Connection mechanism for an auxiliary module
Inventors
Urbanek, Leos • Hirschel, Jürg • Allenspach, Marcel • Kalbermatter, Gabriel
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12447280-B2
Publication Date
2025-10-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
An auxiliary module for connecting to an injector for dispensing a medical substance comprises a housing having a retaining device, and a receiving unit having a retaining element, wherein the receiving unit is movable relative to the housing. The auxiliary module includes a retaining configuration, in which the receiving unit is immovably retained in the housing by the retaining device, and in which the retaining element can cooperate with the injector in such a way that the injector is retained by the receiving unit and the retaining element is locked by the housing. The auxiliary module also includes a release configuration, in which the receiving unit is released from the retaining device and the injector is released from the retaining element. The auxiliary module can be adjusted from the retaining configuration into the release configuration, and back again, by an adjustment movement of the receiving unit.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an auxiliary module for connecting to an injector for dispensing a medical substance. The auxiliary module includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and defining a housing interior with a closed proximal end and an open distal end, and a retainer comprising a sleeve-shaped insert arranged within the housing interior. A receiving unit with a retaining element is configured to accommodate the injector and is movable linearly along the longitudinal axis relative to the housing.
The auxiliary module is adjustable between a retaining configuration and a release configuration. In the retaining configuration, the receiving unit is retained in the housing by the retainer, and the retaining element forms an engagement with the injector such that the injector is retained by the receiving unit. In the release configuration, the receiving unit is released from the retainer and the injector is released from the engagement with the retaining element.
The adjustment from the retaining configuration into the release configuration, and back again, is performed by an adjustment movement of the receiving unit along the longitudinal axis. The insert comprises ribs engaged in grooves of the housing interior so that the insert is non-movable relative to the housing during the adjustment movement. The described configurations further address correct injector positioning and alignment constraints between injector recesses and retaining projections, together with concrete retaining and release interactions.
According to the embodiments described, the retaining and release configurations can be implemented using cam/locking interactions and a release button that triggers a configuration change. Alternative retaining-arm and retaining-element structures are also described to support the retaining configuration and the release configuration, including a defined release position that produces release of the injector.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim and multiple dependent refinements. Across the independent claim and its refinements, the coverage focuses on an auxiliary module that switches between a retaining configuration and a release configuration via a linear adjustment movement of a sleeve-shaped receiving unit along a housing longitudinal axis, while constraining a sleeve-shaped insert to remain non-movable relative to the housing.
Auxiliary module adjustable between retaining and release configurations by linear receiving-unit movement
An auxiliary module for connecting to an injector for dispensing a medical substance, including a housing with a longitudinal axis, a retainer with a sleeve-shaped insert in the housing interior, and a sleeve-shaped receiving unit configured to accommodate the injector and movable linearly along the longitudinal axis relative to the housing; the auxiliary module has a retaining configuration in which the receiving unit is retained in the housing by the retainer and the retaining element engages the injector so the injector is retained by the receiving unit, and a release configuration in which the receiving unit is released from the retainer and the injector is released from the engagement with the retaining element; the auxiliary module is adjustable between the retaining configuration and the release configuration by an adjustment movement of the receiving unit along the longitudinal axis.
Non-movable insert via ribs engaged in grooves during adjustment movement
The auxiliary module in which the insert comprises ribs engaged in grooves of the housing interior such that the insert is non-movable relative to the housing during the adjustment movement of the receiving unit along the longitudinal axis.
Cam-based securing-path transition between retaining and release positions
An auxiliary module in which a guiding cam is displaced along a securing path to move it from a retaining position into a release position, with the guiding cam being pretensioned by an elastic securing element into the retaining position, and configured so that a locking cam is released when moved into the release position.
Release button enabling adjustment from retaining configuration to release configuration
An auxiliary module with a retainer comprising a release button with a protruding manual actuation surface that allows adjustment of the auxiliary module from the retaining configuration into the release configuration.
Rotational alignment constraint between retaining projections and injector recesses
An auxiliary module in which the retaining element comprises projections that cooperate with recesses of the injector only when rotationally aligned about the longitudinal axis, so that movement of the receiving unit into a proximal end position in a direction to be received in the at least one recess is possible only in the specific rotational orientation, preventing improper transfer into the retaining configuration and preventing retention of the injector otherwise.
Radially directed release button motion along a linear securing path
An auxiliary module in which a release button moves radially, perpendicular to the housing’s longitudinal axis, along a linear securing path relative to the insert and the housing.
Release-position retaining-element behavior with recess/protrusion interaction
An auxiliary module in which, for the release configuration, a retaining element moves into a release position such that a protrusion is received in a recess of the housing and thereby pulls a projection back from an internal space of the receiving unit to release the injector.
Overall, the independent claim and refinements cover an auxiliary module that connects to an injector and switches between retaining and release configurations by a linear adjustment movement of a sleeve-shaped receiving unit along the housing longitudinal axis, while maintaining non-movability of a sleeve-shaped insert via ribs and grooves, and optionally implementing the retaining/release change using cam-based mechanisms, manual release buttons, rotational alignment constraints, and defined release-position interactions.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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