Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 20040267207A1
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Dca Design International Ltd.
• Inventors: Wimpenny, Steven, Veasey, Robert Frederick, Langley, Christopher Nigel
• Granted Patent: US 7,553,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/208
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/24 Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic ampoules or carpules A61J1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2422 using emptying means to expel or eject media, e.g. pistons, deformation of the ampoule, or telescoping of the ampoule
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31501 Means for blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston A61M5/5013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31526 by means of stepwise axial movements, e.g. ratchet mechanisms or detents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31528 by means of rotational movements, e.g. screw-thread mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31533 Dosing mechanisms, i.e. setting a dose administrating mechanisms A61M5/31565
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3155 by rotational movement of dose setting member, e.g. during setting or filling of a syringe
• 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 5/31583 based on rotational translation, i.e. movement of piston rod is caused by relative rotation between the user activated actuator and the piston rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31585 performed by axially moving actuator, e.g. an injection button
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31593 Multi-dose, i.e. individually set dose repeatedly administered from the same medicament reservoir

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 piston rod, and a unidirectional coupling between the housing and the piston rod. The drive mechanism may also include a dose dial sleeve and a drive sleeve, with a clutch mean located therebetween to prevent relative rotation between the dial sleeve and the drive sleeve when in a coupled state and to permit relative rotation between the dial sleeve and the drive sleeve when in a de-coupled state.

Claims

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

a housing having an internal and an external thread;

a piston rod having a non-circular cross section, and which is threadedly engaged with the internal thread of the housing;

a unidirectional coupling located between the housing and the piston rod;

a dose dial sleeve, which is threadedly engaged with the external thread of the housing and being rotatable with respect to the housing;

a drive sleeve, located between the housing and the piston rod, which is axially displaceable but not rotatable with respect to the piston rod; and

a clutch means located between the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve, which

a) when the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve are de-coupled by the clutch means, rotation of said dose dial sleeve with respect to the drive sleeve is allowed; and

b) when the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve are coupled by the clutch means, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the drive sleeve is prevented.

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 19, 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 drug delivery device comprising the assembly of claim 2.

12. The drug delivery device of claim 11, wherein the device is a pen-type device.

13. The drug delivery device of claim 11, wherein the device is an injector-type device.

14. The drug delivery device of claim 11, further comprising a needle.

15. The drug delivery device of claim 11, wherein the device is a needle-free device.

16. A method of delivering a drug, comprising:

providing the device of claim 11,

dispensing a medicinal product with the device.

17. The method of claim 16, 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.

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

19. A method of delivering a drug, comprising:

providing the device of claim 3,

dispensing a medicinal product with the device.

8. Canceled