WO2023211954A1 - Appareil de distribution pour faciliter le taux de libération souhaité d'un composé de traitement dans un environnement aquatique - Google Patents

Appareil de distribution pour faciliter le taux de libération souhaité d'un composé de traitement dans un environnement aquatique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023211954A1
WO2023211954A1 PCT/US2023/019829 US2023019829W WO2023211954A1 WO 2023211954 A1 WO2023211954 A1 WO 2023211954A1 US 2023019829 W US2023019829 W US 2023019829W WO 2023211954 A1 WO2023211954 A1 WO 2023211954A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
treatment compound
delivery apparatus
reservoir
release
treatment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2023/019829
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alexis N. SLUPE
Austin J. CROUSE
Kevin J. CRESSWELL
Brian K. JOHANSEN
Original Assignee
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. filed Critical W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Publication of WO2023211954A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023211954A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/10—Culture of aquatic animals of fish
    • A01K61/13—Prevention or treatment of fish diseases
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K63/00—Receptacles for live fish, e.g. aquaria; Terraria
    • A01K63/04—Arrangements for treating water specially adapted to receptacles for live fish

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to methods and systems for controlling pest infestation, and more specifically for reducing sea lice infestation in an aquatic environment.
  • a delivery apparatus includes a treatment compound reservoir and a release mechanism.
  • the treatment compound reservoir contains a treatment compound
  • the release mechanism releases the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir to an aquatic environment at a desired rate of release.
  • the release mechanism includes a constant force applicator operable to facilitate the desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir by applying a constant force and a constant pressure on the treatment compound reservoir.
  • the constant force applicator includes a constant force spring coupled with a piston head.
  • the constant force applicator includes a constant torque spring coupled with a piston head.
  • the constant force applicator further includes at least one gear operably coupling the constant torque spring and the piston head such that torque from the constant torque spring is translated to the piston head via the at least one gear.
  • the constant force applicator further includes a drive belt and at least one sprocket operably coupling the constant torque spring and the piston head such that torque from the constant torque spring is translated to the piston head via the at least one sprocket and the drive belt.
  • the constant force applicator includes a pneumatic cylinder operable via regulated gas provided from a compressed gas tank.
  • the constant force applicator includes a foam with gas entrapped therein.
  • the release mechanism includes a helical spring coupled with a piston head operable to facilitate the desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir by applying a variable force and a variable pressure on the treatment compound reservoir.
  • the release mechanism includes a constant force applicator operable to facilitate the desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir by applying a constant force and a variable pressure on the treatment compound reservoir.
  • the delivery apparatus further includes a housing configured to at least partially enclose therein the treatment compound reservoir and the constant force applicator.
  • the constant force applicator includes a diaphragm attached to the housing and operable to entrap air within the housing.
  • the release mechanism includes a constant pressure applicator operable to facilitate the desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir by applying a constant pressure on the treatment compound reservoir.
  • the delivery apparatus further includes a housing configured to enclose therein the treatment compound reservoir and the constant force applicator, and the constant force applicator includes a diaphragm attached to the housing to form a sealed chamber therein and a pressure regulator disposed within the sealed chamber and operable to maintain a constant pressure within the sealed chamber.
  • the release mechanism includes a constant differential pressure applicator operable to facilitate the desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir by applying a variable absolute pressure to achieve a constant differential pressure across the membrane on the treatment compound reservoir independent of the depth of the device.
  • the delivery apparatus further includes a housing which includes a first chamber and a second chamber located at a predetermined distance from the first chamber.
  • the treatment compound reservoir is disposed in the first chamber and the constant differential pressure applicator is disposed at least partially in the second chamber.
  • the constant differential pressure applicator includes an air bladder disposed in the second chamber and a tube extending between the first chamber and the second chamber and fluidly coupling the air bladder and the first chamber such that the air bladder is operable to supply additional air volume as the treatment compound reservoir is exhausted and as the delivery apparatus is transported from a first location of a first pressure to a second location of a second pressure higher than the first pressure.
  • the first chamber and second chamber maintain an equal pressure with respect to one another and to the treatment compound reservoir.
  • the release mechanism includes one or more permeable portions of the treatment compound reservoir that are configured to facilitate releasing the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir at the desired rate of release.
  • the release mechanism further includes a sealed rigid chamber, and the sealed rigid chamber is configured to be pressurized to release the treatment compound through the one or more permeable portions of the treatment compound reservoir at the desired rate of release.
  • the release mechanism includes one or more orifices of the treatment compound reservoir that are configured to facilitate releasing the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir at the desired rate of release.
  • the release mechanism further includes a sealed rigid chamber, and the sealed rigid chamber is configured to be pressurized based on one or more of the following: a volume of air within the sealed rigid chamber, a change in height of the treatment compound, and a depth in the aquatic environment which the delivery apparatus is deployed.
  • the delivery apparatus further includes a sensor coupled with the sealed rigid chamber and configured to monitor a rate at which the treatment compound is released from the treatment compound reservoir.
  • Example 21 the sensor is configured to measure a change in pressure within the sealed rigid chamber.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a system including a plurality of containment pens in an array and having one or more treatment reservoirs according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a containment pen according to some embodiments.
  • FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of another containment pen according to some embodiments.
  • FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a treatment reservoir having a horizontal configuration and at least one port according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a treatment reservoir having a vertical configuration and at least one port according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 3C is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a treatment reservoir having a buoy configuration and at least one port according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 3D is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a delivery bladder container according to some embodiments.
  • FIG. 3E is an exploded view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3D;
  • FIG. 3F is a schematic illustration of a containment site having treatment reservoirs including a treatment reservoir for releasing a baiting or deterrent compound according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 4A is a photograph of an inner surface of a port having a housing, a membrane, and a seal according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 4B is a photograph of an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the port of FIG. 4A;
  • FIG. 4C is a photograph of an inner surface of another port having a housing, a membrane, and a seal according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 4D is a photograph of an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the port of FIG. 4C;
  • FIG. 4E is a photograph of an inner surface of yet another port having a housing, a membrane, and a seal according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 4F is a photograph of an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the port of FIG. 4E;
  • FIG. 5A is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of a porous media according to some embodiments.
  • FIG. 5B is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of a porous media with a semi-permeable coating thereon according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a top view of a treatment reservoir configured as a point source reservoir for treatment of an aquatic environment according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a top view of a treatment reservoir configured as a perimeter reservoir for treatment of an aquatic environment according to some embodiments
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a horizontally- oriented set of treatment reservoirs for treating a containment pen array in an aquatic environment according to some embodiments;
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a vertically- oriented treatment reservoirs for treating a containment pen array in an aquatic environment according to some embodiments
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a top view of a set of embodiments for treatment reservoirs treating a containment pen array in an aquatic environment, the reservoirs being offset from anchoring infrastructure, according to some embodiments.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an aquatic containment pen with treatment compound delivery apparatuses attached thereto, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 12A is a side view of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 12A as cut along the dashed line;
  • FIG. 13A is a schematic illustration of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 13B is an angled view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 13A;
  • FIG. 13C is an image of an exemplary constant torque spring as implemented in the delivery apparatus of FIGs. 13A and 13B according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 14A is a schematic illustration of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 14B is an angled view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 13A;
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 18A is a side view of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 18A as cut along the dashed line;
  • FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 21A is a schematic illustration of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 21 B is an angled illustration of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 21 A;
  • FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIGs. 23A through 23F are images of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIGs. 24A through 24D are images of a treatment compound reservoir and connection component attached thereto according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 25 is a schematic illustration of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIGs. 26A and 26B are schematic illustrations of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIGs. 27A through 27D are various angled views of the treatment compound delivery apparatus of FIGs. 12A and 12B;
  • FIG. 27E is a partial view of the delivery apparatus of FIGs. 12A and 12B;
  • FIGs. 27F and 27G are images of the delivery apparatus of FIGs. 12A and 12B after being used to deliver treatment compound in an aquatic environment according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 27H is a partial view of the delivery apparatus of FIGs. 12A and 12B as seen through one of the water exit openings of the housing;
  • FIG. 28 is an image of a reservoir integrated with an endplate as used in the delivery apparatus of FIGs. 12A and 12B according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 29A is a side view of a treatment compound delivery apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 29B is another side view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 29A as shown from a different side angle;
  • FIG. 29C is a top view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 29A;
  • FIG. 29D is a partial view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 29A, as shown by the circle “D” of FIG. 29A;
  • FIG. 29E is a cross-sectional view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 29A as cut along the dashed line E — E in FIG. 29D;
  • FIG. 29F is a cross-sectional view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 29A as cut along the dashed line F — F in FIG. 29D;
  • FIG. 29G is a partial view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 29A, as shown by the circle “G” of FIG. 29B;
  • FIG. 29H is a cross-sectional view of the delivery apparatus of FIG.
  • FIG. 29I is a cross-sectional view of the delivery apparatus of FIG. 29A as cut along the dashed line I — I in FIGs. 29C and 29F;
  • FIG. 30A is a graph showing a correlation between the dispensed mass of the treatment compound with respect to the duration after deployment, according to embodiments disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 30B is a graph shown a correlation between the pressure applied to the delivery apparatus with respect to the amount of treatment compound being dispensed, according to embodiments disclosed herein.
  • the terms “about” and “approximately” may be used, interchangeably, to refer to a measurement that includes the stated measurement and that also includes any measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement. Measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement deviate from the stated measurement by a reasonably small amount as understood and readily ascertained by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Such deviations may be attributable to measurement error or minor adjustments made to optimize performance and/or structural parameters in view of differences in measurements associated with other components, particular implementation scenarios, imprecise adjustment and/or manipulation of objects by a person or machine, and/or the like, for example. In the event it is determined that individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts would not readily ascertain values for such reasonably small differences, the terms “about” and “approximately” can be understood to mean plus or minus 10% of the stated value.
  • treatment reservoir as used herein in the context of aquaculture, or fish farming, is a source for delivering compounds for aquatic environment treatment.
  • Fish farming involves the selective breeding of fish, either in fresh water or sea water, with the purpose of producing a food source for consumption.
  • treatment reservoir may be referred to herein as “treatment reservoir for delivering compounds for aquatic environment treatment” or to as simply “reservoir”.
  • supporting structure as used herein in the context of aquaculture includes walkways, hand rails, bird nets, feed lines, containment pens, and other known aquaculture infrastructure.
  • Containment pen as used herein is meant to denote a supporting structure, moorings, as well as a net or cage attached thereto to define an enclosure in which aquatic organisms are confined. Containment pens may also include camera systems, feeding lights, and laser units.
  • treatment site as used herein is meant to denote a natural or artificial barrier defining an area in which at least one containment pen and at least one treatment reservoir are disposed for the treatment of aquatic organisms or aquatic animals within the containment site.
  • crackish water as used herein is water that has more salinity than fresh water but less salinity than seawater.
  • Various concepts disclosed herein relate to systems, reservoirs, and associated methods including aquatic environment treatment features.
  • the systems, reservoirs, and methods relate to configurations for effective treatment of a desired aquatic environment.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration of an aquatic system 100 for a containment site 110, including a plurality of containment pens 115 in an array in aquatic environment 50.
  • Containment site 110 may be secured in an aquatic environment with an anchoring system 105 for maintaining a relative position of the plurality of containment pens 115 to define a containment pen array 90.
  • Aquatic system 100 also includes one or more treatment reservoirs 250, 260, 270, 280, and/or 370, which may take on any of a variety of configurations described herein.
  • the treatment reservoir includes a treatment compound and a delivery apparatus (e.g., delivery apparatus 225 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D) configured to release the treatment compound according to a desired release profile.
  • a delivery apparatus e.g., delivery apparatus 225 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D
  • At least one treatment reservoir may be configured as a horizontally-oriented reservoir 250 attached to or positioned around a containment pen 115, a horizontally-oriented reservoir 155 attached to anchor system 105, a vertically- oriented reservoir 260 attached to or positioned adjacent to a containment pen 115, a point source reservoir 270 at least partially disposed in or positioned near a containment site 110 or a containment pen 115, a perimeter reservoir 280 such as a buoy reservoir 280 or series of buoy reservoirs 285 at least partially encircling a containment site 110 or containment pen 115, a delivery bladder container 370 at least partially disposed in or positioned near a containment site 110 or a containment pen 115, or combinations of any of the foregoing as described with reference to FIGS.
  • FIG. 2A depicts a containment pen 115A that includes a support structure 215 coupled to a net 220 for containing one or more aquatic organisms or aquatic animals in an aquatic environment 50.
  • Net 220 can be configured into various shapes such as the cylindrical shape depicted in FIG.
  • net 220 may include a rounded or cone shaped portion 222 as depicted in FIG. 2B.
  • Any suitable shape for the containment pens 115 may be used in addition to containment pens 115A and 115B depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively. Shapes such as tetrahedron, square pyramid, hexagonal pyramid, cube, cubic, cuboid, triangular prism, octahedron, pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, dodecahedron, sphere, ellipsoid, icosahedron, cone, cylinder, ribbon, and other geometric or non-geometric structures are also contemplated.
  • Aquatic environment 50 is flowable in, though, and around the containment pen 115A, which may reside in a larger body of liquid (e.g., water, saltwater, or brackish water).
  • Support structure 215 may be formed of a cage or frame that is floatable in the aquatic environment 50. In some embodiments, the support structure 215 is rigid. Any support structure suitable in existing aquaculture net pens may be used, such as, but not limited to a pen, cage, frame, or net made or steel and I or plastic or other suitable materials as known in the art for aquatic environments and aquaculture.
  • Net 220 may be any known netting useful for aquaculture net pens.
  • Containment pen 115A defines an enclosure for the aquatic animals (e.g., fish) or aquatic organisms and may be open at the top provided that the net 220 extends at least to the surface of the aquatic environment 50, or a sufficient height above the surface of the aquatic environment 50 so that the aquatic animals or other aquatic organisms being contained therein are not easily able to get out. Containment pens also can be closed and submerged in high energy locations or submerged through storms - in this case the aquatic organisms are contained by cage or netting on all sides.
  • the aquatic animals e.g., fish
  • Containment pen 115A defines an enclosure for the aquatic animals (e.g., fish) or aquatic organisms and may be open at the top provided that the net 220 extends at least to the surface of the aquatic environment 50, or a sufficient height above the surface of the aquatic environment 50 so that the aquatic animals or other aquatic organisms being contained therein are not easily able to get out. Containment pens also can be closed and submerged in high energy locations or
  • the treatment reservoir is attached (i.e., fastened) to standard aquaculture infrastructure.
  • treatment reservoirs of the present disclosure can easily be integrated into current aquaculture systems.
  • containment pen 115A may include a treatment reservoir positioned within the containment pen 115A by attaching the treatment reservoir to, for example: an aquaculture video camera and/or sensor system or its associated infrastructure, such as a buoy or it’s connecting chain; or a dedicated buoy and/or its connecting chain.
  • the treatment reservoir is positioned external to (e.g., adjacent) the containment pen 115A.
  • the treatment reservoir is positioned so that the treatment compound to be released from the treatment reservoir has its desired effect.
  • the treatment reservoir is positioned external to the containment pen 115A by attaching the treatment reservoir to, for example: a marker buoy and/or its associated connecting chain; a grid or mooring buoy and/or its associated connecting chain; a grid or mooring line (i.e. , anchoring system 105); or a dedicated buoy and/or its connecting chain.
  • the containment pen 115B depicted in FIG. 2B includes a support structure 215, and further to those features of containment pen 115A, a cone shaped portion 222, and a mesh or net 220 coupled to the support structure 215 and cone shaped portion 222 to define an enclosure for containing the aquatic animals or aquatic organisms.
  • One example of the aquatic animals or aquatic organisms is a fish; for ease of discussion only, “fish” will be used throughout the disclosure, and is meant to denote any aquatic animal or aquatic organism.
  • the containment pen 115B, or simply the “pen” as used interchangeably herein, is provided as an example of various pen features, including a more tapered, or cone shaped bottom net structure 222. Such differences, among others in pen shape and size will be readily appreciated by those in the field.
  • FIGS. 3A-3E depict illustrations of treatment reservoirs of various configurations.
  • FIG. 3A is an illustration of a treatment reservoir 250 that has a horizontal configuration, similar to the horizontally oriented reservoir 250 of FIG. 1 .
  • the treatment reservoir 250 can include a delivery apparatus 225 configured as a continuous, or segmented circumferential tubular structure with one or more ports 190 therein.
  • treatment reservoir 250 includes a delivery apparatus 225 with a treatment compound therein (not shown). Delivery apparatus 225 of treatment reservoir 250 is configured to release the treatment compound according to a desired release profile.
  • the treatment reservoir 250 may include at least one port 190 associated with the delivery apparatus 225, as shown schematically in FIG. 3A.
  • Ports 190 may be disposed anywhere along the delivery apparatus 225 and may be a unitary part of the delivery apparatus itself or a separate component attached thereto. Ports 190 will be discussed in more detail in relation to FIGS. 4A-4F.
  • Treatment reservoir 250 may be configured so that the delivery apparatus 225 is positioned adjacent to a containment pen 115 as shown in FIG. 3A so as to be positioned in close proximity but without adding the load of the delivery apparatus 225 having the treatment compound therein to the containment pen 115.
  • delivery apparatus 225 may be attached to or positioned within a containment pen 115 (not shown).
  • FIG. 3B is an illustration of a treatment reservoir 260 that has a vertical configuration and at least one port 190.
  • the treatment reservoir 260 can include a delivery apparatus 225 configured as a continuous or segmented vertical tubular structure, or containers with one or more ports 190 similar to those referenced above with regard to FIG. 3A and a treatment compound therein (not shown).
  • Delivery apparatus 225 of treatment reservoir 260 is configured to release the treatment compound according to a desired release profile.
  • Port 190 may be disposed anywhere along the delivery apparatus 225 and may be a unitary part of the delivery apparatus itself or a separate component attached thereto.
  • the delivery apparatus 225 includes a housing or container capable of retaining the treatment compound with the port attached to and accessing the interior of the housing in which the treatment compound is contained.
  • the delivery apparatus 225 can be a tube, pipe, barrel, box, or other shape container with one or more associated ports for delivering the treatment compound.
  • Treatment reservoir 260 may be configured so that the delivery apparatus 225 is positioned adjacent to a containment pen 115 as shown in FIG. 3B or may be attached to or positioned within a containment pen 115 (not shown).
  • FIG. 3C depicts a treatment reservoir 270 having a buoy configuration that has at least one port 190.
  • a buoy configuration is a point source with floatation such that treatment reservoir 270 is held in position.
  • Treatment reservoir 270 includes a delivery apparatus 225 and a treatment compound (not illustrated). Delivery apparatus 225 of treatment reservoir 270 is configured to release the treatment compound according to a desired release profile. Delivery apparatus 225 may include a container 230 having at least one port 190. Port 190 may be disposed within the container body 235 of delivery apparatus 225 or may be disposed at the top 240 or bottom 245 (not shown) of the delivery apparatus 225.
  • Treatment reservoir 270 may be of any size or shape suitable for containing treatment compound for delivery to an aquatic environment.
  • FIG. 3D depicts a delivery bladder container 370 having an outer containment vessel 372, a delivery bladder 374 disposed within containment vessel 372 (dotted fill), end caps 376, and attachment device 378.
  • FIG. 3E depicts an exploded view of the delivery bladder container 370, having an outer containment vessel 372, a delivery bladder 374, end caps 376, and attachment device 378.
  • a “delivery bladder container” is a type of treatment reservoir
  • a “delivery bladder” is a type of delivery apparatus.
  • the outer containment vessel 372 includes a plurality of openings 380.
  • the openings of the plurality of openings 380 can be of any shape, such as, for example, circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, irregular, or a combination thereof.
  • the number and size of openings of the plurality of openings 380 are selected such that liquid of the aquatic environment can move in and out of the outer containment vessel 372 with minimal resistance while preventing large debris (e.g., driftwood) from entering the outer containment vessel 372 and animals (e.g., birds, seals, sharks, fish, etc.) from contacting the delivery bladder 374 disposed within the containment vessel 372.
  • the ends of the containment vessel 372 include a threaded section 382.
  • Threaded section 382 is configured to interact with a threaded section on an inner surface of each of end caps 376 and secure end caps 376 to outer containment vessel 372.
  • Other means for securing end caps 376 to containment vessel 372 are also contemplated, including, for example, welds, compression fittings, adhesives including epoxy adhesive, couplings, friction fit or snap-fit components, etc.
  • attachment device 378 form a loop on each one of end caps 376. However, attachment device 378 may be disposed on or in the end caps 376, the outer containment vessel 372, or both the end caps 376 and the outer containment vessel 372.
  • Attachment devices 378 provide a contact point for securing delivery bladder container 370 in position, and can take any suitable form such as, for example a loop, hook, eye hook, or hole.
  • a rope, chain, shackle, carabiner, etc. may be affixed to the delivery bladder container 370 via the attachment device 378 to secure delivery bladder container 370 in a desired position.
  • the delivery bladder container 370 can be affixed or attached to an aquaculture video camera and/or sensor system or its associated infrastructure, such as a marker buoy and/or its associated connecting chain; a grid or mooring buoy and/or its associated connecting chain; a grid or mooring line (i.e. , anchoring system 105); or a dedicated buoy and/or its connecting chain.
  • the delivery bladder container 370 can be cylindrical, as depicted in FIGS. 3D and 3E, or may be, for example, spherical, cuboidal, conical, or a rectangular prism.
  • Outer containment vessel 372 and end caps 376 can be made from, for example, plastics (e.g., polyvinyl chloride) and stainless steel.
  • the material of the outer containment vessel 372 can be selected to provide sufficient strength to withstand environmental factors likely to be encountered by the deliver bladder container 370, such as, for example, salt water, tidal forces, waves, UV light exposure, etc., and withstand other factors such as attack or inspection by animals such as birds, seals, sharks, fish, etc.
  • one or both end caps 376 form a part of, or are otherwise permanently integrated with, outer containment vessel 372.
  • the delivery bladder container is a rectangular prism having continuous (i.e., non-removable) sides.
  • access to an interior of the outer containment vessel may be achieve by a hatch or other similar securable opening. This allows for the delivery bladder 374 to be positioned within the outer containment vessel 372.
  • one end cap 376 is permanently affixed to outer containment vessel 372 while the opposite end cap 376 configured to be removable from outer containment vessel 372.
  • Delivery bladder 374 is made from a release media and is configured to be filled with a treatment compound 70 (not shown).
  • the delivery bladder 374 is configured to release the treatment compound 70 according to a desired release profile. Further details concerning the release media, treatment compound, and release profile(s) are provided elsewhere herein.
  • the delivery bladder is a tube, formed from the release media. Each end of the tube can be closed and secured (i.e., sealed), thereby forming a bladder and retaining the treatment compound within delivery bladder 374.
  • the tube may be cylindrical with a consistent diameter over the majority of the length of the bladder, or may have a larger diameter towards the middle of the bladder (e.g., a football-shaped bladder).
  • the delivery bladder 374 is an injectable bladder, wherein the delivery bladder 374 is a continuous bag without an opening.
  • the injectable bladder is filled with the treatment compound using, for example a syringe, where the syringe passes through the release media of the delivery bladder 374 and the treatment compound is deposited within the delivery bladder 374.
  • FIG. 3F is an illustration of a containment site 110 having treatment reservoirs 270 and/or deliver bladder containers 370 for releasing treatment compound 70 to the aquatic environment 50 and further including one or more baiting reservoirs 275 for releasing a treatment compound in the form of a baiting compound 75.
  • Containment site 110 may be located at an inlet or a bay or other body of water (natural or man-made) and may include an opening 80 to an adjacent aquatic environment 50 (e.g., open ocean).
  • the array 90 of containment pens 115 may be treated by point source reservoirs 270 and/or delivery bladder containers 370 positioned in and/or around the array 90.
  • the point source reservoirs 270 may include delivery apparatus 225 and treatment compound 70 therein, while the delivery bladder containers 370 may include delivery bladder 374 and treatment compound 70 therein.
  • Baiting reservoir 275 includes a delivery apparatus 225 (such as a buoy-type delivery apparatus) and a treatment compound 75 therein that is specifically a baiting compound.
  • Baiting reservoir 275 may be positioned a distance away from an array 90 of containment pens 115 so that release of the baiting compound 75 from the baiting reservoir 275 lures, or baits undesirable organisms (e.g., predators, parasites, or the like) away from the array 90 thus providing an alternative or additional manner of protecting the fish located within the containment pens 115.
  • undesirable organisms e.g., predators, parasites, or the like
  • delivery apparatuses 225 may be configured as a tube (e.g., FIGS. 3A-3B) or container (e.g., FIG. 3C) that is either completely or partially enclosed.
  • the port(s) may be the only opening(s) in the delivery apparatuses 225 such that, once the delivery apparatuses 225 are filled with treatment compound, the delivery apparatuses 225 are utilized to permit release of the treatment compound around and I or into the containment pens 115.
  • the container portions of the delivery apparatuses 225 (tube, body, top, or bottom, for example) may be made of plastic, metal, or other known material compatible in an aquaculture environment.
  • the delivery apparatus 225 may be formed as a container, such as the container 230, which is shown as having a port 190.
  • the container 230 stores or contains the treatment compound that is releasable through the port 190.
  • Port 190 includes a release media (not depicted), which is described in detail below.
  • the permeability and/or porosity properties of the release media forming at least a portion of the port 190 of the delivery apparatus 225 may be varied as desired to achieve a desired delivery, release, or treatment profile.
  • One or more portions of the delivery apparatus 225 e.g., the ports 190 or of the delivery bladder 374 of the delivery bladder container 370 may have porous, semi-porous, permeable, or semi-permeable properties to permit a treatment compound (e.g., an aqueous solution, aqueous slurry, oil, or emulsion) to flow in and/or out of the delivery apparatus 225 or delivery bladder 374.
  • a treatment compound e.g., an aqueous solution, aqueous slurry, oil, or emulsion
  • the porous, semi-porous, permeable, or semi-permeable material included in the ports 190 of the delivery apparatus 225 or that makes up the delivery bladder 374 is at least one release media chosen from a fluoropolymer, a polyethylene, an expanded polyethylene, a microporous polyethylene, a polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyurethane (PU), nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded ePTFE, nitrocellulose, polyethersulfone, a metal matrix composite, a frit, a ceramic matrix, and combinations thereof.
  • a fluoropolymer a polyethylene, an expanded polyethylene, a microporous polyethylene, a polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyurethane (PU), nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded ePTFE, nitrocellulose, polyethersulfone, a metal matrix composite, a fri
  • the release media may be a porous material, semi-porous material, permeable material, semi-permeable material, or a combination thereof, that allows flow in a first direction flowing from within the treatment reservoir or delivery bladder towards the aquatic environment located externally relative to the treatment reservoir or delivery bladder. If desired, the release media may optionally allow flow in the opposite direction, in other words, in a second direction flowing from the aquatic environment toward the inside of the treatment reservoir.
  • the release media may be selected to preferentially allow flow or partial flow in either direction and may be selected to prevent or allow certain organisms or impurities from flowing through the port or into the delivery bladder.
  • the port or delivery bladder is configured such that the treatment compound is released in a controlled manner from the port (e.g., according to a desired time of release and / or release rate) or delivery bladder and flows into the aquatic environment.
  • the aquatic environment has a concentration of treatment compound lower than the that of the aqueous solution, aqueous slurry, oil, or emulsion contained within treatment reservoir.
  • the aquatic environment is saltwater, although a variety of aquatic environments (e.g., freshwater, saltwater, or brackish water) are contemplated.
  • expanded polyethylene and microporous polyethylene membranes including expanded or microporous polyethylene membranes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (LIHMWPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), may be a particularly advantageous material for the release media
  • the release media may be formed from a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and others.
  • the release media includes a thermoplastic polymer as one or more layers or coatings on the release media to achieve a temperature dependent treatment compound release profile.
  • thermoplastic polymers soften above certain temperatures and then reharden upon cooling.
  • suitable thermoplastic polymers include at least one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polybenzimidazole acrylic, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(ethene-co-tetrafluoroethene) (ETFE), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polyurethane (PUR and PU), a nitrocellulose (NC), which may include a mixture of inert cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate polymers, a polyethersulfone, and combinations thereof.
  • Examples of a polyester used in at least portions of the ports 190 of the delivery apparatus 225 or of the delivery bladder 374 may include at least one release media chosen from terephthalic acid (PTA), dimethyl ester dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), monoethylene glycol (MEG), and combinations thereof.
  • PTA terephthalic acid
  • DMT dimethyl ester dimethyl terephthalate
  • MEG monoethylene glycol
  • the release media includes a fluoropolymer as one or more layers or coatings on the release media.
  • fluoropolymers include poly(ethene-co-tetrafluoroethene) (ETFE), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and combinations thereof.
  • Fluoropolymers are made from monomers chosen from perfluorocycloalkene (PFCA), ethylene (Ethane) (E), vinyl fluoride (fluoroethylene) (VF1 ), vinylidene fluoride (1 ,1 -difluoroethylene) (VDF or VF2), tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), propylene (P), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE), perfluoromethylvinylether (PMVE), and combinations thereof.
  • PFCA perfluorocycloalkene
  • Ethane E
  • VDF vinylidene fluoride
  • TFE tetrafluoroethylene
  • CTFE chlorotrifluoroethylene
  • P propylene
  • HFP hexafluoropropylene
  • PPVE perfluoropropylvinylether
  • PMVE perfluoromethylvin
  • the release media is an expanded polyethylene or a microporous polyethylene.
  • the release media is an expanded fluoropolymer and/or microporous fluoropolymer, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).
  • the release media may take on a variety of forms, including at least one of tubes, fibers, mesh, membranes, sheets, and combinations thereof.
  • the release media may be a 2-dimensional structure, a 3- dimensional structure, or combinations thereof.
  • One or more portions of the delivery apparatus 225 or delivery bladder 374 may be configured such that treatment compound flow passes preferentially in a direction from the delivery apparatus 225 or delivery bladder 374 to an area external to the delivery apparatus 225 or delivery bladder 374.
  • treatment compound is releasable from the container 230 (as shown in FIG. 3C) and may flow through port 190 through a release media (not shown), and into the aquatic environment external to the treatment reservoir 270.
  • treatment compound is releasable from the delivery bladder 374 into the space between the delivery bladder 374 and outer containment vessel 372. Water from the aquatic environment, which passes relatively freely in and out of the outer containment vessel via the plurality of openings 380, dilutes the released treatment compound and carries it from the delivery bladder container 370.
  • Suitable ports 190 of the delivery apparatus 225 may be configured as diffusion ports, vent ports, or other types of ports as desired.
  • Non-limiting examples of various sizes and configurations of ports (290, 390, 490) are shown in FIGS. 4A- 4E.
  • Ports include a release media (such as those described herein) operatively associated with the port to control the release of the treatment compound through the port according to a desired release profile.
  • FIG. 4A illustrates an inner surface 291 of a port 290 having a housing 395, a release media 330, and a seal 345 according to some embodiments.
  • Release media 330 includes at least one material layer for allowing delivery of a treatment compound through a port of a delivery apparatus to an aquatic environment.
  • the release media 330 may be a membrane, a film, a composite having two of more layers of membrane and/or film, or combinations thereof.
  • Release media 330 may include an area that is about the same as the area of a housing in some embodiments.
  • the release media 330 may include one or more material layers, and the material layers may be the same or different.
  • Port 290 further includes at least one release vent 365 disposed along a circumference of housing 395.
  • FIG. 4A illustrates an outer surface 292 opposing the inner surface 291 of port 290 of FIG. 4A.
  • the housing 395 is shown with the placement of release vents 365 evenly spaced around the perimeter of the housing 395.
  • FIG. 4C illustrates an inner surface 391 of another port 390 having a housing 395, a release media 330, and a seal 345 in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 4D illustrates an outer surface 392 opposing the inner surface 391 of port 390 of FIG. 4C.
  • release vents 365 of port 390 are disposed around the circumference of the housing 395 on the outer surface 392.
  • FIG. 4E illustrates an inner surface 491 of yet another port 490 having a housing 395, a release media 330, and a seal 345.
  • a smaller port such as port 490 may also have one or more release vents 365.
  • FIG. 4F illustrates an outer surface 492 opposing the inner surface 491 of port 490 of FIG. 4E.
  • release vent 365 of port 490 is disposed at the center of the housing 395.
  • the release vent of port 490 has thereon an optional protective surface cover 492.
  • the treatment compound 70 is at least one chosen from a semiochemical compound, an antiparasitic compound, a masking compound, a baiting compound, and combinations thereof.
  • the treatment compound is dilutable in fresh water, saltwater, or brackish water.
  • Compounds including semiochemical compounds, antiparasitic compounds, masking compounds, baiting compounds, and combinations thereof may be useful as treatment compounds.
  • the semiochemical compound may be a non-host derived semiochemical compound chosen from 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AA), 4- methylquinazoline, deterrents, masking compounds, thiosulfonate, thiosulfinate, allicin, allyl sulfides, and combinations thereof.
  • the baiting compound may be chosen from a host derived semiochemical including, but not limited to, isopherone or a-isopherone, 1 -octen-3-ol, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, cathelicidin-2, (i.e., compounds found in salmon conditioned water), trout conditioned water compounds, and combinations thereof.
  • Other compounds contemplated include, but are not limited to, an antiparasitic compound chosen from formaldehyde, organophosphates, trichlorfon, malathion, dichlorvos, formalin, azamethiphos, pyrethrum, carbaryl, diflubenzuron, deltamethrin, hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof.
  • An appropriate treatment compound can be selected to target a chosen parasite or predator, or a group thereof.
  • suitable deterrent/repellent compounds may include compounds derived from garlic, glucosinolates (e.g., mustard), 2-AA (2-aminoacetophenone) and 4-methylquinazoline, as well as compounds derived from rosemary, lavender, bog myrtle, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, basil, bay leaf, thyme, calamus, Canada wild ginger, tarragon, for example, as well as combinations of any of the foregoing.
  • the treatment compound is at least one compound or compound derivative chosen from 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AA), 4-methylquinazoline, thiosulfonate, thiosulfinate, allicin, allyl sulfides, isopherone, a-isopherone, 1-octen-3- ol, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, cathelicidin-2, formaldehyde, organophosphates, trichlorfon, malathion, dichlorvos, formalin, azamethiphos, pyrethrum, carbaryl, diflubenzuron, deltamethrin, hydrogen peroxide, garlic, glucosinolates (e.g., mustard), rosemary, lavender, bog myrtle, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, basil, bay leaf, thyme, calamus, Canada wild ginger, tarragon, and combinations thereof.
  • 2-AA 2-aminoacetophenone
  • 4-methylquinazoline
  • sea lice are common issue in salmon aquaculture
  • an appropriate treatment compound can similarly be selected and incorporated into the described treatment reservoirs, systems, and methods for use in aquaculture involving other species, or to target parasites other than sea lice.
  • the treatment reservoirs, systems, and methods described herein can be used in the aquaculture of catfish, tilapia, carp, cod, trout, seaweeds, shrimp, clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops, amongst others.
  • the treatment reservoirs, systems, and methods described herein can be used in multitrophic aquaculture, including integrated multitrophic aquaculture.
  • the treatment compound can be selected to target one or more parasites of one or more species being farmed or otherwise grown in proximity with one another.
  • the treatment compound is included or otherwise incorporated into an aqueous solution or slurry.
  • concentration of the treatment compound in the aqueous solution or slurry can be selected to allow for efficient diffusion of the treatment compound through or across the release media.
  • the treatment compound is an oil, or is included in an emulsion.
  • the treatment compound may confuse and/or repel parasites such as sea lice from hosts.
  • Sea lice at the infective copepodid stage have a short viability window of about three to ten days for attaching to their host, and can thus be controlled by preventing or reducing population growth of the lice in the aquaculture pens resulting from successful host attachment and mating. This allows for an overall reduction in traditional anti-parasitic treatments, improved treatment effectiveness, and/or allows for the efficacy of existing treatment methods to be maintained.
  • the controlled release of the treatment compounds as provided herein can lower fish mortality through reduced handling and stress, minimize outbreaks of disease resulting from stress, and increase weight gain per unit time, as every treatment starvation day that may be eliminated will result in greater weight gain and/or faster growth to harvest.
  • the release rate may range from about 0 g/m 2 /day to about 1 ,000,000 g/m 2 /day, from about 10 g/m 2 /day to about 500,000 g/m 2 /day, from about 10 g/m 2 /day to about 100,000 g/m 2 /day, from about 10 g/m 2 /day to about 50,000 g/m 2 /day, from about 10 g/m 2 /day to about 10,000 g/m 2 /day, from about 50 g/m 2 /day to about 1000 g/m 2 /day, from about 60 g/m 2 /day to about 900 g/m 2 /day, from about 70 g/m 2 /day to about 800 g/m 2 /day, from about 80 g/m 2 /day to about 700 g/m 2 /day, from about 90 g/m 2 /day to about 600 g/m 2 /day, or from about 100 g/m 2 /day,
  • the release rate may range from about 10 g/m 2 /day to about 100 g/m 2 /day, from about 100 g/m 2 /day to about 200 g/m 2 /day, from about 200 g/m 2 /day to about 300 g/m 2 /day, from about 300 g/m 2 /day to about 400 g/m 2 /day, from about 400 g/m 2 /day to about 500 g/m 2 /day, from about 500 g/m 2 /day to about 600 g/m 2 /day, from about 600 g/m 2 /day to about 700 g/m 2 /day, from about 700 g/m 2 /day to about 800 g/m 2 /day, from about 800 g/m 2 /day to about 900 g/m 2 /day, or from about 900 g/m 2 /day to about 1000 g/m 2 /day. It is to be appreciated that any range from about 0 g/m
  • the release media may be at least one chosen from porous, semi- porous, permeable, or semi-permeable materials.
  • the release rate may be specific to the release media chosen.
  • Other examples include release media where more than one layer of material is used, such as, for example, a composite having a porous membrane, such as a microporous or expanded polyethylene membrane, with a coating thereon, such as a second polyethylene or a polyurethane, to achieve a desired release profile.
  • release media thickness and porosity may also be tailored to alter release rate to achieve the desired release profile.
  • An effective release profile may correspond to an effective concentration of the treatment compound in the aquatic environment being released over a period of time.
  • a treatment reservoir or delivery bladder container associated with a polyethylene membrane as a release media may provide for controlled release at an effective release rate for a time of about 30 days, about 120 days, about 300 days, about 365 days, about 550 days, about 730 days, in some embodiments, the time is from about 30 days to about 750 days, or from about 120 days to about 550 days.
  • a preferred release profile will depend on, for example, the application and environmental factors, and can be controlled by, for example, the permeation rate of the release media, the volume of treatment compound in the release container (e.g., in the release bladder), and the size and shape of the release container.
  • it may be desirable to release a higher volume of treatment compound over a shorter amount of time to achieve higher concentrations for example, while in others, it may be desirable to release a steady (and lower) volume of treatment compound over a greater time period to achieve a sustained concentration of the treatment compound over time.
  • Low concentrations over a short period of time and high concentrations over a longer period of time can also be achieved.
  • Those of skill in the art can identify a desired release profile for a given application, which can be affected by, for example, the life cycle of the target parasite, effective concentrations of target compound against a target parasite, etc.
  • the release profile can be controlled by, for example, selecting a release media with an appropriate permeation rate, sizing the surface area of the release media (e.g., volume and/or shape of a release bladder), and controlling the volume of treatment compound.
  • FIG. 5A is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of a release media 430 according to some embodiments.
  • the release media 430 shown in FIG. 5A is an ePTFE membrane 455 having a thickness to.
  • FIG. 5B is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of a release media 530 as a composite that includes a porous material 555 having a first thickness ti and a semi-permeable coating material 565 having a second thickness t2.
  • porous material 555 is an ePTFE membrane having a thickness of about 35 pm
  • semi-permeable coating material 565 is a polyurethane (Pll) coating having a thickness of about 12 pm.
  • a porous material may have a thickness of less than 5 pm, about 5 pm, about 10 pm, about 15 pm, about 20 pm, about 25 pm, about 30 pm, about 35 pm, about 40 pm, about 45 pm, about 50 pm, about 75 pm, about 100 pm, about 150 pm, or about 200 pm, in some embodiments, the porous material has a thickness from about 5 pm to about 200 pm.
  • a semi-permeable material may have a thickness of less than 5 pm, about 5 pm, about 10 pm, about 15 pm, about 20 pm, about 25 pm, about 30 pm, about 35 pm, about 40 pm, about 45 pm, about 50 pm, about 75 pm, about 100 pm, about 150 pm, or about 200 pm, in some embodiments, the semi-permeable material has a thickness from about 5 pm to about 200 pm.
  • An appropriate release media can be selected to provide a desired release profile. It will be recognized that factors including material chosen, coatings, pore size, hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, and overall surface area of the release media will affect the release profile. The release profile will also depend on the desired treatment compound, and can be affected by, for example, the surface tension and viscosity of the treatment compound. Altering or otherwise affecting one or more of these factors will affect the release profile of the release media. For example, depending on the material chosen, a treatment compound may diffuse though a solid dialysis membrane, through pores present in the release membrane, or wet the release membrane and then release through to the other side. In addition to these intrinsic factors of the release media, extrinsic factors such as tides, currents, etc. will further affect the release profile of the release media. Those of skill in the art, with the benefit of the instant disclosure, will be able to select a release media having the appropriate surface area to produce a delivery apparatus 225 or delivery bladder 374 having a desired release profile.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a point source reservoir providing treatment to a desired aquatic area 615 (e.g., such as an area adjacent to and I or including an area inside of a containment pen 115 (e.g., pen 115 of FIG. 1 ).
  • Aquatic area 615 has a perimeter Peis that represents an area suitable for aquatic organisms and contains an aquatic environment 50 therein, e.g. water, saltwater, or brackish water.
  • Perimeter Peis may be within a greater area defining a containment site 110 (not shown).
  • Treatment reservoirs treating the aquatic environment may also be positioned outside of the containment pen(s) with water currents delivering treatment compounds of value in and around the containment site as illustrated by treatment reservoirs 270 as in FIG. 3F.
  • treatment reservoir 620 includes a delivery apparatus 625 and a treatment compound 70 therein.
  • Treatment reservoir 620 is fluidly associated with aquatic area 615 and configured for controlled release of a treatment compound 70 flowing from reservoir 620 to the aquatic environment 50 in area 615 in the direction of the flow arrows 635 to reduce the presence of an aquatic parasite in the aquatic area 615.
  • delivery apparatus 625 includes a port having a release media, or a delivery bladder comprised of a release media, such as described above.
  • the release media that facilitates controlled release is a fluoropolymer, such as ePTFE, and / or a semi-permeable material such as polyethylene or polyurethane, although a variety of release media are contemplated.
  • the reservoir/aquatic area arrangement as shown in FIG. 6 may be expanded to include point source reservoirs arranged around and within an array of containment pens such as is illustrated in FIG. 3F.
  • FIG. 7 is a top view diagram illustrating a perimeter reservoir providing treatment to a desired aquatic area 715 (e.g., such as an area adjacent to and / or including an area inside of a containment pen 115 (e.g., pen 115 of FIG. 1 ).
  • Treatment reservoir 720 has perimeter P720. Perimeter P720 may be within a greater area defining a containment site 110 (not shown). In the example shown in FIG. 7, treatment reservoir 720 surrounds aquatic area 715 having perimeter P715.
  • the treatment reservoirs described above e.g., the treatment reservoir 250, 260, and 270 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C or the treatment reservoir 620 of FIG.
  • treatment reservoir 720 includes a delivery apparatus 725 and a treatment compound 70 therein.
  • Treatment reservoir 720 is fluidly associated with aquatic area 715 and is configured for the controlled release of a treatment compound 70 flowing from treatment reservoir 720 to the aquatic environment 50 in area 715 to reduce the presence of an aquatic parasite in the area 715.
  • delivery apparatus 725 includes a port having a release media, such as described above.
  • delivery apparatus 725 is operatively associated with a release media such for a delivery apparatus and a treatment compound.
  • the treatment compound 70 contained in treatment reservoir 720 may be a solution and is dilutable in a liquid such as water, saltwater, or brackish water. Treatment compound 70 flows in the direction of the flow arrows 735 in FIG. 7 showing the flow of treatment compound into the area 715 from treatment reservoir 720.
  • the reservoir/aquatic area arrangement as shown in FIG. 7 may be expanded to an array of containment pens having at least one perimeter reservoir surrounding the array.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustration of a treatment reservoir system 800 configured as a horizontally-oriented reservoir 820 in accordance with at least one embodiment.
  • Horizontally-oriented treatment reservoir 820 may be configured to be proximate and I or around one or more containment pens 815 suitable for containing aquatic organisms in an aquatic environment 50.
  • the containment site 110 (not shown) includes an area greater than the horizontally- oriented treatment reservoir 820 and the containment pens 815.
  • treatment reservoir 820 is operatively associated with a delivery apparatus 825 and a treatment compound 70 contained therein.
  • the delivery apparatus 825 may further include one or more ports 890.
  • delivery apparatus and I or the one or more ports 890 are formed of a material chosen from the release media suitable for delivery apparatus and I or ports as described above.
  • the treatment compound 70 is disposed within and / or is diffusible through a release media, or ports 890 or ports 290, 390, and 490 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4F.
  • Delivery apparatus 825 may include a tube or tubing as shown in FIG. 8 and I or may include a series of diffusion ports 890 fixed to or attached to a non-permeable tube. While tubing is shown in FIG. 8, the delivery apparatus may be any suitable configuration.
  • the form of delivery apparatus and I or port material is chosen from at least one of a membrane, a laminate, a composite, a sheet, a tube, a fiber, a coating, and combinations thereof.
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustration of a treatment reservoir system 900 configured as a vertically-oriented reservoir 920 in accordance with at least one embodiment.
  • Vertically-oriented treatment reservoir 920 may be configured to be proximate and I or around one or more containment pens 915 suitable for containing aquatic organisms in an aquatic environment 50.
  • containment site 110 (not shown) includes an area greater than the vertically- oriented treatment reservoir 920 and the containment pens 915.
  • treatment reservoir 920 is operatively associated with a delivery apparatus 925 and a treatment compound 70 contained therein.
  • the delivery apparatus 925 may further include one or more ports 990.
  • delivery apparatus and I or the one or more ports 990 are formed of a material chosen from the release media suitable for delivery apparatus and I or ports as described above.
  • the treatment compound 70 is disposed within and I or is diffusible through the release media of the delivery apparatus 925 or any of the ports 990, the release media of which is chosen from any of those described above.
  • Delivery apparatus 925 may include a tube or tubing as shown in FIG. 9 and I or may include a series of diffusion ports 990 fixed to or attached to a non-permeable tube of delivery apparatus 925. While tubing is shown in FIG. 9, the delivery apparatus may be any suitable configuration as described above.
  • FIG. 10 is a top view illustration of another vertically-oriented reservoir system 1000, the vertically-oriented treatment reservoir(s) 1020 being attached and I or offset from aquaculture anchoring infrastructure, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
  • Vertically-oriented treatment reservoir 1020 which may be in a containment site 110 suitable for an aquatic environment (e.g. open water such as lake or ocean), may be anchored via anchors in several ways.
  • Treatment reservoirs 1020 may be attached directly to an aquaculture farm support structure 1005.
  • treatment reservoirs 1025 may be attached directly to containment pens 1015, either internally or externally relative to the pen.
  • treatment reservoirs 1030 may be attached to a predator cage 1040 or other aquaculture structure.
  • Vertically-oriented treatment reservoirs 1020, 1025, and I or 1030 may be configured to be proximate and I or around one or more containment pens 1015 suitable for containing aquatic organisms in an aquatic environment 50.
  • the treatment compound 70 is disposed within or diffusible through a delivery apparatus, which may be similar to the any of the delivery apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-9, or otherwise described above.
  • Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes (ePTFE) Nos. 1 , 3, and 4 were prepared according to the general teachings of U.S. Patent 3,953,566 to Gore.
  • ePTFE membrane No. 1 further comprises a hydrophilic PVA coating.
  • ePTFE membrane No. 4 further comprises a polyurethane coating (see U.S. Patent 4,194,041 to Gore et al.).
  • the microporous polyethylene membrane No. 2 is a gel processed polyethylene membrane.
  • a 2 ml auto sampler vial was filled with a treatment compound, the sem iochemical garlic oil.
  • the vial was covered with a silicone/PTFE septum screw top. Before the screw top was secured onto the vial, the septum was removed and replaced with membranes or composite films according to Samples 1-3 as in Table 2.
  • Sample 1 was a membrane of porous ePTFE (membrane No. 3 of Table 1 ).
  • Sample 2 was a composite film including porous ePTFE membrane with a semipermeable Pll coating (membrane No. 4 of Table 1 ) similar to that depicted in FIG. 5, with the porous ePTFE exposed to the contents of the vial.
  • Sample 3 was a semipermeable Pll layer and a porous PTFE membrane layer, with the semipermeable Pll layer exposed to the contents of the vial.
  • the vial was placed within a 500 ml glass jar filled with 400 ml H2O.
  • the jar containing the vial and the water surrounding the vial was then placed on an orbital shaker table running at 150 rpms.
  • Water samples were taken initially, at 24 hours, and at 48 hours and the concentration of garlic oil in the water was measured using a UV spectrophotometer, an Agilent Cary 60 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, Santa Clara, CA, USA. Concentration versus time was plotted for each Sample 1-3. Release rates were calculated based on that data are presented in Table 2.
  • a 10 ml screw-top plastic container having 0.25 inch (6.35 mm) holes drilled in its sides was fitted with a bladder of microporous gel processed polyethylene (PE) (membrane No. 2 of Table 1 ), porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) with a hydrophilic coating (membrane No. 1 of Table 1 ), ePTFE (membrane No. 3 of Table 1 ) , or ePTFE membrane with a semipermeable Pll coating (membrane No. 4 of Table 1 ), and filled with either garlic oil or 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AA).
  • PE microporous gel processed polyethylene
  • ePTFE porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene
  • ePTFE porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene
  • ePTFE membrane with a semipermeable Pll coating membrane with a semipermeable Pll coating
  • the assembly was placed into a 2 L glass jar containing approximately 1 .5 L of deionized water and put on a shaker table at 150 rpm. Water samples were retrieved at various time points, and the concentration of either garlic oil or 2-AA was measured by UV spectroscopy. Permeation rates were calculated for each membrane, and are presented in Table 3.
  • Plastic vials were filled with either garlic oil or 2-AA and sealed with lids fitted with vents formed from porous membranes of methylcellulose (MEC) (Pall Corp., GN-6 Metrical 0.45 micron 25 mm) or polyether sulfone (PES) (Pall Corp., Supor 0.1 micron 25 mm PES disk). Vials were placed in glass jars filled with 400 ml deionized water and placed on a shaker table at 150 rpm. Water samples were retrieved at various time points, and the concentration of either garlic oil or 2-AA was measured by UV spectroscopy. Permeation rates were calculated for each membrane, and are presented in Table 3.
  • MEC methylcellulose
  • PES polyether sulfone
  • FIG. 11 shows an example of the containment site 110 in the aquatic system 100, with the treatment reservoir (or delivery bladder container) 370 affixed or attached to the support structure 215 coupled to the net 220 of the containment site 110.
  • the treatment reservoir 370 may be attached or affixed via one or more attachment members 1100 such as a clip or rope, or any other suitable means of attachment as known in the art.
  • the attachment member(s) 1100 may attach the treatment reservoir 370 on the side or near the bottom of the support structure 215, as suitable.
  • a treatment delivery apparatus which is affixed or attached to the support structure 215 or the net 220 of the containment sites 110 in the aquatic system 100 in order to release fluid such as a treatment compound from a reservoir storing the same.
  • FIGs. 12A and 12B illustrate an example of a delivery apparatus 1200 which includes a treatment compound reservoir 1202 containing a treatment compound and a constant-force release mechanism 1204 which uses constant force to facilitate a desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 to the aquatic environment 50.
  • the release mechanism 1204 includes a constant force applicator, which in this example is a constant force spring 1206 coupled with a piston head 1208.
  • the constant force applicator facilitates the desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 by applying a constant force and a constant pressure (that is, the constant force equally distributed throughout a specified area) on the treatment compound reservoir 1202.
  • a desired rate of release may be a constant rate of release or a predetermined rate of release which may be either constant or variable but facilitating a predetermined or predefined release profile or characteristic as desired by the user, for example.
  • the desired rate of release may encompass a user-defined range of release rate with a lower threshold and an upper threshold, such that the rate of release does not exceed either of these threshold (i.e. , not slower than the lower threshold and not faster than the upper threshold), as suitable.
  • the delivery apparatus 1200 includes a housing 1210 which may be formed in any suitable configuration.
  • the housing 1210 includes a cap 1212 attached to a housing body 1214, which may have an elongated cylindrical form, although any other suitable shape may be used.
  • the cap 1212 may be attached to the housing body 1214 via any means of attachment or coupling, for example by screwing the cap onto the housing body, using an adhesive, or using friction such as via press-fitting the cap onto the housing body, among others.
  • the cap 1212 may include a mounting ring 1216 for attaching or mounting the delivery apparatus 1200 to the containment site 110, for example via the attachment member 1100.
  • the housing body 1214 may include a fastener opening 1218 through which the appropriate attachment member 1100 may be passed through to fasten the housing body 1214 to the containment site 110, for example via another attachment member 1100.
  • the reservoir 1202 is fixed in place at the bottom of the housing body 1214 via a plate 1220 which is affixed to its location by one or more fasteners 1222 inserted from outside the housing body 1214.
  • the spring 1206 is attached to a spring-holding plate 1224 which is affixed to its location by one or more fasteners 1226.
  • the cap 1212 has an opening (not shown) through which a gauge rod 1228 protrudes. An end portion of the gauge rod 1228 is attached to the piston head 1208 using any suitable attachment 1244 such as a fastener, screw, adhesive, etc.
  • the reservoir 1202 When force is applied, advances toward the plate 1220, and the reduction in a distance between the piston head 1208 and the plate 1220 causes the reservoir 1202 to be compressed, which causes its content, the treatment compound, to be released to the environment.
  • a portion of the spring 1206 is coupled to the gauge rod 1228 via a spring fastener 1230.
  • the gauge rod 1228 can be pushed into the housing 1210 , and the spring 1206, with the help from the piston head 1208, applies a constant force and a constant pressure on the reservoir 1202 to cause the treatment compound to be released at a desired rate, for example at a constant rate.
  • the plate 1220 includes a fill port 1234 to fill the reservoir 1202, as well as a plug 1236 which prevents the content of the reservoir 1202 from leaving the reservoir 1202 at an undesired rate.
  • the plate 1220 also includes an exit port 1238 from which the content of the reservoir 1202 is allowed to leave, and the exit port 1238 may include a fixture member 1240 which may control the rate of release of the content, such as by narrowing the opening or by providing a membrane (not shown) through which the treatment compound must diffuse into the environment, effectively controlling the rate at which the content exits the reservoir 1202.
  • the plate 1220 includes a handle 1242 for easy carrying of the delivery apparatus 1200.
  • the cap 1212 may have one or more water exit openings 1246 from which water may be released from inside the housing 1210.
  • FIGs. 13A and 13B show another example of a delivery apparatus facilitating a desired rate of release of the treatment compound by applying a constant force and a constant pressure on the reservoir.
  • a delivery apparatus 1300 includes a constant-force release mechanism 1204 which includes a constant torque spring 1302 (an exemplary configuration of which is shown in FIG. 13C) disposed in a spring housing 1304 attached to a linear slide stage 1306. Slidably positioned on the stage 1306 is a linear slide sled 1308 which is attached to a piston shaft 1310, which in turn is attached to a piston head 1208.
  • the piston head 1208 is insertably positioned inside a housing 1210, which also includes a plate 1220 affixed to its inner wall. Similar to the example in FIGs. 12A and 12B, the piston head 1208, upon the application of a force, moves toward the fixed plate 1220, so that a reservoir (not shown) placed between them is compressed to release its content.
  • the force necessary to move the piston head 1208 is applied by the spring 1302.
  • the constant torque applied by the spring 1302 (which has been wound before deployment of the apparatus 1300) is transmitted to a primary gear 1318 that is rotatably coupled to the spring housing 1304, which is used to rotate a secondary gear 1320 that is coupled to a linear slide drive screw 1322 that is disposed inside the stage 1306.
  • the sled 1308, which is rotatably coupled to the drive screw 1322 is moved linearly along the stage 1306 by the drive screw 1322, thereby driving the piston shaft 1310 forward into the housing 1210.
  • the magnitude of the linear force developed may be a combination of factors including the force capacity of the spring 1302, the ratio between the primary gear 1318 and the secondary gear 1320, and/or the pitch of the drive screw 1322.
  • FIGs. 14A and 14B show another example, a delivery apparatus 1400 which operates similarly to the delivery apparatus 1300.
  • the constant-force release mechanism 1204 implemented in the delivery apparatus 1400 includes a primary belt sprocket 1402 which is rotatably coupled to the spring housing 1304, a secondary belt sprocket 1404 which may have a different diameter or number of teeth as compared to the primary sprocket 1402 and is rotatably coupled to the drive screw 1322, and a drive belt 1406 which wraps around the sprockets 1402 and 1404.
  • the torque from the spring 1302 is transmitted through the primary sprocket 1402, the secondary sprocket 1404, and the belt 1406 to the drive screw 1322, and the drive screw 1322 converts the torque from the spring 1302 into a linear force.
  • the magnitude of the linear force developed may be a combination of factors including the force capacity of the spring 1302, the ratio between the primary sprocket 1402 and the secondary sprocket 1404, and/or the pitch of the drive screw 1322.
  • FIG. 15 shows another example of a delivery apparatus facilitating a desired rate of release of the treatment compound by applying a constant force and a constant pressure on the reservoir.
  • a delivery apparatus 1500 includes a housing 1210 with a stationary plate 1220 affixed to an inner wall or inner surface of the housing 1210.
  • a piston head 1208 Insertably and slidably disposed in the housing 1210 is a piston head 1208, and between the plate 1220 and the piston head 1208 is a reservoir 1202 containing the treatment compound which, when a force is applied to the piston head 1208 in the direction indicted by the black arrows, causes the reservoir 1202 to be compressed and its content, the treatment compound, to be released to the environment via an outlet 1502 formed in the plate 1220, which may be provided with a membrane (not shown) through which the treatment compound must diffuse into the environment.
  • the constant-force release mechanism 1204 includes the piston head 1208 that is attached to a piston shaft 1310, which is functionally coupled with a compressed gas tank 1504, a compressed gas regulator 1506, and an air cylinder 1508.
  • the tank 1504 is any suitable tank which stores therein a gas at a predetermined pressure level
  • the regulator 1506 is any suitable device which regulates the amount of gas emitted from the tank 1504 as well as the pressure at which the gas can be emitted
  • the air cylinder 1508 may be any suitable pneumatic cylinder that is operable to receive the gas and transfer a force to move the piston shaft 1310 into the housing 1210 when the compressed gas expands.
  • a constant force may be applied to the reservoir 1202 by the piston head 1208, and the energy for moving the piston head 1208 is provided by the air cylinder 1508 as well as the compressed gas from the tank 1504 as regulated by the regulator 1506.
  • a linear force is applied to the piston head 1208, and the applied force is determined by the pressure of the compressed gas on the upstream side of the air cylinder 1508.
  • the air cylinder 1508 is capable of applying a constant force to the piston shaft 1310.
  • FIG. 16 shows another example of a delivery apparatus facilitating a desired rate of release of the treatment compound by applying a constant force and a constant pressure on the reservoir.
  • a delivery apparatus 1600 includes a housing 1210 which may be formed of attaching a cap 1212 to a housing body 1214 (although a single unitary housing component can also be implemented), where the housing body 1214 includes an opening 1602 at the bottom such that water from the environment can enter the housing 1210.
  • the constant-force release mechanism 1204 which is a foam component 1604, and a reservoir 1202 disposed between the foam component 1604 and the top surface of the housing 1210, which in this example is the cap 1212.
  • the foam component 1604 may include gas such as air trapped within such that the entrapped gas provides the foam component 1604 with a buoyancy, the upward force of which is shown via the two black arrows pointed upward.
  • the foam component 1604 may have a flat top/upper surface be configured to span approximately the entire cross-sectional area inside the housing 1210, in order to evenly distribute the force substantially throughout the entire upper surface of the foam component 1604 to facilitate constant pressure.
  • the buoyant force (Fb) of the foam component 1604 can be calculated using Archimedes’ principle expressed in Equation 1 :
  • p fluid density of the surrounding fluid (e.g., water in the aquatic environment 50)
  • g the acceleration constant of gravity
  • V the foam component 1604.
  • FIG. 17 shows another example, a delivery apparatus 1700 which operates similarly to the delivery apparatus 1600.
  • the housing 1210 of the delivery apparatus 1700 also includes a filler component 1702 which is positioned between the reservoir 1202 and the top surface of the housing 1210 such that the foam component 1604 and the filler component 1702 sandwich the reservoir 1202 therebetween.
  • the constantforce release mechanism 1204 includes the foam component 1604 and the filler component 1702.
  • the filler component 1702 may have a flat bottom/lower surface such that when the reservoir 1202 is compressed against the filler component 1702 via the constant force and constant pressure applied by the foam component 1604, the reservoir 1202 releases its content, the treatment compound, at a desired rate.
  • the housing 1210 may include a side opening 1704 which may be positioned in the housing body 1214, through which the reservoir 1202 can release the treatment compound into the environment.
  • the filler component 1702 may be any suitable solid material, including but not limited to a foam material similar to the material forming the foam component 1604.
  • One or both of the upper surface of the foam component 1604 and the lower surface of the filler component 1702 may be configured in a slanted shape, as shown, in order to control the rate at which the treatment compound is released from the reservoir 1202, for example.
  • a change in depth at which these apparatuses are disposed may cause a variation in differential pressure. This is caused by the force remaining constant while the pressure applied to a vent port of the housing, such the opening 1602 of the housing 1210, fluctuates. The fluctuation causes the differential pressure.
  • the differential pressure is defined as a difference in pressure between two given points, which in these examples are the different depths at which the apparatus may be located.
  • FIGs. 18A and 18B illustrate an example of a delivery apparatus 1800 which includes a variable-force release mechanism 1802 which facilitates a release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 to the aquatic environment 50 using variable force, instead of a constant force.
  • the release mechanism 1802 includes a variable force applicator, which in this example is a helical spring 1804 coupled with the piston head 1208.
  • the variable force applicator facilitates the release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 by applying a force on the treatment compound reservoir 1202 from the spring 1804.
  • the force exerted by the spring 1804 varies based on how full the reservoir 1202 is. For example, the spring 1804 exerts more force to release the treatment compound when the reservoir 1202 contains more treatment compound than when the reservoir 1202 contains less treatment compound.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a delivery apparatus 1900 which includes a constant-force release mechanism 1902 which uses constant force to facilitate a desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 to the aquatic environment 50.
  • the release mechanism 1902 includes a constant force applicator, which in this example is a sealing diaphragm 1904 coupled with or attached to the housing 1210 at the opening 1602 at the bottom of the housing 1210.
  • the constant force applicator facilitates the desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 by applying a constant force and a variable pressure on the treatment compound reservoir 1202.
  • the housing 1210 includes a sealed volume 1906 which is at least partially defined by inner surfaces of the component(s) forming the housing (such as the cap 1212 and the housing body 1214, in the example as shown) and the diaphragm 1904.
  • the reservoir 1202 is disposed at least partially in the sealed volume 1906.
  • a portion of the reservoir 1202 protrudes from the cap 1212 through an airtight exit port 1908 formed in the cap 1212, which is an opening that is sealed by the portion of the reservoir 1202 to maintain the sealed volume 1906.
  • an adhesive or sealant may be used between an outer surface of the reservoir 1202 and the exit port 1908 to prevent any gas or fluid from entering or leaving the sealed volume 1906.
  • the sealed volume 1906 may store therein any suitable type of prefilled gas, for example air, that is entrapped and maintained in the sealed volume 1906 throughout the use of the delivery apparatus 1900.
  • the diaphragm 1904 is made of any flexible material such as rubber or other types of elastic material.
  • the diaphragm 1904 is configured to prevent any diffusion of gas or fluid therethrough to maintain the sealed volume 1906, but it can be flexibly moved inward (or upward in the figure) upon applying pressure from the surrounding environment, such as the aquatic environment 50, caused by lowering the delivery apparatus 1900 to a certain depth, where the pressure from the surrounding environment pushes the diaphragm 1904 inward or upward, causing the gas inside the sealed volume 1906 to be pressurized.
  • the pressurization causes the reservoir 1202 to be compressed, thereby releasing the treatment compound through the membrane 1606.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a delivery apparatus 2000 which includes a constant-pressure release mechanism 2002 which uses constant pressure to facilitate a desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 to the aquatic environment 50.
  • the constant-pressure release mechanism 2002 includes a constant pressure applicator, which in this example is the pressure regulator 1506 operatively coupled with the compressed gas tank 1504 such that the constant-pressure release mechanism 2002 is configured to regulate the pressure inside the sealed volume 1906 inside the housing 1210.
  • the sealed volume 1906 may be defined by the inner surfaces of the component(s) forming the housing (such as the cap 1212 and the housing body 1214, in the example as shown) and the diaphragm 1904.
  • the sealed volume 1906 may be pressurized according to the pressure level as determined by the regulator 1506, which is configured to supply gas from the tank 1504 to make up for the loss in volume of the reservoir 1202 as it releases the treatment compound, as well as to make up for the loss in pressure resulting from the process.
  • the diaphragm 1904 may alternatively be an elastomeric bladder which is attached to an inside surface of the housing 1210, and the reservoir 1202 may be disposed inside the bladder.
  • the housing 1210 has an exit port 2004 at or near the bottom from which a portion of the reservoir 1202 extends to the environment, thereby releasing the treatment compound stored therein through the membrane 1606.
  • a change in depth at which these apparatus is disposed may cause a variation in differential pressure. This is caused by the force remaining constant while the pressure applied to a vent port of the housing, such the exit port 2004 of the housing 1210, fluctuates. The fluctuation causes the differential pressure.
  • the regulator 1506 is disposed inside the housing 1210 as shown, while in other examples, the regulator 1506 may be disposed external to the housing 1210, such as attached or coupled to an outer wall of the housing 1210, thus exposing the regulator 1506 to the surrounding environment. When the regulator 1506 is exposed, the differential pressure may be maintained regardless of the depth at which the delivery apparatus 2000 is disposed. [0170] FIGs.
  • 21 A and 21 B illustrate an example of a delivery apparatus 2100 which includes a constant differential pressure release mechanism 2102 which uses a constant differential pressure (that is, a pressure difference that is maintained at a constant level between two points) to facilitate a desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 to the aquatic environment 50.
  • the delivery apparatus 2100 includes the housing 1210 that includes a plurality of fixed plates 2104 (or three plates 2104A, 2104B, and 2104C in the example as shown) which separates the internal volume of the housing 1210 into at least three chambers: a first or upper chamber 2106, a second or lower chamber 2108, and a fluid exchange chamber 2120 located between the other two chambers.
  • the delivery apparatus 2100 includes an elastomeric bladder 2110 which contains gas (for example, air) that is prefilled before the delivery apparatus 2100 is put into use (for example, at sea level) as well as a tube 2112 which extends from the bladder 2110, through the plates 2104A through 2104C, and into the upper chamber 2106, fluidly coupling the bladder 2110 with the upper chamber 2106 to facilitate transport of the prefilled gas to the upper chamber 2106 as explained herein.
  • gas for example, air
  • the gas occupies more volume than the treatment compound.
  • the housing 1210 includes an opening 2114 through which fluid from the surrounding environment can enter and leave the lower chamber 2108.
  • pressure inside the lower chamber 2108 changes as the surrounding pressure changes.
  • the bladder 2110 is compressed, as shown by the black arrows, causing the gas to travel through the tube 2112 to fill the upper chamber 2106.
  • pressure inside the upper chamber 2106 increases to compress the reservoir 1202, as shown by the black arrows.
  • a portion of the reservoir 1202 extends through the plate 2104A and into the fluid exchange chamber 2120, which is fluidly coupled with the surrounding environment via an exchange port 2116. Compressing the reservoir 1202 releases the treatment compound through the membrane 1606 into the fluid exchange chamber 2120 and into the environment through the exchange port 2116.
  • the environmental pressure (hydrostatic pressure of water) experienced at a first depth “D1”, a second depth “D2”, and a third depth “D3”, as illustrated in FIG. 21 A can be expressed as: D1 ⁇ D2 ⁇ D3, where D3 is at a greater depth than D2, which is at a greater depth than D1.
  • D1 is defined by the location of the centroid of the reservoir 1202
  • D2 is defined by the center of the fluid exchange chamber 2120
  • D3 is defined by the location of the centroid of the bladder 2110.
  • the housing 1210 of the delivery apparatus 2100 is affixed or attached to the net 220 or the support 215 of the containment site 110 via the mounting rings 1216 such that the delivery apparatus 2100 maintains its upright position.
  • the depth difference (Ah) causes the bladder 2110 to experience a constantly greater pressure than the reservoir 1202, assuming the delivery apparatus 2100 itself is maintained at the same depth, if the upper chamber 2106 and the lower chamber 2108 were completely separated and sealed apart from each other.
  • the tube 2112 extending through the plates 2104 creates a fluid connection or channel between the upper chamber 2106 and the bladder 2110 in the lower chamber 2108.
  • compression of the bladder 2110 at a pressure causes the gas stored therein to be expelled into the upper chamber 2106, essentially causing the upper chamber 2106 to be at an equal pressure as the lower chamber 2108, and the volume inside the reservoir 1202 to also be at about the same pressure as both chambers 2106 and 2108, while the fluid exchange chamber 2120 experiences a lower environmental pressure than both the bladder 2110 and the reservoir 1202.
  • the treatment compound is released from the reservoir 1202 through the membrane 1606 to the fluid exchange chamber 2120 where the pressure is lower than in the reservoir 1202.
  • This difference in pressure between the two depths D1 and D3 is maintained at a constant level due to the hydrostatic pressure of water.
  • the constant differential pressure release mechanism 2102 includes the specific positioning of the upper chamber 2106 and the lower chamber 2108 as well as the bladder 2110 supplying additional air volume as the reservoir 1202 is exhausted or depleted and as the delivery apparatus 2100 is transported from a first location of a first pressure to a second location of a second pressure higher than the first pressure.
  • the constant differential pressure can also be adjusted by adjusting the depth difference Ah, and the constant differential pressure is maintained, regardless of depth, on the reservoir 1202. Using this depth difference, the depth pressure that is applied to the fluid exchange port 2116 is also applied to the bladder 2110 in addition to any additional amount of pressure proportional to the distance or depth difference Ah between the bladder 2110 and the reservoir 1202.
  • the reservoir 1202 may extend through an alternative fluid exchange port 2122 located at a sidewall of the housing 1210 as shown by the dotted lines.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a delivery apparatus 2200 which includes the constant differential pressure release mechanism 2102 similar in principle to the one in the delivery apparatus 2100.
  • the delivery apparatus 2200 includes two separate housings 1210A and 1210B, where the housing 1210A contains the reservoir 1202 and defines the first or upper chamber 2106 while the housing 1210B defines the second or lower chamber 2106 which at least partially contains the bladder 2110 and has an open bottom configuration which operates as the opening 2114 through which fluid from the surrounding environment can enter and leave the lower chamber 2108.
  • the two housings 1210A and 1210B have gas line connectors 2202A and 2202B, respectively, which form the interfaces to which the two opposing ends of the tube 2112 are connected to extend there between the two housings 1210A and 1210B, as shown.
  • FIGs. 23A through 23F illustrate an example of a delivery apparatus 2300 which includes the constant differential pressure release mechanism 2102 similar in principle to the one in the delivery apparatus 2200.
  • the connector 2202B is directly attached to the bladder 2110, without the housing 1210B.
  • the housing 1210A storing therein the treatment compound reservoir (not shown) is attached to the connector 2202A, and the tube 2112 extends between the two connectors 2202A and 2202B.
  • a pressure meter 2302 is shown to measure the pressure of the fluid exerted from the reservoir through the connector 2202A while pressure is manually applied to the bladder 2110.
  • FIGs. 24A through 24D An example of the bladder 2110 as attached to the connector 2202B is shown in FIGs. 24A through 24D.
  • Each connector 2202 includes a central connection port 2400 with any suitable coupling means including but not limited to a thread where a tube may be screwed onto, as well as one or more auxiliary ports 2402 which may provide additional ports or connections for other tubes.
  • the central connection port 2400 of the connector 2202A is an exit port for the treatment compound (which is also used to attach to a tube 2304 connected to the pressure meter 2302 for measurement), and one auxiliary port 2402 is used to receive one end of the tube 2112, while the central connection port 2400 of the connector 2202B is used to receive the other end of the tube 2112.
  • the auxiliary port 2402 may also be used as the air vent 2206 in the delivery apparatus 2200.
  • the same material used for the bladder 2110 may also be used for the reservoir 1202 as disclosed herein, in which case the reservoir 2110 in these figures may also be used as the reservoir inside the housing 1210A, by filling the reservoir with the treatment compound instead of gas.
  • FIG. 25 illustrates an example of a delivery apparatus 2500 which includes a passive release mechanism 2502 which includes one or more permeable portions 2508 of the reservoir 1202 that are configured to passively release the treatment compound from the reservoir 1202 at the desired rate of release into the aquatic environment 50.
  • the delivery apparatus 2500 includes a top portion 2504 which holds one end of the reservoir 1202 and a bottom portion 2506 which holds the other end, such that the reservoir 1202 may be configured like a hanging bag.
  • On the surface of the reservoir 1202 are one or more permeable portions 2508, which may be made of any suitable membrane which facilitates diffusion of the treatment compound into the surrounding environment.
  • 26A and 26B illustrate an example of a delivery apparatus 2600 which includes the passive release mechanism 2502 with one or more permeable portions 2508 of the reservoir 1202 that are configured to passively release the treatment compound from the reservoir 1202 at the desired rate of release into the aquatic environment 50.
  • the delivery apparatus 2600 includes end caps 2602 disposed on two ends of the housing 1210, and one (or both) of the end caps 2602 is attached to a frame component 2604.
  • the frame component 2604 includes two curvatures 2606 at which the reservoir 1202 may be hooked (as shown) or coupled using any other suitable means.
  • the frame component 2604 provides a support structure to maintain the reservoir 1202 in a fixed position.
  • the housing 1210 may include a plurality of openings 2608 through which the treatment compound may pass to be released into the surrounding environment.
  • FIGs. 27A through 27D show an example of the delivery apparatus 1200 from different angles as viewed from the outside, showing the housing 1210, mounting ring 1216, gauge rod 1228, plug 1236, fixture member 1240, handle 1242, and openings 1246.
  • FIG. 27E show a portion of the delivery apparatus 1200 before being deployed in the aquatic environment 50.
  • FIGs. 27F through 27H show the delivery apparatus 1200 after being deployed in the aquatic environment 50 to release the treatment compound therein.
  • the attachment members 1100 in the form of a clip is shown attached to the mounting ring 1216, which was used to affix or attach the housing 1210 of the delivery apparatus 1200 on the side or near the bottom of the support structure of the containment pen, as suitable.
  • FIG. 28 is an image of the reservoir 1202 which is integrated with the base plate 1220 before the base plate 1220 is affixed or attached to the housing 1210 of the delivery apparatus 1200.
  • the reservoir 1202 can be transported using the handle 1242, as shown.
  • FIGs. 29A-29I illustrate an example of a delivery apparatus 2900 which includes a treatment compound reservoir 1202 containing a treatment compound and a pressurized release mechanism 2902 which applies pressure to facilitate a desired rate of release of the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 to the aquatic environment 50.
  • the release mechanism 2902 in such examples include one or more orifices 2904 in the treatment compound reservoir 1202.
  • the orifices may facilitate releasing the treatment compound from the treatment compound reservoir 1202 at the desired rate of release.
  • the release mechanism 2902 may further include a sealed rigid chamber 2906, such as one defined by a rigid housing or air pressure vessel 2908.
  • the rigid chamber 2906 may be pressurized using any suitable means to achieve the desired rate of release (or desired flow rate) of the treatment compound.
  • the pressurization may be determined based on one or more of the following: a volume of air inside the chamber 2906, a volume of fluid (e.g., treatment compound) to be dispensed and any change in height of the fluid inside the chamber 2906, a pressure applied from the surrounding environment depending on the depth at which the apparatus 2900 is to be deployed, a pressure applied via the orifices 2904, a pressure applied via the one or more permeable portions (e.g., the permeable portions 2508 shown in FIGs. 26A and 26B), or any other suitable means of pressurization as known in the art.
  • the apparatus 2900 includes a handle or carry hook 2910 which allows the apparatus 2900 be handled for transportation or fastened using any suitable attachment member 1100 to the support structure 215, for example, as shown in FIG. 11.
  • a plastic tubing 2912 may be wrapped around the vessel 2908, and a wrap number gauge 2914 may be disposed on the outer portion of the vessel 2908 so as to indicate the number of times that the tubing 2912 is wrapping around the vessel 2908.
  • a pressure sensor 2916 may be disposed to measure the pressure of the surrounding environment, or of the pressure within the chamber 2906.
  • the pressure sensor 2916 may be combined or implemented with a data logger to record the variance in pressure measurements over time, as suitable.
  • the rate at which the treatment compound may be dispensed is constantly monitored by measuring the pressure drop in the chamber 2906 using the pressure sensor 2916.
  • the apparatus 2900 includes a mechanical guard 2918 disposed around at least a portion (for example, a bottom portion) of the vessel 2908 so as to provide additional protection for the vessel 2908 and/or the release mechanism 2902.
  • the mechanical guard 1918 may also provide additional weight as a stabilizer for the apparatus 2900 (for example, to prevent the apparatus 2900 from toppling over when placed on the ground, or to allow the apparatus 2900 to remain in an upright position when disposed underwater).
  • one or more feet components 2920 may protrude through the bottom of the mechanical guard 2918 to provide additional support for stabilizing the apparatus 2900, such as when placed on the ground.
  • the release mechanism 2902 includes a pressure port 2922 which may be fluidly coupled with an external pressure applicator (not shown) which may include, but is not limited to, the compressed gas tank 1504 and the regulator 1506, for example, as shown in FIGs. 15 and 20.
  • the pressure port 2922 may be fluidly coupled with the surrounding aquatic environment, which may apply pressure based on the depth in which the apparatus 2900 is disposed.
  • the pressure port 2922 may be coupled with one or more valves 2924 which may be configured to control the pressure applied on the port 2922, such that when there is a need to control or stabilize the pressure within the reservoir 1202 or the chamber 2906, the valves 2924 may be activated to do so.
  • the orifice(s) 2904 may be coupled with a filter component 2926 (also referred to as a pre-filter) which filters any fluid passing through the orifices 2904 in order to reduce the risk of external debris entering the chamber 2906.
  • a desired rate of release may be a constant rate of release.
  • the desired rate of release may be a variable rate of release.
  • the desired rate of release may be defined by a release profile or a release characteristic as predetermined by the user.
  • the desired rate of release may encompass a user-defined range of release rate with a lower threshold and an upper threshold, such that the rate of release does not exceed either of these thresholds (i.e. , not slower than the lower threshold and not faster than the upper threshold).
  • the dispensed mass of the treatment compound (in grams) may be in a substantially linear relationship with the duration (in number of days) after the apparatus has been deployed in the environment.
  • the relationship is in a positive linear association.
  • the rate of release by the apparatus upon deployment may vary from about 5 grams per day to about 10 grams per day, from about 10 grams per day to about 15 grams per day, from about 15 grams per day to about 20 grams per day, from about 20 grams per day to about 30 grams per day, or any other suitable range therebetween or combination of ranges thereof.
  • the dispensed amount of the treatment compound in cubic centimeters, or cc
  • the pressure being applied to the apparatus in pounds per square inch, or PSI
  • the applied pressure may vary from about 18 PSI to about 20 PSI as shown in FIG. 30B, but any other suitable range of pressure may be implemented depending on the surrounding environment in which the apparatus may be deployed.
  • the release profile or release characteristic of the apparatus may be defined by the pressure applied to the apparatus.
  • the dispensed amount may vary from about 300 cc to about 320 cc, from about 320 cc to about 340 cc, from about 340 cc to about 360 cc, from about 360 cc to about 380 cc, from about 380 cc to about 400 cc, or any other suitable range therebetween or combination of ranges thereof.
  • the dispensed amount decreases in a linear manner as compared to the amount dispensed when less pressure is applied.
  • the pressure may be determined by external factors such as a device coupled to the apparatus to artificially change the applied pressure, or by environmental factors such as the condition of the surrounding aquatic environment based at least partially on the depth in which the apparatus is deployed.
  • the release profile or release characteristic may be determined by a combination of factors.
  • the release profile of the apparatus may be determined based on multiple factors including but not limited to the number of days after deployment and the pressure applied to the apparatus.
  • the individual factors may be “weighted” differently in the release profile, such that a change in one factor affects the release profile more significantly than a change in another factor (e.g., the pressure applied may have a greater influence in defining the release profile than the number of days after deployment).
  • the rate of release in such release profiles may be exhibit substantially non-linear associations with respect to the individual factors. Examples of other factors which may contribute to the release profile include but are not limited to any one or more of the following: a volume of air within the sealed rigid chamber of the apparatus, a change in height of the treatment compound, and a total volume of the treatment compound remaining in the apparatus.
  • the at least one treatment reservoir may include a combination of treatment reservoirs as described herein.
  • the at least one treatment reservoir may include a delivery apparatus operatively associated with a port including a release media to controllably release the treatment compound according to a desired release profile.
  • the treatment reservoir may be configured to exhibit a release rate of the treatment compound selected based upon time in the environment, temperature of the environment, salinity of the environment, or combinations thereof.
  • the force or pressure may be selected by the needs of the application to achieve a desired dispensing rate or amount, which may either be constant or variable as desired or preferred by the user based on the application.
  • the delivery apparatus may be configured to dispense the treatment compound at a desired rate which could vary from time to time, for example based on the month of the year, the season, the temperature of the aquatic environment, or any other suitable factor or parameter.
  • the delivery apparatus may be adjusted or configured such that the desired compound(s) may be dispensed at a desired rate, or the desired amount of the compound(s) to be dispensed may be controlled, in order to achieve the biologically useful thresholds, which may be determined based on any one or more of the aforementioned factors or parameters.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne de manière générale des appareils de distribution avec un réservoir de composé de traitement et un mécanisme de libération. Le réservoir de composé de traitement contient un composé de traitement, et le mécanisme de libération libère le composé de traitement du réservoir de composé de traitement à un environnement aquatique à une vitesse de libération souhaitée.
PCT/US2023/019829 2022-04-27 2023-04-25 Appareil de distribution pour faciliter le taux de libération souhaité d'un composé de traitement dans un environnement aquatique WO2023211954A1 (fr)

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US63/335,471 2022-04-27

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PCT/US2023/019829 WO2023211954A1 (fr) 2022-04-27 2023-04-25 Appareil de distribution pour faciliter le taux de libération souhaité d'un composé de traitement dans un environnement aquatique

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3953566A (en) 1970-05-21 1976-04-27 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Process for producing porous products
US4194041A (en) 1978-06-29 1980-03-18 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Waterproof laminate
JP2001000844A (ja) 1999-06-24 2001-01-09 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 多孔質体フィルター及びその製造方法
CN210641986U (zh) * 2019-10-08 2020-06-02 惠州市渔业研究推广中心(广东省(惠州)区域性水产试验中心、广东省区域性水产技术推广(惠州)中心) 一种池塘养殖药浴预防疾病装置
WO2020168095A1 (fr) * 2019-02-14 2020-08-20 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Réservoirs de traitement et systèmes de libération contrôlée d'un composé de traitement dans un environnement aquatique

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3953566A (en) 1970-05-21 1976-04-27 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Process for producing porous products
US4194041A (en) 1978-06-29 1980-03-18 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Waterproof laminate
JP2001000844A (ja) 1999-06-24 2001-01-09 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 多孔質体フィルター及びその製造方法
WO2020168095A1 (fr) * 2019-02-14 2020-08-20 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Réservoirs de traitement et systèmes de libération contrôlée d'un composé de traitement dans un environnement aquatique
CN210641986U (zh) * 2019-10-08 2020-06-02 惠州市渔业研究推广中心(广东省(惠州)区域性水产试验中心、广东省区域性水产技术推广(惠州)中心) 一种池塘养殖药浴预防疾病装置

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