Automatic injection device

• US 9,486,584 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2015
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd. (Puerto Rico) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd. (Puerto Rico) (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Julian, Joseph F., Rolfe, Steven, Bicknell, Stephen, Marshall, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): Utama, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fletcher, Jerry-Daryl
• Application Number:
  US14/935,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20160089495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 434/262
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/206 With automatic needle insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2073 preventing premature release, e.g. by making use of a safety lock
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3125 specific display means, e.g. to indicate dose setting
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31508 provided on the piston-rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/02 Equipment for testing the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2033 Spring-loaded one-shot injectors with or without automatic needle insertion multishot dosing syringes A61M5/31525, needle insertion only A61M5/3287
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3202 Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps A61M5/50 takes precedence; for infusion spikes A61M5/1626; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3204 Needle cap remover, i.e. devices to dislodge protection cover from needle or needle hub, e.g. deshielding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/46 having means for controlling depth of insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 1/04 for ulcers, gastritis or reflux esophagitis, e.g. antacids, inhibitors of acid secretion, mucosal protectants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/06 Immunosuppressants, e.g. drugs for graft rejection
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/285 for injections, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, sigmoidscopy, insertion of contraceptive devices or enemas
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A method for treating a disorder using an automatic injection device is disclosed. The device includes a syringe movably disposed in a housing and including a barrel portion, a needle and a bung for sealing the barrel portion. The device includes a syringe actuation component for moving the syringe towards a first open end of the housing such that the needle projects from the first end, and for subsequently applying pressure to the bung. The syringe actuation component includes a pressurizer, a rod comprising a compressible portion projecting therefrom, and a flange between a second end of the rod and the compressible portion. The device also includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the syringe actuation component towards the first open end of the housing, the biasing mechanism disposed about the second end of the rod between the flange and a second end of the housing.

Claims

1. A method for treating a disorder in which TNFα

activity is detrimental in a subject, the method comprising;

using adalimumab to treat the disorder by subcutaneous injection, the adalimumab contained in an automatic injection device with a housing having an open first end and a second end;

biasing a syringe actuation component in the housing with a first biasing mechanism for first moving a syringe disposed in the housing towards the first end of the housing such that a hollow needle in fluid communication with a syringe barrel holding the adalimumab projects from the first end and for subsequently applying pressure to a bung sealing the syringe barrel to force the adalimumab through the hollow needle;

wherein the syringe actuation component comprises a pressurizer, at a first end of the syringe actuation component, for selectively applying pressure to the bung, a rod comprising a compressible portion projecting from the rod along at least a portion of a length of the rod, the compressible portion having a first expanded position prior to entering the barrel portion of the syringe and a second compressed position for initiating movement of the bung and a flange between a second end of the syringe actuation component and the compressible portion; and

wherein the first biasing mechanism is disposed between the flange of the syringe actuation component and the second end of the housing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is any one of the following:

rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn'"'"'s disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, uveitis, nail psoriasis, pediatric Crohn'"'"'s disease, pediatric ulcerative colitis, or pediatric psoriasis.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises an activation button coupled to the housing for actuating the syringe actuation component.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises a latch for latching the syringe actuation component in a retracted position prior to actuation by the activation button.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises a window on the housing for viewing the interior of the housing.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the window has a substantially key-hole shape.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the window includes a fill line at a position in the window for indicating a full dose of the adalimumab.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises an indicator for indicating when the syringe is empty.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises a removable cap for covering one of the first end of the housing or the second end of the housing.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises a needle sheath that advances over the needle projecting through the first end after ejection of the adalimumab from the syringe.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the compressible portion extends along a longitudinal length of the rod between a lower solid portion of the rod forming the pressurizer and an upper solid portion of the rod.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the compressible portion comprises:

a central void extending at least along a portion of the syringe actuation component; and

one or more flexible elbows provided on either side of the central void, wherein the one or more elbows project radially outwardly from the central void when the compressible portion is in the first expanded position, and wherein the one or more elbows are collapsed radially inwardly toward the central void when the compressible portion is in the second compressed position.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the flange is configured to hold the first biasing mechanism in a compressed position until actuation of the automatic injection device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the syringe actuation component further comprises:

a base extending distally from the flange toward the second end of the housing, the base configured to support the first biasing mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the base comprises:

one or more flexible legs around which the first biasing mechanism coils.

16. A method for treating a disorder in which TNFα

activity is detrimental in a subject, the method comprising;

using adalimumab to treat the disorder by subcutaneous injection, the adalimumab contained in an automatic injection device with a housing having an open first end and a second end;

biasing a plunger in the housing with a biasing mechanism towards the open first end of the housing;

wherein the plunger comprises a rod configured to be connected or adjacent at a first end to a bung of a syringe, a compressible portion projecting from the rod along at least a portion of a length of the rod, the compressible portion having a first expanded inactivated position and a second compressed activated position for initiating movement of the bung, and a flange between a second end of the rod and the compressible portion; and

wherein the biasing mechanism is disposed about the second end of the rod between the flange and the second end of the housing.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises an activation button coupled to the housing for actuating the plunger.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises a latch for latching the plunger in a retracted position prior to actuation by the activation button.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises a window on the housing for viewing the interior of the housing.

20. The method claim of claim 16, wherein the disorder is any one of the following:

rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn'"'"'s disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, uveitis, nail psoriasis, pediatric Crohn'"'"'s disease, pediatric ulcerative colitis, or pediatric psoriasis.

21. A method for treating a disorder in which TNFα

activity is detrimental in a subject, the method comprising;

using adalimumab to treat the disorder by subcutaneous injection, the adalimumab contained in an automatic injection device with a housing having an open first end, a second end, a window disposed in a side wall for viewing the interior of the housing and indicator that aligns with the window when the adalimumab has been injected into the user;

biasing a syringe actuation component in the housing with a first biasing mechanism for first moving a syringe movably disposed in the housing towards the open first end of the housing such that a hollow needle in fluid communication with the a barrel portion of the syringe holding the adalimumab projects from the open first end and for subsequently applying pressure to a bung sealing the barrel portion and selectively applying pressure to the adalimumab to force the adalimumab through the hollow needle;

wherein the syringe actuation component comprises a rod having an upper solid portion having a first end, a lower solid portion having a second end operable to move the bung and to transmit an expulsion force thereto, and a projecting portion projecting from the rod along at least a portion of a length of the rod, the projecting portion comprising two or more flexible elbows on either side of a central void provided between the upper and lower solid portions and aligned along a central axis of the rod, the projecting portion having a first expanded position prior to entering the barrel portion of the syringe in which the flexible elbows project radially outwardly to form the central void, and the projecting portion having a second compressed position for applying the second end of the lower solid portion to the bung in which the flexible elbows are compressed radially inwardly toward the central void, and a flange disposed between the first end of the upper solid portion of the rod and the projecting portion of the rod;

wherein the first biasing mechanism is disposed between the flange of the syringe actuation component and the second end of the housing;

wherein the housing comprises a second biasing mechanism for holding the syringe retracted in the housing until the first biasing mechanism is released; and

removing a first removable cap that covers the open first end of the housing or the second end of the housing.

22. The method claim of claim 21, wherein the disorder is any one of the following:

rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn'"'"'s disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, uveitis, nail psoriasis, pediatric Crohn'"'"'s disease, pediatric ulcerative colitis, or pediatric psoriasis.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the central void is a longitudinally extending slit.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the housing is fixed relative to the syringe.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises:

an activation button coupled to the housing for actuating the syringe actuation component.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises:

a latch for latching the syringe actuation component in a retracted position prior to actuation by the activation button.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the adalimumab is pre-loaded in the barrel portion of the syringe.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the automatic injection device further comprises:

a needle sheath configured to advance over the needle projecting through the open first end of the housing after ejection of the adalimumab from the syringe.