Patent ID: 9192724
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A refill module mountable to a reusable plunger assembly having at least one plunger, the at least one plunger includes a latch abutment surface, the refill module comprising: a housing having an interior hollow and a first axial end and a second axial end; a syringe subassembly including a barrel with a medication-filled reservoir, a piston, and a needle with an injection tip, said piston advanceable within said barrel by movement of the at least one plunger in an advancing direction to force medication from said reservoir through said needle and out said injection tip, said syringe subassembly shiftable within the housing interior hollow from a retracted position to an injecting position by movement of the at least one plunger, said injection tip projecting from the housing interior hollow and beyond said housing second axial end when said syringe subassembly is disposed in said injecting position; a carrier having a passageway in which the at least one plunger is insertable for advancement of said piston, said carrier shiftable within the interior hollow of said housing from a first axial position to a second axial position, said syringe subassembly engaged by said carrier to be moved axially when said carrier shifts from said first axial position to said second axial position, said syringe subassembly disposed in said injecting position when said carrier is in said first axial position, said needle injection tip disposed in said housing interior hollow between said first and second axial ends when said carrier is in said second axial position; at least one latching element shiftably mounted on said carrier, said at least one latching element including a cammable surface and a latch surface, said at least one latching element shiftable relative to the carrier from a retracted arrangement to a latching arrangement by the at least one plunger engaging said cammable surface during advancement of the at least one plunger, said latch surface, when said at least one latching element is disposed in said latching arrangement, restricting a size of the passageway to prevent withdrawal of the at least one plunger from the passageway due to interference by said latch surface with the latch abutment surface; wherein said carrier, upon retraction of the at least one plunger in a direction opposite said advancing direction while the at least one latching element is in said latching arrangement such that the latch abutment surface engages said latch surface, is lifted within said housing to shift from said first axial position to said second axial position to retract the injection tip into the housing interior hollow, wherein at said second axial position of said carrier said at least one latching element is shiftable from said latching arrangement toward said retracted arrangement to move said latch surface clear of said latch abutment surface to allow withdrawal of the at least one plunger from the passageway without further lifting of said carrier.