The present disclosure relates generally to the field of drug delivery. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a drug delivery system that includes a sealed and sterile fluid path attached to a drug-loaded container. The disclosure further relates to methods for sterilizing a portion of the drug delivery system without exposing the drug-loaded container to harmful sterilization parameters.

The present invention relates to a needle shield assembly for a syringe (10), comprising an inner needle shield (16) which is flexible and designed to enclose a major part of a hollow injection needle (18) of said syringe; an outer needle shield (20) which is rigid and designed to enclose a major part of said inner needle shield (16), which outer needle shield (20) is arranged with a number of passages (22) for allowing sterilizing agents to reach said injection needle (18) during a sterilization process. The invention is characterised in that said needle shield assembly further comprises a cover element (24; 36; 46) arranged adjacent said passages (22) such as to prevent the interior of said injection needle (18) from being exposed to oxygen via said passages (22) of said outer needle shield (20) after said sterilization process.

An apparatus, method, and article of manufacture for transferring fluid contained in a syringe. The apparatus includes an airlock component having a cylindrical body with a first end, a second end, and a hollow tube disposed between the first end and the second end. An annular opening is located at the first end of the cylindrical body. The hollow tube includes a gas inlet aperture and a gas outlet aperture. The hollow tube also includes an inwardly-facing airtight material coupled to the interior surface of the hollow tube, and a septum coupled to the second end of the cylindrical body. The method includes transferring fluid from one container to a second container using the apparatus. The article of manufacture includes the apparatus, a syringe, and a needle.

A disinfection tip is described for disinfecting a threaded connector of a syringe. The disinfection tip includes a cylindrical outer housing, a substantially cylindrical inner housing extending from a distal wall of the outer housing, a distal chamber defined by the outer sidewall of the inner housing, the inner wall of the outer housing and the distal wall of the outer housing, the distal chamber being in fluid communication with the cavity, the distal chamber retaining a disinfectant or antimicrobial agent when the disinfection tip is disposed within an outer wall of the luer connector of the syringe and, at least one jet orifice radially disposed on the inner rim in fluid communication with the distal chamber allowing for fluid to pass from the distal chamber through the jet orifice directing the disinfectant or antimicrobial agent towards a center of the outer housing when the disinfection tip is further inserted into the luer connector of the syringe, the insertion of the disinfection tip causing the volume of the distal chamber to reduce and expel disinfectant or antimicrobial agent through the at least one jet orifice.

An injector may include a container having a wall with an interior surface defining a closed sterile reservoir filled with a drug product. The injector may also include a fluid delivery system comprising a sterile container needle that is in fluid communication with the container in a delivery state, but may or may not be in fluid communication with the container in a storage state. Further, the injector may include an actuator that is adapted to move the container needle from the storage state to the delivery state.

The present invention relates to a pre-filled disposable injection device and a needle cannula in combination. The prefilled disposable injection device (1) is made from a housing (2) containing a non-exchangeable cartridge (10) for storing a liquid drug sufficient for a number of injections. The proximal end of the pre-filled injection device (1) carries the dose setting button (3) and the distal end carries the needle cannula (20) having a lumen (21) through which the settable dose is expelled. The distal end (23) of the needle cannula (20) is covered by a telescopic needle covering shield (30) which shield (30) can operate between a first position covering the tip (24) of the needle cannula (20) and a second retracted position allowing an injection to be performed. The shield (30) carries a cleaner (50) which cleans at least the tip (24) of the needle cannula (20) between successive injections such that the prefilled injection device can be used without changing the needle cannula (20) during its life cycle.

A pre-filled syringe having containing therein at least one therapeutic is provided. The syringe contains a silicone free barrel and an elastomeric syringe stopper that is covered with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier layer. The presence of a barrier layer that is at least partially porous on the outside of the syringe stopper improves the seal between the stopper and syringe barrel and minimizes the sliding force. In some embodiments, the barrel is formed of a glass material such as a borosilicate glass, that is free of silicone or other lubricants.

A capping device for disinfecting a medical implement includes a first portion having a bottom opening and a first inner surface, a second portion having a medial opening, a second inner surface, and a disinfecting member attached to the second inner surface, and a connector coupling the first and second portions in a manner which permits movement of the second portion between a closed position wherein the second portion is in contact with the first portion so as to form a hollow defined by the first inner surface and the second inner surface, and an open position wherein the second portion is apart from the first portion. The capping device is configured for attachment to the medical implement through the bottom opening to bring an access portion of the medical implement in contact with the disinfecting member when the capping device is in the closed position.

In an elongated casing, an active agent container connected to an injection needle can be shifted axially by a spring force. Auto-injectors which are sold or distributed filled and with the springs tensed have to be provided with a needle protecting cap to ensure the sterility of the injection needle. When such a needle protecting cap is removed as preparation for using the auto-injector, a tensile force can be exerted on the active agent container. Therefore, the active agent container comprising the injection needle must be prevented from being undesirably pulled forwards. At least one latching tongue prevents the active agent container from being prematurely shifted with respect to the casing, by abutting a flange arranged on a sliding sleeve which accommodates the active agent container. When the auto-injector is placed onto a person's skin, a needle protecting tube is shifted into the casing, forcing the latching tongue away from the flange and, thus, freeing the travel path for needle movement.

A portable auto-injector configured to store a dry medication separately from a liquid component, wherein removal of a cap operates a first actuation mechanism which opens a valve between a first and second chamber that are slidably movable relative to each other and thus allows for the initiation of a mixing step prior to injection. An extendable needle guard is provided over the delivery assembly which prevents premature injection as well as inadvertent sticks or other cross contamination of a needle. The needle guard can also form part of a secondary trigger mechanism which injects the mixed components after the mixing stage is complete.