Abstract: In one aspect of a livestock device, the livestock device may be configured with two opposed and corresponding door frames. A neck bar may be engaged with each door frame via an upper extension arm and a lower extension arm. The door frames may be selectively moved between an open and closed position with respect to one another. The neck bars may be selectively moved between a retracted and extended position with respect to the door frames. The livestock device may be configured to secure the position of, restrain, and/or properly orient an animal, and/or to secure the position of, restrain, and/or properly orient a portion of an animal (e.g., its head, neck, etc.) with respect to another portion of the animal.

Abstract: An insufflation apparatus and methods for using same are disclosed. The apparatus is equipped with an interactive system for administering reproducible intratracheal aerosols in a consistent automated manner. The insufflation system is useful, in particular for use with experimental animals, including mice and rats and also for treating small animals via the pulmonary route in veterinary medicinal practice.

Abstract: A test device is disclosed. The test device includes a supporter providing a seating surface for an experimental animal, and a chair formed on the supporter and configured to induce a drug inhalation posture in which a head of the experimental animal is directed downward. Thus, a mecca position may be induced by a simple operation of seating an unconscious experimental animal on the chair. As a result, nose-to-brain drug delivery may be performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling corporeal structures, especially for introducing puncture needles or operation probes. Said device comprises a base plate (1), at least one base holder (2) applied to the base plate (1), and holding rods (3, 4) that are fixed to the base holder in a fixed manner and are used to hold and position a targeting device (10) for a medical instrument (8). The aim of the invention is to create one such device in such a way that it has a simple structure and can guide medical instruments in a variable and precise manner. To this end, the targeting device (10) is mounted on two adjustment arms (7) that can be respectively displaced in the X and/or Y plane, on the free ends of the holding rods (3, 4), by means of an actuating drive (6).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power semiconductor device which includes: a first conductivity-type silicon carbide semiconductor layer; a switching device which is formed on the silicon carbide semiconductor layer; a second conductivity-type electric field relaxation impurity region which is formed in a terminal portion of a formation region of the switching device and which relaxes an electric field of the terminal portion; and a first conductivity-type added region which is provided between second conductivity-type well regions of a plurality of unit cells that constitutes the switching device, and at least on an outer side of the electric field relaxation impurity region, and which has an impurity concentration higher than that in the silicon carbide semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A primate restraint device capable of restricting the movement of a monkey and, particularly, capable of facilitating transnasal intragastric administration or oral administration. A primate restraint device comprising: a containing body having both side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface; a door provided to the rear surface side of the containing body and capable of opening and closing the rear surface side of the containing body by sliding up and down; and a partition wall which is formed so as to close the inside of the containing body from the front surface side and to be movable forward and backward within the containing body and which is configured to be able to be affixed at a desired position within the containing body.

Abstract: An animal restraint, or “head bail” apparatus for a livestock handling device has two opposed gates to trap the neck of an animal. The gates are pneumatically operated and lockable at any position by a brake caliper assembly that locks onto a releasable braking member, which slides as the gates operate. The bail apparatus can be used with a cattle crush although it may also be used in applications other than with a cattle crush.

Abstract: Bail apparatus (1) includes an overhead support member (3) which is suspended from an overhead support framework (14) by a linkage mechanism (11) from an operating member (12), so that the bail apparatus is operable in a lower operative state for separating animals and an upper release state for releasing the animals from a milking parlor (2). A plurality of bail elements (8) are mounted at spaced apart locations along the overhead support member (3), and each bail element includes a partition element (22) which extends substantially transversely of the overhead support member (3) at an angle ? of approximately 78.5°. A coupling bracket (17) couples each bail element (8) to the overhead support member (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved head restraint that can be used in conjunction with conventional cattle chutes that are equipped with head gates. It provides the advantages of being humane by causing little or no discomfort to the cattle being restrained. Its implementation can reduce the human labor requirements associated with treating a herd of cattle and generally leads to savings in medication by virtue of being able to more accurately apply medications to the eyes of a cow having a stabilized head as compared to loss of medication when dealing with a struggling animal that is jerking its head around during the procedure. Its use greatly reduces the risk of injury to the animal and the person administering the treatment to the animal. Head restraints of this invention offer the advantage of being capable of being affixed to existing chutes of differing sizes.

Abstract: A livestock squeeze chute having a head gate assembly at the head end thereof with the head gate assembly including first and second head gates which dwell in a plane which is approximately at a 30-degree angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the squeeze chute. Power cylinders pivotally move the head gates between open and closed positions. Although power cylinders are preferred, the head gates could be manually moved between their open and closed positions.

Abstract: A calf handling apparatus incorporating a base having a forward end, a first wall fixedly attached to and extending upwardly from the base's forward end, the first wall having a lateral side and an oppositely lateral side, and the first wall including a pivoting head gate jaw; a second wall fixedly attached to the base, the second wall extending rearwardly from the first wall's lateral side; and a third wall, the third wall being hingedly attached to the first wall's oppositely lateral side for movement between calf holding and calf releasing positions, the third wall extending rearwardly from the first wall's oppositely lateral side upon movement to the calf holding position, the third wall being displaced oppositely laterally from the calf holding position upon movement to the calf releasing position.

Abstract: An improved squeeze chute apparatus, which may be portable or stationary, includes a frame having an entrance end, an exit end, a first side, a second side, an upper end and a lower end. A first upstanding sidewall is positioned at the first side of the frame and a second upstanding sidewall is positioned at the second side of the frame. The sidewalls are movable between inner and outer positions with respect to the frame. First and second entrance gate members, which are movable between open and closed positions, are positioned at the entrance end of the frame. First and second exit gate members, which are movable between open and closed positions, are positioned at the exit end of the frame. The gate members and sidewalls are operated by hydraulic cylinders having resilient mounts at the base and rod ends thereof. Each of the gate members has two hydraulic cylinders connected thereto. Each of the sidewalls has four hydraulic cylinders connected thereto.

Abstract: An improved squeeze chute apparatus, which may be portable or stationary, includes a frame having an entrance end, an exit end, a first side, a second side, an upper end and a lower end. A first upstanding sidewall is positioned at the first side of the frame and a second upstanding sidewall is positioned at the second side of the frame. The sidewalls are movable between inner and outer positions with respect to the frame. First and second entrance gate members, which are movable between open and closed positions, are positioned at the entrance end of the frame. First and second exit gate members, which are movable between open and closed positions, are positioned at the exit end of the frame. The gate members and sidewalls are operated by hydraulic cylinders having resilient mounts at the base and rod ends thereof. Each of the gate members has two hydraulic cylinders connected thereto. Each of the sidewalls has four hydraulic cylinders connected thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved head restraint that can be used in conjunction with conventional cattle chutes that are equipped with head gates. It provides the advantages of being humane by causing little or no discomfort to the cattle being restrained. Cattle being treated also tends to remain calm while being restrained utilizing the device of this invention. It offers much easier and faster means for providing care to positions on the head of the animal. Its implementation can accordingly lead to reduction in human labor requirements associated with treating a herd of cattle and generally leads to savings in medication by virtue of being able to more accurately apply eye drops, ointments, or powdered medications to the eyes of a cow having a very stabilized head as compared to loss of medication when dealing with a struggling animal that is jerking its head around during the procedure.

Abstract: A compliant holder device for constraining an animal includes a device body, a nose cone, and compliant flexure arms having contact surfaces for constraining the animal's head. In use, an animal is placed on the device body, and the nose of the animal is placed in the nose cone to constrain the skull at the nose. The compliant flexure arms are flexed to increase the distance between the contact surfaces of respective compliant flexure arms, and the ears of the animal are placed between the contact surfaces of the flexed compliant flexure arms, wherein the flex in the compliant flexure provides pressure to and constrains the skull at the ears.

Abstract: An insect holder (1) for holding an insect (5) of a particular type is disclosed. The holder (1) comprises a body with a chamber (3) adapted to receive the insect (5) and a head restraint (7) for retaining the head of the insect (5) in a predetermined position. The body further comprises an electromagnetic radiation receiver (11) for monitoring intensity of an electromagnetic radiation beam so as to monitor response of the bee (5) to a target odour through the detection of an interruption of the electromagnetic radiation beam.

Abstract: A compliant holder device for constraining an animal includes a device body, a nose cone, and compliant flexure arms having contact surfaces for constraining the animal's head. In use, an animal is placed on the device body, and the nose of the animal is placed in the nose cone to constrain the skull at the nose. The compliant flexure arms are flexed to increase the distance between the contact surfaces of respective compliant flexure arms, and the ears of the animal are placed between the contact surfaces of the flexed compliant flexure arms, wherein the flex in the compliant flexure provides pressure to and constrains the skull at the ears.

Abstract: Bail apparatus (1) includes an overhead support member (3) which is suspended from an overhead support framework (14) by a linkage mechanism (11) from an operating member (12), so that the bail apparatus is operable in a lower operative state for separating animals and an upper release state for releasing the animals from a milking parlour (2). A plurality of bail elements (8) are mounted at spaced apart locations along the overhead support member (3), and each bail element includes a partition element (22) which extends substantially transversely of the overhead support member (3) at an angle ? of approximately 78.5°. A coupling bracket (17) couples each bail element (8) to the overhead support member (3).

Abstract: The apparatus and imaging method of the present invention incorporates and permits the use of a single technology to combine MR, SPECT and PET in awake animal imaging studies.

Abstract: A headgate apparatus comprises a pair of vertically oriented shoulder bars separated by a space that is wide enough to accommodate the neck and narrow enough to prevent passage of the shoulders therebetween. A pair of vertically oriented head bars is mounted in front of the shoulder bars and separated by a space that is wide enough to accommodate the neck and narrow enough to prevent passage of the head therebetween. The head bars and shoulder bars are separated by a head separation distance sufficient to restrain backward and forward motion of the animal. A method of restraining an animal comprises maintaining the head separated from the shoulders by a distance substantially equal to the length of the neck.

Abstract: A head gate assembly for restraining the head of an animal during ritual and humane slaughter includes first and second head gates including sliding plate supported for relative sliding movement between restraining and release positions. Each head gate includes a chin lift arm and a pivot assembly mounting the chin lift arm to the associated sliding plate. Each pivot assembly includes a bushing block welded to the associated sliding plate. The bushing block carries a bushing and pivot pin that is received in a mounting portion defined on the end of the chin lift arm. A neck restraint includes a neck tube supported by a support disposed to be located rearwardly of the head of, and in non-contacting relation with the neck of, an animal being restrained by the head gate assembly, maximizing access to a rearward portion of the head of the animal to facilitate stunning of the animal.

Abstract: A livestock chute for confining and controlling an animal including a pair of spaced apart side frames connected by support members to provide an elongated space into which the animal may be driven, a tailgate near the rear end of said space and a head gate assembly supported near a front end of the space which includes an expandable and contractible opening which, when expanded, allows the head of the animal to extend therethrough and, when contracted, surrounds the neck of the animal to prevent removal of said animal's head therefrom. A gate carriage is mounted near the top of the side frame for longitudinal movement relative thereto and from which the head gate assembly is suspended for movement between a terminal position near the front of the space and selected positions nearer the rear of said space. Preferred embodiments include a squeeze assembly for engagement with the hip area of the animal.

Abstract: A livestock chute for confining and controlling an animal including a pair of spaced apart side frames connected by support members to provide an elongated space into which the animal may be driven, a tailgate near the rear end of said space and a head gate assembly supported near a front end of the space which includes an expandable and contractible opening which, when expanded, allows the head of the animal to extend therethrough and, when contracted, surrounds the neck of the animal to prevent removal of said animal's head therefrom. A gate carriage is mounted near the top of the side frame for longitudinal movement relative thereto and from which the head gate assembly is suspended for movement between a terminal position near the front of the space and selected positions nearer the rear of said space. Preferred embodiments include a squeeze assembly for engagement with the hip area of the animal.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining the eyes of an animal, such as a dog or cat, closed during surgery to keep the surface of the eyes moist. The apparatus includes a collar, a head pad connected to the collar and positioned between an animals ears on its forehead, and a pair of straps also connected to the collar positioned to extend from beneath the animal's chin over the animal's eyes and to be fastened to the head pad. The head pad and straps cooperate to pinch or force together loose skin above and below the eyes to close the eyelids and prevent drying out thereof. A lead line extending from the collar attaches to a non-movable structure so that when the animal awakens, the movement of the animal pulls the collar loose from around the neck.

Abstract: A swine restraint device includes a V-shaped trough having angular blocks defining a centrally disposed, longitudinally extending channel. The angular blocks provide wedge means for supporting a swine within the trough, and at least a portion of the channel defines a bottom opening through which the feet of the swine extend when the trough is elevated relative to a stationary supporting surface. At least one yoke shaped self-adjusting back restraint cooperates with the trough to restrain a swine in a predetermined position within the trough when the trough is elevated relative to the supporting surface. A pair of opposed shoulder stops mounted in a forward position within the trough further restrain forward motion and immobilize swine within the trough. The animal restraint device is designed efficiently to humanely and temporarily immobilize animals, particularly swine, for many purposes including weighing, veterinary exams and procedures, medication, implantation, and euthanasia.

Abstract: An improved portable squeeze chute apparatus and method includes a chute having an entrance end, an exit end, opposing sidewalls, a base, and a superstructure. Each of the sidewalls has an openable upper panel and lower panel for accessing upper portions and lower portions, respectively, of an animal positioned in the chute. Each of the sidewalls is selectively pivotable about a plurality of generally horizontal axes in order to immobilize lateral movement of an animal positioned in the chute. An exit gate having a neck clamp, positioned at the exit end of the chute, has interconnected neck clamp side portions for selectively clamping the animal's neck. An entrance gate has interconnected entrance gate side portions for selectively preventing the animal from exiting rearwardly from the chute. Various portions of the apparatus are each controllable by a respective hydraulic piston and two-way valve arrangement.