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Publication Number
US-10398838-B2
Publication Date
2019-09-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
An auto-injector pen has an outer housing (12, 14) which has a proximal end (18) and a distal end (16), an inner housing (84) having a cartridge (74) therein, the cartridge (74) containing a medicament and having one end thereof sealed by pierceable member (80), a needle hub (64) having first and second piercing tips (68, 70) which are in fluid communication, an actuating assembly (28) which moves an actuator from a first position to an activated position wherein the first piercing tip (68) extends outwardly of the outer housing (12,14) at the proximal end (18) and the second piercing tip (70) pierces the pierceable member (80), a first trigger (22) located at the distal end (16) and a second trigger (98) located at proximal end 18, the arrangement being such that the second trigger 98 must be activated to permit activation of the first trigger (22).
Core Innovation
The invention is an auto-injector pen having an outer housing with a proximal end and a distal end, and an inner housing that supports a medicament cartridge located within the inner housing. The cartridge contains a medicament and has one end sealed by a pierceable member. A needle hub includes first and second piercing tips that are in fluid communication, and the medicament is arranged to be delivered through the hub when the piercing occurs.
The actuating assembly moves an actuator from a first storage position to an activated position in which the first piercing tip extends outwardly of the outer housing at the proximal end and the second piercing tip pierces the pierceable member that forms the cartridge cap. The actuating assembly comprises an upper member and a lower member with first and second upwardly extending elements that lock with the upper member. First and second compressed springs extend between the lower member and the upper member.
A first trigger is located at the distal end and is spaced from the actuating assembly such that depression of the first trigger does not activate the actuating assembly. A second trigger is located at the proximal end, and upon being activated it causes the actuating assembly to move to then permit the first trigger to activate the actuating assembly. The first trigger unlocks the upwardly extending elements from the upper member, and the actuating assembly includes a plunger rod that engages a plunger within the cartridge to cause the first piercing tip to extend and the second piercing tip to pierce the cartridge cap.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed independent claim set includes one independent claim. The claim coverage centers on a dual-trigger activation sequence that gates activation of an actuating assembly, and a needle hub with first and second piercing tips in fluid communication. The claim further ties the trigger sequence to a locking/unlocking actuating assembly with an upper member, a lower member, and first and second compressed springs, and includes cartridge piercing via a pierceable member and cap.
Dual-trigger gated actuation for sequential trigger activation
A first trigger at the distal end that does not activate the actuating assembly upon depression, and a second trigger at the proximal end that, upon being activated, causes the actuating assembly to move to then permit the first trigger to activate the actuating assembly.
Needle hub with first and second fluidly communicated piercing tips
A needle hub having first and second piercing tips that are in fluid communication, where in the activated position the first piercing tip extends outwardly of the outer housing at the proximal end and the second piercing tip pierces the pierceable member sealing the cartridge.
Locking/unlocking actuating assembly with upper and lower members and paired compressed springs
An actuating assembly comprising an upper member and a lower member with first and second upwardly extending elements that lock with the upper member, first and second compressed springs extending between the lower member and the upper member, the first trigger operative to unlock the upwardly extending elements from the upper member.
Plunger rod and cartridge cap piercing by coordinated plunger engagement
A plunger within the cartridge and a plunger rod engaging the plunger to cause the first piercing tip to extend outwardly of the outer housing and the second piercing tip to pierce the cap forming the pierceable member.
Across the independent claim, the key inventive content is the sequential activation structure: a proximal second trigger that permits distal first trigger activation, coupled to a locking/unlocking spring-actuated actuating assembly that drives piercing of a cartridge cap via a needle hub with two piercing tips in fluid communication.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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