Temperature Release Mechanism For Injection Device

• US 20080097311A1
• Filed: 06/14/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Santos, Cesario Dos, Lind, Casey, Dacquay, Bruno
• Granted Patent: US 7,762,981 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8262 connectable to external power source, e.g. connecting to automobile battery through the cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14546 Front-loading type injectors
• 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 5/484 Regulating injection pressure

Abstract

An ophthalmic injection device has a dispensing chamber housing, a plunger, an actuator for driving the plunger, a temperature control device, and a temperature release mechanism. The dispensing chamber housing has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface partially defines a dispensing chamber for holding a quantity of a substance. The plunger is engaged with the inner surface of the dispensing chamber housing, is capable of sliding in the dispensing chamber housing, and is fluidly sealed to the inner surface of the dispensing chamber housing. The temperature control device at least partially surrounds the dispensing chamber housing and is capable of altering the temperature of the substance in the dispensing chamber. The temperature release mechanism is in a locked position when the substance is outside the proper temperature range and an unlocked position when the substance is in the proper temperature range.

Claims

1. An ophthalmic injection device comprising:

a dispensing chamber housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface partially defining a dispensing chamber for holding a quantity of a substance;

a plunger engaged with the inner surface of the dispensing chamber housing, the plunger capable of sliding in the dispensing chamber housing, the plunger fluidly sealed to the inner surface of the dispensing chamber housing;

a temperature control device at least partially surrounding the dispensing chamber housing, the temperature control device for altering a temperature of the substance in the dispensing chamber;

a power source for providing power to the temperature control device;

a controller for controlling the temperature control device;

an actuator for driving the plunger; and

a temperature release mechanism that activates the actuator only when the substance is in a proper temperature range.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a thermal sensor located near the dispensing chamber housing, the thermal sensor for measuring a temperature.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the controller uses the measured temperature to control the temperature control device.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the temperature release mechanism is in a locked position when the substance is outside the proper temperature range.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the temperature release mechanism comprises a shape memory alloy member.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the temperature release mechanism further comprises a triggering device.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the temperature release mechanism further comprises:

a button rigidly connected to a shaft; and

a spring biasing the button.

8. The device of claim 5 wherein when the substance is in the proper temperature range, the shape memory alloy member is in a configuration that permits activation of the actuator.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the temperature control device is a heater.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the substance is a drug for treating a condition of the eye.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a needle fluidly coupled to the dispensing chamber.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.

13. An ophthalmic injection device comprising:

a dispensing chamber housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface partially defining a dispensing chamber for holding a quantity of a substance;

a plunger engaged with the inner surface of the dispensing chamber housing, the plunger capable of sliding in the dispensing chamber housing, the plunger fluidly sealed to the inner surface of the dispensing chamber housing;

a needle fluidly coupled to the dispensing chamber;

a temperature control device at least partially surrounding the dispensing chamber housing, the temperature control device for altering a temperature of the substance in the dispensing chamber;

a power source for providing power to the temperature control device;

a controller for controlling the temperature control device;

an actuator for driving the plunger; and

a temperature release mechanism that is in a locked position when the substance is outside a proper temperature range.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the temperature release mechanism is in an unlocked position when the substance is in the proper temperature range.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the temperature release mechanism comprises a shape memory alloy member.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the temperature release mechanism further comprises a triggering device.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the temperature release mechanism further comprises:

a button rigidly connected to a shaft; and

a spring biasing the button.

18. The device of claim 15 wherein when the substance is in the proper temperature range, the shape memory alloy member is in a configuration that permits activation of the actuator.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein when the substance is in the proper temperature range, the shape memory alloy member is in a configuration that permits the shaft to contact the triggering device.

20. The device of claim 13 wherein the substance is a drug for treating a condition of the eye.