Systems for automatically administering medication

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9333305-B2
Application number	US-201414579719-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2014
Priority date	Jul 18, 2008
Publication date	May 10, 2016
Grant date	May 10, 2016

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cap assembly for an autoinjector device comprising:
a needle cap remover; and
a cap having a protruding pocket for receiving the 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, each first leg having an internally facing barb for receiving and engaging a needle cap that covers a needle of an autoinjector device; and
a plurality of second legs extending proximally from the base, each second leg having an externally facing barb tip that flares outwardly towards the protruding pocket for engaging a lower, interior portion of the protruding pocket near the base, wherein at least one of the second legs is positioned circumferentially between two of the first legs, and wherein the plurality of second legs do not extend proximally from the base as far as the plurality of first legs.

2. The cap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the internally facing barbs include a tip that flares inward and towards the base.

3. The cap assembly of claim 2 , wherein the tip of at least one of the first legs digs into the needle cap in use.

4. The cap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the internally facing barbs are concaved.

5. The cap assembly 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.

6. The cap assembly of claim 5 , wherein the internally facing barbs extend at an angle with respect to the upright.

7. The cap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap covers about half of the length of an autoinjector device.

8. The cap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap includes a clear window disposed between a closed end and an open end.

9. The cap assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap includes longitudinal ribs extending along the length of the cap.

10. The cap assembly of claim 9 , wherein the longitudinal ribs extend within the cap.

11. The cap assembly of claim 9 , 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.

12. The cap assembly of claim 9 , wherein the cap includes a curved interface adapted to mate with a corresponding curved interface of an autoinjector device.

13. A cap assembly for an autoinjector device comprising:
a needle cap remover; and
a cap having a protruding pocket for receiving the 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 for receiving and engaging a needle cap that covers a needle of an autoinjector device; and
a plurality of second legs extending proximally from the base, each second leg having an externally facing barb tip that flares outwardly towards the protruding pocket for engaging a lower, interior portion of the protruding pocket near the base, wherein the plurality of second legs do not extend proximally from the base as far as the plurality of first legs.

14. The cap assembly of claim 13 , 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.

15. The cap assembly of claim 14 , wherein the internally facing barbs extend at an angle with respect to the upright.

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

17. A cap assembly for an autoinjector device comprising:
a needle cap remover; and
a cap having a protruding pocket for receiving the 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 having a tip that flares inwardly towards the protruding pocket; 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, and wherein the plurality of second legs do not extend proximally from the base as far as the plurality of first legs.

18. The cap assembly of claim 17 , 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.

19. The cap assembly of claim 18 , wherein the internally facing barbs extend at an angle with respect to the upright.

20. The cap assembly of claim 17 , wherein the cap includes a clear window disposed between a closed end and an open end.

Assignees

• Ucb Biopharma Sprl

Inventors

• Mcloughlin Martin John
• Lee Alex
• Formosa Daniel
• Vordenberg Steven
• Vicari Joern
• Freitag Eric
• Kontorvich Boris

Classifications

• A61M5/3202

  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 title

• A61M5/2033

  Spring-loaded one-shot injectors with or without automatic needle insertion (multishot dosing syringes A61M5/31525, needle insertion only A61M5/3287) · CPC title

• A61M2005/312

  comprising sealing means, e.g. severable caps, to be removed prior to injection by, e.g. tearing or twisting · CPC title

• A61M2005/3215

  Tools enabling the cap placement · CPC title

• A61M5/3137

  Specially designed finger grip means, e.g. for easy manipulation of the syringe rod · CPC title