Patent Application
20140025015
This invention relates medical devices and methods of delivering at least two drug agents from separate reservoirs using devices having only a single dose setting mechanism and a single dispense interface. This invention also relates to the secondary packaging in which the medical devices are stored and transported to a user. A single delivery procedure initiated by the user causes a non-user settable dose of a second drug agent and a variable set dose of a first drug agent to be delivered to the patient. The drug agents may be available in two or more reservoirs, containers or packages, each containing independent (single drug compound) or pre-mixed (co-formulated multiple drug compounds) drug agents. Activation of the needle guard automatically causes the reservoir of secondary medicament to engage with dispensing conduits to allow a set dose of primary medicament and a single fixed dose of the of the secondary medicament to be injected. Thus, a medicated module is presented where the user does not have to manually select or set the module to dispense the second drug agent. Secondary packaging for the medicated module is designed to prevent accidental triggering of the needle guard.
Certain disease states require treatment using one or more different medicaments. Some drug compounds need to be delivered in a specific relationship with each other in order to deliver the optimum therapeutic dose. This invention is of particular benefit where combination therapy is desirable, but not possible in a single formulation for reasons such as, but not limited to, stability, compromised therapeutic performance and toxicology.
For example, in some cases it might be beneficial to treat a diabetic with a long acting insulin and with a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is derived from the transcription product of the proglucagon gene. GLP-1 is found in the body and is secreted by the intestinal L cell as a gut hormone. GLP-1 possesses several physiological properties that make it (and its analogs) a subject of intensive investigation as a potential treatment of diabetes mellitus.
There are a number of potential problems when delivering two medicaments or active agents simultaneously. The two active agents may interact with each other during the long-term shelf life storage of the formulation. Therefore, it is advantageous to store the active components separately and only combine them at the point of delivery, e.g. injection, needle-less injection, pumps, or inhalation. However, the process for combining the two agents needs to be simple and convenient for the user to perform reliably, repeatedly and safely.
A further problem is that the quantities and/or proportions of each active agent making up the combination therapy may need to be varied for each user or at different stages of their therapy. For example, one or more actives may require a titration period to gradually introduce a patient up to a “maintenance” dose. A further example would be if one active requires a non-adjustable fixed dose while the other is varied in response to a patient's symptoms or physical condition. This problem means that pre-mixed formulations of multiple active agents may not be suitable as these pre-mixed formulations would have a fixed ratio of the active components, which could not be varied by the healthcare professional or user.
Additional problems arise where a multi-drug compound therapy is required, because many users cannot cope with having to use more that one drug delivery system or make the necessary accurate calculation of the required dose combination. This is especially true for users with dexterity or computational difficulties. In some circumstances it is also necessary to perform a priming procedure of the device and/or needle cannulae before dispensing the medicaments. Likewise, in some situations, it may be necessary to bypass one drug compound and to dispense only a single medicament from a separate reservoir.
Providing separate storage containers for two or more active drug agents that are only combined and/or delivered to the patient during a single delivery procedure allows for the delivery of two or more medicaments in a single injection or delivery step that is simple for the user to perform. This configuration also gives the opportunity for varying the quantity of one or both medicaments. For example, one fluid quantity can be varied by changing the properties of the injection device (e.g. dialing a user variable dose or changing the device's “fixed” dose). The second fluid quantity can be changed by manufacturing a variety of secondary drug containing packages with each variant containing a different volume and/or concentration of the second active agent. The user or healthcare professional would then select the most appropriate secondary package or series or combination of series of different packages for a particular treatment regime.
This configuration also provides a medicated module that automatically causes the reservoir of secondary medicament to come into fluid communication with the primary medicament upon activation of the needle guard. This eliminates the need for the user to manually set or adjust the medicated module after performing a priming step.
To prevent the medicated module from accidental activation, the module's secondary packaging comprises a mechanism to keep the module in a locked mode. Accidental triggering may occur any time prior to use, such as during transit or storage, and may either compromise the operability of the device, or render it unusable. Factors that may cause accidental triggering may include, but are not limited to, the application of static loads (e.g., stacking, crushing), dynamic loads (e.g., impact, vibration), pack and/or device inversion or temperature fluctuation.
Where accidental triggering has the potential to compromise the integrity of the Primary Pack, a patient may be exposed to a potentially non-sterile or even harmful form of the medicament.
Our invention seeks to prevent the accidental triggering of the medicated module. The simple act of removing the medicated module from its sterile packaging takes the module from a locked stated to a triggerable state. Thus, our invention is designed in such a way that the shift in the state from “trigger locked” to “triggerable” happens automatically as part of the standard, correct use procedure.
These and other advantages will become evident from the following more detailed description of the invention.
Our invention allows complex combinations of multiple drug compounds within a single drug delivery system. The invention allows the user to set and dispense a multi-drug compound device though one single dose setting mechanism and a single dispense interface. This single dose setter controls the mechanism of the device such that a predefined combination of the individual drug compound is delivered when a single dose of one of the medicaments is set and dispensed through the single dispense interface.
By defining the therapeutic relationship between the individual drug compounds, our delivery device would help ensure that a patient/user receives the optimum therapeutic combination dose from a multi-drug compound device without the inherent risks associated with multiple inputs where the user has to calculate and set the correct dose combination every time they use the device. The medicaments can be fluids, defined herein as liquids or powders that are capable of flowing and that change shape at a steady rate when acted upon by a force tending to change its shape. Alternatively, one of the medicaments may be a solid that is carried, solubilized or otherwise dispensed with another fluid medicament.
According to one specific aspect, this invention is of particular benefit to users with dexterity or computational difficulties as the single input and associated predefined therapeutic profile removes the need for them to calculate their prescribed dose every time they use the device and the single input allows considerably easier setting and dispensing of the combined compounds.
In a preferred embodiment a master or primary drug compound, such as insulin, contained within a multiple dose, user selectable device could be used with a single use, user replaceable, module that contains a single dose of a secondary medicament and the single dispense interface. When connected to the primary device the secondary compound is activated/delivered on dispense of the primary compound. Although our invention specifically mentions insulin, insulin analogs or insulin derivatives, and GLP-1 or GLP-1 analogs as two possible drug combinations, other drugs or drug combinations, such as an analgesics, hormones, beta agonists or corticosteroids, or a combination of any of the above-mentioned drugs could be used with our invention.
For the purposes of our invention the term “insulin” shall mean Insulin, insulin analogs, insulin derivatives or mixtures thereof, including human insulin or a human insulin analogs or derivatives. Examples of insulin analogs are, without limitation, Gly(A21), Arg(B31), Arg(B32) human insulin; Lys(B3), Glu(B29) human insulin; Lys(B28), Pro(B29) human insulin; Asp(B28) human insulin; human insulin, wherein proline in position B28 is replaced by Asp, Lys, Leu, Val or Ala and wherein in position B29 Lys may be replaced by Pro; Ala(B26) human insulin; Des(B28-B30) human insulin; Des(B27) human insulin or Des(B30) human insulin. Examples of insulin derivatives are, without limitation, B29-N-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-myristoyl human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl human insulin; B28-N-myristoyl LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B28-N-palmitoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B30-N-myristoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B30-N-palmitoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B29-N-(N-palmitoyl-Y-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(N-lithocholyl-Y-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin and B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin.
As used herein the term “GLP-1” shall mean GLP-1, GLP-1 analogs, or mixtures thereof, including without limitation, exenatide (Exendin-4(1-39), a peptide of the sequence H-His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser-NH2), Exendin-3, Liraglutide, or AVE0010 (H-His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Ser-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-Lys-NH2).
Examples of beta agonists are, without limitation, salbutamol, levosalbutamol, terbutaline, pirbuterol, procaterol, metaproterenol, fenoterol, bitolterol mesylate, salmeterol, formoterol, bambuterol, clenbuterol, indacaterol.
Hormones are for example hypophysis hormones or hypothalamus hormones or regulatory active peptides and their antagonists, such as Gonadotropine (Follitropin, Lutropin, Choriongonadotropin, Menotropin), Somatropine (Somatropin), Desmopressin, Terlipressin, Gonadorelin, Triptorelin, Leuprorelin, Buserelin, Nafarelin, Goserelin.
In one embodiment of our invention there is provided a medicated module attachable to a drug delivery device that comprises an outer housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface, where the proximal end preferably has a hub holding a double-ended needle and having a connector configured for attachment to a drug delivery device. There is a reservoir in a bypass housing within the outer housing that contains a medicament. The medicated module assembly of our invention contains a needle guard that can reduce the risk of accidental needle sticks before and after use, reduce the anxiety of users suffering from needle phobia as well as preventing a user from using the device a subsequent time when the additional medicament has already been expelled.
The needle guard is preferably configured with a solid planar surface at its distal end that provides a large surface area that reduces the pressure exerted on the patient's skin, which allows the user to experience an apparent reduction in the force exerted against the skin. Preferably, the planar surface covers the entire distal end of the guard with the exception of a small needle pass through hole aligned axially with the needle. This pass through hole is preferably no more than 10 times greater in diameter than the outer diameter of the needle cannula. For example, with a needle outside diameter of 0.34 mm, the pass through hole diameter D can be 4 mm. Preferably, the pass through hole size should be large enough for the user to see that the device is primed (i.e., a drop or more of medicament) while not being so large that it is still possible to reach the end of the needle with a finger (i.e. needle stick injuries before or after use). This difference between the hole size and cannula diameter is to allow for tolerances, to allow users to see the drop of liquid on the end of the cannula after priming (whether a transparent or non-transparent guard is used) while keeping the size small enough to prevent accidental needle stick injuries.
Further, the movable needle guard or shield is configured to move axially in both the distal and proximal directions when pressed against and removed from an injection site. When the needle assembly is removed or withdrawn from the patient, the guard is returned to post-use extended position. A drive tooth on the inside surface of the guard engages a stop on a track on the outer surface of the bypass housing to securely lock the guard from further substantial axial movement. Preferably a lock out boss on the outer surface of the bypass housing may be configured to engage a lock out feature on the inner proximal surface of the outer housing at the completion of the injection to further aid locking the medicated module from any further use and prevent the needle(s) and/or bypass component from being able to substantially move within the system even if the guard is held in an axially locked condition. By “substantial” movement we do not mean the typical amount of “play” in a system, but instead we mean that the guard and/or distal needle do not move axially a distance that exposes the distal end of the cannula once it is locked out.
One goal of our invention is to eliminate the need to have the user manually operate the medicated module to change the state of the module from a priming state to a combination dose delivery state. Manually operated devices are sometimes not as intuitive as they could be and raise the risk of accidental misuse. Our invention solves this problem by utilizing energy stored within the module prior to delivery of the device to the user. The stored energy can come from a biasing member, such as a compressed spring. This stored energy is released during normal user operation of the module by actuating the mechanism and thus activating the state change from prime dose to combination dose. The mechanism aims to make this actuation imperceptible to the user, consequently making the user experience of the module very similar to that of a standard commercially available and accepted needle or safety needle (i.e. unpack module, attach to a drug delivery device, prime drug delivery device, inject a set dose along with single dose in the module). In this way, the module mechanism aims to reduce the risk of unintentional misuse and to improve usability by replicating an already accepted practice for similar injection methods.
As the module mechanism does not require the user to access external features on the module for the purposes of actuation, the number of components and subsequent module size can be reduced/optimized. These factors make the mechanism ideal for a single-use, high-volume manufacture, and disposable device application. Alternatively, as the actuation is driven by a single energy source, the system lends itself to a resettable actuation mechanism. The preferred embodiment described below is the single use (non-resettable) version. The lower hub is preferably restrained rotationally with regard to the needle guard, but is free to move axially within the needle guard. The needle guard is restrained rotationally with regard to the outer housing, but is free to move axially, between defined constraints, within the outer housing.
The user pressing the distal face of the needle guard against the skin causes axial motion of the needle guard in the proximal direction. This axial motion of the guard causes a rotation of the bypass housing through the engagement and action of one or more inward-facing drive teeth on the guard as they travel in one or more drive tracks, each having one or more paths, which are located on the outer surface of the bypass housing. After sufficient axial travel of the needle guard, the rotation of the bypass housing brings stand-offs inside the outer housing and at the proximal ends of the lower hub into line with pockets located on the outer surface of the bypass housing. Alignment of the stand-offs with the pockets allows the bypass housing to move axially in the proximal direction and further into the outer housing. The lower hub containing a second double-ended needle cannula moves axially further onto the bypass housing. Both of these movements occur due to the relaxation/release of the stored energy of the biasing member, preferably a spring that is pre-compressed during module assembly or manufacture, and constitute “triggering” of the actuation mechanism. It is this axial movement of the lower hub onto the bypass housing and the corresponding movement of the bypass housing further into the outer body that results in the double ended needles located in the outer body distal end and the lower hub piercing the medicated module, moving it from a state of priming to combination dose delivery.
Further axial movement of the needle guard is required in order to pierce the skin, this retraction of the needle guard temporarily further compresses the biasing member storing additional energy. At a “commit” point, the proximal axial movement of the drive tooth passes a non-return feature in the track through further rotation of the bypass housing. In normal use, once the drug has been dispensed and the needle is removed from the skin, the needle guard is allowed to return axially in the distal direction under the relaxation of the biasing member as it releases its stored energy. At some point along its return travel, the drive tooth contacts a further ramped face in one of the paths of the track, resulting in yet further rotation of the bypass housing. At this point, the outer housing stand-off comes into contact with a ramp feature on the outer surface of the bypass housing. The combination of this feature with the ramp between the drive tooth and the bypass housing track results in further biasing of the bypass housing stop face into the needle guard drive tooth. The stop face features act as an axial locking pocket. The action of the combined biasing force means that any axial load in the proximal direction put on the needle guard will result in the tooth being stopped in this pocket, locking out the needle guard from further use or exposing the needle. Should the user remove the device from the skin without dispensing fluid, but after the “commit” point has been passed, the needle guard would return to an extended position and lock out as previously described.
In one embodiment of our invention there is provided a medicated module assembly attachable to a drug delivery device, preferably a pen shaped injection device, where the medicated module assembly comprises an outer housing having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end has an upper hub holding a first double-ended needle cannula and a connector configured for attachment to a drug delivery device. The hub can be a separate part from the housing or integral, for example molded as part of the housing. The connector can comprise a connector design, such as threads, snap fits, a bayonet, a luer lock, or any combination thereof.
Two needle cannulae are used, a distal cannula and a proximal cannula, with both cannulae preferably being doubled-ended for piercing a septum or seal and for piercing skin. The distal needle or second needle is mounted in a lower hub and the proximal or first needle is mounted in the upper hub, each using any technique known to those skilled in the art, such as welding, gluing, friction fit, over-molding and the like. The medicated module assembly also contains a biasing member, preferably a torsion/tension/compression spring. The biasing member is preferably in a pre-compressed state and positioned between the proximal inner face of the needle guard and the distal face of the lower hub. The biasing member may bias the needle guard into an extended or guarding position. Although a preferred biasing member is a spring, any type of member that produces a biasing force will work.
The medicated module assembly of our invention automatically, once triggered, changes state from (1) a pre-use or priming state, where a small amount of primary medicament flows in a bypass around the reservoir containing a single dose of the secondary medicament, to (2) a ready-to-use or combination dose state, where both the upper and lower cannulae are in fluidic engagement with the fixed dose of the second medicament within the module and where a set dose of the primary medicament can be injected along with the non-settable single dose of secondary medicament in the reservoir, and finally to (3) a locked out state, where the needle guard is prevented from substantial proximal movement. The outer housing preferably has a window or indicator that shows the various states of the module. The indicator can be a pip, knob, button, or the like that protrudes through the outer surface of the proximal end of the needle guard and visually shows the user whether the module is in the pre-use or ready-to-use state. It may also be a visual indicator, e.g. showing colors or symbols, or a tactile or audible indicator. Preferably, user noticeable indicia indicate both a pre-use priming position and a locked position of the guard after the medicated module assembly has been used to perform an injection.
Inside the bypass housing there is a cavity that contains the capsule, which comprises the single dose of medicament in the reservoir. As the needle guard is retracted during an injection, the bypass housing is moved proximally along with the capsule positioned inside the cavity. This allows the seals of the capsule to be pierced at its top and bottom by the needle cannula such that the medicament can be expelled from the reservoir during dose delivery. When connected to a drug delivery device containing a first medicament and prior to piercing the seals of the reservoir, the needle cannulae are only in fluid communication with the first medicament and a fluid flow path that bypasses the capsule. Preferably, a channel on the inside surface of the bypass housing is part of this fluid flow path and is used in the priming function of the drug delivery device.
As mentioned, the bypass housing preferably has one or more tracks located on the outside surface each having a set of first, second, third, and fourth paths. On the inner surface of the proximal end of the needle guard is one or more radial protrusions or drive teeth. As the guard first begins to retract, these protrusions travel in the first path, causing the bypass housing to slightly rotate. As the guard continues to retract and then partially extend, the protrusions travel in the second and third paths. The protrusion moves to the fourth path and into a locking position when the guard is fully extended to its post-use position, which is preferably less extended than the starting position. The guard is rotationally constrained by the outer housing, preferably by the use of one or more spline features in the outer surface of the guard in cooperation with one or more followers or pips located at the distal end of the inner surface of the outer housing. The bypass housing is rotationally constrained when the protrusion is in the second path of the track. As the protrusion is moved axially in the proximal direction when the guard retracts, the protrusion moves from the second track to the third track causing the assembly to emit an audile sound and/or tactile feedback. This tells the user that the device will has now been activated to lock upon extension of the guard in the distal direction.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of dispensing a fixed dose of one medicament and a variable dose of a primary medicament from separate reservoirs that involves the steps of first attaching a medicated module to a delivery device set in a pre-use or prime only state. The user can prime the dose delivery device using only the primary medicament and bypassing the second medicament. After priming the user begins the injection and the needle guard begins to retract and the module automatically changes to second state that allows a combination delivery of the two medicaments. Upon completion of the delivery procedure and retraction of the needle from the injection site, the extension of the needle guard automatically changes the module to a third state.
During dispense, substantially the entire amount of second medicament has been expelled as well as the selected or dialed dose of the first medicament, through the single dispense interface. The capsule preferably contains a flow distributor to ensure that substantially all the single dose of secondary medicament is forced out of the capsule by the primary medicament during an injection. The flow distributor can be a separate stand alone insert or pin, or it may be integral with the capsule to make a one piece component utilizing, for example, design principles such as form fit, force fit or material fit, such as welding, gluing, or the like, or any combination thereof. The one-piece component may comprise one or more medicament flow channels, preferably one flow channel. The flow distributor can be constructed of any material that is compatible to the primary and secondary medicaments. A preferred material is one that is typically used to manufacture septa or pistons (bungs) found in multi-dose medicament cartridges, however, any other material that is compatible with the drug could be used, e.g., glass, plastics or specific polymers as described below. By “substantially all” we mean that at least about 80% of the second medicament is expelled from the drug delivery device, preferably at least about 90% is expelled. In the third state, preferably the module is locked so as to prevent a second delivery or insertion by means of a locking mechanism as described previously.
The combination of compounds as discrete units or as a mixed unit is delivered to the body via an integral needle. This would provide a combination drug injection system that, from a user's perspective, would be achieved in a manner that very closely matches the currently available injection devices that use standard needles.
The medicated module of our invention can be designed for use with any drug delivery device with an appropriate compatible interface. However, it may be preferable to design the module in such a way as to limit its use to one exclusive primary drug delivery device (or family of devices) through employment of dedicated/coded/exclusive features to prevent attachment of a non-appropriate medicated module to a non-matching device. In some situations it may be beneficial to ensure that the medicated module is exclusive to one drug delivery device while also permitting the attachment of a standard drug dispense interface to the device. This would allow the user to deliver a combined therapy when the module is attached, but would also allow delivery of the primary compound independently through a standard drug dispense interface in situations, such as, but not limited to, dose splitting or top-up of the primary compound.
A particular benefit of our invention is that the medicated module makes it possible to tailor dose regimes when required, especially where a titration period is necessary for a particular drug. The medicated module could be supplied in a number of titration levels with obvious differentiation features such as, but not limited to, aesthetic design of features or graphics, numbering etc, so that a patient could be instructed to use the supplied medicated module in a specific order to facilitate titration. Alternatively, the prescribing physician may provide the patient with a number of “level one” titration medicated modules and then when these were finished, the physician could then prescribe the next level. A key advantage of this titration program is that the primary device remains constant throughout.
In a preferred embodiment of our invention, the primary drug delivery device is used more than once and therefore is multi-use; however, the drug delivery device may also be a single use disposable device. Such a device may or may not have a replaceable reservoir of the primary drug compound, but our invention is equally applicable to both scenarios. It is also possible to have a suite of different medicated modules for various conditions that could be prescribed as one-off extra medication to patients already using a standard drug delivery device. Should the patient attempt to reuse a previously used medicated module, our invention includes the locking needle guard that is activated after a first predefined travel/retraction of the guard/insertion of the needle. The locked needle guard would alert the patient to this situation and the inability to use the module for a second time. Visual warnings (e.g. change in color and/or warning text/indicia within an indication window on the module once insertion and/or fluid flow has occurred) can also be used. Additionally, tactile feedback (presence or absence of tactile features on the outer surface of the module hub following use) could be used as well.
A further feature of our invention is that both medicaments are delivered via one injection needle and in one injection step. This offers a convenient benefit to the user in terms of reduced user steps compared to administering two separate injections. This convenience benefit may also result in improved compliance with the prescribed therapy, particularly for users who find injections unpleasant or who have computational or dexterity difficulties.
Our invention also covers a method of delivering two medicaments stored in separate primary packages. The medicaments may both be liquid, or alternatively one or more of the medicaments may be a powder, suspension or slurry. In one embodiment the medicated module could be filled with a powdered medicament that is either dissolved or entrained in the primary medicament as it is injected through the medicated module.
Furthermore, our invention is also directed to secondary packages for storing and transporting the medicated modules. The secondary packages are designed with blocking surfaces so as to prevent the torsion/compression spring within the medicated module from moving within the module, thus keeping the module in a “trigger locked” state. When the module is removed from the secondary packaging, the torsion/compression spring is allowed to escape from its fixed position, and relaxes, transitioning the module to a “triggerable” state where it is ready to be used.
In one embodiment the medicated module comprises a biasing member, e.g. a compressed spring, wherein the biasing member may be in a first, trigger-locked position when the medicated module is positioned within a secondary packaging. The biasing member may be in a second, triggerable position when the medicated module is removed from the secondary packaging. Thereby accidental triggering of the medicated module prior to removal from its packaging is prevented.
In a further embodiment the secondary packaging comprises at least one blocking feature adapted to engage with the needle guard, the biasing member, or the housing of the medicated module. However, any combination is also feasible, e.g. in a further embodiment, the packaging may comprise two features that prevent rotation. One feature may be a blocking surface on an inside of the packaging configured to engage with an aperture or hole in or on the needle guard. The other feature may be a matching feature on an inside of the packaging configured to engage with a counter rotation feature arranged on the housing of the medicated module. During assembly the medicated module may be positioned inside the packaging thereby a slight twist is required to bring the features into engagement. This twist may compress the biasing element thus putting the medicated module in a first, trigger-locked position. Once the medicated module is removed from the packaging the compression spring may at least partially expand, the needle guard may rotate relative to the housing and the medicated module may be in a second, triggerable position. In the second, triggerable position the needle guard may be unlocked and free to move axially.
Another embodiment relates to a medicated module having a reservoir in a bypass housing containing a dose of a medicament, a needle guard having an internal proximal face, a lower hub slidably engaged with the inner surface of the needle guard, the lower hub comprising an injection needle, and a biasing member engaged between the internal proximal face of the needle guard and with the lower hub. The biasing member may be arranged to exert a repulsive force between the bypass housing and the guard. The biasing member may act indirectly on the bypass housing via the lower hub. Alternatively, the biasing element might otherwise be positioned between bypass housing and guard, e.g., by support faces.
Another embodiment relates to a medicated module having a reservoir in a bypass housing containing a dose of a medicament, a needle guard having an internal proximal face, a lower hub slidably engaged with the inner surface of the needle guard, the lower hub comprising an injection needle, and a biasing member engaged between the internal proximal face of the needle guard and with the lower hub. The biasing member may have a first and second end. The medicated module may further have a module hole at the needle guard and/or at the outer housing. In a first position, the first end of the biasing member is retained within the bypass housing, and the second end of the biasing member protrudes out of the medicated module through the module hole. The biasing member may be torsionally compressed. When torsionally compressed, the biasing member may be axially reduced or shorter in length. When torsionally compressed, the biasing member may have a length shorter than its free length. In this position the biasing member is retained in the first position by a blocking surface of a secondary packaging that contains the medicated module. Removal of the medicated module from the secondary packaging results in the escape of the second end from the module hole into the inside of the needle guard. The escape of the second end of the biasing member allows for axial release of the biasing member in a second position. The medicated module is then in a second position. In the second position, the second end of the biasing member may be escaped through the hole into the inside of the needle guard. The biasing member may be torionally relaxed. When torsionally relaxed, the biasing member may be axially extended or longer in length. When torsionally relaxed, the biasing member may have a length that equals its free length.
The embodiments described above may be equally applicable to multiple dose and reusable devices, where, for example, a spring is twisted during replacement of outer packaging. One example could be a cap for a pen-type injection device. Overall packaging design of the drug delivery device would be designed so as to keep the spring from acting axially on the lower hub so that the spring cannot be accidentally triggered as long as it is in its packaging. This will tend to ensure that the device is delivered read-to-use to the user and not compromised during transit.
For example a packaged module could comprise a module having an outer housing, a needle, a needle guard operatively coupled to the outer housing, and a biasing member configured to bias the needle guard and further a packaging adapted to contain the module, the packaging member comprising at least one blocking feature, wherein the blocking feature holds the module in an axially locked position. Upon removal of the module from the packaging member, at least the needle guard rotates relative to the housing under a stored energy from the biasing member thereby moving the needle guard to an axially unlocked position. The module could be a medicated module as described in any of the previous examples. However, the module could also be an injection needle assembly, e.g. a safety needle.
These as well as other advantages of various aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings, in which:
The present invention provides a locking mechanism for a medicated module and secondary packaging for the medicated module. The medicated module administers a fixed predetermined dose of a secondary drug compound (medicament) and a variable dose of a primary or first drug compound through a single output or drug dispense interface. Setting the dose of the primary medicament by the user automatically determines the fixed dose of the second medicament, which preferably is a single dose contained in a capsule or reservoir having an integral flow distributor. In a preferred embodiment the drug dispense interface is a needle cannula (hollow needle).
Any known attachment means 8 can be used to attach the medicated module to the chosen drug delivery device, including all types of permanent and removable connection means, such as threads, snap locks, snap fits, luer locks, bayonet, snap rings, keyed slots, and combinations of such connections.
To minimize the residual volume of the second medicament, caused by recirculation and/or stagnant zones, that might remain in capsule 31 at the end of the dispense operation, it is preferable to have a flow distributor 23 as an integral part of reservoir 22 (see
The design of flow distributor 23 should ensure that at least about 80% of the second medicament is expelled from reservoir 22 through the distal end of needle 3. Most preferably at least about 90% should be expelled. Ideally, displacement of the first medicament in a primary reservoir (not shown) contained in cartridge holder 50 and through the capsule 31 will displace the single dose of the second medicament stored in reservoir 22 without substantial mixing of the two medicaments.
Attachment of the medicated module 4 to the multi-use device 7 causes proximal needle 5 to penetrate a septum (not shown) sealing the distal end of the cartridge of primary medicament positioned in cartridge holder 50 of the multi-use device 7. Once needle 5 has passed through the septum of the cartridge, fluid connection is made between the first medicament and the needle 5. At this point, the system can be primed by dialing out a small number of units (or cocking the device if only a single dose selection is possible) using dose dial sleeve 62. Once the device 7 is primed, then activation of the needle guard 42 allows dispense of the medicaments by subcutaneously injecting the medicaments via activation of a dose button 13 on device 7. The dose button of our invention can be any triggering mechanism that causes the dose of the first medicament that was set by the dose dial sleeve 62 to move towards the distal end 32 of the device. In a preferred embodiment the dose button is operably connected to a spindle that engages a piston in the primary reservoir of the first medicament. In a further embodiment the spindle is a rotatable piston rod comprising two distinct threads.
One embodiment of the medicated module 4 is illustrated in
In the embodiments shown in
When first attached to the delivery device, the medicated module 4 is set at a pre-use or starting position. Preferably, indicator 41 shows through window 54 to inform the user of the pre-use condition of the medicated module. The indicator is preferably a color stripe or band on the outer surface of the proximal end of guard 42 (see
The compression spring 48 is arranged to exert a repulsive force between the bypass housing 52 and the guard 42. In the shown embodiment, the compression spring 48 is positioned between the distal end of bypass housing 52 and the inner proximal face of guard 42. The compression spring 48 acts indirectly on bypass housing 52 via lower hub 53. Alternatively, the compression spring might otherwise be positioned between bypass housing and guard, e.g., by support faces.
The compression spring 48 biases the guard 42 into an extended (guarded) position as illustrated in
The proximal inside surface of guard 42 has one or more inwardly protruding features, drive teeth, pips, or like structures 12 that run in one or more tracks 13 or guide ways formed in the outer surface of bypass housing 52. As shown in
One unique feature of our medicated module assembly is the user feedback that is given when the assembly is used. In particular, the assembly could emit an audible and/or tactile “click” to indicate to the user that they have firstly triggered the device and secondly reached the “commit” point such that the needle guard will lock safely out upon completion of the injection/removal of the guard from the injection site. This audible and/or tactile feature could work as follows. As mentioned, the needle guard 42 is rotationally constrained by outer housing 10 and has one or more drive teeth 12 that are initially in path 19 of track 13 on bypass housing 52. As the guard is moved proximally, the spring 48 is further compressed exerting additional force in the proximal direction on lower hub 53, which is initially constrained axially by the lower stand off pocket 65 engaged with legs 17. Likewise, the bypass housing 52 is constrained from moving proximally by upper stand off pocket stop 132 engaged with stand off 40 on the inner surface of outer hosing 10. The drive teeth 12 travel in path 19 causing the bypass housing to rotate slightly. This rotation will disengage the upper stand off 40 from upper standoff pocket stop 132, allows the drive teeth to enter path 14, and unblocks legs 17 from lower standoff pocket allowing the bypass housing to move proximally carrying with it capsule 31, where it then can engage needles 3 and 5. As the guard continues to move proximally, the drive teeth move from path 14 passed transition point 14a into path 15 causing further rotation of the bypass housing. As this rotation is completed the drive teeth transition to path 13, potentially emitting an audile “click” sound, as well as a tactile feel, to the user. This transition past point 15a (and the corresponding point directly below it on the track) constitute the “commit” point and as such, once it has been reached the needle guard 42 will “lock out” when it extends upon removal of the device from the injection site.
As mentioned, the distal end of the guard 42 has a planar surface 33 that provides an added measure of safety and reduces the pressure exerted by the guard on the injection site during an injection with our needle assembly. Because the planar surface 33 substantially covers access to needle 3 a user is prevented from gaining access to the distal tip of the needle after the assembly is in the locked position. Preferably, the diameter D of needle pass through hole 21 in the planar surface is no more than 10 times that of the outer diameter of needle cannula 3.
The outer proximal surface of the needle guard 42 preferably has indicia 41 that are preferably at least two different color stripes or bands, each of which is sequentially visible through the opening or window 54 in outer housing 10. One color could designate the pre-use or prime state of the module and the other color would indicate that the module is in finished or locked state, another color could be used to denote the transition through the trigger or “commit” point in case a user stops injection after trigger point but before “commit” point. For example, a green color could be the pre-use position and a band of red color could be used to indicate that the module has been used and is locked and an orange color could indicate that the device has been triggered but not locked out. Alternatively, graphics, symbols or text could be used in place of color to provide this visual information/feedback. Alternatively these colors could be displayed using the rotation of the bypass cavity and printed on or embedded into the bypass housing. They could be visible through the aperture by ensuring that the needle guard is made form a transparent material.
Torsion/compression spring 90 is arranged similarly to the compression spring 48 of medicated module 4 of the embodiment shown in
Torsion/compression spring 90 comprises a first end 91 and a second end 92. In
The embodiments described in
In any of the above described embodiments of our invention, the second medicament may be either in a powdered solid state, any fluid state contained within the secondary reservoir or capsule. The greater concentration of the solid form of the medicament has the benefit of occupying a smaller volume than the liquid having lower concentration. This in turn reduces the ullage of the medicated module. An additional benefit is that the solid form of the second medicament is potentially more straightforward to seal in the secondary reservoir than a liquid form of the medicament. The device would be used in the same manner as the preferred embodiment with the second medicament being dissolved by the first medicament during dispense.
Preferably the medicated module is provided by a drug manufacturer as a stand-alone and separate device that is sealed to preserve sterility. The sterile seal of the module is preferably designed to be opened automatically, e.g. by cutting, tearing or peeling, when the medicated module is advanced or attached to the drug delivery device by the user. Features such as angled surfaces on the end of the injection device or features inside the module may assist this opening of the seal.
The medicated module of our invention should be designed to operate in conjunction with a multiple use injection device, preferably a pen-type multi-dose injection device, similar to what is illustrated in
A typical injection device contains a cartridge or other reservoir of primary medication. This cartridge is typically cylindrical in shape and is usually manufactured in glass. The cartridge is sealed at one end with a rubber bung and at the other end by a rubber septum. The injection device is designed to deliver multiple injections. The delivery mechanism is typically powered by a manual action of the user, however, the injection mechanism may also be powered by other means such as a spring, compressed gas or electrical energy. In a preferred embodiment, the delivery mechanism comprises a spindle that engages a piston in the reservoir. In a further embodiment the spindle is a rotatable piston rod comprising two distinct threads.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand, however, that changes and modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention, which is defined by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11163372.3 | Apr 2011 | EP | regional |
The present application is a U.S. National Phase Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/057151 filed Apr. 19, 2012, which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 11163372.3 filed Apr. 21, 2011. The entire disclosure contents of these applications are herewith incorporated by reference into the present application.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP12/57151 | 4/19/2012 | WO | 00 | 10/3/2013 |
