Device for dispensing a fluid product

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product, the device comprising a reservoir (1) suitable for containing at least one dose of fluid product and a dispensing head (2) attached to the reservoir (1), the dispensing head (2) comprising a tube (3) provided with a front portion (4), the tube (3) comprising a spray tip (10) inserted into the front portion (4), the spray tip (10) comprising an insert (11) and a cup (12), the cup (12) being arranged over the insert (11) and comprising an axial opening forming a dispensing opening (5), the insert (11) being provided with a spray profile comprising at least one non-radial groove (16), at least one wall portion (17) extending along each non-radial groove (16) and a central swirl chamber (19) defined radially inside the at least one wall portion (17).

Description

[0001] Fluid product dispensing device

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product, in particular intended for the administration of a pharmaceutical product, in particular to small animals, such as for example mice.

[0003] State-of-the-art devices used to administer doses of drugs to small animals, such as rodents, particularly mice, are generally single-dose, single-use devices, in which the entire dose of product is dispensed in a single actuation. However, drug testing on animals, particularly rodents such as mice, is generally carried out on around fifteen rodents, which therefore requires around fifteen devices. In addition, the doses are generally not adjustable, so a different device is required for each different dosage.

[0004] Furthermore, these devices generally use a small diameter cannula to distribute the fluid product, typically with an external diameter of 0.7 mm and an internal diameter of 0.4 mm. However, this achieves a dose distribution in the form of a rectilinear jet, whereas it is preferable to be able to achieve this distribution in the form of a spray. Particularly in the context of pre-clinical trials on small animals, a spray with a Dv50 of less than 30 pm is desirable.

[0005] US5605255, WO9746324, US2015273486 and WO201 9086272 describe spray tips, but none are suitable for insertion into a small diameter cannula.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a fluid product dispensing device which does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0007] The present invention aims in particular to provide a fluid product dispensing device which makes it possible to dispense the fluid product at the outlet of a small diameter cannula in the form of a spray.

[0008] The present invention also aims to provide a fluid product dispensing device which is simple and reliable to use. The present invention also aims to provide a fluid product dispensing device which allows several doses to be dispensed in several successive uses.

[0009] The present invention also aims to provide a fluid product dispensing device which allows the dosage to be modified with each use.

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

[0011] The present invention therefore relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a reservoir adapted to contain at least one dose of fluid product and a dispensing head fixed to said reservoir, said dispensing head comprising a cannula provided with a front part, said cannula comprising a spray tip inserted into said front part, said spray tip comprising an insert and a cup, said cup being arranged above said insert and comprising an axial orifice forming a dispensing orifice, said insert being provided with a spray profile comprising at least one non-radial groove, at least one wall part running along each non-radial groove, and a central swirl chamber defined radially inside said at least one wall part.

[0012] Advantageously, said insert comprises at least one external groove, preferably axial, extending over the entire axial length of the insert, to allow the passage of fluid during actuation.

[0013] Advantageously, said insert comprises at least two external grooves.

[0014] Advantageously, said at least two non-radial grooves and said at least two wall portions connect said at least two external grooves.

[0015] Advantageously, said insert and said cup are force-fitted into said front portion of said cannula. Advantageously, said cup comprises a cylindrical hollow sleeve containing a truncated cone-shaped hollow which narrows towards the front portion of the cup, where said truncated cone-shaped hollow connects to a cylindrical hollow forming said dispensing orifice.

[0016] Advantageously, said insert and said cup are entirely arranged inside said front part of said cannula.

[0017] Advantageously, said dispensing head is removably connected to said reservoir.

[0018] Advantageously, said dispensing head is removably attached to said reservoir, in particular via a Luer-type attachment, said cannula being attached, in particular welded, to said dispensing head.

[0019] Advantageously, the external diameter of said front part of said cannula is less than 1 mm, advantageously less than 0.8 mm, preferably approximately 0.7 mm.

[0020] Advantageously, the internal diameter of said front part of said cannula is less than 0.7 mm, advantageously less than 0.5 mm, preferably approximately 0.4 mm.

[0021] Advantageously, said cannula is curved or angled.

[0022] Advantageously, said reservoir is a syringe comprising a body and a piston sliding in said body during actuation.

[0023] Advantageously, the generated spray has a Dv50 of less than 30 pm, advantageously less than 25 pm, in particular less than or equal to 20 pm.

[0024] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent during the following detailed description, made with reference to the attached drawings, given as non-limiting examples, and in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fluid product dispensing device according to an advantageous embodiment, Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of a cup, Figure 3 is a schematic perspective detail view of a spray tip according to a first advantageous embodiment, comprising an insert and a cup, before their assembly in a cannula, Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the insert of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a schematic view similar to that of Figure 3, after assembly of the insert and the cup in the cannula, Figure 6 is a schematic top view in transparency of the spray tip,after assembly of the cup over the insert, Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the upper end of the insert of Figures 3 to 6, Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, showing an insert according to a second advantageous embodiment, and Figure 9 is a view similar to those of Figures 7 and 8, showing an insert according to a third advantageous embodiment.,

[0025] The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis A of the dispensing device shown in Figure 5. The terms "above", "below", "upper" and "lower" refer to a vertical position as shown in Figures 3 and 5. The term "forward" refers to the direction of flow of the fluid product upon actuation.

[0026] The fluid product dispensing device shown in Figure 1 comprises a reservoir 1 containing one or more doses of fluid product and a dispensing head 2 comprising a cannula 3 having at its front part 4 a dispensing orifice 5.

[0027] The reservoir 1 is advantageously a syringe comprising a body 6 and a piston (not visible in FIG. 1) sliding in said body 6 during actuation. A piston rod 7 is preferably fixed to the piston to allow the user to actuate the device. This piston rod 7 may comprise at its rear end a radial flange 8 to facilitate gripping by a user.

[0028] The body 6 has an open front end adapted to receive the dispensing head 2, preferably in a removable manner. This attachment of the dispensing head 2 to the reservoir 1 can, for example, be achieved via a conventional Luer Lock type attachment. Other attachment means are conceivable, for example screwing or snap-fastening. The cannula 3 forms a hollow tube defining a small-diameter expulsion channel. Typically, the external diameter of the front portion 4 of the cannula is less than 1 mm, advantageously less than 0.8 mm, preferably approximately 0.7 mm. Similarly, the internal diameter of the front portion 4 of the cannula is typically less than 0.7 mm, advantageously less than 0.5 mm, preferably approximately 0.4 mm. In the example shown, the cannula 3 is bent, but it could be straight or curved, or of any suitable shape. It may be rigid, or alternatively partially or completely flexible.Advantageously, the rear part of the cannula 3 is welded to the dispensing head 2, but other means of attachment are possible, for example a force fitting or gluing.

[0029] According to the invention, the cannula 3 comprises a spray tip 10.

[0030] This spray tip 10 provided in the front part 4 of the cannula 3 allows the fluid product to be distributed in the form of a spray.

[0031] This spray tip 10 comprises an insert 11 which is inserted into the front part 4 of the cannula 3 and a cup 12 arranged above the insert 11, also in the front part 4 of the cannula 3, and comprising an axial orifice forming the dispensing orifice 5.

[0032] The insert 11 has an external diameter approximately equal to the internal diameter of the cannula 3. Advantageously, the insert 11 is force-fitted into the front part 4 of the cannula 3.

[0033] Likewise, the cup 12 has an external diameter approximately equal to the internal diameter of the cannula 3. Advantageously, the cup 12 is force-fitted into the front part 4 of the cannula 3.

[0034] The insert 11 comprises at least one external groove 15 extending over the entire axial length of the insert, to allow the passage of fluid during actuation. Preferably, said at least one external groove 15 is axial. Alternatively, said at least one external groove 15 could be non-axial, in particular oblique around the insert 11. Advantageously, the insert 11 comprises at least two external grooves 15. The width of each external groove 15 is less than 0.2 mm, advantageously less than 0.1 mm, preferably approximately 0.08 mm. In the first and third embodiments, shown respectively in Figures 3 to 7 and in Figure 9, there are two diametrically opposite external grooves 15.

[0035] In the second embodiment, shown in Figure 8, there are three external grooves 15 regularly distributed around the periphery of the insert 11.

[0036] At its front axial end, the insert 11 comprises a spray profile for generating a spray. This spray profile comprises at least one non-radial groove 16, at least one wall portion 17 running along each non-radial groove 16, and a central swirl chamber 19 defined radially inside said at least one wall portion 17. The axial height of each wall portion 17 is less than 0.15 mm, advantageously less than 0.12 mm, preferably approximately 0.1 mm.

[0037] In the first and third embodiments, there are two non-radial grooves 16 and two wall portions 17, connecting the two external grooves 15, as seen in Figures 4, 6 and 7 on the one hand, and in Figure 9 on the other hand.

[0038] In the second embodiment, there are three non-radial grooves 16 and three wall portions 17, connecting the three external grooves 15, as seen in Figure 8.

[0039] The cup 12 comprises a cylindrical hollow sleeve 13 containing a frustoconical-shaped recess 14 which narrows towards the front part of the cup 12, where the frustoconical recess 14 connects to a cylindrical recess forming the dispensing orifice 5. The maximum internal diameter of the frustoconical recess 14 is less than 0.5 mm, advantageously less than 0.3 mm, preferably about 0.2 mm. The internal diameter of the dispensing orifice 5 is less than 0.2 mm, advantageously less than 0.1 mm, preferably about 0.07 mm.

[0040] In the assembled position, the cup 12 is in contact with the insert 11, in particular with the upper axial edge of each wall part 17.

[0041] Thus, upon actuation, the fluid product flows axially into the cannula 3, then axially into the at least one axial external groove 15, then in a swirling manner into the central swirl chamber 19, being guided by the at least one non-radial groove 16 along the at least one wall portion 17, which swirls the fluid in the swirl chamber 19 and generates a spray through the dispensing orifice 5 formed in the cup 12. Depending on the shape of this spray profile, the properties of the spray generated can be modified.

[0042] Advantageously, the insert 11 and the cup 12 are entirely arranged inside the front part 4 of the cannula 3, so that the presence of the spray tip 10 does not increase the external diameter of the cannula, and does not modify its use.

[0043] Tests of the embodiments of Figures 7 to 9 have made it possible to establish:

[0044] - the invention makes it possible to generate a correct spray, based on the one hand on the geometry and velocity of the spray, and on the other hand on the granulometry of the spray drops (DSD: "Drop Size Distribution"); thus, the three embodiments described above make it possible to obtain a Dv50 of less than 30 pm;

[0045] - the first embodiment has particularly good spray properties, with an average Dv50 less than or equal to 20 pm.

[0046] A preferred operation of the device shown in Figure 1 will now be described.

[0047] Before first use, the reservoir 1 may be empty and separated from the dispensing head 2. It is then preferably closed by a cap (not shown), in a known manner.

[0048] The user who wishes to use the device removes the cap from the reservoir 1 and fills it with fluid. For example, in the case of a syringe, he draws fluid from a fluid reserve, by pulling the piston backwards in the body 6. The reservoir 1 can be filled with one dose of the chosen volume, or alternatively with two or more doses.

[0049] The device is then ready for its first active use, to dispense a dose of fluid product. When the user presses the piston rod 7, he moves the piston relative to the body 6. Fluid product contained in the reservoir 1 is then expelled into the cannula 3 and then sprayed through the spray tip 10.

[0050] Advantageously, the entire fluid product contained in the reservoir 1 is dispensed in a single actuation.

[0051] Alternatively, the contents of the reservoir may be dispensed in two or more successive actuations.

[0052] When the reservoir 1 is empty, the user can remove the dispensing head 2, and refill the reservoir 1 in a known manner for the next use of the device.

[0053] It should be noted that the spray tip 10 described above could also be used with a pre-filled reservoir and / or a single-use device that can be disposed of after use.

[0054] A preferred application of the present invention relates to the administration of pharmaceutical products to small animals, such as, for example, mice. However, an application in humans is also conceivable.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described with reference to advantageous embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may make various modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a reservoir (1) adapted to contain at least one dose of fluid product and a dispensing head (2) fixed to said reservoir (1), said dispensing head (2) comprising a cannula (3) provided with a front part (4), characterized in that said cannula (3) comprises a spray tip (10) inserted into said front part (4), said spray tip (10) comprising an insert (11) and a cup (12), said cup (12) being arranged above said insert (11) and comprising an axial orifice forming a dispensing orifice (5), said insert (11) being provided with a spray profile comprising at least one non-radial groove (16), at least one wall part (17) running along each non-radial groove (16), and a central swirl chamber (19) defined radially inside said at least one wall part (17).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said insert (11) comprises at least one external groove (15), preferably axial, extending over the entire axial length of the insert, to allow the passage of fluid during actuation.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein said insert (11) comprises at least two external grooves (15).

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said at least two non-radial grooves (16) and said at least two wall portions (17) connect said at least two external grooves (15).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said insert (11) and said cup (12) are force-fitted into said front part (4) of said cannula (3).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cup (12) comprises a cylindrical hollow sleeve (13) containing a frustoconical-shaped hollow (14) which narrows towards the front part of the cup (12), where said frustoconical hollow (14) connects to a cylindrical hollow forming said dispensing orifice (5).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said insert (11) and said cup (12) are entirely arranged inside said front part (4) of said cannula (3).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said dispensing head (2) is removably connected to said reservoir (1).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said dispensing head (2) is removably fixed to said reservoir (1), in particular via a Luer type fixing, said cannula (3) being fixed, in particular welded, to said dispensing head (2).

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the external diameter of said front part (4) of said cannula (3) is less than 1 mm, advantageously less than 0.8 mm, preferably approximately 0.7 mm.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal diameter of said front part (4) of said cannula (3) is less than 0.7 mm, advantageously less than 0.5 mm, preferably approximately 0.4 mm.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cannula (3) is curved or bent.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said reservoir (1) is a syringe comprising a body (6) and a piston sliding in said body (6) during actuation.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spray generated has a Dv50 of less than 30 pm, advantageously less than 25 pm, in particular less than or equal to 20 pm. * * *

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