Injector for Viscous Materials

• US 20070287958A1
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nova Eye Incorporated
• Original Assignee: IScience Surgical Corp. (iScience Interventional Corporation)
• Inventors: Kupiecki, David, Conston, Stanley, McKenzie, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,967,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure
• 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 5/31586 performed by rotationally moving or pivoted actuator, e.g. an injection lever or handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/486 Indicating injection pressure

Abstract

An injector is provided to deliver microquantities of viscous materials into the body, such as the eye, for surgical purposes. The injector comprises a syringe body with a plunger disposed therein coupled to a positive displacement mechanism capable of progressively advancing the plunger to precisely deliver microquantities of materials at a constant or predetermined delivery rate.

Claims

1. An injector for viscous materials comprising a syringe body with a proximal end, a distal end with an outlet and a hollow bore between the ends;

and a plunger disposed within the hollow bore coupled to a positive displacement mechanism that progressively advances the plunger toward the distal end of the syringe body to eject the material within the hollow bore through said outlet wherein said positive displacement mechanism comprises a series of spaced mechanical stops for controlling the linear displacement of said plunger.

5. The injector according to claim 1 or 29 wherein said positive displacement mechanism is coupled to a powered source of motion.

6. The injector according to claim 1 or 29 wherein said positive displacement mechanism provides a repeatable increment of delivered volume of material of less than about 25 microliters.

7. The injector according to claim 1 or 29 additionally comprising a regulator of the injection pressure said regulator comprising an attenuator to limit the force applied to eject said material.

8. The injector according to claim 1 or 29 additionally comprising an injector pressure monitor.

9. The injector according to claim 8 wherein said monitor provides feedback information on pressure to an actuator, wherein said actuator provides power to drive said positive displacement mechanism.

11. The injector according to claim 5 wherein said attenuator comprises a clutch engageable to said positive displacement mechanism.

12. The injector according to claim 1 or 29 additionally comprising a pressure relief valve to relieve pressure within said hollow bore.

2-4. -4. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

13. A device for delivering microquantities of viscous materials comprising

an injector for viscous materials comprising a syringe body with a proximal end, a distal end with an outlet and a hollow bore between the ends;

and a plunger disposed within the hollow bore coupled to a positive displacement mechanism that progressively advances the plunger toward the distal end of the syringe body to eject the material within the hollow bore through said outlet; and

a microcannula.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein said microquantities are in the range of about 5 to 25 microliters.

15. The device according to claim 13 wherein in said injector said positive displacement mechanism comprises a threaded rod attached to said plunger.

16. The device according to claim 15 wherein said threaded rod has a thread pitch greater than or equal to 40 threads per inch.

17. The device according to claim 13 wherein in said injector said positive displacement mechanism comprises a linear translation mechanism with a series of spaced mechanical stops.

18. The device according to claim 13 wherein in said injector said positive displacement mechanism is coupled to a powered source of motion.

19. The device according to claim 13 wherein in said injector said positive displacement mechanism provides a repeatable increment of delivered volume of material of less than about 25 microliters.

20. The device according to claim 13 wherein said injector additionally comprising means for regulation of the injection pressure.

21. The device according to claim 13 wherein said injector additionally comprising an injector pressure monitor.

22. The device according to claim 21 wherein said monitor provides feedback information on pressure to an actuator, wherein said actuator provides power to drive said positive displacement mechanism.

23. The device according to claim 20 wherein said means for regulation of the injection pressure comprises an attenuator to limit the force applied to eject said material.

24. The device according to claim 23 wherein said attenuator comprises a clutch engageable to said positive displacement mechanism.

25. The device according to claim 13 wherein said injector additionally comprises a pressure relief valve to relieve pressure within said hollow bore.

26. A kit for delivering microquantities of viscous materials comprising

an injector for viscous materials comprising a syringe body with a proximal end, a distal end with an outlet and a hollow bore between the ends;

and a plunger disposed within the hollow bore coupled to a positive displacement mechanism that progressively advances the plunger toward the distal end of the syringe body to eject the material within the hollow bore through said outlet; and

a microcannula.

27. A kit according to claim 26 further comprising a prepackaged cartridge adapted to be accommodated within said injector, said cartridge containing said viscous materials.

28. A kit for delivering microquantities of viscous materials comprising

an injector for viscous materials comprising a syringe body with a proximal end, a distal end with an outlet and a hollow bore between the ends;

and a plunger disposed within the hollow bore coupled to a positive displacement mechanism that progressively advances the plunger toward the distal end of the syringe body to eject the material within the hollow bore through said outlet; and

a prepackaged cartridge adapted to be accommodated within said injector, said cartridge containing said viscous materials.

29. An injector for viscous materials comprising a syringe body with a proximal end, a distal end with an outlet and a hollow bore between the ends;

and a plunger disposed within the hollow bore coupled to a positive displacement mechanism that progressively advances the plunger toward the distal end of the syringe body to eject the material within the hollow bore through said outlet wherein said positive displacement mechanism comprises a threaded rod attached to said plunger having a thread pitch greater than or equal to 40 threads per inch.