CN101489607B - A medical delivery system with flexible blocking element - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical delivery system (100) having a container (102) and a dosing assembly (104), and wherein one of the container and the dosing assembly comprises a rotatable element (106) adapted to engage the other one of the container and the dosing assembly. A container suitable for use in said medical delivery system. A dosing assembly suitable for use in said medical delivery system.

Description

Medical delivery system with rotatable encoding element

technical field

The present invention relates to a medical delivery system comprising a container and a dosing assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to medical delivery systems wherein one of the container and the dosing assembly includes a rotatable element adapted to engage the other of the container and the dosing assembly. Furthermore, the invention relates to a container and a dosing assembly, each of which is suitable for use in a medical delivery system according to the invention.

Background technique

In general, a greater variety of drug delivery systems has been introduced in the interest of patients in order to provide a superior drug delivery device that is likely to be well accepted by a particular patient group. As the number of commercially available delivery systems has increased, many different types of drug retention cartridges or containers have spread. Most of these types of containers differ in a number of ways.

Each medicament container can be filled with a particular medicament type selected from a number of different medicaments, and different classes of the same medicament (eg rapid or long-acting insulin) as well as different concentrations of each particular medicament can be contained in the container.

In addition, different container volumes can be introduced to tailor each container and thus the delivery system to the needs of a particular user. Variations in container volume can be achieved by changing the length or diameter of the container. These modifications generally mean corresponding modifications of the dosing components of the dosing system in order to provide a specific stroke of the drive element for ejecting the medicament from the container or to provide an optimum dosing accuracy. Furthermore differences between different medicament containers may result from the design requirements of each particular delivery system, such as the required sliding friction of the piston contained in the container.

In order to differentiate between the wider variety of containers available, a number of container coding systems have been developed that rely primarily on electronic reading and identification of specific containers in order to allow specific types of medicament to be delivered by specialized delivery devices. In the prior art, the following mechanical coding systems are known:

US 5611783 relates to a pen-shaped injector comprising a distal part, which may contain an ampoule, and a proximal part, which contains a dose setting and drive mechanism. The proximal and distal sections have interlocking bayonet couplings. The protrusions may be arranged to form a pattern that ensures that a particular distal portion can only be used in conjunction with a particular proximal portion.

WO 03/017915 A1 discloses a cartridge having a distal end provided with a mechanical coding. This mechanical coding is in the form of a circular protrusion with a circular outer diameter dedicated to a particular concentration of insulin contained in the cartridge.

US 5693027 discloses a plastic cap for adapting a standard barrel to a selected syringe. The plastic cap may be provided with means for keyed engagement with corresponding means in the syringe to hold the plastic cap against rotation when the barrel is mounted in the syringe. In some types of syringes, this keyed engagement between the barrel and the syringe also serves to ensure that only certain types of barrels are used.

US 6648859B2 discloses a cartridge assembly for use with a reusable pen body assembly of a drug delivery pen. To avoid cross-use, the pen body assembly and cartridge are locked, i.e. they can be threadedly engaged by corresponding threads and grooves, bayonet threads and grooves, mating or a pair of lugs that mate in a reverse Luer-Lock fashion . Mating components are chosen to prevent cross-use with other components, eg the pitch of the threads may be angled so as to only mate with each other and not with other components.

Another prior art system is disclosed in DE 20110690.

The purpose of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide an alternative to known systems. Furthermore, it is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide drug delivery systems with a large number of possible encoding geometries.

Furthermore, it is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a coding system in which the user experiences substantially the same operative fastening motion when coupling/detaching the container and dosing assembly of a predetermined medical delivery system from each other, as in compatible The specific selection in the group of containers/quantitative components is irrelevant. Furthermore, it is an object of the preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide such a system with a large number of different coded container/dosing assemblies while obtaining a durable system which minimizes the possibility of mechanical failure.

Furthermore, it is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide an intuitive fastening mechanism for fastening a container to a dosing assembly.

Contents of the invention

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a medical delivery system comprising:

a container adapted to contain a medicament in a chamber defined by the container and a slidably disposed piston movable in a distal direction towards the outlet to reduce the volume of the chamber and eject the medicament through the outlet;

a dosing assembly adapted to be fastened to the container so as to allow the driver of the dosing assembly to move the piston of the container in a distal direction;

Wherein the dosing assembly defines first fastening means, which engages with second fastening means of the container during fastening of the container to the dosing assembly, whereby the container is passed by the first and second fastening means Fastened to the dosing assembly for at least one defined predetermined movement of less than one revolution;

Wherein one of the container and the dosing assembly defines a first part comprising a rotatable element defining one or more protrusions and/or notches, during fastening of the container to the dosing assembly, the one or more Each protrusion and/or notch is adapted to be received in/by one or more corresponding notches and/or protrusions of the second component, the first a second part is defined by the other of the container and the dosing assembly, and

Wherein the rotatable element is adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the first part and relative to the first part during fastening of the container to the dosing assembly.

By varying the rotational position of the rotatable element in different medical delivery systems according to the invention it can be ensured that the container of the first medical delivery system is coded such that it cannot be fastened to the dosing assembly of the second medical delivery system. Similarly, it may be ensured that the container of the second medical delivery system is coded such that it cannot be secured to the dosing assembly of the first medical delivery system. Thus, the medical system according to the invention increases user safety since only predetermined containers can be attached to specific dosing assemblies. Thus, the dosing assembly may be designated for use with a predetermined type and/or concentration of medicament, while containers containing other concentrations or types of medicament cannot be attached to the dosing assembly.

An advantage of the system according to the invention is that the device can be coded by changing the rotational position of the rotatable element. This is advantageous from a manufacturing standpoint since the same tool used to manufacture the container, dosing assembly and rotatable element can produce many different coded different containers and dosing assemblies.

In the context of the present invention, the term "medical delivery system" is to be understood as any system capable of administering a flowable pharmaceutical containing a medicament. Examples of medical delivery systems are infusion pump applications, dosers, pen dosers, motor dosers, and automated injectors such as the Automatic Pen(TM).

The invention is applicable to a variety of drug delivery devices capable of delivering a medicament to a user from a container adapted to be coupled to a dosing assembly of the delivery device. The delivery device may include any delivery device for transdermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular or pulmonary administration of a drug.

As used herein, the term "medicament" is meant to include any flowable pharmaceutical product containing a medicament, such as a liquid, solution, gel or microsuspension, capable of being passed in a controlled manner through a delivery device such as a hollow needle. Typical agents include pharmaceuticals such as peptides, proteins (e.g., insulin, insulin analogs, and C-peptides) and hormones, biologically derived agents or agents, hormone and gene-based agents, nutritional formulations, and Other substances in solid (delivery) or liquid form.

The chamber of the container may be defined by one or more side walls of the container and a slidably disposed piston. In most embodiments, at least a portion of the container is annular and defines a cylindrical cavity that receives the piston. The distal end of the container may comprise a seal for being pierced by the cannula to allow the medicament contained in the chamber to be ejected through the cannula. The distal end of the container may be adapted for attachment to a holder holding the sleeve. As an example, the distal end of the container may include threads adapted to mate with corresponding threads of the holder so that the holder can be screwed onto the container.

The outlet of the container may be adapted to cooperate with or be defined by a cannula or a needle or needle hub or an infusion set or any other flow conduit adapted to provide fluid access to the medicament contained in the container.

The driver of the dosing assembly may comprise a piston rod adapted to move the piston in the distal direction. The piston rod may comprise a member that is stiffer than the piston and adapted to abut at least a portion, and preferably a substantial portion, of the proximally facing surface of the piston, whereby the direction of the rigid member is increased by the piston rod as compared to the direct engagement of the piston rod with the piston. The applied force is applied to a larger area of the proximal face of the piston.

The dosing assembly defines first fastening means which engage second fastening means of the container during fastening of the container to the dosing assembly. In one embodiment, the proximal facing surface of the first fastening means of the dosing assembly engages the distal facing surface of the second fastening means of the container.

The container may be secured to the dosing assembly by a predetermined movement comprising at least parallel axial and rotational movement, such as a screw movement. The rotational movement induced by the parallel axial and rotational movement is less than one revolution, such as less than 120 degrees, such as less than 90 degrees, such as less than 60 degrees. Rotation of the container relative to the dosing assembly causes the container and the dosing assembly to be drawn towards each other when the proximal facing surface of the first fastening means and the distal facing surface of the second fastening means come into engagement.

In a first embodiment, the first fastening means of the dosing assembly defines a recess adapted to receive the protrusion defined by the second fastening means of the container. During fastening of the container to the dosing assembly, the generally proximally facing surface of the first fastening means of the dosing assembly engages the generally distally facing surface of the container. The predetermined movement is defined by the shape of at least one of the joint surfaces. In yet another embodiment, the second fastening means defines a plurality of protrusions, such as two, three or four, and the first fastening means defines a plurality of corresponding grooves adapted to engage with the protrusions.

In a second embodiment, the recess is defined by the container and the protrusion is defined by the dosing assembly. In a third embodiment, the container defines a combination of grooves and protrusions adapted to engage corresponding protrusions and grooves defined by the dosing assembly.

In the context of the present invention, the terms "groove" and "protrusion" are only used in connection with the first and second fastening means, while "notches" and "protrusions" are only used in connection with the engagement/receiving mechanism of the rotatable element and The second part of the extended coding mechanism is used in combination. However, "groove" and "notch" shall be considered synonyms, and "protrusion" and "protrusion" shall be considered synonyms.

In one embodiment, the rotatable element defines one or more protrusions (such as two, three, four or five), each of said protrusions being adapted to be/matched/matched with a corresponding/matched/matched portion of the second part. Notch joint. In a second embodiment, the rotatable element defines one or more indentations (such as two, three, four or five), each of said indentations being adapted to protrude with a corresponding/matching/matching portion of the second part body joint. In a third embodiment, the rotatable element includes one or more protrusions and one or more notches. In the latter embodiment, the protrusions of the rotatable element are adapted to engage with one or more notches of the second part, and the notches are adapted to engage with one or more protrusions of the second part.

In one embodiment, the notch is wider (circumferentially) than the protrusion, allowing the protrusion to move rotationally inside the notch, thereby allowing the second part to rotate relative to the rotatable element when the protrusion is received in the notch . About the longitudinal axis of the device, the possible relative rotation between the second part and the rotatable element may be less than 60 degrees, such as less than 45 degrees, such as less than 30 degrees, such as less than 5 degrees, such as less than 1 degree. In another embodiment, the possible relative rotation between the rotatable element and the first part during the fastening of the container to the dosing assembly is 40-100% of the relative rotation between the second part and the first part, Such as 60-100%, such as 80-100%.

The side walls of the protrusions may be v-shaped, ie the width of the side walls decreases in the axial direction. Similarly, the notch can be v-shaped.

The protrusion and notch may have substantially the same circumferential width. Alternatively, the protrusion may be slightly wider than the notch, and at least one of the protrusion and the notch may be made of a resilient material.

In one embodiment, the rotation of the rotatable element relative to the second part is locked during fastening of the container to the dosing assembly, eg the possible relative rotation between the rotatable element and the second part is less than 1 degree.

In addition, when the container comprises one or more axially extending notches, the second fastening means may be axially disposed between the most distal surface (i.e. the bottom surface of the notch) of at least one of the one or more notches and the proximal end of the container. between faces.

In one embodiment, the first and second fastening means and the protrusion and the indentation are arranged such that the first and second fastening means must be at least partially engaged in order for the protrusion to be received in the indentation. In other words, when the container is fastened to the dosing assembly, if the protrusion (of the first or second fastening means) is not at least partially accommodated in the groove (of the first or second fastening means), the protrusion Will not fit in the gap. Thus, the container can be secured to the dosing assembly by advancing at least a portion of the protrusion into the indentation and rotating the rotatable element relative to the first part until the protrusion is received in the recess and the medical device cannot be decoded.

The rotatable element is adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis (central axis) of the first part and in some embodiments is lockable for axial movement of the rotatable element relative to the first part.

In one embodiment, the rotation of the rotatable element relative to the first element is a combined rotational and radial movement. In a particular embodiment, when the container is fastened to the dosing assembly, the rotatable element moves along a straight line defining a tangent to a circle, the center of which coincides with the longitudinal axis (central axis) of the device.

In one embodiment, the rotatable element is adapted to change relative to the first part between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, whereby the rotatable element is positioned in the first position prior to fastening of the container to the dosing assembly , while the rotatable element is positioned in the second position when the container is secured to the dosing assembly. In one embodiment, the rotatable element is biased towards the first position, eg by a spring.

In one embodiment, the dosing assembly defines the first part, thus comprising a rotatable element. In the latter embodiment, the rotatable element may be provided on the outer surface of the dosing assembly. Alternatively, the rotatable element may be provided on the inner surface of the dosing assembly.

In an alternative embodiment, the container defines the first part and includes a rotatable element. Furthermore, the rotatable element may be provided on the inner or outer surface of the container.

The protrusions and/or notches may extend in a substantially axial and/or radial direction of the device. The rotatable element may be a ring element. The rotatable element can be made of wire or sheet metal. The wire and sheet metal may be bent, for example by punching equipment, so as to define protrusions or indentations. In alternative embodiments, the rotatable element is made of molded metal and/or plastic material, such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene. Alternatively, the rotatable element can be made by a 3d printing process.

In one embodiment, the annular element comprises at least one protrusion and is adapted to contract radially when each of the at least one protrusion is advanced into a corresponding notch of the second part. When the ring element contracts, the diameter decreases. Thus, in one embodiment, the ring element can abut the surface of the first part before each of the at least one protrusion is advanced into a corresponding recess of the second part, whereby the ring element can rotate relative to the first part and/or axial retention. When the one or more protrusions have been advanced into the mating indentations, the ring element has contracted and is therefore not retained relative to the first member because the ring element no longer abuts the ring element.

To provide a constricting effect, one or more of the at least one protrusion of the ring element may be v-shaped, and the widest portion of the v-shaped portion may be wider than the widest portion of the mating notch. Thus, when the v-shaped projection is pushed into the notch, the sides of the v-shaped projection are pressed towards each other, whereby the ring element contracts. By providing the ring element adjoining the first part when the container is not secured to the dosing assembly, it can be ensured that the ring element will not change rotational position. If the ring element could change position when the container is not secured to the dosing assembly, it would not be possible to secure a predetermined container to the dosing assembly.

Alternatively, or in addition, the annular element may comprise at least one protrusion and may be adapted to expand radially when each of the at least one protrusion is advanced into a corresponding notch of the second part. As the ring element expands, the diameter of the ring element increases. This spreading effect can be achieved by providing protrusions defining a ring, which will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Furthermore, the rotatable element can be held relative to the first part by providing on the rotatable element at least one radially extending button which, upon radial contraction or expansion of the rotatable element, engages with a button defined in the first part. The recess engages or disengages whereby the rotatable element is disengaged/locked from the first part and allows or prevents rotation of the rotatable element about the central axis of the first part and relative to the first part. The recess may be defined by two adjacent radially extending buttons between which the recess is defined.

Alternatively, the rotatable element may comprise a v-shaped protrusion and an annular protrusion, whereby advancement of the rotatable element into a mating notch causes the v-shaped protrusion to contract and the annular protrusion to expand, thereby causing the two Button rotation between protrusions. This can be used to rotate the button out of the engagement of the recess.

To provide a system in which the rotational position of the rotatable element defines the encoding of the first component, the first component may be adapted to hold the rotatable element in a plurality of predetermined positions. Thus during manufacture of the first part, said first part can be coded by selecting a desired rotational position of the rotatable part relative to the first part. This offers the advantage that a plurality of different encodings can be realized with the same two elements (rotatable element and first part).

In one embodiment, the container comprises a cartridge holder and a cartridge defining said chamber. The second fastening means may be defined by the cartridge holder or may be attachable to the cartridge holder. Also, the indentation/protrusion may be defined by the cartridge holder. The cartridge and cartridge holder may be two separate elements, with the cartridge frictionally retained in the cartridge holder. In one embodiment, the cartridge is made of glass and the cartridge holder is made of a non-glass material to protect the glass cartridge. The cartridge is not detachably held in the cartridge holder so that if the cartridge is detached from the cartridge holder it cannot be reattached by hand without tools. This provides the advantage that the cartridge holder cannot be used anymore when the cartridge has become empty, so a cartridge with the wrong medicament cannot be inserted into the cartridge holder and dispensed using the dosing assembly. The cartridge holder and cartridge may define a unitary element, ie form one element without seams. This integral element may be formed as a molding made of a synthetic resin such as Topas(R) or polypropylene. This molded article may include fastening and coding elements formed during moulding. However, any material suitable for long-term storage of the particular drug to be contained in the container may be used.

As noted above, at least a portion of the predetermined movement may be parallel axial and rotational movement. Also, at least one of the following:

first and second fastening means, and

a protrusion and/or an indentation of each of the rotatable element and the second part,

Part of the axial and/or rotational movement that may be adapted to prevent the intended movement, thereby preventing the coupling of the container to the dosing assembly, unless:

each of the first and second fastening means defines a predetermined coded geometry, and/or

each of the protrusions and/or indentations of each of the rotatable element and the second component define a predetermined coded geometry, and/or

The rotatable element is positioned in a predetermined rotational position relative to the first component.

Additionally, the following encoded geometries:

one or more of the first and/or second fastening means, and/or

one or more of protrusions and/or indentations of at least one of the rotatable element and the second part,

can be defined by at least one of the following: the circumferential extent of the first and second fastening means, the axial extent of the first and second fastening means, the radial extent of the first and second fastening means and the first and the circumferential position of the second fastening device.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a medical delivery system according to the present invention provides a plurality of encoded geometries, each of which may be used to specify a different characteristic. As an example, the first and second fastening means may be used to specify a first predetermined characteristic of the medicament, such as the type of medicament, while the rotational position of the rotatable element may be used to specify a second predetermined characteristic of the medicament, such as the concentration of the medicament. Other examples of features that can be specified by coded geometry are: Male/Female Drugs; Pediatric/Adult Drugs; Preventive/Therapeutic Drugs, Slow/Fast Acting Drugs.

Alternatively, the first and second fastening means and the rotational position of the rotatable element may be redundant, so that if one of them fails, the other will ensure that only predetermined containers and dosing assemblies are fastened to each other.

Thus, an additional level of security is provided due to the two redundant coded geometries.

One embodiment includes:

A first container having any of the aforementioned features and/or elements adapted to be fastened to a first dosing assembly having any of the aforementioned features and/or elements; and

A second container having any of the aforementioned features and/or elements adapted to be fastened to a second dosing assembly having any of the aforementioned features and/or elements; and

At least one of the following:

the first fastening device of the dosing assembly,

a second fastening device for the container, and

Each of the protrusions and/or notches of the rotatable element and the second component

Adapted to prevent the first dosing assembly and the second container from being fastened to each other, and to prevent the second dosing assembly and the first container from being fastened to each other.

Furthermore, the predetermined movements required for coupling and decoupling the first container to the first dosing assembly and for coupling the second container to the second dosing assembly may be substantially the same.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a container suitable for use in (for a medical delivery system according to the first aspect of the invention) a medical delivery system according to the first aspect of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the invention according to the second aspect may comprise any features and/or elements of the invention according to the first aspect. In particular, the container of the second aspect may comprise any of the features and/or elements of the container according to the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a dosing assembly suitable for use in (for a medical delivery system according to the first aspect of the invention) a medical delivery system according to the first aspect of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the invention according to the third aspect may comprise any features and/or elements of the invention according to the first aspect. In particular, the dosing assembly of the third aspect may comprise any of the features and/or elements of the dosing assembly according to the first aspect of the invention.

Description of drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1, 3 and 4 disclose different embodiments of the medical delivery system according to the invention,

Figure 2 discloses the protrusions of the rotatable ring

Figures 5 and 6 disclose a longitudinal cross-section of the rotatable ring housed in the first part,

Figures 7-12 disclose isometric views and cross-sections of different embodiments of the rotatable ring,

Figures 13-16 disclose different configurations of the rotatable element, first and second parts,

Figures 17-20 disclose a radial cross-section of a portion of the rotatable element and the first element, and

Figures 21-29 disclose different embodiments of rotatable elements.

Detailed ways

1 , 3 and 4 disclose exploded views of medical delivery system 100 including container 102 , dosing assembly 104 (only a portion of which is disclosed for simplicity) and rotatable element 106 . The dosing assembly 104 includes a first fastening device 108 defining a recess for receiving a protrusion defined by a second fastening device 110 . By advancing the protrusion into the groove, the container 102 can be fastened to the dosing assembly whereby the far-facing surface 112 of the protrusion (second fastening means 110) is in contact with the far-facing surface 112 of the groove (first fastening means 108). The proximally facing surface 114 is engaged. By relative rotation between the dosing assembly 104 and the container 102, the two elements are drawn towards each other due to the engagement between the distally facing surface 112 and the proximally facing surface 114. Due to the angular extent of the grooves, the two elements can only be rotated relative to each other by 30 degrees, ie less than one revolution.

In FIGS. 1 , 3 and 4 , the first part 116 is defined by the dosing assembly 104 which in turn includes the rotatable element 106 . When the two elements are assembled together (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 ), the rotatable element is rotatable relative to the first part 116 while remaining axially relative to the first part 116 . The rotatable element 106 defines two protrusions 118 adapted to be received in indentations 120 defined in the container 102 defining a second part 122 . When the protrusion 118 is received in the notch 120, the relative rotational movement of the second part 122 and the rotatable element 106 is locked.

During the fastening of the container to the dosing unit, the following situations occur. The container moves axially towards the dosing assembly. The two elements are then rotated relative to each other until the first and second fastening means (protrusion and groove) start to engage, so that the protrusions start to be housed in the notches. With a further relative movement, the dosing assembly is moved towards the container, whereby the projection 118 is advanced further into the recess 120 . As the notch rotates (due to the rotation of the container), the rotatable element 106 is caused to rotate relative to the dosing assembly.

In order to receive protrusion 118 easily in notch 120, the sidewall of protrusion 118 defines an inclined surface (as shown in FIG. 118 is receivable in notch 120 .

It will be appreciated that the relative rotational position between the first/second fastening means and the notch/protrusion determines whether a predetermined container 102 is attachable to a predetermined dosing assembly 104 . In figure 1 the protrusion will be accommodated in the notch by further axial movement between the dosing assembly and the container. However, in Fig. 3, the notches cannot be accommodated in the protrusions due to their different rotational positions.

When the dosing assembly and the rotatable assembly are assembled together, the rotatable element is temporarily held in rotation relative to the dosing assembly by button 126, which engages with a corresponding button (not shown) in the dosing assembly, whereby the rotatable element can be held in the dosing assembly. in predetermined positions. Alternatively, the rotatable element may be held temporarily and relative to the dosing assembly due to a notch 127 (as shown in FIG. 4 ) that engages a corresponding button of the dosing assembly.

According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the rotatable element may be biased towards a fixed rotational position relative to the first fastening means by a spring member, so that the rotatable element and the first fastening device are connected irrespective of whether the rotatable element has been affected or not. Proper alignment between fixtures is automatically achieved.

Such biasing means may be provided in addition to the button 126 or notch 127 described above.

The surface-proximal portion of the second fastening means 110 may be located from the proximal-most end X1 of the container 102 . In some embodiments of the invention, this distance X1 is minimized, or eventually the proximal surface portion of the second fastening means defines the proximal end of the container.

The axial extent of the male member forming the second fastening means 110 is defined by the parameter t1.

In some embodiments, the axial length of the notch 120 from the proximal end of the container 102 will be longer than X1+t1. Typically, the gap length will be greater than the parameter X1+t1, such as X1+t1 plus 50%, such as X1+t1 plus 100%, such as X1+t1 plus 200%, such as X1+t1 plus 300%.

Figures 5 and 6 disclose a rotatable element held axially relative to the dosing assembly by a button 126 which engages a track 128 of the dosing assembly.

To provide a thin, stiff rotatable element, the rotatable element may be made from a punched sheet metal that can be bent one or more times to provide the desired shape. Figures 7-12 disclose different shapes of the rotatable element. In Figures 9 and 10, the metal sheet of the protrusion is bent in order to increase the radial extent of the protrusion.

FIG. 13 discloses a radial cross-section through the dosing assembly 104 , the container 102 and the rotatable element 106 . The rotatable element 106 is disposed on the outer surface of the dosing assembly 104, while the protrusion 118 extends radially inwardly from the inner surface of the rotatable element. The protrusion 118 is received in the notch 120 of the container as the container is axially advanced towards the dosing assembly.

Figures 14-16 disclose an embodiment of a rotatable element wherein the rotatable element rotates and moves radially when the container is secured to the dosing assembly, whereby the rotatable element performs a linear movement when the container is secured to the dosing assembly.

In FIGS. 17 and 18 , the dosing assembly 104 defines a circumferentially extending recess 130 in which the button 126 is received. Thus, the rotating element 106 can rotate between a first rotational position (disclosed in FIG. 18 ) in which the button 126 is disposed in the first end 132 of the recess 130 and a second rotational position in which the button is disposed in the opposite second end 134 of the recess 130. position (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the recess 130 is defined in the rotatable element and the button is defined by the dosing assembly.

19 and 20 disclose the rotatable element 106 comprising a button 126 . Also, the dosing assembly 104 includes a plurality of recesses 136 (in the figures, only one recess is disclosed) defined by the buttons. The recesses 136 are spaced along the inner side wall of the dosing assembly whereby the rotatable element can be held in a number of different rotational positions (corresponding to the number of recesses 136).

21-29 disclose embodiments of rotatable elements defining v-shaped protrusions 138 and/or annular protrusions 140 . As the v-shaped protrusion 138 is advanced into the notch 120 of the container 102, the distance between the widest portions of the v-shaped portion decreases. Thus, the annular element defining the two v-shaped protrusions 138 contracts when the protrusions are advanced into the indentations. This is the situation in Figures 22, 23, 24, 26 and 29. Similarly, when two annular projections are provided as disclosed in Figures 25 and 28, advancement of the annular projection 140 into the notch 120 causes the annular element to expand. If the ring element comprises a v-shaped protrusion and an annular protrusion, advancement of the protrusion into the notch causes the radially extending button 126 to rotate, as disclosed in FIG. 27 . The ring element may be made in one piece with the ends of wire or sheet metal joined together as disclosed in FIGS. 21 , 24 and 28 . Alternatively, the wire or sheet metal may be bent such that the ends abut each other or are positioned adjacent to each other, as disclosed in FIGS. 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 and 29 . The ring element can be made from one or two pieces of wire or sheet metal as disclosed in Figures 22 and 26 respectively.

Claims (19)

1. A medical delivery system comprising: a container (102) adapted to contain a medicament in a chamber defined by the container and a slidably disposed piston movable in a distal direction towards the outlet so as to reduce the volume of the chamber and pass through the The medicament is ejected from the outlet; a dosing assembly (104) adapted to be secured to said container (102) so as to allow a driver of said dosing assembly to move said piston of said container (102) in said distal direction; Wherein the dosing assembly (104) defines a first fastening device (108), during fastening of the container (102) to the dosing assembly (104), the first fastening device is in contact with the container The second fastening device (110) of (102) is engaged whereby said container (102) is defined by at least one of said first fastening device (108) and said second fastening device (110) fastened to said dosing assembly (104) for a predetermined movement, wherein at least a portion of said predetermined movement is parallel axial and rotational movement, said predetermined movement being less than one revolution; wherein one of said container (102) and said dosing assembly (104) defines a first member (116), said first member comprising a rotatable member defining one or more protrusions (118, 138, 140) An element (106), said one or more projections being adapted to receive/accommodate in said container (102) and said dosing assembly (104) during fastening of said container (102) and said dosing assembly (104) in one or more corresponding notches (120) of another defined second component (122) in the assembly (104), and wherein during fastening of the container (102) to the dosing assembly (104), the rotatable element (106) is adapted about the longitudinal axis of the first part (116) and relative to the first component rotation, characterized in that wherein said rotatable element (106) is adapted to remain in a predetermined angular position relative to said first member (116) prior to securing the container (102) to the dosing assembly (104); The first fastening means (108) and the second fastening means (110), the one or more protrusions (118, 138, 140) and the one or more corresponding notches (120) Arranged such that the first fastening means and the second fastening means must be at least partially engaged in order for the protrusions to be received in said one or more corresponding notches such that the protrusions cannot be received in the corresponding notches (120) until the first and second fastening means are at least partially engaged. 2. The medical delivery system according to claim 1, wherein during fastening of the container (102) with the dosing assembly (104), the rotatable element (106) is locked relative to the second part (122) rotation. 3. The medical delivery system of claim 1, wherein translational movement of the rotatable element (106) relative to the first component (116) is locked. 4. The medical delivery system of claim 1, wherein the one or more protrusions (118, 138, 140) extend in a generally axial and/or radial direction of the rotatable element (106). 5. The medical delivery system according to the preceding claim 1, wherein the rotatable element (106) is an annular element. 6. The medical delivery system according to claim 5, wherein said annular element comprises at least one said protrusion (138) and is adapted to be positioned in front of each of said at least one protrusion (138) of said annular element radially contracts when moved into a corresponding notch (120) of said second part (122). 7. The medical delivery system according to claim 6, wherein said at least one protrusion (138) of said annular element is v-shaped. 8. The medical delivery system according to claim 5, wherein said annular element comprises at least one said protrusion (140) and is adapted to be positioned in front of each of said at least one protrusion (140) of said annular element radially expands when moved into a corresponding notch (120) of said second part (122). 9. The medical delivery system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one protrusion (140) of the ring element defines a ring. 10. The medical delivery system according to claim 6, wherein said rotatable element (106) comprises at least one radially extending button (126), upon radial contraction of said rotatable element (106), said The button (126) disengages the recess (136) defined in the first part (116), thereby disengaging the rotatable element (106) from the first part (116) and allowing the A rotatable element (106) rotates about a central axis of said first member (116) and relative to said first member (116). 11. The medical delivery system according to claim 8, wherein the rotatable element (106) comprises at least one radially extending button (126), upon radial expansion of the rotatable element (106), the The button (126) disengages the recess (136) defined in the first part (116), thereby disengaging the rotatable element (106) from the first part (116) and allowing the A rotatable element (106) rotates about a central axis of said first member (116) and relative to said first member (116). 12. The medical delivery system of claim 1, wherein the rotatable element (106) is adapted to remain in a plurality of rotational positions relative to the first component (116). 13. The medical delivery system of claim 1, wherein the container (102) includes a cartridge holder defining the second fastening means (110) and a cartridge defining the chamber, and wherein the cartridge Non-removably attached to the cartridge holder. 14. The medical delivery system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following: said first fastening device (108) and said second fastening device (110), and said protrusions (118, 138, 140) of said rotatable element (106) and/or corresponding notches (120) of said second part (122), is part of said axial and/or rotational movement adapted to prevent said predetermined movement, thereby preventing coupling of said container to said dosing assembly, unless: each of said first fastening device (108) and said second fastening device (110) defines a predetermined coded geometry, and each of said projections (118, 138, 140) of said rotatable element (106) and/or corresponding indentations (120) of said second component (122) define a predetermined coded geometry, and/or The rotatable element (106) is positioned in a predetermined angular position relative to the first member (116). 15. The medical delivery system of claim 14, wherein the encoded geometry of the first fastening device (108) and the second fastening device (110), and the coded geometry of the rotatable element (106) Each of said protrusions (118, 138, 140) and/or a corresponding notch (120) of said second part (122) is defined by at least one of: said first fastening means (108) and the circumferential extent of the second fastening device (110), the axial extent of the first fastening device (108) and the second fastening device (110), the first fastening device ( 108) and the radial extent of said second fastening means (110) and the circumferential position of said first fastening means (108) and said second fastening means (110). 16. A medical delivery system comprising: a) a first container (102) and b) a second container (102), each respective container being adapted to contain a medicament in a chamber defined by the respective container and a slidably arranged piston which can be moved along the distal direction towards the outlet so as to reduce the volume of the chamber and eject the medicament through the outlet; c) a first dosing assembly (104) adapted to be fastened to said first container (102) so as to allow a driver of said first dosing assembly (104) to move said first dosing assembly (104) in said distal direction said piston of a container (102); Wherein said first dosing assembly (104) defines a first fastening device (108), during fastening of said first container (102) to said first dosing assembly (104), said first dosing assembly (104) A fastening device is engaged with a second fastening device (110) of said first container whereby said first container (102) is passed by said first fastening device (108) and said second fastening device (108) at least one of the means (110) is secured to said first dosing assembly (104) defining a predetermined movement of less than one revolution; wherein said first container (104) defines a first member (116) comprising a first rotatable element (106) defining one or more protrusions (118, 138, 140), in said During fastening of said first container (102) to said first dosing assembly (104), said one or more protrusions (118, 138, 140) are adapted to receive/accommodate In one or more corresponding notches (120) of the second part (122) defined by the metering assembly (104), wherein in the fastening of the first container (102) and the first metering assembly (104) during which said first rotatable element (106) is adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of said first part (116) and relative to said first part; d) a second dosing assembly (104) adapted to be fastened to said second container (102) so as to allow the driver of said second dosing assembly (104) to move said second container in said distal direction ( 102) said piston; Wherein said second dosing assembly (104) defines a third fastening device (108), during fastening of said second container (102) to said second dosing assembly (104), said third fastening The fastening device is engaged with the fourth fastening device (110) of the second container (102), whereby the second container (102) is passed by the third fastening device (108) and the fourth fastening device at least one of the securing means (110) is secured to said second dosing assembly (104) for a predetermined movement of less than one revolution; wherein said second container defines a third member (116), said third member comprising a second rotatable member (106) defining one or more protrusions (118, 138, 140), in said second During fastening of the container (102) to said second dosing assembly (104), said one or more protrusions (118, 138, 140) are adapted to receive/accommodate in the In one or more corresponding notches (120) of the fourth part (122) defined, wherein during the fastening of the second container (102) and the second dosing assembly (104), the second A rotatable element (106) adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of said first member (116) and relative to said first member; wherein at least one of the following: said first fastening means (108) of said first dosing assembly (104) and said third fastening means (108) of said second dosing assembly (104), said second fastening means (110) of said first container (102) and said fourth fastening means (110) of said second container (102), and Each of said protrusions of said first rotatable element (106) and said second rotatable element (106) or/and said second part (122) and said fourth part (122) each of the notches; It is adapted to prevent the first dosing assembly (104) and the second container (102) from being fastened to each other, and to prevent the second dosing assembly (104) and the first container (102) from being fastened to each other. 17. The medical delivery system according to claim 16, wherein it is required for coupling and decoupling the first container (102) from the first dosing assembly (104) and for coupling the second container (102) said predetermined movement coupled to said second metering assembly (104) is substantially the same. 18. A container (102) suitable for use in a medical delivery system according to any one of claims 1-17. 19. A dosing assembly (104) suitable for use in a medical delivery system according to any one of claims 1-17.

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