Device for administering an injectable product

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

Devices, such as the invention also relates, inter alia, in particular, are injection pen. In general, an injection pen in an elongated hollow cylindrical housing, in which a filled with the product to be administered container in the form of a ampoule with attached thereto, pointing in the longitudinal direction of the housing the injection needle, and drive means are arranged for a received in the receptacle plunger. Under the influence of an output member of the driving of the piston is advanced in the container in a feeding direction, whereby a predetermined quantity of product is distributed. For advancing the piston, the driven member in turn is fed manually or by the driving force of the drive means provided in the drive member in the feed direction relative to the housing. In the latter case, energy is stored in the drive device, which is converted by triggering of the drive device in which the output member propelling drive force.

In the course of advancing the driven member, the stored energy or at least part thereof is consumed. The force exerted by the drive member to the driven member driving force decreases in the course of advancing the drive member from consequence. 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 distribution interval considered uneven. Further interference is caused in particular by non-uniformities of the inner diameter of the ampoule, as this the forces acting on the piston wall friction forces seen over the displacement of the piston are not constant.

Patent WO-A-95/35126 is known from the prior art. This patent describes an injection device with a that are available inside this device needle is protected by a flexible sheath. This flexible shell being pushed back for injection through a rear-wiper, which is fixedly connected to the base portion of the injection device, in the direction of the needle shaft, ie in the proximal direction. At the end of the injection of the rear-wiper returns to the starting position. The rear-wiper is fixed but back to the base member relative to the needle and attached herschiebbar.

The invention has set itself the task of ensuring a uniform product distribution on devices for administration of injectable products.

According to the invention a device for administering an injectable product comprising at least a base member, an image taken from the base part container, is distributed from the by shifting a received therein piston in a direction of feed product through a needle therethrough, and drive means comprising at least one driven member and a having drive element, wherein the drive member exerts on the output member at least in the event of an actuation of the drive means a drive force by which the driven member is moved in the feed direction of the piston and thereby to advance the piston in the container. The driving force may be a spring force, it can, for example, but also by a pressurized fluid, preferably compressed air, are applied to the output member. The actuation of drive means is that an advancement-preventing blocking of the output member is achieved, if appropriate, the drive force is also only brought into action on the driven member. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises means for generating a controlled damping force which counteracts the drive force in the course of advancing the piston in addition to any unavoidable counter forces. The unavoidable counter forces are exerted on the piston during the advance of the piston friction forces and resulting from the work of displacement of the piston forces substantially. By addition to these inevitably occur when advancing counter-forces a damping force of the driving force is opposite to the force acting on the driven member resulting differential force from the generated driving force and all unavoidable counter forces and the damping force according to the invention additionally generated can be controlled much more precisely than in the known devices the case.

The damping force is advantageously adjusted so that the product is administered as constant as possible Ausschüttrate. In most applications, the Ausschüttrate is constant, when the plunger is advanced at a constant speed. Accordingly, the damping force is generated directly by the feed speed of the output member in one embodiment, depending on the feed speed of the piston, preferably in dependency. A increases acceleration and deceleration reduces the damping force; at constant feed rate remains constant. Particularly preferred is a self-regulating.

In preferred embodiments, the damping force during the course of the feed movement decreases at least once. Preferably over the displacement distance of the piston applied over the damping force is adapted to the course of the pressure exerted by the drive element driving force. With energy consumption in the drive element, the damping force decreases to match the decrease in the driving force.

In a first embodiment, the damping force is generated in that as a result of enlarging to advance the piston a volume change work during the advancement of the piston or contracting chamber to be performed, in which a pressure equalization takes place only after a delay. This system is self-regulating, because a change in speed causes a sign change in the same damping force.

In a second embodiment, the damping force is itself a frictional force. Due to the structural design of the stationary components in frictional engagement for this purpose in this case based on the frictional damping force is also controlled.

Preferably, the invention is applied to injection devices use. It is, however, not limited to this use. Basically it is profitably used in all devices for product delivery, in which the driving force causes advancement of the driven member directly and / or the advancing movement of the piston is only obtained from the interaction of the driving force with unavoidable, definable only within manufacturing tolerances opposing forces.

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

The invention solves the object in that a stripper is connected with the device, 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 cover has stripped from the needle so that it can be easily removed entirely from the device, the scraper inventive not hindered during the injection, although it is still connected to the device, since it is pushed during the insertion of the needle in the needle guard either into or over and then the needle protrudes too beyond a front end of the stripper. Here the scraper is provided with engagement means for clamping or gripping the needle cap, but relatively not obstruct a forward push the needle for strippers and needle guard when the needle cover has been removed.

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

The invention solves the problem in that a can be blocked with the device in and counter to the advancing direction of the needle slidably connected needle guard in a starting position, in which it up protectively surrounds the needle on its tip out against pushing back against the direction of the needle. Preferably, the blocking is carried out more preferably, automatically by attaching a blocking element, or in the course of the extraction of the inserted needle after the administration.

Further to the operational safety of a device, such as the invention relates to, and is an autoinjector in training, in which the needle automatically advances by advancing the container relative to the base part, be improved. In such devices, the container for insertion of the needle against an elastic restoring force is advanced, the pushing back the container to exchange into its rear position.

The invention starts with the recognition that the container against the elastic restoring force preferred to peel off one over the needle inserted needle cap a bit and snap back when pulling the needle cap due to the restoring force abruptly to the rear position and this may damage it. The operational safety is endangered not only by the risk of damaging the container, but also possibly erupting container splitter that can block a required for the purpose of insertion of the needle feed motion of the container. This danger is inventively prevented 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 blocking element, which, as described above, is already used for blocking a movable needle guard, also be used for blocking the advancing of the container, ie the same blocking element is optionally used for the two said blocking functions.

The stripper, blocking the needle guard and the blocking of the container can be used with advantage in connection with the controlled damping, but they can also each for themselves and in proper combination with each other in a device to be used according to the preamble of claim. 1

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to figures. Show it:<dl id="dl0001" 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 the needle guard,</dd><dt>Fig. 4b</dt><dd>the autoinjector of Figure 4a with the inventive block of container,</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>The autoinjector of Figures 4a and 4b with an alternative trigger means and</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 casing as a base member 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 a rear region. In the area of ​​the two threaded the two housing sleeves 4 and 7 are screwed together. In the area of ​​the front casing sleeve 7, a container 1 is accommodated, which is filled with an injectable product, in particular a medicament liquid.

The container 1 is typical of such injection pen cartridge with a movable piston received therein 2. By advancing the piston 2 in the direction of an outlet at a forward end of the container 1 a dose of product is forced out of the container first On container outlet pointing in the feed direction of the piston 2 injection needle N is 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 which three centering tabs 31 having a front portion for centering of container. 1 that protrudes further lugs 32 are uniformly distributed in the front portion thereof over the circumference of the container holder 30 between the centering lugs 31 on their front ends 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 is arranged. The intermediate sleeve 20 is provided in its rear peripheral portion with recesses that are dominated by the container holder 30, which is connected move safely with the front housing sleeve 7; in the embodiment of the container holder 30 is screwed together with the front housing sleeve 7th The intermediate sleeve 20 is, however, relative to the front half of the housing 7 and the container holder 30 displaceable by releasing a lock 21 against the feed direction of the piston.

In the rear casing sleeve 4, a release sleeve 35 is disposed, which abuts with a front end face against a rear end face of the intermediate sleeve 20th The release sleeve 35 is essentially just a hollow cylinder and is penetrated by a piston from 2 projecting away to the rear piston rod. It is back in the rear casing sleeve 4 in the longitudinal direction and absorbed herverschiebbar. By a return spring 9 being pressed in its forward position shown in Figure 1 in which they plan to a rear end face of the intermediate sleeve 20 and a rear flange surface of the container 1 is applied. A rear end surface 36 of release sleeve 30 falling from a in an inner lateral surface circumferential trailing edge obliquely outwards. By means of the inclined surface 36 so formed is initiated 35, a drive means for advancing the piston 2 and pouring of the product in a pushing back of the trigger sleeve.

The drive means is constituted 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 the drive spring. The driven member 40 is cup-shaped with an open rearward sleeve body, formed by a simple circular cylindrical sleeve, which protrudes from a closed sleeve base 41 rearward. This sleeve member is seated in a surrounding inner sleeve 5 of the rear casing sleeve 4 which protrudes from a rear end wall of the rear casing sleeve 4 according to the. The inner sleeve 5 forms a sliding guide for the driven member 40. Further, holds them with a plurality of uniformly distributed over its front peripheral portion which is arranged, a front end surface of the driven member 40 engages around the 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 output member 40 is blocked by means of the snap elements 6 and the needle N is surrounded by the needle shield 10th By the needle N is surrounded by the needle shield 10, the needle is particularly well hidden when piercing the skin of a user of the injection device. This reduces a psychological inhibition, to insert the needle N itself.

For piercing the needle protecting sleeve 10 together with the intermediate sleeve 20 and the trigger sleeve 35 is the housing sleeves 4 and 7 and the container holder 30 to the container 1 over against the feed direction of the needle N retractable. In the needle protection sleeve 10 is a sleeve-shaped stripper 60 is also mounted. The wiper 60 protrudes through a front end surface of the needle shield 10 and is against a recorded in the needle guard 10 return element 69, which is formed in the embodiment by a return spring, inserted into the needle shield 10th The scraper 60 is used for stripping 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 injecting the product, the injection device is on the surface of a fabric, generally the human skin, is placed against the tissue and gedrück t. The contact pressure is first of scrapers 60, which forms the front end of the injection device, pushed against the force of the return element 69 in the needle shield 10 to a stop position, in which it is entirely or almost entirely taken up by the needle guard 10th As soon as the wiper 60 has reached its stop position in the needle guard 10, the user releases the lock 21 by pressing a release button 8. In this way the sliding block of the intermediate sleeve 20 is released with respect to the front housing sleeve 7th

Since the injection apparatus is pressed against the tissue as before, the needle protection sleeve 10 and under the contact pressure, the intermediate sleeve 20 and consequently the release sleeve 35 are moved rearwardly in the housing now. The needle N penetrates the tissue. Before the needle guard 10 abuts a rear abutment surface, formed by a radially inwardly at the rear of the needle guard 10 round shoulder 12 against which serves as a stop tabs 32 of the container holder 30, the inclined surface 35 is 36, the release sleeve into engagement with the snap elements 6 and dissolves upon 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 advanced by the driving force of the driving member 49 in the advancing direction, enters pressure against a rear end face of the piston rod and pushes in their own further advancing the plunger 2 in the container before. By advancement of the piston 2, the product from the container through the outlet and the subsequent needle is distributed therethrough. In the embodiment, the entire container contents will be distributed in a triggering of the drive device. The container contents, the product dose in the embodiment. Basically, however, several, predetermined product doses could be distributed only when multiple injections and by constructive training of the injection device.

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

To this end, form the drive member 40 and the housing, in the embodiment, the rear casing sleeve 4, walls of a vacuum chamber K, the volume of which increases during the advance of the driven member 40th In the exemplary embodiment the chamber K through the sleeve base 41 and the protruding therefrom sleeve body of the driven member 40 on the one hand and the rear end surface of the rear casing sleeve 4 and the inner sleeve 5 projecting therefrom is other hand. The sleeve body of the driven member 40 and the inner sleeve 5 relative to each other as telescopic sleeves moved. In the area of ​​the sliding surfaces, that is, between the outer circumferential surface of the driven member 40 and the inner circumferential surface of the inner sleeve 5, a circumferential sealing element 42 is arranged, in the exemplary embodiment is seated a sealing ring in a circumferential groove of the sleeve body of the driven member 40th

The rear end face of the rear casing sleeve 4 has a through hole, into which a sealing body 50 with a calibrated through-hole, but otherwise used airtight. Instead of a calibrated simple through hole, for example, a check valve could be used, which allows an unhindered escape of air at a pushing back of the output member 40, however, pressed the suction against a valve seat, only leaves free a structurally predetermined, defined, narrow passage opening. Per unit time in the chamber K recessed volume flow is less than that per unit time with the advance of the driven member 40 associated volume increase of the chamber, so that there is always a damping force is generated as long as the output member 40 is advanced by a resultant driving force. Definitely The damping force is greater, the faster the output member 40 is advanced, ie, the larger The effective driving force. a place finder in the drive device energy consumption is by the nature of the damping force generating thus automatically compensated because with decreasing driving force is also accompanied by a slowing of the advancing movement of the drive member 40, thereby reducing the damping force. At the same time, however, unevenness in all other, unavoidable counter forces are mitkompensiert because such irregularities to delays or accelerations of the driven member 40 and thus automatically associated to the changes to be made by driving member 49 volume change work. Such reaction forces are, for example, the wall friction between the container 1 and the piston 2 that are not the same everywhere over the feed path of the piston 2 in the container first 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 from 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 fully 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 until just prior to an injection. In preparation of an injection, the needle cover 3 is first removed.

2a shows the introduction of the stripping of the protective needle cap 3. For this purpose, the sleeve-shaped stripper 60 is first against the pressure of the reset element 69 is pushed until it comes with two diametrically oppositely arranged engagement elements 61 in pressure against the needle protection cap 3 in the needle protection sleeve 10th The two engaging elements 61 projecting barb-like from a rear inner surface area of ​​the stripper 60 obliquely inwardly. When pushing back the scraper 60 they are increasingly pressed against the flared rearward needle cap. 3

After the needle protection cap 3 is firmly clamped between the engaging elements 61, the scraper 60 can be released. He is being pushed back by the return element 69 in its illustrated in Figure 2b forward position against a stop shoulder 11 of the needle shield 10 and has elements of the needle protective cap 3 from the container 1 from. In this position, only loosely on the needle N turned-needle cover 3 can be easily withdrawn entirely by hand by the. In order to facilitate removal by hand, the scraper 60 is provided with at least two through recesses tangible 62nd

By the scraper 60 on the injection device permanently attached, the user must not only cumbersome to introduce to pull off the needle cap 3 him. 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 for stripping the needle cover 3, formed without penetration slot and thereby completely cover the needle N.

Figure 3 shows an auto-injection device with which not only dispense the product, but also the insertion of the needle is automatic. Insofar as the same reference numerals are used as in the first embodiment in Figure 3, there are components of the same function. As for the basic functioning of the autoinjector device, so the reader is referred to the parallel German patent application of the same date, entitled "autoinjector".

Unlike the embodiment of Figure 1 is a damping of the forces acting on the output member 40 driving force is the autoinjector of Figure 3 by means of mechanical friction. The damping friction force acts between a pressure element designed as a resilient ring 45 which is clamped between the sleeve-shaped driven member 40 and a when advancing, the driven member 40 surrounding, also sleeve-shaped transmission member 46th

The sequence of an injection is in the autoinjector of Figure 3 is essentially the following: By pushing a release tab 8 a the advancing movement of the output member is achieved 40 blocking barrier, and the output member 40 is supported by the driving force of the driving element 49, the one in this embodiment, the compression spring is, forward, in figure 3 to the left, pushed. First, the pressure element 45 forms a coupling between the output member 40 and the transmission member 46, in particular also in the detail display X can be seen. This coupling takes the output member 40, the transmission member 46 having, in turn, the container 1 with the thereto attached needle at the front end of the housing opposite N advances.

Thereby, the needle N is pushed forward from the fixed to the housing in this embodiment needle guard 10a and stabbed. The insertion is limited by abutment of the container holder 30 to the housing. Striking the coupling between the output member 40 and the transmission member 46 is released, as is clear from the representation of the detail X readily. In his further advancing the driven member 40 will now be advanced 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 received in a peripheral to an outer periphery of the output member 40 groove and elastically pressed against an inner Mantelgleitfläche the transmitting member 46. By this inner Mantelgleitfläche is designed to widen in the feed direction, between the pressing member 45 and the transfer member 46 acting wall friction force increases in the course of advancing the output member over 40. This relaxation of the driving force of the driving member 49 is compensated.

In a rear portion of the transmitting member 46, a guide ring 47 is fitted, which serves as straight guide for the driven member 40th This guide ring 47 could also be as a sealing ring with one or more calibrated be formed through holes or a check valve according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 In this manner, a pneumatic damping force could be generated instead of the frictional damping force, or in addition thereto. The vacuum chamber would be formed in such training in the gap area between the transmission member 46 and the drive member einschiebenden 40th

By means of a clamping handle projecting through the housing 8a are, brought back one slidably received in the housing holding and actuation sleeve 4b, and thus together, the driven member 10, which are connected to each other according to its rearward position or clamped.

Figures 4a and 4b show a further auto-injection device in which in contrast to the autoinjector of Figure 3 the feed of the container 1 to the insertion of the needle in a conventional manner via the piston 2, takes place, that is, the feed of the container 1 is of the advance of the piston 2 not decoupled, but instead takes place just above the piston 2. the injection device of figures 4a and 4b, however, has as that of figure 1 a the housing opposite back and herverschiebbare needle guard 10. This slidable needle guard 10 covers, which is not possible in the autoinjector of Figure 3, the needle after injection, ie. After withdrawal

Unlike the embodiment of Figure 1, however, a scraper 65 is provided, which is not always connected to the injection device, but for stripping the protective needle cap 3 between the needle cover 3 and the needle guard 10 must be inserted until it engages behind the needle cover 3 claw-like, so that it can be removed together with the wiper 65th

Figure 4a shows the injection device after an injection after the needle is withdrawn and already again the needle attached cap 3 for further transport. The special feature 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 shield 10 is blocked by a blocking element 80 relative to the housing, such that the needle guard 10 can not be pushed back against the feed direction of the needle during penetration N.

The locking element 80 is formed by a part ring which has two engagement elements 81 in the form of two webs which project from an inner ring circumferential surface. The needle shield 10 has, as best seen 4b to the left in figure below, two slots 15 which are traversed by each one of the engaging elements 81 when the blocking element 80 is placed on the housing. The engaging elements 81 then form stops for extending in the circumferential direction of slot walls of the needle guard 10. The locking element 80 is obtained by slicing a sleeve in the embodiment of an annular sleeve, wherein the slicing is performed in the longitudinal direction and outside the central longitudinal axis of the sleeve so that the locking element 80 has a shell body, which seen in cross section, protrude a bit through the semi-circle and in this manner, as will be explained with reference to figure 4b, on the rear casing sleeve 4 whose circumference is attachable and a piece of the largest diameter also held 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, held on the needle guard 10 by means of snap-in connection. For this purpose, the engagement members 81 are elastically resilient and provided with front locking lugs which embrace after penetration of the respective slot 15 a of the inner slot edges and the locking member holding 80 as snapper in its blocking position, yet can be easily removed again.

4b shows the locking element 80 in its second function, in which it locks the container 1 against advancement. On removal of the needle cover 3, the container 1 would without blocking a piece are far pulled against the force of the elastic restoring element 29 forward and 49 snap back into its in Figure 4b shown rearward position at the moment of stripping the protective needle cap 3 by the force of the resetting element , In a snap back the risk of damage to the vessel and the consequent risk of a possible blockage of the advancing movement of the container 1 would consist in inserting the needle N.

To prevent this, the blocking element 80 is placed in the transport position of the injection apparatus until after the removal of the needle cap 3 in a rear edge of the container 1 overlapping region of the housing. In this 4b in Figure in longitudinal section illustrated position engages around the shell body of the locking element 80, as can be seen in particular in cross-section E-E, the casing closely, and is held due to its projecting beyond the semi-circular ends to the rear casing sleeve 4th The engaging elements 81 assume no holding function for the blocking element 80, but now serve the blocking of the container 1. For this purpose reach through them housing and come to rest against a peripheral at the rear end of the container 1 Flange in the plugged state of the blocking element 80th Since the container 1 with its rear, radially outwardly projecting flange suppressed in a removal of the needle cap 3 on the engaging elements 81 of the locking element 80, the container 1 is blocked in its rearward position and therefore can not be pulled forward.

The locking element 80 fulfills in the position shown in Figure 4b, a further, third function, since it prevents triggering of the drive device, simply by blocking the 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 is possible.

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

The driven member 40 moves to its rear end in snapper from which project through a rear housing end wall and engage around its rear peripheral edge, wherein the catches of the driven member 40 is pressed as a result of its own elasticity towards the outside and already held that way. As an additional safety against unintentional unlatching, for example in collisions, the edge trigger means 70a with a towering from its sleeve bottom shim 71, which viewed in cross section, having a narrow Reckteckform and diametrically engages with its long side between two oppositely disposed snappers of the output member 40th It prevents in this rotational position that the two latches in the position of the release means 70a shown in Figure 5 successive can bend and so the locking connection would be solved. Furthermore protrude from the casing 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 blocking piece 71 projects beyond the prestress lugs 72. In order to actuate the output member 40, the locking element 80 is first removed, then the release means 70a is at least as far as twisted about its longitudinal axis, that the catches of the driven member 40 can be bent toward each other. With the rotation of the triggering means 70a of the prestress lugs reach 72 viewed in cross section about the gate of the output member 40 to press Pressing the release means 70a in the direction of the output member 40, the prestress lugs 42 against the catches of the driven member 40, having the rear inclined surfaces and so under the pressure of the prestress lugs 72 are bent towards each other and the locking connection of the driven member 40 is released to the housing. Under the pressure of the drive member 49, the driven member 40 is then advanced.

The blocking element 80 may be instead formed as a plug member as a rotary member and could thus remain in particular on the housing, after the blocking of the container has been solved.

6a, 6b and 6c show the operation of the needle protection device that prevents the needle N freely protrudes after pulling out from the tissues of the body and be canceled and may cause injury if handled carelessly. The essential feature of needle protection device that is blocked in a needle guard position for the purpose of piercing the housing opposite movable needle guard 10 after the withdrawal of the needle, so that it can no longer 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 for dispensing the product is the the pen of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6a shows the front part of the pen in its initial position just prior to injection. Fig. 6b shows the pen in the front position of the container B, ie. In the injection position The needle shield 10 has been depressed against the force of the return element 19 in its rearmost displacement position of the housing sleeve 7 against. The needle N protrudes to the desired length from the housing and the needle protection sleeve 10 before.

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

The locking sleeve 80 'terminates in a plurality of uniformly distributed over the sleeve circumference parent resilient tongues 83 are formed at the free front ends of each one of the hooks 82nd The container holder 30 runs to its free front end also in tongues 33 from. By advancing the container holder 30 against the force of the restoring element 29 whose tongues 33 come 80 to lie 'under the tabs 83 of the locking sleeve. Each of the tongues 83 is so supported radially inward and can not be bent radially inwards in front of the container position. The tongues 83 are not only supported by the tongues 33, but additionally pressed radially outwards. The tongues 33 are compared with the tongues 83 rigid or may be 83 against assumed to be rigid in a first approximation, these tongues.

After withdrawal of the needle N is the needle shield 10 is pushed by the reset member 19 forward again. On pushing because of the oblique course of the surface 14 and / or the corresponding inclined path 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, saw 16 in the direction that its abutment surface comes to lie in front of the hook 82, it will be blocked by the lying in abutment against the stop surface 16 hook 82 against being pushed back. The hook 82 and the needle guard 10 are with pointing vertically to the direction of stop surfaces together. The needle N is protected in the safety position shown in Figure 6c after injection through the needle shield 10th

The container holder 30 is thus at the same time also used as a sliding support for the at least one resilient locking means 82 and fulfilled according to the invention, the Doppolfunktion of holding the container 1 and of locking the needle guard 10. The needle guard device does not set the inventive design of the autoinjector device ahead, although more preferably so that is used in combination. It is also usable with advantage in generic autoinjector devices.