Modular units for use in an injection device

• US 7,740,607 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2005
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valeritas, Inc. (Zealand Pharma A/S)
• Original Assignee: Valeritas, Inc. (Zealand Pharma A/S)
• Inventors: Willis, John P., Minior, Thaddeus G., Gonnelli, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOHARSKI, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US11/063,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20050154350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,946 Days
• Field of Search: 604 82- 91, 604/187, 604/191
• US Class Current: 604/68
• 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 5/2066 comprising means for injection of two or more media, e.g. by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules

Abstract

Injection devices comprising multiple sections, e.g., modular components, are disclosed. In some embodiments the injection system comprises an upper section comprising a compressed gas reservoir, and one or more lower sections, e.g., modular components, containing one or more compositions to be injected. Methods of making and using the injection devices are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A piston housing for use with an injection device, the piston housing comprising:

a first module defining a first chamber and having a distal end and a proximal end, the first module having an orifice proximate the distal end of the first module, the orifice being in fluid communication with the first chamber;

a second module defining a second chamber and having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the second module being coupled to the proximal end of the first module, the second module having a first piston configured to couple to the injection device;

a second piston positioned between the first and second chambers and having a first end and a second end; and

a fluid bypass positioned between the first and second chambers and having a first end and a second end;

wherein the fluid bypass is configured to fluidly couple the first and second chambers when the first and second ends of the second piston are between the first and second ends of the fluid bypass.

2. The piston housing of claim 1, wherein the orifice is configured for needle-less injection.

3. The piston housing of claim 2, wherein said orifice is covered by a removable cap until use.

4. The piston housing of claim 3, wherein the removable cap includes a hydrophobic vent.

5. The piston housing of claim 1, wherein said second piston is disposed such that it need not be moved relative to said fluid bypass to allow communication of said first chamber and said second chamber.

6. The piston housing of claim 5, wherein said first module further comprises a first module seal proximate the proximal end of the first module.

7. The piston housing of claim 6, wherein one or both of the first and second modules further comprises a piercing member configured to pierce the first module seal when the first and second modules are engaged with one another.

8. The piston housing of claim 1, wherein said second piston is disposed such that it must be displaced relative to said fluid bypass to allow communication of said first chamber and said second chamber.

9. The piston housing of claim 1, wherein the first module is separately and selectively coupled with the second module.

10. The piston housing of claim 9, wherein said first module further comprises a first module seal proximate the proximal end of the first module.

11. The piston housing of claim 10, wherein one or both of the first and second modules further comprises a piercing member configured to pierce the first module seal when the first and second modules are engaged with one another.

12. The piston housing of claim 9, wherein one or both of the first and second modules further comprises a piercing member.

13. The piston housing of claim 1, wherein the first and second modules are separated in a first position, the first module being sealed proximate the proximal end of the first module and the second module being sealed proximate the distal end of the second module and wherein engaging the proximal end of the first module with the distal end of the second module pierces the first and second seals in a second position.

14. The piston housing of claim 1, wherein a length defined between first and second ends of the first piston is greater than a length defined between the first and second ends of the fluid bypass.

15. The piston housing of claim 1, wherein a length defined between first and second ends of the first piston is less than a length defined between the first and second ends of the fluid bypass and a combined length of the first and second pistons is greater than the length between the first and second ends of the fluid bypass.

16. The piston housing of claim 1, wherein the fluid bypass is comprised of at least one groove.

17. The piston housing of claim 16, wherein the at least one groove includes three evenly spaced grooves.

18. The piston housing of claim 16, wherein the at least one groove includes four evenly spaced grooves.