Pneumatic, modular device for dispensing medication to animals

• US 5,176,645 A
• Filed: 05/01/1991
• Issued: 01/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Diana Corp.
• Original Assignee: Diana Corp.
• Inventors: Guerrero, Fernando
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirsch, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US07/694,089
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 604/70, 604/140, 604/141, 604/143, 604/146, 604/147, 604/150
• US Class Current: 604/143
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2411 from the front
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2444 by thread
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3123 having air entrapping or venting means, e.g. purging channels in pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8218 Gas operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/204 connected to external reservoirs for multiple refilling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31561 using freely adjustable volume steps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31563 interacting with a displaceable stop member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/482 Varying injection pressure, e.g. by varying speed of injection

Abstract

A pneumatic powered, modular device, suitable for giving an adjustable dose of liquid medication to animals drawing the liquid from a bulk container. Modular design permits several ranges of dosage as well as methods of delivery such as hypodermic, oral or poured on skin. In FIG. 1 we show the hypodermic mode. Compressed air enters handle 1 at base through fitting 18, goes through passage 19 into 3 way valve 21 normally closed. Depressing trigger 22 allows air to enter chamber 24 pushing piston 7 forward. Liquid in front of piston 7 is expelled past check valve 25 into chamber 26 and out of hypodermic needle. Gasket 30 holds liquid in. For oral delivery, terminal 35 is substituted. Upon release of trigger 22, 3 way valve 21 permits air on chamber 24 to exhaust via exit 31 on valve, spring 11 pulls piston back until fitting expansion 13 stops against adjustable nut 6. This determines size of dosage. Liquid is suctioned from bulk tank not shown via tube 15 through check ball 16 and into front of piston chamber 7.

Claims

1. A modular gun assembly for delivering an adjustable measured dose of medication comprising:

a handle portion including a handle means, means for attaching a piston assembly at a forward face of said handle portion, said piston assembly including a container, a piston having an adjustable stroke length within said container, a means for delivering said dose from said container to an animal and means at a rearward face of said handle portion to attach a means for adjusting said dose, said means for adjusting comprising means to selectively limit the rearward movement of said piston within said container,

means for supplying said medication through said adjusting means and said piston to said container forward of a front face of said piston,

valve means connected to said handle portion for selectively driving said piston,

means within said handle means and connected by a conduit to the rear face of said piston for delivering a source of compressed gas or fluid for driving said piston, whereby actuation of said valve means ejects said medication.

2. A modular gun assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means for delivering said dose is a needle.

3. A modular gun assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means for delivering said dose is a shower head.

4. A modular gun assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means for delivering said dose is a tube for orally dispensing of said medication.

5. A modular gun assembly according to claim 1, wherein said container is translucent and includes indicia for indicating the dose of medication within said container.