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
  • A61M5/32—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
  • A61M5/3245—Constructional features thereof, e.g. to improve manipulation or functioning
• • 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
  • A61M2005/208—Release is possible only when device is pushed against the skin, e.g. using a trigger which is blocked or inactive when the device is not pushed against the skin
• • 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 invention relates to an auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament.
• Administering an injection is a process which presents a number of risks and challenges for users and healthcare professionals, both mental and physical.
• Injection devices i.e. devices capable of delivering medicaments from a medication container
• Injection devices typically fall into two categories - manual devices and auto-injectors.
• a manual device the user must provide the mechanical energy to drive the fluid through the needle. This is typically done by some form of button / plunger that has to be continuously pressed by the user during the injection.
• the extension of the button/plunger may be too great. Thus it can be inconvenient for the user to reach a fully extended button.
• the combination of injection force and button extension can cause trembling / shaking of the hand which in turn increases discomfort as the inserted needle moves.
• Auto-injector devices aim to make self-administration of injected therapies easier for patients.
• Current therapies delivered by means of self-administered injections include drugs for diabetes (both insulin and newer GLP-1 class drugs), migraine, hormone therapies, anticoagulants etc.
• Auto-injectors are devices which completely or partially replace activities involved in parenteral drug delivery from standard syringes. These activities may include removal of a protective syringe cap, insertion of a needle into a patient's skin, injection of the medicament, removal of the needle, shielding of the needle and preventing reuse of the device. This overcomes many of the disadvantages of manual devices. Injection forces / button extension, hand-shaking and the likelihood of delivering an incomplete dose are reduced. Triggering may be performed by numerous means, for example a trigger button or the action of the needle reaching its injection depth. In some devices the energy to deliver the fluid is provided by a spring.
• US 2002/0095120 A1 discloses an automatic injection device which automatically injects a pre-measured quantity of fluid medicine when a tension spring is released.
• the tension spring moves an ampoule and the injection needle from a storage position to a deployed position when it is released.
• the content of the ampoule is thereafter expelled by the tension spring forcing a piston forward inside the ampoule.
• torsion stored in the tension spring is released and the injection needle is automatically retracted back to its original storage position.
• the object is achieved by an auto-injector according to claim 1 .
• an auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament comprises
• a syringe retainer slidably arranged with respect to the housing that mounts a pre-filled syringe with an injection needle, a plunger and a stopper for sealing a syringe barrel of the pre-filled syringe,
• the single drive means is capable of driving the coupling shroud from a first position in the proximal direction.
• the mechanism of the auto-injector is arranged in a manner that a plurality of functions is executed by the single drive means.
• the injection needle is inserted into the skin of the patient, the plunger is translated to expel the medicament and the needle shroud is moved proximally to provide needle safety after the injection is completed by the action of the spring means.
• Conventional auto-injectors usually comprise a plurality of spring means to accomplish these tasks.
• the auto-injector according to the invention comprises only few parts and is particularly inexpensive to mass-produce. Consequently, the auto-injector is particularly suited as a single-use device that may be disposed after an injection has been carried out.
• the coupling shroud is initially coupled to the plunger to translate the syringe retainer proximally, whereby the injection needle is inserted into the skin of the patient, and to depress the stopper into the syringe barrel to expel the medicament.
• a crucial step for designing the auto-injector with the single drive means is the decoupling of the plunger and the coupling shroud at the proper pre-determined second position, so that the same drive means may be used to advance the needle shroud after the medication has been completely or partially delivered.
• the pre-determined second position is defined by a longitudinal aperture in the housing.
• the pre-determined second position defined by the aperture is arranged in a manner that allows for a decoupling of the plunger from the coupling shroud before the stopper reaches a proximal end of the syringe barrel. This ensures that a reliable activation of the safety functions of the auto- injector are activated after the medicament has been at least partially delivered.
• a coupling catch is arranged to abut against a shoulder formed to the plunger as a particularly simple and reliable means to releasably couple the plunger to the coupling shroud.
• the coupling shroud is moved by the action of the relaxing drive means in the proximal direction and coupled to the plunger connected to the stopper to insert the injection needle before the injection and to expel the medication during the injection.
• the aperture formed into the lateral side of the housing at the second position allows the coupling catch to deflect radially outwards at the second position, so that the coupling shroud is decoupled from the plunger after the medicament is partially or completely delivered.
• the single drive means is arranged as a single compression spring.
• Compression springs are readily available and inexpensive drive means that may be used to cut down on production costs.
• a rotating collar is rotatably arranged within the housing.
• the rotating collar creates friction to slow down a proximal movement of the needle shroud that is designed to rest onto the skin of the patient during the injection.
• the rotating collar acts as a dampening element that alleviates the pressure exerted upon the skin of the patient by the single drive means via the needle shroud and thus reduces the risk of injuries like bruises.
• the modulus of resilience of the single drive means may be chosen to be sufficiently large without having to worry about potential injury risks.
• the modulus of resilience of the single drive means is adapted to reliably provide an energy supply for a plurality of actions comprising, in particular, the advancing of the syringe retainer and the needle shroud, the displacement of the stopper to expel the medication and the decoupling of the plunger and the coupling shroud.
• the rotating collar comprises a pin that engages a helical recess formed into the needle shroud.
• the engagement of the helical recess and the pin forces the rotating collar to rotate around the needle shroud when the needle shroud is translated. This in particular dampens a proximal movement of the needle shroud and thus reduces the pressure exerted upon the skin of the patient by generating friction.
• the auto-injector comprises safety means that are arranged to cooperate with the needle shroud to prevent a release of the drive means when the needle shroud is in an advanced position and hence is not pushed against the skin of the patient at the injection site.
• This mechanism avoids an early release of the drive means and thus a prematurely expelling of the medicament.
• injuries resulting from an activation of the drive means when the auto-injector is not or not properly placed onto the skin of the patient are reduced.
• the safety means comprises an elastic bushing that engages the plunger and/or the coupling shroud. The elastic bushing is firmly attached to a proximal end of the housing and may engage the coupling shroud and/or the plunger to prevent an inadvertent release of the drive means.
• a release element is hinged to the lateral side of the housing.
• the safety means comprises a blocking element slidably arranged relative to the housing. Manual actuation of the release element causes the release element to pivot about a hinge to release the drive means.
• the blocking element is arranged to limit a pivoting movement of the release element when the needle shroud is in an advanced position and hence to prevent an activation of the drive means.
• the release element is allowed pivot about the hinge when the needle shroud is moved to a retracted position by pressing the needle shroud against the skin surface of the patient receiving the injection.
• the blocking element is arranged to block a distal movement of the needle shroud when the release element is manually actuated while the needle shroud is located in the advanced position.
• the pivoting release element may comprise an inward projection that is pushed radial inwards by manually actuating the release element to block a displacement of the needle shroud from the advanced position. The user is thus forced to perform the sequence of actions necessary to start the injection in the proper order. In particular, the user is forced to first push the needle shroud against the skin of the patient to translate the needle shroud to the retracted position. Subsequently, the release element is manually actuated to release the drive means.
• the auto-injector may preferably be used for subcutaneous or intra-muscular injection, particularly for delivering one of an analgetic, an anticoagulant, insulin, an insulin derivate, heparin, Lovenox, a vaccine, a growth hormone, a peptide hormone, a proteine, antibodies and complex carbohydrates.
• Figures 1 A und 1 B show two different sectional views of an auto-injector according to a first embodiment of the invention with a hinged release element before an injection
• Figure 2 an expanded sectional view of the auto-injector according to the first embodiment, wherein the release element is blocked to prevent an inadvertent release of a drive means
• Figure 3 an expanded sectional view of the hinged release element that is actuated to release the drive means
• Figures 4A and 4B two different sectional views of the auto-injector according to the first embodiment after a drug has been delivered
• Figure 5 an isometric view of a needle shroud
• Figures 6A and 6B two different sectional views of the auto-injector according to the first embodiment after an injection has been performed
• Figures 7A and 7B two different sectional views of an auto-injector according to a
• Figure 8 a sectional view of a distal end section of the auto-injector
• Figure 9A and 9B two different sectional views of an auto-injector according to a third embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 10 a sectional view of a distal end section of the auto-injector
• Figures 1A and 1 B show two sectional views of an essentially cylindrical auto-injector 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the sectional plane shown in figure 1 A is oriented perpendicularly to the one shown in figure 1 B.
• the auto-injector 1 comprises a housing 2, a proximal needle shroud 3, a syringe retainer 4 adapted to mount and move translatably with a pre-filled syringe 5 within the housing 2, a coupling shroud 6 slidably arranged within the housing 2 and a release element 7 hinged to a lateral side of the substantially cylindrical housing 2 of the auto-injector 1 .
• a single drive means 8 is arranged between the distal end of the housing 2 and the coupling shroud 6 to bias the coupling shroud 6 in a proximal direction P towards the skin of a patient receiving an injection.
• the drive means 8 is arranged as a single, conventional compression spring.
• the coupling shroud 6 is releasably coupled to a plunger 9 that is connected to a stopper 10 fluid-tightly sealing a distal end of a syringe barrel 1 1 containing a dose of a medicament M.
• An inner cavity of the syringe barrel 1 1 is in fluid communication with an injection needle 12, so that the dose of the medicament M may be expelled through the injection needle 12 by displacing the stopper 10 in the proximal direction P.
• the coupling shroud 6 abuts against a distal end of the release element 7 to releasably retain the coupling shroud 6 in a first position I, wherein the coupling shroud 7 is located at a distal end of the housing 2.
• the drive means 8 is compressed, so that the coupling shroud 6 is strongly biased in the proximal direction P.
• the plunger 9 extends from the syringe barrel 1 1 in a distal direction D and comprises a shoulder 9.1 of increased diameter.
• the coupling shroud 6 comprises an inwardly protruding coupling catch 6.1 that bears against the shoulder 9.1 so that the plunger 9 and the coupling shroud 6 may be jointly moved in the proximal direction P by the action of the relaxing drive means 8.
• the proximal end of the needle shroud 3 is designed to be pushed against the skin surface of the patient during the injection. Edges of the needle shroud 3 may thus be smoothed to avoid injuries.
• the needle shroud 3 is slidably arranged within the
• a biasing means 13 bears against the needle shroud 3 and the housing 2 to bias the needle shroud 3 towards the advanced position PA.
• An annular rotating collar 14 engages an outer surface of the needle shroud 3.
• the rotating collar 14 rotates around an axis of the substantially cylindrical auto-injector 1 when the needle shroud 3 is longitudinally displaced in the proximal and/or the distal direction P, D.
• the rotating collar 14 acts as a damping means that creates friction to slow down the movement of the needle shroud 3 and to reduce the pressure exerted onto the skin of the patient receiving the injection.
• the release element 7 hinged to the housing 2 works like a see-saw: a proximal section may be pushed radially inwards, whereby the release element 7 pivots about a hinge 15, so that the distal section of the release element 7 moves radially outwards and the coupling shroud 6 is disengaged to release the drive means 8.
• the auto-injector 1 comprises safety means S that prevents an early release of the drive means 8.
• the safety means S ensures that the needle shroud 3 is pushed against the skin of the person receiving the injection before the drive means 8 may be released.
• the safety means S comprises a blocking element 16 slidably arranged with the housing 2.
• the blocking element 16 is positioned to prevent a pivoting movement of the release element 7 and thus a release of the coupling shroud 6.
• a radially outwards protruding blocking projection 16.1 of the blocking element 16 is located opposite to an inward protrusion 7.1 formed to the release element 7. If the proximal section of the release element 7 is pushed inwards, the inward protrusion 7.1 abuts against the blocking projection 16.1 to limit the pivoting movement of the release element 7, so that a release of the coupling shroud 6 and the drive means 8 is prevented.
• Figure 2 shows a proximal section of the auto-injector 1 in a sectional view with the blocking element 16 positioned to prevent an inadvertent actuation of the hinged release element 7 to release the drive means 8.
• a distal end of the needle shroud 3 is clipped to the housing 2 and retained between two inwardly protruding retaining protrusions 2.1 formed into an inner surface of the housing 2.
• the two retaining protrusions 2.1 are longitudinally displaced from each other to limit the range of axial displacement of the needle shroud 3 with respect to the housing 2.
• a boss 3.1 formed into an outer surface of the needle shroud 3 bears against an inner surface of the blocking element 16, so that the blocking element 16 may move with the needle shroud 3 in the proximal direction P to deblock the release element 7.
• the blocking projection 16.1 comprises a central indention that forces a user of the auto-injector 1 to perform a sequence of actions necessary to inject the dose of the medicament M in the proper order. If the release element 7 is pushed inwards before the needle shroud 3 is moved proximally from the advanced position PA towards a retracted position PR (see Figure 3) by pushing the needle shroud 3 towards the skin of the patient, the inward projection 7.1 is retained in the central indentation of the blocking projection 16.1 , so that both the longitudinal displacement of the needle shroud 3 and the pivoting movement of the release element 7 is blocked.
• a proper sequence of actions for injecting the dose of the medicament M is described in the following.
• the user pushes the needle shroud 3 against the skin to move the needle shroud 3 distally to the retracted position PR illustrated in figure 3.
• the blocking element 16 jointly moves with the needle shroud 3 in the distal direction D, so that the release element 7 may be manually actuated to pivot about the hinge 15, whereby the drive means 8 are released.
• the coupling shroud 6 is urged in the proximal direction P.
• the single and fully compressed drive means 8 drives the coupling shroud 6 and the plunger 9 coupled thereto in the proximal direction P.
• the coupling shroud 6 first pushes the syringe retainer 4 by means of plunger 9, stopper 10 and the friction between stopper 10 and syringe 1 1 proximally to insert the injection needle 12 into the skin of the patient and a first clip connection 2.2 formed into a lateral side of the housing 2 latches to an outward protrusion 4.1 of the syringe retainer 4, as illustrated in more detail in figure 4B.
• FIG. 1 shows two sectional views of the auto-injector 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention with the plunger 9 fully depressed within the syringe barrel 1 1 .
• the dose of the medicament M has been delivered beneath the skin of the patient.
• the coupling shroud 6 is located in an intermediate second position II.
• the drive means 8 is not yet completely discharged and biases the coupling shroud 6 in the proximal direction P.
• the shoulder 9.1 engages a ramp of the coupling catch 6.1 to deflect the coupling catch 6.1 in a radial outward direction.
• An aperture 2.3 is formed into the housing 2 to allow for a radial outward deflection of the coupling catch 6.1 , so that the coupling catch 6.1 overcomes the shoulder 9.1 decoupling the coupling shroud 6 from the plunger 9.
• the aperture 2.3 defining the second position II is located at a longitudinal position along the housing 2 that allows for a full depression of the plunger 9 completely emptying the syringe barrel 1 1 before the plunger 9 is decoupled from the coupling shroud 6.
• the aperture 2.3 defining the second position II may be located at a longitudinal position along the housing 2 that allows for an adjustment space accounting for manufacturing tolerances.
• the adjustment space is dimensioned as to allow for a reliable decoupling of the plunger 9 from the coupling shroud 6 even if the parts constituting the auto-injector 1 comprise mismatch in mould or are slightly misaligned.
• the dose of the medicament M may or may not be completely expelled before the plunger 9 is decoupled from the coupling shroud 6.
• the retaining protrusions 2.1 are elastically supported and may be deflected radially outwards to release the needle shroud 3.
• the coupling shroud 6 engages a ramp of the retaining protrusions 2.1 and splays the retaining protrusions 2.1 outwards, whereby the needle shroud 3 is released and allowed to move proximally from the retracted position PR towards an extended safe position PS.
• the drive means 8 is still partially loaded when the coupling shroud 6 is located in the second position II.
• the biasing force of the drive means 8 exerted on the coupling shroud 6 in the second position II is about 10 N.
• the coupling shroud 6 bears against a distal end of the needle shroud 3, so that the needle shroud 3 may be moved to the safe position PS by the action of the further relaxing drive means 8.
• the rotating collar 14 is arranged within the housing 2 to partially absorb the excess energy of the drive means 8 and slow down the proximal movement of the needle shroud 3 by generating friction.
• Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the needle shroud 3.
• a helical recess 3.2 is formed into a tubular proximal section 3.3 of the needle shroud 3.
• the proximal section 3.3 of the needle shroud 3 is inserted into the annular rotating collar 14, wherein a pin 14.1 formed to an inner surface of the rotating collar 14 protrudes into the helical recess 3.2 as shown in figure 6A.
• the linear translatory movement of needle shroud 3 towards the safe position PS thus causes the rotating collar 14 to rotate within the housing 2 around the axis of the auto-injector 1 .
• Figures 6A and 6B show two different sectional views of the auto-injector 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention after the injection has been performed.
• the needle shroud 3 is permanently locked to the safe position PS by a second clip connection 2.4 formed into the housing 2.
• the needle shroud 3 surrounds the injection needle 12 and extends a suitable distance proximally beyond the needle tip to avoid accidental needle stick injuries after the auto-injector 1 has been used.
• Figures 7A and 7B show two different sectional views of an auto-injector 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention before the injection.
• the sectional plane shown in figure 7A is oriented perpendicularly to the sectional plane shown in figure 7B.
• the needle shroud 3 of the auto-injector 1 substantially extends over the axial length of the housing 2.
• the needle shroud 3 is mounted to the housing 2 by the retaining protrusions 2.1 that protrude into orifices formed into a lateral side of the needle shroud 3.
• the orifices comprise a longitudinal length that allows the needle shroud 3 to be slid from the advanced position PA to the retracted position PR.
• a retaining catch 2.5 is formed to an inner surface of the housing 2 and protrudes through an opening formed into the needle shroud 3 to releasably mount the syringe retainer 4 retaining the pre-filled syringe 5.
• the retaining catch 2.5 comprises a bevelled ramp and is deflectable in a radial outward direction. The retaining catch 2.5 latches to the outward protrusion 4.1 formed to the outer surface of the syringe retainer 4 when the needle shroud 3 is in the advanced position PA
• the needle shroud 3 abuts against the bevelled ramp of the retaining catch 2.5 when the needle shroud 3 is moved from the advanced position PA in the distal direction D, whereby the retaining catch 2.5 is deflected in a radial outward direction and
• the release element 7 shown in more detail in figure 8, is arranged as a push button and mounted to a distal end of the housing 2.
• the release element 7 may be pushed in the proximal direction P to release the drive means 8 when the needle shroud 3 is in the retracted position PR, whereas the release element 7 and thus the release of the drive means 8 is blocked when the needle shroud 7 is in the advanced position PA.
• the safety means S that prevent the early release of the drive means 8 comprises clips 2.6 that may deflect in a radial outward direction and a bushing 17 locking the plunger 9 before use of the auto- injector 1 .
• the clips 2.6 formed to the housing 8 latch to the release element 7.
• the clips 2.6 block the movement of the release element 7 in the proximal direction P, so that a manual actuation of the release element 7 is prevented as long as the needle shroud 3 is in the advanced position PA.
• a distal movement of the release element 7 is blocked by a first detent 2.7 engaging an inner surface of the release element 7.
• the clip 2.6 comprises a ramp that the needle shroud 3 engages when pushed distally from the advanced position PA to the retracted position PR, whereby the clip 2.6 is deflected radially outwards to disengage the needle shroud 3.
• the release element 7 may be pushed in the proximal direction P when the needle shroud 3 is in the retracted position PR.
• the plunger 9 comprises a distal end 9.2 of increased diameter that is retained in the bushing 17 firmly attached to a distal end of the housing 2.
• the bushing 17 comprises an inner surface corresponding to the distal end 9.2 of the plunger 9 that engages the distal end 9.2 in a locked position L to lock the plunger 9 and the coupling shroud 6 coupled thereto to the housing 2 before use of the auto-injector 1 .
• the bushing 17 abuts radially against an annular inner collar 7.2 of the release element 7 in the locked position L shown in figures 7A and 7B. A radial outward deflection of the bushing 17 releasing the plunger 9 is thus prevented.
• Figure 8 shows a sectional view of a distal end section of the auto-injector 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention.
• the needle shroud 3 is located in the retracted position PR and the release element 7 is pushed in the proximal direction P, so that the bushing 17 disengages the annular inner collar 7.2 of the release element 7.
• the bushing 17 is positioned in an unlocked position U and may deflect outwardly to release the plunger 9.
• the bushing 17 acts as a counter bearing for the drive means 8 bearing against the bushing 17 in the distal direction D.
• Figure 9A and 9B show two different sectional views of an auto-injector 1 according to a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the release element 7 is arranged as an outer sleeve extending over a substantial length of the auto-injector 1 .
• the safety means S that prevent the early release of the drive means 8 comprise clips 2.6, second and third detents 2.8, 7.3, a locking catch 6.2 formed to the coupling shroud 6 and the bushing 17 that comprises an inner sleeve 17.1 receiving a lug 7.4, wherein the locking catch 6.2 latches to a collar 17.2 of the inner sleeve 17.1 .
• the release element 7 of the third embodiment is gripped by a user to perform the injection. When the needle shroud 3 is in the advanced position PA, the proximal displacement of the release element 7 is blocked by the clips 2.6 in a similar manner as in the second embodiment described herein above.
• the release element is releasably retained in position before the injection by the second and the third detents 2.8, 7.3 respectively formed to an outer surface of the housing 2 and to an inner surface of the release element 7, wherein the second and third detents 2.8, 7.3 comprise correspondingly shaped ramps facing each other.
• the bushing 17 of the third embodiment comprises the inner sleeve 17.1 that receives the lug 7.4 formed to an inner surface of the release element 7. A proximal end of the lug 7.4 snugly fits in the central aperture of the inner sleeve 17.1 , so that an inward deflection of the inner sleeve 17.1 is prevented.
• the inner sleeve 17.1 comprises a collar 17.2.
• An inwardly protruding locking catch 6.2 of the coupling shroud 6 latches to the collar 17.2 before use of the auto-injector 1 to releasably retain the coupling shroud 6 in the first position I.
• Figure 10 shows a sectional view of a distal end section of the auto-injector 1 according tothe third embodiment of the invention.
• the release element 7 is actuated and moved in the proximal direction P.
• the proximal end of the lug 7.4 disengages the inner sleeve 17.1 of the bushing 17, so that the inner sleeve 17.1 may bend radially inwards, whereby the locking catch 6.2 disengages the collar 17.2 and releases the coupling shroud 8 and the drive means 8.

Landscapes

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

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=43858060

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (27)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2010
  • 2010-12-21 EP EP10196068A patent/EP2468331A1/en not_active Ceased
• 2011
  • 2011-12-21 US US13/993,531 patent/US9283327B2/en active Active
  • 2011-12-21 JP JP2013545330A patent/JP5990188B2/ja active Active
  • 2011-12-21 WO PCT/EP2011/073503 patent/WO2012085022A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-12-21 CA CA2821628A patent/CA2821628A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-12-21 EP EP11802090.8A patent/EP2654835B1/en active Active
  • 2011-12-21 DK DK11802090.8T patent/DK2654835T3/en active

Patent Citations (4)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events