EP2437681A1

EP2437681A1 - Probe for artificial insemination, in particular for pigs

Info

Publication number: EP2437681A1
Application number: EP10734235A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean Francois Yvoz
Original assignee: Ecopor SAS
Current assignee: Ecopor SAS
Priority date: 2009-06-05
Filing date: 2010-06-04
Publication date: 2012-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-04
Also published as: EP2437681B1; US20120078036A1; CN102458300A; BRPI1011278A2; FR2946244B1; WO2010139912A1; CN102458300B; FR2946244A1; EA201190332A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a probe (1) for artificially inseminating an animal, including: a cylindrical body to be inserted inside the vagina of the animal and ending in a distal element provided with a discharge opening; and a storage space for semen to be injected. The cylindrical body (2) consists of a hollow tube, and the storage space comprises a flexible tube (3) that is molded onto the proximal end (2a) of the cylindrical body on one side and onto a plug (4) on the other side, said plug (4) allowing the storage space to be filled under pressure. In the inoperative position, after being filled, the semen is located mainly in the expanded flexible tube while an overpressure prevails inside the cylindrical body. In the operative position, when the flexible tube is outside the vagina of the animal, the semen is moved into the entire cylindrical body through the discharge opening under the effect of suction and of the contraction of the flexible tube returning to the original volume thereof.

Description

PROBE FOR ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION, IN PARTICULAR PORCINE

The present invention relates to a device specially designed for the artificial insemination of an animal, especially porcine breed.

There are different techniques and therefore devices for artificial insemination, which differ in particular by the mode of conditioning of animal semen. For example the injection gun described in document FR 2.358.136 is designed to inject the seed from the different modes of packaging available, including flake doses, French, German or American type. In this technique, the operator who carries out the insemination of the animal must manipulate the packaging to introduce it inside the gun.

According to another technique described in document FR 2,450,103, the artificial insemination device comprises, on the one hand, a cylindrical body of which at least a part is intended to be housed inside the vagina of the animal and which carries a distal member provided with an evacuation orifice and, secondly, a reserve capacity of the seed to be injected, which reserve capacity consists of an envelope which surrounds the cylindrical body and which communicates with the vent hole. In the inactive position, the envelope comes to apply in the unexpanded state around the cylindrical body. Once the latter is introduced, with the distal element, into the vagina of the animal, the desired dose of seed is introduced to the inside of the envelope. The expansion of the envelope, due to its filling, that it is applied on the inner wall of the vagina. It should be noted that according to this technique, the connection of the casing with the discharge orifice is done through a mechanical system implementing a hollow tube slidably mounted inside the cylindrical body and which has connection lights inside the envelope. Thus, according to this technique described in document FR 2,450,103, the filling of the artificial insemination device with the animal semen is done at the place of insemination whereas the device is already introduced into the vagina of the animal. This is a major drawback because of the potential risks due to the handling that requires.

WO 2008/055665 seeks to overcome this disadvantage. It describes an artificial insemination probe which comprises a sheath and a deformable envelope defining with the sheath a reservoir for the seed, the sheath and the envelope are introduced into the genital apparatus of the animal. The sheath has a filling opening for introducing the seed into the reservoir and an evacuation opening for discharging the seed contained in the reservoir. The envelope is overmolded on the entire sheath. Thus, so that it can form a reservoir between the casing and the sleeve, it is expected that the sleeve comprises in a tubular portion, at least one longitudinal opening. During filling, the portion of the envelope which is in line with this longitudinal opening expands, so that during the introduction of the probe, this expanded casing portion comes into contact with the body of the animal. As a result, the introduction of the probe does not respect the well-being of the animal. It is also the same with the device of the document FR 2.450.103 mentioned above.

In addition, in this document WO 2008/055665, once it has introduced the probe into the animal, the operator must wait until the seed has flowed from the reservoir to the discharge opening before removing the probe and throw it away. Of course, it must be ensured that the greater part of the semen has flowed for greater effectiveness of insemination, so that the operator tends to leave the probe in place for a longer period of time than this is strictly necessary, otherwise it runs the risk of leaving too much residual seed in the probe.

Furthermore, the sleeve of the probe, with its filling opening, its discharge opening and its tubular portion having a longitudinal opening capable of forming the reservoir in combination with the envelope, is of complex manufacture. In addition, the introduction of the casing over the entire length of the sleeve is difficult, with the risk of leakage. The object of the present invention is to provide an artificial insemination probe which overcomes all or part of the disadvantages of the aforementioned techniques.

This aim is perfectly achieved by a probe for the artificial insemination of an animal, in particular of porcine breed, which comprises in a manner known from document FR 2,450,103, on the one hand, a cylindrical body which is intended to be housed within the vagina of the animal and which is terminated by a distal member provided with a discharge port and secondly, a seed supply capacity to be injected.

According to the present invention, typically, the cylindrical body is constituted by a hollow tube, in particular a semi-rigid tube, and the reserve capacity is constituted by a flexible tube, elastically deformable and impermeable to air, which is overmolded with one side around the proximal end of the cylindrical body and the other around a shutter which is adapted to allow the pressure filling of the reserve capacity. The distal element contains a material, in particular a wax, which, solid at ambient temperature, closes the discharge orifice in the inactive position of the probe and which, liquefying at the internal temperature of the animal, allows the release of the orifice in the active position of the probe inserted inside the vagina of the animal, Finally, in the inactive position, after filling, the seed is located mainly in the dilated flexible tube and an overpressure prevails inside the body cylindrical and, in the active position, the flexible tube being outside the vagina of the animal, the seed is moved throughout the cylindrical body through the discharge orifice, in particular by a suction phenomenon and under the effect of the contraction of the flexible tube returning to its original form.

Thus, according to the particular provisions of the present invention, the seed storage capacity is outside the part of the probe which is introduced inside the vagina of the animal so that, on the one hand there is no contact between the said capacity and the body of the animal neither during the introduction nor during the insemination itself - which facilitates the installation of the probe and respects the well-being of the animal - and, on the other hand, the operator can visualize whether or not seed remains inside said capacity and remove the probe knowingly.

In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical body is a semi-rigid polypropylene hollow tube and the flexible tube is made of elastomer, especially styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

The shutter can comprise;

a plug support around which is molded the proximal end of the flexible tube and which comprises an axial opening and

a plug capable of closing said opening. In one embodiment, the closure of the axial opening by the plug is done after filling the reserve capacity with the seed. In another embodiment, the plug is made of a flexible material which can be pierced by a seed-type needle-injecting injector and which is able to close tightly during the extraction of the injector. . In this case, the material for forming the plug may in particular be of elastomer, preferably styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), such as the flexible tube.

According to an alternative embodiment, the distal element of the probe is a rigid tube in the rear part of which is fitted the distal end of the cylindrical body and which has an internal shoulder intended to act as a stop at said distal end.

According to an alternative embodiment, the obturator material is contained in a hollow tip which is fitted into the front part of the distal element and which has an extension coming from outside the distal element and obscuring the evacuation orifice. . In addition, said extension is breakable so as to obtain the clearance of the discharge orifice when using the probe.

According to an alternative embodiment, the probe comprises at least one flexible sealing flange disposed around the distal element. Preferably, this flange is integrated in a sleeve which is overmolded around the distal member and the front portion of the cylindrical body. This collar is intended to ensure the tightness of the uterine medium, between the genital tissues and the probe. In particular, it allows the seed which flows through the discharge orifice of the probe not to be pushed backwards but penetrates well into the uterus. Preferably, the flange is formed from the front to the rear of the sleeve in a succession of at least two series, a first series in which the diameter decreases and a second series in which the diameter increases. The optimal placement of the probe is obtained when the cervix of the animal is arranged at the level of the smaller diameter of the two series. According to a particular embodiment, the sleeve supports a single collar which is in a helical configuration and whose diameter changes over the length of the sleeve, in particular according to the two aforementioned series,

According to an alternative embodiment, the obturator material, which is solid at ambient temperature and which liquefies at the internal temperature of the animal, contains at least one active agent with respect to at least one component of the seed, especially spermatozoa, it may in particular be an agent that promotes motility of the spermatozoa,

It is another object of the invention to provide an artificial insemination device which comprises a probe having all or some of the characteristics mentioned above and a sanitary pocket for storing said probe. Typically, the distal element, the cylindrical body and the flexible tube of the probe being placed inside the pocket, the latter is fixed in particular by heat-sealing on the cap support. The filling of the probe can thus intervene while the essential parts of the probe are protected by the sanitary pocket. Once the filling is completed, said device can be delivered to the operator in perfect hygienic and safety conditions, particularly as regards the conservation of the seed. The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of a preferred embodiment of an artificial insemination probe illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the probe before filling,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the probe of FIG. 1 after filling,

- Figure 3 is a schematic representation in longitudinal section of a probe which differs essentially from that of Figure 1 by the helical configuration of the sealing flange.

The artificial insemination probe which will be described below is intended in particular for the insemination of porcine animals, in the case of sows or gilts. This use is however not limiting.

In the present text, the notions of front and back as well as proximal and distal are taken into consideration of the general direction of introduction of the probe into the animal.

The probe 1 is an integral unit which comprises a cylindrical body 2, similar to a catheter, which is a hollow tube in a semi-rigid plastic material, in particular polypropylene. This hollow tube is extended rearwardly by a flexible tube 3 which is deformable when it is pressurized and is impervious to air. This flexible tube 3 is overmolded on the proximal end 2a of the cylindrical body 2. The flexible tube 3 is extended towards the rear by a shutter 4 which is composed of a plug holder 8 which is a hollow rigid piece whose axial opening 9, serving to fill the probe 1 with the animal seed, gives on the inside of the flexible tube 3 and consequently also of the cylindrical body 2. This axial opening 9 is, in FIG. 3, closed by a plug 10.

The shutter element 4 may comprise at its cap support 8 internal ridges able to cooperate with free lamellae formed around the cap 10. Thus, the ridges mechanically lock the cap 10 so as to prevent the latter from ride up towards the opening of the plug holder 8 when an excess pressure is exerted inside the flexible tube 3.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the flexible tube 3 is overmolded at the proximal end 2a of the cylindrical body 2 over at least one third of its length, preferably more than one third, and less than half of the length of the cylindrical body 2, in order to offset the formation of the balloon when the tube

3 is inflated to the shutter 4.

This arrangement allows the cylindrical body 2 to be perfectly introduced into the genitals of the animal. The flexible tube 3 may further comprise a localized material thickness (not shown in the figures, for example of the order of 0.4 mm for 10 mm, in order to shift the formation of the balloon when the tube 3 is inflated to the shutter 4, the balloon forming between the extra thickness on the one hand, and the shutter 4 on the other hand.This localized excess thickness is preferably formed at the inner diameter of the flexible tube 3, but could also be formed at the diameter outside of this flexible tube 3.

The proximal end 3a of the flexible tube 3 is further overmolded on the plug support 8 of the shutter 4. It is also possible to provide a stop collar 16 at the distal end of the flexible tube 3 which is overmolded on the end. proximal 2a of the cylindrical body 2. This stop flange 16 is preferably overmolded on the distal end of the flexible tube 3.

This stop flange 16 has the function of assisting the placement of the probe 1 to ensure that the distal element 5 is well disposed at the cervix.

On the other hand, this stop flange 16 promotes the attachment of the probe 1 inside the genital apparatus of the animal.

Thus, this stop flange 16 can be inserted into the genitals of the animal via a pusher disposed between the flange and the balloon formed when the flexible tube 3 is inflated as shown in Figure 3. The pusher its function is to deform the stop flange 16 so that it can be inserted inside the genitals of the animal.

The probe 1 also comprises a distal element 5 which is a rigid tubular piece in which is fitted the distal end 2b of the cylindrical body 2. This distal element 5 has an internal shoulder 11 which acts as a stop for the hollow body 2 when its introduction into the distal element 5.

The probe 1 has a discharge port 7 which in this case is constituted by the inner recess of the distal element 5 in its end part. This outlet 7 is closed by a material 6 which is solid at room temperature and liquefies at the temperature inside the vagina of the animal. It may especially be a wax known under the name WITEPSOL ^® W25.

To avoid any alteration of this material before use of the probe, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, this material 6 is contained in a hollow end-piece 12 which is fitted into the front part 5b of the distal element 5. to the shoulder 11 which also serves as a stop, and which has an extension 13 coming from outside the distal member 5 and obscuring the discharge orifice 7. This extension 13 is divisible so that the clearance of the discharge orifice is obtained by cutting off said extension immediately before the use of the probe.

The distal member 5 further comprises an annular extension 17 surrounding the breakable end 13 so that the seed is properly spilled at the desired location and does not flow on the distal member 5. In addition, the hollow end 12 has a hammered proximal end so as to bend its outer periphery around the obturating material 6 and avoid that, depending on the storage conditions, the wax flows through the hollow end 12 towards the inside of the cylindrical body 2.

The distal element 5 and the portion of the cylindrical body 2 which is behind the distal element is covered, by overmoulding, with a sleeve comprising at least one flange 14. This sleeve 15, including the one or more flanges 14, is in a flexible material, especially elastomer and preferably in SEBS.

The overmolding of the sleeve 15 on the distal member 5 and partially on the cylindrical body 2, as well as the overmolding of the flexible tube 3 on the proximal end 2a of the cylindrical body 2 and on the cap support 8 makes it possible to obtain a very good solidarity of these different elements between them and especially a perfect seal to ensure excellent conservation of the seed once it has been introduced into the probe.

The filling of the probe can be done in two ways depending on the filling material available. If this material comprises a needle-type injector, the plug 10 closing the axial opening 9 of the plug holder 8 is made of a material which on the one hand can be pierced by the injector and on the other hand is adapted to close tightly while extracting the injector. It may be an elastomer and in particular SEBS. According to another way, the plug 10 is introduced into the axial opening 9 only after said filling has been performed.

In this case, the material of the plug 10 is not necessarily of the type that can be pierced by the injector and adapted to close tightly during extraction of the injector, it is indeed possible to use a plug 10 of rigid material, such as polypropylene, which is positioned after filling, to seal the axial opening 9 of the plug holder 8.

This positioning after filling can be performed automatically, particularly in the context of a filling process itself automated.

In any case, because of the quantity of seed injected under pressure during the filling of the probe, a double phenomenon occurs, namely a dilation of the flexible tube 3 in the zone which extends between the two ends. overmolding, as shown in Figure 2, and secondly the formation of an overpressure in the cylindrical body 2. It should be noted that the seed is mainly located in the flexible tube 3 dilated, may nevertheless partially occupy the cylindrical tube 2. This distribution can also change in the time between filling and use of the probe. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the sleeve 15 comprises a single flange which is in a helical configuration and whose diameter changes over the length of the sleeve. This evolution is progressive on a first series 14.1 corresponding to several turns, then it is degressive on a second series 14.2 also corresponding to several turns and finally it is again progressive on a third series 14.3 corresponding to several turns. The optimal positioning of the probe 1 in the animal is obtained when the larger diameter turns are located on either side of the uterine neck, which provides a maximum seal. Of course, it would be possible to achieve the same effect using not a single helical flange but a plurality of annular flanges spaced apart from each other along the length of the sleeve 15, as shown in Figure 1.

To ensure the protection of the probe before and after its filling, it can be stored in a sanitary pocket. More specifically, this pocket is made of a thermoplastic material and is sized to contain the distal element, the cylindrical body and the flexible tube, while it is heat-sealed, for example by ultrasound, around the cap support 8, immediately back overmolding by the flexible tube 3. The filling of the probe 1 by the seed can be done while the probe is stored in his sanitary pocket.

For the implementation of the probe, the operator disconnects the sanitary pocket of the probe, knowing that pre-cuts formed in the pocket can facilitate this operation. It seizes the breakable extension 13 and separates it from the end piece 12, thus realizing the clearance of the discharge orifice 7, which is closed off by the material 6. It then introduces the probe into the animal by positioning it optimal way as mentioned above. The total length of the distal member and the cylindrical body is determined so that the flexible tube 3 remains outside the animal. Given the temperature prevailing inside the animal, the material 6 liquefies gradually, releasing the passage of the discharge orifice 4. Due to the existing overpressure inside the cylindrical body 2, this release of the discharge orifice 4 creates a suction phenomenon which causes the displacement of the seed contained inside the flexible tube 3 and possibly the cylindrical body 2 towards the evacuation port 7 and its flow in the uterus of the animal. This displacement also occurs because the flexible tube 3, released from the overpressure, tends to return to its original volume. It is also caused by a phenomenon of aspiration due to the natural movements of the uterine wall.

Since the flexible tube 3 remains outside the animal, it is possible for the operator to observe the behavior of this flexible tube 3 as and when insemination. It is noted that at the end of insemination the flexible tube 3 takes at least partially a flattened shape, which could mean that a certain depression is formed inside the probe. It was found that when this phenomenon occurs, the residual amount of seed in the probe is only a few milliliters for a quantity of seed introduced into the probe of the order of 85 ml.

The sealing material 6, once liquefied, comes into contact with the seed which moves through the hollow end-piece 12 and the discharge orifice 7. This contact can be exploited by adding to said material an active ingredient which acts on one of the components of the semen, in particular an active ingredient which acts on the motility of the spermatozoa. Comparative tests confirmed the excellent conservation of the semen as well as the improvement of the motility of the spermatozoa contained in the semen. In addition, on a series of tests, all the inseminations carried out obtained positive results, the sows having been diagnosed full 21 days after the insemination.

Claims

1. Probe (1) for the artificial insemination of an animal, in particular of porcine breed, comprising:

a cylindrical body which is intended to be housed inside the vagina of the animal and which is terminated by a distal element provided with an evacuation orifice and

a seed reserve capacity to be injected,

an obturator (4) which is capable of allowing the pressure filling of the reserve capacity, characterized in that:

the cylindrical body (2) consists of a hollow tube, in particular a semi-rigid tube,

the reserve capacity is constituted by a flexible tube (3), elastically deformable and impermeable to air, which is overmolded on one side around the proximal end (2a) of the cylindrical body and on the other around said shutter (4),

the distal element (5) contains a shutter material (6), in particular a wax, which, solid at ambient temperature, closes the evacuation orifice (7) in the inactive position of the probe and which, liquefying at the internal temperature of the animal, allows the release of the orifice in the active position of the probe introduced into the vagina of the animal,

in the inactive position, after filling, the seed is located mainly in the flexible tube which is then dilated and an overpressure prevails inside the cylindrical body and

- In the active position, the flexible tube being outside the vagina of the animal, the seed is moved throughout the cylindrical body through the suction outlet and under the effect of the contraction of the flexible tube returning to its original volume.

2. Probe according to claim 1 characterized in that the cylindrical body is a polypropylene hollow tube and the flexible tube is elastomeric, especially styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

3. Probe according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the shutter (4) comprises:

a plug support (8), around which the proximal end (3a) of the flexible tube is overmolded, and comprising an axial opening (9) and a plug (10) capable of closing said opening (9), in particular after filling.

4. Probe according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the plug (10) is in a flexible material which can be pierced by a needle filling injector, needle type, and which is able to close again in a leaktight manner during the extraction of the injector, in particular elastomer, preferably styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

5. Probe according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the distal member (5) is a rigid tube in the rear portion (5a) which is fitted with the distal end (2b) of the cylindrical body (2) and which has an internal shoulder (11) acting as a stop at said distal end (2b).

6. Probe according to claim 5 characterized in that the closure material (6) is contained in a hollow end piece (12) which is fitted in the front portion (5b) of the distal member (5) and which has an extension ( 13) coming out of the distal element (5) and closing off the discharge opening (7) and in that said extension (13) is breakable so as to obtain the clearance of the orifice of evacuation (7) when using the probe.

7. Probe according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it comprises at least one flexible sealing collar (14) disposed around the distal member (5).

8. Probe according to claim 7 characterized in that the flexible collar (14) is integrated in a sleeve (15) which is overmolded around the distal member (5) and the front portion (2b) of the cylindrical body, in particular elastomer, preferably SEBS.

9. Probe according to claim 8 characterized in that the flange is formed from the front to the rear of the sleeve in a succession of at least two series, a first series (14.2) in which the diameter decreases and a second series (14.3) in which the diameter increases.

10. Probe according to one of claims 8 to 9 characterized in that the sleeve (15) supports a single flange (14) in a helical configuration and whose diameter changes over the length of the sleeve, in particular according to both series.

11. Probe according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the obturator material (6) contains at least one active agent vis-à-vis at least one component of the semen, including spermatozoïde.

12. Artificial insemination device comprising a probe according to one of claims 3 to 11 and a sanitary pocket for storing said probe, characterized in that, the distal element, the cylindrical body and the flexible tube being placed at inside the pocket, the pocket is fixed, in particular heat-sealed, on the cap support (8).