Abstract: A generally pen-like syringe incorporates a dose metering device provided by a cap 7 rotatable with respect to a pen body 8 to a position related to the dose of medicament (for example insulin) to be injected. The rotation compresses a coil spring 6, which is prevented from unwinding by cooperating ratchet teeth. When the dose is to be injected, a trigger slide 42 is moved to the left causing the ratchet teeth to come out of engagement. This permits the spring 6 to unwind, thereby rotating a drive sleeve 1, drive gear 3 and a drive plunger 2. The drive plunger 2 is formed with a quick pitch screw thread so that its rotational movement is accompanied by axial movement to cause medicament to be discharged from a cartridge and injected through a needle.

Abstract: An automatic lancet device comprising a housing with a recess in one side through which a mounting member can move to carry a lancet from a retracted to an operative position, and a finger guard through which or past which the lancet makes its finger piercing movement in use. The finger guard is provided with a stem dimensioned to be removably located in a recess in the housing. A displacement member is permanently mounted on the device and is movable from a first position to a second position to cause displacement of the finger guard from the recess, the displacement being achievable by actuation at a location remote from the finger guard.

Abstract: FIG. 2 shows a lancet device for performing a pricking operation. A barrel (36) is closed at one end by a finger guard plate (43) having a centrally positioned hole (42). Prior to use, the hole (42) is closed by a centrally disposed axially protruding spigot (54) found on the inside of a cap 40. In use, the cap is removed and the spigot (54) is inserted into the other end of the barrel (36) to bear against a shank 44 of a needle assembly 16 is secured to the periphery of a hole (46) in an end plate (48). A finger to be pricked is placed against the finger guard plate (43) and a thumb is placed over the cap (4) which is now located over the other end of the barrel from that shown in the drawing.Pressure between the thumb and finger causes the spigot (54) to break the attachment between the shank of the needle and the periphery of the hole (46) to allow the needle assembly to be projected through the barrel (36) under the force exerted by a compressed spring (16).

Abstract: A dose metering device for use with a syringe comprises a fixed screwthreaded member (17) which is either integral with or fixed in use to the cylinder (10) of the syringe and is in threaded engagement with a screwthreaded plunger (13) which can be rotated by a manually-rotatable cap (30) acting through a ratchet and pawl mechanism (32, 34) whose ratchet wheel (26) drives a driving rod (24) which is slidably keyed to the plunger (13). The plunger engages the piston or plug (11) of the syringe. A stop (42) limits rotation of the cap (30) which can be turned away from the stop through a variable angle to a selected angular position shown on a scale (39) of volumetric dose units, the pawl (32) overriding the ratchet teeth (34), to preset a dose to be expressed.

Abstract: A collector device for collecting, metering and holding a small sample of liquid, e.g. a drop of blood taken from a finger prick, comprises a vessel provided with an opening closed by a plug, and a screwthreaded cap having a protruding spigot which, when the cap is screwed fully onto the vessel, enters the opening and pushes the sliding plug down into the interior of the vessel. The plug is formed at its outer end with an outwardly facing recess, e.g. part-spherical, and the spigot is formed at its end which enters the opening with a tapering conical formation adapted to enter the recess. In use, with the cap removed the recess is filled with a quantity of liquid, the cap is then partly replaced to cause the spigot to abut the end of the plug so that its conical formation enters the recess and displaces excess liquid therefrom, trapping a metered sample of liquid of predetermined volume, less than the volume of the recess, in the space defined between the abutted ends of the plug and spigot.

Abstract: An automatic lancet device for use in pricking a patient's skin to yield a blood sample. The device comprises an arm pivoted at one end in a housing and protruding therefrom at its other end through an arcuate slot in the housing, the outer end of the arm being formed outside the housing as a carrier which will hold a replaceable mounted needle with its point projecting tangentially. The arm is spring-biassed in the angular direction corresponding to the direction in which the needle points, and can be held retracted against the spring means by a latch in the housing. When the latch is released the arm is swung forwardly by the spring means to effect a pricking operation. The spring is arranged to be slightly over-center with respect to the arm pivot when the arm is fully forward, to assist the recoil of the arm. A detachable finger rest is mounted in the housing, and includes a ring for resting on the patient's skin, so that the needle projects through the ring for pricking.