Surgery – Means for introducing or removing material from body for... – Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
Reexamination Certificate
1997-01-28
2001-03-20
Kennedy, Sharon (Department: 3763)
Surgery
Means for introducing or removing material from body for...
Treating material introduced into or removed from body...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203530
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention broadly concerns an device for permitting users to self-inject a medication in a conventional syringe to a preselected depth of penetration by using a simplified triggering mechanism device permitting controlled dosing. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with an automatic injection device with a triggering mechanism which is simple for geriatric users yet includes a safety feature inhibiting premature needle projection and medication discharge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Auto-injection devices as described herein are used by an individual to self-administer a liquid medication through a needle subcutaneously. These devices help an individual to administer the medication by pushing or driving the needle through the skin and then expressing a dosage of the medication. It can be appreciated that such devices help alleviate the fear associated with injecting oneself and provide a convenience in regard to the accuracy of the dosing.
To this end, a number of different auto-injection devices have been developed. These include the devices shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,137,516 and 5,425,715. These devices provide for an injection from a medication received in an ampule or cartridge assembly. Typically, such devices are first cocked, positioned, and then triggered to administer a desired quantity of medication. The '516 patent operates by actuation of a trigger in combination with movement of two separate parts to prevent accidental actuation. However, both of these devices use a preloaded cartridge or ampule and are not readily adaptable to use with a conventional syringe. This has certain disadvantages in the types of medication which can be obtained and dispensed, as the cartridges or ampules cannot be locally filled by a pharmacist and are not adapted for receiving a commonly available syringe.
Another auto-injection device which can be used with a commercially available cartridge or syringe is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,489. This device is useful for administering medication but is difficult to handle and use, as a separate tool such as a screwdriver must be employed for recocking and a protective cap may not be retained on the tip of the needle until the desired moment of use. Thus, the '489 device is not well equipped for storage in a ready to use condition for treatment of male impotence by injection or other therapies requiring simplicity of operation and convenience of storage.
It is generally preferable to refrain from “re-capping” a syringe after an injection has been administered because there remains some risk of cross-contamination if the user's hand slips and their finger is stuck by the needle. However, replacement of the cap in self-injection devices may be desired where there are inadequate facilities for safe storage of medical sharps, or where the syringe might be set aside for some time, with the result that the user may forget that the needle is exposed.
There has thus developed a need for an auto-injection device capable of use with a standard syringe which can be filled by a local pharmacist and which can be stored with the cap in place to inhibit undesired needle “sticks”.
There has also developed a need for an auto-injection device which is easy to use by geriatric patients and yet resists undesired or premature needle exposure and medication expression.
There has further developed a need for an auto-injection device which can be partially disassembled for loading and cocked, all without the need for additional tools.
There is a further need for an auto-injection device which has a trigger which is readily accessible, yet is safe to use and has a simple and inexpensive construction.
There is an additional need for an auto-injection device which includes a feature to enhance safe replacement of a needle on the syringe contained therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These needs are largely met by the auto-injection device of the present invention which is adapted to receive a conventional syringe with the needle cap in place both during loading and up until administration. The device hereof is easy to use and includes a unique trigger which requires displacement along two axes in order to actuate the injection sequence.
The invention hereof broadly includes a body or barrel presenting an internal cavity for receiving a syringe therein. The barrel cavity presents a longitudinal axis adapted for receiving a syringe therein. The barrel presents an open front end for positioning against a patient's body and through which the needle of the syringe may project, and a rear end. A driver is positioned within the barrel for longitudinal shifting within the cavity, the driver being configured to carry a conventional syringe. The driver includes a catch at the rearward end thereof adapted to engage a release mounted on the barrel. The release includes a resilient member for biasing the release to a position engaged with the catch on the driver. The release is configured and mounted on the barrel to require movement of the release along the surface of the barrel as well as depression into the cavity in order to disengage from the catch and release the driver for injecting the contents of the syringe.
Advantageously, the auto-injection device hereof has a barrel separable into two separate sections. The driver is also provided in two components, including a syringe receiver mounted in the forward section of the barrel and a pusher positioned in the normally rearward section of the barrel. The two sections of the barrel are complementally configured to permit an elongated neck on the forward section to enter the cavity of the rearward section to thereby urge the pusher rearwardly until the catch on the pusher engages the release. The syringe receiver is provided with a plurality of inwardly directed fingers which hold the syringe in a central, longitudinally aligned position, but permit insertion and withdrawal of the syringe with the syringe cap retained thereon. The syringe receiver is also provided with a button which projects into a slot in the barrel to permit manual shifting of the syringe to remove or replace the cap on the syringe. The slot includes a recess which holds the button and thus the syringe in a retracted position within the cavity of the barrel.
A spring is provided to push the driver forwardly when released after cocking. A second spring, of a lesser spring force, is provided to urge the syringe receiver rearwardly into a position normally placing the tip of the syringe needle rearwardly of the front end of the barrel when the device is uncocked.
The release is preferably provided with a trigger which extends radially outwardly of the exterior surface of the barrel. The trigger is preferably integral with a resilient arm which biases the trigger outwardly, and also includes a resilient stem for biasing the trigger to a position opposite the exterior surface of the barrel and out of alignment with a trigger access. The release further includes a notch in which the catch of the driver is received when the device is cocked. In order to actuate the device and move the syringe forwardly within the cavity, the user must push the trigger along the surface of the barrel and then through the trigger access to overcome the resilient arm and move the notch to release the catch. Preferably, indicia is provided on the driver which is visible through a window defined in the barrel, whereby the user can identify when the device is cocked.
As so configured, the auto-injection device hereof is particularly easy to use. By separating the threaded connectors on the two barrel sections, a conventional syringe may be inserted into the syringe receiver with its needle or cannula pointing forwardly and its plunger extending rearwardly. The neck of the forward section is then inserted into the cavity of the rearward section and the pusher of the driver urged rearwardly until the catch is held in the notch of the release. The forward section is then threaded on the rearward
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
Kennedy Sharon
Lam Ann
Pos-T-Vac, Inc.
LandOfFree
Auto-injection device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Auto-injection device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Auto-injection device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2441159