Applicator with dosing unit
An instrument having a dosing unit connected to a handle or housing of instrument. The dosing unit may include a reusable actuator with a drive unit and a single-use cartridge. The Cartridge may have a cylinder and a piston, and may be filled by a user prior to the intervention or may be prefilled by the manufacturer. The dosing unit is brought into an open position offset from housing by, for example, operating a latch slider and pulling the dosing unit in a proximal direction. After insertion of the cartridge, the dosing unit may be moved toward housing and the latched slider will lock the dosing unit into a closed position.
1 . An instrument for injecting a liquid into tissue, the instrument comprising:
a housing on which a handle is provided for holding and guiding the instrument;
a shank that extends in distal direction and that comprises at least one fluid channel;
a fluid line that is configured for connection with a supplying apparatus for supply of the instrument with a pressurized first fluid, the pressurized first fluid having a first discharge pressure at the at least one fluid channel sufficient to open a penetration channel in the tissue and a second discharge pressure less than the first discharge pressure; and
a dosing unit arranged on or in the housing, the dosing unit comprising a drive unit and a compartment adapted to receive a fluid container, the fluid container containing a second fluid, the drive unit of the dosing unit being adapted to provide a pressure application to the fluid container by reducing a volume of the fluid container to provide the second fluid at a third discharge pressure at the at least one fluid channel, the third discharge pressure being less than the first discharge pressure.
2 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the dosing unit is releasably attached on the housing.
3 . The instrument according to claim 2 , wherein the shank comprises a bendable section at its distal end and wherein at least one operating element for control and bending of the shank is provided on the housing of the instrument.
4 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid channel comprises a jet-focusing outlet opening at a distal end of the at least one fluid channel.
5 . The instrument according to claim 1 , further comprising a valve arrangement configured to create the first discharge pressure as a pressure impulse in the at least one fluid channel.
6 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the dosing unit comprises an electrical line configured to connect to a control device.
7 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises:
a fluid connection for the fluid container; and
a mechanical plug connection for a plug device provided on the dosing unit.
8 . The instrument according to claim 7 , wherein the fluid connection and the plug device have matching operation directions.
9 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid container comprises a movable piston.
10 . The instrument according to claim 8 , wherein the fluid container comprises a movable piston, wherein a movement direction of the moveable piston coincides with the operation direction.
11 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit comprises a servomotor that is arranged to act on the fluid container via a gear.
12 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure application to the fluid container is independent from a pressure of the pressurized first fluid.
13 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid channel comprises therein the second fluid entrained within the pressurized first fluid at a pressure less than the first discharge pressure.
14 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the compartment for the fluid container extends from the dosing unit into the housing.
15 . The instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the compartment for the fluid container is formed by the housing and the dosing unit.
16 . A method of using the instrument according to claim 1 , the method comprising:
providing the pressurized first fluid in a pressure container;
channeling the pressurized first fluid into the at least one fluid channel at the first discharge pressure by opening a valve;
reducing a pressure of the first pressurized first fluid to the second discharge pressure;
providing the second fluid in the container;
channeling the second fluid into the at least one fluid channel line at the third discharge pressure after reducing the pressure of the first pressurized first fluid.