Medical injector

• US 20030100862A1
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kaleo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelliject Incorporated
• Inventors: Edwards, Eric S., Edwards, Evan T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,544,188 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/138
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3103 Leak prevention means for distal end of syringes, i.e. syringe end for mounting a needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3131 specially adapted for improving sealing or sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31516 reducing dead-space in the syringe barrel after delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/28 Syringe ampoules or carpules, i.e. ampoules or carpules provided with a needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31505 Integral with the syringe barrel, i.e. connected to the barrel so as to make up a single complete piece or unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31513 Piston constructions to improve sealing or sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31515 Connection of piston with piston rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3234 Fully automatic needle retraction, i.e. in which triggering of the needle does not require a deliberate action by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/34 Constructions for connecting the needle , e.g. to syringe nozzle or needle hub connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include a device comprising a substantially planar housing defining a reservoir; a plunger disposed at least partially within said reservoir and movable between a first position and a second position; a liquid dispensing needle coupled to said plunger, said needle comprising a channel in fluid communication with said reservoir, said needle contained within said housing when said plunger is in said first position; and a spring adapted to resist movement of said plunger. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An injector apparatus, comprising:

a housing defining a reservoir;

a pusher slidably surrounded by a recess defined by said housing and movable between a first position and a second position;

a plunger slidably surrounded by said reservoir, said plunger coupled to said pusher;

a liquid dispensing needle coupled to said plunger, said needle comprising a channel in fluid communication with said reservoir, said needle contained within said housing when said pusher is in said first position;

a spring positioned to bias said pusher toward said first position; and

a pivotable safety guard attached to said housing and positioned to pivotably cover and uncover said recess.

2. The injector apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a seal adjacent said reservoir and penetrable by said liquid dispensing needle when said pusher is moved toward said second position.

3. The injector apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a viewing window in said housing adjacent said reservoir.

4. The injector apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is substantially rectangular and has a width and a length approximating that of a credit card.

5. The injector apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is substantially rectangular and has a thickness of less than 1 inch.

6. An injector apparatus, comprising:

a housing defining a reservoir;

a pusher surrounded by a recess defined by said housing and movable between a first position and a second position;

a plunger surrounded by said reservoir, said plunger coupled to said pusher;

a liquid dispensing needle coupled to said plunger, said needle comprising a channel in fluid communication with said reservoir, said needle contained within said housing when said pusher is in said first position;

a spring positioned to bias said pusher toward said first position; and

a guard attached to said housing and positioned to cover and uncover said recess.

7. The injector apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a seal adjacent said reservoir and penetrable by said liquid dispensing needle when said pusher is moved toward said second position.

8. The injector apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a viewing window in said housing adjacent said reservoir.

9. The injector apparatus of claim 6, wherein said housing is substantially rectangular and has a width and a length approximating that of a credit card.

10. The injector apparatus of claim 6, wherein said housing is substantially rectangular and has a thickness of less than 1 inch.

11. A device, comprising:

a substantially rectangular housing defining a reservoir;

a plunger disposed at least partially within said reservoir and movable between a first position and a second position;

a liquid dispensing needle coupled to said plunger, said needle comprising a channel in fluid communication with said reservoir, said needle contained within said housing when said plunger is in said first position; and

a spring adapted to resist movement of said plunger.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a pusher attached to said plunger.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein said housing has a width and a length approximating that of a credit card.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein said housing has a thickness of less than 1 inch.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein said spring is adapted to resist movement of said plunger toward said second position.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein said spring is adapted to resist movement of said plunger away from said first position.

17. The device of claim 11, further comprising a seal adjacent said reservoir and penetrable by said liquid dispensing needle when said first portion is moved toward said second portion.

18. The device of claim 11, further comprising a guard adapted to prevent movement of said plunger from said first portion toward said second portion.

19. The device of claim 11, further comprising further comprising a pusher attached to said plunger and a guard adapted to at least partially obstruct access to said pusher.

20. The device of claim 11, further comprising a viewing window in said housing adjacent said reservoir.

21. A device, comprising:

a substantially rectangular housing defining a reservoir;

a plunger disposed at least partially within said reservoir and movable between a first position and a second position;

a liquid dispensing needle coupled to said plunger, said needle comprising a channel in fluid communication with said reservoir, said needle contained within said housing when said plunger is in said first position; and

a spring adapted to bias said plunger.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein said housing has a width and a length approximating that of a credit card.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein said housing has a thickness of less than 1 inch.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein said spring is adapted to bias said plunger toward said first position.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein said spring is adapted to bias said plunger away from said second position.

26. A device, comprising:

a substantially rectangular housing defining a reservoir;

a plunger disposed at least partially within said reservoir and movable between a first position and a second position;

a liquid dispensing needle coupled to said plunger, said needle comprising a channel in fluid communication with said reservoir, said needle contained within said housing when said plunger is in said first position; and

a biasing means for returning said plunger to said first position.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein said housing has a width and a length approximating that of a credit card.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein said housing has a thickness of less than 1 inch.

29. The device of claim 26, wherein said biasing means directly contacts said plunger.

30. The device of claim 26, wherein said biasing means indirectly biases said plunger.

31. A device, comprising:

a substantially planar housing defining a reservoir;

a sealing member disposed at least partially within said reservoir and movable between a first position and a second position;

a liquid dispensing needle coupled to said sealing member, said needle comprising a channel in fluid communication with said reservoir, said needle contained within said housing when said sealing member is in said first position; and

a biasing means for returning said sealing member to said first position.