Automatic injector

Abstract

An auto-injector automatically dispenses a predetermined dose of medicament upon activation. The auto-injector includes a needle cover operative to engage an injection site and activate the injector. The needle cover is configured to move from a locked retracted position prior to a medicament dispensing operation to a locked extended position after the medicament dispensing operation. The non-removable needle cover prevents contact with the needle both before and after the medicament dispensing operation.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An auto-injector comprising:
 a housing having a needle end and a release pin end;   at least one cartridge container disposed within the housing;   a cartridge received within the cartridge container, the cartridge comprising at least one opening and a medicament stored therein;   a needle assembly to dispense the medicament there through, the needle assembly having a needle, wherein the cartridge is connected to the needle assembly through an assembly or carrier;   a protective element for the needle, wherein the protective element is pierced by the needle during a medicament dispensing operation;   an actuation assembly having a first stored energy source capable of driving the needle to permit injection of the medicament into a user, the actuation assembly positioned in the housing, recessed from the release pin end, and operatively coupled to the cartridge;   a release pin removably attached to the actuation assembly at the release pin end of the housing to prevent inadvertent activation of the auto-injector while the release pin is attached to the actuation assembly, removal of the release pin allowing the auto-injector to be activated;   a needle cover received and supported within the housing and partially disposed outside of the housing, the needle cover having an end surface for placement against an injection site prior to activation of the auto-injector, the end surface having an area to permit passage of the needle there through after the needle pierces the protective element during the medicament dispensing operation;   a second stored energy source associated with the needle cover, or operatively connected thereto, that can be displaced from a non-active storage position to an injection position, and further to a post-medicament dispensing position;   a damping element that prevents a force of the first stored energy source from being transferred through the cartridge onto the needle cover and the injection site; and   a locking mechanism that locks the needle cover in a first locked position in which the needle cover is in a locked refracted position prior to activation of the auto-injector, and a second locked position in which the needle cover is in a locked extended position after the medicament dispensing operation,   wherein the needle cover surrounds the needle on all sides outside of the housing to prevent contact with the needle before and after the medicament dispensing operation,   wherein during the medicament dispensing operation in the injection position, a user holds the auto-injector against the injection site, and continues to hold the auto-injector on the injection site without change during the entire medicament dispensing operation, and   wherein the auto-injector may be positioned in the non-active storage position, the injection position, and the post-medicament dispensing position, wherein automated actuating or displacement processes take place between the positions and the medicament dispersing operation takes place.   
     
     
         32 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein the needle cover is operable to be pressed against the injection site to start the medicament dispensing operation. 
     
     
         33 . The auto-injector of claim  2  wherein the pressing of the needle cover against the injection site with a predetermined force causes the needle cover to press against the cartridge container, which causes relative linear movement of the cartridge container toward the release pin end, which causes relative movement of the actuation assembly, which activates the medicament dispersing operation. 
     
     
         34 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein the first and second stored energy sources are springs. 
     
     
         35 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein the auto-injector has indicia printed thereon to indicate the location of the needle. 
     
     
         36 . The auto-injector of claim  5  wherein the indicia comprises the words “needle end.” 
     
     
         37 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein the auto-injector has indicia printed thereon to indicate that the auto-injector has been used. 
     
     
         38 . The auto-injector of claim  7  wherein the indicia comprises the words “used,” “replace,” or a combination of “used” and “replace.” 
     
     
         39 . The auto-injector of claim  1  further comprising a diaphragm, wherein relative movement between the diaphragm and an end of the needle allows a communication between the cartridge and the needle, which allows the needle to dispense the medicament. 
     
     
         40 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein pressing the needle cover toward the release pin end unlocks the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         41 . The auto-injector of claim  10  wherein pressing the needle cover causes a communication between the needle cover and the cartridge container that unlocks the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         42 . The auto-injector of claim  10  wherein the unlocking of the locking mechanism involves a rotation of locking teeth. 
     
     
         43 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein the second stored energy source is a spring, wherein the spring urges the needle cover toward the post-medicament dispensing position, and wherein the needle cover is locked when it reaches the post-medicament dispensing position. 
     
     
         44 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein the locking mechanism comprises locking surfaces on at least the needle cover and the cartridge container. 
     
     
         45 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein the protective element is attached to the cartridge container. 
     
     
         46 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein the protective element is a rubber septum. 
     
     
         47 . The auto-injector of claim  1  wherein the needle cover requires sufficient linear movement to reach the locked extended position after the medicament dispensing operation.