Injection device

• US 20020165500A1
• Filed: 06/05/2001
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1994
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hasemeier S.A.R.L
• Original Assignee: Hasemeier S.A.R.L
• Inventors: Bechtold, Herbert, Gabriel, Jochen
• Application Number:
  US09/874,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20020165500A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/209
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/206 With automatic needle insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2033 Spring-loaded one-shot injectors with or without automatic needle insertion multishot dosing syringes A61M5/31525, needle insertion only A61M5/3287
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/24 Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic ampoules or carpules A61J1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31536 Blocking means to immobilize a selected dose, e.g. to administer equal doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31553 without axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31563 interacting with a displaceable stop member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31578 based on axial translation, i.e. components directly operatively associated and axially moved with plunger rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31593 Multi-dose, i.e. individually set dose repeatedly administered from the same medicament reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/46 having means for controlling depth of insertion

Abstract

The invention relates to an injection device (10) having a housing (15) and an injector fluid container (12) whicj can move, in relation to this housing, between a distal and proximal end position, and also having a pushrod (14) to act on a plunger 923) in this container (12) for the purpose of expelling fluid from the container. A device connection (27) is provided between the pushrod (14) and the container, this drive connection is effective in both the proximal end position of the container (12), it is only effective when the pushrod (14) is moved in the distal direction.

Claims

1. An injection device comprising a housing (15;

132, 150) and a container (12;

136) for an injection fluid or a retainer (134, 234) for a container of this kind, which is displaceable in relation to this housing between a distal end position (FIGS. 2, 3, 9, 21) and a proximal end position (FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 19, 20), further comprising a pushrod (14;

188) movable relative to the housing to expel fluid from such a container (12;

136), and comprising a first connecting device (27;

112, 114;

242, 244, 246, 248), which is position-dependent and/or direction-dependent, between the pushrod (14;

188) and the container (12;

136).

2. The injection device according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting device (27;

112, 114;

242, 244, 246, 248) is adapted upon movement of the pushrod (14;

188) in the distal direction, to produce a unidirectional, positive connection between the pushrod (14;

188) and the container (12;

136) or the receptacle (134, 234) for the container and to move the container, or the receptacle therefor, together with the pushrod (14;

188) in the distal direction, and which is furthermore adapted to convert a movement of the pushrod (14;

188) in the proximal direction into a corresponding movement of the container (12;

136) or the receptacle (134, 234) for the container in the proximal direction until the container (12;

136) is prevented from moving in the proximal direction in the housing.

3. The injection device according to claim 2, wherein the unidirectional positive connection is formed so that a stop (18, 20;

70, 73;

260) for the distal movement of the container (12;

136) or a receptacle (134, 234) for the container also constitutes a limit for the distal movement of the pushrod (14;

188).

4. The injection device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the distal end position of the container (12;

136) or the receptacle (134, 234) for the container, the first connecting device (27;

112, 114;

242, 244, 246, 248) is effective in both the proximal and the distal direction, but in the proximal end position of the container (12;

136) or the receptacle for the container, is only effective when the pushrod (14;

188) is moved in the distal direction.

5. The injection device according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, wherein a drive mechanism (35;

186) is provided for the pushrod (14;

188) and further comprising a second connecting device (38;

122, 124;

214, 216, 218, 220) provided between the drive mechanism (35;

186) and the pushrod (14;

188), which connecting device acts in a position-dependent and/or direction-dependent manner.

6. The injection device according to claim 5, wherein the second connecting device (38;

122, 124;

214, 216, 218, 220) is adapted to produce a unidirectional positive connection in the proximal direction between the drive mechanism (35;

186) and the pushrod (14;

188) and to move the latter in the proximal direction, together with the drive mechanism (35;

186), and to convert a movement of the drive mechanism (35;

186) in the distal direction into a corresponding movement of the pushrod (14;

188) in the distal direction until the pushrod (14;

188) is prevented from moving in the distal direction.

7. The injection device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein in a proximal position range (FIG. 1) of the container (12), the second connecting device (38) produces a connection between the drive mechanism (35) and the pushrod (14) in both the proximal and the distal direction.

8. The injection device according to one or more of claims 5 to 7, wherein in a distal position range (FIGS. 2, 3, 21) of the container (12;

136), the second connecting device (38;

214, 216, 218, 220) produces a connection between the drive mechanism (34;

186) and the pushrod (14;

188), which connection is effective in the proximal direction and makes it possible to move the drive mechanism (35;

186) in the distal direction relative to the pushrod (14;

188).

9. The injection device according to one or more of claims 5 to 8, wherein the drive mechanism (35;

186) is associated with a detent mechanism (46;

94;

224) and a spring (11;

262), in particular a spring made of a plastic material, which acts upon the drive mechanism in the proximal direction and can be compressed by moving the detent mechanism (46;

94;

224) in the distal direction, wherein the detent mechanism engages when a predetermined cocked position (FIGS. 3, 9, 21) is reached.

10. The injection device according to claim 9, wherein a clip (98;

176) provided on the outside of the housing (15, 150) is formed to release the detent mechanism (94;

224) and to thus trigger an injection process.

11. The injection device according to one or more of claims 5 to 10, wherein the drive mechanism (35;

186) is associated with an actuating member (80;

206) which is preferably disposed in the distal range of the device and makes it possible to slide the move mechanism (35;

186) into its cocked position (FIGS. 9,

     21).

12. The injection device according to one or more of claims 5 to 11, wherein the unidirectional positive connection between the pushrod (14;

188) and the container (12;

136) and/or between the drive mechanism (35;

186) and the pushrod (14;

188) is formed in the form of a drive coupling that is unilaterally effective, in particular in the form of a ratchet coupling.

13. The injection device according to claim 12, wherein in the direction counter to the unidirectional positive connection, the connecting device is formed as a frictional, non-positive connection device and/or as a positive connection device that is controlled in a position-dependent manner.

14. The injection device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first connecting device comprises a member (27;

112;

242, 244) that is connected to the container (12;

136) and formed to engage with the pushrod (14;

188).

15. The injection device according to claim 14, wherein the member (17;

112;

242, 244) connected to the container (12;

136) elastically engages with the pushrod (14;

188) at least in the proximal end position of the container (12;

136).

16. The injection device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the container (12;

136) is associated with a retainer (17;

54;

134, 234) which is formed so that it can move relative to the housing (15;

132, 150), the member (27;

112;

242, 244) being formed to engage with the pushrod (14;

188) being disposed on this retainer (17;

54;

134, 234) and being movable together with it.

17. The injection device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second connecting device comprises a member (38;

112;

186) provided on the drive mechanism (35;

186), which member is formed to engage with the pushrod (14;

188) and which, at least in the distal end position range of the container (12;

136), engages elastically with the pushrod (14;

188).

18. The injection device according to one or more of claims 14 to 17, wherein depending upon the position of the container (12) or a retainer which holds it, the member (27;

38) formed to engage with the pushrod (14) is prevented from moving elastically away from the pushrod (14) by a member or the like fixed to the housing.

19. The injection device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, at least in areas, the pushrod (14;

188) is formed in the form of a toothed rod (FIGS. 10;

30, 31).

20. The injection device according to claim 19, wherein the teeth (28;

218, 248) of the toothed rod (14;

188) are formed so that they permit the toothed rod to move only in the proximal direction relative to an elastic detent mechanism.

21. The injection device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the pushrod (14;

188) is associated with a stop (91) limiting the movement of the pushrod relative to the housing (15;

132), at least in the proximal direction.

22. The injection device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the container (12;

136) is associated with a retainer (17;

54;

134, 234) which holds the container (12;

136) and can move axially in the housing (15;

132) between a proximal and a distal end position.

23. The injection device according to claim 22, wherein the length of the retainer (54;

134, 234) is adjustable.

24. The injection device according to claim 23, wherein the retainer (54;

134, 234) has a proximal section (56;

134) and a distal section (66;

234) that are connected to each other by an adjustable connection (64;

236, 240), in particular by a micro-detent mechanism which makes it possible to change and in particular to shorten the overall length of the retainer (54;

134, 234), for example by means of an axial force (FIG. 8A;

K).

25. The injection device according to one or more of claims 22 to 24, wherein in its proximal end position, the retainer (54;

134, 234) rests with its distal end against a proximal end section of the drive member.

26. The injection device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the effectiveness of the first and/or second connecting device (27;

38;

112, 114;

122, 124;

242, 244, 246, 248, 214, 216, 218, 220) is a function of the respective position of the container (12;

136).

28. The injection device according to claim 27, wherein in its distal range, the retainer (54;

134, 234) has abutment means (68, 73;

236), determining its proximal end position and/or distal end position relative to the housing (15;

132) and wherein the length adjustment of the retainer (54;

134, 234) is carried out relative to these abutment means so that when the length of the retainer (54;

134, 234) is changed, the position of the container (12;

136) relative to the pushrod (14;

188) is changed.

29. The injection device according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the length changing device has a micro-detent mechanism (64;

236, 240) connecting a proximal section (56;

134) and a distal section (66;

234) of the retainer (54) to each other in an adjustable way.

30. The injection device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has at least two parts, and a device (144) is provided for changing the relative position of housing parts (132, 150), in particular by linearly moving them relative to each other.

31. The injection device according to claim 30, wherein a first housing part (132) is provided for guiding the retainer (134, 234) holding the injection fluid container (136) and a second housing part (150) that is movable in relation to the first has detent means (180) for the locking of a detent mechanism (224) provided on the drive mechanism (186).

32. The injection device according to claim 31, wherein a clip (176) on the outside of the second housing part (150) is provided for releasing the detent connection between the detent means (180) and the detent mechanism (224).

33. The injection device according to one or more of claims 30 to 32, wherein one of the housing parts (150) movable relative to each other has a thread (148, 148′

), and the other housing part (132) has a threaded sleeve (144) that is rotatable relative to the other housing part (132) but not axially movable, and is in engagement with said thread (148, 148′

).

34. The injection device according to one or more of claims 30 to 33, wherein guide means (152, 156, 196, 198) is provided for linear guidance between the housing parts (132, 150) that are movable relative to each other.

35. The injection device according to one or more of claims 30 to 34, wherein one of the housing parts (150) is guided in the other (132).

36. The injection device according to claim 35, wherein the outer housing part (132) is provided with at least one elongated recess (158), through which a part (196) of the inner housing part (150) protrudes radially outward.

37. The injection device according to claim 36, wherein the outwardly protruding part (196) of the inner housing part (150) is provided with an external thread (148, 148′

) which engages with the internal thread (146) of a threaded sleeve (144) that is disposed on the outer housing part (132) so that it can rotate, but cannot slide axially.

38. The injection device according to claim 33 or 37, wherein the threads (146, 148, 148′

) are formed as small pitch threads.

39. The injection device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first connecting device (186) comprises two engaging members (214, 216) that are provided with engaging elements (214′

, 216′

) adapted to engage in corresponding rows of teeth (218, 220) of a toothed rod (188) that serves as a pushrod.

40. The injection device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second connecting device has two engaging members (242, 244) that are provided with engaging elements (242′

, 244′

) adapted to engage in corresponding rows of teeth (246, 248) on a toothed rod (188) that serves as a pushrod.

41. The injection device according to claims 39 and 40, wherein the toothed rod (188) serving as a pushrod has a rectangular, and preferably square cross section and on a first pair of opposing sides, is provided with rows of teeth (218, 220) for the first connecting device and on the second pair of opposing sides, is provided with rows of teeth (246, 248) for the second connecting device.

42. The injection device according to claim 41, wherein the engaging members (214, 216) of the first connecting device and the engaging members (242, 244) of the second connecting device engage each other interdigitally.

43. The injection device in particular according to one or more of claims 39 to 42, wherein the rows of teeth (218, 220) on the opposing sides of a toothed rod (188) serving as a pushrod and/or the engaging elements (214′

, 216′

) on engaging members which elastically engage these opposing rows of teeth (218, 220) are offset from each other in an axial direction in order to permit either a full engagement of an engaging element of the first of two elastic engaging members with the associated row of teeth of the pushrod, or a full engagement of an engaging element of the second of two elastic engaging members with the associated row of teeth of the pushrod (188), and thus allow an improved adjustment potential of the injection device.

27. An injection device having a housing (15;

132, 150), comprising an injection fluid container (12;

136) disposed in this housing (15), further comprising a pushrod (14;

188) movable in relation to the housing (15;

132, 150) to expel fluid from this container (12;

136), further comprising a retainer (54;

134, 234) serving to hold the container (12;

136) and movable in the housing (15;

132) between a proximal and a distal end position, and comprising a device (64;

236, 240) for adjusting the length of this retainer (54;

134, 234).

44. An injection device having a housing (132, 150) for receiving a container (136) for a fluid to be injected, and having a toothed rod that is movable by means of an actuating member to expel fluid from such a container (136) disposed in the housing, which toothed rod (188), viewed in cross section, is polygonal and on a plurality of sides of this polygon, is respectively provided with a row of teeth (218, 220, 246, 248), said rows of teeth cooperating with another member, in particular the actuating member, that cooperates with the toothed rod (188), said another member having a plurality of engaging members (214, 216), each provided with at least one engaging element (214′

, 216′

) that is complementary to the associated row of teeth and elastically engages therewith, one engaging member out of this plurality of engaging members (214, 216) engaging fully with the associated row of teeth (218, 220) via its at least one complementary engaging element (214′

, 216′

), and other engaging members out of this plurality of engaging members being not in full engagement with their associated row of teeth.

45. The injection device according to claim 44, wherein the rows of teeth (218, 220) of the toothed rod (188) which cooperate with said another member are disposed essentially symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the toothed rod (188).

46. The injection device according to claim 44 or 45, wherein said another member is formed as a drive mechanism (186) for moving the container (136) in the housing (132, 150) of the injection device.

47. The injection device according to one or more of claims 44 to 46, wherein the toothed rod (188) has a rectangular cross section, in particular a square one, and said another member has two engaging members (214, 216) which cooperate with rows of teeth (218, 220) on opposing sides of this toothed rod.