Shock actuation retention feature for drug delivery devices - Patents.com

Abstract

The drug delivery device includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, an injection assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, the injection assembly including a needle or cannula, a drive assembly operably coupled to the injection assembly, a shield slidably coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the drive assembly, and a retention mechanism. The drive assembly is engageable to deliver a medicament through the injection assembly. The shield is positionable in an extended position in which at least the proximal end extends a distance beyond the proximal end of the housing, and a retracted position in which the proximal end of the housing projects a distance beyond the proximal end of the shield. Moving the shield to the retracted position engages the drive assembly to deliver a medicament through the injection assembly. The retention mechanism limits movement of the drive assembly to limit engagement of the drive assembly such that the drive assembly is restricted from delivering a medicament through the injection assembly.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 252,940, filed October 6, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to drug delivery devices and, more particularly, to an impact-activated retention feature for a drug delivery device. [Background technology]

[0003] Drug delivery devices, such as injectors, are used to deliver liquid medication to a patient. When actuated, the drug delivery device expels the drug stored in an internal reservoir through a needle, cannula, or other delivery member into the patient. Some drug delivery devices, such as pen-type autoinjectors, can be placed adjacent to the patient's skin to deliver the drug over a period of time via a needle or some other means. Drug delivery devices can be placed in tissue on the patient's abdomen, thigh, arm, or other part of the patient's body.

[0004] Some devices may have drawbacks. In particular, users may be afraid of exposed needles or may feel essentially unable to perform an injection. Due to the aversion to exposed needles and the health and safety issues that may be involved, various types of injectors and other devices have been developed to hide the needle from the user and automate the injection process to assist users in performing injections, ensure reliable delivery of medication, and ensure patient safety.

[0005] Typically, when injecting a drug into a patient with a hypodermic syringe, three tasks may be performed: 1) inserting the needle into the patient, 2) injecting the drug from the syringe into the patient, and 3) removing the needle after the injection is completed. Shield-activated devices generally use manual needle insertion techniques, where the user simultaneously inserts the needle and initiates administration through the action of retracting the shield relative to the rest of the device. In these devices, the needle may be inserted automatically upon manual activation of the device. Button-activated devices typically use automatic needle insertion mechanisms, where the needle is mechanically inserted and the release of the administration mechanism is automatically delayed until the correct device state is achieved. Any or all of these devices may use manual and / or automatic retraction mechanisms to retract the needle, and typically rely on a spring or other power source to generate the force required to perform this task. Sometimes users may inadvertently mishandle or drop the device prior to use. In these circumstances, if the device is dropped in a particular orientation, inertial forces may cause internal components to move relative to one another, resulting in inadvertent premature actuation of the device. Such premature actuation may result in some or all of the desired medication not actually being delivered to the user, which may be wasteful and potentially harmful to the user and / or others. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure describes a drug delivery device that embodies an advantageous alternative to existing drug delivery devices and that may address one or more of the problems or needs described herein.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a drug delivery device includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, an injection assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, the injection assembly including a needle or cannula, a drive assembly operably coupled to the injection assembly, a shield slidably coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the drive assembly, and a retention mechanism. The drive assembly is engageable to deliver a medicament through the injection assembly. The shield is positionable in an extended position in which at least the proximal end extends a distance beyond the proximal end of the housing, and in a retracted position in which the proximal end of the housing projects a distance beyond the proximal end of the shield. Moving the shield to the retracted position engages the drive assembly to deliver a medicament through the injection assembly. The retention mechanism limits movement of the drive assembly to limit engagement of the drive assembly such that the drive assembly is restricted from delivering a medicament through the injection assembly during unintended movement of the housing.

[0008] In some examples, the drive assembly can further include a trigger ring engageable by the shield. The trigger ring can be movable between an initial position and a released position. In some of these approaches, movement of the shield to the retracted position biases the trigger ring to the released position. In these and other examples, the shield can include an activator portion that engages the trigger ring.

[0009] In some approaches, the shield may include an activator portion that engages the trigger ring. Additionally, the retention mechanism may include at least one arm supported by the nut. The at least one arm may engage a portion of the trigger ring to prevent the trigger ring from moving to the released position. In some examples, the device may further include a vessel holder operably coupled to the injection assembly. The vessel holder may include an arm that engages the at least one arm during accidental or unintended movement of the device. In some examples, the vessel holder may be fixedly coupled to the housing.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the drug delivery device may include a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, an injection assembly at least partially disposed within the housing at or near the proximal end, a drive assembly at least partially disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the injection assembly, and a shield slidably coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the drive assembly. The drive assembly may include a trigger ring movable between an initial position and a released position to deliver a medicament through the injection assembly, and may further include a nut disposed at least partially around an outer periphery of the trigger ring. The shield is positionable in an extended position in which at least the proximal end of the shield extends a distance beyond the proximal end of the housing, and in a retracted position in which the proximal end of the housing projects a distance beyond the proximal end of the shield. When the shield is moved to the retracted position, a portion of the shield biases the trigger ring to the released position to deliver a medicament through the injection assembly. The vial holder, the nut and the trigger ring cooperate to form a retention mechanism to prevent the trigger ring from being actuated to deliver medication through the injection assembly.

[0011] The above needs are met, at least in part, by the provision of an impact actuation retention feature for a drug delivery device as described in the detailed description below, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary drug delivery device according to various embodiments. [Diagram 2] 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary drug delivery device of FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary rear subassembly of the exemplary drug delivery device of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to various embodiments. [Figure 3B] 1-3A , in accordance with various embodiments. [Figure 3C] 1A-3C show cross-sectional views of an exemplary front sub-assembly of the exemplary drug delivery device of FIGS. 1-3B, according to various embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary drive assembly of the exemplary drug delivery device of FIGS. 1-3C, according to various embodiments. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary drive assembly of the exemplary drug delivery device of FIGS. 1-4 in a pre-actuated state and prior to impact, according to various embodiments. [Figure 6] 6A-6C show cross-sectional views of the exemplary drive assembly of the exemplary drug delivery device of FIGS. 1-5 in a pre-actuated state and during an impact, according to various embodiments. [Figure 7] 7A-7D show cross-sectional views of the exemplary drive assembly of the exemplary drug delivery device of FIGS. 1-6 in a pre-actuation state and after an impact, according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are depicted for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and / or relative positions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are often not shown in order to not overly distract from the illustrations of these various embodiments. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that certain acts and / or steps may be described or shown in a particular order of occurrence, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that such specificity with respect to order is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meanings, as set forth above, that would be given to such terms and expressions by those skilled in the art, unless a different specific meaning is explained herein.

[0014] Generally speaking, in accordance with these various embodiments, a drug delivery device is provided that prevents premature activation of the device both during and after an accidental drop. The drug delivery device provided herein incorporates a retention mechanism that retains components used to activate the device when forces associated with a drop may occur. When a falling device comes to a halt due to contact with a surface (e.g., floor, table, etc.), the internal components typically move due to these inertial forces. However, the components of the device responsible for device activation are prevented from moving to the same extent, and the retention mechanism can use this difference in relative movement to remove kinetic energy from the device. After impact, the internal components return to their default positions and the device functions as intended.

[0015] With reference to the figure, a drug delivery device 10 is provided for delivering a drug, which may also be referred to herein as a medicament or formulation. The drug may be, but is not limited to, various biological agents, such as peptides, peptibodies, or antibodies. The drug may be a fluid or liquid, although the disclosure is not limited to a particular state. In certain liquid formulations, the drug may have a viscosity of approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-13 centipoise (cP), approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-30 cP, approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-60 cP, or other suitable viscosity profile. Other examples are possible.

[0016] Various implementations and configurations of the drug delivery device 10 are possible. For example, the present disclosure describes the drug delivery device 10 in the form of a single-use, disposable injector. In other embodiments, the drug delivery device 10 may be configured as a multiple-use, reusable injector. The drug delivery device 10 is operable for self-administration by a patient or administration by a caregiver or formally trained healthcare provider (e.g., a doctor or nurse). Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the drug delivery device 10 takes the form of an auto-injector or pen injector, and thus may be held in the hand of a user for the duration of drug delivery or administration.

[0017] The configuration of the various components included in the drug delivery device 10 may depend on the operational state of the drug delivery device 10. The drug delivery device 10 may have a pre-delivery or storage state, a delivery or administration state, and a post-delivery state, although fewer or more states are possible. The pre-delivery state may correspond to the configuration of the drug delivery device 10 after assembly and prior to actuation by a user. In some embodiments, the pre-delivery state may exist in the time between when the drug delivery device 10 leaves the manufacturing facility and when the patient or user actuates the drive assembly of the drug delivery device 10. The delivery state may correspond to the configuration of the drug delivery device 10 while drug delivery is in progress. It is understood that during the transition from the pre-delivery and delivery states, the user may remove the drug delivery device 10 from any secondary packaging and begin to position the drug delivery device 10 relative to the injection site. The post-delivery state may correspond to the configuration of the drug delivery device 10 after completion of drug delivery and / or when the stopper is placed in an end-of-dosage position in the drug reservoir. For purposes of this disclosure, only some of the pre-delivery and delivery states are described herein. This is because the braking mechanism described herein functions to maintain the drug delivery device 10 in a pre-delivery state in the event of an accidental and / or unintentional drop or contact.

[0018] The drug delivery device 10 includes an outer casing or housing 12. In some embodiments, the housing 12 may be sized and dimensioned to allow a person to grasp the injector 10 with one hand. The housing 12 may have a generally elongated shape, such as a cylindrical shape, and may extend along a longitudinal axis A between a proximal end 12a and a distal end 12b. The drug delivery device 10 further includes an injection assembly 15 and a drive assembly 30. The injection assembly 15 and the drive assembly 30 may each be at least partially disposed within the housing 12. The injection assembly 15 includes a delivery member 16 in the form of a needle or cannula. An opening 14 may be formed in the proximal end 12a to allow an insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 to extend outside of (i.e., beyond the length of) the housing 12.

[0019] A transparent or translucent inspection window 17 may be disposed in a wall of the housing 12 to allow a user to view components within the drug delivery device 10, including the drug reservoir 23 (also part of the injection assembly 15). Viewing the drug reservoir 23 through the window 17 may allow a user to verify that drug delivery is in progress and / or completed. Prior to use of the drug delivery device 10, a removable cap 18 may cover the opening 14 and, in some embodiments, may include a gripper 21a configured to aid in the removal of a sterility barrier 21 (e.g., a rigid needle shield (RNS), a flexible needle shield (FNS), etc.) mounted on the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16. The gripper 21a may include one or more inwardly projecting barbs or arms that frictionally or otherwise mechanically engage the sterility barrier 21 to withdraw the sterility barrier 21 together with the removable cap 18 when the user separates the removable cap 18 from the housing 12. Thus, removing the removable cap 18 has the effect of removing the sterility barrier 21 from the delivery member 16 .

[0020] Cap 18 is in the form of a generally hollow member that may be removably coupled to housing 12 and / or shield 32. More specifically, in the example shown in Figures 2 and 3C, a portion of cap 18 is insertable into opening 14 defined by housing 12.

[0021] The housing 12 may have a hollow generally cylindrical or tubular shape and may include a rear cover having a generally hemispherical or hollow cylindrical shape with an open end and a closed end. In some embodiments, the housing and any components contained therein may be assembled together to define various subassemblies (e.g., a rear subassembly as shown in FIG. 2A and a front subassembly as shown in FIG. 2C). In some embodiments, the rear and front subassemblies are assembled independently of one another and then combined with one another and with the drug reservoir 23 to form the fully assembled drug delivery device 10. In certain such embodiments, some or all of the assembly steps described above may be performed in different manufacturing facilities or environments. In alternative embodiments, the housing 12 may be constructed in one piece such that the housing 12 is defined by a single monolithic structure.

[0022] The drug storage container 23 is disposed within the interior space of the housing 12 and configured to contain the drug 24. The drug storage container 23 may be pre-filled, for example, by a manufacturer and shipped to a location where the drug storage container 23 is assembled with the remainder of the drug delivery device 10. The housing 12 may be pre-loaded with the drug storage container 23, for example, by a manufacturer, or alternatively, may be loaded with the drug storage container 23 by a user prior to use of the drug delivery device 10. The drug storage container 23 may include a rigid wall defining an interior bore or reservoir. The wall may be made of glass or plastic. The stopper 25 may be movably disposed within the drug storage container 23 such that the stopper 25 may be axially moved along the longitudinal axis A between the proximal and distal ends of the drug storage container 23. The stopper 25 may be made of rubber or any other suitable material. The stopper 25 may slidably and sealingly contact an inner surface of the wall of the drug storage container 23 to prevent or inhibit the drug 24 from leaking past the stopper 25 as the stopper 25 moves. The proximal movement of the stopper 25 expels the drug 24 from the reservoir of the drug storage container 23 into the delivery member 16. The distal end of the drug storage container 23 may be opened to allow the plunger 26 to extend into the drug storage container 23 and push the stopper 25 proximally. In this embodiment, the plunger 26 and the stopper 25 are initially separated from each other by a gap. Upon actuation of the drive assembly 30, the plunger 26 moves proximally to close the gap and contact the stopper 25. Subsequent proximal movement of the plunger 26 drives the stopper 25 proximally. In an alternative embodiment, the stopper 25 and the plunger 26 may be coupled to each other, for example via a threaded coupling, such that they move in unison from the start of the movement of the plunger 26. As the stopper 25 moves, it may continue to move proximally until the stopper contacts a distally facing portion of the inner surface of the wall of the drug storage container 23. This position of the stopper 25 may be referred to as the end-of-dose position and may correspond to when delivery of the medication 24 to the patient is complete or substantially complete.

[0023] The delivery member 16 is connected or operable to be connected in fluid communication to a reservoir of the drug storage container 23. The proximal end of the delivery member 16 may define an insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16. The insertion end 16a may include a sharp tip of other pointed shape that allows the insertion end 16a to pierce the skin and subcutaneous tissue of a patient during insertion of the delivery member 16. The delivery member 16 may be hollow and have an internal passageway. One or more openings may be formed in the insertion end 16a to allow the drug to flow out of the delivery member 16 and into the patient.

[0024] In this embodiment, the drug reservoir 23 is a pre-filled syringe with a fixed hollow metal needle for the delivery member 16. Here, the needle is fixed against the wall of the drug reservoir 23 and is in permanent fluid communication with the reservoir of the drug reservoir 23. In other embodiments, the drug reservoir 23 may be a needle-less cartridge and thus may not be in fluid communication with the delivery member 16 initially. In such embodiments, the drug reservoir 23 may move towards or away from the distal end of the delivery member 16 during operation of the drug delivery device 10 such that the distal end of the delivery member 16 penetrates through a septum covering the opening of the drug reservoir 23, thereby establishing fluid communication with the reservoir of the drug reservoir 23.

[0025] When the drug storage container 23 is placed in the housing 12, the drug storage container 23 may be fixed relative to the housing 12 so as not to move relative to the housing 12. In this manner, the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 may permanently extend through the opening 14 of the housing 12 before, during, and after delivery. In this embodiment, the container holder 42 fixes the position of the drug storage container 23 within the housing 12. The container holder 42 may have a hollow, generally cylindrical or tubular shape, and the drug storage container 23 may be partially or entirely disposed within the container holder 42. The proximal end of the container holder 42 may include an inwardly protruding flange 42a that abuts against the neck of the drug storage container 23, thereby preventing proximal movement of the drug storage container 23. In some, but not all, approaches, the container holder 42 may be fixedly attached to the housing 12 so as to prevent the container holder 42 from moving relative to the housing 12 during operation of the drug delivery device 10. In these and other examples, the container holder 42 may be operably attached to the housing 12 via other components, such as, for example, a nut (discussed in more detail further below). The distal end of the container holder 42 may include a housing coupling 44 and at least one arm 45. More specifically, the housing coupling 44 is in the form of a plurality of tabs or protrusions dimensioned to engage and operably couple to a portion of the housing 12. By way of example, as shown in FIG. 4, the distal end 12b of the housing 12 may include an opening 13 and a slot 13a that engages the housing coupling 44. So configured, the container holder 42 is fixedly attached to the housing 12 such that both the container holder 42 and the housing 12 may move axially in unison.

[0026] In alternative embodiments, the drug reservoir 23 may be movably coupled to the housing 12 such that the drug reservoir 23 is capable of moving relative to the housing 12 during operation of the drug delivery device 10. In certain such alternative embodiments, the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 may be retracted inside the opening 14 of the housing 12 in a pre-delivery state. Subsequently, during operation of the injection device 10, the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 may be deployed through the opening 14 of the housing 12 for insertion into a patient. This movement may be the result of the drug reservoir 23 being driven proximally relative to the housing 12 in some embodiments.

[0027] Plunger 26 may be constructed of multiple interconnected parts or may alternatively have a one-piece construction. In this embodiment, plunger 26 includes a rod 65 having a threaded outer surface 66 and a washer or disk 68 rigidly attached to the proximal end of rod 65. Disk 68 may impact and compress stopper 25 when drive assembly 30 is actuated. Thus, in some embodiments, disk 68 may have dampening properties that dampen any shock or vibration associated with an impact event.

[0028] The drug delivery device 10 may further include a guard mechanism to prevent contact with the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 when the drug delivery device 10 is not being used to administer an injection. The guard mechanism may include a shield 32 movably disposed at the proximal end 12a of the housing 12 adjacent the opening 14. The shield 32 may have a hollow, generally cylindrical or tubular shape. The shield 32 may have a distal end housed within the housing 12 and may be configured to move relative to the housing 12 between an extended position in which the proximal end of the shield 32 extends through the opening 14 in the housing 12 and a retracted position in which the proximal end of the shield 32 is fully or partially retracted into the opening 14 in the housing 12. At least in the extended position, the shield 32 may extend beyond and surround the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16. In some embodiments, the shield 32 may be moved toward the retracted position to expose the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16. Further, in some embodiments, the shield 32 may be coupled to the housing 12 and / or container holder 42, for example, via a pin and slot arrangement, such that the shield 32 can translate in a linear direction relative to the housing 12 and / or container holder 42, but is prevented from rotating relative to the housing 12 and / or container holder 42.

[0029] The proximal end of the shield 32 may include a skin-contacting portion 36 (FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 4, the distal end of the shield 32 may include an activator portion 34. In some examples, the activator portion 34 and the skin-contacting portion 36 may be integrally formed to define a single monolithic structure. At least the skin-contacting portion 36 of the shield 32 may have a hollow generally cylindrical or tubular shape and, in some embodiments, may be centered about the longitudinal axis A of the drug delivery device 10. The activator portion 34 of the shield may be a notch or recessed region, as described in more detail below.

[0030] Moving the shield 32 from the extended position to the retracted position may be accomplished by pressing the skin contacting portion 36 against the patient's skin at the injection site. In instances where the delivery member 16 protrudes from the opening 14 of the housing 12 in a pre-delivery or storage state, this movement may result in the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 being inserted into the patient's skin.

[0031] The guard mechanism may further include a guard biasing member 35. The guard biasing member 35 may bias or urge the shield 32 toward the extended position by applying a biasing force in a proximal direction to the shield 32. In some examples, the guard biasing member 35 may be in the form of a compression spring. In other examples (not illustrated), the guard biasing member 35 may be in the form of a torsion spring or other form of spring. In either case, the user may overcome this biasing force by pressing the shield 32 against the injection site. Once the injection is completed and the drug delivery device 10 is lifted from the injection site, the guard biasing member 35 may return the shield 32 to the extended position, thereby covering the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16. In some embodiments, the guard biasing member 35 may be axially disposed between and in contact with both the distally facing inner surface of the shield 32 and the proximally facing inner or outer surface of the lock 40. In embodiments in which the shield 32 is a compression spring, movement of the shield 32 in a distal direction may cause the guard bias member 35 to be compressed between the shield 32 and the lock 40. In some embodiments, the guard bias member 35 may be partially compressed before the shield 32 is retracted, thereby exerting a biasing force on both the shield 32 and the lock 40 in the pre-delivery state.

[0032] As mentioned above, the drug delivery device 10 may further include a drive assembly 30 disposed partially or completely within the housing 12. In general, the drive assembly 30 may be configured to store energy and, upon or in response to actuation of the drive assembly 30 by a user, release or output the energy to drive the injection assembly 15 (i.e., the delivery member 16, the drug reservoir 23, the stopper 25, and the plunger 26) to expel the drug 24 from the drug reservoir 23 through the delivery member 16 to the patient. In this example, the drive assembly 30 is configured to store mechanical potential energy, although alternative embodiments of the drive assembly 30 may be configured in different forms, for example, the drive assembly 30 may store electrical or chemical potential energy. Upon actuation of the drive assembly 30, the drive assembly 30 may convert the potential energy into kinetic energy for moving the plunger 26.

[0033] In general, the drive assembly 30 may include a rotary biasing member 50, a rotary biasing member housing 52, a trigger ring 54, and a mechanical linkage 58. The rotary biasing member 50 may be a torsion spring (e.g., a spiral torsion spring, a helical torsion spring, etc.) that is initially held in a biased state. In the biased state, the rotary biasing member 50 may be twisted or coiled and held in the twisted or coiled configuration by the trigger ring 54 via the mechanical linkage 58. When released, the rotary biasing member 50 attempts to return to its natural length or shape, thereby exerting a biasing force that rotates the mechanical linkage 58. The mechanical linkage 58 may thereby convert rotational motion into linear motion to drive the plunger 26 in a proximal direction. In some embodiments, the mechanical linkage 58 can convert rotational motion from the rotary biasing member 50 into linear motion to drive the plunger 26 proximally and into rotational motion of the plunger 26 about the longitudinal axis A.

[0034] Alternative embodiments may utilize a different energy source than a rotary biasing member. Certain alternative embodiments may utilize, for example, a linear biasing member (e.g., a helical compression spring, a helical extension coil spring, etc.) that outputs a force in the direction of movement of the plunger 26 when released. In addition to or instead of a biasing member, other embodiments may include any one or combination of these configurations, including an electric motor and / or solenoid coupled to the plunger 26 and a drive train or transmission; or a configuration that creates or releases a pressurized gas or fluid that propels the plunger 26, or that acts directly on the stopper 25 to move the stopper 25 through the drug reservoir 23 to expel the drug 24 therefrom. In embodiments in which the drug reservoir 23 and / or the delivery member 16 are movable relative to the housing 12, the drive assembly 30 may drive the drug reservoir 23 and / or the delivery member 16 in a proximal direction upon actuation such that the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 is inserted into the patient. Thus, in certain embodiments, the drive assembly 30 may provide the driving force necessary to both insert the delivery member 16 into the patient and expel the drug 24 from the drug reservoir 23 .

[0035] 4, the trigger ring 54 may include an arm opening 55. The arm opening 55 may be in the form of a notch or recess formed in the body of the arm opening 55. The trigger ring 54 may additionally include an activator portion 56. In the illustrated example, the activator portion 56 is in the form of a tab located at the proximal end of the trigger ring 54.

[0036] The mechanical linkage 58 may include a plunger guide 60 and a nut 62. The plunger guide 60 may have a hollow generally cylindrical or tubular shape. The distal end of the plunger 26 may be disposed within the plunger guide 60 at least in the pre-delivery state. The distal extension of the plunger guide 60 may extend through the center of the rotary biasing member 50 and may be coupled to the rotary biasing member 50 such that the plunger guide 60 rotates in concert with the rotary biasing member 50 when the rotary biasing member 50 is released. The inner surface of the plunger guide 60 is coupled to the outer surface of the plunger 26 to allow axial movement of the plunger 26 relative to the plunger guide 60 while the plunger 26 rotates in concert with the plunger guide 60 when the rotary biasing member 50 is released. The connection between the plunger guide 60 and the plunger 26 may be achieved, for example, via a spline arrangement, in which a longitudinal protrusion on one of the inner surface of the plunger guide 60 or the outer surface of the plunger 26 is slidably received in a longitudinal slot on the other of the outer surface of the plunger 26 or the inner surface of the plunger guide 60.

[0037] The nut 62 may have a generally annular shape and may be disposed around the proximal end of the plunger 26 in a pre-delivery state. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the nut 62 may at least partially surround a portion of the trigger ring 54. The nut 62 may be fixedly mounted such that the nut 62 is immovable relative to the housing 12. Furthermore, the nut 62 may have a threaded inner surface 64 that engages with a threaded outer surface 66 of the plunger 26. As a result of this threaded engagement, rotation of the plunger 26 relative to the nut 62 may linearly drive the plunger 26 in a proximal direction. This thus causes the plunger 26 to act proximally against the stopper and expel the drug 24 from the reservoir 23 into the patient via the inserted delivery member 16. The nut 62 may further include at least one arm 63 extending distally from the nut 62. In some examples, the at least one arm 63 may be in the form of a peak force arm that may generate a force peak during intended actuation. At least one arm 63 may include a finger 63a at its distal end that is disposed adjacent arm opening 55 of trigger ring 54 in the pre-actuated state. In some examples, at least one arm 63 may be constructed from a resilient and / or flexible material that is biased into a position out of engagement with or contact with a portion of trigger ring 54. Additionally, in some examples, arm 45 of container holder 42 is disposed adjacent at least one arm 63 in the pre-actuated state, as shown in FIG.

[0038] The shield 32 may be configured to interact with the drive assembly 30 when the shield 32 moves from the extended position to the retracted position. This interaction may actuate the drive assembly 30 to output the energy required to drive the plunger 26 to expel the drug 24 from the drug reservoir 23 and / or insert the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 into the patient's skin. In this embodiment, the movement of the shield 32 from the extended position to the retracted position releases the rotary biasing member 50 from the biased state, thereby allowing the rotary biasing member 50 to de-energize and drive the plunger 26 via the mechanical linkage 58 to expel the drug 24 from the drug reservoir 23. More specifically, in the pre-delivery state, the trigger ring 54 may be disposed in an initial position in locking engagement with the outer surface of the plunger guide 60, thereby preventing the plunger guide 60 from rotating under the biasing force of the rotary biasing member 50. As a result, the rotary biasing member 50 is prevented from de-energizing. As the shield 32 moves from the extended position to the retracted position as a result of being pressed against the patient's skin, the activator portion 34 of the shield 32 engages the activator portion 56 of the trigger ring 54 to urge the trigger ring 54 distally to a released position in which the trigger ring 54 is separated from the plunger guide 60. More specifically, in these and other examples, the concave activator portion 34 of the trigger ring can at least partially surround the tab-like activator portion 56 to form a tight-fitting connection therebetween. As a result, the plunger guide 60 can rotate under the biasing force of the rotary biasing member 50 to drive the plunger 26 proximally via the threaded connection between the plunger 26 and the nut 62.

[0039] The rotary biasing member housing 52 may be disposed within and rigidly attached to the housing 12. The rotary biasing member housing 52 may have a hollow generally cylindrical or tubular shape and may fully or partially house the rotary biasing member 50 such that the rotary biasing member housing 52 surrounds or partially surrounds the rotary biasing member 50. The rotary biasing member housing 52 may act as a support or seat for pushing the rotary biasing member 50 out when released.

[0040] Having described the general configuration and operation of the drug delivery device 10, it will be understood that axial movement of the shield 32 toward the distal end 12b of the housing 12 serves to actuate the drive assembly 30 to deliver the drug 24 via the injection assembly 15. However, at some point during the pre-actuated state, the user may inadvertently drop or poke the drug delivery device 10 such that the housing and / or shield are urged toward the distal end 12b of the housing 12. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the pre-actuated state, the finger 63a of the at least one arm 63 of the nut 62 is positioned adjacent the arm opening 55 of the trigger ring 54, while the arm 45 of the container holder 42 is positioned adjacent the at least one arm 63 of the nut 62. To prepare for drug administration, the user may pull the cap 18 in the proximal direction 12a away from the device 10 to expose the skin-contacting portion 36 of the shield 32 for engagement with the patient's skin.

[0041] The vial holder 42, nut 62 and trigger ring 54 cooperate to form a retention mechanism that prevents actuation of the drive assembly 30 before the user decides to proceed with drug administration (i.e., either before or after removing the cap 18). More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 5-7, in the event of an accidental dropping and / or poking of the device 10, inertial and / or contact forces may cause the housing (and thus the vial holder 42 coupled thereto) to move axially toward the distal end 12b of the housing 12. As shown in FIG. 6, at the point where such movement occurs, the arms 45 of the vial holder slidably engage or otherwise urge at least one arm 63 of the nut 62 radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis A, which in turn urges the at least one arm radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis A. This relative movement causes the finger 63a of at least one arm 63 to engage and at least partially insert into an arm opening 55 formed on the trigger ring 54, such that the nut 62 and container holder 42 limit or prevent the trigger ring 54 from advancing axially further toward the distal end 12b of the housing.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, after a period of time, the internal components stop moving relative to each other and return to their default positions, and the arms 45 of the container holder, together with at least one arm 63, disengage from the opening 55 formed in the trigger ring 54, thereby allowing the device 10 to be used as desired (i.e., left in the pre-actuation state and / or moved to the delivery or administration state by removing the cap 18). The user can then pull and remove the removable cap 18 from the front housing 12, thereby exposing the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16. Nevertheless, at this stage, the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 remains surrounded by the shield 32. The user can place the skin contacting portion 36 of the shield 32 over the desired injection site and then press the skin contacting portion 36 against the injection site. The force applied by the user overcomes the biasing force of the guard biasing member 35, thereby causing the shield 32 to move distally from the extended position to the retracted position and retract into the opening 14. Notably, when device 10 is used as intended, housing 12 and container holder 42 do not engage the nut, thus permitting movement of shield 32 to bias trigger ring 54. Delivery member 16 remains stationary relative to housing 12 during retracting movement of shield 32.

[0043] Retraction of the shield 32 may result in any number of actions. Because the delivery member 16 remains fixed relative to the housing 12 during retraction of the shield 32, the insertion end 16a of the delivery member 16 protrudes through an opening in the skin contacting portion 36 of the shield 32, thereby piercing the patient's skin at the injection site and penetrating into the patient's subcutaneous tissue. As previously described, retraction of the shield 32 actuates the drive assembly 30. More specifically, retraction of the shield 32 may engage the activator portion 34 with the arm opening 55 of the trigger ring 54, moving the trigger ring 54 distally to a release position, where the trigger ring 54 disengages from the plunger guide 60, thereby actuating the drive assembly 30 to deliver the medication 24 via the injection assembly 15.

[0044] So configured, the retention mechanism functions to prevent accidental actuation of the device if it is dropped. The arms 45 of the container holder bias at least one arm 63 of the nut 62 inwardly to clamp onto the trigger ring 54 if the container holder 42 is moved too far distally into the device 10. Such a retention mechanism removes energy from the device, allowing it to return to its default pre-actuated state.

[0045] The above description describes various devices, assemblies, components, subsystems, and methods for use in connection with drug delivery devices. The devices, assemblies, components, subsystems, methods, or drug delivery devices may further include or be used with drugs, including, but not limited to, the drugs identified below and their generic and biosimilar equivalents. As used herein, the term drug may be used interchangeably with other similar terms and may be used to refer to any type of drug or therapeutic material, including traditional and non-traditional drugs, nutraceuticals, supplements, biologics, biologically active agents and compositions, large molecules, biosimilars, biological equivalents, therapeutic antibodies, polypeptides, proteins, small molecules, and generic drugs. Non-therapeutic injectable materials are also included. Drugs may be in liquid form, lyophilized form, or reconstituted from lyophilized form. The following list of exemplary drugs should not be considered exhaustive or limiting.

[0046] The drug is contained within a reservoir. In some cases, the reservoir is a primary container into which the drug is either filled or prefilled for treatment. The primary container may be a vial, cartridge, or prefilled syringe.

[0047] In some embodiments, the reservoir of the drug delivery device may be loaded with or used with colony stimulating factors such as granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Such G-CSF formulations include, but are not limited to, Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim, PEGylated filgrastim, PEGylated G-CSF, PEGylated hu-Met-G-CSF) and Neupogen® (filgrastim, G-CSF, hu-MetG-CSF), UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv), Ziextenzo® (LA-EP2006; pegfilgrastim-bmez) or FULPHILA (pegfilgrastim-bmez).

[0048] In other embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with an erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA), which may be in liquid or lyophilized form. An ESA is any molecule that stimulates erythropoietin. In some embodiments, an ESA is an erythropoietin stimulating protein. As used herein, "erythropoietin stimulating protein" refers to any protein that directly or indirectly causes activation of the erythropoietin receptor, for example, by binding to the receptor and causing receptor dimerization. Erythropoietin stimulating proteins include erythropoietin and its variants, analogs or derivatives that bind to and activate the erythropoietin receptor; antibodies that bind to and activate the erythropoietin receptor; or peptides that bind to and activate the erythropoietin receptor. Erythropoietin stimulating proteins include Epogen® (epoetin alfa), Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa), Dynepo® (epoetin delta), Mircera® (methoxypolyethylene glycol-epoetin beta), Hematide®, MRK-2578, INS-22, Retacrit® (epoetin zeta), Neorecormon® (epoetin beta), Silapo® (epoetin zeta), Binocrit® (epoetin alfa), Epoetin alfa Hexal, Abseamed® (epoetin alfa), Ratioepo® (epoetin theta), Eporatio® (epoetin theta), Biopoin® (epoetin theta), epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, epoetin iota, epoetin omega, epoetin delta, epoetin zeta, epoetin theta and epoetin delta, PEGylated erythropoietin, carbamylated erythropoietin, and molecules or variants or analogs thereof.

[0049] Among certain exemplary proteins are the specific proteins described below, including fusions, fragments, analogs, variants or derivatives thereof: OPGL-specific antibodies (also referred to as RANKL-specific antibodies, peptibodies, etc.), peptibodies, related proteins, etc., including fully humanized and human OPGL-specific antibodies, particularly fully humanized monoclonal antibodies; myostatin-binding proteins, peptibodies, related proteins, etc., including myostatin-specific peptibodies; and in particular, binding to the receptors for IL-4 and / or IL-13. interleukin 1-receptor 1 ("IL1-R1") specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, etc.; Ang2 specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, etc.; NGF specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, etc.; CD22 specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, etc., particularly dimers of human-mouse monoclonal hLL2 gamma chain disulfide bound to human-mouse monoclonal hLL2 kappa chain, e.g. Human CD22-specific antibodies, including but not limited to, humanized and fully human antibodies, including but not limited to, humanized and fully human monoclonal antibodies, particularly including but not limited to, human CD22-specific IgG antibodies, such as the human CD22-specific fully humanized antibody of epratuzumab (CAS Registry Number 501423-23-0); IGF-1 receptor-specific antibodies, peptibodies and related proteins, including but not limited to, anti-IGF-1R antibodies; B7RP-specific fully human monoclonal IgG2 antibodies B-7 related protein 1 specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins and the like (also referred to as "B7RP-1" and B7H2, ICOSL, B7h and CD275), including but not limited to fully human IgG2 monoclonal antibodies that bind to an epitope in the first immunoglobulin-like domain of B7RP-1, which inhibit the interaction of B7RP-1 with its natural receptor, ICOS, on activated T cells; IL-15 specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins and the like, particularly humanized monoclonal antibodies, including but not limited to HuMax IL-15 antibodies and related proteins, e.g., 145c7;IFN gamma specific antibodies, including but not limited to, human IFN gamma specific antibodies, including but not limited to, fully human anti-IFN gamma antibodies; TALL-1 specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, etc., as well as other TALL specific binding proteins; parathyroid hormone ("PTH") specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, etc.; thrombopoietin receptor ("TPO-R") specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, etc.; fully human monoclonal antibodies that neutralize hepatocyte growth factor / scatter factor (HGF / SF) hepatocyte growth factor ("HGF") specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like, including those targeting the HGF / SF:cMet axis (HGF / SF:c-Met), such as hepatocyte growth factor ("HGF") specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like; TRAIL-R2 specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like; Activin A specific antibodies, peptibodies, proteins, and the like; TGF-beta specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like; Amyloid-beta protein specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like; and proteins that bind to c-Kit and / or other stem cell factor receptors. c-Kit specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, etc., including, but not limited to, proteins that bind OX40L and / or other ligands of the OX40 receptor; Activase® (alteplase, tPA); Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa), erythropoietin [30-asparagine, 32-threonine, 87-valine, 88-asparagine, 90-threonine], darbepoetin alfa, a new erythropoiesis-stimulating tachyarrhythmogenase (TATA), a stimulatory agent for the treatment of erythropoietin-related disorders, including, but not limited to, erythropoietin-specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, etc., that do not bind OX40L and / or other ligands of the OX40 receptor; protein (NESP); Epogen® (epoetin alfa or erythropoietin); GLP-1, Avonex® (interferon beta-1a); Bexxar® (tositumomab, an anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody); Betaseron® (interferon-beta); Campath® (alemtuzumab, an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody); Dynepo® (epoetin delta); Velcade® (bortezomib); MLN0002 (anti-α4β7 mAb); MLN1202 (anti-CCR2 chemokine receptor mAb);Enbrel® (etanercept, TNF receptor / Fc fusion protein, TNF blocker); Eprex® (epoetin alfa); Erbitux® (cetuximab, anti-EGFR / HER1 / c-ErbB-1); Genotropin® (somatropin, human growth hormone); Herceptin® (trastuzumab, anti-HER2 / neu(erbB2) receptor mAb); Kanjinti™ (trastuzumab-anns) anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, a biosimilar of Herceptin® or another product containing trastuzumab for the treatment of breast or gastric cancer; Humatrope® (somatropin, human growth hormone); Humira® (adalimumab); Vectibix (registered ® (panitumumab), Xgeva® (denosumab), Prolia® (denosumab), immunoglobulin G2 human monoclonal antibody against RANK ligand, Enbrel® (etanercept, TNF receptor / Fc fusion protein, TNF blocker), Nplate® (romiplostim), rilotumumab, ganitumab, conatumumab, brodalumab, insulin in solution; Infergen® (interferon alfacon-1); Natrecor® (nesiritide; recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (hBNP); Kineret® (anakinra); Leukine® (sargamostim, rhuGM-CSF); LymphoCide® (epratuzumab, anti-CD22 mAb); Benlysta™ (lymphostat B, belimumab, anti-BlyS mAb); Metalyse® (tenecteplase, t-PA analog); Mircera® (methoxypolyethylene glycol-epoetin beta); Mylotarg® (gemtuzumab ozogamicin); Raptiva® (efalizumab); Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol, CDP 870); Soliris™ (eculizumab); pexelizumab (anti-complement C5); Numax® (MEDI-524); Lucentis® (ranibizumab);Panorex® (17-1A, edrecolomab); Trabio® (lerdelimumab); TheraCim hR3 (nimotuzumab); Omnitarg (pertuzumab, 2C4); Osidem® (IDM-1); OvaRex® (B43.13); Nuvion® (vigilizumab); cantuzumab mertansine (huC242-DM1); NeoRecormon® (epoetin beta); Neumega® (oprelvekin, human interleukin-11); Orthoclone OKT3® (muromonab-CD3, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody); Procrit® (epoetin alpha); Remicade® (infliximab, anti-TNFα monoclonal antibody); Reopro® (abciximab, anti-GP lIb / Ilia receptor monoclonal antibody; Actemra® (anti-IL6 receptor mAb); Avastin® (bevacizumab), HuMax-CD4 (zanolimumab); Mvasi™ (bevacizumab-awwb); Rituxan® (rituximab, anti-CD20 mAb);Tarceva® (erlotinib);Roferon-A®-(interferon alpha-2a);Simulect® (basiliximab);Prexige® (lumiracoxib);Synagis® (palivizumab);145c7-CHO (anti-IL15 antibody, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,507);Tysabri® (natalizumab, anti-α4 integrin mAb);Valortim® (MDX-1303, anti-B. anthracis protective antigen mAb);ABthrax®;Xolair® (omalizumab);ETI211 (anti-MRSA mAb);IL-1 trap (Fc portion of human IgG1 and extracellular domain of both IL-1 receptor components (type I receptor and receptor accessory protein));VEGF trap (IgG1 Ig domain of VEGFR1 fused to Fc; Zenapax® (daclizumab); Zenapax® (daclizumab, an anti-IL-2Rα mAb);Zevalin® (ibritumomab tiuxetan); Zetia® (ezetimibe); Orencia® (atacicept, TACI-Ig); anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody (galiximab); anti-CD23 mAb (lumiliximab); BR2-Fc (huBR3 / huFc fusion protein, soluble BAFF antagonist); CNTO 148 (golimumab, anti-TNFα mAb); HGS-ETR1 (mapatuzumab; human anti-TRAIL receptor-1 mAb); HuMax-CD20 (ocrelizumab, anti-CD20 human mAb); HuMax-EGFR (zalutumumab); M200 (volociximab, anti-α5β1 integrin mAb); MDX-010 (ipilimumab, anti-CTLA-4 mAb and VEGFR-1 (IMC-18F1); anti-BR3 mAbs; anti-C. difficile toxin A and toxin BC mAbs MDX-066 (CDA-1) and MDX-1388; anti-CD22 dsFv-PE38 conjugates (CAT-3888 and CAT-8015); anti-CD25 mAb (HuMax-TAC); anti-CD3 mAb (NI-0401); adecatumumab; anti-CD30 mAb (MDX-060); MDX-1333 (anti-IFNAR); anti-CD38 mAb (HuMax CD38); anti-CD40L mAb; anti-Cripto mAb; anti-CTGF idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis stage 1 fibrogen (FG-3019); anti-CTLA4 mAb; anti-eotaxin 1 mAb (CAT-213); anti-FGF8 mAb; anti-ganglioside GD2 mAb;Anti-ganglioside GM2 mAb;Anti-GDF-8 human mAb (MYO-029);Anti-GM-CSF receptor mAb (CAM-3001);Anti-HepC mAb (HuMax HepC);Anti-IFNα mAb (MEDI-545, MDX-198);Anti-IGF1R mAb;Anti-IGF-1R mAb (HuMax-Inflam);Anti-IL12 mAb (ABT-874); anti-IL12 / IL23 mAb (CNTO 1275); anti-IL13 mAb (CAT-354); anti-IL2Ra mAb (HuMax-TAC); anti-IL5 receptor mAb; anti-integrin receptor mAb (MDX-018, CNTO 95);Anti-IP10 ulcerative colitis mAb (MDX-1100);BMS-66513;Anti-mannose receptor / hCGβ mAb (MDX-1307); anti-mesothelin dsFv-PE38 conjugate (CAT-5001); anti-PD1 mAb (MDX-1106 (ONO-4538)); anti-PDGFRα antibody (IMC-3G3); anti-TGFβ mAb (GC-1008); anti-TRAIL receptor-2 human mAb (HGS-ETR2); anti-TWEAK mAb; anti-VEGFR / Flt-1 mAb; ; and anti-ZP3 mAb (HuMax-ZP3).

[0050] In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with sclerostin antibodies, including but not limited to romosozumab, brosozumab, BPS 804 (Novartis), Evenity™ (romosozumab-aqqg), another product containing romosozumab for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and / or fracture healing, and in other embodiments, monoclonal antibodies (IgG) that bind to human proprotein convertase subtilisin / kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Such PCSK9-specific antibodies include, but are not limited to, Repatha® (evolocumab) and Praluent® (alirocumab). In other embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with rilotumumab, bixalomer, trebananib, ganitumab, conatumumab, motesanib niphosphate, brodalumab, vidupiprant, or panitumumab. In some embodiments, the reservoir of the drug delivery device may be loaded with or used with IMLYGIC® (talimogene laherparepvec) or another oncolytic HSV for the treatment of melanoma or other cancers, including but not limited to OncoVEXGALV / CD; OrienX010; G207, 1716; NV1020; NV12023; NV1034; and NV1042. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with an endogenous tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP), including but not limited to TIMP-3. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with Aimovig® (erenumab-aooe), anti-human CGRP-R (calcitonin gene-related peptide type 1 receptor), or another product containing erenumab for the treatment of migraine headaches. Antagonistic antibodies to the human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor, including but not limited to erenumab and bispecific antibody molecules targeting the human CGRP receptor and other headache targets, may also be delivered using the drug delivery devices of the present disclosure.In addition, bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®) molecules, including but not limited to BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab), may be used in or with the drug delivery device of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with an APJ large molecule agonist, including but not limited to apelin or an analog thereof. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) or a TSLP receptor antibody is used in or with the drug delivery device of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with Avsola™ (infliximab-axxq), an anti-TNFα monoclonal antibody, a biosimilar of Remicade® (infliximab) (Janssen Biotech, Inc.) or another product containing infliximab for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used in conjunction with Kyprolis® (carfilzomib), (2S)-N-((S)-1-((S)-4-methyl-1-((R)-2-methyloxiran-2-yl)-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)-2-phenylethyl)-2-((S)-2-(2-morpholinoacetamido)-4-phenylbutanamido)-4-methylpentanamide, or another product containing carfilzomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used in conjunction with Otezla® (apremilast), N-[2-[(1S)-1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-1H-isoindol-4-yl]acetamide, or another product containing apremilast for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with Parsabiv™ (etelcalcetide HCl, KAI-4169) or another product containing etelcalcetide HCl for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT), such as in patients with chronic kidney disease (KD) undergoing hemodialysis. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with ABP 798 (rituximab), a biosimilar candidate of Rituxan® / MabThera™, or another product containing an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with a VEGF antagonist, such as a non-antibody VEGF antagonist, and / or a VEGF trap, such as aflibercept (Ig domain 2 from VEGFR1 and Ig domain 3 from VEGFR2 fused to the Fc domain of IgG1). In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with ABP 959 (eculizumab), a biosimilar candidate of Soliris®, or another product containing a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to complement protein C5. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with rogivafusp alfa (formerly AMG 570), a novel bispecific antibody-peptide conjugate that simultaneously blocks ICOSL and BAFF activity. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with omecamtiv mecarbil, a small molecule selective cardiac myosin activator or myotrope that directly targets the contractile mechanism of the heart, or another product containing a small molecule selective cardiac myosin activator. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with sotorasibe (formerly known as AMG 510), a KRASG12C small molecule inhibitor, or another product containing a KRASG12C small molecule inhibitor. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used in conjunction with tezepelumab, a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the action of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), or another product containing a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the action of TSLP.In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 714, a human monoclonal antibody that binds interleukin-15 (IL-15), or another product that contains a human monoclonal antibody that binds interleukin-15 (IL-15). In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 890, a small interfering RNA (siRNA) that reduces lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a), or another product that contains a small interfering RNA (siRNA) that reduces lipoprotein(a). In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with ABP 654 (human IgG1 kappa antibody), a biosimilar candidate for Stelara®, or another product that contains a human IgG1 kappa antibody and / or binds to the p40 subunit of the human cytokines interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product including Amjevita™ or Amgevita™ (formerly ABP501) (monoclonal antibody anti-TNF human IgG1), a biosimilar candidate of Humira® or human monoclonal antibody anti-TNF human IgG1. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product containing AMG 160 or a half-life extended (HLE) anti-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) x anti-CD3 BiTE® (bispecific T cell engager) construct. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product containing AMG 119 or a delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) CAR T (chimeric antigen receptor T cell) cell therapy. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product containing AMG 119 or a delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) CAR T (chimeric antigen receptor T cell) cell therapy. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used in conjunction with AMG 133 or another product containing a gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) antagonist and a GLP-1R agonist.In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product containing AMG 171 or a growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) analog. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product containing AMG 176 or a small molecule inhibitor of myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL-1). In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product containing AMG 199 or a half-life extended (HLE) bispecific T cell engager construct (BiTE®). In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product containing AMG 256 or an anti-PD-1 x IL21 mutein and / or an IL-21 receptor agonist designed to selectively activate the interleukin 21 (IL-21) pathway in programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) positive cells. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 330 or another product containing an anti-CD33 x anti-CD3 BiTE® (bispecific T cell engager) construct. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 404 or another product containing a human anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody being investigated as a treatment for patients with solid tumors. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 427 or another product containing a half-life extended (HLE) anti-fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) x anti-CD3 BiTE® (bispecific T cell engager) construct. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 430 or another product containing an anti-Jagged-1 monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used in conjunction with AMG 506 or another product containing the multispecific FAPx4-1BB targeted DARPin® biologic that is being investigated as a treatment for solid tumors.In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 509 or another product containing a bivalent T cell engager and designed using XmAb® 2+1 technology. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 562 or another product containing a half-life extended (HLE) CD19×CD3 BiTE® (bispecific T cell engager) construct. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with efavalukin alfa (formerly AMG 592) or another product containing an IL-2 mutein Fc fusion protein. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 596 or CD3×Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor v. III (EGFRvIII) BiTE® (bispecific T cell engager) molecule. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product containing AMG 673 or a half-life extended (HLE) anti-CD33 x anti-CD3 BiTE® (bispecific T cell engager) construct. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with another product containing AMG 701 or a half-life extended (HLE) anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) x anti-CD3 BiTE® (bispecific T cell engager) construct. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may contain or be used with AMG 757 or a half-life extended (HLE) anti-delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) x anti-CD3 BiTE® (bispecific T cell engager) construct. In some embodiments, the drug delivery device may house or be used in conjunction with AMG 910 or another product containing the half-life extended (HLE) epithelial cell tight junction component protein claudin 18.2 x CD3 BiTE® (bispecific T cell engager) construct.

[0051] Although the drug delivery devices, assemblies, components, subsystems and methods have been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, they are not limited to the exemplary embodiments. The detailed description should be interpreted as merely an example and does not describe all possible embodiments of the present disclosure. Various alternative embodiments can be implemented using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, but such embodiments still fall within the scope of the claims that define the invention disclosed herein.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, alterations and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention disclosed herein, and that such modifications, alterations and combinations are to be construed as falling within the scope of the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A drug delivery device comprising: a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the housing; an injection assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, the injection assembly including a needle or cannula; a drive assembly disposed at least partially within the housing and operably coupled to the injection assembly, the drive assembly engageable to deliver a medicament through the injection assembly; a shield slidably coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the drive assembly, the shield being positionable between an extended position in which at least a proximal end of the shield extends a distance beyond the proximal end of the housing and a retracted position in which the proximal end of the housing projects a distance beyond the proximal end of the shield, wherein moving the shield to the retracted position engages the drive assembly to deliver the medicament through the injection assembly; and a retention mechanism adapted to limit movement of the drive assembly and to limit engagement of the drive assembly such that the drive assembly is restricted from delivering the medicament through the injection assembly during unintended movement of the housing; 1. A drug delivery device comprising:

2. The drug delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly includes a trigger ring engageable by the shield, the trigger ring being movable between an initial position and a released position.

3. The drug delivery device of claim 2 , wherein movement of the shield to the retracted position biases the trigger ring to the released position.

4. The drug delivery device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the shield includes an activator portion adapted to engage the trigger ring.

5. 4. The drug delivery device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the retaining mechanism includes at least one arm supported by a nut, the arm adapted to engage a portion of the trigger ring to prevent the trigger ring from moving to the release position.

6. 6. The drug delivery device of claim 5, further comprising a container holder operably coupled to the injection assembly, the container holder including an arm adapted to engage the arm during accidental movement of the device.

7. 1. A drug delivery device comprising: a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the housing; an injection assembly disposed within the housing at least partially at or near the proximal end of the housing, the injection assembly including a needle or cannula, a drug reservoir, and a reservoir holder adapted to at least partially surround the drug reservoir; a drive assembly at least partially disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the injection assembly, the drive assembly including a trigger ring movable between an initial position and a released position to deliver medicament through the injection assembly, and a nut at least partially disposed around an outer periphery of the trigger ring; a shield slidably coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the drive assembly, the shield being positionable between an extended position in which at least a proximal end of the shield extends a distance beyond the proximal end of the housing and a retracted position in which the proximal end of the housing projects a distance beyond the proximal end of the shield, wherein when the shield is moved to the retracted position, a portion of the shield biases the trigger ring to the released position to deliver the medicament via the injection assembly; wherein the container holder, the nut, and the trigger ring cooperate to form a retention mechanism to prevent the trigger ring from being actuated and delivering the medication through the injection assembly during unintended movement of the housing.

8. The holding mechanism includes: at least one arm formed on a portion of the nut; an arm opening formed on the trigger ring adapted to receive at least a portion of the at least one arm; a container arm formed on a portion of the container holder; 8. The drug delivery device of claim 7, wherein during unintended movement of the device, the container arms are adapted to engage the at least one arm such that at least a portion of the at least one arm enters the arm opening of the trigger ring to prevent the trigger ring from moving to the released position.

9. 9. The drug delivery device of claim 8, wherein the at least one arm is movable between an initial state and an engaged state, and in the engaged state, at least a portion of the at least one arm moves radially inward toward the longitudinal axis.

10. 10. The drug delivery device of claim 9, wherein during unintentional movement of the device, the container arm slidably engages the at least one arm to urge the at least one arm toward the longitudinal axis and into the arm opening of the trigger ring.

11. 11. The drug delivery device of claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one arm is biased towards the initial state.

12. 12. The drug delivery device of claim 11, wherein when the at least one arm is in the initial state, the at least one arm is removed from the arm opening of the trigger ring so that the trigger ring can be moved to the release position.

13. A drug delivery device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the nut is adapted to guide movement of the drive assembly during delivery of a medicament.

14. The drug delivery device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the shield includes an activator portion adapted to engage the trigger ring.

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