Autoinjector device and automatic injection method using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an autoinjector device which inserts a multineedle having a plurality of injection needles into the skin by a vacuum pressure and then administers a liquid medicine therethrough, the autoinjector device comprising: a suction motor which generates a vacuum pressure; a current detector provided in the suction motor to detect a current generated in the suction motor; a controller which controls the vacuum pressure; and an air flow sensor which detects the degree of air suction, wherein the vacuum pressure varies according to the value of a current detected by the current detector and the flow rate of air of the air flow sensor.

Description

Automatic injection device and automatic injection method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic injection device and an automatic injection method using the same, and more specifically, to an automatic injection device that controls vacuum pressure using a solenoid valve and a current detector that form a fine diameter suction port using an injection needle, and an automatic injection method using the same.

[0002] Recently, with the growing interest in skin beauty and skin health, the number of people seeking skin treatments is increasing worldwide, and interest in mesotherapy, a skin treatment that injects medication into the dermal and subcutaneous layers, is also increasing.

[0003] In general, mesotherapy is a type of polysaccharide that can hold 300 to 1,000 times its weight in water. This is because it removes wrinkles, prevents skin aging, and increases skin elasticity. In addition, many people prefer mesotherapy because of its immediate effects and less pain between treatments.

[0004] Accordingly, attempts are being made to develop an automatic injection device that can perform mesotherapy more effectively and with better performance.

[0005] However, although various high-performance and effective automatic systems have been developed and have made great progress, there is a problem in inserting the needle evenly into the human skin, which has different curves and elasticity.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need to develop a system that can insert a needle into the skin layer and subcutaneous layer regardless of the skin curvature and elasticity of each person during mesotherapy treatment.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems and other problems. Another object is to provide an automatic injection device and method thereof.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention to achieve the above or other purposes, there is provided an automatic injection device for administering a drug solution after inserting a multi-needle equipped with a plurality of injection needles into the skin under vacuum pressure, the device comprising: a suction motor for generating the vacuum pressure; a current detector provided in the suction motor for detecting a current generated by the suction motor; and a control unit for controlling the vacuum pressure; wherein the vacuum pressure can be varied according to a current detected by the current detector.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the device may include a plurality of solenoid valves connected to the suction motor and configured to block or open external air from flowing into the suction motor according to the control of the control unit.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit can control the vacuum pressure by operating the plurality of solenoid valves so that the value of the current detected and transmitted from the current detector is maintained according to a preset value.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the invention includes an air flow sensor connected to the suction motor in the direction in which air is sucked, and when the air flow sensor detects the amount of air moving to the suction motor as a preset value, the control unit can administer the drug solution.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit can control the vacuum pressure to become atmospheric pressure when the administration of the drug solution is stopped.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of solenoid valves may be provided with a syringe needle extending from the inside to the outside of a supply port and bonded with an adhesive, and one surface of the supply port to which the syringe needle is bonded may be sealed to form a suction port with a penetration diameter equal to the inner diameter of the syringe needle.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the suction ports may each have different diameters.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic injection method for administering a drug solution by inserting a multi-needle equipped with a plurality of injection needles into the skin under vacuum pressure, the automatic injection method comprising: a step of bringing the multi-needle into close contact with the skin and operating the suction motor through a control unit; a step of pulling the skin by vacuum pressure and inserting the multi-needle into the skin; a step of controlling vacuum pressure by operating a plurality of solenoid valves selected according to a value previously input to the control unit and receiving a value of a current detected by a current detector; a step of injecting the drug solution into the skin through the control unit; and a step of operating the plurality of solenoid valves after administration of the drug solution is stopped so that the vacuum pressure is adjusted to atmospheric pressure.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, after the step of controlling the vacuum pressure, the method may further include a step of transmitting the amount of air detected by an air flow sensor connected in the direction in which air is sucked into the suction motor to the control unit.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of solenoid valves may have suction ports having different inner diameters.

[0018] The automatic injection device according to the present invention and the automatic injection method using the same are described as follows.

[0019] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the suction pressure is controlled by detecting the current and the amount of air sucked through a current detector and an air flow sensor, so that a suction pressure that is safer and does not burden the patient's skin can be applied.

[0020] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the suction port of the solenoid valve utilizes a syringe needle and an adhesive, thereby reducing the cost and time required for forming the suction port and making it easier to manufacture a suction port with a fine diameter.

[0021] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, when saturation of the suction motor occurs due to vacuum pressure, the overload of the suction motor can be protected by maintaining a constant vacuum pressure through a solenoid valve.

[0022] Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below. However, since various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, such as preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of example only.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic injection device related to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a solenoid valve having a suction port formed in relation to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram for explaining vacuum pressure control in an automatic injection device related to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram for explaining that the vacuum pressure in the automatic injection device related to the present invention is controlled to atmospheric pressure.

[0027] Figure 4 is a drawing for explaining a solenoid valve of an automatic injection device related to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 is a flowchart of an automatic injection method of an automatic injection device related to the present invention.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffix "part" used for components in the following description is given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and does not in itself have a distinct meaning or role. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0030] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0031] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0033] The drug solution (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention is injected using a syringe capable of accommodating the drug solution, but is not limited thereto. The drug solution (30) described below includes an injector having a configuration of a hollow barrel, a piston, and a thumb rest.

[0034] One embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic injection device (100), and more specifically, an automatic injection device (100) and a method thereof are disclosed, wherein a solenoid valve (160) having a fine diameter suction port (162) formed by a syringe needle (161) is used to control the vacuum pressure inside a suction cup (110), and a multi-needle (111) provided inside is inserted into the skin (10) by the vacuum pressure to inject a drug solution (30).

[0035] First, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic injection device (100) related to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a solenoid valve (160) having a suction port (162) formed related to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a solenoid valve (160) of an automatic injection device (100) related to the present invention. Hereinafter, an automatic injection device (100) and a method thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.

[0036]

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, an automatic injection device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic injection device (100) that inserts a multi-needle (111) into the skin (10) under vacuum pressure and then injects a drug solution (30). The automatic injection device (100) includes a suction motor (120) that generates the vacuum pressure, a current detector (170) provided in the suction motor (120) that detects a current generated by the suction motor (120), and a control unit (200) that controls the vacuum pressure, and the vacuum pressure has a correlation with a current detected by the current detector (170).

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drug (30) is connected to a cylinder formed on the upper part of the suction cup (110), and a multi-needle (111) having a plurality of needles arranged at regular intervals is provided inside the suction cup (110), and is connected so that the drug (30) moves through the multi-needle (111) when the drug (30) is injected along the cylinder formed on the upper part of the suction cup (110).

[0039] In addition, the current detector (170) in one embodiment of the present invention uses a current measurement method using a Hall sensor (not shown) as a method used to detect the current flowing in the suction motor (120), but a voltage measurement method at both ends of the motor, a voltage measurement method at both ends of the resistor, and a measurement method using a current transformer can also be applied.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, it includes a plurality of solenoid valves (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d) connected to the suction motor (120) and each having a suction port (162) formed therein to allow external air to be sucked in, and the suction port (162) is formed in a supply port (163) of the plurality of solenoid valves (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d) and each has a different diameter.

[0041] Here, the supply port (163) of the solenoid valve (160) (hereinafter referred to as the 'valve') is connected to a hose (20) connected to an exhaust port (164) through which air is transmitted along the supply port (163) so that the supply port (163) faces the outside so that external air can be supplied to the inside of the suction cup (110).

[0042] At this time, a syringe needle (161) is provided to extend from the inside to the outside through the supply port (163) of the valve (160) and is bonded with an adhesive (50), and one side of the supply port (163) to which the syringe needle (161) is bonded is sealed to form a suction port (162) that is penetrated as much as the inner diameter of the syringe needle.

[0043] In addition, since the suction motor (120) may experience a surge due to a sudden change in current as external air flows in, a surge suppression circuit may be designed, and in order to prevent the suction motor (120) from causing damage to the skin (10) due to a sudden change in current, a profile may be applied to the control unit so that acceleration and deceleration can be performed each time the valve (160) is operated.

[0044] Referring to Fig. 2, in order to control the amount of suction through the inlet of the supply port (163), a suction port (162) having an inner diameter of a syringe needle (161) is formed at the inlet of the supply port (163). Even when forming a small hole with a diameter of 2 mm or less, the injection needle (161) is used instead of a punching device, so there is an advantage in that it is free from the choice of material, can be manufactured more cheaply, and can be manufactured more easily.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the discharge port (164) of the solenoid valve is connected to a hose (20), and air can be introduced into the suction cup and suction motor along the hose (20) connected through a connector.

[0046] In addition, the injection needle (161) uses an injection needle without a bevel formed at the end, and uses a silicone adhesive as the adhesive (50), but is not limited thereto.

[0047] At this time, the hose (20) has a space formed inside so that air can move, and a hose made of PVC material is used, but elastic materials such as silicone, urethane, PE (polyethylene), EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), and PTFE (Polytetra Fluoro Ethylene) can be used, and a connector (40) is mounted so that the connection port (110a) of the suction cup (110), the air flow sensor (180), the suction motor (120), and the valve (160) are connected to move air.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, a valve (160) selected from among a plurality of valves can be operated through a current detected by a current detector (170) to control the vacuum pressure.

[0049] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the valve is provided with four 2-port direct-acting valves having a supply port (163) and a discharge port (164), but a valve having a plurality of ports equivalent to this and a valve having four or more ports may be provided, and is not limited thereto.

[0050] In addition, the first to fourth valves (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d) are each equipped with a syringe needle (161) having a different inner diameter. The first valve (160a) is equipped with a first syringe needle (161a), the second valve (160a) is equipped with a second syringe needle (161b), the third valve (160c) is equipped with a third syringe needle (161c), and the fourth valve (160d) has the largest diameter to adjust the vacuum pressure acting on the suction cup (110) to atmospheric pressure during operation.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the third injection needle (161c) is formed with an area twice that of the second injection needle (161b), and the second injection needle (161b) is formed with an area twice that of the first injection needle (161a).

[0052] Accordingly, by utilizing the first to fourth valves (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d), seven different vacuum pressures can be generated, and the procedure can be performed with different vacuum pressures depending on the elasticity of the patient's skin (10), and the degree to which the needle is inserted into the skin (10) can be controlled differently depending on the administered drug solution (30), so there is an advantage of wide versatility.

[0053] Table 1 shows the control of vacuum pressure using the first to fourth valves (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d). '0' in the first to fourth valves (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d) indicates valve closure, '1' indicates valve opening, and the amount of air introduced indicates the amount of air introduced into the suction cup (110) through the valve (160).

[0054] Solenoid valve leakage pressure control stage 1st valve 2nd valve 3rd valve 4th valve Amount of air entering 00000100010100211003001041010501106111070001Atmospheric pressure

[0055] Table 1 is only for convenience of explanation and does not limit the scope of the present invention. FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram for explaining vacuum pressure control in an automatic injection device (100) related to the present invention, and FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram for explaining that the vacuum pressure in an automatic injection device (100) related to the present invention is adjusted to atmospheric pressure.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the control unit (200) controls the vacuum pressure by operating the plurality of valves (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d) so that the value of the current detected and transmitted from the current detector (170) is maintained according to the input value, and includes an air flow sensor (180) connected in the direction in which air is sucked into the suction motor (120).

[0057] That is, the current detector (170) detects that the suction motor (120) is loaded by vacuum pressure and the current increases, and transmits this to the control unit (200), and the control unit (200) operates the valve (160) so that the current value is maintained at the input value.

[0058] Therefore, the vacuum pressure varies depending on the value of the current detected by the current detector and the amount of air in the air flow sensor.

[0059] Thereafter, when the air flow sensor (180) detects that the amount of air moving to the suction motor (120) is a preset value, the control unit (200) administers the medicine (30) to the skin (10), and when the administration of the medicine (30) is stopped, the control unit (200) operates the plurality of valves (160a, 160b, 160c, 160d) to adjust the vacuum pressure to atmospheric pressure.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for an automatic injection method related to the present invention. Hereinafter, an automatic injection method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic injection method for administering a drug solution (30) after inserting a multi-needle (111) into the skin (10) with vacuum pressure. The above automatic injection method includes a step (S110) of bringing the multi-needle (111) into close contact with the skin (10) and operating the suction motor (120) through the control unit (200), a step (S120) of pulling the skin (10) by vacuum pressure and inserting the multi-needle (111) into the skin (10), a step (S130) of controlling the vacuum pressure by operating a plurality of valves (160) selected according to the value previously input to the control unit (200) and receiving the value of the current detected by the current detector (170), a step (S150) of injecting the drug (30) into the skin (10) through the control unit (200), and a step (S160) of operating the plurality of valves (160) after the administration of the drug (30) is stopped to adjust the vacuum pressure to atmospheric pressure.

[0062] At this time, each of the multiple valves (160) has a suction port with a different inner diameter.

[0063] In addition, in the step of operating the suction motor (S110), the multi-needle (111) is brought into close contact with the skin (10) and the suction motor (120) is operated through the control unit (200).

[0064] And, in the step (S120) where the multi-needle (111) is inserted into the skin (10), the skin (10) is pulled by vacuum pressure and the multi-needle (111) is inserted into the skin (10).

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-needle (111) is provided in a fixed state, and the skin (10) is pulled by vacuum pressure, and the multi-needle (111) is inserted into the skin (10).

[0066] And, in the step (S130) where the vacuum pressure is controlled, the control unit (200) receives the value of the current detected by the current detector (170) and operates a plurality of valves (160) selected according to the value input to the control unit (200), thereby controlling the vacuum pressure.

[0067] In one embodiment of the present invention, the suction motor (120) is subjected to a load due to vacuum pressure, and the current increases. The current detector (170) detects this and transmits the signal to the control unit (200). The control unit (200) inputs the incoming air as 'A1', operates the first valve (160a), and maintains the detected current value so that the value of the current generated in the suction motor (120) corresponds to the incoming air 'A1' preset in the control unit (200).

[0068] Afterwards, a step (S140) is further included in which the amount of air detected by the air flow sensor (180) connected to the suction motor (200) in the direction in which air is sucked is transmitted to the control unit (200). The air flow sensor (180) is provided between the skin (10) where vacuum pressure is generated and the suction motor (120), and when the amount of air corresponding to the value input to the control unit (200) is maintained, the amount of air detected is transmitted to the control unit (200).

[0069] In one embodiment of the present invention, the air flow sensor (180) detects the amount of air sucked in by the suction motor (120) along the incoming air 'A1' inputted to the control unit (200), and when the change in the amount of air corresponding to the incoming air 'A1' inputted to the control unit (200) is maintained constant, the air flow sensor (180) transmits a signal to the control unit (200).

[0070] Accordingly, in the step (S150) of injecting the drug (30) into the skin (10), the drug (30) is injected into the skin (10) through a signal transmitted from the air flow sensor (180) to the control unit (200).

[0071] Thereafter, in the step (S160) where the vacuum pressure is adjusted to atmospheric pressure, after the administration of the drug solution (30) is stopped, the plurality of valves (160) are operated to adjust the vacuum pressure to atmospheric pressure.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, 0.1 ml of the drug solution (30) is administered, and the control unit (200) operates the fourth valve (160d) to adjust the vacuum pressure to atmospheric pressure, thereby causing the multi-needle (111) to come out of the skin (10).

[0073] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0074] One embodiment of the present invention can be used in an automatic injection device that controls vacuum pressure using a current detector and a plurality of solenoid valves, and an automatic injection method using the same.

Claims

1. In an automatic injection device that injects a drug solution by inserting a multi-needle equipped with a number of injection needles into the skin using vacuum pressure, A suction motor that generates the above vacuum pressure; A current detector provided in the above suction motor and detecting the current generated from the above suction motor; and A control unit for controlling the vacuum pressure; An automatic injection device, characterized in that the vacuum pressure varies according to the current detected by the current detector.

2. In claim 1, An automatic injection device including a plurality of solenoid valves connected to the above suction motor and configured to block or open external air from flowing into the suction motor according to the control of the control unit.

3. In claim 2, The above control unit, An automatic injection device characterized in that the vacuum pressure is controlled by operating the plurality of solenoid valves so that the value of the current detected and transmitted from the current detector is maintained according to a preset value.

4. In claim 1, An air flow sensor connected to the suction motor in the direction in which air is sucked; An automatic injection device characterized in that the air flow sensor injects the drug solution through the control unit when the air flow rate moving to the suction motor is detected as a preset value.

5. In claim 4, An automatic injection device characterized in that the control unit controls the vacuum pressure to become atmospheric pressure when the administration of the drug solution is stopped.

6. In claim 2, The above multiple solenoid valves, An automatic injection device characterized in that a syringe needle is provided to extend from the inside to the outside of a supply port and is bonded with an adhesive, and one side of the supply port to which the syringe needle is bonded is sealed to form a suction port with a penetration size equal to the inner diameter of the syringe needle.

7. In claim 6, An automatic injection device, characterized in that each of the above suction ports has a different diameter.

8. In an automatic injection method for administering a drug solution by inserting a multi-needle equipped with multiple injection needles into the skin using vacuum pressure, A step of bringing the multi-needle into close contact with the skin and operating the suction motor through a control unit; A step in which the skin is pulled by vacuum pressure and the multi-needle is inserted into the skin; A step in which the control unit receives the value of the current detected by the current detector and operates a plurality of solenoid valves selected according to the value input to the control unit, thereby controlling the vacuum pressure; A step of injecting the drug into the skin through the control unit; A step in which the plurality of solenoid valves are operated after the administration of the above-mentioned drug solution is stopped so that the vacuum pressure is adjusted to atmospheric pressure; An automatic injection method comprising:

9. In claim 8, After the above vacuum pressure is controlled step, A step in which the air volume detected by the air flow sensor connected in the direction in which air is sucked into the suction motor is transmitted to the control unit; An automatic injection method further comprising:

10. In claim 8, An automatic injection method, wherein each of the above-mentioned plurality of solenoid valves has a suction port with a different inner diameter.

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