Patents by Inventor Fritz Kirchhofer

Fritz Kirchhofer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9867948
    Abstract: An administering device, e.g. an injection device, includes a housing, a reservoir for a drug, the reservoir formed or accommodated by the housing, a dosing member which can perform a dosing movement relative to the housing for setting a dosage of the drug to be administered and a conveying member for delivering the dosage set, wherein the dosing member is blocked or locked in the direction of the dosing movement in a releasable dosing blocking engagement in an initial state of the administering device and released from the block at the end of a priming movement of the conveying member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Anjan Selz, Manfred Rettenbacher, Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Patent number: 9457156
    Abstract: A device and method for protecting against needle sticks, including a needle protection sleeve for being coupled to an administering device to cover a needle associated with the administering device, wherein the sleeve can be moved against the force of a spring from an extended position to a retracted position and by the force of the spring from the retracted position to the extended position, the spring being carried on the needle protection sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventor: Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Patent number: 9205189
    Abstract: A product dispensing apparatus including a reservoir module, a dosing module and a dose setting member. The reservoir module includes a front casing section, a block, a first connector, a piston, and a piston rod moveable in a dispensing movement and against the dispensing movement, and including a return block engageable with the block, wherein engagement between the block and the return block prevents the piston rod from moving against the dispensing movement. The dosing module includes a rear casing section, including a second connector which is engageable with the first connector to form a detachable connection between the reservoir module and the dosing module, and a dosing and drive device. The dose setting member engages the piston rod such that it is moveable together with and in the same direction as the piston rod during the dispensing movement and is moveable relative to the piston rod against the dispensing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Roney Graf, Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Publication number: 20150151043
    Abstract: A product dispensing apparatus including a reservoir module, a dosing module and a dose setting member. The reservoir module includes a front casing section, a block, a first connector, a piston, and a piston rod moveable in a dispensing movement and against the dispensing movement, and including a return block engageable with the block, wherein engagement between the block and the return block prevents the piston rod from moving against the dispensing movement. The dosing module includes a rear casing section, including a second connector which is engageable with the first connector to form a detachable connection between the reservoir module and the dosing module, and a dosing and drive device. The dose setting member engages the piston rod such that it is moveable together with and in the same direction as the piston rod during the dispensing movement and is moveable relative to the piston rod against the dispensing movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Roney Graf, Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Patent number: 8939944
    Abstract: A product dispensing apparatus including a reservoir module, a dosing module and a dose setting member. The reservoir module includes a front casing section, a block, a first connector, a piston, and a piston rod moveable in a dispensing movement and against the dispensing movement, and including a return block engageable with the block, wherein engagement between the block and the return block prevents the piston rod from moving against the dispensing movement. The dosing module includes a rear casing section, including a second connector which is engageable with the first connector to form a detachable connection between the reservoir module and the dosing module, and a dosing and drive device. The dose setting member engages the piston rod such that it is moveable together with and in the same direction as the piston rod during the dispensing movement and is moveable relative to the piston rod against the dispensing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Roney Graf, Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Publication number: 20130324937
    Abstract: A device for administering a product dose, the device including a display drum for displaying a product dose, a housing, a first conveying member moveable relative to the housing in a conveying direction, a second conveying member moveable relative to the housing in and counter to the conveying direction, the second conveying member in a first threaded engagement with the first conveying member while being rotationally movable relative to the housing and the first conveying member and being translationally movable relative to the first conveying member counter to the conveying direction, a metering apparatus by which a product dose can be adjusted and which encompasses the display drum, the display drum being rotationally movable relative to the housing while being translationally movable in and counter to the conveying direction in a second threaded engagement, and a coupling element which interconnects the first conveying member and the display drum in a torsion-resistant manner in a coupling engagement whi
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: TECPHARMA LICENSING AG
    Inventor: Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Patent number: 8568366
    Abstract: A reservoir module for an administering apparatus, the reservoir module including a rotational block which permits the rotational dosing movement in a first rotational direction and blocks the rotational dosing movement in a second rotational direction, wherein the rotational block includes at least one first rotational stopper and at least one second rotational stopper, the first rotational stopper and the second rotational stopper abut against one another in the end position of the dosage setting member, wherein the dosage setting member is moved away from the translational stopper by the permitted rotational dosing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Fritz Kirchhofer, Michael Schaer
  • Patent number: 8545456
    Abstract: An administering apparatus including a rotational block which, in the end position of the dosage setting member, permits the rotational dosing movement in a first rotational direction and blocks the rotational dosing movement in a second rotational direction, wherein the rotational block comprises at least one first rotational stopper and at least one second rotational stopper, the first rotational stopper and the second rotational stopper abutting against one another in the end position of the dosage setting member, wherein the at least one first rotational stopper is secured against rotating by the dosage setting member and the at least one second rotational stopper is secured against rotating by the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Fritz Kirchhofer, Michael Schaer
  • Patent number: 8500701
    Abstract: A device for administering a product dose, the device including a display drum for displaying the product dose, a housing, a first conveying member moveable relative to the housing in a conveying direction, a second conveying member moveable relative to the housing in and counter to the conveying direction, the second conveying member in a first threaded engagement with the first conveying member while being rotationally movable relative to the housing and the first conveying member and being translationally movable relative to the first conveying member counter to the conveying direction, a metering apparatus by which the product dose can be adjusted and which encompasses the display drum, the display drum being rotationally movable relative to the housing while being translationally movable in and counter to the conveying direction in a second threaded engagement, and a coupling element which interconnects the first conveying member and the display drum in a torsion-resistant manner in a coupling engagement
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventor: Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Publication number: 20120316508
    Abstract: A device and method for protecting against needle sticks, including a needle protection sleeve for being coupled to an administering device to cover a needle associated with the administering device, wherein the sleeve can be moved against the force of a spring from an extended position to a retracted position and by the force of the spring from the retracted position to the extended position, the spring being carried on the needle protection sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Publication number: 20120310208
    Abstract: An administering device for a fluid product includes a product receptacle that accommodates the product to be administered, a fluid reservoir for a driving fluid, a driving means, a product chamber, and a fluid connection. The product receptacle includes an opening at a forward end and a product stopper at a rear end. The driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir, the pressure chamber adjoins the product stopper while the fluid connection is located between the fluid reservoir and the pressure chamber, and the driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir in such a way that the pressure chamber is impinged upon by pressure which affects the product stopper and the product is discharged from the product receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Patent number: 8277413
    Abstract: An administering device for a fluid product includes a product receptacle that accommodates the product to be administered, a fluid reservoir for a driving fluid, a driving means, a product chamber, and a fluid connection. The product receptacle includes an opening at a forward end and a product stopper at a rear end. The driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir, the pressure chamber adjoins the product stopper while the fluid connection is located between the fluid reservoir and the pressure chamber, and the driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir in such a way that the pressure chamber is impinged upon by pressure which affects the product stopper and the product is discharged from the product receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventor: Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Publication number: 20120203184
    Abstract: An administering device, e.g. an injection device, includes a housing, a reservoir for a drug, the reservoir formed or accommodated by the housing, a dosing member which can perform a dosing movement relative to the housing for setting a dosage of the drug to be administered and a conveying member for delivering the dosage set, wherein the dosing member is blocked or locked in the direction of the dosing movement in a releasable dosing blocking engagement in an initial state of the administering device and released from the block at the end of a priming movement of the conveying member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Anjan Selz, Manfred Rettenbacher, Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Patent number: 8114046
    Abstract: A device for connecting an injection needle to an injection apparatus, wherein the device provides a plurality of possible points of contact in at least two planes, and wherein the points of contact have associated spring forces for acting generally perpendicularly on the injection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Covino, Patrick Fiechter, Fritz Kirchhofer, Hans-Ulrich Lehmann, Daniel Scheidegger, Stefan Wenger
  • Patent number: 8043249
    Abstract: A device for connecting an injection needle to an injection apparatus, wherein the device provides a plurality of possible points of contact in at least two planes, and wherein the points of contact have associated spring forces for acting generally perpendicularly on the injection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Covino, Patrick Fiechter, Fritz Kirchhofer, Hans-Ulrich Lehmann, Daniel Scheidegger, Stefan West
  • Patent number: 8007476
    Abstract: An administering apparatus having a casing including a reservoir for a product to be administered, a piston which can be shifted in the reservoir in an advancing direction towards a reservoir outlet to administer the product, a piston rod, a dosing and drive element for performing a dosing movement for selecting a product dose and a delivery movement for delivering the product dose, and a dose setting member which is moved in the advancing direction during the delivery movement, and which engages the piston rod and the casing such that it can only be moved in the advancing direction jointly with the piston rod and is moved counter to the advancing direction relative to the piston rod during the dosing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Roney Graf, Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Patent number: 7931626
    Abstract: The invention provides a injection device for administering an injectable product, including a base section adapted to receive a container from which a product dose is dispensed through a needle by displacement of a piston in the container, and a drive unit including a driven member, a drive element and a damping arrangement, the drive unit for applying a force to advance the piston in the container to dispense a dose, wherein the damping arrangement generally counteracts the drive force and counter forces. The invention also encompasses a needle safety sleeve and a blocking structure for use with injection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Fritz Kirchhofer, Jürg Steck, Peter Hostettler, Stephan Jost, Hanspeter Heiniger
  • Patent number: 7931625
    Abstract: The invention provides a injection device for administering an injectable product, including a base section adapted to receive a container from which a product dose is dispensed through a needle by displacement of a piston in the container, and a drive unit including a driven member, a drive element and a damping arrangement, the drive unit for applying a force to advance the piston in the container to dispense a dose, wherein the damping arrangement generally counteracts the drive force and counter forces. The invention also encompasses a needle safety sleeve and a blocking structure for use with injection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Fritz Kirchhofer, Jürg Steck, Peter Hostettler, Stephan Jost, Hanspeter Heiniger
  • Publication number: 20110087186
    Abstract: An administering device for a fluid product includes a product receptacle that accommodates the product to be administered, a fluid reservoir for a driving fluid, a driving means, a product chamber, and a fluid connection. The product receptacle includes an opening at a forward end and a product stopper at a rear end. The driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir, the pressure chamber adjoins the product stopper while the fluid connection is located between the fluid reservoir and the pressure chamber, and the driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir in such a way that the pressure chamber is impinged upon by pressure which affects the product stopper and the product is discharged from the product receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Fritz Kirchhofer
  • Patent number: 7828779
    Abstract: An injection device including a housing with a reservoir for an injectable product, a delivery device used to dispense a product dose from the reservoir, and a dose metering member which, in order to select the product dose, can carry out a rotational displacement in relation to the housing in a first direction until it reaches an end position and can be displaced in an opposite second rotational direction, wherein the dose metering member is coupled to the delivery device in such a way that the latter, when actuated, dispenses the product dose that has been selected by means of the dose metering member, the injection device also including an anti-twist safety device which has at least one anti-twist stop and at least one anti-twist counter-stop, one of which is formed by the housing and the other by the dose-metering member, wherein the anti-twist stop and the anti-twist counter-stop come to rest against one another in the end position in order to prevent the rotational displacement of the dose metering memb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Fritz Kirchhofer, Michael Schaer, Christoph Sommer