Automatic injection device housing latch

Abstract

An automatic injection device for receiving and operating an injector to facilitate injection of a medicament into a subject, the automatic injection device including an openable cover that allows insertion and removal of the injector, a cover latch operable to lock the cover in a closed position, and a needle safety shield movable between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position. The automatic injection device is configured such that when the safety shield is in the first position, the cover latch cannot be released, thereby preventing the cover from being opened, and when the safety shield is in the second position, the cover latch can be released, thereby allowing the cover to be opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to automated injection devices for use with syringes. The invention may relate to, but is not limited to, automated injection devices for use with syringes having safety shields. Background Technology

[0002] An autoinjector is a device used to automatically receive and operate a syringe when activated by a user. An autoinjector typically includes a plunger driver and one or more drive springs. The plunger driver engages with the plunger of the syringe inserted into the autoinjector, and the drive springs are arranged to be coupled to and apply force to the plunger. To administer medication, the user holds the autoinjector against the injection site and triggers it, causing the plunger driver to drive the plunger of the syringe forward. This initially pushes the entire syringe through the injection device housing, resulting in needle insertion. The syringe body then bottoms out within the housing, causing the continuous force on the plunger to move the plunger into the medication-filled barrel of the syringe. Thus, the medication is forced through the needle into the injection site.

[0003] Some automated injection devices include a safety shield that deploys after injection. When the automated injection device is removed from the injection site, the safety shield covers the needle to prevent accidental needle pricks during post-injection procedures. However, if the automated injection device is reusable, the user still needs to remove the syringe from the device, exposing the needle and increasing the risk of injury. To minimize this risk, the syringe itself, either as a substitute for or supplement to the automated injection device, may also be equipped with a safety shield. In this case, the automated injection device has a mechanism for deploying the safety shield of the syringe.

[0004] Syringes with their own safety shields can be broadly categorized into "active" and "passive" syringes. Active syringes with safety shields typically require some action from the user to deploy the shield, such as pressing a trigger button. This action can occur during or after needle removal from the injection site. On the other hand, passive syringes with safety shields deploy their shields without any specific user action beyond the actions typically used for using the syringe. For example, during drug injection, plunger movement beyond a certain point may trigger the release of a spring-loaded safety shield, or in the case of an autoinjector, the autoinjector plunger driver may bias the safety shield toward its closed position.

[0005] To load syringes into the autoinjector, the autoinjector may be equipped with a cap, door, hatch, etc. For example, one side of the autoinjector housing may be hinged, allowing one side of the autoinjector to pivot open, thus providing access to the interior of the autoinjector for loading the syringe. Alternatively, the autoinjector housing may include a detachable rear portion that can be disconnected to provide access for loading the syringe. The cap may be held closed by a latch. To open the cap, the user typically needs to operate the latch, for example, by pressing a button to release it.

[0006] In some cases, the cap's closing movement can be used to activate (multiple) drive springs in an auto-injection device. For example, the cap's closing movement compresses (multiple) auto-injection device drive springs. When the cap is fully closed, (multiple) drive springs are fully activated, and the cap's latch prevents the cap from opening until the user operates the latch to release it. If the latch is operated before injection is complete, the force of the drive springs activated by the cap's closing movement may now act in the opposite direction to the direction of the activation movement, causing the cap to open prematurely before injection is complete.

[0007] An exemplary automated injection device is described in WO / 1170 / 064927A1. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect, an automated injection device is provided for receiving and operating a syringe to facilitate the injection of a drug into a subject. The automated injection device includes an openable cap allowing insertion and removal of the syringe, a cap latch operable to lock the cap in a closed position, and a needle safety shield movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position. The automated injection device is configured such that when the safety shield is in the first position, the cap latch cannot be released, thereby preventing the cap from being opened, and when the safety shield is in the second position, the cap latch can be released, thereby allowing the cap to be opened.

[0009] Optionally, the autoinjection device includes: a plunger driver configured to drive a plunger of the syringe received in the autoinjection device forward within the autoinjection device to operate the syringe when the autoinjection device is activated; and a housing for receiving the syringe, the housing including a channel for receiving the safety shield.

[0010] Optionally, the cover latch includes: a button operable to release the cover latch, the button including a shield engagement member movable from an external position to an internal position when the button is operated; wherein the safety shield in a first retracted position prevents the shield engagement member from moving into the channel to prevent button operation; and wherein the safety shield in a second extended position allows the shield engagement member to move into the channel to allow button operation.

[0011] Optionally, the safety shield includes a blocking surface configured to engage the shield engagement member when the safety shield is in the first retracted position to prevent the shield engagement member from moving into the channel.

[0012] Optionally, the cap includes a hook-shaped engagement member for engaging the button to lock the cap in the closed position; wherein the automatic injection device is configured such that operating the button releases the hook-shaped engagement member to allow the cap to open.

[0013] Optionally, the housing includes a pivot configured to mount the button, the button being movable about the pivot to release the hook-type engagement member when the button is operated.

[0014] Optionally, the automated injection device includes a biasing member configured to bias the shield engagement member away from the channel.

[0015] Optionally, in response to the subject pressing the front portion of the safety shield onto the injection site, the safety shield is configured to move to the first retracted position.

[0016] Optionally, in response to the subject moving the safety shield from the injection site, the safety shield is configured to move to the second extended position.

[0017] Optionally, the safety shield is configured to move to the second extended position in response to a continuous force applied by the plunger driver.

[0018] Optionally, the plunger driver is configured to lock the safety shield in the second extended position.

[0019] Optionally, the cover is configured to hinge between an open position and a closed position.

[0020] Optionally, the cover is configured to activate the drive spring of the plunger driver when it moves closed.

[0021] According to a second aspect, an automated injection device is provided, which is combined with a syringe, the syringe including a syringe safety shield configured to cover the needle of the syringe when in a closed position.

[0022] Optionally, the syringe safety shield is configured to lock in the closed position in response to a continuous force applied by the plunger driver.

[0023] According to a third aspect, a component kit is provided, comprising: an automated injection device according to the aspects described above; and a safety syringe including a syringe safety shield configured to cover the needle of the syringe when in a closed position.

[0024] Optionally, the syringe safety shield is configured to lock in the closed position in response to a continuous force applied by the plunger driver. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1a shows a view of the automated injection device.

[0027] Figure 1b shows a view of the automated injection device of Figure 1b, in which a safety syringe is received in the automated injection device.

[0028] Figure 1c shows a cross-sectional view of the automatic injection device of Figure 1b, with the cap partially closed.

[0029] Figure 1d shows a cross-sectional view of the automatic injection device of Figure 1b, with the cap in the closed position.

[0030] Figure 2a shows a plan view of the front portion of the automatic injection device of Figure 1d, with the cap release element in the unlocked position.

[0031] Figure 2b shows a plan view of the front portion of the automatic injection device of Figure 1d, with the cap release element in the locked position. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1a shows a view of an autoinjection device 100 for receiving and operating a syringe to facilitate the injection of a drug into a subject. The autoinjection device includes: a housing 101 with an openable cap 102; a plunger actuator 103 including a pair of drive springs (not shown); a removable cap 104; and a needle safety shield 105. The cap 102 is configured to open to allow insertion and removal of a syringe (e.g., a safety syringe) into and from the autoinjection device 100 prior to use. The plunger actuator 102 is configured to engage, for example, the plunger head at the rear surface of the plunger with respect to the plunger of the syringe inserted into the autoinjection device 100. The removable cap 104 covers the front end of the autoinjection device 100 prior to use. The safety shield 105 is configured to move forward and backward relative to the housing 101, for example, in response to a user pressing and releasing a front portion of the safety shield 105 extending from the front end of the autoinjection device 100 to the injection site. The autoinjection device 100 also includes a cap latch 110. The cover latch 110 is operable to lock the cover 102 in a closed position. The cover 102 includes two hook-shaped engagement members 111 configured to engage with the cover latch 110. The cover latch 110 includes a button 122 operable to release the cover latch 110.

[0033] Figure 1b shows a view of the autoinjection device of Figure 1a, in which a safety syringe 106 is received. The safety syringe 106 includes a plunger 107 configured to move forward within the autoinjection device 100 in response to a force applied thereto by a plunger driver 103, forcing the contents of the barrel 108 of the safety syringe 106 through the needle (not shown) into the injection site. The safety syringe 106 also includes a syringe safety shield 109 configured to travel forward on the barrel 108 in association with the forward movement of the plunger, disengaging from the plunger when it reaches the end of the barrel 108, and continuing to move further forward at the end of injection to cover the needle of the safety syringe 106 within the housing 100, allowing safe operation of the safety syringe 106 after injection and after removal from the autoinjection device 100.

[0034] Figure 1c shows a cross-sectional view of the automatic injection device 100 of Figure 1b, with the cover partially closed. When the cover 102 is pivoted closed toward the rest of the housing 101, the hook-type engagement member 111 moves toward the cover latch 110.

[0035] Figure 1d shows a cross-sectional view of the automatic injection device 100 of Figure 1b, with the cap fully closed. The hook-shaped portion 114 of the hook-type engaging member 111 has moved through the corresponding opening 112 in the housing 101 and the corresponding opening 113 in the cap latch button 122, thereby locking it within the button 122. When the hook-type engaging member 111 is locked to the button 122, the cap 102 cannot be opened and will therefore remain closed.

[0036] To open the cap 102, by actuating the button 122 in an inward direction toward the central axis of the automatic injection device, the hook portion 114 unlocks from the inside of the button 122, thereby disengaging the hook portion 114 from its engagement with the button 122. Thus, upon user actuation, the button 122 of the cap latch 110 can move between a first position where the cap 102 is locked to the button and cannot be opened, and a second position where the cap 102 can be opened. To prevent the hook portion 114 from accidentally unlocking prematurely from the button 122 due to accidental inward actuation of the button 122, the button 122 is provided with one or more shield engagement members 115 configured to engage with a safety shield 105. As will be described in more detail below, using the safety shield 105 to prevent movement of one or more shield engagement members 115 prevents the button 122 from moving, rendering it inoperable, and the cap latch 110 cannot be released until the safety shield 105 is removed from one or more shield engagement members 115.

[0037] Figure 2a shows an illustrative plan view of the front portion of the autoinjection device 100 of Figures 1a-1d pressed against the injection site 116. As described above, the autoinjection device 100 includes a housing 101 for receiving a syringe, a cap 102, and a cap latch 110. As described above, the cap latch 110 includes a button 122 that engages one or more hook-shaped engagement members 111 (not shown) and latches them in place to prevent the cap 102 from opening. The autoinjection device 100 may also include a biasing member 120 configured to bias the shroud engagement member 115 away from the channel 117, and the housing 101 may include one or more pivots 121 configured to mount the button 122 in the autoinjection device 100 such that the button 122 can move against bias about the pivot 121 in response to user actuation of the button 122.

[0038] The housing 101 defines a channel 117 for receiving a safety shield 105. The safety shield 105 is configured to move forward and backward in the channel 117 in response to the front portion of the safety shield 105 being pressed against the injection site. Thus, when the user presses the safety shield 105 against the injection site, the safety shield 105 moves to a first retracted position in the channel 117, as shown in FIG2a. Conversely, when the safety shield 105 moves away from the injection site, the safety shield 105 moves to a second extended position.

[0039] The cover engagement member 115 of button 122 can move from a position outside the channel 117 to a position inside the channel 117 when button 122 is operated. When the safety cover 105 is in the first retracted position, it prevents the cover engagement member 115 from moving into the channel 117, thereby preventing operation of button 122 and preventing release of cover latch 110. Conversely, when the safety cover 105 is in the second extended position, it allows the cover engagement member 115 to move into the channel 117, thereby allowing operation of button 122 and allowing release of cover latch 110.

[0040] Therefore, the safety shield 105 includes one or more blocking surfaces 118 configured to engage the shield engagement member 115 when the safety shield 105 is in a first retracted position, thereby preventing the shield engagement member 115 from moving into the channel 117. When the safety shield 105 is in a second extended position, the blocking surfaces 118 disengage from the shield engagement member, which can then be at least partially laterally moved into and out of the channel 117. By preventing the shield engagement member 115 from moving into the channel 117, the button 122 becomes inoperable because it is prevented from moving and is therefore held in a locked position until the safety shield 105 has moved from the first retracted position in the channel 117 to the second extended position. When the button 122 of the cover latch 110 is held in its locked position, the hook-shaped engagement member 111 of the cover 102 cannot disengage from the button 122, and the cover 102 is thus locked closed, while the safety shield 105 is in its first retracted position. Therefore, when the safety shield 105 presses against the injection site during injection, causing the safety shield 105 to move to its first retracted position, the cover 102 of the automatic injection device 100 cannot be accidentally opened by the user.

[0041] Once the injection is complete, the safety shield 105 can be lifted from the injection site 116, thereby allowing the safety shield 105 to move forward in the channel 117 to a second extended position, for example, under the force applied by the drive spring of the automatic injection device 100.

[0042] Figure 2b shows a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the automatic injection device 100 raised from the injection site 116, wherein the safety shield 105 has moved from a first retracted position in the channel 117 to a second extended position.

[0043] In the second extended position, one or more blocking surfaces 118 have disengaged from and moved away from one or more shield engaging members 115, allowing them to move laterally inward in response to a user, for example, by pressing inward on the button 122 of the cap latch 110. The safety shield 105 may include one or more receiving surfaces 119 configured to engage with one or more shield engaging members 115 once within the channel 117. With the button 122 actuated, the hook portion 114 of the hook-type engaging member 111 disengages from the button 122, allowing the cap 102 to open. When the cap 102 is open, the user can safely remove the syringe from the autoinjector 100.

[0044] When the safety shield 105 is in the second extended position, the front portion of the safety shield 105 covers the needle of the syringe to prevent accidental needle puncture. For example, in response to a continuous force applied by the plunger actuator, the safety shield 105 can be further locked into the second extended position covering the needle.

[0045] As used herein, the terms forward and backward refer to the needle tip and the opposite end of the autoinjection device, respectively, pressed against the user's skin. Therefore, forward and backward movement refer to the movement of the autoinjection device toward or away from the needle tip. Thus, the term forward stroke refers to the overall forward movement of the components of the autoinjection device from the starting point toward the needle tip to the ending point. For example, the forward stroke of a plunger driver thus refers to the movement toward the needle tip required to move from the starting point to the ending point. The endpoints of the forward strokes of the syringe plunger and the plunger driver may coincide or may not coincide.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will contemplate other embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0047] For example, in addition to locking the safety shield of an automated injection device, the safety shield of a safety syringe can be configured to lock in a closed position as part of the forward stroke of a plunger driver, the closed position being configured to cover the syringe needle in response to a continuous force applied by the plunger driver.

[0048] In addition, the cover latch may include multiple buttons or other actuating surfaces, such as actuating surfaces symmetrically arranged on either side of the autoinjection device. The buttons can be actuated through one or more corresponding openings in the housing of the autoinjection device.

[0049] Furthermore, the plunger actuator may include one or more drive springs, which may be compression springs, tension springs, and / or torsion springs. These drive springs may be rearwardly arranged and aligned on the same axis as the syringe received in the autoinjection device. Alternatively, one or more drive springs may be arranged below, above, or near the plane of the syringe, thereby allowing for a reduction in the overall length of the device compared to a device where one or more drive springs are rearwardly arranged on the same axis as the syringe.

[0050] Furthermore, the cover can be configured to actuate the drive spring during its opening and / or closing movement. This can be achieved, for example, by using one or more links 123, such as via a plunger actuator, to connect the cover to the drive spring. Movement of the cover in the opening or closing direction compresses or stretches the drive spring via the links 123 to actuate it. For example, the links can be slidably connected to the cover at one end and to the plunger actuator at the other. As the cover moves, the links 123 slide within a channel in the cover, thereby converting the movement of the cover when its hinge is closed into linear movement in the drive spring, thus compressing or stretching the drive spring depending on whether it is a compression spring or a tension spring.

[0051] In addition, the auto-injection device may be equipped with electronics and devices to visually or audibly indicate to the user how long the user must hold the auto-injection device in the appropriate position at the injection site at the end of the injection, and to provide a countdown timer to ensure that the user holds the auto-injection device at the injection site for the required time. The visual and / or auditory indicators may include one or more light-emitting diodes and / or a speaker configured to emit sound.

Claims

1. An autoinjection device for receiving and operating a syringe to facilitate the injection of a drug into a subject, the autoinjection device comprising an openable cap, a cap latch, and a needle safety shield, the openable cap allowing insertion and removal of the syringe, the cap latch operable to lock the cap in a closed position, the needle safety shield movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is a retracted position and wherein the second position is an extended position, the autoinjection device being configured such that when the safety shield is in the first position, the cap latch cannot be released to prevent the cap from being opened, and when the safety shield is in the second position, the cap latch can be released to allow the cap to be opened.

2. The automatic injection device according to claim 1, comprising: A plunger driver, configured to, upon activation of the autoinjection device, forward drive a plunger within the autoinjection device to operate the syringe; and A housing for receiving the syringe, the housing including a channel for receiving the safety shield.

3. The automatic injection device according to claim 2, wherein, The cover latch includes: A button operable to release the cover latch, the button including a shield engagement member that, when the button is operated, can move from a position outside the channel to a position inside the channel; The safety shield in the first position prevents the shield engagement member from moving into the channel to prevent button operation; and The safety shield in the second position allows the shield engagement member to move into the channel to allow the button to be operated.

4. The automatic injection device according to claim 3, in, The safety shield includes a blocking surface configured to engage the shield engagement member when the safety shield is in the first position to prevent the shield engagement member from moving into the channel.

5. The automatic injection device according to claim 3, in, The cover includes a hook-shaped engagement member for engaging the button to lock the cover in the closed position; The automatic injection device is configured such that operating the button releases the hook-shaped engagement member to allow the cap to open.

6. The automatic injection device according to claim 5, wherein, The housing includes a pivot configured to mount the button, the button being movable about the pivot to release the hook-type engagement member when the button is operated.

7. The automated injection apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the shield engagement member away from the channel.

8. The automatic injection device according to claim 2, wherein, In response to the subject pressing the front portion of the safety shield onto the injection site, the safety shield is configured to move to the first position.

9. The automatic injection device according to claim 8, wherein, In response to the subject moving the safety shield from the injection site, the safety shield is configured to move to the second position.

10. The automatic injection device according to claim 8, wherein, In response to the subject moving the safety shield from the injection site, and in response to the continuous force applied by the plunger driver, the safety shield is configured to move to the second position.

11. The automatic injection device according to claim 10, wherein, The plunger driver is configured to lock the safety shield in the second position.

12. The automatic injection device according to claim 1, wherein, The cover is configured to hinge between an open position and a closed position.

13. The automatic injection device according to claim 2, wherein, The cover is configured to activate the drive spring of the plunger driver when it moves closed.

14. The automatic injection device of claim 1, wherein the automatic injection device is combined with a syringe, the syringe including a syringe safety guard configured to cover the needle of the syringe when in a closed position.

15. The automatic injection device of claim 2, wherein the automatic injection device is combined with a syringe, the syringe including a syringe safety guard configured to cover the needle of the syringe when in a closed position. in, The syringe safety shield is configured to lock in the closed position in response to a continuous force applied by the plunger driver.

16. A component kit comprising: The automatic injection device according to claim 2; and A safety syringe, the safety syringe including a syringe safety shield configured to cover the needle of the syringe when in a closed position.

17. The component kit according to claim 16, wherein, The syringe safety shield is configured to lock in the closed position in response to a continuous force applied by the plunger driver.

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