Medication delivery device with replaceable cooperating modules and a method of making same

• US 6,997,911 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2001
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Original Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
• Inventors: Klitmose, Lars Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMANA, ANURADHA
• Application Number:
  US09/867,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20020010432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• Field of Search: 604/232, 604/132, 604/139, 604/148, 604/151, 604152-154, 604 30- 33, 604/35, 604 65- 67, 604 80- 81, 604/118, 604/123, 604/187, 604/200, 604/201, 604/891.1, 128/DIG.1, 128/DIG.12, 128/DIG.13
• US Class Current: 604/232
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/586 Ergonomic details therefor, e.g. specific ergonomics for left or right-handed users
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/00 Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1413 Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14566 with a replaceable reservoir for receiving a piston rod of the pump

Abstract

The invention relates to: A medication delivery device and a method of making such a device. The object of the present invention is to provide a handy medication delivery device that may be easily adjusted to the different needs of a given user in different situations and to the different needs of different users, and which is economic from a production point of view. The problem is solved in that it comprises a basis module (1) and one or more replaceable modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), each of which is adapted to cooperate mechanically and/or electronically with the basis module to provide a specific function, and the basis module includes resources that are jointly used by the replaceable modules. This has the advantage of providing a rational concept for economically supplying high quality, mass-produced devices capable of being customized to individual users'"'"' needs for functionality by avoiding the duplication of key components. The invention may be used in injector type, medication pump type, inhaler or spray type devices for delivering a discrete dose or a continuous dose of a medication to a user.

Claims

1. A hand-held medical apparatus for assisting in the medical self-treatment of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a basis module comprising a processor and power source;

a first replaceable module that is mechanically and electronically interfaceable with the basis module;

a second replaceable module that is mechanically and electronically interfaceable with the basis module;

wherein, the basis module comprises a user input means, a display means and wherein the processor of the basis module sends commands to the replaceable modules and receives output from the replaceable module and displays that output, and wherein the first and second replaceable modules require processing resources from the basis module in order to assist the user in medical self-treatment;

wherein the basis module comprises a medication injection device comprising;

a holder for holding a cartridge of medication, the cartridge being of the type having a moveable piston;

a piston rod for engaging the piston in the cartridge and for driving a dose from the cartridge by moving the piston a predetermined distance;

an electromechanical piston rod drive; and

wherein the processor is configured to control the piston rod drive.

2. A hand-held medical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform a plurality of operations but limits access to some of the operations based on user identification.

3. A hand-held medical apparatus for assisting in medical self treatment, the apparatus comprising:

a basis module that comprises;

an injection device having a processor, an electromechanical piston rod drive controlled by the processor and a cartridge of medication that a piston rod acts upon;

a first replaceable module that is mechanically and electronically interfaceable with the basis module;

a second replaceable module that is mechanically and electronically interfaceable with the basis module; and

wherein, the basis module comprises a user input, and a display wherein the processor of the basis module sends commands to the replaceable modules and receives output from the replaceable modules and displays that output, and wherein the first and second replaceable modules require processing resources from the basis module in order to assist the user in medical self-treatment.