Multiport Plant Injection Tool for Xylem Delivery With Minimal Trunk Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tree injection methods for administering liquids are impractical on a commercial scale and risk trunk damage, leading to issues like rot and ineffective disease control, particularly for pathogens like Xylella fastidiosa, which current methods fail to penetrate xylem vessels effectively.
Innovation Solution
A plant injection system with an injection tool and fluid delivery system that minimizes trunk damage by delivering active ingredients directly into the plant's interior, using a multiport injection tool and formulation cartridges with pressurized canisters or spring-loaded pistons for efficient fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tree injection methods are used, then liquid formulations can be administered to trees, but the risk of trunk damage increases and commercial scalability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the injection function from the trunk interior and relocates it to the bark surface through injection holes. The injection tool delivers formulation directly to the bark without requiring deep penetration into the trunk, thereby eliminating trunk damage while maintaining injection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces injection holes in the bark as an intermediary pathway between the external environment and the tree interior. These holes serve as safe conduits that allow formulation delivery without compromising trunk integrity, enabling both commercial scalability and trunk protection.
2Reliability
If bactericides are applied to control Xylella fastidiosa, then pathogen control is attempted, but penetration of xylem vessels is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bactericide from the bulk formulation and delivers it directly into the xylem vessels through the injection holes. This targeted delivery ensures sufficient penetration of the pathogen location without requiring large quantities of bactericide to be applied externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressurized delivery systems to force the bactericide formulation into the xylem vessels under controlled pressure. This hydraulic approach ensures deep penetration into the vascular system where Xylella fastidiosa resides, achieving effective pathogen control.
3Reliability
If foliar spraying is used to apply Dentamet, then coverage of tree canopy is achieved, but product loss increases and effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the active ingredient from external foliar application and delivers it directly into the tree's vascular system through injection holes. This eliminates the 70-90% product loss associated with foliar spraying while ensuring the formulation reaches the pathogen directly in the xylem vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection holes serve as an intermediary pathway that bypasses the inefficient foliar route. Instead of relying on spray coverage and plant uptake, the formulation is delivered directly through the bark into the xylem, eliminating environmental loss and ensuring effective delivery to the target pathogen.
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
Enables efficient, low-dosage administration of active ingredients directly into plant tissues, reducing environmental impact and minimizing trunk damage, while providing effective control of pathogens like Xylella fastidiosa and promoting systemic resistance.
Implementation Method 1
formulation cartridges with pressurized canisters
Implementation Method 2
spring-loaded pistons
Data Source
AI summary
A plant injection system includes an injection tool configured to penetrate a plant and distribute a liquid formulation to the plant. The injection tool includes a base having a plurality of inlet ports and a penetrating distribution body extending along a longitudinal body axis. The penetrating distribution body includes a penetrating element to penetrate the plant, and one or more distribution ports in communication with the inlet ports to distribute the liquid formulation to the plant. The injection tools is configured to precisely inject liquid formulation into the vascular system of the plant.