Patent ID: 6656163
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An injection device comprising:i) a barrel with an opening at a forward end, ii) a syringe carrier within the barrel and axially movable between a rearward position, in which a syringe carried thereby is retracted so that its needle is non-projecting from said forward end, and a forward position, in which the needle projects from said forward end, iii) spring means acting between the barrel and the syringe carrier to urge the syringe carrier rearwardly, iv) a connector with limited axial movement carried within the barrel and receiving the rear end of the syringe carrier within its forward end, v) a removable locking element inserted laterally through the barrel to engage and hold at least one of the connector and the syringe carrier against axial movement, its removal freeing both for axial movement, and vi) a locking element on the connector that snap fits to the barrel, the locking element being prevented from engaging the barrel before use and during injection, wherein forward movement of the carrier relative to the connector upon effecting an injection frees the locking element to snap fit to the barrel when, after injection, the spring means urges the carrier, and hence the syringe and the connector, rearwardly, vii) and wherein the rear end of the connector is adapted to receive a firing device, the firing device having an element to engage a piston within the syringe so that, when fired with the connector at its forward position, the syringe with its carrier is first thrust forwards to project the needle from the forward end of the barrel by the element acting through the piston and the dose within the syringe and then the piston is urged forwards to eject the dose.