Powder product dispensing device

Abstract

A fluid product dispensing device comprises a container unit (100), which is connected to an air drive system (200) on the one hand and to a dispensing head (300) having a dispensing orifice (310) on the other hand, the air drive system comprising a pump (200), the pump comprising an outer body (210) which accommodates a pump body (220; 270), the pump body comprising a pump chamber (225), a rod (230) forming a piston being arranged in the pump body, the rod (230) The pump body (220; 270) is fixed relative to the outer body (210), and can move axially to slide around the rod (230) between a rest position and an actuated position. The pump body has a proximal hollow body (220) and a distal hollow body (270) fixed to each other. The proximal hollow body (220) has a proximal pump body part (221) and a distal pump body part (222). The inner diameter of the distal pump body part is larger than the inner diameter of the proximal pump body part (221). The rod ( 230) comprises a proximal rod portion (231), a central rod portion (232) and a distal rod portion (233), the outer diameter of the central rod portion (232) being larger than the diameters of the proximal rod portion (231) and the distal rod portion (233), the central rod portion (232) supporting a first sealing ring (237) and a second sealing ring (236), the distal rod portion (233) supporting a third sealing ring (235), the proximal rod portion (231) having a central channel (234), the central channel extending into the central rod portion (232) beyond the first sealing ring (237), the central channel opening laterally between the first and second sealing rings (237, 236) to the outside of the central rod portion (232), the distal hollow body (270) accommodating at least one spring (240, 241), the spring cooperating with the distal rod portion (233) on the one hand and cooperating with the distal hollow body (270) on the other hand.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder product dispensing device, which is particularly useful for administering powdered medicaments to small animals such as rodents, especially mice. Background Art

[0002] Prior art devices for delivering powders to small animals, such as rodents, especially mice, generally have a container containing a single dose of powder, connected on the one hand to a dispensing head, and on the other hand to an air drive system. When activated, the air drive generates a pressurized air flow that can drive the single dose of powder through the dispensing head and then generally through a cannula inserted into the animal's body to dispense the powder at the animal's tracheal carina.

[0003] These devices generally have some drawbacks. Therefore, after each actuation, the empty container needs to be replaced by a full container, which is neither convenient nor economical for the operator. One solution to this problem is to provide a reusable container, which can be easily filled with a new dose of powder before each actuation, for example, and to assemble the container in the device.

[0004] Another drawback relates to air-driven devices, which are generally implemented by a syringe containing air. With such air-driven devices, the pressurized air flow generated upon actuation depends on the way in which the user actuates the device, in particular on the force with which he actuates the device. This does not allow for reproducible dispensing at each actuation. One solution to this problem is to use a pump, which is suitable for generating a pressurized air flow, the actuation of which is independent of the force applied by the user, in particular the speed with which it performs such actuation.

[0005] Documents WO2019073165 and WO2009029028 propose some devices of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a powder dispensing device which does not suffer from the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0007] The present invention is particularly directed to a powder dispensing device that can dispense multiple doses by actuating multiple times in succession.

[0008] The present invention is also directed to a powder dispensing device that allows easy filling of a container with a dose of powder before each actuation.

[0009] The present invention also aims to provide a powder dispensing device that is simple and reliable to use and that dispenses reproducibly each time it is actuated.

[0010] The present invention also aims to provide a powder dispensing device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0011] The present invention is therefore directed to a fluid product dispensing device having a container unit connected on the one hand to an air drive system and on the other hand to a dispensing head having a dispensing orifice, the air drive system having a pump having an outer body accommodating a pump body having a pump chamber in which a rod forming a piston is arranged, the rod being fixed relative to the outer body, the pump body being axially movable so as to slide around the rod between a rest position and an actuated position, the pump body having a proximal hollow body relative to the dispensing orifice and a distal hollow body relative to the dispensing orifice, the proximal hollow body and the distal hollow body being fixed to each other, the proximal hollow body having a proximal pump body portion relative to the dispensing orifice and a distal pump body portion relative to the dispensing orifice, The inner diameter of the distal pump body part is greater than the inner diameter of the proximal pump body part, the rod has a proximal rod part relative to the dispensing hole, a central rod part and a distal rod part relative to the dispensing hole, the outer diameter of the central rod part is greater than the diameters of the proximal rod part and the distal rod part, the central rod part supports a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring, the distal rod part supports a third sealing ring, the proximal rod part has a central channel, the central channel extends into the central rod part, exceeds the first sealing ring, the central channel opens laterally between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring to the outside of the central rod part, and the distal hollow body accommodates at least one spring, which cooperates with the distal rod part on the one hand and with the distal hollow body on the other hand. .

[0012] Advantageously, the proximal hollow body and the distal hollow body are fixed to one another in a sealing manner by inserting a hollow body sealing ring between them, in particular by screwing them to one another.

[0013] Advantageously, the distal rod portion slides in the distal hollow body, and the third sealing ring realizes sealing between the distal rod portion and the distal hollow body during actuation.

[0014] Advantageously, the distal hollow body accommodates two springs arranged axially one behind the other and connected by a connecting member.

[0015] Advantageously, an adjustment member, such as an adjustment screw, is arranged in the distal hollow body to come into contact with the spring so as to be able to vary the actuation force exerted by the spring on the rod upon actuation.

[0016] Advantageously, the container unit comprises a container which is roughly in the shape of a hollow cylinder, having a distal opening, a proximal opening and a metering channel connecting the distal opening and the proximal opening, a one-way valve being arranged between the metering channel and the distal opening, the proximal opening of the container forming a filling cone to facilitate filling the metering channel with a dose of powder.

[0017] Advantageously, the non-return valve is of a split-diaphragm type, opening in a single direction only under the action of a predetermined pressure.

[0018] Advantageously, the dispenser head has a dispenser member provided with the dispenser orifice.

[0019] Advantageously, the dispensing member has a needle.

[0020] Advantageously, the needle is curved or elbow-shaped. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] These and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly in the course of the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings given as non-limiting examples, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic cutaway perspective view of a powder dispensing device in a pre-actuation position according to an advantageous embodiment;

[0023] Figure 2 Similar to Figure 1 , but after actuation;

[0024] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an air drive system according to an advantageous embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 a side perspective view of the air drive system shown;

[0026] Figures 5 to 10 yes Figure 3 a cutaway perspective view of the air drive system showing different stages of an actuation cycle of the air drive system;

[0027] Fig.11 yes Figure 6 Enlarged view of detail D;

[0028] Fig.12 is a cut-away perspective view of a container and dispensing head assembly according to an advantageous embodiment; and

[0029] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 Detail of the container shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The expressions "proximal" and "distal" refer to the dispensing orifice. The expressions "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction of flow of the fluid product during dispensing. The expressions "axial" and "radial" refer to the central longitudinal axis of the device.

[0031] The fluid product dispensing device shown in the figures has a container unit 100 which can contain a dose of a powder product and is connected to an air drive system 200 on one side and to a dispensing head 300 having a dispensing orifice 310 on the other side.

[0032] Fig.12 and 13 The container unit 100, which is particularly clearly visible in FIG. 1 , has a container 110 which is substantially in the shape of a hollow cylinder and has a distal opening 111, a proximal opening 112 and a metering channel 113 connecting the distal opening 111 and the proximal opening 112. A one-way valve 115 is arranged between the metering channel 113 and the distal opening 111.

[0033] Thus, when the container 110 is filled with a dose of powder through the proximal opening 112, the dose of powder is retained in the metering passage 113 and the one-way valve 115 prevents it from being discharged from the distal opening 111. When the air drive system 200 is actuated, a pressurized air flow is delivered into the container 110 through the distal opening 111, thereby causing the one-way valve 115 to open and discharge the one-way valve 115 through the proximal opening 112.

[0034] Preferably, the container 110 is fixed in a cylindrical body 105 having a central passage 106 that allows the air drive system 200 to be connected to the container 110 .

[0035] like Fig.13 As shown, the proximal opening 112 of the container 110 forms a filling cone to facilitate the filling of the metering channel 113 with the one-dose powder. In practice, the dose for small animals such as rodents is generally very small, usually about a few cubic millimeters. Advantageously, it is the volume of the metering channel 113 that defines the amount of powder dose dispensed during each actuation. This elongated tubular shape of the metering channel 113 can especially limit the risk of powder accumulation.

[0036] Advantageously, the container 110 is fixed in the cylindrical body 105 with a sealing ring 107 interposed between the container and the cylindrical body.

[0037] The one-way valve 115 may be of a split-diaphragm type, opening in a single direction only under a predetermined pressure. Other embodiments may be used, such as a ball.

[0038] Such a container unit 100 allows in particular easy sterilization in an autoclave.

[0039] Advantageously, the container 110 is made of metal, in particular stainless steel. This avoids the use of plastic in the powder discharge path. The cylindrical body 105 can also be made of metal, in particular stainless steel. In this way, the container unit 100 can be easily grounded to avoid or limit electrostatic phenomena.

[0040] The dispensing head 300 has a hollow body 301 which is fixed to the container unit 100 by a fixing ring 302 .

[0041] The fixing ring 302 is fixed to the cylindrical body 105 of the container unit 100 by, for example, screwing, snapping or crimping. Any other fixing method may be used.

[0042] The hollow body 301 has a central axial channel 303, which is connected on one side to the proximal opening 112 of the container 110 and on the other side to a dispensing member 311 having a dispensing orifice 310. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing member 311 has a needle, which can be curved or elbow-shaped. In a variant, a dispensing member that allows the delivery of an aerosol can be considered.

[0043] Advantageously, a hollow plug 305 is interposed between the container 110 and the hollow body 301, said hollow plug 305 having a conical shape adapted to the shape of the proximal opening 112 of the container 110. This hollow plug 305 ensures a good connection between the container 110 and the hollow body 301, in particular ensuring sufficient sealing to avoid any loss of dose when dispensing a dose of powder.

[0044] As is known, the air drive system 200 may be a syringe filled with air, the actuation of a piston producing a pressurized air flow.

[0045] However, it is preferred that the air drive system 200 has a pump whose actuation is independent of the actuation force applied by the user. Therefore, the pressurized air flow generated during each actuation is always the same and is reproducible during successive actuations.

[0046] Now refer to Figures 1 to 11 One advantageous embodiment of air drive system 200 is described in detail.

[0047] In this embodiment, the air drive device is formed by a pump 200 having an outer body 210 provided with a handle 211 and a dispensing nozzle 215. The outer body 210 houses a pump body having a pump chamber 225 in which a rod 230 forming a piston is arranged. The rod 230 is fixed relative to the outer body 210 and the pump body is axially movable to slide around said rod 230 between a rest position and an actuated position.

[0048] The pump body has a proximal hollow body 220 and a distal hollow body 270, which are fixed to each other, especially by screwing. A hollow body sealing ring 260 is arranged between the proximal hollow body and the distal hollow body to ensure that they are sealed and fixed to each other. The proximal hollow body 220 has a proximal pump body part 221 and a distal pump body part 222, and the inner diameter of the distal pump body part is larger than the inner diameter of the proximal pump body part 221. The distal hollow body 270 at least partially extends into the proximal hollow body 220.

[0049] The rod 230 has a proximal rod portion 231, a central rod portion 232 and a distal rod portion 233. The outer diameter of the central rod portion 232 is greater than the diameters of the proximal rod portion 231 and the distal rod portion 233. The central rod portion 232 supports a first sealing ring 237 and a second sealing ring 236, and the distal rod portion 233 supports a third sealing ring 235. The proximal rod portion 231 has a central channel 234, which extends from the dispensing nozzle 215 into the central rod portion 232, beyond the first sealing ring 237, and laterally opens to the outside of the central rod portion 232 between the first and second sealing rings 237, 236. The distal rod portion 233 slides in the distal hollow body 270, and the third sealing ring 235 realizes a seal between the distal rod portion and the distal hollow body.

[0050] The distal hollow body 270 accommodates at least one spring 240, 241 which cooperates on the one hand with the distal rod portion 233 and on the other hand with the distal hollow body 270. In the embodiment shown in the figures, there are two springs 240, 241, which are arranged axially one behind the other and connected by a connecting member 245. Of course, only one spring is conceivable.

[0051] Optionally, an adjustment member 250, such as an adjustment screw, may be arranged in the distal hollow body 270 to come into contact with the spring 240. The adjustment member 250 may then easily vary the actuation force exerted by the spring on the rod 230 upon actuation.

[0052] Figures 5 to 10 An actuation cycle of the advantageous air pump is shown.

[0053] exist Figure 5 In the rest position shown, the pump body is pushed axially outward of the outer body 210 by the springs 240, 241, and the first and second sealing rings 237, 236 are in sealing cooperation with the proximal pump body portion 221 of the proximal hollow body 220. Therefore, the metering chamber 225 is isolated from the dispensing nozzle. The third sealing ring 235 is arranged outside the distal hollow body 270, so that the metering chamber 225 is open to the atmosphere through the distal hollow body 270.

[0054] like Figure 6As shown by the upper arrow P, when the user applies an axial thrust on the distal hollow body 270, the pump body formed by the proximal hollow body 220 and the distal hollow body 270 slides axially around the rod 230 toward the inner side of the outer body 210. Fig.11 As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2 , the third sealing ring 235 and the inner surface of the distal hollow body 270 are then sealed together, thereby isolating the metering chamber 225 from the atmosphere.

[0055] Therefore, if Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , if the axial thrust P is continuously applied, the air in the metering chamber 225 is compressed under the action of the larger diameter central rod portion 232 gradually entering the metering chamber 225. When the second sealing ring 236 reaches the larger diameter distal pump body portion 222 and stops sealing with the proximal pump body portion 221, the compressed air contained in the metering chamber 225 can escape around the central rod portion 232 to the central channel 234 and then to the dispensing nozzle 215, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As indicated by the upward arrow D.

[0056] Figure 8 The position at the end of the actuation stroke is shown after the compressed air contained in the metering chamber 225 has been exhausted. In this position, the proximal axial end of the distal hollow body 270 stops on a shoulder formed between the distal rod portion 233 and the central rod portion 232. This mechanical stop of the pump actuation stroke ensures actuation independent of the force applied by the user.

[0057] When the user releases the pressure on the pump body, the springs 240, 241 compressed during the actuation stroke relax, thereby bringing the pump body back to its rest position, such as Fig. 9 As shown by the upper arrow R. Once the second sealing ring 236 re-seals with the central rod portion 232, the metering chamber 225 is isolated from the dispensing nozzle 215 again, so that there is no risk of re-inhalation of fluid product or air from the treated animal, despite the negative pressure generated in the metering chamber 225 during the return stroke.

[0058] Once the third sealing ring 235 stops sealingly cooperating with the inner surface of the distal hollow body 270, the metering chamber 225 is opened to the atmosphere again, thereby generating a ventilation airflow through the distal hollow body 270. Fig.10 As shown by arrow E.

[0059] The pump is then ready for a new cycle of use.

[0060] Although the invention has been described above with reference to an advantageous embodiment, it will of course be possible for a person skilled in the art to make various modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fluid product dispensing device, comprising a container unit (100), the container unit being connected on one hand to an air drive system and on the other hand to a dispensing head (300) having a dispensing hole (310), characterized in that: The air drive system comprises a pump (200), wherein the pump comprises an outer body (210), wherein the outer body accommodates a pump body, wherein the pump body comprises a pump chamber (225), wherein a rod (230) forming a piston is arranged in the pump body, wherein the rod (230) is fixed relative to the outer body (210), and wherein the pump body can move axially so as to slide around the rod (230) between a rest position and an actuated position, wherein the pump body comprises a proximal hollow body (220) relative to the dispensing hole and a distal hollow body (270) relative to the dispensing hole, wherein the proximal hollow body and the distal hollow body are arranged in a hollow space. The proximal hollow body (220) comprises a proximal pump body portion (221) relative to the dispensing hole and a distal pump body portion (222) relative to the dispensing hole, the inner diameter of the distal pump body portion is larger than the inner diameter of the proximal pump body portion (221), and the rod (230) comprises a proximal rod portion (231) relative to the dispensing hole, a central rod portion (232) and a distal rod portion (233) relative to the dispensing hole, the outer diameter of the central rod portion (232) is larger than the outer diameter of the proximal rod portion (231) and the distal rod portion (233). 3), the central rod portion (232) supports a first sealing ring (237) and a second sealing ring (236), the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are in sealing cooperation with the proximal pump body portion (221) at the rest position, the distal rod portion (233) supports a third sealing ring (235), the third sealing ring is in sealing cooperation with the distal hollow body (270) during actuation to isolate the pump chamber (225) from the atmosphere, and the air is then compressed in the pump chamber (225). When the second sealing ring (236) stops engaging with the proximal pump body portion (221), the third sealing ring is in sealing cooperation with the distal hollow body (270). When the seal is formed, compressed air can escape. The proximal rod part (231) has a central channel (234), which extends into the central rod part (232) and exceeds the first sealing ring (237). The central channel is laterally opened to the outside of the central rod part (232) between the first sealing ring (237) and the second sealing ring (236). The distal hollow body (270) accommodates at least one spring, which cooperates with the distal rod part (233) on the one hand and with the distal hollow body (270) on the other hand.

2. The fluid product dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The proximal hollow body (220) and the distal hollow body (270) are fixed to each other in a sealing manner by inserting a hollow body sealing ring (260) therebetween.

3. The fluid product dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The distal rod portion (233) slides in the distal hollow body (270), and the third sealing ring (235) realizes sealing between the distal rod portion and the distal hollow body during actuation.

4. The fluid product dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The distal hollow body (270) accommodates two springs, which are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction and connected by a connecting member (245).

5. The fluid product dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The adjustment member (250) is arranged in the distal hollow body (270) to come into contact with the spring, thereby being able to change the actuation force applied by the spring to the rod (230) during actuation.

6. The fluid product dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The container unit (100) comprises a container (110), which is roughly in the shape of a hollow cylinder and has a distal opening (111), a proximal opening (112) and a metering channel (113) connecting the distal opening (111) and the proximal opening (112). A one-way valve (115) is arranged between the metering channel (113) and the distal opening (111). The proximal opening (112) of the container (110) forms a filling cone to facilitate filling the metering channel (113) with a dose of powder.

7. The fluid product dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The one-way valve (115) is of a split-diaphragm type and opens in a single direction only under the action of a predetermined pressure.

8. The fluid product dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The dispensing head (300) has a dispensing member (311) which is provided with the dispensing hole (310).

9. The fluid product dispensing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The dispensing member (311) has a needle.

10. The fluid product dispensing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The needle is in a curved or elbow shape.

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