WO2017213595A1

WO2017213595A1 - Vaccinator and method for mass vaccination of chicks

Info

Publication number: WO2017213595A1
Application number: PCT/TR2016/050166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sarper SOYLU; Resat ULTAV
Original assignee: Rta Laboratuvarlari Biyolojik Ürünler Ilac Ve Makine San. Tic. A. S.
Priority date: 2016-06-06
Filing date: 2016-06-06
Publication date: 2017-12-14

Abstract

The present invention proposes a pneumatic vaccinator system for subcutaneous mass vaccination into necks of day-old chicks, provided with a vaccination zone comprising a back sensor for detecting the proximity of back of a chick, and a switch controlling the process of vaccination; wherein the vaccinator further comprises a first position sensor for simultaneously detecting the position of the top of the head of the chick; and in use, the switch effectuates the vaccination process upon a signal based on data simultaneously provided by the back sensor and the first position sensor, confirming that the chick is in a correct position for vaccination. The present invention further proposes a related method of mass vaccination.

Description

VACCINATOR AND METHOD FOR MASS VACCINATION OF CHICKS Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pneumatic vaccinator system for subcutaneous mass vaccination of day-old chicks; and a related method.

Background of the Invention

The presently available vaccinator systems for subcutaneous mass vaccination of day-old chicks, and available methods related therewith, have several drawbacks.

With the available systems, is difficult to precisely follow the remaining amount of vaccines in respective reservoirs, since fool-proof and accurate injection cannot be ensured due to present ergonomic properties of said systems. Unwanted triggering of injection process may be effectuated by accidental touching to vaccination zones, and seriously threatens the health of a respective operator by injection into her finger or hand. Therefore the presently available systems should be re-evaluated also in terms of work safety.

Furthermore, rearranging dosages or sequences for water-based and/or oil-based vaccines is rather cumbersome in the presently available systems. Therefore increased flexibility should be sought for minimizing operational costs.

The systems in use necessitate repetitive disassembling and assembling of the oil- based vaccines injectors at every update of planned oil-based vaccine dose. This corresponds to inflexibility due to operational steps requiring halting of vaccinator systems at such changes.

Therefore it is a need to develop an inventive concept for eliminating such drawbacks of such systems and related mass vaccination methods.

Objects of the Invention

Primary object of the present invention is to overcome the abovementioned shortcomings of the prior art.

Further objects of the present invention are provision of: a flexible vaccinator system with precise and consistent estimation of volumetric loading of the vaccine reservoir required for mass vaccination of a pre-determined number of chicks; enhanced work safety and security; enhanced working speed by proper organization of injector(s) and injection sequences; a lean and ergonomic vaccination system; and a related method.

Summary of the Invention

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention proposes a pneumatic vaccinator system for subcutaneous mass vaccination of day-old chicks, provided with a vaccination zone comprising a back sensor for detecting a back portion of a chick, and a switch for controlling the process of vaccination; wherein the vaccinator further comprises a first position sensor for simultaneously detecting the position of the top of the head of the chick. The system according to the present invention is arranged such that in use, the switch effectuates the vaccination process upon a signal based on data simultaneously provided by the back sensor and the first position sensor, said data confirming that the chick is in a correct position for vaccination.

This provides a precise and consistent estimation of volumetric loading of the vaccine reservoir required for mass vaccination of a pre-determined number of chicks.

The back sensor may be a button or a touch sensor which produces a signal confirming the position of the back portion of a chick without requiring discomfortable amounts of pressure to be applied to the chick. Since the day-old chicks are highly delicate, this feature is very helpful for their comfort. Also the operator can easily and accurately vaccinate chicks in a very short time just by taking them and placing to the vaccination zone. Therefore the system is ergonomic for both operators and chicks to be vaccinated.

The system preferably further comprises a second position sensor for simultaneously detecting the position of occipital region of the chick, wherein, in use, the switch effectuates the vaccination process upon a confirmation signal based on data simultaneously provided by the back sensor, the first position sensor and second position sensor, confirming that the chick is in a correct position for vaccination.

In a preferred embodiment, the switch effectuates the vaccination process only upon said confirmation signal based on data simultaneously provided by said sensors, confirming that the chick is in a correct position for vaccination. Unwanted triggering of the injection process threatening the health of an operator by injection into her hands is thus prevented in case of accidental touching onto the vaccination zone; and work safety is provided.

The vaccinator preferably comprises an opening located between the back sensor and the second position sensor, and in use, the vaccination process comprises a step where an injector needle projects from the opening. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the system comprises a first injector preferably for administration of water-based vaccines, and a second injector preferably for administration of oil-based vaccines. The second injector is preferably connected to the first injector, such that when an oil-based vaccine is to be administered to a chick, the second injector transfers the vaccine to the injector needle through the first injector. In this case, the system can be embodied in a lean fashion, which is capable to work with only one needle for administering water based and/or oil based vaccines, notwithstanding the vaccines being water-based or oil-based. This feature renders the vaccinator system highly flexible in operational terms.

Preferably, the dosage to be administered by the first injector and the second injector are checked by respective position detectors detecting the position of a moving part (e.g. plunger) of each injector. Preferably, the system generates a warning signal in case where the dosage volume information related to said position detectors at an injection differs from an intended dosage volume to be administered. This provides instant information for operator on dosage failures, and also accurate prediction of required total volume of vaccine or of a treatable total number of chicks, at a mass vaccination. The switch preferably comprises a button for being activated by an operator, and the vaccination is effectuated only when the signal is provided at a time where the button is activated. Preferably, the back sensor comprises a tactile switch. The back sensor may serve as the button, to be operated by manually positioning the back portion of a chick thereonto. By arranging the opening (and therefore the injector position) in proximity of the button, back sensor or tactile switch, activation thereof can be considered as a confirmation of an injection for keeping ensured about that the vaccination system and process are up and running without problem.

In a preferred embodiment, the switch further comprises a visual and/or audible warning message generator which, in use, generates a warning message if the button is activated without confirmation signal.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the first position sensor or second position sensor comprises an electro-optical sensor.

The system according to the present invention may comprise a counter for recording the number of vaccinated chicks for a time period. Such counter facilitates determining the time for running out of a certain amount of vaccine loaded into a respective vaccine reservoir of the system. The counter may also record vaccine type/brand/serial number etc. for tracking of inventory of vaccines in respective facilities.

The system may also comprise an operator identity recognition and recording unit, (e.g. a number pad, a barcode or QR code reader, an NFC unit, a magnetic card reader etc.) for entering information related to respective operators before and after an operating period. This enables tracking of productivity of operators, and also prevention of use of the system by unauthorized individuals; thus also enhanced security is achieved.

With the system according to the present invention, the deviation in vaccine consumption in mass vaccination from estimated values thereof is reduced to about ±5 doses in every 2000 doses, thanks to improved accuracy in subcutaneous administration of fluids into chicks' necks. Furthermore, health conditions of chicks are rendered more foreseeable thanks to accurate vaccination.

The system according to the present invention preferably comprises a PCB card having a recorded algorithm which, in use, runs according to the algorithm separate (or individual), simultaneous or sequential administration of water based and oil based vaccines to chicks. Thereby requirement of plural injector needles is eliminated in simultaneous administration of aqueous and oil based vaccines. This provides full dose administration of vaccines having different polarity, without leaking out of the tissues of chicks; enables quicker sequential vaccination with vaccines of different polarity at a single penetration of a single injector needle.

Injector response times (or lags) at the system can be arrangeable to desired values, e.g. to a range between 100 ms and 250 ms (instead of about 300 ms at prior art vaccinators, which results in a sum about 600 ms in case of sequential administrations of aqueous and oil based vaccines to a chick). This enables mass vaccination of chicks in a short time period. The injector response times can be arranged in a remote controlled fashion. The PCB card may be arranged also for functioning in remote controlled arrangement of the injector response times.

The system according to the present invention comprises a needle projection adjusting unit for digitally adjusting injector projection length from the opening. Thus, penetration depth of the injector at vaccination can easily be adjusted without requiring any disassembling step. The needle projection adjusting unit may be arranged such that it is remote controlled. The PCB card may be arranged also for functioning in remote control of the needle projection adjusting unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises an automatic disinfector which is controlled in accordance with the data produced by the counter, for periodical disinfection of the vaccination zone. The disinfector may periodically function by automatically spraying alcohol onto surfaces getting into contact with chicks, upon vaccination of a pre-determined number of chicks. More preferably, after a pre- determined disinfection period, the disinfector blows drying air onto alcohol-sprayed surfaces.

Preferably, the system further comprises an automated distribution unit for counting of chicks and distributing a pre-determined number of chicks to respective wicker baskets.

In a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a blowgun to be connected to a compressor. This enables mechanical cleaning of the system at any time by an operator. Preferably, the first injector and second injector are coupled with respective dosage stabilizing systems. At each injection, the dosage stabilizing systems check whether the respective dosage corresponds to a volumetrically correct (i.e. expected, predetermined) amount of vaccine; and if not, the system halts the vaccination process and preferably generates a warning message. More preferably, the second injector is coupled to a remote-controllable dosage arrangement system connected to the PCB; and the volumetric dosage to be administrated by means of the second injector can be digitally arranged, changed, updated or reset over the PCB (e.g. using a remote control panel with a monitor to show related variables including dosage volumes for each injector) by an operator. By this way, the flexibility of the vaccination system is rendered further superior compared to the prior art, due to elimination of necessity of repetitive disassembling and assembling of the second injector at every change of pre-determined dose.

Preferably, the height of the vaccinator system or of the vaccination zone is changeable by an operator using a height adjustment system connected to the vaccinator system.

Preferably, the pneumatics lines and related pneumatic moving parts of the vaccinator system are coupled with automated lubrication (greasing) systems, which in use automatically provide an amount of lubricating oil to such moving parts. This reduces or eliminates maintenance costs due to wearing of such pneumatic moving parts for a prolonged time.

The present invention further proposes Method for subcutaneous mass vaccination of chicks, related to the general inventive concept disclosed in the present description. The method comprises

a) detection of a back portion of a chick by a back sensor,

b) simultaneously, detection of position of the top of the head of the chick by a first position sensor, and

c) effectuation of vaccination process upon a signal based on data simultaneously provided by the back sensor and the first position sensor, confirming that the chick is in a correct position for vaccination.

The method preferably further comprises detection of position of occipital region of the chick simultaneous with steps (a) and (b), wherein the vaccination process is effectuated upon a confirmation signal based on data simultaneously provided by the back sensor, the first position sensor and second position sensor, confirming that the chick is in a correct position for vaccination.

Preferably, the vaccination process is effectuated upon said confirmation signal. More preferably, the vaccination process is effectuated only upon said confirmation signal.

Thus the following objects are achieved by the present invention:

- overcoming the abovementioned shortcomings of the prior art,

- provision of:

- a flexible vaccinator system with precise and consistent estimation of volumetric loading of the vaccine reservoir required for mass vaccination of a pre-determined number of chicks,

- enhanced work safety and security,

- enhanced working speed by proper organization of injector(s) and injection sequences,

- a lean and ergonomic vaccination system;

- and a related method.

Claims

Claims:

1. A pneumatic vaccinator system for subcutaneous mass vaccination of day-old chicks, provided with a vaccination zone comprising a back sensor for detecting a back portion of a chick, and a switch for controlling the process of vaccination; characterized in that the vaccinator further comprises a first position sensor for simultaneously detecting the position of the top of the head of the chick; and in use, the switch effectuates the vaccination process upon a signal based on data simultaneously provided by the back sensor and the first position sensor, said data confirming that the chick is in a correct position for vaccination.

2. System according to the Claim 1, further comprising a second position sensor for simultaneously detecting the position of occipital region of the chick, wherein, in use, the switch effectuates the vaccination process upon a confirmation signal based on data simultaneously provided by the back sensor, the first position sensor and second position sensor, confirming that the chick is in a correct position for vaccination.

3. System according to any of the Claims 1 and 2, wherein the switch effectuates the vaccination process only upon said confirmation signal.

4. System according to any of the Claims 1 to 4, wherein the vaccinator comprises an opening located between the back sensor and the second position sensor, and in use, the vaccination process comprises a step where an injector needle projects from the opening.

5. System according to any of the Claims 1 to 4, wherein the switch comprises a button for being activated by an operator, and the vaccination is effectuated only when the signal is provided at a time where the button is activated.

6. System according to any of the Claims 1 to 5, wherein the back sensor comprises a tactile switch.

7. System according to the Claim 6, wherein the switch further comprises a visual and/or audible warning message generator which, in use, generates a warning message if the button is activated without confirmation signal.

8. System according to any of the Claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the first position sensor or second position sensor comprises an electro-optical sensor.

9. System according to any of the Claims 1 to 8, further comprising a counter for recording the number of vaccinated chicks.

10. System according to any of the Claims 1 to 9, further comprising an operator identity recognition and recording unit.

11. System according to any of the Claims 1 to 10, further comprising a PCB card having a recorded algorithm which, in use, runs according to the algorithm individual, simultaneous or sequential administration of water based and oil based vaccines to chicks.

12. System according to any of the Claims 4 to 11, further comprising a needle projection adjusting unit for digitally adjusting injector projection length from the opening.

13. Method for subcutaneous mass vaccination of chicks, comprising

a) detection of a back portion of a chick by a back sensor,

14. Method according to the Claim 13, further comprising detection of position of occipital region of the chick simultaneous with steps (a) and (b), wherein the vaccination process is effectuated upon a confirmation signal based on data simultaneously provided by the back sensor, the first position sensor and second position sensor, confirming that the chick is in a correct position for vaccination.

15. Method according to any of the Claims 13 or 14, wherein the vaccination process is effectuated upon said confirmation signal.