Conventional syringe
A manually filled syringe for measured administration; often involves a separate vial or ampoule and more preparation steps.
Device architecture
Injection performance Explore the options before designing.
Device format, drug container and delivery technology are different design choices. The guide combines them with your requirements to compare complete architectures.
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Start basic design01 / Delivery systems
Injection-device formats
Each picture shows one generic example. Appearance and features can differ between manufacturers and products.
Prefilled syringe
A manufacturer-filled syringe used directly for a single administration, with manual injection.
Safety prefilled syringe
A prefilled syringe with an active or passive sharps protection mechanism.
Disposable pen
An integrated injector discarded after its container is used; commonly supports repeat doses from one container.
Reusable pen
A reusable dosing mechanism accepting a replaceable cartridge, often suited to repeat variable dosing.
Single-use autoinjector
An integrated device that automates one or more injection steps and is discarded after use.
Reusable autoinjector
A reusable drive unit accepting a replaceable drug-containing component.
Electronic injector
A device using electrical power or control; it may also be a pen or autoinjector.
On-body delivery system
A body-worn system for a discrete dose, often used when delivery takes longer or needs hands-free use.
Patch injector
A compact adhesive on-body injector with integrated delivery functions.
02 / Drug contact
Primary containers
The primary container holds the drug. Each picture shows one generic example; shape, closure and materials can differ between manufacturers.
Vial
A sealed drug container from which a dose is withdrawn or transferred.
Ampoule
A sealed glass container opened before withdrawal; generally one-time use.
Prefilled syringe (PFS)
A syringe barrel filled by the manufacturer that also acts as the primary drug container.
Cartridge
A cylindrical replaceable or integrated container commonly used in pens and injectors.
Reservoir
A dedicated drug-holding chamber or pouch within a delivery system.
Cassette
A drug-containing module designed to interface with a reusable or disposable drive system.
03 / System designation
How ISO 11608-1 groups systems
Designation follows whether the container is replaceable, whether it holds one or multiple doses, and for a single-dose container whether the deliverable volume is fully or partly expelled. It does not identify a device format by itself.
AReplaceable
Multi-dose
Multi-dose
B1 / B2Replaceable
Single-dose · full / partial delivery
Single-dose · full / partial delivery
CIntegrated or user-assembled
Multi-dose
Multi-dose
D1 / D2Integrated or user-assembled
Single-dose · full / partial delivery
Single-dose · full / partial delivery
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