A syringe for the intramammary administration of veterinary pharmacological compositions

Abstract: A syringe for the intramammary administration of veterinary pharmacological compositions, in particular for the treatment of bovine mastitis. The syringe comprises a container body (1), a cannula (3) extending axially from one of its ends, a removable shutter (4) surrounding the initial part of the cannula (3), and a protective cap (6) covering both the cannula (3) and the shutter (4). During use, when the cap (6) is removed, only the end part of the cannula (3) is freed so as to allow insertion into the initial section of the teat; when the shutter (4) is also removed, the entire cannula (3) is freed so as to allow insertion as far as the teat cistern.

Description: The present invention relates to a syringe for the intramammary administration of veterinary pharmacological compositions, in particular for the treatment of bovine mastitis. The treatment of bovine mastitis is a problem of considerable importance in dairy cows breeding. The treatment method generally used consists in the administration of antibiotic compositions through the teat canal (intramammary administration). For this type of administration plastic syringes with a single cannula of between 20 to 25 mm length are used. This type of syringe has the disadvantage that it may transfer any pathogenic agents present inside the teat canal into the teat cistern and promote new infections or reduce the effectiveness of the treatment being performed. Moreover, it has been scientifically demonstrated that the insertion of a long cannula may damage the layer of keratin present in the distal part of the teat which has the function of protecting the udder from bacterial infections. Recently, syringes with a structure such that they are able to perform a dual function have been proposed: a first short cannula for insertion into the initial section of the teat and a longer cannula for total insertion, where required, as far as the cistern of the teat of a cow. EP-B-0,454,676, which is used as a basis for the preamble of claim 1, describes a syringe of this type with a cannula of predetermined length covered by a double cap. The first innermost cap leaves only an end section of the cannula free, while the second outermost cap covers this end section of the cannula and is arranged partially over the inner cap. During use, by removing only the outer cap, i.e. freeing only the tip section of the cannula, the latter may be inserted into the initial section of the teat, whereas if the inner cap is also removed, the cannula is completely freed and can be inserted as far as the teat cistern. A syringe with this dual function is also described in EP-B-0,523,091. In this case the syringe has incorporated in it a small-length cannula for insertion into the initial section of the teat, onto which an extension covered by an outer cap is fitted. Depending on whether only the outer protective cap or the cap and the cannula extension are removed, it is possible to have cannulas of different lengths for different uses: total insertion as far as the teat cistern or insertion only into the initial section of the teat. The syringes described in the above-mentioned patents, although they provide the possibility for a double cannula length, are not very easy to handle and in particular are subject to the risk of contamination when used. Another drawback of these syringes consists in their high construction and assembly cost, since different parts must be prepared and combined in order to obtain the complete syringe. The object of the invention is to overcome the afore mentioned drawbacks by providing a syringe for the intramammary administration of a veterinary pharmacological composition which has a simple and inexpensive construction, can be handled with very good ease and avoids entirely the risk of contamination during use. This object is achieved, in accordance with the invention, with the characteristic features listed in the accompanying claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the sub-claims. Substantially, the syringe according to the invention comprises a cylindrical body with a cannula of a predetermined length, covered partially from its base or tang by a tubular element acting as a shutter, in a protective cap. Advantageously, the outer protective cap covers the entire cannula, including the shutter. Removal of this cap frees the distal end of the cannula, so as to allow insertion into the initial section of the teat. If the shutter is also removed, the entire cannula is freed so as to allow insertion as far as the teat cistern. The tubular shutter which partially covers the cannula is formed as one piece with the syringe and is connected to the tang of the cannula preferably by means of a pre-breaking line which allows it to be separated by means of breakage. Further characteristic features of the invention will appear more clearly from the detailed description which follows, with reference, purely by way of example, to a non-limiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation view of the syringe according to the invention, with the cap removed; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the syringe according to Figure 1. The syringe according to the invention comprises a cylindrical body 1, forming the reservoir of the syringe (shown only partially in the accompanying figures), and a cannula 3 which extends axially and is connected thereto by means of a cylindrical reducer or tang 2. The bottom part of the cannula 3 is covered by a removable tubular sleeve 4 acting as a shutter. Advantageously, the shutter 4 is joined to the tang 2 by means of connection points 5 which allow separation by means of breakage following rotation of the shutter 4. The syringe is completed by a protective cap 6 which sealingly covers the distal end of the cannula 3 and the tear-type shutter 4, as schematically shown by the broken line in Figure 1. In order to prevent the cap 6 from accidentally coming off the body 1 of the syringe, mutual engaging means may be provided, consisting, respectively, of an annular ridge 7 provided around the tang 2 of the syringe and a corresponding annular groove 8 formed inside the mouth of the cap 6. All the components of the syringe are advantageously made of plastic material, preferably polyethylene. The cylindrical body 1 has a shape suitable for the intramammary administration of pharmaceutical compositions and a sufficient dimension for carrying out ordinary treatment with compositions for veterinary use. As illustrated above, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical body 1, the tang 2, the cannula 3 and the shutter 4 form a single monolithic system made of plastic material which can be obtained with a single moulding operation. This results in considerable savings as regards the mould, but in particular in terms of assembly of the various syringe components which in the case in question are reduced to only two, i.e. body-cannula-shutter and cap. During the use of the syringe according to the invention, when the cap 6 is removed from it, only the distal end of the cannula 3 is freed so as to allow insertion into the initial section of the teat canal. On the other hand, when the shutter 4 is removed by means of breakage, the cannula 3 is freed over its entire length, providing the possibility of complete insertion of the cannula as far as the teat cistern. Removal of the shutter 4 is performed in a particularly easy manner, ensuring total sterility of the cannula since the operator is prevented from touching it with his fingers and contaminating it. From the above description the advantages of the syringe for intramammary treatment according to the invention are obvious.

Claims: A syringe for the intramammary administration of veterinary pharmacological compositions comprising a container body (1), a cannula (3) extending axially from one end of said container body (1), at least one removable shutter (4) which partially covers said cannula (3) starting from said one end of said container body (1), and a protective cap (6) which can be fitted onto said cannula (3), characterized in that said shutter (4) is formed as one piece with said container body (1) and in that said cap (6) covers both the cannula (3) and the shutter (4) entirely and is fastened to said container body (1) through mutual engaging means (7,8). A syringe according to claim 1, characterized in that said shutter (4) is a tubular element extending from a tang (2) of said container body (1), to which said cannula (3) is attached. A syringe according to claim 2, characterized in that said shutter (4) is connected to said tang (2) by means of breakage pieces (5). A syringe according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said cannula (3) is made in a single monolithic group with said container body (1), said tang (2) and said shutter (4). A syringe according to claim 2, wherein said mutual engaging means consists respectively of an anular ridge (7) arranged on said tang (2) and a corresponding anular groove (8) provided on the inside of the mouth of said cap (6). A syringe according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of plastic material.

Inventors: GAZZA CARLO, ZAINI CORRADO, GAZZA, CARLO, ZAINI, CORRADO
Applicants: FATRO SPA, FATRO S.P.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61D1
IPC codes: A61M5, A61D1