ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION

Abstract: A tag comprises a planar plastics body (10) bearing a magnetic code medium (12) or other data carrying means. The tag is inserted subcutaneously between the skin and underlying tissues, suitably, by use of a sharpened edge (14). Means such as felt (16) are provided for invasion by body tissues to anchor the tag in position.

Description: DESCRIPTION "Animal Identification" f>. This invention relates to a method of, and , device for use in, the identification of animals, partic- c ularly sheep and pigs, but including domestic animals, fish and birds. It is desirable to identify individual animals either to record such factors as milk yield, rate of weight gain or carcass weight, or simply to establish 2 Q ownership. At present two approaches are used. One is to provide a visual marking such as a numbered ear tag or a brand. These are not amenable to machine reading; additionally branding is an awkward process and the brand can become obscured, and ear tags commonly • j _5 become entangled and can be torn off. The second app¬ roach is to attach a machine readable device externally to the animal, e.g. a magnetic "key" hung round a cow's neck on a plastic collar. Available devices of this kind are relatively expensive, the device is liable to 20 become entangled or damaged, and there is no safeguard against fraudulent or accidental removal or interchange. An object of the present invention is to over¬ come or mitigate these problems. The invention accordingly provides a method 25 of providing identification of an animal, comprising inserting a tag bearing coded data between the skin and the underlying tissues of the animal. From another aspect, the invention provides an identification tag for an animal, comprising an f 30 element of a material which is bilogically tolerated when inserted subcutaneously, the element being adapted for insertion between the skin and underlying tissue and bearing coded data readable by a reading device applied externally to the animal's skin. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tag in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a side view of the tag of Fig. 1. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a tag comprises a laminar piece of biologically-inert plastics material 10. The material should be stiff along its length but 10 somewhat flexible in the direction of its thickness,- mechanical characteristics similar to a conventional credit card are suitable. Embedded within the material 10, as indicated at 12, is a machine readable coded element such as ^5 an array of magnets or a magnetised strip of ferrite- coated tape. One short edge 14 of the tag is formed in the manner of a knife edge. The tag also carries means adapted to be invaded by body tissue for example 20 lengths of open textile felt 16, e.g. of Terylene. In use, thetag is inserted subcutaneously in the animal so as to lie between the skin and the underlying tissue. This may suitably be done by placing the sharpened edge 14 against the skin and applying 25 a force to the opposite short edge 18, for instance by use of a spring-loaded gun. Especially in neonatal animals, the tag may be made sufficiently sharp to penetrate the skin in this way, and the entry wound will heal rapidly. The surrounding tissues will grow 30 into felt 16 or equivalent means and lock the tag in position. Preventing subcutaneous movement in this way is significant, as this reduces the likelihood of irritation and oedema. A particularly suitable location for the tag 35 is on the animal's forehead, where the skin and subcutaneous tissues are mobile but the bone of the skull assists in guiding the tag during entry. Other possible locations are over a rib or in the flank. Because the tag is inserted closel under the skin, it is possible to interrogate the coded date by an external reader applied to the skin. P, 5 Modifications of the above embodiment may be used within the scope of the invention. For some animals, particularly older animals, it may not be possible to penetrate the skin using the sharpened edge of the tag. This edge may therefore be replaced 10 or supplemented by a ^ separate cutting edge, for example forming part.of an insertion gun. The tissue- invadable means may be integral with the main body of the tag, for example by making the latter of a porous plastic or ceramic material. The tag may be ' an active 15 rather than a passive, data carrier by including a suitable transmitter; this could be powered either by a thin battery or by including an element which cooperates with the animal's body fluids to form a battery.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of providing identification of an animal, comprising inserting a tag bearing coded data between the skin and the underlying tissues of the animal. 2. The method of claim 1, in which the tag is inserted in a position on the animal's forehead. 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, in which the tag is flat. . The method of claim 3, in which the tag has a sharp edge and is inserted by applying pressure along the tag to cause said ^ edge to penetrate the skin. 5. An identification tag for an animal, comprising a body of a material which is biologically tolerable when inserted subcutaneously, the body being adapted for insertion between the skin and underlying tissue and bearing coded data readable by a reading device applied externally to the animal's skin. 6. The tag of claim 5, in which the body is substantially planar. 7. The tag of claim 6, in which the body has a sharp edge for penetrating the animal's skin when said edge is placed against the skin and pressure is applied along the tag. 8. The tag of any of claims 5 to 7, including means adapted to be invaded by body tissue to anchor the tag in position. 9. The tag of claim 8, in which said means comprises an open textile felt or mesh secured to the tag body. 10. The tag of claim 8, in which said means comprises pores or apertures in the tag body.

Inventors: SEMPLE CAMPBELL, SEMPLE, CAMPBELL
Applicants: SEMPLE CAMPBELL, SEMPLE, CAMPBELL
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A01K11
IPC codes: A01K11, A01K35, A01K61, A61B5