Automatic injector having cassette

Abstract

To provide an improved cassette and an automatic injector system.SOLUTION: There is provided an improved automatic injector 1000 receiving a cassette 500 having a medicine, and adapted so as to administer the medicine in the cassette to a patient. The automatic injector is extensible from a proximal end to a distal end along a longer direction, and the cassette is removably received within the automatic injector along the longer direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved cassette and autoinjector system. [Background technology]

[0002] Autoinjectors for drug delivery to patients come in many varieties depending on the type of drug to be delivered to the patient. Assembly of the autoinjector and the cassette to obtain a good fit between the two parts can often only be ensured if the two parts are aligned in a specific manner. The same applies to the assembly of the individual parts in the cassette and the autoinjector.

[0003] If the auto-injector is a reusable item into which a cassette is inserted, the user must ensure that all operating parts are in perfect function to extend the life of the auto-injector. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Throughout this specification, all references to a proximal direction or proximal surfaces refer to parts, surfaces, and the like oriented in the direction of insertion, i.e., in the direction of the insertion needle and the outer portion of the auto-injector that contacts the skin during injection of a medication. Movement of parts in the proximal direction and / or adjacent refers to movement in the direction in which the insertion needle and the outer portion of the auto-injector contact the skin during injection of a medication.

[0005] Similarly, all references to a distal direction or distal surface refer to parts, surfaces, and the like that are directed away from the direction of the insertion needle, i.e., toward the user. Movement of parts in and / or toward the distal direction refers to movement away from the insertion needle and toward the direction in which the outer part of the auto-injector contacts the skin during injection of a medication, i.e., toward the user.

[0006] In a first aspect, disclosed herein is an auto-injector adapted to receive a cassette having a medicament and administer the medicament in the cassette to a patient, the auto-injector extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the cassette being removably received within the auto-injector along the longitudinal direction, the auto-injector further comprising one or more cassette interacting components adapted to secure and lock the cassette within the auto-injector and facilitate administration of the medicament, the one or more cassette interacting components configured to move parallel to the longitudinal axis of the auto-injector.

[0007] By removably received is meant a disposable cassette that can be received within a reusable auto-injector. The disposable cassette can be a single-use cassette or a cassette with multiple doses.

[0008] The movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the autoinjector ensures that minimal stress is generated in the autoinjector. This increases the lifespan of the autoinjector. Furthermore, a thinner design can be obtained by the movement of the cassette interacting parts parallel to the longitudinal axis of the autoinjector. The autoinjector and the cassette may be configured to be in contact with the autoinjector and the cassette may be configured to share the same longitudinal axis, reducing the risk of the cassette becoming jammed internally within the injector. This helps to make the connection as thin as possible and the autoinjector as robust as possible.

[0009] Disclosed herein in a second aspect is an auto-injector adapted to receive a cassette having a medicament and administer the medicament, the cassette being removably received within the auto-injector, the auto-injector comprising a housing extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a plurality of internal syringe components disposed within the housing, the housing comprising: a cassette cover section that extends to cover at least a portion of the cassette when received within the syringe; a distal section that extends over the internal syringe components within the housing before the cassette is secured within the syringe.

[0010] By covering the inner syringe part it is meant covering the inner syringe part along a direction extending longitudinally of the inner syringe part.

[0011] By having two sections, the autoinjector can be configured such that the cassette is in contact with the autoinjector at the proximal end of the internal syringe part and the cassette shares the same longitudinal axis with the autoinjector. This reduces the risk of the cassette getting stuck in the syringe and also helps to make the connection as thin as possible. Also, the two-section construction, where only the cassette needs to be placed in the cassette cover section, can block user access to the internal parts in the autoinjector. This also reduces the ingress of impurities / dust into the autoinjector internal parts, which in turn makes it easier to keep the autoinjector clean, since there are no grooves to collect, for example, dirt and dust. Thereby, a more robust autoinjector is obtained. This increases the lifespan of the autoinjector.

[0012] Disclosed herein in a third aspect is an automatic injector adapted to receive a cassette having a medicament and administer the medicament, the automatic injector comprising a housing extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the housing comprising: a cassette cover section that extends over the cassette when received within the syringe; a distal section extending over all internal injector parts, the automatic injector comprising a cassette abutment surface adapted to abut a distal end of the cassette when secured within the automatic injector; a distal section, the cassette abutment surface defining a proximal end plane beyond which the internal syringe components do not extend substantially proximally prior to assembly of the cassette and the autoinjector.

[0013] By covering the inner syringe part it is meant covering the inner syringe part along a direction extending longitudinally of the inner syringe part.

[0014] Substantially this includes situations where only a small portion of the internal syringe part protrudes a small amount, such as up to 2%, 5%, or 10% proximally relative to the cassette abutment surface. In some instances, the part does not protrude proximally.

[0015] Prior to assembling the cassette and the autoinjector, the internal syringe parts have a cassette abutment surface that does not extend substantially proximally, providing a smooth internal and cassette interface, which reduces the risk of the cassette becoming jammed internally within the syringe. The cassette abutment surface may also block user access to the internal parts within the autoinjector. This also reduces the ingress of impurities / dirt into the autoinjector internal parts, which in turn makes it easier to keep the autoinjector clean, as there are no grooves to collect, for example, dirt and dust. A more robust autoinjector is thereby obtained. The life of the autoinjector is then extended.

[0016] In one or more examples, the cassette abutment surface defines a proximal end planar surface that is substantially free of a cavity and extends distally therefrom to the distal section.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the housing encloses an internal syringe component, the internal syringe component including at least a piston, a drive module adapted to move the piston proximally, and a chassis, the internal syringe component being defined by a proximal end planar surface and a distal end planar surface, and the automatic injector comprising a noise reducing material at both the proximal end planar surface and the distal end planar surface of the internal component.

[0018] In a fourth aspect, disclosed herein is an auto-injector adapted to receive a cassette having a medicament and to administer the medicament, the cassette being removably received in the auto-injector, the auto-injector comprising a housing enclosing an internal syringe part, the internal syringe part including at least a piston, a drive module adapted to move the piston proximally, and a chassis, the internal syringe part being defined by a proximal end planar face and a distal end planar face, the auto-injector including noise reducing material at both the proximal end planar face and the distal end planar face of the internal part.

[0019] The noise reduction material improves the user experience by reducing, if not eliminating, sounds during use that may be bothersome to the user. The first noise reduction material is disposed between the cassette and the internal injector parts, i.e., the proximal end plane, and can attenuate noises that occur when the autoinjector parts move to contact and / or act on the cassette parts. The autoinjector housing may also include a distal housing end plate on which a second noise reduction material is disposed. Thus, the second noise reduction material may be disposed between the distal end planes of the distal housing end plate. This attenuates noises primarily by distally moving the autoinjector parts and / or the cassette that transmits forces to the autoinjector.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the drive module is further adapted to move the piston distally such that after an end of medication delivery, the drive module moves the piston distally to reset the auto-injector ready to deliver a new dose of medication when a new cassette is attached to the auto-injector.

[0021] In one or more examples, the noise reducing material is one or more O-rings. Alternatively or complementary, the noise reducing material is a soft material, such as rubber.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the proximal end plane extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the auto-injector.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the automatic injector comprises one or more cassette interaction components adapted to secure and immobilize the cassette within the automatic injector and facilitate administration of a medication, wherein the one or more cassette interaction components do not extend proximally from the proximal end plane prior to securing the cassette within the automatic injector.

[0024] In one or more examples, the one or more cassette interaction components are adapted to move in a proximal direction after the cassette is placed within the automatic injector, such that at least a portion of one or more of the cassette interaction components extends proximally from a proximal end plane within the automatic injector.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, each of the cassette interacting components is adapted to move through the proximal end plane independently of another one of the cassette interacting components.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the one or more cassette interacting components may include a piston configured for proximal movement of a stopper included in the cassette and one or more syringe pins; A first cassette locking pin; one or more syringe pins, including a skin sensor pin.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the one or more cassette interacting components include a cassette detection pin. The cassette detection pin may be replaced by other detection means such as a magnetic detection system, for example a magnet on the cassette and the auto-injector surface in contact with each other and a corresponding Hall sensor inside the chassis. Alternatively, the cassette may have a pin that contacts a surface on the injector, whereby detection of the cassette is registered to the auto-injector.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the one or more injector pins further include a second cassette locking pin. The terms "first" and "second" cassette locking pin are only meant to denote the presence of two pins. The pins may perform the same action depending on the orientation of the cassette when inserted into the autoinjector. Thus, both pins may function, for example, to lock the cassette into the autoinjector and / or to release the cassette parts to allow delivery of the medicament and / or to lock the cassette parts relative to each other after delivery of the medicament, for example, to prevent evaluation into the injection needle after delivery of the medicament. If the autoinjector is designed to allow insertion of the cassette only when the autoinjector is oriented in a specific manner, fewer pins are needed. If the autoinjector is designed to allow insertion of the cassette when oriented in multiple ways compared to the autoinjector, additional pins are typically needed. The pins may be arranged in a mirror image configuration that allows insertion of the cassette when the cassette is rotated 180 degrees.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the auto-injector includes a chassis having a proximal chassis portion at a proximal end of the chassis. The proximal chassis portion is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the auto-injector. The proximal chassis portion can be circular, oval, square, square with rounded corners, or a similar plate. The proximal chassis portion can be symmetrical about at least one mirror image plane.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the proximal chassis portion comprises one or more openings adapted to allow passage of an injector pin or piston therethrough after or during installation of the cassette within the auto-injector. The proximal chassis portion may further comprise an opening having a U-shape adapted to limit movement of any cassette parts distally beyond the proximal end plane. U-shapes also include U's with sharp corners.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the one or more openings include: a piston opening that allows the auto-injector piston to pass therethrough; a first pin opening for allowing a first cassette locking pin to pass therethrough; a third pin opening for allowing a skin sensor pin of an auto-injector to pass therethrough.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the one or more openings further comprise a second pin opening for allowing passage of a first cassette skin sensor pin carried on the cassette. The second pin opening can be a U-shaped opening having an end face that limits distal movement of the first cassette sensor pin and, therefore, the cassette skin sensor within the auto-injector.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the one or more openings further comprise a fourth pin opening for allowing a second cassette locking pin to pass therethrough. As noted above, the definition of a "first" and a "second" locking pin may be defined depending on the orientation of the cassette when it is inserted into the auto-injector.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the one or more openings further comprise a fifth opening to allow a cassette detector pin to pass therethrough. The cassette detector pin may be replaced by an alternative cassette detection system, eliminating the need for the fifth opening to be eliminated.

[0035] In one or more examples, the auto-injector includes a drive module adapted to move the piston in a proximal direction along the longitudinal axis. The drive module may be further adapted to move the piston in a distal direction along the longitudinal axis.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the drive module is further configured to move the first cassette locking pin, and / or the skin sensor pin, and / or the second cassette locking pin proximally along the longitudinal axis. Further, the first cassette locking pin and the second cassette locking pin can be locked to a piston such that the piston and the cassette locking pin move together along the longitudinal axis.

[0037] Disclosed herein in a sixth aspect is a system comprising a cassette having a medicament and an auto-injector for administering the medicament, the cassette being removably received within the auto-injector; The automatic injector comprises a housing extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the housing comprising a cassette covering section for covering the cassette when received within the injector, the cassette covering section comprising at least one opening extending longitudinally of the housing; The cassette extends along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end and includes a cassette housing having at least: a syringe compartment containing a medication and adapted to connect with a needle for delivering the medication; a stopper movable from a distal position to a proximal position within the syringe compartment to empty the syringe compartment; the cassette housing including at least one opening extending along a longitudinal axis of the cassette housing; The openings in the cassette housing and the openings in the cassette shroud section are a system that align when the cassette is placed inside the auto-injector to facilitate inspection of the medication in the syringe compartment.

[0038] The openings also include openings covered by a see-through material, i.e., window-type openings. The openings allow for easy inspection of the medication. Additionally, aligned openings allow for user-friendly assembly and guidance of the cassette into the auto-injector.

[0039] In one or more examples, the cassette cover section and the cassette housing each include two openings extending longitudinally on either side of the housing and the cassette housing, respectively, that align when the cassette is placed inside the auto-injector to facilitate inspection of the medication in the syringe compartment from two opposing directions. The openings may be formed as U-shaped openings extending into the housing. This allows the user to see through the entire device, thereby allowing more light to shine through the syringe compartment to provide a better view of possible miscoloration and possibly particulates in the medication contained within the syringe compartment.

[0040] In one or more examples, the cassette shroud section includes internal longitudinal parallel guide tracks configured to guide the cassette into the correct position when the cassette is inserted into the cassette shroud section, allowing easy guidance of the cassette within the auto-injector to ensure correct placement within the injector.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the cassette cover section includes an internal guide track parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the interior guide track forms part of one or more openings within the cassette shroud section of the auto-injector housing.

[0043] The cassette receiving chassis, the piston, and the drive module are provided within a housing of the auto-injector. The cassette is removably received within the auto-injector.

[0044] Disclosed herein in a fifth aspect is a system comprising an auto-injector according to any of the above aspects and a cassette, the cassette comprising: a syringe compartment containing a medicament and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end being adapted to be connected with a needle allowing the medicament to exit the syringe compartment; a stopper, movable from a distal position to a proximal position within the syringe compartment by a piston in the auto-injector which moves the stopper proximally to empty the syringe compartment; a syringe holder extending around at least a portion of the syringe compartment.

[0045] The needle can be a hollow needle that is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the syringe compartment and connected to the syringe as part of the syringe. Alternatively, a luer lock needle can be connected to the syringe prior to injection of the medicament. As yet another alternative, the syringe system has a stopper terminated at its distal end and a rubber septum at its proximal end, with a piercing needle at the distal end that pierces the septum when attached to the syringe and the end of the proximal needle piercing into the skin of the patient.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the cassette further comprises a hollow needle in fluid communication with the proximal end of the syringe compartment. Additionally, the cassette may include a rigid needle shield connected to the proximal end of the syringe compartment and adapted to cover the hollow needle. The hollow needle may be part of the cassette or may be connected to a syringe within the cassette prior to drug delivery. The latter may be the case where a luer lock or needle system pierces a septum within the syringe when connected to the cassette as described above.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, the cassette further comprises a cassette cap and a cassette skin sensor. In one or more embodiments, the cassette cap comprises a first portion disposed between the rigid needle shield and the proximal end of the syringe compartment. The first portion can alternatively have a "hook" with a sharp edge that cuts into the side of the rigid needle shield instead of at its distal end. Other alternatives are also possible.

[0048] Therefore, the cassette is a syringe compartment containing a medicament and extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a hollow needle in fluid connection with the proximal end of the syringe compartment; a rigid needle shield connected to the proximal end of the syringe section and covering the hollow needle; a stopper, movable from a distal position to a proximal position inside the syringe compartment by a piston that moves the stopper proximally to empty the syringe compartment; and a syringe holder extending around at least a portion of the syringe compartment; and a cassette cap having a first portion disposed between the rigid needle shield and the proximal end of the syringe compartment; A cassette skin sensor may be included.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the syringe section, hollow needle, and stopper are part of a syringe. The syringe can be secured within a syringe holder at a distal end of the syringe.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the cassette interfaces with the auto-injector sharing the same longitudinal axis at the distal end of the cassette, which helps to reduce the risk of the cassette becoming stuck in the injector and also helps make the connection as smooth as possible.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the cassette is adapted to be received within the auto-injector by moving the cassette and the auto-injector toward each other along a shared longitudinal axis, without significant rotation of the cassette about the shared longitudinal axis.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, the cassette is locked to the auto-injector when the drive module moves the first cassette locking pin proximally. The second cassette locking pin can additionally or alternatively lock the cassette in the auto-injector by proximal movement of the second cassette locking pin. The cassette locking pins may move simultaneously or individually. The cassette locking pins may also move with the piston, for example, by locking / connecting three pins together.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, when the drive module moves the first cassette locking pin further proximally, the cassette skin sensor is adapted to unlock distally from the syringe holder to allow distal movement of the cassette skin sensor. The second cassette locking pin can additionally or alternatively unlock the syringe holder by further proximal movement of the second cassette locking pin. The cassette locking pins may move simultaneously or individually. The cassette locking pins may also move with the piston, for example, by locking / connecting three pins together. Thus, when the drive module moves the second cassette locking pin further proximally, the cassette skin sensor may be adapted to unlock proximally from the syringe holder to allow proximal movement of the cassette skin sensor relative to the syringe holder.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, when the drive module moves the piston proximally, the second cassette locking pin is adapted to also unlock for movement of the cassette skin sensor.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a skin sensor spring system adapted to press the skin sensor pin of the auto-injector against the second cassette skin sensor pin at least after release of the cassette skin sensor from the syringe holder by proximal movement of the first cassette locking pin and / or the second cassette locking pin.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the skin sensor spring system is adapted to urge the cassette skin sensor proximally into a locked position to prevent distal movement of the cassette skin sensor. This ensures that the needle is not exposed after final delivery of the drug. The cassette skin sensor can be urged into a locked position that prevents distal movement of the cassette skin sensor. Distal locking can be facilitated by a cassette skin sensor arm, whose locking surface locks into an inner opening in the cassette housing. Proximal movement of the cassette skin sensor can also be prevented, for example, by an additional set of housing skin sensor surfaces.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, the syringe holder comprises a syringe holder support tube that supports the syringe compartment.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the cassette skin sensor covers at least a portion of the syringe holder, such as a majority of the syringe holder.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the cassette skin sensor includes at least a first skin sensor pin and / or a second skin sensor pin extending from a distal end of the cassette skin sensor.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the syringe holder comprises: a first pin opening that allows a first cassette locking pin of the auto-injector to pass therethrough; a second pin opening to allow passage of the first cassette skin sensor pin; a third pin opening for allowing the auto-injector skin sensor pin and / or the second cassette skin sensor pin to pass therethrough; a fourth pin opening that allows a second cassette locking pin of the auto-injector to pass therethrough; a piston opening that allows an auto-injector piston to pass therethrough; and one or more openings selected from the group consisting of:

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the syringe holder comprises a syringe holder plate, and one or more of the piston opening and / or the pin opening are disposed in the syringe holder plate.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the syringe holder includes a first syringe holder arm extending proximally from the syringe holder plate.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the first syringe holder arm has a proximal surface and the cassette skin sensor has a first locking projection that engages with the proximal surface, and engagement between the first locking projection and the proximal surface prevents the cassette skin sensor from moving toward the syringe holder.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the first syringe holder arm is flexibly connected to the syringe holder plate.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, the first syringe holder arm is deflectable by proximal movement of a first cassette locking pin of the auto-injector through a first pin opening in the syringe holder, and deflection of the first syringe holder arm releases and moves the cassette skin sensor toward the syringe holder.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, as the cassette skin sensor moves towards the syringe holder: - the first cassette skin sensor pin enters / extends into the second pin opening in the syringe holder; and - A second cassette skin sensor pin enters / extends into a third pin opening in the syringe holder.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the syringe holder includes a second syringe holder arm extending proximally from the syringe holder plate.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, the second syringe holder arm has a distal surface and the cassette skin sensor has a second locking protrusion against which the distal surface rests, and engagement between the second locking protrusion and the distal surface prevents movement of the cassette skin sensor away from the syringe holder.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, the second syringe holder arm is flexibly connected to the syringe holder plate.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, the second syringe holder arm is deflectable by proximal movement of a second cassette locking pin of the auto-injector through a fourth pin opening in the syringe holder, and deflection of the second syringe holder arm allows the cassette skin sensor to move away from the syringe holder.

[0071] In one or more embodiments, the syringe holder further comprises one or more syringe locking protrusions that lock the syringe within the cassette.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, when the cassette is placed in the auto-injector, the syringe holder, and therefore the cassette, is locked to the auto-injector housing.

[0073] In one or more embodiments, the syringe holder and the skin sensor are longitudinally movable relative to one another upon release of the skin sensor from the syringe holder.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the cassette further comprises a cassette housing extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the cassette housing enclosing at least the syringe holder and the cassette skin sensor.

[0075] In one or more embodiments, the cassette housing includes one or more locking openings at a distal end within which one or more syringe holder locking protrusions on the syringe holder lock the syringe holder to the cassette housing.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, the cassette housing includes one or more internal protruding rails on the interior of the cassette housing for guiding the skin sensor within the cassette housing.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, the cassette housing includes a distal end surface having a skin sensor housing opening through which the cassette skin sensor extends.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the cassette housing is oval shaped.

[0079] In one or more embodiments, the cassette cap comprises an inner rigid needle shield tube having a first portion and an outer rigid needle shield tube; The outer rigid needle shield tube surrounds the inner rigid needle shield tube, An inner rigid needle shield tube surrounds the rigid needle shield.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the outer rigid needle shield tube abuts a distal end face of the cassette housing, and the proximal end of the cassette skin sensor is disposed between the inner rigid needle shield tube and the outer rigid needle shield tube.

[0081] In one or more embodiments, the cassette cap is removable from the syringe compartment, and when the cassette cap is removed, the rigid needle shield follows, thereby exposing the hollow needle.

[0082] In one or more embodiments, the cassette cap is an elongated tube disposed between the syringe and the cassette skin sensor.

[0083] In one or more embodiments, the cassette cap includes at least one holder pin extending from a distal end of the cassette cap.

[0084] In one or more embodiments, upon proximal movement of a cassette cap pin in the auto-injector against at least one holder pin, the cassette cap, and thereby the rigid needle shield, is pushed proximally to release the rigid needle shield.

[0085] In one or more embodiments, the cassette shroud section includes at least one opening extending longitudinally of the housing, the cassette housing includes at least one opening extending along a longitudinal axis of the cassette housing, and when the cassette is placed within the auto-injector, the at least one opening in the cassette housing and the at least one opening in the cassette shroud section are aligned to facilitate inspection of the medication in the syringe compartment, including openings covered by a see-through material, i.e., window-type openings.

[0086] In one or more examples, the cassette cover section and the cassette housing each include two openings extending longitudinally on either side of the housing and the cassette housing, respectively, that align when the cassette is placed inside the auto-injector to facilitate inspection of the medication in the syringe compartment from two opposing directions. The openings may be formed as U-shaped openings extending into the housing. This allows the user to see through the entire device, thereby allowing more light to shine through the syringe compartment to provide a better view of possible miscoloration and possibly particulates in the medication contained within the syringe compartment.

[0087] In one or more examples, the cassette housing and the autoinjector housing have a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cassette housing and the autoinjector housing, the cross-sectional plane being a non-circular shape, such as an elliptical or square shape. By cross-sectional plane is meant a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. An elliptical shape includes cross-sectional planes in which two perpendicular radii differ by at least 10%, such as 20%, such as 30%, and up to 50%.

[0088] In one or more examples, the cassette shroud section includes internal longitudinally parallel guide tracks configured to guide the cassette into the correct position when the cassette is inserted into the cassette shroud section, thereby easily guiding the cassette within the auto-injector to ensure correct placement within the injector.

[0089] In one or more embodiments, the interior guide track forms part of an opening in the interior of the cassette shroud section of the auto-injector housing.

[0090] In one or more embodiments, the cassette receiving chassis extends from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end of the chassis comprising a proximal chassis portion, the proximal chassis portion comprising: a piston opening that allows the auto-injector piston to pass therethrough; a first pin opening for allowing a first cassette locking pin to pass therethrough; a second pin opening to allow passage of the first cassette skin sensor pin; A third pin opening, - the passage of the skin sensor pin of the auto-injector; and / or a third pin opening for allowing the second cassette skin sensor pin to pass therethrough; a fourth pin opening for allowing the second cassette locking pin to pass therethrough; a fifth opening for allowing the cassette detection pin to pass therethrough; and

[0091] In one or more embodiments, the second pin opening is a well-shaped opening having an end face that limits distal movement of the first cassette sensor pin, and therefore the cassette skin sensor, inside the auto-injector.

[0092] In one or more embodiments, the drive module is further configured to proximally move the first cassette locking pin, the skin sensor pin, the second cassette locking pin, and the cassette detection pin.

[0093] In one or more embodiments, when the drive module moves the first cassette locking pin proximally, the cassette skin sensor is unlocked distally from the syringe holder to allow distal movement of the cassette skin sensor, and the unlocking of the cassette skin sensor locks the cassette in the auto-injector.

[0094] In one or more embodiments, when the drive module moves the piston proximally for drug delivery, the second cassette locking pin is also unlocked for proximal movement of the cassette skin sensor after drug delivery and / or removal of the autoinjector from the patient's skin.

[0095] In one or more embodiments, the auto-injector further comprises a skin sensor spring system that presses the skin sensor pin of the auto-injector against the second cassette skin sensor pin after the cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder by proximal movement of at least the first and second cassette locking pins.

[0096] In one or more embodiments, a skin sensor spring system urges the cassette skin sensor proximally in a locked position that prevents distal movement of the cassette skin sensor.

[0097] In one or more embodiments, the housing is in one piece having a proximal opening for receiving the cassette.

[0098] Disclosed herein in a seventh aspect is a method for assembling a cassette for use in an auto-injector, the method comprising: assembling an outer cassette portion comprising a cassette housing and a cassette cap by connecting a proximal end of the cassette housing to a distal end of the cassette cap; - inserting a proximal end of the inner cassette part into a distal end of the outer cassette part and pushing the inner cassette part into the outer cassette part such that a majority of the inner cassette part is covered by the outer cassette part.

[0099] This method allows for very easy assembly of the cassette, which can be unsealed and atomized. The method also allows for the cassette to be assembled in one location from which it can be shipped to a different location for the subsequent step of inserting a syringe into the cassette. This allows the cassette to be used with a variety of syringes containing different medicaments.

[0100] In one or more embodiments, the inner cassette portion comprises a comprising a syringe holder. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes assembling the inner cassette portion comprising the syringe holder and the cassette skin sensor by inserting a proximal end of the syringe holder into a distal end of the cassette skin sensor and pushing the syringe holder into the cassette skin sensor such that a portion of the syringe holder is covered by the cassette skin sensor. Assembly of the outer cassette portion and the inner cassette portion can be performed simultaneously or in a random order.

[0101] In one or more embodiments, the portion of the syringe holder covered by the cassette skin sensor constitutes at least 10%, such as at least 20%, such as at least 30%, such as at least 40%, such as at least 50%.

[0102] In one or more embodiments, the cassette cap extends from a distal end to a proximal end along a longitudinal axis, and the method further includes disposing the cassette cap within the first mounting portion with the longitudinal axis oriented in an upward direction such that the distal end is positioned over the proximal end prior to assembly of the outer cassette portion.

[0103] In one or more embodiments, the cassette cap is placed and maintained in position within the first fitting while assembling the outer cassette portion.

[0104] In one or more embodiments, the cassette skin sensor extends from a distal end to a proximal end along a longitudinal axis, and the method further includes disposing the cassette skin sensor in a second mounting portion with the distal end disposed in an upward orientation such that the distal end is positioned above the proximal end prior to assembly of the inner cassette portion.

[0105] In one or more embodiments, the cassette skin sensor is disposed and maintained within the second mounting portion while assembling the inner cassette portion.

[0106] In one or more examples, the inner cassette portion is inserted into the outer cassette portion, while the outer cassette portion is disposed within the first mounting portion. The first and second mounting portions can be integral mounting portions or separate mounting portions. The first mounting portion can include, for example, a first portion of a mounting portion, a second mounting portion, and a second portion of the same mounting portion. By using the mounting portions, a large number of parts can be assembled at once.

[0107] The cassette housing may extend along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end. The method may also include orienting the cassette housing in an upward orientation such that the proximal end is disposed over the distal end prior to assembly of the outer cassette portion, and inverting the cassette housing so that the distal end faces upward for assembly of the cassette housing and the cassette cap.

[0108] In one or more embodiments, the syringe holder includes one or more syringe locking protrusions, and the method further includes securing the syringe within the inner cassette portion by inserting a proximal end of the syringe into a distal end of the inner cassette portion and pushing the syringe into the inner cassette portion to move the one or more syringe locking protrusions to lock the syringe within the inner cassette. If the cassette housing does not have a cassette locking protrusion, the syringe may be frictionally secured within the syringe holder.

[0109] In one or more embodiments, the syringe extends from a proximal end to a distal end; a syringe compartment containing a medicament and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end being adapted to be connected with a needle allowing the medicament to exit the syringe compartment; A stopper adapted to be moved from a distal position to a proximal position within the syringe compartment.

[0110] The needle can be a hollow needle that is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the syringe compartment and is connected to the syringe as part of the syringe. Alternatively, a luer lock needle can be connected to the syringe prior to injection of the medicament. As yet another alternative, the syringe system has a cartridge that terminates at its distal end and a stopper at its proximal end with a rubber septum, with a piercing needle at the distal end that pierces the septum when attached to the syringe and the end of the proximal needle that pierces into the skin of the patient.

[0111] In one or more embodiments, the syringe further comprises a hollow needle in fluid communication with the proximal end of the syringe compartment. The syringe may also comprise a rigid needle shield connected to the proximal end of the syringe compartment and adapted to cover the hollow needle. The hollow needle may be part of the cassette or may be connected to the syringe in the cassette prior to drug delivery. The latter may be the case where a luer lock or needle system pierces a septum in the syringe when connected to the cassette as described above.

[0112] In this example, the syringe may be, for example, a 2.25 ml syringe.

[0113] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes inserting a proximal end of the cassette sleeve into a distal end of the syringe holder and, before or immediately after inserting the syringe holder into the cassette skin sensor, pushing the cassette sleeve into the syringe holder such that a majority of the cassette sleeve is covered by the syringe holder, thereby forming a portion of the inner cassette portion.

[0114] In one or more embodiments, the cassette sleeve includes a proximally extending deflectable sleeve arm.

[0115] In one or more embodiments, the syringe includes a hollow needle and a rigid needle shield, and the deflectable sleeve arm deflects into an opening in the syringe holder and cassette skin sensor when the syringe is inserted into the inner cassette portion, allowing the rigid needle shield to pass through the deflectable sleeve arm.

[0116] In one or more embodiments, the deflectable sleeve arm relaxes into a position between the rigid needle shield and the syringe compartment after the rigid needle shield has passed the deflectable sleeve arm.

[0117] In one or more embodiments, after the deflectable sleeve arm relaxes to a position between the rigid needle shield and the syringe compartment, the syringe is pushed further proximally before locking it to the cassette and the cassette sleeve rotates into a position where the sleeve arm cannot deflect. The cassette sleeve may include at least one sleeve locking protrusion that contacts at least one inner helical surface portion inside the syringe holder when the syringe is pushed proximally. The helical shape of the at least one inner helical surface portion rotates the cassette sleeve. The rotation may be 70-110 degrees, such as 80-100 degrees, such as 85-95 degrees, such as approximately 90 degrees.

[0118] In one or more embodiments, rotation of the cassette sleeve rotates the cassette sleeve to a position that allows a viewer to view the medication inside the syringe.

[0119] In one or more embodiments, the syringe is inserted into the inner cassette portion while the outer cassette portion assembled with the inner cassette portion is disposed within the first fitting.

[0120] The cassette cap may include a first portion disposed between the rigid needle shield and the proximal end of the syringe compartment when the syringe is disposed within the inner cassette portion, and an inner rigid needle shield tube having the first portion and an outer rigid needle shield tube, the outer rigid needle shield tube surrounding the inner rigid needle shield tube, and the inner rigid needle shield tube surrounding the rigid needle shield.

[0121] The first portion of the cassette cap may extend into the cassette housing opening when the outer cassette portions are assembled.

[0122] Any of the above features described in connection with a particular aspect / embodiment is not limited to that aspect / embodiment and may be implemented in any other embodiment, even if not so illustrated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0123] Various embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. Similar reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout. Thus, similar elements will not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the drawings are intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation of the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, the illustrated examples do not necessarily have all aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or advantage described in connection with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and may be implemented in any other embodiment, even if not so illustrated.

[0124] [Figure 1A] An example of a cassette is shown in an exploded perspective view. [Figure 1B] 1B shows an enlarged view of the syringe holder in the cassette in FIG. 1A from a different direction. [Figure 1C] 1B shows a close-up view of the syringe holder in the cassette in FIG. 1A from another different direction. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1B shows a cutaway view of the assembled cassette of FIG. 1A. [Diagram 3] 1 shows an example of an autoinjector for receiving a cassette such as that shown in FIGS. 1-2, the autoinjector being shown in an exploded view. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the auto-injector of FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the auto-injector of FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 shows an enlarged view of the chassis shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6A] 6A-6C are cutaway views of the auto-injector of FIGS. 3-5 with a cassette as shown in FIGS. 1-2 in different positions during loading and locking of the cassette within the auto-injector. [Figure 6B] 6A-6C are cutaway views of the auto-injector of FIGS. 3-5 with a cassette as shown in FIGS. 1-2 in different positions during loading and locking of the cassette within the auto-injector. [Figure 6C] 6A-6C are cutaway views of the auto-injector of FIGS. 3-5 with a cassette as shown in FIGS. 1-2 in different positions during loading and locking of the cassette within the auto-injector. [Figure 6D] FIG. 1 shows an auto-injector with a cassette in a perspective view. [Figure 7A] 1-2. FIG. 6 illustrates the process of releasing the cassette skin sensor from the syringe holder in the cassette of FIGS. 1-2 by the autoinjector of FIGS. [Figure 7B] 1-2. FIG. 6 illustrates the process of releasing the cassette skin sensor from the syringe holder in the cassette of FIGS. 1-2 by the autoinjector of FIGS. [Figure 7C] 1-2. FIG. 6 illustrates the process of releasing the cassette skin sensor from the syringe holder in the cassette of FIGS. 1-2 by the autoinjector of FIGS. [Figure 7D] 13 shows the locking of the cassette skin sensor in the proximal position after delivery of the drug. [Figure 7E] 13 shows the locking of the cassette skin sensor in the proximal position after delivery of the drug. [Figure 7F] 13 shows the locking of the cassette skin sensor in the proximal position after delivery of the drug. [Figure 7G]A cassette skin sensor viewed from a different angle compared to Figures 7A-F. [Figure 8A] Assembly of the outer cassette section is shown. [Figure 8B] Assembly of the outer cassette section is shown. [Figure 9A] Assembly of the inner cassette portion is shown. [Figure 9B] Assembly of the inner cassette portion is shown. [Figure 9C] Assembly of the inner cassette portion is shown. [Figure 9D] 9D shows a cutaway view of the inner cassette portion of FIG. 9C. [Figure 10A] Figures 8A-C show the assembly of a cassette comprising an outer cassette part and Figures 9A-D show the assembly of a cassette comprising an inner cassette part. [Figure 10B] Figures 8A-C show the assembly of a cassette comprising an outer cassette part and Figures 9A-D show the assembly of a cassette comprising an inner cassette part. [Figure 10C] Figures 8A-C show the assembly of a cassette comprising an outer cassette part and Figures 9A-D show the assembly of a cassette comprising an inner cassette part. [Figure 11A] 10B-C with a syringe. [Figure 11B] 10B-C with a syringe. [Figure 11C] 10B-C with a syringe. [Figure 11D] 10B-C with a syringe. [Figure 12A] 1 shows a cassette sleeve. [Figure 12B] 1 shows a cassette sleeve. [Figure 13A] The inside of the cassette sleeve and syringe holder are shown. [Figure 13B] The inside of the cassette sleeve and syringe holder are shown. [Figure 14A] 12A-B show the assembly of a syringe into a cassette that includes a cassette sleeve as shown in FIG. [Figure 14B] 12A-B show the assembly of a syringe into a cassette that includes a cassette sleeve as shown in FIG. [Figure 14C] 12A-B show the assembly of a syringe into a cassette that includes a cassette sleeve as shown in FIG. [Figure 14D] 12A-B show the assembly of a syringe into a cassette that includes a cassette sleeve as shown in FIG. [Figure 14E] 12A-B show the assembly of a syringe into a cassette that includes a cassette sleeve as shown in FIG. [Figure 15A] Assembly of a syringe into a cassette including a cassette sleeve as shown in Figures 12A-B is shown in cutaway view in comparison with Figures 14A-E. [Figure 15B] Assembly of a syringe into a cassette including a cassette sleeve as shown in Figures 12A-B is shown in cutaway view in comparison with Figures 14A-E. [Figure 15C] Assembly of a syringe into a cassette including a cassette sleeve as shown in Figures 12A-B is shown in cutaway view in comparison with Figures 14A-E. [Figure 15D] Assembly of a syringe into a cassette including a cassette sleeve as shown in Figures 12A-B is shown in cutaway view in comparison with Figures 14A-E. [Figure 16] 1 shows an example of an autoinjector for receiving a cassette such as that shown in FIGS. 1-2 or 8-15, the autoinjector being shown in an exploded view. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows an internal view of an auto-injector assembled as shown in FIG. [Figure 18A] Assembly of the cassette and autoinjector is shown. [Figure 18B] Assembly of the cassette and autoinjector is shown. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 shows a cutaway view of the internal components within the auto-injector of FIGS. [Figure 20A]The cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder within the cassette and shows locking of the cassette skin sensor in a proximal position after delivery of the agent. [Figure 20B] The cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder within the cassette and shows locking of the cassette skin sensor in a proximal position after delivery of the agent. [Figure 20C] The cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder within the cassette and shows locking of the cassette skin sensor in a proximal position after delivery of the agent. [Figure 20D] The cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder within the cassette and shows locking of the cassette skin sensor in a proximal position after delivery of the agent. [Figure 20E] The cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder within the cassette and shows locking of the cassette skin sensor in a proximal position after delivery of the agent. [Figure 20F] The cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder within the cassette and shows locking of the cassette skin sensor in a proximal position after delivery of the agent. [Figure 20G] The cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder within the cassette and shows locking of the cassette skin sensor in a proximal position after delivery of the agent. [Figure 20H] The cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder within the cassette and shows locking of the cassette skin sensor in a proximal position after delivery of the agent. [Figure 20I] The cassette skin sensor is released from the syringe holder within the cassette and shows locking of the cassette skin sensor in a proximal position after delivery of the agent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0125] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the description set forth herein. Thus, the embodiments are merely described below with reference to the drawings to illustrate aspects. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. A phrase such as "at least one element" before a list of elements modifies the entire list of elements and does not modify the individual elements of the list.

[0126] In the drawings, the thicknesses of several layers and regions are shown in an exaggerated manner for clarity and ease of description. When a layer, region, element, or plate is referred to as "on" another layer, region, element, or plate, it may be directly on the other layer, region, element, or plate, or there may be intervening layers, regions, elements, or plates between them. Conversely, when a layer, region, element, or plate is referred to as "directly" another layer, region, element, or plate, there is no intervening layer, region, element, or plate between them. Furthermore, when a layer, region, element, or plate is referred to as "below" another layer, region, element, or plate, there may be other layers, regions, elements, or plates, or intervening layers, regions, elements, or plates between them. Conversely, when a layer, region, element, or plate is referred to as being "directly under" another layer, region, element, or plate, there is no intervening layer, region, element, or plate therebetween.

[0127] The spatially relative terms "lower" or "bottom," and "upper," "lower," "lower," "lower," "upper," and the like may be used for ease of description to describe the relationship between one element or component and another element or component as depicted in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device depicted in the figures is rotated, an element described as being on the "lower" side of other elements, or "lower" or "lower" another element, will be oriented on the "upper" side of, or "upper" another element. Thus, the exemplary terms "lower" or "lower" can include both "lower" and "upper" orientation positions, depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if a device in one of the figures is flipped over, an element described as being "lower" or "lower" of other elements will be positioned "above" the other elements. Thus, the exemplary terms "below" or "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below, and thus, spatially relative terms can be interpreted differently depending on the orientation in which they are described.

[0128] Throughout this specification, when an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, the element may be "directly connected" to the other element or may be "electrically connected" to the other element with one or more intervening elements therebetween. The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing certain exemplary embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may also be intended to include "at least one," unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. "At least one" should not be interpreted as limiting "a" or "an." It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and / or "including" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0129] It will be understood that the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, but these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a "first element" described below may be referred to as a "second element" or a "third element," and the "second element" and "third element" may be similarly referred to without departing from the teachings of this specification.

[0130] As used herein, "About" or "approximately" encompasses stated values ​​and means within an acceptable range of deviation for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, and encompasses the measurement in question and the error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "about" can mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

[0131] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0132] Illustrative examples are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views, which are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments, with like reference numerals referring to like elements throughout. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations are expected as a result of, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Thus, the embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are intended to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as being flat may have rough and / or non-linear features. Furthermore, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions depicted in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of the regions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. To specifically illustrate the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, some of the components not associated with the description may not be provided.

[0133] All references to a proximal direction or proximal surface refer to parts, surfaces, and the like oriented in the direction of insertion, i.e., toward the insertion needle and the outer portion of the auto-injector that contacts the skin during injection of a medication.

[0134] Similarly, all references to a distal direction or distal face refer to parts, surfaces, and the like that are pointed in a direction away from the direction of the insertion needle, i.e., towards the user.

[0135] Figure 1A shows an example of a cassette 500 in an exploded view. An auto-injector 1000 for receiving the cassette 500 is shown in Figures 3-5. The cassette comprises a syringe 200 having a syringe compartment 202 containing a medicament, a hollow needle 204 in fluid communication with the syringe compartment, a rigid needle shield 206 connected to a proximal end of the syringe compartment and covering the hollow needle, and a stopper 208 movable by a piston of the auto-injector from a distal position to a proximal position within the syringe compartment 202.

[0136] The needle shield 206 shown in Figure 1A has both an outer portion 206 and an inner portion 207. The components may be generally connected or may be manufactured as a unitary item.

[0137] A syringe holder 510 is disposed around the syringe 200 and extends around at least a portion of the syringe compartment 202. The syringe holder 510 (see further details in Figs. 1B-C) has a syringe holder support tube 511 that supports the syringe compartment 202. The tube 511 has an opening for inspecting the drug in the syringe compartment 202. The syringe 200 is secured within the syringe holder 510 at a distal end 205 of the syringe 200 that has a collar-like shape. Syringe holder rings 507a, 507b may be used to further secure the syringe 200 within the syringe holder 510. These may be omitted.

[0138] The cassette 500 comprises a cassette housing 540 extending from a proximal 541 to a distal end 542. The cassette housing 540 is oval in shape, which helps ensure accurate placement of the cassette 500 inside the auto-injector 1000. The oval shape may also make the cassette more compact. Alternative shapes, such as a square, may also be envisioned.

[0139] The cassette housing 540 encloses the cassette skin sensor 550. The proximal end 541 of the cassette housing 540 is a housing shoulder 546 having an opening 545 through which the cassette skin sensor 540 can extend. The cassette housing 540 has an internal protruding rail 548 (not shown in the figures) therein for guiding the skin sensor 550. The two parts 540, 550 are movable relative to each other in an unlocked configuration. The cassette skin sensor 550 is positioned to extend proximally from the cassette housing 540.

[0140] The cassette housing 540 has a distal end face 543 with a skin sensor housing opening 545 through which the cassette skin sensor 550 extends. This is most clearly seen in a cutaway image, for example, as in Figure 2. The cassette housing 540 has a longitudinal opening 547 for testing the medication within the cassette 500.

[0141] Cassette skin sensor 550 has two pins, a first skin sensor pin 557 and a second skin sensor pin 558 , extending from a distal end 552 of cassette skin sensor 550 .

[0142] The cassette skin sensor 550 covers at least a portion, if not most, of a syringe holder 510, which is shown in more detail in front and rear perspective views in Figures 1B-C. The syringe holder 510 has an elongated tubular portion 511 with an opening for testing the medication. At the distal end 509 of the syringe holder 510 is a syringe holder plate 519 with a number of openings, including a first pin opening 526, a second pin opening 527, a third pin opening 528, a fourth pin opening 529, and a piston opening 525. Through the piston opening 525 passes the auto-injector piston 1168 extending when medication is delivered to the patient. The opening is typically circular, but may also have a different shape that mimics the shape of a pin extending therethrough. The openings may be located at the periphery of syringe holder plate 519 such that only portions of the circular openings extend into syringe holder plate 519. This is shown in the example of Figures 11C-D.

[0143] The syringe holder 510 also includes a first syringe holder arm 512 extending proximally from the syringe holder plate 519. The first syringe holder arm 512 has a proximal surface 514 at a proximal end of the arm 512. When the cassette skin sensor 550 and the syringe holder 510 are in the first position, a first locking protrusion 553 on the cassette skin sensor 550 engages the proximal surface 514. This engagement of the first locking protrusion 553 with the proximal surface 514 prevents movement of the cassette skin sensor 550 towards the syringe holder 510. The first syringe holder arm 512 is flexibly connected to the syringe holder plate 519.

[0144] The syringe holder 510 may also include a syringe holder ring 507 a that locks the syringe 200 inside the syringe holder 510 .

[0145] When the cassette 500 is placed in the auto-injector 1000, the first pin opening 526 allows the first cassette lock pin 1156 of the auto-injector 1000 to pass therethrough. This is seen and described, for example, in connection with FIGS. 7A-F. When the first cassette lock pin 1156 of the auto-injector 1000 passes through the first pin opening 526 of the syringe holder 510, it contacts and deflects the first syringe holder arm 512. This releases the cassette skin sensor 550, allowing it to move toward the syringe holder 510, i.e., toward distal movement of the cassette skin sensor 550. As the cassette skin sensor 550 moves toward the syringe holder 510, the first cassette skin sensor pin 557 moves toward and possibly through the second pin opening 527 in the syringe holder 510. Similarly, the second cassette skin sensor pin 558 moves toward, and possibly through, the third pin opening 528 in the syringe holder 510 as the cassette skin sensor 558 moves distally.

[0146] Syringe holder 510 and skin sensor 550 are longitudinally movable relative to each other upon release of skin sensor 550 from syringe holder 510.

[0147] The syringe holder 510 also has a second syringe holder arm 516 extending proximally from a syringe holder plate 519 (see FIG. 7G). The second syringe holder arm 516 includes a distal surface 518 at the proximal end of the arm. The distal surface 518 rests against a second locking protrusion 554 on the cassette skin sensor 550. This engagement prevents the cassette skin sensor 550 from moving away from the syringe holder 510. The two parts are prevented from moving towards and away from each other before flexing of the first syringe holder arm 512 unlocks the cassette skin sensor 550 and the syringe holder 510.

[0148] The second syringe holder arm 516 is also flexibly connected to the syringe holder plate 519. When the second cassette lock pin 1159 of the auto-injector 1000 is pushed through the fourth pin opening 529, it contacts the second syringe holder arm 516 (see FIG. 7G). This results in a deflection of the second syringe holder arm 516, which again releases the cassette skin sensor 550, this time allowing it to move proximally away from the syringe holder 510.

[0149] The third pin opening 528 allows passage of a skin sensor pin 1158 (see FIGS. 7A-F) of the auto-injector 1000, which presses against a second cassette skin sensor pin 558 of the cassette skin sensor 550. The second cassette skin sensor pin 558 may also pass through the third pin opening 528 before contacting the skin sensor pin 1158.

[0150] The syringe holder 510 has two syringe holder locking protrusions 524 that fit into openings 544 in the distal end 541 of the cassette housing 540. This locks the syringe holder 510 and the cassette housing 540 together. More locking protrusions / openings can also be envisioned.

[0151] The syringe holder 510 further comprises one or more syringe locking protrusions 515 that lock the syringe 200 to the cassette 500 .

[0152] Cassette 500 further includes a cassette cap 530 having a first portion 531 disposed between rigid needle shield 206 and the proximal end of syringe compartment 201. Cassette cap 530 includes an inner rigid needle shield tube 535 having first portion 531 and an outer rigid needle shield tube 536. This is seen most clearly in Figures 6A-C. Outer rigid needle shield tube 536 surrounds inner rigid needle shield tube 535, which surrounds rigid needle shield 206.

[0153] The outer rigid needle shield tube 536 abuts against a housing shoulder 546 of the cassette housing 540 as shown in Figure 2. The proximal end 560 of the cassette skin sensor 550 is disposed between the inner rigid needle shield tube 535 and the outer rigid needle shield tube 536 as shown in Figure 2. The cassette cap 530 is removable from the syringe compartment 202 such that when the cassette cap 530 is removed, the rigid needle shield 206 follows, thereby exposing the hollow needle 204.

[0154] Figures 3-4 show an example of an auto-injector 1000 for receiving the cassette of Figures 1-2. The auto-injector 1000 is shown in an exploded view in Figure 3, while Figures 4A-B show the auto-injector 1000 assembled. The outer housing 1102 has been omitted to provide a transparent view inside the auto-injector. The outer housing 1102 can be seen in Figures 6A-D.

[0155] The auto-injector 1000 includes a housing 1102 extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and extending from a proximal end 1103 to a distal end 1104. The housing is one piece in this example auto-injector. The cassette 500 is loaded onto the auto-injector 1000 in a front-loading configuration.

[0156] The auto-injector 1000 comprises a cassette receiving chassis 1110 configured to receive the cassette 500. The cassette 500 contacts the auto-injector 1000 at the distal end of the cassette 500, so that the two parts share the same longitudinal axis. This reduces the risk of the cassette getting stuck in the auto-injector. Furthermore, it makes the connection as sliding as possible. The only auto-injector element that extends parallel to the cassette 500 is usually the syringe housing 1102. The syringe housing can therefore be seen as having two sections, a cassette covering section 1108 and a distal section 1106 that covers the syringe parts inside the auto-injector part 1000 (see the auto-injector example in Figs. 18A-B). The internal syringe part includes a drive module 1150 adapted to move a piston 1168. The piston 1168 can push and move the stopper 208 proximally inside the syringe, thereby expelling the medication from the syringe 200. The piston 1168 has internal threads (not shown in the figures) that engage with male threads on the lead screw 1169. When the lead screw 1169 is rotated by the drive element 1150, the piston 1168 moves proximally. The drive module 1150 includes a motor 1151, which rotates the lead screw 1151 through a gear assembly 1153. The gear assembly 1153 is covered by a gear cover 1152, which is covered by several O-rings 1155 and a chassis cover 1154. The O-rings can be seen as a noise reducing material, which can dampen any noise made by the internal parts in the auto-injector during use. A similar noise reducing material is found at the proximal end of the internal parts shown here in the form of a larger O-ring 1109.

[0157] The drive element 1150 also controls the movement of a number of pins included in the auto-injector 1000. As shown in FIG. 3, the number of pins includes a first cassette lock pin 1156, a skin sensor pin 1158, a second cassette lock pin 1159, and a cassette detection pin 1160. Thus, the drive module 1150 is further configured to proximally move the first cassette lock pin 1156, the skin sensor pin 1158, the second cassette lock pin 1159, and the cassette detection pin 1160. The pins and pistons may also be referred to as cassette interaction parts adapted to secure and lock the cassette 500 within the auto-injector 1000 and to facilitate administration of the medication. What the cassette interaction parts shown in FIG. 3 have in common is that they move parallel to the longitudinal axis of the auto-injector 1000.

[0158] It is the spring system 1140 that acts on the skin sensor pin 1158 pushing the cassette skin sensor 550 proximally after drug delivery. The spring system 1140 includes a spring guide pin 1141 around which is seen a support chassis 1142 connected to the skin sensor pin 1158. A spring 1143 also extends around the guide pin 1141. When the spring 1143 is allowed to relax, it pushes the support chassis 1142 forward, which in turn pushes the skin sensor pin 1158 proximally. Inside the skin sensor pin 1158 at its distal end is a guide pin 1161 for the skin sensor pin 1158. When the skin sensor spring system 1140 pushes the cassette skin sensor 550 proximally after drug delivery, it is pushed into a locked position that prevents distal movement of the cassette skin sensor 550. Proximal movement of the cassette skin sensor 550 may also be prevented in this locked position.

[0159] The auto-injector 1000 also includes a cassette receiving chassis 1110 configured to receive the cassette 500. The cassette receiving chassis 1110 is in the form of a chassis as seen in Figures 3 and 5, the latter of which shows an enlarged view of the cassette receiving chassis 1110. The cassette receiving chassis 1110 extends from a proximal end 1111 to a distal end 1112. At the proximal end 1111 of the chassis 1110 is a proximal chassis portion 1114 having several openings, including a piston opening 1115, a first pin opening 1116, a second pin opening 1117, a third pin opening 1118, a fourth pin opening 1119, and a fifth opening 1120. Depending on the number of pins in the auto-injector, fewer openings can also be used. The openings are circular openings in this illustrated example of Figure 5, but if not circular, they may also have a different shape that mimics the shape of a pin.

[0160] When the cassette 500 is placed into the auto-injector 1000, the piston opening 1115 is aligned with the piston opening 525 in the syringe holder 510 to allow the auto-injector piston 1168 to extend therethrough. Similarly, the first pin opening 526 in the syringe holder 510 is aligned with the first pin opening 1116 so that the first cassette locking pin 1156 can pass through both openings and deflect the first syringe holder arm 512, thereby unlocking the cassette skin sensor 550 from the syringe holder 510.

[0161] The second pin opening 1117 in the proximal chassis portion 1114 is aligned with the second pin opening 527 in the syringe holder 510 to allow the first cassette skin sensor pin 557 of the cassette skin sensor 550 to pass therethrough. The second pin opening 1117 does not extend all the way, but instead has an end face 1121 (see FIG. 7G) that stops the distal movement of the first cassette skin sensor pin 557 of the cassette skin sensor 550 towards the auto-injector. Thus, the second pin opening 1117 is a weld-shaped opening with the end face 1121 that limits the distal movement of the first cassette sensor pin 557, and thereby the cassette skin sensor 550, inside the auto-injector 1000.

[0162] The third pin opening 1118 is aligned with the third pin opening 528 in the syringe holder 510 to allow the skin sensor pin 1158 and / or the second cassette skin sensor pin 558 to pass therethrough. This is shown in detail in Figures 7A-F. The fourth pin opening 1119 is aligned with the fourth pin opening 529 in the syringe holder 510 to allow the second cassette locking pin 1159 to pass therethrough.

[0163] The fifth opening 1120 does not have a corresponding opening in the syringe holder. Instead, a cassette detection pin 1160 extends through the fifth opening 1120. The cassette detection pin 1160 detects when the cassette 500 is connected to the autoinjector 1000. In the absence of detection of the cassette by the cassette detection pin 1160, release of the cassette skin sensor 550 does not occur. Instead of the cassette detection pin, a detection system based on, for example, magnets on the cassette and autoinjector surfaces contacting each other and corresponding Hall sensors inside the chassis can be used to eliminate the detection pin and the corresponding opening in the proximal chassis portion 1114. Alternatively, the cassette can have a pin that contacts a surface on the syringe, thereby aligning detection of the cassette to the autoinjector.

[0164] The cassette receiving chassis 1110, piston 1168 and drive module 1150 are provided within a housing 1102 of the auto-injector 1000, and the cassette 500 is removably received within the auto-injector 1000. By removably received, it is meant that the cassette is a disposable cassette and can be received in a reusable auto-injector. The disposable cassette can be a single use cassette or a cassette containing multiple doses for multiple individual injections.

[0165] 6A-C show cutaway views of the auto-injector 1000 with the cassette 500 during installation and locking of the cassette 500 within the auto-injector 1000. In FIG. 6A, the cassette 500 is received within the auto-injector housing 1102. As seen in FIG. 6A-C, the injector housing 1102 has a protruding tab 1105 therein. When the cassette 500 is placed within the auto-injector 1000, the cassette locking protrusion 539 is located near the protruding tab 1105. The auto-injector then moves the cassette locking pins 1156, 1159 forward along with the piston 1168, as can be seen when comparing FIG. 6A and 6B. The cassette locking protrusion 539 is now prevented from deflecting the protruding tab 1105, thereby locking the cassette 500 to the auto-injector 1000. Once the cassette 500 is securely locked within the auto-injector 1000, the cassette cap 530 can be manually removed from the cassette 500. This also removes the rigid needle shield 206 exposing the needle 204. Further proximal movement of at least the first cassette locking pin 1156 releases the cassette skin sensor 500 from the syringe holder 510. This process is illustrated in Figures 7A-C, which show the step of releasing the cassette skin sensor 550 from the syringe holder 510 by moving the first cassette locking pin 1156 proximally. As seen in Figure 7B, the first locking protrusion 553 and the proximal surface 514 of the arm 512 are no longer engaged. The auto-injector is now ready for insertion of the needle 204 into the patient. This is done by pressing the cassette 500 towards the patient's skin, thereby pushing the cassette skin sensor 550 distally as shown in Figures 7C and 7D. Thus, when the drive module 1150 moves the first cassette locking pin 1156 proximally, the cassette skin sensor 550 is unlocked distally from the syringe holder 510 to allow distal movement of the cassette skin sensor 550, and the unlocking of the cassette skin sensor 550 locks the cassette 500 within the auto-injector 1000.

[0166] When the drive module 1150 moves the piston 1168 proximally for drug delivery, the second cassette locking pin 1156 is also unlocked for proximal movement of the cassette skin sensor 550 after drug delivery and / or removal of the auto-injector 1000 from the patient's skin.

[0167] 7D-E show the locking of the cassette skin sensor 550 in a proximal position after drug delivery. FIG. 7D shows the delivery position. In this position, the skin sensor pin 1158 exerts pressure on the second cassette skin sensor pin 558 by the spring system 1140. In FIG. 7E, the autoinjector is lifted off the patient's skin. By doing so, the spring system 1140 pushes the cassette skin sensor 550 forward in the proximal direction. As the cassette skin sensor 550 is unlocked for proximal movement by the second cassette locking pin 1159, the cassette skin sensor 550 may be locked in a forward position where contact with the needle is prevented, for example, by a protrusion inside the cassette housing that engages with the cassette skin sensor protrusion.

[0168] After delivery of the medication, the drive module retracts the piston and skin sensor release pins 1156, 1157, which unlocks the cassette from the auto-injector and allows the user to remove the cassette. The rigid needle shield and cassette cap cannot be connected to the cassette after use, thereby ensuring that the user does not use an unused cassette.

[0169] 8A-B and 9A-C show the assembly of a cassette 500 with similar parts as shown and described in the previous figures. Figure 8A shows a cassette housing 540 and a cassette cap 530 which are assembled in Figure 8B to form an outer cassette portion 504 by connecting a proximal end 541 of the cassette housing 540 to a distal end 534 of the cassette cap 530. In comparison to the corresponding cassette housing 540 of Figures 1A, 2 and 6A-D, the cassette housing of Figures 8A-B lacks a housing shoulder 546.

[0170] The cassette cap 530 includes a first portion 531 at a distal end 534 of the cassette cap 530. The first portion 531 may be a portion of an inner rigid needle shield tube 535 surrounded by an outer rigid needle shield tube 536. When a syringe with a rigid needle shield is placed in the cassette 500, the first portion 531 will typically be located between the rigid needle shield 206 and the proximal end of the syringe compartment or around the distal end of the rigid needle shield 206, as shown in FIG. 15D, where the first portion 531 is located around the distal end of the rigid needle shield. The first portion 531 of the cassette cap 530 extends into the cassette housing opening 545 when the outer cassette portion 504 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 8B.

[0171] 9A-C show the assembly of the inner cassette part 501 with the syringe holder 510 and the cassette skin sensor 550. In FIG. 9A the two parts are shown as separate parts before assembly by inserting the proximal end 508 of the syringe holder 510 into the distal end 552 of the cassette skin sensor 550. In FIG. 9B the syringe holder 510 has been pushed part way into the distal end 552 of the cassette skin sensor 550 and in FIG. 9C-D the two parts have been assembled such that a portion of the syringe holder 510 is covered by the cassette skin sensor 550. The portion of the syringe holder 510 covered by the cassette skin sensor 550 constitutes at least 10%, such as at least 20%, such as at least 30%, such as at least 40%, such as at least 50%.

[0172] The inner and outer cassette parts are assembled by inserting the proximal end 502 of the inner cassette part 501 into the distal end 506 of the outer cassette part 504 and pushing the inner cassette part 501 into the outer cassette part 504 such that the majority of the inner cassette part 501 is covered by the outer cassette part 504. This is shown in Figures 10A-B, where Figure 10A shows the initial position of the cassette parts before they are fully assembled in Figures 10B-C.

[0173] 11A-D show the insertion and fixation of a syringe 200 inside the cassette 500. The cassette parts can be assembled in one position and the syringe can be inserted in a different position. In FIG. 11A, the syringe 200 is ready to be inserted into the cassette 500 by inserting the proximal end of the syringe 200 into the distal end 503 of the inner cassette part 501 and pushing the syringe 200 into the inner cassette part 501 as shown in FIGS. 11B-C. The syringe holder 510 shown in FIGS. 9A-11D includes one or more syringe locking protrusions 515. By moving the one or more syringe locking protrusions 515 in a central direction, the syringe 200 is locked inside the inner cassette part 501. This can be seen by comparing FIG. 11C with FIG. 11D. If the cassette housing does not have a cassette locking protrusion, the syringe may be frictionally secured within the syringe holder 510 .

[0174] The syringe 200 includes a syringe section 202 that extends from a proximal end 201 to a distal end 203 and contains a medicament, the proximal end adapted to be connected to a needle through which the medicament can exit the syringe section 202. In FIG. 11A, the needle is shown as a hollow needle 204 that is in fluid connection with the proximal end of the syringe section, i.e., connected to the syringe as part of the syringe. Alternatively, a luer lock needle can be connected to the syringe prior to injection of the medicament. As yet another alternative, the syringe system has a cartridge that terminates at its distal end and a stopper at its proximal end with a rubber septum, such that the piercing needle at the distal end breaks the septum when attached to the syringe, and the proximal needle penetrates into the patient's skin. Inside the syringe section 202 is a stopper 208 that is adapted to be moved from a distal position to a proximal position within the syringe section 202. This causes the medicament to be released from the syringe.

[0175] 11A also includes a rigid needle shield 206 connected to the proximal end of the syringe section and covering the hollow needle 204. If the hollow needle is not part of the syringe but is instead connected to the syringe prior to delivery of the medicament, for example by a luer lock or a needle system that pierces the septum of the syringe when connected to the cassette, the rigid needle shield 206 will still be present as part of the cassette and may be used after delivery of the medicament to shield the used needle for the user.

[0176] The syringes may contain different amounts of drug, for example 1.00 ml or 2.25 ml of drug. When using the cassette 500 for smaller syringes, a cassette sleeve 570 may be included inside the syringe holder 510 to ensure that the thin syringe 200 is held within the syringe holder 510. An example of a cassette sleeve is shown in Figs. 12A-B. Before inserting the syringe 200 into the cassette 500 with the cassette sleeve 570, the proximal end 571 of the cassette sleeve 570 is inserted into the distal end 509 of the syringe holder 510 and is pushed into the syringe holder 510 by the syringe holder 510 so as to cover most of the cassette sleeve 570 before or immediately after inserting the syringe holder 510 into the cassette skin sensor 550. The cassette sleeve 570, which thereby constitutes a part of the inner cassette part 501, is shown in Fig. 14A as being included in the cassette 500. Sleeve 570 is secured within syringe holder 510 by a small tap in the syringe holder that fits into a small opening 576 in cassette sleeve 570 .

[0177] Cassette sleeve 570 includes a proximally extending deflectable sleeve arm 573 (see FIGS. 12A-B), which is deflectable through an opening 580 in syringe holder 510.

[0178] 14A-E and 15A-D, the insertion of the syringe 200 into the cassette 500 with the cassette sleeve 570 is shown. When inserting the syringe 200 with the hollow needle 204 and the rigid needle shield 206, the deflectable sleeve arm 573 is deflected into the opening of the syringe holder 510 and the cassette skin sensor 550 allows the rigid needle shield 206 to pass through the deflectable sleeve arm 573. This action unlocks the cassette sleeve 570 at the opening 576. Furthermore, the deflectable sleeve arm 573 relaxes to a position between the rigid needle shield 206 and the syringe compartment 202 after the rigid needle shield 206 has passed through the deflectable sleeve arm 573. This can be seen in FIGS. 14B and 15B, where the rigid needle shield 206 is shown after passing through the deflectable sleeve arm 573.

[0179] The cassette sleeve 570 rotates to a position where the sleeve arm 573 cannot be deflected after the deflectable sleeve arm 573 relaxes into position between the rigid needle shield 206 and the syringe compartment 202 and the syringe 200 is pushed further proximally before locking the deflectable sleeve arm 573 to the cassette 500. The rotation of the cassette sleeve 570 can be seen in Figures 14B-14D, where Figure 14B shows the sleeve 570 before rotation, Figure 14C shows the sleeve 570 half rotated, and Figure 14D shows the sleeve 570 fully rotated. The rotation can also be seen in the cutaway illustrations of Figures 15B-D. The rotation of the cassette sleeve 570 rotates the cassette sleeve 570 to a position where the viewer can see the medication inside the syringe 200.

[0180] The cassette sleeve 570 includes at least one sleeve locking protrusion 574, as shown in Figures 12A-B. When the sleeve locking protrusion 574 contacts an inner helical surface portion 575 inside the syringe holder 510 as the syringe 200 is pushed proximally, the helical shape of the at least one inner helical surface portion 575 urges the cassette sleeve 570 to rotate. This rotation is approximately 90 degrees. The inner helical surface portion 575 is shown in Figures 13A-B. When the syringe 200 is inserted into the cassette 500 and the syringe locking protrusion 515 is locked around the syringe 200, thereby preventing the cassette sleeve 570 from also moving in a distal direction, the cassette sleeve 570 cannot rotate backwards because this rotational movement would require the cassette sleeve 570 to move in a distal direction due to the interaction of the inner helical surface portion 575 with the sleeve locking protrusion 574. Thus, backward rotation of the cassette sleeve 570 is prevented by the locking of the syringe 200 in the cassette 500. Further rotational movement of the sleeve 570 is also prevented because the inner helical surface portion 575 has an end point 577 that stops the rotational movement in a first direction. The end point 577 can be a small opening into which the sleeve locking protrusion 574 enters without the option of moving away again.

[0181] Figures 16-19 show an example of an auto-injector 1000 for receiving the cassette of Figures 8-15. The auto-injector 1000 is shown in an exploded view in Figure 16, while Figures 17-19 show different views of the assembled auto-injector 1000. In order to obtain a transparent view inside the auto-injector, the outer housing 1102 has been omitted in Figures 16 and 19. The outer housing 1102 can be seen in Figures 17 and 18A-B. The housing 1102 is one piece in this example of the auto-injector. A two-part housing can also be envisioned.

[0182] The cassette 500 is mounted in the auto-injector 1000 in a front-loading configuration. Thus, the proximal end of the cassette 500 is inserted into the proximal end of the auto-injector 1000 as shown in FIGS. 18A-B. As also seen in FIGS. 18A-B, the housing 1102 includes an opening 1107 that facilitates inspection of the medication in the cassette 500. The opening 1107 extends to a surface of the housing. Along the longitudinal axis of the injector housing 1102, the housing 1102 may be divided into two sections: a cassette covering section 1108 that covers at least a portion of the cassette 500 when received inside the injector 1000, and a distal section 1106 that covers the internal syringe components. These internal syringe components are shown in an exploded view in FIG. 16. The opening 1107 is in the cassette covering section 1108 and extends longitudinally of the housing 1102.

[0183] The autoinjector 1000 as shown in FIG. 16 comprises a cassette receiving chassis 1110 configured to receive the cassette 500. By receiving the cassette is meant connecting / mating with the cassette. The cassette 500 contacts the autoinjector 1000 at the distal end of the cassette 500, whereby the two parts share the same longitudinal axis. This reduces the risk of the cassette getting stuck in the autoinjector. Furthermore, it makes the connection as sliding as possible. The only autoinjector element that typically extends parallel to the cassette 500 when the cassette is inserted into the autoinjector is the injector housing 1102, i.e. the cassette shroud section 1108.

[0184] The internal syringe components include a drive module 1150 adapted to move a piston 1168. The piston 1168 can push and move a stopper 208 proximally within the syringe 200, thereby expelling the medicament from the syringe 200. The piston 1168 has internal threads (see FIG. 19 ) that engage with male threads on a lead screw 1169. When the lead screw 1169 is rotated by the drive element 1150, the piston 1168 moves proximally. Rotation of the lead screw 1169 in the opposite direction moves the piston 1168 in a distal direction. At the proximal end of the piston 1168 is a piston end plate 1178, which fits into an opening 1115 in the chassis 1110.

[0185] The drive module 1150 includes a motor 1151 that rotates a head screw 1169 through a gear assembly. The gear assembly comprises a set of gears 1148, 1149, a head screw plate 1176, and a connection ring between the chassis cover 1154 and the head screw 1169. Different versions of this gear set can also be envisioned.

[0186] The chassis 1110 includes a cassette abutment surface 1114a adapted to bias the distal end 503, 506 of the cassette 500 when secured within the auto-injector 1000. The cassette abutment surface 1114a defines a proximal end plane where the internal syringe parts do not extend substantially in a proximal direction prior to assembly of the cassette 500 and the auto-injector 1000. The substantially includes a small tip, e.g., up to 2%, 5%, or 10% of the total length of one or more of the pins 1156, 1158, 1159, extending proximally outside the cassette abutment surface 1114a. Similarly, at the distal end of the internal syringe parts, there is a distal plane. At both the proximal and distal planes of the internal syringe parts, noise reduction materials 1109, 1155 are disposed to attenuate noise generated by any internal syringe parts during use. The noise reducing material 1109, 1155 may be in the form of a flexible material, such as rubber, and / or one or more O-ring(s), perhaps square shaped O-rings as shown in FIG.

[0187] The drive element 1150 also controls the movement of a number of pins included in the auto-injector 1000. As shown in FIG. 16, the number of pins may include a first cassette lock pin 1156, a skin sensor pin 1158, and a second cassette lock pin 1159. The first lock pin 1156 and the second lock pin 1159 are connected to a piston 1168. This is achieved by a first lock pin bridge connection 1162 and a second lock pin bridge connection 1163 on the piston 1168. A distal end 1166 of the first cassette lock pin 1156 is fixed to the first cassette lock pin bridge connection 1162 and a distal end 1167 of the second cassette lock pin 1159 is fixed to the second cassette lock pin bridge connection 1163. This allows the drive module 1150 to move the first cassette locking pin 1156 and the second cassette locking pin 1159 when moving the piston 1168. Alternatively, the movement of the two cassette locking pins 1156, 1159 can be decoupled from the movement of the piston 1168. Thus, the movement of the cassette locking pins can be in the form of multiple pens moving individually or simultaneously.

[0188] The skin sensor pin 1158 also moves with the piston 1168 as it moves proximally. The skin sensor 1158 is coupled to a spring system including a spring 1143 and a stopper 1144 against which the spring 1143 pushes proximally. The stopper 1144 is placed in the stopper housing 1164, which is the skin sensor. When the cassette 500 is placed in the autoinjector 1000 and the skin sensor pin 1158 is moved proximally, the skin sensor 1158 contacts the second cassette skin sensor pin 558. As long as the cassette skin sensor 550 is pushed distally, this prevents the skin sensor pin 1158 from moving proximally with the piston 1168 and the two cassette locking pins 1156, 1158. This causes the spring 1143 to tension. The tensioned spring 1143 acts on the skin sensor pin 1158 so that when the cassette skin sensor 550 is released, the spring 1143 pushes the cassette skin sensor 550 proximally. This ensures that the needle is not exposed after the final delivery of the drug. The cassette skin sensor 550 can be pushed into a locked position that prevents distal movement of the cassette skin sensor 550. Distal locking is facilitated by the cassette skin sensor arm 566, whose locking surface 567 locks into an inner opening in the cassette housing 540. Proximal movement of the cassette skin sensor 550 can also be prevented by an additional set of housing skin sensor surfaces.

[0189] Because the cassette locking pins 1156, 1159 move in parallel in a symmetrical configuration in the auto-injector shown in FIG. 16, the nomenclature of "first" and "second" may be interchanged. Also, depending on the direction in which the cassette 500 is inserted into the auto-injector 1000, the nomenclature may change. By combining the features of the first and second syringe holder arms 512, 516 into one syringe holder arm, the second cassette locking pin 1159 and corresponding opening 1119 may be removed. This requires that the cassette 500 be inserted in a specific manner that ensures that one cassette locking pin contacts one syringe holder arm.

[0190] The pins 1156, 1158, 1159 and the piston 1168 may also be referred to as cassette interacting components adapted to secure and lock the cassette 500 within the auto-injector 1000 and to facilitate administration of the medication. What the cassette interacting components shown in FIG. 16 have in common is that they move parallel to the longitudinal axis of the auto-injector 1000. The cassette interacting components may possibly be configured to rotate about their own axis in addition to moving parallel to the longitudinal axis of the auto-injector. Also, the cassette interacting components may be prevented from moving in a direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the auto-injector.

[0191] A cassette receiving chassis 1110 configured to receive a cassette 500. The cassette receiving chassis 1110 extends from a proximal end 1111 to a distal end 1112 where a distally extending chassis arm 1113 is found. At the proximal end 1111 of the chassis 1110 is a proximal chassis portion 1114 having several openings including a piston opening 1115, a first pin opening 1116, a second pin opening 1117, a third pin opening 1118, and a fourth pin opening 1119. Depending on the number of pins in the auto-injector, fewer openings can also be used. The openings are circular openings, but if not circular, may also have a different shape that mimics the shape of the pin.

[0192] When the cassette 500 is placed into the auto-injector 1000, the piston opening 1115 is aligned with the piston opening 525 in the syringe holder 510 to allow the auto-injector piston 1168 to extend therethrough. Similarly, the first pin opening 526 in the syringe holder 510 is aligned with the first pin opening 1116 so that the first cassette locking pin 1156 can pass through both openings and deflect the first syringe holder arm 512, thereby unlocking the cassette skin sensor 550 from the syringe holder 510, as previously described in connection with Figures 7A-G.

[0193] The second pin opening 1117 in the proximal chassis portion 1114 is aligned with the second pin opening 527 in the syringe holder 510 to allow the first cassette skin sensor pin 557 of the cassette skin sensor 550 to pass therethrough. The second pin opening 1117 does not extend fully, but instead has an end face 1121 (see FIG. 7G ), which stops the first cassette skin sensor pin 557 of the cassette skin sensor 550 from its distal movement toward the autoinjector. If the first cassette skin sensor pin 557 were to shorten, the second pin opening 1117 could be eliminated and instead the first cassette skin sensor pin 557 would be stopped by the proximal chassis portion 1114.

[0194] The third pin opening 1118 is aligned with the third pin opening 528 in the syringe holder 510 to allow the skin sensor pin 1158 and / or the second cassette skin sensor pin 558 to pass therethrough, as also shown and described in connection with the autoinjector of Figures 7A-F. The fourth pin opening 1119 is aligned with the fourth pin opening 529 in the syringe holder 510 to allow the second cassette lock pin 1159 to pass therethrough.

[0195] When the cassette 500 is placed into the auto-injector 1000, the cassette locking pins 1156, 1159 pass into the pin openings 526, 529 of the cassette 500 and push the cassette locking protrusions into the auto-injector housing 1102, and internal components within the injector housing 1102 prevent proximal movement of the cassette housing 530, thereby locking the cassette 500 to the auto-injector 1000. As the cassette locking pins 1156, 1159 move further into the cassette 500, the first cassette locking pin 1156 deflects the first syringe holder arm 512. This releases the cassette skin sensor 550 and allows it to move toward the syringe holder 510, i.e., toward distal movement of the cassette skin sensor 550. The syringe holder 510 and the skin sensor 550 are longitudinally movable relative to one another upon release of the skin sensor 550 from the syringe holder 510. By pressing the auto-injector against the patient's skin, movement of the cassette skin sensor 550 exposes the needle distally so that it can be inserted into the patient.

[0196] As the cassette skin sensor 550 moves toward the syringe holder 510, the first cassette skin sensor pin 557 moves toward and possibly through the second pin opening 527 in the syringe holder 510. Similarly, the second cassette skin sensor pin 558 moves toward and possibly through the third pin opening 528 in the syringe holder 510 as the cassette skin sensor 558 moves distally. As the second cassette skin sensor pin 558 passes through the opening 528, 1118, it contacts the skin sensor pin 1158 as described above.

[0197] Further movement of the cassette locking pins 1156, 1159 into the cassette 500 causes the second cassette locking pin 1159 to deflect the second syringe holder arm 516. This releases the cassette skin sensor 550 to move proximally away from the syringe holder 510. Thus, when / if the user removes the autoinjector from the patient's skin, the cassette skin sensor 550 can move proximally to cover the needle after medication injection. The spring 1143 acting on the skin sensor pin 1158 ensures that the cassette skin sensor 550 is locked after use, as described above.

[0198] The auto-injector as shown in Fig. 16 also comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 1180, a USB connection 1181, a USB PCB plate 1182 and a battery 1184. Also located on the PCB board 1180 are a number of switches 1171a, 1171b, 1171c for detecting the position of pins inside the auto-injector.

[0199] FIG. 17 shows the assembled auto-injector 1000 from the front where the cassette 500 is inserted. The cassette abutment surface 1114a defines a proximal end surface where the internal syringe components do not extend substantially proximally prior to assembly of the cassette 500 and the auto-injector 1000. The substantially includes situations where only a small portion of the internal syringe components protrude a small amount, such as up to 2%, 5%, or 10% proximally compared to the cassette abutment surface 1114a. This is shown in FIG. 19 with the tip of the second cassette lock pin 1159 protruding outside the cassette abutment surface 1114a. Pins 1156, 1158, 1159 are also shown in FIG. 17.

[0200] Cassette abutment surface 1114a may also define a substantially cavity-free proximal end flat that extends distally into distal section 1106. The substantially again includes the presence of a slightly closed well-shaped opening in surface 1114a, as shown in FIG. 7G, item 1121.

[0201] The smooth cassette abutment surface 1114a and the support plate 1114b behind it ensure that the auto-injector can be kept clean in an easy way, for example to avoid grooves for collecting dirt and dust etc. Also, the user is prevented from accessing the internal parts of the auto-injector. This increases the lifespan of the auto-injector 1000.

[0202] 20A-I show the interaction between the cassette 500 of FIGS. 8-15 and the auto-injector of FIGS. 16-19. Compared to FIGS. 7A-G, the cassette release pins 1156, 1159 have switched positions such that the second cassette release pin 1159 is located next to the skin sensor pin 1158. This does not affect the interaction between the auto-injector 1000 and the cassette 500, since the cassette release pins 1156, 1158 operate in an interchangeable manner and move together. Also, compared to FIGS. 7A-G, FIGS. 20A-I show the cassette 500 rotated 180 degrees, thereby showing the second syringe holder arm 516 and the second cassette locking pin 1159 of FIGS. 20A-H, instead of the first syringe holder arm 512 and the first cassette locking pin 1156 as in FIGS. 7A-F.

[0203] The cassette 500 and auto-injector 1000 are shown and described in a configuration using manual needle insertion. Automatic needle insertion may also be envisioned by including a spring motor system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0204] 200 Syringes 201 Syringe / proximal end of syringe compartment 202 Syringe Compartment 203 Syringe / distal end of syringe compartment 204 Hollow needle 205 Distal end face of syringe 206 Rigid Needle Shield 207 Inner part of rigid needle shield 208 Stopper 210 Plunger rod 500 cassettes 501 Inner cassette part 502 Proximal end of inner cassette portion 503 Distal end of inner cassette section 504 Outer cassette part 505 Proximal end of outer cassette section 506 Distal end of outer cassette portion 507a Syringe holder 507b Syringe holder 508 Proximal end of syringe holder 509 Distal end of syringe holder 510 Syringe Holder 511 Syringe holder support tube 512 first syringe holder arm 513 the proximal end of the first syringe holder arm 514 a proximal surface of the proximal end of the first syringe holder arm 515 Syringe locking protrusion 516 Second Syringe Holder Arm 517 Proximal end of second syringe holder arm 518 a distal surface of the proximal end of the second syringe holder arm 519 Syringe Holder Plate 520 Syringe Holder Plate Proximal Support Surface 521 Distal Support Surface of Syringe Holder Plate 522 first syringe holder locking arm 523 Second Syringe Holder Locking Arm 524 Syringe holder locking protrusion housing 525 Piston opening in syringe holder plate 526 First pin opening in syringe holder plate 527 Second pin opening in syringe holder plate 528 Third pin opening in syringe holder plate 529 4th pin opening in syringe holder plate 530 Cassette Cap 531 a first portion disposed between the rigid needle shield and the proximal end of the syringe section 532 Cassette Cap Proximal End 534 Distal end of cassette cap 535 Inner rigid needle shield tube 536 Outer Rigid Needle Shield Tube 537 Distal end of cassette cap 538 Cassette Cap Proximal End 539 Cassette locking protrusion 540 Cassette Housing 541 Cassette Housing Proximal End 542 Distal end of cassette housing 543 Distal end face of cassette housing 544 Locking opening in cassette housing 545 Skin sensor housing opening 546 Housing shoulder 547 Opening in Housing for Drug Testing 548 Protruding rail inside cassette housing 549 Syringe Locking Arm 550 Cassette Skin Sensor 552 Distal end of cassette skin sensor 553 First locking protrusion 554 Second locking protrusion 556 Syringe inspection opening 557 1st Cassette Skin Sensor Pin 558 Second Cassette Skin Sensor Pin 560 Proximal end of the cassette skin sensor 562 Skin contact surface of the cassette skin sensor 566 Cassette Skin Sensor Arm 567 Cassette Skin Sensor Arm Locking Surface 568 Cassette skin sensor rails that fit into rails inside the cassette housing 570 Cassette Sleeve 571 Proximal end of cassette sleeve 572 Distal end of cassette sleeve Sleeve arm on 573 cassette sleeve 574 Sleeve locking protrusion 575 Inner spiral surface section 576 Cassette sleeve opening 577 End point of inner helical surface 580 Syringe holder opening 1000 auto-injector 1102 Housing 1103 Proximal end of housing 1104 Distal end of housing 1105 Protruding tab inside housing 1106 A distal section of the housing that covers the internal syringe component. 1107 Housing opening 1108 Cassette Cover Section 1109 Noise reduction material / O-ring 1110 Cassette receiving chassis 1111 Proximal end of chassis 1112 Distal end of chassis 1113 Distally extending chassis arm 1114 Proximal chassis part 1114a proximal surface of proximal chassis portion / cassette abutment surface 1114b Support plate 1115 Piston opening in proximal chassis section 1116 first pin opening in proximal chassis portion 1117 Second pin opening in proximal chassis section 1118 Third pin opening in proximal chassis section 1119 Fourth pin opening in proximal chassis section 1120 Fifth opening in proximal chassis portion 1121 End face of second pin opening 1140 Spring system acting on skin sensor 1141 Spring guide pin 1142 Support chassis for guiding skin sensor pins 1143 Springs in a spring system acting on a skin sensor 1144 A stopper for stopping a spring in a spring system acting on a skin sensor 1148 Gears 1149 Gears 1150 Drive Module 1151 Motor 1152 Gear Cover 1153 Gear Assembly 1154 Chassis cover 1155 Noise reduction material / O-ring 1156 First cassette locking pin 1158 Skin sensor pin 1159 Second Cassette Locking Pin 1160 Cassette detection pin 1161 Skin sensor pin guide pin 1162 First locking pin bridge connection 1163 Second Locking Pin Bridge Connection 1164 Stopper storage part 1166 a distal end of the first cassette lock pin that connects to the bridge connection 1167 Distal end of second cassette lock pin that connects to bridge connection 1168 A piston having an internal thread to fit a led screw 1169 Led Screw 1170 Bridge 1171 Switch 1171a Switch 1171b Switch 1171c Switch 1172 Chassis cover opening 1174 Connection ring between chassis cover and led screw 1176 Led Screw Plate 1178 Piston end plate 1180 Printed Circuit Board 1181 USB connector 1182 USB printed circuit board plate 1184 Battery

Claims

1. an automatic injector (1000) adapted to receive a cassette (500) having a medication and to administer the medication in the cassette (500) to a patient, the automatic injector (1000) extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the cassette (500) being removably received within the automatic injector (1000) along the longitudinal direction, the automatic injector further comprising one or more cassette interacting components adapted to secure and lock the cassette (500) within the automatic injector (1000) and facilitate administration of the medication; The one or more cassette interacting components include: a piston (1168) configured for proximal movement of a stopper included in said cassette to facilitate administration of a medicament; one or more syringe pins including a first cassette locking pin (1156); The automatic injector comprises a drive module (1150) adapted to move a piston (1168) proximally along a longitudinal axis; The drive module (1150) is further configured to move a first cassette locking pin (1156) proximally; When the drive module (1150) moves the first cassette locking pin (1156) proximally, the cassette (500) is locked to the auto-injector (1000).

2. 10. The automatic injector of claim 1, wherein the one or more cassette interacting components are configured to rotate about their own axis in addition to moving parallel to a longitudinal axis of the automatic injector.

3. 10. The automatic injector of claim 1, wherein the one or more cassette interacting components are configured to prevent movement in a direction other than parallel to a longitudinal axis of the automatic injector.

4. The automatic injector (1000) comprises a housing (1102) and a plurality of internal syringe components disposed within the housing (1102), the housing (1102) comprising: a cassette covering section (1108) that extends to cover at least a portion of the cassette (500) when received within the syringe (1000); - a distal section (1106) that extends over the internal syringe components inside the housing (1102) before the cassette (500) is secured inside the syringe (1000).

5. 5. The automatic injector (1000) of claim 4, wherein when the cassette (500) is received inside the injector (1000), the cassette covering section (1108) extends to cover 20 to 90% of the cassette (500), for example, 30 to 75% of the cassette (500), for example, 40 to 60% of the cassette (500).

6. An automatic injector (1000) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the automatic injector (1000) comprises a cassette abutment surface (1114a) adapted to abut against the distal end (503, 506) of the cassette (500) when fixedly installed inside the automatic injector (1000), and the cassette abutment surface (1114a) defines a proximal end plane from which internal syringe parts do not substantially extend proximally before the cassette (500) and the automatic injector (1000) are assembled.

7. An automatic injector (1000) as described in claim 6, wherein prior to assembling the cassette (500) and the automatic injector (1000), up to 2%, 5%, or 10% of the total length of the one or more syringe pins extends proximally outside the cassette abutment surface (1114a).

8. 1. An automatic injector (1000) adapted to receive a cassette (500) having a medication and to administer said medication, the automatic injector (1000) comprising a housing (1102) extending longitudinally from a proximal end (1103) to a distal end (1104), the housing (1102) comprising: a cassette covering section (1108) that extends over the cassette (500) when received within the syringe (1000); a distal section (1106) extending to cover all internal syringe components and comprising a cassette abutment surface (1114a) adapted to abut against the distal end (503, 506) of the cassette (500) when the automatic injector (1000) is secured within the automatic injector (1000); The automatic injector (1000) includes a distal section (1106) in which the cassette abutment surface (1114a) defines a proximal end plane from which internal syringe components do not substantially extend proximally prior to assembling the cassette (500) and the automatic injector (1000).

9. The automatic injector of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the cassette abutment surface (1114a) defines a proximal end plane in which the cavity does not extend substantially distally into the distal section (1106).

10. 10. The automatic injector of claim 4, wherein the housing (1102) surrounds an internal syringe component, the internal syringe component including at least a piston (1168), a drive module (1150) adapted to move the piston proximally, and a chassis (1110), the internal syringe component being defined by a proximal end plane and a distal end plane, and the automatic injector including noise-reducing materials (1109, 1155) on both the proximal end plane and the distal end plane of the internal component.

11. An automatic injector adapted to receive a cassette (500) containing a medication and administer the medication, wherein the cassette (500) is removably received in the automatic injector (1000), the automatic injector (1000) having a housing (1102) surrounding an internal syringe part, the internal syringe part including at least a piston (1168), a drive module (1150) adapted to move the piston proximally, and a chassis (1110), the internal syringe part being defined by a proximal end plane and a distal end plane, and the automatic injector including noise-reducing materials (1109, 1155) on both the proximal end plane and the distal end plane of the internal part.

12. 12. The automatic injector of claim 10 or 11, wherein the drive module (1150) is further adapted to move the piston distally.

13. The automatic injector of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the noise-reducing material (1109, 1155) is one or more O-rings.

14. The automatic injector according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the noise-reducing material (1109, 1155) is a soft material such as rubber.

15. The automatic injector (1000) according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the proximal end plane extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the automatic injector.

16. 16. The automatic injector of claim 5, wherein the automatic injector (1000) comprises one or more cassette interaction components adapted to secure and fix the cassette (500) within the automatic injector and facilitate administration of the medicament, and wherein the one or more cassette interaction components do not extend proximally from the proximal end plane prior to securing the cassette (500) within the automatic injector.

17. 17. The automatic injector of claim 16, wherein the one or more cassette interaction components are adapted to move proximally after the cassette (500) is placed within the automatic injector (1000), such that at least a portion of one or more of the cassette interaction components extends proximally from the proximal end plane within the automatic injector.

18. 18. The automatic injector of claim 1, wherein each of the cassette interacting components is adapted to move through the proximal end plane independently of another one of the cassette interacting components.

19. An automatic injector as described in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein one or more of the injector pins further comprises a skin sensor pin (1158).

20. An automatic injector as described in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein one or more syringe pins further include a second cassette locking pin (1159).

21. 21. The automatic injector of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the automatic injector comprises a chassis (1110) having a proximal chassis portion (1114) at a proximal end (1111) of the chassis.

22. 22. The automatic injector of claim 21, wherein the proximal chassis portion (1114) includes one or more openings (1115, 1116, 1118, 1119), the one or more openings adapted to allow passage of an injector pin (1156, 1158, 1159) or the piston (1168) through each opening after or during fixation of the cassette (500) inside the automatic injector (1000).

23. The one or more openings are a piston opening (1115) for allowing passage of said auto-injector piston (1168) therethrough; a first pin opening (1116) for allowing passage of said first cassette locking pin (1156) therethrough; 23. The automatic injector of claim 22, comprising: a third pin opening (1118) for allowing a skin sensor pin (1158) of the automatic injector to pass therethrough.

24. 24. The automatic injector of claim 23, wherein the one or more openings further include a second pin opening (1117) for allowing passage of a first cassette skin sensor pin (557) included in the cassette (500).

25. 25. The automatic injector of claim 23 or 24, wherein the one or more openings further include a fourth pin opening (1119) for allowing the second cassette locking pin (1159) to pass therethrough.

26. 26. The automatic injector of any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the one or more openings further include a fifth opening (1120) for allowing the cassette detection pin (1160) to pass therethrough.

27. ​​An automatic injector as described in any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the first cassette locking pin (1156) and the second cassette locking pin (1159) are locked to the piston (1168) so that the piston (1168) and the cassette locking pins (1156, 1159) move together along the longitudinal axis.

28. A system comprising an automatic injector according to any one of claims 1 to 27 and a cassette (500), said cassette (500) comprising: a syringe compartment (202) containing the medicament and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end being adapted to be connected to a needle allowing the medicament to exit the syringe compartment (202); a stopper (208) movable from a distal position to a proximal position within the syringe compartment by a piston (1168) within the auto-injector which moves the stopper proximally to empty the syringe compartment; and a syringe holder (510) extending around at least a portion of the syringe compartment (202).

29. 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the cassette (500) is adapted to be received within the automatic injector (1000) by moving the cassette (500) and the automatic injector toward each other along a shared longitudinal axis, without significant rotation of the cassette about the shared longitudinal axis.

30. 30. The system of claim 28 or 29, wherein the cassette further comprises a hollow needle (204) fluidly connected to the proximal end of the syringe compartment (202).

31. 31. The system of any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the cassette further comprises a rigid needle shield (206) connected to a proximal end of the syringe compartment and adapted to cover a hollow needle (204).

32. 32. The system of claim 30 or 31, wherein the syringe compartment (202), the hollow needle (204), and the stopper (208) are parts of a syringe (200) fixed within the syringe holder (510).

33. The system of any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the cassette (500) is locked within the automatic injector (1000) when the drive module (1150) moves the first cassette locking pin (1156) proximally.

34. The system of any one of claims 28 to 33, wherein the cassette further comprises a cassette cap (530) and a cassette skin sensor (550).

35. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the cassette cap (530) includes a first portion (531) disposed between the rigid needle shield (206) and the proximal end of the syringe compartment (202).

36. The system of claim 34 or 35, wherein the cassette skin sensor (550) is adapted to be unlocked distally from the syringe holder (510) to allow distal movement of the cassette skin sensor (550) when the drive module (1150) moves the first cassette locking pin (1156) further in the proximal direction.

37. A system as described in any one of claims 34 to 36, adapted so that when the drive module (1150) further moves the second cassette locking pin (1158) in the proximal direction, the cassette skin sensor (550) is proximally unlocked from the syringe holder (510) to allow proximal movement of the cassette skin sensor (550) relative to the syringe holder (510).

38. A system as described in any one of claims 34 to 37, further comprising a skin sensor spring system (1143) adapted to press the skin sensor pin (1158) of the automatic injector (1000) against the second cassette skin sensor pin (558) after release of the cassette skin sensor (550) from the syringe holder (510) by proximal movement of at least the first cassette locking pin (1156) and / or the second cassette locking pin (1159).

39. 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the skin sensor spring system (1143) is adapted to urge the cassette skin sensor (550) proximally into a locked position and prevent distal movement of the cassette skin sensor (550).

40. the cassette cover section (1108) includes at least one opening (1107) extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing (1102); the cassette housing (540) includes at least one opening (547) extending along a longitudinal axis of the cassette housing (540); 40. The system of any one of claims 28 to 39, wherein at least one opening (547) in the cassette housing (540) and at least one opening (1107) in the cassette shroud section (1108) align when the cassette is placed inside an automatic injector to facilitate inspection of the medication in the syringe compartment (202).

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the cassette covering section (1108) and the cassette housing (540) each include two openings (1107, 547) extending in the longitudinal direction on either side of the housing (1102) and the cassette housing (540), respectively, which align when the cassette is placed inside the automatic injector to facilitate inspection of the medication in the syringe compartment (202) from two opposite directions.

42. 42. The system of claim 40 or 41, wherein the cassette housing and the automatic injector housing have a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cassette housing (540) and the automatic injector housing (1102), and the cross-sectional plane is a non-circular shape, such as an oval or square shape.

43. 43. The system of claim 40, wherein the cassette covering section (1108) includes an internal guide track parallel to the longitudinal direction configured to guide the cassette into position when the cassette is inserted into the cassette covering section.

44. 44. The system of claim 43, wherein the internal guide track forms part of an opening (1107) within a cassette shroud section (1108) of the automatic injector housing.

45. A system comprising a cassette (500) having a medication and an automatic injector (1000) for administering said medication, said cassette (500) being removably received within said automatic injector (1000); The automatic injector (1000) includes a housing (1102) extending from a proximal end (1103) to a distal end (1104) along a longitudinal axis, the housing (1102) including a cassette covering section (1108) that covers the cassette (500) when received inside the injector (1000), the cassette covering section (1108) including at least one opening (1107) extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing (1102); The cassette extends along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end (502, 505) to a distal end (503, 506) and includes a cassette housing (540), the cassette housing having at least: a syringe compartment (202) containing said medication and adapted to connect with a needle for delivering said medication; a stopper (208) movable inside the syringe compartment from a distal position to a proximal position in order to empty the syringe compartment; the cassette housing (540) includes at least one opening (547) extending along a longitudinal axis of the cassette housing (540); The system, wherein the opening (547) in the cassette housing (540) and the opening (1107) in the cassette cover section (1108) align when the cassette is placed inside an automatic injector to facilitate inspection of the medication in the syringe compartment (202).

46. 46. ​​The system of claim 45, wherein the cassette cover section (1108) and the cassette housing (540) each include two openings (1107, 547) extending in the longitudinal direction on either side of the housing (1102) and the cassette housing (540), respectively, which align when the cassette is placed inside the automatic injector to facilitate inspection of the medication in the syringe compartment (202) from two opposite directions.

47. 47. The system of claim 45 or 46, wherein the cassette cover section (1108) includes an internal guide track parallel to the longitudinal direction configured to guide the cassette into the correct position when the cassette is inserted into the cassette cover section.

48. A system according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein the cassette cover section (1108) includes an internal guide track parallel to the longitudinal direction.

49. 49. The system of claim 48, wherein the internal guide track forms part of one or more openings (1107) within a cassette shroud section (1108) of the automatic injector housing.

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