Abstract: A skin pricker has a barrel (1,11) in which a hammer (2,29) released by a trigger mechanism (32,34) can be shot forwards by a compressed spring (3,38) to impact on a lancet (24) and momentarily project its tip. The rear end of the spring acts against a barrier (4,39) adjustable axially of the barrel, so that the spring can be more or less compressed before release, causing the hammer to act with greater or lesser force on the lancet. The barrier (4,39) may have projections (6,8,42) that engage in skew slots (7,9,43) in the barrel, so that rotation of the barrier axially adjusts it. A sleeve (44) over the rear part of the barrel instrumental in priming the device may co-operate with the projections and be rotatable to set the desired spring force.

Abstract: A syringe (1) is moved bodily forward by a plunger (7) (after release of a spring 8) by acting through an O-ring pressing onto an enlarged head (16) of a syringe container (3), in order to expose the needle (5) of the syringe before the plunger acts on a plug (4) within the syringe to cause the liquid to be ejected through the needle. There is, therefore, a two-step movement of the plunger, firstly together with the syringe through the medium of the O-ring, and secondly within the syringe container to force the plug forward, when a ledge (12) on the syringe container (3) is arrested by a stop (14), whereupon the frictional force between the plunger and the O-ring is relieved so that the plunger slides forward through the O-ring.

Abstract: A pen injection device designed for use with dual or multi-chamber cartridges (14), is provided with an extended length plunger (24) having a non-drive portion (24?) on its forward end and the usual screw-threaded drive portion (24?) on its rearward end. This arrangement allows the plunger to be pushed forwardly whilst the dosing drive mechanism is disengaged to effect a reconstitution movement of the rearward bung (18?) in the cartridge. Thereafter the threaded portion on the plunger (24?) engages the drive mechanism to allow metered dosing.

Abstract: When a cover (10) of a syringe firing mechanism is pushed downwardly towards a housing (2) a flexible arm (12) is moved inwardly to release a trigger (8). This enables a drive member (6) to push down a plunger (5) of the syringe under the bias of a spring (7). When the injection is completed, release of the cover (10) causes the cover (10) to move back into contact with a corner of the drive member (6). A cam surface (15A) then pushes a flap (16) across, whilst bending a hinge (17), until the flap (16) enters the hollow interior of the drive member (6), thus enabling the syringe (1) to be withdrawn within the housing (2) under the bias of a spring (3).

Abstract: A skin pricking apparatus includes a casing 1, a lancet 19 located within the casing, and a firing mechanism 5,13,31 for causing a needle tip 22 of the lancet 19 to be driven through an opening 14 in the casing to prick the skin of a user. The firing mechanism including a mechanical interlock 6,27 which is released by substantially simultaneous external pressure applied separately to two spaced apart components 5,13 of the firing mechanism by a user.

Abstract: A skin pricking apparatus including a casing 1, a lancet 15 located within the casing, a firing button 9 arranged to transfer a user applied force to the lancet 15 to drive the lancet through the casing 1, and lancet retaining element 12, 13, 23a,b arranged to substantially prevent movement of the lancet 15 through the casing 1 until the user applied force exceeds a predefined threshold force.

Abstract: There is provided a lancet firing device comprising a projection, configured to project into an interior cavity of a lancet body when a lancet having a lancet body is loaded into the firing device; and means to grip an inner wall of the lancet body, the means being disposed on the projection.

Abstract: A blood sampling device designed to divert attention from the pain involved in the puncture of the skin tissue by increasing comfort when lancing the skin by affecting the sensation and perception of pain. Projections on the distal end of a skin pricker contact the skin surface to confuse the nerves in the area of the prick to make the prick less noticeable.

Abstract: When the injection device is applied to a patient's skin and a plunger is pressed, the entire syringe and a carrier move forwards in relation to a barrel such that ribs on the carrier snap past a rib on a shroud. The syringe is arrested by flanges coming up against the rib, and a spring is compressed and a needle is fully projected. Further pressing on the plunger ejects the dose. The needle shroud is kept at the rearward position by its firm engagement around the injection area. On withdrawal of the device, the shroud is pushed forwards by the spring to protect the needle. This draws fingers through gaps in the ribs, the fingers being forced to bend towards the fingers as the divergence takes effect.

Abstract: A pen-type injector for receiving a medication containing member. The injector comprises a housing 1 and a torsion spring 4 contained within the housing and coupled to a drive member 8. A dose setting knob 2 is coupled to the spring 4, and rotatably coupled to the housing 1 such that rotation of the knob relative to the housing in a first direction results in compression or twisting of the spring. A user actuable trigger 12 is provided for releasing the spring 4 to push the drive member 8 through the housing 1. A user actuable button 6 is coupled to the housing 1 for axial motion relative thereto, said button 6 being coupled to the torsion spring 4 to cause the spring to unwind or expand in discrete steps with each press of the button.

Abstract: A syringe holder is designed to be thrown away after a single use with the syringe safely captive within. The holder has a barrel (5) into whose rear end a syringe (1) is entered until the rear flange (2) of the syringe seats in a socket (15) . Then a gate (16) is hinged in a radial plane through a slot (14) in a thick flange (12) surrounding the socket (15) and snap fastens in a position obstructing rearward movement of the syringe (1) . The syringe needle (3) projects forwardly of the barrel and is shrouded by a sleeve (7) captive to the barrel and urged forwards by a spring (6).

Abstract: A lancet body (2) is integrally molded with a cap (3) for a firing device, the cap concealing the needle tip (5). the cap (3) can be used to insert the lancet (1), which is held while the cap is twisted off. The cap (3) is then fitted to the firing device to provide an apertured platform to be held against the skin and through which the needle tip (5) will momentarily project. The cap (3) has to be deformed to fit, and on being removed and recovering its natural shape internal lugs (14) catch hold of the released lancet (1) and remove that as well.

Abstract: A skin pricker has a barrel (1,11) in which a hammer (2,29) released by a trigger mechanism (32,34) can be shot forwards by a compressed spring (3,38) to impact on a lancet (24) and momentarily project its tip. The rear end of the spring acts against a barrier (4,39) adjustable axially of the barrel, so that the spring can be more or less compressed before release, causing the hammer to act with greater or lesser force on the lancet. The barrier (4,39) may have projections (6,8,42) that engage in skew slots (7,9,43) in the barrel, so that rotation of the barrier axially adjusts it. A sleeve (44) over the rear part of the barrel instrumental in priming the device may co-operate with the projections and be rotatable to set the desired spring force.

Abstract: A lancet body for a skin pricker has resiliently flexible fingers (9) with outwardly splayed tips (10). The device is fired by pressing a trigger (13) and a spring (5) urges the lancet forwards and the fingers (9) flex inwards as the tips (10) snap past barbs (11), so that the tips (10) of the arms (9) engage behind the barbs (11). If the user tries to push the lancet back into the cocked condition, the fingers (9) are trapped and will flex as the tips (10) press against the barbs (11) until the arms buckle and the tips (10) are pushed out through openings (14). Thus the lancet is arrested and immobilised before a re-cocked position is reached, and re-firing is prevented.

Abstract: A return spring arrangement for a lancet (6) is provided by a pair of undulating plastic webs (14) formed integrally with the lancet. The undulations of the two webs (14) are shown out of phase with one another. These webs (14) are flexible and thus are caused to concertina when the tips (15) of the webs hit the interior of a lancet holder on release of a drive spring. The energy stored within the collapsed webs (14) is then released to drive the lancet back within the lancet holder. This positive return of the lancet ensures that a needle (5) will retract safely into the lancet holder, after operation, and does not rely on the spring being locked into the lancet holder and onto the lancet.

Abstract: A skin pricker has a barrel (1,11) in which a hammer (2,29) released by a trigger mechanism (32,34) can be shot forwards by a compressed spring (3,38) to impact on a lancet (24) and momentarily project its tip. The rear end of the spring acts against a barrier (4,39) adjustable axially of the barrel, so that the spring can be more or less compressed before release, causing the hammer to act with greater or lesser force on the lancet. The barrier (4,39) may have projections (6,8,42) that engage in skew slots (7,9,43) in the barrel, so that rotation of the barrier axially adjusts it. A sleeve (44) over the rear part of the barrel instrumental in priming the device may co-operate with the projections and be rotatable to set the desired spring force.

Abstract: A syringe (1) is moved bodily forward by a plunger (7) (after release of a spring 8) by acting through an O-ring pressing onto an enlarged head (16) of a syringe container (3), in order to expose the needle (5) of the syringe before the plunger acts on a plug (4) within the syringe to cause the liquid to be ejected through the needle. There is, therefore, a two-step movement of the plunger, firstly together with the syringe through the medium of the O-ring, and secondly within the syringe container to force the plug forward, when a ledge (12) on the syringe container (3) is arrested by a stop (14), whereupon the frictional force between the plunger and the O-ring is relieved so that the plunger slides forward through the O-ring.

Abstract: When a cover (10) of a syringe firing mechanism is pushed downwardly towards a housing (2) a flexible arm (12) is moved inwardly to release a trigger (8). This enables a drive member (6) to push down a plunger (5) of the syringe under the bias of a spring (7). When the injection is completed, release of the cover (10) causes the cover (10) to move back into contact with a corner of the drive member (6). A cam surface (15A) then pushes a flap (16) across, whilst bending a hinge (17), until the flap (16) enters the hollow interior of the drive member (6), thus enabling the syringe (1) to be withdrawn within the housing (2) under the bias of a spring (3).

Abstract: A one-shot throwaway injection device has a barrel that houses a syringe initially in a retracted state held back by a trigger against a drive spring. Actuation of the trigger causes the syringe to be thrust forwards by the spring acting on its plunger until the needle is fully projecting, and then the dose is ejected by the final expansion of the spring. Release of the trigger allows a return spring to urge the syringe back and retract the needle. The barrel is a unitary plastics moulding of two longitudinally split halves hinged together with the trigger integrally formed with one of these halves. The other components and the syringe are positioned in one half which is then closed up and fastened to the other half to complete the barrel.