Patent ID: 6537252
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An automatic needle insertion device for use with a pen-shaped syringe of the type including a cartridge holder for holding a cartridge containing a drug to be administered, and a dose-setting and injection part by which a desired dose can be set and subsequently injected, said device comprising:a mainly tubular housing having proximal and distal ends, and including a rest portion which projects from said distal end in a distal direction and which can be placed against the skin; a mainly tubular cocking element for releasably engaging at least one of the parts of a syringe of the type described in the preamble such that a proximal end of the dose-setting and injection part projects from a proximal end of said cocking element, wherein said cocking element is mounted in said tubular housing so as to be axially displaceable therein; a spring having opposite ends engaging, respectively, said tubular housing and said cocking element such that moving the cocking element in a proximal direction relative to said housing cocks said spring; wherein said cocking element is axially moveable between an injection position and a cocked position such that, when a syringe having a needle provided thereon is mounted in said needle insertion device, and said cocking member is in said injection position, such needle will project in a distal direction beyond said rest portion by a predetermined distance, and wherein, when said cocking member is moved in a proximal direction to said cocked position, such a needle will be retracted to lie a distance in a proximal direction from said rest portion; whereby an injection can be administered by mounting a pen shaped syringe having a needle in said needle insertion device, setting a dose, moving said cocking element to said cocked position, thereby cocking said spring, placing said rest portion against the skin, releasing said cocking element to cause the syringe and needle to move from the cocked position to the injection position, thereby causing the needle to penetrate the skin, and injecting the set dose.