Injection device plunger auto-disable
AssigneeBioject, Inc.
InventorDaniel E. Williamson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nozzle assembly for a needle-free injection device. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body including an injectate chamber and one or more outlet orifices and a plunger configured to move through the injectate chamber toward the one or more outlet orifices. In some embodiments, the plunger includes a first portion and a second portion removably joined by a frangible region. In some embodiments, the plunger includes extensions configured to couple the plunger to a drive assembly of a needle-free injection device.
Claims17
A nozzle assembly for a needle-free injection device comprising:
- a nozzle body including an injectate chamber and an outlet orifice;
- and
- a plunger configured to move through the injectate chamber toward the outlet orifice, the plunger including a proximal portion, a distal portion and frangible region along which the proximal portion and distal portion are configured to uncouple upon injection;
- wherein the proximal portion is adapted to rotate relative to and away from the distal portion about a longitudinal axis of the plunger upon injection, the rotation being sufficient to prevent the proximal region from catching on the distal portion when the distal portion is withdrawn;
- wherein the proximal portion remains in the injectate chamber upon retraction of the distal portion from the injectate chamber.
A plunger for use in a needle-free injection device comprising:
- a plunger configured to move through an injectate chamber of the needle-free device toward an outlet orifice, the plunger including a proximal portion, a distal portion and a frangible region along which the proximal portion and distal portion are configured to uncouple upon injection;
- wherein the proximal portion is adapted to rotate relative to and away from the distal portion about a longitudinal axis of the plunger upon injection, the rotation being sufficient to prevent the proximal region from catching on the distal portion when the distal portion is withdrawn;
- and
- wherein the proximal portion remains in the injectate chamber upon retraction of the distal portion from the injectate chamber.
A nozzle assembly for an injection device comprising:
- a nozzle body including an injectate chamber and an outlet orifice;
- and
- a plunger configured to move through the injectate chamber toward the outlet orifice, the plunger including a proximal portion, a distal portion, a frangible region along which the proximal portion and distal portion are configured to uncouple upon injection, a first surface proximal to the frangible region that is at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the injection device, and a second surface distal to the frangible region that is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the injection device;
- wherein the first surface guides the proximal portion to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the plunger relative to and away from the distal portion during injection, the rotation being sufficient to prevent the proximal region from catching on the distal portion when the distal portion is withdrawn;
- wherein the second surface guides a region of the proximal portion adjacent the frangible region away from a region of the proximal portion adjacent the frangible region during injection;
- and
- wherein the proximal portion remains in the injectate chamber upon retraction of the distal portion from the injectate chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.