Innovation Description
Profile
Mr. Imna Meren initially practised farming and carpentry in Mokokchung. However, in search of better opportunities, he had to move to Dimapur in 2012 with his wife. They started pig farming to sustain themselves. He had a keen interest in developing his ideas for workable solutions, which stemmed from his own observations. He spent a lot of his time and income on his innovations, going through numerous iterations. Other than the restraining cum operation table, he has also developed a pig dummy for artificial insemination, a tapioca slicing machine, and practices a different method of tapioca plantation.
Purpose
He observed that the local veterinary centre did not have any proper operation table/tools and the animal had to be restrained by multiple people causing stress to the sick animal. Also, the local veterinary centre was situated very far and the roads were very bad. Often due to paucity of time, distance, bad roads the ill animal would suffer a lot. He then started working on a small restraining cum operation table, which can be easily used in rural areas.
Technical
detailsIt consists of a detachable IV drip stand, a compartment for storing surgical instruments, straps to secure the limbs and body, a curved bed for the comfort of the animal, and provision for draining out stool and urine. It is hydraulically controlled and also provides an option for tilting the operation platform. It weighs 25 kg.
Performance
He developed an operation table for small animals from locally available Saagwan (teak) wood, to carry out simple medical routines such as vaccination, castration, and administering medicines particularly for dogs, goats, and pigs. The table has been received positively in the local community with encouraging feedback from National Research Centre
on Pig, ICAR.
Benefits
The working of the table is very simple and can be used by veterinarians, VFAs, Animal health workers, etc.
Suggested Reading(s):
Merritt,
G. C. (1957). Animal restraining device. U.S. Patent No. 2,789,538.
Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Rosenberg, A. J. (1981). Animal restraint. U.S. Patent No. 4,261,296.
Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Somatco, (2020). Operating table / trolley for animal. Retrieved on March 15,
2021, from https://www.somatco.com/operating-table.htm
