Patent ID: 6270479
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An autoinjector for replaceable containers of syringe type, comprising a barrel of axially roughly constant cross-section, a front opening with or for an injection needle and at least one movable rear piston, optionally with a plunger connected thereto, inserted in the barrel for the displacement of a container content, the autoinjector comprising a) a housing, b) a container carrier, arranged for reception of the container and arranged movably in relation to the housing in container axial direction between a rear, needle-covering, position and a forward, needle-exposing, position, c) an autopenetration mechanism, comprising at least a penetration head and penetration drive, the penetration head being arranged for movement of the barrel or carrier in the forward direction and the penetration drive being operable to apply force between the housing and the penetration head, d) an autoinjection mechanism, comprising at least an injection head and an injection drive, the injection head being arranged for movement of the piston or plunger in the forward direction and the injection drive being operable to apply force between the housing or the carrier and the injection head, e) optionally an autoreturn mechanism operable to apply force between the housing and the barrel or carrier for movement thereof in the rearward direction, and f) a control system for sequencing the operation of at least the autopenetration and autoinjection mechanisms, comprising a releasable penetration lock for the autopenetration mechanism and a releasable injection lock for the autoinjection mechanism, wherein the carrier is designed to accommodate either of at least two containers of different length and/or width, and the autoinjector further comprises at least one damper arranged for energy absorption from the autopenetration and/or autoinjection movement.