Reloadable automatic or manual emergency injection system

• US 5,358,489 A
• Filed: 05/27/1993
• Issued: 10/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shionogi Inc. (Shionogi & Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Washington Biotech Corporation
• Inventors: Wyrick, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEISS, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/068,644
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 604/156, 604/157, 604/135, 604/136, 604/137, 604/138, 604/139, 604/186, 604/208
• US Class Current: 604/136
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/202 cocking means, e.g. to bias the main drive spring of an injector
• 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 2005/3139 Finger grips not integrally formed with the syringe barrel, e.g. using adapter with finger grips
• 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 5/003 Kits for diabetics
• 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 5/24 Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic ampoules or carpules A61J1/06
• 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 5/31595 Pre-defined multi-dose administration by repeated overcoming of means blocking the free advancing movement of piston rod, e.g. by tearing or de-blocking
• 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 reloadable medicine injection apparatus having a barrel which receives a replaceable, disposable syringe subassembly. The syringe subassembly includes a cartridge having an ampule for housing fluid medication, a needle, and a plunger stopper. The subassembly also has a detachable plunger shaft coupled to the stopper. The reloadable injection apparatus includes a driver for forcing the syringe subassembly to inject the needle and displace fluid medication.

Claims

1. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus comprising:

a barrel having a cavity therein;

a replaceable, disposable syringe subassembly within the barrel and sized to slide within the cavity, the syringe subassembly having an ampule for housing fluid medication, a needle, and a plunger for forcing the fluid medication from the ampule through the needle;

a driver for forcing the syringe subassembly to inject the needle and displace fluid medication through the needle, the driver being movable between a cocked position and extended positions;

a driver release for controllably releasing the driver from the cocked position into an extended position;

a removable stop within the barrel for halting movement of the driver at an extended position, the removable stop being positioned at least partially around the plunger of the syringe subassembly to prevent full discharge movement of the plunger.

2. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the barrel is made of at least two parts which are manually detachable to allow removal and installation of the syringe subassembly.

3. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a removable cap detachably connected to the barrel, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

4. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a removable cap detachably connected to the barrel, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly, the removable cap having a needle passageway through which the needle can extend.

5. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the barrel has a threaded muzzle end;

the apparatus further comprising a complementarily threaded, removable cap for detachable connection with the threaded muzzle end, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

6. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plunger comprises a stopper which seals and is slidably received within the ampule, and a shaft detachably connected to the stopper.

7. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plunger comprises a stopper which seals and is slidably received within the ampule and a shaft detachably connected to the stopper, the stopper and shaft having complementary threads to provide the detachable coupling.

8. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a protective sheath within the barrel and around the needle of the syringe subassembly.

9. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:

a protective sheath within the barrel and around the needle of the syringe subassembly;

a removable cap detachably connected to the barrel, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

10. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the barrel has a threaded muzzle end;

the apparatus further comprising;

a protective sheath within the barrel and around the needle of the syringe subassembly;

a complementarily threaded, removable cap for detachable connection with the threaded muzzle end, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

11. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 1 and further defined by said removable stop having first and second collar portions positioned around the plunger of the syringe subassembly.

12. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus comprising:

a barrel having a cavity therein;

a replaceable, disposable cartridge within the barrel and sized to slide within the cavity, the cartridge having an ampule for housing fluid medication, a needle, and a stopper for retaining the fluid medication within the ampule;

a detachable plunger shaft detachably coupled to the stopper of the cartridge;

a driver for forcing the cartridge to inject the needle and for forcing the detachable plunger shaft to displace fluid medication through the needle, the driver being movable between a cocked position and extended positions;

a driver release for controllably releasing the driver from the cocked position into an extended position;

a removable stop within the barrel for halting movement of the driver at an extended position, tile removable stop being positioned at least partially around the plunger of the cartridge to prevent full discharge movement of the plunger.

13. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 12 and further defined by said removable stop having first and second collar portions positioned around the plunger of the cartridge.

14. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus comprising:

a barrel having a cavity therein;

a replaceable, disposable syringe subassembly within the barrel and sized to slide within the cavity, the syringe subassembly having an ampule for housing fluid medication, a needle, and a plunger for forcing the fluid medication from the ampule through the needle;

a driver for forcing the syringe subassembly to inject the needle out of the muzzle end of the barrel and displace fluid medication through the needle, the driver being movable between a cocked position and extended positions;

a driver release for controllably releasing the driver from the cocked position to an extended position;

a removable stop extending within the barrel for halting movement of the plunger at an intermediate position wherein the are pule is not fully discharged so as to allow multiple doses to be administered therefrom;

wherein the barrel is made of at least two parts which are manually detachable to allow removal of the removable stop and removal and installation of the syringe subassembly.

15. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a removable cap detachably connected to the barrel, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

16. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a removable cap detachably connected to the barrel, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly, the removable cap having a needle passageway through which the needle can extend.

17. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the barrel has a threaded muzzle end;

the apparatus further comprising a complementarily threaded, removable cap for detachable connection with the threaded muzzle end, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

18. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the plunger comprises a stopper which seals and is slidably received within the ampule, and a shaft detachably connected to the stopper.

19. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the plunger comprises a stopper which seals and is slidably received within the ampule and a shaft detachably connected to the stopper, the stopper and shaft having complementary threads to provide the detachable coupling.

20. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a protective sheath within the barrel and around the needle of the syringe subassembly.

21. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising:

a protective sheath within the barrel and around the needle of the syringe subassembly;

a removable cap detachably connected to the barrel, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

22. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the barrel has a threaded muzzle end;

the apparatus further comprising;

a protective sheath within the barrel and around the needle of the syringe subassembly;

a complementarily threaded, removable cap for detachable connection with the threaded muzzle end, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

23. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the removable stop is positioned at least partially around the plunger of the syringe subassembly to prevent full discharge movement of the plunger.

24. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the removable stop has first and second collar portions positioned around the plunger of the syringe subassembly.

25. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the removable stop engages the plunger.

26. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the removable stop engages a plunger shaft.

27. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the removable stop engages a head on a plunger shaft.

28. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the removable stop includes at least first and second parts which detach from the syringe subassembly.

29. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the removable stop halts the plunger at an intermediate position which approximately divides the ampule contents into two doses.

30. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus comprising:

a barrel having a cavity therein;

a replaceable, disposable syringe subassembly within the barrel and sized to slide within the cavity, the syringe subassembly having an ampule for housing fluid medication, a needle, and a plunger for forcing the fluid medication from the ampule through the needle;

a driver for forcing the syringe subassembly to inject the needle out of the muzzle end of the barrel and displace fluid medication through the needle, the driver being movable between a cocked position and extended positions;

a driver release for controllably releasing the driver from the cocked position to an extended position;

a removable stop for hailing movement of the driver at an extended position;

said removable stop being positioned at least partially around the plunger of the syringe subassembly to prevent full discharge movement of the plunger.

31. A reloadable fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the removable stop has first and second collar portions positioned around the plunger of the syringe subassembly.

32. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus capable of both mechanically powered administration and manual administration of a fluid medication, comprising:

a barrel having a cavity therein;

a manually usable syringe subassembly positioned within the barrel and sized to slide within the cavity, the syringe subassembly having;

an ampule for housing fluid medication;

a needle in fluid communication with said ampule;

a plunger for forcing the fluid medication from the ampule through the needle;

said plunger including a plunger shaft and a plunger portion which extends from the ampule to allow manual depression of the plunger to dispense fluid from the ampule;

said barrel including at least a first part and a second part which are manually detachable to allow removal and installation of the syringe subassembly;

a driver for forcing the syringe subassembly to inject the needle and displace fluid medication through the needle, the driver being movable between a cocked position and extended positions;

said plunger being unattached to said driver to allow removal of said syringe subassembly from the barrel while in cocked or extended positions;

a driver release for controllably releasing the driver from the cocked position into an extended position.

33. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a driver shaft which contacts the plunger during deployment of the needle.

34. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a removable cap detachably connected to the barrel, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

35. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a removable cap detachably connected to the barrel, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly, the removable cap having a needle passageway through which the needle can extend.

36. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the plunger comprises a stopper which seals and is slidably received within the ampule;

said plunger shaft being detachably connected to the stopper.

37. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a protective sheath within the barrel and around the needle of the syringe subassembly.

38. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising:

a protective sheath within the barrel and around the needle of the syringe subassembly;

a removable cap detachably connected to the barrel, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

39. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 wherein the barrel has a threaded muzzle end;

the apparatus further comprising;

a protective sheath within the barrel and around the needle of the syringe subassembly;

a complementarily threaded, removable cap for detachable connection with the threaded muzzle end, the removable cap serving to substantially close the cavity when connected to the barrel and serving to open the cavity when detached from the barrel to thereby allow removal of the syringe subassembly.

40. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a removable stop for halting movement of the driver at an extended position.

41. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a removable stop for halting movement of the driver at an extended position;

wherein the removable stop is positioned at least partially around the plunger of the syringe subassembly to prevent full discharge movement of the plunger.

42. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a removable stop for halting movement of the driver at an extended position;

said removable stop having first and second collar portions positioned around the plunger of the syringe subassembly.

43. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a removable stop extending within the barrel for halting movement of the plunger at an intermediate position wherein the ampule is not fully discharged so as to allow multiple doses to be administered therefrom.

44. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a secondary spring which biases the syringe subassembly opposite to force from said driver.

45. A dual use fluid medication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a secondary spring which biases the syringe subassembly opposite to force from said driver;

and wherein the plunger comprises a stopper which seals and is slidably received within the ampule, and a shaft detachably connected to the stopper.

46. A dual use fluid emedication injection apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising a secondary spring which biases the syringe subassembly opposite to force from said driver;

and wherein the plunger comprises a stopper which seals and is slidably received within the ampule and a shaft detachably connected to the stopper, the stopper and shaft having complementary threads to provide the detachable coupling.