DEVICE FOR INJECTING FLUID INTO A BIRD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for injecting fluid into a bird, the device having a main body (11), which comprises an injection assembly comprising an injection needle and at least one syringe, the needle being movable between a retracted position and an injecting position located in an injection zone positioned outside the main body (11). According to the invention, said device comprises:a guide element (12) positioned on an exterior surface of the main body (11), the guide element (12) comprising a base (13) and side edges (14) extending from said base, at least the upper part of the back of the bird to be vaccinated being intended to rest against said base (13) and to be moved, head first, along a guide axis (15) defined by the guide element (12), to the injecting position,the guide element (12) being additionally configured to keep at least the neck of the bird aligned or substantially aligned along said guide axis (15) in the injection zonethe injection needle being arranged such that when it is moved between the retracted and injecting positions, it moves along an axis of movement parallel to the exterior surface of the base, or at an angle relative to said exterior surface, said axis of movement extending, away from the main body, beyond an exclusion zone surrounding the guide axis (15).

Claims

1. A device for injecting fluid into a bird, the device having a main body (11), which comprises an injection assembly comprising an injection needle and at least one syringe, the needle being movable between a retracted position and an injecting position located in an injection zone positioned outside the main body (11), characterized in that it comprises: a guide element (12) placed on an exterior surface of the main body (11), said guide element (12) comprising a base (13) and side edges (14) extending from this base, at least the upper part of the back of the bird to be vaccinated being intended to rest against said base (13), and to be moved, headfirst, along a guide axis (15) defined by the guide element (12), to the injecting position, said guide element (12) being additionally configured to keep at least the neck of the bird aligned or substantially aligned along said guide axis (15) in the injection zone, said injection needle being arranged such that, during its movement between said retracted and injecting positions, it moves along an axis of movement parallel to the exterior surface of the base, or at an angle relative to said exterior surface, said axis of movement extending, away from the main body, beyond an exclusion zone surrounding the guide axis (15).

2. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis of movement of said needle between said retracted and injecting positions is inclined by an angle of between [0, 4] relative to the exterior surface of said base (13).

3. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said exclusion zone is a space extending over 2 to 4 mm around said guide axis (15).

4. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis of movement of said injection needle being contained in a plane parallel to said base, said axis of movement and said guide pin (15) are collinear or said axis of movement diverges from said guide axis (15).

5. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide element is configured such that the spine of said bird is placed in said exclusion zone, when at least the upper part of the back of the bird to be vaccinated is pressed against said base and that its neck is kept aligned or substantially aligned along this guide axis (15) in said injection zone.

6. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in line with the injecting position, the distance separating the free end of said injection needle from the exterior surface of said base (13) determines subcutaneous injection into the neck of said bird.

7. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that this injection device is configured such that its main body being placed on a flat horizontal surface, the bird is injected in the vertical or substantially vertical position.

8. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide element (12) comprises a first part of a flared body and a second part of the body forming a narrowing, said first part of the body being arranged to guide the upper part of the body of the bird toward said narrowing.

9. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that said main body (11) comprises recesses (20) arranged laterally to this guide element in order to facilitate the insertion of the bird to be injected by the operator into this guide element.

10. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that each injection assembly comprising a linear actuator, said linear actuator is a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric actuator.

11. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle is offset relative to the syringe(s).

12. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two syringes and an injection needle.

13. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower end of said guide element (12) is in communication with a slide (19) ensuring the discharging of the bird after the injection has been administered.

14. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the corners of the parts of the device with which the bird and the operator are able to come into contact are rounded.

15. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper end of said main body has an elbow to impose a particular inclination on the head of the bird, this elbow comprising one or more holding elements configured to keep the head of the bird to be vaccinated in position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0089] Other advantages, aims and particular features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, made, for explanatory purposes and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0090] FIG. 1 is a profile view of an automatic injection device for a liquid substance in a bird according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0091] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the injection device of FIG. 1 showing the arrangement of the upper end of the guide element in relation to the actuation buttons;

[0092] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the injection device of FIG. 1 showing the lower part thereof;

[0093] FIG. 4 is a partial front view of the injection device of FIG. 1 showing the arrangement of the upper end of the guide element in relation to the actuation buttons;

[0094] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the injection device of FIG. 1;

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0095] The drawings and the following description essentially contain elements of a certain nature. They may therefore not only serve to better understand the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, where appropriate.

[0096] First, it should be noted that the figures are not to scale.

[0097] FIGS. 1 to 5 schematically show a device for injecting a liquid substance into a bird according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] This injection device 10 comprises a frame 11 inside which an injection assembly is placed. This injection assembly comprises, in a known manner, one or two syringes and an injection needle.

[0099] Each syringe is supplied with liquid substance by a reservoir (not shown), such as a flexible pouch, placed outside the frame 11. This reservoir which determines a storage volume wherein this liquid substance is received is supported by a pouch-holder (not shown), optionally a telescopic one. Here, it is connected to the inner volume of each syringe by a flexible conduit such as a flexible hose.

[0100] Each syringe is preferably oriented in the vertical, or substantially vertical position, discharging of the liquid substance upward, in order to allow the discharging of any air bubbles that would be formed.

[0101] The outer surface of this frame 11 comprises a support 12 for receiving the bird.

[0102] The body of the frame 11 has, on each side of this support 12, recesses, or even clearances, 20 to facilitate the movement of the operators thumbs without the operator being forced to bend his wrists. The insertion of a chick into the support 12 is thus made easier.

[0103] This support 12 comprises a base 13 and edges 14 extending from this base to the outside. These edges 14 laterally surround this base 13 by projecting therefrom.

[0104] This support 12 comprises a flared-shaped body portion in its lower part and a constriction-shaped body portion in its upper part, the flared-shaped portion opening into the constriction and making it possible to gradually guide the upper part (head and neck) of the bird towards this constriction.

[0105] The base 13 of the support 12 at this constriction has an elongated shape defining with the edges 14 a longitudinal axis 15.

[0106] The operator who has entered a bird for vaccination, therefore presses the upper part of the back of this animal against the base 13, the latter being surrounded by the edges 14.

[0107] The operator can then move that animal head-first along this longitudinal axis 15 to an injection position of the injection device.

[0108] The base 13 of the support 12 at the constriction also comprises a first actuation button 16, which is flat extending over at least a portion of this base. This actuation button 16 is activated when the neck of the bird, wherein the injection must be administered, is pressed against the base by being received in this constriction.

[0109] This constriction is configured to ensure a wedging into position of the neck of the bird so that its neck is aligned or substantially aligned along this longitudinal axis 15 at an injection zone defined by the movement of the injection needle 21 of the injection device from the main body 11.

[0110] A second actuation button 17 is placed on a bent part defining a stop 18 for the head of the bird.

[0111] When the upper part of the body of the bird is pressed against these two actuation buttons 16, 17 simultaneously with a sufficient force, a drive mechanism (not shown) placed in the frame 11 moves the injection needle 21, the latter passing from a retracted, or pulled-back, position inside the frame 11, to an injection position external to the frame 11.

[0112] In this injection position, the needle 21 is placed in the constriction of the support 12, such that an injection can be administered in the bottom of the neck of the bird. This neck is advantageously released and wedged in position when the neck of the bird is received in this constriction, the head of the bird is pressed against the bent part forming a stop 18 for the head of the bird.

[0113] Between these retracted and injection positions, the needle is movable in translation along an axis of movement parallel to the outer surface of the base of the support, while being parallel to the longitudinal axis 15.

[0114] Thus, the expulsion of the injection needle 21 happens vertically from top to bottom, being parallel to the outer surface of the base 13 of the support 12 such that the latter can in no way penetrate into the body of the bird.

[0115] In line with the injection position, the distance separating the free end of the injection needle 21 from the base 13 of the support 12 is 5+/2 mm so that subcutaneous injection of the liquid substance to be administered into the neck of the bird is thus guaranteed.

[0116] Furthermore, the needle is eccentric relative to the longitudinal axis 15 of the support 12 so as not to inject the product into the vertebral column of that animal. An exclusion zone 22 is thus advantageously defined surrounding the longitudinal axis 15 and wherein the injection needle 21 cannot penetrate and consequently injure the animal.

[0117] The path followed by the injection needle during its movement between the retracted and injection positions is also enclosed by the edges 14 of the support 12. These edges 14 advantageously form a protective barrier for the operator to ward off accidental injury.

[0118] Advantageously, the base 13 of the support is slightly inclined to facilitate the insertion of the upper part of the body of the bird into the constriction.

[0119] The lower end of the support 12 is in communication with a chute 19 ensuring evacuation of the bird after the injection is administered.

[0120] The vaccinated bird can then be released by the operator, the chute having a curved shape damping its fall. The axis at which the bird falls and the axis of movement of the needle being aligned, the risk of injury of the bird is minimized. The bird lands on its feet, since it still remains in vertical or substantially vertical position.