Implant injection device provided with sequentially released pushing means
20190351208 · 2019-11-21
Inventors
- Gaëtan Painchaud (Francheville, FR)
- Pascal Dugand (Estrablin, FR)
- Thomas Megard (La Roche-Vineuse, FR)
Cpc classification
A61M37/0069
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61B17/3468
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61M5/322
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A61M37/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61M5/32
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
The invention relates to an implant injection device (1), comprising: an injection needle (3), a receiver housing (7) for receiving at least a first implant and a second implant, injection means (11), comprising: a pushing rod (37), arranged upstream from said implants housed in the receiver housing (7) and configured to push the first implant and the second implant through the injection needle (3) between an initial position and a final position in which the first implant and the second implant are injected, means (39) for pushing on the pushing rod (37), configured to exert a force tending to move the pushing rod (37) from the initial position to the final position, intermediate stop means (41) holding the pushing rod (37) in an intermediate position between the initial position and the final position, said means oppose the force exerted by the pushing means (39) when the stroke of the pushing rod (37) reaches a predetermined distance corresponding to the length of injection of the first implant, means (43) for actuation by a user, configured to release a displacement of the pushing rod (37) from the intermediate position to the final position.
Claims
1. Implant injection device (1), characterised in that it comprises: an injection needle (3), a receiver housing (7) for receiving at least a first implant and a second implant (9), injection means (11), comprising: a pushing rod (37), arranged upstream from said implants (9) housed in the receiver housing (7) and configured to push the first implant and the second implant (9) through the injection needle (3) between an initial position and a final position in which the first implant and the second implant (9) are injected, means (39) for pushing on the pushing rod (37), configured to exert a force tending to move the pushing rod (37) from the initial position to the final position, intermediate stop means (41) holding the pushing rod (37) in an intermediate position between the initial position and the final position, said means oppose the force exerted by the pushing means (39) when the stroke of the pushing rod (37) reaches a predetermined distance corresponding to the length of injection of the first implant (9), means (43) for actuation by a user, configured to release a displacement of the pushing rod (37) from the intermediate position to the final position.
2. Implant injection device (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising initial stop means (73) opposing the force exerted by the pushing means (39) and holding the pushing rod (37) in the initial position.
3. Implant injection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation means (43) comprise an actuation button (49) which can be moved by pressing by a user between: a rest position before actuation, a median position, in which the actuation means (43) release the displacement of the pushing rod (37) from its initial position to its intermediate position, and a terminal position, in which the actuation means (43) release the displacement of the pushing rod (37) from its intermediate position to its final position.
4. Implant injection device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuation means (43) comprise an indication element (55) configured to indicate to a user that the actuation button (49) is in its median position, the indication element (55) preferably comprising a secondary button (57) flush with the actuation button (49) when the latter is in its median position.
5. Implant injection device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the actuation means (43) comprise means (51) for returning the actuation button (49) to its rest position, in particular an elastic tab (53) carried by the actuation button (49), or a spring.
6. Implant injection device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, comprising non-return means (59) preventing the actuation button (49) from returning respectively from its median position and from its terminal position.
7. Implant injection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation means (43) are lateral, for example movable by sliding in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the pushing rod (37) or by pivoting about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pushing rod (37).
8. Implant injection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate stop means (41) comprise an intermediate axial stop member (47) holding the pushing rod (37) in the intermediate position, the intermediate axial stop member (47) being configured to be driven by the actuation means (43) to release a displacement of the pushing rod (37) from the intermediate position to the final position.
9. Implant injection device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the initial stop means (73) comprise an initial axial stop member (75) holding the pushing rod (37) in the initial position, the initial axial stop member (75) being configured to be driven by the actuation means (43) to release a displacement of the pushing rod (37) from the initial position to the intermediate position.
10. Implant injection device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the actuation means (43) cause the rotation of at least one from the initial axial stop member (75) and the intermediate axial stop member (47) to release respectively a displacement of the pushing rod (37) from the initial position to the intermediate position and/or from the intermediate position to the final position.
11. Implant injection device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one from the initial axial stop member (75) and the intermediate axial stop member (47) comprises a pin (80) arranged on its distal end, offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the pushing rod (37), cooperating with the actuation means (43) to cause the rotation of at least one from the initial axial stop member (75) and the intermediate axial stop member (47).
12. Implant injection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a gripping unit (13, 19, 21, 23, 25) and a support (87) carrying the pushing rod (37) slidably mounted relative to the gripping unit (13, 19, 21, 23, 25), preferably a sliding bush (87) cooperating with a groove (89, 91) carried by the gripping unit (13, 19, 21, 23, 25), the support (87) comprising a bearing surface (97) intended to cooperate with the intermediate stop means (41) to hold the pushing rod (37) axially in the intermediate position.
13. Implant injection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pushing means (39) comprise a thrust spring (45) resting between a gripping unit (13, 19, 21, 23, 25) and the pushing rod (37), preferably arranged between the gripping unit (13, 19, 21, 23, 25) and the support (87) carrying the pushing rod (37).
14. Implant injection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a removable locking element (103) to lock the pushing means (39), configured to hold the implant injection device (1) in a storage position, in particular in which the pushing rod (37) is in its initial position.
15. Implant injection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising locking means arranged to block the pushing rod (37) in its final position, position in which the pushing rod (37) preferably projects towards the downstream direction past the end of the injection needle (3).
16. Implant injection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which can inject a plurality of implants (9) and comprising a plurality of respective intermediate stop means (41) holding the pushing rod (37) in a plurality of respective intermediate positions, said means opposing the force exerted by the pushing means (39) when the stroke of the pushing rod (37) reaches a respective predetermined distance corresponding to the length of injection of a respective implant (9).
Description
[0067] It will be easier to understand the invention on reading the description below, given as an example and referring to the drawings, on which:
[0068]
[0069]
[0070]
[0071]
[0072]
[0073]
[0074] As shown on
[0075] The implant injection device 1 is configured to inject several implants into a patient's body via the injection needle 3 shown on
[0076] As shown on
[0077] The cap 5 is a cap protecting the injection needle 3, in this case it is assembled on the gripping unit 13, by clipping its proximal end to the gripping unit 13. However, other assembly means are possible, for example by screwing. In this example, the cap 5 is bullet-shaped, provided with reliefs for easier gripping.
[0078] The receiver housing 7 is a housing for receiving a first implant and a second implant 9. As shown on
[0079] In the example shown, the gripping unit 13 consists of several elements: [0080] two half-shells 19, 21, shown in particular on
[0083] In the assembled state, the two half-shells 19, 21, the downstream plug 23 and the upstream plug 25 are held in position relative to one another.
[0084] Each half-shell 19, 21 shown on
[0085] In addition, in the assembled state, the downstream plug 23 is in abutment against the distal end of the two half-shells 19, 21, and is assembled to the two half-shells 19, 21 by clipping a peripheral rib 35 as shown in particular on
[0086] Similarly, the upstream plug 25 is in abutment against the proximal end of the two half-shells 19, 21, and is assembled to the two half-shells 19, 21 by clipping a peripheral rib in a corresponding inner peripheral groove of each of the two half-shells 19, 21.
[0087] Lastly, in the assembled state, the two half-shells 19, 21 house the injection means 11 and comprise an opening 38 through which at least part of the injection means 11 projects.
[0088] The injection means 11 comprise a pushing rod 37, pushing means 39, intermediate stop means 41 and actuation means 43 for actuation by a user.
[0089] The pushing rod 37 is arranged upstream from the implants 9 housed in the receiver housing 7. The pushing rod 37 extends longitudinally and is configured to push the first implant and the second implant 9 through the injection needle 3 between an initial position and a final position in which the first implant and the second implant 9 are injected. More precisely in this example, the pushing rod 37 is configured to push the first implant and the second implant 9 through the injection needle 3 between a proximal initial position and a distal final position in which the first implant and the second implant 9 are injected. Thus, in the initial position of the pushing rod 37, the first implant and the second implant 9 are housed in the receiver housing 7, and in the final position of the pushing rod 37, the first implant and the second implant 9 have passed through the injection needle 3 and are a priori placed in a patient's body. The pushing rod 37 can be made of metal, for example steel, preferably stainless steel.
[0090] In this example, the pushing means 39 are automatic and, in this example, comprise a thrust spring 45 resting between the gripping unit 13 and the pushing rod 37. The pushing means 39, due to the action of the thrust spring 45, are thus configured to exert a force tending to move the pushing rod 37 from the initial position to the final position. In particular, as shown on
[0091] The intermediate stop means 41 hold the pushing rod 37 in an intermediate position between the initial position and the final position. The intermediate stop means 41 oppose the force exerted by the pushing means 39 when the stroke of the pushing rod 37 reaches a predetermined distance corresponding to the length of injection of the first implant.
[0092] The intermediate stop means 41 comprise an intermediate axial stop member 47 holding the pushing rod 37 in the intermediate position, the intermediate axial stop member 47 being configured to be driven by the actuation means 43 to release a displacement of the pushing rod 37 from the intermediate position to the final position.
[0093] The actuation means 43 for actuation by a user, configured to actuate a displacement of the pushing rod 37 from the initial position to the final position, comprise an actuation button 49 which can be moved by pressing by a user between: [0094] a rest position before actuation, [0095] a median position, in which the actuation means 43 release the displacement of the pushing rod 37 from its initial position to its intermediate position, and [0096] a terminal position, in which the actuation means 43 release the displacement of the pushing rod 37 from its intermediate position to its final position.
[0097] The actuation button 49 is placed in the opening 38 formed in the two half-shells 19, 21 so that it can be actuated by a user. Thus, the actuation means 43, in particular the actuation button 49, are lateral, movable by sliding in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the pushing rod 37. Alternatively, the actuation means 43 can be movable by pivoting about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pushing rod 37, or by pivoting about the longitudinal axis of the pushing rod 37, and comprise for example a pivoting bush.
[0098] The actuation means 43 comprise means 51 for returning the actuation button 49 to its rest position, shown on
[0099] The actuation means 43 further comprise an indication element 55, shown on
[0100] The secondary button 57 is arranged around the actuation button 49. It is slidably mounted relative to the gripping unit 13 and to the actuation button 49. The secondary button 57 is movable between two positions, one in which the secondary button 57 is flush with the actuation button 49 when the latter is in its median position, and the other in which the secondary button 57 is flush with the actuation button 49 when the latter is in its terminal position. Flush should preferably be understood to mean that the surface on which a user presses on the secondary button 57 is level with the surface on which a user presses on the actuation button 49. In addition, in its rest position, the actuation button 49 projects relative to the secondary button 57.
[0101] The implant injection device 1 also comprises non-return means 59 (shown on
[0102] The implant injection device 1 further comprises initial stop means 73 (shown on
[0103] The initial stop means 73 comprise an initial axial stop member 75 holding the pushing rod 37 in the initial position, the initial axial stop member 75 being configured to be driven by the actuation means 43 to release a displacement of the pushing rod 37 from the initial position to the intermediate position. In particular, the initial axial stop member 75 and the intermediate axial stop member 47 are made in one piece and form an axial stop member 77, as shown in particular on
[0104] The axial stop member 77 is formed by a partly hollowed out cylinder which is directed substantially longitudinally, whose side wall comprises a plurality of successive indents 75, 47, 79 in the shape of steps. The pushing rod 37 abuts at end of stroke, in other words in its final position, against a final axial stop member 79 formed by the bottom of one of the successive indents 75, 47, 79 of the side wall of the axial stop member 77.
[0105] The actuation means 43 cause the rotation of at least one from the initial axial stop member 75 and the intermediate axial stop member 47, in particular of the axial stop member 77, to release respectively a displacement of the pushing rod 37 from the initial position to the intermediate position and/or from the intermediate position to the final position.
[0106] To do this, at least one from the initial axial stop member 75 and the intermediate axial stop member 47, in particular the axial stop member 77, comprises a pin 80 (shown on
[0107] The axial stop member 77 comprises a stop protrusion 83 (shown on
[0108] The implant injection device 1 also comprises a support 87 carrying the pushing rod 37. The support 87 is slidably mounted relative to the gripping unit 13. In particular, the support 87 is a sliding bush cooperating with a groove carried by the gripping unit 13.
[0109] In the example shown in particular on
[0110] The downstream end of each rib 93 forms a bearing surface 97 cooperating with the intermediate stop means 41 to hold the pushing rod 37 axially in the intermediate position, as shown on
[0111] The support 87 comprises, at its upstream end, a bush 99 for receiving the thrust spring 45, and at its downstream end, a bush 101 for supporting the pushing rod 37. Thus, the thrust spring 45 is arranged between the gripping unit 13 and the support 87 carrying the pushing rod 37.
[0112] The implant injection device 1, as shown on
[0113] Thus, to hold the implant injection device 1 in its storage position, the removable locking element 103 is engaged through an opening 105 formed in the gripping unit 13, in particular in a complementary manner on each half-shell 19, 21, and formed in the axial stop member 77. As shown on
[0114] The implant injection device 1 comprises locking means arranged to block the pushing rod 37 in its final position, position in which the pushing rod 37 preferably projects towards the downstream direction past the end of the injection needle 3, as shown on
[0115] The elements of the implant injection device 1, whose material is not specified in this description, may be made of a thermoplastic material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene.
[0116] An example of operation of the implant injection device 1 will now be described.
[0117] The implant injection device 1 as shown on
[0118] The user must remove the cap 5 protecting the injection needle 3, as shown on
[0119] The injection needle 3 is then inserted into the patient's body and the user presses the actuation button 49. The actuation button 49 then slides radially relative to the gripping unit 13 and moves from its rest position to its median position. The pin 80 of the axial stop member 77 is then driven by the displacement of the surface 81 of the actuation button 49. By means of the pin 80, the axial stop member 77 is then driven in rotation, which releases the displacement of the support 87 and of the pushing rod 37, the pushing rod 37 then moving from its initial position to its intermediate position. In this configuration in intermediate position, the rib 93 of the support 87 of the pushing rod 37 abuts against the intermediate axial stop member 47, which may generate a tactile or audible indication such as a vibration and/or an audible click, due to the impact of the rib 93 against the intermediate axial stop member 47. The actuation button 49 is then in its median position in which the secondary button 57 is flush with the actuation button 49. In this intermediate configuration, a first implant has been injected into the patient's body. Optionally, this step may be followed by a step of changing the injection location or of modifying the direction of the injection needle 3, for example so that the second implant 9 is injected at the same depth as the first implant.
[0120] The user then presses the actuation button 49 and the secondary button 57, the two buttons being flush. The actuation button 49 and the secondary button 57 then slide radially relative to the gripping unit 13, and the actuation button 49 moves from its median position to its terminal position. The pin 80 of the axial stop member 77 is then driven by the displacement of the surface 81 of the actuation button 49. By means of the pin 80, the axial stop member 77 is then driven in rotation, which releases the displacement of the support 87 and of the support rod 37, the pushing rod 37 then moving from its intermediate position to its final position. In this configuration in intermediate position, the rib 93 of the support 87 of the pushing rod 37 abuts against the final axial stop member 79, which may generate a tactile or audible indication such as a vibration and/or an audible click, due to the impact of the rib 93 against the final axial stop member 79. The actuation button 49 is then in its terminal position in which the secondary button 57 is still flush with the actuation button 49. In this terminal configuration, a last implant, in this case the second implant 9, has been injected into the patient's body, and the pushing rod 37 projects towards the downstream direction past the end of the injection needle 3. Lastly, the user removes the implant injection device 1 from the patient's body.
[0121] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and other embodiments will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art. Although the invention has been illustrated with an implant injection device 1, configured to inject two implants, those skilled in the art will easily understand that such an implant injection device 1 can be configured to inject a number of implants greater than two, for example three, four, five or even ten implants. In this case, the number of intermediate stop means, in particular intermediate axial stop members, is chosen according to the number of implants to be injected and is equal to this number minus one. Thus, the invention also relates to an implant injection device of the above-mentioned type, which can inject a plurality of implants and comprising a plurality of respective intermediate stop means holding the pushing rod in a plurality of respective intermediate positions, said means opposing the force exerted by the pushing means when the stroke of the pushing rod reaches a respective predetermined distance corresponding to the length of injection of a respective implant.