An insulated, epinephrine auto-injector case that also includes a rapid-opening cap, two spring-loaded chambers, each with a rapid-opening cap to facilitate immediate and easy availability of the auto-injector for grasping by the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application 61/660,760, filed Jun. 17, 2012, and which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates generally to cases for medication delivery devices such as auto-injectors used for injection of epinephrine.

BACKGROUND

Cases for medication delivery devices such as auto-injectors used for injection of epinephrine are well-known. However, no known conventional epinephrine auto-injector case provides an insulated chamber that protects the epinephrine from degradation by extreme or prolonged temperature variance from ambient temperature. Also, no known conventional epinephrine auto-injector case provides a spring-loaded, internal container or chamber that forces the contained auto-ejector immediately upon opening an internal, rapid-release cap. Also, no known epinephrine auto-injector case provides for sensing and recording the temperature inside of the case to provide information on degradation or loss of effectiveness of the encased epinephrine due to prolonged storage in high temperature environments.

SUMMARY

The auto-injector cases according to the present invention overcome the drawbacks of known auto-injector cases by providing a spring-loaded and/or insulated chambers for two injectors to facilitate rapid availability of each injector for grasping by the user, and a pop-open cap to provide secure containment of each injector within an insulated, protective case. Preferably the cap is of a design that provides for rapid access to the injector, and preferably the case is sized and configured to house two injectors, although it may also be adapted for a single injector. In another preferred embodiment a temperature measuring device or strip of material is included on the interior of the case to monitor and record the temperature inside of the case so that the user can be informed if the injector has been heated to a degree that renders its epinephrine of reduced effectiveness or ineffective.

Several embodiments, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

Reference symbols or names are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein. Reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicate like components, aspects or features shown therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1-4preferred embodiments of cases for auto-injectors are described. Case20preferably is sized and adapted to hold two EpiPen® brand epinephrine auto-injectors in a side-by-side relationship. The case20has a main body22, a tapered bottom part24, and a rapid-open top cap26with a tab28.

Interior containers, or alternatively, cavities30,32are formed inside of the case20. Insulation34surrounds the cavities30,32as shown inFIG. 3and functions to maintain the temperature of the epinephrine at room temperature for a reasonable time in elevated temperature environments. The insulation material is preferably foam insulation, such as closed cell polyurethane foam. Other materials may be used so long as it accomplishes the objective of preventing the epinephrine to be rendered useless due to elevated temperatures.

With reference toFIG. 3two EpiPen® brand epinephrine auto-injectors36,38are shown in side-by-side relationship. As shown in FIGS. and3each of the containers36,38have a top cap40,42. The top caps40,42fit within shallow cavities44,46in the body of case top cap26. Each of the caps40,42for the individual containers also have rapid opening caps and cap tabs56,58. As shown inFIG. 2the case top cap26has double, flexible hinges48,50that join the top cap26to the back side of the body22. The individual caps40,42preferably have flexible hinges, of the same type as hinges48,50. Cavities44,46are preferably formed in insulation52, which in turn is positioned in top cap26.

A conventional temperature measuring strip54is placed inside of the case, preferably on the underside of the top cap26and on the insulation52. The temperature measuring strip functions to monitor the temperature inside of the case, which approximates the temperature of the encased epinephrine. Preferably the strip54is of the type that provides an indication of the highest temperature reached inside of the case, thus providing an indication on whether the epinephrine has been heated to a temperature high enough to render the epinephrine ineffective. In an alternate embodiment, single use strips are used so that a replacement strip is placed in the case upon replacement of the auto-injector.

Each individual container36,38has a spring loaded bottom flange60,62. Springs64,66are anchored to container bottom plates68,70. The springs64,66function to cause the encased injector36or38to pop up immediately upon opening the cap26and facilitate grasping of either injector36or38by the user when in urgent need of an epinephrine injection.

The case22is preferably made of a hard material, of a predetermined thickness and its outer surface72(FIGS. 3 and 4) of a reflective material. In one alternate embodiment the back side of the case20has a belt clip. Other alternate embodiments could include loops for a shoulder strap, or other type of mounting or carrying structures such as clips, Velcro® brand fasteners.

The case housing is sized to include conventional insulation material outside of the auto-injector cavities and inside of the housing. Preferred insulation would be foam insulation, such as closed cell polyurethane foam. The volume of the space inside of the housing for the insulation in combination with the specific insulation capability of the chosen insulation material is sufficient to prevent over-heating of the contained epinephrine for sustained periods of high ambient temperatures, such as would be experienced inside of a glove compartment in an automobile during the summer in a warm climate. The amount or volume of insulation material preferably should be sufficient to maintain the encased auto-injector(s) at room temperature, that is about 65-75° F. during the daytime when the case is exposed to the sun, or in the glove compartment of a car or truck. The case20is made of, preferably, a hard, durable material such as ABS plastic to withstand dropping and other blunt force contacts.

Caps40,42are of any conventional design, such as the type of pop-top or snap-open caps that are provided on conventional EpiPen® brand epinephrine auto-injectors.

During use an EpiPen® brand epinephrine auto-injector is placed in each of the cavities or internal containers30,32and pressed downward to move the plates60,62downward and compress the springs64,66against the bottoms or plates68,70. External cap26is then closed over the two internal caps40,42. The injector-loaded case may then be carried by a user or stored in a convenient place such as a backpack, glove compartment, etc. When a need arises, such as the onset of an allergic reaction, the user can quickly open outer cap26, and quickly retrieve one of the injectors. Upon opening top cap26, the contained auto-injectors will pop out as the spring64or66uncoils and will present the injectors for easy grasping by the user. The user then opens the auto-injector cap and uses the auto-injector in accordance with it's and the user's doctor's instructions.

After loading and until use, the case protects the auto-injectors from physical damage and also protects the epinephrine from degradation due to heat or cold.

Conventional cases for EpiPen® brand epinephrine auto-injectors are known and one embodiment is shown inFIG. 5. Such cases are made of a hard plastic and are not insulated. Each case typically has a rapid opening (pop-top) cap.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, various modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the invention.