Release mechanism to interact with biota, in particular fauna that may outgrow available habitat

• US 7,156,049 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Army Corps of Engineers (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Evans, James A., Miranda, Leandro E., Kirk, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Teri Pham
• Assistant Examiner(s): MICHENER, JOSHUA J
• Application Number:
  US10/943,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20060054097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 119/215, 119/174, 119/231, 119/219, 43/45, 431/24, 102/276, 102/202.14, 102/202.5, 604/891.1, 600/12, 607/120, 606/117, 128/899
• US Class Current: 119/174
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 61/00 Culture of aquatic animals receptacles for live fish, e.g. aquaria, A01K63/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 61/80 Feeding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 25/002 Bait holders, i.e. stationary devices for holding poisonous bait at the disposal of the animal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/81 Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Abstract

A device for interacting with biota either on a pre-specified schedule or via actuation by remote signal. Preferably, the biota are fauna and more particularly fish. In selected embodiments, it comprises frangible packaging enclosing means for timing interaction, at least part of the means for programming the device and means for opening the packaging. In select embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is inserted in fish. Specific examples of the present invention are implanted in triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to facilitate control of aquatic weeds in bodies of water. When the carp have been in the water for a pre-specified period or, alternatively, long enough to effectively control the target aquatic plants, toxins in the device are dispensed to kill them. Otherwise, the carp may destroy all vegetation and harm the aquatic environment for other aquatic life.

Claims

1. A pill-sized insert small enough to be inserted into living animals, said apparatus suitable for interacting one time with said living animals at a pre-specified extended time after insertion of said apparatus into said living animals, comprising:

frangible packaging;

a programmable microprocessor for timing delivery of a payload in a one-time event entirely within said animals;

wherein said microprocessor and said payload are enclosed within said packaging, and wherein said microprocessor comprises at least one counting circuit and at least one programming circuit in operable communication with at least said counting circuit;

means for programming said pre-specified period into said microprocessor, said

means for programming in operable communication with said microprocessor,

wherein said at least part of said means for programming is enclosed within said packaging;

means for opening said packaging in operable communication with at least said microprocessor,

wherein said means for opening is enclosed within said packaging in which said means for opening comprises;

at least one battery in operable communication with at least said microprocessor,

said means for programming, and said means for opening, at least one explosive;

at least one igniter, in operable communication with said explosive, for energizing said explosive; and

at least one switch in operable communication with at least said igniter, said battery and said microprocessor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for programming at least comprises:

at least one window in said packaging, said window transmissive to at least one range of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum; and

at least one port to said programming circuit,

wherein said means for programming enables at least setting said pre-specified time in said apparatus.

3. A system inserted in at least one triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), said carp to be used for controlling growth of aquatic plants in a body of water, comprising:

means for pre-specifying the life span of said carp, comprising;

frangible packaging;

at least one programmable microprocessor for timing delivery of a payload;

wherein said microprocessor comprises at least one counting circuit and at least one programming circuit in operable communication with said counting circuit, and

wherein said microprocessor and said payload are enclosed within said packaging;

means for programming said pre-specified life span into said microprocessor; and

means for opening said packaging in operable communication with said microprocessor,

wherein said means for opening is enclosed within said packaging.

4. The system of claim 3 in which said means for programming at least comprises:

at least one window in said packaging, said window transmissive to at least one range of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum; and

at least one port to said programming circuit,

wherein said means for programming enables at least setting said pre-specified life span in said system.

5. The system of claim 3 in which said means for opening comprises at least:

at least one battery in operable communication with at least said microprocessor, said means for programming, and said means for opening at least one explosive;

at least one igniter in operable communication with said explosive, for energizing said explosive; and

at least one switch in operable communication with said igniter, said battery and means for timing.

6. A method for controlling growth of aquatic plants in a body of water by utilizing at least one triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), comprising:

providing means for pre-specifying the life span of said carp, comprising;

frangible packaging;

means for timing delivery of a toxin;

wherein said means for timing and said toxin are enclosed within said packaging; and

means for programming said pre-specified life span into said means for timing,

wherein at least part of said means for programming is enclosed within said packaging;

means for rupturing said packaging in operable communication with at least said means for timing,

wherein said means for rupturing is enclosed within said packaging;

inserting said means for pre-specifying the life span into said carp; and

introducing said carp into said body of water.