Fluid transfer system for drug delivery device

1 . A valve assembly for a drug delivery device, the valve assembly comprising:

a valve housing having a first side and a second side positioned opposite from the first side;

a cannula having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, the cannula defining a central passageway; and

a valve sleeve defining a cannula space, the valve sleeve is configured to move from a pre-use position where the first end of the cannula is received within the cannula space to a use position where the first end of the cannula extends outside of the valve sleeve and the cannula space, wherein the valve sleeve is configured to contact a container of the drug delivery device before any other element of the valve assembly when the valve sleeve moves from the pre-use position to the use position,

wherein the valve sleeve comprises a first cylindrical portion having a convex tip, a second portion extending from the first portion, and a third frustoconical portion extending from the second portion.

2 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the valve sleeve is secured to the valve housing.

3 . The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein an outermost portion of the valve sleeve is secured to the valve housing.

4 . The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein the valve sleeve is secured to the valve housing via a retainer engaged with the valve sleeve and the valve housing.

5 . The valve assembly of claim 4 , wherein the valve housing comprises a projection engaged with the retainer.

6 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the valve sleeve comprises a frustoconical section and a cylindrical section.

7 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the third portion of the valve sleeve comprises at least one recessed portion configured to facilitate a collapse and deformation of the valve sleeve.

8 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the valve sleeve comprises an elastomeric material.

9 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the cannula is received within the first cylindrical portion when the valve sleeve is in the pre-use position.

10 . A drug delivery device comprising:

a housing;

a container received within the housing, the container having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, the container comprising a barrel having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end of the barrel, the barrel configured to receive a medicament, a stopper moveable within the barrel to dispense the medicament from the barrel, and a septum received by the second end of the barrel and having a first side and a second side positioned opposite the first side, the container defining an open space extending from the second side of the septum to the second end of the container;

a drive assembly received within the housing and configured to engage the container and dispense medicament from the container;

a needle actuator assembly received within the housing, the needle actuator assembly comprising a patient needle configured to pierce a patient's skin; and

a valve assembly comprising:

a valve housing having a first side and a second side positioned opposite from the first side;

a cannula having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, the cannula defining a central passageway; and

a valve sleeve defining a cannula space, the valve sleeve is configured to move from a pre-use position where the first end of the cannula is received within the cannula space to a use position where the first end of the cannula extends outside of the valve sleeve and the cannula space, wherein the valve sleeve is configured to contact a container of the drug delivery device before any other element of the valve assembly when the valve sleeve moves from the pre-use position to the use position.

11 . The drug delivery device of claim 10 , wherein the valve sleeve engages the septum of the container when the valve sleeve moves from the pre-use position to the use position.

12 . A method of packaging and sterilizing the drug delivery device of claim 10 , the method comprising:

a) sterilizing and positioning the barrel and septum of the container in a first package;

b) sterilizing and positioning the stopper of the container in a second package;

c) sterilizing and positioning the housing, the drive assembly, the needle actuator assembly, and the valve assembly in at least a third package;

d) filling the container with medicament;

e) completing final assembly of the drug delivery device and positioning the drug delivery device in a fourth package; and

f) after step e), sterilizing the assembled drug delivery device.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the sterilizing of step f) comprises a vaporized peracetic acid sterilization process.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the fourth package comprises a porous material.

15 . A drug delivery device comprising:

a housing;

a container received within the housing, the container having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, the container comprising a barrel having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end of the barrel, the barrel configured to receive a medicament, a stopper moveable within the barrel to dispense the medicament from the barrel, and a septum received by the second end of the barrel and having a first side and a second side positioned opposite the first side, the container defining an open space extending from the second side of the septum to the second end of the container;

a drive assembly received within the housing and configured to engage the container and dispense medicament from the container;

a needle actuator assembly received within the housing, the needle actuator assembly comprising a patient needle configured to pierce a patient's skin; and

a valve assembly comprising:

a valve housing having a first side and a second side positioned opposite from the first side;

a cannula having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, the cannula defining a central passageway; and

a valve sleeve defining a cannula space, the valve sleeve is configured to move from a pre-use position where the first end of the cannula is received within the cannula space to a use position where the first end of the cannula extends outside of the valve sleeve and the cannula space, wherein the valve sleeve is configured to contact a container of the drug delivery device before any other element of the valve assembly when the valve sleeve moves from the pre-use position to the use position,

wherein the container further comprises a locking element having a main body and a locking ring, the locking element configured to secure the septum to the barrel of the container.