U.S. patent application number 09/875273 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-14 for infusion apparatus for administering a medicine.
Invention is credited to Steg, Henning.
Application Number | 20020169419 09/875273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8177371 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020169419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steg, Henning |
November 14, 2002 |
INFUSION APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING A MEDICINE
Abstract
In an infusion apparatus for supplying a medicine into the body
of a patient which infusion apparatus comprises a first element
including a cannula and a second element including an injection
needle which is placed in sealing communication with the cannula
when the first and second elements are joined, the second element
includes a circular groove and the first element includes locking
members which are slidably movable back and forth into, and out of,
the groove for selectively engaging said second element to lock it
when inserted into the first element.
Inventors: |
Steg, Henning; (Tyreso,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KLAUS J. BACH & ASSOCIATES
PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
4407 TWIN OAKS DRIVE
MURRYSVILLE
PA
15668
US
|
Family ID: |
8177371 |
Appl. No.: |
09/875273 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/164.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/158 20130101;
A61M 39/14 20130101; A61M 2005/1587 20130101; A61M 39/1011
20130101; A61M 25/0612 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/164.08 |
International
Class: |
A61M 005/178 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 9, 2001 |
EP |
01111331.3 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An infusion apparatus for supplying a medicine into the body of
a human or an animal, comprising a first element including a
cannula for insertion into said body and a second element including
a hollow injection-type needle, and a hose connected to said hollow
needle for supplying said medicine to said hollow needle, said
second element being insertable in said first element in such a way
that said medicine can be supplied from said hose through said
needle to said cannula, a locking structure for locking said second
element to said first element when said first and second elements
are joined, said locking structure including a circular groove
formed in said second element in a portion thereof extending around
said needle, at least one locking member slidably supported in said
first element so as to be movable back and forth in a plane normal
to the axis of said second element when disposed in said first
element and in alignment with the groove formed therein, said
locking member having one end position in which a portion thereof
is disposed in said groove for interlocking said first and second
elements and another position in which said first and second
elements are unlocked permitting the removal of said second member
from said first member.
2. An infusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second
element has an essentially circular cross-section with said needle
extending essentially through the center of said circular cross
section.
3. An infusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end of
said second element, which is inserted into said first element, is
chamfered so as to facilitate insertion of said second element into
said first element.
4. An infusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said locking
structure includes two locking members which are supported in said
first member in parallel relationship so as to be movable back and
forth in opposition to each other.
5. An infusion apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each locking
member includes a partial circular area with a radius corresponding
to the radius of said groove of said second element for firmly
engaging said second element when said locking members are disposed
in said groove.
6. An infusion apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said locking
members are slideably supported in guide slots and include ramp
areas, and said guide slots include inclined areas on which said
locking members ride up when moved toward each other, whereby they
are spread apart elastically and lifted out of said groove of said
second element for unlocking said second element from said first
element.
7. An infusion apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first
element has an insertion opening for receiving said second element
and said guide slots are disposed in a plane extending essentially
normal to the axis of said insertion opening along which axis said
second element is inserted into said first element.
8. An infusion apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said locking
members each include an engagement projection and said guide
structure include edges for engaging said projections when said
locking members are in a locking position for retaining said
locking members in said locking position.
9. An infusion apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said locking
members have opposite outer ends, which are provided with grasping
structures.
10. An infusion apparatus according to claim 9, wherein also said
outer ends with said grasping structures are slideably guided in
said first element.
11. An infusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least
one side of said first element has a shape providing foe a smooth
area.
12. An infusion apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second
element is provided at its free end with an axially extending
recess and said needle is disposed in said recess such that its tip
does not extend beyond the walls defining said recess.
13. An infusion apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said
cannula of said first element extends into a sleeve element with an
opening and said sleeve element extends into said recess of said
second element when said second element is inserted into said first
element.
14. An infusion apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the open
area of said connecting element is closed by a closure element
consisting of one of an elastomer and plastomer material.
15. An infusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least
said first and second elements and said locking members consist of
a plastic material permitting their manufacture by injection
molding.
16. An infusion apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said
locking members consist of polyacetate (POM).
17. An infusion apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said
sleeve element is press-fitted into said first element and said
cannula extends into said sleeve element which is disposed in an
insertion opening formed in said first element for receiving said
second element.
18. An infusion apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said
sleeve element includes a connecting element, which is disposed
between said closure element and said cannula and into which said
cannula extends for connection with said sleeve element.
19. An infusion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second
element including an insertion needle of such length is provided
that the insertion needle extends through the cannula when said
second element is joined to said first element, said insertion
needle having a tip projecting from said cannula.
20. An infusion apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said
insertion needle is a hollow infusion type needle and includes a
side opening disposed in said connecting element when said first
and second elements are joined for providing communication between
the interior of said insertion needle with the annular space
between said insertion needle and said cannula.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention resides in an infusion apparatus for
administering a medicine to the body of a human or an animal,
comprising at least a first element provided with a cannula for
insertion into, and installation in, the body, and a second element
including a hollow injection needle which is connected to a hose
for the supply of the medicine, wherein the first and the second
element can be releasably joined by way of a locking element so
that the medicine can be supplied from the hose through the needle
into the cannula.
[0002] Such injection equipment is known for example from EP-B 0
688 232. Many attempts--including the arrangement disclosed in the
reference--have been made which aimed at facilitating the handling
of such equipment not only for the medical personnel such as the
physicians, the nurses and other caregivers but also for the
patient that is the person who handles such infusion equipment
during self-treatment. Persons suffering from diabetes for example
have to administer their medicines regularly by themselves either
by injection of the medication by conventional injection syringes
or by way of injection apparatus of the type with which the present
invention is concerned.
[0003] It is pointed out that, with the type of infusion apparatus
with which the present invention is concerned, basically any
medicine can be introduced into the body of a human or an animal
that is, the infusion apparatus is not limited to the
administration of insulin.
[0004] Infusion apparatus of the type with which the present
invention is concerned have been found to be particularly suitable
for persons who have to be treated with a particular medicine
regularly in certain time intervals since continuous new puncturing
of the skin and the veins or arteries can be avoided in this way.
In this way, pain and often hematoma-causing punctures of injection
needles are limited to a minimum. Furthermore, people who need to
use injection apparatus of the type with which the present
invention is concerned are generally already quite weak as a result
of the condition requiring the administration of the medicine. If
then, in addition to such physical weakness, the person develops a
mental repugnance and as a result, a certain insecurity, the use of
infusion apparatus known in the art may result in inappropriate
handling or in faulty operation. For example, in prior art infusion
apparatus a connection between the first and second elements can
only be established when the two elements are oriented in a
predetermined way with respect to each other--depending on the
particular design.
[0005] Relative angular displacement of the first and second
elements for example by 180.degree. that is, relative angular
positions other than that for which the apparatus is designed will
not permit a jointure of the elements. And even if the angular
orientations of the two elements is correct a connection can still
not be established if the two elements are slightly displaced
laterally since, in addition to the locking elements, there are
provided guide elements which are disposed in the same plane and
which must be properly oriented so as to fit into the guide
openings of the other element in order to permit joining and
interlocking of the two elements.
[0006] An ill person, particularly at an advanced age, is generally
not in a position to orient the two elements properly angularly
and, at the same time, laterally. Furthermore, the two elements
must generally be interconnected with one hand, since the cannula
of the infusion apparatus is inserted for example in the vein of
the other arm so that the hand of this arm is not available for the
connecting procedure.
[0007] It is finally to be noted that the prior art infusion
apparatus as disclosed in the cited EP patent includes two
tongue-like locking elements and two pin-like guide elements, and
further, locking element guide structures and two openings for
receiving the guide pins which all have to be fitted to one
another. Their manufacture requires high precision tools which
themselves are complicated and expensive. Furthermore, as a result,
also the manufacture of the known infusion apparatus requires
highest precision so that proper fit of the guide and locking
structures is ensured. This implies of course that also the needle
in the second element is properly axially oriented and inserted
into the opening of the cannula in the first element when the two
elements are interconnected. Consequently, not only the
manufacturing tools for making the known infusion apparatus are
expensive but also the process of manufacturing the infusion
apparatus is expensive and difficult since a continuous precise
orientation of all the parts to be engaged with one another is to
be ensured.
[0008] It is therefore the object of the present invention to
provide an infusion apparatus with which an inexperienced user as
well is a weak user can insert, in a simple manner, the cannula
into the body and can establish the connection with the infusion
apparatus for the introduction of the medicine into the body by way
of the two interconnected elements. It should not be necessary to
accurately orient the two elements to be interconnected in an
accurate rotational position with respect to each other and the two
elements should be easy to be interlocked and to be disconnected.
Furthermore, the needle of an element should be automatically
oriented precisely with respect to the insert opening of the other
element. Also, the infusion apparatus should be easy and
inexpensive to manufacture so that they are affordable and can be
used in large numbers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In an infusion apparatus for supplying a medicine into the
body of a patient which infusion apparatus comprises a first
element including a cannula and a second element including an
injection needle which is placed in sealing communication with the
cannula when the first and second elements are joined, the second
element includes a circular groove and the first element includes
locking members which are slidably movable back and forth into and
out of the groove for selectively engaging the second element to
lock it when inserted into the first element.
[0010] The apparatus according to the invention has the advantage
that the second element can easily be inserted into the first
element without the need of maintaining proper rotational relative
orientation of the two elements. Actually, the second element only
needs to be inserted into a single opening in the first element in
a way as it is known from coaxial plugs in the electric or
electronic field. No proper rotational orientation must be
observed. If the two elements are not axially properly oriented
they can clearly not be joined so that a faulty interconnection is
not even tried. Unlike the prior art arrangement, the apparatus
according to the invention has no guide pins or locking elements,
which have to be properly joined for interconnecting the two
elements. No locking element needs to be actuated when the two
elements are joined and interlocked. For the disconnection the
locking element only needs to be disengaged using the thumb and
forefinger of one hand. With the simple locking and unlocking
mechanism and the precise automatic orientation of the needle
relative to the opening of the cannula, the apparatus is still of
simple design, whereby also the tooling expenses for the
manufacture of such infusion apparatus are drastically reduced so
that the apparatus can be manufactured in large number at low
costs.
[0011] In order to further facilitate the insertion of the second
element into the insertion opening formed in the first element, the
second element is essentially circular in cross-section and the
axis thereof, that is the center-point of the circle, coincides
with the needle shaft.
[0012] Another feature which facilitates insertion of the second
element into the insertion opening in the first element is the
provision of an inclined circumferentially extending front end area
of the section of the second element to be inserted into the first
element. In this way, the insertion of the second element into the
insertion opening of the first element is facilitated even when the
two element are not precisely aligned with respect to each other
since the second elements is automatically moved into proper
alignment during the insertion procedure. The inclined
circumferential front area of the first element furthermore opens
the clamping structure upon insertion of the second element into
the insertion opening of the first element. Also, the insertion
opening of the first element may be inclined at its open end so
that it has a funnel-like shape.
[0013] The clamping structure is preferably formed by two separate
clamping arms, which are essentially parallel to each other but are
resiliently movable away from, and toward, each other. When they
are moved toward each other the insertion opening of the first
element is unlocked so that the second element can be inserted into
the insertion opening of the first element up to a predetermined
end position. Upon movement of the clamping arms away from each
other the second element is locked to the first element when it is
in its predetermined end position.
[0014] Preferably, the locking arms include a circle segment area
with a radius corresponding to the radius of annular groove formed
in the second element by which the locking arms enter the groove
for locking the first element to the second element. There are
preferably two opposite locking arms and the circle segment spans
preferably about a quarter of a circle. With the locking arms
engaged in the grooves, the two elements are held firmly engaged
with each other.
[0015] In order to ensure in a simple manner that the two locking
arms forming the locking structure move out of the insert opening
of the first element for the insertion of the second element or
that they move to an unlocking position when the second element is
inserted but is to be released, each locking arm includes an
inclined area and the guide slot in the first element is oppositely
inclined. For unlocking the two elements from each other the
inclined areas of the locking arms slide along the inclined areas
of the first element so that the locking arms are elastically moved
apart until they are removed from the groove. The return force
generated by the elastic deformation of the locking arms is
sufficiently large that so the locking arms return to a locking
position when the locking structure is released.
[0016] In another embodiment of the infusion apparatus, the guide
structure for the locking arms extends essentially perpendicularly
to the axis of the insertion opening for the second element which
insertion opening is essentially circular in cross-section.
[0017] The infusion apparatus is equally suitable for use by
right-handed and left-handed persons since the two locking arms
forming the locking structure are essentially identical in design
and are arranged symmetrically to the axis with respect to which
they are movable. Also, the cannula is arranged in axial symmetry
with this axis. Furthermore, movement of the locking arms for
locking and unlocking of the second element occurs by movement
along this axis no matter whether the two locking arms are actuated
by the fingers of the right or the left hand.
[0018] In order to ensure in a simple manner that the path of
movement of the locking arms within the guide slot of the first
element is limited the locking arms are preferably provided with
engagement projections adapted to reach behind engagement edges,
which are formed in the area of the guide structure that is the
guide slot of the first element. Consequently, no other measures
are needed to retain the locking arms in the guide slots once the
locking arms have reached, during assembly, a position in which the
engagement projections are disposed behind the engagement edges in
the guide slots.
[0019] The end of the locking member may be provided with an
actuating structure such as an enlarged area, which extends from
the body of the first element. The actuating structure facilitates
the use of the infusion apparatus for the user. It is advantageous
if also the actuating structure is guided in the first element. In
this way, the guided support of the whole locking member in the
first element is improved.
[0020] In order to prevent a slipping of the fingers from the
actuating structure the surface area of the engagement structure,
which his grasped by the user, is preferably provided with gripping
means such as grooves, furrows or a rough coating.
[0021] For the same reason, it is advantageous if the side of the
first element opposite the actuating structure is provided at least
partially with grip-improving means so that the structure can be
safely grasped with a thumb and a finger.
[0022] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the
second element includes at its free end an essentially axial recess
into which the needle projects such that its tip does not extend
beyond the free end of the second element. In this way, it is
ensured that, upon insertion of the second element into the
insertion opening of the first element, the user will not contact
the needle so that contamination of the needle is avoided and the
free end of the needle is not damaged. As a result, a continuous
precise axial alignment of the needle with the opening in the
cannula in the first element is maintained.
[0023] In order to provide for a good mechanical stability between
the two elements when they are interconnected, the infusion
apparatus is so designed that the opening area of the cannula
extends at least partially into the recess of the second element
when the two elements are interconnected. In this way, it is
ensured that any deformation of the two elements does not affect
the axial alignment between the tip of the needle and the opening
area of the cannula.
[0024] In order to seal the needle in the opening of the cannula
when the two elements are interconnected, the inner diameter of the
cannula opening in the first element may be adapted in size to the
outer diameter of the needle so that the needle is tightly and
sealingly received in the cannula. This however would require
highest precision in the manufacture of the first and also of the
second elements, since such tightly fitting engagement could be
achieved only if the axis of the tubular cannula would be precisely
aligned with the needle. It is therefore considered to be
advantageous for achieving a sealing connection between the cannula
and the needle if the cannula opening is covered by a closure
element which his pierced during insertion of the needle into the
opening area of the cannula that is when the second element is
inserted into the insertion opening of the first element, that is
when the two elements are properly positioned relative to each
other and interlocked.
[0025] In order to ensure that, upon disconnection of the two
elements and removal of the second element from the first element
from the insertion opening, the exposed opening of the cannula is
not contaminated, the closure element consists preferably of an
elastomer or plastomer material. Such a material can easily be
pierced by the needle and, upon removal of the needle, the passage
pierced into the closure element is automatically closed because of
the elastic or plastic properties of the material of which the
closure element consists.
[0026] The essential elements of the infusion apparatus may be made
of plastic. Any plastic material may be used which is neutral that
is which is compatible with human or animal tissue. Preferably, the
plastic material can be injection molded so that the injection
apparatus can be manufactured by injection molding machines. A
suitable plastic material is for example polycarbonate.
[0027] Since the locking elements are elastically deformed in their
unlocking positions, they must be made of an elastically deformable
material, preferably of polyacetate, which is a strong material
with good elastic deformation characteristics.
[0028] In principle the cannula can be mounted in, that is, firmly
connected with, the first element during the injection molding of
the first element. It has been found to be advantageous to surround
the cannula at its end in the first element with a sleeve element
by way of which the cannula is received in a recess formed in one
end of the insertion opening for the second element. In this way,
the first element can be manufactured independently of the cannula.
The cannula can then be mounted together with the sleeve element
into the recess of the first element for connections with the first
element. This arrangement is also advantageous because it
facilitates an exchange, and also cleaning, of the cannula.
[0029] In order to omit the need for further mounting means for the
cannula in the first element, it is advantageous if the opening in
the first element forms a suitable reception, preferably a
compression mount for the sleeve element.
[0030] It is further advantageous to arrange the closure element,
through which the needle extends when the second element is
inserted into the first element and which forms a dust and
microorganism barrier, within the sleeve element. In this way, the
closure element is replaced with each exchange of the cannula.
Finally, a connecting element may be disposed in front of the
sleeve element by way of which the cannula is connected to the
sleeve element. The connecting element may be disposed in the
sleeve element in addition to the closure element and the cannula
is also supported in the sleeve element by way of a connecting
element.
[0031] In order to facilitate the insertion of the cannula into the
body, the second element is provided in a second embodiment of the
invention with a needle of such length that its tip projects from
the cannula. After the cannula has been inserted into the body with
the needle disposed in the cannula, the second element with the
long needle is removed and another second element with a hollow
needle as first described is inserted and locked in position in the
first element for the administration of a medicine.
[0032] The infusion apparatus can be sterilized in a disassembled
state or in an assembled state. Sterilization can be achieved for
example by ionizing irradiation, for example, by .beta.
irradiation. However, it is also possible to sterilize the
apparatus by means of an oxidizing gas such as ethylene gas. In
order to ensure that also the interior of the first element is
contacted by the oxidizing gas when the two elements are joined,
the long needle may be hollow like an infusion needle and provided
with an opening leading to the area adjacent the cannula opening in
the first element when the first and second elements are joined. In
this way, gas can be conducted from the needle tip to the hollow
space within the first element and sterilize that area and then
again be discharged through the annular space between the needle
and the cannula.
[0033] Below, the invention will be described in greater detail on
the basis of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a top view of the infusion apparatus according to
the invention including first and second elements shown interlocked
with each other,
[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-B of
FIG. 1,
[0036] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the first element,
[0037] FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of the left locking
member,
[0038] FIG. 4b is a plane view of the left locking member,
[0039] FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional side view of the right locking
member,
[0040] FIG. 5b is a plain view of the right side-locking
member,
[0041] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the infusion apparatus
of FIG. 1 taken along line C-D,
[0042] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 also taken
along line C-D wherein however the first element is connected to a
second element which is modified to include a long needle extending
all the way through the cannula of the first element,
[0043] FIG. 8 shows the cannula with a sleeve element including a
closure element all shown in cross-section,
[0044] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the second element,
and
[0045] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the first element into
which the first element of FIG. 9 is to be inserted as indicated by
the dashed line extending between FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0046] First, reference is made to FIG. 1 in which the whole
infusion apparatus 10 is shown in a plain view. The infusion
apparatus 10 comprises at least a first element 12, which includes
a cannula 13 for insertion into the body of a patient (human,
animal--not shown), and a second element 14. The second element 14
includes a needle 15, which is arranged essentially along the
longitudinal axis 20 of the second element 14. The needle 15 is
hollow that is it is in the form of an injection syringe needle.
The needle 15 is connected in the second element 14 to a hose 17
for supplying a medicine, which is indicated in FIG. 1 by the arrow
11. When the first and second elements 12, 14 are interlocked as it
is shown in FIG. 1, the medicine 11 can be conducted from the hose
17 through the needle 15 to the cannula 13 and, when the cannula 13
is inserted into the body of a human or an animal, into the tissue
of the body. In order to ensure proper seating of the second
element 14 in the first element 12 when the two elements are
interconnected a locking structure is provided in the form of a
locking means 22 (see FIG. 2).
[0047] The locking structure comprises in addition to the locking
member 22 a groove 19 formed in the second element 14, which has an
essentially circular cross-section (see particularly FIGS. 2 and 9,
indicated also in FIG. 1). The groove 19 extends essentially
circularly around the second element 14. The groove 19 is disposed
in the insertion area 23 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the second element
14 into the first element 12 that is in the section of the second
element 14 which is received in the insertion opening 33 of the
first element 12 when the first and second elements are
interconnected.
[0048] The part of the locking structure which is disposed in the
first element 12, that is, the locking means 22 is guided by a
guide structure 21 which is formed so as to extend essentially
normal to the axis 32 of the insertion opening 33. The guide
structure 21 may simply be a slot-like recess (see FIG. 1) in which
the locking means 22 can be moved back and forth (see FIGS. 1 and
2).
[0049] Reference is also made to FIGS. 4a and 4b and FIGS. 5a and
5b, which show the locking member 22 which forms the part of the
locking structure disposed in the first element 12. The locking
means 22 comprises two separate locking members 26, 27. The locking
member members 26, 27 are essentially identical; only the actuating
structure 181 which is connected to the locking member members 26,
27 or formed integrally therewith includes in the embodiment as
presented in FIG. 1 a left side version (locking member members 26)
and a right side version (locking member 27). The locking members
26, 27 include circular areas 263, 273. The radii 28 of these
circular areas 263, 273 are the same as those of the groove 19 of
the second element 14. The circular areas 263, 273 are shown here
as quarter circle segments. The locking members 26, 27 include
inclined ramp areas 261, 271 with lower heights at the free ends
260, 270.
[0050] The first elements 12 also includes inclined areas 125, 126
disposed in the guide structure 21 which is in the form of a guide
slot 210 (see FIGS. 1, 6, 7).
[0051] If the actuating structures 181 of the two locking members
26, 27 are moved toward each other as indicated by the arrows 35
(see FIG. 12) to disengage the two elements 12, 14 from each other
the inclined locking member areas 261, 271 of the locking members
26, 27 move onto the inclined areas 125, 126 of the guide structure
21 of the first element. As the inclined areas 261, 271 ride upon
the inclined areas 125, 126, the locking member 26, 27 are
elastically deflected in the direction of the arrow 34 as it is
indicated in FIG. 2 for the locking member 26 by a dashed line. The
same applies to the locking member 27, which is not shown in FIG.
2. Upon further movement of the locking members 26, 27 in the
direction of the arrows 35, the locking members 26, 27 are
disengaged from the groove 19 of the second element 14 so that the
second element 14 is released and can be pulled out of the first
element 12.
[0052] The locking members 26, 27 are guided in the guide structure
21, 210 parallel to each other and are movable in the guide
structure back and forth in the direction of the arrow 35. In the
direction of the arrows 35, the locking members 26, 27 are received
by finger pressure. Movement in the direction opposite to the
arrows 35 occurs as a result of the elastic return force of the
locking members 26, 27 automatically when the finger pressure is
released. As a result, the locking members 26, 27 are biased into a
locking position by the elastic deformation forces. A material
providing for good elastic deformation characteristics and a long
operating life in for example polyacetate (POM) which is the
preferred material for the manufacture of the locking members 26,
27.
[0053] The locking member members 26, 27 each include an engagement
projection 262, 272 (see FIGS. 4a, 5a). The engagement projections
262, 272 abut the edges 123, 124 of the guide structure 21 formed
in the first element 12 (see FIG. 3). The engagement projections
262, 272 form, together with the engagement edges 123, 124, an
engagement structure, whereby the locking member members 26, 27 are
held in position when they are inserted into the guide structure
21, 210 upon assembly of the first element 12. In addition, the
engagement projections 262, 272 form a movement limit for the
sliding movement of the locking members 26, 27 opposite to the
direction of the arrows 35 (see FIG. 2).
[0054] The insertion of the second element 14 into the insertion
opening 33 of the first element 12 up to a safely locked engagement
position in which the needle 15 is received in the cannula 13 is
possible in two ways.
[0055] Either the second element 14 is simply inserted into the
insertion opening 33 until its free end 24 abuts the locking
members 26, 27 (see FIG. 2). The free end 24 is conical so that it
has a circumferentially extending wedge-like front end. The
inclination 25 is so selected that, upon further insertion of the
second element into the insertion opening 33, the locking members
26, 27 are engaged at their circular areas 263, 273 and moved in
the direction of the arrows 34. When the second element 14 is fully
inserted into the insertion opening 33 of the first element 12, the
locking members 26, 27 are in alignment with the groove 19. The
locking members 26, 27 snap into the groove 19 and firmly lock the
second element inserted in the first element.
[0056] With the second way of interconnecting the first and second
elements, the second element is first inserted into the insertion
opening 33 as described above until the second member comes into
contact with the locking members 26, 27. Then the locking members
26, 27 are moved in the direction of the arrows 35 by pressing them
together with two fingers (FIG. 2) whereupon the second element 14
can be moved into the insertion opening 33 up to the end position.
Upon release of the locking members 26, 27, the locking members
move back and enter the groove 19 under the return force generated
by their resilient deformation for locking the member 14 in its
final position within the insertion opening 33 of the first member
12. This locked end position is shown for example in FIG. 2.
[0057] The locking members 26, 27 may project slightly from the
body of the first element 12 (see FIG. 1). At the free end 180 of
each locking member 26, 27, there is an actuating structure 181
formed as a widened area of the locking members 26, 27, which
actuating structure may also be guided by a guide structure 210.
The actuating structure 181 includes an outer handling area which
includes a grasping structure 183 to facilitate actuation thereof.
The grasping structure 183 may comprise grooves or it may be
provided with a slip-resistant element.
[0058] Also, the first element 12 (see FIG. 1) may be provided at
the sides 120 thereof with a grasping structure 121 which
facilitates holding and which may be formed like the grasping
structure described earlier.
[0059] The sides 122 of the first element 12 (see FIG. 2), which
will be disposed on the skin of a patient is essentially planar,
but it may also be formed ergonomically corresponding to the shape
of the body area of the patient where the infusion apparatus is
disposed so that the patient is as little as possible
inconvenienced by the infusion apparatus 10.
[0060] The second element 14 includes at its free end 24 an axial
recess 274 into which the tip 150 of the needle 15 extends. The tip
150 extending into the recess 274 is so dimensioned that the tip
150 of the needle 15 does not project beyond the free end 24 (see
FIG. 9). From FIG. 10, it can be seen that the opening 130 of the
cannula 13 which faces the free end 24 of the second element 14,
projects into the insertion opening 33 in such a way that, when the
first and the second elements 12, 14 are interconnected, the needle
15 can enter a closure element 131 which covers the widened opening
of the cannula 13. The tip of the needle 15 is then disposed in the
widened opening of the cannula 13 (see FIG. 6). The closure element
131 which is disposed adjacent the opening 130 of the guide means
133 may consist of an elastomer and/or polymer material for example
of rubber or another material suitable for use with humans or,
respectively, animals.
[0061] The cannula 13 is surrounded, at its end 134 disposed in the
first element 12 by a sleeve element 135 (see FIG. 8), in which the
closure element 131 is received. Toward the medicine discharge end
of the cannula, that is ahead of the closure element 131, a
connecting element 137 is disposed in the sleeve element 135 by way
of which the cannula 13 is joined to the sleeve element 135. The
cannula 13 as well as the sleeve element 135 and the closure
element 131 disposed therein and also the connecting element 137
form a mounting unit which can be inserted into the opening 127
formed in the first element 12. The opening 127 is sized so as to
tightly engage the sleeve element 135 and retain it without the
need for mounting means or other means for holding the sleeve
element 135 safely in position in the sleeve element 12.
[0062] The axis 32 of the cannula 13 is preferably arranged at a
slight angle of for example 3.degree. relative to the essentially
planar underside 122 of the first element 12 (FIG. 2) so that the
cannula 13 is slightly inclined relative to the support surface
(underside 122) of the first element 12.
[0063] Finally, reference is made to FIG. 7 in which an embodiment
of the infusion apparatus is shown in a cross-sectional side view.
The second element 140 shown in this embodiment is different from
the second element 14 shown in the other figures in that the needle
151 is substantially longer than the needle 15. The second element
140 as shown in FIG. 7 is not connected to a hose 17 for the
admission of the medicine 11; rather the needle 151 is mounted in a
suitable manner in the front end of the second element 140 that is
in the area where the second element 140 is connected to the first
element 12 in the same way as described earlier for the
interconnection of the elements 12 and 14. However, the needle 151
is so long that it fully extends through the cannula 13 and its tip
150 slightly projects from the cannula 13 when the second element
140 is fully inserted into, and locked to, the first element 12
(see FIG. 7).
[0064] When the infusion apparatus 10 is used for the first time,
the configuration according to FIG. 7 is employed. The needle 151
can be easily inserted, in a well known manner, into the body of
the patient to be treated. Together with the needle 151 also the
cannula 13 can easily be inserted into the body.
[0065] When being inserted to the predetermined depth the second
element 141 is pulled out of the first element 12 and, in place of
the second element 140, the second element 14 is installed in such
a way as it is shown in FIG. 6. The hollow needle 15 penetrates the
closure element 131 so that the medicine can be supplied from the
hose 17 to the cannula 13 and from there into the body of the
patient to be treated. When, at the end of the treatment, the
second element 14 is removed while the first element with the
cannula 13 remains attached to the body, the closure element 131
closes and seals out any contamination upon removal of the second
element 14.
[0066] The insertion needle 151 used in connection with the second
element 140 may be solid, but it may also be hollow like an
injection needle. If the long insertion needle 151 is hollow, that
is, tubular, it is provided with an opening 136 (see FIG. 7). The
opening 136 is so arranged that, with the first element 12 and the
second element 140 interconnected, the opening is disposed in the
area of the opening of the cannula 13 that is in the widening space
in the connecting element 137, which is disposed in the sleeve
element 135. Such hollow insertion needle 151 with an opening 136
is then provided when the infusion apparatus 10 is not sterilized
by ionizing irradiation, for example, .beta.-irradiation, but by
possibly highly oxidizing gas. In that case, the gas can flow from
the tip area 150 of the insertion needle 151 through the insertion
needle 151 to the cannula opening 132 in the first element 12 and
from there, by way of the opening 136 into the trough-like widening
interior of the connecting element 137. From there, the oxidizing
gas can flow through the annular space between the insertion needle
151 and the cannula 13 to the discharge end of the cannula 13 and,
if desired, back into the flow circuit of the sterilizing gas.
* * * * *