WO2004047891A1 - Device for automatically injecting an active substance - Google Patents

Device for automatically injecting an active substance Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004047891A1
WO2004047891A1 PCT/CH2003/000754 CH0300754W WO2004047891A1 WO 2004047891 A1 WO2004047891 A1 WO 2004047891A1 CH 0300754 W CH0300754 W CH 0300754W WO 2004047891 A1 WO2004047891 A1 WO 2004047891A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
spring
display
injection needle
spring element
sleeve
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CH2003/000754
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Edgar Hommann
Benjamin Scherer
Original Assignee
Tecpharma Licensing Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tecpharma Licensing Ag filed Critical Tecpharma Licensing Ag
Priority to AU2003280269A priority Critical patent/AU2003280269A1/en
Publication of WO2004047891A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004047891A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/31—Details
    • A61M5/315—Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms
    • A61M5/31511—Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/20—Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically
    • A61M5/2033—Spring-loaded one-shot injectors with or without automatic needle insertion
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/20—Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically
    • A61M2005/206—With automatic needle insertion
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/20—Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically
    • A61M2005/2073—Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically preventing premature release, e.g. by making use of a safety lock
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/31—Details
    • A61M2005/3125—Details specific display means, e.g. to indicate dose setting
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/31—Details
    • A61M5/315—Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms
    • A61M5/31511—Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod
    • A61M2005/31518—Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/31—Details
    • A61M5/315—Pistons; Piston-rods; Guiding, blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston; Appliances on the rod for facilitating dosing ; Dosing mechanisms
    • A61M5/31565—Administration mechanisms, i.e. constructional features, modes of administering a dose
    • A61M5/31566—Means improving security or handling thereof
    • A61M5/3157—Means providing feedback signals when administration is completed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
    • A61M5/178—Syringes
    • A61M5/31—Details
    • A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
    • A61M5/3205—Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles
    • A61M5/321—Means for protection against accidental injuries by used needles
    • A61M5/3243—Means for protection against accidental injuries by used needles being axially-extensible, e.g. protective sleeves coaxially slidable on the syringe barrel
    • A61M5/326—Fully automatic sleeve extension, i.e. in which triggering of the sleeve does not require a deliberate action by the user

Definitions

  • the application relates to a device for automatically injecting an active substance, with a container for the active substance, which together with an injection needle connected to it can be displaced in a housing for the purpose of inserting the injection needle, with a syringe plunger which is displaceable in the container for the purpose of dispensing the active substance.
  • auto-injectors Devices of the type mentioned at the beginning, so-called auto-injectors, are known in many designs. They are used in particular to administer medication that the patient injects himself. A problem of such auto-injectors that has only been solved to date unsatisfactorily is that the patient, after the injection needle has been inserted, does not know how long it takes for the medication to be dispensed and when he can pull the injection needle out again.
  • One possible solution to this problem is to connect a display element that is visible from the outside to the syringe plunger.
  • this object is achieved in that the displacement path of a display which is visible from the outside is smaller than the entire displacement distance of the syringe plunger relative to the housing.
  • This reduction in the transfer of the path of the syringe plunger to the display increases the freedom of design in the construction of the display because the display covers a path that is not directly dependent on the path of the syringe plunger.
  • a transmission part which can be displaced by at least one spring element and is capable of executing a first partial path for inserting the injection needle and a second partial path for dispensing the active substance, the at least one spring element acting between the transmission part and an intermediate part, at least one Another spring element acts between the intermediate part and a support part immovably connected to the housing and the display is connected to the intermediate part.
  • This series connection of at least two spring elements with the interposition of the intermediate part makes it possible to design the path of the display practically freely, so that, for example, auto-injectors can be built with which different syringes, in particular syringes with different amounts of the content, can be used and in which consequently, the path of the syringe plunger required to dispense the amount of medication present in the syringe may also change.
  • a cover which covers the display when the transmission part executes the first partial route.
  • a stop limits the tensioning of the further spring to a maximum spring force and the springs are dimensioned such that the maximum spring force of the tensioned further spring corresponds to the instantaneous spring force of the at least one spring after the injection needle has been inserted and before being poured out corresponds to the active ingredient.
  • the result of this is that the intermediate part only moves during the second partial route, that is to say only during the distribution of the active ingredient.
  • the stop can also be realized in that the further spring is a compression spring that is compressed to its block length.
  • a further stop is provided which also limits the relaxation of the further spring, so that the path covered by the display is fixed. This ensures that the display moves in a defined area regardless of the length of the second partial route. This enables the use of containers with different content volumes.
  • the display is ring-shaped.
  • the display around the device is visible from any direction, so that the user does not have to pay attention to the rotational position of the device before using it for injection.
  • the at least one spring and the further spring are arranged coaxially and are at least partially telescopically at least in the tensioned state. This enables a space-saving design of the device and, in particular, prevents it from becoming unwieldily long due to the springs interacting with the display.
  • Display is located in the rear end area of the device facing away from the injection needle. This arrangement offers good visibility of the display with easy handling of the device, which is usually held by the user with one hand during operation. In this case, the rear end with the display protrudes beyond the user's hand.
  • the display is visible from the outside through a transparent or translucent part, this permits a closed construction of the device, in particular without slots and the like, so that the high hygienic requirements customary in this field can be met.
  • FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through an exemplary embodiment of an auto-injector according to the invention in the charged state
  • FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the auto-injector in the unlocked state, the section plane being rotated by 90 ° with respect to FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the auto-injector after the injection needle has been inserted, the section being made through the same plane as in FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the auto-injector after the medication has been poured out, the section being guided through the same plane as in FIGS. 2 and 3,
  • FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through the auto-injector after the injection needle has been pulled out, the section being made through the same plane as in FIG. 1, FIG.
  • Figures 6A to 6C a first embodiment of a display
  • FIGS. 7A to 7C show a second embodiment of a display as it is built into the embodiment of the auto-injector explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
  • the auto-injector consists of two main components, namely the reservoir part, shown on the left in the figures, which holds a filled syringe and the power pack, shown on the right in the figures, in which the parts which are used for the automatic insertion and discharge of the syringe are accommodated.
  • the two main components are detachably connected to one another by a bayonet-like connection between a receiving sleeve 16 and a power sleeve 1.
  • the side of the auto-injector on which the injection needle is located is referred to as the front.
  • the power pack will now be described first with reference to FIG. 1, which shows the ready-to-use auto injector.
  • the parts for driving the auto injector are received in the grip sleeve 14, at the rear end of which a display window 51 connects.
  • the display window 51 is made of transparent or translucent material or has openings, for example in the form of slots, which make it possible to observe the display 12, which is displaceably received in the display window 51, from the outside.
  • the display 12 is ring-shaped and is therefore visible around the auto-injector from any direction.
  • the actuating head 13 is arranged at the rear end of the auto-injector and is provided with a cover disk 15 on its rear end face.
  • the power sleeve 1 is received within the grip sleeve 14. At its rear end, the power sleeve 1 is connected to a grid sleeve 8 by means of a snap connection.
  • the grid sleeve 8 receives a spring sleeve 10 slidably on the inside.
  • the spring sleeve 10 is coupled to the display 12 at the rear by a snap connection.
  • the transfer part 5 has the task of actuating the piston rod 52 of the syringe 50 in order to dispense the contents of the syringe, as will be described in more detail later.
  • a spring 9 is accommodated in the tensioned state within the spring sleeve 10, which is supported on the spring sleeve 10 at the front and presses against the grid sleeve 8 at the rear.
  • a second spring 11 is located, also in a tensioned state, on the outside of the spring sleeve 10 and is supported on the front of the transmission part 5 and presses against the spring sleeve 10 at the rear.
  • a part referred to as the piston guide 4 rests with its front, sleeve-shaped end on the collar of the syringe and extends through the transmission part 5, the spring sleeve 10 and the grid sleeve 8 into the area of the actuating head 13.
  • the piston guide 4 is supported by a spring 7 biased towards the front, which is supported at the rear on the grid sleeve 8.
  • the piston guide 4 is held in the position shown in FIG. 1 by two locking cams 31 formed on the grid sleeve 8 and engaging in a groove 32 formed on the rear end of the piston guide 4.
  • Locking elements for example balls 6, which are received in radial openings 33 of the piston guide 4 and in recesses 34 in the transmission part 5 intervene in this operating position ensure that the transmission part 5 and the piston guide 4 can only move together.
  • balls 6 other locking elements, for example bolts, could of course also be used.
  • the syringe 50 is accommodated in the receiving sleeve 16, which can be connected to the power sleeve 1 as described.
  • a sliding sleeve 21 receives the syringe with the interposition of a needle holder 22.
  • the needle holder 22 prevents the injection needle 37 from being pulled off the syringe as long as the latter is in the auto-injector.
  • the needle holder 22 lies against a support ring 24 connected to the sliding sleeve 21 at the front.
  • the sliding sleeve 21 is displaceable within the receiving sleeve 16 and is pressed into the operating position shown in FIG. 1 by a spring 20.
  • a sleeve-shaped needle guard 17 is displaceable within the receiving sleeve 16.
  • the needle guard 17 is closed at the front by a snap cover 23, which leaves a passage for the injection needle free, and has an inwardly facing flange 35 at its rear end.
  • a spring 18 is supported on the snap cover 23 at the front and on a driving ring 19 at the rear, the in turn is held on the support ring 24.
  • the spring 18 is in its relaxed state in this figure.
  • the autoinjector To prepare for the injection, the autoinjector must be brought from the secured state shown in FIG. 1 to the unlocked state, which is shown in FIG. 2.
  • the actuating head 13 is moved backwards. This can be done by gripping the device with one hand on the receiving sleeve 16 and with the other hand on the actuating head .13 and pulling the two parts apart. Due to the special design and arrangement of the actuating head 13, it is also possible to hold the auto-injector on the grip sleeve 14 and to push the actuating head 13 backwards with the thumb of the same hand. Circumferential ribs provided on the actuating head 13 can prevent the thumb from sliding off.
  • This pushing back of the actuating head 13 is referred to below as the unlocking movement.
  • the unlocking movement At the front edge of the actuating head 13, an area of the display window 51 is cleared, on the inside of which a conspicuously colored warning sleeve 53 is visible, which clearly shows that the auto-injector is now unlocked and ready for injection.
  • tongues 36 which are integrally formed on the cover plate 15 of the actuating head 13, move over the latching cams 31 formed on the grid sleeve.
  • the tongues and the latching cams are shaped in such a way that the tongues 36 are radially resilient during the unlocking movement yield while they slide over the ends of the locking cams 31, which hold the piston guide 4 by engaging in the grooves 32 mentioned.
  • the tongues 36 formed on the cover plate 15 stand like wedges between the latching cams 31.
  • a spring 3 is tensioned, which acts between the molded-on sleeve 8 on the locking sleeve 8 and a retaining part 60 fastened in the actuating head with a snap connection, so the 1 and thus ensures that the tongues 36 rest against the locking cams 31 with a slight pretension.
  • the auto-injector is now ready for injection and is placed on the patient's skin with the snap-on lid 23 at the desired location. The patient holds the autoinjector on the grip sleeve 14. To trigger the injection, only the actuating head 13 now has to be moved forwards, that is, towards the patient's body.
  • the tongues 36 penetrate between the locking cams 31 and spread them apart radially, as a result of which the piston guide 4 is released and pushed forward by the force of the spring 7.
  • the piercing movement is also supported by the force of the spring 11, which acts on the transmission part 5. Since the transmission part 5 is connected to the piston guide 4 by the balls 6, the relatively high initial force of the spring 11 is added to that of the spring 7 and helps to ensure that the injection needle is reliably advanced to the full penetration depth.
  • the force of the springs is also transmitted via the sleeve-shaped front end of the piston guide 4 to the collar of the syringe 50 and pushes it together with the sliding sleeve 21 in which it is received, so that the injection needle del 37 is advanced and penetrates the patient's skin.
  • the sliding sleeve 21 compresses both the spring 20 and - via the driving ring 19 - the spring 18.
  • the penetration distance is limited by the shoulder 40 of the piston guide 4 resting on an inner shoulder 41 of the power sleeve 1.
  • the openings 33 in the piston guide 4, which receive the balls 6, are aligned with recesses 42, which are provided in the power sleeve 1, the balls 6 can deflect outwards and the coupling between the piston guide 4 and the transmission part 5 is canceled.
  • the piston guide 4 is now locked against the power sleeve 1, so that the force of the spring 20 is absorbed by the power sleeve and thus does not counteract the force of the spring 7, which causes the medication to be dispensed.
  • the injection can now begin automatically by pushing the piston rod 52 of the syringe further forward through the transmission part 5 under the force of the springs 11 and 9.
  • the spring 11 is dimensioned so much stronger than the spring 9 that until this moment of the start of the injection, the spring sleeve 10 and the display 12 connected to it remain at the point shown in FIG. 3, in the region between an outwardly projecting flange the grid sleeve 8 and the spring sleeve O a stop is formed. At this moment, the transmission part 5 has covered the path labeled 54 in FIG. Simultaneously with the piercing movement, the spring 18 is tensioned by the driving ring 19 moved to the left by the sliding sleeve 21 in the figures.
  • the force of the spring 11 diminishes with increasing travel of the transmission part 5 so that the spring 9 can move the spring sleeve 10 away from its stop on the grid sleeve 8 at the precise moment in which the piston guide 4 has reached its end position and the injection needle 37 is completely inserted.
  • the balls 6 now release the transmission part 5 such that it can slide into the piston guide 4 and thereby actuate the piston rod 52 of the syringe.
  • the spring 9 also begins to expand. The spring 9 pushes the spring sleeve 10 and with it the indicator 12 to the front, so that the indicator 12 reaches the end position visible in FIG.
  • the path 56 of the display 12 is independent of the path of the piston rod 52 of the syringe 50 and can be significantly smaller than the path 54 + 55 of the transmission part 5. This on the one hand avoids that the auto-injector is unnecessarily long and on the other hand it can be used to inject syringes different ways can be used.
  • This construction also has the additional advantage that the relatively high initial force of the spring 11 is used for the piercing process and then its relatively low final force is used for the injection process, which is thus carried out relatively slowly in the desired manner.
  • FIGS. 6A to 6C A possible embodiment of the display is illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C.
  • this structurally simple embodiment does not correspond to that which is installed in the exemplary embodiment of the auto-injector described above, parts with the same function have the same reference numerals.
  • FIG. 6A shows the parts in the relative relative position which they occupy in the cocked auto-injector ready for injection. Starting from this position, the transmission part 5 moves to the left, as already described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
  • FIGS. 6A to 6C The grid sleeve 8, which is immovably connected to the handle sleeve 14 as described above, maintains its position in FIGS. 6A to 6C.
  • Both springs shown namely the spring 9 acting between the grid sleeve 8 and the intermediate part 10 'and the spring 11 acting between the intermediate part 10' and the transmission part 5 are tensioned in the position according to FIG. 6A.
  • FIG. 6B shows the position of the parts when the injection needle 37 is inserted.
  • the transfer part 5 has moved the sliding sleeve 21 with the syringe 50 and has thereby moved forward by the path 54.
  • the intermediate part 10 'with the indicator 12 has shifted proportionally by an amount which is considerably smaller than the path 54, as can be seen easily in FIG.
  • FIGS. 7A to 7C show a second embodiment of a display as it is installed in the embodiment of the auto-injector explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
  • the positions of the transmission part are the same as in the preceding FIGS. 6A to 6C, namely in FIG. 7A in a tensioned, ready-to-inject state, in FIG. 7B when the injection needle is inserted and in FIG. 7C when the medication is dispensed.
  • the two springs 9 and 11 partially overlap telescopically. This is made possible by the spring sleeve 10 which projects into the spring 11 and receives the spring 9 in its interior.
  • the overall length of the auto-injector can be somewhat less than in the display configuration described above.
  • Another, more important advantage of this design is that the spring sleeve 10 only begins to move with the display 12 when the injection needle is inserted and the dispensing process begins. This is accomplished as follows. As in the embodiment described above, the springs 9 and 11 are in principle connected in series. However, because the tension force of the spring 9 is limited by the spring sleeve 10 being in contact with the grid sleeve 8 on the right, in the starting position according to FIG. 7A the force of the spring 11 is greater than the force of the spring 9.
  • the spring tongues protrude beyond the lateral surface of the sliding sleeve 21, as can be seen in FIG. 5.
  • the spring 18, which was biased during the puncturing process ensures that the needle guard 17 remains in contact with the patient's skin during the retraction of the auto-injector.
  • the needle guard 17 thus moves forward relative to the receiving sleeve 16 until it completely covers the injection needle 37.
  • the spring tongues 38 snap behind the flange 35 of the needle guard 17 and prevent it from being pushed back into the receiving sleeve 16. This eliminates any risk of injury from the injection needle.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed is a syringe (50) which comprises an injection needle (37), is filled with an active substance, and can be displaced within a receiving part (16) by means of spring power. A transducing part (5) that is displaced by means of at least one spring (11) travels along a first partial distance (54) in order to insert the injection needle (37) and along a second partial distance (55) so as to discharge the active substance. The at least one spring (11) acts between the transducing part (5) and an intermediate part (10) while another spring (9) acts between the intermediate part (10) and a supporting part (8) that is unmovably connected to the receiving part (16). A display device (12) which is visible from outside is connected to the intermediate part (10). The display device (12) is visible through a transparent part (51) and moves only during the second partial distance, covering a distance (56) which is substantially shorter than the sum of the two partial travels.

Description

Vorrichtung zum automatischen Injizieren eines Wirkstoffes Device for automatically injecting an active substance
Die Anmeldung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum automatischen Injizieren eines Wirkstoffes, mit einem Behälter für den Wirkstoff, der mitsamt einer mit ihm verbundenen Injektionsnadel zwecks Einstechens der Injektionsnadel in einem Gehäuse verschiebbar ist, mit einem Spritzenkolben der zwecks Aus- schϋttens des Wirkstoffes im Behälter verschiebbar ist.The application relates to a device for automatically injecting an active substance, with a container for the active substance, which together with an injection needle connected to it can be displaced in a housing for the purpose of inserting the injection needle, with a syringe plunger which is displaceable in the container for the purpose of dispensing the active substance.
Vorrichtungen der eingangs genannten Art, so genannte Autoinjektoren, sind in vielerlei Ausführungen bekannt. Sie dienen insbesondere zur Verabreichung von Medikamenten, die sich der betroffene Patient selbst injiziert. Ein bisher nur unbefriedigend gelöstes Problem solcher Autoinjektoren besteht darin, dass der Patient nach dem durch ihn ausgelösten Einstechen der Injektionsnadel nicht weiss, wie lange das Ausschütten des Medikamentes dauert und wann er die Injektionsnadel wieder herausziehen kann. Eine mögliche Lösung dieses Problems besteht darin, ein von aussen sichtbares Anzeigeelement mit dem Spritzenkolben zu verbinden. Da aber der Spritzenkolben bereits vor dem Ausschütten des Medikamentes den für das Einstechen der Injektionsnadel erforderlichen Weg mitmacht, könnte ein direkt mit dem Spritzenkolben verbundenes Anzeigeelement leicht zu Fehlinterpretationen Anlass geben und/oder die Baulänge des Autoinjektors in unerwünschter weise erhöhen.Devices of the type mentioned at the beginning, so-called auto-injectors, are known in many designs. They are used in particular to administer medication that the patient injects himself. A problem of such auto-injectors that has only been solved to date unsatisfactorily is that the patient, after the injection needle has been inserted, does not know how long it takes for the medication to be dispensed and when he can pull the injection needle out again. One possible solution to this problem is to connect a display element that is visible from the outside to the syringe plunger. However, since the syringe plunger already follows the path required for inserting the injection needle before the medication is poured out, a display element connected directly to the syringe plunger could easily give rise to misinterpretations and / or undesirably increase the overall length of the auto-injector.
Es ist daher eine Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, eine Vorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art vorzuschlagen, bei welcher von aussen eindeutig festgestellt werden kann, wann der Injektionsvorgang beendet ist und die keinen wesentlichen Einfluss auf die Baulänge des Autoinjektors hat.It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a device of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which it can be clearly determined from the outside when the injection process has ended and which has no significant influence on the overall length of the auto-injector.
Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäss dadurch gelöst, dass der Ver- schiebeweg einer von aussen sichtbaren Anzeige kleiner ist, als die gesamte Verschiebestrecke des Spritzenkolbens gegenüber dem Gehäuse. Diese Untersetzung bei der Übertragung des Weges des Spritzenkolbens auf die Anzeige erhöht die Gestaltungsfreiheit bei der Konstruktion der Anzeige, weil die Anzeige einen Weg zurücklegt, der nicht direkt vom Weg des Spritzenkolbens ab- hängig ist. Nach einer Ausführungsart der Erfindung ist ein durch mindestens ein Federelement verschiebbarer Übertragungsteil vorhanden, der fähig ist, einen ersten Teilweg zum Einstechen der Injektionsnadel und einen zweiten Teilweg zum Ausschütten des Wirkstoffes auszuführen, das mindestens eine Federelement wirkt zwischen dem Übertragungsteil und einem Zwischenteil, mindestens ein weiteres Federelement wirkt zwischen dem Zwischenteil und einem mit dem Gehäuse unbeweglich verbundenen Stützteil und die Anzeige ist mit dem Zwischenteil verbunden. Durch diese Hintereinanderschaltung von mindestens zwei Federelementen unter Zwischenlage des Zwischenteils wird es möglich, den Weg der Anzeige praktisch frei zu gestalten, so dass beispielsweise Autoinjektoren gebaut werden können, mit denen verschiedene Spritzen, insbesondere Spritzen mit verschiedenen Mengen des Inhalts verwendet werden können und bei denen sich folglich auch der zum Ausschütten der in der Spritze vorhandenen Menge des Medikamentes erforderliche Weg des Spritzenkolbens ändern kann.According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the displacement path of a display which is visible from the outside is smaller than the entire displacement distance of the syringe plunger relative to the housing. This reduction in the transfer of the path of the syringe plunger to the display increases the freedom of design in the construction of the display because the display covers a path that is not directly dependent on the path of the syringe plunger. According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a transmission part which can be displaced by at least one spring element and is capable of executing a first partial path for inserting the injection needle and a second partial path for dispensing the active substance, the at least one spring element acting between the transmission part and an intermediate part, at least one Another spring element acts between the intermediate part and a support part immovably connected to the housing and the display is connected to the intermediate part. This series connection of at least two spring elements with the interposition of the intermediate part makes it possible to design the path of the display practically freely, so that, for example, auto-injectors can be built with which different syringes, in particular syringes with different amounts of the content, can be used and in which consequently, the path of the syringe plunger required to dispense the amount of medication present in the syringe may also change.
Nach einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist eine Abdeckung vorgesehen, welche die Anzeige abdeckt, wenn der Übertragungsteil den ersten Teilweg ausführt. Dadurch ist die Anzeige erst vom beginn des Aus- schüttens an sichtbar und der Benutzer kann den Ausschüttgang beobachten, ohne durch eine Bewegung der Anzeige während des Einstechens der Injektionsnadel irritiert zu werden.According to a further embodiment of the invention, a cover is provided which covers the display when the transmission part executes the first partial route. As a result, the display is only visible from the start of the pouring and the user can observe the pouring path without being irritated by a movement of the display while the injection needle is being inserted.
Nach einer weiteren besonderen Ausführungsart der Erfindung begrenzt ein Anschlag das Spannen der weiteren Feder auf eine maximale Federkraft und die Federn sind so dimensioniert, dass die maximale Federkraft der gespannten weiteren Feder der momentanen Federkraft der mindestens einen Feder nach dem Einstechen der Injektionsnadel und vor dem Ausschütten des Wirkstoffes entspricht. Dies hat zur Folge, dass sich der Zwischenteil nur während des zweiten Teilweges, also nur während des Ausschüttens des Wirkstoffes bewegt. Der Anschlag kann auch realisiert werden, indem die weitere Feder eine Druckfeder ist, die auf ihre Blocklänge zusammengedrückt wird.According to a further special embodiment of the invention, a stop limits the tensioning of the further spring to a maximum spring force and the springs are dimensioned such that the maximum spring force of the tensioned further spring corresponds to the instantaneous spring force of the at least one spring after the injection needle has been inserted and before being poured out corresponds to the active ingredient. The result of this is that the intermediate part only moves during the second partial route, that is to say only during the distribution of the active ingredient. The stop can also be realized in that the further spring is a compression spring that is compressed to its block length.
Nach einer anderen Ausführungsart der Erfindung ist ein weiterer Anschlag vorgesehen, der auch das Entspannen der weiteren Feder begrenzt, so dass der durch die Anzeige zurückgelegte Weg festgelegt ist. Dadurch wird erreicht, dass sich die Anzeige unabhängig von der Länge des zweiten Teilweges in einem definierten Bereich bewegt. Dies ermöglicht den Einsatz von Behältern mit unterschiedlichem Inhaltsvolumen.According to another embodiment of the invention, a further stop is provided which also limits the relaxation of the further spring, so that the path covered by the display is fixed. This ensures that the display moves in a defined area regardless of the length of the second partial route. This enables the use of containers with different content volumes.
Nach einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsart der Erfindung ist die Anzeige ringförmig ausgebildet. Dadurch ist die Anzeige rund um die Vorrichtung aus jeder Richtung sichtbar, so dass der Benutzer nicht auf die Drehlage der Vorrichtung achten muss, bevor er diese zur Injektion ansetzt.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display is ring-shaped. As a result, the display around the device is visible from any direction, so that the user does not have to pay attention to the rotational position of the device before using it for injection.
Nach einer weiteren Ausführungsart der Erfindung sind die mindes- tens eine Feder und die weitere Feder koaxial angeordnet und liegen mindestens im gespannten Zustand mindestens teilweise teleskopartig ineinander. Dies ermöglicht eine Platz sparende Bauweise der Vorrichtung und verhindert insbesondere, dass diese durch die mit der Anzeigen zusammenwirkenden Federn unhandlich lang wird.According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one spring and the further spring are arranged coaxially and are at least partially telescopically at least in the tensioned state. This enables a space-saving design of the device and, in particular, prevents it from becoming unwieldily long due to the springs interacting with the display.
Eine andere Ausführungsart der Erfindung sieht vor, dass sich dieAnother embodiment of the invention provides that the
Anzeige im von der Injektionsnadel abgewandten hinteren Endbereich der Vorrichtung befindet. Diese Anordnung bietet eine gute Sichtbarkeit der Anzeige bei bequemer Handhabung der Vorrichtung, die üblicherweise während des Betriebes vom Benutzer mit einer Hand festgehalten wird. Das hintere Ende mit der Anzeige ragt in diesem Fall über die Hand des Benutzers hinaus.Display is located in the rear end area of the device facing away from the injection needle. This arrangement offers good visibility of the display with easy handling of the device, which is usually held by the user with one hand during operation. In this case, the rear end with the display protrudes beyond the user's hand.
Wenn gemäss einer weiteren Ausführungsart der Erfindung die Anzeige durch einen durchsichtigen oder durchscheinenden Teil von aussen sichtbar ist, erlaubt dies eine geschlossene Bauweise der Vorrichtung, insbesondere ohne Schlitze und dergleichen, so dass die auf diesem Gebiet üblichen hohen hygienischen Anforderungen erfüllt werden können.If, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the display is visible from the outside through a transparent or translucent part, this permits a closed construction of the device, in particular without slots and the like, so that the high hygienic requirements customary in this field can be met.
Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung wird nachfolgend mit Bezugnahme auf die beiliegende Zeichnung beispielhaft näher erläutert. Es zeigt:An embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:
Figur 1 einen Längsschnitt durch ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungs- gemässen Autoinjektors in geladenem Zustand,FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through an exemplary embodiment of an auto-injector according to the invention in the charged state,
Figur 2 einen Längsschnitt durch den Autoinjektor in entsichertem Zustand, wobei die Schnittebene gegenüber Figur 1 um 90° gedreht ist,FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the auto-injector in the unlocked state, the section plane being rotated by 90 ° with respect to FIG. 1,
Figur 3 einen Längsschnitt durch den Autoinjektor nach dem Einstechen der Injektionsnadel, wobei der Schnitt durch die gleiche Ebene geführt ist wie bei Figur 2,FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the auto-injector after the injection needle has been inserted, the section being made through the same plane as in FIG. 2,
Figur 4 einen Längsschnitt durch den Autoinjektor nach dem Ausschütten des Medikamentes, wobei der Schnitt durch die gleiche Ebene geführt ist wie bei den Figuren 2 und 3,FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the auto-injector after the medication has been poured out, the section being guided through the same plane as in FIGS. 2 and 3,
Figur 5 einen Längsschnitt durch den Autoinjektor nach dem Herausziehen der Injektionsnadel, wobei der Schnitt durch die gleiche Ebene geführt ist wie bei Figur 1 ,5 shows a longitudinal section through the auto-injector after the injection needle has been pulled out, the section being made through the same plane as in FIG. 1, FIG.
Figuren 6A bis 6C eine erste Ausführungsart einer Anzeige undFigures 6A to 6C a first embodiment of a display and
Figuren 7A bis 7C eine zweite Ausführungsart einer Anzeige, wie sie in der anhand der Figuren 1 bis 5 erläuterten Ausführungsart des Autoinjektors eingebaut ist.FIGS. 7A to 7C show a second embodiment of a display as it is built into the embodiment of the auto-injector explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
Der Autoinjektor besteht aus zwei Hauptkomponenten, nämlich dem Reservoirteil, in den Figuren links dargestellt, der eine gefüllte Spritze aufnimmt und dem Power-Pack, in den Figuren rechts dargestellt, in dem die zum automatischen Einstechen und Ausschütten der Spritze dienenden Teile untergebracht sind. Die beiden Hauptkomponenten sind durch eine bajonettartige Verbindung zwischen einer Aufnahmehülse 16 und einer Power-Hülse 1 miteinan- der lösbar verbunden. In der folgenden Beschreibung wird die Seite des Autoinjektors, an der sich die Injektionsnadel befindet, als vorne bezeichnet. Anhand der Figur 1 , welche den betriebsbereiten Autoinjektor zeigt, wird nun zuerst das Power-Pack beschrieben. Die Teile für den Antrieb des Autoinjektors sind in der Griff hülse 14 aufgenommen, an deren hinterem Ende sich ein Anzeigefenster 51 anschliesst. Das Anzeigefenster 51 ist aus durchsichti- gern oder durchscheinendem Material hergestellt oder hat Öffnungen, beispielsweise in der Form von Schlitzen, die es erlauben, die im Anzeigefenster 51 verschiebbar aufgenommene Anzeige 12 von aussen zu beobachten. Die Anzeige 12 ist ringförmig ausgebildet und dadurch rund um den Autoinjektor aus jeder Richtung sichtbar. Am hinteren Ende des Autoinjektors ist der Betäti- gungskopf 13 angeordnet, der auf seiner hinteren Stirnseite mit einer Abdeckscheibe 15 versehen ist. Innerhalb der Griffhülse 14 ist die Power-Hülse 1 aufgenommen. An ihrem hinteren Ende ist die Power-Hülse 1 mittels einer Schnapp-Verbindung mit einer Rasterhülse 8 verbunden. Die Rasterhülse 8 nimmt ihrerseits eine Federhülse 10 verschiebbar in ihrem Inneren auf. Die Fe- derhülse 10 ist hinten mit der Anzeige 12 durch eine Schnapp-Verbindung gekoppelt. Auf der Vorderseite der Federhülse 10 ist der Übertragungsteil 5 verschiebbar in der Power-Hülse 1 gelagert. Der Übertragungsteil 5 hat die Aufgabe, die Kolbenstange 52 der Spritze 50 zu betätigen, um den Inhalt der Spritze auszuschütten, wie dies später noch genauer beschrieben wird. Innerhalb der Federhülse 10 ist eine Feder 9 in gespanntem Zustand aufgenommen, die sich vorne an der Federhülse 10 abstützt und hinten gegen die Rasterhülse 8 drückt. Eine zweite Feder 11 befindet sich, ebenfalls in gespanntem Zustand, auf der Aussenseite der Federhülse 10 und stützt sich vorne am Übertragungsteil 5 ab und drückt hinten gegen die Federhülse 10.The auto-injector consists of two main components, namely the reservoir part, shown on the left in the figures, which holds a filled syringe and the power pack, shown on the right in the figures, in which the parts which are used for the automatic insertion and discharge of the syringe are accommodated. The two main components are detachably connected to one another by a bayonet-like connection between a receiving sleeve 16 and a power sleeve 1. In the following description, the side of the auto-injector on which the injection needle is located is referred to as the front. The power pack will now be described first with reference to FIG. 1, which shows the ready-to-use auto injector. The parts for driving the auto injector are received in the grip sleeve 14, at the rear end of which a display window 51 connects. The display window 51 is made of transparent or translucent material or has openings, for example in the form of slots, which make it possible to observe the display 12, which is displaceably received in the display window 51, from the outside. The display 12 is ring-shaped and is therefore visible around the auto-injector from any direction. The actuating head 13 is arranged at the rear end of the auto-injector and is provided with a cover disk 15 on its rear end face. The power sleeve 1 is received within the grip sleeve 14. At its rear end, the power sleeve 1 is connected to a grid sleeve 8 by means of a snap connection. The grid sleeve 8 in turn receives a spring sleeve 10 slidably on the inside. The spring sleeve 10 is coupled to the display 12 at the rear by a snap connection. On the front of the spring sleeve 10, the transmission part 5 is slidably mounted in the power sleeve 1. The transfer part 5 has the task of actuating the piston rod 52 of the syringe 50 in order to dispense the contents of the syringe, as will be described in more detail later. A spring 9 is accommodated in the tensioned state within the spring sleeve 10, which is supported on the spring sleeve 10 at the front and presses against the grid sleeve 8 at the rear. A second spring 11 is located, also in a tensioned state, on the outside of the spring sleeve 10 and is supported on the front of the transmission part 5 and presses against the spring sleeve 10 at the rear.
Ein als Kolbenführung 4 bezeichneter Teil liegt mit seinem vorderen, hülsenförmigen Ende am Bund der Spritze an und erstreckt sich durch den Übertragungsteil 5, die Federhülse 10 und die Rasterhülse 8 hindurch bis in den Bereich des Betätigungskopfs 13. Die Kolbenführung 4 wird durch eine Feder 7 nach vorne vorgespannt, die sich hinten an der Rasterhülse 8 abstützt. An ih- rem hinteren Ende wird die Kolbenführung 4 durch zwei an der Rasterhülse 8 angeformte Rastnocken 31 , die in eine am hinteren Ende der Kolbenführung 4 angeformte Nut 32 eingreifen, in der in Figur 1 dargestellten Lage gehalten. Rastelemente, beispielsweise Kugeln 6, die in radialen Öffnungen 33 der Kolbenführung 4 aufgenommen sind und in Vertiefungen 34 im Übertragungsteil 5 eingreifen, sorgen in dieser Betriebslage dafür, dass sich der Übertragungsteil 5 und die Kolbenführung 4 nur gemeinsam bewegen können. Anstelle von Kugeln 6 könnten selbstverständlich auch andere Rastelemente, beispielsweise Bolzen, verwendet werden.A part referred to as the piston guide 4 rests with its front, sleeve-shaped end on the collar of the syringe and extends through the transmission part 5, the spring sleeve 10 and the grid sleeve 8 into the area of the actuating head 13. The piston guide 4 is supported by a spring 7 biased towards the front, which is supported at the rear on the grid sleeve 8. At its rear end, the piston guide 4 is held in the position shown in FIG. 1 by two locking cams 31 formed on the grid sleeve 8 and engaging in a groove 32 formed on the rear end of the piston guide 4. Locking elements, for example balls 6, which are received in radial openings 33 of the piston guide 4 and in recesses 34 in the transmission part 5 intervene in this operating position ensure that the transmission part 5 and the piston guide 4 can only move together. Instead of balls 6, other locking elements, for example bolts, could of course also be used.
Es folgt nun die Beschreibung des Reservoirteils. Die Teile für dieThe description of the reservoir part now follows. The parts for the
Aufnahme der Spritze 50 sind wie erwähnt in der Aufnahmehülse 16 untergebracht, welche wie beschrieben mit der Power-Hülse 1 verbindbar ist. Eine Schiebehülse 21 nimmt die Spritze unter Zwischenlage eines Nadelhalters 22 in sich auf. Der Nadelhalter 22 verhindert bei Luerslip Kupplungen, dass die Injek- tionsnadel 37 von der Spritze abgezogen werden kann, solange sich letztere im Autoinjektor befindet. Der Nadelhalter 22 liegt vorne an einem mit der Schiebehülse 21 verbundenen Stützring 24 an. Bei Spritzen und Nadeln mit Luerlock Kupplungen, bei denen also die Injektionsnadel mittels eines Gewindes mit der Spritze verbunden wird, ist kein Nadelhalter 22 vorhanden. Die Schiebehülse 21 ist innerhalb der Aufnahmehülse 16 verschiebbar und wird durch eine Feder 20 in die in Figur 1 dargestellte Betriebslage gedrängt. Ein hülsenförmiger Nadelschutz 17 ist innerhalb der Aufnahmehülse 16 verschiebbar. Der Nadelschutz 17 ist vorne durch einen Schnappdeckel 23 verschlossen, welcher einen Durchgang für die Injektionsnadel frei lässt und hat an seinem hinteren Ende einen nach innen weisenden Flansch 35. Eine Feder 18 stützt sich vorne am Schnappdeckel 23 und hinten an einem Mitnahmering 19 ab, der seinerseits auf dem Stützring 24 gehalten ist. Die Feder 18 befindet sich in dieser Figur in ihrem entspannten Zustand.As mentioned, the syringe 50 is accommodated in the receiving sleeve 16, which can be connected to the power sleeve 1 as described. A sliding sleeve 21 receives the syringe with the interposition of a needle holder 22. In the case of Luerslip couplings, the needle holder 22 prevents the injection needle 37 from being pulled off the syringe as long as the latter is in the auto-injector. The needle holder 22 lies against a support ring 24 connected to the sliding sleeve 21 at the front. In the case of syringes and needles with Luerlock couplings, in which the injection needle is connected to the syringe by means of a thread, there is no needle holder 22. The sliding sleeve 21 is displaceable within the receiving sleeve 16 and is pressed into the operating position shown in FIG. 1 by a spring 20. A sleeve-shaped needle guard 17 is displaceable within the receiving sleeve 16. The needle guard 17 is closed at the front by a snap cover 23, which leaves a passage for the injection needle free, and has an inwardly facing flange 35 at its rear end. A spring 18 is supported on the snap cover 23 at the front and on a driving ring 19 at the rear, the in turn is held on the support ring 24. The spring 18 is in its relaxed state in this figure.
Zur Vorbereitung auf die Injektion muss der Autoinjektor von dem in Figur 1 dargestellten gesicherten Zustand in den entsicherten Zustand gebracht werden, der in Figur 2 dargestellt ist. Zu diesem Zweck wird der Betätigungskopf 13 nach hinten bewegt. Dies kann dadurch geschehen, dass das Gerät mit einer Hand an der Aufnahmehülse 16 und mit der anderen Hand am Betätigungskopf .13 ergriffen und die beiden Teile auseinander gezogen werden. Durch die besondere Gestaltung und Anordnung des Betätigungskopfes 13 ist es aber auch möglich, den Autoinjektor an der Griffhülse 14 festzuhalten und mit dem Daumen der selben Hand den Betätigungskopf 13 nach hinten zu schieben. Am Betätigungskopf 13 vorgesehene, umlaufende Rippen können dabei ein Abgleiten des Daumens verhindern. Dieses nach hinten Schieben des Betätigungskopfes 13 wird im folgenden als Entsicherungsbewegung bezeichnet. Dabei wird am vorderen Rand des Betätigungskopfes 13 ein Bereich des Anzeigefensters 51 frei, auf dessen Innenseite eine auffällig gefärbte Warnhül- se 53 sichtbar wird, die deutlich anzeigt, dass der Autoinjektor nun entsichert und zur Injektion bereit ist. Bei der Entsicherungsbewegung verschieben sich Zungen 36, die innen an der Abdeckscheibe 15 des Betätigungskopfs 13 angeformt sind, über die an der Rasterhülse angeformten Rastnocken 31. Die Zungen und die Rastnocken sind dabei so geformt, dass bei der Entsicherungsbe- wegung die Zungen 36 radial federnd nachgeben, während sie über die Enden der Rastnocken 31 gleiten, welche die Kolbenführung 4 festhalten, indem sie in die genannten Nuten 32 eingreifen. Nach der Entsicherungsbewegung stehen die an der Abdeckscheibe 15 angeformten Zungen 36 wie Keile zwischen den Rastnocken 31. Mit der Entsicherungsbewegung wird eine Feder 3 gespannt, die zwischen an der Rasterhülse 8 angeformten Haken und einem im Betätigungskopf mit einer Schnappverbindung befestigten Rückhalteteil 60 wirkt, so den Betätigungskopf in seine Ausgangsstellung gemäss Figur 1 drängt und so dafür sorgt, dass die Zungen 36 mit leichter Vorspannung an den Rastnocken 31 anliegen. Der Autoinjektor ist nun zur Injektion bereit und wird mit dem Schnappdeckel 23 an der gewünschten Stelle auf die Haut des Patienten gesetzt. Dabei hält der Patient den Autoinjektor an der Griff hülse 14 fest. Zur Auslösung der Injektion muss nun nur noch der Betätigungskopf 13 nach vorne, also in Richtung zum Körper des Patienten hin verschoben werden.To prepare for the injection, the autoinjector must be brought from the secured state shown in FIG. 1 to the unlocked state, which is shown in FIG. 2. For this purpose, the actuating head 13 is moved backwards. This can be done by gripping the device with one hand on the receiving sleeve 16 and with the other hand on the actuating head .13 and pulling the two parts apart. Due to the special design and arrangement of the actuating head 13, it is also possible to hold the auto-injector on the grip sleeve 14 and to push the actuating head 13 backwards with the thumb of the same hand. Circumferential ribs provided on the actuating head 13 can prevent the thumb from sliding off. This pushing back of the actuating head 13 is referred to below as the unlocking movement. At the front edge of the actuating head 13, an area of the display window 51 is cleared, on the inside of which a conspicuously colored warning sleeve 53 is visible, which clearly shows that the auto-injector is now unlocked and ready for injection. During the unlocking movement, tongues 36, which are integrally formed on the cover plate 15 of the actuating head 13, move over the latching cams 31 formed on the grid sleeve. The tongues and the latching cams are shaped in such a way that the tongues 36 are radially resilient during the unlocking movement yield while they slide over the ends of the locking cams 31, which hold the piston guide 4 by engaging in the grooves 32 mentioned. After the unlocking movement, the tongues 36 formed on the cover plate 15 stand like wedges between the latching cams 31. With the unlocking movement, a spring 3 is tensioned, which acts between the molded-on sleeve 8 on the locking sleeve 8 and a retaining part 60 fastened in the actuating head with a snap connection, so the 1 and thus ensures that the tongues 36 rest against the locking cams 31 with a slight pretension. The auto-injector is now ready for injection and is placed on the patient's skin with the snap-on lid 23 at the desired location. The patient holds the autoinjector on the grip sleeve 14. To trigger the injection, only the actuating head 13 now has to be moved forwards, that is, towards the patient's body.
Bei dieser Auslösebewegung dringen die Zungen 36 zwischen die Rastnocken 31 und spreizen diese radial auseinander, wodurch die Kolbenführung 4 freigegeben und durch die Kraft der Feder 7 nach vorne gestossen wird. Die Einstechbewegung wird auch durch die Kraft der Feder 11 unterstützt, welche auf den Übertragungsteil 5 wirkt. Da der Übertragungsteil 5 durch die Kugeln 6 mit der Kolbenführung 4 verbunden ist, addiert sich so die relativ hohe Anfangskraft der Feder 11 zu jener der Feder 7 und.trägt dazu bei, dass die Injektionsnadel sicher bis zur vollen Eindringtiefe vorgeschoben wird. Die Kraft der Federn wird auch über das hülsenförmige vordere Ende der Kolbenführung 4 auf den Bund der Spritze 50 übertragen und schiebt diese mitsamt der Schiebehülse 21 , in der sie aufgenommen ist, nach vorne, so dass die Injektionsna- del 37 vorgeschoben wird und die Haut des Patienten durchdringt. Bei dieser Bewegung drückt die Schiebehülse 21 sowohl die Feder 20 als auch - über den Mitnahmering 19 - die Feder 18 zusammen. Der Einstechweg wird durch Anlage der Schulter 40 der Kolbenführung 4 an einem inneren Absatz 41 der Power- Hülse 1 begrenzt. In dieser Endlage fluchten die Öffnungen 33 in der Kolbenführung 4, welche die Kugeln 6 aufnehmen, mit Vertiefungen 42, die in der Power-Hülse 1 vorgesehen sind, die Kugeln 6 können nach aussen ausweichen und die Koppelung zwischen der Kolbenführung 4 und dem Übertragungsteil 5 ist aufgehoben. Gleichzeitig wird nun die Kolbenführung 4 gegen die Power- Hülse 1 verriegelt, so dass die Kraft der Feder 20 von der Power-Hülse aufgenommen wird und somit nicht der Kraft der Feder 7 entgegenwirkt, welche das Ausschütten des Medikamentes bewirkt. Somit kann jetzt die Injektion automatisch beginnen, indem die Kolbenstange 52 der Spritze durch den Übertragungsteil 5 unter der Kraft der Federn 11 und 9 weiter nach vorne gestossen wird. Die Feder 11 ist so viel stärker dimensioniert, als die Feder 9, dass bis zu diesem Moment des Beginns der Injektion die Federhülse 10 und die mit ihr verbundene Anzeige 12 an der in Figur 3 dargestellten Stelle verbleibt, in der zwischen einem nach aussen ragenden Flansch der Rasterhülse 8 und der Fe- derhülselO ein Anschlag gebildet wird. In diesem Moment hat der Übertra- gungsteil 5 den in Figur 3 mit 54 bezeichneten Weg zurückgelegt. Gleichzeitig mit der Einstechbewegung wird durch den durch die Schiebehülse 21 in den Figuren nach links bewegten Mitnahmering 19 die Feder 18 gespannt.During this release movement, the tongues 36 penetrate between the locking cams 31 and spread them apart radially, as a result of which the piston guide 4 is released and pushed forward by the force of the spring 7. The piercing movement is also supported by the force of the spring 11, which acts on the transmission part 5. Since the transmission part 5 is connected to the piston guide 4 by the balls 6, the relatively high initial force of the spring 11 is added to that of the spring 7 and helps to ensure that the injection needle is reliably advanced to the full penetration depth. The force of the springs is also transmitted via the sleeve-shaped front end of the piston guide 4 to the collar of the syringe 50 and pushes it together with the sliding sleeve 21 in which it is received, so that the injection needle del 37 is advanced and penetrates the patient's skin. During this movement, the sliding sleeve 21 compresses both the spring 20 and - via the driving ring 19 - the spring 18. The penetration distance is limited by the shoulder 40 of the piston guide 4 resting on an inner shoulder 41 of the power sleeve 1. In this end position, the openings 33 in the piston guide 4, which receive the balls 6, are aligned with recesses 42, which are provided in the power sleeve 1, the balls 6 can deflect outwards and the coupling between the piston guide 4 and the transmission part 5 is canceled. At the same time, the piston guide 4 is now locked against the power sleeve 1, so that the force of the spring 20 is absorbed by the power sleeve and thus does not counteract the force of the spring 7, which causes the medication to be dispensed. Thus, the injection can now begin automatically by pushing the piston rod 52 of the syringe further forward through the transmission part 5 under the force of the springs 11 and 9. The spring 11 is dimensioned so much stronger than the spring 9 that until this moment of the start of the injection, the spring sleeve 10 and the display 12 connected to it remain at the point shown in FIG. 3, in the region between an outwardly projecting flange the grid sleeve 8 and the spring sleeve O a stop is formed. At this moment, the transmission part 5 has covered the path labeled 54 in FIG. Simultaneously with the piercing movement, the spring 18 is tensioned by the driving ring 19 moved to the left by the sliding sleeve 21 in the figures.
Beim Einstechen der Injektionsnadel 37 lässt mit zunehmendem Weg des Übertragungsteils 5 die Kraft der Feder 11 so weit nach, dass die Fe- der 9 die Federhülse 10 genau in dem Moment von ihrem Anschlag an der Rasterhülse 8 weg bewegen kann, in dem die Kolbenführung 4 ihre Endlage erreicht hat und die Injektionsnadel 37 vollständig eingestochen ist. Die Kugeln 6 geben nun den Übertragungsteil 5 frei, derart, dass dieser sich in die Kolbenführung 4 hinein verschieben und dabei die Kolbenstange 52 der Spritze betäti- gen kann. Nun beginnt sich auch die Feder 9 auszudehnen. Die Feder 9 schiebt die Federhülse 10 und mit ihr die Anzeige 12 nach vorne, so dass die Anzeige 12 nach dem Zurücklegen des Weges 56 genau in dem Moment ihre in Figur 4 sichtbare Endlage erreicht, wenn auch die Kolbenstange 52 in der Spritze 50 ganz vorne ist und folglich alle in der Spritze vorhandene Flüssigkeit ausge- schüttet ist. Damit ist der Benutzer in der Lage, den Verlauf des Injektionsvorgangs zu verfolgen und sieht anhand der in dieser Figur 4 dargestellten Lage der Anzeige 12, dass der ganze Inhalt der Spritze ausgeschüttet ist. Dabei ist der Weg 56 der Anzeige 12 unabhängig vom Weg der Kolbenstange 52 der Spritze 50 und kann wesentlich kleiner sein als der Weg 54 + 55 des Übertragungsteils 5. Dadurch wird einerseits vermieden, dass der Autoinjektor unnötig lang ist und andererseits können mit ihm Spritzen mit unterschiedlichem Weg verwendet werden. Diese Konstruktion hat auch noch den zusätzlichen Vorteil, dass die relativ hohe Anfangskraft der Feder 11 für den Einstechvorgang ver- wendet wird und anschliessend deren relativ geringe Endkraft für den Injektionsvorgang genutzt wird, welcher somit in erwünschter Weise relativ langsam erfolgt.When the injection needle 37 is inserted, the force of the spring 11 diminishes with increasing travel of the transmission part 5 so that the spring 9 can move the spring sleeve 10 away from its stop on the grid sleeve 8 at the precise moment in which the piston guide 4 has reached its end position and the injection needle 37 is completely inserted. The balls 6 now release the transmission part 5 such that it can slide into the piston guide 4 and thereby actuate the piston rod 52 of the syringe. Now the spring 9 also begins to expand. The spring 9 pushes the spring sleeve 10 and with it the indicator 12 to the front, so that the indicator 12 reaches the end position visible in FIG. 4 after the path 56 has been covered, even if the piston rod 52 in the syringe 50 is at the very front and consequently all liquid in the syringe is is pouring. The user is thus able to follow the course of the injection process and sees from the position of the display 12 shown in FIG. 4 that the entire contents of the syringe have been poured out. The path 56 of the display 12 is independent of the path of the piston rod 52 of the syringe 50 and can be significantly smaller than the path 54 + 55 of the transmission part 5. This on the one hand avoids that the auto-injector is unnecessarily long and on the other hand it can be used to inject syringes different ways can be used. This construction also has the additional advantage that the relatively high initial force of the spring 11 is used for the piercing process and then its relatively low final force is used for the injection process, which is thus carried out relatively slowly in the desired manner.
In den Figuren 6A bis 6C ist eine mögliche Ausführungsart der Anzeige veranschaulicht. Obwohl diese konstruktiv einfache Ausführungsart nicht jener entspricht, die im vorangehend beschriebenen Ausführungsbeispiel des Autoinjektors eingebaut ist, haben Teile mit gleicher Funktion die gleichen Bezugszeichen. Nur der Zwischenteil, der im Ausführungsbeispiel gemäss den Figuren 1 bis 5 als Federhülse 10 ausgebildet ist, hat in den Figuren 6A bis 6C das Bezugszeichen 10'. Figur 6A zeigt die Teile in der gegenseitigen relativen Lage, die sie im gespannten, zur Injektion bereiten Autoinjektor einnehmen. Ausgehend von dieser Lage bewegt sich der Übertragungsteil 5, wie bereits anhand der Figuren 1 bis 5 beschrieben, nach links. Die Rasterhülse 8, die wie weiter oben beschrieben mit der Griff hülse 14 unbeweglich verbunden ist, behält ihre Position in den Figuren 6A bis 6C bei. Beide dargestellten Federn, nämlich die zwischen der Rasterhülse 8 und dem Zwischenteil 10' wirkende Feder 9 und die zwischen dem Zwischenteil 10' und dem Übertragungsteil 5 wirkende Feder 11 sind in der Position gemäss Figur 6A gespannt. Figur 6B zeigt die Lage der Teile bei eingestochener Injektionsnadel 37. Der Übertragungsteil 5 hat die Schiebehülse 21 mit der Spritze 50 verschoben und sich da- bei um den Weg 54 nach vorne verschoben. Gleichzeitig hat sich der Zwischenteil 10' mit der Abzeige 12 proportional um einen Betrag verschoben, der wesentlich kleiner ist als der Weg 54, wie man in Figur 6B ohne Weiteres erkennen kann. Während des Ausschüttens des Medikamentes, bei dem sich der Übertragungsteil 5 weiter um den Weg 55 nach links bewegt, bis er die Endlage gemäss Figur 6C erreicht, bewegt sich die Federhülse 10 und mit ihr die Anzeige 12 ebenfalls proportional zum Übertragungsteil 5 weiter, und zwar um den Weg 59. Dieser Weg 59 der Anzeige 12, der also den Vorgang des Ausschüt- tens des Medikamentes veranschaulicht, ist für den Patienten von besonderer Bedeutung. Wenn der Patient mit dem Zurückziehen des Autoinjektors wartet, bis die Anzeige ihre Endlage gemäss Figur 6C erreicht hat, wird sicher verhindert, dass ein Teil des Medikamentes verloren geht. Wenn man verhindern will, dass der Weg, den die Anzeige während des Einstechens zurücklegt, von aussen sichtbar ist, kann man eine Abdeckung 61 vorsehen, welche den Blick auf die Anzeige 12 erst freigibt, wenn der Ausschüttvorgang beginnt.A possible embodiment of the display is illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C. Although this structurally simple embodiment does not correspond to that which is installed in the exemplary embodiment of the auto-injector described above, parts with the same function have the same reference numerals. Only the intermediate part, which is designed as a spring sleeve 10 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, has the reference symbol 10 'in FIGS. 6A to 6C. FIG. 6A shows the parts in the relative relative position which they occupy in the cocked auto-injector ready for injection. Starting from this position, the transmission part 5 moves to the left, as already described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The grid sleeve 8, which is immovably connected to the handle sleeve 14 as described above, maintains its position in FIGS. 6A to 6C. Both springs shown, namely the spring 9 acting between the grid sleeve 8 and the intermediate part 10 'and the spring 11 acting between the intermediate part 10' and the transmission part 5 are tensioned in the position according to FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B shows the position of the parts when the injection needle 37 is inserted. The transfer part 5 has moved the sliding sleeve 21 with the syringe 50 and has thereby moved forward by the path 54. At the same time, the intermediate part 10 'with the indicator 12 has shifted proportionally by an amount which is considerably smaller than the path 54, as can be seen easily in FIG. 6B. During the delivery of the medication, in which the transmission part 5 continues to move to the left by way 55 until it reaches the end position 6C, the spring sleeve 10 and with it the display 12 also move proportionally to the transmission part 5, namely by the path 59. This path 59 of the display 12, which thus illustrates the process of dispensing the medicament of particular importance to the patient. If the patient waits to withdraw the auto-injector until the display has reached its end position according to FIG. 6C, it is certainly prevented that part of the medication is lost. If you want to prevent the path that the display travels during the piercing from being visible from the outside, a cover 61 can be provided, which only reveals the view of the display 12 when the pouring process begins.
Die Figuren 7A bis 7C zeigen eine zweite Ausführungsart einer Anzeige, wie sie in der anhand der Figuren 1 bis 5 erläuterten Ausführungsart des Autoinjektors eingebaut ist. Die Lagen des Übertragungsteils sind gleich wie in den vorangehenden Figuren 6A bis 6C, nämlich in Figur 7A in gespanntem, injektionsbereitem Zustand, in Figur 7B bei eingestochener Injektionsnadel und in Figur 7C bei ausgeschüttetem Medikament. Im Unterschied zur Ausführungsart gemäss den Figuren 6A bis 6C überlappen sich hier die beiden Federn 9 und 11 teilweise teleskopisch. Dies wird durch die Federhülse 10 ermöglicht, welche in die Feder 11 hinein ragt und die Feder 9 in ihrem Inneren aufnimmt. Ein Vorteil, der sich durch diese Bauweise ergibt, ist der, dass die Gesamtlänge des Autoinjektors etwas geringer sein kann als bei der vorangehend beschriebenen Ausgestaltung der Anzeige. Ein anderer, wichtigerer Vorteil dieser Bauweise besteht darin, dass sich die Federhülse 10 mit der Anzeige 12 erst zu bewegen beginnt, wenn die Injektionsnadel eingestochen ist und der Aus- schüttvorgang beginnt. Dies wird wie folgt erreicht. Wie auch bei der vorangehend beschriebenen Ausführungsart sind auch hier die Federn 9 und 11 prinzipiell hintereinander geschaltet. Weil aber die Spannkraft der Feder 9 begrenzt wird, indem die Federhülse 10 rechts an der Rasterhülse 8 ansteht, ist in der Ausgangslage gemäss Figur 7A die Kraft der Feder 11 grösser als die Kraft der Feder 9. Ausgehend von dieser Lage sinkt die Kraft der Feder 11 beim Zurücklegen des Weges 54, ist aber vorläufig immer noch grösser als die Kraft der gespannten Feder 9. In der Lage gemäss Figur 7B hat die Kraft der Feder 11 einen Betrag erreicht, der genau der Kraft der gespannten Feder 9 entspricht. Erst ab hier, während des Ausschüttens des Medikamentes, bei dem sich der Übertragungsteil 5 weiter um den Weg 55 nach links bewegt, bis er die Endlage gemäss Figur 7B (entsprechend den Figuren 4 und 5) erreicht, bewegt sich die Federhülse 10 und mit ihr die Anzeige 12 um den Weg 56 proportional zum Übertragungsteil 5.FIGS. 7A to 7C show a second embodiment of a display as it is installed in the embodiment of the auto-injector explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The positions of the transmission part are the same as in the preceding FIGS. 6A to 6C, namely in FIG. 7A in a tensioned, ready-to-inject state, in FIG. 7B when the injection needle is inserted and in FIG. 7C when the medication is dispensed. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 6A to 6C, here the two springs 9 and 11 partially overlap telescopically. This is made possible by the spring sleeve 10 which projects into the spring 11 and receives the spring 9 in its interior. An advantage that results from this design is that the overall length of the auto-injector can be somewhat less than in the display configuration described above. Another, more important advantage of this design is that the spring sleeve 10 only begins to move with the display 12 when the injection needle is inserted and the dispensing process begins. This is accomplished as follows. As in the embodiment described above, the springs 9 and 11 are in principle connected in series. However, because the tension force of the spring 9 is limited by the spring sleeve 10 being in contact with the grid sleeve 8 on the right, in the starting position according to FIG. 7A the force of the spring 11 is greater than the force of the spring 9. Starting from this position, the force of the spring drops 11 when covering the path 54, but for the time being is still greater than the force of the tensioned spring 9. In the position according to FIG. 7B, the force of the spring 11 has reached an amount which corresponds exactly to the force of the tensioned spring 9. Only from here, during the delivery of the drug, in which the Moving part 5 further to the left by path 55 until it reaches the end position according to FIG. 7B (corresponding to FIGS. 4 and 5), the spring sleeve 10 and with it the display 12 moves by path 56 in proportion to the transmitting part 5.
In der Schiebehülse 21 vorgesehene Federzungen 38 werden amIn the sliding sleeve 21 provided spring tongues 38 are on
Beginn des Einstechweges durch einen umlaufenden, nach innen ragenden Absatz 39 der Aufnahmehülse 16 daran gehindert, nach aussen vorzustehen. Am Ende des Einstechweges ragen die Federzungen über die Mantelfläche der Schiebehülse 21 hinaus, wie man dies in Figur 5 sieht. Nachdem die Anzeige 12 das vollständige Ausschütten des Medikamentes angezeigt hat, kann der Benutzer den Autoinjektor zurückziehen. Die Feder 18, die während des Einstichvorganges vorgespannt worden war, sorgt dafür, dass der Nadelschutz 17 während des Rückzuges des Autoinjektors in Kontakt mit der Haut des Patienten bleibt. Somit schiebt sich der Nadelschutz 17 relativ zur Aufnahmehülse 16 nach vorne, bis er die Injektionsnadel 37 vollständig abdeckt. Die Federzungen 38 schnappen hinter dem Flansch 35 des Nadelschutzes 17 nach aussen und verhindern, dass dieser zurück in die Aufnahmehülse 16 geschoben werden kann. Dadurch ist jede Verletzungsgefahr durch die Injektionsnadel eliminiert. Beginning of the penetration path prevented by a circumferential, inwardly projecting shoulder 39 of the receiving sleeve 16 from projecting outwards. At the end of the penetration path, the spring tongues protrude beyond the lateral surface of the sliding sleeve 21, as can be seen in FIG. 5. After the display 12 indicates the complete dispensing of the medication, the user can withdraw the auto-injector. The spring 18, which was biased during the puncturing process, ensures that the needle guard 17 remains in contact with the patient's skin during the retraction of the auto-injector. The needle guard 17 thus moves forward relative to the receiving sleeve 16 until it completely covers the injection needle 37. The spring tongues 38 snap behind the flange 35 of the needle guard 17 and prevent it from being pushed back into the receiving sleeve 16. This eliminates any risk of injury from the injection needle.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Vorrichtung zum automatischen Injizieren eines Wirkstoffes, mit einem Behälter (50) für den Wirkstoff, der mitsamt einer mit ihm verbundenen Injektionsnadel (37) zwecks Einstechens der Injektionsnadel (37) in einem Ge- häuse (16) verschiebbar ist, mit einem Spritzenkolben (52) der zwecks Aus- schüttens des Wirkstoffes im Behälter (50) verschiebbar ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Verschiebeweg einer von aussen sichtbaren Anzeige (12) kleiner ist, als die gesamte Verschiebestrecke des Spritzenkolbens (52) gegenüber dem Gehäuse (16).1. Device for automatically injecting an active substance, with a container (50) for the active substance, which, together with an injection needle (37) connected to it, can be displaced in a housing (16) for the purpose of inserting the injection needle (37), with a syringe plunger (52) which is displaceable in the container (50) for the purpose of pouring out the active substance, characterized in that the displacement path of an indicator (12) visible from the outside is smaller than the entire displacement distance of the syringe plunger (52) relative to the housing (16) ,
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein durch mindestens ein Federelement (11) verschiebbarer Übertragungsteil (5) vorhanden ist, der fähig ist, einen ersten Teilweg (54) zum Einstechen der Injektionsnadel und einen zweiten Teilweg (55) zum Ausschütten des Wirkstoffes auszuführen, dass das mindestens eine Federelement (11) zwischen dem Übertragungsteil (5) und einem Zwischenteil (10; 10') wirkt, dass mindestens ein weiteres Federelement (9) zwischen dem Zwischenteil (10; 10') und einem mit dem Gehäuse (16) unbeweglich verbundenen Stützteil (8) wirkt und dass die Anzeige (12) mit dem Zwischenteil (10; 10') verbunden ist.2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that there is a transmission part (5) which can be displaced by at least one spring element (11) and is capable of a first partial path (54) for inserting the injection needle and a second partial path (55) for dispensing of the active ingredient that the at least one spring element (11) acts between the transmission part (5) and an intermediate part (10; 10 '), that at least one further spring element (9) between the intermediate part (10; 10') and one with the Housing (16) immovably connected support part (8) acts and that the display (12) is connected to the intermediate part (10; 10 ').
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, gekennzeichnet durch eine Abde- ckung (61), welche die Anzeige (12) abdeckt, wenn der Übertragungsteil (5) den ersten Teilweg ausführt.3. Device according to claim 2, characterized by a cover (61) which covers the display (12) when the transmission part (5) executes the first partial route.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Anschlag das Spannen des weiteren Federelementes (9) auf eine maximale Federkraft begrenzt und dass die Federelemente (9, 11) so dimensioniert sind, dass die maximale Federkraft des gespannten weiteren Federelementes (9) der momentanen Federkraft des mindestens einen Federelementes (11) nach dem Einstechen der Injektionsnadel und vor dem Ausschütten des Wirkstoffes entspricht. 4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that a stop limits the tensioning of the further spring element (9) to a maximum spring force and that the spring elements (9, 11) are dimensioned such that the maximum spring force of the tensioned further spring element (9) corresponds to the instantaneous spring force of the at least one spring element (11) after the injection needle has been inserted and before the active substance has been poured out.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein weiterer Anschlag das Entspannen des weiteren Federelementes (9) begrenzt, so dass der durch die Anzeige zurückgelegte Weg (56) festgelegt ist.5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that a further stop limits the relaxation of the further spring element (9), so that the path covered by the display (56) is fixed.
6. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anzeige (12) ringförmig ausgebildet ist.6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display (12) is annular.
7. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das mindestens eine Federelement (11) und das weitere Federelement (9) koaxial angeordnet sind und mindestens im gespannten Zustand mindestens teilweise teleskopartig ineinander liegen.7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one spring element (11) and the further spring element (9) are arranged coaxially and are at least partially telescopically at least in the tensioned state.
8. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Anzeige (12) im von der Injektionsnadel (37) abgewandten hinteren Endbereich der Vorrichtung befindet.8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display (12) is located in the rear end region of the device facing away from the injection needle (37).
9. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anzeige (12) durch einen durchsichtigen oder durch- scheinenden Teil (51) von aussen sichtbar ist. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display (12) is visible from the outside through a transparent or translucent part (51).
PCT/CH2003/000754 2002-11-25 2003-11-17 Device for automatically injecting an active substance WO2004047891A1 (en)

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CH01984/02A CH695926A5 (en) 2002-11-25 2002-11-25 Device for automatically injecting an active ingredient.
CH1984/02 2002-11-25

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AU (1) AU2003280269A1 (en)
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CN1713929A (en) 2005-12-28
CN100553700C (en) 2009-10-28
CH695926A5 (en) 2006-10-31
AU2003280269A1 (en) 2004-06-18

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