Apparatus and method for rapid auto-injection of medication
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Abstract
An auto-injector for rapid delivery of a bolus of injectable medication has a generally flat, sealed housing with small peripheral dimensions, approximating those of a credit card. A syringe, configured to be contained within the flat housing is pre-filled with the medication. The housing contains a mechanism that, when triggered, automatically drives the syringe and needle forwardly to an injection position and then continues to compress the volume of the syringe to effect rapid injection. The forward injection end of the device includes an actuator that also conceals and protects the needle at all times and, prevents post-injection hazards. The flat faces of the device have graphic symbols and other visual indicia relating to the operation and condition of the device. The device enables a simple three-step operation that reduces the risk of improper use.
309 Citations
49 Claims
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1-44. -44. (canceled)
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45. A method for administering injectable medication comprising:
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storing the medication in a flat syringe having an injection needle;
enclosing the flat syringe within a flat housing that includes a self-contained power source and drive mechanism for driving the syringe from a storage configuration within the housing to an injection configuration in which the injection needle protrudes from a region of the housing;
providing an actuator at said region of the housing, the actuator being operatively associated with the drive mechanism to release the syringe for movement to the injection position;
providing a cover on said region of the housing to completely enclose the region of the housing from which the needle and actuator extend, the method further comprising;
removing the cover from the housing and pressing the actuator against the skin through which the injection is to be delivered.
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46. A method for rapid self-administration of a bolus of injectable medication comprising:
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providing a flat housing having forward and rearward ends with a syringe contained within the housing, the syringe containing an injectable medication;
a needle, extendable from a position contained within the housing to an injection position projecting beyond the forward end of the housing;
an actuating member extending beyond the forward end of the housing;
the housing containing mechanisms to extend the needle to the injection position and operate the syringe to inject a bolus of medication;
a cover attached to the forward end of the housing and enclosing the forward end of the housing;
the method further comprising;
grasping the rear end of the housing in one hand and, while so holding the housing, removing the cover with the other hand to expose the forward end of the housing and the actuator; and
then pressing the actuating member firmly against the intended injection site. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. An auto-injector comprising:
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a housing having a forward end;
a container in the housing for storing an injectable medication;
an injection needle having a sharp forward end, the needle being connectible with the interior of the container to enable medication to flow to and through the needle; and
a needle shield extendable from the forward end of the housing, the needle shield being substantially flat and having a needle-receptive passageway formed therethrough;
the needle shield being movable from a retracted position to an extended position, the extended position being sufficiently forward of the housing to cover the needle; and
a biohazard indicator on at least one flat surface of the needle shield. - View Dependent Claims (49)
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Specification