Methods and apparatus for delivering fluid to egg injection devices

An automated in ovo injection apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of injection devices configured to inject fluid into a respective plurality of eggs;
• a fluid source for holding fluid to be injected into the eggs;
• and
• a fluid delivery system for delivering a predetermined dosage of fluid from the fluid source to each injection device, comprising:
• a plurality of syringes, each comprising:
• a barrel having proximal and distal ends;
• inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the barrel;
• and
• a plunger adapted for reciprocal movement within the barrel such that fluid is drawn into the barrel through the inlet port by a proximal motion of the plunger, and such that fluid is expelled from the barrel through the outlet port by a distal motion of the plunger;
• inlet tubing connected to the fluid source at one end and to a respective syringe inlet port at an opposite end;
• outlet tubing connected to a respective injection device at one end and to a respective syringe outlet port at an opposite end;
• a plurality of flow control devices, each operably associated with a respective syringe, wherein each flow control device is configured to close the outlet tubing during proximal motion of a respective syringe plunger and to close the inlet tubing during distal motion of the respective syringe plunger.

A device for delivering a predetermined dosage of fluid to an egg injection device, comprising:

• a frame;
• a syringe positioned adjacent the frame, comprising:
• a barrel having proximal and distal ends;
• inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the barrel;
• and
• a plunger adapted for reciprocal movement within the barrel such that fluid is drawn into the barrel through the inlet port by a proximal motion of the plunger, and such that fluid is expelled from the barrel through the outlet port by a distal motion of the plunger;
• an elongated member mounted to the frame for reciprocating movement along a longitudinal axis thereof, comprising:
• opposite proximal and distal ends;
• first and second passageways extending through the elongated member along a first direction that is substantially transverse to the elongated member longitudinal axis;
• and
• third and fourth passageways extending through the elongated member along a second direction that is substantially transverse to the elongated member longitudinal axis and to the first direction, wherein the first and third passageways are in communication, and wherein the second and fourth passageways are in communication;
• compressible inlet tubing extending through the third passageway, wherein the compressible inlet tubing is connected to a fluid source at one end and to the syringe inlet port at an opposite end;
• compressible outlet tubing extending through the fourth passageway, wherein the compressible outlet tubing is connected to an egg injection device at one end and to the syringe outlet port at an opposite end;
• a first squeeze bar extending through the first passageway, wherein the first squeeze bar is fixed relative to the elongated member;
• a second squeeze bar extending through the second passageway, wherein the second squeeze bar is fixed relative to the elongated member;
• and
• an actuator system attached to the elongated member that is configured to move the elongated member along the longitudinal axis thereof between a first position wherein the compressible outlet tubing is pinched within the fourth passageway by the second squeeze bar so as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough, and a second position wherein the compressible inlet tubing is pinched within the third passageway by the first squeeze bar so as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough.

An automated in ovo injection apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of injection devices configured to inject fluid into a respective plurality of eggs;
• a fluid source for holding fluid to be injected into the eggs;
• and
• a fluid delivery system for delivering a predetermined dosage of fluid from the fluid source to each injection device, comprising:
• a frame;
• a plurality of syringes positioned adjacent the frame, each comprising:
• a barrel having proximal and distal ends;
• inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the barrel;
• and
• a plunger adapted for reciprocal movement within the barrel such that fluid is drawn into the barrel through the inlet port by a proximal motion of the plunger, and such that fluid is expelled from the barrel through the outlet port by a distal motion of the plunger;
• a plurality of elongated members mounted to the frame in adjacent, generally parallel relationship, wherein each elongated member is mounted for reciprocating movement along a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein each elongated member comprises:
• opposite proximal and distal ends;
• first and second passageways extending through the elongated member along a first direction that is substantially transverse to the elongated member longitudinal axis;
• and
• third and fourth passageways extending through the elongated member along a second direction that is substantially transverse to the elongated member longitudinal axis and to the first direction, wherein the first and third passageways are in communication, and wherein the second and fourth passageways are in communication;
• compressible inlet tubing extending through the third passageway in each of the elongated members, wherein the compressible inlet tubing is connected to the fluid source at one end and to a respective syringe inlet port at an opposite end;
• compressible outlet tubing extending through the fourth passageway in each of the elongated members, wherein the compressible outlet tubing is connected to a respective injection device at one end and to a respective syringe outlet port at an opposite end;
• a first squeeze bar extending through the first passageways of the elongated members, wherein the first squeeze bar is fixed relative to the elongated member;
• a second squeeze bar extending through the second passageways of the elongated members, wherein the second squeeze bar is fixed relative to the elongated member;
• an actuator system attached to each of the elongated members, wherein each actuator system is configured to move a respective elongated member along the longitudinal axis thereof between a first position wherein the compressible outlet tubing is pinched within the fourth passageway by the second squeeze bar so as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough, and a second position wherein the compressible inlet tubing is pinched within the third passageway by the first squeeze bar so as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough.

A method of delivering a predetermined dosage of fluid to an egg injection device, the method comprising:

• drawing fluid from a fluid source into a syringe barrel via inlet tubing in fluid communication with the fluid source and with the syringe barrel;
• and
• dispensing a predetermined dosage of fluid from the syringe barrel to the egg injection device via outlet tubing in fluid communication with the egg injection device and with the syringe barrel;
• wherein the outlet tubing is closed during the drawing step, and wherein the inlet tubing is closed during the dispensing step.

A method of delivering a predetermined dosage of fluid into an egg, the method comprising:

• drawing fluid from a fluid source into a syringe barrel via inlet tubing in fluid communication with the fluid source and with the syringe barrel;
• inserting an injection device into an egg, wherein outlet tubing is in fluid communication with the injection device and with the syringe barrel and wherein the outlet tubing is closed so as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough;
• closing the inlet tubing;
• opening the outlet tubing;
• and
• dispensing a predetermined dosage of fluid from the syringe barrel through the outlet tubing and into the egg via the injection device.

A method of delivering a predetermined dosage of fluid to an egg injection device via a delivery device, wherein the delivery device includes an elongated member that is configured to reciprocate along a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the elongated member includes opposite proximal and distal ends, an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal ends, first and second passageways extending through the elongated member intermediate portion along a first direction that is substantially transverse to the elongated member longitudinal axis, and third and fourth passageways extending through the elongated member intermediate portion along a second direction that is substantially transverse to the elongated member longitudinal axis and to the first direction, wherein the first and third passageways and the second and fourth passageways are in respective communication, wherein a first squeeze bar extends through the first passageway, and wherein a second squeeze bar extends through the second passageway;

• the method comprising:
• drawing fluid from a fluid source into a syringe barrel via compressible inlet tubing in fluid communication with the fluid source and with the syringe barrel, wherein the compressible inlet tubing extends through the third passageway;
• and
• dispensing a predetermined dosage of fluid from the syringe barrel to the egg injection device via compressible outlet tubing in fluid communication with the egg injection device and with the syringe barrel, wherein the compressible outlet tubing extends through the fourth passageway;
• wherein, substantially simultaneously with the drawing step, the compressible outlet tubing is closed by proximal movement of the elongated member such that the second squeeze bar pinches the compressible outlet tubing so as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough;
• and
• wherein, substantially simultaneously with the dispensing step, the compressible inlet tubing is closed by distal movement of the elongated member such that the first squeeze bar pinches the compressible inlet tubing so as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough.

A method of delivering a predetermined dosage of fluid to an egg injection device via a delivery device, the method comprising:

• drawing fluid from a fluid source into a syringe barrel via inlet tubing in fluid communication with the fluid source and with the syringe barrel;
• and
• dispensing a predetermined dosage of fluid from the syringe barrel to the egg injection device via outlet tubing in fluid communication with the egg injection device and with the syringe barrel;
• wherein, substantially simultaneously with the drawing step, the outlet tubing is closed so as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough;
• and
• wherein, substantially simultaneously with the dispensing step, the inlet tubing is closed so as to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough.