FR2510393A1 - APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ANIMAL REPRODUCTIVE ELEMENTS, SUCH AS EMBRYOS - 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

Apparatus for transferring animal reproduction elements,

such as embryos.

  The present invention relates to devices for transferring animal reproductive elements, such as embryos (from a donor female donor and

  to be placed in a carrier female) or se-

  animal origin (taken from a male for the purpose of

  artificial). It concerns more particularly the

  of the purely mechanical ejection type, comprising a

  hollow and rigid main body, generally cylindrical in shape

  that at one end of which may be attached a flexible tube,

  to serve as a reservoir for the reproductive elements,

  say that it receives internally, at its other end, a piston rod which is associated with a sliding piston, the free end of the reservoir tube further comprising an axial passage ejection nozzle, the body being able to in addition, to be advantageously surrounded externally, on to

  least a large part of its length, by a protective sheath

  tector fixed on him, that one changes with each operation,

  This avoids sterilization of the device.

  In known devices of this type, for example, by the French patents of applicants 76 21 438

  80 04 607, that these devices are used for the transfer of

  or embryo transfer, the reservoir tube is housed, for the greater part of its length, inside the

  rigid body, and the piston is directly actuated by the former

  stem end of which the length is approximately equal to

  that of the body (like that of the sheath

  when it is provided, in which case the tip is, in addition, interposed between the end of the reservoir tube and that of the sheath, both of which slightly protrude from the body). More particularly, in the case of an embryo transfer (patent 80 04 607), the axial passage of the tip has, beyond -2-

  fixing area on the reservoir tube, an integrated surface

  as smooth as possible to avoid any risk of

  injury of the embryo during its ejection.

  Nevertheless, in all cases, the entire apparatus is rigid over its entire length and all

  rod and piston serves at least to push back the elements of re-

  production in the uterus of the female reproductive, in the case of seed, in that of the female carrier, in the case of an embryo This same rod and piston assembly may, moreover, have already been used, in addition, to the aspiration of the

  seed in a particular embodiment of the first case.

  However, in general, in either case, it is a reservoir tube previously filled with seed, or a

  suspension containing the embryo, and generally stored under

  frigeration, after removal from the male or the female

  producer, which is attached to the body of the apparatus, a tamper

  In any case, in either case, the free end of this apparatus should, in principle, be introduced beyond the vagina. cervix, as far as possible within the uterus of the animal, to ensure

  a deep deposit of the seed or embryo and thus,

  to cilitate reproduction or nesting.

  time, that the uterine lining is extremely fragile (par-

  especially in the case of an embryo transfer which should normally take place outside the estrus period), so that these known devices may, because of their rigid end, cause damage to this mucosa

  with all the consequences that entails.

  Moreover, in the particular case of embryo transfer, the known devices (for example, the aforementioned patent 80 04 607) in fact only allow the establishment of the embryo in the carrier female, the collection

  breeding female using an apparatus

  completely separate and operating a whole other type, since by fluid circulation (such as that

  described in French patent applicants 80 04 606).

  The placing device must-compulsorily receive a

  tube-tank already filled by the embryo suspension.

  The present invention is mainly for

  to minimize the risk of injury to the machine.

  uterine sex drive and, for that purpose, its purpose is to

  transfer element of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the rigid main body is surrounded by a second non-rigid body

  flexible, inside which the main body can slide

  ser and which is 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 tube-

  tank. With this arrangement, when the outer body is positioned to normally surround the main body, the filled reservoir tube can be attached to the front end of this main body and then backed up.

  this same main body with respect to the outer body, jus-

  that the reservoir tube has almost completely

  penetrated inside the outer body, making the ex-

  front end of the device rigid enough for him

  to easily cross the vagina and especially the cer-

  of the female carrier, following which we can

  push forward the main body, so as to introduce

  gradually draw the reservoir tube into the

  rine, and this easily and without damage to the mucosa of it, despite the meandering that presented this light,

  since the reservoir tube can be perfectly adapted

  bending thanks to its flexibility, the transfer being completed by a push of the rod-piston (which had previously moved back with the main body) which

  mechanically causes the ejection of the contents of the tube-reservoir

  see, the front element of the rod-piston also adapting, because of its flexibility, to the curvature of the tube imparted by -4- the meanders of the uterus The subset of the apparatus, constituted by the tube-tank and the forward section of the rod, not being protected, must be discarded and replaced after

each operation.

  In a particularly advantageous manner,

  the apparatus may further comprise a fixing sheath

  stiffness that can surround the reservoir tube and that pre-

  at one end, retaining means for holding the endpiece

  attached to the front end of the reservoir tube, and to the other end

  tremité, means of support on the front end of the body

  outside, this sleeve promotes the maintenance of the tube-reservoirs

  see, which is flexible, while it is fixed at the end of

  main body, for example by interlocking, while ensuring

  at the same time, a perfect asepsis of the operation.

  Furthermore, in the case where a protective sheath is provided, it can very advantageously be arranged around the outer body, so as to protrude slightly in front of the latter, presenting at its front end an inner hem. rounded, while it is, moreover, fixed on the same external body at its opposite end, which allows, during the decline of the

  main body, to completely return the tube-reservoir-

  see inside this sheath, the hem of the latter avoiding any lesion of the mucosa during introduction into the uterus Preferably, it can also be expected that the tip attached to the end of the tube- present tank, to

  the front, a rigid spherical head, which can cross elas-

  the hem of the sheath, while its central passage

  tral opens laterally to the back of this head, which allows, during the recoil of the reservoir tube, come to place this head in support of the inside of the sheath, thus avoiding that during the crossing of the vagina and cervix the ejection passage of the mouthpiece is not obstructed 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.

-5-

  The invention also aims to

  use the same apparatus to draw suction from the empty reservoir tube of the suspension containing the embryo or embryos in an intermediate storage container without the need to call

  to other specialized devices for this purpose.

  For this purpose, the apparatus according to the invention

  Furthermore, 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.

  With this arrangement, the subset of the apparatus constituted by the reservoir tube and the flexible front stem section, may be separated from the rest of the apparatus to operate as a syringe to suck, in a storage container, the suspension containing the embryo,

  this subset is then re-attached to the rest of the

  to allow the introduction and ejection of the material

already indicated.

  In a particularly advantageous manner, the apparatus may furthermore comprise a rigid guiding sheath which can surround the tank-tank and which has, at one end, means for retaining the end of the tank-tube opposite to that which is to receive the tip, this sheath promoting the maintenance of the reservoir tube during

  aspiration of the suspension, which avoids, in the course of

  pulation, any torsion likely to block the suction of

  the embryo, while ensuring the asepsis of this operation.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will emerge from the description which follows, at

  As a non-limitative example, and with reference to the

nexes on which

  Figures 1 to 7 represent, respectively,

  various parts of an apparatus according to a particular embodiment according to the invention; Figures 1 to 13 illustrate different

  phases of assembly of these parts, corresponding to different

  -6- rentes stages of the mode of use of the apparatus considered; Figs. 14 and 15 are variants of

parts of Figs 1 and 6.

  The apparatus represented by the figures essentially consists of a main body 1 (FIG. 1), an outer body 2 (FIG. 2), a rigid piston rod element 3 (FIG. 3), and a reservoir tube 4 (FIG. 4), a flexible front section of the piston rod 5 (Fig 5), a nozzle 6 for the reservoir tube (Fig 6), and an ejector piston 7 (Fig 7), these various elements, shown separately on Figs.

  1 to 7, being, moreover, supplemented by a suction tube

  8 and 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 extending along its entire length and on the rear end lb which is force-fitted, a sleeve Ic, also in

  stainless steel, which has a front surface

  a truncated cone ld, converging forwards, and at the rear, a maneuvering head, of annular shape, which has a radial tapping lf also passing through the tube la, so as to emerge in the light of the latter, the central portion of this sleeve lc finally connecting it, radially and outward to the tapered scope id

by a shoulder lg.

  The main body 2 (FIG. 2) is also formed by a hollow and rigid stainless steel body, and

  also of cylindrical general shape, but more particularly

  firstly constituted by a tube 2a whose outer diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the tube la, and the rear end 2b of which is fixed a maneuvering head 2c, of annular shape, and also stainless steel, while 'at its front end, this same tube has three throats

  separate rings separated by two nested

  2 d and 2 e, which converge towards the front and which are connected to the grooves situated behind them, by shoulders 2 f The tube 2 a 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 heads of

  1 and 2 c forming abutment means for these two bodies bear against one another, the front end of the tube 2 having the grooves and frustoconical surfaces, make

  fully protruding at the front of the tube la of 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 annular shaped operating head, and also in stainless steel, 3c, while at the end

  before 3 d, this tube has a certain length

  Wider Wider 3 The outer diameter of this tube 3 has

  corresponds to the inside diameter of the tube 2 a of the main body, and its length is somewhat shorter than that of the outer body 1, so that when this rear element of

  piston rod 3 is introduced into the main body

  pal 2 until, as also shown in Fig 11, the two gripping heads 2c and 3c, forming abutment means, abut one on the other, the front end of the tube 3 remains slightly recessed relative to that of the body 1 The reservoir tube 4 (Fig 4) is a perfectly cylindrical tube along its entire length, and made of a flexible plastic material, such as soft polyvinyl chloride Its outer diameter is substantially equal to that of the main body 2 and its inside diameter

  substantially equal to the diameter of the grooves 2 g, located in the ex-

  tremité before 2 h of this tube, so that, as shown in Fig 11, the rear end 4a of the reservoir tube -8- come to fit resiliently over the two frustoconical bearing surfaces 2 d and 2nd of the main body, up to

  abut against the rear shoulder of the arcing throat

  The length of this tube is intended to correspond, on the one hand, to a normal volume of the suspension containing the embryo or embryos 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 rod, also

  flexible plastic material, such as polychloride

  soft vinyl The diameter of this ring is quite distinct

  less than the inside diameter of the reservoir tube 4, of

  However, when this rod is disposed inside this tube, as shown in FIG. 11, there remains between them a significant radial clearance, this same diameter of the rod corresponding, moreover, very precisely to the diameter of the bore. 3 e of the piston rod rear element 3, which allows it to be able to engage fully, as shown again

  Fig Il The length of this ring is finally approximate-

  of the same order of magnitude as that of the tank-tube 4.

  The end piece 6 (FIG. 6) is a piece of stainless steel, with a generally short cylindrical shape.

  and which has at its rear end a truncated surface

  conical interlock 6a, converging towards the rear and

  adorned with the cylindrical running portion by a groove 6b, while at its front end is welded a head

  spherical also in stainless steel 6 c, diameter

  significantly larger, a central passage 6 d finally extending

  on most of this tip to lead axially

  back, while it opens on the side and

  the back of the spherical head 6c, using a 6 th elbow.

  The diameter of the current part of the tip corresponds to

  that of the reservoir tube 4, so that, as shown in

  11, the front end 4b of this tube, can come -9s'emboîter resiliently, over the frustoconical surface 6a, and to abut against the shoulder before the

the throat 6 b.

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

  fit in, as shown in Fig 8.

  The protective sheath 9 is a cylindrical sheath

  thin gauge, made of a plastic material

  semi-rigid, such as semi-rigid polyvinyl chloride.

  Its diameter corresponds substantially to that of the part

  current 1c of the outer body 1, so that, like the

  FIG 11 again, this sheath can be fixed elastically

  by its rear end 9a, over the top

  frustoconical face ld of this body, and up to abut against the head the length of this sheath is such that, in this last position, its front end 9b comes

  substantially at the level of the groove 2 g rear of the main body

  cipal 2, and therefore the rear edge of the reservoir tube 4

  when it came to fit over this body 2.

  This same front end 9b of the sheath has a rounded hem 9c, rounded folded inwards, which comes into

  contact on said rear edge of the tube 4.

  The suction sleeve and fixation 8

  (FIG. 8) consists of a plastic tube

  latively rigid, whose length is approximately equal to that of the tuberéservoir 4, and whose current diameter is relatively larger than that of the same tube At one end 8a, this sleeve has a cylindrical necking,

  of diameter still greater than that of tube 4 but corresponding

  laying, on the other hand, that of the hem 9c of the sheath, so that these two parts can be supported one -

  against the other, as shown in Fig. 11

  8, this sheath has another narrowing, frustoconical shape, the end with a hem has a

  diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of the tube-reservoir

  see 4, so as to be able to support either the latter itself (Fig 4) or the spherical head 6 c of its tip

(Figs 10 and 11).

  As for the screw 10 (FIG. 11), it has a threaded part i O a which can be screwed into the thread lf

  outer body 1, and a maneuvering head lob.

  The device thus described, is used of -

  following procedure: Firstly, the suspension containing the embryo (s) is aspirated and placed in a cup placed under a binocular microscope, using

  a subset of the apparatus, constituted by the tube-reservoir

  see 4, inside which we put in place the rod 5, carrying the piston head 7a, these two flexible parts being held by thefourreau 8, inside which they were previously introduced with the rear end 4 a

  of the tube, opposite the frustoconical narrowing 8b of this sheath.

  The presence of this rigid sheath avoids, during handling, any torsion likely to block

  aspiration of the embryo, and especially any contamination.

  Without extracting the flexible subassembly 4-5-7 out of the rigid sleeve 8, the operator positions, using

  sterilized forceps the tip 6 terminated by its spherical head

  6c, at the front end 4b of the tube 4, the fixing being done by elastic interlocking of the tube 4 on the surface

frustoconical 6a (Fig 9).

  Still using the sterilized forceps, the operator then extracts the flexible sub-assembly 4-5-7,

  now provided with its tip 6, out of the rigid sheath 8.

  Again using the same sterilized forceps, the operator introduces the subassembly in the same rigid sheath 8, but this time by its opposite end, of I 1 -

  way that the tip 6 comes to rest, by its spherical head

  6 a, against the hem of the frustoconical constriction 8 b of this

sleeve (Fig 10).

  The operator then brings the flexible subassembly, held by the rigid sleeve, facing the rest of the apparatus constituted by the sheath 9, the outer body 1, the main body 2 and the piston rod 3, already introduced respectively. one inside the other, and supported, by their actuating heads, as shown in Fig 11, the screw 10, which is fixed in the head of the outer body, also passing through a hole 2 i the main body to come to rest by its end on the piston rod 3, which ensures the joining of the assembly With the sheath

  8, which came to rest on the hem 9c of the sheath 9, the operation

  A guide guides the rear end 4a of the reservoir tube to the frustoconical surfaces 2d and 2e of the main body, to ensure an elastic interlocking of this tube on this body.

(Fig 11).

  By a slight rotational movement of the piston rod 3, with its head 3c, the operator ensures the engagement of the rod 5 of the flexible sub-assembly in the bore 3 e, formed at the end of this piston rod, so that

  all of these two parts, rod 5 and rigid rod 3, allow

  expel the suspension of preservation of the

bryon, as described later.

  The operator loosens the locking screw

  10 cage and strongly backs the head 2 c of the main body, which therefore simultaneously drives the head of the outer body, to bring the spherical head 6 has the tip in contact

  narrow inside the hem 9c of the sheath, which

  sure a perfect seal, prohibiting the rise of -

  Vaginal mucus and cervical mucus during the introduction.

  During the abrupt recoil movement, the rigid sheath 8

  is completely released and therefore falls (Fig 12).

  then re-locks the screw 10, then proceeds to

  12 - troduction of the entire apparatus in this position, through the vagina and cervix, until its end

before he passed the latter.

  Once the rigid end of the apparatus (constituted by the front end of the outer body 1 to the in-

  from which came back the tip 6 of the tube-reservoir-

  see) suitably positioned in the uterine horn desired, the operator releases the screw 10 and pushes very gently, using his head 2 c, the outer body 2 which carries, on its

  front end, the tank tube 4, in a movement of advance

  and as much as necessary for the tip 6 and its lateral ejection port 6 e reach the optimal ejection position During this advance movement, the flexibility of the flexible subassembly 4-5 can track the meanders and the curvature of the uterine horn In this desired ejection position, the operator then moves forward the actuating head 3 c of the piston rod, head which had previously remained in the recoil position, this last advance movement moving the entire rod-piston constituted by its rigid section 3 and its flexible section 5, which causes, with the help of the piston head 4, the ejection of the suspension and

  embryo at the desired location (Fig 13).

  In the embodiment variant illustrated

  14 and 15, the body 1 and the sheath 9 of the embodiment

  tion previously described are replaced by a single piece formed by a modification i 'of the outer body (Fig 14) This body 1' differs by the presence of a small sleeve 9 'metal which is engaged by force on the free end of the tube (opposite to its head) This metal sleeve extends over a length that is of the order of magnitude of

  its outer diameter and presents successively, direc-

  the free end, a divergent frustoconical surface with very small slope 9 'a, then a rounded fillet much more

  short 9 'b which comes flush with the edge of the tube 1' This man-

  chon has an outer surface that is carefully 13 -

  polished, while it is also glued, also from

  carefully, on the end of the tube 1 'This sleeve, dis-

  projecting on the tube, is intended to replace

  the rounded hem 9 c of the sheath 9 used in the previous embodiment, as will be described later. As shown in Fig 15, the tip 6 of

  FIG. 6 is, in the present variant, replaced by a

  end 6 'which differs only in that the spherical head

  6 c is here replaced by an end 6 'a of the mouthpiece itself

  same material coming with it, and having a shape of pear or shells, that is to say successively towards its free end, a bead 6 'd of diameter slightly greater than that of the cylindrical body of the mouthpiece, part

  convergent frustoconical 6 'c and a spherical cap end

  6 'd Apart from this modification, the tip 6' pre-

  it has the same structure as the end piece of FIG. 6 (interlocking 6a, groove 6b and central passage 6d), as well as the tube 1 'of FIG. 14 which also has the other elements of the tube of FIG. outer body of Fig 1 (interlocking

ld and head the).

  The apparatus comprising these variants of the outer body and the end piece is used in a manner similar to that of the apparatus of the previous embodiment with only the following differences: no sheath is of course mounted on the outer body 1 and when the operator brings the flexible subassembly held by the rigid sleeve 8, the latter sleeve bears on the rounded front 9 'b of the

  reported sleeve 9 '(and no longer on the hem 9 c of the sheath).

  In addition, when the operator moves back the main body 2

  by pulling on its head 2c, the shell-shaped head 6 'has

  6 'end is engaged inside the end of the outer body 1' (as in the previous embodiment the spherical head 6 has come into contact inside the hem 9 c of the sheath) , so as to ensure a perfect seal

  prohibiting the return of vaginal mucus and mucus cer-

Vical. 14 -

Claims (8)

A device for transferring animal reproduction elements, mechanical ejection, of the type comprising a hollow and rigid main body (2), of generally cylindrical shape, at one end of which can be fixed a flexible tube (4) in front of serve as a reservoir for the reproduction elements, while it receives internally, at its other end, a piston rod (3-5) to which is associated a sliding piston (7), the free end of the reservoir tube (4) further comprising an axial passage ejection nozzle (6), characterized in that the rigid main body (2) is surrounded by a second non-flexible body (1) within which the main body (2) slidably, and which is approximately the same length as the latter, while the piston rod (3-5) is flexible and comprises a front section which has a length at least equal to that of the tube-tube; tank (4).   2) Apparatus according to claim 1,   characterized in that the outer body (1) and the main body   cipal (2) both have at their rear end stop means (1c, 2c), and it is when these abutment means   (1c, 2c) are supported that the reservoir tube (4) makes practical   fully protruding at the front.   ) Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the rear stop means (1c, 2c) are in abutment, the main body (2) projects in front of the outer body (1), on a section with frustoconical interlocking surface (2 d-2 e) on which can engage   the rear end (4a) of the reservoir tube (4).   4) Apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises, in   in addition, a rigid fixing sleeve (8) which can surround the tank (4) and which has, at one end, means (8b) for retaining the tip (6) fixed to the front end (4). b) the tank (4), and at the other end, - means (8a) of support on the front end (1, 9b) of the body outside (1).    ) Agareil according to any of the   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the case where   a protective sheath (9) is provided, which is provided   around the outer body (1) so as to lightly   protruding at the front of it, by presenting, to its ex-   front end, a rounded inside hem (9b), while attached to the same outer body   (1), at its opposite end (9a).   6) Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the inside diameter of the hem (9b)   the sheath (9) corresponds to the outside diameter of the tube   tank (4) and its mouthpiece (6).   7) Apparatus according to any one of the reventications 5 and 6, characterized in that the tip (6) attached to the end of the reservoir tube (4) has, at the front, a rigid spherical head (6 c ) that can elastically cross the hem (9b) of the sheath (9), while its central passage   (6 d) opens laterally (6 th) at the back of this head.   8) Apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tip (6)   at the rear, a section with a truncated interlocking surface   taper (6 a) on which the front end (4 b) of the reservoir tube (4).   9) Apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the front section   flexible (5) of the piston rod (3-5) carries, at its end   before, the ejector piston (7) and is separated from the arti-   (3) of the rod which is rigid.   16 - O) Apparatus according to 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 (2 c, 3 c) are in support.   ) Apparatus according to any one of   Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the section   (3) of the piston rod (3-5) has at its end   before (3 d) a blind bore (2 e) which can receive the end   rear section of the front section (5).   12) Apparatus according to any one of   claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises, in   in addition, a rigid guiding sheath (8) which surrounds the tube   reservoir (4) and which has at one end means (8b) for retaining the end (4a) of the reservoir tube (4) opposite   to that (4b) which must receive the tip (6).   Apparatus according to claim 12 when claim 9 is dependent on claim 4, characterized in that the guide sleeve and the sleeve   fasteners constitute one and the same piece (8).   14) Apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer body   (1) has at its front end a portion of outer radial tie (9 ').