Portable drug mixing and delivery device and associated methods
Inventors
Constantineau, Cole • Stepanian, Christopher J. • Standley, Adam R. • Bruehwiler, Michel • Buchine, Brent • Chagnon, Jeffrey Thomas • Brik, Robert
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10537680-B2
Publication Date
2020-01-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A portable auto-injector configured to store a liquid component in a first chamber separately from a dry medication in a second chamber, wherein a first actuation mechanism opens a valve allowing for the initiation of a mixing step prior to injection. An extendable needle guard is provided over the delivery assembly which prevents premature injection as well as inadvertent sticks or other cross contamination of a needle. The needle guard can also form part of a secondary trigger mechanism which injects the mixed components after the mixing stage is complete.
Core Innovation
A portable auto-injector or portable drug mixing and delivery device stores a liquid in a first chamber and a dry medicament in a second chamber within a housing. A valve located within the housing provides selective fluidic communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a first actuation changes the valve between a closed state and an open state to initiate mixing before needle injection.
The device includes a first displacement mechanism and a second displacement mechanism configured to reduce the effective volume of the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively. The first displacement mechanism reduces the effective volume of the first chamber and axially translates the second chamber with respect to the first chamber during a first actuation, and the actuation device has a pre-loaded energy source and is in mechanical communication with the valve.
The device provides an extendable needle shield/guard to prevent premature injection and cross-contamination. The needle guard is in mechanical communication with actuation mechanisms so that needle injection is initiated after mixing completion, and a needle shield assembly includes a cam ramp provided in a sidewall of the needle shield, where depression of the needle shield causes a second actuation that drives delivery through a delivery assembly that is in fluid communication with the second chamber and extends during the second actuation.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three related device categories, with a total of three independent inventive claim groups. Across these independent claims, the inventive features include a housing with first and second chambers, a valve providing selective fluidic communication, displacement mechanisms reducing effective chamber volumes, a pre-loaded actuation device mechanically changing the valve during a first actuation, and, in one independent claim, a needle shield assembly that causes a second actuation through a cam ramp in the needle shield.
Selective chamber-to-chamber fluidic communication with two displacement mechanisms
A housing with a first chamber containing a first medicament component and a second chamber configured to selectively receive the first medicament component from the first chamber; a valve configured to provide selective fluidic communication between the first chamber and the second chamber; a first displacement mechanism configured to reduce the effective volume of the first chamber and axially translate the second chamber with respect to the first chamber during a first actuation; and a second displacement mechanism configured to reduce the effective volume of the second chamber.
Pre-loaded actuation device mechanically changing the valve during a first actuation
An actuation device having a pre-loaded energy source in mechanical communication with the valve, the actuation device being configured to change the valve between a closed state and an open state during a first actuation, with a second medicament component stored within the housing and outside the first chamber.
Frame-defined channels and intermediate stops coordinated with first actuation
A frame disposed within the housing, the frame having at least one channel on an inner surface thereof; at least one plunger protrusion about an outer circumference of the first displacement mechanism engaging the at least one channel of the frame; and an intermediate stop in the at least one channel that engages an intermediate support protrusion to temporarily prevent further actuation during an intermediate stage.
Needle shield assembly with cam ramp that causes second actuation by depressing the needle shield
A needle shield assembly comprising a needle shield having a cam ramp provided in a sidewall of the needle shield, wherein the cam ramp is in mechanical communication with the actuation device, and wherein a depression of the needle shield causes a second actuation; and a delivery assembly in fluid communication with the second chamber.
Overall, the independent claims emphasize a valve-driven first actuation coordinated with chamber-volume reduction and mixing, combined in one independent claim group with a needle shield assembly that uses a cam ramp and a depression-triggered second actuation to drive delivery through a delivery assembly in fluid communication with the second chamber.
Stated Advantages
Prevent premature injection and cross-contamination.
Needle injection is initiated after mixing completion.
Documented Applications
Portable auto-injector.
Portable drug mixing and delivery device.
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