Method for assembling a drug container carrier of a drug delivery device and a drug container assembly of a drug delivery device

Abstract

A drug container carrier for a drug delivery device, the drug container carrier comprising: a tubular body for receiving a drug container, the tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal open end and a distal open end, the tubular body comprising a fastener; and a proximal cap comprising a tubular cap body extending along the longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein a slot extends on the tubular cap body from the proximal end to the distal end, the tubular cap body comprising a protrusion extending from an inner surface of the tubular cap body, the protrusion being radial to the longitudinal axis, the protrusion being configured to support a shoulder of a drug container of the drug delivery device, the proximal cap comprising a counterfastener offset relative to the protrusion in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the proximal cap being attached to the proximal end of the tubular body by engagement between the fastener and the counterfastener.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a drug container carrier for a drug delivery device and a method of assembling a drug container assembly of a drug delivery device, and more particularly to a drug container carrier having a proximal cap.

Background Art

[0002] Drug delivery devices are often used to self-administer drugs by piercing the patient's skin or to deliver drugs via a needle. This process is preferably carried out quickly, but the drive mechanism needs to apply a significant force to the drug container. However, the drug container can be fragile, and there is a significant risk of damaging the fragile drug container when the force of the drive mechanism is applied.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] For this reason, a solution that supports the drug container using a drug container carrier that prevents the drug container from being damaged when receiving force from the drive mechanism is highly evaluated. Therefore, a strong drug container assembly including a drug container carrier is useful.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The present invention is defined by the appended claims, to which reference is now made.

[0005] In the present disclosure, when the term "distal direction" is used, this refers to the direction away from the dosage delivery site during use of the drug delivery device. When the term "distal portion / end" is used, this refers to the portion / end of the delivery device or the portion / end of its member that is located farthest away from the dosage delivery site during use of the drug delivery device. Correspondingly, when the term "proximal direction" is used, this refers to the direction towards the dosage delivery site during use of the drug delivery device. When the term "proximal portion / end" is used, this refers to the portion / end of the delivery device or the portion / end of its member that is located closest to the dosage delivery site during use of the drug delivery device.

[0006] Furthermore, the terms "longitudinal", "longitudinally", "axially", or "axial" refer to the direction extending from the proximal end to the distal end, generally along the device or its component, in the longest extension direction of the device and / or component.

[0007] Similarly, the terms "transverse", "transverse to", and "transversely" generally refer to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the terms "circumferential", "circumferentially", or "circumference" refer to the circumferential direction or the direction of the circumference with respect to the axis, generally with respect to the central axis extending in the longest extension direction of the device and / or component. Similarly, "radial" or "radially" refers to the direction extending radially with respect to the axis, and "rotation", "rotational", and "rotationally" refer to the rotation with respect to the axis.

[0009] Thus, there is provided a medication container carrier for a medication delivery device, the medication container carrier comprising: a tubular body for receiving a medication container, the tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal open end and a distal open end, and comprising a fastener; and a proximal cap comprising a tubular cap body extending along the longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein a slot extends on the tubular cap body from the proximal end to the distal end, the tubular cap body comprising a protrusion extending from an inner surface of the tubular cap body, the protrusion being radial to the longitudinal axis and configured to support a shoulder of the medication container of the medication delivery device, the proximal cap comprising a counterfastener offset relative to the protrusion in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the proximal cap is attached to the proximal end of the tubular body by engagement between the fastener and the counterfastener.

[0010] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the fastener is a cutout / recess or a hook and the counter-fastener is a hook if the fastener is a cutout / recess, or the counter-fastener is a cutout / recess if the fastener is a hook.

[0011] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the fastener is a cutout / recess, the cutout / recess is disposed in the wall of the tubular body, the cutout / recess is open transversely to the longitudinal axis, the counterfastener is a hook extending from the tubular cap body in a distal direction relative to the tubular cap body, and the proximal cap is attached to the proximal end of the tubular body by the fastener between the hook and the cutout / recess.

[0012] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the cutout / recess extends circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, with a sloped surface disposed at the first end, and the sloped surface slopes from an inner portion of the cutout / recess to an outer edge of the cutout / recess.

[0013] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the hook comprises a hook arm and a hook tip, the hook arm extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the hook tip extends transversely to the longitudinal axis from the end of the hook arm, and the hook tip is disposed within the cutout / recess.

[0014] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the hook tip extends circumferentially between a first end and a second end, and the hook tip is angled with respect to the hook arm and comprises an inclined surface disposed at the first end.

[0015] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the engagement between the fastener and the counter-fastener is a snap-fit engagement.

[0016] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the tubular body comprises a distal protrusion extending from the inner surface of the tubular body.

[0017] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the distal protrusion is an annular protrusion.

[0018] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the tubular cap body comprises a plurality of protrusions extending from the inner surface of the tubular cap body, and the plurality of protrusions are offset from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis such that the shoulder of the drug container of the drug delivery device having different lengths can be supported by one of the protrusions.

[0019] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the tubular cap body has various inner diameters such that the shoulder of the drug container of the drug delivery device having different lengths and / or widths can be supported by one of the protrusions.

[0020] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the drug container can be a cartridge or a syringe.

[0021] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the drug delivery device can be a syringe, an inhaler, or a medical nebulizer.

[0022] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the syringe is an autoinjector, an insulin pen, or a safety syringe.

[0023] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the syringe needle guard can be a user-removable needle guard or a needle guard that is not removable by the end user.

[0024] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembling a medication container assembly for a medication delivery device, the method comprising the following sequence of steps in the following order: providing a tubular body of a medication container carrier, the tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; providing a medication container;

[0025] The method includes the steps of providing a proximal cap of a drug container carrier, inserting the drug container into the tubular body from the proximal end of the tubular body, and moving the proximal cap of the drug container carrier laterally relative to the longitudinal axis relative to the tubular body to attach the proximal cap to the proximal end of the tubular body.

[0026] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the step of moving the proximal cap of the medication container carrier laterally relative to the longitudinal axis includes the step of linearly moving the proximal cap of the medication container carrier laterally relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0027] Preferably, according to another embodiment, the step of moving the proximal cap of the drug container carrier laterally relative to the longitudinal axis relative to the tubular body to attach the proximal cap to the proximal end of the tubular body includes the step of snapping the proximal cap onto the tubular body.

[0028] Preferably, according to another embodiment, in order to attach the proximal cap to the proximal end of the tubular body, the step of moving the proximal cap of the drug container carrier laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis with respect to the tubular body includes the step of arranging a protrusion extending from the inner surface of the proximal cap such that the protrusion contacts the shoulder of the drug container.

[0029] Generally, all terms used in the claims should be construed according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "an / the element, apparatus, component, means, etc." should be construed openly as referring to at least one example of the element, apparatus, component, means, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise in another form.

[0030] Embodiments of the concepts of the present invention will next be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 4D

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] Figures 1 to 4D show a drug container carrier of a drug delivery device. The drug container carrier includes a tubular body 1 for receiving a drug container 3 and a proximal cap 2.

[0033] The tubular body 1 extends along a longitudinal axis L between a proximal open end and a distal open end. As shown in FIG. 2A , the tubular body 1 includes a fastener 11, which is preferably located closer to the proximal open end than the distal open end. The tubular body 1 optionally includes a window 12 (which can be an opening in the wall of the tubular body or a transparent wall of the tubular body) to allow a user of the drug delivery device to observe the drug contained in the drug container 3 disposed within the tubular body 1 of the drug container. Alternatively, a major portion of the tubular body is transparent. In this example, the tubular body does not require a window 12. As shown in FIG. 2B , the tubular body 1 optionally includes a proximally-facing surface 13, which is preferably located closer to the distal open end than the proximal open end. The proximally-facing surface may be defined by a distal protrusion extending from the inner surface of the tubular body 1. In one example, the distal protrusion is an annular protrusion. The proximal-facing surface 13 is configured to prevent the drug container from moving distally relative to the tubular body 1 when the drug container is disposed inside the tubular body 1. This configuration of the proximal-facing surface 13 is appropriate when the drug container is configured to be inserted into the drug container carrier from the proximal open end of the tubular body 1. For example, this configuration is appropriate when the drug container is a cartridge. Syringes typically have a flange at their distal end, and when the syringe is configured to be inserted into the tubular body from the proximal open end, the diameter of the tubular body needs to be slightly larger than the width of the syringe flange, thus requiring large dimensions for both the drug container carrier and the drug delivery device. On the other hand, cartridges typically do not have a flange, and therefore are equally suitable for insertion from the proximal open end of the tubular body 1. The tubular body 1 optionally comprises a flange 14 configured to engage a portion of the drug delivery device housing, thus immobilizing the tubular body 1 or allowing it to move only within a predetermined space relative to the drug delivery device housing. Alternatively, the flange 14 may be replaced by a ridge or slot located on the outer surface of the tubular body 1.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3 , the proximal cap 2 includes a tubular cap body 20. The tubular cap body 20 extends along a longitudinal axis L between a proximal end and a distal end. A slot 21 extends on the tubular cap body 20 from the proximal end to the distal end. The tubular cap body 20 includes protrusions 22, 22′ extending from an inner surface of the tubular cap body 20. The protrusions 22, 22′ are radial to the longitudinal axis L. The protrusions 22, 22′ are configured to support a shoulder 31 of a drug container 3 of a drug delivery device. The proximal cap 2 includes a mating fastener 23 offset relative to the protrusions 22, 22′ in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. The proximal cap 2 is configured to be attached to the proximal end of the tubular body 1 by engagement between the fastener 11 and the mating fastener 23. Furthermore, in one example, the tubular cap body 20 includes multiple protrusions 22, 22' extending from the inner surface of the tubular cap body 20. When multiple protrusions 22, 22' are present, the protrusions are offset relative to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, thus allowing the drug container carrier to be used with drug containers having different lengths. For a tubular cap body 20 having multiple protrusions 22, 22', only one of such protrusions will engage with a shoulder of the drug container depending on the container length. In a preferred example, the tubular cap body has various inner diameters, thus allowing the drug container carrier to be used with drug containers having different widths. The shoulder of drug containers of drug delivery devices having different lengths and / or widths can be supported by one of the protrusions.

[0035] In another example, the fastener 11 of the tubular body includes a cutout / recess or a hook, and the mating fastener 23 of the proximal cap 2 is a cutout (when the fastener of the tubular body is a hook), or a hook (when the fastener of the tubular body is a cutout). In a preferred example, the fastener 11 is a cutout / recess as shown in FIG. 2A. The cutout / recess is disposed on the wall of the tubular body 1. The cutout / recess opens laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis L. In this example, the mating fastener 23 is a hook that extends distally from the tubular cap body 20 with respect to the tubular cap body 20. The proximal cap 2 is configured to be attached to the proximal end of the tubular body by a fastener between the hook and the cutout / recess.

[0036] In one example, the cutout / recess extends circumferentially between a first end and a second end with respect to the longitudinal axis L. In a preferred example, an inclined surface is disposed at the first end. The inclined surface inclines from the inner portion of the cutout / recess to the outer edge of the cutout / recess. Thus, the hook can easily enter into the cutout / recess when the hook moves linearly with respect to the longitudinal axis L and laterally with respect to the cutout / recess.

[0037] In another example, the hook 23 includes a hook arm and a hook tip 23a. The hook arm extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. The hook tip 23a extends laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis L from the end of the hook arm as shown in FIG. 3. The hook tip 23a is configured to be disposed within the cutout / recess. In another example, the hook tip 23a extends circumferentially between a first end and a second end. The hook tip 23a is angled with respect to the hook arm and includes an inclined surface disposed at the first end. Thus, the hook can easily enter into the cutout / recess when the hook moves linearly with respect to the longitudinal axis L and laterally with respect to the cutout / recess.

[0038] In a preferred example, the engagement between the fastener 11 and the mating fastener 23 is a snap-fit engagement. Alternatively, the engagement between the fastener and the mating fastener is a threaded or bayonet engagement. In these examples, the fastener and the mating fastener are a threaded or bayonet connection.

[0039] As shown in Figures 4A-4D, an assembly method for assembling a drug container assembly of a drug delivery device will now be described. The method includes the following steps in the following order: providing a tubular body 1 of a medication container carrier; providing a proximal cap (2) of a medication container carrier; Inserting the drug container 3 into the tubular body 1 from the proximal end of the tubular body 1, as shown by arrow S1 in FIG. 4; moving the proximal cap 2 of the medicament container carrier laterally relative to the longitudinal axis L relative to the tubular body 1, as shown by arrow S2 in FIG. 4C, to attach the proximal cap 2 to the proximal end of the tubular body 1; Includes.

[0040] In this example, a portion of the body portion 30 of the medicament container 3 , a shoulder portion 31 of the medicament container 3 , and a head 32 of the medicament container 3 are moved into the proximal cap 2 through the slot 21 in the proximal cap 2 .

[0041] In one example, the step of moving the proximal cap 2 of the drug container carrier in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis includes the step of linearly moving the proximal cap 2 of the drug container carrier in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L (as indicated by arrow S2). In another example, the step of moving the proximal cap 2 of the drug container carrier in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis with respect to the tubular body 1 in order to attach the proximal cap 2 to the proximal end of the tubular body includes the step of snap-fitting the proximal cap 2 onto the tubular body 1. Alternatively, the step of moving the proximal cap of the drug container carrier in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis with respect to the tubular body in order to attach the proximal cap to the proximal end of the tubular body includes the step of rotating the proximal cap with respect to the tubular body and then moving the proximal cap in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L, and then engaging the proximal cap with the tubular body by bayonet engagement or screw thread engagement so that the proximal cap can be attached to the tubular body.

[0042] In another example, the step of moving the proximal cap 2 of the drug container carrier in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis with respect to the tubular body 1 in order to attach the proximal cap to the proximal end of the tubular body includes the step of aligning a protrusion extending from the inner surface of the proximal cap 2 to contact the shoulder 31 of the drug container 3.

[0043] The concepts of the present invention have been described above mainly with reference to several examples. However, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, other embodiments other than those disclosed above can also be included within the scope of the concepts of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0044] 1 Tubular body 2 Proximal cap 3 Drug container 11 Fastener 12 Window 13 Proximally facing surface 14 Flange 20 Tubular cap body 21 Slot 22 projections 22' projections 23 pair of fasteners 23a hook tip 30 main body portion of the drug container 31 shoulder 32 head L longitudinal axis S1 arrow S2 arrow

Claims

1. A drug container carrier for a drug delivery device, a tubular body for receiving a drug container, the tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal opening end and a distal opening end and comprising a fastener, a proximal cap comprising a tubular cap body, the tubular cap body extending along the longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, comprising a slot extending on the tubular cap body from the proximal end to the distal end, the tubular cap body comprising a protrusion extending from an inner surface of the tubular cap body, the protrusion being in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, the protrusion being configured to support a shoulder of the drug container of the drug delivery device, the proximal cap comprising a mating fastener offset with respect to the protrusion in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and the proximal cap being attached to the proximal end of the tubular body by an engagement between the fastener and the mating fastener, the fastener being a cutout / recess or a hook, the mating fastener being a hook if the fastener is a cutout / recess, or the mating fastener being a cutout / recess if the fastener is a hook, the cutout / recess extending circumferentially with respect to the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, an inclined surface being disposed at the first end, and the inclined surface inclining from an inner portion of the cutout / recess to an outer edge of the cutout / recess, the drug container carrier.

2. The fastener is the cutout / recess, the cutout / recess is disposed in a wall of the tubular body, the cutout / recess opens laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis, the mating fastener is the hook extending from the tubular cap body in a distal direction with respect to the tubular cap body, and the proximal cap is attached to the proximal end of the tubular body by a fastener between the hook and the cutout / recess, the drug container carrier according to claim 1.

3. The hook comprises a hook arm and a hook tip, the hook arm extending in a direction of the longitudinal axis, the hook tip extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis from an end of the hook arm, and the hook tip being disposed within the cutout / recess, the drug container carrier according to claim 1.

4. The hook tip extends circumferentially between a first end and a second end, and the hook tip is angled with respect to the hook arm and includes an inclined surface disposed at the first end, the drug container carrier according to claim 3.

5. The engagement between the fastener and the mating fastener is a snap-fit engagement, the drug container carrier according to claim 1.

6. The tubular body includes a distal protrusion extending from the inner surface of the tubular body, the drug container carrier according to claim 1.

7. The distal protrusion is an annular protrusion, the drug container carrier according to claim 6.

8. The tubular cap body includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the inner surface of the tubular cap body, and the plurality of protrusions are offset from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis so that the shoulder of the drug container of the drug delivery device having different lengths can be supported by one of the protrusions, the drug container carrier according to claim 1.

9. The tubular cap body has various inner diameters so that the shoulder of the drug container of the drug delivery device having different lengths and / or widths can be supported by one of the protrusions, the drug container carrier according to claim 8.

10. A drug delivery device comprising the drug container carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method of assembling a drug container assembly of a drug delivery device, comprising the steps of the following sequence in the following order, namely, Providing a tubular body of a drug container carrier, the tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the step; Providing a drug container; Providing a proximal cap of the drug container carrier; Inserting the drug container into the tubular body from the proximal end of the tubular body; Moving the proximal cap of the drug container carrier laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis with respect to the tubular body to attach the proximal cap to the proximal end of the tubular body Including, The step of moving the proximal cap of the drug container carrier laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis with respect to the tubular body to attach the proximal cap to the proximal end of the tubular body includes the step of snap-fitting the proximal cap to the tubular body, the method.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of moving the proximal cap of the medication container carrier laterally relative to the longitudinal axis comprises the step of linearly moving the proximal cap of the medication container carrier laterally relative to the longitudinal axis.

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