Auto-injector housing

Abstract

Provided herein is a housing assembly for a drug delivery device, the housing assembly including: a first housing portion having a first proximal end including a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, a first distal end, and a first sidewall therebetween defining a first longitudinal axis and a first interior portion, the first sidewall including one or more windows therethrough; and a second housing portion having a second proximal end, a second distal end including a third engaging portion and a fourth engaging portion, and a second sidewall therebetween defining a second longitudinal axis and a second interior portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to drug delivery devices, and more particularly to single-use auto-injector housings with improved torque and disassembly resistance. [Background technology]

[0002] Automatic drug delivery devices, such as autoinjectors, are often designed as single-use devices. Such devices are often shipped as multiple components to pharmaceutical suppliers, who provide a prefilled syringe (PFS) of a given medication. Once the PFS is loaded into the device, the device is assembled for delivery to a patient. To enhance the safety of such disposable devices, it is desirable to include certain features that make it more difficult to disassemble the assembled autoinjector, for example, to prevent the user from exposing themselves to the needle or a potentially breakable glass PFS. Thus, there is a need in the art for a multi-component housing for a drug delivery device that is resistant to disassembly once assembled. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Provided herein is a housing assembly for a drug delivery device, comprising: a first housing part having a first proximal end including a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, a first distal end, and a first sidewall therebetween defining a first longitudinal axis and a first interior, the first sidewall including one or more windows therethrough; and a second housing part having a second proximal end, a second distal end including a third engaging portion and a fourth engaging portion, and a second longitudinal axis and a second interior defining a first sidewall therebetween, the first sidewall including one or more windows therethrough. and a second housing portion having a second sidewall therebetween that defines an interior, wherein the first engaging portion forms a lock with the third engaging portion, thereby connecting the first housing portion and the second housing portion so that the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are coaxial, and when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are connected, the second engaging portion is adjacent to the fourth engaging portion, preventing the first housing portion from rotating relative to the second housing portion.

[0004] Also provided herein is an injection device including a housing assembly, the housing assembly including a first housing portion having a first proximal end including a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, a first distal end, and a first sidewall therebetween defining a first longitudinal axis and a first interior, the first sidewall including one or more windows therethrough; and a second housing portion having a second proximal end, a second distal end including a third engaging portion and a fourth engaging portion, and defining a second longitudinal axis and a second interior. and a second housing portion having a second sidewall therebetween, the first engaging portion forming a lock with the third engaging portion, whereby the first and second housing portions couple such that the first and second longitudinal axes are coaxial, and when the first and second housing portions are coupled, the second engaging portion abuts the fourth engaging portion, preventing the first housing portion from rotating relative to the second housing portion. The injection device further includes a syringe including a reservoir and a needle in fluid communication therewith, the syringe received within the first interior and / or the second interior, and a driver received within the second interior and configured, upon actuation, to expel medicament from the reservoir through the needle.

[0005] Clause 1. According to the configuration of the present application, a housing assembly for a drug delivery device includes a first housing portion having a first proximal end with a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, a first distal end, and a first sidewall therebetween that defines a first longitudinal axis and a first interior portion. The first sidewall includes one or more windows therethrough. The housing assembly also includes a second housing portion having a second proximal end, a second distal end with a third engaging portion and a fourth engaging portion, and a second sidewall therebetween that defines a second longitudinal axis and a second interior portion. The first engaging portion forms a lock with the third engaging portion, thereby joining the first and second housing portions so that the first and second longitudinal axes are coaxial. When the first housing part and the second housing part are joined, the second engagement part is adjacent to the fourth engagement part, preventing the first housing part from rotating relative to the second housing part.

[0006] Item 2. The housing assembly of item 1, wherein the first distal end includes an opening.

[0007] Item 3. A housing assembly according to any one of items 1 to 2, wherein the first distal end includes a movable needle shield including a side wall having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle shield including an opening at its distal end and being slidable relative to the first housing portion.

[0008] Item 4. The housing assembly according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the first engaging portion and the third engaging portion form a positive lock.

[0009] Item 5. The housing assembly according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the first engaging portion and the third engaging portion form an irreversible lock.

[0010] Item 6. A housing assembly according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the first engagement portion comprises a resiliently biased flexible clip comprising a protrusion extending radially outward.

[0011] Item 7. The housing assembly of item 6, wherein the radially outward extending protrusion includes a first beam and a second beam spaced apart from the first beam, the second beam extending substantially parallel to the first beam along the first longitudinal axis.

[0012] Item 8. The housing assembly of item 7, wherein the first beam and the second beam include an insertion contact surface extending radially outward from their proximal ends to their distal ends along the first longitudinal axis, and a removal contact surface longitudinally spaced from and angled relative to the insertion contact surface.

[0013] Item 9. A housing assembly according to any one of items 6 to 8, wherein the resiliently biased flexible clip is deflected radially inward from its initial biased position as the insertion contact surface engages with the third engagement portion.

[0014] Item 10. The housing assembly of item 9, wherein the resiliently biased clip returns to its initial biased position when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are coupled.

[0015] Item 11. A housing assembly according to any one of items 6 to 10, wherein when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are coupled, the detachment contact surface and the third engagement portion prevent separation of the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

[0016] Item 12. The housing assembly according to any one of items 6 to 11, wherein the protrusion extending radially outward is received within the third engagement portion.

[0017] Item 13. The housing assembly according to any one of Items 1 to 12, wherein the third engagement portion is a recess in the second side wall.

[0018] Item 14. The housing assembly according to any one of Items 1 to 13, wherein the third engagement portion is an opening in the second side wall.

[0019] Item 15. A housing assembly according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the second engagement portion and the fourth engagement portion each have a contact surface circumferentially arranged within the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0020] Item 16. A housing assembly according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein the second engagement portion comprises one or more walls of the window.

[0021] Item 17. A housing assembly according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the second engagement portion and the fourth engagement portion each include one or more steps on the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0022] Item 18. A housing assembly described in any one of items 1 to 17, wherein the fourth engagement portion has a U-shaped recess configured to receive the first proximal end therein.

[0023] Item 19. The housing assembly of item 18, wherein the U-shaped recess receives at least a portion of the window therein.

[0024] Item 20. An injection device comprising a housing assembly according to any one of items 1 to 19, including a syringe having a reservoir and a needle in fluid communication therewith, the syringe being received within the first interior and / or the second interior, and a driver being received within the second interior and configured, upon actuation, to expel the medication from the reservoir through the needle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view with an expanded view of a housing assembly according to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view with a cross section through plane BB of a housing assembly according to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing assembly according to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a housing assembly according to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a housing assembly according to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a housing assembly according to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a housing assembly according to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments contemplated for practicing the invention. However, various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0027] Hereinafter, for purposes of explanation, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "transverse," "longitudinal," and their derivatives will refer to the present invention as oriented in the drawings. However, it will be understood that the present invention may assume various alternative modifications unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting.

[0028] Provided herein is a housing assembly for a drug delivery device. As used herein, "drug delivery device" encompasses auto-injectors, pen injectors, safety syringes, and the like. Non-limiting examples of drug delivery devices for which the housing assemblies described herein may be useful are disclosed, for example, but not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,616,174, 9,662,447, 9,707,343, 9,707,357, 9,717,851, and 9,486,582, and International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO2016 / 193627, WO2017 / 051113, and WO2017 / 081422, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The housing assemblies described herein are advantageous in that they provide excellent resistance to disassembly so that patients or other users of the drug delivery device are unlikely to inadvertently disassemble the device through normal handling, thereby minimizing the risk of exposure to sharps or glass cartridges. Additionally, the configuration of the housing portions provides an optimal surface for applying labeling to the exterior of the drug delivery device when the device is assembled.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 , a drug delivery device 100 is shown having a housing assembly including a first housing portion 110 and a second housing portion 160. The first housing portion 110 has a first proximal end 112, a first distal end 114, and a first sidewall 116 therebetween that defines a first longitudinal axis and an interior for holding at least a portion of a syringe (not shown). In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the first housing portion 110 includes at least one window 120 so that the interior, optionally including at least a portion of the syringe, is visible. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the window 120 is formed of glass, plastic, or any other transparent or substantially transparent material. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the window 120 is completely contained within the first housing portion 110 (e.g., the first sidewall 116 forms a perimeter of the window 120). The second housing portion 160 has a second proximal end 162, a second distal end 164, and a second sidewall 166 therebetween, defining a second longitudinal axis and an interior for retaining at least a portion of a syringe (not shown). The first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 160 may be formed of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, such as plastic.

[0030] First housing portion 110 can include an opening at its first distal end 114 (not shown) that can allow a needle of a syringe disposed within the housing to access the injection site, either by movement of the syringe and / or needle within the housing assembly or by retraction of a needle shield. To this end, in a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, first housing portion 110 can include a needle shield (not shown). In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the needle shield can be a movable needle shield that is slidable relative to first housing portion 110. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the needle shield is a telescoping needle shield that is slidable on the exterior surface of first housing portion 110 or the interior surface of first housing portion 110.

[0031] First housing portion 110 includes a first engagement portion 130 and a second engagement portion (not shown in FIG. 1 ) at its first proximal end 112. Second housing portion 160 includes a third engagement portion 170 and a fourth engagement portion (not shown in FIG. 1 ) at its distal end 164. First engagement portion 130 of first housing portion 110 can form a lock with third engagement portion 170 of second housing portion 160. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the lock formed between first engagement portion 130 of first housing portion 110 and third engagement portion 170 of second housing portion 160 is a positive lock. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the lock formed between first engagement portion 130 of first housing portion 110 and third engagement portion 170 of second housing portion 160 is an irreversible lock such that first housing portion 110 and second housing portion 160 cannot be pulled axially apart from one another. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, when first housing portion 110 and second housing portion 160 are coupled and a lock is formed between first engagement portion 130 of first housing portion 110 and third engagement portion 170 of second housing portion 160, the first longitudinal axis of first housing portion 110 and the second longitudinal axis of second housing portion 160 are coaxial.

[0032] 2-5, the previously referenced second engagement portion 132 at the first proximal end 112 of the first housing portion 110 and the fourth engagement portion 172 at the second distal end 164 of the second housing portion 160 are shown. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, when the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 160 are coupled, the second engagement portion 132 of the first housing portion 110 and the fourth engagement portion 172 of the second housing portion 160 are adjacent so as to be unable to rotate relative to one another. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the second engagement portion 132 and / or the fourth engagement portion 172 are formed on the first side wall 116 and the second side wall 166, respectively. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the second engagement portion 132 is at least a portion of a wall forming a perimeter of the window 120. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, fourth engagement portion 172 is a U-shaped recess configured to receive first proximal end 112, including at least a portion of window 120 therein. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, second engagement portion 132 and / or fourth engagement portion 172 include one or more steps such that interaction of second engagement portion 132 and fourth engagement portion 172 involves abutment of two or more longitudinally and / or circumferentially offset surfaces (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ).

[0033] Referring to Figures 5, 6A, and 6B, embodiments and aspects of the first engagement portion 130 and the third engagement portion 170 are shown. Figure 5 shows an embodiment or aspect of the third engagement portion 170 in which the third engagement portion 170 is an opening in the second side wall 166. In other non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the third engagement portion 170 is a recess in the interior surface of the second side wall 166. Figures 6A and 6B show an embodiment or aspect of the first engagement portion 130. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first engagement portion 130 is a resiliently biased clip. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first engagement portion 130 is a resiliently biased flexible clip. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first engagement portion 130 is a resiliently biased flexible clip having a protrusion 140 extending radially outward.

[0034] 6B , in a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, first engagement portion 130 is a resiliently biased flexible clip having a radially outwardly extending protrusion 140 including a first beam 142 and a second beam 144. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, first beam 142 and second beam 144 extend parallel or substantially parallel to one another along a first longitudinal axis defined by first sidewall 116. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, protrusion 140 includes an insertion contact surface 146 formed by at least a portion of first beam 142 and second beam 144. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, contact surface 146 extends radially along the first longitudinal axis such that insertion contact surface 146 is angled radially inward (not shown) or outward (shown) relative to the longitudinal axis defined by first sidewall 116.

[0035] In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, as first housing portion 110 and second housing portion 160 are coupled, insertion contact surface 146 interacts with an inner surface of second side wall 166, optionally bending protrusion 140 inward and past insertion contact surface 146, until third engagement portion 170 passes through an opening in second side wall 166 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 , at which point resiliently biased protrusion 140 returns to its biased position and protrusion 140 is received within third engagement portion 170. While not shown, one skilled in the art will understand that the reverse case, in which insertion contact surface 146 interacts with an outer surface of second side wall 166, bending the protrusion radially outward, is also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0036] 6B , in a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, protrusion 140 includes a detachment contact surface 148. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, detachment contact surface 148 is perpendicular to a first longitudinal axis defined by first sidewall 116. In a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, detachment contact surface 148 interacts with a perpendicularly disposed (relative to the second longitudinal axis of second housing portion 160) surface of third engagement portion 170 such that first housing portion 110 and second housing portion 160 are coupled and detachment contact surface 148 abuts third detachment portion 170, preventing first housing portion 110 and second housing portion 160 from being pulled axially apart from one another.

[0037] The present invention allows for increased torsional, traction, and bending breakaway forces between the first and second housing sections. The arrangement of the first and third engaging portions 130, 170, and the second and fourth engaging portions 132, 172 provides acceptable resistance to breakaway that is within specifications for each type of force.

[0038] While the present invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, based on what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments or aspects, it should be understood that such detail is for that purpose only, and that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the present invention contemplates, to the extent possible, the combination of one or more features of any embodiment with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims

1. 1. A housing assembly for a drug delivery device, comprising: The first housing portion comprises: a first proximal end including a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion; a first distal end; and a first sidewall therebetween defining a first longitudinal axis and a first interior, said first sidewall including one or more windows therethrough; Including, The second housing portion a second proximal end; and a second distal end including a third engagement portion and a fourth engagement portion; a second sidewall therebetween defining a second longitudinal axis and a second interior; and Including, the first engagement portion forms a lock with the third engagement portion, thereby joining the first housing portion and the second housing portion such that the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are coaxial; When the first housing portion and the second housing portion are joined, the second engagement portion is adjacent to the fourth engagement portion, preventing the first housing portion from rotating relative to the second housing portion; the third engagement portion is an opening in the second side wall, and the first engagement portion includes a radially outwardly extending protrusion having a release contact surface that abuts the third engagement portion to form a lock, the first engagement portion and the third engagement portion.

2. The housing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first distal end comprises an opening.

3. 3. The housing assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first distal end comprises a movable needle shield comprising a sidewall having a proximal end and a distal end, the movable needle shield comprising an opening at the distal end and being slidable relative to the first housing portion.

4. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first engagement portion and the third engagement portion form an irreversible lock.

5. The housing assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first engagement portion comprises a resiliently biased flexible clip comprising the radially outwardly extending protrusion.

6. 6. The housing assembly of claim 5, wherein the radially outwardly extending protrusion includes a first beam and a second beam spaced from the first beam, the second beam extending substantially parallel to the first beam along the first longitudinal axis.

7. The first and second beams are: an insertion contact surface extending radially outward along the first longitudinal axis from its proximal end to its distal end; a removal contact surface longitudinally spaced from and angled relative to the insertion contact surface; The housing assembly of claim 6 , comprising:

8. 8. The housing assembly of claim 7, wherein the resiliently biased flexible clip is deflected radially inward from an initial biased position as the insertion contact surface engages the third engagement portion.

9. The housing assembly of claim 8 , wherein the resiliently biased clip returns to the initial biased position when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are coupled.

10. 10. The housing assembly of claim 5, wherein when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are coupled, the detachment contact surface and the third engagement portion prevent separation of the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

11. A housing assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the radially outwardly extending protrusion is received within the third engagement portion.

12. 12. The housing assembly of claim 1, wherein the second engagement portion and the fourth engagement portion each have a contact surface circumferentially disposed within the first side wall and the second side wall.

13. A housing assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second engagement portion comprises one or more walls of the window.

14. The housing assembly of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second engagement portion and the fourth engagement portion comprise one or more steps in the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively.

15. The housing assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the fourth engagement portion comprises a U-shaped recess configured to receive the first proximal end therein.

16. The housing assembly of claim 15 , wherein the U-shaped recess receives at least a portion of the window therein.

17. 1. An injection device comprising: The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16; a syringe comprising a reservoir and a needle in fluid communication therewith, the syringe contained within the first interior and / or the second interior; a driver received within the second interior and configured, upon actuation, to expel medicament from the reservoir through the needle.

Images