Patch-like infusion device

A drug delivery device, comprising:

• a body having a surface placeable on the skin of a patient, the body having a needle opening on the surface and a reservoir disposed therein for containing a medicament;
• an injection needle for penetrating the skin of a patient, the needle providing a path for the medicament between the reservoir and the patient, and being selectively movable between a first position, in which a part of the needle is contained within the body, and a second position, in which a part of the needle protrudes from the body through the needle opening;
• and
• safety means for automatically moving the needle from the second position to the first position, and for covering the needle opening upon removal of the device from the skin of the patient;
• wherein:
• the safety means comprises:
• a safety member;
• a biasing mechanism biasing the safety member toward the needle opening upon activation of the device;
• a blocker movably connected to the body for selectively preventing movement of the safety member toward the needle opening prior to deployment of the safety means;
• a covering portion adapted to cover the needle opening;
• and
• a blocking portion;
• movement of the safety member to a covered position covering the needle opening retracts the needle within the body and prevents the needle from protruding through the needle opening;
• the blocker includes a blocker post extending therefrom for selectively engaging the safety member to prevent movement of the safety member toward the needle opening prior to deployment of the safety means;
• the blocker post engages the blocking portion to prevent movement of the safety member toward the needle opening prior to deployment of the safety means;
• and
• an external surface of the blocker comprises a blocker adhesive, such that upon removal of the body from the patient, interaction between the blocker adhesive and the patient displaces the blocker away from the body, thereby disengaging the blocker post from the blocking portion and permitting the safety member to move toward the needle opening.

A safety mechanism for a drug delivery device including a body having a surface placeable on the skin of a patient and a needle opening, a reservoir disposed in the body for containing a medicament, and an injection needle for penetrating the skin of a patient, the needle providing a path for the medicament between the reservoir and the patient, and being selectively movable between a first position, in which a part of the needle is contained within the body, and a second position, in which a part of the needle protrudes from the body through the needle opening, the safety mechanism comprising:

• a safety member movable within the body from a pre-deployed position to a covered position covering the needle opening and preventing the needle from protruding through the needle opening;
• a biasing mechanism biasing the safety member toward the covered position upon activation of the drug delivery device;
• and
• a blocker removably connected to the body for selectively preventing movement of the safety member toward the covered position prior to deployment of the safety mechanism;
• wherein movement of the safety member to the covered position retracts the needle within the body.

A safety mechanism for a drug delivery device including a body having a surface placeable on the skin of a patient and a needle opening on the surface, a reservoir disposed in the body for containing a medicament, and an injection needle for penetrating the skin of a patient, the needle providing a path for the medicament between the reservoir and the patient, and being selectively movable between a first position, in which a part of the needle is contained within the body, and a second position, in which a part of the needle protrudes from the body through the needle opening, the safety mechanism comprising:

• a safety member movable within the body from a pre-deployed position to a covered position covering the needle opening and preventing the needle from protruding through the needle opening;
• a biasing mechanism biasing the safety member toward the covered position upon activation of the drug delivery device;
• and
• a blocker movably connected to the body for selectively preventing movement of the safety member toward the covered position prior to deployment of the safety mechanism;
• wherein movement of the safety member to the covered position retracts the needle within the body;
• wherein the blocker includes a blocker post extending therefrom for selectively engaging the safety member to prevent movement of the safety member toward the covered position prior to deployment of the safety mechanism;
• wherein the safety member comprises:
• a covering portion adapted to cover the needle opening;
• and
• a blocking portion;
• wherein the blocker post engages the blocking portion prior to deployment of the safety mechanism to prevent movement of the safety member toward the covered position;
• and
• wherein an external surface of the blocker comprises an adhesive, such that upon removal of the drug delivery device from the patient, interaction between the adhesive and the patient displaces the blocker away from the body, thereby disengaging the blocker post from the blocking portion and permitting the safety member to move toward the covered position.