Protective Sleeve Insemination Probe for No-Clean Vulva Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial insemination methods in livestock are cumbersome and time-consuming due to the need for thorough cleaning of the animal's vulva, which is difficult to perform effectively and can introduce pathogens, leading to reduced reproductive performance and ergonomic challenges for practitioners.
Innovation Solution
An insemination probe with a protective sleeve that covers the insemination head and body, featuring a closure mechanism that opens under pressure, allowing direct insertion into the animal's vulva without prior cleaning, thus protecting the probe from dirt and pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thorough cleaning of the vulva is performed before insemination, then reproductive performance is improved by preventing pathogen introduction, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and ergonomically difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A protective sleeve acts as an intermediary barrier between the probe and the vulva environment. The sleeve covers the probe during insertion through the vulva, preventing direct contact with potential pathogens, and is subsequently removed to allow the probe to function normally for semen deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve is pre-applied to the probe before insertion. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for preliminary cleaning of the vulva, as the sleeve prevents contamination during the insertion phase itself.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thorough cleaning of the vulva is performed before insemination, then pathogen introduction is reduced, but the cleaning step becomes arduous and may still be ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve serves as a mediator that prevents harmful contact between the probe and contaminated vulva surfaces during insertion, making the cleaning step unnecessary while effectively preventing pathogen introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is extracted from the cleaning process and transferred to the protective sleeve. Instead of attempting to remove contaminants through cleaning, the solution extracts the need for cleaning by providing a barrier that prevents contamination in the first place.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If washable and/or disinfectant solutions are used to clean the vulva, then pathogen introduction is reduced, but sperm survival is impaired and reproductive performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve acts as a physical barrier intermediary that prevents pathogen introduction without requiring chemical disinfectants. This eliminates the harmful interaction between disinfectants and sperm while maintaining protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve is a disposable component that is used once and then discarded. This allows for effective protection during insertion without the need for reusable cleaning tools that require maintenance and disinfection protocols.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective sleeve completely covers the insemination head, then protection from dirt is maximized, but access to the breakable section is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve has different coverage characteristics at different locations. It provides complete coverage and protection over most of the probe body, but includes a localized opening or window at the breakable section area to allow access while maintaining overall protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve is segmented into different functional zones: a covered portion for maximum protection and an uncovered or opened portion for the breakable section. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of protection and accessibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The protective sleeve simplifies and speeds up the insemination process, reducing time by almost half while ensuring sanitary safety and improving ergonomics, eliminating the need for pre-cleaning and reducing waste generation.
Implementation Method 1
configured to open under a predetermined force exerted by said insemination head against said closure means during a movement of the insemination probe body in said protective sleeve
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an insemination probe (1, 1') intended to be used to artificially inseminate a farm animal without cleaning the vulva of said animal, comprising an insemination probe body (11) carrying an insemination head (12).According to the invention, said insemination probe (1, 1') comprises a protective sleeve (2) covering at least part of said insemination head (12) and at least part of said insemination probe body (11), the protective sleeve being intended to be introduced into the vulva (9) of the animal up to a visual marker of the insertion limit, said protective sleeve (2) comprising, at an end (22) located on the side of said insemination head (12), a total or partial closure means (23) configured to open under a predetermined force exerted by said insemination head (12) against said closure means (23) during a movement of the insemination probe body (11) in said protective sleeve (2) after insertion of the insemination probe (1, 1') into the vulva of the animal.