US4207689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preservation of animal specimens
Assignee: Queen's University
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Filing: 1978-07-31
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Granted: 1980-06-17
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Expires: 1998-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A method for preparing a naturally colored and flexible freeze dried animal specimen for study or display purposes, in which a lubricating agent is injected into the major joints and the specimen is wrapped in a moistened cheese cloth prior to freezing and drying. After freeze drying the specimen is soaked in an organic solvent to remove substantially all of the lipids from adipose tissue and bone marrow therein and then softened and manipulated to restore substantially natural movement thereto. A polymerizable silicone rubber may be rubbed into the dried and softened tissue to replace lost bulk and to seal the tissue against reabsorption of water, so that the dried specimen can be stored indefinitely in an open atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Cesar Romera-Sierra
- 👤 John C. Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:18
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01N; A01N1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a method for preparing freeze dried biological specimens in which a posed specimen is freeze dried at a temperature below about -10° C. and a pressure below about 0.10 torr, the improvement for preparing a substantially naturally coloured and flexible animal specimen comprising: (a) injecting a lubricating agent into and manipulating at least selected joints in said specimen prior to freeze drying; (b) soaking the freeze dried specimen in an organic solvent so as to remove substantially all lipids from adipose tissue and bone marrow therein; and (c) applying a softening agent to and manipulating tissues of said freeze dried specimen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a method for preparing freeze dried biological specimens in which a posed specimen is freeze dried at a temperature below about -10° C. and a pressure below about 0.10 torr, the improvement for preparing a substantially naturally coloured and flexible animal specimen comprising: (a) injecting a lubricating agent into and manipulating at least selected joints in said specimen prior to freeze drying; (b) soaking the freeze dried specimen in an organic solvent so as to remove substantially all lipids from adipose tissue and bone marrow therein; and (c) applying a softening agent to and manipulating tissues of said freeze dried specimen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 including introducing a polymerizable bulking agent into said softened tissues.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 including injecting a polymerizable bulking agent into the vascular system of said specimen prior to freeze drying.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said animal specimen is posed prior to freeze drying by at least one (a) wrapping in cloth and (b) freezing, in a preselected position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said animal is desanguinated prior to freeze drying.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said lubricating agent is selected from the group comprising a silicone oil and glycerine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of chloroform and acetone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said softening agent is glycerine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein said polymerizable bulking agent is selected from the group comprising rubber latex and silicone rubber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein posing of said animal specimen is effected by cloth wrapping and treating with a hyper-tonic bacteriostatic and fixative solution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said bacteriostatic solution is a meat packing solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 including piercing at least one end of selected bones in said freeze dried specimen to thereby facilitate removal of lipids therefrom in step (b).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 including freezing said cloth wrapped and treated specimen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 including introducing a bulking agent into tissues of said specimen prior to freeze drying.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A freeze dried, preserved animal specimen having a lubricating agent injected into the joints thereof and a polymerized bulking agent contained in the tissues thereof so as to provide an odour-free specimen having substantially permanent natural flexibility and coloration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A freeze dried, preserved animal specimen having a lubricating agent injected into the joints thereof and a polymerized bulking agent contained in the tissues thereof so as to provide an odour-free specimen having substantially permanent natural flexibility and coloration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A freeze dried animal specimen as claimed in claim 15 wherein substantially all lipids and bone marrow in at least the larger bones thereof have been removed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-06-17 | 1983-12-17 | 1984-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-17 | 1987-12-17 | 1988-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-17 | 1991-12-17 | 1992-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |