A medicament delivery device and related assemblies

Abstract

A medicament delivery device assembly (1) comprising: a lower casing (2); an upper casing (3) configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing (2) in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly (1); a container holder (4) configured to be longitudinally slidable relative to the upper casing and the lower casing; a spring force member (5) biasing the container holder (4) in a proximal direction; and an actuator (6) operable to actuate the medicament delivery device assembly (1); wherein the upper casing (3) is configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing (2) in the first direction to move the container holder (4) in a distal direction to compress the spring force member (5) until an upper casing stop member (53) of the upper casing (3) is engaged thereby restricting further rotation of the upper casing (3) in the first direction.

Description

[0001] A medicament delivery device and related assemblies

[0002] Field of the disclosure

[0003] The disclosure relates to a medicament delivery device and related assemblies. For example, it relates to a medicament delivery device assembly, a medicament delivery device, a delivery member for a medicament delivery device, a method of actuating a medicament delivery device assembly, and a method of assembling a medicament delivery device assembly. In some examples, the medicament delivery device and related assemblies are useful for nasal or oral delivery of medicaments. For example, there is also disclosed a method of using a nasal spray.

[0004] Background

[0005] Pump dispensers capable of delivering multiple doses of medicament from a reservoir may not be suitable in all situations, for example where the medicament to be dispensed is for a sensitive formulation, e.g. a formulation that is relatively expensive or relates to a controlled medicament. In such situations the medicament may be stored in reservoirs that each contain only a single dose. However, typically single-dose medicament dispensers have been provided as disposable items that results in an increased volume of waste requiring recycling or safe disposal. In addition, single-dose medicament dispensers are typically configured to be manually operated leading to potential for inconsistent activation from user to user with resulting variation in the delivery of the medicament.

[0006] Summary of the disclosure

[0007] In one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a medicament delivery device assembly comprising: a lower casing; an upper casing configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly; a container holder configured to be longitudinally slidable relative to the upper casing and the lower casing; a spring force member biasing the container holder in a proximal direction; and an actuator operable to actuate the medicament delivery device assembly; wherein the upper casing is configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing in the first direction to move the container holder in a distal direction to compress the spring force member until an upper casing stop member of the upper casing is engaged thereby restricting further rotation of the upper casing in the first direction.

[0008] The medicament delivery device assembly may be configured to be assembled with a delivery member to form a medicament delivery device. Therefore the medicament delivery device assembly may be re-used with different delivery members reducing waste. The medicament delivery device assembly may be configured to receive sequentially a plurality of containers of medicament, i.e. the same medicament delivery device assembly may be used a plurality of times be being reloaded with containers of medicament. Each container of medicament may contain one or more than one dose. In either case the amount of waste is reduced due to reuse of the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0009] The spring force member which is compressed by relative rotation of the upper casing and lower casing permits a pre-determined and reliable actuation force to be applied during delivery of the medicament. This may help to reduce inconsistent activation from user to user and variation in the delivery of the medicament. Provision of the upper casing stop member provides for a pre-determined and consistent degree of compression of the spring force member prior to activation. In addition it may assist in ensuring that activation of the medicament delivery device assembly cannot take place until the delivery member has been properly mounted.

[0010] The upper casing stop member may be configured to be disengaged by a delivery member - optionally by rotation of a delivery member about the longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly - thereby permitting decompression of the spring force member and movement of the container holder and / or the actuator in the proximal direction. This helps to ensure that the medicament delivery device assembly cannot be actuated until the delivery member is properly mounted and the user has taken a positive action to ‘arm’ the medicament delivery device, e.g. by rotating the delivery member.

[0011] The container holder may comprise a body defining a socket for receiving a container of medicament. The socket may be reloaded with different containers or medicament allowing re-use of the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0012] The container holder may comprise an arm, optionally a pair of opposed arms, that extend radially outwards. The medicament delivery device assembly may further comprise one or more catch members configured to be engagable with a catch point of the lower casing, wherein optionally the one or more catch members are part of the container holder. The actuator may comprise a body having an inwardly stepped body portion of decreased width, wherein in a ready-to-fire configuration the body of the actuator may be configured to engage the one or more catch members to prevent inward flexing so as to hold the one or more catch members against the catch point of the lower casing preventing proximal movement of the container holder. On firing of the medicament delivery device assembly the inwardly stepped body portion of the actuator may be configured to be brought into alignment with the one or more catch members permitting inward flexing of the one or more catch members to disengage the one or more catch members from the catch point allowing proximal movement of the container holder.

[0013] The catch point and catch members may provide for reliable firing of the medicament delivery device assembly, for example by ensuring syncing of movement of the catch members with the container holder, optionally due to forming the catch members as part of the container holder.

[0014] The actuator may comprise a button on its distal end that is pressable to move the inwardly stepped body portion into alignment with the one or more catch members to fire the medicament delivery device assembly. The button may assist a user in visually and / or tactilely identifying how to active the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0015] The upper casing stop member of the upper casing may be engagable against the container holder to restrict further rotation of the upper casing in the first direction. This may assist in a pre-determined and consistent degree of compression of the spring force member prior to activation by providing a clear end-point for rotation of the upper casing that the user will be able to feel.

[0016] Engagement of the upper casing against the container holder may be configured to prevent movement of the container holder in the proximal direction until the upper casing is disengaged from the container holder. This may assist in preventing premature activation of the medicament delivery device assembly. The upper casing may comprise an upper casing ramped surface that is configured to engage the container holder, optionally an arm of the container holder, such that rotation of the upper casing ramped surface relative to the container holder moves the container holder in a distal direction. The upper casing stop member may comprise an end stop of the upper casing ramped surface. Use of the upper casing ramped surface, optionally a helical surface, may assist the user by providing a mechanical advantage when compressing the spring force member. This allows the medicament delivery device assembly to optionally contain a spring force member having a higher spring force.

[0017] The medicament delivery device assembly may further comprise a transmission member for setting and / or resetting the actuator into a firing configuration. This assists in allowing for re-use of the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0018] The transmission member may be configured to transmit motion between a delivery member and the actuator and / or the upper casing and the actuator.

[0019] Rotation of the upper casing and / or the delivery member may be configured to move the transmission member in a distal direction. The same single action by the user of rotating the upper casing may be used to both compress the spring force member and move the transmission member to set / reset the actuator into the firing configuration.

[0020] The actuator may be configured on actuation of the medicament delivery device to move in the proximal direction thereby causing the transmission member also to move in the proximal direction.

[0021] The transmission member may comprise a transmission ramped surface configured to engage and flex a flexible detent of the upper casing on proximal movement of the transmission member in the longitudinal direction. The transmission ramped surface may be used to assist in preventing removal of the delivery member until the medicament delivery device has been actuated .

[0022] The transmission member may comprise a cylindrical collar that is co-axially arranged about the container holder. This may assist in achieving a compact size for the medicament delivery device. A proximal end face of the upper casing may comprise an opening for accessing a proximal end of the container holder. This may allow ready access to the socket of the container holder for insertion and removal of the container of medicament improving the ease of reuse. For example, the container of medicament may be removed / inserted without needing to open the medicament delivery device assembly, i.e. the upper and lower casings may remain attached during reloading.

[0023] A connection between the upper casing and the lower casing may comprise a ratchet preventing rotation of the upper casing relative to the lower casing in a second direction opposed to the first direction. This allows the compression of the spring force member to be completed incrementally if desired, e.g. where a user with reduced manual dexterity wishes to reposition their grip on the medicament delivery device assembly during rotation. The ratchet in combination with the upper casing stop member allow the user to rotate the upper casing in one or more movements without the risk of reverse-rotation or needing to remember how far the upper casing has been rotated. Instead they simply rotate the upper casing until it will rotate no further.

[0024] The spring force member may extend between the lower casing and the container holder.

[0025] In another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a medicament delivery device comprising the medicament delivery device assembly of the preceding aspect and a delivery member.

[0026] The delivery member may be inserted in the upper casing, and may be configured to be rotatable to disengage the upper casing stop member from the container holder thereby permitting decompression of the spring force member and movement of the container holder and / or the actuator in the proximal direction upon actuation of the medicament delivery device assembly. This helps to ensure that the medicament delivery device cannot be actuated until the delivery member is inserted and the user has taken a positive action to ‘arm’ the medicament delivery device by rotating the delivery member.

[0027] The delivery member may be inserted in the upper casing through a proximal end face of the upper casing. This may provide a simple method of assembly. Rotation of the delivery member may be configured in a first step to rotate the delivery member relative to the upper casing and in a second step to rotate the delivery member and the upper casing together relative to the lower casing. Rotation of the delivery device may be used to move other components of the medicament delivery device.

[0028] In the first step the delivery member may be configured to move the container holder in a distal direction and in the second step the delivery member may be configured to rotate the upper casing stop member about the longitudinal axis to clear the upper casing stop member from the container holder. Thus, the delivery member may be used to ready the medicament delivery device for activation, i.e. reaching a ‘ready-to-fire’ configuration.

[0029] The delivery member may comprise a delivery stop member that is configured at the end of the first step to engage an upper casing detent to check relative rotation of the delivery member and the upper casing. This may assist in ensuring that the medicament delivery device is actuated prior to the delivery member being removed from the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0030] The delivery stop member may comprise a longitudinally-extending arm. The delivery stop member may form a part of a bayonet connection.

[0031] The delivery member may comprise a delivery ramped surface that is configured to engage the container holder, optionally an arm of the container holder, such that rotation of the delivery ramped surface relative to the container holder moves the container holder distally in the longitudinal direction. Use of the delivery ramped surface, optionally a helical surface, may assist the user by providing a mechanical advantage when moving the container holder (that incrementally compresses the spring force member). This allows the medicament delivery device assembly to optionally contain a spring force member having a higher spring force.

[0032] The delivery member and the upper casing may be coupled by a bayonet connection. The bayonet connection may define an insertion configuration permitting insertion of the delivery member into the upper casing and a withdrawal configuration permitting withdrawal of the delivery member from the upper casing. The delivery member may be rotatable between the insertion configuration and the withdrawal configuration. The delivery member may be prevented from reaching the withdrawal configuration until the medicament delivery device assembly has been actuated due to engagement of the delivery member against an upper casing detent. This may assist in ensuring that the medicament delivery device is actuated prior to the delivery member being removed from the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0033] The upper casing detent may comprise a flexible detent and actuation of the medicament delivery device assembly may be configured to flex the flexible detent out of engagement with the delivery member.

[0034] The delivery member may comprise in some examples a mouthpiece or a nasal nozzle.

[0035] The delivery member may comprise an outlet for medicament, and optionally a spray block, spray module, or atomising module.

[0036] The delivery member may form a part of a delivery assembly comprising the delivery member and a container of medicament; wherein the delivery assembly is configured to be insertable into the upper casing such that the container of medicament is received in the container holder. Ease of assembly may be improved for the user by allowing assembly to involve only the one step and preventing the need for the user to handle the container of medicament. In addition, where the delivery member comprises a needle the needle may be safely enclosed within the container of medicament.

[0037] The delivery assembly may further comprise a needle for piercing a stopper of the container of medicament. For example the needle may form a part of the delivery member.

[0038] In another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a delivery member comprising: an outlet for medicament; a delivery stop member that is configured to check rotation of the delivery member when inserted into an upper casing of a medicament delivery device assembly; and a delivery ramped surface that is configured to engage a container holder of the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0039] The delivery member may be as discussed above in the prior aspects. The delivery stop member may comprise a longitudinally-extending arm. The delivery stop member may form a part of a bayonet connection. In another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a delivery assembly comprising the delivery member as discussed above and a container of medicament.

[0040] In another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a method of assembling a medicament delivery device assembly comprising the steps of: providing a lower casing comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising a distal aperture; inserting a spring force member into the lower casing; mounting a container holder in the lower casing such that it is longitudinally slidable relative to the lower casing and is biased in a proximal direction by the spring force member; inserting an actuator into the lower casing through the distal aperture, the actuator being operable to actuate the medicament delivery device assembly; mounting an upper casing to the proximal end of the lower casing, the upper casing being rotatable relative to the lower casing in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly to move the container holder in a distal direction to compress the spring force member until an upper casing stop member of the upper casing is engaged thereby restricting further rotation of the upper casing in the first direction.

[0041] The method may be as discussed above in the prior aspects

[0042] The method may further comprise the step of inserting a transmission member into the lower casing prior to mounting the upper casing, the transmission member being configured to set and / or reset the actuator into a firing configuration.

[0043] The method may further comprise inserting a delivery member into the upper casing to form a medicament delivery device, the delivery member being configured to be rotatable to disengage the upper casing stop member from the container holder thereby permitting decompression of the spring force member and movement of the container holder and / or the actuator in the proximal direction upon actuation of the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0044] The delivery member may be inserted into the upper casing through a proximal end face of the upper casing. A container of medicament may be inserted into the upper casing through the proximal end face of the upper casing, and optionally wherein the container of medicament is carried on the delivery member during insertion.

[0045] In another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a method of using a nasal spray wherein the nasal spray comprises the medicament delivery device assembly, the medicament delivery device, and / or the delivery member of any one of the respective aspects discussed above, the method comprising: administering a first dose of fluid in a first nostril and after a delay administering a second dose of fluid in a second nostril, wherein the delay is between 2 seconds and 24 hours or as advised by a healthcare professional.

[0046] The container of medicament of the above aspects may contain a fluid which may consist of a single dose of fluid or may comprise multiple doses of fluid. The fluid may contain a pharmaceutical. The term pharmaceutical, as used herein, is intended to encompass a wide variety of pharmaceuticals, compounds, compositions, medicaments, agents or products which can be delivered or administered to a human being or animal, for example pharmaceuticals, drugs, vaccines, biologies, biological and medicinal products. Examples include antiallergics, analgesics, bronchodilators, antihistamines, therapeutic proteins and peptides, antitussives, anginal preparations, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory preparations, hormones, or sulfonamides, such as, for example, a vasoconstrictive amine, an enzyme, an alkaloid, or a steroid, including combinations of two or more thereof. For example, examples include isoproterenol [alpha-(isopropylaminomethyl) protocatechuyl alcohol], phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, glucagon, adrenochrome, trypsin, epinephrine, ephedrine, narcotine, codeine, atropine, heparin, morphine, dihydromorphinone, ergotamine, scopolamine, methapyrilene, cyanocobalamin, terbutaline, rimiterol, salbutamol, ipratropium bromide and salbutamol, flunisolide, colchicine, pirbuterol, beclomethasone, orciprenaline, fentanyl, and diamorphine, streptomycin, penicillin, procaine penicillin, tetracycline, chlorotetracycline and hydroxytetracycline, adrenocorticotropic hormone and adrenocortical hormones, such as cortisone, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate and prednisolone, insulin, cromolyn sodium, mometasone, Esketamine, Olopatadine, and Medazolam including combinations of two or more thereof. The pharmaceutical may be used as either the free base or as one or more salts conventional in the art, such as, for example, acetate, benzenesulphonate, benzoate, bicarbonate, bitartrate, bromide, calcium edetate, camsylate, carbonate, chloride, citrate, dihydrochloride, edetate, edisylate, estolate, esylate, fumarate, fluceptate, gluconate, glutamate, glycollylarsanilate, hexylresorcinate, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroxynaphthoate, iodide, isethionate, lactate, lactobionate, malate, maleate, mandelate, mesylate, methylbromide, methylnitrate, methylsulphate, mucate, napsylate, nitrate, pamoate, (embonate), pantothenate, phosphate, diphosphate, polygalacturonate, salicylate, stearate, subacetate, succinate, sulphate, tannate, tartrate, and triethiodide, including combinations of two or more thereof. Cationic salts may also be used, for example the alkali metals, e.g. Na and K, and ammonium salts and salts of amines known in the art to be pharmaceutically acceptable, for example glycine, ethylene diamine, choline, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, octadecylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, 1 - amino-2-propanol-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1 ,3-diol, and 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2 isopropylaminoethanol. The pharmaceutical will typically be one which is suitable for nasal inhalation and may be provided in a wide variety of suitable fluid forms for this purpose as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, for example as a solution or powder suspension in a solvent or carrier liquid, for example ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol. The pharmaceutical may alternatively be one suitable for sub-lingual or ophthalmic delivery. The pharmaceutical may, for example, be one which is suitable for the treatment of asthma. Examples include salbutamol, beclomethasone, salmeterol, fluticasone, formoterol, terbutaline, sodium chromoglycate, budesonide and flunisolide, and physiologically acceptable salts (for example salbutamol sulphate, salmeterol xinafoate, fluticasone propionate, beclomethasone dipropionate, and terbutaline sulphate), solvates and esters, including combinations of two or more thereof. Individual isomers such as, for example, R-salbutamol, may also be used. The pharmaceutical may, for example, be one which is suitable for the treatment of migraine. An example is sumatriptan. As will be appreciated, the pharmaceutical may comprise of one or more active ingredients, an example of which is flutiform. One or more surfactants may be included if desired.

[0047] Brief description of the drawings

[0048] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0049] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a medicament delivery device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a medicament delivery device assembly and a delivery member; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the medicament delivery device of Figure 1 showing a container of medicament within the medicament delivery device;

[0050] Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of an embodiment of a lower casing of a medicament delivery device assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0051] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lower casing of Figures 3 and 4;

[0052] Figures 6 to 8 are perspective views of an embodiment of an upper casing of the medicament delivery device assembly;

[0053] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper casing of Figures 6 to 8;

[0054] Figure 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container holder of the medicament delivery device assembly;

[0055] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the container holder of Figure 10;

[0056] Figure 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an actuator of the medicament delivery device assembly;

[0057] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator of Figure 12;

[0058] Figure 14 to 16 are perspective views of an embodiment of a transmission member of the medicament delivery device assembly;

[0059] Figures 17 to 20 are perspective and cross-sectional views of an embodiment of the delivery member of the medicament delivery device of Figure 1 ;

[0060] Figures 21 to 23 are cross-sectional views illustrating stages of assembling and priming an embodiment of the medicament delivery device assembly;

[0061] Figure 24 is an enlarged view of a portion of the medicament delivery device assembly in a primed configuration;

[0062] Figure 25 is a perspective view of the medicament delivery device assembly with the delivery member inserted;

[0063] Figure 26 is a perspective view illustrating an interface of the delivery member with the transmission member;

[0064] Figure 27 is a side view of a portion of the medicament delivery device;

[0065] Figures 28 to 32 illustrate stages in rotating the delivery member to free an arm of the container holder from engagement with an upper casing stop member; and Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the medicament delivery device in a ready-to-fire configuration.

[0066] Detailed description The skilled reader will appreciate that one or more features of one aspect or embodiment of the present disclosure may be combined with one or more features of another aspect or embodiment of the present disclosure unless the immediate context teaches otherwise.

[0067] As shown in the example embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 a medicament delivery device assembly 1 is provided that comprises a lower casing 2, an upper casing 3, a container holder 4, a spring force member 5, and an actuator 6.

[0068] The upper casing 3 is configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing 2 in a first direction about a longitudinal axis X-X of the medicament delivery device assembly 1 .

[0069] The container holder 4 is configured to be longitudinally slidable relative to the upper casing 3 and the lower casing 2.

[0070] The spring force member 5 biases the container holder 4 in a proximal direction.

[0071] The actuator 6 is operable to actuate the medicament delivery device assembly 1 .

[0072] In the present specification the terms ‘proximal’ and ‘proximally’ refer to a delivery end, or a direction or movement towards the delivery end, of the medicament delivery device 100 or medicament delivery device assembly 1 as appropriate. The delivery end is the end that would during delivery be in contact with or closest to the mouth, nose or other delivery site of a user. The terms ‘distal’ and ‘distally’ refer to an opposite end or a direction or movement away from the delivery end.

[0073] The longitudinal axis X-X is defined through the medicament delivery device or medicament delivery device assembly 1 as shown in Figure 2. In the present specification, unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘inward’, ‘inner’, ‘outward’, ‘outer’ and ‘lateral’ refer to positions or directions defined relative to the longitudinal axis X-X.

[0074] In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 the lower casing 2 comprises a body 10 formed from one or more parts. The lower casing 2, for example the body 10, comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The lower casing 2 is formed as a single moulded piece. Alternatively, in other embodiments the lower casing 2 may be formed from multiple parts or pieces. In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 the lower casing 2 comprises an outer portion 11 and an inner portion 12. The outer portion 11 defines an exterior surface 12 of the lower casing 2 and comprises a base 13 and a side wall 14 extending proximally from the base 13 that terminates in a lower casing flange 15. The lower casing flange 15 is provided with a portion of a ratchet preventing rotation in use of the upper casing 3 relative to the lower casing 2 in a second direction opposed to the first direction. In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 the lower casing flange 15 is provided with a plurality of flexible arms 16 that project in an angled manner from an upper face 17 of the lower casing flange 15 and on assembly engage a plurality of teeth 18 on the upper casing 3. For example, 2, 3 or 4 flexible arms 16 may be provided. However, the location of the flexible arms 16 and teeth 18 may be reversed if desired between the lower casing 2 and upper casing 3.

[0075] In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 the base 13 at the distal end of the lower casing 2 comprises a distal aperture 19 for receiving the actuator 6 on assembly. The distal aperture 19 comprises a central aperture 20 that may e.g. be round, for receipt of a button 22 and actuator pin 23 of the actuator 6. The distal aperture 19 further comprises slots 21 extending from the central aperture 20 for receipt of outwardly-extending arms 24 of the actuator 6. For example, two or more slots 21 may be provided.

[0076] In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 the inner portion 12 comprises a tubular extension 25 that extends from the base 13 at a distal end to a proximal end that projects proximally of the lower casing flange 15 of the outer portion 11 .

[0077] In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 the tubular extension 25 comprises an outer tubular extension 26 and an inner tubular extension 27. The outer tubular extension 26 comprises one or more distal slots 28 in a distal end. In the following description, two distal slots 28 will be referred to by way of example only. The outer tubular extension 26 further comprises one or more proximal slots 29 in a proximal end. In the following description, two proximal slots 29 will be referred to by way of example only. Both the distal slots 28 and the proximal slots 29 are parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X. Each of the proximal slots 29 and each of the distal slots 28 are opposed to each other, i.e. at 180° spacing. Each distal slot 28 is aligned with its respective proximal slot 29. In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 the inner tubular extension 27 is concentrically arranged within the outer tubular extension 26 and supported thereby by an annular flange 30. An annular space 31 is provided between the outer tubular extension 26 and the inner tubular extension 27. The inner tubular extension 27 is shorter than the outer tubular extension 26 and extends proximally from the annular flange 30 only part way towards the proximal end of the outer tubular extension 26. In some embodiments the inner tubular extension 27 may be located within a middle region of the outer tubular extension 26 that extends between the locations of the distal slots 28 and proximal slots 29. The inner tubular extension 27 defines a guide bore 32.

[0078] In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 a proximal face of the annular flange 30 provides a seat for a distal end of the spring force member 5.

[0079] In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 a distal end of inner tubular extension 27 surrounding the guide bore 32 defines a catch point 33 for the actuator 6. The catch point 33 comprises an angled face of the annular flange 30, for example at the distal rim of the guide bore 32.

[0080] In the example embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 wall portions 34 of the lower casing 2 define walls of the slots 21 of the distal aperture 19. The wall portions 34 extend between the tubular extension 25 and the base 13. A proximal end of the wall portions 34 define a rim 35 of the slots 21 of the distal aperture 19.

[0081] In the example embodiment of Figures 6 to 9, the upper casing 3 comprises a body 36 formed from one or more parts. The upper casing 3, for example the body 36 comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The upper casing 3 may optionally by formed as a single moulded piece.

[0082] In the example embodiment of Figures 6 to 9 the upper casing 3 comprises an outer portion 37 and an inner portion 38. The outer portion 37 comprises a shoulder 39 and a side wall 40 extending distally from the shoulder 39 that terminates in an upper casing rim 41 . The distal end is provided with a portion of the ratchet preventing rotation in use of the upper casing 3 relative to the lower casing 2 in a second direction opposed to the first direction. For example, the distal end is provided with the plurality of teeth 18 configured for engagement with the flexible arms 16 of the lower casing 2. In the example embodiment of Figures 6 to 9 the inner portion 38 comprises a proximal end face 42 and an extension 43 that extends distally from the proximal end face 42. The proximal end face 42 is connected to the shoulder 39 by one or more bridge portions 44 that are, for example, at opposed locations. In the following description, two bridge portions 44 will be referred to by way of example only. The proximal end face 42 comprise a central aperture 45 that may, for example, have a round portion 46 and three equi-spaced aperture extensions 47. In use, after assembly, the central aperture 45 in the proximal end face 42 enables accessing a proximal end of the container holder 4. In addition, one or more arcuate apertures 48 are defined in the proximal end face 42. In the following description, two arcuate apertures 48 will be referred to by way of example only. Each arcuate aperture 48 extends between the shoulder 39 and the inner portion 38 and extends from one bridge portion 44 to another bridge portion 44.

[0083] In the example embodiment of Figures 6 to 9 the shoulder 39 is provided with one or more pairs of bayonet openings 49. In the following description, two pairs of bayonet openings 49 will be referred to by way of example only. Each bayonet opening 49 comprises a radially- outward extension of an arcuate aperture 48. Each pair of bayonet openings 49 comprises a second opening 51 adjacent one of the bridge portions 44 and a first opening 50 that is located counter-clockwise from the second opening 51 (when viewed from the proximal end).

[0084] In the example embodiment of Figures 6 to 9 the extension 43 of the inner portion 38 defines one or more upper casing ramped surfaces 52. In the following description, two upper casing ramped surfaces 52 will be referred to by way of example only. Each upper casing ramped surface 52 extends in a helically manner distally from the proximal end face 42 and terminates with an upper casing stop member 53. In some embodiments at least a portion of each upper casing ramped surface 52 comprises a helix surface. Each upper casing stop member 53 comprises an end stop of its respective upper casing ramped surface 52. In some embodiments the upper casing stop member 53 comprises a portion of the upper casing ramped surface 52 that has an increased slope angle, for example the upper casing stop member 53 may be a near vertical section that represents an abrupt change in slope of the upper casing ramped surface 52. The two upper casing ramped surfaces 52 are opposed to each other, i.e. at 180° spacing. In the example embodiment of Figures 6 to 9 the upper casing 3, for example the outer portion 37 is provided with one or more upper casing detents 54. In the following description, two upper casing detents 54 will be referred to by way of example only. Each upper casing detent 54 comprises a flexible detent. Each upper casing detent 54 comprises a lug 55 that projects inwardly from an inner face of the outer portion 11 . Each lug 55 comprises a distal ramped face 56 that is directed towards the distal end of the upper casing 3 and a side ramped face 57 that is directed in a circumferential direction. Each lug 55 is connected to a remainder of the upper casing 3 by a flexible arm 58.

[0085] In the example embodiment of Figures 6 to 9 the upper casing 3 is shown with windows in the side wall 40 for easier inspection of internal components. However, such windows may be omitted in practice.

[0086] In the example embodiment of Figures 10 and 11 , the container holder 4 comprises a body 60. In addition, the container holder 4 comprises one or more arms 61 that extend radially outwards from the body 60. In the following description, two arms 61 that are opposed to one another at 180° spacing will be referred to by way of example only. The container holder 4 is formed from one or more parts. The body 60 defines a socket for receiving a container of medicament 104. For example a proximal end of the body 60 comprises an open-ended bore 62 for receiving the container of medicament 104.

[0087] In the example embodiment of Figures 10 and 11 the body 60 comprises a flange 63 for seating a proximal end of the spring force member 5. The arms 61 project from the flange 63.

[0088] In the example embodiment of Figures 10 and 11 the container holder 4 comprises one or more catch members 64. In some examples two, three or four catch members 64 may be provided. In the following description, three catch members 64 at 120° spacing will be referred to by way of example only. The catch members 64 move with the container holder 4 under action of the spring force member 5. The catch members 64 are formed as a single moulded piece with the body 60 of the container holder 4. The catch members 64 each comprise an elongate arm 65, extending distally from the body 60 of the container holder 4. The elongate length of the catch members 64 are each the same. In the example embodiment of Figures 10 and 11 the catch members 64 are configured to be engagable with the catch point 33 of the lower casing 2, for example the angled face of the annular flange 30 at the distal rim of the guide bore 32. The catch members 64 each comprise a first catch portion 66 in the form of a protrusion extending transverse to the longitudinal direction (i.e. extending outwardly) for engagement with the catch point 33 of the lower casing 2. The catch members 64 each comprise a second catch portion 67 in the form of a protrusion extending transverse to the longitudinal direction (i.e. extending inwardly) for engagement with the actuator 6 as discussed further below.

[0089] In the example embodiment of Figure 2 , the spring force member 5 extends between the lower casing 2 and the container holder 4 to bias the container holder 4 in the proximal direction. The spring force member 5 may be, for example, a compression spring. The spring force member 5 extends between the annular flange 30 of the lower casing 2 and the flange 63 of the body 60 of the container holder 4.

[0090] In the example embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 the actuator 6 comprises a button portion 68 and a body 69. The actuator 6 is formed from one or more parts. The actuator 6 may optionally be formed as a single moulded piece.

[0091] In the example embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 the body 69 has an inwardly stepped body portion 70 of decreased width, wherein in a ready-to-fire configuration the body 69 of the actuator 6 is configured to engage the catch members 64 to prevent inward flexing so as to hold the catch members 64 against the catch point 33 of the lower casing 2 preventing proximal movement of the container holder 4.

[0092] In the example embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 the actuator 6 comprises an actuator pin 23, the actuator pin 23 comprising the inwardly stepped body portion 70. Thus, the inwardly stepped body portion 70 comprises a section of the actuator 6, for example of the actuator pin 23, that has a reduced width / diameter compared to a proximally-adjacent portion of the actuator 6.

[0093] In the example embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 the actuator pin 23 comprises an elongate head 71 at a proximal end. The elongate head 71 is optionally configured to transfer force from movement of the actuator pin 23 directly to the container of medicament 104 during at least a part of an actuation movement. In the example embodiment of Figures 12 and 13 the button portion 68 is at the distal end of the actuator 6. The button portion 68 comprises the button 22 on its distal end that is pressable to move the inwardly stepped body portion 70 into alignment with the one or more catch members 64 to fire the medicament delivery device assembly 1 . The button portion 68 further comprises the outwardly-extending arms 24 that are received in the slots 21 of the distal aperture 19 of the lower casing 2. Each arm 24 terminates at its proximal end with a barb 72 that in use engages the rim 35 of the wall portions 34 to prevent withdrawal of the actuator 6 out of the distal end of the lower casing 2 once inserted.

[0094] In the example embodiments the medicament delivery device assembly 1 further comprises a transmission member 73. The transmission member 73 functions in use to set and / or reset the actuator 6 into a firing configuration.

[0095] In the example embodiment of Figures 14 to 16 the transmission member 73 comprises a body 74 that is co-axially arranged about the container holder 4. The transmission member 73 is shown as generally in the form of a cylindrical collar.

[0096] In the example embodiment of Figures 14 to 16 a proximal edge 75 of the transmission member 73 comprises one or more first rim portions 76 at a first level, one or more recessed portions 77 that are more distally located than the first rim portions 76 and one or more second rim portions 78 that are upstanding so as to be more proximally located than the first rim portions 76. In the following description, two sets will be referred to each including a first rim portion 76, a recessed portion 77 and a second rim portion 78, will be referred to by way of example only. Each recessed portion 77 is circumferentially in between a first rim portion 76 and a second rim portion 78. The recessed portions 77 are shown as U-shaped.

[0097] In the example embodiment of Figures 14 to 16 the interface between each second rim portion 78 and its respective recessed portion 77 comprises a rounded shoulder 79 forming a smooth change in curvature. Likewise, the interface between each recessed portion 77 and its respective first rim portion 76 also comprises a rounded shoulder 80 forming a smooth change in curvature. In the example embodiment of Figures 14 to 16 the two sets of the first rim portion 76, the second rim portion 78 and the recessed portion 77 are provided on opposed sides of the transmission member 73 at 180° spacing.

[0098] In the example embodiment of Figures 14 to 16 a distal edge 80 of the transmission member 73 comprises one or more recesses 81 . In the following description, two recesses 81 will be referred to by way of example. The two recesses 81 are on opposed sides of the transmission member 73 at 180° spacing. A secondary wall portion 82 is provided aligned with each recess to 81 form a channel 83 that extends proximally from each recess 81 at least part way towards the proximal rim. A distal end of each channel 83 is configured to engage in use with the barb 72 of one of the outwardly-extending arms 24 of the button portion 68 of the actuator 6.

[0099] In the example embodiment of Figures 14 to 16 the transmission member 73 comprises one or more transmission ramped surfaces 84 configured to engage and flex the upper casing detents 54 of the upper casing 3 on proximal movement of the transmission member 73 in the longitudinal direction. In the following description, two transmission ramped surfaces 84 will be referred to by way of example only. The transmission ramped surfaces 84 are provided on an external face of the transmission member 73. Each transmission ramped surface 84 comprises a proximal edge or face 85 of a member 86 projecting from the body 74 of the transmission member 73. Each member 86 comprises a lug, rib or rail. For example, each member 86 comprises a rib that is longitudinally- orientated wherein the transmission ramped surface 84 comprises the proximal edge or face 85 of the rib.

[0100] The medicament delivery device assembly 1 is combined with a delivery member 90 to form a medicament delivery device 91 as shown in the example embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

[0101] In some embodiments the delivery member 90 comprises a mouthpiece or a nasal nozzle. These find particular application where the medicament delivery device 91 is intended for oral or nasal delivery of a medicament. The Figures illustrate, by way of example only, the delivery member 90 as a nasal nozzle. In the example embodiment of Figures 17 to 20 the delivery member 90 comprises a body 92 formed from one or more parts. The delivery member 90 may optionally by formed as a single moulded piece.

[0102] In the example embodiment of Figures 17 to 20 the body 92 comprises an exterior surface 93 shaped for insertion into, e.g. the nose or mouth of a user. The delivery member 90 comprises an outlet 94 for medicament which may be at a proximal end of the body 92. The delivery member 90 has mounted thereto a needle mount for mounting a needle 95 that is located in communication with an outlet conduit 96 that extends from the needle 95 to the outlet 94 along an inner projection. The outlet conduit 96 and / or outlet 94 may be provided with a spray block, spray module, or atomising module for atomising or forming droplets of the medicament during delivery. For example, in the example embodiment of Figures 17 to 20 the delivery member 90 comprises a needle holder 97 that extends distally from the outlet 94 and defines the outlet conduit 96 and a mounting point for the needle 95.

[0103] In the example embodiment of Figures 17 to 20 the delivery member 90 comprises one or more delivery ramped surfaces 98 that are configured in use to engage the container holder 4, for example one of the arms 61 of the container holder 4. In the following description, two delivery ramped surfaces 98 will be referred to by way of example only. Each delivery ramped surface 98 is formed by a portion of a distal edge of the delivery member 90. For example the delivery member 90 comprises two distally-extending flanges 99 whose distal edges form the two delivery ramped surfaces 98. The two sets of distally- extending flange 99 and delivery ramped surface 98 are provided on opposed sides of the delivery member 90 at 180° spacing.

[0104] In the example embodiment of Figures 17 to 20 each delivery ramped surface 98 extends helically. In some embodiments at least a portion of each delivery ramped surface 98 comprises a helix surface.

[0105] In the example embodiment of Figures 17 to 20 the delivery member 90 additionally comprises one or more delivery stop members 100 that are configured in use to check rotation of the delivery member 90 when inserted into the upper casing 3 of the medicament delivery device assembly 1 . In the following description, two delivery stop members 100 will be referred to by way of example only. Each delivery stop member 100 comprises a longitudinally-extending arm 101. Each longitudinally-extending arm 101 is located adjacent a delivery ramped surface 98, optionally adjacent the end of a delivery ramped surface 98 that is nearest the proximal end of the delivery member 90.

[0106] In the example embodiment of Figures 17 to 20 the delivery stop member 100 forms a part of a bayonet connection as discussed further below.

[0107] In the example embodiment of Figures 21 to 24, the medicament delivery device assembly 1 is assembled by first inserting the spring force member 5 into the lower casing 2 so as to be received, at least partially within the annular space 31 with the distal end of the spring force member 5 abutting the annular flange 30.

[0108] The transmission member 73 is inserted into the lower casing 2 from the proximal end so as to be located concentrically around the outer tubular extension 26 of the lower casing 2.

[0109] The container holder 4 is mounted in the lower casing 2 from the proximal end of the lower casing 2. The container holder 4 is longitudinally slidable relative to the lower casing 2 and is biased in a proximal direction by the spring force member 5 which abuts at its proximal end against the flange 43 of the container holder 4.

[0110] The catch members 64 are received into the proximal end of the guide bore 32 of the inner tubular extension 27 - with the catch members 64 being able to flex inwardly to accommodate passage of the first catch portions 66 into the guide bore 32.

[0111] The actuator 6 is inserted into the lower casing 2 via the distal aperture 19. The outwardly- extending arms 24 of the actuator 6 are received in the slots 21 and the actuator 6 is inserted in the proximal direction until the barbs 72 are passed beyond the rim 35 of the wall portions 34 and then moved further proximally to space the barbs 72 from the rim 35 of the wall portions 34. The actuator pin 23 at this point projects through the guide bore 32 and is located inside the catch members 64 of the container holder 4 at or proximally of the level of the proximal end of the guide bore 32. At this point, prior to priming, the inwardly stepped body portion 70 of the actuator pin 23 that has a reduced width / diameter is aligned with the second catch portions 67. The actuator 6 once inserted engages the distal edge of the transmission member 73, for example with the barbs 72 being at least partially received in the channels of the transmission member 73, as shown in the example embodiment of Figure 21 .

[0112] In the example embodiment of Figures 21 to 24 the upper casing 3 is then mounted to the proximal end of the lower casing 2 as shown in Figure 22. On mounting the upper casing rim 41 is connected to the lower casing flange 15. For example, a plurality of snap fit arms on one of the casings is used to engage with a ring or radial ribs provided on the other casing. The flexible arms 16 of the lower casing 2 are engaged against the teeth 18 of the upper casing 3 forming the ratchet that in use functions to ensure that the upper casing 3 is rotatable relative to the lower casing 2 only in the first direction about the longitudinal axis X-X.

[0113] In the example embodiment of Figures 21 to 24 the upper casing 3 is configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing 2 in the first direction to move the container holder 4 in a distal direction to compress the spring force member 5 until the upper casing stop member 53 of the upper casing 3 is engaged thereby as shown in Figures 23 and 24 restricting further rotation of the upper casing 3 in the first direction.

[0114] In the example embodiment of Figures 21 to 24 the container of medicament 104 is inserted into the upper casing 3 through the proximal end face 42 of the upper casing 3, for example through the central aperture 20. The container of medicament 104 is received in the socket of the container holder 4. Insertion of the container of medicament 104 is carried out before or after the upper casing 3 has been rotated relative to the lower casing 2 to compress the spring force member 5. The container of medicament 104 is inserted on its own or alternatively may be carried on the delivery member 90 during insertion. In the latter case the delivery member 90 and the container of medicament 104 together form a delivery assembly and are inserted together as a unit.

[0115] In the example embodiment of Figure 2, the container of medicament 104 is, for example, a vial 102 that is closed at a distal end and open at a proximal end. A medicament is held in the vial 102. The open end of the vial 102 is closed by a stopper 103 that is slidably received in the vial 102. The stopper 103 is configured, for example, to be pierced by the needle 95 of the delivery member 90 in use. The stopper 103 is initially located part-way along the vial 102, i.e. spaced from a proximal rim of the vial 102. In the example embodiment of Figures 25 to 27, the delivery member 90 is inserted into the upper casing 3 to form the medicament delivery device 91 . The delivery member 90 is into the upper casing 3 through the proximal end face 42 of the upper casing 3. On insertion of the delivery member 90 the needle holder 97 is received into the proximal end of the container of medicament 104, e.g. passing through the central aperture 20 of the upper casing 3. The needle 95 is located within the proximal end of the container of medicament 104 but spaced from the stopper 103 as shown in the example embodiment of Figure 2, i.e. the stopper 103 is not pierced when the delivery member 90 is first inserted into the upper casing.

[0116] In the example embodiment of Figures 25 to 27 to insert the delivery member 90 the longitudinal-extending arms 101 are aligned with the bayonet openings 49 of the upper casing 3, for example with the first openings 50 thereby permitting the two distally- extending flanges 99 to pass distally through the two arcuate apertures 48 of the upper casing 3.

[0117] As shown in the example embodiment of Figure 26, the distally-extending flanges 99 are radially aligned with the proximal edge 75 of the transmission member 73. The most distal end of each delivery ramped surface 98 engage one of the first rim portions 76 of the transmission member 73.

[0118] As shown in the example embodiment of Figure 27, on initial insertion the delivery ramped surfaces 98 are slightly proximally spaced from the arms 61 of the container holder 4. Each arm 61 is located to be circumferentially aligned with its respective recessed portion 77 of the rim of the transmission member 73 and is adjacent its respective longitudinally- extending arm 101 of the delivery member 90.

[0119] In general, the method of actuation comprises the steps of priming the medicament delivery device assembly 1 , insertion of the container of medicament 104 and the delivery member 90 to form the medical delivery device 91 , actuating the medicament delivery device 91 to dispense the medicament, and unloading and resetting the medicament delivery device assembly 1 for a subsequent actuation. Priming the medicament delivery device assembly 1 as shown in the example embodiment of Figures 21 to 24 (before insertion of the delivery member 90) generally comprises rotating the upper casing 3 relative to the lower casing 2 in the first direction about the longitudinal axis X-X of the medicament delivery device assembly 1 to move the container holder 4 in the distal direction to compress the spring force member 5 until the upper casing stop members 53 of the upper casing 3 are engaged thereby restricting further rotation of the upper casing 3 in the first direction. The ratchet prevents rotation of the upper casing 3 relative to the lower casing 2 in the second direction opposed to the first direction. The first direction may be configured to be clockwise or counter-clockwise as desired.

[0120] The upper casing ramped surfaces 52 are configured to engage the container holder 4, optionally the arms 61 of the container holder 4, such that rotation of the upper casing ramped surfaces 52 (caused by rotation of the upper casing 3) relative to the container holder 4 moves the container holder 4 in the distal direction so as to compress the spring force member 5. During this movement the arms 61 of the container holder 4 traverse distally down the upper casing ramped surfaces 52 until they contact the upper casing stop members 53 at the distal end of the upper casing ramped surfaces 52.

[0121] At the same time the upper casing ramped surfaces 52 engage the transmission member 73 to move the transmission member 73 distally, optionally in sync with the distal movement of the container holder 4. As such, rotation of the upper casing 3 is configured to move the transmission member 73 in a distal direction. Contact may be between the upper casing ramped surfaces 52 and the proximal edge 75 of the transmission member 73.

[0122] Additionally or alternatively the transmission member 73 may be moved distally by being contacted by the arms 61 of the container holder 4. Contact may be between the arms 61 and the recessed portions 77.

[0123] Distal movement of the transmission member 73 also moves the actuator 6 distally. For example, the actuator 6 is moved distally in sync with the distal movement of the container holder 4 and the transmission member 73.

[0124] At the end of the priming step, the upper casing stop members 53 of the upper casing 3 are engaged against the container holder 4, for example against the arms 61 thereof, to restrict further rotation of the upper casing 3 in the first direction. For example, further rotation is prevented by contact between the arms and the near-vertical section of the upper casing ramped surfaces 52.

[0125] In addition, the engagement of the upper casing 3 against the container holder 4 is configured to prevent movement of the container holder 4 in the proximal direction until the upper casing 3 is disengaged from the container holder 4.

[0126] The delivery member 90 and container of medicament 104 may now be inserted as shown in example embodiment of Figure 25. Insertion of the container of medicament 104 and delivery member 90 to form the medical delivery device 91 in general comprises inserting the container of medicament 104 and the delivery member 90 (either separately or as a delivery assembly) into the upper casing 3 and rotating the delivery member 90 about the longitudinal axis X-X to disengage the upper casing stop members 53.

[0127] In the example embodiment of Figures 25 to 27 the bayonet connection defines an insertion configuration permitting insertion of the delivery member 90 into the upper casing

[0128] 3 and a withdrawal configuration permitting withdrawal of the delivery member 90 from the upper casing 3. The delivery member 90 is rotatable between the insertion configuration and the withdrawal configuration. The delivery member 90 is prevented from reaching the withdrawal configuration until the medicament delivery device assembly 1 has been actuated due to engagement of the delivery member 90 against the upper casing detents 54.

[0129] To insert the delivery member 90 the longitudinal-extending arms 101 are aligned with the first apertures 50 and the delivery member 90 inserted in the longitudinal direction. Initial longitudinal insertion does not move the container holder 4.

[0130] Rotation of the delivery member 90 is now used to disengage the upper casing stop members 53 from the container holder 4 as shown in the example embodiment of Figures 28 to 33 (In Figures 28 to 31 the upper casing 3 with its upper casing stop members 53 is omitted to allow viewing of the delivery ramped surface 98). This comprises a first step of rotating the delivery member 90 relative to the upper casing 3 to move the container holder

[0131] 4 in the distal direction and a second step of rotating the delivery member 90 and the upper casing 3 together relative to the lower casing 2 to clear the upper casing stop members 53 from the container holder 4.

[0132] In the first step rotation of the delivery member 90 is used to move the transmission member 73 and the container holder 4 distally. The transmission member 73 is moved by contact between the delivery ramped surfaces 98 and the second rim portions 78. The container holder 4 is moved by contact between the delivery ramped surfaces 98 and the arms 61 .

[0133] The distal movement of the arms 61 moves the container holder 4 distally below the level of the upper casing stop members 53. During this stage the transmission member 73 and the container holder 4 and its arms 61 are moving in sync the same amount distally. During this stage distal movement of the transmission member 73 in turn causes the actuator 6 to move distally in sync with the container holder 4 and its arms 61 .

[0134] Rotation of the delivery member 90 continues until the delivery stop members 100, e.g. the longitudinally-extending arms 101 , engage the upper casing detents 54, e.g. the flexible detents, to check relative rotation of the delivery member 90 and the upper casing 3. At this point the container holder 4 and its arms 61 and the actuator 6 may be at their most distal point. At this point the first catch portions 66 of the container holder 4 are still aligned with the inwardly stepped body portion 70 of the actuator pin 23. The arms 61 of the container holder 4 are now distal of, i.e. below, the level of the upper casing stop members 53.

[0135] In the second step additional rotation of the delivery member 90 causes rotation of the delivery member 90 and the upper casing 3 together in sync to rotate the upper casing stop members 53 sideways on the upper casing 3 out of alignment with the arms 61 of the container holder 4. This rotates clear the upper casing ramped surfaces 52 out of alignment with the arms 61 . At the same time the delivery ramped surfaces 98 are rotated clear of the way of the arms 61 . By clearing the way of the arms 61 , the container holder 4 may now move proximally a small distance relative to the actuator 6 until the first catch portions 66 of the catch members 64 are stopped by the catch point 33 on the lower casing 2. At this point the second catch portions 67 are aligned with the wider elongate head 71 of the actuator pin 23 such that the flexible catch members 64 are prevented from flexing inwards under the biasing force of the spring force member 5 and are therefore held in place by the catch point 33 of the lower casing 2. Thus, in the ready-to-fire configuration the actuator 6 is configured to engage the catch members 64 to prevent inward flexing so as to hold the catch members 64 against the catch point 33 of the lower casing 2 preventing proximal movement of the container holder 4.

[0136] The medicament delivery device 91 is now ready to be fired with the arms 61 of the container holder 4 in the proximal slots 29 of the outer tubular extension 26 of the lower casing 2 and unimpeded by either the upper casing ramped surfaces 52 or the delivery ramped surfaces 98.

[0137] The delivery member 90 cannot be removed from the upper casing 3 in the ready-to-fire configuration before firing since the longitudinally-extending arms 101 of the bayonet connection have not yet reached the removal location of the second openings 51 and are prevented from doing so by the flexible detents of the upper casing 3.

[0138] Actuating the medicament delivery device 91 to dispense the medicament in general comprises operating the actuator 6 to thereby decompress the spring force member 5 to move the container holder 4 and / or the actuator 6 longitudinally in the proximal direction to actuate the medicament delivery device 91 .

[0139] The actuator 6 is operated by pressing on the button 22 to move the actuator 6 proximally relative to the lower casing 2. This proximal movement causes the actuator pin 23 to move proximally relative to the catch members 64 thereby causing the inwardly stepped body portion 70 of the actuator pin 23 to be brought into alignment with the second catch portions 67 of the catch members 64 permitting inward flexing of the catch members 64 to disengage the catch members 64 from the catch point 33. At this point the container holder 4 moves proximally under the biasing action of the spring force member 5 with the arms 91 moving proximally within the proximal slots 29. The proximal movement of the elongate head 71 of the actuator pin 23 and / or of the container holder 4 causes the vial 102 of the container of medicament 104 to also move proximally bringing the stopper 103 into contact with the needle 95. The needle 95 pierces the stopper 103 and medicament is then dispensed out of the outlet conduit 96 and outlet 94 due to pressurisation of the medicament by the continuing proximal movement of the container holder 4 and / or the actuator pin 23 and the vial relative to the stopper 103 that is retained against a distal face of the needle holder 97.

[0140] Actuation also comprises moving the transmission member 73 proximally due to engagement of the barbs 72 of the outwardly-extending arms 24 of the actuator 6 with the recesses 81 in the bottom rim of the transmission member 73. The proximal movement of the transmission member 73 brings the transmission ramped surfaces 84 into engagement with the upper casing detents 54 of the upper casing 3, for example with the distal ramped faces 56 thereof, causing them to flex radially outwards. Thereby the upper casing detents 54 are moved out of engagement with the delivery member 90 allowing further rotation of the delivery member 90 to the withdrawal position of the bayonet connection wherein the longitudinally-extending arms 101 are aligned with the second openings 51. At this point the delivery member 90 may be withdrawn out of the upper casing 3 and so may be the used container of medicament 104.

[0141] Thereafter the medicament delivery device assembly 1 may optionally be reloaded for a subsequent use. For example the medicament delivery device assembly 1 may be primed once again as described above and a new container of medicament 104 can be inserted into the container holder 4. The same or a new delivery member 90 can be inserted and used to ready the device for firing once again in the same way as described above. Thus, the medicament delivery device assembly 1 and the medicament delivery device 91 can be reusable in part or as a whole for the delivery of multiple doses of medicament from multiple containers.

[0142] In some examples, the medicament delivery device and related assemblies are useful for nasal or oral delivery of medicaments. For example, a method of using a nasal spray is provided wherein the nasal spray comprises the medicament delivery device assembly, the medicament delivery device, and / or the delivery member as described in any of the above embodiments, the method comprising: administering a first dose of fluid in a first nostril and after a delay administering a second dose of fluid in a second nostril, wherein the delay is between 2 seconds and 24 hours or as advised by a healthcare professional. Additional aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are set out in the following clauses:

[0143] Clause 1 . A medicament delivery device assembly comprising: a lower casing; an upper casing configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly; a container holder configured to be longitudinally slidable relative to the upper casing and the lower casing; a spring force member biasing the container holder in a proximal direction; and an actuator operable to actuate the medicament delivery device assembly; wherein the upper casing is configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing in the first direction to move the container holder in a distal direction to compress the spring force member until an upper casing stop member of the upper casing is engaged thereby restricting further rotation of the upper casing in the first direction.

[0144] Clause 2. The medicament delivery device assembly of clause 1 , wherein the upper casing stop member is configured to be disengaged by a delivery member - optionally by rotation of a delivery member about the longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly - thereby permitting decompression of the spring force member and movement of the container holder and / or the actuator in the proximal direction.

[0145] Clause 3. The medicament delivery device assembly of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the container holder comprises a body defining a socket for receiving a container of medicament.

[0146] Clause 4. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause, wherein the container holder comprises an arm, optionally a pair of opposed arms, that extend radially outwards.

[0147] Clause 5. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause, further comprising one or more catch members configured to be engagable with a catch point of the lower casing, wherein optionally the one or more catch members are part of the container holder. Clause 6. The medicament delivery device assembly of clause 5, wherein the actuator comprises a body having an inwardly stepped body portion of decreased width, wherein in a ready-to-fire configuration the body of the actuator is configured to engage the one or more catch members to prevent inward flexing so as to hold the one or more catch members against the catch point of the lower casing preventing proximal movement of the container holder.

[0148] Clause 7. The medicament delivery device assembly of clause 6, wherein on firing of the medicament delivery device assembly the inwardly stepped body portion of the actuator is configured to be brought into alignment with the one or more catch members permitting inward flexing of the one or more catch members to disengage the one or more catch members from the catch point allowing proximal movement of the container holder.

[0149] Clause 8. The medicament delivery device assembly of clause 7, wherein the actuator comprises a button on its distal end that is pressable to move the inwardly stepped body portion into alignment with the one or more catch members to fire the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0150] Clause 9. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause, wherein the upper casing stop member of the upper casing is engagable against the container holder to restrict further rotation of the upper casing in the first direction.

[0151] Clause 10. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause, wherein engagement of the upper casing against the container holder is configured to prevent movement of the container holder in the proximal direction until the upper casing is disengaged from the container holder.

[0152] Clause 11 . The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause, wherein the upper casing comprises an upper casing ramped surface that is configured to engage the container holder, optionally an arm of the container holder, such that rotation of the upper casing ramped surface relative to the container holder moves the container holder in a distal direction.

[0153] Clause 12. The medicament delivery device assembly of clause 11 , wherein the upper casing stop member comprises an end stop of the upper casing ramped surface. Clause 13. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause, further comprising a transmission member for setting and / or resetting the actuator into a firing configuration.

[0154] Clause 14. The medicament delivery device assembly of clause 13, wherein the transmission member is configured to transmit motion between a delivery member and the actuator and / or the upper casing and the actuator.

[0155] Clause 15. The medicament delivery device assembly of clause 13 or clause 14, wherein rotation of the upper casing and / or the delivery member is configured to move the transmission member in a distal direction.

[0156] Clause 16. The medicament delivery device assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 15, wherein the actuator is configured on actuation of the medicament delivery device to move in the proximal direction thereby causing the transmission member also to move in the proximal direction.

[0157] Clause 17. The medicament delivery device assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 16, wherein the transmission member comprises a transmission ramped surface configured to engage and flex a flexible detent of the upper casing on proximal movement of the transmission member in the longitudinal direction.

[0158] Clause 18. The medicament delivery device assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 17, wherein the transmission member comprises a cylindrical collar that is co-axially arranged about the container holder.

[0159] Clause 19. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause, wherein a proximal end face of the upper casing comprises an opening for accessing a proximal end of the container holder.

[0160] Clause 20. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause, wherein a connection between the upper casing and the lower casing comprises a ratchet preventing rotation of the upper casing relative to the lower casing in a second direction opposed to the first direction. Clause 21 . The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause, wherein the spring force member extends between the lower casing and the container holder.

[0161] Clause 22. A medicament delivery device comprising the medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding clause and a delivery member.

[0162] Clause 23. The medicament delivery device of clause 22, wherein the delivery member is inserted in the upper casing, and is configured to be rotatable to disengage the upper casing stop member from the container holder thereby permitting decompression of the spring force member and movement of the container holder and / or the actuator in the proximal direction upon actuation of the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0163] Clause 24. The medicament delivery device of clause 23, wherein the delivery member is inserted in the upper casing through a proximal end face of the upper casing.

[0164] Clause 25. The medicament delivery device of clause 23 or clause 24, wherein rotation of the delivery member is configured in a first step to rotate the delivery member relative to the upper casing and in a second step to rotate the delivery member and the upper casing together relative to the lower casing.

[0165] Clause 26. The medicament delivery device of clause 25, wherein in the first step the delivery member is configured to move the container holder in a distal direction and in the second step the delivery member is configured to rotate the upper casing stop member about the longitudinal axis to clear the upper casing stop member from the container holder.

[0166] Clause 27. The medicament delivery device of clause 25 or clause 26, wherein the delivery member comprises a delivery stop member that is configured at the end of the first step to engage an upper casing detent to check relative rotation of the delivery member and the upper casing.

[0167] Clause 28. The medicament delivery device of clause 27, wherein the delivery stop member comprises a longitudinally-extending arm. Clause 29. The medicament delivery device of clause 27 or clause 28, wherein the delivery stop member forms a part of a bayonet connection.

[0168] Clause 30. The medicament delivery device of any one of clauses 22 to 29, wherein the delivery member comprises a delivery ramped surface that is configured to engage the container holder, optionally an arm of the container holder, such that rotation of the delivery ramped surface relative to the container holder moves the container holder distally in the longitudinal direction.

[0169] Clause 31 . The medicament delivery device of any one of clauses 22 to 30, wherein the delivery member and the upper casing are coupled by a bayonet connection.

[0170] Clause 32. The medicament delivery device of clause 31 , wherein the bayonet connection defines an insertion configuration permitting insertion of the delivery member into the upper casing and a withdrawal configuration permitting withdrawal of the delivery member from the upper casing.

[0171] Clause 32. The medicament delivery device of clause 32, wherein the delivery member is rotatable between the insertion configuration and the withdrawal configuration.

[0172] Clause 33. The medicament delivery device of clause 31 or clause 32, wherein the delivery member is prevented from reaching the withdrawal configuration until the medicament delivery device assembly has been actuated due to engagement of the delivery member against an upper casing detent.

[0173] Clause 34. The medicament delivery device of clause 33, wherein the upper casing detent comprises a flexible detent and actuation of the medicament delivery device assembly is configured to flex the flexible detent out of engagement with the delivery member.

[0174] Clause 35. The medicament delivery device of any one of clauses 22 to 34, wherein the delivery member comprises a mouthpiece or a nasal nozzle. Clause 36. The medicament delivery device of any one of clauses 22 to 35, wherein the delivery member comprises an outlet for medicament, and optionally a spray block, spray module, or atomising module.

[0175] Clause 37. The medicament delivery device of any one of clauses 22 to 36, wherein the delivery member forms a part of a delivery assembly comprising the delivery member and a container of medicament; wherein the delivery assembly is configured to be insertable into the upper casing such that the container of medicament is received in the container holder.

[0176] Clause 38. The medicament delivery device of clause 37, wherein the delivery assembly further comprises a needle for piercing a stopper of the container of medicament.

[0177] Clause 39. A delivery member comprising: an outlet for medicament; a delivery stop member that is configured to check rotation of the delivery member when inserted into an upper casing of a medicament delivery device assembly; and a delivery ramped surface that is configured to engage a container holder of the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0178] Clause 40. The delivery member of clause 39, wherein the delivery stop member comprises a longitudinally-extending arm.

[0179] Clause 41 . The delivery member of clause 39 or clause 40, wherein the delivery stop member forms a part of a bayonet connection.

[0180] Clause 42. A delivery assembly comprising the delivery member of any one of clauses 39 to 41 and a container of medicament.

[0181] Clause 43. A method of assembling a medicament delivery device assembly comprising the steps of: providing a lower casing comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising a distal aperture; inserting a spring force member into the lower casing; mounting a container holder in the lower casing such that it is longitudinally slidable relative to the lower casing and is biased in a proximal direction by the spring force member; inserting an actuator into the lower casing through the distal aperture, the actuator being operable to actuate the medicament delivery device assembly; mounting an upper casing to the proximal end of the lower casing, the upper casing being rotatable relative to the lower casing in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly to move the container holder in a distal direction to compress the spring force member until an upper casing stop member of the upper casing is engaged thereby restricting further rotation of the upper casing in the first direction.

[0182] Clause 44. The method of clause 43, further comprising the step of inserting a transmission member into the lower casing prior to mounting the upper casing, the transmission member being configured to set and / or reset the actuator into a firing configuration.

[0183] Clause 45. The method of clause 43 or clause 44, further comprising inserting a delivery member into the upper casing to form a medicament delivery device, the delivery member being configured to be rotatable to disengage the upper casing stop member from the container holder thereby permitting decompression of the spring force member and movement of the container holder and / or the actuator in the proximal direction upon actuation of the medicament delivery device assembly.

[0184] Clause 46. The method of clause 45, wherein the delivery member is inserted into the upper casing through a proximal end face of the upper casing.

[0185] Clause 47. The method of clause 46, wherein a container of medicament is inserted into the upper casing through the proximal end face of the upper casing, and optionally wherein the container of medicament is carried on the delivery member during insertion.

Claims

Claims1 . A medicament delivery device assembly comprising: a lower casing; an upper casing configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly; a container holder configured to be longitudinally slidable relative to the upper casing and the lower casing; a spring force member biasing the container holder in a proximal direction; and an actuator operable to actuate the medicament delivery device assembly; wherein the upper casing is configured to be rotatable relative to the lower casing in the first direction to move the container holder in a distal direction to compress the spring force member until an upper casing stop member of the upper casing is engaged thereby restricting further rotation of the upper casing in the first direction.

2. The medicament delivery device assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper casing stop member is configured to be disengaged by a delivery member - optionally by rotation of a delivery member about the longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly - thereby permitting decompression of the spring force member and movement of the container holder and / or the actuator in the proximal direction.

3. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the container holder comprises an arm, optionally a pair of opposed arms, that extend radially outwards.

4. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising one or more catch members configured to be engagable with a catch point of the lower casing, wherein optionally the one or more catch members are part of the container holder.

5. The medicament delivery device assembly of claim 4, wherein the actuator comprises a body having an inwardly stepped body portion of decreased width, wherein in a ready-to-fire configuration the body of the actuator is configured to engage the one or more catch members to prevent inward flexing so as to hold the one or more catchmembers against the catch point of the lower casing preventing proximal movement of the container holder.

6. The medicament delivery device assembly of claim 5, wherein on firing of the medicament delivery device assembly the inwardly stepped body portion of the actuator is configured to be brought into alignment with the one or more catch members permitting inward flexing of the one or more catch members to disengage the one or more catch members from the catch point allowing proximal movement of the container holder.

7. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding claim, wherein engagement of the upper casing against the container holder is configured to prevent movement of the container holder in the proximal direction until the upper casing is disengaged from the container holder.

8. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the upper casing comprises an upper casing ramped surface that is configured to engage the container holder, optionally an arm of the container holder, such that rotation of the upper casing ramped surface relative to the container holder moves the container holder in a distal direction; and optionally wherein the upper casing stop member comprises an end stop of the upper casing ramped surface.

9. The medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising a transmission member for setting and / or resetting the actuator into a firing configuration; and optionally wherein the transmission member is configured to transmit motion between a delivery member and the actuator and / or the upper casing and the actuator.

10. The medicament delivery device assembly of claim 9, wherein rotation of the upper casing and / or the delivery member is configured to move the transmission member in a distal direction.11 . The medicament delivery device assembly of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the actuator is configured on actuation of the medicament delivery device to move in theproximal direction thereby causing the transmission member also to move in the proximal direction.

12. The medicament delivery device assembly of any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the transmission member comprises a transmission ramped surface configured to engage and flex a flexible detent of the upper casing on proximal movement of the transmission member in the longitudinal direction.

13. A medicament delivery device comprising the medicament delivery device assembly of any preceding claim and a delivery member.

14. The medicament delivery device of claim 13, wherein the delivery member is inserted in the upper casing, and is configured to be rotatable to disengage the upper casing stop member from the container holder thereby permitting decompression of the spring force member and movement of the container holder and / or the actuator in the proximal direction upon actuation of the medicament delivery device assembly.

15. The medicament delivery device of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein rotation of the delivery member is configured in a first step to rotate the delivery member relative to the upper casing and in a second step to rotate the delivery member and the upper casing together relative to the lower casing.

16. The medicament delivery device of claim 15, wherein in the first step the delivery member is configured to move the container holder in a distal direction and in the second step the delivery member is configured to rotate the upper casing stop member about the longitudinal axis to clear the upper casing stop member from the container holder.

17. The medicament delivery device of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the delivery member comprises a delivery stop member that is configured at the end of the first step to engage an upper casing detent to check relative rotation of the delivery member and the upper casing.

18. The medicament delivery device of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the delivery member comprises a delivery ramped surface that is configured to engage the container holder, optionally an arm of the container holder, such that rotation of the delivery rampedsurface relative to the container holder moves the container holder distally in the longitudinal direction.

19. The medicament delivery device of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the delivery member and the upper casing are coupled by a bayonet connection; and optionally wherein the bayonet connection defines an insertion configuration permitting insertion of the delivery member into the upper casing and a withdrawal configuration permitting withdrawal of the delivery member from the upper casing.

20. The medicament delivery device of claim 19, wherein the delivery member is prevented from reaching the withdrawal configuration until the medicament delivery device assembly has been actuated due to engagement of the delivery member against an upper casing detent; and optionally wherein the upper casing detent comprises a flexible detent and actuation of the medicament delivery device assembly is configured to flex the flexible detent out of engagement with the delivery member.

21. A delivery member comprising: an outlet for medicament; a delivery stop member that is configured to check rotation of the delivery member when inserted into an upper casing of a medicament delivery device assembly; and a delivery ramped surface that is configured to engage a container holder of the medicament delivery device assembly.

22. A method of assembling a medicament delivery device assembly comprising the steps of: providing a lower casing comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising a distal aperture; inserting a spring force member into the lower casing; mounting a container holder in the lower casing such that it is longitudinally slidable relative to the lower casing and is biased in a proximal direction by the spring force member; inserting an actuator into the lower casing through the distal aperture, the actuator being operable to actuate the medicament delivery device assembly;mounting an upper casing to the proximal end of the lower casing, the upper casing being rotatable relative to the lower casing in a first direction about a longitudinal axis of the medicament delivery device assembly to move the container holder in a distal direction to compress the spring force member until an upper casing stop member of the upper casing is engaged thereby restricting further rotation of the upper casing in the first direction.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of inserting a transmission member into the lower casing prior to mounting the upper casing, the transmission member being configured to set and / or reset the actuator into a firing configuration.

24. The method of claim 22 or claim 23, further comprising inserting a delivery member into the upper casing to form a medicament delivery device, the delivery member being configured to be rotatable to disengage the upper casing stop member from the container holder thereby permitting decompression of the spring force member and movement of the container holder and / or the actuator in the proximal direction upon actuation of the medicament delivery device assembly.

25. A method of using a nasal spray wherein the nasal spray comprises the medicament delivery device assembly, the medicament delivery device, and / or the delivery member of any one of respective claims 1 to 21 , the method comprising: administering a first dose of fluid in a first nostril and after a delay administering a second dose of fluid in a second nostril, wherein the delay is between 2 seconds and 24 hours or as advised by a healthcare professional.

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