Method and apparatus for drug delivery

• US 8,177,747 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2010
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Pinedjian, Raffi S.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, QUYNH-NHU HOANG
• Application Number:
  US12/956,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20110152767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 604 57- 60, 604/70, 604 82- 85, 604/113, 604/124, 604/184, 604/187, 604/193, 604196-198, 604/218, 604/221, 604/222, 604/228, 604/235
• US Class Current: 604/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 having means for cooling or heating the devices or media

Abstract

Disposable injection devices are disclosed herein. In an exemplary arrangement, the disposable injection device comprises an annular sleeve, a predetermined pre-injection quantity of a substance configured for selective injection, and a temperature control element. The annular sleeve at least partially defines a dispensing chamber therein. The predetermined pre-injection quantity of the substance configured for selective injection is disposed within the dispensing chamber. The temperature control element is operably connected to the dispensing chamber, and is configured to selectively heat the substance to a predetermined temperature. The substance expands from the pre-injection quantity at the predetermined temperature to an injection quantity whereby the injection quantity is greater than a volume defined by the dispensing chamber. In this manner, a predetermined minimum quantity of the substance is self-expelled from the dispensing chamber.

Claims

1. A disposable injection device comprising:

a dispensing chamber housing at least partially defining a dispensing chamber therein, wherein the dispensing chamber comprises an open distal end, configured to receive a needle hub, and a closed, fixed proximal end;

a predetermined pre-injection quantity of a substance configured for injection disposed within the dispensing chamber; and

a temperature control element operably connected to the dispensing chamber housing, wherein the temperature control element is configured to heat the substance to a predetermined temperature;

wherein the substance expands from a pre-injection volume at the predetermined temperature to an injection volume whereby the injection volume is greater than a volume defined by the dispensing chamber such that a predetermined minimum quantity of the substance is self-expelled from the dispensing chamber.

2. The disposable injection device of claim 1, further comprising a needle fluidly coupled to the dispensing chamber, wherein the predetermined minimum quantity of the substance is self-expelled from the dispensing chamber through the needle.

3. The disposable injection device of claim 2, wherein the needle is fixedly positioned in the needle hub that cooperates with the dispensing chamber housing to form the dispensing chamber.

4. The disposable injection device of claim 3, wherein the dispensing chamber housing comprises an annular sleeve and wherein the needle hub is engaged with a distal end of the annular sleeve.

5. The disposable injection device of claim 4, wherein the dispensing chamber housing comprises a closed proximal end portion integrally connected to the annular sleeve.

6. The disposable injection device of claim 5, wherein the needle hub further comprises an internal portion configured to be disposed within the distal end of the annular sleeve.

7. The disposable injection device of claim 6, wherein the internal portion further includes a mounting groove for receiving a sealing member.

8. The disposable injection device of claim 3, wherein the needle hub further comprises an external mounting flange, wherein the flange is configured to abut against a distal end face of the dispensing chamber housing.

9. The disposable injection device of claim 8, wherein the temperature control element at least partially extends around the dispensing chamber housing.

10. The disposable injection device of claim 9, wherein the temperature control element at least partially extends around the needle hub.

11. The disposable injection device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing chamber is sized such that an air gap is formed within the dispensing chamber when the pre-injection quantity of the substance is placed within the dispensing chamber.

12. The disposable injection device of claim 1, wherein the pre-injection quantity of the substance substantially fills the dispensing chamber.

13. The disposable injection device of claim 1, wherein the substance is a drug for treating a condition of the eye.

14. The disposable injection device of claim 1, wherein the injection volume is at least 20% greater than the pre-injection volume.

15. The disposable injection device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing chamber is housed within a tip segment and wherein the tip segment is attachable to a limited reuse assembly.

16. The disposable injection device of claim 15, further comprising an electrical interface for coupling the temperature control device to the limited reuse assembly.

17. A disposable injection device comprising:

an annular sleeve at least partially defining a dispensing chamber therein, wherein the dispensing chamber comprises an open distal end, configured to receive a needle hub, and a closed, fixed proximal end;

a predetermined pre-injection quantity of a substance configured for injection disposed within the dispensing chamber; and

a temperature control element operably connected to the dispensing chamber, wherein the temperature control element is configured to heat the substance to a predetermined temperature;

wherein the substance expands from a pre-injection volume at the predetermined temperature to an injection volume whereby the injection volume, greater than a volume defined by the dispensing chamber such that a predetermined minimum quantity of the substance is self-expelled from the dispensing chamber.

18. The disposable injection device of claim 17, further comprising a needle fluidly coupled to the dispensing chamber.

19. The disposable injection device of claim 18, wherein the annular sleeve is integrally connected distal end portion and the needle is fixedly positioned in the distal end portion.

20. The disposable injection device of claim 19, further comprising a dispensing chamber plug that cooperates with the annular sleeve to form the dispensing chamber.