Pre-Filled Cartridge for Passive Safety Syringe

1 . An apparatus comprising:

(a) a syringe body comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a central axis extending therethrough, the syringe body defining a lumen extending through the syringe body;

(b) a needle in communication with the syringe body, the needle comprising a proximal needle portion, a distal needle portion, and a needle lumen extending therethrough, the proximal needle portion being configured to extend through at least a portion of the lumen of the syringe body;

(c) a pre-filled cartridge comprising an internal volume operable to hold a fluid therein, the pre-filled cartridge being configured for insertion into the proximal end of the syringe body;

(d) a distal bung positioned within a distal portion of the pre-filled cartridge, the distal bung being configured to slidably advance proximally through the internal volume of the pre-filled cartridge, the distal bung being further configured to form a fluid tight seal with the pre-filled cartridge;

(e) a guard in communication with the syringe body, the guard being configured to distally advance from a retracted position to an extended position; and

(f) a passive release mechanism, the passive release mechanism being in communication with the guard, wherein upon actuation of the passive release mechanism the guard is released from the retracted position to the extended position.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a distally biasing member in communication with the guard, the distally biasing member being configured to mechanically bias the guard in the distal direction.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the distally biasing member comprises a spring.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the guard is configured to have a cylindrical shape.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the needle is configured to selectively pierce the distal bung.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the passive release mechanism is a flexible hinge associated with the guard, wherein the guard is released upon engagement of the pre-filled cartridge with the flexible hinge.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising an adapter, wherein the adapter is configured to retain the guard in the retracted position in cooperation with the flexible hinge.

8 . An apparatus comprising:

(a) a syringe body comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the syringe body defining a lumen extending through the syringe body;

(b) a needle in communication with the syringe body, the needle comprising a proximal needle portion, a distal needle portion, and a needle lumen extending therethrough;

(c) a pre-filled cartridge, the pre-filled cartridge having;

(i) a cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end;

(ii) a distal bung, wherein the distal bung is configured to be pierced by the proximal needle portion and wherein the distal bung is configured to translate proximally within the cylindrical body of the pre-filled cartridge;

(iii) a sealed proximal end; and

(iv) a medicament, the medicament being contained within the cylindrical body of the pre-filled cartridge; and

(d) a guard configured to cover the distal needle portion upon release of a passive release mechanism.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the sealed proximal end of the pre-filled cartridge includes a flange configured to be depressed by a clinician.

10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a biasing element configured to distally bias the guard,

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the biasing element comprises a spring coaxially aligned with the guard.

12 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the distal bung is configured to expel the medicament through the needle lumen when proximally actuated.

13 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the cylindrical body is glass.

14 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the lumen of the needle is configured to be in selective communication with the medicament within the pre-filled cartridge.

15 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the passive release mechanism is a flexible hinge associated with the guard.

16 . An apparatus comprising:

(a) a syringe body comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the syringe body defining a lumen extending through the syringe body;

(b) a needle in communication with the syringe body, the needle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle lumen therethrough;

(c) a pre-filled cartridge comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the pre-filled cartridge being configured to fit within the lumen extending through the syringe body and to be distally advanced within the syringe body;

(d) a guard in communication with the syringe body, the guard being configured to extend distally from the syringe body to cover the needle in response to the release of a passive release mechanism; and

(e) a distal moveable stopper configured to fit within the distal end of the pre-filled cartridge, the stopper being further configured to advance within the pre-filled cartridge from the distal end of the pre-filled cartridge to the proximal end of the pre-filled cartridge; and

(f) a fixed stopper configured to fit within the proximal end of the pre-filled cartridge.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the needle is configured to pierce the distal moveable stopper, thereby establishing fluid communication between the pre-filled cartridge and the proximal portion of the needle.

18 . The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising an adapter positioned within the syringe body and in communication with the guard, the adapter comprising an extension preventing member configured to prevent the distal extension of the guard.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the extension preventing member comprises at least one flexible hinge.

20 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the pre-filled cartridge comprises a fluid medicament.