Drive Mechanisms Suitable for Use in Drug Delivery Devices

• US 20120289929A1
• Filed: 01/10/2012
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Plumptre, David, Jones, Matthew, Ghazaros, Samuel, Boyd, Malcolm, Letham, Richard, Veasey, Robert, May, James
• Granted Patent: US 9,078,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2407 from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3104 Caps for syringes without needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3152 including gearings to multiply or attenuate the piston displacing force
• 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 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31555 by purely axial movement of dose setting member, e.g. during setting or filling of a syringe
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3156 using volume steps only adjustable in discrete intervals, i.e. individually distinct intervals
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention relates to drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices, in particular pen-type injectors, wherein a number of pre-set doses of medicinal product can be administered. In particular, the present invention relates to such drug delivery devices where a user may activate the drug delivery device.

Claims

1. A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device;

a housing having a proximal and a distal end;

a drive member located within the housing such that the drive member is movable longitudinally and is non-rotatable with respect to the housing;

a piston rod that is non-rotatable with respect to the housing and is adapted to operate through the housing and transfer a force in the longitudinal direction to the distal end of the drug delivery device;

a rotating member releasably engaged with the piston rod and engaged to the drive member and engaged to the said housing wherein the rotating means comprises

a carrier plate having pawl arms and a gear,

wherein,

when the drive member moves proximally with respect to the housing, the rotating member moves proximally with respect to the piston rod.

2. The drive mechanism according to claim 1 wherein

when the drive member moves distally the rotating member moves distally displacing the piston rod towards the distal end of the device.

3. The drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the engagement between the piston rod and the gear acts through an axle of the gear.

4. The drive mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the gear is designed to be engaged with a rack located on the drive member and a rack located on the housing.

5. An assembly for use in a drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism as defined in claim 1.

6. A drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism as defined in claim 1.

7. The drug delivery device according to claim 6, wherein the drug delivery device comprises a pen-type device.

8. The drug delivery device according to claim 6, wherein the drug delivery device comprises an injector-type device.

9. The drug delivery device according to claim 6, wherein the drug delivery device comprises a needle-free device.

10. The drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein the pawl arms releasably engage a set of indentations provided by the piston rod.

11. The drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein the gear is located within a channel of the piston rod.

12. A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device comprising:

a housing;

a drive member located within the housing such that the drive member is movable longitudinally and is non-rotatable with respect to the housing;

a piston rod that is non-rotatable with respect to the housing and is adapted to operate through the housing and transfer a force in the longitudinal direction to the distal end of the drug delivery device;

a rotating element releasably engaged with the piston rod and engaged to the drive member and engaged to the housing wherein the rotating element comprises

a carrier plate having pawl arms and a lever,

wherein,

when the said drive member moves proximally with respect to the housing the rotating element moves proximally with respect to the piston rod.

13. The drive mechanism according to claim 12 wherein

when the drive member moves distally the rotating element moves distally displacing the piston rod towards the distal end of the device.

14. An assembly for use in a drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism as defined in claim 12.

15. A drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism as defined in claim 12.

16. The drug delivery device according to claim 15,

wherein the drug delivery device comprises a pen-type device.

17. The drug delivery device according to claim 15,

wherein the drug delivery device comprises an injector-type device.

18. The drug delivery device according to claim 15,

wherein the drug delivery device comprises a needle-free device.

19. The drive mechanism of claim 12 wherein the pawl arms releasably engage a set of indentations provided by the piston rod.

20. The drive mechanism of claim 12 wherein the lever is located within a channel of the piston rod.