Pre-filled drug-delivery device and method of manufacture and assembly of same

摘要

A drug-delivery device (10) comprises a base member (22) defining a skin-contacting surface (24) for application to the skin of a subject; a syringe (12) serving as a reservoir for the drug (13) and which is connected to the base member (22) such that the longitudinal axis of the syringe (12) is disposed substantially parallel to the skin-contacting surface (24); a delivery needle (17) in communication with the syringe (12), the needle (17) having an angled bend which directs the tip (19) of the needle (17) substantially perpendicular to the skin-contacting surface (24) such that in use the tip (19) of the needle (17) is adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject; and means (14) for expelling a drug out of the interior of the syringe. The syringe barrel (12) can be filled with a drug under sterile conditions, with the fluid path and the skin-contacting and -penetrating portion of the needle (17) also sealed or sheathed under sterile conditions. After this is completed, the remainder of the manufacturing and assembly steps can be carried out in a clean area (as opposed to a sterile area). A locking means for a drug delivery needle is also disclosed.