Methods and apparatus for injecting and sampling material through avian egg membranes

An apparatus, comprising:

• a tubular punch configured to form an opening in the shell of an egg;
• a needle positioned within the punch for reciprocal movement therethrough and through an opening in an egg shell formed by the punch, wherein the needle comprises a tip configured to be inserted within an egg;
• and
• a stop attached to the needle a predetermined distance from the needle tip, wherein the stop is configured to contact the punch when the needle moves through the punch into an egg so as to limit the distance the needle tip is inserted within the egg.

A method of inserting a device within an egg, comprising:

• orienting an avian egg in a predetermined position;
• introducing an opening into a shell of the egg;
• extending a device through the opening in the egg shell, wherein the device comprises:
• a needle comprising a tip;
• and
• a stop attached to the needle at a predetermined distance from the needle tip, wherein the stop limits the distance the needle tip can be inserted into the egg through a membrane thereof;
• and
• piercing a membrane with the injection needle tip and extending the needle tip into the egg until the stop contacts the membrane.

A method of sampling fluid from an egg, wherein the egg includes an air cell, the method comprising:

• orienting an avian egg with the air cell up;
• introducing an opening into a shell of the egg;
• extending a locating device through the opening in the egg shell until contact with a membrane is detected;
• locking the locating device in contacting relationship with the membrane;
• extending a sampling device from the locating device through the membrane by a predetermined amount;
• and
• obtaining a sample of fluid via the sampling device.

A method of injecting material into an egg, comprising:

• introducing an opening into a shell of the egg;
• extending a locating device through the opening in the egg shell until contact with a membrane is detected;
• locking the locating device in relationship with the membrane;
• extending an injection device through the membrane by a predetermined amount relative to the locked locating device;
• and
• injecting a substance into the egg via the injection device.

A method of sampling material from an egg, comprising:

• introducing an opening into a shell of the egg;
• extending a locating device through the opening in the egg shell until contact with a membrane is detected;
• locking the locating device in relationship with the membrane;
• extending a sampling device through the membrane by a predetermined amount relative to the locked locating device;
• and
• sampling material from the egg via the sampling device.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a tubular punch configured to form an opening in the shell of an egg;
• a tubular locating device positioned within the punch for reciprocal movement therethrough and through an opening in an egg shell formed by the punch, wherein the locating device is configured to contact a membrane within an egg;
• a locking device configured to lock the locating device in relationship with the membrane;
• and
• a needle positioned within the locating member for reciprocal movement therethrough, wherein the needle comprises a tip configured to be inserted through a membrane within an egg by a predetermined amount relative to the locked locating device.