WO2005042074A1

WO2005042074A1 - Nozzle adaptor

Info

Publication number: WO2005042074A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2004/000210
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shaun Plant
Original assignee: Forlong & Maisey Limited Trading As Instrument Supplies
Priority date: 2003-10-31
Filing date: 2004-09-08
Publication date: 2005-05-12
Also published as: NZ529229A

Abstract

A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device having a body (2) comprising means for connecting to the nozzle (4) of a liquid dispensing device (5). The liquid dispensing device (5) may be a syringe, an injection gun or some other device capable of transmitting a liquid substance by an injection needle (8) into animals.

Description

NOZZLE ADAPTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a nozzle adaptor and in particular, though not solely, to a nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device, and more particularly, a nozzle adaptor for a syringe. BACKGROUND ART

Dispensing devices such as syringes and needles are regularly used to inject fluids including vaccines, medicaments and nutrients into animals.

Typically such devices utilise an injection needle through which liquid substances may be delivered under pressure into animal tissue. To facilitate the pressurised transfer of such liquid substances to an animal the injection needle is normally attached to a plunger, an injector gun, a syringe or some other liquid dispensing device.

However, the injection of liquid substances into an animal often produces large stresses or bending forces on the needles or dispensing devices with the result that the needles are liable to break or deform due to the robust hides and unpredictable movements of the animals into which the substance is being injected. Furthermore, if the injection needle should fail to break when subjected to unsustainable or excessive forces, it is often the case that the liquid dispensing device itself may be damaged. The expense associated with fixing or replacing high numbers of damaged liquid dispensing devices is considerable.

To minimise the manufacturing costs of dispensing devices, their discharge outlets (commonly referred to as the "nozzle" or the "nib") are typically made of a plastics material such as polycarbonate, and consequently have little flexural rigidity. Injection needles are designed to interface with such discharge outlets to provide a channel through which pressurised liquid may flow from the liquid dispensing device (via the needle) into the animal.

To minimise leakage and the loosening of an injection needle from engagement with a discharge outlet the needle to nozzle fitting must be tight and must provide a fluid-tight seal. However, in instances in which the discharge outlet is formed from plastics material (or some other polymer or composite) and the needle is formed of metal (as is usually the case) the action of repetitively connecting/disconnecting the injection needle onto the discharge outlet will eventually wear away at the discharge outlet due to the plastics material on metal action. For example, the injection needle may be screwed down onto the discharge outlet.

To counter such disadvantages dispensing systems and/or discharge mechanisms made solely of metal or a metal alloy have been developed. However, such devices are very expensive to manufacture due to the amounts of metal required. It is also known to manufacture the nozzle or nib part of the dispensing device solely from metal and the remainder of the device from a plastics material. However, this adds complexity to the manufacturing process and sometimes requires specialised overmoulding techniques.

Due to the frequent and often unavoidable breakage of the needles employed by liquid dispensing devices it is necessary to provide needle attachment mechanisms which are adapted to facilitate efficient needle interchange. Additionally, liquid dispensing devices having components which are measurably more robust and which are adapted to withstand greater stress and bending forces are required.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non- specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device which goes at least some way towards overcoming the above disadvantages or which will at least provide the public and/or industry with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device comprising: a body having means for connecting to the nozzle of a liquid dispensing device and means for attachment to an injection needle, wherein the means for attachment to an injection needle comprises a first connection means which is adapted to engage with at least a portion of an external surface of the injection needle, a second connection means which is adapted to engage with at least a portion of an internal surface of the injection needle, and a channel through which liquid may pass from the liquid dispensing device to the injection needle.

Preferably, the first and second connection means are co-axial.

Preferably, the body is formed from a plastics material and the first and second connection means are formed from metal.

Preferably, the first and second connection means are integrally formed.

Alternatively, the first and second connection means are separately formed.

Preferably, the first connection means is adapted to rotate about the second connection means.

Preferably, the first connection means comprises a threaded bore. Preferably, the second connection means comprises a tubular or conical protuberance.

Preferably, the channel is provided through the second connection means.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a liquid dispensing device having a nozzle adaptor according to the first aspect connected to its nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device (and the nozzle of a liquid dispensing device) formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid dispensing device configured for use with the nozzle adaptor depicted in Figure 1.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1 , a nozzle adaptor 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

The nozzle adaptor 1 , has a body 2 preferably having means 6 for connecting to the nozzle (or nib) 4 of a liquid dispensing device 5. The liquid dispensing device 5 may be formed as a syringe, an injection gun, a plunger or some other device capable of transmitting liquid substances including vaccines, medicaments and nutrients via an injection needle 8 into animals. Such a connection means 6 may preferably be formed from a screw-type internal thread which is adapted to engage with a complimentary receiving external thread 3 formed on the nozzle 4 of the liquid dispensing device 5. The body 2 may therefore be screwed onto the nozzle 4 via connection means 3 to provide a secure and leak-proof fitting between these components. However, in alternative embodiments the connection means 3 may be configured from any one or a combination of different connecting means, including snap-fit type mechanisms, screws or the application of glues or other adhesives.

The nozzle adaptor 1 also includes means 7 for attachment to injection needle 8. Injection needle 8 typically comprises any or all of an elongated hollow piercing portion 9, a substantially hollow hub portion 10 and a luer or flanged portion 11.

Attachment means 7 includes a first connection means which may preferably in part be formed as a screw-type internal thread 12 which is adapted to engage with the flange portion 11 of injection needle 8. The flanged portion 11 of needle 8 may therefore be screwed or threaded onto the nozzle adaptor 1 via attachment means 7 and may provide a secure and leak-proof fitting between these two components. Accordingly, the means 7 for attachment to injection needle 8 includes a first connection means 12 (being the screw-type external thread) which is adapted to engage with at least a portion of an external surface of the injection needle 8 (being the flange portion 11).

Attachment means 7 also includes a second connection means 13 which is substantially tubular or conical in shape and which is adapted to engage with at least a portion of an internal surface of the injection needle 8. The action of screwing the injection needle 8 onto the second connection means 13 will cause an internal surface of the hollow hub portion 10 (of injection needle 8) to engage with and seal against an external surface 14 of second connection means 13. Once the injection needle 8 has been fully screwed into nozzle adaptor 1 (via attachment means 7), the base 15 of the elongated hollow piercing portion 9 of the needle 8 will seal tightly over a channel 17 formed within the second connection means 13.

An advantage of this configuration is that as the needle is being subjected to large stresses or bending forces it is secured both internally and externally by the first and second connection means respectively, these connection means being adapted to absorb all resultant bending forces or stresses which would otherwise be absorbed by the needle itself.

Channel 17 in second connection means 13 enables liquid to pass from the liquid dispensing device 5 to the injection needle 8. Such a channel 17 may be integrally formed within the second connection means 13 and includes an opening which is configured to seal against the base 15 of the elongated hollow piercing portion 9 of the needle 8 such that liquid may be channelled from the liquid dispensing device 5 via nozzle opening 16 and through channel 17 to the injection needle 8 and into an animal as required.

It may therefore be appreciated that the first connection means 12 and the second connection means 13 of the nozzle adaptor 1 are preferably co-axial. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that these components need not be co-axial and may alternatively be oriented, mounted or configured about a different axis.

The first connection means 12 and second connection means 13 are preferably integrally formed. This will enhance the strength of the connection between the nozzle 4 of the liquid dispensing device 5 and the nozzle adaptor 1 as well as between an injection needle 8 and the first and second connection means 12 and 13. Alternatively, the first and second connection means may be separately formed. Furthermore, the first connection means may be further adapted to rotate about the second connection means.

Preferably, the first connection means 12 and second connection means 13 (and therefore the attachment means 7) are formed from a metal or metal alloy. Such a configuration will result in portions of both the internal and external surfaces of the injection needle 8 sealing against metal surface 14 of second connection means 13 and the metal screw thread of first connection means 12 respectively. Similarly, the nozzle 4 of liquid dispensing device 5 will come to abuttingly and co-axially seal adjacent to channel 17 under the action of the connection means formed on body 1. Consequently, the present invention will provide a stronger and more robust configuration since it is the first and second connection means 12 and 13 (rather than nozzle 4) that absorb all resultant forces that arise when injecting an animal.

The body 2 is preferably formed from a plastics material, polymer or composite or other relatively inexpensive material (such as Nylon) as the majority of the forces which result when injecting on animal are absorbed by the metallic first connection means 12 and the second connection means 13.

With reference now to Figure 2, a liquid dispensing device 5 configured for use with the nozzle adaptor 1 depicted in Figure 1 is shown. Such a liquid dispensing device 5 is adapted to dispense a set volume of liquid in a controlled manner and is preferably adapted to incorporate an outlet 19 which is in communication with or connected to a dispensing nozzle 16. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE:

I . A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device comprising: a body having means for connecting to the nozzle of a liquid dispensing device and means for attachment to an injection needle, wherein the means for attachment to an injection needle comprises a first connection means which is adapted to engage with at least a portion of an external surface of the injection needle, a second connection means which is adapted to engage with at least a portion of an internal surface of the injection needle, and a channel through which liquid may pass from the liquid dispensing device to the injection needle.

2. A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second connection means are co-axial.

3. A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is formed from a plastics material and the first and second connection means are formed from metal.

4. A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second connection means are integrally formed.

5. A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein alternatively the first and second connection means are separately formed.

6. A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connection means is adapted to rotate about the second connection means.

7. A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connection means comprises a threaded bore.

9. A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second connection means comprises a tubular or conical protuberance. ^•

9. A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel is provided through the second connection means.

10. A liquid dispensing device having a nozzle adaptor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

I I . A nozzle adaptor for a liquid dispensing device substantially has herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.