Medication delivery pen having a priming mechanism

• US 5,961,495 A
• Filed: 02/20/1998
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Walters, Daniel A., Perry, Marco Carroll, Lee, Hyung J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stright, Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thissell, Jeremy
• Application Number:
  US09/026,585
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 604/122, 604/124, 604/125, 604/131, 604/152, 604/111, 604/181, 604/187, 604/207, 604/208, 604/209, 604/210, 604/211, 604/232, 222/43, 222/309, 222/390
• US Class Current: 604/208
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual 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 5/3146 Priming, e.g. purging, reducing backlash or clearance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31536 Blocking means to immobilize a selected dose, e.g. to administer equal doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31553 without axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31563 interacting with a displaceable stop member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3157 Means providing feedback signals when administration is completed A61M5/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3158 performed by axially moving actuator operated by user, e.g. an injection button

Abstract

A medication delivery pen having a repeat-dose feature that is performed by using a pull-push operation. In particular, the medication delivery pen includes means for determining whether the medication delivery pen is armed and a variety of novel drive mechanisms. In addition, the medication delivery pen also includes a priming control mechanism that allows the user to easily prime medication delivery pen prior to arming the pen.

Claims

1. A medication delivery pen comprising:

a pen-needle assembly;

a vial retainer including a vial containing a medication to be delivered and having said pen-needle assembly removably attached to a distal end;

a housing having said vial retainer mounted to a distal end and including;

a dose control mechanism extending from said housing for setting a desired dose to be delivered from the vial;

a drive mechanism is within said housing for dispensing the desired dose from the vial when in an armed condition, said drive mechanism including a plunger having a plunger face and a proximal shaft extending within said housing in a direction from said plunger face and means for driving said plunger in the distal direction when medication is to be dispensed from the vial; and

means for priming said pen-needle assembly including a priming pawl that interfaces with said means for driving said plunger to cause said plunger to move in the distal direction.

2. A medication delivery pen according to claim 1, wherein said priming means is separate from said dose control mechanism.

3. A medication delivery pen according to claim 1, further comprising means for repeating the desired dose.

4. A medication delivery pen comprising:

a pen-needle assembly;

a vial retainer including a vial containing a medication to be delivered and having said pen-needle assembly removably attached to a distal end;

a housing having said vial retainer mounted to a distal end and including;

extending from said housing for setting a desired dose to be delivered from the vial;

a drive mechanism with said housing for dispensing the desired dose from the vial when in an armed condition, said drive mechanism including a plunger having a plunger face and a proximal shaft extending within said housing in a direction from said plunger face and means for driving said plunger in the distal direction when medication is to be dispensed from the vial; and

means for priming said pen-needle assembly including a ratchet that interfaces with said means for driving said plunger to cause said plunger to move in the distal direction.

5. A medication delivery pen according to claim 4, wherein said priming means is separate from said dose control mechanism.

6. A medication delivery pen according to claim 4, further comprising means for repeating the desired dose.

7. A medication delivery pen comprising:

a pen-needle assembly;

a vial retainer including a vial containing a medication to be delivered and having said pen-needle assembly removably attached to a distal end;

a housing having said vial retainer mounted to a distal end and including;

a dose control mechanism extending from said housing for setting a desired dose to be delivered from the vial;

a drive mechanism within said housing for dispensing the desired dose from the vial when in an armed condition, said drive mechanism including a plunger having a plunger face and a shaft extending within said housing in a proximal direction from said plunger face and means for driving said plunger in the distal direction when medication is to be dispensed from the vial; and

means for priming said pen-needle assembly,

wherein said driving means includes a nut that travels on said shaft of said plunger and drives said plunger in the distal direction when medication is to be dispensed from the vial, and

wherein said priming means includes a priming control sleeve mounted on said housing having a priming pawl that interfaces with said nut for driving said plunger in the distal direction.

8. A medication delivery pen according to claim 7, wherein said priming means is separate from said dose control mechanism.

9. A medication delivery pen according to claim 7, further comprising means for repeating the desired dose.

10. A medication delivery pen comprising:

a pen-needle assembly;

a vial retainer including a vial containing a medication to be delivered and having said pen-needle assembly removably attached to a distal end;

a housing having said vial retainer mounted to a distal end and including;

a dose control mechanism extending from said housing for setting a desired dose to be delivered for the vial;

a drive mechanism within said housing for dispensing the desired dose from the vial when in an armed condition, said drive mechanism including a plunger having a plunger face and a shaft extending within said housing in a proximal direction from said plunger face and means for driving said plunger in the distal direction when medication is to be dispensed from the vial; and

means for priming said pen-needle assembly,

wherein said driving means includes a nut that travels on said shaft of said plunger and drives said plunger in the distal direction when medication is to be dispensed from the vial, and

wherein said priming means includes a priming control sleeve mounted on said housing having a ratchet that interferes with said nut for driving said plunger in the distal direction.

11. A medication delivery pen according to claim 10, wherein said priming means is separate from said dose control mechanism.

12. A medication delivery pen according to claim 10, further comprising means for repeating the desired dose.