Patent Publication Number: US-2013239979-A1

Title: Animal restraint device and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/684,737 filed on Jan. 8, 2010 entitled “Animal Restraint Device and Method”, and is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to devices and methods used to restrain animals such as livestock, and more particularly, to an animal restraint device and method in which livestock can be restrained for purposes of treatment and evaluation by caregivers. The device is hand-held for placement within the animal&#39;s mouth to restrain the animal, and the device also providing a feature for administering medications to the animal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Domestic animals to include livestock such as cattle, sheep, and horses must undergo periodic medical evaluations and treatments to maintain the animals in optimum health. While horses may be easier to medically examine without restraint, other domesticated animals such as cattle, are more difficult to examine and treat without confining the animal within a cattle chute. 
     There are a number of inventions in the field of cattle chutes for purposes of restraining animals. Many newer chute designs are particularly directed to capturing and holding the head of the animal so that a caregiver may conduct a medical examination and/or administer medications. 
     One principle drawback to many cattle chutes is that they are relatively expensive for purchase by many cattle growers, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, most cattle growers in those developing countries do not have access to cattle chutes that are capable of immobilizing the head of the animal. Another drawback to many cattle chutes is that an animal&#39;s natural instinct is not to be confined and therefore, the animal can be injured as it struggles to free itself from capture. Yet another drawback with many cattle chutes is the inability to administer solid or liquid medications without the use of an esophagus probe since the animal may otherwise not cooperate in opening its mouth and swallowing the medication. 
     One example of a prior art device for administering medications is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,593. This invention provides an esophagus probe for delivery of treatment doses of material to animals such as livestock directly into the animal&#39;s esophagus. The probe is characterized by a hook-shaped conduit that has a straightened mouth insert portion or stem, a U-shaped metal portion, and a handle portion. The mouth insert portion terminates in a delivery nozzle. The handle connects to a flexible hose which in turn connects to a containment vessel containing a nutrient or medicament material to be dispensed, such as by a pump. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,460 discloses a liquid feed injector for young animals and particularly calves. The injector includes a collapsible reservoir and a rigid probe or feed tube connected by a relatively short length of flexible tubing. A fitting or closure cup for the reservoir has an outlet nipple about which the flexible tube is attached. The flexible tube acts as a shut-off valve during manipulation for placing the tube in the animal&#39;s throat. The reservoir may be flattened or rolled during discharge of the fluid. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,898 discloses a device for orally administering treatment liquids to animals. The device comprises a hollow loop serving as a flow conduit between a container of treatment liquid and a flexible nozzle mounted on one side of the loop adapted to direct a jet flow of the liquid toward the back of the animal&#39;s throat. The loop has a geometry close to that of an equilateral triangle, the corners of which adjacent the side that carries the nozzle being rounded whereby the loop may be clamped firmly on the nose of the animal without inflicting pain. 
     While these inventions may be adequate for their intended purpose, there is still a need for a device that can be used to not only administer medications to an animal, but also provides a means to control the animal without requiring the animal&#39;s head to be captured within a restraining assembly of the chute, as found in the more complex and expensive cattle chutes. There is yet another need to provide a manually operated restraining device that is effective, simple to use, and provides a degree of safety for both the user and the animal. These needs and other advantages of the present invention are described in detail below in reference to the device and method of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a device and method for restraining an animal, as well as a device and method for administering medications or to otherwise treat an animal. 
     In a first embodiment of the invention, a hand-held device is provided including a body with a pair of handles that are grasped by the user. The body includes a linear or straight portion, and a forward curved portion. Forward and rear handles are formed on the curved and straight portions, respectfully. A reverse projecting administration tube attaches to the forward curved portion of the body. The administration tube and body are connected at an angle that facilitates the user being able to stand in a position to easily insert the administration tube into the animal&#39;s mouth, and then to apply a force to the device to lodge the administration tube at a selected location in the animal&#39;s mouth. 
     One important principle of the present invention is the effect that the administration tube has upon the animal. The administration tube is of a selected length so that the distal end of the tube can be placed at two advantageous functional positions. The first position is placement of the tube distal end between the lips and back teeth at the corner of the animal&#39;s mouth. The second position is placement of the tube distal end at the base of the animal&#39;s tongue at the entrance of the throat, but not within the esophagus. Placement of the device in the first position coupled with application of a directed force by the user to forcibly lodge the tube distal end in the corner of the animal&#39; mouth elicits a natural response from the animal to pause and be still. This pause reaction by the animal causes the animal to cease moving or thrashing, allowing a caregiver to conduct an examination or to otherwise treat or observe the animal. Placement of the device in the second position coupled with the application of force elicits a similar response from the animal, however more of a gagging response in which the animal will also cease from violent thrashing. In the second position, the tube is presented at an advantageous location in the animal&#39;s mouth for administration of solid or liquid medicaments. In either position, placement of the administration tube results in the animal maintaining a temporary still or pre-occupied state which provides a caregiver enough time to either administer medications through the administration tube, or to examine the animal. 
     Because the device is manually operated, the user can apply a selected amount of force to settle the animal based upon the disposition of the particular animal. The angle between the administration tube and body provides an adequate offset orientation for the user such that the user does not have to place any part of his/her body within the chute which is quite advantageous for safety purposes. The user can stand away from the animal a safe distance yet can easily apply the necessary force to elicit the pause response from the animal. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the device takes the form of a hollow U-shaped member in which a distal end of the device is selectively placed in either the first or second position. If it is desired to administer medications, then the material is passed through the entire length of the device, since the device is a hollow tubular member. Both ends of the device may have an attached enlargement, such as a bulbous tip. The bulbous or blunt tip helps to prevent injury to the animal, as well as to provide a handle or gripping means for the user. This second embodiment is reversible, meaning that either end of the device may be inserted within the mouth of the animal, depending upon the depth to which the device must be placed within the animal to correctly place the device in the animal&#39;s mouth. Therefore, two sizing options are provided in the second embodiment with reference to the depth to which the device is inserted in the animal&#39;s mouth. 
     According to the method of the present invention, a manually operated device is manipulated by the user to place the device within a desired location in the animal&#39;s mouth. The user applies a force, generally in a rearward direction to capture the attention of the animal for purposes of administering medications, or to otherwise settle the animal for examination purposes. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures that illustrate by way of preferred embodiments, the basic principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an animal placed within a restraining assembly, such as a cattle chute, and a user holding the device of the present invention in preparation for use of the device; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the device in a first embodiment of the present invention, and its orientation with respect to the head of an animal that is to receive the device; 
         FIG. 3  is another plan view of the device as it is placed within an animal&#39;s mouth, illustrating particularly the orientation of the device with respect to a longitudinal axis of the animal&#39;s head; 
         FIG. 4  is another plan view of the device of the present invention illustrating its placement in an animal&#39;s mouth in the first position as defined between the lips and back teeth of the animal at the corner of the mouth; 
         FIG. 5  is another plan view of the device illustrated in the second position at the base of the animal&#39;s tongue at the entrance to the throat; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the device of the present invention, and illustrating the device in the first position; and 
         FIG. 7  is another plan view of the second embodiment illustrating the device placed in the second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows the device  10  of the present invention as held by a user U. As explained in further detail below, the device  10  can be grasped by the user with both hands placed on handles of the device.  FIG. 1  also illustrates for background purposes, a standard cattle chute  100  that can be used to restrain an animal, such as a cow C. The cattle chute  100  typically comprises of a plurality of support members including vertical supports  102  and side slats or supports  104 . An optional movable cross bar restraint  106  is used to capture and partially immobilize the animal&#39;s head as shown. An operating crank  108  can be used to operate various parts of the cattle chute to include the opening and closing of the chute, operation of the cross bar restraint, etc. The type of chute intended to be shown in this figure is one in which the animals head is not completely immobilized, and while the head may be partially restrained, the head is still free to move in a fairly wide range of motion. This type of chute is typical for many of the more simple and less expensive chutes as compared to more complex and expensive chutes in which a robust head capture assembly is used to capture the animal&#39;s head. Therefore, the cattle chute  100  represents a very simple cattle chute construction, but it shall be understood that the present invention is not limited by use of the device with any particular cattle chute. As mentioned, there are a number of more complex cattle chute constructions, to include those which completely capture and immobilize the animal&#39;s head. One particular advantage of the present invention is that the device  10  can be used even with the simplest forms of cattle chutes to provide effective results in restraining the animal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the device  10  is shown in the first embodiment. The device  10  comprises a body  12  having two primary components, namely, a straight or linear portion  14 , and a forward curved portion  16 . As shown, portions  14  and  16  are continuous. A rear handle  18  is formed at a rear end of the device, and a forward handle  20  protrudes from the body  12  at a location essentially bisecting the straight portion  14  and curved portion  16 . The body may be made of a steel tubular member or bar in which the handle  18  is formed by bending the end of the tube. Other materials can also be considered such as plastic or fiberglass. The forward handle  20  may be a separate piece welded to the body. A reverse projecting administration tube  22  connects to the free end of the forward curved portion  16 . The administration tube  22  can also be formed from a steel tubular member. The administration tube has a proximal end  24  which may receive implements for administering medications, as further explained below. The distal end  26  of the administration tube is placed at a desired location within the animal&#39;s mouth. The straight portion  14  extends at a desired angle A with respect to the axis y-y of the administration tube  22 . This angle A enables a user to be offset from the animal a safe distance, yet still allows the user to apply an effective rearward force once the device is placed in the animal&#39;s mouth. This angle A may be, for example approximately 25 degrees. 
       FIG. 2  also shows two implements which can be used with the device  10  to administer medications. One of the implements can be, for example, a push rod  30  controlled by handle/loop  32 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a pill or bolus P can be placed through the proximal end  24 , and is administered to the animal by inserting the rod  30  through the tube  22  thereby pushing the pill out through the distal end  26  into the animal&#39;s mouth. Alternatively, liquid medications can be easily provided by use of a syringe  34  having a flexible tube connected to the discharge end of the syringe. The flexible tube  38  can be inserted through the administration tube  22  to deliver a desired dose by activation of the syringe plunger  36 . 
       FIG. 3  more particularly illustrates the general orientation of the device with respect to the long or longitudinal axis X-X of the animal&#39;s head  118 . As shown, the tube  22  generally extends parallel to this longitudinal axis X-X. A force F is applied by the user in the direction of the arrow, which is also generally parallel to the axis X-X. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a cross-sectional view is provided of an animal&#39;s lower jaw in order to illustrate the two principal positions of the device in use. The lower jaw as illustrated includes back teeth  124 , front teeth  123 , lips  120 , and corners  122  of the mouth. The tongue  126  extends between the teeth. The first position is shown in  FIG. 4  in which the distal end  26  of the administration tube  22  is placed between the back teeth  124  and lip  120  of the animal at the corner of the mouth  122 . The positioning of the device  10  at this location elicits the natural response of the animal to pause or be still. This pausing or stillness which the device elicits from the animal allows a caregiver to subsequently examine or otherwise treat the animal. The placement of the device at this location in the animal&#39;s mouth also enables the user to apply considerable force F in the rearward direction without harming the animal. The anatomy of a cow&#39;s mouth at this location is capable of withstanding the force F without substantially damaging the mouth tissues. 
     The second principal position of the device is shown in  FIG. 5  in which the distal end  26  of the device is placed at the back or base of the tongue  126  at the entrance to the throat, but not within the animal&#39;s esophagus. This location elicits a gagging response by the animal which also causes the animal to pause or be still allowing the caregiver to conduct his/her work. At the appropriate time, if medications are to be provided, the device may be placed in this second position and the push rod or syringe can be used to administer the medications or nutrients. Because the medication/nutrient will enter the animal&#39;s mouth at the back of the tongue at the entrance to the throat, the animal will not be capable of spitting up the medication and the medication will travel naturally through the throat into the animal&#39;s esophagus. It should be understood that the device can be placed at either side of the mouth at either corner  122  thereby providing the user a choice on which side of the animal to stand. 
     Unlike many prior art esophagus probes that place a tube in the esophagus to deliver medications, the present invention provides increased safety for the animal because the device is much less intrusive, and does not involve potential damage to the animal&#39;s esophagus and throat by misplacement of the device. Use of the device elicits a natural response from the animal to cause the animal to be preoccupied and still, which further enhances the ability to easily administer medications to the animal. The embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5  provides an additional advantage in that the medication only has to travel through a very short distance within the device, namely, the administration tube  22 , as opposed to having to pass through the entire length of the device as is the requirement in many prior art devices. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a second embodiment of the invention is shown as device  40 . In the second embodiment, the device is U shaped with one end or leg of the U shape extending beyond the other leg. The device  40  is hollow and has a continuous passageway  50  that extends through the device. The device can be made from tubular steel or another selected material such as reinforced plastic or fiberglass. The device has a straight or linear portion  42 , and a curved portion  44  that may traverse an angle of approximately 180 degrees. As also shown, the straight portion  42  and the curved portion  44  are also substantially planar. The device has blunted ends as provided by bulb-shaped attachments  46  and  48  secured at each end of the device. A bore extends through each of the attachments for mounting of the attachments to the ends of the device. The attachments  46  and  48  have two functions. The attachment placed in the mouth helps to prevent damage to the mouth tissue by providing a blunt and smooth surface in contact with the tissue. The opposite attachment serves as a handle for grasping by the user. The passageway  50  may receive a flexible tube, such as tube  38  attached to a syringe, to administer liquid medicaments. If a solid medication such as a bolus is to be administered, the bolus can be introduced through the passageway  50  by use of a flexible rod (not shown) inserted through the passageway  50  to push the bolus out through the opposite end of the passageway. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the device  40  in the first position, while  FIG. 7  illustrates the device  40  in the second position. The same principals apply to use of the device  40  as discussed with respect to the device  10  in terms of the advantages of the placement of the device, and the natural reaction of the animal. The embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7  provides a somewhat more structurally simple design as compared to the first embodiment. The device  40  is reversible in that the user has two sizes to choose from in terms of which end to place in the animal&#39;s mouth. The length of the straight portion  42  can be adjusted to set two common sizes for use with particular animals, such as calves and adult cows. 
     According to the method of the present invention, the device is grasped by the user U, and the user works the distal end of the device into the animal&#39;s mouth and places the device in a substantially horizontal orientation, and preferably in either of the first or second positions. If it is only necessary to restrain the animal, then the user may choose the first position. If the user wishes to administer medications, then the user may choose the second position. The user grasps the handle(s) of the device at an offset location with respect to the cattle chute and applies the necessary force F to lodge the device in the animal&#39;s mouth, and to elicit the pause reaction from the animal to maintain the animal in a preoccupied state. The user may also position and reposition the device between the first and second positions depending upon the treatment being provided to the animal. 
     The device and method of the present invention provide a simple, yet effective means to control an animal during treatment and evaluation. The device can be used with any type of cattle chute, and is easily manipulated by a user in a safe manner. The first embodiment provides two handles, and a protruding administration tube for introducing medications through a relatively short passageway. The second embodiment provides a somewhat simpler construction and a reversibility option in that either end of the device can be inserted within the animal&#39;s mouth depending upon the size and type of animal. 
     Although the invention has been described particularly with respect to cattle, it shall be understood that the device can be used with any animal to include sheep, goats, horses, or even other domesticated or wild animals. It is believed that most animals will exhibit some form of the pause response once the device is placed in the mouth. 
     While the present invention has been sent forth with respect to preferred embodiments, it shall be understood that various other changes and modifications to the invention can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention commensurate with the scope of the claims appended hereto.