Injection Devices

• US 20160193415A1
• Filed: 08/05/2014
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owen Mumford
• Original Assignee: Owen Mumford
• Inventors: Cowe, Toby
• Granted Patent: US 10,183,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/206 With automatic needle insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• 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

Abstract

An injection device is disclosed which comprise a housing (10), a plunger (40) for expressing a medicament from a syringe (20) and an actuation mechanism (30). The actuation mechanism (30) is arranged in use to move the plunger (40) between a first rearward position and a second forward position to express a dose from the syringe (20). The injector device further comprises an injection activation sensor (50), arranged for example to provide an end of dose indication. The sensor (50) comprises an elongate flexible member. The flexible member has a first end (52) connected to the plunger (40) or actuation mechanism (30) such that actuation motion of the injection device acts to move the elongate flexible member (50) relative to the housing. Movement of the elongate member (50) triggers a response to the injection such as an audible and/or tactile injection complete indication.

Claims

1. An injection device comprising:

a housing;

a plunger for expressing a medicament from a syringe;

an actuation mechanism arranged in use to move the plunger between a first rearward position and a second forward position to express a dose from the syringe; and

an injection activation sensor including an elongate flexible member having a forward end connected to the plunger or actuation mechanism such that actuation motion of the injection device acts to move the elongate flexible member relative to the housing and wherein the movement of the elongate member triggers a response to the injection.

2. The injection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate member triggers an injection completion indication.

3. The injection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein movement of the forward end of the flexible member is arranged to unravel the flexible member from an initial position in which at least a portion of the flexible member follows a tortuous path.

4. The injection device as claimed in claim 3, wherein in the initial position the portion of the flexible member is coiled.

5. The injection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rear end of the flexible member is arranged to strike or engage a percussive surface at the end of the movement to provide an audible or tactile injection complete indication.

6. The injection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible member is threaded between an opposed pair of elements and movement of the flexible member through a nip between the elements triggers the response to the injection.

7. The injection device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the elements are biased towards a closed position and wherein the flexible member holds the elements out of contact.

8. The injection device as claimed in claim 7, wherein length of the flexible member is such that a rear end of the flexible member exits the nip between the elements upon completion of effective dose delivery.

9. The injection device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elements are arranged to mechanically strike thereby providing an audible or tactile injection complete indication.

10. The injection device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the elements comprise a pair of electrical contacts.

11. The injection device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flexible member comprises at least one contact.

12. The injection device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flexible member comprises at least two spaced apart contacts.

13. The injection device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the contacts extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the flexible member.

14. The injection device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the contacts are spaced apart in the transverse direction.

15. The injection device as claimed in claim 12 wherein a first one of said contacts is arranged to provide an injection commencement indication and a second contact is arranged to provide an injection complete indication.

16. The injection device as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the first contact is positioned forward of the second contact.

17. The injection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the forward end of the flexible member is connected to the plunger.

18. The injection device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the plunger is provided with an internal bore through which the forward end of the flexible member extends.

19. The injection device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the forward end of the flexible member comprises a plug which is received within the bore and which prevents rearward movement of the end relative to the plunger.

20. The injection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible member and surface associated with the housing is provided with a toothed profile surface and the other of the flexible member and surface forms a pawl which engages the surface to provide an audible or tactile injection complete indication.

21. The injection device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the toothed profile surface is provided on the flexible member and the pawl comprises a resilient member associated with the housing and fixed relative to the flexible member.

22. The injection device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the toothed profile is provided on an interior surface of, or associated with, the housing and wherein a tip of the flexible member acts as the pawl which engages to toothed profile.

23. An injection activation indicator for an injector, comprising:

an elongate flexible member having a first end arranged to be connected in use to a plunger or actuation mechanism of the injector such that actuation motion of the injector acts to move the elongate flexible member and said movement of the elongate member triggers an injection complete indication.

24. An injection device, comprising:

a housing;

a plunger for expressing a medicament from a syringe;

an actuation mechanism arranged in use to move the plunger between a first rearward position and a second forward position to express a dose from the syringe; and

an injection activation sensor defined by an elongate flexible member having a first end connected to the plunger or actuation mechanism such that actuation motion of the injection device acts to move the elongate flexible member relative to the housing and wherein the movement of the elongate member causes a portion of the member to engage, strike or flick a surface within the injection device to provide at least one of an audible or a tactile indication in response to the injection.

25. The injection device as claimed in claim 24, wherein a rear end of the flexible member strikes a percussive surface of the injection device at the end of the movement of the plunger or actuation member to provide said audible or tactile indication as an injection complete indication.

26. The injection device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the flexible member comprises a coiled spring.

27. The injection device as claimed in claim 26, wherein a free end of the coiled spring engages, strikes or flicks an internal surface of the injection device after unravelling of the spring due to movement of the plunger or actuation mechanism.