Drug delivery device

• US 6,595,956 B1
• Filed: 03/23/1999
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (Alkermes plc)
• Original Assignee: Elan Pharma International Limited (Perrigo Company PLC)
• Inventors: Lavi, Gilad, Tsals, Izrail, Carmel, Ehoud, Gross, Joseph, Yigal, Gil
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, CRIS LOIREN
• Application Number:
  US09/275,464
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 604/131, 604/141, 604/145, 604/153, 604/136, 604/138, 604/142, 604/147, 604/156, 604/157, 604/69, 604/70, 604/93.01, 604/110, 604/134, 604/135, 604/139, 604/140, 604/148, 604/268.04, 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/181, 604/187, 604/209, 604/192, 604/197, 604/198, 604/217, 128/DIG.12
• US Class Current: 604/141
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/135 having aromatic rings , e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline methadone A61K31/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/14 Alkali metal chlorides; Alkaline earth metal chlorides
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/22 Boron compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1405 Patient controlled analgesia [PCA]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14204 with gas-producing electrochemical cell
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1426 with means for preventing access to the needle after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14533 cam actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31518 designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/155 pressurised by gas introduced into the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2046 Media being expelled from injector by gas generation, e.g. explosive charge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31571 Means preventing accidental administration for automatic syringes A61M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31586 performed by rotationally moving or pivoted actuator, e.g. an injection lever or handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A drug delivery device having a housing containing a gas generator controlled by an electronic controller. The gas generator generates gas into a reciprocate chamber, whereby reciprocation of the chamber causes a lever to reciprocate a pawl, and this action causes a ratchet to The device may also be provided with manually control for delivering a bolus dose of drug when necessary.

Claims

1. A drug delivery device comprising:

a housing containing a drug reservoir;

means for facilitating expulsion of drug from the drug reservoir;

a mechanism in communication with the facilitation means, operable to undergo incremental advancement and thereby drive the drug from the reservoir in incremental dosages, said mechanism comprising a ratchet;

a member operatively associated with the mechanism to cause the incremental advancement of the mechanism as the member moves in a first direction; and

gas generating means located within the housing and operable to expand in a chamber, the member being in transmission relation to the chamber, whereby the member is driven by the movement of the chamber to advance the mechanism and thereby drive the drug from the reservoir in incremental-fashion.

2. The drug delivery device according to claim 1 wherein the gas generation means comprises:

a first gas generation chamber having a housing, gas generation means, and a first diaphragm made of a low gas permeable material;

a second gas generation chamber having a housing containing gas generation means therein and a second diaphragm made of a high gas permeable material; and

means for controllably venting excess gas from the first chamber.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the drug reservoir is in the form of a drug cartridge.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising means for preventing activation of the gas generation means until the drug cartridge is operational position within the housing.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the prevention means comprises a sleeve for receiving a drug cartridge, the sleeve slidably received by a recess in the housing, and a lip on the exterior edge of the sleeve for engagement with an interior surface of the housing.