US 5,846,233 A · Coupling device for medical injection system

Abstract

A needleless injection system and method for injecting a medical product comprises a needleless injection device having a nozzle assembly defining an ampule chamber for holding medication, an energy device for pushing medication out of the nozzle assembly, and an energy device actuating mechanism. These components are operatively contained in a housing configured for a hand held operation. The energy device is a self-contained gas spring operatively connected to a plunger operating within the ampule chamber. The gas spring is preferably stepped which can be used in many different applications, an air gun being one. The injection device can be provide with a coupling device for coupling a medication supply vial to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly is removably situated in the housing with the plunger removable therewith.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A coupling device for coupling a nozzle to a fluid container comprising a tubular member having a first and second end and a wall therebetween, said wall including a passageway therethrough with the first end being configured and dimensioned to cooperatively engage with a fluid container;

a second end being configured and dimensioned to cooperatively engage with a nozzle of an injection device having an orifice such that the nozzle orifice generally aligns with the wall passageway for fluid communication therebetween;
and a flexible membrane positioned between the wall and the second end of the tubular member, said membrane including a generally centrally disposed zero diameter aperture to facilitate fluid communication between the nozzle orifice and the wall passageway, wherein the membrane forms a liquid-tight seal between the nozzle orifice and the wall passageway when the nozzle is positioned against the membrane so that fluid can flow only through the aperture, and further wherein the aperture resists fluid flow therethrough when the nozzle is not positioned against the membrane.

Coupling device for coupling a medication supply vial to a nozzle assembly of an injection device comprising:

a generally hollow main body having a first end and a second end opposite said first end;
a dividing wall positioned between said first and second ends, said wall having a first side and a second side, said first side being positioned closer to said first end than said second end and said second side being closer to said second end than said first end, a hole being formed through said dividing wall;
a hollow probe extending axially only from said first side of said dividing wall toward said first end and terminating within said main body such that it does not protrude beyond the first end, said probe configured and dimensioned to allow fluid to flow therethrough, having an end portion configured and dimensioned for puncturing a vial seal, and being aligned with said hole to permit fluid communication therewith;
a medication supply vial connector formed on said first end, said vial connector permitting insertion of said vial but preventing removal of said vial therefrom;
a nozzle connector configured and dimensioned to receive said nozzle assembly and formed on said second end, wherein said connector has at least one quick release member that grabs a portion of said nozzle assembly by pushing said connector toward said nozzle assembly and releases said nozzle assembly by a sufficient pulling force, wherein said probe end portion punctures through a vial seal upon connection of said vial to said medication supply vial connector and provides a fluid communication through said hole.

2 more elements

Coupling device for coupling a medication supply vial to a nozzle assembly of an injection device comprising:

a generally hollow main body having a first end and a second end opposite said first end;
a dividing wall positioned between said first and second ends, said wall having a first side and a second side, said first side being positioned closer to said first end than said second end and said second side being closer to said second end than said first end, a hole being formed through said dividing wall;
a hollow probe extending axially from said first side of said dividing wall toward said first end and terminating within said main body such that it does not protrude beyond the first end, said probe being aligned with said hole to permit fluid communication;
a medication supply vial connector formed on said first end, said vial connector permitting insertion of said vial but preventing removal of said vial therefrom;
a nozzle connector formed on said second end, wherein said connector has at least one quick release member that grabs a portion of said nozzle assembly by pushing said connector toward said nozzle assembly and releases said nozzle assembly by a sufficient pulling force, wherein said probe punctures through a vial seal upon connection of said vial to said medication supply vial connector and provides a fluid communication through said hole,
wherein said vial connector comprises at least one flexible tooth extending toward said wall, wherein a free end of said tooth engages a portion of said supply vial, wherein said vial portion has means cooperating with said tooth to prevent removal of said vial therefrom.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Coupling device for medical injection system

Life of this patent

Coupling device for medical injection system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17