Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 9,561,331 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2014
• Issued: 02/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Veasey, Robert Frederick, Perkins, Robert, Plumptre, David Aubrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilbert, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US14/319,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20140316347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2407 from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3126 Specific display means related to dosing
• 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 5/31528 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 5/31535 Means improving security or handling thereof, e.g. blocking means, means preventing insufficient dosing, means allowing correction of overset dose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31536 Blocking means to immobilize a selected dose, e.g. to administer equal doses
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31546 Electrically operated dose setting, e.g. input via touch screen or plus/minus buttons
• 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 5/31563 interacting with a displaceable stop member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31565 Administration mechanisms, i.e. constructional features, modes of administering a dose dosing mechanisms for setting a dose A61M5/31533
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31568 Means keeping track of the total dose administered, e.g. since the cartridge was inserted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3157 Means providing feedback signals when administration is completed A61M5/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31575 using scaling up or down transmissions, e.g. gearbox
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31578 based on axial translation, i.e. components directly operatively associated and axially moved with plunger 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/32 : Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub infusion needles A61M5/158; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body A61M5/42, A61M5/46 take precedence; guide needles for catheters A61M25/065; Devices for protection of needles apparatus specially adapted for cleaning or sterilising needles A61M5/001

Abstract

A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.

Claims

1. A drug delivery device that allows reducing an inadvertently set dose comprising:

a housing;

a drive mechanism; and

a cartridge containing a medicinal product,

wherein the drive mechanism comprises,

a dose dial sleeve threadedly engaged with the housing;

a dose dial grip rotationally fixed to the dose dial sleeve and configured to rotate in a first direction to increase a set dose and in a second direction to reduce a set dose without dispense of the medicinal product from the cartridge and

a drive sleeve rotationally fixed to a clutch and releasably connected to the dose dial sleeve, wherein the clutch and the dose dial sleeve rotate with the dose dial grip when a dose is being increased and when a dose is being decreased.

2. The drug delivery device of claim 1 where the dose dial grip, dose dial sleeve, clutch and drive sleeve rotate in the same direction as the dose dial grip when an inadvertently set dose is reduced.

3. The drive mechanism of claim 1 further comprising an end of life nut that is threadedly engaged with the drive sleeve, the end of life nut configured to advance in the distal direction during dose setting a distance proportional to the set dose when the dose dial grip is rotated in the first direction.

4. The drive mechanism of claim 3 further characterized in that the end of life nut advances in the proximal direction when the dose dial grip is rotated in the second direction during dose reduction a distance proportional to an amount that the set dose is reduced.

5. The drug delivery device of claim 1 further comprising a clicker configured to provide audible and tactile feedback during dose setting.

6. The drug delivery device of claim 5 where the clutch has a plurality of projecting saw teeth that engage the clicker.

7. The drug delivery device of claim 6 where the audible feedback is a result of the saw teeth riding over the clicker during dose setting and dose reduction.

8. The drug delivery device of claim 6 where the saw teeth are disposed circumferentially on the clutch such that each saw tooth corresponds to a unit dose of the medicinal product.

9. The drug delivery device of claim 5, wherein the clicker provides the audible and tactile feedback during dose setting when the dose dial grip is rotated in both the first and the second direction.

10. The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the drive sleeve is threadedly engaged with a piston rod.

11. The drug delivery device of claim 1, wherein the drive sleeve is configured to rotate in a first direction to increase a set dose and in a second direction to reduce a set dose without dispense of the medicinal product from the cartridge.

12. The drug delivery device of claim 11, wherein the clutch is configured to rotate in the first and second direction together with the drive sleeve.