Abstract:
To administrate a liquid medication in an emergency situation, an injection kit includes a syringe assembly, a needle assembly, and a container. The container contains the syringe assembly and the needle assembly, and possessed and carried closely by a patient. When an immediate injection of the liquid medication to the patient is needed, the syringe assembly and the needle assembly are taken out from the container and assembled by the patient or a bystander.

Description:
[0001]    This application is being filed on 17 Mar. 2015, as a PCT International patent application, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/954,922, filed Mar. 18, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. The symptoms of such allergic reactions include severe swelling, breathing problems, or loss of blood pressure. The allergic reactions can be caused by stringing and biting insects, allergy injections, food, medicines, exercise, or unknown causes. 
         [0003]    The anaphylaxis is rapid in onset and may cause death. Thus, emergency treatment is necessary before going to doctor or emergency room for more medical treatment. The primary emergency treatment is an injection of epinephrine. 
         [0004]    Several types of epinephrine injection devices are used for emergency administration of epinephrine. An example of such injection devices is an epinephrine auto-injector, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Typically, a user, either a patient or a spectator, puts a tip of the injector against the middle of the outer side of the patient&#39;s upper leg, presses down hard until the needle enters the upper leg through the skin, and holds it in place for a predetermined amount of time. Then, the injector is removed from the upper leg. The remainder of the epinephrine needs to be carefully discarded. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In general terms, this disclosure is directed to a medication injection kit. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the injection kit includes an injection system contained in a compact-sized container. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects. 
         [0006]    One aspect is a system for administrating a liquid medication in an emergency situation, the system comprising: a syringe assembly comprising: a barrel portion containing the liquid medication; a plunger portion sealingly engaged with the barrel portion to form a chamber for expelling the liquid medication from the barrel portion; and a needle adaptor, a needle assembly comprising: a needle hub having a needle end and a coupling end; a needle shaft extending from the needle end of the needle hub; a plug portion arranged at the coupling end of the needle hub and configured to engage the needle adaptor; and a protective needle cover configured to at least partially cover the needle hub and the needle shaft, and a container configured to contain the syringe assembly and the needle assembly, the container being possessed and carried by a patient, wherein, in the emergency situation, the syringe assembly and the needle assembly are taken out from the container and assembled by coupling the plug portion to the needle adaptor such that the needle shaft is in fluid communication with the chamber. 
         [0007]    Another aspect is a method for administering a liquid medication in an emergency situation, the method comprising: placing a syringe assembly and a needle assembly within a container; and providing a coupling mechanism for coupling the container to a coupling arrangement closely possessed by a patient, wherein the patient or a bystander takes out the syringe assembly and the needle assembly, assemble the syringe assembly and the needle assembly, and administer the liquid medication to the patient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a prior art auto-injector for administering epinephrine. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an example kit for injecting liquid medication. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an example syringe assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an example needle adaptor of the syringe assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of an example needle assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 5  with a protective needle cover removed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the injection system of  FIG. 2 , illustrating that the syringe assembly and the needle assembly have been coupled. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the injection system of  FIG. 2 , illustrating that the protective needle cover is removed after the syringe assembly and the needle assembly is assembled. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of another example container. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an example kit for injecting liquid medication. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the example kit of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an example kit  100  for injecting liquid medication. In some embodiments, the kit  100  is used in an emergency situation where a patient needs to be treated with liquid medication before delivered to an emergency room. In at least one embodiment, the kit  100  is configured to inject epinephrine into a patient who suddenly shows a life-threatening allergic reaction. In other embodiments, however, the kit  100  is used to inject other types of liquid medication to a patient as a first aid or emergency treatment. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the kit  100  includes an injection system  102  and a container  104 . 
         [0022]    The injection system  102  is configured to inject liquid medication to a patient. In some embodiments, the injection system  102  is operated by a patient or an assistant, who can be a parent, medical practitioner, or bystander. The injection system  102  is configured for convenient possession, carrying, and handling. Further, the injection system  102  is dimensioned to contain only one dose of liquid medication. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the injection system  102  includes a syringe assembly  106  and a needle assembly  108 . The syringe assembly  106  is described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The needle assembly  108  is described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0024]    The container  104  is configured to contain the injection system  102  therein so that the injection system  102  is conveniently possessed and carried by a patient or any other people who take care of the patient. In some embodiments, the container  104  is only as much sized to include the injection system  102  and small enough to permit a child to easily carry the kit  100  so that, when the child suddenly suffers from anaphylaxis, anybody around the child can take the kit  100  from the child and administer liquid medication (for example, epinephrine) to the child by operating the injection system  102 . In some embodiments, the kit  100  is coupled to any coupling arrangement closely possessed by a patient, such as a necklace worn by a patient, or to a belt loop of pants worn by the patient, so that the kit  100  is not lost and easily found by a spectator or bystander who witnesses sudden life-threatening symptoms of the patient. In some embodiments, the container  104  has a length (L) of 50-100 mm, and a diameter or width (W) of 10-40 mm. In other embodiments, the length (L) of the container  104  ranges between 65 and 80 mm, and the diameter or width (W) ranges between 20 and 25 mm. In yet other embodiments, the length (L) of the container ranges from 50-1000 mm and the diameter or width (W) ranges from 10-300 mm. In one implementation, the length (L) is approximately 889 mm and the width (W) is approximately 254 mm, although many other dimensions are possible. 
         [0025]    The container  104  can have a variety of shapes. In some embodiments, the container  104  has a cylindrical vessel. In other embodiments, the container  104  has a capsule shape. In yet other embodiments, the container  104  is made as a pouch. The container  104  is made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the container  104  is made from metal, plastic, or fabric. Further, the container  104  is configured to be fastened in various manners. In some embodiments, the container  104  has an outer surface made from rigid materials for protecting the injection system  102  contained therein. In addition, the container  104  includes an inner surface made from cushion materials for further protection of the injection system  102 . In some embodiments, the container  104  can be opened or closed with a hook-and-loop fastener, such as Velcro. In other embodiments, the container  104  is fastened with a screw cap arranged at one end of the container  104 . See screw cap  204  of the example kit  200  shown in  FIGS. 10-11 . 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the container  104  includes a coupling mechanism for coupling the container  104  to a coupling arrangement closely possessed by a patient. Examples of the coupling mechanism include a hook or ring  110  configured to be coupled to a keychain, a belt loop, or any other coupling arrangements. For example, the hook or ring  110  is coupled to a necklace worn by a child, or coupled to a belt loop of pants worn by a child. In other examples, the hook or ring  110  is coupled to one or more keys  111  through a keychain  109 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an example syringe assembly  106 . The syringe assembly  106  includes a barrel portion  112 , a plunger portion  114 , and a needle adaptor  116 . 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the barrel portion  112  has an elongate bore  118  extending between a first end  120  and a second end  122  along a longitudinal axis. The elongate bore  118  is configured to contain liquid medication therein. In some embodiments, the barrel portion  112  is formed from thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate and copolymers or any other material suitable for the barrel portion  112 . 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the plunger portion  114  includes an elongate plunger body  124  and a gasket  126 . The plunger body  124  is sized to fit slidably within the elongate bore  118  of the barrel portion  112  by advancing the plunger body  124  into the first end  120  of the barrel portion  112 . The gasket  126  is mounted at a head end of the plunger body  124  for occluding the head end of the plunger body  124  and forming a slidable seal with the elongate bore  118  of the barrel portion  112  to define a chamber for drawing and expelling liquid medication from the barrel portion  112 . In some embodiments, the plunger body  124  is formed from polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, or any other material suitable for the plunger body  124 . 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the needle adaptor  116  is configured to engage the needle assembly  108  therein. The needle adaptor  116  is arranged at the first end  120  of the barrel portion  112 . The needle adaptor  116  is described in further detail with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the syringe assembly  106  is configured to contain 0.3 cc of liquid medication (for example, epinephrine). This is because, for epinephrine injection, many patients only need 0.3 cc or less of epinephrine. An excessive injection of epinephrine can cause dangerously high blood pressure, stroke, or death, and thus, it is very important to limit a dosage of epinephrine, as described herein. In other embodiments, the syringe assembly  106  is configured to contain the liquid medication of more than 0.3 cc but not more than 0.5 cc. In yet other embodiments, the syringe assembly  106  is configured to contain the liquid medication of less than 0.3 cc. 
         [0032]    To achieve a compact injection system  102 , the barrel portion  112  has a length (L2) of 25-50 mm, and the plunger portion  114  has a length (L3) of 10-30 mm. In other embodiments, the length (L2) of the barrel portion  112  is limited to about 35 mm, and the length (L3) of the plunger portion  114  is limited to about 20 mm. In yet other embodiments, the length (L2) ranges from 25-600 mm and the length (L3) ranges from 10-100 mm. In one implementation, the length (L2) is approximately 506 mm and the length (L3) is approximately 50 mm. Other varying dimensions are possible. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an example needle adaptor  116  of the syringe assembly  106  of  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the needle adaptor  116  includes a coupling head portion  130  and an outlet portion  132 . 
         [0034]    The coupling head portion  130  is arranged at the first end  120  of the barrel portion  112  and configured to engage the needle assembly  108 . In some embodiments, the coupling head portion  130  includes a threaded portion  134  formed on an inner surface of the coupling head portion  130 . As shown below, the threaded portion  134  is configured to engage a plug portion of the needle assembly  108 . 
         [0035]    The outlet portion  132  operates to provide a flow channel of liquid medication from the barrel portion  112  to the needle assembly  108 . In some embodiments, the outlet portion  132  extends from the first end  120  of the barrel portion  112  and surrounded by the coupling head portion  130 , as depicted in  FIG. 4 . As shown below, the outlet portion  132  is configured to engage a hub hollow of the needle assembly  108  so as to provide a fluid communication between the barrel portion  112  and a needle shaft of the needle assembly  108 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the needle adaptor  116  is covered by a shield cap (see shield cap  202  in  FIGS. 10-11 ) so that the syringe assembly  106  is sealed before it is assembled with the needle assembly  108  for injecting liquid medication to a patient. When in used, the shield cap is removed from the needle adaptor  116  to open the coupling head portion  130  and the outlet portion  132  to engage the needle assembly  108 . The shield cap can be configured to have a height of about 3 mm to achieve a compact syringe assembly  106 . In other embodiments, any type of sealing devices is used to seal the needle adaptor  116  until the injection system  102  is assembled and used. In yet other embodiments, the needle adaptor  116  need not be covered or sealed because of sufficient differential pressure inside and outside the barrel portion  112  and/or sufficient surface tension of the liquid medication contained in the barrel portion  112  at the first end  120  thereof. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an example needle assembly  108  of the injection system  102  of  FIG. 2 . In particular,  FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of an example needle assembly  108 , and  FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the needle assembly  108  of  FIG. 5  with a protective needle cover removed. In some embodiments, the needle assembly  108  includes a needle hub  136 , a needle shaft  138 , a plug portion  140 , and a protective needle cover  142 . 
         [0038]    The needle hub  136  is configured to hold the needle shaft  138  and be engaged with the needle adaptor  116 . In some embodiments, the needle hub  136  has a needle end  144  and a coupling end  146  along the longitudinal axis, and includes a hub hollow  148  extending between the needle end  144  and the coupling end  146  within the needle hub  136 . The hub hollow  146  is configured to engage the outlet portion  132  of the needle adaptor  116  to provide fluid communication from the barrel portion  112  to the needle shaft  138  through the outlet portion  132  when the needle assembly  108  is assembled with the syringe assembly  106 . 
         [0039]    The needle shaft  138  extends from the needle end  144  of the needle hub  136  and becomes in fluid communication with the barrel portion  112  when the needle assembly  108  is coupled to the syringe assembly  106 . 
         [0040]    The plug portion  140  is arranged at the coupling end  146  of the needle hub  136  and configured to be engaged with the coupling head portion  130  of the syringe assembly  106 . In some embodiments, the plug portion  140  is formed as a flange extending from the circumference of the needle hub  136  at the coupling end  146 , and configured to be screwed into the threaded portion  134  of the coupling head portion  130 . 
         [0041]    The protective needle cover  142  operates to at least partially cover the needle hub  136  and the needle shaft  138  to protect the needle shaft  138  before the needle assembly  108  is coupled to the syringe assembly  106 . 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the needle assembly  108  with the protective needle cover  142  engaged has a length (L4) of 40-55 mm to achieve a compact injection kit  100 . In other embodiments, the length (L4) of the needle assembly  108  is about 48 mm. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate that the syringe assembly  106  and the needle assembly  108  have been coupled. In particular,  FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the injection system  102  of  FIG. 2 , illustrating that the syringe assembly  106  and the needle assembly  108  have been coupled.  FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the injection system  102  of  FIG. 2 , illustrating that the protective needle cover  142  is removed after the syringe assembly  106  and the needle assembly  108  is assembled. As depicted, the needle hub  136  is inserted to, and engaged with, the needle adaptor  116  by screwing the plug portion  140  of the needle assembly  108  into the threaded portion  134  of the coupling head portion  130 . In this configuration, the needle shaft  138  is in fluid communication with the barrel portion  112  through the outlet portion  132 . Then, a user can inject the medication by applying a force to the plunger portion  114  to move the plunger portion  114  from the second end  122  to the first end  120  within the elongate bore  118  along the longitudinal axis. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of another example container  104 . As many of the concepts and features are similar to the first example container  104  shown in  FIG. 2 , the description for the first example is hereby incorporated by reference for this example. Where like or similar features or elements are shown, the same reference numbers will be used where possible. The following description for this example will be limited primarily to the differences from the first example. 
         [0045]    In the depicted example, the container  104  further includes a medication container  150 . The medication container  150  is configured to contain additional medication. In some embodiments, such additional medication is suitable for relieve the symptoms of a patient in addition to the liquid medication injected to the patient by the injection system  102 . For example, in addition to epinephrine, diphenhydramine, such as Benadryl, can be contained in the medication container  150  for further relief of sudden allergic reactions. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the medication container  150  includes an elevated portion  152  extending from a bottom end of the container  104 . The elevated portion  152  is configured to have a hollow  154  therein to provide a space for storing additional medicines. The medication container  150  further includes a cap  156  to open and close the hollow  154 . The cap  156  can fit to the elevated portion  152  in various manners. In some embodiments, the elevated portion  152  includes an externally threaded portion  158  configured to engage the cap  156 . 
         [0047]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.