Selective Embryonic Structure Targeting and Substance Delivery Device

• US 20150136030A1
• Filed: 10/17/2014
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH
• Original Assignee: Merial Limited (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG), Mat Malta Advanced Technologies Limited
• Inventors: Meissner, Sven, Geissler, Stefan, Frohnert, Toni, Goehler, Doreen, Fischer, Bjoern
• Granted Patent: US 9,686,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/6.8
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 43/00 Testing, sorting or cleaning eggs investigating or analysing eggs, e.g. by candling G01N33/08; Conveying devices for batteries A01K31/165; Pick-up devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 43/04 Grading eggs
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 45/00 Other aviculture appliances, e.g. devices for determining whether a bird is about to lay
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 45/007 Injecting or otherwise treating hatching eggs
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/002 for measuring two or more coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/085 by candling
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0081 having one or more elements with analytic function to create variable power variable magnification in general G02B15/00

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for delivering substances to specific embryonic structures, including heart and blood vessels, within a developing avian egg. The disclosure also relates to methods of using the device to produce enhanced avian embryos. Methods include administering to chicken embryos various substances, including vaccines, nutrients, and stem cells. Chickens resulting from enhanced avian embryos have advantages, including greater growth potential and resistance to pathogen infection/infestation.

Claims

1. An Embryonic Structure Targeting Injection (ESTI) apparatus for injecting a substance into a specific location within a developing avian embryo, or a specific location of an egg containing an avian embryo, comprising:

a. a means for aseptically cutting the outer shell of an egg, such that a defined portion of the shell is prepared for subsequent removal;

b. a means for removing the defined shell portion to produce an opening in the egg;

c. a means for mapping (or targeting) the x, y, z coordinates of embryonic structures to locate the desired specific injection location;

d. a means for injecting the specific substance into the specific injection location; and

e. a means for aseptically sealing the opening.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an egg transfer assembly, which is capable of moving eggs from their incubation position (stump pole facing upward) to their injection position (pointed pole facing upward, accessible to the injection needle).

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an egg holder or tray comprising:

a. an egg immobilization means, which employs either vacuum or a suitable mechanical means to fix the position of the egg or plurality of eggs; and

b. a light source, or plurality of light sources, which is a component of the mapping means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the holder or tray is disinfectable, bio-compatible, and compatible with standard hatchery trays.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a pressure application means, which serves to apply a positive pressure to the air cavity in the stump end of the egg to diminish embryo deepening (repositioning) after opening of the egg.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a cooling means for cooling the light source or plurality of light sources.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the light source selected from white light and a specific color of light, wherein the specific color of light can optionally be produced using optical filters in combination with the white light source.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a specific amount of fluid is injected into the specific location of the avian embryo, or the specific location of the egg containing the avian embryo, before 120 hours post-fertilization;

and, wherein the egg is incubated until the chicken hatches.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for cutting is a CO₂ laser, a high-power LED laser, or a mechanical cutting means.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mechanical cutting means is a diamond or carbide drill.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means for mapping the x, y, z coordinates comprises a camera and a microprocessor.

12. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the LED light is green (center wavelength 535 nm, range 520 nm-550 nm);

blue (center wave length 450 nm, range 440 nm-470 nm);

yellow (center wave length 590 nm, range 575 nm-610 nm);

or NIR (center wave 1200 nm, range of 1000 nm-1400 nm).

13. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the injection location is a blood vessel or the heart.

14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the location is the heart and the volume of the substance is 5 μ

L.

16. The method of 9, which is performed using the apparatus of claim 1.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

a. detecting and locating the embryo and its structures without physically disrupting the egg'"'"'s shell;

b. penetrating the egg shell, but not the egg membrane, such that a defined portion of said egg shell is capable of being removed by a subsequent removal step; and

c. removing the defined egg shell portion, leaving behind the opening in said egg shell.

18. The method of claim 11, comprising the steps of:

a. detecting the x and y coordinates for the embryo and its structures;

b. detecting the z coordinate, which represents the distance between the cutting means and the egg shell surface;

c. determining a desired target structure, defined by x and y coordinates, into which a substance will be injected;

d. positioning an injection needle tip sufficiently close to the determined target to allow for injection into the desired target embryonic structure; and

e. injecting the substance into the structure.

19. The method of claim 9, comprising the steps of:

a. detecting and locating the embryo and its structures without physically disrupting the egg'"'"'s shell by;

i. detecting the x and y coordinates for the embryo and its structures;

ii. detecting the z coordinate, which represents the distance between the opening means and the surface of the egg shell;

iii. determining a desired target structure, defined by x, y, and z coordinates, into which a substance will be injected;

b. penetrating the egg shell such that a defined portion of said egg shell is capable of being removed by a subsequent removal step; and

c. removing the defined egg shell portion, leaving behind the opening in said egg shell;

d. positioning an injection needle tip sufficiently close to the determined target structure to allow for injection into the desired target structure; and

e. injecting the substance into the structure.

20. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of rotating the egg, or plurality of eggs, from its incubation position, wherein the egg'"'"'s stump pole is facing upward, to an injection position, wherein the egg'"'"'s pointed pole is facing upward such that it is accessible to the injection needle.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the rotation is accomplished using a vacuum cup assembly.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the egg or plurality of eggs is placed on an egg holder or tray, which holder or tray comprises:

a. an egg immobilization means which employs either vacuum or a suitable mechanical means to fix the position of the egg or plurality of eggs; and

b. a light source or a plurality of light sources.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising applying a positive pressure to the air cavity in the stump end of the egg to avoid embryo deepening after opening of the egg.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the light is shone through the egg, from stump end to pointed end, to a detector unit, which is a component of the mapping means, such that the detection unit is positioned on the opposite side of the egg, relative to the light source.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the detection unit is an area sensor (CMOS or CCD).

26. The method of claim 25, wherein detector is made of silicon or a NIR sensitive material.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the NIR-sensitive material is indium gallium arsenite.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the detection unit comprises optics including a tunable lens to adjust the focus of the optics to the egg surface.

15. A method for safely injecting a substance into a specific location of an avian embryo, or a specific location of the egg containing the avian embryo, comprising the steps of:

a. opening a fertilized avian egg;

b. injecting a substance into a specific location of the embryo or the egg containing the embryo; and

c. sealing the opening in the egg shell, thereby safely injecting the substance into the specific location of the avian embryo or the egg.

29-52. -52. (canceled)