Needleless injector cartridge

• US 20010027290A1
• Filed: 02/26/2001
• Published: 10/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zogenix, Inc. (UCB SA)
• Original Assignee: Weston Medical Limited
• Inventors: Weston, Terence Edward
• Granted Patent: US 6,673,038 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/72
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2044 having slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3132 having flow passages for injection agents at the distal end of the barrel to bypass a sealing stopper after its displacement to this end due to internal pressure increase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/273 preventing reuse, e.g. of disposables
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/276 preventing unwanted use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1782 Devices aiding filling of syringes in situ combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents A61J1/2096, filling of medical containers in general B65B3/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence

Abstract

A needleless injector cartridge, comprises an injection component (1) defining a void (17) therein for receiving medicament, and having an injection discharge orifice communicating with the void. The cartridge further comprises a transfer device (2) comprising a liquid-containing reservoir (4), and transfer means for causing the liquid (5) to flow from the reservoir, through a reservoir outlet, into the void in the injection component.

Claims

1. A needleless injector cartridge, comprising:

an injection component defining a void therein for receiving medicament, and having an injection discharge orifice communicating with the void; and

a transfer device comprising a liquid-containing reservoir, and transfer means for causing the liquid to flow from the reservoir, through a reservoir outlet, into said void.

2. A cartridge according to

claim 1

, wherein the said transfer means is arranged to cause the liquid to flow into the said void through the discharge orifice.

3. A cartridge according to

claim 2

, wherein the transfer device comprises a holder connected to the said injector component, the reservoir is movably mounted in the holder for movement towards the injection component, and said transfer means comprises a piston mounted for movement towards the reservoir outlet.

4. A cartridge according to

claim 3

, comprising a septum which, in an unpierced state, provides a barrier to flow of liquid into the said void, the reservoir outlet being defined by means provided with a septum-piercing member.

5. A cartridge according to

claim 3

, wherein the said transfer means further comprises a second piston, with the liquid being initially held between the two pistons, and at least one fluid path permitting fluid to escape from between the two pistons into the reservoir outlet once the pistons have reached a predetermined position.

6. A cartridge according to any of

claims 3

to

5

, wherein the said transfer means comprises a screw cap rotatable by a user to cause sliding movement of the piston.

7. A cartridge according to

claim 6

, wherein the screw cap has an internal screwthread which engages an external screwthread formed on the holder.

8. A cartridge according to any one of

claims 2

to

7

, wherein the said void is in a substantially evacuated condition before liquid flows therein.

9. A cartridge according to any one of

claims 2

to

8

, wherein the said void initially contains a medicament in lyophilised form, and the said liquid is a liquid suitable for reconstituting the drug from its lyophilised form into an injectable form.

10. A cartridge according to any one of

claims 2

to

9

, wherein the said injection component has a piston therein which is initially located adjacent the discharge orifice, the piston being adapted to move away from the orifice in response to flow of liquid through the reservoir outlet.

11. A cartridge according to any one of

claims 2

to

8

, or

claim 10

, wherein the said liquid is a liquid medicament in injectable form.

12. A cartridge according to any one of

claims 2

to

10

, wherein the said injection component and the said transfer device are connected by a frangible connection.

13. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the said reservoir is of glass.

14. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the said void is defined by a plastics member.

15. A cartridge according to any one of

claims 1

to

13

, wherein the void is defined by a liner surrounded by an outer member.

16. A needleless injector comprising a cartridge according to any preceding claim, mounted on an actuator.

17. A needleless injector according to

claim 16

, wherein the cartridge and actuator are integral with one another.