Patent Abstract:
A container of an injectable solution is disclosed herein including various sensors, electrodes, a memory device, and other features that monitor the process of extraction or injection of the content of the container to ensure it is completed successfully in an automated manner, such as in an automatic injecting device.

Full Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAME OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/590,658, an injection device  1  was disclosed that would reduce or prevent the pain associated with injection, and surgical procedures such as puncture, incision, or otherwise violation of the skin barrier, using electrical and physical stimulation, simultaneously or consecutively, of the area of the skin or mucosa in the vicinity of the injection, puncture, incision, or otherwise violation of the skin or mucosa barrier. In this application, various components of said injection device  1  are disclosed. Furthermore, a container  18  of injectable solution is also disclosed with improved characteristics. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A container of injectable solution and a syringe is disclosed that includes sensors and various components to help proper administration of injection by an automated injecting device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a container of injectable solution including a memory device, electrodes, a needle, and an electrical switch connected to a processor. It also shows various components of a preferred embodiment of a container of injectable solution. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 2 &amp; 3  show how a flexible area inflates when a plunger pushes the contents towards the needle and the adjacent flexible area. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  depicts a container of injectable solution including a means to allow the plunger to move only in one direction. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  illustrates a container of injectable solution including a plurality of electrodes, a barometer, and a memory device. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6   a  &amp;  6   b  show how a flexible area breaks an electrically conductive means when it inflates or deflates. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  illustrates a needle including a tip, a canal, a segment with a larger canal, and a semi-pervious object placed in the larger canal. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  shows a container including a plurality of wires that are attached to a plurality of connectors. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/590,658, filed on Nov. 12, 2009 to establish the priority date for various aspects of the following invention. 
         [0014]    In a specific example of the invention, a container of injectable solution  18  is disclosed, including a plurality of ports  27  made for example of rubber. Said plurality of ports  27  are penetrable by a needle of a syringe (not shown) to extract its contents  25 ,  FIG. 5 . Said container  18  has a plurality of flexible areas  23  that can be forced to move outwards out of or inwards into said container  18  depending on increased or decreased pressure, respectively, inside said container  18 . The first advantage of this design is to relatively equilibrate the pressures inside and outside of said container  18  during extracting the contents  25 . Since extracting the contents  25  creates a relative vacuum inside said container  18 , it would increasingly become difficult to extract the contents  25  as the contents  25  are emptied unless the vacuum is filled. In order to do so, said plurality of flexible areas  23  expand inward due to relatively higher outside pressure, filling the vacuum, and facilitating further extraction of said contents  25  from said container  18 . In a preferred example of the invention, before extraction of the contents  25 , a fluid such as a gas is injected into said container  18  through said plurality of ports  27 , inflating said plurality of expandable areas  23 . This method facilitates extraction of more of said contents  25  before encountering a strong enough vacuum to hamper proper extraction of said contents  25 . 
         [0015]    In a specific example of the invention, said injecting device  1  includes means to automatically apply electric and physical stimulation to the area of injection, actuate the penetration of a plurality of needles  8  into the recipient&#39;s skin, and injection of the contents  25  of said plurality of containers  18 , through said plurality of needles  8 , using various motors to actuate different steps, a processor  14  to control, guide, and time these steps, and various sensors to ascertain successful completion of each step,  FIG. 1 . 
         [0016]    In a specific example of the invention, this design is used to assure that said container  18  has no cracks and that the process of extraction of said contents  25  is carried out properly. When injecting gas into said container  18  or extracting said contents  25  therefrom, the pressure inside said container  18  changes relative to the outside pressure. This will lead to expansion of said plurality of flexible areas  23  outwards from or inwards into said container  18 . This will indicate proper content  25  extraction from said container  18 , because if, for any reason, said contents  25  were not extracted, said plurality of flexible areas  23  would not expand into said container  18 . This advantage becomes more apparent when the extraction is performed automatically by said injecting device  1 . Since visual verification of proper content extraction from said container  18  may not be feasible, the expansion of said plurality of flexible areas  23  with change of pressure inside said container  18  proves to be a reliable indicator of successful content  25  extraction from said container  18 . A sensor (not shown) inside said injecting device  1  can be used to detect inward or outward expansion of said plurality of flexible areas  23 , relay this message to said processor  14  which will in turn allow the extraction process to proceed,  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0017]    In a specific example of the invention, said plurality of flexible areas  23  lose their expansion capacity after a period of time. That period of time can be made to coincide approximately with the expiration date of said contents  25  of said container  18 . Therefore, at the expiration date of said contents  25 , said plurality of flexible areas  23  do not expand as a response to a change in pressure inside said container  18 . The sensor inside said injecting device  1  does not detect any inward or outward expansion of said plurality of flexible areas  23 , no message is relayed to said processor  14  which will in turn not allow the extraction process to proceed. This can act as a safety mechanism to avoid injection of expired contents  25  to the recipient. 
         [0018]    In a specific example of the invention, a plurality of electrically conductive means  28  is in contact with, adhered to, or preferably embedded in, said plurality of flexible areas  23 ,  FIG. 6   a . Said plurality of electrically conductive means  28  are rather delicate and not as expandable or flexible as said plurality of flexible areas  23 . Furthermore, said plurality of electrically conductive means  28  are electrically connected to said processor  14  that detects its continuity as long as an electric current can pass through said plurality of electrically conductive means  28 . When said plurality of flexible areas  23  expand enough, said plurality of electrically conductive means  28 , in contact with, adhered to, or embedded in said plurality of flexible areas  23 , are physically torn apart and are no longer electrically conductive,  FIG. 6   b . This design can be used to ascertain said container  18  is used only once, thereby preventing abuse by, for example, recreational drug users attempting to reuse said container  18 . When said container  18  comes in contact with said injecting device  1  in order to initiate extraction of its contents  25 , said processor  14  detects whether or not said plurality of electrically conductive means  28  are broken. If so, it does not allow the process of said content  25  extraction to proceed as one of the steps necessary for a successful content  25  injection into a recipient. 
         [0019]    In a specific example of the invention, a barometer is placed inside said container  18  to detect and relay any change in pressure inside said container  18  to said processor  14  to evaluate the success of extraction of said contents  25  from said container  18 ,  FIG. 5 . 
         [0020]    In another example of the invention, said container  18  includes a plurality of electrodes  21  being in electric contact with said content  2 , electrically connected to said processor  14 , and placed on the walls of and/or inside said container  18 ,  FIG. 5 . Said content  25  is electrically conductive, though it may exhibit a significant electrical resistance to an electrical current passing through it. Before extracting said content  25 , said processor  14  sends a signal to at least one said electrode  21 . If there is enough said content  25  in said container  18 , the electric signal passes through said electrically conductive content  25  to at least one other electrode  21  and back to said processor  14 , indicating of availability of adequate said content  25  for injection. Then, extraction of said content  25  may proceed. In case of inadequate said content  25  in said container  18 , not enough said content  25  is there to carry an electrical signal from at least one said electrode  21  to another, and no signal is received by said processor  14 , which in turn will not allow the extraction of said contents  25  to proceed or at least will warn of inadequate supply of said content  25 . 
         [0021]    In another example of the invention, said container  18  includes a memory device  22  that stores certain electrical characteristics that the contents  25  of said container  18  have, for example, the electrical resistance that the contents  25  exhibit when two or more said electrodes  21  are placed a certain distance apart from each other,  FIG. 5 . Two or more said electrodes  21  are placed on the walls of or inside said container  18  and in contact with its contents. This setup allows measuring the electrical resistance inherent in the content  25  of said container  18 . Said processor  14  will then verify that the measured electrical resistance of the contents  25  matches the electrical resistance stored by the manufacturer in said memory device  22  in said container  18  before it permits the injection to proceed. This design should prove beneficial in preventing abuse of the injecting device  1 , for example, by recreational drug users. Since the electrical characteristics of a recreational drug, that is filled in said container  18  after the original contents are emptied, are likely to be different than those of the original contents of said container  18 , said processor  14  will prevent the injection to proceed. 
         [0022]    In a specific example of the invention, said container  18  is connected or connectable to a needle  8  with an inside canal  29  through which said contents  25  can pass to a said needle  8  tip that can reach and enter the recipient&#39;s body,  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    In a specific example of the invention, a plurality of said containers  18  can be held securely inside and released from said injection device  1  at will. 
         [0024]    In a specific example of the invention, said plurality of containers  18  are generally shaped like a tube that contains a liquid. A plunger  15  is so positioned in said container  18  as to be able to force the liquid contents  25  towards and into said needle  8 ,  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]    In a specific example of the invention, said container  18  has a relatively elongated shape. Said container of injectable solution  18  has the capacity to receive and secure a plurality of said needles  8  so that the length of said plurality of needles  8  is generally perpendicular to the length of said container  18 . This design helps prevent spillage of said medicine from said cartridge due to shaking, vibration, and/or otherwise movement of said plurality of containers of injectable solution  18  and their contents,  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    The electrical environment inside the body is different than that outside the body. For example, the resistance to an electrical current passing through the body is different than that outside the body. In the following example of the invention, use is made of this phenomenon to ascertain successful needle penetration through the skin and into the body before said content  25  of said container of injectable solution  18  is ejected out of said plurality of needles  8 . A plurality of said needles  8  are at least partially electrically conductive and electrically connected to said processor  14  that senses any change in the electrical environment of said plurality of needles  8 ,  FIG. 1 . Said plurality of containers of injectable solution  18  are designed to accept said plurality of needles  8 . When said injecting device  1  is activated, it actuates said plurality of needles  8  to penetrate the skin and enter the body of the recipient. When said processor  14  senses the electrical environment at said plurality of needles  8  resembles the electrical environment inside the body, it sends a signal to initiate the injection of the contents of said plurality of containers  18 . 
         [0027]    In a specific example of the invention, a portion of said plurality of needles  8  is electrically insulated  24 ,  FIG. 1 . That portion may include a span of said plurality of needles  8  starting from the tip of said needle  8  to a designated distance towards where said needle  8  meets said container of injectable solution  18 . This design assures that said needle  8  has penetrated the skin a designated distance before said processor  14  senses a change in the electrical environment by said needle  8 . Therefore said processor  14  senses a successful penetration of said needle  8  into the recipient&#39;s skin only after said needle  8  has penetrated into the skin a designated distance. It is only then that said processor  14  sends the signal that injection of the contents of said cartridge can start. Since there is limited or no pain perception associated with the injection, this safety mechanism is important because it ascertains that said needle  8  has penetrated the recipient&#39;s skin by a designated length, and the life saving contents of said container of injectable solution  18  are injected properly and not wasted outside the recipient&#39;s skin. 
         [0028]    In a specific example of the invention, the content of said container of injectable solution  18  is electrically conductive. A plurality of electrodes  21  are placed on the walls of or inside said container of injectable solution  18  and/or said plunger  15 , and are in electrical contact with the contents  25  of said container of injectable solution  18 ,  FIG. 1 . The electrically conductive content  25  of said container of injectable solution  18  can transfer electrical impulses between, for example, one of the plurality of said needles  8  and a plurality of said electrodes  21 . This design can be applied, for example, to obviate the difficult task of attaching an electrical wire  20  directly to a plurality of said needles  8  in order to electrically connect them to said processor  14 . Instead, said electrical wire  20  can conveniently be electrically connected to a plurality of said electrodes  21 . Upon successful penetration of said plurality of needles  8  into the recipient&#39;s body, an electrical impulse signaling a change in the environment of said plurality of needles  8  travels from said plurality of needles  8  into the contents  25  of said container of injectable solution  18  and to said plurality of electrodes  21 . From there, an electrical wire  20  transfers the electrical impulse to said processor  14 . 
         [0029]    In a specific example of the invention, said container of injectable solution  18  has the following safety mechanism to ensure that the process of extraction of said contents  25  is carried out properly and that the contents of said container  18  do not spill out useless through a defect or a fracture in the walls of said container  18 . Said container  18  walls includes a plurality of flexible areas  23  that are in contact with the inside pressure of said container  18  from the inside and are exposed to the outside of said container  18  from the outside,  FIG. 2 . When said plunger  15  pushes the contents of said container of injectable solution  18  towards a plurality of said needles  8  during the process of injection, the pressure in the contents increases provided there are no fractures on the walls of said cartridge and the only exit available to the contents of said cartridge is through said plurality of needles  8 . The inside pressure increases because said content  25  cannot escape through said needle  8  as readily due to the small size of the canal  29  inside said needle  8 . This increase in pressure will, in turn, force said plurality of flexible areas  23  to bulge out while the contents are under pressure and exiting said plurality of needles  8 ,  FIG. 3 . The bulge in said plurality of flexible areas  23  activates a sensor (not shown) to send a signal to said processor  14  which in turn sends a signal to said injecting device  1  to continue the process of injection. If there is a fracture in any of the walls of said container of injectable solution  18 , the increase in pressure in the contents during the process of injection will be minimal or nonexistent. There will be minimal or no bulging on said plurality of flexible areas  23  Said injection device  1  will not be activated; and the process of injection will be discontinued to avoid spillage and waste of the contents of said container of injectable solution  18 . The recipient is notified of the failure of injection so he can procure the life-saving medicine in a different manner. 
         [0030]    In a specific example of the invention, said container of injectable solution  18  has the following safety mechanism to make it difficult, if not impossible, for anyone to refill said container of injectable solution  18 . This safety mechanism can be implemented, for example, to prevent recreational drug users to use said injecting device  1  as a conduit to abuse drugs. Said container of injectable solution  18  is designed to have a general shape of a tube, in which said plunger  15  can travel to press the contents  25  of said container of injectable solution  18  into and out of said plurality of needles  8 . At least part of the inner surface of said container of injectable solution  18  is shape to allow the travel of said plunger  15  towards said plurality of needles  8 , but not in the opposite direction,  FIG. 4 . 
         [0031]    In a specific example of the invention, said container of injectable solution  18  includes a plurality of electric switches  19 , located preferably near said needle  8 , and electrically connected to said processor  14 ,  FIG. 1 . Said plurality of electric switches  19  are so positioned that as said needle  8  penetrates the recipient&#39;s body, said plurality of electric switches  19  get closer to the recipient&#39;s skin. At a designated distance from the skin, said plurality of electric switches  19  signal to said processor  14  indicating that said needle  8  has penetrated a designated distance into the recipient&#39;s body and the process of injecting said contents  25  can begin. Said processor  14  in turn allows the injection to proceed. Since there is limited or no pain perception associated with the injection, this safety mechanism is important in order to ascertain that said needle  8  has penetrated the recipient&#39;s skin by a designated length, and the life saving contents of said container of injectable solution  18  are injected properly and not wasted outside the recipient&#39;s skin. 
         [0032]    In general, the size of a canal is inversely proportional to the speed of the fluid that travels inside it. In a specific example of the invention, use is made of this phenomenon to construct a backflow preventing mechanism to prevent blood and body fluids to travel through said needle  8  to said container  18  as in the following. Said needle  8  includes a plurality of segments, at some distance from said needle&#39;s  8  tip  30 , with a larger inside canal  31  than said canal  29  in the rest of said needle  8 ,  FIG. 7 . Backflow of blood and other body fluids from the recipient&#39;s body occur because of a momentary higher pressure in the body than inside said container  18 . If injection is administered at the correct site, said needle  8  does not pierce a major blood vessel and any backflow of blood through said needle  8  is rather limited and travels rather slowly. The presence of a plurality of segments of said needle  8  with said larger canal  31  hampers the progression of blood towards said container  18  as it takes longer to fill up said needle  8  segment with said larger canal  31  with blood. Before blood has a chance to reach said container  18 , said needle  8  is removed from the recipient&#39;s body. Therefore, the flow of blood to said container  18  is prevented. This design is helpful in situations where said container  18  has enough content  25  for two or more injections; and it is preferable not to introduce blood or other body fluids into said contents. In a specific example of the invention, a semi-pervious material  32  such as a sponge or bristles of a brush is placed inside said plurality of larger canals  31  to retard the free flow of fluids inside said plurality of larger canals  32 , in order to further help prevent the backflow of blood into said container  18 . 
         [0033]    In a specific example of the invention, said container has the general shape of a tube and includes a content  25  with some electrical resistance. A plurality of electrodes  21  are placed at a certain distance from each other, and are in electrical contact with said content  25  and with said processor  14 . Said container  25  is positioned with respect to the gravity in such a way that the more said content  25  is there in said container  18 , the more said content  25  is in contact with said plurality of electrodes  21 ,  FIG. 5 . It is also known that the more said content  25  is contact with said plurality of electrodes  21 , the less electrical resistance is felt between said plurality of electrodes  21 . This fact can be used to measure the amount of said content  25  in said container  18 . 
         [0034]    In a specific example of the invention, a plurality of said wires  20  are not directly connected to said processor  14 . Instead, they are connected to a plurality of connectors  33  that can in turn be connected to said processor  14 ,  FIG. 8 . 
         [0035]    One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented here for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0