US6662750B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for creating a pathway in an animal
Assignee: PATHWAY TECHNOLOGIES (NEVADA) LLC
•
Filing: 2002-11-26
•
Granted: 2003-12-16
•
Expires: 2022-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for safer and more effective deep trans-cervical intra-uterine artificial insemination (AI) is provided. Such a deep AI catheter causes minimal discomfort and risk of trauma, and does not require the services of a highly trained AI professional. First, a catheter is inserted into the cervical tract of the animal. A membrane, initially positioned inside a tube section of the catheter, is then extended from an opening in the tube and into the tract under pressure. The membrane extends into the tract without friction thereby reducing the discomfort and the risk of trauma or injury to the animal. When the membrane is fully extended into the tract, pressure causes the tip of the membrane to open thereby releasing the AI fluid and depositing the genetic material suspended in the fluid into the reproductive tract. In addition to AI and embryo transplant, other applications for the pathway include other therapeutic, diagnostic or procedures, such as introducing fluoroscopic cameras, instruments, and drug delivery.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark E. Anderson
- 👤 Donald E. Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61D; A61D19/00; A61D19/02; A61D19/027; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of creating a pathway in a tract of an animal, useful in association with a catheter having a tube coupled to a membrane initially positioned substantially inside the tube, the method comprising: inserting the tube into an tract of the animal; and extending the membrane from an opening in the tube and into the tract, thereby creating the pathway in the tract, and wherein the membrane is extended in the tract without sliding action between the membrane and the tract.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of creating a pathway in a tract of an animal, useful in association with a catheter having a tube coupled to a membrane initially positioned substantially inside the tube, the method comprising: inserting the tube into an tract of the animal; and extending the membrane from an opening in the tube and into the tract, thereby creating the pathway in the tract, and wherein the membrane is extended in the tract without sliding action between the membrane and the tract.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of creating a pathway in a tract of an animal, useful in association with a catheter having a membrane initially positioned substantially inside the catheter, the method comprising: extending the membrane from an opening of the catheter and into the tract, thereby creating the pathway in the tract, and wherein the membrane is extended in the tract without sliding action between the membrane and the tract.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of creating a pathway in a tract of an animal, useful in association with a catheter having a membrane initially positioned substantially inside the catheter, the method comprising: extending the membrane from an opening of the catheter and into the tract, thereby creating the pathway in the tract, and wherein the membrane is extended in the tract without sliding action between the membrane and the tract.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the extension of the membrane is caused by pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the tract is the cervical tract of the animal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the animal is a sow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising depositing genetic material into the animal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the catheter includes a nozzle located at the opening of the catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the membrane is tapered.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A catheter useful for creating a pathway in a tract of an animal, the catheter comprising: a membrane initially positioned substantially inside the catheter, the membrane configured to extend from an opening of the catheter and into the tract, and wherein the membrane extends without sliding action between the membrane and the tract.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A catheter useful for creating a pathway in a tract of an animal, the catheter comprising: a membrane initially positioned substantially inside the catheter, the membrane configured to extend from an opening of the catheter and into the tract, and wherein the membrane extends without sliding action between the membrane and the tract.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 9 wherein the extension of the membrane is caused by pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 9 wherein the tract is the cervical tract of the animal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 11 wherein the membrane is configured to deposit genetic material into the animal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The catheter of claim 11 wherein the animal is a sow.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The catheter of claim 9 further comprising a nozzle located at the opening of the catheter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The catheter of claim 9 wherein the membrane is tapered.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
A membrane useful in association with a catheter configured to create a pathway in a tract of an animal, the membrane configured to be initially positioned substantially inside the catheter, the membrane configured to extend from an opening of the catheter and into the tract, and wherein the membrane is configured to extend without sliding action between the membrane and the tract.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
A membrane useful in association with a catheter configured to create a pathway in a tract of an animal, the membrane configured to be initially positioned substantially inside the catheter, the membrane configured to extend from an opening of the catheter and into the tract, and wherein the membrane is configured to extend without sliding action between the membrane and the tract.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The membrane of claim 16 wherein the extension of the membrane is caused by pressure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The membrane of claim 16 wherein the tract is the cervical tract of the animal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The membrane of claim 18 wherein the membrane is configured to deposit genetic material into the animal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The membrane of claim 18 wherein the animal is a sow.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
10 words
The membrane of claim 16 wherein the membrane is tapered.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
A membrane useful in association with a catheter configured to create a pathway in a tract of an animal, the membrane configured to be initially positioned substantially inside the catheter, the membrane configured to extend from an opening of the catheter and into the tract, and wherein the membrane is configured to extend by unfolding in an inside-out manner.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
A membrane useful in association with a catheter configured to create a pathway in a tract of an animal, the membrane configured to be initially positioned substantially inside the catheter, the membrane configured to extend from an opening of the catheter and into the tract, and wherein the membrane is configured to extend by unfolding in an inside-out manner.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The membrane of claim 22 wherein the extension occurs without sliding action between the membrane and the tract.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The membrane of claim 22 wherein the extension of the membrane is caused by pressure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The membrane of claim 22 wherein the tract is the cervical tract of the animal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
The membrane of claim 25 wherein the animal is a sow.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The membrane of claim 25 wherein the membrane is configured to deposit genetic material into the animal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
10 words
The membrane of claim 22 wherein the membrane is tapered.
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) | 2006-12-15 | 2007-06-16 | 2007-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-15 | 2011-06-16 | 2011-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-15 | 2015-06-16 | 2015-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |