Alternate Aquaculture Vaccine Delivery System

Project Goal: The goal of this project is to develop an alternate aquaculture vaccine delivery system to enhance antigen uptake and protection in juvenile salmonids.



=Problem Definition=

Background
Fish vaccines used for aquaculture species are typically delivered by injection, immersion, or oral (feed) delivery. Of these methods, injection vaccination is by far the most effective and provides the greatest level of protection from disease. This is primarily due to direct delivery of antigens to immune cells rather than relying on uptake across the integument (skin) such as for immersion vaccination, or the need for intact antigens to pass through the harsh environment of the stomach during oral vaccination. Immersion and oral vaccines are the methods of choice for mass vaccination of small fish (1-15g) because of the ease of delivery when compared to injecting large numbers of small fish. However, if a mass vaccine delivery method could be developed that “injected” a vaccine into the integument in a new way and provide greater disease protection than immersion or oral vaccination, it would revolutionize the aquaculture industry.



Deliverables
The Device Must:
 * Create a puncture or break in the integument(skin) of small fish without causing injury.
 * Be designed to see repeated use.
 * Be designed in a way that allows the transfer of used and new vaccine solution in and out of the system.
 * Meet or exceed all IACUC regulations for animal research.

Specifications
Product Specifications:
 * Must be sized for bench top testing version (1L of fluid and 240g of fish)
 * Must be upscaled to hold 30 gal and be 27.4kg of fish at a time
 * Must be functional for 1g-5g fish
 * Must create puncture of integument(skin) of % of the fish
 * Must allow for proper cleaning
 * Must allow for all consumables to be easily changed
 * Must be made of non-porous material i.e. polished stainless steel and UHMW
 * Must have full operational capabilities in environments with both fresh and salt water around 15°C
 * Must be capable of doing all necessary fluid changes
 * The components shall comply with the Animal care and use protocol standards

=Design Considerations= When developing the device the following need to be considered:


 * Materials such as wood, galvanized steel, and carbon steels cannot be used.
 * If electrical components are used they must be sealed and water tight.
 * All components of the system should be light and small enough for one person to safely handle.
 * All components need to be easily accessed in order to be disinfected between uses.
 * The first prototype should be able to handle 240 grams of fish per vaccine dip.
 * Holding tank drains will be compatible with hoses for easy emptying and refilling of tanks.

=Project Learning=

=Final Design=

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation= Budget


 * [[File:Fish_Vac_Budget.pdf]]

Client Interview
 * Fish_Vac_CI_6_18.pdf
 * Fish_Vac_CI_6_23.pdf

Meeting Minutes
 * Fish_Vac_MM_6_24.pdf
 * Fish_Vac_MM_6_30.pdf
 * Fish_Vac_MM_7_2.pdf
 * Fish_Vac_MM_7_7.pdf
 * Fish_Vac_MM_7_9.pdf

Presentations (Coming Soon)

Product Requirements
 * Fish_Vac_PR.pdf

Project Schedule


 * Fish_Vac_Schedule.pdf

Team Contract
 * Fish_Vac_Team_Contract.pdf