Tag for livestock

• US 20060260157A1
• Filed: 10/31/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eugene B. Ritchey
• Original Assignee: Eugene B. Ritchey
• Inventors: Ritchey, Eugene B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,441,354 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/301
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/003 with means for taking tissue samples, e.g. for DNA analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/004 with electronic identification means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

An identification tag is provided including a piercing element which captures a tissue sample of the animal during tagging. The tissue sample may be used to positively identify the animal for purposes of animal health tests, and the tissue sample may be further used to positively identify the animal tagged at all stages of the animal'"'"'s life, as well as after the animal dies, by comparing the tissue sample with previously recorded DNA or other animal data. Visual indicia may also be incorporated on the tag, as well as electronic identification by use of a transponder.

Claims

1. An identification device comprising:

a base having an opening formed therein;

an arm connected to said base; and

a piercing element connected to said arm, said piercing element having a hollow interior;

a tissue sampling member having a hollow interior and placed coaxially within said piercing element;

wherein said piercing element pierces a tissue of an animal to be identified, said piercing element is securable with respect to said base thereby securing the identification device to the animal, and said hollow interior of said tissue sampling member receives a piece of tissue of the animal as the identification device is installed.

2. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said piercing element has a chamfered end that enhances the ability of the piercing element to penetrate the tissue.

3. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said base and said arm are substantially flat.

4. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

at least one or more of said base, said arm, and said piercing element are made from tubular metal stock.

5. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said piercing element is secured with respect to said base by inserting said piercing element through said opening in said base, and then flaring a distal tip of said piercing element so that said distal tip has a diameter larger than a diameter of said opening.

6. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said identification device comprises a substantially triangular shape when installed.

7. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said piercing element includes a distal tip having a flattened configuration when installed.

8. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said tissue sampling member includes a cap attached at one end thereof.

9. A method of obtaining a tissue sample of an animal, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a device including a base, an arm, and means for piercing tissue of the animal, said means for piercing attached to said arm, and said means for piercing including a tissue sampling member mounted coaxially therein;

placing a designated part of the animal'"'"'s body between the base and the means for piercing;

engaging said means for piercing through said base thus removing a slug of tissue from the animal;

capturing the slug of tissue from the animal within said tissue sampling member;

sealing the captured slug of tissue in the tissue sampling member by a sealing element covering an open end of the tissue sampling member; and

removing the tissue sampling member from the device.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said means for piercing has a cylindrical shape and a hollow interior, and said tissue sampling member has a tube sized to fit coaxially within the means for piercing, wherein the slug of tissue is captured within the tube of the tissue sampling member as said means for piercing engages said base.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 9, further including the step of:

locking said means for piercing with respect to said base by inserting said means for piercing through said base, and then flaring a distal tip of said means for piercing.

12. A tag for identifying and obtaining a tissue sample from a body part of an animal, the tag comprising:

a means for piercing the body part and separating the tissue sample from the body part;

a means for retaining the tissue sample interconnected to said means for piercing;

said means for retaining having an outer part, and an inner part coaxially received in said outer part; and

a means for interconnecting said means for retaining to the animal.

13. A tag as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

a means for sealing the tissue sample within said means for retaining.

14. A tag as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said inner part of said means for retaining is separable from said outer part of said means for retaining, and said outer part remains secured to the animal.