Apparatus and methods for tissue sampling and identity-tag attachment

Abstract

The present specification relates to apparatus, methods and kits for applying an identification tag to an animal and removing a tissue sample from the animal. Apparatus of the disclosure cannot be manipulated to transfer an identification tag from one animal to another. An apparatus can comprise a sample container, a flap, a downholder clip and a cutting element that can be placed on a male part of an ear-tag and at least one element/feature that supports movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the male tag toward the female part of the ear-tag.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method of attaching an identity tag and removing a tissue sample comprising:
 reversibly attaching a male-part of an ear-tag (male tag) having a tissue cutting element onto an ear-tag applicator in a position above an ear to which the tag is to be attached and from which tissue sample is to be obtained from;   placing a female part of an ear-tag (female tag) onto the ear-tag applicator such that the female tag is below the male tag;   placing a sample container in position below the male tag and the ear and above the female tag;   moving the male-part of the ear-tag by means of the ear-tag applicator downward toward and through the ear such that the tissue cutting element of the male tag pierces through the ear and places the excised ear tissue into the sample container, thereby obtaining ear-tissue sample in the sample container;   causing the sample container to move transversely out of way of the descending male tag;   continuing to move the male tag downward to the female tag; and   forming a seal between the male tag and female tag parts, thereby attaching the ear-tag to the ear.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the ear-tag applicator is a pliers, a commercially available ear-tag applicator or a pliers adapted to attach ear-tags. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein, the female tag can be placed detachably in a groove, a cavity or a space of the ear-tag applicator fashioned to receive at least a part of the female tag. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the male tag is attached to the ear-tag-applicator by a pin on the ear-tag applicator that is movable up and down by means of one or more plier handles about a pivotable axis. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the male tag comprises a hollow stalk inside of which is an element designed to fit into the pin of the ear-tag applicator, the element having a complementary shaped region to fit into the pin. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sample container is held in place prior to and during piercing of the ear tissue by means of a downholder clip, one or more clamps, a flap and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sample container has an asymmetric shaped bottom which causes transverse movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the male tag after the ear tissue is cut and placed inside the sample container. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising detaching the tissue cutting element or part thereof from the male tag to form a lid on the sample container after the excised ear tissue is placed into the sample container. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein removing the ear tissue sample can comprise piercing the ear tissue, punching a hole in the ear tissue, cutting the ear tissue, tearing off the ear tissue or perforating the ear tissue. 
     
     
         28 . A kit for attaching an ear-tag and excising tissue comprising:
 a flap operable to reversibly hold: a male tag on an ear-tag applicator, a sample holder, and one or more clamps;   a downholder clip operable to reversibly hold one or more portions of the flap;   a sample container having an asymmetrical base; and   one or more clamps.   
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 28 , further comprising one or more of:
 an ear-tag applicator; and   an ear-tag comprising male tag components and female tag components.   
     
     
         30 . A kit of  claim 28 , wherein the sample container is pre-packaged with a desiccant material, a preservative, and/or a buffer inside it. 
     
     
         31 . A sample container comprising:
 an asymmetric bottom part;   dimensions configured to be smaller than a chamber of a female part of an ear-tag (female tag);   a chamber designed to contain a tissue sample;   a top part of the sample container configured to be able to fit a tissue cutting element or part thereof of a male tag part of an ear-tag (male tag), wherein the tissue cutting element or part thereof can detach from the male tag form a lid on the sample container;   optionally, an area to store a tissue desiccant or a tissue preservative;   wherein the asymmetric bottom shape is configured to allow movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the male tag after an ear tissue is cut and placed into said sample container, thereby allowing the male tag to move downward after it pierces through an ear to enter the chamber of the female tag and form a seal.   
     
     
         32 . The sample container of  claim 31 , further comprising elements to interact with a clamp. 
     
     
         33 . The sample container of  claim 31 , further comprising elements to interact with a flap. 
     
     
         34 . The sample container of  claim 31 , further having dimensions to fit into a single well of a multi-well device. 
     
     
         35 . The sample container of  claim 34 , wherein the multi-well device is a 96-well device, a 384-well device or a 1536 well-device. 
     
     
         36 . The sample container of  claim 31 , fabricated by selective laser-sintering. 
     
     
         37 . The sample container of  claim 31 , comprising PA12 powder reinforced with glass balls.