Syringe, method of manufacturing such a syringe and assembly

Abstract

An injection device has a front part carrying a hollow axially extending needle, a container extending from the front part and forming a container rear end part, a plunger extending in the container and being axially movable, the needle rear end being in fluid connection with the container, and the plunger being arranged to take up liquid, such as liquid containing insulin, through the needle when being withdrawn from the needle and to expel liquid through the needle when being pushed towards the needle, the plunger having a piston part turned towards the needle rear end, and a coupling part arranged to coact with the piston part for moving the piston part in the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a syringe according to the preamble of appended claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a syringe according to appended claim 12. Furthermore, the invention relates to components according to appended claim 14. Background Technology

[0002] A common problem associated with syringes, especially those used to self-inject insulin into diabetic patients, is that they are very expensive and bulky, making them difficult to handle and carry, such as in a pocket or swimsuit, and therefore not easy to use alone.

[0003] Another common problem associated with syringes, especially those used to inject substances (such as liquids containing insulin) into the human body, is that they are typically intended for single-use purposes, which leads to contamination. Therefore, the extremely serious problem associated with the reuse of syringes is well-known as a source of infection transmission.

[0004] Furthermore, there is a problem with designing a convenient and practical housing for one or more syringes according to the present invention.

[0005] Furthermore, there is a problem with mass-producing the syringes according to the invention at a reasonable cost, as the demand for syringes is the most widespread. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, a large number of existing syringes are designed to prevent reuse; however, these designs are complex, costly to manufacture, and complicated to install.

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a syringe with fewer problems associated with prior art syringes and, in principle, avoids the possibility of reuse.

[0008] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a design and method for mass-producing syringes according to the present invention at low cost.

[0009] These and other objectives are achieved by the syringe according to independent claim 1, the method according to independent claim 13, and the components according to independent claim 15.

[0010] Further objectives are achieved by the content specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the syringe is very limited in size to provide relatively discontinuous injections and is comfortable to carry even when wearing very tight or tapered clothing. Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment, the length of the syringe is in the range of 30-80 mm, preferably in the range of 40-60 mm, with the plunger fully withdrawn.

[0012] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the size of the syringe is suitable for the type of liquid to be injected, such as the concentration of the liquid active substance. This means that a larger volume of liquid is required, and therefore a larger syringe is needed to achieve the desired effect of a specific injection.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the rear end of the plunger has a tapered flange portion that narrows toward the front end of the plunger and forms an edge portion extending around the rear end of the plunger. In this way, a grip is facilitated.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the rear end of the container is formed with a countersunk hole to receive the rear end of the plunger. In this way, when the syringe is in the ejected state, the rear end of the plunger is fitted into the end portion of the container, thereby preventing gripping of the rear end of the plunger in practice. This end portion has a raised configuration to provide a shape that is difficult to grip.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion has a raised circular configuration at the front and a generally cylindrical support portion at the rear. In this way, it facilitates the connection and mobility within the cavity.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the piston portion is made of an elastic material, such as a rubber-based material or a polymeric material. This facilitates a liquid-tight connection with the container and its mounting on the connecting portion.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the syringe is substantially axisymmetric. This makes the syringe easy to handle and manufacture.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the end portion of the plunger is provided with a rearwardly opening channel-shaped recess for receiving a mounting pin for supporting the syringe components during syringe installation. This allows for a highly efficient installation procedure for a large number of syringes at low cost.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the front portion with the needle is covered by a sleeve-shaped cap having a front wall and an open rear portion, and is thus protected during operation and transport by the potential user. The cap is designed to be removably applied to the front portion and held against an internal ridge by internal friction. The cap is made of an elastic material different from that of the front portion. The cap has a cylindrical rear portion extending from an external stop flange, which is used for fitting into the syringe housing and held by the external ridge. In this way, the syringe can be operated to be liquid-tightly disposed within the housing and, when removed from the housing, operated to be liquid-tightly protected by the cap. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The invention can be better understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same details are indicated by the same reference numerals, wherein:

[0021] - Figure 1 The following are schematically shown: a) a syringe unit including a needle, a front portion and a container; b) a needle cap; c) a piston with a rear recess; and d) a plunger portion.

[0022] - Figure 2 Two projections of a single syringe casing are shown;

[0023] - Figure 3 Two projections of the three syringe casings are shown;

[0024] - Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a single syringe housing containing a syringe is shown, the syringe being in a delivery state and therefore not yet filled with liquid;

[0025] - Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a three-syringe housing containing three syringes is shown, with the bottom syringe fully discharged and the middle and top syringes filled with liquid and ready to discharge the liquid.

[0026] - Figure 6 The cross-section of the mounting pin is shown;

[0027] - Figure 7 a)-e) in the figure show five different stages of installing the syringes in the mounting assembly, with the left side showing five sets of four syringes held in the syringe row and the right side showing five sets of four mounting pins arranged to perform different installation steps in different stages of installation.

[0028] - Figure 8a)-e) show four different states of syringe use: a) shows the delivery state, b) shows the state where liquid is drawn into the syringe, c) shows the state where the syringe is ready to discharge the liquid, d) shows the state where the syringe is only partially filled with liquid, and e) shows the discharge state; and

[0029] - Figure 9 The components according to the invention are shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0030] according to Figure 1 In the embodiments shown separately in a)-d), the syringe 10 includes a front portion 11 carrying a hollow, axially extending needle 12 as shown in the figures, and a container 13 extending from the front portion 11 to form a container rear end portion 14. Several different arrangements are available for applying the needle 12 to the front portion 11. According to one embodiment, the needle is connected to a sleeve portion arranged to press-fit onto the front portion. According to another embodiment, the needle is connected to a sleeve portion arranged to screw onto the front portion, thereby being secured by a threaded means.

[0031] The syringe also includes a plunger 15 that extends in and is axially movable within a container 13, a needle rear end 16 that is in fluid connection with the container, and the plunger is arranged to draw in liquid through the needle when withdrawn from the needle and to expel liquid through the needle when pushed against the needle.

[0032] The plunger has a piston portion 17 at the rear end of a steering needle, and a connecting portion 18 arranged to cooperate with the piston portion to move the piston portion within a container. The piston portion and the plunger body 15' including the connecting portion are separate components, with the piston portion connected to the plunger body via the connecting portion.

[0033] Therefore, the connecting portion is introduced into cavity 19 in the piston portion and is axially movable within said cavity between a front position and a rear position. The plunger length is adjusted relative to the container length so that when the syringe is positioned in the delivery state, Figure 8 a) The piston portion is in the front position in the container, the connecting portion is in the rear position in the cavity, and the rear end 15″ of the plunger extends beyond the rear end portion 14 of the container by a certain distance, thereby forming the plunger grip portion 15″′.

[0034] Furthermore, the rear end portion 14 of the container includes an internal locking flange device 20, and the plunger portion 15″ extending beyond the rear end portion of the container includes an external locking flange device 21, thereby allowing the plunger (in the discharge state) to lock in place. Figure 8e) When the plunger is pushed forward to the front position of the connecting portion in the cavity, the locking flange device of the plunger is pushed forward through the locking flange device of the container, thereby locking the plunger in the container in the non-reusable state of the syringe.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the rear gripping portion 15″′ of the plunger has a flange portion 22, which forms the edge portion 22′ of the rear end of the plunger.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the rear end 14 of the container is formed with a countersunk hole device 23 to receive the rear end gripping portion 15″′ of the plunger in the ejected state of the syringe, thus making the end 15″ very difficult or even impossible to grip, such as Figure 8 As shown in e).

[0037] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion 18 has a forward protrusion and a rounded tip configuration 24 to facilitate the introduction of the cavity and its connecting action, for passing through the rear stop flange 19' of the piston portion, and a rear generally cylindrical support portion 25 for entering and exiting the cavity.

[0038] Preferably, the piston portion is made of an elastic material, such as a rubber-based material or a polymeric material, and its axial length is longer than the inner diameter of the container to prevent the container from tilting. To promote low friction, the front, rear, and middle portions of the piston portion are designed with flanges 17′.

[0039] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the syringe is substantially axially symmetric.

[0040] In addition, the connecting portion includes a flange device 28 at the front end of the piston body 15' extending from it. This flange device 28 is used to work in conjunction with the flange device 20 of the container when the plunger is pulled back, thereby preventing the plunger from leaving the container.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the front portion with the needle is covered by a sleeve-shaped cap 29 having a front wall 29′ and an open rear end portion 29″, thus protecting it during operation and transport by the potential user. The cap is designed to be removably applied to the front portion and held against the inner ridge 29″′ by internal friction. The cap is made of an elastic material different from that of the front portion. The cap has a cylindrical rear portion extending from an external stop flange 30, which is used for fitting into syringe housings 31, 32, such as... Figure 4 Or as shown in 7, and held by the outer ridge 29″″.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, a housing is provided for one or more syringes for protection during transport, carrying and handling of the syringes. A housing for more than one, such as three syringes, provides a record of the number of syringes used by the user for injection. Used syringes are preferably returned to the housing.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, the end of the plunger 15 is provided with a rearwardly opening channel-shaped recess 33, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the mounting pin 34 is used to receive the mounting component 40, such as Figure 6 As shown, the installation components will be combined later. Figure 7 As described, the mounting pin is used to support the syringe components during syringe installation.

[0044] The function of the syringe according to the invention has largely become clear from the description given above.

[0045] Therefore, in the conveying state, such as Figure 8 As shown in a), the syringe is arranged such that the piston portion is in the front position in the container, the connecting portion 18 is in the rear position in the cavity, and the rear end 15″ of the plunger extends beyond the rear end 14 of the container by a certain distance, thereby forming the plunger grip portion 15″′.

[0046] To fill the syringe, a needle is inserted into a liquid, such as a liquid containing insulin, polysaccharides, vaccines, or other substances. The plunger is pulled back in the container, thereby drawing the liquid through the needle into the container via a piston section pulled by a connecting part, filling the container to the desired extent.

[0047] To expel liquid from the syringe and empty it through the needle, the plunger is pushed forward within the container. The connecting portion is pushed forward to the front position within the cavity, and the locking flange of the plunger is pushed forward past the locking flange of the container, thereby locking the plunger in the container in a non-reusable state of the syringe.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the countersunk end device at the rear of the container accommodates the rear grip portion (15″′) of the plunger, making it difficult or impossible to pull the plunger back again to reuse the syringe.

[0049] An important part of the present invention is also a method for manufacturing a syringe according to the invention, which generally has a front portion (11) carrying a hollow, axially extending needle (12), a container (13) extending from the front portion and forming a container rear end portion (14), a plunger (15) extending in the container and axially movable, the needle rear end (16) being fluidly connected to the container, and the plunger being arranged to draw in liquid, such as a liquid including insulin, polysaccharides, vaccines or other substances, through the needle when withdrawn from the needle, and to expel liquid through the needle when pushed towards the needle, the plunger having a piston portion (17) that directs to the needle rear end, and a connecting portion (18) arranged to cooperate with the piston portion to move the piston portion in the container.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the method includes the following steps:

[0051] - Provides a channel-shaped, axially extending recess 33 for the plunger 15, such as Figure 1 As shown in c), the recess 33 has a rear opening and is used to receive the mounting pin 34 to support the syringe components 15, 19 during syringe installation.

[0052] - Provides a unit 35 including the container 13, with the needle 12 arranged in the front portion 11, such as Figure 7 As shown in a), the unit is held in the installation position, and the piston portion 19 is carried by the mounting pin, as shown in a). Figure 7 As shown in a);

[0053] - The piston section 19 is introduced into the container via the mounting pin, such as Figure 7 As shown in b);

[0054] -The piston is supported by a mounting pin, such as Figure 7 As shown in c);

[0055] - The connecting portion 18 of the plunger is introduced into the piston portion for the combined action of moving the piston portion back and forth in the container via the mounting pin, such as... Figure 7 As shown in d), and

[0056] -The syringe is put into delivery mode by removing the mounting pin, such as Figure 7 As shown in e).

[0057] These steps are shown in Figures a)-e).

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment of the mounting assembly 40 of the present invention, a desired number of mounting pins are arranged on the mounting frame 36, which is movable to and from the syringe unit 35 held and carried by the syringe unit frame 37 for performing necessary steps of the method according to the present invention. Of course, Figure 7 The four syringes installed are just an example; the actual number is much larger.

[0059] The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments and examples. Of course, further embodiments, minor variations, and additional details are conceivable without departing from the basic inventive spirit of the invention.

[0060] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the container and plunger are made of polymeric material.

[0061] Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A syringe (10) having a front portion (11) carrying a hollow, axially extending needle (12), a container (13) extending from said front portion and forming a container rear end portion (14), a plunger (15) extending in the container and axially movable, the needle rear end (16) being fluidly connected to the container, and the plunger being arranged to draw in liquid through the needle when withdrawn from the needle and to discharge liquid through the needle when pushed against the needle, the plunger having a piston portion (17) that directs the needle rear end, and a connecting portion (18) arranged to cooperate with the piston portion to move the piston portion within the container, wherein, The connecting portion (18) is introduced into the cavity (19) in the piston portion (17) and is axially movable between a front position and a rear position in the cavity. The plunger length relative to the container length is adjusted such that when the syringe is arranged in the delivery state, the piston portion is in the front position in the container and the connecting portion (18) is in the rear position in the cavity. The rear end (15'') of the plunger extends beyond the rear end portion (14) of the container by a certain distance, thereby forming a plunger grip portion (15'''). The rear end portion of the container includes an internal locking flange device (20), and the plunger portion extending beyond the rear end portion of the container includes an external locking flange device (21). When the plunger body (15') including the connecting portion in the discharge state is pushed forward to the front position of the connecting portion in the cavity, the locking flange device of the plunger is pushed forward past the locking flange device of the container, thereby locking the plunger in the container in the non-reusable state of the syringe. The plunger (15) is characterized in that its end portion is provided with a rearwardly opening channel-like recess (33) for receiving a mounting pin (34) of the mounting assembly (40), the mounting pin being used to support the syringe components during syringe installation. The front portion with the needle is covered by a sleeve-shaped cap (29) having a front wall (29') and an open rear end (29'') portion, thus protecting it during operation and transport by a potential user. The cap is designed to be removably applied to the front portion and held in place by internal friction between the inner ridge (29''') and the front portion. The cap is made of an elastic material different from that of the front portion. The cap has a cylindrical rear portion extending from an external stop flange (30) for fitting into a syringe housing (31, 32).

2. The syringe according to claim 1, wherein, The gripping portion (15´´´) of the plunger has a flange portion (22) forming an edge portion (22´) at the rear end of the plunger, and the end of the gripping portion has a raised shape extending from the edge portion to prevent gripping.

3. The syringe according to claim 2, wherein, The rear end of the container is formed with a countersunk hole device (23) to accommodate the rear end gripping portion (15´´´) of the plunger and cover the edge portion (22´).

4. The syringe according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein, The connecting portion has a protruding tip configuration (24) and a rear support portion (25), the protruding tip configuration (24) being used to facilitate the introduction of the cavity and its connecting function, and the rear support portion (25) being generally cylindrical.

5. The syringe according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The piston portion has a raised front end for facilitating introduction into the container, a generally cylindrical configuration, and a flange portion for sealing contact with the inner surface of the container.

6. The syringe according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The piston portion (17) is made of an elastic material, which is a rubber-based material or a polymeric material.

7. The syringe according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The syringe is essentially axisymmetric.

8. The syringe according to claim 1, wherein, The cap provides a liquid-tight connection between the front portion of the syringe and the cap, and between the syringe housing and the cap, via an inner ridge (29´´´) and an outer ridge (29´´´´).

9. The syringe according to claim 1 or 8, wherein, When the piston is pulled out, the length of the syringe is in the range of 30-80 mm.

10. The syringe according to claim 9, wherein, The length of the syringe is in the range of 40-60 mm.

11. The syringe according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid may include insulin, polysaccharides, or vaccines.

12. A method for manufacturing a syringe (10) having a front portion (11) carrying a hollow, axially extending needle (12), a container (13) extending from the front portion and forming a container rear end portion (14), a plunger (15) extending in the container and axially movable, a needle rear end (16) being fluidly connected to the container, and the plunger being arranged to draw in liquid through the needle when withdrawn from the needle and to discharge liquid through the needle when pushed against the needle, the plunger having a piston portion (17) that directs the needle rear end, and a connecting portion (18) arranged to cooperate with the piston portion to move the piston portion in the container, the method comprising the steps of: - Provides a channel-shaped axially extending recess (33) for the plunger (15), the recess having a rear opening and for receiving the mounting pin (34); - Provide a unit (35) including the container, with a needle arranged in the front portion, and hold the unit in the mounting position and carry the piston portion (17) by a mounting pin; - The piston section is introduced into the container using the mounting pin; - The plunger is supported by an installation pin; - The connecting part (18) of the plunger is introduced into the piston part for the combined action of moving the piston part back and forth in the container by means of the mounting pin, and - The syringe is put into delivery mode by removing the mounting pin. The unit includes a cap (29) applied to the front portion of the syringe.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The liquid may include insulin, polysaccharides, or vaccines.

14. An installation component (40) for performing the method according to claim 12, wherein, The providing device (41) is used to carry a desired number of mounting pins (34) on the mounting frame (36), and to move the mounting frame to the syringe unit (35) held and carried by the syringe unit frame (37) and to move the mounting frame from the syringe unit (35), and the providing device (41) is also used to perform the steps of the method.

Images