U.S. patent application number 09/932043 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-02 for disposable, pre-filled drug cartridge.
Invention is credited to Birkland, Katherine, Bitdinger, Ralf V..
Application Number | 20030004466 09/932043 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39535846 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030004466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bitdinger, Ralf V. ; et
al. |
January 2, 2003 |
Disposable, pre-filled drug cartridge
Abstract
This invention relates to a drug cartridge assembly for use with
a reusable body assembly of a medication delivery pen. The drug
cartridge is disposable and is in the form of a single integral
unit having a generally tubular barrel. Medication is pre-filled
into the drug cartridge and is retained therein by an elastomeric
stopper or plunger. The plunger is in sliding fluid-tight
engagement with a tubular wall of the barrel. A proximal end of the
tubular barrel is configured for interconnecting the drug cartridge
with a pen body assembly and a distal end of the tubular barrel is
configured to securely but releasably engage a needle cannula
assembly.
Inventors: |
Bitdinger, Ralf V.; (New
York, NY) ; Birkland, Katherine; (Wayne, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Samuel J. Haidle, Esq.
Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.
Suite 101
39400 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills
MI
48304-5151
US
|
Family ID: |
39535846 |
Appl. No.: |
09/932043 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09932043 |
Aug 17, 2001 |
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09308466 |
Aug 26, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/218 ;
604/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 5/31551 20130101;
A61M 2005/2437 20130101; A61M 5/31585 20130101; A61M 2205/6036
20130101; A61M 2205/6045 20130101; A61M 5/50 20130101; A61M 5/31593
20130101; A61M 5/31561 20130101; A61M 5/24 20130101; A61M 2005/2492
20130101; A61M 2005/2407 20130101; A61M 2205/60 20130101; A61M
2005/2488 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/218 ;
604/224 |
International
Class: |
A61M 005/315 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A disposable, pre-fillable drug cartridge for use with a
reusable body assembly of a medication delivery pen, said drug
cartridge comprising: a generally tubular barrel having a distal
end and an open proximal end, with a chamber defined by a tubular
wall of the barrel extending between said distal end and said
proximal end; sealing means associated with the distal end of said
tubular barrel for sealing the distal end of said tubular barrel;
plunger means associated with the open proximal end of said tubular
barrel in sliding fluid-tight engagement with the tubular wall of
the barrel for selective engagement with an advancing member so
that distally directed forces on the plunger urge a medication
pre-filled in the chamber from the cartridge; and mating means for
releasably interconnecting said drug cartridge with a pen body
assembly and said mating means being associated with the proximal
end of said tubular barrel.
2. The drug cartridge of claim 1, wherein said mating means
includes an array of threads on said proximal end of said tubular
barrel.
3. The drug cartridge of claim 2 wherein said array of threads on
the proximal end of said tubular barrel define internal threads in
said tubular barrel.
4. The drug cartridge of claim 1 wherein said distal end of the
tubular barrel is configured to securely but releasably engage a
needle cannula assembly.
5. The drug cartridge of claim 1 wherein said generally tubular
barrel is made of a polymeric material.
6. The drug cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a medication
contained in said chamber.
7. A disposable, pre-fillable drug cartridge for use with a
reusable body assembly of a medication delivery pen, said drug
cartridge comprising: a generally tubular barrel made of a
polymeric material having a distal end and an open proximal end,
with a chamber defined by a tubular wall of the barrel extending
between said distal end and said proximal end; sealing means
associated with the distal end of said tubular barrel for sealing
the distal end of said tubular barrel; an elastomeric plunger
associated with the open proximal end of said barrel in sliding
fluid-tight engagement with the tubular wall of the barrel;
medication contained in the chamber and retained therein by the
seal and plunger so that distally directed forces on the plunger
urge the medication from the cartridge; and mating means for
releasably interconnecting said drug cartridge with a pen body
assembly and said mating means being associated with the proximal
end of said tubular barrel.
8. The drug cartridge of claim 7, wherein said mating means
includes an array of threads on said proximal end of said tubular
barrel.
9. The drug cartridge of claim 8 wherein said array of threads on
the proximal end of said tubular barrel define internal threads in
said tubular barrel.
10. The drug cartridge of claim 7 wherein said distal end of the
tubular barrel is configured to securely but releasably engage a
needle cannula assembly.
11. The drug cartridge of claim 7 wherein said medication is
contained within a flexible container and a needle cannula attached
to distal end of the tubular barrel with said cannula included a
double ended needle so that one end of said double ended needle can
pierce said flexible container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to drug delivery
devices, and more specifically relates to disposable, pre-fillable
drug cartridge for use with a reusable body portion of an injection
device for injecting drugs or medicaments into patients which are
commonly known in the field as pens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Hypodermic syringes are used to deliver selected doses of
medication to patients. The prior hypodermic syringe includes a
syringe barrel having opposed proximal and distal ends. A
cylindrical chamber wall extends between the ends and defines a
fluid receiving chamber. The proximal end of the syringe barrel is
substantially open and receives a plunger in sliding fluid tight
engagement. The distal end of the syringe barrel includes a passage
communicating with the chamber. A needle cannula may be mounted to
the distal end of the syringe barrel, such that the lumen of the
needle cannula communicates with the passage and the chamber of the
syringe barrel. Movement of the plunger in a proximal direction
draws fluid through the lumen of the needle cannula and into the
chamber. Movement of the plunger in a proximal-to-distal direction
urges fluid from the chamber and through the lumen of the needle
cannula.
[0003] Medication to be injected with the prior hypodermic syringe
often is stored in a vial having a pierceable elastomeric seal.
Medication in the vial is accessed by piercing the elastomeric seal
with the needle cannula. A selected dose of the medication may be
drawn into the chamber of the syringe barrel by moving the plunger
a selected distance in a proximal direction. The needle cannula may
be withdrawn from the vial, and the medication may be injected into
a patient by moving the plunger in a distal direction.
[0004] Some medication, such as insulin is self-administered. The
typical diabetes patient will require injections of insulin several
times during the course of a week or day. The required dose of
insulin will vary from patient to patient, and for each patient may
vary during the course of the day and from day to day. Usually,
each diabetes patient will establish a regimen that is appropriate
for his or her own medical condition and for his or her lifestyle.
The regimen typically includes some combination of a slow or medium
acting insulin and a faster acting insulin. Each of these regimens
may require the diabetes patient to periodically self-administer
insulin in public locations, such as places of employment or
restaurants. The required manipulation of the standard hypodermic
syringe and vial can be inconvenient and embarrassing in these
public environments. Examples of syringes are described in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,250,037 (Bitdinger) and 5,667,495 (Bitdinger), and an
example of a filler for mixing insulins is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,542,760 (Chanoch), the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[0005] Medication delivery pens have been developed to facilitate
the self-administration of medication. An example of one such
medication delivery pen is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,585
(Balkwill), which includes a vial holder into which a vial of
insulin or other medication may be received, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The vial
holder is an elongate generally tubular structure with proximal and
distal ends. The distal end of the vial holder includes mounting
means for engaging a double-ended needle cannula. The proximal end
also includes mounting means for engaging a driver and dose setting
apparatus as explained further below. A disposable vial for use
with the vial holder includes a distal end having a pierceable
elastomeric seal that can be pierced by one end of a double-ended
needle cannula. The proximal end of this vial includes a plunger
slidably disposed in fluid tight engagement with the cylindrical
wall of the vial. This medication delivery pen is used by inserting
the vial of medication into the vial holder. A pen body then is
connected to the proximal end of the vial holder. The pen body
includes a dose setting apparatus for designating a dose of
medication to be delivered by the pen and a driving apparatus for
urging the plunger of the vial distally for a distance
corresponding to the selected dose. Other examples of pens are
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,645,534 (Chanoch), 5,582,598
(Chanoch) and 5,569,214 (Chanoch), the disclosure of which are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[0006] The user of the pen mounts a double-ended needle cannula to
the distal end of the vial holder such that the proximal point
cannula of the needle cannula pierces the elastomeric seal on the
vial as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,575
(Giambattista et. al.), the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety. The user then selects a
dose and operates the pen to urge the plunger distally to deliver
the selected dose. The user then removes and discards the needle
cannula, and keeps the medication delivery pen in a convenient
location for the next required medication administration. The
medication in the vial will become exhausted after several such
administrations of medication. The user then separates the vial
holder from the pen body. The empty vial may then be removed and
discarded. A new vial can be inserted into the vial holder, and the
vial holder and pen body can be reassembled and used again as
explained above.
[0007] The above described reusable medication delivery pen is
effective and much more convenient for self-administration of
medication than the typical hypodermic syringe and separate
medication vial. However, it has been found that there is a need
for additional features and improvements for such a medication
delivery pen. For example, with the increased use of pens for
self-injection of drugs other than insulin, there is a need to
prevent cross-use of insulin pens with other drugs and/or cross-use
of drug cartridges with other pens. The problems associated with
cross-use could also pose a potential hazard, where the dose dials
of the pens are different, which might result in the administration
of the wrong dosage of the drug. This is particularly hazardous
where an overdose of insulin could lead to hypoglycemia and ER
treatment.
[0008] Thus, there has been a need for a pen, as well as a drug
cartridge assembly, which would eliminate the problems and
limitations associated with the prior devices discussed above, most
significant of the problems being cross-use of the pen with other
drug cartridge assemblies and/or cross-use of the drug cartridge
assembly with other pens.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In contrast to the prior devices discussed above, it has
been found that a pen particularly suited for use in reducing or
otherwise eliminating cross-use can be constructed in accordance
with the present invention. Specifically, the pen and the drug
cartridge assembly of the present invention are keyed, i.e., they
have a connection interface which mechanically prevents the
cross-use of cartridge assemblies among designated pens by, for
example, using matching threads, bayonets or snap fits on the pen
and the holding sleeve of the drug cartridge assembly. Also, the
cartridge assembly can have an embedded drug cartridge, not readily
separable from each other.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to improve the
design of the drug cartridge and holder sleeve so that they are a
single integral unit for containing the drug, with a rubber septum
for multiple needle penetrations along with a standard thread to
attach the pen needle. On the far end of the pen needle thread, a
connection interface prevents connection to pens other than the one
for which use of the drug container is designed. In this way, the
drug cartridge assembly will have minimal dead space and an insert
molded rubber septum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The various features, objects, benefits, and advantages of
the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s) along
with the appended claims in conjunction with the drawings, wherein
like reference numerals identify corresponding components, and:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of the injection pen of the present
invention, with FIG. 1A being a end view;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the injection pen shown
in FIG. 1 with the lead screw retracted;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the injection
pen similar to FIG. 2 with the lead screw retracted and a drug vial
retained therein;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded, side view of the cartridge assembly
of the present invention and the drug cartridge and the
corresponding portion of the pen shown in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the cartridge
assembly shown in FIG. 4 assembled;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial, cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the cartridge assembly of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial, cross-sectional view of another
alternative embodiment of the cartridge assembly of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial, cross-sectional view of yet another
alternative embodiment of the cartridge assembly of the present
invention; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a partial, cross-sectional view of yet another
alternative embodiment of the cartridge assembly of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0021] The medication delivery pen of the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, with the pen being generally
designated 10. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the pen includes a pen body
assembly 12, a cartridge assembly 14 and a cap 16, with the
cartridge assembly being situated between the body assembly and the
cap 16 and typically having sufficient medication for several
doses. The pen body assembly and the cartridge assembly are keyed,
i.e., they have a connection interface which mechanically prevents
the cross-use of cartridges among designated pens by, for example,
threadedly engaged by corresponding threads and grooves, bayonet
threads and grooves, snap fits or a pair of lugs that mate in a
reverse Luer-lock manner. In addition, all of these elements have a
generally cylindrical configuration and are arranged coaxially from
opposed proximal and distal ends 18 and 20 of the pen 10
respectively to define a generally cylindrical housing which can
easily be handled by a patient or medical attendant.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in greater detail in FIG. 3,
the body assembly 12 is used to set a desired dose of medication to
be delivered by the pen 10 and includes an advancing member
preferably in the form of a lead screw 22 with a distal end 24
movable in the distal direction based on the dose set by a dose
setting mechanism within the pen body 12. The dose setting
mechanism determines the distance through which lead screw 22 is to
be moved during the injection of medication by the pen 10. It is
understood, however, that variations from this preferred embodiment
may be provided, and are considered to be within the scope of the
subject invention. Particularly, the specific construction of the
pen body 12, including the mechanisms for advancing the lead screw,
may include those, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,279,585 (Balkwill), 5,279,586 (Balkwill), 5,549,575 (Giambattista
et al.), 5,569,214 (Chanoch), 5,582,598 (Chanoch) and 5,645,534
(Chanoch), and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/314,179 (Chanoch et. al.), the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety. Accordingly, the
particular pen body is not essential to the present invention and
is merely a matter of choice.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, and in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and
5, the cartridge assembly 14 is divided into two parts, i.e., an
upper vial retainer 30 and a lower vial retainer 32, with the lower
vial retainer defining a vial retaining cavity 34 formed in the
lower vial retainer. As explained further herein, one end 36A of
the upper vial retainer 30 is preferably dimensioned and configured
to threadedly engage one end 38A of the lower vial retainer 32 and
the other end 36B of the lower vial retainer is configured to
securely but releasably engage a needle cannula assembly (not
shown). The particular needle cannula assembly is not essential to
the present invention and may include the type disclosed in
co-pending U.S. patent application No. (P4059) filed on Sep. 12,
1997 and entitled "PEN NEEDLE ASSEMBLY," the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The upper and
lower retainers 30, 32 both are described in greater detail
below.
[0024] The cartridge assembly 14, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 5,
includes a drug vial or cartridge 40, with the cavity 34
dimensioned and configured to securely receive and retain the drug
cartridge therein. The drug cartridge 40 includes a generally
tubular barrel 42 with a distal end 44A defined by an inwardly
converging shoulder 46 and an open proximal end 44B. A smaller
diameter neck 48 projects distally from the shoulder 46 of the
barrel 42, and is provided with a large diameter annular bead (not
shown) extending circumferentially thereabout at the extreme distal
end of the neck. A pierceable and resealable elastomeric seal or
septum 50 is securely mounted across the open distal end defined by
the neck 48. The seal 50 is held in place by a metallic sleeve 52
which is crimped around the circumferential bead at the distal end
of the neck 48. Medication is pre-filled into the drug cartridge 40
and is retained therein by an elastomeric stopper or plunger 54.
The plunger 54 is in sliding fluid-tight engagement with the
tubular wall of the barrel 42. Distally directed forces on the
plunger 54 urge the medication from the pen as explained further
below.
[0025] The portion of the lower retainer 32 defining the cavity 34
is of substantially uniform diameter which is slightly greater than
the diameter of the vial barrel 42. The interior of the upper vial
retainer 30 includes an inwardly extending annual portion or stop
60 dimensioned to prevent the drug cartridge 40 from moving within
the vial retainers 30, 32. In this way, when the drug cartridge 40
is inserted into the cavity 34 and the vial retainers 30, 32
threadedly engaged, the drug cartridge 40 is securely held in the
cavity 34 at the open proximal end 44B of the tubular barrel 42 by
the annual stop 60. More particularly, the neck 48 and crimped
metallic sleeve 52 of the drug cartridge 40 are inserted in a
proximal to distal direction into the open proximal end of the
lower retainer 32 with the crimped metallic sleeve 52 eventually
passing entirely into the lower retainer 32, which will require
entry of the crimped metallic sleeve into the portion thereof for
mounting the needle cannula assembly. Then, with the vial retainers
30, 32 threadedly engaged, the open proximal end 44 of the drug
vial 40 abuts the stops 60 of the upper vial retainer 30.
[0026] Preferably, when using standard drug vials or cartridges 40,
the vial retainers 30, 32 are permanently secured to one another by
glue, locking threads or other fastening means. In this way, the
cartridge assembly 14 with the drug vial 40 secured therein may
disposed of after being used.
[0027] The pen body assembly 12 includes an array of threads 62 for
threaded engagement with the threaded other end 36B of the upper
vial retainer 30, and when threadedly engaged, the plunger 54 is
disposed in sliding fluid tight engagement in the cartridge
assembly 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the lead screw 22 initially is
disposed substantially adjacent the plunger 54 of the drug
cartridge 40. The portion of drug cartridge 40 between the plunger
54 and the seal 50 is filled with a medication 66. In this way,
advancement of the plunger 54 causes the medication 66 to be forced
from the drug cartridge 40 through the needle cannula
[0028] Preferably, the pen body assembly 12 is reusable and the
drug cartridge 40 in the cartridge assembly 14 will contain a
volume of medication 66 sufficient for administration of several
doses. After exhaustion of the medication 66, the cartridge
assembly 14 will be threadedly disengaged from pen body assembly 12
and the drug cartridge 40 discarded. A new assembly containing a
drug cartridge may then be mounted to the reusable pen body
assembly 12.
[0029] The assembled reusable pen body assembly 12 and cartridge
assembly 14 may be stored until a selected dose of medication is
required. Just prior to use, a needle cannula assembly may be
threadedly engaged to distal end 38B of cartridge assembly 14. This
threaded engagement will cause a proximal tip of a needle cannula
to the pierce the seal 50 and provide communication with medication
66.
[0030] A desired dose of medication may be set by rotating a dose
knob 70 located at the distal end 20 of the pen which will cause
advancement of the lead screw 22 into the cavity 34 of the
cartridge assembly 14. When the desired dose is set, injection is
achieved by merely pushing on actuator button 72 and the lead screw
22 will be advanced axially into cartridge assembly 14. This axial
advancement of lead screw 22 causes distal end 24 thereof to come
in contact with the plunger 54 and urge the plunger distally into
the drug cartridge 40, and hence causes the medication 66 to be
injected through the needle cannula. Injection will be terminated
when the dose knob 70 is fully depressed into engagement with the
pen body assembly 12.
[0031] Upon completion of the injection, the needle cannula
assembly may be disengaged from the cartridge assembly 14 and
safely discarded. The cap 16 may be mounted over cartridge assembly
14, and the pen 10 may be stored or carried in a convenient
location until the next dose of medication is required. A
subsequent dose of medication will be set in exactly the manner as
described above. However, for such a subsequent dose, the plunger
54 will be in a partly advanced position as a starting point. Dose
setting and injections can be carried out until all of medication
66 has been used. The cartridge assembly 14 may then be threadedly
disengaged from pen body assembly 12, and slidably separated from
the lead screw 22 and discarded in order to be replaced as
described above.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the cartridge
assembly 114 which is disposable and includes an upper vial
retainer 130 and a lower vial retainer 132. In this embodiment,
once a drug cartridge 140 is placed in the cavity 134, the vial
retainers 130, 132 are permanently secured to one another by glue
or other fastening means 190. In this way, upon utilization of the
medication, the drug cartridge assembly 114 along with the empty
drug cartridge 140 may be disengaged from the pen body assembly and
safely discarded.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows another alternative embodiment of the cartridge
assembly 214 which is disposable and is in the form of a single
integral unit having a generally tubular barrel 242 with a distal
end 244A defined by an inwardly converging shoulder 246 and an open
proximal end 244B. A smaller diameter neck 248 projects distally
from the shoulder 246 of the barrel 242, and is provided with a
pierceable and resealable elastomeric seal or septum 250 securely
mounted across the open distal end defined by the neck 248.
Medication is pre-filled into the integral cartridge assembly 214
and is retained therein by an elastomeric stopper or plunger 254.
The plunger 254 is in sliding fluid-tight engagement with the
tubular wall of the barrel 242. Distally directed forces on the
plunger 254 urge the medication from the pen as explained
interconnection with the preferred embodiment. In this embodiment,
the proximal end 244B of the integral cartridge assembly 214
include bayonet threads 280 which are engageable with corresponding
grove 282 formed in the distal end of the pen body 212. The distal
end 244A of the tubular barrel is configured to securely but
releasably engage a needle cannula assembly (not shown).
[0034] The cartridge assembly 214 shown in FIG. 7 may be assembled
and pre-filled by any suitable means, including those disclosed,
for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,279,585 (Balkwill), 5,531,255
(Vacca), 5,519,984 (Veussink et al.), 5,373,684 (Vacca), 5,207,983
(Liebert et al.) 4,718,463 (Jurgens, Jr. et al.). and 4,628,969
(Jurgens, Jr. et al.), and PCT Application No. WO 94/13328 (Hagen)
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
[0035] FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the
cartridge assembly 314 which is disposable and includes single vial
retainer 332. However, a stop has been situated in the distal end
338B of the vial retainer 332 which permit the drug cartridge 340
to be inserted into the cavity 334 in one direction but resists
removal of the drug cartridge, i.e., the insertion force is less
than the removal force. Specifically, protrusions 360 project
inwardly and extend along the neck 348 of the drug cartridge 40 to
securely retain it in the cartridge assembly. In this way, upon
utilization of the medication, the drug cartridge assembly 314
along with the empty drug cartridge 340 may be disengaged from the
pen body assembly and safely discarded.
[0036] FIG. 9 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the
cartridge assembly 414 which is disposable and includes single vial
retainer in which a flexible vial or drug container 440 such as a
pouch can be inserted into the cartridge assembly. Attached by
treads or the like to the end 438B of the cartridge assembly is a
cannula 490 having a double ended needle 492. In this way, upon
movement of the plunger or stopper 454, the proximal end of the
needle 492 pierces the drug container to permit the drug to be
released therefrom as the container collapses The particular
material of which the cartridge assembly is made is not essential
to the present invention but preferably includes a polymeric
material such as polycarbonate. However, the particular material is
a matter of choice depending upon availability, the manufacturing
process used and the intended use of the cartridge assembly. For
example, where the cartridge assembly 214 is pre-filled with the
medication, the polymeric material must be compatible with the
medication contained therein.
[0037] It should be appreciated from the detailed description of
the preferred embodiments, that the particular means by which the
pen body assembly 12 and the cartridge assembly are keyed, i.e.,
engaged so as to reduce or otherwise eliminate cross-use is
essential and may be threadedly engaged by corresponding threads
and grooves, bayonet threads and grooves, snap fits or a pair of
lugs that mate in a reverse Luer-lock manner. In this way, the pen
body assembly 12 includes either a female or male mating member and
the cartridge assembly 14 includes a corresponding female or male
mating member engageable with one another for interconnecting the
two assemblies, with the mating members selected so as to prevent
cross-use with other assemblies, e.g., the pitch of the threads may
be angled so as to mate only with one another and not with other
assemblies.
[0038] Also, the cartridge holder sleeve can have an embedded
cartridge, not readily separable from each other as described in
connection with one alternative embodiment. In addition, the drug
cartridge can be designed as a single integral unit for containing
the drug as described in connection with another alternative
embodiment.
[0039] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described so as to enable one skilled in the art to
practice the device of the present invention, it is to be
understood that variations and modifications may be employed
without departing from the concept and intent of the present
invention as defined in the following claims. The preceding
description is intended to be exemplary and should not be used to
limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention should
be determined only by reference to the following claims.
* * * * *