Medicine Injection Devices and Methods

Abstract

A reloadable medicine injector and methods are described in which a barrel with a receiving cavity is adapted to slidably receive a syringe subassembly for axial movement therein. Upon removal of a safety and release of a syringe driver, the syringe driver moves forward and injects the syringe needle. A plurality of penetration controls are shown for controlling injection needle penetration depth. The penetration controls have an abutment and various lengths to provide different needle penetration depth positions. In one form of penetration control a sleeve is used against which the syringe or related parts contact. In another form the front return spring is used as a penetration control. A cushioning ring may be used to reduce syringe breakage. A load distribution and guide ring may be used to distribute loading applied to the syringe and help guide the moving syringe.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . An automatically retracting hypodermic injection device having penetration depth control, the device comprising:
 a syringe barrel operatively engaged with a nose cap of a muzzle end of the device, wherein the muzzle end defines an interior shoulder;   a syringe subassembly within the barrel; and   a penetration controller about at least a portion of the syringe subassembly and engaging the interior shoulder of the muzzle end of the device.   
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37  wherein the penetration control is configured as a sleeve about the portion of the syringe subassembly. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38  wherein the penetration control comprises a flange that engages the interior shoulder of the muzzle end of the device. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39  further comprising a spring between the penetration control at the portion of the syringe subassembly. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 40  wherein the flange seats at least a portion of the spring between the penetration control and the interior shoulder of the muzzle end of the device.