RESETTABLE DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE

• US 20100331788A1
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: JONES, Christopher John, PLUMPTRE, David Aubrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,974,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2407 from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2488 via rotation, e.g. threads or bayonet
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2492 via snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3152 including gearings to multiply or attenuate the piston displacing force
• 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 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31543 piston rod reset means, i.e. means for causing or facilitating retraction of piston rod to its starting position during cartridge change
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31558 using scaling up or down transmissions, e.g. gearbox
• 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 resetting mechanism for a reusable drug delivery device. The device comprises a spindle and a spindle guide engaging the spindle. During a resetting step of the resetting mechanism, the spindle rotates while the spindle guide does not rotate.

Claims

1. A resetting mechanism for a reusable drug delivery device, said resetting mechanism comprising:

a spindle;

a spindle guide engaging said spindle;

wherein during a resetting step of said resetting mechanism, said spindle rotates while said spindle guide does not rotate.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein

said spindle comprises at least one external groove;

and

said spindle guide engages said at least one external groove.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein

said spindle comprises at least one spline;

and

said spindle guide engages said at least one spline.

4. The invention of claim 1 further comprising:

a driver for driving said spindle during a dose administration step, said driver comprising a first driver portion and a second driver portion.

5. The invention of claim 4:

wherein during said resetting step of said resetting mechanism, said first driver portion is decoupled from said second driver portion.

6. The invention of claim 5:

wherein during said resetting step of said resetting mechanism, said second driver portion is not rotatable while said first driver portion is rotatable.

7. The invention of claim 4:

wherein during a dose setting step of said resetting mechanism, said first driver portion is rotatably coupled to said second driver portion.

8. The invention of claim 4 wherein said first driver portion is a unitary molded component.

9. The invention of claim 4 wherein said second driver portion is a unitary molded component.

10. A driver for driving a spindle of a drug delivery device, said driver comprising:

a first portion; and

a second portion rotationally coupled to said first portion;

wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said first portion is rotationally decoupled from said second portion.

11. The invention of claim 10 further comprising:

a spindle;

and

a spindle guide engaged with said spindle;

wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said spindle rotates while said spindle guide does not rotate.

12. A driver for driving a spindle of a drug delivery device, said driver comprising:

a first component part; and

a second component part operatively coupled to said first component part, such that during dose setting of said drug delivery device, both said first and said second component part rotate together, and

wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said first component is decoupled from said second component and is free to rotate while said second component is prevented from rotating.

13. The invention of claim 12 further comprising a dose limiter wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said dose limiter is reset to an initial position.

14. The invention of claim 12 further comprising a spindle, wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said spindle is reset to an initial position.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein during said resetting of said drug delivery device, said spindle is reset to said initial position by moving said spindle in an axial direction.

16. The invention of claim 12 wherein first component part is a unitary molded component.

17. The invention of claim 12 wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said first component is decoupled from said second component by moving said first component in an axial direction.

18. The invention of claim 17 wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said first component is decoupled from said second component by moving said first component in an axial direction away from said second component.

19. The invention of claim 17 wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said first component is decoupled from said second component by moving said first component in an axially direction towards said second component.

20. The invention of claim 12 wherein when said drug deliver device is used to set a dose of medication, both said first component and said second component rotate together at a same rate.

21. The invention of claim 12 wherein when said device is used to inject a set dose of medication, both said first component and said second component move in an axial direction.

22. The invention of claim 12 wherein when said device is used to inject a set dose of medication, both said first component and said second component rotate.

23. The invention of claim 12 wherein when said drug delivery device is used to inject said set dose of medication, both said first component and said second component do not rotate but rather move in an axial direction towards a distal end of said drug delivery device to thereby drive said spindle in said axial direction.

24. The invention of claim 12 wherein when said drug delivery device is used to inject said set dose of medication, said spindle translates.

25. A resettable dose setting mechanism for use with a drug delivery device, said mechanism comprising:

a housing;

a rotating sleeve in rotatable engagement with respect to said housing;

a driver having a first component and a second component, said first and said second component being operatively coupled together; and

a spindle operatively coupled to said drive sleeve,

such that when a user sets a dose by rotating said rotating sleeve, both said first component and said second component of said driver rotate together; and

such that when said user resets said dose setting mechanism, said first component of said driver is decoupled from said second component of said driver and said first component can rotate back to an original position.

26. The invention of claim 25 wherein when said user resets said dose setting mechanism and said first component rotates back to said original position, a dose limiting device returns to an initial position.

27. The invention of claim 25 further comprising a cartridge holder releasably coupled to said dose setting mechanism.

28. The invention of claim 25 further comprising a cartridge holder releasably coupled to said dose setting mechanism by way of a bayonet coupling.

29. The invention of claim 25 further comprising a cartridge holder comprising a removable cartridge.

30. The invention of claim 29 wherein said removable cartridge contains a medicament.

31. The invention of claim 25 wherein said housing comprises an outer housing.