Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 20040260247A1
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Dca Design International Ltd.
• Inventors: Perkins, Robert, Veasey, Robert Frederick, Plumptre, David Aubrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,094,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31535 Means improving security or handling thereof, e.g. blocking means, means preventing insufficient dosing, means allowing correction of overset dose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3156 using volume steps only adjustable in discrete intervals, i.e. individually distinct intervals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3158 performed by axially moving actuator operated by user, e.g. an injection button
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31585 performed by axially moving actuator, e.g. an injection button

Abstract

A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve having a helical thread of a first lead, and a two-part piston rod. The two-part piston rod may include an outer part having a helical thread of a second lead and an inner part having a helical thread of a third lead. In such an embodiment, the first lead of the thread of the dose dial sleeve may be equal to the sum of the second lead of the thread of the outer part of the piston rod and the third lead of the thread of the inner part of the piston rod.

Claims

1. A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device comprising:

a housing;

a dose dial sleeve having a helical thread of a first lead; and

a two-part piston rod;

characterised in that the two-part piston rod comprises an outer part having a helical thread of a second lead and an inner part having a helical thread of a third lead, whereby the first lead of the thread of the dose dial sleeve is equal to the sum of the second lead of the thread of the outer part of the piston rod and the third lead of the thread of the inner part of the piston rod.

2. An assembly for use in a drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism of claim 1.

3. A drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism of claim 1.

4. The drug delivery device according to claim 3, wherein the delivery device is a pen-type device.

5. The drug delivery device according to claim 3, wherein the delivery device is an injector-type device.

6. The drug delivery device according to claim 3, wherein the device further comprises a needle.

7. The drug delivery device according to claim 3, wherein the device is a needle-free device.

9. The method of claim 11, wherein dispensing a medicinal product includes dispensing a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an active compound selected from the group consisting of insulin, growth hormone, low molecular weight heparin, analogues thereof, and derivatives thereof.

10. The method of manufacturing or assembling a drug delivery device, comprising the step of providing a drive mechanism according to claim 1.

11. A method of delivering a drug, comprising:

providing the device of claim 3,

dispensing a medicinal product with the device.

12. A drug delivery device comprising the assembly of claim 2.

13. The drug delivery device of claim 12, wherein the device is a pen-type device.

14. The drug delivery device of claim 12, wherein the device is an injector-type device.

15. The drug delivery device of claim 12, further comprising a needle.

16. The drug delivery device of claim 12, wherein the device is a needle-free device.

17. A method of delivering a drug, comprising:

providing the device of claim 12,

dispensing a medicinal product with the device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein dispensing a medicinal product includes dispensing a pharmaceutical formulation from the device, wherein the pharmaceutical formulation comprises an active compound selected from the group consisting of insulin, growth hormone, low molecular weight heparin, analogues thereof, and derivatives thereof.

19. A method of manufacturing or assembling a drug delivery device, comprising providing the assembly of claim 2.

8. Canceled