LOW DOSE PREFILLED DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20130006216A1
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Taylor, Margaret, Bates, James, Butterbrodt, Jay, Searle, Gary, Tunkel, Roman, Horvath, Joshua, Knapp, Keith II, Gillen, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,849,247 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/005 Magazines with multiple ampoules directly inserted into an injection or infusion device, e.g. revolver-like magazines containing ampoules with or without needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/206 With automatic needle insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2425 by compression of deformable ampoule or carpule wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2459 upon internal pressure increase, e.g. pierced or burst A61M5/2429 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3287 Accessories for bringing the needle into the body; Automatic needle insertion A61M5/20, A61M5/31525 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/425 Protruding skin to facilitate piercing, e.g. vacuum cylinders, vein immobilising means

Abstract

A drug delivery device (100) for administering a low dose of a medicament includes a housing (111) and a drug reservoir (101) disposed in the housing (111). A needle (135) is connected to the drug reservoir (101). A pressure applying member (113) is movably connected to the housing (111) and is movable between first and second positions. The pressure applying member (113) does not apply pressure to the drug reservoir (101) in the first position and applies pressure to the drug reservoir (101) in the second position to dispense medicament stored in the drug reservoir (101). A method of administering a low dose of insulin to simulate a first-phase insulin response of a pancreas is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A drug delivery device for administering a low dose of a medicament, comprising:

a housing;

a drug reservoir disposed in said housing containing a medicament;

a needle connected to said drug reservoir; and

a pressure applying member movably connected to said housing and movable between first and second positions, said pressure applying member not applying pressure to said drug reservoir in said first position and applying pressure to said drug reservoir in said second position to dispense said medicament stored in said drug reservoir.

2. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein

said drug reservoir has a volume of between 1 and 15 units inclusive.

3. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein

said medicament is insulin.

4. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein

said pressure applying member moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said needle.

5. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein

said pressure applying member moves in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said needle.

6. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein

a hinge connects said pressure applying member to said housing.

7. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein

said pressure applying member comprises a plunger.

8. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein

said pressure applying member includes first and second legs and said drug reservoir being disposed between said first and second legs.

9. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein

a safety shield covers said needle.

10. The drug delivery device according to claim 9, wherein

a spring member is disposed between said safety shield and said housing such that said safety shield is movable between positions covering and exposing said needle.

11. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein

a dose wheel including a plurality of said drug reservoirs and a plurality of said needles is rotatably disposed in said housing.

12. The drug delivery device according to claim 11, wherein

said dose wheel is replaceable with a new dose wheel.

13. The drug delivery device according to claim 12, wherein

said pressure applying member is actuated by a cam member.

14. A drug delivery device for administering a low dose of a medicament, comprising:

a rigid member;

a first flexible portion connected to said rigid member;

a drug reservoir containing a medicament disposed in said first flexible portion;

a second flexible portion connected to said rigid member; and

a needle connected to said drug reservoir,

wherein a first pressure is applied to said second flexible portion to create a vacuum before contacting said second flexible portion with a patient'"'"'s skin, and a second pressure is applied to said first flexible portion to dispense said medicament after contacting said second flexible portion with the patient'"'"'s skin and releasing the first pressure on said second flexible portion.

15. The drug delivery device according to claim 14, wherein

a projection is disposed within said second flexible portion and receives said needle.

16. The drug delivery device according to claim 15, wherein

a first end of said second flexible portion extends beyond a second end of said projection.

17. A method of administering a low dose of insulin, comprising the steps of:

penetrating an injection site with a needle of a drug delivery device pre-filled with a low dose of insulin; and

applying pressure to the pre-filled drug delivery device to administer the insulin dose to simulate a first-phase insulin response of a pancreas.

18. The method of administering a first-phase insulin dose according to claim 17, wherein

the administered first-phase insulin dose is between 1 and 15 units, inclusive.

19. The method of administering a first-phase insulin dose according to claim 17, wherein

the pressure is applied by a pressure applying member connected to the drug delivery device.

20. The method of administering a first-phase insulin dose according to claim 17, wherein

the first-phase insulin dose is administered no more than five minutes prior to a meal.