Needle assembly for drug injection device and patch-type drug injection device

Abstract

A needle assembly for a drug injection device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a needle formed to deliver a drug and including a portion extending in a first direction; a needle mover including a body having a flat upper surface, a part of the needle being fixed to the body; and a guide unit for guiding the needle mover to move along the first direction. The needle mover moves along the first direction by an external force applied to the upper surface thereof, thereby moving the tip of the needle along the first direction.

Description

Needle assembly for drug delivery device and patch-type drug delivery device

[0001] The present invention relates to a needle assembly for a drug injection device and a patch-type drug injection device.

[0002] Depending on the type, purpose, and method of treatment, medications can be administered orally, subcutaneously, or intravenously. Drug infusion devices utilizing drug pumps can automatically inject medication into the body at the desired rate and dose at the required time. Therefore, drug infusion devices utilizing drug pumps can be utilized in a variety of ways, not just in hospitals or patients' daily lives.

[0003] An insulin pump, commonly called an insulin injector, is a medical device that acts like a pancreas to control blood sugar levels by supplying insulin from outside the body at a set time precisely for diabetic patients who do not secrete insulin or secrete only a small amount.

[0004] These insulin pumps are used by patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, and can deliver medication continuously 24 hours a day while attached to the patient. Because insulin injectors require patients to administer medication periodically over long periods of time, active technology development is underway to miniaturize and automate insulin injectors for greater user convenience.

[0005] In addition, since insulin injectors are generally attached to the user's body for a specified period of use, miniaturization and lightweighting are essential.

[0006] Meanwhile, conventionally known insulin injectors have a complex mechanism for inserting the needle into the skin, which causes the insulin injector to become larger and heavier.

[0007] [Prior Art Literature]

[0008] [Patent Document]

[0009] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0129336 (Title: Liquid injection device)

[0010] The present invention provides a needle assembly for a drug injection device that can efficiently handle the process of inserting a needle of a drug injection device.

[0011] In addition, the present invention provides a patch-type drug injection device capable of stably supplying a drug.

[0012] However, the technical tasks that this embodiment seeks to accomplish are not limited to the technical tasks described above, and other technical tasks may exist.

[0013] As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical task, a needle assembly for a drug injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a needle formed to deliver a drug and including a portion extending in a first direction; a needle mover including a body having a flat upper surface, a portion of the needle being fixed to the body; and a guide portion guiding the needle mover to move along the first direction. At this time, the needle mover moves along the first direction by an external force applied to the upper surface, thereby moving the tip of the needle along the first direction.

[0014] A patch-type drug injection device according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing including a cover portion and a contact surface; an opening formed in a central region of the cover portion; a needle discharge port formed on the contact surface to face the opening; a needle assembly moving from the opening toward the needle discharge port, and a needle pusher coupled to an inner surface of the cover portion, one side of which faces an upper surface of the needle assembly. At this time, the needle pusher is made of an elastic material, moves the needle assembly toward the discharge port by an external force through the opening, and then returns to its original position by elasticity.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect of providing a needle assembly in which a needle mover can stably move along a first direction.

[0016] In addition, the needle assembly of the present invention has a tube region formed in a plane parallel to the surface of the object, so that stress can be distributed, thereby preventing easy breakage.

[0017] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the needle assembly can be stably moved through the aligner, and whether it is fixed can be confirmed through the sensor circuit, so that a needle assembly with excellent stability can be provided.

[0018] In addition, the present invention has the effect of not only stably pressurizing a needle assembly through a needle pusher, but also preventing external foreign substances from entering the interior of a drug injection device.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drug injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a drug injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure 1.

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Figure 1.

[0023] Figure 5 is an exemplary diagram showing an operating state in which an applicator is mounted and operated in a drug injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a state in which a needle assembly of a drug injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is moved.

[0025] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a needle assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a needle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of C in Figure 2.

[0028] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of D in Figure 5.

[0029] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of E in Figure 6.

[0030] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity of description, and similar reference numerals have been used throughout the specification to indicate similar elements.

[0031] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected" but also the case where it is "electrically connected" with another element in between. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" a component, this should be understood to mean that, unless specifically stated to the contrary, it may include other components rather than excluding them, and does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0032] The present invention relates to a needle assembly (200) and a patch-type drug injection device (10). For example, the patch-type drug injection device (10) may be a patch-type drug injection device (10) that is attached to the skin of a subject (patient) in the form of a patch and injects a drug into the subject. In addition, the patch-type drug injection device (10) may insert a needle (210) of the drug injection device (10) into the subject using a separate applicator (20), and inject a drug into the subject.

[0033] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, a patch-type drug injection device (10) (hereinafter referred to as “drug injection device (10)”) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0034] The drug injection device (10) includes a housing (100), an opening (112), a needle outlet (122), a needle assembly (200), and a needle pusher (300).

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing (100) includes a cover portion (110) and a contact surface (120). Specifically, the housing (100) includes a cover portion (110) having a predetermined space for mounting a component for drug injection therein, and a contact surface (120) positioned at the bottom and in close contact with the surface of the object. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing (100) may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and may have curved corners.

[0036] Referring again to FIG. 3, an opening (112) is formed in the central region of the cover portion (110), and a needle discharge port (122) is formed on the contact surface (120) so as to face the opening (112). In addition, the needle assembly (200) moves from the opening (112) toward the needle discharge port (122).

[0037] Referring to FIG. 5, the drug injection device (10) can be combined with a separate applicator (20) so that the needle (210) can be inserted into the surface of the target object. Specifically, after the applicator (20) is combined with the drug injection device (10), an external force can be applied to the push button (21) of the applicator (20) so that the external force transmission unit (22) can be inserted through the opening (112). At this time, as the external force transmission unit (22) presses the needle assembly (200), the needle assembly (200) moves toward the needle outlet (122), and the needle (210) of the needle assembly (200) can pass through the needle outlet (122) and be inserted and fixed into the surface of the target object. A detailed description thereof will be provided later.

[0038] Referring again to FIG. 3, the needle pusher (300) is coupled to the inner surface of the cover part (110), and one side is formed to face the upper surface of the needle assembly (200).

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the needle pusher (300) is made of an elastic material, moves the needle assembly (200) toward the discharge port by an external force through the opening (112), and then returns to the original position by elasticity.

[0040] The needle pusher (300) further includes a contact portion (310) that is protruded at a point corresponding to the opening (112), and the contact portion (310) may have a predetermined area to which an external force is applied. In addition, the contact portion (310) is formed so as to be in contact with the external force transmission portion (22) of the push button (21) and may be positioned in a space where the opening (112) is formed by protruding toward the opening (112). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering the interior of the drug injection device (10) through the opening (112). In addition, since the contact portion (310) that the external force transmission portion (22) comes into contact with is formed thick, there is an effect that can significantly reduce the risk of the needle pusher (300) being damaged even if the peripheral portion of the contact portion (310) is stretched by elastic force.

[0041] In addition, the housing (100) may further include a blocking protrusion (114) formed to protrude a predetermined height from the inner surface of the cover portion (110) along a perimeter having a concentric relationship with the opening (112). In addition, the perimeter of the needle pusher (300) may be closely coupled to the blocking protrusion (114). In other words, the needle pusher (300) includes a protrusion groove (320) that is recessed and formed at a position corresponding to the blocking protrusion (114), and when the blocking protrusion (114) is inserted into the protrusion groove (320), not only can foreign substances be prevented from entering between the cover portion (110) and the needle pusher (300), but also the needle pusher (330) can be firmly fixed to the inner surface of the cover portion (110).

[0042] As described above, the needle pusher (300), as shown in FIG. 5, can move the contact portion (310) downwards and then back to its original position when the external force transmitting portion (22) of the applicator (20) is inserted through the opening (112) and presses the contact portion (310). At this time, the peripheral portion of the needle pusher (300) is fixed to the inner surface of the cover portion (110) so that the contact portion (310) moves downwards, and the peripheral portion of the contact portion (310) can be tensioned by elastic force. In addition, as the upper surface of the needle assembly (200) is pressed while the lower surface of the contact portion (310) is in contact with the upper surface of the needle assembly (200), the needle assembly (200) moves downward, so that the needle (210) of the needle assembly (200) can pass through the needle outlet (122) and be inserted into the surface of the target object. For example, the needle pusher (300) may be formed of a rubber material having elasticity, but is not limited thereto.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the drug injection device (10) may further include a needle pusher fixing portion (400) that covers the circumference of the needle pusher (300) and fixes the circumference of the needle pusher (300) to the inner surface of the cover portion (110), and in which a movement space for the needle assembly (200) is formed. For example, the needle pusher fixing portion (400) may be formed in a donut shape, but may have a U-shaped cross-section so as to cover the circumference of the needle pusher (300), and a movement space may be formed in the center so that the central portion of the needle pusher (300) and the needle assembly (200) may move.

[0044] Referring again to FIG. 3, the drug injection device (10) may further include a middle frame (500) that is fixed to the inside of the housing (100) and has a guide portion (510) formed thereon to guide the movement of the needle assembly (200). In addition, the upper surface of the middle frame (500) may support the needle pusher fixing portion (400), and the movement space of the needle assembly (200) formed in the needle pusher fixing portion (400) and the upper surface of the guide portion (510) may be arranged to face each other.

[0045] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11, a needle assembly (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0046] The needle assembly (200) includes a needle (210), a needle mover (220), and a guide portion (510).

[0047] The needle (210) is formed to deliver a drug and includes a portion extending in a first direction. In other words, the needle (210) may include a region formed to extend in a direction from the opening (112) toward the outlet.

[0048] The needle mover (220) has a needle (210) fixed thereto and can move along the guide portion (510) of the middle frame (500). In other words, the needle mover (220) includes a body (224) having a flat upper surface, and a portion of the needle (210) can be fixed to the body (224). In addition, the needle mover (220) moves in a first direction by an external force applied to the upper surface, thereby moving the tip of the needle (210) in the first direction.

[0049] The needle mover (220) may be formed by injection molding the body (224) so ​​that the needle (210) is fixed at a preset position inside the needle mover (220), but is not limited thereto.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 8, the needle (210) may include a first tube region (211) extending in a first direction, and a second tube region (212) bent from the first tube region (211) so as to be horizontal to a surface of an object into which the needle (210) is inserted. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the bent portions of the first tube region (211) and the second tube region (212) may be fixed to the inside of the body (224), so that the needle (210) may be positioned below the upper surface of the body (224). In addition, the second tube region (212) may be formed to extend by a predetermined length along a surface that is horizontal to a surface of the object.

[0051] In addition, the needle (210) may further include a third tube region (213) that is bent in a direction parallel to the first tube region (211) from the second tube region (212). At this time, the region where the first tube region (211) is joined and the region where the third tube region (213) is joined may be arranged adjacent to each other within a predetermined distance range, and the second tube region (212) may be formed to be connected to the end of the third tube region (213) after detouring from the end of the first tube region (211) by a predetermined length along a plane that is horizontal to the surface of the object. In other words, the second tube region (212) may be formed to have a sufficient length to provide appropriate elasticity or be flexibly bent so that the first tube region (211) can move well along the first direction when the needle mover (220) moves downward.

[0052] At least one aligner (221, 222, 223) for aligning the movement direction of the needle mover (220) may be formed on one side of the needle mover (220). In addition, referring to FIG. 9, the guide portion (510) of the middle frame (500) may have a cylindrical shape, and guide grooves (511, 512, 513) formed along the inner surface thereof in a longitudinal direction, into which the aligners (221, 222, 223) of the needle mover (220) are inserted and moved.

[0053] In addition, referring to FIG. 10, a fixing member (521, 522) for fixing an aligner (221, 222) may be formed at the lower end of the guide groove (511, 512). Accordingly, the needle assembly (200) can be maintained in a fixed state as the aligner (221, 222) is moved to the lower side of the fixing member (521, 522) and then fixed by the fixing member (521, 522).

[0054] In detail, the needle mover (220) includes a first aligner (221) and a second aligner (222) arranged to face each other, and the guide portion (510) may be formed with a first guide groove (511) and a second guide groove (512) in which the first aligner (221) and the second aligner (222) move. In addition, the needle mover may include a first fixing portion (521) and a second fixing portion (522) formed to fix the first aligner (221) and the second aligner (222) to the ends of the first guide groove (511) and the second guide groove (512), respectively.

[0055] The first fixing part (521) and the second fixing part (522) are forced to move outward as the first aligner (221) and the second aligner (222) move downward, and when the first aligner (221) and the second aligner (222) pass through the first fixing part (521) and the second fixing part (522), the first fixing part (521) and the second fixing part (522) are moved back to their original positions, i.e., inward, so that the needle mover (220) can be fixed in a state where the needle (210) is inserted into the object without moving upward. At this time, the lower edges of the first aligner (221) and the second aligner (222) and the upper edges of the first fixing part (521) and the second fixing part (522) can be formed to be tapered.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 11, the needle mover (220) further includes a third aligner (223) formed on one side of the needle mover (220), and a conductor (610) of a predetermined area may be coupled to the lower side of the third aligner (223). At this time, the guide portion (510) may further include a third guide groove (513) formed along which the third aligner (223) moves, and a sensor circuit (600) that detects movement of the needle assembly (200) according to contact with the conductor (610) may be further included on the lower side of the third guide groove (513). For example, the upper side of the third aligner (223) may be formed to be flush with the upper surface of the body (224).

[0057] The drug injection device (10) can confirm that the needle assembly (200) is maintained in a fixed state when the conductor (610) of the third aligner (223) and the sensor circuit (600) are in contact, and accordingly, the pump module described below can be operated to supply the drug to the subject.

[0058] The drug injection device (10) may further include a drug storage unit (not indicated in the drawing) and a pump module (not indicated in the drawing).

[0059] The drug storage unit is placed within the housing (100) and stores a drug to be injected into the subject. The drug stored in the drug storage unit can be supplied to the needle assembly (200) by the pump module and delivered to the subject.

[0060] The pump module can draw in a drug from the drug storage compartment and discharge it through the discharge port. At this time, one end of a needle (210) constituting the needle assembly (200) can be connected to the discharge port. For example, the pump module can supply the drug from the drug storage compartment to the needle assembly (200) at preset intervals, thereby supplying the drug to the subject. In addition, the pump module may use, but is not limited to, an electroosmotic pump.

[0061] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0062] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0063] [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10: Patch-type drug injection device

[0065] 100: Housing

[0066] 110: Cover 112: Opening

[0067] 114: Blocking protrusion

[0068] 120: Contact surface 122: Needle outlet

[0069] 200: Needle assembly

[0070] 210: Needle

[0071] 211: First tube area 212: Second tube area

[0072] 213: Third tube area

[0073] 220: Needle Mover

[0074] 221: First sorter 222: Second sorter

[0075] 223: Third aligner 224: Body

[0076] 300: Needle Pusher

[0077] 310: Contact part 320: Groove

[0078] 400: Needle pusher fixing part

[0079] 500: Middle Frame

[0080] 510: Guide Department

[0081] 511: 1st Guide Home 512: 2nd Guide Home

[0082] 513: Third Guide Home

[0083] 521: First fixed part 522: Second fixed part

[0084] 600: Sensor circuit

[0085] 610: Conductor

[0086] 20: Applicator

[0087] 21: Push button 22: External force transmission unit

Claims

1. In a needle assembly for a drug injection device, A needle configured to deliver a drug and comprising a portion extending in a first direction; A needle mover comprising a body having a flat upper surface and a portion of the needle fixed to the body; and Including a guide part that guides the needle mover to move along the first direction, A needle assembly in which the needle mover moves along the first direction by an external force applied to the upper surface, thereby moving the tip of the needle along the first direction.

2. In paragraph 1, At least one aligner is formed on one side of the needle mover to align the movement direction of the needle mover, The above guide part has a cylindrical shape, and a guide groove formed along the inner surface thereof in a longitudinal direction so that the aligner of the needle mover is inserted and moved. A fixing part for fixing the aligner is formed at the lower end of the above guide home, A needle assembly in which the needle assembly is maintained in a fixed state as the alignment member is moved to the lower side of the fixing member and is fixed by the fixing member.

3. In paragraph 2, The above needle mover includes a first aligner and a second aligner arranged to face each other, The above guide part is formed with a first guide groove and a second guide groove through which the first aligner and the second aligner move, A needle assembly comprising a first fixing part and a second fixing part formed to fix the first aligner and the second aligner to the ends of the first guide groove and the second guide groove, respectively.

4. In paragraph 2, Further comprising a third aligner formed on one side of the needle mover, wherein a conductor of a predetermined area is combined on the lower side of the third aligner, The above guide part further forms a third guide groove through which the third aligner moves, A needle assembly further comprising a sensor circuit on the lower side of the third guide groove for detecting movement of the needle assembly according to contact with the conductor.

5. In paragraph 2, A first aligner and a second aligner are coupled to the lower part of the needle mover so as to face each other, and a third aligner is coupled to the upper part of the needle mover so as not to overlap the first aligner and the second aligner. The above guide part is formed with a first guide groove, a second guide groove, and a third guide groove through which the first aligner, the second aligner, and the third aligner move, A first fixing part and a second fixing part formed to fix the first aligner and the second aligner to the ends of the first guide groove and the second guide groove, respectively, are combined, A needle assembly, wherein a sensor circuit is arranged on the lower part of the third guide groove to detect movement of the needle assembly according to contact with the conductor.

6. In paragraph 2, The above needle mover A needle assembly, wherein the upper side of the third aligner is formed flush with the upper surface of the body.

7. In paragraph 1, The needle includes a first tube region extending in the first direction, a second tube region bent from the first tube region, and bent so as to be parallel to the surface of the object into which the needle is inserted, A needle assembly, wherein the bent portion of the first tube region and the second tube region is fixed to the inside of the body, and the needle is positioned below the upper surface of the body.

8. In paragraph 1, A needle assembly, wherein the above needle mover is formed by injection molding the body so that the needle is fixed at a preset position inside the needle mover.

9. In paragraph 1, The needle includes a first tube region extending in the first direction, a second tube region bent from the first tube region so as to be parallel to a surface of an object into which the needle is inserted, and a third tube region bent from the second tube region in a direction parallel to the first tube region. A needle assembly, wherein the second tube region is formed to extend a predetermined length along a plane parallel to the surface of the object.

10. In paragraph 9, A needle assembly, wherein the area where the first tube area is combined and the area where the third tube area is combined are arranged adjacent to each other within a predetermined distance range, and the second tube area is formed to be connected to the end of the third tube area after detouring from the end of the first tube area by a predetermined length along a plane horizontal to the surface of the object.

11. In a patch-type drug injection device, A housing including a cover portion and a contact surface; An opening formed in the central area of ​​the above cover portion; A needle discharge port formed on the contact surface so as to face the opening; A needle assembly moving from the above opening toward the needle outlet and A needle pusher is formed to be coupled to the inner surface of the cover portion and one side thereof faces the upper surface of the needle assembly, A patch-type drug injection device wherein the needle pusher is made of an elastic material, moves the needle assembly toward the outlet by an external force through the opening, and then returns to the original position by elasticity.

12. In paragraph 11, The above needle pusher Further comprising a contact portion formed protruding at a point corresponding to the above opening, A patch-type drug injection device, wherein the contact portion has a predetermined area to which the external force is applied.

13. In paragraph 11, It further includes a blocking projection formed by protruding from the inner surface of the cover part by a predetermined height along a circumference having a concentric relationship with the opening, A patch-type drug injection device, wherein the circumference of the needle pusher is tightly coupled to the blocking projection.

14. In paragraph 11 or 13, A patch-type drug injection device, which fixes the circumference of the needle pusher to the inner surface of the cover portion in a form that covers the circumference of the needle pusher, and further includes a needle pusher fixing portion in which a movement space of the needle assembly is formed.

15. In paragraph 14, Further comprising a middle frame fixed to the inside of the housing and having a guide portion formed therein to guide movement of the needle assembly, The upper side of the above middle frame supports the needle pusher fixing part, A patch-type drug injection device, wherein the movement space of the needle assembly formed in the needle pusher fixing portion and the upper surface of the guide portion are arranged to face each other.

16. In paragraph 15, The above needle assembly A needle including a region formed extending from the opening toward the outlet, and The needle is fixed and includes a needle mover that moves along the guide portion of the middle frame. A patch-type drug injection device, wherein at least one aligner for aligning the movement direction of the needle mover is formed on one side of the needle mover.

17. In paragraph 16, The guide part of the above middle frame is, It has a cylindrical shape, and a guide groove is formed along the inner surface in a longitudinal direction so that the alignment element of the needle mover is inserted and moved. At the end of the above guide home, a fixing part for fixing the aligner is formed, A patch-type drug injection device, wherein the needle assembly is maintained in a fixed state as the alignment member is moved to the lower side of the fixing member and then fixed by the fixing member.

18. In paragraph 17, The above needle mover includes a first aligner and a second aligner arranged to face each other, The above guide part is formed with a first guide groove and a second guide groove through which the first aligner and the second aligner move, A patch-type drug injection device comprising a first fixing part and a second fixing part formed to fix the first aligner and the second aligner to the ends of the first guide groove and the second guide groove, respectively.

19. In paragraph 17, Further comprising a third aligner formed on one side of the needle mover, wherein a conductor of a predetermined area is combined on the lower side of the third aligner, The above guide part further forms a third guide groove through which the third aligner moves, A patch-type drug injection device further comprising a sensor circuit on the lower side of the third guide groove that detects movement of the needle assembly according to contact with the conductor.

20. In paragraph 17, A first aligner and a second aligner are coupled to the lower part of the needle mover so as to face each other, and a third aligner is coupled to the upper part of the needle mover so as not to overlap the first aligner and the second aligner. The above guide part is formed with a first guide groove, a second guide groove, and a third guide groove through which the first aligner, the second aligner, and the third aligner move, A first fixing part and a second fixing part formed to fix the first aligner and the second aligner to the ends of the first guide groove and the second guide groove, respectively, are combined, A patch-type drug injection device, wherein a sensor circuit is arranged on the lower part of the third guide groove to detect movement of the needle assembly according to contact with the conductor.

21. In paragraph 11, A drug storage unit placed within the housing and It further includes a pump module that sucks the drug from the drug storage unit and discharges it through the discharge port, A patch-type drug injection device, wherein one end of a needle constituting the above needle assembly is coupled to the above discharge port.

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