Drug delivery system with a small amount of a therapeutic agent
Inventors
Griffiths, Steven M. • Hill, Robert L. • Wannarka, Gerald L.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8057427-B2
Publication Date
2011-11-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A drug delivery system includes an automatic injector that can deliver a small, precise amount of a therapeutic agent. The automatic injector includes a chamber for containing a liquid component and a thin porous member that carries thereon and/or therein the small, precise amount of therapeutic agent. Upon activation of the automatic injector, a flow path opens from the chamber through the porous member, enabling the liquid component to rapidly mix with the therapeutic agent before being injected.
Core Innovation
The invention describes an automatic injector for dispensing a therapeutic agent mixed with a liquid component. The injector includes an interior chamber having an open end and containing a liquid component, and a seal structure located in the interior chamber between the liquid component and the open end. The seal structure has a first state that seals the liquid component in the chamber and a second state that allows the liquid component to flow from the chamber through the seal structure.
A needle assembly is mounted to the open end of the interior chamber to dispense the liquid component and the therapeutic agent. A thin porous member or filter or membrane is located between the seal structure and the needle assembly, and the therapeutic agent is disposed on and/or in the porous member. The porous member is separated from the liquid component by the seal structure.
In further disclosed embodiments, the seal structure is positioned in the neck portion at the open end and is convertible from a sealing condition to a flow-through condition that allows the liquid component to flow out of the interior chamber through a flow path. The porous member or filter/membrane is described as having multiple pores and as manufacturable from metallic, polymeric, or ceramic materials, with compact configurations using thin and low thickness porous members.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies four independent claims covering an automatic injector apparatus and methods of assembling the injector. Across the independent claims, the coverage focuses on a switching seal structure that separates the liquid component from a thin porous member, filter, or membrane carrying a therapeutic agent, with the needle assembly mounted to the open end of the chamber.
Switching seal structure separating liquid and porous therapeutic member
An interior chamber having an open end and containing a liquid component; a seal structure located in the interior chamber between the liquid component and the open end, having a first state that seals the liquid component and a second state that allows the liquid component to flow through the seal structure; a needle assembly mounted to the open end; and a thin porous member located between the seal structure and the needle assembly, separated from the liquid component by the seal structure, with a therapeutic agent disposed on and/or in the porous member.
Neck-positioned convertible seal structure with filter or membrane carrying therapeutic agent
An interior chamber having an open end and containing a liquid component with a neck portion at the open end; a seal structure positioned at the open end in the neck portion convertible from a sealing condition to a flow-through condition that allows the liquid component to flow out through a flow path; a needle assembly mounted to the open end; a filter or membrane positioned between the seal structure and the needle assembly; and a therapeutic agent carried by the filter or membrane, wherein the filter or membrane is separated from the liquid component by the seal structure.
Flat porous member therapeutic agent and assembled injector dispensing mixed liquid component
A method of assembling an automatic injector including filling a chamber with a liquid component; inserting a seal structure convertible from a sealing condition to a flow-through condition to allow liquid component flow out through a flow path; applying a therapeutic agent to a flat porous member; securing the porous member at or after the end of the flow path; and mounting a needle assembly onto the chamber to dispense the therapeutic agent mixed with the liquid component, wherein the flat porous member is separated from the liquid component by the seal structure.
Flat porous member secured between seal structure and open end in assembled injector
A method of assembling an automatic injector including filling a chamber with a liquid component having an open end and a neck portion; inserting a seal structure in the neck portion convertible from a sealing condition to a flow-through condition; applying a therapeutic agent to a flat porous member; securing the porous member between the seal structure and the open end of the chamber; and mounting a needle assembly onto the chamber at the open end to dispense the therapeutic agent mixed with the liquid component, wherein the flat porous member is separated from the liquid component by the seal structure.
Across the independent claims, the central inventive concept is a seal structure that switches between sealing and flow-through conditions to separate the liquid component from a thin porous member or filter/membrane carrying a therapeutic agent. The claims require the needle assembly at the chamber open end and specify positional relationships of the porous member, filter, or membrane relative to the seal structure.
Stated Advantages
Provides mixing of liquid with the therapeutic agent before injection as described in the disclosed system summary.
Documented Applications
Automatic injector drug-delivery system for dispensing a therapeutic agent mixed with a liquid component.
Automatic injection using a thin or flat porous member carrying a therapeutic agent with a seal structure switching between sealing and flow-through conditions.
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