WO2009136193A1

WO2009136193A1 - Rotary needle dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2009136193A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/050469
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas Harrison
Original assignee: Nicholas Harrison
Priority date: 2008-05-06
Filing date: 2009-05-06
Publication date: 2009-11-12
Also published as: GB0907733D0; GB0808158D0; GB2459772A

Abstract

A rotary needle or needle cartridge dispenser (14) is configured as a slim or shallow-depth flattened face but otherwise smooth rounded ovoid form with a series of radial compartments (21 ) for needles, a perimeter access aperture (13) for sequential presentation of individual chamber contents, say to an injector pen with a mating (say screw-fit) interface; the dispenser is advanced to allow access to the next available chamber by an axial push button actuator (12) or by rotation of an internal carousel in relation to an outer housing; a ratchet index mechanism inhibits access to a chamber once re-loaded with a used needle; such a compact provision for storage of both fresh supplies and discarded needles with access control is convenient for use in the context of diabetic treatment.

Description

ROTARY NEEDLE DISPENSER

This invention relates to rotary dispensers and is particularly but not exclusively concerned with a dispenser for use in relation to (syringe) injection needle storage and disposal upon discard. Used needles (or so-called 'sharps') represent a potential contamination and health hazard and pose a disposal problem, which the present invention addresses.

Injector Pen

It is convenient to use a pre-charged, modular cartridge or capsule format syringe, commonly known as injector pens, with de-mountable needles or needle cartridges (i.e. needles in protective sheaths or cases).

With a sufficient reservoir chamber charge capacity, such an injector pen can be used repeatedly for multiple successive injections, of variable measured or metered dosage, upon intervening (sterilised) needle change for hygiene and cross-infection avoidance considerations. Injector pens are well-established for use in common self-stabilising or regulating treatments, such as diabetes, requiring a periodic (insulin) injection.

Combination Pen

Combination injector pens with integrated needles are also known in which a syringe reservoir and embedded spring-loaded plunger needle are fitted in a common chamber with a separation membrane punctured upon actuation.

These have a role principally for single fixed dosage injection, appropriate for occasional, one-off or ad hoc emergency use. A proprietary example is a so-called 'EPI-PEN', for injection of epinephrine in cases of anaphylactic shock.

Terminology - Dispenser The term 'dispenser' is used herein for convenience to embrace both container storage and dispenser roles.

Prefacing Statement of Invention

In certain aspects of the present invention the dispenser serves for multiple fresh or unused contents retention and selective discharge and return for temporary storage until disposal.

More specifically, embodiments of the invention are configured for personal storage, presentation, dispensing and disposal of hypodermic needles or sharps.

In a particular construction, indexed presentation of contents is envisaged, for ease of access to fresh or unused needles and return of used needles for disposal. Diabetes Treatment

A particular use is by patients requiring regular (daily), patient administered injections - such as insulin as part of a patient treatment plan for managing either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes conditions.

With Type 1 Diabetes, insulin is not produced by the body in the correct quantities, or even at all. Instead a synthetic form is injected to substitute for and so remedy artificially the natural deficiency. A patient is able to self-manage their condition by monitoring their own blood sugar levels and injecting with insulin as required - typically 2 to 4 times per day.

With Type 2 Diabetes, insulin is either not produced in sufficient quantities or resistance is developed. Blood sugar levels are controlled by the patient and insulin injections may be necessary.

Needle

For every injection a fresh, sterile needle must be used and then disposed of safely after use. By virtue of its skin penetration role, and long slender profile, a needle is awkward to handle without attendant risk of inadvertent skin penetration. A certain manual dexterity is required in fitting a fresh hypodermic needle to preface each occasion of use.

Fitting Interface

A quick-connect, say screw-threaded, fitting interface is provided between reservoir and needle, with the needle carried until required for use in a protective cartridge, cap or sheath which, once the reservoir is connected, only need be removed to expose the needle just prior to injection.

Sharps Bin

A cumbersome 'sharps' bin is used for immediate disposal of needles and ultimately the sharps bin is returned to an appropriate collection point, such as a pharmacy, hospital or doctors surgery.

Sharps bins provided on NHS prescription to Diabetic patients typically consist of a brightly coloured (red and yellow) bucket, with a typical capacity 0.5I to 5I. Smaller sharps bins, around the size of a soft drinks can, are available but again are brightly coloured, printed with hazardous waste messages and as such are unpopular with teenagers.

Stick Injury

A risk of needle stick injury arises upon exposure of a needle from a needle carrier case and remains present throughout, but the risk is significantly raised in certain situations. Social factors of privacy and social acceptability without intrusive presence are other considerations towards a discrete packaging solution.

When out and about a diabetic sufferer may be unable or unwilling to carry a standard 'sharps' bin, given its inconvenient size or unprepossessing appearance.

Particularly amongst status or image-conscious diabetic demographic a sharps bin is an undesirable accessory, either as it is aesthetically unpleasant, draws unwanted attention, or has an a negative stigma associated with drug use.

Commonly a less conspicuous vessel, albeit less suitable functionally, such as an empty drinks bottle or can is employed. Ultimately the needles would have to be transferred from the makeshift vessel to a official sharps bin or else the entire vessel disposed of in larger sharps bin. This is not an officially approved procedure of the injection practice, but a common reality.

In an extreme situation, if no sharps bin or substitute is available, a needle could be disposed of in an unsafe manner.

If insulin is required as matter of urgency and a subject patient is in hyperglycaemic state, attendant acute symptoms, including blurred vision and impaired cognitive ability, can hamper the patient's ability to safely carry out the injection - and so exacerbate the risk of needle stick injury.

It would be desirable to minimise the risk of needle stick injury aggravated in such circumstances, and provide a functional and stylish, even fashionable, solution to carrying needles and their disposal. Thus needle storage and disposal are important considerations. One aspect of the invention combines (needle) storage and disposal functions in an acceptable format.

The Applicant envisages that a sleek profile disposal unit could appeal to the age demographic of type 1 Diabetes, where onset typically occurs around the early teenage years.

Prior Art

Rotary, cylindrical drum profile container-dispensers with rotary index access have been proposed, such as US 5,873,462 and US 7,134,550 , However, these are not of a particularly compact unobtrusive format, so unsuitable for personal carriage and discrete use.

US 5,873,462 teaches a dispenser with rotating access to needles with top access. The device requires two handed use as the top cover needs to be rotated while the bottom half is in use. It is also unwieldy and overly-large due to the arrangement / distribution of the needle cartridges.

US 7,134,550 teaches a dispenser with radially arranged horizontal needle magazines, but is concerned more with ease of attaching needle to the injector pen, and requires two hands in order to rotate the opening position.

Supporting Statement(s) of Invention A rotary dispenser comprising a hollow shell housing a rotary internal carousel with a radial array of contents storage compartments for selective presentation to an access port in a shell wall. A rotary dispenser comprising a hollow storage chamber sub-divided into a series of individual compartments a compartment access port a rotary gate to regulate the port movable through a series of index positions.

In one construction rotary indexing of an outer housing in relation to an inner carousel configured for multiple individual contents storage is effected by a rotary control knob. In another push-button or linear axial drive construction, a needle or needle cartridge dispenser comprises a hollow housing, a plurality of radial storage chambers for needles or needle cartridges, disposed about a central column or pillar core, a peripheral access aperture in the housing; the chambers being rotatable as an assembly within the housing, to present successive chambers in turn to the access aperture; axial push-button actuation for indexed rotation through successive delivery stations to present fresh contents for access and allow return of used contents to an empty chamber.

Other actuation mechanisms or modes of operation might be contemplated, but a single-handed dispenser operation is convenient, with the other hand free to handle, position and orientate an injector pen.

Whatever the drive (i.e. rotary or linear axial), by presenting each chamber successively in turn, with a rotary gated shutter juxtaposed with an access port(al), a used needle can be returned to an empty chamber to preface indexed incremental rotation to present the next adjacent chamber and its contents for withdrawal through the access port.

The overall container profile is compact in diametral span and of slim-line depth for ease of pocket storage. This allows discrete use in public situations, such as restaurants. An slightly 'squashed' or flattened otherwise generally ovoid housing form with somewhat flattened opposite sides is convenient.

A modest, but deliberate, axial push down or squeeze-to-rotate action can be employed to transit between indexed positions.

An axial (drive transfer) pillar comprises telescopic axially inter-fitting tubular stems with a co-operatively interacting outer profile to serve as a rotary indexing and latch detent, such as a series of ramp tooth latch profiles engageable with a dog tooth operative between relative rotary parts.

Ancillaries

The device casing can house additional features and functionality, such as subject condition measurement and testing. Thus, for use in remedial diabetic treatment, an electronic blood-glucose monitor is envisaged.

Ancillary miniaturised electronic devices could include clock, diary and alarm functions, contact details insert, emergency call button, etc.

Simplified

A simplified 'passive' storage variant might also be contemplated in which the internal mechanism is considerably simplified by omission of the indexed presentation and retrieval access facility - preserving an attractive container format.

Patient Administered Injections

Further examples of patient-administered injections include growth hormones, thyroid hormones, radio-protectants (e.g. prescribed in conjunction with chemotherapy treatment), fertility drugs, gender re-assignment hormones, LMWH (low molecular weight Heparin) etc. Thus the present invention would have a wide applicability beyond management of Diabetic conditions.

Principal Elements

The principal elements and technique of injection into subcutaneous fat tissue are well known per se and so are not described in detail.

Traditionally, for diabetes treatment, these elements comprise, a syringe (with chamber measurement sub-division markings), a dosage container, such as a bottle of insulin, an alcohol cleanser / steriliser wipe (to clean the injection site and a chamber interface) along with a covered puncture-resistant needle discard container. The subject dispenser of the present invention serves as the needle discard container.

Disposable insulin pens are pre-filled with insulin. Re-usable pens are loaded with a new insulin cartridge when the old cartridge is progressively consumed by repeated injection sessions. Matching of adequate syringe capacity and dosage is monitored.

A de-mountable (injector pen) needle is attached and protective cap(s) removed before priming the pen, dialling in an injection dose and injecting, whereupon the needle is removed from the pen, disposed of and the pen cover replaced.

Bespoke needle removal devices are known, but the dispenser can feature a needle (de-)mounting interface, such as a screw fitting.

In good usage practice, pens are not carried with needle attached. Nor are needles re-used or interchanged with another user.

Rationale

The rationale and emphasis of the present invention is safe and proper needle sharps disposal by contriving a bespoke combined fresh needle dispenser and used needle disposal provision in a convenient unobtrusive compact portable format.

Embodiments

There now follows a particular embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which: Figures 1 through 4D depict a push-button axial indexed drive variant; whereas Figures 5A et seq. depict a rationalised rotary drive format.

Axial Indexed Drive

Figure 1 shows a perspective external assembly view of a closed (and optionally sealed) dispenser unit, with a circumferential access aperture displaying a reference indicia (e.g. numbered) blocking gate plate; a central axial push button actuator is used to open and close the access aperture by movement of an arcuate gate portion to present a next available internal chamber in sequence and inhibit re-use of a needle once returned for disposal to ensure that only fresh unused needles are presented; Figure 2 shows part cut-away, part-sectioned view of a split-shell casing of the dispenser of Figure 1 , with one (upper) casing shell removed to reveal key internal components in the other (lower) casing shell, including needle chambers part loaded with two needles or needle cartridges;

Figures 3A and 3B show local cross-section detail on a somewhat reduced scale for ease of illustration, of complementary mating upper and lower halves and rotary index action by spring loaded reciprocal push and release actuation; whilst Figure 3C sequence is on an enlarged scale better to illustrate local detail;

More specifically ...

Figure 3A shows a cross-section view along the line 3-3' in Figure 1 , revealing a central axial pivot column with axially inter-fitting mutually spring-biassed plunger elements interacting through a profiled outer wall;

Figure 3B shows the section of Figure 3A as pressure is applied to the button inset within the upper casing enacting a clockwise rotation of the inner wheel;

Figures 3C1 through 3C3 sequence shows local detail of the linear to rotary actuator drive mechanism using axially telescopically inter-fitting co-operatively interacting columns; a toothed outer profile of one plunger column defines an intervening steppe d rotary path which is traversed by a dog tooth or pawl on the other column; successive stages of ratchet index rotation of the central pivot column assembly are depicted under repeated push-pull action of the inter-fitting upper and lower column portions; thus repeated axial reciprocatory movement engenders a rotary traverse;

More specifically ... Figure 3C1 shows a drive transfer dog in an rotation inhibit position between successive teeth;

Figure 3C2 shows a drive transfer dog free to move between opposed teeth to allow relative rotation of the columns;

Figure 3C3 shows a drive transfer dog re-established in a rotation inhibit disposition between successive teeth;

Figures 4A through 4D show sequential steps of loading an injector pen with a fresh needle, intervening discharge of a used needle is not shown;

More specifically...

Figure 4A shows depression of the unit central actuator button and rotation of the inner carriage wheel to present the next aperture and access to a fresh needle;

Figure 4B shows lining up of an injector pen with an exposed chamber access aperture;

Figure 4C shows insertion of an injector pen into a chamber contents interface aperture an location and mounting of a needle, such as by screw rotation interaction; Figure 4D shows removal of an injector pen from the unit, with the needle now attached, and that dispenser needle chamber now vacant.

Rotary Indexed Drive

Figures 5 through 7D show a development of the Figures 1 A through 4D embodiment with a reduced or rationalised component count. More specifically ... Figure 5 shows a perspective or 3-D view of a rotary dispenser assembly; Figure 6A shows a plan view of the rotary dispenser assembly of Figure 5;

Figure 6B shows a side elevation of the rotary dispenser assembly of Figures 5 and 6A showing a side access port;

Figures 7A through 7E show an exploded 3D perspective view of the rotary dispenser assembly of Figures 5 through 6B;

More specifically ...

Figure 7A shows an upper housing shell;

Figure 7B shows a rotary control knob; Figure 7C shows an upper three-quarter perspective view of a carousel for multiple individual contents storage;

Figure 7D shows an underside three-quarter perspective view of the carousel of Figure 7C; Figure 7E shows an upper three-quarter perspective view of the inside of a lower housing shell;

Referring to the drawings ...

A needle or needle cartridge dispenser 14 is configured as a compact, shallow- depth, storage container of modest curved cylindrical or rather somewhat flattened ovoid disc profile. This represents a visually appealing and comfortable to handle outer form, consistent with a reasonably space-efficient inner storage capacity.

Internally is a radial array of internal storage chambers 21 of complementary inner form to a needle or needle cartridge to be accommodated. Chamber 21 internal access is controlled for either loading or unloading through the limited confines of a perimeter aperture serving as an access portal 13, with a movable closure shutter gate 33 to inhibit or enable access.

This represents provision for multiple needles 22 or needle cartridges 21 , 23 in a radial spoke storage configuration about a central axial column or spindle 24.

Each needle cartridge chamber 21 rests on a support 30 on a strut or spoke 31 , forming part of an inner wheel 41 , radiating out from the central column 24.

A needle cartridge end 23 fits into the scallop ledge of a collar 32 around the central column 24.

The access aperture 13 is aligned with cut-away portions of an inner wheel 41 , which features tracks or slots 40 to allow the needle cartridges 20, 21 23 to be slotted in and held in place, resistant against lateral and twisting forces incurred during transfer of the needle 22 onto the injector pen 80.

An outer casing with upper 10 and lower 11 portions fits around the spindle assembly, and features a single aperture 13 matching or complementary to the size and position of a needle cartridge opening 20. Figures 4A to 4B show operation of the unit, whereby a fresh needle 22 is is available to the user through the casing aperture 13.

The head of an injector pen 80 can be inserted into the aperture 13 once exposed by rotation of the gate 33; this to allow connection to and inter-coupling with a needle or needle cartridge 22. Upon connecting with the needle chamber 21 , a needle (or needle cartridge) 22 will be transferred to the injector pen needle interface 81 , which can now be withdrawn from the device ready for use. Dependant upon the proprietary injector pen utilised, a twisting motion may be required to secure the needle 21.

Following injection the user can then re-insert the injector pen 80 into the aperture 13 uncouple to release and eject a used needle 22 back into a vacant needle cartridge chamber 21.

Depressing the actuator push button 12 for a single 'click' will rotate the scalloped collar 32 and struts 31 , in turn indexing the needle cartridges clockwise one place. The user of the device will observe that the aperture 13 is now closed, having been covered by a juxtaposed local gate portion 33 of the inner wheel 41 .

In a particular embodiment of the invention insignia such as numbering 42 on the inner wheel 41 is visible though the aperture 13 indicating the remaining stock of unused needles 22 or needle cartridges 20,21 ,23.

When the next injection is due, another depression up to a ratchet controlled 'click' stop of the button 12 will again rotate the inner wheel 41 a single station, revealing the next needle cartridge 20,21 ,23 and a fresh needle 22.

Thus, the user is able to open and close the aperture 13 by depressing and releasing the button 12. Each time the aperture 13 is opened, a fresh needle 22 is presented until the supply is exhausted.

It is envisaged that the device will feature a final lock position, enacted by a ratchet abutment 61 , once the fresh needle supply is exhausted in order to prevent accidental reuse of needles. Figures 3A through 3C show cut-away view of the index rotation function, featuring an axial pushbutton actuator 12 return bias spring 50 disposed between the lower casing 11 and the central column 24.

Co-axial ratchet teeth 63 on the outside face of the central column 24 interact with an interlocking dog or pawl 60 on the inside face of the collar 32 to actuate a ratchet turn action upon relative movement of the central column 24.

Depressing the actuator button 12 forces down the central column 24 and the ratchet teeth 63. Relative to this the interlocking dog or pawl 60 of the collar 32 is subsequently lifted up out of a ratchet slot 64 and guided by the ratchet teeth 63 towards the space above the next adjoining ratchet slot 64. When the button 12 is released the dog 60 drops downwards and is guided by the ratchet teeth 63 along into the next ratchet slot 64 resulting in a rotation of the inner wheel 41.

As the collar turns the attached struts 31 , and supported needle cartridges 20, 21 , 23 are rotated. In one particular embodiment, a batch load of 8 needles cartridges are carried, and 16 index positions are cycled through (open aperture and closed gate in turn).

Referring to the Figs 5A et seq. embodiment ...

A split flattened ovoid form hollow shell housing 90 of complementary edge (Nm)- interfitting upper and lower half shells 91 , 100 which are held captive together by a co-operative interacting rim and/or hub retention profile with an internal contents carrier or carousel entrained in between.

Upper Housing

An upper housing cover or shell 91 with the profiled form of a shallow inverted open- top ended (to receive a control knob) bowl has a depending inner locator rim flange 92 set inboard of a progressive curved profile chamfered outer rim 93, both inner and outer rims being interrupted by a local gate opening 94 for contents access.

In the assembly, the inner rim 95 sits within a generally continuous circumferential slot 111 , locally interrupted by access ports 112, in a corresponding upstanding double flange of a rim upstand of a contents carrier carousel 110. Internal Carousel

An internal rotary drum carousel or carrier rack 110 for multiple individual contents (not shown) support features an upstanding outer peripheral rim 111 with an array of outer circumferential access ports 112 set about an upstanding central stem or spine hub 113 with a spider array of radial arms 114 designating storage compartments with respective. The hub 113 has a profiled lower outer periphery 115 for inboard end support of contents (not shown). A central internal keyway passage 116 interacts with the stem of a control knob 120. Lower Housing

A lower (half) shell 100 again is of a shallow bowl form with an internal base which incorporates a segmented serrated circumferential internal track or pathway 101 upstand for an incremental ratchet and detent mutual latching arrangement.

The underside of the carousel features a projecting detent 103 profiled to interact with the segmented track 101 in the lower casing peripheral floor when assembled to allow the carousel 110 to sit upon the casing floor and ride upon the track 101.

The interaction of the captive together upper and lower housing shells 91 , 100 with the relatively rotatable carousel 110 achieves a rotary gate or shutter action in relation to contents access both for loading and unloading. Thus successive carousel ports 112 are exposed and made accessible in turn by alignment with the combined gate apertures 94 of the upper and lower housings 91 , 100.

A rotary swivel drive knob 120 surmounts the housings 91 , 100 with an upstanding finger grip stub 121 and a lower depending an integral index drive shaft 122, which fits within a key-way 116 in the carousel hub 113 and so is rotationally fast with the carousel 110.

A stepped profile knob rim flange 92 interfits with the opening rim 93 of the top housing 92. The interacting rims of the upper and lower housings 91 , 100 holds them together and thus retain the control knob 120 upon the carousel rim upstand 111 . The upper and lower housings 91 , 100 are rotated somewhat to uncouple and split them from one another and allow carousel unloading of used or spent contents and re-loading with fresh contents supplies.

Relative rotation of conjoined outer housing shells 91 , 100 and the internal carousel 110 presents successive internal chambers sequentially for access by alignment of the carousel ports 112 with respective gate openings 94, 102 in the upper and lower shells 91 , 100.

The internal ratchet drive by interaction of the segmented (or serrated) track 101 with the carousel 110 underside detent 103 ensures uni-directional rotation. Numeric or other indicia are applied to intervening carousel residual upstand walls between ports to reflect the contents next in order of rotation. Provision could be made to limit the access to one complete rotational cycle., so only fresh unused contents are dispensed and used contents replaced cannot subsequently be re-dispensed.

Rotation (Index) Lock

An inhibit switch or clip is envisaged which would deactivate the push button and prevent rotary action. This may act as an important safeguard to prevent accidental deployment, for example when the device is carried in a bag. Reverse or Override

A reverse rotation might be desirable for example if the device is accidentally deployed and fresh needle is uncovered unintentionally or if a needle casing is passed over without the used needle being returned. However it would be prudent for some obstacle to backwards rotation being in place, for example a backwards rotation would be with a controlled and maintained push and anti-clockwise twist of the button i.e. a possibility but not available by accident.

User Interface

It is envisaged that the device be user-friendly, thus ease of grip, a large push button, and hand-held size are desirable qualities.

For users with dexterity problems the device would provide an advantage as gripping the device would be an easier task then handling an individual needle cartridge.

Index rotation and open close of the shutter gate is enabled with single-hand use. Diversity of Forms A diversity of forms, other than a flattened sphere are envisaged including a elongate cylindrical barrel, holster belt and rectangular flat park variants.

Re-use

The upper casing or cover of the dispenser could be removable for access to needle or needle cartridge storage chambers in the base. A dispenser need not be fully loaded, but it is sensible to make adequate stock loading provision before a prolonged trip away to ensure supplies do not run out.

Once the entire supply of fresh needles in the dispenser has been consumed and replaced with used needles, the entirety of the dispenser contents can be emptied at one time into a sharps bin at a time and location of the user's convenience. A visual. or even sound ('beep') warning indication of stock levels is useful to help plan ahead.

Fresh needles or needle cartridges can then be inserted, the upper casing replaced and the ratchet indexed access gate mechanism reset to allow access to replenished needle stock successively in turn.

Fresh contents can be removed whether or note used contents are re-loaded, but the intention is to provide a convenient storage medium for not merely fresh, but used contents, with an inhibit to ensure used contents cannot be removed until the entire stock is exhausted and the dispenser filled with used stock.

That said, in principle, the dispenser admits of reloading for stock replenishment at any intermediate usage stage - so could, say be refreshed or topped up before a trip to ensure adequate supplies. A visual indication of the stock level would be convenient and this might be achievable with a sequenced stock holding order.

Disposable

A low-cost disposable dispenser version could be supplied pre-loaded with a full complement of needles, returned in due course to the dispenser - for safe disposal of the dispenser and contents in their entirety. A simplified or 'stripped-down', contents gutted, dispenser internal structure could be contrived for general storage, even of disparate loose items, within an amenable format. A cosmetic case would be an example derivative use to help amortise production tooling costs over a larger volume than a dedicated needle dispenser use might warrant, in itself.

Tactile Surface

Dispenser user appeal and/or ease of handling grip could be enhanced by a tactile, say textured, outer casing surface finish, such as of moulded rubber or plastics.

Embedded or embossed surface logos, texts or designs could be applied to personalise the device. Promotional or health information messages could also feature.

Removable, and so interchangeable, loose discrete outer covers, jackets, or sleeves in which such surface features are incorporated are also envisaged as options.

Profile Variant profile container forms embodying the same principle could be contrived. Thus, say, a 90 or 180 (rather that fully rounded 360 degree) segmented smaller version might be useful for shorter term capacity - albeit with a limited operational arc. Such smaller modules might be clustered or grouped into a larger form.

Diversity The format can be adapted to diverse sized and shaped contents. An adaptor or bridge insert, sleeve or cartridge module might be used for greater compatibility between a common underlying carousel format and contents diversity. Given adequate contents identification, a diversity of contents might be stored in a common container. One example might be different dosage strength syringe contents. Scale

The rationalised format of Figures 5A et seq. facilitates up-scaling or downsizing, in particular miniaturisation for smaller contents volume.

Rotary Gate

A simplified rotary gate of Figures 5A et seq., rather than, say, a push-button of Figures 1 A through 4D involves less mechanical components and assembly complexity and should prove more robust and reliable in operational longevity.

Multi-Tier

A stacked or multi-tier variant could be contrived from stacked multiple individual containers, say as a point-of-sale dispenser, or pharmacy base-station. Such multiple tiers could be fitted within a common deep housing, with respective rotary controls or a common control selectively engageable with different tiers, say by axial movement. Effectively, the housing could become an elongate barrel with one or more rotary end selector knobs or dials. Components

10 upper casing

11 lower casing

12 push button actuator 13 access aperture

14 dispenser

20 needle cartridge opening

21 needle cartridge chamber

22 needle 23 needle cartridge end

24 central pivot column

30 support

31 strut

32 scalloped collar 33 shutter gate

40 needle cartridge guide tracks

41 inner wheel

42 position indicia (numbering)

50 return spring 60 dog or pawl

61 abutment

63 ratchet teeth

64 ratchet slot

70 female catch 71 male catch

80 injector pen / syringe

81 injector pen needle interface

90 shell housing 91 upper half shell

92 locator rim flange

93 outer rim

94 gate opening 95 100 lower half shell

101 serrated track

102 access gate

103 projecting detent

110 carrier carousel 111 outer peripheral rim

112 access port

113 spine hub

114 radial arms

115 profiled lower outer periphery 116 keyway passage

120 control knob

121 finger grip

122 index drive shaft

Claims

1 .

A rotary dispenser comprising a hollow shell housing a rotary internal carousel with a radial array of contents storage compartments for selective presentation to an access port in a shell wall.

2.

A rotary dispenser of Claim 1 , with a carousel configured as an open sided drum or tray bounded by a circumferential wall upstand, punctuated by a series of access ports for respective radial compartments.

3. A rotary dispenser of Claim 2, with compartments delineated by radial spokes about a central rotary pivot hub with respective access ports in an outboard boundary wall and intervening boundary wall divider portions with respective indicia associated with adjacent compartments.

4.

A rotary dispenser of an preceding claim, with a rotary index mechanism operative between an outer housing and an inner carousel for contents carriage to set relative angular position for selective contents access through an outer wall port.

5.

A rotary dispenser of Claim 4, comprising a housing with an internal segmented track interactive with a detent on a rotary carousel.

6.

A rotary dispenser of any preceding claim comprising a ovoid form split housing shell, a rotatable carousel for contents storage a rotary control surmounting the housing to effect relative movement of housing and carousel for selective contents presentation in relation to mutually aligned housing and carousel access ports.

7.

A rotary dispenser of any preceding claim with a housing wall or internal carousel access port profiled for interaction with a needle dispenser cartridge.

8.

A rotary dispenser of any preceding claim, configured as a needle or needle cartridge dispenser (14) comprising a hollow cylindrical or ovoid housing (10,11 ), a plurality of radial storage chambers (21) for needles (22) or needle cartridges, disposed about a central column or pillar core (24), a peripheral access aperture (13) in the housing; the chambers being rotatable as an assembly within the housing, to present successive chambers in turn to the access aperture; axial push down or squeeze-to-rotate action for indexed rotation through successive delivery stations, to present fresh contents for access and allow return of used contents to an empty chamber.

9.

A rotary dispenser comprising a (rotary) hollow shell housing, with a peripheral access opening or port for contents access, a rotary internal carousel with a plurality of discrete individual contents storage chambers and respective associated access openings or ports; for presenting selected contents, a rotary port control gate for selective alignment of the housing all opening with a carousel port associated with selected contents access.

10.

A rotary dispenser of any preceding claim with a push-button actuator to effect relative rotation of housing and internal carousel for selective contents presentation.

11 .

A needle or needle cartridge dispenser comprising a hollow housing, a plurality of internal storage chambers for needles or needle cartridges, disposed in a radial spoke array about a central column or pillar core, a peripheral access aperture in the housing; the chambers being rotatable as an assembly within the housing, to present successive chambers in turn to the access aperture; axial push-button actuation for indexed rotation through successive delivery stations to present fresh contents for access and allow return of used contents to an empty chamber.