Device for administering an injectable product

The invention relates to devices for the administration of injectable products, in particular for injection of medically or cosmetically effective products.

Devices, such as the invention also relates, inter alia, in particular, are Injection pens. In general, an injection pen an elongated hollow cylindrical Housing, in which a filled container with the product to be administered in the form of a vial with attached thereto, pointing in the longitudinal direction of the housing injection needle and arranged a driver for a recorded in the container piston are. Under the influence of an output member of the drive device is of the advanced piston in the container in a feeding direction, whereby a predetermined Product dose is distributed. For advancing the piston, the driven member is in turn manually or by the driving force of a provided in the drive device Drive element in the direction of advanced relative to the housing. in the the latter case is stored in the drive device power which the by triggering Driving means is converted into the output member propelling drive force.

During the advancement of the driven member is the stored energy or at least offset some of it. The from the drive element to the output member exerted driving force decreases in the course of advancing the drive member as a result from. The feed speed of the driven member and thereby the Ausschüttrate take the end of the distribution from out, that the distribution is made over an entire Dividend Frequency considered uneven. be more interference in particular caused by non-uniformities of the inner diameter of the ampoule, as a result, the force acting on the piston wall friction forces over the displacement seen the piston are not constant.

The invention has made it its task to devices for administration injectable products ensure a uniform product distribution.

According to the invention comprises a device for administering an injectable product at least a base member, an image taken from the base part receptacle from which by Moving a received therein piston in a feed direction by product a needle therethrough is distributed, and drive means comprising at least one Driven member and a drive member, said drive member to the driven member at least in the case of actuation of the drive means a driving force exerts, through which the driven member is moved in the feed direction of the piston and thereby advancing the plunger in the container. The driving force may be a spring force, they but can for example also by a pressurized fluid, preferably Druckhift to which Driven member are exercised. The actuation of drive means is that an advancement-preventing blocking of the output member is achieved, if appropriate, is thereby also brought only the driving force in acting on the output member. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises means for generating a controlled Damping force at which the driving force in the course of advancing the plunger additionally counteracts to all unavoidable counter forces. The unavoidable Against forces are substantially during advancement of the piston on the piston exerted frictional forces and resulting from the work of displacement of the piston Forces. By in addition to these in advancing inevitably occurring reaction forces a damping force of the driving force is opposed, the on Output member acting force resulting difference from the generated driving force and all unavoidable counter forces and the invention additionally generated Damping force can be controlled much more precisely than is known in the devices the case is.

The damping force is advantageously adjusted so that the product with the least possible constant Ausschüttrate is administered. In most cases, the Ausschüttrate constant, when the plunger is advanced at a constant speed. Accordingly, the damping force is in one embodiment as a function of the speed of advance of the piston, preferably as a function directly of generates the feed speed of the driven member. increased Acceleration and a delay reduces the damping force; at constant feed rate it remains constant. Particularly preferred is a self-regulating.

In preferred embodiments, the damping force decreases in the course of the feed movement at least once from. Preferably, the is on the displacement distance of Piston applied over the damping force to the course of the drive element adapted applied driving force. With energy consumption in the drive element takes the Damping force from adaptation to the loss of the driving force.

In a first embodiment, the damping force is generated by the fact that the Advancing the piston a volume change work because of an in advancing the piston increasing or decreasing chamber will be taken, in a Pressure equalization only delayed takes place. This system is self-regulating, because a change in speed a sign identical change in the damping force causes.

In a second embodiment, the damping force is itself a frictional force. is a result of the structural design of related frictional components therefor based on the in this case, frictional damping force is also controlled.

Preferably, the invention is applied to injection devices use. It is in this Use but not limited. Basically, it is for all devices Product administration profitably employed, in which the driving force advancement of the driven member causes immediate and / or the feed movement of the Piston only from the interaction of the driving force with unavoidable, only results within predetermined production tolerances opposing forces.

Another object of the invention is the removal of a needle to the to improve inserted needle cap for such devices in which the needle surrounded for transporting the device of a needle guard and only at injection on a front end of the needle guard out projects. At acquaintances Devices of this type, in particular semi-automatic injection devices and fully automatic Injection devices, so-called auto-injectors, the needle guard slotted, so that the user can slot sweeping remove the needle cap. However, this means that the needle itself already in the transport position of the apparatus and in particular when preparing the device for the purpose of insertion of the needle is visible, whereby the user a psychological barrier to piercing the needle can be established.

The invention solves the problem by providing a scraper connected to the device is such that the wiper is displaceable counter to the advancing direction of the needle. After the scraper has fulfilled its function, that is, the needle cap from the Needle has stripped so that they easily removed entirely from the device may be, the scraper inventive not hindered during the injection, although He is still connected to the device, since it during insertion of the needle either in the needle shield into or over it is pushed and then the needle projecting also beyond a front end of the stripper. Here, the scraper with engagement means provided for clamping or gripping the needle cap, but a Vorwärcsschieben the needle relative not hinder the scraper and the needle guard, when the needle cap is removed.

The invention further mission has made, a device such as the invention it relates to further develop so that they, even after the administration of the product to handle. A security issue provides an open protruding needle after administration a product dose is.

The invention solves the problem by providing a device with the in and against Feed direction of the needle slidably connected needle guard in a starting position, in it up over their head out protectively surrounding the needle, against a Pushing back against the feed direction of the needle is blocked. Preferably blocking occurs by attaching a blocking element, or, more preferably, automatically in the course of pulling out the needle pierced after administration.

In addition to the operational reliability of a device, such as the invention relates, and is an autoinjector in training, in which the needle automatically Advancing the container to advance relative to the base part can be improved. at such devices is the receptacle for insertion of the needle against a resilient advanced restoring force, which the container for replacing in its rear position pushes back.

The invention begins with the realization that during removal of a needle through the plugged needle cap the container against the elastic restoring force of a piece far preferable and peel off the needle cap due to the restoring force abruptly snap back to the rear position and can be damaged. The Reliability is not only the risk of damage of container endangered, but also possibly erupting container splinters that for a Purposes of insertion of the needle required advancing movement of the container can block. This danger is inventively prevented by the fact that the Container in its rear position, the initial position prior to insertion of the needle, is blocked against inadvertent advancing.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the same locking element, as described above, already for blocking a sliding needle guard is used, also used for blocking the advancing of the container, ie, the same locking element is selectively used for the two mentioned here Bloc functions.

The scraper, the blocking of the needle protection sleeve and the blocking of the container can be used with advantage in connection with the controlled attenuation, they but can also each for itself and in proper combination with each other a device may be used according to the preamble of Claim first

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to figures explained. Show it:<dl tsize="9" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a first embodiment of a device according to the invention,</dd><dt>Fig. 2A</dt><dd>the wiper of Figure 1 in a rear position,</dd><dt>FIG. 2b</dt><dd>the wiper of Figure 1 in a forward position,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a second embodiment of a device according to the invention,</dd><dt>FIG. 4a</dt><dd>an autoinjector with inventive blocking Needle guard,</dd><dt>Fig. 4b</dt><dd>the autoinjector of Figure 4a with inventive blocking of container,</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>The autoinjector of Figures 4a and 4b with an alternative And triggering means</dd><dt>FIG. 6a-c</dt><dd>an autoinjector with the invention also block the Needle guard.</dd></dl>

Fig. 1 shows in longitudinal section an injection pen having an elongate, hollow cylindrical As housing base part having a rear housing sleeve 4 having an internal thread in a front region and a front casing sleeve 7 with an external thread in having a rear region. In the area of ​​the two threads, the two housing-sleeves 4 and 7 are screwed together. In the area of ​​the front housing sleeve 7 is a Container 1 was added, the solution with an injectable product, in particular a liquid medicament is filled.

The receptacle 1 is typical of such injection pen cartridge with a displaceable therein captured piston 2. By pushing the plunger 2 toward an outlet at a forward end of the container 1, a product dose from the Container 1 displaced. On container outlet is in the direction of the piston 2 pointing needle N attached, which is covered by a needle cap. 3

The container 1 is received in a container holder 30 and centered. The container holder 30 is also formed by a sleeve in a forward area three Centering tabs 31 has for centering of container. 1 About the size of are container holder 30 uniformly distributed in the front area between the Centering lugs 31 on their front ends that protrudes more tabs 32 formed, which serve as a stop when sliding a needle shield 10th

In a Rinspalt between the container holder 30 and the front housing sleeve 7 an intermediate sleeve 20. The intermediate sleeve 20 is in its rear peripheral portion provided with recesses that are dominated by the container holder 30, the so connected move safely with the front housing sleeve 7; in the embodiment 30 is bolted to the front housing sleeve 7 of the container holder. The intermediate sleeve 20, however, is relative to the front shell 7 and the container holder 30 after Releasing a lock 21 against the feed direction of the piston slidably.

In the rear casing sleeve 4 is a trigger sleeve 35 is arranged, the front with a End face against a rear end face of the intermediate sleeve 20 rests. The release sleeve 35 is essentially just a hollow cylinder and is of a piston by 2 by projecting rearward projecting away piston rod. It is in the rear housing sleeve 4 in Longitudinally back and added herverschiebbar. By a return spring 9 will pushed into its front position illustrated in Figure 1, in which they plan on a rear End face of the intermediate sleeve 20 and a rear flange surface of the container 1 bears. A rear face 36 of the trigger sleeve 30 falls from an inner to an Lateral surface circumferential trailing edge inclined outwards. By means of such formed inclined surface 36 is at a pushing back the release sleeve 35 a Drive means for advancing the piston 2 and pouring of the product triggered.

The drive means is controlled by a driven member 40 and between the driven member 40 and the rear housing 4 is clamped sleeve, serving as a drive element 49 Drive spring formed. The driven member 40 is cup-shaped with an open back Sleeve body, formed by a simple circular cylindrical sleeve closed by a Sleeve base 41 protrudes to the rear. This sleeve body sitting in a him surrounding the inner sleeve 5 of the rear casing sleeve 4 of a rear end wall the rear housing sleeve 4 by the projecting. The inner sleeve 5 forms a sliding guide In addition to the output member 40. it holds with several evenly over their front distributed peripheral region arranged, a front end surface of the driven member 40 encompassing snap elements 6, the driven member 40 against the force of the drive element 49th

Figure 1 shows the injection device in its initial position prior to injection in the Driven member 40 is blocked by means of the snap elements 6 and the needle N of the is needle guard 10 surrounded. By the needle N surrounded by the needle guard 10 is, the needle is in particular also during penetration into the skin to a user the injection device hidden. This reduces a psychological inhibition, the needle N stab himself.

For piercing the needle protection sleeve 10 together with the intermediate sleeve 20 and the Trigger sleeve 30 the housing sleeves 4 and 7 and the container holder 30 with the container 1 over against the feed direction of the needle N retractable. In the Needle shield 10 is also a sleeve-shaped scraper 60 mounted. The scraper 60 extends beyond a front end surface of the needle protection sleeve 10 before and is compared in the Needle shield 10 recorded restoring element 69, which in the embodiment is formed by a return spring, inserted into the needle shield 10th Of the Scraper 60 serves to scrape an already distant in Figure 1 needle cap and will be described later in reference to Figures 2a and 2b in its scraping function.

For injection of the product is the injection device to the surface of a tissue, in Generally, the human skin placed and pressed against the tissue. By Contact pressure is initially the scraper 60, the front end of the injection device forms, against the force of the return element 69 in the needle shield 10 to a inserted stop position in which it entirely or almost entirely by the needle guard 10 is received. Once the stripper 60 its stop position in the Needle shield 10 has reached, the user releases the lock 21 by pressing a Release button 8. This is compared to the displacement blockage of the intermediate sleeve 20 the front housing sleeve 7 is released.

Since the injection device is pressed as before against the tissue, are now the Needle protection sleeve 10 and under the contact pressure, the intermediate sleeve 20 and consequently the Actuation sleeve 30 in the housing displaced rearwardly. The needle N penetrates into the tissue on. Before the needle guard 10 with a rear abutment surface, formed by a the rear of the needle guard sleeve 10 radially inwardly projecting circular shoulder 12, abuts serving as stop lugs 32 of the container holder 30, is the Inclined surface 36 of release sleeve 35 in engagement with the snap elements 6 and triggers further retraction of the sleeves 10, 20 and 35, the fixation of the driven member 40 in The moment in which the needle N has reached the desired, predetermined depth of penetration.

At this moment, the output member 40 is by the driving force of the drive element 49 advanced in the feed direction, comes into pressure against a rear end face the piston rod and pushes in their own further advancing the piston 2 in Container before. By advancement of the piston 2, the product from the container is distributed through the outlet and the subsequent needle therethrough. In the embodiment, is in a triggering of the drive means the entire container contents distributed. The container contents, the product dose in the embodiment. Basically, however, could also be constructive training of the injection device several, predetermined product doses are released only when multiple injections.

When advancing the driven member 40 is stored in the drive element driving force gradually, when using a power spring as the drive element 49, for example, according to the spring characteristic, exhausted. The feed rate the piston 2 would therefore decline in the course of advancing and Ausschüttrate . fall To the lessening of the driving force in the course of advancing the piston 2 compensate for, is a force acting on the drive member 40 pneumatic damping force generated.

To this end, form the drive member 40 and the housing, in the embodiment, the rear housing sleeve 4 walls of a vacuum chamber K, the volume of which the Advancing the driven member 40 is increased. In the exemplary embodiment, the chamber K through the sleeve bottom 41 and protruding therefrom sleeve body of the output member 40 on the one hand and the rear end surface of the rear casing sleeve 4 and projecting therefrom Inner sleeve 5 other hand. The sleeve body of the driven member 40 and the Inner sleeve 5 relative to one another as telescopic sleeves are moved. Around Sliding surfaces, that is, between the outer circumferential surface of the driven member 40 and the Inner surface of the inner sleeve 5, a circumferential sealing element 42 is arranged, in Embodiment sits a sealing ring in a circumferential groove of the sleeve body of the output member 40th

The rear end face of the rear casing sleeve 4 has a through hole, in which a sealing body 50 with a calibrated through-bore but is otherwise air-tight is used. Instead of a simple calibrated through hole could, for example, also a non-return valve may be used, the escape of the unhindered Air allows for a retraction of the output member 40, the aspiration but against pressed a valve seat, only a structurally predetermined, defined, narrow passage opening leaves free. Per unit time set into the chamber K flow is to in any case less than the per unit time with the advance of the driven member 40 concomitant increase in volume of the chamber, so that there is always a damping force is produced as long as the output member 40 is advanced by a resultant driving force becomes. The damping force is larger, the faster the output member 40 is advanced, ie, the larger The effective driving force. By Type the damping force generating is therefore automatically in the drive device instead finder energy consumption compensated because with decreasing driving force and a Slowing down the advance movement of the drive member 40 and thereby reducing the damping force is accompanied. At the same time, however, also be irregularities in all other, unavoidable counter forces mitkompensiert because such irregularities delays or accelerations of the driven member 40 and thus automatically on amendments to be paid from the drive element 49 volume change work accompanied. Such countervailing factors such as the friction between the wall Container 1 and the piston 2, the over the feed path of the piston 2 in the container 1 not the same everywhere. The attenuation increases due to the compressibility of the medium and the enlargement of the chamber volume in the course of advancing the driven member 40 additionally, so that the energy consumption is equal compensated two-fold.

From Figures 2a and 2b it can be seen how by means of the scraper 60 is a needle cap 3 can be removed. In Figure 2a, the needle cover 3 is completely fitted over the injection needle. This corresponds to the state of the injection device immediately after insertion of the container 1 and the screwing together of the two Housing sleeves 4 and 7. At the same time this is the transport position of the injection device to shortly before an injection. To prepare an injection, first the needle cap 3 away.

2a shows the introduction of stripping the needle cover 3 so by first the sleeve-shaped scrapers 60 against the pressure of the return element 69 in the needle protection sleeve 10 pushed until it diametrically opposite each other with two arranged engagement members 61 in contact pressure passes to the needle cap. 3 The two engaging members 61 protrude barb from a rear inner surface the scraper 60 obliquely inwardly. When are pushing back the scraper 60 they increasingly pressed against the flared rearward needle cap. 3

After the needle protection cap 3 is firmly clamped between the engaging elements 61, , the wipers are 60 released. He is from the return element 69 again its illustrated in Figure 2b forward position against a stop shoulder 11 of the needle guard 10 pushed, grazing an the needle cover 3 from the container 1 from. In this position can only loosely on the needle N turned-needle cover 3 slightly withdrawn entirely by hand by the. In order to remove by hand to facilitate, is the scraper 60 with at least two through tangible recesses 62 provided.

By the scraper 60 on the injection device permanently attached, the user need not him only cumbersome introduce to pull off the needle cap. 3 On the other hand, it interferes with the injection itself in any way. Another advantage is the fact that the Needle shield 10 completely closed, ie without penetration slot for stripping the needle cover 3 to be formed and thereby completely cover the needle N.

Figure 3 shows an autoinjector, with not only the distribution of the product, but also the insertion of the needle is automatic. As far as in Figure 3, the same Reference numerals are used as in the first embodiment, it is located Components of the same function. What the basic functioning of the autoinjector device concerned, herewith is the parallel German patent application taken from the same day entitled "autoinjector" respect.

Unlike the embodiment of Figure 1 is an attenuation of the carried Driven member 40 acting driving force at the autoinjector of Figure 3 by mechanical friction. The damping friction force acts between an as resilient ring shaped pressure element 45 located between the sleeve-shaped A driven member 40 and driven member 40 during advancement of the surrounding, also sleeve-shaped transmission member 46 is clamped.

The sequence of an injection is in the autoinjector of Figure 3 is substantially the as follows: By pressing a trigger tab 8 is a feed movement of the Driven member 40 blocking lock dissolved, and the output member 40 is from the Driving force of the driving member 49, the one in this embodiment, The compression spring is, forward, in figure 3 to the left, pushed. First, the pressing forms 45 is a coupling between the driven member 40 and the transfer member 46, is seen in particular in the detail display X. About this coupling takes the output member 40, the transmission member 46 having, in turn, the container 1 with it at the front end attached needle N case against the advances.

Thereby, the needle N of the fixed to the housing in this embodiment needle guard 10a pushed forward and stabbed. The grooving is the by striking Container holder 30 is limited to the housing. Striking the coupling between is the output member 40 and the transfer member 46 dissolved, as is clear from the representation Details of the X readily obtained. In his further advancing the output member is 40 now pushed forward relative to the transmission member 46, comes into pressure against the Piston rod and pushes with his further advancing the plunger 2 in the container 1 before, so that the product will be distributed.

The pressing member 45 is formed as a slotted spring ring in the manner of a piston ring. This ring is in a circular to an outer periphery of the output member 40 recorded groove and elastically pressed against an inner Mantelgleitfläche of Transmitting member 46. By this inner Mantelgleitfläche in feed direction is expanding formed takes between the pressing member 45 and the transfer member 46 acting wall frictional force in the course of advancing the driven member 40 from. This is the release of the driving force of the driving member 49 compensated.

In a rear portion of the transmission member 46, a guide ring 47 is fitted, serving as a straight guide for the driven member 40th This guide ring 47 could also as a sealing ring with one or more calibrated through holes or a Check valve may be formed according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 On this way could take the frictional damping force, or in addition to a pneumatic damping force can be generated. The vacuum chamber would in such Training in the gap area between the transmission member 46 and the einschiebenden formed drive member 40th

By means of the housing projects through the clamping handle 8a are displaced in a Housing taken hold and release sleeve 4b and thus along the driven member 10, which are connected to each other accordingly returned to its rear position or stretched.

Figures 4a and 4b show a further auto-injection device in which, in contrast to Autoinjector of Figure 3, the feed of the container 1 for inserting the needle in a conventional manner via the piston 2, is carried out, ie the feed of the container 1 is not decoupled from the advance of the piston 2, but is carried out just above the piston 2. The injection device of Figures 4a and 4b, however, has as that of Figure 1 a the Housing on opposite back and herverschiebbare needle shield 10th This sliding Needle guard 10 covers, which is not possible in the autoinjector of Figure 3, the needle after the injection, that is, after pulling out.

Unlike the embodiment of Figure 1, however, a scraper 65 is provided, is not continuously connected with the injection device, but for stripping the Needle cover 3 interposed between the needle cap 3 and the needle guard 10 must be until it engages behind the needle cover 3 claw-like, so that they with the stripper 65 can be removed together.

Figure 4a shows the injection device after an injection after the withdrawal of the needle and already again the needle attached cap 3 for further transport. The Special of this embodiment is a blockage of the needle shield 10th

By blocking the needle guard 10 is reliably ensured that the needle tip can not protrude freely, increasing the risk of damage to the needle N and in particular eliminates the risk of injury. The needle guard 10 is blocked relative to the housing by a locking element 80, such that the needle protection sleeve 10 is not pushed back against the feed direction of the needle during penetration N can be.

The locking element 80 is formed by a partial ring, the two engaging members 81 having the form of two webs which project from an inner annular lateral surface. The Needle shield 10 has, as 4b left best seen in figure below, two Slots 15 which are traversed by each one of the engaging elements 81 when the Locking element 80 is placed on the housing. The engaging elements 81 form then Stops for extending circumferentially slot walls of the needle shield 10. The locking element 80 is obtained by cutting a sleeve, in Embodiment of an annular sleeve, wherein the cutting in the longitudinal direction and occurs outside the central longitudinal axis of the sleeve so that the locking member 80 has a Shell body has, as seen in cross-section, protrudes through a piece of the semicircle and in this manner, as will be explained with reference to Figure 4b, through the rear Housing sleeve 4 slipped and the extent a piece of the largest diameter is also kept clasping.

In its function as a barrier for the needle guard 10 is the locking element 80, as best seen in the cross sections BB and CC of Figure 4a can be seen, by means of Locking connection held on the needle shield 10th For this purpose, the engaging elements 81 are resiliently formed and provided with front tabs that after penetration of each slot 15 engage around one of the inner slot edges and the locking member keep 80 as snapper in its blocking position, yet easily removed again can be.

4b shows the locking element 80 in its second function in which it the container 1 blocked from advancing. On removal of the needle cover 3 would Container 1 without blocking a certain extent against the force of the elastic restoring element be dragged 29 to the front and at the moment of stripping the needle cap 3 49 again 4b by the force of the reset element into its in Figure snap back shown rearward position. In a snap-back would Risk of damage to the vessel and the consequent risk of a possible blocking of the advance movement of the container 1 during penetration the needle N exist.

To prevent this, the locking member 80 in the transport position of the injection device is until after the removal of the needle cap 3 in a rear edge of the Container 1 placed overlapping region of the housing. In this longitudinal section engages in Figure 4b illustrated position of the shell body of the locking element 80, as can be seen in particular in cross-section EE, the housing tightly and is due to its on the semi-circle protruding ends held on the rear casing sleeve. 4 The Engaging members 81 do not take hold function for the blocking element 80, but now serve the blocking of the container 1. For this purpose, they pass through the housing and come in the plugged state of the locking element 80 against a rear end of the Container 1 to lie circumferential flange. Since the container 1 with its rear, radially outwardly projecting flange at one pulling off the needle cover 3 to the Engaging members 81 of the locking member 80 pushes the receptacle 1 is in its rear blocking position and therefore can not be pulled forward.

The locking element 80 fulfills in the position shown in Figure 4b, a further third Function because it prevents triggering of the drive device, simply by the blocking movement of a release agent 70th The release means 70, the output member 40 then break away from its blocking if the blocking element 80 removed from the housing and thus a feeding of the trigger element 70 relative to the housing only is possible.

Figure 5 shows an auto-injection device for, with the exception of the release means 70 the Output member 40 corresponds to the injection device of Figures 4a and 4b. A release means 70a of Figure 5 again comprises a sleeve body with a rear sleeve base. The driven member 40 is from the triggering means 70a in both its rear position blocked as solved by corresponding actuation of the trigger means 70a.

The driven member 40 runs to its rear end in snappers, which by a rear housing end wall extend and engage around its rear peripheral edge, said 40 pressed snapper of the output member due to its own elasticity to the outside and already held that way. As an additional safety against unintentional unlocking, For example, in collisions, the edge trigger means 70a with one of his sleeve base upstanding lock piece 71, which seen in cross section, a narrow Reckteckform and having arranged with its long side between two diametrically opposite Snappers of the driven member 40 is engaged. It prevents in this rotational position that the two snappers to each other in the position of the release means 70a shown in Figure 5 can bend and so the locking connection would be solved. Furthermore protrude from Sleeve base of the release means 70a on both sides of the shim 71 spaced two Prestress lugs 72 from which the form of part-circular segments in cross section. The Shim 71 protrudes beyond the prestress lugs 72. To trigger the output member 40 is initially removed the locking element 80, then the release means 70a is at least as twisted about its longitudinal axis, that the gate of the output member 40 toward each other can be bent. With the rotation of the release means 70a reach the prestress lugs 72 viewed in cross section about the gate of the output member 40. When pressing the triggering means 70a in the direction of the driven member 40 to push the prestress lugs 42 have against the snapper of the output member 40, the rear inclined surfaces and so under the pressure of the prestress lugs 72 are bent to each other and the Latching connection of the driven member 40 is released to the housing. Under the contact pressure of the drive member 49 is then advanced the driven member 40th

The locking member 80 may be instead formed as a plug-in element as a rotating member and could thus remain in particular to the housing after the blocking of container has been solved.

Figures 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate the operation of the needle protection device which prevents the needle N free after withdrawal from the tissue out of the housing protrudes and be canceled and injuries handled carelessly can cause. The essential feature of needle protection device is that the Purpose of piercing the housing opposite movable needle guard 10 by the withdrawal of the needle is locked in a needle protecting position so that they do not can be pushed into the housing; an outside sliding over the housing would also be conceivable. The operation of the pen for inserting the needle N and the Pouring out of the product corresponds to the pen of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6a shows the front part of the pen in its home position immediately prior to the Injection. Fig. 6b shows the pen in the front position of the container B, that in the Injection position. The needle guard 10 is against the force of the return element 19 in its rearmost slide position of the housing sleeve 7 has been pressed against. The N needle protrudes to the desired length from the housing and the needle protection sleeve 10 before.

The needle guard 10 has a rear abutment surface and a front abutment surface in which the displacement of the needle protection sleeve 10 relative to the front housing sleeve limit 7 in the feed direction and counter to the advancing direction. When shuffling moves the needle guard 10 via a secured against displacement in the housing and preferably also against rotating recorded locking sleeve 80 ', the front of her End an inclined or arcuate having at least outwardly projecting hook 82nd The needle guard 10 has in an inner cladding region, with which it over the hook 82 slides, the length of its maximum displacement path corresponding approximately to a broadening, preferably a slightly widened inside diameter on. A transition region 14 of the broadening for subsequent internal cross-section is tapered so that the needle protection sleeve 10 under the pressure of the return member 19 to behind the Transition region 14 can slide over the hook 82nd The needle guard 10 is behind the transition region 14 is provided in a central region with longitudinal slots 15, whose front end surfaces 16, as best shown in Fig 6c. to recognize stop surfaces for each form a hook 82nd

The locking sleeve 80 'runs in a plurality of uniformly distributed over the sleeve circumference arranged resilient tongues 83 from, at their free front ends each having a the hooks are formed 82nd The container holder 30 runs to its free front end out also in tongues 33 from. By advancing the container holder 30 against the force the reset element 29 come its tabs 33 under the tabs 83 of the locking collar 80 'to lie. Each of the tongues 83 is so supported radially inward and, in the front container position no longer be flexed radially inwardly. The tongues 83 are not only supported by the tongues 33, but also radially outward pressed. The tongues 33 are compared with the tongues 83 rigid or can These tongues 83 against assumed to be rigid in a first approximation.

After withdrawal of the needle N is the needle guard 10 is formed by the resetting element 19 again pushed forward. On pushing because of the oblique course of the Surface 14 and / or the corresponding oblique profile of the at least one hook 82 this hook 82, whose expiring tip is also resiliently. However, once the needle guard 10 has been pushed forward again, that its stop face 16 seen in the feed direction comes to lie in front of the hook 82, it is determined by the against the abutment surface 16 lying on stopper hook 82 against sliding back blocked. The hook 82 and the needle guard 10 are with perpendicular to the direction facing stop surfaces together. The needle N is in the in Figure 6c illustrated safety position protected after injection through the needle shield 10th

The container holder 30 is thus the same as sliding support for the least used an elastic locking means 82 and met by the invention, the Doppolfunktion of holding the container 1 and of locking the needle guard 10th The needle protection device does not set the inventive design of the autoinjector device ahead, although more preferably in combination with, using place. It is also usable with advantage in generic autoinjector devices.