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Frequently asked Questions:
Operation of the AGRO-JET® System
Q. What gas is used to power the AGRO-JET® and why?
A. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) powers the AGRO-JET®. CO2 is a non-flammable liquid gas that can be safely stored at high pressure and is readily available in a variety of cylinder sizes. The cylinder supplied with the unit will power the AGRO-JET® through several hundred injections.
Q. Does the CO2 go into the animal?
No, only the medication passes through the skin; the CO2 simply powers the internal mechanism of the AGRO-JET®. When the AGRO-JET® has completed an injection, the exhausted CO2 is released at the base of the handle away from the operator and animal.
Q. Where do I refill the CO2 cylinder?
Carbon dioxide is one of the most readily available and inexpensive of all compressed gases. Refills are available from local suppliers of fire extinguishing equipment, welding equipment and even paint-ball supply stores. Familiar company names such as Praxair, and Liquid Gas are ready sources of both CO2 and large (50 lb) refill tanks.
Q. How many injections can be accomplished with one CO2 tank?
This of course, depends on dosage, the viscosity of the vaccine and the size of the tank. The CO2 container included with the most popular model AGRO-JET® (MIT-III) will provide approximately 500 injections at a 2 cm3 dosage for most liquid medications - less for very viscous fluids and more for those that are less than 2 cm3 dosage.
Q. How much does the CO2 tank weigh?
Your AGRO-JET® will come with either a 5 lb or 2.5 lb CO2 cylinder; the weight referring to the amount of CO2 that can be compressed into the cylinder. The larger cylinder weighs approximately 20 lbs at full capacity; the lesser about 10 lbs. Both cylinders come complete with their own back-pack style vest allowing for a very comfortable carry; so much so that it's easy to forget it's even there!
Q. How fast can the injector work?
The AGRO-JET® is capable of up to 3000 injections per hour. A typical 2 cm3 injection is completed within 1 second. When the trigger is released, the injector reloads and is ready for the next injection in less than a second.
Q. How hard is it to clean the injector?
The AGRO-JET® cleans up in a jiffy without need for any disassembly. Simply replace the medication in the 60 cm3 syringe with de-mineralized water and flush by pressing on the syringe plunger or cycling the AGRO-JET® through 5 to 10 shots. You're done!
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Application of Medication
Q. How does the vaccine or medication get into the animal if there is no needle to pierce the skin?
The vaccine or medication is forced under pressure through a tiny, sapphire crystal orifice just .008" or .010" in diameter (both orifices are provided with the unit). The pressurized medication exits in a thin jet with sufficient force to enter the skin. By adjusting the pressure, injections are placed at a pre- selected depth including intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular.
Q. How do you know if the medication is being injected to the right depth?
Your AGRO-JET® will include a chart with recommended pressures for your specific application. Correct placement is easily verified by touch; subcutaneous injections are smooth and rounded whereas intramuscular injections are pointed and of reduced diameter.
Q. How is the injector supplied with vaccine?
The AGRO-JET® unit includes a pair of 60 cm3 syringes that draw medication in the conventional manner from standard containers. The syringe is then attached to a flexible, transparent tube that draws fluid to the jet orifice with the loaded syringe clipped onto a convenient cradle atop the injector. Bubbles are cleared by applying pressure to the syringe until a steady stream is achieved, just as one would with a conventional syringe. The AGRO-JET® includes the clip-on cradle for the 60 cm3 syringe and another for 100 ml bottles. Optional containers are designed to clip onto a vest and are available in 500 cm3 and 1000cc sizes.
Q. What is the highest dose that can be injected and is it variable?
The AGRO-JET® can deliver up to a 5 cm3 injection with larger doses delivered by repeat injection to surrounding areas. The highest dosage model is fully adjustable from 0.1 cm3 to 5.0 cm3.
Q. Does the injector have to be in contact with the animal?
Yes, the AGRO-JET® must be in contact with the animal for the length of the injection (about 1 second). The injector should also be held at a right angle to the skin.
Q. How do you know if an injection was successful?
The point of entry can be inspected by touch (please see reply to Question # 4). It will, however, be very evident if an injection was not successful as you will see the bulk of the intended injection running down the surface of the skin. Once you perform several injections, you will develop a sense for the sound and feel of a successful injection.
Q. Is the injector limited to specific medications and supplements?
The AGRO-JET® is designed for mass-vaccination with all liquid medications currently used in conventional hypodermics.
Q. Can the AGRO-JET® be used on humans?
The AGRO-JET®'s human counterpart is called the "MED-JET®" and is approved by Health Canada for use on humans. Indeed, the MED-JET® is used in Quebec each year to give the "Flu shot".
Q. Do the animals feel anything?
The injections are virtually painless because there is no needle piercing the skin. The animal, however, will feel the fluid entering during the injection. Any visible reaction by the animal is more commonly a startle response to the sound of the jet. Rarely does the animal display the characteristic flinch experienced with conventional needle injections.
Q. Conventional needle immunology can cause abscesses and cysts. How does the AGRO-JET® compare?
Cysts and abscesses are caused by tissue damage inflicted by the needle at point of entry. The AGRO-JET® eliminates the occurrence of abscesses and cysts with little or no trauma to tissue. Its patented process delivers any vaccine or medication in a fine jet at low-pressure thus providing safe and painless entry with little or no trauma to the tissue at point of entry.
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Mechanical Features
Q. What is included with each injector?
The AGRO-JET® comes complete with the CO2 cylinder and regulator, a vest to carry the CO2 cylinder, the injector, 2 orifices (.008 and .010), 4 lengths of transparent tubing, 2 skin stretchers (one oval, one round), two 60cc syringes, one clip-on syringe holder, one clip-on bottle holder (for 100 ml bottles), cleaning materials, owner's mannual and recommended dosage chart, an instructional video CD featuring footage of the unit at work and high-impact plastic carrying case.
Q. How durable is the injector?
The AGRO-JET®'s internal components (including the barrel and orifice) are stainless steel, precision engineered and machined to exacting standards. The exterior is clad in high-impact plastic for ease in cleaning and rugged durability. O-rings are of standard dimension and fit for ease of replacement during routine maintenance. The AGRO-JET® is designed and built to provide many years of trouble-free operation.
Q. Does the AGRO-JET® orifice ever plug and if so, how do I unplug it?
Flushing the unit with de-mineralized water after each session will minimize or eliminate any risk of plugging. If an orifice ever becomes plugged, the operator can usually remove the blockage within just a few minutes. Relieve any pressure by turning off the CO2 supply and holding down the trigger for 5 seconds to release the gas. Remove the skin stretcher and orifice from the barrel (retainer nut is hand-tight - no tools are required) and inspect closely.
The orange, rubber plunger at the end of orifice is freely removable; remove and set it aside. Inspect the orifice opening by aiming it at any light source (a clear orifice will allow a tiny amount of light to pass through). A plugged orifice can be cleared with the fine wire provided with the unit by pushing the obstruction back through the orifice.
After clearing the blockage, rinse the orifice with clean, de-mineralized water, replace the orange plunger and return the orifice to its place in the AGRO-JET®. Hand-tighten the retainer nut and flush the system with de-mineralized water from the 60 cm3 syringe by applying pressure to the syringes' plunger. A thin but steady stream of water will soon rise from the orifice.
Re-attach the skin stretcher and replace the water in the 60 cm3 syringe with medication; recharge the system with CO2 and continue with injections. If the blockage recurs, a more thorough cleaning will be required. Remove the orifice and boil it in de-mineralized water for about 20 minutes. Repeat the cleaning procedure and re-install.
Q. Where is the AGRO-JET® made?
The AGRO-JET® was invented in Canada by MIT (Medical International Technologies (MIT Canada) Inc.), based in Montreal, Quebec. The delivery system is a patented design held by MIT and the only system in the world that delivers low-pressure injections at adjustable levels utilizing readily available sources of vaccine and propellant. The AGRO-JET® continues to be manufactured in Canada by MIT and is marketed throughout the world.
Q. Are parts and service readily available?
For our Canadian customers and customers in Montana, USA, parts and service are provided by our exclusive Canadian Distributor, "WLT DISTRIBUTORS INC" a company based in Winnipeg, Canada. As for our international customers, parts and service can be obtained by contacting their local distributor or by calling our Customers Service in Montreal at 514-339-9355.
Q. How much does the AGRO-JET® weigh?
The AGRO-JET® (MIT-III) weighs about 2.2 lbs and is ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of operation.
Q. How accurate is the dosage metering?
The dosage is accurate to plus or minus 1% at 2 cm3.
Q. Is there any risk of cross-contamination between animals?
Studies have shown that there is no risk of cross-contamination with the AGRO-JET®. Reports from existing studies are available on this web-site. Simply click on the "Research" button above.
Q. Does the AGRO-JET® work on all types of livestock?
Yes, there is an AGRO-JET® for use with all livestock, small & companion animal and poultry, from the day old chick to the seasoned steer. Three models are available for smaller animals (mainly poultry and pets) and others for larger animals including pigs of all sizes, cattle, horses, sheep, etc.
Q. Is the AGRO-JET® difficult to use?
To the contrary, it is simplicity itself. Operators become fully familiar and comfortable with the AGRO-JET® within the first hour or two of use.
Q. How much does the AGRO-JET® cost?
The price is of course, greater than that of a conventional hypodermic syringe however; the actual cost is substantially less when compared to conventional disposable syringes in any large barn or veterinary practice.
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Miscellaneous
Q. Will the AGRO-JET® shoot through plywood and if so, to what thickness?
NO THE AGRO-JET® WILL NOT SHOOT THROUGH PLYWOOD OF ANY THICKNESS.
Q. What are some of the advantages of using the AGRO-JET® over conventional, hypodermic needles?
The AGRO-JET® is safe, quick and extremely accurate. Virtually painless, animals will no longer suffer from needle-stick trauma, cysts or abscesses. Concerns regarding cross-contamination are eliminated as are any risks associated with broken needles and needle fragment contamination of carcasses. Needle-stick injuries to operators and handlers during and after injection are a thing of the past.
Q. Why doesn't everybody buy one of these AGRO-JET's®?
The AGRO-JET® is a state of the art, technological breakthrough that is poised to revolutionize mass-immunization and animal treatment programs. Many veterinarians and farm operators are not yet aware of its existence. That is about to change!
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