A sampling device adapted to cooperate with a sampling member subsequent to collection of a sample of animal tissue. The sampling device includes: a receiving tube designed for receiving the sample of animal tissue, containing at least one specific agent and comprising an inlet; a tube head removably attached to the inlet of the receiving tube and provided with a through channel ending in the receiving tube; a closing element configured to take at least two positions: a first position, in which the closing element is held into the tube head so as to plug the through channel of the tube head, and a second position, in which the closing element is released into the receiving tube.

A device (1) to tag an animal is disclosed. The device comprises a female (20) including a case (21) with a thorough hole (22), a male (40) to be coupled to the female (20) and including a stem (41) with a tip portion (60); the female (20) includes tamperproof fastening means (23) adapted to block the tip portion (60) in the thorough hole (22) and wherein, after coupling the male (40) with the female (20), the hole (22) is closed by the tip (60), the tip becomes part of the female (20) and the stem (41) moves in the case (21).

The invention relates to an animal identification system comprising an animal identification device and a sampling member. The animal identification device comprises a male part comprising a shank (12) extending from a support (11) and ending in a locking head (122) intended to be inserted into a female part so as to fix said identification device to an animal, said shank having passing through it a longitudinal canal that allows the passage of said animal tissue sampling member. The shank (12) comprises stiffening means comprising at least one abutment element (13) protruding into the canal, located between the middle of the shank and the distal end of the head (124), said at least one abutment element defining a bearing zone against which at least one bearing element of the sampling member can bear while animal tissue is being sampled. The sampling member comprises at least one bearing element that complements said at least one abutment element of said male part.

The application describes animal identification systems. One animal identification device includes a male part including a shank (12) extending from a support (11) and ending in a locking head (122) intended to be inserted into a female part so as to fix the identification device to an animal, the shank having passing through it a longitudinal canal that allows the passage of the animal tissue sampling member. The shank (12) includes at least one abutment element (13) protruding into the canal, located between the middle of the shank and the distal end of the head (124), the at least one abutment element defining a bearing zone against which at least one bearing element of the sampling member can bear while animal tissue is being sampled. The sampling member includes at least one bearing element that complements the at least one abutment element of the male part.

A platform technology has been designed to provide a means for controlled delivery of single or multiple doses of therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic or identifying agents to livestock. The delivery system is based on a livestock ear tag that releases therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent when applied to the ear or other desired anatomical target of the animal. The agent to be delivered is encapsulated in or on microneedles and or microparticles and or nanoparticles or combination thereof on a surface thereon of the male or female part of the tag, which is pressed into the skin so that the microneedles penetrate into the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. The agent is then released into the animal from the microneedles and or microparticles and or nanoparticles or combination thereof at the site of contact into the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin.

The present invention relates to a clamp (3) for handling a device for identifying an animal and/or sampling animal tissue, said clamp (3) comprising two jaws (32, 33), a handle (31) for moving said jaws (32, 33) together, and means (321) for securing an element of said identification and/or sampling device to one of said jaws (32, 33), said securing means (321) being movable between: a release position, and a securing position.

According to the invention, said clamp (3) comprises actuation means (73) for moving said securing means (321) from one to the other position thereof, said actuation means (73) being actuatable via said handle (31).

The invention relates to methods of recording information and associating the information with sample taken from an item. The method may use a sampler that can receive a plurality of sample collecting devices that can remove a sample from the item. Information is recorded about the item and about the sample collecting device used to take a sample from the item. Geolocation information of the sampler at the time of taking a sample and timing information between the time of reading item ID and sample collecting device ID is associated with the sample.

A sampling system that uses a handheld body that can hold a punch and storage container to receive the punch. A sample identification reader and an item ID reader are used to read ID of the item and punch or storage container. The timing between the taking of a sample and the reading of the item ID and the ID of the punch/storage container may be recorded and if the time is too long the sample may be assigned as being invalid or of high tamper risk.

To attach an ear tag (6, 10) to an ear (16) and to remove a sample (22) containing tissue of the ear therefrom, a mandrel (8), which is fastened to a mandrel region (6) of the ear tag, is brought by means of pliers (1) on a first movement path through the ear (16) into a hole (12) formed in a hole part (10) of the ear tag and anchored there, while the sample (22) is taken with the aid of a removal head (17) and is brought out of engagement with the hole (12) by interaction with the mandrel (8) with a movement component oriented transversely to the first movement path, before the mandrel (8) is anchored in said hole.

It is disclosed a System for sampling tissue from an ear of an animal including: —a male component (2) including a detachable sample collecting part (2b), comprising a cavity (2c) for collecting the sample and a cutting edge (2a) at an aperture of the cavity (2c) for cutting the sample from the animal ear; and —a tissue sample container (3) including a container component (30) for receiving the sample collecting part (2b) and the tissue sampled, the container component (30) having an opening (30b) closed by a sealed membrane or a cover (30d).

The tissue sample container (3) includes —a ring (31) comprising a peripheral flange (31a), a protrusion (31b) and radial portions (31c), the radial portions (31c) supporting the protrusion (31b) in the middle of the peripheral flange (31a) of the ring (31); —a moulded portion (32) around the peripheral edge (31a) of the ring (31) and the container component (30), to embed the ring (31) and the container component (30) above the sealed membrane or cover (30d), preventing detachment thereof, wherein the protrusion (31b) projects from the middle of the ring (31) in a direction opposite with respect to the container component (30) and wherein a length of the protrusion (31b) is equal to or minor than a depth of the cavity (2c) of the sample collecting part (2b) to enter entirely the cavity (2c) through the aperture thereof so as the cutting edge (2a) contacts the radial portions (31c) for cutting them at a predetermined portion (31cc) during use, when the sample collecting part (2b) is moved in a same axis along which the protrusion (31b) is arranged.