Resettable drug delivery device

• US 8,974,423 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Plumptre, David Aubrey, Jones, Christopher John
• Primary Examiner(s): FLICK, JASON E
• Application Number:
  US12/788,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20100331788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,748 Days
• Field of Search: 604/207
• US Class Current: 604/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2407 from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2488 via rotation, e.g. threads or bayonet
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2492 via snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3152 including gearings to multiply or attenuate the piston displacing force
• 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 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31543 piston rod reset means, i.e. means for causing or facilitating retraction of piston rod to its starting position during cartridge change
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31558 using scaling up or down transmissions, e.g. gearbox
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31575 using scaling up or down transmissions, e.g. gearbox
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31585 performed by axially moving actuator, e.g. an injection button

Abstract

A resetting mechanism for a reusable drug delivery device. The device comprises a spindle and a spindle guide engaging the spindle. During a resetting step of the resetting mechanism, the spindle rotates while the spindle guide does not rotate.

Claims

1. A driver of a dose setting mechanism and for driving a spindle of a resettable drug delivery device, wherein the drug delivery device comprises the dose setting mechanism and a cartridge holder, said driver comprising:

a first component part; and

a second component part operatively coupled to said first component part, such that during dose setting of a dose of said drug delivery device and during injection of said dose, both said first and said second component part rotate together, and

wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device so as to prepare said drug delivery device for a new cartridge, said first component is decoupled from said second component and is free to rotate while said second component is prevented from rotating, wherein, during the resetting, the dose setting mechanism is disconnected from the cartridge holder.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a dose limiter wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said dose limiter is reset to an initial position.

3. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a spindle, wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said spindle is reset to an initial position.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein during said resetting of said drug delivery device, said spindle is reset to said initial position by moving said spindle in an axial direction.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein first component part is a unitary molded component.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said first component is decoupled from said second component by moving said first component in an axial direction.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said first component is decoupled from said second component by moving said first component in an axial direction away from said second component.

8. The invention of claim 6 wherein during resetting of said drug delivery device, said first component is decoupled from said second component by moving said first component in an axially direction towards said second component.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein when said drug delivery device is used to set a dose of medication, both said first component and said second component rotate together at a same rate.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein when said device is used to inject a set dose of medication, both said first component and said second component move in an axial direction.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein when said device is used to inject a set dose of medication, both said first component and said second component rotate.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein when said drug delivery device is used to inject said set dose of medication, both said first component and said second component do not rotate but rather move in an axial direction towards a distal end of said drug delivery device to thereby drive said spindle in said axial direction.

13. The invention of claim 1 wherein when said drug delivery device is used to inject said set dose of medication, said spindle translates.

14. A resettable dose setting mechanism for use with a drug delivery device, wherein the drug delivery device comprises a cartridge holder releasably coupled to said dose setting mechanism, said dose setting mechanism comprising:

a housing;

a rotating sleeve in rotatable engagement with respect to said housing;

a driver having a first component and a second component, said first and said second component being operatively coupled together; and

a spindle operatively coupled to said driver,

such that when a user sets a dose by rotating said rotating sleeve, both said first component and said second component of said driver rotate together; and

such that during resetting of said dose setting mechanism so as to prepare the dose setting mechanism for a new cartridge, said first component of said driver is decoupled from said second component of said driver and said first component can rotate back to an original position, wherein, during the resetting of said dose setting mechanism, said cartridge holder is disconnected from said dose setting mechanism.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein when said user resets said dose setting mechanism and said first component rotates back to said original position, a dose limiting device returns to an initial position.

16. The invention of claim 14, wherein said cartridge holder is releasably coupled to said dose setting mechanism by way of a bayonet coupling.

17. The invention of claim 14, wherein said cartridge holder comprises a removable cartridge.

18. The invention of claim 17 wherein said removable cartridge contains a medicament.

19. The invention of claim 14 wherein said housing comprises an outer housing.