Animal Identification System Comprising an Animal Identification Device and a Sampling Member

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. System for identifying animals, characterized in that it comprises an identification device for identifying animals and an animal tissue sample-taking member, said identification device comprising a male part comprising a shaft extending from a base and ending in a locking head designed to be inserted into a female part to fixedly attach said identification device to an animal, said shaft being traversed by a longitudinal channel enabling the passage of said animal tissue sample-taking member, said shaft comprising stiffening means comprising at least one abutment element protruding into said channel, located between the middle of said shaft and the distal extremity of said head, said at least one abutment element defining a bearing area on which at least one bearing element of said sample-taking member can take support when a sample of animal tissue is being taken, said sample-taking member comprising at least one bearing element, complementary to said at least one abutment element of said male part, the distance between said at least one bearing element and the distal sample-taking extremity of said sample-taking member being defined so that said distal sample-taking extremity projects beyond said shaft of the male part when said at least one bearing element takes support against said at least one abutment element.

2. The system of claim 1, characterized in that the body of said shaft is made out of a material that is at least partially deformable.

3. The system of claim 1, characterized in that said channel comprises at least two portions having distinct sections, and in that said at least one abutment element corresponds to the junction area between said portions having distinct sections.

4. The system of claim 3, characterized in that said distinct sections are cylindrical and concentric.

5. The system of claim 3, characterized in that the thickness of the material forming the body of said shaft at said portions having distinct sections is substantially constant.

6. The system of claim 5, characterized in that the distance between said head and said junction area is adapted so that the material forming the body of said shaft at said junction area abuts the base of said female part when the male and female parts are fitted together.

7. The system of claim 1, characterized in that said head comprises an insert with a hardness greater than that of the material forming the body of said shaft.

8. The system of claim 7, characterized in that said insert is a truncated cone, a part of the base of which defines said at least one abutment element.

9. The system of claim 7, characterized in that said insert comprises at least one recess.

10. The system of claim 1, characterized in that said bearing element is a ring fixedly attached to a needle of said sample-taking member.

Description

4. LIST OF FIGURES

[0064] Other features and advantages of the invention shall appear more clearly from the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of a simple illustrator and non-exhaustive example and from the appended drawings, of which:

[0065] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a male part of an animal identification device according to the invention;

[0066] FIG. 2 presents an example of a sample-taking member designed to be inserted at least partly into a male part according to FIG. 1;

[0067] FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate the different elements of a system for identifying animals according to a second embodiment;

[0068] FIGS. 4A to 4F present a male part of a device for identifying animals and a sample-taking member according to a third embodiment of the invention.

5. DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0069] The general principle of the invention relies on a temporary stiffening of a male part of a device for identifying animals, used to rigidify or stiffen the shaft of the male part along its longitudinal axis during the operations for taking samples of animal tissue and placing the identification device.

[0070] Such stiffening means according to the invention are configured to prevent a deformation of the shaft along its longitudinal axis from the locking head towards the shaft base.

[0071] In this way, the shaft of the male part undergoes very little or no deformation when the tag is being placed. This prevents the risks of misfit between the male and female parts and unsatisfactory healing of the ear caused by the presence of “folds” in the shaft.

[0072] It can be noted that this stiffening is temporary. In this way, the shaft base and the body of the male part can be made out of a deformable material. Thus, during operations for taking samples of animal tissue/placing the identifcation device, the shaft is reinforced to prevent a deformation of the shaft along its longitudinal axis. Once the tag is placed, the risks of the animal's ear getting torn for example, when the tag gets trapped in a fence or similar place, are prevented because the shaft base or the body of the shaft can easily get deformed under the usual pressures.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a male part according to the invention is presented.

[0074] Such a male part comprises a shaft 12 extending perpendicularly (or substantially perpendicularly) from a base 11, designed to rest for example on a first face of an animal's ear. Such a shaft 12 comprises a body 121 and a locking head 122. The body 121 is conventionally cylindrical or frusto-conical. The head 122 classically takes the shape of a truncated tip or of a truncated cone. At its base 123, the head 122 defines a shoulder feature used to secure the head of the male part in a cavity of the female part when the identification device is affixed to the animal.

[0075] According to the invention, the shaft 12 is considered to be traversed from end to end by a longitudinal channel enabling the passage of an animal tissue sample-taking member.

[0076] According to the invention, the shaft 12 comprises stiffening means used to stiffen it in its longitudinal sense, comprising at least one abutment element protruding into the channel, located between the middle of the shaft and the distal extremity 124 of the head. An abutment element 13 takes for example the shape of a toe defining a bearing area on which at least one bearing element of the sample-taking member can rest when animal tissue samples are being taken.

[0077] In this way, a bearing area is defined that is closer to the extremity 124 of the shaft than to the shaft base 11, thus reducing or even eliminating the compression length of the shaft during operations for placing tags/taking samples.

[0078] More specifically, if the shaft has a length L between the shaft base 11 and the distal extremity 124 of the head, then the abutment element or elements 13 are situated at equal distance from the shaft base 11 and at a distance from the shaft base 11 at least equal to L/2. Preferably, the abutment element or elements are situated at a maximum distance of L/10 from the distal extremity 124 of the locking head.

[0079] In this way it is possible to use a male part made mainly, or even totally, out of a deformable material, thus preventing problems related to the identification tag getting trapped and of the ear getting torn.

[0080] The samples can be taken by inserting a sample-taking member as illustrated in FIG. 2 into the longitudinal channel of the male part illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0081] For example, such a sample-taking member comprises: [0082] a sample-taking element 21, for example of the biopsy needle type, intended to perforate the tissue of the animal to take a sample, having a distal extremity 211 that has a generally circular cutting ridge; [0083] an affixing support 22, for example made out of rigid plastic, enabling the needle to be handled and to be fixedly attached to a jaw of a tag-placing tool for the sample-taking and tag-placing operations; [0084] as the case may be, a pusher element 23 which can be guided in translation into the needle 21 to push the taken sample out of the needle 21 once the sample has been taken.

[0085] According to the invention, such a sample-taking member comprises at least one bearing element 24 complementary to the abutment element 13 of the male part. In particular, the distance D between the bearing element or elements 24 and the distal sample-taking extremity 211 of the sample-taking member is defined so that the distal sample-taking extremity protrudes beyond the shaft 12 when the bearing element or elements 24 rest against the abutment element or elements 13.

[0086] In this way, when the tag is being placed and tissue samples are being taken, the sample-taking member can carry out the operations of cutting and retaining tissue. In addition, when the bearing element of the sample-taking member abuts the abutment element of the male part, the sample-taking member transmits a force to the male part enabling the insertion of the locking head 122 into the female part.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, we now present a second embodiment of the invention.

[0088] According to this second embodiment, a male part 30 comprises a shaft 32 extending from a base 31. The shaft comprises a body 321 and a head 322. The longitudinal channel of the shaft 32 comprises two substantially cylindrical and concentric portions 34 and 35, having distinct sections. In particular, the junction area 33 between the portions 34 and 35 having distinct sections defines an abutment element, forming a bearing area in the shaft on which at least one bearing element of the sample-taking member can take support when a sample of animal tissue is being taken.

[0089] More specifically, the first portion 34 situated between the shaft base 31 and the junction area 33 has a circular section having a first diameter strictly greater than the second diameter of the second portion 35 situated between the junction area 33 and the distal extremity of the head 324

[0090] For example, the first diameter is of the order of 3.6 mm and the second diameter is of the order of 5.6 mm.

[0091] The junction area 33 thus defines a crown on which at least one bearing element of the sample-taking member can take support.

[0092] Again, if L denotes the total length of the shaft, the junction area 33 between the portions 34 and 35 having distinct sections must be situated at a distance from the shaft base 31 at least equal to L/2. Preferably, the junction area 33 between the portions 34 and 35 having distinct sections is situated at a maximum distance of L/10 from the distal extremity 324 of the head.

[0093] In particular, the thickness e of the material forming the body 321 of the shaft at the first and second portions is substantially constant, for example of the order of 1 mm.

[0094] In this way, the external sheath of the body 321 of the shaft follows the shape of the longitudinal channel.

[0095] In one variant, illustrated in FIG. 3D, the thickness of the material forming the body of the shaft at the portion localized before the junction area, denoted as e1, is smaller than the thickness of the material forming the body of the shaft at the level of the portion located after the junction area, denoted e2 in going from the shaft base to the locking head of the male part.

[0096] In this way, the external sheath of the body 321 of the shaft is substantially cylindrical. FIG. 3B provides a more precise illustration of a system of identification according to the invention, comprising a male part 30 as described above, a female part 36 and a sample-taking member 37.

[0097] Such a sample-taking member 37 comprises: [0098] a needle 371 of a biopsy needle type; [0099] an affixing support 372; [0100] if necessary, a pusher element 373; [0101] a bearing element 374.

[0102] The female part 36 comprises a reception cap having a cavity 361 to introduce the locking head 322 of the male part 30. In particular, the female part 36 has a retaining ring 362 at the inlet hole of the female part. Such a retaining ring 362 has for example flexible strips used for the insertion of the locking head into the cavity of the female part and preventing its withdrawal.

[0103] When the tag is placed and when the sample is taken, the needle 371 perforates the animal's skin along a circumferential contact line and then guides the locking head 322 of the shaft of the male part into the reception cap of the female part so as to fit the male part 30 and the female part 36 together.

[0104] The dimensions of the male part 30 are such that when the sample-taking member is inserted into the longitudinal channel and abuts the bearing area defined by the junction area 33 at the bearing element 374, the extremity of the hollow needle 371 protrudes out of the extremity 324 of the shaft 32 so as to cut out tissue from the animal.

[0105] In this way, the stiffness of the shaft 32 of the male part is ensured during the operation of taking samples/placing the tag.

[0106] In particular, the distance between the locking head (base 323 of the head or distal extremity 324) and the junction area 33 is adapted so that the material forming the body of the shaft at the junction area abuts the base of the female part when the male and female parts are fitted together. The body 321 of the male shaft thus defines a blocking area between the base 323 of the locking head and the junction area 33, making it possible to block the retaining ring 362 and reinforce the inviolability of the tag.

[0107] Once the tag has been placed, the sample-taking member 37 can be withdrawn by being made to slide out of the shaft 32 and the tissue sample 38 present in the needle 371 can be recovered.

[0108] In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the needle 371 carrying the tissue sample 38 can be introduced into a sample tube 39. A thin rod (for example a tag-placing tool rod) can push the pusher element 373 so as to extract the tissue sample 38 from the needle 371.

[0109] Henceforth, referring to FIGS. 4A to 4F, we present a third embodiment of the invention that can be combined with the embodiments described above.

[0110] According to this embodiment, the longitudinal channel of the shaft 42 of the male part 40 has three successive portions 44, 45 and 46 having distinct sections. The first portion 44 has a substantially frusto-conical shape. The second portion 45 and third portion 46 are substantially cylindrical. The three portions 44, 45 and 46 are concentric.

[0111] In particular, the junction zone 43 between the second portion 45 and third portion 46 defines an abutment element forming a crown-shaped bearing area in the shaft on which at least one bearing element of the sample-taking member can take support during a sampling of animal tissue.

[0112] Such a junction area 43 is located at the base 423 of the locking head, at the junction between the body 421 of the shaft and the head 422 of the shaft. It is therefore located at a distance greater than L/2 relative to the shaft base 41, where L is the total length of the shaft. In other words, the bearing area is located as close as possible to the extremity 424 of the shaft.

[0113] More specifically, according to this embodiment, the locking head 422 comprises an insert 425 having a hardness greater than that of the material forming the body 421 of the shaft. For example, such an insert 425 can be a metallic insert or a plastic insert having a hardness of the order of 50 to 70 Shore D, while the body 421 of the shaft and the shaft base 41 have a hardness of the order of 42 to 55 Shore D.

[0114] Such an insert 425 takes for example the shape of a truncated cone traversed from end to end by the longitudinal channel. A part of the base of such a cone defines the junction area 43.

[0115] In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, such an insert comprises at least one recess 4251 into which the material used to make the shaft can flow during the molding of the male part. In this way, the insert is perfectly attached to the shaft.

[0116] In addition, the use of such an insert ensures that the head 422 is properly held in the female part, once the male part is inserted into the female part.

[0117] FIG. 4D illustrates a first example of a sample-taking member inserted into the male part 40. Such a sample-taking member comprises: [0118] a needle 471, of the biopsy needle type; [0119] an affixing support 472; [0120] a pusher element 473; [0121] a bearing element 474.

[0122] According to the example illustrated in FIG. 4D, the needle 471 has two cylindrical portions, of which a first portion has a circular section with an external diameter ø1 and a second portion has a circular section of an external diameter ø2, with ø1>ø2. The junction area between the first and second portions defines the bearing element 474.

[0123] Such a bearing element 474 is complementary to the abutment element 43 of the male part. The insert 425 therefore creates a rigid shoulder on which the needle can take support.

[0124] In particular, the distance D between the bearing element 474 and the distal extremity of the needle 471 is defined in such a way that the distal extremity of the needle 471 protrudes beyond the shaft 42 when the bearing element 474 rests on the abutment element 43.

[0125] In this way, the sample-taking member performs the operations for cutting out and retaining tissues during insertion of the locking head 422 into the female part.

[0126] FIGS. 4E to 4F illustrate a second example of a sample-taking member, alone or inserted into the male part 40.

[0127] According to this second example, the sampling member comprises: [0128] a needle 571, of the biopsy needle type; [0129] an affixing support 572; [0130] a pusher element 573; [0131] a bearing element 574.

[0132] According to this second example, the bearing element 574 takes the form of a ring fixedly attached to the needle 571. Such a ring can be of varying height (of the order of some microns to some millimeters). It can be a simple wire, a solder bead, a hollow cylinder, etc. Such a ring can also be split all along its height.

[0133] For example, such a ring can be held to the needle 571 by bonding, soldering, clipping, etc. If the ring is of the elastic ring type (for example a Circlip®), or a spring ring, it can also be inserted into a groove or a bore-hole formed on the sample-taking member.

[0134] Such a bearing element 574 is complementary to the abutment element 43 of the male part. The ring fixedly attached to the needle 571 can thus take support against the insert 425.

[0135] In particular, the distance D between the bearing element 574 and the distal extremity of the needle 571 is defined in such a way that the distal extremity of the needle 571 protrudes out of the shaft 42 when the bearing element 574 rests on the abutment element 43.

[0136] In this way, the sample-taking member can carry out the operations for cutting out tissue and retaining tissue during the insertion of the locking head 422 into the female part.

[0137] It can be noted that the two examples of sample-taking members can also be used with a male part other than the one described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C, and especially with a male part that has no insert.

[0138] Besides, it can be noted that the bearing element or elements of the sample-taking member and/or the abutment element or elements of the male part do not necessarily have a crown shape. As illustrated in FIG. 1, these elements can include one or more toes, or any other element that can fulfill the bearing/abutment function. According to another example, these elements can take the form of an elastic ring (for example of the Circlip® type) or a spring ring.

[0139] It can also be noted that in the embodiments illustrated, the sample-taking member comprises a biopsy needle. As indicated above, it is only an embodiment and other sample-taking elements could be used, such as a thin rod terminating in a tip capable of piercing the tissue for example.

[0140] Finally, it can be noted that the base of the male part can take several forms, whatever the embodiment envisaged. For example, this base can take the form of a disk or it can comprise an extension defining a marking surface. Thus, the support can be more or less large-sized depending on the type of animal on which the tag will be placed. This marking surface makes it possible especially to identify the animal through visual identification means taking the form of an inscription in the form of alphabetical, numerical characters or barcodes. Other identification means, such as electronic identification means, can also be planned.

[0141] Naturally, the different embodiments are purely given by way of an illustration and are not exhaustive. In particular, it is possible to combine the different embodiments envisaged.