WO2008101862A1

WO2008101862A1 - Infusing tube

Info

Publication number: WO2008101862A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/051813
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip Alan Visser
Original assignee: Philip Alan Visser
Priority date: 2007-02-24
Filing date: 2008-02-14
Publication date: 2008-08-28
Also published as: GB0703639D0

Abstract

An infusing tube arranged to deliver a liquid into the uterus and/or cervix of a cow or horse, the infusing tube comprising, a length of flexible tube (4) having a duct (8) therethrough and having a forward end region (6) arranged, in use, to be positioned within the uterus of a cow or horse and a rearward end region generally arranged to protrude from the cow or horse, the forward end region having a head (10), of larger diameter than the flexible tube (4), having a plurality of orifices (14) therein which communicate with the duct (8) of the flexible tube (4).

Description

INFUSING TUBE

Field of the invention

This invention relates to an infusing tube, also sometimes referred to as an infusing pipette. In particular, but not exclusively, the infusing tube is arranged to be used in cows and/or horses and arranged to deliver a drug or medicament thereto.

Background of the invention

The uterus and cervix of animals, such as cows and horses, may need to be treated due to the presence of conditions such as metritis and endometritis or because of infection. Trauma can be caused to the uterus and/or cervix during calving and such trauma can subsequently become infected. Administering antibiotic or disinfectant inside the uterus and cervix can treat these conditions. This has been found to be more effective than intra-muscular injection.

However, delivering the antibiotic and/or disinfectant into the uterus of an animal, such as a cow or horse, is a difficult task and skill is required to guide a pipette through the vaginal canal and through the cervical opening. Prior art pipettes have tended to have had squared-off ends which makes the task of entering the uterus more difficult since a squared-off can rupture the delicate tissues of the vagina, cervix or uterus . Such rupturing causes further damage to the uterus which can itself become infected or in more extreme cases can leave the animal infertile or even prove to be fatal. CA2 213 252 discloses a pipette which does not have a squared-off end and which tries to prevent such damage as the pipette is inserted. However, the device disclosed in this document still does not deliver drugs into the uterus as well as may be desired.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an infusing tube arranged to deliver a liquid into the uterus and/or cervix of a cow or horse, the infusing tube comprising: a length of flexible tube having a duct therethrough and having a forward end region arranged, in use, to be positioned within the uterus of a cow or horse and a rearward end region generally arranged to protrude from the cow or horse; the forward end region having a head, of larger diameter than the flexible tube, having a plurality of orifices therein which communicate with the duct of the tube.

Such a tube is advantageous as it may help to deliver liquids more effectively than prior art tubes. The orifices in the head are arranged to spray liquid into the uterus in which the tube is, in use, inserted. Such spraying from a plurality of orifices can deliver the liquid more evenly over the interior of the uterus. Should the liquid be a medicament then the uterus may be treated more effectively than using prior art tubes. The flexible nature of the tube allows the infusing tube to pass from the vaginal canal and through the cervical opening into the uterus .

The skilled person will appreciate that it is conceivable for a tube to be fabricated in which the flexible tube does not fully protrude, in use, from the cow or horse. In such a device, the flexible tube would need to be connected to a supply of liquid, such as a syringe, within the cow or horse.

Since the conditions that need to be treated by the liquid delivered may be present in both the uterus and cervix it is desirable for the liquid to be capable of flowing between the uterus and cervix.

Generally, the head is a separate member which is attached the flexible tube. Attachment may be by way of adhesive, welding (such as friction welding) or other suitable means.

Generally, the forward end of the head is curved. Such an arrangement is advantageous as it can help to prevent damage to the vaginal, cervical and uteral tissue which may occur using tubes having squared-off ends.

In some embodiments, the head may be egg shaped, preferably with the blunt end of the egg facing away from the flexible tube.

In alternative embodiments, the head may comprise a portion of a tube of larger diameter than of the flexible tube. Such an arrangement may be simpler to manufacture than other embodiments .

In other embodiments the head may be ball shaped - i.e. it may be spherical or at least roughly spherical. Any suitable curve profile may be used for the head.

Thus, it is convenient if both the forward and rearward faces of the head are rounded. Rounding the rear face of the head may help to prevent damage to the cow or horse as the tube is retracted once the treatment has been finished. Conveniently, the orifices may extend roughly perpendicularly from a plane passing along an axis of the duct within the tube. Such an arrangement is believed to be simpler to manufacture than other orientations of the orifices . The skilled person will appreciate the meaning of perpendicular but for the avoidance of doubt it is intended to mean at right angles to a plane.

The orifices may be arranged in rows around the circumference of the head; that is such as the orifices are provided in rings around the head.

In some embodiments there may be five rings of orifices . However, there may be any other number of rings, such as 1 , 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more. In other embodiments, there may be few rings of orifices as this may allow the head to be made more compact. For example, there may be two rings of orifices in such an embodiment. Generally, the rings of orifices are at toward a forward end region of the head.

The orifices within neighbouring rings may be offset from one another. Such an arrangement is convenient as it may provide for more even delivery of the fluid from the device. It is also believed that having orifices which extend substantially perpendicularly to the duct and/or the surface of the head can assist in the even delivery of the fluid.

Conveniently, the head may have at least one orifice in the forward end thereof. Again, such an arrangement is convenient for helping to ensure the even delivery of liquid into which the device has been inserted. There may be a plurality of orifices in the forward end region of the head.

Generally, the infusing tube is manufactured from a flexible material. Such a flexible material is advantageous as it can make inserting the tube easier and less likely to damage the animal. The material will generally be a plasties material. Materials such as Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , Polycarbonate or polyethylene are likely to be suitable. Generally, the material will be of a medical grade.

The tube is likely to be arranged to be disposable.

It is convenient if the or each hole in the forward end of the head is of smaller diameter than any holes provided circumferentially around the head. Such an arrangement may help to increase the flow of liquid from any circumferentially placed holes by restricting the flow of liquid through the or each hole in the forward end of the head.

For the same, or similar reasons, it is also convenient if the hole in the forward end face is of smaller diameter than that of the duct passing through the tube.

Conveniently, the majority of the head of the tube is of solid material. Such an arrangement is convenient because it helps to prevent wastage of a liquid, such as a drug, which is delivered by the tube.

In some embodiments, the volume of the duct through the tube and head may be of substantially a known volume. Such an arrangement can make delivery of a liquid, such as a drug, more accurate. This can be important when the amount of liquid needs to be controlled in order to deliver a known volume.

Conveniently, outer walls of the head taper, such that the diameter of the head decreases, from the forward end region towards the rearward end region. Such an arrangement can help facilitate withdrawal of the infusing tube from the animal into which it is inserted. In some embodiments, the material from which the head is fabricated is of a softer material than that of the tube. Such an arrangement can be advantageous as it can help to protect an animal into which the infusing tube is inserted and can also facilitate attaching the head to the flexible tube.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a pack comprising a plurality of tubes according to the first aspect of the invention.

Conveniently, the pack comprises roughly 5, 10, 15 , 20, 25 , 30 or 40 tubes (or any number in between these) .

The tubes within the pack may or may not be individually wrapped. Such wrapping may be arranged to keep the tube sterile which is advantageous as it helps to prevent the animal on which the tube is used becoming infected through use of the tube.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an infusing tube arranged to deliver a liquid into the uterus and/or cervix of a cow or horse, the infusing tube comprising: a body portion comprising a length of tube having a duct therethrough and having a forward end region arranged, in use, to be positioned within the uterus of a cow or horse and a rearward end region arranged to protrude from the cow or horse; the forward end region comprising a head having a plurality of orifices therein which communicate with the duct of the tube. Brief description of the drawings

There now follows, by way of example only, a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying Figures of which:

Figure 1 shows a cross section through a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a cross section through a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 schematically shows the second embodiment of Figure 2;

Figure 4 schematically shows how liquid is ejected from the second embodiment;

Figure 5 schematically shows a perspective view of a further embodiment; and

Figure 6 schematically shows a cross section along a centre line of the embodiment shown in Figure 5.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows an infusing tube 2 according to one embodiment of the invention which comprises a tube 4, which is of a flexible material, having a forward end region 6. The flexible tube may be thought of as a body portion of the infusing tube 2. A duct 8 extends through the tube 4 and into the forward end region 8. A head 10 provided at the forward end region 6 comprises a roughly egg shaped member having its blunt end 12 at a forward end 32 thereof; i.e. the end that is inserted into the vaginal tract of the animal. Thus, it will be seen that the forward end of the head 10 is curved.

Radiating from the duct 8 there are a plurality of orifices 14 which extend to an outer surface of the device. In the cross section of Figure 1 three rows a, b, c of orifices are shown. In this embodiment there are four orifices equally space around the circumference of the forward end region in each row a, b, c. Thus, the orifices 14 within each row of holes forms a ring around the circumference of the forward end region.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the infusing tube 2. For ease of understanding like parts of the second embodiment have been referred to with like reference numbers. Again, it will be seen that the forward end of the head 10 is curved.

It will be seen that the main difference between the first and second embodiments is the shape of the head 10 of the forward end region 6. In this embodiment, the head 10 is provided by a portion of a tube of larger diameter than the tube 4 of the body portion. In such an arrangement the larger diameter tube is affixed to the smaller diameter tube by a means such as adhesive, welding or the like.

The tube of the head 10 has rounded corners 16 at a forward end thereof. Such rounded corners 16 help to reduce injuries to the animal into which the infusing tube is being inserted.

In this embodiment the flexible tube 4 of the body portion is roughly 5mm in diameter and the tube of the head 10 is roughly 10mm. In other embodiments, the tube 4 of the body portion may be roughly any of the following diameters: 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm. The tube of the head 10 may be roughly any of the following diameters: 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mmm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm. It is perhaps convenient if the duct passing through the head and body portion is of as small a volume as practicable since this case make the delivery of a drug more accurate. If the volume is large then the amount of liquid (which might be a drug) delivered may be imprecise since a significant volume of liquid may remain in the duct. If an expensive drug is being used then it is particularly undesirable for the drug to be wasted in this manner.

In the embodiment shown the head is roughly 15mm to 20mm in length. However, in other embodiments, the head may have other lengths, perhaps in the range 5mm to 25mm or even 30mm.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment highlighting the further rows of orifices d, e and also a rearward end region of the infusing tube 30. The row of orifices d is positioned between rows a and b and the orifices are staggered (i.e. offset) such that an orifice in row d lies roughly midway between orifices in either row a or b. Likewise, row e is positioned between rows b and c and the orifices are staggered such that an orifice in row e lies roughly midway between orifices in either row b or row c.

Each of the rows of orifices a, b, c, d, e comprises 4 orifices and as such in this embodiment there are 21 orifices - there being a single orifice in the forward end of the head 10. Other embodiments may have different numbers of orifices in each row of orifices and indeed there may be different numbers of rows of orifices. Figure 4 schematically shows how a liquid may be ejected from the orifices of the tube 2. It will be seen that a liquid is ejected such that a large area is covered thereby thus helping to ensure that the liquid covers a large area of the uterus into which the head has been inserted.

The body portion of the tube 4 is long enough to extend through the vaginal tract of a horse/cow such that the head 10 can be inserted into the uterus thereof and an end region of the tube 4 distal that of the head 10 extends from the animal. As such the tube 4 may generally be 50cm to 60cm in length.

It will be seen that the embodiments shown have an orifice 14 in the forward end 32 of the head 10. Other embodiments need not have such an orifice 14.

In use, a user will insert the head 10 of the tube 2 into the vaginal tract of the animal to be treated. The tube 2 is then pushed along the vaginal tract and guided through the cervix into the uterus. Generally, the user will have his/her arm in the animal's rectal canal to guide the tube through the vaginal tract. As the head 10 enters the uterus of the animal, the resistance to insertion of the tube 4 drops and as such the user may be able to determine that the tube 4 has entered the uterus.

In one embodiment, perhaps particularly applicable to the first embodiment shown herein, the device may be pulled backwards once the head 10 has entered the uterus thus the portions of the egg shaped head 10, which is of larger diameter than the body portion, may be held against the cervical opening. Thus, a temporary seal between the head 10 and the cervical opening may be formed which may help prevent any liquid injected into the animal from escaping. Once the head 10 is in place a syringe is connected to the end of the tube 4 and liquid is injected into the tube 4 which passes along the duct 8 which escapes through the orifices 14.

Figures 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of an infusing tube and again like parts are referred to with like reference numerals.

The head 10 has a roughly hemispherical forward end face 60, which can be though of as being egg shaped. In this end face there is provided, at roughly a central region thereof, an orifice 62. From Figure 6, it can be seen that the diameter of the orifice 62 in the forward end face is of smaller diameter than the duct through the flexible tube 4. Likewise the diameters of the orifices 14 other than the one in the end face are of smaller diameter than the duct. However, it should be noted that the diameter of the orifice 62 in the end face is of smaller diameter than the ducts 14 which are circumferentially positioned around the head 10.

It will be seen that there are two rows of circumferentially placed orifices 14 with each row having four holes therein. The holes in one of the rows are offset, by roughly 45°, from the holes in the other of the rows.

The rear face 64 of the head is also curved, so as to present a smooth rear face to assist removal of the infusing tube from an animal into which it has been inserted.

It will be seen that the outer walls of the head 10 taper slightly from forward face 60 toward the rear face 64. Also, it will be seen that the duct within the head 10 tapers from a diameter arranged to accept the flexible tube at a rear end region, to a smaller diameter toward a forward end region. Such an embodiment can be advantageous in order to reduce the volume of fluid that can be maintained within the infusing tube.

Claims

1. An infusing tube arranged to deliver a liquid into the uterus and/or cervix of a cow or horse, the infusing tube comprising: a length of flexible tube having a duct therethrough and having a forward end region arranged, in use, to be positioned within the uterus of a cow or horse and a rearward end region generally arranged to protrude from the cow or horse; the forward end region having a head, of larger diameter than the flexible tube, having a plurality of orifices therein which communicate with the duct of the flexible tube.

2. A tube according to claim 1 in which the head has at least one orifice in the forward end thereof.

3. A tube according to claim 2 in which the orifice in the forward end is of smaller diameter than the diameter of the duct.

4. A tube according to any preceding claim in which the orifices in the head are arranged to spray liquid into the animal in which the tube is, in use, inserted.

5. A tube according to any preceding claim in which the forward end of the head is curved, and conveniently , is substantially hemispherical.

6. A tube according to any preceding claim in which the rearward end of the head is curved.

7. A tube according to any preceding claim in which the orifices extend roughly perpendicularly from the duct within the tube.

8. A tube according to any preceding claim in which the orifices are arranged in rows around the circumference of the head thereby forming rings of orifices around the head.

9. A tube according to claim 8 in which there are roughly two rings of orifices.

10. A tube according to claim 8 or 9 in which the orifices within neighbouring rings are offset from one another.

11. A tube according to claim 2 in which there are a plurality of orifices in the forward end.

12. A tube according to any preceding claim in which the tube is manufactured from a plastics material.

13. A tube according to claim 12 which is manufactured from any of the following materials: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , Polycarbonate or polyethylene.

14. A tube according to any preceding claim in which the head comprises a separate member from the flexible tube which is attached to a forward end of the flexible tube.

15. A pack of infusing tubes comprising a plurality of tubes according to any of claims 1 to 14.

16. A pack according to claim 16 which comprises roughly 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 or 40 tubes (or any number in between these) .

17. A pack according to claim 15 or 16 in which the tubes within the pack are individually wrapped.

18. A pack according to claim 17 in which the wrapping is arranged to keep the tube sterile.

19. A pack according to any of claims 15 to 18 which also comprises a set of instructions.