A releasable connecting mechanism
Abstract
A releasable connecting mechanism for a syringe, said mechanism including: a piston having a head portion with one or more radially projecting pins, said head portion being rotatable with said pins about an axis along said piston; a plunger body having a recess formed within said body for receiving said head portion, said recess including one or more inwardly projecting flanges for guiding said pins to rotate said head portion relative to said body; wherein, when said head portion is inserted into said recess, said flanges rotate said head portion to a locking position where said body resists disengagement from said piston, and when said head portion is further inserted into said recess, said head portion is released from said locking position and rotates to a release position allowing said piston to disengage from said body.

Term
2 yearsto projected expiry
Projected expiry 17 September 2028, counted from filing; an application has no term until it is granted.
- Priority
- Filed
- Published
- Today
- Projected expiry
8 claims: 2 independent, 6 dependent
- 1Patent claims Zastrzeżenia patentowe 1. A syringe containing:1. Strzykawka zawierająca: cylinder (201) strzykawki, wyznaczający główną komorę (200);oraz tłoczek mający korpus (102) tłoczka, osadzony przesuwnie wewnątrz głównej komory (200) cylindra (201) strzykawki, znamienna tym, że wnęka (104) jest utworzona na ściance wewnętrznej (122) korpusu (102) tłoczka, przy czym wnęka (104) jest skonfigurowana do przyjmowania głowicy tłoczyska, oraz wnęka (104) zawiera jeden albo więcej wystających promieniowo do wewnątrz kołnierzy (120) na ściance wewnętrznej (122), a korpus (102) tłoczka ma górny element wklęsły (102a) wyznaczający pierwszą część wnęki (104) oraz pierwszą część jednego albo więcej wystających promieniowo do wewnątrz kołnierzy (120), oraz dolny element pierścieniowy (102b) wyznaczający drugą część wnęki (104) oraz drugą część jednego albo więcej wystających promieniowo do wewnątrz kołnierzy (120), przy czym każdy kołnierz spośród jednego albo więcej wystających promieniowo do wewnątrz kołnierzy (120) wyznacza krawędź kończącą się punktem wierzchołkowym (121), aby wyznaczyć tor prowadzący w kształcie zębów piły w celu prowadzenia ruchu obrotowego głowicy tłoczyska do wnęki (104), oraz tym, że górny element wklęsły (102a) oraz dolny element pierścieniowy (102b) tworzą ze sobą sprzęgnięcie blokujące. syringe barrel (201), designating the main chamber (200);and a piston having a piston body (102), mounted slidably inside the main chamber (200) of the syringe barrel (201), characterized by that the cavity (104) is formed on the inner wall (122) of the piston body (102), wherein the cavity (104) is configured to receive the piston rod head, and the cavity (104) includes one or more inwardly projecting flanges (120) on the inner wall (122), and the piston body (102) has an upper concave element (102a) defining a first portion of the cavity (104) and a first portion of one or more projecting radially inwardly of the flanges (120), and a bottom annular element (102b) defining a second portion of the cavity (104) and a second portion of one or more projecting radially inwardly of the flanges (120), each flange of one or more radially inwardly extending flanges (120) defines an edge terminating in an apex (121), to determine a guide track in the shape of saw teeth to guide the rotational movement of the piston rod head into the recess (104), and that that the upper concave element (102a) and the lower annular element (102b) form a locking engagement with each other.
- 88/16 8/16 EP 2 808 046 Β1 EP 2 808 046 Β1 Figura 19 Figura 20 Figure 19 Figure 20 110 110 Figura 22 Figure 22 76P41501PL00 76P41501PL00 EP 2 808 046 B1 EP 2 808 046 B1 Figura 24 Figure 24 Figura 25 Figure 25 76P41501PL00 76P41501PL00 10/16 10/16 ΕΡ 2 808 046 BI ΕΡ 2 808 046 BI Figura 26 Figure 26 Figura 27 Figure 27 Figura 28 Figure 28 76P41501PL00 76P41501PL00 11/16 11/16 ΕΡ 2 808 046 Β1 ΕΡ 2 808 046 Β1 Figura 30 Figure 30 Ωχ Ωχ Figura 31 Figure 31 76P415O1PL00 76P415O1PL00 12/16 12/16 EP 2 808 046 Β1 EP 2 808 046 Β1 Figura 32 Figure 32 3200 3200 76P41501PL0O 76P41501PL0O Figura 34 Figure 34 13/16 13/16 ΕΡ 2 808 046 Β1 ΕΡ 2 808 046 Β1 Figura 37 Figure 37 76P41501PL00 76P41501PL00 14/16 14/16 EP 2 808 046 Β1 EP 2 808 046 Β1 106 \ 106 \ Figura 41 Figure 41 4108 4108 76P41501PL00 76P41501PL00 15/16 15/16 ΕΡ 2 808 046 Β1 ΕΡ 2 808 046 Β1 76P41501PL00 76P41501PL00 16/16 16/16 EP 2 808 046 B1 EP 2 808 046 B1 Figura 50 Figure 50 76P41501PL00 76P41501PL00
Independent claims2
83 paragraphs in 1 section, as filed
[0001] The invention relates to a releasable connecting mechanism that can be used in a syringe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the present description, when a document, act or element of knowledge is cited or discussed, then this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or element of knowledge, or any combination thereof, was at the date of priority. publicly available, generally known, were part of general public knowledge or known to be appropriate in attempting to resolve any problem addressed herein.
[0003] In contrast pen injectors, replaceable syringes are used to deliver liquid contrast agent to the patient's body. Contrast agents move in the patient's blood vessels to allow the location of the blood vessels and any blockage in the vessels, detected by X-ray, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.
[0004] The syringe in this application consists of a movable element (plunger) which moves the contrast media, and a container (syringe barrel) that forms the body of the syringe assembly. Contrast agents are usually in liquid form. Contrast agents in the syringe may leak through the seal formed between the plunger and the syringe barrel. If the contrast medium is allowed to dry, it forms a hard solid deposit.
This can be a problem with automated injection systems, especially those that use interchangeable syringes. In such systems, the plunger in the syringe is detachably connected to a piston rod driven by a system that pushes the plunger along the syringe to inject the contrast agent to the patient. Any leakage of contrast medium behind the piston (such as during use or as a result of malfunctioning of the piston seal) may come into contact with the part connecting the piston with the piston rod. If we allow the contrast agent to dry, the piston can stick to the piston rod, which makes maintenance difficult and expensive. If the contrast media leaks into the connecting part of the piston before it joins the piston rod, the solid residue hinders the correct connection and operation of the piston rod and piston, especially if the connecting part contains a mechanism with moving parts, such as retractable locking pins.
[0005] Thus, it is desirable to solve one or more of the above problems, or at least to provide a useful alternative, preferably with a minimum of moving parts.
[0006] Document EP 0 308 380 A2 discloses a self-disposable, single-use subcutaneous syringe containing a barrel that includes a cannula at one end. The cylinder has a piston with a piston rod, and in connection with said piston or piston rod, frangible means are used to break after the first use of the syringe.
syringes
Injector [0007] Document US 4,677,980 A discloses an angiographic pen using an injection part which comprises a rotatable turret housing housing two angiographs in readiness for injection.
further includes a drive mechanism for connecting to the syringe plunger and for controlling its movement when the syringe is in the position for injection.
[0008] Document US 4,911,695 A discloses a piston having a generally tapered distal portion and a proximal face on which the coupling structure is mounted. The coupling structure is laterally coupled by the driven mechanism of the driven angiographic syringe and disconnected from it laterally, and after coupling, it cannot be disconnected by rotation of the drive mechanism relative to the piston in the absence of a transverse sliding movement of the drive mechanism and the piston relative to each other.
[0009] US 5,007,904 A discloses a similar piston having a generally tapered distal portion and a rear face on which the coupling structure is located. The coupling structure is transversely coupled by the driving mechanism of the driven angiographic syringe and disconnected from it laterally, and once coupled cannot be disconnected by rotating the driving mechanism with respect to each other.
[0010] Document US 2007/0219508 A1 discloses a plunger housing for use with a syringe, which housing includes a sealing portion adapted to form a seal with the syringe, and a central portion adapted to contact liquid within the syringe.
[0011] Document EP 1 166 807 A1 discloses a medical syringe, comprising a cylindrical syringe body and a plunger embedded in the syringe body, for injecting liquid medium contained in the syringe body from the syringe body into the human vascular system by moving the plunger relative to the syringe body . The piston contains a piston body and a flexible cover, mounted on the piston body from the front.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a syringe comprising:
syringe barrel designating the main chamber, and a piston having a piston body, mounted slidably inside the main chamber of the syringe barrel, in which the cavity is formed on the inner wall of the piston body, wherein the cavity is configured to receive a piston rod head, wherein the cavity includes one or more inwardly projecting flanges on the inner wall, the piston body has a concave upper element, defining the first part of the cavity and the first part of one or more projecting radially inwards flanges, and the bottom ring element, defining a second part of the cavity and a second part of one or more projecting radially inwards flanges, each flange of one or more protruding radially inwardly of the flanges defines an edge terminating at the apex, to determine the guide track, in the shape of a saw tooth, to rotate the piston rod head into the recess, and wherein the upper concave element and the lower annular element form a locking engagement with each other.
[0013] A releasable connection mechanism for the syringe is also provided, which mechanism comprises:
a piston rod having a head with one or more radially protruding pins, said head with said pins being rotatable about an axis along said piston rod;
a piston body having a cavity formed in said body for receiving said head, said cavity comprising one or more inwardly projecting flanges for guiding said pins to rotate said head relative to said body;
wherein, said when said head is inserted into the cavity, said flanges rotate said head to a locked position, where said body opposes detachment from said piston rod, and when said head is further inserted into said cavity, said head is released from said locked position, and rotates to the released position, allowing said piston rod to be detached from said body.
[0014] Also provided is a releasable connection mechanism for the syringe, said mechanism comprising:
a piston rod having a head with one or more outwardly projecting flanges, said head being rotatable with said flanges about an axis along said piston rod;
a piston body having a cavity formed within said body for receiving said head, and said cavity comprising one or more inwardly projecting pins, for rotating said head relative to said body;
wherein, when said head is inserted into said cavity, said pins rotate said head to a locked position, where said body opposes detachment from said piston rod, and when said head is further inserted into said cavity, said head is released from said locked position and pivots to the release position, allowing said piston rod to be detached from said body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] Representative embodiments of the present invention are described herein by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figures 1 to 3 are block diagrams of one embodiment of the connecting mechanism;
Figures 4 to 6 are schematic cross-sections of one embodiment of the connecting mechanism at various stages of operation;
Figures 7 to 10 are diagrams of the upper concave piston element;
Figures 11 to 18 are diagrams of the lower piston ring;
Figures 19 to 22 are diagrams of a rotary piston rod head;
Figures 23 to 34 are diagrams of another embodiment of the connecting mechanism at various stages of operation;
Figures 35 to 39 are diagrams of a rotary head;
Figures 40 and 41 are bottom views of the rotary head;
Figures 42 to 49 are different views of a representative embodiment of the head; and
Figures 50 to 58 are different views of a representative example of a plunger when assembled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0016] Figure 1 shows components 100 operating inside the main chamber 200 of the syringe barrel 201 (see Figure 4) which include the plunger body 102 and the piston rod 108 with the rotating head 106. A flexible cap 202 (see Figure 4), which is preferably made of flexible material such as rubber, is mounted on the plunger body 102 to form a seal with the internal surface 204 of the main chamber 200 of the syringe barrel 201. The main chamber 200 of the syringe barrel 201 stores liquid, such as contrast media. In use, the piston rod head 106 engages with the piston body 102 so that the piston body 102 can be pushed along the main chamber 200 through the piston rod 108 to inject any substance (e.g. contrast media) stored in the chamber 200. The connecting mechanism relates to the mechanical connection between two components (e.g., piston body 102 and piston rod head 106), which allows these components to be detached from each other.
[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the piston rod 108 has a head 106 with one or more radially projecting pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 (which are preferably radially and evenly spaced with each other as shown in Figure 21). The head 106 is rotatable with pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 around axis 124, along the length of the piston rod 108.
[0018] As shown in Figures 8 and 13, the piston body 102 has a cavity 104 formed within the body 102 for receiving the head 106. The cavity 104 includes one or more inwardly projecting flanges 120 on the inner wall 122, where the edges of the flanges 120 define a path to guide movement of pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 to rotate the head 106 relative to (and within) the body 102.
[0019] In a representative embodiment of the invention, the connecting mechanism comprises an odd number of pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118. In a representative embodiment of the invention, the connecting mechanism has a total of three pins. In another representative embodiment of the invention, the connecting mechanism has a total of five pins. The pins are preferably located on the head 106 or, in another representative embodiment, form part of the piston body 102.
[0020] Some of the benefits of using the odd number of pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 in the connecting mechanism (e.g. on the head) can be better understood from the examples shown in Figures 40 and 41. Figures 40 and 41, respectively, show top views of various heads 106 with five and four radially spaced pins 4000, 4002, 4004, 4006, 4008 and 4100, 4102, 4106, 4108. If the contrast agents were deposited on one or more pins 4000, 4002, 4004, 4006 and 4008 and allowed to dry or harden, the effective diameter of the pins 4000, 4002, 4004, 4006, and 4008, with embedded contrast agents, will increase and with greater they will likely interfere with the track's cross-section (defined by flanges 120) when the piston body 102 and head 106 engage.
[0021] As shown in Figure 41, the head 106 in a four-pin configuration has two natural rotation axes because each of the pins 4100, 4102, 4106 and 4108 has a corresponding opposing pin, which can be referred to as a pair of pins. Such natural axes occur in connecting mechanisms that have an even number of evenly spaced pins. In Figure 41, the head 106 normally moves upwards (i.e., extends from the drawing page toward the reader) and rotates counterclockwise to engage the piston body 102 (not shown in Figure 41). However, if a single pin from a pair of pins is coated with a contrast agent (e.g., pin 4100), then the pin coated with contrast agent will initially have some resistance against connecting the coated pin (and head 106) to the piston body 102.
This can cause torque around the E - E axis of a perpendicular pair of pins 4100 and 4102 through the center pivot 4104 of the entire bearing of the rotating piston rod connection (e.g. pin 4100 is pushed in the direction leading to the drawing page, which causes pin 4102 is pushed in the opposite direction leading from the drawing side). Other pins 4102, 4106 and 4108, which are not coated with a contrast agent, are correctly received in the appropriate paths (defined by the flanges 120) of the piston body 102. These pins 4102, 4106 and 4108 exert a torque that helps rotate the head 106 relative to the piston body 102. When the head 106 is rotated in this manner, the contrast agent-coated pin 4100 is forced to rotate along with the other pins 4102, 4106 and 4108, which push the contrast agent-coated pin 4100 into its respective path in the piston body 102. The edges of the flanges 120 that define the track help to push the contrast medium around the coated pin 4100. It can be seen that by using more pins 4110, 4102, 4106, and 4108 there are more places from which torque can be exerted to rotate the head 106.
[0022] Figure 40 relates to a head 106 with a five pin configuration that operates in this manner as the head 106 shown in Figure 41. The arrangement of pins 4000, 4002, 4004, 4006 and 4008 does not have a natural axis of rotation of the type described with reference to Figure 41. As a result, when a single stud 4000 is covered with a contrast agent, the opposite "pair" of studs 4002 or 4004 will try to decompose and dissipate the torque of that single stud 4000. Each pin of the head version 106 with five pins has at least one opposite "pair" of pins in a triangular formation. In the example shown in Figure 40, each stud 4000, 4002, 4004, 4006 and 4008 has two other opposing studs that rotate the stud, which helps to receive the stud into the track (defined by the flanges 120) in the piston body 102 in such circumstances, when the dowel is coated with a contrast agent.
[0023] The connecting surface of the connecting mechanism between the head 106 and the piston 102 usually requires that all pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 come together along the path defined by the flanges 120 (i.e. at the same time) to start coupling the piston body 102 with head 106. When the head 106 enters the piston 102, all pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 may contact the apex introducing points 121 (see Figures 13 and 16) simultaneously, thereby causing the piston 102 to push rather than rotate the head 106. This problem may occur regardless of the number of pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 on the head. However, usually the tops 121 of the flanges 120 on the piston 102 are quite small, and the diameters of the pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 are much larger than the dimensions of the tip 121. As a result, the probability of this problem can be reduced by ensuring that very tight tolerances (e.g., 0.05 mm) occur when positioning the apex points 121 to minimize the exact alignment of the center lines of pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 and leading vertex points 121.
[0024] In a representative embodiment of the invention, the entire head 106 is received by the cavity 104, so that the mutual arrangement with the flanges 120 a operates fully locking mechanical between the pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 inside the piston body 102. This closed mutual blocking system reduces the exposure of the flanges 120 and the pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 to substances stored inside the syringe barrel 201 (e.g. contrast agent) which may leak through the flexible cap 202. For example, the closed configuration minimizes the ability of the contrast agent to contact flanges 120 and pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118, which in turn reduce either the solid) contrast agent, or interfere with the mechanical interlocking system between the flanges
120 and pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 of the piston head 106 and 102. The closed dried reciprocal amount that can be blocked by the blocking body is further reinforced by a piston rod support element 224 which has a bearing surface 222 that rests flat against the collar 220 of the plunger body 102 to substantially prevent the flow of substance in the syringe (e.g., contrast agent) to space where pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 connect to flanges 120.
[0025] After releasing the piston rod 108 from the plunger body 102, the plunger body 102 preferably remains in the chamber 200 of the syringe barrel 201, so that the plunger body 102 can be removed together with the syringe barrel 201. The piston rod 108 may be a part of the pen that is not replaced after use with the syringe 201. In use, the substance in the chamber 200 of the syringe barrel 201 may leak beyond the cap 202. For example, any contrast media that leaks past the cap 202 when the syringe is removed may contact the pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 (or flanges 120) on the rotational head 106 of the piston rod 108 and leave a solid deposit on these parts (if allowed to dry). This deposit impedes the coupling or coupling of the head 106 with the plunger body 102 of another syringe barrel 201. The small size of pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 (or flanges 120) on head 106 also makes cleaning these parts difficult (e.g. by hand):
[0026] Body
102 the piston is made of a rigid material (such as polycarbonate or other mixed materials), and the cavity 104 is preferably shaped to fit snugly against the outwardly facing surface of the head 106. In the embodiments shown in the Figures
3 and 23-34, the head 106 has a smaller diameter than the piston body 102, such that the head 106 enters the cavity 104 of the piston body 102 from the rear. This configuration allows the piston body 102 to push away from the head 106 any dried contrast agent (or any other deposit) present on the head 106 when it enters the cavity 104. In a representative embodiment of the invention, the piston body 102 is shaped to allow removal (or cleaning) of solid deposits attached to the head 106 when the two parts move towards each other to connect with each other.
[0027] Figures 2 to 3 show the same element as in Figure 1 in different detachable connection configurations. In Figure 2, the piston body 102 and piston rod 108 are shown as they move towards each other to connect. In Figure 3, the piston body 102 engages with the head 106 and engages with the piston rod 108.
[0028] Figures 7 to 18 are drawings of different views of components of the piston body 102 according to a representative embodiment of the invention. The piston body 102 consists of an upper concave element 102a (as shown in Figures 7 to 10) which is placed on top of the lower annular element 102b (as shown in Figures 11 to 18).
[0029] Figure 7 is a side view of the upper element
102a. Figure 8 is a cross-section of the upper element
102a, along the section A-A in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a bottom view of the upper element 102a shown in
Figure 7. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the upper element 102a shown in Figure 7, where the dashed lines represent the edges inside the upper element 102a that are hidden from direct view. As shown in Figure 8, the upper element 102a is shaped to define part of the cavity 104, and also to define part of the inner wall 122 and flanges 120.
[0030] Figure 11 is a top view of the lower element 102b shown in Figure 12. Figure 12 is a side view of the bottom element 102b. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom member 102b along the section B-B in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a bottom view of the bottom element 102a shown in Figure 12. Figure 15 is another top view of the bottom element 102b shown in Figure 12, where the dashed lines represent the edges inside the bottom element 102b that are hidden from direct view. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the bottom element 102b shown in Figure 12. Figure 17 is another cross-sectional view of the bottom element 102b along the C-C section in Figure 15, where the dashed lines show the edges of the bottom element 102b that are not directly visible. Figure 18 is a more detailed view of detail D in Figure 17. As shown in Figure 13, the bottom member 102b is shaped to define a portion of the cavity 104 and also defines a portion of the inner wall 122 and flanges 120.
[0031] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lower portion of the upper retainer 102a 802, 804, more members 810 that are one or 806, 808 and evenly distributed radially to each other along the lower circumference of the upper member 102a. The retaining members 802, 804, 806, 808 and 810 enter into the reciprocally shaped retaining recesses 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1110 so that the upper element 102a can form a locking engagement with the lower element 102b to minimize the rotation of the upper and lower element 102a and 102b to each other. When the upper and lower elements 102a and 102b are coupled together, the flanges 120 on both of these elements 102a and 1023b join to form a shaped path (see Figure 38) to guide the movement of pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 (relative to the piston body 102 ) along the sawtooth-shaped track in one direction (e.g. as shown in Figure 39). In another representative embodiment of the invention, retaining members 802, 804, 806, 808 and 810 are formed on the bottom member 102b and the recesses 1102,
1104, 1106, 1108 and 1110 are formed on the upper element 102a.
[0032] Figures 19 to 22 are diagrams of rotary head 106 of piston rod 108. Head 106 is shaped to allow insertion (and preferably full insertion) into cavity 104 in piston body 102. As shown in Figure 20, the head 106 has a cavity 2000 for engaging with the end portion of the piston rod 108.
[0033] Figures 4 to 6 are schematic cross sections showing a representative embodiment of the connecting mechanism at various stages of operation. Figure 4 shows the head 106 fully embedded within the piston body 102, and the situation where the piston body 102 and the head 106 are in a fully engaged position (e.g., during injection). Figure 5 shows the position of pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 engaging with flanges 120 for filling. Figure 6 shows the head 106 completely disconnected from the piston body 102.
[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the flexible cap 202 is mounted on the outside of the upper and lower elements 102a and 102b. The rim 206 of the cap 202 is shaped to enter securely into the groove 208 (or recess) formed around the outer circumference of the piston body 102 (and preferably on the lower annular element 102b). The upper and lower elements 102a and 102b are held together by a cap 202 that clamps on the groove 208. In a representative embodiment, the upper and lower elements 102a and 102b are also glued or welded together.
[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the head 106 rotates around the supporting pin 218. Preferably, the supporting pin 218 is threaded at one end and is screwed into the end portion of the piston rod 108 and projects from it. Inside the cavity 2000 of the head 106, the head 106 is coupled to the bearing 210 and the bearing 210 is pivotally coupled to the support pin 218. This allows the head 106 to rotate freely around the support pin 218.
The bearing 210 is held in place by clamping elements 214 and 216 (e.g., snap rings (Seger rings) located above and below bearing 210. The bearing 210 forms a seal that minimizes the ingress of liquid (e.g. contrast medium) into the space between the head 106 and the supporting pin 218. This reduces the risk that the contrast media will be able to dry in the space between the head 106 and the supporting pin 218, which could cause mechanical binding between these parts 106 and 218.
[0036] When the head 106 is inserted into the cavity 104, the flanges 120 rotate the head 106 to the locking position, where the piston body 102 opposes detachment from the piston rod 108. When the head 106 is further inserted into the cavity 104 (from the locking position), the head 106 is released from the locking position and can rotate to the released position, which allows the piston rod 108 to disengage from the piston body 102.
[0037] Figures 42 to 49 are different views of a representative embodiment of the rotary head 106 of the piston rod 108. In particular, Figures 42 to 49 show respectively: front view, rear view, left view, right view, side view top, bottom view, top isomeric view, and bottom isomeric view of a representative embodiment of head 106.
[0038] Figures 50 to 58 are views of a representative embodiment of the piston 102 in its assembled state (that is, when the upper and lower elements 102a and 102b are held together or connected together). In particular, Figures 50 to 58 respectively show a front view, a left view, a right view, a rear view, a top view, a bottom view, a cross-section (along the cross-section AA of Figure 42), an upper isomeric view and a lower view isomeric view of a representative embodiment of the piston 102. Figure 56 shows a representative flange configuration for the embodiment shown in Figures from to 6.
In the locked position, the flanges 120 are shaped to receive pins 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 of the head 106 so as to prevent the head 106 from separating from the piston 102 when the piston rod 108 moves rearward from the piston 102.
[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the cavity 104 includes a flange 220 and the piston rod 108 includes a bearing surface
222 for engaging with flange 220. The bearing surface 222 is preferably shaped to deposit flat on the flange 220 when the head 106 is fully seated in the cavity 104. The flange 220 and bearing surface 222 provide a larger surface area on which the piston can exert a force to push the plunger body 102 along the main chamber 200 of the syringe. The bearing surface 222 is part of the supporting element 224. Support element 224 may be located behind head 106. Preferably, the support element 224 places the bearing surface 222 at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 124.
[0041] The support element 224 may include a sensor 226 for detecting coupling and releasing the head 106 from the piston body 102. The sensor 226 may be a light sensor, or alternatively the sensor 226 may be a combined transmitter and infrared receiver. Piston rod 108 includes hollow parts 228 that allow electrical and signaling wires to connect to and from sensor 226 to the control computer (not shown). The control computer receives signals from the sensor
226, indicating whether the piston body 102 is engaged or released (or separated) from the head 106 and piston
102.
[0042] In a representative embodiment of the invention, the sensor 226 operates in conjunction with the outer wall 230 (or periphery) of the piston body 102. Referring to the example shown in Figure 6, the sensor 226 can detect the state when the head 106 is separated from the piston body 102, for example by not detecting any reflected infrared signal generated by the radiating element of the sensor 226. Consequently, the sensor does not send a signal to the control computer, thus indicating that the piston body 102 and the head 106 are currently separated from each other. When the piston rod head 106 enters the piston body 102, the outer wall 230 reflects at least a portion of the infrared signal generated by the sensor 226 back towards the sensor element 226.
of the above, sensor 226 generates a control signal, thus indicating that piston body 102 and head 106 are connected to each other.
As a result to the computer [0043] The ability to detect whether the piston body 102 is coupled to the head 106 may be important in some applications. For example, when the plunger body 102 is coupled to the head 106, it is undesirable to work the plunger in the pull out direction, which may cause the syringe to draw out body fluid from the patient connected to the syringe. The sensor 116 also allows the control computer to control the lateral movement and the force exerted by the piston rod 108 and the head 106, such as to engage or disengage the piston body 102 (with a slight forward and backward movement) or to exert greater force to push the body 102 plunger along the syringe to inject the patient.
[0044] The outer wall 230 of the plunger body 102 is located near the inner wall 204 of the syringe. The outer wall 230 has a sufficiently long length to minimize curvature (e.g., lateral rotation) of the plunger body 102 relative to the inner wall 204 of the syringe 201 (e.g., when pushed along the syringe).
[0045] Figures 23 to 34 are diagrams of other representative embodiments of the connecting mechanism at various stages of operation. Figures 35 to 39 are diagrams of a rotary head for this embodiment of the invention.
[0046] In the embodiment shown in Figures 23 to 39, the releasable connecting mechanism comprises a piston rod 108 having a head 106 with one or more outwardly projecting flanges 3600. The head 106 is rotatable with 3600 flanges around an axis along the piston rod 108. The piston body 102 has a cavity 104 formed inside the piston body 102 for receiving the head 106, the cavity 104 comprising one or more inwardly projecting pins 2300 to rotate the head 106 relative to the piston body 102. In addition, when the head is inserted into the cavity 104, the pins 2300 rotate the head 106 to the locking position 3000 (see Figure 30), where the piston body 102 opposes detachment from the piston rod 108. Also, when the head 106 is further inserted into the cavity 104, the head 106 is released from the locking position 3000 and can rotate to the release position 3200 (see Figure 32), allowing the piston rod 108 to disengage from the piston body 102.
[0047] The word "comprising" and the forms of the word "containing" as used in this specification and claims do not limit the claimed invention by excluding any variants or additions.
[0048] Modifications and improvements of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.
Imaxeon Pty Ltd
Proxy:
EP 2 808 046 B1
16 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12 Sheet 13 Sheet 14 Sheet 15 Sheet 16
27 members in 15 offices
Priority claims8
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007905184 | Australia | A | |
| 08800008 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A | |
| 14182680 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A | |
| 141826800 | – | – | – |
| 2007905184 | – | – | – |
| AU20070905184 | – | – | – |
| EP20080800008 | – | – | – |
| EP20140182680 | – | – | – |
Members27
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2008301215A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| WO2009036496A2 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A2 | |
| WO2009036496A3 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A3 | |
| EP2200679A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| CN101801442A | China | A | |
| JP2010538771A | Japan | A | |
| EP2200679A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| JP5420546B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| EP2808046A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| AU2008301215B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| CN104353159A | China | A | |
| EP2808046A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| CN104353159B | China | B | |
| EP2808046B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| PT2808046T | Portugal | T | |
| DK2808046T3 | Denmark | T3 | |
| LT2808046T | Lithuania | T | |
| HRP20171886T1 | Croatia | T1 | |
| SI2808046T1 | Slovenia | T1 | |
| ES2652537T3 | Spain | T3 | |
| PL2808046T3This record | Poland | T3 | |
| CY1119668T1 | Cyprus | T1 | |
| NO2808046T3 | Norway | T3 | |
| EP2200679B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| HUE035646T2 | Hungary | T2 | |
| HRP20181161T1 | Croatia | T1 | |
| PL2200679T3 | Poland | T3 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2808046
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2808046
- Publication, EPODOC
- PL2808046T
- Application
- 14182680
- Application, DOCDB
- 14182680
- Application, EPODOC
- PL19800141826T
Titles2
- English
- A RELEASABLE CONNECTING MECHANISM
- Polish
- Rozłączny mechanizm łączący
Classification
- CPC, 2
- A61M5/31515
- A61M5/20
- IPC, 3
- A61M5 31
- A61M5 20
- A61M5 315