Abstract:
The present invention relates to a housing of a drug delivery device comprising a cylindrically shaped body ( 12 ) to accommodate a drive mechanism ( 13 ) and comprising a cartridge holder ( 14 ) to accommodate a cartridge ( 16 ) containing a dispensable medicament, the housing further comprising a connector assembly ( 20 ) to releasably interconnect body ( 12 ) and cartridge holder ( 14 ), the connector assembly ( 20 ) comprising: a tangentially extending recessed structure ( 30 ) with a tangential opening ( 31 ) to receive a radially extending pin ( 26 ), wherein the recessed structure ( 30 ) is fastened to one of body ( 12 ) and cartridge holder ( 14 ) and wherein the pin ( 26 ) is fastened to the other one of body ( 12 ) and cartridge holder ( 14 ), a release member ( 40 ) having a retaining portion ( 42 ) to cover the opening ( 31 ) in a locking configuration ( 60 ), wherein the release member ( 40 ) is displaceable in tangential direction ( 3 ) against a restoring force away from the recessed structure ( 30 ) into a release configuration ( 62 ), in which the opening ( 31 ) is uncovered to tangentially remove the pin ( 26 ) therefrom.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a housing of a drug delivery device and to a respective drug delivery device. In particular, the invention relates to an injection device such like a pen-type injector operable to repeatedly dispense numerous doses of an injectable medicament. 
       BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Drug delivery devices for setting and dispensing a single or multiple doses of a liquid medicament are as such well-known in the art. Generally, such devices have substantially a similar purpose as that of an ordinary syringe. 
         [0003]    Drug delivery devices, in particular pen-type injectors have to meet a number of user-specific requirements. For instance, with patient&#39;s suffering chronic diseases, such like diabetes, the patient may be physically infirm and may also have impaired vision. Suitable drug delivery devices especially intended for home medication therefore need to be robust in construction and should be easy to use. Furthermore, manipulation and general handling of the device and its components should be intelligible and easy understandable. Moreover, a dose setting as well as a dose dispensing procedure must be easy to operate and has to be unambiguous. 
         [0004]    Typically, such devices comprise a housing or a particular cartridge holder, adapted to receive a cartridge at least partially filled with the medicament to be dispensed. The device further comprises a drive mechanism, usually having a displaceable piston rod, which is adapted to operably engage with a piston of the cartridge. By means of the drive mechanism and its piston rod, the piston of the cartridge is displaceable in a distal or dispensing direction and may therefore expel a predefined amount of the medicament via a piercing assembly, which is to be releasably coupled with a distal end section of the housing of the drug delivery device. 
         [0005]    The medicament to be dispensed by the drug delivery device is provided and contained in a multi-dose cartridge. Such cartridges typically comprise a vitreous barrel sealed in distal direction by means of a pierceable seal and being further sealed in proximal direction by the piston. With reusable drug delivery devices an empty cartridge is replaceable by a new one. In order to provide access to an empty cartridge the housing of the drug delivery device has to be opened or disassembled. One approach to replace an empty cartridge by a new one is to make use of a housing comprising at least two mutually detachable components, e.g. a body and a cartridge holder. Typically, the body serves to accommodate the drive mechanism comprising all those mechanically interacting components of the drug delivery device that are necessary to displace a piston rod in a distal, hence in a dispensing direction, in order to expel a medicament from the cartridge. A second housing component releasably interconnectable with the body typically serves as a cartridge holder. The cartridge holder is designed to receive and to accommodate the cartridge filled with the medicament to be dispensed. 
         [0006]    Typically, the cartridge holder features at least one transparent inspection window allowing to visually inspect the filling level of the cartridge. Moreover, the distal end of such a cartridge holder is typically equipped with a standardized connector to releasably engage with a piercing assembly, e.g. a double-tipped needle. By attaching or engaging the piercing assembly with the cartridge holder, a proximally extending needle portion may extend through a distal opening of the cartridge holder so as to penetrate and to pierce a seal located at a distal end of the cartridge. By attaching the needle assembly to the cartridge holder a fluid transferring access to the interior of the cartridge can be established. 
         [0007]    Cartridge holder and body can be releasably connected in many different ways. Document EP 2 121 086 B1 discloses a medical delivery system comprising a locking ring with L-shaped grooves. This medical delivery system comprises a container and a dosing assembly adapted to be fastened to the container, wherein one of the dosing assembly and the container defines a first part having at least one projection which during fastening of the container to the dosing assembly is adapted to be received in or by at least one corresponding groove or projection of a second part which is defined by the other one of the dosing assembly and the container. There, the first part comprises a fixed part and a rotatable element defining at least one of said projection and/or groove, which during fastening of the container to the dosing assembly is adapted to be received in or by at least one of said corresponding groove and/or projection of the second part. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a smooth operating, long lasting and intuitively operable connector assembly for releasably connecting a proximal body and a distal cartridge holder of a drug delivery device&#39;s housing. The connector assembly should feature a minimum of mechanically interacting components. It should be intuitive and easy in handling and should further allow and support an easy, cost efficient and straightforward assembly during a manufacturing process of the drug delivery device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In a first aspect a housing of a drug delivery device is provided. The housing comprises a cylindrically or tubular-shaped body to accommodate a drive mechanism. The housing further comprises a cartridge holder, which is also cylindrically-shaped and which is to be releasably interconnected with the body. The cartridge holder is adapted and designed to accommodate a cartridge containing a dispensable medicament. The cartridge holder is designed to removably receive a cartridge featuring a cylindrical barrel of vitreous material that is plugged or sealed by a piston at a proximal end facing towards a piston rod of the drive mechanism extending in longitudinal or axial direction with regard to the cylindrical shape of the housing. 
         [0010]    The housing further comprises a connector assembly to releasably interconnect body and cartridge holder. The connector assembly comprises a tangentially extending recessed structure with a tangential opening, i.e. an opening, which is accessible from the tangential direction. Said recessed structure is adapted to receive a radially extending pin. The recessed structure if fastened to one of body and cartridge holder while the pin is fastened to the other one of body and cartridge holder. 
         [0011]    The connector assembly further comprises a release member having a retaining portion to cover, to close or to obstruct the recessed structure&#39;s opening in a locking configuration. At least the release member is displaceable in tangential direction against a restoring force and away from the recessed structure into a release configuration. In the release configuration the retaining portion no longer closes or obstructs but uncovers and reveals the recessed structure&#39;s opening in order to allow and support tangential removal of the pin therefrom. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment the pin is located at a proximal end portion of the cartridge holder and extends radially outwardly while the release member is located and arranged at a distal end portion of the body, which is adapted to at least partially receive the proximal end of the cartridge holder. In this way, the cartridge holder can be at least partially inserted into the body in such a way, that the connector assembly&#39;s recessed structure engages with the at least one pin of the cartridge holder. Since the recessed structure with the pin located therein extends in tangential direction and is open in tangential direction the recessed structure provides an axially acting fixing means for the pin. Typically, the recessed structure features a tangentially extending indentation, into which the cartridge holder&#39;s is insertable. 
         [0013]    In the locking configuration the pin is typically tangentially sandwiched between the recessed structure and the retaining portion of the release member, which may directly abut with the recessed structure. The size and geometry of the recessed structure is selected such that it accommodates at least the pin. In the locking configuration the pin is axially secured by the tangentially extending recessed structure and is hindered from leaving the recessed structure in tangential direction by the retaining portion. 
         [0014]    For releasing the connector assembly, hence for transferring the connector assembly from the locking configuration into the release configuration it is intended to displace the release member in tangential direction so as to liberate the pin in the recessed structure. By displacing the release member away from the recessed structure the retaining portion thereof no longer abuts with the recessed structure and the opening of the recessed structure is hence unobstructed. The pin may then be removed from the recessed structure, e.g. by a rotation of the cartridge holder relative to the body with regard to a rotation axis extending parallel or coinciding with a longitudinal axis of the housing, thereby displacing the at least one pin in tangential direction relative to the recessed structure. 
         [0015]    Once the pin leaves the recessed structure in tangential direction it is also no longer constrained or fixed in axial or longitudinal direction. Consequently, the tangentially directed displacement of the release member allows and supports removal of the pin out of the recessed structure thereby enabling a mutual axial displacement of cartridge holder and body. 
         [0016]    In general, the recessed structure may be integrally formed with or may be integrated into one of body or cartridge holder. Generally, the connector assembly only requires one displaceable component, which is displaceable relative to body and cartridge holder. In the event that the recessed structure is integrated into the body or cartridge holder it is sufficient that only the release member of the connector assembly is displaceable relative to the recessed structure. In this way a rather simple and cost efficient connector assembly for body and cartridge holder can be provided. 
         [0017]    According to an embodiment the release member is rotatably or pivotally supported on one of body and cartridge holder with respect to a longitudinal axis of body or cartridge holder. A rotatable or pivoting motion of the release member relative to the body or cartridge holder allows to displace the retaining portion of the release member in tangential direction so as to liberate and to release the pin located in the recessed structure. In addition it is also conceivable, that the release member is also rotatable or pivotable in tangential direction for connecting or reconnecting of body and cartridge holder. Hence, by means of a tangentially directed displacement of the release member relative to the recessed structure a pin of the connector assembly may also be inserted into the recessed structure. 
         [0018]    Typically, the release member is rotatably or pivotally located in a distal front face of the body or in a proximal front face of the cartridge holder in order to releasably engage with a proximal portion of the cartridge holder or with a distal portion of the body, respectively. 
         [0019]    The release member may be axially or radially supported on one of body and cartridge holder. It is for instance conceivable, that the release member is axially rotatably supported on a bearing surface or on a bearing flange extending radially inwardly from a cylindrical sidewall of body or cartridge holder. It is also conceivable, that the release member is rotatably supported in the body or in the cartridge holder in such a way, that sidewall portions of body or cartridge holder completely or at least partially enclose the outer circumference of the release member. In this way the release member may be axially and circumferentially or radially secured and constrained to one of the body and the cartridge holder. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment the release member comprises a ring structure. Here, the retaining portion interacting with the recessed structure of the connector assembly axially protrudes from the ring structure. The ring or annular structure of the release member is typically a closed ring but may also comprise only ring portions separated by at least one radially extending gap. By means of a ring structure a particular smooth rotatable or pivotable support of the release member can be provided. The release member may be supported on a flange-like and radially inwardly extending bearing surface of body or cartridge holder. By means of an annular ring structure a homogeneous and smooth mechanical support can be provided allowing and supporting a smooth, easy and well-defined rotation or pivoting behavior of a release member relative to one of body and cartridge holder. 
         [0021]    In addition, the ring structure further supports an axially nested or interleaved configuration of cartridge holder and body. If the release member is for instance arranged at or in a distal receptacle of the body a proximal end portion of the cartridge holder comprising the at least one pin may extend into or even through the release member&#39;s ring structure. Hence, when arranged or attached to the body the release member with its ring structure may receive a proximal end portion of the cartridge holder. In another configuration, wherein the release member is attached to the cartridge holder it may receive a distal end portion of the body to be inserted into the cartridge holder. In either way the ring structure of the release member supports and allows for an axially and radially overlapping assembly of cartridge holder and body so as to provide a rather robust and stable housing of the drug delivery device. 
         [0022]    According to another embodiment the release member comprises a radially extending radial stop to engage with a complementary or corresponding radial stop of one of body or cartridge holder. In this way the release member&#39;s tangential displacement towards the locking configuration can be delimited and stopped. Typically, the radial stop extends radially outwardly from the release member. It may be arranged at an axial, hence at a distal or proximal end of the retaining portion that axially protrudes from the ring structure. 
         [0023]    A radially outwardly extending radial stop of the release member is beneficial for not obstructing the interior of the release member&#39;s ring structure. Moreover, by having mutually corresponding and directly inter-engaging radial stops of release member and at least one of body or cartridge holder a well-defined locking configuration of the release member relative to the body or cartridge holder can be defined. In this way it is even possible to at least temporally transfer the connector assembly from the locking configuration into the release configuration by displacing the recessed structure in tangential direction away from the release member. Due to the release member&#39;s radial stop being in engagement with a corresponding radial stop of one of body or cartridge holder the release member is hindered to follow a respective displacement of the recessed structure. 
         [0024]    So transferring the connector assembly from the locking configuration into the release configuration may be conducted in at least two different ways. The release configuration may be obtained by tangentially displacing the release member while the recessed structure is fixed to one of body and cartridge holder or it may be obtained by displacing the recessed structure relative to the release member while the release member is fixed to one of body and cartridge holder. 
         [0025]    Providing two different ways of transferring the connector assembly from a locking configuration into a release configuration is of particular benefit for connecting and disconnecting body and cartridge holder. For instance, during a connecting operation the release member may be fixed to one of body and cartridge holder while the recessed structure is displaceable against a restoring force. For disconnecting of cartridge holder and body the recessed structure may be fixed to one of body and cartridge holder while it is the release member which is displaceable in tangential direction relative to one of body and cartridge holder, hence relative to the recessed structure. 
         [0026]    According to a further embodiment the release member is displaceable against the action of at least one tangentially extending or tangentially acting return spring. The return spring may comprise a compression spring extending in tangential direction so that the spring with one end engages with the release member and with another end engages with one of body and cartridge holder. Alternatively it is conceivable, that the return spring comprises a helical spring extending parallel to the cylindrically-shaped body or cartridge holder. Further alternatively the return spring may comprise a torsion spring of ring or disc-like shape featuring axially extending end portions to engage with the release member and with one of body and cartridge holder. 
         [0027]    By means of a return spring, the release member is rotatable or pivotable with regard to the longitudinal axis from the locking configuration towards the release configuration against the action of the return spring. Hence, it is the at least one return spring that provides the restoring force against which the release member is displaceable in tangential direction. 
         [0028]    According to a further embodiment the connector assembly also comprises a locking member rotatably or pivotably supported with respect to the longitudinal axis on that one of body and cartridge holder also supporting the release member. Here, the recessed structure to engage with the pin is a component of the locking member or is integrally formed with the locking member. By having the recessed structure located in or on a rotatable or pivotable locking member transferring of the connector assembly between the locking configuration and release configuration can be equally attained by displacing the locking member relative to the release member in circumferential or tangential direction. Release member and locking member are both located and pivotally or rotatably attached to one of the housing component&#39;s body or cartridge holder. Locking member and release member form a kind of a latch mechanism in order to catch and to retain the pin of the connector assembly in a well-defined locking configuration, in which the pin and hence one of body and cartridge holder featuring the pin remains fastened to one of body and cartridge holder featuring locking member and release member. 
         [0029]    According to a further embodiment the release member and the locking member axially abut. Furthermore, one of release member and locking member is axially fixed to one of body and cartridge holder to axially constrain the other one of release member and the locking member in abutment with a bearing surface of one of body and cartridge holder. In this way, one of locking member and release member is axially fixed in the connector assembly, hence to one of body and cartridge holder by axially sandwiching the particular component between one of body and cartridge holder and the other one of release member and locking member. 
         [0030]    For example the locking member may be axially supported by a bearing surface or by a radially extending flange of the body. In addition, the release member may be axially arranged in abutment with that axial side of the locking member that faces away from the bearing surface. By axially attaching or axially securing the release member to the body also the locking member is inherently axially constrained to the body but may be still rotatable relative to the body with regard to the longitudinal axis. In order to keep the locking member axially fixed to the body the release member may comprise at least one radially inwardly extending flange portion that axially abuts with e.g. a distally-facing surface of the locking member that may be of annular shape. 
         [0031]    The release member may be positively engaged with the body, e.g. by way of a snap fit or by some additional component that serves to axially fix the release member to the body but allows and supports a rotation of the release member relative to the body. Depending on the specific arrangement and abutment of release member and locking member it is also conceivable, that it is the release member, which is axially sandwiched between the locking member and a bearing surface of one of body and cartridge holder. Then it is the locking member, which is axially but rotatably fixed to one of body and cartridge holder. 
         [0032]    According to another embodiment the at least one return spring tangentially extends between the locking member and the release member to keep the retaining portion in abutment with the recessed structure. With this embodiment the return spring serves to displace the locking member relative to the release member and vice versa. The return spring may engage with one end or with a connecting portion with the locking member while another end or connecting portion is engaged with the release member. In this way, the return spring is operable to keep the tangential opening of the recessed structure effectively obstructed and closed by the retaining portion of the release member. 
         [0033]    When the at least one return spring tangentially extends between the locking member and the release member it does not have to directly engage with one of body and cartridge holder. In this way, the return spring does not necessarily have to be assembled to one of cartridge holder and body. Instead, the return spring can be assembled between locking member and release member so that the connector assembly, the at least one return spring, the locking member as well as the release member can be preconfigured and preassembled before such a preassembly as a whole is to be attached and assembled to one of body and cartridge holder. 
         [0034]    According to a further embodiment the locking member also comprises a ring structure. The recessed structure of the locking member axially protrudes from the ring structure in order to engage with the radially extending pin. If for example release member and locking member are arranged at or in a distal end of the body the recessed structure as well as the retaining portion both extend in distal direction from the respective ring structures, hence towards the cartridge holder featuring the radially outwardly extending pin to engage with the recessed structure. In this way, the ring structures of the locking member and the release member may substantially overlap or may mutually abut in radial and/or axial direction. In this way, a rather smooth and homogeneous mutual abutment of release member and locking member can be attained. 
         [0035]    According to another embodiment the locking member also comprises a radially extending radial stop to engage with a complementary radial stop of one of body or cartridge holder to delimit a locking member&#39;s tangential displacement towards the locking configuration. In this way and by means of the radial stop the locking member can be kept in a locking configuration relative to one of body or cartridge holder while the release member may be rotatable against or under the action of the return spring. In this way, the locking member is hindered to follow a rotating or pivoting displacement of the release member when the retaining portion thereof is rotated in a direction so as to separate from the recessed structure. 
         [0036]    According to another embodiment the release member comprises at least two tangentially separated retaining portions to releasably engage with at least two correspondingly-shaped and also tangentially separated recessed structures. In an embodiment wherein the recessed structures belong to the rotatable or pivotable locking member, release member as well as locking member may comprise geometrically oppositely located and symmetrically designed retaining portions and recessed structures. In addition, the at least two retaining portions and recessed structures may both feature radially extending stops so that a mechanical and spring biased abutment or engagement between release member and recessed structure can be equally distributed among the plurality of mutually abutting radial stops. In this way mechanical forces and point loads between inter-engaging stops can be limited, which is beneficial in terms of durability and robustness of the connector assembly and hence of the entire housing of the drug delivery device. 
         [0037]    According to a further embodiment a free and axial end of at least one of recessed structure and retaining portion comprises a beveled edge. By means of a beveled edge a rotational or pivoting motion of at least one of release member and locking member can be induced by actually urging the pins of one of body and cartridge holder onto the beveled edge. The beveled edge is located at a radial position that coincides with the radial position and extension of the pin. In the event that several recessed structures and retaining portions are provided the connected assembly will also feature a corresponding number of pins located and arranged at respective radial positions to engage with the recessed structures. 
         [0038]    By means of at least one beveled edge a purely translational displacement of one or several pins in axial, hence in distal or proximal direction can be transferred into a pivoting or rotation motion of at least one of release member and locking member. If the beveled edge is provided on or at the recessed structure, an end of the beveled edge extends into the tangentially extending recessed structure, hence in a tangentially extending slit or receptacle to receive the pin. 
         [0039]    According to a further embodiment the connector assembly is transferable from the locking configuration into the release configuration by a tangential displacement of the locking member relative to the release member. This displacement, typically featuring a pivoting or rotating motion with regard to the longitudinal axis of the housing is induced or inducible by an axial displacement of the pin towards the release member, thereby engaging with the beveled edge. When having two or even more, e.g. equidistantly arranged recessed structures and retaining portions along the circumference of release member, one of body and cartridge holder or locking member, it is of particular benefit to have a corresponding number of beveled edges so that an axial displacement of various pins may equally contribute to a rather smooth rotational or pivoting displacement of either the release member or the locking member relative to each other and/or relative to one of body and cartridge holder. 
         [0040]    In another aspect the invention equally applies to a drug delivery device comprising a housing as described above and further having a drive mechanism arranged in the body of the housing and comprising at least a piston rod to operably engage with a piston of a cartridge containing the medicament. Typically, the drug delivery device is designed as a pen-type injector either manually or automatically driven by an actuation force of a user or by means of some kind of mechanical or electrical energy source. The housing as well as the drive mechanism typically comprise numerous plastic components, in particular injection molded plastic components. Moreover, apart from the cartridge and e.g. a return spring or other spring elements the entire drug delivery device may comprise only or mainly injection molded plastic components allowing for a rather cost efficient mass manufacturing and mass production process. 
         [0041]    According to another embodiment the drug delivery device is readily equipped with a replaceable cartridge that is filled with a medicament and which is arranged in the housing&#39;s cartridge holder. 
         [0042]    In the present context, the distal direction points in the direction of the dispensing and of the device, where, preferably a needle assembly is provided having a double-tipped injection needle that is to be inserted into biological tissue or into the skin of a patient for delivery of the medicament. 
         [0043]    The proximal end or proximal direction denotes the end of the device or a component thereof, which is furthest away from the dispensing end. Typically, an actuating member is located at the proximal end of the drug delivery device, which is directly operable by a user to be rotated for setting of a dose and which is operable to be depressed in distal direction for dispensing of a dose. 
         [0044]    The term “drug” or “medicament”, as used herein, means a pharmaceutical formulation containing at least one pharmaceutically active compound, 
         [0000]    wherein in one embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound has a molecular weight up to 1500 Da and/or is a peptide, a proteine, a polysaccharide, a vaccine, a DNA, a RNA, an enzyme, an antibody or a fragment thereof, a hormone or an oligonucleotide, or a mixture of the above-mentioned pharmaceutically active compound,
 
wherein in a further embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound is useful for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diabetes mellitus or complications associated with diabetes mellitus such as diabetic retinopathy, thromboembolism disorders such as deep vein or pulmonary thromboembolism, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), angina, myocardial infarction, cancer, macular degeneration, inflammation, hay fever, atherosclerosis and/or rheumatoid arthritis,
 
wherein in a further embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound comprises at least one peptide for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diabetes mellitus or complications associated with diabetes mellitus such as diabetic retinopathy,
 
wherein in a further embodiment the pharmaceutically active compound comprises at least one human insulin or a human insulin analogue or derivative, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) or an analogue or derivative thereof, or exendin-3 or exendin-4 or an analogue or derivative of exendin-3 or exendin-4.
 
         [0045]    Insulin analogues are for example Gly(A21), Arg(B31), Arg(B32) human insulin; Lys(B3), Glu(B29) human insulin; Lys(B28), Pro(B29) human insulin; Asp(B28) human insulin; human insulin, wherein proline in position B28 is replaced by Asp, Lys, Leu, Val or Ala and wherein in position B29 Lys may be replaced by Pro; Ala(B26) human insulin; Des(B28-B30) human insulin; Des(B27) human insulin and Des(B30) human insulin. 
         [0046]    Insulin derivates are for example B29-N-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-myristoyl human insulin; B29-N-palmitoyl human insulin; B28-N-myristoyl LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B28-N-palmitoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin; B30-N-myristoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B30-N-palmitoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B29-N—(N-palmitoyl-Y-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N—(N-lithocholyl-Y-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin and B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin. 
         [0047]    Exendin-4 for example means Exendin-4(1-39), a peptide of the sequence H-His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser-NH2. 
         [0048]    Exendin-4 derivatives are for example selected from the following list of compounds: 
       H-(Lys)4-des Pro36, des Pro37 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)5-des Pro36, des Pro37 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     des Pro36 Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Met(O)14, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39); or 
     des Pro36 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Met(O)14, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
     des Pro36 [Met(O)14 Trp(O2)25, IsoAsp28] Exendin-4(1-39), 
       [0049]    wherein the group -Lys6-NH2 may be bound to the C-terminus of the Exendin-4 derivative;
 
or an Exendin-4 derivative of the sequence
 
       des Pro36 Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2 (AVE0010), 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, 
     des Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     H-Asn-(Glu)5des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, 
     H-des Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, 
     des Met(O)14 Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-desPro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-Asn-(Glu)5 des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-Lys6-des Pro36 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-Lys6-NH2, 
     H-des Asp28 Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-NH2, 
     des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-(Lys)6-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(S1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2, 
     H-Asn-(Glu)5-des Pro36, Pro37, Pro38 [Met(O)14, Trp(O2)25, Asp28] Exendin-4(1-39)-(Lys)6-NH2; 
       [0050]    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of any one of the afore-mentioned Exendin-4 derivative. 
         [0051]    Hormones are for example hypophysis hormones or hypothalamus hormones or regulatory active peptides and their antagonists as listed in Rote Liste, ed. 2008, Chapter 50, such as Gonadotropine (Follitropin, Lutropin, Choriongonadotropin, Menotropin), Somatropine (Somatropin), Desmopressin, Terlipressin, Gonadorelin, Triptorelin, Leuprorelin, Buserelin, Nafarelin, Goserelin. 
         [0052]    A polysaccharide is for example a glucosaminoglycane, a hyaluronic acid, a heparin, a low molecular weight heparin or an ultra low molecular weight heparin or a derivative thereof, or a sulphated, e.g. a poly-sulphated form of the above-mentioned polysaccharides, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. An example of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a poly-sulphated low molecular weight heparin is enoxaparin sodium. 
         [0053]    Antibodies are globular plasma proteins (˜150 kDa) that are also known as immunoglobulins which share a basic structure. As they have sugar chains added to amino acid residues, they are glycoproteins. The basic functional unit of each antibody is an immunoglobulin (Ig) monomer (containing only one Ig unit); secreted antibodies can also be dimeric with two Ig units as with IgA, tetrameric with four Ig units like teleost fish IgM, or pentameric with five Ig units, like mammalian IgM. 
         [0054]    The Ig monomer is a “Y”-shaped molecule that consists of four polypeptide chains; two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains connected by disulfide bonds between cysteine residues. Each heavy chain is about 440 amino acids long; each light chain is about 220 amino acids long. Heavy and light chains each contain intrachain disulfide bonds which stabilize their folding. Each chain is composed of structural domains called Ig domains. These domains contain about 70-110 amino acids and are classified into different categories (for example, variable or V, and constant or C) according to their size and function. They have a characteristic immunoglobulin fold in which two β sheets create a “sandwich” shape, held together by interactions between conserved cysteines and other charged amino acids. 
         [0055]    There are five types of mammalian Ig heavy chain denoted by α, δ, ε, γ, and μ. The type of heavy chain present defines the isotype of antibody; these chains are found in IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM antibodies, respectively. 
         [0056]    Distinct heavy chains differ in size and composition; α and γ contain approximately 450 amino acids and δ approximately 500 amino acids, while μ and ε have approximately 550 amino acids. Each heavy chain has two regions, the constant region (CH) and the variable region (VH). In one species, the constant region is essentially identical in all antibodies of the same isotype, but differs in antibodies of different isotypes. Heavy chains γ, α and δ have a constant region composed of three tandem Ig domains, and a hinge region for added flexibility; heavy chains μ and ε have a constant region composed of four immunoglobulin domains. The variable region of the heavy chain differs in antibodies produced by different B cells, but is the same for all antibodies produced by a single B cell or B cell clone. The variable region of each heavy chain is approximately 110 amino acids long and is composed of a single Ig domain. 
         [0057]    In mammals, there are two types of immunoglobulin light chain denoted by λ and κ. A light chain has two successive domains: one constant domain (CL) and one variable domain (VL). The approximate length of a light chain is 211 to 217 amino acids. Each antibody contains two light chains that are always identical; only one type of light chain, κ or λ, is present per antibody in mammals. 
         [0058]    Although the general structure of all antibodies is very similar, the unique property of a given antibody is determined by the variable (V) regions, as detailed above. More specifically, variable loops, three each the light (VL) and three on the heavy (VH) chain, are responsible for binding to the antigen, i.e. for its antigen specificity. These loops are referred to as the Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs). Because CDRs from both VH and VL domains contribute to the antigen-binding site, it is the combination of the heavy and the light chains, and not either alone, that determines the final antigen specificity. 
         [0059]    An “antibody fragment” contains at least one antigen binding fragment as defined above, and exhibits essentially the same function and specificity as the complete antibody of which the fragment is derived from. Limited proteolytic digestion with papain cleaves the Ig prototype into three fragments. Two identical amino terminal fragments, each containing one entire L chain and about half an H chain, are the antigen binding fragments (Fab). The third fragment, similar in size but containing the carboxyl terminal half of both heavy chains with their interchain disulfide bond, is the crystalizable fragment (Fc). The Fc contains carbohydrates, complement-binding, and FcR-binding sites. Limited pepsin digestion yields a single F(ab′)2 fragment containing both Fab pieces and the hinge region, including the H—H interchain disulfide bond. F(ab′)2 is divalent for antigen binding. The disulfide bond of F(ab′)2 may be cleaved in order to obtain Fab′. Moreover, the variable regions of the heavy and light chains can be fused together to form a single chain variable fragment (scFv). 
         [0060]    Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are for example acid addition salts and basic salts. Acid addition salts are e.g. HCl or HBr salts. Basic salts are e.g. salts having a cation selected from alkali or alkaline, e.g. Na+, or K+, or Ca2+, or an ammonium ion N+(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4), wherein R1 to R4 independently of each other mean: hydrogen, an optionally substituted C1-C6-alkyl group, an optionally substituted C2-C6-alkenyl group, an optionally substituted C6-C10-aryl group, or an optionally substituted C6-C10-heteroaryl group. Further examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described in “Remington&#39;s Pharmaceutical Sciences” 17. ed. Alfonso R. Gennaro (Ed.), Mark Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., U.S.A., 1985 and in Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology. 
         [0061]    Pharmaceutically acceptable solvates are for example hydrates. 
         [0062]    It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, it is to be noted, that any reference numerals used in the appended claims are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0063]    In the following, a brief description of the drawings is provided, in which: 
           [0064]      FIG. 1  shows a simplified and schematic exploded view of a drug delivery device, 
           [0065]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the connector assembly, 
           [0066]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective illustration of the connector assembly in locking configuration, 
           [0067]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the connector assembly according to  FIG. 3 , 
           [0068]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the connector assembly in the release configuration, 
           [0069]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the connector assembly according to  FIG. 5 , 
           [0070]      FIG. 7  shows the connector assembly during axial removal of the cartridge holder from the connector assembly and 
           [0071]      FIG. 8  schematically indicates an alternative embodiment of the connector assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0072]    The drug delivery device  5  as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  is of pen injector-type. It comprises a housing  10  having a proximal portion denoted as body  12  and further having a distal portion denoted as cartridge holder  14 . In addition the housing  10  further comprises a protective cap  11  to cover the cartridge holder  14  when the drug delivery device  5  is not in use. As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the cartridge holder  14 , hence the distal end of the drug delivery device  5  features a threaded socket to threadedly engage with a standardized piercing or injection assembly having a double-tipped needle. 
         [0073]    Inside the cartridge holder  14  there is arranged a cartridge  16 . The cartridge holder  14  comprises a window  15  to allow visual inspection of the cartridge located therein. Typical cartridges  16  comprise a vitreous barrel of tubular shape. In distal direction  1 , hence at a distal end the cartridge  16  comprises a pierceable seal to be penetrated by the piercing assembly (not illustrated). Towards the proximal end the cartridge  16  is typically sealed by a piston which is displaceable in distal direction  1  under the effect of an advancing piston rod  18 . In this way, a well-defined amount of medicament can be dispensed and expelled from the cartridge  16  on request. The drive mechanism  13  located in the body  12  typically features a dose setting and a dose dispensing mechanism. 
         [0074]    At a proximal end of the body  12  there is provided a dose selector  19 , which may be rotatable either clockwise or counter-clockwise to set a dose, i.e. to increase or to decrease a dose to be dispensed. In addition there is provided an actuation button  17  at the proximal end of the body. By depressing the actuation button  17  in distal direction an injection procedure may be triggered or executed, thereby advancing the piston rod  18  in distal direction  1  so as to expel a previously set dose of the medicament from the cartridge  16 . The proximal direction  2  is facing away from the injection and distal end of the drug delivery device  5 . Once the medicament contained in the cartridge  16  has been used up or if for some other reason the cartridge  16  has to be replaced disassembly of the housing  10  becomes necessary. For this, cartridge holder  14  and body  12  are interconnected by means of a connector assembly  20  which is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2-8 . 
         [0075]    The connector assembly  20  comprises a tangentially extending recessed structure  30  with a tangential opening  31  as shown in  FIG. 5  that is designed to receive a radially extending pin  26 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 2-7  the tangentially extending recessed structure  30  belongs to a locking member  32  which is rotatably or pivotally attached to the body  12  and which is rotatable with respect to the longitudinal axis  4  as indicated in  FIG. 4 . The connector assembly  20  further comprises a release member  40  having a retaining portion  42  to cover, to close or to obstruct the opening  31  of the recessed structure  30  in a locking configuration which is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . At least the release member  40  is rotatable or pivotable against a restoring force provided by return springs  44  in circumferential or tangential direction so as to separate from the recessed structure  30  and from the opening  31  in tangential direction and to allow removal of the pin  26  from the opening  31  and hence from the recessed structure  30 . 
         [0076]    The connector assembly  20  further comprises at least one pin  26  which is fastened to the outside-facing sidewall of the cartridge holder  14 . In particular, the pin  26  may be integrally formed with the cartridge holder  14 . 
         [0077]    Even though the embodiment according to  FIGS. 2-7  shows an arrangement with release member  40  and locking member  32  attached to the body and with pins  26  integrated into the cartridge holder  14  there are also other embodiments conceivable, where the pins  26  are located on the body  20  and wherein release member  40  and/or locking member  32  are rotatably supported on or in the cartridge holder  14 . 
         [0078]    Both, the release member  40  as well as the locking member  32  comprise a ring structure  43 ,  33 , respectively. As becomes apparent from  FIG. 2 , the locking member  32  is axially constrained or axially sandwiched between a bearing surface  21  of the body and the ring structure  43  of the release member  40 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6  the release member  40 , in particular its ring structure  43 , comprises a radially inwardly extending flange portion  48  to radially overlap with the ring structure  33  of the locking member  32 . Additionally, the release member  40  is axially fixed to the body  12 , by some kind of fixing mechanism that serves to axially fix the release member  40  to the body  12  but which still supports and allows a rotation of the release member  40  relative to the body  12 . In this way, also the locking member  32  is axially constrained or axially fixed to the body  12  but is free to rotate with regard to the longitudinal axis  4 . 
         [0079]    Release member  40  and locking member  32  are further engaged or coupled by means of two return springs  44 , which are arranged geometrically opposite with respect to each other on and along the circumference of ring structures  33 ,  43  of the locking member  32  and the release member  40 . The recessed structure  30  extends axially from the locking member&#39;s  32  ring structure  33 . In the present embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2  the recessed structure projects in distal direction from the circumference of the ring structure  33 . A back face or backside  38  of the recessed structure  30  facing away from the tangentially directed opening  31  of the recessed structure may engage and abut with one end of a return spring  44  while an opposite end of the return spring  44  abuts with a front face  49  of a retaining portion  42  also extending in distal direction from the ring structure  43  of the release member  40 . 
         [0080]    In this way, the release member  40  and the locking member  32  are engaged and biased by the compressive return spring  44 . As shown in the various  FIGS. 2-7  the release member  40  comprises two geometrically opposed retaining portions  42  while the locking member  32  comprises two symmetrically-shaped and geometrically opposed recessed structures  30 . As indicated in  FIG. 4  opposite ends of the two return springs  44  engage and abut with tangentially or circumferentially neighboring back faces  38  and front faces  49  of recessed structures  30  and retaining portions  42  of locking members  32  and release members  40 , respectively. 
         [0081]    As seen from the front and when looking in proximal direction as indicated in  FIG. 4 , the release member  40  is rotatable counter-clockwise in a tangential direction  3  against the action of the return springs  44  while the locking member  32  is rotatable or pivotable with regards to the longitudinal axis  4  in a clockwise direction against the action of the return springs  44 . 
         [0082]    The action of the return springs  44  is counteracted or counterbalanced by means of radial stops. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  the release member  40  as well as the locking member  32  both comprise at least one radially outwardly extending stop to engage with a corresponding radial stop of the body. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the body comprises a radial stop  24  to abut with a correspondingly-shaped and radially outwardly extending radial stop  35  of the locking member  32 . The radially outwardly extending radial stop  35  extends at a distal end of the recessed structure  30 . Correspondingly, the distal free end of the retaining portion  42  of the release member  40  features a radially outwardly extending stop  45  which abuts and engages with another radial stop  22  of the body  12 . 
         [0083]    In the locking configuration as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the radial stops  35  and  45  of the locking member  32  and the release member  40  are both in direct abutment with corresponding radial stops  24 ,  22  of the housing  12 . The radial stops  22 ,  24  of the body  12  extend in distal direction  1  from a sleeve-shaped distal end of the body  12 . The free ends of the slab-shaped stops  22 ,  24  are interconnected by a ridge portion  23 . In this way the radial stops  22 ,  24  can be mutually stabilized. Between the slab-like stops  22 ,  24  and the bridge portion  23  there is formed a kind of a window, which is shown here for illustration purpose mainly. In other embodiments it is conceivable, that the two radial stops  22 ,  24  are just provided by opposite ends of a closed shaped distally extending body portion. 
         [0084]    In the locking configuration as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  the two return springs  44  serve to keep the radial stops  35 ,  45  in abutment with corresponding radial stops  24 ,  22  of the body  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pin  26  of the cartridge holder  14  is located and constrained in and by the recessed structure  30 . Since the recessed structure  30  as well as the release member  40  are axially fixed to the body  12  the pins  26  of the cartridge holder and hence the cartridge  14  itself is axially fixed to the body  12 . 
         [0085]    As becomes further apparent from  FIG. 3 , the return springs  44  are circumferentially or tangentially guided by a rim  47  extending along the inside-facing sidewall portion of the body  12  and extending in distal direction from the radially inwardly directed flange portion  48  of the release member&#39;s  40  ring structure  43 . 
         [0086]    For transferring the connector assembly  20  from the locking configuration  60  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  into the release configuration  62  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cartridge holder  14  is to be rotated in tangential direction  3  counter-clockwise relative to the body  12 . Due to this rotation the radially outwardly extending pins  26  transfer a respective counter-clockwise torque to the distally and axially extending retaining portions  42  of the release member  40 . At the same time the pins  26  are tangentially removed from the recessed structure  30  and tangentially pass by an end portion  39  thereof. Due to the engagement of the radial stops  35  with the radial stops  24  the locking member  32  is unable to follow the tangential displacement of the pins  26 . When reaching a configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , wherein the pins have completely left the recessed structure  30 , the cartridge holder  14  can be removed from the body  12  simply by tearing the cartridge holder  14  in distal direction relative to the body  12 . 
         [0087]    For reconnecting cartridge holder  14  and body  12  it is simply required to introduce the proximal end of the cartridge holder  14  into the cylindrical receptacle provided at the distal end of the body  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5  the distal free end of the recessed structure  30 , hence a distal end of the locking member  32  comprises a beveled edge  36 . When the radially outwardly extending pins  26  of the cartridge holder  14  hit or engage the beveled edges  33  of the geometrically oppositely located recessed structures  30  of the locking member  32  a clockwise directed torque will be present on the locking member  32 . 
         [0088]    Assuming that the cartridge holder  14  is purely axially but non-rotatably guided relative to the body  12  the insertion of the cartridge holder  14  in proximal direction into the body  12  leads to a clockwise evasive movement of the locking member  32  until the pins  26  pass by the end portions  39  of the beveled edges  36 . Since this evasive movement acts against the action of the return springs  44  the locking member  32  will return into the locking configuration  60  under the effect of the return springs  44  when the pins have axially passed by the tipped end portion  39  of the beveled edges  36 . 
         [0089]    Connecting or reconnecting of cartridge holder  14  and body  12  only requires to stick the cartridge holder  14  into the body in longitudinal direction. Releasing and disconnecting of cartridge holder  14  from the body  12  requires a tangential rotation of the cartridge holder  14  relative to the body  12  and a subsequent withdrawal of the cartridge holder  14  in distal direction from the body  12 . 
         [0090]    In  FIG. 8  another embodiment is illustrated, wherein the recessed structure  30  may be integrally formed with the body  12  while the release member  40  is the only displaceable component engaged with a return spring  44 . In contrast to the embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-7  it is here the release member  40 , which comprises a beveled edge  46  at a distal end towards the recessed structure  30 . For inserting the pin  26  into the recessed structure  30 , the pin  26  is equally urged in proximal direction  2  so as to induce an evasive movement of the release member&#39;s  40  retaining portion  42  away from the recessed structure  30 . When having axially passed the beveled edge  46 , the interior of the recessed structure  30  becomes accessible for the pin  26  in order to receive the same in a way as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Since the pin  26  enters the recessed structure  30  in tangential direction  3  the release member  40  may then return into its locking configuration  60  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0091]    The disconnecting of the embodiment according to  FIG. 8  is almost equal to the disconnecting mechanism of the embodiment as described in connection with  FIGS. 2-7 . 
       REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  distal direction 
           2  proximal direction 
           3  tangential direction 
           4  longitudinal axis 
           5  drug delivery device 
           10  housing 
           11  cap 
           12  body 
           13  drive mechanism 
           14  cartridge holder 
           15  window 
           16  cartridge 
           17  actuation button 
           18  piston rod 
           19  dose selector 
           20  connector assembly 
           21  bearing surface 
           22  radial stop 
           23  bridge portion 
           24  radial stop 
           26  pin 
           30  recessed structure 
           31  opening 
           32  locking member 
           33  ring structure 
           35  radial stop 
           36  beveled edge 
           38  back face 
           39  end portion 
           40  release member 
           42  retaining portion 
           43  ring structure 
           44  return spring 
           45  radial stop 
           46  beveled edge 
           47  rim 
           48  flange portion 
           49  front face 
           60  locking configuration 
           62  release configuration