JPH05285219A - Syringe assembly for fluid injection - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To efficiently carry out fluid drug injection, and to surely prevent reuse of the same needle cannula for another patient for fluid suction or inoculation, by pulling the needle cannula back after the injection into the safety module-activator shielding instrument, destroying, and shielding it. CONSTITUTION: The safety module-activator shielding instrument 1 is provided with a barrel 4 to accept a pre-packed disposable needle/dosing cartridge 50 for one injection, and reusable. The cartridge 50 is proceeded in injection outside the barrel 4, and the needle cannula 44 in the cartridge is pull back into the barrel after injection. All the cannula 44 is crushed within the cartridge 50, shielded and disposed for safe handling and prevention of accidental piercing by the needle.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a reusable safety module-activator reshielding device, which is infused with a fluid drug and which has a needle cannula pulled back into it after the injection is complete and ruptured. Applied to receive a disposable, single-use needle / medication cartridge that is shielded, which allows the cartridge to be safely removed from the device and discarded while preventing re-use of the cannula and Prevents needle sticks and possible epidemic spread.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART It is known that drug users share the same hypodermic needle cannula. Moreover, in developing third world countries, the same syringe may be used for continuous infusion from one patient to another due to inadequate supply of drug and syringe. In such cases, re-use of the needle cannula would pose a serious risk of transmitting the infectious disease among communal persons.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have available a method that can reliably prevent fluid aspiration and reuse of the same needle cannula to inoculate different patients while effectively injecting fluid medication. Let's do it. It would also be desirable to ensure the destruction of the needle cannula after use to prevent its movement and reuse. Shields the cannula, allowing its safe handling and disposal,
It would be further desirable to avoid accidental needle sticks in health workers and patients, thereby reducing the risk of transmission of an infectious disease.

The following US patents describe a syringe device for receiving a prefilled medication cartridge in which a needle cannula is withdrawn and shielded after use.

Patent Nos. 4,9, issued on June 5, 1990
No. 31,040, Patent No. 4,909,79 issued on Mar. 20, 1990
No. 4, Patent No. 4,919,65 issued April 24, 1990
No. 7, Patent No. 4,826,489 issued May 2, 1989
issue

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, a reusable safety device is disclosed for injecting fluid medication from a pre-filled single-use needle / medication cartridge. The cartridge includes a dosing module containing a supply of fluid drug to be infused, a needle cannula extending from one end of the dosing module, and a piston located at the opposite end. The cartridge also includes a hollow needle module that surrounds and shields the cannula of the dosing module. The needle module is axially aligned with and connected to the dosing module and is dimensioned to allow the dosing module to slide alternately therethrough.

The safety device includes a barrel having a proximal end and a distal end, and a longitudinally extending window formed on a side surface thereof. The needle / medication cartridge is mounted through the proximal end of the barrel and is slidable therethrough toward the distal end. The sleeve housing is connected to the pivot member and is rotatable with respect to the barrel, thereby closing its open end and preventing unintended movement of the cartridge. The pivot member is rotatable through the opening in the barrel after injection is complete, the needle cannula is disabled and the cartridge is automatically discarded through the window of the barrel, thereby emptying the barrel and receiving a new cartridge. Be done.

The safety device also includes a piston stem connected to the piston of the dosing module, the stem
Moving through the barrel toward the distal end so that the dosing module slides through the needle module towards the distal end and the needle cannula is outwardly from the open end of the barrel. Pushed forward. The piston stem is also
A piston is driven through the dosing module to expel its contents through the cannula. After injection is complete, the piston stem is moved through the barrel towards the proximal end, sliding the dosing module through the needle module towards the proximal end and being reshielded within the needle module. Retract the cannula inward. Movement of the piston stem through the barrel toward the next distal end advances the cannula into contact with the shielded distal end wall of the needle module so that the cannula is destroyed and rendered non-reusable.

The directional control sleeve is located within the sleeve housing at the proximal end of the barrel and receives the piston stem therethrough. The sleeve cooperates with a pair of resilient leaf springs and a series of axially spaced directional control grooves formed in the piston stem to control movement of the stem through the barrel, The movement of the piston stem through the barrel towards the proximal end thereby is blocked until the stem is directed through the barrel towards the distal end and completely moved, and the stem through the barrel towards the distal end. Movement is blocked until the stem is moved from the barrel towards the proximal end and completely moved.

[0010]

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Safety Modules-Activator Reshielding Device 1 and Needle /
The dosing cartridge 50 is described with reference to the drawings, where FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the device 1 and cartridge 50, and FIG. 2 shows the device and cartridge in an assembled configuration. The instrument 1 comprises an injection molded plastic cartridge activator 2 having a hollow, open-ended barrel 4 in which a needle / medication cartridge 50, which will be described shortly, is mounted. A pair of finger ledges 5 extending in both directions are formed with the same outer extension together with the proximal end of the barrel 4, and project outward from this. A longitudinally extending window 6 is formed on the top of the barrel 4 to allow visual inspection of the cartridge 50 mounted therein and disposal of such cartridge after injection is complete. Needle module stop 7 with spring-shaped memory
Is integrally and pivotally attached to the barrel 4,
It is placed in a recess formed on one side of the barrel. A dosing module stop with a spring-like memory (shown at 90 in FIGS. 15 and 16) is also integrally and pivotally mounted to the barrel 4 and is located in the opposite recess of the barrel.

Barrel 4 of cartridge activator 2
Pivotally connected to is a longitudinally extending bridge 8. At the front end of the bridge 8 is barrel 4.
2 is a pivot point 10 which is engaged and held by a corresponding pivot surface 11 at the bottom of the
In the assembled instrument configuration of, the bridge 8 is adapted to be rotated about the pivot surface 11 from a first position, where the bridge engages and supports the barrel 4 thereon in a second position, In its second position the bridge is rotated downwards and away from the barrel 4 (see Figure 3). The advantages of the permissive bridge 8 rotating with respect to the barrel 4 will be explained in more detail below.

A hollow cylindrical open-ended sleeve housing 12 is formed with the bridge 8 at its rear end with the same extension. In the assembled instrument configuration of FIG. 2, the open rear end of the sleeve housing 12 along with the bridge 8 supportingly engaging the barrel 4 is aligned by the bridge 8 axially opposite the proximal end of the barrel 4. Is positioned as. The latch opening 14 is formed in the sleeve housing 12 after its open rear end, thereby releasably receiving and retaining a tab 15 from a latch 16 extending from the barrel 4. In this aspect, the barrel 4 and sleeve housing 12 of the cartridge activator 2 are maintained in axial alignment with each other,
It may certainly prevent unintentional rotation of the bridge 8 with respect to the barrel.

A hollow generally spherical orientation control sleeve 18 and a pair of flexible (eg, metal) leaf springs 20 and 21 are contained within the sleeve housing 12 such that the sleeve 18 shares a center with the barrel 4. It is placed through the open window 22. The sleeve 18 is sized to receive the piston stem 26, which will be described shortly, into its hollow interior. In the assembled instrument configuration of FIG. 2, the window 22 of the sleeve housing 12 is closed by the sleeve cover 24. The respective functions of the direction control sleeve 18 and the leaf springs 20 and 21 inside the sleeve housing 12 and their cooperation with each other and with the piston stem 26 will be explained in more detail below.

The one-way piston stem 26 is provided to be interconnected to the cartridge 50 within the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2. More specifically, the stem 26 is received within the sleeve housing 12 and is adapted for reciprocating movement in the directional control sleeve 18 and through the barrel 4 in only one direction at a time. The terminal or tip 28 projects from the forward end of the stem 26 and is connected to and controls the movement of the piston 52 of the cartridge 50 mounted in the barrel 4.
The piston stem 26 is axially spaced and has a plurality of orientation control grooves 30 aligned around the periphery and therein to control the direction in which the stem is moved through the sleeve 18 and barrel 4. A longitudinally extending guide channel 32 formed therein. Piston stem 2
The rear end of 6 includes a hollow compartment 33 (best shown in FIG. 5) that receives a narrow position limiting pin 34 therein. The pin 34 projects outwardly and vertically therefrom and has a sleeve control member 36 which is located within the guide channel 32 of the stem 26. The position limiting pin is accommodated in the compartment 3 of the piston stem 26 by means of a small compression spring 38 mounted after the pin 34 in said compartment.
Biased forward within 3. The hollow compartment 33 of the piston stem 26 is closed by a disc-shaped thumb cap 40, which has a position limiting pin 34 and a spring 3.
8 re-displacement and keep the pin biased to the front end of the compartment.

The needle / medication cartridge 50 mounted in and activated by the activator 2 includes a cylindrical needle module 42 in which a hypodermic needle cannula 44 having a sharpened distal tip is pre-wrapped and Shielded, the cartridge is further cylindrical dosing module 4
6 and is pre-filled with fluid medication to be released therefrom via cannula 44. The distal end of the dosing module 46 has an opening 48 formed therein to allow the needle cannula 4 to
4 on the far end (eg glued or molded)
It is mounted and thereby communicates with the fluid contents of the dosing module 46 via the openings 48. Cannula 44 is pre-pressed to have a tilted alignment with respect to the longitudinal axis of needle module 42 and barrel 4 for important purposes that will be described shortly. Elastomeric piston 52 is received at the proximal end of dosing module 46 and is reciprocated therethrough (by piston stem 26). A peripheral locking lip 54 surrounds the proximal end of the dosing module 46.

The distal end of the needle module 42 is tapered to receive a sterile needle pierceable seal 56 therein. The diameter of the needle module 42 is made slightly larger than the diameter of the dosing module 46 so that the module 46 is received at the proximal end of the module 42,
And be slidable through it. As best shown in FIG. 6, the peripheral lip 64 formed around the proximal end of the needle module 42 is removable into a peripheral groove 65 formed around the distal end of the dosing module 46. 2 so that in the configuration of FIG. 2, the needle module 42 and the medication module 46 are removably mounted together and the cannula 44 is shielded by the needle module 42 and in communication with the medication module 46, A needle / medication cartridge 50 is formed that is suitable for packaging and shipping as a single unit ready for loading of the safety device 1 into the activator 2. The elastomeric needle centering device 58 receives the distal tip of the cannula 44 and thereby holds the tilted cannula 44 in coaxial alignment with the needle module 42 and the longitudinal axis of the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2, thereby It is placed in the needle module 42 in frictional engagement with its sidewall so as to allow the cannula to be advanced out of the barrel 4 during administration of the injection.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a needle / medication cartridge 50 loaded in the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2 of the safety device 1. For this purpose, the bridge 8 to which the sleeve housing 42 is connected is the barrel 4
Rotated with respect to, allowing the cartridge 50 to be loaded through the proximal end of the barrel. That is,
Latch the latch opening 14 in the sleeve housing 12
6 away from the knob 15 and causing the bridge to rotate (in the direction of the reference arrow 60) about the pivot surface 11 of the barrel 4, thereby bringing the sleeve housing 12 out of axial alignment with said barrel. To move it apart, the barrel 4 is firmly grasped with one hand and a downward pulling force is applied to the bridge 8 with the other hand. The opening 61 is formed through the bottom of the barrel 4 facing the window 6 to accommodate the forward end of the bridge 8 during its downward rotation in the manner just described. The cartridge 50 is then threaded through the open end of the barrel 4 (reference arrow) until the distal end of the needle module 42 is positioned adjacent the open end of the barrel 4 (best shown in FIG. 5). It may be pushed to the far end (in the direction of 62).

As previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, needle cannula 44 includes needle module 42.
Pre-squeezed to have the alignment tilted in. However, upon receipt of the distal tip of the cannula 44 by the needle centering device 58, the cannula may be advanced through the module 42 and out of the barrel 4 to administer an injection. And remain coaxially aligned with barrel 4 (best shown in FIG. 7).
As the sharpened distal tip of the cannula is aligned with and narrowed axially from a narrow bore 67 formed through the distal end of the needle module 42, as shown in the enlarged detail view of FIG. , The cannula 44 is held by a needle centering device 58. The sterile seal 56
A distal end hole 67 is affixed across the distal end of the needle module 42 to isolate the cannula 67 from the air, thereby maintaining the sterility of the cannula 44. The needle module 42 is preferably formed from a relatively rigid plastic or glass material, the distal end of which is provided with a hole 67 and a sterile seal 5 therein.
And a cavity for receiving 6. The distal end of needle module 42 is also modeled to include an annular shield groove 66 formed around its inner circumference.
The distal end of the needle module 42 in which the annular shield groove 66 is located is relatively thick to withstand penetration by the cannula 44 due to the advantages that will be disclosed in more detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the cartridge activator 2 of the safety device 1 after the needle / medication cartridge 50 has been loaded into the barrel 4 of the activator 2 and moved therethrough to the distal end. As the cartridge 50 moves through the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2 to the distal end, referring briefly to FIG. 6, a spring-like needle module stop 7 located in a recess on one side of the barrel 4 is a needle. Engage / dosage cartridge 50 to prevent proximal movement of the cartridge from the barrel and premature removal. More specifically, the stop 7 is initially rotated outwardly from its recess in the barrel 4 by movement of the relatively large diameter needle module 42 toward the distal end. Needle module 4
As soon as 2 is moved past stop 7, its vertical spring bias causes said stop to rotate inwards through its recess and towards a relatively narrow diameter dosing module 46. Placing the needle module stop 7 at the intersection of the wide needle module 42 and the narrow dosing module 46 prevents movement of the needle module 42 through the barrel 4 to the proximal end, thereby reliably delivering the injection. To obtain, the needle module is retained at the distal end of the barrel.

Referring again to FIG. 5, a needle / dose cartridge 50 is shown, which is adapted to allow the flowable contents of the dose cartridge 46 to be injected through the cannula 44 of the needle module 42. It is advanced through the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2 to the far end into a ready shape. After the cartridge 50 has been advanced through the barrel 4 to the position shown, the connecting bridge 8 is upwards with respect to the barrel 4 (in the direction of the reference arrow 68).
Rotated to move the sleeve housing 12 back into coaxial alignment with the proximal end of the barrel and the cartridge 50 contained therein. Accordingly, the tip 28 of the piston stem 26 is coupled to the piston 52 with a sleeve formed therein (shown at 70 in FIG. 3) such that the piston assembly including the piston 52 and stem 26 is internal to the sleeve housing 12. It is coupled to the dosing module 46 via the hollow directional control sleeve 18.

FIG. 7 illustrates that the flowable contents of the needle / medication cartridge 50 pass through the cannula 44 and the medication module 46.
Figure 3 shows the safety device 1 during injection as excluded from. More specifically, the distal pushing force is applied (in the direction of reference arrow 72) to the thumb cap 40 of the piston stem 26 to advance the stem through the direction control sleeve 18. This pushing force passes through the stem 26 and the cartridge 50.
Is transferred to the piston 52 at the proximal end of the
Module 42 with lip 64 and groove 65 (of FIG. 6)
Until the cannula 44 coupled to the dosing module 46 and coupled to the dosing module 46 is correspondingly pushed through the sterile seal 56 and moved into an axially extended position with respect to the barrel 4 of the activator 2. , Creates a hydraulic pressure driving the relatively small diameter dosing module 46 through the relatively large diameter needle module 42 to the distal end. When force is continuously applied to the thumb cap 40 of the piston stem 26 with the dosing module 46 advanced through the needle module 42 and the cannula 44 moved out of the barrel 4, the piston 52
Will be driven through the dosing module 46 to the distal end, which will inject its fluid contents through the cannula.

As an important advantage of the present invention, the piston stem 26 cooperates with the directional control sleeve 18 within the sleeve housing 12 during administration of an injection to allow fluid displacement but prevent fluid aspiration. .. That is, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 at the same time, the direction control groove 30 of the piston stem 26 and the leaf spring 20 of the direction control sleeve 18 are referred to.
And 21, the piston stem moves in one direction in the barrel 4 during administration of the injection (ie, is advanced through the direction control sleeve 18 only in the distal direction), so that the injection is completed and the piston stem 26 Barrel 4 until it is moved to its farthest position on barrel 4.
And the withdrawal of the stem 26 through the sleeve 18 to the proximal end is prevented.

8 and 9 illustrate a piston for the purpose of administering injections and dispensing fluid drug from the dosing module 46 of the needle / dosing cartridge 50 in the manner described while referring to FIG. The flexible leaf spring 2 of the orientation control sleeve 18 while the stem 26 (in the direction of the reference arrow 74) is advanced through the hollow interior of the sleeve 18 to the distal end.
The relationship between 0 and 21 and the position control groove 30 of the piston stem 26 is shown. More specifically, each leaf spring 20 and 2
1 has respective fixed ends 76 and 78 and respective free ends 77 and 79. Leaf springs 20 and 21
On the opposite side of the piston stem 26 from the sleeve housing 1
2 and fixed ends 7 of said springs 20 and 21
6 and 78 are fixed to the diagonally opposite walls of the sleeve housing 12.

The freeness of one leaf spring 20 in the spring alignment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 where the piston stem 26 is moved through the interior of the directional sleeve 18 to the distal end so that an injection can be made. The end 77 rests at the top of the sleeve 18, while the free end 79 of the other spring 21 is one of the circumferential control grooves 30 of the stem 26.
One can receive it. For this reason, so as not to prevent advancement of the piston stem 26 through the sleeve 18 to the distal end,
It will be appreciated that the free end 77 of the spring 20 is retained by the sleeve 18 away from its receipt by the direction control groove 30. However, the free end 79 of the leaf spring 21 is
Received in the direction control groove 30 to form a stop therein and prevent retraction of the piston stem 26 to the proximal end through the sleeve 18 (in the opposite direction of that represented by reference arrow 74). Due to its flexible nature,
The free end 79 of the leaf spring 21 will jump from one directional control groove 30 to the next as the piston stem 26 is pushed through the directional control sleeve 18 to the distal end.
However, regardless of the groove 30 in which the free end 79 of the spring 21 is received during advancement of the piston stem 26 to the distal end, receiving such a free end in such a groove causes the stem 26 to pass through the sleeve 18. Will prevent it from pulling to the near end.

The directional control sleeve 18 moves axially through the sleeve housing 12 at the end of the injection and slides with the piston stem 26 so that the stem 26 moves through the interior of the directional control sleeve 18 to the proximal end. Is adapted to allow that. As shown in FIG. 9, the sleeve 18 is provided with teeth 80 protruding radially and inward. The teeth 80 are received in and in a longitudinally extending channel 32 formed in the piston stem 26 (shown in FIG. 5) as the piston stem is advanced distally through the steering sleeve 18. It is sized to move through. When the piston stem 26 is advanced to its farthest position on the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2, thereby completing the injection (so that the piston 52 is driven through the dosing module 46 and expels fluid therefrom). ), Direction control sleeve 18
8 was advanced from the position shown in FIG. 8 where the proximal retraction of the stem 26 was impeded to the distal end of FIG. 10 where retraction of the stem 26 through the sleeve 18 to the proximal end would be permitted. It is slid axially along the stem 26 to a position.

More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 10, after the piston stem 26 has been advanced to its most distal position on the barrel 4 of the activator 2 at the end of the injection, the rear end of the stem 26. The spring biased position limiting pin 34 in the hollow compartment 33 at the end of the tooth 80 of the direction control sleeve 18 in order to displace the sleeve.
Is moved into contact with. That is, the position limiting pin 34 is retained by the piston stem 26 so that the channel 32 extends longitudinally of the stem 26 from the pin 34.
The sleeve control member 36 of the pin 34 projecting inward is moved into engagement with the teeth 80 projecting radially inward into the sleeve housing 12 and, as previously described, from the sleeve 18 into the channel 32. Therefore, the sleeve control member 36 of the position limiting pin 34 pushes the teeth 80 of the direction control sleeve 18 axially through the channel 32, whereby the sleeve 18 is shown in its initial position in FIG. 8 (shown in phantom in FIG. 10). It is displaced from the position to the advanced position in the sleeve housing 12 to the distal end. With the steering sleeve 18 moved to the distally advanced position, as shown, the piston stem 26 (see FIG.
Of the leaf spring 21 will allow the stem to be pulled through the sleeve 18 to the proximal end.

More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 11, advancement of the steering sleeve 18 through the housing 12 to the distal end causes the free end 79 of the leaf spring 21 (as shown in FIG. 8). Peripheral direction control groove 30 of the piston stem 26
Would be lifted from its previous receipt into one of the. That is, due to its spherical shape, the sleeve 18 slides under the free end 79 of the spring 21, so that the free end 79 is disengaged from the groove 30 and rests on the top of the sleeve 18 and the piston stem. 26
Will be removed from its receiving by the groove 30 of. It will thus be seen that the leaf spring 21 no longer prevents the withdrawal of the one-way piston stem 26 in the proximal direction through the sleeve 18 (in the direction of the reference arrow 82). However, with the sleeve 18 advanced to the distal end in the housing 12 with respect to the opposing leaf spring 20, the free end 77 of the spring 20 forms a stop therein and (opposite that shown by reference arrow 82). Direction) will fall from the sleeve 18 and into one of the direction control grooves 30 of the piston stem 26 so as to prevent advancement of the stem 26 through the direction control sleeve 18 to the distal end. Therefore, the piston stem 26 can again move through the sleeve 18 in only one (ie, near-end) direction.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the pulling force causes the piston stem to move in the direction control sleeve 18
Piston stem 26 so that it can be pulled through to the proximal end.
Given to. The piston stem 26 is the piston 52
Stem 26 through the sleeve 18 as it is connected to the dosing module 46 of the needle / dosing cartridge 50 at
To the proximal end of the dosing module causes a corresponding retraction of the dosing module 46 from the needle module 42, because FIG.
This is because the needle module 42 is retained by the needle module stop 7 at the distal end of the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2, as previously described with reference to FIG. The needle cannula 44 coupled to the end of the dosing module 46 has the needle module 42 with the dosing module 46 pulled to the proximal end and out of the needle module 42.
Is drawn into.

As previously mentioned, cannula 44 has a tilted alignment with respect to the longitudinal axis of needle module 42 and barrel 4. Accordingly, the needle centering device 58, whose previously retained cannula 44 is in coaxial alignment with the module 32, is moved through the needle module 42 while the medication module 46 performs the injection (shown in FIG. 7). Cannula 44 will exhibit such a tilted alignment in module 42, as it will sometimes slide backwards along said cannula.

When the one-way piston stem 26 is retracted to its closest position in the barrel 4 and through the direction control sleeve 18 (so that the cannula 44 is fully retracted into the needle module 42). ), Sleeve 18
11 from the position shown in FIG. 11 where advancement of the stem 26 to the distal end is impeded to the position moved to the proximal end of FIG. 13 where the stem 26 may be advanced through the sleeve 18 again to the distal end. And axially moved along the stem 26. More specifically, and with simultaneous reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the distal end of the longitudinally extending guide channel 32 of the stem 26 as the piston stem 26 is retracted to its most proximal position in the barrel 4. The wall 84 is moved into contact with the teeth 80 projecting inwardly from the direction control sleeve 18 into the channel 32, thereby causing the sleeve to be displaced through the sleeve housing 12 to the proximal end. That is, the end wall 84 of the guide channel 32 is moved toward and engages the tooth 80 as the piston stem 26 is retracted through the sleeve 18 to the proximal end. Thus, the end wall 84 pushes the tooth 80 so that the sleeve 18 may be retracted relative to the piston stem through the directional control sleeve 18 to the proximal end (shown in phantom in FIG. 13). The distal end position is displaced through the sleeve housing 12 to the proximal end where it has been moved to the proximal end where the retraction of the stem 26 to the proximal end is prevented. In its most proximal position on barrel 4, piston stem 26 is disengaged from its piston 52 (best shown in FIG. 13).

The proximal end to which the directional control sleeve 18 is moved within the sleeve housing 12 as the piston stem 26 is retracted through the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2 toward its proximal end position. The position repositioned to (as shown in FIG. 13) is
It will be appreciated that this corresponds to the initial position of the sleeve 18 in the housing 12 described above with reference to FIG. Thus, with the sleeve 18 returned to the relatively proximal position of FIGS. 8 and 13, the one-way piston stem 26 is released from its engagement with the leaf spring 20 (of FIG. 11), Allowing the stem to once again be advanced through barrel 4 and sleeve 18 in one direction (ie, distal). The cooperation of the directional control sleeve 18 and the leaf springs 20 and 21 with the piston stem 26 to allow the distal movement of the stem 26 through the barrel 4 and the sleeve 18 to the proximal end thereof. What hinders the retraction of the has already been discussed in detail, so such cooperation will not be presented again.

In FIG. 14 of the drawings, the unidirectional piston stem 26, whose advancement is now possible in the direction of the distal end, during which retraction in the direction of the proximal end is prevented
Once again, it is pushed through the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2 to the distal end (at its thumb cap 40 and in the direction of the reference arrow 86). Piston stem 26
The force applied to the far end is transferred to the piston 52,
Thereby, the empty dosing module 46 and the needle cannula 44 attached thereto are replaced by the needle / dosing module 50.
Is advanced through the needle module 42 to the far end. Since the needle cannula 44 is positioned diagonally within the needle module 42, it is moved toward and in contact with the shield groove 66 at the distal end of the module 42 (the barrel in which the injection was made). (As opposed to being returned to the extended position associated with 4). Because of this, the cannula 44 is axially collapsed and thereby crushed against the non-penetrable shield groove 66 of the needle module 42, thus rendering it non-reusable. After the cannula 44 is crushed, an additional distal pushing force is applied to the thumb cap 40 of the piston stem 26 (in the direction of the reference arrow 86), passing through the directional control sleeve 18 and slightly moving the stem 26. Cause the progression to the far end. Such pushing force to the distal end is transferred from the thumb cap 40 to the needle / medication cartridge 50 through the piston stem 26 and piston 52, and correspondingly the cartridge 50 travels a short distance through the barrel 4. Cause things. The piston stem 26 is the sleeve 1
Note that as it is pushed through 8 to the distal end, the steering sleeve 18 will be returned to the relatively distal position within the sleeve housing 12 (as described when referring to FIG. 11). Will be done. Sleeve 18
Is already at the distal end of its housing 12, thus preventing any repositioning of the sleeve through the housing to any further intended distal end. Therefore, the pushing force applied to the thumb cap 40 to the far end is
Also, engagement of the sleeve control member 36 of the position limiting pin 34 with the teeth 80 of the sleeve 18 causes equal and opposite proximal forces to be generated, thereby causing hollowness of the thumb cap 40 and piston stem 26. The spring 38 between the limiting pins 34 in the compartment 33 is compressed. That is, as the piston stem 26 is pushed further through the direction control sleeve 18, the pin 34 remains stationary within the compartment 33, which causes the spring 38 to be compressed. In other words, the spring 38 facilitates the distal movement of the piston stem 26 without the corresponding distal movement of the steering sleeve 18.

Referring now to FIG. 15 of the drawings, wherein the needle / medication cartridge 50 is pushed into its distalmost position by the piston stem 26 within the barrel 4 of the cartridge activator 2, said cartridge is a spring. Aligned with the dosing module stop 90, and therefore withdrawing the cartridge 50 through the barrel 4 to the proximal end will be prevented. More specifically, and as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dosing module stop 90 is located on one side of the barrel 4 and has the needle module stop 7 positioned therein. Positioned in a recess formed on the opposite side of the barrel. Advancement of the cartridge 50 through the barrel 4 to the additional distal end (the thumb cap 40 of the piston stem 26 is shown in FIG.
Cartridge 50 when pressed to compress)
The dosing module 46 in the far end and past the stop 90. That is, the stop 90 is first rotated out of its groove in the barrel 4 by movement of the peripheral locking lip 54 of the dosing module 46 to the distal end. As soon as the dosing module 46 is moved past the stop 90, its vertical spring bias causes the stop to rotate through its groove and inwardly after the locking lip 54. The positioning of the dosing module stop 90 after the dosing module 46 and the needle module stop 7 after the needle module 42 keeps the needle / dosing cartridge 50 in its farthest position within the barrel 4 and passed through said barrel. Prevents repositioning of modules 42 and 46 to any near end.

Stops 7 and 90 pass through barrel 4 of cartridge activator 2 for needle / dose cartridge 50.
The cartridge 50 is ready to be removed from the barrel for disposal, precluding any repositioning of the modules 44 and 46 of FIG. More specifically, referring to FIG. 16 of the drawings, the piston stem 26 may be freely drawn to its proximal end position in the barrel 4 such that the stem 26 is once again pulled away from its piston 52. it can. Sleeve housing 1
The bridge 8 to which 2 is connected is rotated downwards (in the direction of the reference arrow 92) in relation to the barrel 4 in the manner previously described with reference to FIG. Thus, the sleeve housing 12 at one end of the bridge 8 is moved downward and out of alignment with the barrel axis, and the opposite end of the bridge 8 is passed through an opening 61 in the bottom of the barrel. Moved up. Opening 6
The upward movement of bridge 8 through 1 serves to automatically expel needle / medication cartridge 50 from barrel 4 through a longitudinally extending window 6 formed therein. Thus, the cartridge 50 is safely handled and discarded, and the needle cannula 44 is non-reusable and inaccessible therein, such that accidental needle sticks and the spread of infectious infections are beneficial. It will be avoided. Further, the safety device 1 of the present invention is ready to receive a new needle / medication cartridge 50 in a manner similar to that just described with reference to FIG. 3, so that other injections can be safely performed. Will be.

It will be appreciated that the needle / medication cartridge 50 is for single use only. Moreover, the activator instrument 1 cannot be reused until the cartridge 50 is removed from the barrel 4. However, the cartridge 50 cannot be removed from the barrel 4 until the injection is complete and the needle cannula 44 is destroyed. Since the piston stem 26 is unidirectional, aspiration of fluid is prohibited, thus preventing unauthorized and / or illegal use of the device 1.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a safety activator device of the invention and a fluid-filled needle / medication cartridge to be received therein.

2 shows the safety activator device and cartridge of FIG. 1 in their respective assembled configurations.

FIG. 3 is a view of a needle / medication cartridge mounted within the barrel of a safety activator device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view taken from FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view of a cartridge that can be moved through the barrel of a safety activator instrument toward the distal end, thereby injecting.

FIG. 6 shows the axial alignment and interconnection of the needle module and the dosing module of the needle / dosing cartridge held within the barrel of the safety activator device prior to performing the injection.

FIG. 7 is a view of a needle cannula extending outwardly from the barrel of a safety activator device, which allows fluid to be expelled from the needle / medication cartridge through the cannula during injection.

FIG. 8 shows a sleeve housing of a barrel of a safety activator instrument in which a direction control sleeve cooperates with and is moved by a piston stem to control the direction in which the piston stem is moved through the barrel. It is the sectional view which passed.

FIG. 9 shows a sleeve housing of a barrel of a safety activator instrument in which a direction control sleeve cooperates with and is moved by a piston stem to control the direction in which the piston stem is moved through the barrel. It is the sectional view which passed.

FIG. 10 shows a directional control sleeve cooperating with and moved by a piston stem through a sleeve housing of a barrel of a safety activator instrument for controlling the direction in which the piston stem is moved through the barrel. FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a sleeve housing of a barrel of a safety activator instrument in which a direction control sleeve cooperates with and is moved by a piston stem to control the direction in which the piston stem is moved through the barrel. It is the sectional view which passed.

FIG. 12: Needle / bar in the safety activator instrument barrel after injection has been completed and the needle cannula has been pulled back into it.
FIG. 6 is a view of a medication cartridge.

FIG. 13 shows a sleeve housing of a barrel of a safety activator instrument in which a direction control sleeve cooperates with and is moved by a piston stem to control the direction in which the piston stem is moved through the barrel. It is the sectional view which passed.

FIG. 14 shows the needle / medication cartridge in the barrel of the safety activator device after the needle cannula has been collapsed and destroyed to avoid reuse therein.

FIG. 15: A needle / retained in the barrel of a safety activator instrument after injection is complete and the dosing module has been moved through the needle module to break the needle cannula.
FIG. 7 is a view of a portion of the medication cartridge.

FIG. 16 shows a needle / medication cartridge that is discarded from the barrel of the safety activator instrument after the injection is complete and the cannula has been pulled back into the cartridge, destroyed and shielded.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Safety Module-Activator Reshielding Instrument 4 Barrel 26 Piston Stem 44 Needle Cannula 50 Needle / Medication Cartridge

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Clark Be Foster United States, 92677 California, Laguna Niger, Wakefield Court, 23631 (72) Inventor William H. Smedley United States, 92330 California, Lake Elsinore, Branch Drive, 33285 (72) Inventor John A. Lewys, Jr. USA, 92626 Costa Mesa, California, Polarino Avenyu, 550, Number G 103

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A syringe assembly for performing an injection of fluid, the fluid-filled cartridge having a needle cannula protruding from one end thereof and a piston positioned at the opposite end thereof. A hollow barrel having an open proximal end and a distal end and receiving the cartridge therein, the needle cannula of the cartridge adapted to extend outwardly from the open distal end for performing an injection. And a piston stem attached to the piston of the cartridge through the open proximal end of the barrel and movable relative to each other through the barrel, the piston stem extending through the barrel to the distal end. Moved to correspondingly move the piston through the cartridge and expel fluid therefrom through the cannula, the piston stem being injected At the end of the barrel to move proximally through the barrel to retract the cannula inward of the barrel for receipt within the cartridge, the syringe assembly engaging the piston stem. Controlling the movement of the piston stem through the barrel to the far end and the near end,
As such, movement of the piston stem through the barrel to the proximal end is impeded while the stem is moved distally through the barrel to eliminate fluid content of the cartridge, and A syringe characterized by directional control means through which distal movement of the piston stem therethrough is prevented while the stem is moved proximally through the barrel to retract the cannula into the cartridge. assembly. 2. The piston stem has a series of axially spaced grooves formed therein, and the direction control means includes a projection means, the projection means comprising at least one of the grooves. One of which is to be received and is movable into a continuous groove of the piston stem as the stem is moved through the barrel in relation to the projecting means, Receiving the projecting means permits movement to the distal end but prevents movement of the stem through the barrel to the proximal end and allows movement to the proximal end but of the stem through the barrel. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein movement to the distal end is impeded. 3. The protruding means of the direction control means includes a pair of oppositely protruding direction control fingers, one or the other of the fingers having the stem moved through the barrel to a distal end. Received in the groove of the piston stem depending on whether it is moved to the near end, one of the directional fingers allows movement of the piston stem through the barrel to the far end but prevents movement to the near end. A second one of said directional control fingers projecting in a first direction for reception in said groove and permitting movement of said piston stem through said barrel to a proximal end but at a distal end. 3. The syringe assembly of claim 2, projecting in a direction opposite to the first finger for receipt within the groove to prevent movement into the groove. 4. The directional control means also includes a sleeve through which the piston stem is movable during movement of the stem through the barrel toward and distally and proximally of the stem, The sleeve has the first stem formed by the stem.
And one or the other of the fingers within the groove of the piston stem depending on the direction towards or away from the distal end of the stem moving through the barrel and the second directional control finger. The syringe assembly of claim 3, wherein 5. The piston stem has a longitudinally extending channel formed therein, a first sleeve control surface formed at one end of the channel, and an opposite end of the channel. A second sleeve control surface formed on the barrel, the sleeve having teeth extending into the channel, the first and second sleeve control surfaces of the channel having the piston stem at the barrel. At its distal end and as it moves between its furthest and distal positions, the sleeve is alternately moved into contact with the teeth of the sleeve, which is associated with the first and second direction control fingers. And repositioning thereby moving one or the other of the fingers into receipt by a groove in the piston stem, such that the stem is moved through the barrel. 5. The syringe assembly of claim 4, for controlling the. 6. The barrel has a window extending between its proximal and distal ends, the assembly comprising:
2. The method of claim 1 further characterized by means for expelling the cartridge through the window and out of the barrel after the injection is complete and the cannula has been retracted into the cartridge. Syringe assembly. 7. Removably positioned across the open proximal end of the barrel to prevent the cartridge from being removed therethrough after the cartridge is received in the barrel. 7. The syringe assembly of claim 6, further characterized by: 8. A further feature of arm means, wherein one end of said arm means is articulated to said closure means and the opposite end of said arm means is pivotally articulated to said barrel, 8. The syringe assembly of claim 7, wherein the arm means is rotatable with respect to the barrel to remove the closure means from its proximal end. 9. The pivotally connected end of the arm means further comprises an opening formed through the barrel and positioned opposite the window, wherein the injection is complete and the cannula is the cartridge. 9. The activator device of claim 8, wherein the activator device is rotatable through the opening and into the barrel to drive the cartridge out of the barrel through the window after being retracted therein. 10. The means for expelling the cartridge includes arm and hinge means for thereby pivotally attaching the arm to the barrel,
The arm is rotatable in the hinge means such that a portion of the arm is moved into the barrel and into contact with the cartridge therein to push the cartridge through the window and out of the barrel. 7. The syringe assembly of claim 6, wherein: 11. A syringe assembly for performing an injection, the dosing module comprising a fluid dosing supply.
A needle cannula extending from a distal end of the dosing module and in communication with a fluid supply therein, a piston positioned at a proximal end of the module, enclosing and shielding the cannula of the dosing module, A dosing module and a hollow needle module axially aligned and articulated to the dosing module, the needle module comprising: the dosing module to allow the dosing module to slide relative to each other. A cartridge having a distal end and a proximal end, the barrel having a distal end and a proximal end received therein, and a barrel connected to the piston of the dosing module and passing through the barrel to the distal end. Moved so that the dosing module slides through the needle module to the distal end and thereby moves the needle cannula into its distal end. A piston stem for advancing outside of the barrel through an opening in and driving the piston distally through the dosing module for injecting its fluid through the cannula, A piston stem slides the dosing module proximally through the needle module to retract the cannula inside the barrel so that it is shielded again within the needle module after injection is complete. A syringe assembly including an activator device moved through the barrel to a proximal end.