NEEDLE FOR ADMINISTERING A FLUID

Abstract

A needle (3) for administering a fluid is presented. The needle (3) comprises a hollow needle body (4) to guide the fluid. The needle body (4) is furthermore formed such that an inlet section (20) of the needle body (4) defines a first flow direction for the fluid and an outlet section (21) of the needle body (4) defines a second flow direction for the fluid, wherein the first flow direction is inclined with respect to the second flow direction.

Claims

1. Needle (3) for administering a fluid, the needle (3) comprising a hollow needle body (4) to guide the fluid, the needle body (4) being formed such that an inlet section (20) of the needle body (4) defines a first flow direction for the fluid and an outlet section (21) of the needle body (4) defines a second flow direction for the fluid, wherein the first flow direction is inclined with respect to the second flow direction.

2. Needle (3) according to claim 1, wherein the needle body (4) is formed such that the first flow direction and the second flow direction are right-angled.

3. Needle (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the needle body (4) comprises a bend (22) which connects the inlet section (20) and the outlet section (21).

4. Needle unit (5) according to claim 3, comprising a needle (3) according to at least one of the previous claims, the needle (3) being fixed to a needle hub (6) and a needle housing (10) which covers a part of the bend (22) of the needle body (4).

5. Assembly (100) comprising a needle (1) or needle unit (5) according to at least one of the previous claims, a reservoir retaining a fluid, wherein the needle (3) is fluidly connected to the reservoir, and a housing (1), wherein the needle (3) or the needle unit (5) is mounted to the housing (1).

6. Assembly (100) according to claim 5, wherein the assembly (100) is configured such that, the needle hub (6) is axially secured but rotatable with respect to the housing (1).

7. Assembly (100) according to claim 6, wherein the needle hub (6) is rotatable around the first flow direction.

8. Assembly (100) according to at least one of the claims 5 to 7, wherein the housing (1) comprises a first housing part (1a) and a second housing part (1b), wherein the needle (3) is secured to the first housing part (1a), wherein the assembly (100) comprises a drive mechanism, and wherein the assembly (100) is configured such that the first housing part (1a) is movable relative to the second housing part (1b) to activate the drive mechanism, whereby fluid can be dispensed through the needle (3).

9. Assembly (100) according to claim 8, wherein the first housing part (1a) and the second housing part (1b) are pivotally connected to each other and the first housing part (1a) is spring-biased away from the second housing part (1b) or vice versa.

10. Assembly (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second housing part (1b) comprises an opening (25), and wherein the assembly (100) is configured such that by a movement of the first housing part (1a) with respect to the second housing part (1b), the needle (3) is at least partly movable through the opening (25) such that the outlet section (21) of the needle body (4) protrudes through the opening (25) from the housing (1).

11. Assembly (100) according to claim 10, wherein the first housing part (1a) retains the drive mechanism, and wherein the assembly (100) is configured such that as soon as the outlet section (21) protrudes a certain distance through the opening (25) during movement of the first housing part (1a) with respect to the second housing part (1b), fluid is administered through the needle (3).

12. Assembly (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second housing part (1b) comprises a contact area (12) for contacting a surface into which the fluid is to be administered, and wherein the opening (25) is provided in the region of the contact area (12).

13. Assembly (100) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the needle (3) is rotatable from an administration position to a storage position, and wherein the assembly (100) is configured such that, when the needle (3) is in the storage position, the needle (3) is prevented from being visible for a user.

14. Assembly (100) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the second housing part (1a, 1b) comprises a shield (2) being arranged to prevent or hinder the outlet section (21) of the needle (3) from being visible for a user.

15. Drug delivery device (200) comprising the assembly (100) according to at least one of the claims 5 to 14 and a priming mechanism in addition to the drive mechanism, the priming mechanism being configured such that a priming dose of fluid can be administered by activating the priming mechanism.

Description

[0053] Features which are described herein above and below in conjunction with different aspects or embodiments, may also apply for other aspects and embodiments. Further features and advantageous aspects of the subject matter of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the figures, in which:

[0054] FIG. 1A shows a schematic view of a needle.

[0055] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an assembly in a first state.

[0056] FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the assembly in a second state.

[0057] FIG. 2A shows a top view of parts of the assembly, wherein the needle hub is in an administration position.

[0058] FIG. 2B shows a top view of parts of the assembly, wherein the needle is in a storage position.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the assembly being in the second state.

[0060] Like elements, elements of the same kind and identically acting elements may be provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. Additionally, the figures may be not true to scale.

[0061] Rather, certain features may be depicted in an exaggerated fashion for better illustration of important principles.

[0062] FIG. 1A shows a needle 3. The needle 3 comprises or consists of a needle body 4. The needle body 4 comprises an inlet section 20 and an outlet section 21. The needle body 4 further comprises a bend 22 or bend section between the inlet section 20 and the outlet section 21. The bend 22 connects the inlet section 20 and the outlet section 21. The needle body 4 may comprise a single component only (as shown in FIG. 1A). The needle body 4 may e.g. be a tube. The needle body 4 may be a single tube with an integral bend 22, for example. Alternatively, the needle body 4 mayalthough this is not explicitly indicated in the figurescomprise more than one, e.g. two, components, wherein the inlet section 20 and outlet section 21 may be separate tubes connected by a third part that comprises the bend 22. The inlet section defines a first flow direction and the outlet section defines a second flow direction for the fluid which is to be administered through the needle 3. The first and the second flow direction, preferably, run linearly. The first flow direction is, preferably, an inlet flow direction determining the direction of fluid which is entering the needle body 4 via the inlet section 20. The second flow direction is, preferably, an outlet flow direction determining the direction of fluid which is exiting the needle body 4 via the outlet section 21. In FIG. 1A, the needle body 4 is formed such that the first flow direction and the second flow direction are right-angled, as the inlet section 20 is right-angled with respect to the outlet section 21. Alternatively, the bend 22 could be configured such that the bend 22 defines an angle different from 90. Preferably, the bend 22 only extends over a single plane, only, such that the needle body 4 defines or runs in said plane. Preferably, the bend extends over an angle of less than 270, preferably less than 180, most preferably less than 120.

[0063] FIG. 1B shows an assembly 100 and/or a drug delivery device 200. The drug delivery device 200 may relate to all parts shown in FIG. 1 including all inner components, while the assembly 100 may only pertain to several of the depicted parts. The drug delivery device 200 comprises the assembly 100. The assembly 100 comprises a housing 1. The housing 1, preferably also constitutes a housing of the drug delivery device 200.

[0064] The housing 1 comprises a first housing part 1a. The housing 1 further comprises a second housing part 1b. The first housing part 1a and the second housing part 1b are movable with respect to each other. The assembly 100 comprises a proximal end 23 and a distal end 24, wherein the proximal end 23 is e.g. spaced from the distal end 24 along a longitudinal axis X of the housing 1.

[0065] The first and the second housing part 1a, 1b are pivotally connected to each other at the proximal end 23, e.g. by means of a hinge (not explicitly indicated). The outlet section 21 of the needle 3 may be curved (embodiment not explicitly shown), with a radius of curvature centred on the pivot point between the first housing part 1a and the second housing part 1b. Alternatively, the first housing part 1a and second housing part 1b may slide relative to each other along the axis of the outlet section 21 of the needle 3.

[0066] Furthermore, the first housing part 1a is spring-biased away from the second housing part 1b or vice versa. The spring-biasing is, e.g. effected via a biasing spring (not explicitly indicated), preferably at or near the distal end 24 of the device 200. The biasing spring may tend to separate or urge the first and the second housing part 1a, 1b away from each other. The separation of the first and the second housing part 1a, 1b is, expediently counteracted by a stop (not explicitly indicated).

[0067] By the biasing and the stop, a first, open or ready-to-dispense state of the assembly 100, as depicted in FIG. 1B can be defined such that in said state, the first housing part 1a may be moved with respect to the second housing part 1b against the resilience of the biasing. In other words, the housing 1, the assembly 100 or the device 200 may be closed. Said movement or closing relates to an administration or delivery operation of fluid. Therefore, the first housing part 1a may be pressed at its distal end 24 towards and relative to the second housing part 1b, for example.

[0068] The first housing part 1a is further provided with a needle unit 5. The needle unit 5 is, fixedly connected with, preferably pressed or snapped on the first housing part 1a. Preferably, the needle unit 5 is configured such that it can be pressed or fixed to the first housing part 1a without being screwed to the first housing part 1a. The needle unit 5 comprises the needle 3 (cf. FIG. 10). The needle unit 5 further comprises a needle hub 6. The needle 3 is fixed to the needle hub 6. The needle hub 6 is, preferably, fixedly connected to the needle body 4. The needle hub 6 may retain or bear the needle body 4. The needle unit 5 further comprises a needle housing 10. The needle housing 10 is, preferably, integrally formed with the needle hub 6. Alternatively, the needle housing 10 and the needle hub 6 may be separate components. The needle housing 10 covers a part of the bend 22 of the needle body 4. In FIG. 1B the needle body 4 is covered by the needle housing 10. Since the needle housing 10 also covers the bend 22 of the needle body 4, the needle housing is also bent.

[0069] The needle hub 6 and with it the needle 3 is axially secured but rotatable with respect to the housing 1 around the longitudinal axis X of the housing 1 and/or around the first flow direction.

[0070] In one embodiment, the second housing part 1b may be opened or separated further from the first housing part 1a in the ready-to-dispense state, to provide easier access for securing the needle 3, for example. It may then be returned to the first state e.g. for dispense.

[0071] As the shape of the needle housing 10 suggests in FIG. 1A, the first flow direction is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis X while the second flow direction is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. As an advantage, the inlet section of the needle 20 may be connected to a fluid reservoir of the assembly retaining a fluid, wherein the needle is fluidly connected to the reservoir unless this is not explicitly indicated or described in FIG. 1B. The fluid reservoir, such as a cartridge may be housed by the first housing part 1a, for example.

[0072] The first housing part 1a is further provided with a dose indicator 8 which may comprise a window through which e.g. the number or amount of a previously set or dispensed dose of fluid, such as drug or medicinal product may be indicated.

[0073] The first housing part 1a is further provided with a dose member 9 which may be manipulated by the user during setting of a dose of drug. Preferably, during setting, the dose member 9 is rotated by the user with respect to the housing 1. During setting, the assembly 100 is, preferably, in the first state.

[0074] The provision of the dose indicator 8 and the dose member 9 is particularly expedient, as the device 200 may relate to a device, wherein doses of drug can be varied and/or set by the user. The device 200, preferably, further relates to a semiautomatic, or automatically driven drug delivery device.

[0075] The second housing part 1b comprises a shield 2 which is arranged to prevent or hinder the needle body 4 or a section thereof from being visible for a user of the assembly or the device, especially during administration or dispensing. It may also be advantageous for protecting the cartridge from damage or dirt during storage. The assembly 100 further comprises a drive mechanism (not explicitly indicated).

[0076] FIG. 10 shows the assembly 100 in a second, as-dispensed or closed state, wherein the first housing part 1a has already been moved or pressed towards the second housing part 1b such that said housing parts abut. The second state may additionally relate to a storage state of the assembly 100. A clip or manually operated lock (not explicitly indicated) may retain the assembly 100 in this second state for storage. In this state, the shield 2, preferably, completely visually shields the needle unit 5 or the needle hub 6.

[0077] During administering or dispensing of fluid, the first housing part 1a is pressed or moved with respect to the second housing part 1b by the user. Expediently, the assembly 100 is configured such that by said movement, fluid contained in the fluid reservoir can be administered through the needle 3. In order to be pressed against and relative to the second housing part 1b, the first housing part 1a further comprises an activation face 7 which the user can contact, e.g. manually. Consequently, a bung contained within an axially oriented cartridge for fluid reservoir may e.g. be moved, by a piston rod (not explicitly indicated). An axial movement of the piston rod expediently effects an administration or dispensing of fluid through the needle, when the first housing part 1a is moved (radially) with respect to the second housing part 1b. This may be facilitated by the mentioned drive mechanism which may comprise one or more further components of the device 200 which transfer a radial movement of the first housing part 1a with respect to the second housing part 1b into an axial movement of said components and/or the piston rod with respect to the second housing part 1b.

[0078] In FIG. 3, the device 200 is shown with a surface of the second housing part 1b facing upwards. The surface of the second housing part 1b comprises or defines a contact area 12 for contacting a surface into which the fluid is to be administered or dispensed. The second housing part 1b further comprises an opening 25, wherein the opening 25 is provided in the contact area 12. The opening is, preferably, arranged and configured such that the needle body 4 or the outlet section 21 of the needle body 4 may at least partly be moved through the opening 25, when the first and the second housing part 1b are moved relatively such that the outlet section 21 protrudes through the opening 25 from the housing 1. The drive mechanism and the assembly 100 or the device 200 are, preferably, configured such that, during relative movement of the first and the second housing part 1a, 1b, the outlet section 21 is firstly moved through the opening such that it protrudes a certain distance through the opening 25 of the second housing part 1b sufficient to pierce the skin of the user, and sequentially fluid is administered through the needle 3, particularly through the outlet section 21.

[0079] When at least one of the first and the second housing part 1a, 1b is released again by the user, said housing parts are (at least at the distal end 24) moved away from each other, e.g. by the biasing spring, and the dispensing operation is, expediently stopped or interrupted. In other words, the housing 1 is opened again, wherein also the outlet section 21 of the needle body 4 is moved through the opening 25 in a direction opposite to the one in which the outlet section 21 moved during dispensing, preferably such that it does no longer protrude through the opening 25 from the housing 1.

[0080] FIG. 2A shows a top view of the first housing part 1a. Particularly, a distal end of parts of the assembly is shown. Although the second housing part is not shown in FIG. 2A, the first housing part 1a basically determines a contour or e.g. a cross-section of the device 200. In the top view of FIG. 2A, the needle unit 5 is shown located above the dose member 9. The needle hub 6 is arranged in or aligned according to an administration position in which the outlet section 21 is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X (not shown in FIG. 2A) of the housing 1, as is also the case in FIG. 1A for example. In the administration position, the outlet section 21 would also be aligned perpendicular to the contact area 12 of the second housing part 1b, if the second housing part was mounted to the first housing part 1a in FIG. 2A.

[0081] FIG. 2B shows a situation in which, as compared to FIG. 2A, the needle hub 6 has been rotated from the administration position to a storage position. The first housing part 1a comprises a recess 13 (shown in top view only in FIG. 2B). With the needle hub 6 being in the storage position, the needle body is at least partly rotated under the recess 13 such that the needle body 4 is at least partly covered by the first housing part 1a and prevented or hindered from being visible for a user. Furthermore, the outlet section 21 points towards the dose member 9, wherein it is no longer accessible and the danger of needle stick injuries for the user can be prevented.

[0082] In FIG. 3, the device 200 is shown being provided with a priming button 11 located near the proximal end 23. The device 200 further comprises a priming mechanism (not explicitly indicated) in addition to or as part of the drive mechanism. The priming mechanism is expediently coupled to the priming button 11. The priming mechanism is configured such that one or more, such as two priming doses or safety shots, of fluid can be administrated by activating the priming mechanism when the assembly is in the second or closed state. The priming mechanism relates to a safety aspect, as the risk of needle stick injury is reduced when, during priming, the device is in the second state. Particularly, priming ensures that a bearing e.g. of or connected to a piston rod of the device or to another component thereof is in contact with a bung or piston. Thereby, e.g. fabrication tolerances between components of the drive mechanism can advantageously be compensated for. The safety shots ensure that the needle 3 is e.g. not blocked. The safety shot may further be performed after a new needle is fixed to the device.

[0083] As an alternative to the described embodiments, the drive mechanism and the needle unit may also be provided by the second housing part 1b.

[0084] The presented concept enables that an administration or dispensing operation can be carried out more discretely. The user is not directly involved in the dispensing process and the needle itself is less visible to the user during this process, which can make the device easier to use for users with a needle phobia. In addition, needle functions and movements with respect to the housing can make the administration more controllable, aiding users with limited manual dexterity.

[0085] Advantageously, the relative movement of the first and the second housing part 1a, 1b to trigger a dispensing requires relatively low user force, as the concept is, preferably, designed for an application in semiautomatic or automatically driven, e.g. spring-driven, drug delivery devices.

[0086] The scope of protection is not limited to the examples given herein above. The invention is embodied in each novel characteristic and each combination of characteristics, which particularly includes every combination of any features which are stated in the claims, even if this feature or this combination of features is not explicitly stated in the claims or in the examples.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0087] 1 Housing [0088] 1a First housing part [0089] 1b Second housing part [0090] 2 Shield [0091] 3 Needle [0092] 4 Needle body [0093] 5 Needle unit [0094] 6 Needle hub [0095] 7 Activation face [0096] 8 Dose Indicator [0097] 9 Dose member [0098] 10 Needle housing [0099] 11 Priming button [0100] 12 Contact area [0101] 13 Recess [0102] 20 Inlet section [0103] 21 Outlet section [0104] 22 Bend [0105] 23 Proximal end [0106] 24 Distal end [0107] 25 Opening [0108] 100 Assembly [0109] 200 Drug delivery device [0110] X Longitudinal axis