Needle-free intradermal injection device
Inventors
Cappello, Chris • Wixey, Matt • Bingham, John W.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9700675-B2
Publication Date
2017-07-11
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 a main spring which can be compressed using one or more handles attached to the device to place the needle-free injection device into an armed configuration. Device embodiments may optionally include an injector tube and associated apparatus which may be moved relative to other device structures when the injector is pressed against the skin of a patient with sufficient force. The disclosed operational switches and release mechanisms cooperate to prevent injection unless the device is properly positioned for an injection. Needle-free injection systems and methods of operating a needle-free injection device are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The needle-free injection device includes an injector body with an injector tube positioned within the injector body. The injector tube houses a main spring configured to be selectively compressed to place the device in an armed configuration and includes a hammer. The injector tube is configured to move laterally away from a syringe end of the device when pressure is applied to a nozzle end of a needle-free syringe prior to an injection.
At least one handle is attached with a pivot hinge to the injector body so the handle pivots between an open and a closed position, while the handle remains attached to the injector body during an injection. At least one linkage between the handle and the main spring compresses the main spring into the armed configuration when the handle is moved from the open to the closed position. An actuation button is in mechanical communication with a hammer release, and the actuation button cannot engage the hammer release unless the injector tube is moved to a position fully away from the syringe end.
The device further includes a safety locking arrangement in which the injector tube lateral movement enables the hammer release engagement, providing a mechanical interlock between correct injector tube positioning and firing. The injector tube movement toward skin is associated with skin tensioning and a lateral injector tube movement away from the syringe end. Optional features include a skin tensioning spring biasing the injector tube toward the syringe end, and a hammer release arrangement using ball bearings contained within a ball lock, as well as a retract button configured to lock the injector tube toward the syringe end unless activated.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims define three main inventive areas: a needle-free injection device with a laterally movable injector tube and a mechanically interlocked actuation button, a needle-free injection system that combines the device with a needle-free syringe, and a method of operating the needle-free injection system with the interlock-conditioned actuation.
Lateral injector tube movement enabling hammer release interlock
An injector tube housing a main spring and a hammer, configured to move laterally away from a syringe end of the needle-free injection device when pressure is applied to a nozzle end of a needle-free syringe prior to an injection; an actuation button in mechanical communication with a hammer release, wherein the actuation button cannot engage the hammer release unless the injector tube is moved to a position fully away from the syringe end.
Pivoting handle compressing main spring into armed configuration
At least one handle attached with a pivot hinge to the injector body such that the handle pivots between an open and a closed position and remains attached to the injector body during an injection; at least one linkage between the handle and the main spring causing the main spring to be compressed into the armed configuration when the handle is moved from the open to the closed position.
Needle-free syringe for nozzle-end pressure to move injector tube laterally
A needle-free syringe, used such that pressure applied to a nozzle end causes the injector tube to move laterally away from a syringe end prior to an injection, in combination with the mechanical interlock where the actuation button cannot engage the hammer release unless the injector tube is fully moved away.
Method interlock-conditioned operation from un-armed to armed to injection
Moving the handle from the open position to the closed position thereby compressing the main spring of the needle-free injection device from an un-armed position to an armed position; applying force against a patient's skin at a nozzle end of the needle-free syringe thereby causing the injector tube to move laterally within the injector body away from the syringe end of the injector body; and actuating the actuation button to release the hammer and cause an injection, wherein the actuation button cannot engage the hammer release unless the injector tube is moved to a position fully away from the syringe end.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive theme is a mechanically interlocked actuation sequence tied to lateral movement of an injector tube away from a syringe end, with a pivoting handle compressing a main spring into an armed configuration prior to injection.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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