Intradermal needle

• US 20050113753A1
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Carlos E. Guillermo, Marina S. Korisch, Paul G. Alchas, Philippe Emile Fernand Laurent
• Original Assignee: Carlos E. Guillermo, Marina S. Korisch, Paul G. Alchas, Philippe Emile Fernand Laurent
• Inventors: Alchas, Paul G., Laurent, Philippe Emile Fernand, Korisch, Marina S., Guillermo, Carlos E.
• Application Number:
  US11/010,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20050113753A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/00 Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals for reproduction or fertilisation A61D19/00 ; devices for implanting pellets, radon seeds or the like A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3247 Means to impede repositioning of protection sleeve from needle covering to needle uncovering position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3284 Deformaton of needle by deflection or bending
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0445 Proteins immunoglobulin A61M2202/0417; beta-2-microglobulin A61M2202/0421; thrombin A61M2202/0425; haemoglobin A61M2202/0433
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/002 Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. for syringes or needles, kits for diabetics needle protection, e.g. caps, A61M5/3202; for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/282 by compression of deformable ampoule or carpule wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3202 Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps A61M5/50 takes precedence; for infusion spikes A61M5/1626; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3213 Caps placed axially onto the needle, e.g. equipped with finger protection guards axially-extensible protective sleeves A61M5/3243
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/326 Fully automatic sleeve extension, i.e. in which triggering of the sleeve does not require a deliberate action by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/46 having means for controlling depth of insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile

Abstract

An intradermal needle assembly that is attachable to a prefillable container intended for intradermally injecting substances into an animal includes a needle cannula supported by a hub portion. The hub portion is adapted to receive the prefillable container just prior to administering the intradermal injection. A limiter portion surrounds the needle cannula and extends away from the hub portion toward a forward tip of the needle cannula, and includes a skin engaging surface with the needle cannula having a fixed angle of orientation, preferably generally perpendicular, relative to the plane of the skin engaging surface. The skin engaging surface is received against the skin of an animal to administer an intradermal injection. The forward tip extends beyond the skin engaging surface a distance enabling penetration of the needle cannula into the dermis layer of the skin of the animal enabling injection of the substance into the dermis layer.

Claims

1. An intradermal needle assembly for use with a prefillable container having a reservoir capable of storing a substance for injection into the skin of an animal comprising:

a hub portion being attachable to the prefillable container;

a needle cannula supported by said hub portion and having a forward tip extending away from said hub portion; and

a limiter portion surrounding said needle cannula and including a generally flat skin engaging surface extending in a plane generally perpendicular to an axis of said needle cannula and adapted to be received against the skin of the animal during administration of an intradermal injection, said limiter portion and said cannula being non-movable with respect to each other such that said needle forward tip extends beyond said skin engaging surface a distance ranging from approximately 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm wherein said limiter portion limits penetration of the needle into the dermis layer of skin of the animal so that the vaccine is injected into the dermis layer of the animal.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said limiter portion and said hub portion are integrally formed as a single component.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said needle cannula is fixedly attached to said hub portion of said single component behind said skin engaging surface of said limiter portion.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said hub portion includes a throat for receiving the prefillable container.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said needle cannula is fixedly attached to said hub portion with an adhesive.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said adhesive comprises an epoxy curable with ultra violet light.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said skin engaging surface comprises a rigid polymer having an elastomeric central area with said needle cannula extending therethrough.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, further including a sleeve circumscribing said limiter and being slidable for shielding said forward tip subsequent to administering an intradermal injection.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said limiter includes at least one ramp allowing said limiter to be moved toward said forward tip and preventing said limiter from being moved away from said forward tip upon shielding said forward tip.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9, further including a tip cap removably affixed to said skin engaging surface and having said forward tip received therein.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said limiter includes a needle plunger slidably received thereby and being oriented generally perpendicular to said axis of said needle cannula within about fifteen degrees.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said needle plunger is depressable thereby bending said needle cannula and retracting said needle cannula into said limiter for shielding said forward tip subsequent to administering an injection.

13. An intradermal needle assembly for use with a prefillable container having a reservoir capable of storing a substance for injection into the skin of an animal comprising:

a hub portion having a throat for receiving the prefillable container;

a needle cannula being supported by said hub portion and having a forward tip extending away from said hub portion;

a limiter portion surrounding said hub portion and said needle cannula and including a generally flat skin engaging surface extending in a plane generally perpendicular to an axis of said needle cannula and being adapted to be received against the skin of an animal, said limiter portion and said needle cannula being non-movable with respect to each other such that said forward tip extends beyond said skin engaging surface a distance ranging from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3.0 mm wherein the limiter portion limits penetration of said needle cannula into the dermis layer of the skin of the animal thereby injecting the substance into the dermis layer of the animal.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said limiter portion and said hub portion are integrally formed as a single component.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein said needle cannula is fixedly attached to said hub portion of said single component behind said skin engaging surface of said limiter portion.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15, wherein said needle cannula is fixedly attached to said hub portion with an adhesive.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said skin engaging surface comprises a rigid polymer having an elastomeric central area with said needle cannula extending therethrough.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 13, further including a sleeve circumscribing said limiter and being slidable for shielding said forward tip subsequent to administering an intradermal injection.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18, wherein said limiter includes at least one ramp allowing said limiter to be moved toward said forward tip and preventing said limiter from being moved away from said forward tip upon shielding said forward tip.

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 19, further including a tip cap removably affixed to said skin engaging surface and having said forward tip received therein.

21. An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said limiter includes a needle plunger slidably received thereby and being oriented generally perpendicular to said axis of said needle cannula.

22. An assembly as set forth in claim 21, wherein said needle plunger is depressable thereby bending said needle cannula and retracting said needle cannula into said limiter for shielding said forward tip subsequent to administering an injection.

23. An intradermal needle assembly attachable to a prefillable container having a reservoir adapted to contain a substance for use in intradermally injecting vaccines into the skin of an animal, comprising:

a hub portion;

a needle cannula affixed to said hub portion and having a forward tip that is adapted to penetrate an the skin of an animal; and

a limiter surrounding said needle cannula and having a generally flat skin engaging surface extending in a plane generally perpendicular to an axis of said needle cannula and being adapted to be placed against the skin of the animal during administration of an intradermal injection of the substance, said limiter and said needle cannula forward tip being non-movable with respect to each other such that said needle cannula forward tip extends away from said skin engaging surface a distance ranging from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3.0 mm and wherein said limiter limits penetration of said needle cannula forward tip into the dermis layer of the skin of an animal so that the substance is injected into the dermis layer of the skin.

24. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said hub portion and said limiter portion are formed as separate pieces.

25. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said limiter portion defines an inner cavity receiving at least a portion of said hub and including an abutment engaging a corresponding structure on said hub portion thereby limiting the length of said needle cannula extending beyond said skin engaging surface.

26. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said hub portion includes a throat for receiving the prefillable container.

27. An assembly as set forth in claim 26, wherein said adhesive comprises an epoxy curable with ultra violet light.

28. An assembly as set forth in claim 27, wherein said limiter portion includes a plurality of snaps engaging said hub portion thereby fixedly attaching said hub portion to said limiter portion.

29. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said limiter portion and said hub portion are integrally formed as a single component.

30. An assembly as set forth in claim 29, wherein said needle cannula is fixedly attached to said hub portion of said single component behind said skin engaging surface of said limiter portion.

31. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said hub portion includes a throat for receiving the prefillable container.

32. An assembly as set forth in claim 31, wherein said needle cannula is fixedly attached to said hub portion with an adhesive.

33. An assembly as set forth in claim 32, wherein said adhesive comprises an epoxy curable with ultra violet light.

34. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said substance includes an influenza vaccine.

35. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said needle assembly is attachable to a prefillable container with a Luer fit.

36. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, further including a sleeve circumscribing said limiter and being slidable for shielding said forward tip subsequent to administering an intradermal injection.

37. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said limiter includes at least one ramp allowing said limiter to be moved toward said forward tip and preventing said limiter from being moved away from said forward tip upon shielding said forward tip.

38. An assembly as set forth in claim 37, further including a tip cap removably affixed to said skin engaging surface and having said forward tip received therein.

39. An assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein said limiter includes a needle plunger slidably received thereby and being oriented generally perpendicular to said axis of said needle cannula.

40. An assembly as set forth in claim 39, wherein said needle plunger is depressable thereby bending said needle cannula and retracting said needle cannula into said limiter for shielding said forward tip subsequent to administering an injection.

41. An intradermal needle assembly for use with a prefillable container having a reservoir capable of storing a substance for injection into the skin of an animal comprising:

a hub portion attachable to the prefillable container;

a needle cannula supported by said hub portion and having a forward tip extending away from said hub portion;

a limiter portion surrounding said needle cannula and including a generally flat skin engaging surface extending in a plane generally perpendicular to an axis of said needle cannula and adapted to be received against the skin of the animal during administration of an intradermal injection, said needle forward tip extending beyond said skin engaging surface a distance ranging from approximately 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm wherein said limiter portion limits penetration of the needle into the dermis layer of skin of the animal so that the vaccine is injected into the dermis layer of the animal; and

an enclosure means for concealing said needle cannula following injection.

42. An assembly as set forth in claim 41, wherein said enclosure means comprises said limiter being slideably disposed about said needle cannula and having at least a first position and a second position, said first position exposing said forward tip of said needle cannula and said second position concealing said forward tip of said needle cannula.

43. An assembly as set forth in claim 42, wherein said limiter defines at least one slot oriented generally parallel to said needle cannula and having a protuberance disposed on one side thereof.

44. An assembly as set forth in claim 43, further comprising a hub supporting said needle cannula and said hub including at least one locking finger and at least one stop, said at least one locking finger being cantilevered away from said forward tip and said at least one stop being cantilevered toward said forward tip.

45. An assembly as set forth in claim 44, wherein said at least one locking finger includes a tab received by said slot disposed in said limiter.

46. An assembly as set forth in claim 45, wherein said tab is snappable over said protuberance for moving said limiter from said first position to said second position.

47. An assembly as set forth in claim 46 wherein said needle plunger is depressable thereby bending said needle cannula and retracting said needle cannula into said limiter for shielding said forward tip subsequent to administering an injection.

48. An assembly as set forth in claim 47, wherein said protuberance is disposed between said tab and said at least one stop when said limiter is located in said first position.

49. An assembly as set forth in claim 48, wherein said limiter includes a catch engaging said at least one stop when said limiter is in said second position thereby preventing said limiter from being moved into said first position from said second position.

50. An assembly as set forth in claim 41, wherein said limiter comprises a non-elastomeric polymer.

51. An assembly as set forth in claim 50, wherein said skin engaging surface comprises an elastomeric polymer being circumscribed by said non-elastomeric polymer.

52. An assembly as set forth in claim 51, wherein said elastomeric polymer is pierced by said needle cannula when said limiter is mated to said hub portion.

53. An assembly as set forth in claim 52, wherein said forward end includes a beveled tip ranging in length between approximately 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm.

54. An assembly as set forth in claim 53, wherein said forward end includes a beveled tip having a length of approximately 0.9 mm in length.

55. An assembly as set forth in claim 41, wherein said enclosure means comprises a needle plunger inserted through said limiter and being depressable for bending said needle cannula thereby retracting said needle cannula into said limiter.

56. An assembly as set forth in claim 55, wherein said needle plunger is oriented generally perpendicular to said needle cannula.

57. An assembly as set forth in claim 41, including a cap attachable to said skin engaging surface for concealing said forward tip.

58. An assembly as set forth in claim 57, wherein said cap comprises an elastomer and said forward tip is inserted into said elastomer thereby sealing said needle cannula and preventing said substance from leaking from said prefillable container through said cannula.

59. An assembly as set forth in claim 41, wherein said enclosure means comprises a tubular shield extendable from a retracted position to an extended position enclosing said needle cannula.

60. An assembly as set forth in claim 41, wherein said needle forward tip extends beyond said skin engaging surface about 1.0 to 2.0 mm.

61. An assembly as set forth in claim 42, wherein said needle forward tip extends beyond said skin engaging surface 1.5 mm±

0.2 to 0.3 mm.