Automated in ovo injection apparatus
AssigneeEmbrex, Inc.
InventorChristopher J. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-site in ovo injection apparatus and related methods for treating live eggs is disclosed. The multi-site injection apparatus includes one or more injection delivery devices which are configured to deliver multiple treatment substances to predetermined areas of eggs. The treatment substances can be provided so that they are spatially and/or temporally separate. The devices and methods enable the effective use of a plurality of treatment substances even those that are effective when used alone but can be noxious if mixed.
Claims40
A method for treating avian embryos in ovo, comprising the steps of:
- orienting an avian egg into a predetermined position;
- introducing a small first opening into the shell of said egg;
- extending a delivery device through the first opening and into the egg a predetermined depth;
- releasing a predetermined dosage of a substance into a first location of the egg;
- removing a sample from a separate second location of the egg;
- and
- retracting the delivery device from said egg, thereby treating said avian embryo.
A method for removing samples from avian embryos in ovo, comprising the steps of:
- orienting an avian egg into a predetermined position;
- introducing a small first opening into the shell of said egg;
- extending a sample removal device through the first opening and into the egg a predetermined depth;
- removing first and second samples from the egg in respective first and second separate locations therein;
- and
- retracting the sample removal device from said egg.
A method for treating avian embryos in ovo, comprising the steps of:
- orienting an avian egg into a predetermined position;
- introducing a small first opening into the shell of an avian egg;
- introducing a small second opening into the shell of an avian egg, the second opening being spaced apart from the first opening;
- extending a delivery device through said first opening into the egg a predetermined depth and to a first location within said egg;
- extending a sample removal device through said second opening into the egg a predetermined depth and to a second location within said egg different from said first location;
- releasing a predetermined dosage of a substance from said delivery device into said egg;
- removing a sample from said egg second location via said sample removal device;
- and
- retracting the delivery device and sample removal device from said egg, thereby treating the avian embryo.
A method for removing samples from avian embryos in ovo, comprising the steps of:
- orienting an avian egg into a predetermined position;
- introducing a small first opening into the shell of an avian egg;
- introducing a small second opening into the shell of an avian egg, the second opening being spaced apart from the first opening;
- extending a first removal device through said first opening into the egg a predetermined depth and to a first location within said egg;
- extending a second removal device through said second opening into the egg a predetermined depth and to a second location within said egg different from said first location;
- removing a first sample from said first location;
- removing a second sample from said second location;
- and
- retracting the first and second sample removal devices from said egg.
An automated in ovo injection apparatus, comprising:
- a flat for holding a plurality of eggs in a substantially upright and aligned position, wherein said flat is configured to provide external access to predetermined areas of the eggs;
- a plurality of injection delivery devices configured to contact predetermined areas of said egg, at least one of said injection devices corresponding to each egg in said flat, each of said delivery devices including first and second lumens adapted to be received into said egg;
- a first container for holding a treatment substance, said first container in fluid communication with each of said first lumens;
- a second container for receiving a sample from each egg, said second container in fluid communication with each of said second lumens;
- at least one pump operably associated with said first and second containers and said injection devices and configured for delivering a predetermined dosage of said treatment substance to each of said first lumens and for removing a sample from each egg via each of the second lumens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.