EP0071538B1 - Apparatus for transferring animal reproduction elements, embryos or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

1. An apparatus for transferring animal reproduction elements, by mechanical ejection, of the type comprising a hollow and rigid main body (2) which is generally cylindrical and at one end of which there is secured a flexible tube (4) which extends the said body (2) towards the exterior, this tube having to serve as a reservoir for the reproduction elements, whilst this main body (2) receives internally, at its other end, a piston rod (3, 5) with which there is associated a sliding piston (7), the free end of the reservoir tube (4) further comprising an ejection terminal (6) having an axial passage, this rigid main body (2) being surrounded by a second rigid body (1), characterized in that the main body (2) is capable of sliding inside the said second body which is approximately the same length as the latter, whilst the piston rod (3, 5) comprises a front section (5) which is flexible and whose length is at least equal to that of the reservoir tube (4).

Description

The present invention relates to devices for transferring elements of animal reproduction, such as embryos (from a donor reproductive female and to be placed in a carrier female) or animal semen (taken from a male for the purpose of 'artificial insemination). It relates more particularly to devices of the purely mechanical ejection type, comprising a hollow and rigid main body, of generally cylindrical shape, at one end of which is fixed a flexible tube which extends the main body outwards, this tube having to serve as reservoir to the reproduction elements, while this main body internally receives, at its other end, a piston rod with which is associated a sliding piston, the free end of the reservoir tube comprising, moreover, an ejection nozzle with axial passage, the body being able, moreover, to be advantageously surrounded externally, over at least a large part of its length, by a protective sheath fixed on it, which is changed at each operation, which avoids sterilization of the apparatus.

In known devices of this type, for example by the French patents of holders FR-A N ° 2358606 and FR-A N ° 2477006, it is intended that they are used for seed transfer or embryo transfer, the tube -reservoir is housed, over most of its length, inside the rigid body, and the piston is directly actuated by the end of the rod whose length is roughly equal to that of the body (similarly besides that of the protective sheath, when provided, in which case the end piece is, moreover, interposed between the end of the reservoir tube and that of the sheath which both protrude slightly from the body) .

It is more particularly provided, in the case of an embryo transfer (aforementioned patent FR-A No. 2477006), that the axial passage of the nozzle has, beyond its area of attachment to the reservoir tube , the smoothest possible interior surface to avoid any risk of injury to the embryo during ejection.

However, in all cases, the entire apparatus is rigid over its entire length and the rod and piston assembly is used at least to push the reproductive elements into the womb of the breeding female, in the case of semen , in that of the carrier female, in the case of an embryo. This same rod and piston assembly may, moreover, have already been used, in addition, for the aspiration of the semen in a particular embodiment of the first case. However, in general, in both cases, it is a reservoir tube previously filled with semen, or a suspension containing the embryo, and in general stored under refrigeration, after removal from the male or the breeding female, which is fixed on the body of the device, a tampon which seals the end of the tube then serving as a piston during ejection. In any case, in either case, the free end of this device should, in principle, be inserted beyond the vagina and cervix, as far as possible inside the uterus of the animal, to ensure a deep deposit of the semen or embryo and therefore facilitate reproduction or implantation. It turns out, however, that the uterine lining is extremely fragile (particularly in the case of an embryo transfer, which should normally take place outside the period of oestrus), so that these known devices risk, made of their rigid end, to cause a lesion of this mucosa with all the consequences that this entails.

Furthermore, in the particular case of embryo transfer, the known devices (for example the aforementioned patent FR -A? 2477006) in fact only allow the establishment of the embryo in the carrier female, the collection on the female reproductive using an entirely separate device and operating of a completely different type, since by fluid circulation (such as that described in the French patent of holders FP-AN _No. 2477005). The delivery device must receive a reservoir tube already filled with the embryo suspension.

The main object of the present invention is to minimize the risk of damage to the uterine lining and, for this purpose, it relates to a transfer device of the aforementioned type, in which a rigid main body is surrounded by a second rigid body. characterized in that this main body can slide inside said second body which has approximately the same length as the latter, while the piston rod comprises a front section which is flexible and has a length at least equal to that of the tank tube.

Thanks to this arrangement, when the outer body is placed so as to normally surround the main body, one can fix the filled reservoir tube at the front end of this main body, then make the same main body move back with respect to the external body. , until the reservoir tube has almost completely penetrated inside the external body, which makes the front end of the device rigid enough to allow it to easily cross the vagina and especially the cervix of the female carrier, as a result of which the main body can be pushed forward, so as to gradually introduce the reservoir tube into the uterine lumen, and this easily and without damage to the mucous membrane thereof, despite the meanders that presents this light, since the reservoir tube can perfectly adapt to the latter by bending thanks to its flexibility, the transfer being completed by a push of the piston rod (which had previously r offset with the main body) which mechanically causes the ejection of the contents of the reservoir tube, the front element of the piston rod also adapting, due to its flexibility, to the curvature of the tube imparted by the meanders of the 'uterus. The sub-assembly of the device, consisting of the reservoir tube and the front section of the rod, not being protected, it must be discarded and replaced after each operation. In a particularly advantageous manner, the device can, in in addition, include a fixing sleeve rigid which can surround the reservoir tube and which has, at one end, means for retaining the nozzle fixed to the front end of the reservoir tube, and at the other end, means for pressing on the front end of the outer body, this sheath favoring the maintenance of the reservoir tube, which is flexible, while it is fixed to the end of the main body, for example by interlocking, while simultaneously ensuring perfect asepsis of the operation .

Furthermore, in the case where a protective sheath is provided, it can very advantageously be arranged around the external body, so as to protrude slightly at the front thereof, by presenting at its front end a rounded inner hem, while it is, moreover, fixed on the same outer body at its opposite end, which allows, when the main body recedes, to fully return the reservoir tube inside this sheath , the hem of the latter avoiding any lesion of the mucosa during introduction into the uterus. Preferably, it can also be provided that the end piece fixed to the end of the reservoir tube has, at the front, a rigid spherical head, which can pass elastically through the hem of the sheath, while its central passage opens out. laterally at the rear of this head, which allows, when the reservoir tube recedes, to place this head in abutment inside the sheath, thus avoiding that, during the crossing of the vagina and the cervix, the the nozzle ejection passage is not blocked by various impurities, such as cervical mucus, for example. In addition, the spherical head, due to its shape, progresses easily and without damage in the uterine lumen.

The object of the invention is also to make it possible to carry out, using the same apparatus, the aspiration sampling in the empty reservoir tube of the suspension containing the embryo (s), and this in an intermediate storage container, without that it is necessary to use other specialized devices for this purpose.

For this purpose, the apparatus according to the invention is, furthermore, characterized in that the flexible front section of the piston rod carries, at its front end, the ejection piston and is separated from the rear section of the rod which is rigid.

Thanks to this arrangement, the subassembly of the device constituted by the reservoir tube and the flexible front section of the rod can be separated from the rest of the device to operate like a syringe for aspirating, in a storage container, the suspension containing the embryo, this sub-assembly then being reattached to the rest of the device to allow introduction and ejection in the manner already indicated.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the apparatus may also comprise a rigid guide sleeve which can surround the reservoir tube and which has, at one end, means for retaining the end of the reservoir tube opposite to that which must receive the tip, this sheath favoring the maintenance of the reservoir tube during the aspiration of the suspension, which avoids, during handling, any twisting which could block the aspiration of the embryo, while ensuring the asepsis of this operation.

• - les fig. 1 à 7 représentent, respectivement, diverses pièces séparées d'un appareil suivant un mode de réalisation particulier conforme à l'invention;
• - les fig. 1 à 13 illustrent différentes phases d'assemblage de ces pièces, correspondant à différentes étapes du mode d'utilisation de l'appareil considéré;
• - les fig. 14 et 15 sont des variantes des pièces des fig. 1 et 6.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, by way of nonlimiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• - figs. 1 to 7 represent, respectively, various separate parts of an apparatus according to a particular embodiment according to the invention;
• - figs. 1 to 13 illustrate different phases of assembly of these parts, corresponding to different stages of the mode of use of the device considered;
• - figs. 14 and 15 are variants of the parts of FIGS. 1 and 6.

The apparatus represented by the figures essentially consists of an external body 1 (fig. 1), a main body 2 (fig. 2), a rigid piston rod element 3 (fig. 3), a reservoir tube 4 (fig. 4), a flexible front section of piston rod 5 (fig. 5), a nozzle 6 for the reservoir tube (fig. 6), and an ejection piston 7 (fig. 7), these various elements, shown separately in Figs. 1 to 7, being, moreover, supplemented by a suction and fixing tube 8 (fig. 8 to 12), a protective sheath 9 (fig. 11 to 13), and finally a clamping screw 10 (fig . 11 to 13).

The outer body 1 is a stainless steel body, hollow and rigid, of generally cylindrical shape, and more particularly constituted by a tube 1 a extending over its entire length and on the rear end 1 b from which is force fitted. a sheath 1c, also made of stainless steel, which has a frustoconical interlocking surface 1 d at the front, converging towards the front and, at the rear, an operating head 1 e, of annular shape, which has a radial tapping 1f also passing through the tube 1a, so as to open into the lumen of the latter, the central portion of this sheath 1c finally connecting it radially and outwards to the frustoconical bearing 1 d by a shoulder 1 g.

The main body 2 (fig. 2) is also formed by a stainless steel body, hollow and rigid, and also of generally cylindrical shape, but more particularly constituted by a tube 2a whose outside diameter corresponds to the inside diameter of the tube 1a, and at the rear end 2b of which is fixed an operating head 2c, of annular shape, and also made of stainless steel, while at its front end, this same tube has three distinct annular grooves separated by two interlocking surfaces frustoconical 2d and 2e, which converge forward and which connect to the grooves behind them by shoulders 2f. The tube 2a is relatively longer than the tube 1a of the outer body, so that when the main body 2 is introduced into this outer body 1, as shown in FIG. 11 - so that the two operating heads 1 and 2c forming abutment means for these two bodies come to bear one on the other -, the front end of the tube 2a, comprising the grooves and frustoconical surfaces, protrudes entirely at the front of the tube 1a from the outer body.

The rear piston rod element 3 (FIG. 3) is also constituted by a hollow and rigid tube 3a, made of stainless steel, on the rear end 3b of which is fixed an operating head of annular shape 3c, also in stainless steel, while at its front end 3d, this tube has a wider bore 3e over a certain length. The outer diameter of this tube 3a corresponds to the inner diameter of the tube 2a of the main body, and its length is somewhat shorter than that of the outer body 1, so that when this rear piston rod element 3 is introduced into the inside the main body 2 until, as also shown in FIG. 11, the two gripping heads 2c and 3c, forming abutment means, come to bear one on the other, the front end of the tube 3 remains slightly set back relative to that of the body 1.

The reservoir tube 4 (fig. 4) is a perfectly cylindrical tube over its entire length, and made of a flexible plastic material, such as flexible polyvinyl chloride. Its outer diameter is substantially equal to that of the main body 2 and its inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the grooves 2g, located at the front end 2h of this tube, so that, as shown in fig. 11, the rear end 4a of the reservoir tube can be fitted elastically over the two frustoconical bearing surfaces 2d and 2e of the main body, until it comes into abutment against the rear shoulder of the rear groove 2g. The length of this tube is provided so as to correspond, on the one hand, to a normal volume of the suspension containing the embryo (s) that this tube must contain, and, on the other hand, to the average length of the genital tract of the female.

The flexible front section of piston rod 5 (fig. 5) consists of a solid rod or a rod, also made of flexible plastic, such as flexible polyvinyl chloride. The diameter of this rod is quite clearly less than the inside diameter of the reservoir tube 4, so that, when this rod is disposed inside this tube, as shown in FIG. 11, there remains a substantial radial clearance between them, this same diameter of the rod corresponding, moreover, very precisely to the diameter of the bore 3e of the rear piston rod element 3, which allows it to be able to come fully engage it, as shown in fig. 11. Finally, the length of this rod is approximately of the same order of magnitude as that of the reservoir tube 4.

The end piece 6 (fig. 6) is a piece of stainless steel, of generally short cylindrical shape and which comprises, at its rear end, a frustoconical interlocking surface 6a, converging towards the rear and separated from the current part cylindrical by a groove 6b, while at its front end is welded a spherical head also made of stainless steel 6c, of slightly larger diameter, a central passage 6d finally extending over the greater part of this endpiece to open axially at the rear, while it opens on the side and at the rear of the spherical head 6c, using a 6th elbow. The diameter of the current part of the end piece corresponds to that of the reservoir tube 4, so that, as still shown in FIG. 11, the front end 4b of this tube can come to fit elastically, over the frustoconical surface 6a, and until it comes into abutment against the front shoulder of the groove 6b.

The piston rod 7 (FIG. 7) is a plastic part, of relatively short cylindrical general shape, comprising at the front a frustoconical head 7a, while at the rear there is arranged axially a blind bore 7b, diameter corresponding to that of the rod 5, so that the front end 5a of the latter can come to fit there, as shown in FIG. 8.

The protective sheath 9 is a thin cylindrical sheath, made of a semi-rigid plastic material, such as semi-rigid polyvinyl chloride. Its diameter corresponds substantially to that of the current part 1 c of the outer body 1, so that, as shown in FIG. 11, this sheath can come to be fixed elastically, by its rear end 9a, over the frustoconical surface 1d of this body, and until it comes into abutment against the head 1e. The length of this sheath is such that, in this latter position, its front end 9b comes substantially at the level of the groove 2g rear of the main body 2, and consequently of the rear edge of the reservoir tube 4 when the latter has come 'fitting over this body 2. This same front end 9b of the sheath has a rounded hem 9c, rounded folded inwards, which comes into contact with said rear edge of the tube 4.

The suction and fixing sleeve 8 (fig. 8) consists of a relatively rigid plastic tube, the length of which is roughly equal to that of the reservoir tube 4, and the current diameter of which is relatively greater than that of this same tube. At one end 8a, this sheath has a cylindrical constriction, with a diameter still greater than that of the tube 4 but corresponding, on the other hand, to that of the hem 9c of the sheath, so that these two parts can bear the one against the other, as shown in fig. 11. At its other end 8b, this sheath has another constriction, of frustoconical shape, the end of which provided with a hem has a diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of the reservoir tube 4, so as to be able to act as a support either to the latter itself (fig. 4), or to the spherical head 6c of its tip (fig. 10 and 11).

As for the screw 10 (fig. 11), it has a threaded portion 10a, which can be screwed into the internal thread 1f of the outer body 1, and an operating head 10b.

• On procède, tout d'abord, à l'aspiration de la suspension contenant le ou les embryons, et déposée dans une coupelle placée sous une loupe binoculaire, à l'aide d'un sous-ensemble de l'appareil, constitué par le tube-réservoir 4, à l'intérieur duquel on a mis en place le jonc 5, portant la tête de piston 7a, ces deux pièces souples étant maintenues à l'aide du fourreau 8, à l'intérieur duquel elles ont précédemment été introduites avec l'extrémité arrière 4a du tube, en regard du rétreint tronconique 8b de ce fourreau.

The apparatus thus described is used in the following manner:

• First of all, the suspension containing the embryo (s) is aspirated and placed in a dish placed under a magnifying glass binocular, using a subset of the device, consisting of the reservoir tube 4, inside which the rod 5 has been put in place, carrying the piston head 7a, these two flexible parts being maintained by means of the sheath 8, inside which they have previously been introduced with the rear end 4a of the tube, opposite the frustoconical constriction 8b of this sheath.

The presence of this rigid sheath avoids, during handling, any twisting which could block the aspiration of the embryo, and above all any contamination.

Without extracting the flexible sub-assembly 4, 5, 7 from the rigid sheath 8, the operator positions, using sterilized forceps, the end piece 6 terminated by its spherical head 6c, at the front end 4b of the tube 4, the fixing being done by elastic fitting of the tube 4 on the frustoconical surface 6a (fig. 9).

Still using the sterilized forceps, the operator then extracts the flexible sub-assembly 4, 5, 7, now fitted with its tip 6, out of the rigid sheath 8.

Again using the same sterilized forceps, the operator introduces the sub-assembly into the same rigid sheath 8, but this time by its opposite end, so that the end piece 6 comes to rest, by its spherical head 6a, against the hem of the frustoconical constriction 8b of this sheath (fig. 10).

The operator then brings the flexible sub-assembly, held by the rigid sheath, facing the rest of the apparatus consisting of the sheath 9, the external body 1, the main body 2 and the piston rod 3, already introduced respectively. one inside the other, and in support, by their operating heads, as shown in fig. 11, the screw 10, which is fixed in the head 1 of the external body, also passing through a hole 2i in the main body to come to bear at its end on the piston rod 3, which ensures the assembly of the assembly. Using the sheath 8, which came to bear on the hem 9c of the sheath 9, the operator guides the rear end 4a of the reservoir tube on the frustoconical surfaces 2d and 2e of the main body, up to ensure elastic fitting of this tube on this body (fig. 11).

By a slight rotational movement of the piston rod 3, using its head 3c, the operator ensures the engagement of the rod 5 of the flexible sub-assembly in the bore 3e, formed at the end of this piston rod, so that all of these two parts, rod 5 and rigid rod 3, allow the expulsion of the embryo preservation suspension, as described below.

The operator then loosens the locking screw 10 and vigorously moves the head 2c back from the main body, which therefore simultaneously drives the head 1 from the external body, until the spherical head 6a of the nozzle is brought into close contact inside. of the hem 9c of the sheath, which ensures a perfect seal, preventing the rise of vaginal mucus and cervical mucus during the introduction. During the sudden backward movement, the rigid sheath 8 is completely released and therefore falls back down (fig. 12). The operator then re-blocks the screw 10, then proceeds to introduce the entire device in this position, through the vagina and the cervix, until its front end has passed the latter.

Once the rigid end of the device (constituted by the front end of the external body 1 inside which has come back the end piece 6 of the reservoir tube) suitably positioned in the desired uterine horn, the operator releases the screw 10 and very gently pushes, using its head 2c, the main body 2 which carries, on its front end, the reservoir tube 4, in a forward movement, and this as much as necessary so that the nozzle 6 and its lateral ejection orifice 6e reach the optimal ejection position. During this forward movement, the flexibility of the flexible sub-assembly 4.5 makes it possible to follow the meanders and the curvature of the uterine horn. In this desired ejection position, the operator then moves the maneuvering head 3c of the piston rod forwards, a head which had hitherto remained in the recoil position, this latter advance movement displacing the assembly of the piston rod constituted by its rigid section 3 and its flexible section 5, which causes, using the piston head 7, the ejection of the suspension and the embryo at the desired location (fig . 13).

In the variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the body 1 and the sheath 9 of the embodiment described above are replaced by a single piece constituted by a modification of the external body (fig. 14). This body 1 'differs by the presence of a small metal sleeve 9' which is forcibly engaged on the free end of the tube (opposite its head 1e). This metal sleeve extends over a length which is of the order of magnitude of its outside diameter and successively presents, in the direction of the free end, a divergent frustoconical surface with a very slight slope 9'a, then a clearly rounded fillet shorter 9'b which is flush with the edge of the tube 1 '. This sleeve has an outer surface which is carefully polished, while it is also glued, also carefully, on the end of the tube 1 '. This sleeve, projecting from the tube, aims to advantageously replace the rounded hem 9c of the sheath 9 used in the previous embodiment, as will be described later.

As shown in fig. 15, the nozzle 6 of FIG. 6 is, in the present variant, replaced by a tip 6 'which differs from it only in that the spherical head 6c is here replaced by an end 6'a of the tip itself, integrally formed with it and having a pear or shell shape, that is to say successively in the direction of its free end, a bead 6'b of diameter slightly greater than that of the cylindrical body of the end piece, a converging frustoconical part 6 'c and a 6' spherical cap end. Apart from this modification, the endpiece 6 'has the same structure as the endpiece of FIG. 6 (socket 6a, groove 6b and central passage 6d), as well as the tube 1 'of fig. 14 which also presents the other elements of the tube of the external body of FIG. 1 (socket 1 d and head 1 e).

The apparatus comprising these variants of the external body and of the end-piece is used in a manner analogous to that of the apparatus of the previous embodiment, with the only following differences: no sheath is of course mounted on the external body 1 ', and when the operator brings the flexible sub-assembly held by the rigid sheath 8, the latter sheath comes to rest on the front rounded 9'b of the added sleeve 9' (and no longer on the hem 9c of sheath). In addition, when the operator rolls back the main body 2 by pulling on his head 2c, the shell-shaped head 6 ′ a of the nozzle 6 ′ comes to engage inside the end of the body outside 1 '(as in the previous embodiment, the spherical head 6a came into contact inside the hem 9c of the sheath), so as to ensure a perfect seal preventing the rise of vaginal mucus and cervical mucus .
perfect preventing the rise of vaginal mucus and cervical mucus.

Claims (15)

1. An apparatus for transferring animal reproduction elements, by mechanical ejection, of the type comprising a hollow and rigid main body (2) which is generally cylindrical and at one end of which there is secured a flexible tube (4) which extends the said body (2) towards the exterior, this tube having to serve as a reservoir for the reproduction elements, whilst this main body (2) receives internally, at its other end, a piston rod (3, 5) with which there is associated a sliding piston (7), the free end of the reservoir tube (4) further comprising an ejection terminal (6) having an axial passage, this rigid main body (2) being surrounded by a second rigid body (1 ), characterized in that the main body (2) is capable of sliding inside the said second body which is approximately the same length as the latter, whilst the piston rod (3, 5) comprises a front section (5) which is flexible and whose length is at least equal to that of the reservoir tube (4).

2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the outer body (1) and the main body (2) both have at their rear end stop means (1 e, 2c), and it is when these stop means (1 e, 2c) abut one another that the reservoir tube (4) projects almost completely forwards.

3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that when the rear stop means (1 e, 2c) abut one another, the main body (2) projects at the front of the outer body (1) over a section having a frustoconical encasement surface (2d, 2e) on which the rear end (4a) of the reservoir tube (4) can engage.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises a rigid securing sheath (8) which can surround the reservoir tube (4) and which has at one end means (8b) for retaining the terminal (6) fixed at the front end (4b) of the reservoir tube (4) and, at the other end, means (8a) for bearing on the front end (1, 9b) of the outer body (1).

5. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the event of a protection sheath (9) being provided, the latter is disposed around the outer body (1) so as to project slightly at the front thereof by comprising, at its front end, a rounded, internal rim (9b), whilst it is further secured on the same outer body (1) at its opposite end (9a).

6. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that the internal diameter of the rim (9b) of the sheath (9) corresponds to the external diameter of the reservoir tube (4) and its terminal (6).

7. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, characterized in thattheterminal (6) secured atthe end of the reservoir tube (4) has at the front a rigid spherical head (6c) which can pass resiliently through the rim (9b) of the sheath (9) whilst its central passage (6d) opens out laterally (6e) atthe rear of this head.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the terminal (6) has at the rear a section (6a) with a frustoconical encasement surface on which the front end (4b) of the reservoir tube (4) engages.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the flexible front section (5) ofthe piston rod (3, 5) bears at its front end the ejection piston (7) and is separate from the rear section (3) of the rod which is rigid.

10. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that the main body (2) and the piston rod (3, 5) both have at their rear end stop means (2c, 3c); and in that the piston (7) is located at the front of the reservoir tube (4) when these stop means (2c, 3c) abut one another.

11. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the rear section (3) of the piston rod (3, 5) has at its front end (3d) a blind bore (3e) which can receive the rear end of the front section (5).

12. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it further comprises a rigid guide sheath (8) which surrounds the reservoir tube (4) and which has at one end means (8b) for retaining the end (4a) of the reservoir tube (4) opposite the end (4b) which is to receive the terminal (6).

13. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 when Claim 9 depends on Claim 4, characterized in that the guide sheath and the securing sheath form a single part (8).

14. An apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer body (1) has at its front end an outer, radially projecting section (9').

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