Injection device storage container

Abstract

The injection device storage container includes a case configured to house at least one injection device for delivering a medication; and a hanger device connected to the case and configured to hang the case from a support wall, the case including a top panel formed with an opening through which the at least one injection device can be dispensed, the opening being positioned such that the at least one injection device is dispensed in a horizontal orientation through the opening when the case is hung from the support wall.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection device storage container for storing one or more injection devices, for example in a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] Patients suffering from chronic diseases require regular treatment with medications, for example, based on a predetermined schedule. Certain medications require refrigerated storage and are often stored refrigerated in a home refrigerator, also known as a refrigerator. In a home treatment environment, patients store the medications in their own refrigerator and administer the prescribed doses as needed. Thus, medications are typically provided in secondary packaging for convenient placement and storage in the home refrigerator. However, medications must be stored with other items that require constant refrigeration, such as food and beverages.

[0003] Depending on the dosage form of the drug, the secondary packaging containing the drug may contain the primary packaged drug itself, or it may contain one or more different types of drug delivery devices, for example, the drug may be provided in a prefilled syringe or pen injector.

[0004] It is desirable to improve the storage of injection devices, for example in refrigerators. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide an injection device storage container for storing a plurality of injection devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided an injection device storage container including: a case configured to house at least one injection device for delivering a medicament; and a hanger apparatus coupled to the case and configured to hang the case from a support wall, the case including a top panel formed with an opening through which the at least one injection device can be dispensed, the opening being positioned such that when the case is hung from the support wall, the at least one injection device is dispensed through the opening in a horizontal orientation.

[0007] The opening is sized to allow only one injection device of the at least one injection device to be dispensed through the opening at a time.

[0008] The injection device housing may further include a guide arrangement disposed within the case, the guide arrangement defining a path along which the at least one injection device can be guided toward the opening.

[0009] The guide arrangement may include a conduit through which at least one injection device may travel.

[0010] The guide may include a sloped lower guide surface that slopes upwardly toward the opening in the top panel of the case.

[0011] The injection device housing may further include a propulsion mechanism configured to propel the at least one injection device housed in the case towards the opening.

[0012] The driving mechanism may include a resilient member configured to apply a force to the at least one injection device to move it towards the opening.

[0013] The injection device container may further include a restraining member disposed adjacent the opening to prevent removal of the at least one injection device through the opening.

[0014] The hanger device may include a hook configured to hook onto an upper edge of the support wall.

[0015] The injection device storage container may further include a display disposed on the hook, the display configured to display information to a user indicative of a status of the injection device storage container or a status of one or more injection devices contained within the case.

[0016] The display is configured to display at least one of the temperature of the injection device housing, the number of injection devices contained within the case, or an indication of the time until an injection is scheduled.

[0017] The injection device housing may further include a cold pack disposed within the case to regulate the internal temperature of the case.

[0018] The hanger assembly is integrally formed with the case.

[0019] The present disclosure also provides a system including an injection device housing as disclosed herein and at least one injection device housed within the injection device housing.

[0020] The at least one injection device may include a reservoir for housing the medicament.

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an injection device suitable for storage in an injection device storage container of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of the injection device of FIG. 1A with the cap removed from the housing. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an injection device housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the injection device container of FIG. 2 when mounted on the wall of a refrigerator door shelf. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a refrigerator with the injection device container of FIG. 2 mounted on the wall of the refrigerator door shelf. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the injection device container of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention provides an injection device housing configured to accommodate and house at least one injection device for delivering a medicament. The injection device is an example of a drug delivery device and may be a pen injector, an autoinjector, etc. The injection device housing is housed in a domestic refrigerator, also known as a refrigerator.

[0024] The patient may receive the injection device container empty. When the patient is provided with one or more injection devices, the injection devices are placed in the injection device container. The injection device container is placed in the refrigerator until the scheduled administration time.

[0025] The injection device storage container may be equipped with a hanger arrangement so that the patient can place the injection device storage container in various locations in the patient's refrigerator. For example, the injection device storage container is positioned for convenient access so that the patient can more easily remember to schedule an injection. Depending on the patient's needs, the storage container is located inconspicuously in the refrigerator (e.g., to keep the storage container away from children) or prominently in the refrigerator to serve as a constant reminder when the refrigerator door is opened. The injection device storage container is conveniently located in an accessible location that is not in the way of food in the refrigerator. If desired by the patient, the storage container can be moved or temporarily removed for periodic cleaning. Various storage container embodiments are described below.

[0026] The drug delivery devices described herein are configured to inject a patient with a medication. For example, delivery can be subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous. Such devices can be operated by the patient or a caregiver such as a nurse or physician, and include various types of safety syringes, pen injectors, or autoinjectors. The devices can include cartridge-based systems that require puncturing a sealed ampoule prior to use. The volume of medication delivered with these various devices can range from about 0.5 ml to about 3 ml. Still other devices include large volume devices ("LVD") or patch pumps that are configured to deliver a "large" amount of medication (typically about 2 ml to about 10 ml) upon attachment to the patient's skin for a period of time (e.g., about 5 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 60 minutes, or about 120 minutes). Still other devices may include a pre-filled syringe within the housing of the device. The syringe may be fixed within the housing or may be movable within the housing, for example, from a retracted position to an extended position for operation.

[0027] In combination with a particular drug, the presently described devices can also be customized to operate within required specifications. For example, the device is customized to inject the drug within a certain period of time (e.g., about 3 to about 20 seconds for an autoinjector, about 10 to about 60 minutes for an LVD). Other specifications include low or minimal levels of discomfort, or specific conditions related to human factors, shelf life, expiration date, biocompatibility, environmental considerations, etc. Such variables can result from a variety of factors, such as, for example, drugs in the viscosity range of about 3 cP to about 50 cP. As a result, drug delivery devices often include hollow needles ranging in size from about 25 gauge to about 31 gauge. Common sizes are 17 gauge and 29 gauge.

[0028] The delivery device described herein may also include one or more automated features. For example, one or more of the following are automated: needle-cartridge combination, needle insertion, drug injection, and needle retraction. One or more energy sources provide energy for one or more automated steps. Energy sources include, for example, mechanical, pneumatic, chemical, or electrical energy. For example, mechanical energy sources include springs, levers, elastomers, or other mechanical mechanisms for storing or releasing energy. One or more energy sources may be combined into a single device. The device may further include gears, valves, or other mechanisms that convert energy into motion of one or more parts of the device.

[0029] The one or more automated features of the autoinjector are each activated via an activation mechanism. Such activation mechanisms may include one or more of an actuator, such as a button, a lever, a needle sleeve, or other activation components. Activation of an automated feature may be a one-step or multi-step process. That is, a user may need to activate one or more activation components to trigger an automated feature. For example, in a one-step process, a user may depress a needle sleeve against the user's body to trigger an injection of a medication. Other devices may require multi-step activation of an automated feature. For example, a user may be required to depress a button to retract a needle shield to trigger an injection.

[0030] Additionally, activation of an automated function may activate one or more subsequent automated functions, thereby forming an activation sequence. For example, activation of a first automated function may activate at least two of: pairing the needle with the cartridge, inserting the needle, injecting the medication, and retracting the needle. Additionally, some devices may require a specific sequence of steps to perform one or more automated functions. Other devices may operate in a series of independent steps.

[0031] Some delivery devices can include one or more features of a safety syringe, a pen injector, or an autoinjector. For example, a delivery device can include a mechanical energy source configured to automatically inject a medication (as typically found in an autoinjector) and a dose setting mechanism (as typically found in a pen injector).

[0032] An exemplary drug delivery device 10, also known as an injection device, suitable for being housed in the injection device housing of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 1A and 1B. As previously mentioned, the device 10 is configured to inject a medicament into the body of a patient. The device 10 typically comprises a housing 11 that typically houses a cartridge or pre-filled syringe defining a reservoir that contains the medicament to be injected, and components required to facilitate one or more steps of the delivery process.

[0033] The device 10 may also include a cap 12 that may be removably attached to the housing 11. Typically, a user must remove the cap 12 from the housing 11 before the device 10 is operated.

[0034] As shown, the housing 11 is generally cylindrical and has a generally constant diameter along a longitudinal axis AA. The housing 11 has a distal region D and a proximal region P. The term "distal" refers to a location relatively closer to the injection site and the term "proximal" refers to a location relatively farther from the injection site.

[0035] The device 10 may also include a needle sleeve 19 coupled to the housing 11 to permit movement of the sleeve 19 relative to the housing 11. For example, the sleeve 19 may move in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis AA. Specifically, movement of the sleeve 19 in a proximal direction may permit the needle 17 to extend from a distal region D of the housing 11.

[0036] Insertion of needle 17 can be accomplished by a number of mechanisms. For example, needle 17 is fixedly positioned relative to housing 11 and is initially positioned within an extended needle sleeve 19. The distal end of sleeve 19 is placed against the patient's body, and proximal movement of sleeve 19 by moving housing 11 distally exposes the distal end of needle 17. Such relative movement may extend the distal end of needle 17 into the patient's body. Such insertion is referred to as "manual" insertion, since needle 17 is manually inserted by the patient manually moving housing 11 relative to sleeve 19.

[0037] Another form of insertion is "automated," whereby needle 17 moves relative to housing 11. Such insertion is triggered by movement of sleeve 19 or by another form of activation, such as, for example, button 13. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, button 13 is located at the proximal end of housing 11. However, in other embodiments, button 13 is located on a side of housing 11.

[0038] Other manual or automated functions can include drug injection or needle retraction, or both. Injection is a process in which the bung or piston 14 moves from a proximal position to a more distal position within the reservoir of the drug container 18 to force the drug from the container 18 through the needle 17. In some embodiments, the drive spring (not shown) is compressed before the device 10 is activated. The proximal end of the drive spring is fixed within the proximal region P of the housing 11, and the distal end of the drive spring is configured to apply a compressive force to the proximal surface of the piston 14. Following activation, at least a portion of the energy stored in the drive spring is applied to the proximal surface of the piston 14. This compressive force can act on the piston 14 to move it in a distal direction. Such distal movement acts to compress the liquid drug within the container 18, forcing it out of the needle 17.

[0039] After injection, needle 17 can be retracted into sleeve 19 or housing 11. Retraction occurs when sleeve 19 moves distally as the user removes device 10 from the patient's body. This is done because needle 17 remains fixedly positioned relative to housing 11. Once the distal end of sleeve 19 moves past the distal end of needle 17 and needle 17 is covered, sleeve 19 can be locked. Such locking can include locking sleeve 19 against any proximal movement relative to housing 11.

[0040] Another form of needle retraction occurs when the needle 17 moves relative to the housing 11. Such movement occurs when the cartridge 18 within the housing 11 moves proximally relative to the housing 11. This proximal movement is achieved through the use of a retraction spring (not shown) located in the distal region D. When activated, the compressed retraction spring can provide sufficient force to move the cartridge 18 proximally. After sufficient retraction, any relative movement between the needle 17 and the housing 11 is locked by a locking mechanism. Additionally, the button 13 or other parts of the device 10 can be locked as desired.

[0041] 2-5, an exemplary embodiment of an injection device housing 100 is shown. The injection device housing 100 is configured to house a plurality of injection devices, such as the injection device 10 described above in relation to Figures 1A and 1B.

[0042] 2 shows an injection device container 100 that includes a case 110. The case 110 includes a front wall 130, a rear wall 141, and two side walls 142. The case 110 further has a base 135 and a top panel 120, also known as a lid. The top panel 120 may be removable or permanently attached to the walls 130, 141, 142. The top panel 120 forms the top of the case 110.

[0043] The case 110 is configured to hold and store multiple injection devices 10. In particular, the case 110 is configured to store multiple injection devices 10, such as the injection device 10 of Figures 1A and 1B, in a horizontal orientation, meaning that when the injection device storage container 100 is hung from a refrigerator shelf wall as described below, the injection devices 10 are oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each injection device 10 is generally parallel to the base 135 and top panel 120 of the case 110.

[0044] The width of the case 110, measured between the two side walls 142, is sufficient to accommodate the length of an injection device 10, such as the injection device 10 described above in connection with Figures 1A and 1B. The width of the case may be about 150 mm to about 250 mm. The height of the case 110, measured between the base 135 and the top panel 120, is sufficient to accommodate the width of at least one injection device 10. The height of the case may be about 30 mm to about 200 mm. The depth of the case 110, measured between the front wall 131 and the rear wall 141, is sufficient to accommodate the width of at least one injection device 10. The depth of the case may be about 30 mm to about 180 mm.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the top panel 120 extends from an upper edge of the front wall 131 to an upper edge of the rear wall 141. An opening 122 is arranged in the top panel 120 of the case 110, through which the injection device 10 stored inside the case 110 is removed or otherwise dispensed. Thus, the injection device 10 is removed through the top of the case 110 in a direction substantially away from the ground when the injection device storage container 100 is suspended in a refrigerator. The opening 122 is arranged such that the injection device 10 is dispensed outside the case 110 through the opening 122 in its horizontal orientation, in other words laterally or tangentially to the top panel 120.

[0046] The injection device 10 is dispensed through the opening 122 by a user physically grasping the injection device 10 near the opening 122 and removing the injection device 10 from the container 100. In other examples, the injection device 10 is dispensed automatically by the injection device housing 100, for example by an electromechanical dispensing mechanism.

[0047] The opening 122 may have a rectangular shape. The width of the opening 122 is sufficient to accommodate the width of the injection device 10, while the length of the opening 122 is sufficient to accommodate the length of the injection device 10. The opening 122 is dimensioned such that only one injection device 10 is removed at a time. This can aid in patient compliance with the injection regimen.

[0048] The opening 122 may have a recess 123 formed in the top panel 120 to assist the user in removing the injection device 10 from the case 110. The recess 123 is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a user's finger to assist the user in gripping the injection device 10 for removal from the case 110. Two or more recesses 123 may be formed in the opening 122. For example, there may be two recesses 123, one on each opposing side of the opening 122, such that the user can place a finger in each recess 123 on either side of the injection device 10.

[0049] The case 110 may optionally have one or more restricting members 129 disposed adjacent the opening 122 to prevent removal of the injection device 10 from the injection device housing 100. The restricting members 129 prevent removal of the injection device 10 by making it more difficult to remove the injection device 10 than would be the case without the restricting members 129.

[0050] 2 shows two restricting members 129, there may be more or less restricting members 129. One or more restricting members 129 are formed as one or more protrusions extending from the top panel 120 partially across the opening 122 to prevent removal of the injection device 10 through the opening 122. The restricting member 129 may protrude, for example, 1 mm to 5 mm into the opening 122 from the edge of the opening 122.

[0051] The restraining member 129 is formed of an elastic or flexible material that can deform the restraining member 129 when a force is applied to the restraining member 129. The restraining member 129 can prevent the injection device 10 from being removed from the opening 122 of the case 110 unless a removal force greater than a threshold is applied to the restraining member 129 via the injection device 10.

[0052] The front wall 131, the rear wall 141, the two side walls 142, the base 135, and the top panel 120 are formed from an opaque material, for example an opaque plastic material. In other examples, one or more of the front wall 131, the rear wall 141, the two side walls 142, the base 135, and the top panel 120 are formed in whole or in part from a transparent material, or from a translucent or matte material, for example a transparent plastic material having a matte coating or treatment surface. A portion of the top panel 120 may be transparent to allow a user to see inside the case 110 and to identify the number of injection devices 10 contained within the case 110.

[0053] The injection device container 100 further includes a hanger apparatus 292. The hanger apparatus 292 is coupled to the case 110 and configured to hang the injection device container 100 from a supporting object, such as the wall of a refrigerator shelf.

[0054] The hanger apparatus 292 includes an extension member 293 and a hook 295. The extension member 293 is positioned away from the case 110, and in particular away from the top panel 120 of the case 110. The hook 295 is positioned at the end of the extension member 293 that is furthest from the case 110. The hook 295 is configured to fit over a support. The case 110 hangs at the bottom end of the extension member 293 just below the hook 295.

[0055] The extension member 293 may extend from the case 110 substantially flush with the front wall 130. When the hanger apparatus 292 is suspended from a support object, the extension member 293 extends upwardly.

[0056] The extension member 293 is rectangular in shape. The length of the extension member 293 measured along the top edge of the front wall 130 may be between about 50 mm and about 200 mm. The height of the extension member 293 may be between about 1 mm and about 50 mm.

[0057] The extension member 293 of the hanger device 292 is attached to the case 110 by welding or adhesive or another suitable connection means. Alternatively, the hanger device 292 and the case 110 are formed from a single piece, such as by casting or machining. For example, the hanger device 292 and at least one of the top panel 120 and the front wall 130 are integrally formed, such as through an injection molding process.

[0058] A hook 295 extends from the end of extension member 293 furthest from case 110. Hook 295 is configured to engage a supporting object, such as the wall of a refrigerator door shelf. Hook 295 is shaped to fit over a supporting object such that extension member 293 of hanger apparatus 292 hangs below a top edge of the supporting object.

[0059] With respect to extension member 293, hook 295 extends from the plane of extension member 293 in a direction away from front wall 130. That is, hook 295 is positioned away from case 110. Hanger apparatus 292 is configured to support case 110 directly below hook 295 when hook 295 is hanging from the supporting object.

[0060] The hook 295 includes a first member 295a and a second member 295b. The first member 295a extends from an end of the extension member 293. The first member 295a extends forward from the extension member 293 and perpendicular to the extension member 293. That is, the first member 295a extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the front wall 130 in a direction away from the case 110.

[0061] The second member 295b extends from the end of the first member 295a furthest from the extension member 293. The second member 295b extends perpendicular to the first member 295a. The second member 295b extends laterally from the first member 295a. That is, the second member 295b extends parallel to the extension member 293 and along an axis that is generally parallel to the front wall 130.

[0062] The length of the first member 295a may be from about 5 mm to about 20 mm when measured in a direction away from the front wall 130 of the case 110. The length of the second member 295b may be from about 15 mm to about 50 mm when measured extending from the first member 295b. The hanger device 292 is bent downward to form the hook 295. The hook 295 is formed with square corners that are bent downward as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the hook 295 may be rounded. The hanger device 292 is bent or folded to form the hook 295. Alternatively, a second piece of material may be attached at a right angle to the extension member 293 to form the first member 295a, and a third piece of material may be attached to the first member 295a to form the second member 295b.

[0063] In some examples, the extension member 293 may not be present. For example, the hook 295 is coupled to the case 110 without an extension member 293 between the case 110 and the hook 295. In such examples, the first member 295a of the hook 295 may be coupled to and extend from the front wall 130. The first member 295a extends in a forward direction from the front wall 130. That is, the first member 295a extends in a direction away from the case 110.

[0064] The case 110 of the injection device storage container 100 can be hung inside a home refrigerator by the hanger apparatus 292. In particular, the hanger apparatus 292 is hung on a door shelf of the refrigerator.

[0065] The injection device housing 100 may further include a display 161. The display 161 may be any form of display 161 suitable for conveying information to a patient, for example an electronic display such as an LCD display or one or more LEDs. The display 161 is configured to display information to a user relating to the status of the injection device housing 100 and / or the status of one or more injection devices 10 housed within the case 110. For example, the display is configured to display information representing the temperature of the injection device housing 100 or the number of injection devices 10 housed within the case 110. In other examples, the information may represent an indication of time, for example the time until an injection is scheduled or the time since the injection device was removed from the case 110.

[0066] The display 161 is located on the hook 190, specifically on a front surface 298 of the second member 295b of the hook. The front surface 290 is opposite the extension member 293 of the hook 190 and the case 110, and faces away from the front wall 130 of the case. By locating the display on the front surface 298 of the hook 190, a patient can easily see displayed information regarding the status of the injection device housing 100 and / or the injection device 10 contained therein.

[0067] 3 and 4 show the injection device storage container 100 of FIG. 2 when placed on a typical refrigerator door shelf 500 of a refrigerator 600. The typical refrigerator door shelf 500 is in the shape of a tray having a base and four vertical walls: a front wall 530, a rear wall 541, and a pair of side walls 542. The tray is attached to horizontal rails formed on the inner surface of the refrigerator door and is removed by sliding in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface of the refrigerator door.

[0068] The hook 295 is located on the front wall 530 of the tray that faces away from the inner surface of the refrigerator door when the tray is installed therein. The second member 295b of the hook is located adjacent to the front side of the front wall 530 of the refrigerator door shelf 500, while the front wall 130 of the case 110 is located adjacent to the rear side of the front wall 530 of the refrigerator door shelf 500. The injection device storage container 100 is suspended within the refrigerator door shelf 500 in a space defined by the four vertical walls and the base.

[0069] By providing a hanger apparatus 292 for hanging the injection device storage container 100 within the refrigerator door shelf 500, the injection device storage container 100 is placed in a prominent location within the refrigerator door shelf 500 while still being separated from food items. Hanging the injection device storage container 100 allows other items to be stored within the refrigerator 600 in the space created below the base 135 of the storage container 100, thereby making better use of the limited space in the refrigerator 600.

[0070] The injection device storage container 100 is placed in a conspicuous position on the refrigerator door. The injection device storage container 100 is placed away from food and the like in the refrigerator. In this position, the injection device storage container 100 is less likely to be covered or bumped.

[0071] When the injection device storage container 100 is hung on the front wall 530 of the refrigerator door shelf 500 using the hanger apparatus 292, the front wall 130, the rear wall 141, and the two side walls 142 of the injection device storage container 100 are approximately parallel to the walls of the refrigerator door shelf 500. The base 135 and the top panel 120 of the case 110 are approximately parallel to the base of the refrigerator door shelf 500. The front wall 130 faces the patient when the refrigerator door is opened. The patient can see the top panel 120 and the opening 122 of the case 110 when looking at the refrigerator door shelf 500 from above.

[0072] As can be seen from FIG. 3, the injection device storage container 100 is substantially contained within the refrigerator door shelf, reducing the visibility of the injection device storage container 100 and ensuring that the injection device storage container is out of the way within the refrigerator. However, the presence of the hanger apparatus 292 on the front wall of the refrigerator door shelf allows for easy attachment and detachment of the injection device storage container from the refrigerator door shelf. The hook 190 of the hanger apparatus 292 being visible from in front of the front wall of the refrigerator door shelf allows the patient to quickly and easily identify the location of the injection device storage container 100 within the refrigerator, which may be particularly useful when the refrigerator door shelves 500a, 500b, 500c, 500d are opaque or the injection device storage container 100 is located on one of the upper refrigerator door shelves 500a where it is otherwise difficult for the patient to see the contents.

[0073] The location of the display 161 on the hook 295 means that the display 161 is clearly visible from the outside of the refrigerator door shelf and can easily provide a patient with information regarding the status of the injection device storage container and / or the injection device 10 it contains. Thus, a user can hang the injection device storage container 100 from the top refrigerator door shelf 500a of the refrigerator 600 and still see the displayed information.

[0074] It can be seen in Figure 3 that the location of the opening 122 in the top panel 120 of the case 110 allows easy patient access to the injection devices 100 contained within the injection device storage container 100. The injection devices 10 are positioned horizontally within the injection device storage container 100 such that the longitudinal axis of each injection device 10 is parallel to the plane of the front wall 130. Storing and dispensing the injection devices 10 in a horizontal orientation allows for easy removal of the injection devices 10 by patients, for example patients with reduced dexterity.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the injection device container 100 of FIG.

[0076] The injection device guiding device 400 is disposed in the case 110. The guiding device 400 is configured to guide the injection devices 10a-10f housed in the case 110 toward the opening 122 so that they are dispensed. The guiding device 400 defines a path P along which the multiple injection devices 10a-10f are guided toward the opening 122.

[0077] The guide apparatus 400 is configured to receive each injection device 10 in the horizontal orientation described above. As can be seen in Fig. 5, the injection devices 10a-10f are positioned horizontally by the guide apparatus 400 such that the longitudinal axis of each injection device 10a-10f is generally parallel to the plane of the top panel 120 and to the front wall 130. The longitudinal axis of each injection device 10a-10f shown in Fig. 5 extends perpendicular to the page.

[0078] The guide arrangement 400 is formed as a conduit through which the injection devices 10a-10f may move towards the opening 122 while remaining in a horizontal orientation. For example, the injection devices 10a-10f may slide towards the opening 122 or may roll towards the opening 122.

[0079] 5 shows a guiding apparatus 400 including a sloped lower guiding surface 420 that slopes upward toward the opening 122 in the top panel 120 of the case 110. An injection device 10a-10f moving along a path P formed by the guiding apparatus 400 moves up the sloped lower guiding surface 420 toward the opening 122. The lower guiding surface 420 may include a sloped surface or may include one or more rails along which the injection device 10 can slide or roll.

[0080] The guiding arrangement 400 may further include an upper guiding surface 430 disposed above the lower guiding surface 420, i.e. closer to the top panel 120 of the case 110. The upper guiding surface 430 and the lower guiding surface 420 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance to form a passageway 410 along which the injection device 10a-10f is guided along the path P.

[0081] The distance between the upper guiding surface 430 and the lower guiding surface 420 may be approximately constant along the path P formed between the upper guiding surface 430 and the lower guiding surface 420 such that the path has a constant height. The distance between the upper guiding surface 430 and the lower guiding surface 420 is large enough to accommodate at least the width of the injection device 10. The distance between the upper guiding surface 430 and the lower guiding surface 420 may substantially correspond to the width of a single injection device 10 such that the injection devices 10a-10f are tightly constrained and guided by the upper guiding surface 430 and the lower guiding surface 420.

[0082] The injection device storage container 100 may have a propulsion mechanism 800 arranged in the case 110. The propulsion mechanism 800 is arranged to propel the injection device 10 towards the opening 122 so that the injection device 10 is dispensed. As described above, the opening 122 through which the injection device 10 is dispensed is formed in the upper panel 120 of the case 110. Thus, the propulsion mechanism 800 can assist in transporting the injection devices 10a-10f from within the lower part of the case 110 towards the upper part of the case 110 along the path P formed by the guiding device 400 so that the injection devices 10a-10f are dispensed from the upper part of the case 110.

[0083] 5 shows the propulsion mechanism 400 including a resilient member 810, such as a spring. One end of the resilient member 810 is coupled to the case 110, for example to the rear wall 141 of the case 110. The other end of the resilient member 810 is coupled to a contact member 820. When one or more injection devices 10a-10f are housed in the case 110, the contact member 820 is arranged to contact at least one of the injection devices 10a-10f. FIG. 5 shows the contact member 820 in contact with the rearmost injection device 10f.

[0084] In some examples, the contact member 820 is not present and the elastic member 810 directly contacts one or more injection devices 10.

[0085] The elastic member 810 exerts a force on the injection device 10f via the contact member 820, urging the injection device 10f toward the opening 122 so that the injection device 10f is dispensed. As shown in FIG. 5, when the case 110 houses multiple injection devices 10a-10f, the force applied by the elastic member 810 is applied to all of the injection devices 10a-10f, urging each of them toward the opening 122.

[0086] Alternatively, or in addition, other suitable forms of propulsion mechanism 400 may be used, such as an electro-mechanical assembly.

[0087] 5 shows a restraining member 129 disposed adjacent the opening 122 of the case 110. The restraining member 129 can counteract the force applied to the injection devices 10a-10f by the driving mechanism 800. Thus, the restraining member 129 can inhibit the injection device 10 from being fully dispensed from the opening 122 by the driving mechanism 800 without patient intervention.

[0088] FIG. 5 further illustrates the injection device housing 100 including a cold pack 700. The cold pack 700 may alternatively be known as an ice pack, although it should be noted that the term ice pack does not necessarily imply a temperature below the freezing point of water. The cold pack 700 is disposed within the case 110. The cold pack 700 regulates the temperature of the injection device housing 100 and the syringes 10a-10f held therein. The cold pack 700 may include a phase change material (PCM).

[0089] The cold pack 700 is made of a material that changes temperature slowly. When the injection device storage container 100 is placed in a closed refrigerator 600, the cold pack 700 reaches an equilibrium temperature with the interior temperature of the refrigerator 600. When the refrigerator door is opened, the immediate environment of the injection device storage container 100 may begin to increase in temperature due to exposure to the warmer air outside the refrigerator 600. However, the cold pack 700 in the case 110 resists the temperature increase and regulates and keeps cool the temperature of the interior of the case 110 and the injection devices 10a-10f held therein. The cold pack 700 may be particularly useful when the injection device storage container 100 is completely removed from the refrigerator 600, for example, when the injection device storage container 100 is portable and transported by the patient.

[0090] One or more of the front wall 131, rear wall 141, two side walls 142, base 135, and top panel 120 of the case 100 are made from a thermally insulating material, which can help protect the injection device 10 housed within the injection device housing 10 from temperature fluctuations outside the case 110. The thermally insulating material can keep the injection device 10 cooler for a longer period of time compared to the use of a non-thermally insulating material.

[0091] The relative orientations disclosed herein are interpreted from the perspective when the injection device storage container 100 is hung from a support wall of a refrigerator using the hanger apparatus 292, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. For example, when the injection device storage container 100 is hung from the front wall 530 of the refrigerator door shelf 500 using the hanger apparatus 292, the front wall 130 of the case 110 is the wall closest to the refrigerator door shelf 530, the rear wall 141 of the case 110 is the wall furthest from the front wall 530 of the refrigerator door shelf 530, the base 135 of the injection device storage container 100 forms the surface closest to the base of the refrigerator door shelf 500, and the top panel 120 forms the top surface of the case 110 that faces above the base 135 relative to the ground.

[0092] With respect to the injection device 10 described herein, the term "horizontal orientation" means an orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the injection device 10 is parallel to the ground and parallel to the base 135 of the case 110 and the refrigerator door shelf 500 when the injection device storage container 100 is suspended from the front wall 530 of the refrigerator door shelf 500.

[0093] The injector devices described herein are configured to receive either a drug cartridge or a drug pre-filled syringe, where the term "drug container" is intended to encompass both drug cartridges and pre-filled syringes.

[0094] The term "drug" or "medicament" is used herein to describe one or more pharma- ceutical active compounds. As described below, a drug or medicament may include at least one small molecule or macromolecule or combinations thereof in various types of formulations for the treatment of one or more diseases. Exemplary pharma- ceutical active compounds may include small molecules, polypeptides, peptides, and proteins (e.g., hormones, growth factors, antibodies, antibody fragments, and enzymes), carbohydrates and polysaccharides, as well as nucleic acids, double-stranded or single-stranded DNA (including naked and cDNA), RNA, antisense nucleic acids such as antisense DNA and RNA, small interfering RNA (siRNA), ribozymes, genes, and oligonucleotides. Nucleic acids may be incorporated into vectors, plasmids, or molecular delivery systems such as liposomes. Mixtures of one or more of these drugs are also contemplated.

[0095] The term "drug delivery device" is intended to encompass any type of device or system configured to administer a drug to a human or animal body. Without limitation, the drug delivery device may be an injector device (e.g., a syringe, pen injector, autoinjector, large volume device, pump, perfusion system, or other device configured for intraocular, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravascular delivery), a skin patch (e.g., osmotic, chemical, microneedle), an inhaler (e.g., nasal or pulmonary), an implant (e.g., coated stent, capsule), or a delivery system for the gastrointestinal tract. The drugs described herein may be particularly useful in an injector device that includes a needle, e.g., a small gauge needle.

[0096] The drug or agent can be contained in a primary package or "drug container" adapted for use in a drug delivery device. The drug container can be, for example, a cartridge, syringe, reservoir, or other vessel configured to provide a chamber suitable for storage (e.g., short-term or long-term storage) of one or more pharma- ceutically active compounds. For example, in some cases, the chamber can be designed to store the drug for at least one day (e.g., from one day to at least 30 days). In some cases, the chamber can be designed to store the drug for about one month to about two years. Storage can be at room temperature (e.g., about 20° C.) or at refrigerated temperatures (e.g., from about −4° C. to about 4° C.). In some cases, the drug container can be or include a dual-chamber cartridge configured to separately store two or more components of a drug formulation (e.g., a drug and a diluent, or two different types of drugs), one in each chamber. In such cases, the two chambers of the dual-chamber cartridge can be configured to allow mixing between two or more components of a drug or agent prior to and / or during administration to the human or animal body. For example, the two chambers can be configured to be in fluid communication with each other (e.g., via a conduit between the two chambers) and to allow mixing of the two components by a user, if desired, prior to administration. Alternatively or additionally, the two chambers can be configured to allow mixing upon administration of the components to the human or animal body.

[0097] The drug delivery devices and drugs according to the present invention can be used for the treatment and / or prevention of many different types of disorders. Exemplary disorders include, for example, diabetes or complications associated with diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, thromboembolic disorders, such as deep vein thromboembolism or pulmonary thromboembolism. Further exemplary disorders are acute coronary syndrome (ACS), angina, myocardial infarction, cancer, macular degeneration, inflammation, hay fever, atherosclerosis and / or rheumatoid arthritis.

[0098] Exemplary drugs for the treatment and / or prevention of diabetes or complications associated with diabetes include insulin, e.g., human insulin, or a human insulin analog or derivative, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), a GLP-1 analog or GLP-1 receptor agonist, or an analog or derivative thereof, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor, or a pharma- ceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or any mixture thereof. As used herein, the term "derivative" refers to any substance that is sufficiently structurally similar to the original substance so as to have substantially the same functionality or activity (e.g., therapeutic effect).

[0099] Exemplary insulin analogs are Gly(A21), Arg(B31), Arg(B32) human insulin (insulin glargine); Lys(B3), Glu(B29) human insulin; Lys(B28), Pro(B29) human insulin; Asp(B28) human insulin; human insulin in which the proline at position B28 is replaced by Asp, Lys, Leu, Val or Ala and Lys at position B29 may be replaced by Pro; Ala(B26) human insulin; Des(B28-B30) human insulin; Des(B27) human insulin and Des(B30) human insulin.

[0100] Exemplary insulin derivatives include, for example, B29-N-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-myristoyl human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl human insulin; B28-N-myristoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B28-N-palmitoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B30-N-myristoyl-ThrB29Lys B30 human insulin; B30-N-palmitoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B29-N-(N-palmitoyl-gamma-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(N-lithocholyl-gamma-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin and B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin. Exemplary GLP-1, GLP-1 analogs and GLP-1 receptor agonists include, for example, lixisenatide / AVE0010 / ZP10 / Lyxumia, exenatide / exendin-4 / Byetta / Bydureon / ITCA650 / AC-2993 (a 39 amino acid peptide produced by the salivary glands of the flathead monster), liraglutide / Victoza, semaglutide, taspoglutide, synclear / albiglutide, dulaglutide, rExendin-4, CJC-1134-PC, PB-1023, TTP-054, Langrena These include: cefotide / HM-11260C, CM-3, GLP-1 Erigen, ORMD-0901, NN-9924, NN-9926, NN-9927, nodexene, Viadol-GLP-1, CVX-096, ZYOG-1, ZYD-1, GSK-2374697, DA-3091, MAR-701, MAR709, ZP-2929, ZP-3022, TT-401, BHM-034, MOD-6030, CAM-2036, DA-15864, ARI-2651, ARI-2255, exenatide-XTEN and glucagon-Xten.

[0101] An exemplary oligonucleotide is, for example, the cholesterol-lowering antisense therapeutic mipomersen / quinamro for the treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia.

[0102] Exemplary DPP4 inhibitors are vidagliptin, sitagliptin, denagliptin, saxagliptin, berberine.

[0103] Exemplary hormones include pituitary or hypothalamic hormones or regulatory active peptides and their antagonists, such as gonadotropins (follitropin, lutropin, chorion gonadotropin, menotropin), somatropine (somatropin), desmopressin, terlipressin, gonadorelin, triptorelin, leuprorelin, buserelin, nafarelin, and goserelin.

[0104] Exemplary polysaccharides include glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, heparin, low molecular weight heparin or very low molecular weight heparin or derivatives thereof, or sulfated polysaccharides, such as the above-mentioned polysaccharides in polysulfated form, and / or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts.An example of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of polysulfated low molecular weight heparin is enoxaparin sodium.An example of a hyaluronic acid derivative is Hylan G-F20 / Synvisc, sodium hyaluronate.

[0105] The term "antibody" as used herein refers to an immunoglobulin molecule or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Examples of antigen-binding portions of an immunoglobulin molecule include F(ab) and F(ab')2 fragments that retain the ability to bind to an antigen. The antibody can be a polyclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a recombinant antibody, a chimeric antibody, a deimmunized or humanized antibody, a fully human antibody, a non-human (e.g., murine) antibody, or a single chain antibody. In some embodiments, the antibody has effector function and is capable of fixing complement. In some embodiments, the antibody has reduced or no binding ability to Fc receptors. For example, the antibody can be an isotype or subtype, an antibody fragment, or a mutant that does not support binding to Fc receptors, e.g., has a mutation or deletion of the Fc receptor binding region.

[0106] The term "fragment" or "antibody fragment" refers to a polypeptide (e.g., antibody heavy and / or light chain polypeptide) derived from an antibody polypeptide molecule that does not include the full-length antibody polypeptide but comprises at least a portion of the full-length antibody polypeptide that is still capable of binding to an antigen. An antibody fragment can include truncated portions of a full-length antibody polypeptide, but the term is not limited to such truncated fragments. Antibody fragments useful in the present invention include, for example, Fab fragments, F(ab')2 fragments, scFv (single-chain Fv) fragments, linear antibodies, monospecific or multispecific antibody fragments, such as bispecific, trispecific, and multispecific antibodies (e.g., diabodies, triabodies, tetrabodies), minibodies, chelating recombinant antibodies, tribodies or bibodies, intrabodies, nanobodies, small modular immunopharmaceuticals (SMIPs), binding domain immunoglobulin fusion proteins, camelized antibodies, and VHH-containing antibodies. Additional examples of antigen-binding antibody fragments are known in the art.

[0107] The term "complementarity determining region" or "CDR" refers to short polypeptide sequences in the variable regions of both heavy and light chain polypeptides that are primarily responsible for mediating specific antigen recognition. The term "framework region" refers to amino acid sequences in the variable regions of both heavy and light chain polypeptides that are not CDR sequences and are primarily responsible for maintaining the proper arrangement of the CDR sequences to allow antigen binding. Although the framework region itself typically does not directly participate in antigen binding, as is known in the art, certain residues in the framework region of a particular antibody may be directly involved in antigen binding or may affect the ability of one or more amino acids in the CDR to interact with the antigen.

[0108] Exemplary antibodies are anti-PCSK-9 mAbs (e.g., alirocumab), anti-IL-6 mAbs (e.g., sarilumab), and anti-IL-4 mAbs (e.g., dupilumab).

[0109] The compounds described herein can be used in pharmaceutical preparations that include (a) the compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and (b) pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.The compounds can also be used in pharmaceutical preparations that include one or more other active pharmaceutical ingredients, or in pharmaceutical preparations in which the compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are the only active ingredient.Thus, the pharmaceutical preparations of the present disclosure encompass any preparation made by mixing the compounds described herein with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0110] Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of any of the drugs described herein are contemplated for use in the drug delivery device. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are, for example, acid addition salts and base salts. Acid addition salts are, for example, HCl or HBr salts. Base salts are, for example, salts with a cation selected from an alkali or alkaline earth metal, for example, Na+, or K+, or Ca2+, or an ammonium ion N+(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4), where R1 to R4 are each independently: hydrogen, an optionally substituted C1-C6-alkyl group, an optionally substituted C2-C6-alkenyl group, an optionally substituted C6-C10-aryl group, or an optionally substituted C6-C10-heteroaryl group. Further examples of pharma-ceutically acceptable salts are known to those skilled in the art.

[0111] Pharmaceutically acceptable solvates are, for example, hydrates or alkanolates, such as methanolates or ethanolates.

[0112] Those skilled in the art will understand that modifications (addition and / or removal) of the various components of the materials, formulations, devices, methods, systems, and embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the full scope and spirit of the invention, which encompasses such modifications and all equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. An injection device storage container for storage in a home refrigerator comprising: a case configured to house at least one injection device for delivering a medicament; a hanger device coupled to the case and configured to suspend the case from a support wall of the refrigerator; Propulsion mechanism and Including, wherein the case includes a top panel having an opening formed therein through which the at least one injection device can be dispensed; the opening is positioned such that the at least one injection device is dispensed in a horizontal orientation through the opening when the case is suspended from the support wall; the driving mechanism is configured to drive the at least one injection device housed in the case toward the opening, wherein the driving mechanism includes an elastic member configured to apply a force to the at least one injection device to move it toward the opening; The injection device housing further includes a guide device disposed within the case, wherein the guide device defines a path along which the at least one injection device can be guided toward the opening; The injection device storage container, wherein the guide device includes a sloped lower guide surface that slopes upward toward the opening in the top panel of the case such that the at least one injection device can move up the sloped lower guide surface toward the opening.

2. The injection device storage container of claim 1, wherein the opening is dimensioned such that only one of the at least one injection device can be dispensed through the opening at a time.

3. An injection device storage container as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the guiding device includes a conduit through which the at least one injection device can move.

4. An injection device storage container as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a restraining member positioned adjacent to the opening to prevent removal of the at least one injection device from the opening.

5. An injection device storage container as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hanger device includes a hook configured to hook onto an upper edge portion of the support wall.

6. An injection device storage container as described in claim 5, further comprising a display disposed on the hook, the display configured to display information to a user indicating a status of the injection device storage container or a status of one or more injection devices contained within the case.

7. The injection device storage container of claim 6, wherein the display is configured to display at least one of the temperature of the injection device storage container, the number of injection devices contained within the case, or an indication of the time until a scheduled injection.

8. An injection device storage container described in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a cold pack disposed within the case to adjust the internal temperature of the case.

9. An injection device storage container described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hanger device is integrally formed with the case.

10. A system comprising an injection device housing according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and at least one injection device housed within the injection device housing.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one injection device includes a container for containing a medication.

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