Needle Cover Assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a needle cover assembly to be used with a medicament delivery device, wherein said needle cover assembly (10) is disposable and comprises a retainer element (50) connectable to the medicament container holder; a hub (16) having a longitudinal axis and comprising a double pointed injection needle (22) with a proximal needle end (24) and a distal needle end (48), wherein the proximal needle end projects a distance from the hub (16) along the longitudinal axis, and a shield (18) covering at least the proximal needle end and a portion of the hub (16). The invention is characterised in that said shield (18) comprises a detachable element (26), that the shield (18) is attached to the hub (16) when said detachable element (26) is attacked to the shield (18), corresponding to an untampered state, and that the shield is released and is telescopically movable in relation to the hub (16) along the longitudinal axis when said detachable element (26) is detached from the shield (18) corresponding to an activated state.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. Needle cover assembly to be used with a medicament delivery device, wherein said needle cover assembly is disposable and comprises: a retainer element connectable to the medicament container holder, a hub having a longitudinal axis and comprising a double pointed injection needle with a proximal needle end and a distal needle end, wherein the proximal needle end projects a distance from the hub along with the longitudinal axis, and a shield covering at least the proximal needle end and a portion of the hub, that the shield is attached to the hub when said detachable element is attached to the shield, corresponding to an untampered state, and that the shield is released and is telescopically movable in relation to the hub along the longitudinal axis when said detachable element is detached from the shield corresponding to an activated state.

15. Needle cover assembly according to claim 14, wherein said detachable element comprises a removable portion and a pull tab for permitting pulling so that the removable portion can be peeled off from the shield thus detaching the detachable element from the shield.

16. Needle cover assembly according to claim 14, wherein said detachable element is an integral part of the shield.

17. Needle cover assembly according to claim 14, wherein the shield is arranged with a proximal central opening for permitting extension of the needle there through.

18. Needle cover assembly according to claim 17, wherein the shield is arranged with a detachable needle seal covering the central opening in an untampered state.

19. Needle cover assembly according to claim 14, wherein the shield in an untampered state is arranged to cover the injection needle

20. Needle cover assembly according to claim 19, wherein the shield in the untampered state is arranged to cover a length of the hub.

21. Needle cover assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a protective impermeable seal arranged to cooperate with the shield in an untampered state to seal the hub and the injection needle in a sterile manner.

22. Needle cover assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a resilient element positioned between the hub and the shield,

23. Needle cover assembly according to claim 22, wherein said resilient element being arranged to urge the hub and the shield apart.

24. Needle cover assembly according to claim 23, wherein said resilient element being arranged to urge the hub and the shield apart such that the shield when in activated state is urged to move into a position where it covers the proximal end of the injection needle.

25. Needle cover assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a guiding system wherein the shield is guided along the outside surface of the hub and is telescopically movable in a longitudinal direction in relation to said hub.

26. Needle cover assembly according to claim 25, wherein the guiding system comprises: at least one, preferably at least two inwardly directed projections provided on said shield, at least one, preferably at least two guiding slots on said hub, wherein the projections on the shield are arranged to be guided in the guiding slots on the hub.

27. Needle cover assembly according to claim 26, wherein each of said guiding slots is arranged with a first longitudinally extending portion, a second portion connected to the first portion at an acute angle, and a third portion connected to the second portion.

28. Needle cover assembly according to claim 27, further comprising a locking element for engaging a projection on said shield and locking the shield in relation to the hub.

29. Needle cover assembly according to claim 27, further comprising a locking element for engaging a projection on said shield and irreversibly locking the shield in relation to the hub.

30. Needle cover assembly according to claim 27, wherein said guiding system further comprises an elastically deformable safety element located between said first portion and said second portion of a guiding slot, said safety element being arranged to permit passage of a projection which is guided in the guiding slot in a direction from said first portion to said second portion.

31. Needle cover assembly according to claim 30, wherein said safety element preventing passage of a projection which is guided in the guiding slot in a direction from said second portion to said first portion.

32. Needle cover assembly according to claim 27, wherein the guiding system comprises a stopping edge located at the proximal end of the first portion of a guiding slot, said stopping edge providing a stop for a corresponding projection and prevents the projection once located in the guiding slot from sliding out of said slot.

33. Needle cover assembly according to claim 14, wherein the shield and the hub in an activated state can be shifted between a plurality of locations during injection procedure, said positions comprising: an initial position prior to injection where shield fully covers the proximal needle end portion and proximal end portion of hub, an active position during injection where the shield is oved in a distal direction thus tightening the resilient element and exposing the proximal needle end portion for penetrating a body, and an end position where the shield is pushed by the resilient element to an irreversibly locked state fully covering the proximal needle end portion.

34. A medicament delivery device comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and a medicament container holder for receiving a container with a medicament, said medicament delivery device further comprising a needle cover assembly according to claim 14.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] In the following detailed description of the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, of which

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a non-limiting example of a needle cover assembly, which may be used with a medicament delivery device;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the non-limiting example of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view of a non-limiting example of a needle cover assembly in untampered state;

[0025] FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional view of a non-limiting example of a needle cover assembly in activated state;

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a non-limiting example of a hub;

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a non-limiting example of a shield;

[0028] FIGS. 6A-B show examples of using a non-limiting first example of the needle cover assembly;

[0029] FIGS. 7A-B show examples of using a non-limiting second example of the needle cover assembly;

[0030] FIG. 8 shows the needle cover assembly in activated state connected to a medicament delivery device ready for injection, and

[0031] FIGS. 9A-C show in a non-limiting way the function of an exemplary guiding system and the needle cover assembly in different positions before, during and after injection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2 each show a disposable needle cover assembly 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment having a distal end 12 and a proximal end 14, said assembly being arranged to be used with a medicament delivery device for injection procedures. Referring mainly to FIGS. 1 and 2 the assembly 10 comprises, among other elements, a substantially cylindrical inner hub 16 covered by a substantially cylindrical outer shield 18 and a protective impermeable seal 20 such as a film, e.g. a protective label, removably attached onto and completely covering the distal open end of the shield 18. The hub 16 has a longitudinal axis A (shown in FIG. 4) and comprises a double pointed injection needle 22, wherein the proximal needle end 24 projects a distance from the hub 16 along the longitudinal axis A. FIG. 3A shows the assembly in an untampered state where the shield 18 encapsulates the proximal needle end 24 as well as the entire hub 16 thereby providing a protective cover, i.e. a protective cap. Together with the film 20 the shield 18 completely covers and protects the hub 16 and injection needle 22 and provides a sterile confinement as well as a container in which the device can be delivered to a consumer. This is also illustrated by the cross section of FIG. 3A.

[0033] The shield 18 further comprises a detachable element 26 which according to the embodiment seen in FIG. 1 comprises a removable portion 28 positioned towards the distal portion 12 of the assembly and arranged to be peelable from the shield 18 by a tearable or breakable, circumferentially extending line or groove 30 pre-arranged on the shield 18 surface as shown e.g. in FIGS. 1 and 2. A pull tab 32 may be integrated with the removable portion 28, for instance via a connecting bridge 34 as in FIG. 1 or as a direct prolonged portion of the detachable element 26. A further tearable groove 36 is arranged in the vicinity of connecting bridge 34 and is extending somewhat inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis A, as seen in FIG. 1.

[0034] Pulling the pull tab 32 results in breakage along both the inclined groove 36 as well as along the circumferential groove 30 so that the removable portion 28 is torn off, i.e. detached, thereby exposing a distal portion of the hub 16 as seen in FIG. 3B. The removable portion 28 is arranged on the shield 18 in such a way that when it is attached the shield 18 is movably attached to the hub 16, corresponding to the untampered state, whereas the shield 18 is telescopically movable in relation to the hub 16 along the longitudinal axis A when said removable portion 28 is detached/removed, corresponding to an activated state.

[0035] The substantially cylindrical shield 18 has a distal open end arranged to be impermeably sealed by said film or label 20, and a partially closed proximal end having a central opening 37, FIG. 3, with a diameter large enough for the needle to pass through. Before use, the central opening 37 is plugged by a removable needle seal 38, FIG. 3A. The needle seal 38 may be in the form of said pull tab 32 in which case it is connected to the removable portion 26 via the bridge 34, or it may be a separate, independent, plug element.

[0036] A resilient element 40, FIGS. 2 and 3, such as a compression spring is positioned between the hub 16 and the shield 18 and is arranged to urge the hub 16 and the shield 18 apart such that the shield 18 in activated state is urged to automatically move into a position where it covers the proximal end 24 of the injection needle 22. This means that the compression spring 40 will safeguard that the proximal needle end 24 will be covered by the shield 18 when the detachable element 26 is removed and the assembly 10 set to activated state leading to that the shield 18 is always urged to move into a proximal needle covering direction.

[0037] FIG. 3A shows a cross section of the assembly 10 in FIG. 1, wherein the shield 18 comprises said detachable element 26 at the distal portion of the shield and cooperates with said protective film 20 and the needle seal 38 to provide a sterile confinement, housing the hub 16, the injection needle 22 and the compression spring 40. In such untampered state the shield 18 is fixed in relation to the hub 16 and a distal flange 42 of the shield 18 is abutting and covering a corresponding distal flange 44 of the hub 16. As will be later described more thoroughly the shield 18 and the hub 16 are further interconnected via a guiding system 46, FIG. 4, which prevents the hub 16 and the shield 18 from sliding out of the telescopic engagement seen in FIG. 3A and also prevents uncontrolled rotational movements. Also the protective film 20 provides a certain contribution to stability of the assembly 10 and to that the different components are immobile in relation to each other before use.

[0038] In FIG. 3B the needle cover assembly 10 has been prepared for use, i.e. set to activated state wherein it is ready for injection. The protective film 20 as well as the needle seal 38 has been removed. Further, the detachable element 26 at the distal end 12 of the assembly 10 has been detached e.g. by peeling it off from the shield 18 thus exposing the distal portion of the hub 16 including the distal flange 44. A double pointed injection needle 22 is firmly attached to the hub 16 and extends through it along the longitudinal axis A. The injection needle 22 has a distal end 48 and a proximal end 24. The hub 16 is provided with a retainer element 50 at its distal end portion, FIG. 3A, facing the distal hub opening and provides a connection point, i.e. arranged to be connectable to a medicament delivery device 52 (see FIGS. 6-8). The retainer element 50 may be any conventional connection mechanism such as luer lock, bayonet or a threaded connection portion. In the activated state the shield 18 is telescopically movable in relation to the hub 16. This means, pushing the shield 18 in a distal direction B towards the distal flange 44 of the hub results in that the compression spring 40 will be tightened and the proximal needle end 24 will simultaneously extend through the central opening 37 of the shield 18.

[0039] The shield 18 and the hub 16 are engaged with each other via the guiding system 46 by means of which the shield 18 is guided along the outside surface of the hub 16 so that it in an activated state is telescopically movable in relation to said hub. Referring mainly to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the shield 18 is slidably engaged with the hub 16 by means of inwardly directed projections 54 as shown in FIG. 5, arranged to be guided in guiding slots 56 provided on the hub 16 as shown in FIG. 4. In the example shown in FIGS. 4-5, the shield 18 is designed with a number of three projections 54, and the hub 16 consequently has three guiding slots 56 for receiving and guiding the projections 54. Obviously, the number of projections 54 and corresponding guiding slots 56 may vary and is not limited by the example given herein.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a hub 16 according to one embodiment, comprising an example of a guiding slot 56 positioned substantially longitudinally along the body of the hub 16 allowing for longitudinal telescopic movement of the shield 18. The guiding slot 56 comprises a first longitudinally extending portion 56.sub.1, a second portion 56.sub.2 connected to the first portion 56.sub.1 at an acute angle, and a third longitudinally extending portion 56.sub.3 connected to the second portion 56.sub.2.

[0041] The first 56.sub.1 and the third portions 56.sub.3 may be arranged to be parallel to each other, i.e. along the longitudinal axis A, however it is also conceivable to arrange the third portion 56.sub.3 as an angled continuation of the second portion 56.sub.2.

[0042] Each guiding slot 56 commences with an insertion groove 58 arranged at the proximal end of the hub 16. The insertion grooves 58 serve the purpose of simplifying connection of the shield 18 and the hub 16 during manufacturing: i.e. the hub 16 is inserted into the shield 18 by firstly sliding the projections 54 into the insertions grooves 58 and further over an inclined surface 60 which ends at a steep stopping edge 62. Upon assembling the assembly 10, the projections 54 of the shield 18 will be moved into the insertions grooves 58, after which they are urged to climb said inclined surface 60 until reaching the top where they snap down at the stopping edges 62. At this point the shield 18 and the hub 16 are irreversibly connected to each other and the projections 54 can no longer slide out of the guiding slot 56.

[0043] Said stopping edge 62 is located at the proximal end of the first portion 56.sub.1 of the guiding slot 56. As previously described, the stopping edge 62 provides a stop for a corresponding projection 54 and prevents the projection 54 once located in the guiding slot 56 from sliding out of it. The stopping edge 62 may be in the form of a stopping edge against which edge the projections 54 are resting when the assembly 10 is in neutral state and the compression spring 40 pushes the shield into a needle covering position.

[0044] An elastically deformable safety element 64 is located between the first 56.sub.1 and the second 56.sub.2 portion of the guiding slot 56, and is designed to permit passage of a projection 54 which is guided in the guiding slot 56 in a direction from said first portion 56.sub.1 to said second portion 56.sub.2, while preventing passage in the opposite direction, i.e. in a direction from said second portion 56.sub.2 to said first portion 56.sub.1. The safety element 64 may be designed as a projecting, elastically deformable tongue designed so that when pressed in a distal direction it will bend to open up a wider passage between the first 56.sub.1 and second 56.sub.2 portion, but flex back so as to close the passage when subjected to pressure in the opposite, proximal direction. In one example this is accomplished by means of said elastically deformable safety element 64 being arranged to project at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis A, pointing towards said first portion 56.sub.1.

[0045] The third portion 56.sub.3 of the guiding slot 56 is arranged with a locking element 66 providing the function of engaging a projection 54 and irreversibly locking it in relation to the hub 16. Such locking function can be achieved in various ways. According to the example in FIG. 4, the locking element 66 comprises a tongue 68 directed in the proximal direction and flexible in the generally radial direction, wherein the free end of the tongue is arranged with a wedge-shaped elevation 70 ending in a steep edge 72 which, in its turn, faces the proximal direction. A projection 54 which is guided towards the locking element 66 will firstly climb the wedge-shaped elevation 70 wherein the tongue 68 is flexing radially inwards and thereafter, upon passing by the steep edge 72, snap into a permanently locked position wherein the tongue 68 flexes back to its original position.

[0046] Preparing the needle cover assembly 10 for injection is now to be described. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate use of a first embodiment and FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate use of a second embodiment of a needle cover assembly 10.

[0047] The needle cover assembly 10 is delivered to a user in an untampered state, as seen e.g. in FIG. 1. The shield 18 then acts as a sterile container sealed by said protective film 20. As a first step of use, the label is removed from the assembly 10 to expose the retainer element 50 of the hub 16 and permitting attaching the assembly 10 onto a medicament delivery device 52 which is loaded with a medicament containing cartridge. Such attachment can be accomplished by means of connection via luer lock, bayonet, threads or any other conventional method. During connection, the distal needle end 48 of the injection needle 22 will pierce the cartridge and contact the liquid medicament inside. FIGS. 6-8 each shows an assembly 10 already attached onto a medicament delivery device 52.

[0048] The shield 18 is thereafter transformed from a protective cap into a functional needle safety guard by pulling off the detachable element 26, which will get the assembly 10 to adopt an activated state in which it is ready for injection. In the following, two non-limiting solutions are presented using two alternative embodiments: a first embodiment in FIGS. 6A-B and a second in FIGS. 7A-B. The first embodiment (6A-B) has a needle seal 38 outlined as a pull tab integrated with the removable portion 28 of the shield 18 via a connecting bridge 34, see FIG. 1, whereas in the second embodiment the needle seal 38 is a separate unit, i.e. it is not connected with the removable portion 28.

[0049] According to a first embodiment, FIG. 6A, a user prepares the assembly for injection by removing the needle seal 38 which plugs the central opening 37 at the distal front of the shield 18. The needle seal 38 of the first embodiment is designed as a pull tab 32 which is connected to a removable portion 28 which is integral with the shield 20 and is located towards the distal end 12 of the assembly 10. Pulling the pull tab 32 both leads to removal of the needle seal 38 and to peeling off the removable portion 28 in one continuous movement, see FIG. 6B. Once the detachable element 26 is removed from the shield 18, the assembly 10 is set to an activated state wherein the shield 18 is telescopically movable in relation to the hub 16. In an activated, neutral state the compression spring 40 presses the shield in a proximal direction so that the inner projections 54 rest against the stopping edge 62 of the hub 16, corresponding to a needle covering position.

[0050] When preparing the second embodiment, FIG. 7A, for injection a user removes the needle seal 38 in one step and peels off the removable portion 28, in another independent step. As seen in FIG. 7A the needle seal 38 can be twisted off from the shield 18 uncovering the central opening 37, however it is equally conceivable that the needle seal is yet another pull tab or a label or any other suitable sealing element. The removable portion 28 of the second embodiment has a pull tab 32 for simplifying gripping. FIG. 7B illustrates the step of peeling off the removable portion 28 from an assembly 10 according to a second embodiment. The user grips the pull tab and peels off the spiral wound portion from the shield uncovering the distally located end of the hub 16.

[0051] The needle cover assembly 10 is now ready for injection, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0052] During an injection procedure the shield 18 will be guided along the outside surface of the hub 16 by said guiding system 46. The function of the guiding system 46 will now be further described, referring mainly to FIGS. 9A-C schematically showing the relation between the shield 18 and the hub 16 during an imaginary injection: in reality the assembly 10 is for instance attached to a medicament delivery device 52 whereas in FIG. 9A-C it is shown as an isolated unit.

[0053] Starting with FIG. 9A, the needle cover assembly 10 is seen in an activated state in a start position before injection is initiated. The telescopically movable shield 18 is urged by the compression spring 40 to a maximal extended configuration wherein the inwardly directed projections 54 are pressed in a proximal direction onto the stopping edge, at the first portion 56.sub.1, see FIG. 4, of the guiding slot 56. The shield 18 thus covers the proximal needle end 24 preventing unintentional needle sticks, and the shield is kept in the extended configuration regardless of orientation until injection is commenced.

[0054] Injection may be initiated by pressing the proximal front end of the shield 18 against a delivery site on a patient's body. This will cause the compression spring 40 to compress and the assembly to collapse so that the injection needle 22 extends through the central opening 36 and pierces the skin of the patient. During this movement the shield 18 is guided by the guiding system 46 along the outside surface of the hub 16. The projections 54 slide along the first longitudinally extending portion 56.sub.1 of the guiding slot 56 towards the distal end 12 of the assembly 10 and will pass by said elastically deformable safety element 64 which upon passage of a projection firstly will yield to permit passage and then snap back preventing the projection 54 from returning to the start position. The distal edge of the shield 18 will eventually be stopped when abutting the distal flange 44 of the hub, in which position the assembly 10 is fully collapsed as seen in FIG. 9B. In this injection position the proximal needle end 24 is fully inserted into the patient's body for delivering an injection. The projections 54 are now at the second portion 54.sub.2 of the guiding slot 56.

[0055] Upon completion of injection, the user will start removing the assembly 10 from the body. As soon as it is released from outer pressure, the compression spring 40 will expand urging the shield 18 towards a proximal direction for covering the needle 22 as it is retracted from the skin. As the shield 18 moves in said proximal direction, the projections 54 are sliding along the second portion 56.sub.2 having an acute angle, leading to that the shield 18 is slightly rotated in relation to the hub 16. When approaching a maximal extended configuration the projection 54 will be brought into the last, third portion 56.sub.3 of the guiding slot 56 where it engages the locking element 66 and becomes permanently locked in an end position, shown in FIG. 9C.

[0056] It is to be understood that the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings is to be regarded only as a non-limiting example of the invention and that it may be modified in many ways within the scope of the patent claims.

[0057] For instance, other ways of achieving the safety function of said elastically deformable safety element 64 are conceivable, such as elevations and cooperating stopping edges or snap-in solutions.