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Publication Number
US-11045612-B2
Publication Date
2021-06-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to an injection device which includes a handle and a guard which together enclose a movable cartridge which can contain liquid material to be injected, and further enclose a movable injector that includes a needle, the needle being attached to a housing where the housing is attached to the cartridge, the device also including a delivery mechanism whereby the needle is moved from a retracted to an extended position, and independently the volume of the chamber may be adjusted to expel the contents thereof through the needle and into a subject in need thereof. The injection device may be communicatively connected to a control unit so as to provide a dermal injection system.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a dermal injector system comprising an injection device and a separate control unit. The injection device includes an injector arranged for mechanical communication with at least one needle, and a cartridge arranged to hold at least one injectable material within a chamber. The injected material is configured to be injected through the at least one needle, and a delivery mechanism allows the at least one needle to be moved from a retracted position to an extended position.
The delivery mechanism independently changes a volume of the chamber to expel the injectable material through the at least one needle. The delivery mechanism is configured to independently move the plunger and the at least one needle toward the distal end of the device, and comprises a distal drive movable relative to the proximal end, a proximal drive stationary relative to the proximal end, and a threaded rod that joins the proximal and distal drives and the plunger, with the threaded rod extending through the proximal drive and through the distal drive.
The system further includes a first sensor arranged to detect information associated with a position of the at least one needle, and a second sensor arranged to detect information associated with the cartridge. The injection device has a communication interface for providing communication to the separate control unit, which includes a processor and memory storing processor-executable instructions.
The disclosed system can include a needle array configuration and can associate cartridge information with cartridge identification storage using RFID or barcode. The system can further include a cooling tip coupled to the injection device and can connect the injection device to the control unit through either a cable or a wireless connection.
Claims Coverage
The disclosure includes one independent claim directed to a dermal injector system with a separate control unit and a delivery mechanism that independently drives needle movement and chamber-volume change. The claim set further defines main inventive features in dependent claims by specifying a needle array, cartridge identification storage, an optional cooling tip, and either wired or wireless communication between the injection device and control unit.
Separate control-unit communication for a dermal injector system
A dermal injector system including an injection device and a separate control unit, where the injection device is arranged for communication with the control unit through a communication interface, and the control unit includes a processor and a memory arranged to store processor-executable instructions.
Independent needle position and chamber-volume delivery using a threaded-rod drive
A delivery mechanism that allows the at least one needle to be moved from a retracted position to an extended position and independently changes a volume of the chamber to expel the injectable material through the at least one needle, wherein the delivery mechanism is configured to independently move the plunger and the at least one needle toward the distal end of the device, and comprises a distal drive movable relative to the proximal end, a proximal drive stationary relative to the proximal end, and a threaded rod that joins the proximal and distal drives and the plunger.
Relative distal/proximal drive positioning tied to needle retracted and extended positions
The delivery mechanism is configured such that the distal drive and the proximal drive are adjacent to one another when the at least one needle is in a retracted position, and the distal drive and the proximal drive are separated from one another when the at least one needle is in an extended position.
Sensors for needle position and cartridge-associated information
A first sensor arranged to detect information associated with a position of the at least one needle, and a second sensor arranged to detect information associated with the cartridge.
Needle array configuration
At least one needle is configured as a needle array.
Cartridge identification storage using RFID or barcode
A cartridge configured with cartridge identification storage using RFID or a barcode for storing information about the cartridge material.
Optional cooling tip
A cooling tip can be coupled to the injection device.
Wired connection between injection device and control unit
The injection device is connected to the control unit via a cable.
Wireless connection between injection device and control unit
The injection device is wirelessly connected to the control unit.
Overall, the claims cover a dermal injector system with a separate control unit, a threaded-rod delivery mechanism that independently moves the needle between retracted and extended positions and changes chamber volume via a plunger and drive arrangement, and sensors for needle position and cartridge information, with dependent refinements including needle arrays, RFID/barcode cartridge identification, an optional cooling tip, and wired or wireless communication to the control unit.
Stated Advantages
Precise, uniform delivery of liquids/cell suspensions into specific tissue layers.
Programmable control enabled by sensors and control unit instructions, for delivery parameters such as needle depth, volume, and speed.
Multi-needle penetration capability through a needle array configuration.
Reduced pain via a cooling tip with a Peltier element [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Documented Applications
Dermal injection into specific tissue layers, including intradermal, epidermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, tendon, and fascia injections.
Targeting specific tissue depths and angles and depositing material during needle withdrawal.
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