Patent Publication Number: US-8529522-B2

Title: Fluid transfer device having removable needle cartridge

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/868,764, filed Jun. 17, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,163, entitled “Fluid Transfer Device Having Removable Needle Cartridge,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/478,845, filed Jun. 17, 2003, entitled “Multi Needle Disposal Cartridge in Syringe Applications,” both of which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fluid transfer device having a removable cartridge containing multiple needles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When injections are administered to a large number of animals, the same needle is often repeatedly used. This is due primarily to the need to carry out mass injections quickly and efficiently, whereas employing multiple needles is time-consuming, cumbersome, and potentially unsafe due to the burden their disposal places upon those giving the injections. However, reusing the same needle is unsanitary and may lead to the spread of disease from one animal to the next. An efficient solution that allows multiple injections to be performed quickly and efficiently, provides a separate, sterile needle for each subject, and provides for safe, easy needle disposal would therefore be advantageous. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a fluid transfer device employing a removable cartridge having multiple needles, where the cartridge is automatically advanced to the next unused needle after a needle has been used, until all of the needles in the cartridge have been used once. The cartridge provides a protective housing for both unused and used needles. 
     The present invention may be used in veterinary medicine, where a group of animals may require injections at one time, although it is appreciated that it may be used in other applications as well. Using the device of the present invention, a separate, sterile needle is employed for each injection, reducing the risk of disease transfer from one subject to the next. The required amount of fluid to be administered may be set only once for a series of injections. Thus, a uniform dosage may be administered to a large number of subjects with relative ease. 
     In one aspect of the present invention a fluid transfer device is provided including a cartridge including a plurality of needles, an advancer operative to selectably advance any of the plurality of needles in the cartridge to a needle deployment position, and a syringe operative to convey fluid through the needle in the needle deployment position. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the device further includes apparatus operative to at least partially extend the needle out of the cartridge. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the apparatus is retractable to urge the needle at least partially back into the cartridge. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the device further includes an syringe operative to couple with the needle for conveying the fluid therethrough. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the cartridge includes a plurality of needle chambers, each chamber housing one of the plurality of needles. 
     In another aspect of the present invention any of the chambers includes a spring operative to expand when the needle is extended at least partially out of the chamber and contract to retract the needle at least partially back into the chamber. 
     In another aspect of the present invention any of the chambers includes at least one needle guard operative to at least partially obstruct an opening of the chamber subsequent to the needle being firstly extended at least partially out of the chamber, where the obstruction is sufficient to prevent reentry into the chamber of apparatus for extending the needle out of the chamber. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the needle guard is flexed and held in place between the needle and an inner wall of the chamber prior to the needle being firstly extended at least partially out of the chamber, and where the needle guard resiliently flattens at least partially across the opening of the chamber subsequent to the extending of the needle. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the cartridge is cylindrical and is operative to be rotated to advance any of the needles to the needle deployment position. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the cartridge is a ribbon in which a plurality of needle chambers are disposed. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the cartridge is a sliding cartridge and is operative to be slid along an axis to advance any of the needles to the needle deployment position. 
     In another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for fluid transfer, the method including selectably advancing any of the plurality of needles in a cartridge to a needle deployment position, and conveying fluid through the needle in the needle deployment position. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the method further includes at least partially extending the needle out of the cartridge. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the method further includes at least partially retracting the needle back into the cartridge. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the method further includes coupling an syringe with the needle and conveying the fluid therethrough. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the method further includes housing each of the plurality of needles in a corresponding one of a plurality of needle chambers disposed in the cartridge. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the method further includes causing a spring disposed in any of the chambers to expand when the needle is extended at least partially out of the chamber and contract to retract the needle at least partially back into the chamber. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the method further includes at least partially obstructing an opening of any of the chambers subsequent to the needle being firstly extended at least partially out of the chamber, where the obstruction is sufficient to prevent reentry into the chamber of apparatus for extending the needle out of the chamber. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the method further includes flexing and holding a needle guard in place between the needle and an inner wall of the chamber prior to the needle being firstly extended at least partially out of the chamber, and flattening the needle guard at least partially across the opening of the chamber subsequent to the extending of the needle. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the method further includes rotating the cartridge to advance any of the needles to the needle deployment position, where the cartridge is cylindrical. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the method further includes sliding the cartridge along an axis to advance any of the needles to the needle deployment position, where the cartridge is a sliding cartridge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully by way of example provided by the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are simplified side views of a fluid transfer device, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are simplified cross-sectional side views of a fluid transfer device, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is an isometric view, taken from the syringe entry side of the cartridge of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is an isometric view, taken from the needle outlet side of the cartridge of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridge of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a single needle chamber of the cartridge before needle deployment; 
         FIGS. 4C and 4D  are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridge of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a single needle chamber of the cartridge during needle deployment; 
         FIGS. 4E and 4F  are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridge of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a single needle chamber of the cartridge after the needle has returned to the cartridge; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric, bottom view of a needle guard ring for use with the cartridge of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a dust-prevention guard for use with the cartridge of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is simplified side view of a fluid transfer device with needle cartridge ribbon, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is simplified side view of a fluid transfer device having a sliding cartridge, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a simplified illustration of a rotation mechanism for use with the cartridge of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , which are simplified side views of a fluid transfer device  100 , constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A fluid transfer device, generally designated  100 , is shown to which a needle cartridge  102  is coupled. Cartridge  102  preferably houses multiple needles  114  and is adapted for being mounted to and dismounted from fluid transfer device  100 , such as onto a shaft assembly  116 , for which a locking mechanism  104 , which may be any conventional locking mechanism, is provided on either shaft  116  or cartridge  102  so that cartridge  102  may be securely fastened to shaft assembly  116 . Fluid transfer device  100  also preferably includes a handle  106 , a safety latch  108 , a main housing  110 , and a piston assembly, generally designated  112 , which operate in combination to advance cartridge  102  to the next needle  114  and convey a predetermined amount of fluid via a single needle  114 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , which represent simplified cross-sectional side views of fluid transfer device  100 , constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIGS. 2A and 2B , needle cartridge  102  is illustrated housing a plurality of needles  114 , only one of which is shown for illustration purposes, in a predetermined arrangement. Cartridge  102  is preferably cylindrical and includes multiple needle chambers  200  for housing single needles  114  in a sterile and safe manner. In one possible configuration, twenty-four needle chambers housing twenty-four needles are positioned around the circumference of cartridge  102 . It is appreciated, however, that cartridge  102  may be designed to house any suitable number of needles. Preferably, the upper-most needle in cartridge  102  occupies a needle deployment position  202 . During operation of fluid transfer device  100 , the needle  114  occupying needle deployment position  202  is forced outwardly from cartridge  102 , enabling needle  114  to be inserted into a single subject, such as for the injection of fluid. Following injection, needle  114  is drawn back into its chamber  200  in cartridge  102 , and cartridge  102  is rotated by a pre-set amount using any conventional means to allow an unused needle to occupy needle deployment position  202 , such as is described in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
     Piston assembly  112  preferably includes a fluid reservoir  204 , and a first one-way valve  206  for facilitating entry of fluid into reservoir  204 , such as via a tube or container connected to valve  206 . Piston assembly  112  also preferably includes a second one-way valve  208  and a syringe  210 . Second one-way valve  208  serves to enable passage of fluid from reservoir  204  to syringe  210 . Piston assembly  112  also preferably includes a spring-biased piston  212  slidably mounted in reservoir  204 , and a piston pusher  214  coupled to piston  212  and adapted to be pressed during operation of fluid transfer device  100  to urge fluid to flow from reservoir  204  to syringe  210 . During an injection, syringe  210  temporarily couples with and pushes needle  114  outward from needle deployment position  202  such that needle  114  protrudes from cartridge  102  for insertion into a subject. This will be further described below. 
     Main housing  110  ( FIG. 1A ) is preferably connected to cartridge  102  via shaft assembly  116 , and is movable, together with cartridge  102 , between a priming position A, as shown in  FIG. 2A , and an injecting position B, as shown in  FIG. 2B . Shaft assembly  116  preferably includes an inner shaft  216 , an outer shaft  218 , and an advancer  220  coupled to cartridge  102  for advancing the next needle chamber  200  in cartridge  102  to needle deployment position  202 , such as by rotating cartridge  102  by a predetermined amount, whenever main housing  110  is moved from injecting position B to priming position A. Main housing  110  also includes a main housing spring  222  positioned between outer shaft  218  and piston  212 . In priming position A, main housing  110  and cartridge  102  are in an extended position with respect to piston assembly  112 , and spring  222  is compressed. In injecting position B, main housing  110  and cartridge  102  are in a retracted position with respect to piston assembly  112 . In injecting position B, syringe  210  has entered cartridge  102  and has coupled with needle  114  in needle deployment position  202 . Handle  106  and safety latch  108  preferably function to enable movement of main housing  110  and cartridge  102  between priming position A and injecting position B. 
     A piston jack  224  coupled to piston  212  is preferably adapted to recede upward into piston assembly  112  when piston  212  is pushed forward in the direction of arrow  230 , and to extend downward out of piston assembly  112  when forward movement of piston  212  has ceased. A piston puller  234  is preferably disposed in one of several grooves  226  on outer shaft  218  of main housing  110 , with each groove  226  corresponding to a predetermined dosage. After injection, outer shaft  218  preferably moves forward in the direction of arrow  230 , where piston puller  234  is preferably sloped downward to allow it to engage and pass underneath a correspondingly sloped tip of piston jack  224 . Outer shaft  218  then preferably moves backward in the direction of arrow  232 , with piston puller  234  catching piston jack  224  and drawing piston  212  back. It will be seen that positioning piston puller  234  closer to reservoir  204  will cause piston puller  234  to engage piston jack  224  sooner, and cause more fluid to enter reservoir  204 , while positioning piston puller  234  farther back from reservoir  204  will cause piston puller  234  to engage piston jack  224  later, and cause less fluid to enter reservoir  204 . In this manner, the position of piston puller  234  may be set at the desired groove  226  to determine to the amount of fluid for each an injection. 
     Typical operation of fluid transfer device  100  begins by moving piston pusher  214  of piston assembly  112  back and forth so as to produce low pressure in reservoir  204 . This motion is continued until fluid becomes drawn through tubing connecting fluid transfer device  100  to a fluid container (not shown) and into fluid transfer device  100  via first one-way valve  206 . A desired fluid dosage that is to be administered to each subject is controlled by setting piston jack  224  into the desired groove  226  as described above. Needle cartridge  102  may then be attached to main housing  110 . 
     Injection of a subject is carried out in three steps. First, handle  106  is pushed towards a grip  228 . This results in the forward movement of main housing  110 , outer shaft  218 , inner shaft  216 , and cartridge  102  in the direction of arrow  230  to priming position A, as seen in  FIG. 2A . The forward movement of main housing  110  compresses main housing spring  222  and locks safety latch  108  onto outer shaft  218  of main housing  110 . Pushing handle  106  also results in advancer  220  advancing cartridge  102  by a predetermined amount so as to present the next needle  114  to needle deployment position  202 . Advancer  220  may function through any appropriate means in the art for converting the linear motion of main housing  110  into an advancing action of cartridge  102 , such as through rotation. Next, safety latch  108  is pressed downward and released from outer shaft  218 , resulting in backward movement of main housing  110  and cartridge  102  in the direction of arrow  232 , as seen in  FIG. 2B . The backward movement of cartridge  102  causes syringe  210  to enter cartridge  102 , couple with needle  114  in needle deployment position  202 , and to partially push needle  114  out of cartridge  102 , whereupon needle  114  may then be inserted into a subject. The release of safety latch  108  also preferably causes spring  222  to expand, resulting in the backward movement of outer shaft  218  and piston  212 , which causes a predetermined amount of fluid to be drawn into reservoir  204  via first one-way valve  206 . In the third step, piston pusher  214  is pressed forward, resulting in passage of the predetermined amount of fluid from reservoir  204  to syringe  210  and into needle  114  for injection into the subject. It is appreciated that in this step, second one-way valve  208  is opened, and first one-way valve  206  is closed, so as to result in the movement of fluid as described. The above process is then repeated for subsequent subjects, with an unused needle being used for each injection. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , which represent alternate isometric views, taken from a syringe entry side  300  and from an needle outlet side  302 , respectively, of cartridge  102  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Syringe entry side  300  of cartridge  102  is shown having multiple openings  304 , for enabling each needle to be engaged by syringe  210  ( FIG. 2A ) at the appropriate time during operation of the device. Needle outlet side  302  of cartridge  102  is shown having multiple corresponding needle outlet holes  306  for allowing outward movement of a single needle from cartridge  102  at the time of needle deployment. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , which are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridge of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a single needle chamber of the cartridge before needle deployment, to  FIGS. 4C and 4D , which are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridge of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a single needle chamber of the cartridge during needle deployment, and to  FIGS. 4E and 4F , which are partial cross-sectional side views of the cartridge of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a single needle chamber of the cartridge after the needle has returned to the cartridge. Each needle chamber  200  ( FIG. 2A ) preferably includes a needle spring  400  engaged around needle  114  for facilitating the return of needle  114  back into chamber  200  after use. Spring  400  preferably compresses against an outlet wall  404  of needle chamber  200  when syringe  210  pushes needle  114  out of needle chamber  200 . When syringe  210  is withdrawn, the compression force abates, allowing spring  400  to urge needle  114  back into chamber  200 . 
     A first needle guard  406 , and preferably a second needle guard  408 , are disposed at an entrance  402  of needle chamber  200  through which syringe  210  enters. Needle guards  406 ,  408  function to prevent reuse of a needle. Prior to the first use of needle  114 , needle guards  406 ,  408  are flexed and held in place between the base of needle  114  and the inner walls of needle chamber  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . When needle  114  is extended from cartridge  102 , needle guards  406 ,  408  resiliently flatten, as shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D . This prevents further usage of needle  114 , as the opening into needle chamber  200  in the fluid entry side of cartridge  102  which leads to needle  114  becomes effectively blocked, preventing the entry of syringe  210  into needle chamber  200 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which is an isometric, bottom view of a needle guard ring for use with the cartridge of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A needle guard ring  500  is shown having a series of ring openings  502  on which first and second needle guards  406 ,  408  are disposed. Ring  500  is preferably positioned on the fluid entry side of cartridge  102  and provides each needle chamber  200  with first and second needle guards  406 ,  408 . Ring  500  may be formed from flexible plastic or any other suitable material. In  FIG. 5 , needle guards  406 ,  408  are shown in a flexed configuration. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , which is a schematic view of a dust-prevention guard for use with the cartridge of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A dust-prevention guard  600  is shown, being preferably ring-shaped and having a gap  602 . Dust-prevention guard  600  is preferably fixedly attached to shaft assembly  116  ( FIG. 1A ) and covers all of the openings that are on the fluid entry side of the cartridge  102 , except for the opening on the fluid entry side that leads to the needle that is located in needle deployment position  202  ( FIG. 2A ). Dust-prevention guard  600  preferably protects needles  114  from exposure to airborne particles. A thin covering (not shown), preferably formed from paper, may also be employed to cover the injection side of cartridge  102 , allowing needles  114  to pierce the thin covering when exiting chamber  200 , while protecting needles  114  from dust prior to use. The thin covering may also display printed instructions for using the device. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7 , which is simplified side view of a fluid transfer device with a needle cartridge ribbon, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A fluid transfer device  700  is shown which operates in a substantially similar manner to fluid transfer device  100  described hereinabove, with the notable exception that a cartridge ribbon  702  is used, in which multiple needle chambers  704  are disposed. Rather than rotate a cylindrical cartridge, fluid transfer device  700  advances each needle chamber  704  in cartridge ribbon  702  to needle deployment position  202  using any known mechanism. Cartridge ribbon  702  may be made of any flexible material, such as plastic or fabric. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 8 , which is simplified side view of a fluid transfer device having a sliding cartridge, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A fluid transfer device  800  is shown which operates in a substantially similar manner to fluid transfer device  100  described hereinabove, with the notable exception that a sliding cartridge  802  is used that is adapted for sliding along any axis that is perpendicular to the axis of shaft assembly  116 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 9 , which is a simplified illustration of a rotation mechanism for use with the cartridge of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In  FIG. 9 , inner shaft  216  ( FIG. 2A ) is shown having a pin  900  preferably extending downward from the end of shaft  216  closest to advancer  220  upon which cartridge  102  may be mounted (not shown). Advancer  220  preferably has a series of gear teeth  902  preferably disposed on its inner circumference at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of shaft  216 . When shaft  216  moves forward in the direction of arrow  204 , pin  900  engages gear tooth  902  ( FIG. 2A ) which, being set at an angle, causes advancer  220  to rotate in the direction of arrow  906 . 
     It is appreciated that one or more of the elements of the invention described herein may be omitted or carried out in a different order than that shown, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more specific embodiments, the description is intended to be illustrative of the invention as a whole and is not to be construed as limiting the invention to the embodiments shown. It is appreciated that various modifications may occur to those skilled in the art that, while not specifically shown herein, are nevertheless within the true spirit and scope of the invention.