Medical device and method of assembly

• US 9,463,279 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Pommereu, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): STIGELL, THEODORE J
• Application Number:
  US13/516,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20130012871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,126 Days
• Field of Search: 604207-211, 116/200
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 5/3146 Priming, e.g. purging, reducing backlash or clearance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31561 using freely adjustable volume steps
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/00 General purpose image data processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49769 Using optical instrument [excludes mere human eyeballing]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical device for administering a medicinal product to a patient comprising at least one component (2, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) comprising a material having an additive embedded therein, wherein the additive is adapted to provide a visually perceptible signal when exposed to electromagnetic radiation. The invention is particularly intended for drug delivery devices, such as e.g. of pen-type injectors. With the visually perceptible signal embedded in the at least one component, visually controlled assembly of such devices can be improved. Additionally the invention provides an effective means antagonize counterfeiting of drugs and of medical devices.

Claims

1. A drug delivery device for administering a liquid drug to a patient comprising:

a cartridge filled with the liquid drug and having a piston slidably disposed therein,

a main housing component and

a drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is accommodated inside the main housing component,

wherein the drive mechanism is operably engageable with the piston of the cartridge to expel a dose of the liquid drug from the cartridge and wherein the drive mechanism comprises a piston rod with a pressure piece at a distal end section to but against a proximal end face of the piston of the cartridge;

wherein at least the pressure piece located inside the main housing component comprises a thermoplastic material having an additive embedded and homogeneously distributed in its bulk,

wherein the additive is adapted to provide a visually perceptible signal when exposed to electromagnetic radiation and

wherein the electromagnetic radiation is within one of a first spectral range, a second spectral range, or a third spectral range.

2. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material comprises an injection molded thermoplastic material and wherein the additive comprises at least one dye being substantially homogeneously distributed in the material.

3. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the additive is fluorescent in response to the first spectral range of the electromagnetic radiation.

4. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the additive is photochromic with respect to the second spectral range of the electromagnetic radiation.

5. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the additive is substantially absorptive or reflective with respect to the third spectral range of the electromagnetic radiation.

6. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein first, second and/or third spectral ranges have a spectral width (FWHM) of less than about 100 nm.

7. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the first, second and/or third spectral ranges are in the infrared-, visible-, UV- or X-ray spectral range.

8. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the additive irreversibly changes at least one visually perceptible property once exposed to a predetermined amount of radiation within one of the first, second and/or third spectral ranges.

9. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the drug delivery device is configured as an inhaler or an injection device.

10. The drug delivery device according to claim 9 and comprising

a cartridge holder adapted to receive a cartridge filled with a medicinal product and having a piston slidably disposed therein,

wherein the drive mechanism is to be operably engaged with the piston of the cartridge by way of a piston rod for dispensing of a dose of the medicinal product.

11. The drug delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the additive responds to a pre-defined spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a different way compared to a base material of the pressure piece.