| US 7,338,469 B2 | ||
| Pre-filled retractable needle injection device | ||
| John M. Barker, Ventura, Calif. (US); Thor R. Halseth, Simi Valley, Calif. (US); Michael J. Botich, Oxnard, Calif. (US); and Robert L. Hall, Thousand Oaks, Calif. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Specialized Health Products Inc., Bountiful, Utah (US) | ||
| Filed on May 27, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/445,752. | ||
| Application 10/445752 is a continuation of application No. 09/528634, filed on Mar. 20, 2000, granted, now 6,569,115, filed on May 27, 2003. | ||
| Application 09/528634 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/139540, filed on Aug. 26, 1998, granted, now 6,039,713. | ||
| Application 09/139540 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US99/04456, filed on Mar. 01, 1999. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/120889, filed on Feb. 20, 1999. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/152016, filed on Sep. 01, 1999. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/078233, filed on Mar. 17, 1998. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/058004, filed on Aug. 28, 1997. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2003/0199833 A1, Oct. 23, 2003 | ||
| This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
| Int. Cl. A61M 5/00 (2006.01); A61M 5/32 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 604—110 [604/195] | 23 Claims |
| 1. A vial injector, comprising:
a housing having an open end opposite from a forward end;
a vial comprising a fluid container and a plug in sealing engagement with an open end of the fluid container, wherein a portion
of the fluid container is positioned in the housing with the open end of the fluid container oriented toward the forward end
of the housing, and
a needle having a forward tip movable between a projecting position in which the forward tip projects forwardly from the housing
and a retracted position in which the forward tip of the needle is within the housing, wherein a rearward tip is opposite
from the forward tip;
a biasing element biasing the forward tip toward the retracted position; and
a needle retainer which releasably engages the housing, wherein the needle retainer is operable between a locked position
in which the needle retainer releasably retains the needle such that the forward tip is in the projecting position against
the bias of the biasing element and an unlocked position for permitting movement of the forward tip into the retracted position;
wherein displacement of the fluid container toward the needle retainer operates to displace the needle retainer into the unlocked
position for permitting retraction of the forward tip to the retracted position; and
wherein the plug has a septum which is pierced to provide fluid communication between the needle and the fluid container and
wherein the plug and the needle retainer are coupled so that the plug remains stationary while the fluid container is axially
advanced after the septum has been pierced by the rearward tip of the needle; and
wherein the plug and the needle retainer are configured for one-way engagement to prevent subsequent separation of the plug
and the needle retainer.
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