BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an enlarged, schematical view of a first embodiment of the drug deliver device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, schematical view of a second embodiment of the drug deliver device of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As best seen in FIG. 1, drug delivery device 10 of the present invention generally comprises tip 12 and handpiece 14. Tip 12 generally contains delivery cannula or needle 16 and body 18. Needle 16 may be any suitably sized needle of conventional construction. Body 18 generally is of a construction similar to a standard hypodermic syringe, e.g., cylindrical and tubular, made from glass, metal or a suitable plastic. Body 18 is sized and shaped to hold a suitable amount of a liquid or phase transition drug. Handpiece 14 generally is sized and shape similar to body 18, e.g., cylindrical, and has distal end 20 adapted to allow tip 12 to be mechanically connected to handpiece 14. Handpiece 14 contains drive mechanism 22, with associated driver electronics 24, to push plunger 21 in body 18 to force the liquid or phase transition drug contained in body 18 out needle 16. Suitable drive mechanisms include, for example, piezoelectric linear motors, such motors being well-known in the art (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,940,209 (Henderson)), and available from sources such as New Scale Technologies, Inc., Victor, N.Y. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, power for driver 22 and control electronics 24 is provided from power source 26, such as a battery, located internal to handpiece 14. Such a construction allows for very precise and controlled movement of plunger 21. In addition, electronics 24 can provide a feedback mechanism that senses the back pressure being exerted against the expression of the drug out of needle 16 and make appropriate adjustments to the speed and direction of motor 22.
As best seen in FIG. 2, drug delivery device 110 of the present invention may also generally comprise tip 112 and handpiece 114. Tip 112 generally contains delivery cannula or needle 116 and body 118. Needle 116 may be any suitably sized needle of conventional construction. Body 118 is generally is of construction similar to a standard hypodermic syringe, e.g., cylindrical and tubular, made from glass, metal or a suitable plastic. Body 118 is sized and shaped to hold a suitable amount of a liquid or phase transition drug. Handpiece 114 generally is sized and shaped similar to body 118, e.g., cylindrical, and has distal end 120 adapted so allow tip 112 to be mechanically connected to handpiece 114. Handpiece 114 contains drive mechanism 122, with associated driver electronics 124, to push plunger 121 in body 118 to force the liquid or phase transition drug contained in body 118 out needle 116. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, control electronics 124 are located external to handpiece 114 and power and control signals are provided to drive mechanism 122 through cable 123. Power for driver 122 and electronics 124 is provided from external source 126 through electrical cable 128. Such a construction allows for a smaller handpiece 114.
This description is given for purposes of illustration and explanation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that changes and modifications may be made to the invention described above without departing from its scope or spirit.
Patent Application
20070270750
