| abstract |
A drug delivery device ( 500 ), including a body ( 504 ) having a needle opening ( 508 ) and a reservoir ( 164, 176 ) disposed therein for containing a medicament, and an injection needle ( 152 ) for penetrating the skin of a patient, the needle ( 152 ) providing a path for the medicament between the reservoir ( 164, 176 ) and the patient, and selectively protruding from the body ( 504 ) through the needle opening ( 508 ). The device ( 500 ) also includes safety means ( 576, 548, 552, 532, 512 ) for automatically retracting the needle ( 152 ) within the body ( 504 ) and covering the needle opening ( 508 ) upon removal of the device ( 500 ) from the patient. |