Wet/dry automatic injector assembly

• US 6,953,445 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meridian Medical Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Meridian Medical Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Hill, Robert L., Wilmot, John G., Whittier, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DeSanto, Matthew F
• Application Number:
  US09/971,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20020042592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 604 82- 92, 604/416, 604/236, 604/218, 604/187, 604/190, 604/191
• US Class Current: 604/89
• 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 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 5/2066 comprising means for injection of two or more media, e.g. by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/286 upon internal pressure increase, e.g. pierced or burst A61M5/283 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3145 Filters incorporated in syringes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/34 Constructions for connecting the needle , e.g. to syringe nozzle or needle hub connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/343 Connection of needle cannula to needle hub, or directly to syringe nozzle without a needle hub A61M5/322 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an automatic injection device containing a pre-loaded charge of medicament for automatically self-administering the medicament upon actuation thereof. The automatic injection device includes a housing assembly having an interior chamber, an activation assembly and a needle assembly for dispensing a dissolved medicament to a user. A dry compartment for storing a predetermined dry charge of dry medicament is located within the interior chamber. A wet compartment for storing a predetermined amount of liquid injection solution is also located within the interior chamber. A separation assembly separates the dry compartment from the wet compartment. The separation assembly prevents transfer of the liquid injection solution from the wet compartment to the dry compartment prior to activation of the automatic injection device. One or more medicament support assemblies located within the dry compartment prevent the passage of undissolved medicament from the dry compartment.

Claims

1. An automatic injection device containing a pre-loaded charge of medicament for automatically sell dminisiering the medicameni upon actuation thereof, the automatic injection device comprising:

a housing assembly having an interior chamber, wherein the interior chamber includes, a dry compartment for storing a predetermined dry charge of dry medication therein, and a wet compartment for storing a predetermined amount of liquid injection solution therein;

at least one medicament support assembly located within the dry compartment, wherein each medicament support assembly includes a plurality of apertures formed therein;

a movable separation assembly located within the interior chamber for separating the dry compartment front the wet compartment, wherein the separation assembly is movable with respect to at least the dry compartment, wherein the separation assembly prevents transfer of the liquid injection solution from the wet compartment to the dry compartment prior to activation of the automatic injection device;

an activation assembly for causing the liquid injection solution in the wet compartment to be transterred to the dry compartment, wherein the dry medicament dissolves in the liquid injection solution as the liquid injection solution passes through the dry compartment, wherein the activation assembly includes a drive assembly having a stored source of energy located therein, whereby upon actuation of the activation assembly, the drive assembly releases the stored source or energy for causing liquid injection solution in the Wet compartment to be transferred to the dry compartment; and

a needle assembly for dispensing the liquid injection solution containing the dry medicament dissolved therein.

2. The automatic injection device according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one medicament support assembly prevents the passage of undissolved medicament from the dry compartment.

3. The automatic injection device according to claim 2, wherein each of the apertures is sized to prevent passage of the undissolved medicament.

4. The automatic injection device according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one medicament support assembly includes at least one support plate having the plurality of apertures formed therein.

10. The injection device according to claim 3, wherein each of the at least one medicament support assembly include at least one Support plate having a plurality of apertures formed therein.

5. An injection device containing a pre-loaded charge of medicament for self-administering the medicament upon actuation thereof, the injection device comprising:

a housing assembly having an interior chamber, wherein the interior chamber includes a dry compartment for storing a predetermined dry charge of dry medicament therein, and a wet compartment for storing a predetermined amount of liquid injection solution therein;

at least one medicament support assembly located within the dry compartment, wherein the at least one medicament support assembly preventing the passage of undissolved dry medicament therethrough;

a movable separation assembly located within the interior chamber for separating the dry compartment from the wet compartment, wherein the separation assembly is movable with respect to at least the dry compartment, wherein the separation assembly prevents transfer of the liquid injection solution from the wet compartment to the dry compartment prior to activation of the automatic injection device;

an activation assembly for causing the liquid injection solution in the wet compartment to be transferred to the dry compartment, wherein the dry medicament dissolves in the liquid injection solution as the liquid injection solution passes through the dry compartment; and

a needle assembly for dispencing the liquid injection solution containing the dry medicament dissolved therein,

wherein the at least one medicament support assembly includes a first medicament support located adjacent the separation assembly, and a second medicament support located adjacent the needle assembly, wherein at least one medicament support assembly includes a plurity of apertures formed therein.

6. The injection device according to claim 5, wherein the first medicament support includes at least one projection adapted to engage to the separation assembly to open a passage therein to permit the passage of the liquid injection solution from the wet compartment to the dry compartment.

7. The injection device according to claim 6, wherein the separation assembly includes a membrane assembly positioned adjacent the first medicament support, wherein at least one projection adapted to rupture the membrane assembly.

8. The injection device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a membrane assembly positioned adjacent the second medicament support.

9. The injection device according to claim 5, wherein each of the apertures is sized to prevent passage of the undissolved medicament.

11. An injection device containing a pre-loaded charge of medicament for self-administering the medicament upon actuation thereof the injection device comprising:

a housing assembly having an interior chamber, wherein the interior chamber includes a dry compartment for storing a predetermined dry charge of dry medicament therein, and a wet compartment for storing a predetermined amount of liquid injection solution therein;

at least one medicament support assembly located within the dry compartment, wherein the at least one medicament support assembly preventing the passage of undissolved medicament therethrough, wherein each medicament support assembly includes a plurality of apertures formed therein;

a movable separation assembly located within the interior chamber for separating the dry compartment from the wet compartment, wherein the separation assembly is movable with respect to the dry compartment and the wet compartment, wherein the separation assembly prevents transfer of the liquid injection solution from the wet compartment to the dry compartment prior to activation of the automatic injection device;

an activation assembly for causing the liquid injection solution in the wet compartment to be transferred to the dry compartment, wherein the dry medicament dissolves in the liquid injection solution as the liquid injection solution passes through the dry compartment;

needle assembly for dispensing the liquid injection solution containing the dry medicament dissolved therein; and

a diaphragm assembly positioned near one of the at least one medicament support assembly and the needle assembly.

12. The injection device according to claim 11, wherein each off the apertures is sized to prevent passage of the undissolved medicament.

13. The injection device according to claim 11, wherein each of the at least one medicament support assembly includes at least one support plate having the plurality of apertures formed therein.