NZ204266A - Injection gun with retractable nose piece which stretches skin at injection site - Google Patents

Description

204266 -1- - ,-aiWI984-] Xfp. xi*2/ ;NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 195 3 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL NO: 204266 DATED: 17 May 1983. ;AN APPLICATOR ;WE, WELLCOME NEW ZEALAND LIMITED, a New Zealand company of Great South Road, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- ;204266 ;-2- ;BACKGROUND TO INVENTION The present invention relates to an applicator and in particular to an applicator including a proboscis, the applicator being suitable for applying matter such as vaccines and the like, which are required to be 5 applied by way of injection. ;The present invention has particular application to the application of vaccines to animals such as sheep, cattle, pigs and the like. It should be appreciated however, that the invention has equal application to the 10 application by way of injection, of matter such as vaccines, to humans .- ;Reference will be made throughout the specification to "matter to be applied" and it should be appreciated that 15 this covers vaccines, liquid foodstuffs and other matter that may be applied by way of injection. ;Up until this time, when using needles to apply matter to animals and the like, various problems have arisen. For example, it has always been dangerous from 20 the point of view of people using applicators, and also dangerous from the point of view of people or animals, ;being injected, that exposed needles have often broken off before, during or after application. This has caused infection and discomfort, as well as being 25 generally inefficient and expensive. ;It has also been a problem, that it has often been necessary and indeed difficult to hold an animal still while applying vaccine. For example, it has been necessary to first hold the animal, thereafter positioning a ;2042QG ;-3- ;needle in the correct or desired position, then entering the needle into the animal and thereafter actuating some appropriate means (such as a trigger or plunger), to cause matter to be applied to be injected into the 5 animal through the needle. This has been difficult and time consuming. ;In order to overcome or at least minimise this problem, it has been suggested, such as in our New Zealand patent specification No. 199049/201756, that an applicat-10 or be provided which includes an applicator head having a chamber and needle, the needle being at least partially surrounded by a covering or proboscis which is capable of axial movement relative to the needle. ;Valving means are provided in between the chamber and 15 the needle, and the proboscis is so mounted relative to the chamber and needle, that on predetermined axial movement of the proboscis relative to the needle, the proboscis actuates the valving between the chamber and needle, allowing a measure or shot of matter to be 20 applied to pass from the chamber and through the needle. ;Thus, in use, a user grips the applicator with one hand and places the end of the proboscis against tne skin of the animal, thereafter applying a downward motion or moment, which in turn causes the proboscis to move 25 axially up over the needle, this exposing the needle and actuating valving to allow a shot to pass through the needle, to thereafter pass into the animal, to deliver the required shot or measure. ;k " j ... v, ...j. . ;204266 ;-4- ;The covers or form of proboscis used up until this time have generally been substantially tapered or conical in formation having a substantially flat end portion which is placed against the skin of the animal, 5 the downward pressure then being applied to cause the proboscis to move axially back over the needle, allowing the needle to pass into the animal. It has been found that in applying the end of the proboscis to 10 the skin or surface of the animal, and on a downward pressure being applied thereto, the skin or tissue of the animal, under the end of the proboscis, has been compressed and "placed under pressure immediately adjacent and underneath the end of the proboscis, where the 15 needle is to enter the tissue and immediately adjacent the area where the shot or measure of vaccine is to exit from the end of the needle. ;It has been found that this compression of tissue about and adjacent the needle and end of the needle, 20 compresses adjacent tissue such as to detract from the efficient entry of the needle, and the efficient diffusion of matter exiting from the end of the needle. The compressed tissue about the end of tie needle has also required a greater amount of force to be exerted in 25 delivering a shot or measure of vaccine from the chamber through the needle. ;While the above do not prevent use of the applicator, they do detract from the overall efficiency and operation of the applicator. ;-5- ;204266 ;SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ;It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome or at least minimise these problems. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. ;According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a proboscis for use with a needle or an applicator for matter to be applied; said proboscis being adapted in use to at least partially surround said needle; including one or more pressure members which extend outwardly and forwardly of said proboscis; the arrangement being such that in use, said one or more pressure members contact tissue adjacent to, but spaced apart from, a point of entry of said needle, prior to and during penetration of said needle, so as to substantially relieve compression of tissue adjacent an entry point of said needle. ;According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided an applicator including an applicator head with a chamber and needle; valving being provided between said chamber and needle being at least partially surrounded by a proboscis which is adapted for axial movement over and relative to said needle; one or more pressure members being provided and extending outwardly and forwardly of said proboscis; the arrangement being such that in use, said one or more pressure members contact tissue adjacent to, but spaced apart from, a point of entry of said needle, prior to and during penetration of said needle, so as to substantially relieve compression of tissue adjacent an entry point of said needle. ;This invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying draw ;BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS ;o ;6632 ;© ;c o ;204266 ;-6- ;ings wherein: ;Figure 1: is a side view of an applicator housing. ;Figure 2: is an exploded side view of an 5 applicator head according to one form of this invention. ;Figure 3: is a plan view of an applicator head according to one form of the invention. ;10 Figure 4: is a perspective view of a proboscis according to one form of the present invention. ;DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As referred to hereinbefore, an arrangement for 15 applying vaccine and the like by means of an applicator, has been described and claimed for example in our New Zealand patent specification No.199049/201756. ;In our said patent specification No. 199049/201756 an arrangement for applying matter such as vaccine and the 20 like is disclosed and claimed, which includes the use of a proboscis which is herein generally defined as a housing or covering, (such as a protective housing or cov ering) which at least partially covers the needle of an applicator and which is so mounted relative to the 25 needle that it is adapted for, and capable of, axial movement over and relative to, the needle. ;In experimentation, it has been found that when the end 2 of the proboscis 1 is placed against the skin or the wool of an animal, and a downward pressure is ;204266 ;7 ;applied thereto, the contact of the end 2 of the proboscis 1 against the skin of the animal has compressed the skin and tissue; this has, in turn, localised pressure around, about and below the skin area, against which the end 2 of the proboscis 1 is placed. This in turn has caused the tissue of the animal to be compressed around the area through which a needle will enter and into which matter to be applied will be exited from the needle. For example vaccine and the like. This therefore has detracted from the efficient spread of vaccine within the animal and within the tissue of the animal. The compression of the skin and tissue has also detracted from the effective entry and withdrawal of the needle. It has also meant that in some cases a greater force is required to cause matter such as vaccine, to pass into the animal through the needle, from a connected chamber holding a shot or measure of vaccine or matter to be applied. ;the proboscis 1 will be seen as being a substantially tapered or cone shaped member, having a flat end 2 and being mounted about the needle 3, so as to be capable of axial movement relative to the needle 3. The proboscis 1 is provided with a substantially inner chamber 4 within a skirt C , within which the needle is housed. ;The proboscis 1 has an outer wall section 5, ;section 6. The inner skirt 6 has an ;Referring therefore to the accompanying drawings, ;7 which forms valve actuating means, ;\ ;2042SS ;m ;5 ;o ;10 ;r~- ;15 20 ;o ;25 ;so that on the proboscis moving axially rearwardly of the needle, such as in the direction of arrow "A" in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, (and against the bias of spring 8), the end 7 of the skirt 6 defining the inner tubular chamber 4 of the proboscis 1, will come into contact with valve actuating means 10 which will open valving 11 between the needle 3 and a chamber 13 (to be referred to hereinafter). ;The chamber 13 is connected to the needle 3 by appropriate valving 11, the needle 3 passing through a needle housing support 14, which may be integrally formed with a forward wall of the chamber 13, which also mounts the valve acutating means 10 associated with the chamber. ;The needle support 14 has a bore 14a through which the needle passes, and outwardly extending bearing members or plates 15, which extend outwardly and radially thereof, and which serve to move with (and guide the needle support 14 within) the inner chamber portion 4 of the proboscis 1. ;In use therefore, when the proboscis 1 moves axially relative to the needle 3, the skirt wall 6 of the inner chamber 4 of the proboscis 1, slides over the bearing members 15, until the end 7 of the inner skirt 6 comes into contact with the valve actuating means 10. This opens the valve 11 between the needle 3 and the ;^hamber 13 and allows a measure or shot of matter to be ;/ Qfifcl AVW L - 7.1- ;from the chamber 13 through the needle 3. ;- 9 - ;2Q426& ;The chamber has at least one moveable wall 20, which is preferably in the form of diaphragm 20, attached to actuating means, to enable it to move inwardly and outwardly of the chamber 13. If desired a piston or plunger can be used. 5 The chamber 13 is also connected by appropriate valving ;(such as non-return valve 21), to a reservoir 22 such as a vaccine reservoir. ;In one form of the invention, on the moveable wall 20 of the chamber 13, being drawn rearwardly, or moving rearwardly, 10 a shot or measure of vaccine is drawn up from the reservoir 22 through the non-return valve 21, into the chamber 13. On the chamber filling with a measure or shot of vaccine, the nonreturn valve 21 will close and the shot or measure of vaccine will be held in the chamber 13 between the closed valves 11 15 and 21. On the proboscis 1 moving axially and rearwardly relative to the needle, an end thereof will contact the valve actuating means 10, and the valving 11 between the chamber 13 and the needle 3 will open, this permitting the shot or measure of vaccine to be moved out of the chamber and through 20 the needle. ;In one form of the invention, the moveable wall 20 can be spring biased into a position in which it is normally cweeci ;~"2i uj-eet- inwardly of the chamber, this spring bias adding a force, or "surge" to the measure or shot of vaccine as it ;25 moves out of the chamber 13 and through the needle 3. ;In a further form of the invention (Figure 1 of the ;^^drawings), applicator means 36 including a trigger or ^ operating handle 37 are provided, such that on the ;\ ^©proboscis 1 moving rearwardly and axially of the needle ;\0 , „•: *>' 204266 -10" 3 to open the valving 11 between the chamber 13 and needle 3, the trigger or handle is actuated this moving the diaphragm or movable wall 20 of the chamber 13 inwardly of the chamber 13 and assisting and urging the 5 measure or shot of vaccine outwardly of the chamber 13 and through the needle 3.

In the form of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings an upper bleed hole or outlet 26 is provided leading into the chamber 13, a replaceable closure or cap means, being provided, so that chamber 13 can be bled or adjusted if desired.

In one form of the invention and to prevent excess movement of the proboscis 1, relative to the chamber 13, a connecting clip 29 is provided at the top of the 15 proboscis 1, being provided with a keyhole slot 30 which engages over the top of the bleed hole outlet 26. This then connects the proboscis 1 and the chamber 13 and prevents excess movement such as lateral or rotational movement of the proboscis 1 relative to the chamber 13 20 and needle 3. The longitudinal slot 32 provides for axial movement of the proboscis relative to the chamber (at the same time as it is moving axially relative to the needle) and the offset section 33 of the slot 32 provides for limited lateral or rotational movement if desired, 1 25 but prevents excess lateral or rotational movement.

In order to avoid or minimise the compression of //&' N^he skin or tissue about, adjacent or underneath O' e end 2 of the proboscis 1, and about or adjacent the \ . ^^entry of the needle 3 into the skin or tissue of an -- animal, one or more pressure members 4 0 are provided at or adjacent the end of the proboscis, which extend outwardly and forwardly of the end of the proboscis.

Thus, on the applicator being used to apply matter to an animal, said one or more pressure members 40 will come into contact with the skin or tissue of the animal before the end 2 of the proboscis 1, and before the needle 3. This then will spread and de-centralise the compressive forces from around the end of the proboscis and the needle, thus avoiding the compression of the tissue which has caused problems up until this time.

The application of the proboscis with one or more pressure members extending outwardly therefrom, will also cause the tissue or skin about the intended point of needle entry, to be tensioned. The tensioned tissue or skin will thus aid and assist needle penetration. In addition such tensioning may also assist in the sub dermal dispersion of injected material.

It is also found that by utilising such one or more pressure members, the use thereof against the tissue or skin of the animal prevents or at least minimises, lateral sliding movement of the proboscis across the hide of the animal. As will be appreciated, such lateral sliding movement could well cause or contribute to the bending, breaking or deforming of a needle.

This is avoided or at least minimised by the use of the present invention.

In one form of the invention two spaced apart fins 40 extend outwardly from and forwardly of, j 204266 the proboscis 1, such that they will first come into contact with the skin of the animal on use of a proboscis. On coming into contact with -the skin the fins 40 will localise an area of skin in which the skin and ti-5 ssue is not compressed (as by immediate contact with the end 2 of the proboscis 1), to allow for easy entry of the needle and easy dispersion of matter to be applied.

It is felt that a plurality of such fins, spaced apart about the end of the proboscis, is advantageous.

If desired however, only one such fin can be used.

In a further form of the invention (but not shown in the accompanying drawings), a pressure skirt member can be provided extending outwardly and forwardly of the forward end of the proboscis.

While reference is made to fins and a pressure skirt member, these references are by way of example only. It should be appreciated that other forms of one or more pressure members can be used.

It has been found that the proboscis 1 can be made in 20 different forms having different lengths of protrusion 40. For example differing lengths of fins 40. By using fins 40 of differing lengths, it will be appreciated that differing depths of needle penetration can be achieved, by using different forms of the proboscis.

It is preferable that the one or more pressure members are integrally formed with the body of the proboscis. The integral formation of the one or more pressure members, allows for a particularly efficient and straight forward operation of an applicator. It also O 25 2C426S allows for the efficient location of the proboscis (and penetration of the needle), in particular, it should be appreciated that it is advantageous to be able to position the proboscis with the pressure member(s) 5 against the skin or tissue of an animal, without the need or requirement to position or adjust a number of different integers. This problem is overcome or diminished substantially by the unitary formation of the proboscis and the one or more pressure member (s) . 10 As indicated it has been found in use that the use of such one or more pressure members causes an area of skin or tissue to be localised, in which the skin or tissue is not compressed in the manner described hereinbefore, such as to detract from the efficient operation 15 of the applicator and the efficient dispersion of matter from within the applicator.

It has been further found in experimentation that the use of the one or more pressure members, extending outwardly and forwardly of the proboscis, assists in 20 allowing the effective entry of the needle into the animal, and the effective dispersion of matter within the animal, in comparison with problems that have arisen due to the compression of the skin and tissue when the end of a proboscis was placed directly against the skin 25 of the animal, and a downward pressure applied thereto. The one or more pressure members remove the pressure 204266 outwardly and away from the position immediately adjac -ent and below the entry point of the needle and thus allow for a more straight forward and effective entry of the needle and dispersion of matter from the needle.

It should be appreciated that modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A proboscis for use with a needle of an applicator for matter to be applied; said proboscis being adapted in use to at least partially surround said needle; including one or more pressure members which extend outwardly and forwardly of said proboscis; the arrangement being such that in use, said one or more pressure members contact tissue adjacent to, but spaced apart from, a point of entry of said needle, prior to and during penetration of said needle, so as to substantially relieve compression of tissue adjacent an entry point of said needle.

2. A proboscis as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said one or more pressure members are integrally formed with said proboscis.

3. A proboscis as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said one or more pressure members are in the form of at least two fins extending outwardly and . . forwardly of said proboscis.

4. A proboscis as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said one or more pressure members include a pressure skirt extending outwardly and forwardly of a forward end of said proboscis.

5. An applicator including an applicator head^with a chamber and needle; valving j-lke. being provided between said chamber and needle^being at least partially surrounded l&'VP , by a proboscis which is adapted for axial movement over and relative to said needle; one or more pressure members being provided and extending outwardly and forwardly of said proboscis; the arrangement being such that in use, said one or more pressure members contact tissue adjacent to, but spaced apart from, a point of entry of said needle, prior to and during penetration of said needle, so as to substantially relieve compression of tissue adjacent an entry point of said needle. 20^266 -16

6. An applicator as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said one or more pressure members are in the form of pressure fins, which extend outwardly and forwardly of said proboscis.

7. An applicator as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said one or more pressure members are in the form of a pressure skirt extending outwardly and forwardly of the forward end of said proboscis.

8. An applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, wherein said one or more pressure members are integrally formed with said proboscis.

9. An applicator as claimed in Claim 5, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A proboscis as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as herein described, with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings. WELLCOME NEW ZEALAND LIMITED By Their Attorneys, BALDWIN] SON <Sc CAREY 6624 i* T £ A/ j: