Becton, Dickinson and Company
PEN NEEDLE APPARATUS

Abstract:

A pen needle apparatus includes a housing (32), a movable gripping mechanism (34) for gripping a pen needle assembly (18), and an actuator (36). The gripping mechanism (34) includes first and second pivoting arms (44) that pivot between a first closed position and a second open position. In the closed position, the arms engage and grip the outer cover (22) of the pen needle assembly (18) so that the needle hub (16) can be separated from the outer cover (22) and the pen needle placed back in the outer cover (22) after use of the pen needle. The actuator (36) is connected to the arms (44) where movement of the actuator pivots the arms to a second open position to release the outer cover of the pen needle assembly. The arms include a gripping surface for engaging the inner shield (24) of the pen needle assembly to assist in removing the inner shield (24) from the needle hub (16).