Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 20070093761A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• 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, Plumptre, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,935,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2407 from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3126 Specific display means related to dosing
• 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 5/31528 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 5/31535 Means improving security or handling thereof, e.g. blocking means, means preventing insufficient dosing, means allowing correction of overset dose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31536 Blocking means to immobilize a selected dose, e.g. to administer equal doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31546 Electrically operated dose setting, e.g. input via touch screen or plus/minus buttons
• 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 5/31563 interacting with a displaceable stop member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31565 Administration mechanisms, i.e. constructional features, modes of administering a dose dosing mechanisms for setting a dose A61M5/31533
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31568 Means keeping track of the total dose administered, e.g. since the cartridge was inserted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3157 Means providing feedback signals when administration is completed A61M5/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31575 using scaling up or down transmissions, e.g. gearbox
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31578 based on axial translation, i.e. components directly operatively associated and axially moved with plunger 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/32 : Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub infusion needles A61M5/158; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body A61M5/42, A61M5/46 take precedence; guide needles for catheters A61M25/065; Devices for protection of needles apparatus specially adapted for cleaning or sterilising needles A61M5/001

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, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.

Claims

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

a housing having a helical thread;

a dose dial sleeve having a helical thread engaged with the helical thread of the housing;

a drive sleeve releasably connected to the dose dial sleeve;

and a clutch means located between the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve;

the clutch means configured such that,

a) when the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve are coupled, both are allowed to rotate with respect to the housing; and

b) when the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve are de-coupled, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is allowed, while rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented, whereby axial movement of the drive sleeve is allowed so that a force is transferred in the longitudinal direction to a proximal end of the drug delivery device.

2. A drive mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a piston rod adapted to operate through the housing and transfer the force in the longitudinal direction to the proximal end of the drug delivery device.

3. The drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said dose dial sleeve further comprises a helical thread, which has the same lead as the lead of the helical thread of the drive sleeve.

4. The drive mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the piston rod is designed to have attached a toothed gear designed to mesh with the threads of the drive sleeve and the teeth of a toothed rack, whereby the toothed rack is fixed to the housing.

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

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

7. The drug delivery device according to claim 6, wherein the delivery device is a pen-type device.

8. The drug delivery device according to any of claim 6 wherein the delivery device is an injector-type device.

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

10. The drug delivery device according to claim 6, wherein the delivery device is a needle-free device.

12. The method of claim 23, 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.

13. A method of manufacturing or assembling a drug delivery device, comprising the step of providing the drive mechanism of claim 1.

14. A drug delivery device comprising the assembly of claim 5.

15. The drug delivery device of claim 14, wherein the device is a pen-type device.

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

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

18. The drug delivery device of claim 14, wherein the device is a needle-free device.

19. The drive mechanism of claim 1, wherein the helical thread is an internal helical thread.

20. A method of delivering a drug, comprising:

providing the device of claim 14,

dispensing a medicinal product with the device.

21. The method of claim 20, 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.

22. A method of manufacturing or assembling a drug delivery device, comprising providing the assembly of claim 5.

23. A method of delivering a drug, comprising:

providing the device of claim 6,

dispensing a medicinal product with the device.

11. (canceled)