EP2059287A1

EP2059287A1 - Safety pin module comprising a locking mechanism and a user identification

Info

Publication number: EP2059287A1
Application number: EP07785107A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jonas Brechbuehler; Christian Gratwohl; Marc Lanz; Urs Widmer; Martin Wymann
Original assignee: Tecpharma Licensing AG
Current assignee: Tecpharma Licensing AG
Priority date: 2006-09-01
Filing date: 2007-08-22
Publication date: 2009-05-20
Also published as: US20090259178A1; DE102006041128A1; WO2008025179A1; US8177745B2; JP2010501295A; JP5143839B2; CN101568358A

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety pin module for fixing to an injection device for administering a liquid product. Said safety pin module comprises a) a housing (2), b) a pin (1) that is connected in an axial manner to the housing (2), c) a pin protective sleeve (3), the distal end of which can be inserted onto an injection point and can be displaced axially in relation to the pin (1) or the housing (2) from the starting position (A) in which the distal pin tip is covered, to the injection position (I) in which the distal end protrudes as far as the pin protective sleeve (3) such that the distal pin tip touches at least the injection point in an end position (E) in which the distal pin tip is covered, d) the pin protective sleeve (3) is locked in an axial manner in its end position (E) in relation to the pin (1) or to the housing (2).

Description

SAFETY NEEDLE MODULE WITH A LOCKING MECHANISM AND A USE IDENTIFICATION

The invention relates to a safety pin module which can be fastened to an injection device, in particular an injection pen or so-called autoinjectors. With the security module, a product, such as a liquid drug, in the injection device may be administered to a patient. The invention is concerned with a mechanism that allows safe handling of the safety pin module. Further, the invention is concerned with a tag which indicates whether the safety pin module has been used.

Generic safety pin modules include a housing in which a needle is received axially fixed. The housing is attached to an injection device. The needle is surrounded by a needle guard before and after an injection so that the user of the safety module can not stick to the needle. Unintentional stinging can cause pain and infections such as HIV or hepatitis. For an injection, the needle protection sleeve is placed on the desired puncture site and pushed back by pressing the needle protection sleeve to the injection site in a Injektionspösition in which the needle is inserted into the injection site. After pulling out the needle, the needle guard is again pushed so far over the needle, for example, by a spring until it is covered. There is a desire that the needle can be used only once.

From US Pat. No. 6,855,129 B2 a safety pin module is known, in which, after a successful use of the classifying needle module, the axial movement of a Needle protection sleeve is prevented. The mechanism has a locking sleeve, which is initially guided by a housing when the needle protection sleeve is pushed back in the proximal direction. After completion of the guided movement, the locking sleeve is rotated by the needle guard with continued pushing back the needle guard. This twisting movement is continued during the return movement of the needle protection sleeve in the distal direction by projections arranged on the housing and the formations of the proximal end of the needle protection sleeve, until a projection of the locking sleeve engages in a blocking element formed by the housing. This prevents further movement of the needle guard in the proximal direction.

The housing has an opening in which the projection of the locking sleeve is visible when the locking sleeve is in locking engagement with the housing.

An object of the invention is to provide a generic safety pin module that simply but reliably prevents re-pushing the needle guard after injection. A further object of the invention is to provide a generic safety pin module with which it is even easier to see whether the safety pin module has already been used.

The objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims.

The safety pin module according to the invention comprises a housing, which is axially fixedly connected to a fnjektionsnadel. The housing can be formed, for example, of a sleeve-shaped body and a needle carrier, which together give the housing. The injection needle can be connected to the needle carrier or in a one-piece housing to the housing. For this purpose, own injection molding, with which the needle is surrounded by a plastic. The sleeve-shaped housing or housing part can be attached to a distal end of an injection device. For this purpose, the housing can correspondingly have a fastening means, such as, for example, a screwed, plugged or latched connection (eg snap-on or click-in connection). The Needle may protrude from the needle carrier in the proximal direction so that in a safety needle module disposed on an injection device, the proximal end of the needle pierces a septum of a product container and thus establishes fluid communication with the interior of the product container. Preferably, the needle protrudes from the needle carrier so far in the proximal direction that it is laterally surrounded by the sleeve-shaped housing, or that the needle does not protrude beyond the proximal end of the housing.

The housing can serve to support a needle sleeve which can be displaced relative to the housing. The needle guard can be rotatably mounted relative to the housing and axially displaceable, with a rotationally fixed storage is preferred but not mandatory. The needle protection sleeve is from an am

Housing, in particular on the needle carrier and on the needle protection sleeve supporting spring or generally speaking, pressed by a resilient means in the distal direction. For example, the needle guard may be at its distal

Closed at the end except for a small opening, wherein the opening is used so that the needle can emerge from the front end of the distal end of the needle guard. Preferably, the spring is supported on the end face of the needle guard and on the needle carrier of the housing. The needle protection sleeve can be attached with its distal end or its distal end side to a puncture site of a patient.

The needle guard is movable from an initial position via an injection position to an end position. The length of the needle guard, with which it protrudes from the housing in the distal direction, and the length of the needle with which it protrudes from the needle carrier in the distal direction, are adapted to each other so that the needle tip in the starting position and in the end position of the needle guard is not emerges from the needle protection sleeve. A puncture at the distal needle tip can thus be excluded in the starting position and in the end position of the needle protection sleeve for a user of the device. In the injection position of the needle guard, the distal needle tip protrudes from the needle guard so far that the distal needle tip at least touches the injection site, preferably piercing the patient. It is preferred that when the distal needle tip at least the injection site touched, the movement of the needle guard is excluded to its original position. Furthermore, it is preferred that when the distal needle tip touches the injection site, the needle protection sleeve is displaceable only in an end position in the distal direction. By so-called so-called "early-triggering" safety pin module, the risk of infection with pathogens can be reduced since, as soon as the needle tip has touched the body tissue of a first patient, the needle protection sleeve can only be moved to an end position. In the end position, the needle guard is locked axially fixed relative to the needle or to the housing. Thus, an infection of a second patient is excluded by the at least by contact with the first patient possibly infected needle tip.

The invention is based, in a first aspect, on the needle protection sleeve being offset between its starting position and its end position by a path measured in the direction of displacement of the needle protection sleeve. This offset allows the user of the device to recognize whether the safety pin module can be used or not. It is preferred that the needle protection sleeve is offset from its initial position in its end position in the distal or proximal direction. The needle protection sleeve may, for example, have one or more markings, which are visible in the starting position or in the end position of the needle protection sleeve. A marker may be, for example, a color marker or a character, a word or a letter. The marking may, for example, be in the form of a strip and / or around the circumference, such as, for example, annular. For example, the marking can be arranged on the needle protection sleeve in the region of the distal end of the housing or in a region of an opening or window of the housing, so that the marking in the. Initially or in the end position of the needle guard is visible. If the mark, depending on the position of the needle guard, is not visible, it is preferably covered by the housing.

If, for example, in the case of a needle protection sleeve offset from the initial position to the end position in the proximal direction, the marking is affixed to the needle protection sleeve in the area of the distal end of the housing, the marking in the beginning position visible and not visible in the final position. Alternatively or additionally, a marking through the window in the initial position is visible and not visible in the end position, or vice versa.

In a needle protection sleeve offset from the initial position to the end position in the distal direction, the marking which is arranged on the needle protection sleeve in the region of the distal end of the housing can not be seen in the initial position of the needle protection sleeve and can be seen in the end position. Alternatively or additionally, a marking through the window in the initial position may not be visible and be visible in the end position, or vice versa.

The advantage for the user is through these configurations that he easily and reliably detects whether the needle guard is in the starting position or in the end position, that is, whether the safety pin module is still usable or has already been used.

In a further advantageous development, the needle protection sleeve has a first marking, which can be seen in the starting position of the needle protection sleeve, and a second marking, in particular different from the first marking, which can be seen in the end position. Furthermore, it is preferred that the second marking is covered in the initial position of the needle protection sleeve and the first marking is covered in the end position of the needle protection sleeve.

For example, in the case of a needle protection sleeve offset from the initial position to the end position in the proximal direction, the following applies: The first

Marking can be made on the needle guard in the area of the distal end of the

Housing and the second mark on the needle protection sleeve in the area of

Window can be arranged so that the first mark in the starting position and the second mark in the end position are visible, or vice versa. For example, a first and second mark may alternatively or additionally be arranged in the region of the window.

For example, in the case of a needle protection sleeve offset from the initial position to the end position in the distal direction, the following applies: The first marking may be on the needle guard in the region of the distal end of the housing and the second mark may be arranged in the region of the window, so that the first mark in the end position is visible and the second mark in the starting position is visible, or vice versa. For example, a first and second mark may alternatively or additionally be arranged in the region of the window.

By way of example only, and for a better understanding, a mark that is visible in the initial position of the needle guard can be green and a mark that is visible in the end position of the needle guard can be red.

In a second aspect of the invention, a blocking counter element is formed on one of needle protection sleeve and housing and on the other of needle protection sleeve and housing, wherein in the end position, the blocking element is engaged in the locking counter-element. Preferably, the blocking element is a Abragung or a cam and the counter locking element is a recess which may be formed in particular between two Abragungen. The blocking element or the counter-locking element can be arranged on a flexible, in particular elastic and / or resilient arm, so that the blocking element or the counter-locking element can perform a latching movement. Preferably, only one of locking element and locking counter-element is arranged on such an arm. Preferably, the locking element and the counter-locking element are integrally formed on the needle guard or the housing or the needle carrier.

Preferably, the safety pin module has an activation cam, which shifts the blocking element or blocking counter element transversely to the direction of movement during the movement of the needle protection sleeve from the starting position in the proximal direction, so that the blocking element or the blocking counter element can be moved past the activation cam. The activation cam may be formed on the element on which the blocking element or blocking counter element is formed, namely on the housing or on the needle protection sleeve. Preferably, the blocking element or the counter-blocking element contacts the activation cam or slides along it as it moves forward. For example, in the starting position of the needle protection sleeve, the blocking element or the blocking counter element can be arranged so far in front of the activation cam that there is a small distance between blocking element or blocking counter element to the activation cam in comparison to the total path of the needle protection sleeve. For example, the blocking element or the counter locking element can touch the activation cam in the initial position of the needle protection sleeve. The activation cam serves to prevent return of the blocking element or blocking counter element in front of the activation cam when a blocking element or blocking counter element is moved past it, so that the needle protection sleeve can no longer be moved back into its starting position. Preferably, an above-mentioned marking may have a maximum width extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis, which corresponds to the path that the blocking element or the counter-blocking element must travel in order to move past the activation cam. Due to the comparatively short distance that the needle protection sleeve has to cover in order to move past the blocking element or the blocking counter element on the activation cam, a safety pin module configured in this way is also referred to as "early triggering". It is preferred that once the needle tip has touched the puncture site, the blocking element or the counter locking element is moved past the activation cam, so that the needle protection sleeve is guided in the distal direction in the end position and can not be performed in the initial position.

Preferably, the locking element or the locking counter-element, after it has been moved past the activation cam, snaps back in the direction from which it has been deflected by the activation cam. For example, the locking element or locking counter-element is moved past the activation cam when it is snapped back.

It is particularly preferred that the activation cam is arranged at such an axial position that, at the latest, when the distal needle tip can touch the injection site, the blocking element or the blocking counter element is moved past the activation cam. In particular, the Needle length be adjusted depending on the axial position of the activation cam, or vice versa.

The activation cam is advantageously shaped in such a way that, when the needle protection sleeve moves in the distal direction from a position in which the blocking element or blocking counter element moves past the activation cam, the blocking element or the blocking counter element is displaced transversely to the direction of movement of the needle protection sleeve by the activation cam. In particular, by the movement transversely to the direction of movement, the blocking element and the counter-locking element can come into engagement. For example, the activation cam may have chamfers or curves so that the blocking element or the counter locking element is moved by the activation cam transversely to the direction of movement of the needle guard when the needle guard is moved.

In particular, the displacement transversely to the direction of movement may be a displacement in the radial direction or in the circumferential direction, in particular tangentially to the circumferential direction of the needle guard or the housing.

In a particular embodiment, the activation cam may serve as a blocking element, wherein the locking counter-element in the distal direction of the movement of the needle protection sleeve from a position in which the locking counter-element has been moved past the activation cam, engages in the activation cam. Preferably, the connections described herein which result when the blocking element is in the blocking counter-element are such that they can not be released by a force applied to the needle-protecting sleeve in the distal or proximal direction, except by destroying the safety pin module.

In another embodiment, it is preferred that the blocking element or the counter-blocking element is arranged outside, in particular laterally in front of or behind an alignment extending in the direction of movement of the needle protection sleeve and running through the activation cam. In yet another embodiment of the invention, it may alternatively or in addition to the above embodiments be advantageous to provide a relative to the housing and the needle guard movable latch member which engages in the initial position in the needle guard and in the housing and a movement of the needle guard preferably locks only in the distal direction. The locking member may for example be formed integrally with the housing or the needle carrier. Alternatively, the locking member may be an additional part that can slide along the needle carrier or is disposed on the needle carrier prior to use of the safety pin module. For example, the locking member with a flexible; in particular elastic arm to be integrally connected to the housing, the needle carrier or a voltage applied to the needle carrier part. The locking member may have at least one locking lug acting in the distal direction, which is supported on a step in the housing. In particular, the fact that the locking member can pass through the wall of the needle guard, a movement of the needle guard is blocked from the starting position in the distal direction.

Preferably, the needle guard is formed so that upon movement of the needle guard in the proximal direction, the locking member is at least moved out of engagement with the housing, whereby the needle guard with a movement in the distal direction in the end position in which the

Needle protection sleeve is located distal to the initial position, can be moved.

In particular, the needle protection sleeve and / or the locking member can be adapted to each other, in particular adapted to each other

Gear surfaces or bevels have that the movement of the

Needle protection sleeve is converted into a transverse movement of the locking member. It is preferred that the locking member is movable transversely to the direction of movement of the needle guard. After the transverse movement of the locking member has taken place, the locking member may still be in engagement with the needle guard or in a new engagement with the needle guard. In particular, it is preferred that the locking member according to the

Movement out of engagement with the housing with the needle protection sleeve latched, wherein the locking member at least partially the movement of the Needle sleeve in the proximal or in the distal direction participates. For example, after the needle guard has been depressed in the proximal direction, the locking member is disengaged from the housing and the needle guard, then snaps into the housing and is then driven distally by the needle guard in the distal direction as the needle guard is moved back , In the end position, namely in a position of the needle guard, which is distal to the position of the needle guard in the initial position, now arranged on the needle guard sleeve locking element can engage in the locking counter-element formed by the housing, so that the needle guard and housing are locked axially fixed.

The inventions according to the first and second aspects can complement each other and thus be combined with each other. The invention will be described with reference to figures. In this case, disclosed features individually and in combination advantageously continue the invention. Show it:

1 shows several views of a safety pin module according to a first embodiment, FIGS. 2 to 3F show several views of a safety needle module according to a second embodiment, FIGS. 4 to 6E show several views of a safety needle module according to a third embodiment

7 shows several views of an activation cam / locking element and a counter-locking element for a

Modification of the third embodiment, and Figures 8 to 11 show several views of a safety pin module according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows several views of a first embodiment of the invention. The safety pin module comprises a housing 2 and a needle protection sleeve 3 mounted thereon and movable along a needle 1. The needle protection sleeve 3 is in the starting position, as shown in FIG. The needle guard 3 is pressed by a spring 9 in the distal direction and in its initial position held. The spring 9 is supported on the one hand on a needle carrier 11 which is axially fixedly connected to the housing 2, and on a collar-shaped distal end of the needle protection sleeve 3 facing the central axis. A locking member 4 is engaged in a groove 7 formed by the needle guard 7. In the right perspective view, the groove is shown as a breakthrough. Similarly, the groove may have a pocket-like shape that is not a breakthrough, as shown in the left perspective view of Figure 1. The blocking element 4 is connected via an arm flexible, in particular elastically or resiliently deformable connected to the needle carrier 11 in one piece. The needle carrier 11 is preferably connected non-positively to the housing 2. Alternatively, the needle carrier 11 could be positively or materially connected in particular integrally with the housing.

In the groove 7 protrudes transversely to the direction of movement of the needle guard 3, an activation cam 6. The activation cam 6 points with his in proximal

Direction facing surface on a chamfer or convex shape, which in a movement of the needle guard 3 in the proximal direction of the locking element

4 transversely to the direction of movement of the needle guard 3, here downwards, pushes away. Further, the needle guard 3 forms a locking counter-element 5, the side, namely out of alignment, which is directed in the longitudinal direction and extends through the activation cam 6, is arranged. The activation cam 6 has a shape bent in the distal direction, wherein the activation cam 6 extends in the direction that it covers the locking counter 5 at least partially, so that the locking member 4, when it has moved past the activation cam 6 and springs back in the direction from which the locking member 4 has been moved out of the activation cam 6, not in the locking counterpart

5 can intervene. In this state, the needle tip emerges from the distal end of the needle protection sleeve 3 at least as far as the needle tip at least touches the puncture site of the patient. This can be considered as an activation position or as a puncture position. The needle guard 3 can now, if desired, be moved further in the proximal direction, so that the needle 1 pierces even deeper into the tissue. Once the injection has taken place, the needle 1 is pulled out of the body, as a result of which the spring 9 presses the needle protection sleeve 3 in the distal direction. In this case, the locking member 4, which is now distal to the Activation cam 6 is pressed by the concave beveled shape of the distal-facing gear surface of the activation cam 6 in the locking counter member 5. In this position, the needle guard 3 is locked axially fixed relative to the housing and no longer solvable with proper treatment of the safety pin module.

Since the needle guard 3 in the end position, in which the locking member 4 is in the locking counter member 5 is offset by a measured along the longitudinal axis of the needle, disappears annularly around the circumference of the needle guard 3 in the region of the distal end of the housing 2 arranged mark 20 in the housing. In particular, the marking 20 is covered by a housing 20. This allows the user of the device to recognize that the safety pin module has been used and is no longer available for further use. For example, an annular circumferential strip of a green, for example, color suitable for the label 20, wherein the strip preferably has a width and a corresponding position that the mark 20 is in particular completely covered by the housing 2, when the needle guard 3 in the End position is located.

The embodiment of the safety pin module shown in FIGS. 2 to 3F shows a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. The embodiments made for FIG. 1 therefore also apply essentially to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3. Deviating from the embodiment of FIG. 1, the needle protection sleeve 3 has a first groove 7 and a second groove 8. The first groove 7 has a groove base on which the locking element 4 slides along when it is moved transversely by the locking cam 6 in the movement of the needle guard 3 from the starting position in the proximal direction. In a position in which the blocking element 4 has been moved past the locking cam 6, the blocking element 4 engages in the second groove 8. The second groove 8 may, as shown here, an opening or may be a groove 8, which also has a groove bottom, the distance of the groove bottom of the first groove 7 to the needle longitudinal axis is less than the distance of the groove bottom of the second groove 8 to the needle longitudinal axis , In other words, will formed between the first groove 7 and the second groove 8, a height offset, which prevents sliding back of the locking element 4 of the second groove 8 in the first groove 7.

In Figures 3A to 3F, the needle guard 3 is shown in a section, wherein the various positions of the locking member 4, which is shown without arm, but only with the part which is in engagement with the shift gate 5, 6, 7, 8 , is shown. FIG. 3a shows the starting position. The locking element 4 is in axial alignment with the locking counter-element 5. Due to the resilient arrangement of the locking element 4 on the arm, not shown, the locking element 4 tends that, if it is in the corresponding axial position, by its elastic arrangement , engages in the locking counter-element 5. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 3B, the needle guard 3 is moved in the proximal direction so that the blocking element 4 has been deflected transversely to the direction of movement by the proximal-directional, curved button of the activation cam 6. Furthermore, the blocking element 4 can slide along the groove base of the first groove 7. In FIG. 3C, the blocking element 4 is shown in a position moved past the activation cam 6. This position may be referred to as a triggering or activating position, which to some extent represents a special case of the injection position, since it may be assumed here that the needle tip (not shown) was in contact with the body tissue of the patient. In the position of the blocking element 4 shown in FIG. 3C, which is moved past the activating cam 6, the blocking element 4 is engaged by the first groove 7 in the second groove 8 due to its resiliently elastic arrangement. Also, due to the paragraph 78, the locking element 4 can not get back into the first groove 7.

In Figure 3D, the locking element 4 and the needle guard 3 are shown in a position in which the needle emerges with its full injection length from the distal end of the needle guard 3.

In FIG. 3E, the blocking element 4 and the needle protection sleeve 3 are shown in a position in which the needle protection sleeve 3 has been moved back from the injection position or the triggering position in the distal direction. It can do that Locking element 4 between the distally inclined end of the activation cam 6 and the locking counter-element 5 pass, as in the movement from the position, as shown in Figure 3B, in the position, as shown in Figure 3C, was not possible , If the needle protection sleeve 3 is displaced further from the position shown in FIG. 3E further in the distal direction, the blocking element 4 locks into the blocking counter element 5, in particular due to the resilient arrangement of the blocking element 4. In the position shown in Figure 3F, the needle guard 3 is locked axially fixed.

A third embodiment of a safety pin module is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6E. The safety pin module comprises a housing 2 into which a needle carrier 11, which is shown once again individually in FIG. 5, is received with a positive latching connection. From the needle carrier 11, an injection needle 1 is held axially fixed. In particular, the needle 1 can be cast into the needle carrier 11 with an injection molding process. The needle carrier 11 has two associated cams 5a, 5b, wherein between the cams 5a and 5b, a recess is formed, which forms the locking counter-element 5. The cams 5a and 5b are connected via an arm resiliently connected to the needle carrier 11, in particular in one piece. The housing 2 supports a needle protection sleeve 3, which is axially movable relative to the housing 2. The safety pin module of Figure 4 is shown in an initial position of the needle guard 3.

As can be seen from the perspective view of FIG. 5, the cams 5a and 5b are set at an angle of attack relative to the needle longitudinal axis. This employment allows a transverse movement of the locking counter-element 5 or the cam 5a and 5b in certain positions as will be explained below with reference to Figures 6A to 6E. FIG. 6A shows a needle protection sleeve 3 in a front view. The needle protection sleeve 3 has on its outer circumferential surface four recesses in which elements of the housing 2 can engage, so that a rotation between the needle protection sleeve 3 and the housing 2 is made. Furthermore, the needle guard 3 has four inwardly directed Abragungen, which serve as a stop for a spring element, that to one on the four ablations of the needle guard 3 and the other at the proximal end of the needle carrier 11 is supported.

The needle protection sleeve 3 also has a first groove 7 and a second groove 8, each comprising a groove bottom, wherein the two groove bases are inclined relative to a tangential respectively in the same direction. In other words, the groove bottoms of the grooves 7 and 8 are inclined at a roll angle about the longitudinal axis of the needle guard 3. By this employment between the grooves 7 and 8, a height shoulder 78 is formed. The shoulder 78 serves to prevent movement of the locking counter-element 5 out of the groove 8 into the groove 7. From the groove bottom of the groove 7 projects into the interior of the sleeve from an activation cam 6. The activation cam 6 has a sawtooth-shaped shape, with its flattened side pointing in the proximal direction of the needle protection sleeve 3. From the groove bottom of the second groove 8 projects into the interior of the sleeve 3 directed blocking element 4. The blocking element 4 has in the poximal and in the distal direction in each case a non-traversable stop surface. The blocking element 4 tapers over the width of the second groove 8 from the edge 78 to the edge opposite it.

In FIGS. 4 and 6B, the positions of the activating cam 6, the counter-blocking element 5, including the cams 5a and 5b, and the blocking element 4 in an initial position of the needle guard 3 are shown. At least the cam 5b is located proximally of the activation cam 6. The locking counter-element 5 is located in the first groove 7. During the movement of the needle guard 3 in the proximal direction, the counter-locking element 5, in particular the cam 5b is moved past the activation cam 6 and takes the in FIG. 6C shows position. During the passing movement, the blocking counter element 5, including the cams 5a and 5b, lifts off from the groove base of the first groove 7. After the blocking counter-element 5 is moved past the activation cam 6, it again comes into contact with the groove bottom of the first groove 7. Due to the sawtooth configuration of the Spermockens 6, in particular its pointing in the distal direction stop surfaces, the locking counter-element 5, in particular the cam 5b, can not be moved back over the activation cam 6 in the starting position. In FIG. 6E, the position of the counter-blocking element 5 relative to the needle protection sleeve 3 is shown in a position in which the needle has emerged from the distal end of the needle protection sleeve with approximately its complete insertion length.

When the needle is pulled out of the tissue, the needle guard 3 is pressed by the spring (not shown) in the distal direction, whereby the locking counter-member 5 again assumes the position shown in Figure 6C.

If the needle protection sleeve 3 is pushed further out of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6C in the distal direction, for example by the spring, the blocking counter element 5 assumes the position shown in FIG. 6E. In other words, lock the locking counter-element 5 and the locking element 4. In this position, the needle guard 3 can not be moved relative to the housing 2, since a movement of the locking counter-element 5 of the second groove 8 in the first groove 7 through the shoulder 78 and the in distal and proximal direction facing stops of the locking element 4 is prevented. As a result of the activation cam 6 engaged with the angle of attack relative to the longitudinal axis and the blocking element 4 engaged with the angle of attack relative to the longitudinal axis, the transverse movement of the locking counter-element 5 from the position shown in FIG. 6C to the position shown in FIG. 6E in conjunction with the spring force of FIG Needle protection sleeve 3 acting spring causes.

In Figure 7 an alternative embodiment of an activating cam 6 and a locking counter-member 5 including the cams 5a and 5b is shown. The advantage of this embodiment is that the activation cam 6 simultaneously assumes the function of the blocking element 4. The safety pin module of Figures 4 to 6 can with the activation cam 6; 4 and the locking counter-element 5 may be equipped from Figure 7. In such an embodiment eliminates the z. As shown in Figure 6b groove 8 or the shoulder 78, and the blocking element 4th The activation cam 6; 4 is divided into two and has a proximal facing front part 6a, which is chamfered in the distal direction (Figure 7B), so that provided with a corresponding counter bevel (cam 5a) locking counter-element 5 laterally on the activation cam 6; 4; 6a can be pushed past. The part 6a of the activation cam 6; 4 protrudes with a lower height from the groove bottom of the groove 7 than the remaining part of the activation cam 6; 4 (Figure 7A).

As shown in Figures 7E to H, the locking counter-element 5 is at a movement of the needle guard 3 from the starting position in the proximal direction laterally on the activation cam 6; 4 is pushed past (Figure G) until the locking counter-element 5 is moved past and assumes a lateral position, it had in its initial position (Figure H). The needle guard 3 can now be moved further in the proximal direction and the needle 1 are inserted. When the needle 1 is pulled out of the body, the needle guard 3 is pressed by the spring 9 in the distal direction. Due to the configuration of the facing in the proximal direction surface of the cam 5b (Figure 7C) of the locking counter 5, namely a groove bottom of the groove 7 inclined surface, the locking counter-element 5 the activation cam 6 so far over run until it with the further projecting from the groove bottom part the activation cam 6; 4 locks in place. As a result, an axial movement of the locking counter-element 5 and the activation cam 6; 4, which also serves as a blocking element, no longer possible. As a result, a relative movement of the needle guard 3 to the housing 2 is no longer possible. The safety pin module is thus finally locked.

FIGS. 8 to 11 show a further embodiment of a safety pin module, in which the needle protection sleeve 3 is arranged in its end position distal to its initial position. The safety pin module has a housing 2, a needle sleeve 3 axially displaceable relative to the housing 2, and a spring 9, which is supported on the needle carrier 11 and the distal end of the needle protection sleeve 3 and presses the needle guard 3 in the distal direction. The needle carrier 11 is pressed into the housing 2 and comprises an injection needle 1. The housing 2 has Fixing means 12, with which the housing 2 can be fastened to an injection device. The housing has a locking counter-element 5, in which the locking element 4, which is formed on the needle guard 3, can engage, wherein the locked in the locking counter-element 5 locking element 4 blocks a relative movement of the needle guard 3 relative to the housing 2. In those arrangements shown in Figures 8 and 9, the needle guard 3 is in an initial position, namely a position in which the locking element 4 is not yet engaged in the locking counter-element 5. The safety pin module also has a locking member 10, which engages through an opening 15 (Figure 11) in the needle guard 3 and engages in a formed by the housing 2 paragraph, so that the needle guard 3 can not be moved further in the distal direction. The locking member 10 is integrally connected via resilient arms 10b (Figure 10) with an annular base member 10a. The annular base member 10a loosely abuts the distal direction facing end surface of the needle carrier 11.

The locking element 10 also has an obliquely inclined to the direction of movement of the needle guard 3 gear surface 10c. This gear surface 10c cooperates with a correspondingly inclined gear surface 3a of the needle protection sleeve 3, so that movement of the needle protection sleeve 3 in the distal direction causes a movement of the locking element 10 transversely to the direction of movement of the needle protection sleeve 3. As a result of this transverse movement of the locking member 10 following distal movement in the direction of the needle protection sleeve 3, the engagement of the lugs 10d formed on the locking element 10, which surround the gear surface 10c laterally, is released. It is preferred that at the moment in which the engagement of the locking element 10 is released with the housing 2, the needle tip so far emerges at the distal end that it at least touches the puncture site of the patient. The needle guard 3 can now be moved as far in the proximal direction as the needle is to be inserted. When the needle guard is moved back from this position in the distal direction, the locking member 10 engages in the groove 13, whereby the locking member 10 relative to the needle guard 3 can no longer perform axial movement in at least one direction, so that in a continued Movement of the needle guard 3 in the distal direction, the locking member 10 including the annular base member 10 a and the arms 10 b is taken in the distal direction. At the end of the movement in the distal direction, the locking element 4 engages in the locking counter-element 5, whereby the needle guard 3 is locked relative to the housing 2 against axial movement.

Claims

claims

A safety needle module for attachment to an injection device for administering a liquid product, the safety needle module comprising: a) a housing (2), b) a needle (1) axially fixedly connected to the housing (2) c) a needle protection sleeve (3) is attachable with its distal end to an injection site and relative to the needle (1) or the housing (2) from an initial position (A), in which the distal needle tip is covered, via an injection position (I), in which the distal Needle tip so far from the needle guard (3) emerges that the distal needle tip at least touches the injection site, in an end position (E) in which the distal needle tip is covered, axially displaceable, d) wherein the needle protection sleeve (3) in its end position ( E) is locked axially fixed relative to the needle (1) or the housing (2), characterized in that e) the needle protection sleeve (3) between its initial position (A) and its Endposi tion (E) is offset by a measured in the direction of displacement of the needle guard (3) way.

2. Safety pin module according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle protection sleeve (3), starting from its initial position (A) in its end position (E) is offset in the distal or proximal direction.

3. safety needle module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the needle protection sleeve (3) has a mark which in the starting position (A) or the end position (E) of the needle protection sleeve (3) is visible.

4. Safety pin module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at a in the starting position (A) visible mark the mark in the end position (E) is covered and at a in the end position (E) visible mark the mark in the starting position ( A) is covered.

5. Safety pin module according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the needle protection sleeve (3) has a first mark which in the starting position (A) of the needle protection sleeve (3) is visible, and a second, in particular different from the first mark , which is visible in the end position (E).

6. Safety pin module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second mark in the starting position (A) of the needle guard (3) is covered and the first mark in the end position (E) of the needle guard (3) is covered.

7. Safety pin module for attachment to an injection device for administering a liquid product, the safety pin module comprising: a) a housing (2), b) an axially fixed to the housing (2) connected needle (1) c) a needle protection sleeve (3) is attachable with its distal end to an injection site and relative to the needle (1) or the housing (2) from an initial position (A), in which the distal needle tip is covered, via an injection position (I), in which the - distal needle tip as far as the needle protection sleeve (3) emerges that the distal needle point, the injection site is at least touched, in an end position (E), in which the distal needle tip is covered, axially displaceable, d) wherein the needle protection sleeve (3) in its end position (E) relative to the needle (1) or to the housing ( 2) is locked axially fixed, characterized in that e) on one of the needle protection sleeve (3) and housing (2) is formed a blocking element (4) and f) on the other of needle protection sleeve (3) and housing (2) has a blocking counter element ( 5) is formed, g) wherein in the end position, the blocking element (4) in the locking counter-element (5) is engaged.

8. safety pin module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the blocking element (4) is a Abragung and the locking counter-element (5), in particular between two Abragungen (5a, 5b) formed, recess.

9. safety pin module according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that an activation cam (6) is provided, wherein in the movement of the needle protection sleeve (3) from the starting position (A) in the proximal direction of the blocking element (4) or the counter locking element (5 ) is moved by the activation cam (6) transversely to the direction of movement, so that the blocking element (4) or the counter-locking element (5) can be moved past the activation cam (6).

10. Safety pin module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the blocking element (4) or the counter locking element (5) after it has been moved past the activation cam (6), snaps back in the direction from which it is deflected by the activation cam (6) has been.

11. Safety pin module according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the activation cam (6) is arranged at such an axial position that at the latest when the distal needle tip can touch the injection site, the blocking element (4) or the counter locking element (5) the activation cam (6) is moved past.

12. Safety pin module according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the activation cam (6) is shaped so that upon movement of the needle protection sleeve (3) in the distal direction from a position in which the blocking element (4) or the counter-locking element ( 5) on the activation cam (6) is moved past, the blocking element (4) or the counter-locking element (5) of the activation cam (6) transversely to the direction of movement of the needle guard (6) is moved.

13. Safety pin module according to the preceding claim, wherein the blocking element (4) and the locking counter-element (5) come into engagement by the movement transversely to the direction of movement.

14. Safety pin module according to claim 9 or 13, characterized in that the displacement transversely to the direction of movement is a displacement in the radial direction or in the circumferential direction, in particular tangential to the circumferential direction, the needle guard (3) or the housing (2).

15. Safety pin module according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the activation cam (6) serves as a blocking element (4) and the locking counter-element (6) engages in the activation cam (6).

16. Safety pin module one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the blocking element (4) or the counter-locking element (5) outside, in particular laterally, in front of or behind a in the direction of movement of the needle protection sleeve (3) extending and by the activation cam (6) is arranged to run.

17. Safety pin module according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by a relative to the housing (2) and the needle guard (3) movable locking member (10) in the starting position (A) in the needle guard (3) and in the housing (2 ) engages and blocks a movement of the needle protection sleeve (3) in the distal direction.

18. Safety pin module according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the needle protection sleeve (3) is shaped so that upon movement of the needle protection sleeve (3) in the proximal direction, the locking member (10) at least out of engagement with the housing (2) is moved whereby the needle protection sleeve (3) can be moved with a movement in the distal direction into the end position (E), in which the needle protection sleeve (3) is located distally of the initial position (A).

19. Safety pin module according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the locking member (10) transversely to the direction of movement of the needle protection sleeve (3) is movable.

20. Safety pin module according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the locking member (10) after movement out of engagement with the housing (2) with the needle protection sleeve (3) locked, wherein the locking member (10) at least partially the movement of the needle protection sleeve (3 ) in the proximal or distal direction.