Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A release device in the form of a generally elongate bolus having two ends and comprising a degradable core, which consists of or contains a biologically active material, surrounded by a liquid impermeable casing and exposed at one of its ends or both of its ends, characterised in that the liquid impermeable casing comprises a plurality of outer segments which are successively shed Erom the bolus as the core is progressively degraded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A release device in the form of a generally elongate bolus having two ends and comprising a degradable core, which consists of or contains a biologically active material, surrounded by a liquid impermeable casing and exposed at one of its ends or both of its ends, characterised in that the liquid impermeable casing comprises a plurality of outer segments which are successively shed Erom the bolus as the core is progressively degraded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A release device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the. outer segments are tubular or ring-form segments of inert material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A release device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the outer segments seal relative to one another by abutting against one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A release device as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein sealing washers are provided between the adjacent outer segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A release device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the core comprises a single segment of biologically active material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A release device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the core comprises a plurality of spaced-apart disc-form or annular segments of biologically active material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A release device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the biologically active material segments are separated by flanges extending inwardly from the outer segments and are penetrated by a rod of degradable or corrodible material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A release device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the rod is of magnesium alloy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A release device as claimed in claim 6, 7 or > 8 wherein the segments are retained relative to one another by the rod.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A release device as claimed in any of claims 1 to.4 wherein the core comprises biologically active material segments which are separated by further ) segments of a degradable or corrodible metal which may or may not be biologically active.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A release device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the degradable or corrodible metal segments are of a magnesium alloy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
5 12. A release device as claimed in any preceding claim and which is adapted to inhibit regurgitation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A release device as claimed in claim 12 wherein regurgitation is inhibited by weighting which serves to retain the bolus in the rumen of a dosed animal until the biologically active segments and the degradable or corrodible metal segments (if provided) are spent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A release device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the biologically active material is a therapeutic agent, an anti-coccidial, a growth promotant, an anthelmintic, an insecticide or a parasiticide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A release device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the biologically active material is levamisole or oxfendazole, as anthelmintic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A release device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the biologically active material is Lasalocid (Trade Name) or M 139603 as anti-coccidial or a growth promoter.