Pen needle cartridge

Abstract

A pen needle cartridge (10) comprising: a plurality of compartments (14), each compartment carrying a pen needle (40), the pen needle (40) having an inner thread (44) and an outer thread (46); and, an inner shield (80) comprising an inner thread (82), the inner shield (80) disposed in each of the plurality of compartments (14), wherein the inner thread (82) of the inner shield (80) is configured to engage the outer thread (46) of the pen needle (40), and the inner thread (44) and the outer thread (46) of the pen needle (40) are threaded in different directions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to pen needle storage and disposal for drug delivery pens. BACKGROUND

[0002] Drug pens are commonly used to inject drugs into patients. A person who must regularly self-inject a dose of a drug will typically carry a drug pen, several disposable pen needles, and several cleaning swabs. Drug pens are designed for safety and sterility. However, inefficiencies and inconveniences can arise. SUMMARY

[0003] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a pen needle cartridge that stores a plurality of needles, each needle configured to engage a drug pen for drug delivery. Such a cartridge has the advantage of being easy to organize, allowing needles to be disposed of after use and stored in the same cartridge before use, and improving use through an optimized workflow, thereby reducing set-up time and space. Disposal of needles after use and storage of needles before use allows for simultaneous attachment and removal of pen needles, as well as simultaneous detachment and disposal of pen needles. Finally, controlled motion of pen needles to and from the cartridge reduces needle stick injuries to users and reduces accidental bending of needles in pen needles.

[0004] The pen needle cartridge also reduces the likelihood of pen needle reuse in a number of ways. First, the pen needle cartridge has a sealing tab that serves as a visual indicator to indicate to a user whether a pen needle is used or new. Second, the sealing tab is disposed in a tamper-resistant member and cooperates with a locking mechanism to open a compartment. Finally, the tamper-resistant member prevents access to the locking mechanism between a compartment door and a corresponding compartment after the sealing tab is removed.

[0005] The foregoing and / or other aspects of the present invention can be achieved by providing a pen needle cartridge including: a plurality of compartments, each compartment having a stepped locking element, the plurality of compartments each carrying a pen needle; a seal configured to be disposed on a top surface of each compartment of the plurality of compartments to enclose each of the pen needles in the corresponding compartment; and a plurality of compartment doors, each compartment door having a snap lock member configured to engage the stepped locking element, the plurality of compartment doors each configured to cover the corresponding compartment, wherein in a closed and unlatched position of one of the plurality of compartments, the seal is disposed between the top surface of the one of the plurality of compartments and the corresponding compartment door, and the seal is disposed between the stepped locking element and the snap lock member.

[0006] The foregoing and / or other aspects of the present application can also be achieved by providing a pen needle cartridge, the pen needle cartridge comprising: a plurality of compartments, each compartment carrying a pen needle, the pen needle having an inner thread and an outer thread; and, an inner shield comprising an inner thread, the inner shield disposed in each of the plurality of compartments, wherein the inner thread of the inner shield is configured to engage the outer thread of the pen needle, and the inner thread and the outer thread of the pen needle are threaded in different directions.

[0007] The foregoing and / or other aspects of the present application can also be achieved by providing a pen needle cartridge, the pen needle cartridge comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment comprising an inner thread, each compartment carrying a pen needle having an inner thread and an outer thread, wherein the inner thread is configured to engage the outer thread of the pen needle, and the inner thread and the outer thread of the pen needle are threaded in different directions.

[0008] The foregoing and / or other aspects of the present application can also be achieved by providing a method of using a plurality of pen needles stored in a housing, the method comprising connecting an unused pen needle to a drug delivery pen for drug delivery, removing the unused pen needle from a cavity of the housing concurrently with the connecting step, administering a drug via the pen needle connected to the drug delivery pen, disposing a used pen needle after the drug is delivered into the cavity of the housing, concurrently disconnecting the used pen needle from the drug delivery pen, and sending the housing to a manufacturer or a waste management entity after all of the plurality of pen needles in the housing are used.

[0009] Additional and / or other aspects and advantages of the present application will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or can be learned by practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing aspects and features of the present application will become more apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the application with reference to the drawings in which:

[0011] Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary pen needle cartridge is shown;

[0012] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a pen assembly comprising a drug delivery pen and Figure 1 a pen needle cartridge of

[0013] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a compartment in a pen needle cartridge of Figure 1 in a closed and unlocked position in preparation for use;

[0014] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a compartment of Figure 3 in an open position;

[0015] Figure 5This illustrates the process of the drug delivery pen engaging with the needle in the compartment and the process of the needle discharging from the compartment. Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the compartment separation process;

[0016] Figure 6 The drug delivery pen is shown from Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of removing the pen needle from the compartment;

[0017] Figure 7 The instructions for handling used pen needles are shown. Figure 6 A sectional view of the compartment;

[0018] Figure 8 This illustrates the process of the drug delivery pen disengaging from the needle and the needle engaging with the pen. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the process in the compartment;

[0019] Figure 9 This demonstrates the separation of the drug delivery pen from the needle and the needle's placement on... Figure 8 A sectional view of the compartment;

[0020] Figure 10 The image shows the locked position. Figure 9 A sectional view of the compartment;

[0021] Figure 11 It is shown in the closed and unlocked position. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the locking mechanism between the compartment and the compartment door; and

[0022] Figure 12 The diagram shows the space between the compartment and the compartment door in the closed, locked position. Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0023] According to one embodiment, Figure 1 A pen needle holder 10 is shown, configured to hold a plurality of pen needles 40. The pen needle holder 10 includes a housing 12, a plurality of compartments 14, and a plurality of compartment doors 20. The housing 12 is a generally rectangular linear array of adjacent compartments 14. Each of the plurality of compartments 14 is generally square and includes a cavity for holding the pen needles 40. Each of the plurality of compartment doors 20 is hinged to one side (rear surface) of each of the compartments 14 and is configured to be openable and closed to cover a corresponding compartment 14 and provide an entrance to the corresponding compartment 14. This configuration advantageously provides a simplified organization of the pen needles 40.

[0024] Each of the multiple compartments 14 also includes a stepped locking element 16, a flanged locking element 18, and an anti-accidental activation component 19. For example... Figure 3The stepped locking element 16 is shown as a protruding surface that extends beyond the outer side surface (front surface) of each compartment 14. The stepped locking element 16 is also provided near the proximal end of the compartment 14 and is configured to engage and lock to the compartment door 20. Further, the stepped locking element 16 is provided on the outer side surface of each compartment 14, opposite the hinged side surface. Further operational details of the stepped locking element 16 are described below.

[0025] The flanged locking element 18 is a circular element provided on the inner bottom surface of each of the plurality of compartments 14 at the distal end. The flanged locking element 18 extends upward from the bottom surface and is configured to interact with the inner shield 80. A plurality of flanges are partially cut out from the flanged locking element 18 to provide increased flexibility and elastic movement. The plurality of flanges extend upward proximally and radially outward along the circumferential surface. These flanges engage the inner shield 80 to lock the inner shield 80 to the compartment 14. The increased flexibility and elastic movement allow the inner shield 80 to engage to the compartment 14.

[0026] The anti-misoperation member 19 is a hollow cavity protruding from the front surface of each of the compartments 14. Specifically, the anti-misoperation member 19 includes a protruding member having a hollow opening provided at the outer side surface of each of the plurality of compartments 14. The hollow opening has a space for the stepped locking element 16 of the compartment 14 to engage the snap lock member 22 of the compartment door 20.

[0027] Further, in the closed and unlocked position of the compartment 14, the seal 30 is configured to be disposed between the stepped locking element 16 and the snap lock member 22. The anti-misoperation member 19 advantageously prevents a user from manipulating the stepped locking element 16 and the snap lock member 22, especially in the closed and locked position. The anti-misoperation member 19 also partially shields the seal 30, particularly at the curved portion of the seal 30, when the compartment 14 is in the closed and unlocked position. Details of the snap lock member 22 and the seal 30 are further described below.

[0028] Figure 3 And 4 The snap lock member 22 of each of the compartment doors 20 is shown. The snap lock member 22 is a flange member provided at the side surface (adjacent to the front surface of the compartment 14) opposite the hinged surface (adjacent to the rear surface of the compartment 14). The snap lock member 22 is configured to engage and lock to the stepped locking element 16 (locking mechanism) of the compartment 14. Specifically, the flange surface of the snap lock member 22 is configured to engage the bottom surface of the stepped locking element 16. However, the seal 30 can be disposed between the snap lock member 22 and the stepped locking element 16 to hold the compartment door 20 in a closed but still unlocked position (closed and unlocked position).

[0029] Prior to the acquisition of the pen needle 40 from the plurality of compartments 14, each of the plurality of compartments 14 is closed by a seal 30. Figure 1 A plurality of seals 30 is shown, each closing one of the plurality of compartments 14. Figure 1 The rightmost compartment 14 is open and the seal 30 is removed from the top surface of the compartment 14.

[0030] The seal 30 is composed of a plastic, polymer, foil or metallic material or any combination of a composite polymer-metal multilayer. The material of the seal 30 provides a hermetic or airtight seal to the cavity in the compartment 14. Furthermore, the material advantageously allows the seal 30 to be flexible and can be adjusted to a variety of shapes without plastic deformation or breakage.

[0031] Figure 1 The middle rightmost seal 30 best illustrates the components of the seal 30. In particular, the seal 30 comprises a sealing portion 32 and a tab portion 34. The sealing portion 32 is disposed directly above the top surface of the corresponding compartment 14 to close the pen needle 40 in the compartment 14. When the compartment door 20 is secured to the case housing 12, the compartment door 20 covers the sealing portion 32 to advantageously prevent accidental puncturing. Thus, in the closed and unlocked position of the compartment 14, the sealing portion 32 is sandwiched between the top surface of the compartment 14 and the compartment door 20.

[0032] The tab portion 34 is adjacent to the corresponding compartment 14. As Figure 3 shown, in the closed and unlocked position, the tab portion 34 is disposed between the compartment door 20 and the compartment 14. In particular, the tab portion 34 is disposed along the front surface of the compartment 14 and between the stepped locking element 16 of the compartment 14 and the snap-lock member 22 of the compartment door 20. Positioning the tab portion 34 in this manner prevents the engagement of the stepped locking element 16 with the snap-lock member 22. The material of the tab portion 34 advantageously provides rigidity to prevent the engagement of the stepped locking element 16 to the snap-lock member 22.

[0033] The tab portion 34 then curves upwards at an angle of approximately 180° at a curved portion and out of the proximal end of the foolproof member 19. In other words, the tab portion 34 enters and exits at the proximal end of the foolproof member 19. Thus, the user is able to conveniently access and use the tab portion 34 to flex the snap-lock member 22 outwards and open the compartment door 20 to the open and unlocked position. In particular, the user holds the tab portion 34 and pulls upwards to open the compartment door 20 and remove the sealing portion 32 from the top surface of the compartment 14.

[0034] The tab portion 34 also serves as a visual indicator to a user outside the closed compartment door 20 that the pen needle 40 is enclosed in the compartment 14 by the seal 30. Thus, this configuration advantageously indicates that the pen needle 40 is not in use and is ready to be used.

[0035] Figure 10 One of the compartments 14 in the closed and locked position is shown, with the used pen needle 40 returned to the compartment 14, and the compartment door 20 closed. In this configuration, the seal 30 is no longer present, and thus the stepped locking element 16 of the compartment 14 engages the snap-lock member 22 of the compartment door 20 to lock the used pen needle 40 in the compartment 14.

[0036] Figure 2 A pen assembly 1 comprising the pen needle cartridge 10 and a drug delivery pen 2 is shown. The drug delivery pen 2 comprises an outer thread 4 and a septum 6. The outer thread 4 is configured to be screwed into and engage the inner thread 44 of the pen needle 40. The septum 6 is a seal that holds the drug within the cartridge of the drug delivery pen 2. When the septum 6 is pierced by the non-patient end of the needle 50 of the pen needle 40, fluid communication is established between the drug delivery pen 2 and the patient end of the needle 50 of the pen needle 40.

[0037] Figure 2 And 3 A pen needle 40 is shown. The pen needle 40 comprises a hub 42, an inner thread 44, an outer thread 46, and a needle 50. The hub 42 is a housing or base of the pen needle 40. As described above, the inner thread 44 is configured to attach to the outer thread 4 of the drug delivery pen 2. When the inner thread 44 is fully engaged with the outer thread 4, the non-patient end of the needle 50 pierces the septum 6 of the drug delivery pen 2 to establish fluid communication.

[0038] The outer thread 46 of the pen needle 40 is configured to engage the inner thread 82 of the inner shield 80. In particular, the outer thread 46 is advantageously threaded in the opposite direction as the inner thread 44. In this way, the pen needle 40 simultaneously provides engagement and disengagement of the drug delivery pen 2 with the inner shield 80 during attachment and removal of the pen needle 40, and during disengagement and disposal of the pen needle 40.

[0039] In other words, the internal thread 44 and external thread 46 of the needle 40 are advantageously helicaled in different directions. This configuration advantageously allows the attachment and removal of the needle 40 to be synchronized with its disengagement and disposal. Specifically, when the thread 4 of the drug delivery pen 2 engages with the internal thread 44 of the needle 40, the external thread 46 of the needle 40 simultaneously disengages from the internal thread 82 of the inner shield 80. This simultaneous action occurs during the same rotational movement of removing the needle 40 from the compartment 14 for use. Furthermore, when the thread 4 of the drug delivery pen 2 disengages from the internal thread 44 of the needle 40, the external thread 46 of the needle 40 simultaneously engages with the internal thread 82 of the inner shield 80. This simultaneous action occurs during the same rotational movement of disposing of the used needle 40 into the compartment 14 for disposal.

[0040] In one embodiment, looking down from a top view Figure 2 In the pen assembly 1, the internal thread 44 of the pen needle 40 is helically oriented clockwise, while the external thread 46 of the pen needle 40 is helically oriented counterclockwise. In another embodiment, viewed from a top view downwards... Figure 2 The pen assembly 1 has an internal thread 44 of the pen needle 40 that is spiraled counterclockwise, while the external thread 46 of the pen needle 40 is spiraled clockwise.

[0041] Finally, the pen needle 40 includes a needle 50, as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. When the pen needle 40 is attached to the drug delivery pen 4, the proximal end (non-patient end) of the needle 50 pierces the septum 6 of the drug delivery pen 4 to establish fluid communication. Thus, during use, the distal end (patient end) of the needle 50 provides fluid communication between the drug delivery pen 2 and the patient for drug administration.

[0042] Figure 2 and 3 A preferred embodiment of an inner shield 80 having an internal thread 82 and a locking opening 84 is shown. The inner shield 80 is a hollow cylinder disposed at the distal end of each of the respective compartments 14. The internal thread 82 is disposed at the proximal end of the inner surface of the inner shield 80 and is configured to engage the external thread 46 of the pen needle 40.

[0043] The inner shield 80 surrounds a circular feature with a flanged locking element 18 in the compartment 14. The locking opening 84 includes a vertical slot that engages the flange of the flanged locking element 18 to lock the inner shield 80 to the compartment 14 in a non-rotatable and non-axially movable manner. Specifically, the flange of the flanged locking element 18 extends outward to enter and lock into the locking opening 84 of the inner shield 80. Once engaged, the inner shield 80 cannot be removed from the compartment 14. Furthermore, the inner shield 80 cannot be rotated within the compartment 14.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment, the inner shield 80 having the internal threads 82 and the locking opening 84 is an integral part of each of the compartments 14. In this configuration, the features of the inner shield 80 function in a similar manner as described in this application.

[0045] The detailed operation of the pen needle cartridge 10 is described as follows. Throughout the operation, one of the inner shields 80 is locked to each of the plurality of compartments 14. Specifically, the flange locking element 18 of the compartment 14 engages to the locking opening 84 in the inner shield 80. This engagement prevents the inner shield 80 from rotating movement in the compartment 14 and removal from the compartment 14.

[0046] Figure 3 One of the plurality of compartments 14 is shown in the closed and unlocked position. In this position, the compartment 14 carrying the unused pen needle 40 is threadably connected to the inner shield 80 via the external threads 46 of the pen needle 40 and the internal threads 82 of the shield 80. The sealing portion 32 of the seal 30 closes the compartment 40 and the compartment door 20 is advantageously disposed over the seal 30 to further cover the compartment 14 and protect the seal 30 from accidental puncture.

[0047] The tab portion 34 is disposed between the stepped locking element 16 of the compartment 14 and the snap lock member 22 of the compartment door 20. The tab portion 34 prevents the compartment door 20 from being locked to the compartment 14 by preventing the snap lock member 22 from engaging to the stepped locking element 16.

[0048] The tab portion 34 is directed in a downward direction to be disposed between the snap lock member 22 and the stepped locking element 16. Subsequently, the tab portion 34 is bent upward approximately 180 degrees to be accessible outside of the tamper resistant member 19 of the compartment 14. A portion of the tab portion 34 and the interface between the snap lock member 22 and the stepped locking element 16 are disposed in the tamper resistant member 19 to advantageously protect these features from inadvertent manipulation and use.

[0049] Figure 4 The open and unlocked position of the compartment 14 is shown. In this position, the user pulls the tab portion 34 of the seal 30 upward to flex the snap lock member 22 outward from the compartment 14 and upward from the tamper resistant member 19. Subsequently, the sealing portion 32 is removed from the top surface of the compartment 14. At the same time, the compartment door 20 is rotated to open the compartment 14. Now, the pen needle 40 is exposed and ready to be removed and used.

[0050] Figure 5The drug delivery pen 2 is shown in the process of engaging the pen needle 40 while the pen needle 40 is in the process of disengaging from the inner shield 80. Specifically, the user pushes and rotates the drug delivery pen 2 to rotate the threads 4 in a clockwise direction from a top view into the inner threads 44 of the pen needle 40 and to attach to the drug delivery pen 2. Simultaneously, the outer threads 46 of the pen needle 40 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction from a top view out of the inner threads 82 of the inner shield 80 to disengage from the inner shield 80 and ultimately to be removed from the compartment 14. As described above, the inner shield 80 is non-rotatably fixed to the compartment 14 to allow the rotation out. This simultaneous attachment and removal of the pen needle 40 provides significant advantages in terms of efficient usability and simplicity of design.

[0051] Figure 6 The drug delivery pen 2 is shown engaged with the pen needle 40 and removed from the compartment 14. When the pen needle 40 engages the drug delivery pen 2, the proximal end (non-patient end) of the needle 50 pierces the septum 6. Thus, the distal end (patient end) of the needle 50 is in fluid communication with the drug delivery pen 2 and ready for injection and drug delivery.

[0052] Figure 7 The used pen needle 40 is shown attached to the drug delivery pen 2 where the user is ready to dispose of the used pen needle 40 into the compartment 14. Figure 8 The pen needle 40 is shown in the process of disengaging from the drug delivery pen 2 while the pen needle 40 is in the process of engaging the inner shield 80. Specifically, the user pushes and rotates the pen needle 40 attached to the drug delivery pen 2 in a counterclockwise direction from a top view to rotate and remove the inner threads 44 of the pen needle 40 from the threads 4 of the drug delivery pen 2. Simultaneously, the outer threads 46 are rotated in a clockwise direction from a top view into the inner threads 82 of the inner shield 80 to retain and ultimately dispose the used pen needle 40 in the compartment 14 of the cartridge housing 12. As described above, the inner shield 80 is non-rotatably fixed to the compartment 14 to allow the rotation in. This simultaneous disengagement and disposal of the pen needle 40 provides significant advantages in terms of efficient usability and simplicity of design.

[0053] Figure 9 The drug delivery pen 2 is shown disengaged from the pen needle 40 where the drug delivery pen 2 is disengaged from the compartment 14 and the pen needle 40 is retained in the compartment 14. Fluid communication between the pen needle 40 and the drug delivery pen 2 is now terminated.

[0054] Figure 10The compartment door 20 is shown closed carrying a used pen needle 40 in the compartment 14. In the closed and locked position, the compartment door 20 is locked to the compartment 14. Specifically, the stepped locking element 16 of the compartment 14 engages the snap lock member 22 of the compartment door 20 to provide a secure locking arrangement. The stepped locking element 16 and the snap lock member 22 engage within the anti-misadventure member 19 to protect this locking engagement from any misadventure. The user can now use a new pen needle 40 from another compartment 14.

[0055] After all pen needles 40 have been used and returned to their respective compartments 14 of the pen needle cartridge 10, the user can advantageously send the pen needle cartridge 10 via mail to, for example, the manufacturer or a waste management entity for safe and sterile disposal. Alternatively, the manufacturer can advantageously recycle and reuse various components of the pen needle cartridge 10. For example, the manufacturer can sterilize and reuse some or all of the compartments 14 in the pen needle cartridge 10. Specifically, the manufacturer can replace used pen needles 40 with unused pen needles 40 in one or more compartments 14 and seal the respective compartments 14 with the seal 30. The pen needle cartridge 10 can then be shipped and ultimately sold for reuse.

[0056] Figure 11 An alternative embodiment of the locking mechanism is shown including the stepped locking element 116 of the compartment 14 and the snap lock member 122 of the compartment door 20. The stepped locking element 116 is a frangible or flexible member that flexes or elastically deforms to disengage from the snap lock member 122. In one embodiment, the stepped locking element 116 is an insert that fits within an opening in the compartment 14. In another embodiment, the stepped locking element 116 is integral with the compartment 14. This locking mechanism prevents the possibility of the user accidentally closing the compartment door 20 prior to disposing the used pen needle 40 into the compartment 14.

[0057] Figure 11 The compartment door 20 is shown in the closed and unlocked position relative to the compartment 14. On the other hand, Figure 12 The stepped locking element 116 is shown as rigid to engage the snap lock member 122. In this configuration, the compartment door 20 is in the closed and locked position relative to the compartment 14.

[0058] The storage and use of pen needles 40, and the disposal of pen needles 40 in the same pen needle cartridge 10 provides a number of advantages and benefits. Separate packaging is not required to store and dispose of pen needles 40. This is because the pen needle cartridge 10 advantageously synchronizes the attachment and removal of pen needles 40 with the detachment and disposal of pen needles 40. This universal arrangement provides better usage, optimizes workflow, minimizes set-up time and optimizes space.

[0059] The foregoing detailed description of certain illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the application to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the application be defined by the claims appended hereto rather than by the description presented hereinabove. The description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description, and not limitation. Further, any one of the embodiments, features, and / or elements disclosed herein can be combined with each other, to form various additional combinations, as long as the embodiments, features, and / or elements being combined are not mutually inconsistent. Therefore, additional embodiments are possible and are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the specification and the application. The description is presented for the purpose of illustration and description, not limitation.

[0060] As used in this application, the terms "front," "back," "up," "down," "upwardly," "downwardly," and other orientation descriptors are intended to facilitate a description of the illustrative embodiments of the application, and are not intended to restrict the scope of the illustrative embodiments of the application to any particular position or orientation. Terms of degree such as "substantially" or "approximately" are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges around a given value, e.g., general tolerances associated with manufacture, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A pen needle cartridge (10) comprising: a plurality of compartments (14), each compartment having a stepped locking element (16), each of the plurality of compartments (14) carrying a pen needle (40); a seal (30) comprising a sealing portion (32) and a tab portion (34), the sealing portion (32) configured to be disposed on a top surface of each of the plurality of compartments (14) to enclose each of the pen needles (40) in the corresponding compartment (14); a plurality of compartment doors (20), each compartment door having a snap lock member (22) configured to engage the stepped locking element (16), each of the plurality of compartment doors (20) configured to cover the corresponding compartment (14); and a plurality of foolproofing members (19), each foolproofing member (19) being a hollow cavity protruding from a front surface of a respective one of the plurality of compartments (14), each foolproofing member (19) shielding the seal (30), the stepped locking element (16), and the snap lock member (22) of the respective one of the plurality of compartments from accidental operation; wherein in a closed and unlocked position of one of the plurality of compartments (14), the sealing portion (32) of the seal (30) is disposed between the top surface of one of the plurality of compartments (14) and the corresponding compartment door (20), and the tab portion (34) of the seal (30) is disposed between the stepped locking element (16) and the snap lock member (22), an end of the tab portion (34) being bent upward and out of a proximal end of the foolproofing member (19) such that the end of the tab portion (34) can be held by a user. in a closed and locked position of one of the plurality of compartments (14), the seal (30) can be removed, the stepped locking element (16) engages the snap lock member (22), and the foolproofing member (19) prevents a user from manipulating the stepped locking element (16) and the snap lock member (22) to open the compartment.

2. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 1, wherein, in an open and unlocked position of one of the plurality of compartments (14), the seal (30) can be removed from the top surface of the compartment (14) to allow a user to access the pen needle (40) while the compartment (14) is open.

3. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 1, wherein, 4. A pen needle cartridge (10) comprising: a plurality of compartments (14), each compartment having a stepped locking element and carrying a pen needle (40), the pen needle having an internal thread (44) and an external thread (46); a seal (30) comprising a sealing portion (32) and a tab portion (34), the sealing portion (32) configured to be disposed on a top surface of each of the plurality of compartments to enclose each of the pen needles in the respective compartment; ​ a plurality of compartment doors, each compartment door having a snap lock member configured to engage the stepped lock element, each of the plurality of compartment doors configured to cover a corresponding compartment, a plurality of misoperation prevention members (19), each misoperation prevention member (19) being a hollow cavity protruding from a front surface of a respective one of the plurality of compartments (14), each misoperation prevention member (19) shielding a respective seal (30), stepped lock element (16), and snap lock member (22) of the respective one of the plurality of compartments from accidental operation; and a plurality of inner shields (80), each inner shield including an inner thread (82), one of the inner shields (80) disposed in each of the plurality of compartments (14); wherein the inner thread (82) of the inner shield (80) is configured to engage an outer thread (46) of the pen needle (40); the inner thread (44) and the outer thread (46) of the pen needle (40) are threaded in different directions; and in a closed and unlocked position of one of the plurality of compartments, a tab portion (34) of the seal is disposed between the stepped lock element and the snap lock member to prevent the one of the plurality of compartments from entering a closed and locked position, an end of the tab portion (34) being bent upward and out of a proximal end of the misoperation prevention member (19) such that the end of the tab portion (34) can be held by a user.

5. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 4, wherein the inner thread (44) of the pen needle (40) is threaded in a clockwise direction and the outer thread (46) of the pen needle (40) is threaded in a counterclockwise direction.

6. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 4, wherein, the inner thread (44) of the pen needle (40) is threaded in a counterclockwise direction and the outer thread (46) of the pen needle (40) is threaded in a clockwise direction.

7. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 4, wherein, the inner shield (80) is disposed at a distal end of each of the plurality of compartments (14).

8. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of compartments (14) includes a flange lock element (18) extending from an inner bottom surface of the compartment (14).

9. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 8, wherein, the inner shield (80) includes an opening (84) configured to engage the flange lock element (18) and lock the inner shield (80) to the compartment (14).

10. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 4, further comprising: the stepped lock element is a flexible member; and in a closed and locked position, the stepped lock element is rigid to engage the snap lock member and lock the compartment door (20) to the compartment (14).

11. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 10, wherein in the closed and unlocked position, the stepped lock element is elastically deformed to disengage the snap lock member and unlock the compartment door (20) from the compartment (14).

12. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 4, wherein in the closed and unlocked position, each seal (30) is disposed between the top surface of one of the plurality of compartments (14) and the corresponding compartment door (20).

13. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 4, wherein: each of the plurality of compartment doors (20) has a snap lock member (22) configured to engage the stepped locking element (16); wherein in the closed and unlocked position of one of the plurality of compartments (14), the sealing portion (32) is disposed between the top surface of one of the plurality of compartments (14) and the corresponding compartment door (20), and the tab portion (34) is disposed between the stepped locking element (16) and the snap lock member (22).

14. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 13, wherein, in the closed and locked position of one of the plurality of compartments (14), the seal (30) is removable, the stepped locking element (16) engages the snap lock member (22), and the tamper resistant member (19) prevents a user from manipulating the stepped locking element (16) and the snap lock member (22) to open the compartment.

15. The pen needle cartridge (10) of claim 13, wherein, in the open and unlocked position of one of the plurality of compartments (14), the seal (30) is removable from the top surface of the compartment (14) to allow a user to access the pen needle (40) while simultaneously opening the compartment (14).

16. A pen assembly (1) comprising: a drug delivery pen (2) having a thread (4); and a pen needle cartridge (10) according to claim 4; wherein when the thread (4) of the drug delivery pen (2) engages the internal thread (44) of the pen needle (40), the external thread (46) of the pen needle (40) disengages the internal thread (82) of the inner shield (80).

17. A pen assembly (1) comprising: a drug delivery pen (2) having a thread (4); and a pen needle cartridge (10) according to claim 4; wherein when the thread (4) of the drug delivery pen (2) disengages the internal thread (44) of the pen needle (40), the external thread (46) of the pen needle (40) engages the internal thread (82) of the inner shield (80).

18. A pen needle cartridge (10) comprising: a plurality of compartments (14), each compartment comprising an internal thread (82), each compartment (14) having a stepped locking element and carrying a pen needle (40), the pen needle having an internal thread (44) and an external thread (46); wherein a seal (30), the seal (30) comprising a sealing portion (32) and a tab portion (34), the sealing portion (32) configured to be disposed on the top surface of each of the plurality of compartments (14) to enclose each of the pen needles (40) in the corresponding compartment (14); a plurality of compartment doors, each compartment door having a snap lock member configured to engage the stepped lock element, the plurality of compartment doors each configured to cover a corresponding compartment, and a plurality of foolproofing members (19), each foolproofing member (19) being a hollow cavity protruding from a front surface of a respective one of the plurality of compartments (14), each foolproofing member (19) shielding a respective seal (30), a stepped lock element (16), and a snap lock member (22) of the respective one of the plurality of compartments from accidental operation, wherein a distal end of the tab portion (34) is bent upward and out of a proximal end of the foolproofing member (19) such that the distal end of the tab portion (34) can be held by a user, wherein an inner thread (82) of the compartment (14) is configured to engage an outer thread (46) of the pen needle (40); and the inner thread (44) and the outer thread (46) of the pen needle (40) spiral in different directions.

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