GB2354446A

GB2354446A - Multiple puncture device

Info

Publication number: GB2354446A
Application number: GB9922143A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Arthur Lunn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-21
Filing date: 1999-09-21
Publication date: 2001-03-28
Also published as: GB9922143D0

Abstract

A multiple puncture device 11 for use, for example, in vaccination is disclosed. It comprises a drive member 12 with a handle 13 extending on one side and a peripheral shroud 15 extending on the other. Mounted within the shroud is a piston 16 including a plurality of needles whilst a cover 20, including a pattern of holes matching that of the needles on the piston, is mounted outside the shroud and is slidable with respect to it. Displacement of the drive member by the handle relative to the cover, overcoming a predetermined resistance offered to the piston by the shroud, moves the needles from a first position hidden by the cover to a second position where the needles are exposed through the cover holes by a predetermined extent.

Description

2354446 MULTIPLE-PUNCTURE DEVICE This invention relates to a

multiple-puncture device.

A multiple-puncture device is used in medical practice for giving Bacillus Calmette Guerin ('BCG') vaccine. This is a vaccine which gives protection against tuberculosis. The multiple-puncture device (sometimes referred to as a'percutaneous' device) enables the BCG vaccine to be introduced into a mid-position of skin of an individual by means of a grouping of 18 to 20 needles which act to produce shallow puncture sites to the required depth. This contrasts with the usual method of giving most other vaccines which is by way of a single, hollow, needle attached to a syringe by means of which vaccine can be deposited either beneath the skin or into underlying muscle.

A multiple-puncture device provides for the generation of a number of puncture sites at a location in the skin of an individual. The shape of each site and so the shape of the puncturing means producing the site is significant for optimising the introduction and effective use of the BCG vaccine. The process involves placing a drop of the vaccine on the skin of a recipient at the required site followed by the placing of the multiplepuncture device on the drop to cause the vaccine to be spread into a thin layer followed by the projection of the puncturing means to cause the vaccine to pass into the skin to a controlled depth.

Existing multiple-puncture devices are relatively elaborate with needles located in a separate component which has to be attached to a separate handle which serves to cause, at a predetermined pressure, the movement of the needles into the skin to the required depth.

According to the present invention there is provided a multiple-puncture device comprising: a drive member having a handle extending from one side and a peripheral shroud extending from the other side of the drive member to the one side; the shroud having an 2 axis of symmetry extending perpendicular to the drive member; the shroud having an open end remote from the drive member; a piston mounted for displacement within the shroud on a drive axis co-axial with or parallel to, the axis of symmetry; the piston including a plurality of needles located in a predetermined pattern on, and extending perpendicular to and away from, the drive member; a cover located to close off the open end of the shroud and slidable relative to the shroud on an axis co-axial with, or parallel to, the axis of symmetry; the cover having a set of holes complementing in layout the pattern of the needles; the drive member being displaceable by the handle relative to the cover, at least when the cover is held in a datum location, between a first position where the needles are located within the shroud; and a second position where the plurality of needles have their outer ends projecting through the set of holes to a predetermined extent from the cover; displacement of the drive member block relative to the cover from the first to the second position requiring the overcoming of a predetermined resistance offered to the piston or an extension thereof by the shroud or an extension thereof. Typically the piston is circular in plan view. Preferably the needles are caused to project a distance of 2 mm. from the cover. Further the required force to overcome the resistance of the skin should lie in the range 5 to 6 pounds weight (say 5 1/2 pounds).

According to a first preferred version of the present invention the shroud and the piston include includes interacting guide means such that motion of the piston relative to the shroud follows a linear path along the axis.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the device is fabricated substantially or wholly from at least one plastics material.

3 An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of a multiple-puncture device of which: Figure I is a perspective view of the device with component parts in a first storage position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device with component parts in a second storage position; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the device showing the individual items.

The figure variously show a multiple-puncture device 11 made up of a drive member 12 (see particularly Figure 3) with a handle 13 extending from side 14 and a peripheral shroud 15 extending from the other side 16 of the drive member 12 to the one side 14. The shroud 15 has an axis of symmetry Al extending perpendicular to the drive member 12. The shroud 15 has an open end 17 remote from the drive member 12. Piston 16 is mounted for slidable displacement within shroud 15 on a drive axis in this case co-axial with axis Al. The piston 16 incorporates a plurality of needles 18 located in a predetermined pattern on, and extending perpendicularly away from, the drive member 12.

Cover 20 is slidably mounted on shroud 15 and serves to close off the open end of the shroud 15. The cover 20 is slidable relative to the shroud on an axis co-axial with axis Al. The cover 20 includes a set of holes 21 complementing in layout the pattern of the plurality of needles 18 to enable the plurality to be driven to project through holes 21 as will be outlined hereafter.

The drive member 12 is displaceable by way of the handle 13 relative to the cover 20, at least when the cover 20 is held in position on, say, a region E (Figures 1 and 2) of an arm of a person to be vaccinated.

Figure I shows the device in a first, storage, position where the plurality 18 of needles are located within the shroud 15 immediately prior to use. In this position lower edge 20A of the cover 20 is positioned so as to leave an axial gap G between lower edge 20A and rim 15A on shroud 15.

Figure 2 shows the device in a second.; working, position where the cover 20 has been displaced relative to the rim 15A so that gap G has been substantially reduced. In reaching this working position the plurality 18 of needles have been driven outwardly to project through the cover 20 (which is unable to move axially by the location of the cover 20 on arm E). The outer ends of the needles project through the set of holes 21 to a predetermined extent from the cover.

The movement of the plurality of needles 18 relative thought the cover requires the overcoming of a predetermined resistance offered to the drive member by configuration of the interior of the shroud 15. The configuration also provides for the drive member to move in a straight line relative to the cover 20.

In the present embodiment the drive member is circular in plan view.

The construction of the device is such as to make it difficult to restore the device once used to its starting position and so reduce the chances of the device which is essentially intended for disposable, one time use, to be re-used.

In particular the invention enables a multiple-puncture device to be fabricated, with the possible exception of the needles, from a plastics material in considerable numbers at low cost as a disposable device. Such a device has the major value of enabling the device to be used once and then safely disposed to avoid the possibility of transfer of contaminants or disease from a first to a second user. The fact of having been used is readily apparent by the needles remaining projecting from the cover.

The device is particularly envisaged for use in third world countries where low cost is essential and unambiguous operation of the device most desirable.

Claims

1 A multiple-puncture device comprising:

a drive member having a handle extending from one side and a peripheral shroud extending from the other side of the drive member to the one side; the shroud having an axis of symmetry extending perpendicular to the drive member; the shroud having an open end remote from the drive member; a piston mounted for displacement within the shroud on a drive axis coaxial with, or parallel to, the axis of symmetry; the piston including a plurality of needles located in a predetermined pattern on, and extending perpendicular to and away from, the drive member; a cover located to close off the open end of the shroud and slidable relative to the shroud on an axis co-axial with, or parallel to, the axis of symmetry; the cover having a set of holes complementing in layout the pattern of the needles the drive member being displaceable by the handle relative to the cover, at least when the cover is held in a datum location, between a first position where the needles are located within the shroud; and a second position where the plurality of needles have their outer ends projecting through the set of holes to a predetermined extent from the cover; displacement of the drive member block relative to the cover from the first to the second position requiring the overcoming of a predetermined resistance offered to the piston or an extension thereof by the shroud or an extension thereof.

2 A multiple-puncture device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the piston is circular in plan view. 3 A multiple-puncture device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the shroud and piston include includes interacting guide means such that motion of the piston relative to the shroud follows a linear path.

6 4 A multiple-puncture device as claimed in any preceding claim fabricated substantially or wholly from at least one plastics material, A multiple-puncture device as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.