U.S. patent application number 14/777288 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-11 for subconjunctival injector and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Edwin RYAN. Invention is credited to Edwin Ryan.
Application Number | 20160038680 14/777288 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51581664 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160038680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ryan; Edwin |
February 11, 2016 |
SUBCONJUNCTIVAL INJECTOR AND METHOD
Abstract
An injection device and method are shown. Devices and methods
include a forceps and a needle advancement mechanism to clamp a
portion of tissue and control a depth of penetration of the needle
between gripping ends of the forceps. An injection device and
method are shown where selected components of the injection device
such as a syringe and forceps are disposable, while the remaining
portions of the injection device are reusable. Devices and methods
are shown that utilize micro-needles to control a depth of
penetration.
Inventors: |
Ryan; Edwin; (St. Paul,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RYAN; Edwin |
St. Paul |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51581664 |
Appl. No.: |
14/777288 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
March 13, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US14/26749 |
371 Date: |
September 15, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61787684 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
61935239 |
Feb 3, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/521 ; 604/68;
604/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/46 20130101; A61F
9/0008 20130101; A61M 2037/0023 20130101; A61F 9/0026 20130101;
A61M 5/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 5/30 20060101
A61M005/30; A61M 5/46 20060101 A61M005/46 |
Claims
1. An injection device, comprising: a forceps, including gripping
ends; a drug reservoir; a needle connected to the drug reservoir;
and a needle actuator to advance the needle between the gripping
ends of the forceps, wherein a depth of penetration of the needle
is limited by the actuator.
2. The injection device of claim 1, wherein the drug reservoir and
the needle are part of a hypodermic syringe.
3. The injection device of claim 2, wherein the hypodermic syringe
is disposable and removable from the injection device, and the
injection device is reusable.
4. The injection device of claim 1, wherein the forceps are
disposable and removable from the injection device, and the
injection device is reusable.
5. The injection device of claim 1, further including a speculum
portion coupled to a distal end of the injection device to hold a
patient eyelids open when in use.
6. The injection device of claim 5, wherein the speculum portion is
disposable and removable from the injection device, and the
injection device is reusable.
7. The injection device of claim 1, further including a forceps
actuator on a proximal end of the injection device to operate the
forceps.
8. The injection device of claim 7, wherein the needle actuator and
the forceps actuator are operated by a single control.
9. The injection device of claim 8, wherein the single control is
timed to actuate the forceps actuator first, and the needle
actuator after the forceps are in a clamped position.
10. The injection device of claim 1, wherein the forceps are formed
from a substantially transparent material.
11. The injection device of claim 1, further including a drug
delivery actuator on a proximal end of the injection device to
interact with the hypodermic syringe and expel a drug from a distal
end of the needle.
12. The injection device of claim 1, further including a light
coupled to the injection device.
13. The injection device of claim 1, further including one or more
electrically powered actuators.
14. A method, comprising: actuating a first control on an injection
device to clamp a forceps on a portion of a conjunctiva and
concurrently move a needle into the clamped portion of conjunctiva,
wherein a depth of the needle into the conjunctiva is limited by
the injection device, and actuating a second control on the
injection device to expel an amount of a drug through the needle
into the conjunctiva.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein actuating the second control on
the injection device to expel the amount of a drug includes
expelling an amount of anesthetic.
16. The method of claim 14, further including removing a disposable
syringe from the injection device and replacing the first syringe
with a second syringe.
17. The method of claim 14, further including removing a forceps
from the injection device and replacing the first forceps with a
second forceps.
18. An injection device, comprising: an ophthalmological
instrument, including a handle; a surface coupled to the handle,
the surface containing a number of micro-needles, wherein the
micro-needles are dimensioned to penetrate a surface of a
conjunctiva, but are not long enough to penetrate a sclera. a drug
delivery system coupled to the handle, including: a reservoir; and
an actuator to deliver a drug from the reservoir through to the
micro-needles.
19. The injection device of claim 18, wherein the handle includes a
pair of forceps.
20. The injection device of claim 19, wherein the surface is part
of one paddle at the end of the forceps.
21. The injection device of claim 18, wherein the micro-needles are
less than approximately 0.50 mm long.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/787,684, filed Mar. 15, 2013,
and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/935,239, filed
Feb. 3, 2014, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to ophthalmological injections.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Ophthalmological injections such as subconjunctival
injections are necessary in a number of procedures. It is desirable
to increase the repeatability of injection procedures, and to
increase the ease of performing injections, and to increase the
safety of such injections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 shows an injection device according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows the injection device of claim 1 in operation
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows individual components of an injection device
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 4 shows another injection device according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 5 shows a method of using an injection device according
to an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 6 shows another injection device according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 7 shows another injection device according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is
shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe
substantially similar components throughout the several views.
These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other
embodiments may be utilized and structural, or logical changes,
etc. may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an injection device 100 according to an
embodiment of the invention. The injection device 100 of FIG. 1
includes a body 102 housing a number of additional components. A
drug reservoir 118 is shown within the body 102, and a needle 112
connected to the drug reservoir 118. A forceps 120 are also shown
within the body 102. A first actuator 104 is operatively coupled to
the needle 112. When actuated, the first actuator 104 advances a
tip 114 of the needle 112 forward between gripping ends 122 of the
forceps 120. A range of travel of the needle 112 is limited by the
first actuator 104 and the gripping ends 122 of the forceps 120. In
this way, when in use, delivering a drug such as an anesthetic to
an eye, the tip 114 of the needle 112 is assured to consistently
penetrate the conjunctiva to an effective depth, without
penetrating too deep. Although an anesthetic injection is used as
an example, injection devices as described in the present
disclosure may be used to administer any number of different
drugs.
[0013] In the example of FIG. 1, the first actuator 104 is moved
along arc 105. The motion of the first actuator 104 is translated
through a linkage 108, which is coupled to a wedge 124. As the
wedge 124 is forced downward, the gripping ends 122 of the forceps
120 are closed. FIG. 2 shows the first actuator 104 in operation.
The wedge 124 pushes against protrusions 126 on the forceps 120 and
causes the gripping ends 122 to close as indicated by arrows 123. A
portion 204 of tissue 202, such as a portion of a conjunctiva, is
bunched up between the gripping ends 122. The tip 114 of the needle
112 then penetrates into the portion 204 of tissue 202.
[0014] In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, a second linkage 109 is
coupled to the first linkage 108 such that in addition to actuating
a clamping of the gripping ends 122, the needle 112 is urged in
direction 115. In one example, the linkages 108, 109 are timed such
that the gripping ends 122 are clamped first, and the needle 112 is
urged in direction 115 after the gripping ends 122 are clamped. In
one example, the gripping ends 122 and the needle 112 are actuated
at the same time.
[0015] In the example shown, the first actuator 104 operates as a
single actuator to move both the gripping ends 122 and the needle
112. In other examples, these operations may be performed by
separate actuators.
[0016] Although examples of linkages and actuator configurations
are shown, the invention is not limited to any one actuation method
or type of actuating lever, button, etc. Other linkages and
actuators such as pneumatic, hydraulic, electric motor driven
operation, solenoid, etc. are within the scope of the invention.
Further, other actuators apart from levers may be used without
departing from the scope of the invention. For example buttons,
knobs or other effective actuators may be used to facilitate
gripping of the forceps 120 and controlled motion of the needle
112. In one example one or more of the actuators is electrically
powered, and the injection device 100 includes one or more
batteries to power the one or more actuators.
[0017] FIG. 1 further shows a second actuator 106. In one example,
after using the first actuator 104 to grip a portion of tissue,
such as a conjunctiva, and advancing the needle 112 into the
gripped portion of tissue, the second actuator 106 is moved long
direction 107, and is used to expel an amount of a drug into the
tissue penetrated by the needle 112. Configurations such as the
example shown provide ease of use, in that the tissue is gripped
and the needle consistently penetrates to the desired depth using a
single control, and the drug is easily delivered when desired using
the second control.
[0018] In the configuration shown, the drug reservoir 118 is part
of a standard hypodermic syringe 110. The syringe 110 includes a
plunger 116 that interacts with the second actuator 106. In one
example the syringe 110 is disposable, while the remaining
components of the injection device 100 are reusable. In one example
the forceps 120 are disposable, while the remaining components of
the injection device 100 are reusable. In one example, both the
syringe 110 and the forceps 120 are disposable, while the remaining
components of the injection device 100 are reusable.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates one example where the syringe 110 and
forceps 120 may be removed from the body 102 of the injection
device 100. In the example shown, the body 102, includes a first
portion 304 and a second portion 306 that are hinged 308. In the
example shown, the portions 304, 306 are approximately halves of
the body 102, although the invention is not so limited. In one
example, one portion, such as portion 306 is formed of a
substantially clear material, such as clear plastic. When in use,
such a configuration allows a user to see if the syringe 110 is
full with an appropriate dose of the desired drug.
[0020] An advantage of an example injection device 100 where
selected components are removable and disposable includes reduced
cost of components, and better ability to sterilize components that
will be in contact with a patient. Because a majority of the
injection device 100 is reusable, and the cost of elements such as
the syringe 110 and forceps 120 that are disposed of are at a
minimum, the cost of an injection procedure is reduced. In one
example, the forceps are formed from a clear plastic material. Such
a configuration reduces cost, and allows the user to better see the
tissue where an injection is taking place.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows another example injection device 400 according
to an embodiment of the invention. In one example, the injection
device 400 operates similar to examples described above. A forceps
420 are included, along with a syringe 410. A needle 412 may be
advanced using an actuator along with clamping of tissue using the
forceps 420. FIG. 4 further illustrates a speculum 402 that may be
used to hold a patient's eyelids apart during an injection
procedure. In one example, the speculum 402 is disposable, while
the remaining components of the injection device 400 are reusable.
As in examples above, in addition to the speculum 402 being
reusable, in one example the syringe 410 is disposable, while the
remaining components of the injection device 400 are reusable. In
one example the forceps 420 are disposable, while the remaining
components of the injection device 400 are reusable.
[0022] In one example, a light 430 is included at a distal end of
the injection device 400. Examples of the light 430 include, but
are not limited to an LED light.
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates an example method of use according to an
embodiment of the invention. In operation 502, a first control on
an injection device is actuated to clamp a forceps on a portion of
a conjunctiva and concurrently move a needle into the clamped
portion of conjunctiva, wherein a depth of the needle into the
conjunctiva is limited by the injection device. In operation 504, a
second control on the injection device is actuated to expel an
amount of a drug through the needle into the conjunctiva.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows another example injection device 600 according
to an embodiment of the invention. The injection device 600
includes a forceps handle 610, having a pair of paddles 612 for
grasping a conjunctiva of a patient's eye. At least one paddle 612
includes a number of micro-needles 614. In one example, the
micro-needles 614 are dimensioned to break a surface of the
conjunctiva, but are not long enough to penetrate into any
structure beneath. In one example, the micro-needles 614 will
penetrate the conjunctiva, but will not penetrate the sclera. In
one example, the micro-needles 614 are less than approximately 0.30
mm long. In one example, the micro-needles 614 are less than
approximately 0.50 mm long.
[0025] In one example, the injection device 600 includes a drug
delivery system 620 that is coupled to the micro-needles 614. The
example of FIG. 6 shows a reservoir 622 coupled to a tube 624 and
an actuator 626. In one example, the actuator 626 includes a piston
or plunger that forces a drug from the reservoir 622 through the
tube 624 into the micro-needles 614. In one example, the
micro-needles 614 are located on only one paddle 612. In one
example, both paddles 612 may include micro-needles 614. In one
example, the drug that is delivered includes an anesthetic.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows another example injection device 700 according
to an embodiment of the invention. A handle 710 is coupled to a
plate 712 that is shaped to be places against the conjunctiva of a
patient's eye. A number of micro-needles 714 are located on a face
of the plate 712. Similar to the example injection device 600 of
FIG. 6, the micro-needles 714 are dimensioned to break a surface of
the conjunctiva, but are not long enough to penetrate into any
structure beneath. In one example, the micro-needles 714 will
penetrate the conjunctiva, but will not penetrate the sclera. In
one example, the micro-needles 714 are less than approximately 0.30
mm long. In one example, the micro-needles 714 are less than
approximately 0.50 mm long.
[0027] In one example, the injection device 700 includes a drug
delivery system 720 that is coupled to the micro-needles 714. In
one example a reservoir (not shown) is located within the handle
710 and an actuator 724 is located on the handle 710. In one
example, the actuator 724 is coupled to a piston or plunger that
forces a drug from the reservoir into the micro-needles 714. As in
the injection device 600 of FIG. 6, in one example, the drug that
is delivered includes an anesthetic.
[0028] While a number of advantages of embodiments described herein
are listed above, the list is not exhaustive. Other advantages of
embodiments described above will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art, having read the present disclosure. Although
specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it
will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any
arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be
substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is
intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present
invention. It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of
the above embodiments, and other embodiments will be apparent to
those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The
scope of the invention includes any other applications in which the
above structures and fabrication methods are used. The scope of the
invention should be determined with reference to the appended
claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such
claims are entitled.
* * * * *