Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20100160870?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2015-03-03 09:58:40
Document Index: 570323645

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 5', 'art. 7', 'Application No. 61', 'art 350', 'art 355', 'art 350', 'art 350', 'art 355', 'art 355', 'art 350', 'art 355', 'art 350', 'art 355', 'art 350', 'art 355', 'art 350', 'art 355', 'art 350', 'art 355', 'art 355', 'art 355', 'art 355', 'art 355', 'art 350', 'art 355', 'art 350']

Patent US20100160870 - Two Piece Housing For Drug Loading - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA drug loading apparatus has a dispensing chamber housing formed by a top housing part and a bottom housing part. The top housing part is separable from the bottom housing part. A plunger is located in the bottom housing part such that the plunger forms a first fluid seal with an inner wall of the bottom...http://www.google.com/patents/US20100160870?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20100160870 - Two Piece Housing For Drug LoadingAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20100160870 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 12/636,857Publication dateJun 24, 2010Filing dateDec 14, 2009Priority dateDec 18, 2008Publication number12636857, 636857, US 2010/0160870 A1, US 2010/160870 A1, US 20100160870 A1, US 20100160870A1, US 2010160870 A1, US 2010160870A1, US-A1-20100160870, US-A1-2010160870, US2010/0160870A1, US2010/160870A1, US20100160870 A1, US20100160870A1, US2010160870 A1, US2010160870A1InventorsDon A. Clements, Julie A. Clifford, Michell R. Dupre, Mark T. DuPriest, Michael J. Piazza, Pardeep K. Sethi, Roger VanderlaanOriginal AssigneeAlcon Research, Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManClassifications (10), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetTwo Piece Housing For Drug Loading
US 20100160870 A1Abstract
A drug loading apparatus has a dispensing chamber housing formed by a top housing part and a bottom housing part. The top housing part is separable from the bottom housing part. A plunger is located in the bottom housing part such that the plunger forms a first fluid seal with an inner wall of the bottom housing part. When the top housing part is coupled to the bottom housing part, a second fluid seal is formed.
a dispensing chamber housing formed by a top housing part and a bottom housing part, the top housing part separable from the bottom housing part; and a plunger located in the bottom housing part such that the plunger forms a first fluid seal with an inner wall of the bottom housing part; wherein when the top housing part is coupled to the bottom housing part, a second fluid seal is formed. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a drug loading apparatus configured to inject a mixture into the bottom housing part on top of the plunger. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the drug loading apparatus is heated.
a temperature control device at least partially surrounding the bottom housing part. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top housing part is coupled to the bottom housing part via a press fit connection.
6. A method of loading an injection device comprising:
placing a plunger in a bottom housing part of a dispensing chamber housing to form a dispensing chamber bounded by a top face of the plunger and an inner wall of the bottom housing part; dispensing a substance into the dispensing chamber; and sealing a top housing part to the bottom housing part. 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
heating the substance. 8. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
heating the bottom housing part. Description
The present invention relates to loading a drug into an injection device and more particularly to an apparatus and system for loading a drug into a two piece hub. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/138,663 filed Dec. 18, 2008.
In using such a syringe, the surgeon is required to pierce the eye tissue with the needle, hold the syringe steady, and actuate the syringe plunger (with or without the help of a nurse) to inject the fluid into the eye. Fluid flow rates are uncontrolled. The volume injected is typically not controlled in an accurate manner because reading the vernier is subject to parallax error. Tissue damage may occur due to an �unsteady� injection.
In one embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the present invention is a drug loading apparatus with a dispensing chamber housing formed by a top housing part and a bottom housing part. The top housing part is separable from the bottom housing part. A plunger is located in the bottom housing part such that the plunger forms a first fluid seal with an inner wall of the bottom housing part. When the top housing part is coupled to the bottom housing part, a second fluid seal is formed.
In another embodiment consistent with the principles of the present invention, the present invention is a method of loading an injection device including placing a plunger in a bottom housing part of a dispensing chamber housing to form a dispensing chamber bounded by a top face of the plunger and an inner wall of the bottom housing part; dispensing a substance into the dispensing chamber; and sealing a top housing part to the bottom housing part.
FIG. 3A is a cross section view of an unassembled two piece housing and plunger according to the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a cross section view of an assembled two piece housing and plunger according to the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 4A is a cross section view of the loading process for a two piece housing and plunger according to the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 4B is a cross section view of the loading process for a two piece housing and plunger according to the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 4C is a cross section view of the loading process for a two piece housing and plunger according to the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a cross section view of an unassembled two piece hub and plunger according to the principles of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a cross section view of an assembled two piece hub and plunger according to the principles of the present invention. In FIG. 3A, the dispensing chamber housing 425 is made of two pieces�top housing part 350 and bottom housing part 355. Plunger 415 is also depicted. Top housing part 350 has a through hole in its top surface to accept a needle for dispensing a substance. The inner wall of top housing part 350 is designed to engage the outer wall of bottom housing part 355 to form a press fit seal when pressed together as shown in FIG. 3B. Plunger 415 fits into bottom housing part 355 as shown to form a fluid seal. When assembled, the two part housing 350, 355 forms a single dispensing chamber housing 425 suitable for holding a substance that is to be delivered into the eye.
While depicted as a press fit connection, top housing part 350 and bottom housing part 355 may be connected together using any mechanical means. For example, top housing part 350 and bottom housing part 355 may be connected via a threaded connection. Other structures (such as ridges grooves, barbs or the like) may be present on the inner wall of top housing part 350 and/or the outer wall of bottom housing part 355. Further, the inner wall of top housing part 350 and/or the outer wall of bottom housing part 355 may be sloped to facilitate a fluid tight seal. Top housing part 350 and bottom housing part 355 may be made of any suitable material (preferably thermally conductive).
FIGS. 4A-4C are a cross section views of the loading process for a two piece hub and plunger according to the principles of the present invention. In FIG. 4A, plunger 415 is inserted into bottom housing part 355. Since plunger 415 forms a fluid tight seal with the inner wall of bottom housing part 355, a dispensing chamber is located above plunger 415. A substance 405 is injected into this dispensing chamber via cannula 590. When substance 405 is a phase transition compound/drug mixture, the substance must be heated so that it can flow into the dispensing chamber. In this manner, cannula 590 and/or bottom housing part 355 may be heated to allow the substance 405 to flow. This allows for the precise dosing of a viscous and difficult to dose substance. While shown as full, any dosage of substance can be loaded into the dispensing chamber. Further, this method allows for little or no air to be entrapped between the plunger 415 and the substance 405 and between the inner wall of bottom housing part 355 and the substance 405.
After the substance 405 is loaded into the dispensing chamber, top housing part 350 is fitted onto bottom housing part 355 as previously described. An air gap located above substance 405 can be controlled by controlling the interior dimensions of top housing part 350 and the fill level of the substance.
This drug loading process has significant advantages over traditional processes. This process is capable of being automated so that a number of injection devices can be filled. In addition, dosing can be much more precise as can placement of the dosage in the device. Loading a drug mixture in a pharmaceutical facility in such a manner also increases the safety of the device�it keeps the mixture in a controlled environment, precisely doses the mixture, and allows for other inspections and quality controls.
Classifications U.S. Classification604/218International ClassificationA61M5/31Cooperative ClassificationA61M2005/3123, A61M2210/0612, A61M5/1782, A61M5/14566, A61F9/0017, A61M5/445European ClassificationA61M5/44B, A61M5/145B12Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionDec 14, 2009ASAssignmentFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CLEMENTS, DON A.;CLIFFORD, JULIE A.;DUPRE, MITCHELL R. AND OTHERS;SIGNED BETWEEN 20091120 AND 20091210;REEL/FRAME:23646/27Owner name: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.,TEXASFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CLEMENTS, DON A.;CLIFFORD, JULIE A.;DUPRE, MITCHELL R.;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20091120 TO 20091210;REEL/FRAME:023646/0027RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services