Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 8,556,864 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2011
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Veasey, Robert Frederick, Perkins, Robert, Plumptre, David Aubrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): GILBERT, ANDREW M
• Application Number:
  US13/075,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20110178474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 604207-211, 604/224, 604/246
• US Class Current: 604/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2407 from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3126 Specific display means related to dosing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile 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 5/31528 by means of rotational movements, e.g. screw-thread mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31533 Dosing mechanisms, i.e. setting a dose administrating mechanisms A61M5/31565
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31535 Means improving security or handling thereof, e.g. blocking means, means preventing insufficient dosing, means allowing correction of overset dose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31536 Blocking means to immobilize a selected dose, e.g. to administer equal doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31546 Electrically operated dose setting, e.g. input via touch screen or plus/minus buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3156 using volume steps only adjustable in discrete intervals, i.e. individually distinct intervals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31563 interacting with a displaceable stop member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31565 Administration mechanisms, i.e. constructional features, modes of administering a dose dosing mechanisms for setting a dose A61M5/31533
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31568 Means keeping track of the total dose administered, e.g. since the cartridge was inserted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3157 Means providing feedback signals when administration is completed A61M5/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31575 using scaling up or down transmissions, e.g. gearbox
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31578 based on axial translation, i.e. components directly operatively associated and axially moved with plunger rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31585 performed by axially moving actuator, e.g. an injection button
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31593 : Multi-dose, i.e. individually set dose repeatedly administered from the same medicament reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/32 : Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub infusion needles A61M5/158; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body A61M5/42, A61M5/46 take precedence; guide needles for catheters A61M25/065; Devices for protection of needles apparatus specially adapted for cleaning or sterilising needles A61M5/001

Abstract

A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.

Claims

1. A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device comprising:

a housing having a helical thread;

a dose dial sleeve having a helical thread engaged with the helical thread of the housing;

a drive sleeve having two radially extending flanges spaced a distance apart and having an outer helical thread there between, where the drive sleeve is releasably connected to the dose dial sleeve;

a piston rod threadedly engaged with the drive sleeve; and

a clutch mechanism located between the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve.

2. A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device is provided comprising:

a housing having a helical thread along an inner surface,

a dose dial sleeve having a helical thread on an outer surface engaged with the helical thread of the housing;

a drive sleeve releasably connected to the dose dial sleeve; and

a clutch mechanism located between the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve;

wherein the clutch mechanism is configured such that,

a) when the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve are coupled, both are allowed to rotate with respect to the housing; and

b) when the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve are de-coupled, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is allowed, while rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented, whereby axial movement of the drive sleeve is allowed so that a force is transferred in a longitudinal direction to a proximal end of the drug delivery device.

3. The drive mechanism of claim 2 further comprising a piston rod having a first external thread and a second external thread, where the first external thread is threadedly engaged with an insert, and where the second external thread is threadedly engaged with an internal thread on the drive sleeve.

4. The drive mechanism of claim 2 where the drive sleeve has two radially extending flanges spaced a distance apart and having an outer helical thread there between and where the drive sleeve is releasably connected to the dose dial sleeve.

5. The drive mechanism of claim 4 further comprising a dose limiting mechanism.

6. The drive mechanism of claim 5 wherein said dose limiting mechanism is disposed between said first radially extending flange and said second radially extending flange.

7. The drive mechanism of claim 6 wherein said dose limiting mechanism comprises a nut threadedly engaged with the outer helical thread of the drive sleeve and is splined to an internal surface of the housing to prevent the nut from rotating while allowing relative longitudinal movement between the two radially extending flanges, whereby the longitudinal movement is proportional to dispensed doses.

8. A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device comprising:

a) a main housing having a first end and a second end, a helical thread having a first lead, an insert rotationally fixed to the housing having a thread with a second lead;

b) a dose dial sleeve having a helical thread engaged with the helical thread of the main housing configured so that during dose selection the dose dial sleeve rotates and extends axially from the second end of the main housing and during dose delivery rotates and moves axially back into the main housing;

c) a tubular drive sleeve having an internal surface and an outer surface having disposed thereon an intermediate thread, where the tubular drive sleeve is releasably connected to the dose dial sleeve through a clutch located between the dose dial sleeve and the tubular drive sleeve and where the tubular drive sleeve has an internal helical thread having a lead equal to the first lead;

d) a piston rod having a first external thread and a second external thread, where the first external thread has a lead equal to the second lead that is different and of opposite disposition than the first lead and is threadedly engaged with the insert, and where the second external thread is threadedly engaged with the internal thread of the tubular drive sleeve;

wherein,

when the dose dial sleeve and the tubular drive sleeve are coupled during dose section, both are allowed to rotate with respect to both the main housing and the piston rod; and

when the dose dial sleeve and the tubular drive sleeve are de-coupled during dose delivery, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the main housing is allowed, while rotation of the tubular drive sleeve with respect to the main housing is prevented, whereby axial movement of the tubular drive sleeve is allowed causing the piston rod to rotate through the tread of the insert and moving axially through the insert so that a force is transferred from the piston rod to a cartridge piston.

9. The drive mechanism of claim 8 wherein the intermediate thread is disposed between two radially extending flanges on the outer surface of the tubular drive sleeve.

10. The drive mechanism of claim 8 wherein the opposite disposition of the second lead of the first external thread compared to the first lead prevents the piston rod from moving during dose selection.