JP2015211886A - Single-use injector with low cost - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost, single-use injection device for dispensing a medicament.SOLUTION: The injection device includes: a safety shield 304 with a surface for contacting a patient's skin; an inner housing 312 with cam tracks; a needle hub 320 slidably connected to the internal housing and movable from a first position to a second position; a double-ended needle 324 affixed to the needle hub; a medicament container 308 slidably connected to the safety shield; a stopper 332 slidably disposed in the medicament container; a biasing member 328 disposed within the safety shield; and a needle shield 316 selectively covering a first end of the needle, the needle shield having at least one cam tab slidably engaged with a cam track, and displacement of the cam tab 348 along the first part of the cam track displaces the needle hub to a second position and causes the needle to pierce the stopper.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to an injection device for administering a drug, and more particularly to a low-cost single-use injection device.

  Various injection devices are known in the art. However, many such injection devices require medical training for proper use. In addition, many such injection devices are expensive. Therefore, there is a need to provide a low-cost and intuitive injection device that can be properly used for uninjected or minimally trained people for their own injections or for others' injections It is. Such required devices can be used, for example, for inoculations in developing regions of the world where it is difficult to receive medical care, or for parents to inoculate their children. In addition, the needle can scare the patient. Therefore, it is desirable for the injection device to hide the needle from the user both before and after injection.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,871

  An aspect of the present invention is to provide a low cost single use injection device. Another aspect of the present invention provides an intuitive injection device that can be properly used for uninjected or minimally trained persons for their own injection or for the injection of others. That is. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an injection device in which the needle is hidden before injection and the needle is covered after injection.

  The above and / or other aspects of the present invention are accomplished by providing an injection device that includes a safety shield and a housing. The safety shield has a first end and a surface disposed at the second end for contacting the patient's skin and a shield tab extending therefrom. The housing is slidably disposed with respect to the safety shield and includes a guide groove that engages the shield tab to guide movement of the housing relative to the safety shield. The guide groove has a first axial portion and a second axial portion, and a substantially spiral portion connecting the first axial portion and the second axial portion. The apparatus further includes a drug container connected to the housing and having a needle attached thereto and in communication with the drug disposed within the drug container. The drug container can be displaced with respect to the safety shield from the initial position to the injection position and the retracted position (hereinafter referred to as the retracted position). The apparatus further includes a biasing member that biases the drug container away from the safety shield and a drug member that is slidably disposed relative to the drug container to release the drug from the drug container. And a syringe member.

The above and / or other aspects of the present invention are a safety shield having a first end, and a safety shield having a surface for contacting the patient's skin disposed at the second end thereof. This is also achieved by providing an injection device including a drug container slidably connected to a safety shield. The drug container includes a needle attached thereto and in communication with the drug disposed within the drug container. The drug container can be displaced with respect to the safety shield from the initial position to the injection position and the retracted position. The device further includes a syringe and a syringe member having a stopper disposed at the first end of the plunger, a biasing member that biases the drug container away from the safety shield, and both the safety shield and the drug container. And a slidably arranged housing. The housing includes a cantilevered upper locking arm that selectively prevents displacement of the housing and plunger relative to the drug container. One of the upper lock arm and safety shield includes a ramp, and the remaining one of the upper lock arm and safety shield includes a corresponding radial projection.
When the drug container is displaced from the initial position to an injection position where the needle extends beyond the safety shield, the ramp contacts the radial protrusion and causes the free end of the upper locking arm to be displaced radially. Thus allowing movement of the housing relative to the drug container.

  The above and / or other aspects of the present invention are a safety shield having a surface for contacting the patient's skin and an inner housing slidably connected to the safety shield, the first portion and the first An inner housing having a cam track including two portions, a needle hub slidably connected to the inner housing and moving relative thereto from a first position to a second position; It is also achieved by providing an injection device that includes a double-ended needle attached to a needle hub. The device further includes a drug container for holding a drug slidably connected to the safety shield, a stopper slidably arranged in the drug container, and a bias member arranged in the safety shield. At least one cam tab slidably engaged with the cam track, the biasing member biasing the drug container in a first direction and a needle shield that selectively covers the first end of the needle. And a needle shield having Displacement of the cam tab along the first portion of the cam track displaces the needle hub to the second position and punctures the stopper with the needle.

  Additional aspects and advantages and / or other aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. be able to.

The above aspects and advantages and / or other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
It is a perspective view of the injection device based on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in an initial state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a safety shield of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a housing of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the apparatus of FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in a safe state after injection. FIG. It is a perspective view of the injection device based on other embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 10 in an initial state. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a housing of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the housing taken along line 13-13 of FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 10 in an injected state. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 10 after drug injection. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 10 in a safe state after injection. It is a perspective view of the injection device based on other embodiment of this invention. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 17 taken along line 18-18 of FIG. FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the inner housing of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 17 having a stopper pierced by a needle. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 17 with the needle shield removed. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 17 with the needle deployed. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 17 after drug injection. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 17 in a safe state after injection.

  Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention. Examples are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The description of these embodiments exemplifies the invention by reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an injection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The injection device 100 includes a safety shield 104, a housing 108 and a syringe member or syringe button 112. The housing 108 is slidably connected to the safety shield 104. The injection device 100 further includes a removable needle shield 116.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the injection device 100 in an initial state. As shown in FIG. 2, the injection device 100 further includes a drug container 120 with a needle 124 secured thereto, and a biasing member 128 such as a spring 128. According to one embodiment, the drug container 120 includes a flexible blister 132 having a hub 136 for holding the needle 124. Needle 124 is fluidly connected to flexible blister 132 by hub 136. An example of such a drug container is disclosed in Thomas, US Pat. According to one embodiment, the drug container 120 is connected to the housing 108 in a fixed state. According to another embodiment (not shown), the drug container includes a double-ended needle that punctures the valve membrane when the needle shield is pushed backwards. This configuration functions as an unauthorized opening prevention and reuse prevention feature.

  FIG. 2 further shows that the syringe button 112 includes a flexible blister 132 and an axially aligned internal slot 140. Further, FIG. 2 shows that the housing 108 includes an inner wall 144 and an outer wall 148. The bias member 128 is disposed between the inner wall 144 and the outer wall 148, and the syringe button 112 and the drug container 120 are disposed radially inward of the inner wall 144. The syringe button 112 is slidably disposed with respect to the drug container 120 and the inner wall 144.

Inner wall 144 has a pair of detents including an initial detent 152 and a locking detent 156. According to one embodiment, detents 152 and 156 are circumferential recesses on the inner surface of inner wall 144.
According to another embodiment, detents 152 and 156 are discontinuous circumferential recesses disposed on the inner surface of inner wall 144. The syringe button 112 includes a button protrusion 158 disposed at a distal end thereof, and the button protrusion 158 has a shape corresponding to the detents 152 and 156. Button protrusion 158 and initial detent 152 interact with each other to prevent syringe button 112 from moving proximally relative to housing 108 after button protrusion 158 engages initial detent 152. Similarly, as will be discussed in more detail below, the button protrusion 158 and the lock detent 156 interact with each other so that after the button protrusion 158 engages the lock detent 156, the syringe button 112 is closer to the housing. Prevents moving in the direction of position.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the safety shield 104 is substantially cylindrical and has a depth stop 160 that limits the penetration of the needle 124 into the patient's skin. The safety shield 104 further includes a shield tab 164 that protrudes radially from a flange 168 disposed at the proximal end of the safety shield 104. The flange 168 provides a support surface for the distal end of the bias member 128 and the shield tab 164 interacts with the guide groove 172 of the housing 108 to guide movement of the housing 108 relative to the safety shield 104. The distal end of safety shield 104 defines a surface 170 that contacts the patient's skin.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 108 includes a cantilevered upper flexible arm 176 and a cantilevered lower flexible arm 180. As described in more detail below, the upper flexible arm 176 and the lower flexible arm 180 are locking members of the guide groove 172. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of housing 108 taken along line 5-5 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the guide groove 172 includes a substantially axial first portion (hereinafter referred to as a first axial portion) 184 and a substantially axial second portion (hereinafter referred to as a first portion). Two axial portions) 188 and a substantially spiral portion 192 connecting the first axial portion 184 and the second axial portion 188. According to one embodiment, a substantially spiral portion 192 extends through the housing 108 for molding purposes. As discussed in more detail below, again as shown in FIG. 5, the upper flexible arm 176 includes a ramp 194 disposed at the free end of its inner surface. In addition, the lower flexible arm 180 includes a ramp hook 196.

  6 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the injection device 100. To operate the device, the user first removes the needle shield 116 and places the surface 170 of the safety shield 104 against the patient's skin 194. Subsequently, the user depresses the syringe button 112 to displace the medicine container to the injection position. The force required to compress the biasing member 128 and the force required to cause the needle 124 to penetrate the user's skin is less than the force required to displace the button protrusion 158 from the initial detent 152. Thus, when the user depresses the syringe button 112, the housing 108 slides distally with respect to the safety shield 104 and the needle 124 penetrates the user's skin 198, as shown in FIG. When the hub 136 of the medicine container 120 contacts the depth stopper 160, the medicine container 120 stops at a predetermined depth.

  During this distal displacement of the housing 108 relative to the safety shield 104, the shield tab 164 engages the first axial portion 184 of the guide groove 172 and moves proximally relative thereto. In other words, the engagement of the shield tab 164 with the first axial portion 184 limits the displacement of the housing 108 relative to the safety shield 104 in the axial direction and prevents rotation of the housing 108 relative to the safety shield 104. As the hub 136 approaches the depth stop 160, the shield tab 164 passes through the ramp 194 and displaces the free end of the upper flexible arm 176 radially. When the hub 136 engages the depth stop 160, the shield tab 164 completes the passage of the ramp 194 and reaches the proximal end of the first axial portion 184. After the shield tab 164 passes through the ramp 194, the free end of the upper flexible arm 176 rebounds to form a portion of the spiral portion 192 of the guide groove 172 and the first axial portion. Prevents subsequent axial movement of shield tab 164 within 184.

  Reference is now made to FIG. As the user continues to push the syringe button 112, the button protrusion 158 is displaced from the initial detent 152 and the syringe button 112 is displaced distally with respect to the inner wall 144 and the drug container 120 and finally the button protrusion 158. Engages with the locking detent 156. During this distal displacement of the syringe button, the wall of the inner slot 140 engages the flexible blister 132 to compress the flexible blister 132 and release the drug from the flexible blister 132 into the patient's body. After the button projection 158 engages (and defines the injection state) with the locking detent 156, their corresponding shapes prevent subsequent proximal displacement of the syringe button 112 relative to the housing. Further, after the drug has been injected, the proximal end of the syringe button 112 is located near the housing 108 where the user cannot pinch the syringe button 112 and attempt to displace the syringe button 112 proximally. Located sufficiently close to the top end. According to one embodiment, after the drug is injected, the proximal end of the syringe button 112 is substantially in the same plane as the proximal end of the housing 108.

  Following drug injection, the user releases the syringe button 112 and the biasing member 128 displaces the housing 108 (and drug container 120 and syringe button 112) proximally relative to the safety shield 104, thereby The medicine container 120 (and the needle 124) is displaced to the retracted position. Because the shield tab 164 engages the spiral portion 192 of the guide groove 172, the housing 108 rotates during the first portion of this proximal displacement and eventually the shield tab 164 becomes the second portion. The proximal end of the axial portion 188 is reached. At this time, the biasing member 128 continues to displace the housing 108 in the proximal direction, and the engagement of the shield tab 164 within the second axial portion 188 limits this proximal displacement in the axial direction. As the housing 108 approaches completion of its proximal displacement, the shield tab 164 passes through the inclined hook 196 of the lower flexible arm 180 and radially displaces the free end of the lower flexible arm 180. Let Then, when the housing 108 completes its proximal displacement (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), the shield tab 164 completes the passage of the inclined hook 196 and the second axial portion 188 is distant. Reach the end. After the shield tab 164 passes through the inclined hook 196, the free end of the lower flexible arm 180 rebounds to prevent subsequent axial movement of the shield tab 164 within the second axial portion 188. . In other words, the free end of the lower flexible arm 180 locks the shield tab 164 and prevents subsequent displacement of the housing 108 relative to the safety shield 104, thereby securing the injection device 100 in a safe state after injection.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an injection device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the injection device 200. As shown in FIG. 10, the injection device 200 includes a safety shield 204 and a housing 208. Although not shown, the injection device 200 further includes a removable needle shield. The housing 208 is slidably connected to the safety shield 204. As shown in FIG. 11, the injection device 200 further includes a syringe member 212 slidably connected to the drug container 220 (including a plunger 214 and a stopper 216), the drug container 220 being , Having a needle 224 attached to its distal end. In addition, the injection device 200 includes a biasing member 228 that biases the drug container 220 proximally away from the safety shield 204. Needle 224 is in communication with a drug disposed in drug container 220. Similar to the drug container 120, the drug container 220 has a safety shield 204 from an initial position (shown in FIG. 11) to an injection position (shown in FIG. 14) and a retracted position (shown in FIG. 16). It can be displaced with respect to. Further, safety shield 204 (with depth stop 232, flange 236, and shield tab 240) is substantially similar to safety shield 104 described previously. Therefore, additional details of this safety shield are omitted for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the housing 208 showing that the housing 208 includes an upper flexible arm 244 and a lower flexible arm 248, similar to the housing 108.
13 is a cross-sectional view of the housing 208 taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12, which shows that the housing 208, like the housing 108, also has a first axial portion 256 and a second axial portion. , And a guide groove 252 including a substantially spiral portion 264 connecting the first axial portion 256 and the second axial portion 260. Further, the upper flexible arm 244 is disposed on the first axial portion 256 and the lower flexible arm 248 is disposed on the second axial portion 260. Furthermore, the upper flexible arm 244 includes a ramp 268 disposed at its free end, and the lower flexible arm 248 includes a tilt hook 272 disposed at its free end. Inclined portion 268 and inclined hook 272 function in substantially the same manner as previously described inclined portion 194 and inclined portion 196. Accordingly, additional details of the ramp 268 and the ramp hook 272 are omitted for the sake of brevity.

  However, unlike the housing 108, the upper flexible arm 244 includes a locking protrusion 276 at its proximal end that selectively prevents displacement of the housing 208 and plunger 214 relative to the drug container 220. The upper flexible arm 244 further has an unlock ramp 280 disposed thereon. As described in more detail below, the unlocking ramp 280 interacts with the shield tab 240 to radially displace the free end of the upper flexible arm 244 so that the housing 208 relative to the drug container 220 can be Allow movement. According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the upper flexible arm 244 has two parts. The locking protrusion 276 is disposed in the first portion, the inclined portion 268 and the unlocking inclined portion 280 are disposed in the second portion, and the second portion is further in the first axial direction of the guide groove 252. A portion 256 is included.

  Referring again to FIG. 11, in the initial state, the locking projection 276 is engaged with a radial flange 284 disposed at the proximal end of the drug container 220. This engagement prevents displacement of the housing 208 and plunger 214 relative to the drug container 220. Thus, when a user applies a force to the proximal end of the housing 208, the radial flange 284 compresses the biasing member 228, and the housing 208, syringe member 212, and drug container 220 are united against the safety shield 204. Displacement is made in the distal direction, and the drug container 220 finally reaches the depth stop 232. This is the injection state shown in FIG. This displacement of the drug container 220 further pushes the needle 224 to pierce the patient's skin.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the housing 208 and the drug container 220 reach the injection state, the shield tab 240 moves within the first axial portion 256 and engages the unlocking ramp 280, The free end of the upper flexible arm 244 is displaced radially, thereby disengaging the locking protrusion 276 from the radial flange 284. Accordingly, since the locking protrusion 276 is no longer engaged with the radial flange 284, the housing 208 (and the stopper 216 and plunger 214 in contact with the housing 208) can be displaced relative to the drug container 220. Thus, as the user continues to apply force to the proximal end of the housing 208, the housing 208 and syringe member 212 are displaced distally relative to the drug container 220, as shown in FIG. Release the drug from 220.

  Further, during this distal displacement of the housing 208 relative to the safety shield 204, the shield tab 240 continues to move proximally relative to the first axial portion 256 of the guide groove 252. In other words, engagement of the shield tab 240 with the first axial portion 256 limits the displacement of the housing 208 relative to the safety shield 204 in the axial direction and prevents rotation of the housing 208 relative to the safety shield 204. As the housing approaches the distal end of the stroke and the drug container 220 approaches the depth stop 232, the shield tab 240 passes through the ramp 268 and radially displaces the free end of the upper flexible arm 244. Let Then, when the drug container 220 engages the depth stop 232, the shield tab 240 completes the passage of the ramp 268 and reaches the proximal end of the first axial portion 256. After the shield tab 240 passes through the ramp 268, the free end of the upper flexible arm 244 rebounds to form part of the spiral portion 264 of the guide groove 252 and the first axial portion. Prevents subsequent axial movement of shield tab 240 within 256.

  Similar to the previously described injection device 100, following injection of the drug, the user releases the housing 208 and the bias member 228 causes the housing 208 (and drug container 220 and syringe member 212) to be in the safety shield 204. In contrast, it is displaced proximally, thereby displacing drug container 220 (and needle 224) to the retracted position. Because the shield tab 240 engages the spiral portion 264 of the guide groove 252, the housing 208 rotates during the first portion of this proximal displacement, and eventually the shield tab 240 is moved to the second portion. The proximal end of the axial portion 260 is reached. At this time, the biasing member 228 continues to displace the housing 208 in the proximal direction, and the engagement of the shield tab 240 within the second axial portion 260 limits the proximal displacement of the housing 208 in the axial direction. . As the housing 208 approaches completion of its proximal displacement, the shield tab 240 passes through the inclined hook 272 of the lower flexible arm 248 and radially displaces the free end of the lower flexible arm 248. Let Then, when the housing 208 completes its proximal displacement (shown in FIG. 16), the shield tab 240 completes the passage of the inclined hook 272 and the distal end of the second axial portion 260. To reach. After the shield tab 240 has passed through the inclined hook 272, the free end of the lower flexible arm 248 rebounds to prevent subsequent axial movement of the shield tab 240 within the second axial portion 260. . In other words, the free end of the lower flexible arm 248 locks the shield tab 240, preventing subsequent displacement of the housing 208 relative to the safety shield 204, thereby securing the injection device 200 in a safe state after injection.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the injection device 300 in an initial state, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the device 300. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the injection device 300 is slidably connected to a safety shield 304, a safety shield 304 having a surface 306 for contacting the patient's skin at its distal end. Drug container 308, an inner housing 312 slidably connected to safety shield 304, and a needle shield 316 that selectively covers the distal end of needle 324. The drug container 308 can be made of glass or plastic, for example. According to one embodiment, the safety shield 304 includes a pair of locking tabs 318 biased radially inward. The injection device 300 further includes a needle hub 320 slidably connected to the inner housing 312. A double-ended needle 324 is attached to the needle hub 320. The injection device 300 further includes a biasing member 328 disposed within the safety shield 304 and a stopper 332 slidably disposed within the drug cartridge 308 to bias the drug cartridge 308 proximally. According to one embodiment, the inner housing 312 has a barb 334 at its proximal end that engages a corresponding recess 338 at the distal end of the stopper 332 to secure the stopper 332 to the inner housing 312.

  Needle hub 320 has a radial projection 336 disposed at its proximal end, and inner housing 312 has a pair of detents or receiving grooves 340 (shown in FIG. 19) corresponding to radial projection 336. Included). According to one embodiment, the radial projection 336 and the receiving groove 340 are circumferential. As discussed in more detail below, the needle hub 320 has a radius in the proximal receiving groove 340 from a first position where the radial protrusion 336 is disposed in the distal receiving groove 340. The directional projection 336 is movable to a second position.

  According to one embodiment, the inner housing 312 further includes a pair of cam tracks 344 that slidably receive a pair of cam tabs 348 of the needle shield 316. As shown in FIG. 19, each cam track 344 includes a substantially spiral first portion 352 and a substantially straight second portion 356. As the user rotates the needle shield 316, the cam tab 348 moves along the spiral portion 352 and eventually reaches the end of the spiral portion 352 (and the beginning of the straight portion 356). This rotation of the needle shield 316 causes the needle hub 320 to be displaced proximally from the first position to the second position, and as shown in FIG. 20, the proximal end of the needle 324 causes a hole in the stopper 332. Open.

  Subsequently, with the cam tab 348 positioned on the straight portion 356, the user displaces the needle shield 316 distally and removes it from the injection device 300. At this point, the injection device 300 is ready for injection as shown in FIG.

  Next, the user places the injection device 300 so that the surface 306 of the safety shield 304 contacts the user's skin and pushes down the drug container 308 to compress the biasing member 328. According to one embodiment, the combination of the back pressure force of the drug in the drug container 308 and the friction force between the stopper 332 and the drug container 308 is such that the force from the biasing member 328 and the needle 324 may be The combined force required to pierce the skin is greater than that combined so that when the drug container 308 is displaced distally, the needle 324 pierces the patient's skin prior to drug administration. This downward pressure on the drug container 308 pushes the needle 324 into the patient's skin and eventually the inner housing 312 contacts the patient's skin, as shown in FIG.

  After the inner housing 312 contacts the patient's skin, continued downward pressure on the drug container 308 releases the drug from the drug container 308 through the needle 324 and eventually, as shown in FIG. 308 reaches the end of the journey. According to one embodiment, at the end of the drug container stroke, the proximal end of the drug container 308 is substantially in the same plane as the proximal end of the safety shield 304.

  Following drug injection, the user releases drug container 308 and the force of biasing member 328 displaces drug container 308 (and inner housing 312 and needle 324) proximally. As the distal end of the inner housing 312 passes the locking tab 318, the locking tabs 318 rebound radially inward due to their radially inward bias. In this position, the locking tab 318 prevents the inner housing 312 from subsequently passing distally therethrough and, as shown in FIG. 24, thus preventing reuse of the injection device 300.

  Embodiments of the present invention are user friendly and can hide the needle before injection, thereby reducing the extent to which a user who may be unfamiliar with the injection fears the needle. Furthermore, in embodiments of the present invention, needle insertion and injection stroke can be accomplished with a single single movement. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention can automatically cover the needle after the device is removed from the skin. Furthermore, this compact size and low part count of embodiments of the present invention can reduce manufacturing costs and transportation and storage costs.

  Compared to traditional auto-injectors, this compact size and low part count of embodiments of the present invention is achieved by eliminating some of the higher order features of such auto-injectors. be able to. For example, embodiments of the present invention do not require a spring-loaded auto-push mechanism that makes an auto-injector an “auto” injector. Instead, the user can apply the necessary force. In order to ensure that the user applies the required minimum force, and to ensure quicker needle insertion, embodiments of the present invention provide a force-based movement that the user must overcome before the injection begins. Can have a stop. When this detent is overcome, the needle assembly pierces the skin and then the injection begins. By eliminating the need for a spring-loaded auto-push mechanism, other features such as a trigger button, a spring-loaded safety device that can trigger the syringe only after it has been pressed against an object can be eliminated.

  Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, many changes have been made to these exemplary embodiments that do not depart significantly from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that this is possible. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Appendix (Appendix 1)
A safety shield having a first end, a safety shield having a surface for contacting a patient's skin disposed at the second end of the safety shield, and a shield tab extending from the safety shield;
A housing slidably disposed with respect to the safety shield, including a guide groove engaged with the shield tab to guide movement of the housing with respect to the safety shield, the guide groove having a first axis; A housing having a directional portion and a second axial portion, and a substantially spiral portion connecting the first axial portion and the second axial portion;
A drug container connected to the housing, having a needle attached to the drug container and communicating with the drug disposed in the drug container, from an initial position to an injection position and a retracted position with respect to the safety shield; A displaceable drug container;
A biasing member for biasing the drug container in a direction away from the safety shield;
An injection device comprising: a syringe member for releasing the drug from the drug container slidably arranged with respect to the drug container.
(Appendix 2)
The injection device of claim 1, wherein the safety shield includes a depth stop that limits penetration of the needle into the patient's skin.
(Appendix 3)
The housing includes a cantilevered upper flexible arm disposed in the first axial portion of the guide groove, and a cantilever disposed in the second axial portion of the guide groove. Comprising a lower flexible arm of the formula,
After the shield tab has passed through the corresponding respective free end of the flexible arm, the flexible arm is displaced in the reverse direction of the shield tab along the corresponding axial portion of the guide groove. The injection device according to supplementary note 1, wherein the injection device is prevented.
(Appendix 4)
The upper flexible arm includes an inclined portion at the free end of the upper flexible arm;
When the shield tab passes through the inclined portion, the shield tab displaces the free end of the upper lock arm in a radial direction,
The injection device according to claim 3, wherein after the shield tab passes through the inclined portion, the free end rebounds to form a part of the spiral portion of the guiding groove.
(Appendix 5)
The lower flexible arm includes an inclined portion at a free end of the lower flexible arm,
When the bias member completes the displacement of the drug container to the retracted position, the shield tab moves within the second axial portion of the guiding groove and passes through the inclined portion. Displacing the free end of the lower lock arm in the radial direction,
The injection device according to claim 3, wherein the free end of the lower lock arm rebounds after the shield tab passes through the inclined hook to prevent displacement of the housing relative to the safety shield.
(Appendix 6)
When the needle reaches a predetermined injection depth, the shield tab engages the substantially spiral portion of the guide groove;
Subsequently, when the syringe member is released, when the biasing member displaces the housing and the drug container away from the safety shield, the housing becomes substantially spiral in the guide groove. The injection device according to claim 1, wherein the injection device is rotated by the engagement of the shield tab within a portion.
(Appendix 7)
The drug container is connected to the housing in a fixed state,
The housing includes an inner wall and an outer wall;
The bias member is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall;
The injection device according to appendix 1, wherein the drug container is disposed on the radially inner side of the inner wall.
(Appendix 8)
The drug container comprises a flexible blister,
The syringe member comprises a syringe button having an internal slot axially aligned with the flexible blister;
The injection device of claim 7, wherein when the syringe button is depressed, the wall of the inner slot compresses the flexible blister to release the drug from the drug container.
(Appendix 9)
One of the syringe member and the inner wall has a radial projection, and the remaining one of the syringe member and the inner wall has a pair of grooves that selectively hold the radial projection. The pair of grooves prevents the syringe member from translating proximally through the pair of grooves;
The injection device according to appendix 7, wherein a first groove of the pair of grooves corresponds to an initial state, and a remaining groove of the pair of grooves corresponds to a state after injection. .
(Appendix 10)
The drug container is slidably connected to the housing and the safety shield;
The syringe member includes a plunger and a stopper disposed at a first end of the plunger, the housing contacts a second end of the plunger opposite the first end;
4. The injection device according to appendix 3, wherein the displacement of the housing relative to the drug container and the safety shield releases the drug from the drug container.
(Appendix 11)
At the end of the housing stroke to release the drug from the drug container,
A shield tab disposed on the shield engages the substantially spiral portion of the guide groove;
When the housing is released, the biasing member displaces the drug container and the housing away from the safety shield, and by the engagement of the shield tab within the substantially spiral portion, The injection device according to appendix 10, wherein the housing is rotated.
(Appendix 12)
The upper flexible arm comprises a locking protrusion for selectively preventing displacement of the housing and the plunger relative to the drug container;
One of the upper flexible arm and the safety shield includes an unlocking ramp, and the remaining one of the upper flexible arm and the safety shield includes a radial protrusion,
When the drug container is displaced from the initial position to the injection position where the needle extends ahead of the safety shield, the unlocking ramp comes into contact with the radial protrusion and the upper allowable The injection device according to claim 10, wherein the free end of the flexible arm is displaced in the radial direction to allow movement of the housing relative to the drug container.
(Appendix 13)
A safety shield having a first end, and having a surface for contacting the patient's skin disposed at the second end of the safety shield;
A drug container slidably connected to the safety shield, including a needle attached to the drug container and communicating with the drug disposed in the drug container, wherein the safety from the initial position to the injection position and the retracted position; A drug container displaceable with respect to the shield;
A syringe member comprising a plunger and a stopper disposed at a first end of the plunger;
A biasing member for biasing the drug container in a direction away from the safety shield;
A housing slidably disposed with respect to both the safety shield and the drug container, including a cantilevered upper locking arm that selectively prevents displacement of the housing and the plunger relative to the drug container A housing, wherein one of the upper lock arm and the safety shield comprises a ramp, and the remaining one of the upper lock arm and the safety shield comprises a corresponding radial projection,
When the drug container is displaced from the initial position to the injection position where the needle extends beyond the safety shield, the inclined portion comes into contact with the radial protrusion, and the upper locking arm An injection device, wherein a free end is displaced in a radial direction to allow movement of the housing relative to the drug container.
(Appendix 14)
14. The injection device of claim 13, wherein the safety shield includes a depth stop that limits penetration of the needle into the patient's skin.
(Appendix 15)
The housing contacts a second end of the plunger opposite the first end, and displacement of the housing relative to the drug container and the safety shield releases the drug from the drug container. The injection device according to appendix 13, characterized by:
(Appendix 16)
A safety shield having a surface for contacting the patient's skin;
An inner housing slidably connected to the safety shield, the inner housing having a cam track including a first portion and a second portion;
A needle hub slidably connected to the inner housing and moving relative to the inner housing from a first position to a second position;
A double-ended needle attached to the needle hub;
A drug container for holding a drug slidably connected to the safety shield;
A stopper slidably disposed in the drug container;
A biasing member disposed within the safety shield for biasing the drug container in a first direction;
A needle shield that selectively covers a first end of the needle, the needle shield having at least one cam tab slidably engaged with the cam track, the first portion of the cam track Displacement of the cam tab along the position causes the needle hub to be displaced to the second position and a hole is made in the stopper by the needle.
(Appendix 17)
The injection device of claim 16, wherein displacement of the cam tab along the second portion of the cam track removes the needle shield and prepares the device for injection.
(Appendix 18)
The injection device of claim 16, wherein the first portion of the cam track is substantially spiral and the second portion of the cam track is substantially straight.
(Appendix 19)
The combination of the back pressure of the drug container and the friction between the stopper and the drug container combines the force from the bias member and the force necessary for the needle to pierce the patient's skin. 18. The injection of claim 17, wherein the needle pierces the patient's skin prior to administration of the drug when the drug container is displaced toward the patient's skin. apparatus.
(Appendix 20)
And further comprising at least one locking tab biased in a deployment direction, wherein when the drug container is released after completion of the injection, the bias member displaces the drug container and the inner housing in the first direction. Passing through the locking tab, the locking tab is deployed to prevent the inner housing from being displaced in the distal direction through the locking tab in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The injection device according to appendix 19.

Claims (5)

A safety shield having a surface for contacting the patient's skin;
An inner housing slidably connected to the safety shield, the inner housing having a cam track including a first portion and a second portion;
A needle hub slidably connected to the inner housing and moving relative to the inner housing from a first position to a second position;
A double-ended needle attached to the needle hub;
A drug container for holding a drug slidably connected to the safety shield;
A stopper slidably disposed in the drug container;
A biasing member disposed within the safety shield for biasing the drug container in a first direction;
A needle shield that selectively covers a first end of the needle, the needle shield having at least one cam tab slidably engaged with the cam track, the first portion of the cam track Displacement of the cam tab along the position causes the needle hub to be displaced to the second position and a hole is made in the stopper by the needle.   The injection device of claim 1, wherein displacement of the cam tab along the second portion of the cam track removes the needle shield and prepares the device for injection.   The injection device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the cam track is substantially spiral and the second portion of the cam track is substantially straight.   The combination of the back pressure of the drug container and the friction between the stopper and the drug container combines the force from the bias member and the force necessary for the needle to pierce the patient's skin. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the needle pierces the patient's skin prior to administration of the drug when the drug container is displaced toward the patient's skin. Injection device.   And further comprising at least one locking tab biased in a deployment direction, wherein when the drug container is released after completion of the injection, the bias member displaces the drug container and the inner housing in the first direction. Passing through the locking tab, the locking tab is deployed to prevent the inner housing from being displaced in the distal direction through the locking tab in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The injection device according to claim 4.

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