Abstract
A self-righting device is disclosed having a support body for supporting a medicament delivery device, where the support body has a mass, a center of gravity (G) and a shape such that the self-righting device, when positioned on a substantially horizontal surface, moves from an unbalanced position to an upright position. The self-righting device can also have a mechanical adaptor configured for attachment to the support body and for holding an elongated medicament delivery device at an angle less than 30 degrees from a vertical axis when the self-righting device is in the upright position. An assembly of a self-righting device and an elongated medicament delivery device is also provided.
Claims
1. A supporting device for a medicament delivery device, the supporting device comprising: a support body for supporting the medicament delivery device, where the support body has a mass, a center of gravity G and a shape such that when positioned on a substantially horizontal surface the support body moves from an unbalanced position to an upright position, where the supporting device is a self-righting device and where the support body further comprises at least: a proximally facing first surface which faces generally upwards in an upright position of the self-righting device; a distally facing convex second surface which faces generally downwards in an upright position of the self-righting device and is configured to contact the substantially horizontal surface; an accommodating member defining an opening in the first surface; a socket defined by an internal portion a mechanical adaptor that is accepted through the opening in the accommodating member such that the socket has a bottom that is located above the second surface such that the center of gravity is below the bottom of the socket and above the second surface; and a central axis A of symmetry substantially perpendicular to the first and second surfaces, wherein the mechanical adaptor is inserted or removed from the accommodating member by a user of the medicament delivery device, and wherein the socket comprises a mating profile that cooperates and engages with a corresponding mating profile on a distal end of the medicament delivery device to securely hold the medicament delivery device before or after the mechanical adaptor is inserted into the accommodating member.
2. The supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical adaptor further comprises an external side surface comprising a first connector that engages a second connector in the accommodating member to form a releasable attachment to the accommodating member, where the releasable attachment is achieved by at least one of a threaded coupling, a bayonet coupling or a friction-fit coupling.
3. The supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the accommodating member is attached to the supporting device by permanent attachment.
4. The supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the support body further comprises at least one of a weight element, a battery, a motor, LED indicators, speakers, a temperature sensor or a communications module.
5. The supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the support body further comprises at least a battery and a motor, where the motor may be activated to mix a diluent and a medicament contained in a medicament delivery device supported by the support body.
6. The supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the support body further comprises at least a battery, a communications module and a motor, where the communications module through a wireless or direct contact obtain a status from a medicament delivery device supported by the support body to activate the motor to perform a movement of the support body, which movement indicates the status of the medicament delivery device supported by the support body.
7. The supporting device according to claim 1, where the support body further comprises a battery, a communications module and at least an LED indicator or a speaker, where the communications module through a wireless or direct contact obtain a status from a medicament delivery device supported by the support body to visibly or audibly indicate a status of the medicament delivery device supported by the support body.
8. An assembly of a self-righting supporting device and a medicament delivery device comprising: an elongated medicament delivery device, having a longitudinal axis B, wherein the medicament delivery device has a proximal end and a distal end; a mechanical adaptor comprising an external side surface and a socket having a mating profile that cooperates and engages with a corresponding mating profile on the distal end of the medicament delivery device to securely hold the medicament delivery device before the mechanical adaptor is inserted into the self-righting supporting device; and a self-righting supporting device comprising: a support body for supporting the medicament delivery device; a mass, a center of gravity and a shape such that when the support body is positioned on a substantially horizontal surface the support body moves from an unbalanced position to an upright position; a proximally-facing first surface which faces generally upwards in an upright position of the self-righting supporting device; an accommodating member defining an opening in the first surface; and a distally-facing convex second surface which faces generally downwards in an upright position of the self-righting supporting device and is configured to contact the substantially horizontal surface, where the second surface is a smooth hemispherical surface that does not comprise any flat portions and is rotationally symmetric with respect to a central axis A of symmetry that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second surfaces, wherein the mechanical adaptor that is accepted through the opening in the accommodating member such that a bottom of the socket is located above the second surface and the center of gravity is below the bottom of the socket and above the second surface, and wherein the external side surface comprises a first connector that engages a second connector in the accommodating member to form a releasable attachment to the accommodating member.
9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the medicament delivery device with the mechanical adaptor attached is configured for insertion coaxially into the accommodating member of the support body so as the proximal end of the medicament delivery device is pointing upwards.
10. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the support body further comprises at least one of a weight element, a battery, a tungsten, LED indicators, loudspeakers, a temperature sensor, a chip with related data, a memory and a communication module able to communication with an external device or a combination thereof.
11. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the support body further comprises a motor configured for one of a status indicator by vibrating, agitating or swinging about the axis B and shaking the medicament delivery device.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 schematically represents a side view of an assembly comprising a self-righting device and a medicament delivery device held by the self-righting device in various different positions;
(3) FIG. 2 schematically represents a side view of the medicament delivery device held by the self-righting device in various different upright positions;
(4) FIG. 3 schematically represents a cross section view of the self-righting device in the assembly in FIGS. 1 and 2;
(5) FIG. 4 schematically represents a cross section view of the self-righting device in a further assembly comprising an alternative medicament delivery device held by an alternative self-righting device;
(6) FIG. 5: schematically represents a cross section view of the self-righting device in a further assembly comprising an alternative medicament delivery device held by an alternative self-righting device;
(7) FIG. 6 schematically represents a detailed cross-sectional view of the self-righting device in FIG. 4 in a disassembled state with an adaptor;
(8) FIG. 7 schematically represents the self-righting device 1 in FIG. 6 in an assembled state;
(9) FIG. 8 schematically represents a cross-sectional exploded view of an alternative self-righting device in a disassembled state with a different form of the adaptor;
(10) FIG. 9: schematically represents the self-righting device in FIG. 8 in an assembled state;
(11) FIG. 10 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of an alternative self-righting device in an assembled state with the adaptor;
(12) FIG. 11: schematically represents a perspective view of a further alternative self-righting device in a disassembled state with a still another kind of adaptor;
(13) FIG. 12 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 3;
(14) FIG. 13 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 4;
(15) FIG. 14: schematically represents a cross-sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 5;
(16) FIG. 15 schematically represents a cross sectional side-view of a further example of a self-righting device; and
(17) FIG. 16 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of a further assembly comprising an alternative medicament delivery device held by an alternative self-righting device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(18) In the following, a self-righting device comprising a support body for supporting a medicament delivery device, which might be a manual injector, an automatic or semi-automatic injector or an inhaler, and an assembly comprising a self-righting device and an elongated medicament delivery device, will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.
(19) FIG. 1 schematically represents a side view of an assembly 44 comprising a self-righting device 1 and a medicament delivery device 2. The medicament delivery device 2 is held by the self-righting supporting device 1. The medicament delivery device 2 is elongated along longitudinal axis B and has a proximal end 21 and a distal end 22. The self-righting device 1 comprises a support body 11. The support body 11 has a central axis A. When the medicament delivery device 2 is held by the self-righting device 1, the longitudinal axis B of the medicament delivery device 2 is coincident, or substantially coincident, with the central axis A of the support body 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the self-righting device 1 supports the distal end 22 of the medicament delivery device 2.
(20) The medicament delivery device 2 of this example comprises an elongated tubular housing 26 and a cap 27 attached to the housing 26 at the proximal end 21 thereof. The medicament delivery device 2 further comprises an opening 25 on its side surface for viewing a syringe. In the example in FIG. 1, the medicament delivery device 2 is an injection device.
(21) The support body 11 has a mass and a center of gravity G. The support body 11 comprises a proximally-facing first top surface 12 and a distally-facing opposite second base surface 13. The center of gravity G of the support body 11 is positioned between the first surface 12 and the second surface 13. In the example in FIG. 1, the second surface 13 is evenly convex and hemispherical. The second surface 13 has a smooth shape without any flat portions or irregular portions. Furthermore, the second surface 13 is rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis A.
(22) The mass, the center of gravity G and the shape of the support body 11 thereby causes the support body 11, when holding the medicament delivery device 2, to move from any of unbalanced positions 46a, 46b, 46c on a substantially horizontal surface to an upright position 47. The self-righting device 1 thus prevents the medicament delivery device 2 from laying horizontally in the unbalanced position 46a. In the upright position 47, the proximal end 21 of the medicament delivery device 2 is directed upwards.
(23) The gravity force of the self-righting device 1 generates a moment on the self-righting device 1 and on the medicament delivery device 2 such that the self-righting device 1, and the medicament delivery device 2 held by the self-righting device 1, are rotated from any of the unbalanced position 46a, 46b, 46c, towards the upright position 47. The self-righting device 1 and medicament delivery device 2 will eventually become stable and at rest in the upright position 47. However, the hemispherical shape of the support body 11 causes the self-righting device 1 to swing back and forth before becoming stable and at rest in the upright position 47.
(24) FIG. 2 schematically represents a side view of the medicament delivery device 2 held by the self-righting supporting device 1 in various different upright positions 47. As can be seen in FIG. 2, in the upright position 47 of the self-righting device 1, the first surface 12 faces generally upwards and the second surface 13 faces generally downwards. In each upright position 47 of the self-righting device 1, the medicament delivery device 2 is held such that the longitudinal axis B of the medicament delivery device 2 and the central axis A of the self-righting device 1 are less than 30° from a vertical axis.
(25) Prior to delivering a dose of medicament, a user may for example remove the cap 27 and initiate mixing of two medicament components. The mixing process may be initiated in various ways, for example by pushing a button, rotating two parts relative to each other or releasing a lock. When the mixing has been initiated, a first chamber of a medicament container containing a medicament agent and a second chamber of the medicament container containing a diluent are brought into communication. When the medicament agent and the diluent are mixed, air bubbles often develop. In order to release these bubbles, the medicament delivery device 2 should be held in an upright position, preferably in substantially vertical orientation for some time that might be different for different medicaments, for example a few minutes. As known, this process is called priming. The self-righting supporting device 1 assists in priming for a user that do not need to hold the medicament delivery device in a hand by supporting the medicament delivery device 2 in a generally vertical orientation and by swinging about its axis.
(26) When the mixing has been initiated, the medicament delivery device 2 may be inserted by the user into the self-righting device 1. The user might be a patient itself or medically trained personnel. Alternatively, mixing of the medicament delivery device 2 may be initiated while already being supported by the self-righting supporting device 1. When the mixing has been initiated, the user may place the assembly 44 on a substantially horizontal surface, such as on a table surface. Unless the medicament delivery device 2 is placed in a perfectly vertical orientation, the self-righting device 1 and the medicament delivery device 2 will swing slightly about a vertical axis. This swinging enhances the mixing, e.g. by making the mixing more homogenous and/or by more efficiently venting gases.
(27) FIG. 3 schematically represents a side view of the assembly 44 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The self-righting device 1 is shown in cross-section. The medicament delivery device 2 self-righting supporting device 1 comprises a mechanical adaptor 3. An upper surface of the mechanical adaptor 3 is flush with the first surface 12 of the support body 11 as illustrated. Alternatively, the mechanical adaptor may extend over the top surface 12 (not shown) e.g. for a better grasp by fingers and an easier exchange of the adaptors. The mechanical adaptor 3 is configured to be attached to the support body 11. Furthermore, the mechanical adaptor 3 is configured to hold the distal end 22 of the medicament delivery device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end 22 of the medicament delivery device 2 and a corresponding opening in the mechanical adaptor 3 are each generally hemispherical and mating each other for secure holding.
(28) The self-righting device 1 of the example in FIG. 3 further comprises an optional accommodating member 14. The accommodating member may form a fixture on the first surface 12 of the support body 11 (not shown) or alternatively an opening 14 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The mechanical adaptor 3 is shaped and dimensioned so as to securely hold the medicament delivery device 2 to the self-righting supporting device 1. In the example in FIG. 3, the accommodating member 14 is integrally formed with the support body 11 as the opening 14. However, alternatively the accommodating member 14 might be permanently attached to the support body 11 (not shown).
(29) The self-righting supporting device 1 in FIG. 3, further comprises a weight element 4. In this example, the weight element 4 is annular and concentric with the central axis A of the support body 11. The weight element 4 is positioned in a lower portion of the support body 11 along its central axis A such that the center of gravity G of the self-righting device 1 is lowered. In this example, the weight element 4 surrounds or alternatively comprises a battery 41. The weight element 4 in FIG. 3 is merely one of many possible variants.
(30) The self-righting supporting device 1 of the example in FIG. 3 further comprises the battery 41, a PCB (printed circuit board) 8 and LED (light emitting diode) indicators 5 powered by the battery 41. The LED indicators 5 may for example be used to indicate when mixing is completed, e.g. blink and/or change color after a certain time. In this example, the LED indicators 5 are provided in a chamfered portion adjoining the first surface 12 and the second surface 13. The LED indicators can be a number of separate LED elements for providing indications for different medicament delivery statuses or alternatively the LED element might be a single element and/or ring-formed indicator.
(31) FIG. 4 schematically represents a side view of a further assembly 44 comprising an alternative medicament delivery device 2 held by an alternative self-righting supporting device 1. Mainly differences with respect to FIG. 3 will be described below.
(32) The distal end 22 of the medicament delivery device 2 in FIG. 4 has a more planar profile than in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the mechanical adaptor 3 has an opening with a corresponding mating profile. The mechanical adaptor 3 may be replaced in order to hold medicament delivery devices 2 having distal ends 22 of various shapes and/or sizes.
(33) The self-righting supporting device 1 of the example in FIG. 4 further comprises a communication module 42. The communication module 42 may be an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) device, a Wi-Fi device or a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) device. The communication module 42 may be used for wirelessly reading information from the medicament delivery device 2 having a chip at its distal end, such as serial number, batch number etc. This may for example be useful if a manufacturer wants to recall a particular batch of a medicament. Alternatively, or in addition, the communication module 42 may be used for communicating with a smart phone or a computer for recording the time, a dose or frequency of the medicament deliveries.
(34) FIG. 5 schematically represents a side view of a further assembly 44 comprising an alternative medicament delivery device 2 held by another alternative self-righting supporting device 1. Mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described below.
(35) The distal end 22 of the medicament delivery device 2 in FIG. 5 has a stepped profile, i.e. an upper (or proximal) relatively large diameter section and a lower (or distal) relatively small diameter section. The mechanical adaptor 3 attached to the accommodating member 14 in FIG. 5 has a corresponding stepped mating profile.
(36) The self-righting supporting device 1 in FIG. 5 further comprises a motor 43. The motor 43 is powered by the battery 41. The motor 43 may be used to vibrate or shake the self-righting device 1 for a predetermined time. These vibrations from the motor 43 in combination with the self-righting effect of the self-righting supporting device 1 provide an improved mixing of a diluent and a medicament contained separately in the medicament delivery device 2, when this is supported by the support body 11. Alternatively, the shaking might be required for e.g. the inhaler prior to discharging of a medicament. The motor 43 thus functions as an agitator that shakes the self-righting device 1 and the inserted into it the medicament delivery device 2 for more efficiently mixing the diluent and the medicament and achieving a more homogeneous medicament.
(37) FIG. 6 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of the self-righting supporting device 1 in FIG. 4 in a disassembled state. FIG. 7 schematically represents the self-righting device 1 in FIG. 6 in an assembled state. With collective reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the mechanical adaptor 3 comprises a circumferential wall 31. The mechanical adaptor 3 further comprises a female profile 32. The shape of the female profile 32 is generally hemispherical and corresponds to the shape of the distal end 22 of the medicament delivery device 2. Under the female profile 32 can be placed speakers 6 and/or a temperature sensor 7 (not illustrated).
(38) FIG. 6 shows that the circumferential wall 31 of the mechanical adaptor 3 comprises a cylindrical external side surface 33 and a flat external bottom surface 37. The mechanical adaptor 3 thus forms a socket in the first surface 12 of the support body 11 (when inserted therein). The mechanical adaptor 3 comprises an external thread 34 on the external side surface 33 for threadingly engaging an internal thread 14.3 in the accommodating member 14, which is here illustrated as an opening. The mechanical adaptor 3 can thus be attached to the support body 11 by screwing the mechanical adaptor 3 into the accommodating member 14, as shown in FIG. 7. The mechanical adaptor 3 may then be replaced with an alternative mechanical adaptor 3 comprising a different female profile 32 but the same type of external thread 34. Thus, the mechanical adaptor 3 is releasably attached to the accommodating member 14 by means of a threaded coupling.
(39) FIG. 8 schematically represents a cross-sectional exploded view of an alternative self-righting device 1 in a disassembled state. FIG. 9 schematically represents the self-righting device 1 in FIG. 8 in an assembled state. Mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described. Instead of being generally hemispherical, the female profile 32 of the mechanical adaptor 3 in FIGS. 6 and 7 is cylindrical.
(40) Instead of the external thread 34 in FIG. 6, the mechanical adaptor 3 in FIG. 8 comprises external protrusions 39 on the external side surface 33. The mechanical adaptor 3 in FIG. 8 comprises four external protrusions 39, but the number may vary. At least one external protrusion 39 may be provided. Each external protrusion 39 is illustrated as a wedge-shaped but any other forms and suitable shape are also possible.
(41) The mechanical adaptor 3 in FIG. 8 further comprises internal protrusions 45 on the surface of the female profile 32. The mechanical adaptor 3 in FIG. 8 comprises four internal protrusions 45, but the number may vary. At least one internal protrusion 45 may be provided. The internal protrusions 45 are used to more securely engage a distal end 22 of a medicament delivery device 2.
(42) As shown in FIG. 8, the accommodating member 14 comprises a cylindrical interior wall 14.1 and a bottom surface 14.2. A recess 19 receiving the external protrusion 39 of the mechanical adaptor 3 is provided (only two are visible in FIG. 8) in the interior wall 14.1. In this example, the recess 19 is annular.
(43) Although the mechanical adaptor 3 in FIGS. 6 and 7 comprising an external thread 34 has to have a circular circumference, the mechanical adaptor 3 in FIG. 8 may have a wide range of cross-sectional profiles (i.e. transverse to the central axis A of the self-righting device 1) including circular, oval, triangular, and other polygonal profiles. The same applies for the interior wall 14.1 of the accommodating member 14.
(44) As shown in FIG. 9, when inserting the mechanical adaptor 3 into the accommodating member 14, the external protrusions 39 engage the recess 19 such that the mechanical adaptor 3 is locked to the accommodating member 14. Thereby, the mechanical adaptor 3 is permanently attached to the accommodating member 14 by means of a snap-fit connection.
(45) FIG. 10 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of an alternative self-righting supporting device 1. The self-righting device 1 in FIG. 10 differs from the self-righting device 1 in FIGS. 6 and 7 in that female profile 32 is cylindrical instead of hemispherical.
(46) FIG. 11 schematically represents a perspective view of a further alternative self-righting device 1 in a disassembled state. Mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described. The cylindrical mechanical adaptor 3 of the self-righting device 1 in FIG. 11 comprises a through opening 38 and a circumference wall 31. Furthermore, the external side surface 33 of the circumferential wall 31 is smooth. The mechanical adaptor 3 is connected to the accommodating member 14 of the support body 11 by means of glue 35 layer or alternatively by a press-fit connection.
(47) FIG. 12 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of the assembly 44 in FIG. 3. FIG. 12 shows that the medicament delivery device 2 comprises a syringe 23 with a medicament, a stopper 24, a needle 28 and a needle shield 29. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the needle 28 points upwardly, towards the proximal end 21 of the medicament delivery device 2. This orientation of the medicament delivery device 2 enables air bubbles or gases to escape during mixing or priming.
(48) FIG. 13 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of the assembly 44 in FIG. 4 and FIG. 14 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of the assembly 44 in FIG. 5.
(49) FIG. 15 schematically represents a cross sectional side-view of a further example of a self-righting supporting device 1. The self-righting supporting device 1 in FIG. 15 comprises the same type of snap-fit connection as in FIGS. 8 and 9. However, the support body 11 comprises a battery 41 together with both a communication module 42 and a motor 43. The communication module 42 may, wirelessly or by direct contact, obtain a status from a medicament delivery device 2 supported by the support body 11. In response to a particular status, the motor 43 may be may be activated to perform a movement of the support body 11 and thus shaking of the medicament delivery device 2. The movement may be a vibration of the support body 11 in response to a status indicating initiated mixing. Alternatively, or in addition, the movement may be a vibration of the support body 11 to indicate completed mixing. The motor 43 may induce a vibration of the support body 11 such that the entire assembly 44 “dances” on the substantially horizontal surface. This function might be used for a medicament delivery device with a container having a single medicament chamber which does not require the mixing of two components; on the other hand it might be advantageous for medicaments requiring to be shaken prior to use.
(50) The self-righting supporting device 1 in FIG. 15 further comprises a speaker 6 situated under the PCB 8. By means of the LED indicators 5 and the speaker 6, the self-righting device 1 may visibly and/or audibly indicate a status of the medicament delivery device 2, supported by the support body 11, e.g. amount of the delivered medicament, time of the delivery, amount of the doses which might be left for a multi-dose delivery device and the like information.
(51) FIG. 16 schematically represents a cross-sectional view of a further assembly 44 comprising an alternative medicament delivery device 2 held by an alternative self-righting supporting device 1. The medicament delivery device 2 self-righting supporting device 1 of this example comprises a temperature sensor 7. The medicament delivery device 2 of this example comprises a communication module 42 for reading temperature data from the temperature sensor 7. The communication module 42 may for example be constituted by an RFID reader for reading an RFID tag of the temperature sensor 7 in the medicament delivery device 2. The self-righting device 1 may be configured to indicate a temperature status of the medicament delivery device 2 based on the read temperature data. For example, the self-righting device 1 may be configured to perform a movement and/or issue an audible and/or visual alarm based on the temperature data, such as when a medicament contained in the medicament delivery device 2 has reached a target temperature range (e.g. room temperature) or when the temperature exceeds or lower a reference temperature. Alternatively, the sensor 7 situated optionally at the distal end of the medicament delivery device 2, as illustrated, might be the other types of sensors or a chip 7 indicating a medicament, manufacturer, batch number and the like for easier identification of a drug, dose etc and transferring this information to the communication module 42, which in its turn might transfer this data to a external receiver such as a computer or another suitable gadget.
(52) While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts such as the accommodating member 14 of the support body 11 and the distal end 22 of the medicament delivery device 2 may be adapted to each other to mate as needed and the adapter 3 might be omitted as illustrated in FIG. 16.
