AU665713B2 - Animal identification capsule - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01 I Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

C.

p 1 Invention Title: "ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION CAPSULLP"

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The following,)statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 THIS INVENTION relates to an ingestable capsule for containing a transponder therein and in particular a 4 capsule adapted to be ingested and retained in the digestive system of ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer or camels.

Identification of ruminants usually involves physical indication of distinguishing marks such as hide branding, ear tagging and transponders inserted under the skin. Branding may distress the ruminant and it may also cause hide damage.

Ear tagging techniques using either transponders or visual representation may cause infection. Further, li there is a possibility that the tag may fall out or be removed by thieves.

A similar problem can occur with identification systems implanted under the skin. In addition, there is a possibility that an identification transponder inserted under the skin may migrate in the animal either as a whole or in fragments. Accordingly, due to the rapid production line in slaughter houses the transponder or S9*, parts thereof may be undetected resulting in the t transponder or parts thereof entering the human food chain. This is highly undesirable and has been viewed as unacceptable by the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation.

Another form of identification is that of administering the transponder in the form of a capsule into the digestive system of the ruminant in which the Si

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3 transponder is enclosed in a capsule having a specific gravity so that it may permanently reside for example in the reticulum or rumen. Such devices are disclosed in patent specifications GB2165723, ZA8303599, US4262632 and W093/05648.

In patent specification GB2165723 there is disclosed a transponder for retention in an animal's digestive system, the transponder being enclosed in a capsule formed from a cylindrical tube of hard plastics material.

In patent specification ZA8303599 there is disclosed a radio transmitter enclosed in a capsule formed from an inert stomach juice resistant plastics material for location in an animal's primary stomach. A similar device is disclosed in patent specification US4262632 in 15 which a transmitting device is encapsulated in a glass, I quartz or fibreglass resin capsule or housing which is evacuated and sealed.

In patent specification W093/05648 there is disclosed a transponder enclosed in a bolus for retention S' 20 in the rumen or reticulum of a ruminant animal. The I t"t bolus in one form includes an inner case of plastics St.' material moulded around a transponder and an outer casing. 0 j In an alternative form the inner case is formed from S 25 two parts having a cavity for enclosing the transponder therein. The outer shelf of the bolus is formed from a two part transparent capsule or housing hich is se&led j 1 v

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4 by heating or welding. Also disclosed in W093/05648 is a two part outer casing sealed by a thread which requires relatively thick toughened glass or plastics material therefore adding to the size and cost of the bolus.

Further variations of the bolus or casing are also described such as a groove and a resilient plastics gasket, 'or alternatively a single part bolus or capsule A having a hole at one end which is heat sealed upon the insertion of the transponder.

Two part snap fitments are also described in W093/05648 and a matrix material such as glass beads may fill part of the cavity of the outer casing.

One problem with the majority, of the above described capsules or casings is that generally once they enclose a transponder they are welded or permanently sealed. If the capsule is dropped or roughly handled when a transponder is sealed therein, then it is likely that the transponder will be damaged. As a rsult, both the capsule and enclosed transponder must be discarded.

S' 20 If a capsule consists of a two part fitment that is Ot"tr snapped or screwed together this provides an increase in C, t manufacturing and assembly costs. Further the capsule may be damaged by excessive torsion or compressive forces ci.tv and it may be difficult to unscrew or unsnap the two parts once fitted together.

A further problem with prior art transponder capsules or casings is, that they provide little if any protective cushioning to the transponder therein.

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It is an aim of the invention to overcome or alleviate at least some of the problems associated with prior art transponder capsules.

Ji According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an ingestable capsule for retention in the digestive system of a ruminant including: a body having a chamber for containing a transponder therein; an access aperture in the body adapted to allow the transponder to pass therethrough into the chamber; and a plug insertable in the access aperture.

Suitably, there is a transponder in the chamber.

Suitably, the access aperture has the plug inserted therein thereby retaining the transponder in the chamber.

15 Preferably, there is a further access aperture in the body, the further access aperture being adapted to allow the transponder to pass therethrough into the chamber. The access aperture and further access aperture may be suitably positioned at opposite ends of the body.

t Most suitably the access aperture and further access aperture are positioned co-axially.

Suitably, there is a further plug inserted in the el further access aperture thereby retaining the transponder ;l in the chamber between the plug and further plug.

Preferably, when the access aperture has the plug inserted therein the pressure inside the chamber is the same as the pressure outside the chamber. Suitably, when the access aperture and further access aperture have the 6 plug and further plug inserted respectively therein the pressure inside the chamber is the same as the pressure outside the chamber. The pressure inside the chamber may be achieved by an aperture in the plug or an aperture in the body providing a passage between the chamber and an external surface of the body. Alternatively, the pressure inside the chamber may be achieved by either a groove extending along the length of the plug or a groove extending along at least part of the length of the aperture.

Preferably, the chamber has inserted therein a viscous or gel-like substance which is inert to the gastric juices of the digestive system.

"2l Suitably, the body is elongate.

15 The body may be formed from any suitable material.

*944 The material should have sufficient specific gravity to allow the capsule to be retained in the digestive system.

Preferably the body is formed from a suitable calcium plastics material such as polypropylene. Additives may 20 be added to the plastics material such as calcium carbonate or barium sulphate. The body oay be s1,0tably I formed from injection moulding.

O Peferably, the chamber is of a constant cross section. In a more preferred form the access aperture and further access aperture and chamber are formed by a single passage having a constant cross section.

Suitably, located on the body, or in the chamber is a visual representation of an identification code, *rI

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1 o I"i;TI ruerrrrrrrrrm~amPs~a~- ii;- wherein the said identification code corresponds to an electronic identification code stored in the transponder.

Visual representation may be numerical, alphanumerical or a bar-code. The said visual representation may be attached to the transponder.

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; FIG 2 illustrates a plan view of the embodiment of FIG 1; It 4 8 C

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FIG 3 illustrates an end view of 15 FIGS 1 and 2; FIG 4 illustrates a plug; FIG 5 illustrates a perspective embodiment; FIG 6 illustrates a plan view of the embodiment of view of a second the embodiment of 20 FIG FIG 7 illustrates an end view of the embodiment of FIGS 5 and 6; and FIG 8 illustr.tes a transponder.

Referring to FIGS 1 to 3 there is illustrated a capsule 1 having a body 2. A chamber 3 is located in body 2 and an access aperture 4 is located at end A plug 6, as illustrated in FIG 4, has a groove 7 extending along its length such that when plug 6 is

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.4 49 49*** 499 .4999,* 49 49 49 9*l 49r 444449* 4 inserted in access aperture 4 a non air tight seal is formed thereby the pressure inside chamber 3 is the same as the pressure outside chamber 3. Chamber 3 is of sufficient size to allow a transponder 15, shown in FIG 8, to be contained therein and access aperture 4 is of sufficient dimensions to allow transponder 15 to be inserted therethrough and into chamber 3.

Referring to FIGS 5 to 7 there is disclosed a second preferred embodiment in which the capsule 8 has a body 9. A chamber 10 is located in body 9 and access aperture 11 and further access aperture 12 are located at opposite ends 13 and 14 of body 9.

Chamber 10 is of sufficient size to allow transponder 15 to be contained therein and access 15 apertures 11 and 12 both have dimensions to allow transponder 15 to pass therethrough and into chamber Body 2 or 9 has a specific gravity greater than that of the juices in a ruminant's digestive system and is formed from an injection moulded polypropylene having a calcium carbonate additive.

As illustrated in FIG 8, transponder 15 is of a size which allows it to be inserted through an access aperture into chamber 3 or Attached to transponder 15 is a visual identificatio code 16 which corresponds to the electronic identification code stored in transponder Referring to the preferred embodiment illustrated by FIGS 1 to 3, chamber 3 is filled with a viscous or 0. I-i

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9 gel-like substance which is insert to the gastric juices of the digestive system. Transponder 15 is then inserted into chamber 3 which displaces some of the viscous or gel-like substance. Plug 6, illustrated in FIG 4, is then inserted into access aperture 4. Displaced viscous or gel-like substance oozes out of the chamber along the groove 7. The non air tight seal allows for ease of plug 6 insertion and eliminates the problems of pressure pushing out plug 6.

In a similar fashion the viscous or gel-like substance and transponder 15 are inserted into the preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIGS 5 to 7.

However, two plugs 6, identical to that as shown in FIG ,4 4, are inserted into access aperture 11 and further 4 15 access aperture 12 to enclose transponder 15 in chamber 0m 0010. Grooves in the two plugs eliminate the problCms of t unequal pressure.

The capsule 1 or 8 is then orally administered to a ruminant. The viscous or gel-like substance has a t' k 20 cushioning effect on the transponder. This therefore t t, provides a form of transponder protection against rough handling. Prior to oral administration the transponder is tested. If it is found to be faulty the transponder can be removed and replaced. I In the embodiment as illustrated is FIGS 5 to 7 transponder 15 is removed by pushing a thin rod against one plug 6. For example, when the thin rod is pushed against plug 6 in access aperture 12, it is pushed Sagainst transponder 15 in chamber 10. This therefore pushes transponder 15 against a further plug 6 in further access aperture 11. Accordingly, both plugs and the transponder are pushed out through access aperture 11.

Another transponder can then be inserted into chamber and enclosed by plugs 6.

In the embodiment as illustrated in FIGS 1 to 3 the plug 6 has to be pulled from aperture 4, after which transponder 15 is removed from chamber 3.

The specific gravity of body 2 or 9 has the effect of allowing the capsule to be retained in a ruminant's digestive system such that transponder 15 can be energised and its electronic identification code can be i I interrogated by standard techniques known to a skilled 15 addressee. If transponder 15 becomes faulty the ruminant can be identified at slaughter by visual identification i' code 16.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments it is to be understood 20 that the invention is not limited to the specific c embodiments herein described.

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Claims (15)

1. An ingestable capsule for retention in the digestive system of a ruminant including: a body having a chamber for containing a transponder therein; an access aperture in the body adapted to allow the transponder to pass therethrough into the chamber; and a plug insertable in the access aperture.

2. An ingestable capsule, as in claim 1, in which there is a transponder in the chamber.

3. An ingestable capsule, as in claim 2, in which the access aperture has the plug inserted therein thereby retaining the transponder in the chamber. c te

4. An ingestable capsule, as in any one of the above tt Ct 15 claims, in which there is a further access aperture in t the body, the further access aperture being adapted to allow the transponder to pass therethrough into the chamber.

5. An ingestable capsule, as in claim 4, in which the 20 access aperture and further access aperture are t 0 positioned at opposite ends of the body.

6. An ingestable capsule, as in claim 4 or claim 5, in S which, there is a further plug inserted in the further access aperture thereby retaining the transponder in the chamber between the plug and further plug.

7. An nhgestable capsule, as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the access aperture has the plug inserted therein the pressure inside the chamber is the same as 1 6 l I° 12 the pressure outside the chamber.

8. An ingestable capsule, as jn any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein when the access aperture and further access aperture have the plug and further plug inserted respectively therein the pressure inside the chamber is the same as the pressure outside the chamber.

9. An ingestable capsule, as in claims 7 or 8, in which the pressure inside the chamber is achieved by an aperture in the plug or an aperture in the body providing a passage between the chamber and an external surface of the body.

An ingestable capsule, as in claims 7 or 8, in which alternatively, the pressure inside the chamber may be i'rc achieved by either a groove extending along the length of the plug or a groove extending along at least part of the length of the aperture.

11. An ingestable capsule, as in any one of the above claims, in which the chamber has inserted therein a viscous or gel-like substance which is inert to the S 20 gastric juices of the digestive system. S,

12. An ingestable capsule, as in any one of claims 4 to t 11, in which the access aperture and further access aperture and chamber are formed by a single passage having a constant cross section',

13. An ingestable capsule, as in any one of the above claims, wherein located on the body, or in the chamber, is a visual representation of an identification code, wherein the said identification code corresponds to an 13 electronic identification code stored in the transponder.

14, An ingestable capsule, as in claim 13, in which the said visual representation may be attached to the transponder.

15. An ingestable capsule substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. DATED this Twelfth Day of May 1994 JOHN DOUGLAS FRANK FINLAYSON DOROTHY ELIZABETH FINLAYSON RONALD LESLIE RICHARDS By their Patent Attorneys FISHER KELLY Sii *Ott ct C 4 4,4" lL- 1 system of a ruminant including a body having a chamber for containing a transponder therein, an access aperture in the body to allow the transponder to pass therethrough into the chamber and a plug insertable in the access aperture. A further access aperture may be in the body and positioned at an opposite end to the access aperture. The access aperture and further access aperture have inserted therein respective plugs for enclosing a transponder in the chamber. When the plugs are inserted the pressure inside the chamber is the same as the i pressure outside the chamber. SI St e i c t