DISPENSER HAVING PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENTS AND METHOD OF OPERATION

摘要

A dispenser (10, 200) is provided. The dispenser (10, 200) has a reservoir (12) for storing a liquid or solid material. The dispenser (10, 200) may have a piezoelectric valve or pump (14) located in an opening of the reservoir (12) for regulating dispensing of the material. Alternatively, the dispenser (10, 200) may have a piezoelectric inchworm that directly or indirectly propels the material against or out of the opening. The opening may deposit the material directly or indirectly on the surface of an animal (210), or under the animal's skin. The dispenser (10, 200) also has means (16, 18) for being attached to the surface of the animal (210). Alternatively, the dispenser (10, 200) may be placed inside the animal. In certain embodiments, the dispenser (10, 200) comprises a reservoir (12) containing a material to be dispensed, an actuable dispensing element (14), and an identifying device (202) for remotely communicating information about the dispenser. The dispenser (10, 200) may also include a positioning device [204] adapted to transmit the position of the dispenser.