Patent ID: 6391003
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A locking mechanism for use with a needle assisted jet injector, the needle assisted jet injector having a needle assembly with a needle and a needle guard associated with the needle assembly, said needle guard for placement against a surface to be injected and for guarding the needle before and after an injection of the injector, the needle guard being movable between a first retracted position wherein the needle is retracted inside the needle guard, an extended position wherein the needle extends outside the needle guard for injection into the surface, and a second retracted position wherein the needle is retracted inside the needle guard after injection, said locking mechanism comprising:a holder member adapted for holding a needle assembly and having at least one first engaging portion; and locking means operatively associated with a needle guard and the holder member for engagement with at least one first engaging portion of the holder member in the extended and second retracted positions; wherein the locking means is associated with a needle guard in the first retracted position, is associated with the holder member in the extended and second position and is in blocking relation with a needle guard into the extended position and deter reuse of a needle; and wherein the holder member includes: a substantially cylindrical portion at a proximal end thereof; at least one first engaging portion at a distal end thereof; and an inner wall positioned substantially therebetween, said cylindrical portion and inner wall being configured and dimensioned for mating with a needle assembly.