AN ASSEMBLY FOR A MEDICAMENT DELIVERY DEVICE

Abstract

An assembly for a medicament delivery device is disclosed having a body, a delivery member cover arranged in the body and configured to move axially relative to the body from an extend position relative to the body to a retracted position, and wherein the delivery member cover is configured to be rotatable relative to the body, and a cap configured to receive a proximal portion of the delivery member cover extending from the body when the delivery member cover is in the extended position, and wherein the cap is configured to be removably attached to and rotationally locked relative to the body, wherein the delivery member cover has a first locking structure and the cap has a second locking structure configured to engage with the first locking structure when the delivery member cover is in the extended position, to prevent rotation of the delivery member cover relative to the cap in a first rotational direction.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. An assembly for a medicament delivery device, the assembly comprising: a body, a delivery member cover arranged in the body and configured to move axially relative to the body from an extend position relative to the body to a retracted position, a rotator configured to be rotatable relative to the body, and a cap configured to receive a portion of the rotator when the delivery member cover is in the extended position, and wherein the cap is configured to be removably attached to and rotationally locked relative to the body, wherein the rotator has a first locking structure and the cap has a second locking structure configured to engage with the first locking structure when the delivery member cover is in the extended position, to prevent rotation of the rotator relative to the cap in a first rotational direction and thereby maintain the rotator in a first rotational position relative to the body, wherein the delivery member cover has a first blocking structure configured to engage with a second blocking structure, which is axially fixed relative to the body, when the rotator is in the first rotational position to prevent the delivery member cover to move axially from the extended position towards the retracted position, wherein one of the first blocking structure and the second blocking structure has a cam surface configured to cooperate with the other one of the first blocking structure and the second blocking structure such that when the cap has been removed from the body and the delivery member cover is subjected to an axial force directed distally, the rotator is rotated in the first rotational direction, causing the first blocking structure and the second blocking structure to disengage, enabling the delivery member cover to move axially from the extended position towards the retracted position.

17. The assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the delivery member cover is the rotator, wherein the body comprises the second blocking structure, and wherein the cap is configured to receive a proximal portion of the delivery member cover when the delivery member is in the extended position.

18. The assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein one of the first locking structure and the second locking structure comprises a recess and the other one of the first locking structure and the second locking structure comprises a protrusion configured to be received into the recess to prevent rotation of the delivery member cover in the first rotational direction.

19. The assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the recess is arranged in a radial plane of the delivery member cover.

20. The assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the recess extends in a circumferential direction of the delivery member cover.

21. The assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the protrusion extends in an axial direction of the cap.

22. The assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first locking structure comprises the recess and the second locking structure comprises the protrusion.

23. The assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the rotator is a separate component from the delivery member cover, the rotator being provided with the second blocking structure, wherein the rotator is arranged concentrically with the delivery member cover radially outside of the delivery member cover.

24. The assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first blocking structure comprises a first radial protrusion, and the second blocking structure comprises a second radial protrusion configured to be arranged axially aligned with and distally relative to the first radial protrusion in the first rotational position of the delivery member cover to prevent the delivery member cover to move towards the retracted position.

25. The assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein the delivery member cover comprises a radially extending first ramp structure that tapers in a direction from the proximal portion towards a distal end of the delivery member cover, wherein the first ramp structure is arranged offset in the first rotational direction relative to the first radial protrusion and closer to the proximal portion than the first radial protrusion, and wherein the second radial protrusion is configured to move over the first ramp structure when the delivery member cover is moved towards the retracted position.

26. The assembly as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first ramp structure has a proximal end portion provided with a radial guide surface extending along a helical direction of the delivery member cover, the radial guide surface being configured to guide the second radial protrusion when the delivery member cover is moved towards the extended position, causing rotation of the delivery member cover in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction relative to the body.

27. The assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein the delivery member cover has a second ramp structure which in the circumferential direction is arranged adjacent to the first ramp structure, wherein the radial guide surface is configured to guide the second radial protrusion towards the second ramp structure when the delivery member cover is moved from the retracted position towards the extended position, wherein the second ramp structure is tapering in an opposite direction relative to the tapering of the first ramp structure.

28. The assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein the second ramp structure has a snap-lock functionality configured to prevent the delivery member cover to move towards the retracted position when the second radial protrusion has moved axially past the second ramp structure.

29. The assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein the delivery member cover comprises a radial structure axially aligned with and arranged distally relative to the second ramp structure, the radial structure being configured to prevent the delivery member cover to move further proximally when the second radial protrusion has moved past the second ramp structure.

30. A medicament delivery device comprising an assembly as claimed in claim 16.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] The specific embodiments of the inventive concept will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one example of a medicament delivery device;

[0053] FIG. 2 shows the medicament delivery device with an outer cap member removed from an inner cap member;

[0054] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a delivery member cover;

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a body;

[0056] FIG. 5a is a close-up view of the inner cap member fitted over the delivery member cover in FIG. 3;

[0057] FIG. 5b shows a cross-section along lines A-A in FIG. 5a;

[0058] FIG. 5c is a close-up view when the inner cap member has been partly removed from the delivery member cover; and

[0059] FIG. 6a-6h show the interaction between the delivery member cover and the body as the delivery member cover is moved from the extended position to the retracted position and back to the extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments are shown. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0061] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a medicament delivery device 1. The exemplified medicament delivery device 1 is an injector. The injector may be an auto-injector. The medicament delivery device 1 could alternatively for example be an inhaler.

[0062] The medicament delivery device 1 has a housing 3 which may be formed by one or more parts.

[0063] The medicament delivery device 1 comprises a removable cap 5. The cap 5 is configured to be assembled with the housing 3. According to the present example the housing 3 has a proximal part or body (not shown in FIG. 1), which the cap 5 receives when the cap 5 is assembled with the housing 3. The cap 5 is configured to be rotationally locked relative to the housing 3.

[0064] The cap 5 forms a proximal end, or proximal end, of the medicament delivery device 1. The medicament delivery device 1 has a distal end 7. The distal end 7 is the distal end of the medicament delivery device 1.

[0065] Turning now to FIG. 2, the medicament delivery device 1 is shown with the cap 5 partly removed. According to the example, the cap 5 includes an outer cap member 5a and an inner cap member 5b. The outer cap member 5a is configured to be arranged concentrically with the inner cap member 5b. The outer cap member 5a is configured to be arranged radially outside of the inner cap member 5b. In FIG. 2, the outer cap member 5a has been removed from the inner cap member 5b. The inner cap member 5b is fitted to the body 3a. As mentioned previously, the body 3a is a proximal part of the housing 3.

[0066] Alternatively, the cap could be made as a single piece cap. In this case the inner cap member and the outer cap member are integral.

[0067] The medicament delivery device 1 comprises a delivery member cover 9. The delivery member cover 9 may be an elongated structure. The delivery member cover 9 may be a sleeve or tubular structure configured to be arranged around a delivery member and/or a medicament container.

[0068] According to the first example disclosed herein the medicament delivery cover is a rotator. This is because the medicament delivery cover is configured to be rotatable relative to the body 3a as will be described in more detail in the following.

[0069] The delivery member cover 9 is configured to be received by the body 3a. The body 3a has a proximal opening through which the delivery member cover 9 extends. The delivery member cover 9 is configured to extend from the proximal end of the body 3a.

[0070] FIG. 6a provides a better view of the delivery member cover 9 extending from the body 3a. The delivery member cover 9 is configured to be axially movable relative to the body 3a between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body 3a. The delivery member cover 9 is configured to move from the extended position to the retracted position, and back to the extended position.

[0071] The extended position is the default position of the delivery member cover 9. The medicament delivery device 1 may comprise a resilient member such as a spring, configured to urge the delivery member cover 9 towards the extended position. The delivery member cover 9 is configured to be biased towards the extended position.

[0072] An example of the delivery member cover 9 will now be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0073] The delivery member cover 9 has a proximal portion 9a. The proximal portion 9a may be tubular. The delivery member cover 9 has two legs 9b extending distally from the proximal portion 9a. The legs 9b hence extend distally from the proximal portion 9a.

[0074] The proximal portion 9a has an axially extending central through-opening 10 configured to receive a delivery member, such as a needle, of the medicament delivery device 1. The proximal portion 9a is provided with a first locking structure 9c. The first locking structure 9c comprises recesses. The recesses open from the through-opening 10. Each recess is arranged in a radial plane of the delivery member cover 9. Each recess is a radially extending recess. Each recess has an extension in the circumferential direction of the delivery member cover 9. The recesses may be arranged opposite to each other in the through-opening 10.

[0075] According to the example, each recess has an extension in the circumferential direction corresponding to less than 90 degrees, such as less than 60 degrees, such as less than 45 degrees, of the inner circumference of the through-opening 10.

[0076] Each leg 9b is provided with a respective first blocking structure 9d. The first blocking structures 9d are provided on a radially outer surface of the legs 9b. The first blocking structure 9d extends radially outwards.

[0077] The first blocking structure 9d shown in FIG. 3 comprises a first radial protrusion 11. According to the example shown in FIG. 3, the first radial protrusion 11 has a cam surface 11a. The cam surface 11a is at least partly directed towards the distal end of the delivery member cover 9.

[0078] The delivery member cover 9 comprises a radially extending first ramp structure 13 that tapers in a direction from the proximal portion 9a towards a distal end of the delivery member cover 9.

[0079] The first ramp structure 13 is arranged closer to the proximal portion 9a than the first radial protrusion 11.

[0080] The first ramp structure 13 is arranged offset in a first rotational direction relative to the first radial protrusion 11. The first ramp structure 13 is offset in the circumferential direction of the delivery member cover 9 relative to the first radial protrusion 11.

[0081] The first ramp structure 13 has a proximal end portion 13a provided with a radial guide surface 13b which extends radially outwards. The radial guide surface 13b is arranged proximally relative to the tapering portion of the first ramp structure 13. The radial guide surface 13b extends along a helical direction of the delivery member cover 9. The radial guide surface 13b hence intersects an axial plane extending through the delivery member cover 9. The radial guide surface 13b is a cam surface.

[0082] The delivery member cover 9 has an axial rib 15a which extends in the axial direction of the delivery member cover 9.

[0083] The delivery member cover 9 has a second ramp structure 17 is arranged adjacent to the first ramp structure 13 in the circumferential direction of the delivery member cover 9. The second ramp structure 17 is arranged adjacent to the first ramp structure 13 in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0084] The first ramp structure 13 and the second ramp structure 17 may be fully axially aligned. The first ramp structure 13 and the second ramp structure taper in opposite direction. The second ramp structure 17 is tapering in a direction from the distal end of the delivery member cover 9 towards the proximal portion 9a.

[0085] The radial guide surface 13b is configured to transition into the second ramp structure 17.

[0086] The delivery member cover 9 may comprise a radial structure 18 axially aligned with and arranged distally relative to the second ramp structure 17.

[0087] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from the proximal of the body 3a. The body 3a has a proximal opening 19 which extends axially through the body 3a. The delivery member cover 9 is configured to be arranged in the body 3a and extends from the proximal opening 19 in the extended position.

[0088] The delivery member cover 9 is configured to be axially moved relative to the body 3a. The delivery member cover 9 is configured to be able to rotate relative to the body 3a.

[0089] The body 3a has a second blocking structure 21. The second blocking structure 21 may comprise a second radial protrusion. The second blocking structure 21 extends radially inwards. The second blocking structure 21 is configured to engage with the first blocking structure 9d when the delivery member cover 9 is in the first rotational position to prevent the delivery member cover 9 to move axially from the extended position towards the retracted position. The second blocking structure 21 is configured to cooperate with the first radial protrusion 11, with the first ramp structure 13 and subsequently with the second ramp structure 17 when the medicament delivery device 1 is being operated, as will be explained in more detail in the following.

[0090] In a preferred example, the first ramp structure comprises a slot for guiding the axial movement of the second blocking structure, so that the second blocking structure will not accidentally into a position that is axially lined up with the second ramp structure.

[0091] Similarly, the second ramp structure can also have a slot to prevent a transverse movement of the second blocking structure. FIG. 5a shows a longitudinal section of the cap 5 when mounted to the body 3a. The cap 5 has a second locking structure 5c configured to engage with the first locking structure 9c of the delivery member cover 9.

[0092] The second locking structure 5c is arranged inside the cap 5. The inner cap member 5b may be provided with the second locking structure 5c.

[0093] The second locking structure 5c comprises a protrusion configured to be received into the recess of the first locking structure 9c to prevent rotation of the delivery member cover 9 in the first rotational direction when the cap 5 is fitted to the body 3a. The protrusion may extend in the axial direction of the cap 5.

[0094] The second locking structure 5c may comprise several protrusions, each being configured to be received in a respective recess of the delivery member cover 9.

[0095] The protrusion bears against at least one circumferential end surface of the recess when the cap is fitted to the body 3a. Thus, the delivery member cover 9 is prevented from rotation in a first rotational direction when the cap 5 is fitted to the body 3a.

[0096] FIG. 5b shows a cross-section along lines A-A in FIG. 5a. In FIG. 5b it can be seen that the protrusions 5c are arranged in a respective one of the recesses of the delivery member cover 9.

[0097] The operation of the delivery member device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5c to 6h.

[0098] In FIG. 5c the cap 5 is being pulled off the body 3a. The cap 5 is thus pulled in the proximal direction as shown by arrow A. The protrusions of the second locking structure 5c are thus moved axially in the forward or proximal direction and moved out from the recesses of the first locking structure 9c. The first locking structure 9c and the second locking structure 5c are thus disengaged. The delivery member cover 9 is thereby able to rotate in the first rotational direction.

[0099] FIG. 6a shows the medicament delivery device 1 when the cap 5 has been removed from the body 3a. The delivery member cover 9 is in the extended position relative to the body 3a.

[0100] FIG. 6b illustrates the interaction between the delivery member cover 9 and the second blocking structure 21 of the body 3a when the medicament delivery device 1 is in the extended position as shown by FIG. 6a. The delivery member cover 9 is in the first rotational position. The second blocking structure 21 bears against the first blocking structure 9d of the delivery member cover 9. The second blocking structure 21 bears against the cam surface 11a of the first radial protrusion 11. The second blocking structure 21 is arranged distally relative to the first radial protrusion 11 such that the delivery member cover 9 cannot be moved distally from the extended position towards the retracted position without prior rotation of the delivery member cover 9. However, as can be understood from the foregoing, the delivery member cover 9 is able to rotate in the first rotational direction from the first rotational position when the cap 5 has been removed from the body 3a.

[0101] In FIG. 6c, the delivery member cover 9 has been moved distally into the body 3a to the retracted position, as shown by the arrow B. For an injector, this is typically done by pressing the delivery member cover 9 against the site of injection. The delivery member cover 9 is slightly rotated in the first rotational direction C.

[0102] FIG. 6d shows that the delivery member cover 9 is being rotated in the first rotational direction C as the delivery member cover 9 is subjected to a distally directed force F. Due to the cam surface 11a, the axial force is transformed into a rotation of the delivery member cover 9 relative to the body 3a. The delivery member cover 9 is thus rotated in the first rotational direction C.

[0103] When the delivery member cover 9 has been rotated in the first rotational direction C the second blocking structure 21 is disengaged from the first blocking structure 9d. The delivery member cover 9 is thereby able to be moved further into the body 3a towards the retracted position.

[0104] The axial rib 15a acta as guides for the second blocking structure 21 to ensure that the delivery member cover 9 and the body 3a are aligned as required when the delivery member cover 9 is returned to the extended position.

[0105] FIG. 6e depicts how the second blocking structure 21 is moved axially over the first ramp structure 13 as the delivery member cover 9 is moved towards the retracted position. The first ramp structure 13 may be configured to flex radially inwards to enable the second blocking structure 21 to move past it.

[0106] As the delivery member cover 9 is moved towards the retracted position activation of the medicament delivery device 1 is initiated. The activation may be carried out in a plurality of ways and will not be described in any further detail herein.

[0107] FIG. 6f shows the medicament delivery device 1 when the delivery member cover 9 returns to the extended position from the retracted position, as shown by the arrow D. The delivery member cover 9 is biased towards the extended position, so that when the user removes the medicament delivery device 1 from the site of expulsion, the delivery member cover 9 is returned to the extended position. The delivery member cover 9 is rotated slightly in the second rotational direction E, opposite to the first rotational direction C. This is illustrated in FIG. 6g, where the delivery member cover 9 moves towards the extended position and the second blocking structure 21 is moved towards the radial guide surface 13b, or cam surface, of the first ramp structure 13. The second blocking structure 21 is thereby guided towards the second ramp structure 17. This causes a rotation of the delivery member cover 9 in the second rotational direction E. The second blocking structure 21 is subsequently moved over the second ramp structure 17, which may me flexible radially inwards. The second ramp structure 17 may have a snap-lock functionality. Once the second blocking structure 21 has moved past the second ramp structure 17, the delivery member cover 9 is prevented from movement towards the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 6h.

[0108] The radial structure 18 may be arranged distally relative to the second blocking structure 21 when the second blocking structure 21 has moved past the second ramp structure 17. The radial structure 18 prevents the delivery member cover 9 from being pulled out from the body 3a, because it acts as a radial barrier that bears against the second blocking structure 21.

[0109] According to another example of the medicament delivery device, the medicament delivery device may additionally comprise a rotator which is separate from the delivery member cover. In this case, the delivery member cover is configured to be rotationally locked relative to the body.

[0110] The rotator is arranged concentrically with the delivery member cover, in between the delivery member cover and the body. The rotator is arranged rotatably relative to the body. The rotator may be prevented from moving axially distally relative to the body. The rotator and the body may thus be engaged to prevent rearward movement of the rotator.

[0111] The delivery member cover is provided with the first blocking structure just like in the first example. The rotator is provided with the second blocking structure. The second blocking structure may be provided on the inner surface of the rotator.

[0112] The rotator is in this example provided with the first locking structure, configured to engage with the second locking structure of the cap. Thus, when the cap is fitted to the body, the rotator is prevented from rotation in the first rotational direction. The delivery member cover is therefore prevented to move from the extended position towards the retracted position. When the cap has been removed, the rotator is allowed to rotate in the first rotational direction.

[0113] When the cap has been removed, axial force in the distal direction on the delivery member cover causes interaction between the first blocking structure and the second blocking structure. The rotator is thereby rotated in the first rotational direction, releasing the first blocking structure from engagement with the second blocking structure. The delivery member cover is thereby able to move from the extended position towards the retracted position.

[0114] The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few examples. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims.