Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 8,663,175 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2013
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• 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, Langley, Christopher Nigel, Wimpenny, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenberg, Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US14/021,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20140018743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 176 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 dose setting and delivery mechanism for a disposable pen-type injector comprising,

a) an exterior housing;

b) a dose dial grip releasably engaged with a drive sleeve through a clutch such that during dose setting the drive sleeve and dose dial grip are rotationally fixed;

c) a non-circular cross section piston rod threadedly engaged with an interior housing fixed to the exterior housing;

d) a nut having external splines that is configured to rotate relative to the piston rod during dose setting and to move axially in proportion to a set dose;

e) a dose dial sleeve having an external surface with numerals indicative of a set dose that is threadedly engaged with the exterior housing; and

f) a unidirectional coupling configured to prevent rotation of the piston rod during dose setting and to allow the piston rod to rotate during dose delivery.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a stored energy drive mechanism configured to drive the drive sleeve during dose delivery.

3. The mechanism of claim 2 wherein the stored energy drive mechanism comprises a spring.

4. The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a “

T”

shaped dose button configured to be depressed to deliver a set dose and to drive the drive sleeve in an axial direction.

5. The mechanism of claim 1 further characterized in that the dose dial sleeve is axially displaceable relative to the piston rod.

6. The mechanism of claim 5 further characterized in that the dose dial sleeve is not rotatable relative to the piston rod during dose delivery.

7. The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a clicker associated with the drive sleeve and configured to cause a series of audible and tactile clicks upon dose setting.