Abstract: A plunger, a needle assembly and a retractable syringe comprising same are provided. The plunger comprises a plunger member and a plunger outer having a lock spring that prevents or impedes movement of the plunger member after needle retraction. The plunger further comprises another locking member for engaging the barrel to prevent or impede further movement of the plunger outer after delivery of fluid contents. The plunger member has a plunger seal which engages a retractable needle of the needle assembly for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula and needle body with a plurality of fluid channels that co-operate with a fluid conduit of the plunger seal to efficiently direct fluid to the cannula. A needle retainer comprises a plurality of barbed arms releasably coupled to the needle body, whereby an ejector with tabs facilitates release of the retractable needle from the needle retainer to allow compressed spring-driven retraction.

Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable syringe comprising a barrel and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. A mounting member is removably mountable to the barrel by way of a screw-thread connection and a needle mount is removably coupled to the mounting member. A needle is mounted to the needle mount. The barrel comprises a needle mount retainer that comprises a plurality of fingers that engage the retractable needle mount to prevent inadvertent retraction. The plunger comprises a collapsible seal which maximizes the efficiency of fluid delivery prior to the plunger engaging the retractable needle mount for retraction. An initially compressed spring decompresses to drive retraction of the plunger and the engaged needle mount. A lock formed between the plunger and barrel prevents further use of the plunger after retraction.

Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for an automatic injector includes a first actuation spring, a first actuation pill, a second actuation spring, and a second actuation pill. In an initial configuration the first actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state substantially within an upper portion of first actuation pill and the second actuation spring resides in a compressed, energized state between the first actuation pill and the second actuation pill. An automatic injector includes a housing, an activation mechanism, an actuation mechanism, and a syringe cartridge having a plunger and a needle assembly. A retractable syringe may be utilized as a syringe cartridge, such as a prefilled retractable syringe with integrated safety features which retract the needle after use. The automatic injector may be utilized to inject the needle, deliver a drug treatment, and activate retraction of the needle. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

Abstract: A retractable syringe, plunger and releasable needle retaining assembly are provided. The retractable syringe typically has a glass barrel and is prefilled with fluid contents before use. The releasable needle retaining system comprises a retractable needle, a needle seal, a retaining member and an ejector member that is operable to release the retractable needle from the retaining member. The retaining member has a mating surface for mounting to a complementary mating surface of an interior wall of a syringe barrel. The plunger comprises a plunger outer, a plunger rod frangibly connected to a controlling member, a spring and a unitary plunger seal capable of engaging the retractable needle, wherein the plunger rod, plunger outer and the controlling member co-operate to releasably maintain the spring in an initially compressed state. After delivery of fluid contents of the syringe, the plunger forces the ejector member to release the retractable needle from the retaining member.

Abstract: A retractable syringe (11) and plunger (20) therefore are provided, whereby the plunger comprises a controlling means (62) which facilitates control of the rate of retraction of the retractable needle. By controlling the rate of needle retraction, the likelihood of blood spattering is reduced, thereby improving the user-friendliness and appeal of the retractable syringe. Typically, the syringe is a prefilled syringe. Following plunger depression, a symmetrical ejector member (92) releases the retractable needle (40) from a retaining member (30) to thereby allow retraction of the retractable needle. Needle retraction is facilitated by a biasing means (70), such as a spring or other compressible and/or de-compressible device. The plunger comprises a plunger housing (21), in which is located the controlling means. The controlling means may be a pneumatic air space (324) inside the plunger housing which automatically acts against the retracting needle to thereby control or regulate the rate of retraction.

Abstract: A retractable syringe (10) and plunger (20) therefore are provided, the syringe having a barrel (20), a retractable needle mount (40) to which is mounted or is mountable a needle (11), and a plunger (80), the plunger comprising an initially compressed spring (60), a means for engaging the retractable needle mount, an integrally formed plunger seal (22) and a removable controlling means (70) for facilitating control of the rate of retraction of needle mount when engaged with plunger. The needle mount is held in the barrel by a holding means which prevents inadvertent retraction of the needle mount when the plunger is withdrawn to fill the syringe. The holding means comprises a plurality of clips (196A, 196B, 196C) that may be integrally formed with the barrel or may be present on a cap mounted to the barrel.

Abstract: A syringe (10) has a plunger (20), a barrel (11) and a collar (40, 50) with two pawls (42A, 42B). The plunger has two opposed ratchets (23A, 23B) that align with the one each of the pawls and thereby or impede, withdrawal of the plunger during or following depression of the plunger. The barrel has a collar with an inner (50) and an outer member (40) that are incapable of rotation relative with respect to each other. The outer member has the two pawls (42A, 42B) and two fingers that slidably engage opposed guide slots (28) on the plunger to thereby prevent or minimize rotation of the plunger relative to the collar. The inner member of the collar is operable to prevent engagement of the plunger ratchet by the two pawls until the plunger is depressed.

Abstract: A spring retainer (60) for a syringe (10) that has a barrel (40), a plunger (20), a spring (90) and a retractable needle (50) that can couple with the plunger for spring-driven retraction of the coupled needle and plunger. The spring retainer has first (70) and second (80) body members that cooperate to releasably maintain the spring in a compressed state until the plunger is coupled to the retractable needle after depression of the plunger to deliver the fluid contents of the syringe. Depression of the plunger triggers rotational disengagement of the first and second body members to allow decompression of the spring which forces retraction of the needle into the barrel. Rotational disengagement of the first and second body members also assists rotation of the plunger into a final, inoperable position.

Abstract: A retractable syringe includes a barrel, a collar mounted to the barrel, a retraction spring and a needle mount. The plunger includes a first plunger member and a second plunger member that are releasably coupled to initially compress the spring. The second plunger member further includes a seal to prevent fluid leakage between plunger and barrel. After depression of the plunger to deliver the syringe fluid contents, the first plunger member engages the needle mount with needle attached thereto and is rotatably uncoupled from the second plunger member to allow decompression of the retraction spring, which forces retraction of the first plunger member, needle mount and needle engaged therewith. The first plunger member and the collar include elements that co-operatively disable subsequent depression or withdrawal of the plunger. Following retraction of the first plunger member, the second plunger member and seal prevent refilling and re-use of the syringe.

Abstract: A syringe is provided which comprises a barrel (11) and a needle sheath (30) slidably located within the barrel, a plunger (20) with a plunger seal (23), a needle, a needle sheath (30) and a sheath seal (50), arranged so that depression of the plunger forces the needle sheath to move into a position where it covers or at least partly encloses the needle after delivery of fluid contents of the syringe. The needle sheath may be manually actuated or may be actuated by decompression of a spring. The syringe may further comprise a plunger disabling means operable to impede, prevent or otherwise hinder withdrawal of the plunger during or following depression of the plunger. The syringe may be a pre-filled syringe or a syringe which is filled by a user.

Abstract: A syringe is provided which comprises a barrel (11) and a needle sheath (30) slidably located within the barrel, a plunger (20) with a plunger seal (23), a needle, a needle sheath (30) and a sheath seal (50), arranged so that depression of the plunger forces the needle sheath to move into a position where it covers or at least partly encloses the needle after delivery of fluid contents of the syringe. The needle sheath may be manually actuated or may be actuated by decompression of a spring. The syringe may further comprise a plunger disabling means operable to impede, prevent or otherwise hinder withdrawal of the plunger during or following depression of the plunger. The syringe may be a pre-filled syringe or a syringe which is filled by a user.

Abstract: A retractable syringe, plunger and releasable needle retaining assembly are provided. The retractable syringe typically has a glass barrel and is prefilled with fluid contents before use. The releasable needle retaining system comprises a retractable needle, a needle seal, a retaining member and an ejector member that is operable to release the retractable needle from the retaining member. The retaining member has a mating surface for mounting to a complementary mating surface of an interior wall of a syringe barrel. The plunger comprises a plunger outer, a plunger rod frangibly connected to a controlling member, a spring and a unitary plunger seal capable of engaging the retractable needle, wherein the plunger rod, plunger outer and the controlling member co-operate to releasably maintain the spring in an initially compressed state. After delivery of fluid contents of the syringe, the plunger forces the ejector member to release the retractable needle from the retaining member.

Abstract: A retractable syringe (10) and plunger (20) therefore are provided, the syringe having a barrel (20), a retractable needle mount (40) to which is mounted or is mountable a needle (11), and a plunger (80), the plunger comprising an initially compressed spring (60), a means for engaging the retractable needle mount, an integrally formed plunger seal (22) and a removable controlling means (70) for facilitating control of the rate of retraction of needle mount when engaged with plunger. The needle mount is held in the barrel by a holding means which prevents inadvertent retraction of the needle mount when the plunger is withdrawn to fill the syringe. The holding means comprises a plurality of clips (196A, 196B, 196C) that may be integrally formed with the barrel or may be present on a cap mounted to the barrel.

Abstract: A retractable syringe (11) and plunger (20) therefore are provided, whereby the plunger comprises a controlling means (62) which facilitates control of the rate of retraction of the retractable needle. By controlling the rate of needle retraction, the likelihood of blood spattering is reduced, thereby improving the user-friendliness and appeal of the retractable syringe. Typically, the syringe is a prefilled syringe. Following plunger depression, a symmetrical ejector member (92) releases the retractable needle (40) from a retaining member (30) to thereby allow retraction of the retractable needle. Needle retraction is facilitated by a biasing means (70), such as a spring or other compressible and/or de-compressible device. The plunger comprises a plunger housing (21), in which is located the controlling means. The controlling means may be a pneumatic air space (324) inside the plunger housing which automatically acts against the retracting needle to thereby control or regulate the rate of retraction.

Abstract: A retractable, single use syringe (10) comprises a barrel (20), a collar (60) mounted to the barrel, a retraction spring (70), a needle mount (40) located at a needle end (23) of the barrel and a plunger (30). The plunger comprises a first plunger member (31) and a second plunger member (33) that are releasably coupled to co-operatively maintain the retraction spring in an initial compressed state. The second plunger member (33) further comprises a seal (34) to prevent fluid leakage between plunger (30) and barrel (20). After depression of the plunger to deliver the fluid contents of the syringe, the first plunger member (31) engages the needle mount (40) with needle (12) attached thereto and is rotatably uncoupled from the second plunger member (33) to allow decompression of the retraction spring (70), which forces retraction of the first plunger member (31), needle mount (40) and needle (12) engaged therewith.

Abstract: A syringe (10) has a plunger (20), a barrel (11) and a collar (40, 50) with two pawls (42A, 42B). The plunger has two opposed ratchets (23A, 23B) that align with the one each of the pawls and thereby or impede, withdrawal of the plunger during or following depression of the plunger. The barrel has a collar with an inner (50) and an outer member (40) that are incapable of rotation relative with respect to each other. The outer member has the two pawls (42A, 42B) and two fingers that slidably engage opposed guide slots (28) on the plunger to thereby prevent or minimize rotation of the plunger relative to the collar. The inner member of the collar is operable to prevent engagement of the plunger ratchet by the two pawls until the plunger is depressed.

Abstract: A syringe is provided which comprises a barrel (11) and a needle sheath (30) slidably located within the barrel, a plunger (20) with a plunger seal (23), a needle, a needle sheath (30) and a sheath seal (50), arranged so that depression of the plunger forces the needle sheath to move into a position where it covers or at least partly encloses the needle after delivery of fluid contents of the syringe. The needle sheath may be manually actuated or may be actuated by decompression of a spring. The syringe may further comprise a plunger disabling means operable to impede, prevent or otherwise hinder withdrawal of the plunger during or following depression of the plunger. The syringe may be a pre-filled syringe or a syringe which is filled by a user.

Abstract: A single use retractable syringe (1) comprises a hollow barrel (2), a needle (3) engaged with a first end (4) of the hollow barrel (2) and a plunger (5) slideably disposed in the hollow barrel (2). Corresponding interlocking portions (6,7) are provided on the plunger (5) and needle (3) and are engageable only when radially aligned. The syringe (1) is provided with means for rotating the plunger (5) relative to the needle (3) from an orientation where the corresponding interlocking portions (6,7) are radially non-aligned on an initial depression of the plunger (5) toward the hollow barrel first end (4) to expel air to an orientation where the corresponding interlocking portions (6,7) are radially aligned on a subsequent depression of the plunger (5) to dispense fluid from the hollow barrel (2), thereby enabling the corresponding interlocking portions (6,7) to engage and retract the needle (3) into the hollow barrel (2) on a subsequent retraction of the plunger (5) away from the first end (4) following use.