Gas canister, cap for gas canister, and method for manufacturing a gas canister

Abstract

A gas canister is provided. The gas canister comprises an elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending to a second end open from the barrel region, the second end defining an end wall, and the elongated body defining a central axis extending between the first and second ends; a cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity, having an end wall including an opening communicating with the cavity and a seat portion surrounding the opening on the inside of the end wall; and a sealing member provided in the neck region and configured to engage with the seat portion to seal the opening, wherein the cavity is filled with pressurized fluid.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present application generally relates to canisters for storing gas, and more particularly relates to single-use gas canisters that can be loaded into or otherwise provided to a medical device or other tool to supply energy during use of the medical device or other tool, and to methods of manufacturing such canisters.

[0002] Related application data This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 521,839, filed on June 19, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. [[Background Art]]

[0003] Various surgical procedures employ medical devices that require an energy source, for example, to provide an ejection force to a component of the medical device. For example, intraocular lens ("IOL") inserter devices are used to deliver a replacement lens into an eye affected by cataract. Such IOL inserters may require an external power source to push the lens loaded in the inserter into the patient's eye. Similarly, intraocular injector devices are gas-driven and may require a reliable and / or convenient gas supply source to provide pressurized gas for operating the device.

[0004] Accordingly, energy sources for gas-driven IOL inserters and other medical devices or tools would be useful. [[Summary of the Invention]]

[0005] The present application is directed to a canister for storing gas, and more particularly is directed to a single-use gas canister that can be loaded into or otherwise provided to a medical device or other tool to supply energy during use of the medical device or other tool, and to a method of manufacturing such a canister.

[0006] In one example, a gas canister is provided, the gas canister comprising: an elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending to a second end open from the barrel region, the second end defining an end wall, and the elongated body defining a central axis extending between the first and second ends; a cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a seat portion enclosing the opening on the inside of the end wall; and a sealing member provided in the neck region and configured to engage with the seat portion to seal the opening, wherein the cavity is filled with a pressurized fluid.

[0007] In another example, a gas canister is provided, the gas canister comprising: an elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending to a second end open from the barrel region, the second end defining an end wall, and the elongated body defining a central axis extending between the first and second ends; a cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, having an end wall including a through opening communicating with the cavity, and a seat portion surrounding the opening on the inner surface of the cap including a concave wall; and a sealing member provided in the neck region, including a spherical member configured to engage with the concave wall of the seat portion to seal the opening, wherein the cavity is filled with a pressurized fluid.

[0008] In yet another example, a gas canister is provided, the gas canister comprising: an elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending to a second end open from the barrel region, the second end defining an end wall, and the elongated body defining a central axis extending between the first and second ends; a cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a shoulder portion surrounding the opening on the inner surface of the cap; and a sealing member provided within the neck region, comprising a flat disc-shaped member including a flat surface configured to engage with the shoulder portion to seal the opening, and a stem extending from the flat surface through the opening, wherein the cavity is filled with pressurized fluid.

[0009] In yet another example, a gas canister is provided, the gas canister comprising: an elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending to a second end open from the barrel region, the second end defining an end wall, and the elongated body defining a central axis extending between the first and second ends; a cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a shoulder portion on the inner surface of the cap surrounding the opening; and a sealing member coupled within the opening, having sufficient coupling strength to seal the opening while allowing the sealing member to be pushed out of the opening and the opening to be opened when an actuator pin enters the opening, the cavity being filled with pressurized fluid.

[0010] In yet another example, a gas canister is provided, the gas canister comprising: an elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending to a second end open from the barrel region, the second end defining an end wall, and the elongated body defining a central axis extending between the first and second ends; a cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a shoulder portion enclosing the opening on the inner surface of the cap; and a sealing member including a cylindrical plug received through the opening to seal the opening, the plug being held with sufficient friction to seal the opening, while allowing the plug to be pushed out of the opening and the opening to be opened when an actuator pin enters the opening, the sealing member wherein the cavity is filled with a pressurized fluid.

[0011] In yet another example, a gas canister is provided, the gas canister comprising: an elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending to a second end open from the barrel region, the second end defining an end wall, and the elongated body defining a central axis extending between the first and second ends; a cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, the cap having an end wall including a through opening communicating with the cavity, and a seat portion enclosing the opening on the inside of the end wall; and a sealing member axially slidable within the neck region at a position adjacent to the cap, biased to an outward position sealing the opening, and movable to an inward position away from the cap, thereby opening the opening, the cavity being filled with a pressurized fluid.

[0012] In another example, a gas-operated tool is provided, which comprises: a housing having a functional part and an actuator part including a chamber; a canister provided within the chamber, which includes an elongated body having a closed first end and an open second end, a cap welded to the open second end of the elongated body and including an opening that communicates with an internal cavity of the canister filled with pressurized gas, and a sealing member that seals the opening; a carriage holding an opener pin that is movable within the housing between a first position in which the pin is spaced away from the opening of the canister and a second position in which the pin is at least partially inside the opening; and an actuator provided in the actuator part and coupled to the carriage, which is configured such that, upon operation of the actuator, the carriage moves from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the pin to displace the sealing member and open the opening, thereby releasing pressurized gas from the canister into one or more passages within the housing to supply energy to the functional part.

[0013] Another example provides a method for manufacturing a canister, the method comprising: providing an elongated body, the elongated body comprising a barrel region, a closed first end, and a neck region extending to a second end open from the barrel region, the second end defining an end wall, and the elongated body defining a central axis extending between the first and second ends; providing a cap, the cap comprising an outer flange, a through-opening surrounded by a seat, and a sealing member configured to engage with the seat to seal the opening; stabilizing the sealing member with respect to the cap; introducing pressurized gas into an internal cavity of the elongated body; positioning the outer flange in contact with the end wall; and attaching the cap to the body by welding the flange to the end wall, thereby confining the pressurized gas within the cavity.

[0014] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] The present invention is expected to be better understood from the following description of specific examples in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the figures, similar reference numerals indicate the same elements. [Figure 1] Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view of an example of an intraocular lens inserter with a single-use gas canister loaded inside. Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view of the lens inserter of Figure 1A, showing how an actuator is activated, and a pin releases the seal of the gas canister, providing an energy source for the lens inserter by delivering pressurized gas from the gas canister. Figure 1C is a detailed view of an example of an actuator pin as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, which may be used to move a ball that seals the opening of the gas canister, thereby releasing the pressurized gas from within the gas canister. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a gas canister that includes a cap welded to the main body and a sealing member, i.e., a movable ball, that seals the opening of the cap. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the neck region of another gas canister, which includes a cap welded to the neck region and a sealing member that seals the opening, namely a ball received in a seat around the opening of the cap. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the neck region of another gas canister, which includes a cap welded to the neck region and a sealing member, i.e., a magnetic ball received in a seat around the opening of the cap, which is magnetically fixed to the cap and seals the opening. [Figure 5] Figures 5A to 5C illustrate an exemplary method for filling a gas canister containing magnetic balls, as shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the neck region of another gas canister, which includes a cap welded to the neck region and a sealing member that seals the opening, i.e., a poppet that engages with a seat around the opening of the cap. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the neck region of another gas canister, which includes a cap welded to the neck region and a sealing member that seals the opening, i.e., a poppet coupled to the opening of the cap. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a gas canister that includes a cap welded to the main body and a sealing member, i.e., a spring-biased poppet, that seals the opening of the cap. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a gas canister, which includes a cap welded to the body and a sealing member, i.e., a spring-biased poppet, that seals the opening of the cap. Figure 9A is a detailed view of the poppet and cap of the gas canister shown in Figure 9. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of yet another example of a gas canister, which includes a cap welded to the body and a sealing member, i.e., a spring-biased poppet, that seals the opening of the cap. [Figure 11] Figure 11A is a cross-sectional view of the neck region of another gas canister, which includes a cap welded to the neck region and a sealing member that seals the opening, i.e., a ball held within a ball cage. Figure 11B is a perspective view of a ball cage that may be included in the gas canister of Figure 11A. [Figure 12] Figure 12A is a cross-sectional view of the neck region of yet another gas canister, which includes a cap welded to the neck region and a sealing member that seals the opening, i.e., a ball held within a ball cage. Figure 12B is a perspective view of a ball cage that may be included in the gas canister of Figure 12A. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the neck region of yet another gas canister, which includes a cap welded to the neck region and a sealing member, i.e., a plug with an O-ring, that seals the opening. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a gas canister, including caps welded to both ends of the gas canister body.

[0016] The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any sense, and it is contemplated that various examples of the present invention, including those not necessarily shown in the drawings, may be implemented in various other ways. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The following description of specific examples of the present invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. The following description, by way of illustration, shows one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the present invention. It will be understood that various other obvious aspects of the present invention are possible without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting.

[0018] Before describing examples, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific examples described, and may of course be modified. Furthermore, since the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims, it should be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific examples only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0019] Where a range of values ​​is given, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise, each intermediate value between the upper and lower limits of that range, up to one-tenth of the lower limit, should be understood to be specifically disclosed. Each small range between any stated value or intermediate value within the stated range and any other stated value or intermediate value within the stated range is included in the present invention. The upper and lower limits of those small ranges may be independently included in or excluded from the range, and whether both or one of them are included in the small range, or neither is included in the small range, each range is included in the present invention, subject to any particularly excluded limits within the stated range. If a stated range includes one or both of the limits, the range excluding one or both of the limits that they include is also included in the present invention.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art in which the present invention pertains. Any methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein may be used in carrying out or testing the present invention, but several possible exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

[0021] In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" refer to multiple subjects unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, a reference to "compound" includes multiple such compounds, and a reference to "polymer" includes one or more polymers and their equivalents known to those skilled in the art.

[0022] In this specification, when a specific range is given, the term “approximately” is used before the number. The term “approximately” is used in this specification to provide literal support for the exact number following the term and for numbers that are close to or approximate the number following the term. When determining whether a number is close to or approximates a specifically mentioned number, the close or approximate unmentioned number may be a number that, in the context in which it is presented, provides a substantially equivalent to the specifically mentioned number.

[0023] Referring to the drawings, Figures 1A and 1B show an example of an intraocular lens (IOL) inserter 10 comprising a drive mechanism including a lens delivery portion 20, an actuator 30, and an energy device, such as a canister 40 (which may be any of the canisters described herein). The IOL inserter 10 may include a main body portion 12, which includes, for example, various cavities, recesses, and conduits for providing communication between the canister 40 and the lens delivery portion 20, and the lens delivery portion delivers a lens (not shown) from a lens compartment 22 that constitutes part of the lens delivery portion 20 or is loaded, fixed, or attached thereto. Such a configuration is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0282928, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the actuator 30 and / or energy device, such as the canister 40, may be incorporated into other medical devices or tools, which can actuate the functional parts of the tool by releasing pressurized gas from the canister 40, as described elsewhere in this Spec. For example, the canister 40 (or other canisters described herein) can be provided in a drive mechanism for various tools, such as self-propelled syringes, shunt inserters for glaucoma treatment, syringe plunger presses for fluid injection, or other tools (not shown). Such tools are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patents 10,716,892, 10,912,883, 11,071,824 and 11,738,154, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] For example, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the IOL inserter 10 is provided with a canister 40, which is pre-installed in the housing 12, i.e., fixed in the chamber 16. Alternatively, the housing 12 may include a removable cap 14, which allows the canister 40 to be removed and / or replaced with a new canister as needed, for example, if at least the housing 12 and / or other parts of the IOL inserter 10 are reusable. In the illustrated example, the IOL inserter 10 includes a carriage 32 connected to an actuator 30 and holding a pin 34. For example, when the canister 40 is loaded in the chamber 16 (for example, when the canister 40 is loaded into the housing 12 via the cap 14 during manufacturing or before use), the pin 34 may be positioned adjacent to the opening 68 of the canister 40, which is sealed by a sealing member such as a ball 70 shown in Figures 1A to 1C. Furthermore, the IOL inserter 10 may include an O-ring or other seal 36 positioned within the chamber 16 near the pin 34, which can slidably engage with the neck region 58 of the canister 40 to form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the fluid passage in the IOL inserter 10 and the neck region 58.

[0025] Optionally, the carriage 32 is slidably positioned within the main body portion 12, and, for example, the operation of the actuator 30 moves the carriage 32 and pin 34 axially from, for example, the original or distal position shown in Figure 1A to the proximal position shown in Figure 1B, toward the canister 40, thereby causing the pin 34 to press against the sealing member 70, opening the opening 68 of the canister 40 and releasing gas from the canister 40. For example, Figure 1C shows the pin 34, which can be connected to an actuator (such as the actuator 30 shown in Figures 1A and 1B), pressing against a sealing member, such as a ball 70, which seals the opening 68 of the canister 40, as will be further described elsewhere in this specification, thereby opening the canister 40.

[0026] Optionally, a spring or other biasing mechanism 38 can be provided within the main body portion 12, for example, in the chamber 16 near the O-ring 36 and / or around the neck region 58 of the canister 40, thereby biasing the carriage 32 distally toward the distal position. Thus, when the actuator 30 is released, the carriage 32 automatically returns to the distal position, the pin 34 is pulled out of the opening 68, and the sealing member 70 is able to reseal the opening 68. Alternatively, after the ball or other sealing member 70 is pushed away from the opening 68, the gas in the canister 40 may continue to be released continuously until the canister 40 is empty, without the ball 70 returning to reseal the opening 68.

[0027] Referring to Figure 2, an example of a canister 40 is shown, comprising a body 50 and a cap 60 welded to the body 50, configured to form a sealed cavity 42 filled with a fluid, such as carbon dioxide or another pressurized gas. The fluid contained within the sealed cavity 42 may be used to advance a lens from the delivery section 20 by providing the desired potential energy or discharge force to drive a tool or other medical device, such as the IOL inserter 10 shown in Figures 1A and 1B. Alternatively, the canister 40 may be filled with another two-phase gas, such as hydrofluorocarbon (e.g., HFC-134a), or a single-phase gas, such as nitrogen. In this specification, “pressurized gas” may include single-phase or two-phase gases, such as gases that are at least partially liquefied, and thus may include either a fluid in a gaseous state or a fluid in a liquid-gas mixed state. The volume of the cavity 42 may be sufficient to supply energy to the medical device, and may be sufficient to provide a substantially constant and / or controlled discharge force to the IOL inserter 10 when the actuator 30 is activated.

[0028] In one example, the internal volume of cavity 42 may be approximately 1.8 milliliters (1.8 mL) or less, or approximately 1 milliliter (1 mL) or less, for example, approximately 0.5 to 1.8 mL, or approximately 0.68 to 0.75 mL. However, in other examples, the internal volume of cavity 42 may be any desired volume. For example, in some cases, the internal volume of cavity 42 may be greater than 1.8 mL or less than 0.5 mL.

[0029] In some examples, the body 50 and cap 60 are formed from stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant metal, a metal of choice, or a suitable metal or other material. In some examples, one or both of the body 50 and cap 60 may be formed by one or more of the following: drawing, pressing, machining, casting, forming, etc. For example, the body 50 may be deep-drawn from a metal sheet, such as a circular sheet of Type 430 stainless steel, using one or more dies and punches (not shown) to form the main barrel region 52 and the sealed bottom or first end 54 of the body 50. Additional processing may form a tapered shoulder region 56 and an open neck region or second end 58 that define an opening or passage 59 communicating with the internal cavity 51 of the body 50.

[0030] For example, the shoulder region 56 and the neck region 58 can be formed by necking or the like, and the neck region 58 has a substantially uniform diameter smaller than the diameter of the main barrel region 52. Alternatively, the neck region 58 may have a diameter similar to that of the main barrel region 52, in which case the shoulder region 56 is omitted. The region of the body 50 may be substantially radially symmetric with respect to the central axis 44 of the canister 40, or it may have any other desired cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated example, the neck region 58 may terminate with a substantially flat end wall 58a defining a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis 44.

[0031] In various examples, the body 50 may have a length of less than approximately 30 millimeters (30 mm) between the first end 54 and the end wall 58a of the neck region 58, the outer diameter of the barrel region 52 may be approximately 10 millimeters (10 mm) or less or approximately 8 millimeters (8 mm) or less, and the outer diameter of the neck region 58 may be approximately 5 millimeters (5 mm) or less or approximately 4 millimeters (4 mm) or less. The neck region 58 may have a substantially uniform diameter length of approximately 3 to 8 millimeters (3 to 8 mm) or approximately 4 to 6 millimeters (4 to 6 mm). However, these dimensions and shapes are merely examples. Thus, various dimensions of various embodiments of the canister 40 can be selected to any desired dimensions. Furthermore, the shapes of various embodiments of the canister may also be any desired shape. For example, one or more shapes of one or more embodiments of the canister may be radially asymmetric with respect to the central axis 44 of the canister 40.

[0032] Similarly, the cap 60 is formed from another sheet metal by pressing, coining, drawing, and / or other processes, thereby defining a substantially circular body including an outer edge or flange 62 having a diameter approximately equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the neck region 58, for example, the flange 62 of the cap 260 may be fitted over and directly welded to the end of the neck region 58, as described elsewhere in this specification. The cap 60 also includes a through-opening 68 and optionally a concave seat 69 surrounding the inside of the opening 68 for engaging with an engaging member, such as a ball 70 shown in Figure 1C. In the illustrated example, the seat 69 may have a concave shape defining a portion of a sphere having a diameter approximately equal to or greater than the diameter of the ball 70, for example, to facilitate the ball 70's sealed engagement with the seat 69.

[0033] Optionally, in the example shown in Figure 1C, the outer surface 60a of the cap 60 is substantially flat, and the inner surface is provided with an annular shoulder 60b that surrounds and / or defines, for example, a seat 69, and this annular shoulder is sized to slide into the neck region 58 of the body 50. Alternatively, in the example shown in Figure 2, the cap 60' may have a non-planar shape including an annular recess around the opening 68', thereby defining an inner seat 69' surrounding the opening 68' and an outer lip or flange 62' that may be positioned on the end wall 58a of the neck region 58. Optionally, the cap 60 and / or seat 69 may be shaped to provide one or more guide surfaces for guiding the ball 70 into the seat 69. For example, referring again to Figure 1C, the inner surface of the cap 60 (or any of the caps described herein) adjacent to the seat 69 may include an introduction surface having a tapered or other shape, thereby naturally guiding the ball 70 to the center as it enters the seat 69, ensuring proper engagement and / or improved sealing of the opening 68. In other embodiments, the cap may include other features such as annular sleeves, inner end walls, spacers and / or projections that position the opening within the neck region, as in other examples described herein.

[0034] After forming, the body 50 and cap 60 may be subjected to processes such as deburring and removal of sharp edges as necessary, so that each component has the desired finish before assembly. The cap 60 may then be attached to the body 50 substantially permanently, for example, by projection welding.

[0035] For example, in an exemplary process, the body 50 and cap 60 can be placed in a filling chamber (not shown), and the internal space 51 of the body 50 can be filled with carbon dioxide (or other gas) to a desired pressure by filling this filling chamber with the gas. For example, the cap 60 may be placed in close proximity to the end wall 58a of the neck region 58 so that the gas passes around the cap 60 and flows into the neck region 58. Optionally, the filling chamber can also be controlled to a desired temperature lower than the saturation temperature of the gas at the filling pressure, thereby condensing the gas in the canister 40 and filling the canister 40 with liquefied gas.

[0036] After filling, the cap 60 is welded to the neck region 58, sealing the internal space 51 and thus sealing the liquefied gas within the canister 40. For example, as shown in Figure 1C, with the ball 70 seated on the seat 69, the cap 60 can be brought into contact with the end wall 58a of the neck region 58, and the outer circumferential flange 62 can be welded to the neck region 58. Optionally, if the ball 70 contains material that may be damaged by the heat from the welding process, as described elsewhere in this specification, the ball 70 may be temporarily separated from the cap 60 during welding. Alternatively, as described elsewhere in this specification, the internal space 51 may be filled after welding the cap 60 to the body 50, for example by retracting the ball 70 from the opening 68, and then the ball 70 may be repositioned to seal the opening 68 after filling.

[0037] Optionally, the cap 60 may include an annular projection (not shown) on its inner surface adjacent to the outer flange 62 that can contact the end wall 58a of the neck region 58. In this case, when the cap 60 is welded to the body 50, a weld is formed between the projection and the end wall 58a of the neck region 58. For example, in an exemplary projection welding procedure, the body 50 is connected to ground (or one electrode) in a filling chamber, with the opposite electrode positioned in contact with the outer surface 60a of the cap 60, and the projection is held in contact with the end wall 58a of the neck region 58. Once the body 50 and the cap 60 are engaged, electrical energy is applied between the electrodes to form a weld, thereby attaching the cap 60 and sealing the internal cavity 42 of the canister 40 containing a desired amount of liquefied CO2.

[0038] In the example shown in Figure 1C, the ball 70 is positioned to be movable relative to the cap 60, and when, for example, the canister 40 is removed from the filling chamber, the internal pressure in the internal space 42 presses the ball 70 against the seat 69, thereby sealing the opening 68. Exemplary methods for holding or otherwise positioning the ball 70 (or other sealing member described herein) during filling and / or welding of the cap 60 are described elsewhere in this specification.

[0039] When the canister 40 is removed from the filling chamber, the CO2 or other gas returns to its gaseous state or liquid-gas mixture state, thereby imparting the desired pressure to the cavity 42. In various examples, the mass of CO2 supplied to the canister 40 after filling is approximately 600 milligrams (600 mg) or less, or approximately 500 milligrams (500 mg) or less, and / or the resulting density is approximately 0.50 to 1.0 kg / L, or approximately 0.50 to 0.75 kg / L. In yet another example, the mass and / or density of the fluid, such as CO2, in the canister 40 can be selected to be the desired mass or density. Furthermore, it will be understood that other gases or fluids besides CO2 can also be used to fill the canister 40, as long as they provide the desired pressure and / or release force when in use.

[0040] Optionally, in any of the examples described herein, after the canister (such as canister 40) is removed from the filling chamber, it can be confirmed that the canister 40 is filled with the desired amount of gas by weighing the canister 40. For example, the mass and pressure of the gas can be determined by comparing the original mass of the body 50 and cap 60 with the mass after filling, and it can be confirmed that they are within the desired tolerance range. For example, it may be desirable to confirm that the pressure inside canister 40 does not exceed the desired maximum density (e.g., 0.75 mg / mL), as exceeding this may cause canister 40 to exceed regulatory standards and / or safety pressure. The density and / or mass of the fluid contained in canister 40 can be set to any desired density or mass.

[0041] During the subsequent storage period of the canister 40 (for example, the normal storage period before it is loaded into a medical device and used), it may be desirable to confirm that no gas is leaking from the canister 40. For example, to confirm that no gas is leaking from the canister 40, the canister 40 can be weighed again at one or more desired intervals. Alternatively, other methods, such as mass spectrometry, can be used to confirm that gas remains in the canister 40. For example, even if the cap 60 is welded to the body 50, there is still a possibility that gas may leak from the canister 40, and therefore the canister 40 may be weighed to confirm that a sufficient amount of gas remains to ensure sufficient gas for the entire stroke of the medical device into which the canister 40 is loaded. One method involves weighing the canister 40 after filling, exposing the canister 40 to a high temperature to increase its internal pressure and promote any potential leaks, then weighing the canister 40 again to determine if its mass has decreased, thereby determining whether or not there are leaks. Finally, by extrapolating this leak rate over the entire storage period, it is confirmed that sufficient gas remains in the canister 40 during the product's storage period.

[0042] By forming the body 50 and cap 60 from stainless steel, corrosion protection can be provided to the canister 40 over its target shelf life. Conventional gas canisters have used galvanized steel to provide corrosion protection, but this may be insufficient for the canister 40. In particular, metal plating, such as galvanizing, cannot be applied before welding the cap 60 to the body 50, because the plating will be lost at the weld, compromising corrosion protection. If additional plating is applied to the weld, the plating may not be of uniform thickness (on each canister and between different canisters). However, it should be understood that it is also possible to use appropriate and / or desired materials such as metals, plastics and / or composite materials instead of stainless steel or galvanized steel.

[0043] Variations in such plating (before or after welding) may fail to meet the tolerances required to ensure that the mass and / or pressure of the gas in the finished cylinder falls within the desired range. Stainless steel does not require such plating and can be formed with higher dimensional accuracy, resulting in accurate understanding of the gas properties after filling and / or throughout the storage period of the canister. Additional information regarding the method of manufacturing the canisters described herein is contained in U.S. Patent No. 10,610,351, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] Referring to Figure 1C, the ball 70 (or other sealing member) can be formed from a variety of materials capable of sealing the opening 68 when the ball 70 is fully engaged with the seat 69. For example, the ball 70 can be formed from a rigid and / or hard material such as metal, e.g., stainless steel, or alternatively, from a soft and / or flexible material such as an elastomer and / or plastic material that can deform at least partially when engaged with the seat 69. The ball 70 can be given a desired size and / or shape by forming it using a variety of processes such as molding, casting, machining, punching, and laser cutting. For example, the ball 70 can have a substantially uniform spherical shape with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the neck region 58 and larger than the diameter of the opening 68, e.g., about 0.5 to 2.5 millimeters, e.g., about 2.0 millimeters (2.0 mm) in diameter.

[0045] Optionally, one or more coatings may be applied to the ball 70 to enhance its corrosion resistance and / or durability. For example, in one example, the ball 70 may be formed from a metal, such as steel, and have a parylene coating applied around its outer surface.

[0046] In another embodiment, the ball 70 may be coated with one or more coatings and / or exterior finishes as needed to enhance the sealing of the opening 68. For example, if the ball 70 is formed from metal or other rigid material, its exterior surface may be coated with a relatively soft material such as an elastomer or other plastic to provide some degree of conformability when engaged with the seat 68 and to enhance the sealing. Additionally or alternatively, a relatively soft material can be applied to the surface of the seat 69 to improve sealing. For example, epoxy or other sealing material (e.g., MasterBond UV15X) can be applied to the surface of the seat 69 by one or more of the following: mask dipping, mask spraying, or application of a die-cut adhesive layer.

[0047] In the example shown in Figures 1C and 2, the filling process can be completed with the canister 40 containing a free-moving ball 70 and the body 50 maintained vertically so that the neck region 58 faces vertically downward. In this configuration, the cap 60 can be welded to the body 50 before filling, and during filling, the ball 70 can be held away from the opening 68 by inserting, for example, a tool or jig (not shown) into the opening 68, at least in the initial stages, to facilitate the introduction of gas into the internal space 51 of the body 50. Once sufficient internal pressure is generated, the tool can be removed, for example, manually or automatically, and the ball 70 can be guided downward toward the opening 68 by pressure and / or gravity. This configuration also allows the cap 60 to be welded to the body 50 before filling, and if the ball is made of a soft material or a material that may be damaged by exposure to the welding process, the ball 70 can be easily positioned away from the cap 60 to protect it as needed. For example, by welding the cap 60 to the main body 50 with the neck region facing vertically upward, the ball 70 will separate from the neck region 58 and fall to the bottom of the main body 50.

[0048] Alternatively, the canister 40 may be filled with the neck region 58 facing vertically upward before welding the cap 60 to the body 50. For example, the cap 60 can be placed adjacent to the neck region 58, gas can be introduced from around the cap 60, and then the cap 60 and ball 70 can be positioned and welded to the neck region 58. In this case, the internal pressure prevents the ball 70 from falling into the internal space 51.

[0049] Optionally, the ball 70 may be fixed to the seat 69 by an adhesive or the like, thereby allowing the cap 60 to be welded to the body 50 with the neck region 58 facing vertically upward. For example, UV adhesive can be applied to the seat 69 and / or the portion of the ball 70 that will be received in the seat 69, and the ball 70 can be placed inside the seat 69. In this case, any excess adhesive can be pushed out through the opening 68 (and can be easily wiped away or removed by other means). In exemplary methods, the adhesive can be applied by one or more of the following: screen printing, transfer printing, or the use of a CNC applicator. The adhesive can then be cured by, for example, exposing the underside of the cap 60 to ultraviolet light, thereby bonding and fixing the ball 70 to the cap 60.

[0050] The adhesive can be durable enough to hold the cap 60 in place even after it has been welded to the body 50, thereby providing a higher level of sealing with the ball 60 fixed to the seat 69. The adhesive can be positioned sufficiently far from the outer flange 62 of the cap 60 so that the welding process does not adversely affect the bonding strength of the adhesive. On the other hand, if the cap 60 is welded after filling, the welding process may reduce the bonding strength of the adhesive or cause the adhesive to break. Even in this case, the ball 70 can be held in place within the seat 60 by internal gas pressure, and the opening 68 can be sealed, as with a free-moving ball or sealing member.

[0051] Alternatively, the ball 70 can be temporarily secured to the cap 60 using a plate or other tool (not shown), for example, during filling and / or welding. Referring to Figure 1C, for example, a plate can be positioned in contact with the outer surface 60a of the cap 60, and this plate may include a circular extension sized to contact the ball 70, which is inserted into the opening 68 and / or positioned in the seat 69. This extension may be provided with a weak adhesive having sufficient adhesive strength to prevent the ball 70 from moving during filling and / or welding. After the cap 60 is welded and the canister is filled, the plate can be removed by detaching the adhesive and pulling the extension out of the opening 68, after which the opening 68 can be sealed with the ball 70 held in place by the internal pressure of the canister 40.

[0052] Referring to Figure 3, another example of a cap 160 is shown, which includes an opening 168 and a seat 169 for receiving a ball 70 (or other sealing member), and which can be welded to the neck region of a body (not shown) to constitute a canister. Unlike cap 60, cap 160 comprises an annular outer flange 162 sized to fit over and be received, for example, the end wall of the neck region, and an annular body or sleeve 164 extending from this flange 162, for example along the axis 144, to an inner end wall 166, the inner end wall including the opening 168 and the seat 169. When the flange 162 is positioned in contact with the end wall of the neck region, the sleeve 164 extends into the neck region, thereby positioning the end wall 166, and thus the opening 168 and the seat 169, within the neck region, similar to cap 260 shown in Figure 4.

[0053] The sleeve 164 may have an outer diameter smaller than the neck region of the main body, thereby allowing the sleeve 164 to be inserted into the neck region while ensuring a desired clearance between the sleeve 164 and the neck region. This clearance facilitates projection welding of the flange 162 to the neck region of the main body. Optionally, one or more tabs or other spacers (not shown) may be provided on the outer surface of the sleeve 164, for example, to guide the cap 160 into the neck region and / or to ensure a uniform clearance around the sleeve 164. The cap 160 and / or ball 70 may include any of the features described herein for other caps and / or be otherwise configured.

[0054] Optionally, the ball 70 can be bonded to the seat 169 using, for example, one or more adhesives, thereby holding the ball 70 in place during filling and / or welding. This bond can also have sufficient adhesive strength to hold the ball 70 until an opener pin (not shown) is inserted into the opening 168, after which the opener pin pushes the ball 70, opening the opening 168 and releasing the pressurized gas. Such a configuration is similar to other canisters and tools described herein and in the literature referenced herein.

[0055] Referring to Figure 4, as another example, a cap 260 and a sealing member 270 are shown, which can be welded or otherwise attached to the neck region 58 of the body 50 to constitute the gas canister 240, much like the other canisters described herein. As shown in the figure, the cap 260, much like the other caps described herein, comprises an annular outer flange 262 and an annular sleeve 264 extending from the outer flange 262 to an inner end wall 266, the inner end wall including an opening 268 and a seat 269. The sealing member 270, much like the other caps described herein, may include a ball sized to engage within the seat 269 to seal the opening 268.

[0056] However, unlike other examples described herein, the ball 270 and the cap 260 include ferromagnetic materials that interact with each other to attract the ball 270 to the seat 269. For example, the ball 270 may be formed from a magnet, and at least the seat 269 and / or end wall 266 of the cap 260 may include a material that is attracted to the magnet. For example, the seat 269 may include a coating or embedded element (not shown) containing one or more of iron, nickel, cobalt, or other ferromagnetic materials, thereby attracting the ball 270 containing the magnet. In this example, the ball 270 may include an outer layer coating made of, for example, an elastomer or other material to cover the magnetic base material and / or to obtain a desired outer surface finish for the ball 270. Furthermore, this coating can make the outer surface of the ball 270 softer or more flexible, even if the base material is a rigid material, thereby improving the seal when engaged with the seat 269.

[0057] During filling and / or welding the cap 260 to the body 50, the ball 270 can be guided away from the seat 269 as necessary, for example, to open the opening 268 for filling purposes and / or to reduce exposure to heat during welding. For example, when filling the canister 240, the cap 260 with the ball 270 positioned on the seat 269 can be positioned adjacent to the neck region 58, with the outer periphery flange 262 spaced away from the end wall 58a. This allows gas to be introduced into the internal space 51 from around the cap 260. Once the internal space 51 is filled, the outer periphery flange 262 can be brought into contact with the end wall 58a and welded together, as with other caps described herein.

[0058] Referring to Figure 5A, an alternative configuration is shown in which a sealing member containing a ferromagnetic material, such as a ball 270, is used instead of providing a ferromagnetic material to the cap 260'. In this alternative, the ball 270 is positioned loosely inside the canister 240', but a separate magnetic member 280 may be provided to facilitate filling and / or to facilitate welding the cap 260' to the body 50. This magnetic member is positioned adjacent to the cap 260' in a recess 265 defined by the annular sleeve 264, for example, to attract the ball 270 to the seat 269. For example, with the ball 270 in a stable position, the cap 260' can be positioned in the neck region 58a, pressurized fluid can be introduced from around the cap 260' to fill the canister 240', and then the cap 260' can be welded to the body 50. Subsequently, the magnetic member 280 may be removed to release the ball 270, in which case the ball can still remain seated on the seat 269 and seal the opening 268. In this alternative example, one or both of the ball 270 and the magnetic member 280 may contain a magnet, or one of the ball 270 and the magnetic member 280 may contain a magnet and the other may contain only a ferromagnetic material attracted to that magnet.

[0059] Alternatively, with the cap 260' welded to the body 50, the canister 240' can be positioned in the filling station with its neck region 58a facing vertically upward, allowing the ball 270 to drop to the bottom of the body 50. Then, pressurized fluid is introduced through the opening 268, and after the canister 240' is filled, the magnetic member 280 can be placed in the recess of the cap 260' to pull the ball 270 upward and engage it with the seat 269. Once the external pressure is removed, the internal pressure presses the ball 270 against the seat 269, sealing the opening 268.

[0060] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5B, the cap 260' may be attached to the electrode 282 during filling, which includes a magnetic member 284 positioned to align with the opening 268 and attracts the ball 270 to the seat 269. As with other canisters and methods described elsewhere in this specification, the cap 260' is positioned adjacent to the neck region 58 of the body 50 during filling so that gas is introduced from around the cap 260'. The outer flange 262 can then be welded to the neck region 58 by bringing the cap 260' into contact with the end wall 58a of the neck region 58 and activating the electrode 282.

[0061] In another alternative example, as shown in Figure 5C, an electrode 282' may be provided, which may include an elongated magnetic member 284' that is movable relative to the electrode 282 and sized to pass through the opening 268 of the cap 260'. For example, when the canister 240' is initially placed in the filling station, the cap 260' is attached to the electrode 282', and the ball 270 is coupled to the magnetic member 284' as it is advanced through the opening 268. As shown, the magnetic member 284' can advance, moving the ball 270 away from the opening 268 and, for example, to the bottom of the body 50. During filling, the gas pressure and / or actuators in the internal space 51 of the body 50 can move the magnetic member 284' and the ball 270 upward, automatically or manually, until the internal space 51 is filled. After filling is complete, the magnetic member 284' is withdrawn from the opening 268, thereby allowing the ball 270 to engage with the seat 269 and seal the opening 268. Thus, in this alternative example, the cap 260' may be welded to the body 50 before filling, as with other methods described elsewhere in this specification, and the canister 240' may be filled from around the magnetic member 284' through the opening 268, or, if necessary, the cap 260' may be separated from the neck region 58 and filled from around the cap 260'.

[0062] Referring to Figure 6, another example of the cap 360 is shown, and the canister 340 is constructed by welding or otherwise permanently attaching this cap to the body 50. In this example, the cap 360, like other canisters described elsewhere in this specification, comprises a substantially flat outer surface 360a surrounding the opening 368 and an outer edge or flange 372 that can be positioned to abut against the end wall 58a of the neck region 58 of the body 50. It will be understood that, as with other canisters described herein, instead of using a flat cap 360, the cap 360 may be configured to include an annular sleeve extending from an annular outer flange and / or an end wall (not shown) positioned within the neck region, if necessary.

[0063] In this example, the cap 360 includes a sealing member, i.e., a poppet 370, which includes, for example, a substantially flat disc 372 having an outer diameter larger than the opening 368 of the cap 360, so that the poppet 370 can seat on the cap 360 and seal the opening 368. Furthermore, the cap 360 has an annular shoulder 369 formed on the inner surface of the cap 360 around the opening 368, and the disc 372 seats on this shoulder to seal the opening 368. A filament, shaft, or other elongated member 374 can extend from the poppet 370, for example from a central position on the disc 372, and this elongated member is sized to pass through the opening 368. During assembly and / or filling, tension can be applied to this elongated member 374 as needed to fix the disc 374 in contact with the shoulder 369 around the opening 368.

[0064] For example, the elongated member 374 can be used to stabilize the disc 372 while gas is introduced into the internal space 51 from around the cap 360, after which the cap 360 can be welded to the neck region 58 (as with other caps herein). Alternatively, after welding the cap 360 to the neck region 58, the disc 372 can be separated from the shoulder portion 369 to fill the internal space 51 through the opening 368, and then the elongated member 374 can be pulled to bring the disc 372 into contact with the shoulder portion 369 and seal the opening 368.

[0065] After the canister 340 is completed, that is, after it is filled with pressurized gas and the cap 360 is welded to the body 50, the elongated member 374 may be cut, for example, near the outer surface 360a of the cap 360, and the disc 372 can then be held in close contact with the shoulder portion 369 by internal pressure. The resulting poppet 370 has a relatively short stem made of the remaining elongated member 374, which extends through the opening 368. Alternatively, the elongated member can be cut very close to the outer surface of the disc 372 to eliminate the stem.

[0066] Optionally, if the disc 372 is formed of metal or other rigid material, a sealing material 376 made of an elastomer material such as silicone may be provided on the outer surface of the disc 372 to improve the sealing between the disc 372 and the shoulder portion 369. Alternatively, the entire disc 372 may be formed from a material that has a certain degree of deformability to improve the sealing of the opening 368 and has low permeability to prevent gas leakage from the canister 340, such as PEEK or PCTFE. The disc 372 can be formed by various methods such as molding, extrusion, casting, machining, and laser cutting.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6, when the canister 340 is loaded into a tool or other medical device (not shown), the opener pin 34 advances through the opening 368, as in other examples described herein, pushing the sealing member 360 away from the shoulder 369, thereby opening the opening 368 and releasing the pressurized gas in the canister 340 to supply energy to the medical device. If the poppet 360 includes the remaining stem of the elongated member 382, ​​the pin 34 may be hollow cylindrical in shape or may include a passage that receives the stem inside as the pin 34 advances and displaces the poppet 360. Optionally, if necessary, a similar elongated member may be provided on any of the other sealing members, for example, the free-moving ball 70 shown in Figures 1C and 2 may be provided with an elongated member to operate the ball 70 away from the seat 69 and / or press it against the seat. This elongated component can also be cut off after the canister 40 is filled and the ball 70 engages with the seat 69 due to the internal pressure within the canister 40.

[0068] Returning to Figure 6, one advantage of the sealing member 360 is that, if the pin 34 has a chamfered or inclined tip 34a, when the pin 34 is inserted into the opening 368, the tip 34a causes the disc 372 to rotate diagonally away from the shoulder portion 369. This reduces the force required to move the sealing member 370 in order to release the pressurized gas. Furthermore, such diagonal displacement reduces the risk of the disc 372 returning to the position that seals the opening 368 again, and once the disc 372 has been displaced, it becomes possible to continuously release the pressurized gas thereafter.

[0069] Referring to Figure 7, another example of a cap 460 is shown that can be permanently attached to the body 50 by welding or other means to obtain the canister 440. In this example, the cap 460, like the other canisters described elsewhere in this specification, comprises a substantially flat outer surface 460a surrounding the opening 468 and an outer edge or flange 472 sized to abut against the end wall 58a of the neck region 58 of the body 50. Alternatively, it should be understood that the cap 460 may, if necessary, include an annular sleeve extending from an annular outer flange and / or an end wall (not shown) positioned within the neck region, instead of a flat cap 460.

[0070] In this example, the cap 460 includes a relatively small poppet 470 housed within the opening 468. The poppet 470 may include a circular, flat disc or other body, and is sized to fit entirely within the opening 468. For example, the poppet 470 may be secured within the opening 468 by adhesive bonding, welding the material of the poppet 470 to the surrounding material of the cap 460, etc. The adhesive may have sufficient bonding strength to maintain a fluid-tight seal with respect to the opening 468 even under the internal pressure conditions created by the pressurized gas filling the canister 440.

[0071] When in use, the canister 440 is positioned within a tool or other medical device, including a carriage 432 and an opener pin 434, which are initially spaced apart from the poppet 468. The opener pin 434 is sized to pass through the opening 468, and as the actuator moves the carriage 432 and pin 434 relative to the cap 460, the pin 434 enters the opening 468, pushing the poppet 470 at least partially out of the opening 468 to release the pressurized gas. In the illustrated example, the pin 434 includes a chamfered or beveled tip 434a, which provides the mechanical advantage of pushing the poppet 470 at least partially out of the opening 468 to release the pressurized gas.

[0072] Referring to Figure 8, another example of a gas canister 540 is shown, which, like the other canisters described herein, comprises a body 50 and a cap 560 welded to the neck region 58 of the body 50. The cap 560 comprises, as a whole, an outer circumferential flange 562 sized to contact the end wall 58a of the neck region 58 and an opening 568 communicating with the internal space 51 of the body 50. In the illustrated example, the cap 560 includes an annular recess around the opening 568, thereby forming an internal seat 569 at least partially.

[0073] The gas canister 540 further includes a sealing member, namely a poppet 570, which includes a cylindrical body 572 terminating at a tip 574 sized to at least partially receive the opening 568 and / or seat 569. For example, as shown, the tip 574 includes a nipple extending from the cylindrical body 572, which is sized to seat within the opening 568, thereby sealing the opening 568, for example, as with other sealing members described herein. For example, the tip 574 may define a partially spherical surface, and the seat 569 may include a similarly shaped concave surface sized to receive the tip 574.

[0074] Unlike other examples described herein, the sealing member 570 includes a spring 578 connected between the cylindrical body 572 and the lower surface 54 of the body 50, thereby biasing the sealing member 570 in a direction that more reliably seals the opening 568. In the illustrated example, this spring is a compression spring, and its free length is set to be longer than the length of the body 50. Therefore, even when the poppet 570 is engaged with the cap 560, potential energy remains in the spring 578, enhancing the sealing performance.

[0075] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9, the poppet 670 may be provided with a tail portion or tension element 678 extending from the poppet 670 to the lower surface 54 of the body 50. In this alternative, the tail portion 678 is biased to extend axially along the longitudinal axis 644 of the canister while the poppet 670 is in contact with the cap 660. In this alternative, the poppet 670 may include a cylindrical tip 674 sized to be inserted into and / or pass through the opening 668 of the cap 660, as best shown in Figure 9A, thereby sealing the opening. As the poppet 670 moves axially away from the cap 660, the tail portion 678 is subjected to axial compression and then biased to return axially to the configuration shown in Figure 9, thereby improving the sealing of the opening 668.

[0076] As yet another alternative, as shown in Figure 10, a poppet 670' is provided, which includes a tail portion or tension member 678'. This tension member is configured to be subjected to axial compression even when the poppet 670' is fully seated in the cap 660', resulting in the tail portion 678' exhibiting a curved shape between the bottom 54 of the body 50 and the cap 660' (in this example, the cap includes an annular outer flange 662, a sleeve 664', and an internal end wall 666' including the opening 668'). Optionally, as shown in Figure 10, an O-ring 671' can be provided at the tip 674' of the poppet 670', thereby further improving the sealing of the opening 668' when the tip 674' is received within the opening 668'. Such O-rings may also be provided, as needed, in other sealing members described herein. When the poppet 670' is pushed into the body 50, for example, when an opener pin (not shown) enters the opening 668', the tail portion 678' is subjected to greater axial compression and bends more significantly. Subsequently, when the pin is removed, a biasing force acts on the tail portion 678' to return to a straight shape, at least partially, and this biasing force causes the poppet 670' to automatically advance, thereby resealing the opening 668'.

[0077] Optionally, the caps 560, 660, 660' of any of the canisters 540, 640, 640' can be welded to the body 50 before filling, and then, after the canisters are placed in a filling station (not shown), the poppets 560, 660, 660' can be displaced to introduce gas through the openings 568, 660, 668' and fill the canisters 540, 640, 640'. As with other apparatuses described herein, after filling, the openings 568, 668, 668' can be resealed by releasing the poppets 560, 660, 660'. This state is maintained, for example, until the canisters 540, 640, 640' are loaded into a tool or other medical device and the actuator is activated to guide the opener pin into the openings 568, 668, 668'. Furthermore, when the opener pin is removed, the openings 568, 668, and 668' can be automatically resealed.

[0078] Canisters 540, 640, and 640', like other canisters described herein, are generally described as disposable, but can optionally be made reusable by providing them with biased poppets 560, 660, and 660'. For example, after being used to supply pressurized gas to drive a tool or medical device, canisters 540, 640, and 640' can be removed from the device and returned to the filling station (after cleaning and / or sterilization). At the filling station, the poppets 560, 660, and 660' can then be displaced again and the canisters 540, 640, and 640' can be refilled to make them usable in a new device.

[0079] Referring to Figures 11A and 11B, another example of a gas canister 740 is shown, which, like the other canisters described herein, comprises a body 50 and a cap 760 welded to the neck region 58 of the body 50. The cap 760 includes an outer circumferential flange 762 sized to contact the end wall 58a of the neck region 58 and an annular sleeve 764 extending from the outer circumferential flange 762 to the end wall 764, the end wall having a through opening 768 communicating with the interior of the body 50. Alternatively, the cap 760 may have a substantially flat shape or other configuration, like the other caps described herein. Furthermore, a ball 770 is provided as a sealing member, which is sized to engage with a seat 769 formed around the opening 768, and is configured to seal the opening 768 after the canister 740 is filled with pressurized gas, like the other canisters described herein.

[0080] Unlike other canisters, a cage 780 is provided within the neck region 58 of the main body 50, which houses the ball 770 and is configured to bias the ball 770 toward the seat 769 and to seal the opening 768. As best shown in Figure 11B, the cage 780 includes a cylindrical or other shaped housing 782 sized to surround the ball 770 and a plurality of support parts, such as radial struts 784, which extend from the housing 782 and abut against the inner surface of the neck region 58 of the main body 50, thereby preventing movement of the cage 780. The struts 784 may be fixed to the neck region 58 by one or more methods, such as interference fit, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, or fusion, to prevent axial movement of the cage 780 away from the cap 760.

[0081] Furthermore, the cage 780 includes a biasing mechanism, such as a leaf spring 786 provided in the housing 783 on the opposite side of the cap 760, which biases the ball 770 to press against the seat 769 and seal the opening 768. However, if necessary, when filling and / or using the canister 740, a pin, tool or other element (not shown) can be inserted into the opening 768 to separate the ball 770 from the seat 769. This allows, for example, gas to be introduced into the canister 740 during filling and / or pressurized gas to be released when an actuator passes a pin (not shown) through the opening 768. The spring 786 can bias the ball 770 back to its original position and press against the seat 769, while allowing the ball 770 to be pushed away from the seat 769, once the external force is removed. Figures 12A and 12B show variations of the cage 780' provided within the neck region 58 of the main body for holding the ball 770 or other sealing member.

[0082] Referring to Figure 13, another example of a sealing member is shown, a cylindrical plug 870 sized to be received within an opening 868 that penetrates the cap 860, and the gas canister 840 is constructed by welding the cap to the neck region 58 of the body 50, similar to the other canisters described herein. Unlike the other canisters, the plug 870 is a cylindrical body with an O-ring 878, which is fitted around the plug 870, for example, in an annular groove 879. The plug 870 and the O-ring 878 are formed from a material having sufficient frictional force to hold the plug 870 within the opening 868 after the canister 840 is filled, while the plug 870 can be pushed axially out of the opening 868 by an actuator pin (not shown). The material of the plug 870 and the O-ring 878 is also designed to be durable enough not to be damaged by the heat generated when welding the cap 860 to the neck region 58, or to not degrade the performance characteristics of the plug 870 during use of the canister 840.

[0083] Referring to Figure 14, another example of the gas canister 940 is shown, which may be configured in general terms with any of the other canisters described elsewhere in this specification. In this example, the canister 940 includes a tubular body 950 with both ends 958 open, and caps 960a, 960b welded to both ends. The caps 960a, 960b may be identical or different from each other, and may include any caps described herein or in the literature referenced herein. For example, as shown, the upper cap 960a includes a partition wall having a weakened region that can be opened by an opener pin (not shown), and the lower cap 960b includes a sealing member 970 configured to engage with a seat and / or otherwise seal the opening of the cap 960b, similar to the other caps described herein.

[0084] During manufacturing or preparation of a tool or medical device, a canister, such as the canister 40 shown in Figures 1A-1C or any other canister described herein, can be loaded into the tool or medical device and used as an energy source that can be controlled to release a desired discharge force to operate the medical device. As described above, in some examples, this energy source is pressurized CO2. For example, the IOL inserter 10 can be provided to the user with the canister 40 pre-loaded in the chamber 16 of the housing 12. Thus, in some examples, a medical device with the canister 40 pre-loaded can be a disposable, single-use device. In some examples, the cap 14 may be substantially permanently attached to the housing 12 by means of, for example, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, interference fit, one or more connectors (not shown), so that the user cannot remove the cap 14 and the canister 40.

[0085] Alternatively, the IOL inserter 10 may be a reusable device in which the user can sequentially load one or more canisters 40 into the housing 12 as needed. For example, in the IOL inserter 10 shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the user can remove the cap 14 and load a new canister 40 into the chamber 16 of the main body portion 12 of the IOL inserter 10, at which point the sealed opening 68 of the cap 60 will be positioned adjacent to the pin 34, as shown in Figure 1A. The canister 40 can then be secured in the housing 12 by reattaching the cap 14 to the main body portion 12.

[0086] At any given time, the actuator 30 can be activated to move the carriage 32 to the proximal position shown in Figure 1B, thereby allowing the pin 34 to push the sealing member 70 away from the seat 69 or otherwise open the opening 68, supplying CO2 from the canister 40 into one or more passages of the IOL inserter 10. The released CO2 is used to pressurize an incompressible liquid, such as silicone oil, within the housing 12, and this pressurized liquid can be used to eject the lens from the lens compartment 22. The O-ring seal 36 slides along the neck region 58 to prevent CO2 from leaking into the chamber 16 or anywhere other than the intended passages within the IOL inserter 10. The actuator 30 can then be released to return the carriage 32 to the distal position shown in Figure 1A.

[0087] After the procedure, the entire IOL inserter 10 may be discarded, or, if reusable, the canister 40 may be removed and the medical device may be prepared separately for cleaning and / or another procedure, at which time another canister may be loaded into the medical device.

[0088] Although the gas canisters described herein are described in the context of their use in IOL inserters, it will be understood that they may be used in conjunction with other medical devices. For example, a gas canister may be used in a syringe device, such as those disclosed in patents cited elsewhere herein. For example, such a syringe device may include a needle or other cannula used to deliver a viscous fluid or other fluid contained within the device into the eye, and the gas canister can deliver the fluid into the eye while controlling it by providing a discharge force controllable by the actuator of the syringe device. In another example, a gas canister can be used as a power source for an autoinjector, for example, as described in a patent cited herein, which may use the released gas to automatically advance the needle and deliver one or more drugs from the injector.

[0089] Features, components and / or steps described in relation to one or more embodiments, methods or drawings are fully intended to be combined with features, components and / or steps described in relation to other embodiments, methods or drawings of the present disclosure.

[0090] While the present invention is capable of various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples are shown in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular form or method disclosed, and encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. In Canister, An elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending from the barrel region to a second open end, wherein the second end defines an end wall, and the elongated body defines a central axis extending between the first end and the second end; A cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, the cap having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a seat portion surrounding the opening on the inside of the end wall, The system includes a sealing member provided within the neck region and configured to engage with the seat portion to seal the opening, A canister characterized in that the cavity is filled with a pressurized fluid.

2. In the canister according to claim 1, A canister characterized in that the cap includes an outer peripheral flange mounted on the end wall of the neck region.

3. In the canister according to claim 2, A canister characterized in that the cap includes a substantially flat outer surface.

4. In the canister according to claim 2, A canister characterized in that the cap includes an annular recess surrounding the opening.

5. In the canister according to claim 2, A canister characterized in that the cap includes an annular sleeve extending from the outer flange into the neck region, and the end wall is located within the neck region.

6. In the canister according to claim 5, A canister characterized in that the sleeve has a smaller diameter than the neck region, and a space is formed between the sleeve and the neck region.

7. In the canister according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A canister characterized in that the sealing member includes a spherical member, and the seating portion includes a concave surface formed to receive a portion of the spherical member in order to seal the opening.

8. In the canister according to claim 7, A canister characterized in that the spherical member is movably arranged within the neck region, and the spherical member is pressed against the seat by the internal pressure of the pressurized fluid in the cavity, thereby sealing the opening.

9. In the canister according to claim 7, A canister characterized in that the spherical member and the seat portion include a ferromagnetic material that magnetically attracts the spherical member into the seat portion to seal the opening.

10. In the canister according to claim 7, A canister further comprising a cage fixed within the neck region and at least partially surrounding the spherical member, wherein the cage is configured to press the spherical member against the seat, and is characterized by comprising a biasing mechanism that can be deformed by an opener pin entering the opening so that the spherical member is pushed away from the seat and the opening is opened.

11. In the canister according to claim 10, A canister characterized in that the biasing mechanism includes a leaf spring.

12. In the canister according to claim 7, A canister characterized in that the spherical member is bonded to the seat portion.

13. In the canister according to claim 7, A canister further comprising a flexible material on the outer surface of the spherical member in order to improve the sealing of the opening when the spherical member engages with the seat.

14. In the canister according to claim 13, A canister characterized in that the flexible material includes an elastomer coating around the outer surface.

15. In the canister according to claim 7, A canister further comprising a flexible material on one or more surfaces of the seat to improve the sealing of the opening when the spherical member engages with the seat.

16. In the canister according to claim 15, A canister characterized in that the flexible material includes an elastomer coating on one or more surfaces.

17. In the canister according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A canister characterized in that the sealing member includes a poppet having a flat surface configured to engage with the seat and a stem extending from the flat surface through the opening.

18. In the canister according to claim 17, A canister characterized in that the seat portion comprises an annular shoulder portion surrounding the opening, and the poppet has a larger diameter than the annular shoulder portion, so that the flat surface abuts against the shoulder portion and engages with the seat portion.

19. In the canister according to claim 18, A canister characterized in that the poppet includes a flat disc.

20. In the canister according to claim 17, A canister further comprising a flexible material on the flat surface to improve the sealing of the opening when the poppet engages with the seat.

21. In the canister according to claim 20, A canister characterized in that the flexible material includes an elastomer coating on the flat surface.

22. In the canister according to claim 17, A canister characterized in that the poppet is formed of a flexible material to improve the sealing of the opening when it engages with the seat.

23. In the canister according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A canister characterized in that the sealing member comprises a poppet that is axially slidable within the neck region, and the canister further comprises a spring element connected to the poppet and biasing the poppet toward the seat portion.

24. In the canister according to claim 23, A canister characterized in that the poppet includes a cylindrical body having a diameter larger than the opening and smaller than the neck region.

25. In the canister according to claim 24, The canister is characterized in that the poppet further includes an extension portion sized to fit at least partially into the opening when the cylindrical body engages with the seat portion.

26. In the canister according to claim 23, A canister characterized in that the spring element includes one of a coil spring and a leaf spring, wherein the spring element includes a first end connected to the poppet and a second end adjacent to the closed first end of the body.

27. In the canister according to claim 23, A canister characterized in that the spring element includes a tail portion, the tail portion including a first end connected to the poppet and a second end adjacent to the closed first end of the body.

28. In the canister according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A canister characterized in that the sealing member includes a plug that is slidably received within the opening.

29. In the canister according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A canister characterized in that the cavity is filled with pressurized gas and / or at least partially liquefied gas.

30. In the canister according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A canister characterized in that the elongated body and the cap are formed from stainless steel, and the cap is welded to the second end to form the cavity.

31. In Canister, An elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending from the barrel region to a second open end, wherein the second end defines an end wall, and the elongated body defines a central axis extending between the first end and the second end; A cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, the cap having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a seat portion surrounding the opening on the inner surface of the cap including a concave wall, The sealing member provided within the neck region includes a spherical member configured to engage with the concave wall of the seat to seal the opening, A canister characterized in that the cavity is filled with a pressurized fluid.

32. In the canister according to claim 31, A canister characterized in that the spherical member is movably arranged within the neck region, and the spherical member is pressed against the seat by the internal pressure of the pressurized fluid in the cavity, thereby sealing the opening.

33. In the canister according to claim 31, A canister characterized in that the spherical member and the seat portion include a ferromagnetic material that magnetically attracts the spherical member into the seat portion to seal the opening.

34. In the canister according to claim 31, A canister further comprising a cage fixed within the neck region and at least partially surrounding the spherical member, wherein the cage is configured to press the spherical member against the seat, and is characterized by comprising a biasing mechanism that can be deformed by an opener pin entering the opening so that the spherical member is pushed away from the seat and the opening is opened.

35. In the canister according to claim 34, A canister characterized in that the biasing mechanism includes a leaf spring.

36. In the canister according to claim 31, A canister characterized in that the spherical member is bonded to the seat portion.

37. In the canister according to claim 31, A canister further comprising a flexible material on the outer surface of the spherical member in order to improve the sealing of the opening when the spherical member engages with the seat.

38. In the canister according to claim 37, A canister characterized in that the flexible material includes an elastomer coating around the outer surface.

39. In the canister according to claim 31, A canister further comprising a flexible material on one or more surfaces of the seat to improve the sealing of the opening when the spherical member engages with the seat.

40. In the canister according to claim 39, A canister characterized in that the flexible material includes an elastomer coating on one or more surfaces.

41. In Canister, An elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending from the barrel region to a second open end, wherein the second end defines an end wall, and the elongated body defines a central axis extending between the first end and the second end; A cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, the cap having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a shoulder portion on the inner surface of the cap surrounding the opening, A sealing member provided within the neck region, comprising a flat disc-shaped spherical member including a flat surface configured to engage with the shoulder portion to seal the opening, and a stem extending from the flat surface through the opening, A canister characterized in that the cavity is filled with a pressurized fluid.

42. In the canister according to claim 41, A canister characterized in that the shoulder portion comprises an annular shoulder portion surrounding the opening, and the disc has a larger diameter than the annular shoulder portion, so that the flat surface abuts against the shoulder portion and engages with the seat portion.

43. In the canister according to claim 41, A canister further comprising a flexible material on the flat surface to improve the sealing of the opening when the disc engages with the shoulder portion.

44. In the canister according to claim 43, A canister characterized in that the flexible material includes an elastomer coating on the flat surface.

45. In the canister according to claim 41, A canister characterized in that the disc is formed of a flexible material to improve the sealing of the opening when it engages with the shoulder portion.

46. In the canister according to claim 41, A canister characterized in that the shoulder portion is configured such that when an opener pin having an inclined tip enters the opening, the disc is displaced so as to move diagonally away from the shoulder portion, thereby opening the opening.

47. In Canister, An elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending from the barrel region to a second open end, wherein the second end defines an end wall, and the elongated body defines a central axis extending between the first end and the second end; A cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, the cap having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a shoulder portion on the inner surface of the cap surrounding the opening, A sealing member coupled within the opening, wherein the sealing member has sufficient bonding strength to seal the opening, while allowing the sealing member to be pushed out of the opening and the opening to open when the actuator pin enters the opening, A canister characterized in that the cavity is filled with a pressurized fluid.

48. In the canister according to claim 47, A canister characterized in that the sealing member includes a flexible material.

49. In the canister according to claim 47, A canister characterized in that the sealing member includes a cylindrical plug.

50. In Canister, An elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending from the barrel region to a second open end, wherein the second end defines an end wall, and the elongated body defines a central axis extending between the first end and the second end; A cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, the cap having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a shoulder portion on the inner surface of the cap surrounding the opening, A sealing member comprising a cylindrical plug received through the opening to seal the opening, wherein the plug is held with sufficient frictional force to seal the opening, while allowing the plug to be pushed out of the opening and the opening to be opened when an actuator pin enters the opening, A canister characterized in that the cavity is filled with a pressurized fluid.

51. In Canister, An elongated body having a barrel region defining a first diameter, a closed first end, and a neck region extending from the barrel region to a second open end, wherein the second end defines an end wall, and the elongated body defines a central axis extending between the first end and the second end; A cap attached to the neck region, closing the second end of the elongated body and forming a cavity within the body, the cap having an end wall including a through-opening communicating with the cavity, and a seat portion surrounding the opening on the inside of the end wall, A sealing member that is axially slidable within the neck region at a position adjacent to the cap, is biased to an outer position that seals the opening, and is movable to an inner position away from the cap, thereby allowing the opening to be opened. A canister characterized in that the cavity is filled with a pressurized fluid.

52. In the canister according to claim 51, A canister characterized in that the sealing member includes a cylindrical body having a diameter larger than the opening and smaller than the neck region.

53. In the canister according to claim 52, The canister is characterized in that the sealing member further includes an extension portion sized to fit at least partially into the opening when the sealing member is in the outer position.

54. In the canister according to any one of claims 51 to 53, A canister further comprising a spring element connected to the sealing member so as to bias the sealing member to the outer position.

55. In the canister according to claim 54, A canister characterized in that the spring element includes one of a coil spring and a leaf spring, wherein the spring element includes a first end connected to the sealing member and a second end adjacent to the closed first end of the main body.

56. In the canister according to claim 54, A canister characterized in that the spring element includes a tail portion, the tail portion including a first end connected to the sealing member and a second end adjacent to the closed first end of the main body.

57. In the canister according to any one of claims 31 to 53, A canister characterized in that the elongated body and the cap are made of stainless steel.

58. In the canister according to any one of claims 31 to 53, The canister is characterized in that the elongated body has a length between the end wall of the first end and the end wall of the second end that is less than approximately 30 millimeters (30 mm).

59. In the canister according to any one of claims 31 to 53, A canister characterized in that the first diameter of the barrel region is approximately 10 millimeters (10 mm) or less.

60. In the canister according to claim 59, A canister characterized in that the neck region has the same diameter as the barrel region.

61. In the canister according to claim 59, A canister characterized in that the diameter of the neck region is approximately 5 millimeters (5 mm) or less.

62. In the canister according to claim 59, A canister characterized in that the second diameter of the neck region is approximately 4 millimeters (4 mm) or less.

63. In the canister according to any one of claims 31 to 53, A canister characterized in that the first diameter of the barrel region is approximately 8 millimeters (8 mm) or less.

64. In the canister according to any one of claims 31 to 53, A canister characterized in that the cap includes a substantially flat outer surface adjacent to the end wall of the neck region.

65. In the canister according to any one of claims 31 to 53, A canister characterized in that the cap includes an outer peripheral flange mounted on the end wall of the neck region.

66. In the canister according to claim 65, A canister characterized in that the cap includes a substantially flat outer surface.

67. In the canister according to claim 65, A canister characterized in that the cap includes an annular recess surrounding the opening.

68. In the canister according to claim 65, A canister characterized in that the cap includes an annular sleeve extending from the outer flange into the neck region, and the end wall is located within the neck region.

69. In the canister according to claim 68, A canister characterized in that the sleeve has a smaller diameter than the neck region, and a space is formed between the sleeve and the neck region.

70. In the canister according to any one of claims 1 to 69, A canister characterized in that it is a single-use, disposable device.

71. It is a gas-operated tool, A housing having a functional part and an actuator part including a chamber, A canister according to any one of claims 1 to 60 is provided inside the chamber, A carriage that holds an opener pin that is movable within the housing between a first position in which the pin is spaced away from the opening of the canister and a second position in which the pin is at least partially inside the opening, An actuator provided on the actuator portion and connected to the carriage, wherein the actuator is configured such that, upon operation, the carriage moves from a first position to a second position, thereby displacing the pin and the sealing member, opening the opening, and as a result, pressurized gas is released from the canister into one or more passages in the housing to supply energy to the functional part, and A gas-operated tool characterized by having the following features.

72. It is a gas-operated tool, A housing having a functional part and an actuator part including a chamber, A canister provided within the chamber, comprising: an elongated body having a closed first end and an open second end; a cap welded to the open second end of the elongated body and including an opening that communicates with the internal cavity of the canister filled with pressurized gas; and a sealing member that seals the opening; A carriage that holds an opener pin that is movable within the housing between a first position in which the pin is spaced away from the opening of the canister and a second position in which the pin is at least partially inside the opening, An actuator provided on the actuator portion and connected to the carriage, wherein the actuator is configured such that, upon operation, the carriage moves from a first position to a second position, thereby displacing the pin and the sealing member, opening the opening, and as a result, pressurized gas is released from the canister into one or more passages in the housing to supply energy to the functional part, and A gas-operated tool characterized by having the following features.

73. A method for manufacturing canisters, A step of providing an elongated body, wherein the elongated body comprises a barrel region, a closed first end, and a neck region extending from the barrel region to a second open end, the second end defining an end wall, and the elongated body defining a central axis extending between the first end and the second end; A step of providing a cap, wherein the cap has an outer peripheral flange, an opening surrounded by a seat, and a sealing member configured to engage with the seat to seal the opening; A step of stabilizing the sealing member with respect to the cap, The steps include introducing pressurized gas into the internal cavity of the elongated body, The steps include: positioning the outer peripheral flange in contact with the end wall, The steps include attaching the cap to the main body by welding the flange to the end wall, thereby confining the pressurized gas within the cavity, A method characterized by comprising:

74. In the method according to claim 73, A method characterized in that the cap further includes an annular sleeve extending from the outer peripheral flange to the inner end wall, the opening penetrates the inner end wall, and the cap is positioned adjacent to the neck region such that the annular sleeve and the inner end wall are received within the neck region.

75. In the method according to claim 74, The method is characterized in that the flange is positioned at a distance from the end wall when pressurized gas is introduced, thereby allowing the pressurized gas to pass around the annular sleeve of the cap and flow into the cavity.

76. In the method according to claim 75, A method characterized in that the cavity is filled with pressurized gas, and then the flange is welded to the end wall.

77. In the method according to claim 73 or 74, A method characterized in that the flange is welded to the end wall before the introduction of pressurized gas, stabilizing the sealing member, and the sealing member is positioned away from the seat portion so that when the pressurized gas is introduced, the pressurized gas flows into the cavity through the opening.

78. In the method according to claim 77, A method characterized in that the sealing member is biased to engage with the seat, and positioning the sealing member away from the seat includes introducing a tool through the opening to push the sealing member away from the seat, and after introducing pressurized gas and removing the tool, the sealing member automatically returns to engage with the seat and seals the opening.

79. In the method according to claim 78, The method is characterized in that the sealing member includes a poppet that is slidably received within the neck region when the cap is attached to the body, and a spring element that extends from the poppet to the first end of the body and biases the poppet to engage with the seat.

80. In the method according to claim 78, A method characterized in that, when the cap is attached to the main body, the cap further comprises a cage fixed within the neck region, the cage supporting the sealing member and biasing the sealing member to engage with the seat portion.

81. In the method according to claim 80, The method is characterized in that the sealing member includes a spherical member housed within the cage, and the cage includes a spring element that biases the sealing member to engage with the seat.

82. In the method according to claim 78, A method characterized in that the sealing member and the cap include a ferromagnetic material that biases the sealing member to attract the seat portion and engage the sealing member with the seat portion.

83. In the method according to claim 82, The method is characterized in that the tool includes a magnet for attracting the sealing member, which is sized to move through the opening, and as the magnet moves through the opening, the sealing member follows the magnet so that the sealing member is positioned away from the seat.

84. In the method according to claim 77, A method characterized in that, in order to position the sealing member away from the seat portion, a tool is introduced through the opening to push the sealing member away from the seat portion, and when the tool is removed after pressurized gas is introduced, the sealing member automatically returns to its original position due to the internal pressure from the pressurized gas and engages with the seat portion, thereby sealing the opening.

85. In the method according to claim 73, A method characterized in that the cap is positioned adjacent to the neck region, and when the pressurized gas is introduced, the flange is separated from the end wall, thereby allowing the pressurized gas to flow into the cavity through the periphery of the cap.

86. In the method according to claim 85, A method characterized in that the flange is welded to the end wall after the cavity is filled with pressurized gas.

87. In the method according to claim 85 or 86, A method characterized in that the sealing member and the cap are provided with a ferromagnetic material that stabilizes the sealing member and engages with the seat by attracting the sealing member to the seat while the pressurized gas is introduced around the cap.

88. In the method according to claim 85 or 86, A method characterized in that the sealing member comprises a ferromagnetic material, and stabilizing the sealing member includes bringing the ferromagnetic material into contact with the outer surface of the cap while the pressurized gas is introduced around the cap, thereby attracting the sealing member to the seat and stabilizing the sealing member and engaging it with the seat.

89. In the method according to claim 85 or 86, The steps include: coupling the cap to the electrode, The further step includes arranging the electrodes and maintaining the cap adjacent to the neck region such that the flange is separated from the end wall when the pressurized gas is introduced, A method characterized in that the sealing member comprises a ferromagnetic material, the electrode includes a ferromagnetic material disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the cap, thereby stabilizing the sealing member and engaging it with the seat by attracting the sealing member to the seat while the pressurized gas is introduced around the cap.

90. In the method according to claim 85 or 86, A method characterized in that the sealing member is coupled to an elongated member extending through the opening, and stabilizing the sealing member includes applying tension to the elongated member while the pressurized gas is introduced around the cap to engage the sealing member with the seat.

91. In the method of claim 90, The method further includes the step of separating the elongated member from the sealing member after introducing the pressurized gas, wherein the sealing member engages with the seat portion due to the internal pressure in the cavity and seals the opening.

92. In the method according to any one of claims 73 to 91, A method characterized in that the internal volume of the canister is approximately 1.8 milliliters (1.8 mL) or less.

93. In the method according to any one of claims 73 to 91, Introducing the pressurized gas into the cavity of the elongated body is The process of placing the cylindrical body and cap inside the filling chamber, The process of introducing gas into the filling chamber, A method characterized by including the step of controlling the temperature of the filling chamber to a temperature lower than the gas saturation temperature at the filling pressure, thereby condensing the gas in the cavity of the elongated body.

94. In the method according to any one of claims 73 to 91, Welding the flange to the end wall The process of connecting the elongated body to the first electrode, The process involves connecting the second electrode to the cap while the flange is in contact with the end wall, A method characterized by including the step of passing an electric current between the electrodes to weld the protrusions to the end wall.

95. In the method according to any one of claims 73 to 91, A method characterized in that the elongated body is formed by deep drawing a circular thin sheet of stainless steel to form the barrel region, the first end of the elongated body, and the extended portion on the opposite side of the first end.

96. In the method according to claim 95, A method characterized in that the elongated body is further formed by necking the extended portion to define the neck region.

97. In the method according to any one of claims 73 to 96, A method characterized in that the cap is formed by drawing a thin circular sheet of stainless steel.

98. In the method according to any one of claims 73 to 97, A method further comprising the step of weighing the canister and calculating at least one of the mass and density of the pressurized gas sealed in the cavity.

99. In the method described in claim 98, A method further comprising the step of weighing the canister during the storage period of the canister to confirm that a minimum amount of pressurized gas remains sealed in the cavity.

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