Drug supply cartridge with visual use indicator and delivery devices that use the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11344682-B1
Application number	US-202117180647-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Feb 19, 2021
Priority date	Feb 19, 2021
Publication date	May 31, 2022
Grant date	May 31, 2022

Abstract

A drug delivery device and cartridge wherein the cartridge includes a movable use indicator that indicates whether the cartridge has been opened and/or used.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cartridge containing a liquid drug, comprising:
a first chamber having a longitudinal axis and containing the liquid drug;
a plunger located in the first chamber;
a second chamber having a gas pressure, wherein the second chamber is configured so that the gas pressure changes from a first pressure to a second pressure, wherein the first pressure is less than the second pressure, and the gas pressure in the second chamber being the first pressure when the cartridge is in an unopened and/or unused state, and the gas pressure in the second chamber being the second pressure when the cartridge is in an opened and/or used state; and
a movable visual indicator associated the second chamber, the movable visual indicator being radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the first chamber and spaced from the plunger, the movable visual indicator being in a first position when the gas pressure of the second chamber is the first pressure and moving to a second position when the gas pressure of the second chamber is the second pressure, wherein the first position of the movable visual indicator indicates that the cartridge is in an unopened and/or unused state and the second position of the movable visual indicator indicates that the cartridge is in an opened or used state.

2. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the movable visual indicator is not visible to a user when in the first position.

3. The cartridge of claim 2 , where in the movable visual indicator is visible to the user in the second position.

4. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the movable visual indicator is biased toward the second position.

5. The cartridge of claim 4 , further including a biasing member that biases the movable visual indicator toward the second position.

6. The cartridge of claim 4 , wherein a structure of the movable visual indicator biases the movable visual indicator toward the second position.

7. The cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the movable visual indicator is an elastic piece or band.

8. The cartridge of claim 1 , further including at least one seal that seals the second chamber when the cartridge is in the unopened and/or unused state.

9. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein when the at least one seal is removed or broken, the gas pressure changes from the first pressure to the second pressure.

10. The cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the at least one seal of the second chamber comprises the movable visual indicator.

11. The cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the at least one seal is defined by the plunger.

12. The cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the at least one seal comprises a breakable seal.

13. The cartridge of claim 1 , further including a third chamber, the movable visual indicator being at least partially located in the third chamber.

14. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein
the second chamber is expandable and collapsible, and
the movable visual indicator at least partially defines the second chamber.

15. A drug delivery device, comprising:
a housing containing a drug delivery mechanism; and
a replaceable cartridge containing a liquid drug, wherein the replaceable cartridge is configured to be inserted into the housing and in communication with the drug delivery mechanism, the replaceable cartridge comprising:
a first chamber having a longitudinal axis and containing the liquid drug;
a plunger located in the first chamber;
a second chamber having a gas pressure, wherein the second chamber is configured so that the gas pressure changes from a first pressure to a second pressure, wherein the first pressure is less than the second pressure, and the gas pressure in the second chamber being the first pressure when the cartridge is in an unopened and/or unused state, and the gas pressure in the second chamber being the second pressure when the cartridge is in an opened and/or used state; and
a movable visual indicator associated the second chamber, the movable visual indicator being radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the first chamber and spaced from the plunger, the movable visual indicator being in a first position when the gas pressure of the second chamber is the first pressure and moving to a second position when the gas pressure of the second chamber is the second pressure, wherein the first position of the movable visual indicator indicates that the cartridge is in an unopened and/or unused state and the second position of the movable visual indicator indicates that the cartridge is in an opened or used state.

16. The drug delivery device of claim 15 , wherein the movable visual indicator is not visible to a user when in the first position.

17. The drug delivery device of claim 16 , where in the movable visual indicator is visible to the user in the second position.

18. The drug delivery device of claim 15 , wherein the movable visual indicator is biased toward the second position.

19. The drug delivery device of claim 18 , further including a biasing member that biases the movable visual indicator toward the second position.

20. The drug delivery device of claim 18 , wherein a structure of the movable visual indicator biases the movable visual indicator toward the second position.

21. The drug delivery device of claim 20 , wherein the movable visual indicator is an elastic piece or band.

22. The drug delivery device of claim 15 , further including at least one seal that seals the second chamber when the cartridge is in the unopened and/or unused state.

23. The drug delivery device of claim 22 , wherein when the at least one seal is removed or broken, the gas pressure changes from the first pressure to the second pressure.

24. The drug delivery device of claim 23 , wherein the at least one seal of the second chamber comprises the movable visual indicator.

25. The drug delivery device of claim 23 , wherein the at least one seal is defined by the plunger.

26. The drug delivery device of claim 23 , wherein the at least one seal comprises a pierceable seal.

27. The drug delivery device of claim 15 , further including a third chamber, the movable visual indicator being at least partially located in the third chamber.

28. The drug delivery device of claim 15 , wherein the second chamber is expandable and collapsible, and the movable visual indicator at least partially defines the second chamber.

29. A cartridge containing a liquid drug, comprising:
a first chamber containing the liquid drug;
a second chamber having a gas pressure, wherein the second chamber is configured so that the gas pressure changes from a first pressure to a second pressure, wherein the first pressure is a vacuum pressure and less than the second pressure, and the gas pressure in the second chamber being the first pressure when the cartridge is in an unopened and/or unused state, and the gas pressure in the second chamber being the second pressure when the cartridge is in an opened and/or used state; and
a movable visual indicator associated the second chamber, the movable visual indicator being in a first position when the gas pressure of the second chamber is the first pressure and moving to a second position when the gas pressure of the second chamber is the second pressure, wherein the first position of the movable visual indicator indicates that the cartridge is in an unopened and/or unused state and the second position of the movable

Assignees

• Fresenius Kabi Deutschland Gmbh

Inventors

• West Sharon D
• Zerweck Jason

Classifications

• A61M2205/584

  having a color code · CPC title

• A61M2205/581

  by audible feedback · CPC title

• A61M2005/3123

  having air entrapping or venting means, e.g. purging channels in pistons · CPC title

• A61M2005/14252

  with needle insertion means · CPC title

• A61M5/5086 Primary

  for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile · CPC title