PIT Tag Implanter Needle Ejection and Stackable Tray Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PIT Tag implanting devices face challenges in efficiently loading and ejecting needles, particularly for high-volume implantation tasks, and lack efficient tray systems for pre-loaded needles.
Innovation Solution
A handheld PIT Tag implanter with an improved loading and ejecting mechanism, featuring a barrel with retention hooks and a push rod actuator, and a stackable tray system with crush rings for secure needle storage and alignment tabs for user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional needle attachment/detachment mechanism is used, then the device structure is simple, but the needle loading and ejection efficiency is low for high-volume implantation tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic needle retention system using spring-loaded retention hooks that automatically engage with the needle hub flange during loading and can be quickly released during ejection. This dynamic mechanism enables rapid needle exchange while maintaining secure attachment during implantation, resolving the contradiction between loading efficiency and attachment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle hub is segmented into distinct functional components including a flange for retention hook engagement and alignment features. This segmentation allows the retention mechanism to interact with specific portions of the needle hub, enabling efficient loading and ejection operations without requiring complex overall needle design.
2Productivity
If needles are manually handled and loaded one at a time, then the device structure is simple, but the time required for implantation of large numbers of PIT Tags is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-loaded needle trays containing multiple needles ready for immediate insertion into the implanter. This preliminary preparation eliminates the time-consuming process of individually loading needles during implantation operations, enabling high-volume implantation tasks to be performed efficiently with minimal needle handling time.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanter device is designed to automatically perform needle retention and positioning functions through its retention hooks and alignment features. Once a needle is inserted into the muzzle, the system self-secures the needle without requiring additional manual manipulation, reducing needle handling time and improving implantation throughput.
3Ease of operation
If a non-stackable tray system is used, then the tray design is simple, but the organization and storage of pre-loaded needles is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a stackable tray system where multiple needle trays can be vertically stacked and stored together. This three-dimensional organization approach maximizes storage capacity and efficiency while maintaining simple individual tray designs, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and design simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray design incorporates universal features including standardized dimensions, stacking interfaces, and needle holder configurations that work consistently across multiple trays. This universality enables efficient organization and storage of large numbers of pre-loaded needles while keeping individual tray designs simple and interchangeable.
Data Source
AI summary
A PIT tag implanter that has a gun like implanter for implanting a PIT tag into a target animal or fish. The implanter has a needle attachment end, a needle ejection mechanism, and a PIT tag ejection mechanism to eject the PIT tag from the needle. In use, a needle is affixed to the muzzle of the implanter gun. The tip of the needle is inserted through the skin of a target. The actuator is depressed, causing a push rod to eject the PIT tag from the needle into the target. The needle is withdrawn from the target and a needle ejection mechanism ejects the needle. A new needle pre-loaded with a PIT tag is loaded into the muzzle. The improved gun allows for faster implantation, ejection of the needle, and loading of a new needle than prior devices.