PEN-LIKE SYRINGE SYSTEM

Abstract

A pen-like syringe system includes: a syringe holder for receiving a syringe having a syringe barrel and a plunger guided for movement in the barrel; and a drive housing connected to the syringe holder. To provide an ergonomic syringe system which allows advantageous operation of the system and guarantees safe and focused injection or drawing of a substance the drive housing includes an electric delivery device operated by an integrated power supply for applying pneumatic pressure or negative pressure to the plunger, with the delivery device connected via a drive channel to the plunger and actuatable by a button arranged on the syringe system; and the pen-like syringe system has a vent duct with a first end, which is connected to the drive channel, and a second end, which is connected to the surroundings via an opening, with the opening closable by pressing the button.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A pen-like syringe system comprising: a syringe holder for accommodating a syringe having a syringe barrel and a plunger movably guided in the syringe barrel; a drive housing connected to the syringe holder; an electric delivery device operated by an integrated power supply arranged in the drive housing for pneumatic operation of the plunger of the syringe inserted into the syringe holder with positive or negative pressure; a drive channel connecting the electric delivery device to the plunger of the syringe inserted into the syringe holder; and a button arranged on the syringe system for operation of the electric delivery device, wherein the syringe system has a vent channel with a first end that is connected to the drive channel and a second end that is connected to the surroundings via an opening, the opening being closeable during activation of the button.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the opening is closeable by a finger activating the button during activation of the button.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the opening is closed automatically by the finger during manual activation of the button with a finger.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the delivery device is a diaphragm pump and/or the plunger of the syringe inserted into the syringe holder is operated by air.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the drive housing has at least one supply opening or a supply channel connected to the delivery device for connecting the delivery device to the surroundings or a gas reservoir.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the syringe holder is hinged to the drive housing.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein the drive housing or the syringe holder has a lock lever for releasable fastening of the syringe holder to the drive housing or vice versa.

30. The system of claim 23, wherein the syringe holder is releasably connected to the drive housing via a bayonet lock or a thread.

31. The system of claim 23, wherein the syringe holder is at least partially transparent and/or has at least one laterally arranged window through which the syringe arranged in the syringe holder is at least partially visible.

32. The pen-like syringe system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the button (16) is arranged on the syringe holder (2), in particular close to the front end of the syringe holder (2) facing away from the drive housing (8).

33. The system of claim 23, wherein the opening of the vent channel is arranged in the button or wherein the syringe holder has a recessed area in which the button and the opening of the vent channel are arranged, the opening of the vent channel pointing substantially in the longitudinal direction of the syringe system running through the drive housing and the syringe holder and activation of the button occurs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

34. The system of claim 23, wherein the syringe system is heatable in the area of the syringe holder.

35. The system of claim 23, wherein the syringe system is designed as a closed compact syringe system.

36. The system of claim 23, wherein the integrated power supply is a battery or an accumulator arranged in or on the drive housing.

37. The system of claim 36, further comprising a connection element for charging the integrated power supply.

38. The system of claim 23, wherein the syringe system has a device to set or limit the positive or negative pressure produced by the delivery device thereby limiting the injection rate and/or the removal rate of the syringe system.

39. The system of claim 23, further comprising a display element for direct or indirect display of the positive or negative pressure acting on the plunger or the force acting on the plunger and/or to display the charge status of the integrated power supply.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the display element has an optical display that displays the power of the delivery device and/or the power tapped by the delivery device and/or the pressure or negative pressure acting on the plunger and/or the charge status of the integrated power supply.

41. The system of claim 23, further comprising a mechanical restraining device that prevents loosening of a cannula mounted on the syringe barrel of the syringe inserted into the syringe holder.

42. The system of claim 23, wherein the drive channel and/or the vent channel (15) includes a tube connection or is designed as a tube connection.

43. The system of claim 23, wherein the syringe system is made of sterilizable materials that are stable during sterilization.

44. The system of claim 23, wherein the syringe system includes a syringe inserted into the syringe holder, the syringe having a syringe barrel and a plunger movably guided in the syringe barrel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] These and other features, as well as advantages and effects of the pen-like syringe system according to the disclosure will become apparent from the following illustrative embodiments described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0033] FIG. 1 a longitudinal section of the first embodiment of a pen-like syringe system according to the disclosure in the tilted-up position without a syringe inserted into the syringe holder;

[0034] FIG. 2 a longitudinal section of the syringe system from FIG. 1 with a syringe inserted into the syringe holder;

[0035] FIG. 3 a longitudinal section of the syringe system of FIG. 1 in the closed state with a syringe inserted into the syringe holder;

[0036] FIG. 4 a partially cut-away side view of the syringe system of FIG. 1 in the closed state with a syringe inserted into the syringe holder;

[0037] FIG. 5 a top view of the syringe system from FIG. 1 in the closed state and with a syringe inserted into the syringe holder;

[0038] FIG. 6 a cross section at the height of the delivery device through the top view shown in FIG. 5;

[0039] FIG. 7 a side view of a second embodiment of a pen-like syringe system according to the disclosure in the closed position without a syringe inserted into the syringe holder;

[0040] FIG. 8 a side view of the syringe system of FIG. 7 in the tilted-up position;

[0041] FIG. 9 a longitudinal section of the syringe system of FIG. 7;

[0042] FIG. 10 a top view of the syringe system of FIG. 7;

[0043] FIG. 11 a sketch of the handling of the syringe system of FIG. 7;

[0044] FIG. 12 a longitudinal section through a third embodiment of a syringe system according to the disclosure in the closed position with an inserted syringe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] A first illustrative embodiment of a pen-like syringe system 1 according to the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 in different (sectional) views. The syringe system 1 has a syringe holder 2, which is connected via a joint 24 to a drive housing 8 or hinged thereto. The syringe holder 2 can be firmly connected to the drive housing 8 or locked in the closed position provided for use of the syringe system 1 for injection or removal via a locking lever 20 arranged on the bottom of the drive housing 8. The closed position of the syringe system 1 is shown, for example, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The lock that exists between the syringe holder 2 and the drive housing 8 in the closed position of the syringe system 1 can be unlocked by operating the locking lever 20 so that the syringe system 1 can be brought into the tilted-up position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0046] The syringe holder 2 is designed to accommodate a syringe 3. In the tilted-up position of the syringe system, with the syringe holder 2 empty, as shown in FIG. 1, a syringe 3 can be inserted into the syringe holder 2 via the rear side of the syringe holder 2 facing the drive housing 8. The syringe system 1 with a syringe 3 inserted into the syringe holder 2 is shown in FIG. 2, for example. The syringe 3 has a cylindrical syringe barrel 4 and a plunger 5 that is movably guided in the syringe barrel 4. At its front (proximal) end, the syringe 3 has a nozzle 6, which is guided in the syringe 3 inserted into the syringe holder 2 through a passage 28 at the front end of the syringe holder 2, i.e., the end of the syringe holder 2 facing away from drive housing 8. The nozzle 6, which in particular can be designed cylindrical or conical, can have a connection device, in particular a Luer connection (Luer Lock, Luer Slip) for connection of a cannula. The syringe 3 has a flange 7 at its rear (distal) end, which is arranged in a flange receptacle 26 provided for the flange 7 when the syringe 3 is inserted into the syringe holder 2. In the closed position of the syringe system 1, the flange 7 of the syringe 3 is then forced against the front end of the drive housing 8 facing the direction of the syringe holder 2, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. For this purpose, the drive housing 8 has a sealing element 25 at the front end, in particular a sealing ring, against which the flange 7 is pressed when the syringe system 1 is in the closed position. A tight connection is thereby created between the syringe 3 and flange 7 and drive housing 8. Exact and secure positioning of the syringe 3 in the syringe holder 2 is also ensured via the arrangement of the flange 7 in the flange receptacle 26.

[0047] When an injection is to be made, for example an ophthalmological injection of perfluorocarbons into the eye of a patient, the syringe 3 inserted into syringe holder 2 is filled with the substance to be injected. The substance to be injected is then arranged in the syringe barrel 4 of the syringe 3 between the nozzle 6 and the plunger 5. During a removal, on the other hand, the syringe 3 inserted into the syringe holder 2 is not filled. The plunger 5 is then initially arranged at or close to the nozzle 6. The syringe system 1, in particular the syringe holder 2, is designed according to the size of a syringe 3 to be inserted into syringe holder 2. For example, the syringe system 1 or the syringe holder 2 can be designed to accommodate standard syringes known for injection or removal, which can hold 2.25 mL (which are used, for example, for the injection of dyes), or 5 mL, or 10 mL (which, for example are to be used for the injection of perfluorocarbons or silicone oils).

[0048] The syringe holder 2 of the first illustrative embodiment of a syringe system 1 has a window 21 on each side, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. A syringe 3 arranged in the syringe holder 2 is at least partially visible through the window 21. Because of this, the filling level of the syringe 3 or the progress of an injection or removal can be observed. For example, a removed substance or possibly air bubbles present in the syringe 3, etc. are as a result also visible, indicating difficulties existing during injection or removal.

[0049] An electric delivery device 9 and an integrated power supply 10 for supplying the delivery device 9 with current or power are arranged in the drive housing 8. The electric delivery device 9 is preferably a diaphragm pump and the power supply 10 connected thereto is preferably an accumulator or a battery. The power supply 10 in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is arranged in a receptacle 11 arranged at the rear end of the drive housing 8, i.e., the end of the drive housing 8 facing away from syringe holder 2. The receptacle 11 is then closed by a cover 12, which is releasably connected to the holder 11, for example, by a thread. The described configuration described enables a simple replacement of the integrated power supply 10. It is also conceivable that the drive housing 8 has a connection element for charging a battery used as power supply 10. The connection element can in particular be a USB connection or another suitable electrical connection.

[0050] The delivery device 9 is activated via a button 16 in the front area of the syringe holder 2 close to the nozzle 6 of a syringe 3 inserted into the syringe holder 2. The button 16 is activated perpendicular to a longitudinal direction L of the syringe system 1 running through the drive housing 8 and the syringe holder 2 in the closed state of the syringe system 1. The button 16, which is arranged on the top of the syringe holder 2 opposite the locking lever 20, is connected for this purpose to the delivery device 9 via an (electrical) connection not shown.

[0051] The delivery device 9 has a drive channel 13 for (pneumatic) operation of the plunger 5 of a syringe 3 inserted into the syringe holder 2 when the syringe system 1 is closed with pressure or negative pressure. Air, in particular, is then used as a driving medium to operate the plunger 5 with pressure. To supply a diaphragm pump used as the delivery device 9 with sufficient air and to prevent any pressure or negative pressure that might develop in the drive housing 8 during operation of the delivery device 9, the drive housing 8 has a supply opening 18 on the top, which is connected to the surroundings.

[0052] The drive channel 13 configured as a tube connection and shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 is connected to a first input 29 of a connection piece 14 arranged at the front end of the drive housing 8. The connection piece 14 has a second input 30 on the side facing the direction of the syringe holder 2, which points in the direction of the plunger 5 of a syringe 3 inserted into the syringe holder 2 in the closed position of the syringe system 1. The second input 30 extends somewhat into the syringe barrel 4 of the syringe 3, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows another longitudinal section of the syringe system 1 through the delivery device 9 in the second input 30. The connection piece 14 also has, as shown in FIG. 3, a third input 29 [sic; 31], which is connected to a first end of the vent channel 15. The vent channel 15 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 is designed as a tube connection. The second end of the vent channel 15 is connected to an opening 17 connected to the surroundings, which in the illustrative embodiment shown extends centrally through the T-shaped button 16 in longitudinal section, as indicated in particular in FIG. 5. For the sake of simplicity, the vent channel 15 configured as a tube connection and the drive channel 13 are not shown either in FIG. 5, which shows a top view of the illustrative embodiment, or in FIG. 4, which shows the illustrative embodiment in a partially cut-away view. The vent channel 15 connected to the third input 31 of the connection piece 14 or the tube connection used in this case is guided from drive the housing 8 and then into a guide channel 32 via a recess 19, which is arranged on the top of syringe holder 2, and which is formed up to the opening 17, and connected to said opening 17.

[0053] Operation and use of the syringe system 1 is described below with reference to an injection to be made. In this case, a syringe 3 filled with a substance to be injected is inserted into the syringe holder 2 and the syringe system 1 is in its closed position intended for operation.

[0054] When the injection is to be carried out, the diaphragm pump used as delivery device 9 is activated by activating the button 16 with a finger of the user activating the button 16, for example, the index finger. During proper handling of the syringe system 1 and proper activation of the button 16 by the finger activating the button 16, the opening 17 is automatically and forcibly closed. The air used as a drive medium is fed via the drive channel 13 in the direction of the plunger 5 through the connection piece 14. When the opening 17 is closed, which is connected via the vent channel 15 to the connection 14 and therefore also to the drive channel 13 of the plunger 5, pressurization of the plunger 5 occurs. The plunger 5, which is movable in the syringe barrel 4, is therefore moved in the direction of the nozzle 6 whereby the substance contained in the syringe 3 is delivered from the nozzle 6 or a cannula attached thereto. When the opening 17 is not closed, for example, during improper activation of the button 16, or if activation of button 16 is terminated, the drive channel 13 and the plunger 5 are connected to the surroundings. Pressurization of the plunger 5 does not occur owing to air escaping through the opening 17. When activation of the button 16 has ended, an immediate termination of the injection is thus ensured, in particular without any trailing off effect. It is also ensured that no injection occurs during improper or uncontrolled activation of the button 16.

[0055] The above comments apply accordingly during removal of a substance (not further described), for example, from a human body, in which case the plunger 5 is acted upon with negative pressure instead of pressure.

[0056] A second illustrative embodiment of the pen-like syringe system 1 according to the disclosure is shown in different views in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 sketches the handing of the syringe system 1, the syringe system 1 being shown in a partial cut-away view. The reference numbers used to describe the second illustrative embodiment are used according to the reference numbers of the first illustrative embodiment.

[0057] The syringe system 1 shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 corresponds essentially to the first illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6. No syringe 3 is inserted into the syringe holder 2 of the syringe system 1 shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11. The drive channel 13 configured as a tube connection similar to that of the first illustrative embodiment, and the vent channel 15 also configured as a tube connection as in the second illustrative embodiment are not shown for the sake of clarity. The connection piece 14 shown in the first illustrative embodiment is also not shown in the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11. The connection piece 14 of the second illustrative embodiment can correspond to the connection piece 14 of the first illustrative embodiment or be a functionally equivalent T-piece for connecting the drive channel 13, vent channel 15 and plunger 5 (or the second input 30 of connection piece 14 pointing in the direction of plunger 5).

[0058] The illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 differs from the first illustrative embodiment essentially in the configuration of the syringe holder 2 described below, in particular in the configuration or arrangement of the button 16 and the opening 17.

[0059] The syringe holder 2 of the second illustrative embodiment has a recessed area in the region of the front end of the syringe holder 2, in which the button 16 is arranged. The transition from the non-recessed area into the recessed area is formed by a rounded area, the button 16 being arranged close to this transition area. The opening 17 of the vent channel 15, as shown in particular in FIG. 10, is arranged in the transition area. The opening 17 points essentially in a longitudinal direction L of the syringe system 1 running in the direction through the drive housing 8 and syringe holder 2. The vent channel 15, in particular a vent channel 15 configured as a tube connection, whose second end is connected to the opening 17, runs at least in sections along a guide channel 32 running along the upper edge of the syringe holder 2. When the button 16 is properly activated, the finger operating the button 16, in particular the index finger of an operator, as shown for example in FIG. 11, rests on the opening 17 so that the opening 17 is automatically closed.

[0060] Handling of the pen-like syringe system 1, which is roughly the size of a human hand, is shown in FIG. 11. For the sake of clarity, not all reference numbers are included. In addition to activation of the button 16 and closure of the opening 17 via the index finger during activation of the button 16, the holding and guiding of the syringe system 1 with the thumb, index finger and middle finger are also shown. The syringe system 1 can be held, guided and operated in an ergonomically advantageous and reliable manner by an operator regardless of their hand size. FIG. 11 further indicates that the supply opening 18 is not closed by the hand of the operator during proper handling. The vent channel 15 designed as a tube connection and not shown in FIG. 11, which is guided on the top of the drive housing 8 through the recess 19 into the guide channel 32 of the syringe holder 2, and which therefore extends in sections beyond the syringe system 1, as shown for comparison in FIG. 4 of the first illustrative embodiment, also does not adversely affect operation of the syringe system 1.

[0061] A longitudinal section of a third illustrative embodiment of the pen-like syringe system 1 is shown in FIG. 12. The illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 12 corresponds in its functional design largely to the previous illustrative embodiment. However, the special configuration of this illustrative embodiment, as described below, deviates partially from the preceding illustrative embodiment. The reference numbers used to describe the third illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 12 correspond to the reference numbers of the first or second illustrative embodiment.

[0062] In contrast to the syringe holder 2 of the first two illustrative embodiments, which is hinged to the drive housing 8, the syringe holder 2 of the third illustrative embodiment is releasably connected to the drive housing 8 via a thread arranged at the rear end of the syringe holder 2. For this purpose, the drive housing 8 has a corresponding counter thread at its front end facing in the direction of the syringe holder 2. It is also conceivable to connect the syringe holder 2 to the drive housing 8 via a bayonet lock. The integrated power supply 10, in particular a battery, is also arranged in the in the drive housing 8 directly following a delivery device 9, in particular a diaphragm pump. A cover 12 releasably connected to the drive housing 8 is mounted on the rear end of drive housing 8. The cover 12 has a connection element 33 for charging the integrated power supply 10. The connection element 33 can in particular be a USB connection.

[0063] The syringe holder 2 also has a depression or trough in the front area in which the button 16 used to operate the delivery device 9 is arranged. The delivery device 9 is connected to a first input 29 of a T-shaped connection piece 14 via a drive channel 13 arranged at the front area of the drive housing 8. The second input 30 of the connection piece 14 faces in the direction of the plunger 5 of a syringe 3 inserted into the syringe holder 2. The connection piece 14 is connected via a third input 31 to a first end of a vent channel 15 running essentially along the upper edge of the syringe holder 2. The second end of the vent channel 15, which is connected to the surroundings via opening 17, is arranged in the area of the depression in which the button 16 is also arranged, in which case the opening 17 faces in the direction of the front end of the syringe holder 2 along the longitudinal direction L of the syringe system 1. The drive channel 13 and the vent channel 15 are formed by bores or short tubular connection elements running in the syringe holder 2 or in the drive housing 8. The tube connections used in the previous illustrative embodiments of the drive channel 13 or vent channel 15, in particular the tube connection of the vent channel 15 partially outside of the drive housing 8 or syringe holder 2, are not present here.

[0064] The syringe holder 2 of the third illustrative embodiment also has a mechanical restraining device 22 at its front end, which prevents loosening of a cannula mounted on the syringe barrel 4 of a syringe 3 inserted into the syringe holder 2, or loosening of a cannula mounted on a nozzle 6 of the syringe 3. A cannula (not shown in FIG. 12) has a hollow needle and a cannula connection. The cannula connection represents a device for connecting the cannula to the syringe 3 or to the nozzle 6 of the syringe 3, which carries the hollow needle. The restraining device 22 has a passage 28 through which a hollow needle of a cannula mounted on the syringe 3 is guided. The restraining device 22 is also designed so that it is guided at least partially via the cannula connection of a cannula mounted on the syringe 3 inserted into the syringe holder 2, or encloses the cannula connection. The restraining device 22 forms a stop element for the cannula connection. In the closed position of the syringe system 1, the cannula connection rests against the restraining device 22. The passage 28 of the restraining device 22 can be designed as a passage 28 tapering in the direction of the front (proximal) end of the syringe system 1 (not shown in FIG. 12), which clamps the cannula connection or prevents movement of the cannula connection, and therefore the cannula, in the direction of the front end of the syringe system 1. The restraining device 22 prevents unwanted loosening of a cannula from the syringe 3. In particular, loosening of a cannula during injection or removal is prevented. The mechanical restraining device 22 also prevents a syringe 3 with an improperly mounted cannula from being inserted into the syringe holder 2.

[0065] A simple and secure holding, guiding and operation of the syringe system 1 is provided by the configuration of the syringe system 1 according to the disclosure, in particular independently of the size of the hand of an operator, and therefore reliable and targeted injection or removal of substance. In syringe systems known from the prior art, there is a risk of possible contamination of the substance being injected or removed due to a plunger rod (lubricated mechanism) being connected to the plunger during its operation or to refilling of the substance being injected or removed from an external container into the syringe or vice versa; this risk does not exist in the syringe system 1 according to the disclosure. The syringe system 1 shown also enables simple and rapid insertion and removal of a syringe 3 into or from the syringe holder 2 through the syringe holder 2 hinged to the drive housing 8 or the syringe holder 2 releasably connected to the drive housing 8 via a thread or a bayonet lock. In particular, ordinary standard syringes (without finger flange and plunger rod) can be used in the syringe system 1 according to the disclosure. The syringe holder 2, in particular the size of the syringe holder 2 as well as the flange receptacle 26 is then configured according to the (standard) syringes 3 being used.

[0066] In addition to the illustrative embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, other variants of the pen-like syringe system 1 not shown in the drawing and devices additionally provided on the pen-like syringe system 1 are possible. For example, an embodiment is possible in which the syringe holder 2 is fully or partially heatable. It is also conceivable that a delivery device 9 used as a diaphragm pump is connected to a gas reservoir via the supply opening 18, in which case the gas (mixture) found in the gas reservoir is used as a driving medium. An embodiment is also conceivable in which an at least partially transparent syringe holder 2 is used instead of a syringe holder 2 provided with windows 21. Embodiments are also possible in which the syringe system 1 has a device to set or limit the pressure or negative pressure produced by the delivery device 9, in particular the injection rate and/or the removal rate caused thereby. The syringe system 1 can also have a display element for direct or indirect display of the pressure or negative pressure acting on the plunger 5 or the force acting on the plunger 5 and/or to display the charge status of the integrated power supply 10. The device for setting the pressure or negative pressure produced by the delivery device 9, as well as the display element can then be arranged on a readily visible location of the drive housing 8 that does not hamper operation or handling of the syringe system 1. The display device can then be supplied with current or power via the integrated power supply 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0067] 1 Pen-like syringe system [0068] 2 Syringe holder [0069] 3 Syringe [0070] 4 Syringe barrel [0071] 5 Plunger [0072] 6 Nozzle [0073] 7 Flange [0074] 8 Drive housing [0075] 9 Delivery device [0076] 10 Power supply [0077] 11 Receptacle [0078] 12 Cover [0079] 13 Drive channel [0080] 14 Connection piece [0081] 15 Vent channel [0082] 16 Button [0083] 17 Opening [0084] 18 Supply opening [0085] 19 Recess [0086] 20 Locking lever [0087] 21 Window [0088] 22 Restraining device [0089] 24 Joint [0090] 25 Sealing element [0091] 26 Flange receptacle [0092] 27 Locking lever joint [0093] 28 Passage [0094] 29 First input [0095] 30 Second input [0096] 31 Third input [0097] 32 Guide channel [0098] 33 Connection element [0099] L Longitudinal direction