Reusable actuator

Abstract

A reusable actuator for use with a medicament container comprising a stopper is disclosed, comprising a container having a closed end, an open end, and a sidewall extending in a longitudinal direction therebetween; the electrode is arranged in the container and is used for generating gas; an actuating assembly disposed at and closing the open end of the container, the actuating assembly and the container defining an actuator interior wherein the actuating assembly is movable relative to the container in the longitudinal direction through the gas pressure of the gas in the actuator interior such that the actuating assembly applies a force to the stopper, to cause drug delivery from the drug container; and a retraction mechanism for venting gas to assist in retraction of the actuation assembly for reuse.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference

[0002] This non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 425,910, filed on November 16, 2022, under 35 U.S.C.§119(e), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a reusable actuator. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reusable actuator that is used with a drug container and is suitable for delivering drugs from the drug container. Background Art

[0004] Miniature or hand-held drug delivery systems or devices capable of automatically or semi-automatically delivering drugs require miniature actuators. However, traditional miniature actuators are basically not reusable because after the actuator completes dose delivery and is in the "extended state", it must be manually reset or "pushed" back to the "compressed state" for delivering another dose. Therefore, there is a need for a reusable actuator for the above-mentioned drug delivery. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention provides a reusable actuator for use with a drug container including a stopper. The reusable actuator includes a container, an electrode, an actuation assembly, and a retraction mechanism. The container has a closed end, an open end, and a side wall extending in a longitudinal direction between the closed end and the open end. The electrode is disposed inside the container for generating gas. The actuation assembly is disposed at the open end of the container and closes the open end. The actuation assembly and the container define an interior of the actuator. Further, the actuation assembly is movable relative to the container in the longitudinal direction by the air pressure of the gas inside the actuator, such that the actuation assembly applies a force to the stopper to cause the drug to be delivered from the drug container. The retraction mechanism is for exhausting the gas to assist the actuation assembly to retract for reuse.

[0006] The present invention also contemplates using the reusable actuator to draw a fluid (e.g., blood) from an object into a storage container.

[0007] In some specific embodiments, the actuation assembly is a balloon or has a bellows structure.

[0008] In some specific embodiments, at least a portion of the actuation assembly is sleeved inside the container of the reusable actuator.

[0009] In some specific embodiments, the actuation assembly has a telescopic structure. The telescopic structure includes a plurality of segments arranged to be extendable and retractable relative to each other.

[0010] In some specific embodiments, the container of the reusable actuator is a cylindrical container, and the actuating assembly is a rod or has a tubular structure. At least a part of the rod or tubular structure is sleeved inside the container.

[0011] In some specific embodiments, the reusable actuator further includes an O-ring that is hermetically disposed between the outermost segment of the plurality of segments and the container of the reusable actuator.

[0012] In some specific embodiments, the reusable actuator further includes an O-ring that is hermetically disposed between the rod or tubular structure and the container of the reusable actuator.

[0013] In some specific embodiments, the retraction mechanism includes a valve for releasing the gas inside the actuator.

[0014] In some specific embodiments, the retraction mechanism includes a gas conversion unit disposed inside the actuator.

[0015] In some specific embodiments, the gas conversion unit includes a gas conversion catalyst. In some specific embodiments, the gas conversion catalyst is coated on the container, the actuating assembly, or both.

[0016] In some specific embodiments, the gas conversion unit is platinum foam.

[0017] In some specific embodiments, the retraction mechanism includes an elastic member for assisting the retraction of the plurality of segments for reuse.

[0018] In some specific embodiments, the retraction mechanism includes an elastic member for assisting the retraction of the rod or tubular structure for reuse.

[0019] According to the present invention, the elastic member can be disposed inside or outside the actuator. In some specific embodiments, the elastic member is a spring.

[0020] On the other hand, the present invention provides a drug delivery device, which includes the reusable actuator and a drug container as described above. The drug container further includes a housing, and the stopper is disposed inside the housing. The container of the reusable actuator is connected to the housing, wherein the actuating assembly of the reusable actuator abuts against the stopper of the drug container.

[0021] In some specific embodiments, the container of the reusable actuator is connected to the housing such that when the actuating assembly applies a force to the stopper to cause drug delivery from the drug container, there is substantially no relative movement between the container of the reusable actuator and the housing.

[0022] When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, a better understanding of the above summary and the following detailed description of the present invention can be obtained. To illustrate the present invention, the preferred specific embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise configurations and mechanisms shown. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a reusable actuator and a drug container according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a retraction mechanism of a reusable actuator according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 is a retraction mechanism of a reusable actuator according to another specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 is a retraction mechanism of a reusable actuator according to another specific embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The following description is only intended to illustrate the various specific embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the specific embodiments or modifications discussed herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and equivalent substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0028] To provide a clear and easy understanding of the present invention, some terms are defined first. Additional definitions are set forth throughout the detailed description. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art.

[0029] As used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, "a component" includes plural such components and equivalent components known to those skilled in the art.

[0030] As used herein, the term "comprise" or "comprising" is generally used in its inclusive sense, meaning that one or more elements, ingredients, or components are permitted. The term "comprise" or "comprising" encompasses the term "consist of" or "consisting of".

[0031] As Figure 1 shown, a reusable actuator 1 for use with a drug container 60 including a stopper 64 is provided. The reusable actuator 1 includes a container 10, an electrode 70, an actuation assembly 20, and a retraction mechanism 40.

[0032] The container 10 has a closed end 12, an open end 14, and a side wall 16. The side wall 16 extends in a longitudinal direction L between the closed end 12 and the open end 14.

[0033] An electrode 70 is disposed inside the container 10 for generating gas. The electrode 70 is preferably disposed at the closed end 12 of the container 10. The electrode 70 is a component of an electrochemical pump. For example, a superhydrophilic material 75 (see Figures 2 - 4 ) can be added to the container 10 to contact the electrode 70 and together act as an electrochemical pump. The reusable actuator 1 may include multiple electrodes or planar electrodes for generating gas. According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the planar electrode is a porous electrode.

[0034] An actuating assembly 20 is disposed at the open end 14 of the container 10 and closes the open end 14. The actuating assembly 20 and the container 10 define an actuator interior 18. The actuating assembly 20 can move relative to the container 10 along the longitudinal direction L through the air pressure of the gas in the actuator interior 18, such that the actuating assembly 20 applies a force to the stopper 64 to cause drug delivery 80 from the drug container 60 through the needle 66.

[0035] The actuating assembly 20 can be a balloon or have a bellows structure. In such a specific embodiment, the balloon will be inflated or the bellows structure will extend through air pressure and apply a force to the stopper 64 to cause drug delivery 80. In some specific embodiments, the actuating assembly 20 is made of a rigid material (e.g., stainless steel) and has a tubular structure including an open end and a closed end, and the bellows structure is formed at the open end of the tubular structure and is connected to the open end 14 and closes the open end 14 of the container 10.

[0036] In some specific embodiments, at least a part of the actuating assembly 20 is sleeved inside the container 10. For example, the actuating assembly 20 is made of a rigid material (e.g., stainless steel) and has a tubular structure including an open end and a closed end, and the actuating assembly 20 is sleeved inside the container 10 at the open end portion of the actuating assembly 20.

[0037] According to some preferred specific embodiments, the actuating assembly 20 can have a telescopic structure. The telescopic structure includes a plurality of segments arranged to be extensible and retractable relative to each other.

[0038] According to some preferred specific embodiments, the container 10 is a cylindrical container and the actuating assembly 20 is a rod-shaped or tubular structure, and at least a part of the rod-shaped or tubular structure is sleeved inside the container 10.

[0039] A retraction mechanism 40 is used to discharge gas to assist the retraction of the actuating assembly 20 for reuse.

[0040] AsFigure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in Figure 3 , the retraction mechanism 40 may include an elastic member 40d. For example, the elastic member 40d is a spring, one end of which is fixed to the container 10 and the other end is fixed to the actuation assembly 20. The elastic member may be disposed inside the actuator 18 (see Figure 1 ), or disposed outside the actuator (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0041] Please refer to Figure 2 again. The retraction mechanism 40 may further include a valve 40a for releasing gas.

[0042] In another aspect, the retraction mechanism 40 further includes a gas conversion unit 40b disposed inside the actuator 18. For example, the gas conversion unit 40b is a gas conversion catalyst. In this specific embodiment, the gas conversion unit 40b may be coated on the inner side of the container 10, the actuation assembly 20, or both (see Figure 3 ). Please refer to Figure 4 . In some other specific embodiments, the gas conversion unit 40b is a platinum sponge 40c.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 together. In a specific embodiment where the container 10 is a cylindrical container and the actuation assembly 20 is a rod or has a tubular structure, the reusable actuator 1 may include an O-ring 50 that can be sealingly disposed between the rod or tubular structure and the container 10. In addition, in a specific embodiment where the actuation assembly has a telescopic structure, the O-ring is sealingly disposed between the outermost segment of the telescopic structure and the container 10.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 1 again. Preferably, the container 10 of the reusable actuator 1 is connected to the housing 62 of the drug container 60 in such a way that when the actuation assembly 20 applies a force to the stopper 64 to cause drug delivery 80 from the drug container 60, there is substantially no relative movement between the container 10 of the reusable actuator 1 and the housing 62 of the drug container 60.

[0045] For example, the container 10 and the housing 62 of the drug container 60 may be assembled into the housing of the drug delivery device and fixed and clamped by the housing, such that when the actuation assembly 20 applies a force to the stopper 64 to cause drug delivery 80 from the drug container 60, there is substantially no relative movement between the container 10 and the housing 62. The drug delivery device may further include a power supply for the electrochemical pump of the reusable actuator 1.

[0046] On the other hand, the diameter of the container 10 may be greater than the diameter of the open end of the housing 62, and the diameter of the actuating assembly 20 may be less than the diameter of the open end, such that the reusable actuator 1 can be disposed at the open end of the housing 62 while preventing the container 10 from entering the drug container 60 and allowing the actuating assembly 20 to project into the drug container 60 and apply a force to the stopper 64. In addition, the open end of the housing 62 may be formed with a flange structure such that the reusable actuator 1 can be placed on the flange structure of the housing 62, and then the reusable actuator 1 and the drug container 60 can be assembled to the outer casing of the drug delivery device.

[0047] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, the drug container 60 is a syringe or a cartridge. In some specific embodiments, the stopper 64 is a rubber stopper.

[0048] Although many specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in this specification, those skilled in the art will understand that these specific embodiments provided are only examples and can be combined for implementation. Without departing from the present invention, those skilled in the art can understand many variations, changes, and substitutions. It should be understood that many changes to the specific embodiments of the present invention described in this specification can be used to implement the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be defined by the claims and is intended to cover all methods, structures, and their equivalent scopes falling within these claims.

Claims

1. A reusable actuator for use with a drug container including a stopper, the reusable actuator comprising: A container having a closed end, an open end, and a sidewall extending longitudinally therebetween; An electrode disposed inside the container for generating gas; An actuating assembly disposed at and closing the open end of the container, the actuating assembly and the container defining an interior of the actuator, wherein the actuating assembly is movable relative to the container in the longitudinal direction by the air pressure of a gas in the interior of the actuator such that the actuating assembly applies a force to the stopper to effect drug delivery from the drug container; And A retraction mechanism for discharging gas to assist in retracting the actuating assembly for reuse.

2. The reusable actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuating assembly is a balloon or has a bellows structure.

3. The reusable actuator according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the actuating assembly is sleeved inside the container.

4. The reusable actuator according to claim 3, wherein the actuating assembly has a telescopic structure including a plurality of segments arranged to be extendable and retractable relative to each other.

5. The reusable actuator according to claim 3, wherein the container is a cylindrical container and the actuating assembly is a rod or has a tubular structure, and the rod or the tubular structure is at least partially sleeved inside the container.

6. The reusable actuator according to claim 4, further comprising an O-ring disposed in a sealable manner between the outermost segment of the plurality of segments and the container.

7. The reusable actuator according to claim 5, further comprising an O-ring disposed in a sealable manner between the rod or the tubular structure and the container.

8. The reusable actuator according to claim 1, wherein the retraction mechanism includes a valve for releasing the gas.

9. The reusable actuator according to claim 1, wherein the retraction mechanism includes a gas conversion unit disposed inside the actuator.

10. The reusable actuator according to claim 9, wherein the gas conversion unit includes a gas conversion catalyst.

11. The reusable actuator according to claim 10, wherein the gas conversion catalyst is coated on the container, the actuating assembly, or both.

12. The reusable actuator according to claim 9, wherein the gas conversion unit is platinum sponge.

13. The reusable actuator according to claim 6, wherein the retraction mechanism includes an elastic member for assisting in retracting the plurality of segments for reuse.

14. The reusable actuator according to claim 7, wherein the retraction mechanism includes an elastic member for assisting in retracting the rod or the tubular structure for reuse.

15. The reusable actuator according to claim 13, wherein the elastic member is disposed inside or outside the interior of the actuator.

16. The reusable actuator according to claim 13, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

17. The reusable actuator according to claim 14, wherein the elastic member is disposed inside or outside the interior of the actuator.

18. The reusable actuator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

19. A drug delivery device, comprising: the reusable actuator as claimed in claim 1; and the drug container, wherein the drug container further comprises a housing, and the stopper is disposed within the housing, wherein the container of the reusable actuator is connected to the housing, and wherein the actuating assembly of the reusable actuator abuts against the stopper of the drug container.

20. The drug delivery device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the container of the reusable actuator is connected to the housing such that when the actuating assembly applies the force to the stopper to effect drug delivery from the drug container, there is substantially no relative movement between the container of the reusable actuator and the housing.

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