Fluid administering device

Abstract

FIELD: veterinary medicine.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a fluid administering device, which can be implemented in the form of, for example, a self-filling syringe without a needle, with the help of which a liquid medicine can be administered to animals. A device for administering a fluid through the skin of animals comprises a cylinder that has an open dispensing end, a piston that is movable between a front and rear extreme position in the cylinder and connected to a pusher rod that projects along a first direction beyond the rear end of the cylinder opposite the open dispensing end and is directed into a receiving unit, a non-return valve that closes the open dispensing end, and a tensioning device that is connected to the piston rod and is located in the receiving unit. The tensioning device, when the piston is in its forward extreme position, can move the piston rod during the tensioning operation along the first direction until the piston is in its rear extreme position, to thereby fill the cylinder with the fluid to be introduced and to pre-tension the piston rod towards the open dispensing end. The tensioning device, when the piston is in its rear extreme position, is configured to release the piston rod during the dispensing operation, and, therefore, the piston moves opposite to the first direction to its front extreme position due to the applied preliminary tension, and, in the process, the fluid in the cylinder is dispensed through the non-return valve for injection. The tensioning device has an inclined guide, which configured for rotation by means of a motor, and has an inclined track running along a helical line. The inclined track rises from a first position along the inclined region to a second position and falls from the second position to the first position through the transition side. The tensioning device additionally has a roller which is in contact with the inclined track and is configured to rotate in a drive device which is connected to that end of the piston rod which projects from the cylinder, and, therefore, when the inclined guide rotates, the inclined track passes under the roller, which, therefore, rotates. During the tensioning operation, the inclined track, starting from the contact of the roller with the first position, rotates in such a way that the roller passes along the inclined area to the second position, and the piston, thereby, moves to its rear extreme position. During the dispensing operation, the inclined track, starting from the contact of the roller with the second position, rotates until the roller reaches the first position through the transition side, and the piston thereby moves to its front extreme position. The cylinder, together with the non-return valve, is in the form of a replaceable front unit that is configured to release with the receiving unit.EFFECT: fluid administering device is designed to be as lightweight as possible, have a long service life, and is associated with low costs and maintenance expenses.15 cl, 17 dwg

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for administering a fluid, which device can be implemented in the form of, for example, a self-filling syringe without a needle, with which a liquid medicine can be administered to animals.

[0002] Such fluid introduction devices are designed to be as light as possible, have a long service life and be associated with low costs and maintenance expenses.

[0003] The aim of the invention is to provide a device for introducing a fluid medium that implements at least one of the mentioned properties.

[0004] The invention is defined by claim 1. Utility improvements are indicated in dependent claims.

[0005] A device according to the invention for introducing a fluid comprises a cylinder that has an open dispensing end, a piston that can move between a front and rear extreme position in the cylinder and is connected to a piston rod that projects in a first direction beyond the rear end of the cylinder opposite the open dispensing end and is directed into a receiving unit, a non-return valve (or inlet valve) that closes the open dispensing end, and a tensioning device that is connected to the piston rod and is located in the receiving unit. The tensioning device can move the piston rod in a tensioning action, when the piston is in its front extreme position, in the first direction until the piston is in its rear extreme position, in order to thereby fill the cylinder with a fluid to be introduced, and to pre-tension the piston rod towards the open dispensing end.In addition, the tensioning device, when the piston is in its rear extreme position, can release the piston rod during the dispensing operation, and therefore the piston moves opposite to the first direction, to its front extreme position due to the applied pre-stress, and, in the process, the fluid in the cylinder is dispensed through the non-return valve for injection.

[0006] According to the invention, the insertion device further comprises an inclined guide, which is rotated by a motor and has an inclined track extending along a helical line. The inclined track ascends from a first plateau or level along the inclined region to a second plateau or second level and descends from the second plateau to the first plateau through a transition side. The inclined track therefore has a single turn and can be referred to as a stepped helix.

[0007] The tensioning device further comprises a roller that is in contact with the inclined track and is pivotally mounted in a drive device that is connected to the end of the piston rod protruding from the cylinder. Consequently, when the inclined guide rotates, the inclined track passes under the roller, thereby causing it to rotate. The roller is preferably mounted such that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first direction (or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod).

[0008] Regarding the tensioning action, the inclined track, starting from the roller's contact with the first plateau, can be rotated so that the roller passes along the inclined region to the second plateau, and the piston thereby moves to its rearmost position. Regarding the dispensing operation, the inclined track, starting from the roller's contact with the second plateau, can be rotated until the roller reaches the first plateau via the transition side, and the piston thereby moves to its frontmost position.

[0009] The inclined region of the inclined track has a first fragment adjacent to the first plateau and an adjacent second fragment, wherein the slope of the second fragment is greater than the slope of the first fragment.

[0010] Therefore, the advantageous effect is that, at the beginning of the tensioning action, the inclined track has a smaller slope, resulting in the motor having to apply less force or torque. This is beneficial during motor start-up, as more current is used during start-up. Once the first segment transitions to the second segment, the aforementioned starting problem is overcome, and therefore a larger slope can be easily achieved. This increases the motor's longevity.

[0011] The distance of the second plateau from the first plateau along the rotation axis of the inclined guide preferably corresponds to the distance from the front to the rear extreme position of the piston in the first direction and, therefore, to the piston stroke.

[0012] The insertion device according to the invention may have a motor used to perform the tensioning action. It can also be stated that the motor provides the energy necessary to create the pre-tension of the piston rod. The motor may be mounted, in particular, on the receiving unit.

[0013] To power the motor and any additional consumers, the power source provided may be, for example, a battery and / or a storage battery. The power source may be formed, for example, in the base or as the base of the input device. Furthermore, the power source may be replaceable or permanently installed.

[0014] The rotary motion of the motor is converted by the inclined guide and roller into the linear motion of the piston rod along its longitudinal axis. The injector can be tensioned by the motor, and the user simply actuates an initiating element, such as a pushbutton, switch, rocker switch, or button, to initiate the dispensing action and inject the fluid. This makes it possible, for example, to rapidly administer medication to multiple animals one after another.

[0015] The inclined region of the inclined track can be designed such that both sections are linear with respect to the rotation angle of the screw. However, it is also possible for the first section and / or the second section to have a nonlinear profile with respect to the rotation angle. In this case, the inclination of the corresponding section is preferably the average inclination of the corresponding section. The nonlinear profile of the corresponding section is preferably one in which the local inclination increases as the rotation angle increases. The nonlinear profile of the corresponding section may preferably be a concave curved profile.

[0016] In particular, the rotation angle area (or rotation angle length) of the first fragment may be smaller than the rotation angle area (or rotation angle length) of the second fragment. The ratio of the rotation angle area of ​​the first fragment to the rotation angle area of ​​the second fragment is preferably no more than 4 / 6 and no less than 1 / 9.

[0017] The cylinder together with the non-return valve may be in the form of a replaceable front unit, which may also be called a replaceable unit, which is detachably connected to the receiving unit.

[0018] The entire front assembly, which experiences the greatest amount of wear during fluid delivery device operation (preferably liquid), can then be replaced with a new (preferably structurally identical) front assembly, which is then attached to the receiving unit. The durability of the entire fluid delivery device is therefore significantly increased.

[0019] The replaceable unit may be located at the front end of the device according to the invention. In particular, for example, during proper use of the device according to the invention, a portion of the replaceable unit may be in contact with the animal to which the fluid is intended to be administered. In this regard, at least this portion of the replaceable unit protrudes from the rest of the device according to the invention. The replaceable unit may have a portion that forms the distal end of the device according to the invention, and therefore, for example, for this reason, the replaceable unit may also be referred to as a replaceable front unit.

[0020] A replaceable front assembly is understood here to mean, in particular, that the front assembly as a whole may be separate from the receiver unit and replaceable with a structurally identical front assembly that is connected to the receiver unit for replacement. However, it is also possible for a front assembly that is separate from the receiver unit to be serviced (e.g., by replacing worn parts, such as seals) and then reattached to the receiver unit.

[0021] Because the front assembly is completely separated from the receiving unit and can then be serviced or replaced, unwanted contaminants can be easily removed. This is significantly more difficult and associated with higher costs if, for example, only the wear rings in the front assembly are replaced individually, whereas the front assembly, as is common, is installed in such a way that it cannot be separated from the rest of the insertion unit without being damaged.

[0022] The detachable connection between the front unit and the receiver unit may be, in particular, a screw connection. However, any other type of detachable connection, such as a bayonet connection, is also possible.

[0023] The injector device according to the invention may have a nozzle for injecting fluid without a needle. Said nozzle is connected via a non-return valve to the open dispensing end of the cylinder and is part of the front assembly. Therefore, it is possible for the nozzle to be replaced at the same time as the front assembly.

[0024] Alternatively, the device may have a needle or cannula that connects through a non-return valve to the open dispensing end of the cylinder and forms part of the front assembly. The needle and cannula are interchangeable.

[0025] The injector device according to the invention may have exactly one cylinder with exactly one piston rod and exactly one front assembly. However, it is also possible for the injector device to have two or more cylinders with two or more piston rods and two or more front assemblies, all of which are identically designed, and therefore two or more identical or different fluids can be injected simultaneously. Individual cylinders may have identical or different volumes.

[0026] The insertion device according to the invention is presented, in particular, in the form of a self-filling insertion device that uses a tension action to enable the filling of a cylinder with a fluid to be inserted (for example, a liquid to be inserted).

[0027] This can be implemented, for example, in such a way that the cylinder is already filled during the full tension. Alternatively, the insertion device can be designed such that, during the tension, a negative pressure is created in the cylinder. This negative pressure is then used when the piston is in its rearmost position to draw fluid into the cylinder due to the negative pressure. For this purpose, for example, the distal end of the piston can have a blind hole that extends in the longitudinal direction of the piston rod and from which one or more radial holes branch off. The radial holes, in the rearmost position of the piston, create a connection capable of exchanging fluid with a reservoir of the fluid to be inserted.

[0028] The tensioning device may have a spring that pre-tensions the piston rod toward the open dispensing end when the piston is in its rearmost position.

[0029] In the case of the insertion device according to the invention, the roller can have a support region that rests on the inclination region of the inclined track, and at least one laterally adjacent side region that has a smaller outer diameter compared to the diameter of the support region and that does not rest on the inclination region of the inclined track. During the dispensing operation, both the support region and the side region can come into contact with the edge of the inclined track, said edge connecting the second plateau with the transition sidewall. This leads to the advantage of relatively low rolling resistance or friction between the roller and the inclined track in the inclination region. During the transition over the edge during the dispensing operation, both the receiving region and the side region then rest on the edge, and therefore the support surface here is enlarged, and thus less pressure is present.This is an advantage because, as the roller passes over the edge, the greatest force is exerted on the roller, and therefore, unwanted pressure peaks can be reduced. Consequently, the roller's lifespan is increased.

[0030] In particular, the roller on either side of the support area may have an adjacent side region with an outer diameter smaller than that of the support area. This leads to a further reduction in the pressure on the roller during transition over the edge.

[0031] The roller may be designed so that the outer diameter of the support region is constant. The outer diameter of the corresponding side region may decrease in the direction toward the side of the roller (or in the direction away from the support region, or when the distance from the support region becomes greater).

[0032] The roller may be in the form of a plastic roller. The inclined guide may be made of metal.

[0033] In the case of the insertion device according to the invention, the receiving unit may be in the form of a single-piece receiving unit that is produced by an additive manufacturing method.

[0034] This additive manufacturing method can also be called 3D printing and can be, for example, a laser sintering method.

[0035] This results in the receiving unit being manufactured with a relatively low weight and high rigidity and strength. The overall weight of the insertion device is therefore kept as low as possible, making its operation acceptable and long-lasting for the user.

[0036] In addition, the integral formation of the receiving block by the additive manufacturing method leads in an improved way to the possibility of the receiving block being formed very compactly, which is not possible with traditional mechanical manufacturing methods.

[0037] The material used for the receiving block is preferably a metal (or metal alloy), in particular titanium, and therefore the receiving block consists of a metal (or metal alloy), in particular titanium. Furthermore, aluminum, steel (e.g. maraging steel), stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloy and / or cobalt-chromium alloy can be used as a material for the receiving block. Additional possible materials include AlSiMg alloys, CoCrMo alloys and chromium-nickel alloys. Weldable materials can also be used. All of these materials can be present in the form (e.g. powder) in order to be able to produce the receiving block from them using additive manufacturing (and in particular laser sintering).

[0038] The receiving unit may have a motor bearing, a guide cylinder for a piston rod, at least one receiving socket for a control board, a receiving socket for connecting with the possibility of exchanging fluid with a container for a fluid and / or at least one housing attachment point that is / are formed integrally with the receiving unit.

[0039] The piston can be formed integrally with the piston rod. In this case, the front end of the piston rod forms the piston. However, it is also possible for the piston to be a separate element that attaches to the piston rod.

[0040] It goes without saying that the distinctive features mentioned above and the features that have yet to be explained below are suitable for use not only in the combinations set forth, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0041] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which similarly describe the characteristic features essential to the invention. These exemplary embodiments serve merely for illustrative purposes and should be interpreted as limiting. For example, the description of an exemplary embodiment with a plurality of elements or components should not be interpreted as the result of the fact that all of the mentioned elements or components are necessary for implementation purposes. On the contrary, other exemplary embodiments may also contain alternative elements and components, a smaller number of elements or components, or additional elements or components. Elements or components of various exemplary embodiments may be combined with one another, unless otherwise stated.Modifications and variations described for one exemplary embodiment may also be applied to other exemplary embodiments. To avoid repetition, identical or mutually corresponding elements in different drawings are designated by the same reference signs and will not be explained again. In the drawings:

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an insertion device 1 according to the invention;

[0043] Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the input device 1 in Fig. 1;

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a schematic, enlarged sectional view of the first front assembly 13;

[0045] Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the first front assembly 13 and the distal end 30 of the receiving unit 10 in a state without being connected to each other;

[0046] Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the first front assembly 13 screwed into the far end of the receiving block 10, with the piston 36 in its rearmost position;

[0047] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view according to Fig. 5, wherein the piston 36 is in its forward extreme position and the initiating casing 21 is in its released position during the insertion operation;

[0048] Fig. 7 shows a perspective illustration of the receiving unit 10 together with the tensioning device S, wherein the tensioning device S is in the main position in which the piston 36 is in its front extreme position;

[0049] Fig. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the receiving unit 10 together with the tensioning device S according to Fig. 7, wherein the tensioning device S is in its tensioned position, in which the piston 36 is in its rearmost position;

[0050] Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of the receiving unit 10 together with the tensioning device S according to Fig. 8;

[0051] Fig. 10 shows an enlarged detailed perspective illustration of the rear part of the tensioning device S with a roller 51 and an inclined guide 52 of a modification of the insertion device 1 according to the invention with only one cylinder-piston arrangement;

[0052] Fig. 11A shows a diagram for illustrating the profile of the inclined track 53, wherein the angle of rotation is plotted along the x-axis, and the stroke along the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 36 is plotted along the y-axis,

[0053] Fig. 11B shows a diagram for illustrating a modified profile of the inclined track 53, wherein the angle of rotation is plotted along the x-axis, and the stroke along the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 36 is plotted along the y-axis,

[0054] Fig. 12 shows a perspective illustration of the roller 51;

[0055] Fig. 13 shows a top view of the roller 51;

[0056] Fig. 14 and 15 show perspective illustrations of the receiving unit 10;

[0057] Fig. 16 shows a top view of the receiving unit 10, and

[0058] Fig. 17 shows a sectional view of the receiving unit 10.

[0059] In the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 1, the device 1 according to the invention for introducing a fluid (for example, a liquid) comprises a housing 2, which comprises a base 3, which may also be in the form of a standing base 3, a gripping portion 4 for holding the device 1, an initiating device 5, which is housed in the gripping portion 4 and is intended to actuate the device 1, a head region 6 with a distribution region 7 and a receiving socket 8 at the upper end of the head region 6.

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment described herein, the device 1 according to the invention, which may also be referred to as the administering device 1, is intended for simultaneously administering two different drugs to animals, wherein the administration of the drug is performed through the skin without needles.

[0061] In the case of the injection device 1 according to the invention, a separate cylinder-piston arrangement is provided for each medicinal product, as will also be described in detail below, said cylinder-piston arrangement is presented in each case in the form of a self-filling device type, such that the movement of the piston towards the dispensing end causes the fluid to be injected, and the opposite movement of the piston causes the filling of the cylinder for the next injection action.

[0062] As can be deduced from the schematic cross-sectional illustration of the insertion device 1 in Fig. 2, the insertion device 1 comprises a receiving unit 10, which carries a control board 11 and a motor 12, and two front assemblies 13, 14, of which only the front assembly 13 is visible in the illustration in Fig. 2. Since the front assemblies 13 and 14 are designed identically, essentially only the front assembly 13 will be described in detail below. A container M for medicines containing liquid medicine for the front assembly 13 is shown schematically in the receiving socket 8.

[0063] A sectional illustration of the front assembly 13 is shown in Fig. 3. The front assembly 13 comprises an insert 15 in which a syringe barrel 16 with an open dispensing end 17 is formed. A non-return valve 18 (or inlet valve 18) is located on the outlet side of the open dispensing end 17. When the non-return valve 18 opens, the open dispensing end 17 is driven into a nozzle 18 through which the fluid to be dispensed (here the corresponding liquid medicine) is dispensed.

[0064] The non-return valve 18 is pre-tensioned by means of the spring 20 towards the open dispensing end 17 and closes the open dispensing end 17 in the position of the non-return valve 18, which is shown in Fig. 3.

[0065] Furthermore, the front unit 13 comprises an initiating casing 21, which is extended over the nozzle 19, pressed by means of a spring 22 in the direction from the open dispensing end 17 to the nozzle 19 and is pre-tensioned. The initiating casing 21 is mounted in a shiftable manner along the longitudinal axis of the front unit 13 (from left to right in Fig. 3), and, therefore, when the insertion device 1 is placed on the corresponding area of ​​the animal's skin, said initiating casing is shifted in the direction from the nozzle 19 to the open dispensing end 17 and, in the process, initiates, for example, a contact sensor (not shown), which makes it possible to start the insertion action, as will also be described in detail below.

[0066] The insert 15 has radially extending feed channels 25 at the proximal end 24 of the syringe barrel 16 lying opposite the open dispensing end 17, and through these feed channels the fluid for administration or liquid medicine passes into the syringe barrel 16 for the next injection action.

[0067] The external thread 27 is formed, and the guide sleeve 28 is arranged, on the near end 26 of the front unit 13, and therefore the front unit 13 can be screwed into the far end 30 of the receiving block 10 (Fig. 4), since the internal thread 31 for the external thread 27 of the front unit 13 is provided at the far end 30. Fig. 4 shows the front unit 13 and the far unit 30 of the receiving block 10 before the screwing action. In Fig. 5 two elements 13, 30 are screwed to each other, so that the piston rod 35, which is guided in the receiving block 10, slightly protrudes with the piston 36 formed at its distal end, into the barrel 16 of the syringe, and the piston rod 35 is guided through the guide sleeve 28. As will be described in detail below, the piston rod 35 can move from the main position shown in Fig. 5, in the direction of the open dispensing end 17 to the injection or dispensing position shown in Fig. 6, and from the said position back to the main position shown in Fig. 5.

[0068] When the piston rod 35 is in the main position, its far end and, consequently, the piston 36 is in its rear extreme position (Fig. 5). When the piston rod 35 is in the dispensing position, the piston 36 is in its front extreme position (Fig. 6).

[0069] When the piston rod 35 is positioned in the main position shown in Fig. 5, the syringe barrel 16 is filled with liquid medication for injection. Movement of the piston rod 35 toward the open dispensing end 17 then leads to the opening of the non-return valve 18 and, thus, to the dispensing of liquid through the nozzle 19 as a jet that cuts into the animal's skin to such an extent that the medication can be introduced into the skin through said incision.

[0070] During the backward movement from the dispensing position shown in Fig. 6 to the main position shown in Fig. 5 (movement in the first direction), the non-return valve 18 is closed and a negative pressure is created in the barrel 16 of the syringe, said negative pressure being greater the further the piston rod 35 moves from the open dispensing end 17. As soon as the piston rod 35 is brought to its basic position, there is a connection with the possibility of exchanging fluid between the barrel 16 of the syringe and at least one of the supply channels 25. In order to implement the connection with the possibility of exchanging fluid, an axial blind hole 37 is formed at the distal end of the piston 36, and at least one transverse hole 38 is formed, which extends radially from the blind hole 37, and the end of which, which faces away from the blind hole 37, leads into one of the supply channels 25.Since the supply channels 25 in their part lead into the chamber 32, which is formed between the insert 15 and the distal end 30 of the receiving unit 10 and is connected via the connecting element 33 with the container M for medications, shown only in Fig. 2, the liquid medication, due to the negative pressure present in the barrel 16 of the syringe, is sucked out of the container M for medications through the connecting element 33, the chamber 32, the supply channel or supply channels 25, the transverse hole(s) 38 and the blind hole 37 into the barrel 16 of the syringe, so that the latter is filled with the liquid medication. Consequently, the medication can be introduced again during the next initiating action, wherein, at the beginning of the movement of the piston rod 35 from the main position to the injection position, some part of the liquid medication is forced back into the chamber 32 through the supply channels 25.This displacement is advantageous because the piston 36 or the piston rod 35 can thereby be accelerated more easily, which leads to a higher pressure to which the rest of the medicine in the barrel 16 of the syringe is exposed, and which is desirable for the described needle-free injection.

[0071] The front unit 13, which in particular contains the syringe barrel 16, the non-return valve 18 and the nozzle 19, is designed as a replaceable whole. It can be screwed in by means of its external thread 27 in, and unscrewed again from, the corresponding internal thread 31, which is formed on the distal end 30 of the receiving unit 10. Since the front unit 13 is subject to wear during the operation of the insertion device 1, the worn front unit 13 can therefore be easily replaced with a new, structurally identical front unit 13. This advantageously leads to the fact that the insertion device 1, as a whole, is adapted for use for a longer period of time, since the components of the insertion device 1, which are most susceptible to wear, can be easily replaced.

[0072] Because the front assembly 13 can be completely replaced, unwanted contaminants can be easily eliminated, which would be significantly more difficult to eliminate and which would be associated with higher costs if, for example, primarily the wear sealing rings in the inlet devices known in the prior art were individually replaced in the region of the cylinder that is fixedly and irreplaceably connected to the rest of the device known in the prior art.

[0073] As can be better seen in Fig. 7-9, the receiving unit 10 has a first receiving cylinder 40, into which the piston rod 35 for the first front assembly 13 is guided, and a second receiving cylinder 140, into which the piston rod 135 for the second front assembly 14 is guided. Since the structure of the two cylinder-piston arrangements and, consequently, the two receiving cylinders 40, 140 is identical, in essence, only the first cylinder-piston arrangement with the first receiving cylinder 40 will be described below in the description of the receiving unit 10. The corresponding elements in the case of the second receiving cylinder 140 are designated by reference signs that are 100 larger than in the case of the elements of the first receiving cylinder 40, but will not be described again.

[0074] The piston rod 35 passes through the first receiving cylinder 40, which contains a spring 41 for moving the piston rod 35 from the tensioned main position shown in Fig. 5 to the injection position shown in Fig. 6. The distant end 42 of the spring 41 fits closely to the locking fragment 43 of the piston rod 35. The near end 44 of the spring 41 fits closely to the guide sleeve 45, which is screwed into the near end of the first receiving cylinder 40, and, therefore, during the movement of the piston rod from the injection position shown in Fig. 6 in the first direction to the pre-tensioned main position shown in Fig. 5, the spring 41 is compressed and, thereby, is pre-tensioned, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

[0075] As can be concluded from the enlarged perspective illustration in Fig. 10, the end of the piston rod 35, which projects closer to the center line from the receiving cylinder 40, is connected to a drive device 50, which has a roller 51 mounted for rotation, wherein the axis of rotation of the roller 51 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 35.

[0076] The perspective illustration in Fig. 10 shows a modification of the insertion device 1 according to the invention. In this modification, only one cylinder-piston arrangement is formed, and the drive device 50 is connected to the near end of the piston rod 35 and to the near end of the guide rod 39, which is movably mounted in the receiving block 10.

[0077] Roller 51 passes along inclined guide 52, which rotates under roller 51 and is rotated by motor 12 around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of piston rod 35. A rechargeable battery is provided as a power source for the motor. The battery can be placed, for example, in base 3 or as base 3 of insertion device 1.

[0078] The inclined guide 52 has an inclined track 53 which runs with a single turn along a helical line, as can be understood in particular from Figs. 7, 8 and 10.

[0079] In Fig. 11A, the rotation angle α is plotted relative to the difference z in inclination parallel to the longitudinal direction of the piston rod 35, wherein the starting point is the point with the rotation angle α0=0°, the smallest height z0 of inclination is present, and the piston 36 is in its front extreme position. If the inclined guide 52 then rotates, the inclined track 53 passes under the roller 51 and leads to a rotational movement of the inclined track 53, converted into a translational movement of the roller 51 together with the drive device 50 and, consequently, the piston rod 35 along the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 35, so that the piston rod 35 moves from its injection position shown in Fig. 6 to its basic position shown in Fig. 5.

[0080] For this purpose, the deployed inclined track 53 according to Fig. 11A extends in such a way that a first plateau (inclination=0 or only partially greater than or partially less than zero) is presented, from the rotation angle α0 to the rotation angle α1. From the rotation angle α1, the inclined track 53 has a first linear segment S1 of inclination, which is present up to the rotation angle α2. At the rotation angle α2 (and the corresponding height z1 of inclination), the slope passes into a second linear segment S2 of inclination, which has a greater slope compared to the first linear segment S1 of inclination (between the rotation angles α1 and α2). The second slope is present up to the rotation angle α3 and then passes into a second plateau, on which the height z2 of inclination does not increase (or increases only very slightly or decreases only very slightly) in the case of an additional increase in the rotation angle up to the rotation angle α4 of less than 360°.

[0081] At the rotation angle α5, the edge 54 is formed due to the transition side 46, which connects the second plateau and the first plateau.

[0082] In the region from α3 to α4, the piston rod 35 is in its tensioned basic position according to Fig. 5. The introducing device 1 is therefore ready for the application of the liquid medicine.

[0083] If the initiating device 5 is then actuated and the initiating housing 21 is in the initiating position, the motor 12 rotates the inclined guide 52 further, so that when the angle of rotation α5 is exceeded, the roller 51 passes over the edge 54 and, due to the tension of the spring 41, falls sharply from the height z2 of the slope to the height z0 of the slope of the first plateau, and, consequently, the fluid present in the barrel 16 of the syringe is injected in the manner described.

[0084] Motor 12 then rotates inclined guide 52 further to the second plateau and stops its rotation there, so that syringe barrel 16 is again filled with liquid medication, and piston rod 35 is returned to its tensioned base position. Insertion device 1 is thus provided for further insertion action. Insertion device 1 can thus be repeatedly cocked and activated.

[0085] Two inclined fragments S1 and S2 form a tilt region that extends from the first plateau to the second plateau. The two inclined fragments S1 and S2 do not have to extend linearly with respect to the rotation angle. As shown as an example in Fig. 11B, they can also have a concave bend (in which the local tilt increases as the rotation angle increases). However, even in this case, the average tilt of the first inclined fragment S1 is less than the average tilt of the second inclined fragment S2.

[0086] The combination of the motor 12, the inclined guide 52, the driving device 50 with the roller 51, the spring 41, 141 and the guide sleeve 45, 145 may be called a tension device S.

[0087] As can be understood, in particular, from Figs. 12 and 13, the roller 51 comprises a central region 55, which has a constant outer diameter. Adjacent to it on both sides are corresponding lateral regions 56, 57, in which the outer diameter decreases laterally.

[0088] Each of the two side regions 56 and 57 is adjoined by an edge region 58, 59, which is rounded so that the roller 51 does not have any edges. When the inclined guide 52 rotates, the central region 55 lies on the inclined track 53 in the region of the rotation angle from α1 to α3 (in particular, from α0 to α5), while the side regions 56 and 57 do not rest on the said region of the rotation angle, but rather come into contact with the inclined track 53 only when passing through the edge 54. The rolling resistance of the roller 51 during the tension of the piston rod 35 (the rotation of the inclined track from the first to the second plateau) can therefore be as small as possible.During the transition from the second or upper plateau (the region of the rotation angle from α3 to α4) of the inclined track 53 to the lower plateau (the region of the rotation angle from α1 to α2), the lateral regions 56 and 57 are also in contact with the edge 54, as a result of which the forces between the roller 51 and the edge 54 of the inclined track 52 are predominantly distributed over a larger supporting surface (the central region 55 and the two lateral regions 56, 57), and, consequently, less pressure is present. The durability of the device 1 and, in particular, the roller 51 is thereby increased.

[0089] The characteristics of the inclined track 53, described in connection with Figs. 11A and 11B, are advantageous, since at the beginning (the region of the rotation angle from α1 to α2) there is a smaller inclination, and, consequently, a smaller torque must be provided by the motor 50. This is precisely an advantage during the start of the motor 50 from the first plateau, since the motor 50 usually consumes more current in this region. When the inclination height z1 is reached, the higher inclination in the region of the rotation angle from α2 to α3 can be easily overcome by the motor 50.

[0090] These characteristics of the inclined track 52 mainly lead to an increase in the durability of the motor 50.

[0091] As can be better understood from the illustrations in Figs. 14-17, the receiving unit 10 is formed as a single unit. Here, for example, an additive manufacturing method was used, such as laser sintering, selective laser sintering, or direct metal laser sintering, with which thinner and / or more complex structures can be produced compared to mechanical methods. The receiving unit 10 can therefore be provided with a relatively low weight, and it can be ensured that the insertion device 1 is highly durable.

[0092] Examples of the material used for the receiving block 10 may include aluminum, steel (e.g., maraging steel), stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloy, and / or cobalt-chromium alloy. The material for laser sintering here is preferably in the form of a metal powder. For additive or multilayer production of the receiving block 10, a thin layer of powder material can be applied to the structural platform. The laser beam melts the powder precisely at points determined by the computer-generated design data of the components of the receiving block 10. The structural platform is then lowered, and an additional thin layer of powder material is applied. The material melts again and bonds at specific points with the layer underneath. These steps are repeated until the entire receiving block 10 is formed.

[0093] In addition to the already described receiving cylinders 40, 140, the receiving block 10 comprises four board receiving points 60, 61, 62 and 63, on which the board 11 can be placed and, for example, screwed to the receiving block 10.

[0094] In addition, the receiving unit contains a motor bearing 64 for receiving and installing the motor 12.

[0095] In addition, four fastening points 65, 66, 67 and 68 are formed for the outer casing 2 of the insertion device 1. Portions of the corresponding receiving sockets 265, 266, 267 and 268 of the outer casing 2 are shown in Fig. 7-9.

[0096] At the distal end of the receiving unit 10, a distribution area 7 is provided in the form of an umbrella, which, in addition to the corresponding internal threads 31 and 131 for the first and second front units 13 and 14, also has receiving sockets 69 and 169 for a corresponding initiating sensor (not shown), which detects the position of the initiating casing 21, 121.

[0097] Furthermore, an annular receiving seat 70, into which an annular seal 71 (for example, Figs. 9, 16 and 17) can be inserted, is formed in the distribution region 7 in order to provide a seal with respect to the adjacent housing 2 in the installed state.

[0098] In addition, the receiving unit 10 for each receiving cylinder 40, 140 comprises a receiving socket 72, 172, into which a corresponding connecting element 33, 133, which may also be called a fluid adapter, can be inserted.

[0099] The connecting element 33, 133 is preferably produced by mechanical processing. Titanium is the preferred material for the receiving block 10. This material is relatively lightweight and provides the desired strength. Of course, any other material suitable for additive manufacturing can be used.

[0101] The above description was based on the idea of ​​​​simultaneously administering two different medications. However, the inventive administration device 1 can also be designed such that the receiving unit 10 has only one separate receiving cylinder 40 and, therefore, only one single medication can be administered during the initiating action. The second receiving cylinder 140 and the second cylinder-piston rod combination are then preferably lowered.

[0102] The previously described exemplary embodiments were based on an injection device 1 existing in the form of an injection device 1 without needles. However, it can also be in the form of an injection device 1 with a needle or cannula. Therefore, in this case, the needle or cannula is intended to pierce the animal's skin, and then the liquid medication is applied in the manner described.

Claims

1. A device for introducing a fluid medium through the skin of animals, comprising: a cylinder (16, 116) which has an open dispensing end (17), a piston (36) configured to be displaceable between a front and rear extreme position in the cylinder (16, 116) and connected to a pusher rod (35) that projects along a first direction beyond the rear end of the cylinder (16, 116) opposite the open dispensing end (17) and is directed into the receiving unit (10), a non-return valve (18) closing the open dispensing end (17), and a tensioning device (S) which is connected to the piston rod (35, 135) and placed in the receiving block (10), wherein the tensioning device (S), when the piston (36) is in its front extreme position, can move the piston rod (35, 135) in the tensioning operation along the first direction until the piston (36) is in its rear extreme position, to thus fill the cylinder (16, 116) with the fluid to be introduced and to pre-tension the piston rod (35, 135) towards the open dispensing end (17), and wherein the tensioning device (S), when the piston (36) is in its rearmost position, is configured to release the piston rod (35, 135) during the dispensing operation, and, consequently, the piston (36) moves opposite to the first direction to its frontmost position due to the applied preliminary tension, and, in the process, the fluid in the cylinder (16, 116) is dispensed through the non-return valve (18) for injection, the tensioning device (S) has an inclined guide (52) made with the possibility of rotation by means of a motor (12) and has an inclined track (53) passing along a helical line, wherein the inclined track (53) rises from the first position along the inclined region (S1, S2) to the second position and falls from the second position to the first position through the transition side (46), wherein the tensioning device (S) additionally has a roller (51) which is in contact with the inclined track (53) and is mounted with the possibility of rotation in the drive device (50), which is connected to that end of the piston rod (35, 135) which projects from the cylinder (16, 116), and, therefore, when the inclined guide (52) rotates, the inclined track (53) passes under the roller (51), which, thereby, rotates, wherein, during the tensioning operation, the inclined track (53), starting from the contact of the roller (51) with the first position, rotates in such a way that the roller (51) passes along the inclined region to the second position, and the piston (36), thereby, moves to its rear extreme position, wherein, during the dispensing operation, the inclined track (53), starting from the contact of the roller (51) with the second position, rotates until the roller (51) through the transition side (46) reaches the first position, and the piston (36), thereby, moves to its front extreme position, wherein the cylinder (16, 116) together with the non-return valve (18) has the form of a replaceable front unit (13, 14), which is releasably connected to the receiving block (10).

2. The device according to paragraph 1, wherein both fragments (S1, S2) extend linearly relative to the angle of rotation of the helical line.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two fragments (S1, S2) does not extend linearly relative to the angle of rotation of the helical line.

4. A device according to one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the area of ​​the rotation angle of the first fragment (S1) is smaller than the area of ​​the rotation angle of the second fragment (S2).

5. A device according to one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the motor (12) is installed in the receiving unit (10).

6. The device according to item 1, wherein the detachable connection between the front unit (13, 14) and the receiving block (10) is a screw connection.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the device has a nozzle (19) for introducing a fluid medium without a needle, said nozzle is connected to the open dispensing end of the cylinder (16, 116) through a non-return valve (18) and is part of the front assembly (13, 14).

8. A device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tensioning device (S) has a spring (41, 141) which pre-tensions the piston rod (35, 135) towards the open dispensing end when the piston (36) is in the rearmost position.

9. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller (51) has a support region (55) which rests on the inclination region (S1, S2) of the inclined track (53), and at least one laterally adjacent lateral region (56, 57) which has a smaller outer diameter compared to the support region (55), and which does not rest on the inclination region (S1, S2) of the inclined track (53), wherein, during the dispensing operation, both the support region (55) and the side region (56, 57) come into contact with the edge (54) of the inclined track (53), said edge connecting the second position with the transition side (46).

10. The device according to item 9, wherein the roller (51) on one side or the other of the support region (55) has an adjacent side region (56, 57) with a smaller outer diameter compared to the diameter of the support region (55).

11. The device according to item 9 or 10, wherein the outer diameter of the corresponding side region (56, 57) decreases in the direction towards the side of the roller (51).

12. A device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller (51) is mounted in the drive device (50) in such a way that the axis of rotation of said roller is perpendicular to the first direction.

13. A device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving unit (10) is presented in the form of a single-piece receiving unit (10) which is produced by an additive manufacturing method.

14. The device according to item 13, wherein the receiving unit (10) is presented in the form of a metal receiving unit (10).

15. The device according to item 13 or 14, wherein the receiving unit (10) has a motor bearing (64), a guide cylinder (40, 140) for the piston rod (35, 135), at least one receiving socket (60, 61, 62, 63) for the control board (11), a receiving socket (72, 172) for a connection (33) with the possibility of exchanging fluid for a container (M) with a fluid and / or at least one point (65, 66, 67, 68) for fastening the housing, which is formed as a single unit with the receiving unit (10).

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