A MULTI-NEEDLE PLATE UNIT WITH POINT-SAVING CASE FOR MESOTHERAPEUTICAL USE

Abstract: The invention refers to a particular plate unit (10, 10a) which, carried out in plastic material so as to be disposable, in supplied fitted with needles (15) firmly fixed to the nozzles (14, 14a) and shielded, in their whole, by a suitable case (20, 20a; 30, 30a; ... 80, 80a) in plastic material; the case (80) is applied to the plate (10) before the sterilization treatment and is to be removed only at the moment the injection is required.

Description: "A MULTI-NEEDLE PLATE UNIT Wn POINT-SAVING CASE FOR MEEOTEERAFEUTICAL USE" The present invention-refers to articles for mesotherapeutical use. "Mesotherapy in-this context means a therapeutical method ¯which consists in a localized intradennal injection of very small quantities of pharmaceutical products; the injections are given in the derm or in the superficial hypoderm. In mesotherapeutical treatments, to better distribute the medical mixtures in the derm thickness, multiple intradernal injections are carried out by using suitable multi-needle heads or plates shaped, in number and placing of the injecting nozzles, according to the specific treatment for which the plate is meant. Once, the only plates available on the market were the metal ones the high cost of which made their repeated use necessary in spite of the danger of the inevitable accumulation of residual substances in their non-inspectable inner parts. Presently, instead, disposable plates in plastic material are available, some of which present, inside, suitable devices meant to make the flow of all the nozzles uniform so as to have a more hanogeneous distribution of the medicament in the treated area. The use of any known metal or plastic plate presuppose the insertion of the needles on the plate nozzles extending from the side opposite to the one of the collar for insertion of the syringe. Each injection needle comprises at one end a tiny pointed tube and to the other end a plastic cup integral therewith by pressure coupling to a nozzle. Each needle is placed in a shielding case and further protected in a single envelope. Considering that each plate for mesotherapy is planned to receive an average of seven needles, -t can be easily understood how the applying of the needles to a plate can be a long and laborious task. The aim of the present invention is to obviate to this drawback. A further aim is the hygiene of needles and plate and their protection from shocks To reach these aims the subject of this invention is a single-use or disposable plastic plate for mesotherapy characterized for comprising needles firmly fixed to the nozzles of the plate, according to what stated at Claim 1. The disposable plate thus carried out, according to the present invention, is equipped with a point-saving case in plastic material, which can be removed. According to the claims, various embodiments of point-saving cases are provided. The new plate has the advantage to considerably reduce the preparation time for the mesotherapeutical treatment, and hence the costs, and to improve the hygienical conditions. The case, applied before the sterilization treatment, will be removed at the moment of the injection that is after the fixing of the syringe and the expulsion of the air; operatior.s which thanks to the mentioned case can be carried out safely because of the impossibility of contamination of the needles from the outsize. Some of the actually preferred embodiments of the invention are de-- scribed more in detail with - reference to the enclosed drawings where Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of a disposable circular plate, according to the present invention, without the protective case; Fig. 2 is a front view of the plate of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the plate of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of a disposable linear plate, without the protective case; Fig. 5 is a front view of the plate of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the plate of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a right side view of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of a first type of case for circular plate; Fig. 9 is a vertical section according to 9-9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the case of Figures 8 and 9; ; Fig. ll is a bottom plan view of a type of case similar to the one of Figures 8-10, but for rectangular plates; Fig. 12 is a side partly sectional view of the case of Fig. ll; Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the case of Figures 1l and 12; Fig. 14 is a sectional view from 14-14 in Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of another type of case, for circular plates; Fig. 16 illustrates, partly in side view, partly in vertical section, the case of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the case of Figures 15 and 16; Fig. 18 is a broken-off front view of a further embodiment of the case according to the present invention; Fig. 19 is a broken-off top view of the case of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is a section according to 20-20 of Fig. 18; Fig. 21 is a broken-off top plan view of a further case; ; Fig. 22 is a left side view of Fig. 21, partly broken-off; Fig. 23 is a vertical section according to 23-23 of Fig. 21; Fig. 24 is a bottom plan view of a further embodiment of the case; Fig. 25 is a vertical section according to 25-25 of Fig. 24; Fig. 26 is a top plan view of the case of Figures 24 and 25; Fig. 27 is a bottom view of another case enibodment, for linear plates; Fig. 28 illustrates, partly in front view, partly in vertical section, the case of Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is a plan view of the case of Figures 27 and 28; Fig. 30 is a bottom plan view of another type of case for circular plates; Fig. 31 is a vertical section according to 31-31 of Fig. 30 Fig. 32 is a top view of the case of Figures 30 and 31; Fig. 33 is a bottom plan view of a case similar to the one of Fig. 30-32, but for linear plates; Fig. 34 illustrates, partly in front view, partly in vertical section, the case of Fig. 33; Fig. 35 is a top view of the case of Fig. 34; Fig. 36 is a vertical section according to 36-36 of Fig. 34; Fig. 37 is a bottom plan view of another type of case, for circular plates; Fig. 38 is a vertical section according to 38-38 of Fig. 37; Fig. 39 is a pan view of the case of Figures 37 and 38; Fig. 40 is a bottom plan view of a type of case similar to the one of Figures 37-39, but for rectangular plates; Fig. 41 illustrates, partly in side view, partly in vertical section the case of Fig. 40; Fig. 42 is a plan view of the case of Figures 40 and 41; Fig. 43 is a vertical section according to 43-43 of Fig. 41; Fig. 44 is a top plan view of a partly open further type of case for circular plates; ; Fig. 45 is a vertical section according to 45-45 of Fig. 44; Fig. 46 illustrates, partly in side view, partly in vertical section, the case of Fig. 45; Fig. 47 is a top plan view of a case similar to the one of Fig.44-46, but for rectangular plates; Fig. 48 illustrates, partly in front view and partly in vertical section the case of Fig. 47; Fig. 49 is a vertical section according to 49-49 of Fig. 48; Fig. 50 is a bottom plan view of a further case embodiment; Fig. 51 illustrates, partly in front view, partly in vertical section, according to 51-51, the case of Fig. 50; Fig. 52 is a plan view of the case of Figures 50 and 51; Fig. 53 is a bottom plan view of a further case embodiment, for linear plates; Fig. 54 illustrates, partly in front view and partly in vertical section, the case of Fig. 53; ; Fig. 55 is a plan view of the case of Figures 53 and 54. With reference to figures 1 to 7, they illustrate two different shapes of multi-needle plate unit for mesotherapeutical use, according to the invention. Unit 10 of figures 1 to 3 has a substantially circular shape in plan view. It comprises a body 12 integral with collar 13 placed on the upper part in Fig. 2 and with seven nozzles 14 placed on the bottom part. The collar, which is internally hollow as shown at 13', is used as an attachment for a traditional syringe (not shown). The body 12 of the plate, in a per se known manner, is hollow inside or provided with passages 12' which communicate with internal passages or channels 14' of the nozzles 14 and the internal channel of collar 13, to allow a fluid flow from the latter to the nozzles. The plate, complete of collar and nozzles, is made of plastic material. According to the invention, with each frusto-conical nozzle 14 is integral a needle element 15 which comprises an end-pointed tiny metal tube 16 and a metal sleeve 18 integral with it. Each needle element, or better each sleeve 18, is made integral with the internal passage of the relative nozzle 14 by means of a techno logy known in itself, such for instance the use of glues or adhesives or by moulding the plate directly on the needle elements arranged in a mould. The unit 10 forms thus a unique body, ready for use, and meant to be disposed of after usage. The plan shape of the plate can be of any type and the number of nozzles and needles can also vary. For example, in figures 4 to 7, a unit 10a of rectangular shape, comprising seven needles in a line, is shown. In said drawings, the same reference numbers of Fig. 1 to 3 have been used to indicate similar elements, but with the addition of the 'a' letter. As it appears, also unit 10a forms a whole comprising a plate made up of a body 12a, a collar 13a with a passage 13'a and nozzles 14a with passages 14'a and needle elements 15a. A case for h-ienical protection and safety of the needles of the unit is also within the scope of this invention. This case has a cup or basin form with an edge shaped to abut against the body 12 of the plate which is thus shielded only in the part carrying the needle elements. The case is generally made of transparent plastic material so as to allow a vrlsual control of the needles particularly during expùl- sion of the air. The case can be of various shapes, some of which will be described hereafter with reference to the drawings. Case 20 of figures 8 to 10, for circular plates, presents a cup-like part 21 with shaped rim 22 for abutment against the body 12 of a plate 10 and two parallel linear borders or holds 23 where, after insertion of the plate, a couple of elastic band elements 24 fitted with hooks 25 and gripping tabs 26, in a single piece, are hooked to; the subsequent removal of the elements 24 is facilitated by the gripping tabs 26 which when manually pushed towards each other, in the #direction of the arrows, cause the disengaggment of hooks 25 from the holds 23 below. Figures 11 to 14 show a case 20a similar to 20, but carried out for linear plates. Case 20a comprises a basin part 21a with edge 22a for abutment against body 21a, rectilinear borders 23a and elastic band elements 24a, fitted with hooks 25a and gripping tabs 26a. The elastic elements are disengaged by pushing the tabs according to the arrows of Fig. 14, as explained for case 20. Figures 15, 16 and 17 illustrate a case 30 for circular plates comprising a cup-like part 31 with rim 32 for abutment against a plate, for example 10, vertical borders 33 provided with horizontal grooves 34 and a flexible fork 35 with tabs 36, generally in number of four. Fork 35, by engaging tabs 36 in grooves 34, locks the case over a plate (not shown). To open the case is sufficient to press the two arms of the fork in the direction of the arrows thus disengaging the tabs from the grooves. Figures 18, 19 and 20 show a case 30a, similar to 30 but carried out for linear plates. The case 30a comprises a tray or basin part 31a with edge 32 for abutment against a plate l0a, vertical borders 33a provided with horizontal grooves 34a, and flexible forks 35a with opposing tabs 36a, clicked into the grooves. The forks 35a hold the case over the plate. For disengagement, tabs 36a are pressed towards each other in the direction of the arrows. Figures 21, 22 and 23 show a case 30b, similar to 30a, for linear plates, hold by flexible forks 35b, in this case placed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the case and hooked by means of tabs 36b in suitable holds 33b which jut out from the border of said case. In this case as well the forks are disengaged with a movement accord ing to the arrows, releasing the case. Figures 24, 25 and 26 show a further example of case, indicated by 40, for circular plate. The case 40 comprises a cup-like part 41 with rim 42 shaped like the part of the plate on which it abuts and a vertical border 43 forming two stretches of arc-shaped tails 44 partly covered in 43'. A fixing element is indicated by 45 and comprises a bridging plate 46, and opposing arched tabs 47 which slip inside the holes formed by rims 43, 43'. A housing 48 in the bridging plate receives the upper part of the collar of pate 10 when the case is fitted over it. To remove the case, it Is sufficient to rotate the fixing element 45 around said collar until abs 47 slip out from the holes provided in the upper rim 43 of the case. Figures 27, 28 and 29 show a case 40a similar to case 40 of Fig. 24 to 26, but carried out for linear plates. Case 40a comprises a cup: or basin part 41a, an edge 42a from which eyelets 43a extend so to engage a bridging fixing element 45a fitted with tabs 47a. The disengagement of element 45 is obtained by rotating around the axis of the collar 13a of a plate lOa, in the direction of the arrows of Fig. 29. Figures 30, 31 and 32 show a further case embodiment, indicated by 50, for circular plates 10. Case 50 comprises as usual a basin part 51 to lodge and protect needles and nozzles of the plate; a rim 52 for abutment of the plate and four radial extensions ending in a hook 53, placed crosswise. The case is kept to the plate by means of two elastic bands 54 and can be easily removed by removing the bands. Figures 33 to 36 show a case 50a similar to 50 but for linear plates. The case 50a comprises a basin part 51a of rectangular shape, with edge 52a. In this case the opposing hooks 53a are placed on the longer sides of the rectangle and linked two by two by means of elastic bands 54a. Figures 37, 38 and 39 show a further case embodiment for circular plates, indicated by 60. It comprises a basin part 61 to lodge the needles and nozzles of the plate, with abutting rim 62 from which resilient hooks or teeth 63 protrude, defined on the sides by slits; the temporary resilient yielding of the teeth allow them to automatically grip the external rim of the plate, pressed on insertion. To free the plate it is sufficient to spread apart the resilient teeth. Figures 40 to 43 show a case 60a for linear plates, similar to case 60; it comprises a basin 61 with edge 62. The resilient teeth 63a protruding from the edge are placed two by two along the longitudinalsides. Figures 44, 45 and 46 show a further case emdment, indicated by 70, for circular plates. The case comprises a basin part 71 with rim 72, an enlarged part 73 to which two flexible possibly ribbed strips 74 are integral with, fitted at the end with tooth 75 which engages in eyelet 76. It should be noted that all the cases described for circular plates leave the plate free on two opposite edging borders to allow gripping for connection by rotation to a syringe. Figures 47, 48 and 49 show the version of case 70 for linear plates. The rectangular case is indicated by 70a; number 71a indicates the basin and 72a the rim. From the longer sides, two flexible, possibly ribbed, strips 74a extend, the end of which engages in eyelets 76a. Finally figures 50, 51 and 52 show a case 80 for circular plate. Case 80 presents a basin part 81 with abutting rim 82, an enlarged part 83 and is fixed by two strips 84 of a material suitable for gluing or welding, on the horizontal surfaces of the case enlarged part. Fig. 51 show a plate 10 lodged in the case. Figures 53, 54 and 55 show a case for a linear plate; fig. 54 show a disposable linear plate lodged in it. The case comprises a basin part 81a with an edge 82, an enlarged part 83a and it is fixed, like for the previous embodiment, by two strips 84a made of a material suitable to be glued or welded to the edge of the case. In conclusion of what has been explained, attention should be drawn to the fact that both the disposable plates and the relating poLnt- saving cases, still without leaving the field of the requested patent, are susceptible of formal and substantial modifications determined by work necessities or, more simply, by the number and the placing of the injecting needles required.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A multi-needle plate unit for mesotherapeutical use, characterized in that it comprises a body (12, 12a), a collar (13, 13a) for attachment to a syringe, extended from the body; a plurality of nozzles (14, l4a) extending from the body, from the opposite side of the collar; a needle element (15, 15a) integral with each nozzle. 2. A unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the body, the collar and the nozzles are in plastic material. 3. A unit according to claim 1, each needle element comprising a tiny pointed tube, characterized in that each tube is made integral with the relative nozzle. 4. A unit according to claim 1, each needle element comprising a tiny pointed needle and an integral metallic sleeve, characterized in that each sleeve (18, 18a) is made integral to the relative nozzle. 5. A unit according to claim 1, characterized in that each 4. needle element (15, 15a) is made integral with the relative nozzle (14, 14a) during the moulding of the plate. 6. A unit according to claim 1, characterized in that each needle element (15, 15a) is made integral with the relative nozzle (14, 14a) by means of adhesives. 7. A unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a case in plastic material (20, 20a; 30, 3ova; ... 80, 80a), composed by a #up or basin part (21, 21a .... 81, 81a) to lodge the needles, an edging part (22, 22a ... 82, 82a) for abutment against the plate, and removable holding elements to keep the case on the plate. 8. A unit according to claim 7, for circular plate, characterized in that the plate fitted lith the case presents two opposite sides clear of the case, so that the plate can be gripped between two fingers and in two diametrically opposite positions during insertion of the syringe. 9. A unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the case (20, 20a) has jutting edges (23, 23a) and the holding elements are formed by elements (24, 24a in a relatively resilient material, fitted with hooks (25, 25a) apt to be engaged on said jutting edges and with gripping tabs (26, 26a). 10. A unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the case (30, 30a) presents an edge axially extended, fitted with slits or grooves (34, 34a, 34b) and the holding elements comprise a resi lient fork (35, 35a, 35b) with tabs (36, 36a, 36b) which engage ,4 in the grooves. 11. A unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the case comprises an edge (43, 43a) with eyelets (43?, 43#a) and the holding element (40, 40a) is formed by arched tabs (47, 47a) and a lodging (48, 48a) apt to receive the collar of a plate and so rotate around it. 12. A unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the case (50, 50a) has opposing hooking parts (52, 52a) protruding from the edge and the holding elements are elastic bands (54, 54a). 13. A unit according to claim 7, characterized in tyat the case (60, 60a) comprises resilient teeth (63, 63a) protruding from the edge, which engage in the plate. 14. A unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the case comprises two flexible strips (74, 74a) each strip extending from the case upper edge and having a hooking tooth (75, 75a), and eyelets (76, 76a) on the opposite edge. 15. A unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the holding elements are formed by strips (84, 84a) of material glued or at any rate made adhesive to a surface integral with the basin of the case.

Inventors: ALUIGI, MARIO, MOSCONI, PAOLO, RICCIOTTI, PIER CARLO
Applicants: ALUIGI, MARIO, MOSCONI, PAOLO, RICCIOTTI, PIER CARLO
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A61M5
IPC codes: A61M37, A61M5