Abstract:
A syringe for remotely treating an animal with medicine including a cylindrical barrel, a soft plunger which moves longitudinally within the cylindrical barrel in response to air pressure within the barrel, a tailpiece end cap, a tailpiece, a safety cap, and a needle for penetrating the target upon impact; wherein said tailpiece provides stabilization of the syringe in flight over greater distance and in inclement weather.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to projectiles directed to the delivery of a medicine into animals by injection from a distance and, more particularly, to an injecting syringe dart. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There are many known methods for delivering medicine to animals. One of the most common and well known methods is the syringe, used for injecting medicine under the skin or into the musculature of an animal. Handheld syringes may be used to deliver medicine; however, they require close proximity to the animal, which is often not desirable. Many methods have been developed for injecting animals from a safe distance via projection of the injecting apparatus, most commonly, a syringe. The more successful of these projectile syringes result in accurate placement of the syringe, quick injection of the medicament upon contact with the animal, safe handling of the syringe prior to projection and after injection into the animal, proper pressurization of the syringe during flight, and minimal tissue damage to the animal. 
         [0003]    Several variations of projectile syringes have been put forth, a majority of which involve a plunger piston that must be depressed by force and either do not include a tailpiece or include only simple guide fins. U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,990 discloses a dart projectile with a cylinder plunger piston that encompasses an explosive charge. The impact of the projector causes an explosive charge, which depresses the plunger piston causing the medication to be injected into the animal. U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,187 discloses a syringe including a barrel, a plunger piston which moves longitudinally within the barrel in response to air pressure within the barrel, and a syringe needle for penetrating the hide of an animal and for introducing medication to the animal. Prior to loading the syringe into the projector, the medication chamber is filled with medicine and the syringe is then pressurized. As is common when a plunger piston is used, the syringe has no tailpiece to speak of, consisting of the plunger piece instead. U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,893 proposed a syringe with an alternative to the plunger piston projectile utilizing the force impact with the animal to release a piston by means of a triggering pin. However, such mechanical force impact syringes are unreliable when used with a CO 2 (g) fired projector or an air gun and are generally limited to use with a blowgun or similar device. 
         [0004]    A more desirable syringe would instead utilize a one-way valve mechanism, enabling the syringe to be pressurized either by hand prior to being fired from the projector or by the action of the projector in firing the syringe. Such a valve mechanism would eliminate the need for a plunger piston, explosive charge and/or a mechanical force of impact triggering mechanism and allows for the use of a greater variety of projectors including compressed gas projectors such as a CO 2 (g) fired projectors and air guns. Additionally, the desired syringe would include a tailpiece that would allow air to flow through and around the fins thereby increasing stability in flight and allowing for greater accuracy of syringe dart placement over a greater trajectory and in inclement weather and windy conditions. The desired syringe would also include a safety cap that would be punctured by the needle only upon impact with the animal&#39;s hide and would then slide back into a hub on the syringe. The desired syringe with such a safety cap would then be safe for storage and loading into the projector without harm to humans. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a syringe dart, or projectile, for the remote injection of a medicine into an animal. The term medicine is to be interpreted broadly throughout this specification, including, but not limited to a tranquilizing agent, an analgesic agent, a contraceptive, a worming agent, a pharmaceutical agent and/or a therapeutic agent. The term animal is to be interpreted broadly throughout the specification, including, but not limited to wildlife such as a deer, elk or bear, livestock used for commercial purposes such as cattle, horses or ostrich, a feral animal such as a pig or wild dog, zoological specimens, or large marine mammals such as a seal or walrus. In a preferred embodiment, the syringe dart of the present invention comprises a cylindrical barrel, a tailpiece end cap, a nosehub, a soft plunger which moves longitudinally within the cylindrical barrel in response to air pressure within the barrel, a syringe needle for introducing a medicine into the animal after the hide has been penetrated, and a tailpiece containing a plurality of longitudinal fins that provide stability to the dart in flight. The soft plunger separates the interior of the cylindrical barrel into an air pressure chamber and a medicine chamber. Prior to use, the medicine chamber is filled with the amount and type of medicine required. 
         [0006]    In another preferred embodiment, the tailpiece end cap contains an air vent and the tailpiece contains an air vent. The tailpiece fits securely within the tailpiece end cap and within the overlapping space is a one-way air valve that allows for the syringe to be pressurized manually with air or any other compressed liquid or gas. A tail piece plug is used to cover the air vent of the tailpiece after the syringe is pressurized manually. Once pressurized and after firing the syringe with a projector or gun, the change in air pressure in the chamber causes the soft plunger to move longitudinally down the cylindrical barrel, pushing the medicine towards the needle. In a preferred embodiment, a safety cap on the end of the needle initially prevents the medicine from being eliminated from the barrel. However, upon impact with the animal hide, the needle pushes through the safety cap, allowing for the medicine to be injected into the animal. 
         [0007]    In another preferred embodiment, a sleeve insert is located within the cylindrical barrel between the tailpiece end cap and the soft plunger to allow for air flow within the cylindrical barrel. This ensures an accurate pressurization can be achieved and that an accurate amount of medication is administered to the animal. The sleeve insert may be glued or otherwise affixed within the cylindrical barrel. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the invention is that manually pressurizing the syringe is not necessary if the projector, or gun, used is a CO 2 (g) fired projector. A CO 2 (g) fired projector, or gun, pressurizes the syringe upon firing. Once the syringe is fired, the air pressure in the chamber causes the soft plunger to move longitudinally down the cylindrical barrel, pushing the medicine towards the needle. A tail piece plug is not needed when a CO 2 (g) fired projector is used for firing the syringe of the present invention. 
         [0009]    In another preferred embodiment, the tailpiece contains a plurality of flexible longitudinal fins. The plurality of longitudinal fins of the tailpiece are flexible to allow for flat loading into a projector, or gun. However, in the preferred embodiment, the angle of the longitudinal fins at rest is 156.0188° relative to the base of the tailpiece. It is understood that the fins are flexible from 90° to 180° from the base of the tailpiece. This flexibility allows for the syringe to be used in a broader range of barrel sizes of projectors, or guns. The longitudinal fins each contain apertures for stability in flight thereby increasing the accuracy over a greater distance and allowing for the greater accuracy in inclement, windy, or less than optimal weather conditions. The apertures allow for gas or air to escape around the syringe letting it, in effect, ride on the air or gas down the barrel of the projector, or gun, which keeps the syringe from making undue noise as it exits the barrel and therefore reducing the risk of startling or alerting the animal. In a preferred embodiment the apertures are oval in shape, centered on the length of the fin, and beveled at the distal end. However, it is understood that the apertures may be of any shape or dimension and each longitudinal fin may contain more than one aperture. 
         [0010]    In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the safety cap covering the needle after the medicine has been added to the syringe is designed such that upon impact with the animal hide, the needle pushes through the safety cap. The safety cap is then pushed down into the nosehub so that the needle may have complete penetration allowing for all of the medication to be injected subcutaneously. 
         [0011]    Methods for attaching the components of the syringe to the cylindrical barrel include, but are not limited to gluing and threading as a screw. It is understood that the components must be affixed in such a manner as to be able to withstand the force of the projector, or gun. 
         [0012]    It is understood that the components of the syringe are preferably made from a lightweight plastic, metal, or composite material that provides sufficient strength to withstand the force of the projector, or gun. In another embodiment, several or all of the components, including the barrel may be made of one piece of molded plastic or other composite material. 
         [0013]    Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and accompanying drawings, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an air inject dart in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective and exploded view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tailpiece in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the tailpiece of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the tailpiece of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the tailpiece of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air valve in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the air valve of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view of the air valve of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tailpiece end cap in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a rear view of the tailpiece end cap of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the tailpiece end cap of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional side view of the tailpiece end cap of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sleeve insert in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a rear view of the sleeve insert of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the sleeve insert of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional side view of the sleeve insert of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the soft plunger in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  is a rear view of the soft plunger of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 20  is a side view of the soft plunger of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional side view of the soft plunger of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the nosehub in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 23  is a rear view of the nosehub of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 24  is a side view of the nosehub of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional side view of the nosehub of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the needle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional side view of the needle of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the safety cap in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 29  is a front-view of the safety cap of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 30  is a side view of the safety cap of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional side view of the safety cap of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein the safety cap has been removed from the needle. 
           [0046]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein dart is being primed with medicine. 
           [0047]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein the dart has been primed with medicine and is about to be pressurized manually by injection through the tailpiece. 
           [0048]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein the dart has been primed with medicine and pressurized. 
           [0049]      FIG. 35A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein the tail piece plug is used to prevent depressurization prior to firing. 
           [0050]      FIG. 36  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein the dart has been loaded into a projector. 
           [0051]      FIG. 36A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the preset invention wherein the dart has been fired from a projector. 
           [0052]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein the safety cap of  FIG. 28  is in place on the needle of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein the safety cap of  FIG. 28  has moved down the needle of  FIG. 26  on and is contained within the nosehub of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0054]      FIG. 39  is a perspective and partially transparent view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein the safety cap of  FIG. 28  has moved down the needle of  FIG. 26  on and is contained within the nosehub of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 40  is a perspective and partially exploded view of an embodiment of the air inject dart in accordance with the present invention wherein the safety cap of  FIG. 28 , after impact with the target animal, is moving down the needle of  FIG. 26  to be contained within the nosehub of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0056]      FIG. 41  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air inject dart of the present invention wherein the dart has penetrated the hide of an animal. 
           [0057]      FIG. 42  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the medication is being injected into the animal. 
           [0058]      FIG. 43  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the medication has been injected into the animal. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0059]      FIG. 1  illustrates an air inject syringe, or projectile of the present invention. The major components include a cylindrical barrel  2  having a tailpiece end cap  3  at the rear, or proximal end of the cylindrical barrel  2 , a tailpiece  1  which is affixed to tailpiece end cap  3 , a sleeve insert  4 , a soft plunger  5  which slides longitudinally within the barrel, a nosehub  6  at the forward or distal end of the cylindrical barrel  2 , a hollow needle  7  and a safety cap  8 . 
         [0060]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , an air valve  9 , is located within the joint of tailpiece  1  and tailpiece end cap  3 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 3-6  illustrate tailpiece  1 , wherein a plurality of longitudinal stabilizing fins  10  are attached to the rear or proximal end of base  11  of the tailpiece  1 . In the embodiment shown of the present invention, at rest, the angle  17  of the longitudinal stabilizing fins relative to base  11  is 156.0188°. However, it is understood that the longitudinal stabilizing fins  10  are flexible and that angle  17  may range from 90° and 180° relative to the base  11  of the tailpiece  1 . The longitudinal stabilizing fins  10  each contain an aperture  12 . The aperture  12  is oval in shape and a rear or proximal end  13  of the aperture is the width of the longitudinal stabilizing fin  10 , while a forward or distal end  14  of the aperture, is beveled toward the base  11 . The tailpiece  1  contains an air vent  15  such that air may move longitudinally through the tailpiece  1 . The tailpiece  1  also contains a receiving port  16  for manually filling the syringe with air or compressed gas. The distal end of base  11  contains a smaller cylinder  18  that fits within the tailpiece end cap  3  while opening  19  contains the air valve  9 . 
         [0062]    The longitudinal stabilizing fins  10  and apertures  12  allow for air to escape around the syringe as it exits the barrel of the projector, or gun, which prevents the syringe from making a “popping’ noise when it exits the barrel, which prevents startling the intended animal target. The apertures  12  and longitudinal stabilizing fins  10  also create greater stability in flight that allows for improved accuracy over greater distances and inclement weather. Moreover, the flexibility of the longitudinal stabilizing fins  10  allows for use in a wide range of projectors, or gun barrels. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate the air valve  9  that is located within the joint of the tailpiece  1  and the tailpiece end cap  3 . The air valve  9  contains a conical base  20  that is inserted in the tailpiece end cap  3 , and a cylindrical top  21  that contains a plurality of fins  22  that extend the length of the top  21  to the conical base  20 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 10-13  illustrate the tailpiece end cap  3 . The tailpiece end cap  3  contains a lip  23  at the rear or proximal end and secures the tailpiece end cap at the rear or proximal end of the cylindrical barrel  2 . The rear or proximal end of the tailpiece end cap contains a portal  24  for receiving the conical base  20  of the air valve and the smaller cylinder  18  of the tailpiece  1 . The forward or distal end of the tailpiece end cap  3  contains a plurality of fins  25  to direct air flow. Situated within the tailpiece end cap  3  is air vent  26 . 
         [0065]      FIGS. 14-17  illustrate the sleeve insert  4 . The rear or proximal end of the sleeve insert contains an exterior lip  27  and the forward or distal end of the sleeve insert contains an interior lip  28 . 
         [0066]      FIGS. 18-21  illustrate the soft plunger  5 . The soft plunger  5  is cylindrically shaped with a protruding edge  29  at the rear or proximal end and a protruding edge  30  at the distal or forward end to provide a seal between the medicine and air chambers in the cylindrical barrel  2 . The rear end of the soft plunger contains a cylindrical shaped depression  31  that allows for more fluid movement of the soft plunger  5  within the cylindrical barrel  2 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 22-25  illustrate the nosehub  6 . The nosehub  6  contains a cylindrical shaped base  32  that is placed in the forward or distal end of the cylindrical barrel  2 . The top of the nosehub  33  remains outside of the cylindrical barrel  2 . The needle  7  is placed in a center opening  34  in the nosehub  6  while the base  32  contains an opening  35  that is smaller than opening  34  to prevent the needle  7  from entering the cylindrical barrel  2 . The nosehub  7  also contains an area  36  to receive the safety cap  8  after the syringe has made contact with the animal. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 26-27  illustrate the interior details of the needle  7 . The needle has rearward or proximal opening  37 , a central passageway  39 , and a forward or distal opening  38 . The forward opening may be a side opening, as shown in forward opening  38 , which allows for the medicine to spread out over a larger area. Alternatively, it is within the scope of the present invention, that different types of needles may be used depending upon the desired outcome. The needle  7  may be glued or otherwise affixed to the nosehub  6  to prevent leakage. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 28-31  illustrate the safety cap  8 . The safety cap  8  has a top  40  and a bottom  41 , wherein the bottom contains a cylindrical depression  42  to receive the needle  7  and the top  40  contains a small depression  43  to guide the needle  7  after the syringe has made contact with the animal. Between cylindrical depression  42  and depression  43  is a thin barrier  44 . Barrier  44  is punctured by the needle  7  upon impact with the animal. 
         [0070]      FIG. 32  illustrates an empty syringe wherein the safety cap  8  has been removed so that the medicine may be loaded into the cylindrical barrel  2 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 33  illustrates medicine loaded into the cylindrical barrel  2  by means of a syringe through the needle  7 . The soft plunger  5  prevents the medicine from passing into the rear of the cylindrical barrel  2 . Once the medicine has been loaded, the safety cap  8  is replaced. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 34 ,  35  and  35 A illustrate the syringe being pressurized manually. The safety cap  8  has been replaced and a syringe  45  containing air or any other gas that may be used to pressurize the syringe is placed within the receiving port  16  manually. The air or pressurized gas is then loaded into the cylindrical barrel  2  via the air vent  15  within the tailpiece  1 , air valve  9 , and air vent  26  of the tailpiece end cap  3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 35A , if manual pressurization is used, a tail piece plug  46  must be used and, in the embodiment shown, is positioned within the receiving port  16  of the tailpiece  1 . 
         [0073]    Alternatively, air pressure or pressurized gas from a projector, or gun, can pressurize the dart as it leaves the barrel of the projector, or gun via the air vent  15  within the tailpiece  1 , air valve  9 , and air vent  26  of the tailpiece end cap  3 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 36  illustrates the syringe within the projector, or gun. Within the projector, or gun, the stabilizing fins  10  of the tailpiece  1 , are compressed and angle  17  is approximately  180 ° relative to the base  11  of the tailpiece  1 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 36A  illustrates the syringe after it exits the projector, or gun. The stabilizing fins  10  of the tailpiece  1  return to the preferred angle  17  of 156.0188° relative to the base  11 . 
         [0076]      FIGS. 37-40  illustrate the action of the safety cap upon impact with the intended animal target.  FIG. 37  illustrates the needle  7  and safety cap  8  prior to impact.  FIG. 40  illustrates that upon impact the needle  7  pierces barrier  44  of the safety cap  8  and as the needle  7  penetrates the animal hide, the safety cap  8  is moved down the needle towards the nosehub  6 .  FIGS. 38 and 39  illustrate how the nosehub  6  receives the safety cap  8  in the forward opening  36  of the nosehub  6 . The bottom  41  of the safety cap  8  may be scored to allow the bottom  41  of the safety cap to break apart before entering the forward opening  36  of nosehub  6 . Alternatively, the forward opening  36  of nosehub  6  may be designed to accommodate the bottom  41  of safety cap  8  in any configuration. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 41-43  illustrate the injection action of the syringe.  FIG. 41  illustrates the fully compressed syringe just after the needle  7  has pierced the animal hide. As the hide is pierced, the compressed air or gas in cylindrical barrel  2  expands.  FIG. 42  illustrates the expansion of the compressed air or gas in the cylindrical barrel  2  and the longitudinal movement of the soft plunger  5  forward. The movement of the soft plunger  5  forces the medicine through the nosehub  6  and needle  7  and into the animal.  FIG. 43  illustrates the location of the soft plunger  5  against the cylindrical base  32  of the nosehub  6  after the dose of medication has been injected into the animal.