Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices

• US 7,993,301 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2009
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Sanofi )
• Inventors: Ghazaros, Samuel, Veasey, Robert, Boyd, Malcolm, Jones, Matthew, Plumptre, David, May, James, Letham, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desanto; Matthew F
• Application Number:
  US12/466,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20100094207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 604 68- 72, 604/131, 604/181, 604/187, 604207-211, 604/224, 604/228
• US Class Current: 604/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2407 from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3104 Caps for syringes without needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3152 including gearings to multiply or attenuate the piston displacing force
• 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 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31541 Means preventing setting of a dose beyond the amount remaining in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31555 by purely axial movement of dose setting member, e.g. during setting or filling of a syringe
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3156 using volume steps only adjustable in discrete intervals, i.e. individually distinct intervals
• 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention relates to drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices, in particular pen-type injectors, wherein a number of pre-set doses of medicinal product can be administered. In particular, the present invention relates to such drug delivery devices where a user may activate the drug delivery device.

Claims

1. A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device is provided comprising:

a housing having a proximal and a distal end;

a drive member located within the said housing such that the said drive member is movable longitudinally and is non-rotatable with respect to the said housing;

a piston rod that is non-rotatable with respect to the said housing and having at least one set of teeth along an internal surface of the piston rod, the piston rod is adapted to operate through the housing and transfer a force in the longitudinal direction to the distal end of the drug delivery device;

a rotating component releasably engaged with said one set of teeth of said piston rod and positioned within said piston rod,

wherein

a) when the said drive member moves proximally with respect to the said housing the said rotating component moves proximally with respect to the said piston rod;

b) when the said drive member moves distally the said rotating component moves distally displacing the said piston rod towards the distal end of the device.

2. A drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism as defined in claim 1.

3. The drug delivery device according to claim 2, which is a pen-type device.

4. The drug delivery device according to claim 2, which is an injector-type device.

5. The drug delivery device according to claim 2, which comprises a needle.

6. The drug delivery device according to claim 2, which is a needle-free device.

7. The drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotating component is engaged with a rack located on the drive member and a rack located on the housing.

8. The drive mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the said rack located on the drive member is a flexible rack.

9. The drive mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the housing further comprises pawl means engaged with the set of teeth of the said piston rod.

10. An assembly for use in a drug delivery device comprising the drive mechanism as defined in claim 1.

11. The drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said rotating component comprises a gear an axle of which is engaged with the set of teeth of the piston rod.

12. The drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said rotating component comprises a pulley comprising a belt and a wheel an axle of which is engaged with the set of teeth.

13. A method of manufacturing a drug delivery device, comprising the step of providing a drive mechanism as defined in claim 1.