EP3302351B1 - Straw for keeping a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, and injection device and method implementing same - Google Patents

Straw for keeping a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, and injection device and method implementing same Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3302351B1
EP3302351B1 EP16738477.5A EP16738477A EP3302351B1 EP 3302351 B1 EP3302351 B1 EP 3302351B1 EP 16738477 A EP16738477 A EP 16738477A EP 3302351 B1 EP3302351 B1 EP 3302351B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
stopper
straw
tip
towards
Prior art date
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Active
Application number
EP16738477.5A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3302351A1 (en
Inventor
Anne Linda VAN KAPPEL-DUFOUR
Jean-Charles GORGES
Eric Schmitt
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IMV Technologies SA
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IMV Technologies SA
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Publication of EP3302351A1 publication Critical patent/EP3302351A1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
    • A61D19/00—Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation
    • A61D19/02—Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for artificial insemination
    • A61D19/022—Containers for animal semen, e.g. pouches or vials ; Methods or apparatus for treating or handling animal semen containers, e.g. filling or closing
    • A61D19/024—Tube-like containers, e.g. straws
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
    • A61D19/00—Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation
    • A61D19/02—Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation for artificial insemination
    • A61D19/027—Devices for injecting semen into animals, e.g. syringes, guns, probes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0832—Geometry, shape and general structure cylindrical, tube shaped
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502707—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to the preservation of a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, and more particularly to flakes for effecting such preservation.
  • Such straw comprises a tube and a plug disposed in the tube.
  • the plug is usually of the tripartite type originally described in the French patent 995878 , corresponding to the British patent 669.265 that is to say formed by two buffers of fibrous substance enclosing a powder transforming in contact with a liquid into a paste or impermeable gel adhering to the wall of the tube so that the cap is liquid-tight.
  • plugs of another type for example a plug comprising or associated with an insert described by the French patent application. 2,771,284 corresponding to the US patent 6300125 , by the French patent application 2,771,285 corresponding to the US patent application 2001/0014376 , by the French patent application 2,784,572 corresponding to the US patent 6416611 and by the French patent application 2,932,064 ; or a plug made of a monobloc cylinder of hydrophobic microporous material described by the European patent application 0 873 726 ; or finally a plug made of a monoblock cylinder of self-sealing sintered microporous material described by the application PCT WO 2010/070533 .
  • the US patent 6305585 discloses a straw according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the stopper In the initial state, the stopper is disposed in the vicinity of one of the ends of the tube and it is expected that in the filled state, the dose of liquid substance that must be stored in the straw is disposed between the stopper and the other end of the tube (end farthest from the plug).
  • the end closest to the plug is placed in communication with a source of vacuum while the end farthest from the plug is placed in communication with a container containing the substance to be introduced into the straw.
  • the air initially contained between the plug and the end of the tube furthest from the plug is sucked through the plug as the substance progresses in the tube until it meets the plug.
  • the straw is welded in the vicinity of one or both ends and is stored cold.
  • the straw and in particular the material of the tube are provided so that cold storage can be performed by immersing the straw in a liquid cryogenic agent such as liquid nitrogen.
  • the invention aims to provide such a straw that offers operators new capabilities while remaining simple, convenient and economical to manufacture and use.
  • the inner conduit of the syringe needle can thus be placed in communication, via the internal conduit of the stopper, with the space inside the tube located between the second end of the stopper and the second end of the tube.
  • This internal space in the tube is intended, as in conventional flakes, to receive the predetermined dose of liquid-based substance.
  • a syringe needle for example an injection needle
  • the dose of substance contained in the straw is drawn towards the stopper, for example as explained below. afterwards, the substance will pass through the internal duct of the stopper and then the internal duct of the needle and may be expelled at the distal end of the needle, that is to say the pointed end located on the opposite side to the needle. the female end of the needle.
  • the stopper is not moved to push the dose of substance towards the second end of the tube but that the stopper is fixed and that it is the dose of substance that is pushed towards the stopper and therefore towards the first end of the tube.
  • the straw according to the invention can thus play not only the role of a substance conditioning element of the substance for its preservation, including cryogenic temperatures (traditional role for a straw), but also the role of a body of syringe to which a syringe needle can be directly connected and whose contents can be ejected through the distal end of this needle.
  • the straw according to the invention makes it possible to prevent the dose of substance must be transferred from the conditioning unit that it constitutes to a syringe body.
  • the handling of the liquid-based substance is diminished, which is in some cases favorable to the preservation of its properties, in particular if the substance contains constituents sensitive to the mechanical stresses occurring during the passage in a narrow conduit such as the inner duct of an injection needle.
  • a substance is for example a vaccine comprising cells sensitive to mechanical stresses.
  • the flake according to the invention makes it possible to benefit from the conditioning qualities of the liquid-based substances offered by the flakes, from the compatibility with the existing cold-keeping devices of the flakes, including at cryogenic temperatures, for example the conventional cups for maintaining the flakes.
  • glitter in liquid nitrogen while providing the capabilities of a syringe body; and this simply by implementing in a thin tube of flake a cap configured accordingly.
  • the first end of the plug in an initial state before use, is located in the tube at a predetermined distance from the first end of the tube for welding the tube between the first end of the plug and the first end of the tube.
  • the tip and more generally the plug is isolated from the liquid cryogen by the tube of the straw and thus protected from any cross-contamination likely to be conveyed by the liquid cryogen.
  • the straw according to the invention would have a larger capacity but could not offer such an insulation capacity of the nozzle .
  • the plug in an initial state before use, has at its first end a cap to be removed closing said internal conduit of the cap.
  • This seal is of course to be removed before emptying the straw.
  • annular wall is disposed between the cap and the male end, the inner conduit of the cap extending beyond the first end of the male end in the annular wall to the operculum which the closure, the outer surface of the annular wall being recessed vis-à-vis the outer surface of the male end.
  • the lid is removed by cutting or even tearing the annular wall.
  • the remaining annular wall piece does not interfere with the engagement of the socket as the outer surface of the annular wall is recessed from the outer surface of the socket.
  • the cap comprises a body attached to the tube and an appendage protruding from said body attached to the tube only through the body, which appendix comprises said male end and extends to the first end of the plug.
  • the plug can be effectively secured to the tube by the body while the tube leaves free the outer surface of the tip.
  • the tube can be removed around the appendix after being cut.
  • the cap body and the tube are secured independently of a plug contact with said liquid-based substance.
  • the degree of securing between the tube and the plug is the same without prior contact and after contact of the plug with the liquid-based substance.
  • the invention also aims, in a second aspect, a device for injecting a liquid-based substance comprising a straw as explained above and a syringe needle having a female connection endpiece with frustoconical inner surface engaged on the male connection end cap of said straw.
  • the invention also aims, in a third aspect, a method of emptying a straw as explained above, comprising a dose of liquid-based substance disposed between the second end of the plug and the second end of the tube, comprising the step of pushing the dose of liquid-based substance towards the first end of the tube after connecting the tip of a syringe needle to the male end of the plug.
  • the straw 10 illustrated on the figure 1 in the initial state (before use) comprises a tube 11 and a plug 12.
  • the tube 11 is extruded plastic with an internal diameter which is calibrated.
  • this internal diameter is of the order of 8.20 mm and the length of the tube 11 is of the order of 130 mm.
  • the tube 11 extends between one end 16 (which is seen on the left on the figure 1 ) and one end 17 (which is seen to the right on the figure 1 ).
  • the material of the tube 11 is here Surlyn®, which has good weldability properties and excellent compatibility with cryogenic temperatures.
  • Surlyn® which has good weldability properties and excellent compatibility with cryogenic temperatures.
  • the tube material is in another heat-shrinkable plastic material and resistant to cryogenic temperatures, for example PVC, TPE or PP.
  • the plug 12 is made of a material which has the same properties of impermeability to gases and liquids without and with prior contact of the plug with a liquid, especially aqueous.
  • the stopper 12 does not include a powdered dry sealant that turns into a paste or gel once moistened.
  • the material of the plug 12 is here polyethylene, more specifically HDPE.
  • the plug 12 is in another relatively rigid thermoplastic material, for example polypropylene (PP).
  • the plug 12 is disposed in the tube 11 near its end 16.
  • the plug 12 extends between an end 19 facing the end 16 of the tube 11 and an end 18 facing the end 17 of the tube 11.
  • the end 19 of the plug 12 is located in the tube 11 at a distance from the end 16 of the tube 11.
  • This distance has been predetermined so that it is sufficiently large for it to be possible to weld the tube 11 in the vicinity of the end 16, as shown in FIG. figure 6 .
  • the plug 12 has an axisymmetric configuration and is arranged coaxially with the tube 11.
  • the plug 12 comprises a body 9 and an appendix 63 projecting from the body 9 and extending to the end 19.
  • Appendix 63 comprises a male endpiece 29, a cap 33 located at the end 19 and an annular wall 64 connecting the cap 33 and the male endpiece 29.
  • the body 9 is directly attached to the tube 11.
  • the projection 63 protruding from the body 9 is secured to the tube 11 only via the body 9.
  • the tube 11 leaves free the external surface of the appendix 63, in particular the external surface 14 of the male endpiece 29.
  • the outer surface 14 is frustoconical normalized to cooperate with the normalized frustoconical inner surface 46 of the socket 45 of a syringe needle 44 (FIG. figure 4 ).
  • the portion of the tube 11 surrounding the appendix 63 can be cut and removed, as shown in FIG. figure 13 .
  • the dose of liquid substance 21 which must be stored in the straw 10 is disposed between the plug 12 and the end 17 of the tube 11 furthest from the plug 12.
  • the straw 10 here has a useful capacity of about 4 ml.
  • the tube 11 of the straw is welded in the vicinity of one or both of its ends 16 and 17 ( figure 6 ) and is stored cold.
  • the tube 11 has been welded at one end and the welded portion has subsequently been cut and removed, the tube 11 then has a new end set back from the initial end. Similarly, if the tube 11 has been cut to remove an end portion initially located around the appendix 63, the tube 11 then has a new end recessed from the initial end.
  • the reference numerals 16 and 17 for the new ends of the tube 11 each recessed relative to the respective initial end.
  • the plug 12 is placed in the tube 11 by simple insertion through the first end 16 of the tube 11 and forced sliding to the second end 17 of the tube 11 until reaching the intended location for the plug 12 in the tube 11.
  • the fact that the plug 12 can slide in the tube 11 only if a large force is exerted can provide a hold in place of the plug 12 in the tube 11 sufficient to take the forces exerted during connection of a syringe needle 44 ( figure 4 ) by engagement of the female connection tip 45 of the needle 44 on the male connector 29 of the plug 12 with the surface internal frustoconical 46 of the female end 45 in contact with the outer frustoconical surface 14 of the male end 29.
  • the plug 12 is configured to resist sliding towards the first end 16 of the tube 11. This allows the plug 12 to take up the major forces exerted on the end 18 of the plug 12 by the substance 21 when dump ( figures 9 and 11 ) and, where appropriate, during the freezing, where an increase in volume of the substance 21 which urges the cap 12 towards the end 16 of the tube 11 occurs.
  • the male end 29 extends between an end 60 facing the end 16 of the tube 11 and an end 61 facing the end 17 of the tube 11.
  • the frustoconical external surface 14 of the spigot 29 increases in diameter from the end 60 of the spigot 29 towards the end 61 of the spigot 29.
  • the conicity of the outer surface 14 of the male end 29 is Luer dimensions, defined by the ISO 594-1: 1986 or by DIN and EN 1707: 1996 and 20594-1: 1993.
  • An internal conduit 20 is formed in the plug 12.
  • the inner conduit 20 extends between the end 60 of the male endpiece 29 and the end 18 of the plug 12.
  • the inner conduit 20 thus passes through the male endpiece 29 and the body 9 opening into the internal space of the tube 11 intended to be filled by the substance 21.
  • the inner conduit 20 extends beyond the end 60 of the spigot 29 in the annular wall 64 to the seal 33 which closes it.
  • the cover 33 is here formed by a straight wall oriented transversely to the inner conduit 20.
  • the cover 33 is to be removed before connecting the needle 44 and empty the straw.
  • the inner conduit 20 decreases in diameter from the end 18 of the plug 12 to the end 60 of the spigot 29, with three successive frustoconical portions stepped.
  • the outer surface of the annular wall 64 is recessed vis-à-vis the outer surface 14 of the spigot 29.
  • the lid 33 is removed by cutting or even tearing the annular wall 64.
  • the remaining annular wall piece 64 does not interfere with the engagement of the socket 45 since the outer surface of the annular wall 64 is set back from the outer surface 14 of the spigot 29 (see FIG. figure 4 ).
  • the thickness of the annular wall 64 is smaller than that of the spigot 29, which facilitates the cutting of the annular wall 64 to remove the lid 33.
  • the body 9 extends between an end protruding from the appendix 63 (end facing the end 16 of the tube 11) and the end 18 of the plug 12.
  • the body 9 comprises a plurality of annular ribs 22, here two identical ribs, formed on its outer surface 28.
  • the ribs 22 are arranged at a distance from each other, with a predetermined distance between them. This gap makes it possible to stabilize the plug 12 in the tube 11.
  • Each annular rib 22 has a straight surface 24 facing the end 16 of the tube 11 and an inclined surface 25 facing the end 17 of the tube 11.
  • the surface 25 is inclined inwards and towards the end 17 of the tube 11.
  • the material in which the plug 12 is made is relatively rigid and therefore the periphery of the body 9 is relatively rigid, and in any case more than the wall of the tube 11 which is relatively thin.
  • the inclined surfaces 25 form ramps for deforming the wall of the tube 11 to allow the forced sliding of the plug 12 towards the end 17 of the tube 11.
  • the straight surfaces 24 form stops to allow the plug 12 to resist sliding relative to the tube 11.
  • the body 9 also has, at the end 18 of the plug 12, a chamfered edge forming a guide surface 23 inclined towards the inside and towards the end 18 of the plug 12.
  • the annular groove 30 is formed on the outer surface 28 near the appendix 63.
  • annular groove 30 is formed between the appendix 63 and the annular rib 22 closest.
  • the annular groove 30 has a concave curved bottom surface.
  • the annular groove 30 is useful for guiding the cutting of the tube 11, for example with the pair of curved blade scissors 53 illustrated on FIG. figure 12 .
  • the female end piece 45 extends between one end 55 that is seen to the left on the figure 4 and an end 56 that is seen on the right.
  • the female end 45 has a flange 48 at its end 56.
  • the needle 44 further comprises a hollow rod 39 projecting from the female end 45 from its first end 55.
  • the inner channel 40 of the needle 44 extends from the end 56 of the socket 45 to the tip of the hollow rod 39.
  • the hollow rod 39 here has a diameter known as gauge 18 or gauge 20.
  • the needle 44 is of the hypodermic type.
  • the frustoconical inner surface 46 of the female endpiece 45 is in contact and matches the frustoconical outer surface 14 of the male endpiece 29.
  • the inner conduit 20 of the male end 29 opens into the internal channel 40 of the needle 44.
  • the straw 10 to which is connected the needle 44 with its female connection end 45 with frustoconical inner surface 46 engaged on the male connection end 29 of the plug 12 forms a device for injecting a fluid substance whose operation is explained later.
  • the straw 10 illustrated on the figure 5 comprises a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance 21, here a concentrated vaccine solution.
  • the filling of the straw 10 is carried out using a needle (not shown), connected to a tank (not shown) of substance 21, which is inserted into the tube 11 by the end 17 of the tube 11 until its end comes near the plug 12.
  • the needle is gradually retracted.
  • the inner conduit 20 After filling, the inner conduit 20 therefore contains a certain volume of air.
  • the volume of the predetermined dose injected is such that there remains a portion of the tube 11 not filled with the substance 21 on the side of the end 17.
  • the tube 11 is then welded in the vicinity of its two ends 16 and 17.
  • a weld 41 is made using two heating jaws (not shown) between which is crushed by pinching an end portion of the tube 11.
  • the portion thus crushed takes a flattened position forming two lips 42 ( figure 9 ) brought into contact with each other.
  • the heat transmitted by the heating jaws to the material of the tube 11 causes the formation of the hermetic seal 41 between the two lips 42.
  • the flake 10 with the tube 11 welded near its two ends 16 and 17 is illustrated on the figure 6 .
  • This air bubble 43 is useful during the freezing of the straw to allow the volume increase of the substance 21.
  • the annular wall 64 of the appendix 63 is then cut and the cover 33 removed.
  • the needle 44 having the female end piece 45 is then connected to the straw.
  • the hollow stem 39 of the needle 44 is then, for example, sunk into the septum of a container containing a diluting liquid (e.g., water for injection) for concentrated vaccine solution (not shown).
  • a diluting liquid e.g., water for injection
  • a dump device (partially illustrated) is used, comprising two rollers 47 each oriented in the same direction and arranged next to each other.
  • the emptying device is configured so that the rollers 47 gradually crush the tube 11 from its end 17 to the plug 12.
  • the air bubble 43 is thus pushed in the same direction and in turn pushes the substance 21 which is introduced successively in the inner conduit 20 of the plug 12 and in the channel 40 of the needle 44 to be expelled out of the needle 44, into the container containing the dilution liquid.
  • the volume of the air bubble 43 is sufficient to fill the inner conduit 20 and the channel 40 at the moment when the rollers 47 are close to the plug 12. Thus, there is no or very little substance 21 lost in the conduit 20 and in the channel 40.
  • the emptying device comprising the rollers 47 is for example implemented by further providing a body and a rail mounted fixed on the body.
  • the rollers 47 are slidably mounted along the rail, with the rollers 47 each oriented transversely to the direction of extension of the rail.
  • the emptying device is configured to move the rollers 47 closer or closer to one another depending on where the two rollers 47 are on the rail.
  • the emptying device further comprises a resilient erasable floor disposed under the rail.
  • rollers 47 are initially positioned at a first end of the rail, access to the floor being thus cleared to allow the straw 10 to be disposed therein.
  • the straw is then disposed on the floor, being oriented in the same direction as the rail and located substantially between the paths respective of the two rollers 47, with the weld 41 of the straw facing the rollers 47.
  • the needle 44 located at the other end of the straw is engaged in a conical housing formed in the body of the device, with the outer surface of the female end abutting against the inner surface of the conical housing.
  • rollers 47 are then moved in the direction of the straw 10 and are positioned on either side of the weld 41 located near the end 17 of the straw.
  • the rollers are then spaced from each other, separated by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the weld 41 located between them.
  • the rollers 47 continue their course by approaching each other until the tube 11 of the straw 10 is crushed. The distance between the rollers is then approximately equal to twice the thickness of the tube wall 11.
  • rollers 47 then gradually crush the tube 11 as explained above.
  • roller 47 closest to the floor (hereinafter lower roll) is pressed against an inclined surface of the floor, which solicits the floor to its erased position.
  • the straw 10 is then no longer held by the floor but remains in the same position because it is held by the rollers 47.
  • the distal end of the floor is then positioned behind the lower roller 47 and acts as a non-return stop for the two rollers 47.
  • connection of the needle 44 to the straw 10 is carried out as explained above.
  • the weld 41 located near the end 17 is removed by cutting an end portion flush with the weld 41.
  • a device (partially illustrated) having a piston 52 is employed here.
  • the piston 52 is moved to push the air bubble 43 which then pushes the substance 21 to its expulsion out of the needle 44, in the same manner as in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. Figures 8 and 9 .
  • the flake 10 is in the state shown in FIG. figure 13 .
  • the internal diameter of the tube 111 is here of the order of 6 mm and the length of the tube 111 is of the order of 130 mm.
  • the straw 110 here has a useful capacity of about 2 ml.
  • the male end 129 is identical to the male end 29.
  • the body 109 of the plug 112 is identical to the body 9 of the plug 12, except that it is smaller in size to be able to cooperate with the tube 111, the dimensions of which are smaller than those of the tube 11.
  • the inner conduit 120 of the plug 112 is here entirely frustoconical.
  • the use of the straw 110 is identical to the use of the straw 10, except that, as the tube 111 is very close to the nozzle 129, the tube 111 is cut at the groove 130 to prevent that the tube 111 hinders the engagement of the tip 145 on the tip 129 ( figure 17 ).
  • the plug 212 shown on the figure 18 is generally similar to plug 112, except that body 209 has a single annular rib 222 and that single annular rib 222 has a different profile than ribs 122 or 22.
  • the outermost portion of the ribs 22 or 122 is formed by a stop 65 or 165
  • the outermost portion of the rib 222 is formed by a circular section surface of constant diameter 66.
  • the diameter of the surface 66 corresponds to that of the inner surface of the tube of the straw.
  • the rib 222 On either side of the surface 66, the rib 222 has an inclined surface, respectively 67 and 68.
  • the surface 67 is turned towards the first end 219 of the cap 212 and is inclined towards the first end 219 and inwards.
  • the inclined surface 68 is facing the second end 218 and is inclined towards the first end 218 and inwardly.
  • the plug 312 illustrated on the figure 19 is generally similar to the plug 112, except that the two annular ribs 122 are replaced by a single rib 322 having a large axial extension.
  • the body of the straw cap has different non-return protrusions ribs 22, 122 or 322, but arranged differently from a rib, for example in the form of a plurality of tabs.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Reproductive Health (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)

Description

L'invention a trait d'une manière générale à la conservation d'une dose prédéterminée de substance à base liquide, et plus particulièrement aux paillettes pour effectuer une telle conservation.The invention relates generally to the preservation of a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, and more particularly to flakes for effecting such preservation.

On sait qu'une telle paillette comporte un tube et un bouchon disposé dans le tube. Le bouchon est habituellement du type tripartite décrit à l'origine dans le brevet français 995.878 , correspondant au brevet britannique 669,265 , c'est-à-dire formé par deux tampons en substance fibreuse enserrant une poudre se transformant au contact d'un liquide en une pâte ou gel imperméable adhérant à la paroi du tube pour que le bouchon soit étanche aux liquides.It is known that such straw comprises a tube and a plug disposed in the tube. The plug is usually of the tripartite type originally described in the French patent 995878 , corresponding to the British patent 669.265 that is to say formed by two buffers of fibrous substance enclosing a powder transforming in contact with a liquid into a paste or impermeable gel adhering to the wall of the tube so that the cap is liquid-tight.

Des bouchons semblables mais perfectionnés sont décrits par les demandes de brevet français 2 824 255 et 2 824 256 , correspondant aux demandes de brevet américains 2002/0183653 et 2002/0188222 .Similar but improved stoppers are described by French patent applications 2,824,255 and 2,824,256 , corresponding to US patent applications 2002/0183653 and 2002/0188222 .

On connait également des bouchons d'un autre type, par exemple un bouchon comportant ou associé à un insert décrit par la demande de brevet français 2 771 284 correspondant au brevet américain 6,300,125 , par la demande de brevet français 2 771 285 correspondant à la demande de brevet américain 2001/0014376 , par la demande de brevet français 2 784 572 correspondant au brevet américain 6,416,611 et par la demande de brevet français 2 932 064 ; ou encore un bouchon fait d'un cylindre monobloc de matière microporeuse hydrophobe décrit par la demande de brevet européen 0 873 726 ; ou enfin un bouchon fait d'un cylindre monobloc de matière microporeuse auto-scellante frittée décrit par la demande PCT WO 2010/070533 . Le brevet américain 6,305,585 divulgue une paillette selon le préambule de la revendication 1.There are also known plugs of another type, for example a plug comprising or associated with an insert described by the French patent application. 2,771,284 corresponding to the US patent 6300125 , by the French patent application 2,771,285 corresponding to the US patent application 2001/0014376 , by the French patent application 2,784,572 corresponding to the US patent 6416611 and by the French patent application 2,932,064 ; or a plug made of a monobloc cylinder of hydrophobic microporous material described by the European patent application 0 873 726 ; or finally a plug made of a monoblock cylinder of self-sealing sintered microporous material described by the application PCT WO 2010/070533 . The US patent 6305585 discloses a straw according to the preamble of claim 1.

A l'état initial, le bouchon est disposé au voisinage de l'une des extrémités du tube et il est prévu qu'à l'état rempli, la dose de substance liquide qui doit être conservée dans la paillette soit disposée entre le bouchon et l'autre extrémité du tube (extrémité la plus éloignée du bouchon).In the initial state, the stopper is disposed in the vicinity of one of the ends of the tube and it is expected that in the filled state, the dose of liquid substance that must be stored in the straw is disposed between the stopper and the other end of the tube (end farthest from the plug).

Pour remplir la paillette, l'extrémité la plus proche du bouchon est mise en communication avec une source de vide tandis que l'extrémité la plus éloignée du bouchon est mise en communication avec un récipient contenant la substance à introduire dans la paillette.To fill the straw, the end closest to the plug is placed in communication with a source of vacuum while the end farthest from the plug is placed in communication with a container containing the substance to be introduced into the straw.

L'air initialement contenu entre le bouchon et l'extrémité du tube la plus éloignée du bouchon est aspiré au travers du bouchon tandis que la substance progresse dans le tube jusqu'à ce qu'elle rencontre le bouchon.The air initially contained between the plug and the end of the tube furthest from the plug is sucked through the plug as the substance progresses in the tube until it meets the plug.

Le cas échéant, après remplissage, la paillette est soudée au voisinage de l'une ou de ses deux extrémités et est stockée au froid. La paillette et notamment la matière du tube sont prévus pour que ce stockage au froid puisse s'effectuer en plongeant la paillette dans un agent cryogénique liquide tel que de l'azote liquide.If necessary, after filling, the straw is welded in the vicinity of one or both ends and is stored cold. The straw and in particular the material of the tube are provided so that cold storage can be performed by immersing the straw in a liquid cryogenic agent such as liquid nitrogen.

Pour vider la paillette, le cas échéant après découpage des portions d'extrémité soudées et décongélation, on fait pénétrer dans le tube par l'extrémité la plus proche du bouchon une tige qui vient porter contre le bouchon. Avec cette tige, on fait coulisser le bouchon à la façon d'un piston vers l'extrémité la plus éloignée du bouchon, ce qui provoque l'expulsion de la dose de substance qui avait été introduite dans la paillette.To empty the flake, if necessary after cutting the welded end portions and defrosting, is introduced into the tube through the end nearest the plug a rod that bears against the plug. With this rod, the plug is slid in the manner of a piston towards the end farthest from the plug, which causes the expulsion of the dose of substance that had been introduced into the straw.

Lorsque la paillette est utilisée pour conserver de la semence animale diluée, en particulier de la semence bovine, le vidage de la paillette est mis en oeuvre pour opérer une insémination artificielle.When the straw is used to store diluted animal semen, in particular bovine semen, emptying the straw is used to perform artificial insemination.

L'invention vise à fournir une telle paillette qui offre aux opérateurs de nouvelles capacités tout en restant simple, commode et économique à fabriquer et à utiliser.The invention aims to provide such a straw that offers operators new capabilities while remaining simple, convenient and economical to manufacture and use.

L'invention propose à cet effet une paillette pour la conservation d'une dose prédéterminée de substance à base liquide, comportant un tube s'étendant entre une première extrémité et une seconde extrémité et comportant un bouchon étanche aux liquides disposé dans le tube au voisinage de sa première extrémité et s'étendant entre une première extrémité tournée vers la première extrémité du tube et une seconde extrémité tournée vers la seconde extrémité du tube, caractérisée en ce que ledit bouchon :

  • est fixe vis-à-vis du tube ;
  • comporte un embout de raccordement mâle s'étendant entre une première extrémité tournée vers la première extrémité du tube et une seconde extrémité tournée vers la seconde extrémité du tube, présentant une surface externe tronconique normalisée augmentant de diamètre de la première extrémité de l'embout vers la seconde extrémité de l'embout, configuré pour qu'une aiguille de seringue ayant un embout de raccordement femelle à surface interne tronconique normalisée puisse être raccordée audit bouchon par engagement de l'embout de raccordement femelle de l'aiguille sur l'embout de raccordement mâle du bouchon avec la surface tronconique interne de l'embout femelle au contact de la surface tronconique externe de l'embout mâle; et
  • comporte un conduit interne s'étendant entre la première extrémité de l'embout et la seconde extrémité du bouchon.
The invention proposes for this purpose a straw for the preservation of a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, comprising a tube extending between a first end and a second end and comprising a liquid-tight plug disposed in the tube in the vicinity. its first end and extending between a first end facing the first end of the tube and a second end facing the second end of the tube, characterized in that said plug:
  • is fixed opposite the tube;
  • comprises a male connector end extending between a first end facing the first end of the tube and a second end facing the second end of the tube, having a normalized frustoconical outer surface increasing in diameter from the first end of the tip towards the first end of the tube; the second end of the tip, configured so that a syringe needle having a standard frustoconical inner surface female connector tip can be connected to said plug by engaging the needle socket on the tip of the tip; male plug connection with the internal frustoconical surface of the socket in contact with the outer frustoconical surface of the spigot end; and
  • has an inner conduit extending between the first end of the tip and the second end of the plug.

Le conduit interne de l'aiguille de seringue peut ainsi être mis en communication, par l'intermédiaire du conduit interne du bouchon, avec l'espace interne au tube situé entre la seconde extrémité du bouchon et la seconde extrémité du tube.The inner conduit of the syringe needle can thus be placed in communication, via the internal conduit of the stopper, with the space inside the tube located between the second end of the stopper and the second end of the tube.

Cet espace interne au tube est prévu, comme dans les paillettes conventionnelles, pour recevoir la dose prédéterminée de substance à base liquide.This internal space in the tube is intended, as in conventional flakes, to receive the predetermined dose of liquid-based substance.

Si l'on raccorde une aiguille de seringue (par exemple une aiguille d'injection) sur l'embout du bouchon et que l'on entraîne la dose de substance contenue dans la paillette vers le bouchon, par exemple ainsi qu'expliqué ci-après, la substance passera au travers du conduit interne du bouchon puis du conduit interne de l'aiguille et pourra être expulsée à l'extrémité distale de l'aiguille, c'est-à-dire l'extrémité pointue située du côté opposé à l'embout femelle de l'aiguille.If a syringe needle (for example an injection needle) is connected to the tip of the stopper and the dose of substance contained in the straw is drawn towards the stopper, for example as explained below. afterwards, the substance will pass through the internal duct of the stopper and then the internal duct of the needle and may be expelled at the distal end of the needle, that is to say the pointed end located on the opposite side to the needle. the female end of the needle.

On observera que contrairement aux paillettes conventionnelles, le bouchon n'est pas déplacé pour pousser la dose de substance vers la seconde extrémité du tube mais que le bouchon est fixe et que c'est la dose de substance qui est poussée vers le bouchon et donc vers la première extrémité du tube.It will be observed that unlike conventional flakes, the stopper is not moved to push the dose of substance towards the second end of the tube but that the stopper is fixed and that it is the dose of substance that is pushed towards the stopper and therefore towards the first end of the tube.

La paillette selon l'invention peut ainsi jouer non seulement le rôle d'un élément de conditionnement de la dose de substance permettant sa conservation, y compris aux températures cryogéniques (rôle classique pour une paillette), mais aussi le rôle d'un corps de seringue auquel peut être directement raccordée une aiguille de seringue et dont le contenu peut être éjecté au travers de l'extrémité distale de cette aiguille.The straw according to the invention can thus play not only the role of a substance conditioning element of the substance for its preservation, including cryogenic temperatures (traditional role for a straw), but also the role of a body of syringe to which a syringe needle can be directly connected and whose contents can be ejected through the distal end of this needle.

Ainsi, pour les substances à base liquide qui, après une période de conservation, y compris aux températures cryogéniques, doivent être injectées avec une aiguille par exemple dans une poche contenant un liquide de dilution, la paillette selon l'invention permet d'éviter que la dose de substance doive être transférée de l'unité de conditionnement qu'elle constitue à un corps de seringue.Thus, for liquid-based substances which, after a period of preservation, including at cryogenic temperatures, must be injected with a needle, for example into a bag containing a dilution liquid, the straw according to the invention makes it possible to prevent the dose of substance must be transferred from the conditioning unit that it constitutes to a syringe body.

Cela offre l'avantage de simplifier la tâche de l'opérateur et d'économiser la fourniture du corps de seringue.This offers the advantage of simplifying the task of the operator and saving the supply of the syringe body.

En outre, on diminue les manipulations sur la substance à base liquide, ce qui est dans certains cas favorable à la conservation de ses propriétés, en particulier si la substance contient des constituants sensibles aux contraintes mécaniques se produisant lors du passage dans un conduit étroit comme le conduit interne d'une aiguille d'injection. Une telle substance est par exemple un vaccin comportant des cellules sensibles aux contraintes mécaniques.In addition, the handling of the liquid-based substance is diminished, which is in some cases favorable to the preservation of its properties, in particular if the substance contains constituents sensitive to the mechanical stresses occurring during the passage in a narrow conduit such as the inner duct of an injection needle. Such a substance is for example a vaccine comprising cells sensitive to mechanical stresses.

La paillette selon l'invention permet de bénéficier des qualités de conditionnement des substances à base liquide offertes par les paillettes, de la compatibilité avec les dispositifs existants de conservation au froid des paillettes y compris aux températures cryogéniques, par exemple les gobelets conventionnels de maintien des paillettes dans l'azote liquide, tout en offrant les capacités d'un corps de seringue ; et ceci simplement en mettant en oeuvre dans un tube mince de paillette un bouchon configuré en conséquence.The flake according to the invention makes it possible to benefit from the conditioning qualities of the liquid-based substances offered by the flakes, from the compatibility with the existing cold-keeping devices of the flakes, including at cryogenic temperatures, for example the conventional cups for maintaining the flakes. glitter in liquid nitrogen, while providing the capabilities of a syringe body; and this simply by implementing in a thin tube of flake a cap configured accordingly.

Selon des caractéristiques avantageuses, dans un état initial avant utilisation, la première extrémité du bouchon est située dans le tube à une distance prédéterminée de la première extrémité du tube permettant de souder le tube entre la première extrémité du bouchon et la première extrémité du tube.According to advantageous characteristics, in an initial state before use, the first end of the plug is located in the tube at a predetermined distance from the first end of the tube for welding the tube between the first end of the plug and the first end of the tube.

Quand la paillette est fermée par soudure à ses extrémités et plongée dans l'agent cryogénique tel que l'azote liquide, l'embout et plus généralement le bouchon est isolé de l'agent cryogénique liquide par le tube de la paillette et donc protégé de toute contamination croisée susceptible d'être véhiculée par l'agent cryogénique liquide.When the straw is closed by welding at its ends and immersed in the cryogen such as liquid nitrogen, the tip and more generally the plug is isolated from the liquid cryogen by the tube of the straw and thus protected from any cross-contamination likely to be conveyed by the liquid cryogen.

On observera que si l'embout était disposé hors du tube en saillie au-delà de la première extrémité du tube, la paillette selon l'invention aurait une plus grande contenance mais ne pourrait pas offrir une telle capacité d'isolation de l'embout.It will be observed that if the tip was disposed out of the projecting tube beyond the first end of the tube, the straw according to the invention would have a larger capacity but could not offer such an insulation capacity of the nozzle .

Selon des caractéristiques avantageuses, dans un état initial avant utilisation, le bouchon comporte à sa première extrémité un opercule à enlever obturant ledit conduit interne du bouchon.According to advantageous characteristics, in an initial state before use, the plug has at its first end a cap to be removed closing said internal conduit of the cap.

Cet opercule est bien entendu à enlever avant de vider la paillette.This seal is of course to be removed before emptying the straw.

La présence de l'opercule jusqu'à l'opération de vidage de la paillette assure qu'il n'y a pas de substance qui passe dans bouchon avant le vidage.The presence of the lid to the flask emptying operation ensures that there is no substance that passes into cap before emptying.

En particulier, il n'y a pas de substance perdue dans la partie de la paillette située entre le bouchon et la première extrémité du tube.In particular, there is no substance lost in the portion of the straw between the cap and the first end of the tube.

Selon des caractéristiques avantageuses, une paroi annulaire est disposée entre l'opercule et l'embout mâle, le conduit interne du bouchon se prolongeant au-delà de la première extrémité de l'embout mâle dans la paroi annulaire jusqu'à l'opercule qui l'obture, la surface externe de la paroi annulaire étant en retrait vis-à-vis de la surface externe de l'embout mâle.According to advantageous characteristics, an annular wall is disposed between the cap and the male end, the inner conduit of the cap extending beyond the first end of the male end in the annular wall to the operculum which the closure, the outer surface of the annular wall being recessed vis-à-vis the outer surface of the male end.

L'opercule est enlevé en coupant voire en déchirant la paroi annulaire.The lid is removed by cutting or even tearing the annular wall.

Le morceau de paroi annulaire subsistant ne gêne pas l'engagement de l'embout femelle puisque la surface externe de la paroi annulaire est en retrait par rapport à la surface externe de l'embout mâle.The remaining annular wall piece does not interfere with the engagement of the socket as the outer surface of the annular wall is recessed from the outer surface of the socket.

Selon des caractéristiques avantageuses, le bouchon comporte un corps assujetti au tube et un appendice saillant dudit corps assujetti au tube uniquement par l'intermédiaire du corps, lequel appendice comporte ledit embout mâle et s'étend jusqu'à la première extrémité du bouchon.According to advantageous features, the cap comprises a body attached to the tube and an appendage protruding from said body attached to the tube only through the body, which appendix comprises said male end and extends to the first end of the plug.

Ainsi, le bouchon peut être assujetti efficacement au tube par le corps alors que le tube laisse libre la surface externe de l'embout. En outre, si besoin, le tube peut être enlevé autour de l'appendice après avoir été découpé.Thus, the plug can be effectively secured to the tube by the body while the tube leaves free the outer surface of the tip. In addition, if necessary, the tube can be removed around the appendix after being cut.

Selon des caractéristiques avantageuses, le corps du bouchon et le tube sont assujettis indépendamment d'un contact du bouchon avec ladite substance à base liquide.According to advantageous features, the cap body and the tube are secured independently of a plug contact with said liquid-based substance.

En d'autres termes, le degré d'assujettissement entre le tube et le bouchon est le même sans contact préalable et après contact du bouchon avec la substance à base liquide. Ainsi, contrairement aux bouchons conventionnels de paillette, il n'y a pas d'adhésion d'un agent de scellement au tube une fois que le bouchon a été humecté.In other words, the degree of securing between the tube and the plug is the same without prior contact and after contact of the plug with the liquid-based substance. Thus, unlike conventional flake caps, there is no adhesion of a sealant to the tube once the plug has been moistened.

Il est effet possible de remplir la paillette autrement que par aspiration de l'air au travers du bouchon par la première extrémité du tube, par exemple grâce à une aiguille qui est introduite dans le tube par sa seconde extrémité jusqu'à ce que le bout de l'aiguille soit proche du bouchon puis la substance est injectée dans le tube en même temps que l'aiguille recule.It is possible to fill the straw otherwise than by suction of the air through the plug by the first end of the tube, for example by means of a needle which is inserted into the tube by its second end until the end the needle is close to the stopper and the substance is injected into the tube at the same time as the needle retreats.

L'assujettissement du bouchon au tube étant indépendant du contact avec la substance liquide, aucune précaution n'est à prendre avec la paillette selon l'invention pour s'assurer que la substance liquide est venue au contact du bouchon. Il est par ailleurs possible de laisser volontairement la substance liquide à distance du bouchon, par exemple pour avoir une bulle d'air utile lors de la congélation.Since the subjection of the cap to the tube is independent of the contact with the liquid substance, no precautions are to be taken with the straw according to the invention to ensure that the liquid substance has come into contact with the plug. It is also possible to voluntarily leave the liquid substance away from the cap, for example to have a useful air bubble during freezing.

Selon des caractéristiques avantageuses :

  • le corps est rigide au moins en périphérie et comporte une surface externe présentant des saillies anti-retour orientées pour permettre le coulissement forcé du bouchon vis-à-vis du tube de la première extrémité vers la seconde extrémité et pour résister au coulissement du bouchon vis-à-vis du tube vers la première extrémité du tube ;
  • le corps est rigide au moins en périphérie et comporte une surface externe présentant au moins une nervure annulaire présentant une surface droite tournée vers la première extrémité du tube et une surface inclinée tournée vers la seconde extrémité du tube, la surface inclinée étant inclinée vers l'intérieur et vers la seconde extrémité du tube ;
  • le corps est rigide au moins en périphérie et comporte une surface externe présentant au moins deux nervures annulaires à l'écart l'une de l'autre ;
  • le corps comporte sur sa surface externe une gorge annulaire à proximité de l'appendice ;
  • ledit embout de raccordement mâle est un embout Luer mâle ;
  • ledit bouchon est entièrement en matière imperméable aux gaz et aux liquides indépendamment d'un contact du bouchon avec ladite substance à base liquide ; et/ou
  • ledit bouchon est entièrement en matière plastique rigide moulée d'une seule pièce.
According to advantageous characteristics:
  • the body is rigid at least peripherally and has an outer surface having non-return projections oriented to allow for forced sliding of the plug with respect to the tube from the first end to the second end and to resist sliding of the plug screw to the tube towards the first end of the tube;
  • the body is rigid at least peripherally and has an outer surface having at least one annular rib having a straight surface facing the first end of the tube and an inclined surface turned towards the second end of the tube, the inclined surface being inclined inwards and towards the second end of the tube;
  • the body is rigid at least peripherally and has an outer surface having at least two annular ribs apart from each other;
  • the body has on its outer surface an annular groove near the appendix;
  • said male connector tip is a male luer tip;
  • said plug is made entirely of gas and liquid impermeable material regardless of plug contact with said liquid-based substance; and or
  • said cap is made entirely of rigid plastic material molded in one piece.

L'invention vise également, sous un deuxième aspect, un dispositif d'injection d'une substance à base liquide comportant une paillette telle qu'exposée ci-dessus et une aiguille de seringue ayant un embout de raccordement femelle à surface interne tronconique engagée sur l'embout de raccordement mâle du bouchon de ladite paillette.The invention also aims, in a second aspect, a device for injecting a liquid-based substance comprising a straw as explained above and a syringe needle having a female connection endpiece with frustoconical inner surface engaged on the male connection end cap of said straw.

L'invention vise également, sous un troisième aspect, un procédé de vidage d'une paillette telle qu'exposée ci-dessus, comportant une dose de substance à base liquide disposée entre la seconde extrémité du bouchon et la seconde extrémité du tube, comportant l'étape de pousser la dose de substance à base liquide vers la première extrémité du tube après avoir raccordé l'embout femelle d'une aiguille de seringue sur l'embout mâle du bouchon.The invention also aims, in a third aspect, a method of emptying a straw as explained above, comprising a dose of liquid-based substance disposed between the second end of the plug and the second end of the tube, comprising the step of pushing the dose of liquid-based substance towards the first end of the tube after connecting the tip of a syringe needle to the male end of the plug.

Selon des caractéristiques avantageuses :

  • l'étape de pousser la dose de substance à base liquide est mise en oeuvre avec la seconde extrémité du tube qui reste fermée pendant que l'on écrase le tube progressivement de la seconde extrémité du tube vers le bouchon ; ou
  • l'étape de pousser la dose de substance à base liquide est mise en oeuvre avec la seconde extrémité du tube qui est ouverte, grâce à un piston introduit par cette extrémité qui est déplacé vers le bouchon.
According to advantageous characteristics:
  • the step of pushing the dose of liquid-based substance is carried out with the second end of the tube which remains closed while the tube is crushed progressively from the second end of the tube to the stopper; or
  • the step of pushing the dose of liquid-based substance is carried out with the second end of the tube which is open, thanks to a piston introduced by this end which is moved towards the stopper.

L'exposé de l'invention sera maintenant poursuivi par la description d'exemples de réalisation, donnée ci-après à titre illustratif et non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'une paillette selon l'invention, à l'état initial avant utilisation où elle est vide et ouverte à ses deux extrémités ;
  • les figures 2 et 3 sont respectivement une vue latérale et une vue en coupe du bouchon de cette paillette, montré isolément ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en coupe de l'extrémité de la paillette que l'on voit à gauche sur la figure 1 si ce n'est qu'une aiguille de seringue a été raccordée au bouchon de cette paillette après que l'opercule de son bouchon a été découpé puis enlevé et que son tube a été découpé au même endroit puis la portion d'extrémité découpée du tube enlevée ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue semblable à la figure 1 mais avec la paillette à l'état rempli ;
  • la figure 6 est une vue semblable à la figure 5 mais avec le tube de la paillette soudé à ses deux extrémités ;
  • la figure 7 est une vue semblable à la figure 6 mais après que l'opercule du bouchon de la paillette a été découpé puis enlevé et que son tube a été découpé au même endroit puis la portion d'extrémité découpée du tube enlevée ;
  • la figure 8 est une vue semblable à la figure 7 si ce n'est qu'une aiguille de seringue a été raccordée au bouchon de la paillette ;
  • la figure 9 est une vue semblable à la figure 8 mais en élévation plutôt qu'en plan et montrant en outre les rouleaux d'un dispositif de vidage de la paillette par écrasement progressif du tube le long de celui-ci à partir de l'extrémité du tube la plus éloignée du bouchon ;
  • la figure 10 est une vue semblable à la figure 7 mais avec l'autre côté du tube qui a aussi été découpé et la portion d'extrémité ainsi découpée qui a été enlevée tandis qu'une aiguille de seringue a été raccordée au bouchon de la paillette ;
  • la figure 11 est une vue semblable à la figure 10 mais montrant en outre le piston d'un dispositif de vidage de la paillette par coulissement du piston dans le tube à partir de l'extrémité la plus éloignée du bouchon ;
  • la figure 12 montre une paire de ciseaux à lames courbées permettant de couper le tube de la paillette au niveau du corps du bouchon ;
  • la figure 13 est une vue semblable à la figure 7 mais avec le tube découpé au niveau du corps du bouchon ;
  • les figures 14 à 16 sont des vues semblables aux figures 1 à 3 mais pour une variante de la paillette de plus petite contenance ;
  • la figure 17 est une vue semblable à la figure 8 mais pour cette variante de la paillette tandis que le tube est découpé au niveau du corps du bouchon ; et
  • les figures 18 et 19 sont des vues semblables à la figure 15 mais pour des variantes du bouchon où le corps est conformé différemment.
The description of the invention will now be continued by the description of exemplary embodiments, given below by way of nonlimiting illustration, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 is a schematic view of a straw according to the invention, in the initial state before use where it is empty and open at both ends;
  • the Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a side view and a sectional view of the cap of this straw, shown separately;
  • the figure 4 is a sectional view of the end of the straw that we see on the left on the figure 1 except that a syringe needle was connected to the cap of this straw after the cap of its cap was cut and removed and that its tube was cut at the same place and then the cut end portion of the tube removed;
  • the figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 1 but with the straw in the filled state;
  • the figure 6 is a view similar to the figure 5 but with the tube of the flake welded at both ends;
  • the figure 7 is a view similar to the figure 6 but after the cap of the straw cap has been cut and removed and its tube has been cut in the same place and the cut end portion of the tube removed;
  • the figure 8 is a view similar to the figure 7 except that a syringe needle has been connected to the straw cap;
  • the figure 9 is a view similar to the figure 8 but in elevation rather than in plan and further showing the rollers of a flail emptying device by progressive crushing of the tube along it from the end of the tube furthest from the plug;
  • the figure 10 is a view similar to the figure 7 but with the other side of the tube which has also been cut and the end portion thus cut off which has been removed while a syringe needle has been connected to the stopper of the straw;
  • the figure 11 is a view similar to the figure 10 but further showing the piston of a flask emptying device by sliding the piston in the tube from the farthest end of the plug;
  • the figure 12 shows a pair of curved blade scissors for cutting the tube of the straw at the body of the plug;
  • the figure 13 is a view similar to the figure 7 but with the tube cut at the level of the body of the stopper;
  • the Figures 14 to 16 are views similar to Figures 1 to 3 but for a variant of the straw of smaller capacity;
  • the figure 17 is a view similar to the figure 8 but for this variant of the straw while the tube is cut at the body of the cap; and
  • the Figures 18 and 19 are views similar to the figure 15 but for variants of the plug where the body is shaped differently.

La paillette 10 illustrée sur la figure 1 à l'état initial (avant utilisation) comporte un tube 11 et un bouchon 12.The straw 10 illustrated on the figure 1 in the initial state (before use) comprises a tube 11 and a plug 12.

Le tube 11 est en matière plastique extrudée avec un diamètre interne qui est donc calibré. Ici, ce diamètre interne est de l'ordre de 8,20 mm et la longueur du tube 11 est de l'ordre de 130 mm.The tube 11 is extruded plastic with an internal diameter which is calibrated. Here, this internal diameter is of the order of 8.20 mm and the length of the tube 11 is of the order of 130 mm.

Le tube 11 s'étend entre une extrémité 16 (que l'on voit à gauche sur la figure 1) et une extrémité 17 (que l'on voit à droite sur la figure 1).The tube 11 extends between one end 16 (which is seen on the left on the figure 1 ) and one end 17 (which is seen to the right on the figure 1 ).

La matière du tube 11 est ici du Surlyn®, qui a de bonnes propriétés de soudabilité et une excellente compatibilité avec les températures cryogéniques. Pour plus de détails, on pourra se référer à la demande de brevet français 2 651 793 à laquelle correspond le brevet américain 5,190,880 .The material of the tube 11 is here Surlyn®, which has good weldability properties and excellent compatibility with cryogenic temperatures. For more details, we can refer to the French patent application 2,651,793 to which corresponds the US patent 5190880 .

En variante, la matière du tube est dans une autre matière plastique thermosoudable et résistante aux températures cryogéniques, par exemple du PVC, du TPE ou du PP.Alternatively, the tube material is in another heat-shrinkable plastic material and resistant to cryogenic temperatures, for example PVC, TPE or PP.

Le bouchon 12 est en une matière qui a les mêmes propriétés d'imperméabilité aux gaz et aux liquides sans et avec contact préalable du bouchon avec un liquide, notamment aqueux.The plug 12 is made of a material which has the same properties of impermeability to gases and liquids without and with prior contact of the plug with a liquid, especially aqueous.

En particulier, contrairement aux bouchons conventionnels de paillette, le bouchon 12 ne comporte pas d'agent de scellement en poudre à l'état sec se transformant en pâte ou gel une fois humecté.In particular, unlike conventional straw stoppers, the stopper 12 does not include a powdered dry sealant that turns into a paste or gel once moistened.

La matière du bouchon 12 est ici du polyéthylène, plus précisément du PEHD. En variante, le bouchon 12 est dans une autre matière thermoplastique relativement rigide, par exemple du polypropylène (PP).The material of the plug 12 is here polyethylene, more specifically HDPE. Alternatively, the plug 12 is in another relatively rigid thermoplastic material, for example polypropylene (PP).

Le bouchon 12 est disposé dans le tube 11 au voisinage de son extrémité 16. Le bouchon 12 s'étend entre une extrémité 19 tournée vers la l'extrémité 16 du tube 11 et une extrémité 18 tournée vers l'extrémité 17 du tube 11.The plug 12 is disposed in the tube 11 near its end 16. The plug 12 extends between an end 19 facing the end 16 of the tube 11 and an end 18 facing the end 17 of the tube 11.

A l'état initial (avant utilisation) de la paillette 10, illustré sur la figure 1, l'extrémité 19 du bouchon 12 est située dans le tube 11 à une certaine distance de l'extrémité 16 du tube 11.In the initial state (before use) of the straw 10, illustrated on the figure 1 , the end 19 of the plug 12 is located in the tube 11 at a distance from the end 16 of the tube 11.

Cette distance a été prédéterminée afin qu'elle soit suffisamment grande pour qu'il soit possible de souder le tube 11 au voisinage de l'extrémité 16, comme montré sur la figure 6.This distance has been predetermined so that it is sufficiently large for it to be possible to weld the tube 11 in the vicinity of the end 16, as shown in FIG. figure 6 .

D'une façon générale le bouchon 12 a une configuration axisymétrique et il est disposé coaxialement au tube 11.In general, the plug 12 has an axisymmetric configuration and is arranged coaxially with the tube 11.

Le bouchon 12 comporte un corps 9 et un appendice 63 saillant du corps 9 et s'étendant jusqu'à l'extrémité 19.The plug 12 comprises a body 9 and an appendix 63 projecting from the body 9 and extending to the end 19.

L'appendice 63 comporte un embout mâle 29, un opercule 33 situé à l'extrémité 19 et une paroi annulaire 64 raccordant l'opercule 33 et l'embout mâle 29.Appendix 63 comprises a male endpiece 29, a cap 33 located at the end 19 and an annular wall 64 connecting the cap 33 and the male endpiece 29.

Le corps 9 est directement assujetti au tube 11. L'appendice 63 saillant du corps 9 est assujetti au tube 11 uniquement par l'intermédiaire du corps 9.The body 9 is directly attached to the tube 11. The projection 63 protruding from the body 9 is secured to the tube 11 only via the body 9.

Ainsi, le tube 11 laisse libre la surface externe de l'appendice 63, en particulier la surface externe 14 de l'embout mâle 29.Thus, the tube 11 leaves free the external surface of the appendix 63, in particular the external surface 14 of the male endpiece 29.

Ainsi qu'expliqué plus en détails ultérieurement, la surface externe 14 est tronconique normalisée pour coopérer avec la surface interne 46 tronconique normalisée de l'embout femelle 45 d'une aiguille de seringue 44 (figure 4).As explained in more detail later, the outer surface 14 is frustoconical normalized to cooperate with the normalized frustoconical inner surface 46 of the socket 45 of a syringe needle 44 (FIG. figure 4 ).

En outre, si besoin, la portion du tube 11 entourant l'appendice 63 peut être découpée et enlevée, comme montré sur la figure 13.In addition, if necessary, the portion of the tube 11 surrounding the appendix 63 can be cut and removed, as shown in FIG. figure 13 .

A l'état rempli de la paillette 10 (figure 5), la dose de substance 21 à base liquide qui doit être conservée dans la paillette 10 est disposée entre le bouchon 12 et l'extrémité 17 du tube 11 la plus éloignée du bouchon 12.In the filled state of the flake 10 ( figure 5 ), the dose of liquid substance 21 which must be stored in the straw 10 is disposed between the plug 12 and the end 17 of the tube 11 furthest from the plug 12.

La paillette 10 a ici une capacité utile d'environ 4 ml.The straw 10 here has a useful capacity of about 4 ml.

La mise en oeuvre de l'opération de remplissage sera expliquée ultérieurement.The implementation of the filling operation will be explained later.

Le cas échéant, après remplissage, le tube 11 de la paillette est soudé au voisinage de l'une ou de ses deux extrémités 16 et 17 (figure 6) et est stockée au froid.If necessary, after filling, the tube 11 of the straw is welded in the vicinity of one or both of its ends 16 and 17 ( figure 6 ) and is stored cold.

La mise en oeuvre du vidage de la paillette 10, le cas échéant après décongélation et découpage d'une ou des deux portions d'extrémité soudées, sera expliquée ultérieurement.The implementation of emptying the flake 10, optionally after thawing and cutting of one or both welded end portions, will be explained later.

Bien entendu, si le tube 11 a été soudé à une extrémité et que la portion soudée a ensuite été découpée et enlevée, le tube 11 a alors une nouvelle extrémité en retrait par rapport à l'extrémité initiale. De même, si le tube 11 a été découpé pour enlever une portion d'extrémité initialement située autour de l'appendice 63, le tube 11 a alors une nouvelle extrémité en retrait par rapport à l'extrémité initiale. Pour simplifier, dans la suite on emploiera également les références numériques 16 et 17 pour les nouvelles extrémités du tube 11 chacune ainsi en retrait par rapport à l'extrémité initiale respective.Of course, if the tube 11 has been welded at one end and the welded portion has subsequently been cut and removed, the tube 11 then has a new end set back from the initial end. Similarly, if the tube 11 has been cut to remove an end portion initially located around the appendix 63, the tube 11 then has a new end recessed from the initial end. For simplicity, in the following will also use the reference numerals 16 and 17 for the new ends of the tube 11 each recessed relative to the respective initial end.

Lors de la fabrication de la paillette 10, le bouchon 12 est mis en place dans le tube 11 par simple insertion au travers de la première extrémité 16 du tube 11 et coulissement forcé vers la seconde extrémité 17 du tube 11 jusqu'à atteindre l'emplacement prévu pour le bouchon 12 dans le tube 11.During the manufacture of the straw 10, the plug 12 is placed in the tube 11 by simple insertion through the first end 16 of the tube 11 and forced sliding to the second end 17 of the tube 11 until reaching the intended location for the plug 12 in the tube 11.

Le fait que le bouchon 12 ne peut coulisser dans le tube 11 que si un effort important est exercé (caractère forcé de ce coulissement) permet de fournir une tenue en place du bouchon 12 dans le tube 11 suffisante pour reprendre les efforts exercés lors du raccordement d'une aiguille de seringue 44 (figure 4) par engagement de l'embout de raccordement femelle 45 de l'aiguille 44 sur l'embout de raccordement mâle 29 du bouchon 12 avec la surface tronconique interne 46 de l'embout femelle 45 au contact de la surface tronconique externe 14 de l'embout mâle 29.The fact that the plug 12 can slide in the tube 11 only if a large force is exerted (forced nature of this sliding) can provide a hold in place of the plug 12 in the tube 11 sufficient to take the forces exerted during connection of a syringe needle 44 ( figure 4 ) by engagement of the female connection tip 45 of the needle 44 on the male connector 29 of the plug 12 with the surface internal frustoconical 46 of the female end 45 in contact with the outer frustoconical surface 14 of the male end 29.

Ainsi qu'expliqué ci-après, le bouchon 12 est configuré pour résister au coulissement vers la première extrémité 16 du tube 11. Cela permet au bouchon 12 de reprendre les importants efforts exercés sur l'extrémité 18 du bouchon 12 par la substance 21 lors du vidage (figures 9 et 11) et, le cas échéant, pendant la congélation où il se produit une augmentation de volume de la substance 21 qui sollicite bouchon 12 vers l'extrémité 16 du tube 11.As explained below, the plug 12 is configured to resist sliding towards the first end 16 of the tube 11. This allows the plug 12 to take up the major forces exerted on the end 18 of the plug 12 by the substance 21 when dump ( figures 9 and 11 ) and, where appropriate, during the freezing, where an increase in volume of the substance 21 which urges the cap 12 towards the end 16 of the tube 11 occurs.

L'embout mâle 29 s'étend entre une extrémité 60 tournée vers l'extrémité 16 du tube 11 et une extrémité 61 tournée vers l'extrémité 17 du tube 11.The male end 29 extends between an end 60 facing the end 16 of the tube 11 and an end 61 facing the end 17 of the tube 11.

La surface externe 14 tronconique de l'embout mâle 29 augmente de diamètre de l'extrémité 60 de l'embout 29 vers l'extrémité 61 de l'embout 29.The frustoconical external surface 14 of the spigot 29 increases in diameter from the end 60 of the spigot 29 towards the end 61 of the spigot 29.

Ici, la conicité de la surface externe 14 de l'embout mâle 29 est aux dimensions Luer, définies par la norme ISO 594-1:1986 ou par les normes DIN et EN 1707:1996 et 20594-1:1993.Here, the conicity of the outer surface 14 of the male end 29 is Luer dimensions, defined by the ISO 594-1: 1986 or by DIN and EN 1707: 1996 and 20594-1: 1993.

Un conduit interne 20 est ménagé dans le bouchon 12.An internal conduit 20 is formed in the plug 12.

Le conduit interne 20 s'étend entre l'extrémité 60 de l'embout mâle 29 et l'extrémité 18 du bouchon 12.The inner conduit 20 extends between the end 60 of the male endpiece 29 and the end 18 of the plug 12.

Le conduit interne 20 traverse ainsi l'embout mâle 29 et le corps 9 en débouchant dans l'espace interne au tube 11 prévu pour être rempli par la substance 21.The inner conduit 20 thus passes through the male endpiece 29 and the body 9 opening into the internal space of the tube 11 intended to be filled by the substance 21.

Le conduit interne 20 se prolonge au-delà de l'extrémité 60 de l'embout mâle 29 dans la paroi annulaire 64 jusqu'à l'opercule 33 qui l'obture.The inner conduit 20 extends beyond the end 60 of the spigot 29 in the annular wall 64 to the seal 33 which closes it.

L'opercule 33 est ici formé par une paroi droite orientée transversalement au conduit interne 20.The cover 33 is here formed by a straight wall oriented transversely to the inner conduit 20.

L'opercule 33 est à enlever avant de raccorder l'aiguille 44 et de vider la paillette.The cover 33 is to be removed before connecting the needle 44 and empty the straw.

Le conduit interne 20 diminue de diamètre depuis l'extrémité 18 du bouchon 12 jusqu'à l'extrémité 60 de l'embout mâle 29, en présentant trois portions tronconiques successives étagées.The inner conduit 20 decreases in diameter from the end 18 of the plug 12 to the end 60 of the spigot 29, with three successive frustoconical portions stepped.

La surface externe de la paroi annulaire 64 est en retrait vis-à-vis de la surface externe 14 de l'embout mâle 29.The outer surface of the annular wall 64 is recessed vis-à-vis the outer surface 14 of the spigot 29.

L'opercule 33 est enlevé en coupant voire en déchirant la paroi annulaire 64.The lid 33 is removed by cutting or even tearing the annular wall 64.

Le morceau de paroi annulaire 64 subsistant ne gêne pas l'engagement de l'embout femelle 45 puisque la surface externe de la paroi annulaire 64 est en retrait par rapport à la surface externe 14 de l'embout mâle 29 (voir la figure 4).The remaining annular wall piece 64 does not interfere with the engagement of the socket 45 since the outer surface of the annular wall 64 is set back from the outer surface 14 of the spigot 29 (see FIG. figure 4 ).

On notera que l'épaisseur de la paroi annulaire 64 est plus petite que celle de l'embout mâle 29, ce qui facilite le découpage de la paroi annulaire 64 pour enlever l'opercule 33.Note that the thickness of the annular wall 64 is smaller than that of the spigot 29, which facilitates the cutting of the annular wall 64 to remove the lid 33.

On va maintenant décrire en détail le corps 9 à l'appui des figures 2 et 3.We will now describe in detail the body 9 in support of Figures 2 and 3 .

Le corps 9 s'étend entre une extrémité dont saille l'appendice 63 (extrémité tournée vers l'extrémité 16 du tube 11) et l'extrémité 18 du bouchon 12.The body 9 extends between an end protruding from the appendix 63 (end facing the end 16 of the tube 11) and the end 18 of the plug 12.

Le corps 9 comporte une pluralité de nervures annulaires 22, ici deux nervures identiques, ménagées sur sa surface externe 28.The body 9 comprises a plurality of annular ribs 22, here two identical ribs, formed on its outer surface 28.

Les nervures 22 sont disposées à distance l'une de l'autre, avec entre elles un écart prédéterminé. Cet écart permet de stabiliser le bouchon 12 dans le tube 11.The ribs 22 are arranged at a distance from each other, with a predetermined distance between them. This gap makes it possible to stabilize the plug 12 in the tube 11.

Chaque nervure annulaire 22 présente une surface droite 24 tournée vers l'extrémité 16 du tube 11 et une surface inclinée 25 tournée vers l'extrémité 17 du tube 11.Each annular rib 22 has a straight surface 24 facing the end 16 of the tube 11 and an inclined surface 25 facing the end 17 of the tube 11.

La surface 25 est inclinée vers l'intérieur et vers l'extrémité 17 du tube 11.The surface 25 is inclined inwards and towards the end 17 of the tube 11.

Pour chaque nervure 22, la surface droite 24 et la surface inclinée 25 se rejoignent au niveau d'une arête 65.For each rib 22, the straight surface 24 and the inclined surface 25 meet at an edge 65.

Ces nervures annulaires 22, ainsi conformées, procurent un effet anti-retour autorisant le coulissement forcé du bouchon 12 vis-à-vis du tube 11 de l'extrémité 16 vers l'extrémité 17 et résistant au coulissement du bouchon 12 vis-à-vis du tube 11 vers l'extrémité 16 du tube 11.These annular ribs 22, thus shaped, provide a non-return effect allowing the cap 12 to slide forcing against the tube 11 from the end 16 towards the end 17 and resisting the sliding of the plug 12 vis-à- screw of the tube 11 towards the end 16 of the tube 11.

La matière dans laquelle est faite le bouchon 12 est relativement rigide et en conséquence la périphérie du corps 9 est relativement rigide, et en tout cas davantage que la paroi du tube 11 qui est relativement mince.The material in which the plug 12 is made is relatively rigid and therefore the periphery of the body 9 is relatively rigid, and in any case more than the wall of the tube 11 which is relatively thin.

On observera que le diamètre général de la surface externe 28 du corps 9 (diamètre de la surface 28 à l'exception des nervures annulaires 22 et de la gorge annulaire 30 dont l'intérêt sera expliqué ci-après) correspond au diamètre interne du tube 11.It will be observed that the general diameter of the external surface 28 of the body 9 (diameter of the surface 28 with the exception of the annular ribs 22 and the annular groove 30 whose interest will be explained below) corresponds to the internal diameter of the tube 11.

Les surfaces inclinées 25 forment des rampes permettant de déformer la paroi du tube 11 pour permettre le coulissement forcé du bouchon 12 vers l'extrémité 17 du tube 11.The inclined surfaces 25 form ramps for deforming the wall of the tube 11 to allow the forced sliding of the plug 12 towards the end 17 of the tube 11.

Les surfaces droites 24 forment des butées pour permettre au bouchon 12 de résister au coulissement vis-à-vis du tube 11.The straight surfaces 24 form stops to allow the plug 12 to resist sliding relative to the tube 11.

Le corps 9 présente encore, à l'extrémité 18 du bouchon 12, un bord chanfreiné formant une surface de guidage 23 inclinée vers l'intérieur et vers l'extrémité 18 du bouchon 12.The body 9 also has, at the end 18 of the plug 12, a chamfered edge forming a guide surface 23 inclined towards the inside and towards the end 18 of the plug 12.

La gorge annulaire 30 est ménagée sur la surface externe 28 à proximité de l'appendice 63.The annular groove 30 is formed on the outer surface 28 near the appendix 63.

Plus précisément, la gorge annulaire 30 est ménagée entre l'appendice 63 et la nervure annulaire 22 la plus proche.More specifically, the annular groove 30 is formed between the appendix 63 and the annular rib 22 closest.

La gorge annulaire 30 présente une surface de fond incurvée concave.The annular groove 30 has a concave curved bottom surface.

La gorge annulaire 30 est utile pour guider le découpage du tube 11, par exemple avec la paire de ciseaux 53 à lames courbées illustrée sur la figure 12.The annular groove 30 is useful for guiding the cutting of the tube 11, for example with the pair of curved blade scissors 53 illustrated on FIG. figure 12 .

On va maintenant décrire plus en détail l'aiguille 44 à l'appui de la figure 4.We will now describe in more detail the needle 44 in support of the figure 4 .

L'embout femelle 45 s'étend entre une extrémité 55 que l'on voit à gauche sur la figure 4 et une extrémité 56 que l'on voit à droite.The female end piece 45 extends between one end 55 that is seen to the left on the figure 4 and an end 56 that is seen on the right.

L'embout femelle 45 comporte une collerette 48 à son extrémité 56.The female end 45 has a flange 48 at its end 56.

L'aiguille 44 comporte en outre une tige creuse 39 saillant de l'embout femelle 45 depuis sa première extrémité 55.The needle 44 further comprises a hollow rod 39 projecting from the female end 45 from its first end 55.

Le canal interne 40 de l'aiguille 44 s'étend depuis l'extrémité 56 de l'embout femelle 45 jusqu'à la pointe de la tige creuse 39.The inner channel 40 of the needle 44 extends from the end 56 of the socket 45 to the tip of the hollow rod 39.

La tige creuse 39 a ici un diamètre connu comme gauge 18 ou gauge 20. L'aiguille 44 est du type hypodermique.The hollow rod 39 here has a diameter known as gauge 18 or gauge 20. The needle 44 is of the hypodermic type.

Afin d'engager l'embout femelle 45 sur l'embout mâle 29, la paroi annulaire 64 de l'appendice 63 a été découpée puis l'opercule 33 enlevé. Le tube 11 a été découpé au même endroit puis la portion d'extrémité découpée du tube 11 enlevée.In order to engage the female endpiece 45 on the spigot end 29, the annular wall 64 of the appendix 63 has been cut out and then the cap 33 removed. The tube 11 was cut at the same location and the cut end portion of the tube 11 removed.

Lorsque l'embout femelle 45 est engagé sur l'embout mâle 29, la surface interne tronconique 46 de l'embout femelle 45 est au contact et épouse la surface externe tronconique 14 de l'embout mâle 29.When the female end piece 45 is engaged on the male endpiece 29, the frustoconical inner surface 46 of the female endpiece 45 is in contact and matches the frustoconical outer surface 14 of the male endpiece 29.

Le conduit interne 20 de l'embout mâle 29 débouche dans le canal interne 40 de l'aiguille 44.The inner conduit 20 of the male end 29 opens into the internal channel 40 of the needle 44.

La paillette 10 à laquelle est raccordée l'aiguille 44 avec son embout de raccordement femelle 45 à surface interne tronconique 46 engagée sur l'embout de raccordement mâle 29 du bouchon 12 forme un dispositif d'injection d'une substance fluide dont le fonctionnement est expliqué plus loin.The straw 10 to which is connected the needle 44 with its female connection end 45 with frustoconical inner surface 46 engaged on the male connection end 29 of the plug 12 forms a device for injecting a fluid substance whose operation is explained later.

On va maintenant décrire l'utilisation de la paillette 1 à l'appui des figures 5 à 13.We will now describe the use of straw 1 in support of Figures 5 to 13 .

La paillette 10 illustrée sur la figure 5 comporte une dose prédéterminée de substance 21 à base liquide, ici une solution de vaccin concentrée.The straw 10 illustrated on the figure 5 comprises a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance 21, here a concentrated vaccine solution.

Le remplissage de la paillette 10 s'effectue à l'aide d'une aiguille (non illustrée), reliée à un réservoir (non illustré) de substance 21, que l'on insère dans le tube 11 par l'extrémité 17 du tube 11 jusqu'à ce que son extrémité vienne à proximité du bouchon 12.The filling of the straw 10 is carried out using a needle (not shown), connected to a tank (not shown) of substance 21, which is inserted into the tube 11 by the end 17 of the tube 11 until its end comes near the plug 12.

Lors de l'injection de la substance 21, l'aiguille est progressivement rétractée.During the injection of the substance 21, the needle is gradually retracted.

On notera qu'ici la substance 21 ne pénètre pas, ou extrêmement peu, à l'intérieur du conduit interne 20 du bouchon 12.It will be noted that here the substance 21 does not penetrate, or extremely little, inside the internal conduit 20 of the plug 12.

Après le remplissage, le conduit interne 20 contient donc un certain volume d'air.After filling, the inner conduit 20 therefore contains a certain volume of air.

On notera encore que le volume de la dose prédéterminée injecté est tel qu'il reste une portion du tube 11 non remplie par la substance 21 du côté de l'extrémité 17.It will also be noted that the volume of the predetermined dose injected is such that there remains a portion of the tube 11 not filled with the substance 21 on the side of the end 17.

Le tube 11 est ensuite soudé au voisinage de ses deux extrémités 16 et 17.The tube 11 is then welded in the vicinity of its two ends 16 and 17.

Au voisinage de chaque extrémité, une soudure 41 est réalisée à l'aide de deux mâchoires chauffantes (non illustrées) entre lesquelles est écrasée par pincement une portion d'extrémité du tube 11. La portion ainsi écrasée prend une position aplatie en formant deux lèvres 42 (figure 9) mises en contact l'une de l'autre. Simultanément à l'écrasement, la chaleur transmise par les mâchoires chauffantes à la matière du tube 11 (ici du Surlyn®) entraîne la formation de la soudure hermétique 41 entre les deux lèvres 42.In the vicinity of each end, a weld 41 is made using two heating jaws (not shown) between which is crushed by pinching an end portion of the tube 11. The portion thus crushed takes a flattened position forming two lips 42 ( figure 9 ) brought into contact with each other. Simultaneously with the crushing, the heat transmitted by the heating jaws to the material of the tube 11 (here Surlyn®) causes the formation of the hermetic seal 41 between the two lips 42.

La paillette 10 avec le tube 11 soudé au voisinage de ses deux extrémités 16 et 17 est illustrée sur la figure 6.The flake 10 with the tube 11 welded near its two ends 16 and 17 is illustrated on the figure 6 .

On notera que, du fait qu'il reste une portion du tube 11 non remplie avec la substance 21, une bulle d'air 43 d'un volume prédéterminé est emprisonnée dans le tube 11 entre la soudure 41 au voisinage de l'extrémité 17 et la dose de substance 21.Note that, since there remains a portion of the tube 11 not filled with the substance 21, an air bubble 43 of a predetermined volume is trapped in the tube 11 between the weld 41 in the vicinity of the end 17 and the dose of substance 21.

Cette bulle d'air 43 est utile lors de la congélation de la paillette pour permettre l'augmentation de volume de la substance 21.This air bubble 43 is useful during the freezing of the straw to allow the volume increase of the substance 21.

On va maintenant décrire un premier mode de réalisation du vidage de la paillette 10 à l'appui des figures 7 à 9.We will now describe a first embodiment of emptying the flake 10 in support of Figures 7 to 9 .

Pour vider la paillette 10, on découpe d'abord le tube 11 entre son extrémité 16 et le corps 9 du bouchon 12 puis on enlève la portion d'extrémité du tube 11 qui a été découpée.To empty the straw 10, first cut the tube 11 between its end 16 and the body 9 of the plug 12 and then remove the end portion of the tube 11 which has been cut.

La paroi annulaire 64 de l'appendice 63 est ensuite découpée et l'opercule 33 enlevé.The annular wall 64 of the appendix 63 is then cut and the cover 33 removed.

Il est possible de découper en même temps le tube 11 et la paroi annulaire 64, par exemple d'un coup de ciseaux. La paillette 10 est alors dans l'état illustré sur la figure 7.It is possible to cut at the same time the tube 11 and the annular wall 64, for example by a cut of scissors. The straw 10 is then in the state illustrated on the figure 7 .

On connecte ensuite à la paillette 10 l'aiguille 44 ayant l'embout femelle 45.The needle 44 having the female end piece 45 is then connected to the straw.

La tige creuse 39 de l'aiguille 44 est ensuite, par exemple, enfoncée dans le septum d'un récipient contenant un liquide de dilution (par exemple de l'eau pour injection) pour solution de vaccin concentrée (non illustrés).The hollow stem 39 of the needle 44 is then, for example, sunk into the septum of a container containing a diluting liquid (e.g., water for injection) for concentrated vaccine solution (not shown).

Pour vider la paillette 10 selon le premier mode de réalisation du vidage, on emploie ici un dispositif de vidage (partiellement illustré) comportant deux rouleaux 47 chacun orienté selon la même direction et disposés l'un à côté de l'autre.In order to empty the straw 10 according to the first embodiment of the emptying, a dump device (partially illustrated) is used, comprising two rollers 47 each oriented in the same direction and arranged next to each other.

Le dispositif de vidage est configuré pour que les rouleaux 47 écrasent progressivement le tube 11 depuis son extrémité 17 vers le bouchon 12. La bulle d'air 43 est ainsi poussée dans le même sens et pousse à son tour la substance 21 qui s'introduit successivement dans le conduit interne 20 du bouchon 12 et dans le canal 40 de l'aiguille 44 jusqu'à être expulsée hors de l'aiguille 44, dans le récipient contenant le liquide de dilution.The emptying device is configured so that the rollers 47 gradually crush the tube 11 from its end 17 to the plug 12. The air bubble 43 is thus pushed in the same direction and in turn pushes the substance 21 which is introduced successively in the inner conduit 20 of the plug 12 and in the channel 40 of the needle 44 to be expelled out of the needle 44, into the container containing the dilution liquid.

Le volume de la bulle d'air 43 est suffisant pour remplir le conduit interne 20 et le canal 40 au moment où les rouleaux 47 sont à proximité du bouchon 12. Ainsi, il n'y a pas ou alors très peu de substance 21 perdue dans le conduit 20 et dans le canal 40.The volume of the air bubble 43 is sufficient to fill the inner conduit 20 and the channel 40 at the moment when the rollers 47 are close to the plug 12. Thus, there is no or very little substance 21 lost in the conduit 20 and in the channel 40.

Le dispositif de vidage comportant les rouleaux 47 est par exemple mis en oeuvre en prévoyant en outre un corps et un rail monté fixe sur le corps.The emptying device comprising the rollers 47 is for example implemented by further providing a body and a rail mounted fixed on the body.

Les rouleaux 47 sont montés coulissants le long du rail, avec les rouleaux 47 orientés chacun transversalement à la direction d'extension du rail.The rollers 47 are slidably mounted along the rail, with the rollers 47 each oriented transversely to the direction of extension of the rail.

Le dispositif de vidage est configuré pour éloigner ou rapprocher les rouleaux 47 l'un par rapport à l'autre en fonction de l'endroit auquel les deux rouleaux 47 se trouvent sur le rail.The emptying device is configured to move the rollers 47 closer or closer to one another depending on where the two rollers 47 are on the rail.

Le dispositif de vidage comporte encore un plancher effaçable élastiquement disposé sous le rail.The emptying device further comprises a resilient erasable floor disposed under the rail.

Pour vider la paillette 10, les rouleaux 47 sont initialement positionnés à une première extrémité du rail, l'accès au plancher étant ainsi dégagé pour permettre d'y disposer la paillette 10.To empty the straw 10, the rollers 47 are initially positioned at a first end of the rail, access to the floor being thus cleared to allow the straw 10 to be disposed therein.

La paillette est ensuite disposée sur le plancher, en étant orientée selon la même direction que le rail et située sensiblement entre les trajets respectifs des deux rouleaux 47, avec la soudure 41 de la paillette tournée vers les rouleaux 47.The straw is then disposed on the floor, being oriented in the same direction as the rail and located substantially between the paths respective of the two rollers 47, with the weld 41 of the straw facing the rollers 47.

L'aiguille 44 située à l'autre extrémité de la paillette est engagée dans un logement conique ménagé dans le corps du dispositif, avec la surface externe de l'embout femelle en butée contre la surface interne du logement conique.The needle 44 located at the other end of the straw is engaged in a conical housing formed in the body of the device, with the outer surface of the female end abutting against the inner surface of the conical housing.

Les rouleaux 47 sont alors déplacés en direction de la paillette 10 et viennent se positionner de part et d'autre de la soudure 41 située au voisinage de l'extrémité 17 de la paillette. Les rouleaux sont alors à l'écart l'un de l'autre, séparés d'une distance légèrement supérieure à l'épaisseur de la soudure 41 située entre eux.The rollers 47 are then moved in the direction of the straw 10 and are positioned on either side of the weld 41 located near the end 17 of the straw. The rollers are then spaced from each other, separated by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the weld 41 located between them.

Une fois la soudure 41 franchie, les rouleaux 47 continuent leur course en se rapprochant l'un de l'autre jusqu'à écraser le tube 11 de la paillette 10. L'écart entre les rouleaux est alors sensiblement égal à deux fois l'épaisseur de la paroi du tube 11.Once the weld 41 has been crossed, the rollers 47 continue their course by approaching each other until the tube 11 of the straw 10 is crushed. The distance between the rollers is then approximately equal to twice the thickness of the tube wall 11.

Les rouleaux 47 écrasent ensuite progressivement le tube 11 comme expliqué ci-dessus.The rollers 47 then gradually crush the tube 11 as explained above.

Pendant sa course, le rouleau 47 le plus proche du plancher (ci-après rouleau inférieur) vient appuyer contre une surface inclinée du plancher, ce qui sollicite le plancher vers sa position effacée.During its run, the roller 47 closest to the floor (hereinafter lower roll) is pressed against an inclined surface of the floor, which solicits the floor to its erased position.

La paillette 10 n'est alors plus maintenue par le plancher mais reste dans la même position car elle est maintenue par les rouleaux 47.The straw 10 is then no longer held by the floor but remains in the same position because it is held by the rollers 47.

Lorsque le rouleau inférieur 47 arrive en fin de course, c'est-à-dire à proximité du bouchon 12 de la paillette, il est au-delà de l'extrémité distale du plancher qui retrouve alors sa position initiale sous l'effet de l'organe élastique à l'encontre duquel il s'était effacé.When the lower roller 47 reaches the end of travel, that is to say near the stopper 12 of the straw, it is beyond the distal end of the floor which then returns to its initial position under the effect of the elastic organ against which it had been erased.

L'extrémité distale du plancher vient alors se positionner derrière le rouleau inférieur 47 et joue le rôle d'une butée anti-retour pour les deux rouleaux 47.The distal end of the floor is then positioned behind the lower roller 47 and acts as a non-return stop for the two rollers 47.

Le fait que les deux rouleaux 47 soient empêchés de reculer une fois à proximité du bouchon 12 évite que le tube 11 de la paillette 10 revienne vers sa forme initiale et limite ainsi les risques de ré-aspiration de la substance 21 éjectée.The fact that the two rollers 47 are prevented from moving back once close to the plug 12 prevents the tube 11 of the straw 10 from returning. towards its initial shape and thus limits the risks of re-aspiration of the substance 21 ejected.

On va maintenant décrire un deuxième mode de réalisation du vidage de la paillette 10 à l'appui des figures 10 et 11.We will now describe a second embodiment of emptying the flake 10 in support of Figures 10 and 11 .

Le raccordement de l'aiguille 44 à la paillette 10 s'effectue comme expliqué ci-dessus.The connection of the needle 44 to the straw 10 is carried out as explained above.

Contrairement au mode de réalisation du vidage illustré sur les figures 8 et 9, la soudure 41 située au voisinage de l'extrémité 17 est enlevée par découpage d'une portion d'extrémité au ras de cette soudure 41.Unlike the embodiment of the dump illustrated on the Figures 8 and 9 , the weld 41 located near the end 17 is removed by cutting an end portion flush with the weld 41.

Le fait que la découpe du tube 11 est effectuée au ras de cette soudure 41 permet à la bulle d'air 43 de conserver quasiment le même volume avant et après la découpe.The fact that the cutting of the tube 11 is performed flush with the weld 41 allows the air bubble 43 to keep almost the same volume before and after cutting.

Plutôt que d'employer un dispositif de vidage comportant deux rouleaux 47, on emploie ici un dispositif (partiellement illustré) comportant un piston 52.Rather than employing a dump device comprising two rollers 47, a device (partially illustrated) having a piston 52 is employed here.

Le piston 52 est déplacé pour pousser la bulle d'air 43 qui pousse alors la substance 21 jusqu'à son expulsion hors de l'aiguille 44, de la même manière que dans le mode de réalisation illustré sur les figures 8 et 9.The piston 52 is moved to push the air bubble 43 which then pushes the substance 21 to its expulsion out of the needle 44, in the same manner as in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. Figures 8 and 9 .

Pour dégager l'embout mâle 29 afin d'y connecter l'embout femelle 45 de l'aiguille 44, il est possible de découper le tube 11 à l'aide d'une paire de ciseaux 53 à lames courbées 54 (figure 12) convenant pour coopérer avec la gorge annulaire 30 du bouchon 12, la gorge annulaire 30 guidant le mouvement des lames 54.To disengage the male end piece 29 in order to connect the female end piece 45 of the needle 44, it is possible to cut the tube 11 using a pair of scissors 53 with curved blades 54 ( figure 12 ) suitable for cooperating with the annular groove 30 of the plug 12, the annular groove 30 guiding the movement of the blades 54.

Une fois l'embout mâle 29 dégagé il est encore nécessaire de découper la paroi annulaire 64 et retirer l'opercule 33 afin de pouvoir connecter l'aiguille 44.Once the male end piece 29 is cleared it is still necessary to cut the annular wall 64 and remove the cap 33 in order to connect the needle 44.

Une fois l'opercule 33 retiré, la paillette 10 est dans l'état illustré sur la figure 13.Once the cap 33 has been removed, the flake 10 is in the state shown in FIG. figure 13 .

Elle peut alors être vidée.It can then be emptied.

On va maintenant décrire un deuxième mode de réalisation de la paillette selon l'invention à l'appui des figures 14 à 17.We will now describe a second embodiment of the straw according to the invention in support of Figures 14 to 17 .

D'une manière générale, on a employé pour les éléments similaires au mode de réalisation des figures 1 à 13, les mêmes références mais additionnées du nombre 100.In general, elements similar to the embodiment of the invention have been used for Figures 1 to 13 , the same references but added the number 100.

Le diamètre interne du tube 111 est ici de l'ordre de 6 mm et la longueur du tube 111 est de l'ordre de 130 mm.The internal diameter of the tube 111 is here of the order of 6 mm and the length of the tube 111 is of the order of 130 mm.

La paillette 110 a ici une capacité utile d'environ 2 ml.The straw 110 here has a useful capacity of about 2 ml.

L'embout mâle 129 est identique à l'embout mâle 29.The male end 129 is identical to the male end 29.

Le corps 109 du bouchon 112 est identique au corps 9 du bouchon 12, si ce n'est qu'il est de dimensions plus petites pour pouvoir coopérer avec le tube 111 dont les dimensions sont plus petites que celles du tube 11.The body 109 of the plug 112 is identical to the body 9 of the plug 12, except that it is smaller in size to be able to cooperate with the tube 111, the dimensions of which are smaller than those of the tube 11.

Le conduit interne 120 du bouchon 112 est ici entièrement tronconique.The inner conduit 120 of the plug 112 is here entirely frustoconical.

L'utilisation de la paillette 110 est identique à l'utilisation de la paillette 10, à cela près que, comme le tube 111 est très proche de l'embout 129, le tube 111 est découpé au niveau de la gorge 130 pour éviter que le tube 111 gêne l'engagement de l'embout 145 sur l'embout 129 (figure 17).The use of the straw 110 is identical to the use of the straw 10, except that, as the tube 111 is very close to the nozzle 129, the tube 111 is cut at the groove 130 to prevent that the tube 111 hinders the engagement of the tip 145 on the tip 129 ( figure 17 ).

On va maintenant décrire à l'appui des figures 18 et 19 des variantes du bouchon 12 ou 112.We will now describe in support of Figures 18 and 19 variants of the plug 12 or 112.

D'une manière générale, on a employé pour les éléments similaires à ceux du bouchon 12 les mêmes références numériques mais additionnées du nombre 200 pour la variante de la figure 18 et du nombre 300 pour la variante de la figure 19.In general, for the elements similar to those of the plug 12, the same numerical references have been used, but the number 200 has been added for the variant of FIG. figure 18 and the number 300 for the variant of the figure 19 .

Le bouchon 212 illustré sur la figure 18 est d'une façon générale semblable au bouchon 112, si ce n'est que le corps 209 comporte une seule nervure annulaire 222 et que cette nervure annulaire unique 222 a un profil différent de celui des nervures 122 ou 22.The plug 212 shown on the figure 18 is generally similar to plug 112, except that body 209 has a single annular rib 222 and that single annular rib 222 has a different profile than ribs 122 or 22.

Alors que la partie la plus externe des nervures 22 ou 122 est formée par une arrête 65 ou 165, la partie la plus externe de la nervure 222 est formée par une surface à section circulaire de diamètre constant 66. Le diamètre de la surface 66 correspond à celui de la surface interne du tube de la paillette.While the outermost portion of the ribs 22 or 122 is formed by a stop 65 or 165, the outermost portion of the rib 222 is formed by a circular section surface of constant diameter 66. The diameter of the surface 66 corresponds to that of the inner surface of the tube of the straw.

De part et d'autres de la surface 66, la nervure 222 présente une surface inclinée, respectivement 67 et 68.On either side of the surface 66, the rib 222 has an inclined surface, respectively 67 and 68.

La surface 67 est tournée vers la première extrémité 219 du bouchon 212 et est inclinée vers la première extrémité 219 et vers l'intérieur.The surface 67 is turned towards the first end 219 of the cap 212 and is inclined towards the first end 219 and inwards.

La surface inclinée 68 est tournée vers la deuxième extrémité 218 et est inclinée vers la première extrémité 218 et vers l'intérieur.The inclined surface 68 is facing the second end 218 and is inclined towards the first end 218 and inwardly.

Le bouchon 312 illustré sur la figure 19 est d'une façon générale semblable au bouchon 112, si ce n'est que les deux nervures annulaires 122 sont remplacées par une nervure unique 322 ayant une importante extension axiale.The plug 312 illustrated on the figure 19 is generally similar to the plug 112, except that the two annular ribs 122 are replaced by a single rib 322 having a large axial extension.

Dans des variantes non illustrées, le corps du bouchon de la paillette présente des saillies anti-retour différentes des nervures 22, 122 ou 322, mais agencées différemment d'une nervure, par exemple sous la forme d'une pluralité de pattes.In variants not shown, the body of the straw cap has different non-return protrusions ribs 22, 122 or 322, but arranged differently from a rib, for example in the form of a plurality of tabs.

Dans d'autres variantes non illustrées :

  • le bouchon 12, 112, 212 ou 312 n'est pas entièrement disposé à l'intérieur du tube de la paillette à une distance prédéterminée de sa première extrémité, mais saille extérieurement au-delà de sa première extrémité ;
  • le bouchon est rendu fixe par rapport au tube autrement que par coopération mécanique de surfaces, par exemple en prévoyant un assujettissement par collage ou soudage ;
  • le tube de la paillette est fait de plusieurs matières plastiques, par exemple par co-extrusion ;
  • le bouchon 12 est fait de plusieurs matières, par exemple une matière relativement souple pour l'appendice et une partie centrale du corps tandis que la périphérie du corps est en matière relativement rigide ;
  • le bouchon comporte une partie perméable aux gaz et imperméable aux liquides, pour permettre le remplissage conventionnel, par exemple l'opercule est remplacé par une partie tubulaire associée à un élément perméable aux gaz et imperméable aux liquides tel qu'un bouchon tripartite conventionnel ;
  • l'appendice est perméable, par exemple il ne comporte pas d'opercule ;
  • le corps du bouchon comporte plus que deux nervures annulaires, par exemple trois ou quatre nervures ;
  • les soudures effectuées pour fermer les portions d'extrémité du tube de la paillette sont disposées à une certaine distance des extrémités, par exemple plusieurs millimètres ; et/ou
  • les éléments de contact du dispositif de vidage par écrasement du tube de la paillette sont différents des rouleaux tels que 47, par exemple deux doigts d'appui ou un ensemble formé par un socle fixe et un doigt d'appui mobile.
In other non-illustrated variants:
  • the plug 12, 112, 212 or 312 is not entirely disposed within the tube of the straw at a predetermined distance from its first end, but protrudes outwardly beyond its first end;
  • the plug is made fixed relative to the tube other than by mechanical cooperation of surfaces, for example by providing a securing by gluing or welding;
  • the tube of the straw is made of several plastics, for example by coextrusion;
  • the plug 12 is made of several materials, for example a relatively flexible material for the appendix and a central portion of the body while the periphery of the body is of relatively rigid material;
  • the plug has a gas permeable and liquid impervious portion, to allow conventional filling, for example the cap is replaced by a tubular portion associated with a gas permeable and liquid impervious element such as a conventional tripartite cap;
  • the appendix is permeable, for example it does not include a lid;
  • the plug body has more than two annular ribs, for example three or four ribs;
  • the welds made to close the end portions of the tube of the straw are disposed at a distance from the ends, for example several millimeters; and or
  • the contact elements of the device for emptying the tube of the straw are different from the rollers such as 47, for example two support fingers or an assembly formed by a fixed base and a movable support finger.

De nombreuses autres variantes sont possibles en fonction de circonstances, et l'on rappelle à cet égard que l'invention ne se limite pas aux exemples décrits et représentés.Many other variants are possible depending on circumstances, and it is recalled in this regard that the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims (17)

  1. A straw for the preservation of a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, comprising a tube (11, 111) extending between a first end (16,116) and a second end (17,117) and comprising a fluid-tight stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) disposed in the tube (11,111) in the neighborhood of its first end (16, 116) and extending between a first end (19, 119, 219, 319) facing towards the first end (16, 116) of the tube (11, 111) and a second end (18, 118, 218, 318) facing towards the second end (17, 117) of the tube (11, 111), characterized in that said stopper (12, 112, 212, 312):
    - is fixed relative to the tube (11, 111);
    - comprises a male connector tip (29, 129) extending between a first end (60, 160) facing towards the first end (16, 116) of the tube (11, 111) and a second (61, 161) end facing towards the second end (17, 117) of the tube (11, 111), having a frusto-conical external surface (14, 114) in accordance with a standard increasing in diameter from the first end (60, 160) of the tip (29, 129) towards the second end (61, 161) of the tip (29, 129), the tip (29, 129) being configured in order that a syringe needle (44, 144) having a female connector tip (45, 145) with a frusto-conical internal surface (46) in accordance with a standard can be connected to said stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) by engagement of the female connector tip (45, 145) of the needle on the male connector tip (29, 129) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) with the internal frusto-conical surface (46) of the female tip (45, 145) in contact with the external frusto-conical surface (14, 114) of the male tip (29, 129); and
    - comprises an internal duct (20, 120) extending between the first end (60, 160) of the tip (29, 129) and the second end (18, 118, 218, 318) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312).
  2. A straw according to claim 1, characterized in that, in an initial state prior to use, the first end (19, 119, 219, 319) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) is situated in the tube (11, 111) at a predetermined distance from the first end (16, 116) of the tube (11, 111) enabling the tube (11, 111) to be welded between the first end (19, 119, 219, 319) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) and the first end (16, 116) of the tube (11, 111).
  3. A straw according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, in an initial state prior to use, the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) comprises at its first end (19, 119, 219, 319) a closure (33, 133) to be removed that obturates said internal duct (20) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312).
  4. A straw according to claim 3, characterized in that an annular wall (64, 164) is disposed between the closure (33, 133) and the male tip (29, 129), the internal duct (20, 120) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) extending beyond the first end (60, 160) of the male tip (29, 129), in the annular wall (64, 164), to the closure (33, 133) which obturates it, the external surface of the annular wall (64, 164) being set back relative to the external surface (14, 114) of the male tip (29, 129).
  5. A straw according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) comprises a body (9, 109, 209, 309) fastened to the tube (11, 111) and an appendix (63, 163, 263, 363) projecting from said body (9, 109, 209, 309) fastened to the tube (11, 111) solely via the body (9, 109, 209, 309), which appendix (63, 163, 263, 363) comprises said male tip (29, 129) and extends to the first end (19, 119, 219, 319) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312).
  6. A straw according to claim 5, characterized in that the body (9, 109, 209, 309) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) and the tube (11, 111) are fastened independently of any contact of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) with said liquid-based substance (21).
  7. A straw according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the body (9, 109, 209, 309) is rigid at least at the periphery and comprises an external surface (28, 128) having non-return projections (22, 122, 322) oriented to enable the forced sliding of the stopper (12, 112, 312) in relation to the tube (11, 111) from the first end (16, 116) towards the second end (17, 117) and to resist the sliding of the stopper (12, 112, 312) in relation to the tube (11, 111) towards the first end (16, 116) of the tube (11, 111).
  8. A straw according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the body (9, 109, 209, 309) is rigid at least at the periphery and comprises an external surface (28, 128) having at least one annular rib (22, 122, 322) having a straight surface (24, 124) facing towards the first end (16, 116) of the tube (11, 111) and an inclined surface (25, 125) facing towards the second end (17, 117) of the tube (11, 111), the inclined surface (25, 125) being inclined towards the interior and towards the second end (17, 117) of the tube (11, 111).
  9. A straw according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the body (9, 109) is rigid at least at the periphery and comprises an external surface (28, 128) having at least two annular ribs (22, 122) spaced away from each other.
  10. A straw according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the body (9, 109, 209, 309) comprises on its external surface (28, 128) an annular groove (30, 130, 230, 330) near of the appendix (63, 163, 263, 363).
  11. A straw according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said male connector tip (29, 129) is a male Luer tip.
  12. A straw according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) is entirely of material impermeable to gases and liquids independently of contact of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) with said liquid-based substance (21).
  13. A straw according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) is entirely of rigid plastic material molded as a single piece.
  14. A device for injecting a liquid-based substance comprising a straw (10, 110) according to one of the preceding claims and a syringe needle (44, 144) having a female connector tip (45, 145) with a frusto-conical internal surface (46) engaged on the male connector tip (29, 129) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) of said straw (10, 110).
  15. A method for emptying a straw according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a dose of liquid-based substance (21) disposed between the second end (18, 118, 218, 318) of the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312) and the second end (17, 117) of the tube (11, 111), comprising the step of pushing the dose of liquid-based substance (21) towards the first end (16, 116) of the tube (11, 111) after having connected the female tip (45, 145) of a syringe needle (44, 144) onto the male tip (29, 129) of the stopper(12, 112, 212, 312).
  16. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of pushing the dose of liquid-based substance (21) is implemented with the second end (17, 117) of the tube (11, 111) remaining closed while the tube (11, 111) is progressively crushed from the second end (17, 117) of the tube (11, 111) towards the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312).
  17. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of pushing the dose of liquid-based substance (21) is implemented with the second end (17, 117) of the tube (11, 111) being open, by virtue of a piston (52) inserted by that end (17, 117) which is moved towards the stopper (12, 112, 212, 312).
EP16738477.5A 2015-06-03 2016-06-02 Straw for keeping a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, and injection device and method implementing same Active EP3302351B1 (en)

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FR1555026A FR3036954B1 (en) 2015-06-03 2015-06-03 STRAW FOR PRESERVING A PREDETERMINED DOSE OF LIQUID-BASED SUBSTANCE, AND INJECTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT THE SAME
PCT/FR2016/051321 WO2016193630A1 (en) 2015-06-03 2016-06-02 Straw for keeping a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, and injection device and method implementing same

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EP3302351B1 true EP3302351B1 (en) 2019-03-20

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EP (1) EP3302351B1 (en)
CN (1) CN107708608B (en)
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FR3075056A1 (en) * 2017-12-14 2019-06-21 Etablissement Francais Du Sang CRYORESISTANT INJECTION DEVICE READY FOR USE
US11116206B2 (en) 2018-10-01 2021-09-14 Cook Medical Technologies Llc Cryocontainer

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US7879293B2 (en) * 2001-09-28 2011-02-01 Orasure Technologies, Inc. Sample collector and test device
FR2932064B1 (en) 2008-06-06 2010-08-13 Imv Technologies STRAW FOR THE PRESERVATION OF A DOSE OF A LIQUID-BASED SUBSTANCE, IN PARTICULAR A BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE
EP2198804A1 (en) 2008-12-18 2010-06-23 IMV Technologies Straw for the conservation of a predetermined dose of a liquid base substance, in particular a biological substance
CN201384592Y (en) * 2009-04-27 2010-01-20 李海林 Poultry semen deposition holster pipe
CN103327934A (en) * 2010-08-10 2013-09-25 布拉德·K·斯特劳德 Method and apparatus to reduce the number of sperm used in artificial insemination of cattle
KR101254950B1 (en) * 2010-09-29 2013-04-16 경상북도 (관련부서:경상북도축산기술연구소장) Plug for an oosperm cryopreservation straw
FR2998473B1 (en) * 2012-11-28 2015-02-13 Imv Technologies SANITARY SHEATH FOR SYRINGE SYRINGE SYRINGE AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME
FR3004332B1 (en) 2013-04-11 2018-03-02 Imv Technologies STRAW FOR PRESERVING A PREDETERMINED DOSE OF A LIQUID-BASED SUBSTANCE, IN PARTICULAR PURE OR DILUTED ANIMAL SEED

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US10987206B2 (en) 2021-04-27
EP3302351A1 (en) 2018-04-11
US20180110604A1 (en) 2018-04-26
WO2016193630A1 (en) 2016-12-08
FR3036954A1 (en) 2016-12-09
BR112017025219A2 (en) 2018-08-07
FR3036954B1 (en) 2017-07-14
CN107708608B (en) 2019-08-13
CN107708608A (en) 2018-02-16

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