WO2019071316A1

WO2019071316A1 - Animal restraint

Info

Publication number: WO2019071316A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/051105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adrian Knight; Paul Donohoe; Lee Blattman; May STUART
Original assignee: Somark Group Limited
Priority date: 2017-10-12
Filing date: 2018-10-12
Publication date: 2019-04-18

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an animal restraint (10). The animal restraint (10) comprises a restraint portion (12) configured to restrain an animal. The animal restraint (10) comprises a tail presentation portion (14) configured to present a surface of the tail of the animal when so restrained. The tail presentation portion (14) is elongated for supporting the length of the tail.

Description

ANIMAL RESTRAINT

Technical field The disclosure herein generally relates to animal restraints. Background

Animals including laboratory animals generally need to be identified. An animal may be tattooed with identity information in the form of a plurality of symbols. Radio frequency identified tags may be attached to an animal so that it can be identified. This may be time consuming and/or difficult in some circumstances, for example when attaching RFID tags to or tattoing hundreds or thousands of mice in a facility. These operations may require skilled technicians. Mistakes may occur, and accuracy may be variable or impossible to achieve.

Better means for restraining an animal during tattoing or RFID implantation may be beneficial. Summary Disclosed herein is an animal restraint. The animal restraint comprises a restraint portion configured to restrain an animal. The animal restraint comprises a tail presentation portion configured to present a surface of the tail of the animal when so restrained.

In an embodiment, the restraint portion comprises a tubular structure for disposing the animal therein. The tail presentation portion may extend outwardly from an end of the tubular structure. Another end of the tubular structure defines a space configured to confine a head of the animal. The other end of the tubular structure may define a tapered space for confining the head of the animal. The tubular structure may comprise an inwardly movable closure at the other end, the inwardly movable closure may define a boundary of the space configured to confine the head of the animal. An embodiment comprises an inwardly movable closure fastener. The inwardly movable closure may comprise an inwardly facing wedging surface configured to contact a dorsal surface of the head the animal.

In an embodiment, the end of the tubular structure comprises another inwardly facing wedging surface arranged for contact with a posterior dorsal surface of the animal. In an embodiment, the other inwardly facing wedging surface defines a tail port.

An embodiment comprises a closure at the end of the tubular structure that comprises the other inwardly facing wedging surface. The closure may define an elongated tail port opening at a rim of the closure and aligned with a tail receiving channel of the tail presentation portion. An embodiment comprises a tail receiving channel closure for confining the tail when received by the tail receiving channel.

In an embodiment, the tail presentation portion comprises a tail clip. The tail clip may comprise a plurality of resilient grips.

In an embodiment, the tubular structure comprises a curved interior surface for receiving the feet of the animal.

An embodiment comprises non-transitory processor readable media including animal restraint information. The non-transitory processor readable media may be disposed at a distal end of the tail presentation portion.

In an embodiment, the closure comprises a port arranged to be disposed at the nose of the animal.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the

accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an end of an embodiment of an animal restraint.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of another end of the animal restraint of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the animal restraint of fig

Figure 4 shows another exploded view of the animal restraint of figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the animal restraint of figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a top view of the animal restraint of figure 1.

Figure 7 shows an underside view of the animal restraint of fig

Figure 8 shows a view of the end of the animal restraint of fig Figure 9 shows a view of the other end of the animal restraint of figure 1.

Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section view of the animal restraint of figure 1.

Figures 1 1 and 12 show alternative perspective views of a movably mounted closure of the animal restraint of figure 1. Description of embodiments

Figures 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an animal restraint generally indicated by the numeral 10. The animal restraint 10 comprises a restraint portion 12 configured to restrain an animal. The animal restraint 10 comprises a tail presentation portion 14 configured to present a surface of the tail of the animal when so restrained. The tail presentation portion 14 is elongated for supporting the length of the tail. In use, the tail presentation portion is received within an apparatus for operating on the tail of a restrained animal, for example an apparatus for implanting a radio frequency identification tag within the tail, or tattooing the tail, however the restraint may be used during a manual operation on the tail. The animal is generally a rodent in the form of a rat or mouse, however it may be any animal suitable for the restraint.

The restraint portion 12 comprises a tubular structure 16 for disposing the animal therein, and the tail presentation portion 14 extends outwardly from an end 18 of the tubular structure 16. The tubular structure 16 comprises a tube 32 having a longitudinal dorsal slot 34. The slot 34 provides access to the proximal end of the tail. Generally, it is more desirable to tattoo symbols or implant RFID tags were the tail is thickest, and so the slot may enable more symbols to be written on the tail.

Another end 20 of the tubular structure 16 defines a space 22 in the form of a tapered space configured to confine a head of the animal. The tubular structure 16 comprises an inwardly movable closure 24 at the other end 20. The inwardly movable closure 24 defines a boundary of the space 22, the boundary being in the form of an inwardly facing wedging surface 28, which is configured to confine the head of the animal. The inwardly facing wedging surface 28 is configured to contact a dorsal surface of the head the animal, which forces the head down and increasing the impression of being is an enclosed space. Rodents prefer to stay in enclosed spaces. There is a space 25 beneath the inwardly movable closure 24 for the animal' s feet so they are not hurt. The closure 24 comprises a port 54 arranged to be disposed at the nose of the animal. The port can be used to introduce aesthetic to the animal when restrained. The tunnel like qualities of the tubular structure 16 simulates an environment that the animal is comfortable with, reducing stress. The port 54 may further comfort the animal.

The restraint 10 comprises an inwardly movable closure fastener 26 in the form of a releasable linear ratchet mechanism, comprising a pawl 28 attached to the inwardly movable closure 24 that engages a rack 30 attached to the tube 32 on an edge of the longitudinal dorsal slot 34. In this embodiment, there are two racks engages by the rack 30, one on opposite edges of the slot 34. The releasable linear ratchet mechanism is configured for free inward movement of the pawl and so the inwardly movable closure. The pawl 26 is resilient and may be moved outwardly by a user to disengage the pawl 26 from the rack 30, thereby releasing the linear ratchet mechanism for outward movement of the closure 24.

The end of the tubular structure 16 comprises another inwardly facing wedging surface 36. The other inwardly facing wedging surface 36 is arranged for contact with a posterior dorsal surface of the animal. A mouse is physiologically unable to move the tail when it's back is restrained. The other inwardly facing wedging surface 36 defines a tail port 38. A closure 40 is disposed at the other end 18 of the tubular structure 16 that comprises the other inwardly facing wedging surface 36. The tail port 38 is elongated and opens at a rim 42 of the closure 40. The elongated tail port 38 is aligned with a tail receiving channel 44 of the tail presentation portion.

The tail presentation portion 14 comprises receiving channel closure 46 for confining the tail when received by the tail receiving channel. The closure 46 is slidingly received, however it may be clipped on in another embodiment, or generally attached in any suitable way. The tail presentation portion comprises a tail clip 48. The tail clip 48 comprises a plurality of resilient grips 50. The grips 50 define a tail gripping channel arranged for receiving therein a proximal portion of the tail. The resilient grips close on the tail when received thereby. The grips help restrain the animal without pinching the tail or inducing pain, reducing stress. The tubular structure 16 comprises a curved interior surface 52 of the tube 32 for receiving the feet of the animal. When placed on the curved interior surface 52, the animal may auto-stabilise and effectively immobilise itself.

Attached to the distal end (the tip) of the tail presentation portion is attached non-transitory processor readable media 52 including animal restraint information. The media 52 comprises flash memory, however it may generally include any suitable form of media, for example optical memory or magnetic memory. The animal restraint information can be read by a processor to determine. The animal restraint information may comprise, for example, animal restraint size information indicative of the size of the animal restraint. The apparatus will determines whether the animal restraint size indicated by the animal size restraint information is consistent with size of the animal to be operated on. A large animal restraint may be used for a rat, a medium animal restraint may be used for a mouse, and a small animal restraint may be used for a mouse pup, for example.

The animal restraint 10 comprises a cleaning pad 58 mounted to the tail presentation portion 22 thereof. The system 10 is configured to penetrate the cleaning pad 58 with a penetrating instrument 26 to clean it. The penetrating instrument may be a tattoo needle or a cannula for inserting the RFID tag, or generally any suitable penetrating instrument. In use, the animal may be loaded into the tube by removing the closure 24 and pulling the animal backwards into the tubular structure 16 by its tail through end 20. Reversing the animal into the tube 16 may hide the restraint 10 from the animal, which may otherwise be reluctant to enter or be stressed. The fastener 28 may be first detached and later reattached. The tail may be passed through the tail port 28 and then the closure 24 re attached. Alternatively, the other closure 40 may be removed and the animal encouraged to enter head first through end 18. The tail may be passed through the tail port prior to reattachment of the other closure 40. To release the mouse, the tail is removed from the grip 48 and the closure 24 is removed. Animals will generally exit the tube 16 showing little to no signs of distress.

Now that embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that some embodiments have some of the following advantages:

A better means for restraining an animal may be realised

The marking of animals may proceed more quickly and be performed by less skilled people

The length of tail presented for tattooing may be increased, which may allow more symbols to be written onto the tail

Apparatus and processors can identify the animal restraint and/or information about it and can ensure that animal restraint that is expected has been received. This may reduce errors and improve experimental data integrity. An animal that is incorrectly tattoed, for example, may be euthanised.

Different size animals restraints may be provided for different size animals, and the tail grip may be selected for the size of the animal.

Animal welfare may be improved. • Less anaesthetic may be introduce to the environment, which may be harmful to people near the animal restraint.

Variations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Reference to a feature disclosed herein does not mean that all embodiments must include the feature.

Prior art, if any, described herein is not to be taken as an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word

"comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, that is to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An animal restraint, the animal restraint comprising:

a restraint portion configured to restrain an animal; and

a tail presentation portion configured to present a surface of the tail of the animal when so restrained.

2. An animal restraint defined by claim 1 wherein the restraint portion comprises a tubular structure for disposing the animal therein, and the tail presentation portion extends outwardly from an end of the tubular structure.

3. An animal restraint defined by claim 2 wherein another end of the tubular structure

defines a space configured to confine a head of the animal.

4. An animal restraint defined by claim 3 wherein the other end of the tubular structure defines a tapered space for confining the head of the animal.

5. An animal restraint defined by either one of claim 3 and claim 4 wherein the tubular structure comprises an inwardly movable closure at the other end, the inwardly movable closure defining a boundary of the space configured to confine the head of the animal.

6. An animal restraint defined by claim 5 comprising an inwardly movable closure fastener.

7. An animal restraint defined by either one of claim 5 and claim 6 wherein the inwardly movable closure comprises an inwardly facing wedging surface configured to contact a dorsal surface of the head the animal.

8. An animal restraint defined by any one of the claims 2 to 6 wherein the end of the tubular structure comprises another inwardly facing wedging surface arranged for contact with a posterior dorsal surface of the animal.

9. An animal restraint defined by claim 8 wherein the other inwardly facing wedging

surface defines a tail port.

10. An animal restraint defined by either one of claim 8 and claim 9 comprising a closure at the end of the tubular structure that comprises the other inwardly facing wedging surface.

11. An animal restraint defined by claim 8 comprising a closure at the end of the tubular structure and which comprises the other inwardly facing wedging surface, the closure defining an elongated tail port opening at a rim of the closure and aligned with a tail receiving channel of the tail presentation portion.

12. An animal restraint defined by claim 11 comprising a tail receiving channel closure for confining the tail when received by the tail receiving channel.

13. An animal restraint defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein the tail

presentation portion comprises a tail clip.

14. An animal restraint defined by claim 13 wherein the tail clip comprises a plurality of resilient grips.

15. An animal restraint defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein the tubular structure comprises a curved interior surface for receiving the feet of the animal.

16. An animal restraint defined by any one of the preceding claims comprising non-transitory processor readable media including animal restraint information.

17. An animal restraint defined by claim 16 wherein the non-transitory processor readable media is disposed at a distal end of the tail presentation portion.

18. An animal restraint defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein the closure comprises a port arranged to be disposed at the nose of the animal.