WO2004045449A2

WO2004045449A2 - Veterinary device

Info

Publication number: WO2004045449A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2003/000259
Authority: WO
Inventors: Garth David Riddle
Original assignee: Simcro Tech Limited
Priority date: 2002-11-20
Filing date: 2003-11-20
Publication date: 2004-06-03
Also published as: NZ522726A; AU2003283890B2; WO2004045449A3; AU2003283890A1

Abstract

In its broadest aspect the invention comprises a veterinary device (1) having an elongate handle (2) and a collecting means (3), said collecting means (3) having a substantially dome shaped exterior (4) with a substantially smooth outer surface, and a concave interior cavity (5) concentric with the dome shaped exterior (4), the peripheral edge of the cavity defining the transition between the said cavity (5) and the said dome shaped exterior (4) being in the form of a smooth, resiliently flexible lip (6), and said handle (2) having an end attached to said collecting means (3) such that the said cavity (5) faces towards the said handle (2), and the domed exterior (4) faces away from the handle (2), the connection between the handle (2) and the collecting means (3) be such as to maintain the relative orientation of these components with respect to each other.

Description

Veterinary Device Technical Field

This invention relates to a veterinary device for use as an aid in the detection of inflamed or infected tissue, or parasitic infestation. More particularly, the invention relates to a veterinary appliance to aid in the detection of intra-uterine or intra-vaginal infection, or intra-anal infection or parasitic infestation, in animals.

Background of the Invention For the present purposes the invention will be described with reference to its use in the context of assisting in detecting intra-vaginal infection, however, it should be appreciated and understood that the device also has application in the detection of intra-anal infection or parasitic infestation.

The female vagina of all animals is colonised by a variety of bacteria. Under normal conditions the vaginal flora provides a protective mechanism, including the maintenance of a low pH, to guard against the invasion of pathogenic microbes.

Infections such as endometritis and vaginitis, can occur in the months after the female animal has given birth. Such infections are often associated with difficult birthings, or other conditions that lower the immune system around that time.

If left untreated for any length of time uterine infections can lead to reduced fertility, or even sterility of the animal. With domesticated livestock, such as cattle, sheep and horses, the value of individual animals is often determined by their ability to be used for breeding purposes, and thus their level of fecundity.

It will be understood, therefore, that any animal which suffers sterilisation or even reduced capacity to produce healthy offspring can result in a direct negative economic impact on the animal's owner. Accordingly, the earlier that any infection which may render an animal sterile can be detected the sooner a treatment can be administered, and the risk of sterility minimised.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which aids in the early detection of uterine infection.

Summary of the Invention

In its broadest form the present invention comprises a veterinary device having an elongate handle and a collecting means, said collecting means having a substantially dome shaped exterior with a substantially smooth outer surface, and a concave interior cavity substantially concentric with the dome shaped exterior, the peripheral edge of the cavity defining the transition between the said cavity and the said dome shaped exterior, the portion of said collecting means adjacent said edge being in the form of a smooth, resiliently flexible lip, and said handle having an end attached to said collecting means such that the said cavity faces towards the said handle, and the domed exterior faces away from the handle.

Preferably the end of the handle connects to the collecting means concentrically with the interior cavity. However, this is not essential. The primary requirement is that the connection between the handle and the collecting means be such as to maintain the relative orientation of these components with respect to each other.

Preferably the collecting means adjacent the lip is substantially circular in cross section. Alternatively, however, the cross sectional shape of the collecting means adjacent the lip is shaped to conform to the cross sectional shape of the particular anal or vaginal passageway of the particular type of animal in relation to which the device is intended to be used. Preferably the collecting means is formed from a material such as rubber or soft plastic. However, any non-irritant, low or non allergenic material having a non- porous surface would be a suitable alternative for the body of the collecting means. While the body of the collecting means can be substantially rigid, the lip thereof must be sufficiently flexible to maintain contact with the inner passageway wall lining, but not cause any material damage thereto.

Further, while the body of the collecting means can be flexible to a degree, it must be sufficiently rigid to resist any force causing the collecting means to invert on itself.

Preferably at least the cavity of the collecting means is a dark colour to make identification of infection easier.

Desirably the handle is formed from a material such as plastic or stainless steel.

Optionally the handle can be releasably attached to the collecting means.

Optionally, a scraper means may be connected to the free end of the elongate handle, said scraper being adapted to, in use, remove contaminating matter from the vulva prior to insertion of the device.

In a second broad embodiment the invention comprises a veterinary device kit, said kit including a veterinary device according to the first broad embodiment wherein the handle of the device is releasably attached to the collecting means, which collecting means is of a first cross sectional shape and size, said kit further including one or more additional collecting means, each of said additional collecting means being of a cross sectional shape and size different to the first cross sectional shape and size, wherein in use the collecting means most suited to the intended application can be attached to the said handle. The principle advantage of the kit arrangement comes from the ability of a single handle to be used in conjunction with a range of collecting means, saving space and ensuring that the most appropriately sized and shaped collecting means for the animal being tested is available.

Brief Description of the Drawing

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, figure 1, which shows a partially cut away longitudinal view of a veterinary device according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The appliance (1) comprises an elongate handle (2) to one end of which is attached a collecting device (3). The appliance (1) can be made as a single piece unit, or may involve, for example, the collecting device (3) being screw threaded to the handle (2) (as is illustrated in the drawing). This latter option has significant hygiene benefits as a consequence of the ability to sterilise the component parts separately and in accordance with the method most appropriate to the material from which the component part is formed.

The collecting device (3) is shaped for easy insertion into the vaginal passage of the animal. In that regard, it is substantially dome shaped, having a smooth exterior surface (4). The dome is substantially hollow, having a cup shaped cavity (5), to which the handle (2) is connected. The blunt end of the collecting device (3), which is defined by the transition of the cavity (5) to the dome shaped exterior (4), comprises a lip (6). Preferably the collecting device (3) is formed from a rubberised, or similar material, and the lip (6) is resiliently flexible.

The handle (2) should be of sufficient length to enable the collecting device (3) to extend well into the vagina of the intended animal patient so as to collect a sample from adjacent the entrance to the uterus. In use, the subject animal's vulva is first scrapped to remove faecal contamination. The domed face of the collecting device (3) is then lubricated, and gently inserted up the vaginal passage of the animal as far as necessary. The device (1) is then gently pulled backwards out of the vaginal passageway, with the handle end (2) slightly elevated so that the lip (6) of the collecting device (3) gently but firmly scrapes along the floor of the vaginal passage.

With the device fully removed from the animal the contents of the cavity (5) is examined for evidence of infection. Such evidence would typically take the form of a build up of pus.

Indeed, in cases of animals with severe infections it would not be uncommon that as the device (1) is withdrawn there may be a large amount of pus that flows onto the ground so that checking the cavity (5) is unnecessary.

The presence of pus, for example, in a cow, from two to three weeks after calving is abnormal and indicative of an infection, as by this time there should only be clear mucus present.

While a preferred form of the invention has been described by way of example, and an example of its manner of use has been given, it will be appreciated that improvements and modifications can occur without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed, and thus that uses involving detection of infection in, for example, the anal passageway of an animal are also contemplated. In that regard, the device can be used for the purposes of faecal sampling to either be used for culturing to determine infection, or for examination to assess parasite infestation determined by, for example, the presence of parasite worm eggs.

The use described has been in relation to cows, however, the device can be used on any four legged mammal, be that domesticated, such as sheep, deer or goats, or otherwise such as in zoos or the like on any variety of animal. Finally, wherein the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

5.

Claims

Claims:

1. A veterinary device having an elongate handle and a collecting means, said collecting means having a substantially dome shaped exterior with a substantially smooth outer surface, and a concave interior cavity concentric with the dome shaped exterior, the peripheral edge of the cavity defining the transition between the said cavity and the said dome shaped exterior, the portion of said collecting means adjacent said edge being in the form of a smooth, resiliently flexible lip, and said handle having an end attached to said collecting means such that the said cavity faces towards the said handle, and the domed exterior faces away from the handle, the connection between the handle and the collecting means be such as to maintain the relative orientation of these components with respect to each other.

2. A veterinary device according to claim 1 wherein the end of the handle connects to the collecting means concentrically with the interior cavity.

3. A veterinary device according to claim 1 wherein the collecting means is formed from a non-irritant, low or non allergenic material having a non- porous surface.

4. A veterinary device according to claim 3 wherein the collecting means is formed from rubber or soft plastic.

5. A veterinary device according to claim 1 wherein at least the cavity of the collecting means is a dark colour to make identification of infection easier.

6. A veterinary device according to claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from plastics material or stainless steel.

7. A veterinary device according to any one of the preceding claims further including a scraper means connected to the free end of the elongate handle, said scraper being adapted to, in use, remove contaminating matter from the vulva prior to insertion of the device.

8. A veterinary device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle is be releasably attached to the collecting means.

9. A veterinary device kit, said kit including a veterinary device according to claim 8 wherein the collecting means is of a first cross sectional shape and size, said kit further including one or more additional collecting means, each of said additional collecting means being of a cross sectional shape and size different to the first cross sectional shape and size, wherein in use the collecting means most suited to the intended application can be attached to the said handle.