Spring Drives Piston Patents (Class 604/135)
  • Publication number: 20090312705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for automatic injection of a product (3) and a needle (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Guillaume Grunhut, Lionel Maritan, Frederic Perot
  • Patent number: 7618393
    Abstract: A needle-less injector device for delivering a dose of fluid intradermally, subcutaneously or intramuscularly to an animal or human. The device includes an inner housing having opposed ends. A syringe is disposed in one end of the inner housing. The syringe includes a nozzle for delivering a dose of fluid held within the syringe. A plunger is movably disposed within the syringe. A spring powered hammer is movably disposed within the inner housing. The hammer cooperates with the plunger to drive the dose of medicament from the nozzle. An injection delivery spring for powering the hammer is positioned and compressed between the other end of the inner housing and the spring powered hammer. An outer housing slideably supports the inner housing. A skin tensioning spring is mounted between the inner housing and the outer housing, the skin tensioning spring biasing the nozzle of the syringe against the animal or human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: PharmaJet, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bingham, Robert Steinway
  • Publication number: 20090281496
    Abstract: A disposable injector having a housing (10) in which are arranged at least one mechanical spring energy reservoir (50), at least one cylinder-piston unit (100) that can be filled at least in part with an active substance, at least one piston actuation plunger (60) and at least one trigger unit (80). The spring energy accumulator plunger (60) has at least one tension bar (61) with at least one support surface (63) at the upper end thereof. Locking elements (16) supported on the housing lie on the support surface(s) and are secured in the locking position by a triggering element (82) placed in a locking position (8). The triggering element has a release position (9) that causes the locking element (16) to be unlocked for release of the active substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Rudolf Matusch
  • Publication number: 20090270804
    Abstract: An auto-injector automatically dispenses a predetermined dose of medicament upon activation. The auto-injector includes a needle cover operative to engage an injection site and activate the injector. The needle cover is configured to move from a locked retracted position prior to a medicament dispensing operation to a locked extended position after the medicament dispensing operation. The non-removable needle cover prevents contact with the needle both before and after the medicament dispensing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: C. Michael Mesa, Sarah Jane Cors, Melinda Fischer Penney, Dalita Rosemarie Tomellini, Mark Bumb Bremley, John Glyndwr Wilmot, Matthew Egerton Young, Sophie Rebecca Raven, Martin Joseph Murphy, Christopher John Hurlstone, Joseph William Daintrey, Craig Malcolm Rochford, Stephen Philip Kirkwood, Colin James Mathews, Robert L. Hill
  • Publication number: 20090259181
    Abstract: An injection device including a receiving device movable in an insertion movement relative to the injection device, a tensioning element, e.g. a spring, which bears on a part of the injection device, and a coupling element for coupling the receiving device to the spring such that, during an insertion movement of the receiving device the spring is tensioned. In some embodiments, the invention encompasses a method for preparing an injection device for dispensing a substance from an ampoule, wherein a discharging spring of the injection device is tensioned by introduction of the ampoule into the injection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Ulrich Moser
  • Publication number: 20090254036
    Abstract: A single-use injector is disclosed comprising a housing (10), arranged in which are at least one mechanical spring energy store (50), at least one piston-cylinder unit (100), which can be effectively filled at least for a certain time, at least one piston-actuating ram (60) and at least one triggering unit (80). The spring energy store comprises at least one pre-tensioned spring element. The spring-loaded piston-actuating ram (60) has at least one retaining rod or hook (62), which can be moved transversely, at least in certain regions, and by means of a supporting portion supports the tensioned spring energy store on at least one resting surface of the housing. When actuation occurs, the triggering unit (80) releases the supporting portion to allow it to move away from the resting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Bado Asmussen, Hans-Rainer Hoffmann, Rudolf Matusch, Uwe Wortmann
  • Publication number: 20090254060
    Abstract: A spring motor mechanism for use in an injection control device having a metered/controlled injection rate proportional to the rate of withdrawal/injection suitable for cosmetic as well as other applications is described. After the cannula is advanced into an object (person) the cannula is withdrawn to create a tract or tunnel within the targeted area. As the cannula is withdrawn, filler material in the injection control device is uniformly deposited into the tract or tunnel via the automatic metering system. As one feature, the spring motor mechanism automatically retracts the positioning guide that is used in the metering systtem. The spring motor mechanism may be replaceable or customizable, offering the user enhanced safety and convenience of operation for the injection control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Hugh E. Hetherington
  • Publication number: 20090254035
    Abstract: An injection device including a drive unit, a delivery unit, a dosing unit, a trigger for triggering an injection, a first coupling mechanism between the drive unit and the delivery unit, and a second coupling mechanism between the dosing unit and the drive unit, wherein the drive unit is tensioned by a rotation of the dosing unit and when the drive unit is tensioned the first coupling mechanism is disengaged and the second coupling mechanism is engaged, and wherein when an injection is triggered first the first coupling mechanism is engaged and then the second coupling mechanism is disengaged. In some embodiments, the device may include a third coupling mechanism which only releases the delivery unit after the engagement and disengagement which follow a triggering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Philippe Kohlbrenner, Peter Stettler, Patrick Hostettler, Juergen Wittmann, Martin Wittwer
  • Publication number: 20090216153
    Abstract: A cannula introducing device comprises an elongate body (10) having a needle (12) projecting from a front end, an operating element (24) for displacement longitudinally of the body (10), a plunger (16) disposed at the front end of the body (10), and a coupling means (18), such as a flexible wire, coupling the operating element (24) and the plunger (16), arranged so that retraction of the operating element (24) serves to advance the plunger (16) over the needle (12) and so advance the cannula (30) which is disposed over the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Kadiyali Madhava Srivatsa, Martina Benzing
  • Publication number: 20090192486
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an automatic injector comprises a cartridge adapted to contain a charge of medicament, a seal structure disposed toward a forward end of the cartridge, a plunger normally disposed in a generally rearward end of the cartridge and movable through the cartridge toward a generally forward end thereof in response to an actuating procedure. The movable plunger rearwardly confines the medicament within the cartridge. A needle normally disposed in communication with the medicament container provides a passage in which the medicament is released into an individual's flesh in response to an actuating procedure projecting the needle into the flesh of the individual. The cartridge having an increased friction region so as to slow the motion of the plunger when the forward end of the needle travels through the seal in order to eliminate coring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: John G. Wilmot, John Whittier, Robert L. Hill, Seth P. Cain, C. Michael Mesa
  • Publication number: 20090177156
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally describe a medication delivery system. The medication delivery system includes a barrel, a plunger assembly, a dosage selection device, and a force producing element. The plunger assembly is disposed within the barrel. The force producing element can force the plunger assembly from the barrel. The user can select one or two or more dosages with a dosage selection device. The user selects the dosage; then the medication delivery system delivers the same dosage repeatedly. Further, with the force producing element, the user need only depress the plunger assembly into the barrel and does not need to extract the plunger assembly. This allows the user to use only one hand with the medication delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Rebecca MacLean
    Inventor: Rebecca MacLean
  • Patent number: 7534222
    Abstract: An injection device is disclosed which is designed to receive therein a two-compartment syringe, and to be used to mix the pharmaceutical agents and then conduct injections. The injection device comprises a cylindrical barrel portion so configured that the two-compartment syringe can be inserted therein in a rear-end first manner, a piston rod for pushing the slidable rear wall to advance, a front spring that is compressed, when the two-compartment syringe is inserted, and then push back the piston rod in the forward direction, and a sleeve which can be shifted back and forth and is provided by screw engagement with the outer surface of the rear part of the barrel portion to block the forward movement of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: JCR Pharmaceuticals., Ltd
    Inventors: Kouichi Sugita, Hiroshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7524304
    Abstract: The invention provides a drug delivery infusion device comprising an injection means (18) in fluid connection with a drug reservoir chamber (12) and pressure-generation means (10) coupled to both the drug reservoir (12) and to a liquid-filled control chamber (13), wherein the coupling is such that the liquid-filled control chamber (13) serves to constrain the motion of the pressure-generation means (10), thereby controlling the drug infusion rate, wherein the liquid-filled control chamber (13) is associated with means for controlled depletion of the liquid therein whereby depletion of the volume of liquid in the control chamber enables the pressure-generation means to drive the drug in the reservoir chamber therefrom for infusion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: SteadyMed, Ltd.
    Inventor: Amir Genosar
  • Publication number: 20090105646
    Abstract: Disclosed is a medical infusion device, such as an externally worn insulin pump, capable of being in remote communication with a controller or data acquisition unit such as a blood glucose meter. The disclosed medical infusion device includes a dual frequency antenna to facilitate communication with the remote device and the antenna is mounted using a spring-design that inhibits transmission of vibration to the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Animas Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Hendrixson, Bahram Sharifi
  • Publication number: 20090054839
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection device comprising a torsion spring operatively connected to a dose setting member being adapted to set a dose to be ejected from the injection device. A rotatably mounted display member adapted to display the dose to be ejected in accordance with a setting of the dose setting member is also provided. The rotatably mounted display member is adapted to be rotated over an angle corresponding to at least one revolution of the display member. The display member may be implemented as a dose indicator barrel having numerals arranged along a helical path on an outer surface thereof, or alternatively, as a counting device having two or more display wheels having numerals arranged on an outer surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Claus Schmidt Moller, Tom Hede Markussen, Christian Peter Enggaard
  • Publication number: 20090054838
    Abstract: The invention concerns an injection device with a housing adapted to receive a syringe having a discharge nozzle and a plunger. There is a trigger and a drive arranged to act upon the plunger on actuation of the trigger to advance the syringe from a retracted position to an extended position through an opening in the housing. A locking mechanism is arranged in and moveable relative to the housing. The locking mechanism is engaged with the plunger when the syringe is not in its extended position and disengaged from the plunger when the syringe is in its extended position. This means that movement of the plunger relative to the syringe is prevented when, in use, the syringe is advanced from a retracted position to an extended position. Hence the contents of the syringe are not expelled from the syringe during advancement from the retracted position to the extended position. The contents are only expelled when the syringe reaches the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: CILAG AG INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Nigel Harrison
  • Publication number: 20090048561
    Abstract: An injection device including a housing with a reservoir for an injectable product, a plunger axially movable in a direction of propulsion in the reservoir, a dosing and propulsion mechanism provided for the plunger and arranged in an axial continuation of the reservoir, with a dosing or display member moveable in one axial direction relative to the plunger when setting a product dose and moveable in the opposite direction when the dose is dispensed, and, optionally, a force-imparting member which forces the dosing or display member in the direction of an axial end position, wherein at least one of the dosing or display member and optional force-imparting member axially overlap the reservoir, at least when the dosing or display member is in the end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Stefan Burren, Philippe Kohlbrenner, Juergen Wittmann, Martin Wittwer
  • Patent number: 7470253
    Abstract: A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as, antibiotics, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from the device reservoir. The fluid dispenser includes a unique stored energy mechanism which takes the form of a constant force spring member of novel design that provides the force necessary to continuously and substantially uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir. The device also includes novel adjustable flow rate control assembly that is disposed intermediate the fluid reservoir outlet and the outlet port of the device for precisely controlling the rate of fluid flow from the outlet port toward the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: BioQuiddity, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall S. Kriesel, Joshua W. Kriesel
  • Publication number: 20080312591
    Abstract: An injection device (210) is described. A housing (212) receives a syringe and includes a return spring (226) for biasing the syringe from an extended position in which its needle (218) extends from the housing (212) to a retracted position in which the it does not. A drive spring (230) acts on a first drive element (232) and a second drive element (234) acts upon the syringe to advance it from its retracted position to its extended position and discharge its contents through the needle. The first drive element (232) is capable of movement relative to the second (234) once a nominal decoupling position has been reached. A release mechanism is activated when the first drive element (234) is further advanced to a nominal release position, to release the syringe (214) from the action of the drive spring (230), whereupon the return spring (226) restores the syringe (214) to its retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Nigel Harrison
  • Publication number: 20080208125
    Abstract: An injection device comprises a syringe (1) extendible against a spring bias (9) from a retracted position in a housing (2) to a projecting injecting position. A spring biased plunger has collapsible elbows (10) which, when the plunger is released, initially engage the end of the syringe to drive it to the projecting position, whereupon arresting of the syringe movement causes the elbows to collapse inside the syringe to allow the plunger to engage and drive the bung (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: OWEN MUMFORD LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Bicknell, Joseph F. Julian, William L. Rudzena
  • Patent number: 7407492
    Abstract: A plug-on body which can be plugged onto a device for administering a settable dosage of an injectable product, the plug-on body including a first plug-on body section extending axially in the direction of a plug-on body axis for fixing the plug-on body to a dosing and activating means, a shifting stopper formed by the first plug-on body section and operating by positive lock for axially fixing the plug-on body with respect to at least one shifting direction, a rotational stopper formed by the first plug-on body section and operating by positive lock for fixing the plug-on body against rotating, a second plug-on body section extending behind the first plug-on body section in the direction of the plug-on body axis, wherein said second plug-on body section forms an optics system for reading a dosage scale on a dosing element of the device which serves to set the dosage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing, AG
    Inventor: Thomas Gurtner
  • Publication number: 20080154200
    Abstract: A jet injector that includes a prefilled syringe. The syringe includes a fluid chamber that contains a medicament. The syringe also has an injection-assisting needle, and a plunger is movable within the fluid chamber. A housing is configured for allowing insertion of the needle to a penetration depth. An energy source is configured for biasing the plunger to produce an injecting pressure in the medicament in the fluid chamber of between about 80 and 1000 p.s.i. to jet inject the medicament from the fluid chamber through the needle to an injection site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Paul R. LESCH
  • Publication number: 20080140007
    Abstract: Drug delivery devices adapted to receive liquid medication to fill a reservoir, utilize sliding through valves that are closed except when driven by force of liquid medication pushed by a plunger to an open position to feed the medication via needle to a patient or via a connection to an IV port. The devices have multiple seals and automatically close up when pressure on the plunger is released. The methodology is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Publication number: 20080097390
    Abstract: A disposable drug delivery device has a dispensing needle, a plunger, a spring, a shaft, and a lock mechanism. The plunger is engaged with the inner surface of the dispensing needle, is capable of sliding in the cavity of the dispensing needle, and is fluidly sealed to the inner surface of the dispensing needle. The spring is connected to the plunger via a shaft. The lock mechanism holds the shaft in a first position such that the spring is in a compressed state. When the lock mechanism releases the shaft, the spring extends providing a force that moves the shaft and connected plunger in a direction toward the tapered end of the dispensing needle thereby expelling the drug from the dispensing needle into an eye. The spring also provides a retaining force so that the plunger is retained in an extended position against the tapered end of the dispensing needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Bruno Dacquay, James Foster, Casey Lind, Cesario Dos Santos
  • Patent number: 7357791
    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: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Fritz Kirchhofer, Jürg Steck, Peter Hostettler, Stephan Jost, Hanspeter Heiniger
  • Patent number: 7337922
    Abstract: An infusion pump for expelling a fluid from a collapsible fluid reservoir to a patient. The pump includes a housing having a chamber therein for receiving the fluid reservoir. A first wall is provided on the housing for contacting the fluid reservoir, and a second wall is movable from a first position distanced from the first wall to form the chamber therebetween, and a second position relatively closer to the first wall. Advancing the movable wall from the first position to the second position expels fluid from the collapsible reservoir at a substantially constant rate by applying increasing force on the fluid reservoir through the dispensation cycle. Preferably, the first and second walls are provided with non-planar complementary surface configurations for contacting the collapsible reservoir. Retraction mechanisms for retracting the movable wall from the second position to the first position, and user readable indicium of the status of the dispensation cycle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: I-Flow Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rake, Orvil L. Judge, Donald M. Earhart, Charles J. McPhee
  • Publication number: 20080051714
    Abstract: An infusion medium delivery system, device and method for delivering an infusion medium to a patient-user, includes a needle inserter device and method for inserting a needle and/or cannula into a patient-user to convey the infusion medium to the patient-user. The needle inserter device and method operate to insert a needle and cannula into a patient-user's skin and automatically withdraw the needle from the patient-user, leaving the cannula in place and in fluid flow communication with a reservoir. The delivery device may include a base portion and a durable portion connectable to the base portion, and wherein the base portion can be separated from the durable portion and disposed of after one or more specified number of uses. The base portion supports the reservoir and the needle inserter device, while the durable portion supports a drive device for selectively driving the infusion medium out of the reservoir and into the needle and/or cannula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Sheldon B. Moberg, Paul F. Bente, Bradley J. Enegren, Christopher G. Griffin, Ian B. Hanson, Julian D. Kavazov, R. Paul Mounce, Stutz H. William
  • Patent number: 7309333
    Abstract: A portable medication delivery system enables a patient to elect slow continuous auto-administration or rapid bolus self-administration of a fluid medication. The medication delivery system has an infusion pump, which includes a fluid storage chamber and a spring-driven piston positioned in the fluid storage chamber. The fluid storage chamber is initially charged with the medication and the infusion pump automatically delivers a continuous dosage of the medication at a first flow rate over a long time from the fluid storage chamber to a treatment site in the patient. A bolus injector is positioned in series or in parallel with the infusion pump and is charged with a bolus dosage of the treatment fluid from the fluid storage chamber for alternate manual self-injection of the medication into the treatment site at a higher second flow rate for a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Breg, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Mason
  • Patent number: 7270648
    Abstract: A drug to be infused into a patient is contained in a syringe or vial having a displaceable plunger for ejecting the drug out through an injection port into an administration set. Motion of the plunger of the drug delivery syringe/vial is controlled by a driver syringe having a piston or plunger for ejecting either a compressible or an incompressible fluid through a flow resistance element. Motive power for the piston of the drive syringe is provided by a constant load spring. A suitable linkage is provided for coupling the piston of the drive syringe to the plunger of the drug delivery syringe. Several types of flow rate control elements for use with the driver syringe are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Farhad Kazemzadeh
  • Patent number: 7232423
    Abstract: An infusion pump unit includes a housing sized to allow the pump unit to be carried as a portable unit. The housing contains a controllable pumping system for pumping fluid. The pump actuator is lighter, smaller, quieter and less power consuming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: M2 Medical A/S
    Inventor: Morten Mernøe
  • Patent number: 7182749
    Abstract: The present invention is an injection device for injecting a fluid product from a reservoir includes a casing having at least two casing portions. The device also includes a mounting for the reservoir such as an ampoule containing the fluid product to be administered, wherein one casing portion at least partially surrounds the reservoir. An activating element for triggering fluid product administering is provided. The at least one casing portion surrounding the reservoir is movable relative to the other casing portion or parts, such that by moving the movable casing portion, the reservoir and/or an injection needle connected to the same is accessible from the outer side of the casing, in order to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Hanspeter Heiniger, Simone Geiser
  • Patent number: 7128728
    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 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Tecpharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Fritz Kirchhofer, Jürg Steck, Peter Hostettler, Stephan Jost, Hanspeter Heiniger
  • Patent number: 7125395
    Abstract: A device for the controlled delivery of an injectable liquid from a liquid container, wherein a flexible force transferring means transfers the drive force of a drive wheel onto a piston which can be slid axially in the device, a preferably permanently acting restoring force of a spiral spring is applied to the drive wheel in order to advance the piston and expel the liquid, and a locking means locks the drive wheel against rotation and releases the drive wheel to expel the liquid. In one embodiment, the amount of liquid expelled can be indicated by audible clicks and, in one embodiment, the drive wheel moves only incrementally when the locking mechanism releases the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Edgar Hommann, Christof Kuenzi
  • Patent number: 7097634
    Abstract: The present invention includes an automatic injection device that reliably provides automatic needle retraction even when manufactured with part and assembly tolerances typical of low-cost and high-volume manufacturing processes. The injector of the present invention includes a body, a syringe cartridge, a drive mechanism, and a bias mechanism. The drive mechanism includes an energy source, a drive member, and a compound plunger with a releasable coupling. Significantly, the compound plunger included in the drive mechanism is designed to ensure needle retraction occurs after the automatic injection device has delivered the desired dose of medicament. Moreover, the design of the compound plunger included in the injector of the present invention can compensate for part and assembly tolerances typical of low-cost, high volume manufacturing processes, enabling the fabrication of a low cost automatic injection device providing reliable automatic needle retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7083068
    Abstract: Disclosed is an infusion pump for expelling a fluid from a collapsible fluid reservoir to a patient. The pump includes a housing having a chamber therein for receiving the fluid reservoir. A first wall is provided on the housing for contacting the fluid reservoir, and a second wall is movable from a first position distanced from the first wall to form the chamber therebetween, and a second position relatively closer to the first wall. Advancing the movable wall from the first position to the second position expels fluid from the collapsible reservoir at a substantially constant rate by applying increasing force on the fluid reservoir through the dispensation cycle. Preferably, the first and second walls are provided with non-planar complementary surface configurations for contacting the collapsible reservoir. Retraction mechanisms for retracting the movable wall from the second position to the first position, and user readable indicium of the status of the dispensation cycle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: I-Flow Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rake, Orvile L. Judge, Donald M. Earhart, Charles J. McPhee
  • Patent number: 7066909
    Abstract: An apparatus for administering a substance, including a housing, a piston, a container and a propelling device, the propelling device including a base element, a first shifting stage shiftable relative to the base element, and a second shifting stage shiftable relative to the base element and to the first shifting stage and slaving the first shifting stage, wherein the propelling device, container and piston are operably coupled to the housing and the first shifting stage is in contact with the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Disetronic Licensing AG
    Inventors: Daniel Peter, Beat Kindler
  • Patent number: 6972007
    Abstract: A device for administering an injectable product in doses including a casing having a receptacle for a container which contains the product and accommodates a piston such that the piston can advance towards an outlet for delivering a selected product dosage, a dosing member, with which a dosing movement can be performed relative to the casing for selecting the product dosage, a drive unit, which can be coupled to the casing and the dosing member such that the drive unit can be adjusted relative to the casing from a dosing starting position to a dosing end position by the dosing movement of the dosing member, an operating mechanism which causes the drive unit to perform a delivering movement by which the piston is advanced towards the outlet, and a restoring spring, which is secured in a tensioned state and is coupled to the drive unit by a release for causing a restoring movement of the drive unit towards its dosing starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Simone Geiser, Hanspeter Heiniger
  • Patent number: 6948636
    Abstract: A device for dispensing liquid from a bag has upper and lower casing halves and a closure holding together the casing halves. A pressure piston in the casing can press the bag against the lower casing half. This piston is operated by a rocking lever having an upper end bearing on the upper casing half and a lower end on which the piston is pivoted and a tension spring and flexible element connected between the casing halves and the upper end of the rocking lever and angularly biasing the lever for movement from a generally horizontal position with the piston raised and a tilted position with the piston lowered for applying such a force to the pressure piston that a pressure is generated in the bag that causes the discharge of a constant liquid volume per unit of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Onkoworks Gesellschaft fur Herstellung und Vertrieb Onkologischer Spezialpraparate mbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Fischer, Matthias Brücker
  • Patent number: 6945472
    Abstract: A locking tensioning mechanism for a miniaturised high pressure generator is disclosed, which mechanism will allow delivery of a set volume of a liquid, and the volume to be delivered by a high pressure generator can be altered subsequently by adjusting one of the stops of the spring component, which locking tensioning mechanism may be used in a high pressure generator for producing an inhalable aerosol or in a needleless injector for injecting a volume of a liquid into animal or plant tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Gilbert Wuttke, Michael Schyra, Andreas Fiol, Joachim Eicher
  • Patent number: 6932793
    Abstract: A firing device has a housing (10, 20) for an injector (1) with a trigger (4) whose action to eject a dose from its needle (2) is forwards against a resistance. The housing contains a spring (24) which acts on an axially movable locator (23) for the injector (1) that co-operates with its trigger (4). The device is primed by compressing the spring (24), the injector then being latched in a rearward position. Release of the catch (28) causes the spring (24) first to propel the injector (1) forwards, acting through the locator (23) and trigger (4), until the needle (2) is projected, and then to overcome the resistance to the trigger (4) to actuate that and cause a dose to be ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Owen Mumford Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy Marshall, Glenn Davison
  • Patent number: 6929623
    Abstract: An elongated syringe for administering a substance to a patient includes an elongated syringe chamber that may be inserted into a duct of a patient without unwantingly injuring the patient, a needle extending from the distal end of the syringe chamber, and a plunger rod extending from the proximal end of the syringe chamber. The syringe chamber may be flexible to accommodate curvatures of the duct of the patient. The syringe chamber includes a plurality of chamber compartments that will contain a fluid. At least one of the chamber compartments contains a fluid that is administered to a patient. The syringe chamber may include a driving piston located between two or more chamber compartments. The needle of the syringe may be a component of a transition-bore needle apparatus to facilitate delivery of a relatively viscous fluid from the syringe. The needle may also be flared at its proximal end so that the diameter of the proximal end of the needle is greater than the diameter of the distal end of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Artes Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Corbett Stone
  • Patent number: 6893420
    Abstract: The syringe (10) for self-injecting an extemporaneous mixture comprises: a body (60) containing at least two substances (36, 38) initially separated by an intermediate piston (32), which body (60) has two relatively movable portions (64, 66) that are movable between an initial position in which the two substances (36, 38) are separate and a final position in which the two substances (36, 38) are mixed together to form an extemporaneous mixture; automatic means (70, 72) for injecting the extemporaneous mixture out from the body (60) in order to proceed with injection; and latch means (73) for preventing triggering of the automatic injection means (70, 72). The syringe includes locking means (154, 109) for locking the latch means (73) so as to prevent the automatic injection means (70, 72) being triggered until the two substances have finished being mixed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: SEDAT
    Inventor: Yves Arnisolle
  • Patent number: 6871759
    Abstract: Disclosed is an infusion pump for expelling a fluid from a collapsible fluid reservoir to a patient. The pump includes a housing having a chamber therein for receiving the fluid reservoir. A first wall is provided on the housing for contacting the fluid reservoir, and a second wall is movable from a first position distanced from the first wall to form the chamber therebetween, and a second position relatively closer to the first wall. Advancing the movable wall from the first position to the second position expels fluid from the collapsible reservoir at a substantially constant rate by applying increasing force on the fluid reservoir through the dispensation cycle. Preferably, the first and second walls are provided with non-planar complementary surface configurations for contacting the collapsible reservoir. Retraction mechanisms for retracting the movable wall from the second position to the first position, and user readable indicium of the status of the dispensation cycle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: I-Flow Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rake, Orvile L. Judge, Donald M. Earhart, Charles J. McPhee
  • Patent number: 6837876
    Abstract: A device for administering an injectable product in doses, wherein the device includes a casing, a reservoir for the product, a piston, an advancing element which moves the piston a selected path length, and a dosing mechanism including a number of dosing bodies and a dosing element operable to move the dosing bodies, wherein the path length is selected by the dosing element moving at least one dosing body between the piston and the advancing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG
    Inventors: Christoph A. Bally, Stefan Jost
  • Patent number: 6805686
    Abstract: The invention provides a syringe and a method for using the same. The syringe includes a housing having a reservoir disposed therein and a plunger to be received by the reservoir, the plunger being moveable between a first plunger position and a second plunger position. The syringe also includes a plunger spring to urge the plunger toward the second plunger position and an actuator to deploy the plunger spring. The syringe also includes a needle proximate the distal end of the housing displaceable from a first needle position to a second needle position, and a shroud coupled with the housing. The shroud is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, the shroud surrounding at least a portion of the needle when in the extended position. The syringe also includes an interlocking assembly, a shroud spring, and a locking assembly configured to inhibit movement of the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Marwan A. Fathallah, Richard W. Grabenkort
  • Patent number: 6796964
    Abstract: An electrically powered, plunger-free, valve-free adjustable veterinary delivery system for the administration of veterinary pharmaceuticals or vaccines to a variety of poultry or livestock. The delivery system includes a rechargeable battery positioned to power an electric motor which is used to actuate a peristaltic pump that propels pre-determined quantity of fluid medicament through the system for delivery. The system teaches adjustable dosage control of the fluid medicament by means of an electronic control unit which uses photo-optic sensor to calibrate dosage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Eidson Associates, INC
    Inventors: Wilbur L. Eidson, Jon Mathisrud
  • Publication number: 20040122366
    Abstract: A drug to be infused into a patient is contained in a syringe or vial having a displaceable plunger for ejecting the drug out through an injection port into an administration set. Motion of the plunger of the drug delivery syringe/vial is controlled by a driver syringe having a piston or plunger for ejecting either a compressible or an incompressible fluid through a flow resistance element. Motive power for the piston of the drive syringe is provided by a constant load spring. A suitable linkage is provided for coupling the piston of the drive syringe to the plunger of the drug delivery syringe. Several types of flow rate control elements for use with the driver syringe are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Farhad Kazemzadeh
  • Publication number: 20040054327
    Abstract: An automatic mixing and injecting apparatus comprises a syringe assembly (400) within a housing (100). The syringe assembly (400) has a chamber (425) for holding a liquid, which can be a liquid medicine or a solvent. A second chamber (460) may hold a dry medicine. The second chamber (460) is releasably sealed with respect to the first chamber (425). A spring-operated plunger (300) forces liquid from the first chamber (425) and causes the releasable seal (430) to disengage when the needle (540) has entered the recipient. At this time, the liquid flows through the second chamber (460) and dissolves any dry medicine in that chamber (460). A releasable coupling (340) disengages the plunger (300) from the driver spring (500) and allows the plunger (300), syringe assembly (400), and needle (540) to retract under the urging of a return spring (505).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Innoject Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Gillespie
  • Publication number: 20040019326
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reusable spring driven autoinjector. The drive mechanism of the autoinjector of the present invention includes one or more drive springs formed of a shape memory alloy. Therefore, by alternating the shape memory alloy forming the one or more drive springs between austenite phase before an injection and a martensite phase after injection, the reusable autoinjector of the present invention is capable of providing an injection force that is higher than the compressive force required to cock the drive mechanism in preparation for a subsequent injection operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Scott Gilbert, Pedro de la Sema
  • Publication number: 20040019325
    Abstract: The present invention is an adjustable re-usable syringe actuator that delivers liquid at a substantially constant rate that is unaffected by a change in the viscosity of the liquid being pumped. The disposable syringe actuator is well suited for the infusion of small to medium volumes of liquid medication at low flow-rates. A preferred embodiment includes a purely mechanical device with no need for electricity, thereby providing a high level of patient mobility. The spring-powered device uses a variable length elongated flow regulation passageway to regulate the rate at which the spring depresses the syringe plunger. Thus, the rate of medication infusion is regulated by varying the length of the flow regulation passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: MEDRIP LTD.
    Inventor: Avraham Shekalim