# US 11,998,725 B2 · Auto injector with automatic rigid needle shield remover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,725 B2 - Document ID: US11998725B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/282,005 - Filed: 2019-10-07 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-05 - Assignees: Phillips-Medisize A/S - Applicants: Phillips-Medisize A/S - Inventors: Bjarne Sørensen; Esben Weldingh Johansen; Jan Olesen; Jørgen Funder Rasmussen; Emil Wegger Jensen; Søren Koch Bechmann; Lucile Daul - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998725B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/3204: {Needle cap removers, i.e. devices to dislodge protection cover from needle or needle hub, e.g. deshielding devices} - A61M 5/20: Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically (A61M5/142 takes precedence) - A61M 5/2053: {Media being expelled from injector by pressurised fluid or vacuum (for infusion A61M5/145, A61M5/155)} - A61M 5/24: Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or cartridges, e.g. automatic - A61M 5/28: Syringe ampoules or carpules, i.e. ampoules or carpules provided with a needle - A61M 5/31505: {Integral with the syringe barrel, i.e. connected to the barrel so as to make up a single complete piece or unit} - A61M 5/31576: {Constructional features; Drive mechanisms or modes for piston rods} - A61M 5/31578: {the piston rod being moved by the axial movement of a component directly in contact with it} - A61M 5/3158: {the component being manually operated or triggered by an axially moving actuator operated by user, e.g. an axially movable injection button} - A61M 5/3202: {Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps (A61M5/50 takes precedence; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61M 5/3216: {Caps placed transversally onto the needle, e.g. pivotally attached to the needle base} - A61M 5/2033: {Spring-loaded one-shot injectors with or without automatic needle insertion (multishot dosing syringes A61M5/31525, needle insertion only A61M5/3287)} - A61M 5/206: {with automatic needle insertion} - A61M 5/2422: {using emptying means to expel or eject media, e.g. pistons, deformation of the ampoule, or telescoping of the ampoule} - A61M 5/3243: {being axially-extensible, e.g. protective sleeves coaxially slidable on the syringe barrel (devices for protecting guide needles in combination with catheters A61M25/0612)} - A61M 2005/2013: {triggering of discharging means by contact of injector with patient body} - A61M 2005/2073: {preventing premature release, e.g. by making use of a safety lock} - A61M 2005/208: {Release is possible only when device is pushed against the skin, e.g. using a trigger which is blocked or inactive when the device is not pushed against the skin} - A61M 2005/2411: {from the front} - A61M 2005/2418: {comprising means for damping shocks on ampoule} - A61M 2005/2433: {Ampoule fixed to ampoule holder} - A61M 2005/2492: {via snap connection} - A61M 2005/31588: {electrically driven} - A61M 2205/12: with interchangeable cassettes forming partially or totally the fluid circuit - A61M 2205/121: interface between cassette and base - A61M 2205/123: with incorporated reservoirs - A61M 2205/13: with means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. lip sensor - A61M 2205/14: Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus - A61M 2205/3327: Measuring - A61M 2205/42: Reducing noise - 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)} ## Abstract An auto injector for delivery of a medicament is disclosed. The auto injector comprises a housing, a syringe holder configured to receive a syringe; a first drive module adapted to move the syringe holder relatively to the housing; and a rigid needle shield remover comprising a first part adapted for separating a rigid needle shield from the syringe. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An auto injector for delivery of a medicament within a syringe, the syringe including a syringe compartment extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the syringe compartment containing the medicament, a hollow needle in fluid connection with the proximal end of the syringe compartment, a rigid needle shield connected to the proximal end of the syringe compartment and covering the hollow needle, a stopper movable from a distal position to a proximal position inside the syringe compartment by a plunger rod moving the stopper proximally, the auto injector extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the auto injector comprising: a housing; a syringe holder configured to receive the syringe; a first drive module adapted to move the syringe holder relatively to the housing; and a rigid needle shield remover comprising a first part adapted for being positioned between the rigid needle shield of the syringe and the proximal end of the syringe compartment of the syringe, wherein when the first part is positioned between the rigid needle shield and the proximal end of the syringe compartment, the rigid needle shield can be separated from the proximal end of the syringe compartment upon relative movement between the syringe holder and the rigid needle shield remover, wherein the syringe holder, the first drive module, and the rigid needle shield remover are comprised inside the housing, and wherein the rigid needle shield remover comprises at least two arms, each arm extending from a distal end to a proximal end, the at least two arms each pivotally attached to the auto injector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1, further comprising a piston acting as the plunger rod, the piston being positioned inside the housing possibly extending outside the housing at a distal end of the plunger rod. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1 further comprising a first spring adapted for moving the syringe holder proximally for insertion of the hollow needle of the syringe. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The auto injector according to claim 3 further comprising an activation button adapted for releasing the first spring such that the syringe holder containing the syringe is moved proximally for insertion of the hollow needle of the syringe. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The auto injector according to claim 4, wherein the activation button is positioned outside the housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The auto injector according to claim 4, wherein the activation button is positioned inside the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1, further comprising a second drive module adapted for moving the plunger rod proximally for the delivery of the medicament. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The auto injector according to claim 7, wherein the second drive module is an electrical motor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1, wherein the first drive module is further adapted for moving the plunger rod proximally for the delivery of the medicament. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1, wherein the first drive module is configured for moving the syringe holder distally from a primary position to a secondary position, wherein in the secondary position the first part of the rigid needle shield remover is positioned between the rigid needle shield of the syringe and the proximal end of the syringe compartment of the syringe. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The auto injector according to claim 10, wherein the first drive module is configured for moving the syringe holder further distally from the secondary position to a tertiary position, wherein in the tertiary position the rigid needle shield of the syringe is configured to be loosened from the syringe compartment of the syringe. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The auto injector according to claim 11, wherein during the movement of the syringe holder from the secondary position to the tertiary position, the rigid needle shield remover is not moving. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The auto injector according to claim 11, wherein the rigid needle shield remover supports the rigid needle shield of the syringe in the tertiary position thereby preventing the rigid needle shield remover from being separated from the syringe before a user manually removes it. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The auto injector according to claim 11, wherein the rigid needle shield in the tertiary position extends 5-15 mm out of the housing for easy manually removal by a user. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The auto injector according to claim 11, wherein the first spring is adapted for moving the syringe holder proximally from the tertiary position to a quaternary position for insertion of the hollow needle of the syringe. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The auto injector according to claim 15, further comprising a second drive module adapted for moving the plunger rod proximally for the delivery of the medicament, and wherein the first drive module or the second drive module is moving the plunger rod proximally for the delivery of the medicament when the syringe holder is in the quaternary position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The auto injector according to claim 16, wherein the first drive module is further configured for moving the syringe holder distally from the quaternary position to a quinary position after delivery of the medicament, wherein the syringe is removable from the auto injector in the quinary position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The auto injector according to claim 17, wherein the quinary position and the first position are the same. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The auto injector according to claim 18, wherein the quinary position and the tertiary position are the same. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1, further comprising a rigid needle shield sensor adapted for detecting if the rigid needle shield is attached to the syringe. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The auto injector according to claim 20, wherein the rigid needle shield sensor is connected to the rigid needle shield remover, the syringe holder, or the syringe. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The auto injector according to claim 21, wherein a distal end of the rigid needle shield sensor is connected to the syringe holder and a proximal end of the rigid needle shield sensor is in contact with the rigid needle shield when the rigid needle shield is connected to the syringe. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The auto injector according to claim 20, wherein the rigid needle shield sensor comprises a spring loaded rotatable arm and an electronic switch, wherein the rotatable arm is in a depressed position when the rigid needle shield is connected to the syringe, and wherein the rotatable arm is in the depressed position interacts with the electronic switch thereby allowing electronics to detect a presence of the rigid needle shield. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The auto injector according to claim 20, wherein the rigid needle shield sensor is a first rigid needle shield sensor, the rigid needle shield has a length, and further comprising one or more additional rigid needle shield sensors adapted for detecting if the rigid needle shield is attached to the syringe at one or more different locations along the length of the rigid needle shield compared to the first rigid needle shield sensor. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The auto injector according claim 1, further comprising comprises a syringe sensor adapted for detecting when a syringe is positioned in the syringe holder. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The auto injector according to claim 25, wherein the syringe sensor is positioned inside the housing. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1 further comprising a rigid needle shield remover holder positioned inside the housing, wherein a distal end of the needle shield remover is pivotally attached to the rigid needle shield remover holder. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The auto injector according to claim 27, wherein the rigid needle shield remover holder is movable in a longitudinal direction relatively to the housing. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The auto injector according to claim 27, wherein the rigid needle shield remover holder is an integrated part of the housing. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The auto injector according to claim 27, wherein the distal ends of the at least two arms of the needle shield remover are pivotally attached to the auto injector or to the rigid needle shield remover holder. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) The auto injector according to claim 27, wherein a middle position between the distal ends and the proximal ends of each of the at least two arms of needle shield remover is pivotally attached to the auto injector or to the rigid needle shield remover holder. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1, wherein the rigid needle shield remover comprises a second part adapted for supporting the rigid needle shield when it has been separated from the syringe compartment. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1, further comprising one or more arms springs and wherein the rigid needle shield remover comprises at least two arms, wherein the one or more arms springs pushes the at least two arms centrally at the proximal end of the at least two arms. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The auto injector according to claim 33, further comprising a rigid needle shield sensor adapted for detecting if the rigid needle shield is attached to the syringe, and wherein the rigid needle shield sensor is adapted for detecting angular rotation of the at least two arms towards each other. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The auto injector according to claim 33, wherein the one or more arms are substantially linear. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) The auto injector according to claim 33, wherein the one or more arms are L-shaped. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1 further comprising a skin sensor at the proximal end of the auto injector, the skin sensor being longitudinally displaceable relatively to the housing. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The auto injector according to claim 37, wherein the skin sensor covers the hollow needle of the syringe after insertion. ### Claim 39 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1, wherein the first drive module is an electrical motor. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The auto injector according to claim 39, wherein the electrical motor of the first drive module is the only motor in the auto injector. ### Claim 41 (depends on 1) The auto injector according to claim 1 further comprising a syringe comprising: a syringe compartment extending from a proximal to a distal end, the syringe compartment containing the medicament; a hollow needle in fluid connection with the proximal end of the syringe compartment; a rigid needle shield connected to the proximal end of the syringe compartment and covering the hollow needle; and a stopper movable from a distal position to a proximal position inside the syringe compartment. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The auto injector according to claim 41, wherein the syringe further comprises the plunger rod connected to the distal end of the syringe compartment. ### Claim 43 (depends on 41) The auto injector according to claim 41, wherein the syringe further comprises the plunger rod connected to the distal end of the syringe compartment, and further comprising a piston moving the plunger rod proximally for delivery of medicament.