Device for dispensing a fluid product

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product, comprising a reservoir (10) suitable for containing at least one dose of fluid product, and a dispensing head (20) attached to said reservoir (10), wherein the dispensing head (20) comprises a cannula (21) provided with a dispensing opening (22) and delimiting an expulsion channel (24), the dispensing opening (22) comprises a spraying tip (25) partially inserted into the expulsion channel (24), the spraying tip (25) comprises a head part arranged outside said cannula (21) and a rod part inserted into said expulsion channel (24), the head part is an extension of the rod part and has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the rod part in order to define an impact surface downstream of the dispensing opening (22), such that, during actuation, the fluid product flowing under pressure in the expulsion channel (24) strikes the impact surface in order to generate a spray.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for distributing fluid products, particularly intended for administering pharmaceutical products to small animals, such as mice.

[0002] State-of-the-art devices used to administer drug doses to small animals, such as rodents, particularly mice, are generally single-use, unit-dose devices in which the entire dose of the product is dispensed in a single actuation. However, drug trials on animals, especially rodents such as mice, are generally conducted on about fifteen rodents, thus requiring approximately fifteen devices. Furthermore, the doses are generally not adjustable, so a different device is needed for each different dosage.

[0003] Documents DE 22 63 266 A1, FR 3 106 488 A1, US 9 010 572 B2, US 10 654 051 B2, US 3 737 105 A, CA 2 393 408 A1 and US 5 372 311 A describe fluid product distribution devices.

[0004] Furthermore, these devices generally use a small-diameter cannula to dispense the fluid product. However, this results in a dose distribution in the form of a straight jet, whereas it is preferable to be able to deliver this dose as a spray. Particularly in preclinical trials on small animals, a spray with a Dv50 between 15 and 40 µm is desirable.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that does not reproduce the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0006] The present invention aims in particular to provide a fluid product distribution device that allows multiple doses to be distributed in several successive uses.

[0007] The present invention also aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that allows the dosage to be changed with each use.

[0008] The present invention also aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that allows the fluid product to be distributed at the outlet of a small diameter cannula in the form of a spray.

[0009] The present invention also aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that is simple and reliable to use.

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

[0011] The present invention therefore relates to a fluid product dispensing device comprising a reservoir adapted to hold at least one dose of fluid product and a dispensing head fixed to said reservoir, said dispensing head comprising a cannula having a dispensing orifice and defining an expulsion channel, said dispensing orifice comprising a spray nozzle partially inserted into said expulsion channel, said spray nozzle comprising a head portion disposed outside said cannula and a stem portion inserted into said expulsion channel, said head portion extending the stem portion and having a diameter greater than the diameter of said stem portion to define an impact surface downstream of said dispensing orifice, so that upon actuation, said fluid product flowing under pressure in said expulsion channel impacts said impact surface to generate a spray.wherein the diameter of said stem portion is less than the diameter of said expulsion channel, said stem portion being centered in said expulsion channel, said stem portion being fixed in said expulsion channel, in particular by wedging at one or more deformation points made on said cannula.

[0012] Advantageously, the maximum external diameter of said head portion is similar, in particular identical, to the external diameter of said cannula.

[0013] According to a first advantageous embodiment, said head part is spherical, so that said impact surface is curved.

[0014] According to a second advantageous embodiment, said head part is conical at its junction with said stem part, so that said impact surface is flat and forms a cone flaring outwards.

[0015] Advantageously, the said distribution head is removably connected to the said reservoir.

[0016] Advantageously, said distribution head includes a fixing element adapted to be removably fixed to said reservoir, in particular via a Luer type fixing, said nozzle being fixed, in particular welded, to said fixing element.

[0017] Advantageously, the diameter of said expulsion channel is less than 1 mm, advantageously less than 0.8 mm, preferably about 0.7 mm.

[0018] Advantageously, the cannula is curved or angled.

[0019] Advantageously, said reservoir is a syringe comprising a body and a piston sliding in said body during actuation.

[0020] Advantageously, the generated spray has a Dv50 of less than 40 µm, specifically around 30 µm.

[0021] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, and in which: there figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fluid product distribution device according to an advantageous embodiment, the figure 2 is a detailed view of a spray nozzle according to a first advantageous embodiment, the figure 3 is a view similar to that of the figure 2 showing a spray nozzle according to a second advantageous embodiment, the figure 4 is a partial schematic perspective view of the spray nozzle of the figure 3 , and the figure 5 is a partial schematic perspective cut-out view of the spray nozzle of the figures 3 And 4 .

[0022] The fluid product distribution device shown on the figure 1 comprises a reservoir 10 containing one or more doses of fluid product and a dispensing head 20 comprising a cannula 21 having a dispensing orifice 22 provided with a spray nozzle 25, said cannula 21 being fixed in a fixing member 23 adapted to be removably fixed on the reservoir 10.

[0023] The cannula 21 forms a hollow tube defining a small-diameter expulsion channel 24, typically less than 1 mm, advantageously less than 0.8 mm, preferably about 0.7 mm. In the example shown, the cannula 21 is angled, but it could be straight or curved, or any suitable shape. It can be rigid, or alternatively partially or fully flexible. Advantageously, the rear portion of the cannula 21 is welded to the fastening member 23, but other fastening methods are possible, for example, press fitting or bonding.

[0024] The reservoir 10 is advantageously a syringe comprising a body 11 and a piston 12 that slides within said body 11 during actuation. A piston rod 13 can be attached to the piston 12 to allow the user to actuate the device. The body 11 has an open front end adapted to removably receive said fastening member 23. This fastening member 23 can be attached to the reservoir 10, for example, via a conventional Luer Lock fastener. Other fastening methods are possible, such as screwing or snap-fitting.

[0025] The spray nozzle 25 provided at the distribution orifice 22 of the cannula 21 allows the fluid product to be distributed in spray form.

[0026] This spray nozzle 25 forms an insert which is partially inserted into the expulsion channel 24 of the cannula and which comprises a head portion 26 and a stem portion 28.

[0027] The stem portion 28 enters the expulsion channel 24 and therefore has a diameter smaller than the diameter of said expulsion channel 24. The stem portion 28 is centered in the expulsion channel 24, which thus extends all around said stem portion 28. The stem portion 28 is fixed in the expulsion channel 24 by wedging at one or more deformation points 29 formed on the cannula 21, as visible in the figure 5 .

[0028] The head portion 26 is disposed outside the cannula 21 and extends the stem portion 28. It has a diameter greater than the diameter of the stem portion 28 and defines an inclined impact surface 27 after the outlet 22 of the cannula 21 for the fluid product flowing into the expulsion channel 24.

[0029] Thus, upon actuation, the fluid product flows under pressure into the expulsion channel 24, around the rod portion 28, and impacts the impact surface 27, which breaks up the particles of the fluid product and generates a spray. Depending on the shape of this impact surface 27, the properties of the generated spray can be modified.

[0030] Advantageously, the maximum external diameter of the head portion 26 is similar to, and preferably approximately identical to, the external diameter of the cannula 21. Thus, the presence of the spray nozzle 25 does not increase the external diameter of the cannula and does not alter its use.

[0031] A first embodiment is shown on the figure 2 in which the head part 26 is spherical, so that the impact surface 27 is curved.

[0032] A second embodiment is shown on the figure 3 in which the head part 26 is conical at its junction with the stem part 28, so that the impact surface 27 is flat and forms a cone flaring outwards.

[0033] Tests of these two implementation methods have established: The invention makes it possible to generate a correct spray, based on the geometry and velocity of the spray on the one hand, and on the other hand on the granulometry of the spray drops (DSD: "Drop Size Distribution"); thus, the two embodiments described above make it possible to obtain a Dv50 of less than 50 µm; the second embodiment presents improved spray properties, with an average Dv50 of 30 µm, while the first embodiment gives an average Dv50 of 40 µm.

[0034] A preferred operating mode of the device shown on the figure 1 will now be described.

[0035] Before first use, the reservoir 10 can be emptied and separated from the dispensing head 20. It is then preferably closed with a cap (not shown), in a known manner.

[0036] The user wishing to use the device removes the cap from the reservoir 10 and fills it with the fluid. For example, in the case of a syringe, they draw the fluid from a reservoir by pulling the plunger 12 away from the front end of the body 11. The reservoir 10 can be filled with a dose of a chosen volume, or alternatively with two or more doses.

[0037] The device is then ready for its first active use, to dispense a dose of fluid product.

[0038] When the user presses the piston rod 13, it moves the piston 12 relative to the body 11. Fluid from the reservoir 10 is then expelled into the cannula 21 and subsequently sprayed from the spray nozzle 25. Advantageously, all the fluid from the reservoir 10 is dispensed in a single action. Alternatively, the reservoir contents can be dispensed in two or more successive actions.

[0039] When the reservoir 10 is empty, the user can remove the dispensing head 20, and refill the reservoir 10 in a known manner for the next use of the device.

[0040] It should be noted that the spray nozzle described above could also be used with a pre-filled reservoir and / or a single-use device that is disposable after use.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described with reference to advantageous embodiments, it is understood that a person skilled in the art can make various modifications to it without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a reservoir (10) which is suitable for containing at least one dose of fluid product and one dispensing head (20) attached to said reservoir (10), said dispensing head (20) comprising a cannula (21) provided with a dispensing opening (22) and defining an expulsion channel (24), characterised in that said dispensing opening (22) comprises a spray tip (25) which is partially inserted into said expulsion channel (24), said spray tip (25) comprising a head part (26) arranged outside of said cannula (21) and a rod part (28) inserted into said expulsion channel (24), said head part (26) extending the rod part (28) and comprising a diameter which is greater than the diameter of said rod part (28) to define an impact surface (27) downstream of said dispensing opening (22), such that during actuation, said fluid product flowing under pressure in said expulsion channel (24) strikes said impact surface (27) in order to generate a spray, wherein the diameter of said rod part (28) is less than the diameter of said expulsion channel (24), said rod part (28) being centred in said expulsion channel (24), said rod part (28) being attached in said expulsion channel (24) by clamping at one or more deformation points (29) made on said cannula (21), the maximum external diameter of said head part (26) being similar, in particular identical, to the external diameter of said cannula (21), so that the spray tip (25) does not increase the external diameter of the cannula (21).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said head part (26) is spherical, such that said impact surface (27) is curved.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said head part (26) is conical at its junction with said rod part (28), such that said impact surface (27) is flat and forms a cone flaring outwards.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said dispensing head (20) is removably connected to said reservoir (10).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said dispensing head (20) comprises an attachment member (23) which is suitable for being removably attached to said reservoir (10), in particular via a Luer-type attachment, said cannula (21) being attached, in particular welded, to said attachment member (23).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of said expulsion channel (24) is less than 1mm, advantageously less than 0.8mm, preferably around 0.7mm.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cannula (21) is curved or bent.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said reservoir (10) is a syringe comprising a body (11) and a piston (12) sliding into said body (11) during actuation.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device is adapted to generate a spray having a Dv50 of less than 40µm, in particular around 30µm.

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