Fluid delivery cartridge

Abstract

A fluid delivery cartridge includes a cartridge assembly and a needle assembly. The cartridge assembly includes: a cartridge configured to contain a fluid; a septum positioned at the distal opening of the cartridge; a piston sealing the proximal opening of the cartridge and movable in an axial direction; and a drive assembly configured to move the piston. The drive assembly includes an axially extendable portion having a distal end controllably extendable from a retracted position to an extended position; and a rotatable force transmitting portion configured to receive an applied force and cause movement of the distal end of the axially extendable portion in the axial direction in response to the applied force. The axially extendable portion can be manufactured as a conical helix having a varying diameter such that the axially extendable portion is collapsible into a retracted position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to fluid delivery devices, such as injection devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fluid delivery cartridge including a retractable needle and a drive assembly for delivering a controlled amount of fluid through the needle. Background Art

[0002] Conventional injection devices are often used to inject drugs into patients via needles. This is sometimes advantageous for administering drugs without the presence of a medical professional, such as when the drug is to be administered frequently (e.g., daily at different times during each day). However, ensuring that the needle is maintained in a sterile environment before being used for injection and ensuring that the drug is administered safely, efficiently and in the appropriate amount can be a challenge. In addition, some patients feel uncomfortable seeing or directly handling needles.

[0003] An injection pen is an example of a conventional injection device. A typical injection pen generally includes a rigid rod that acts on a piston within a cartridge. As the rod advances the piston during the injection process, the drug in the cartridge is dispensed into the patient through a needle. To accommodate the rod, conventional injection pens are generally long and thin, wherein the length of the injection pen is generally more than twice the length of the cartridge barrel in which the drug is contained. Similarly, for conventional non-pen-shaped refillable injection devices, the length of the device is generally more than twice the length of the cartridge barrel in which the drug is contained.

[0004] When conventional injection devices are often used to self-administer medications, it is desirable that the injection devices be convenient to use and easily carried by the user. For example, as described above, diabetics often use injection devices to self-administer insulin and carry these devices with them throughout the day. Although conventional injection pens and similar conventional devices are small enough to be portable, the length of such devices often makes the transportation of the devices inconvenient. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to aspects of the present technology, a fluid delivery box may include a cartridge assembly and a needle assembly attached to the cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly may include: a cartridge configured to contain a fluid; a diaphragm positioned at a distal opening of the cartridge; a movable piston that seals the proximal opening of the cartridge, the piston being movable in an axial direction of the cartridge; and a drive assembly configured to move the piston in an axial direction toward the distal opening. The drive assembly may include: an axially extendable portion having a distal end controllably extendable from a retracted position to at least one extended position along a longitudinal axis; and a rotatable force transmitting portion configured to receive an applied force and cause the distal end of the axially extendable portion to move in an axial direction in response to the applied force. The axially extendable portion may be manufactured as a tapered spiral having a diameter that varies from a first end of the tapered spiral to a second end of the tapered spiral, such that the axially extendable portion may collapse into a retracted position.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present technology, a fluid delivery system may include: a disposable dispenser; a reusable cartridge housing; and a reusable motor assembly. The dispenser may include a cartridge assembly and a needle assembly attached to the cartridge assembly. The cartridge housing may be configured to house at least a portion of the dispenser. The motor assembly may be configured to drive movement in the cartridge assembly or in the needle assembly or in both the cartridge assembly and the needle assembly, and may be removably mounted on the cartridge housing. The cartridge assembly may include: a cartridge configured to house a fluid; a movable piston that seals the proximal opening of the cartridge, the piston being movable in the axial direction of the cartridge; and a drive assembly configured to move the piston in an axial direction toward the distal end of the cartridge. The drive assembly may include: an axially extendable portion having a distal end controllably extendable from a retracted position to at least one extended position; and a rotatable portion configured to be driven by the motor assembly to cause the distal end of the axially extendable portion to move in an axial direction. The axially extendable portion may be manufactured as a tapered helix having a diameter that varies from a first end of the tapered helix to a second end of the tapered helix, such that the axially extendable portion is collapsible into a retracted position.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present technology, a method of using a fluid delivery cartridge may include: activating a needle assembly of a dispenser by fully inserting the dispenser into a cartridge housing and causing a latch mechanism of the cartridge housing to latch to the dispenser to prevent the needle assembly of the dispenser from moving relative to the cartridge housing; rotating a needle selector of the needle assembly to select a needle of the needle assembly; and causing a cartridge assembly of the dispenser to eject a fluid in a cartridge of the cartridge assembly through a needle of the needle assembly by the following steps: causing an axially extendable portion to extend from a retracted position to an extended position by forming an elongated spiral, and using the elongated spiral to apply pressure to a piston in the cartridge to eject fluid from the cartridge into the needle. When the dispenser is not fully inserted into the cartridge housing, the needle assembly may be prevented from being activated.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present technology, a method of assembling a fluid delivery box may include a method comprising: providing a band formed of an elastic material and defining a tapered spiral, the tapered spiral having a diameter that varies from a first end of the tapered spiral to a second end of the tapered spiral; and applying an axial force against one end of the tapered spiral to axially collapse the band, thereby forming a roll. The axial force may be a force along the axis of the tapered spiral. The tape of the tapered spiral may include edges that disengage from each other. The method may also include inserting the roll into a tape chamber of a cartridge housing. The cartridge housing may include: a cartridge configured to contain a fluid; a diaphragm positioned at a distal opening of the cartridge; and a movable piston that seals a proximal opening of the cartridge. When the edges of the band are coupled to each other, movement of the band along the cartridge housing may cause an extended portion of the band to form a cylindrical spiral. The cylindrical spiral may have a uniform diameter, the size of which is suitable for fitting within the cartridge so as to be movably engaged with the piston.

[0009] It should be noted that fluid delivery boxes with various different features are disclosed herein, and these features can be combined in various different configurations, including configurations not specifically illustrated or discussed. Although several different combinations of such features are described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that further such combinations not explicitly described herein are also possible and enabled by the present disclosure and are within the scope of the present application. Additionally, although various techniques for obtaining the disclosed features are disclosed herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that some modifications to the disclosed techniques may be possible and within the scope of the disclosed techniques. It will also be understood that the wording and terminology employed herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Various aspects, techniques, and embodiments of the present technology disclosed herein are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Items appearing in multiple drawings may be indicated by the same reference numerals. For clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. The features of the present technology will become more apparent and the techniques for how to obtain the features of the present technology will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 A perspective view of a dispenser including a cartridge assembly and a needle assembly is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a cartridge assembly.

[0013] Figure 3 Shown in a partially disassembled state Figure 1 A perspective view of a cartridge assembly.

[0014] Figure 4A Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a longitudinal cross-section of a cartridge assembly.

[0015] Figure 4B Shows Figure 1 Another perspective view of a longitudinal cross-section of a cartridge assembly.

[0016] Figure 4C Shows Figure 1 The cartridge assembly is along Figure 4A Perspective view of a cross section cut through plane 4C.

[0017] Figure 4D Shows Figure 1 The cartridge assembly is along Figure 4A Plan view of slices cut by parallel planes in 4D.

[0018] Figure 4E Shows Figure 1 A plan view of the proximal end of the cartridge assembly.

[0019] Figure 5 Schematically shows Figure 1 Plan view of a longitudinal cross section of a portion of the proximal end of a first variant 5A and a second variant 5B of a cartridge assembly.

[0020] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B An elevated side view of an axially extendable band is shown. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , the distal end of the belt is on the left and the proximal end of the belt is on the right. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B In the example, the ribbon is in an unstressed state and has a conical helical configuration.

[0021] Figure 6C Shows the stress-free state Fig. 6A An elevational end view of an axially extendable band. Figure 6C , the outer surface of the distal end of the belt is shown.

[0022] Fig.6D Shows the stress-free state Fig. 6A An elevational end view of an axially extendable band. Fig.6D , the inner surface of the distal end of the belt is shown.

[0023] Fig. 7A Shown is a perspective view of a cartridge assembly and a driver gear configured to rotationally drive a portion of the cartridge assembly.

[0024] Figure 7B Shows Fig. 7AAnother perspective view of the cartridge assembly and driver gear.

[0025] Figure 7C Shows Fig. 7A Perspective view of a drive gear.

[0026] Figure 8 A perspective view of a dispenser including a cartridge assembly and a needle assembly is shown.

[0027] Fig. 9A Shows Figure 8 A perspective view of the needle assembly.

[0028] Fig. 9B Shows Fig. 9A The needle assembly is along Fig. 9A A plan view of a cross section cut through plane 9B in FIG. Fig. 9B , the surface located to the left of plane 9B is shown.

[0029] Fig. 9C Shown in a partially disassembled state Fig. 9A A perspective view of the needle assembly.

[0030] Fig.10 A perspective view of a cassette is shown including a dispenser partially inserted into a cassette housing. Fig.10 , a drive gear for driving movement in a dispenser is shown.

[0031] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B A perspective view of a portion of a longitudinal cross section of the needle assembly is shown partially and fully inserted into the cartridge housing, respectively. Fig.11A The gear lock of the needle assembly is in the locked state. Fig. 11B The gear lock is in unlocked state.

[0032] Fig. 12A A perspective view of the distal section of the dispenser is shown.

[0033] Fig. 12B Shown with Fig. 12A The same view, but with the housing of the needle assembly of the dispenser rendered translucent.

[0034] Fig. 12C Shown in a partially disassembled state Fig. 12B Perspective view of the distal section of the dispenser.

[0035] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B 1 and 2 show a plan view of a longitudinal cross section of the needle assembly in a locked state and an unlocked state, respectively. Fig.13AIn the case, the transfer gear (idler gear) is prevented from rotating the needle moving gear of the needle assembly by pushing the lock plate against the spring of the housing protrusion. Fig. 13B In the embodiment, the transfer gear (idler gear) and the needle moving gear are in an engaged state, wherein the transfer gear (idler gear) is spaced apart from the housing protrusion and thus is not prevented from rotating the needle moving gear.

[0036] Fig. 13C Shows Fig.13A A plan view of a lateral cross-section of a needle assembly cut through the locking plate showing the portion of the locking plate that blocks rotational movement of the needle selector.

[0037] Fig.13D Shows Fig.13A A plan view of a side cross section of the needle assembly cut through the transfer gear (idler gear), showing a lip including a housing protrusion that blocks rotational movement of the transfer gear.

[0038] Fig.14A An elevational side view of the distal section of the cartridge is shown.

[0039] Fig. 14B Shows Fig.14A A perspective view of the far end of the box. Fig. 14B In the embodiment of the present invention, a latch of the housing of the cassette is latched to the dispenser of the cassette, thereby preventing the dispenser from moving relative to the housing.

[0040] Fig. 14C Shows Fig. 14B A perspective view of the far end of the Fig. 14C In the embodiment of the present invention, the latch is unlatched from the dispenser, thereby enabling the biasing spring of the gear lock of the dispenser to move the dispenser outwardly relative to the housing of the cassette.

[0041] Fig.14D Shows Fig. 14C A perspective view of the far end of the Fig.14D In the embodiment of the present invention, after being unlatched, the dispenser can be moved out of the housing of the box and a new dispenser can be moved into the housing of the box.

[0042] Fig.15A A plan view of a longitudinal cross section of the distal end of the cartridge is shown. Fig.15A In the embodiment of the present invention, a latch of the housing of the cassette is latched to a latch receiver of the dispenser of the cassette, thereby preventing the dispenser from moving relative to the housing.

[0043] Fig. 15B Shows Fig.15A A plan view of a longitudinal cross section of the distal end of the Fig. 15B In the embodiment of the present invention, the latch of the housing of the cassette is unlatched from the latch receiver of the dispenser, thereby enabling the biasing spring of the gear lock of the dispenser to move the dispenser outwardly relative to the housing.

[0044] Fig. 15C Shows Fig. 15B A plan view of a longitudinal cross section of the distal end of the Fig. 15C In the embodiment of the present invention, after being unlatched, the dispenser can be moved out of the housing of the box and a new dispenser can be moved into the housing.

[0045] Fig.16A An elevational side view of the distal section of the cartridge is shown.

[0046] Fig. 16B Shows Fig.16A A perspective view of the far end of the box. Fig. 16B In the embodiment of the present invention, the latch release actuator of the cassette is in a retaining position, thereby preventing the dispenser from moving relative to the housing of the cassette.

[0047] Fig. 16C Shows Fig. 16B A perspective view of the far end of the Fig. 16C In the embodiment of the present invention, the latch release actuator is moved to the release position by a lateral force, which enables the latch to pivot to disengage the engagement surface of the dispenser, and the lateral force in turn enables the biasing spring of the gear lock of the dispenser to move the dispenser outwardly relative to the housing.

[0048] Fig.16D Shows Fig. 16C A perspective view of the far end of the Fig.14D In the embodiment, after detachment, the dispenser can be moved out of the housing of the cassette and a new dispenser can be moved into the housing of the cassette.

[0049] Fig.17A A plan view of a longitudinal cross section of the distal end of the cartridge is shown. Fig.17A In the embodiment of the present invention, a latch of the housing of the cassette is latched to an engagement surface protruding from the dispenser of the cassette, thereby preventing the dispenser from moving relative to the housing.

[0050] Fig. 17B Shows Fig.15A A plan view of a longitudinal cross section of the distal end of the Fig. 17B In the embodiment of the present invention, a latch of the housing of the cassette is pivoted by an actuator to disengage an engagement surface protruding from the dispenser, thereby enabling a biasing spring of a gear lock of the dispenser to move the dispenser relative to the housing of the cassette.

[0051] Fig. 17C Shows Fig. 17B A plan view of a longitudinal cross section of the distal end of the Fig. 17C In the embodiment of the present invention, after detachment, the dispenser can be moved out of the housing of the box and a new dispenser can be moved into the housing.

[0052] Fig.18A and Fig.18BA perspective view of the cartridge housing during the insertion of the dispenser into the cartridge housing and a perspective view of the dispenser fully inserted into the cartridge housing are shown, respectively. Fig.18A and Fig.18B In the embodiment of the present invention, a driver gear for rotating a needle selection gear of the distributor is positioned at the opening, and the driver gear rotates the needle selection gear through the opening.

[0053] Fig.18C Shows Fig.18B An enlarged perspective view of a compartment of a cartridge housing. Fig.18C In FIG. 1 , the needle assembly of the dispenser is fully inserted into the compartment and the driver gear is not shown at the opening, so that a portion of the needle selection gear is visible through the opening. Fig.18C It is not fully visible, but a portion of another opening is shown, through which another driver gear can rotate the needle moving gear of the dispenser (e.g., via a transfer gear).

[0054] Fig.19 A block diagram of a motor assembly is shown, which includes a plurality of drive assemblies and a controller for controlling the drive assemblies.

[0055] Fig. 20A A perspective view of a box including a dispenser is shown, the dispenser being fully inserted into the housing of the box. Fig. 20A In the embodiment of the present invention, the driver gear is engaged with the drive assembly of the dispenser and the cartridge of the dispenser is aligned with and visible through the window of the housing.

[0056] Fig. 20B Shown when the dispenser is inserted into the housing Fig. 20A Perspective view of the box.

[0057] Fig.21 A block diagram of a drug delivery device including a cassette, a motor assembly, and a controller is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Examples of fluid delivery cassettes are provided herein, as well as examples of components included in fluid delivery cassettes, examples of systems capable of using fluid delivery cassettes, and techniques for obtaining fluid delivery cassettes. As will be appreciated, although some examples of fluid delivery cassettes are described herein in conjunction with administering medications to patients, such cassettes are not limited to use in medical applications and may additionally or alternatively be used in other non-medical applications (e.g., where a precise amount of fluid is to be delivered).

[0059] The inventors have recognized and appreciated that various factors can be important for a fluid delivery box, and in particular, while the ease of use of the fluid delivery box can be important, minimizing medical waste may also be important. The fluid delivery box provided herein can make it possible to provide and individually activate multiple needles to deliver multiple doses of medicine from a single vial or fluid chamber, thereby reducing the waste associated with multiple needle packs and / or multiple single-dose vials of medicine. Multiple doses can be injected at different times using different needles in these needles, or these doses can be injected at different times using a single needle in these needles. For example, a patient can use one needle for multiple injections in one day, and can use another needle for multiple injections in another day. In some embodiments, a single needle configuration can also be used according to the technology described herein.

[0060] Various embodiments of the fluid delivery box provided herein can enable the injection of an accurate amount of fluid from a single vial or fluid chamber by the controlled movement of a piston. For example, by controlling the precise amount of rotation of a driver gear (e.g., via a computer-controlled motor), the driver gear can cause a certain length of the extendable band to expand to push the piston by an accurate amount. One of the advantages of the fluid delivery box provided herein can be that the configuration of the extendable band and the drive assembly for the expansion and retraction of the drive band can make the box compact and have a relatively short length. By using the various techniques described herein, such a compact box can still provide accurate fluid control.

[0061] Conventionally, tapes are manufactured into tubular shapes such that the tape forms a cylindrical or tubular spiral and such that the diameter does not substantially change from a first end of the spiral to a second end of the spiral. The inventors have recognized and appreciated that such tubular shapes require the application of radial forces to wind the spiral into a roll, and additionally, require axial forces to compress or flatten the spiral into a roll. Therefore, such tubular shapes can be time consuming and / or difficult to handle when rearranging the spiral into a roll for installation into a fluid delivery box or into a component of a fluid delivery box (such as a tape chamber). Therefore, the inventors have developed technology to provide a tapered spiral. When not confined in a tape chamber and in the absence of force applied to the tape (e.g., in a stress-free state), the tape can form a tapered spiral having a diameter that varies from a first end of the tapered spiral to a second end of the tapered spiral (e.g., such as a tape chamber). Fig. 6A and Figure 6B ). The conical taper may be formed along a cross-sectional area of ​​the spiral that is along the longitudinal axis (e.g., Figure 2The tapered spiral may or may not have gaps between segments or loops of the spiral when viewed in a side view. Such a tapered structure may facilitate the manufacture of cartridge assemblies, as discussed herein. For example, in the case of a tapered structure, the tape may be easily collapsed into a roll by applying an axial force to squeeze the first and second ends toward each other (e.g., by a pinching action between two fingers), and the insertion of the roll onto the spindle and into the tape chamber may be facilitated, as discussed herein. As a result, the tapered spiral can be pressed into a roll without also applying a radial force to cause the spiral to wrap around itself.

[0062] The fluid delivery box may include a reusable part and a disposable part. In various embodiments of the box disclosed herein, a dispenser with one or more needles and / or a fluid to be injected by the one or more needles may be disposable. In various embodiments of the box disclosed herein, a housing may be reusable, the housing being configured to accommodate a dispenser and / or support one or more driver assemblies for driving movement in the dispenser. The one or more driver assemblies and a controller for controlling the one or more driver assemblies may also be reusable. In certain embodiments, a fluid delivery box according to the present technology may be a part of a drug delivery device. For example, the housing of a drug delivery device may accommodate a fluid delivery box, a motor assembly configured to drive movement in the fluid delivery box, and a controller (e.g., a computer processor) configured to control the motor assembly.

[0063] Below is a more detailed description of various concepts related to the technology described above and embodiments of these technologies. It should be understood that the various aspects described herein can be implemented in any of numerous ways. The examples of specific embodiments provided herein are for illustrative purposes only. In addition, the various aspects described in the following embodiments can be used individually or in any combination, and are not limited to the combinations explicitly described herein.

[0064] Turning now to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1A perspective view of a dispenser 10 including a cartridge assembly 100 and a needle assembly 200 according to some embodiments of the present technology is shown. The dispenser 10 can be used in a fluid delivery box, as discussed below. The needle assembly 200 can be located at the distal end of the dispenser 10. For clarity, the term "distal end" may be used herein to identify a position closer to the outlet of the needle of the needle assembly (e.g., closer to the end that contacts the patient to be injected with the needle), and the term "proximal end" may be used herein to identify a position farther from the outlet of the needle. As discussed below, the dispenser 10 may form an aspect of a drug delivery device. Although some aspects of the drug delivery device may be described herein and / or shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that some aspects of the drug delivery device may not be shown and / or described in the accompanying drawings, or may not be shown and / or described in detail in the accompanying drawings. For example, the housing of the drug delivery device may accommodate the dispenser 10. The housing of the drug delivery device may include other components and electronic devices to make the dispenser operable. For example, the housing may further include one or more motors for driving movement in or relative to the dispenser 10, and a computer processor for controlling the operation of the one or more motors.

[0065] According to some embodiments of the present technology, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the cartridge assembly 100 in an assembled state, and Figure 3A perspective view of a cartridge assembly 100 in a partially disassembled state is shown. The cartridge assembly 100 may include a cartridge 150 configured to hold a fluid (e.g., a liquid drug) therein. The fluid may be confined to a fluid chamber 158 defined by a piston 156 configured to seal the proximal opening of the cartridge 150 and by a diaphragm 152 configured to seal the distal opening of the cartridge 150. A diaphragm retainer 154 may be coupled to the distal end of the cartridge 150 to hold the diaphragm 152 in place at the distal opening of the cartridge 150. In some embodiments, the piston 156 may be configured to provide a movable seal against the inner surface of the cartridge 150 so as to prevent the fluid in the fluid chamber 158 from leaking out of the proximal end of the fluid chamber 158 even while the piston 156 moves along the inner surface of the cartridge 150. The septum 152 can be formed of a self-sealing material (e.g., an FDA-grade elastomeric material), which can be pierced by the piercing object of the needle assembly 200 during the injection process to allow the fluid in the fluid chamber 158 to flow out of the fluid chamber 158 during the injection process, and the septum can be resealed to provide a fluid-tight seal after the piercing object is retracted from the septum 152. In some embodiments, retracting the piercing object away from the septum 152 and then resealing the septum 152 can prevent contamination of the remaining fluid in the fluid chamber 158, so that the remaining fluid can be used in future injection processes. In some embodiments, the fluid in the fluid chamber 158 is sufficient for multiple injections (e.g., multiple doses of a drug).

[0066] Devices according to the present disclosure may carry and dispense one or more liquid medications, which may also be referred to as drugs or medicines and may be held in the fluid chamber 158. Such medications may include, for example, epinephrine, anesthetics, analgesics, steroids, insulin, insulin analogs (such as insulin lispro or insulin glargine), insulin derivatives, GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as dulaglutide or liraglutide), glucagon, glucagon analogs, glucagon derivatives, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), GIP analogs, GIP derivatives, combined GIP / GLP-1 agonists (such as telportide), basal insulin, oxyntomodulin analogs, oxyntomodulin derivatives, therapeutic antibodies (including but not limited to IL-23 antibody analogs or derivatives such as migizumab, IL-17 antibody analogs or derivatives such as ixekizumab), therapeutic agents for pain-related treatments (such as ganezumab or lamivudine) or lerezumab, and any therapeutic agent that can be delivered by the devices described herein. Devices according to the present disclosure may be operated by a user (eg, a medical professional, a caregiver, or another individual) in a manner generally as described herein to deliver one or more medicaments to a patient (eg, another individual or a user).

[0067] The cartridge 150 can be retained in the housing 102 of the cartridge assembly 100. In some embodiments of the present technology, the housing 102 can have a cylindrical shape, such as Figure 3 , and a plurality of ribs 114 may extend radially from the inner surface of the housing 102. The ribs 114 may serve as spacers to hold the cartridge 150 at a predetermined position in the cartridge chamber 108 of the housing 102. In some embodiments, the ribs 114 may have rib shoulders 114a configured to serve as axial insertion limits of the cartridge 150 in the housing 102. In some embodiments, when the cartridge 150 is fully inserted into the cartridge chamber 108, the edge at the proximal end of the cartridge 150 may abut the rib shoulders 114a, and the cartridge 150 may be radially centered in the cartridge chamber 108. In some embodiments, when the cartridge 150 is fully inserted into the cartridge chamber 108, the septum 152 may extend from the distal end of the housing 102 so that the septum 152 may be positioned in a recess of the needle assembly 200.

[0068] In some embodiments of the present technology, the cartridge assembly 100 may include a drive assembly 300 configured to drive the movement of the piston 156 to eject the fluid in the fluid chamber 158 from the distal end of the cartridge 150. The drive assembly 300 may be referred to as a "driven" assembly because the drive assembly 300 itself can be driven to move, and in turn can convert the received driving force into a force that causes the piston 156 to move along the axis A of the cartridge assembly 100. In some embodiments, the drive assembly 300 may include a driven mechanism 302, which may be a drive gear 302 configured to be driven to rotate about the axis A. The driven mechanism 302 may include a main shaft 302a around which an axially extendable member 306 may be wound. In some embodiments, the axially extendable member 306 may be a belt (the element 306 may interchangeably refer to either the axially extendable member or the belt) having a distal end attached to a leg 304. The leg 304 may be configured to rotate relative to the distal end of the rotating belt 306. The drive assembly 300 can be configured such that when the driven mechanism 302 is rotated in a first direction, the rotation of the driven mechanism 302 causes the band 306 to extend or expand along the axis A. In some embodiments, when the driven mechanism 302 is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the driven mechanism 302 may cause the band 306 to retract. As discussed below, when the band 306 is driven to extend, the axial distance between the distal and proximal ends of the band 306 expands or increases, thereby causing the leg 304 to move axially. When the leg contacts the piston 156, the expansion of the band 306 causes the piston 156 to move axially toward the distal opening of the cartridge 150. In some embodiments, precise control of the amount of rotation of the driven mechanism 302 may cause a precise amount of extension of the band 306 and a precise amount of movement of the piston 156, which in turn may cause a precise amount of fluid to be ejected. Additional belt extension mechanisms are described in WO2017 / 165154A1 and WO2019 / 112866A1 (both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety).

[0069] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A perspective view of a longitudinal cross-section of a cartridge assembly 100 is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. Figure 4C The cartridge assembly 100 according to some embodiments of the present technology is shown along Figure 4A A perspective view of a cross section cut through plane 4C of the view of the cartridge assembly 100 shown in FIG. Figure 4A and Figure 4B1, the foot 304 of the drive assembly 300 is spaced apart from the piston 156. As will be appreciated, during the injection process, the foot 304 may contact the piston 156. The distal surface of the foot 304 may include a groove 304a that is configured to engage with the protrusion 156a on the proximal surface of the piston 156. For example, the groove 304a may be circular, and the protrusion 156a may be a bump configured to fit into the groove 304a when the foot 304 and the piston 156 are abutted against each other. In some embodiments, the foot 304 may be configured to rotate about the axis A while the protrusion 156a remains rotationally fixed when the piston 156 is pushed by the foot 304.

[0070] Figure 4D The cartridge assembly 100 according to some embodiments of the present technology is shown along Figure 4A 4D through a plane 4D cut through the view of the cartridge assembly 100 shown in FIG. In some embodiments, the leg 304 can be connected to the distal end of the band 306 by a bearing 308 that can rotate during extension and retraction of the band 306 and can enable the leg 304 to remain rotationally stationary during extension and retraction of the band 306. The proximal surface of the leg 304 can have a socket recess that is configured to receive a spherical protrusion of the bearing 308 that can rotate in the socket recess during extension and retraction of the band 306.

[0071] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the band 306 may be wrapped around the spindle 302a such that when the band 306 is in a fully retracted state, some or all of the band 306 may be rolled up such that the loop of the roll may have proximal edges that are generally aligned with each other and distal edges that are generally aligned with each other. Therefore, when the band 306 is fully retracted, the roll may be compact and may fit in the band chamber 110 of the housing 102, which is located at the proximal end 104 of the housing 102. In some embodiments, when the driven mechanism 302 is rotated to expand the band 306, the axially elongated spindle ribs 302b that radially protrude from the longitudinal portion of the spindle 302a may bear against the rib latches 306c that protrude from the surface of the band 306, thereby causing the band 306 to rotate and expand. In some embodiments, the spindle ribs 302b and the rib latches 306c may be structured to have complementary angles to latch or hook onto each other, such as Figure 4D. In some embodiments, the band 306 may be unrolled to form a spiral having an axial length controlled by the amount of rotation of the driven mechanism 302. Thus, by controlled rotation of the driven mechanism, controlled movement of the piston 156 may be achieved, and thus controlled ejection of the fluid in the fluid chamber 158 may be achieved. In some embodiments, the cartridge assembly 100 may be structured such that a predetermined number of rotations of the driven mechanism 302 may cause the leg 304 to move 0.2 mm, or 0.3 mm, or 0.4 mm, or 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, one full rotation (e.g., a 360° rotation) may cause the leg 304 to move a known amount and / or the piston 156 to move a known amount as a result of being pushed by the leg 304.

[0072] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the belt 306 may be unrolled from the "inside to the outside" so that the innermost ring of the coil in contact with the spindle rib 302b is unrolled first and extends or expands to form a growing spiral. For example, Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B A retracted portion 306a of the band 306 is depicted formed by an outer coiled loop of the band 306, and an extended portion 306b of the band 306 is depicted extending from an inner coiled loop of the band 306 to form a spiral.

[0073] The spiral formed by the extended portion 306b of the ribbon 306 may be guided from the ribbon chamber 110 of the housing 102 to the cartridge chamber 108 of the housing by the spiral guide 112. The unextended or retracted portion 306a of the ribbon 306 may remain rolled up in the ribbon chamber 110. In some embodiments of the present technology, the spiral guide 112 may be a tubular portion of the housing 102 having a diameter that is less than the diameter of the cartridge chamber 108. The diameter of the spiral may correspond to the diameter of the spiral guide 112. In some embodiments, the ribs 114 of the housing 102 may extend radially from the inner surface of the housing 102 and may contact the outer surface of the spiral guide 112, such as Figure 4D As depicted in .

[0074] Figure 4E 1 shows a plan view of the proximal end 104 of the cartridge assembly 100 according to some embodiments of the present technology. The follower mechanism 302 can be fitted in the belt chamber 110 of the housing 102 and can be seated on a lip 110b extending from the inner surface of the belt chamber 110 (see Figure 5). The driven mechanism 302 may be structured to engage with and be rotated by a driver discussed below. In some embodiments, the surface of the driven mechanism 302 may include a recess 302c configured to receive a spline shaft therein. The recess 302c may be formed in a spindle base 302e of the spindle 302a, from which a longitudinal portion extends. The spindle base 302e may include a disc-shaped body having a spindle base diameter. The recess 302c may have recessed teeth 302d configured to match corresponding teeth of the spline shaft. As will be appreciated, the driven mechanism 302 may be configured with other structures that enable the driven mechanism 302 to be rotated. For example, instead of the recess 302c, the surface of the driven mechanism 302 may be provided with a shaft (e.g., a spline shaft) configured to engage with and be rotated by a motorized device, the motorized device having a recess (e.g., a spline-shaped recess) that matches the shaft.

[0075] Figure 5 Schematically illustrated are plan views of longitudinal cross-sections of a portion of the proximal end of first and second variations 5A, 5B of a cartridge assembly 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

[0076] The first variant 5A and the second variant 5B may include a housing 102' as a variation of the housing 102. The first variant 5A may include a tape container 116 that may be insertable into the housing 102, which may facilitate manufacturing by enabling the tape bobbin, the tape 306, and the driven mechanism 302 including the tape container 116 to be manufactured separately and easily installed in the housing 102' as a unit. In some embodiments, the tape chamber 110' of the tape container 116 may have a distal base that is tilted to facilitate spiral formation by providing space for the inner ring of the roll to unfold while the outer ring is relatively more constrained to remain together in the roll. The second variant 5B may include a tape container 116' similar to the tape container 116, but may have a tape chamber 110" that is smaller in volume and axially shorter in size than the tape chamber 110' of the first variant 5A, resulting in a more compact tape chamber 110" in the axial direction. The axially tighter belt chamber 110" may be sized to closely correlate to the edge-to-edge width of the belt to promote reduced binding and slippage when the belt 306 is moved to the extended configuration. The second variation 5B may include a follower mechanism 302' having a concave outer surface, wherein the peripheral edge of the follower mechanism 302' may be flush with the proximal edge 102a' of the housing 102', but the remainder of the follower mechanism 302' may be recessed relative to the proximal edge 102a'. This recessed configuration may advantageously allow the follower mechanism 302' to be more easily moved. 02' can engage the driver more securely, thereby achieving a higher confidence that rotation or partial rotation of the driven mechanism 302' will result in predictable axial movement of the plunger 156. In another variation, the belt container 116, 116' may not be a component that can be inserted into the housing 102', but may instead be an integral structure of the housing 102'. For example, the housing 102' may be formed of molded plastic, so that the belt chamber of the housing 102' may have an internal structure corresponding to the belt container 116, 116'. Figure 5 , the surface of the main shaft 302a, 302a' may have a tapered profile such that the diameter of the main shaft 302a, 302a' may gradually decrease from a relatively larger diameter at the proximal end of the main shaft 302a, 302a' to a relatively smaller diameter at the distal end of the main shaft 302a, 302a'. In some embodiments, the main shaft 302a, 302a' may have a conical shape. The tapered profile of the main shaft 302a, 302a' may enable the band 306 to move smoothly relative to the main shaft 302a, 302a' as the length of the spiral expands axially. For example, the tapered profile may enable the innermost roll of the band 306 to gradually unfold and become part of the expanding spiral. In some embodiments, the spindle ribs 302b, 302b' may extend radially from the tapered surface of the spindles 302a, 302a', such that the radial distance d from the radial outer edge of each of the spindle ribs 302b, 302b' to the axis A may be the same along the axial length of each of the spindle ribs 302b, 302b', such as Figure 5This configuration of the main shaft ribs 302b, 302b' may cause the spiral to have a columnar shape.

[0077] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B An elevational side view of the band 306 in an unstressed state is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , the distal end of the belt 306 is located on the left and the proximal end of the belt 306 is located on the right. The distal end of the belt can be structured as a latch 306f (discussed herein) that can be directly engaged with the support foot 304 or can be engaged with the bearing 308.

[0078] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the band 306 may be formed of an elastic material such that when not constrained in the band chamber 110 and in the absence of a force applied to the band 306 (e.g., in an unstressed state), the band 306 may form a tapered spiral having a diameter that varies from a first end of the tapered spiral to a second end of the tapered spiral, such as Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The conical taper can be formed along the cross-sectional area of ​​the spiral, which increases from the distal end to the proximal end along the axis A. When viewed in a side view (e.g., Fig. 6A and Figure 6B A conical helix may or may not have gaps between the segments or loops of the helix when viewed in a 3D view. Figure 6C An end view of the strap 306 is shown in an unstressed state, with the outer surface of the latch 306f visible (eg, looking from the distal end toward the proximal end of the strap 306). Fig.6D An end view of the band 306 in an unstressed state is shown, with the inner surface of the latch 306f visible (e.g., peering into the tapered spiral from the proximal end of the band 306 toward the distal end). An advantage of the band 306 having a tapered structure is that such a structure can facilitate manufacturing of the cartridge assembly 100. With the tapered structure, the band 306 can be easily collapsed into a roll by applying an axial force to squeeze the distal and proximal ends toward each other (e.g., by a pinching action between two fingers), and can facilitate insertion of the roll onto the spindle 302a and into the band chamber 110. For example, when a first end of the tapered spiral is placed against a flat surface (e.g., a table) and an axial force is applied on the second end toward the flat surface, the tapered spiral can collapse to form a roll. The materials and molding techniques of the band 306 can be applied to produce the desired tapered tapered profile.

[0079] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the rib latches 306c of the band 306 (discussed above) may protrude from one of the two surfaces of the band 306. In some embodiments, the rib latches 306c may protrude from a surface forming the inner surface of the tapered spiral, such as Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C . The rib latches 306c may be configured to engage with and slide along the spindle ribs 302b when the band 306 is axially expanded or extended. In some embodiments, as discussed above, the rib latches 306c of the innermost ring of the roll (e.g., the innermost ring of the retracted portion 306a of the band 306) may be in contact with the spindle ribs 302b and may be rotated by the rotation of the spindle ribs 302b to form a growing or elongated spiral. As the spiral elongates, the innermost ring of the roll may be a constantly changing portion of the band 306. As the spiral elongates, the rib latches 306c sliding along the spindle ribs 302b may continuously slip off the spindle ribs 302. Similarly, as the spiral elongates, the rib latches 306c of the retracted portion 306a of the band 306 may continuously engage with the spindle ribs 302b. In some embodiments, computerized control of the amount of rotation of drive mechanism 302 may cause belt 306 to expand to one or more predetermined positions, where each predetermined position corresponds to a known amount (or known increment) of fluid ejected from fluid chamber 158 relative to a previous predetermined position.

[0080] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the groove 310 may be disposed on a surface of the belt 306 opposite to the surface on which the rib latch 306c is disposed. In some embodiments, the groove 310 may be disposed on an outer surface of the belt 306, such as Fig. 6A and Figure 6B . The groove 310 may be configured to slide along a protruding bump portion 110a proximal to the proximal end of the spiral guide 112. In some embodiments, the movement of the belt 306 along the bump portion 110a and along the spindle rib 302b may cause the elongated spiral to be columnar or cylindrical, which structurally can provide the spiral with enhanced rigidity against the piston 156 when pushing against the piston 156. In some other embodiments, the movement of the belt 306 along the bump portion 110a and along the spindle rib 302b may cause the elongated spiral to be conical or conical. In some embodiments, the bump portion 110a may be a spiral ridge 111a, 111a' on the inner surface of the belt container 116, 116'. During the elongation of the spiral, the spiral ridge 111a, 111a' may fit in the groove 310 and slidably engage with the groove 310.

[0081] The edges of the band may include complementary coupling features, thereby allowing adjacent edges of the band to mate when the helical configuration is formed and the band is extended axially, and in some embodiments, to disengage from each other when the band is retracted when it is transformed into a coiled configuration. According to some embodiments of the present technology, the band 306 may include a plurality of pegs 306d positioned along a first edge of the band 306, and may include a plurality of holes 306e positioned along a second edge opposite the first edge of the band. In some embodiments, the pegs 306d may protrude from a surface forming an inner surface of the band 306, such as Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C That is, the pegs 306d and the rib latches 306c may protrude from the same surface of the band 306, wherein the rib latches 306c extend longitudinally from an edge region near the pegs 306c to a second edge of the band 306. The pegs 306d and holes 306e may be configured such that as the band 306 expands or extends, more and more pegs are received in more and more holes to form a spiral, such that each loop of the spiral interlocks with at least one adjacent loop of the spiral.

[0082] Although Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The tape 306 is shown in an extended configuration forming a tapered spiral, but it should be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only to illustrate aspects of the tape 306, which can allow the tape 306 to be unrolled from a roll in a zipper-like configuration to form a spiral, such that the tape 306 is unrolled upon itself in a structured manner, wherein as the tape 306 expands, the lower edge of the spiral's loop (e.g., formed by the lower edge of the tape 306) is attached to the upper edge of the spiral's loop (e.g., formed by the upper edge of the tape 306), as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the tape 306 can be manufactured and deployed in a manner such as Figure 1 In the cartridge assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1 , in which the band 306 is wound around itself, some, most, or all of the band 306 is retracted into a roll having a height corresponding to the edge-to-edge distance of the band 306 (e.g., no force is required to be applied to the band 306 to hold the band 306 in a roll). As a result, in an initial configuration (e.g., before using the dispenser 10 to apply any fluid in the fluid chamber 158), some, most, or all of the band 306 can be retracted and wound around itself into a roll. As the band 306 extends and couples to itself to form a spiral, as discussed herein, a structured and tapered shape can be produced or a cylindrical shape can be produced, each of which can provide accurate and effective dosing by accurate expansion of the spiral, as also discussed herein.

[0083] According to some embodiments of the present technology, Fig. 7A and Figure 7B A perspective view of the cartridge assembly 100 and a driver gear 402 configured to rotationally drive the driven mechanism 302 of the drive assembly 300 is shown. Figure 7C 402. In some embodiments, the driver gear 402 may be included as part of the cartridge and may be incorporated into the cartridge housing, such as Fig.10 , Fig. 20A and Fig. 20B. In some embodiments, the driver gear 402 may include a disc-shaped body having a driver gear diameter and gear teeth that are circumferentially spaced relative to each other along a circumferential edge surface of the disc-shaped body. In some embodiments, the driver gear 402 may include a spline shaft 404 extending from an axially facing surface of the driver gear 402. The spline shaft 404 may be configured to fit into a recess 302c in a surface of the driven mechanism 302, and the spline shaft 404 may have teeth that are configured to engage with recessed teeth 302d of the recess 302c. The recess 302c and the body of the main shaft 302a may have a coaxial relationship along the longitudinal axis A, as shown in FIG. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B In some embodiments, the driver gear 402 may be a spur gear configured to be driven to rotate via a force applied to the teeth 402a of the driver gear 402. The rotation of the driver gear 402 may drive the rotation of the driven mechanism 302 via the spline shaft 404 of the driver gear 402 and the recess 302c and teeth 302d of the driven mechanism 302. In some embodiments, when the cartridge assembly 100 is inserted into the housing of the cartridge (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ), the cartridge assembly 100 may be driven to rotate via a force applied to the teeth 402a of the driver gear 402. Fig.10 axial insertion as shown in ), the spline shaft 404 can be positioned along the longitudinal axis A to facilitate insertion coupling of the spline shaft 404 with the recess 302c of the cartridge assembly 100, which recess 302c can be positioned along the longitudinal axis A. The driver gear 402 and the driven mechanism 302 can be arranged together and can advantageously reduce the amount of thrust experienced by the belt 306 and the cassette. In some embodiments, the driver gear diameter of the body of the driver gear 402 can be at least greater than the spindle base diameter of the spindle base 302e of the spindle 302a.

[0084] Figure 8 A perspective view of a dispenser 10 is shown according to some embodiments of the present technology. Figure 8 , housing 202 of needle assembly 200 is depicted as being translucent so that the internal components can be seen. Fig. 9A A perspective view of needle assembly 200 is shown, and Fig. 9C A perspective view of needle assembly 200 is shown in a partially disassembled state. Fig. 9B Shown along Fig. 9A A plan view of a cross section of the needle assembly 200 cut through plane 9B.

[0085] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the needle assembly 200 can be attached to the distal end of the cartridge assembly 100 so that the septum 152 of the cartridge assembly 100 is received in the recess of the needle assembly 200. In some embodiments, during the injection process, the piercer of the needle assembly 200 can be driven to pierce the septum 152 so that the fluid in the fluid chamber 158 can be ejected from the fluid chamber 158. For example, the septum 152 can be pierced according to the technology described in International Application No. PCT / US2021 / / 063178 entitled "Fluid Delivery System with Needle Assembly" or International Application No. PCTUS2021 / 063180 entitled "Fluid Delivery System with Needle Assembly", each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Examples of housings of drug delivery devices that can be connected to the dispenser 10 can be found in these international applications. In some embodiments where the fluid is a liquid drug, the fluid ejected from fluid chamber 158 can be injected into the patient through needle 216 of needle assembly 200. Needle assembly 200 can carry a single needle or multiple needles (e.g., two needles, three needles, four needles, etc.), as discussed herein.

[0086] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the needle assembly 200 may include a plurality of needles 216 that can be individually activated for use. The needle assembly 200 may include a needle selection gear 204 that can be driven to move a selected one of the needles 216 to an activated position. The selected needle 216 may be the next needle in the plurality of needles 216, or may be a specific one of the plurality of needles 216. By rotating the needle selection gear 204 (via the drive assembly 600 discussed below) Fig.19 ) function), the selected needle 216 can be rotated to the activated position. In some embodiments, each needle 216 of the needle assembly 200 can be operably connected to the needle moving gear 208 and the gear assembly 208a, which can be configured to axially move the needle 216 from a retracted position in the housing 202 (at which the needle tip is retracted from the base surface 202c at the distal end of the housing 202) to an injection position (at which the needle tip extends beyond the base surface 202c (e.g., into the patient's body)). If the needle 216 is not in the activated position, the needle 216 cannot be moved from the retracted position to the injection position.

[0087] According to some embodiments of the present technology, when the needle 216 is in the activated position ("activated needle"), the transfer gear 206 of the needle assembly 200 can drive the needle 216 to move to and from the injection position and the retracted position. The transfer gear 206 may also be referred to herein as an idler gear 206. In some embodiments, when in the activated position, the teeth of the needle moving gear 208 of the activated needle 216 may be meshed with the teeth of the transfer gear 206, so that the rotation of the transfer gear 206 can drive the rotation of the needle moving gear 208. The transfer gear 206 can be driven by the driver assembly 400 (discussed below) Fig.19 ) is driven to rotate. Rotating the needle moving gear 208 by the transfer gear 206 may cause the activated needle 216 to move axially from the retracted position to the injection position.

[0088] The inventors have recognized and appreciated that safety is an important consideration in the use of the dispenser 10, particularly when the dispenser 10 is to be used by lay persons who are not trained in handling needles and / or injecting fluids (e.g., liquid medications). Therefore, the inventors have provided a gear lock mechanism for the dispenser 10. The gear lock mechanism can prevent the needle selection gear 204 from placing any of the needles 216 in an activated position and / or can prevent the transfer gear 206 from moving any of the needle moving gears 208 unless certain unlocking features are met, as discussed herein.

[0089] One such gear lock mechanism is a lock spring 210, which may include a U-shaped spring surface 210a configured to prevent the needle selection gear 204 from rotating and to prevent the transfer gear 206 from rotating when the lock spring 210 is in the locked position. Fig. 9B FIG. 9B is a diagram showing some embodiments of the present technology located at plane 9B (see FIG. Fig. 9A ) on the surface of the needle assembly 200 on the left side, wherein the lock spring 210 is in the locked position. When the lock spring 210 is in the locked position, the protrusion 210b of the spring surface 210a is caught in the space in the needle assembly 200, thereby preventing the needle selection gear 204 from rotating. For example, the protrusion 210b may ride across one of the gear assemblies 208a (such as Fig. 9B), or may be inserted between two gear assemblies 208a so that the protrusion 210b blocks the rotation of the needle selection gear 204 and may block the needle 216 from moving into the activated position. Additionally, when the lock spring 210 is in the locked position, the base of the spring face 201a may abut against the transfer gear 206 to prevent the transfer gear 206 from rotating. For example, a protrusion on the stem portion of the transfer gear 206 may be seated in a recess in the base of the lock spring 210 so that the transfer gear 206 may not rotate. In some embodiments, the lock spring 210 and the transfer gear 206 may be mounted on a support frame 212 of the needle assembly 200. The support frame 212 may be attached to a needle subassembly 214 including the needle 216, the needle selection gear 204, and the needle moving gear 208, and may be positioned so that when the lock spring 210 is in the unlocked position, the transfer gear 206 may rotate the needle moving gear 208 of the needle 216 in the activated position. In some embodiments, the transfer gear 206 may be movably mounted on a frame column 212a of the support frame 212, and the protrusion 210b of the spring surface 210a may straddle the transfer gear 206 and the frame column 212a, such as Fig. 9B As discussed below, when the lock spring 210 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the base of the spring surface 210a can be displaced away from the transfer gear 206, and the protrusion 210b of the spring surface can be displaced away from the gear assembly 208a, thereby enabling the needle selection gear 204 to rotate the selected needle of the needles 216 to the activated position adjacent to the transfer gear 206 and also enabling the transfer gear 206 to rotate and drive the needle moving gear 208 of the activated needle 216.

[0090] Fig.10 A perspective view of a box 20 according to some embodiments of the present technology is shown, the box including a dispenser 10 partially inserted into a box housing 22. In some embodiments, when the needle assembly 200 and the cartridge assembly 100 are assembled together to form the dispenser 10 but the dispenser 10 is not installed in the box housing 22, the lock spring 210 is in a locked position. This can be used as a safety mechanism to prevent the needle 216 from accidentally moving into the injection position. In some embodiments, the box housing 22 may include a compartment 26 configured to receive the needle assembly 200. When the dispenser 10 is fully inserted into the cavity of the box housing 22, a portion of the compartment 26 may cause the lock spring 210 to move into the unlocked position.

[0091] Fig.11AA perspective view of a partial longitudinal cross-section of a needle assembly 200 partially inserted into a compartment 26 of a cartridge housing 22 according to some embodiments of the present technology is shown. Since the needle assembly 200 is not fully inserted into the compartment 26, the lock spring 210 of the needle assembly 200 may be in a locked position. In some embodiments, when the base 24 of the cartridge housing 22 is not aligned with the base 202c of the housing 202 of the needle assembly 200, the needle assembly 200 may not be fully inserted into the compartment 26, such that the inner recess 28b of the compartment 26 does not engage with the edge portion of the housing 202, as shown in FIG. Fig.11A As depicted in . Fig.11A The arrow in shows the direction of movement of the needle assembly 200 relative to the cartridge housing 22 during installation of the dispenser 10 into the cartridge housing 11. The compartment 26 may include a base 26a supporting a tang base 28a and a tang 28 axially protruding from the tang base 28a. The tang 28 may be configured to engage with the lock spring 210 so as to move the lock spring 210 from a locked position to an unlocked position when the needle assembly 200 is fully inserted into the compartment 26 of the cartridge housing 22. Fig. 11B The needle assembly 200 is shown fully inserted into the compartment 26 of the cartridge housing 22, so that the base 24 of the cartridge housing 22 is coplanar with the base 202c of the housing 202 of the needle assembly 200. When fully inserted, the tang 28 extending from the base 26a of the compartment 26 can push against a portion of the lock spring 210 to compress the lock spring 210 and move the lock spring 210 so that the base of the spring surface 210a can be displaced away from the transfer gear 206, and the protrusion 210b of the spring surface 210a can be displaced away from the gear assembly 208a, thereby placing the lock spring 210 in an unlocked state. This displacement enables the needle selector gear 204 to rotate, thereby enabling the selected needle of the needles 216 to move to the activated position and also enables the transfer gear 206 to rotate to drive the needle moving gear 208 of the activated needle 216.

[0092] Fig. 12A A perspective view of a distal section of a dispenser 40 according to some embodiments of the present technology is shown. The dispenser 40 may be similar to the dispenser 10 described above in many respects. The portions of the dispenser 40 that are identical to the dispenser 10 may be represented by the same reference numerals. Portions of the dispenser 40 that are modifications of the dispenser 10 may be represented by modified versions of the same reference numerals (e.g., adding a ' or '" after the reference numeral). In some embodiments, the gear lock mechanism of the dispenser 40 may be different from the gear lock mechanism of the dispenser 10. Fig. 12B Shown with Fig. 12A Same view, but with housing 202' of needle assembly 200' of dispenser 40 rendered translucent. Fig. 12C A perspective view of a distal section of a dispenser 40 is shown in a partially disassembled state in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

[0093] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the gear lock mechanism of the dispenser 40 may include a lock spring 211, which may include a lock plate 211a and a coil spring 211b, which are configured to prevent the needle selection gear 204 from rotating and prevent the transfer gear 206' from rotating when the lock spring 211 is in the locked position. According to some embodiments of the present technology, Fig.13A shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the needle assembly 200' in a locked state, and Fig. 13B The same view of the needle assembly 200' is shown in an unlocked state. In some embodiments, the lock spring 211 and the transfer gear 206' can be movably mounted on the needle subassembly 214 via the support frame 212'. The coil spring 211b, the lock plate 211a and the transfer gear 206' can be movably mounted on the frame column 212a' of the support frame 212', so that the coil spring 211b biases the lock plate 211 and the transfer gear 206' into the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, one end of the frame column 212a' can be partially disposed in the cavity 206a of the transfer gear 206'. Fig.13A As depicted in FIG, the coil spring 211b can bias the lock plate 211a against the transfer gear 206a' when in a stationary state, so that the transfer gear 206' is pushed against the rib or lip 203 protruding from the housing 202', thereby preventing the transfer gear 206' from rotating. In this position, the transfer gear 206' may not fully engage with the needle moving gear 208 of the activated needle 216, as shown in FIG. Fig.13A Additionally, when the coil spring 211b is in a stationary state, the lock plate 211a may bear against a portion of the needle subassembly 214, thereby preventing the needle selection gear 204 from rotating. Fig. 13C A plan view of a lateral cross-section of the needle assembly 200' cut through the locking plate 211a is shown when the locking spring 211 is in the locked state, showing that the blocking portion 211c of the locking spring 211 extends into a portion of the needle subassembly 214 and bears against a surface of the needle subassembly 214, thereby preventing the needle selection gear 204 from rotating. Fig.13D A plan view of a lateral cross section of the needle assembly 200' cut through the transfer gear 206' is shown when the lock spring 211 is in the locked state, showing that the lip 203 of the housing 202' blocks the transfer gear 206' from rotational movement.

[0094] According to some embodiments of the present technology, when an axial force is applied to the lock spring 211, the lock spring can move from the locked position to the unlocked position. Fig. 13BThe axial force can compress the coil spring 211b and can enable the lock plate 211a to move axially away from blocking the rotation of the needle selection gear 204, and can enable the transfer gear 206' to move axially away from the lip 203, thereby enabling the needle selection gear 204 to rotate and also enabling the transfer gear 206' to rotate. In some embodiments, the axial force can be applied by the driver gear 602, which can be installed on the cartridge housing 22 before or after the dispenser 40 is fully installed in the cartridge housing 22. The driver gear 602 can extend through the opening 27b in the cartridge housing (see Fig.10 , Fig.18A and Fig.18C ), and can exert an axial force on the transfer gear 206' to push the transfer gear 206' away from the lip 203 in the direction of arrow F. The transfer gear 206' can then push the lock plate 211a in the direction of arrow F, thereby causing the lock plate 211a to move away from blocking the movement of the needle selection gear 204. In some embodiments, the driver gear 602 can engage with the gear handle 207 (e.g., a groove, a protruding rod, etc.) of the transfer gear 206' to push the transfer gear 206' and / or rotate the transfer gear 206'. The driver gear 602 may include a portion having an axis configuration, although other gear configurations are also contemplated. In some embodiments, the driver gear 602 can be part of a motor assembly, as discussed below. The box 20, 20' and the motor assembly can be part of a drug delivery device and can be at least partially contained in a housing of the drug delivery device.

[0095] As will be appreciated, applying a force in the direction of arrow F on the transfer gear 206' can push the needle assembly 200' (and the dispenser 40) out of the cartridge housing 22. In a related manner, the natural state of the lock spring 210 can prevent Fig.10 , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The dispenser 10 shown in FIG. 1 is in the fully inserted position ( Fig. 11B ) and may cause the dispenser 10 to be in a partially inserted position in the cartridge housing 22 ( Fig.11A ) unless a retaining force is applied to hold the dispenser 10 in the fully inserted position in the cartridge housing 22.

[0096] In order to hold the dispenser 10, 40 in place in the cartridge housing 22, a latch mechanism may be used. According to some embodiments of the present technology, FIG. 14A to FIG. 14D as well as FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C A view showing a first type of latch mechanism that may be used, and FIG. 16A to FIG. 16D as well as 17A to 17C A view showing a second type of latch mechanism that may be used.

[0097] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the first type of latch mechanism may include a latch 32 configured to engage with a latch receiver 220. The latch 32 may be removably attached to the compartment 26' of the cartridge housing 22 via a connector 30a. The latch receiver 220 may include a protruding ledge on an outer surface of the housing 202, 202' of the needle assembly 200, 200'. The latch 32 may include an engagement surface 32a configured to abut the ledge of the latch receiver 220 when in the latched position to retain the needle assembly 200, 200' in the compartment 26', as shown in FIG. Fig.15A Schematically depicted in . The latch 32 may also include an actuator 30 that can be manipulated by a user to release the latch 32 from engagement with the latch receiver 220. In some embodiments, the actuator 30 and the latch 32 may be formed as a single structure, wherein the engagement surface 32a of the latch 32 is positioned on an inner surface of the structure and wherein the actuator 30 is positioned on an outer surface of the structure. In some embodiments, the user can disengage the latch 32 by sliding the actuator 30 in a lateral release direction parallel to the contact surface 34 of the cassette housing 22 (or in a direction having a lateral component). For example, Fig. 14C and Fig. 15B An arrow is shown indicating the direction of movement of the actuator 30 to release or disengage the latch 32. In some embodiments, the surface of the actuator 30, the contact surface 34 of the cartridge housing 22, and the contact surface 218 of the needle assembly 200, 200' may be substantially coplanar so that when the contact surface 218 of the needle assembly 200, 200' is placed against an injection surface (e.g., a skin surface of a patient to be injected with the fluid in the fluid chamber 158), the actuator 30 may not be manipulated in a lateral release direction. This coplanar structure may advantageously prevent a user from accidentally releasing or disengaging the latch 32 during an injection procedure. In some embodiments, the latch 32 and the latch receiver 220 may include complementary angled surfaces that are configured to slide against each other during insertion or installation of the needle assembly 200, 200' into the compartment 26' of the cartridge housing 22. When the needle assembly 200, 200' is fully inserted into the compartment 26', the latch 32 can snap into the latched position when the latch receiver 220 falls into the recess of the latch 32 and the engagement surface 32a of the latch 32 abuts the latch receiver 220, as shown in FIG. Fig.15A. In some embodiments, connector 30a can be a spring that biases latch 32 so that once needle assembly 200, 200' and compartment 26' of cartridge housing 22 are in the latched position, latch 32 remains latched to latch receiver 220 until actuator 30 is manipulated in a lateral release direction, as discussed above. In some embodiments, upon manipulation of actuator 30 to release or disengage from latch receiver 220 of needle assembly 200, 200', the spring force of lock spring 210, 211 of needle assembly 200, 200' can bias dispenser 10, 40 to eject dispenser 10, 40 from cartridge housing 22, as discussed above. Fig. 15C As depicted in .

[0098] According to some embodiments of the present technology, the second type of latch mechanism may include a latch 32' configured to engage with a latch receiver 220'. The latch 32' may be pivotally attached to the compartment 26" of the cartridge housing 22 via a hinge-type connector (not shown). The latch 32' may include an engagement surface 32a' configured to abut a flange of the latch receiver 220' when in the latched position to retain the needle assembly 200, 200' in the compartment 26", as shown in FIG. Fig.17A The latch 32' may also include an actuator 30' that can be manipulated by a user to release the latch 32' from engagement with the latch receiver 220'. In some embodiments, the actuator 30' may be configured to move the latch 32' from the latched position ( Fig.17A ) pivots to the release position ( Fig. 17B ). In some embodiments, a user may place the latch 32' in the release position by sliding the actuator 30' in a lateral direction (or in a direction having a lateral component) parallel to the contact surface 34 of the cartridge housing 22. For example, Fig. 16C and Fig. 17BAn arrow is shown indicating the direction of movement of the actuator 30' to release or disengage the latch 32'. In some embodiments, the surface of the actuator 30', the contact surface 34 of the cartridge housing 22, and the contact surface 218 of the needle assembly 200, 200' may be substantially coplanar so that when the contact surface 218 of the needle assembly 200, 200' is placed against an injection surface, the actuator 30' may not be manipulated to cause the latch 32' to pivot to the release position, thereby preventing the latch 32' from being accidentally released or disengaged during an injection procedure. In some embodiments, the actuator 30' may include a spring that biases the actuator 30' so that when the needle assembly 200, 200' and the compartment 26" of the cartridge housing 22 are in the latched position, the latch 32' remains latched to the latch receiver 220' until the actuator 30' is manipulated to pivot the engagement surface 32a' of the latch 32' away from the latch receiver 220', as discussed above. In some embodiments, when the actuator 30' is manipulated to release or disengage from the latch receiver 220' of the needle assembly 200, 200', the spring force of the lock spring 210, 211 may bias the dispenser 10, 40 to eject the dispenser 10, 40 from the cartridge housing 22, as discussed above. Fig. 17C As depicted in .

[0099] According to some embodiments of the present technology, Fig.18A shows a view of the cartridge housing 22 during insertion of the dispenser 10 into the cartridge housing 22, and Fig.18B 1 shows a view after the dispenser 10, 40 is fully inserted into the cartridge housing 22. Fig.18A and Fig.18B In the embodiment of the present invention, a driver gear 502 for rotating the needle selection gear 204 of the needle assembly 200 of the dispenser 10 is positioned at the opening 27a in the compartment 26, 26', 26", and the driver gear 502 can contact the needle selection gear 204 and rotate the needle selection gear through the opening. In some embodiments, the driver gear 502 can include a portion having a worm gear configuration, although other gear configurations are also contemplated. In some embodiments, the driver gear 502 can be a driver gear assembly 502A ( Fig.10 ) and the driver gear assembly 502A may be incorporated into the housing of a drug delivery device, as discussed herein. Fig.18C An enlarged view of the compartments 26, 26', 26" of the cassette housing 22 is shown, depicting the teeth of the needle selection gear 204 passing through the opening 27a. Although 18A to 18CAlthough not fully visible, the opening 27b is provided in the compartment 26, 26', 26" to enable the driver gear 602 discussed above to contact and rotate the transfer gear 206, 206' of the dispenser 10, 40. As discussed above, in some embodiments, when the dispenser 40 is fully inserted into the cartridge housing 22 and the driver gear 602 is mounted to the cartridge housing 22, the driver gear 602 may exert a force on the transfer gear 206' that may move the lock spring 211 to the unlocked position.

[0100] Fig.19A block diagram of a motor assembly 50 including a plurality of driver assemblies 400, 500, 600 is shown. The motor assembly 50 may be coupled to a controller 700 configured to drive each of the driver assemblies 400, 500, 600. In some embodiments of the present technology, the controller 700 may include at least one computer processor (e.g., a CPU) that is programmed to control the driver assemblies 400, 500, 600 individually or in a coordinated manner with one another. In some embodiments, the driver assembly 400 may include a driver gear 402 (discussed above) for driving rotation of the driven mechanism 302 of the drive assembly 300. The driver assembly 400 may include a motor 403 configured to cause rotation of the driver gear 402. Similarly, in some embodiments, the driver assembly 500 may include a driver gear 502 (discussed above) for driving rotation of the needle selection gear 204. The driver assembly 500 may include a motor 503 configured to cause rotation of the driver gear 502. In some embodiments, the driver assembly 600 may include a driver gear 602 (discussed above) for driving rotation of the transfer gears 206, 206'. The driver assembly 600 may include a motor 603 configured to cause rotation of the driver gear 602. In some embodiments, the controller 700 may be provided with an actuator (not shown) that enables a user to initiate an injection procedure. For example, after the user has placed the cartridge in an injection position (e.g., against the user's own skin surface or against the patient's skin surface), the user may manipulate the actuator to cause automated and coordinated movement of any one or any combination of the following: (1) the needle 216 of the needle assembly 200, 200' is positioned in the activation position by rotating the needle selection gear 204 via the driver assembly 600; (2) the drive assembly 300 moves to cause the piston 156 to move toward the septum 152, thereby ejecting a predetermined amount of fluid in the fluid chamber 158, the predetermined amount corresponding to, for example, the amount of rotation of the driven mechanism 302; and (3) the transfer gear 206, 206' moves to cause the activated needle 216 to move from the retracted position to the injection position and from the injection position to the retracted position. As described above, the movement of the transfer gear 206, 206' may also cause the septum 152 to be pierced, thereby permitting fluid to be ejected into the activated needle 216.

[0101] As will be appreciated, the cartridge housing 22 may have Fig.10 The forms shown in the figure are different forms. Fig. 20AA view of a box 20' is shown, wherein the box housing 22' may be shaped as a generally rectangular shape and sized to be easily grasped by a user. In some embodiments of the present technology, the box housing 22' may have rounded edges and / or slightly curved surfaces, as shown. In some embodiments, the box housing 22' may have an internal cavity shaped to receive the dispenser 10. For example, the internal cavity of the box housing 22' may have a generally cylindrical portion to receive the cartridge assembly 100, and a compartment 25 shaped to receive the needle assembly 200. Fig. 20B A view is shown in which the dispenser 10 is inserted into a cartridge housing 22' to form a cartridge 20'. In some embodiments, the cartridge housing 22' may be configured with a recess to accommodate the driver gear 402. Optionally, a window 22a may be provided in the cartridge housing 22' to enable the position of the piston 156 and / or the level of the fluid to be visible. Although Fig. 20A and Fig. 20B Although not shown, the cartridge housing 22 ′ may include an opening for the driver gear 502 , 602 to contact the needle assembly 200 .

[0102] Fig.21 A block diagram of a drug delivery device 1 according to some embodiments of the present technology is shown. In some embodiments, the device 1 may include a cartridge 20, 20', a motor assembly 50, and a controller 700, some or all of which may be housed within or partially within the housing of the device 1. In some other embodiments, the controller 700 may be external to the housing of the device 1 and may be configured to remotely control the motor assembly 50 via control signals transmitted via a dedicated cable and / or via control signals transmitted wirelessly using known wireless communication techniques.

[0103] in conclusion

[0104] It should be understood that various changes, modifications and improvements may be made to the structures, configurations and methods discussed above, and these changes, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the technology disclosed herein. Further, although the advantages of the technology are indicated, it should be understood that not every embodiment of the technology will include every described advantage. Some embodiments may not implement any of the features described herein as being advantageous. Therefore, the foregoing description and drawings are intended to be examples only.

[0105] It should be understood that certain aspects of the present technology may be embodied as one or more methods, and that the actions performed as part of the methods of the present technology may be ordered in any suitable manner. Thus, embodiments may be constructed in which actions are performed in an order different from that shown and / or described, which may include performing some actions simultaneously, even though shown and / or described as sequential actions in various embodiments.

[0106] Various aspects of the technology may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described hereinabove, and therefore, are not limited in their application to the details and arrangements of components described in the foregoing description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments. Various aspects are described in this disclosure (including the Summary of the Invention) including, but not limited to, the following aspects:

[0107] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the force transfer portion has a tapered profile and includes at least one drive rib extending radially from a surface of the force transfer portion.

[0108] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the at least one drive rib extends a radial distance (d) along an axial length of the drive rib from a radially outer edge of the drive rib to the longitudinal axis.

[0109] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge housing comprises a first section configured to accommodate at least a portion of the axially extendable portion, a second section configured to accommodate at least a portion of the cartridge, and a third section configured to align the axially extendable portion and the cartridge.

[0110] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the third section of the cartridge housing includes housing ribs configured to contact the proximal end of the cartridge and position the cartridge relative to an inner wall of the cartridge housing.

[0111] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the housing ribs extend radially from an inner wall of the cartridge housing and align the cartridge to a predetermined position in the cartridge housing, and the cartridge abuts shoulder portions of the housing ribs.

[0112] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the third section of the cartridge housing includes a guide configured to center the axially extendable portion during movement from the retracted position to the at least one extended position.

[0113] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a foot is attached to the distal end of the axially extendable portion, wherein the foot is configured to move in the second section of the cartridge housing, the foot includes a foot surface configured to contact a piston surface of the piston to move the piston toward the distal opening of the cartridge, and the foot surface includes a relief structure configured to engage with at least one corresponding surface structure on the piston surface.

[0114] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the force transfer portion includes a rotatable spindle engaged with an inner ring of a roll formed by an axially extendable portion and a spline portion configured to receive a spline-shaped force applicator.

[0115] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the spline portion includes a spline-shaped recess configured to receive a spline shaft, and the spline-shaped recess and the rotatable main shaft are in a coaxial relationship along the longitudinal axis.

[0116] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the axially extendable portion includes a band, a retracted portion, the band being configured to form a roll, the band being configured to controllably expand and extend in response to an applied force to form a spiral having a controllable axial length, and the piston and the spiral are coaxial.

[0117] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the force transfer portion includes a plurality of drive ribs extending radially from a surface of the force transfer portion, the belt includes a plurality of rib latches protruding from a first surface of the belt, and the rib latches are configured to slidably engage along the drive ribs when the belt is extended from a retracted position to at least one extended position.

[0118] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the inner surface of the spiral includes a first surface of the belt, the second surface of the belt includes a groove, the groove is configured to movably engage with and slide along the protrusion portion of the cartridge housing, and in response to movement of the belt along the protrusion portion of the cartridge housing and along the drive rib, the spiral is formed into a columnar shape by the belt.

[0119] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the band includes a matching element along its edge, and in some examples includes a plurality of pegs positioned along a first edge of the band and a plurality of holes positioned along a second edge of the band, and as the axially extendable portion extends from a retracted position to at least one extended position, more and more pegs are received in more and more holes such that the spirals are interlocked to form a cylinder having a fixed diameter.

[0120] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the pegs are positioned on a first surface of the strap, the holes are positioned on a second surface of the strap, and the rib latches extend longitudinally between a first edge and a second edge of the strap.

[0121] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the band is formed of an elastic material such that when not constrained in a cartridge housing and in the absence of a force applied to the band, the band forms a conical spiral having a diameter that varies from a first end of the conical spiral to a second end of the conical spiral, and when an axial force is applied on the first end or the second end of the conical spiral or on both the first end and the second end, the conical spiral collapses to form a coil, the axial force being a force along the axis of the conical spiral.

[0122] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a needle assembly is attached to the distal end of the cartridge housing, and a septum is positioned within a recess of the needle assembly.

[0123] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the needle assembly includes: a needle assembly housing; a needle moving gear, which is positioned in the needle assembly housing and is configured to move the injection needle from a static position to an injection position; a gear lock, which has: a locked position, in which the needle moving gear cannot rotate; and an unlocked position, in which the needle moving gear can rotate.

[0124] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the needle assembly includes a transfer gear operably coupled to the needle moving gear to cause rotation of the needle moving gear to move the needle, and the gear lock is configured to prevent the transfer gear from rotating when in a locked position.

[0125] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the gear lock includes a spring having a first position corresponding to a locked position of the gear lock and a biased position corresponding to an unlocked position of the gear lock.

[0126] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge housing is configured to accommodate a cartridge assembly and a needle assembly, the cartridge housing including a tang, wherein when the needle assembly is not fully inserted into the cartridge housing, a spring of a gear lock is in a first position and the gear lock is in a locked position, and when the needle assembly is fully inserted into the cartridge housing, the tang of the cartridge housing causes the spring of the gear lock to move to a biased position to enable the transfer gear to rotate.

[0127] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the tang is configured to exert a force on the spring to move the spring face of the spring away from a position that restricts movement of the transfer gear.

[0128] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the needle assembly includes a frame column on which a spring, a locking plate and a transfer gear are movably mounted, and when in a first position, the spring and the locking plate are configured to cause the transfer gear to contact a housing protrusion of a needle assembly housing and to prevent the transfer gear from being in an engagement position with the needle moving gear, and when in a biased position, an axial force is applied to the transfer gear, which causes the transfer gear to be pushed away from contacting the housing protrusion, causes the transfer gear to move to an engagement position with the needle moving gear, and causes the transfer gear to move the locking plate away from a position for limiting movement of the transfer gear.

[0129] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the transfer gear includes a handle configured to engage with and be rotated by the rotary drive.

[0130] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the needle moving gear is one of a plurality of needle moving gears positioned in a needle assembly housing, each of the needle moving gears being configured to move a corresponding injection needle from a standby position to an injection position and from an injection position to a standby position, the needle assembly comprising a selection gear (204) configured to activate a selected needle moving gear, wherein, in response to the selected needle moving gear moving to an active position close to a transmission gear, the transmission gear is configured to rotate the selected needle moving gear to move the injection needle corresponding to the selected needle moving gear.

[0131] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the gear lock is configured to prevent the selection gear from moving when the gear lock is in the locked position.

[0132] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a cartridge housing is configured to accommodate a cartridge assembly and a needle assembly, wherein the cartridge housing includes a compartment configured to accommodate the needle assembly; a latch configured to engage with a latch receiver on the needle assembly to retain the needle assembly in the compartment; and a latch release actuator configured to prevent the latch from disengaging from the latch receiver when a contact surface of the needle assembly is positioned against an injection surface.

[0133] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the latch release actuator includes an actuation surface configured to be positioned against the injection surface when the contact surface of the needle assembly is positioned against the injection surface.

[0134] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the latch release actuator is configured to release the latch from engagement with the latch receiver when a force applied to the actuation surface includes a lateral component directed in a direction parallel to the contact surface of the needle assembly.

[0135] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the compartment of the cartridge housing includes a first opening configured to enable the first driver gear to drive the needle selection gear of the needle assembly and a second opening configured to enable the second driver gear to drive the moving gear of the needle assembly.

[0136] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the moving gear is a transfer gear configured to cause a needle moving gear of the needle assembly to rotate to move the needle to and from the retracted position and the injection position.

[0137] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a cartridge housing is configured to accommodate a dispenser comprising a cartridge assembly and a needle assembly, wherein the cartridge housing comprises: a first opening configured to enable the dispenser to be axially inserted into a cavity of the cartridge housing, the cavity comprising a first compartment configured to accommodate the needle assembly and a second compartment configured to accommodate the cartridge assembly; and a second opening configured to enable a motor to rotate the drive assembly.

[0138] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge housing includes a driver gear configured to engage with the driver assembly, and the driver gear is configured to transmit the rotational force from the motor to the driver assembly.

[0139] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the dispenser is disposable and removable from the cartridge housing, and the cartridge housing is reusable with another dispenser.

[0140] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge housing is configured to be mounted to a motor assembly that includes at least one motor configured to drive movement in one or both of: a drive assembly and a needle assembly.

[0141] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge housing has a generally rectangular shape.

[0142] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the fluid includes a drug, and the cartridge includes a fluid chamber having the drug therein.

[0143] In various aspects of the present disclosure, activation of the needle of the assembly includes applying a force on the gear lock through a protrusion of the cartridge housing when the dispenser is fully inserted into the cartridge housing, causing the gear lock of the needle assembly to change from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0144] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a force is exerted on a spring of the gear lock.

[0145] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a force applied to the gear lock enables the transfer gear to rotate the needle moving gear.

[0146] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a force applied to the gear lock enables the needle selector gear to rotate the needle selector.

[0147] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the cartridge housing is reused with a new dispenser by manipulating an actuator of a latch mechanism of the cartridge to cause the latch mechanism to unlatch from the dispenser, removing the dispenser from the cartridge housing, and activating the new dispenser by fully inserting the new dispenser into the cartridge housing and causing the latch mechanism of the cartridge housing to latch to the new dispenser to prevent the needle assembly of the new dispenser from moving relative to the cartridge housing, wherein manipulation of the latch mechanism cannot be performed when a contact surface of the cartridge housing is in contact with an injection surface, the contact surface of the cartridge housing being coplanar with and surrounding a contact surface of the needle assembly of the dispenser.

[0148] The use of ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", and "third" to modify elements in the specification and claims does not in itself imply any priority, precedence, or order of one element relative to another element, or the temporal order of the actions of performing a method, but is merely used as a mark to distinguish one element or action with a certain name from another element or action with the same name (if no ordinal number is used) in order to distinguish these elements or actions.

[0149] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0150] As used herein in the specification and claims, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" should be understood to mean "at least one", unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

[0151] As used herein in the specification and claims, when referring to a list of one or more elements, the phrase "at least one" should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list of elements, but does not necessarily include at least one of each element specifically listed in the list of elements, and does not exclude any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present in addition to the elements specifically identified in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0152] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "equal" or "same" when referring to two values ​​(e.g., distance, width, etc.) means that the two values ​​are the same within manufacturing tolerances. Thus, two values ​​being equal or the same may mean that the two values ​​differ from each other by ±5%.

[0153] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "and / or" should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so combined (i.e., elements that exist in combination in some cases and separately in other cases). Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be interpreted in the same manner (i.e., "one or more" of the elements so combined). Other elements may optionally be present in addition to the elements specifically identified by the "and / or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open language such as "comprising", a reference to "A and / or B" can refer to only A (optionally including elements other than B) in one embodiment; only B (optionally including elements other than A) in another embodiment; both A and B (optionally including other elements) in yet another embodiment; etc.

[0154] As used herein in the specification and claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when the items in the list are separated, "or" or "and / or" should be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., including at least one of several elements or lists of elements, but also including more than one and optionally additional unlisted items. Only clearly indicated terms in the opposite direction, such as "only one of ..." or "exactly one of ...", or when used in the claims, "consisting of ..." will refer to including exactly one element in several elements or lists of elements. In general, when exclusive terms (such as, "any one", "one of ...", "only one of ..." or "exactly one of ...") are in front, the term "or" as used herein should only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., "one or the other but not both"). When used in the claims, "essentially consisting of ..." should have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0155] Furthermore, the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of terms such as "including," "comprising," "comprised of," "having," "containing," and "involving," and variations thereof herein, are intended to encompass the items listed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as additional items.

[0156] The terms "approximately" and "about" as used herein may be interpreted to mean within ±20% of a target value in some embodiments, within ±10% of a target value in some embodiments, within ±5% of a target value in some embodiments, and within ±2% of a target value in some embodiments. The terms "approximately" and "about" may be equal to a target value.

[0157] The term "substantially" as used herein may be interpreted to mean within 95% of the target value in some embodiments, within 98% of the target value in some embodiments, within 99% of the target value in some embodiments, and within 99.5% of the target value in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the term "substantially" may be equal to 100% of the target value.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery box (20), comprising: A cartridge assembly (100), comprising: a cartridge (150) configured to contain a fluid, a septum (152) positioned at the distal opening of the cartridge, a movable piston (156) which seals the proximal opening of the cartridge, the piston being movable in the axial direction of the cartridge, and a drive assembly (300) configured to move the piston in the axial direction toward the distal opening; and a needle assembly (200) attached to the cartridge assembly, Wherein, the driving component comprises: an axially extendable portion (306) having a distal end controllably extendable along a longitudinal axis from a retracted position (306a) to at least one extended position (306b), wherein the axially extendable portion is fabricated as a tapered helix having a diameter that varies from a first end of the tapered helix to a second end of the tapered helix such that the axially extendable portion is collapsible into the retracted position, and A rotatable force transmitting portion (302, 302a) is configured to receive an applied force and cause the distal end of the axially extendable portion to move in the axial direction in response to the applied force.

2. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 1, wherein: The force transfer portion has a tapered profile and includes at least one drive rib (302b) extending radially from a surface of the force transfer portion.

3. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 1, wherein: The at least one drive rib extends a radial distance (d) along an axial length of the drive rib from a radially outer edge of the drive rib to the longitudinal axis.

4. The fluid delivery cassette of any preceding claim, further comprising: A cartridge housing (102) comprising: a first section (110) configured to receive at least a portion of the axially extendable portion, a second section (108) configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge, and A third section (112, 114, 114a) configured to align the axially extendable portion with the cartridge.

5. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 4, further comprising: a foot (304) attached to the distal end of the axially extendable portion, wherein: The foot is configured to move in the second section of the cartridge housing, The foot includes a foot surface configured to contact a piston surface of the piston to move the piston toward the distal opening of the cartridge, and The foot surface includes a relief structure (304a) configured to engage at least one corresponding surface structure (156a) on the piston surface.

6. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 1, wherein: The force transmission part comprises: a rotatable spindle (302a) engaged with the inner ring of the roll formed by the axially extendable portion, and A spline portion (302c) is configured to receive a spline-shaped force applicator (404).

7. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 6, wherein: The spline portion includes a spline-shaped recess configured to receive a spline shaft, and the spline-shaped recess and the rotatable spindle are in a coaxial relationship along the longitudinal axis.

8. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 6, wherein: The axially extendable portion includes a band, a retracted portion, the band being configured to form the coil, the band being configured to controllably expand and extend in response to an applied force to form a spiral having a controllable axial length, and the piston and the spiral being coaxial, wherein, The force transfer portion includes a plurality of drive ribs (302b) extending radially from a surface of the force transfer portion, The belt includes a plurality of rib latches (306c) protruding from a first surface of the belt, and The rib latch is configured to slidably engage along the drive rib when the belt is extended from the retracted position to the at least one extended position.

9. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 8, wherein: the inner surface of the spiral comprises the first surface of the ribbon, The second surface of the belt includes a groove (310) configured to movably engage with and slide along a raised portion (110a, 111a, 111a') of the cartridge housing, and The spiral is formed cylindrically by the ribbon in response to movement of the ribbon along the lug portion of the cartridge housing and along the drive rib.

10. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 8, wherein: the band is formed of a resilient material such that when not restrained in the cartridge housing and in the absence of a force exerted on the band, the band forms a tapered spiral having a diameter that varies from a first end of the tapered spiral to a second end of the tapered spiral, and The conical spiral collapses to form a coil when an axial force is applied on the first end or the second end, or on both ends of the conical spiral, the axial force being a force along the axis of the conical spiral.

11. The fluid delivery cassette of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The needle assembly is attached to the distal end of the cartridge housing, and The septum is positioned within a recess of the needle assembly.

12. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 11, wherein: The needle assembly comprises: needle assembly housing (202, 202'), a needle moving gear (208) positioned in the needle assembly housing and configured to move an injection needle (216) from a rest position to an injection position, A gear lock (210, 211) having: a locked position in which the needle moving gear cannot rotate, and An unlocked position in which the needle moving gear is able to rotate.

13. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 12, wherein: The needle assembly includes a transfer gear (206, 206') operably coupled to the needle moving gear to cause the needle moving gear to rotate to move the needle, and The gear lock is configured to prevent the transfer gear from rotating when in the locked position, the gear lock having a spring bias.

14. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 13, further comprising: a cartridge housing (22) configured to house the cartridge assembly and the needle assembly, the cartridge housing including a tang (28) having a spring bias, in: When the needle assembly is not fully inserted into the cartridge housing, the spring (210) of the gear lock is in a first position and the gear lock is in the locked position, and When the needle assembly is fully inserted into the cartridge housing, the tang of the cartridge housing causes the spring of the gear lock to move to a biased position to enable the transfer gear to rotate.

15. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 14, wherein: The needle assembly comprises a frame column (212a'), the spring (211), the locking plate (211a) and the transmission gear are movably mounted on the frame column, When in the first position, the spring and the lock plate are configured to cause the transfer gear to contact a housing protrusion of the needle assembly housing (202') and to prevent the transfer gear from being in an engaged position with the needle moving gear, and When in the biased position, an axial force is exerted on the transfer gear, the axial force: causing the transfer gear to be pushed away from contact with the housing protrusion, causing the transfer gear to move to an engagement position with the needle moving gear, and The transfer gear is caused to move the lock plate away from a position for restricting movement of the transfer gear.

16. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 15, wherein: The transfer gear includes a handle (207) configured to engage with and be rotated by a rotary drive.

17. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 12, wherein: The needle moving gear is one of a plurality of needle moving gears positioned in the needle assembly housing, each of the needle moving gears being configured to move a corresponding injection needle from a standby position to an injection position and from the injection position to the standby position, The needle assembly includes a selection gear (204) configured to activate a selected needle moving gear, wherein, in response to the selected needle moving gear moving to an active position close to the transfer gear, the transfer gear is configured to rotate the selected needle moving gear to move the injection needle corresponding to the selected needle moving gear.

18. The fluid delivery cartridge of any preceding claim, further comprising: a cartridge housing (22) configured to house the cartridge assembly and the needle assembly, Wherein, the box housing comprises: a compartment (26, 26', 26") configured to accommodate the needle assembly, a latch (32, 32') configured to engage a latch receiver (220, 220') on the needle assembly to retain the needle assembly in the compartment, and A latch release actuator (30) is configured to prevent the latch from disengaging from the latch receiver when the contact surface (218) of the needle assembly is positioned against an injection surface.

19. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 18, wherein: The compartments of the cartridge housing include: a first opening (27a) configured to enable a first driver gear (502) to drive a needle selection gear (204) of the needle assembly, and A second opening (27b) is configured to enable a second driver gear (602) to drive the moving gear (206) of the needle assembly.

20. The fluid delivery cartridge of claim 19, wherein: The moving gear is a transfer gear configured to cause the needle moving gear (208) of the needle assembly to rotate to move the needle from the retracted position to the injection position and from the injection position to the retracted position.

21. The fluid delivery cartridge of any preceding claim, further comprising: a cartridge housing (22, 22') configured to house a dispenser (10) including the cartridge assembly and the needle assembly, Wherein, the box housing comprises: a first opening configured to enable axial insertion of the dispenser into a cavity of the cartridge housing, the cavity comprising a first compartment configured to receive the needle assembly and a second compartment configured to receive the cartridge assembly, and A second opening is configured to enable a motor to rotate the drive assembly.

22. A fluid delivery cassette according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fluid includes a drug, and the cartridge includes a fluid chamber having the drug therein.

23. A fluid delivery system (20), comprising: A fluid delivery cassette according to any preceding claim, and a reusable cartridge housing (22) configured to house at least a portion of the fluid delivery cartridge, and a reusable motor assembly configured to drive movement in the cartridge assembly or in the needle assembly or in both the cartridge assembly and the needle assembly, Wherein, the motor assembly can be removably mounted on the box housing.

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