Pen needle with safety shield system

Abstract

A needle tip for an injection device includes a body having a front portion, a back portion configured to be removably connected to the pre-loaded injection device, and a wall separating the front and back portions. A hollow needle has a first piercing portion projecting back from the separating wall and a second piercing portion projecting forward from the separating wall. A safety shield that is axially movable relative to the body at least between an initial position, a retracted position, and a post use locking position. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A needle tip for an injection device comprising:
 a body having a front portion, a back portion configured to be removably connected to the pre-loaded injection device, and a wall or needle support separating the front and back portions;   a hollow needle having a first piercing portion projecting back from the separating wall and a second piercing portion projecting forward from the separating wall; and   a safety shield that is axially movable relative to the body at least between an initial position, a retracted position, and a post use locking position,   wherein the safety shield at least one of:   is at least partially disposed within the front portion of the body, includes a locking system which is prevented from being contacted by a user's fingers, and moves linearly without also rotating;   rotates at least partially in one direction as it moves from the initial position to the retracted position;   includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least a linear section and a curved section;   includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least a linear section and an angled section;   includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least one locking mechanism for retaining the safety shield in the post use locking position;   includes at least one mechanism for preventing a locking of the safety shield when said shield in not in the post use locking position;   is utilized in combination with at least one depth adjustment mechanism for controlling a depth of injection;   includes at least one pierceable member that is pierced during injection;   includes at least one mechanism for providing an indication to the user that the needle tip has been used; and   includes a first portion that is at least partially disposed within the front portion of the body, a second portion that at least partially covers the front portion, has its movement limited by engagement between at least one projection extending into a guide recess.   
     
     
         2 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield is at least partially disposed within the front portion of the body, includes a locking system which is prevented from being contacted by a user's fingers, and moves linearly without also rotating. 
     
     
         3 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield rotates at least partially in opposite directions as it moves from the initial position to the retracted position. 
     
     
         4 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield rotates at least partially in opposite directions as it moves from the initial position to the retracted position. 
     
     
         5 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least a linear section and a curved section. 
     
     
         6 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least a linear section and an angled section. 
     
     
         7 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least one locking mechanism for retaining the safety shield in the post use locking position. 
     
     
         8 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield includes at least one mechanism for preventing a locking of the safety shield when said shield in not in the post use locking position. 
     
     
         9 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield includes at least one mechanism for providing a visual indication to the user that the needle tip has been used, wherein the visual indication is arranged on a skin engaging end of the safety shield. 
     
     
         10 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield includes at least one mechanism for providing a tactile indication to the user that the needle tip has been used. 
     
     
         11 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield includes a first portion that is at least partially disposed within the front portion of the body, a second portion that at least partially covers the front portion, has its movement limited by engagement between at least one projection extending into a guide recess. 
     
     
         12 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one projection for engaging an external thread of a proximal end of the injection device. 
     
     
         13 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein, once installed, the needle tip threadably engages with a proximal end of the injection device. 
     
     
         14 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one partial internal thread section for engaging an external thread of a proximal end of the injection device. 
     
     
         15 . The tip of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring for biasing the safety shield away from the retracted position. 
     
     
         16 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield, when in the initial position, does not cover or extend out past a free end of the second piercing portion. 
     
     
         17 . The tip of  claim 1 , wherein the safety shield, when in the initial position, does cover or extend out past a free end of the second piercing portion. 
     
     
         18 . A method of removing the tip of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 installing the tip onto a proximal end of an injection device;   using the tip to inject a substance; and   after the safety shield automatically moves to the post use locking position, removing the tip.   
     
     
         19 . A pre-filled injection device comprising:
 a pre-filled injection device body; and   a removable pen needle installed on the pre-filled injection device body,   wherein the pen needle comprises:   a body having a front portion, a back portion configured to be removably connected to the pre-loaded injection device, and a wall or needle support separating the front and back portions;   a hollow needle having a first piercing portion projecting back from the separating wall and a second piercing portion projecting forward from the separating wall;   a safety shield that is axially movable relative to the body at least between an initial position, a retracted position, and a post use locking position,   wherein the safety shield at least one of:   is at least partially disposed within the front portion of the body, includes a locking system which is prevented from being contacted by a user's fingers, and moves linearly without also rotating;   rotates at least partially in opposite directions as it moves from the initial position to the retracted position;   includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least a linear section and a curved section;   includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least a linear section and an angled section;   includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least one locking mechanism for retaining the safety shield in the post use locking position;   includes at least one mechanism for preventing a locking of the safety shield when said shield in not in the post use locking position;   includes at least one mechanism for providing a visual indication to the user that the needle tip has been used, wherein the visual indication is arranged on a skin engaging end of the safety shield;   is used in combination with at least one depth adjustment mechanism for controlling a depth of injection;   is movably mounted to the body and the body includes at least one depth adjustment mechanism for controlling a depth of injection;   includes at least one pierceable member that is pierced during injection;   includes at least one pierceable and resealable member that is pierced during injection;   includes at least one mechanism for providing a tactile indication to the user that the needle tip has been used; and   includes a first portion that is at least partially disposed within the front portion of the body, a second portion that at least partially covers the front portion, has its movement limited by engagement between at least one projection extending into a guide recess.   
     
     
         20 . A single-use pen needle comprising:
 a body having a front portion, a back portion configured to be removably connected to the pre-loaded injection device, and a wall separating the front and back portions;   a hollow needle having a first piercing portion projecting back from the separating wall and a second piercing portion projecting forward from the separating wall; and   a safety shield that is axially movable relative to the body at least between an initial position, a retracted position, and a post use locking position,   wherein the safety shield at least one of:   is at least partially disposed within the front portion of the body, includes a locking system which is prevented from being contacted by a user's fingers, and moves linearly without also rotating;   rotates at least partially in opposite directions as it moves from the initial position to the retracted position;   includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least a linear section and a curved section;   includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least a linear section and an angled section;   includes at least one projection that extends into a guide recess comprising at least one locking mechanism for retaining the safety shield in the post use locking position;   includes at least one mechanism for preventing a locking of the safety shield when said shield in not in the post use locking position;   includes at least one mechanism for providing a visual indication to the user that the needle tip has been used, wherein the visual indication is arranged on a skin engaging end of the safety shield;   is used in combination with at least one depth adjustment mechanism for controlling a depth of injection;   is movably mounted to the body and the body includes at least one depth adjustment mechanism for controlling a depth of injection;   includes at least one pierceable member that is pierced during injection;   includes at least one pierceable and resealable member that is pierced during injection;   includes at least one mechanism for providing a tactile indication to the user that the needle tip has been used; and   includes a first portion that is at least partially disposed within the front portion of the body, a second portion that at least partially covers the front portion, has its movement limited by engagement between at least one projection extending into a guide recess.