Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 20050004529A1
• Filed: 04/08/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Dca Design International Ltd.
• Inventors: Veasey, Robert Frederick, Jones, Christopher John
• Granted Patent: US 7,918,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/209
• 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 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31575 using scaling up or down transmissions, e.g. gearbox
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31585 performed by axially moving actuator, e.g. an injection button

Abstract

A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device comprising an epicyclic gearbox. This drive mechanism includes a housing having a helical thread; a piston rod having a non-circular cross section and an external helical thread; a dose dial sleeve, which is threadedly engaged with the housing and being rotatable with respect to the housing; and a drive sleeve, located between the housing and the piston rod, which is threadedly engaged with the piston rod.

Claims

1. A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device comprising an epicyclic gearbox.

2. The drive mechanism according to claim 1 comprising:

a housing having a helical thread;

a piston rod having a non-circular cross section and an external helical thread;

a dose dial sleeve, which is threadedly engaged with said housing and being rotatable with respect to said housing;

a drive sleeve, located between said housing and said piston rod, which is threadedly engaged with said piston rod.

3. The drive mechanism according to any of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the said dose dial sleeve is releasibly connected to the said drive sleeve by the said epicyclic gearbox.

4. An assembly for use in a drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism according to any of claims 1 to 3.

5. A drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism or the assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method of assembling a drug delivery device comprising the step of providing a drive mechanism or an assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4.

7. The use of a drug delivery device as defined in claim 5 for dispensing a medicinal product comprising an active compound selected from the group consisting of insulin, growth hormone, low molecular weight heparin, their analogues and their derivative.