Universal protector cap with auto-disable features for needle-free injectors

Abstract

Disclosed is a medical device used to prevent the cross-contamination of patients or injectors in which various components placed on the injector minimize or eliminate back splash contamination of the injector.

1 . A protector cap for a needle-free injector, comprising: 
 an insert having an insert orifice;    a baffle having a baffle orifice, wherein the baffle is joined to the insert to form an insert reservoir; and    a disable device located in the insert reservoir.    
     
     
         2 . The protector cap of  claim 1 , wherein the disable device has an installed position and a disabled position.  
     
     
         3 . The protector cap of  claim 2 , wherein the disable device comprises a central washer having a washer orifice.  
     
     
         4 . The protector cap of  claim 3 , wherein the washer orifice aligns with the insert orifice and baffle orifice when the central washer is in the installed position.  
     
     
         4 . The protector cap of  claim 3 , wherein the washer orifice is not aligned with the insert orifice and baffle orifice when the central washer is in the disabled position.  
     
     
         5 . The protector cap of  claim 2 , wherein the baffle further comprises a hinge configured to hold the disable device in the installed position in the insert reservoir.  
     
     
         6 . The protector cap of  claim 1 , wherein the disable device is activated upon deformation of the cap.  
     
     
         7 . The protector cap of  claim 1 , wherein the disable device is activated upon disassembly of the cap.  
     
     
         8 . The protector cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective layer suspended within the insert reservoir.  
     
     
         9 . The protector cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective layer covering at least one of the insert orifice, the washer orifice, and the baffle orifice.  
     
     
         10 . An injection system, comprising: 
 an injector having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the injector comprises an injector orifice at the distal end; and    a protector cap configured to cover the injector orifice at the distal end of the injector, wherein the protector cap comprises an insert having an insert orifice, a baffle having a baffle orifice, wherein the baffle is joined to the insert to form an insert reservoir, and a disable device located in the insert reservoir.    
     
     
         11 . The injection system of  claim 10 , further comprising a protective layer located between the distal end of the injector and the protector cap.  
     
     
         12 . The protector cap of  claim 10 , wherein the disable device has an installed position and a disabled position.  
     
     
         13 . The protector cap of  claim 12 , wherein the disable device comprises a central washer having a washer orifice.  
     
     
         14 . The injection system of  claim 13 , further comprising a protective layer covering at least one of the insert orifice, the washer orifice, and the baffle orifice.  
     
     
         15 . A package for storing a plurality of protector caps comprising an insert having an insert orifice, a baffle having a baffle orifice, wherein the baffle is joined to the insert to form an insert reservoir, and a disable device located in the insert reservoir, comprising: 
 a cradle having at least one row of separated wells for storing the plurality of protector caps; and    an adhesive strip covering the cradle.    
     
     
         16 . A method of administering needle-free injections, comprising: 
 adapting an injector with a protector cap to minimize contamination of the injector; and    administering a medication through the injector and the protector cap;    wherein the protector cap comprises an insert having an insert orifice, a baffle having a baffle orifice, wherein the baffle is joined to the insert to form an insert reservoir, and a disable device located in the insert reservoir.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of administering a medication comprises administering a powder form of medicine.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of administering a medication includes administering at least one of a DNA vaccine, a Hepatitis vaccine, a HIV vaccine, an anti-allergen, and a pharmaceutical.  
     
     
         19 . A method of preventing back splash contamination of a needle-free injector, comprising: 
 adapting the injector with a protector cap to minimize contamination of the injector; and    administering a medication through the injector and the protector cap;    wherein the protector cap comprises an insert having an insert orifice, a baffle having a baffle orifice, wherein the baffle is joined to the insert to form an insert reservoir, and a disable device located in the insert reservoir.