ELECTRONICALLY MONITORED INJECTION DEVICE

• US 20110009821A1
• Filed: 12/31/2008
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Original Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Inventors: Gjødesen, Claus Urup, Larsen, Andre, Jespersen, Søren Kragh
• Granted Patent: US 8,708,957 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/135
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3372 Temperature compensation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1452 pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16804 Flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1685 by detection of position of a floating member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/172 electrical or electronic A61M5/16804, A61M5/16831 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/20 Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically A61M5/142 , A61M5/46 take precedence; hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3146 Priming, e.g. purging, reducing backlash or clearance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31525 Dosing burettes, pipettes B01L3/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31533 Dosing mechanisms, i.e. setting a dose administrating mechanisms A61M5/31565
• 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 5/3157 Means providing feedback signals when administration is completed A61M5/20 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical injection device (1) for use in combination with a medicament filled cartridge (2), the injection device being provided with a spring-assisted injecting mechanism where energy released from the spring moves a plunger (3) of a held cartridge (2). Sensor circuitry is adapted to detect speed related data during injection so at to detect an abnormal speed condition, such as a needle blocking condition, a priming condition or an air purge condition. The invention also relates to a medical injection device comprising sensor circuitry and user communicating means to provide a recommended needle retraction waiting period which is dependent on the speed of injection.

Claims

1. A medical injection device for use in combination with a medicament filled cartridge, the injection device being adapted for repetitive injection of individually set or fixed doses of a medicament from a held cartridge, the injection device comprising:

a spring means configured for storing energy during a pre-injection procedure,

a drive member advanceable to move a plunger of a held cartridge towards the expelling end of the cartridge, said drive member being forced during injection by the spring means when energy previously stored in said spring means is released,

a dose delivery actuator for triggering release of energy from the spring means,

a sensor adapted to detect positional information related to the drive member or to a component associated with the drive member, and

a circuit communicating with the sensor to process signals sensed by the sensor, wherein the circuit determines speed data from signals sensed by the sensor, compares the speed data with pre-defined speed data and performs a control action if the speed as sensed during injection reaches an abnormal speed condition.

2. The medical injection device as defined in claim 1, wherein the circuit includes signalling means, the circuit being adapted to perform a control action by emitting a signal responsive to a detection of an abnormal speed condition.

3. The medical injection device as defined in claim 1, wherein the circuit includes a memory which hold at least one threshold speed value and wherein the circuit is adapted to compare the determined speed data with the at least one threshold speed value to detect the occurrence of an abnormal speed condition.

4. The medical injection device as defined in claim 3, wherein the device is configured to detect a needle blocked condition if the speed as sensed during injection is below a first threshold speed.

5. The medical injection device as defined in claim 3, wherein the device is configured to detect a priming condition if the speed as sensed during injection is above a second threshold speed.

6. The medical injection device as defined in claim 3, wherein the device is configured to detect an air purging condition if the speed as sensed during injection is above a third threshold speed and below a fourth threshold speed.

7. The medical injection device as defined in claim 3, wherein the device further include means for detecting at least one of the ambient temperature, the temperature of a component of the device and the temperature of a cartridge held by the device and wherein at least one threshold speed is dependent on the detected temperature.

8. The medical injection device as defined in claim 3, wherein the device include a dose setting mechanism being operable to set a desired dose and wherein at least one threshold speed is dependent on the set dose.

9. The medical injection device as defined claim 3, wherein the circuit is configurable to a selected one of a plurality of needle sizes and wherein at least one the threshold speed is dependent on the selected needle size.

15. A medical injection device as defined in claim 1, wherein the circuit which determines speed comprises a processor coupled to a storage wherein a look-up table is stored, said look-up table defining needle retraction waiting period as a function of dose speed.

10. A medical injection device for use in combination with a medicament filled cartridge, the injection device being adapted for repetitive injection of individually set or fixed doses of a medicament from a held cartridge, the injection device comprising:

a drive member actuatable to drive the plunger of the cartridge towards the expelling end of the cartridge,

a needle assembly which, in use, releasably connects to the injection device for establishing fluid communication with the cartridge, the needle having a front end insertable into and retractable from the skin of a subject user,

calculating means for determining a needle retraction waiting period subsequent to completion of an injection operation,

user communication means for indicating to the subject user the needle retraction waiting period,

wherein the injection device further comprises speed detecting means adapted to determine the speed of injection, the recommended needle retraction waiting period being dependent on the speed of injection as detected by the speed detecting means.

11. A medical injection device as defined in claim 10, wherein the injection device comprises means for determining an injectable or injected quantity of medication and wherein the recommended needle retraction waiting period is further dependent on the injected quantity.

12. A medical injection device as defined in claim 10, wherein the injection device comprises means for determining an injectable or injected quantity of medication and where the speed detecting means is adapted to calculate an average speed of injection based on the injectable/injected quantity and the duration of injection operation.

13. A medical injection device as defined in claim 10, wherein the speed detecting means comprises a sensor for sensing movement of the drive member or to a component associated with the drive member during injection.

14. A medical injection device as defined in claim 10, wherein the speed detecting means comprises a signal generator which emits pulses during the injection movement and a sensor for receiving said pulses, whereby the speed of injection is proportional with the frequency of received pulses during injection.

16. A medical injection device as defined in claim 11, wherein the speed detecting means comprises a processor coupled to a storage wherein a look-up table is stored, said look-up table defining needle retraction waiting period as a function of dose speed and dose size.