WO1996007369A1

WO1996007369A1 - Scratch vaccine applicator and/or method of applying a vaccine

Info

Publication number: WO1996007369A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1995/000081
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Hort
Original assignee: Cyanamid Websters Pty. Limited
Priority date: 1994-09-05
Filing date: 1995-09-05
Publication date: 1996-03-14
Also published as: AU3487095A

Abstract

This invention provides a scratch vaccine applicator (1) and a method of applying a vaccine to a scratch made on an animal's skin for vaccines such as the scabby mouth vaccine. The invention provides a pointed scratching means (3) within a main body portion (2) and moveable relative to the body portion (2). Upon application on the device to the animal skin, the scratching means (3) moves relative to the body portion (2) and operates a valve (6) to open fluid flow to the point (9) of the scratching means (3). An air inlet is provided in communication with a source of vaccine to inhibit the creation of a vacuum within the vaccine container (5).

Description

SCRATCH VACCINE APPLICATOR AND/OR METHOD OF APPLYING A VACCINE

BACKGROUND

(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a scratch vaccine applicator and/or a method of applying a vaccine and, in particular, for the application of vaccine to a scratch made on an animal's skin.

Such vaccine applicators are typically used for the application of scabby mouth vaccine to sheep in order to protect against the virus. ^f course, both the applicator and the method could be used in any circumstance where it is desired to apply vaccine to a scratch and where such a method is a suitable method of application of any particular vaccine.

(2) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Previous applicators include such apparatus as described in New Zealand patent application no. 236610. Such arrangements can be complex and expensive to manufacture. Further, such arrangements have led to a vacuum inhibiting the supply of vaccine from the applicator. It should be noted that, although referred to as a scratch vaccine applicator, the arrangement should be such as to provide a scratch in the skin of the animal, preferably without breaking the animal's skin to draw blood. It is preferred that the applicators should scarify the skin and penetrate outer layers of the skin without puncturing the skin entirely.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a scratch vaccine applicator and/ or a method of applying a vaccine which will overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention consists in a scratch vaccine applicator comprising: a body portion; a scratching means moveable relative to said body portion; a valve means provided in said body portion operable with movement of said scratching means; a source of vaccine in fluid connection with said valve means; and an inlet for air provided in communication with said vaccine source. Accordingly, in a second aspect, the invention consists in a method of applying a vaccine comprising: providing a scratching means moveable upon contact with an animal's skin; providing a source of vaccine; providing a valve means intermediate of said scratching means and said source of vaccine; providing an inlet for air in communication with said source of vaccine; applying said scratching means against an animal's skin such that movement of said scratching means will provide a scratch in the animal's skin and operate said valve means to allow vaccine to flow to the scratch made by said scratching means .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of this invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view through one embodiment of the apparatus; Ficrure 2 shows a cross sectional view through the apparatus of Figure 1 in a second configuration; Figure 3 shows an elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the cap removed; Figure 4 shows an elevational view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 2 ; Figure 6 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 2 ; Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric from a reverse view of the embodiment of

Figure 2 ; and Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view through a further embodiment of the apparatus .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus of the invention can be seen in at least one preferred embodiment in cross section. The apparatus in this preferred embodiment comprises a scratch vaccine applicator 1 having a main body portion 2 and a scratching means 3 moveable relative to the main body portion 2.

The apparatus also contains a source of vaccine 4 which may be contained in a container 5 being a standard glass vaccine and dilutant vial or other such container 5. Container 5 holding the vaccine 4 may be a separate container fitted to the main body portion 2 or may be integral with the main body portion. In its preferred form as shown in Figure 1, the container 5 is separable from the remainder of the apparatus.

A valve means 6 is included which, in this preferred embodiment, includes a valve seat 7 on an interior face of the main body portion 2 operable against a valve body 8 or central valve portion to seal the source of vaccine 4 from the exterior of the device.

As can be seen in Figure 1, this valve seat may comprise a conical valve seat around the substantially conical central valve portion 8 which may be integral with or connected to the scratching means 3. In this manner, movement of the scratching means 3 relative to the main body portion 2 may operate the valve 6 by unseating the central valve portion 8 from the valve seat 7 and thereby allowing vaccine 4 to flow between the valve seat and the central valve portion to within the proximity of the scratching means 3. The scratching means 3 itself as shown in this preferred embodiment may comprise a metal scratching means such as stainless steel or the like having a point 9 with which to scratch an animal's skin. This scratching means 3 may be retained in a retainer 10 which itself is integral with and forms part of the central valve portion 8.

In the preferred form of this invention, the scratching means 3 is provided so as to scarify the animal's skin without puncturing all the layers of the skin. It is intended that the scratching means breaks the epitheleial layer without completely penetrating the lower endothelial layer. To assist in this, the scratching means 3 has been provided as a generally conical point 9 with the sloping or angled face 25 of the conical point 9 being provided at an angle of less than 45° to the central axis 26 of the point 9. In its most preferred form, this angle between the axis 26 and the face 25 is approximately 30°.

A distal end of the retaining portion 10 from the scratching means 3 may be connected or rest adjacent a spring 11 to bias the scratching means to a protruding position in at least a first position as well as biasing the valve portion 6 to a closed position. In this preferred embodiment, the spring 11 may comprise a moulding of materials such as plastic which is retained in connection with the main body portion 2 or vaccine container 5 and be in either compression or tension to bias the scratching means 3 to its protruding position.

Preferably the scratching means 3 will continue to protrude so as to provide a scratch to an animal's skin even with the valve means 6 in an open position.

The construction shown in Figure 1 also provides a seal at the connection between the separable container 5 and the main body portion 2 with a seal 14. For simplicity this is integrated into the moulding supplying the spring or biasing means 11 behind the scratching means 3. The seal is to prevent the leakage of vaccine although may not be airtight as discussed below.

The main body portion 2 may also provide a retaining clip 15 for connection With a recess 16 in the containing wall 5 so that the container 5 is retained in its position in contact and sealed with the main body portion 2. This is preferably a connection which inhibits the removal of the container 5 after initial fitment. To increase the flow of the vaccine 4 through the valve means 6 when in an open position, an inlet for air into the source of vaccine being the container 5 may be provided in the container 5 itself or in the main body portion 2 of the apparatus. This inlet is provided on the fluid side of the valve means 6 and should inhibit the outlet or escape of vaccine 4. This is preferably provided by the seal 14 being watertight and not airtight and may comprise other uni directional devices to allow the passage of air into the container 5 holding the vaccine 4 and yet inhibit any unwanted release of the vaccine 4.

Surrounding the scratching means 9 and engageable with the main body portion 2 is, in this preferred form, a cap 18 to complete the device.

It should be noted that the device may be made from many alternative materials, however, plastic materials may be suitable for the main body portion 2, retaining means 10 and spring 11. The container 5 may be made from alternative materials and the scratching means 3 should be made from a hardened material such as steel or other material capable of forming and maintaining a point 9 in use. It should be noted that the provision of the spring 11 behind the retaining means 10 and intermediate of the valve means 6 and source of vaccine 4 requires the passage of the vaccine 4 pass this spring 11. In this manner, the spring 11 also acts as a membrane between the source of vaccine and the scratching means. This may be provided by suitable apertures 19 provided in the spring 11. The apertures should be sized to provide sufficient flow through the valve 6 for the desired purposes and may be used as a form of flow control by inhibiting the passage of too much vaccine 4 through to the valve means 6. Alternatively, the apertures 19 can be oversized to allow substantially full flow past the spring 11 without any control on the flow rate of vaccine 4 to the valve means 6.

In this preferred form, a single aperture 19 is provided through the spring and membrane 11 to act as a control on the flow rate of the vaccine 4. It has been found that a diameter of approximately 2.3 millimetres is satisfactory to limit the flow of vaccine while allowing full flow through the actual valve means 6. Of course, more apertures of smaller diameter could be provided although these would have difficulty in passing fluid due to the surface tension of the vaccine and the difficulty in providing vaccine through an aperture 19 much smaller than that provided in the preferred embodiment .

An applicator of this type is designed to provide multiple doses to a number of animals from a single container of vaccine 5. Typical levels of dosage may require greater than 200 doses to be provided. Therefore, control of the dosage and the number of doses provided by each container may be important .

In an alternative form shown in Figure 2, the control to the dosage could be provided by a pin 27 connected to the rear of the retaining means 10 to engage the aperture 19 and stop the flow through the aperture 19 when the scratching means 3 is in its second position. Therefore, no further flow of vaccine 4 from the container 5 will occur while the valve 6 is in an open position. The quantity of vaccine dispensed may then be controlled by the volume 28 between the retaining means 10 and the membrane 11. Such an arrangement would allow for a plurality of apertures 19 to be provided of any desired size with the aperture 19 no longer controlling flow rate but merely acting as a second valve to control the quantity of vaccine supplied in any one dose. In addition, a central leg 20 may be provided on the retaining means 10 to act as an engagement with the spring 11.

The apparatus is shown ih Figure 2 in its use configuration with the cap 18 preferably reversible on the apparatus to fit on the rearward end of the apparatus during use.

Turning now to Figure 3 , the device without the cap 18 is shown.

It may be seen that the apparatus is provided with a substantially central axis 22. The scratching means 3 and main body portion 2 may be substantially cylindrical devices as with the container 5. Of course, any other configuration such as square or rectangular portions could be used throughout.

Figures 4 and 5 show the elevational views of the device with the cap 18 in the configuration as shown in Figure 1 when shown in Figure 4. In Figure 5 the cap is reversed to the rear of the apparatus in accordance with the arrangement shown in Figure 2.

Exploded isometric views of the device as shown in Figures 6 and 7 with the view in Figure 7 showing the reverse view of that of Figure 6. The major elements being the point 3, main body 2, retaining means 10, spring and membrane 11, vaccine container 5 and cap 18 are all shown in their coaxial relationship in these figures.

Turning now to the apparatus as shown in Figure 8, a similar apparatus is shown to that previously described. However, in this embodiment, a semi permeable membrane 29 is provided as an alternative means of providing a uni directional inlet for air. In this embodiment, the apertures 19 provided in the membrane 11 may be sized to allow greater than the required flow through the membrane 11 than is required for the dosage given to the animal. In this instance, a stop 30 provided on the rear face of the retaining means 10 may act to limit the opening of the valve 6 and thereby provide some flow control.

In use, the device may be placed against an animal's skin and the point 9 of the scratching means 3 used to scarify the surface of the animal's skin. The device may then be drawn along the animal's skin to continue the length of the scratch while the vaccine 4 flows past valve means 6 opened by the movement of the scratching means 3 so as to allow vaccine to flow to the scratching means 3 and into the scratch on the animal's skin.

As long as pressure is maintained sufficient to scarify the animal's skin, the bias provided by the spring 11 may be overcome to ensure the valve 6 is always open while the animal's skin is being scratched.

Thus it can be seen that the device provides a relatively simple and economical method of applying a scratch vaccine.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A scratch vaccine applicator comprising: a body portion; a scratching means moveable relative to said body portion; a valve means provided in said body portion operable with movement of said scratching means; a source of vaccine in fluid connection with said valve means; and an inlet for air provided in communication with said vaccine source.

2. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in claim

1 wherein said inlet allows the flow of air to said vaccine source and inhibits the flow of vaccine out said inlet.

3. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in claim

2 wherein said inlet comprises a water tight and not air tight seal in fluid connection with said source of vaccine.

4. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a biasing means is included to bias said valve means to a closed position.

5. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in claim 4 wherein said biasing means comprises an elastic membrane deformable upon movement of the scratching means.

6. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said body portion comprises a housing to support said scratching means.

7. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in claim

6 wherein said valve means includes a valve seat on an interior face of said body portion.

8. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in claim

7 wherein said valve means includes a central valve portion sealable against said valve seat.

9. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in claim

8 wherein said central valve portion is connected to or integral with said scratching means.

10. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said scratching means includes a point protruding at least in a first position from said body portion.

11. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in claim

10 wherein said point comprises a conical point with the angled conical face at an angle of less than 45° from the central axis of said conical point.

12. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in claim

11 wherein said angle is approximately 30°.

13. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said scratching means is axially moveable within said body portion.

14. A scratch vaccine applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said vaccine source comprises a container of vaccine in fluid connection with said valve means.

15. A method of applying a vaccine comprising: providing a scratching means moveable upon contact with an animal's skin; providing a source of vaccine; providing a valve means intermediate of said scratching means and said source of vaccine; providing an inlet for air in communication with said source of vaccine; applying said scratching means against an animal's skin such that movement of said scratching means will provide a scratch in the animal's skin and operate said valve means to allow vaccine to flow to the scratch made by said scratching means.

16. A method of applying a vaccine as claimed in claim 15 wherein said method includes the step of scarifying said animal's skin without puncturing said skin.

17. A method of applying a vaccine as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein said method includes biasing said scratching means and said valve means to a first position in which said valve is closed to the flow of vaccine.

18. A scratch vaccine applicator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A method of applying a vaccine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.