Medical device for delivering at least one fluid from a medical device

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical device and a method for delivering at least one fluid from a medical device. More particularly, the present patent application relates to medical devices for delivering at least one, in particular two drug agents from separate reservoirs. The technical problem of preventing after-dripping and at the same time improving the safety and the dose accuracy of a medical device is solved by a method for delivering at least one fluid from a medical device, wherein the fluid is ejected from a reservoir by an advancing movement of a bung, wherein an electromechanical device is instructed to move the bung via a piston over a predetermined distance and wherein, after a dwell time following the advancing movement of the piston, the piston is retracted by the electromechanical device.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising: a reservoir, a bung, a piston, an electromechanical device, and a control unit, wherein said reservoir, said bung, said piston, and said electromechanical device are controlled by said control unit and are arranged such that said electromechanical device can be instructed to move said bung via said piston to eject a desired dose of fluid from said reservoir to a user during a single dose delivery process, wherein said control unit is configured to instruct the electromechanical device to move said bung via said piston over a first distance by a first advancing movement of said bung to eject part of said desired dose from said reservoir, wherein said control unit is configured such that said piston will be retracted by said electromechanical device after the control unit determines that a predetermined dwell time has elapsed following the first advancing movement of said bung, wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether the predetermined dwell time has elapsed for subsequent single dose delivery processes, and wherein said control unit is configured to turn off the electromechanical device for a non-zero time period after the first advancing movement and then instruct the electromechanical device to cause, within the dwell time, and after the non-zero time period, a second advancing movement of said bung via said piston over a second distance to eject a remainder of said desired dose from said reservoir.

2. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a gearing arrangement arranged such that said bung is moved by said electromechanical device by said gearing arrangement.

3. The medical device according to claim 1, said medical device being a drug delivery device and/or a portable medical device.

4. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein said electromechanical device is a stepper motor or a brushless DC-motor.

5. The medical device to according to claim 1, configured such that said dwell time can be variably adjusted.

6. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein said dwell time is at least 4 seconds.

7. The medical device according to claim 1, configured such that the first advancing movement of said bung accounts for a previous retraction of said piston.

8. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a motion detector configured such that: a backward movement of said electromechanical device is detected while said electromechanical device is turned off, and said second advancing movement is determined from said detected backward movement.

9. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second reservoir, a second bung, and a second piston, wherein the second reservoir, the second bung, the second piston, and the electromechanical device controlled by the control unit are arranged such that the electromechanical device can be instructed to move the second bung via the second piston over a third distance and a second fluid may be ejected from the second reservoir by an advancing movement of the second bung.

10. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second reservoir, a second bung, a second piston, and a second electromechanical device, wherein the second reservoir, the second bung, the second piston, and the second electromechanical device controlled by the control unit are arranged such that the second electromechanical device can be instructed to move the second bung via the second piston over a third distance and a second fluid may be ejected from the second reservoir by an advancing movement of the second bung.

11. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein said dwell time is at least 6 seconds.

12. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein said dwell time is at least 10 seconds.

13. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the control unit is provided with the predetermined dwell time such that the control unit does not need to calculate the dwell time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) These as well as other advantages of various aspects of the method and the medical device according to the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1a-1d illustrate schematic views of different states of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention performed by an exemplary embodiment of the medical device according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a drive mechanism for use with the drug delivery device;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates another schematic view of the drive mechanism illustrated in FIG. 2;

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrates a motion detection system that may be used with the drive mechanism illustrated in FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of an alternative drive mechanism for use with the drug delivery device;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of the alternative drive mechanism illustrated in FIG. 5 with certain elements removed;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a telescope piston rod and gearing arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a telescope piston rod arrangement illustrated in FIG. 7 and

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of one piston rod arrangement illustrated in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) FIG. 1a-1d illustrate a schematic view of different states of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention performed by an exemplary embodiment of the medical device according to the invention. The medical device 1 comprises a reservoir 2 containing a fluid 4 in form of a medicament or drug agent 4. The reservoir has an outlet 6, through which the fluid 4 can be ejected. To increase the pressure in the fluid 4 and thus guide the fluid 4 out of the reservoir 2, a bung 8 can exert a pressure on the fluid 4. The bung 8 is in contact with a piston 10, which is able to transfer the movement of an electromechanical device 12 in form of a motor onto the bung 8. Of course, there can also be provided gearing arrangements or piston rods as exemplarily described in FIG. 5. The motor 12 is controlled by a control unit 14 over the connection 16. The control unit 14 can be a microprocessor or a dedicated motor driver, for example. The control unit gets feedback with respect to the actual movement of the motor 12 from a motion detector 18 via the connection 20. Even though, the motion detector 18 is illustrated as a separate unit, the motion detector can also be directly integrated in the housing of the motor 12, for example. The motion detector 18 detects the motion of the motor 12 directly, not the motion of the lead screw, although detection of the motion of the lead screw remains another possible arrangement.

(12) In FIG. 1a, the bung 8 is in position A, as illustrated by the topmost vertical line. By instruction of the control unit 14, which may be received from a memory, another control unit or a user interface, the motor 12 drives the piston 10 against the bung 8, such that the bung moves towards the opening 6 and the fluid 4 is partially ejected form the reservoir 2 through the opening 6.

(13) At the same time the movement of the motor 12, for example of the pinion of the motor 12 can be monitored by the motion detector 18.

(14) The state after the advancing movement of the bung 8 is illustrated in FIG. 1b. The bung 8 is now in position B. Before the retraction of the bung 8 there is now the dwell time, during which the system can approach an equilibrium state. The dwell time can be 10, seconds for example. During this time the bung can expand, in case it was compressed during the forward movement, for example.

(15) It might happen though, that the desired position of the bung 8 corresponding to a desired dose would be position C, as illustrated by the bottommost line in FIG. 1. Even though the motor 12 drove the piston 10 far enough, the bung 8 may not reach the desired position C. Due to the fact, that a part of the energy can be transformed into a reversible torsional twist of a rotating piston 10, for example, the bung 8 does not reach the desired position C, but only reaches position B. There might also be other points and/or causes between motor 12 and bung 8, where and why energy might not be transferred completely into an advancing movement of the bung 8, for example stored energy in the gearing arrangement.

(16) This state is also illustrated in FIG. 1b. The bung is in position B and the there would only be administered a too low dosage. When the motor 12 is switched off, the energy stored in the piston rod causes the piston rod 10 to unwind (untwist), and this energy is transformed into a backwards movement of the motor 12 instead of an advancing movement of the bung 8. This backward movement of the motor 12 is detected and encoded by the motion detector 18 and is then transmitted to the control unit 14, for example.

(17) The control unit 14 then instructs the motor 12 to advance the piston 10 and thus the bung 8 again, making up for the detected backwards movement of the motor 12. It is also possible to provide another advancing movement during the dwell time, without feedback of a motion detector 18. The amount of the other advancing movement can then be based on empirical data, for example. The other advancing movement is only optional, though it may increase dose accuracy.

(18) As illustrated in FIG. 1c, after this other advancing movement of the bung 8, which can take place for example 1 second after the completion of the first advancing movement, the bung 8 is now in position C. If the piston 10 is left in that position after the dose is completed, there will be the problem that due to small temperature or pressure variations, the medical device 1 is prone to further leakage, since the piston 10 may impede a movement of the bung 8 upwards, thus causing leakage, when the fluid expands.

(19) Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1d, the piston 10 is retracted to a position backed down compared to the position of the bung 8. In this case the piston 10 is not in direct contact with the bung 8 anymore. It is also possible to keep bung 8 and piston 10 attached to each other and also retract the bung 8. In this way, fluid can be retracted from the outlet 6 such that leakage is prevented.

(20) During a further delivery, the amount of retraction of the piston 10 or the piston 10 and the bung 8 is accounted for and compensated for, for example by advancing the bung an additional amount that is equal to the amount of the retraction.

(21) In the following figures components of a drug delivery device for the delivery of two drugs are described. The described features are especially advantageous in combination with a method and a medical device according to the invention and the corresponding embodiments.

(22) FIG. 2 illustrates various internal components of the drug delivery device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1a-1d including one preferred arrangement of an electro-mechanical system 500. FIG. 2 also illustrates a digital display 80, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 520, along with a power source or battery 510. The PCBA 520 may be positioned between the digital display 80 and an electro-mechanical system 500 with the battery or power source 510 positioned beneath this electro-mechanical system. The battery or power source 510 is electronically connected to provide power to electronic components of the medical device, such as the digital display 80, the PCBA 520 and the electro-mechanical system 500. As illustrated, both the first and second reservoirs in form of cartridges 90, 100 are shown in an expended state. That is, the first and second cartridges are illustrated in an empty state having a bung at a most distal position. For example, the first cartridge 90 (which ordinarily contains the first medicament) is illustrated as having its bung 94 in the distal position. The bung 104 of the second cartridge 100 (ordinarily containing the second medicament) is illustrated in a similar position.

(23) With reference to FIG. 2, it may be seen that there is provided a first region defining a suitable location for a power source 510 such as a replaceable battery or batteries. The power source 510 may comprise a rechargeable power source and may be recharged while the power source 510 remains in the device. Alternatively, the power source 510 may be removed from the drug delivery device 10 and recharged externally, for example, by way of a remote battery charger. This power source may comprise a Lithium-Ion or Lithium-polymer power source. In this preferred arrangement, the battery 510 comprises a generally flat and rectangular shaped power source.

(24) FIG. 3 illustrates the first arrangement of the electro-mechanical system illustrated in FIG. 2 with both the digital display 80 and the PCBA 520 omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electro-mechanical system 500 operates to expel a dose from the first cartridge 90 containing the primary medicament and the second cartridge 100 containing the secondary medicament. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first and second cartridges 90, 100 are illustrated in an empty state having bungs at a most distal position.

(25) In this electro-mechanical system 500, the system comprises an independent mechanical driver for each cartridge 90, 100. That is, an independent mechanical driver 502 operates to expel a dose from the first cartridge 90 and an independent mechanical driver 506 operates to expel a dose from the second cartridge 100. In an alternative electro-mechanical system operating on three different medicaments, three independent mechanical drivers could be provided. The independent mechanical drivers act under control of motor drivers or of the control unit 14, for example.

(26) The first independent mechanical driver 502 operates to expel a dose from the first cartridge 90. This first driver 502 comprises a first motor 530 that is operatively coupled to a first gearing arrangement 540. To energize this motor 530, a connector 532 is provided as a means of electrically connecting to a motor driver(not shown). This first gearing arrangement 540 is mechanically linked to a proximal portion of the first telescoping piston rod 514. The first telescoping piston rod 514 is illustrated in a fully extended position having a distal end 521 acting on the bung 94 of the first cartridge 90.

(27) As this gearing arrangement 540 is driven by the output shaft of the first motor 530, this arrangement 540 rotates the proximal portion 518 of the first telescoping piston rod 514. As this proximal portion 518 of the piston rod 514 is rotated, the second or distal portion 519 of the piston rod 514 is driven in a distal direction.

(28) Preferably, the proximal portion 518 of the telescope piston rod 514 comprises an external thread 517. This thread 517 engages the distal portion 519 which has an integrated nut comprising a short threaded section at a proximal end of the distal portion 519. This distal portion 519 is prevented from rotating via a key acting in a keyway. For example, the distal portion 519 may have one or more splines on the outside that prevent rotation. Therefore, when the first gearbox arrangement 540 causes rotation of the proximal section 518, rotation of the proximal portion 518 acts upon the distal end 521 to thereby drive the distal portion of telescope piston rod to extend along the longitudinal axis.

(29) Moving in this distal direction, the distal end 521 of the second portion 519 of the piston rod 514 exerts a force on a bung 94 contained within the first cartridge 90. With this distal end 521 of the piston rod 514 exerting a force on the bung, the user selected dose of the first medicament is forced out of the cartridge 90 and into an attached dispense interface (not shown) and consequently out an attached needle assembly (not shown), for example.

(30) A similar injection operation occurs with the second independent driver 506 when the controller first determines that a dose of the second medicament is called for and determines the amount of this dose. This second independent driver 506 comprises a second motor 536 that is operatively coupled to a second gearing arrangement 546. To energize this second motor 536, a connector 538 is provided as a means of electrically connecting to a motor driver (not shown). This second gearing arrangement 546 is mechanically linked to a proximal portion of a second telescoping rod 516. As previously mentioned, in certain circumstances, the controller may determine that a dose of the second medicament may not be called for and therefore this second dose would be set to a 0 dose.

(31) Preferably, motors 530, 536 comprise motors suitable for electronic commutation. Most preferably, such motors may comprise either a stepper motor or a brushless DC motor.

(32) To inject a dose of the primary and secondary medicaments, a user will first select a dose of the primary medicament by way of the human interface components on the display 80. After a dose of the drug from the primary medicament has been selected, the microcontroller will utilize a previously stored algorithm for determining the dose size of a second drug from a second medicament cartridge. This pre-defined algorithm may help to determine at least in part the dose of the second medicament, for example based on a pre-selected therapeutic profile. In one arrangement, these therapeutic profiles are user selectable. Alternatively, these therapeutic profiles may be password protected and selectable only by a person authorized with the password, such a physician or health care professional. In yet another arrangement, the therapeutic profile may only be set by the manufacturer or the supplier of the drug delivery device. As such, the drug delivery device may be provided with only one profile.

(33) When the dose sizes of the first and second medicaments have been established, the user can press an injection button. By pressing this button, the motor drivers energize the first and the second motors 530, 536 to perform the injection process described above.

(34) In one arrangement, both the first and second motors 530, 536 operate simultaneously so as to dispense the user selected dose of the first medicament and the subsequently calculated dose of the second medicament simultaneously. That is, both the first and the second independent mechanical drivers 502, 506 are capable of driving the respective piston rods 514, 516 at the same time. In this manner the first medicament enters a holding chamber of a dispense interface (not shown) at essentially the same time as the second medicament. One advantage of such an injecting step is that a certain degree of mixing can occur between the first and second medicament prior to actual dose administration.

(35) In a preferred alternative arrangement, the controller may be programmed so that the first and the second independent mechanical drivers 502, 506 may be operated to dispense either the first medicament or the second medicament prior to the other medicament. Thereafter, the second or the primary medicament may then be dispensed. In one preferred arrangement, the secondary medicament is dispensed before the primary medicament.

(36) Preferably, the first and second motors 530, 536 comprise electronic commutation. Such commutation may help to minimise the risk of a motor runaway condition. Such a motor runaway condition could occur with a system comprising a standard brushed motor experiencing a fault. In one embodiment of the motor drive system, a watchdog system may be provided. Such a system has the ability to remove power to either or both of the motors in the event of a software malfunction or a failure of the electronic hardware. To prevent the power from being removed, the correct input from a number of sections of the electronic hardware and/or the microcontroller software will need to be provided. If one of these input parameters is incorrect, power may be removed from the motor.

(37) In addition, preferably both motors 530, 536 may be operated in a reverse direction. This feature may be required in order to allow the piston rods 514, 516 to be moved between a first and a second position.

(38) Preferably, the first independent mechanical driver 502 illustrated in FIG. 3 comprises a first motion detection system 522. FIG. 4a illustrates a perspective view of the first motor 530 illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4b illustrates a preferred motion detection system 522 comprising the first motor 530 illustrated in FIG. 4a in conjunction with a digital encoder 534.

(39) As illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, such a motion detection system 522 may be beneficial as it can be utilized to provide operational and positional and/or directional feedback from the first independent driver 502 to the control unit of the drug delivery device. For example, with respect to the first independent driver 502, a preferred motion detection system 522 may be achieved through the use of a first motor pinion 524. This first pinion 524 is operatively coupled to an output shaft 531 of the first motor 530. The first pinion 524 comprises a rotating gearing portion 526 that drives a first gear of the first gearing arrangement 540 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). The first motor pinion 524 also comprises a plurality of flags 528a-b. In this first motion detection system arrangement 522, the first pinion 524 comprises a first flag 528a and a second flag 528b. These two flags 528a-b are positioned on the motor pinion 524 so that they pass through a first optical encoder 534 as the motor output shaft 531 and hence the connected first pinion 524 rotate when the motor is driven.

(40) Preferably, as the first and second flags 528a-b pass through the first optical encoder 534, the encoder 534 can send certain electrical pulses to the microcontroller. The optical encoder 534 sends two electrical pulses per motor output shaft revolution to the microcontroller. As such, the microcontroller can therefore monitor motor output shaft rotation. This may be advantageous to detect position errors or events that could occur during a dose administration step such as jamming of the electro-mechanical system, incorrect mounting of a dispense interface or needle assembly, or where there is a blocked needle.

(41) In another embodiment, the first pinion 524 comprises a plurality of flags 528a-b, for example 3 or 4 flags or even more. In a further embodiment, the optical encoder 534 comprises two optical paths which are interrupted by flags 528a-b. This may be achieved by a single light source and two optical detectors next to each other, so that they are shaded by the flags 528a-b one after the other when the pinion 524 rotates. In this way, the direction of rotation can be detected.

(42) Preferably, the first pinion 524 comprises a plastic injection molded pinion. Such a plastic injection molded part may be attached to the output motor shaft 531. The optical encoder 534 may be located and attached to a gearbox housing. Such a housing may contain both the first gearing arrangement 540 along with the optical encoder 534. The encoder 534 is preferably in electrical communication with the control unit potentially via a flexible portion of the PCBA. In a preferred arrangement, the second independent mechanical driver 506 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a second motion detection system 544 that operates in a similar fashion as the first motion detection system 522 of the first mechanical driver 502.

(43) The number of flags and the number of detectors can be increased in order to increase the accuracy of the motion detector. Preferably five flags are provided with two detectors for a motion detector resulting in 20 signals per single revolution of the pinion.

(44) FIG. 5 illustrates various internal components of the drug delivery device including a preferred alternative electro-mechanical system 600. FIG. 5 illustrates the digital display 80, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 620, along with a power source or battery 610. The PCBA 620 may be positioned between the digital display 80 and an electro-mechanical system 600 with the battery or power source 610 positioned beneath this electro-mechanical system. The battery or power source 610 is electronically connected to provide power to the digital display 80, the PCBA 620 and the electro-mechanical system 600. The digital display 80 and the PCBA 620 of this alternative electro-mechanical system 600 operate in a similar manner as previously described.

(45) As illustrated, both the first and second cartridges 90, 100 are shown in an expended state. That is, the first and second cartridges are illustrated in an empty state having a bung at a most distal position. For example, the first cartridge 90 (containing the first medicament) is illustrated as having its bung 94 at the end or most distal position. The bung 104 of the second cartridge 100 (containing the second medicament) is illustrated in a similar end position.

(46) FIG. 6 illustrates the electro-mechanical system illustrated in FIG. 5 with both the digital display 80 and the PCBA 620 omitted. As illustrated, this alternative electro-mechanical system 600 operates to expel a dose from the first cartridge 90 containing a primary medicament and the second cartridge 100 containing a secondary medicament. In this preferred electro-mechanical system 600, the system comprises an independent mechanical driver for both the first cartridge and the second cartridge. That is, an independent mechanical driver 602 operates to expel a dose from the first cartridge 90, and an independent mechanical driver 606 operates to expel a dose from the second cartridge 100. If this preferred electro-mechanical system 600 were to be reconfigured to operate on three different medicaments contained within three separate cartridges, three independent mechanical drivers could be provided so as to administer a combined dose. The independent mechanical drivers act under control of the control unit 14, for example by motor drivers controlled by the control unit 14.

(47) The first independent mechanical driver 602 operates to expel a dose from the first cartridge 90 and operates in a similar manner as the independent drivers 502, 506 described with reference to the electro-mechanical system 500 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 above. That is, this first independent driver 602 comprises a first motor 630 that is operatively coupled to a first gearing arrangement 640. To energize this motor 630, a connector 632 is provided as a means of electrically connecting to a motor driver (not shown). This first gearing arrangement 640 is mechanically linked to a proximal portion of the telescoping piston rod 614. As this gearing arrangement 640 is driven by an output shaft of the first motor 632, this arrangement 640 rotates the proximal portion 618 of the telescoping piston rod 614. As this proximal portion 618 of the piston rod 614 is rotated, the second or distal portion 622 of the piston rod 614 is driven in a distal direction. Moving in this distal direction, a distal end 623 of the second portion 622 of the piston rod 614 exerts a force on the bung 94 contained within the first cartridge 90. With a distal end 623 of the piston rod 614 exerting a force on the bung 94, the user selected dose amount of the first medicament is forced out of the cartridge 90 and into an attached dispense interface (not shown) and consequently out an attached needle assembly (not shown) as previously discussed.

(48) The second independent mechanical driver 606 operates to expel a dose from the second cartridge 100 in a different manner than the first independent driver 602. That is, this second mechanical driver 606 comprises a second motor 636 that is operatively coupled to a second gearing arrangement 646. To energize this motor 636, a connector 638 is provided as a means of electrically connecting to the motor driver 334.

(49) This independent mechanical driver 606 further comprises a telescope piston rod 616. The second gearing arrangement 646 is mechanically linked to a proximal portion 661 of the telescoping piston rod 616. As this gearing arrangement 646 is driven by the output shaft of the second motor 636, this arrangement 646 rotates the proximal portion 661 of the telescoping piston rod 616.

(50) The second gearing arrangement 646 comprises a motor pinion along with a plurality of compound gears (here four compound gears) along with a telescope input piston rod. At least one of the compound gears is elongated to enable continuous mesh engagement with the input piston rod as the telescope extends in a distal direction to exert an axially pressure on the cartridge bung 104 so as to expel a dose from the cartridge. The elongated gear may be referred to as a transfer shaft. The gearbox arrangement preferably has a ratio of 124:1. That is, for every revolution of the telescope input screw the output shaft of the second motor rotates 124 times. In the illustrated second gearing arrangement 646, this gearing arrangement 646 is created by way of five stages. As those skilled in the art will recognize, alternative gearing arrangements may also be used.

(51) The second gearing arrangement 646 comprises three compound reduction gears 652, 654, and 656. These three compound reduction gears may be mounted on two parallel stainless steel pins. The remaining stages may be mounted on molded plastic bearing features. A motor pinion 643 is provided on an output shaft of the second motor 636 and is retained on this shaft 637, preferably by way of an interference or friction fit connection.

(52) As described above, the motor pinion 643 may be provided with two or more mounted flag features that interrupt the motion detect optical sensor. The flags are symmetrically spaced around the cylindrical axis of the pinion.

(53) The drive train telescoping piston rod 616 is illustrated in FIG. 7 and comprises a telescope plunger 644 that is operatively coupled to an input screw 680. FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the telescope piston rod 616 coupled to a latch barrel. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of the independent mechanical driver with the piston rod 616 in an extended position.

(54) As illustrated, the outer elements (the telescope piston rod plunger 644 and telescope) represent the telescopic piston rod 616.

(55) The transfer shaft 670 is operatively linked to the gearing arrangement 646. The transfer shaft 670 can rotate but it cannot move in an axial direction. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the transfer shaft 670 interfaces with the second gearing arrangement 646 and transfers the torque generated by the second gearbox arrangement 646 to the telescope piston rod 616.

(56) Specifically, when the transfer shaft 670 is rotated by way of the gearing arrangement 646, the transfer shaft 670 will act on an integrated geared part 681 at a proximal end of the input screw 680. As such, rotation of the transfer shaft 670 causes the input screw 680 to rotate about its axis.

(57) A proximal portion of the input screw 680 comprises a threaded section 682 and this threaded section is mated with a threaded section of the latch barrel 660. As such, when the input screw 680 rotates, it winds or screws itself in and out of the latch barrel 660. Consequently, as the input screw 680 moves in and out of the latch barrel, the screw 680 is allowed to slide along the transfer shaft 670 so that the transfer shaft and the gears remain mated.

(58) The telescope plunger 644 is provided with a threaded section 645. This threaded section 645 is threaded into short section in the distal end of the input screw 680. As the plunger 644 is constrained from rotating, it will wind itself in and out along the input screw 680.

(59) A key 647 is provided to prevent the plunger 644 from rotating. This key 647 may be provided internal to the input screw 680 of the piston rod 616. During an injection step, this key 647 moves in the axial direction towards the bung 104 of the cartridge 100 but does not rotate. The key 647 is provided with a proximal radial peg that runs in a longitudinal slot in the latch barrel 660. Therefore, the key 647 is not able to rotate. The key may also be provided with a distal radial peg that engage a slot in the plunger 644.

(60) Preferably, the drug delivery device comprises memory devices comprising enough memory storage capability so as to store a plurality of algorithms that are used to define a plurality of different therapeutic profiles. In one preferred arrangement, after a user sets a dose of the primary medicament, the drug delivery device will be preprogrammed so as to determine or calculate a dose of the secondary medicament and perhaps a third medicament based on one of the stored therapeutic profiles. In one arrangement, the healthcare provider or physician selects a therapeutic dose profile and this profile may not be user alterable and/or may be password protected. That is, only a password known by the user, for example a healthcare provider or physician, will be able to select an alternative profile. Alternatively, in one drug delivery device arrangement, the dose profile is user selectable. Essentially, the selection of the therapeutic dose profiles can be dependent upon the individualized targeted therapy of the patient.

(61) The term drug or medicament, as used herein, means a pharmaceutical formulation containing at least one pharmaceutically active compound,

(62) wherein in one embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound has a molecular weight up to 1500 Da and/or is a peptide, a proteine, a polysaccharide, a vaccine, a DNA, a RNA, an enzyme, an antibody or a fragment thereof, a hormone or an oligonucleotide, or a mixture of the above-mentioned pharmaceutically active compound,

(63) wherein in a further embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound is useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diabetes mellitus or complications associated with diabetes mellitus such as diabetic retinopathy, thromboembolism disorders such as deep vein or pulmonary thromboembolism, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), angina, myocardial infarction, cancer, macular degeneration, inflammation, hay fever, atherosclerosis and/or rheumatoid arthritis,

(64) wherein in a further embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound comprises at least one peptide for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diabetes mellitus or complications associated with diabetes mellitus such as diabetic retinopathy,

(65) wherein in a further embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound comprises at least one human insulin or a human insulin analogue or derivative, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) or an analogue or derivative thereof, or exedin-3 or exedin-4 or an analogue or derivative of exedin-3 or exedin-4.

(66) Insulin analogues are for example Gly(A21), Arg(B31), Arg(B32) human insulin; Lys(B3), Glu(B29) human insulin; Lys(B28), Pro(B29) human insulin; Asp(B28) human insulin; human insulin, wherein proline in position B28 is replaced by Asp, Lys, Leu, Val or Ala and wherein in position B29 Lys may be replaced by Pro; Ala(B26) human insulin; Des(B28-B30) human insulin; Des(B27) human insulin and Des(B30) human insulin.

(67) Insulin derivates are for example B29-N-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-myristoyl human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl human insulin; B28-N-myristoyl LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B28-N-palmitoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B30-N-myristoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B30-N-palmitoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B29-N-(N-palmitoyl-Y-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(N-lithocholyl-Y-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin and B29-N-(-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin.

(68) Exendin-4 for example means Exendin-4(1-39), a peptide of the sequence H His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro- Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser-NH2.

(69) Exendin-4 derivatives are for example selected from the following list of compounds: H-(Lys)4-des Pro36, des Pro37 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-(Lys)5-des Pro36, des Pro37 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, des Pro36 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Met(O)14, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39); or des Pro36 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Met(O)14, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), wherein the group -Lys6-NH2 may be bound to the C-terminus of the Exendin-4 derivative; or an Exendin-4 derivative of the sequence H-(Lys)6-des Pro36 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, des Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, H-des Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, des Met(O)14 Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-(Lys)6-desPro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5 des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Lys6-des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, H-des Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2,

(70) H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(S1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of any one of the afore-mentioned Exedin-4 derivative.

(71) Hormones are for example hypophysis hormones or hypothalamus hormones or regulatory active peptides and their antagonists as listed in Rote Liste, ed. 2008, Chapter 50, such as Gonadotropine (Follitropin, Lutropin, Choriongonadotropin, Menotropin), Somatropine (Somatropin), Desmopressin, Terlipressin, Gonadorelin, Triptorelin, Leuprorelin, Buserelin, Nafarelin, Goserelin.

(72) A polysaccharide is for example a glucosaminoglycane, a hyaluronic acid, a heparin, a low molecular weight heparin or an ultra low molecular weight heparin or a derivative thereof, or a sulphated, e.g. a poly-sulphated form of the above-mentioned polysaccharides, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. An example of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a poly-sulphated low molecular weight heparin is enoxaparin sodium.

(73) Antibodies are globular plasma proteins (150 kDa) that are also known as immunoglobulins which share a basic structure. As they have sugar chains added to amino acid residues, they are glycoproteins. The basic functional unit of each antibody is an immunoglobulin (Ig) monomer (containing only one Ig unit); secreted antibodies can also be dimeric with two Ig units as with IgA, tetrameric with four Ig units like teleost fish IgM, or pentameric with five Ig units, like mammalian IgM.

(74) The Ig monomer is a Y-shaped molecule that consists of four polypeptide chains; two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains connected by disulfide bonds between cysteine residues. Each heavy chain is about 440 amino acids long; each light chain is about 220 amino acids long. Heavy and light chains each contain intrachain disulfide bonds which stabilize their folding. Each chain is composed of structural domains called Ig domains. These domains contain about 70-110 amino acids and are classified into different categories (for example, variable or V, and constant or C) according to their size and function. They have a characteristic immunoglobulin fold in which two sheets create a sandwich shape, held together by interactions between conserved cysteines and other charged amino acids.

(75) There are five types of mammalian Ig heavy chain denoted by , , , , and . The type of heavy chain present defines the isotype of antibody; these chains are found in IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM antibodies, respectively.

(76) Distinct heavy chains differ in size and composition; and contain approximately 450 amino acids and approximately 500 amino acids, while and have approximately 550 amino acids. Each heavy chain has two regions, the constant region (CH) and the variable region (VH). In one species, the constant region is essentially identical in all antibodies of the same isotype, but differs in antibodies of different isotypes. Heavy chains , and have a constant region composed of three tandem Ig domains, and a hinge region for added flexibility; heavy chains and have a constant region composed of four immunoglobulin domains. The variable region of the heavy chain differs in antibodies produced by different B cells, but is the same for all antibodies produced by a single B cell or B cell clone. The variable region of each heavy chain is approximately 110 amino acids long and is composed of a single Ig domain.

(77) In mammals, there are two types of immunoglobulin light chain denoted by and . A light chain has two successive domains: one constant domain (CL) and one variable domain (VL). The approximate length of a light chain is 211 to 217 amino acids. Each antibody contains two light chains that are always identical; only one type of light chain, or , is present per antibody in mammals.

(78) Although the general structure of all antibodies is very similar, the unique property of a given antibody is determined by the variable (V) regions, as detailed above. More specifically, variable loops, three each the light (VL) and three on the heavy (VH) chain, are responsible for binding to the antigen, i.e. for its antigen specificity. These loops are referred to as the Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs). Because CDRs from both VH and VL domains contribute to the antigen-binding site, it is the combination of the heavy and the light chains, and not either alone, that determines the final antigen specificity.

(79) An antibody fragment contains at least one antigen binding fragment as defined above, and exhibits essentially the same function and specificity as the complete antibody of which the fragment is derived from. Limited proteolytic digestion with papain cleaves the Ig prototype into three fragments. Two identical amino terminal fragments, each containing one entire L chain and about half an H chain, are the antigen binding fragments (Fab). The third fragment, similar in size but containing the carboxyl terminal half of both heavy chains with their interchain disulfide bond, is the crystalizable fragment (Fc). The Fc contains carbohydrates, complement-binding, and FcR-binding sites. Limited pepsin digestion yields a single F(ab)2 fragment containing both Fab pieces and the hinge region, including the HH interchain disulfide bond. F(ab)2 is divalent for antigen binding. The disulfide bond of F(ab)2 may be cleaved in order to obtain Fab. Moreover, the variable regions of the heavy and light chains can be fused together to form a single chain variable fragment (scFv).

(80) Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are for example acid addition salts and basic salts. Acid addition salts are e.g. HCl or HBr salts. Basic salts are e.g. salts having a cation selected from alkali or alkaline, e.g. Na+, or K+, or Ca2+, or an ammonium ion N+(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4), wherein R1 to R4 independently of each other mean: hydrogen, an optionally substituted C1 C6-alkyl group, an optionally substituted C2-C6-alkenyl group, an optionally substituted C6-C10-aryl group, or an optionally substituted C6-C10-heteroaryl group. Further examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 17. ed. Alfonso R. Gennaro (Ed.), Mark Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., U.S.A., 1985 and in Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology.

(81) Pharmaceutically acceptable solvates are for example hydrates.