Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 20090198193A1
• Filed: 01/21/2009
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Perkins, Robert, Veasey, Robert Frederick, Plumptre, David Aubrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,850,662 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

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A dose setting mechanism for a drug delivery device, said mechanism comprising:

an outer body;

an inner body having an external helical groove, said inner body operatively coupled to a driver and guiding said driver to dispense a dose set by said dose setting mechanism; and

a dial sleeve disposed between said outer body and said inner body, said dial sleeve rotatably engaged with said external helical groove of said inner body,

wherein when a dose is set by said dose setting mechanism, said dial sleeve is rotated with respect to both said outer body and said inner body and said dial sleeve is translated away from both said outer body and said inner body.

15. The dose setting mechanism of claim 14 wherein said inner body comprises an internal surface, said internal surface comprising a mechanical configuration that guides said driver to dispense said dose set by said dose setting mechanism.

16. The dose setting mechanism of claim 15 wherein said mechanical configuration of said inner body comprises a spline that guides said driver to dispense said dose set by said dose setting mechanism.

17. The dose setting mechanism of claim 15 wherein said mechanical configuration of said inner body comprises a groove that guides said driver to dispense said dose set by said dose setting mechanism.

18. The dose setting mechanism of claim 14 wherein said external helical groove of said inner body comprises a helical groove having a constant pitch.

19. The dose setting mechanism of claim 14 wherein said dial sleeve has a generally smooth outer surface.

20. The dose setting mechanism of claim 19 further comprising a scale arrangement provided along said generally smooth outer surface.

21. The dose setting mechanism of claim 14 coupled to a cartridge holder.

22. The dose setting mechanism of claim 21 permanently coupled to said cartridge holder.

23. The dose setting mechanism of claim 14 further comprising a spindle operatively coupled to said driver such that, when said inner body guides said driver to dispense said dose set by said dose setting mechanism, said driver is configured to push said spindle to act on a cartridge bung while said spindle translates in a distal direction to expel said dose from said cartridge.

24. The dose setting mechanism of claim 23 wherein said spindle comprises at least first and second helical grooves.

25. The dose setting mechanism of claim 24 wherein said first and said second helical grooves are of opposite handedness.

26. A mechanism for setting a dose, comprising:

a spindle for acting on a cartridge bung,

a driver cooperating with said spindle, and

an inner body having an inner surface, said inner surface of said inner body dictating movement of said driver during dispensing of the dose so that said spindle acts on said cartridge bung.

27. The mechanism of claim 26 wherein said inner surface of said inner body comprises a plurality of longitudinal grooves.

28. The mechanism of claim 26 wherein said inner surface comprises a helical groove.

29. The mechanism of claim 26 wherein said inner surface comprises a male helical guide.

30. The mechanism of claim 26 wherein said inner surface comprises a partial helical groove.

31. A drug delivery device comprising:

an outer body;

an inner body having an external helical groove;

a dial sleeve engaged with said external groove of said inner body and positioned between said outer body and said inner body;

a driving member positioned within said inner body; and

a clutch operatively coupled to said dial sleeve and said driving member, said clutch allowing said dial sleeve and said driving member to rotate together during a setting of a dose to be delivered by said drug delivery device, and said clutch preventing said driving member and said dial sleeve from rotating together during an injection of said dose.

32. The drug delivery device of claim 31 further comprising a spindle operatively coupled to said driving member such that, during said injection of said dose, said inner body guides said driving member and said driving member pushes said spindle to dispel said dose from a cartridge.

33. The drug delivery device of claim 32 wherein said spindle comprises at least one groove, said at least one groove allowing said spindle to translate in a distal direction to expel said dose from said cartridge.