A coupling device, injection head and needleless injector

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of coupling device, can be used for needleless injector, injector includes injector main body and injection head, and injection head includes medicine pipe, coupling device includes: the first joint of being arranged in injector main body;Second joint is arranged in medicine pipe, second joint can cooperate with the first joint, and medicine pipe is removably installed to the distal portion of injector main body;First cooperation feature part is arranged in medicine pipe;And second cooperation feature part is arranged in injector main body, during the process that medicine pipe is installed to injector main body, when medicine pipe reaches the fastening position being properly fastened to injector main body, first cooperation feature part and second cooperation feature part cooperate to provide feedback to operator.The utility model also provides injection head and needleless injector.The coupling device of the utility model ensures that operator can properly fasten both when installing medicine pipe each time, ensures injection safety, reduces the incidence of instrument damage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to medical devices for injecting substances, and more particularly to needle-free injectors for injecting liquid medicines. More specifically, this utility model relates to a connecting device, an injection head, and a needle-free injector. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of medical devices, existing needle-free injectors, especially home-use needle-free injectors, typically consist of a separate injection head and a syringe body. When needed, the operator can attach the injection head to the syringe body to perform a series of operations such as drug aspiration and injection. After an injection is completed, the operator can detach the injection head from the syringe body and store it separately in the packaging box.

[0003] When assembling existing needle-free injectors, operators often encounter the following problems: When attaching the injection head to the injector body, the operator cannot clearly perceive when the injection head is properly secured to the injector body (i.e., fixed in place). For example, the operator may finish the assembly process and proceed with subsequent drug aspiration and injection before the injection head reaches the secure position. However, injection involves ejecting the drug from the distal end of the injection head under high pressure. An improperly secured injection head may be ejected along with the high pressure, not only preventing the injection from being completed but also potentially causing injury to the user. Alternatively, the operator may over-tighten the injection head during assembly, causing it to move out of the correct secure position and become damaged, preventing subsequent operations.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide a coupling device between an injection head and a syringe body, and a syringe having the coupling device, to at least partially solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art and facilitate the operator to correctly install the drug tube of the injection head to the syringe body, this utility model provides a connecting device that can be used in needle-free injectors. This device ensures that the operator can properly tighten the two without visual confirmation each time the drug tube is installed, thereby ensuring injection safety and reducing the incidence of instrument damage.

[0006] To at least achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a coupling device is provided for use with a needle-free injector, the injector including a syringe body and an injection head removably mounted to the syringe body, the injection head being compatible with the syringe body, wherein the injection head includes a drug tube for receiving a drug drawn from a storage container containing a drug to be injected, characterized in that the coupling device includes: a first engagement portion disposed on a distal portion of the syringe body; a second engagement portion disposed on a proximal portion of the drug tube, wherein the second engagement portion of the drug tube is capable of engaging with the first engagement portion of the syringe body to removably mount the drug tube to the distal portion of the syringe body; a first mating feature portion disposed on the proximal portion of the drug tube; and a second mating feature portion disposed on the distal portion of the syringe body, wherein, during the mounting of the drug tube to the syringe body, when the drug tube reaches a secure position where the drug tube is properly secured to the syringe body, the first and second mating features are configured to engage with each other to provide feedback to the operator.

[0007] In some preferred embodiments, the first engagement portion of the syringe body is internally threaded, and the second engagement portion of the tubing is externally threaded, wherein, during the process of the tubing being threadedly rotated into the syringe body, when the tubing reaches the position where it is properly tightened into the syringe body, the first and second engagement features are configured to engage with each other to provide feedback to the operator.

[0008] In some preferred embodiments, the feedback is tactile feedback and auditory feedback.

[0009] In some preferred embodiments, the syringe tube includes a main body extending in the axial direction of the syringe, the proximal portion of the main body being provided with external threads and a first mating feature, and wherein the syringe body includes a tubular outer shell extending in the axial direction, the distal portion of the outer shell being provided with internal threads and a second mating feature.

[0010] In some preferred embodiments, the medicine tube further includes a first flange extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the body portion. The first flange is disposed near the external thread of the medicine tube and located axially away from the external thread, wherein a first mating feature is positioned on the outer periphery of the first flange.

[0011] In some preferred embodiments, the distal portion of the outer shell of the syringe body includes a continuous first annular portion and a second annular portion, wherein the first annular portion is located at the farthest end of the outer shell, the second annular portion is located near the first annular portion, and the inner diameter of the second annular portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the first annular portion, wherein an internal thread is provided on the inner wall surface of the second annular portion, and wherein a second mating feature is provided on the inner wall surface of the first annular portion.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the first flange of the syringe tube has a proximal surface, and the connection between the first and second annular portions of the syringe body has a stepped surface perpendicular to the axial direction, wherein the syringe tube reaches a tightened position when the proximal surface of the first flange overlaps the stepped surface during the rotational installation of the syringe tube into the syringe body.

[0013] In some preferred embodiments, a notch is formed on the outer periphery of the first flange of the syringe, and the notch forms a first end wall and a second end wall opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the syringe. The first mating feature is formed as a spring extending from the first end wall in the circumferential direction toward the second end wall. The spring includes: a connecting end fixedly connected to the first end wall; and a free end opposite to the connecting end, the free end being provided with a first protrusion protruding outward in the radial direction.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the second mating feature is formed as a second protrusion projecting radially inward from the inner wall surface of the first annular portion of the syringe body. The second protrusion is configured to engage with the first protrusion of the tubing such that, during the rotational installation of the tubing into the syringe body, when the tubing reaches a transition position before the tightening position, the first protrusion of the tubing's spring contacts the second protrusion of the syringe body, and the second protrusion biases the spring radially inward via the first protrusion. Furthermore, as the tubing continues to rotate to the tightening position, the first protrusion of the spring passes over the second protrusion of the syringe body, causing the spring to rebound radially outward, thereby providing tactile and auditory feedback to the operator.

[0015] In some preferred embodiments, the positions of the first protrusion in the circumferential and axial directions of the first flange and the extension distance in the axial direction, and / or the positions of the second protrusion in the circumferential and axial directions of the first annular portion and the extension distance in the axial direction, are configured such that the first protrusion and the second protrusion do not contact each other during rotation of the drug tube before it reaches the transition position.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the width of the first flange of the syringe tube in the axial direction is the same as the width of the first annular portion of the syringe body in the axial direction, such that when the syringe tube reaches the tightened position, the distal surface of the first flange is flush with the distal end surface of the first annular portion.

[0017] In some preferred embodiments, the first protrusion of the drug tube extends in the axial direction across the width of the first flange in the axial direction.

[0018] In some preferred embodiments, the second protrusion is configured to extend distally in the axial direction from the stepped surface between the first annular portion and the second annular portion of the syringe body by a first distance, the first distance not exceeding the width of the first annular portion in the axial direction.

[0019] In some preferred embodiments, the second protrusion is configured to extend distally in the axial direction from the stepped surface between the first annular portion and the second annular portion of the syringe body by a first distance, the first distance not exceeding half the width of the first annular portion in the axial direction.

[0020] In some preferred embodiments, the radial outer surface of the spring plate smoothly transitions to the outer surface of the outer periphery of the first flange, except for the notch.

[0021] In some preferred embodiments, the inner diameter of the first annular portion of the syringe body matches the outer diameter of the first flange of the drug tube, such that when the drug tube reaches the tightened position, the outer periphery of the first flange fits against the inner wall surface of the first annular portion.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, an injection head for a needleless injector is provided, the injection head being removably mounted to the syringe body of the syringe for use with the syringe body, wherein the injection head includes a drug tube for receiving a substance to be injected drawn from a storage container containing a substance to be injected, wherein the drug tube is mounted to the syringe body by a coupling device according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a needleless injector is provided, the injector comprising: an injector body; and an injection head removably mounted to the injector body, the injection head being compatible with the injector body, wherein the injection head includes a drug tube for receiving a substance drawn from a storage container containing a substance to be injected, wherein the drug tube is mounted to the injector body via a connecting device according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0024] In some preferred embodiments, the injection head further includes a piston rod that is movable inside the drug tube relative to the drug tube to draw the drug from the storage container into the drug tube during aspiration and to eject the drug to be injected from the drug tube through an injection micro-orifice at the distal end of the drug tube during injection.

[0025] In some preferred embodiments, the storage container is a built-in storage container that can be removably mounted in the syringe body, and the syringe body also includes a retaining device configured to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein in the locked state, the retaining device can prevent the storage container from being mounted to or removed from the syringe body, and in the unlocked state, the retaining device can allow the storage container to be mounted to or removed from the syringe body, wherein the retaining device includes a blocking mechanism configured to switch between a blocking state that blocks axial movement of the storage container and a non-blocking state that does not block axial movement of the storage container, the blocking mechanism including an annular member including a blocking portion that blocks a distal portion of the storage container in the blocking state of the blocking mechanism, and an engaging portion located distal to the blocking portion, the engaging portion being configured to be fixed to the piston rod when the injection head is mounted to the syringe body.

[0026] In some preferred embodiments, the engagement portion of the annular component is formed with an annular groove near the distal end of the annular component, and wherein the proximal end of the piston rod is provided with an elastic snap-fit ​​portion extending proximally in the axial direction, the snap-fit ​​portion being snapped onto the distal end face of the annular groove, thereby fixing the piston rod and the annular component to each other.

[0027] This invention, by providing a first and a second mating feature on the syringe body and the injection head respectively, which can cooperate with each other to provide feedback to the operator, avoids the situation where the operator starts subsequent drug aspiration and injection operations without tightening the drug tube, and also avoids the situation where the operator over-tightens the drug tube, causing damage to the syringe. It ensures that the operator can correctly install the drug tube of the injection head into the position where it is just securely fastened to the syringe body without visual attention during each operation. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To better understand the above and other objects, features, advantages, and functions of this utility model, reference can be made to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that the drawings are intended to schematically illustrate the preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the scope of this utility model in any way; the parts in the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0029] Figure 1A perspective view of a syringe according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0030] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An exploded view of the syringe shown.

[0031] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 An exploded view of the syringe head and the outer casing of the syringe body shown.

[0032] Figure 4 A perspective view of a medicine tube according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0033] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 The front view of the medicine tube shown.

[0034] Figure 6 A perspective view of the distal portion of the outer shell of the syringe body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0035] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 A front view of the distal portion of the outer casing shown.

[0036] Figure 8 A front view is shown of the engagement state of the drug tube with the distal portion of the outer casing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 9 A schematic diagram is shown showing the tubing rotating to a transition position relative to the outer shell of the syringe body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 10 A schematic diagram is shown showing the tubing rotated to a secure position relative to the outer shell of the syringe body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The connecting device, injection head, and needle-free injector according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention; those skilled in the art can conceive of other ways to implement the present invention based on these preferred embodiments, and such other ways also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0040] This invention provides a coupling device for a syringe, the syringe including a syringe body and an injection head removably mounted to the syringe body, the injection head being compatible with the syringe body. The injection head includes a tubing for receiving a substance drawn from a storage container containing a substance to be injected. The coupling device includes: a first engagement portion disposed on the distal portion of the syringe body; a second engagement portion disposed on the proximal portion of the tubing, the second engagement portion of the tubing being capable of engaging with the first engagement portion of the syringe body to removably mount the tubing to the distal portion of the syringe body; a first mating feature portion disposed on the proximal portion of the tubing; and a second mating feature portion disposed on the distal portion of the syringe body. During the mounting of the tubing to the syringe body, when the tubing reaches a secure position where it is properly tightened into the syringe body, the first and second mating features are configured to engage to provide feedback to the operator.

[0041] To better describe the connecting device according to this utility model and for ease of understanding, the overall structure of the syringe will be described first. The following description refers to a needleless syringe according to a preferred embodiment of this utility model.

[0042] First, it should be noted that the directional and positional terms mentioned in this utility model should be understood as relative directions and relative positions. The directional and positional terms mentioned in this utility model can be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, "axial" and "axial direction" mentioned in this utility model can be understood as directions parallel or approximately parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the syringe, that is, along the X direction in the accompanying drawings or parallel to the X direction in the accompanying drawings; "radial," "radial direction," "circumferential," and "circumferential direction" mentioned in this utility model are all directions defined with respect to the X-axis. For example, the radial outer direction indicates a direction away from the longitudinal central axis of the syringe, the radial inner direction indicates a direction towards the longitudinal central axis of the syringe, and the circumferential direction indicates a direction around the longitudinal central axis of the syringe; the "rotational direction" mentioned in this utility model can be understood as a direction of rotation around the X-axis, which is approximately equivalent to the "circumferential direction." The terms "near," "proximal," "proximal end," "proximal direction," "rear," "rear side," "rear end," and "rear direction" mentioned in this utility model refer to directions close to the operator's hand along the X-axis or parallel to the X-axis (considering the operator holding the syringe to draw and inject the medicine); the terms "distal," "distal end," "distal direction," "front," "front side," "front end," and "front direction" mentioned in this utility model refer to directions away from the operator's hand along the X-axis or parallel to the X-axis, and also refer to the direction in which the substance to be injected is ejected during the injection step.

[0043] Overall structure

[0044] Figure 1 An overall perspective view of a syringe according to some preferred embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An exploded view of the syringe. The syringe of this invention is a needle-free syringe. Unlike traditional syringes, the needle-free syringe does not inject through a needle. Instead, it has an injection micro-orifice at the distal end of the injection head. During injection, the substance to be injected is rapidly ejected through this micro-orifice and injected into the patient's body. It should be noted that this article uses pharmaceuticals, liquid medications, and other injectable substances as examples to describe the concept of this invention; however, this is merely an example and not restrictive. The substance to be injected can be of various other types, such as saline solution, glucose, solid microparticles, etc. Any substance that can be injected into the human body by the needle-free syringe of this invention falls within the protection scope of this invention. This invention does not limit the form or type of the substance to be injected.

[0045] refer to Figures 1 to 3 According to this preferred embodiment, the syringe 1 includes the following components: an injection head 2, a syringe body 3, and a storage container 4. Each component can be packaged separately before use and then assembled together for use.

[0046] The injection head 2 includes: a drug tube 21 for containing the liquid medicine to be injected drawn from the storage container 4; a cap 23 removably engaging with the distal portion of the drug tube to keep the drug tube sealed during the aspiration process described below, thereby sealing the injection micro-orifice at the distal end of the drug tube, and being removed during injection to expose the injection micro-orifice; and a piston rod 22 movable axially (X) relative to the drug tube 21 within the drug tube 21 to draw the liquid medicine from the storage container 4 into the drug tube during aspiration, and to eject the liquid medicine to be injected from the drug tube 21 through the injection micro-orifice during injection, thereby spraying the liquid medicine through the micro-orifice to complete the injection. The storage container 4 may be, for example, a cartridge bottle according to national standards. According to this preferred embodiment, the storage container 4 is built-in and can be removably installed into the syringe 1 (specifically, into the syringe body 3) for use with the syringe body 3 and the injection head 2. Of course, this invention is not intended to limit the form of the storage container, which may also be non-built-in (i.e., the storage container is a separate part from the syringe body and is not installed inside the syringe body). Those skilled in the art can choose according to actual needs.

[0047] The syringe body 3 includes an outer shell 32, a rear shell 31, a first internal plunger 33, and a second internal plunger 34. The outer shell 31 houses various components within the syringe body and has an external thread at its proximal end for engagement with an internal thread at the distal end of the rear shell 31. This allows the operator to rotate either the rear shell 31 or the outer shell 32 to achieve axial relative movement between them. (Reference) Figure 2 The outer housing 32 houses a first internal push rod 33 and a second internal push rod 34 located near the first internal push rod. The first internal push rod 33 is used to accommodate the storage container 4 to carry the storage container and drive its movement during operation. The two internal push rods 33 and 34 are fixed to each other (e.g., by threaded engagement) and can be locked or unlocked with the rear housing 31 by engaging a locking member (not shown) located near the second internal push rod 34 with a locking mechanism 35 (which is fixedly mounted on the rear housing 31).

[0048] The injection head 2 can be removably attached to the syringe body 3. Specifically, refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The drug tube 21 of the injection head 2 can be fixedly mounted to the outer housing 32, for example, by the engagement between the external thread 212 of the proximal portion of the drug tube 21 and the internal thread 324 of the outer housing 32 near the distal opening (which will be described in detail below).

[0049] Throughout the entire operation after installation, the drug tube 21 remains fixed to the outer housing 32. The movement of the drug tube 21 is driven by the outer housing 32, and there is no relative movement between the two. The piston rod 22 of the injection head 2 can be fixedly installed to the first internal push rod 33 or to other components fixedly connected to the first internal push rod 33.

[0050] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the syringe body also includes a retaining device 5 configured to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the retaining device 5 prevents the built-in storage container 4 from being installed into or removed from the syringe body, and in the unlocked state, the retaining device 5 allows the storage container 4 to be installed into or removed from the syringe body. The retaining device 5 includes a blocking mechanism 522 configured to switch between a blocking state that blocks axial movement of the storage container and a non-blocking state that does not block axial movement of the storage container. The blocking mechanism includes an annular member 5221, which includes a blocking portion 52211 that blocks the distal portion of the storage container in the blocking state (the blocking portion 52211 includes a through hole 52212 that can accommodate a ball, which blocks the storage container when the ball moves in the through hole to the radially inner end of the through hole and does not block the storage container when the ball moves in the through hole to the radially outer end of the through hole), and an engaging portion 52214 located distal to the blocking portion, which is configured to be fixed to the piston rod 22 when the injection head 2 is mounted to the syringe body.

[0051] Preferably, the engaging portion 52214 of the annular component 5221 is formed with an annular groove 52213 near the distal end of the annular component, and the proximal end of the piston rod 22 is provided with an elastic snap-fit ​​portion 221 extending proximally in the axial direction. The snap-fit ​​portion can be snapped onto the distal end face of the annular groove 52213, so that the piston rod and the annular component are fixed to each other.

[0052] The operation process of the syringe according to this utility model after installation mainly includes the following steps: pressurization and energy storage step, drug intake step, air exhaust step, and injection step.

[0053] First, during the pressurization and energy storage step, initially, the actuation spring 39 located proximally between the outer housing 32 and the rear housing 31 is in its unforced, naturally extended state, placing the outer housing 32 distally relative to the rear housing 31. Upon initiation of pressurization and energy storage, the operator rotates the outer housing 32 proximally relative to the rear housing 31 (achieved through a threaded engagement). During this process, the distal portion of the outer housing 32 applies force to the distal portion (e.g., the distal flange) of the first internal push rod 33, thereby simultaneously moving the first internal push rod 33 and the second internal push rod 34 proximally. When the outer housing 32 is threadedly tightened relative to the rear housing 31, a locking member (not shown) proximally to the second internal push rod 34 locks into place with the locking mechanism 35, thereby locking the first and second internal push rods 33 and 34 to the rear housing 31. During this process, the actuation spring 39 is compressed and stores energy in preparation for the final injection step.

[0054] Following the pressurization and energy storage step is the drug aspiration step. During this step, the operator rotates the outer housing 32 to move it distally relative to the rear housing 31 (still achieved through the threaded engagement between the two). At this time, the first and second internal push rods 33 and 34 are locked by the locking mechanism 35 and thus remain fixed relative to the rear housing 31. In other words, during this process, the outer housing 32 moves distally relative to the first and second internal push rods 33 and 34. Since the drug tube 21 is fixed relative to the outer housing 32, and the storage container 4 and piston rod 22 are fixed relative to the first internal push rod 33, the drug tube 21 moves distally relative to the storage container 4 and piston rod 22. Furthermore, since the injection orifice at the distal end of the drug tube 21 is closed by the cap 23 (for example, the cap 23 is provided with a sealing gasket for sealing the injection orifice when it is closed on the drug tube 21), when the drug tube 21 moves distally relative to the piston rod 22, the distal portion of the inner cavity of the drug tube 21 (i.e., the chamber located between the distal end of the piston rod and the distal end of the drug tube) forms a receiving cavity. The pressure in the receiving cavity is relatively low, so the liquid in the storage container 4 can be drawn into the receiving cavity through the needle 24 contained in the drug liquid channel in the piston rod 22, thereby completing the drug aspiration.

[0055] Following the drug intake step is the venting step, a pre-injection preparation step designed to remove any gas that may have entered the drug delivery tube 21 before injection. In this step, the cap 23 is first removed, exposing the injection micro-orifice at the distal end of the drug delivery tube 21. Then, the outer housing 32 is rotated so that it moves slightly rearward relative to the rear housing 31. During this process, the locking mechanism 35 remains locked, keeping the first internal push rod 33 and the piston rod 22 fixed relative to the rear housing 31. Thus, the drug delivery tube 21 (fixed relative to the outer housing 32) moves slightly proximally relative to the piston rod 22 (fixed relative to the first internal push rod 33), and the piston rod 22 slightly compresses the receiving cavity within the drug delivery tube 21, allowing the gas within the cavity to be expelled from the injection micro-orifice under pressure.

[0056] Finally, the injection step. In this step, the outer housing 32 and the drug tube 21 are fixed relative to the rear housing 31. The operator operates the locking mechanism 35 (e.g., presses the button 351 on the proximal end of the syringe) to release it from the locking state between it and the locking member (not shown) located near the first and second internal push rods. This allows the second internal push rod 34, the first internal push rod 33, the storage container 4, and the piston rod 22 to move rapidly distally relative to the rear housing 31 under the return action of the actuation spring 39, thereby completing the injection by rapidly squeezing the liquid in the receiving cavity of the drug tube 21 through the piston rod 22.

[0057] Connecting device

[0058] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 10The connecting device according to this utility model is described in detail.

[0059] As described above, a coupling device is provided for detachably mounting the injection head 2 to the syringe body 3. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling device includes a first engagement portion disposed on the distal portion of the syringe body 3 and a second engagement portion disposed on the proximal portion of the drug tube 21. The second engagement portion of the drug tube can cooperate with the first engagement portion of the syringe body to detachably mount the drug tube 21 to the distal portion of the syringe body 3.

[0060] In this embodiment, preferably, the first engagement portion of the syringe body 3 is an internal thread 324, and the second engagement portion of the drug tube 21 is an external thread 211, which can be screwed together, so that the operator can screw-rotate the drug tube to install it onto the syringe body. Of course, those skilled in the art can also use other engagement methods to assemble the drug tube and the syringe body, such as, but not limited to, flange engagement, snap-fit ​​engagement, etc.

[0061] Specifically, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the specific structure of the drug tube 21 of the injection head 2. The drug tube 21 includes a body portion 211 extending along the axial direction of the syringe. The drug tube 21 also includes a first flange 213 extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the body portion 211. The first flange is disposed near the external thread 212 of the drug tube 21 and is located distal to the external thread 212 in the axial direction X.

[0062] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The diagram illustrates the specific structure of the distal portion of the outer shell 32 of the syringe body 3. As described above, the proximal portion of the tubing 21 is threaded into the distal portion of the outer shell 32 for mutual fixation. The syringe body 3 includes a tubular outer shell 32 extending in the axial direction X. The distal portion of the outer shell 32 is provided with an internal thread 326 and a second mating feature (the first mating feature may be, for example, a second protrusion 328 described in detail below). The distal portion of the outer shell 32 includes a continuous first annular portion 324 and a second annular portion 325, wherein the first annular portion 324 is located at the farthest end of the outer shell 32, the second annular portion 325 is located proximal to the first annular portion 324, and the inner diameter of the second annular portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the first annular portion. The internal thread 326 is provided on the inner wall surface of the second annular portion 325, and the second mating feature is provided on the inner wall surface of the first annular portion 324.

[0063] Furthermore, the first flange 213 of the tubing 21 has a proximal surface 2131, and the connection between the first annular portion 324 and the second annular portion 325 of the syringe body has a stepped surface 327 perpendicular to the axial direction. During the rotational installation of the tubing 21 into the syringe body, the tubing 21 reaches a tightened position when the proximal surface 2131 of the first flange 213 overlaps the stepped surface 327. Afterward, due to the obstruction of the stepped surface 327, even if the operator continues to rotate the tubing, the tubing 21 will not continue to move proximal to the syringe body in the axial direction X. At this point (after the proximal surface 2131 of the first flange 213 overlaps the stepped surface 327), if the operator continues to tighten the tubing with excessive force, the threaded engagement between the tubing 21 and the outer housing 32 may fail due to improper operation, also known as "slippage".

[0064] To prevent the operator from starting subsequent drug aspiration and injection operations without tightening the tubing, and to prevent damage to the syringe caused by over-tightening the tubing, ensuring that the operator can correctly install the tubing of the injection head 2 into the position where it is securely fastened to the syringe body 3 in each operation, the connecting device according to this utility model further includes: a first mating feature portion disposed on the proximal portion of the tubing 21 (e.g., disposed on the proximal portion of the main body portion 211 of the tubing); and a second mating feature portion disposed on the distal portion of the syringe body 3 (e.g., disposed on the distal portion of the outer shell 32 of the syringe body). During the rotational installation of the tubing 21 into the syringe body, when the tubing 21 reaches the position where it is properly tightened to the syringe body, the first and second mating features are configured to engage with each other to provide feedback to the operator. Preferably, this feedback is tactile and auditory feedback.

[0065] refer to Figure 4 The outer periphery of the first flange 213 of the drug tube 21 has a notch 214, and the notch has a first end wall 2141 and a second end wall 2142 that are opposite each other in the circumferential direction. The first mating feature is formed as a spring piece 216 extending from the first end wall 2141 in the circumferential direction toward the second end wall 2142. The spring piece 216 includes: a connecting end 2161 fixedly connected to the first end wall 2141; and a free end 2162 opposite to the connecting end. The free end 2162 is provided with a first protrusion 2163 that protrudes outward in the radial direction.

[0066] refer to Figure 6The second mating feature is formed as a second protrusion 328 protruding radially inward from the inner wall surface of the first annular portion 324 of the syringe body 3. The second protrusion 328 is configured to engage with the first protrusion 2163 of the tubing 21, such that during the rotational installation of the tubing 21 into the syringe body 3, when the tubing 21 reaches a transitional position before the tightened position, the first protrusion 2163 of the spring 216 of the tubing 21 contacts the second protrusion 328 of the syringe body 3, and the second protrusion 328 biases the spring 216 radially inward via the first protrusion 2163. When the tubing 21 continues to rotate to the tightened position, the first protrusion 2163 of the spring 216 passes over the second protrusion 328 of the syringe body, causing the spring 216 to rebound radially outward, thereby providing tactile and auditory feedback to the operator.

[0067] Figure 9 and Figure 10 The transition and fastening positions described above are shown respectively. Along the drug tube 21... Figure 9 During the rotational installation of the syringe body 3 to the outer housing 32 of the syringe body 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow, as the tubing is about to be tightened (i.e., in the transition position before it is properly tightened), the first protrusion 2163 of the spring 216 of the tubing 21 engages with the second protrusion 328 of the syringe body 3. At this time, the spring is biased radially inward by the second protrusion 328 (i.e., the spring 216 is biased towards the main body portion 211 of the tubing). Subsequently, as the operator continues to rotate the tubing 21, the first protrusion 2163 will pass over the second protrusion 328, and the spring is no longer biased towards the main body portion 211, thus the spring rebounds. The rebound process of the spring 216 causes the first protrusion 2163 to momentarily contact the inner wall surface of the first annular portion 324 of the syringe body 3, thereby providing tactile feedback and producing a "click" sound. In this way, the operator can clearly know that the tubing and the syringe body have been properly tightened.

[0068] Preferably, to avoid interference between the first protrusion 2163 and the second protrusion 328 during rotation before the tube 21 reaches the transition position, the positions and axial extension distances of the first protrusion on the first flange 213 of the tube, and / or the positions and axial extension distances of the second protrusion on the first annular portion 324, need to be designed to ensure that the first protrusion 2163 and the second protrusion 328 remain non-contacting during the entire rotation process before the tube 21 reaches the transition position.

[0069] For example, it can be like Figure 4As shown, the first protrusion 2163 is configured to extend axially across the entire first flange 213 (i.e., across the axial width of the first flange 213). To avoid contact or interference between the first protrusion 2163 and the second protrusion 328 during multiple rotations before the last rotation of the syringe tube, when their circumferential positions are aligned, the second protrusion 328 needs to be configured to extend only a portion of the width of the first annular portion 324. For example, the second protrusion 328 is configured to extend axially distally from the stepped surface 327 between the first annular portion 324 and the second annular portion 325 of the syringe body by a first distance, the first distance not exceeding the axial width of the first annular portion. More preferably, this first distance does not exceed half the axial width of the first annular portion.

[0070] It is understood that the position and extension distance of the first protrusion and the second protrusion are not limited to the situation described in the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments as needed, as long as the first protrusion 2163 and the second protrusion 328 do not contact each other during the entire rotation process before the drug tube 21 reaches the transition position (during the entire installation process of the drug tube, the first protrusion 2163 and the second protrusion 328 only contact each other at the transition position).

[0071] Preferably, in order to facilitate the smooth rotational installation process of the tube 21 onto the syringe body 3, the radial outer surface of the spring 216 smoothly transitions to the outer surface of the outer periphery of the first flange 213, except for the notch 214.

[0072] Preferably, the inner diameter of the first annular portion 324 of the syringe body 3 matches the outer diameter of the first flange 213 of the drug tube 21, so that when the drug tube 21 reaches the tightened position, the outer periphery of the first flange 213 fits against the inner wall surface of the first annular portion 324. This makes the installed drug tube more integrated with the syringe body and ensures that the drug tube is not easily shaken in the syringe body.

[0073] It is understood that the first protrusion 2163 and the second protrusion 328, which cooperate to provide tactile and auditory feedback, are not limited to being disposed on the circumferential sidewall of the first flange 213 of the syringe 21 and the inner wall surface of the first annular portion 324 of the syringe body 3 as described in the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art may also dispose of the spring 216 and the first protrusion 2163 on the proximal surface 2131 of the first flange 213, and correspondingly dispose of the second protrusion on the stepped surface 327. These embodiments are all included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0074] This invention also provides an injection head for a syringe, which can be removably mounted to the syringe body for use with the syringe body. The injection head includes a drug tube for holding a substance drawn from a storage container containing a substance to be injected. The drug tube is mounted to the syringe body via the aforementioned connecting device.

[0075] This utility model also provides a needleless injector, which includes: an injector body; and an injection head that can be removably installed onto the injector body. The injection head can be used in conjunction with the injector body. The injection head includes a drug tube for containing a substance to be injected drawn from a storage container containing a substance to be injected. The drug tube is installed onto the injector body via a connecting device according to the aforementioned method.

[0076] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments of this utility model can be combined and / or modified in various ways, and the results of such combinations and / or modifications should also be considered as embodiments of this utility model. The above description of various embodiments of this utility model is provided for descriptive purposes to a person skilled in the art. It is not intended to exclude or limit this utility model to a single disclosed embodiment. As taught above, a person skilled in the art will understand that various alternatives and variations of this utility model are possible. Therefore, although some alternative embodiments have been specifically described, a person skilled in the art will understand or relatively easily develop other embodiments. This utility model is intended to include all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the utility model described herein, as well as other embodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the utility model described above.

Claims

1. A coupling device capable of being used with a needle-free injector (1), the injector comprising an injector body (3) and an injection head (2) removably mounted to the injector body for use with the injector body (3), wherein, The injection head includes a drug tube (21) capable of containing a substance to be injected drawn from a storage container containing the substance to be injected, characterized in that the connecting device includes: A first engagement portion is provided on the distal portion of the syringe body (3); A second engagement portion is provided on the proximal portion of the drug tube (21), wherein the second engagement portion of the drug tube can cooperate with the first engagement portion of the syringe body to removably install the drug tube to the distal portion of the syringe body (3); A first mating feature portion is provided on the proximal portion of the drug tube (21); and A second mating feature is provided on the distal portion of the syringe body (3). During the process of installing the tubing into the syringe body, when the tubing reaches the fastening position where it is properly secured to the syringe body, the first mating feature and the second mating feature are configured to cooperate with each other to provide feedback to the operator.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first joint of the syringe body (3) is an internal thread (326), and the second joint of the medicine tube (21) is an external thread (212). During the process of the tubing being threaded and rotated into the syringe body, when the tubing reaches the position where it is properly tightened into the syringe body, the first mating feature and the second mating feature are configured to cooperate with each other to provide feedback to the operator.

3. The connecting device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, The feedback is tactile feedback and auditory feedback.

4. The connecting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The medicine tube (21) includes a main body (211) extending in the axial direction (X), the proximal portion of which is provided with the external thread (212) and the first mating feature. The syringe body (3) includes a tubular outer shell (32) extending in the axial direction (X), and the distal portion of the outer shell is provided with the internal thread (326) and the second mating feature.

5. The connecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The medicine tube (21) further includes a first flange (213) extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the main body (211). The first flange is disposed near the external thread (212) of the medicine tube and located far from the external thread (212) in the axial direction (X), wherein the first mating feature is positioned on the outer periphery of the first flange (213).

6. The connecting device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The distal portion of the outer shell (32) of the syringe body (3) includes a continuous first annular portion (324) and a second annular portion (325). The first annular portion (324) is located at the farthest end of the outer shell (32), the second annular portion (325) is located near the first annular portion (324), and the inner diameter of the second annular portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the first annular portion. The internal thread (326) is provided on the inner wall surface of the second annular portion (325), and The second mating feature is disposed on the inner wall surface of the first annular portion (324).

7. The connecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first flange (213) of the syringe tube (21) has a proximal surface (2131), and the connection between the first annular portion (324) and the second annular portion (325) of the syringe body has a stepped surface (327) extending perpendicular to the axial direction (X). During the process of rotating the tube (21) to the syringe body, the tube (21) reaches the fastening position when the proximal surface (2131) of the first flange (213) overlaps the stepped surface (327).

8. The connecting device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the first flange (213) of the drug tube has a notch (214), and the notch has a first end wall (2141) and a second end wall (2142) opposite to each other in the circumferential direction. The first mating feature is formed as a spring piece (216) extending from the first end wall (2141) in a circumferential direction toward the second end wall (2142), the spring piece (216) comprising: The connection end (2161) is fixedly connected to the first end wall; and The free end (2162) opposite to the connecting end is provided with a first protrusion (2163) that protrudes outward in a radial direction.

9. The connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second mating feature is formed as a second protrusion (328) protruding inward along the radial direction from the inner wall surface of the first annular portion (324) of the syringe body (3). The second protrusion (328) is configured to engage with the first protrusion (2163) of the tubing (21) such that, during the rotational installation of the tubing (21) into the syringe body (3), when the tubing (21) reaches a transition position before the tightening position, the first protrusion (2163) of the spring (216) of the tubing (21) contacts the second protrusion (328) of the syringe body (3), and the second protrusion (328) biases the spring (216) radially inward via the first protrusion (2163); and When the tube (21) continues to rotate to the fastened position, the first protrusion (2163) of the spring (216) passes over the second protrusion (328) of the syringe body, causing the spring (216) to bounce back radially outward, thereby providing tactile and auditory feedback to the operator.

10. The connecting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The positions of the first protrusion (2163) in the circumferential and axial directions of the first flange (213) and the extension distance in the axial direction, and / or the positions of the second protrusion (328) in the circumferential and axial directions of the first annular portion (324) and the extension distance in the axial direction, are configured such that the first protrusion (2163) and the second protrusion (328) do not contact each other during the rotation of the tube (21) before it reaches the transition position.

11. The connecting device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The width of the first flange (213) of the tube (21) in the axial direction (X) is the same as the width of the first annular portion (324) of the syringe body (3) in the axial direction (X), such that when the tube (21) reaches the fastened position, the distal surface (2132) of the first flange (213) is flush with the distal end surface (3241) of the first annular portion (324).

12. The connecting device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first protrusion (2163) of the tube (21) extends in the axial direction (X) across the width of the first flange (213) in the axial direction (X).

13. The connecting device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second protrusion (328) is configured to extend distally along the axial direction (X) from the stepped surface (327) between the first annular portion (324) and the second annular portion (325) of the syringe body by a first distance not exceeding the width of the first annular portion in the axial direction (X).

14. The connecting device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second protrusion (328) is configured to extend distally along the axial direction (X) from the stepped surface (327) between the first annular portion (324) and the second annular portion (325) of the syringe body by the first distance, the first distance not exceeding half the width of the first annular portion in the axial direction (X).

15. The connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The radial outer surface of the spring piece (216) smoothly transitions to the outer surface of the outer periphery of the first flange (213) except for the notch (214).

16. The connecting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the first annular portion (324) of the syringe body is matched with the outer diameter of the first flange (213) of the drug tube (21), so that when the drug tube (21) reaches the fastening position, the outer periphery of the first flange (213) is in contact with the inner wall surface of the first annular portion (324).

17. An injection head (2) that can be removably mounted to the syringe body (3) of a needleless injector (1) for use with the syringe body (3), wherein, The injection head (2) includes a drug tube (21) for receiving the drug to be injected from a storage container (4) containing the drug to be injected. The characteristic feature is that the medicine tube (21) is installed to the syringe body by a coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A needle-free injector (1), the needle-free injector comprising: Syringe body (3); as well as An injection head (2) is removably mounted to the syringe body (3) for use with the syringe body, wherein the injection head includes a drug tube (21) for receiving the drug to be injected from a storage container (4) containing the drug to be injected. The characteristic feature is that the medicine tube (21) is installed to the syringe body by a coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. The needleless injector (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that, The injection head also includes a piston rod (22) that is movable inside the drug tube (21) relative to the drug tube (21) to draw the drug in the storage container (4) into the drug tube (21) during the drug aspiration process, and to push the drug to be injected in the drug tube through the injection micro-hole at the distal end of the drug tube (21) during the injection process.

20. The needleless injector according to claim 19, characterized in that, The storage container (4) is a built-in storage container that can be removably installed in the syringe body, and The syringe body also includes a retaining device (5) configured to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein, in the locked state, the retaining device prevents the storage container from being installed into or removed from the syringe body of the needleless syringe, and in the unlocked state, the retaining device allows the storage container to be installed into or removed from the syringe body. The retaining device (5) includes a blocking mechanism (522) configured to be operable to switch between a blocking state that blocks the axial movement of the storage container and a non-blocking state that does not block the axial movement of the storage container. The blocking mechanism includes an annular member (5221) which includes a blocking portion (52211) that blocks the distal portion of the storage container in the blocking state of the blocking mechanism, and an engaging portion (52214) located distal to the blocking portion. The engaging portion is configured to be fixed to the piston rod (22) when the injection head (2) is mounted to the syringe body.

21. The needleless injector according to claim 20, characterized in that, The engaging portion (52214) of the annular component (5221) has an annular groove (52213) near the distal end of the annular component, and The piston rod (22) is provided with one or more elastic snap-fit ​​portions (221) extending proximally along the axial direction. The snap-fit ​​portions can be snapped onto the distal end face of the annular groove (52213) so that the piston rod and the annular component are fixed to each other.

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