NEEDLE FOR DELIVERING TREATMENT FLUID TO AN AVIAN BIRD, AND ASSOCIATED ASSEMBLY AND METHOD
A needle for delivering a treatment fluid to a target site of an avian bird is provided. Such a needle includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. Discrete grooves are defined by the shaft and extend partially along a length thereof. A needle tip extends from the shaft at the distal end thereof. A reservoir assembly includes a body defining first and second holes for receiving the needle therethrough such that the body supports the needle along the length thereof. The reservoir assembly defines a reservoir adapted to receive a treatment fluid through which the grooves pass to carry the treatment substance to the target site. An associated assembly and method are also provided.
1 . A needle for delivering a treatment fluid to an avian bird, the needle comprising:
a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of discrete grooves defined by the shaft and extending partially along a length thereof; and
a needle tip extending from the shaft at the distal end thereof.
2 . A needle according to claim 1 , wherein the discrete grooves are equidistantly spaced about the shaft.
3 . A needle according to claim 2 , wherein three discrete grooves are provided on the shaft and equidistantly spaced apart 120° about the shaft.
4 . A needle according to claim 1 , wherein the discrete grooves are radially disposed about the shaft.
5 . A needle according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft defines each discrete groove to have first and second end sections sloping from an outer surface of the shaft and transitioning to a substantially flat bottom section.
6 . A needle according to claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of each discrete groove taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis provides a groove profile having a substantially rectangular shape.
7 . A needle according to claim 1 , wherein the discrete grooves are configured to collectively carry about 10 microliters of a treatment substance to a target site.
8 . A delivery assembly for delivering a treatment fluid to an avian bird, the delivery assembly comprising:
a needle adapted to pierce a target site of an avian bird, the needle having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle having a plurality of discrete grooves defined by the shaft and extending partially along a length thereof, and the needle having a needle tip extending from the shaft at the distal end thereof;
a reservoir assembly having a body defining first and second holes for receiving the needle therethrough such that the body supports the needle along the length thereof, the reservoir assembly further defining a reservoir adapted to receive a treatment fluid; and
an actuator assembly configured to transport the needle between a home position and a vaccination position such that the discrete grooves carry the treatment fluid from the reservoir to the target site of the avian bird.
9 . A delivery assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the reservoir assembly further comprises a coupling arrangement configured to securedly couple a vial containing the treatment fluid to the reservoir assembly.
10 . A needle according to claim 8 , wherein the discrete grooves are equidistantly spaced about the shaft.
11 . A needle according to claim 10 , wherein three discrete grooves are provided on the shaft and equidistantly spaced apart 120° about the shaft.
12 . A needle according to claim 8 , wherein the shaft defines each discrete groove to have first and second end sections sloping from an outer surface of the shaft and transitioning to a substantially flat bottom section.
13 . A needle according to claim 8 , wherein the discrete grooves are configured to collectively carry about 10 microliters of a treatment substance to a target site.
14 . A method for delivering a treatment substance to a wing web target site of an avian bird, the method comprising:
providing a needle having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle having a plurality of discrete grooves defined by the shaft and extending partially along a length thereof, and the needle having a needle tip extending from the shaft at the distal end thereof; and
actuating the needle such that the discrete grooves pass through a reservoir containing a treatment substance and carry the treatment substance to a wing web target site of an avian bird, the needle tip piercing the wing web target site such that the treatment substance is effectively delivered.