High force injection devices

Abstract

Described herein are assisted syringes. The syringes provide a higher force to the plunger tip than the extrusion force applied to the plunger. The assisted syringes can be used to inject or extrude viscous materials.

1 . An electromechanical assisted syringe comprising:
 a syringe body comprising a material cavity;   an actuator coupled to the syringe body and configured to drive a plunger tip disposed within the material cavity;   a plunger coupled to a carriage and comprising a selector portion disposed longitudinally between a forward button and a reverse button of the carriage, the selector portion being configured to activate the actuator via contact with the forward button or the reverse button; and   a spring coupled to the selector portion, the spring configured to provide a spring force against the plunger,   wherein a force can be applied to the plunger to overcome the spring force to actuate the forward button and the force is translated by the actuator into a higher force to extrude a viscous material.   
     
     
         2 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger selector portion is configured to engage the forward button when the spring has been compressed. 
     
     
         3 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 2 , wherein the forward button is configured to activate the actuator in a first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger selector portion is configured to engage the reverse button when the spring has been extended. 
     
     
         5 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 4 , wherein the reverse button is configured to activate the actuator in a second direction. 
     
     
         6 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 1 , wherein a distal axial force can be applied to the plunger to overcome the spring force. 
     
     
         7 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal axial force can be applied to the plunger to overcome the spring force. 
     
     
         8 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 1 , wherein the higher force is at least 20 N. 
     
     
         9 . An electromechanical assisted syringe comprising:
 a syringe body defining a longitudinal axis;   a plunger having a plunger force application surface and a selector portion, the selector portion being reciprocable within the syringe body;   a carriage movably disposed within the syringe body and supporting a forward button and a reverse button, the forward and reverse buttons being contactable by the plunger selector portion upon movement of the plunger relative to the syringe body;   a spring disposed between the carriage and the selector portion, the spring being compressible to permit the selector portion to contact the forward button; and   a plunger tip being configured to be longitudinally movable within the syringe body.   
     
     
         10 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 9 , wherein the spring is configured to provide a spring force against distal motion of the plunger, wherein a force applied to the plunger to overcome the spring force permits the plunger to contact the forward button. 
     
     
         11 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 9 , further comprising a lead screw coupled to the plunger tip. 
     
     
         12 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 11 , wherein the forward button is disposed within the syringe body. 
     
     
         13 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 11 , wherein the forward button is configured to drive the lead screw clockwise. 
     
     
         14 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 9 , wherein the plunger selector portion is configured to move proximally to contact the reverse button to proximally retract the plunger tip, and wherein the plunger is proximally retractable to contact the reverse button to drive the plunger tip proximally. 
     
     
         15 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 14 , wherein the reverse button is disposed within the syringe body. 
     
     
         16 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 14 , wherein the spring is stretchable from a neutral position to provide a spring force against proximal motion of the plunger, wherein a force applied to the plunger to overcome the spring force permits the plunger to contact the reverse button. 
     
     
         17 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 14 , further comprising a lead screw operably coupling to the plunger tip, wherein the reverse button is configured to drive the lead screw counterclockwise. 
     
     
         18 . An electromechanical assisted syringe comprising:
 a syringe body comprising a material cavity;   a lead screw extending along a longitudinal axis of the syringe;   a plunger tip coupled to the lead screw, wherein the plunger tip is disposed within the material cavity; and   at least one motor coupled to the syringe body and configured to longitudinally move the lead screw to drive the plunger tip within the material cavity, wherein and a force from the motor is translated via the lead screw into a higher force to extrude a viscous material.   
     
     
         19 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 18 , wherein the viscous material is a dermal filler, a fat grafting material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The electromechanical syringe of  claim 18 , wherein the higher force is at least 20 N.