Dose setting mechanism for priming a drug delivery device

• US 9,533,100 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2010
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Jones, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, Nathan R
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, ANH T
• Application Number:
  US13/322,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20120165743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,412 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2005/3104 Caps for syringes without needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3125 specific display means, e.g. to indicate dose setting
• 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 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• 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 5/31551 including axial movement of dose setting member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31561 using freely adjustable volume steps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31585 performed by axially moving actuator, e.g. an injection button

Abstract

A method and system for priming a drug delivery device are provided. The drug delivery device includes a forced priming feature that requires the user to move the dose dial sleeve (3) axially to cause the spindle (5) to pre-load a cartridge bung before a first dose can be dialed.

Claims

1. A dose setting mechanism for a drug delivery device comprising:

a dial sleeve;

a housing component comprising an inner body;

a nut provided between the dial sleeve and the inner body; and

a sliding lock on the dial sleeve;

wherein the dial sleeve is coupled to the nut, the nut comprising an inner thread that is threadedly engaged to the inner body,

wherein the dial sleeve moves axially with respect to the nut during priming of the drug delivery device from a first, proximal position to a second, distal position, wherein the sliding lock engages the nut when the dial sleeve is in the second distal position, and

wherein the dial sleeve translates along a helical path during dose setting of the drug delivery device.

2. The dose setting mechanism of claim 1 wherein the sliding lock is irreversibly connected to the nut when the dial sleeve is in the second distal position.

3. The dose setting mechanism of claim 1 wherein the sliding lock is prevented from engaging the nut when the dial sleeve is in the first proximal position by a frictional snap fit.

4. The dose setting mechanism of claim 1 wherein the sliding lock comprises a protrusion formed on the outer surface of the nut and a slit-like opening provided in the dial sleeve and receiving the protrusion.

5. The dose setting mechanism of claim 1 wherein the nut is provided as an essentially ring-shaped element located between the dial sleeve and the housing component, which is an inner body.

6. A drug delivery device having a forced priming feature comprising

a. a cartridge holder configured to contain a cartridge of medicament sealed with a bung;

b. a dose setting mechanism comprising;

a dial sleeve,

a housing component comprising an inner body,

a nut provided between the dial sleeve and the inner body, and

a spindle configured to move the bung in an axial direction during dose delivery, and a rotational counterstop associated to the housing component;

wherein the dial sleeve is coupled to the nut, the nut comprising an inner thread that is threadedly engaged to the inner body,

wherein the dial sleeve moves axially with respect to the nut during priming of the drug delivery device from a first, proximal position to a second, distal position, and

wherein the dial sleeve translates along a helical path during dose setting of the drug delivery device; and

c. a stop on the dial sleeve that abuts the rotational counter stop on the housing component when the dial sleeve is in a first axial position to prevent a user from setting a dose of medicament.

9. The drug delivery device of claim 6 where the spindle does not exert a force on the bung when the dial sleeve is in the first axial position.

10. The drug delivery device of claim 6 where the spindle exerts a force on the bung when the dial sleeve is in the second position.

7. A drug delivery device having a forced priming feature comprising

a. a cartridge holder containing a cartridge of medicament sealed with a bung;

b. a dose setting mechanism comprising;

a dial sleeve,

a housing component comprising an inner body,

a nut provided between the dial sleeve and the inner body, and

a spindle configured to move the bung in an axial direction during dose delivery, and a rotational counter stop associated to the housing component;

wherein the dial sleeve is coupled to the nut, the nut comprising an inner thread that is threadedly engaged to the inner body

wherein the dial sleeve moves axially with respect to the nut during priming of the drug delivery device from a first, proximal position to a second, distal position, and

wherein the dial sleeve translates along a helical path during dose setting of the drug delivery device; and

c. a collar threadedly engaged with the distal end of the dial sleeve such that rotation of the collar relative to the dial sleeve causes the dial sleeve to move from a first axial position where a user is prevented from setting a dose to a second axial position where a dose can then be set.

8. The drug delivery device of claim 7 where the collar is not threadedly engaged with the dial sleeve when the dial sleeve reaches the second axial position.