EXTERNAL DRUG PUMP

• US 20090093793A1
• Filed: 10/02/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lamodel Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Lamodel Ltd.
• Inventors: Paproski, John, Barkan, Moshe, Gross, Yossi, Cabiri, Oz
• Application Number:
  US12/244,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20090093793A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/518
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14252 with needle insertion means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1426 with means for preventing access to the needle after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14268 with a reusable and a disposable component
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14533 cam actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31518 designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1456 with a replaceable reservoir comprising a piston rod to be moved into the reservoir, e.g. the piston rod is part of the removable reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3146 Priming, e.g. purging, reducing backlash or clearance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31596 comprising means for injection of two or more media, e.g. by mixing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/12 with reciprocation along the axis of rotation, e.g. gearings with helical grooves and automatic reversal or cams
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18576 including screw and nut

Abstract

Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance, an inner surface of the vial being shaped to define a protrusion therefrom. A stopper within the vial is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. The protrusion impedes rotation of the second threaded element with respect to the vial. The distal end of the second threaded element remains proximal to a distal end of the stopper during rotation of the first threaded element. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Claims

1. Apparatus for administering a substance to a subject, comprising:

a vial that contains the substance, an inner surface of the vial being shaped to define a protrusion therefrom;

a stopper within the vial, slidably coupled to the vial;

a first threaded element (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element; and

a second threaded element that is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element,

the protrusion impeding rotation of at least a distal end of the second threaded element with respect to the vial,

the distal end of the second threaded element remaining proximal to a distal end of the stopper at all times during rotation of the first threaded element, and

the first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advancing the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial.

2. Apparatus for administering a substance to a subject, comprising:

a vial that contains the substance, a proximal end of the vial being shaped to define two or more flanges;

a stopper within the vial, slidably coupled to the vial;

a first threaded element (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element; and

a second threaded element that is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element,

at least a distal end of the second threaded element substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial,

the distal end of the second threaded element remaining proximal to a distal end of the stopper at all times during rotation of the first threaded element, and

the first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advancing the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial.

3. Apparatus for administering a substance to a subject, comprising:

a vial that contains the substance;

a proximal stopper within the vial, slidably coupled to the vial;

a dividing stopper within the vial, slidably coupled to the vial;

the vial comprising a distal compartment and a proximal compartment, the distal compartment containing a first medication and the proximal compartment containing a second medication, the dividing stopper reversibly inhibiting fluid communication between the distal compartment and the proximal compartment,

a first threaded element (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element; and

a second threaded element that is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element,

at least a distal end of the second threaded element substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial,

the distal end of the second threaded element remaining proximal to a distal end of the stopper at all times during rotation of the first threaded element, and

the first threaded element, by rotating,

linearly advancing the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial, and

causing mixing of the first medication and the second medication by advancing the dividing stopper toward the distal end of the vial.

4. Apparatus for administering a substance to a subject, comprising:

a vial that contains the substance;

a proximal stopper within the vial, slidably coupled to the vial;

a dividing stopper within the vial, slidably coupled to the vial;

the vial comprising a distal compartment and a proximal compartment, the distal compartment containing a medication and the proximal compartment containing a flush solution, the dividing stopper reversibly inhibiting fluid communication between the distal compartment and the proximal compartment,

a first threaded element (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element; and

a second threaded element that is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element,

at least a distal end of the second threaded element substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial,

the distal end of the second threaded element remaining proximal to a distal end of the stopper at all times during rotation of the first threaded element, and

the first threaded element, by rotating, (a) administering the medication to the subject, and (b) flushing the medication from the vial with the flushing solution, by advancing the dividing stopper toward the distal end of the vial.

5. Apparatus for administering a substance to a subject, comprising:

a vial that comprises a cyclic olefin polymer and that contains the substance;

a stopper within the vial, slidably coupled to the vial;

a first threaded element (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element; and

a second threaded element that is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element,

at least a distal end of the second threaded element substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial,

the distal end of the second threaded element remaining proximal to a distal end of the stopper at all times during rotation of the first threaded element, and

the first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advancing the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the substance includes a monoclonal antibody, and wherein the vial contains the monoclonal antibody.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a fluoropolymer, wherein the stopper is coated with the fluoropolymer.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an inner surface of the vial is shaped to define a protrusion therefrom, the protrusion impeding rotation of the second threaded element.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a proximal end of the vial is shaped to define two or more flanges.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5,

further comprising a dividing stopper within the vial, slidably coupled to the vial;

wherein the vial comprises a distal compartment and a proximal compartment, the distal compartment containing a first medication and the proximal compartment containing a second medication, the dividing stopper reversibly inhibiting fluid communication between the distal compartment and the proximal compartment, and

wherein the first threaded element, by rotating, causes mixing of the first medication and the second medication by advancing the dividing stopper toward the distal end of the vial.

11. The apparatus according to claim 5,

further comprising a dividing stopper within the vial, slidably coupled to the vial;

wherein the vial comprises a distal compartment and a proximal compartment, the distal compartment containing a medication and the proximal compartment containing a flush solution, the dividing stopper reversibly inhibiting fluid communication between the distal compartment and the proximal compartment; and

wherein the first threaded element, by rotating, is configured by advancing the dividing stopper toward the distal end of the vial;

to administer the medication to the subject, and

to flush the medication from the vial with the flushing solution.

12. A method, comprising:

providing;

a vial having a protrusion from an inner surface thereof, containing a substance, and sealed by a stopper, and

first and second threaded elements for placement within the vial, the first and second threaded elements being threadedly coupled to each other, a distal end of the second threaded element being for coupling to the stopper;

inserting the vial into a housing base, the threaded elements having been inserted into the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element having been coupled to the stopper;

pushing the substance out of the vial by advancing the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial, the advancing being performed by;

rotating the first threaded element with respect to the vial,

impeding proximal linear motion of the first threaded element with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element, and

impeding rotational motion of at least the distal end of the second threaded element with respect to the vial using the protrusion from the inner surface of the vial; and

maintaining the distal end of the second threaded element proximal to a distal end of the stopper at all times during the rotating of the first threaded element.

13. A method, comprising:

providing;

a vial that contains a substance, and is sealed by a stopper, and

first and second threaded elements for placement within the vial, the first and second threaded elements being threadedly coupled to each other, a distal end of the second threaded element being for coupling to the stopper;

inserting the vial into a housing base, the threaded elements having been inserted into the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element having been coupled to the stopper;

pushing the substance out of the vial by advancing the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial, the advancing being performed by;

rotating the first threaded element with respect to the vial,

impeding proximal linear motion of the first threaded element with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element, and

impeding rotational motion of at least the distal end of the second threaded element with respect to the vial; and

maintaining the distal end of the second threaded element proximal to a distal end of the stopper at all times during the rotating of the first threaded element

wherein the vial includes a vial having a distal compartment and a proximal compartment,

the distal compartment containing a first medication and the proximal compartment containing a second medication,

a dividing stopper within the vial reversibly inhibiting fluid communication between the distal compartment and the proximal compartment, and

wherein pushing the substance out of the vial comprises mixing the first medication and the second medication by advancing the dividing stopper toward the distal end of the vial by rotating the first threaded element.

14. A method, comprising:

providing;

a vial that contains a substance, and is sealed by a stopper, and

first and second threaded elements for placement within the vial, the first and second threaded elements being threadedly coupled to each other, a distal end of the second threaded element being for coupling to the stopper;

inserting the vial into a housing base, the threaded elements having been inserted into the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element having been coupled to the stopper;

pushing the substance out of the vial by advancing the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial, the advancing being performed by;

rotating the first threaded element with respect to the vial,

impeding proximal linear motion of the first threaded element with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element, and

impeding rotational motion of at least the distal end of the second threaded element with respect to the vial; and

maintaining the distal end of the second threaded element proximal to a distal end of the stopper at all times during the rotating of the first threaded element;

wherein the vial includes a vial having a distal compartment and a proximal compartment,

the distal compartment containing a medication and the proximal compartment containing a flushing solution,

a dividing stopper within the vial reversibly inhibiting fluid communication between the distal compartment and the proximal compartment, and

wherein pushing the substance out of the vial comprises;

pushing the medication out of the vial; and

flushing the medication from the vial with the flushing solution, by advancing the dividing stopper toward the distal end of the vial by rotating the first threaded element.

15. A method, comprising:

providing

a vial that comprises a cyclic olefin polymer, that contains a substance, and is sealed by a stopper, and

first and second threaded elements for placement within the vial, the first and second threaded elements being threadedly coupled to each other, a distal end of the second threaded element being for coupling to the stopper;

inserting the vial into a housing base, the threaded elements having been inserted into the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element having been coupled to the stopper;

pushing the substance out of the vial by advancing the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial, the advancing being performed by;

rotating the first threaded element with respect to the vial,

impeding proximal linear motion of the first threaded element with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element, and

impeding rotational motion of at least the distal end of the second threaded element with respect to the vial; and

maintaining the distal end of the second threaded element proximal to a distal end of the stopper at all times during the rotating of the first threaded element.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the substance includes a monoclonal antibody, and wherein pushing the substance out of the vial comprises administering the monoclonal antibody to a subject.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein providing the vial comprises providing a stopper that is coated with a fluoropolymer.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein impeding rotational motion of at least the distal end of the second threaded element with respect to the vial comprises impeding rotational motion of at least the distal end of the second threaded element with respect to the vial using a protrusion from an inner surface of the vial.

19. The method according to claim 15,

wherein the vial includes a vial having a distal compartment and a proximal compartment,

the distal compartment containing a first medication and the proximal compartment containing a second medication,

a dividing stopper within the vial reversibly inhibiting fluid communication between the distal compartment and the proximal compartment, and

wherein pushing the substance out of the vial comprises mixing the first medication and the second medication by advancing the dividing stopper toward the distal end of the vial by rotating the first threaded element.

20. The method according to claim 15,

wherein the vial includes a vial having a distal compartment and a proximal compartment,

the distal compartment containing a medication and the proximal compartment containing a flushing solution,

a dividing stopper within the vial reversibly inhibiting fluid communication between the distal compartment and the proximal compartment, and

wherein pushing the substance out of the vial comprises:

pushing the medication out of the vial, and

flushing the medication from the vial with the flushing solution,

by advancing the dividing stopper toward the distal end of the vial by rotating the first threaded element.