Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.

Abstract: Egg candling methods and apparatus are provided wherein black rot eggs can be identified and removed. A method of identifying live eggs includes illuminating eggs in a carrier with light from a light source; receiving light passing through each egg at a light detector; generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at a light detector for each respective egg; analyzing the output signal for each egg to determine opacity of each egg; removing eggs having an opacity less than a first opacity value; and removing eggs having an opacity greater than a second opacity value that is different from the first opacity value.

Abstract: An apparatus for candling eggs includes a waterproof housing having a free end, a light source configured to emit visible light from the housing free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the housing free end, and a photodetector that generates an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the light source leaving the egg. The photodetector is shielded from external light and from direct light from the light source. The light source and photodetector are disposed within the waterproof housing, and a replaceable bumper is removably secured to the housing free end. The bumper is configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, and to shield the photodetector from external light and from direct light from the light source. A processor processes output signals from the photodetector to identify cyclical variations in light intensity and/or non-cyclical variations in light intensity.

Abstract: Egg candling methods and apparatus are provided wherein the optical path between a light source and light detector is monitored for obscuring debris and/or malfunctions. A method of candling eggs includes illuminating an egg with light from a light source; receiving light passing through the egg at a light detector; generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at the light detector for the egg; and analyzing the output signal to determine whether the optical path between the light source and light detector has been altered. In response to determining that a respective optical path has been altered, the light source and/or light detector is cleaned and/or inspected for malfunctions. Cleaning the light source and/or light detector may include wiping a surface of the light source and/or light detector and/or spraying a surface of the light source and/or light detector with a fluid.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for injecting and/or removing substances from subjects, such as avian eggs, includes an injection needle having a body portion and a tapered portion that terminates at a tip. A tube is attached to and extends around the injection needle in substantially concentric relationship therewith. The tube has an end portion positioned a predetermined distance from the needle tip. The tube end portion acts as a stop to limit the distance the needle tip can be inserted into a subject, such as an egg, through a membrane of the subject. A detector may be utilized to measure force exerted on a membrane of an egg by a stop attached to a needle. Force exerted on a membrane by a needle and/or by a needle and a stop attached to the needle may also be measured.

Abstract: Egg candling methods and apparatus are provided wherein non-live eggs, inverted egg, and side air cell eggs can be quickly identified. A method of candling eggs includes exposing a plurality of incubated eggs to an environment having a temperature different from a temperature at which the eggs were incubated; obtaining a thermal image of the eggs; and analyzing the thermal image to obtain surface temperature information for each egg. The surface temperature information is utilized to designate each egg as live/non-live, inverted, or having a side air cell.

Abstract: Egg candling methods and apparatus are provided wherein the optical path between a light source and light detector is monitored for obscuring debris and/or malfunctions. A method of candling eggs includes illuminating an egg with light from a light source; receiving light passing through the egg at a light detector; generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at the light detector for the egg; and analyzing the output signal to determine whether the optical path between the light source and light detector has been altered. In response to determining that a respective optical path has been altered, the light source and/or light detector is cleaned and/or inspected for malfunctions. Cleaning the light source and/or light detector may include wiping a surface of the light source and/or light detector and/or spraying a surface of the light source and/or light detector with a fluid.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for metering and dispensing selected materials. Selected materials may correspond to liquids, suspensions, emulsions and solids, and in selected embodiments may correspond to treatment compositions directed to the treatment of poultry eggs. Certain embodiments provide selective dispensing of selected metered material upon detection of the presence of an object to be treated.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for injecting and/or removing substances from subjects, such as avian eggs, includes an injection needle having a body portion and a tapered portion that terminates at a tip. A tube is attached to and extends around the injection needle in substantially concentric relationship therewith. The tube has an end portion positioned a predetermined distance from the needle tip. The tube end portion acts as a stop to limit the distance the needle tip can be inserted into a subject, such as an egg, through a membrane of the subject. A detector may be utilized to measure force exerted on a membrane of an egg by a stop attached to a needle. Force exerted on a membrane by a needle and/or by a needle and a stop attached to the needle may also be measured.

Abstract: Identifying live eggs includes: a) illuminating eggs with light; b) receiving light passing through each egg at a light detector; c) generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at a light detector for each respective egg; d) analyzing the output signals to identify an indication of an external disturbance; e) analyzing the output signal for each egg to identify the existence of an embryo heart rate and/or embryo movement; and f) designating an egg as a live egg in response to identifying embryo heart rate and/or embryo movement. Steps a) through d) are repeated if output signals from a predetermined number of eggs contain an indication of an external disturbance to the eggs. Steps a) through f) are repeated if the number of eggs designated as live exceeds an expected number, or if embryo movement occurs at about the same time in a predetermined number of eggs.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of injecting an avian egg containing an embryo, preferably an early embryo (e.g., a blastoderm). The methods of the invention may be used to deliver a substance to an egg, remove a sample from an egg, and/or to insert a detector device into an egg to collect information therefrom. In preferred embodiments, the invention is used to deliver a substance to the embryo in ovo. In other preferred embodiments, the invention is used to produce chimeric or transgenic avian embryos in ovo.

Abstract: Egg lifting apparatus are provided that include a vacuum housing having first and second passageways, a venturi assembly in fluid communication with the first and second passageways, and a flexible cup secured to the vacuum housing, wherein the flexible cup has an interior that is in fluid communication with the vacuum housing second passageway. The venturi assembly produces subatmospheric pressure within the second passageway upon the flow of air through the first passageway. The flexible cup is configured to engage and retain an egg in seated relation therewith when subatmospheric pressure is provided within the flexible cup interior via the vacuum housing second passageway.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for producing oocysts. The oocysts produced according to the invention find use in the manufacture of vaccines. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the production of Eimeria oocysts. Vaccines containing Eimeria oocysts, sporocysts and/or sporozoites produced according to the present invention may be used to immunize birds against coccidiosis either in ovo or post hatch.

Abstract: Methods an apparatus for accurately and reliably positioning a device within an egg are provided. An opening is formed within a portion of the shell of an egg and a device is extended through the opening. The device includes a needle having a lumen containing a fluid under pressure. Fluid pressure is monitored and, in response to detecting a change in pressure of the fluid, movement of the device is stopped. Alternatively, fluid flow is monitored and, in response to detecting fluid flow from the needle, movement of the device is stopped. The device may be a substance delivery device that is configured to deliver a substance into the subgerminal cavity of the egg. The device may be a substance removal device that is configured remove a substance from an egg.

Abstract: An egg is accelerated such that the inner and outer shell membranes separate and allow the air cell to move within the egg when the egg is repositioned. By separating the outer and inner shell membranes of an egg, the air cell will reposition itself at the upper portion of the egg shell. An egg may be accelerated in various ways according to embodiments of the present invention including, but not limited to, agitation, “flicking” by hand, spinning, rotating, centrifuging, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for purifying protozoan oocysts. In particular embodiments, the oocysts are Eimeria oocysts. The methods comprise contacting a composition comprising fecal material and protozoan oocysts with polysaccharidase under conditions sufficient to reduce the amount of fecal material in the composition.

Abstract: Egg lifting apparatus are provided that include a vacuum housing having first and second passageways, a venturi assembly in fluid communication with the first and second passageways, and a flexible cup secured to the vacuum housing, wherein the flexible cup has an interior that is in fluid communication with the vacuum housing second passageway. The venturi assembly produces subatmospheric pressure within the second passageway upon the flow of air through the first passageway. The flexible cup is configured to engage and retain an egg in seated relation therewith when subatmospheric pressure is provided within the flexible cup interior via the vacuum housing second passageway.