WO2018068958A1

WO2018068958A1 - Needle shield with reduceable needle hole

Info

Publication number: WO2018068958A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/072495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Flemming Madsen; Jørgen RASMUSSEN; Søren BECHMANN; Niels Skovby RAHBEK; Andreas Hou CHRISTENSEN
Original assignee: H. Lundbeck A/S
Priority date: 2016-10-11
Filing date: 2017-09-07
Publication date: 2018-04-19

Abstract

Disclosed is an auto injector, a cartridge and a syringe casing. The syringe casing comprises a main body configured for receiving a syringe containing a medicament. The main body has a front end with a front end opening for allowing passage of a needle attached to the syringe. The syringe casing comprises a cover element having a cover part and a cover opening. The cover element is movable relative to the front end between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position the cover part covers at least a portion of the front end opening and the cover opening and the front end opening forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of the needle.

Description

NEEDLE SHIELD WITH REDUCEABLE NEEDLE HOLE

The present disclosure relates to a needle shield, such as a needle shield for a cartridge for an auto injector, such as an electronic auto injector. A cartridge and an auto injector comprising a needle shield are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

Hypodermic syringes are widely used to deliver fluids to the body. It is known to have hypodermic syringes applicable for manual operation. However, auto injectors have been developed and are widely used to aid the administering of fluid or medicaments to the body.

Hygiene and cross contamination are important issues in the field of medical devices, such as auto injectors. Especially devices which, upon usage, may be subject to body fluids provide risks of transferring diseases between patients and between patients and health care providers. Therefore, to prevent contamination from one patient to another, many devices, instruments, and other items in the health care domain are single use. However, technology has provided technical devices including components of high value, and therefore, from a costs perspective, it may be desirable that such devices are not to be thrown away after a single use. Auto injectors in particular are becoming increasingly more and more advanced, and therefore it may be undesirable if such auto injectors are to be thrown away after a single use.

In providing a device, such as an auto injector, to be used a multiple number of times and/or for multiple patients, it is essential that the risk of cross contamination between patients and between patients and health care providers is reduced or eliminated. It is therefore of high interest that body fluid from a first user is not potentially transferred to a second user and/or a third user.

A potential risk in the use of hypodermic syringes is the risk of accidental needle injuries, e.g. caused by an accidental contact with the sharp tip of the needle.

Therefore, emphasis has been put on protecting the needle and especially the tip of the needle, such that only the predetermined injection site comes in contact with the needle tip. Subsequent to use, it is of particular interest that the needle tip is protected, and that accidental needle injuries are avoided. SUMMARY

There is a need for an auto injector, such as an electronic auto injector, a related cartridge for an auto injector, and/or a related syringe casing for a cartridge, which reduce the risk of accidental needle injuries. Especially, there is a need for an auto injector and related cartridge and/or syringe casing which reduce or eliminate the risk of accidental needle injuries in the process of discarding the needle.

The present disclosure provides a cartridge which is simple and therefore may be disposable, and an auto injector that may be usable for multiple injections. As it may be used multiple times, the auto injector may comprise more advanced features.

Accordingly, a syringe casing is provided, such as a syringe casing for an auto injector and/or for a cartridge for an auto injector. The syringe casing comprises a main body and a cover element.

The main body is configured for receiving a syringe containing a medicament. The main body has a front end with a front end opening for allowing passage of a needle attached to the syringe.

The cover element has a cover part and a cover opening. The cover element is movable relative to the front end between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position the cover part covers at least a portion of the front end opening and the cover opening and the front end opening forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of the needle.

Also disclosed is a cartridge for an auto injector. The cartridge comprises a syringe and a syringe casing.

The syringe comprises a compartment configured for containing a medicament. The syringe has a first syringe end and a second syringe end. The syringe has a syringe opening for fluid communication with the compartment at the first syringe end. The syringe comprises a first stopper movable inside the compartment at least in a first stopper direction from the second syringe end towards the first syringe end. The syringe is configured to expel medicament through the syringe opening.

The syringe casing comprises a main body being configured for receiving the syringe. The main body has a front end with a front end opening for allowing passage of a needle attached to the syringe opening. The syringe casing comprises a cover element having a cover part and a cover opening. The cover element is movable relative to the front end between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position the cover part covers at least a part of the front end opening and the cover opening and the front end opening forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of the needle.

Also disclosed is a system comprising an auto injector and a cartridge comprising a syringe containing a medicament.

The auto injector comprises a housing, a receiving part configured for receiving the cartridge, and an operational module configured for interacting with the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a syringe and a syringe casing.

The syringe casing comprises a main body being configured for receiving the syringe. The main body has a front end with a front end opening for allowing passage of a needle attached to the syringe opening. The syringe casing comprises a cover element having a cover part and a cover opening. The cover element is movable relative to the front end between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position the cover part covers at least a portion of the front end opening and the cover opening and the front end opening forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of the needle.

It is envisaged that any embodiments or elements as described in connection with any one aspect may be used with any other aspects or embodiments, mutatis mutandis. For example, the cartridge disclosed in relation to the system may be the cartridge as also disclosed. The syringe casing disclosed in relation to the system and/or in relation the disclosed cartridge may be the syringe casing as also disclosed.

It is an advantage of the present disclosure that a needle and/or needle tip may be securely protected. Especially in situations where manufacturing processes or other circumstances necessitate an opening which is not in compliance with needle protection.

It is a further advantage of the present disclosure that a cartridge may be provided by frontloading of a syringe into a syringe casing. It is an even further advantage of the present disclosure that it provides needle protection in situations where a syringe is fitted with a cap not able to fit through a hole which fulfils the requirements for needle protection.

It is an even further advantage of the present disclosure that after use, the needle may be enclosed in a body to prevent accidental user interactions with the needle and/or needle tip. This furthermore provides a cartridge which may be safely discarded after use.

The main body of the syringe casing may comprise a tube part. The tube part may extend along a tube axis. The syringe may be movable relative to the main body, e.g. along the tube axis. The syringe casing may comprise an inner body attachable to the syringe. The tube part may enclose the inner body. The inner body may be movable relative to the main body, e.g. along the tube axis. Movement of the syringe relative to the main body may be effected by the inner body being movable relative to the main body.

The tube part may be configured for enclosing the needle when the syringe is in a retracted position, such as a fully retracted position. The tube part may be configured to prevent contact with the needle from the side of the needle, e.g. perpendicularly to a needle axis and/or the tube axis, e.g. when the syringe is in the retracted and/or fully retracted position.

The front end of the main body of the syringe casing and/or the cover element of the syringe casing and/or the cover part of the cover element of the syringe casing may be configured to prevent contact with the needle, e.g. towards a needle tip of the needle, e.g. when the syringe is in the retracted and/or fully retracted position.

The syringe casing may comprise a locking element. The locking element may be configured for preventing the syringe and/or inner body from moving towards the front end when the inner body and/or the syringe is in a locked position. The locked position may be the retracted position and/or the fully retracted position.

When the cover element is in the second position, the cover part and/or the cover element may be configured to prevent contact with the needle.

The covered main body opening formed by the front end opening and the cover opening allow passage of the needle. For example, the needle may pass through the covered main body opening upon insertion of the needle into tissue of the user. The covered main body opening may be configured such that a user is not able to come in contact with the needle through the covered main body opening, when the needle is retracted or enclosed in the tube part. For example, the covered main body opening may fulfil a predetermined criterion, such as a criterion as determined by a standard for sharps protection, such as ISO 23908-201 1 .

The predetermined criterion may specify features of the covered main body opening, such as shape and/or size of the covered main body opening. For example, the covered main body opening may be oval and/or round and/or triangular and/or rectangular.

The predetermined criterion may include that a diameter, such as an inscribed diameter of the covered main body opening, such as a covered main body opening diameter, does not exceed twice the distance from the surface of the front part to the needle tip, e.g. when the syringe is retracted and/or fully retracted, and/or the needle is enclosed in the tube part. For example, when the syringe is in the retracted position and/or fully retracted position and/or locked position, the needle tip may be positioned more than 1 mm from the cover element, such as more than 2 mm from the cover element, such as more than 4 mm from the cover element. For example, the needle tip of the needle may be positioned 6 mm or more than 6 mm from the cover element when the inner body is in the locked position and/or the retracted position and/or the fully retracted position. Thus, the needle tip may be positioned between 1 mm and 6 mm from the cover element, such as from an outer side of the cover element.

The predetermined criterion may include that the diameter of the covered main body opening, such as the covered main body opening diameter, is 12 mm and/or less than 12 mm, such as less than 6 mm, such as less than 4 mm, such as less than 3 mm, such as less than 2 mm.

The front end opening may have a front end opening diameter, such as an inscribed diameter of the front end opening. The cover opening may have a cover opening diameter, such as an inscribed diameter of the front end opening. The cover opening diameter may be smaller than the front end opening diameter. Thereby the size of the covered main body opening provides a reduction of the size of the opening when the cover element is in the second position. The cover opening diameter may be 12 mm and/or smaller than 12 mm.

The front end opening diameter may be larger than 12 mm. A large front end opening, such as an opening with a diameter larger than 12 mm, may necessitate incorporation of the cover element to provide a needle protection which complies with international standards.

The cover element may be movable between a first position and a second position, and in at least the second position, the cover part may cover at least a portion of the front end opening so that the cover opening and the front end opening forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of the needle.

In the first position the cover part may not cover the portion of the front end opening. In the second position the cover part does cover the portion of the front end opening.

The cover element may be disconnected from the main body, e.g. prior to use. The cover element may be attached to the main body by the user. For example the cover element may be attached to the main body and positioned in the second position by the user just prior to use.

The cover element may be attached to the main body. Having the cover element attached to the main body provides for fewer loose parts and increased usability. The cover element may be movably attached to the main body. The cover element may be hingedly, pivotably, slidably, and/or rotatably attached to the main body.

The front end opening may be provided in a front end plane. The cover element may be configured to rotate between the first position and the second position about a hinge axis. The hinge axis may be in the front end plane. The hinge axis may be

perpendicular to the tube axis.

The syringe casing may comprise a cover lock adapted to lock the cover element in the second position. The cover lock may be configured to permanently lock the cover element in the second position. The cover lock may provide increased safety, since the cover element cannot be repositioned to the first position and thus may not be repositioned to a position which may provide access to the needle tip and increase the risk of needle injuries. The cover lock may be a snap lock.

The syringe casing may comprise a removable sheet. The removable sheet may cover at least a part of a cover surface of cover element. The removable sheet may be configured for removal before abutment of the cover element to a user's skin, e.g. a patient's skin. The removable sheet may be configured for providing a sterile front surface for abutment to the user's skin.

Providing the syringe casing with a removable sheet may provide that the surface abutted to the patient's skin is sterile. Upon insertion of the cartridge into the auto injector, the front end may be touched by the user, e.g. by the health care provider and/or the patient, e.g. the front end may be contaminated. However, providing a removable sheet, which is removed after insertion of the cartridge into the auto injector, the front end itself has not been contaminated. This reduces the risk of infections to the patient when inserting a needle.

The syringe comprises a compartment configured for containing the medicament. The syringe has a first syringe end and a second syringe end. The syringe has a syringe opening for fluid communication with the compartment at the first syringe end. A stopper, such as the first stopper, may limit the compartment in the second end whereas the compartment in the first end may be limited by the syringe opening. Thus, the compartment may be confined by compartment walls of the syringe, the stopper, such as the first stopper, and the syringe opening.

The compartment of the syringe may contain the medicament. The medicament may be a fluid and/or a liquid. The medicament may be an aqueous solution, e.g. saline. The medicament may comprise a first medicament component and/or a second medicament component. The compartment may contain the first medicament component and the second medicament component.

The first medicament component and/or the second medicament component may be a powder composition. The first medicament component and/or the second medicament component may be a fluid composition, such as a liquid composition. The first medicament component may be a powder composition and the second medicament component may be a fluid composition, e.g. water or ethanol. The first medicament component may be a solute. The second medicament component may be a solvent.

The syringe may be a multi chamber syringe, e.g. the compartment of the syringe may comprise a plurality of compartment parts. For example, the syringe may be a dual chamber syringe, e.g. the compartment of the syringe may comprise a first

compartment part and a second compartment part. Each of the plurality of

compartment parts may comprise a medicament component. For example, the first compartment part may contain the first medicament component. The second compartment part may contain the second medicament component, or vice versa.

Compartment parts may be divided by a stopper, such as a second stopper and/or a third stopper. For example, the syringe may comprise a second stopper between the first syringe end and the first stopper. The second stopper may divide the compartment into a first compartment part and a second compartment part. The second stopper may be movable inside the compartment, e.g. at least in the first stopper direction. The first stopper direction may be along a stopper axis. The stopper axis may be parallel or coinciding with the tube axis.

The compartment may comprise one or more bypass sections, such as a middle bypass section and/or a front bypass section. Bypass sections may provide fluid communication between compartment parts when a stopper is positioned in the bypass section. For example, when the second stopper is positioned in the middle bypass section, the first compartment part may be in fluid communication with the second compartment part.

In some embodiments, the first medicament component and the second medicament component may not need to be physically separated. Thus, providing a plurality of medicament components does not require the compartment to be divided into a plurality of compartment parts.

It is envisaged that the medicament may be any medicament being injectable via a syringe, for example after reconstitution of the medicament. The present device is generally useful for administration of a drug which is injected as a suspension.

The medicament may be a suspension, e.g. a liquid, such as water or an aqueous solution, comprising solid particles of one or more compound(s). The solid particles may be evenly distributed in the liquid. When a medicament is administered as a suspension, the solid particles typically comprise the active ingredient of the medicament, or the main part of the active ingredient. The risk of tissue damage on injection or injection site pain depends on factors such as choice of active ingredient and particle size. The mean particle size of the active ingredient (or other non- dissolved components) can be below 100 μιη, such as 0.5 μιη - 100 μιη, such as 0.5 μιη - 50 μιη, such as 1 μιη - 10 μιη. "mean particle size" refers to volume mean diameter as may be measured by laser-light scattering methods (LLS). Particle size may be measured by LLS methods and mean particle size may be calculated from the particle size distribution. Suspensions can be prepared from a poorly soluble compound and/or compounds, e.g. a compound with a solubility below 0.1 mg/ml in the liquid.

The medicament or an active ingredient of the medicament may comprise a poorly soluble medicament component, such as a medicament component having solubility in the solvent of less than 0.1 mg/ml. A reusable auto injector, such as the disclosed auto injector, may be especially useful when the syringe comprises more than one compartment or more than one chamber. For example an auto injector for a multi compartment or multi chamber syringe may be more advanced, and therefore it may be beneficial to allow the auto injector to be used more than one time. For example, the auto injector may provide automated processes for mixing medicament components, such as for mixing medicament components initially provided in different compartments of the syringe.

The auto injector may be configured for specific medication and/or specific patients. The auto injector may provide increased possibility for injecting the medicament in certain patients, such as in schizophrenic patients.

The auto injector typically comprises a housing, a receiving part configured for receiving the cartridge, and an operational module configured for interacting with the cartridge. The operational module of the auto injector is configured for interacting with the cartridge and/or the syringe of the cartridge, such as configured for interacting with the cartridge and/or the syringe of the cartridge when the cartridge and/or syringe are received in the receiving part of the auto injector. The operational module may be configured for moving a stopper of the syringe, e.g. the first stopper of the syringe, and/or the operational module may be configured for moving the syringe, e.g. relative to the main body. The operational module may be configured for moving the first stopper at least in the first stopper direction, e.g. to expel medicament through the syringe opening, and/or to advance the medicament towards the first end of the syringe.

The operational module may comprise a stopper operational part. The stopper operational part may be configured for moving a stopper, such as the first stopper, the second stopper, the third stopper, etc. The stopper operational part may be configured for moving the first stopper at least in the first stopper direction, e.g. to expel medicament through the syringe opening, and/or to advance the medicament towards the first end of the syringe.

The operational module may comprise a syringe operational part. The syringe operational part may be configured for moving the syringe, e.g. along the tube axis. The syringe operational part may be configured for moving a carrier of the operational module. The carrier of the operational module may be attachable to the syringe. The syringe operational part may be configured for moving the syringe to advance a needle of the syringe and/or attached to the syringe, e.g. to insert the needle into tissue of the patient. Alternatively or additionally, the syringe operational part may be configured for moving the syringe to mix a plurality of medicament components, e.g. to obtain a mixed medicament. For example, the syringe operational part may be configured for moving the syringe to mix a first medicament component and a second medicament component to obtain a mixed medicament.

The operational module may comprise a driver and/or a plurality of drivers, such as a stopper driver and/or a syringe driver. The driver(s) may be configured to drive one or more operational part(s) of the operational module. For example, the stopper driver may be configured to drive the stopper operational part and/or the syringe driver may be configured to drive the syringe operational part.

The driver(s), such as the stopper driver and/or the syringe driver, may be a motor, such as an electro-mechanical motor, such as a DC motor, e.g. a DC motor with or without brushes. For example, the stopper driver may be a brushed DC motor and/or the syringe driver may be a brushless DC motor. A brushless DC motor may be preferred due to higher durability of a brushless DC motor. Especially for the syringe driver, a brushless DC motor may be preferred due to many and/or rapid movements performed by the syringe driver. Brushed DC motors are generally cheaper than brushless DC motors. Therefore brushed DC motor may be preferred from a cost perspective. A brushed DC motor may be preferred for the stopper driver.

The auto injector may comprise a processing unit. The processing unit may be connected to the operational module. The processing unit may be configured to operate the operational module, such as the syringe operational part and/or the stopper operational part and/or the stopper driver and/or the syringe driver.

A user of the present disclosure may be a health care provider and/or a patient. There may be a plurality of users of the present disclosure, such as a first user and/or a second user and/or a third user. A patient may be a user of the device, e.g. the first user and/or the third user. A health care provider may be a user of the device, e.g. the second user.

In some embodiments the syringe may be manufactured with an attached needle. For example, the needle may be fixedly attached to the syringe. In other embodiments the syringe and the needle may be manufactured separately, and the user, e.g. a health care provider, may attach the needle before use.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may include shapes which are not circular. Unless otherwise indicated, a "diameter" of a non-circular shape is the greatest distance between two points on the boundary of the shape. Reference to an "inscribed diameter" indicates the diameter of a circle drawn inside the shape without exceeding the boundary of the shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary syringe casing,

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary cartridge,

Fig. 3 a-c schematically show an exemplary syringe casing comprising a main body,

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of an exemplary cartridge,

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary syringe,

Fig. 6 a-c schematically illustrates an exemplary cartridge,

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates an exemplary cartridge,

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates an exemplary cartridge,

Fig. 9 a-b show front views of an exemplary syringe casing,

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates an exemplary system,

Fig. 1 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary operational module for an auto injector,

Fig. 12 a-h schematically show a step by step procedure of using an exemplary

system, and

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates an exemplary system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary syringe casing 2 for an auto injector. The syringe casing 2 comprises a main body 4. The main body 4 has a tube part 6 and a front end 10.

The tube part 6 extends along a tube axis 500. The tube axis 500 may be a longitudinal axis of the tube part 6 and/or of the syringe casing 2. The tube part 6 is configured for receiving a syringe containing a medicament. The tube part 6 has a tube part outer perimeter 8 in a first tube plane perpendicular to the tube axis 500.

The front end 10 has a front end opening 12. The front end 10 has a front end outer perimeter 14 in a second tube plane perpendicular to the tube axis 500.

The front end outer perimeter 14 circumscribes an area larger than an area

circumscribed by the tube part outer perimeter 8.

Fig. 1 further depicts the syringe casing 2 comprising an optional inner body 16. The inner body 16 is attachable to the syringe (not shown). The tube part 6 encloses the inner body 16, or at least a part of the inner body 16. The inner body 16 is movable relative to the main body 4. In the example depicted, the inner body 16 is movable relative to the main body 4 along the tube axis 500.

In another exemplary syringe casing (not shown) the inner body 16 may be omitted and the tube part 6 may be attachable to the syringe.

Fig. 1 further depicts the syringe casing comprising a removable sheet 20. The removable sheet 20 covers a front surface of the front end 10 and is configured for removal before abutment of the front end 10 to a user's skin, e.g. a patient's skin. The front surface 22 is visible in Fig. 2. In the example depicted in Fig. 1 , the removable sheet 20 completely covers the front surface 22. However, in other embodiments, the removable sheet may cover a part of the front surface 22. The removable sheet 20 may ensure that the front surface 22 of the front end 10 is maintained sterile until removal of the removable sheet 20, thereby reducing risk of infection, e.g. infection carried from an operator of the device to the patient.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary cartridge 200 for an auto injector. The cartridge 200 comprises a syringe casing 2, as described in relation to Fig. 1 , and a syringe 100. In the example depicted, the syringe comprises a needle 1 16 with a needle tip 124. The needle 1 16 may be a hypodermic needle, and the needle tip 124 may be adapted for penetrating skin and insertion into body tissue, such as muscle tissue and/or adipose tissue. The front end opening 12 of the front end 10 allows for passage of the needle 116. The syringe 100 may be fitted with the needle 1 16, or the needle 1 16 may be removably attached to the syringe 100.

The tube part 6 and the front end 10 furthermore provides for a needle protection after use, where the syringe 100 is retracted relative to the tube part 6, such that the needle 1 16 is enclosed in the tube part 6. The front end opening 12 may have a size which prevents contact with the needle tip 124, e.g. according to relevant industry standards, such as the ISO 23908-201 1 , when the syringe 100 is in a fully retracted position, such as in a locked position. For example, the covered main body opening diameter, e.g. the inscribed diameter of the main body opening, may be smaller than 2 times the distance to a needle tip of a needle attached to the syringe, when the syringe is in a retracted position, such as in a locked position.

Fig. 3a schematically shows an exemplary syringe casing 2 comprising a main body 4. The main body 4 comprises a tube part 6 and a front end 10. The tube part 6 extends along the tube axis 500, and a first tube plane 506 perpendicular to the tube axis 500 and a second tube plane 508 perpendicular to the tube axis 500 are depicted. The first tube plane and/or the second tube plane may form an angle with the tube axis 500 of between 70 and 1 10 degrees.

Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c shows the syringe casing 2 of Fig. 3a as seen in the first tube plane 506 and the second tube plane 508, respectively. Fig. 3b shows the tube part 6, and illustrates the tube part outer perimeter 8 in the first tube plane 506. Fig. 3c shows the front end 10 of the main body 4, and illustrates the front end outer perimeter 14 in the second tube plane 508. It is seen in Fig. 3b and 3c that the front end outer perimeter 14 circumscribes an area 15 larger than the area 9 circumscribed by the tube part outer perimeter 8.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of an exemplary cartridge 200 for an auto injector. The cartridge 200 comprises a syringe casing 2 and a syringe 100. The syringe casing 2 comprises a main body 4 and an inner body 16. The main body 4 has a tube part 6 and a front end 10.

The syringe casing 2 comprises an optional cover element 24. The cover element 24 has a cover part 26 and a cover opening 28. The cover element 24 is movable relative to the front end 10 between a first position and a second position. In the example depicted, the cover element 24 is in the first position. In the second position (not shown), the cover part 26 covers at least a portion of the front end opening, and the cover opening 28 and the front end opening 12 forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of a needle, e.g. a needle attached to the syringe 100. The removable sheet 20 as described in relation to Fig. 1 may be configured to cover at least a part of a cover surface 40 of the cover element 24, and/or the removable sheet 20 may be configured to completely cover the cover surface 40 of the cover element 24. When the cover part 26 is in the second position, the cover surface 40 may form the front surface 22 of the front end 10 as described in relation to other figures, e.g. Fig. 1 .

The syringe casing 2 comprises an optional locking element 18. In the depicted example, the inner body 16 comprises the locking element 18. The locking element 18 is configured for preventing the inner body 16 from moving towards the front end 10, when the inner body 16 is in a locked position, e.g. in a fully retracted position.

The syringe 100 comprises a first syringe end 104 and a second syringe end 106. The syringe 100 may comprise an optional syringe cap 140 at the first syringe end 104. The syringe cap 140 may be removable, and provided for protection of the medicament contained in the syringe. For example, the syringe cap 140 may be configured for covering a syringe opening of the syringe 100. The cover element 24 of the syringe casing 2 provides needle protection in situations where the syringe 100 is fitted with a syringe cap 140, and therefore is not able to fit through an opening which fulfils the requirements for needle protection. Furthermore, the cover element 24 enables the syringe 100 to be front loaded into the syringe casing 2, where after the cover element 24 may be used to reduce the size of the opening to fulfil requirements for needle protection.

As depicted in Fig. 4, both syringe 100 and the syringe casing 2, such as the main body 4, the tube part 6, and/or the inner body 16, may extend along the same longitudinal axis, e.g. the tube axis 500. Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary syringe 100. The syringe 100 may be attached to a syringe casing 2 as described in relation to other figures. The syringe 100 comprises a compartment 102 configured for containing a medicament 126. In the depicted example, the syringe 100 is a dual chamber syringe and the medicament 126 is comprised by a first medicament component 128, e.g. a powder or cake composition, and a second medicament component 130, e.g. a fluid or a liquid component. In other embodiments, the medicament 126 may be a single component and/or the syringe 100 may be a single chamber syringe or the syringe 100 may have a plurality of chambers higher than two.

The syringe 100 has a first syringe end 104 and a second syringe end 106. The syringe 100 extends along a syringe axis 530 between the first syringe end 104 and the second syringe end 106. The syringe has a syringe opening 108 at the first syringe end 104. The syringe opening 108 provides fluid communication with the compartment 102. The syringe 100 is configured to expel the medicament 126 through the syringe opening 108. The syringe 100 comprises an optional first syringe channel 1 10, and the syringe 100 is configured to expel the medicament 126 through the first syringe channel 1 10. The syringe opening 108 is a syringe opening of the first syringe channel 1 10.

The syringe 100 comprises a first stopper 1 12 movable inside the compartment 102. The first stopper 1 12 is movable at least in a first stopper direction 502 from the second syringe end 106 towards the first syringe end 104.

The syringe 100, as depicted, furthermore comprises an optional second stopper 1 14 between the first syringe end 104 and the first stopper 1 12. The second stopper 1 14 is movable inside the compartment 102. The second stopper 1 14 is movable at least in a second stopper direction 504. As depicted, the second stopper direction 504 may be the same direction as the first stopper direction 502. The second stopper divides the compartment 102 into a first compartment part 134 and a second compartment part 136. The first compartment part 134 contains the first medicament component 128. The second compartment part 136 contains the second medicament component 130. The compartment 102 furthermore comprises a middle bypass section 138. The middle bypass section 138 provides the possibility for fluid communication between the first compartment part 134 and the second compartment part 136, thereby providing that the first medicament component 128 may be combined with the second medicament component 130. When the second stopper 1 14 is positioned in the middle bypass section 138, the first compartment part 134 is in fluid communication with the second compartment part 136. In embodiments wherein the second stopper 1 14 is omitted, the middle bypass section 138 may also be omitted.

The syringe 100, as depicted, furthermore comprises an optional third stopper 1 15 between the first syringe end 104 and the second stopper 1 14. The third stopper 1 15 is movable inside the compartment 102. The third stopper 1 15 is movable at least in a third stopper direction 505. As depicted, the third stopper direction 505 may be the same direction as the first stopper direction 502 and/or the second stopper direction 504. The third stopper 115 provides a seal between a compartment part containing the medicament 126, such as the first compartment part 134 and/or the second compartment part 136, from the syringe opening 108. The compartment 102 furthermore comprises a front bypass section 139. The front bypass section 139 provides the possibility for fluid communication between the compartment part containing the medicament 126, such as the first compartment part 134 and/or the second compartment part 136, and the syringe opening 108. When the third stopper 1 15 is positioned in the front bypass section 139 the compartment part containing the medicament 126, such as the first compartment part 134 and/or the second compartment part 136, is in fluid communication with syringe opening 108 to allow the medicament 126 to be expelled through the syringe opening 108. In embodiments wherein the third stopper 1 15 is omitted, the front bypass section 139 may also be omitted.

The first stopper 1 12, the second stopper 1 14, and/or the third stopper 1 15 may be movable along a stopper axis 512. The first stopper direction 502, the second stopper direction 504, and/or the third stopper direction 505 may be along the stopper axis 512. The stopper axis 512 may, as illustrated, be parallel and/or coinciding with the syringe axis 530.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an exemplary cartridge 200 comprising a syringe 100 and a syringe casing 2. The syringe casing 2 comprises a main body 4. The main body 4 comprises a tube part 6 extending along a tube axis 500 and being configured for receiving the syringe 100. The main body 4 comprises a front end 10 with a front end opening 12. It is envisaged that the front end opening 12 may have any form and shape as illustrated in Figs. 1 , 2, 3 and 6, respectively. The syringe 100 is attached to an inner body 16 of the syringe casing 2, and the syringe 100 and the inner body 16 is movable relative to the main body 4. In the depicted example, the inner body 16 and the syringe 100 is movable relative to the main body along the tube axis 500. In Fig. 6a, the syringe 100 and the inner body 16 is in a first syringe position, such as a forward position. In Fig. 6b, the syringe 100 and the inner body 16 is in a second syringe position, such as in a first retracted position. In Fig. 6c, the syringe 100 and the inner body 16 is in a third syringe position, such as in a second retracted position, such as a fully retracted position. The third syringe position may be a locked position, e.g. the syringe casing 2, such as the inner body 16, may comprise one or more locking elements 18 which provides that the syringe 100 and/or the inner body 16 may be prevented from moving towards the front end 10, such as when the inner body is in the locked position, as shown in Fig. 6c.

The syringe casing 2, as shown in Fig. 6, comprises an optional cover element 24. The cover element 24 has a cover part 26 and a cover opening 28. The cover element 24 is movable relative to the front end 10 between a first position and a second position. In

Figs. 6a and 6b, the cover element 24 is shown in the first position, and in Fig. 6c, the cover element 24 is shown in the second position. In the second position, shown in Fig.

6c, the cover part 26 covers at least a portion of the front end opening 12, and the cover opening 28 and the front end opening 12 forms a covered main body opening 30 for allowing passage of a needle (not shown), e.g. a needle attached to the syringe

100.

The cover element 24 may enable the syringe 100 to be inserted into the main body 4 even when a syringe cap 140 of the syringe has a diameter larger than the desired front end opening 12. Thus, the front end opening 12 may be too large to provide needle protection, or finger guard, while the syringe cap 140 is mounted. While after the syringe cap 140 is removed, the cover element 24 is moved to the second position to ensure needle protection as soon as the needle is mounted to the syringe 100.

The cover element 24 may furthermore enable a syringe 100 to be front loaded into the main body 4 through the front end opening 12, where after the cover element 24 may be used to reduce the size of the opening to fulfil requirements for needle protection after the syringe has been loaded into the main body.

In the third syringe position as illustrated in Fig. 6c, the tube part 6 and the cover element in the second position provides for needle protection, if a needle was attached to the syringe. When the syringe 100 is in the third syringe position relative to the tube part 6, a needle attached to the syringe is enclosed in the tube part 6, and the covered main body opening 30 has a size which prevents contact with a needle tip of the needle, e.g. according to a standard, such as ISO 23908-201 1. Furthermore, the locking elements 18 provides that the syringe is prevented from moving towards the front end 10, thereby retaining the needle enclosed in the tube part and a suitable distance away from the covered main body opening to prevent contact with the needle tip. Thereby the cartridge 200 may be safe to discard.

The syringe casing 2, as depicted, comprises an optional removable sheet 20. In the depicted example, the removable sheet 20 is configured to cover at least a part of a cover surface of the cover element 24, as shown in Figs. 6a and 6b. The removable sheet 20 may provide that a front surface of the front end 10, such as the cover surface, is maintained sterile until removal of the removable sheet 20, thereby reducing the risk of infections transmitted to the patient. In Fig. 6c, the removable sheet 20 has been removed.

The syringe casing 2, as depicted, comprises an optional cover lock 32 configured to lock the cover element 24 in the second position. The cover lock 32 may for example engage with the front end 10 of the main body 4 when the cover element 24 is moved to the second position.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates an exemplary cartridge 200, wherein the syringe casing 2 comprises a cover element 24 rotatable relative to a front end 10 and/or a front end opening 12 of a main body 4 of the syringe casing 2. The cover element 24 has a cover part 26 and a cover opening 28.

The cover element 24 is rotatable relative to the front end 10 and/or the front end opening 12 about a hinge axis 526. The hinge axis 526 is in a front end plane, and the front end opening 12, and/or the front end 10, is provided in the front end plane. The cover element 24 is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position about the hinge axis 526 in the front end plane. The cover element 24 is, in the depicted example, shown in the first position. In the second position, the cover element 24 is rotated about the hinge axis 526, such that the cover part 26 of the cover element 24 covers at least a portion of the front end opening 12, and may furthermore optionally be locked in this position. Furthermore, in the second position, the cover opening 28 and the front end opening 12 forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of a needle attached to the syringe 100.

The syringe may comprise a syringe cap 140 as depicted. The size of the syringe cap 140 may exceed the size of the cover opening, and the syringe cap 140 is removed before the cover element 24 is rotated to the second position. In other embodiments (not shown), the cover element 24 may be rotatable relative to the front end 10 and/or the front end opening 12 about a pivot axis which may be substantially parallel to the tube axis 500.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates an exemplary cartridge 200, wherein the syringe casing 2 comprises a cover element 24 slidable relative to a front end 10 and/or a front end opening 12 of a main body 4 of the syringe casing 2. The cover element 24 has a cover part 26 and a cover opening 28.

The cover element 24 is slidable relative to the front end 10 and/or the front end opening along a slide direction 528. The slide direction 528 may be in a front end plane, wherein the front end 10 is provided in the front end plane. The cover element 24 is configured to slide between a first position and a second position along the slide direction 528. The cover element 24 is, in the depicted example, shown in the first position. In the second position, the cover element 24 is slided in the slide direction 528, such that the cover part 26 of the cover element 24 covers at least a portion of the front end opening 12. Furthermore, in the second position, the cover opening 28 and the front end opening 12 forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of a needle attached to the syringe 100.

In still other embodiments (not shown), the cover element may be movable relative to the front in any other way, and may be hingedly, pivotably, slidably, and/or rotatably, etc., attached to the main body.

The syringe may comprise a syringe cap, and the size of the syringe cap may exceed the size of the cover opening. The syringe cap may therefore be removed before the cover element 24 is slided to the second position.

Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b show front views of an exemplary syringe casing 2 comprising a cover element 24 having a cover part 26 and a cover opening 28. The syringe casing 2 comprises a front end 10 with a front end opening 12. The front end opening 12 allows passage of a needle. The cover element 24 is movable relative to the front end 10 between a first position, as illustrated in Fig. 9a, and a second position, as illustrated in Fig. 9b. In the second position, the cover part 26 covers at least a portion of the front end opening 12, and the cover opening 28 and the front end opening 12 forms a covered main body opening 38. The covered main body opening 38 allows passage of the needle.

The front end opening 12 has a front end opening diameter 34. In case of a non- circular front end opening 12, the front end opening diameter 34 may be a diameter of an inscribed circle of the front end opening 12. The cover opening 28 has a cover opening diameter 36. In case of a non-circular cover opening 28, the cover opening diameter 36 may be a diameter of an inscribed circle of the cover opening 28. The covered main body opening 30 has a covered main body opening diameter 38. In case of a non-circular covered main body opening 30, the covered main body opening diameter 38 may be a diameter of an inscribed circle of the covered main body opening 30.

The front end opening 12 and the cover opening 28 is formed such that the covered main body opening fulfils a predetermined criterion, e.g. a standard, such as ISO 23908-201 1 . Such predetermined criterion may specify features of the covered main body opening such as shape and/or size. As seen in the depicted example, the cover opening diameter 36 and the covered main body opening diameter 38 are smaller than the front end opening diameter 34.

The cover opening diameter 36 and/or the covered main body opening diameter 38 may for example be smaller than 12 mm, such as smaller than 6 mm. The front end opening diameter 34 may be larger than 6 mm, such as larger than 12 mm.

In the exemplary syringe casing 2, as depicted, the covered main body opening 30 is effectively the same as the cover opening 28. However in other embodiments, the cover opening 28 may not be completely inscribed by the front end opening 12, when the cover element is in the second position, and therefore the covered main body opening 30 may be a product of the cover opening 28 and the front end opening 12, and the covered main body opening diameter 38 may be smaller than the cover opening diameter 36.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates an exemplary system 400 comprising an auto injector 300 and a cartridge 200 comprising a syringe 100 containing a medicament. The cartridge 200 is configured to be received in the auto injector 300, and the auto injector 300 is configured for administering injection of the medicament contained in the syringe 100 of the cartridge 200. The auto injector 300 may be used multiple times. The cartridge 200 may be discarded after use, e.g. after each use, and a new cartridge 200 may be inserted into the auto injector for a subsequent use.

The auto injector 300 comprises a housing 302 and a receiving part 304 configured for receiving the cartridge 200. The auto injector 300 furthermore comprises an operational module (not visible) configured for interacting with the cartridge 200. The operational module may be enclosed in the housing 302. The cartridge 200 comprises the syringe 100 and a syringe casing 2, which have been further described in relation to other figures.

The tube part 6 extends along the tube axis 500, and the tube part has a tube part outer perimeter 8 in a first tube plane perpendicular to the tube axis. The front end 10 has a front end outer perimeter 14 in a second tube plane perpendicular to the tube axis. The auto injector comprises a housing front part 354. The housing front part 354 has a housing front part outer perimeter 356 in a third tube plane perpendicular to the tube axis 500, such as when the cartridge 200 is received in the receiving part 304 of the auto injector 300. The first tube plane, the second tube plane and/or the third tube plane may form an angle with the tube axis 500 of between 70 and 1 10 degrees.

The front end outer perimeter 14 circumscribes an area larger than, or equal to, an area circumscribed by the housing front part outer parameter 356. The front end 10 covers, and/or completely covers, the housing front part 354 when the cartridge 200 is received in the receiving part 304. This decreases the risk of contaminating the auto injector 300, which is especially important if the auto injector 300 is to be used by multiple users, e.g. multiple patients.

The front end outer perimeter 14 circumscribes an area larger than an area circumscribed by the tube part outer parameter 8. Thereby, the cartridge 200 may for example be suitable for front loading into the auto injector 300 as the front end 10 may provide a stop for inserting the cartridge into the receiving part 304 of the auto injector 300.

The auto injector 300 comprises an optional display unit 350 for visually displaying information to a user of the auto injector, e.g. to a health care provider. The auto injector 300 comprises an optional user interface 358 for receiving a user input from a user of the auto injector, e.g. a health care provider. The user interface 358 may, as also illustrated, comprise one or more push buttons.

The auto injector 300 comprises a processing unit 330, the processing unit 330 being configured to control the operation of the auto injector, including the operation of the operational module.

Fig. 1 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary operational module 306 for an auto injector, such as the auto injector 300 as described in relation to other figures. The operational module 306 is configured for interacting with a cartridge, such as the cartridge 200 as described in relation to other figures. The operational module 306 comprises a carrier 308 for attaching to a syringe, such as the syringe 100 as described in relation to other figures.

The operational module 306 comprises a stopper operational part 310. The stopper operational part 310 is configured for moving a stopper of the syringe, such as a first stopper of the syringe. In the depicted example, the stopper operational part 310 is configured for moving the stopper of the syringe by movement of a plunger rod 314 which interacts with the stopper of the syringe. The operational module 306 comprises an optional drive axle 316 which is connected to the stopper operational part 310. The drive axle 316 provides that a driver, such as a DC motor, controls the stopper operational part 310 by operating the drive axle 316. Furthermore, the drive axle 316 provides control of the stopper operational part 310 independently of a location of the carrier 308.

A plunger rod is throughout the present disclosure to be understood as any means capable of moving a stopper of a syringe in a first and/or second direction. The plunger rod may form part of an auto injector.

The operational module 306 comprises a syringe operational part 312. The syringe operational part 312 is configured for moving the syringe. The syringe operational part 312 is configured for moving the syringe by moving the carrier 308 in a first syringe direction 522 and/or in a second syringe direction 524. The carrier 308 may be moved in order to mix a plurality of medicament components, such as a first medicament component and a second medicament component. Thus, the first syringe direction 522 may be a first mixing direction, and/or the second syringe direction 524 may be a second mixing direction. The syringe operational part 312 may further be configured for moving the syringe and/or the carrier 308 in the first syringe direction 522 to advance a needle of the syringe and/or a needle attached to the syringe, e.g. the syringe may be moved in the first syringe direction 522 for penetration of the skin and insertion of the needle into body tissue.

The syringe operational part 312 and the stopper operational part 310 may provide movements which are parallel, e.g. the stopper operational part 310 may provide movement of the plunger rod 314 in a direction parallel to the first syringe direction 522 and/or the second syringe direction 524. The first syringe direction 522 and/or the second syringe direction 524 may be along an axis, such as the tube axis of the syringe casing. Figs. 12a-h schematically show a step by step procedure of using an exemplary system 400 comprising an exemplary auto injector 300 with an exemplary cartridge 200.

Fig. 12a shows the initial step, wherein a user, e.g. a health care provider, has inserted the cartridge 200 into the auto injector 300. During this step, potentially all external surfaces of the cartridge 200 and the auto injector 300 may have been touched by the health care provider.

Fig. 12b shows that the health care provider removes the syringe cap 140 from the syringe 100 of the cartridge 200, and the cover element 24 is moved from the first position to the second position. In this step, the health care provider refrain from touching the first syringe end 104 and/or other parts of the syringe 100 apart from the syringe cap 140.

Fig. 12c shows that a needle 1 16 enclosed by a needle protective cover 117 is attached to the syringe 100. Due to the needle protective cover 1 17, the health care provider may perform this step without actually touching the needle 1 16.

Fig. 12d shows that the needle protective cover 1 17 has been removed and the syringe 100 with the needle 1 16 has been retracted, such that the needle 1 16 is enclosed in tube part 6 of the cartridge 200. The needle cannot be touched by the health care provider.

Fig. 12e shows that a removable sheet 20 is removed from cover surface 40 of the cover element 24. Since, the cover element 24 is in the second position the cover surface 40 is consequently a front surface 22 of a front end 10 of the cartridge 200. The cover surface 40 has been maintained sterile by the removable sheet. After removal of the removable sheet 20 the health care provider should refrain from touching the cover surface 40.

Fig. 12f shows that the system 400 is being pushed against a user's skin 600, e.g. a patient's skin, such that the cover surface 40 abuts the patient's skin 600. The syringe 100 is advanced to insert the needle 116 into the patient's tissue by penetrating the patient's skin 600.

Fig. 12g shows that the syringe 100 has been retracted back into the tube part 6 of the cartridge 200 after injection.

Fig. 12h shows the cartridge 200 being dislocated from the auto injector 300.

Furthermore, illustrated by dashed lines, are the parts which have been in contact with the patient, e.g. skin and/or tissue. Illustrated by dotted lines, are the parts which have been touched by the health care provider. As illustrated by the dashed and dotted lines, the cartridge 200 may be discarded by the health care provider, without touching the parts which have been in contact with the patient. Furthermore, no parts of the auto injector 300 has been in contact or indirectly in contact with the patient, and therefore the auto injector 300 may be easily cleaned and reused for another patient.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates an exemplary system 400 comprising an auto injector 300 and a cartridge 200. The cartridge 200 comprises a syringe 100 containing a medicament. The auto injector 300 is shown with outer parts, such as the housing, removed, to allow visibility of internal components of the auto injector 300. In the example illustrated, the cartridge 200 is received in the receiving part of the auto injector 300. The auto injector 300 comprises an operational module 306.

The operational module 306 comprises a stopper operational part 310 configured for moving a stopper of the syringe 100, such as a first stopper of the syringe 100. For example, the first stopper of the syringe may be advanced to expel the medicament of the syringe, e.g. to inject the medicament into tissue of a patient, and/or the first stopper may be advanced to combine two or more medicament components, such as a first medicament component and a second medicament component.

The operational module 306 comprises a syringe operational part 312 configured for moving the syringe 100. For example, the syringe operational part 312 may be configured for advancing the needle 1 16, e.g. to insert the needle into tissue of a patient, and/or the syringe operational part 312 may be configured for moving the syringe 100 back and forth in order to mix two or more medicament components, such as a first medicament component and a second medicament component, e.g. to dissolve a powder component in a liquid component.

The operational module 306 comprises a carrier 308. In the example depicted, the syringe 100 is attached to the carrier 308, and the syringe operational part 312 is configured for moving the syringe 100 by movement of the carrier 308. The syringe 100 may be locked to the carrier 308 by a syringe lock (not shown), when the syringe 100 is received in the receiving part of the auto injector 300. The syringe lock may have a locked state and an unlocked state, and the syringe lock may be configured to lock the syringe 100 to the carrier 308 in the locked state.

The operational module 306 comprises one or more drivers, such as a stopper driver 380 and a syringe driver 382. The stopper driver 380 is configured to drive the stopper operational part 310, e.g. via a drive axle 316. The drive axle 316 provides that the stopper driver 380 may drive the stopper operational part 310 in all positions of the carrier 308. In an alternative embodiment, the stopper driver 380 may have been positioned on the carrier 308, reducing the need for a drive axle 316. The syringe driver 380 is configured to drive the syringe operational part 312, such as to move the carrier 308 and/or the syringe 100.

The stopper driver 380 and/or the syringe driver 382 may be DC motors, e.g. DC motors with or without brushes, e.g. the stopper driver 380 may be a brushed DC motor and/or the syringe driver 382 may be a brushless DC motor. A brushless DC motor may be preferred due to higher durability of a brushless DC motor. Especially for the syringe driver 382 a brushless DC motor may be preferred due to many and/or rapid movements performed by the syringe driver 382.

The auto injector 300 comprises sensors, such as an optical sensor 336. In the depicted example, the auto injector 300 comprises a plurality of optical sensors 336. The optical sensor(s) 336 may be configured for detecting medicament and/or blood in a channel, such as the needle chamber. The optical sensor(s) 336 may be configured for reading an optical code of the cartridge 200, such as an information code of the cartridge 200. A plurality of optical sensors 336, as shown, may provide the possibility of optical reading and/or detection for different positions of the syringe 100.

The auto injector 300 comprises a power unit 376, such as a battery, such as a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The power unit 376 may supply power to electronic components of the auto injector, e.g. the stopper driver 380, the syringe driver 382, a processing unit, a memory, sensors, such as the optical sensor(s) 336, a user interface, etc.

The auto injector 300 comprises a contact switch 378. The contact switch 378 may provide a signal indicative of the cartridge 200 being inserted in the auto injector 300, e.g. of the cartridge 200 being received in the receiving part of the auto injector 300. Additionally or alternatively, the contact switch 378 may provide a signal indicative of the cartridge 200 and/or the syringe 100 being pressed against a user's skin, e.g. a patient's skin. Thus, the contact switch 378 may be a skin sensor.

The cartridge 200 comprises a cover element 24. The cover element 24 is movable between a first position, as illustrated, and a second position. In the second position, the cover element covers at least a portion of the front end opening, and thereby reduces the front end opening, in order to provide protection of the needle 1 16, when the syringe 100 is retracted, such that the needle 1 16 is enclosed inside the cartridge 200. The cartridge 200 comprises a removable sheet 20. The removable sheet 20 covers the front surface and is configured for removal before abutment of the front end to a user's skin, e.g. a patient's skin. The removable sheet 20 may provide that a front surface of the front end is maintained sterile until removal of the removable sheet 20, thereby reducing the risk of infection.

Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

LIST OF REFERENCES

2 syringe casing

4 main body

6 tube part

8 tube part outer perimeter

10 front end

12 front end opening

14 front end outer perimeter

16 inner body

18 locking element

20 removable sheet

22 front surface

24 cover element

26 cover part

28 cover opening

30 covered main body opening

32 cover lock

34 front end opening diameter

36 cover opening diameter

38 covered main body opening diameter

40 cover surface

100 syringe

102 compartment

104 first syringe end

106 second syringe end

108 syringe opening

1 10 first syringe channel 1 12 first stopper

1 14 second stopper

115 third stopper

1 16 needle

1 17 needle protective cover

124 needle tip

126 medicament

128 first medicament component

130 second medicament component

134 first compartment part

136 second compartment part

138 middle bypass section

139 front bypass section

140 syringe cap

200 cartridge

300 auto injector

302 housing

304 receiving part

306 operational module

308 carrier

310 stopper operational part

312 syringe operational part

314 plunger rod

316 drive axle

330 processing unit

336 optical sensor

350 display unit 354 housing front part

356 housing front part outer perimeter

358 user interface

376 power unit

378 contact switch

380 stopper driver

382 syringe driver

400 system

500 tube axis

502 first stopper direction

504 second stopper direction

505 third stopper direction

506 first tube plane

508 second tube plane

512 stopper axis

514 transverse stopper axis

522 first syringe direction

524 second syringe direction

526 hinge axis

528 slide direction

530 syringe axis

600 user's skin/patient's skin

Claims

1 . A syringe casing for an auto injector, the syringe casing comprising:

- a main body being configured for receiving a syringe containing a

medicament, the main body having a front end with a front end opening for allowing passage of a needle attached to the syringe; and

- a cover element having a cover part and a cover opening, and the cover element being movable relative to the front end between a first position and a second position,

wherein in at least the second position the cover part covers at least a portion of the front end opening and the cover opening and the front end opening forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of the needle.

2. Syringe casing according to claim 1 , wherein the covered main body opening fulfils a predetermined criterion.

3. Syringe casing according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined criterion specifies features of the covered main body opening, the features including shape and/or size of the covered main body opening.

4. Syringe casing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front end opening having a front end opening diameter, and the cover opening having a cover opening diameter.

5. Syringe casing according to claim 4, wherein the cover opening diameter is smaller than the front end opening diameter.

6. Syringe casing according to any claims 4-5, wherein the cover opening diameter is smaller than12 mm.

7. Syringe casing according to any of the claims 4-6, wherein the front end opening diameter is larger than 12 mm.

8. Syringe casing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the first position the cover part does not cover the portion of the front end opening.

9. Syringe casing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element is movably attached to the main body, such as hingedly, pivotably, slidably, and/or rotatably attached to the main body.

10. Syringe casing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the front end opening is provided in a front end plane, and wherein the cover element is configured to rotate between the first position and the second position about a hinge axis in the front end plane.

1 1 . Syringe casing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the syringe casing comprises a cover lock adapted to lock the cover element in the second position.

12. Syringe casing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body has a tube part extending along a tube axis, and the syringe casing comprising an inner body attachable to the syringe, wherein the tube part encloses the inner body, and the inner body being movable relative to the main body along the tube axis.

13. Syringe casing according to claim 12, wherein the syringe casing comprises a locking element, and wherein the locking element is configured for preventing the inner body from moving towards the front end when the inner body is in a locked position.

14. Syringe casing according to claim 13, wherein a needle tip of the needle is positioned more than 6 mm from the cover element when the inner body is in the locked position.

15. Syringe casing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the syringe casing comprises a removable sheet covering at least a part of a cover surface of the cover element and being configured for removal before abutment of the cover element to a user's skin.

16. Syringe casing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the syringe is a dual chamber syringe.

17. A cartridge for an auto injector, the cartridge comprising:

- a syringe comprising a compartment configured for containing a

medicament, the syringe having a first syringe end and a second syringe end, the syringe having a syringe opening for fluid communication with the compartment at the first syringe end, the syringe comprising a first stopper movable inside the compartment at least in a first stopper direction from the second syringe end towards the first syringe end, the syringe being configured to expel medicament through the syringe opening; and

- a syringe casing comprising a main body being configured for receiving the syringe, the main body having a front end with a front end opening for allowing passage of a needle attached to the syringe opening, and the syringe casing comprising a cover element having a cover part and a cover opening, and the cover element being movable relative to the front end between a first position and a second position,

wherein in at least the second position the cover part covers at least a part of the front end opening and the cover opening and the front end opening forms a covered main body opening for allowing passage of the needle.

18. A system comprising an auto injector and a cartridge comprising a syringe containing a medicament;

the auto injector comprising:

- a housing;

- a receiving part configured for receiving the cartridge; and

- an operational module configured for interacting with the cartridge;

the cartridge comprising:

- a syringe comprising a compartment configured for containing a

19. System according to claim 18, wherein the operational module is configured for moving the first stopper at least in the first stopper direction to expel medicament through the syringe opening.

20. System according to any of claims 18-19, wherein the operational module is configured for moving the syringe relative to the main body.