Marking ear tag comprising a tissue sampling device

• Main Authors: HILPERT, JEAN JACQUES, DECALUWE, JOHAN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 05.09.2013
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; FORESTRY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TRAPPING

The invention relates to an ear tag (1) for identifying animals, enabling a sample of biological tissue to be taken when the tag is applied to the animal. Said tag comprises a male part (2) and a female part (3) which are assembled by irreversible socketing. The stem of the male part comprises a detachable head (23) having a hollow distal part provided with a cutting edge (25) for cutting out a biological sample when the head perforates the ear of the animal. The female part comprises a central tube (31) for receiving the head and at least partially receiving the stem when the ear tag is applied, said tube being associated with a detachable sample container (32) arranged in the axial extension of the tube. The proximal end (35) of the container has a first opening (33) for receiving the head (23) of the stem when the ear tag is applied, and the distal end (36) of the container has a second opening (34) enabling the inside of the sample container to be reached. The invention also relates to a device comprising a sample container (32) associated with the hollow head (23) containing the sample obtained when the identifying ear tag is applied to the animal, and a protection tube comprising a closing cover. Said device enables the sample taken to be stored in a closed space and analysed later. The sampling system is designed in such a way as to enable the sample to be easily handled and accessed for the analysis thereof.