Pen-type injector

• US 8,603,044 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2013
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US13/909,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20130274680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 189 Days
• Field of Search: 604/187, 604207-211, 604/218, 604/221, 604/224, 604/232
• US Class Current: 604/209
• 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 housing for a dispensing apparatus. The housing comprising a main housing and a dose dial sleeve. The dose dial sleeve comprising a helical groove configured to engage a threading provided by the housing. A dose knob is disposed near a proximal end of the dose dial sleeve and a piston rod is provided within the housing. The piston rod is non-rotatable during a dose setting step. A driver comprises an internal threading near a distal portion of the driver and is adapted to engage an external thread of the piston rod. A tubular clutch is located adjacent a distal end of the dose knob and operatively coupled to the dose knob. The dose dial sleeve may extend circumferentially around at least a portion of the tubular clutch.

Claims

1. A housing part for a medication dispensing apparatus, said housing part comprising:

a main housing, said main housing extending from a distal end to a proximal end;

a dose dial sleeve positioned within said housing, said dose dial sleeve comprising a helical groove configured to engage a threading provided by said main housing, said helical groove provided along an outer surface of said dose dial sleeve;

a dose dial grip disposed near a proximal end of said dose dial sleeve;

a piston rod provided within said housing, said piston rod is non-rotatable during a dose setting step relative to said main housing;

a drive sleeve extending along a portion of said piston rod, said drive sleeve comprising an internal threading near a distal portion of said drive sleeve, said internal threading adapted to engage an external thread of said piston rod;

a tubular clutch located adjacent a distal end of said dose dial grip, said tubular clutch operatively coupled to said dose dial grip, wherein said dose dial sleeve extends circumferentially around at least a portion of said tubular clutch; and

a cartridge retaining part operatively coupled to said main housing, said cartridge retaining part comprising a fluid container,

wherein said fluid container defines a medicament filled reservoir with a movable cartridge piston at a proximal end and an outlet at a distal end,

said cartridge piston movable by said piston rod to be advanced toward an outlet of said fluid container when said piston rod is moved distally.

2. The housing part of claim 1, wherein during a dose dispensing step, said dose dial grip is activated in a distal direction and said tubular clutch disengages such that said dose dial sleeve rotates back towards said proximal end of said main housing.

3. The housing part of claim 1, wherein

during a dose dispensing step, said drive sleeve advances axially in a distal direction relative to said main housing, and

said drive sleeve advances said piston rod in said distal direction so as to dispense said medicament from said outlet at said distal end of said fluid container.

4. The housing part of claim 1, further comprising a clicker, said clicker providing at least an audible feedback to a user when said dose dial grip is rotated.

5. The housing part of claim 4, wherein said clicker comprises,

at least one flexible arm, said flexible arm comprising at least one tooth member, and

at least one spline,

wherein when said dose dial grip is rotated, said at least one flexible arm deforms and drags said tooth member over said at least one spline so as to provide said audible feedback.

6. The housing part of claim 1, wherein

said tubular clutch comprises a plurality of teeth formed near an end of said tubular clutch,

said plurality of teeth remaining meshed during a dose setting step, and

said plurality of teeth becoming unmeshed during a dose dispensing step.

7. The housing part of claim 1,

wherein said piston rod comprises a first thread and a second thread, and

wherein at least one of said first or said second thread comprises at least one part threads rather than a complete thread.

8. The housing part of claim 1, wherein said dose dial sleeve is provided outside said tubular clutch and radially inward of said main housing.

9. The housing part of claim 1, wherein said main housing further comprises a helical rib, said helical rib adapted to be seated in said helical groove provided along said outer surface of said dose dial sleeve.

10. The housing part of claim 1, wherein said dose dial sleeve comprises at least one radial stop, said radial stop positioned near an end of said helical groove, wherein when said dose dial sleeve is rotated to set a maximum dose of said medication dispensing apparatus, said radial stop near said end of said helical groove abuts an end of said threading provided on said inner surface of said main housing and thereby prevents rotation of said dose dial sleeve.

11. A housing part for a medication dispensing apparatus, said housing part comprising:

a main housing, said main housing extending from a distal end to a proximal end;

a dose dial sleeve positioned within said housing, said dose dial sleeve comprising a helical groove configured to engage a threading provided by said main housing, said helical groove provided along an outer surface of said dose dial sleeve;

a dose dial grip disposed near a proximal end of said dose dial sleeve;

a piston rod provided within said housing, said piston rod is non-rotatable during a dose setting step relative to said main housing;

a drive sleeve extending along a portion of said piston rod, said drive sleeve comprising an internal threading near a distal portion of said drive sleeve, said internal threading adapted to engage an external thread of said piston rod; and

,

a tubular clutch located adjacent a distal end of said dose dial grip, said tubular clutch operatively coupled to said dose dial grip,

wherein said dose dial sleeve extends circumferentially around at least a portion of said tubular clutch, and wherein said helical groove of the dose dial sleeve has a first lead and said internal threading of said drive sleeve has a second lead, and wherein said first lead and said second lead are different.

12. The housing part of claim 11, wherein during a dose dispensing step, said dose dial grip is activated in a distal direction and said tubular clutch disengages such that said dose dial sleeve rotates back towards said proximal end of said main housing.

13. The housing part of claim 11, wherein

during a dose dispensing step, said drive sleeve advances axially in a distal direction relative to said main housing, and

said drive sleeve advances said piston rod in said distal direction so as to dispense a medicament from said outlet at said distal end of a fluid container.

14. The housing part of claim 11, further comprising a clicker, said clicker providing at least an audible feedback to a user when said dose dial grip is rotated.

15. The housing part of claim 14, wherein said clicker comprises,

at least one flexible arm, said flexible arm comprising at least one tooth member, and

at least one spline,

wherein when said dose dial grip is rotated, said at least one flexible arm deforms and drags said tooth member over said at least one spline so as to provide said audible feedback.

16. The housing part of claim 11, wherein

said tubular clutch comprises a plurality of teeth formed near an end of said tubular clutch,

said plurality of teeth remaining meshed during a dose setting step, and

said plurality of teeth becoming unmeshed during a dose dispensing step.

17. The housing part of claim 11,

wherein said piston rod comprises a first thread and a second thread, and

wherein at least one of said first or said second thread comprises at least one part threads rather than a complete thread.

18. The housing part of claim 11, wherein said dose dial sleeve is provided outside said tubular clutch and radially inward of said main housing.

19. The housing part of claim 11, wherein said main housing further comprises a helical rib, said helical rib adapted to be seated in said helical groove provided along said outer surface of said dose dial sleeve.

20. The housing part of claim 11, wherein said dose dial sleeve comprises at least one radial stop, said radial stop positioned near an end of said helical groove, wherein when said dose dial sleeve is rotated to set a maximum dose of said medication dispensing apparatus, said radial stop near said end of said helical groove abuts an end of said threading provided on said inner surface of said main housing and thereby prevents rotation of said dose dial sleeve.