Active Needle Technology for Cattle to Reduce Insertion Force, Pain and Meat Loss from Injection Scarring while Facilitating Vascular Access

This project develops the "Active Needle Technology System (ANTS) for Cattle to Reduce Insertion Force, Reduce Pain, Facilitate Vascular Access, and Reduce Meat Loss from Injection Scarring". This project meets Strategic Goal 3: Help America Promote Agricultural Production And Biotechnology Exports As America Works To Increase Food Security. The improvement in animal care and reduction in beef scarring will lead to significant international sales of the device manufactured in Bellefonte, PA. Phase I and II will focus on development of ANTS, a hand-held, battery-operated needle system that enables commercial needles to vibrate in a closed-loop electronic controlled motion reducing insertion force through tough, thick bovine tissue. The reduction of insertion force enables thinner gauge needles to be utilized without buckling, resulting in less animal pain with lower reactive stress response. Therefore, less animal restraint equipment and preparation is required reducing procedure cost. Less animal reactive stress response improves procedure safety for the veterinarian (or farmer) and the animal. Electronically, controlled motion leads to easier vascular access. Minimizes the need for venous cut-down such as in hypovolemic patients. Reduces the tendency of the catheter to hang up or bunch during IV placement through the tough tissue. Thinner gauge needles reduce scarring of meat product. Less meat is scrapped after the procedure. ANTS will be patented and protected internationally.