Cartridge fixation for a drug delivery device
Inventors
Hirschel, Jürg • Allenspach, Marcel • Mosimann, Manuel • Kalbermatter, Gabriel
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12599721-B2
Publication Date
2026-04-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A housing for a drug delivery device for administrating a liquid drug from a cartridge includes a recess for accommodating a proximal portion of the cartridge and a deformable member arranged inside the recess. The deformable member includes a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end movable within the recess. The deformable member is deformable from a non-deformed state to a deformed state by a displacement of the distal end. In the deformed state the deformable member is adapted to limit a movement of a cartridge in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing. The deformable member further includes an arch, and in the deformed state the arch is deformed both elastically and plastically.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides a housing for a drug delivery device for administrating a liquid drug from a cartridge. The housing includes a recess for accommodating a proximal portion of the cartridge, the recess having an axis defining a longitudinal direction, and a deformable member arranged inside of the recess. The deformable member is formed in one piece with a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end movable within the recess relative to the housing, and is deformable from a non-deformed state to a deformed state by a displacement of the distal end.
In the deformed state, the deformable member limits a movement of a cartridge arranged in the recess in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing. The deformable member comprises an arch, and in the deformed state the arch is deformed both elastically and plastically. This elastic and plastic deformation provides a predictable force-deflection progression and a capped maximum reaction force, and is described as preventing cartridge damage even with over-insertion or length tolerances.
The disclosure further describes maintaining holding or bias after elastic relaxation during storage. A cartridge unit is disclosed with the same housing recess and one-piece deformable member arrangement, where in the deformed state a proximal end of the cartridge abuts the distal end of the deformable member. The document also describes assembly sequences for the cartridge unit, including insertion into a sleeve-shaped cartridge holder and connecting the cartridge holder to a distal end portion of the housing.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three related inventive aspects: a housing with a one-piece deformable arch limiting longitudinal cartridge movement, a cartridge unit including a cartridge holder that cooperates with the deformable arch, and an assembly method that deforms the arch by displacing a deformable member distal end and connects the cartridge holder to the housing.
One-piece deformable arch in a recess limiting longitudinal cartridge movement
A housing comprising a recess for accommodating a proximal portion of a cartridge with an axis defining a longitudinal direction, and a one-piece deformable member arranged inside the recess. The deformable member has a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end movable within the recess relative to the housing. The deformable member is deformable from a non-deformed state to a deformed state by a displacement of the distal end, and in the deformed state limits longitudinal movement of a cartridge relative to the housing. The deformable member comprises an arch, wherein in the deformed state the arch is deformed both elastically and plastically.
Cartridge unit with a deformable arch cooperating with cartridge proximal abutment
A cartridge unit comprising a housing with a recess accommodating a proximal portion of a cartridge containing a liquid drug, and a one-piece deformable member arranged inside the recess. The deformable member has a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end movable within the recess. The deformable member is deformable from a non-deformed state to a deformed state by displacement of the distal end, wherein the deformed state limits longitudinal movement of the cartridge relative to the housing. The deformable member comprises an arch, and in the deformed state the arch is deformed both elastically and plastically by the cartridge. The cartridge unit further includes a cartridge holder accommodating a distal portion of the cartridge and connectable to a distal end of the housing such that the cartridge is held relative to the housing by the cartridge holder and the housing, and wherein in the deformed state a proximal end of the cartridge abuts the distal end of the deformable member.
Assembly method deforming the arch elastically and plastically and connecting the cartridge holder
A method for assembling a cartridge unit comprising obtaining a housing having a recess with an axis defining a longitudinal direction and a one-piece deformable member arranged inside the recess including an arch, with a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end movable within the recess. The method includes inserting a distal portion of the cartridge into an opening of a sleeve-shaped cartridge holder. The method includes inserting a proximal end portion of the cartridge holder containing the cartridge into the recess of the housing in the longitudinal direction. The method includes deforming, using a proximal end of the cartridge, the deformable member from a non-deformed state to a deformed state by a displacement of a distal end of the deformable member in the proximal and longitudinal direction to deform the arch both elastically and plastically. The method includes connecting the proximal end portion of the cartridge holder with a distal end portion of the housing.
Overall, the claim set centers on a one-piece deformable member formed with an arch that transitions from a non-deformed to a deformed state by displacement of a movable distal end, deforms elastically and plastically, limits longitudinal cartridge movement, and interacts with a cartridge proximal abutment in a cartridge unit. The claims also cover assembly sequencing using a sleeve-shaped cartridge holder and a deformation step followed by connecting the cartridge holder to the housing.
Stated Advantages
Provides a predictable force-deflection progression.
Provides a capped maximum reaction force to prevent cartridge damage even with over-insertion or length tolerances.
Maintains holding or bias after elastic relaxation during storage.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?