,997 titled MATERIAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS, BEAK OPENING APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE.

[0071] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of components in one illustrative embodiment of an delivery system described herein. The depicted illustrative embodiment includes a control unit 100 operably connected to a delivery tube driver 102 and a fluid delivery apparatus 104. The delivery tube driver 102 and the fluid delivery apparatus 104 are both connected to the delivery tube 140 which is used to deliver fluid to a bird as described herein.

[0072] Control units 100 used in the systems and apparatus described herein may be provided in any suitable form and may, for example, include memory and a controller. In one or more embodiments, the controller of a control unit may, for example, be in the form of one or more microprocessors, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), Digital Signal Processors (DSP), microcontrollers, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machines, etc.

[0073] Fluid delivery apparatus 104 used in the delivery systems and related methods described herein may also be provided in any suitable form including, but not limited to, pumps (e.g., piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, diaphragm pumps, gear pumps, venturi pumps / systems, etc.), piezoelectric ejectors (e.g., piezoelectric micro-jet devices, etc.), pressurized bladders / containers, etc. Control over the fluid delivery apparatus may be accomplished by control over a pump or other fluid delivery device (when provided) and / or control over one or more fluid control devices such as, e.g., valves, etc.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the delivery systems and related methods described herein are used to deliver one or more fluids to the oral cavities of birds, with the fluids themselves constituting the material(s) of interest to be delivered to the bird (e.g., medicaments (e.g., vaccines, antibiotics, etc.) that are in liquid form. In one or more alternative embodiments, one or more fluids may be used as a carrier to deliver the material(s) of interest (with the material(s) of interest in the form of a liquid or in some other form, e.g., powders, biological cells, gels, suspensions, etc.). Unless expressly limited herein, the term “fluid” includes one or both of liquids and gasses.

[0075] One illustrative embodiment of components of one delivery system as described herein is depicted in FIG. 2 and includes a beak opening apparatus 10 that is, in many respects similar to or the same as the beak opening apparatus described in U.S. Patent No. 11,937,997. That should not, however, be interpreted to mean that the beak opening apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,937,997 is the only beak opening apparatus that can be used with the delivery systems and related methods described herein. Any suitable apparatus and / or method that can reliably be used to open and hold open the beaks of birds could be used in connection with the delivery systems and related methods described herein.

[0076] As depicted in FIG. 2, the delivery system includes, in addition to a beak opening apparatus 10, a hatchling cradle 20 located in a processing location relative to the remainder of the delivery system, with the processing location being positioned to allow for both beak opening and delivery of materials using the delivery systems described herein. The outline of a bird B with the head of the bird B being positioned in a head holder 22 and at least partially retained therein by a head restraint 24 acting on the dorsal side of the bird’s head.

[0077] The beak opening apparatus 10 includes a beak splitter 14 positioned on a beak splitter plate 12. As depicted in FIG. 1, the beak splitter plate 12 is in a retracted position relative to the head holder 22 of hatchling cradle 22 allow for positioning of the bird B in the processing location without interference from the beak opening apparatus 10.

[0078] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the beak opening apparatus 10 after movement of the beak opening apparatus 10 into a position in which the beak splitter 14 (obscured in FIG. 3) can be used to open the beak of a bird carried in the hatchling cradle 20. The side view of FIG. 4 also includes one illustrative embodiment of a delivery tube apparatus 30 attached to the beak splitter plate 12 to house a delivery tube that can be used to deliver fluid to the oral cavity of a bird B as described herein.

[0079] One illustrative embodiment of a delivery tube apparatus 30 removed from the beak splitter plate 12 is depicted in FIGS. 5-6. The delivery tube apparatus 30 includes a delivery tube guide 34 on a mounting plate 35 with the delivery tube guide 34 including an opening 36 through which the delivery tube 40 extends and retracts when moving between its retracted and delivery positions as described herein.

[0080] Delivery tube apparatus 30 also includes a delivery tube driver 32 acting on delivery tube carriage 33. Delivery tube 40 is attached to delivery tube carriage 33 with the delivery tube carriage 33 being advanced towards the mounting plate 35 and delivery tube guide 34 to advance the delivery tube 40 out of opening 36 and into its delivery position as depicted in FIG. 6. In its delivery position, the delivery tube 40 includes a nozzle configured to direct fluid passing through the delivery tube into the oral-nasal cavity of a bird as described herein. Movement of the delivery tube carriage 33 in the opposite direction retracts the delivery tube 40 such that the tip 43 of delivery tube 40 is located within the delivery tube guide 34 as depicted in FIG. 5.

[0081] The delivery tube driver 32 can take any suitable form including, but not limited to, for example, electric motors, hydraulic motors, pistons (hydraulic and / or pneumatic), solenoids, biasing elements (for example, springs, bladders, etc.), etc. Similarly, the delivery tube carriage 33 may be operably connected to the delivery tube driver 32 using any suitable mechanical connection including, but not limited to, a simple slide, rack and pinion, etc. with the ability to translate rotary motion into linear motion when needed. In essence, the delivery tube driver 32 may include one or more of: electric motors, solenoids, hydraulic / pneumatic pistons, biasing elements (for example, springs, bladders, etc.), gears, belts, pulleys, etc. that, when combined, are capable of moving the delivery tube 40 between its retracted and delivery positions as described herein.

[0082] Also depicted in FIGS. 5-6 are connectors 38 and 39 used to connect a fluid source and a material source to a lumen within the delivery tube 40, with the fluid source and material source being delivered to the oral cavity of a bird through nozzle 50 in delivery tube 40. Although the depicted illustrative embodiment includes connectors 38 and 39 for both a fluid source and a material source, in one or more alternative embodiments, it should be understood that only a single connector may be required if, for example, the fluid delivered through the delivery tube 40 itself contains the material to be delivered to the oral cavity of a bird.

[0083] As discussed above, the delivery system includes a beak splitter 14 used to hold the upper and lower mandibles of a bird (i.e., the beak of the bird) in an open position. In one or more embodiments, the beak splitter may include a passageway 16 formed therein through which the delivery tube 40 passes when moving from its retracted position to its delivery position. FIG. 7 depicts the beak splitter plate 12 in isolation from the remainder of the beak opening apparatus 10 to better illustrate the position of the passageway 16 through which the delivery tube 40 passes. Beak splitters and passageways formed therethrough are described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 1 1,937,997 titled MATERIAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS, BEAK OPENING APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the delivery system depicted in FIG. 2 taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2. Among the features depicted in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 are the attachment of mounting plate 35 of the delivery tube apparatus 30 on the underside of the beak splitter plate 12 along with delivery tube guide 34 positioning delivery tube 40 for movement through the passageway in beak splitter 14.

[0085] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the delivery system depicted in FIG. 4 taken along the same line as that used to generate the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8. Among the features depicted in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 are placement of the beak splitter 14 into the beak of the bird B as well as advancement of the delivery tube 40 to its delivery position within the oral cavity of the bird B.

[0086] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the view of FIG. 9 to further illustrate the relationships between the beak splitter 14 on beak splitter plate 12, passageway 16 through beak splitter 14, delivery tube guide 34, and delivery tube 40 relative to the oral cavity of a bird B held in position on the beak splitter 14 by a head holder 22 and associated hatchling cradle 20. Although the depicted illustrative embodiment of the beak splitter includes a passageway 16 passing through the beak splitter 14, in one or more alternative embodiments, the delivery tubes described herein may be delivered along a path that passes by or near the beak splitter 14 so lang as the path allows advancement of the delivery tube to a selected location in the bird, e.g., in the oral cavity of the bird.

[0087] FIGS. 11-13 are enlarged views of the illustrative embodiment of the delivery tube 40 depicted in connection with the delivery systems depicted in FIGS. 8-10. FIG. 11 is a top view of the delivery tube 40 while FIG. 12 is a side view of the delivery tube 40 and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the delivery tube 40 taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 11.

[0088] The delivery tube 40 as depicted in FIGS. 11-13 includes a supply end 42 and a delivery end 43 along with a lumen 56 extending through the delivery tube 40 from the supply end to a nozzle 50 located proximate the delivery end 43. Both the delivery tube 40 and the lumen 56 formed therein extend along a lumen axis 41. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the nozzle 50 opens into a notch formed by faces 54 and 55 formed into the body of the delivery tube 40. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the nozzle 50 is formed by a bore 52 formed through face 55 and into the lumen 56 such that fluid passing through the lumen towards the delivery end 43 of the delivery tube exits the delivery tube lumen 56 through the bore 52 of nozzle 50 in a direction away from the lumen axis 41.

[0089] In the depicted embodiment, the nozzle 50 includes a single orifice in the form of a circular bore having a diameter 53 as seen in, e g., FIG. 13. In one or more alternative embodiments of delivery tubes that may be used in delivery systems and related methods described herein, the nozzles of delivery tubes may include two or more orifices of any suitable shape and / or size and / or combinations of shapes and / or sizes as needed to deliver fluid exiting the nozzle in the delivery tube in a selected direction and / or spray pattern.

[0090] The bore 52 of nozzle 50 can be described as defining a delivery axis 51 within a spray pattern 50-1 along which fluid exiting from the lumen 56 of the delivery tube 40 travels. With reference to the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13, the delivery axis 51may be defined by a centerline through the bore 52. Fluid exiting the bore 52 typically disperses into a spray pattern 50-1 as it moves along the general direction of the delivery axis 5 land may, for example, define a spray arc in what can be described as a vertical plane containing the lumen / delivery tube axis 41 that, as depicted in FIG. 12. The vertical plane spray arc of spray pattern 50-1 can be defined by the angle a (alpha). In one or more embodiments, the centerline of the bore 52 and the centerline of the vertical spray arc of fluid exiting the bore 52 coincide along the delivery axis 51(although this convergence is not necessarily required).

[0091] In one or more embodiments, the angle a (alpha) of the vertical spray arc may be controlled to provide a selected spray pattern for the fluid exiting the nozzle 50. In one or more embodiments, the angle a (alpha) of the vertical spray arc may be 60° or less, 45° or less, 30° or less, or 15° or less. In one or more embodiments the angle a (alpha) of the vertical spray arc may be 5° or more, 10° or more, or 15° or more to allow for some dispersion of the fluid being delivered to, e.g., limit any potential discomfort to a bird receiving fluid delivered through the delivery tube 40. The lumen / delivery tube axis 41 is, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, a straight line axis. In alternative embodiments in which the lumen / delivery tube axis is curved, the vertical plane spray arc defined by angle a (alpha) can be measured from a tangent to the curve defined by the lumen / delivery tube axis at its junction with the nozzle.

[0092] Regardless of the actual amount of dispersion of the spray pattern 50-1 of fluid exiting the nozzle 50 as defined by the vertical spray arc, the delivery axis 51may, in one or more embodiments, be defined or described as a central flow axis position within a geometric center of a closed two-dimensional geometric shape projected into a plane oriented transverse to the delivery axis LI.

[0093] In addition to the vertical spray arc defined by angle a (alpha) as seen in FIG. 12, the delivery axis 51also defines a selected elevation angle p (beta) with the lumen / delivery tube axis 41 as seen in, e.g., FIGS. 12-13. In particular, the elevation angle P (beta) is measured between the delivery axis 5 land the portion of the lumen axis 41 extending away from the nozzle 50 and towards the supply end 42 of the delivery tube. As a result, fluid exiting the nozzle 50 through bore 52 is generally directed towards the supply end 42 and away from the delivery end 43 when the elevation angle P (beta) is an acute angle. In one or more embodiments, the elevation angle P (beta) may be 80° or less, 70° or less, 60° or less, or 50° or less at an upper end. In one or more embodiments, the elevation angle P (beta) may, at a lower end, be 30° or more or 45° or more. Control over the elevation angle P (beta) may provide for selective targeting of tissue and / or locations within the oral cavity of a bird for delivery of the fluid exiting from the nozzle 50 of the delivery tube 40.

[0094] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of another illustrative embodiment of a delivery tube positioned in the oral cavity of a bird between the upper mandible 2-1 and the lower mandible 2-2 as well as between the tongue 3 and the intra-palatine slit 4. The schematic diagram of FIG. 14 illustrates the relationship between the delivery axis 51 defined by the nozzle 50 of delivery tube 40 when viewed along the lumen / delivery tube axis 41. As depicted in FIG. 14, one or more embodiments of the delivery systems described herein may be configured to selectively deliver one or more fluids that exit the nozzle of the delivery tube in a direction towards the upper mandible 2-1 of the bird and away from the lower mandible 2-2. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the delivery tube 40 sits between the tongue 3 and the upper mandible 2-1 as well as the intra-palatine slit 4. In the depicted embodiment, the fluid may be delivered in a spray pattern 50-1 such that a significant portion of the fluid delivered to the bird passes through the intra-palatine slit 4 located on the underside of the upper mandible 2-1. Fluid passing through the intra- palatine slit 4 may be more likely to reach tissues located within the nasal cavity with those tissues including, for example, sinus tissue, Harderian glands, nasal associated lymphoid tissues (NALT), etc.

[0095] As depicted in FIG. 14, the spray pattern 50-1 may, in one or more embodiments, also spread around delivery axis 51 over a radial arc relative to the lumen / delivery tube axis 41, with the radial arc being defined by angle e (epsilon). Control over the radial arc of the spray pattern 50-1 defined by angle s (epsilon) may be helpful to, in one or more embodiments, direct as much fluid as possible toward the intended tissue and / or target in the oral cavity of a bird, e.g., through the intra-palatine slit 4 with limited overspray onto tissue surrounding that opening.

[0096] In one or more embodiments, the nozzles of delivery tubes of delivery systems described herein may be configured to deliver the fluid in a spray pattern 50-1 having a radial arc defined by angle s (epsilon) relative to the lumen / delivery tube axis 41 of 90 degrees or less, 75 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, 30 degrees or less, or 15 degrees or less. At a lower end, the nozzles may be configured to deliver fluid over a radial arc defined by angle e (epsilon) of 10 degrees or more, 15 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more, or 30 degrees or more.

[0097] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the upper mandible 2-1 of a bird with the delivery tube 40 positioned to deliver fluid from the nozzle 50 towards the underside of the upper mandible 2-1 as described herein. The beak of the bird is, of course, opened by separating the upper mandible from a lower mandible as described herein before moving the delivery tube 40 into position proximate the underside of the upper mandible 2-1. Opening the beak of the bird may, in one or more embodiments, involve inserting a beak splitter between the upper mandible and lower mandible of the bird as described herein.

[0098] As discussed herein, the nozzle 50, in the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 15 faces away from the lower mandible (not shown in FIG. 15) of the bird. If, however, delivery to tissue on the lower mandible and / or the tongue of the bird is desired the delivery tube 40 could be rotated about its lumen / delivery tube axis 41 to direct fluid to a different target.

[0099] With reference to, e.g., FIGS. 8-10, the method may involve advancing the delivery tube 40 through a passageway in a beak splitter (e.g., beak splitter 14) such that the delivery end 43 of the delivery tube 40 advances into the oral cavity of the bird after the beak has been opened.

[0100] Again with reference to FIG. 15, one or more embodiments of the methods of positioning a nozzle in the oral cavity of a bird and / or delivering material to a bird as described herein may include advancing the delivery end 43 of the delivery tube 40 into the oral cavity of the bird to position the nozzle 50 proximate the posterior end of an intra-palatine slit on the underside of the upper mandible 2-1 of the bird. In one or more embodiments, it may be preferred to position the nozzle 50 past the posterior end of the intra-palatine slit (e.g., closer to the esophagus) to allow the fluid delivered in the spray pattern 50-1 better access to the posterior end of the intra-palatine slit.

[0101] In still other embodiments of the methods described herein, advancing the delivery end 43 of the delivery tube 40 into the oral cavity of a bird includes positioning the nozzle 50 at a selected depth D measured from the tip T of the upper mandible / beak 2-1 of the bird. In one or more embodiments, the depth D may be selected such that the nozzle 50 is positioned between the anterior end of an intra-palatine slit and esophagus of the bird. Placement of the nozzle closer to the tip T of the beak of the bird may be useful if, for example, tissue on the underside of the upper mandible 2-1 other than tissue that can only be reached by passing through the intra-palatine slit is to be targeted and / or if, e.g., the selected elevation angle P (beta) is larger.

[0102] In one or more embodiments of the methods described herein, the delivery tube 40 and nozzle 50 may be described as being oriented such that the delivery axis defined by the nozzle 50 passes through an intra-palatine slit on the underside of the upper mandible 2-1 of a bird.

[0103] In one or more embodiments of the methods of positioning a nozzle in an oral cavity of a bird as described herein, the method may be limited to confirming acceptable positioning of the nozzle 50 of the delivery tube 40 by delivering a colored dye through the nozzle 50 after advancing the delivery end 43 of the delivery tube 40 into the oral cavity of the bird. The method may further include visually confirming acceptable delivery of the colored dye.

[0104] FIG. 16 is a photographic image of the underside of the upper mandible 2-1 of a bird in which the intra-palatine slit 4 is visible which demonstrates the result of one such method of confirming acceptable positioning of a nozzle of a delivery tube in the oral cavity of a bird. The fluid delivered through a delivery tube includes a colored dye which results in a pattern P of fluid delivered in a spray pattern from a delivery tube as described herein. As seen in FIG. 16, at least a portion of the fluid delivered to the upper mandible 2- 1 passes through the intra-palatine slit 4 while at least a portion of the fluid also is incident on tissue surrounding that anatomical feature. If appropriate or selected tissue is not being reached, adjustments can be made to positioning of the delivery tube and / or nozzle such that selected tissue and / or targets can be reached.

[0105] The use of colored dyes may also be used when delivering selected materials to the oral and / or nasal cavities of birds may serve as a quality check ensuring that each bird receives fluid in the selected location within its oral cavity. In other words, in systems and methods that involve delivering a colored dye in addition to one or more selected materials to the oral cavity of birds, a pattern P of colored dye will be found only birds in which the fluid is delivered as desired. In such cases it can be assumed that birds that do not have a pattern P of colored dye in the selected location did not receive the one or more selected materials in their oral cavities.

[0106] The complete disclosure of the patents, patent documents, and publications identified herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each were individually incorporated. To the extent there is a conflict or discrepancy between this document and the disclosure in any such incorporated document, this document will control.

[0107] Illustrative embodiments of the systems and methods of using the same are discussed herein with some possible variations described. These and other variations and modifications in the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the claims provided below and equivalents thereof. It should also be understood that this invention also may be suitably practiced in the absence of any element not specifically disclosed as necessary herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:What is claimed is:

1. A system for delivering material to a bird, the system comprising: a beak splitter comprising an upper beak contact surface and a lower beak contact surface configured to hold the beak of a bird open with an upper mandible of the beak separated from a lower mandible of the beak; a delivery tube extending between a delivery end and a supply end, the delivery tube comprising a lumen extending from the supply end to a nozzle proximate the delivery end, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct fluid passing through the nozzle away from a lumen axis extending through the lumen from the supply end to the nozzle; a delivery tube driver configured to move the delivery tube between a retracted position and a delivery position, wherein the delivery end of the delivery tube passes into an oral cavity of the bird between the upper mandible and the lower mandible; a fluid delivery apparatus connected to the supply end of the delivery tube, wherein the fluid delivery apparatus is configured to deliver fluid to the nozzle through the lumen; and a control unit operably connected to the delivery tube driver, wherein the control unit is configured to: operate the delivery tube driver to move the delivery tube between the retracted position and the delivery position, and operate the fluid delivery apparatus to move fluid to the nozzle through the lumen.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is configured to deliver fluid along a delivery axis, and wherein the delivery axis defines an elevation angle with the lumen axis, the elevation angle being defined between the delivery axis anda portion of the lumen axis extending away from the nozzle and towards the supply end of the delivery tube.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the elevation angle is an acute angle, wherein, optionally, the elevation angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, or 50 degrees or less; and / or wherein, optionally, the elevation angle is 30 degrees or more or 45 degrees or more.

4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct fluid towards the upper mandible and away from the lower mandible.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the nozzle is configured to deliver the fluid over a radial arc relative to the lumen axis of 90 degrees or less, 75 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, 30 degrees or less, or 15 degrees or less; and / or optionally wherein the radial arc is 10 degrees or more, 15 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more, or 30 degrees or more.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle comprises only one orifice or, optionally, the nozzle comprises two or more orifices, wherein each orifice opens into the lumen.

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beak splitter comprises a passageway formed through the beak splitter, wherein the delivery tube moves within the passageway in the beak splitter when moving between the retracted position and the delivery position.

8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid comprises at least one gas, wherein, optionally, the gas comprises air.

9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid comprises a vaccine.

10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid comprises at least one gas and at least one vaccine.

11. A method of positioning a nozzle in a bird, the method comprising: opening a beak of a bird by separating an upper mandible from a lower mandible; and advancing a delivery end of a delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird after opening the beak of the bird, wherein the delivery tube comprises a lumen extending from a supply end to a nozzle proximate the delivery end, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct fluid passing through the nozzle away from a lumen axis extending through the lumen from the supply end to the nozzle, and wherein the nozzle faces and is configured to deliver fluid towards the upper mandible of the bird.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the nozzle faces away from the lower mandible of the bird.

13. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein opening the beak of the bird comprises inserting a beak splitter between an upper mandible and a lower mandible of a beak of a bird.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the beak splitter comprises a passageway formed therethrough, and wherein advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises advancing the delivery tubethrough the passageway and into the oral cavity of the bird after opening the beak of the bird.

15. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises positioning the nozzle proximate the posterior end of an intra-palatine slit of the bird.

16. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises positioning the nozzle between the anterior end of an intra-palatine slit and esophagus of the bird.

17. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the nozzle defines a delivery axis along which fluid exiting the nozzle travels, and wherein the delivery tube is oriented delivery axis passes through an intra-palatine slit on the underside of the upper mandible of the bird.

18. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the nozzle is configured to deliver fluid along a delivery axis, and wherein the delivery axis defines a selected angle with the lumen axis, the selected angle being defined between the delivery axis and a portion of the lumen axis extending away from the nozzle and towards the supply end of the delivery tube; wherein, optionally, the selected angle is an acute angle, and further wherein, optionally, the selected angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, or 50 degrees or less; and wherein, optionally, the selected angle is 30 degrees or more or 45 degrees or more.

19. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the nozzle is configured to deliver the fluid over a radial arc relative to the lumen axis of 90 degrees or less, 75 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, 30 degrees or less, or 15 degrees or less; and optionally wherein the radial arc is 10 degrees ormore, 15 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more, or 30 degrees or more.

20. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the method comprises confirming acceptable positioning of the nozzle of the delivery tube by delivering a colored dye through the nozzle after advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird and, optionally, visually confirming acceptable delivery of the colored dye.

21. A method of delivering material to a bird, the method comprising: opening a beak of a bird by separating the upper mandible from the lower mandible; advancing a delivery end of a delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird after opening the beak of the bird, wherein the delivery tube comprises a lumen extending from a supply end to a nozzle proximate the delivery end, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct fluid passing through the nozzle away from a lumen axis extending through the lumen from the supply end to the nozzle; and directing material through the nozzle at the upper mandible of the bird through after advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the method comprises directing the material towards, optionally through, an intra-palatine slit of the bird.

23. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 22, wherein opening the beak of the bird comprises inserting a beak splitter between an upper mandible and a lower mandible of a beak of a bird.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the beak splitter comprises a passageway formed therethrough, and wherein advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises advancing the delivery tube through the passageway and into the oral cavity of the bird after opening the beak of the bird.

25. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises positioning the nozzle proximate the posterior end of an intra-palatine slit of the bird.

26. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein advancing the delivery end of the delivery tube into the oral cavity of the bird comprises positioning the nozzle between the anterior end of an intra-palatine slit and esophagus of the bird.

27. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the nozzle is configured to deliver fluid along a delivery axis, and wherein the delivery axis defines an elevation angle with the lumen axis, the elevation angle being defined between the delivery axis and a portion of the lumen axis extending away from the nozzle and towards the supply end of the delivery tube; wherein, optionally, the elevation angle is an acute angle, and further wherein, optionally, the elevation angle is 80 degrees or less, 70 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, or 50 degrees or less; and / or wherein, optionally, the elevation angle is 30 degrees or more or 45 degrees or more, and further.

28. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the nozzle is configured to deliver the fluid over a radial arc relative to the lumen axis of 90 degrees or less, 75 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, 30 degrees or less, or 15 degrees or less; and / or optionally wherein the radial arc is 10 degrees ormore, 15 degrees or more, 20 degrees or more, 25 degrees or more, or 30 degrees or more.

29. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the method comprises removing the delivery tube from the oral cavity of the bird after directing material through the nozzle at the upper mandible of the bird.

30. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein the method comprises confirming acceptable delivery of the material by delivering a colored dye with the material and, optionally, inspecting one or more birds after delivery to confirm acceptable delivery by confirming that the colored dye is present.

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