Needleless syringe with prefilled cartridge
First Claim
1. A cartridge and nozzle assembly for use in a needleless injection system, comprising:
- a cartridge having a plunger disposed at a rearward end thereof, and including an inner portion with a throat at a forward portion thereof, the cartridge further including a generally laterally extending interface surface;
a displaceable outlet valve initially disposed within the throat, the outlet valve having a channel-less valve body;
a nozzle for receiving the cartridge, the nozzle defining a rearward, cartridge-receiving portion, and including a forward portion defining a valve-receiving portion with a plurality of channels and an injection orifice defined therein, the forward portion being configured to receive the valve when the valve is displaced to a forwardly disposed position, so that when the outlet valve is displaced from the throat into the valve-receiving portion of the nozzle, the inner portion of the cartridge has fluid access to the orifice via the channels, the nozzle further including a generally laterally extending interface surface which abuts the cartridge interface surface; and
a seal disposed between the cartridge and the nozzle rearward of the interface surfaces for at least reducing leakage of injectate therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a needleless injection apparatus includes a cartridge having a plunger disposed at a rearward end. The cartridge includes an inner portion with a throat at a forward portion and a displaceable outlet valve initially disposed within the cartridge throat. The cartridge further includes a generally outwardly facing surface and a system for selectively providing driving force to drive the plunger in a forward direction. The apparatus also includes a nozzle for receiving the cartridge, the nozzle defining a rearward, cartridge-receiving portion, and having a forward portion terminating in and defining a valve abutment surface with a plurality of channels and an injection orifice. The forward portion of the nozzle being configured to receive the valve when the valve is displaced to a forwardly disposed position such that the valve is disposed against the valve abutment surface, and so that the inner portion of the cartridge has fluid access to the orifice via the channels. The nozzle further includes a generally inwardly facing surface that abuts the cartridge surface, and a seal disposed between the outwardly facing surface of the cartridge and the inwardly facing surface of the nozzle for at least reducing leakage of injectate therebetween.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A cartridge and nozzle assembly for use in a needleless injection system, comprising:
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a cartridge having a plunger disposed at a rearward end thereof, and including an inner portion with a throat at a forward portion thereof, the cartridge further including a generally laterally extending interface surface;
a displaceable outlet valve initially disposed within the throat, the outlet valve having a channel-less valve body;
a nozzle for receiving the cartridge, the nozzle defining a rearward, cartridge-receiving portion, and including a forward portion defining a valve-receiving portion with a plurality of channels and an injection orifice defined therein, the forward portion being configured to receive the valve when the valve is displaced to a forwardly disposed position, so that when the outlet valve is displaced from the throat into the valve-receiving portion of the nozzle, the inner portion of the cartridge has fluid access to the orifice via the channels, the nozzle further including a generally laterally extending interface surface which abuts the cartridge interface surface; and
a seal disposed between the cartridge and the nozzle rearward of the interface surfaces for at least reducing leakage of injectate therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14)
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10. A needleless injection apparatus, comprising:
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a cartridge having a plunger disposed at a rearward end thereof, and including an inner portion with a throat at a forward portion thereof, a displaceable outlet valve initially disposed within the cartridge throat, the cartridge further including a generally outwardly facing surface;
a system for selectively providing driving force to drive the plunger in a forward direction;
a nozzle for receiving the cartridge, the nozzle defining a rearward, cartridge-receiving portion, and including a forward portion terminating in and defining a valve abutment surface having a plurality of channels and an injection orifice defined therein, the forward portion being configured to receive the valve when the valve is displaced to a forwardly disposed position such that the valve is disposed against the valve abutment surface, and so that the inner portion of the cartridge has fluid access to the orifice via the channels, the nozzle further including a generally inwardly facing surface which abuts the cartridge surface; and
a seal disposed between the outwardly facing surface of the cartridge and the inwardly facing surface of the nozzle for at least reducing leakage of injectate therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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15. A method for preparing a needleless injection system, comprising:
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selecting a glass cartridge with a plunger positionable at a rearward end and an inner portion with a throat at a forward portion, and an outlet valve positionable within the throat, the cartridge further including a generally laterally extending interface surface;
positioning a seal on the cartridge rearward of the laterally extending interface surface;
positioning one of the plunger or the outlet valve within the cartridge;
filling the cartridge with injectate prior to positioning the other of the plunger or the outlet valve in the cartridge;
positioning the other of the plunger or the outlet valve within the cartridge;
selecting a nozzle which includes a rearward, cartridge-receiving portion and a forward portion defining a valve-receiving portion with a plurality of channels and an injection orifice defined therein, the forward portion being configured to receive the valve when the valve is displaced to a forwardly disposed position, the nozzle further including a generally laterally extending interface surface; and
installing the cartridge into the nozzle to form a cartridge/seal assembly such that the interface surfaces are in abutment and the seal is disposed rearwardly of such abutment. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification