GB2640654A

GB2640654A - Insect material harvesting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2640654A
Application number: GB2406020.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Morris Daniel; Flores Micah
Original assignee: ZOOBIOTIC Ltd
Current assignee: ZOOBIOTIC Ltd
Priority date: 2024-04-30
Filing date: 2024-04-30
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Also published as: GB202406020D0; WO2025229304A1

Abstract

Apparatus for harvesting material from insects, the apparatus comprising: a carrier (23, fig. 3a), housing 2 defining chamber 4 therein for receipt of the carrier and a liquid; and a drive (8, fig. 2b) for effecting relative movement between the carrier and the housing. The carrier has an inlet, an outlet and a compartment defined therein for holding the insects. The inlet, compartment and outlet define a liquid flow path for enabling liquid to enter and exit the compartment such that material secreted from the insects is transferred to the liquid. The carrier may be rotatably mounted in the chamber. A pump may be present for pumping liquid into and out of the chamber. The drive may be controlled by a controller such that the motion between the housing and carrier is performed to a predetermined sequence. A method of using such an apparatus to extract material from an insect, such as greenbottle larvae, is also described.

Description

INSECT MATERIAL HARVESTING APPARATUS

FIELD

The present specification relates to harvesting of material from insects, optionally live insects and optionally insects in larval form and particularly relates to the harvesting of material (excretions and sections) from live larvae.

BACKGROUND

It is known that materials extracted from insects can be used in medical or cosmetic applications. Examples are silk for medicinal sutures, insect venom for microbial infections or cancer treatment, anti-coagulants from blood feeding insects, honey in medicinal dressings or in cosmetics, and antimicrobial peptides from various insect secretions for wound healing.

Flies have several stages of development (egg to larvae (or equivalent terminology of maggot') to pupae to adult flies) which can feed on the same resource or can vary between the larvae and the adults. Fly species such as the common greenbottle species Lucilia sericala feed on decomposing resources (necrophagous), particularly in the larval stage. In one example of the use of materials extracted from insects, larval therapy is the purposeful application of fly larvae to non-healing necrotic wounds to aid in the removal of necrotic tissue. Larval therapy is particularly beneficial in removing non-viable tissue and bacteria from non-healing, slow to heal or infected wounds. The larvae, which are applied to the wound in a contained dressing, produce proteolytic enzymes that break down any necrotic tissue, slough or biofilm present in the wound.

The larvae feed by excreting/secreting biologically active compounds such as enzymes which break down the food source around them into a liquid form which they then drink up. The secretions that the larvae produce only break down devitalised, non-viable tissue and necrotic tissue; whilst healthy, viable and perfused tissue or structures are relatively unaffected. Various species of fly larvae utilise this feeding mechanism and thus have been utilised for larval therapy.

There are many advantages associated with larval therapy, where this therapy commonly involves placing a larvae-containing "Biobag (RTM)" onto a food source, such a necrotic flesh. The larvae use their mandibles to speed up penetration of their secretions and use rough parts on their bodies (spines) to loosen tissue. As the larvae are retained in a sealed biobag, they can be positioned directly onto a wound area. Over the course of a treatment, which may be up to four days, the larvae can grow up to 10-12mm by ingesting liquid nutrition in the form of slough and necrotic tissue from the wound bed; after breaking the tissue down with their secretions. Before the larvae naturally proceed to pupation the biobag is removed. Therefore, larval therapy not only breaks down non-viable tissue, but also removes said tissue once broken down thereby increasing the speed of wound healing.

A problem exists however in that individuals are often uncomfortable with application of a biobag containing live and moving larvae onto a wound even with the knowledge of the medical benefits. Some people can experience some level of discomfort or a tickling sensation. A second problem exists in that the time frame during which a larva is in the growth phase and before the larva turns into a pupa is relatively short, meaning that biobags containing live larvae cannot be readily stored and have to be ordered and applied to a patient under careful time frames. This leads to logistical difficulties.

Aspects of the present invention aim to address the above-mentioned problems, or at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for harvesting material from insects, the apparatus comprising a carrier having an inlet, an outlet, and a compartment defined therein, the compartment for receipt of the live larvae; a housing defining a chamber therein for receipt of the carrier and a liquid; and a drive for effecting relative movement between the carrier and the housing; wherein the inlet, the compartment and the outlet define a liquid flow path for enabling liquid to enter and exit the compartment such that material emitted from the live larvae is transferred to the liquid.

The insects may be live insects and optionally in larval form. Most insects which have an association with decomposing organic environments would be considered suitable for such work. This would include insects in the various necrophagous beetle and fly families. To include but not limited to: Beetles -Histeridae, Staphylinidae, Siplhidae, Dermestidae, Cl eri dae, Trogidae, Scarabaeidae, Nitidulidae and Flies -Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Piophilidae, Scathophagidae, Sepsidae, Phoridae, Tephritidae, Drosophilidae, Sphaeroceridae and Strat omyidae.

The material harvested can be used for a variety of purposes in medical or dentistry applications. For example, the harvested material can then be applied directly or indirectly to a wound for example with further processing of the material.

The material harvested from live insects is beneficially excretions and secretions. It will be appreciated that the excretions and secretions comprise biologically active compounds suitable for medical and/or cosmetic applications. These excretions and secretions may comprise enzymes suitable for breaking down non-viable and/or necrotic tissue.

It will be appreciated that harvesting material refers to material harvested from the insects by the liquid entering the compartment such that material emitted from the insects is transferred to the liquid. It will be appreciated that drive refers to an actuating means that effects motion between the carrier and the housing.

The drive is beneficially mounted between the carrier and the housing such that the drive effects relative movement between the carrier and the housing.

The apparatus may further comprise a pump arrangement for pumping liquid into and/or out of the chamber. It will be appreciated that the pump arrangement may comprise a peristaltic pump. Peristaltic pumps are beneficial to liquid delivery as they can deliver liquid in controlled quantities, can be pumped in both directions, do not contact the liquid being pumped, and can be pumped whilst solids are suspended in the liquid.

The apparatus may comprise a reservoir in fluid communication with the chamber such that liquid can be pumped between the chamber and the reservoir.

The apparatus may comprise a controller for controlling operation of the drive.

The controller may be configured to control operation of the drive such that relative movement between the housing and the carrier is performed according to a predetermined sequence of movement periods and rest periods.

It will be appreciated that the predetermined sequence will be dependent on user requirements. It will be appreciated that a movement period may comprise the relative movement at different speeds, and/or the same speed, and/or relative movement in more than one direction. It will be appreciated that a rest period is a period where no relative movement occurs.

The carrier may be rotatably mounted in the chamber and the drive is arranged to rotate the carrier in the chamber.

The carrier is beneficially releasably mounted within the chamber.

The carrier may comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first portion moveable relative to the second portion between an open and a closed configuration, and in the closed configuration the compartment is defined for retaining insects, beneficially live insects, and even more beneficially live larvae therein.

It will be appreciated that by having a first and second portion the carrier may be opened and closed such that when open insects may be placed into or onto a formation of the first and/or second portion and when closed the formations define the compartment, and the insects placed on or in the formations are retained by the formations in the compartment.

In the closed configuration the first portion may define a front face having the inlet, and the second portion may define a rear face having the outlet, with the flow pathway between the front face, compartment and rear face.

The compartment may partially be defined by mesh in the front face and mesh in the rear face. It will be appreciated that the mesh enables liquid to pass through, but at least partially prevents the passage of solid material; such that the insects are retained by the mesh, but the liquid and material emitted by the insects may pass through the mesh.

The apparatus may comprise a plurality of carriers. It will be appreciated that by comprising a plurality of carriers the apparatus can contain a plurality of insect holding compartments.

The plurality of carriers may be disposed in an array.

The apparatus may comprise a frame disposed in the chamber for receipt of the plurality of carriers.

The drive beneficially effects rotation of the frame which in turn effects rotation of the carriers. Therefore, the frame may be described as being intermediate the drive and each of the carriers.

The frame may rotate about an axis of rotation, and the plurality of carriers may be each mounted to the frame such that they project radially from the axis of rotation. By projecting radially from the axis of rotation it will be appreciated that the carriers will be at least partially distal from the axis of rotation and thus when the frame rotates a centrifugal force will be imparted to the plurality of carriers There is beneficially a separation gap between each of the carriers.

The plurality of carriers are each beneficially rigidly mounted to the frame such that they rotate with the frame.

Each of the front and rear faces are beneficially aligned in a separate plane, each plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carrier.

The plurality of carriers may be releasably mounted to the frame. By releasably mounting the plurality of carriers to the frame the carrier may be attached and removed from the frame repeatedly, to enable the carriers to be refilled/emptied of larvae.

Any component of the apparatus for contact with the liquid, or for contact with the liquid containing any material emitted from the insects, may comprise materials which can be disinfected. The materials beneficially include at least one of stainless steel, PTFE, EPDM rubber and silicone rubber.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of harvesting material from insects, optionally live insects, optionally live insects in larval form, the method comprising receiving the insects in a compartment having an inlet and an outlet, the compartment defined within a carrier; providing the carrier in a chamber defined within a housing, the chamber containing a liquid; and effecting relative movement between the carrier and the housing such that liquid is transferred from the inlet to the outlet, such that material emitted from the insects is transferred to the liquid.

The method may comprise centrifuging the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects. By centrifuging the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects, large particulate matter in the liquid can selectively be removed.

The method may comprise further processing the harvested material by filtering the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects. By filtering the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects, small particulate matter and undesirable molecules may be removed from the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects.

The method may comprise further processing the harvested material by diluting the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects. It will be appreciated that the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects will be of a certain concentration, where this concentration is higher than that required from many wound treatment applications. By diluting the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects, the liquid can be tailored to a user's desired application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of this disclosure will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs relate to like elements and in which: Figure la and lb show schematic perspective representations of an insect (such as live larvae) harvesting apparatus according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure lc shows a schematic perspective representation of an insect harvesting apparatus, including a controller, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2a shows a schematic perspective representation of a chamber of an insect harvesting apparatus, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2b shows a cross-sectional schematic perspective representation of a chamber of an insect harvesting apparatus, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2c shows a schematic perspective representation of a chamber of an insect harvesting apparatus without a lid, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 3a shows a schematic perspective representation of a carrier frame of an insect harvesting apparatus loaded with multiple carriers, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 3b shows a schematic perspective representation of a carrier frame of an insect harvesting apparatus, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 4a shows a schematic perspective representation of a carrier of an insect harvesting apparatus in a closed configuration, according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 4b shows a schematic perspective representation of a carrier of an insect harvesting apparatus in an open configuration, according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of this disclosure are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure la and b present an apparatus according to an illustrative embodiment comprising a housing 2 in which is located a chamber 4 Figure lc presents the apparatus according to Figure la and b, with a controller 3 for controlling operation of a drive 8 (not visible). Positioned within the chamber but not visible in Figure 1 is a carrier for receipt of live larvae. The chamber is presented in more detail in Figure 2 and the carrier is described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The apparatus is designed such that there is relative movement between the carrier and the housing meaning that material from the insects, such as excretions and secretions from live larvae are passed from the live larvae into the liquid which is subsequently extracted from the liquid vessel and further processed into a formulation that can be utilized for a variety of purposes.

Figure 1 shows a reservoir 6 from which liquid is stored and transferred into and out of the chamber 4. A pump arrangement 5 is arranged to pump liquid from the reservoir 6 into the chamber 4 and after harvesting pumps the liquid loaded with insect materials back to the reservoir 6.

Figure 2 shows the chamber 4 in additional detail and removed from the housing 2.

Figure 2a shows the chamber in perspective view in engagement with a drive 8, Figure 2b shows the chamber in cross sectional view in communication with drive 8, and Figure 2c shows the chamber in perspective view without a lid 10 (where the lid 10 is shown in Figures 2a and 2b) again in perspective view. The chamber defines a cylindrical volume for receipt of the carrier having a protrusion 12 extending upwardly from a central region 14, the protrusion 12 for receipt of a drive 8 which is arranged to rotate the carrier relative to the carrier. The upper end of the protrusion 12 comprises an opening 16 through which the drive extends enabling engagement with the carrier. The chamber 4 further comprises handles 18 for removal from the housing 2 and a securing arrangement 20 for securing the lid 10 and thus provide a sealed volume in an operative state. The chamber further comprises a vent 22 provided in the lid 10.

Referring now to Figure 3a, presented is a plurality of carriers 23 according to an illustrative embodiment. Each carrier 23 in the illustrative embodiment is received into a frame or carousel 24 and each carrier 23 may be termed a cartridge, each of which is arranged to retain insects such as live larvae. The frame 24 has a connection formation 28 for connection to the drive thereby operably mounting the carrier to the drive and enabling the drive to effect rotation of the frame 24. The frame 24 may comprise multiple handles 29 enabling lifting of the carriers 23 as a unitary arrangement. Further handles 30 are provided that enable mounting and removal of a ring 31 as best shown in Figure 3b. Also as best shown in Figure 3b are multiple sets of opposing first and second pins 32a,b, with each set of pins arranged to retain a carrier 23 therebetween where the ring 31 comprises downwardly extending second pins 32b. When the ring is lifted cartridges can be readily mounted and demounted from the first pins 32a enabling carrier replacement. The frame 24 with no carriers secured thereto is presented in Figure 3b.

Figure 3a shows a plurality of carriers 23 secured by the frame 24, where the carriers 23 are spaced apart by the frame such that a separation gap is formed between each carrier.

The carriers project radially outwardly. Each carrier has a radially innermost edge 36 and radially outermost edge 38, where the radially innermost edge of a first carrier is closer to a radially innermost edge of a second adjacent carrier than their respective outermost edges. Each of the carrier is releasably mounted to the frame, meaning that each carrier can be retained by the frame and subsequently released from the frame for replacement of the insects.

Referring to Figure 4, a single carrier 23 is shown in more detail having an inner edge 36, an outer edge 38, upper edge 40 and lower edge 42. There is a front face 44 and rear face 46. Figure 4a shows the carrier 24 in a closed configuration secured by latch 51 ready to be mounted into the frame 28 with pins 32a, 32b of the frame 28 being mountable into the apertures 48. The carrier 23 comprises a first portion 50 and a second portion 52 hingedly mounted to one another via hinge 54. The first portion 50 is moveable relative to the second portion 52 between an open and a closed configuration, and in the closed configuration six compartments are defined between the first and second portions. The number of compartments could be varied depending on the scale of the apparatus utilised. The respective first and second portions 50, 52 are best shown in Figure 4b in an open configuration where the respective formations 56 in each portion are present to enable the compartments 58 to be formed when the first and second portions are in the closed configuration. The compartments are thus formed when the first and second portions are closed for containment of larvae. The compartments 58 are further defined by mesh screens located in the first 50 and second 52 portions. The mesh screens 60 are semi-permeable such that they retain the live larvae, whilst enabling a flow pathway for the liquid through the compartments 58.

Each of the carriers are mounted such that as the frame is rotated in the chamber, the front and rear faces are aligned perpendicular to the direction of rotation meaning that liquid is driven through the compartments between the front and rear faces. This maximizes the transfer of material from the live larvae to the liquid.

Operation of the apparatus comprises the following steps: - Operator loads carrier compartments with insects, closes the hinged carrier,and installs the carriers onto the frame.

- The ring 31 with top pins 32b is placed over the cartridges and then the lid is closed and secured.

- The operator then actives the apparatus using the controller, which controls the drive and pump using a predetermined set of movement and rest periods. These predetermined periods will involve both wet cycles (where the chamber is filled with liquid, such that the carriers are immersed in said liquid) and dry cycles (where the carriers are not immersed in liquid, to enable residual liquid to be expelled and collected from said carriers).

- After the apparatus has run, and/or during the running of the wet and dry cycles, liquid containing any material from the insects is collected from the apparatus for further processing.

The rotation of the frame by the drive is controlled by the controller in predetermined movement periods and rest periods. A movement period refers to a period when the frame is being rotated, whilst a rest period refers to a period when the frame is not rotated. It will be appreciated that the movement and rest periods will be configured by the end user of the apparatus. Specifically, the movement periods would comprise rotation in one or both directions at varying speeds, as well as varying movement and rest period durations, dependent on operating conditions.

After the material from the insects has been transferred to the liquid and removed from the apparatus, the resultant liquid is centrifuged to remove large particles. The resultant centrifuged liquid is then sterile filtered under vacuum with the addition of a filtering aid. The filtered product can then be diluted and applied as required and/or further processed for long term storage.

Although particular embodiments of this disclosure have been described, it will be appreciated that many modifications/additions and/or substitutions may be made within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for harvesting material from insects, the apparatus comprising: a carrier having an inlet, an outlet, and a compartment defined therein, the compartment for receipt of the insects; a housing defining a chamber therein for receipt of the carrier and a liquid; and a drive for effecting relative movement between the carrier and the housing; wherein the inlet, the compartment and the outlet define a liquid flow path for enabling liquid to enter and exit the compartment such that material emitted from the insects is transferred to the liquid.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a pump arrangement for pumping liquid into and/or out of the chamber.
3. Apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a controller for controlling operation of the drive.
4 Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the drive such that relative movement between the housing and the carrier is 20 performed according to a predetermined sequence of movement periods and rest periods.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the carrier is rotatably mounted in the chamber and the drive is arranged to rotate the carrier in the chamber.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the carrier comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion moveable relative to the second portion between an open and a closed configuration, and in the closed configuration the compartment is defined for retaining insects therein.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 where in the closed configuration the first portion defines a front face having the inlet, and the second portion defines a rear face having the outlet, with the flow pathway between the front face, compartment and rear face.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the compartment is partially defined by mesh in the front face and mesh in the rear face.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of carriers.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the plurality of carriers are disposed in an array.
11. Apparatus according to any of claims 9-10 comprising a frame disposed in the chamber for receipt of the plurality of carriers.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 when dependent upon claim 5 wherein the frame rotates about an axis of rotation, and the plurality of carriers are each mounted to the frame such that they project radially from the axis of rotation.
13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the plurality of carriers are releasably mounted to the frame.
14. A method of harvesting material from insects, the method comprising: receiving the insects in a compartment having an inlet and an outlet, the compartment defined within a carrier; providing the carrier in a chamber defined within a housing, the chamber containing a liquid; and effecting relative movement between the carrier and the housing such that liquid is transferred from the inlet to the outlet, such that material emitted from the insects is transferred to the liquid.
15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising processing the harvested material comprising centrifuging the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects.
16. A method according to claim 14 or 15 further comprising processing the harvested material comprising filtering the liquid carrying the material emitted from the insects.
17. A method according to claims 14 -16 comprising diluting the liquid carrying the material emitted from the live larvae.