Cases for medication delivery devices

Abstract

Cases are provided for carrying medication delivery devices such as auto-injectors, syringes or vials. The cases include a cradling structure to protect the medication delivery device from jostling and impact encountered during transport.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A case for a medication delivery device comprising: 
 a container body defining an open chamber constructed to receive the medication delivery device;    a lid constructed to cover the open chamber; and    a cradling structure, within the chamber, constructed to hold the medication device securely in a predetermined position during transport of the case.    
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the cradling structure comprises a cradle having a curved surface.  
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 2  wherein the curved surface has a curvature that substantially corresponds to the curvature of a curved portion of the medication delivery device.  
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 2  wherein the cradling structure further comprises a foam layer covering at least a portion of the curved surface of the cradle.  
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the cradling structure further comprises a cradle guide.  
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the cradling structure is constructed so that the medication delivery device press-fits into the cradling structure.  
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the cradling structure is constructed so that the medication delivery device will not fall out of the cradling structure when the lid is open and the open chamber is inverted.  
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 1  further comprising a hinge joining the lid to the container body.  
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 8  wherein the hinge is constructed to allow the lid to stay open without being held open.  
     
     
         10 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the medication delivery device comprises an auto-injector.  
     
     
         11 . A case for a medication delivery device comprising: 
 a container body defining an open chamber constructed to receive the medication delivery device; and    an encapsulating member, disposed at an end of the open chamber, defining a receptacle constructed to receive an end of the medication delivery device.    
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 11 , wherein the receptacle includes a portion for receiving a needle.  
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 12  wherein the needle-receiving portion includes a foam.  
     
     
         14 . The case of  claim 13  wherein the needle-receiving portion further includes a hard, puncture-proof shell surrounding the foam.  
     
     
         15 . The case of  claim 11  wherein the receptacle includes a portion for receiving a proximal end of the medication delivery device, and preventing force from being applied to the proximal end during storage of the medication delivery device in the case.  
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 11  wherein the receptacle is constructed to pivot between a first position in which the receptacle is within the chamber and its long axis is parallel to a long axis of the case, and a second position, in which at least a portion of the receptacle extends out of the chamber.  
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 16  wherein the receptacle is constructed to pivot through an angle of about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 11  further comprising a biohazard label.  
     
     
         19 . The case of  claim 11  further comprising a lid constructed to cover the open chamber.  
     
     
         20 . The case of  claim 11  further comprising a cradling structure, within the chamber, constructed to hold the medication device securely in a predetermined position during transport of the case.  
     
     
         21 . A case for a medication delivery device comprising: 
 a container body defining an open chamber constructed to receive the medication delivery device;    a lid constructed to cover the open chamber;    a cradling structure, within the chamber, constructed to hold the medication device securely in a predetermined position during transport of the case;    wherein the container body includes a connecting device, for connecting the container body to another, similar container body, and a receiving portion, for receiving a corresponding connecting device of another case.    
     
     
         22 . The case of  claim 21  wherein the connecting device includes a clip member and the receiving device includes a slot dimensioned to receive the clip member.  
     
     
         23 . The case of  claim 21  further comprising a lid constructed to cover the open chamber.  
     
     
         24 . The case of  claim 21  further comprising a cradling structure, within the chamber, constructed to hold the medication device securely in a predetermined position during transport of the case.