Device for automatically injecting an active agent

• US 20050277886A1
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG (Ypsomed Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AG (Ypsomed Holding AG)
• Inventors: Hommann, Edgar, Scherer, Benjamin, Broennimann, Lorenz
• Granted Patent: US 7,806,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/136
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/206 With automatic needle insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2073 preventing premature release, e.g. by making use of a safety lock
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3125 specific display means, e.g. to indicate dose setting
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31518 designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
• 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 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3157 Means providing feedback signals when administration is completed A61M5/20 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A device for automatically injecting an active agent, the device involving a syringe filled with an active agent and carrying an injection needle, the syringe displaceable in a receiver by the tension of a spring. A transmission displaceable by at least one spring traverses a first partial path for sticking the injection needle and a second partial path for emptying the active agent from the syringe. The at least one spring acts between the transmission and an intermediate part, and another spring acts between the intermediate part and a support fixedly connected to the receiver. An indicator visible from the outside is connected to the intermediate part, moves only during the second partial path, and traverses a path length that is substantially smaller that the sum of both partial paths.

Claims

1. A device for injecting an active agent comprising:

a syringe containing the active agent and carrying an injection needle, the syringe displaceable in a receiver by a spring;

a transmission displaceable by at least one spring along a first partial path for moving the injection needle and a second partial path for emptying the active agent from the syringe;

an intermediate part, wherein the at least one spring acts between the transmission and the intermediate part, and another spring acts between the intermediate part and a support fixedly connected to the receiver; and

an indicator visible from the outside the device and connected to the intermediate part, said indicator moving only during the movement of the transmission along the second partial path, and traversing a path length that is substantially smaller that the sum of both partial paths.

2. A device for automatically injecting an agent, said device comprising a receptacle for the agent, which receptacle is displaceable, together with an injection needle connected thereto, inside a housing for the purpose of inserting the injection needle into a patient, and comprising a syringe piston that is displaceable inside the receptacle for the purpose of expelling the agent, wherein the displacement path of an indicator visible from the outside is shorter than the total distance of displacement of the syringe piston relative to the housing.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a transmission part displaceable by at least one spring element, said transmission part moveable along a first partial path for inserting the injection needle and a second partial path for expelling the agent, the at least one spring element operably effective between the transmission part and a support part fixedly connected to the housing, the indicator operably connected to the spring element.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the spring element has two ends and the indicator is operably connected to the spring element at a location between the two ends.

5. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a transmission part displaceable by at least one spring element, said transmission part moveable along a first partial path for inserting the injection needle and a second partial path for expelling the agent, the at least one spring element operably effective between the transmission part and an intermediate part, and at least one additional spring element operably effective between the intermediate part and a support part fixedly connected to the housing, wherein the indicator is connected to the intermediate part.

6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a stop that limits the stressing of the at least one additional spring element to a maximum spring force, and wherein the spring elements are dimensioned such that the maximum spring force of the stressed additional spring element corresponds to the instantaneous spring force of the at least one spring element after the inserting of the injection needle and before the expelling of the agent.

7. The device according to claim 6, further comprising an additional stop that limits the relaxing of the at least one additional spring element so that the path traveled by the indicator is defined.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one spring element and the at least one additional spring element are arranged coaxially and, at least in the stressed state, are situated at least partially telescopically.

9. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a transmission part displaceable by at least one spring element, said transmission part moveable along a first partial path for inserting the injection needle and a second partial path for expelling the agent, wherein the indicator is connected to an intermediate part that, in turn, is connected to at least one rolling element which during the movement of the transmission part rolls between the transmission part and a region fixedly connected to the housing.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one rolling element carries on its circumference teeth that mesh with teeth arranged on the transmission part and on the region fixedly connected to the housing.

11. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a cover that covers the indicator while the transmission part moves along the first partial path.

12. The device according to claim 2, wherein the indicator is ring-shaped.

13. The device according to claim 2, wherein the indicator is located generally in the end region of the device opposite to the injection needle.

14. The device according to claim 2, wherein the indicator is visible from the outside through a transparent or translucent portion of the housing.