Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9925336B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 01:20:31+00:00

Document:
2017-01-05 Assigned to AVANT MEDICAL CORP. reassignment AVANT MEDICAL CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BARNES, ANDREW C., BURK, MICHAEL W., KOERNER, RICHARD J., MAGERS, COREY M., SLATE, JOHN B.
A system for injecting a fluid medicament into a patient includes a drive mechanism, and a cassette loaded with a pre-filled hypodermic syringe. When the cassette is loaded, the syringe is held firmly inside and the cassette can be selectively engaged with the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism has two motors. A first motor initially moves the hypodermic syringe from a position inside the cassette where its needle is concealed, to a position where the needle extends from the cassette for insertion into a patient for an injection. With the needle inserted, a second motor pushes the syringe stopper to expel a fluid medicament from the syringe. After an injection, the first motor withdraws the syringe back into concealment inside the cassette, to again firmly hold the syringe on the cassette. The cassette and syringe, in combination, can then be removed from the drive mechanism and discarded.
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/123,888, filed on May 20, 2008. The entire disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/123,888 is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention pertains generally to systems for injecting fluid medicaments into a patient from a pre-filled hypodermic syringe. More particularly, the present invention pertains to systems wherein the needle of the hypodermic syringe remains concealed and hidden during an injection procedure. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a system wherein a hypodermic syringe is concealed in a cassette; wherein the cassette is engageable with a drive mechanism; and wherein the drive mechanism uses one motor to present the syringe needle for an injection, and uses another motor to expel fluid medicament through the syringe needle.
Pre-filled hypodermic syringes provide several advantages for the home-use market. These advantages include the fact that pre-filled syringes can be prepared for each fluid medicament with the exactly required dosage. Further, they are easily operated, by merely advancing the stopper of the syringe. Aside from the costs of the particular medication that is being used, pre-filled syringes are also economically manufactured. A consequence of all this is that pre-filled syringes have commercial appeal. Nevertheless, prefilled syringes also have a significant drawback in the marketplace. Specifically, many users are either frightened by an exposed needle or feel they are inherently incapable of performing an injection.
Because of aversions to exposed needles, as well as the many health and safety issues that may be involved, various needleless injectors and other devices have been developed for the specific purpose of concealing needles from the user. Typically, for devices where hidden or protected needles are employed, the devices are spring-operated and tend toward the use of cartridges, rather than the use of pre-filled hypodermic syringes. For example, U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0021720A1 which was filed for an invention entitled “Injector”, discloses such a device employing a variety of spring activated mechanisms. When springs are employed, however, the forces cannot be varied from application to application. This can be particularly problematic in situations where it may be desirable to use a same device, at different times, to inject different medications, with different fluid viscosities. Indeed, it may not be possible to use a same spring-loaded injector for different medications. The situation can become further complicated when consideration is given to the fact that, in a single injection procedure, the optimal force for inserting a syringe needle into a patient may be quite different from the force required to subsequently expel fluid medicament from the syringe. Furthermore, the starting force of a spring will differ from the ending force. And, this can be problematic for assuring a complete drug delivery.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system using disposable cassettes that are pre-loaded with pre-filled syringes to hide the syringe needle during its use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for injecting fluid medicaments into a patient that uses different motors to accommodate different force requirements during an injection procedure. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for injecting a fluid medicament to a patient that is easy to assemble, is simple to use, and is comparatively cost effective.
In accordance with the present invention, a system for injecting fluid medicaments into a patient from a pre-filled hypodermic syringe, employs a cassette that is pre-loaded with the pre-filled syringe. For this combination, the hypodermic syringe can be loaded into the cassette during manufacture, or be subsequently loaded by a contract service provider. In either case, the syringe needle is concealed inside the cassette and hidden from the view of the end-user. Importantly, the only preparation required by the end-user (e.g. the patient that is to self-administer the fluid medicament) is to mount the cassette onto a drive mechanism.
Structurally, the system of the present invention envisions a pre-filled syringe that will have a needle, and it will have a stopper for expelling the fluid medicament from the syringe through the needle. Further, the pre-filled syringe will be firmly held on the cassette in a position where the syringe needle is concealed and hidden from view. As envisioned for the present invention, the pre-filled hypodermic syringe can be firmly held in the concealed position, in any of several different ways. These include, the use of a latching mechanism, an adhesive, or a flexible abutment.
Once the cassette has been loaded with the pre-filled hypodermic syringe, the cassette can be engaged with a drive mechanism. In detail, the drive mechanism includes two separate motors that perform two different functions. A first motor is provided for engaging the syringe in its concealed position where its needle is hidden. With this engagement, the first motor then moves the syringe and its needle from the concealed position and into an exposed position where the needle is extended for insertion into the patient. While the needle is inserted into the patient, a second motor is provided for pushing the stopper on the syringe to expel fluid medicament from the syringe. After the injection has been completed, the first motor then withdraws the syringe and its needle back into the concealed position. Importantly, after it has been withdrawn the syringe is again firmly held in the concealed position, inside the cassette. Thus, the needle remains hidden from view at all times during an injection procedure. Further, as noted above, the syringe is firmly held inside the cassette to insure the syringe needle does not inadvertently extend from the cassette.
In operation, an end-user mounts a pre-loaded cassette on the drive mechanism. The end-user then removes a protective cover from the syringe needle and positions the system at a site where an injection is to be made. A button on the system is then pushed to activate the drive mechanism for an injector procedure. After the injection has been completed, the cassette, with its now empty syringe, can be removed from the drive mechanism and discarded.
FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of the cassette shown in FIG. 4.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a system for injecting a fluid medicament into a patient is shown and is generally designated 10. In detail, FIG. 1 shows the system 10 includes a cassette 12 and a drive mechanism 14. Further, the drive mechanism 14 is formed with a cradle 16 that is dimensioned to receive and hold the cassette 12 on the drive mechanism 14. It is also indicated in FIG. 1 that the drive mechanism 14 includes a first motor 18 (shown in phantom) and a second motor 20 (also shown in phantom). For purposes of the present invention, the motors 18 and 20 can be of any standard type well known in the art (e.g. a lead screw). More specifically, the motors 18 and 20 must be capable of individually exerting axially directed forces on contents of the cassette 12. These forces will need to be directed substantially along the axis 22. Activation of the motors 18 and 20 for the generation of these forces is accomplished by manipulation of the button 24.
Structurally, the cassette 12 and its interaction with associated contents are shown in FIG. 2. There it will be seen that the cassette 12 is essentially a housing 26 having hollow, tubular shaped structure. Importantly, the housing 26 is provided to hold a hypodermic syringe 28 having a needle 30 that is affixed to the distal end of its fluid chamber 32. A standard grip 34 is provided at the proximal end of the fluid chamber 32. Also, a stopper 36 is provided to expel fluid medicament from the fluid chamber 32 through the needle 30. A protective cover 38 can be provided to cover the needle 30 when system 10 is not in operational use, and a cap 40 is employed to grip the protective cover 38. Prior to an operation of the system 10, the cassette 12 is pre-loaded. And, furthermore, the syringe 28 is pre-filled with an appropriate dose of the desired fluid medicament. Before pre-loading the cassette 12, the protective cover 38 is positioned over the needle 30 on syringe 28. The pre-filled syringe 28 is then inserted into the housing 26 through its proximal end 42. The cap 40 can then be inserted through the distal end 44 of the housing 26 to engage the cap 40 with the protective cover 38. The cassette 12 is thus pre-loaded, and it will appear substantially as shown in FIG. 1. Once it has been pre-loaded, the cassette 12 can be mounted on the drive mechanism 14 is indicated in FIG. 1. This is done by merely inserting the cassette 12 into cradle 16. During this insertion the protrusions 46 a and 46 b (protrusion 46 b is not shown) engage with respective recesses 48 a and 48 b to stabilize the cassette 12 on drive mechanism 14. An important structural aspect of the present invention is that when the pre-filled syringe 28 has been pre-loaded into the cassette 12, it will thereafter be firmly held inside the cassette 12. Specifically, it will be held in a position where the needle 30 is concealed inside the cassette 12 and thereby hidden from view. For example, FIG. 3A shows a syringe 28 being held in the housing 26 of a cassette 12 by opposed bumps 50 a and 50 b that are formed onto respective resilient arms 52 a and 52 b. While syringe 28 is in the position shown in FIG. 3A (sometimes referred to hereinafter as the concealed position or proximal position), the syringe needle 30 is hidden inside the housing 26. Also, until, the bumps 50 a and 50 b have been overcome by an axial force exerted by the syringe 28 and supplied by the first motor 18, the syringe 28 will be firmly held in its concealed position. FIG. 3B then shows that when a sufficient force has been applied by the first motor 18, the syringe 28 will move from its concealed (proximal) position, and into an extended (distal) position. In this distal position, the syringe 28 is retained in the cassette 12 by stops 53 a and 53 b while the needle 30 extends from the housing 26 for insertion into a patient. Importantly, the first motor 18 is attached to the syringe 28 in a manner that allows the first motor 18 to retract the syringe 28 from the extended (distal) position, and thereby return the needle 30 to its concealed (proximal) position. Again, the syringe 28 will be firmly held on the housing 26 by the bumps 50 a and 50 b.
Although the disclosure for the present invention is directed primarily toward a dual motor system (i.e. first motor 18 and second motor 20), two motors may not be necessary. Indeed, it will be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a single motor may suffice for purposes of the present invention. In such a case, however, an appropriate transmission will be required for alternating between creating forces directly on the syringe 28 or on the stopper 36. In any event, the importance of using motors for system 10, vis-a-vis springs, is to generate controllable and reliable forces for movements of the syringe 28, or for expelling fluid medicament therefrom.
An alternate construction for the cassette 12 is shown in FIG. 4. There an embodiment for the cassette 12 is seen that includes an inner sleeve 54 and an outer sleeve 56. More specifically, the inner sleeve 54 is a hollow, substantially tube-shaped structure that is formed with a lumen 58. Formed onto the outside of the inner sleeve 54 are a proximal projection 60 and a distal projection 62 that are axially aligned with each other. FIG. 4 also shows that the outer sleeve 56, like inner sleeve 54, is hollow and substantially tube-shaped. Further, the outer sleeve 56 is formed with a lumen 64 and an axially aligned slot 66. Resilient arms 68 a and 68 b are formed on the outer sleeve 56 and are positioned to extend in the slot 66, substantially as shown. Additionally, the resilient arms 68 a and 68 b are respectively formed with detents 70 a and 70 b and ramps 72 a and 72 b.
Referring to FIG. 6, in order to load a cassette 12 having the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the inner sleeve 54 is inserted into the lumen 64 of the outer sleeve 56. Importantly, with this insertion the proximal projection 60 on inner sleeve 54 is positioned and held in the detents 70 a and 70 b of the arms 68 a and 68 b. The hypodermic syringe 28 can then be inserted into the lumen 58 of the inner sleeve 54. This places the syringe 28 in its concealed (proximal) position on 15 the cassette 12. Subsequently, movement of the syringe 28 from its concealed (proximal) position to its extended (distal) position is accomplished by the first motor 18. More specifically, a bar 80 which is operated by the first motor 18, is used to urge against the ramps 72 a and 72 b on arms 68 a and 68 b. This causes the arms 68 a and 68 b to spread and thereby 20 release the proximal projection 60 from their grasp. The inner sleeve 54, with syringe 28 firmly held thereon, can then be moved in a distal direction through the lumen 64 of the outer sleeve 56. This distal movement continues until the distal projection 62 contacts the end abutment 74 of the slot 66. The syringe 28 is now in its extended (distal) position. Subsequently, the first motor 18 can withdraw the inner sleeve 54 in a proximal direction through the lumen 64 of the outer sleeve 56. This proximal movement continues until the proximal projection 60 on inner sleeve 54 again engages with the detents 70 a and 70 b. Thus, the syringe 28 is returned to its concealed (proximal) position inside the cassette 12.
FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment for the cassette 12 of the present invention wherein an adhesive 76 is positioned on the cassette 12 to firmly hold the syringe 28 in its concealed (proximal) position. The adhesive 76, or a similar type of restraining element, can be used either directly between the syringe 28 and cassette 12 as shown in FIG. 5, or in some arrangement between the inner sleeve 54 and outer sleeve 56 when an embodiment as shown in FIG. 4 is employed. Alternatively, an arrangement such as disclosed in FIGS. 3A and 3B can also be used for an embodiment as shown in FIG. 4. The import here is that for an embodiment for the cassette 12 having an inner sleeve 54 and an outer sleeve 56, a structure other than the arms 68 a and 68 b can be used. In particular, an adhesive 76 or bumps 50 a,b can be used in lieu of the arms 68 a and 68 b to hold the syringe 28 in its concealed (proximal) position.
In the operation of the system of the present invention, a pre-loaded cassette 12 is positioned in the cradle 16 on the drive mechanism 14. This engages the syringe 28 with the drive mechanism 14. Prior to an injection, the cap 40 is removed from the system 10. More specifically, because the cap 40 is attached to the protective cover 38 over needle 30 of the syringe 28, the protective cover 38 is also removed. The system 10 is now ready for an injection. With the system 10 positioned at an injection site (not shown), the button 24 on drive mechanism 14 is depressed. Depression of the button 24 causes the first motor 18 to engage with the syringe 28 and to move the syringe 28 from its concealed (proximal) position to its extended (distal) position. This causes the needle 30 of syringe 28 to penetrate into tissue of the patient for an injection. At this point, the second motor 20 pushes on stopper 36 to expel fluid medicament from the fluid chamber 32 of the syringe 25 28. After an injection has been completed, the first motor 18 is again activated. This time, however, instead of advancing the syringe 28, it withdraws the syringe 28 from the extended (distal) position to the concealed (proximal) position. The cassette 12, along with the expended syringe 28, can then be removed from the drive mechanism 14 and discarded.
While the particular Cassette for a Hidden Injection Needle as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.
wherein the needle is concealed inside the cassette in the first position, and wherein the needle extends from the cassette in the second position for injection of the medicament.
a second motor for pushing the stopper to expel the medicament from the syringe while the syringe is in one of the first and second positions.
a projection extending radially outward from the inner sleeve and into the slot of the outer sleeve for selective engagement with the detent of the outer sleeve.
4. A system as recited in claim 3 further comprising a pair of resilient arms, wherein the arms are opposite each other across the slot for concerted engagement with the projection on the inner sleeve.
a cap engageable with the protective cover for subsequent removal of the protective cover with the cap when the cap is removed from the outer sleeve.
a bar operated by the first motor for releasing the detent.
an injector comprising a cradle and a motorized drive mechanism, the cradle for receiving and holding the cassette and the motorized drive mechanism for releasing the detent and for causing the syringe to move in the cassette between the needle concealed position and a needle extended position.
a second motor for pushing the stopper to expel the medicament from the syringe if the syringe is in the needle extended position.
wherein the syringe is in the needle concealed position when the inner sleeve is in the first position and the syringe is in the needle extended position when the inner sleeve is in the second position.
10. A system as recited in claim 9 wherein the detent is formed by the outer sleeve.
11. A system as recited in claim 9 wherein the outer sleeve comprises a wall, the wall having a slot and a first resilient arm with the detent, wherein the inner sleeve comprises a projection that engages the detent when the inner sleeve is in the first position, the projection being released from the detent by the motorized drive mechanism and traveling in the slot as the motorized drive mechanism moves the inner sleeve from the first position to the second position.
12. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the projection re-engages the detent as the motorized drive mechanism moves the inner sleeve from the second position to the first position.
13. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the detent comprises a first detent and wherein the wall of the outer sleeve has a second resilient arm with a second detent, wherein the projection engages the second detent when the inner sleeve is in the first position, the projection being released from the second detent by the motorized drive mechanism.
14. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the projection re-engages the first and second detents as the motorized drive mechanism moves the inner sleeve from the second position to the first position.
a detent formed by the outer sleeve for retaining the inner sleeve in the first position, the detent being releasable by the motorized drive mechanism.
16. A disposable cassette as recited in claim 15 wherein the outer sleeve further comprises a wall, the wall having a slot and a first resilient arm with the detent, wherein the inner sleeve comprises a projection that engages the detent when the inner sleeve is in the first position, the projection being released from the detent by the motorized drive mechanism and traveling in the slot as the motorized drive mechanism moves the inner sleeve from the first position to the second position.
17. A disposable cassette as recited in claim 16 wherein the projection re-engages the detent as the motorized drive mechanism moves the inner sleeve from the second position to the first position.
18. A disposable cassette as recited in claim 16 wherein the detent comprises a first detent and wherein the wall of the outer sleeve has a second resilient arm with a second detent, wherein the projection engages the second detent when the inner sleeve is in the first position, the projection being released from the second detent by the motorized drive mechanism.
19. A disposable cassette as recited in claim 18 wherein the projection re-engages the first and second detents as the motorized drive mechanism moves the inner sleeve from the second position to the first position.
an outer sleeve for supporting the inner sleeve, the inner sleeve moveable relative to the outer sleeve between the first position and & the second position, wherein the detent is formed by the outer sleeve.
21. A system as recited in claim 20 wherein the outer sleeve comprises a slot and a resilient arm, wherein the detent is formed on the resilient arm, and wherein the inner sleeve comprises a projection that extends into the slot of the outer sleeve and engages the detent when the sleeve is in the first position.
"EP Office Action" issued in European Patent Application No. 09 751 483.0, dated Nov. 16, 2015 (foreign counterpart of related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163).
"Extended European Search Report", dated Jul. 16, 2015, issued in European Patent Application No. 12774589 (counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479).
"Final Office Action" dated Oct. 18, 2016 issued related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,150.
"Final Office Action" issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750 dated Nov. 18, 2015.
"Final Office Action", dated Apr. 20, 2015, issued in related Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2014-021052 (counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163).
"Final Office Action", dated Jun. 1, 2015, issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-510683 (counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163).
"Final Office Action, dated Apr. 20, 2015" issued in related Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2014-021052 (counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163).
"International Preliminary Report on Patentability", dated Oct. 22, 2013, issued in related International Application No: PCT/US2012/034535 (counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479).
"International Search Report and Written Opinion," dated Aug. 18, 2014, issued in related International Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/028363, Publisher: WIPO.
"International Search Report and Written Opinion," dated Oct. 7, 2014, issued in related International Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/027950, Publisher: WIPO.
"Non-Final Office Action dated Apr. 21, 2015", issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/454,531, dated Apr. 21, 2015.
"Non-Final Office Action" issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163, dated Jul. 28, 2016.
"Non-Final Office Action" issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750 dated Aug. 10, 2015.
"Non-Final Office Action," dated Aug. 21, 2014, issued in related copending U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750, Publisher: USPTO.
"Non-Final Office Action," dated Sep. 11, 2014, issued in related copending U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163, Publisher: USPTO.
"Notice of Acceptance," dated Aug. 7, 2014, issued in Australian Patent Application No. 2009249027, which is the counterpart to related copending U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163.
"Notice of Allowance" issued in counterpart Australian Patent Application No. 2012245231, dated Oct. 4, 2016.
"Notice of Allowance" issued in counterpart Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-506591, dated Oct. 3, 2016.
"Notice of Allowance", issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/454531 pri Oct. 5, 2015.
"Notice of Allowance, issued in Japanese Application No.; 2011-510683 (Foreign counterpart of U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163)", Oct. 5, 2015.
"Notice of Allowance, issued in Japanese Continuation Application No: 2014-021052 (Foreign counterpart of U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163)", Aug. 24, 2015.
"Office Action" dated Nov. 23, 2015, issued in Canadian Application No. 2,833,748 (foreign counterpart of related U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479).
"Office Action" issued in counterpart Canadian Patent Application No. 2833748, dated Aug. 12, 2016.
"Office Action" issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-506591 dated Jan. 4, 2016 (Foreign counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479).
"Office Action" issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-506591 on Jan. 4, 2016 (foreign counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479).
"Office Action" issued In related European Patent Application No. 9751483.0, dated Aug. 1, 2016.
"Office Action" issued in related Taiwan Patent Application No. 103109332, dated Aug. 22, 2016.
"Office Action" issued in related Taiwan Patent application No. 103109475, dated Aug. 26, 2016.
"Office Action", dated Apr. 10, 2015, issued in European Patent Application No. 09751483.0 (counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163).
"Office Action", dated Jan. 5, 2015, issued in related Japanese Application JP2014-021052 (counterpart to U.S. Appl. No. 12/123,888).
"Office Action", dated Jun. 4, 2015, issued in related Canadian Patent Application No. 2724641.
"Office Action", dated Mar. 12, 2015, issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750.
"Office Action", dated Mar. 8, 2015, issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750.
"Office Action", dated May 8, 2015, issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163.
"Office Action"issued in counterpart Australian Patent Application No. 2012245231, dated Jul. 5, 2016.
"Office Action"issued in related Australian Patent Application No. 2012245231, dated Oct. 19, 2015 (Foreign counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479).
"Office Action"issued in related Australian Patent Application No. 2014268139, dated Jul. 19, 2016.
"Office Action," dated Sep. 24, 2014, issued in Mexican Patent Application No. MX/a/2010/012691, which is the counterpart to related copending U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163.
"Related Australian Patent Application No. 2009 249027 Office Action", Jul. 24, 2013, Publisher: IP Australia, Published in: AU.
"Related European Patent Application No. EP 09 75 1483 Office Action", Aug. 1, 2013, Publisher: EPO, Published in: EP.
"Related European Patent Application No. EP 09 751 483.0", "Office Action", May 14, 2014, Publisher: EPO, Published in: EP.
"Related European Patent Application No.: EP 09 751 483.0", "Office Action", May 14, 2014, Publisher: EPO, Published in: EP.
"Related International Application No. PCT/US2012/034535 International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion of the ISA", Oct. 31, 2013, Publisher: PCT, Published in: CH.
"Related International Application No. PCT/US2012/34535 International Search Report and Written Opinion", Aug. 17, 2012, Publisher: PCT. Published in: U.S.
"Related Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2011-510683 Office Action ", Jul. 30, 2013, Publisher: JPO, Published in: JP.
"Related Japanese Patent Application No: JP 2011-510683", "Office Action", Jun. 30, 2014, Publisher: JPO, Published in: JP.
"Related Mexican Patent Application No. MX/a/20101012691", "Office Action", Feb. 10, 2014, Publisher: IInstituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial, Published in: MX.
"Related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163 Non-Final Office Action", Dec. 27, 2013, Publisher: USPTO, Published in: U.S.
"Related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,740 Office Action", dated Jun. 21, 2013. Publisher: USPTO. Published in: U.S.
"Related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,740 Office Action", Jun. 21, 2013, Publisher: USPTO, Published in: U.S.
"Related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750 Final Office Action", Dec. 26, 2013, Publisher: USPTO, Published in: U.S.
"Related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750 Office Action", dated Dec. 26, 2013. Publisher: USPTO. Published in: U.S.
Australian patent application No. 2017200125, Examination Report No. 1, dated Sep. 18, 2017.
Canadian patent application No. 2724641, Examination Report, dated Dec. 15, 2016.
Canadian patent application No. 2724641, Examination Report, dated Sep. 29, 2017.
Canadian patent application No. 2833748, Examination Report, dated Aug. 12, 2016.
Canadian patent application No. 2833748, Examination Report, dated May 2, 2017.
European patent application No. 12774589.1, Extended Search Report, dated Feb. 23, 2015.
European patent application No. 14763010.7, Extended Search Report and Opinion, dated Jan. 10, 2017.
European patent application No. 14763010.7, Partial Supplementary Search Report dated Oct. 24, 2016.
European patent application No. 14765760.5, Extended Search Report, dated Jan. 11, 2017.
European patent application No. 14765760.5, Partial Supplementary Search Report, dated Oct. 24, 2016.
Extended European Search Report for Application No. 14763010.7, dated Jan. 10, 2017.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability of the International Searching Authority issued for International Application No. PCT/US09/44693 filed May 20, 2009 of Slate et al.
International Search Report issued for International Application No. PCT/US09/44693 filed May 20, 2009 of Slate et al.
Japanese patent application No. 2015-171851, Decision of Rejection (English translation), dated Feb. 6, 2017.
Japanese patent application No. 2016-214237, Notice of Reasons for Rejection (English translation), dated Sep. 4, 2017.
Matthew Engel, "Final Office Action" dated Feb. 22, 2016, issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163.
Michael Denzer et al., related copending U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479, 371(c) dated Sep. 17, 2014.
Michael Denzer et al., Related unpublished U.S. Appl. No. 29/548,507, filed Dec. 14, 2015.
Michael Denzer et al., Related unpublished U.S. Appl. No. 29/548,508, filed Feb. 14, 2015.
Monica Lopez Garcia, "Extended European Search Report," dated Jul. 16, 2015, issued in related European Patent Application No. 12774589 (counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479).
Notice of Allowance dated Apr. 6, 2011 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/178,447, filed Jul. 23, 2008 of Slate et al.
Notice of Allowance dated Jan. 12, 2012 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/123,888, filed May 20, 2008 of Slate et al.
Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 24, 2011 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/178,447, filed Jul. 23, 2008 of Slate et al.
Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 3, 2011 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/123,888, filed May 20, 2008 of Slate et al.
Office Action dated Apr. 8, 2010 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/123,888, filed May 20, 2008 of Slate et al.
Office Action dated Dec. 22, 2010 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/123,888, filed May 20, 2008 of Slate et al.
Office Action dated Dec. 22, 2010 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/178,447, filed Jul. 23, 2008 of Slate et al.
Office Action dated Jun. 8, 2011 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/123,888, filed May 20, 2008 of Slate et al.
Office Action dated Mar. 30, 2010 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/178,447, filed Jul. 23, 2008 of Slate et al.
Office Action dated Oct. 15, 2009 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/178,447, filed Jul. 23, 2008 of Slate et al.
Office Action dated Oct. 5, 2009 issued in co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 12/123,888, filed May 20, 2008 of Slate et al.
Office Action for Australian Patent Application No. 2014268140, dated Jul. 22, 2016.
Office Action for Japanese Application No. 2015-186876, dated Jul. 15, 2016.
Office Action, dated Apr. 10, 2015, issued in European Patent Application No.: 097514830 (counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163).
Simin Baharlou, "International Preliminary Report on Patentability" issued in PCT International Application No. PCT/US2014/028363 (International counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 14/777,259), dated Sep. 15, 2015.
Theodore J. Stigell, "Final Office Action," dated Nov. 18, 2015, issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750.
Theodore J. Stigell, "Non Final Office Action" dated May 3, 2016, issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750.
Timothy Williams, "First Examination Report" issued in Australian Patent Application No. 2012245231, dated Oct. 19, 2015 (Foreign counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479).
U.S. Appl. No. 12/993,163, filed May 27, 2011, entitled, "Autoinjector System," of Slate et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750, filed Oct. 10, 2011, entitled, "System and Method for an Injection Using a Syringe Needle," of Slate et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750, Final Office Action, dated Oct. 18, 2016.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/269,750, Notice of Allowance, dated Feb. 8, 2017.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/454,531, filed on Apr. 24, 2012, entitled, "Cassette for a Hidden Injection Needle," of SLATE et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479, Final Office Action, dated Feb. 27, 2017.
U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479, Nonfinal Office Action, dated Jul. 12, 2017.
U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479, Nonfinal Office Action, dated Jul. 29, 2016.
Unpublished related design U.S. Appl. No. 14/777,255.
Unpublished related design U.S. Appl. No. 29/548,507.
Unpublished related design U.S. Appl. No. 29/548,508.
William Byrne, "First Examination Report," dated Jun. 4, 2015, issued in counterpart Canadian Application No. 2,724,641.
William Tse, "Office Action", dated Nov. 23, 2015, issued in Canadian Application No. 2,833,748 (Foreign counterpart to U.S. Appl. No. 14/112,479).
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority issued for International Application No. PCT/US09/44693 filed May 20, 2009 of Slate et al.
Yukari Nakamura, "International Preliminary Report on Patentability" issued in PCT International Application No. PCT/US2014/027950 (International counterpart to related U.S. Appl. No. 14/777,255), dated Jun. 15, 2015.

References: Application No. 09
 Application No. 12774589
 Application No. 2011
 Application No. 2009249027
 Application No. 2012245231
 Application No. 2014
 Application No. 2
 Application No. 2833748
 Application No. 2014
 Application No. 2014
 Application No. 9751483
 Application No. 103109332
 application No. 103109475
 Application No. 09751483
 Application No. 2724641
 Application No. 2012245231
 Application No. 2012245231
 Application No. 2014268139
 Application No. 2009
 application No. 2017200125
 application No. 2724641
 application No. 2724641
 application No. 2833748
 application No. 2833748
 application No. 12774589
 application No. 14763010
 application No. 14763010
 application No. 14765760
 application No. 14765760
 Application No. 14763010
 application No. 2015
 application No. 2016
 Application No. 12774589
 Application No. 2014268140
 Application No. 2015
 Application No. 2012245231
 Application No. 2
 Application No. 2