Precise Medicine Delivery Device with Priming Control

This patent describes a device for accurately measuring and delivering liquid medicine, using a special mechanism to control how a plunger moves during both initial setup and actual delivery.

What it covers

This device is designed to deliver a specific amount of liquid medicine or other fluid with high accuracy. It includes a main body that holds the liquid, and a plunger rod that pushes a stopper inside the body. The key feature is a special component that precisely controls the forward movement (distal movement) of the plunger rod. This control happens during two distinct phases: a 'priming step' to prepare the device, and a 'subsequent delivery step' to dispense the medicine. This two-step regulation ensures that the device is accurately prepared and then delivers the exact predetermined volume. For example, an insulin pen could use this technology to ensure each dose is consistently accurate, reducing the risk of under- or over-dosing.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover devices that deliver medicine as a continuous drip without distinct priming and delivery steps controlled by a plunger.
• —Does not cover devices where the dose is determined by factors other than the controlled distal movement of a plunger rod pushing a stopper.
• —Does not cover devices that lack a specific component designed to regulate the plunger rod's movement during both a priming step and a delivery step.
• —Does not cover drug delivery systems that rely on gravity, pumps, or other mechanisms without a physical plunger rod and stopper for dispensing.
• —Does not cover devices where the 'predetermined volume' is not achieved through the precise regulation of plunger rod movement.

The clever bit

The clever part is the component that regulates the plunger rod's movement during both the initial 'priming step' and the 'delivery step.' This dual-stage regulation ensures accuracy from the very beginning, preventing issues like air bubbles or incomplete initial fills from affecting the final dispensed dose, which was a common challenge in earlier designs.

Why it matters

Accurate drug delivery is crucial in many medical treatments, especially for conditions like diabetes where precise insulin doses are vital. Errors in dosage can lead to serious health complications. This technology aims to improve patient safety and treatment effectiveness by ensuring consistent and exact delivery of medication, which can reduce the burden on healthcare providers and patients.

Real-world examples

• 1.Insulin pens
• 2.Growth hormone pens
• 3.Self-injection devices for biologics
• 4.Auto-injectors for emergency medications
• 5.Syringe pumps with precise volume control