Abstract: An injection device is provided. The device includes a housing having a first end defining a first opening. A plunger is received within the first opening of the housing to move between first and second positions. A cartridge is disposed in the housing and has an interior serving as a reservoir for a drug. A delivery needle is disposed within the housing and is in fluid communication with the reservoir via an interruptible fluid channel. A locking mechanism is disposed in the housing. In the first position of the plunger the delivery needle is enclosed by the plunger and in the second position of the plunger the delivery needle is placed in an injection position and the plunger activates the locking mechanism whereby when the plunger returns to the first position the locking mechanism prevents the needle from being placed in the injection position.

Abstract: A method of fusing a component to a sterilized storage or delivery device formed of a cyclic olefin polymer which includes forming the storage or delivery device from a cyclic olefin polymer, forming a second member or component having at least a surface layer formed of the second polymer, wherein the Hansen relative energy distance Ra/Ro of the second polymer relative to the cyclic olefin polymer is equal to or less than 0.7, applying the second member to the storage or delivery device, and heating the assembly to the sterilization temperature, thereby causing the second polymer to chemically interact with the cyclic olefin polymer, fusing the second component to the storage or delivery device. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a medical container, such as a vial, wherein the vial is formed of a cyclic olefin polymer and the cap, closure or collar is formed of a second polymer heat fused to the vial or container.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a needle cannula having a five-beveled point and a needle shield formed of a styrene block poly(ethylene/butylene) thermoplastic elastomer which significantly reduces needle penetration force and may reduce the cycle time for gas sterilization. The multi-beveled needle cannula point includes a primary bevel, a pair of tip bevels and a pair of middle bevels each intermediate the primary bevel and a respective tip bevel, wherein the angles of rotation of the primary bevel and the intermediate bevels are substantially equal resulting in reduced heights of intercepts between the bevels, therby reducing needle penetration force. The needle shield maintains the sharpness of the needle cannula during application, sterilization and removal of the shield and it is believed that the needle shield will also reduce the cycle time of gas sterilization as compared to rubber needle shields and vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomers.