SYSTEMS FOR ADMINISTERING MEDICATION

• US 20100016795A1
• Filed: 07/20/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ucb Biopharma Sprl (UCB SA)
• Original Assignee: UCB Pharma SA (UCB SA)
• Inventors: McLoughlin, Martin John
• Granted Patent: US 8,945,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/134
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/312 comprising sealing means, e.g. severable caps, to be removed prior to injection by, e.g. tearing or twisting
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3215 Tools enabling the cap placement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2033 Spring-loaded one-shot injectors with or without automatic needle insertion multishot dosing syringes A61M5/31525, needle insertion only A61M5/3287
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3134 characterised by constructional features of the distal end, i.e. end closest to the tip of the needle cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3137 Specially designed finger grip means, e.g. for easy manipulation of the syringe rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3202 Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps A61M5/50 takes precedence; for infusion spikes A61M5/1626; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3204 Needle cap remover, i.e. devices to dislodge protection cover from needle or needle hub, e.g. deshielding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3213 Caps placed axially onto the needle, e.g. equipped with finger protection guards axially-extensible protective sleeves A61M5/3243

Abstract

The autoinjector systems disclosed herein provide in part devices for allowing patients with reduced joint strength to more easily administer medicine. Certain exemplary syringe embodiments include a housing, a syringe assembly slidably mounted on the housing, and a needle cap releasably engaged to the housing, where the cap includes a protruding pocket for receiving a needle cap remover.

Claims

1. An autoinjector device comprising:

a housing;

a syringe assembly slidably mounted on the housing, the syringe assembly including a needle and a fluid container;

an autoinjector actuator for urging the syringe assembly with respect to the housing from a storage position to a launch position; and

a cap releasably engaged to the housing, the cap having a protruding pocket for receiving a needle cap remover;

the needle cap remover comprising a connector having;

a base;

a plurality of first legs spaced symmetrically away from one another and extending proximally from the base; and

a plurality of second legs extending proximally from the base and having a tip that flares outwardly towards the protruding pocket;

wherein at least one of the second legs is positioned between two of the first legs.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a first leg includes internally facing barbs that engage a needle shield that covers the needle of the syringe assembly.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the internally facing barbs include a tip that flares inward and towards the base.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the tip of at least one of the first legs dig into the needle shield.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the tip of at least one of the second legs engages the protruding pocket.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the internally facing barbs are concaved.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the internally facing barbs extend at an angle with respect to the upright.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first legs includes an upright and a first pair of internally facing barb tips positioned to a lateral side of the upright and a second pair of internally facing barb tips positioned to a medial side of the upright.

9. An autoinjector device comprising:

a housing having distal and proximal ends, the distal end having an interfacing passage that receives a needle cap;

wherein the needle cap releasably engages the housing and has a protruding pocket for receiving a needle cap remover;

a syringe assembly slidably mounted on the housing and including a needle and a fluid container;

an autoinjector actuating mechanism disposed on the housing for urging the syringe assembly with respect to the housing from a storage position to a launch position; and

wherein when the syringe assembly is in the storage position, the protruding pocket of the cap extends through the interfacing passage, and when in the launch position, the needle of the syringe assembly extends through the interfacing passage.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the needle cap remover comprises a connector having:

a base;

a plurality of first legs spaced symmetrically away from one another and extending proximally from the base; and

a plurality of second legs extending proximally from the base and having a tip that flares outwardly towards the protruding pocket;

wherein at least one of the second legs is positioned between the plurality of the first legs.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the connector receives a needle cover.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the autoinjector actuating mechanism includes a spring.

13. A device comprising:

a housing having distal and proximal ends, the distal end having an interfacing passage that receives a needle cap;

wherein the needle cap releasably engages the housing and has a protruding pocket for receiving a needle cap remover;

a syringe assembly including a needle and a fluid container; and

the needle cap remover comprising a connector having;

a base;

a plurality of first legs spaced symmetrically away from one another and extending proximally from the base; and

a plurality of second legs extending proximally from the base and having a tip that flares outwardly towards the protruding pocket;

wherein at least one of the second legs is positioned between the plurality of the first legs.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the needle cap covers about half of the length of the device.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the needle cap includes a clear window disposed between a closed end and an open end.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the housing includes a corresponding window positioned beneath the clear window of the needle cap when the needle cap is engaged to the housing.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the needle cap includes longitudinal ribs extending along the length of the needle cap.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the longitudinal ribs extend within the needle cap.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the longitudinal ribs are spaced apart so that at least one rib extends on one side of a clear window and at least one rib extends on opposite side of the clear window.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the needle cap includes a curved interface and the housing includes a corresponding curved interface adapted to mate with the curved interface of the needle cap.