Abstract: An injection device for injection of a medicament from a medicament cartridge 40 is disclosed. The injection device comprises a main housing 4, a piston 50 and an end stop switch 52 in which access to the main body 4 for replacement of the medicament cartridge 40 may only be obtained when the piston 50 trips the end stop switch.

Abstract: A medicament delivery device is disclosed having dose dial means 6,8 to determine a quantity of medicament to be delivered. The medicament delivery device is also provided with selection means to select whether the quantity of medicament to be delivered is determined as a multiple of a first quantum of units or as a multiple of a second quantum of units.

Abstract: An injection device for injection of a dose of a medicament from a medicament cartridge is disclosed. The injection device of the present invention comprises a main housing 4 having an electronic control unit, a cover detection switch 28, and a display panel 10 operative selectively to indicate to the user information relevant to the user. The display panel 10 has an active state in which information is provided to the user and an inactive state in which no information is provided. A cap or cover 6 adapted to cover one end of the main housing 4 of the injection device is provided. When the presence of the cap 6 is detected, the electronic control unit switches the display panel 10 to an active state for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for an injection device is disclosed in which piston means are selectively driven to expel medicament from within a medicament cartridge. The drive mechanism comprises a drive means (170) associated with a firs ratchet means (178), a second ratchet means (174) associated with the piston means (180), a housing (176), the first ratchet means (178) and the second ratchet means (174) being disposed within the housing (176). The second ratchet means (174) are biassed by biassing means (182) towards the first ratchet means (178). The drive means (170) is actuable reciprocally to drive the first ratchet means (178) in a first angular direction such that the first ratchet means (178) drives the second ratchet means (174) along its longitudinal axis against the biassing means (182) along at least a part of its movement and subsequently drives the first ratchet means (178) and the second ratchet means (174) together in a second angular direction thereby to drive the piston means (180).

Abstract: An injection device having a drive mechanism 42 to expel selectively a dose of medicament from a medicament cartridge 40 through a needle unit 22 is disclosed. The injection device further comprises an electronic control unit to control the drive mechanism 42, and a dispense button 18 to generate a dispense button signal to the electronic control unit indicative of the dose to be expelled in which an arm button 16 causes a first arm button signal to be sent to the electronic control unit to permit the dose to be expelled.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for an injection device is disclosed in which piston means are selectively driven to expel medicament from within a medicament cartridge. The drive mechanism comprises a drive means (270), first means (278) associated with the drive means, second gear means (274) being moveable between a first position in wich only movement along its longitudinal axis is permitted and a second position in which the second gear means (274) is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis, the piston means (280) being associated with the second gear means (274), a housing (276) within which the first gear means (278) and the second gear means (274) are constrained for movement, and biassing means (282) located between the housing (276) and a second gear means (274) to bias the second gear means (274) to the first position.

Abstract: An injection device for injection of a medicament from a medicament cartridge 40 having a neck portion is disclosed. The injection device further comprises a main housing 4 in which the medicament cartridge 40 is releasably retained by first and second retaining means 92,94. The retaining means 92,94 are each moveable between a first position in which the neck portion is engaged thereby to retain the medicament cartridge 40 in the main housing 4 and a second position which allows the medicament cartridge 40 to be removed from the main housing 4.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for an injection device is disclosed in wich piston means 306 are selectively driven to expel medicament from within a medicament cartridge 40. A drive mechanism for controlling the movement of the piston means is described comprising a housing 302, a shuttle 300 located for movement within the housing 302 along a longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, and drive means to move the shuttle 300 within the housing 302. A gear component 304 is located within the housing 302 for rotation about the longitudinal axis and associated with the piston means 306, movement of the shuttle 300 between each of the first and the second positions causing movement of the piston means 306.

Abstract: An injection device for injection of a medicament from a first medicament cartridge (40) is disclosed. The injection device comprises a drive mechanism (42) for selectively dispensing the medicament from the first medicament cartridge (40), a dial dose mechanism (12, 14) by which a user may determine a required dose of medicament to be dispensed, an electronic control unit for controlling the operation of the drive mechanism (42) in response to the dial dose mechanism (12, 14) and a display panel (10).

Abstract: An injection device (2) having a drive mechanism (42) to expel selectively a dose of medicament from a medicament cartridge (40) through a needle arrangement is disclosed. The injection device (2) also comprises a processor to control the drive mechanism (42), a dispense button (18) to generate a signal to the processor to cause the medicament to be expelled and a priming detector to detect a predetermined orientation of the injection device. When the predetermined orientation is detected the processor will only actuate the drive mechanism (42) to expel a small amount of medicament.

Abstract: Method for measuring friction in a hair sample, comprising: (a) providing a friction member; (b) drawing it through the hair, generating a frictional noise signal; and (c) capturing the signal by a noise sensor. Device suitable for use in said method, comprising comb means having a plurality of tines and a noise sensor arranged to capture frictional noise generated by passage of comb means through the hair. System for assessing the level of damage in a hair sample, comprising: (a) defining hair categories; (b) associating with each category a standard trace representative of the frictional noise signal generated when a standard sample in that category is subjected to said method; (c) assigning the sample to one of the categories; (d) carrying out said method on the sample; (e) visually displaying the frictional noise signal generated as a trace; (f) and comparing the sample's trace with the standard trace associated with the category.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament injection apparatus. It is desirable following injection of a medicament to wait a short time before withdrawing the needle unit from the patient to allow injected medicament to disperse within the patient to reduce the risk of some of the injected medicament escaping through the needle wound and so not being dispersed into the patient as desired. This problem is particularly acute where a patient uses the apparatus to self-administer a dose since, where this waiting period is indicated to a user, the waiting period is a set time independent of whether the size of the dose to be injected. The user often feels that for a small dose it is not as important to leave the needle unit within the body for the full waiting period and so does not allow the waiting period properly to elapse.

Abstract: Many of those having diabetes take a combination of slow and fist acting types of insulins It is important that the different forms of medicament do not become confused. To this end, a medicament cartridge is provided comprising a sleeve having a bottleneck provide g a flange at a first end, a fluid moveable membrane secured across the first end by a metal cap beaded beneath the flange, and a displaceable piston located internally of the sleeve wards a second end of the slam a collar located against an external periphery of the cartridge housing beneath the flange and an adapter top press fit over the cap and the collar, the adapter top being provided with means to act upon the collar thereby to T the adapter top on the sleeve.

Abstract: A person having diabetes will often be required to take both slow acting and fast acting forms of insulin. It is important to be able to distinguish readily between medicament cartridges containing different medicaments. The present invention enables a user to distinguish readily between medicament cartridges containing different medicaments. A medicament cartridge and adaptor top assembly is provided, the medicament cartridge comprising a cylinder having a bottleneck provided with a flange at a first end, a fluid impermeable membrane covering the first end, a cap beaded under the flange to retain the fluid impermeable membrane in place, and a piston displaceably located within a second end of the cylinder, and the adaptor top comprising a sleeve having a body portion and a tapered portion, the tapered portion being provided with a smaller diameter end, the smaller diameter end being located beneath the cap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament injection apparatus, particularly suitable for use by those with diabetes in which, in use, once a desired dosage of medicament has been selected and expelled from the medicament cartridge into the body of the patient, the injected medicament is allowed to disperse locally from the injection site within the patient's body before the needle arrangement is removed from the patient's body. It is considered to be a problem that in known medicament injection devices the injection interval, that is the time elapsed since a previous injection, is measured following completion of a delivery stroke rather than from dispersion of the injected medicament. A medicament injection device is disclosed in which the time elapsed following an injection operation is calculated from the end of a predetermined period during which medicament is permitted to disperse subsequent to completion of an injection stroke.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament injection apparatus that permits injection of a fluid medicament into a patient through a needle. If the needle is withdrawn before the injected medicament has properly dispersed locally from the injection site within a patient, the injected medicament may escape through the needle wound and not be dispersed into the patient. Unfortunately, it is common for a user to become impatient and withdraw the needle when the user feels a suitable dispersal period has elapsed. Often the waiting period determined by the user is less than the required period for dispersal of the medicament resulting in the problem identified. A medicament injection apparatus is disclosed comprising a timer and a display, the timer being actuated upon commencement of an injection operation, in which the timer runs to a predetermined time subsequent to completion of the injection operation and the display is operated while the timer runs.

Abstract: A person having diabetes will often be red to take both slow acting and fast acting forms of insulin. It is important to be able to distinguish readily between medicament cartridges containing different medicaments. The present invention enables more ready distinction as between medicament cartridges containing different medicaments.

Abstract: Many of those having diabetes take a combination of slow and fast acting types of insulin. It is important that the different forms of medicament do not become confused and that the patient does not receive the incorrect medicament. In combination a medicament delivery apparatus and a medicament cartridge are provided, the medicament delivery apparatus including at least one switch and the medicament cartridge comprising a cartridge housing within which a medicament is provided, a displaceable piston located internally at one end of the housing and a raised ring of material about an external periphery of the medicament cartridge, the ring of material being of sufficient dimensions, in use, to trip the at least one switch of the medicament delivery apparatus.

Abstract: Sample collection apparatus is provided which allows for fast, accurate, repeatable sample collection, particularly of blood and saliva samples. This apparatus is adapted to interconnect with a device designed to carry out analyte detection. Kits comprising the sample collection apparatus are also provided.