A control device for an automatic injection pen and an automatic injection pen

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device for an automatic injection pen and to the automatic injection pen itself. The present invention comprises a housing (1) and a control component (2): said control component (2) includes a button allowing rotation about the axis of the housing (1) and axial pressure action; and incorporates a control module receiving the signals from said rotation and pressure; said control component (2) has a rotating portion (21) and a fixed portion (22); said rotating portion (21) includes a body (211) and a locking portion (212), an inner wall of said fixed portion (22) has multiple locking portions (221), any one of said locking portions (221) engaging with the locking portion (212). (Figure for abbreviation: Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: A control device for an automatic injection pen and an automatic injection pen. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automatic injector pens, and more particularly to a control device for an automatic injector pen as well as the automatic injector pen. Previous art

[0002] The automatic injector pen is used to inject medicated liquids into the patient's body. Existing technologies already include automatic injector pens, such as those described in Chinese patents CN202021787074.1 and CN202321399431.0, where the injection dose is set by rotating the tip of the pen, and drug delivery is triggered by a pressure action. However, the rotating adjustment part of this injector pen typically achieves engagement and backflow prevention through serrated structures that individually correspond with the non-rotating body of the pen. After prolonged use, the serrated engagement areas are subject to wear, resulting in poor tactile feedback during rotation and a less sensitive and non-linear injection dose setting. Description of the invention

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to: propose a control device for automatic injector pen and an automatic injector pen, in order to solve the technical problem of loss of sensitivity and linearity of the rotary adjustment of doses in automatic injector pens after prolonged use in existing technologies.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention relates to: a control device for an automatic injector pen, comprising a housing and a control component;

[0005] Said control component includes a button allowing rotation around the axis of the housing and an axial pressure action; and integrates a control module receiving the signals of said rotation and pressure;

[0006] said control component comprises a rotating part located outside the housing and a fixed part located internally relative to the rotating part;

[0007] said rotating part comprises a body and a locking part, the connection between said locking part and the body is not fixed, while said fixed part has multiple locked parts arranged axially on an internal wall, any one of said locked parts engages with the locking part;

[0008] said locking part has, at at least one of its ends, an axial play with respect to the corresponding end of the locked part, which allows a relative movement between the rotating part and the fixed part during the pressure action.

[0009] Preferably, said rotating part comprises a body, said body being provided, with respect to a cross-section of the axis, with symmetrically arranged limiters, said limiters being provided with stop grooves; said locking part being made up of an elastic blade, the two ends of said locking part being disposed in the stop grooves, a central projection engaging with the locked part;

[0010] said stop grooves being through the limiters, said body being further provided with auxiliary blades, the two ends of said locking part passing through the stop grooves to come to rest against the auxiliary blades;

[0011] when said projection slides between two adjacent locked parts, said locking part and the auxiliary blades deform simultaneously, allowing the locking part to slide into the stop grooves.

[0012] Preferably, said limiter includes a stop arranged parallel to an end face of the locking part; when the limiter moves axially with the body, said stop comes into contact with the locking part, causing a synchronized axial movement of the locking part.

[0013] Preferably, said stop groove is configured as an arched structure whose center coincides with the axis of said housing.

[0014] Preferably, said control component further comprises a spring, said spring being arranged along the axis of the housing, its two ends being respectively in butt against the rotating part and the fixed part, serving to return to position after the pressure action.

[0015] Preferably, said locking part is made of metallic material.

[0016] An automatic injector pen, using an automatic injector pen control device, characterized in that it comprises a loading component for loading the drug and a pusher component;

[0017] said loading component being disposed at the front end of the housing and having a cavity capable of receiving the cartridge; the interior of the middle part of said housing being provided with the thrust component, said thrust component comprising a pusher mechanism and a drive mechanism disposed coaxially with the housing.

[0018] Preferably, said pusher mechanism comprises a pusher and a pusher sleeve; one end of said pusher being fixed to the actuation end of the drive mechanism and threaded coupling with the pusher sleeve along the same axis, the outer wall of said pusher sleeve having a flat surface conforming to the housing, and its end away from the drive mechanism being able to butt against the cartridge piston in the loading component.

[0019] Compared to existing technology, the present invention offers the following advantages:

[0020] (1) Unlike traditional devices using non-gears Unlike metallic gears where the teeth mesh individually, the present invention proposes an adjustment mechanism with a single locking part interacting with multiple locked parts. In this design, the locking part is made of a high-wear-resistant, elastic metal blade, and the gearing area between the locking and locked parts is less susceptible to mechanical wear and abrasion, thus significantly extending the device's lifespan.

[0021] (2) In the present invention, auxiliary blades are arranged as stops against both ends of the locking section, thus preventing the metal locking part from being directly attached to the non-metallic body. On the one hand, this reduces machining difficulty and avoids damage to the mounting area due to frequent stress. On the other hand, it also allows the locking section to compensate for radial deformation at both ends by extending longitudinally towards its own ends, thereby saving the space initially allocated to its radial deformation, which reduces the diameter of the injector pen while maintaining its compactness.

[0022] (3) In the present invention, the partial end of the locking part The parallel of the limiter is configured as a stop. This stop actuates the locking part in its axial movement. As the distance between the point of application of the friction force of the locking part and the stop is relatively short, this effectively reduces the axial elastic deformation of the locking part, thus improving the smoothness of the pressure sensation. Description of the figures

[0023] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the figures and embodiments:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an automatic injector pen according to the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the control component according to the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 3 is a diagram of the structure of the locking part (hidden button) according to the present invention;

[0027] Fig.4 is a diagram of the structure of the fixed part according to the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 5 is a side view of the rotating part (hidden button) according to the present invention;

[0029] Fig. 6 is a sectional view AA of Fig. 5 of the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 7 is a view in direction B of Fig. 6 of the present invention;

[0031] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the auxiliary blade according to the present invention;

[0032] The [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a diagram of the installation and deformation under load of the locking part according to existing technologies;

[0033] The [Fig. 10] [[Fig. 10] is a diagram of the installation and deformation under load of the locking part according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Fig. 11 is a diagram of the forces applied to the locking part during its axial movement according to the present invention;

[0035] Where: 1. housing, 2. control component, 21. rotating part, 211. body, 212. locking part, 2121. projection, 213. limiter, 2131. stop groove, 2132. stop, 215. auxiliary blade, 2151. insertion end, 2152. stop end, 216. button, 22. fixed part, 221. locking part, 2211. toothed groove, 2212. toothed ridge, 23. spring, 3. loading component, 4. push component, 4L pusher mechanism, 411. pusher, 412. pusher sleeve, 42. stepper motor, 5. cartridge, 51. piston. Detailed description of the implementation methods

[0036] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that terms designating an orientation or position, such as "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "ridge," "bottom," "inside," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," etc., refer to the orientation or position illustrated in the figures. These terms are used solely for the sake of descriptive clarity and conciseness, without implying that the device or element in question must necessarily have a particular orientation or be constructed / operate according to a defined orientation. Consequently, these terms should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0037] In the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly stated or defined, terms such as "installation," "connect," "connection," and "fastening" are to be interpreted broadly. For example, the connection may be fixed, removable, or integrated; it may be mechanical or electrical in nature; it may be direct. or indirectly through an intermediary element, or even represent internal communication between two elements. For a professional in the field with ordinary competence, the specific meaning of the terms mentioned above in the present invention can be understood according to the particular circumstances.

[0038] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments:

[0039] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], an automatic insulin pen can be used for the automatic injection of insulin for the treatment of diabetes. It comprises a housing 1 disposed externally and a control component 2 installed at the rear end of the housing 1, intended to perform the injection action and control the injected dose. The front end of the housing 1 is equipped with a loading component 3. This loading component 3 serves to mechanically attach to a cartridge 5. One end of the body of the cartridge 5 is connected to a needle, while the other end is open and equipped with a plunger 51. By pushing the plunger 51, the drug liquid contained in the cartridge can be expelled through the needle. The interior of the middle portion of said housing 1 is provided with the pusher component 4.This push mechanism 4 comprises a pusher mechanism 41 arranged coaxially with the housing 1 and a drive mechanism 42 attached to the housing 1 via a mounting bracket. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 42 uses a stepper motor. The pusher mechanism 41 includes a pusher 411 and a pusher sleeve 412. One end of the pusher 411 is fixed to the actuating end of the drive mechanism 42, and its outer wall has an external thread. The inner wall of the pusher sleeve 412 has an internal thread that engages with the pusher 411. The outer wall of the pusher sleeve 412 has a flat surface that conforms to the housing 1, and its end away from the drive mechanism 42 abuts against the piston 51 in the cartridge 5.The drive mechanism 42 actuates the rotation of the pusher 411, which induces a translational movement of the pusher sleeve 412 in threaded coupling with the pusher 411. This movement pushes the piston 51 in the cartridge 5 towards the needle, thus expelling the drug liquid contained in the cartridge 5.

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 5], the control component 2 comprises a rotating part 21 disposed externally with a diameter identical to the housing 1, and a fixed part 22 connected internally to the rotating part 21. The fixed part 22 is connected to the housing 1. The rotating part 21 can be directly controlled by the user to rotate about the axis of the housing 1 and to apply axial pressure. The angle of rotation of the rotating part 21 can be determined either by reading of the graduations engraved on its outer wall, either by analysis carried out by electronic elements such as an encoder via the control module, the result then being projected onto a screen integrated into the outer wall of the housing 1. The control module controls the start and stop of the drive mechanism 42 as well as the stroke of the movement of the pusher mechanism 41 as a function of the angle of rotation and the pressure signal of the rotating part 21.

[0041] As illustrated in [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4], an inner wall of the fixed part 22 has several locking parts 221 arranged around the axis. The rotating part 21 comprises a body 211 located at its end and a knob 216 ([Fig. 2]) mounted on the outer wall that ensures synchronous rotation of the body 211. The body 211 is equipped with a locking part 212 corresponding to the locking parts 221. The locking part 212 can mesh with the locking parts 221, thus maintaining the rotational angle without intervention on the rotating part 21. When the rotating part 21 is manually operated, the locking part 212 disengages from the current locking part 221 and engages with the adjacent locking part 221. The play between two adjacent locked parts 221 defines the minimum rotation angle of the rotating part 21.This configuration allows the user to quickly and precisely adjust the medication dose for each administration.

[0042] Diabetes can affect patients' vision to varying degrees. Therefore, in this embodiment, for patients with visual impairments due to diabetes who have difficulty distinguishing the graduations or the content of the display, the locking portion 212 is made in the form of an elastic blade. The number of audible "clicks" produced when the projection 2121 of the locking portion 212 engages with the locked portion 221 can also serve as a reference indicator for setting the injection dose.

[0043] The locking portion 212 is made of a material offering excellent elasticity and high abrasion resistance, such as copper or other suitable metallic materials. When the central projection 2121 slides from one locked portion 221 to another locked portion 221, the locking portion 212 undergoes deformation with each pass. After prolonged use, if the locking portion 212 and the body 211 adopt the configuration illustrated in [Fig. 9], these frequent deformations can cause fatigue and damage to the fixed end B1 between the locking portion 212 and the body 211. Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig. 9], when the locking portion 212 is fixed to the body 211, a significant space must be provided to accommodate the radial deformation of the locking portion 212.This dimensional constraint is particularly difficult to satisfy in an injection pen, a compact electronic device.

[0044] To this end, this embodiment provides for the installation of an auxiliary blade 215 on the body 211, in order to replace the direct connection between the locking part 212 and the body 211, while reducing the elastic deformation of the locking part 212 at each deformation cycle.

[0045] More specifically, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], a limiter 213 is fixed to the body 211. The limiters 213 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a section passing through the axis of the housing 1. The limiter 213 includes a stop groove 2131. Said locking portion 212 is designed as an arched structure, the two ends of the locking portion 212 being placed in the stop groove 2131 and conforming to the inner wall of the stop groove 2131. The middle portion of the locking portion 212 is bent to form a V-shaped projection 2121. The locked portion 221 is designed as a toothed structure, and said projection 2121 engages in the toothed groove 2211 of the locked portion 221. When the projection 2121 is subjected to an external force in the direction of the axis of the body, the two ends of the locking part 212 will fit the inner wall of the stop groove 2131 and slide longitudinally along the stop groove 2131.

[0046] As illustrated in [Fig.3], [Fig.6] and [Fig.7], the stop groove 2131 passes through both ends of the limiter 213 and is designed in an arcuate shape whose center coincides with the axis of the housing 1. The ends of the locking part 212 pass completely through the stop groove 2131 without being fixed directly to the limiter 213 or to the body 211.

[0047] An auxiliary blade 215 is installed on the body 211, at the end corresponding to the stop groove 2131 away from the projection 2121 of the locking part 212. As illustrated in [Fig. 8], the auxiliary blade 215 is bent to form an insertion end 2151 and a stop end 2152. The insertion end 2151 is inserted into a slot provided on the body 211 to fix to the body 211, while the stop end 2152 is bent towards the locking part 212 and abuts against one end of the locking part 212.

[0048] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], [Fig. 6], and [Fig. 10], when the projection 2121 of the locking portion 212 slides up to the tooth ridge 2212 of the locked portion 221, the ends of the locking portion 212 tend to deform radially. However, thanks to the stop groove 2131, the tendency for radial deformation of the ends of the locking portion 212 is converted into sliding along the inner wall of the arched structure of the stop groove 2131 towards the auxiliary blade 215, which causes synchronous deformation of the auxiliary blade 215.

[0049] Thus, without modifying the stroke of the projection 2121 of the locking part 212 (i.e., maintaining the dimensions of the toothed structure of the locked part 221), the two ends of the locking part 212 can extend into the longitudinal direction, which compensates for the radial elastic deformation of the locking part 212 and allows the overall diameter of the control part to be reduced.

[0050] Furthermore, to allow the pressure action of the rotating part 21, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the axial dimension of the locked parts 221 is greater than that of the locking parts 212 associated with them, which creates a sliding clearance when the pressure action of the rotating part 21 is applied. The control component 2 also incorporates a spring 23. The spring 23 is arranged along the axis of the housing 1, the two ends of the spring are abutted against the rotating part 21 and the fixed part 22, in order to ensure return to position after the pressure action.

[0051] More specifically, as illustrated in [Fig.3], the limiter 213 has a stop 2132 arranged parallel to an end face of the locking part 212. When the rotating part 21 is pressed, a face of the locking part 212 is abutted against the body 211 and is pushed towards the fixed part 22.

[0052] Furthermore, when the spring 23 restores the initial position of the rotating part 21 after pressure is applied, the other face of the locking part 212 is in contact with the stop 2132. This contact area covers most of the portion of the locking part 212 extending from the projection 2121 to the auxiliary blade 215. This configuration effectively reduces the torque generated by friction between the projection 2121 and the locked part 221 during the axial movement of the locking part 212. This prevents the locking part 212 from jumping or jamming under the effect of excessive torque and significantly improves the pressure sensation when acting on the rotating part 21.

[0053] More specifically, as illustrated in [Fig. 11], in traditional solutions, the end of the structure similar to the locking part 212, located away from the locked part 221 (not equipped with the limiter 213), is fixed or abutted only at point B1 of the body. Consequently, during axial movement, the point of application C of the friction force between the projection 2121 and the locked part 221 on the locking part 212 generates a moment of force B with respect to Bl.

[0054] As illustrated in [Fig. 11], in traditional solutions, to ensure sufficient elastic deformation of the projection 2121 allowing the locking part 212 to move between the adjacent locked parts 221, the distance between the projection 2121 and the fixed end Bl is generally long. This promotes undesirable displacement of the projection 2121 under the action of the locked part 221 in the directions DI or D2 (determined by the direction of rotation), as illustrated in [Fig. 9]. This phenomenon increases the rotational resistance of the button 216, degrades the precision of the actuation, and impairs the handling feel.

[0055] In this embodiment, due to the difference in the direction of deformation of the locking part 212, as illustrated in [Fig. 10], there is no of a "fixed end B1", but rather a sliding contact with the limiter 213 at point A1. Thus, in this embodiment, the moment of force A of the projection 2121 on the limiter is significantly less than the moment of force B generated by a structure similar to the locking part 212 during axial movement in traditional configurations. This prevents the projection 2121 from undergoing undesired displacements in the DI or D2 directions under the action of the locked parts 221, thereby improving the handling feel and the rotational accuracy of the system.

[0056] Embodiment:

[0057] 1. Turn the knob 216 located on the outer side of the rotating part 21 to engage the locking part 212 of the body 211 successively with the various locked parts 221. The single injection dose is then set by referring to the graduations on the rotating part 21 and the housing 1, the indications displayed on the screen, or the audible clicks produced when the locking part 212 and the locked parts 221 are engaged.

[0058] 2. Press the rotating part 21 to activate the drive motor, which then activates the pusher mechanism 41 for a duration corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotating part 21 previously made, thus allowing the predefined dose of medicinal liquid contained in the cartridge 5 to be injected.

[0059] The embodiments described above are intended solely to illustrate the technical design and features of the present invention, with the aim of enabling those familiar with this technology to understand the content of the invention and implement it accordingly. They shall in no way restrict the scope of protection of the present invention. It is obvious to anyone skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, but may be carried out in other specific forms without deviating from its spirit or essential features. The embodiments presented should be considered purely exemplary and not restrictive in any respect. The scope of the invention is defined exclusively by the appended claims, and not by the preceding description.Therefore, any modification which falls within the equivalent elements of the claims, in their meaning and scope, is expressly considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Control device for automatic injector pen, characterized in that it comprises a housing (1) and a control component (2): said control component (2) allows rotation about the axis of the housing (1) and axial pressure action; and incorporates a control module receiving signals from said rotation and pressure; said control component (2) has a rotating part (21) located outside the housing (1) and a fixed part (22) located internally relative to the rotating part (21); said rotating part (21) comprises a body (211) and a locking part (212), the connection between said locking part (212) and the body (211) is not fixed, while said fixed part (22) has multiple locking parts (221) arranged axially on an internal wall, any one of said locking parts (221) engages with the locking part (212);said locking part (212) has, at at least one of its ends, an axial play relative to the corresponding end of the locked part (221), which allows relative movement between the rotating part (21) and the fixed part (22) during the pressure action.

2. Control device for automatic injector pen according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating part (21) comprises a body (211), said body (211) being provided, with respect to a cross-section of the axis, with symmetrically arranged limiters (213), said limiters (213) being provided with stop grooves (2131); said locking part (212) being made up of an elastic blade, the two ends of said locking part (212) being disposed in the stop grooves (2131), a central projection (2121) engaging with the locked part (221), the internal walls of said stop grooves (2131) serving as guides for the movement of the locking part (212).The said stop grooves (2131) being through the limiters (213), the said body (211) being further provided with auxiliary blades (215), the two ends of the said locking part (212) passing through the stop grooves (2131) to come to rest against the auxiliary blades (215); when said projection (2121) slides between two adjacent locked parts (221), said locking part (212) and auxiliary blades (215) deform simultaneously, allowing the locking part (212) to slide into the stop grooves (2131).

3. Control device for automatic injector pen according to claim 2, characterized in that said limiter (213) has a stop (2132) disposed parallel to an end face of the locking part (212), when the limiter (213) moves axially with the body (211), said stop (2132) comes into contact with the locking part (212), causing a synchronized axial movement of the locking part (212).

4. Control device for automatic injector pen according to claim 3, characterized in that said stop groove (2131) is configured as an arched structure whose center coincides with the axis of said housing (1).

5. Control device for automatic injector pen according to claim 1, characterized in that said control component (2) further comprises a spring (23), said spring (23) being disposed along the axis of the housing (1), its two ends being respectively in buttress against the rotating part (21) and the fixed part (22), serving to return to position after the pressure action.

6. Control device for automatic injector pen according to claim 4, characterized in that said locking part (212) is made of metallic material.

7. Automatic injector pen, comprising the control device for automatic injector pen according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a loading component (3) for loading the drug and a push component (4); said loading component (3) being disposed at the front end of the housing (1) and having a cavity capable of receiving the cartridge; the interior of the middle part of said housing (1) being provided with the push component (4), said push component (4) comprising a pusher mechanism (41) and a drive mechanism (42) disposed coaxially with the housing (1).

8. Automatic injection pen according to claim 7, characterized in that said pusher mechanism (41) comprises a pusher (411) and a pusher sleeve (412); one end of said pusher (411) being fixed to the actuation end of the drive mechanism (42) and threaded into the pusher sleeve (412) along the same axis, the outer wall of said pusher sleeve (412) having a flat surface in contact with the housing (1), and its end away from the drive mechanism (42) being able to butt against the cartridge piston in the loading component.

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