A SYSTEM WITH A MONITORING DEVICE

Abstract

A system having a monitoring device and a medicament delivery device is presented wherein the monitoring device is configured to be releasably attached to the medicament delivery device and to monitor an operation of the medicament delivery device. The monitoring device has a body defining a cavity for receiving the medicament delivery device; a biased holding unit arranged in the body and configured to retain the medicament delivery device to the body in a secure state; wherein the biased b holding unit is movable within the body between a first position in which the medicament delivery device is in an unsecure state and a second position in which the medicament delivery device is in the secure state. The biased holding unit can have an enclosing member having a engagement structure; and in that the biased holding unit there can be a locking element fixed to or integral with the enclosing member, wherein the engagement structure is configured to interact with an engaging member on the medicament delivery device and the locking element is configured to interact with a counter locking element arranged to the body when the biased holding unit is in the second position.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A system comprising a monitoring device and a medicament delivery device wherein the monitoring device is configured to be releasably attached to the medicament delivery device and to monitor an operation of the medicament delivery device, wherein the monitoring device comprises: a body defining a cavity for receiving the medicament delivery device; a biased holding unit arranged in the body and configured to retain the medicament delivery device to the body in a secure state; wherein the biased holding unit is movable within the body between a first position in which the medicament delivery device is in an unsecure state and a second position in which the medicament delivery device is in the secure state; wherein the biased holding unit comprises an enclosing member having an engagement structure; and in that the biased holding unit further comprises a locking element fixed to or integral with the enclosing member, wherein the engagement structure is configured to interact with an engagement member on the medicament delivery device and the locking element is configured to interact with a counter locking element arranged to the body when the biased holding unit is in the second position.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein a biasing element is positioned between the biased holding unit and the body.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the biasing element is configured to be in a compressed state when the biased holding unit is in the second position, and in a released state when the biased holding unit is in the first position.

19. The system according to claim 16, wherein the engagement structure is a flexible structure element.

20. The system according to claim 16, wherein the engagement structure is configured to be releasably engaged with the engagement member on the medicament delivery device when the medicament delivery device is in the secure state.

21. The system according to claim 16, wherein the body comprises a movable portion.

22. The system according to claim 21 wherein the movable portion is twistable in relation to a longitudinal axis.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein the counter locking element is arranged to the movable portion of the body.

24. The system according to claim 16, wherein the biased holding unit is rotationally locked and slidable in relation to the body between a first position and a second position.

25. The system according to claim 16, wherein the locking element further comprises a locking arm extending distally and whereby the distal end of the locking arm is formed as a wedge shape structure or as a hook.

26. The system according to claim 16, wherein the counter locking element comprises a ledge arranged to receive the locking arm.

27. The system according to claim 16, wherein the engagement structure is an axial stop rib configured to interact with the engagement member on the medicament delivery device for axially locking the medicament delivery device with the biased holding unit.

28. The system according to claim 16, wherein the engagement structure is a radial stop rib configured to interact with the engaging member on the medicament delivery device for radially locking the medicament delivery device with the biased holding unit.

29. The system according to claim 26, wherein the axial stop rib is a wedge shape structure.

30. The system according to claim 16, wherein the medicament delivery device is an injection device.

31. A system comprising a monitoring device and a medicament delivery device having a longitudinal axis, where the monitoring device is configured to be releasably attached to the medicament delivery device and monitors an operation of the medicament delivery device, wherein the monitoring device comprises: a body defining a cavity for receiving the medicament delivery device and having a movable portion; a biased holding unit arranged in the body and configured to retain the medicament delivery device to the body in a secure state; wherein the biased holding unit is movable within the body between a first position in which the medicament delivery device is in an unsecure state and a second position in which the medicament delivery device is in the secure state, wherein the biased holding unit comprises an enclosing member having an engagement structure and a locking element fixed to, or integral with, the enclosing member, and wherein the engagement structure is configured to interact with an engagement member on the medicament delivery device and the locking element is configured to interact with a counter locking element operatively connected to the movable portion of the body when the biased holding unit is in the second position.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein twisting of the movable portion relative to the longitudinal axis causes rotational movement of the counter locking element.

33. The system according to claim 31, wherein the locking element further comprises a locking arm extending distally and operatively engages the counter locking element.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein a distal end of the locking arm is formed as a wedge shape structure or as a hook.

35. The system according to claim 33, wherein the counter locking element comprises a ledge arranged to receive a distal end of the locking arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The specific embodiments of the objects of this disclosure concept will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 displays an exploded view of the monitoring device.

[0040] FIG. 2 displays the system wherein the monitoring device is attached to a medicament delivery device.

[0041] FIGS. 3 and 4 display perspective cross sectional view of the biased holding unit.

[0042] FIGS. 5 and 6 display a perspective view of the system when the medicament delivery device is being positioned in the cavity of the monitoring unit and when the medicament delivery device is positioned and secured in the cavity of the monitoring unit.

[0043] FIG. 7 displays a perspective view of the system when the medicament delivery device is to be released from the monitoring device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The concept of this disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments are shown. The concept of this disclosure 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 concept of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrate an exploded view of the monitoring device. The monitoring device (1) comprises a body (11) defining a cavity which extends along a longitudinal axis L and which is configured to receive a medicament delivery device (2); and a biased holding unit (12) positioned inside the cavity. The biased holding unit (12) comprises an enclosing member (12a) and, a locking element (12b). In a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a biasing element (14) arranged between the biased holding unit (12) and the body. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing element is a compression spring arranged to abut the enclosing member (12a) at one end, and an inner protruding ledge on the inner surface of the body on the other end. The body (11) further comprises a movable portion (11a) which is positioned at its distal end and a counter locking element (13). In the preferred embodiment the movable portion is twistable in relation to the longitudinal axis (L). It is also possible that in a second embodiment the movable portion is moved along the longitudinal axis L when a user pulls the movable portion. It is also obvious that a translational movement can be implemented, i.e. by rotating and pulling.

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates the system where the monitoring device receives the medicament delivery device (2) such that the distal and the proximal end of the medicament delivery device (2) protrudes from the respective distal and proximal ends of the body (11). In another embodiment, the body can be configured to enclose the distal end of the medicament delivery device (2) and expose the proximal end of the medicament delivery device (2). Embodiments where the medicament delivery device (2) comprises a trigger button or a dose dial knob on its distal end, then the preferable body shall be the first mentioned.

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the biased holding unit in a first position in which the medicament delivery device is in an unsecure state and the biasing element (14) is in a released state. FIG. 3 also illustrates that the medicament delivery device comprises an engagement member (21a) that can be an extra design on the outer surface of the medicament delivery device, such as a fixture rib, a protrusion, a hole; or an existing part of the medicament delivery device, such like an edge of the observation window on the outer surface of the medicament delivery device.

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the biased holding unit (12) in a second position in which the medicament delivery device (2) is in a secure state and the biasing element (14) is in a compressed state.

[0049] FIGS. 5-6 display a perspective view of the system when the medicament delivery device (2) is being positioned in the cavity of the monitoring unit (1) and when the medicament delivery device (2) is positioned and secured in the cavity of the monitoring unit (1).

[0050] The enclosing member (12a) comprises an engagement structure is configured to releasably engage with the engagement member (21a) on the medicament delivery device (2) when the medicament delivery device (2) is in the secure state.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the engagement structure (12a′) is a flexible structure, and configured to flex radially outward in its relaxed configuration; and to flex radially inward in its tensioned configuration. The inner surface of the body comprises a blocking structure e.g. a wall, configured to receive the engagement structure (12a′), tension, and keep it into its tensioned configuration. In another embodiment, the engagement structure (12a′) can be an axial stop rib configured to interact with the engagement member (21a) on the medicament delivery device (2) for axially locking the medicament delivery device (2) with the biased holding unit (12), wherein the axial stop rib is in the form of a wedge shape structure. In a further embodiment, the engagement structure (12a′) is a radial stop rib configured to interact with the engaging member (21a) on the medicament delivery device (2) for radially locking the medicament delivery device (2) with the biased holding unit (12).

[0052] The locking element (12b) and the enclosing member (12a) are fixed together, which can be a snap-fit or screw-fit, or they can also be integral i.e. one piece. The locking element (12b) further comprises a locking arm (12b′) extending distally whereby the distal end of the locking arm (12b′) is formed as a wedge shape structure or as a hook; and a rotational stop (not showed) arranged on the outer surface of the locking element (12b). The rotational stop is configured to engage a counter rotational stop on the inner surface of the body, so that the locking element (12b) is rotationally fixed in relation to the body. The rotational stop and the counter rotational stop can be a pair of grooves or guide tracks arranged on either the outer surface of the locking element (12b) or the inner surface of the body, and a spline arranged on the other outer surface of the locking element (12b) or the inner surface of the body; or a protrusion and a counter protrusion outer surface of the locking element (12b) or the inner surface of the body.

[0053] The counter locking element (13) is arranged to the movable portion (11a). The counter locking element (13) is received in the movable portion (11a). The counter locking element (13) and the movable portion (11a) are rotationally fixed together i.e. in relation to each other, or these parts can also be integral i.e. one piece, so that the counter locking element (13) and the movable portion (11a) can be rotated together in relation to the body (11). In one embodiment, a space is defined between the outer surface of the counter locking element (13) and the inner surface of the movable portion (11a). The outer surface of the counter locking element (13) further comprises a ledge arranged to receive the locking arm (12b′).

[0054] The biased holding unit (12) is axially slidable and rotationally locked in relation to the body (11) between the second position in which the enclosing member (12a) together with the locking element (12b) are pressed distally against the force of the biasing element (14) and is releasably connected to the body; and the first position in which the enclosing member (12a) together with the locking element (12b) are biased proximally forward to its most-forward position under the force of the biasing element (14).

[0055] When the biased holding unit (12) is in the second position, the locking arm (12b′) of the locking element (12b) is received in the space between the outer surface of the counter locking element (13) and the inner surface of the movable portion (11a), and is engaged with the ledge of the counter locking element (13), so that the biased holding unit is releasably connected to the body (11) since the counter locking element (13) and the movable portion (11a) are connected to the body

[0056] Once the locking arm (12b′) is disengaged from the counter locking element (13) by a rotation or pull force of the movable portion (11a) exerted by a user, the biased holding unit will move to the first position under the force of the biasing element (14) until the locking element and the enclosing member is stopped by an abutment arranged on the inner surface of the body (11) which is the most-forward position of the biased holding unit (12).

[0057] The monitoring device (1) is configured to receive and to releasably attach the medicament delivery device (2) to its body, in the secure state. The medicament delivery device (2) is received and releasably attached to the body (11) of the monitoring device (1) through the biased holding unit (12). To releasably attach the medicament delivery device (2) to the monitoring device (1) as illustrated in FIG. 5-6, the medicament delivery device (2) needs to be axially positioned in the cavity and passed through the enclosing member (12a) when the biased holding unit (12) is in the first position and the engagement structure (12a′) is in its relax configuration and proximally arranged to the blocking wall. Once the medicament delivery device (2) is pressed into the cavity towards the distal direction, such like the user might get the monitoring device (1) on one hand and press the injection device (1) into the cavity by the other hand; or the user might press the injection device (1) into the cavity by pressing on a flat surface, e.g. surface of table or floor; the engagement member (21a) of the medicament delivery device (2) will abut a surface of the enclosing member (12a) such that the biased holding unit (12) is moved towards the distal direction; and once the engagement structure (12a′) pass through the blocking wall, the blocking wall will bend the engagement structure (12a′) flexing radially inward into its tensioned configuration, so that the engagement structure (12a′) now starts to cramp on the engagement member (21a) of the medicament delivery device (2). Both the enclosing member and the locking element (12b) are moved towards the distal direction and once the locking arm (12b′) passed the ledge on the outer surface of the counter locking element (13), the engagement structure (12a′) start to tightly cramp the engagement member (21a) of the medicament delivery device (2). When the locking arm (12b′) passes the ledge on the outer surface of the counter locking element (13), it generates a click sound as an indication that the medicament delivery device is in the secure state. Since the engagement structure (12a′) is tightly cramping the medicament delivery device (2), the medicament delivery device (2) is releasably attached to the monitoring device (1).

[0058] For releasing the medicament delivery device from the monitoring device (2), the movable portion (11a) can be twisted or pulled. Moving the movable portion (11a) causes the counter locking element (13) to be moved at the same time such that the ledge on the outer surface of the counter locking element (13) will then misalign with the locking arm (12b′) and the biased holding unit is moved from its second position into the first position under the biasing force from the biasing element (14). Once the engagement structure (12a′) fully passes the blocking wall in the proximal direction, the engagement structure (12a′) is moved into its relaxed configuration under its own radially resilient force; thereby the engagement member (21a) of the medicament delivery device (2) is no longer cramped by the flexible arm (12a′), and thus the medicament delivery device (2) is in the unsecure state and can be released from the monitoring device (1).

[0059] The counter locking element (13), in an alternative embodiment, can be the ledge itself and can be arranged on the inner surface of the movable portion (11a), and configured to engage or disengage with the locking arm (12b′).

[0060] The concept of this disclosure 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 this disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.