Abstract:
An injector for bone regeneration is provided, including: a syringe; a needle having an embedding portion for embedding the needle in the syringe, an injecting portion integrally connected to the embedding portion and protruding from the syringe, and a channel penetrating through the embedding portion and the injecting portion for receiving an inducible bone regeneration material; and a pushing element having a rod that is less in diameter than the channel of the needle, slidably and axially disposed in the channel of the needle, for pushing the inducible bone regeneration material to move through the injecting portion and be injected into a bone portion of a patient, when the rod in the channel of the needle is pushed toward the injecting portion. The injector has a reduced size, and is beneficial for treatment of bone defects.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to injectors, and, more particularly, to an injector for bone regeneration. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Periodontal diseases such as periodontitis often cause alveolar bone defects, thus likely resulting in displacement or malposition of nearby teeth and even adversely affecting other healthy teeth. Clinically, guided bone regeneration (GBR) technology is the most common technology for repairing alveolar bones. However, the GBR technology has some drawbacks. 
         [0005]    First, the GBR technology uses an implant such as a barrier membrane to prevent unwanted cells from entering an alveolar bone defect. However, the barrier membrane is excessively exposed to the periodontal tissue and not easy to care after surgery. To avoid infection caused by exposure of the barrier membrane, the patient needs to return multiple times to the hospital. 
         [0006]    Second, to place the barrier membrane into the alveolar bone defect, a new wound will be created to the periodontal tissue, thus causing discomfort of the patient. 
         [0007]    Third, after the alveolar bone defect is repaired through bone regeneration, a second surgery needs to be performed to remove the barrier membrane. However, the second surgery may damage the periodontal tissue and cause other complications. 
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic planar exploded view of a conventional injector  1 , and  FIG. 1B  is a schematic planar assembly view of the injector  1  of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0009]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the injector  1  has a syringe  11 , a needle  12  and a pushing element  13 . The syringe  11  has a syringe body  111  having a receiving chamber  114  for receiving an injection solution  14 , a connecting portion  112  for connecting the needle  12  to the syringe  11 , an extending portion  113  extending from the syringe body  111 , and an inlet end  115 . The needle  12  has a needle base  121  connected to the connecting portion  112  of the syringe  11 , and a needle body  122  having a channel  123 . The pushing element  13  has a rod  131 , an operating portion  132  and a protruding portion  133 . 
         [0010]    The length L 1  of the syringe  11  is about 8.9 cm. The diameter Φ 11  of the syringe body  111  of the syringe  11  is about 1.9 cm. The diameter Φ 12  of the extending portion  113  is about 3.0 cm. The length L 2  of the needle  12  is about 5.6 cm. The diameter Φ 2  of the needle body  122  is about 0.1 cm. The length L 3  of the pushing element  13  is about 9.3 cm. The diameter Φ 3  of the operating portion  132  and the protruding portion  133  is about 1.8 cm. The length L of the injector  1  is about 14.9 cm. The height H and width of the injector  1  are about 3.0 cm. 
         [0011]    When the injector  1  is used by a user, for example, a doctor, the injection solution  14  is placed in the receiving chamber  114  of the syringe body  111  and the pushing element  13  is inserted into the receiving chamber  114  of the syringe body  111  and pushed in a direction D 1 . As such, the injection solution  14  in the receiving chamber  114  is moved through the channel  123  of the needle body  122  and injected into the body of a patient. 
         [0012]    However, the injector  1  is a common injector having a large size and not specially used for bone regeneration. The receiving chamber  114  of the syringe  11  has a large volume and is not suitable for a small amount of inducible bone regeneration material. 
         [0013]    Therefore, there is a need to provide an injector for bone regeneration so as to overcome the above-described drawbacks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In view of the above-described drawbacks, the present invention provides an injector for bone regeneration. The injector has a minimized size, and is beneficial for treatment of bone defects. 
         [0015]    The injector according to the present invention comprises: a syringe; a needle having an embedding portion for embedding the needle in the syringe, an injecting portion integrally connected to the embedding portion and protruding from the syringe, and a channel penetrating through the embedding portion for receiving an inducible bone regeneration material; and a pushing element having a rod that is less in diameter than the channel of the needle, slidably and axially disposed in the channel of the needle, for pushing the inducible bone regeneration material to move through the injecting portion and be injected into a bone portion of a patient, when the rod in the channel of the needle is pushed toward the injecting portion. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the injector has a length ranging from 4.5 to 5.3 cm, a height ranging from 1.0 to 1.6 cm, and a width ranging from 1.0 to 1.6 cm. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the injector has a guiding hole in communication with the channel of the needle for guiding the rod of the pushing element into the channel of the needle. In an embodiment, the guiding hole of the syringe is in the shape of a funnel with a wide top portion and a narrow bottom portion and thus has an inclined surface for guiding the rod of the pushing element into the channel of the needle. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, the injector has an inlet end and an outlet end, the guiding hole is positioned at the inlet end of the syringe, and the injecting portion of the needle is positioned at the outlet end of the syringe. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the syringe has a syringe body and a first extending portion outwardly extending from the syringe and being adjacent or connected to the inlet end of the syringe. In an embodiment, the syringe further has a second extending portion outwardly extending from the syringe body of the syringe and separated from the first extending portion by a gap. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the syringe has a through hole interconnecting the inlet end and the outlet end. The through hole is used for the embedding portion of the needle to be received or adhesively fixed therein. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the needle and the rod of the pushing element is made of stainless steel. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, the pushing element further has an operating portion connected to the rod, and a third extending portion outwardly extending from the operating portion. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, the inducible bone regeneration material is pre-placed in the channel of the needle. In an embodiment, the inducible bone regeneration material is a bone graft material, a growth factor powder, an animal extract, a growth factor solution, or chitin. 
         [0024]    According to the present invention, the embedding portion of the needle is embedded in the syringe, the inducible bone regeneration material is placed in the channel of the needle, and the rod of the pushing element is less in diameter than the channel of the needle. 
         [0025]    Therefore, compared with the prior art, the present invention avoids exposure of an implant such as a barrier membrane and does not create a new wound to the bone portion, for example, the periodontal tissue, thereby alleviating discomfort of the patient and reducing the risk of infection. Also, the present invention dispenses with a second surgery and thus avoids another damage to the bone portion and generation of other complications. 
         [0026]    Further, after the hard tissue defect of the bone portion is repaired, the regenerated hard tissue can be used as a base for such as a subsequent artificial dental implant and also used to prevent depression of the hard tissue and improve appearance and ease of maintenance. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, the injector of the present invention is specially used for bone regeneration and has a minimized size that is only one half or one third of the conventional injector. 
         [0028]    In addition, by placing the inducible bone regeneration material in the channel of the needle, the present invention avoids unnecessary waste and reduces the cost. Further, the inducible bone regeneration material can be pre-placed in the channel of the needle so as to save time for the user. 
         [0029]    Also, the syringe of the present invention has a guiding hole and an inclined surface for quickly guiding the rod of the pushing element into the channel of the needle, thereby saving time for the user. 
         [0030]    Furthermore, a portion of the rod can be pre-inserted into the channel of the needle so as to save the time for the user to insert the rod into the channel of the needle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic planar exploded view of a conventional injector; 
           [0032]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic planar assembly view of the conventional injector of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic planar assembly view of a syringe and a needle of an injector according to the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic planar side view of the syringe and the needle of the injector of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2C  is a schematic planar exploded view of the syringe and the needle of the injector of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic planar side view of a pushing element of the injector according to the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3B  is another schematic planar side view of the pushing element of the injector of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 4A to 4C  are schematic planar views showing the use of the injector according to the present invention, wherein the injector combines the syringe and needle of  FIG. 2A  with the pushing element of  FIG. 3A ; and 
           [0039]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  are schematic planar views showing application of the injector according to the present invention to a bone portion of a patient. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    The following illustrative embodiments are provided to illustrate the disclosure of the present invention, these and other advantages and effects can be apparent to those in the art after reading this specification. 
         [0041]    It should be noted that all the drawings are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, terms such as “a”, “first”, “second”, “channel”, “embedded” etc. are merely for illustrative purposes and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic planar assembly view of a syringe  21  and a needle  22  of an injector  2  according to the present invention.  FIG. 2B  is a schematic planar side view of the syringe  21  and the needle  22  of the injector  2  of  FIG. 2A , and  FIG. 2C  is a schematic planar exploded view of the syringe  21  and needle  22  of the injector  2  of  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 3A  is a schematic planar side view of a pushing element  23  of the injector  2  according to the present invention, and  FIG. 3B  is another schematic planar side view of the pushing element  23  of the injector of  FIG. 3A .  FIGS. 4A to 4C  are schematic planar views showing the use of the injector  2  according to the present invention, wherein the injector  2  combines the syringe  21  and the needle  22  of  FIG. 2A  with the pushing element  23  of  FIG. 3A . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A to 4C , the injector  2  has a syringe  21 , a needle  22  and a pushing element  23 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A to 2C , the needle  22  has an embedding portion  221  for embedding the needle  22  in the syringe  21 , an injecting portion  222  integrally connected to the embedding portion  221 , and a channel  223  penetrating through the embedding portion  221  and the injecting portion  222 . The embedding portion  221  is embedded in the syringe  21  by engaging or adhering. The injecting portion  222  protrudes from the syringe  21 . The channel  223  can receive an inducible bone regeneration material  24 . The embedding portion  221  is, for example, a front portion of the needle  22 , and the injecting portion  222  is, for example, a rear portion of the needle  22 . 
         [0045]    The inducible bone regeneration material  24  can be, but not limited to: (1) a solid material such as a bone graft material, for example, tricalcium phosphate (TCP), or a growth factor powder; (2) a liquid material such as an animal extract, for example, platelet rich plasma (PRP), or a growth factor solution; or (3) a colloid material such as chitin. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A to 4C , the pushing element  23  can be a pusher. The pushing element  23  has a rod  231  slidably and axially disposed in the channel  223  of the needle  22 . The diameter Φ 31  of the rod  231  (as shown in  FIG. 3A ) is less than or slightly less than the diameter Φ 2  of the channel  223  of the needle  22  (as shown in  FIG. 2C ). As such, when the rod  231  is pushed toward the injecting portion  222  along the channel  223 , the inducible bone regeneration material  24  is moved through the injecting portion  222  and injected into a bone portion  3  of a patient (as shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5C ). 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A to 4C , the syringe  21  has a guiding hole  211  in communication with the channel  223  of the needle  22  for guiding the rod  231  of the pushing element  23  into the channel  223  in a direction D 1 . The guiding hole  211  of the syringe  21  is wide at top and narrow at bottom or in the shape of a tapered funnel. As such, the guiding hole  211  has an inclined surface  212 , for the rod  231  of the pushing element  23  to be guided quickly into the channel  223  of the needle  22 . 
         [0048]    The syringe  21  further has an inlet end  213  and an outlet end  214 . The guiding hole  211  is positioned at the inlet end  213  of the syringe  21 , and the injecting portion  222  of the needle  22  is positioned at the outlet end  214  of the syringe  21 . In an embodiment, the guiding hole  211  of the syringe  21  is recessed into the inlet end  213  of the syringe  21 , and the injecting portion  222  of the needle  22  protrudes from the outlet end  214  of the syringe  21 . 
         [0049]    The syringe  21  has a syringe body  215  and a first extending portion  216  outwardly extending from the base  215 . The first extending portion  216  is adjacent to or positioned on the inlet end  213  of the syringe  21  so as to be adjacent or connected to the guiding hole  211  of the syringe  21 . 
         [0050]    The syringe  21  further has a second extending portion  217  outwardly extending from the base  215 . The second extending portion  217  is separated from the first extending portion  216  by a gap  218 . 
         [0051]    The syringe  21  further has a through hole  219  for the embedding portion  221  of the needle  22  to be received or adhesively fixed in the through hole  219 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the pushing element  23  further has an operating portion  232  connected to the rod  231 , and a third extending portion  233  outwardly extending from the operating portion  232 . The operating portion  232  can have a tapered cone shape corresponding to the shape of the guiding hole  211  of the syringe  21 . 
         [0053]    In an embodiment, referring to  FIGS. 2A to 2C , the length L 1  of the syringe  21  is between 2.0 and 2.4 cm, for example, 2.2 cm, the width and height of the syringe  21  and the diameter Φ 12  of the second extending portion  217  is between 1.0 and 1.6 cm, for example, 1.3 cm, the diameter Φ 11  of the base  215  or the guiding hole  211  is between 0.3 and 0.7 cm, for example, 0.5 cm, the length L 2  of the needle  22  is between 2.3 and 2.7 cm, for example, 2.5 cm, the diameter Φ 2  of the needle  22  is between 0.105 and 0.108 cm, for example, 0.106 cm, the length L 21  of the embedding portion  221  is between 1.3 and 1.5 cm, for example, 1.4 cm, and the length L 22  of the injecting portion  222  is between 1.0 and 1.2 cm, for example, 1.1 cm. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A to 3B , the length L 3  of the pushing element  23  is between 4.5 and 5.3 cm, for example, 4.9 cm, the width and height of the pushing element  23  and the diameter Φ 32  of the third extending portion  233  is between 1.0 and 1.6 cm, for example, 1.3 cm, the length L 31  of the rod  231  is between 2.8 and 3.2 cm, for example, 3.0 cm, the diameter Φ 31  of the rod  231  is between 0.08 and 0.09 cm, for example, 0.085 cm, the total length L 32  of the operating portion  232  and the third extending portion  233  is between 1.7 and 2.1 cm, for example, 1.9 cm, the length of the operating portion  232  is between 1.6 and 1.8 cm, for example, 1.7 cm, and the length (i.e., thickness) of the first extending portion  216 , the second extending portion  217  and the third extending portion  233  is between 0.1 and 0.3 cm, for example, 0.2 cm. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 4C , the length of the injector  2  is between 4.5 and 5.3 cm, for example, 4.9 cm, the height H and width of the injector  2  is between 1.0 and 1.6 cm, for example, 1.3 cm, and the length L 31  of the rod  231  of  FIG. 3A , which is between 2.8 and 3.2 cm, is slightly greater than or equal to the length L 2  of the needle  22  of  FIG. 2A , which is between 2.3 and 2.7 cm. As such, referring to  FIG. 4C , driven by the rod  231 , the inducible bone regeneration material  24  in the channel  223  of the needle  22  can be completely moved out of the needle  22 . 
         [0056]    In an embodiment, the needle  22  and the rod  231  of the pushing element  23  are made of stainless steel, and the syringe  21  and the operating portion  232  and the third extending portion  233  of the pushing element  23  are made of plastic such as polypropylene. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , the inducible bone regeneration material  24  can be pre-placed in the channel  223  of the needle  22  so as to save the time for a user, for example, a doctor, to place the material  24  in the channel  22 . In other embodiments, the inducible bone regeneration material  24  can be placed into the channel  223  of the needle  22  through the guiding hole  211  by a user who wants to use the needle  22 . 
         [0058]    Then, referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the user can place a plurality of fingers on the third extending portion  233  of the pushing element  23 , on the gap  218  and the first extending portion  216  or the second extending portion  217  so as to insert the rod  231  of the pushing element  23  into the channel  223  of the needle  22  through the guiding hole  211  in the direction D 1 . In other embodiments, a portion of the rod  231  (for example, a front portion of the rod  231 ) can also be pre-inserted into the channel  223  of the needle  22  so as to save time for the user. 
         [0059]    Thereafter, referring to  FIG. 4C , the rod  231  of the pushing element  23  is partially or completely inserted into the channel  223  of the needle  22  so as to cause the operating portion  232  of the pushing element  23  to abut against the inclined surface  212  of the guiding hole  211  of the syringe  21 . As such, the inducible bone regeneration material  24  in the channel  223  is partially or completely moved out of the injecting portion  222 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  are schematic planar views showing application of the injector  2  to a bone portion  3  of a patient. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 5A , the injecting portion  222  is placed in a direction D 2  to target a defect  33  of the bone portion  3 . 
         [0062]    In an embodiment, the bone portion  3  has soft tissue  31  and hard tissue  32  around a periphery of a tooth  4 , for example, gum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. The inducible bone regeneration material  24  is placed in the defect  33  of the hard tissue  32  such as the alveolar bone of the bone portion  3 . In other embodiments, the bone portion  3  can be a hand bone, a foot bone and so on. 
         [0063]    Then, referring to  FIG. 5B , the injecting portion  222  is inserted into the defect  33  of the bone portion  3  with the outlet end  214  of the syringe  21  abutting against the surface of the soft tissue  31 . 
         [0064]    Subsequently, referring to  FIG. 5C , the rod  231  of the pushing element  23  is partially or completely inserted into the channel  223  of the needle  22  with the operating portion  232  of the pushing element  23  abutting against the inclined surface  212  of the guiding hole  211  of the syringe  21 . As such, the inducible bone regeneration material  24  in the channel  223  is partially or completely injected into the defect  33  of the bone portion  3 . Finally, the injector  2  as well as the needle  22  is withdrawn from the bone portion  3  in a direction D 3 . As such, the injecting process is completed. 
         [0065]    According to the present invention, the embedding portion of the needle is embedded in the syringe, the inducible bone regeneration material is placed in the channel of the needle, and the rod of the pushing element is less in diameter than the channel of the needle. 
         [0066]    Therefore, compared with the prior art, the present invention avoids exposure of an implant such as a barrier membrane and does not create a new wound to the bone portion, for example, the periodontal tissue, thereby alleviating discomfort of the patient and reducing the risk of infection. Also, the present invention dispenses with a second surgery and thus avoids another damage to the bone portion and generation of other complications. 
         [0067]    Further, after the hard tissue defect of the bone portion is repaired, the regenerated hard tissue can be used as a base for such as a subsequent artificial dental implant and also used to prevent depression of the hard tissue and improve appearance and ease of maintenance. 
         [0068]    Furthermore, the injector of the present invention is specially used for bone regeneration and has a minimized size that is only one half or one third of the conventional injector. 
         [0069]    In addition, by placing the inducible bone regeneration material in the channel of the needle, the present invention avoids unnecessary waste and reduces the cost. Further, the inducible bone regeneration material can be pre-placed in the channel of the needle so as to save time for the user. 
         [0070]    Also, the syringe of the present invention has a guiding hole and an inclined surface for quickly guiding the rod of the pushing element into the channel of the needle, thereby saving time for the user. 
         [0071]    Furthermore, a portion of the rod can be pre-inserted into the channel of the needle so as to save the time for the user to insert the rod into the channel of the needle. 
         [0072]    The above-described descriptions of the detailed embodiments are only to illustrate the preferred implementation according to the present invention, and it is not to limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, all modifications and variations completed by those with ordinary skill in the art should fall within the scope of present invention defined by the appended claims.