Soft tip cannula with retractable tip protector
Inventors
Auld, Jack R. • Flowers, Matthew • Heeren, Tammo • Nguyen, Hien • Huculak, John C. • Anderfaas, Eric
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11701254-B2
Publication Date
2023-07-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes an injector cannula having a soft injector tip. A retractable tip protector tube is slidably disposed on the flow cannula between an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip. Accordingly, the tip protector tube protects the injector tip from being damaged while advancing the injector tip to a target injection site.
Core Innovation
The document describes an injector cannula for delivering a medicament into a patient's body. The injector cannula includes a flow cannula with a proximal end and a distal end, and an injector fitting attached to the proximal end so that the distal end of the flow cannula extends distally from the injector fitting. The injector fitting is configured to be coupled to a fluidic injector, and the cannula further includes a flexible injector tip disposed on the distal end of the flow cannula and extending distally from the flow cannula.
The core concept is a tip protector tube that is slidably disposed on the flow cannula and moves between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and in the retracted position the tip protector tube is retracted proximally relative to the injector tip to expose at least part of the injector tip. The tip protector tube is substantially stiffer than the injector tip, and a hub is permanently attached to a proximal portion of the tip protector tube in one embodiment, such that retracting the hub proximally retracts the tip protector tube.
The document further discloses multiple hub/protector retraction and positioning architectures, including retention mechanisms and anti-rotation sliding interfaces. Examples include Luer hub with taper fit and O-ring friction seal, snaps or notches, detents with raised features and rotational guidance, ratchet/retention-arm positioning for multiple longitudinally spaced positions, and spring-biased hub with bayonet locking. In addition, a shortened protector-tube embodiment is disclosed with a stop mechanism cooperating with trocar hard stops to retract the protector tube during insertion, and an optional hypodermic bevel configuration is disclosed to enable piercing without a trocar.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies two independent claims that cover an injector cannula with a flexible injector tip and a substantially stiffer tip protector tube that slides between an extended covering position and a retracted exposing position. Across these independent claims, the core coverage centers on the structural combination of flow cannula, injector fitting, flexible injector tip, hub-driven protector retraction, and the relative stiffness relationship between the injector tip and tip protector tube.
Extended-and-retracted stiffer tip protector tube slidably disposed on the flow cannula
A tip protector tube slidably disposed on the flow cannula, the tip protector tube slidable on the flow cannula from an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally relative to the injector tip thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip from the tip protector tube, the tip protector tube being substantially stiffer than the injector tip.
Hub permanently attached to the tip protector tube to retract the protector tube
a hub permanently attached to a proximal portion of the tip protector tube, the hub slidably disposed on the flow cannula such that retracting the hub proximally retracts the tip protector tube.
Injector fitting configured to be coupled to a fluidic injector with distal flow cannula extension
an injector fitting attached to the proximal end of the flow cannula such that the distal end of the flow cannula extends distally from the injector fitting, the injector fitting configured to be coupled to a fluidic injector.
Stiffer tip protector tube permanently attached to and extending distally from the hub
a tip protector tube permanently attached to and extending distally from the hub and slidably disposed over the flow cannula, the hub slidable on the injector fitting to cause the tip protector tube to slide relative to the flow cannula from an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally relative to the injector tip thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip from the tip protector tube, the tip protector tube being substantially stiffer than the injector tip.
Injector fitting with first end configured to be coupled to an injector device and hub slidably coupled
an injector fitting comprising a first end configured to be coupled to an injector device and a second end; and a hub slidably coupled to the injector fitting.
Collectively, the independent claims cover injector cannulas that include a flexible injector tip carried by a flow cannula, and a substantially stiffer tip protector tube that slides between an extended covering state and a retracted exposing state. One independent claim further requires a hub permanently attached to a proximal portion of the tip protector tube to retract the protector tube, while the other requires a permanently attached, distally extending tip protector tube and a hub slidable relative to the injector fitting to move the protector tube.
Stated Advantages
Prevents bending/kinking/crushing of the injector tip during advancement through a trocar valve [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Helps manage exposure of the flexible injector tip by covering the entire injector tip in an extended position and exposing at least part of the injector tip in a retracted position.
Documented Applications
Ophthalmic injection workflows for delivering medicament to the vitreous/sub-retinal space, including sub-retinal injection.
Delivery of medicament for retinal disease contexts including retinal vein occlusions and gene therapy for macular degeneration.
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