Claims for Patent: 6,174,304

Summary for Patent: 6,174,304

Title:	Filling device for a needless injector cartridge
Abstract:	A needleless injector cartridge has an adaptor for introducing fluid from a filling device into an orifice of the cartridge. The adaptor has a frangible connection which is broken to allow removal of the filling device after the cartridge is filled with the fluid.
Inventor(s):	Weston; Terence Edward (Suffolk, GB)
Assignee:	Weston Medical Limited (Suffolk, GB)
Application Number:	08/860,014
Patent Claims:	1. An adaptor for enabling a fluid to be introduced from an outlet of a filling device into an orifice of a needleless injector cartridge, comprising a first portion for engagement with the cartridge, and a device-engaging second portion for engagement with the filling device, whereby to maintain the outlet of the filling device in fluid communication with the orifice of the cartridge, the said first and second portions being connected to one another by a frangible connection, comprising sealing means for effecting a seal between the filling device outlet and the cartridge orifice, wherein the sealing means comprises a sealing member having opposite ends and respective conically tapering passages at said opposite ends and means communicating the passages with one another. 2. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means is carried by support means connected to the said device-engaging portion, so as to remain connected thereto when the said frangible connection is broken. 3. An adaptor for enabling a fluid to be introduced from an outlet of a filling device into an orifice of a needleless injector cartridge, comprising a first portion for engagement with the cartridge, and a device-engaging second portion for engagement with the filling device, whereby to maintain the outlet of the filling device in fluid communication with the orifice of the cartridge, the said first and second portions being connected to one another by a frangible connection, comprising sealing means for effecting a seal between the filling device outlet and the cartridge orifice, wherein the sealing means is carried by support means connected to the said device-engaging portion, so as to remain connected thereto when the said frangible connection is broken. 4. An adaptor according to claim 3 or 2, wherein said support means comprises means for engagement with the distal end of the filling device to align the filling device outlet with the cartridge orifice. 5. A needleless injector cartridge in combination with an adapter for enabling a fluid to be introduced from an outlet of a filling device into an orifice of the cartridge, wherein the adaptor comprises a first device-engaging portion whereby to maintain the outlet of the filling device in fluid communication with the orifice of the cartridge, and comprises a second portion for engagement with the cartridge, the said first and second portions being connected to one another by a frangible connection, comprising sealing means engaged with the filling device outlet for effecting a seal between the filling device outlet and the cartridge orifice, wherein the sealing means comprises a sealing member having respective conically tapering passages at opposite ends thereof and means communicating the passages with one another. 6. A cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 5 wherein the sealing means is carried by support means connected to the said device-engaging portion so as to remain connected thereto when said frangible portion is broken. 7. A cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 6, wherein said support means comprises means for engagement with the distal end of the filling device to align the filling device outlet with the cartridge orifice. 8. A needleless injector cartridge in combination with an adaptor for enabling a fluid to be introduced from an outlet of a filling device into an orifice of the cartridge, wherein the adaptor comprises a first device-engaging portion whereby to maintain the outlet of the filling device in fluid communication with the orifice of the cartridge, and comprises a second portion for engagement with the cartridge, the said first and second portions being connected to one another by a frangible connection, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body with a longitudinally slidable piston therein and wherein an abutment is provided within the cartridge body for limiting movement of the piston away from the cartridge orifice. 9. A needleless injector cartridge in combination with an adaptor for enabling a fluid to be introduced from an outlet of a filling device into an orifice of the cartridge, wherein the adaptor comprises a first device-engaging portion whereby to maintain the outlet of the filling device in fluid communication with the orifice of the cartridge, and comprises a second portion for engagement with the cartridge, the said first and second portions being connected to one another by a frangible connection, wherein the orifice of the cartridge is sealed with a frangible seal. 10. A cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 9, wherein the said frangible seal is capable of withstanding a pressure differential of up to 900 mbar. 11. A method of reconstituting a lyophilized drug, wherein the drug is stored in a needleless injector cartridge comprising a cartridge body having an outlet orifice at one end thereof and a longitudinally movable piston, the drug being located between the piston and the outlet orifice, comprising: (a) providing the needleless injector cartridge in combination with an adaptor for enabling a liquid solvent to be introduced from an outlet of a filling device into the orifice of the cartridge, wherein the adaptor comprises a first device-engaging portion whereby to maintain the outlet of the filling device in fluid communication with the orifice of the cartridge, and a second portion for engagement with the cartridge, the said first and second portions being connected to one another by a frangible connection; and (b) introducing the liquid solvent introduced into the cartridge through the outlet orifice to dissolve the lyophilized drug, wherein longitudinal movement of the piston occurs. 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein longitudinal movement of the piston is limited by stop means. 13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the outlet orifice of the cartridge body is sealed with a frangible seal. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the said frangible seal is capable of withstanding a pressure differential of up to 900 mbar. 15. A method of reconstituting a lyophilized drug, wherein the drug is stored in a needleless injector cartridge comprising a cartridge body having an outlet orifice at one end thereof and a longitudinally movable piston, the drug being located between the piston and the outlet orifice, comprising: (a) providing the needleless injector cartridge in combination with an adaptor for enabling a liquid solvent to be introduced from an outlet of a filling device into the orifice of the cartridge, wherein the adaptor comprises a first device-engaging portion whereby to maintain the outlet of the filling device in fluid communication with the orifice of the cartridge, and a second portion for engagement with the cartridge, the said first and second portions being connected to one another by a frangible connection; and (b) introducing the liquid solvent introduced into the cartridge through the outlet orifice to dissolve the lyophilized drug, wherein introduction of the solvent causes the piston to move longitudinally.