# US 12,109,397 B2 · Auto-injection device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,397 B2 - Document ID: US12109397B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/809,398 - Filed: 2017-11-10 - Published: 2018-03-08 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-15 - Assignees: Shl Medical AG - Applicants: Shl Medical AG - Inventors: Anders Holmqvist; Hsueh-Yi Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109397B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/20: Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically (A61M5/142 takes precedence) - A61M 5/24: Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or cartridges, e.g. automatic - A61M 5/31: Details - A61M 5/3202: {Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps (A61M5/50 takes precedence; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61M 5/2033: {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 2005/2407: {from the rear} - A61M 2005/244: {by flexible clip} - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M 2209/00: Ancillary equipment - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - 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)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention relates to an autoinjector device (10) for use in combination with a syringe (30), said syringe comprising a movable plunger; a needle; and a tubular needle shield (34). The claimed autoinjector device (10) comprises: an elongated housing having a proximal (11) and a distal end (12); a drive mechanism; a syringe holder (40) in order to support the fragile syringe and to prevent damage to the syringe. The invention furthermore relates to a method for assembly of the autoinjector device according to the invention. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: axially inserting a syringe into a syringe carrier via a distal open end of the syringe carrier, the syringe comprising a barrel, a neck extending proximally from the barrel, a needle extending proximally from the neck, and a rigid needle shield covering the needle, and the syringe carrier comprising an elongate body having a slot extending distally from a proximal end of the elongate body to form a c-shaped proximal end region and a plurality of projections extending radially inward from the c-shaped proximal end region; axially advancing the syringe within the syringe carrier such that the rigid needle shield slides along the plurality of projections of the c-shaped proximal end region of the syringe carrier, causing the c-shaped proximal end region of the syringe carrier to flex radially outward; and further axially advancing the syringe within the syringe carrier until a distal end of the rigid needle shield is proximal to the plurality of projections, allowing the c-shaped proximal end region of the syringe carrier to rebound radially inward such that the plurality of projections are disposed in a gap formed between the rigid needle shield and the barrel of the syringe. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections contacts a proximal end of the barrel of the syringe when the c-shaped proximal end region of the syringe carrier has rebounded radially inward. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the contact of the plurality of projections and the proximal end of the barrel of the syringe restricts proximal axial movement of the syringe relative to the syringe carrier. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the c-shaped proximal end region of the syringe carrier, after rebounding radially inward, restricts proximal axial movement of the syringe relative to the syringe carrier. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate body and the plurality of projections are integrally formed with one another. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein axially inserting the syringe into the syringe carrier via the distal open end of the syringe carrier comprises sliding the syringe through a collar at a distal end of the elongate body of the syringe carrier. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the slot extends from the proximal end of the elongate body approximately to the collar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections has a distally-facing contoured surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the distally-facing contoured surface of each of the plurality of projections is configured to accommodate a distal portion of the neck of the syringe. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of projections has a proximally-facing planar surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the proximally-facing planar surface of each of the plurality of projections is configured to abut a distal end of the rigid needle shield of the syringe. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections comprises a plurality of semi-annular projections. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid needle shield has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the barrel of the syringe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid needle shield has an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter defined by the plurality of projections when the c-shaped proximal end region of the syringe carrier is in an unflexed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid needle shield has an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter defined by the plurality of projections when the c-shaped proximal end region of the syringe carrier is rebounded radially inward. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate body of the syringe carrier defines a window for allowing visual access to the barrel of the syringe when the syringe is in the syringe carrier. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the syringe contains medicament. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the syringe comprises a flange. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the flange is spaced distally from the distal open end of the syringe carrier when the syringe is fully inserted in the syringe carrier. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the flange comprises a first portion that extends radially outward a first distance in a first direction and a second portion that extends radially outward a second distance in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, the first distance being greater than the second distance. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the distal open end of the syringe carrier comprises a first radial protrusion that aligns with the first portion of the flange when the syringe is inserted in the syringe carrier.