Auto-injector systems and method for delivering cyst medication on demand

• US 9,694,145 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2016
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Onorato
• Original Assignee: Joseph Onorato
• Inventors: Onorato, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carpenter, William
• Application Number:
  US15/240,679
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/04 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/20 Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically A61M5/142 , A61M5/46 take precedence; hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54
• 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 5/24 Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic ampoules or carpules A61J1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3153 by single stroke limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3155 by rotational movement of dose setting member, e.g. during setting or filling of a syringe
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31553 without axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31555 by purely axial movement of dose setting member, e.g. during setting or filling of a syringe
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3156 using volume steps only adjustable in discrete intervals, i.e. individually distinct intervals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3158 performed by axially moving actuator operated by user, e.g. an injection button
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31585 performed by axially moving actuator, e.g. an injection button
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3159 Dose expelling manners
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31591 Single dose, i.e. individually set dose administered only once from the same medicament reservoir, e.g. including single stroke limiting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31593 Multi-dose, i.e. individually set dose repeatedly administered from the same medicament reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3287 Accessories for bringing the needle into the body; Automatic needle insertion A61M5/20, A61M5/31525 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/42 having means for desensitising skin, for protruding skin to facilitate piercing, or for locating point where body is to be pierced
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/46 having means for controlling depth of insertion

Abstract

An auto-injector device including a syringe, a needle arranged in the vicinity of a first end of the syringe, and a plunger arranged within the syringe. A volume within the syringe between the plunger the needle accommodates medicine, such that movement of the plunger toward the needle dispenses medicine through the needle. A selection assembly configurable by a user to adjust an amount of medicine dispensed by the auto-injector device and depth to which the medicine is delivered. Also, a method for treating a skin lesion or skin disorder utilizing the auto-injector and a kit for patient administered treatment.

Claims

1. An auto-injector device, comprising:

a syringe;

a needle arranged in the vicinity of a first end of the syringe;

a plunger arranged within the syringe, wherein a volume within the syringe between the plunger and the needle accommodates medicine, such that movement of the plunger toward the needle dispenses an amount of the medicine through the needle;

a measurement guide having indicia configured to measure one or more dimensions of multiple skin lesions or skin disorders of various sizes; and

a selection assembly configurable by a user to adjust the amount of medicine dispensed by the auto-injector device and a depth to which the medicine is administered, the selection assembly having selectors directly corresponding to different measurements from the indicia,

wherein the selectors are selectively operable by the user and configured to adjust the amount and the depth based on a size of a skin lesion or a skin disorder.

2. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an injection guide extending from the first end of the syringe, the injection guide configured to center the needle with respect to an injection site on the user.

3. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a replaceable vial containing the medicine, wherein the medicine is dispensed from the vial by the plunger through the needle.

4. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, wherein the selection assembly is configured to limit a depth to which the plunger moves in the syringe.

5. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, wherein the auto-injector is disposable and configured for a single use.

6. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, wherein the auto-injector is configured for multiple uses.

7. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, wherein selection assembly is configured to administer doses of about 0.01 cc, about 0.02 cc or about 0.03 cc.

8. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, wherein the needle is configured to administer a dose at a depth of about 1 mm to about 3 mm.

9. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, wherein the selection assembly is configured to adjust a volume of dosage to be administered and a depth to which the dosage is administered.

10. The auto-injector device according to claim 9, wherein the selection assembly is configured to increase a depth to which the medicine is administered as the dosage of the medicine increases.

11. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, wherein the selection assembly comprises a plurality of dosage selector buttons configured to cause the auto-injector to administer a plurality of different dosages of medicine, and a plurality of depth selector buttons configured to adjust the depth to which the medicine is administered by the auto-injector.

12. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a spring configured to actuate the plunger to administer the medicine.

13. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, wherein the auto-injector is configured to administer a therapeutically effective dose to treat inflamed acne cysts, inflamed sebaceous cysts, bug bites, alopecia areata, hypertrophic scars, keloids, psoriasis, granuloma annulare, discoid lupus erythematosus, hypertrophic lichen planus, lichen planopilaris, lichen simplex chronicus, erythema nodusum, sarcoidosis, and prurigo nodularis.

14. The auto-injector device according to claim 1,

wherein the indicia of the measurement guide are configured to measure a diameter of the skin lesion or the skin disorder, and

wherein the selection assembly is configurable by the user to adjust the amount of medicine via the selectors based on the diameter of a skin lesion or a skin disorder.

15. The auto-injector device accordingly to claim 14, wherein the measurement guide includes a measuring grid comprising a plurality of openings, the openings having varying diameters, and

wherein one of the openings with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the skin lesion or the skin disorder is capable of being placed by the user over the skin lesion or the skin disorder to measure the diameter of the skin lesion or the skin disorder.

16. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, wherein the selection assembly is configurable by the user to adjust a depth to which the plunger moves in the syringe and thereby to adjust the amount of medicine dispensed by the auto-injector device.

17. The auto-injector device according to claim 2,

wherein the injection guide extends from the first end of the syringe at least as far as the needle.

18. The auto-injector device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a vial containing a medicine.