Portable Drug Mixing and Delivery Device and Associated Methods
A portable auto-injector configured to store a dry medication separately from a liquid component, wherein removal of a cap operates a first actuation mechanism which opens a valve between a first and second chamber that are slidably movable relative to each other and thus allows for the initiation of a mixing step prior to injection. An extendable needle guard is provided over the delivery assembly which prevents premature injection as well as inadvertent sticks or other cross contamination of a needle. The needle guard can also form part of a secondary trigger mechanism which injects the mixed components after the mixing stage is complete.
1 . A drug mixing system comprising:
a housing;
a first chamber and second chamber disposed in the housing, wherein at least one chamber is slidably movable relative to the other; and
a valve disposed between the first and second chambers, whereby opening the valve causes the one of the chambers to slidably move relative to the other.
2 . The drug mixing system of claim 1 , wherein the second chamber is disposed at least partially therein of the first chamber.
3 . The drug mixing system of claim 1 , where the second chamber holds a dry powder medicament.
4 . The drug mixing system of claim 1 , further comprising a delivery assembly configured to be in fluid communication with the second chamber.
5 . The drug mixing system of claim 4 , further including an actuation assembly configured to slidably move one of the chambers relative to the other and cause the valve to open.
6 . The drug mixing system of claim 4 , further including a pre-stored energy source that is coupled to the actuation assembly.
7 . The drug mixing system of claim 5 , further including a plunger disposed partially within the first chamber and upon activating the actuation assembly the plunger displaces a first medicament component from the first chamber into the second chamber thereby causing the first medicament component of the first chamber to mix with a second medicament stored outside the first chamber.
8 . The drug mixing system of claim 5 , further comprising a fluidic channel disposed between the first chamber and second chamber.
9 . The drug mixing system of claim 7 , further including a mechanically releasable stop that retains the mixed liquid in an intermediate stage.
10 . The drug mixing system of claim 9 , further including a release mechanism configured to release the mechanically releasable stop allowing the mixed medicament components to be displaced from the second chamber out through the delivery assembly.
11 . The drug mixing system of claim 9 , further including a fluid blocking mechanism disposed between the second chamber and the delivery mechanism, whereby activating the release mechanism further opens the blocking mechanism to allow fluid communication between the second chamber and the delivery mechanism.
12 . The drug mixing system of claim 10 , wherein the delivery mechanism is movable relative to the second chamber.
13 . The drug mixing system of claim 10 , wherein the blocking mechanism is a septum that is pierceable by a needle that forms part of the delivery mechanism.
14 . A drug mixing and injector system comprising:
a housing having a first and second chamber disposed at least partially therein;
a valve disposed between the first and second chamber;
an actuation device having a pre-loaded energy source that upon a first actuation of the actuation device causes a liquid contained in the first chamber to be displaced therefrom and cause the effective volume of the second chamber to expand;
a delivery assembly in fluid communication with the second chamber, whereupon a second actuation of the actuation device displaces the liquid now stored in the second chamber out through the delivery assembly.
15 . The drug mixing system and injector system claim of 14 , further comprising a first displacement mechanism disposed in the first chamber and in mechanical communication with the actuation device.
16 . The drug mixing and injector system claim of 14 , further comprising a movable body disposed between the first and second chambers, wherein the movable body selectively displaces a liquid from the first chamber by moving in a first direction and displaces liquid from the second chamber by moving in a second direction.
17 . The drug mixing and injector system claim of 15 , further comprising an intermediate support disposed at least partially about one of the chambers and in mechanical communication with a protrusion of the first displacement mechanism, whereby rotating the intermediate support about one of the chambers allows the first displacement device to translate axially.
18 . The drug mixing and injector system claim of 17 , further comprising a second displacement device that is formed in part by the intermediate support and the first displacement mechanism.
19 . The drug mixing and injector system claim of 18 , further comprising a spline formed in the housing and interferingly engaged with a keyed portion of the first displacement mechanism, wherein the spline prevents rotation of the first displacement mechanism relative to intermediate support during an initial part of the first actuation.
20 . The drug mixing and injector system claim of 18 , wherein the second displacement device is rotated during the second actuation and translates axially, causing the liquid in the second chamber to be displaced through the delivery assembly.
21 . The drug mixing and injector system claim of 15 , further comprising a portion of the valve that is engaged with one of the chambers and in mechanical communication with the first displacement mechanism, whereby rotating the portion of the valve allows the first displacement device to translate axially.
22 . The drug mixing and injector system claim of 21 , further comprising a second displacement device that is formed in part by the portion of the valve and the first displacement mechanism.
23 . The drug mixing and injector system claim of 22 , further comprising a spline formed in the housing and interferingly engaged with a keyed portion of the first displacement mechanism, wherein the spline prevents rotation of the first displacement mechanism relative to a portion of the valve during an initial part of the first actuation.
24 . The drug mixing and injector system claim of 22 , wherein the second displacement device is rotated during the second actuation and translates axially, causing the liquid in the second chamber to be displaced through the delivery assembly.
25 . The drug mixing and injector system of claim 14 , further comprising a needle shield assembly attached to the housing and disposed at least partially around the delivery assembly, the needle shield assembly further comprising a needle shield and secondary spring, the secondary spring biasing the needle shield in an extended position.
26 . The medication delivery device of claim 25 , further including a cam ramp provided in a sidewall of the needle shield, wherein the cam ramp is in mechanical communication with the actuation device and upon depressing the needle shield causes the second actuation.
27 . A mixing and injector device comprising:
a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber;
a valve disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber;
an actuation device having a pre-loaded energy source that is in mechanical communication with the valve and is configured to allow the valve to alternate between a closed and open state;
a needle assembly in fluid communication with the second chamber; and
a displacement mechanism at least partially disposed in the first chamber, whereupon actuating the actuation device causes the valve to be placed into an open state and releases a portion of the pre-stored energy source that causes the displacement mechanism to force a portion of liquid stored in the first chamber to enter into the second chamber, wherein the second chamber is slidably movable relative to the first chamber.