Animal insemination sheath and methods of use

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A sheath for use in artificial insemination of an animal comprising an elongated tubular member having a hollow interior, an open proximal end, and a rounded distal end forming a tip, said tip having an end opening therein with a peripheral edge, said opening including at least one channel inside said peripheral edge in communication with the interior of said hollow tubular member, and a separate plug for temporarily covering said opening and temporarily covering said at least one channel, said plug having a body and a rounded exterior surface and a complementary edge that is capable of fitting flush with the peripheral edge of said opening to provide a seal.

2. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said plug is made of a deformable material such that fluid pressure from the interior of said sheath causes said plug to deform and unseal said opening allowing fluid under pressure to exit from the interior of said sheath through said at least one channel.

3. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said plug is movably deployed in said end opening and further comprises at least one stop to prevent said plug from becoming detached from said tip such that fluid pressure from the interior of said sheath causes said plug to become dislodged and unseal said opening allowing fluid under pressure to exit from the interior of said sheath through said at least one channel.

4. The sheath of claim 3 wherein said at least one stop comprises at least one extension on an edge of the body of said plug and at least one inwardly extending ridge on the interior of said hollow tubular member, wherein engagement of said at least one extension against said inwardly extending ridge prevents said plug from exiting through said end opening.

5. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel is located on a side of said end opening.

6. The sheath of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel comprises two channels located on opposite sides of said end opening.

7. The sheath of claim 1 wherein the interior of said hollow tubular member is tapered so as to snugly engage a semen straw.

8. A cap for attachment to an end of a hollow artificial insemination sheath, said cap including a rounded end with a tip, said tip having an end opening therein with a peripheral edge, said opening including at least one channel inside said peripheral edge in communication with an interior of said sheath, and a separate plug for temporarily covering said opening and temporarily covering said at least one channel, said plug having a body and a rounded exterior surface and a complementary edge that is capable of fitting flush with the peripheral edge of said opening to provide a seal.

9. The cap of claim 8 wherein said plug is made of a deformable material such that fluid pressure from the interior of said sheath causes said plug to deform and unseal said opening allowing fluid under pressure to exit from the interior of said sheath through said at least one channel.

10. The cap of claim 8 wherein said plug is movably deployed in said end opening and includes at least one stop to prevent said plug from becoming detached from said cap such that fluid pressure from the interior of said sheath causes said plug to become dislodged and unseal said opening allowing fluid under pressure to exit from the interior of said sheath through said at least one channel.

11. The cap of claim 10 wherein said at least one stop comprises at least on extension on an edge of the body of said plug and at least one inwardly extending ridge on the interior of said sheath, wherein engagement of said at least one extension against said inwardly extending ridge prevents said plug from exiting through said end opening.

12. The cap of claim 8 wherein said cap has a diameter that is approximately the same as a diameter of the end of said sheath.

13. The cap of claim 8 wherein said at least one channel is located on a side of said end opening.

14. The cap of claim 8 wherein said at least one channel comprises two channels located on opposite sides of said end opening.

15. The cap of claim 8 further comprising a hollow extension that fits inside said sheath wherein an interior of said extension is tapered so as to snugly engage a semen straw.

16. The cap of claim 15 wherein at least one barb is provided on said cap extension for frictional engagement against an interior wall of said sheath.

17. A method for artificially inseminating an animal comprising the steps of: a. attaching a sheath in which a semen straw has been properly loaded onto an artificial insemination gun, said sheath having a rounded end with a tip, said tip having an end opening therein with a peripheral edge, said opening including at least one channel inside said peripheral edge in communication with an interior of said sheath, and a separate plug for temporarily covering said opening and temporarily covering said at least one channel, said plug having a rounded exterior surface and a complementary edge that is capable of fitting flush with the peripheral edge of said opening to provide a seal; b. inserting said sheath into a reproductive tract of the animal; c. maneuvering the tip to a location near a uterine body of the animal; and d. depositing contents of the semen straw by applying pressure using the gun such that fluid pressure from the contents in said semen straw causes said plug to uncover said at least one channel allowing the contents of the semen straw to exit through said at least one channel.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said plug is movably deployed in said end opening and includes at least one stop to prevent said plug from becoming detached from said tip such that fluid pressure from the interior of said sheath causes said plug to become dislodged and unseal said opening allowing fluid under pressure to exit from the interior of said sheath through said at least one channel.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said plug is made of a deformable material such that fluid pressure from the interior of said sheath causes said plug to deform and unseal said opening allowing fluid under pressure to exit from the interior of said sheath through said at least one channel.

20. A cap for attachment to an end of a hollow artificial insemination sheath, said cap including a rounded end with a tip, said tip having an end opening therein with a peripheral edge, said opening including at least one channel inside said peripheral edge in communication with an interior of said sheath, and a movable plug made of deformable material for temporarily covering said opening and temporarily covering said at least one channel, said plug having a body and a rounded exterior surface and a complementary edge that is capable of fitting flush with the peripheral edge of said opening to provide a seal, such that fluid pressure from the interior of said sheath causes said plug to deform and unseal said opening allowing fluid under pressure to exit from the interior of said sheath through said at least one channel.

21. The cap of claim 20 further comprising a hollow extension that fits inside said sheath wherein an interior of said extension is tapered so as to snugly engage a semen straw.

22. The cap of claim 21 wherein at least one barb is provided on said cap extension for frictional engagement against an interior wall of said sheath.

23. The cap of claim 20 wherein said at least one channel is located on a side of said end opening.

24. The cap of claim 20 wherein said at least one channel comprises two channels located on opposite sides of said end opening.

25. The cap of claim 20 wherein said cap has a diameter that is approximately the same as a diameter of the end of said sheath.

26. A cap for attachment to an end of a hollow artificial insemination sheath, said cap including a rounded end with a tip, said tip having an end opening therein with a peripheral edge, said opening including at least one channel inside said peripheral edge in communication with an interior of said sheath, and a movable plug for temporarily covering said opening and temporarily covering said at least one channel, said plug having a body and a rounded exterior surface and a complementary edge that is capable of fitting flush with the peripheral edge of said opening to provide a seal, wherein said plug is deployed in said end opening and includes at least one stop to prevent said plug from becoming detached from said cap such that fluid pressure from the interior of said sheath causes said plug to become dislodged and unseal said opening allowing fluid under pressure to exit from the interior of said sheath through said at least one channel.

27. The cap of claim 26 further comprising a hollow extension that fits inside said sheath wherein an interior of said extension is tapered so as to snugly engage a semen straw.

28. The cap of claim 27 wherein at least one barb is provided on said cap extension for frictional engagement against an interior wall of said sheath.

29. The cap of claim 26 wherein said at least one channel is located on a side of said end opening.

30. The cap of claim 26 wherein said at least one channel comprises two channels located on opposite sides of said end opening.

31. The cap of claim 26 wherein said cap has a diameter that is approximately the same as a diameter of the end of said sheath.

32. The cap of claim 26 wherein said at least one stop comprises at least on extension on an edge of the body of said plug and at least one inwardly extending ridge on the interior of said sheath, wherein engagement of said at least one extension against said inwardly extending ridge prevents said plug from exiting through said end opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art artificial insemination gun using a sheath protector having a large rubberized cap at the end.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the prior art embodiment of FIG. 1 in an assembled state, prior to use.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a disassembled side schematic view of one embodiment of the artificial insemination apparatus of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is an assembled side perspective view of one embodiment of the artificial insemination apparatus of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional and perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing a cap attached to the end of an insemination sheath, and a plug inserted into a unique opening at the end of said cap.

(7) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side environmental view of one embodiment of the present invention inserted in the vaginal cavity of a bovine.

(8) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side environmental view of one embodiment of the present invention, showing the tip having been navigated into a bovine cervix and the discharge of semen underway.

(9) FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an artificial insemination sheath of the present invention showing a cap with deformable plug or diaphragm attached to the end of an insemination sheath before fluid pressure is applied.

(10) FIG. 9B is a close up view of the end of the insemination sheath of FIG. 9A.

(11) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 showing the flow of semen under pressure through side channels opened by a deformed diaphragm.

(12) FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a cap of the present invention showing the position of a deformable plug or diaphragm therein.

(13) FIG. 11B is a close up view of the end of the cap of FIG. 11A.

(14) FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 11A, rotated 90 degrees, showing the engagement of the plug or diaphragm to the cap.

(15) FIG. 12B is a close up view of the end of the cap of FIG. 12A.

(16) FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10.

(17) FIG. 14A is an end view of an embodiment of a cap of the present invention showing the unique opening and channels at the end.

(18) FIG. 14B is a sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 14A.

(19) FIG. 14C is an end view of the embodiment of the cap of FIG. 14A, rotated 90 degrees.

(20) FIG. 14D is a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 14C.

(21) FIG. 15A is a top view of an embodiment of a deformable diaphragm of the present invention during injection.

(22) FIG. 15B is an end view of an embodiment of a deformable diaphragm of the present invention during injection.

(23) FIG. 15C is a side view of an embodiment of a deformable diaphragm of the present invention during injection.

(24) FIG. 15D is an isometric view of an embodiment of a deformable diaphragm of the present invention during injection.

(25) FIG. 15E is a top and side view of an embodiment of a deformable diaphragm of the present invention at rest.

(26) FIG. 15F is an isometric view of an embodiment of a deformable diaphragm of the present invention at rest.

(27) FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a slidable plug or diaphragm before fluid pressure is applied.

(28) FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 16A rotated 90 degrees, showing the slidable plug or diaphragm before fluid pressure is applied.

(29) FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional top view of the embodiment of FIGS. 16A-16B showing the slidable plug or diaphragm when fluid pressure is being applied.

(30) FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 17A rotated 90 degrees, showing the slidable plug or diaphragm when fluid pressure is being applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(31) Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to the prior art devices of FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the artificial insemination gun, used particularly for bovines, comprises a tubular body 54 provided at one end with a head 52 for fixing a sheath and terminating in an annular flange 50 that is held in the technician's fingers. Adjacent to its other end, body 51 has a counterbore defining an inner shoulder against which bears one end of a supply of semen or straw 63 provided with a piston-plug 60. Body 54 further comprises a plunger-rod 53 which is slidably mounted in the body 51 so as to be capable of shifting by an end thereof the piston-plug 60 and consequently ejecting the semen contained in the straw 63. At its other end, the plunger-rod 53 has a flange 50 for pushing when dislodging semen. Body 54 and the plunger-rod 53 are, for example, made from stainless steel.

(32) The gun is completed by a cylindrical breeding sheath 70 which slides over and covers the whole of the body 54 and the straw 63. The straw 63 bears by its front end against the inner surface of a convergent portion 72 of this sheath which has an ejection orifice 74. At its other end, the sheath is elastically clamped against a flared frustoconical portion of the head 52 by means of a clamping or 0 ring 64. The semen straws are crimp sealed on one end, and the crimped end of the straw is removed before use, creating an opening 61 through which the semen can be expelled. Sheath 70 is disposable, and is employed for each insemination operation and is slipped over the gun before its insertion into the reproductive passages of the animal. The sheath 70 is discarded once the apparatus has been withdrawn from the animal, so that the gun proper 54 is not soiled and may be again employed without inconvenience on another animal after having been covered with another sheath.

(33) Once the straw 63 is in place, the sheath 70 is slid over the artificial insemination gun shaft 51 and the semen straw. The sheath is made of a thin plastic material that is of slightly larger diameter than the shaft 51 of the insemination gun 54. When the open end of the semen straw 61 reaches the convergent portion of the sheath 72, a snug and/or airtight fit is accomplished and creates a seal with the convergent portion of the sheath 72. This seal is maintained by a locking ring which is slid over the sheath 70, and is of a diameter just slightly larger than a portion of the base of the sheath, as to allow the locking ring 64 to be manually secured on the sheath by applying downward force on the ring 64. Once secured, the semen straw 63 is secured in place as the tip of the sheath 72 narrows in diameter creating a lip or edge preventing the semen straw from exiting the sheath.

(34) After securing the sheath 70 in the prior art embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a protective or outer sheath 80 may then be placed over the inner sheath 70. The outer sheath 80 is made of a thicker plastic material and is of a diameter large enough that it fits loosely over the inner sheath 70. The outer sheath 80 is shorter in length than the inner sheath 70. The tip of the prior art outer sheath 80 is covered by a rubberized cap 82. The rubberized cap 82 has slits 84, usually formed in an x pattern, which allow the inner sheath 70 to be extended though the tip 82 by applying downward pressure on the flared edge 86 of outer sheath 80 with respect to the inner sheath 70 and the rest of the insemination gun apparatus 54. The outer sheath 80 and cap 82 are intended to cover the inner sheath 70 while the insemination gun assembly 54 is traveling through the vagina where contaminants might otherwise enter through opening 74 in sheath 70.

(35) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the components of the artificial gun assembly of the prior art insemination device. FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of the prior art artificial insemination sheath in an assembled state. As shown, the outer sheath 80 is of a shorter length than the inner sheath 70. The end of the outer sheath has slits 84, but remains in a closed position while resting on the end of the tip of the inner sheath. 70. Once the device is inserted to the base of the cervix of the animal the breeder applies downward pressure on the flared section 86 of the outer sheath to force the tip 72 of the inner sheath 70 through the slits 84 of the rubber tip 82 of the outer sheath 80. The outer sheath can then slide downward until the flared section 86 comes in contact with the locking ring 64. This gives the breeder a section of the inner sheath, which is thinner, to insert into the cervix of the animal, before hitting the rubberized tip 82 of the outer sheath. This also allows the breeder to expel the semen as the upper opening 61 of the semen straw 63 corresponds to the opening 74 at the end of the inner sheath 70 and is no longer covered by the rubberized tip 84.

(36) FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the prior art apparatus. It shows the relative diameter of each individual component part. Comparing to FIG. 6, which is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, it is noteworthy that the diameter of the present invention is the same as that of the inner sheath of the prior art invention of FIGS. 1-3.

(37) FIG. 4 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the present invention. The present invention relates to an improved sheath 70, which slidably fits over a standard artificial insemination gun assembly 54. A semen straw 63 is inserted into the artificial insemination gun at the end 51 in the same manner as previously discussed in the prior art invention. In addition, the sheath 70 is then slid over the loaded artificial insemination gun and secured using ring 64 in the same manner as the prior art sheath. FIG. 5 shows an assembled gun apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention that includes a sheath 70 with cap 74 installed at the end, the cap having an opening 102 covered by plug 111 at the tip.

(38) As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 and the exploded view of FIG. 13, the exemplary cap 72 of this embodiment of sheath 70 is tapered, narrowing to a rounded end. Cap 72 may have a frustoconical shape. Opening 102 is preferably provided at the end of cap 72 and has a peripheral edge 104 that is wider than the opening itself. Opening 102 also includes one or more channel(s) 103 that are provided within the area defined by peripheral edge 104. The area within peripheral edge 104 may have a concave shape. Opening 102 and channel(s) 103 are completely covered by plug 111 which has a complementary peripheral edge 105 that fits flush against the edge 104 of opening 102 thereby forming a seal. The external surface of plug 111 may have a concave or rounded shape. In some embodiments, a single channel 103 may be provided to focus the flow of semen exiting from the sheath, although multiple channels 103 (preferably two, as illustrated) may be provided. In most embodiments, channel(s) 103 are preferably located adjacent to opening 102 in order to allow room at the center of opening 102 for the body of plug 111. If multiple channels 103 are provided, they are preferably be arranged in a pattern allowing for the widest distribution of semen from the sheath. For example and without limitation, a pair of channels 103 may be provided on opposite sides of opening 102, within peripheral edge 140, as illustrated in the drawings.

(39) The interior portion 71 of cap 72 in this embodiment extends into sheath 70, and is tapered on the inside so as to snugly engage semen straw 63. The extended interior portion 71 includes a plurality of ridges or barbs 75 on the outside which frictionally engage the interior of sheath 70 to prevent the cap 72 from becoming detached from the sheath 70 when fluid pressure is applied to the semen. When such pressure is applied, plug 111 is either deformed or slidably extended out to uncover opening 102 to allow semen to flow out through channels 103.

(40) FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an artificial insemination gun of the present apparatus inserted in the vagina of a bovine. The figure depicts the basic structure of the reproductive tract of a bovine or other livestock. The animal has an anus 200 at the end of the animal's intestinal tract 205. With regard to bovines and other large livestock, the breeder inserts a hand through the anus 200 and into the intestinal tract 205 of the animal. The walls of the intestinal tract of the animal are thin and elastic allowing the breeder to feel and manipulate portions of the reproductive system through the wall of the intestines. The reproductive system of livestock, particularly a bovine, consists of a vagina 140 which extends a distance into the animal to the internal reproductive bodies. The vagina 140 extends to the cervix 144. In general, the cervix is more narrow and rigid than the vagina. The cervix has cervical rings 145 making passage through the cervix 144 difficult. At the end of the vagina 140, there are blind pouches 147, where the vaginal body extends slightly past the opening to the cervix 144. Often times the blind pouches can present an obstacle to the breeder in attempting to insert the artificial insemination gun into the cervix 144. At the end of the cervix is the uterine body 148. The rate of pregnancy is highest when sperm-containing semen is injected as close as possible to the uterine body 148.

(41) FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an apparatus of the present invention in the process of injecting semen near the uterine body 148. In this embodiment, the channels 103 of opening 102 at the end of the sheath 70 are exposed through the movement or deformation of plug 111 caused by the application of pressure transferred from the manual force of the user on the plunger flange 50 to the seminal fluid in the semen straw. The pressure on the plug 111, causes it to either move outward or deform (depending on the embodiment), exposing one or more channels 103 through which the semen in the semen straw 63 may exit. A skilled breeder can cause this to occur as close as possible to the uterine body 148. To ensure that the semen is properly dispensed, the plunger should be depressed in a slow steady motion.

(42) FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment of a cap 72 of the present invention installed at the end of a sheath 70. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the embodiment before pressure is applied, and FIG. 10 shows the embodiment with pressure applied. In this illustrated embodiment, plug 111 is deformed by the pressure allowing semen to exit through channels 103 of end opening 102.

(43) FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross sectional detail views of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10. FIGS. 11A and 11B depict the plug 111 installed in cap 72 and embodiments of the channels (gaps) 103 of opening 102 through which semen flows under pressure. The views of FIGS. 12A and 12B are rotated 90 degrees from those of FIG. 11, showing stops in the form of extensions 77 on cap 72 which fit into slots 76 in plug 111 which hold plug 111 in place under pressure. Because of this arrangement, when fluid pressure is applied, extensions 77 prevent plug 111 from disengaging from cap 72, but semen under pressure is allowed to exit through openings 103 because of the deformation of plug 111 in these areas.

(44) FIGS. 16A-B and 17A-B are views of an alternative embodiment of the plug 111 of the present invention. In these illustrated embodiments, the plug 111 covering opening 102 is more rigid, and is designed to move (slide) a short distance when fluid pressure is applied. FIGS. 16A and 16B show the position of plug 111 before pressure is applied, with the outer edge of plug 111 flush with the outer edge of cap 72. When pressure is applied, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, plug 111 does not detach from cap 72, but moves out enough to expose opening 102 and channels 103 which allow semen to exit. The movement of plug 111 is arrested by stops, such as the extensions 115 on the edges of the plug 111 which engage inwardly extending ridges 79 on the inside of the cap structure 72, best shown in FIGS. 16A and 17A. It is to be appreciated that other stop structures may also be utilized to arrest the outward (forward) motion of plug 111 after channel(s) 103 are exposed.

(45) It is to be appreciated that all of the features of all of the embodiments of the cap and plug structures of the present invention may be incorporated into and made part of the outer sheath itself, so that no attachment of a separate cap 72 to a sheath 70 is required. In such embodiments, all of these features (e.g., tapered interior to receive semen straw, opening with channels at rounded end, deformable or slidable plug, stop structures, etc.) are integrated into the end of the sheath itself. It is also to be appreciated that either the deformable plug embodiments, or the slidable plug embodiments may be used with either the attached cap embodiments or the incorporated cap embodiments of the invention.

(46) Finally, it is to be appreciated that different versions of the invention may be made from different combinations of the various features described above. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoing specification.