DRIVE MECHANISM FOR A DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE

• US 20100331806A1
• 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 8,728,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• 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 2005/3126 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 5/31541 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 dose setting mechanism for a drug delivery device is disclosed. The mechanism comprises an outer housing and an inner housing having an external groove. The inner housing guides a driver having either a blocking or locking member disposed inside the driver that can lock a flexible tab to an internal groove during dose delivery in the inner housing such that the driver follows the path of the groove and to advance a spindle to move a cartridge bung. A dial sleeve is disposed between the outer and inner housing and is rotatably engaged with the inner housing.

Claims

1. A drug delivery device having a driver locking feature comprising,

a. a cartridge holder configured to contain a cartridge of medicament connected to a dose dialing assembly, where the dose dialing assembly comprises an outer housing and an inner stationary housing having at least one internal groove on an inner surface;

b. a driver positioned within the inner housing;

c. a flexible tab that engages the internal groove to form a detent during dose dialing; and

d. a blocking member slidably positioned inside the driver that locks the flexible tab into the groove during dose dispensing such that the driver follows the path of the groove.

2. The drug delivery device of claim 1 where the flexible tab is an integral part of the driver.

3. The drug delivery device of claim 1 where the driver contains at least two flexible tabs.

4. The drug delivery device of claim 1 where the blocking member has an aperture that is aligned with the flexible tab when the blocking member is in a non-locked position and is misaligned with the flexible tab when in the locked position.

5. The drug delivery device of claim 4 where the flexible tab is locked in the groove when the aperture is misaligned.

6. The drug delivery device of claim 1 where the groove is parallel to the axis of the inner housing.

7. The drug delivery device of claim 1 where the groove is helical along the axis of the inner housing.

22. The dose setting mechanism of claim 1 where the clicker has at least one flexible arm that engages the at least one groove in the inner housing to form the detent during dose setting.

8. A method of setting and expelling a dose of medicament with a drug delivery device,

a. holding or providing a dosing assembly of an injection device, where the dosing assembly comprises,

i. an external housing and an internal housing having at least one internal groove;

ii. a driver positioned within the inner housing;

iii. a flexible tab that engages the internal groove to form a detent during dose setting; and

iv. a blocking member slidably positioned inside the driver that engages the flexible tab when in a locked position;

b. rotating the driver in a first direction during dose setting relative to the external and inner housings whereby the flexible tab overrides the internal groove;

c. pushing an injection button clutched to the driver to cause the driver to move distally in a second direction;

d. moving the blocking member in an axial distal direction to a locked position and engaging the flexible tab causing the flexible tab to non-releasably engage the internal groove; and

e. expelling medicament from the drug delivery device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the internal groove is linear along the axis of the inner housing and the second direction of the driver is linear distally.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the internal groove is helical and the second direction of the driver is rotating distally.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the flexible tab causes an audible click when the driver is rotated in the first direction and provides tactile feedback to a user.

12. A drug delivery device having a drive sleeve lockout feature comprising,

a. a cartridge holder containing a cartridge of medicament connected to a dose dialing assembly, where the dose dialing assembly comprises an outer housing and an inner stationary housing having at least one internal groove on an inner surface;

b. a driver positioned within the inner housing; and

c. a locking member slidably positioned inside the driver and having a flexible tab that engages the internal groove to form a detent during dose dialing, wherein locking member has a locked position during dose dispensing where the flexible tab is irreversibly engaged with the groove such that the driver follows the path of the groove

13. The drug delivery device of claim 12 where the driver has an aperture to receive the flexible tab.

14. The drug delivery device of claim 13 where the aperture is aligned with the flexible tab during dose dialing and is misaligned with the flexible tab during dose delivery.

15. A method of setting and injecting a dose of medicament with an injection device,

a. holding a dosing assembly of a drug delivery device, where the dosing assembly comprises,

i. a cartridge holder containing a cartridge of medicament connected to a dose dialing assembly, where the dose dialing assembly comprises an outer housing and an inner stationary housing having at least one internal groove on an inner surface;

ii. a driver positioned within the inner housing; and

iii. a locking member slidably positioned inside the driver and having a flexible tab that engages the internal groove to form a detent during dose dialing, wherein the locking member has a locked position during dose dispensing;

b. rotating the driver in the first direction during dose setting relative to the housing whereby the flexible tab releasably engages and overrides the groove causing an audible click;

c. pushing an injection button to inject a set dose;

d. advancing the driver in a second direction;

e. moving the locking member in an axial distal direction so that the flexible tab is irreversibly engaged with the groove such that the driver follows the path of the groove; and

f. expelling medicament from the drug delivery device.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the groove is linear and the second direction of the driver is linear in the distal direction.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein the groove is helical and the second direction of the driver is rotational in the distal direction.

18. The device of claim 15 wherein the flexible tab causes a tactile feedback to the user when the driver is rotated in the first direction.

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

a. a proximal driver positioned inside a stationary inner housing having a inner surface;

b. a clicker formed between the proximal driver and the inner surface of the inner housing, where the clicker forms a detent with at least one groove in the inner housing during dose setting and is locked with the inner housing during dose delivery; and

c. a locking member that is axially slidable inside the proximal driver and that engages the clicker during dose setting to lock the clicker into the at least one groove in the inner housing.

20. The dose setting mechanism of claim 19 further comprising a distal driver positioned inside the inner housing having a connector for engaging the proximal driver during dose setting and drug dispensing.

21. The dose setting mechanism of claim 20 further comprising a biasing member positioned between the proximal driver and the connector.