EP3773814A1

EP3773814A1 - Device for administering a fluid

Info

Publication number: EP3773814A1
Application number: EP19714374.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frank Altermann; Daniel Seeh; Dominic Kamenzin; Manuel MATTES; Robin SAUTER; Thomas Schmidt
Original assignee: Intervet International BV
Current assignee: Intervet International BV
Priority date: 2018-03-26
Filing date: 2019-03-26
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Also published as: US20210077729A1; CN111902175A; JP2021519131A; BR112020019413A2; RU2020134798A; DE102018107103A1; WO2019185605A1; JP7396996B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for administering a fluid, comprising a cylinder (16, 116) which has an open dispensing end (17), a plunger (36) which can be moved between a front and a rear final position in the cylinder (16, 116) and is connected to a plunger rod (35) that protrudes beyond the rear cylinder (16, 116) end opposite the open dispensing end (17) along a first direction and is guided in a receiving block (10), a non-return valve (18) which closes the open dispensing end (17), and a tensioning device (S) which is connected to the plunger rod (35, 135) end is arranged in the receiving block (10). When the plunger (36) is in the front final position, the tensioning device (S) can move the plunger rod (35, 135) along the first direction during a tensioning process until the plunger (36) is in the rear final position in order to thereby fill the cylinder (16, 116) with the fluid to be administered and to pretension the plunger rod (35, 135) towards the open dispensing end (17), and when the plunger (36) is in the rear final position, the tensioning device (S) can release the plunger rod (35, 135) during a dispensing process such that the plunger (36) is moved opposite the first direction to the front final position on the basis of the applied pretension and thus fluid in the cylinder (16, 116) is dispensed via the non-return valve (18) in order to be administered, wherein the receiving block (10) is designed as a single-piece receiving block (10) which is produced by an additive manufacture process.

Description

Device for applying a fluid

The present invention relates to a device for applying a fluid, which may be formed for example as a needleless syringe, with the animals, a liquid drug can be administered.

Such devices for applying a fluid should be as light, durable and associated with low maintenance costs and expenses.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for applying a fluid, which realizes at least one of said properties.

The invention is defined in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

The fluid application device according to the invention comprises a cylinder having an open discharge end, a piston displaceable in the cylinder between a front and a rear end position, which is connected to a piston rod which extends along a first direction over a rear end opposite the open discharge end protruding from the cylinder and is guided in a receiving block, a non-return valve closing the open discharge end (or suction) and a tensioning device connected to the piston rod, which is arranged in the receiving block. The tensioning device can move the piston rod along the first direction in a tensioning operation when the piston is in its front end position until the piston is in its rear end position to thereby fill the cylinder with the fluid to be applied and the piston rod to the open dispensing end to pretend. Furthermore, when the piston is in its rear end position, the tensioning device can release the piston rod in a dispensing operation, so that the piston moves against the first direction up to its front end position due to the applied pretension while applying the fluid in the cylinder via the non-return valve is delivered.

In the applicator according to the invention, the receiving block is formed as a one-piece receiving block, which is produced by an additive manufacturing process. Such an additive manufacturing process may also be referred to as 3D printing and, for example, be a laser sintering process.

As a result, the receiving block can be manufactured with a relatively low weight and high rigidity and strength. Thus, the total weight of the Applizierungsvorrichtung is kept as low as possible, whereby a comfortable permanent operation for a user is possible.

Furthermore, the one-piece design of the receiving block by means of the additive manufacturing method advantageously results in that the receiving block can be made extremely compact, which is not possible with conventional machining production methods.

The material used for the receiving block is preferably a metal (or a metal alloy) and in particular titanium used, so that the receiving block of metal (or a metal alloy) and in particular consists of titanium. Further, as the material of the receiving block, aluminum, steel (e.g., maraging steel), stainless steel, titanium, a nickel alloy and / or a cobalt-chromium alloy may be used. Further possible materials are AISiMg alloys, CoCrMo alloys and nickel-chromium alloys. Further, materials which are weldable may be used. All of these materials may be in a form (for example, as a powder) to be able to produce the receiving block therefrom by means of an additive manufacturing process (and in particular by means of laser sintering).

The receiving block may include an engine mount, a guide cylinder for the piston rod, at least one receptacle for a control board, a receptacle for a fluid connection for a fluid container and / or at least one Gehäusefixierstelle, which is integrally formed with the receiving block / are.

The cylinder may be formed together with the check valve as a replaceable front group, which may also be referred to as an exchangeable group, which is detachably connected to the receiving block.

Thus, easily the entire front group, which is subject to the greatest wear during operation of the device for applying a fluid (preferably a liquid), be exchanged into a new (preferably identical) front group, which is then connected to the receiving block. Thus, the durability of the entire apparatus for applying a fluid is significantly increased. The replaceable group can be arranged at the front end of the device according to the invention. In particular, for example, a part of the interchangeable group may be in contact with the animal to which the fluid is to be applied when the device according to the invention is used as intended. In this respect, at least this part of the exchangeable group is ahead of the rest of the device according to the invention. The replaceable group may have a part which forms the distal end of the device according to the invention, so that, for example, the replaceable group may also be referred to as an exchangeable front group.

Here, an interchangeable front group is understood in particular to mean that the front group as a whole can be separated from the receiving block and replaced by an identically constructed front group, which is connected for exchange with the receiving block. However, it is also possible that the front group separate from the receiving block is maintained (e.g., by exchanging wearing parts such as gaskets) and then reconnected to the receiving block.

Since the front group is completely separated from the receiving block and then serviced or replaced, unwanted contamination can be safely avoided. This is much more difficult and expensive, e.g. only the first-wearing O-ring seals in the front group are replaced individually, if the front group, as previously customary, is installed so that it can not be separated from the rest of the applicator nondestructive.

The detachable connection between the front group and the receiving block may in particular be a screw connection. However, it is also any other type of releasable connection, such as e.g. a bayonet connection, possible.

The applicator device according to the invention may comprise a nozzle for needleless application of the fluid, which is connected via the check valve to the open discharge end of the cylinder and which is part of the front group. This makes it possible to replace the nozzle when replacing the front group.

Alternatively, the device may comprise a needle or cannula which is connected via the check valve to the open discharge end of the cylinder and which is part of the front group. The needle and cannula may in turn be interchangeable.

The Applizierungsvorrichtung invention may have exactly one cylinder with exactly one piston rod and exactly one front group. However, it is also possible that the Applicator having two or more cylinders with two or more piston rods and two or more front groups, which are all the same design, so that two or more identical or different fluids can be applied simultaneously. The individual cylinders may have the same or different volume.

The applicator device according to the invention is designed, in particular, as a self-filling applicator device which uses the clamping process to fill the cylinder with the fluid to be applied (for example a liquid to be applied).

This can e.g. be realized so that during the entire clamping process already filling the cylinder takes place. Alternatively, the applicator may be configured to build up a depression in the cylinder during the tightening operation which, when the piston is in its rear end position, is used to draw the fluid into the cylinder due to the negative pressure. For this purpose, for example, the piston in its distal end a extending in the longitudinal direction of the piston rod blind bore, branch off from the one or more radial bores, which produce in the rear end position of the piston fluid communication to a reservoir of the fluid to be applied.

The applicator according to the invention may comprise the motor, which is used to perform the clamping operation. It can also be said that the engine provides the energy needed to build up the bias of the piston rod. The engine may in particular be mounted on the receiving block.

For the operation of the engine as well as any further consumers can be used as an energy source, e.g. a battery and / or a rechargeable battery may be provided. The energy source may e.g. be formed in the foot or foot of the Applizierungsvorrichtung. Furthermore, the energy source can be interchangeable or permanently installed.

The tensioner may include a spring that biases the piston rod toward the open discharge end when the piston is in the rear end position.

The applicator device according to the invention may further comprise a ramp rotatable by the motor with a ramp path extending along a helix. The ramp path may increase from a first plateau or level along a grade range to a second plateau or second level and drop from the second plateau via a jump edge to the first plateau. The ramp track thus has a single turn and can be referred to as helical with a step. The tensioning device may further comprise a roller contacting the ramp track which is rotatably mounted in a dog connected to the end of the piston rod protruding from the cylinder such that upon rotation of the ramp the ramp track passes under the roller rotating therethrough. The roller is preferably mounted so that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first direction (or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod).

For the tensioning operation, the ramp path can be rotated out of contact of the roller with the first plateau so that the roller runs on the slope area to the second plateau and thereby the piston is moved to its rear end position. For the dispensing operation, the ramp path can be rotated from contact of the roller with the second plateau until the roller strikes the first plateau via the trailing edge, thereby moving the piston to its front end position.

The distance of the second plateau from the first plateau along the axis of rotation of the ramp preferably corresponds to the distance from the front to the rear end position of the piston along the first direction and thus the piston stroke.

By means of the ramp and the roller thus the rotational movement of the motor is converted into a translational movement of the piston rod along its longitudinal axis. Thus, the applicator device can be tensioned by means of the motor so that a user can only set a triggering element, such as a triggering element. a button, a switch, a rocker switch or a button, must operate to release the dispensing operation and thus to effect the application of the fluid. Thus, e.g. many animals are vaccinated quickly one after another with a drug.

The gradient region of the ramp path can have a first section adjoining the first plateau and an adjoining second section, wherein the pitch of the second section is greater than the gradient of the first section.

This is advantageously achieved that at the beginning of the clamping process, a lower slope of the ramp path is present, whereby the engine has to muster less force or torque. This is an advantage when starting the engine, as more power is drawn when starting up. As soon as the first section passes into the second section, this start-up problem is overcome, so that here a larger slope can be easily realized. This increases the durability of the engine. The gradient region of the ramp path can be designed so that both sections are linear relative to the angle of rotation of the screw. However, it is also possible that the first section and / or the second sections have a non-linear course with respect to the angle of rotation. In this case, the slope of the respective section is preferably the average slope of the respective section. The non-linear course of the respective section is preferably a course in which the local gradient increases with increasing angle of rotation. The non-linear profile of the respective section may preferably be a concave curvature profile.

In particular, the rotation angle range (or the rotation angle length) of the first portion may be smaller than the rotation angle range (or the rotation angle length) of the second portion. Preferably, the ratio of the rotation angle range of the first portion to the rotation angle range of the second portion is not more than 4/6 and not less than 1/9.

In the case of the applicator device according to the invention, the roller can have a support region, which rests on the gradient region of the ramp path, and at least one lateral region adjoining it laterally, which has a smaller outer diameter than that of the support region and which does not rest on the gradient region of the ramp path. During the dispensing process, both the support area and the side area can come into contact with an edge of the ramp path which connects the second plateau to the trailing edge. This leads to the advantage that there is a relatively low rolling or frictional resistance between the roller and the ramp track in the region of the gradient range. When transitioning over the edge for the dispensing process, then both the receiving area and the side area is located on the edge, so that here the support surface is increased, so that there is a smaller pressure. This is advantageous because the transition of the roller over the edge, the highest force acts on the roller, and thus undesirable pressure peaks can be reduced. This increases the durability of the roller.

In particular, the roller can each have a laterally adjoining side region with a smaller outer diameter than the support region on both sides of the support region. This leads to a further reduction of the pressure on the roller during the transition over the edge.

The roller may be formed so that the outer diameter of the support area is constant. The outer diameter of the respective side region may decrease in a direction toward the side of the roll (or in a direction away from the support region or with increasing distance from the support region). The roller may be formed as a plastic roller. The ramp can be made of metal.

The piston may be formed integrally with the piston rod. In this case, the front end of the piston rod forms the piston. However, it is also possible that the piston is a separate element that is connected to the piston rod.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained not only in the specified combinations, but also in others

Combinations or alone can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which also disclose features essential to the invention. These embodiments are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. For example, a description of one

Embodiment with a plurality of elements or components not to be construed as that all these elements or components are necessary for implementation. Rather, other embodiments may include alternative elements and components, fewer elements or components, or additional elements or components. Elements or components of various embodiments may be combined with each other unless otherwise specified. Modifications and modifications described for one of the embodiments may also be applicable to other embodiments. To avoid repetition, the same or corresponding elements in different figures are denoted by the same reference numerals and not explained several times. From the figures show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the Applizierungsvorrichtung 1 according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the applicator 1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic enlarged sectional view of the first front group 13;

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the first front group 13 and the distal end 30 of the receiving block 10 in an unconnected state; Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of the screwed into the distal end of the receiving block 10 first front group 13, the piston 36 is in its rear end position. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of Figure 5, wherein the piston 36 is in its front end position and the trigger cage 21 in its release position for the Applizierungsvorgang.

7 shows a perspective view of the receiving block 10 together with the tensioning device S, wherein the tensioning device S is in the basic position, in which the piston 36 is in its front end position;

8 shows a perspective illustration of the receiving block 10 together with the tensioning device S according to FIG. 7, wherein the tensioning device S is in its cocked position, in which the piston 36 is in its rear end position;

9 shows a sectional view of the receiving block 10 together with the tensioning device S according to FIG. 8;

10 is a perspective enlarged detail view of the rear part of the clamping device S with roller 51 and ramp 52 of a modification of the Applizierungsvorrichtung invention 1 with only a cylinder-piston assembly.

1 1 A is a diagram for illustrating the course of the ramp path 53, along the x-axis of the rotation angle and along the y-axis of the Flub along the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 36 is applied,

1 1 B is a diagram illustrating the modified course of the ramp track 53, along the x-axis of the rotation angle and along the y-axis of the stroke along the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 36 is applied

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the roller 51;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the roller 51; FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views of the receiving block 10;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the receiving block 10, and 17 is a sectional view of the receiving block 10th

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 according to the invention for applying a fluid (eg a fluid) comprises a housing 2 which has a foot 3, which may be formed as a pedestal 3, a handle portion 4 for holding the device 1, an in Handle portion 4 arranged shutter 5 for actuating the device 1, a head portion 6 having a discharge area 7 and a receptacle 8 in the upper end of the head portion 6 includes.

The device 1 according to the invention, which can also be referred to as the application device 1, is designed in the embodiment described here for the simultaneous application of two different drugs in animals, wherein the application of the drug is performed without needles by the flaut.

In the applicator 1 according to the invention, a separate cylinder-piston arrangement is provided for each drug, as will be described in detail below, which is designed in each case as Selbstfüllertyp such that moving the piston towards the discharge end causes an ejection of the fluid and a opposite movement of the piston causes a filling of the cylinder for the next ejection process.

2, the application device 1 comprises a receiving block 10, which carries a control board 11 and a motor 12, and two front groups 13, 14, of which in the illustration of FIG the front group 13 is visible. Since the front groups 13 and 14 are of identical construction, only the front group 13 will be described below in detail. In the receptacle 8 is schematically a drug container M, which contains a liquid drug for the front group 13, located.

A sectional view of the front group 13 is shown in Fig. 3. The front group 13 comprises an insert 15, in which a syringe cylinder 16 is formed with an open discharge end 17. At the open discharge end 17, a check valve 18 (or a suction valve 18) is arranged on the outlet side. The open discharge end 17 opens, with the check valve 18 open, into a nozzle 19, via which the fluid to be dispensed (here the corresponding liquid drug) is discharged.

The check valve 18 is biased by a spring 20 to the open discharge end 17 and closes the open discharge end 17 in the position of the check valve 18 shown in FIG. Further, the front group 13 comprises a triggering cage 21 extending over the nozzle 19, which is pressed and biased by means of a spring 22 in the direction from the open discharge end 17 to the nozzle 19. The trigger cage 21 is displaceably mounted along the longitudinal axis of the front group 13 (from left to right in FIG. 3) so that it is displaced in the direction of the nozzle 19 towards the open discharge end 17 when the application device 1 is applied to the corresponding skin site in the animal and thereby, for example, triggers a contact sensor (not shown) which releases the triggering of the application process, as will be described in detail below.

The insert 15 has radially extending feed channels 25 at a proximal end 24 of the syringe barrel 16 opposite the open dispensing end 17, via which the fluid to be applied or the liquid medicament reaches the syringe barrel 16 for a next ejection process.

At the proximal end 26 of the front group 13, an external thread 27 is formed and a guide bush 28 is arranged, so that the front group 13 can be screwed into a distal end 30 of the receiving block 10 (FIG. 4), since an internal thread 31 for the External thread 27 of the front group 13 is provided. In Fig. 4, the front group 13 and the distal end 30 of the receiving block 10 is shown before the screwing. In FIG. 5, the two elements 13, 30 are screwed together so that a guided in the receiving block 10 piston rod 35 with a formed at its distal end piston 36 slightly into the syringe barrel 16 and the piston rod 35 is guided by the guide bush 28. The piston rod 35 can, as will be described in detail below, from the basic position shown in FIG. 5 (hereinafter also referred to as the basic position) to the ejection or dispensing position (hereinafter also referred to as ejection or dispensing position) shown in FIG to the open discharge end 17 are moved back and from this back into the basic position shown in Fig. 5.

When the piston rod 35 is in the home position, its distal end, and thus the piston 36, is in its rear end position (FIG. 5). When the piston rod 35 is in the dispensing position, the piston 36 is in its front end position (FIG. 6).

When the piston rod 35 is positioned in the home position shown in Fig. 5, the syringe barrel 16 is filled with the liquid medicine to be ejected. A movement of the piston rod 35 toward the open discharge end 17 then causes the check valve 18 opens and so the liquid is discharged via the nozzle 19 as a jet, which is so far in the Skin of the animal cuts in that the drug can be applied by this cut into the skin.

In the backward movement from the discharge position shown in Fig. 6 to the basic position shown in Fig. 5 (a movement along a first direction) closes the check valve 18 and in the syringe barrel 16, a negative pressure is generated, the larger, the farther the piston rod 35th is moved away from the open discharge end 17. Once the piston rod 35 is brought to its home position, there is fluid communication between the syringe barrel 16 and at least one of the feed channels 25. To realize the fluid connection, an axial blind bore 37 in the distal end of the piston 36 and at least one of the blind bore 37 radially extending transverse bore 38, the blind bore 37 facing away from the end in one of the feed channels 25, formed. Since the feed channels 25 in turn open into a chamber 32 formed between the insert 15 and the distal end 30 of the receiving block 10, which is connected via a connecting element 33 with the medicine container M shown only in Fig. 2, the liquid drug is due to the syringe barrel 16 existing negative pressure from the drug container M via the connecting element 33, the chamber 32, the or the feed channels 25, the transverse bore (s) 38 and the blind bore 37 sucked into the syringe barrel 16 so that it is filled with the liquid drug. Thus, the drug can be applied again at the next triggering process, wherein at the beginning of the movement of the piston rod 35 from the basic position to the ejection position, some of the liquid drug is pushed back into the chamber 32 via the feed channels 25. This pushing back is advantageous because it allows the piston 36 and the piston rod 35 to be accelerated more easily, resulting in a higher pressure applied to the remainder of the drug in the syringe barrel 16 and desired for the needleless injection described.

The front group 13, which comprises in particular the syringe cylinder 16, the check valve 18 and the nozzle 19, is designed to be interchangeable as a whole. It can by means of its external thread 27 in the corresponding internal thread 31, which is formed at the distal end 30 of the receiving block 10, screwed and unscrewed. After the front group 13 is subject to wear during operation of the Applizierungsvorrichtung 1, thus a worn front group 13 can be easily replaced with a new identical front group 13. This advantageously results in that the applicator 1 can be used longer overall, since the most wear-prone components of the Applizierungsvorrichtung 1 can be easily replaced.

Since the front group 13 is completely interchangeable, unwanted contamination can be safely avoided, which is significantly more difficult to avoid and involves higher costs would be, for example, if the first-wearing O-ring seals in prior art Applizierungsvorrichtungen in the region of the cylinder, which is fixed and not interchangeable with the rest of the prior art known device, would be replaced individually.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 to 9, the receiving block 10 has a first receiving cylinder 40, into which the piston rod 35 for the first front group 13 is guided, and a second receiving cylinder 140, in which a piston rod 135 for the second front group 14 is on, on. Since the structure of the two cylinder-piston assemblies and thus also of the two receiving cylinders 40, 140 is the same, only the first cylinder-piston arrangement with the first receiving cylinder 40 will be described below in the description of the receiving block 10 substantially. Corresponding elements in the second receiving cylinder 140 are designated by reference numerals, which are larger by 100 than in the elements of the first receiving cylinder 40, but will not be described again.

The piston rod 35 passes through the first receiving cylinder 40, in which a spring 41 is included for moving the piston rod 35 from the cocked basic position shown in Fig. 5 to the ejection position shown in Fig. 6. A distal end 42 of the spring 41 abuts against a stop portion 43 of the piston rod 35. The proximal end 44 of the spring 41 abuts a guide bushing 45 screwed into the proximal end of the first receiving cylinder 40 so that upon movement of the piston rod from the ejection positions shown in FIG. 6 along the first direction to the one shown in FIG 5, the spring 41 is compressed and thereby prestressed, as shown in FIG.

As can be seen in particular from the enlarged perspective illustration in FIG. 10, the end of the piston rod 35 protruding proximally from the receiving cylinder 40 is connected to a driver 50, which has a rotatably mounted roller 51, wherein the axis of rotation of the roller 51 substantially extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 35.

In the perspective view in Fig. 10, a modification of the Applizierungsvorrichtung invention 1 is shown. In this modification, only a single cylinder-piston assembly is formed and the driver 50 is connected to the proximal end of the piston rod 35 and the proximal end of a guide rod 39 which is slidably mounted in the receiving block 10. The roller 51 rides on a ramp 52 rotating under the roller 51 which is rotated by the motor 12 about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 35. As a power supply for the motor, a battery and / or a rechargeable battery can be provided. The battery and / or the accumulator can be arranged, for example, in the foot 3 or as foot 3 of the applicator device 1.

The ramp 52 has a ramp path 53 which runs along a helix with a single turn, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 7, 8 and 10.

In Fig. 1 1 A, the angle of rotation a is plotted against the path difference z parallel to the longitudinal direction of the piston rod 35, wherein it is assumed that the rotational angle of aq = 0 °, the lowest pitch zO is present and the piston 36 is in its front end position. If now the ramp 52 is rotated, the ramp track 53 passes under the roller 51 and causes the rotational movement of the ramp track 53 to be converted into a translational movement of the roller 51 together with the driver 50 and thus the piston rod 35 along the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 35, such that the piston rod 35 is moved from its ejection position shown in Fig. 6 to the basic position shown in Fig. 5.

For this purpose, the developed ramp path 53 according to FIG. 11A proceeds in such a way that a first plateau (slope = 0 or only slightly larger or slightly smaller than zero) is present from the rotation angle aq up to a rotation angle a. From the angle of rotation a, the ramp track 53 has a first linear gradient section S1, which is present up to the angle of rotation a. At the rotational angle a2 (and the corresponding pitch z1), the pitch transitions into a second linear pitch section S2, which has a greater pitch than the first linear pitch section S1 (between the rotational angles al and a2). The second slope is up to the rotation angle a3 and then passes into a second plateau, in which no increase (or only a very small increase or only a very small decrease) of the pitch z2 with a further increase in the rotation angle to the rotation angle a4 of less than 360 °.

At the angle of rotation a5, an edge 54 is formed due to the trailing edge 46 which connects the second plateau to the first plateau.

In the range from a3 to a4, the piston rod 35 is in its tensioned basic position according to FIG. 5. The application device 1 is thus ready for the application of the liquid medicament.

If now the trigger 5 is actuated and the release cage 21 is in the release position, the motor 12 continues to rotate the ramp 52, so that when the rotational angle a5 is exceeded, the roller 51 Runs over the edge 54 and due to the spring tension of the spring 41 abruptly falls back from the pitch z2 to the pitch zO of the first plateau, so that the present in the syringe barrel 16 fluid is ejected in the manner described.

The motor 12 then rotates the ramp 52 thereafter to the second plateau and here stops the rotational movement, thereby filling the syringe barrel 16 again with the liquid drug and bringing the plunger rod 35 back to its cocked home position. Thus, the Applizierungsvorrichtung 1 is ready for another application process. In this way, the applicator 1 can be repeatedly wound up and released.

The two slope sections S1 and S2 form a gradient region extending from the first plateau to the second plateau. The two pitch sections S1 and S2 do not have to be linear with respect to the angle of rotation. They may also, as shown by way of example in FIG. 11B, have a concave curvature (in which the local slope increases with increasing angle of rotation). However, also in this case, the mean slope of the first slope section S1 is smaller than the mean slope of the second slope section S2.

The combination of motor 12, ramp 52, driver 50 with roller 51, spring 41, 141 and guide bushing 45, 145 may be referred to as a tensioning device S.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 12 and 13, the roller 51 comprises a central region 55 which has a constant outside diameter. This is followed on both sides in each case by a side region 56, 57, in which the outer diameter decreases towards the side.

An end region 58, 59 adjoins both side regions 56 and 57, which is rounded so that the roller 51 has no edges. When the ramp 52 rotates on the ramp path 53, the central region 55 is in the rotation angle range from cd to a3 (in particular from aq to a5), whereas the side regions 56 and 57 do not rest in this rotation angle range but only in contact with the overflowing of the edge 54 the ramp track 53 come. Thus, the rolling resistance of the roller 51 when tensioning the piston rod 35 (turning the ramp path from the first to the second plateau) is as low as possible. In the transition from the second or upper plateau (rotational angle range a3 to a4) of the ramp track 53 to the lower plateau (rotational angle range al to a2) and the side portions 56 and 57 in contact with the edge 54, which advantageously the forces between the roller 51 and the edge 54 of the ramp track 52 on a larger contact surface distribute (central region 55 and the two side regions 56, 57), so that there is a smaller pressure. As a result, the durability of the device 1 and in particular of the roller 51 is increased. The characteristic of the slope of the ramp track 53 described in connection with FIGS. 11A and 11B is advantageous, since at the beginning (rotational angle range al to a2) a smaller pitch exists, so that fewer torques must be provided by the motor 50. This is particularly advantageous when starting the engine 50 starting from the first plateau, since the engine 50 usually draws more power in this area. When the pitch z1 is reached, the higher pitch in the rotation angle range from o, 2 to a3 can be easily handled by the motor 50.

This characteristic of the slope of the ramp track 52 advantageously results in that the durability of the motor 50 is increased.

As best seen in the illustrations of FIGS. 14 to 17, the receiving block 10 is integrally formed. Here, for example, an additive fluffing method has been used, e.g. Laser sintering, selective laser sintering or direct metal laser sintering, with which finer and / or more complex structures can be produced in comparison to cutting processes. The receiving block 10 can thus be provided with a relatively low weight, and a high durability of the applicator 1 can be ensured.

As a material for the recording block 10, e.g. Aluminum, steel (e.g., maraging steel), stainless steel, titanium, a nickel alloy, and / or a cobalt-chromium alloy. The material for laser sintering is preferably present as metal powder. For the additive or layered production of the receiving block 10, a thin layer of the powder material can be applied to a construction platform. A laser beam melts the powder exactly at the locations predetermined by computer-generated part design data of the take-up block 10. Thereafter, the building platform is lowered and there is the order of another thin layer of the powder material. The material is melted again and combines at the defined locations with the underlying layer. These steps are repeated until the entire recording block 10 is formed.

The receiving block 10 comprises, in addition to the already described receiving cylinders 40, 140 four board receiving points 60, 61, 62 and 63, on which the board 1 1 placed and can be screwed to the receiving block 10, for example.

Furthermore, the receiving block comprises an engine mount 64 for receiving and supporting the engine 12. Furthermore, four fixation points 65, 66, 67 and 68 for the outer housing 2 of the Applizierungsvorrichtung 1 are formed. Portions of corresponding receptacles 265, 266, 267 and 268 of the outer housing 2 are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

At the distal end of the receiving block 10, the umbrella-like delivery area 7 is provided, which in addition to the corresponding internal thread 31 and 131 for the first and second front groups 13 and 14 still recordings 69 and 169 for the respective trigger sensor (not shown), the position of the trigger cage 21st 121 detected.

Further, in the discharge area 7, an O-ring receiver 70 is formed, into which an O-ring 71 (e.g., Figs. 9, 16, and 17) can be inserted to ensure sealing against the adjacent housing 2 when installed.

Further, the receiving block 10 for each receiving cylinder 40, 140 comprises a receptacle 72, 172, in which the corresponding connection element 33, 133, which may also be referred to as a fluid adapter, can be used.

The connecting element 33, 133 is preferably produced by machining.

As the material for the receiving block 10, titanium is preferably used. This material is on the one hand relatively light and on the other hand ensures the desired strength. Of course, any other suitable material may be used for additive manufacturing processes.

In the previous description, it was assumed that two different drugs should be administered simultaneously. However, the applicator device 1 according to the invention can also be designed so that the receiving block 10 has only a single receiving cylinder 40, so that only a single drug can be applied in a triggering operation. The second receiving cylinder 140 and the second cylinder-piston rod combination are then preferably omitted.

In the exemplary embodiments described so far, it has been assumed that the applicator device 1 is designed as a needleless applicator device 1. However, it can also be designed as an application device 1 with a needle or a cannula, so that in this case the needle or cannula is stabbed into the skin of the animal and then the application by means of the liquid medicament takes place in the manner described.

Claims

claims

Device for applying a fluid, with

a cylinder (16, 16) having an open discharge end (17),

a piston (36) which is displaceable in the cylinder (16, 16) between a front and rear end position and which is connected to a piston rod (35) which is displaced along a first direction via a rear end of the cylinder opposite the open discharge end (17). 16, 16) protrudes and is guided in a receiving block (10),

a check valve (18) closing off the open discharge end (17) and a clamping device (S) connected to the piston rod (35, 135), which in the

Receiving block (10) is arranged

wherein the tensioning device (S), when the piston (36) is in its front end position, can move the piston rod (35, 135) along the first direction in a tensioning operation until the piston (36) is in its rear end position to move the piston rod (36) Cylinder (16, 1 16) thereby to fill with the fluid to be applied and to bias the piston rod (35, 135) to the open discharge end (17) out, and

wherein the tensioning device (S), when the piston (36) is in its rear end position, the piston rod (35, 135) can release in a dispensing operation, so that the piston (36) due to the applied bias against the first direction to its moved front end position while fluid in the cylinder (16, 1 16) is discharged via the check valve (18) for application,

wherein the receiving block (10) is formed as a one-piece receiving block (10), which is produced by an additive Flerstellungsverfahren.

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the receiving block (10) is designed as a metal receiving block (10).

Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

the receiving block (10) an engine mount (64), a guide cylinder (40, 140) for the piston rod (35, 135), at least one receptacle (60, 61, 62, 63) for a control board (1 1), a receptacle ( 72, 172) for a fluid connection (33) for a fluid container (M) and / or at least one Gehäusefixierstelle (65, 66, 67, 68) which is integrally formed with the receiving block (10) / are. Device according to one of the above claims, wherein

the tensioning device (S) has a spring (41, 141) biasing the piston rod (35, 135) towards the open discharge end when the piston (36) is in the rear end position.

Device according to one of the above claims, wherein

the tensioning device (S) has a ramp (52) rotatable by means of a motor (12) with a ramp path (53) extending along a helix,

wherein the ramp path (53) rises from a first plateau along a slope region (S1, S2) to a second plateau and from the second plateau via a second plateau

Leading edge (46) drops to the first plateau,

wherein the tensioning device (S) further comprises a roller (51) contacting the ramp track (53) and arranged in a driver (50) which is in contact with the cylinder (16, 16).

protruding end of the piston rod (35, 135) is rotatably mounted, has, so that upon rotation of the ramp (52), the ramp track (53) passes under the thereby rotating roller (51),

wherein for the clamping operation, the ramp track (53) is rotated from a contact of the roller (51) with the first plateau so that the roller (51) on the

Gradient area runs to the second plateau and thereby the piston (36) is moved to its rear end position,

wherein for the dispensing operation, the ramp track (53) is rotated from contact of the roller (51) with the second plateau until the roller (51) hits the first plateau via the trailing edge (46) and thereby the piston (36 ) is moved to its front end position.

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the motor (12) is mounted in the receiving block (10).

Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein

the pitch region of the ramp path (53) has a first section (S1) adjoining the first plateau and a second section (S2) adjoining the first section, wherein the pitch of the second section (S2) is greater than the pitch of the first section (S1).

Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein

both sections (S1, S2) are linear relative to the angle of rotation of the helix.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the rotation angle length of the first portion (S1) is smaller than the rotation angle length of the second portion (S2).

10. Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein

the roller (51) has a bearing region (55) which is located on the gradient region (S1, S2) of the

Ramp web (53) rests, and at least one laterally adjoining side region (56, 57), which has a smaller outer diameter than the support area (55) and which does not rest on the pitch region (S1, S2) of the ramp track (53) .

wherein during the dispensing process both the support area (55) and the side area

(56, 57) comes into contact with an edge (54) of the ramp track (53) which connects the second plateau to the trailing edge (46).

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein

the roller (51) has a laterally adjoining side region (56, 57) on both sides of the support region (55) with a smaller outer diameter than that of the support region (55).

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 1 1, wherein

the outer diameter of the respective side portion (56, 57) decreases in a direction toward the side of the roller (51).

13. Device according to one of claims 5 to 12, wherein

the roller (51) is mounted in the driver (50) so that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first direction.

14. Device according to one of the above claims, wherein

wherein the cylinder (16, 1 16) together with the check valve (18) as

exchangeable front group (13, 14) is formed, which is releasably connected to the receiving block (10).

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein

the releasable connection between front group (13, 14) and receiving block (10) is a screw connection.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 or 15, wherein the device comprises a nozzle (19) for needleless application of the fluid, which is connected via the check valve (18) to the open discharge end of the cylinder (16, 16) and which is part of the front group (13, 14).