CASSETTE AND MEDICAMENT DELIVERY DEVICE

Abstract

A cassette is disclosed for receiving a medicament container, the cassette having a medicament delivery member; a guard for covering the medicament delivery member; a shell movable between a proximal shell position where movement of the guard is prevented by the shell, and a distal shell position where the guard is exposed from the shell; a biasing device arranged to force the shell towards the distal shell position; a blocking device movable from a blocking position where the shell is blocked from moving to the distal shell position, to a releasing position where the shell is released; and a locking device movable from a first position to a second position; wherein the blocking device and the locking device are arranged such that movement of the locking device from the first position to the second position causes the blocking device to move from the blocking position to the releasing position.

Claims

1-15: (canceled)

16: A cassette for receiving a medicament container, the cassette comprising: a guard extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; a shell axially movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the guard; a biasing device adjacent to a proximally directed surface of the shell at one end, and adjacent to a distally directed surface of the guard at the other end; a blocking device comprising a blocking structure extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and a guide track axially and circumferentially extending in the of the longitudinal axis; wherein the blocking device is movable between a blocking position where the blocking structure is adjacent to a distally directed surface of the shell and a releasing position where the blocking structure is spaced apart to the distally directed surface of the shell in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and a locking device movable relative to the blocking device; wherein the locking device comprises a protrusion protruding into the guide track of the blocking device.

17: The cassette according to claim 16, wherein blocking device is rotatable relative to the longitudinal axis between the blocking position and the releasing position.

18: The cassette according to claim 16, wherein the locking device is movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the blocking device from the first position to the second position.

19: The cassette according to claim 17, wherein the guide track comprises an inclination such that movement of the protrusion along the inclination causes the blocking device to rotate from the blocking position to the releasing position.

20: The cassette according to claim 16, wherein the shell comprises a shell engaging structure; wherein the guard comprises a guard slot; and wherein the shell engaging structure is arranged to travel in the guard slot.

21: The cassette according to claim 16, comprising a medicament delivery member.

22: The cassette according to claim 21, comprising a flexible tube surrounding the medicament delivery member.

23: The cassette according to claim 21, wherein the guard comprises an orifice on the proximal end of the guard and a guard membrane sealed the orifice of the guard, wherein the medicament delivery member is arranged within the guard and telescopically relative to the orifice of the guard.

24: The cassette according to claim 21, further comprising a delivery member holder holding the medicament delivery member, wherein the delivery member holder is attached to the shell.

25: The cassette according to claim 20, wherein a delivery member holder comprises a delivery member engageable structure, and wherein the shell engaging structure is arranged to engage the delivery member engageable structure.

26: The cassette according to claim 21, further comprising a container holder for holding the medicament container, the container holder comprising a holder membrane, wherein the medicament delivery member is arranged to pierce the holder membrane when the delivery member holder is moved distally together with the shell under a biasing force of the basing device.

27: The cassette according to claim 23, wherein a flexible tube connected to the guard and to the delivery member holder, the flexible tube being arranged to be unfolded by distal movement of the shell.

28: The cassette according to claim 16, comprises a housing; wherein the guard is partially arranged within the housing and telescopic relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis.

29: The cassette according to claim 28, wherein the shell comprises a second distally directed surface configured to abut a proximally directed surface of the housing.

30: A medicament delivery device comprising a cassette according to claim 16, the medicament delivery device comprises a base unit releasably attached to the cassette; wherein the base unit comprises a stationary structure; and wherein the locking device comprises an external engaging structure arranged to engage the stationary structure by insertion of the cassette into the base unit to cause the locking device to move proximally relative to the cassette from the first position to the second position.

31: A cassette for receiving a medicament container, the cassette comprising: a guard extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; a shell axially movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the guard; a spring that exerts a distal biasing force against the shell; a blocking device comprising a blocking structure extending radially outward from an outer surface and a guide track axially and circumferentially extending along the outer surface, where the blocking device rotates between a blocking position, where the blocking structure is adjacent to a distally directed surface of the shell, and a releasing position where the blocking structure is not adjacent the distally directed surface of the shell; and a locking device comprising an inwardly directed protrusion positioned within the guide track of the blocking device such that linear movement of the locking device in a proximal direction causes rotation of the blocking device.

32: The cassette of claim 31, wherein the spring has one end adjacent to a proximally directed surface of the shell and another end adjacent to a distally directed surface of the guard.

33: The cassette of claim 32, wherein the blocking device prevents the shell from being moved distally by the spring.

34: The cassette of claim 32, wherein movement of the locking device from a first position to a second position is transmitted by a transmission such that the blocking device rotates about the longitudinal axis from the blocking position to a releasing position.

35: The cassette of claim 32 further comprising a medicament delivery member in fluid communication with the medicament container, where a flexible tube is positioned to surround the medicament delivery member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0060] FIG. 1: schematically represents a perspective view of a cassette;

[0061] FIG. 2: schematically represents a side view of a medicament delivery device comprising the cassette and a base unit;

[0062] FIG. 3: schematically represents a side view of the medicament delivery device after insertion of the cassette into the base unit;

[0063] FIG. 4: schematically represents a side view of the medicament delivery device during medicament delivery to an medicament delivery site;

[0064] FIG. 5: schematically represents a perspective exploded view of the cassette;

[0065] FIG. 6: schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the cassette;

[0066] FIG. 7: schematically represents a further cross-sectional side view of the cassette;

[0067] FIG. 8: schematically represents a partial side view of the cassette;

[0068] FIG. 9: schematically represents a partial side view of the cassette after movement of a locking device to a second position and movement of a blocking device to a releasing position;

[0069] FIG. 10: schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the cassette according to FIG. 9;

[0070] FIG. 11: schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the cassette during distal movement of a shell from a proximal shell position;

[0071] FIG. 12: schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the cassette when the shell has moved to a distal shell position;

[0072] FIG. 13: schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the cassette where a guard is in a proximal guard position;

[0073] FIG. 14: schematically represents a partial cross-sectional side view of the cassette according to FIG. 13;

[0074] FIG. 15: schematically represents a partial cross-sectional side view of the cassette when the guard has moved to a distal guard position; and

[0075] FIG. 16: schematically represents a partial cross-sectional view of the cassette after proximal movement of the guard from the distal guard position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] In the following, a cassette for receiving a medicament container, and a medicament delivery device comprising a cassette, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0077] FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a cassette 10. The cassette 10 comprises a medicament delivery member (not shown), a medicament container (not shown) and a longitudinal axis 12. The cassette 10 further comprises a guard 14 and a shell 16. In FIG. 1, the guard 14 is in a proximal guard position 18 and the shell 16 is in a proximal shell position 20. The respective end surfaces of the guard 14 and the shell 16 are aligned at the proximal end of the cassette 10 (the left end in FIG. 1). The guard 14 comprises a guard membrane 22.

[0078] The cassette 10 further comprises a locking device 24. The locking device 24 comprises external engaging structures 26, here exemplified as protrusions.

[0079] The cassette 10 of this example further comprises a housing 28 and a distal cap 30. The shell 16 is positioned radially (with respect to the longitudinal axis 12) inside the housing 28. The guard 14 is positioned radially inside the shell 16.

[0080] The housing 28 comprises housing slots 32. Each housing slot 32 extends parallel with the longitudinal axis 12. Each external engaging structure 26 is arranged to travel along an associated housing slot 32.

[0081] The cassette 10 of this example further comprises two trigger members 34 (only one is visible in FIG. 1). Each trigger member 34 comprises a switch activation part 36, here exemplified as a protrusion.

[0082] FIG. 2 schematically represents a side view of a medicament delivery device 38 comprising the cassette 10 and a base unit 40. The cassette 10 is disposable and the base unit 40 is for multiple use. The base unit 40 is arranged to drive expulsion of medicament from the medicament container in the cassette 10 when the cassette 10 is attached to the base unit 40. The base unit 40 of this example comprises stationary structures 42 and a switch 44.

[0083] Before the cassette 10 is connected to the base unit 40 (as shown in FIG. 2), neither the shell 16 not the guard 14 can be moved distally. The shell 16 is prevented from moving distally from the proximal shell position 20 by means of a blocking device (not shown) and the guard 14 is prevented from moving distally from the proximal guard position 18 by the shell 16. The user is therefore protected from a needle or other medicament delivery member inside the cassette 10. This reduces the risk of injury and contamination.

[0084] FIG. 3 schematically represents a side view of the medicament delivery device 38 after insertion of the cassette 10 into the base unit 40. The insertion of the cassette 10 into the base unit 40 constitutes a first step for the user. Once the cassette 10 is properly connected to the base unit 40, the cassette 10 may be said to be in use.

[0085] When the cassette 10 is inserted into the base unit 40, the shell 16 is retracted, i.e. moved distally from the proximal shell position 20 to a distal shell position 46. The user can therefore merely insert the cassette 10 into the base unit 40 to retract the shell 16 to expose the guard 14. The user does not need to take any dedicated action to expose the guard 14, such as removing a cap. The exposure of the guard 14 also provides a very clear ready to use indication to the user. In this example, the shell 16 is positioned entirely within the housing 28 in the distal shell position 46.

[0086] The shell 16 is retracted as a consequence of the insertion of the cassette 10 into the base unit 40. During insertion of the cassette 10 into the base unit 40, the external engaging structures 26 contact associated stationary structures 42 inside the base unit 40. Further insertion of the cassette 10 thereby causes the locking device 24 to move proximally relative to the remainder of the cassette 10. In other words, the external engaging structures 26 become stationary due to the contact with the stationary structures 42 and the cassette 10 moves distally relative to the external engaging structure 26. This proximal movement of the locking device 24 relative to the cassette 10 triggers the retraction of the shell 16, as will be described in further detail below.

[0087] Alternatively, an actuator in the base unit 40 may be driven to move the external engaging structure 26 to initiate the retraction of the shell 16. In any case, the retraction of the shell 16 may be triggered by a movement of the locking device 24 relative to the remainder of the cassette 10.

[0088] When the shell 16 has adopted the distal shell position 46, the guard 14 is exposed from the shell 16 and the shell 16 no longer prevents movement of the guard 14. In this example, the insertion of the cassette 10 into the base unit 40 is the only action the user needs to take to prepare the medicament delivery device 38.

[0089] FIG. 4 schematically represents a side view of the medicament delivery device 38 during medicament delivery to an medicament delivery site 48. In FIG. 4, the medicament delivery member 50, here exemplified as a needle, can be seen.

[0090] The user may simply bring the guard 14 into contact with the medicament delivery site 48 and push the medicament delivery device 38 against the medicament delivery site 48. This causes the guard 14 to move distally, relative to the remainder of the cassette 10, from the proximal guard position 18 to a distal guard position 52. At the same time, the medicament delivery member 50 pierces the guard membrane 22 and pierces into the medicament delivery site 48. Thus, in the distal guard position 52, the medicament delivery member 50 is exposed from the guard 14.

[0091] Moreover, the distal movement of the guard 14 from the proximal guard position 18 to the distal guard position 52 causes the switch activation parts 36 to move distally. One of the switch activation parts 36 thereby activates the switch 44 in the base unit 40. This activation of the switch 44 causes the base unit 40 to drive expulsion of medicament from the medicament container through the medicament delivery member 50 into the medicament delivery site 48.

[0092] In this example, the medicament delivery is thus triggered automatically by the distal movement of the guard 14. The medicament delivery constitutes a second step for the user.

[0093] FIG. 5 schematically represents a perspective exploded view of the cassette 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the cassette 10 of this example comprises the guard 14, a flexible tube 54, a delivery member holder 56, a container holder 58, a biasing device 60, the shell 16, the housing 28, the medicament container 62, the blocking device 64, the locking device 24, the trigger members 34 and the distal cap 30.

[0094] The guard 14 comprises two guard slots 66 (only one is visible in FIG. 5). Each guard slot 66 is parallel with the longitudinal axis 12. The guard slots 66 are provided in a proximal part of the guard 14.

[0095] The guard 14 comprises a guard engaging structure, in this example the guard engaging structure is two guard slots 66 (only one is visible in FIG. 5). Each guard slot 66 is parallel with the longitudinal axis 12. The guard slots 66 are provided in a proximal part of the guard 14.

[0096] The guard 14 further comprises two locking engaging structures 70. Each locking engaging structure 70 is provided on a respective arm of the guard 14 distally of the guard biasing device supports 68.

[0097] The guard 14 further comprises two guard hooks 72. Each guard hook 72 is provided on a respective arm of the guard 14 distally of the locking engaging structures 70.

[0098] The delivery member holder 56 holds the medicament delivery member 50. The delivery member holder 56 is here exemplified as a needle hub. The delivery member holder 56 comprises two delivery member engageable structures 74. Each delivery member engageable structure 74 is here exemplified as a lateral arm extending laterally outwards from a body of the delivery member holder 56. The biasing device 60 of this example is a coil spring.

[0099] The shell 16 comprises two shell engaging structures 76, in this example is a pair of arms (only one is seen in FIG. 5). Each arm 76 extends laterally inwards from a proximal part of the shell 16.

[0100] The shell 16 further comprises a shell biasing device support 78. The shell biasing device support 78 is arranged distally of the shell engaging structures 76. The shell biasing device support 78 of this example is a ring.

[0101] The shell 16 further comprises two shell structures 80. Each shell structure 80 is here exemplified as an arm extending parallel with the longitudinal axis 12. The shell biasing device support 78 is connected to each shell structure 80.

[0102] The medicament container 62 comprises a container membrane 82. The container membrane 82 keeps the medicament inside the medicament container 62 sterile.

[0103] The blocking device 64 comprises two blocking structures 84. Each blocking structure 84 is arranged to selectively block one shell structure 80 of the shell 16.

[0104] The blocking device 64 further comprises two guide tracks 86. In this example, the blocking device 64 comprises a cylindrical body and the guide tracks 86 are oppositely arranged on the cylindrical body. Each guide track 86 comprises an inclination 88. A bump 90 is arranged in the inclination 88.

[0105] The locking device 24 comprises two protrusions 92. Each protrusion 92 is arranged to engage a corresponding guide track 86 of the blocking device 64.

[0106] The locking device 24 further comprises four engaging arms 94. Each engaging arm 94 is parallel with the longitudinal axis 12. One external engaging structure 26 is provided at a distal end of each engaging arm 94.

[0107] The locking device 24 further comprises two locking engageable structures 96. Each locking engageable structure 96 is arranged to be engaged by a corresponding locking engaging structure 70 of the guard 14.

[0108] In this example, the trigger members 34 are separate from the guard 14. As a possible alternative, the trigger members 34 may be integrally formed with the guard 14 or the switch activation part 36 may be provided on the guard 14 in other ways.

[0109] The switch activation part 36 is arranged at a distal end of each trigger member 34. Each trigger member 34 further comprises a trigger member opening 98. Each trigger member opening 98 is arranged to receive a guard hook 72 of the guard 14.

[0110] FIG. 6 schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the cassette 10 and FIG. 7 schematically represents a further cross-sectional side view of the cassette 10. The views in FIGS. 6 and 7 are orthogonal to each other. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the medicament delivery member 50, the guard 14, the shell 16, the biasing device 60, the blocking device 64, the locking device 24, the delivery member holder 56, the container holder 58 and the flexible tube 54 is concentric with the longitudinal axis 12.

[0111] The container holder 58 holds the medicament container 62 at a proximal end thereof. The delivery member holder 56 is connected to the container holder 58 by means of a snap-fit.

[0112] A proximal end of the flexible tube 54 is connected to the guard 14 and a distal end of the flexible tube 54 is connected to the delivery member holder 56. In FIG. 6, the flexible tube 54 is folded. The flexible tube 54 is made of rubber.

[0113] In the proximal guard position 18, the guard 14 covers the medicament delivery member 50. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the cassette 10 is in the same state as in FIG. 2. That is, the shell 16 is in the proximal shell position 20 and the guard 14 is in the proximal guard position 18.

[0114] The biasing device 60 acts between the guard biasing device support 68 and the shell biasing device support 78. In the state in FIGS. 6 and 7, the biasing device 60 is compressed. Consequently, the biasing device 60 forces the shell 16 distally from the proximal shell position 20. However, the blocking device 64 prevents the shell 16 from being moved distally by the biasing device 60.

[0115] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the blocking device 64 is in a blocking position 100 and the locking device 24 is in a first position 102. As shown in FIG. 6, the shell engaging structures 76 are in respective proximal ends of the guard slots 66. The guard 14 is therefore prevented to move distally when the shell 16 is in the proximal shell position 20.

[0116] A proximal part of the medicament delivery member 50, i.e. protruding proximally from the delivery member holder 56, is sealingly closed by the guard membrane 22 and the flexible tube 54. The container holder 58 comprises a holder membrane 104. A distal part of the medicament delivery member 50, i.e. protruding distally from the delivery member holder 56, is sealingly closed by container holder 58 and the holder membrane 104. The guard membrane 22, the flexible tube 54 and the holder membrane 104 thereby protect sterility of the medicament delivery member 50 before use.

[0117] FIG. 8 schematically represents a partial side view of the cassette 10. In FIG. 8, the cassette 10 is in the same state as in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. In the blocking position 100, the blocking device 64 blocks distal movement of the shell 16 from the proximal shell position 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the blocking structure 84 is aligned with and contacts the shell structure 80 such that distal movement of the shell 16 is stopped.

[0118] The locking device 24 is prevented from rotating around the longitudinal axis 12 due to the engagement of the external engaging structure 26 in the housing slots 32. The inclination 88 of the guide track 86 is angled approximately 30 degrees to the longitudinal axis 12. The guide track 86 and the protrusion 92 form one example of a transmission 106.

[0119] FIG. 9 schematically represents a partial side view of the cassette 10. In FIG. 9, the locking device 24 has moved linearly in the proximal direction from the first position 102 to a second position 108, e.g. by means of the engagement between the external engaging structures 26 and the stationary structures 42 in the base unit 40 as described above. The movement of the locking device 24 from the first position 102 to the second position 108 is transmitted by the transmission 106 to a rotation of the blocking device 64 about the longitudinal axis 12 from the blocking position 100 to a releasing position 110.

[0120] More specifically, the linear proximal movement of the locking device 24 causes the protrusion 92 to slide along the guide track 86. When the protrusion 92 travels along the inclination 88, the blocking device 64 is caused to rotate from the blocking position 100 to the releasing position 110. The bump 90 prevents the protrusion 92 from returning along the inclination 88. In this way, the locking device 24 is prevented from returning from the second position 108 to the first position 102.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 9, the blocking structure 84 is now offset with respect to the shell structure 80. The shell 16 is thereby released. That is, the shell 16 loses its support and the biasing device 60 thereby forces the shell 16 to move distally from the proximal shell position 20 to the distal shell position 46.

[0122] FIG. 10 schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the cassette 10 according to FIG. 9. FIG. 11 schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the cassette 10 during distal movement of the shell 16 from the proximal shell position 20. When the shell 16 moved distally relative to the guard 14, the shell engaging structures 76 travel in the guard slots 66.

[0123] After some distal movement of the shell 16 from the proximal shell position 20, the shell engaging structure 76 come into contact with the delivery member engageable structure 74. Further distal movement of the shell 16 causes the snap-fit between the delivery member holder 56 and the container holder 58 to be released.

[0124] FIG. 12 schematically represents a cross-sectional side view of the cassette 10 when the shell 16 has moved to the distal shell position 46. As shown in FIG. 12, the shell engaging structures 76 are now positioned in respective distal ends of the guard slots 66. The shell 16 does therefore not prevent the guard 14. That is, the guard 14 can be pushed distally such that the shell engaging structures 76 slide along the guard slots 66.

[0125] When the shell 16 is in the distal shell position 46 and the guard 14 is in the proximal guard position 18 according to FIG. 12, the biasing device 60 forces the guard 14 into the proximal guard position 18. That is, the guard 14 can be moved distally from the proximal guard position 18 against the force of the biasing device 60.

[0126] In the distal shell position 46 shown in FIG. 12, the delivery member holder 56 has been pushed further distally due to the engagements between the shell engaging structures 76 and the delivery member engageable structures 74. As a result, the medicament delivery member 50 has pierced the holder membrane 104 and the container membrane 82 and penetrates into the medicament container 62.

[0127] When the medicament delivery member 50 has pierced the holder membrane 104 and the container membrane 82, the cassette 10 is ready to deliver medicament from the medicament container 62. The medicament delivery member 50 is thereby prepared.

[0128] The flexible tube 54 is unfolded by the distal movement of the delivery member holder 56. The flexible tube 54 thereby adapts to the changed distance between the guard 14 and the delivery member holder 56 while maintaining a lateral seal around a proximal part of the medicament delivery member 50. As shown in FIG. 12, the flexible tube 54 has a varying thickness. The flexible tube 54 is thicker in its proximal region than in its distal region.

[0129] When the cassette 10 is in the state shown in FIG. 12 and when the guard 14 is pressed against the medicament delivery site 48, the guard 14 moves distally relative to the remainder of the cassette 10 against the compression of the biasing device 60. The medicament delivery member 50 thereby pierces the guard membrane 22 and moves into the medicament delivery site 48. Thus, the user does not have to remove a cap to expose the medicament delivery member 50 prior to piercing into the medicament delivery site 48. A proximal end of the medicament delivery member 50 can therefore be kept sterile until the very moment of piercing the medicament delivery site 48. The flexible tube 54 is again folded when the delivery member holder 56 moves proximally. Medicament delivery is triggered by the distal movement of the guard 14 relative to the remainder of the cassette 10.

[0130] FIG. 13 schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the cassette 10 where the guard 14 is in the proximal guard position 18 and FIG. 14 schematically represents a partial cross-sectional side view of the cassette 10 according to FIG. 13. With collective reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, each locking engaging structure 70 is exemplified as a flexible hook extending laterally outwards and proximally. The locking engageable structure 96 comprises an opening and a slope 112 proximal of the opening. A distal surface of the opening is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12. The slope 112 extends laterally inwards and distally. The slope 112 extends laterally inside the opening of the locking engageable structure 96.

[0131] In FIG. 14, the guard hook 72 engages a proximal end of the trigger member opening 98. The guard hook 72 and the trigger member opening 98 define a maximum extended length and a maximum reduced length of the guard 14 and the trigger members 34.

[0132] FIG. 15 schematically represents a partial cross-sectional side view of the cassette 10 when the guard 14 has moved to a distal guard position 52. When the locking engaging structure 70 moves distally from the FIG. 14 position to the FIG. 15 position, the locking engaging structure 70 engages the slope 112 and flexes laterally inwards. This causes the locking engaging structure 70 to jump over the opening of the locking engageable structure 96.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 15, the guard hook 72 engages a distal end of the trigger member opening 98. Thus, during a first part of the distal movement of the guard 14 from the proximal guard position 18, the guard 14 moves relative to the trigger members 34 which are stationary. That is, the guard hooks 72 move from a proximal end of the trigger member openings 98 to a distal end of the trigger member openings 98 during the first part of the distal movement of the guard 14.

[0134] During further movement of the guard 14 towards the distal guard position 52, the guard 14 and the trigger members 34 move together. A stroke of the guard 14 from the proximal guard position 18 to the distal guard position 52 is thereby longer than a corresponding stroke of the switch activation parts 36 provided on the trigger members 34. The stroke of the guard 14 may for example be 20 mm and the stroke of the trigger members 34 may for example be 15 mm.

[0135] The distal movement of the switch activation parts 36 activates the switch 44 in the base unit 40. The base unit 40 is thereby activated to start the medicament delivery operation. When the medicament delivery operation is completed and the cassette 10 is removed from the medicament delivery 48, the guard 14 is pushed proximally from the distal guard position 52 by means of the biasing device 60.

[0136] FIG. 16 schematically represents a partial cross-sectional view of the cassette 10 after proximal movement of the guard 14 from the distal guard position 52. The locking engaging structure 70 is caught and locked in the locking engageable structure 96. The distal surface of the opening of the locking engageable structure 96 prevents the guard 14 from being moved distally again. In this way, the guard 14 is locked in a state covering the medicament delivery member 50 after finishing the medicament delivery operation. This further reduces the risk of injuries and contamination.

[0137] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.