Coupling device for medical injection system

• US 5,846,233 A
• Filed: 01/09/1997
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
• Original Assignee: Medi-Ject Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Thomas R., Lilley, Stephen John, Theobald, David Reginald, Taylor, Hugh Francis, Carlson, Craig J., Rosen, David I.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/780,918
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 604/283, 604/411, 604/414, 604/68-70, 604/134-135, 604/140, 604/141, 604/143, 604/145-147
• US Class Current: 604/414
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2044 having slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2051 having tap means, e.g. tap means activated by sliding
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2055 having gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2053 Media being expelled from injector by pressurised fluid or vacuum for infusion A61M5/145, A61M5/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/64 having a piston effecting a compressor stroke during the firing of each shot
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/642 the piston being spring operated
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/646 Arrangements for putting the spring under tension
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/81 for ejecting powder, e.g. pepper

Abstract

A needleless injection system and method for injecting a medical product comprises a needleless injection device having a nozzle assembly defining an ampule chamber for holding medication, an energy device for pushing medication out of the nozzle assembly, and an energy device actuating mechanism. These components are operatively contained in a housing configured for a hand held operation. The energy device is a self-contained gas spring operatively connected to a plunger operating within the ampule chamber. The gas spring is preferably stepped which can be used in many different applications, an air gun being one. The injection device can be provide with a coupling device for coupling a medication supply vial to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly is removably situated in the housing with the plunger removable therewith.

Claims

1. A coupling device for coupling a nozzle to a fluid container comprising a tubular member having a first and second end and a wall therebetween, said wall including a passageway therethrough with the first end being configured and dimensioned to cooperatively engage with a fluid container;

a second end being configured and dimensioned to cooperatively engage with a nozzle of an injection device having an orifice such that the nozzle orifice generally aligns with the wall passageway for fluid communication therebetween; and

a flexible membrane positioned between the wall and the second end of the tubular member, said membrane including a generally centrally disposed zero diameter aperture to facilitate fluid communication between the nozzle orifice and the wall passageway, wherein the membrane forms a liquid-tight seal between the nozzle orifice and the wall passageway when the nozzle is positioned against the membrane so that fluid can flow only through the aperture, and further wherein the aperture resists fluid flow therethrough when the nozzle is not positioned against the membrane.

2. The coupling device of claim 1, which further comprises a membrane retainer having a generally annular configuration disposed within the second end of the tubular member for retaining the membrane adjacent the wall.

3. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the tubular member includes at least one inwardly extending tab portion for engaging a depression on the nozzle.

4. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the tubular member includes at least two inwardly extending tab portions for engaging depressions on the nozzle, said tab portions being uniformly disposed around the second end.

5. The coupling device of claim 4, wherein the inwardly extending tab portions are positioned at the end of at least two release members which extend substantially in an axial direction of said tubular member at the second end thereof, said release members being resilient to enable expansion away from said nozzle and to return substantially to their original position when said tabs engage said depressions.

6. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the tubular member includes a spike which contains a fluid passage therein for communication with the passageway through the wall, said spike extending from the wall toward the first end of the tubular member for penetrating a sealing member of the fluid container.

7. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the tubular member includes at least one inwardly extending flexible tooth for engaging the fluid container, said tooth cooperating with said fluid container to prevent removal of said fluid container therefrom.

8. Coupling device for coupling a medication supply vial to a nozzle assembly of an injection device comprising:

a generally hollow main body having a first end and a second end opposite said first end;

a dividing wall positioned between said first and second ends, said wall having a first side and a second side, said first side being positioned closer to said first end than said second end and said second side being closer to said second end than said first end, a hole being formed through said dividing wall;

a hollow probe extending axially only from said first side of said dividing wall toward said first end and terminating within said main body such that it does not protrude beyond the first end, said probe configured and dimensioned to allow fluid to flow therethrough, having an end portion configured and dimensioned for puncturing a vial seal, and being aligned with said hole to permit fluid communication therewith;

a medication supply vial connector formed on said first end, said vial connector permitting insertion of said vial but preventing removal of said vial therefrom;

a nozzle connector configured and dimensioned to receive said nozzle assembly and formed on said second end, wherein said connector has at least one quick release member that grabs a portion of said nozzle assembly by pushing said connector toward said nozzle assembly and releases said nozzle assembly by a sufficient pulling force, wherein said probe end portion punctures through a vial seal upon connection of said vial to said medication supply vial connector and provides a fluid communication through said hole.

9. Coupling device according to claim 8, further comprising a stretchable diaphragm seal member abutting said second side of said wall, said seal member having an open aperture or a zero diameter aperture generally in alignment with said hole.

10. Coupling device according to claim 9, further comprising a ring abutting said seal member, wherein said ring is provided with a configuration of said nozzle assembly to permit insertion thereof.

11. Coupling device according to claim 10, further comprising a protective cap for protecting and closing said second end, wherein said cap has at least one mating member for engaging said quick release member.

12. Coupling device according to claim 8, wherein said quick release member extends substantially in an axial direction of said main body and is resilient to enable said quick release member to expand away from said nozzle and to return substantially to its original position when fully attached thereto.

13. Coupling device according to claim 12, wherein said nozzle connector comprises at least a pair of quick release members, said quick release members extending substantially in an axial direction of said main body and being resilient to enable said quick release members to expand away from each other during insertion of said nozzle assembly and return substantially to their original position when fully attached thereto.

14. Coupling device according to claim 13, wherein each of said release members has a radially inwardly projecting tab, said tab cooperating with said nozzle assembly to permit said coupling device to be attached thereto.

15. Coupling device according to claim 8, wherein said main body is cylindrical and said nozzle connector has at least two quick release members extending from said second end.

16. Coupling device for coupling a medication supply vial to a nozzle assembly of an injection device comprising:

a generally hollow main body having a first end and a second end opposite said first end;

a dividing wall positioned between said first and second ends, said wall having a first side and a second side, said first side being positioned closer to said first end than said second end and said second side being closer to said second end than said first end, a hole being formed through said dividing wall;

a hollow probe extending axially from said first side of said dividing wall toward said first end and terminating within said main body such that it does not protrude beyond the first end, said probe being aligned with said hole to permit fluid communication;

a medication supply vial connector formed on said first end, said vial connector permitting insertion of said vial but preventing removal of said vial therefrom;

a nozzle connector formed on said second end, wherein said connector has at least one quick release member that grabs a portion of said nozzle assembly by pushing said connector toward said nozzle assembly and releases said nozzle assembly by a sufficient pulling force, wherein said probe punctures through a vial seal upon connection of said vial to said medication supply vial connector and provides a fluid communication through said hole,

wherein said vial connector comprises at least one flexible tooth extending toward said wall, wherein a free end of said tooth engages a portion of said supply vial, wherein said vial portion has means cooperating with said tooth to prevent removal of said vial therefrom.

17. Coupling device according to claim 16, wherein said vial connector comprises a pair of diametrically opposed flexible teeth extending toward said wall and converging toward each other, wherein free ends of said teeth engage a portion of said supply vial, wherein said vial portion has means cooperating with said teeth to prevent removal of said vial therefrom.