Valve assembly for drug delivery device
A valve assembly for a drug delivery device includes a valve housing, a cannula having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, a valve boot connected to the valve housing and defining an interior space, a valve sleeve defining a cannula space, with the valve sleeve 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, and a piercing member having a body with a piercing tip. The body of the piercing member has a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, with the piercing member engaged with the valve sleeve.
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;
a valve boot connected to the valve housing and defining an interior space, the valve boot is configured to move from a pre-use position where the first end of the cannula is received within the interior space to a use position where the first end of the cannula extends outside of the valve boot and the interior space;
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; and
a piercing member having a body with a piercing tip, the body of the piercing member having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, the piercing member engaged with the valve sleeve, wherein the body of the piercing member defines a central passageway, the central passageway receiving a portion of the valve sleeve.
2 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the piercing member is entirely spaced from the valve boot.
3 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the body of the piercing member is engaged with the valve sleeve.
4 . The valve assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second end of the body of the piercing member is received by a recessed area defined by the valve sleeve.
5 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , 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.
6 . The valve assembly of claim 5 , wherein the second end of the body of the piercing member is received by a recessed area defined by the second portion of the valve sleeve.
7 . The valve assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first cylindrical portion of the valve sleeve is positioned between the first end and the second end of the body of the piercing member.
8 . The valve assembly of claim 5 , wherein the second portion of the valve sleeve comprises a frustoconical section and a cylindrical section.
9 . The valve assembly of claim 5 , 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.
10 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body of the piercing member is cylindrical.
11 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the valve sleeve comprises an elastomeric material.
12 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the valve boot comprises an elastomeric material.
13 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the piercing member comprises metal.
14 . A drug delivery device comprising:
a housing;
a cartridge received within the housing, the cartridge configured to receive a medicament;
a drive assembly received within the housing and configured to engage the cartridge and dispense medicament from the cartridge;
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,
a valve boot connected to the valve housing and defining an interior space, the valve boot is configured to move from a pre-use position where the first end of the cannula is received within the interior space to a use position where the first end of the cannula extends outside of the valve boot and the interior space,
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, and
a piercing member having a body with a piercing tip, the body of the piercing member having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, the piercing member engaged with the valve sleeve, wherein the body of the piercing member defines a central passageway, the central passageway receiving a portion of the valve sleeve.