Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
  • A61D19/00—Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation
  • A61D19/02—Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for artificial insemination
  • A61D19/027—Devices for injecting semen into animals, e.g. syringes, guns, probes

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a catheter allowing the artificial insemination of animals such as sows.
• An artificial insemination catheter allows semen to flow from an external flexible container to the entrance to the fallopian tubes
• such a catheter is known, described in document FR-A-2 668 054, comprising a semi-rigid tube at the end of which is fitted a nozzle forming a profiled tubular end section with an axial hole.
• the end section extends between a proximal inlet zone with a flexible peripheral annular stopper and a distal outlet end with a central diffusion orifice.
• the flexible peripheral annular stopper is a flexible collar. Peripheral positioning helical threads extend in the intermediate portion of end section between the annular peripheral stop and
• the positioning threads have a diameter which is less than that of the flexible flange, and which gradually reduces until it disappears in the vicinity of the outlet end
• the end piece forming the tubular profiled end section maneuvered by the semi-flexible tube, is introduced into the cervix
• Positioning is delicate, because it must be done blind The operator only has the tactile sensitivity of his fingers to assess the correct positioning of the catheter in the cervix Poor positioning can lead to poor sealing of the cervix by the flexible peripheral collar, if it is not sufficiently engaged in the neck. At the same time, it is necessary to prevent the collar or the helical threads from injuring the cervix during the insertion and removal of the catheter. It is therefore necessary to provide sufficient flexibility for the collar and the helical threads, which conversely harms to a good seal It is difficult to find a compromise between sufficient flexibility to avoid injuring the animal and sufficient rigidity to ensure good sealing of the cervix.
• the problem proposed by the present invention is to design a new structure for artificial insemination catheter of animals, which ensures a reinforced sealing of the uterine cervix, while avoiding increasing the risks of injury of the animal, that is to say by avoiding increasing the rigidity of the collar and helical threads. Also, the invention aims to improve the positioning and the centering of the catheter in the cervix, in particular to avoid obturations of the canal. axial seed conduction.
• a catheter for artificial insemination of animals such as sows comprises a tubular profiled end section with an axial channel extending between a proximal entry zone with an annular stop.
• flexible stop device and a distal outlet end with central diffusion orifice with peripheral helical threads for positioning in the intermediate portion of end section between the annular stopper peripheral stop and the outlet end, the threads positioning having a diameter smaller than that of the peripheral annular stopper and gradually reducing until it disappears in the vicinity of the outlet end
• the annular peripheral stopper comprises a plurality of portions of fine annular ribs offset axially by a small distance to support each other during a stress one in axial bending and thus increase their resistance to bending beyond a determined bending threshold.
• said plurality of portions of fine annular ribs of peripheral annular stop abutment comprises at least one portion of central rib bordered on either side by portions of lateral ribs, the portions of lateral ribs having a diameter less than that of the central rib portion (s)
• each of said portions of annular ribs is in the form of a circular crown, separated from the portion of adjacent annular rib by a continuous annular groove.
• said plurality of portions of fine annular ribs of peripheral annular stop abutment is formed by a continuous helical rib.
• Such a helical structure with a peripheral annular stopper stops the semen particularly well inside the uterus, while allowing the passage of air into the helical groove defined by the rib. It appears that such a possibility of air passage is particularly beneficial, and promotes the flow of semen by avoiding backflow.
• the positioning threads have a crest diameter reduced in two zones offset axially from each other, namely a first positioning zone adjacent to the peripheral annular stop stop, and a second intermediate prepositioning zone between said annular peripheral stop stop and the outlet end, each zone having a suitable length corresponding substantially to the length of the cervix of the animal to be treated
• outlet end of the end section is rounded, thus having a diameter sufficient to center the diffusion orifice away from the walls of the cavity receiving the catheter during use.
• FIG. 2 is a side view in longitudinal section of the catheter end section of FIG. 1, adapted on a semi-flexible tube,
• FIG. 3 illustrates the catheter end section of FIG. 1 in the prepositioning position
• FIG. 4 illustrates the catheter end section of FIG. 1 in the correct position for artificial insemination
• FIG. 5 is a partial side view illustrating the shoulder effect of the adjacent portions of annular ribs of peripheral annular stop abutment, when subjected to axial bending stress DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• a catheter according to the invention comprises, at the end of a semi-flexible tube 1, an end section 2 tubular profile with axial channel 30
• the section of end 2 extends between a proximal entry zone with annular stopper peripheral stop 4, flexible, and a distal exit end 5 with orifice 6 central diffusion helical threads 7 peripheral positioning are distributed in the intermediate part of end section between the annular peripheral stop stop 4 and the outlet end 5
• the annular peripheral stop stop 4 comprises a plurality of portions of fine annular ribs For example, in FIG.
• portions 41 , 42, 43 and 44 of annular ribs there are four portions 41 , 42, 43 and 44 of annular ribs, offset axially by a small difference one after the other At least one of the portions of annular ribs has a diamet re superior and constitutes a central rib, bordered on either side by portions of lateral ribs such as the portions 41 and 42 having a diameter less than that of the portion or portions of central ribs such as the portions of ribs 42 and 43 in figure 1
• each of the portions of annular ribs 41, 42, 43 and 44 is in the form of a circular crown, separated from the portion of annular rib adjacent by a continuous annular groove
• the plurality of portions of fine annular ribs forming the annular peripheral stop stop 4 consists of a continuous helical rib.
• the height of the helical rib has a maximum in central zone, to form the portions of central ribs 42 and 43, and gradually decreases on either side of said central zone in the direction of the entry zone 3 and the exit end 5 of the end section 2
• the helical rib forming the annular peripheral stop stop 4 a a height of between 4 and 8 millimeters in the central zone, a thickness of approximately 0.5 millimeter, and a pitch of approximately 1 millimeter
• the rib can be made, for example, of an elastomer of hardness between 35 and 40 Shore A.
• FIG. 5 The advantage of the particular structure of the annular peripheral stop stop 4 is illustrated in FIG. 5, the portions of fine annular ribs 41, 42, 43 and 44, offset axially by a small difference, support each other.
• the central annular ribs 42 and 43 flex in the direction indicated by the arrow 10 s in the figure
• the central annular peripheral rib 42 retains the central annular peripheral rib 43 when the latter has bent by a certain value corresponding to the difference between the two successive peripheral annular ribs
• the lateral peripheral annular rib 41 constitutes a support for the central annular peripheral rib 42 when the latter has bent by a sufficient value to come into abutment against said lateral annular peripheral rib 41 This increases
• the annular peripheral stop stop 4 has great flexibility for small deformations, and becomes more rigid when the deformations are greater. This progressiveness of the rigidity makes it possible to obtain a better compromise between the flexibility necessary so as not to injure the animal and the good seal necessary when the peripheral annular stop stop 4 comes to bear against the cervix
• the positioning threads 7 have a variable peak diameter as a function of the position considered along the end section 2 As illustrated in particular in FIG. 1, the positioning threads 7 have a peak diameter reduced in two zones 11 and 12 axially offset from each other, namely a first positioning zone 11 adjacent to the annular peripheral stop stop 4, and a second zone preposition 12 intermediate between said annular peripheral stop stop 4 and the outlet end 5
• each of the two zones 11 and 12 has a suitable length corresponding substantially to the length of the cervix of the animal to be treated.
• the positioning of the end section 2 in the cervix is carried out as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 at the start of penetration into the uterus 13, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the cervix 14 of the uterus 13 engages in the second prepositioning zone 12, and the user thus has a first tactile signal giving him the information of the prepositioning
• the end section 2 comes engage more inwardly of the uterus 13, and the cervix 14 of the uterus engages in the first positioning zone 11, pressing against the annular peripheral stop stop 4 which seals.
• the user receives a second tactile message confirming the correct engagement of the catheter in the uterus
• the user can also test the resistance to screwing, the peripheral threads 7 being engaged on the wall of the uterus 13
• the positioning nets 7 comprise at least three nets offset regularly around the longitudinal axis of the catheter. The catheter is thus more evenly centered in the cervix
• the outlet end 5 of the end section 2 is rounded, thus having a diameter sufficient to bear against the walls of the uterine cavity 13 and to center the diffusion orifice 6 away from the walls of the uterine cavity 13 receiving the catheter during use This avoids plugging of the orifice 6 During use, when the end section 2 is in place in the uterine cavity 13 as illustrated in FIG.
• the natural contractions of the animal suck the semen which comes from a flexible container connected at the end of the semi-flexible tube 1, and which crosses the central channel of the semi-flexible tube 1 and the channel 30 of the end section 2 for penetrate through the orifice 6 into the uterine cavity
• the particular configuration of the peripheral annular stop 4, pressing against the end of the cervix 14 of the uterus promotes good tightness and opposes the delivery of semen out of the womb.
• the particular flexibility of the peripheral annular stop stop 4 provides good positioning sensitivity for the user, and very significantly reduces the risk of injury to the animal.

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Reproductive Health (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9486194

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (2)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 1995
  • 1995-12-14 FR FR9515792A patent/FR2742332B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1996
  • 1996-12-11 EP EP96941738A patent/EP0871411A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1996-12-11 WO PCT/FR1996/001977 patent/WO1997021396A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1996-12-11 CA CA 2240255 patent/CA2240255A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 1996-12-11 AU AU11020/97A patent/AU1102097A/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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