Removable actuating cap for use with an auto-injector assembly
Inventors
Durvasula, Ashritha • Carter, Mary • Chagnon, Jeffrey Thomas • Constantineau, Cole • Stepanian, Chris • Standley, Adam • Buchine, Brent
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10391262-B2
Publication Date
2019-08-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
A removable cap for use with an auto-injector device, whereupon removal of the cap triggers an actuating assembly that can cause an automatic mixing of medicament components in an auto-injector device and/or place the auto-injector in a state to be used.
Core Innovation
The document describes a mixing device for an auto-injector in which a removable actuating cap disposed at a distal end of a housing over an injection trigger is operatively connected to an interior portion of the housing. Rotation of the cap with respect to the housing imparts a relative rotation between a rotatable frame disposed within the housing and the housing, and this relative rotation actuates a mixing assembly disposed within the frame to reconstitute medicament components and place the device into an injection-ready state.
The described actuation mechanism transitions the device from a stowed state, through an intermediate state, and into a mixed state, including a fully mixed state. The document describes mechanical coupling schemes for inducing the stowed-to-intermediate-to-mixed transition, including axially aligned interior channels and exterior protrusions, engagement protrusions interacting with housing lips, ramped lips that allow ramped travel between states, reversed engagement, thread-based cap/housing interfaces, and cap and housing cross-sectional correspondence for tactile and visual misalignment behavior.
To indicate and complete actuation, the document describes completion and indication mechanisms based on gap formation, an optional color band, and spring-assisted cap separation from the housing after mixing completion. The document also describes locking mechanisms configured to prevent backward rotation that would revert toward an aligned state indicative of a stowed state after initial relative rotation, including ratcheting protrusions and resilient ramped locks, together with integration with an injection assembly exposure after mixing completion.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies four independent claims covering a mixing device with cap-driven actuation and, in one claim, a corresponding method of mixing medication. Across these independent claims, the central inventive theme is that rotation of a distal cap relative to a housing induces relative rotation between a rotatable frame and the housing to actuate an internal mixing assembly, with stowed-to-intermediate-to-mixed state progression and, in some embodiments, locking and geometry-based engagement features.
Cap-induced relative rotation to actuate mixing assembly
Rotation of the cap with respect to the housing imparts a relative rotation between the frame and the housing thus actuating the mixing assembly.
State transition from stowed through intermediate to fully mixed
Rotation of the cap causes the mixing device to change from a stowed, through an intermediate state, and into a fully mixed state.
Corresponding cross-sectional shape of cap and housing
The cap and the housing have a corresponding cross-sectional shape.
Stowed-to-mixed actuation driven by cap internal trigger and rotatable frame
An internal protruding component of the cap triggers an actuation upon being rotated by imparting rotation to a frame provided within the housing, wherein the actuation causes separated medicament components to be combined in a chamber stored within the housing.
Axial channel/protrusion constraint permitting axial travel with constrained rotation
Cap and frame include an interior channel and a corresponding exterior protrusion aligned axially, allowing axial relative translation while constraining rotational degree of motion.
Engagement-to-release of protrusions and housing lips across states
Protrusions on the cap engage corresponding lips on the housing in stowed and intermediate states, then release and the cap is removed at the fully mixed state.
Ramped housing lips for axial travel during rotation
The corresponding lips are ramped in an axial direction to allow travel between the cap and the housing in response to rotation.
Spring-assisted cap separation after actuation
A spring configured to assist in separation of the cap from the housing after actuation.
Locking mechanism preventing cap rotation back into an aligned stowed state
A locking mechanism configured to prevent the cap from rotating back into an aligned state indicative of a stowed state after an initial relative rotation between the cap and the housing.
Taken together, the independent claims require a housing, a rotatable frame, a mixing assembly actuated by relative rotation induced by rotating a distal cap over an injection trigger, and, for some claim sets, structured cap-to-housing engagement that produces a stowed-to-intermediate-to-fully mixed state progression. Several inventive aspects further include corresponding cross-sectional shape, state-based protrusion/lip engagement and release, ramped lips, spring-assisted cap separation, and locking mechanisms preventing rotation back into a stowed aligned state.
Stated Advantages
Prevents the cap from rotating back into an aligned state indicative of a stowed state after an initial relative rotation.
Allows the mixing device to change from a stowed state, through an intermediate state, and into a fully mixed state.
Provides completion and indication via gap formation and an optional color band.
Provides cap separation from the housing after actuation with spring assistance.
Documented Applications
Mixing medicament components in a mixing device of an auto-injector, including placement into an injection-ready state and integration with an injection assembly exposure after mixing completion.
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