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BR-102024018214-A2 - DEVICE FOR COLLECTING MOLLUSKS

BR102024018214A2BR 102024018214 A2BR102024018214 A2BR 102024018214A2BR-102024018214-A2

Abstract

The present invention is intended for use in the capture of mollusks of medical, biological and scientific interest, aiming at the development of research related to socio-environmental studies, and describes a mollusk collection device intended for knowledge of freshwater malacofauna and surveillance in endemic areas; in which the device comprises a collection container, container connector, screws, cable, pin, tension clamp and handle.

Inventors

  • LUIZ ALBERTO PEREIRA DA SILVA
  • OSWALDO JOSÉ DA CRUZ
  • MARCOS QUINTELA DA SILVA
  • ADAURI SILVEIRA RODRIGUES JÚNIOR
  • Elizabeth Gomes Sanches

Assignees

  • FUNDAÇÃO EDUCACIONAL SEVERINO SOMBRA

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20240904

Claims (7)

  1. 1. Device for collecting mollusks CHARACTERIZED by comprising a collecting bowl (1), a bowl connector (2), at least three screws (3), a cable (4), a pin (5), a tensioning clamp (6) and a handle (7).
  2. 2. Device, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the collecting bowl (1) has a rounded shape, with the top open with a diameter ranging from 300mm to 150mm, which tapers towards the closed bottom, with a lower diameter ranging from 200mm to 100mm, wherein the depth of the bowl (1) ranges from 50mm to 150mm; and also the bowl has regular equidistant holes across the entire surface, with diameters ranging from 1mm to 12mm, with distances between the holes ranging from 8mm to 60mm and the number of holes ranging from 80 to 300; and also the collecting bowl (1) has a reinforced wall thickness (1a) on the inside which is connected to the bowl connector (2).
  3. 3. Device, according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the sink connector (2) has holes on its distal face (2a) for fitting into the wall thickness (1a) of the collection sink (1); and on the proximal face (2b), the connector exhibits a faceted cylindrical geometry and a central hole (2c) for fitting the cable (4); wherein the connector has dimensions ranging from 60mm to 110mm in length, 50mm to 100mm in width and 50mm to 120mm in height.
  4. 4. Device, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the cable (4) has a cylindrical shape with a facet (4a) and a through hole (4b) at its distal end, both (4a, 4b) for fitting the tank connector (2) and the pin (5); and the cable varies from 0.5m to 2m in length and a diameter between 20mm and 60mm.
  5. 5. Device, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the handle (7) has dimensions ranging from 100mm to 180mm in length, from 80mm to 130mm in width and from 20mm to 50mm in thickness.
  6. 6. Device, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the collecting bowl (1), the bowl connector (2), the cable (4) and the handle (7) are manufactured with preferably high-density polyacetal thermoplastic polymer material, and other materials such as aluminum, steel or other polymers of the same thermoplastic class, such as PVC, polypropylene, among others that have similar resistance, such as polycarbonate, may also be used.
  7. 7. Device, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the collecting bowl (1) is connected to the bowl connector (2) by means of at least three screws (3) between the distal face (2a) and the wall thickness (1a); wherein the bowl connector (2) is connected to the handle (4) by means of the proximal face (2b), the handle (4) being fixed to the bowl connector (4) by means of a pin (5) that passes through the through hole (4b) and the central hole (2c), the pin being fixed by means of the tension clamp (6), and the handle (7) being fixed to the handle (4) by means of screws (3).

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION [0001] The present invention is intended to be used in the capture of mollusks of medical, biological and scientific interest, aiming at the development of research related to socio-environmental studies, and describes a device for collecting mollusks, specifically snails, with the intention of understanding the freshwater malacofauna and surveillance in endemic areas. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION [0002] Disease prevention and control are fundamental pillars of public health, involving comprehensive strategies ranging from health promotion to specific interventions. Prevention focuses on educational measures, immunization, the adoption of healthy habits, and public health policies aimed at reducing the incidence of diseases. Control, on the other hand, requires the implementation of targeted actions, such as epidemiological surveillance, early diagnosis, effective treatment, and measures to contain outbreaks or endemics. Both aspects are complementary and essential to ensure the quality of life of the population, reduce the burden of disease, and promote healthier and more resilient societies. In this sense, it is worth mentioning the prevention and control of mollusk-related diseases, especially schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, also known as bilharzia, caused by the parasite Schistosoma mansoni, which has as its intermediate host a snail of the genus Biomphalaria spp., a species of freshwater snail belonging to the family Planorbidae. [0003] As a species of freshwater snail, Biomphalaria - SPP is found in freshwater environments, such as the banks of small rivers and streams, ponds, reservoirs, swamps, marshes, creeks, ponds, or any place where water can remain still with surrounding vegetation. This mollusk is known to be hardy and adaptable to a variety of freshwater conditions and usually attaches itself to the surrounding vegetation of these bodies of water. [0004] For the purpose of capturing and controlling freshwater mollusks, such as Biomphalarias, a specific type of shell is needed to collect them from their natural breeding grounds. A device is used for this purpose, either according to what is normally described in the existing literature or adapted to the needs of each professional in field research. Currently, three types of capture shells are known on the market: one made of reinforced metal mesh with metal strips and a metal ring, which is attached to a wooden handle via a special fitting; another model is identical to the first, differing only in the type of handle, which is also metal and manufactured together with the shell, without a fitting, measuring approximately 0.70 cm; and a third model made of metal with small holes measuring approximately 2 mm, with an adapter for attaching a wooden handle measuring approximately 1.50 m. [0005] The models described above have some characteristics that need improvement. Shells made of metal mesh may eventually suffer deformations in their structure. The one that uses a wooden handle must necessarily be made of resistant wood, such as Massaranduba, making it heavy and ergonomically unsuitable, as it significantly interferes with the time it takes to collect the mollusks. [0006] Another observation regarding the 1.50m wooden handle is the need for it to have a fitting that allows it to be disconnected from the shell due to the difficulty of transporting it in certain types of vehicles. [0007] It is worth noting that for the capture of mollusks, it is also recommended that the capture shell have a mesh or hole spacing of 1 mm to 4 mm, so that small specimens are also retained. At the time of capture, the technique consists of scraping the submerged vegetation and the bottom of the breeding ground with the shell, bringing it to the surface, carefully washing the collected material, and searching for any mollusks that may have been retained. [0008] The present invention solves the disadvantages currently existing in the state of the art reported above, since it is made of a much lighter material, compared to the current one, and also due to the practicality of handling in the field, being a facilitator for the ergonomics of the professional who is carrying out the collection, in addition there is also the possibility of quickly changing the cable length to the size that best suits the capture, thus avoiding hours of work with inadequate posture, impairing work performance and handling precision. STATE OF THE ART [0009] Document D1, Malacological Techniques, refers to part of a book, Malacological Techniques (collection; shipment of live specimens; fixation and dissection), published in 1995, on malacological techniques and teaches about collection, shipment of live specimens, fixation and dissection of animals. This book generically describes a device for collecting mollusks; however, it describes a collector with a metal structure in the form of arches covered by a screen or mesh, which can be made of metal or plast