Patent Description:
Administering an injection is a process which presents a number of risks and challenges for users and healthcare professionals, both mental and physical. Injection devices typically fall into two categories - manual devices and autoinjectors. In a conventional manual device, manual force is required to drive a medicament through a needle. This is typically done by some form of button / plunger that has to be continuously pressed during the injection. There are numerous disadvantages associated with this approach. For example, if the button / plunger is released prematurely, the injection will stop and may not deliver an intended dose. Further, the force required to push the button / plunger may be too high (e.g., if the user is elderly or a child). And, aligning the injection device, administering the injection and keeping the injection device still during the injection may require dexterity which some patients (e.g., elderly patients, children, arthritic patients, etc.) may not have.

Autoinjector devices aim to make self-injection easier for patients. A conventional autoinjector may provide the force for administering the injection by a spring, and trigger button or other mechanism may be used to activate the injection. Autoinjectors may be single-use or reusable devices.

Conventional electro-mechanical or fully electronic autoinjectors may not be as robust as fully mechanical autoinjectors. For example, electro-mechanical or fully electronic autoinjectors may include batteries which require replacement and may be more difficult or impossible to fix if a component breaks.

<CIT> discloses an auto injector having a reusable back-end device which is attached to a front-end device.

<CIT> discloses a medication dispensing device comprising a cartridge for containing an injectable product therein and an injector attached to the cartridge. The injector includes a drive mechanism comprising a dosage sleeve having a dosage knob at the proximal end thereof and a threaded rod coupled to the sleeve and axially advanceable into the cartridge upon clockwise rotation of the knob for dialing up a desired dosage to be injected. A ratchet mechanism is disposed in the injector housing and includes a rotatable piece secured to the dosage sleeve for rotation therewith and a locking seat in engagement with the rotatable piece. The ratchet mechanism permits rotational movement of the sleeve in the clockwise direction only. A disengaging mechanism is secured to the housing of the LCD assembly and includes a pin that extends into and engages the rotatable piece of the ratchet mechanism such that axial movement of the pin causes corresponding axial movement of the stationary piece. Upon depressing the outer surface of the disengaging mechanism, the pin and the rotatable piece are moved axially away from the seat sufficiently enough to permit a user to rotate the dosage knob in a counterclockwise direction to accurately dial back an accidental overdose measurement without removing the cartridge from the injector.

<CIT> discloses a medication administering device having mounted thereto a preparation syringe containing a preparation, allowing administration of a preparation to a living body, etc., and comprising a substantially cylindrical syringe cover that supports the preparation syringe on the inner peripheral face side, a piston that presses on the rear end of the preparation syringe, and a piston case that surrounds the piston, that guides the outer peripheral face of the syringe cover in the direction of the piston on the substantially cylindrical inner peripheral face side, and that is mounted in a state in which the syringe cover is removable. The medication administering device comprises a syringe holder that guides the outer peripheral face of the preparation syringe in the direction of the piston on the cylindrical inner peripheral face side, and whose outer peripheral face is removably fitted together with the inner peripheral face of the syringe cover. A medication administering device comprises a syringe cover for mounting a preparation syringe to a main body, and has uneven faces of different angles of inclination on the end face of the syringe cover. A medication administering device comprises a distal end cap that is removably fitted together with the main body, and moves in conjunction with a syringe cover during attachment to the main body.

<CIT> discloses an injection device equipped with a compartment articulated with reference to the device to receive a syringe with staked needle protected by a protection cap coupled with the syringe, the compartment being susceptible to evolve from a first open position for the insertion and the removal of the syringe, and a second closed position for the realization of the injection. The device includes a detachment system intended to cooperate with the cap of the syringe to decouple it from the syringe, the detachment being conditioned by the passage of the compartment to its second position. Furthermore, the passage of the compartment from the second to the first position is conditioned by the coupling of the cap.

<CIT> discloses a cartridge assembly apparatus for an auto-injector including a flexible container containing a liquid medicament. A needle hub is connected to the flexible container. A needle is attached to the needle hub and extends proximally from the needle hub. A frame is connected to the needle hub and includes a frame proximal end extending proximally beyond a proximal end of the needle. The needle hub and the needle are displaceable relative to the frame in a proximal direction to insert the needle into a patient.

<CIT> discloses various examples of a drug delivery system and a corresponding method for delivering three or more medicaments. The system includes two major components: an auto-injector device that contains at least two medicaments and a medicated module that contains at least one medicament. The medicated module interfaces with the auto-injector device such that a combination dose comprising all of the medicaments can be delivered via a single dispense interface of the medicated module. In order to deliver a pre-defined combination dose, a user need only set the dose of one of the medicaments contained in the auto-injector device and need only activate the system once by actuating a dose delivery button on the auto-injector device.

<CIT> discloses a medical injection device for use in combination with a medicament filled cartridge, the injection device being provided with a spring-assisted injecting mechanism where energy released from the spring moves a plunger of a held cartridge. Sensor circuitry is adapted to detect speed related data during injection so at to detect an abnormal speed condition, such as a needle blocking condition, a priming condition or an air purge condition. Moreover, a medical injection device comprising sensor circuitry and user communicating means to provide a recommended needle retraction waiting period which is dependent on the speed of injection, is disclosed.

<CIT> relates to a carrying case for a pharmaceutical injection device for administering a pharmaceutical to a living body, which includes a case unit and an electric charging device. The case unit accommodates the pharmaceutical injection device. The electric charging device is mounted in the case unit, includes an electric charging terminal electrically connectable to the pharmaceutical injection device, and electrically charges the pharmaceutical injection device. The carrying case can prevent troubles including such a situation that a user cannot charge the pharmaceutical injection device while being out with the carrying case.

<CIT> relates to a stopper for sealing a compartment of a medicament container, wherein a microchip comprising at least one sensor is embedded into the stopper, wherein the microchip is arranged for storing data comprising measurement data acquired by the sensor and wherein the microchip comprises wireless communication means for allowing the stored data to be retrieved by an external wireless unit. The disclosure also relates to a stopper for sealing a compartment of a medicament container, wherein at least one surface of the stopper is coated with a sensitive material which changes its visual appearance upon a change of an ambient condition or a condition inside the compartment.

According to the invention, a syringe includes a body containing a medicament and a case telescopically coupled to the body. A data storage device including data is disposed on the syringe. The data includes a temperature of the medicament, wherein a temperature sensor for acquiring the temperature of the medicament is arranged on the syringe. The data furthermore includes a filling date.

In an exemplary embodiment, an autoinjector according to the present invention comprises a case, a door hingedly coupled to the case and having an open position and a closed position, a plunger slidably disposed in the case, and at least one drive spring applying a biasing force on the plunger relative to the case. The door is operably coupled to the plunger, and rotation of the door from the closed position to the open position moves the plunger from a distal position in the case to a proximal position in the case and compresses the at least one drive spring.

In an exemplary embodiment, an autoinjector according to the present invention further comprises a trigger button disposed on the case and operably coupled to the plunger.

In an exemplary embodiment, an autoinjector according to the present invention further comprises an interlock sleeve slidably disposed in the case and having an extended position and a retracted position relative to the case. The interlock sleeve includes at least one interlock beam extending axially in the case. In an exemplary embodiment, an autoinjector according to the present invention further comprises at least one resilient button locking beam disposed in the case and adapted to engage the at least one interlock beam. The interlock beam causes the button locking beam to deflect when the interlock sleeve is in the retracted position. In an exemplary embodiment, an autoinjector according to the present invention further comprises at least one trigger button beam operably coupled to the trigger button, and the at least one trigger button beam abuts the at least one button locking beam when the interlock sleeve is in the extended position. The at least one trigger button beam causes the at least one tongue to disengage the ratchet face when the trigger button is actuated and the interlock sleeve is in the retracted position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plunger includes a transverse beam, a piston rod extending from the transverse beam, and at least one leg extending from the transverse beam and parallel to the piston rod. The at least one leg includes a distal foot adapted to support the at least one drive spring. The at least one leg includes a ratchet face having a plurality of teeth. In an exemplary embodiment, an autoinjector according to the present invention further comprises at least one resilient tongue disposed in the case and having a hook adapted to engage a tooth on the ratchet face.

In an exemplary embodiment, an autoinjector according to the present invention further comprises at least one lever hingedly coupled to the door, and at least one roller rotatably coupled to the lever. The roller is disposed in a track formed in the case.

In an exemplary embodiment, an autoinjector according to the present invention further comprises a retraction collar adapted to engage a needle boot on a syringe. When the door is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the at least one lever engages the retraction collar to push the needle boot at least partially through an aperture of the interlock sleeve.

Hormones are for example hypophysis hormones or hypothalamus hormones or regulatory active peptides and their antagonists as listed in<NPL>.

Antibodies are globular plasma proteins (~<NUM> kDa) that are also known as immunoglobulins which share a basic structure. As they have sugar chains added to amino acid residues, they are glycoproteins. The basic functional unit of each antibody is an immunoglobulin (Ig) monomer (containing only one Ig unit); secreted antibodies can also be dimeric with two Ig units as with IgA, tetrameric with four Ig units like teleost fish IgM, or pentameric with five Ig units, like mammalian IgM.

Further examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described in "<NPL>and in<NPL>.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:.

<FIG> is a perspective semitransparent view of an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment, the autoinjector <NUM> comprises a case <NUM> designed to be held by a patient, health-care provider or other user during an injection. The case <NUM> may have a generally elongate, rectangular shape and may include one or more ergonomic features (e.g., finger grooves for gripping) and/or textured surfaces or skins for preventing a user's hand from slipping while using the autoinjector <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the case <NUM> includes a door <NUM> which is configurable in an open position or a closed position. In the open position, the door <NUM> provides access to a syringe carrier in the case <NUM> that is adapted to hold a syringe <NUM> or a cartridge containing a medicament. In the closed position, the door <NUM> may be locked. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, the door <NUM> may be formed on a side of the case <NUM> and rotate about a transverse hinge between the open and closed positions. However, those of skill in the art will understand that the door <NUM> may be formed on any side or face of the case <NUM> and may rotate, slide or translate relative to the case <NUM> to open and close.

In an exemplary embodiment, a door spring may be arranged in the case <NUM> to bias the door <NUM> to the open position. A door latch may be formed on the case <NUM> and/or the door <NUM> to maintain the door <NUM> in the closed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the door latch may be rotated or deflected to engage/disengage the case <NUM> and/or the door <NUM> to allow the door <NUM> to open and close. When the door <NUM> is in the open position, a used syringe may be removed from the syringe carrier and a new syringe may be inserted into the syringe carrier.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one drive spring <NUM> is disposed in the case <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, two drive springs <NUM> are compression springs disposed in parallel in the case <NUM>. Those of skill in the art will understand that other exemplary embodiments may utilize a single drive spring, and one or more tension or torsion drive springs.

In an exemplary embodiment, the drive springs <NUM> apply a biasing force on a plunger <NUM>. The plunger <NUM> comprises a piston rod <NUM> projecting distally from a transverse beam <NUM> and two legs <NUM> projecting distally from opposing lateral portions of the transverse beam <NUM> and parallel to the piston rod <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, each drive spring <NUM> is positioned between a proximal end of the case <NUM> and a distal foot <NUM> of each leg <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one lever <NUM> is hingedly coupled to the door <NUM> at a first end via a pivot <NUM> and engages a roller <NUM> at a second end. The roller <NUM> may be disposed in an axial track <NUM> which is formed in the case <NUM>, and the roller <NUM> may be adapted to engage the distal foot <NUM> of the leg <NUM> of the plunger <NUM> when the door <NUM> is moved from the closed position to the open position. In another exemplary embodiment, the second end of the lever <NUM> may engage the track <NUM> and be axially moveable relative thereto. A projection or abutment surface may be coupled to the second end of the lever <NUM> and adapted to engage the distal foot <NUM> of the leg <NUM>. As explained further below, the door <NUM> and the levers <NUM> may be utilized as a reset mechanism.

<FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the door <NUM> is in the opened position, and a roller <NUM> is abutting the distal foot <NUM> of each leg <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, each leg <NUM> includes a ratchet face <NUM> having teeth that are adapted to engage a hook <NUM> on a resilient tongue <NUM>. The tongue <NUM> may be an elongate member formed in the case <NUM> which is fixed at one end and deflectable at an opposite end having the hook <NUM>, and the tongue <NUM> may be biased toward the leg <NUM>. Thus, as the leg <NUM> is moving in the proximal direction, the teeth on the ratchet face <NUM> may engage the hook <NUM> to prevent the plunger <NUM> from moving in the distal direction during a reset operation and/or while moving the door <NUM> from the closed position to the open position. Those of skill in the art will understand that the teeth on the ratchet face <NUM> and the hook <NUM> may have corresponding ramped engagement surfaces to reduce a force required to open the door <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows an exemplary embodiment of guide pins <NUM> which may be formed on a proximal end of the case <NUM> and project in a distal direction through holes in the transverse beam <NUM>. The guide pins <NUM> may provide support and alignment for the drive springs <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the plunger <NUM> has been fully translated in the proximal direction P, the drive springs <NUM> have been compressed, the hooks <NUM> have engaged a distal-most tooth on each ratchet face <NUM>, and the door <NUM> is being closed.

Referring again to <FIG>, the autoinjector <NUM> includes a trigger button (not visible in the figures) arranged on the case <NUM>. The trigger button serves for starting an injection process when actuated. The trigger button may be a push button, a switch, a dial (e.g., to vary needle penetration depth), etc. The trigger button may be arranged on a proximal end of the case <NUM> or a side of the case. In another exemplary embodiment, the trigger button may be replaced by a push-actuated device, which is actuated when the autoinjector <NUM> is placed on the injection site. In an exemplary embodiment, a spring biases the trigger button relative to the case <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the autoinjector <NUM> includes an interlock sleeve <NUM> slidably disposed in the case <NUM>. The interlock sleeve <NUM> includes a distal end which protrudes from an aperture formed in a distal end of the case <NUM>. The distal end of the interlock sleeve <NUM> includes an aperture <NUM> for allowing a needle to pass through during needle insertion into the injection site. The distal end of the interlock sleeve <NUM> may further include an expanded contact face to support proper alignment of the autoinjector <NUM> on the injection site and provide additional stability during the injection.

The interlock sleeve <NUM> may be biased by a spring in an extended position, which position is shown in the exemplary embodiment in <FIG>. When the autoinjector <NUM> is placed on the injection site, interlock sleeve <NUM> may be pushed in the proximal direction into a retracted position against the biasing force of the spring.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an exemplary embodiment of the autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention in which the trigger button is operably coupled to the interlock sleeve <NUM>. For example, when the interlock sleeve <NUM> is in the extended position, the trigger button may be locked and prevented from actuation. When the interlock sleeve <NUM> is in the retracted position, the trigger button may be unlocked and actuatable.

In an exemplary embodiment, two interlock beams <NUM> extend in the proximal direction from the distal end of the interlock sleeve <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the interlock beams <NUM> are maintained on an inside of the case <NUM>, and may include abutment surfaces which engage a distal end of the case <NUM> when the interlock sleeve <NUM> is in the extended position. Proximal ends of the interlock beams <NUM> include ramped surfaces which engage corresponding ramped surfaces of resilient button locking beams <NUM> disposed in the case <NUM>. When the interlock sleeve <NUM> moves from the extended position to the retracted position, the proximal ends of the interlock beams <NUM> cause the button locking beams <NUM> to deflect.

In a non-deflected state, the button locking beams <NUM> are adapted to engage distal ends of trigger button beams <NUM>, which are operably coupled to the trigger button, and prevent the trigger button beams <NUM> from moving in the distal direction. When the button locking beams <NUM> are deflected, the trigger button beams <NUM> may move in the distal direction. The distal ends of the trigger button beams <NUM> are in ramped engagement with the resilient tongues <NUM>. Thus, axial movement of the trigger button beams <NUM> causes the resilient tongues <NUM> to deflect laterally and disengage the legs <NUM> of the plunger <NUM>.

Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the trigger button is actuatable when the interlock sleeve <NUM> is in the retracted position. Otherwise, the trigger button is prevented from actuation, because the button locking beams <NUM> abut the trigger button beams <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring again to <FIG>, in an exemplary embodiment, a door lock <NUM> may be disposed on the case <NUM>. The door lock <NUM> may be a button, a switch or other component which maintains the door <NUM> in the closed position. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, the door lock <NUM> has a pin <NUM> which projects into the interior of the case <NUM>. The door lock <NUM> may have a proximal position in which the pin <NUM> is disengages from a door hook <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) and a distal position in which the pin <NUM> engages the door hook <NUM>. The door lock <NUM> may be biased (e.g., by a spring) in the distal position, and when the door is moved from the open position to the closed position, a ramped portion of the door hook <NUM> may move the pin <NUM> and the door lock <NUM> into the proximal position until the door <NUM> is closed, and then the door lock <NUM> may return (under the biasing force) to the distal position so that the pin <NUM> engages the door hook <NUM> and locks the door <NUM>.

<FIG> show an exemplary embodiment of a syringe <NUM> for use with the autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention. The syringe <NUM> includes a body <NUM> containing a medicament and a case <NUM> telescopically coupled to the body <NUM>. The case <NUM> may include an attachment (e.g., hooks, snaps, etc.) which engage a finger flange <NUM> on a proximal end of the body <NUM>. A needle shield <NUM> is telescopically coupled to the case <NUM> and is biased toward the distal direction relative to the case <NUM> by a spring <NUM>. The needle shield <NUM> is retained in its retracted state (shown in <FIG>) by a pivoted clip <NUM> on the case <NUM> which in a non-deflected position engages a recess in the needle shield <NUM> and in a deflected position disengages the recess in the needle shield <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, a needle <NUM> is disposed at a distal end of the body <NUM>. A needle boot <NUM> is, as shown in <FIG>, arranged on the needle <NUM>, prior to use. <FIG> shows the syringe <NUM> with the needle boot <NUM> removed and the needle shield <NUM> in a retracted position, with the needle <NUM> exposed. <FIG> shows the syringe <NUM> with the needle shield <NUM> in an extended position, covering a distal tip of the needle <NUM>. The needle shield <NUM> may be locked in its extended position, as shown in <FIG>, by a resilient beam <NUM> which is released and abuts the case <NUM> once the shield <NUM> is in its fully extended position.

In an exemplary embodiment, a data storage device <NUM> may be disposed on the syringe <NUM> and include data, such as a type and volume of the medicament, filling and/or expiration date of the medicament, temperature of the medicament (e.g., if there is a temperature sensor on or near the syringe <NUM>), a manufacturer of the medicament and/or the autoinjector <NUM>, patient data (e.g., name, physician, dosing regiment, etc.), a used/unused indicator, etc. The data storage device <NUM> may interface with a wired or wireless communication device for transmitting the data to a computing device. The computing device may be used for tracking use/attributes of the syringe <NUM>, e.g., for compliance and/or quality control purposes.

Referring again to <FIG>, in an exemplary embodiment, the autoinjector <NUM> includes a retraction collar <NUM> distally supporting the syringe <NUM> and biased against the case <NUM> in the proximal direction P by a retraction spring <NUM> so that the syringe <NUM> is biased towards a retracted position in which the needle <NUM> is covered within the case <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the retraction collar <NUM> is utilized for removing the needle boot <NUM> prior to an injection. The retraction collar <NUM> includes a flange which is adapted to engage the needle boot <NUM>. For example, the flange may engage a proximal surface on an annular boot collar <NUM> on the needle boot <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, as the door <NUM> is moved from the open position to the closed position, when the door <NUM> is almost closed, the levers <NUM> and/or the rollers <NUM> may operably engage the retraction collar <NUM> to advance the retraction collar <NUM> in the distal direction, against the force of the retraction spring <NUM>. The needle boot <NUM> may then be at least partially disengage from the needle <NUM> and at least partially exposed through the aperture <NUM> in the distal end of the interlock sleeve <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the syringe assembly <NUM> is held in place via interference between a boss <NUM> on the syringe case <NUM> and a ramped boss <NUM> on the case <NUM>. The force to overcome the interference is higher than the forces generated as the door <NUM> is closed; however it is lower than the drive forces during device firing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the case <NUM> and/or the door <NUM> may include a viewing window <NUM> for allowing inspection of the syringe <NUM> and its contents and state.

In an exemplary, non-illustrated embodiment a distal end of the piston rod <NUM> may comprise resilient elements which may be inwardly deflected so as to reduce an external diameter of the distal end of the piston rod <NUM>. In a relaxed position of the resilient elements, the external diameter of the distal end of the piston rod <NUM> is slightly greater than an internal diameter of the proximal end of the syringe body <NUM>. The resilient elements may be rounded off or ramped so that they may be inwardly deflected when pushing on the proximal end of the syringe body <NUM> and when a counteracting force of the syringe body <NUM> exceeds a predetermined value. The proximal end of the syringe body <NUM> may exhibit an internal circumferential collar slightly reducing the internal diameter of the syringe body <NUM> and providing an additional detent which has to be overcome by the distal end of the piston rod <NUM> before it can enter the syringe body <NUM>. If the piston rod <NUM> is advanced in the distal direction, it contacts the collar. As long as the syringe body <NUM> can move in the distal direction the counteracting force from the syringe body <NUM> may be too low to deflect the resilient elements. Hence, the piston rod <NUM> advances the syringe body <NUM> and the whole syringe for extending the needle <NUM> from the case <NUM> without pushing on the stopper <NUM>. As the syringe <NUM> advances the retraction spring <NUM> is compressed. When the needle <NUM> has reached its insertion depth the syringe <NUM> bottoms out against a stop in the case <NUM> thereby suddenly increasing the counteracting force opposing the force from the piston rod <NUM>. The resilient elements are therefore inwardly deflected by the collar disengaging the piston rod <NUM> from the syringe body <NUM> and allowing it to advance further and engage the stopper <NUM> for displacing the medicament from the syringe body <NUM>.

An exemplary sequence of operation of the autoinjector <NUM> is described in the following, though those of skill in the art will understand that various steps in the sequence may be conducted in any order and is not limited to the sequence described below.

<FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention prior to use. The door <NUM> is locked in the closed position, because the door hook <NUM> engages the pin <NUM> on the door lock <NUM>. The interlock sleeve <NUM> is in the extended position.

<FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention prior to use, with the door <NUM> in the open position. When the door lock <NUM> is moved from the distal position to the proximal position, the pin <NUM> disengages the door hook <NUM>, and a spring may rotate the door <NUM> from the closed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the spring may be forceful enough to move the door <NUM> to the open position, or the spring may rotate the door <NUM> from the closed position and a user may be required to rotate the door <NUM> to the full open position, as shown in <FIG>.

When the door <NUM> is moved from the closed position to the open position, the rollers <NUM> move proximally along the respective tracks <NUM>, pushing the legs <NUM> and, thus, the plunger <NUM> proximally, which compresses the drive springs <NUM>. When the door <NUM> is in the open position, the distal-most teeth on the ratchet face <NUM> of the legs <NUM> engage the hook <NUM> on the resilient tongue <NUM>. As explained above, the teeth on the ratchet face <NUM> engaging the hook <NUM> prevent the plunger <NUM> from moving distally when the door <NUM> is being opened.

<FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention prior to use with a syringe <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, the syringe <NUM> is placed in a syringe carrier which is slidably disposed in the case <NUM> or in a channel in the case <NUM> which allows the syringe <NUM> to translate relative to the case <NUM>. The syringe <NUM> may be aligned such that the annular boot collar <NUM> on the needle boot <NUM> engages the flange on the retraction collar <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention with an unused syringe <NUM> in the case <NUM> and the door <NUM> in the closed position. As the door <NUM> is moved from the open position to the closed position, when the door <NUM> is almost closed, the levers <NUM> and/or the rollers <NUM> may operably engage the retraction collar <NUM> to advance the retraction collar <NUM> in the distal direction, against the force of the retraction spring <NUM>. Thus, when the door <NUM> is in the closed position, the needle boot <NUM> may be at least partially disengaged from the needle <NUM> and at least partially exposed through the aperture <NUM> in the distal end of the interlock sleeve <NUM>. The user may then grip the needle boot <NUM> and pull it off the needle <NUM>, which may remain covered by the interlock sleeve <NUM>. When the interlock sleeve <NUM> is in the extended position, the trigger button of the autoinjector <NUM> is locked, because the trigger button beams <NUM> abut the interlock beams <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention during use, when the autoinjector <NUM> has been pressed against an injection site. When the autoinjector <NUM> is pressed against an injection site, the interlock sleeve <NUM> translates in the proximal direction relative to the case <NUM>. As the interlock sleeve <NUM> translates proximally relative to the case <NUM>, the interlock beams <NUM> engage the button locking beams <NUM>, causing the button locking beams <NUM> to deflect. Because the button locking beams <NUM> are deflected, they no longer prevent the trigger button beams <NUM> from moving distally relative to the case <NUM>, and thus the trigger button is operable.

<FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention during use. When the trigger button is pressed, the trigger button beams <NUM> move distally relative to the case <NUM>, and deflect the tongues <NUM>. When the tongues <NUM> are deflected, the hook <NUM> disengages the ratchet faces <NUM> of the legs <NUM>, and the plunger <NUM>, under the force of the drive springs <NUM>, moves distally relative to the case <NUM>. As the plunger <NUM> moves distally relative to the case <NUM>, it first engages the syringe <NUM> (or the syringe carrier) and pushes the syringe <NUM> distally relative to the case <NUM> for insertion of the needle <NUM> into the injection site. The needle <NUM> passes through the aperture <NUM> in the interlock sleeve <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. When the syringe <NUM> (or the syringe carrier) abuts a first stop in the case <NUM>, the remaining force in the drive springs <NUM> causes the plunger <NUM> to engage and push the stopper <NUM> in the syringe <NUM>, dispensing the medicament in the syringe <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the plunger <NUM> may engage a second stop in the case <NUM> to limit its movement relative to the syringe <NUM> after the syringe <NUM> has engaged the first stop.

In an exemplary embodiment, the autoinjector <NUM> may include one or more feedback mechanisms which provide visual, audible and/or tactile feedback regarding progress of the injection. For example, when the hook <NUM> disengages the ratchet face <NUM>, a clicking sound may be generated to notify the user that the injection has begun. Visual feedback may be provided, for example, through the window(s) <NUM> in the case <NUM>.

When the syringe <NUM> (or the syringe carrier) abuts the stop in the case <NUM>, the retraction spring <NUM> has been compressed. As shown in <FIG>, the retraction collar <NUM> is held in place by the roller <NUM>. After activation the distal foot <NUM> contacts the roller <NUM> (<FIG>) and the ramped face of the distal foot <NUM> lifts the roller <NUM> to a plane above the initial contact point of the roller <NUM> and the retraction collar <NUM> (<FIG>). This allows the retraction spring <NUM> to drive the syringe <NUM> back in the proximal direction. Simultaneously, as transverse beam <NUM> reaches its end stop, the legs <NUM> align with a gap in the case <NUM> allowing them to spring out and uncouple the transverse beam <NUM> from the drive springs <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment of an autoinjector <NUM> according to the present invention after use. When the autoinjector <NUM> is removed from the injection site (e.g., after a dose of the medicament has been delivered or for any other reason), the interlock sleeve <NUM> returns to the extended state under the force of the spring, the retraction spring <NUM> exerts force on the syringe <NUM> (or the syringe carrier) to withdraw the needle <NUM> from the injection site, and, because the trigger button has been released, the ratchet faces <NUM> engage the legs <NUM> to maintain the plunger <NUM> in position relative to the case <NUM>. For example, if the autoinjector <NUM> is removed from the injection site prior to delivery of the full dose of the medicament, the ratchet faces <NUM> may engage the hooks <NUM> to prevent the plunger <NUM> from further advancing the stopper <NUM>. Also, after the syringe <NUM> has been retracted, the needle shield <NUM> is advanced to and locked in the extended position by the needle shield spring <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Thus, when the door <NUM> is unlocked (via the door lock <NUM>) and moved to the open position, the needle <NUM> is covered by the locked needle shield <NUM> and does not present risk of needle stick injury.

Claim 1:
A syringe (<NUM>), including a body (<NUM>) containing a medicament and a case (<NUM>) telescopically coupled to the body (<NUM>), wherein a data storage device (<NUM>) including data is disposed on the syringe (<NUM>), characterized in that the data includes a temperature of the medicament, wherein a temperature sensor for acquiring the temperature of the medicament is arranged on the syringe (<NUM>), wherein the data furthermore includes a filling date.