Patent Publication Number: US-2023158248-A1

Title: Pen-like syringe device and syringe system

Description:
The invention relates to a pen-like syringe device and to a syringe system comprising a pen-like syringe device and an external supply unit. 
     In medicine, particularly in the field of ophthalmology, syringe devices or syringe systems with a syringe device and an external supply unit connected to it are used for injecting or removing substances in numerous and different areas of application. In addition to general requirements that must be met, such as ensuring the reliability and safety of an injection or removal, user-friendliness, especially safe and advantageous holding, guiding and actuation of the syringe device, are also important. 
     The object is to provide an ergonomic syringe device for medical and in particular for ophthalmological purposes, in particular for the introduction of fluids into the human or animal eye, as well as a syringe system with a syringe device and an external supply unit connected thereto, which enables simple and safe holding, guiding and operating of the syringe device, in particular also independently of the size of the hand of an operator, safe and targeted injection of a substance or removal of a substance, in particular injection into a human or animal eye or removal of a substance from an eye. Further, a contamination of the substance to be injected or removed and/or of the eye is to be prevented. 
     In this context, the term syringe refers to a device which has a syringe body (or primary container), in particular a cylindrical syringe body, with an ejection device, for example a nozzle and/or a cannula, arranged at its front (proximal) end, and which contains a plunger (without a plunger rod) or a syringe stopper movably guided in the syringe body. In this context, the term syringe also includes so-called carpules and cylindrical ampoules with a pierceable membrane at their front (proximal) end. 
     The problem is solved with a pen-like syringe device having the features of claim  1  and a syringe system having the features of claim  14 . Appropriate embodiments and advantageous further developments of the invention can be deduced from the dependent claims. 
     A pen-like syringe device is understood to be a substantially elongated syringe device which can be held by an operator in one hand like a pen. The pen-like syringe device is usually held, guided and operated by two fingers (the term finger also including the thumb in the following), in particular between the thumb and index finger, or by three fingers, in particular between the thumb, index finger and middle finger. 
     The pen-like syringe device according to the invention comprises a drive housing, a syringe receptacle adjoining the drive housing for receiving a syringe, and a manually operable push button for activating an electrical delivery unit, in particular for activating an electrical delivery unit arranged in the drive housing or for activating an electrical delivery unit arranged in an external supply unit connectable to the pen-like syringe device. In this case, the syringe receptacle represents a front (proximal) part and the connection housing represents a rear (distal) part of the pen-like syringe device. A syringe insertable into the syringe receptacle has a syringe body, in particular a cylindrical syringe body, and a plunger or syringe stopper movably guided in the syringe body. At its front (proximal) end, the syringe may have a cone-shaped or cylindrical nozzle or an other ejection device, such as a cannula, wherein a connection, in particular a Luer connection (Luer lock, Luer slip), may be provided on the ejection device for connection to a hose or an injection needle. 
     The drive housing comprises a pressure supply unit for pneumatically applying pressure or negative pressure to the plunger of a syringe inserted into the syringe receptacle, in particular for directly or immediately applying pressure or negative pressure to the plunger, and a coupling connection for pneumatically and/or electrically connecting the pressure supply unit to an external supply unit which is arranged at a distance from the drive housing. The electric supply unit may comprise a power supply unit and/or an electrical delivery unit, which is supplied with electric power via the power supply unit. The syringe device itself does not have an integrated power supply unit, such as a battery or accumulator, and/or an electrical delivery unit. 
     For the pneumatic application of pressure or negative pressure to the plunger of a syringe inserted into the syringe receptacle, the pressure supply unit comprises a drive channel which can be connected to the plunger of a syringe inserted into the syringe receptacle. In particular, the drive housing may thereby comprise a connection piece which may extend at least a small distance into the syringe body of an inserted syringe and through which the drive channel or a section of the drive channel extends. Further, the pen-like syringe device comprises a vent channel having a first end connected to the drive channel and a second end connected to the environment via an opening. The opening is closable by a finger actuating the push button when the push button is actuated. 
     By outsourcing of the power supply unit and/or the electrical delivery unit, the weight of the pen-like syringe device can be significantly reduced compared to a syringe device with an integrated power supply unit and/or electrical delivery unit, making the pen-like syringe device much more comfortable to handle and reducing strain on an operator&#39;s hand. In particular, it can be avoided that by arranging the electrical delivery unit and/or the power supply unit in or at the drive housing the weight distribution of the pen-like syringe device is “tail-heavy”, i.e. that the rear area of the pen-like syringe device is too heavy compared to the front area, whereby the handling of the pen-like syringe device would be disadvantageous and uncomfortable. This may be particularly the case when using large and powerful electrical delivery units, as well as heavy power supply units and batteries or accumulators. Particularly preferably, the pen-like syringe device has neither a power supply unit, in particular no batteries or accumulators, nor an electrical delivery unit. In this case, the electrical delivery unit and its power supply are integrated in the external supply unit and this is pneumatically connected, for example via a hose, to the coupling connection of the connection housing of the pen-like syringe device. By outsourcing the power supply unit and the electrical delivery unit to the external supply unit, an easy-to-sterilize pen-like syringe device is provided. In particular, no consideration needs to be given to the sensitive electrical delivery unit and power supply unit when the pen-like syringe device needs to be cleaned or sterilized, and therefore damage to the electrical delivery unit and power supply unit can be avoided. 
     In this context, the pen-like syringe device can also be designed as a low-cost disposable part that is disposed of after a single use or after a few uses. Complex sterilization of the external supply unit is not mandatory, as it can be placed away from the pen-like syringe device and thus away from a patient, for example on an operator&#39;s arm, and covered by sterile materials, for example the operator&#39;s surgical clothing or an arm or wrist gauntlet. Simple disinfection of the external supply unit after use is sufficient in this case, and sterilization can be dispensed with entirely in this case. 
     The pen-like syringe device can be used in particular for medical purposes, especially for ophthalmology. For this purpose, the syringe system is expediently made of sterile or sterilizable materials suitable for medical purposes, such as aluminum, stainless steel, sterilization-stable plastics, or combinations thereof. This allows easy sterilization, for example by steam or X-ray or UV irradiation or gamma rays or ethylene oxide. 
     The pen-like syringe device according to the invention provides an ergonomic syringe device which, in addition to simple and safe holding and guiding, also enables simple and unerring operation of the pen-like syringe device, in particular also independently of the size of the hand of an operator. The pen-like syringe device ensures a safe and targeted injection of a substance or removal of a substance, in particular into or from a human or animal eye. In this regard, the pen-like syringe device can be held like a pen between the thumb and index finger or between the thumb, index finger and middle finger. The holding, guiding and operating of the pen-like syringe device can thereby take place in particular close to the front end of a syringe inserted into the syringe receptacle, for example close to a cannula of the syringe, which faces away from the drive housing, and thus close to the injection or ejection position, for example at an eye to be treated. This provides safe and good guidance of the pen-like syringe device or easy handling of the pen-like syringe device. A possibly required change of a position of the pen-like syringe device during an injection or during a removal, especially a change of the position of the tip of a cannula, for example by retracting or inserting the tip of the cannula into human or animal tissue, is thereby possible in a simple and advantageous manner. A change in position of the pen-like syringe device or an ejection device such as a cannula tip is required, for example, in the field of ophthalmology when dye or a perfluorocarbon or silicone oil bubble is to be placed in the eye. 
     When the push button is actuated, the electrical delivery unit arranged in the external supply unit or, if applicable, an electrical delivery unit arranged in the pen-like syringe system, in particular arranged in the drive housing, is activated, which provides a pressure or negative pressure for pneumatically applying pressure or negative pressure to the plunger of a syringe inserted in the syringe receptacle. The push button can be actuated, in particular, by the index finger. To inject or remove a substance, only the force required to actuate the push button needs to be applied. Compared to conventional syringes, which require manual actuation of a plunger rod connected to the plunger of the syringe, the pen-like syringe device has a simple and convenient operability. In particular, no great force or strong pushing is required to actuate the pen-like syringe device. This makes it possible to hold and guide the pen-like syringe device safely, in particular also during an injection or removal. It is also conceivable that the force to be applied to actuate the push button is adjustable via a device arranged on the pen-like syringe device, for example to set a desired activation force. 
     In the pen-like syringe device according to the invention, apart from the application of pressure or negative pressure to the plunger, there is no further media connection with the plunger, for example by a plunger rod or by a hydraulic delivery medium, etc. Therefore, there is no risk of possible contamination of a substance to be injected or removed, which, apart from the interior of the syringe body, is only in communication with the plunger of the syringe. 
     Furthermore, the embodiment of the pen-like syringe device, in particular the application of pressure or negative pressure to the plunger of a syringe inserted in the syringe receptacle by the electrical delivery unit which can be activated via the push button, enables precise metering of the injection or removal of a substance. In particular, the electrical delivery unit can slowly build up pressure or negative pressure, thus preventing abrupt and uncontrolled injection or removal. Furthermore, an injection in any doses, e.g. dropwise or in continuous flow, and in particular a fine dosing is possible. The dosage can thus be adjusted by the operator directly and according to the actual need, without the need to set or program corresponding parameters in advance. In particular, continuous injection is also ensured without the plunger hooking that occurs with known syringe devices, e.g. due to inhomogeneous siliconization of the syringes and/or due to the plunger sticking to the syringe body. The same also applies to the removal of a substance. 
     Pressurization or negative pressure is applied to the plunger of a syringe inserted into the syringe receptacle of the pen-like syringe device according to the invention only if the opening arranged at the second end of the vent channel is closed. Otherwise, the drive channel is in communication with the environment via the vent channel. An application of pressure or negative pressure to the plunger and thus a movement of the plunger relative to the syringe body is thereby prevented or immediately terminated. The design of the pen-like syringe device thus ensures immediate or instantaneous termination of an injection or removal as soon as actuation of the push button is terminated or the opening of the vent channel is not or no longer closed. A pressure or negative pressure previously acting on the plunger is immediately relieved via the vent channel. A possible “run-on” or dripping of an injection or a removal of a substance is thus not possible. Further, in case of an unintended or improper actuation of the push button, for example in case of an unintended touch of the push button or for example in case of an improper placement of the finger intended for actuating the push button or an improper handling of the syringe system, the opening of the vent channel is not closed. An unintentional or uncontrolled application of pressure or negative pressure to the plunger or an unintentional or uncontrolled injection or removal is thus prevented. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the pen-like syringe device, the opening is arranged directly on the push button, for example on the upper side of the push button, or directly next to the push button. The opening can thus be closed directly by a finger actuating the push button, in particular by the actuating finger itself, for example the index finger of an operator. A direct arrangement of the opening next to the push button corresponds to an arrangement of the opening so close to the push button that it can be closed by the finger operating the push button, in particular the third or foremost finger member (end member), when the push button is actuated. The opening of the vent channel is thereby placed in particular in such a way that the operator necessarily closes it when the push button is properly actuated and the syringe system is properly handled. The described design ensures the described immediate and instantaneous termination of an injection or removal and an unintentional or uncontrolled application of pressure or negative pressure to the plunger is prevented. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the external supply unit contains an electrical delivery unit for supplying the pressure supply unit with pressure or negative pressure. It is expedient that the external supply unit also contains a power supply unit for the electrical delivery unit. The pen-like syringe device itself does not have an electrical delivery unit or a power supply unit. The pressure supply unit is supplied with pressure or negative pressure by the electrical delivery unit arranged in the external supply unit, which can be pneumatically connected, for example via a hose, to the coupling connection of the drive housing, which is pneumatically connected to the drive channel. The arrangement of the electrical delivery unit and the power supply unit in the external supply unit makes the pen-like syringe device particularly light in weight. 
     Particularly preferably, the electrical delivery unit can be actuated via the push button of the pen-like syringe device, whereby actuation of the push button results in the application of pressure or negative pressure to the drive channel. For this purpose, an electrical connection can be provided between the push button and the electrical delivery unit or the external supply unit. Particularly preferably, the electrical delivery unit comprises a diaphragm pump. The plunger of a syringe inserted into the syringe receptacle is expediently pressurized with compressed air or a negative pressure relative to the atmosphere. Depending on the pressure or negative pressure required, the electrical delivery unit can also comprise several diaphragm pumps, in particular two. The use of a diaphragm pump and the use of air as the driving medium makes it possible to actuate the plunger in a particularly simple and advantageous manner. A mechanical device connected to the plunger for moving it is not required in this case. The use of the diaphragm pump and the application of compressed air or negative pressure to the plunger thus eliminates the need for complex and error-prone gearing between the delivery unit and the plunger. Furthermore, diaphragm pumps are very robust and insensitive to faults. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the pressure supply unit of the syringe device can comprise an electrical delivery unit, in particular a diaphragm pump, connected to the drive channel, the electrical delivery unit being activated by actuating the push button. In this case, the electrical delivery unit is integrated in the drive housing of the pen-like syringe device and is thus part of the pen-like syringe device. The power supply unit of the electrical delivery unit, on the other hand, is arranged in the external supply unit, the electrical delivery unit being electrically connected to the electrical delivery unit via the coupling connection. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable for pen-like syringe devices and their intended applications, in which small and lightweight electrical delivery units can be used, for example, when the pen-like syringe device is intended to receive small 2.5 ml standard syringes, and the weight saving by outsourcing the power supply unit to an external supply unit is sufficient. The described arrangement of the electrical delivery unit integrated in the pen-like syringe device enables advantageous designs in terms of construction, such as a short electrical connection between the push button and the electrical delivery unit and a short design of the drive channel. 
     Preferably, the push button is arranged near the front end or the end facing away from the drive housing of the pen-like syringe device. The resulting arrangement of the fingers used to operate the pen-like syringe device near the front end of the syringe, for example near a cannula attached to the syringe, enables the syringe system to be guided safely, in particular when the push button is actuated simultaneously. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the pen-like syringe device, the syringe receptacle can comprise or be formed using an operating lever pivotably connected to the drive housing, the operating lever preferably being connected to the drive housing via a swivel joint arranged on a rear region of the drive housing facing away from the syringe receptacle. By pivoting the operating lever connected to the drive housing, it is possible to insert a syringe quickly and easily into the syringe receptacle and to remove the syringe from the syringe receptacle in an advantageous manner. Particularly preferably, the vent channel extends at least partially in the operating lever. Furthermore, the push button and the opening can be arranged on the operating lever. The described embodiment provides a constructionally advantageous embodiment of the pen-like syringe device. For example, additional components forming the vent channel or supporting the push button and the opening are not required. 
     Preferably, the syringe receptacle comprises a head unit, in particular a head unit arranged on a front region of an operating lever. The head unit at least partially grips the syringe shoulder of a syringe inserted into the syringe receptacle. The syringe shoulder is the front (proximal) area of a syringe, which forms the transition area from the cylindrical syringe body to the nozzle or connection device. In the operating state of the pen-like syringe device, the syringe shoulder or at least a part of the syringe shoulder thereby lies directly against the head unit. Particularly preferably, the syringe inserted into the syringe receptacle is clamped and fixed in the operating state of the pen-like syringe device by the head unit and the side of the drive housing facing in the direction of the syringe receptacle. Preferably, a sealing element, in particular a sealing ring, is arranged here on the side of the drive housing facing in the direction of the syringe receptacle, which sealing element rests against the syringe or a syringe flange of a syringe, thus providing a gas-tight or air-tight connection between the syringe and the drive housing. In this case, the syringe flange represents the rear (distal) end of the syringe, specifically a protruding rim surrounding the cylindrical syringe body. In the embodiment described, clamping of a syringe flange, i.e. fixing of the syringe by clamping the syringe flange on both sides, is in particular not required. Clamping of the syringe flange on both sides often leads to damage or breakage of the syringe flange due to manufacturing tolerances in which the syringe flange is often unintentionally slightly inclined towards the front end of the syringe. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pen-like syringe device, in particular the syringe receptacle, can comprise a temperature control unit, especially a heating unit. The temperature control unit is used to control the temperature of a substance to be injected that is contained in an inserted syringe. The temperature control unit can be arranged in particular in the operating lever and/or the head unit. Preferably, the substance to be injected is heated to body temperature. Tempering leads to a reduction in the viscosity of the substance to be injected, which favors injection. The temperature control unit is preferably supplied with electrical energy via a power supply unit arranged outside the pen-like syringe device. 
     Furthermore, the invention comprises a syringe system with a pen-like syringe device described above and an external supply unit arranged at a distance from the drive housing, which comprises a power supply unit, in particular a battery or an accumulator, and/or an electrical delivery unit, in particular at least one diaphragm pump, and which can be connected or is connected to the pen-like syringe device via the coupling connection. The power supply unit can thereby also supply the above-mentioned temperature control unit with electrical power. 
     In a preferred embodiment in which the external supply unit comprises both an electrical delivery unit and a power supply unit for supplying electric power to the electrical delivery unit and/or the temperature control unit, the pen-like syringe device has neither an electrical delivery unit nor a power supply unit. In this case, the electrical delivery unit is connected to the coupling connection of the pen-like syringe device, which is in communication with the drive channel, via a hose. The electrical delivery device arranged in the external supply unit is preferably actuated via the push button of the pen-like syringe device, wherein the push button and the electrical delivery device are connected via an actuation connection, which can run in particular through the operating lever, the drive housing, along the coupling connection and together with the hose to the electrical delivery device. In particular, the actuation connection may comprise two sections that can be coupled together, the first section extending in the pen-like syringe device and the second section extending between the pen-like syringe device and the electrical delivery unit. 
     In an alternative embodiment, in which the external supply unit comprises only the power supply unit, the electrical delivery unit is arranged in the pen-like syringe device, more precisely in the drive housing of the syringe device, and is part of the pressure supply unit. In this case, the power supply unit is connected via a cable to the coupling connection that is in communication with the electrical delivery unit. 
     Particularly preferably, the external supply unit comprises a fastening device, in particular a wrist band or arm cuff, with which the external supply unit can be fastened to an arm of an operator. This allows the external supply unit to be attached to an operator, in particular the operator&#39;s arm, in a particularly simple manner. By arranging the external supply unit on the arm of an operator, the connection between the external supply unit and the pen-like syringe device, for example a hose or a cable, runs in such a way that the handling of the pen-like syringes is not disturbed. In addition, the external supply unit can thereby be easily covered, for example, by an operator&#39;s clothing, such as the sleeve of a surgical gown, or an arm or wrist gauntlet. Sterilization of the external supply unit after use is not required, or at least not mandatory. In particular, simple disinfection of the external supply unit can be sufficient. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment, the external supply unit has a towel dispenser, in particular a towel dispenser with a preferably textile cover for covering the external supply unit. This makes it particularly easy to cover the supply unit by means of a textile cover arranged on the external supply unit itself. 
     The external supply unit may further comprise a control unit for controlling the external supply unit, in particular for controlling an electrical delivery unit of the external supply unit. In addition or alternatively, the external supply unit can have a display unit for displaying parameters of the syringe system, in particular the state of the power supply unit and/or the operating parameters of the electrical delivery unit and/or the pressure or negative pressure acting on the plunger of a syringe inserted into the syringe receptacle. This enables optimum control and monitoring of the external supply unit and/or the pen-like syringe device. 
    
    
     
       These and other features as well as advantages and effects of the pen-like syringe system according to the invention result from the following embodiments described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: 
         FIG.  1    a syringe system with a pen-like syringe device and an external supply unit according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    a side view of the pen-like syringe device of  FIG.  1    in the open position; 
         FIG.  3    a side view of the pen-like syringe device of  FIG.  1    in the closed position with a syringe inserted; 
         FIG.  4    a top view of the pen-like syringe device of  FIG.  1    in the closed position with a syringe inserted; 
         FIG.  5    a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the pen-like syringe device of  FIG.  1    in the closed position with a syringe inserted; 
         FIG.  6    the external supply unit of the syringe system from  FIG.  1    without cover; 
         FIG.  7    the syringe system from  FIG.  1    with outlined wrist band; 
         FIG.  8    a syringe system with a pen-like syringe device and an external supply unit according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG.  9    the external supply unit of the syringe system from  FIG.  8   . 
     
    
    
       FIG.  1    shows a first embodiment example of a syringe system  1  with a pen-like syringe device  2  and an external supply unit  24 , which can provide pressure or negative pressure for the pen-like syringe device  2  and is connected to the pen-like syringe device  2  via a hose  23 . The pen-like syringe device  2  is shown in  FIG.  2    in the open position and in  FIGS.  3  to  5    in the closed position and with a syringe  17  inserted, the operating state of the pen-like syringe device  2 . The external supply unit  24  is shown in detail in  FIG.  6   . 
     The pen-like syringe device  2  has, as shown in particular in  FIGS.  2  to  5   , a drive housing  3  and a syringe receptacle  4  adjoining the drive housing  3  for receiving a syringe  17 , which has a syringe body  18  with a syringe flange  20  arranged at the rear (distal) end and a nozzle  22  arranged at the front (proximal) end and a plunger  19  or syringe stopper movably guided in the syringe body  18 . The drive housing  3  thereby forms a rear (distal) part and the syringe receptacle  4  forms a front (proximal) part of the pen-like syringe device  2 . The syringe receptacle  4  is formed by an operating lever  5  connected to the drive housing  3  via a swivel joint  7 , which operating lever  5  has a head unit  8  at its end pointing away from the drive housing  3 . The swivel joint  7  is arranged in a rear area of the drive housing  3 . An actuating end  6  of the operating lever  5  projects beyond the rear end of the drive housing  3 , so that when an operator presses the actuating end  6 , the operating lever  5  is rotated from a closed position shown in  FIG.  3    to an open or upper position shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     In the open position shown in  FIG.  2   , a syringe  17  can be inserted into the syringe receptacle  4 . The syringe  17  is thereby pushed onto a connection portion  15 , which is arranged on the front side of the drive housing  3  facing in the direction of the syringe receptacle  4  and engages somewhat in the interior of the syringe  17  or the syringe body  18 . A sealing ring  16  is applied to the connection piece  15  by means of which there is a gas-tight or air-tight connection between the connection piece  15  and the syringe  17  or the interior of the syringe body  18 . 
     In the closed state of the pen-like syringe device  2 , with the operating lever  5  in the closed or lower position shown in  FIG.  3   , the head unit  9  grips around the upper portion, pointing in the direction of the operating lever  5 , of a syringe shoulder  21  arranged at the front (proximal) end of the syringe  17 , the part of the syringe shoulder  21  grasped by the head unit  9  bearing directly against the head unit  9 . The syringe  17  is thereby clamped by the head unit  9  and the front end of the drive housing  3 , against which the syringe flange  20  rests. Clamping of the syringe flange  20 , i.e. application of force from the front edge of the syringe flange  20  in the direction of the drive housing  3 , does not occur in the embodiment example described. Breaking of the syringe flange  20  due to deviations occurring in this area, especially of a syringe flange  20  slightly inclined towards the front end of the syringe  17 , are thus avoided. The drive housing  3  may also have a flange mount that encompasses the syringe flange  20 . In particular, the drive housing  3  can thereby have, on the side facing in the direction of the syringe receptacle  4 , a sealing element which is not shown, in particular a second sealing ring, which bears against the syringe flange  20  and by means of which a gas-tight or air-tight connection is provided between the syringe flange  20  and the drive housing  3 . In the closed state of the pen-like syringe device  2  shown in  FIG.  3   , the nozzle  22  of the syringe  17  thereby projects beyond the front end of the head unit  9 . 
     When an injection is to be performed, for example an ophthalmological injection of perfluorocarbons into the eye of a patient, the syringe  17  inserted into the syringe receptacle  4  is filled with a substance to be injected. The substance to be injected is arranged between nozzle  22  and plunger  19  in the syringe body  18  of the syringe  17 . When a removal is to be carried out, however, the syringe  17  inserted into the syringe receptacle  4  is not filled. The plunger  19  is thereby initially arranged at or near the nozzle  22 . The pen-like syringe device  2 , in particular the syringe receptacle  4 , is configured according to the size of a syringe  17  to be inserted into the syringe receptacle  4 . For example, the syringe receptacle  4  may be configured to receive standard syringes known for injection or removal, in particular 10 ml syringes used, for example, in the injection of perfluorocarbons. 
     Injection or removal is effected by pneumatic application of pressure or negative pressure to the plunger  19  movably guided in the syringe body  18  of the syringe  17 , in particular by direct application of pressure or negative pressure to the plunger  19 . For applying pressure or negative pressure to the plunger  19 , the drive housing  3  has a pressure supply unit and a coupling connection  5  arranged on the underside of the drive housing  3 . The pressure supply unit comprises a drive channel  10  connected to the plunger  19  of a syringe  17  inserted into the syringe receptacle  4 , which drive channel  10 , as shown in  FIG.  5   , extends through the connection piece  15  and the drive housing  3  and is connected to the coupling connection  5 . In particular, the drive channel  10  may be formed by one or more hose elements extending in the drive housing  3 , which are not shown. The external supply unit  24 , which is connected to the coupling connection  5  via the hose  23  as shown in  FIG.  1   , can be used to apply pressure or negative pressure to the pressure supply unit and thus to the plunger  19 . The external supply unit  24  is actuated via a push button  8  arranged on the front area on the operating lever, which can be manually actuated by a finger and is connected to the delivery unit via an actuation connection that is not shown. The push button  8  is actuated perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the pen-like syringe device  2 . 
     Further, the pen-like syringe device  2  comprises a vent channel  12  having a first end connected to the drive channel  10  and a second end connected to the environment via an opening  13 . The opening  13  is thereby arranged, as shown in  FIG.  4   , directly at the push button  8  more precisely on the side facing to the drive housing  3  on the upper side of the operating lever  5 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , the vent channel  12  runs in the operating lever  5  from the opening  13  to a connection portion  14  arranged in the rear region of the operating lever  5 , from the connection portion  14  into the drive housing  3  and from there through the drive housing  3  to the drive channel  10 . The section formed between the connection portion  14  and the drive channel  10  is thereby preferably formed by a hose section not shown, which is connected to the connection portion  14  and which, in particular, allows the operating lever  5  to be rotated into the open position shown in  FIG.  2   . Furthermore, the connection between the drive channel  10 , in particular of a drive channel  10  formed by several hose sections, and the vent channel  12  can be formed by a T-piece not shown connecting the individual hose sections. 
     The external supply unit  24  shown in detail in  FIG.  6    comprises a cuboid housing  25  with a cover  26  shown in  FIG.  1    and omitted in  FIG.  6   , in which external supply unit  24  an electrical delivery unit  27 , in this case two diaphragm pumps, for generating pressure or negative pressure is arranged. Furthermore, the external supply unit  24  comprises a power supply unit  28 , specifically an accumulator, arranged on the housing  25 . Here, the power supply unit  28  serves to supply the electrical delivery unit  27  with electrical energy and can be charged via a charging connection  29 , for example a USB connection. Furthermore, the external supply unit  24  has a coupling piece  30  connected to the electrical delivery unit  27 , via which the external supply unit  24 , as shown in  FIG.  1   , can be fluidically connected to the coupling connection  11  of the pen-like syringe device  2  via a hose  23 . 
       FIG.  7    shows the syringe system from  FIG.  1   , whereby the electrical delivery unit  27  is attached to a sketched wrist band  32 . For the sake of clarity only, not all reference signs of the syringe system  1  or the pen-like syringe device  2  and the external supply unit  24  are drawn in  FIG.  7   . The wrist band  32  and the electrical delivery unit  27  can be covered, for example, by an operator&#39;s clothing, specifically the sleeve of a surgical gown, when the syringe system  1  is in use. 
       FIG.  8    shows a syringe system  1  with a pen-like syringe device  2  and an external supply unit  24  according to a second embodiment. The syringe system  1  differs from the first embodiment by the design of the external supply unit  24  shown in detail in  FIG.  9   . The pen-like syringe device  2  corresponds to the pen-like syringe device  2  of the first embodiment, although not all reference signs of the pen-like syringe device  2  are shown in  FIG.  8    merely for reasons of clarity. 
     The external supply unit  24  of the second embodiment shown in detail in  FIG.  9    is designed as an arm cuff  31 , which has three module receivers  33  arranged next to each other in the circumferential direction. An electrical delivery unit  27 , which is also designed as a diaphragm pump in this embodiment, is removably inserted in the middle module receiver  33 . The electrical delivery unit  27  also has a coupling piece  30  via which the external supply unit  24 , as shown in  FIG.  8   , can be connected to the coupling connection  11  of the pen-like syringe device  2  via a hose  23 . A power supply unit  28 , in particular an accumulator, for supplying the electrical delivery unit  27  with electrical energy is arranged in one of the two external module receivers  33 . The power supply unit  28  can be charged via a charging connection  29 , for example a USB connection. A towel dispenser  34  is removably inserted into the other module receiver  33 . A textile cover, in particular a cloth, can thereby be provided by the towel dispenser  34  for covering the external supply unit  24 . The cloth can thereby be guided, for example, around the entire arm cuff back to the towel dispenser  34  and fixed there. This enables simple and quick sterile covering of the external supply unit  24  during use of the syringe system  1 . 
     The operation and function of the syringe system  1  is described below on the basis of an injection to be performed. Here, a syringe  17  filled with a substance to be injected is inserted into the syringe receptacle  4  and the pen-like syringe device  2  is in the closed position provided for operation as shown in  FIG.  3   . In this case, the pen-like syringe device  2  has approximately the size of a human hand and is held and guided like a pen between the thumb, index finger and middle finger, with the index finger resting on or against the operating lever  5 . The external supply unit  24  is arranged on an arm of the operator via the wrist band  32  or the arm cuff  31 . 
     During the injection to be performed, the electrical delivery unit  27  of the external supply unit  24  is activated by an operator&#39;s finger, here the index finger, actuating the push button  8 . Pressure, in this case compressed air, is applied to the pressure supply unit of the pen-like syringe device  2  via the hose  23 . When the pen-like syringe device  2  is properly handled or the push button  8  is properly actuated, the opening  13  is automatically and forcibly closed by the finger actuating the push button  8 . Via the drive channel  10 , the compressed air used as drive medium is conveyed in the direction of the plunger  19  of the syringe  17  inserted into the syringe receptacle  4 . When the opening  13 , which is connected to the drive channel  10  via the vent channel  12 , is closed, pressure is applied to the plunger  19 . The plunger  19 , which is movably guided in the syringe body  18 , is thereby moved in the direction of the nozzle  22 , whereby the substance contained in the syringe  17  is dispensed from the nozzle  22  or a cannula attached thereto. When the opening  13  is not closed, for example when the push button  8  is not properly actuated or when the actuation of the push button  8  is terminated, the drive channel  10  and thus the plunger  19  are in communication with the environment. A (further) pressurization of the plunger  19  does not occur due to the air escaping through the opening  13 . When the push button  8  is terminated, this ensures that the injection is terminated immediately, in particular without any after-effects such as dripping. In addition, it is ensured that no injection takes place if the push button  8  is not actuated properly or in an uncontrolled manner. 
     In the case of a removal of a substance not described in more detail, for example a removal from a human body, in which the plunger  19  is subjected to negative pressure instead of pressure, the above statements apply accordingly. 
     Due to the design of the syringe system  1  according to the invention, a simple and safe holding, guiding and operating, of the pen-like syringe device  2 , in particular independent of the size of the hand of an operator and thus a safe and targeted injection or removal of a substance is given. In particular, the pen-like syringe device  2  is very light due to the outsourcing of the electrical delivery unit  27  and the power supply unit  28 , and thus offers a high degree of comfort and a pleasant, non-exhausting use of the pen-like syringe device  2 . The syringe system  1  according to the invention does not involve the risk of possible contamination of the substance to be injected or removed, which is present in prior art syringe systems, in particular due to a plunger rod (lubricated mechanism) connected to the plunger for driving it, or due to decanting of the substance to be injected or removed from an external container into the syringe or vice versa. The pen-like syringe device  2  shown also enables a syringe  17  to be easily and quickly inserted into and removed from the syringe receptacle  4  by means of the operating lever  5  rotatably hinged to the drive housing  3 . In particular, conventional standard syringes (without finger flange and piston rod) can be used with the pen-like syringe device  2  according to the invention. The syringe receptacle  4  and the connection piece  15  are designed in accordance with the (standard) syringes  17  to be used. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, an embodiment is also possible in which the electrical delivery unit  27 , specifically a diaphragm pump, is arranged in the drive housing  3  of the syringe device  2  and is part of the pressure supply unit. The coupling connection  11  is here an electrical connection connected to the electrical delivery unit  27 , which is used for electrical connection to a power supply unit  28  arranged in the external supply unit  24 . Instead of a hose  23 , a cable connection is used here for the power supply. 
     In addition, other designs of the external supply unit  24  and the pen-like syringe device  2  are also possible, for example an arrangement of the opening  13  on the upper side of the push button  8 . Furthermore, it is also possible that the syringe receptacle  4  is designed to be temperature-controlled, in particular heatable, for which purpose a temperature control unit is arranged in the syringe device  2  and is supplied with electrical energy via the power supply unit  28  or another external power supply unit, in particular another external power supply unit arranged on the external supply unit  24 . 
     Furthermore, the syringe receptacle  4  can also have a splinter protection, i.e. a protection against splinters in case of an occurring damage of the syringe  17 . For example, the splinter protection can be formed by a plexiglass element arranged on the operating lever, which covers the syringe  17  or into which the syringe  17  is inserted. Alternatively or additionally, the syringe  17  may comprise a circumferential label, specifically a label circumferentially surrounding the syringe body  18 , which prevents splintering of the syringe  17  or at least detachment of splinters. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
         
           
               1  Syringe system 
               2  Pen-like syringe device 
               3  Drive housing 
               4  Syringe receptacle 
               5  Operating lever 
               6  Actuating end 
               7  Swivel joint 
               8  Push button 
               9  Head unit 
               10  Drive channel 
               11  Coupling connection 
               12  Vent channel 
               13  Opening 
               14  Connection portion 
               15  Connection piece 
               16  Sealing ring 
               17  Syringe 
               18  Syringe body 
               19  Plunger 
               20  Syringe flange 
               21  Syringe shoulder 
               22  Nozzle 
               23  Hose 
               24  External supply unit 
               25  Housing 
               26  Cover 
               27  Electrical delivery unit 
               28  Power supply unit 
               29  Charging connection 
               30  Coupling piece 
               31  Arm cuff 
               32  Wrist band 
               33  Module receiver 
               34  Towel dispenser 
             L Longitudinal direction