PEN NEEDLE HUB HAVING INCREASED CONTACT AREA

Abstract

A pen needle assembly having a hub with an increased surface area that contacts a patient's skin is provided. The increased contact area of the hub with the patient's skin during injection of a cannula decreases the pressure exerted against the patient's skin, thereby increasing the comfort of the patient. A bonding adhesive is disposed on an outer surface of the hub, thereby decreasing the required curing time of the adhesive. Additionally, the increased contact area, between the cannula adhesive and hub increases the strength of the bond therebetween.

Claims

1. A hub assembly for an injection apparatus, comprising: a body having a first end and an open second end; a projection extending axially outwardly from said first end of said body, said projection having a distal end having an outer portion and an inner portion with an axially facing surface; an opening in said distal end of said projection adapted to receive a cannula, said opening extending to an interior of said body; said inner portion of said distal end having an inner sloping inwardly toward said opening, thereby facilitating movement of an adhesive to said opening to secure the cannula; and said outer portion of said projection having an axially facing surface with a surface area greater than a surface area said inner portion and configured to disperse a pressure exerted against a patient's skin during an injection.

2. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inner portion includes a plurality of radially extending ribs having an inner surface for bonding to the cannula.

3. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said opening includes a plurality of rings to facilitate receipt of the adhesive in said opening.

4. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said body further comprises an inner protrusion surrounded by said projection and having said opening extending through said inner protrusion, and said outer portion of said projection is formed by a plurality of circumferentially disposed members spaced radially from said inner protrusion.

5. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of members extend axially beyond said inner protrusion.

6. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein ends of said plurality of members are substantially planar to facilitate injections substantially perpendicular to a skin surface.

7. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein ends of said plurality of members are rounded to facilitate injections not perpendicular to a skin surface.

8. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a recessed annular ring is formed in said inner portion of said distal end of said projection.

9. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said body has an axially extending inner protrusion having an axial face, said projection surrounding said inner protrusion and spaced radially to form an annular recess between said inner protrusion and said projection, said projection having an axially facing surface with a substantially convex, curved outer surface extending between an outer peripheral surface of said projection and a distal end of said projection, where said curved outer surface is configured to contact and deform a skin surface of a patient during an injection to control deformation of the skin surface by said inner protrusion and limit a depth of penetration by said cannula.

10. A hub assembly for an injection apparatus, comprising: a body having a first end and a second open end; an inner protrusion extending outwardly from said first end of said body and having a distal end; an opening in said distal end of said inner protrusion adapted to receive a cannula, said opening extending to an interior of said body; and an outer projection spaced from and circumferentially surrounding said protrusion, a distal end of said outer projection having a radial width and a surface area greater than a radial width and surface area of said distal end of said inner protrusion, thereby reducing a pressure exerted against a patient's skin during an injection.

11. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said outer projection is formed by a plurality of circumferentially disposed members surrounding said inner protrusion.

12. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of members extend axially beyond said inner protrusion.

13. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said outer projection is spaced radially from said inner protrusion to form an annular recess, and where said outer projection has an axially facing surface with a substantially convex, curved outer surface extending between an outer peripheral edge of said outer projection and a distal end of said projection, said curved outer surface configured for contacting and deforming a skin surface of a patient during an injection by the cannula to control deformation of the skin surface and limit a depth of penetration by said inner protrusion and limit a depth of penetration of said cannula.

14. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of ribs extend axially along an outer surface of said inner protrusion.

15. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a recessed ring is formed between said outer projection and inner protrusion.

16. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of circumferentially disposed members having a planar axial face.

17. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of circumferentially disposed members have a rounded axial face.

18. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said inner protrusion has an annular shaped axial face spaced axially from said inner protrusion and said curved outer surface of said outer projection is oriented for contacting the skin surface during an injection.

19. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said inner protrusion has an axial face is substantially flush with said distal end of said outer projection.

20. The hub assembly for an injection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said outer projection has a continuous substantially hemispherical shaped defined by said curved outer surface of said outer projection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above benefits and other advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention and from the accompanying figures, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled existing drug delivery pen;

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the drug delivery pen of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a needle assembly for a drug delivery pen;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pen needle hub assembly of FIG. 3 in an as-manufactured state;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an existing hub for a pen needle assembly;

[0025] FIGS. 6A to 6C are perspective views of a hub for a pen needle assembly according a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 6D is a perspective view of a hub for a pen needle assembly according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention and having additional adhesive spacing;

[0027] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a hub for a pen needle assembly according a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a hub for a pen needle assembly according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention and having additional contours for angle injections;

[0029] FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a hub for a pen needle assembly according a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of a hub for a pen needle assembly according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of a hub for a pen needle assembly according a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of a hub for a pen needle assembly according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a hub for a pen needle assembly according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0034] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of a hub for a pen needle assembly according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Throughout the drawings, like reference numbers will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The following description and details of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, while generally disclosed in a typical drug delivery pen, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, could more broadly apply to a needle and hub assembly for use in conjunction with, or incorporated onto, other injection devices such as syringes, infusion devices and any other needle-containing devices in which such features are desirable.

[0037] In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a hub has an increased surface area that contacts a patient's skin during an injection to reduce the pressure exerted against the patient's skin during the injection, thereby increasing the comfort of the patient. Additionally, the increased contact surface area provides a more stable injection surface during injection, particularly when using cannulas having shorter lengths.

[0038] A hub 151, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, has a substantially cylindrical body 153. A projection, or protrusion, 155 extends outwardly from a distal end 154 of the body 153 of the hub 151. An opening 156 in the projection 151 receives a cannula. The increased surface area at the distal end 158 of the protrusion reduces the pressure exerted against a patient's skin during cannula injection, thereby increasing the patient's comfort. Preferably, the hub 151 is made of plastic, such as polypropylene.

[0039] The adhesive for bonding the cannula to the hub 151 is disposed on the outer surface at the distal end 158 of the protrusion 155. The distal end 158 is preferably provided having a contour near its outer circumference that becomes substantially flat while approaching the inner portion 159. The inner portion 159 of the projection 151 slopes downwardly toward the opening 156, thereby facilitating movement of the adhesive to the opening. A plurality of ribs 152 are disposed in the inner portion 159 that increase the contact surface area between the adhesive and the hub 151. When the adhesive is cured, the inner portion 159 is substantially filled with the adhesive such that the distal end 158 of the projection 155 is substantially flush. By disposing the adhesive on the outer surface of the protrusion 155, the UV radiation used to cure the adhesive does not have to pass through the hub walls to irradiate the adhesive. Thus, the curing time for the adhesive is decreased. Furthermore, the contact area between the cannula adhesive and the hub 151 is also increased, thereby increasing the bond strength of the cannula adhesive with the hub 151. Corona, plasma or other surface treatment may be used with this or any other embodiment to increase the adhesive/hub bond strength.

[0040] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a hub for a pen needle assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the hub of FIGS. 6A and 6B taken along center line of a rib 152. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 6C shows the inner threads 157 of the hub 151 and shows the opening 156 extending through the distal end 158 for communication with an interior of the hub 151. However, in yet other embodiments of the present invention, the opening 156 may be modified as shown in FIG. 6D.

[0041] FIG. 6D is a perspective view of a hub for a pen needle assembly according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention and having additional adhesive spacing. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6D, an opening 196 may be provided having one or more rings 193 or other feature to facilitate adhesive filling. These rings 193 may be used with any embodiment of the needle hub to improve the cannula/hub bond strength. Furthermore, the entrance of the opening 196 may be provided with a guide space or slope 191 by modifying the ribs 152 at a point immediately surrounding the opening 196. Such a guide space 191 may facilitate needle positioning by serving as a guide during assembly.

[0042] A hub 161, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, has a substantially cylindrical body 163. A protrusion 165 extends outwardly from a distal end 164 of the body 163 of the hub 161. An opening 166 in the protrusion 165 receives a cannula. A plurality of projections 167 surround the protrusion 165. The distal ends 168 of the plurality of projections 167 form a substantially planar surface for contacting a patient's skin during injection. The distal ends 168 of the plurality of projections 167 are preferably flush with or extend beyond the distal end of the protrusion 165. The increased surface area provided by the distal ends 168 of the plurality of projections reduces the pressure exerted against a patient's skin during cannula injection, thereby increasing the patient's comfort. However, in yet other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the distal ends of the plurality of projections 167 may be modified as shown in FIG. 7B.

[0043] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a hub for a pen needle assembly according the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention and having additional contours for angle injections. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, distal end 169 of the plurality of projections 167 are contoured, rounded and/or provided with a shape and radius to facilitate injections that may occur or be attempted at angles other than perpendicular to the skin surface, while maintaining the benefit of the increased surface area provided by the distal ends of the plurality of projections.

[0044] A hub 171, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, has a substantially cylindrical body 173. A protrusion 175 extends outwardly from a distal end 174 of the body 173 of the hub 171. An opening 176 in the protrusion 175 receives a cannula and frustoconical shaped recess 200 as shown in FIG. 8C. A substantially hemispherical projection 177 extends outwardly from planar distal face or shoulder 204 at the distal end 174 of the hub 171. An opening 178 in the projection 177 is substantially flush with the distal end of the protrusion 175. The distal end 179 of the projection 177 is a substantially flat planar annular shaped axial face with a annular outer edge 202 for contacting a patient's skin during injection. The distal end 179 of the projection 177 is preferably flush with or extends beyond the distal end of the protrusion 175 (FIG. 8C). The increased surface area provided by the distal end 179 of the projection 177 reduces the pressure exerted against a patient's skin during cannula injection, thereby increasing the patient's comfort. The recessed ring 178 of the surface of the hub 171 may be used to facilitate attachment of a cannula shield. The recessed ring on the surface of the hub may also be used to facilitate manufacturing of the pen needle assembly by collecting adhesive that might overflow from the adhesive well at the center of the hub.

[0045] As shown in greater detail in FIG. 8C, the adhesive well 195 may be provided at or near the end of the protrusion 175. Furthermore, as noted above and more clearly shown in FIG. 8C, the distal end of the projection 177 is preferably substantially flush with or extends slightly beyond the distal end of the protrusion 175. Further, inner threads of the hub 171 are shown.

[0046] A hub 181, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, has a substantially cylindrical body 183. A protrusion 185 extends outwardly from a distal end 184 of the body 183 of the hub 181. An opening 186 in the protrusion 185 receives a cannula. A substantially spherical projection 187 extends outwardly from the distal end 184 of the hub 181. A distal surface 188 of the projection 187 is substantially flush with a distal end 182 of the protrusion 185. The distal surface 188 of the projection 187 is substantially planar for contacting a patient's skin during injection. The distal surface 188 of the projection 187 is preferably flush with or extends beyond the distal end 182 of the protrusion 185. An inner portion 189 of the projection 187 slopes inwardly and downwardly toward the protrusion 185 to form a valley, which is adapted to receive another member of the pen needle assembly, such as a shield. The increased surface area provided by the distal surface 188 of the projection 187 reduces the pressure exerted against a patient's skin during cannula injection, thereby increasing the patient's comfort.

[0047] As shown in greater detail in FIG. 9C, an adhesive well 197 may be provided at or near the end of the protrusion 185. Further, inner threads 199 of the hub 181 are shown.

[0048] A hub 1001, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10B, has a substantially cylindrical body 1003. A protrusion 1005 extends outwardly from a distal end 1004 of the body 1003 of the hub 1001. An opening 1006 in the protrusion 1005 receives a cannula. A substantially spherical projection 1007 extends outwardly from the distal end 1004 of the hub 1001. A distal surface 1008 of the projection 1007 is substantially flush with a distal end of the protrusion 1005. The distal surface 1008 of the projection 1007 is substantially planar for contacting a patient's skin during injection. The distal surface 1008 of the projection 1007 is preferably flush with or extends beyond the distal end of the protrusion 1005.

[0049] The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10A is formed having two concentric wells 1010 and 1020, with the inner well 1010 provided to capture excess adhesive and the outer well 1020 provided to receive and secure a shield, but are not limited thereto.

[0050] As shown in greater detail in FIG. 10B, an adhesive well 1012 may be provided at or near the end of the protrusion 1005. The adhesive well 1012 facilitates visual inspection of the amount of adhesive in the well by using a single top view inspection camera. The more adhesive in the well, the wider the circle of adhesive that is visible in a top-down view. Current inspection methods overfill the glue well and look for glue overflowing the hub protrusion. Further, inner threads 1014 of the hub 1001 are shown.

[0051] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. The description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications, alternatives and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are intended to fall within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.