NOZZLE ADAPTOR

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a nozzle adaptor and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a nozzle adaptor for a syringe which is operable with only a particular size/type of syringe.

Background of the Invention

The applicant has developed a product in the form of cells which can be applied as a spray to wounds and/or epithelial defects, and has determined that good spray characteristics are achieved when the product is dispensed from a syringe via a spray nozzle.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a nozzle adaptor for a syringe, arranged to carry a nozzle for dispensing fluid from the syringe, and a trigger mechanism arranged to render the adaptor operable for fluid communication with the syringe in response to fitment to a syringe having a predetermined dimension.

Preferably, the adaptor has a blocking member movable between a first position in which fluid flow to the nozzle is prevented and a second position in which fluid flow to the nozzle is provided, and the adaptor is rendered operable by moving the blocking member from the first position to the second position in response to the fitment of the syringe. More preferably, the trigger mechanism includes at least one sensing member movable by the syringe between a first configuration associated with said first position, and a second configuration associated with said second position. Even more preferably, the sensing member is directly connected to move the blocking member.

Preferably, said dimension is an outside barrel diameter of the syringe.

Preferably, the trigger mechanism has a pair of sensing members arranged to follow the outside surface of the barrel as the syringe is moved toward the nozzle, and to thereby be spread apart so as to move from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Preferably, the sensing members are arranged such that a syringe having an outside barrel width larger than said predetermined dimension will not fit between the sensing members sufficiently to move the sensing members from the first configuration to the second configuration, and a syringe having an outside barrel width smaller than said predetermined dimension will not spread the sensing members sufficiently to move them from the first configuration to the second configuration.

In one form, the nozzle adaptor is arranged to feed fluid in a direction generally in line with a longitudinal axis of the syringe. Preferably, the nozzle adaptor is arranged such that a conduit of the nozzle extends in line with the longitudinal axis of the syringe.

In a preferred form, the adaptor includes a cover portion for concealing the at least one sensing member. More preferably, the cover portion defines a cavity for receiving the syringe.

Preferably, both of the sensing members are arms formed integrally of a support body of the adaptor, the arms being able to deform relative to the support body between said first and second configurations. More preferably, the support body is open at a rear end to accommodate the syringe, and a front end of the support body supports the nozzle in front of the syringe.

Preferably, the adaptor includes a locking fitting for locking to the syringe when the adaptor is in its operable configuration. More preferably, the locking fitting is a Luer- type fitting.

Preferably, the adaptor includes the nozzle and the nozzle is a spray nozzle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a nozzle adaptor in accordance with an example of the present invention, shown with a syringe;

Figures 2a to 2h show a series of views of the nozzle adaptor and syringe of Figure 1 , illustrating coupling of the nozzle adaptor to the syringe, and use of the nozzle adaptor when coupled to the syringe;

Figures 3a to 3d show different views of the nozzle adaptor of Figures 1 and 2, including an exploded view separating a support body, upper and lower covers, and a nozzle insert;

Figures 4a and 4b show a support body of a nozzle adaptor, similar to the one shown in Figures 1 to 3, in attempted fitment to a 2ml syringe, and in successful fitment to a 5ml syringe;

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic sketch of a perspective view of a support body similar to the one shown in Figures 4a and 4b;

Figures 6a to 6e show a series of different views of a nozzle adaptor similar to the ones shown in Figures 1 to 5;

Figures 7a to 7f show views of a further development of the support body shown in Figures 4a and 4b;

Figures 8a and 8b show a nozzle adaptor using the support body of Figures 7a to 7f, in both assembled and disassembled conditions;

Figures 9a to 9d show views of upper and lower covers of the nozzle adaptor of Figures 8a and 8b; and

Figures 10a to 1Of show detailed views of a nozzle insert of the nozzle adaptor of Figures 8a and 8b.

Detailed Description

A nozzle adaptor 10 in accordance with an example of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The nozzle adaptor 10 is adapted for fitment to a syringe 12, and is arranged to carry a nozzle 14 for dispensing fluid from the syringe 12.

Figures 2a to 2h show a series of views of the nozzle adaptor 10 and syringe 12.

More particularly, Figure 2a shows the nozzle adaptor 10 prior to fitment to the syringe 12, Figures 2b to 2d show insertion of the syringe 12 into a cavity 16 formed between cover portions 18 of the adaptor 10, Figure 2e shows twisting of the nozzle adaptor 10 relative to the syringe 12 to lock the nozzle adaptor 10 to the syringe 12 by way of inter-engaging Luer-lock fittings 36, 38 (see also Figures 4a, 4b and 5), Figure 2f shows the nozzle adaptor 10 coupled to the syringe 12, Figure 2g shows use of the coupled syringe 12 whereby fluid is sprayed through the nozzle 14, and Figure 2h shows the expended syringe 12 still coupled to the nozzle adaptor 10. As can be seen, the nozzle adaptor 10 has opposed flanges 20 on either side of a central portion 22 to facilitate twisting of the nozzle adaptor 10 in locking and unlocking the inter-engaging Luer-lock fittings 36, 38.

Figure 3a shows an exploded view of the nozzle adaptor 10, depicting a support body 24, the upper and lower cover portions 18, and a spray nozzle insert 14 which is fitted to and carried by the support body 24. Figures 3b to 3d show the nozzle adaptor 10 in front, side, and top views, respectively. The top view of Figure 3d shows the upper cover portion 18 being transparent such that parts of the support body 24 are visible through the

cover portion 18. In an alternative example, the cover portion 18 may be opaque to fully conceal the support body 24.

As shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the nozzle adaptor 10 has a trigger mechanism 26 arranged to render the adaptor 10 operable for fluid communication with the syringe 12 in response to fitment to a syringe 12 having a predetermined dimension 28. In the example shown, the predetermined dimension 28 required to render the adaptor 10 operable is an outside barrel diameter of the syringe as shown on the 5ml syringe 12 of Figure 4b. As can be seen, the 5ml syringe 12 of Figure 4b having the predetermined dimension 28 is suitable for rendering the adaptor 10 operable. The adaptor 10 is rendered operable in response to fitment of the syringe 12 by way of sensing members 32 of the trigger mechanism 26 following the outside surface of the syringe barrel as the syringe 12 is moved toward the nozzle 14, such that the sensing members 32 are spread apart from a first configuration shown in Figure 4a to a second configuration shown in Figure 4b. Consequently, as each of the sensing members 32 is directly connected to a respective blocking member 34, the blocking members 34 are moved from a first position in which fluid flow to the nozzle 14 is prevented (see Figure 4a) to a second position in which fluid flow to the nozzle 14 is provided (see Figure 4b).

Advantageously, the nozzle adaptor 10 of the present example is useable only with a 5ml syringe 12, which has been found by the applicant to provide good spray characteristics. By virtue of the trigger mechanism 26 and blocking members 34, the nozzle adaptor 10 is not able to be used with syringes of other sizes (such other syringes may result in inferior spray characteristics). For example, Figure 4a also shows that insertion of a 2ml syringe 40 having an outside barrel width smaller than the predetermined dimension 28 will not spread the sensing members 32 sufficiently to move the sensing members 32 from the first configuration to the second configuration. Accordingly, the sensing members 32 in Figure 4a remain in the first configuration such that the blocking members 34 prevent fluid flow to the nozzle 14, and the Luer-lock fitting 36 on the front end of the syringe is unable to engage with the Luer-lock fitting 38 on the support body 24.

Similarly, a syringe having an outside barrel width larger than the predetermined dimension 28 will not fit between the sensing members 32 sufficiently to move the sensing members 32 from the first configuration to the- second configuration.

With reference to Figure 5, it can be seen that the sensing members 32 are in the form of arms formed integrally of the support body 24 of the adaptor 10. The arms are able to deform relative to the support body 24 between the first and second configurations. This deformation is facilitated by elbows 42 of smaller cross-section which lend themselves to elastic deformation. Between these elbows 42, the support body 24 is open at its rear end to accommodate entry of the syringe 12. A front end of the support body 24 supports the nozzle insert 14 in front of the syringe 12 when the syringe 12 is coupled to the nozzle adaptor 10.

Figures 6a to 6d show side, front, top and perspective views, respectively, of a nozzle adaptor 10. Figure 6e shows a front perspective view of the nozzle adaptor 10 coupled to the syringe 12.

A further development of the support body shown in Figures 4a and 4b is shown in Figures 7a to 7f, and like features are indicated with like reference numerals. More specifically, Figure 7a shows a side view of a support body 24 which has been further developed for market. The support body 24 bears many similarities to the support body shown in Figures 4a and 4b, with some variations in the shaping. In particular, a forward end 44 of the support body 24 is curved so as to improve the appearance and feel of the nozzle adapter 10. Figure 7a also shows detail of a receptacle 46 for receiving a tip of the syringe 12, including a tapered sealing surface 48 for sealing with the tip of the syringe 12.

Also shown in broken lines is a front receptacle 50 for receiving the nozzle insert 14, detail of which is shown in Figures 10a to 1Of. The front receptacle 50 surrounds a nipple 52 with a forward sealing surface 54 for sealing against the nozzle insert 14. i

Figure 7b shows a side view of the support body 24, and Figure 7c shows a cross

section of the support body 24 taken along the line A-A indicated in Figure 7b. Figure 7d shows a front view of the support body 24, Figure 7e shows a detailed view of a portion of the support body 24 within the circle B indicated in Figure 7c, and Figure 7f is a perspective view of the support body 24. Figures 7a, 7b and 7f show press fit apertures for mating with press fit fingers 58 formed on the inner surfaces of the cover portions 18 (see Figures 8a and 8b).

Figure 8 a shows a perspective view of a nozzle adapter 10 using the support body

24 of Figures 7a to 7f, with the cover portions 18 shown as transparent such that in a detail of the nozzle adapter 10 can be seen. Figure 8a shows the nozzle adapter 10 in a disassembled, exploded view, with the nozzle insert 14 and cover portions 18 removed from the support body 24.

Detail of a cover portion 18 is shown in Figures 9a to 9d. The cover portion 18 may be identical to the opposite cover portion 18, or they may be formed from different moulds. As can be seen, the cover portion 18 has inwardly facing ribs 60 for supporting the support body 24.

With reference to Figures 10a to 1Of, and in particular, the rear view of the nozzle insert 14 shown in Figure 7a, the nozzle insert 14 is provided with sealing surfaces 62 for forming a seal against the forward sealing surface 54 on the nipple 52. The nozzle insert

14 also has fluid spin channels 64 formed therein so as to induce a desired spray pattern through a hole 66. Figure 7b shows a side view of the nozzle insert (with internal features of the nozzle insert shown in broken lines), Figure 7c shows a front view of the nozzle insert 14, Figure 7d shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle insert taken along the line

A-A shown in Figure 7a, Figure 7e shows a side view of the nozzle insert 14 similar to that shown in Figure 7b except with dimensions, and Figure 7f shows a perspective view of the nozzle insert 14.

The nozzle adaptor 10 is arranged such that the hole 66 forms a conduit extending in line with a longitudinal axis of the syringe 12 (and with the axis of operation of the

syringe 12) so as to feed fluid through the nozzle insert 14 in a direction generally in line with the longitudinal axis of the syringe when the syringe 12 is operated. Advantageously, the direct line between the conduit and the syringe 12 results in improved fluid flow characteristics, and particularly to improved application of cells where the nozzle adaptor 10 is used for applying cells as a spray to wounds and/or epithelial defects.

The above nozzle adaptor 10 has been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, although the nozzle adaptor 10 is described as being compatible with only 5ml syringes, it is to be understood that other examples of the nozzle adaptor may be compatible with other sizes/types of syringe. Also, although the adaptor 10 described above includes the nozzle 14 in the form of a spray nozzle insert, it will be understood that in other examples the nozzle may be integral to the support body. Furthermore, it will be understood that the general concept of the invention may be adapted to non-spray forms of nozzles or other conduits.

The applicant has developed the above nozzle adaptor 10 for use particularly in applying cells as a spray to wounds and/or epithelial defects. The applicant has determined that certain sizes/models of syringe provide improved spray characteristics when used in conjunction with a spray nozzle, and thus the nozzle adaptor can be advantageous in ensuring that the correct size/model of syringe is used.