CH720377A2 - Injection device with a cap and a detachable handle element for removing the cap - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an injection device with a housing (1'') for receiving a product container, wherein the product container has a firmly connected injection needle and wherein a needle protection cap is detachably arranged on the product container, which encloses the injection needle. The injection device further comprises a cap (2'') which is detachably provided on a distal end of the housing (1''), wherein the cap (2'') comprises an engagement element in order to cause the needle protection cap to be removed from the product container when the cap (2'') is removed from the injection device. Furthermore, a handle element (8'') is provided which can be connected to the cap (2'') in such a way that the handle element (8'') forms a detachable, axially fixed engagement with the cap (2'') in order to cause the cap (2'') and the needle protection cap to be removed when the cap is removed from the injection device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an injection device for administering a liquid product, in particular a drug. The invention further relates to a method for assembling an injection device for administering a product.

[0002] The term "medication" here includes any flowable medical formulation suitable for controlled administration through a means such as a cannula or hollow needle, for example comprising a liquid, a solution, a gel or a fine suspension containing one or more medicinal active ingredients. Medicament can be a composition with a single active ingredient or a premixed or c-formulated composition with several active ingredients from a single container. Medicament includes drugs such as peptides (e.g. insulins, insulin-containing drugs, GLP-1-containing and derived or analogous preparations), proteins and hormones, biologically derived or active ingredients, active ingredients based on hormones or genes, nutritional formulations, enzymes and other substances in both solid (suspended) or liquid form, but also polysaccharides, vaccines, DNA or RNA or oglionucleotides, antibodies or parts of antibodies as well as suitable base, auxiliary and carrier substances.

[0003] Injection devices in which a pre-filled syringe is arranged are known from the prior art. The pre-filled syringe has an injection needle which is permanently connected to the pre-filled syringe and via which a medication contained in the pre-filled syringe can be dispensed. In order to keep the injection needle and the medication in the pre-filled syringe sterile, the injection needle is enclosed by a needle protection cap attached to the pre-filled syringe and is sealed in a sterile manner with respect to the environment. Such needle protection caps can be designed, for example, as a so-called "soft needle shield (SNS)" or as a "rigid needle shield (RNS)". A "rigid needle shield (RNS)" has several parts, in particular an elastomeric cap-shaped part and a sleeve-shaped part made of a solid, i.e. non-elastomeric plastic, which receives the elastomeric part and is essentially permanently connected to it.

[0004] Furthermore, EP3490647A1 discloses a cap-shaped removal element, also referred to as a cap, which is attached to the distal end of the injection device and closes the distal end of the injection device. When the cap is removed from the injection device, the needle protection cap attached to the pre-filled syringe is also removed. For this purpose, the cap has engagement members which are brought into engagement with the needle protection cap when the cap is removed. The engagement members can be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of the injection device. When the removal movement of the cap continues, the engagement members take the needle protection cap with them, whereby it is removed from the pre-filled syringe.

[0005] The disadvantage of this cap is that the patient cannot simply grasp the cap to pull the cap off the injection device. In addition, the patient must exert a lot of force to remove the cap from the injection device. This is particularly difficult for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as these patients are very limited in their mobility due to their joint disease and thus cannot grip small objects well and cannot exert a lot of force to remove the cap from the injection device.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an injection device and a method for assembling an injection device which allows easy removal of the needle protection cap from the product container without unintentionally endangering the sterility of the injection needle and the medication.

[0007] This object is achieved with the injection device according to claim 1 and with the method according to claim 10.

[0008] The invention is based on a device for administering a product, namely an injection device with a longitudinal axis (L). The injection device can be designed as a so-called auto-injector, which has a mechanism that causes automatic dispensing of the product, for example by means of an energy storage device, in particular a spring, and optionally automatic insertion and/or retraction of the injection needle. In an auto-injector, the force for dispensing the product is provided by the energy storage device, such as the spring. The injection device can alternatively be designed as a manual injection device, i.e. the force for dispensing the product is provided by muscle power, for example by the patient himself. The injection device - regardless of whether it is an auto-injector or a manual injection device - can have a needle protection sleeve which, after the injection, stands distally over the distal end of the injection needle or is moved into this position relative to the housing in order to prevent accidental access to the injection needle and thus reduce the risk of injury. In an auto-injector, the needle protection sleeve can also serve, for example, as a trigger element for triggering the dispensing of the product, with the needle protection sleeve being moved in the proximal direction relative to the housing for this purpose. Alternatively, the auto-injector can be triggered by pressing a trigger button on the auto-injector, with the needle protection sleeve serving as a visual screen before using the auto-injector.

[0009] The injection device has a product container with an injection needle, such as a pre-filled syringe or syringe in general known from the prior art. The product container can have a hollow cylindrical product container section, for example, which supports a piston in a displaceable manner. The piston can form a sealing gap with the inner circumference of the product container section and thus form a sterile barrier. The piston can be displaced in the distal direction, for example by means of a piston rod of the injection device, in order to dispense product from the product container via the injection needle. The injection needle can preferably be formed in a non-detachable manner on the product container. For example, the product container can have a holding section, in particular a needle holding section, which is arranged distally of the product container section and is non-detachably connected to the injection needle, and thus surrounds, for example, a proximal part of the injection needle. The injection needle can thus protrude from the holding section in the distal direction. The holding section can, for example, have a smaller outer diameter than the product container section. The product container portion may taper at its distal end toward the holding portion.

[0010] The term "distal" as used herein refers to the direction in which the tip of the injection needle points. The term "proximal" as used herein refers to the direction opposite to the distal direction.

[0011] A needle protection cap, such as a “soft needle shield (SNS)” or “rigid needle shield (RNS)” known from the prior art, is attached, in particular detachably attached, to the product container, for example to the holding section. The needle protection cap can be attached to the holding section, for example, with friction or form-fitting or with a combination of friction and form-fitting. The needle protection cap encloses the injection needle and seals it in a sterile manner with respect to the environment. A “soft needle shield (SNS)” comprises or consists of an elastomer, for example a part made of rubber or caoutchouc, which surrounds the needle. The “soft needle shield (SNS)” has a soft surface on its outer circumference, for example made of a rubber or caoutchouc-like material. A “rigid needle shield (RNS)” usually has several parts, in particular an elastomeric cap-shaped inner part and a sleeve-shaped or cap-shaped outer part made of a solid, i.e. non-elastomeric plastic, which receives the elastomeric part and is essentially permanently connected to it. The outer sleeve-shaped or cap-shaped part surrounds the inner cap-shaped part and is, for example, permanently connected to the inner cap, so that the outer and inner caps form a unit. The inner part can be made of a harder plastic than the inner part. The outer part can be made of polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene or another suitable plastic, for example. The inner part can be made of rubber or caoutchouc or another suitable material, for example.

[0012] A cap, which can also be referred to or designed as a closure cap or pull-off cap, can be attached to the distal end of the injection device or a housing, such as a receiving housing of the injection device, and closes the distal end of the housing or the receiving housing. The injection device can comprise a housing, such as a receiving housing of the injection device, for receiving the product container, the product container having a firmly connected injection needle and the needle protection cap being detachably arranged on the product container. The needle protection cap encloses the injection needle and seals the injection needle against the environment in a sterile manner. The cap can, for example, be frictionally and/or positively connected to the housing or receiving housing, such as being snapped together. The cap can, for example, be removed from the injection device or the housing with an axial movement or a combined axial-rotational movement, such as being snapped together, during removal from the injection device or the housing. B. the housing or receiving housing, must be removable.

[0013] The injection device can further comprise a product container holder which is firmly connected to the housing of the injection device, in particular axially and rotationally fixed. The product container holder can serve to hold the product container, wherein the product container can be held firmly, in particular axially and preferably rotationally fixed, in the product container holder. Alternatively, the housing and the product container holder can be formed in one piece, namely monolithically. Alternatively, the product container holder can be arranged to be axially movable and/or rotatable relative to the housing.

[0014] The cap, which is detachably provided on the distal end of the housing of the injection device, comprises one or more engagement elements to cause the needle protection cap to be removed from the product container when the cap is removed from the injection device. The cap, which is coupled to the engagement element, can be connectable to the needle protection cap via the engagement element in such a way that the removal of the cap from the injection device causes the needle protection cap to be removed from the product container. In particular, at least part of the movement or the entire movement of the cap in the distal direction can be transferred to the engagement element, i.e. the engagement element can be carried along by the cap so that the engagement element pulls the needle protection cap off the product container, in particular the holding section.

[0015] The engagement element can engage on or in a circumferential surface or on or in an edge or on or in a distal end face or on or in a proximal end face of the needle protection cap in order to remove the needle protection cap from the product container. The engagement element can particularly preferably be designed in the shape of a hook. The engagement element can be designed to be elastically and/or plastically deformable.

[0016] The injection device according to the invention has a handle element which can be connected to the cap in such a way that the handle element forms a releasable axially fixed engagement with the cap in order to effect the removal of the cap and the removal of the needle protection cap when it is removed from the injection device. The removal of the cap and the needle protection cap preferably takes place in the axial direction.

[0017] This grip element serves to enable the patient to hold the cap better. The grip element can be hook-shaped, disc-shaped, ring-shaped or spherical. The grip element can be designed in such a way that the patient can grip the cap in a way that suits his needs. The grip element can have a shape that is tailored to the needs of the patient. Thus, each patient can have a set of different grip elements in order to connect the most suitable grip element to the cap of the injection device depending on his state of health. In addition or alternatively, each patient can have a set of different grip elements in order to identify different injection devices, which, for example, comprise different products to be administered and/or different quantities of products to be administered. The patient can thus have differently shaped grip elements, since the connecting elements of the grip elements to the cap are each designed in the same way.

[0018] The handle element may be designed to allow the handle element to be grasped directly by hand or to couple the handle element to an external tool to remove the cap from the injection device. Alternatively, the patient may grasp the handle element with the mouth or with the legs. The external tool may be, for example, a table or other object. The handle element may be coupled, for example, to a table top or to a ring provided on a wall to remove the needle protection cap from the product container so that the injection device can be used to administer the product.

[0019] The detachable connection between the handle element and the cap can be designed as a positive and/or non-positive connection. The connection can particularly preferably be designed as a plug connection, snap connection, grooved connection, screw connection, pin connection, coupling connection or clamp connection. Other connections can also be provided.

[0020] The handle element can particularly preferably have a snap element which forms a releasable axially fixed engagement with an opening provided on the cap, in particular with an opening provided on the distal end of the cap. The opening of the cap can have a T-groove-shaped cross section. This element of the handle element and the opening of the cap can be designed as a releasable connection between the handle element and the cap. The snap element of the handle element can thus snap into the opening, in particular the T-groove-shaped opening of the cap, when the handle element is placed on the cap of the injection device.

[0021] The handle element can have an element, in particular a connecting element, which can be repeatedly coupled and uncoupled with the cap or with a corresponding counter element provided on the cap. The handle element is thus designed to be reusable. The handle element can particularly preferably have a plug element, a snap element, a groove element, a screw element, a pin element, a coupling element or a clamping element, which can be repeatedly coupled and uncoupled with the cap or with a corresponding counter element provided on the cap. Preferably, neither the handle element nor the cap are damaged in the process.

[0022] The grip element can preferably be connected by a movement in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cap. The grip element can preferably be released from the cap by an opposite movement.

[0023] In order to assemble an injection device according to the invention, the injection device is provided with a housing for receiving a product container, wherein the product container has a firmly connected injection needle and a needle protection cap is detachably arranged on the product container, which encloses the injection needle and seals it sterilely against the environment. A cap is then provided, wherein the cap is detachably provided at a distal end of the housing. When the cap is removed from the injection device, an engagement element provided on and/or in the cap causes the needle protection cap to be removed from the injection device. Furthermore, a handle element is connected to the cap. The handle element is detachably connected axially fixed to the cap. When the handle element is removed from the injection device, the cap is removed from the injection device, wherein furthermore an engagement element provided on and/or in the cap causes the needle protection cap to be removed from the injection device. The handle element is connected to the cap in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. The handle element is particularly preferably plugged, snapped, pushed together, screwed, plugged together, coupled or clamped to the cap. The handle element can preferably be connected to the cap directly by hand. The handle element is connected to the cap by a movement in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis (L). The handle element is removed from the cap by an opposite movement. The handle element is designed to be reusable. The handle element can be coupled and uncoupled from the cap repeatedly. The handle element is gripped directly by hand or using an external aid to remove the needle protection cap from the product container. Alternatively, the handle element can also be gripped over the mouth or legs.

[0024] The invention is described below using several figures. The features disclosed here advantageously further develop the invention, individually and in combination. They show: Figure 1: Longitudinal sectional view of an injection device, in particular an autoinjector from the prior art. Figure 2a and Figure 2b: an exploded view and a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of the administration device according to the invention. Figure 3a and Figure 3b: an exploded view and a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the administration device according to the invention. Figure 4a and Figure 4b: an exploded view and a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of the administration device according to the invention. Figure 5a and Figure 5b: an exploded view and a longitudinal sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the administration device according to the invention. Figure 6a and Figure 6b: an exploded view and a longitudinal sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the administration device according to the invention.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an injection device, in particular an autoinjector from the prior art. The injection device according to the invention has a cap (2), like the known injection device. The cap (2) is detachably arranged on the injection device. The injection device can, for example, have the cap (2) placed on the distal end in a delivery state. The injection device comprises a housing (1). The housing (1) can be designed as a sleeve-shaped, in particular cylindrical, receiving housing (1) with a distal and a proximal part. The cap (2) can be detachably attached to the distal end of the housing (1) or alternatively to the distal end of the needle protection sleeve (7) via a positive connection, in particular via a snap connection. The cap (2) can optionally have a sleeve (2b). The sleeve (2b) can preferably comprise an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The sleeve (2b) can preferably be made of plastic. In order to form the positive connection between the cap (2) and the housing (1), the cap (2) can have one or more engagement members (2a) which can engage, in particular can be snapped into, counter-engagement members (1b) arranged accordingly on the housing (1) of the injection device. By moving the cap (2) around and/or along the longitudinal axis (L), the positive connection, in particular the snap connection between the cap (2) and the housing (1) or alternatively the needle protection sleeve (7) of the injection device, can be released, wherein the cap (2) can be removed from the housing (1) of the injection device in the distal direction. The distal end of the sleeve (2b) is essentially closed, so that access from the outside to the interior of the cap (2) is not possible or only possible with difficulty. The cap (2) comprises an engagement element (2c). The engagement element (2c) can be plastically and/or elastically deformable. The engagement element (2c) is preferably made of metal, in particular of steel, particularly preferably of stainless steel or of stainless spring steel. The cap (2) can also have a removal element (2d). The removal element (2d) is preferably sleeve-shaped, wherein the engagement element (2c) can be provided on the removal element (2d) or the removal element (2d) comprises the engagement element (2c). The removal element (2d) and the engagement element (2c) are preferably one-piece, namely monolithic and preferably made of the same material. The sleeve (2b) and the removal element (2d) with the engagement element (2c) are axially fixed to one another. For this purpose, the sleeve (2b), in particular the inner sleeve of the sleeve (2b), can have a projection (2e) which is engaged in a recess (2f) provided on the removal element (2d). The sleeve (2b) and the removal element (2d) with the engagement element (2c) are formed in two parts in this embodiment. A product container (3) designed as a syringe is arranged in the housing (1) of the injection device. The product container (3) has a product container section (3a) which is in particular formed as a hollow cylinder and whose inner wall forms a sealing gap with a piston (3b) slidably received in the product container section (3a) in order to form a sterile barrier. A flange (3c), also referred to as a finger flange, can optionally be arranged at the proximal end of the product container section (3a). The product container section (3a) tapers at its distal end to a needle holding section (3d) which has a significantly smaller outer diameter than the product container section (3a). The needle holding section (3d) surrounds the proximal part of an injection needle (3e) and is preferably permanently connected thereto. The product container (3) thus has the firmly connected injection needle (3e). The injection needle (3e) protrudes from the needle holding section (3d) in the distal direction. By moving the piston (3b) in the distal direction, the product, preferably liquid product, arranged between the injection needle (3d) and the piston (3b) in the product container section (3a) can be dispensed through the injection needle (3e). In order to move the piston (3b) of the product container (3) in the distal direction, a drive unit can be provided in the housing (1) of the injection device. Alternatively, the drive unit can be connected to the housing (1) of the injection device in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting and/or material-fitting manner. The drive unit can comprise a piston rod (4). By moving the piston rod (4) in the distal direction, a product can be dispensed from the product container (3). A needle protection cap (5) is detachably attached to the needle holding section (3d), for example by form-fitting and/or frictional engagement. The needle protection cap (5) can be a “rigid needle shield (RNS)” or alternatively a “soft needle shield (SNS)”. The needle protection cap (5) encloses the injection needle (3e) and seals the injection needle (3e) in a sterile manner from the environment. The needle protection cap (5) surrounds the injection needle (3e) in such a way that its sterility with respect to the environment is ensured. A blocking element (1a) is provided on the housing (1) of the injection device or on a part of the injection device that is firmly connected to the housing (1). The blocking element (1a) has at least one inclined surface. The inclined surface of the blocking element (1a) protrudes inwards. The inclined surface of the blocking element (1a) has an incline. Alternatively, the locking element (1a) can be provided on the product container holder (3). When the cap (2) is pulled off the housing (1), the engagement element (2c) of the cap (2) can interact with the locking element (1a), in particular with the inclined surface of the locking element (1a) of the housing (1), such that the engagement element (2c) of the cap (2) comes into an engagement position, wherein the engagement element (2c) of the cap (2) comes into engagement with the needle protection cap (5). The locking element (1a) of the housing (1) holds or brings the engagement element (2c) of the cap (2) into the engagement position of the engagement element (2c). The product container (3) can optionally be arranged in a sleeve-shaped product container holder (6), for example. The tapered section of the product container section (3a) can be supported, for example, on an inwardly projecting shoulder of the product container holder (6) in the distal direction. Alternatively, the flange (3c) of the product container (3) can be supported on the product container holder (6) in the distal direction. Even further alternatively, the product container holder (6) can hold the product container (3) at its product container section (3a) in a frictional manner. The product container holder (6) can be arranged, for example, axially fixed or displaceable in the housing (1) of the injection device. A needle protection sleeve (7) can optionally be arranged in the housing (1) of the injection device, which can be displaced in the proximal direction with respect to the housing (1) of the injection device to trigger a product release and, after the product has been released, can be displaced in the distal direction to cover the tip of the injection needle (3e) in order to reduce the risk of injury. Furthermore or alternatively, the cap (2) can be detachably connected to the needle protection sleeve (7), for example via a snap connection. Such needle protection sleeves (7) are known from the prior art and can be regarded as an advantageous development of the invention. The injection device according to the invention can have any design, provided that the injection device comprises a product container (3) in a housing (1). The injection device can be designed as an auto-injector known from the prior art, in which the product is dispensed automatically. However, other injection devices can also be provided.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the engagement element (2c) of the cap (2) can engage on or in a circumferential surface or on or in an edge or on or in a distal end face or on or in a proximal end face of the needle protection cap (5) during or before removal of the cap (2) from the injection device in order to remove the needle protection cap (5) from the product container (3).

[0027] In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the removal element (2d) with the engagement element (2c) and the sleeve (2b) of the cap (2) can be formed in one piece, namely monolithically. Preferably, in this embodiment, the cap (2) with the engagement element (2c) is made of plastic.

[0028] The cap (2) of the injection device according to the invention thus comprises an engagement element (2c) to cause the needle protection sleeve (5) to be removed from the product container (3) when the cap (2) is removed from the injection device.

[0029] The injection device according to the invention further comprises a handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') which can be connected to the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2'''', 2''''') in such a way that the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; ; 8''''') forms a releasable, axially fixed engagement with the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') in order to effect the removal of the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') and the removal of the needle protection cap (5) when the injection device is removed. With the aid of the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8'''', 8'''''), the patient can remove the cap (2'; 2''; 2'''; 2'''', 2''''') better grip.

[0030] Figures 2a and 2b show a first embodiment, Figures 3a and 3b show a second embodiment, Figures 4a and 4b show a third embodiment, Figures 5a and 5b show a fourth embodiment and Figures 6a and 6b show a fifth embodiment of the invention. These embodiments differ in the design of the handle element (8'; 8''; 8'''; 8'''', 8'''''). The handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can be hook-shaped, disc-shaped, ring-shaped or spherical. The shape of the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can be selected so that each patient can select the handle element (8'; 8''; 8'''', 8'''', 8''''') most suitable for his needs in order to remove the cap (2'; 2''; 2'''; 2'''', 2''''') from the injection device. The handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can have a shape adapted to the needs of the patient in order to couple the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') to an external aid in order to remove the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') from the injection device. The external aid can be a table, for example. The handle element (8''''') according to Figures 6a and 6b can, for example, preferably be coupled to a table edge in order to remove the needle protection cap (5) from the product container (3), so that the injection device can be used to administer the product. For this purpose, the handle element (8''''') can have a proximal (8c) and a distal disk (8d), which are connected to one another by a connecting web. The distal disk (8d) is connected to a (8''''') is prestressed in the proximal direction. The patient can couple the handle element (8''''') to a table top in such a way that the table top is arranged between the proximal (8c) and the distal disk (8d). The force of the spring element (8e) presses the distal disk (8d) of the handle element (8''''') against the table top. The handle element (8''') according to Figures 4a or 4b can be coupled to, for example, a ring attached to a wall or other object in order to remove the needle protection cap (5) from the product container (3). The handle element (8'; 8"; 8''') according to Figures 2a and 2b, Figures 3a and 3b and Figures 5a and 5b can each be held directly by hand in order to remove the needle protection cap (5) from the product container (3). The handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can be designed to be solid and/or elastic. The handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8'''';; 8''''') can be made of metal, plastic, rubber, wood or other material. The selected material of the handle element (8'; 8"; 8''''; 8''''; 8''''') is adapted to the needs of the patient. The handle element (8'''') according to Figures 4a and 4b can be designed in two parts and thus have a further handle element (8b), preferably with a different shape. The further grip element (8b) can preferably be made of a different material, in particular an elastic material, for example rubber or caoutchouc. Thus, the grip element (8'''') of the injection device can be made of a particularly suitable material in order to form a detachable connection to the cap (2'''') and the further grip element (8b) of the injection device can be made of a particularly suitable material in order to better grip the further grip element (8b) with the hand, mouth, legs or external aid.

[0031] The detachable connection between the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''', 8'''', 8''''') and the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2'''', 2''''') can be designed as a positive and/or non-positive connection. Particularly preferably, the connection can be designed as a plug connection, snap connection, grooved connection, screw connection, pin connection, coupling connection or clamp connection. Other connections can also be provided.

[0032] The grip element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can particularly preferably have a snap element (8a'; 8a''; 8a'''; 8a''''; 8a''''') which forms a releasable, axially fixed engagement with an opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g'''; 2g'''''; 2g''''') provided on the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''), in particular with an opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g''''; 2g''''') provided on the distal end of the cap. The opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g''''; 2g''''') can particularly preferably be provided on the outer sleeve of the cap (2'; 2"; 2g'''; 2''''; 2'''''). The opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g'''; 2g''''') of the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') can have a T-slot-shaped cross-section. The snap element (8a'; 8a''; 8a'''; 8a''''; 8a''''') of the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') and the opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g''''; 2g''''') of the cap (2'; 2"; 2g'''; 2''; 2''''') can be designed as a detachable connection between the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') and the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''). The snap element (8a'; 8a'', 8a'''; 8a''''; 8a''''') of the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8'''', 8''''') can thus snap into the opening, in particular the T-slot-shaped opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g''''; 2g''''') of the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') when the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') is placed on the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') of the injection device. The snap element (8a'; 8a''; 8a'''; 8a'''; 8a''''') of the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8'''; ; 8''''') is designed such that the snap element (8a'; 8a''; 8a'''; 8a''''; 8a''''') of the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can be repeatedly coupled and uncoupled with the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') or with the opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g''''; 2g''''') of the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''). As a result, the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8'''') is designed to be reusable. The handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can preferably be connected by a movement in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''). The handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can preferably be detached from the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''').

[0033] In order to use the injection device, the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') is removed from the distal end of the housing (1) of the injection device. To do this, the patient grasps the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8'''; 8'''''; 8''''') coupled to the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''). The handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''', 8'''', 8''''') is in a releasable, axially fixed engagement with the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''). The positive connection between the cap (2'; 2"; 2'''; 2'''', 2''''') and the housing (1'; 1"; 1'''; 1''''; 1'''''). During this movement, the engagement element (2c) slides over the inclined surface of the locking element (1 a) of the housing (1) of the injection device and reaches the engagement position. As the pulling movement is continued, the needle protection cap (5) is taken along by the cap (2), whereby the needle protection cap (5) is removed from the product container (3) and held in the cap (2). The needle protection cap (5) is received in the cap (2). The injection device can be used to administer the product. The handle element (8'; 8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can be removed from the injection device and snapped onto another injection device.

Reference number:

[0034] 1; 1'; 1''; 1'''; 1''''; 1'''' Housing 1a Counter-engagement member 2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''' Cap 2a Engagement member 2b Sleeve 2c Engagement element 2e Projection 2f Recess 2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g''''; 2g''''' Opening 3 Product container 3a Product container section 3b Piston 3c Flange 3d Needle holding section 3e Injection needle 4 Piston rod 5 Needle protection cap 6 Product container holder 7 Needle protection sleeve 8'; 8''; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''' Handle element 8a'; 8a''; 8a'''; 8a''''; 8a''''' snap element 8b additional grip element 8c proximal disc 8d distal disc 8e spring element

Claims (15)

1. Injection device with a longitudinal axis (L) with: - a housing (1; 1'; 1"; 1''''; 1''''; 1''''') for receiving a product container (6), wherein the product container (6) has a firmly connected injection needle (3e), wherein a needle protection cap (5) is detachably arranged on the product container (6), which encloses the injection needle (3e) and seals it sterilely against the environment, - a cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''), which is detachably provided on a distal end of the housing (1; 1'; 1"; 1'''; 1''''; 1'''''), wherein the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') comprises an engagement element (2c) in order to engage the engagement element (2c) when the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') of the injection device to cause the removal of the needle protection cap (5) from the product container (6), characterized in that -a handle element (8'; 8''; ; 8'''; 8'''', 8''''') is provided which can be connected to the cap (2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') in such a way that the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') forms a releasable axially fixed engagement with the cap (2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2''''; ; 2''''') to effect removal of the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') and removal of the needle protection cap (5) upon removal from the injection device. 2. Injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detachable connection between the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') and the cap (2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2'''', 2''''') is designed as a positive and/or non-positive connection. 3. Injection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detachable connection is designed as a plug connection, snap connection, grooved connection, screw connection, pin connection, coupling connection or clamp connection. 4. Injection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8'''', 8''''') has a shape to grip the handle element (8'; 8''; 8'''', 8'''', 8''''') directly by hand or to couple the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') to an external aid in order to remove the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') from the injection device. 5. Injection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') is hook-shaped, disc-shaped, ring-shaped or spherical. 6. Injection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') has a plug element, a snap element (8a'; 8a''; 8a'''; 8a''''; 8a'''''), a groove element, a screw element, a pin element, a coupling element or a clamping element, which can be repeatedly coupled and uncoupled with the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2'''', 2''''') or with a corresponding counter element provided on the cap (2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2'''', 2'''''). 7. Injection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can be connected by a movement in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cap (2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2''''; ; 2'''''). 8. Injection device according to claim 6, characterized in that the grip element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') has the snap element (8a'; 8a''; 8a'''; 8a''''; 8a'''''), which forms a releasable, axially fixed engagement with an opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g'''; 2g'''''; 2g''''') provided on the cap (2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2'''', 2'''''), in particular with an opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g''''; 2g''''; 2g''''') provided on the distal end of the cap (2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''). 9. Injection device according to claim 8, characterized in that the opening (2g'; 2g''; 2g'''; 2g''''; 2g''''') of the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') has a T-slot-shaped cross-section. 10. Method for assembling an injection device with the following steps: –Providing an injection device with a housing (1; 1'; 1"; 1'''; 1''''; 1''''') for receiving a product container (6), wherein the product container (6) has a firmly connected injection needle (3e) and a needle protection cap (5) is detachably arranged on the product container (6), which encloses the injection needle (3e) and seals it sterilely against the environment; –Providing a cap (2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''), which is detachably provided on a distal end of the housing (1; 1'; 1''; 1'''; 1''''; 1'''''), wherein when the cap (2; 2'; 2''; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') is removed from the Injection device is removed, an engagement element (2c) provided on or/and in the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') causes the needle protection cap (5) to be removed from the injection device; –Connecting a handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') to the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; ; 2'''''), so that the handle element (8'; 8''; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') is detachably connected axially to the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''), wherein when the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8'''', 8''''') is removed from the injection device, the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') is removed from the injection device and a Engagement element (2c) causes the needle protection cap (5) to be removed from the injection device. 11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') is connected to the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. 12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') is plugged, snapped, pushed together, screwed, plugged together, coupled or clamped to the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2'''''). 13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') is gripped directly by hand or via an external aid in order to remove the needle protection cap (5) from the product container (6). 14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') is connected to the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''') by a movement in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L). 15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle element (8'; 8"; 8'''; 8''''; 8''''') can be repeatedly coupled and uncoupled from the cap (2; 2'; 2"; 2'''; 2''''; 2''''').