Drug delivery device

• US 9,132,231 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (Alkermes plc)
• Original Assignee: Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (Alkermes plc)
• Inventors: Gross, Joseph, Tsals, Izrail, Lavi, Gilad, Yigal, Gil, Carmel, Ehoud
• Primary Examiner(s): STIGELL, THEODORE J
• Application Number:
  US13/617,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20130012873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 604/131, 604136-137, 604/138, 604/140, 604/141, 604/143, 604/144, 604151-152, 604156-157
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/135 having aromatic rings , e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline methadone A61K31/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/14 Alkali metal chlorides; Alkaline earth metal chlorides
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/22 Boron compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1405 Patient controlled analgesia [PCA]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14204 with gas-producing electrochemical cell
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1426 with means for preventing access to the needle after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14533 cam actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31518 designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14216 Reciprocating piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14248 of the skin patch type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/155 pressurised by gas introduced into the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2046 Media being expelled from injector by gas generation, e.g. explosive charge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31571 Means preventing accidental administration for automatic syringes A61M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31586 performed by rotationally moving or pivoted actuator, e.g. an injection lever or handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A drug delivery device having a housing containing a gas generator controlled by an electronic controller. The gas generator generates gas into a reciprocable chamber, whereby reciprocation of the chamber causes a lever to reciprocate a pawl, and this action causes a ratchet to undergo incremental advancement. The device may also be provided with manual control for delivering a bolus dose of drug when necessary.

Claims

1. A wearable drug delivery device, comprising:

a housing with an adherent patient surface for placing on a patient, and a reservoir disposed within the housing;

a cannula in fluid communication with the reservoir and movable relative to the patient surface between a retracted position within the housing and an exposed position in which at least a portion of the cannula extends through the patient surface outside of the housing;

a piston slidably supported within the reservoir and operable to expel a drug from the reservoir;

a first drive member movably disposed within the housing and having a first portion; and

a second drive member at least partially disposed within the reservoir and having a second portion that is slidingly engageable with the first portion of the first drive member;

wherein the first and second drive members cooperate to slidably displace the piston in a first linear direction to expel a drug from the reservoir; and

wherein the first drive member engages the second drive member to prevent the piston from moving in a second direction opposite to the first linear direction.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second drive member has an irregular surface defined by a series of peaks and troughs along the first linear direction.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first drive member continuously engages the irregular surface of the second drive member.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first drive member slidably engages the irregular surface of the second drive member.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first drive member is slidable relative to the second drive member for expelling a drug from the reservoir.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cannula is retractable into the housing subsequent to the expelling of a drug from the reservoir.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the entire first member is rotatably moveable relative to the reservoir and the patient surface.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first drive member comprises a reciprocable lever.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises a prefilled cartridge.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a controller to effect rotational movement of the first drive member.

11. A method of manufacturing a wearable drug delivery device, comprising:

providing a housing having a reservoir disposed therein, the reservoir having a piston slidably supported therein that is operable to expel a drug from the reservoir;

providing an adherent patient surface on the housing for adhering the device to the patient;

providing a movable a cannula in the housing, the cannula being movable from a retracted position within the housing to an exposed position in which at least a portion of the cannula extends through the patient surface outside of the housing;

fluidly connecting the cannula to the reservoir;

providing a first drive member to be displaceable within the housing, the first drive member having a first portion;

providing a second drive member at least partially within the reservoir, the second drive member having a second portion that is slidingly engageable with the first portion of the first drive member;

wherein providing the first and second drive members comprises;

operatively connecting the first and second drive members to cooperate to slidably displace a piston in the reservoir in a first linear direction to expel a drug from the reservoir; and

engaging the first drive member with the second drive member to prevent the piston from moving in a second linear direction opposite to the first linear direction.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second portion of the second drive member comprises an irregular surface defined by a series of peaks and troughs along the first linear direction;

and

wherein the first portion of the first drive member slidably engages the irregular surface of the second drive member.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the reservoir comprises a prefilled cartridge, and the method further comprises prefilling the cartridge and subsequently placing the prefilled cartridge into the housing.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising providing a gas generator and a return spring in the housing to rotatably move the first drive member.