# US 10,500,338 B2 · Prefilled disposable injection device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,338 B2 - Document ID: US10500338B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/561,145 - Filed: 2016-04-12 - Published: 2018-04-19 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-17 - Assignees: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. - Applicants: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. - Inventors: Annaniy Berenshteyn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500338B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/2425: {by compression of deformable ampoule or carpule wall} - A61M 5/24: Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or cartridges, e.g. automatic - A61M 5/2455: {with sealing means to be broken or opened} - A61M 5/31511: {Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod (A61M5/5066 takes precedence)} - A61J 1/06: Ampoules or carpules (syringe ampoules or carpules A61M5/28) - A61M 2005/2407: {from the rear} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE ## Abstract A drug delivery device comprising a drug container extending between a distal end and a proximal end and is capable of being compressed into a single plane; a body extending between proximal and distal ends comprising a hollow space for containing the drug container; and a plunger extending between proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the plunger engages telescopically with the proximal end of the body, wherein the plunger comprises at least one pair of protrusions, wherein the protrusion is capable of compressing the drug container as the plunger moves towards the proximal end of the drug delivery device, by applying a force to the drug container that is perpendicular to the movement of the plunger. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drug delivery device comprising: a drug container extending between a distal end and a proximal end comprising an outlet port located at the distal end and wherein the drug container is capable of being compressed into a single plane; a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the body comprising a hollow space for containing the drug container; and a plunger extending between proximal end and a distal end of the plunger, wherein the distal end of the plunger engages telescopically with the proximal end of the body, wherein the plunger comprises at least one pair of cross-facing protrusions, wherein the at least one pair of cross-facing protrusions protrude toward and contact the drug container such that the drug container is compressed between the at least one pair of cross-facing protrusions as the plunger moves toward the distal end of the body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the drug container contains a drug. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the drug container comprises a tapered distal portion located at the distal end of the drug container; a tapered proximal portion located at the proximal end of the drug container; and a central portion having a constant cross section located between the distal portion and the proximal portion of the drug container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The drug delivery device of claim 3, wherein the central portion of the drug container has a hexagonal prism shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of cross-facing protrusions are at least two pairs of cross-facing protrusions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one finger flange located at the proximal end of the body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a pair of finger flanges located at the proximal end of the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an outlet port that is capable of fitting telescopically over the outlet port of the drug container. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The drug delivery device of claim 8, further comprising a needle that attaches to the outlet port of the body and is in communication with the outlet port of the drug container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one pair of notches located proximal to the proximal end of the body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a pair of notches located proximal to the distal end of the body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The drug delivery device of claim 11, wherein the plunger comprises one pair of lift springs that engage the pair of notches on the body to secure the drug delivery device in a locked position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one internal guide rail. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The drug delivery device of claim 13, wherein the plunger comprises a slot to engage the guide rail of the body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method of manufacturing the drug delivery device of claim 1 wherein, the drug container is made using blow-fill-seal technology.