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Last Updated: March 28, 2024

Details for Patent: 6,681,810


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Title: Filling device for a needleless 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: Aradigm Corporation (Hayward, CA)
Filing Date:Dec 13, 2000
Application Number:09/734,549
Claims:1. A needleless injector cartridge in combination with an adaptor for to be introduced from an outlet at the distal end of a filling device into the cartridge, the cartridge comprising a cartridge body having first and second ends, with a piston longitudinally slidable within the body, the cartridge body and piston being adapted to define together a fluid chamber, the cartridge body defining at its first end an orifice sized to permit fluid to be expelled therethrough, during use, at a velocity sufficient to effect needleless injection, wherein the adaptor comprises a first device-engaging portion whereby to maintain the outlet at the distal end of the filling device in fluid communication with said orifice, to permit fluid to be introduced by the filling device, through said orifice, into said fluid chamber, and a second portion in engagement with the cartridge, the first and second portions being connected to one another by a frangible connection, whereby the first portion can be snapped off the second portion prior to use.

2. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 1, further including a sealing means for effecting a seal between the filling device outlet and the cartridge orifice.

3. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 2, 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.

4. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 2, 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.

5. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 4, wherein said support means includes a means for engagement with the distal end of the filling device to align the filling device outlet with the cartridge orifice.

6. An adaptor or cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 1, wherein the device-engaging portion comprises means for preventing removal of the filling device from the device-engaging portion.

7. An adaptor or cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 6, wherein said preventing means comprises a resilient projection adapted to engage behind the distal end of the filling device.

8. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 1, wherein the filling device is a syringe.

9. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 1, wherein the device-engaging portion comprises a sleeve in which the filling device is received.

10. A needleless injector cartridge in combination with an adaptor for enabling a fluid to be introduced from an outlet of a filling device into the cartridge, the cartridge comprising a cartridge body having first and second ends, with a piston longitudinally slidable within the body, the cartridge body and piston being adapted to define together a fluid chamber, the cartridge body defining at its first end an orifice sized to permit fluid to be expelled therethrough, during use, at a velocity sufficient to effect needleless injection, wherein the adaptor comprises a device-engaging member for maintaining the outlet of the filling device in fluid communication with said orifice, to permit fluid to be introduced by the filling device, through said orifice, into said fluid chamber, the device-engaging member being connected to the cartridge by a frangible connection, whereby the device-engaging member can be snapped off the cartridge prior to use.

11. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 10, further including a reinforcing sleeve which surrounds at least part of the cartridge.

12. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 10, 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.

13. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge carries a screw thread for engagement with a mating thread on an injector.

14. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge is sealed with an imperforate, frangible seal.

15. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 14, wherein the said frangible seal is capable of withstanding a pressure differential of up to 900 mbar.

16. The cartridge/adaptor combination according to claim 10, further including a sealing means for effecting a seal between the filling device outlet and the cartridge orifice.

17. A method of introducing fluid from an outlet of a filling device into a needless injector cartridge, comprising the steps of: (a) providing, in combination, a cartridge comprising a cartridge body having first and second ends, with a piston longitudinally slidable within the body, the cartridge body and piston being adapted to define together a fluid chamber, the cartridge body defining at its first end an orifice sized to permit fluid to be expelled therethrough, during use, at a velocity sufficient to effect needleless injection, and an adaptor which comprises a first device-engaging portion and a second portion in engagement with the cartridge, the first and second portions being connected to one another by a frangible connection, whereby the first portion can be snapped off the second portion prior to effecting a needleless injection; (b) engaging the said first device-engaging portion of the adaptor with the outlet of the filling device, so as to maintain said outlet in fluid communication with said orifice; and (c) introducing fluid from the outlet of the filling device, through said orifice, into said fluid chamber.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the outlet orifice of the cartridge body is sealed with an imperforate frangible seal.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the said frangible seal is capable of withstanding a pressure differential of up to 900 mbar.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein introduction of the fluid causes the piston to move longitudinally.

21. A method of introducing fluid from an outlet of a filling device into a needleless injector cartridge, comprising the steps of (a) providing, in combination, a cartridge comprising a cartridge body having first and second ends, with a piston longitudinally slidable within the body, the cartridge body and piston being adapted to define together a fluid chamber, the cartridge body defining at its first end an orifice sized to permit fluid to be expelled therethrough, during use, at a velocity sufficient to effect needleless injection, and an adaptor which comprises a device-engaging member, the device-engaging member being connected to the cartridge by a frangible connection, whereby the device-engaging member can be snapped off the cartridge prior to effecting a needleless injection; (b) engaging the said device-engaging member with the outlet of the filling device, so as to maintain said outlet in fluid communication with said orifice; and (c) introducing fluid from the outlet of the filling device, through said orifice into aid fluid chamber.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the outlet orifice of the cartridge body is sealed with an imperforate frangible seal.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the said frangible seal is capable of withstanding a pressure differential of up to 900 mbar.

24. A method according to claim 21, wherein introduction of the fluid causes the piston to move longitudinally.

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