Patent Description:
An injector, such as, for example, a drug injector, is typically loaded with a cartridge containing therein a substance to be dispensed. The cartridge may be preloaded prior to delivery to a user, or, alternatively, the cartridge may be loaded by the user prior to use. Drug cartridges are manufactured and sold in different sizes and dimensions. Moreover, even cartridges manufactured via the same processes are subject to variations in dimensions, i.e., manufacturing tolerance. One or more of the manufacturing process and the material used to form the cartridges contributes to manufacturing tolerance. For example, glass cartridges are generally formed having lower precision, and, therefore, have greater variation among cartridges than cartridges formed from molded polymer(s) which are generally formed having greater precisions and lower variation among cartridges. Nevertheless, in the pharmaceutical industry, for example, glass cartridges remain more prevalent. <CIT> discloses an auto-injector that automatically dispenses a predetermined dose of medicament upon activation. The auto-injector includes a needle cover operative to engage an injection site and activate the injector, and configured to move from a locked retracted position prior to a medicament dispensing operation to a locked extended position after the medicament dispensing operation. The non-removable needle cover prevents contact with the needle both before and after the medicament dispensing operation. <CIT> describes a container holder assembly for use in a medicament delivery device, comprising a tubular body elongated in an axial direction, said tubular body having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, and a retaining member releasably arranged to said tubular body for securing an elongated container placed inside the tubular body, wherein the retaining member comprises a resilient structure capable of exerting an axial force on said container in said tubular body for holding the container in a fixed position inside the tubular body and wherein the retaining member and the tubular body respectively comprises a first and a second locking means capable of achieving a mutual mechanical connection, such that the retaining member is locked to the tubular body. <CIT> discloses a cylindrical holder for housing a pharmaceutical product container in a hand-piece of a surgical instrument for perforating dense tissue of a human or animal body and injecting a pharmaceutical product behind or in the tissue. The cylindrical holder connects an injection needle with the container and has a tubular wall for receiving the container. The tubular wall includes contact areas defined by bridges of material subsisting between cut-outs located along circumferential rows, the bridges of material having deflections towards the inside of the cylindrical holder. A surgical instrument for perforating dense tissue of a human or animal body and injecting a pharmaceutical product behind or in the tissue, and includes a hand-piece and the cylindrical holder.

One drawback of conventional injectors is that they are generally manufactured to operate with a particular corresponding cartridge. Moreover, lower precision cartridges intended to work with a particular injector may nevertheless fail to be usable with the injector if formed exhibiting too large a variation from the intended dimensions.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to manufacture an injector configured to be usable with multiple differently dimensioned cartridges and cartridges subject to larger manufacturing tolerances.

The invention is defined according to independent claim <NUM>. Dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM> define further, favourable embodiments.

The invention is directed to an injector including a body, and an injection needle movably mounted to the body. The injection needle is displaceable between a retracted position and an injection position. A pathway within the body is sized for independently receiving either of a first cartridge or a radially differently dimensioned second cartridge therein. The pathway includes a proximal opening for receiving the first cartridge or the second cartridge therethrough and a coupler mounted at a distal end of the pathway and engageable with the first cartridge or the second cartridge for fluidly connecting the first cartridge or the second cartridge with the injection needle. In an embodiment, at least two adapter collars are mounted within the pathway. A first adapter collar of the at least two adapter collars is configured to receive one of the first cartridge or the second cartridge therethrough upon insertion of the first cartridge or the second cartridge into the pathway, and configured to engage a portion of the first cartridge to stabilize the first cartridge within the pathway. A second adapter collar of the at least two adapter collars is configured to receive either of the first cartridge or the second cartridge therethrough upon insertion of the first cartridge or the second cartridge into the pathway, and configured to engage a portion of the second cartridge to stabilize the second cartridge within the pathway.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to an injector including a body and an injection needle movably mounted to the body. The injection needle is displaceable between a retracted position and an injection position. A pathway within the body for receiving a cartridge includes a proximal opening for receiving the cartridge therethrough. A coupler taking the form of a cartridge piercing needle projects into the pathway, is mounted at a distal end of the pathway, is in fluid communication with the injection needle and is configured to engage the cartridge for fluidly connecting the cartridge with the injection needle. An adapter collar is mounted within the distal end of pathway and configured to receive the cartridge therethrough upon insertion of the cartridge into the pathway and is configured to engage a portion of the cartridge to stabilize the cartridge within the pathway. The adapter collar includes a disk and a plurality of angularly spaced apart cantilevered fingers projecting from the disk. The fingers are oriented in an unbiased, radially inwardly projecting closed position covering the coupler, and the fingers are deflectable distally and radially outwardly relative to one another by the cartridge into an open position exposing the coupler upon advancement of the cartridge through the disk.

Another aspect of the present disclosure not forming part of the present invention is directed to an injector device kit including an injector and a plurality of adapter collars. The injector includes a body and an injection needle movably mounted to the body. The injection needle is displaceable between a retracted position and an injection position. A pathway within the body is sized for independently receiving any one of multiple radially differently dimensioned cartridges. The pathway includes a proximal opening for receiving the cartridge therethrough and a cartridge piercing needle mounted at a distal end of the pathway and projecting into the pathway, the cartridge piercing needle being in fluid communication with the injection needle and engageable with the cartridge for fluidly connecting the cartridge with the injection needle. The plurality of adapter collars are each removably mountable within the pathway, each adapter collar being configured to receive a corresponding one of the multiple radially differently dimensioned cartridges therethrough and engage a portion of the cartridge to stabilize the cartridge within the pathway and substantially co-axially align the cartridge with the cartridge piercing needle. Mounting of a respective adapter collar within the pathway enables usage of the injector with the respective corresponding cartridge.

The following detailed description of aspects of the disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. For example, the words "lower," "bottom," "upper" and "top" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words "inwardly," "outwardly," "upwardly" and "downwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the injector, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms "a," "an" and "the" are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning "at least one. " The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

It should also be understood that the terms "about," "approximately," "generally," "substantially" and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the invention, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in <FIG> an injector, generally designated <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the injector <NUM> takes the form of a wearable injector (patch injector), such as, for example, without limitation, a wearable drug injector, but the disclosure is not so limited. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the injector <NUM> generally includes a body <NUM>. The body <NUM> includes a main housing <NUM> having a first surface <NUM> configured to contact a skin surface of a user (not shown), e.g., a patient, the first surface <NUM> having an opening 14a therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the first surface <NUM> defines a base surface of the injector main housing <NUM>, but the disclosure is not so limited. The main housing <NUM> also includes a second surface <NUM> opposing the first surface <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the second surface <NUM> defines a top, external surface of the injector main housing <NUM>, but the disclosure is not so limited.

As shown in <FIG>, a needle hub <NUM>, constructed, for example, from a polymeric or metal material, combinations thereof, or the like, is movably mounted within the main housing <NUM> of the injector body <NUM> and an injection needle <NUM> is supported by the movable needle hub <NUM> in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the needle hub <NUM> and the injection needle <NUM> are axially translatable (or otherwise displaceable) in the direction of axis A (<FIG>) extending substantially perpendicularly to the first surface <NUM>, between a retracted position (<FIG>), wherein at least a tip 20a of the injection needle <NUM> is contained within the injector main housing <NUM>, and an injection position (<FIG>), wherein at least the tip 20a of the injection needle <NUM> protrudes from the injector main housing <NUM> through the opening 14a. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the axis A may be positioned at angles other than <NUM>° relative to the first surface <NUM>. As also should be understood, the injection needle <NUM> may be movably mounted within the injector main housing <NUM> via mechanisms other than the needle hub <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a depressible activation button assembly <NUM>, constructed, for example, from a polymeric or metal material, combinations thereof, or the like, may be movably mounted to the injector main housing <NUM> and operatively connected to the injection needle <NUM>. The activation button assembly <NUM> may be translatable, i.e., depressible, along a button axis B (<FIG>) from an unactuated position (<FIG>, <FIG>) to an actuated position (<FIG>) in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, to activate the injector <NUM>. In one embodiment, the button axis B may be parallel to the axis A, but the disclosure is not so limited. Activation of the injector <NUM> includes, for example, driving the injection needle <NUM> from the retraction position to the injection position thereof to perform an injection.

A biasing member <NUM> may be operatively connected with the activation button assembly <NUM> and the injection needle <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>), but the disclosure is not so limited. As one alternative example, the biasing member <NUM> may be connected with the second surface <NUM> and the injection needle <NUM>. The biasing member <NUM> is stabilized in a stored energy state in the unactuated position of the activation button assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) and released into an energy releasing state, when the activation button assembly <NUM> is translated into the actuated position thereof (<FIG>), to drive the injection needle <NUM> along the direction of axis A from the retracted position thereof to the injection position thereof. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the stored energy state of the biasing member <NUM> is a state in which the biasing member <NUM> stores at least some potential energy. The energy releasing state of the biasing member <NUM> is a state of the biasing member <NUM> in which the biasing member <NUM> releases at least some of the previously stored potential energy from the stored energy state.

In one embodiment, the biasing member <NUM> may take the form of a coil spring mounted between the needle hub <NUM> and the activation button assembly <NUM>, i.e., the spring <NUM> abuts the activation button assembly <NUM> at one end and abuts the needle hub <NUM> at an opposing end. In the energy storing state, the coil spring <NUM> is at least partially compressed. In the energy releasing state, the coil spring <NUM> expands (relative to the at least partially compressed energy storing state) to drive the needle hub <NUM> and the injection needle <NUM> into the injection position thereof. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the biasing member <NUM> may alternatively take the form of other members capable of storing and releasing energy. Non-limiting examples include other springs (e.g., torsion or leaf springs), elastic bands, and the like. Alternatively, the biasing member <NUM> may take the form of an electromechanical or pneumatic actuator configured to apply a translational force onto the injection needle <NUM> when the activation button assembly <NUM> is depressed into the actuated position thereof.

The injector body <NUM> further includes a cartridge door <NUM> movably, e.g., pivotably, mounted to the injector main housing <NUM>, between an open position (not shown) and a closed position (<FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the cartridge door <NUM> includes a proximal open end 26a and an interior pathway 26b for receiving (in the open position of the door) one of a plurality of differently dimensioned cartridges <NUM> therein, e.g., at least a first cartridge <NUM>' or a differently dimensioned second cartridge <NUM>" e.g., radially different, (as will be described in further detail below, see, e.g., <FIG>). As should be understood, a cartridge <NUM> usable with the injector <NUM> includes a reservoir 28a containing a substance (not shown), e.g., medicament, to be dispensed from the injector <NUM> through the injection needle <NUM>, and having a first, distal opening sealed by a pierceable septum <NUM> in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The cartridge door <NUM> further includes a coupler 26c mounted within the interior pathway 26b. According to the invention, the coupler 26c takes the form of a cartridge piercing needle 26c. As shown schematically in <FIG>, the cartridge piercing needle 26c is fluidly connected to the injection needle <NUM> in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, e.g., via a flexible tube (partially shown in <FIG>, <FIG>) extending from the piercing needle 26c to the injection needle <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge piercing needle 26c is positioned proximate a closed, distal end of the interior pathway 26b, opposite the proximal open end 26a (<FIG>, <FIG>). The cartridge piercing needle 26c extends inwardly into the interior pathway 26b and terminates at a tip of the needle 26c, positioned to face and align with the pierceable septum <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> when the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the cartridge door <NUM>. The cartridge piercing needle 26c is configured to fully penetrate the pierceable septum <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> to fluidly connect the substance within the cartridge <NUM> with the injection needle <NUM> when the cartridge <NUM> is sufficiently inserted into the interior pathway 26b and/or when the injector <NUM> is activated.

As shown in <FIG>, at least one adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' is mountable within the interior pathway 26b (in an orientation generally transverse to the cartridge insertion path). The adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' is configured, i.e., sized and dimensioned, to receive any cartridge <NUM> usable with the injector <NUM> therethrough upon insertion of the cartridge <NUM> into the interior pathway 26b, and configured to engage a portion of a particularly dimensioned corresponding cartridge <NUM> to stabilize the cartridge <NUM> within the interior pathway 26b.

In one configuration, as shown best in <FIG>, the adapter collar <NUM> includes a disk <NUM> and a plurality of angularly spaced ribs <NUM> projecting radially inwardly into the interior pathway 26b from the disk <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter collar <NUM> includes three ribs <NUM> generally equally angularly spaced apart about the interior of the disk <NUM>, but the disclosure is not so limited. The ribs <NUM> are substantially equally sized, dimensioned and configured to engage and stabilize the corresponding cartridge <NUM> in a position aligned, e.g., substantially co-axially, with the cartridge piercing needle 26c.

In one configuration, as shown in <FIG>, one or more of the ribs <NUM> each includes a first segment 34a projecting primarily radially inwardly from the disk <NUM>, a second segment 34b projecting primarily distally (i.e., toward the cartridge piercing needle 26c) from the first segment 34a and a third segment 34c projecting primarily radially inwardly from the second segment 34b. The first and third segments 34a and 34c may also be slightly angled distally and/or be distally flexible upon engagement of the ribs <NUM> with a cartridge <NUM> to better align the cartridge <NUM> with the cartridge piercing needle 26c. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the ribs <NUM> may be employed in alternative configurations capable of performing the function of the ribs <NUM> described herein.

According to the invention, the adapter collar <NUM> also includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart cantilevered fingers <NUM> projecting from the disk <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter collar <NUM> includes three fingers <NUM> generally equally angularly spaced apart about the interior of the disk <NUM>, but the disclosure is not so limited. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the fingers <NUM> are oriented in a radially inwardly projecting, closed position when unbiased by a cartridge <NUM>, i.e., when a cartridge <NUM> has not been advanced past the fingers <NUM>. The fingers <NUM> are dimensioned, such that the fingers <NUM> cover the cartridge piercing needle 26c when in the closed position. For example, the fingers <NUM> may extend radially inwardly proximate to the central axis of the disk <NUM>. Thus, in the closed position thereof, the fingers <NUM> assist in preventing contact between the cartridge piercing needle 26c and a user's hands/fingers (or other of a user's body parts), and, therefore, assist in preventing needle stick injuries.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cantilevered fingers <NUM> are deflectable distally and radially outwardly (generally at the interface between the finger <NUM> and the disk <NUM>) relative to one another into an open position exposing the cartridge piercing needle 26c, upon advancement of a cartridge <NUM> beyond the disk <NUM>. That is, the cartridge <NUM> deflects the fingers <NUM> into the open position thereof upon advancement of the cartridge <NUM> beyond the position of the fingers <NUM> in the closed position thereof, exposing the cartridge piercing needle 26c to penetrate the septum <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>.

In one configuration, as shown in <FIG>, one or more of the fingers <NUM> each include a first segment 36a projecting primarily radially inwardly from the disk <NUM>. The interface between the first segment 36a and the disk <NUM> may define, for example, a living hinge having a natural bias to orient in the closed position in the absence of an external force by a cartridge <NUM>. A second segment 36b projects primarily distally from the first segment 36a and a third segment 36c projects primarily radially inwardly from the second segment 36b. A fourth segment 36d may project further radially inwardly and also project proximally from the third segment 36c to provide additional vertical clearance above the cartridge piercing needle 26c. One or more of the segments 36a-36d may also define living hinges at the respective interfaces therebetween to provide additional flexibility to the fingers <NUM>. As should be understood, the lengths of the segments 36a-d behave as moment arms for the deflection of the fingers <NUM>. Accordingly, the lengths of the segments 36a-d may be configured to generally set the advancement force required by a cartridge <NUM> to deflect the fingers <NUM> from the closed position to the open position thereof. As also should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the fingers <NUM> may be employed in alternative configurations capable of performing the function of the fingers <NUM> described herein.

<FIG> illustrate an alternative configuration of the adapter collar <NUM>'. This configuration is similar to that of the configuration of <FIG>, and, therefore, the description of certain similarities between the configurations of <FIG> and <FIG> may be omitted herein for the sake of brevity and convenience, and, therefore, is not limiting.

One difference of the adapter collar <NUM>' over the adapter collar <NUM> (as shown in the figures) is the addition of a frangible, i.e., intentionally breakable, member <NUM> connecting the cantilevered fingers <NUM>' to one another in the closed position thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the frangible member <NUM> takes the form of a frangible ring, but the disclosure is not so limited. As shown best in <FIG>, the frangible ring <NUM> includes at least one scored segment 38a, e.g., a scored segment 38a between each cantilevered finger <NUM>', defining the intentionally breakable segment(s) of the ring <NUM> (<FIG>). As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the scored segments 38a of the frangible ring <NUM> define a pre-set breaking force of the frangible ring <NUM>, which must be exceeded to separate and disconnect the ring <NUM> in order to separate and disconnect the fingers <NUM>' from one another and deflect the fingers <NUM>' from the closed position to the open position thereof. As should be understood, the fingers <NUM> of the adapter collar <NUM> may also be joined by frangible members similar to the frangible member <NUM> joining the fingers <NUM>' of the adapter collar <NUM>'.

In one configuration of the adapter collar <NUM>', one or more of ribs <NUM>' takes the form of a generally arcuate member extending radially inwardly and distally from the disk <NUM>, having a convex surface thereof facing toward the central axis of the disk <NUM>, but the disclosure is not so limited. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the cantilevered fingers <NUM>' defines a generally S-shaped curvilinear contour, extending radially inwardly and distally from the disk <NUM> (assisting in cartridge <NUM> lead in), but the disclosure is not so limited.

As shown best in <FIG>, at least one adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' is mounted within the interior pathway 26b. In one configuration, the adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' may be removably mounted within the interior pathway 26b (intentionally removable without damaging the collar <NUM>, <NUM>' and/or the interior pathway 26b). For example, the interior pathway 26b may include a radially inwardly extending annular lip <NUM> projecting from the sidewall of the interior pathway 26b, or radially inwardly extending lip segments <NUM> projecting from the sidewall of the interior pathway 26b angularly spaced (in substantially the same plane) about the sidewall, upon which the adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' may be supported. Alternatively, or additionally, the adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' may be mounted within the interior pathway 26b via a friction fit with the sidewall of the interior pathway 26b. In one embodiment, the adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' may include mounting slot 32a in the disk <NUM> thereof, for receiving the annular lip segments <NUM>. As should be understood by one those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' may be removably mounted within the interior pathway 26b via any of numerous mounting means currently known, or that later become known. Alternatively, an adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' may be permanently (i.e., non-removable without damaging the collar <NUM>, <NUM>' and/or the interior pathway 26b) mounted within the interior pathway 26b or integrally formed with the interior pathway 26b. For injectors <NUM> having more than one adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' mounted within the interior pathway 26b thereof (as will be discussed in further detail below), the adapter collars <NUM>, <NUM>', may be integrally, permanently or removably mounted therein, or any combination thereof.

In use, an injector <NUM> includes at least one adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' mounted within the interior pathway 26b, corresponding to a cartridge <NUM> intended for use with the injector <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>). The cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the interior pathway 26b via the proximal open end 26a thereof and advanced through the adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' and into engagement with the cartridge piercing needle 26c (<FIG>), i.e., piercing the septum <NUM>. The adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' is configured (via the size and dimension of the ribs <NUM>, <NUM>') to engage a portion of the corresponding cartridge <NUM> to stabilize the cartridge <NUM> within the interior pathway 26b and align, e.g., substantially co-axially, the cartridge <NUM> with the cartridge piercing needle 26c. The cantilevered fingers <NUM>, <NUM>' protect the user against inadvertent needle stick injuries from the cartridge piercing needle 26c in the closed position. During insertion of the cartridge <NUM> into the interior pathway 26b, the cartridge <NUM> engages and deflects the fingers <NUM>, <NUM>' into the open position thereof upon advancement beyond the fingers <NUM>, <NUM>' and into engagement with the cartridge piercing needle 26c (<FIG>).

In some embodiments, the injector <NUM> may be configured to be usable with cartridges <NUM> of different sizes. For example, as shown schematically, in <FIG>, the injector <NUM> may be configured for use with at least two differently dimensioned cartridges: a first cartridge <NUM>' and a second cartridge <NUM>". Accordingly, the interior pathway 26b is sized, e.g., in diameter, to receive either of the first cartridge <NUM>' or second cartridge <NUM>".

In one exemplary non-limiting embodiment, the interior pathway 26c may include at least two of the adapter collars <NUM>, <NUM>' mounted therein (two of the adapter collars <NUM>, <NUM>' shown in <FIG>). As shown in the non-limiting example of <FIG>, the first cartridge <NUM>' may define a radially larger distal portion relative to the distal portion of the second cartridge <NUM>", and the second cartridge <NUM>" may define a radially larger proximal portion relative to the proximal portion of the first cartridge <NUM>'. A first adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>', therefore, is mounted distally within the interior pathway 26c relative to the second adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>'.

The first, distal adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' is sized and positioned within the interior pathway 26b to permit advancement of either one of the first cartridge <NUM>' or the second cartridge <NUM>" therethrough upon insertion of that cartridge into the interior pathway 26b. As shown in <FIG>, the first, distal adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' is sized and positioned, however, to only engage a distal portion of the first cartridge <NUM>' to stabilize the first cartridge <NUM>' within the interior pathway 26b, and align the first cartridge <NUM>' with the cartridge piercing needle 26c. That is, the ribs <NUM>, <NUM>' of the first, distal adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' are sized and dimensioned to engage the distal portion of the first cartridge <NUM>', without interfering with the smaller distal portion of the second cartridge <NUM>" if the second cartridge <NUM>" was to be utilized with the injector <NUM>.

Similarly, the second, proximal adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' is also sized and positioned within the interior pathway 26b to permit advancement of either one of the first cartridge <NUM>' or the second cartridge <NUM>" therethrough upon insertion of that cartridge into the interior pathway 26b. Conversely, however, as shown in <FIG>, the second, proximal adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' is sized and positioned to only engage a proximal portion of the second cartridge <NUM>" to stabilize the second cartridge <NUM>" within the interior pathway 26b, and to align the second cartridge <NUM>" with the cartridge piercing needle 26c. That is, the ribs <NUM>, <NUM>' of the second, proximal adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' are sized and dimensioned to engage the proximal portion of the second cartridge <NUM>", without interfering with the first cartridge <NUM>' if the first cartridge <NUM>' was to be utilized with the injector <NUM>. Therefore, in the embodiment of <FIG>, the second cartridge <NUM>" is not obstructed by either of the adapter collars <NUM>, <NUM>' mounted within the interior pathway 26b, and the first cartridge <NUM>' is also not obstructed by either of the adapter collars <NUM>, <NUM>' mounted within the interior pathway 26b. Either of the two cartridges <NUM>', <NUM>" is usable with the injector <NUM>, however, as either cartridge <NUM>', <NUM>" may be stabilized within the interior pathway 26b and aligned with the cartridge piercing needle 26c.

In some embodiments, some of the adapter collars <NUM>, <NUM>' mounted within the interior pathway 26b, such as, for example, the distal-most adapter collar, may include the plurality of angularly spaced apart cantilevered fingers <NUM>, <NUM>' projecting from the disk <NUM> to assist in preventing contact between a user's hands/fingers (or other of a user's body parts) and the cartridge piercing needle 26c, and, therefore, assist in preventing needle stick injuries. Alternatively, all of the adapter collars <NUM>, <NUM>' mounted within the interior pathway 26b may include the cantilevered fingers <NUM>, <NUM>'.

In an alternative exemplary non-limiting embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the interior pathway may include solely the distal adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' as shown in <FIG>, configured in like manner as the distal adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' described with respect to <FIG> to stabilize the first cartridge <NUM>' within the interior pathway 26b, and to align the first cartridge <NUM>' with the cartridge piercing needle 26c (<FIG>). Conversely, the interior pathway 26b itself, i.e., the internal features thereof, may be configured to stabilize the second cartridge <NUM>" within the interior pathway 26b, and to align the second cartridge <NUM>" with the cartridge piercing needle 26c (<FIG>). For example, without limitation, the interior pathway 26b may be dimensioned or include a cartridge cradle, a cartridge track, combinations thereof, or the like (not shown) to receive and stabilize the cartridge <NUM> in the interior pathway 26b.

In one configuration, the injector <NUM> may be provided as a kit with a plurality of adapter collars <NUM>, <NUM>' removably mountable within the interior pathway 26b. The interior pathway 26b may be configured to receive any one of multiple different dimensioned cartridges <NUM>, i.e., sized and dimensioned to receive the largest of those cartridges <NUM>. Each adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' provided may be configured, i.e., sized and dimensioned, for use with a corresponding one of the multiple differently dimensioned cartridges <NUM>, to engage a portion of the corresponding cartridge <NUM> (with the ribs <NUM>, <NUM>' thereof) to stabilize the cartridge <NUM> within the interior pathway 26b and align the cartridge <NUM> with the cartridge piercing needle 26c. Alternatively, or additionally, adapter collars <NUM>, <NUM>' provided may be configured to account for variations between cartridges <NUM> due to manufacturing tolerances. Accordingly, a user may mount a particular adapter collar <NUM>, <NUM>' within the interior pathway 26b to enable usage of the injector <NUM> with the respective corresponding cartridge <NUM> prior to inserting the corresponding cartridge <NUM> into the interior pathway 26b.

Claim 1:
An injector (<NUM>) comprising:
a body (<NUM>), and a pathway (26b) within the body (<NUM>) for receiving a cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>"), the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") being one of a plurality of differently dimensioned cartridges, the pathway (26b) including a proximal opening (26a) for receiving the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") therethrough;
an injection needle (<NUM>) movably mounted to the body (<NUM>), the injection needle (<NUM>) being displaceable between a retracted position and an injection position;
a cartridge piercing needle (26c) projecting into the pathway (26b) mounted at a distal end of the pathway (26b) and in fluid communication with the injection needle (<NUM>), the cartridge piercing needle (26c) being configured to engage the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") for fluidly connecting the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") with the injection needle (<NUM>); and
an adapter collar (<NUM>, <NUM>') mounted within the distal end of pathway (26b), the adapter collar (<NUM>, <NUM>') configured to receive the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") therethrough upon insertion of the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") into the pathway (26b) and configured to engage a portion of the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") to stabilize the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") within the pathway (26b), the adapter collar (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprising a disk (<NUM>) and fingers (<NUM>) that are cantilevered, that are angularly spaced apart from each other, and that project from the disk (<NUM>), the fingers (<NUM>) being oriented in an unbiased, radially inwardly projecting closed position covering the cartridge piercing needle (26c), and the fingers (<NUM>) being deflectable distally and radially outwardly relative to one another by the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") into an open position exposing the cartridge piercing needle (26c) upon advancement of the cartridge (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") through the disk (<NUM>).