DK201500340A1

DK201500340A1 - Injection Device

Info

Publication number: DK201500340A1
Application number: DKPA201500340A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Ole Bæhr; Andreas Heegaard
Original assignee: Agrit Aps
Priority date: 2015-06-15
Filing date: 2015-06-15
Publication date: 2016-08-15
Also published as: DK178609B1; EP3307352A1; WO2016202339A1

Abstract

A non-motorised injection device for injection of a media into an animal is disclosed. The injection device comprises: - a syringe having a hypodermic needle; - a plunger extending from an end of an elongated push rod into a syringe barrel adapted for receiving said plunger, - a lever connected to the push rod and being configured to actuate the syringe upon being displaced; - a bottle attachment for receiving and retaining a liquid injectable solution containing bottle, wherein the injectable solution is drawn into said syringe barrel from the liquid injectable solution containing bottle, through a connection member extending from the syringe barrel and/or through a bore in the push rod, wherein the injection device comprises a Hall sensor assembly configured to detect the position of the plunger relative to the syringe barrel.

Description

Injection Device Field of invention

The present invention relates to an injection device for injecting any kind of preparation into an animal. The invention also relates to automatically recording all relevant information relating to injection of preparations into livestock. The present invention more particularly relates to an injection device that automatically detects the dose being injected. If individual animals are tagged by RFID-marks the recordings will be related to these individual animals. The records may be stored in a database for further processing.

Prior art

Regular and accurate administration of preparations to livestock such as pigs and cattle is crucial to the physical health of the animals and thus the quality of the food products for consumers (other livestock and human beings) that the animals deliver. When using non-motorised injection devices, the dose being injected into the animal during the injection process can be visually detected and manually recorded for the purpose of keeping track of preparations used during the lifetime of livestock. However, there is a risk that the visual detection is not correct and there is a risk that manually recorded data are misinterpreted when being compiled either in electronic form or in forms complying with regulatory requirements. Accordingly, incorrect treatment (e.g. medication) may occur without being registered. There is a huge risk that the livestock are injected with a higher dose than prescribed, leaving residuals for a longer period than expected, or less that prescribed leaving the treatment not really solving the issue, that is, livestock does not recover as expected and then need extra treatment.

In practise, it is nearly impossible for a farmer to simultaneously and accurately record information relevant to treatments and the animals the treatments are given to. Therefore, several systems have been suggested in order to automatically register the animal identity and the amount of and type of preparation injected into the animal.

WO 2009/120692 A2 disclose an injection device for injecting animals. The injection device is equipped with an optical sensor or a Hall effect sensor having one or more magnetic regions on the plunger shaft, thus, functioning as position indicator. However, the injection device only measures volumes injected stepwise, thus, resulting in a rather imprecise determination of actually injected volumes. Accordingly, the injection device cannot measure injected volumes continuously (realtime).

US 2014/0276535 A1 disclose a needleless injector for injecting animals. The injector includes one or more sensors for monitoring operation of the injector, i.e. successful delivery of medicine and proper operation of the injector. Monitoring of the position of sensors during operation yields only stepwise information on the delivery of medicine. Thus, the injector is not suited for continuously detection of volumes injected.

The growing concerns by consumers over the residual effects of the application of medical treatments and their impact on food safety stresses that the precision of the present non-motorised injection devices should be improved. Further, there is a need for an improved system for medical treatment tracking in order to avoid incorrect treatment.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved injection device that automatically provides an accurate detection of the dose injected into the animal. It is further desired to have an injection device capable of automatically detecting and collecting the identification data of the animal.

Further, there is a need for a system that combines and coordinates automatic detection of injection and other medicine administration data with the automatic detection and collection of animal identification data.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an injection device that automatically provides an accurate detection of the dose injected into the individual animal based on recognition and acceptance of the animal ID versus the prescribed treatment to be completed.

Moreover, it is an object of the invention to provide an injection device capable of automatically detecting the identification data of the animal.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention can be achieved by an injection device and a system as defined in the claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent sub claims, explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The injection device according to the invention is a non-motorised injection device for injection of media into an animal comprising: - a syringe having a hypodermic needle or a jet injector; - a plunger extending from an end of an elongated push rod into a syringe barrel adapted for receiving said plunger, - a lever connected to the push rod and being configured to actuate the syringe upon being displaced; - a bottle attachment for receiving and retaining a liquid injectable solution containing bottle, wherein the injectable solution is drawn into said syringe barrel from the liquid injectable solution containing bottle, through a connection member extending from the syringe barrel and/or through a bore in the push rod, wherein the injection device comprises a Hall sensor assembly comprising a permanent magnet and a Hall sensor configured to detect the position of the plunger relative to the syringe barrel, wherein the permanent magnet is attached to the plunger and the Hall sensor is fixed to the syringe barrel, or the permanent magnet is attached to the syringe barrel and the Hall sensor is fixed to the plunger, and wherein one of the permanent magnet and the Hall-sensor is distally placed on the plunger relative to the other, and means for providing real-time measurement of volume in the syringe barrel.

Hereby, it is possible to provide an injection device that automatically provides an accurate detection of the dose injected into the animal. The accurate detection of the injected dose is provided by the relative position of one of the permanent magnet and the Hall-sensor distally on the plunger. Thus, all positions of the plunger are distinctly defined, and furthermore a direct measure of the injected amount is obtained.

The injection device according to the invention is a non-motorised hand operated injection device. The injection device is intended to be used to inject media into an animal such a pig, a cattle or a sheep.

The media may be any injectable solution including vaccine and medicine.

The injection device comprises a syringe having a hypodermic needle. The hypodermic needle may be of any suitable type and shape. Likewise, the jet injector may be of any suitable type and shape. A jet injector is an option in case that a needle-free injector is desirable.

The injection device comprises a plunger extending from an end of an elongated push rod into a syringe barrel adapted for receiving said plunger. The push rod may be massive or may be provided with a bore, e.g. a through-going bore for establishing fluid communication through it.

The plunger may comprise a detachably mounted plunger head. Hereby, it is possible to change the volume of the cylinder chamber.

The plunger head may preferably comprise an engagement member configured to engage with a corresponding engagement member provided in the distal end of the plunger rod.

The injection device comprises a lever connected to the push rod and being configured to actuate the syringe upon being displaced. The lever may have any suitable shape and size.

It may be an advantage that the lever is rotatably attached to a handle of the injection device.

The injection device comprises a bottle attachment for receiving and retaining a liquid injectable solution containing bottle, wherein the injectable solution is drawn into said syringe barrel from the liquid injectable solution containing bottle, through a connection member extending from the syringe barrel and/or through a bore in the push rod.

The bottle attachment may have any suitable geometry and size. Further, it is possible to arrange the bottle attachment in various positions. It is possible to arrange the bottle attachment as an extension of the syringe barrel.

The injection device comprises a Hall sensor assembly configured to detect the position of the plunger relative to the part or body that contains the electronics (e.g. the syringe barrel or a control unit or a control box).

The Hall sensor assembly comprises a permanent magnet attached to the plunger and a Hall sensor fixed to the syringe barrel, or the Hall sensor assembly comprises a permanent magnet attached to the syringe barrel and a Hall sensor fixed to the plunger.

It may be advantageous, that the injection comprises a control unit configured to calculate the volume of the media in the syringe barrel on the basis of the position of the plunger relative to the syringe barrel.

Hereby, it is possible to detect the injected media. The data/information may preferably be stored and/or sent wirelessly to an external device such as a computer.

It may be an advantage that the injection comprises a control unit configured to calculate the volume of the media in the syringe barrel on the basis of the position of the plunger relative to the syringe barrel on a continuous basis and that the time is detected. In this manner, it is possible to provide "real time data". Preferably, these data can be compared with data identifying the animal and the type of media being injected into the animal.

It may be beneficial, that the control unit is configured to automatically detect the volume of the media being injected into an animal.

Hereby, the control unit can provide data suitable for being used to document the amount of the media injected.

The control unit may be configured to store and/or transmit these data.

It may be an advantage that the control unit is configured to receive wirelessly transmitted signals.

Hereby, the control unit may communicate with external tags (e.g. RFID-tags) capable of providing useful and relevant data, including data identifying the animal, the operator and the type of injected media being used.

It may be an advantage that the control unit is configured to receive wirelessly transmitted signals transmitted from a RFID-tag.

The present invention makes it possible to provide an injection device capable of automatically detecting the identification data of an animal.

It may be advantageous that the injection device comprises a RFID-tag configured to wirelessly transmit identification information related to the injection device. The injection device preferably comprises a RFID-tag for automatic identification of the injection device.

Hereby, the injection device may send identification information to the control unit. Hereby, the identification of the injection device can be carried out automatically.

It may be an advantage that the control unit comprises a mounting structure for being detachably attached to the injection device.

Hereby, the control unit can be detachably attached to the injection device.

It may be beneficial that the control unit comprises two separate units: a control member and a RFID-reader.

The RFID-reader may be separated from the control member and the injection device. It may be an advantage that the control member is detachably attached to the injection device and that the RFID-reader is separated from the control device (it may be carried in the free hand).

The control member may comprise an antenna, a memory, a transmitting portion capable of transmitting wireless (e.g. radio frequency) signals. The control member moreover may comprise a display and an interface provided with a number of buttons.

The RFID-reader may comprise an antenna, a receiving portion capable of receiving wireless (e.g. radio frequency) signals and a connection unit capable of transmitting the received signals to the control member (e.g. wirelessly).

It may be an advantage that the injection device comprises a switch configured to by-pass the detection mechanism by using the Hall sensor assembly.

Hereby, when the switch is pressed, the Hall sensor will be deactivated and thus not detect the distance between the end portion of the syringe barrel and the back side of the plunger. Accordingly, the volume of the media in the syringe barrel can be determined. The switch may be applied when a new bottle is attached to the injection device and a small volume of injectable solution is wasted while evacuating air from the injection device.

It may be beneficial that the injection device comprises an attachment member comprising a power module radio frequency transmitter and an antenna, wherein the attachment member is configured to be attached to the injection device.

The injection device preferably comprises a sensor housing provided with a first button (e.g. a press button) for initiating a scanning procedure (scanning for RFID-tags). The injection device preferably comprises a sensor housing provided with a second button (e.g. a press button) for initiating a pairing procedure (pairing with an external device such as a smart phone).

The objects of the invention may be achieved by a system comprising an injection device according to the invention, wherein the system further comprises a charging station, wherein the charging station comprises a charging unit for charging the control unit.

When the control unit is connected to a charger within the charging station, this charger may charge internal rechargeable batteries of the control unit.

The charging station may be configured to establish electrical connection to a computer.

It may be advantageous that the system comprises one or more additional RFID-tags configured to wirelessly transmit identification information to the control unit. The system may comprise one or more additional RFID-tags configured to identify the operator using the injection device, the animal that needs to receive an injection or physical objects of interest (such as the injection device itself, the single pigsties, the section in the stable, the stable itself).

It may be beneficial that the charging station is configured to (preferably automatically) transferring data from the control unit to the computer and that the computer is configured to automatically select a selection of the data and forward the selection to a predefined receiver.

It is preferred that the injection device comprises a control unit that is capable of continuously transmitting data to an external device so that the injection device can be remotely monitored on a constant basis.

If there is no availably communication connection the injection device will store the collected data and wirelessly transmit then as soon as there is access to a communication connection (e.g. a local area wireless networking such as Wi-Fi).

The injection device according to the invention is capable of keeping track of legal preparations to be used, and preferably comprise means for giving a warning if an illegal preparation is used, or if the wrong preparations are used for the given cause of treatment.

The injection device is configured to generate treatment (medicine) accounts on the basis of the collected data and to report this or other information directly to the authorities. The injection device is configured to apply and include additional information when generating information including treatment accounts.

Description of the Drawings

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an injection device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an injection device according to the invention communicating wirelessly with a receiving unit;

Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of a control unit according to the invention connected to a computer;

Fig. 4 A shows a first schematic perspective view of an injection device according to the invention and a cross-sectional view of the syringe barrel of the injection device;

Fig. 4 B shows another schematic perspective view of an injection device according to the invention and a cross-sectional view of the syringe barrel of the injection device;

Fig. 5 A shows a schematic view of a farmer standing in front of a pig that needs a vaccine;

Fig. 5 B shows an injection device according to the invention;

Fig. 5 C shows another injection device according to the invention;

Fig. 6 A shows a control unit according to the invention comprising two components;

Fig. 6 B shows a control unit according to the invention comprising one component;

Fig. 6 C shows a control unit according to the invention comprising two components;

Fig. 6 D shows an injection device according to the invention;

Fig. 7 shows another injection device according to the invention;

Fig. 8 A shows an injection device according to the invention;

Fig. 8 B shows the injection device shown in Fig. 8 A provided with an attachment member according to the invention

Fig. 9 A shows an injection device according to the invention;

Fig. 9 B shows a side view of the injection device shown in Fig. 9 A;

Fig. 9 C shows a perspective view of the injection device shown in

Fig. 9 A and Fig. 9 B;

Fig. 10 A shows a side view of an injection device according to the invention and

Fig. 10 B shows a perspective view of the injection device shown in Fig. 10 A.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, an injection device 2 of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an injection device 2 according to the invention. The injection device 2 comprises a syringe having a hypodermic needle 20 for injecting an injectable solution into an animal. The syringe moreover comprises a syringe barrel 18 with a thereto mounted cylinder 24. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a holding member (not shown) for the cylinder 24. A push rod 8 extends through the cylinder 24. A plunger (see Fig. 4) is attached to the free end of the push rod 8. Accordingly, the plunger is slidably arranged in the syringe barrel 18.

The push rod 8 is attached to a lever 4. The lever 4 is rotatably mounted to a handle 6 by means of a hinge joint 22. Accordingly, by pressing the lever 4 towards the handle 6, the push rod will be displaced towards the syringe barrel 18 causing a displacement of the plunger. This will press a quantity of the injectable solution out through the hypodermic needle 20 when a bottle with injectable solution is arranged in the interior 12 of the bottle attachment 10.

A dose adjuster 16 is provided at the back side of the handle 6. The dose adjuster 16 defines the range of motion of the plunger.

A connection member 14 extends from the outer surface of the syringe barrel 18. The bottle attachment 10 has been movably attached to the connection member 14. The injection device 2 is configured to be manually actuated by means of the handle 6 and the lever 4. A dose adjuster 16 is provided at the back side of the handle 6. By means of the dose adjuster 16, it is possible to set the range of motion of the plunger.

The injection device 2 comprises a RFID-tag 70 configured to wirelessly transmit identification signals (not shown) that can be received by a receiving unit (not shown). The RFID-tag 70 may be provided at the distal portion of the dose adjuster 16.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an injection device 2 according to the invention communicating wirelessly with a computer 38 (that may be a server) and the Internet 26. The injection device 2 comprises a control unit (gateway) 32 that is detachably attached to the injection device 2. The control unit 32 can be detachably attached to the cylinder 24 of the injection device 2. The control unit 32 may be a separated unit e.g. arranged on a trolley, in the pocket of the operator or in a tool box.

The control unit 32 comprises a display 32 and an interface 36 having four push buttons. The control unit 32 is configured to receive wireless signals sent by the identification tag 70 and other tags (not shown). The control unit 32 is further configured to transmit wireless signals 28 to the Internet 26. The control unit 32 may comprise a modem such as a GSM-module configured to communicate directly with an external device via the Internet 26. The control unit 32 communicates with a computer 38 (e.g. a server or a router). It can be seen that the control unit 32 sends wireless signals 28' to the computer 38 that sends signals 28" via the Internet 26.

Accordingly, the control unit 32 is capable of receiving information and forwarding this information directly via the Internet 26 or indirectly via a computer 38.

The control unit 32 may receive information about the animals receiving a dose (e.g. a vaccine or another medication) injected by means of the injection device 2. Further, the control unit 32 may receive information about the user of the injection device 2 and the injection device 2 as well as the quantity of the injected media e.g. measured by means of a Hall sensor assembly built into the injection device 2 (e.g. the syringe barrel 18).

A system comprising the injection device 2, the control unit 32 and the computer 38 may be used to co-ordinate measured data with other relevant data (e.g. data collected by means of other injection devices 2).

The control unit 32 is adapted for reading electronic tags, such as RFID (Radio-frequency identification) tags. Such tags may be attached on animals to identify them or on physical objects to provide identification of the animals and particular areas of a farm where the injection is performed.

The control unit 32 may be configured to load data, e.g. by the operator interacting with the control unit 2 through the interface 36 or by means of a touch screen 34. The control unit 32 may be configured to receive data from an external unit, preferably by a wireless transmission. The control unit 2 is configured to store data in a digital memory, e.g. data loaded from manual entry of the operator; data received by wireless transmission from an external unit or pre-loaded data. Moreover, the control unit 2 is configured to wirelessly transmit data to an external unit, such data e.g. comprising one or more of the type of media injected or the amount of the media injected, the time (or date) of the injection, the location of the injection, the operator performing the injection or identification of the animal on which the injection is performed. The data transmissions may be performed prior or after the injection.

The control unit 32 may be configured to be activated by an operator by reading a personal electronic identification tag of the operator. The operator may select a type of medicine or vaccine (or another media to be injected) into the control unit 32 by using the interface 36. The operator may read an electronic tag e.g. of an area of the stable in which the animal to be medicated is located in order to determine the position of the animal. The operator may further read an electronic tag attached to the animal to be medicated in order to identify the particular animal.

Based on the type of media to be injected or on data wirelessly received from an external unit, the control unit 2 may provide information on the display 34. The information may include the amount of media (e.g. medicine or vaccine) to be injected. The operator may set the amount of media to be injected by means of the dose adjuster 16 and perform the injection on the animal.

The control unit 32 detects and records the position of a plunger of the injection device 2 when the injection starts and when it is completed. Accordingly, the control unit 32 can store and/or transmits data relating to the registered and recorded data to an external unit by a wireless transmission.

In an example embodiment, an RFID tag is provided in an ear tag of an animal. This tag can be automatically read by the control unit 32 and be transmitted as a wireless signal 28' to an external unit, such as the personal computer 38 shown in Fig. 2 or as a wireless signal 28 to the Internet 26.

The computer 38 may process (by means of its processing unit) the signals including identification data. The computer 38 may correlate the signals including identification data to a database stored in its memory by using a dedicated computer program. Accordingly, it is possible to identifying the type of media and the recommended amount of media per weight unit of the animal. These data may be wirelessly transmitted back to the control unit 32 that can display data on the display 34 in order to guide the operator to select the correct media (medicine or vaccine) and adjust the dose adjuster correctly. The operator may enter the weight of the animal to the control unit 32 so that the control unit 32 can establish (calculate) the amount of media according to the recommended amount of media per weight unit of the animal received form the external unit. Now the operator can perform the injection of media. It may be an advantage if the control unit 32 contains stored data including weight curves that can be used for automatically suggesting/calculating the appropriate dose. It may be an advantage that the control unit 32 is capable of automatically detecting the location by means of RFID-tags provided in the local environment.

Parameters relating to the injection performed and recorded by the control unit 32 may be transmitted wirelessly to the computer 38 or to the Internet 26.

The control unit 32 may alternatively first be used to register the type of media (medicine or vaccine) by manually entering the type of media or by reading an electronic tag on the bottle of the injectable solution 30. The information about the type of injectable solution may be transmitted from the control unit 32 to the computer 38 or another external unit. The computer 38 or the other external unit can determine which animals are to be injected with that particular type of media and provide the recommended amount of media to be injected per weight unit of the animal. These data can be transmitted to the control unit 32.

The operator of the injection device 2 is provided with information (number and/or a location) to identify the one or more animals to be injected with the particular media. Accordingly, the operator can perform the injections, preferably by reading electronic tags of the animals and/or locations (e.g. local area information). The injection device 2 can now wirelessly transmit information representative thereof to the external unit.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the control unit 32 and the injection device 2 is automated in such a manner that the control unit 32 is configured to control the position of the plunger in the syringe barrel 18 by means of an actuator (e.g. a linear actuator or a stepper motor). The control unit 32 may either autonomously set the injected volume or suggest a volume for injection to the operator. The operator may approve the suggested volume or an altered volume to be injected. The position of the plunger in the syringe barrel 18 may be controlled by means of an actuator even though the injection device 2 comprises no motor for performing the injection as such.

In case that the injection device comprises an actuator, the control unit 32 is capable of initiating the movement of the plunger and hereby sucking the determined volume of media from the bottle of the injectable solution 30 and pressing it through the hypodermic needle.

Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of a control unit 32 according to the invention connected to a computer 38' via a cable 42. A wireless connection between the control unit 32 and the computer 38' may replace the wired connection 42. The control unit 32 has been inserted into a charging station 40 that establishes electrical connection to the computer 38' and further charges the control unit 32. The control unit 32 is connected to a charger within the charging station 40, which charges internal rechargeable batteries of the control unit 32. The control unit 32 may alternatively be powered by alternative power sources, such as e.g. replaceable non-rechargeable batteries. Instead of a charging station it is possible to charge the control unit 32 by means of a portable battery charger. The control unit 32 may

The control unit 32 comprises a display 34 and an interface 36 equipped with four buttons. When the control unit 32 has been inserted into a charging station 40, the computer 38' sends signals 28 via the Internet 26. Thereby, the computer 38' can deliver any desired sample of data to any appropriate receiver e.g. official authorities that require information about medication and vaccine applied on a farm by way of example.

Generally, it is possible to apply a gateway i.e. a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop instead of a control unit 32 as the one shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 A illustrates a first schematic perspective view of an injection device 2 according to the invention and a cross-sectional view of the syringe barrel 18 of the injection device 2. When the push rod 8 is pushed toward the cylinder 24 in the direction 44 indicated by the arrow 44, the plunger 50 is being moved towards the open end of the syringe barrel 18. The injection device 2 comprises a Flail sensor assembly comprising a fixed Flail sensor 46 and a permanent magnet 48 slidably arranged (the permanent magnet 48 is attached to the back side of the plunger 50).

In Fig. 4 A, the volume Vi of the media in the syringe barrel 18 is close to its maximum. When the push rod 8 is moved further towards the open end of the syringe barrel 18, the media in the syringe barrel 18 will be pressed out through the hypodermic needle 20. The Flail sensor 46 detects the distance Di between the end portion of the syringe barrel 18 and the back side of the plunger 50.

In Fig. 4 B, the push rod 8 has been moved further towards the open end of the syringe barrel 18. Accordingly, the volume V2 of the media in the syringe barrel 18 is reduced. It can be seen that the distance D2 (between the end portion of the syringe barrel 18 and the back side of the plunger 50) detected by the Hall sensor 46 is increased due to the movement of the push rod 8 and thus the plunger 50.

The detected volumes Vi, V2 can be stored in the control device (see Fig. 2) or be transmitted in order to provide real time measurements to an external device or both.

The use of a Hall sensor assembly like the one illustrated makes it possible to provide high precision measurements of the injected dose. The data can be stored in the control device or be transmitted wirelessly to an external receiver. Accordingly, the invention provides an alternative to the existing syringe injection systems.

5 A illustrates a schematic view of a farmer 60 standing in front of a pig 54 that needs a treatment in the form of an injection of a certain suitable preparation (e.g. a vaccine). The farmer 60 holds an injection device 2 according to the invention in his right hand. Accordingly, the farmer 60 is ready to use the injection device 2 to inject the preparation (e.g. vaccine or an antibiotic) into the pig 54.

The injection device 2 is equipped with a control unit capable of automatically detecting the identification of the pig 54 by receiving signals 28 from a RFID-tag 56 attached to the ear of the pig 54. The control unit is further capable of automatically detecting the identification of the farmer 60 by receiving signals 28' from a RFID-tag 52 in the belt of the farmer 60. The control unit is further capable of automatically detecting other identification data transmitted by RFID-tags provided in a building, on the injection device or elsewhere.

Accordingly, the farmer 60 does not need to make notes or write down any information. Everything is handled by the injection device 2 and its control device. The control unit may provide the data transmitted automatically. It is possible to apply one or more buttons for initiating the transmission, initiating a scanning procedure or for pairing the control unit with an external device (e.g. a smart phone).

In Fig. 4 A and in Fig. 4 B, a switch 84 is arranged on the handle 6. The switch 84 is configured to by-pass the detection mechanism by using the Hall sensor assembly. When the switch 84 is pressed, the Hall sensor will be deactivated and thus not detect the distance between the end portion of the syringe barrel 18 and the back side of the plunger 50, and thus the volume of the media in the syringe barrel 18. The switch 84 may be applied when a new bottle is attached to the injection device 2 and a small volume of injectable solution 30 is wasted while evacuating air from the injection device 2.

Fig. 5 B shows an injection device 2 according to the invention that may be used by the farmer 60 shown in Fig. 5 A. The injection device 2 comprises a RFID tag 70 provided at the outer surface of the front end of the syringe barrel. The injection device 2 comprises a control unit 32 attached to the cylinder 24 of the injection device 2. The control unit 32 has a display 34 and an interface 36 having a plurality of push buttons.

Fig. 5 C shows another injection device 2 according to the invention that may be used by the farmer 60 shown in Fig. 5 A. The injection device 2 comprises a RFID tag 70 provided at the same position as the one shown in Fig. 5 B. The injection device 2 comprises a control unit 32 that is configured to be attached to the cylinder 24 of the injection device 2. The control unit 32 may be used as a hand held device that is not attached to the injection device 2 but kept in the proximity of the injection device 2. The control unit 32 comprises a display 34 and an interface 36 having a plurality of push buttons.

Fig. 6 A illustrates a control unit 32 according to the invention comprising two components: a control member 62 and a RFID-reader 64.

The control member 62 comprises an antenna, a memory, a transmitting portion capable of transmitting wireless (e.g. radio frequency) signals. The control member 62 moreover comprises a display 34 and an interface 36 provided with a plurality of buttons.

The RFID-reader 64 comprises an antenna, a reiving portion capable of receiving wireless (e.g. radio frequency) signals and a connection unit capable of transmitting the received signals to the control member 62 (e.g. wirelessly).

The control member 62 and a RFID-reader 64 are provided with a mounting structure 66 for attaching the control member 62 and a RFID-reader 64 to an injection device 2 according to the invention.

Fig. 6 B illustrates a control unit 32 according to the invention comprising a control member and a RFID-reader built into a single unit.

The control unit 32 comprises an antenna, a memory, a transmitting portion capable of transmitting wireless (e.g. radio frequency) signals, a receiving portion capable of receiving wireless (e.g. radio frequency) signals. The control unit 32 moreover comprises a display 34 and an interface 36 provided with a plurality of buttons.

Fig. 6 C illustrates a control unit 32 according to the invention comprising two components: a control member 62 and a RFID-reader 64.

The control member 62 comprises a memory, an antenna, a transmitting portion capable of transmitting wireless (e.g. radio frequency) signals. The control member 62 moreover comprises a display 34 and an interface 36 provided with a plurality of buttons.

The RFID-reader 64 comprises a display 34, control buttons 36, an antenna, a receiving portion capable of receiving wireless (e.g. radio frequency) signals and a connection unit capable of transmitting the received signals to the control member 62 (e.g. wirelessly).

The control member 62 and a RFID-reader 64 are provided with a mounting structure 68 for attaching the control member 62 and a RFID-reader 64 to an injection device 2 according to the invention.

Fig. 6 D illustrates an injection device 2 according to the invention. The injection device 2 comprises a control unit 32 having a screen 32 and control buttons 36. The control unit 32 may be replaced by any of the one shown in Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B or Fig. 6 C.

Fig. 7 illustrates another injection device 2 according to the invention. The injection device 2 comprises a syringe having a hypodermic needle 20 for injecting an injectable solution into an animal. The syringe comprises a syringe barrel 18 with a cylinder 24 mounted thereto. A push rod 8 extends through the cylinder 24 and a plunger (not shown) is attached to the free end of the push rod 8. Thus, the plunger is slidably arranged in the syringe barrel 18.

The push rod 8 is mounted to a lever 4 that is rotatably mounted to a handle 6 by means of a hinge joint 22. Therefore, by pressing the lever 4 towards the handle 6, the push rod 8 is displaced towards the syringe barrel 18. This causes a displacement of the plunger so that the injectable solution is pressed out through the hypodermic needle 20 in case that bottle with injectable solution 30 is connected to the injection device 2.

An inlet 74 is provided in the top portion of the injection device 2. A bottle attachment 76 is attached to the distal end of the inlet 74. The bottle attachment 76 is configured to receive a bottle with an injectable solution 30. An outlet 82 is provided at the inlet 74. The outlet 82 extends basically perpendicular to the length of the inlet 74. The outlet 82 is provided with an attachment structure 78 and a flexible tube 80 is attached to the attachment structure 78.

The flexible tube 80 is further attached to an attachment structure 78' provided at the distal portion of the push rod 8. Accordingly, the injectable solution 30 enters the inlet 74 via the bottle attachment 76. The injectable solution 30 leaves the inlet 74 through the outlet 82, from which it flows through the flexible tube 80 into the hollow push rod 8. The hollow push rod 8 guides the injectable solution through the cylinder 24 and further into the syringe barrel 18 from where it is pressed out through the hypodermic needle 20.

The injection device 2 comprises a spring 58 arranged to force the lever 4 back once it has been pressed towards the handle 6.

The injection device 2 comprises a RFID-tag 70 configured to wirelessly transmit identification signals (not shown) to be received by a receiving unit (e.g. a control unit).

The injection device 2 is equipped with a dose adjuster 16 configured to set the range of motion of the push rod 8. Accordingly, the dose adjuster 16 can be used to set the injection volume.

It is preferred that the injection device 2 according to the invention comprises a non-return valve configured to prevent return flow of the injected media. The non-return valve may be positioned in the distal end of the syringe barrel 18. The non-return valve may be positioned between the syringe barrel 18 and the hypodermic needle 20.

A switch 84 is arranged on the handle 6. The switch 84 is adapted to by-pass the detection mechanism by using the Hall sensor assembly (as described with reference to Fig. 4).

Fig. 8 A illustrates a perspective view of an injection device 2 according to the invention. The injection device 2 comprises a lever 4 that is rotatably mounted to a handle 6 by means of a hinge joint 22. The injection device 2 comprises a bottle attachment 76 is attached to the distal end of a connection member 14. The injection device 2 comprises a sensor 86 provided in a box-shaped sensor housing.

Fig. 8 B illustrates the injection device shown in Fig. 8 A provided with an attachment member 88 according to the invention. The attachment member 88 is configured to be detachably attached to the injection device 2 and comprises a power module 90 shaped as a box-shaped bottom portion. The attachment member 88 further comprises a RFID scanner 94 electrically coupled to an antenna 92 configured to transmit wireless signals 28 and to receive wireless signals 28'". A radio frequency transmitter for generating signals 28 and a receiver unit for collecting wireless signals 28'" are provided in the attachment member 88.

The sensor housing is provided with a first button 96 (e.g. a press button) for initiating a scanning procedure (scanning for RFID-tags and a second button 96' (e.g. a press button) for initiating a pairing procedure for pairing with an external device such as the smart phone 98. A communication unit is provided in the sensor housing.

Fig. 9 A illustrates an injection device 2 according to the invention seen from the back side. Fig. 9 B illustrates a side view of the injection device 2 shown in Fig. 9 A and Fig. 9 C illustrates a perspective view of the injection device 2 shown in Fig. 9 A and Fig. 9 B.

The injection device 2 comprises a lever 4 that is rotatably mounted to a handle 6 by means of a hinge joint 22. The injection device 2 is equipped with a bottle attachment 76 attached to the distal end of a connection member 14. The injection device 2 comprises a control unit 32 having a display 34. The control unit 32 is detachably attached to the cylinder 24 of the injection device 2. A bottle 30 has been attached to the bottle attachment 76.

A dose adjuster 16 is provided in the end of an adjustment rod that has been screwed into the end of the cylinder 24.

Fig. 10 A illustrates a side view of an injection device 2 according to the invention corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 9, however, without a control unit and a bottle. Fig. 10 B illustrates a perspective view of the injection device 2 shown in Fig. 10 A.

The injection device 2 is equipped with a lever 4 rotatably attached to a handle 6 via a hinge joint 22. The injection device 2 comprises a bottle attachment 76 that is attached to the distal end of a connection member 14. The control unit 32 (shown in Fig. 9) has been removed.

It can be seen that the dose adjuster 16 is provided in the end of a threaded adjustment rod 17 that has been screwed into a threaded end portion 100 of the cylinder 24. There is no bottle attached to the bottle attachment 76.

A housing 104 provided with a lid member 102 constitutes a portion of the cylinder 24. A plunger 50 is arranged at the end of a push rod 8 extending through the cylinder 24. A sealing member 51 formed as an O-ring is provided at the periphery of the plunger 50. The lever 4 is mechanically attached to the push rod 8. Accordingly, when the lever 4 is pressed towards the handle 6, the push rod 8 is displaced along the length of the cylinder 24 pressing the plunger 50 towards the distal end of the syringe barrel 18. Hereby, the liquid contained in the syringe barrel 18 is evacuated through the distal opening in the syringe barrel 18.

By turning the dose adjuster 16 it is possible to displace the proximal end of the adjustment rod 17 hereby determining/defining the most proximal position of the push rod 8 and thus the plunger 50 in the cylinder and syringe barrel 18, respectively. In this manner it is possible to control the volume

List of reference numerals 2 Injection device 4 Lever 6 Handle 8 Push rod 10 Bottle attachment (bottle neck) 12 Interior 14 Connection member 16 Dose adjuster 17 Adjustment rod 18 Syringe (syringe barrel) 20 Hypodermic needle 22 Hinge 24 Cylinder 26 Internet 28, 28', 28", 28'" Signal 30 Injectable solution 32 Control unit 34 Display/screen 36 Interface 38, 38' Computer 40 Docking station 42 Cable 44 Movement direction 46 Hall sensor 48 Permanent magnet 50 Plunger 51 Sealing member 52 Tag (RFID-tag) 54 Animal 56 Tag (RFID-tag) 58 Spring member 60 Farmer 62 Control member 64 RFID-reader 66 Mounting structure 68 Mounting structure 70 Tag (RFID) 72, 72' Direction 74 Inlet 76 Bottle attachment 78, 78' Attachment structure 80 Tube 82 Outlet 84 Switch 86 Sensor 88 Attachment member 90 Power module 92 Antenna 94 Radio frequency transmitter 96, 96' Button 98 Smart phone 100 Body member 102 Lid member 104 Housing

Di, D2 Distance X Longitudinal axis

Vi, V2 Volume

Claims

A non-motorized injection unit (2) for injecting an agent into an animal (54) comprising: - a hypodermic needle syringe (20) or a jet injector; - a piston (50) extending from the end of an elongated rod (8) into a syringe chamber (18) configured to receive said piston (50), - a handle (4) connected to the rod (8) and configured for activating the syringe by displacement; a bottle holder (10, 76) adapted to receive and hold a bottle (30) containing a liquid injectable solution, the injectable solution flowing into the syringe chamber (18) from the bottle (30) containing the liquid injectable solution through a connecting element (14) extending from the syringe chamber (18) and / or through a hole in the rod (8), characterized in that the injection unit (2) comprises a Hall sensor arrangement (46, 48) comprising a permanent magnet and a Hall sensor configured to measure the position of the plunger (50) relative to the syringe chamber (18), the permanent magnet being attached to the plunger, and the Hall sensor being attached to the syringe chamber or the permanent magnet being attached to the syringe chamber; the sensor is attached to the plunger, and one of the permanent magnet and Hall sensor is distally disposed on the plunger (50) relative to the other, and means for providing real-time measurement of volume in syringe the compartment (18).

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting electronic identification signals.

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for detecting electronic identification signals are configured to transmit and / or store these identification signals.

A non-motorized injection unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned means is a control unit (32).

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (32) is configured to calculate the volume (Vi, V2) of the agent in the syringe chamber (18) based on the location of the the plunger (50) relative to the syringe chamber (18).

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (32) is configured to automatically detect the volume of the agent injected into the animal (54).

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (32) is configured to receive wirelessly transmitted signals.

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the injection unit (2) comprises an RFID tag (70) configured to wirelessly transmit identification information related to the injection unit (2).

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (32) comprises a mounting structure (66, 68) for removable mounting on the injection unit (2).

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (32) comprises two separate units (62, 64): a control element (62) and an RFID reader (64).

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the injection unit (2) comprises a switch (84) configured to fit the detection mechanism using the Hall sensor arrangement (46, 48). .

A non-motorized injection unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the injection unit (2) comprises a fastening element (88) comprising a current module (90), a radio frequency transmitter (94) and an antenna (92), the fastening element (88) is designed so that it can be attached to the injection unit (2).

A system comprising an injection unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprises a charging station (40) comprising a charging unit for charging the control unit (32).

A system according to claim 13, characterized in that the system comprises one or more additional RFID tags (52, 52) configured to wirelessly transmit identification information to the control unit (32).

A system according to claim 13 or claim 14, characterized in that the charging station (40) is configured to (preferably automatically) transmit data from the control unit (32) to the computer (38 ') and the computer (38') is configured to automatically selecting a selection of the data and forwarding that data to a predefined recipient.