Patent ID: 7449012
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An auto-injector comprising: a housing; a cartridge container disposed within the housing; a cartridge received within the cartridge container, the cartridge having at least one opening therein and containing a medicament, the medicament rearwardly confined by a plunger, wherein the cartridge includes a needle assembly to dispense the medicament there through, the needle assembly comprising a needle and a non-removable protective needle sheath; an actuation assembly providing a stored energy source capable of being released to drive the needle through the protective needle sheath and to drive the plunger within the cartridge to dispense the medicament through the needle assembly; a needle cover received within the housing, the needle cover having an opening formed therein to permit the passage of the needle assembly there through during a medicament dispensing operation, the needle cover having a first locked position whereby the needle cover is in a locked retracted position prior to activation of the auto-injector, the needle cover having a second locked position whereby the needle cover is in a locked extended position after operation of the auto-injector; a first locking assembly that holds the needle cover in the first locked position; and a second locking assembly that holds the needle cover in the second locked position.