Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 8,574,198 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2011
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Dca Design International Ltd.
• Inventors: Veasey, Robert Frederick, Langley, Christopher Nigel, Wimpenny, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenberg, Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US13/280,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20120215176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 604134-135, 604207-208, 604/211, 604/218
• US Class Current: 604/207
• 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 5/2422 using emptying means to expel or eject media, e.g. pistons, deformation of the ampoule, or telescoping of the ampoule
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31501 Means for blocking or restricting the movement of the rod or piston A61M5/5013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31526 by means of stepwise axial movements, e.g. ratchet mechanisms or detents
• 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 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3155 by rotational movement of dose setting member, e.g. during setting or filling of a syringe
• 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 5/31583 based on rotational translation, i.e. movement of piston rod is caused by relative rotation between the user activated actuator and the piston 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

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a dose setting mechanism that may be used with a drug delivery device. The dose setting mechanism may include an inner body having a helical thread along an outer cylindrical surface of the inner body, and a drive sleeve for driving a piston rod in an axial direction, the drive sleeve positioned within at least a portion of the inner body. The dose setting mechanism may further include a dose dial sleeve rotatably engaged with the helical thread of the inner body and a dial grip connected to the dose dial sleeve and releasably connected to the drive sleeve. Further when a dose is set, the dial grip is rotated so that both the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve rotate with respect to the inner body.

Claims

1. A drug delivery drive mechanism, comprising:

an first housing;

a second housing configured to reside at least partially internally to said first housing;

a dial sleeve provided outside of said second housing and radially inward from said first housing, said dial sleeve threadedly engaged to said second housing;

a drive sleeve coupled to said dial sleeve; and

a piston rod threadedly engaged to said drive sleeve

wherein

during a dose setting step, said dial sleeve and said drive sleeve translate in a proximal direction away from said second housing.

2. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein during a dispensing step,

said dial sleeve moves in a distal direction towards said second housing.

3. The drug delivery device of claim 2 wherein during the dispensing step,

said drive sleeve moves in said distal direction so as to drive said piston rod.

4. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein

said piston rod comprises a first thread and a second thread.

5. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 4 wherein

said first thread of said piston rod engages a threaded insert, so that during a dispensing step, said piston rod rotates as it moves in a distal direction.

6. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 5 wherein said threaded insert is formed integrally with said first housing.

7. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 4 wherein said second thread of said piston rod threadedly engages said drive sleeve.

8. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 7 wherein a thread of said drive sleeve and said thread of said dial sleeve have the same lead.

9. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a clutch, said clutch releasably engaging said dial sleeve and said drive sleeve.

10. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 9 wherein said clutch is keyed in rotation to said drive sleeve.

11. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said drive sleeve comprises

a first radially extending flange and a second radially extending flange,

said second radially extending flange spaced a distance along said drive sleeve from said first flange.

12. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 11 wherein said drive sleeve further comprises an external helical thread,

said external helical thread provided along an outer portion of said drive sleeve, said external helical thread extending between the first flange and said second flange.

13. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 12 further comprising a non-rotating member disposed between said first flange and said second flange of said drive sleeve, said non-rotating member comprising a thread that threadedly engages said external thread of said drive sleeve.

14. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 13 wherein

during said dose setting step, said non-rotating member advances along said external thread of said drive sleeve during rotation of said drive sleeve

such that when a quantity of product that is equivalent to a deliverable volume of a cartridge is selected, said member abuts said first or said second flange of said drive sleeve.

15. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 14 wherein said second housing portion comprises a plurality of longitudinally directed splines, said longitudinally directed splines keyed to an outer surface of said non-rotating member.

16. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a clicker disposed about said drive sleeve, such that said clicker provides audible feedback during said dose setting step.

17. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a dial grip, said dial grip secured against rotational and axial motion with respect to said dial sleeve.

18. The drug delivery device mechanism of claim 17 wherein

during said dose setting step, said dial grip is rotatable in a first direction to set a first dose and is also rotatable in a second direction to set a second dose wherein said second dose is less than said first dose.

19. The drug delivery drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein an inner portion of said dial sleeve threadedly engages an outer portion of said second housing.