Patent ID: 6042571
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An injection device comprising a) a housing, b) a cartridge containing a preparation or precursor components for the preparation and having a front part and a rear part defining a general cartridge axis, an outlet for the preparation arranged at the front part and at least one movable wall arranged between the front part and the rear part, a displacement of which wall causes the preparation to be moved towards or expelled through the outlet, c) a piston rod, having a first end and a second end, at least partly contained within the housing and being operable to engage and displace the movable wall at its first end and d) an actuator within the housing arranged to move at least the rod,a gripper connected to the housing and arranged to hold the cartridge, or an enclosure therefore, with its front part distal and its rear part proximal to the housing,the actuator being arranged to move the gripper so as to move the cartridge, with its rear part leading, relative the housing,a lock arranged in the injection device to lock the cartridge against axial movements relative to the housing, hereby defining a locked position for the cartridge,the actuator being able to move the piston rod between at least one retracted position and at least one extended position,a shifter at least operative to disable the actuator against axial movements of the piston rod relative to the housing during at least part of the gripper movement; andthe relative positions between the piston rod in its retracted position and the cartridge in its locked position being such that the piston rod extends into the cartridge.