Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-8684968-B2
Publication Date
2014-04-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A hypodermic drug delivery apparatus for delivering a pressurized medication fluid generally incorporates a reservoir containing at least one deliverable fluid, a reservoir pressurizing device, a rupturing member, a fluid administration device for communicating with the reservoir via a fluid passageway, and a rupture control mechanism for preventing rupture of a wall portion of the reservoir below a threshold pressure.
Core Innovation
The invention is a drug delivery apparatus for delivering pressurized fluid that includes at least one reservoir forming a sealed package for the fluid, with at least one rupturable wall portion. The apparatus further includes a reservoir pressurizing device for pressurizing the reservoir and at least one rupturing member for rupturing the rupturable wall portion. At least one fluid administration device communicates with the reservoir via a fluid passageway so that, when rupture occurs, fluid can enter the fluid passageway and be delivered to a destination through the fluid administration device.
A rupture control mechanism is provided to prevent rupture of the wall portion below a threshold pressure. When the threshold pressure is reached, the wall portion may become ruptured by the rupturing member, allowing the fluid to enter the fluid passageway and be delivered through the fluid administration device. The rupture control mechanism includes a pressure chamber for use in pressurizing the reservoir, and the rupture control mechanism includes a resistance mechanism for preventing pressurization of the reservoir before a requisite pressure has been established in the pressure chamber.
The resistance mechanism comprises a collapsible spring disposed in the pressure chamber in confronting relationship to the reservoir. The collapsible spring is operative to permit gradual pressure build up in the pressure chamber and to thereafter collapse and cause an instantaneous pressure in the reservoir, thereby enabling rupture at or after the threshold pressure. Additional concepts described include pressure release and sealing of a ruptured region to a fluid conduit, as well as anti-abuse or anti-extraction measures and multi-compartment reservoir concepts for mixing and sequential delivery for combination drug therapy including reconstitution.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims cover a pressurized-fluid drug delivery apparatus with a sealed reservoir having a rupturable wall portion, a threshold-based rupture control mechanism, a rupturing member, and fluid delivery via a fluid passageway to a fluid administration device. Across the independent claims, the inventive features include threshold prevention of rupture with a pressure-chamber resistance mechanism using a collapsible spring, anti-abuse/anti-extraction prevention after administration, and a pressurizing device that produces a pressure profile over time to control timing of rupture.
Threshold rupture control preventing rupture below threshold pressure
A rupture control mechanism preventing rupture of the wall portion below a threshold pressure, whereby when the threshold pressure is reached, the wall portion may become ruptured by the rupturing member allowing the fluid to enter the fluid passageway and be delivered to a destination through the fluid administration device.
Pressure chamber resistance mechanism with collapsible spring to create instantaneous reservoir pressure
The rupture control mechanism includes a resistance mechanism for preventing pressurization of the reservoir before a requisite pressure has been established in the pressure chamber, wherein the resistance mechanism comprises a collapsible spring disposed in the pressure chamber in confronting relationship to the reservoir, operative to permit gradual pressure build up in the pressure chamber and then collapse to cause an instantaneous pressure in the reservoir.
Anti-abuse device to prevent extraction after administration
An anti-abuse device to prevent extraction of fluid from the reservoir after administration has been completed.
Time-varying pressure profile to control timing of reservoir rupture
A reservoir pressurizing device for pressurizing the reservoir and operative to produce a pressure profile over time which controls timing of the reservoir's rupture, in combination with the rupture control mechanism preventing rupture below a threshold pressure.
The coverage centers on a sealed reservoir with a rupturable wall portion and a rupture control mechanism that prevents rupture below a threshold pressure, then enables rupture for delivery through a fluid passageway. One claim specifies a pressure-chamber resistance mechanism using a collapsible spring to permit gradual pressure build-up followed by collapse to create instantaneous reservoir pressure. Additional claims add an anti-abuse device to prevent extraction after administration and a pressurizing device that generates a pressure profile over time to control the timing of reservoir rupture.
Stated Advantages
Prevents rupture of the wall portion before a threshold pressure is reached.
Enables delivery of pressurized fluid when the threshold pressure is reached by rupturing the wall portion.
Permits gradual pressure build-up before collapsing to cause an instantaneous pressure in the reservoir.
Prevents extraction of fluid from the reservoir after administration has been completed.
Controls timing of the reservoir's rupture by producing a pressure profile over time.
Documented Applications
Pressurized drug delivery using a hypodermic (needle or needleless) fluid administration device communicating with the reservoir via a fluid passageway.
Combination drug therapy including reconstitution/resuscitation concepts using multi-compartment reservoir concepts enabling mixing and sequential delivery.
Needle insertion and retraction concepts where needle insertion is auto-controlled and retracts post-delivery to reduce injury/abuse [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Interested in licensing this patent?