Cover for a Medical Injection Device Comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tag

Abstract

The present invention relates to cover for a medical injection device, said medical injection device having a hub portion defined at its distal end. The said cover includes an outer casing formed of a first material, said outer casing having a distal end and a proximal end,—an inner casing formed of a second material different from the said first material and defining a cavity capable of receiving in a sealing way, at least part of the hub portion, said inner casing having a distal end and a proximal end, and being at least partly inserted within the outer casing and at least partially in contact with the outer casing and—at least one substantially ring-shaped Radio Frequency Identification RFID tag embedded within the cover, said ring-shaped RFID tag including a RFID chip connected to at least one ring-shaped RFID antenna. The present invention also relates to a medical injection device and a method for manufacturing a cover.

Claims

1. A cover for a medical injection device, said medical injection device having a hub portion defined at its distal end, the said cover comprising: an outer casing formed of a first material, said outer casing having a distal end and a proximal end, an inner casing formed of a second material different from the said first material and defining a cavity capable of receiving in a sealing way, at least part of the hub portion, said inner casing having a distal end and a proximal end, and being at least partly inserted within the outer casing and at least partially in contact with the outer casing and at least one substantially ring-shaped Radio Frequency Identification RFID tag embedded within the cover, said ring-shaped RFID tag comprising a RFID chip connected to at least one RFID ring-shaped antenna.

2. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag is located between the outer casing and the inner casing.

3. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag is located at the distal end of the outer and inner casings, at a middle portion of the outer casing or at the proximal end of the outer casing and inner casings.

4. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag is located on a top inner wall of the outer casing (20, 130) or on a top outer wall of the inner casing.

5. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag is located between a top inner wall of the outer casing and a top outer wall of the inner casing.

6. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag is embedded within the outer casing, especially between a lateral inner wall of the outer casing and a lateral outer wall of the outer casing.

7. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 6, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag is located within the outer casing and is flush with a lateral inner wall of the outer casing.

8. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag is an Ultra High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification UHF-RFID tag, a High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification HF-RFID tag, a Low Frequency Radio Indentification LF-RFID tag, a High-Frequency Near Field Communication HF-NFC tag or a double frequency tag including simultaneously a HF-NFC and an UHF RFID.

9. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag comprises at least one antenna having two extremities, each extremity being linked to a portion of the RFID chip.

10. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag comprises at least one antenna having two legs including respectively a first extremity and a second extremity, each first extremity of the legs being linked to a portion of the RFID chip.

11. The cover for a medical injection device according to claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag comprises at least one antenna having two legs including respectively a first extremity and a second extremity, each first extremity of the legs being linked to a portion of the RFID chip and each second extremity including a plurality of sub-legs.

12. The method injection device comprising a hub portion, and a cover according to claim 1.

13. The method for manufacturing a cover comprising an inner casing and an outer casing according to claim 1, comprising: A. Providing the inner casing and the outer casing, said inner casing defining a cavity capable of receiving in a sealing way at least part of a hub portion defined at the distal end of a medical injection device, B. Providing the inner casing and/or the outer casing with at least one a ring-shaped RFID tag, said ring-shaped RFID tag comprising a RFID chip connected to at least one ring-shaped RFID antenna and C. Assembling the cover by inserting the inner casing within the outer casing so that the RFID tag is embedded within the cover.

14. The method according to claim 14, wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag is implemented within the cover by overmolding, by adhesive bonding or by assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] The invention and advantages arising therefrom will clearly emerge from the detailed description that is given below with reference to the appended drawings as follows:

[0058] FIG. 1 is a view of a medical injection device comprising a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 2 is an exploded view a medical injection device comprising a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cover according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] FIG. 4 is a view in section of a medical injection device comprising a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] FIG. 5 is a zoomed view of FIG. 4;

[0063] FIG. 6 is a RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0064] FIG. 7 is a RFID tag according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] FIG. 8 is a transversal view of another medical injection device comprising a cover according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0067] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the cover as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9;

[0068] FIG. 11 is a view in section of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10;

[0069] FIG. 12 is a zoomed view of FIG. 11;

[0070] FIG. 13 is a view in section of another medical injection device equipped with a cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0071] FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show a medical injection device 1 such a syringe comprising a body 2. Said body 2 comprises a sidewall 3 forming a reservoir adapted to contain a medical composition 4 to be injected. The medical injection device 1 further comprises a hub portion 5 provided at its distal end 6. The hub portion 5 is partially hollow so as to form a channel 7 in fluidic communication with the body 2.

[0072] A needle 8 may be attached to the hub portion 5 of the medical injection device 1. For example, the needle 8 may be glued using a glue 9 to the hub portion 5. The cover of the invention is intended to cover the hub portion 5 of the medical injection device 1, so as to protect the needle 8.

[0073] The medical injection device or syringe 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 may also include a plunger rod (not shown on the figures) having a plunger provided at an end thereof. The plunger is caused to slidably move in the body 2 along an inner surface of the sidewall 3 to cause the medical composition 4 to be expelled from the body 3 through the channel 7 and thus the needle 8. The medical composition 4 comprised in the medical injection device 1 may be for example, a liquid medicament, a drug or a pharmaceutical composition such as a vaccine.

[0074] FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate a cover 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover 10 of the invention is intended to protect the needle 8 mounted on the hub portion 5 of a medical injection device 1. The cover 10 is intended to be mounted on the hub portion 5 of said medical injection device 1. The cover 10 comprises an outer casing 20 and an inner casing 30. The outer casing 20 is typically made of a rigid material while the inner casing 30 wherein the needle 8 is directly engaged when the cover 10 is mounted on the hub portion 6 of the medical injection device 1, is made of a soft material. Preferably, the outer casing 20 is made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) or polycarbonate (PC), much preferably of polypropylene. Advantageously, the inner casing 30 is made of a deformable material such as TPE (Thermo Plastic Elastomer). Advantageously, the outer casing 20 comprises a partially closed distal end and an opened proximal end. Typically, the distal end of the outer casing comprises a top wall which may comprise at least a through hole 24. Said through hole 24 may be useful for example for allowing the sterilization gas to enter into said outer casing. Preferably, the inner casing 30 comprises a closed distal end and an opened proximal end. The outer casing 20 can be manufactured so that, at its proximal end, the outer casing 20 comprises at least one locking window 21. Said locking window define a through aperture and is configured to receive at least a radial lug 31 of the inner casing 30. Said radial lug 31 of the inner casing 30 engages with the at least one window 21 of the outer casing 20. Typically the outer casing comprises two locking windows 21 diametrically opposite. Typically, the inner casing comprises two radial lugs 31 diametrically opposite, or one radial lug extending all around the outer surface of the inner casing. The outer casing 20 may comprise abutment portions 22 which are positioned next to locking window 21 allowing to lock the inner casing 20, as the radial lug 31 engages into the locking window 21. The outer casing 20 may be manufactured by over-molding or injection molding.

[0075] The outer casing 20 can comprise a top inner wall 23, which may receive a top outer wall 32 of the inner casing 30.

[0076] The inner casing 30 may also comprise an inner lateral wall 33 which is intended to at least partially cooperate with the hub portion 5 of the medical injection device 1 when the cover 10 is mounted on said hub portion 5. Said inner lateral wall 33 of the inner casing 30 is intended to sealingly engage an outer surface of the hub portion 5 of the medical injection device 1.

[0077] FIGS. 2 to 6 illustrate a ring-shaped RFID tag 40 that may be embedded between the inner casing 30 and the outer casing 20. For example, the ring-shaped RFID tag 40 may be embedded on a top inner wall 23 of the outer casing 20. Advantageously, the ring-shaped RFID tag 40 at least partially surrounds the through hole 24 comprised in the top wall of the outer casing 20. The ring-shaped RFID tag 40 comprises at least one substantially ring-shaped antenna 40a having two extremities E1, E2. Each extremity E1, E2 can be linked to a portion P1, P2 of the rectangular-shaped RFID chip 40b. During sterilization, the sterilization gas can easily flow through the cover 10 from the opening 24. Indeed, the specific ring-shaped of the RFID tag combined with the radial dimensions of the RFID tag with respect to the cover and the specific position of the RFID tag does not inhibit, during a sterilization step, the sterilization gas going through the outer casing of the cover, in particular the opening. Additionally, the at least one antenna may be as long as desired within a ring conformation. This makes it possible to include a RFID tag in a cover without increasing the overall cover volume. Therefore, this allows increasing data transmission level to the RFID reader.

[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 7, alternatively, the ring-shaped RFID tag 50 can comprise at least one substantially ring-shaped antenna 50a having two legs L1, L2 including respectively a first extremity E1 and a second extremity E2, each first extremity E1 of the legs L1, L2 being linked to a portion P1, P2 of the RFID chip 50b. In this example, the second extremities E2 of the legs L1, L2 of the RFID antenna 50a are not in contact with each other. The ring-shaped RFID tag 50 may comprise one RFID antenna 50a having two legs including a plurality of steady steps. For example, the steady step forms a rectangle shape. For example, the plurality of steady steps have the same amplitude. For example, the RFID chip of the RFID tag 50 is located at equidistance of both RFID antenna extremities. The ring-shaped RFID tag 50 can comprise preferably a substrate 51, for example made of paper or Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0079] The ring-shaped tag 40, 50 may be in a form of a dry inlay or wet inlay. When the ring-shaped RFID tags 40, 50 are in a form a wet inlay, the ring-shaped RFID tag are, independently from each other, embedded between a top inner wall 23 of the outer casing 20 and a top outer wall 32 of the inner casing 30.

[0080] The ring-shaped tags 40, 50 may be independently from each other LF-RFID tag, HF-RFID tag or HF-RFID tag. Preferably, the ring-shaped tags 40, 50 may be independently from each other a HF-RFID tag.

[0081] Nowadays, a RFID tag allows an individual traceability of the medical containers, such as medical injection devices, especially from the manufacturing process until the use in hospital, and preferably until the final user when he is at home. HF-NFC tag are usually used by the final user. In one embodiment, the cover comprises one substantially ring-shaped HF-RFID tag and one HF-NFC tag.

[0082] FIGS. 8, 9, 11 and 13 illustrate a medical injection device 100 comprising a body 101. Said body comprises a sidewall 102 forming a reservoir adapted to contain a medical composition 103 to be injected. The medical injection device 100 further comprises a hub portion 104 provided at its distal end 105. The hub portion 104 is partially hollow so as to form a channel 106 in fluidic communication with the body 101.

[0083] An adaptor 110 is intended to be mounted on the distal end 105 of the medical injection device 100, more precisely onto an outer surface of the hub portion 104 of the medical injection device 100.

[0084] The adaptor 110 is configured to be secured to the medical container 100 at its proximal end, and may be in the form of a connecting ring at its distal end, configured to receive a cover 120 according to the present invention. In practice, to use the medical injection device 100, the cover 120 is removed from the adaptor 110 and a connector (not shown), such as a needle hub or an intravenous line, is mounted on the adaptor 110 in order to establish a fluidic communication between a passageway 106 of the medical container 100 and said connector.

[0085] FIGS. 8 to 13 illustrate a cover 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover 120 of the invention is intended to ensure the sterility and the integrity of a medical injection device 100. The cover 120 is intended to be mounted on the adaptor 110. The cover 120 comprises an outer casing 130 and an inner casing 140. The outer casing 130 is typically made of a rigid material while the inner casing 140 is made of a soft material. Preferably, the outer casing 130 is made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) or polycarbonate (PC), much preferably of polypropylene. Advantageously, the inner casing 140 is made of a deformable material such as TPE (Thermo Plastic Elastomer). Preferably, the outer casing 130 comprises a closed distal end and an opened proximal end. Typically, the inner casing 140 comprises a closed distal end and an opened proximal end. The outer casing 130 is configured to receive the inner casing 140.

[0086] FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate one embodiment wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag 150 is embedded within the cover 120. The ring-shaped RFID tag 150 is embedded between a lateral inner wall 131 of the outer casing 130 and a lateral outer wall 132 of the outer casing 130.

[0087] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12, the ring-shaped RFID tag 150 may be embedded at the distal ends of the outer 130 and inner casings 140. The ring-shaped RFID tag 150 may comprise at least one antenna 150a having two extremities E1, E2. Each extremity E1, E2 can be linked to a portion P1, P2 of the RFID chip 150b.

[0088] Alternatively, the ring-shaped RFID tag 150 may be embedded at the proximal ends of the outer 130 and inner casings 140.

[0089] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment wherein the ring-shaped RFID tag 160 may be embedded at a middle portion of the outer casing 130 and in particular, within a middle portion of the outer casing 130. In this example, the ring-shaped RFID tag 160 is located within the outer casing 130 and is flush with a lateral inner wall 131 of the outer casing 130.

[0090] For example, the ring-shaped RFID tag 160 may comprise at least one antenna having two legs including respectively a first extremity and a second extremity, each first extremity of the legs being linked to a portion of the RFID chip and each second extremity including a plurality of sub-legs (not shown). In this Example, the two legs are respectively in a form of a rake (not shown). For example, the RFID chip is located at equidistance of both RFID antenna extremities.

[0091] The ring-shaped tags 150, 160 may be in a form of a dry inlay or wet inlay. When the ring-shaped RFID tags 150, 160 are in a form a wet or dry inlay, the ring-shaped RFID tags 150, 160 are respectively embedded between a lateral inner wall 131 of the outer casing 130 and a lateral outer wall 132 of the outer casing 130 by overmolding.

[0092] The ring-shaped tags 150, 160 may be independently from each other LF-RFID tag, HF-RFID tag or HF-RFID tag. Preferably, the ring-shaped tags 150, 160 may be independently from each other a HF-RFID tag.

[0093] The cover according to the present invention allows a long distance highly effective individual identification of a medical injection device with no impact on visual inspection, with few or no risks of being removed or damaged, and with a limited impact on the manufacturing process.