Locking mechanism for nozzle assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An injector comprising:
- an injector body;
a nozzle assembly comprising a tubular body having a tip ends, a tail end and an internal chamber defined therebetween, said tip end for positioning against an injection site, said internal chamber configured and dimensioned for holding a medicament and defining an orifice at the tip end for expelling the medicament therefrom;
connecting means disposed about the circumference of the nozzle assembly tubular body for engaging the injector body; and
means for locking the nozzle assembly tubular body onto the injector body, the locking means comprising at least one recess in the injector body, and at least one protrusion positioned on an external surface of the nozzle assembly tubular body and configured for engagement with the recess;
wherein the injector body comprises a retaining element having the at least one recess for engagement by the protrusion, said retaining element having a first end for accepting the nozzle assembly, and a second end opposite the first end forming a wall having an opening and the retaining element comprises a cylindrical ring having an internal diameter at least equal to or greater than the external diameter of the nozzle assembly tubular body and the retaining element is retained within the interior of the injector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed toward a locking mechanism for aiding in the prevention of accidental or unintentional disengagement of the nozzle assembly from a needleless injection device. In one embodiment of the locking mechanism, a stud positioned on the nozzle assembly engages a recess in the injector to help to deter the nozzle assembly from rotating during firing of the injector. In another embodiment of the locking mechanism, a nib on the nozzle assembly engages a recess in the injector to deter the nozzle assembly from rotating during firing of the injector. A retaining element may be utilized within the injector to provide the recesses for engagement with the locking mechanisms.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An injector comprising:
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an injector body; a nozzle assembly comprising a tubular body having a tip ends, a tail end and an internal chamber defined therebetween, said tip end for positioning against an injection site, said internal chamber configured and dimensioned for holding a medicament and defining an orifice at the tip end for expelling the medicament therefrom; connecting means disposed about the circumference of the nozzle assembly tubular body for engaging the injector body; and means for locking the nozzle assembly tubular body onto the injector body, the locking means comprising at least one recess in the injector body, and at least one protrusion positioned on an external surface of the nozzle assembly tubular body and configured for engagement with the recess; wherein the injector body comprises a retaining element having the at least one recess for engagement by the protrusion, said retaining element having a first end for accepting the nozzle assembly, and a second end opposite the first end forming a wall having an opening and the retaining element comprises a cylindrical ring having an internal diameter at least equal to or greater than the external diameter of the nozzle assembly tubular body and the retaining element is retained within the interior of the injector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An injector comprising:
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an injector body; a nozzle assembly comprising a tubular body having a tip end, a tail end and an internal chamber defined therebetween, said tip end for positioning against an injection site, and said internal chamber configured and dimensioned for holding a medicament and defining an orifice at the tip end for expelling the medicament therefrom; connecting means disposed about the circumference of the nozzle assembly tubular body for engaging the injector body; and indicator means comprising markings operatively associated with the nozzle assembly tubular body and the injector body for indicating that the nozzle assembly tubular body is properly aligned with the injector body, said markings including a first marking on the nozzle assembly tubular body, a second marking on the exterior of the injector body, and a third marking on the nozzle assembly tubular body, said first marking for alignment with the second marking when the nozzle assembly tubular body is inserted longitudinally into the injector body and said third marking for alignment with the second marking after the nozzle assembly tubular body has been inserted longitudinally and rotated into a final position.
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21. An injector comprising:
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an injector body; a nozzle assembly comprising a tubular body having a tip end, a tail end and an internal chamber defined therebetween, said tip end for positioning against an injection site, and said internal chamber configured and dimensioned for holding a medicament and defining an orifice at the tip end for expelling the medicament therefrom; connecting means disposed about the circumference of the tubular body for engaging the injector body, said connecting means comprising a plurality of teeth which at least partially surround the circumference of the nozzle assembly tubular body to define rib segments, with at least one rib segment being configured differently than the other rib segments and the tubular body being operatively associated with the at least one differently configured rib segment for insuring proper positioning of the nozzle assembly tubular body in the injector body; and means for locking the nozzle assembly tubular body onto the injector, said locking means comprising at least one non-annular recess in the injector body, and at least one protrusion positioned on an external surface of the nozzle assembly tubular body and configured for engagement with the recess. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification