Abstract:
A portable medicament dispensing device having a mechanism which is not susceptible in jamming for dispensing the medication to a user. The device employs employs a coupling for coupling the relative motion between reciprocating body members housing the ancillary components and a barrel plunger associated with the syringe. One embodiment provides a pivoting coupling whereas an alternate uses a rack and pinion system. The advantage of simplifying such mechanisms results in a structure which has smooth unemcumbered motion with fewer parts to avoid mechanical jamming during use.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/319,216 filed Nov. 7, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a medicament dispenser and more particularly, the present invention relates to a structure for dispensing a medicament where the structure has a mechanical coupling member to substantially reduce jamming of the components normally attributable to such devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Single use single dose medicament delivery devices are widely known and are generally used to dispense medicaments such as epinephrine in an urgent manner to a user, the so called “epi pen” is a typical example of such arrangements. One of the significant disadvantages inherent with these devices relates to jamming. The existing devices often employ spring configurations for movement of key parts such as the needle as well as the barrel which assists in delivery of the medicament to the needle. in the scenario where a jam has occurred, the result can he fatal if the user cannot repair the device to function properly. in some instances, repair is impossible given urgent time constraints and the user is forced to dismantle or destroy the structure in order to gain access to the medication. 
         [0004]    The above is possible where the user is not a child or a user otherwise not capable of achieving access. To address the limitations in the art, a variety of solutions have been advanced in the art. An example is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,507, issued Oct. 26, 2004, to Roser. In the arrangement discussed in this patent, a telescopic member is provided and a spring surrounds the needle. The arrangement is useful, however, there is still a possibility that the spring could be defective or otherwise fail, thus complicating delivery. 
         [0005]    Botich et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,713, issued Mar. 21, 2000, teach a pre-filled retractable needle device. The device, as is common with most arrangements, includes reciprocating body members, springs, etc. in this instance the device has a number of movable parts which elevates the possibility for jamming or failure. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,301, issued to Smith et al., Jun. 25, 2005, teach a disposable safety syringe with a vacuum system to withdraw the needle into the body after use. There is no provision for a mechanical linkage for quick delivery of the medicament. 
         [0007]    Given the extent of development in the prior art, there exists a need for an improved medicament dispenser which is efficient and reliable while maintaining a lower profile than those devices currently available. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides a significantly improved arrangement which is devoid of the structural limitations inherent with the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    One object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved medicament dispensing device. 
         [0010]    A further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an automatic injection device for dispensing a medicament, said device having a needle connected to a barrel adapted to retain medicament and a plunger within said barrel. The device comprises an outside first body member and a second body member coaxially mounted for reciprocal movement within said outside first body member, said outside body member housing said needle, said barrel and said plunger; a first rack and a second rack housed within said outside first body member; a third rack connected to said plunger; and pinion means mounted within said outside first body member and between said first rack and said third rack and between said second rack and said third rack, said second body member including a needle cover biased to cover said needle and movable to expose said needle in use and to move said first rack and said second rack for urging said plunger into said barrel to dispense said medicament. 
         [0011]    Another object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method for dispensing a medicament from a device having a needle, connected to a barrel adapted to retain medicament and a plunger within the barrel, said device having a first body member and a second body member mounted thereon for reciprocal movement comprising the steps of providing a cover means for covering a tip of the needle; positioning the device in contact adjacent a user&#39;s skin; urging the device against the user to expose, in a first stage, the needle through the cover means; continuing to move the cover means to activate reciprocal movement of the plunger where the needle penetrates a user&#39;s skin and the medicament is forced by the plunger movement through said barrel and the needle to deliver the medicament to the user. 
         [0012]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the arrangement according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a cross section of  FIG. 1  with the arrangement shown in the ready to use state; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3 through 6  are cross sections of the device sequentially illustrating the components positions as the device is advance through a pre-use position through to use and withdrawal; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a cross section of an alternate embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the device shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a longitudinal cross section of the device before use; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a longitudinal cross section of the device in a use position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a longitudinal cross section of the device in a post use position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a longitudinal cross section of yet another embodiment of the present invention before use; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 14  illustrating the position of the components at a second stage; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a view of the device in a fully retracted position in use; 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a view of the device subsequent to use; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a view of the device with components removed to illustrate a spring member. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    Similar numerals used in the drawings denote similar elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention. The overall arrangement is denoted by numeral  10 . The arrangement provides an exterior body, shown in the example in two sections  12  and  14 . Section  12  provides an opening  16  to allow a user visibility of the interior to determine that the device has been discharged. This will be discussed in greater detail herein after. 
         [0030]    Turning to the major components of the device, a second body member  18  is configured for reception and slidable movement with the exterior body supra. Member  18  has a mounting  20  with as shown in the example, projections  22  configured for fixed location in seating  24  in body members  12  and  14 . A drive member  26  is rotatably connected to mounting  20  and at one end thereof has a pivotally connected use indicator member  28  at pivot point  30  for indicating when the unit is used. The opposed end of member  26  pivotally connects coupling member  32  at pivot point  34 . Member  32 , at the opposed end thereof has a pivotal connection  36 , The connection at  36  is with a barrel plunger  38  received within barrel  40 . Barrel  40  terminates in needle hilt  42  which, in turn, receives needle  44 . As is illustrated, the barrel  40  retains a predetermined amount of medicament forwardly of plunger  38 . 
         [0031]    In order to provide protection and sterility to the device  10 , the same includes a cover  46  The same is configured to always extend outwardly sufficiently to completely cover the tip of the needle. In this manner, springs  48  or other resilient means urge cover member  50  outwardly of a terminal end  52  of body  18 . The cover member  50  also provides a foam cap  54  or other resilient material which protects the tip of the needle  44 . This also assists in preventing spillage from the tip. As a further precaution and for adding durability and aesthetic appeal, a secondary cap  56  is frictionally retained by body members  12  and  14  at perimeter lip  58 . 
         [0032]    In order to bias the needle  44  in the position shown in  FIG. 2 , the storage or standby position, springs  59  are provided extending between mount  20  and spring retainers  62 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the springs in a compressed state. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , shown are the various dispositions of the elements from a pre-injection position ( FIG. 1 ) to a post injection position ( FIG. 6 ). 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  depicts the position of the elements in a relaxed, pre-injection state where the cover  50  is spaced from the user, U. in  FIG. 3 , first stage contact is made with the user, U. The cover  50  is forced backwardly toward terminal end.  52 , the springs  48  are compressed and the needle tip penetrates the foam cap  54  through to the skin of the user, U. in order to administer the medicament, the body formed by members  12  and  14  is urged forward to the position shown in  FIG. 5 . This movement results in the pivotal movement of coupling  32  by the motion. of drive member  26 . The coupling member  32  movement, in turn, by the pivotal connection, urges plunger  38  forward to discharge the medicament contained within barrel  40 . 
         [0035]    As will be realized from a review of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , once injection has been completed, indicator  28  extends rearwardly within the body to be visible within opening  16 . This is indicative that the unit is used. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates the disposition of the components subsequent to an injection. 
         [0037]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , shown is a longitudinal cross section of an alternate embodiment of the device, hi this embodiment, the drive member is a toothed pinion  60 , rotatably mounted to mount  20 . Cooperating with pinion  60  is a pair of opposed toothed racks  62  and  64 , Pinion  60  is received by racks  63  and  64  in the same manner as a rack and pinion system used in an abundance of mechanical systems. In the embodiment shown, rack  63  is integral with body member  18 , while rack  64  is integral with plunger  38 . Relative movement between the first body member and the second is the same as that discussed supra with respect to the first embodiment. As is evinced in the Figure, rack  63  is disposed in advance of rack  64 . This staggered relationship allows for free movement of the outer body (members  12  and  14 ) to advance plunger  38 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the device where an aperture  66  within the body is adapted to receive an elongate length  68 , such as a lanyard, a hook  70 , a clasp  72 , a ring  74 , etc. to allow for easier portability. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , shown is a further embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state. The embodiment shown is generally similar to the embodiment that has been previously discussed, with this arrangement further including a top grip member  74  which, in the example, comprises a rubber material with a plurality of raised sections  76 , which raised section  76  are in spaced relation to provide, for example, a thumb rest for actuating the device. The material of which the top grip  74  may be made can include any material suitable for this purpose and may simply comprise the material of which the body members  12  and  14  are composed. In order to complement the use of the article, body  14  includes concavities  78 , which concavities are useful to assist a user (not shown) in holding the device  10 . 
         [0040]    Turning to  FIG. 10 , shown is an exploded view of the device shown generally in  FIG. 9 . Reference will be made to  FIGS. 10 through 13  for the following description. 
         [0041]    In this embodiment, each of the body members  12  and  14  includes a threaded section  80  and  82 , respectively. This is for the purpose of engaging cap  56  which, in this embodiment, is threaded (not Shown) for purposes of engaging the threads  80  and  82 . The cap  56  is of the variety that it is removable for a single use only. Such caps are known in the art. As a further security feature, the cap  56  may include a breakaway seal  84  which typically takes the form of a ring attached to the body of the cap  56  by disengageable or breakaway connectors as is well known in the art. 
         [0042]    As has been indicated previously, body members  12  and  14  are referred to collectively as a first body member, whereas the second body member  18 , in this embodiment, includes a needle cover  88 , which needle cover  88  substantially surrounds the entire needle and tip. At the terminal end of the needle  44  there is provided the foam cap  54  which accommodates the tip of the needle  44  which also cooperates with a cover member  88  to effectively surround and close the needle  44 . This is obviously contributory to the hygiene and sterility of the device. Disposed coaxially about needle  44  and within the internal volume of cover there is disposed a spring  90  which is positioned between the needle cover  88  of member  86  and seating  92  within second body member  18  as shown. This retains the spring  90  until the device  10  is intended for use. 
         [0043]    As is evident from  FIGS. 10 through 13 , the first body member formed by body members  12  and  14  and the second body member  18  house the major components of the device and specifically, the plunger  38 , barrel  40  needle hilt  42  and needle  44 . As with the previous embodiments, second body member  18  includes the toothed rack coupling means  62 , whereas the plunger  38  and more particularly, the arm of the plunger includes the second toothed rack coupling means  64 . As with the previous embodiments, pinion  60  acts as a drive member which connects both of the racks  62  and  64 . In this embodiment, observation window  94  is provided in the structure and visible through connected body members  12  and  14  to allow the user to determine whether barrel  40  contains any medicament and whether the medicament has been compromised. 
         [0044]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 through 13 , body members  12 ,  14  and second body member  18  are coaxially mounted and designed for reciprocal movement. As a particularly beneficial advantage, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 through 13  second body member  18 , in opposition to the front cap  88 , includes a terminal wall  100 , As best seen in  FIG. 11 , terminal wail  100  is spaced from wall  102 , which is formed by the connection of body members  12  and  14 . This space permits movement of the body member  18  relative to assembled members  12  and  14  sufficiently to allow the needle  44  to penetrate cover  88  before injection. This avoids spillage and allows accurate injection of the medicament without wastage and allows for intramuscular injections. 
         [0045]    As a further attendant advantage, the embodiment under discussion also provides for a locking mechanism  104 , shown in the example as a leaf spring and best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 13 . Spring  104 , when the device is in a ready to use position is compressed by disposition of body members  12 ,  14  and  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0046]    Turning to  FIG. 12 , the device  10  is shown in an injection position where the needle  44  has penetrated the foam cap  54  and end cap  88  and where second body member  18  is retracted within the first body member composed of members  12  and  14 . As is evident, the spring  90  is compressed, with the plunger  38  moved forwardly within the barrel  40  and with the rack  64  moved forwardly relative to the position showing  FIG. 11 . In a similar manner, rack  62  is moved rearwardly as shown in  FIG. 12 . The locking member  104 , is now compressed inside the gear rack  62  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0047]    Turning now to  FIG. 13 , shown is a longitudinal cross-section of the device  10  subsequent to injection of the medicament. As is obvious from the illustration, once body member  18  is returned to the extended position with spring  90  relaxed, lock member  104  has nothing further to maintain a compressed state and therefore springs upwardly in a diagonal pattern as shown in  FIG. 13 , with the terminal end of  106  of spring  104  engaging the under surface of body member  14 . This arrangement effectively locks retractable movement of body member  18  into the first body member  12 ,  14  whereby the device  10  cannot be reused. his is simply prevented by the lock arrangement  104 . Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the second body member  18  fully extends to provide the cap  54  and end cap  88  to completely encapsulate and extend over the tip of needle  44  so that there is no possibility of inadvertent contact of the used needle with a user. As further benefit, as noted above with respect to the previous embodiments the opening  16  in body member  12  allows the user to determine whether the device has been discharged. A similar structure w that noted herein previously is provided for this benefit. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , shown is a longitudinal cross section of a further embodiment according to the present invention. As noted herein previously similar numerals will be representative of previously discussed components. In this embodiment, there is an outside first body member  120  which cooperates with a second body member  122  which is coaxially mounted within body member  120  for reciprocal movement. Body member  122  houses the spring  90  and needle  44  in a protective manner as is shown in the Figure, i.e. the needle  44  is not exposed. At a distal point from the front of member  122  are abutting legs  124  and  126 , each of which includes a terminal end portion  128  and  130 , respectively. 
         [0049]    In use, once member  122  is urged rearwardly in a direction within body member  120 , the needle  44  is at least partially exposed and the spring  90  is at least partially compressed as is evident from  FIG. 15 . Each of the terminal end portions  128  and  130 , when in the position show in  FIG. 15 , subsequently engages in corresponding abutments  132  and  134 , respectively associated with a first rack  136  and a second rack  138  mounted within body member  120  for slidable movement therein. In this manner, corresponding abutments  132  and  134  effectively act as stops for terminal portions  128  and  130  of member  122 . 
         [0050]    As is generally common with earlier discussed embodiments, the device in this embodiment employs a rack and pinion drive mechanism. As such, rack  136  and  138  each individually engage pinion  60  and  60  as shown in the Figure. 
         [0051]    Since the abutments  132 ,  134  are engaged with respective terminal end portions  128  and  130  of member  122 , the result is that further movement of member  122  results in the rotation of each of pinions  60  and  60 ′ to the position shown in  FIG. 16 . As is generally similar to the previous embodiments, plunder  38  is movable within barrel  40  as is typically associated with syringe arrangements. The plunger  38 , in this embodiment, has a rack  140  which engages each of pinions  60  and  60 . The result of this mechanical union is that upon further movement of body member  122  to the position shown in  FIG. 16 , i.e. within body member  120 , the result is that the needle  44  is fully exposed with spring  90  fully compressed and plunder  38  in the full forward position for the discharge of the medicament into a user (not shown). in this position, the spring  90  is fully compressed and is retained with a retainer  142  coaxially positioned within body member  122 , In this position, plunger  38  is locked into the position shown in  FIG. 16  with a lock member  144  which is housed within body member  120  rearwardly of the plunger  38 . in the embodiment shown, the lock member  144  comprises a leaf spring. The disposition of which is shown best in  FIG. 18 . The lock member or leaf spring  144  includes a lip  146  which abuts the rear portion of plunger  38  when in the position of  FIG. 16  to prevent further use of the device  10  once the medicament has been discharged into a user (not shown), In this manner, lock member  144  remains in a standby position when the components within body member  120  are disposed in the positions shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
         [0052]    Once locked, the compression force of spring  90  is released so that the spring  90  is a relaxed state as show in  FIG. 17 . The force that is dissipated from spring  90  then urges body member  122  into a position where it completely surrounds and encapsulates needle  44  as shown in  FIG. 17 . As a particular convenient feature, each rack  136  and  138  includes at respective end portion  146  and  148  lock abutments  150  and  152 , respectively, The lock abutments  150 ,  152  are used to prevent the inadvertent, movement of body member  122  back within body member  120  in a reciprocating manner. This prevents entirely the inadvertent exposure of needle  44  so that is becomes impossible. for the device  10  to be reused. 
         [0053]    Although the embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications from part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the described invention.