Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/9981087
Timestamp: 2019-11-12 00:59:01
Document Index: 242257290

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 61', 'Application No. 622510', 'Application No. 11201400796', 'Application No. 15178649', 'Application No. 201280057172', 'Application No. 201280057179', 'Application No. 101134987', 'Application No. 101134988', 'Application No. 11201400908', 'Application No. 11201400910', 'Application No. 11201400910', 'Application No. 11201400796', 'Application No. 11201400910', 'Application No. 2012312052', 'Application No. 201280057172', 'Application No. 2014', 'Application No. 2014115981', 'Application No. 2012312052', 'Application No. 201280057172']

US Patent for Automatic injection device Patent (Patent # 9,981,087 issued May 29, 2018) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents Therapeutic Material Introduced Or Removed Through A Piercing Conduit (e.g., Trocar) Inserted Into BodyUS Patent for Automatic injection device Patent (Patent # 9,981,087)
Mar 30, 2015 - AbbVie Inc.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/624,838, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,992,476, filed on Sep. 21, 2012, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/538,098, filed on Sep. 22, 2011, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Referring to an illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1B and 2, an automatic injection device 10 includes a housing 12, at least for housing a container, such as a syringe or cartridge, containing a dose of a substance to be injected into a patient. As described further below, the housing 12 embodied herein includes a first housing component 12a for housing a syringe housing assembly 121 and a second housing component 12b for housing a firing mechanism assembly 122. The housing 12 generally has a tubular configuration, though one skilled in the art will recognize that the housing 12 can have any number of suitable shapes and configurations for housing a syringe or other container of a substance to be injected. While the disclosed subject matter will be described with respect to a syringe mounted in the housing 12, one skilled in the art will recognize that the automatic injection device 10 can employ other suitable containers for storing and dispensing a substance. For example, the container for storing and dispensing a substance can be a cartridge. Additionally, the container, whether a syringe 12 or cartridge, can be made of glass, a polymer, or a variety of other suitable materials for storing and dispensing a substance.
FIGS. 3A-6B are front and cross-sectional side views of interior components of a syringe housing assembly 121 for an automatic injection device 10 according to one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. As shown, a syringe 50 or other suitable container for a substance is disposed within the interior of the housing 12. The illustrative syringe 50 includes a hollow barrel portion 53 for holding a dose of a liquid substance to be injected. The illustrative barrel portion 53 is substantially cylindrical in shape, though one skilled in the art will recognize that the barrel portion 53 can have a variety of suitable shapes or configurations. A seal, illustrated as a bung 54, substantially seals the liquid substance within the barrel portion 53. The syringe 50 can further include a hollow needle 55 connected to and in fluid communication with the barrel portion 53, through which the dose of liquid substance can be ejected by applying pressure to the bung 54. The hollow needle 55 extends from a first end 53a of the barrel portion 53. The second end 53b of the barrel portion 53 can include a flange 56, or other suitable mechanism, for abutting a stop, represented schematically as 123, in the housing 12 to limit the movement of the syringe 50 within the housing 12, as described below. One skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed subject matter is not limited to the illustrative embodiment of the syringe 50 and that other suitable containers for containing a dose of a substance to be injected can be used in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 3A-6B, the needle 55 can be a fixed twenty-seven gauge one-half inch needle. The tip of the illustrative hollow needle 55 can include five bevels to facilitate insertion. However, the needle 55 can have any size, shape and configuration suitable for the intended use as known in the art and is not limited to the illustrative embodiment. The automatic injection device 10 further includes a syringe actuation component to selectively move and/or actuate the syringe 50 to inject the dose of liquid substance contained in the syringe 50 into a user. As embodied herein, the syringe actuation component is a plunger 700 (shown in FIG. 9) and forms a part of the firing mechanism assembly 122. The plunger 700 can further have an indicator 190 (shown in FIG. 7) to indicate completion of the injection, as discussed below.
FIGS. 3A-6B illustrate the syringe housing assembly 121 in various stages of operation. In a pre-injection position, as shown in FIG. 3A, the syringe 50 is in a sheathed position within the housing 12. The needle shroud cap 24 is disposed on the first end 20 of the housing 12 to prevent access to or exposure of the needle 55. As evident from FIG. 3A, the contents of the syringe 50 are visible through the window 130. FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the syringe housing assembly 121 in an initial stage of deployment, showing a transition between the pre-injection position and the post-injection position. At this initial stage, the stepped shroud 12d is depressed against the injection site, and the syringe carrier 700 has moved relative the window 130 toward the first end 20 of the housing 12. FIGS. 5A-5B show the syringe housing assembly 121 at the end of the injection stage with the stepped shroud 12d still depressed against the injection site, such that the needle 55 is extending from the housing 12 into the injection site. Upon completion of the stroke or movement of the syringe 50, the contents of the syringe 50 are no longer visible through the window 130. As described herein, however, the indicator 190 on the plunger or actuation component 700 will then be visible for indication that injection is complete and that the device 10 can be removed from the injection site. FIGS. 6A-6B show the syringe housing assembly 121 in the post-injection position, with the device 10 removed from the injection site causing the stepped shroud 12d to deploy, as further described below. As described herein, the indicator 190 on the plunger or actuation component 700 remains visible to indicate that the device has been deployed.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the firing mechanism assembly 122, for illustration and not limitation, according to a representative embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. As shown, the firing mechanism assembly 122 includes an activation button 32, an actuator cap 34, housing component 12b (firing body) and a coil spring 88 or other biasing mechanism. The illustrative firing mechanism assembly 122 further includes a syringe actuator, such as a syringe actuation component 700, that extends from the first end 122a of the housing component 12b. As embodied herein, the syringe actuation component 700 can be configured to move the syringe 50 in a first phase and actuate the syringe 50 to expel its contents in a second phase.
As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 10A-12B, the firing body 12b includes a substantially tubular body, which can include taper and/or contours 128 to facilitate gripping of the device 10 by a user. A step 29 can be formed in a second end 30 to facilitate seating of the actuator cap 34, as described above. Additionally, a mating feature can be provided to secure the actuator cap 34 to the firing body 12b. For example, and as depicted in FIG. 9, mating tabs 33 on the firing body 12b can be configured to be received within receptacles 22 of actuator cap 34, for example by an engagement or snap-fit or the like, and thus lock the actuator cap 34 to the firing body 12b and activation button 32 and prevent inadvertent removal of the actuator cap 34. Mating tabs 33 can also align actuator cap 34 with the housing 12 during assembly and prevent rotation of the actuator cap 34 relative to the firing body 12b during transportation or handling of the device 10, which can prevent accidental firing of the device 10. As embodied herein, the mating tabs 33 and corresponding receptacles 22 can have a petal shape, although other configurations can be used. Forward of the step 29, the firing body 12b has a size and shape configured to be inserted into the distal end of the syringe housing 121. Tabs 127 are formed to facilitate coupling and/or locking of the two housing components 12a and 12b together. As shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, the tabs 127 can be formed in a depression 127a on the surface of the proximate end of the firing body 12b, and can also or alternatively include ribs 127b for guiding the tabs into a locking position relative to the proximate housing component 12a. One skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable means for coupling the two assemblies together can be used and that the invention is not limited to the illustrative coupling means.
As shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, the firing body 12b can include an anchoring cap 12c coupled to a smaller diameter distal end of the firing body 12b for anchoring the firing mechanisms for actuating the device 10 to the firing body 12b. The interface of the anchoring cap 12c and the firing body 12b can form a groove 1234 to facilitate a snap fit of the activation button 32 on the distal end of the firing body 12b, or can be joined by other suitable joining means as described above.
Referring to FIGS. 3B and 12A-12C, the syringe actuation component 700 can be an integrated component formed of any suitable material, such as an acetal-based plastic, though other suitable materials can also be used. The syringe actuation component 700 comprises a pressurizer 754 for applying pressure to the bung 54 of a corresponding syringe 50, and a plunger rod portion 70 with a compressible expanded central portion, illustrated as the plunger elbows 78. Additional components, such as components for anchoring the coil spring 88 to the syringe actuation component 700, can also be provided as described below. The compressible expanded central portion 76 facilitates movement of a corresponding syringe 50 toward the injection site and expulsion of the contents of the syringe 50 in two separate steps, as described above. Alternatively, the syringe actuator can comprise multiple actuators for moving and/or promoting expulsion of the syringe 50.
The syringe actuation component 700 of FIGS. 3B and 12A-12C can further include an indicator 190 in a solid rod portion 70 distal from the elbows 78. During operation of the device 10 and after completion of an injection, the indicator 190 is configured to align with the window 130 on the housing 12 to indicate completion of the injection. The indicator 190 preferably has a distinctive color or design to represent completion of an injection.
As shown in FIGS. 1B, 8 and 12A-12C, the illustrative syringe actuation component 700 further includes a retaining flange 720 for holding the actuating coil spring 88 in a compressed position until actuation. The retaining flange 720 is sized, dimensioned and formed of a material that preferably allows the syringe actuation component 700 to slidably and easily move within the housing 12 when the device 10 is actuated. Extending distally from the retaining flange 720, the syringe actuation component 700 forms a base 788 for the actuating coil spring 88. The base 788 terminates in a trigger anchoring portion 789. For example, and as depicted herein, the illustrative base 788 can comprise flexible legs 788a, 788b around which the spring 88 is disposed. The trigger anchoring portion 789 can comprise tabbed feet 7891 extending from the base 788 and configured to selectively engage the anchoring cap 12c and/or firing body 12b. The tabbed feet 7891 can include one or more angled surfaces to define a cam or the like. For example, and as shown in FIG. 12C, the tabbed feet 7891 can have a substantially arcuate shape formed by multiple edge segments, each having a different angle relative to the length of the base 788. As embodied herein, for purpose of illustration and not limitation, from the end of the tabbed feet 7891 towards the base 788, the edge segments can have successively decreasing angles α, β, γ of 82°, 45° and 23°, respectively. The activation button 32 coupled to the distal end of the firing body 12b is configured to hold the trigger anchoring portion 789 until activation. When activated, the activation button 32 releases the trigger anchoring portion 789, allowing the spring 88 to urge the syringe actuation component 700 toward the proximal end 20 of the device 10 in an operation described above.
In a retracted, anchored position shown FIGS. 1B, 3B and 12A-12C, the trigger anchoring portion 789 interacts with the housing 12, which holds the tabbed feet 7891 in a latched position, against the biasing force of the coil spring 88, to maintain the syringe actuation component 700 in a retracted position. In this position, the flange 720 retracts the spring 88 against the back, distal wall 712 of the firing body 12b. An opening 713 in the anchoring cap 12c allows the activation button 32 access to the anchoring portion 789. In the retracted position, the pressurizer 754 of the syringe actuation component 700 extends out of an opening 228 on the proximal end 122a of the firing body 12b. When the firing body 12b couples to a corresponding syringe actuation mechanism 121, the pressurizer 754 extends into the barrel portion of a syringe housed therein. The pressurizer 754 can be integral with, the same as, connected to, or otherwise in communication with the bung 54 of a syringe 50 housed in the device 10 and can be provided with any suitable size, shape and configuration suitable for applying pressure to the bung 54. In one embodiment, the pressurizer 754 has a cross-section corresponding to the shape of the barrel portion 53 of a corresponding syringe 50 so as to substantially seal the barrel portion 53, and the pressurizer 754 is configured to slidably move within the barrel portion 53 to apply pressure to the bung 54 and actuate the syringe 50.
In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 9, the syringe actuation component 700 constitutes a single, integrated mechanism for anchoring a corresponding syringe 50, spring 88 and other components, actuating and moving the syringe 50 to an extended position, and expelling the contents of the syringe 50. Additional details of the illustrative firing mechanism assembly 122 and related aspects of the automatic injection device 10 are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/074,704, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the syringe housing assembly 121 of an illustrative embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, which for purpose of example and not limitation is configured to couple to and interact with the firing mechanism assembly 122 of FIG. 9. The illustrative syringe housing assembly 121 includes a housing component 12a, a needle shroud cap 24, a biasing mechanism 89, a syringe carrier 500, and a stepped shroud 12d at the first end 20 of the housing 12 when assembled and includes the first opening 28, as also shown in FIG. 7. The components 12a, 12d, 89, 500 and 24 cooperate to house a syringe 50 containing a substance to be injected and facilitate operation of the device 10 as described above. Additional details of the illustrative syringe housing assembly 121, firing mechanism assembly 122 and related aspects of the automatic injection device 10 are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/443,384; 12/968,744; 12/770,557 and 12/074,704 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,162,887; 7,938,802; 7,229,432 and 6,805,686, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Illustrative embodiments of the syringe carrier 500, housing 12, the stepped shroud 12d and the needle shroud cap 24 are shown in detail in FIGS. 14A-14Q, 15A-15D, 16A-16B and 17A-17D, respectively. FIGS. 18A and 18B are a perspective side view and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of the assembled spring housing assembly 121 according to one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. One skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed subject matter is not limited to the illustrative embodiments only.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, and with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 14A-14I, the first opening 505 can be defined by legs 506 extending from a middle portion 507 disposed between the first opening 505 and the second opening 501. In the assembled state, the first opening 505 is located closer to the first end of the housing 12a than the second opening 501. The middle portion 507 is sized and configured to provide suitable strength to the syringe carrier 500 to prevent breaking or deformation of the syringe carrier 500 during operation of the device. Furthermore, additional openings can be provided to correspond with the window 130 or windows of the housing. For example, for either or both of the first opening 505 or second opening 501, a front opening can be provided diametrically opposite a rear opening to allow viewing through the syringe carrier 500.
The syringe carrier 500 can include a flanged second end 562 configured to interface with a flanged second end 56 (shown in FIG. 18B) of the syringe 50. The flanged second end 562 can serve as a damper for the syringe 50. Additionally, the flanged second end 562 can include a damping structure 564, such as an elastomeric member mounted on or formed integrally with the second end 562 of the syringe carrier 500. The syringe carrier 500 can further include one or more intermediate flanges 563, which in the illustrative embodiment forms a stop for the syringe 50 to interact with an interior stop 256 on the housing component 12a to limit forward motion of the syringe 50.
Referring to FIGS. 16A-16B and 18B, the illustrative stepped shroud 12d is disposed at the first end 20 of the housing 12. The illustrative stepped shroud 12d has a substantially tubular body, including a hub 112 defining the opening 28 at the first end 20 of the device 10, through which the syringe needle 55 can project during operation of the device 10. A step 113 from the main tubular body portion 116 forms the hub 112 of smaller diameter than the main tubular body portion 116 of the stepped shroud 12d. As shown in FIG. 18B, the step 113 forms a forward stop for the spring 89 to confine the spring 89. In the illustrative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 16A-16B and 18B, a shroud notch 115 is formed in a rim at the second end of the stepped shroud 12d. The rim of the stepped shroud 12d abuts the first side of the stop 256 of the housing component 12a. The shroud notch 115 can align with a portion of the window 130 to prevent obstruction of the window 130. Additionally, arms 114 extend from the stepped shroud 12d to lock in the stepped shroud 12d to prevent accidental needle sticks. The stepped shroud 12d can further include a guide, such as a groove and/or slot 118 as shown in FIGS. 16A-16B to receive corresponding projections or keys 257, as shown in FIGS. 15C-15D, and thus allow for coaxial movement of the stepped shroud 12d and the syringe carrier 500 without rotation relative the housing 12. The configuration and operation of the stepped shroud 12d is described further in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/074,704, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,229,432 and 6,805,686, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Referring again to FIGS. 14A-16B and 18B and to the stages of operation of the device shown in FIGS. 3A-6B, with the device in the pre-injection position, the cap 24 is removed and the stepped shroud 12d is depressed against the injection site and thus retracted within the housing 12. Upon activation of the firing assembly mechanism 121, the syringe carrier 500 is urged forward, toward the first end of the device 10, and the legs 506 deflect radially outward causing the anchor portions 503 to disengage from the stop 256 to allow the syringe carrier 500 to move forward. As the syringe carrier 500 is urged forward, beams of the syringe carrier coupler 504 compress spring 89 and engage the second end of stepped shroud 12d. After plunger 700 is fully deployed, and completion of the injection is confirmed as described below, the device 10 can be removed from the injection site. At this point, the device is in the post-injection position with stepped shroud 12d extended beyond the needle 55 due to spring 89 and locked in the extended position by arms 114 abutting the stop 256.
Referring to FIGS. 17A-17D and 18A-18B, the interior of the illustrative needle shroud cap 24 can include a plurality of radial grooves 241, 243 for receiving protruding portions of the stepped shroud 12d and the housing component 12a. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 18B, a first radially outer groove 241 receives a first end of the sidewall 242 of the housing component 12a. A second, radially inner groove 243 receives the first end of the hub 112 of the stepped shroud 12d. The second end of needle shroud cap 24 includes a cap notch 250 to align with a portion of the window 130 to prevent obstruction of the window 130 when the needle shroud cap 24 receives the housing 12 (as best shown in FIGS. 3A-3B). The radial grooves 241, 243 can be separated by a radial inner wall 245, which can be formed as a ring, or alternatively can be formed as a plurality of arcuate wall portions.
The needle shroud cap 24 further includes a cap hub 26. Cap hub 26 is configured to extend into the inner lumen 1012 of the housing 12 and surround the first end of a syringe 50 loaded therein when the needle shroud cap 24 is coupled to the housing 12. The cap hub 26 can include two or more members, if desired, to define a hub opening 249. When the needle shroud cap 24 receives the housing 12, the hub opening 249 can align with the at least a portion of the window 130 to prevent obstruction of the window by the cap hub 26. Additionally, and as shown in FIG. 18B, a second end of the cap hub 26 can be configured with a reduced thickness to fit between syringe 50 and the first end of legs 506. In this manner, the legs 506 are radially deflected inward into engagement with the housing stop 256 to prevent premature deployment of the stepped shroud 12d when the cap 24 is removed.
Referring again to the stages of operation of the automatic injection device 10 shown in FIGS. 3A-6B, the alignment of the openings 501, 505 of the syringe carrier 500 with the window 130 and other components of device 10 is described. In the pre-injection position shown in FIGS. 3A-6B, the first opening 505 of the syringe carrier 500 in the first position is aligned with the window 130, the cap notch 250, and the shroud notch 115. This alignment allows viewing of the syringe barrel 53 through the window 130 to permit viewing of the contents of the syringe 50. In the initially deployed position shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the middle portion 507 of the syringe carrier 500 is visible in the window 130, along with portions of the first opening 505 and the second opening 501. The shroud notch 115 can be aligned with the window 130 if the shroud 12d is pressed against the injection site. This alignment can indicate that the device 10 is currently in operation. At the end of the injection, shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the second opening 501 of the syringe carrier 500 is in the second position and aligned with the window 130 and the indicator 190 of the syringe actuation component 700 to indicate that the injection is completed. The shroud notch 115 can be aligned with the window 130 if the shroud 12d is pressed against the injection site. In the post injection position, shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, with the shroud 12d deployed, the second opening 501 of the syringe carrier 500 in the second position remains aligned with the window 130 and the indicator 190 of the syringe actuation component 700 to indicate that the device 10 has been deployed, as described further.
As described above and shown in FIG. 18A, openings 126 in the housing component 12a receive tabs 127 of the firing mechanism assembly 122 to facilitate assembly of the device 10. The window 130 described above for allowing a user to view the contents of a syringe contained in the assembly 121, as well as to view an indicator 190 that fills the window 130 after completion of an injection can be formed only in the first housing component 12a if sufficient length is available to function as described.
a syringe carrier disposed within the housing and comprising: a substantially tubular body having a first end, a middle portion, and a second end, configured to contain a portion of the syringe and displace the syringe within the housing from a first position to a second position; a first pair of legs defining at least a portion of a first opening in the substantially tubular body, the first opening configured to align with the window and the reservoir when the syringe carrier is in the first position; and a syringe carrier coupler having a first beam and a second beam extending from the middle portion partially beyond the first pair of legs at the first end of the substantially tubular body.
2. The automatic injection device of claim 1, wherein the second end includes a second opening configured to align with the window and the visual indicator when the syringe carrier is in the second position.
3. The automatic injection device of claim 1, wherein the middle portion is sized to resist deformation of the syringe carrier.
4. The automatic injection device of claim 1, wherein the first pair of legs extends from the middle portion of the syringe carrier and each leg is tapered with a greater cross-dimension proximate the middle portion of the syringe carrier.
5. The automatic injection device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first pair of legs is configured to engage at least one interior stop of the housing to prevent movement of the syringe carrier toward the second position.
6. The automatic injection device of claim 5, wherein each leg of the first pair of legs includes an anchor portion to engage the at least one interior stop to prevent movement of the syringe carrier toward the second position.
7. The automatic injection device of claim 6, wherein the anchor portion of each leg projects radially outwardly.
8. The automatic injection device of claim 6, wherein the anchor portion includes at least one projection sized to prevent movement of the syringe carrier away from the second position.
9. The automatic injection device of claim 6, wherein the anchor portion includes a first projection sized to prevent movement of the first projection past the at least one interior stop of the housing to prevent movement of the syringe carrier away from the second position, and a second projection sized to prevent movement of the syringe carrier toward the second position until the syringe carrier is urged in the direction of the second position to move the second projection past the at least one interior stop.
10. The automatic injection device of claim 9, wherein the first projection extends radially outward beyond the second projection.
11. The automatic injection device of claim 9, wherein the second projection comprises an arcuate surface portion and the interior stop comprises a chamfered edge portion configured to abut the arcuate surface portion when the syringe carrier is urged toward the second position.
12. The automatic injection device of claim 9, wherein a first force amount applied to the syringe carrier to move the second projection past the interior stop is less than a second force amount applied to the plunger to advance the plunger within the syringe.
13. The automatic injection device of claim 1, further comprising a second pair of legs defining at least a portion of a second opening diametrically opposite the first opening.
14. The automatic injection device of claim 1, wherein the first position is a pre-injection position and the second position is a post-injection position.
15. The automatic injection device of claim 1, wherein the syringe holds a liquid therapeutic agent.
16. The automatic injection device of claim 15, wherein the liquid therapeutic agent comprises a protein.
17. The automatic injection device of claim 15, wherein the liquid therapeutic agent comprises adalimumab.
D428651 July 25, 2000 Andersson et al.
7229432 June 12, 2007 Marshall et al.
7235056 June 26, 2007 Duchon et al.
D550363 September 4, 2007 Hannant et al.
D619244 July 6, 2010 Van der Stappen
D627061 November 9, 2010 Van der Stappen
D648024 November 1, 2011 Harkin et al.
8298194 October 30, 2012 Moller
D696773 December 31, 2013 Schneider et al.
D696774 December 31, 2013 Guarraia et al.
8636704 January 28, 2014 Shang et al.
8679061 March 25, 2014 Julian et al.
8758301 June 24, 2014 Shang et al.
D714932 October 7, 2014 Hall et al.
8915889 December 23, 2014 Cox et al.
8992476 March 31, 2015 Shang et al.
D728782 May 5, 2015 Dubuc et al.
9072833 July 7, 2015 Jennings et al.
9119920 September 1, 2015 Cowe
9192727 November 24, 2015 Moller et al.
9220660 December 29, 2015 Sund et al.
9265887 February 23, 2016 Julian et al.
D757254 May 24, 2016 Wohlfahrt et al.
D758567 June 7, 2016 Wohlfahrt et al.
D758568 June 7, 2016 Wohlfahrt et al.
D758569 June 7, 2016 Wohlfahrt et al.
D758570 June 7, 2016 Wohlfahrt et al.
D758571 June 7, 2016 Geert-Jensen et al.
9408973 August 9, 2016 Shang et al.
9443445 September 13, 2016 Laurusonis et al.
9592347 March 14, 2017 Nzike et al.
9597460 March 21, 2017 Saiki
20080009806 January 10, 2008 Chang
20080086092 April 10, 2008 Loe
20090259194 October 15, 2009 Pinedjian et al.
20100016795 January 21, 2010 McLoughlin
20100305512 December 2, 2010 Guillermo et al.
20110184351 July 28, 2011 Holmqvist
20120056401 March 8, 2012 Beale et al.
20120123350 May 17, 2012 Giambattista et al.
20130079718 March 28, 2013 Shang et al.
20130211330 August 15, 2013 Pedersen et al.
20130338593 December 19, 2013 Wozencroft
20140207073 July 24, 2014 Shang et al.
20150012026 January 8, 2015 Klein et al.
20150080811 March 19, 2015 Wieselblad
20150224259 August 13, 2015 Giambattista et al.
20160151586 June 2, 2016 Kemp
20160175528 June 23, 2016 Marshall et al.
20160263325 September 15, 2016 Huthmacher et al.
20160287803 October 6, 2016 Blancke et al.
1774274 May 2006 CN
101479001 July 2009 CN
101484199 July 2009 CN
102170929 August 2011 CN
2003260136 September 2003 JP
2007510465 April 2007 JP
2007518507 July 2007 JP
2008073530 April 2008 JP
2009542334 December 2009 JP
2014526368 October 2014 JP
2014526369 October 2014 JP
2007127537 February 2009 RU
2003/013632 February 2003 WO
2005/046765 May 2005 WO
2005/070481 August 2005 WO
2006/000785 January 2006 WO
2006/076921 July 2006 WO
2008/036935 March 2008 WO
2009/081103 July 2009 WO
2010/037828 April 2010 WO
2011003817 January 2011 WO
2011/075524 June 2011 WO
2011/109205 September 2011 WO
2012/056401 May 2012 WO
Examination Report issued in New Zealand Patent Application No. 622510, dated Nov. 21, 2014.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT/US/2012/056744, dated Mar. 25, 2014.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT/US/2012/056750, dated Mar. 25, 2014.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT/US/2012/056756, dated Mar. 25, 2014.
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in International Application No. PCT/US2012/056744, dated Dec. 6, 2012.
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in International Application No. PCT/US2012/056750, dated Dec. 6, 2012.
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in International Application No. PCT/US2012/056756, dated Dec. 6, 2012.
Written Opinion issued in Singapore Application No. 11201400796T, dated Apr. 7, 2015.
Extended European Search Report issued in European Patent Application No. 15178649.8, dated Oct. 28, 2015.
Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201280057172.1, dated Sep. 25, 2015.
Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201280057179.3, dated Sep. 2, 2015.
Office Action issued in Taiwanese Patent Application No. 101134987, dated Jan. 26, 2016.
Office Action issued in Taiwanese Patent Application No. 101134988, dated Jan. 28, 2016.
Written Opinion issued in Singapore Application No. 11201400908Q, dated Oct. 13, 2015.
Written Opinion issued in Singapore Application No. 11201400910P, dated Aug. 14, 2015.
Examination Report issued in Singapore Patent Application No. 11201400910P, dated Feb. 19, 2016.
Abbott, Abbott Receives FDA Approval for New Humira® Delivery Device, Humira Pen Offers Patients Easier, Less Painful Way to Self-Administer Medicine. Press Release, dated Jun. 26, 2006. 6 pages.
Final Examination Report in Singapore Patent Application No. 11201400796T, dated Jan. 8, 2016.
Final Examination Report in Singapore Patent Application No. 11201400910P, dated Feb. 19, 2016.
First Examination Report issued in Australian Patent Application No. 2012312052, dated May 24, 2016.
First Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201280057172.1, dated Sep. 25, 2015.
Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-532045, dated Sep. 2, 2016.
Official Decision of Grant in Russian Patent Application No. 2014115981, dated Mar. 21, 2017.
Patent Examination Report No. in Australian Patent Application No. 2012312052, dated May 24, 2016.
Second Office Action issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 201280057172.1, dated Jun. 3, 2016.
Notice of References Cited from U.S. Appl. No. 29/550,433 dated Sep. 21, 2017. 3 pages.
Patent Publication Number: 20150314073
Inventors: Sherwin S. Shang (Vernon Hills, IL), Joseph F. Julian (Libertyville, IL), Chuan Li (Deerfield, IL), Eduard N. Tsvirko (Arlington Heights, IL), Edwin Chim (Vernon Hills, IL), Shubha Chethan Somashekar (Waukegan, IL), Esra Ozdaryal (Deerfield, IL)
Application Number: 14/673,463