System and a method for modification of a device and a device suitable for modification

Abstract

A system and a method for modification of an manually operated injection device. The injection device comprises a housing ( 1 - 3 ) designed or suitable for manual gripping, a container for a preparation attached to ( 6 ) or enclosed in the housing, an outlet ( 4 ) for the preparation exposed with respect to the housing, optionally a cap or guard ( 8 ) arranged for removable attachment over the outlet and a mechanism arranged for moving the preparation at least from the container through the outlet. The system comprises a set of at least two elements ( 11,11′ ) having different properties in at least one respect. The elements ( 11,11′ ) are designed for mechanical attachment to one and the same area part ( 3 ) of the housing, one at the time. The method includes the steps of providing at least two elements ( 11,11′ ) having different properties in at least one respect, the elements being designed for mechanical attachment to one and the same area part ( 3 ) of the housing ( 1 - 3 ), one at the time, selecting one element ( 11 ) from the set, and attaching mechanically the selected element ( 11 ) to said area part ( 3 ) of the housing ( 1 - 3 ).

1 . A system designed for modification of an injection device, the system comprising (I) a manually operated injection device, said injection device comprising a) a housing ( 1 - 3 ) designed or suitable for manual gripping, b) a container for a preparation attached to ( 6 ) or enclosed in the housing, c) an outlet ( 4 ) for the preparation exposed with respect to the housing, d) optionally a cap or guard ( 8 ) arranged for removable attachment over the outlet and e) a mechanism arranged for moving the preparation at least from the container through the outlet, characterized in that the system further comprises (II) a set of at least two elements ( 11 , 11 ′) the elements having different properties in at least one respect, the elements ( 11 , 11 ′) being designed for mechanical attachment to one and the same area part ( 3 ) of the housing ( 1 - 3 ), one at a time.  
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said elements are different in at least one respect selected from the group consisting of information carried, aesthetic properties, functional properties, size and/or shape or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein each element ( 11 , 11 ′) is intended to be releaseably applied on said area part ( 3 ).  
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner face ( 12 ) of at least one element ( 11 ) has a friction enhancing structure ( 13 ) and/or a friction enhancing coating.  
     
     
         5 . A system according any of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ) is substantially U-shaped in a cross section view.  
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein said element is arranged to be brought into clamping engagement with said area part ( 3 ) of the injection device.  
     
     
         7 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 6 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ) has protrusions ( 14 ) projecting inwardly from its inner face ( 12 ) and arranged to fixingly engage with complementary shaped recesses ( 15 ) in said area part ( 3 ) of the injection device.  
     
     
         8 . A system according any of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ) is a tubular shell, the inner face of which having a configuration substantially conforming to the shape of said area part ( 3 ).  
     
     
         9 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 8 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ) comprises one or more material(-s) ( 16 - 18 ) more pliable than the material of said area part ( 3 ).  
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein said element ( 11 ) includes an inner layer ( 16 ) of a first resilient material and a superimposed layer ( 17 ) of a second elastic material softer than said first material.  
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 9  or  10 , wherein said element ( 11 ) comprises an outer layer ( 17 ) having a outer face possessing a friction enhancing structure and/or a friction enhancing coating ( 18 ).  
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 10  or  11 , wherein at least two of the layers ( 16 , 17 ) of said element ( 11 ) are of mutually different thicknesses.  
     
     
         13 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 12 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ) includes at least one portion ( 21 ) having a thickness substantially larger that the general thickness of said element.  
     
     
         14 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 13 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ) includes at least one portion ( 22 ) having a thickness substantially smaller than the general thickness of said element.  
     
     
         15 . A system according to claims  13  and  14 , wherein said element has a contour ( 17 , 21 , 22 ) matching the palm and the fingers of the user.  
     
     
         16 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 15 , wherein the outer face ( 19 ) of at least one element ( 11 ) is provided with a pattern ( 21 ), one or more colours, characters, a sign or the like.  
     
     
         17 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 16 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ′) is translucent, whereby a paper, sheeting, film or the like ( 16 ′) provided with a pattern, characters, a sign or information positioned between said handle section ( 3 ) and the element ( 17 ′) is visible therethrough.  
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein the outer face ( 19 ) of said element ( 11 ) is provided with the name of the user, dosing instructions, braille etc and/or a bar code.  
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 16  or  18 , wherein the outer face ( 19 ) of said element ( 11 ) is painted with a fluorescent dye.  
     
     
         20 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 19 , wherein a magnetic tape, a liquid crystal thermometer ( 23 ), a blood sugar meter and/or a digital watch is (are) integrated in the outer layer ( 17 ) of at least one element ( 11 ).  
     
     
         21 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 20 , wherein micro-ampoules ( 24 ) containing an aromatic substance are arranged in the outer layer ( 17 ) of at least one element ( 11 ).  
     
     
         22 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 21 , wherein a heat reflective sheet ( 25 ) is enclosed in the outer layer ( 17 ) of at least one element ( 11 ).  
     
     
         23 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 22 , wherein a ring-shaped mount, an eye, a protrusion ( 26 ) with a through hole ( 27 ), a clamp or a similar device is firmly attached to or integrated in at least one element for optional fastening of a string, a thread, a chain etc carrying a charm, a mascot or the like.  
     
     
         24 . A system according to any of claims  1 - 15 , wherein said protecting cap ( 8 ) has an outer face provided with a pattern, one or more colours, characters, a sign or the like matching that of the outer face of said element.  
     
     
         25 . A system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the element is shell-formed.  
     
     
         26 . A method for modification of at least one manually operated injection device, said injection device comprising a) a housing ( 1 - 3 ) designed or suitable for manual gripping, b) a container for a preparation attached to ( 6 ) or enclosed in the housing, c) an outlet ( 4 ) for the preparation exposed with respect to the housing, d) optionally a cap or guard ( 8 ) arranged for removable attachment over the outlet and e) a mechanism arranged for moving the preparation at least from the container through the outlet, characterized in the steps of 
 providing a set of at least two elements ( 11 , 11 ′) having different properties in at least one respect, the elements ( 11 , 11 ′) being designed for mechanical attachment to one and the same area part ( 3 ) of the housing ( 13 ), one at a time,    selecting one element ( 11 ) from the set, and    attaching mechanically the selected element ( 11 ) to said area part ( 3 ) of the housing ( 1 - 3 ).    
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein each element ( 11 , 11 ′) is intended to be releaseably applied on said handle ( 3 ).  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein each element ( 11 , 11 ′) is substantially U-shaped in a cross section view and is arranged to be brought into clamping engagement with said area part ( 3 ) of the injection device by pushing the element ( 11 ) sideways over the area part ( 3 ).  
     
     
         29 . A method according to any of claims  26 - 28 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ) has protrusions ( 14 ) projecting inwardly from its inner face ( 12 ) and arranged to be fixingly engaged with complementary shaped recesses ( 15 ) in said area part ( 3 ) of the injection device.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to any of claims  26 - 29 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ) is a tubular shell, the inner face of which having a configuration substantially conforming to the shape of said area part ( 3 ) and arranged to be brought into squeezing engagement with said area part (3) by pushing the element ( 11 ) lengthwise over the area part ( 3 ).  
     
     
         31 . A method according to any of claims  26 - 30 , wherein at least one element ( 11 ′) is translucent and including the step of positioning a paper, sheeting, film or the like ( 16 ′) provided with a pattern, characters, a sign or information between said handle section ( 3 ) and the element ( 17 ′) before arranging the element ( 11 ′) over the area part ( 3 ).  
     
     
         32 . A method according to any of claims  26 - 31 , including the step of shaping the element ( 11 ) so that it matches the palm and the fingers of the user.  
     
     
         33 . A method according to any of claims  26 - 32 , including the step of providing the element ( 11 ) with the name of the user, dosing instructions etc and/or a bar code.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to any of claims  26 - 33 , including the step of attaching or integrating a magnetic tape, a liquid crystal thermometer ( 23 ), a blood sugar meter and/or a digital watch to or in an outer layer ( 17 ) of said element ( 11 ).  
     
     
         35 . A method according to any of claims  26 - 34 , including the step of applying a heat reflective sheet ( 25 ) on at least a portion of said area part ( 3 ).  
     
     
         36 . A method according to any of claims  26 - 35 , including the step of attaching a ring-shaped mount, an eye, a protrusion ( 26 ) with a through hole ( 27 ), a clamp or a similar device to said element ( 11 ) for optional fastening of a string, a thread, a chain etc carrying a charm, a mascot or the like.  
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the attachment step is preceded by the step of removing another element from said area part.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 37 , wherein the removing step is manual.  
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 37 , wherein the removing step includes the step of using a tool.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the attaching step is manual.  
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the attaching step is includes the step of using a tool.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the attaching step includes the step of making the attachment permanent.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the attachment step is preceded by the step-of removing said one element.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein between the removing step and attaching step the said one element is modified.  
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 44 , wherein the modifying step includes modification of information as defined.  
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 26 , including the step of gripping the injection device over at least a part of said one element.  
     
     
         47 . A method according to any of  claims 26  to  46 , wherein the element is shell-formed.  
     
     
         48 . An injection device suitable for modification, said injection device comprising a) a housing ( 1 - 3 ) designed or suitable for manual gripping, b) a container for a preparation attached to ( 6 ) or enclosed in the housing, c) an outlet ( 4 ) for the preparation exposed with respect to the housing, d) optionally a cap or guard ( 8 ) arranged for removable attachment over the outlet and e) a mechanism arranged for moving the preparation at least from the container through the outlet, characterized in that the housing has at least one area part forming a site or seat to which is attached a shell-formed element and that the housing and element are mutually adapted to give a releasable attachment.  
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the element is intended to be applied on said area part ( 3 ) by a user of the injection device, in that each shell-formed element ( 11 , 11 ′) has a curved inner face ( 12 ) possessing a configuration substantially conforming to the shape of said area part ( 3 ), said shell-formed elements having means ( 12 - 16 ) to be securely fastened to said area part ( 3 ), in that said shell-formed elements ( 11 , 11 ′) have a length essentially corresponding to the length of said area part ( 3 ) and serving as a grip for the injection device, and in that said shell-formed elements ( 11 , 11 ′) have an outer face ( 19 ) possessing a structure, configuration and/or a function fulfilling personal requirements of the user.  
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 48  or  49 , having any characteristic stated in  claims 1  to  25 .