An assembly includes a catheter that has an insemination lumen for injecting sperm into a uterus. The insemination lumen includes two branches (sub-lumens), one directed toward a left ostium and the other directed to a right ostium of fallopian tubes.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.

The invention relates to methods of increasing the genetic progress of a line, breed or herd of swine through the use of sex-selected sperm cells in artificial insemination techniques. The invention also encompasses methods of artificially inseminating a swine via deep intrauterine catheter or via a laparoscopic procedure, which allow the use of reduced doses of sex-selected sperm cells.

Devices and methods are provided for drug delivery. The device may include a housing configured for intraluminal deployment into a human or animal subject and first and second reservoirs within the housing, each reservoir having an actuation end, an opposed release end, and a plug moveable from the actuation end toward the release end. First and second drug formulations may be contained in the first and second reservoirs, respectively. The device may also include one or more actuation systems configured to drive the first and second plugs so as to drive the first and second drug formulations from the first and second reservoirs. The housing may include a porous membrane sidewall in fluid communication with the release ends of the first and second reservoirs, the porous membrane sidewall being configured to distribute the first and second drug formulations driven from the first and second reservoirs.

The invention relates to an appliance for vaginal penetration, comprising a grip (2), said appliance being designed to receive a working tool, especially an insemination gun (4) that passes through the grip, characterised in that it comprises a guiding tube (8) extending the grip (2) in order to form a compact assembly, said guiding tube being designed so as to receive the front tip of the working tool (12) therein and receiving a video viewing means such as an endoscopy-type tube (14) comprising a lighting element on the front end thereof, the appliance for vaginal penetration comprising an electronic cell receiving the video images, provided with means for transmitting images to a remote screen.

A method of artificially inseminating a hen includes the steps of securing a male bird, applying a semen extender liquid to a tip of a cloacal protuberance of the male bird, squeezing the cloacal protuberance to extract semen from the male bird into the semen extender liquid to form a mixture, applying a tip of a pipette to the mixture, drawing the mixture into the pipette, securing the hen, inserting the pipette into the hen's cloaca, and squeezing a bulb of the pipette to inject the mixture from the pipette into the cloaca. A holding device for restraining a bird during sperm collection and artificial insemination procedures has a base, an arm extending upward from the base, and an open-ended receptacle connected to the upper end of the arm. The holding device is useful in mitigating injury to the bird and the handler during the procedures.

The present invention provides an artificial insemination apparatus and methods for use with livestock that maintains the sterility of the semen until it is deposited at an optimum location in the reproductive tract of the animal without the maneuvering or tissue injury problems associated with prior art devices. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a uniquely shaped opening that is provided at the tip of a sheath that is used with an artificial insemination gun, and a movable or deformable plug or diaphragm that fits into and covers this opening. The plug or diaphragm has a rounded (convex) exterior surface, and may be made of a rigid or rubberized material that completely covers the opening at the tip of the sheath, and seals it closed in a smooth, flush engagement to prevent contaminants from collecting upon the tip, or entering into the sheath during the trip through the reproductive tract of the animal. Once the sheath is properly placed in the reproductive tract, application of fluid pressure to the semen inside the sheath causes the plug to move or deform without becoming detached from the sheath, thereby allowing semen inside the sheath to exit. In alternative embodiments, the unique tip with its opening and corresponding plug may be provided in a separate cap that is installed at the end of an insemination sheath.

An apparatus may include a plunger and a substantially cylindrical body. The substantially cylindrical body may include an end portion having rounded edges and may define a cavity sized to receive the plunger. The substantially cylindrical body may include at least one opening extending from the cavity to an external surface. The at least one opening may a substantially irregular shape. In some embodiments, the at least one opening may extend from the cavity through a nub to the external surface. The nub may have a rounded shape. In some embodiments, the substantially irregular shape may include one of a slit, an oval shape, an elliptical shape, an hourglass shape, a rectangular shape, and a diamond shape. In some embodiments, the opening may be part of a non-cylindrical fluid passage.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.

A device for artificial insemination, gynaecological examination of the vagina and the cervix, intra-uterine treatments and uterine sample collection in livestock. The device includes: a guiding sleeve having a proximal end for being positioned in the reproductive system of the animal and a distal end for being handled by the user; a gynaecological instrument, such as an insemination gun, an insemination or treatment catheter, or a sample-collection swab, slidingly housed in the guiding sleeve, the instrument being capable of being operated by the user at the rear end thereof, located on the side of the distal end of the guiding sleeve, in order for the front end thereof to lead through an opening located at the proximal end of the guiding sleeve so as to allow the insemination, treatment or sample collection. The guiding sleeve has a blocking element for blocking the sliding of the instrument inside the guiding sleeve.