CA2511568C - Radiopaque animal chew - Google Patents
Radiopaque animal chew Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2511568C CA2511568C CA2511568A CA2511568A CA2511568C CA 2511568 C CA2511568 C CA 2511568C CA 2511568 A CA2511568 A CA 2511568A CA 2511568 A CA2511568 A CA 2511568A CA 2511568 C CA2511568 C CA 2511568C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- radiopaque
- polymer
- chew
- animal
- barium sulfate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L barium sulfate Chemical compound [Ba+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 35
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 8
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910000019 calcium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 abstract description 34
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 abstract description 8
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000000748 compression moulding Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000010128 melt processing Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 13
- 238000002441 X-ray diffraction Methods 0.000 description 7
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000007943 implant Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000001055 chewing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 230000037406 food intake Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920001592 potato starch Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000005667 attractant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000005018 casein Substances 0.000 description 2
- BECPQYXYKAMYBN-UHFFFAOYSA-N casein, tech. Chemical compound NCCCCC(C(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CC(C)C)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(C(C)O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(COP(O)(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(N)CC1=CC=CC=C1 BECPQYXYKAMYBN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 235000021240 caseins Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000015111 chews Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000013329 compounding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000008369 fruit flavor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 241000251468 Actinopterygii Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000017060 Arachis glabrata Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000105624 Arachis hypogaea Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000010777 Arachis hypogaea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000018262 Arachis monticola Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000000626 Daucus carota Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000002767 Daucus carota Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000001238 Gaultheria procumbens Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000007297 Gaultheria procumbens Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000006679 Mentha X verticillata Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000024873 Mentha crispa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000014749 Mentha crispa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000246386 Mentha pulegium Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000016257 Mentha pulegium Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000002899 Mentha suaveolens Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000004357 Mentha x piperita Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000001636 Mentha x rotundifolia Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 240000009164 Petroselinum crispum Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000300264 Spinacia oleracea Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000009337 Spinacia oleracea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000021307 Triticum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000098338 Triticum aestivum Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000036528 appetite Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019789 appetite Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052601 baryte Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010428 baryte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000015278 beef Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052797 bismuth Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- -1 bismuth halide Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 210000004204 blood vessel Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- JYYOBHFYCIDXHH-UHFFFAOYSA-N carbonic acid;hydrate Chemical compound O.OC(O)=O JYYOBHFYCIDXHH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000031902 chemoattractant activity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940095710 chewable product Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000003745 diagnosis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002009 diols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000576 food coloring agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000003599 food sweetener Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 210000003709 heart valve Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000001050 hortel pimenta Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 210000004185 liver Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 231100000647 material safety data sheet Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- OSWPMRLSEDHDFF-UHFFFAOYSA-N methyl salicylate Chemical compound COC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1O OSWPMRLSEDHDFF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000974 natural food coloring agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005615 natural polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- NEGYEDYHPHMHGK-UHFFFAOYSA-N para-methoxyamphetamine Chemical compound COC1=CC=C(CC(C)N)C=C1 NEGYEDYHPHMHGK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000020232 peanut Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000011197 perejil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004014 plasticizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002952 polymeric resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003225 polyurethane elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011369 resultant mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037384 skin absorption Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000274 skin absorption Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000003765 sweetening agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K15/00—Devices for taming animals, e.g. nose-rings or hobbles; Devices for overturning animals in general; Training or exercising equipment; Covering boxes
- A01K15/02—Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals ; Electric shock devices ; Toys specially adapted for animals
- A01K15/025—Toys specially adapted for animals
- A01K15/026—Chewable toys, e.g. for dental care of pets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
- A61P27/00—Drugs for disorders of the senses
- A61P27/02—Ophthalmic agents
Abstract
An animal chew toy comprising a radiopaque polymer. The radiopaque polymer may comprise a polymer that is inherently radiopaque or a polymer that has been made radiopaque by the addition of an additive that provides radiopaque characteristics. The radiopaque polymers of the present invention may be manufactured by melt processing techniques, such as extrusion, compression and/or injection molding.
Description
RADIOPAQUE ANIMAL CHEW
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to radiopaque animal chews, and methods for their manufacture, wherein a host polymer suitable for use as an animal chew is made radiopaque.
In the event that a portion of the chew becomes inadvertently lodged within the animal, in a life-threatening manner, it can now be more quickly diagnosed and more rapidly treated.
Background of the Invention Polymeric materials have been widely used for years in both medical and dental applications. Such applications include surgical and body implants and other prosthetic devices, (e.g., heart valves, blood vessels, etc.). In dentistry, for example, polymer materials have been used to produce removable dentures, temporary crown and bridge materials, restorative materials, impression materials, and the like.
It is generally desirable that medical implants be radiographically opaque such that their precise location within the host body can be detected by X-ray examination. In addition, it is advantageous that such medical implant be optically or visually transparent so that a flow of fluid therethrough may be observed Therefore, a vast amount of prior art has been directed at the preparation of polymeric materials for use in medical or dental applications that can be detected by X-ray analysis.
In the field, however, of animal chew toys, it is certainly the case that a variety of disclosures exist detailing specific resins and specific designs to enhance the attractiveness of the chew toy, to an animal. In addition, numerous disclosures exist that attest to the use of specific materials, and specific additives, and specific molding conditions for a chew toy product.
Along such lines, attention is directed to U.S. Patent No. 3,871,334 to Axelrod, which discloses a chewable object from nylon with a flavor or odor extract.
Attention is also directed to U.S. Patent No. 4,513,014 which sought to provide a more chewable product comprising a polyurethane elastomer again having incorporated therein a flavor or odor extract.
Attention is next directed to Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,565 which discloses a process for making a heat expandable dog chew comprised primarily of injection molding potato starch granules and an attractant. Attractants recited include chicken powder, liver powder, ham, turkey, beef and or fish. Vegetable additives such as spinach or carrots also may be added. The resultant mixture is molded under heat and pressure into a desired form, such as a dog bone. The dog bone so produced can be modified in texture or hardness by subsequent heating, preferably in a microwave oven.
In Applicant's U.S. Patent No. 6,126,978, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,565, there is disclosed a dog chew having natural fruit flavor to increase the dog's appetite for such chew. Such fruit flavored dog chew may also include natural food coloring to enhance the attractiveness of the chew to the dog owner. The food coloring may also correspond to the fruit flavor, and the dog chew disclosed therein may also embody a breath sweetener for a dog such as mint, spearmint, peppermint or wintergreen and may also include parsley. The preferred form of such edible chew maintained the basic ingredient of a heat-expandable starch, such as potato starch. Fruit flavoring may be added to the granules of a mixture of potato starch, water and calcium carbonate along with natural fruit flavorings.
Attention is also directed to the following U.S. Patents commonly owned by the assignee herein: U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,069; "Vegetable Based Dog Chew", U.S.
Pat. No.
6,093,427; "Edible Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,565; "Carrot-Based Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,197; "Heat Modifiable Edible Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No.
6,180,161;
"Improved Edible Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,978; "Wheat & Casein Dog Chew With Modifiable Texture", U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,521; "Heat Modifiable Peanut Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,441; "Method of Molding Edible Starch", U.S. Pat.
No.
6,159,516. In addition to such patents and applications, attention is also directed to the art cited in said patents and applications, as such art relates to the field of molded starch products.
As can therefore be seen upon review of all the above, a number of disclosures exist which point to the importance of the use of radiopaque polymer systems for humans. Such disclosures are directed at monitoring the location of an implant via X-ray analysis. In addition, a variety of disclosures exist directed an animal chew products.
However, to date, animal chew toys have been made without consideration of X-ray analysis issues, or in effect, chew toys have been made such that they are inherently transparent to X-ray detection, and as such, are not detectable within the animal if such chew toy should be improperly ingested. Accordingly, there has existed a long-standing need to develop and provide an economical process to produce an animal chew toy so that the chew toy can be detected by standard X-ray analysis by trained medical professionals.
In addition, although incidents of ingestion of oversized "chewed-off' sections of plastics are relatively rare compared with other foreign objects ingested by the animal, the occurrence may nonetheless result in a severe medical' emergency or even death. The potential severity of such an incident makes it important to facilitate the diagnosis and removal of such foreign bodies, regardless of the fact that such event remains outside normal and reasonable expectations.
What is needed therefore is a material or material combination that can maximize the radiopacity of an animal chew without negatively affecting the physical characteristics of the animal chew. Such chew toy should also remain safe for ingestion and must also preserve the associated chewing experience for the animal.
Therefore, it is one object of this invention to produce an animal chew toy that remains attractive to the animal, providing a healthy and engaging chewing experience, but which if improperly ingested can be detected by X-rays and more rapidly removed from the animal in any life-threatening situation.
More specifically, it is also an object of the present invention to establish critical, safe and effective concentrations of a radiopaque additive in a host polymer resin to provide X-ray detection when present in a sized portion of the chew, such sized portion typical of a "break-off' piece of the chew due to animal chewing action.
Summary of the Invention An animal chew toy comprising a radiopaque polymer. The radiopaque polymer may comprise a polymer that is inherently radiopaque or a polymer that has been made radiopaque by the addition of an additive that provides radiopaque characteristics. The radiopaque polymers of the present invention may be manufactured by melt processing techniques, such as extrusion, compression and/or injection molding.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments As noted, the present invention is directed at an animal chew toy comprising a radiopaque polymer. The term "radiopaque polymer" is therefore defined as any polymer material, suitable for use as an animal chew, that is either inherently radiopaque, or which can.
be made radiopaque, upon the suitable addition of a radiopaque additive. Such radiopaque polymer materials are then employed to manufacture an animal chew toy. The term "radiopaque" itself refers to that characteristic wherein the polymer material can be detected by X-ray analysis.
For the first group of polymers suitable for use in the present invention, attention is directed to those polymers that incorporate a structure that is inherently radiopaque. Along such lines, one example includes polymers tat contain a halogen in the polymer backbone.
Typical of this approach are those polymers disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to radiopaque animal chews, and methods for their manufacture, wherein a host polymer suitable for use as an animal chew is made radiopaque.
In the event that a portion of the chew becomes inadvertently lodged within the animal, in a life-threatening manner, it can now be more quickly diagnosed and more rapidly treated.
Background of the Invention Polymeric materials have been widely used for years in both medical and dental applications. Such applications include surgical and body implants and other prosthetic devices, (e.g., heart valves, blood vessels, etc.). In dentistry, for example, polymer materials have been used to produce removable dentures, temporary crown and bridge materials, restorative materials, impression materials, and the like.
It is generally desirable that medical implants be radiographically opaque such that their precise location within the host body can be detected by X-ray examination. In addition, it is advantageous that such medical implant be optically or visually transparent so that a flow of fluid therethrough may be observed Therefore, a vast amount of prior art has been directed at the preparation of polymeric materials for use in medical or dental applications that can be detected by X-ray analysis.
In the field, however, of animal chew toys, it is certainly the case that a variety of disclosures exist detailing specific resins and specific designs to enhance the attractiveness of the chew toy, to an animal. In addition, numerous disclosures exist that attest to the use of specific materials, and specific additives, and specific molding conditions for a chew toy product.
Along such lines, attention is directed to U.S. Patent No. 3,871,334 to Axelrod, which discloses a chewable object from nylon with a flavor or odor extract.
Attention is also directed to U.S. Patent No. 4,513,014 which sought to provide a more chewable product comprising a polyurethane elastomer again having incorporated therein a flavor or odor extract.
Attention is next directed to Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,565 which discloses a process for making a heat expandable dog chew comprised primarily of injection molding potato starch granules and an attractant. Attractants recited include chicken powder, liver powder, ham, turkey, beef and or fish. Vegetable additives such as spinach or carrots also may be added. The resultant mixture is molded under heat and pressure into a desired form, such as a dog bone. The dog bone so produced can be modified in texture or hardness by subsequent heating, preferably in a microwave oven.
In Applicant's U.S. Patent No. 6,126,978, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,565, there is disclosed a dog chew having natural fruit flavor to increase the dog's appetite for such chew. Such fruit flavored dog chew may also include natural food coloring to enhance the attractiveness of the chew to the dog owner. The food coloring may also correspond to the fruit flavor, and the dog chew disclosed therein may also embody a breath sweetener for a dog such as mint, spearmint, peppermint or wintergreen and may also include parsley. The preferred form of such edible chew maintained the basic ingredient of a heat-expandable starch, such as potato starch. Fruit flavoring may be added to the granules of a mixture of potato starch, water and calcium carbonate along with natural fruit flavorings.
Attention is also directed to the following U.S. Patents commonly owned by the assignee herein: U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,069; "Vegetable Based Dog Chew", U.S.
Pat. No.
6,093,427; "Edible Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,565; "Carrot-Based Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,197; "Heat Modifiable Edible Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No.
6,180,161;
"Improved Edible Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,978; "Wheat & Casein Dog Chew With Modifiable Texture", U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,521; "Heat Modifiable Peanut Dog Chew", U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,441; "Method of Molding Edible Starch", U.S. Pat.
No.
6,159,516. In addition to such patents and applications, attention is also directed to the art cited in said patents and applications, as such art relates to the field of molded starch products.
As can therefore be seen upon review of all the above, a number of disclosures exist which point to the importance of the use of radiopaque polymer systems for humans. Such disclosures are directed at monitoring the location of an implant via X-ray analysis. In addition, a variety of disclosures exist directed an animal chew products.
However, to date, animal chew toys have been made without consideration of X-ray analysis issues, or in effect, chew toys have been made such that they are inherently transparent to X-ray detection, and as such, are not detectable within the animal if such chew toy should be improperly ingested. Accordingly, there has existed a long-standing need to develop and provide an economical process to produce an animal chew toy so that the chew toy can be detected by standard X-ray analysis by trained medical professionals.
In addition, although incidents of ingestion of oversized "chewed-off' sections of plastics are relatively rare compared with other foreign objects ingested by the animal, the occurrence may nonetheless result in a severe medical' emergency or even death. The potential severity of such an incident makes it important to facilitate the diagnosis and removal of such foreign bodies, regardless of the fact that such event remains outside normal and reasonable expectations.
What is needed therefore is a material or material combination that can maximize the radiopacity of an animal chew without negatively affecting the physical characteristics of the animal chew. Such chew toy should also remain safe for ingestion and must also preserve the associated chewing experience for the animal.
Therefore, it is one object of this invention to produce an animal chew toy that remains attractive to the animal, providing a healthy and engaging chewing experience, but which if improperly ingested can be detected by X-rays and more rapidly removed from the animal in any life-threatening situation.
More specifically, it is also an object of the present invention to establish critical, safe and effective concentrations of a radiopaque additive in a host polymer resin to provide X-ray detection when present in a sized portion of the chew, such sized portion typical of a "break-off' piece of the chew due to animal chewing action.
Summary of the Invention An animal chew toy comprising a radiopaque polymer. The radiopaque polymer may comprise a polymer that is inherently radiopaque or a polymer that has been made radiopaque by the addition of an additive that provides radiopaque characteristics. The radiopaque polymers of the present invention may be manufactured by melt processing techniques, such as extrusion, compression and/or injection molding.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments As noted, the present invention is directed at an animal chew toy comprising a radiopaque polymer. The term "radiopaque polymer" is therefore defined as any polymer material, suitable for use as an animal chew, that is either inherently radiopaque, or which can.
be made radiopaque, upon the suitable addition of a radiopaque additive. Such radiopaque polymer materials are then employed to manufacture an animal chew toy. The term "radiopaque" itself refers to that characteristic wherein the polymer material can be detected by X-ray analysis.
For the first group of polymers suitable for use in the present invention, attention is directed to those polymers that incorporate a structure that is inherently radiopaque. Along such lines, one example includes polymers tat contain a halogen in the polymer backbone.
Typical of this approach are those polymers disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
4,722,344, 5,177,170 and 5,346,981.
Yet another approach is to disperse X-ray opaque substances, such as barium sulfate, a bismuth halide, or a halogen-containing plasticizer, diol, or other such halogen-containing material, within the polymer.. See, for example, Y. Delaviz et al., Polymer Preprints (Polymer Division, Am. Chem. Soc.), 30, 215-216 (1989), and U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,608,555, 3,645,955, 3,749,134, 3,901,829, and 4,282,876, whose teachings are incorporated by reference.
Concerning the use of the preferred additive, barium sulfate, it is preferred that such additive is employed at a concentration that can be detected upon X-ray analysis as associated with, e.g., a 1.0 inch x I.0 inch x 1.0 inch (L/W/H) section of polymer material containing such additive. In this regard, it has been found that preferably, the level of barium sulfate is about 0.5-15% by weight, and any increment or any range therein. Accordingly, barium sulfate level can be 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1.0%.... 2.0%...
3.0%....4.0%....5.0%....6.0%.....etc., and up to 15.0% by weight in the host polymer.
In addition, in the context of the present invention, the preferred source of barium sulfate is a product sold under the common chemical name barite, and under the trade name Huberbrite , which product is sold and distributed by Huber Engineered Materials, Quincy Illinois. More specifically, such product is described as a naturally occurring mineral substance consisting of barium sulfate at a concentration of 97-99% by weight, calcium carbonate at 1.0-4.0 % by weight and silica at 0.1-1.0% by weight. Typically, the silica is present at a level of about 0.4 % by weight, and it should also be noted that the barium sulfate concentration may vary beyond the 97-99 % by weight noted above, and fall within the range of 93-99 % by weight. In addition, according to the MSDS sheet for Huberbrite , the product is indicated to be non-hazardous in skin contact, skin absorption and ingestion based upon historical exposure determinations.
Furthermore, it is useful to note that in the context of the present invention, it is not necessary to employ United States Pharmacopia (USP) approved grade barium sulfate, and the use of the preferred Huberbrite product noted above is sufficient. This therefore results in a very economical and useful process for production of the radiopaque animal chew toys of the present invention.
With regards to a host polymer, preferably, the host polymer is a polyurethane, 'although any other polymer or material suitable for use as an animal chew may be employed.
In that regard, polymers such as nylons can be used, as well as animal chews made from natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers and/or thermoset elastomers, natural polymers such as starch, vegetable matter, casein and/or rawhide material.
The barium sulfate itself is preferably mixed within the aforementioned polymer or material and preferably throughout the chew toy, thereby ensuring that those portions of the chew toy, chewed apart by the animal and ingested, can be detected by X-ray analysis. In that regard, it has been found preferable to combine the barium sulfate, or other appropriate radiopaque additive, into the polymer, by melt compounding techniques (extrusion or injection molding). In a most preferred embodiment, barium sulfate, or the preferred Huberbrite product noted above, is first extrusion blended into a polymer host at relatively high levels (20-85% by weight and any percentage therebetween or any range therebetween) to produce a polymer concentrate of the barium sulfate additive. For example, barium sulfate is preferably first compounded in an elastomeric polyurethane, at a concentration of about 70% by weight. This compounding is preferably achieved by extrusion blending, in which case pellets of the polyurethane are produced containing 70% barium sulfate.
Such polyurethane concentrate is then mixed with additional amounts of polyurethane in the injection molding of the chew toy, to provide a chew toy with a final concentration of, preferably, 0.5 - 15% by weight, more preferably 5.0% by weight.
In addition, within the broad scope of the present invention, blends of different polymers, at least one of which is radiopaque, are suitable for use herein as an animal chew.
Accordingly, one polymer component may be radiopaque, the other polymer component non-radiopaque, and the blend is radiopaque and contains properties sufficient to perform as an animal chew within the broad scope of this invention.
Yet another approach is to disperse X-ray opaque substances, such as barium sulfate, a bismuth halide, or a halogen-containing plasticizer, diol, or other such halogen-containing material, within the polymer.. See, for example, Y. Delaviz et al., Polymer Preprints (Polymer Division, Am. Chem. Soc.), 30, 215-216 (1989), and U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,608,555, 3,645,955, 3,749,134, 3,901,829, and 4,282,876, whose teachings are incorporated by reference.
Concerning the use of the preferred additive, barium sulfate, it is preferred that such additive is employed at a concentration that can be detected upon X-ray analysis as associated with, e.g., a 1.0 inch x I.0 inch x 1.0 inch (L/W/H) section of polymer material containing such additive. In this regard, it has been found that preferably, the level of barium sulfate is about 0.5-15% by weight, and any increment or any range therein. Accordingly, barium sulfate level can be 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1.0%.... 2.0%...
3.0%....4.0%....5.0%....6.0%.....etc., and up to 15.0% by weight in the host polymer.
In addition, in the context of the present invention, the preferred source of barium sulfate is a product sold under the common chemical name barite, and under the trade name Huberbrite , which product is sold and distributed by Huber Engineered Materials, Quincy Illinois. More specifically, such product is described as a naturally occurring mineral substance consisting of barium sulfate at a concentration of 97-99% by weight, calcium carbonate at 1.0-4.0 % by weight and silica at 0.1-1.0% by weight. Typically, the silica is present at a level of about 0.4 % by weight, and it should also be noted that the barium sulfate concentration may vary beyond the 97-99 % by weight noted above, and fall within the range of 93-99 % by weight. In addition, according to the MSDS sheet for Huberbrite , the product is indicated to be non-hazardous in skin contact, skin absorption and ingestion based upon historical exposure determinations.
Furthermore, it is useful to note that in the context of the present invention, it is not necessary to employ United States Pharmacopia (USP) approved grade barium sulfate, and the use of the preferred Huberbrite product noted above is sufficient. This therefore results in a very economical and useful process for production of the radiopaque animal chew toys of the present invention.
With regards to a host polymer, preferably, the host polymer is a polyurethane, 'although any other polymer or material suitable for use as an animal chew may be employed.
In that regard, polymers such as nylons can be used, as well as animal chews made from natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers and/or thermoset elastomers, natural polymers such as starch, vegetable matter, casein and/or rawhide material.
The barium sulfate itself is preferably mixed within the aforementioned polymer or material and preferably throughout the chew toy, thereby ensuring that those portions of the chew toy, chewed apart by the animal and ingested, can be detected by X-ray analysis. In that regard, it has been found preferable to combine the barium sulfate, or other appropriate radiopaque additive, into the polymer, by melt compounding techniques (extrusion or injection molding). In a most preferred embodiment, barium sulfate, or the preferred Huberbrite product noted above, is first extrusion blended into a polymer host at relatively high levels (20-85% by weight and any percentage therebetween or any range therebetween) to produce a polymer concentrate of the barium sulfate additive. For example, barium sulfate is preferably first compounded in an elastomeric polyurethane, at a concentration of about 70% by weight. This compounding is preferably achieved by extrusion blending, in which case pellets of the polyurethane are produced containing 70% barium sulfate.
Such polyurethane concentrate is then mixed with additional amounts of polyurethane in the injection molding of the chew toy, to provide a chew toy with a final concentration of, preferably, 0.5 - 15% by weight, more preferably 5.0% by weight.
In addition, within the broad scope of the present invention, blends of different polymers, at least one of which is radiopaque, are suitable for use herein as an animal chew.
Accordingly, one polymer component may be radiopaque, the other polymer component non-radiopaque, and the blend is radiopaque and contains properties sufficient to perform as an animal chew within the broad scope of this invention.
Claims
1. An animal chew toy capable of providing x-ray detection comprising a starch host polymer material and a radiopaque additive wherein the additive consists essentially of a mixture of barium sulfate, calcium carbonate and silica formed into an animal chew toy, wherein said mixture comprises 93-99% by weight barium sulfate, 1-4% by weight calcium carbonate and 0.1-1.0% silica; wherein said additive mixture is dispersed through out the animal chew toy at a concentration to provide a level of barium sulfate at about 0.5-15% by weight in said host polymer material and provides x-ray detection.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US43886203P | 2003-01-09 | 2003-01-09 | |
US60/438,862 | 2003-01-09 | ||
US10/390,125 US7360504B2 (en) | 2003-01-09 | 2003-03-17 | Radiopaque animal chew |
US10/390,125 | 2003-03-17 | ||
PCT/US2004/000340 WO2004062670A2 (en) | 2003-01-09 | 2004-01-08 | Radiopaque animal chew |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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CA2511568A1 CA2511568A1 (en) | 2004-07-29 |
CA2511568C true CA2511568C (en) | 2011-07-05 |
Family
ID=32716986
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA2511568A Expired - Lifetime CA2511568C (en) | 2003-01-09 | 2004-01-08 | Radiopaque animal chew |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US7360504B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1581047B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE524968T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2511568C (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004062670A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7147888B2 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2006-12-12 | Whitehill Oral Technologies, Inc. | Emulsion impregnated rawhide chews |
US8935992B2 (en) | 2011-02-11 | 2015-01-20 | T.F.H. Publications, Inc. | Animal chew including interchangeable components |
US9226480B2 (en) | 2013-05-23 | 2016-01-05 | T.F.H. Publications, Inc. | Pet chew toys of rubber and polyamide, and methods of manufacture thereof |
WO2018156814A1 (en) * | 2017-02-22 | 2018-08-30 | Skm Paxton Innovations Llc | Radiopaque material and use for bag closures |
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US3871334A (en) | 1973-12-03 | 1975-03-18 | Herbert R Axelrod | Pet toy |
US4282876A (en) | 1979-05-18 | 1981-08-11 | Flynn Vincent J | Radiopaque polyurethane resin compositions |
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US4722344A (en) | 1986-05-23 | 1988-02-02 | Critikon, Inc. | Radiopaque polyurethanes and catheters formed therefrom |
US5177170A (en) | 1992-07-02 | 1993-01-05 | Miles Inc. | Radiopaque polyurethanes |
US5346981A (en) | 1993-01-13 | 1994-09-13 | Miles Inc. | Radiopaque polyurethanes |
GB9401577D0 (en) * | 1994-01-27 | 1994-03-23 | Sheffield Orthodontic Lab Limi | Polymer material suitable for the production of medical artifacts |
US5476069A (en) | 1994-09-22 | 1995-12-19 | Axelrod; Herbert R. | Molded rawhide chew toy |
US6126978A (en) | 1996-10-25 | 2000-10-03 | T.F.H. Publications, Inc. | Edible dog chew |
US6180161B1 (en) | 1996-10-25 | 2001-01-30 | T.F.H. Publications, Inc. | Heat modifiable edible dog chew |
US6093427A (en) | 1997-09-03 | 2000-07-25 | T.F.H.Publications, Inc. | Vegetable-based dog chew |
US5827565A (en) | 1996-10-25 | 1998-10-27 | T.F.H. Publications, Inc. | Process for making an edible dog chew |
US5941197A (en) | 1997-01-17 | 1999-08-24 | T.F.H. Publications, Inc. | Carrot-based dog chew |
US6110521A (en) | 1996-10-25 | 2000-08-29 | T.F.H. Publications, Inc. | Wheat and casein dog chew with modifiable texture |
US6178922B1 (en) * | 1997-04-15 | 2001-01-30 | Seefar Technologies, Inc. | Mastication article possessing microbe-inhibiting properties |
US6358160B1 (en) * | 1997-10-03 | 2002-03-19 | Performance Dynamics Llc | Golf ball with water immersion indicator |
DE19756141A1 (en) | 1997-12-17 | 1999-06-24 | Bayer Ag | Radiopaque thermoplastic molding compound |
US6093441A (en) | 1998-07-15 | 2000-07-25 | Tfh Publications, Inc. | Heat modifiable peanut dog chew |
US6828578B2 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2004-12-07 | Meridian Research And Development | Lightweight radiation protective articles and methods for making them |
US6159516A (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2000-12-12 | Tfh Publication, Inc. | Method of molding edible starch |
US6274662B1 (en) * | 1999-04-09 | 2001-08-14 | J.M. Huber Corporation | Vulcanizable elastomeric compositions containing surface treated barium sulfate and vulcanizates thereof |
US6190268B1 (en) * | 1999-07-27 | 2001-02-20 | Callaway Golf Company | Golf ball having a polyurethane cover |
DE10007672A1 (en) * | 2000-02-19 | 2001-08-23 | Mitsubishi Polyester Film Gmbh | White-opaque, flame-retardant, UV-stabilized film with low transparency made of a crystallizable thermoplastic |
DE10007719A1 (en) * | 2000-02-19 | 2001-08-23 | Mitsubishi Polyester Film Gmbh | White-opaque film with low transparency made of a crystallizable thermoplastic with additional functionality |
US6736141B2 (en) * | 2000-12-15 | 2004-05-18 | David L. Freedman | Surgical aid |
US6827657B2 (en) * | 2001-08-06 | 2004-12-07 | Acushnet Company | Golf balls including a staged resin film and methods of making same |
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2003
- 2003-03-17 US US10/390,125 patent/US7360504B2/en active Active
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2004
- 2004-01-08 CA CA2511568A patent/CA2511568C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2004-01-08 EP EP04700856A patent/EP1581047B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2004-01-08 WO PCT/US2004/000340 patent/WO2004062670A2/en active Application Filing
- 2004-01-08 AT AT04700856T patent/ATE524968T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2007
- 2007-09-13 US US11/854,890 patent/US7452929B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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EP1581047A4 (en) | 2006-05-10 |
CA2511568A1 (en) | 2004-07-29 |
EP1581047A2 (en) | 2005-10-05 |
ATE524968T1 (en) | 2011-10-15 |
WO2004062670A2 (en) | 2004-07-29 |
US20040137117A1 (en) | 2004-07-15 |
WO2004062670A3 (en) | 2005-04-28 |
US7360504B2 (en) | 2008-04-22 |
US20080004371A1 (en) | 2008-01-03 |
US7452929B2 (en) | 2008-11-18 |
EP1581047B1 (en) | 2011-09-21 |
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