# US 2023/0405237 A1 · Drug Delivery System, and Barrier Apparatus and Pull Tab Therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0405237 A1 - Document ID: US20230405237A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/033,858 - Filed: 2021-10-26 - Published: 2023-12-21 - Earliest claimed: 2020-10-27 - Assignees: Becton, Dickinson and Company - Applicants: Becton, Dickinson and Company - Inventors: Steven Zebrowski; Eric Clasen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230405237A1 ## CPC - A61M 5/14244: {adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body} - A61M 5/3204: {Needle cap removers, i.e. devices to dislodge protection cover from needle or needle hub, e.g. deshielding devices} - A61M 5/1626: {Needle protectors therefor (in combination with syringes A61M5/3202; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61M 5/3287: {Accessories for bringing the needle into the body; Automatic needle insertion (A61M5/20, A61M5/31525 take precedence)} - A61M 2005/14252: {with needle insertion means} - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - 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 A drug delivery system is for injecting a medicament. The drug delivery system includes a housing, a needle having a sharp, and a barrier apparatus. The sharp is configured to move into and out of the housing. The barrier apparatus has a barrier configured to protectively surround at least the sharp of the needle, and a pull tab. The pull tab includes a connecting portion connected to the barrier, a gripping portion located apart from the connecting portion and at least partially external with respect to the housing, and a body portion extending between the connecting portion and the gripping portion. The body portion has a flexible portion for reducing strain on the barrier. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drug delivery system for injecting a medicament, the drug delivery system comprising: a housing; a needle having a sharp, the sharp being configured to move into and out of the housing; and a barrier apparatus comprising: a barrier configured to protectively surround at least the sharp of the needle, and a pull tab comprising: a connecting portion connected to the barrier, a gripping portion disposed apart from the connecting portion and at least partially external with respect to the housing, and a body portion extending between the connecting portion and the gripping portion, wherein the body portion has a flexible portion for reducing strain on the barrier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drug delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible portion is more flexible than the connecting portion and the gripping portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The drug delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the flexible portion extends from at or about the connecting portion to at or about the gripping portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The drug delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the flexible portion is a segmented tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The drug delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the flexible portion is a webbed portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The drug delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the flexible portion is a coiled portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The drug delivery system according to claim 3, wherein the flexible portion is a stretchable straight segment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The drug delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion has a base having a first diameter; and wherein the connecting portion has a second diameter less than the first diameter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The drug delivery system according to claim 8, wherein the gripping portion further comprises a protrusion and a frusto-conical shaped portion extending between the base and the protrusion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The drug delivery system according to claim 8, wherein the body portion has a third diameter less than the first diameter and the second diameter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The drug delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a removal component, the gripping portion attached to the removal component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The drug delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a cylindrical-shaped surface and an internal ledge extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical-shaped surface; wherein the needle extends through the internal ledge; and wherein the internal ledge engages the needle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The drug delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises an elongated portion and a generally planar portion extending from the elongated portion of the barrier and being disposed generally perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the needle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The drug delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a removal component having a serrated portion, wherein the gripping portion is attached to the removal component by the serrated portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The drug delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises an elastomeric sleeve for maintaining the sterility of the needle. ### Claim 16 A barrier apparatus for a drug delivery system, the drug delivery system comprising a housing and a needle having a sharp, the sharp being configured to move into and out of the housing, the barrier apparatus comprising: a barrier configured to protectively surround at least the sharp of the needle; and a pull tab comprising: a connecting portion connected to the barrier, a gripping portion disposed apart from the connecting portion and configured to be disposed at least partially external with respect to the housing, and a body portion extending between the connecting portion and the gripping portion, wherein the body portion has a flexible portion for reducing strain on the barrier. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The barrier apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the barrier and the pull tab are a unitary component made from one single piece of material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The barrier apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the connecting portion is connected to the barrier by a press-fit mechanism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The barrier apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the barrier is substantially enclosed by the connecting portion of the pull tab. ### Claim 20 A pull tab for a barrier apparatus of a drug delivery system, the barrier apparatus comprising a barrier, the pull tab comprising: a connecting portion configured to be connected to the barrier; a gripping portion disposed apart from the connecting portion; and a body portion extending between the connecting portion and the gripping portion, wherein the body portion has a flexible portion for reducing strain on the barrier.