Syringes with improved locking units
Inventors
Nandigala, Hemanth • Tummuru, Murali Krishna Reddy • Vure, Prasad
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10933196-B2
Publication Date
2021-03-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a rectal delivery device in the form of a syringe with improved locking mechanism for the delivery of an appropriate dosage of a medicament, thereby minimizing errors. More particularly, the present invention provides syringes with improved lock control units for delivering diazepam formulations for the treatment of patients experiencing epileptic seizures.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a rectal drug delivery syringe device that delivers preset doses using an improved locking mechanism. The syringe device includes a piston coupled to a plunger, a check nut, and a lock nut positioned to limit piston travel. A dose-setting check nut or dial arrangement on a saw-toothed plunger shaft enables a desired dosage to be set while engaging mechanical features on the plunger.
Structurally, the syringe device has a syringe body and a cartridge, with a plunger including flanges that cooperate with the check nut. The check nut is rotatable or movable between first and second orientations relative to the plunger, where an interior surface does not engage a projection in the first orientation and engages the projection in the second orientation. A lock nut limits piston travel when coupled to the piston and plunger arrangement.
For confirming and dose control, the invention further describes a lens or dose-displaying window associated with the dose-setting mechanism. Example material and component descriptions include the syringe body and cartridge assembly, and a pre-filled agent formulation including diazepam rectal gel in a cartridge. Kit-level use is described to avoid stocking multiple lock units by using a single-dimension lock control unit.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claim categories are covered: a syringe device defined by a flanged plunger with a projection and flat edge cooperating with a rotatable check nut, and locked by a lock nut; and a syringe device further including a plug and lens, with orientation-dependent engagement of the check nut to control piston travel for delivering a dose from a cartridge. The inventive features focus on mechanical dose-setting via orientation-dependent engagement and travel limitation through selectable or dimensioned lock nuts, including kit-level selection by lock nut color or size.
Flanged plunger with projection engaged by rotatable check nut and locked by lock nut
A syringe device including a piston and plunger, where the plunger comprises at least a first flange with at least one projection and a second flange comprising a flat edge slideable within the check nut, with the check nut rotatable relative to the plunger to engage the check nut to the projection, and the plunger coupled to the piston and locked by the lock nut.
Orientation-dependent check nut engagement and piston travel limiting lock nut with plug and lens
A syringe device including a piston, plunger, check nut, lock nut, plug, and lens, wherein the plug is for a cartridge and the lock nut and check nut are dimensioned to limit travel of the piston on the plunger to deliver a dose from the syringe, with the plunger comprising a first flange with at least one projection and a second flange with a flat edge slideable within the check nut, and the check nut movable between first and second orientations relative to the plunger such that its interior surface does not engage the projection in a first orientation and engages the plunger in a second orientation, and wherein the lock nut comprises a first surface configured to receive a piston cap and a second surface to receive the cartridge.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive concept is controlling dose delivery by mechanical travel limitation using a lock nut and check nut arrangement and a plunger having flanges that provide projection and flat-edge features, with the check nut moved or rotated between orientations to engage or not engage the projection. Dependent claims further specify use of differing dimensions, including equal-dimension selection, for lock nuts and kit selection via lock nut color correspondence.
Stated Advantages
Improved locking success relative to prior art, as supported by comparative pharmacist performance studies.
Improved dose accuracy relative to prior art, as supported by dose accuracy evaluation with an acceptance criterion (±10%).
Reduces dispensing errors and prevents reuse, based on described engagement and irreversible behavior.
Avoids stocking multiple lock units by using a single-dimension lock control unit, as described at kit level.
Documented Applications
Human use for rectal delivery of a dose using the described syringe device.
Veterinary use for rectal delivery of a dose using the described syringe device.
Agricultural use for rectal delivery of a dose using the described syringe device.
Rectal delivery of diazepam rectal gel for treating epileptic seizures, as referenced in the described example agent and intended therapeutic context.
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