CODED CARTRIDGE HOLDER AND FASTENER ENABLED BY CARTRIDGE SIZE

• US 20130068319A1
• Filed: 01/21/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Plumptre, David, Langley, Christopher Nigel, Avery, Richard James Vincent, Butler, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,835,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/315.01
• 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 2205/276 preventing unwanted use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
• 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 5/3135 characterised by constructional features of the proximal end
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/00 Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems the preceding groups and groups F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; nozzles B05B; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02; arrangements of draining devices for water main or service pipe systems E03B7/08; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10; draining devices for hydrants E03B9/14; for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/00; steam traps for draining of liquids from enclosures containing gases or vapours F16T; arrangements for sealing leaky tubes or conduits of heat-exchangers F28F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/598 With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means

Abstract

A coded cartridge holder for use with a drug delivery device is provided. The cartridge holder includes a fastener that becomes operative based in part on a length of a cartridge or a diameter of the cartridge. In one embodiment, the cartridge holder is coupled to the drug delivery device. The cartridge holder comprises a first blocking feature. The drug delivery device includes a cartridge detector comprising a second blocking feature. This feature may be a pin, for engagement with the first blocking feature of the cartridge holder when the cartridge acts on the cartridge detector. The cartridge holder may further include a fastening mechanism configured to fasten the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device only when the second blocking feature engages the first blocking feature.

Claims

1. A cartridge holder for use with a drug delivery device, the cartridge holder comprising:

an inner bore being configured to receive a cartridge;

a fastening mechanism configured to fasten the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device,

wherein the fastening mechanism is configured such that an elastic deformation of at least one of a part of the drug delivery device and the cartridge holder by mechanical interaction with a cartridge accommodated in the cartridge holder enables fastening the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device.

2. The cartridge holder of claim 1, configured such that a fastening of the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device is disabled by a cartridge having at least one of an incorrect length or diameter.

3. The cartridge holder of claim 1, further comprising:

a first blocking feature configured for engagement with a second blocking feature of the drug delivery device if a correct cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge holder, and configured such that on an elastic deformation of a part of the drug delivery device the first blocking feature is enabled to engage with the second blocking feature, thereby enabling a fastening of the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device.

4. The cartridge holder of claim 1, wherein the fastening of the cartridge holder is enabled by an elastic deformation of a part of the fastening mechanism by the cartridge.

5. The cartridge holder of claim 1, the fastening mechanism comprising:

a first fastener configured to mechanically engage with a second fastener of the drug delivery device for fastening the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device.

6. The cartridge holder of claim 5, wherein the first fastener comprises at least one of a pin, a tab and a groove.

7. The cartridge holder of claim 5, wherein, if a correct cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge holder, the elastic deformation results in the correct configuration of at least one of the first fastener and second fastener such that an engagement of the first fastener with a corresponding second fastener of the device is enabled.

8. The cartridge holder of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises an inwardly facing sprung arm.

9. The cartridge holder of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises an elliptical ring.

10. The cartridge holder of claim 5, wherein the fastening mechanism is configured such that the first fastener is pushed radially outwards by a portion of a correct cartridge accommodated in the cartridge holder such that the first fastener is in the correct position for engagement with a second fastener on the drug delivery device.

11. A drug delivery device for use with a cartridge holder according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge holder accommodates a cartridge and is configured to be attached to the drug delivery device, the drug delivery device comprising:

a device fastening mechanism configured to interact with the fastening mechanism of the cartridge holder to fasten the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device when the cartridge holder accommodates a correct cartridge.

12. The drug delivery device of claim 11, wherein the drug delivery device comprises a cartridge detector for mechanical interaction with the cartridge, configured such that by an elastic deformation of a part of the cartridge detector by a mechanical interaction with a correct cartridge fastening of the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device is enabled.

13. The drug delivery device of claim 12, wherein the cartridge detector comprises a second blocking feature for engagement with a first blocking feature of the cartridge holder, wherein a fastening of the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device by the fastening mechanism is enabled by an engagement of the first and second blocking features.

14. A method for fastening a cartridge holder to a drug delivery device, the method comprising:

providing a cartridge holder according to claim 1, providing a drug delivery device according to any of claim 12 or 13,

coupling the cartridge holder to the drug delivery device so that a portion of the cartridge acts upon the cartridge detector located within the drug delivery device to align the first blocking feature with the second blocking feature.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

rotating the cartridge holder so that the second blocking feature engages the first blocking feature, wherein a fastening of the cartridge holder to the device is enabled.