Needle-free intradermal injection device
Inventors
Cappello, Chris • Wixey, Matt • Bingham, John W.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11154659-B2
Publication Date
2021-10-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
A needle-free injection device suitable for delivering a therapeutic substance into the intradermal space of a patient. The needle-free injection device includes an injector body defining a syringe end. The device also includes a first handle attached with a hinge to the injector body such that the first handle pivots between an open and a closed position and remains attached to the injector body during an injection, a main spring positioned within the injector body, a return sleeve engaged with the main spring, and a first linkage between the first handle and the return sleeve. The first linkage causes the return sleeve to move away from the syringe end of the injector body when the first handle is moved from the open position to the closed position, thereby compressing the main spring. Needle-free injection systems and methods of operating a needle-free injection device are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The document describes a needle-free injection device that includes an injector body defining a syringe end, and a first handle attached to the injector body. The first handle pivots between an open and a closed position while remaining attached to the injector body during an injection. The device further includes a main spring positioned within the injector body and a return sleeve positioned outside of the injector body and engaged with the main spring.
A first linkage between the first handle and the return sleeve causes the return sleeve to move away from the syringe end when the first handle is moved from the open position to the closed position. This movement compresses the main spring into an armed configuration. The disclosed mechanism includes additional structural features such as, in some embodiments, a second handle and second linkage, and latch and release sleeve arrangements that keep handles in the closed position.
The document also describes a hammer linked to the main spring and a hammer release mechanically connected to an actuation button so that actuation occurs only under mechanical conditions. It further discloses a safety logic that coordinates the actuation button with an injector tube sliding rearward after skin is tensioned by compressing a skin-tensioning spring, and includes a retract button that prevents moving the injector tube into firing position.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides two independent claims: one device claim and one method claim. The independent claims share the core inventive concept of handle pivoting to drive a return sleeve away from the syringe end to compress a main spring, and they differ by reciting whether the claim covers the device itself or the operating method.
Pivoting handle with return-sleeve linkage compresses a main spring
An injector body defining a syringe end; a first handle attached so it pivots between open and closed positions while remaining attached during injection; a main spring positioned within the injector body; a return sleeve positioned outside of the injector body and engaged with the main spring; and a first linkage between the first handle and the return sleeve causing the return sleeve to move away from the syringe end when the first handle is moved from the open position to the closed position, thereby compressing the main spring.
Operating by moving the first handle to compress a main spring via return-sleeve movement
A method of operating a needle-free injection system comprising providing a needle-free injection device with an injector body defining a syringe end; a first handle attached so it pivots between an open and a closed position and remains attached during injection; a main spring positioned within the injector body; a return sleeve positioned outside of the injector body and engaged with the main spring; and a first linkage between the first handle and the return sleeve; and moving the first handle from the open position to the closed position causing the first linkage to cause the return sleeve to move away from the syringe end thereby compressing the main spring.
Overall, the independent claim coverage centers on a pivoting, attached handle that drives an external return sleeve away from the syringe end through a linkage to compress a main spring, with the method claim mirroring this sequence as the operating approach.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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