Injection Device

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flow sleeve actuator permits movement of the flow sleeve in accordance with the biasing arrangement and inlet pressure to positions intermediate the first and second positions to provide infinite variations in flow through the at least one radial flow port.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flow sleeve is arranged to move axially relative to the outlet sleeve, and the flow sleeve actuator is arranged to permit or control axial movement of the flow sleeve.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet sleeve defines a can structure having a wall with the at least one radial flow port provided therein, wherein one end of the wall is sealingly fixed relative to the housing, and an opposite end of the wall is closed by a base such that flow is restricted to the at least one radial flow port.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet sleeve defines a plurality of radial flow ports, optionally circumferentially distributed around the outlet sleeve.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flow sleeve is mounted on the upstream side of the outlet sleeve (i.e., on the inlet side).

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flow sleeve is sized to fit over the outer surface of the outlet sleeve, such that movement of the flow sleeve functions to vary the flow area through the at least one radial flow port.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet sleeve and the flow sleeve are arranged to interact such that a preferential rate of variation in flow area between the inlet and the outlet is achieved during movement of the flow sleeve relative to the outlet sleeve.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein a linear rate of variation in flow area between the inlet and the outlet is achieved during a constant rate of movement of the flow sleeve.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one radial flow port is defined by a circular port or orifice.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one radial flow port is defined by an elongate slot, optionally wherein said elongate slot is elongate in an axial direction relative to the outlet sleeve.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flow sleeve comprises a wall structure arranged to be received over the outlet sleeve to permit a telescopic motion to be established between the outlet and flow sleeves during movement of the flow sleeve.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one radial flow port of the outlet sleeve defines at least one first radial flow port, and the flow sleeve may define at least one second radial flow port, the first and second radial flow ports facilitating flow through the device from inlet to outlet.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing defines an inlet chamber for receiving fluid through the inlet, at least a portion of the outlet sleeve extending into the inlet chamber and providing fluid communication, via the at least one radial flow port, between the inlet chamber and the outlet of the housing.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, comprising an engagement mechanism for providing engagement between the flow sleeve actuator and the flow sleeve.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flow sleeve actuator comprises an inlet pressure interface in pressure communication with the inlet of the housing, such that, in use, inlet pressure may act on said pressure interface to effect movement of the flow sleeve actuator, and thus of the flow sleeve.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the biasing arrangement comprises a spring arrangement.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the biasing arrangement comprises a fluid pressure biasing arrangement, optionally a resistance pressure biasing arrangement.

The injection device according to any preceding claim, comprising a pressure chamber in pressure communication with the flow sleeve actuator, wherein the pressure chamber contains or is configured to receive, in use, a resistance pressure for use in providing a biasing force on the flow sleeve actuator.

A method for injecting a fluid from a source to a target location, comprising:

• coupling a fluid source to an inlet of an injection device;
• coupling an outlet of the injection device to a target region;
• using inlet pressure in combination with a biasing force to control movement of a flow sleeve actuator of the injection device to control relative movement between an outlet sleeve and a flow sleeve contained within the injection device, wherein said relative movement varies exposure of a radial port in the outlet sleeve to the inlet.