Remote-Controlled Livestock Injector for Accurate Multi-Medicament Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection methods for livestock animals suffer from operator fatigue, leading to malfunctions such as accidental self-injection, improper needle penetration, incomplete dosing, and duplicate administration, especially when multiple medicaments are required.
Innovation Solution
An automated injection apparatus with a hand-held unit and remote control unit, featuring a movable needle, sensors for precise injection, and non-return valves to ensure accurate dosing and prevent backflow, allowing for simultaneous or sequential administration of multiple medicaments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual hand actuation is used to administer medicaments to large numbers of animals, then operator control and flexibility are maintained, but operator fatigue increases leading to injection errors and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is divided into separate functional modules: a hand-held injection unit for operation, a remote control unit for dosing control, and separate medicament containers. This segmentation allows the operator to maintain control of the injection unit while automated systems handle dosing precision, reducing fatigue-related errors.
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and the medicament delivery system. The control unit receives signals from the operator and automatically controls the pump mechanism to deliver precise doses, eliminating the need for manual dosing while maintaining operator oversight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple medicaments are administered to each animal, then comprehensive treatment is achieved, but the number of injections and operator fatigue increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple medicament containers are merged into a single integrated system with a common control unit. The hand-held unit can access multiple medicaments through the same injection mechanism, allowing comprehensive treatment without requiring separate manual injection devices for each medicament.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection apparatus is designed as a universal system capable of administering multiple different medicaments through a single device. The control unit can selectively deliver different medicaments based on programmed parameters, making the device multi-functional rather than requiring specialized devices for each treatment type.
3Measurement precision
If automated pumping mechanism is used to deliver medicaments, then dosing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical dosing system is replaced with an automated pump mechanism controlled by electronic signals. The pump uses motorized actuation rather than manual syringe operation, providing precise volumetric control through electronic feedback and programmed parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and verify medicament delivery. Sensors detect injection parameters such as pressure, flow rate, and volume delivered, providing real-time feedback to the control system to ensure accurate dosing and allow for corrections if deviations occur.
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 apparatus reduces operator fatigue and minimizes injection errors by ensuring precise and efficient delivery of medicaments to large numbers of animals, enhancing safety and consistency.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one control unit typically comprises a pump having a piston
Implementation Method 2
The pump can be removably coupled to the control unit and can comprise at least one, typically two or more non-return valves, to allow fluid to flow in a first direction and not in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed injection apparatuses can include a hand-held unit, a control unit, and a pump. The hand-held unit can include a body portion, a head portion removably coupled to the body portion, and a needle, the body portion comprising a gripping portion extending at an angle relative to the head portion. The control unit can be remote from the hand-held unit and coupled to the hand-held unit via a power cable and a connecting tube. The control unit can have a control panel configured to allow a user to select a medicament dose volume. The pump can be disposed within the control unit and fluidly coupled to the needle via the connecting tube.