Medical delivery device

The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical delivery device according to the preamble of independent claim 1. The device comprises (i) a rod element having a stem with a vertical line, a distal end and a proximal end, and (ii) an outlet and a chamber body with a distal end, a proximal end and a hollow interior. It can be embodied by the components of the member. The stem of the rod element extends within the chamber body of the dosing member and the outlet is located adjacent to the proximal end of the stem of the rod element. In the dosage setting state of the medication delivery device, the rod element is movable with respect to the outlet of the dosing member along its vertical axis, so that the dosing chamber is dosing between the stem and outlet of the rod element. Formed inside the chamber body of the member, this dosing chamber grows as the rod element separates from the outlet. This type of device can be used for patients who are self-administering a liquid such as a drug or drug.

Delivering a liquid or other fluid from a container is required in many medical applications and is practiced in a number of different ways. Certain devices are commonly used, especially when it is imperative that the liquid be delivered relatively accurately. For example, liquid medicinal material is typically fed into a glass or plastic vial, which is closed with a bulkhead or rubber stopper and a cap or similar other seal cover clamped around it. Usually, a syringe can be used to deliver the drug substance from the vial. Therefore, the needle of the syringe penetrates the partition wall or cover, and the pharmaceutical substance is drawn into the syringe through the needle. Once transferred to the syringe, the drug substance is delivered in a suitable manner. For example, the pharmaceutical substance can be injected, for example, subcutaneously or intramuscularly, or applied orally, or provided, for example, as droplets into the patient's eye or nose.

Usually, it is relatively difficult to deliver a liquid from a vial or container using a syringe. This generally requires the involvement of a professionally educated person, such as a doctor or nurse. Patients are usually syringes or similar if the dosage of the liquid to be delivered must be relatively accurate, especially when relatively small doses are required, such as in the range of 10 microliters to about 1 milliliter. You cannot make the delivery yourself when using this device. That is, self-administration can be difficult for the user. However, self-administration of liquids or drugs is beneficial in many therapeutic applications as it can significantly reduce the effort and cost of treatment for the patient.

There are devices used to remedy this situation that make it easier to deliver a relatively accurate amount of liquid. For example, it is known to provide the drug in a pre-filled syringe that can be administered by the patient himself. However, such prefilled syringes are usually not preferred for a number of reasons. For example, producing a prefilled syringe is relatively complex and expensive compared to a vial from a manufacturing point of view. Alternatively, the syringe must provide multiple possible dosages suitable for a variety of applications and patients, and thus is relatively cumbersome to manufacture. Another example of a delivery device is an injection pen commonly used in the treatment of diabetes.

Further delivery devices are described in US Pat. No. 6,607,508. That is, an automatic drug delivery device having a cylindrical syringe barrel with a plunger rod extending from one side. The other side of the syringe barrel is provided with a thread that allows the needle assembly to be screwed in. The plunger rod has a vial seat that can hold the vial. The plunger rod is further provided with a passage extending in the longitudinal direction over the entire plunger rod. Pins that interact with the slots of the dosing barrel that surround the plunger rod portion with the pins extend radially from the plunger rod. By translating the administration barrel through the administration ring, the plunger rod is translated and a capacitive portion is formed between the plunger rod and the thread side of the syringe barrel. Guided by this movement, the drug is transferred from the vial through the passage to the volume section. The opposite diversion of the dosing barrel is blocked by a ratchet mechanism that ensures that the liquid is not pushed back through the passage. The device further comprises a spring-driven automatic needle injection structure for delivering the drug from the capacitive section through a needle that is screwed to the thread of the syringe barrel. During drug delivery, the plunger rod is automatically turned in the opposite direction by spring force, causing the volume to shrink. This pushes the drug through the needle.

While such known delivery devices have improved the situation for convenient handling, they are still relatively complex to use, especially for accurate dosage setting and for administering liquids after dosage setting. Is. Also, the delivery of the liquid will be considerably slower and the administration will be relatively complicated.

Therefore, there is a need for a drug delivery device that, on the one hand, allows accurate dosage setting of the liquid from the container and, on the other hand, allows for convenient self-administration of the liquid.

According to the present invention, this need is solved by a pharmaceutical delivery device as defined by the features of independent claim 1. A preferred embodiment is the subject of the dependent claim.

In particular, the present invention deals with a pharmaceutical delivery device comprising a rod element and a dosing member. The rod element has a stem with a vertical line, a first thread structure, a distal end, and a proximal end. The dosing member comprises an outlet and a chamber body having a distal end, a proximal end and a hollow interior. The stem of the rod element extends within the chamber body of the dosing member and the outlet is located adjacent to the proximal end of the stem of the rod element. In the dosage setting state of the drug delivery device, the first thread structure and the second thread structure of the stem of the rod element move along the rod element, so that the rod element is a dosing member along its vertical line. It is movable with respect to the outlet of. A dosing chamber is formed between the stem of the rod element and the outlet, inside the chamber body of the dosing member, and the dosing chamber grows as the rod element moves away from the outlet.

The drug delivery device particularly comprises a switching mechanism for changing the drug delivery device from the dosage setting state to the delivery state. In the dosage setting state of the drug delivery device, applying an axial force to the rod element prevents the rod element from moving along its vertical axis. In the delivery state of the drug delivery device, the rod element is movable with respect to the outlet along its vertical axis by applying an axial force to the rod element, and the first thread of the stem of the rod element. By moving the structure and the second thread structure along each other, the rod element is prevented from moving along its vertical axis.

The term "proximal" as used in connection with the present invention and the disclosed embodiments of the drug delivery device refers to the orientation of the drug delivery device directed at the patient's body in its intended use. This allows the proximal part or component to be directed to or close to the patient's body when the drug delivery device is applied to the patient. On the other hand, the term "distal" as used in connection with the present invention and the disclosed embodiments of the drug delivery device refers to the direction of the drug delivery device towards away from the patient's body in its intended use. Point to. For example, in a conventional syringe, the proximal end is usually the tip of the syringe and the distal end is the end of the plunger into which the thumb is pushed.

The first thread structure can be an inner thread structure and correspondingly the second thread structure can be an outer thread structure. The term "outside" for a thread structure refers to the direction in which the thread structure is facing. In particular, it refers to a threaded structure that faces outward so that it can interact with the corresponding inner threaded structure. Similarly, the term "inside" for threaded structures refers in the opposite direction to which the threaded structure is facing.

As used herein, the term "thread" refers to a male structure, such as a ridge, or a female structure, such as a groove that extends around a surface or body. Typically, the threads are spiral or essentially spiral and run along the body or component.

The term "moving along each other" used in connection with the first and second thread structures relates to parts that are moved or moved in or on threads. For example, as described in more detail below, a male member, such as a pin, can be moved in or along a groove in a female thread.

The term "axial force" as used in connection with the rod element according to the invention or other embodiment of the pharmaceutical delivery device disclosed herein is axial with the rod element when the drug delivery device is in the delivery state. Refers to the force applied to the rod element to move it. Typically, such axial forces can be manually induced, for example by pushing the distal end of the rod element or a component attached to the rod element with the thumb.

In this regard, the term "prevent (prevent)" refers to blocking the axial force to move the rod element axially. Even if axial movement due to axial force is prevented, if the axial force is high enough, the rod element will still move axially, for example by destroying or deforming certain parts or features of the device. Can be done. Therefore, preventing axial movement due to axial forces may be associated with proper use of the device.

The disclosed embodiments of the stem of the rod element and the pharmaceutical delivery device according to the present invention may have the shape of a rod or a cylinder. The distal end of the body of the rod element may be located near the distal end of the chamber body as long as it extends within the chamber body of the dosing member, and the proximal end of the stem of the rod element is the chamber. It may be located near the proximal end of the body.

The outlet and the outlet of the disclosed embodiment of the pharmaceutical delivery device may be shaped for a particular application or administration of the drug or drug delivered by the device. For example, if the device is intended to inject a drug, it may be a needle. In such an embodiment, the needle can extend from the inside of the housing, described below, through a proximal opening in the housing to the outside of the housing or a particular portion thereof. Alternatively, it may be, for example, a spout or nozzle shaped to deliver droplets to the eye. The outlet can also be adapted to be connected to the delivery member. For example, it may include a male or female part of a luer lock or luer taper connector, and the delivery member may be provided with a corresponding female or male luer lock connector. The outlet may be located at the proximal end of the dosing member.

The pharmaceutical delivery device and the disclosed embodiments of the pharmaceutical delivery device according to the present invention can be made from a plastic material. In particular, it can be made from a sterilizable plastic material that can be manufactured by injection molding.

By providing the drug delivery device with a switching mechanism, it becomes possible to functionally separate the dosage setting of a liquid such as a drug from the delivery of the liquid. In particular, in the dosage setting state, the liquid can be accurately dosed in the dosage chamber. All unintended operation of the drug delivery device, for example by applying an axial force to the rod element, which reduces the accuracy of dosage setting can be prevented. This facilitates accurate and safe dosage setting of the liquid and ensures that the liquid is not administered until the dosage setting selection is complete.

After switching the drug delivery device to the delivery state, further revision of the dosage setting can be prevented, and obstacles to accurate dosage setting during delivery of the liquid can be prevented. Also, in the delivery state, the operation of the drug delivery device can be particularly convenient, as no further dosage setting is possible and therefore no measures need to be taken to prevent unintended changes in dosage during administration. .. This makes self-administration of the liquid particularly convenient and safe. The switching mechanism can be embodied so that once the drug delivery device is in the delivery state, it cannot be returned to the dosage setting state.

The rod element may be provided with a stopper on the proximal end side. In particular, the stopper may be located on the proximal end side of the stem of the rod element. The term "stopper" in this context can refer to a narrowly defined stopper, a plug-like sealing member. The stopper can also be another sealing member such as an O-ring attached to the stem or the like. The stopper may be made of an elastic or elastomeric material such as rubber to ensure airtightness. The stopper allows the rod element to be airtightly placed in the dosing chamber of the dosing member. In this way, a negative pressure, partial vacuum or vacuum capable of drawing liquid into the dosing chamber can be induced into the dosing chamber.

Preferably, the dosing member of the drug delivery device comprises a second thread structure, and in the dosage setting state of the drug delivery device, the first thread structure of the rod element becomes the second thread structure of the dosing member. Engage. Such a structure enables efficient realization and operation of the pharmaceutical delivery device.

If the dosing member directly comprises a second thread structure, a robust and efficient realization of a pharmaceutical delivery device suitable for a variety of therapeutic applications can be achieved. It is possible to prevent having to embody a large number of parts for dosage setting. In addition, in the dosage setting state of the medication delivery device, the first thread structure of the rod element that engages the second thread structure of the dosing member is accurately liquid, especially in relatively small amounts, such as 10 μl to 1 ml. Allows you to set the dosage. Thus, the drug delivery device, on the one hand, allows for accurate dosage setting of the liquid, for example from a container, and on the other hand, allows for convenient self-administration of the liquid after dosage setting.

Preferably, the drug delivery device switching mechanism engages the first thread structure of the stem of the rod element from the second thread structure of the dosing member when the drug delivery device is changed from the dosage setting state to the delivery state. It has a disengagement structure to disengage. By disengaging the first thread structure from the second thread structure, the rod element is moved axially without rotating around its vertical axis. Therefore, the rod element can be moved by axial force without any rotational movement. During this time, the first and second thread structures no longer engage with each other, thus preventing the stem from advancing due to rotational movement.

Preferably, the disengagement structure of the switching mechanism of the drug delivery device comprises an release shell having a recess defined by an inclined surface, and the first thread structure of the stem is a hump located within the recess of the release shell. The switching mechanism is such that the inclined surface of the release shell acts on the hump of the first thread structure, thereby disengaging the first thread structure from the second thread structure. It is configured to rotate the release shell when switching the drug delivery device from the dosage setting state to the delivery state. Such a release shell allows for a simple and efficient implementation of the disengagement structure.

Preferably, the second thread structure of the drug delivery device is located on the outer surface of the chamber body of the dosing member, and the first thread structure of the rod element comprises an arm portion extending under the stem and also delivers. In the dosage setting state of the device, the first thread structure of the rod element engages the second thread structure of the dosing member via the arm portion. Such a structure of the first and second thread structures makes it possible to realize a pharmaceutical delivery device efficiently.

In the embodiment of the arm portion of the rod element having the plurality of arms, the release shell is provided with a plurality of corresponding recesses. The release shell may have a hollow cylinder provided with a recess as an opening in the cylinder wall. Being movable with respect to the rod element, the release shell can be made rotatable around the rod element. Thus, for example, it can be made rotatable around the vertical axis of the stem of the rod element. When switching the drug delivery device from the dosage setting state to the delivery state, the release shell, along with the constrained arm section, efficiently disengages the first thread structure from the second thread structure. can do. In particular, such a structure allows for an efficient and relatively simple mechanical implementation of the switching mechanism.

Therefore, the first threaded hump on the stem of the drug delivery device is preferably located on the arm of the first threaded structure and the release shell when the drug delivery device is switched from the dosage setting state to the delivery state. When you rotate, the sloping surface of the release shell lifts the arm of the first thread structure. Such a structure makes it possible to safely disengage the first and second thread structures in a simple and efficient manner.

Preferably, the first thread structure of the rod element of the pharmaceutical delivery device is a pin structure having at least one pin, the second thread structure of the dosing member is threaded and the first thread of the rod element. The thread structure engages the second thread structure of the dosing member by at least one pin of the pin structure of the rod element, located within the thread of the second thread structure of the dosing member. Such a pin can be a suitable embodiment of a male thread structure that can efficiently engage a thread that is a female thread structure. In particular, the rotational movement allows the pin to move along the thread and the stem to move exactly along its vertical axis.

Preferably, the drug delivery device comprises a dosing activator, wherein the dosing member has a first link structure, wherein the dosage setting activator has a second link structure corresponding to the first link structure. The dosage setting activator is connected to the dosing member in a torque resistant manner when the second connecting structure is attached to the first connecting structure. Such a dosage setting activator enables accurate dosage setting using a drug delivery device. It can be removed, for example, before delivery.

Thereby, the switching mechanism preferably comprises a first conversion inducer located in the dosage setting activator and a second conversion inducer located in the release shell, with a first conversion inducer and a second conversion. The trigger interacts when the dosage setting activator is removed from the dosage member, resulting in rotation of the release shell and switching of the medication delivery device from the dosage setting state to the delivery state. Thus, as soon as the dosage setting activator is removed, the drug delivery device is mechanically switched to the delivery state. This enables safe and easy switching.

Therefore, the first diversion inducer is preferably the first ramp of the dosage setting activator and the second diversion inducer is the second ramp of the release shell. The ramp may be inclined or angled with respect to the vertical axis. The dosage setting activator is preferably removable from the dosing member by moving the dosage setting activator axially with respect to the dosing member. With two such ramps, the axial movement of the dosage setting activator can induce a rotational movement of the release shell. Thus, the medication delivery device can be mechanically switched to the delivery state when the dosage setting activator is removed.

Preferably, the dosage setting activator of the drug delivery device comprises a container seat for holding the container in place. Such a container seat allows the container to be connected in a predetermined position and orientation. This allows the container to be efficiently connected to this system or drug delivery device.

As used herein, the term "container" refers to any liquid reservoir suitable for storing and transporting liquids or fluids. If the liquid is a drug or the like, the container can be a vial in particular. The term "vial" used in this context refers to a relatively small container or bottle commonly used to store a pharmaceutical product or drug or drug in liquid, powder or encapsulated form. Vials can be made of sterile materials such as glass or plastic, such as polypropylene. The container may include a plurality of sub-containers, such as a plurality of vials. The term "predetermined position" in this context refers to a position where the opening of the container is oriented towards the outlet. Such a container seat allows the container to be connected in a predetermined position and orientation. This allows the container to be efficiently connected to the system or drug delivery device.

Thereby, the outlet preferably connects the container seat of the dosage setting activator to the dosing chamber of the dosing member so that the inside of the container and the dosing when the container is placed in the container seat of the dosage setting activator. An opening duct is formed between the member and the dosing chamber. The opening duct allows the liquid to be transferred from the container to the dosing chamber as the dosing activator rotates around the vertical line. More specifically, by rotating the dosage setting activator, the rod element is moved along the vertical line, the dosing chamber expands or contracts, and the liquid is transferred from the container to the dosing chamber (or vice versa). Will be.

Preferably, the container seat of the dosage setting activator of the drug delivery device comprises a spike that penetrates the cap of the container when the container is placed in the container seat of the dosage setting activator. The container is usually closed with a permeable cover such as a partition wall. Having such spikes eliminates the need for the outlet itself to penetrate the cap. As a result, the risk of damaging or soiling the discharge port can be reduced. For example, if the cap has a bulkhead and the outlet has a needle, the needle usually does not need to penetrate the bulkhead that contaminates the needle. Therefore, spikes allow the outlet to be maintained in a ready state for administration, such as injection.

Preferably, the dosage setting activator of the medication delivery device has an outlet seal that closes the outlet of the dosage member when the second connection structure of the dosage setting activator is attached to the first connection structure of the dosage member. Be prepared. Such a structure makes it possible to minimize the remaining amount. Advantageously, the outlet seal is located as close to the tip or proximal end of the outlet as possible. The outlet seal may be in the form of a plug that forms a passage, such as a hole or thin wall, when the outlet is inserted. It can be made of a plastic or elastomeric material such as silicone. The outlet seal can protect the outlet. The outlet seal can prevent liquid leakage when the dosage setting activator is not attached to the medication delivery device. In addition, the air-laden empty space around the outlet can be minimized by the outlet seal. Thus, the amount of air drawn in with the contents of the container and transferred to the dosing chamber is reduced or at least essentially eliminated.

Preferably, when the container is placed in the container seat of the dosage setting activator and the rod element and the dosing member rotate in the first direction with respect to each other, the fluid is transferred from the container through the outlet to the dosing chamber. .. This allows for efficient design of delivery devices and comfortable dosage setting. Therefore, when the container is placed in the container seat of the dosage setting activator and the rod element and the dosing member rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to each other, the fluid is preferably released from the dosing chamber. Transferred to a container through the outlet. This allows the selection of dosage settings. Therefore, the dosage in the dosing chamber can be easily changed, adjusted and modified many times until the desired dose is set. No further dosage setting is possible after switching the drug delivery device to the delivery state or mode.

Preferably, in the dosage setting state of the drug delivery device, the dosing member of the drug delivery device is rotatable with respect to the rod element, so that the first thread structure of the rod element and the second thread of the dosing member The structures move along each other and the rod elements move with respect to the outlet along the vertical axis of the stem. Such a structure enables efficient realization and operation of the pharmaceutical delivery device.

Preferably, the second thread structure of the pharmaceutical delivery device is located on the outer surface of the chamber body of the dosing member. This enables the efficient realization and operation of the pharmaceutical delivery device.

Preferably, the drug delivery device indicates the dosage volume formed by the rod element as it is moved along its vertical axis with respect to the outlet by rotating the dosing member and the rod element with respect to each other. As such, it has a counter connected to the rod element. By connecting the counter to the rod element, the movement of the rod element with respect to the outlet can be identified and directly reflected in the indicated dosage volume adjustment. Thus, an accurate and purely mechanical dosing counter can be efficiently implemented.

Rotating the dosing member and the rod element relative to each other in the medication delivery device means either the dosing member rotating around the rod element, the rod element rotating in or around the dosing member, or the dosing rotating in the opposite direction. It can be embodied by either a member or a rod element. The rod elements can be placed coaxially for efficient and proper rotational movement of the dosing member.

This allows the counter to remain connected to the second thread structure of the dosing member. The dosing member can no longer rotate with the rod element and slide in the longitudinal direction when axial force is applied.

Preferably, the drug delivery device comprises a locking mechanism for changing the drug delivery device from the locked state to the dosage setting state, and in the locked state of the drug delivery device, the rod element is released along its vertical axis. Prevents movement against the exit.

By providing the drug delivery device with a locking mechanism, thereby locking the delivery device, it is possible to prevent the use of the drug delivery device from being unintentionally started. Thus, for example, it is possible to prevent the dosage setting from being initiated before the device is properly accessible to the container containing the liquid. For example, when a substance is dosed from a container such as a vial through a needle or the like, the locking mechanism allows the dosage setting to be initiated only when the needle or the like is properly close to the liquid in the container. Can be guaranteed.

In this way, the drug delivery device with the locking mechanism allows for proper and accurate dosage setting in a relatively simple manner. In particular, misuse of the delivery device can prevent tampering with the dosage, even in relatively small amounts. This can make the drug delivery device particularly suitable for self-administration.

Preferably, the dosage setting activator of the drug delivery device torque resistance to the dosing member when the second connecting structure is attached to the first connecting structure so that rotating the dial unit rotates the dosing member. It is equipped with a dial unit that is connected to the sex, and in the locked state, the locking mechanism prevents the dial unit from rotating. Such a dial unit can be embodied by using a means for a simple dosage setting operation. For example, the dial unit may be provided with a gripping structure such as a rib that enables comfortable manual operation.

Therefore, the dosage setting activator preferably comprises a container seat for holding the container in place, and the locking mechanism is a drug delivery device when the container is held in place by the container seat. Is configured to be in the dosage setting state and the drug delivery device is in the locked state when the container seat does not hold the container.

Preferably, the dosage setting activator of the dosage setting activator is arranged in the container seat of the dosage setting activator so that the medication delivery device shifts from the locked state to the dosage setting state when the container is placed in the container seat. It is equipped with a locking mechanism release member that is actuated by the container of the time. As described above, the device is unlocked, that is, the dosage setting state, only when the container is located in the container seat and the container is properly arranged in the container seat during this period. Guaranteed. Therefore, such a release member makes it possible to achieve proper installation of the container and unlocking of the device at the same time or in one step.

Thereby, the release member preferably comprises a dosage setting activator, eg, a blocking surface that is torque resistant to its dial unit and engages with the corresponding surface of the drug delivery device in the locked state. In this way, it is possible to safely prevent the rotational movement of the dial unit that induces the dosage setting operation when the device is in the locked state and when the container is not arranged on the container seat.

The release member is preferably configured to be axially moved when the container is placed on the container seat. In this regard, the term "moving in the axial direction" specifically refers to the movement along the vertical line of the stem of the rod element. Such axial movement of the release member can be triggered, for example, by the corresponding axial movement of the container when placed in the container seat. This enables efficient mounting of the locking mechanism.

Thereby, the blocking surface of the release member preferably disengages from the corresponding surface of the pharmaceutical delivery device when the container is axially moved while arranging the container seat. Such disengagement can efficiently create space for the rotational movement of the dosage setting activator for dosage setting.

Preferably, the release member of the dosage setting activator of the medication delivery device comprises an indicator that is hidden when the medication delivery device is in the locked state and visible when the medication delivery device is in the dosage setting state. Such an indicator makes it possible to efficiently identify whether the drug delivery device is in the locked state or the dosage setting state. This allows the container to be properly placed on the container seat and to ensure that the device is ready for dosage setting.

The first thread structure of the stem of the rod element and / or the second thread structure of the dosing member may be provided with a plurality of ridges located at constant distances from each other, resulting in the rod element. When the first thread structure of the stem and the second thread structure of the dosing member move along each other, the first thread structure of the stem of the rod element and the second thread structure of the dosing member It interacts with one of multiple ridges at a given angle of rotation. The ridges can be, for example, the spacing between the walls of the threads.

This allows the ridges to be arranged such that the dosing chamber changes by a predetermined amount by rotating the dosing member around a predetermined angle of rotation. In particular, each rotation around a predetermined angle can change the volume of the dosing chamber by the same predetermined amount. In this way, it is possible to provide a signal for indicating to the user of the drug delivery device during the dosage setting that the dosage volume has changed by a predetermined amount.

In the operation or use of the above-mentioned drug delivery device, and in other drug delivery devices, a considerable negative pressure is induced in the dosing chamber to draw the fluid from the container. In particular, during dosage setting, the stem is moved away from the outlet, with a stopper attached proximal to it. This creates a negative pressure, which in turn draws fluid from the vessel. Such negative pressure can deform the stopper to some extent, which is the dosage, especially when relatively high accuracy needs to be achieved or when relatively small doses are set. It may impair the accuracy of the setting. Therefore, there is a need for delivery devices that allow specific and accurate dosage settings.

This need is solved by another further aspect of the present disclosure relating to a pharmaceutical delivery device comprising a rod element and a dosing member. The rod element has a vertical line, a stem having a distal end and a proximal end, and a stopper attached to the bed portion of the proximal end of the stem. The dosing member comprises a discharge port and a chamber body having a distal end, a proximal end and a hollow interior, the stem of the rod element extends within the chamber body of the dosing member and the discharge port is a rod. It is arranged adjacent to the stopper of the element, and the stopper fits airtightly inside the chamber body.

In particular, the head portion of the stem of the rod element of another further aspect of the present disclosure has a plurality of bulges and the stopper has a corresponding interior, in which case the entire head portion of the stem is inside the stopper. Fit. By providing such a bulge on the stem and properly molding the stopper, the deformation of the stopper is hindered or eliminated. In this way, an improvement in dosage setting accuracy can be achieved.

Preferably, in the dosage setting state of the pharmaceutical delivery device of another further aspect of the present disclosure, the rod element is movable with respect to the outlet of the dosing member along its vertical axis, and the dosing chamber is the rod element. Formed inside the chamber body of the dosing member between the stem and the outlet, the dosing chamber grows as the rod element separates from the outlet.

The stopper may preferably be made of an elastic or elastomeric material such as rubber.

Preferably, the plurality of bulges at the head portion of the stem are convex. Such a convex bulge is pushed into the stopper to increase the holding force of the stopper on the stem. The vicinity of the plurality of bulges at the head portion of the stem of the rod element is preferably separated by a concave intermediate portion. Such recesses may further assist in holding the stopper on the stem.

Preferably, the stem of the rod element comprises a contact surface from which the head portion extends. Therefore, the stopper is preferably axially adjacent to the contact surface of the stem of the rod element. In this way, the stopper is clamped between the bulge and the contact surface so that the stopper can be accurately positioned.

Preferably, the head portion of the stem of the rod element is smaller in diameter compared to the rest of the stem. In this way, an equivalent bulky stopper can be mounted without increasing the maximum diameter of the stem including the stopper.

Preferably, the stem of the rod element is rotationally symmetric. In particular, the portion forming the head portion of the stem is also rotationally symmetric. This allows the stem to be rotationally symmetric around its vertical line and is also movable along its vertical line. Such a stem shape can be efficiently manufactured.

The pharmaceutical delivery device according to the invention, and in all aspects of the present disclosure above and below, preferably comprises a cage body, a spring element and a release mechanism, in which case the release mechanism has a rod element on its vertical axis. Activating the spring element as it is moved with respect to the outlet along the dosing chamber is minimized so that the cage body is moved with respect to the outlet to cover the outlet.

In this regard, the term "minimized dosing chamber" specifically refers to the dosing chamber being almost completely empty. This allows the dosing chamber to be essentially eliminated by feeding the rod element towards the outlet. Such a structure makes it possible to effectively protect the outlet after delivery. This is especially important if the outlet has a needle or needle-like structure.

In a possible embodiment, the cage body is the housing of the drug delivery device. Thus, after delivery of the dosage, the spring element moves the housing relative to the outlet, thereby protecting or covering the outlet. In other words, the outlet or needle is retracted into the housing by a spring element.

Preferably, the release mechanism comprises a lockout member and the spring element is disposed between the cage body and the lockout member. Such a lockout member makes it possible to distinguish the spring element from any rotational movement (eg, dosage setting, delivery, etc.) during use of the device. Similarly, the accuracy of the dosage setting and the display of the dosage setting can be relatively high (ie, the same dosage setting display before and after delivery). In particular, it is possible to prevent interference due to rotation of the spring element during dosage setting.

That is, in the dosage setting state of the medication delivery device, the lockout member and cage body preferably do not rotate when the first and second thread structures of the rod element move along each other. It is configured. Also, preferably, in the dosage setting state of the drug delivery device, when the switching mechanism rotates and the release shell of the drug delivery device is switched from the dosage setting state to the delivery state, the release mechanism operates at the end of the delivery process. Ready to do. This structure makes it possible to efficiently separate the spring element from rotational movement during dosage setting.

Preferably, the dosing member and the release mechanism interact with each other so that a clear click sounds as the dosing member rotates along the vertical axis. In this regard, the term "clear click" refers to an audible and / or perceptible signal. It can be generated, in particular, by the dosing member and the engaging release mechanism.

In the operation and use of the above-mentioned pharmaceutical delivery device, in addition, in other pharmaceutical delivery devices, more generally, in any application in which a liquid substance is drawn from a container that is typically blocked by a partition wall or the like, a syringe. The needle usually penetrates the bulkhead or cover of the container or vial, and the material is drawn through the needle into the syringe. Once transferred to the syringe, the material is delivered in a suitable manner. For example, the substance may be a pharmaceutical substance that can be injected, for example, subcutaneously or intramuscularly through a needle, or applied orally, or provided, for example, as droplets to the patient's eye or nose.

Syringe needles are usually contaminated by the septum as they penetrate the septum or cover of the container. However, such contamination is undesirable in many applications involving, for example, injection. Moreover, a significant amount of air is often drawn in before the liquid material, especially if the syringe is a particular device such as an infusion device. Such air in the syringe must usually be removed from the syringe before applying the material in the priming process. In the priming process, it can be difficult to set and deliver the correct amount of liquid, especially if the amount of liquid is relatively small, such as in the range of about 10 μl to 1 ml.

Therefore, there is a need for devices or methods that allow the delivery of the correct dosage of liquid in perfect condition. This need is solved by another further aspect of the present disclosure, which deals with an adapter for connecting a container to a delivery device having an outlet. The adapter has a mounting structure arranged to connect the adapter to the delivery device and disconnect the adapter from the delivery device, and a discharge port to hold the container in place with respect to the tip of the discharge port. Be prepared. When the container is placed on the container seat of the adapter and the attachment structure of the adapter is connected to the delivery device, an opening duct is formed between the inside of the container and the inside of the discharge port of the delivery device. The container seat of the adapter comprises spikes that penetrate the cap of the container opening when the container is placed on the container seat of the dosage setting activator.

The delivery device can also be a device for administering a liquid substance. For example, it may be a drug delivery device for applying a liquid drug. Such delivery devices can be used to deliver or administer liquid substances such as drugs in appropriate forms such as eye droplets, oral dosing and the like. In particular, the delivery device can be an infusion device for injecting a substance subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

The outlet of the adapter may be shaped for a particular application or administration of the drug delivered from the delivery device. It may be a needle, for example if the delivery device is intended to inject the drug. In such embodiments, the outlet or needle may penetrate its proximal opening from inside the housing and extend outside the housing or a particular portion thereof. The outlet can also be adapted to be connected to the delivery member. For example, it may include a male or female part of a luer lock or luer taper connector, and the delivery member may be provided with a corresponding female or male luer lock connector. Other examples of outlets are nozzles, valves, fluid guides and the like.

The container can be the container described above and described later. The container seat allows the container to be connected in a predetermined position and orientation. The term "predetermined position" in the context of a container seat refers to a position where the opening of the container is oriented towards the outlet. This allows the container to be efficiently connected to the system or drug delivery device.

The container cap may include a bulkhead or an elastic stopper. Typically, such bulkheads or stoppers are placed within the opening of the container to close the container. The cap may further include a metal or plastic cover that is placed or crimped around the opening and bulkhead or stopper. This cover can hold and protect the bulkhead or stopper.

The adapter can be made of plastic material. In particular, it can be made from a sterilizable plastic material that can be manufactured by injection molding. It may be cylindrical in nature. It may also be part of another device, such as a dosage setting activator, or integrated into another device, as described in more detail below. The delivery device or drug delivery device may be a needle device such as a syringe or another injection device.

The opening duct allows the liquid to be transferred from the container to the dosing chamber when the adapter is attached to the delivery device and the container is placed in the container seat. Spikes along with the adapter can prevent the outlet itself from having to penetrate the cap. This can reduce the risk of damaging or soiling the outlet of the delivery device. For example, if the cap comprises a bulkhead, the outlet must typically penetrate the bulkhead, which can contaminate or desiliconize the outlet and damage the outlet or its tip. Can be prevented. Therefore, spikes allow the outlet to be maintained in a ready state for administration, such as injection. In this way, the adapter makes it possible to deliver the correct dosage of liquid in a clean state.

Preferably, the spikes extend inside the container seat. Such a structure of spikes allows the container to penetrate directly through the container cap when placed in the container seat. Therefore, the container seat may be advantageous if the container seat is adapted to hold the container with the opening of the container facing the spikes.

Preferably, the spike comprises a tip. This tip may be embodied sharp enough to pierce and penetrate the cap or its bulkhead or stopper. Such spikes allow the cap to be easily penetrated in a suitable manner. Thereby, the spike preferably includes a conduit that runs vertically through the spike from the tip. In this regard, the term "vertical" refers to the direction of the spikes. In particular, the spikes can be directed along the axis of the container. Spike conduits connect the container to the outlet and allow liquid to be transferred from the container to the outlet or dosing chamber.

Preferably, the adapter further comprises an outlet seal that closes the outlet of the delivery device when the attachment structure of the adapter is connected to the delivery device. Such a structure makes it possible to minimize the amount of air around the outlet, especially around its tip. Advantageously, the outlet seal is located as close to the tip or proximal end of the outlet as possible. The outlet seal can protect the outlet and reduce contamination. In addition, the empty space containing air around the outlet or its tip can be minimized by the outlet seal. Thus, the amount of air drawn with the liquid in the container and transferred by the outlet is reduced or at least essentially eliminated. The outlet seal can also prevent drug leakage when the adapter is not attached to the delivery device.

The adapter more preferably comprises a seal holder in which the outlet seal is airtightly arranged. For example, such a seal holder can be embodied as a recess that fits the outlet seal. The outlet seal is then slightly compressed, pressed into the recess and held by friction within the recess. The outlet seal is preferably plug-shaped.

The outlet seal preferably comprises a passage through which the outlet reaches when the attachment structure of the adapter is connected to the delivery device. In that passage, the outlet is airtightly accepted. For this reason, the diameter of the passage can be made slightly smaller than that of the outlet so that the outlet seal is slightly deformed when the outlet is placed in the passage and tightens the outlet in the outlet seal. it can.

Preferably, the outlet of the delivery device extends within the conduit of the spike when the attachment structure of the adapter is connected to the delivery device. Thus, the outlet can be placed relatively close to the spike, which allows the amount of air to be minimized around the outlet, especially around its tip. Therefore, when transferring a liquid from a container to a discharge port or dosing chamber, only a relatively small amount of air can be drawn by the discharge port.

Thereby, the outlet seal preferably airtightly contacts the spike at the side of the spike where the conduit ends on the opposite side of the tip. This makes it possible to further minimize the empty space around the tip of the discharge port so that the amount of air around the tip of the discharge port is minimized.

Preferably, the outlet seal is made of silicone. The outlet seal can also be made of a plastic material in which silicone can be particularly beneficial. More specifically, when silicone is used for the discharge port seal, contamination of the discharge port by the discharge port seal can be prevented. The silicone is also airtightly placed in the seal holder and has sufficient elasticity to airtightly accept the outlet in the conduit.

A method of delivering a liquid to a patient in connection with an adapter comprises the following steps: obtaining the liquid in a container, a delivery device with an outlet, and an adapter as described in any one of the preceding claims. That, placing the container on the container seat of the adapter; while the mounting structure of the adapter is connected to the delivery device and the container is placed on the container seat of the adapter, from the container to the delivery device through the outlet. Withdrawing the liquid, separating the adapter from the delivery device; optionally delivering the liquid from the delivery device through the outlet.

These steps of the method can also be embodied in an order other than that listed above.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to efficiently achieve the advantages described in connection with the adapters described above.

<figref num="1">FIG. 5 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a pharmaceutical delivery device according to the invention that is in a dosage setting state while in the starting position.</figref><figref num="2">The exploded perspective view of the medicine delivery device of FIG. 1 is shown.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of pharmaceutical delivery in FIG.</figref><figref num="4">The front view of the medicine delivery apparatus of FIG. 1 in the dosage setting state after the dosage setting is shown.</figref><figref num="5">The cross-sectional view of the medicine delivery device of FIG. 4 is shown.</figref><figref num="6">The front view of the medicine delivery device of FIG. 1 after removing the dosage setting activator from the infusion device is shown.</figref><figref num="7">A cross-sectional view of the pharmaceutical delivery device of FIG. 6 is shown.</figref><figref num="8">The front view of the injection device of the drug delivery device of FIG. 1 after switching from the dosage setting state to the delivery state is shown.</figref><figref num="9">A cross-sectional view of the injection device of FIG. 8 is shown.</figref><figref num="10">The front view of the injection device of the medicine delivery device of FIG. 1 in the delivery state after delivery is shown.</figref><figref num="11">A cross-sectional view of the injection device of FIG. 10 is shown.</figref><figref num="12">FIG. 5 shows a front view of the injection device of the drug delivery device of FIG. 1 in the delivery state after the needle is covered and protected.</figref><figref num="13">A cross-sectional view of the injection device of FIG. 12 is shown.</figref><figref num="14">A cross-sectional view of the dosage setting activator of FIG. 1 removed from the infusion device is shown.</figref><figref num="15">FIG. 14 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the dosage setting activator of FIG.</figref><figref num="16">FIG. 3 shows a front view of a second embodiment of a pharmaceutical delivery device according to the invention that is locked while in the starting position.</figref><figref num="17">The exploded perspective view of the medicine delivery device of FIG. 16 is shown.</figref><figref num="18">FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the drug delivery of FIG. 16 in the locked state.</figref><figref num="19">The front view of the medicine delivery apparatus of FIG. 16 which switched from the locked state before the dosage setting to the dosage setting state is shown.</figref><figref num="20">It is sectional drawing of the pharmaceutical delivery apparatus of FIG.</figref><figref num="21">The front view of the medicine delivery apparatus of FIG. 16 in the dosage setting state after the dosage setting is shown.</figref><figref num="22">A cross-sectional view of the pharmaceutical delivery device of FIG. 21 is shown.</figref><figref num="23">The front view of the medicine delivery device of FIG. 16 in the delivery state after removing the dosage setting activator is shown.</figref><figref num="24">A cross-sectional view of the pharmaceutical delivery device of FIG. 23 is shown.</figref><figref num="25">FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the drug delivery device of FIG. 16 in a state in which switching from the dosage setting state to the delivery state by removing the dosage setting activator is started.</figref><figref num="26">FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the medication delivery device of FIG. 16 while switching from the dosage setting state to the delivery state by removing the dosage setting activator.</figref><figref num="27">The perspective view of the medicine delivery apparatus of FIG. 16 after switching from a dosage setting state to a delivery state by removing a dosage setting activator is shown.</figref><figref num="28">The front view of the injection device of the medicine delivery device of FIG. 16 in the delivery state after delivery is shown.</figref><figref num="29">A cross-sectional view of the injection device of FIG. 28 is shown.</figref><figref num="30">A front view of the injection device of the drug delivery device of FIG. 16 when the needle is covered and protected after delivery is shown.</figref><figref num="31">A cross-sectional view of the injection device of FIG. 30 is shown.</figref>

In the following description, specific terms are used for convenience, but they are not intended to limit the present invention. The terms "right", "left", "top", "bottom", "bottom" and "top" refer to directions in the figure. Terminology includes terms that are explicitly mentioned, as well as their derivatives and terms that have similar meanings. In addition, terms related to space such as "directly below", "downward", "below", "above", "above", "proximal", and "distal l" are shown in the figure. As depicted, it can be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another. The terms related to these spaces are intended to include various positions and orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the positions and orientations shown in the figures. For example, when the device in the figure is inverted, the element described as "below" or "directly below" the other element or feature is "above" the other element or feature ("above"). above "or" over "). Thus, the exemplary "downward" term may include both up and down positions and orientations. The device may rotate in another direction (rotate 90 degrees or in any other direction), and the space-related descriptive terms used herein are interpreted accordingly. Similarly, descriptions of movement along and around the various axes include various unique device positions and orientations.

It should be understood that many features are common to many aspects and embodiments in order to avoid repetition in the drawings and description of the various embodiments and exemplary embodiments. Omitting an embodiment from an description or diagram does not mean that the embodiment is missing from an embodiment in which the embodiment is incorporated. Rather, the embodiment may be omitted for clarity and to avoid redundant explanations. In this regard, the following applies to the remaining I portion of the specification: To clarify the drawing, if the figure contains reference numerals not explained in the directly relevant parts of its description, refer to the preceding and following explanatory sections. For the sake of clarity, if all features of one part are not referenced in one drawing, other drawings showing the same part are referenced. Similar numbers in a plurality of figures represent the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the pharmaceutical delivery device 1 according to the present invention in a dosage setting state. The drug delivery device 1 includes a dosage setting activator 5 and an injection device. The injection device has a housing 2 with a distal body 21 and a proximal body 25. The housing 2 has an interior, a distal opening provided on a finger flange 23 located on the distal end side of the housing 2, and a proximal opening provided on the proximal end side 24 of the housing 2. Adjacent to the end side 24, the main body 2 is provided with a plurality of grooves 241 on the outer periphery. The distal body 21 is provided with an axial indicator window 211 and a proximal body 25 having an axial chamber window 251 vertically above the indicator window 211. The proximal body 25 further comprises a pair of holding arms 252.

Inside the housing 2, a rod element 3 having a vertically straight stem 31, a rubber stopper 32 at the lower end of the stem, and a dosing member 6 with a highlighting element 64 is arranged. The stem 31 and the rubber stopper 32 are visible from the chamber window 251 of the proximal body 25 of the housing 2. The highlighting element 64 of the dosing member 6 is held and guided within the indicator window 211 of the distal body 21. The distal body 21 and the proximal body 25 are separated by an abutment ring 22 in housing 2. The abutment ring 22 has a horizontal top surface.

The upper body portion 25 of the housing 2 is surrounded by a transparent sleeve portion 51 of the dosage setting activator 5. The sleeve portion 51 is formed as a vertically extending hollow cylinder that surrounds the upper main body portion 25 of the housing 2 at the start position shown in FIG. The dosage setting activator 5 further comprises a cylinder portion 55 and a vial seat portion having a neck holder 531 having a plurality of holding arms. The cylinder portion 55 extends vertically upward from the sleeve portion 51. The vial seat 53 is arranged inside the cylinder 55 as a part thereof.

In FIG. 2, the drug delivery device 1 is shown in an exploded view so that each component can be seen. The drug delivery device 1 is designed to accept a vial 8 as a container. In a typical method, the vial 8 has a body 83 and a neck 81 that is closed by a cap 82. Inside the main body 83, a liquid drug delivered or injected by an injection device is stored.

The rod element 3 includes a hollow body portion 33 that extends coaxially to the stem 31 and partially surrounds the stem 31. The main body 33 extends proximally to the arm 34. Each of the arm portions 34 is located at the proximal end provided with a pin 35 that essentially projects towards the stem 31 in the radial direction. The pin 35 forms a male-shaped member of the first threaded structure of the rod element 3. The pin 35 is attached to the arm portion 34 with some flexibility to allow it to be pushed inward, i.e. in the direction of the vertical axis 38 of the rod element 3.

The dosing member 6 of the drug injecting device 1 includes a hollow chamber cylinder 61 as a chamber body that is transparent and has an outer surface. A thread 65 runs on the outer surface of the chamber cylinder 61. Further, the outer surface 61 is provided with a dosing marking 63. The interior of the chamber cylinder 61 is sized to accommodate the stem 31 and rubber stopper 32 of the rod element 3. Therefore, the rubber stopper 32 is sized so as to fit tightly inside the chamber cylinder 61. At its proximal end, the chamber cylinder 61 extends to the male connecting structure 66, from which the delivery needle 620 projects proximally. A spring 7 is located between the dosing member 6 and the housing 2.

The drug injecting device further comprises a switch activator having a release shell 41 and two supports 42. The release shell 41 is provided with two vertical recesses 411 having a disengagement structure extending in the vertical direction. In addition, it has a hollow interior sized to accommodate the rod element 3. In particular, when the release shell 41 and its recess 411 are located on the rod element 3, the arm portion 34 of the rod element 3 is pushed inward unless the release shell 6 rotates around the rod element 3, resulting in As described in more detail below, the arm portion 34 is placed in the recess 411.

FIG. 3 shows the assembled drug delivery device 1 in the starting position. The drug delivery device 1 is presented in an upright position with the proximal end at the apex and the distal end at the bottom. The switch activator 4 extends into the hollow interior of the distal body 21 of the housing 2. The rod element 3 vertically penetrates the switch activator 4. The stem 31 and rubber stopper 32 of the rod element 3 are arranged inside the chamber cylinder 61 of the dosing member 6. More specifically, the chamber cylinder 61 is located between the stem 31 of the rod element 3 and the body 33 or arm 34. The arm portion 34 is pressed by the release shell 41 toward the vertical line 38 of the stem 31 of the rod element 3, so that the pin 35 protrudes horizontally toward the stem 31 and inside the thread 65 of the dosing member 6. Be placed. In this way, the pin 35 engages the thread 411.

In FIG. 3, the vertical line 38 extends vertically. This corresponds to the vertical axis of the housing 2, the switch activator 4, the dosage setting activator 5, the dosing member 6, the spring 7, and the entire device 1. The stem 31 of the rod element 3 has a head valve at its proximal end on which a rubber stopper 32 is placed.

The sleeve portion 51 of the dosage setting activator 5 is arranged downward on the proximal body portion 25 of the housing 2. As a result, the distal end of the dosage setting activator 5 abuts on the horizontal plane of the abutment ring 23 of the housing 2. Inside the housing 2, a barrier having an opening is arranged between the sleeve portion 51 and the cylinder portion 55. The rod element 3 abuts on this barrier so that the male connecting structure 66 penetrates the opening of the barrier and extends into the cylinder portion 55 of the dosage setting activator 5. Adjacent to the barrier, the dosage setting activator 5 comprises a female connection structure 52 that fits and engages with the male connection structure 66 of the dosing member 6.

The dosing member 6 is arranged in the housing 2 together with the rod element 3 and the switch activator 4. As a result, the holding arm 252 of the proximal body 25 holds the collar of the dosing member 6 located between the chamber cylinder 61 and the male connecting structure 66. In this way, the housing 2 is attached to the dosing member 6, the rod element 3 and the switch activator 4. A spring 7 is arranged between the collar of the dosing member 6 and the barrier of the housing 2. Therefore, the spring 7 is preliminarily subjected to compressive stress.

The vial seat 53 is placed inside the hollow of the cylinder 55 of the dosage setting activator 5. It comprises a neck holder 531 with a holding arm, as well as a vial rest and spikes 532 protruding vertically upward from the vial rest. In the step of preparing the drug delivery device 1, the vial 8 is pushed down into the dosage setting activator 5 and its vial seat 53. As a result, the holding arm of the neck holder 531 moves outward so that the head of the vial 8 having the cap 82 passes through both ends of the flange of the holding arm. When the vial 8 is sufficiently pushed down, both ends of the flange of the holding arm snap into the back of the head of the vial 8 and into the neck 81, so that the vial 8 is safely held. In this way, the vial 8 is mounted vertically downward within the drug delivery device 1.

While the vial 8 is pressed against the vial seat 53, the tip of the spike 532 penetrates the cap 82, including the bulkhead 821. Below the spike 532, the tip of the delivery needle 62 is placed. The delivery needle 62 is covered with a needle seal 54. The delivery needle extends from the spike 532, penetrates the male connecting structure 66, and extends into the interior of the chamber cylinder 61. Thus, at the starting position shown in FIG. 3, the spike 532, along with the delivery needle 62, forms an opening duct as a transfer channel between the interior of the vial 8 and the interior of the chamber cylinder 61 of the dosing member 6. This allows the needle seal 54 to minimize or eliminate the empty space between the delivery needle 62 and the spike 532.

4 and 5 show the drug delivery device 1 after setting the dosage, that is, after transferring a specific amount of drug from the vial 8 to the dosing chamber 611 of the chamber cylinder 61 of the dosing member 6. Due to the dosage setting, the dosage setting activator 5 rotates counterclockwise with respect to the housing 2, as indicated by the arrow at the top of FIG. Thus, the patient can hold the distal body 21 of the housing 2 with one hand and rotate the cylinder 55 of the dosage setting activator 5 with respect to the housing 2 with the other hand. For convenience, gripping ribs are provided on the outer surface of the distal body 21. Since the dosing member 6 is torque-resistantly connected to the dosage setting activator 5 via the male type connecting structure 66 and the female type connecting structure 52, it rotates together with the dosage setting activator 5. Therefore, the dosing member 6 rotates with respect to the rod element 3 to move the pin 35 along the thread 65. Thus, as indicated by the arrow at the bottom, the rod element 3 is moved downward along the vertical line 38 of the stem 31.

When the rod element 3 is moved downward in the axial direction, a dosing chamber 611 is created between the rubber stopper 32 and the distal end of the chamber cylinder 61 of the dosing member 6 and becomes larger. During that time, a negative pressure is created in the dosing chamber 61, so that the drug is aspirated from the vial 8 through the spike 532 and the delivery needle 62 into the dosing chamber 611. The size of the dosing chamber 611 corresponds to the amount of rotation of the dosing setting activator 5 that moves the rod element 3 downward or distally.

The groove 241 on the outer circumference of the housing 2 interacts with the sleeve 51 of the dosage setting activator 5 when rotating. This provokes a click signal that the patient can perceive while the sleeve 51 is rotating by a certain amount or angle. Therefore, when the patient rotates the dosage setting activator 5 and senses a click sound, it can be seen that the dosage setting amount of the drug has been changed by a predetermined amount. Such a predetermined amount can be, for example, 25 μl.

When the dosage setting activator 5 rotates with respect to the housing 2 during the dosage setting, the number visible in the highlighting element 64 of the dosing member 6 changes according to the capacity of the dosing chamber 611. More specifically, the highlighting element 64 is guided into the indicator window 211 so that, on the one hand, it is movable axially or perpendicularly to housing 2, but not tangentially. On the other hand, the highlighting element 64 is connected to the thread 65 via a respective rib that engages the thread 65. Thus, as the dosage setting activator 5 rotates with respect to housing 2, the highlighting element 64 is moved vertically by the ribs that interact with the threads 65. In FIG. 4, the highlighting element 64 is moved downward and above the number of the dosing marking, which corresponds to the capacity of the dosing chamber 611, as compared to FIG. 1, where the highlighting element 64 is at the top of the indicator window 211. is there.

The dosage setting activator 5 can rotate in both directions. Thus, a counterclockwise rotation increases the dosing volume 611 and conversely a clockwise rotation causes the dosing volume 611 to contract and the drug is returned to the vial 8.

6 and 7 show the dosage-setting drug delivery device 1 with the dosage-setting activator 5 removed with the vial 8. As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6, when the dosage is set as described above, the dosage setting activator 5 is withdrawn upward or proximally from the housing 2 by the patient or user. As a result, the male connecting structure 66 of the dosage member 6 is disengaged from the female connecting member 52 of the dosage setting activator 5. Also, the needle seal 54 connected to the rest of the dosage setting activator 5 is peeled off from the needle 62, exposing the needle 62.

8 and 9 show the infusion device after switching from a dosage setting state to a delivery state ready to inject the drug. When switching the switch, the switch activator 4 rotates clockwise with respect to the housing 2 and with respect to the rod element 3, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. Thus, again, the patient can hold the distal body 21 of the housing 2 with one hand and rotate the switch activator 4 with respect to the housing 2 with the other hand.

The above-mentioned rotation of the switch activator 4 aligns the recess 411 of its release shell 41 with the arm portion 34 of the rod element 3. As a result, the arm portion 34 previously pulled in the radial direction is separated outward from the dosing member 6, the pin 35 is removed from the thread 65, and the engagement is disengaged. In the delivery state shown in FIG. 7, the pin 35 is completely disengaged from the thread 65. Thereby, the axial movement of the rod element 3 is no longer hindered by the pin 35. Further rotation or reverse rotation of the switch activator 4 is blocked by a flexible ratchet arm at the distal end of the rod element 3 that rotates within the minimum dose interlocking recess of the switch activator 4. Therefore, once the delivery device 1 is switched to the delivery state, it cannot be returned to the dosage setting state.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the injection device is shown in the post-injection delivery state. Compared to the preceding figures, in FIGS. 10 and 11, the injection device is flipped 180 ° and the switch activator 4 is moved downwards, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. More specifically, an axial force is applied to the distal end of the switch activator 4 to inject the drug. For example, such axial force can be provided by the thumb of the patient's hand if the housing 2 is held by the patient's hand. During injection, axial force is transmitted from the switch activator 4 to the rod element 3, so that the rubber stopper 32 of the rod element is pressed against the dosing chamber 611 and the drug is delivered from the delivery needle 62. After injection, the volume of dosing chamber 611 is minimized so that the drug is delivered essentially completely, as shown in FIG.

Further, while moving the rod element 3 downward in the axial direction, the holding arm 252 of the proximal body portion 52 of the housing 2 is pressed outward in the direction of the axis 38 by the support portion 42 of the switch activator 4. After injection, the holding arm 252 is completely removed from the collar of the dosing member 6 so that the housing 2 and the dosing member 6 are separated from each other. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, this is due to the spring force of the spring 7, which is initially pre-compressively stressed between the housing 2 and the dosing member 6, for the other part of the device that injects the housing 2. In particular, the needle 62 can also be moved in the axial direction. In this way, the needle 62 is retracted and therefore completely covered by the housing 2 to prevent injury from the needle 62 after injection.

FIG. 14 shows a dosage setting activator 5 in which the vial 8 is separated from the infusion device 1. As shown, the female connection structure 52 has an inner contour corresponding to the male connection structure 66 of the injection device 1. As described above, the female connection structure 52 is designed for torque-resistant mating connection with the male connection structure.

The dosage setting activator 5 has a seal holder 56 between the connecting structure 52 and the vial seat 53. The seal holder 56 has an opening side extending downward and is essentially cup-shaped. A needle seal 54 is arranged inside the seal holder 56. The needle seal 54 is made of silicone and has a plug-like shape. For mounting, the needle seal 54 is sized to be slightly compressed when placed within the seal holder 56. In this way, the needle seal 54 is tightly connected to the seal holder 56.

The tip 5321 of the spike 53 extending upward is shaped with a sharp edge. This makes it possible to easily drill the partition wall 821 of the cap 82 of the vial 8. The tip 5321 has an opening that is the upper end of the vertical conduit 5322, adjacent to this sharp edge. The conduit 5322 extends over the entire spike 532 and leads towards the top edge of the seal holder 56.

The needle seal 54 has a vertical passage 541 through which the needle 62 of the dosing member 6 of the injecting device 1 penetrates, as seen in FIG. 15, which shows the dosage setting adapter 5 when attached to the injecting device 1. .. The tip of the needle 62 protrudes slightly upward into the bottom of the conduit 5322 of the spike 532. The empty space around the tip of the needle 62 forms an air volume of 55. The air volume 55 provides a simple and safe tolerance that allows the dosage setting activator 5 to be attached to and removed from the injecting device 1. Nevertheless, the air volume 55 is minimized so that the minimum air volume is involved in drawing the liquid from the vial 8.

FIG. 16 shows a second embodiment of the pharmaceutical delivery device 10 according to the present invention in the locked state. This medication delivery device comprises a dosage setting activator 50 and an infusion device. The injection device comprises a distal body 210 and has a housing 20 extending to the lower end or the lowermost finger flange 230 thereof. The housing 20 has a hollow interior, a distal opening provided in the finger flange 230, and a proximal opening provided in the proximal end side 240 of the housing 20 (not visible in FIG. 16). The main body 210 is provided with an axial indicator window 2110.

Inside the housing 20, a rod element 30 with a push cone 350 and a highlighting element 340 is arranged. The highlighting element 340 is held in the indicator window 2110 of the main body 210, and through the guided highlighting element 340, the dosing marking 630 of the dosing member 60 is visible, showing zero in FIG. A sleeve unit 510 of the dosage setting activator 50 is arranged on the upper part of the housing 20. At the starting position shown in FIG. 16, the sleeve unit 510 is formed as a vertically extending hollow cylinder having a notch that surrounds the upper portion of the main body 210 of the housing 20.

The sleeve unit 510 is provided with a dial mounting ring 5110 at its upper end, which is rotatably connected to the dial unit 520 of the dosage setting activator 50. The dial unit 520 is tubular in nature and extends vertically upward from the sleeve unit 510. A gripping rib 5210 is provided on the outer surface of the dial unit 520 to facilitate manual operation. It also has a window opening 5220 from which the release member 530 of the dosage setting activator 50 is visible. Further, the dial unit 520 is provided with a neck holder 5230 having two snap-in arms.

The drug delivery device 10 is embodied to accept a vial 80 as a container. In a typical method, the vial 80 has a body 830 and a neck 810 that is closed by a cap 820. Inside the main body 830, a liquid drug delivered or injected by an injection device is stored.

In FIG. 17, the drug delivery device 10 is shown as an exploded view so that each component can be seen separately. The rod element 30 includes a hollow body 330 that extends coaxially to the stem 310 and surrounds the stem 31 when attached. The main body 330 has an arm 3320, one end of each arm fixed to the rest of the main body 330 and the other end having an outwardly extending release hump 3340. Further, each of the arm portions 340 is provided with a pin 3330 (not visible in FIG. 17) that essentially projects radially toward the stem 310. At the distal end, the body 330 of the rod element 30 comprises four clip latches 3310. A rubber stopper 320 is attached to the proximal axial end of the stem 310, as detailed below.

The dosing member 60 of the injection device includes a hollow chamber cylinder 610 as the chamber body. A thread 650 runs on the outer surface of the chamber cylinder 610. Further, the outer surface 610 is provided with a dosing marking 630. The interior of the chamber cylinder 610 is sized to accommodate the stem 310 and rubber stopper 320 of the rod element 30. Therefore, the rubber stopper 320 is sized so that it fits tightly inside the chamber cylinder 610. At its proximal end, the chamber cylinder 610 extends to a male connecting structure 660, from which the delivery needle 620 projects proximally. A lockout member 90 and a spring 70 of the release mechanism are arranged between the dosing member 60 and the housing 20.

The drug delivery device 10 further comprises a switch activator 40 having a release shell 410 extending radially from a distal base ring 430 and a sleeve recess 420. The release shell 410 is bounded by two axially inclined surfaces 4120 of the disengagement structure and is provided with two vertical recesses 4120 extending in the vertical direction. In addition, it has a hollow interior sized to accommodate the rod element 30. In particular, when the release shell 410 and its recess 4110 are arranged in the rod element 30, the arm portion 3320 of the rod element 30 is arranged in the recess 4110 so that the release hump 3340 extends within the recess 4110. As described in more detail below, the rotation of the release shell 410 causes one of the slopes 4120 to act on each release hump 3340, causing the arm 3320 to be lifted or bent radially. In the sleeve recess 420, the switch activator is further provided with a second ramp 4210 and a backup member 4220.

As further shown in FIG. 17, the main body 20 is provided with a plurality of grooves 2410 on the outer periphery adjacent to the end side 240 thereof. At the distal end, the sleeve unit 510 of the dosage setting activator 50 comprises a first ramp 5130 from which a guidance track 5120 extends axially.

The release member 530 of the dosage setting activator 50 has an axial tongue portion extending axially proximally from the ring portion 5310. The axial tongue is provided with an indicator 5330 having the shape of an arrow near the axial end. Further, two stems 5320 extend axially in the proximal direction from the ring portion 5310 of the release member 530, and a block surface is formed inside the ring portion 5310.

Inside the dial unit 520 of the dosage setting activator 50, a female connecting structure 5250 extends distally. As can be seen in more detail in the figure below, the female connection structure 5250 is formed to fit the male connection structure 660 of the dosing member 60. The dial unit 520 further has a sleeve mounting structure 5240 at its distal end to which the dial mounting ring 5110 of the sleeve unit 510 can be snap-fitted. When connected by a sleeve mounting structure 5240 and a dial mounting ring 5110, the dial unit 520 and sleeve unit can rotate, but cannot move axially with respect to each other.

As can be seen in FIG. 17, the cap 820 is provided with a partition wall 8210. The dosage setting activator 50 further comprises a needle seal 540 that is located inside the female connecting structure 5250 and around the tip of the needle 620 of the dosing member 60, as shown in detail in the figure below.

FIG. 18 shows the assembled drug delivery device 10 in the locked starting position. Therefore, it is presented in a vertically erected position with the proximal end at the apex and the distal end at the bottom. The switch activator 40 extends into the hollow interior of the distal body 210 of the housing 20. The rod element 30 penetrates the switch activator 40 vertically. The clip latch 3310 of the main body 330 of the rod element 30 is snap-fitted into each slit in the push cone 350 so that the stem 310, the push cone 350, and the main body 330 are tightly connected.

The stem 310 of the rod element 30 has a head portion 3110 containing two convex bulges separated by a concave intermediate portion. The head portion 3110 is axially bounded to the distal direction by the contact surface 3120. The stopper 320 has an inside corresponding to the head portion 3110 of the stem 310, and the entire head portion 3110 is fitted inside the stopper 320 so that the stopper contacts the contact surface 3120. The stem 310 and stopper 320 of the rod element 30 are located inside the chamber cylinder 610 of the dosing member 60.

More specifically, the chamber cylinder 610 is located between the stem 310, the body 330 and the arm 3320 of the rod element 30. The pin 3330, which forms the first threaded male member of the rod element 30, engages the thread 650, which is the second threaded female member of the dosing member 60. The pin 3330 is somewhat flexible by the arm portion 3320 to allow it to move outward, i.e. away from the vertical axis 380 of the rod element 30. The release hump 3340 protrudes from the arm 3320 in the opposite direction to the pin 3330. In the locked state, the release hump extends into the recess 4110 of the switch activator 40. The arm portion 3320, together with the pin 3330 and the release hump 3340, has a shape similar to a hammer.

In FIG. 18, the vertical axis 380 extends vertically. This corresponds to the vertical axis of the housing 20, the switch activator 40, the dosage setting activator 50, the dosing member 60, the spring 70, and the entire drug delivery device 10. The sleeve unit 510 of the dosage setting activator 50 is arranged downward on the body 210 of the housing 20, and the housing 20 is shaped to receive the sleeve unit 510 in a single rotational alignment. Inside the housing 20, a barrier having an opening is arranged between the sleeve unit 510 and the dial unit 520. The rod element 30 abuts on this barrier, so that the male connecting structure 660 penetrates the opening of the barrier and extends into the dial unit 520 of the dosage setting activator 50. Adjacent to the barrier, the dosage setting activator 50 comprises a female connection structure 5250 that fits and engages with a male connection structure 660 of the dosing member 60. As a result, the dial unit 520 and the dosing member 60 are connected to each other in torque resistance.

The dosing member 60, along with the rod element 30 and the switch activator 40, is located inside the housing 20. A spring 70 is placed between the collar of the dosing member 60 and the barrier of the housing 20. Therefore, the spring 70 is preliminarily subjected to compressive stress.

Inside the hollow interior of the dial unit 520 of the dosage setting activator 50 are the neck holder 5230, the rest surface of the release member 530, the upper end of the female connecting structure 5250, and the upper end of the female connecting structure 5250. A vial seat is formed with a sbike extending vertically from. The blocking surface of the ring portion 5310 engages the groove 2410, which is the surface corresponding to the proximal end side 240 of the housing 20. As a result, the rotational movement of the dial unit 520 is prevented, and the medicine delivery device 10 is locked.

19 and 20 show the drug delivery device 10 after the locked state has been changed to the dosage setting state. In the step of preparing the drug delivery device 10, the vial 80 is pushed down into the dosage setting activator 50 and its vial seat. As a result, the vial 80 comes into contact with the support surface of the release member 530 and moves downward until the blocking surface of the ring portion 5310 disengages from the groove 2410 of the housing 20. In this way, the dial unit 520 is rotatable about the sleeve unit 510 and the housing 20, and the drug delivery device is unlocked, that is, in the dosage setting state. When the release member 530 is moved downward by the vial 80, the axial tongue moves along the window opening 5220 of the dial unit 520 until the indicator 5330 is visible through the window opening 5220. Thus, the user or patient of the drug delivery device 10 is informed that the vial 80 is properly set and that the drug delivery device 10 is no longer in the locked state but in the dosage setting state. Also, when starting the dosage setting, the indicator 5330 indicates the direction in which the dial unit 520 should rotate.

When the vial 80 is pushed downward into the container seat, the holding arm of the neck holder 5230 moves outward so that the head of the vial 80 with the cap 820 passes through both ends of the holding arm flange. When the vial 80 is fully depressed, the flange ends of the holding arm snap into the back of the head at the neck 810 of the vial 80, so that the vial 80 is safely held. In this way, the vial 80 is mounted vertically downward within the drug delivery device 10.

Further, while the vial 80 is pressed against the vial sheet 53, the tip of the spike 5260 penetrates the cap 820, including the bulkhead 8210. Below the spike 5260, the tip of the delivery needle 620 is placed. The delivery needle 620 is partially covered with a needle seal 540. The delivery needle 620 extends from the spike 5260 to the male connecting structure 660 of the chamber cylinder 610. Thus, in the dosage setting state shown in FIG. 20, the spike 5260, together with the delivery needle 620, forms an opening duct as a transfer channel between the inside of the vial 80 and the inside of the chamber cylinder 610 of the dosing member 60. Thereby, the needle seal 540 can eliminate leakage and minimize the empty space between the delivery needle 620 and the spike 5260. In the dosage setting state, the release hump 3340 of the arm portion 3320 of the rod element 30 is still located within the recess 4110 of the switch activator 40. Further, the pin 33300 of the arm portion 3320 of the rod element 30 engages with the thread 650 of the dosing member 60.

21 and 22 show the drug delivery device 10 after the dosage has been set, i.e. after the specific amount of drug has been transferred from the vial 80 to the dosing chamber 6110 of the chamber cylinder 610 of the dosing member 60. For dosage setting, the dial unit 520 of the dosage setting activator 50 rotates counterclockwise with respect to the sleeve unit 510 and housing 20, as indicated by the arrow at the top. Thus, the user can hold the distal body 210 of the housing 20 with one hand and rotate the dial unit 520 of the dosage setting activator 50 with respect to the housing 20 and the sleeve unit 510 with the other hand. .. Since the dosing member 60 is torque-resistantly connected to the dial unit 520 by the male connecting structure 660 and the female connecting structure 5250, it rotates together with the dosage setting activator 50. Therefore, the dosing member 60 rotates with respect to the rod element 30 to move the pin 3330 along the thread 650. Thus, as indicated by the arrow at the bottom, the rod element 30 is moved downward along the vertical axis 380.

When the rod element 30 is moved downward in the axial direction, a dosing chamber 6110 is created between the rubber stopper 320 and the distal end of the chamber cylinder 610 of the dosing member 60 and becomes larger. Meanwhile, a negative pressure is created in the dosing chamber 610, so that the liquid or drug is aspirated from the vial 80 through the spike 5260 and the delivery needle 620 into the dosing chamber 6110. Since the head 3110 of the stem 310 of the rod element 30 is provided with the bulge 3110, the stopper 320 is held firmly and the deformation caused by the negative pressure is minimized or eliminated. The size of the dosing chamber 6110 corresponds to the amount of rotation of the dial shell 520 that moves the rod element 30 downward or distally.

The groove 2410 on the outer circumference of the proximal end side 240 of the housing 20 interacts with the dial unit 520 of the dosage setting activator 50 when rotating. Therefore, when the user rotates the dial unit 520 of the dosage setting activator 50 and senses the click sound, it can be seen that the dosage setting amount of the drug has changed by a predetermined amount. Such a predetermined amount can be, for example, 25 μl.

As the dosage setting activator 50 rotates with respect to the housing 20 during dosage setting, the numbers visible in the highlighting element 340 of the rod element 30 change depending on the capacity of the dosage chamber 6110. More specifically, the highlighting element 340, on the one hand, is guided into the indicator window 2110 of the housing 20 so that it can move axially or perpendicularly to the housing 20, but not tangentially. .. On the other hand, the highlighting element 340 is connected to the thread 650 via a respective rib that engages the thread 650. Thus, as the dial unit 520 rotates with respect to the housing 20, the highlighting element 340 is moved vertically by the ribs that interact with the threads 650. In FIG. 21, the highlighting element 340 is moved downwards, above the number of the dosing marking, corresponding to the capacity of the dosing chamber 6110, as compared to FIG. 19 where the highlighting element 340 is above the indicator window 2110. It is in.

The dial shell 520 of the dosage setting activator 50 can rotate in both directions. Thus, a counterclockwise rotation increases the dosing volume 6110 and conversely a clockwise rotation causes the dosing volume 6110 to shrink and the liquid or drug is returned to the vial 80.

23 and 24 show the dose-setting drug delivery device 10 with the dosage-setting activator 50 removed with the vial 80. As indicated by the arrows, when the dosage is set as described above, the dosage setting activator 50 is pulled upward or proximally from the housing 20 by the user. As a result, the male connecting structure 660 of the dosing member 60 is disengaged from the female connecting structure 5250 of the dosage setting activator 50. Also, the needle seal 540 connected to the rest of the dosage setting activator 50 is peeled off from the needle 620, exposing the needle 620.

When the dosage setting activator 50 is withdrawn, the medication delivery device 10 switches from the dosage setting state to the delivery state ready to inject the liquid or drug. To switch to the delivery state, the switch activator 40 rotates around the axis 380 with respect to the housing 20 and to some extent with respect to the rod element 30. As a result, the inclined surface 4120 that defines the depression 4110 of the switch activator 40 acts on the release hump 3340 of the rod element 30. Due to the tilted orientation, the tilted surface 4120 pushes the release hump 3340 outward tangentially. As a result, the arm portion 3320 is bent outward, and the pin 3330 is disengaged from the thread 650 of the dosing member 60. In the delivery state shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, pin 3330 is completely disengaged from thread 650. Thus, the axial movement of the rod element 30 caused by the axial force is no longer hindered by the pin 3330.

As shown in FIGS. 25, 26 and 27, the above-mentioned rotation of the switch activator 40 is automatically induced when the dosage setting activator 50 is pulled out from the housing 20. In these figures, the sleeve unit 510 of the dosage setting activator 50 is shown transparent so that you can see how some of the components underneath it interact. The sleeve unit 510 is provided with a switch activator 40 having two first ramps 5130 and two associated second ramps 4110. In particular, as seen in FIG. 25, in the dosage setting state of the drug delivery device 10, the first ramp 5130 of the sleeve unit 510 is below the second ramp 4210 of the switch activator 40. The first and second ramps 5130, 4210 have sloping sliding surfaces that are oriented towards each other. As a result, the inclined sliding surface of the second inclined path 4210 of the switch activator 40 is oriented downward, and the inclined first inclined path 5130 of the sleeve unit 510 is oriented upward.

As shown in FIG. 26, when the dosage setting activator 50 was moved upward with respect to the main body 20 together with the sleeve unit 510, the inclined sliding surface of the first ramp 5130 tilted the second ramp 4210. Contact the sliding surface. In this way, the second ramp 4210 of the switch activator 40 slides along the ramp 5130 of the sleeve unit 510 so that the switch activator 440 rotates counterclockwise.

FIG. 27 shows that in the delivery state, the switch activator 40 rotates sufficiently so that the first ramp 5130 can axially pass through the second ramp 4210. The dosage setting activator 50 can be withdrawn and removed from the housing 20 in this way. At the same time, the drug delivery device 10 can switch from its dosage setting state to the delivery state. To prevent unintended rotation of the switch activator 40, the backup member 4220 of the switch activator 40 snaps into the back of the corresponding element of the housing 20. Thus, the drug delivery device 10 can be kept safe in the delivery state.

When the switch activator 40 is rotated, the lockout member 90 is ready to be activated by the rotation of the switch activator 40 with respect to the lockout member 90. In particular, the second ramp 4210 interacts with the corresponding protrusion on the lockout member. As a result, the indicator sign of the lockout member 90 indicating that the dosage setting is completed can be seen. Further, by activating the lockout member 90, thereby activating the release mechanism, the spring 70 is ready to move the housing 20 after delivery, as shown below.

In FIGS. 28 and 29, the infusion device is shown in the delivery state of the pre-injection of the drug delivery device 10 . Compared with the preceding figure, the injection device in FIGS. 28 and 29 is 180 ° upside down. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 28, the rod element 30 is moved downward. More specifically, a manual axial force is applied to the distal end of the push cone 350 of the rod element 30 to inject the liquid or drug. For example, such axial force may be provided by the thumb of the user's hand if the housing 20 is held by the user's hand. During injection, axial force is transmitted from the rod element 30 to the stopper 320, which pushes the stopper against the dosing chamber 6110 to supply the liquid or drug from the delivery needle 620. After injection, the volume of dosing chamber 6110 is minimized so that the liquid is delivered essentially completely, as shown in FIG.

30 and 31 show a post-delivery injection device in which the needle 620 is protected. In particular, the spring force of the spring 70, which is initially pre-compressively stressed between the housing 20 and the lockout member 90, which is the cage body, injects the housing 20 into the other part of the injection device, especially the needle 620. , Move in the axial direction. In this way, the needle 620 is retracted and therefore completely covered by the housing 20 to prevent injury from the needle 620 after injection. In addition, the lockout member 90 informs the user that the injection is complete and the injection device is no longer available.

The present specification and accompanying drawings showing aspects and embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limiting the claims that define the protected invention. In other words, the invention is illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description, but such illustration and description should be considered as exemplary or exemplary and not limiting. Various mechanical, structural, structural, and operational changes may be made without departing from the gist and scope of this specification and claims. In some cases, well-known circuits, structures and techniques are not shown in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood that changes and amendments may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope and gist of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments by any combination of features of the above and below different embodiments.

The present disclosure also covers all the additional features shown in each figure. However, those features may not be described in the above or below description. Also, each alternative of the embodiments described in the figures and description, as well as each of its features, may be abandoned from the subject matter of the present invention or the disclosed subject matter. The present disclosure includes a subject consisting of features defined in a claim or an exemplary embodiment and a subject comprising said features.

Furthermore, in the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or processes, nor does it exclude the existence of multiple indefinite articles "a" or "an". Absent. A single unit or process can perform some of the features described in the claims. The fact that certain means are listed in different dependent claims does not indicate that the combination of these means cannot be conveniently used. Terms such as "essentially", "about", and "approximately" also define the property accurately or value, respectively, especially with respect to the property or value. The term "about" in the context of a given number or range refers to a value or range of a given value or range, such as within 20%, within 10%, within 5% or within 2%. The components described as connected or connected may be directly connected electrically or mechanically, or may be indirectly connected via one or more intermediate components. No reference code in the claims shall be construed as limiting the claims.