US6258064B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helically advanceable endoscopic needle device
Assignee: IS LLC
•
Filing: 1999-10-04
•
Granted: 2001-07-10
•
Expires: 2019-10-04
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic needle device includes an outer sheath, an elongate shaft extending through the sheath, a needle rigidly attached to the distal end of the shaft, and a handle assembly having a housing coupled to the proximal end of the sheath and having a syringe port in fluid communication with the sheath and a knob rotatably coupled to the housing. Rotation of the knob relative to the housing causes rotation of the shaft relative to the sheath. The needle and the distal end of the sheath are mated by a threaded connection. As such, rotation of the knob relative to the housing causes precise longitudinal movement and extension of the needle relative to the distal end of the sheath. A set of intermeshing gears are provided between the knob and shaft which function to permit at most one rotation of the knob to cause complete extension and/or retraction of the needle. Furthermore, assemblies are provided with permit the shaft to accommodate movement of the needle relative to the sheath. Moreover, the position of the knob relative to the housing provides an indication of the extension of the needle. As such, the injection needle device of the invention permits controllable and calibrated rotation of the needle to within a few degrees, such that the needle device can be easily, reliably, and precisely operated to advance the needle.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin W. Smith
- 👤 Juergen A. Kortenbach
- 👤 Charles R. Slater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3478; A61B2017/00367; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/033; A61B2090/034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member, iii) an input gear, and iv) a step-up gear assembly coupled between said input gear and said shaft, said step-up gear assembly configured such that movement of said control member relative to said stationary member causes rotation of said input gear coupled to said control member by a first degree and rotation of said shaft by a second degree greater than said first degree.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member, iii) an input gear, and iv) a step-up gear assembly coupled between said input gear and said shaft, said step-up gear assembly configured such that movement of said control member relative to said stationary member causes rotation of said input gear coupled to said control member by a first degree and rotation of said shaft by a second degree greater than said first degree.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , wherein: said control member is rotatable relative to said stationary member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A needle injection device according to claim 2 , wherein: rotation of said control member relative to said stationary member by a first degree causes rotation of said shaft by a second degree greater than said first degree.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A needle injection device according to claim 3 , wherein: said second degree is 12 to 100 times said first degree.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , wherein: said device has an axis, and said control member is movable parallel to said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A needle injection device according to claim 5 , wherein: said control member includes a rack portion which engages a pinion of said gear assembly such that movement of said control member relative to said pinion causes said shaft to rotate relative to said sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , wherein: said gear assembly includes an output pinion which is slidably coupled to said proximal end of said shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A needle injection device according to claim 7 , wherein: said output pinion includes one of a bore having a non-circular cross-section and a key portion having a non-circular cross-section, and said proximal end of said shaft includes the other of said bore having said non-circular cross-section and said key portion having said non-circular cross-section, said key portion being slidably movable within said bore yet rotationally interfering with said bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , wherein: said handle assembly includes means for indicating an axial position of said needle relative to said distal end of said sheath.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A needle injection device according to claim 9 , wherein: said means for indicating comprises indicia and at least one of said control member and said stationary member is provided with said indicia.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , wherein: said stationary member includes a channel in fluid communication with said sheath, said channel terminating in a port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A needle injection device according to claim 11 , further comprising: e) a syringe coupled to said port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , wherein: said shaft extends at least partially within said channel and proximally exits a medial portion of said channel through a substantially fluid-tight seal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , wherein: said internal threads provided to said sheath are included in a sleeve coupled within said sheath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , wherein: said external threads provided to said needle are included on a sleeve coupled over said needle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , further comprising: e) a fluid-seal between said needle and said distal end of said sheath.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A needle injection device according to claim 1 , wherein: said shaft is free of camber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
139 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, and ii) a control member coupled to said shaft and rotatable relative to said stationary member, wherein rotation of said control member by no more than 360° relative to said stationary member causes said needle to move axially at least 2 mm relative to said sheath.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
139 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, and ii) a control member coupled to said shaft and rotatable relative to said stationary member, wherein rotation of said control member by no more than 360° relative to said stationary member causes said needle to move axially at least 2 mm relative to said sheath.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A needle injection device according to claim 18 , wherein: said wherein rotation of said control member by no more than 360° relative to said stationary member causes said needle to move axially at least 8 mm relative to said sheath.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
143 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having an axis and proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, and ii) a control member coupled to said shaft and movable parallel to said axis of said sheath, wherein movement of said control member relative to said stationary member by a first amount causes said needle to move axially relative to said sheath by a second amount.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
143 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having an axis and proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, and ii) a control member coupled to said shaft and movable parallel to said axis of said sheath, wherein movement of said control member relative to said stationary member by a first amount causes said needle to move axially relative to said sheath by a second amount.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A needle injection device according to claim 20 , wherein: said first amount is more than said second amount.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A needle injection device according to claim 20 , wherein: said first amount is at least twice said second amount.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
135 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member and coupled to said shaft for rotating said shaft relative to said sheath, and iii) an indicator which indicates an axial position of said needle relative to said distal end of said sheath.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
135 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member and coupled to said shaft for rotating said shaft relative to said sheath, and iii) an indicator which indicates an axial position of said needle relative to said distal end of said sheath.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
61 words
A needle injection device according to claim 23 , wherein: said handle assembly further includes a step-up gear assembly coupled between said control member and said shaft, said gear assembly configured such that rotation of said control member relative to said stationary member by a first degree causes rotation of said shaft by a second degree greater than said first degree.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A needle injection device according to claim 24 , wherein: said second degree is 12 to 100 times said first degree.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A needle injection device according to claim 24 , wherein: said gear assembly includes an output pinion which is slidably coupled to said proximal end of said shaft.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
A needle injection device according to claim 26 , wherein: said output pinion includes one of a bore having a non-circular cross-section and a key portion having a non-circular cross-section, and said proximal end of said shaft includes the other of said bore having said non-circular cross-section and said key portion having said non-circular cross-section, said key portion being slidably movable within said bore yet rotationally interfering with said bore.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
A needle injection device according to claim 23 , wherein: said control member includes a rack portion which engages a pinion coupled to said shaft, such that movement of said control member relative to said pinion causes said shaft to rotate relative to said sheath.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A needle injection device according to claim 23 , wherein: said stationary member includes a port in fluid communication with said sheath.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
218 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible first shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member, and iii) a rigid second shaft member coupled to said control member such that movement of said control member relative to said stationary member causes rotation of said rigid shaft member relative to said sheath, said rigid shaft member including one of a bore having a non-circular cross-section and a key portion having a non-circular cross-section, and said proximal end of said first shaft including the other of said bore having said non-circular cross-section and said key portion having said non-circular cross-section, said key portion being slidably movable within said bore yet rotationally interfering with said bore such that movement of said control member relative to said stationary member causes rotation of said first shaft.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
218 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible first shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member, and iii) a rigid second shaft member coupled to said control member such that movement of said control member relative to said stationary member causes rotation of said rigid shaft member relative to said sheath, said rigid shaft member including one of a bore having a non-circular cross-section and a key portion having a non-circular cross-section, and said proximal end of said first shaft including the other of said bore having said non-circular cross-section and said key portion having said non-circular cross-section, said key portion being slidably movable within said bore yet rotationally interfering with said bore such that movement of said control member relative to said stationary member causes rotation of said first shaft.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
76 words
A needle injection device according to claim 30 , wherein: said control member is rotatable relative to said stationary member and said handle assembly further includes a step-up gear assembly coupled between said control member and said rigid second shaft member, said gear assembly configured such that rotation of said control member relative to said stationary member by a first degree causes rotation of said first shaft by a second degree greater than said first degree.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
188 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end thereof; b) a flexible inner tubular member having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle coupled to said distal end of said inner tubular member, said needle having a bore in fluid communication with said inner tubular member, said needle being provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; d) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible shaft coupled to one of said needle and said distal end of said flexible inner tubular member; and e) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member rotatable relative to said stationary member, and iii) a step-up gear assembly coupled between said control member and said shaft, said gear assembly configured such that rotation of said control member relative to said stationary member by a first degree causes rotation of said shaft by a second degree greater than said first degree.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
188 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end thereof; b) a flexible inner tubular member having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle coupled to said distal end of said inner tubular member, said needle having a bore in fluid communication with said inner tubular member, said needle being provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; d) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible shaft coupled to one of said needle and said distal end of said flexible inner tubular member; and e) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member rotatable relative to said stationary member, and iii) a step-up gear assembly coupled between said control member and said shaft, said gear assembly configured such that rotation of said control member relative to said stationary member by a first degree causes rotation of said shaft by a second degree greater than said first degree.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A needle injection device according to claim 32 , wherein: said second degree is 12 to 100 times said first degree.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
A needle injection device according to claim 32 , wherein: said gear assembly includes an output pinion which is slidably coupled to said proximal end of said shaft, thereby permitting said shaft to move axially relative to said output pinion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
70 words
A needle injection device according to claim 34 , wherein: said output pinion includes one of a bore having a non-circular cross-section and a key portion having a non-circular cross-section, and said proximal end of said shaft includes the other of said bore having said non-circular cross-section and said key portion having said non-circular cross-section, said key portion being slidably movable within said bore yet rotationally interfering with said bore.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
A needle injection device according to claim 34 , wherein: when said shaft slidably moves axially relative to said output pinion by a first distance, said inner tubular member is adapted to move axially relative to said sheath by said first distance.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
A needle injection device according to claim 32 , wherein: said proximal end of said sheath is axially slidably within said housing.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
A needle injection device according to claim 32 , wherein: said handle assembly indicates an axial position of said needle relative to said distal end of said sheath.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
A needle injection device according to claim 38 , wherein: at least one of said control member and said stationary member are provided with indicia indicating an axial position of said needle relative to said distal end of said sheath.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
A needle injection device according to claim 32 , wherein: said stationary member includes a channel in flu id communication with said sheath, said channel terminating in a port.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
A needle injection device according to claim 40 , further comprising: e) a syringe coupled to said port.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
176 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end thereof; b) a flexible inner tubular member having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle coupled to said distal end of said inner tubular member, said needle having a bore in fluid communication with said inner tubular member, said needle being provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; d) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible shaft coupled to one of said needle and said distal end of said flexible inner tubular member; and e) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, and ii) a control member coupled to said shaft and rotatable relative to said stationary member, wherein rotation of said control member by no more than 360° relative to said stationary member causes said needle to move axially at least 2 mm relative to said sheath.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
176 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end thereof; b) a flexible inner tubular member having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle coupled to said distal end of said inner tubular member, said needle having a bore in fluid communication with said inner tubular member, said needle being provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; d) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible shaft coupled to one of said needle and said distal end of said flexible inner tubular member; and e) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, and ii) a control member coupled to said shaft and rotatable relative to said stationary member, wherein rotation of said control member by no more than 360° relative to said stationary member causes said needle to move axially at least 2 mm relative to said sheath.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
A needle injection device according to claim 42 , wherein: rotation of said control member by no more than 360° relative to said stationary member causes said needle to move axially at least 6 mm relative to said sheath.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
173 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end thereof; b) a flexible inner tubular member having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle coupled to said distal end of said inner tubular member, said needle having a bore in fluid communication with said inner tubular member, said needle being provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; d) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible shaft coupled to one of said needle and said distal end of said flexible inner tubular member; and e) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member and coupled to said shaft for rotating said shaft relative to said sheath, and iii) an indicator which indicates an axial position of said needle relative to said distal end of said sheath.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
173 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end thereof; b) a flexible inner tubular member having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle coupled to said distal end of said inner tubular member, said needle having a bore in fluid communication with said inner tubular member, said needle being provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; d) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible shaft coupled to one of said needle and said distal end of said flexible inner tubular member; and e) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member and coupled to said shaft for rotating said shaft relative to said sheath, and iii) an indicator which indicates an axial position of said needle relative to said distal end of said sheath.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
251 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end thereof; b) a flexible inner tubular member having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle coupled to said distal end of said inner tubular member, said needle having a bore in fluid communication with said inner tubular member, said needle being provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; d) a flexible first shaft having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible shaft coupled to one of said needle and said distal end of said flexible inner tubular member; and e) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member, and iii) a rigid second shaft member coupled to said control member such that movement of said control member relative to said stationary member causes rotation of said second shaft member relative to said sheath, said second shaft member including one of a bore having a non-circular cross-section and a key portion having a non-circular cross-section, and said proximal end of said first shaft including the other of said bore having said non-circular cross-section and said key portion having said non-circular cross-section, said key portion being slidably movable within said bore yet rotationally interfering with said bore such that rotation of said control member causes rotation of said first shaft.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
251 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end thereof; b) a flexible inner tubular member having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle coupled to said distal end of said inner tubular member, said needle having a bore in fluid communication with said inner tubular member, said needle being provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; d) a flexible first shaft having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said flexible shaft coupled to one of said needle and said distal end of said flexible inner tubular member; and e) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member movable relative to said stationary member, and iii) a rigid second shaft member coupled to said control member such that movement of said control member relative to said stationary member causes rotation of said second shaft member relative to said sheath, said second shaft member including one of a bore having a non-circular cross-section and a key portion having a non-circular cross-section, and said proximal end of said first shaft including the other of said bore having said non-circular cross-section and said key portion having said non-circular cross-section, said key portion being slidably movable within said bore yet rotationally interfering with said bore such that rotation of said control member causes rotation of said first shaft.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
76 words
A needle injection device according to claim 45 , wherein: said handle assembly further includes a step-up gear assembly coupled between said control member and said first shaft, wherein said second shaft member is an output pinion of said gear assembly, said gear assembly configured such that rotation of said control member relative to said stationary member by a first degree causes rotation of said first shaft by a second degree greater than said first degree.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
152 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member having a rack portion and movable relative to said stationary member, and iii) a gear assembly coupled between said control member and said shaft, said gear assembly including a pinion engaged by said rack portion of said control member such that movement of said control member relative to said pinion causes rotation of said pinion.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
152 words
A needle injection device, comprising: a) a flexible sheath having proximal and distal ends and provided with first threads at said distal end of said sheath; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends and extending through the sheath; c) a needle having a bore in fluid communication with said sheath, said needle being coupled to said distal end of said shaft and provided with second threads threadably mated with said first threads and helically movable relative thereto; and d) a handle assembly including, i) a stationary member coupled to said sheath, ii) a control member having a rack portion and movable relative to said stationary member, and iii) a gear assembly coupled between said control member and said shaft, said gear assembly including a pinion engaged by said rack portion of said control member such that movement of said control member relative to said pinion causes rotation of said pinion.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
26 words
A needle injection device according to claim 47 , wherein: said device has an axis, and said control member is movable substantially parallel to said axis.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
49 words
A needle injection device according to claim 47 , wherein: said gear assembly includes at least one change gear between said pinion and said shaft such that rotation of said pinion by a first degree causes rotation of said shaft by a second degree greater than said first degree.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-07-09 | 2005-01-08 | 2005-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-09 | 2009-01-08 | 2009-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-09 | 2013-01-08 | 2013-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |