Handle for a medicinal pen

According to one embodiment, a handle includes a frame and a connection surface coupled to the frame. The connection surface is configured to grasp a rotary dial of a medicinal pen. The handle further includes a cap rotatingly coupled to the frame. The cap is configured to rotate with respect to the frame.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to the field of medicine and more specifically to a handle for a medicinal pen.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, a person has used a medicinal pen to inject medicine (such as insulin) into their body. To do so, traditional medicinal pens include a rotary dial that the person may rotate to select an amount of medicine to inject into their body. Furthermore, this rotary dial may be depressed (or otherwise pushed down on) to inject the medicine into the person's body. Such traditional medicinal pens, however, may be deficient.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a handle includes a frame and a connection surface coupled to the frame. The connection surface is configured to grasp a rotary dial of a medicinal pen. The handle further includes a cap rotatingly coupled to the frame. The cap is configured to rotate with respect to the frame.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may provide one or more technical advantages. For example, the connection surface of the handle may grasp a rotary dial of the medicinal pen. As such, the handle may be inserted onto (and/or over) the rotary dial of the medicinal pen, and the frame may be used to rotate the rotary dial of the medicinal pen. In such an example, the larger diameter of the frame (in comparison to the smaller diameter of the rotary dial) may make rotating the rotary dial easier, for example. As another example, the size and/or shape of an opening of the connection surface (and/or the material that the connection surface is made of) may allow the handle to be inserted onto the rotary dial of many different types of medicinal pens. In such an example, a person may be able to use the handle with any type of medicinal pen, as opposed to only being able to use it with one type of medicinal pen. As a further example, when the handle is inserted onto the rotary dial, the cap may be used to depress the rotary dial in order to inject the medicine. In such an example, the larger diameter of the cap (in comparison to the smaller diameter of the rotary dial) may make depressing the rotary dial easier, for example, by increasing the surface area available for depression. This may allow a user to use several fingers (or even their palm) to depress the rotary dial, as opposed to just one finger as current medicinal pens may require. As another example, the cap may rotate with respect to the frame and the connection surface. In such an example, a person may be able to more easily use the handle with a medicinal pen that has a rotary dial that rotates when depressed.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include none, some, or all of the above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are best understood by referring toFIGS. 1-6of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

As is discussed above, traditional medicinal pens may be deficient. For example, some people may have difficulty rotating and/or depressing the rotary dial due to, for example, arthritis, tremors, hand deformities, difficulty in the articulation of their hands or fingers, other ailments, and/or due to having smaller (or less strong) hands or fingers (e.g., children may have smaller or less strong hands or fingers). To assist such people, some medicinal pen manufacturers may manufacture a cap that may be attached to the rotary dial. Unfortunately, such a cap may only work with a particular medicinal pen. Therefore, when a person has two different medicinal pens, the cap may only work on one of the medicinal pens because the rotary dial of each medicinal pen may have a different shape, size, and/or manner of functioning. Contrary to such typical deficiencies, the handle22ofFIGS. 1A-5may provide one or more advantages, as are discussed below.

FIGS. 1A-1Cillustrate an example handle22that may be used with a medicinal pen10. In particular,FIG. 1Aillustrates a perspective view of an example handle22positioned above a medicinal pen10;FIG. 1Billustrates a cross-sectional view of a rotary dial14of a medicinal pen10inserted into an example handle22; andFIG. 1Cillustrates an exploded perspective view of an example handle22.

As illustrated, the handle22includes a frame26, a connection surface46coupled to the frame26, and a cap78rotatingly coupled to the frame26. The connection surface46may grasp a rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. For example, the connection surface46may include an opening50that may receive the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, and that may be sized to grasp and hold the rotary dial14. As such, the handle22may be inserted onto the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, and the frame26may be used to rotate the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. In such an example, the larger diameter of the frame26(in comparison to the smaller diameter of the rotary dial14) may make rotating the rotary dial14easier, for example. Additionally, the size and/or shape of the opening50of the connection surface46(and/or the material that the connection surface46is made of) may allow the handle22to be inserted onto the rotary dial14of many different types of medicinal pens10. In such an example, a person may be able to use the handle22with any type of medicinal pen10, as opposed to only being able to use it with one type of medicinal pen10. Furthermore, when the handle22is inserted onto the rotary dial14, the cap78may be used to depress the rotary dial14in order to inject the medicine. In such an example, the larger diameter of the cap78(in comparison to the smaller diameter of the rotary dial14) may make depressing the rotary dial14easier, for example, by increasing the surface area available for depression. This may allow a user to use several fingers (or even their palm) to depress the rotary dial14, as opposed to just one finger as current medicinal pens may require. As another example, the cap may rotate with respect to the frame and the connection surface. In such an example, a person may be able to more easily use the handle with a medicinal pen that has a rotary dial that rotates when depressed.

The medicinal pen10may be any pen-like instrument that may be used to inject medicine (or any other pharmaceutical or nutraceutical product) into a body. For example, the medicinal pen10may be an insulin pen used to inject insulin into a body, a pain killer pen used to inject a pain killer (such as morphine) into a body, an epinephrine pen used to inject epinephrine into a body, a growth hormone pen used to inject a growth hormone into a body, any other pen-like instrument that may be used to inject any other type of medicine (or any other pharmaceutical or nutraceutical product) into a body, or any combination of the preceding. As is illustrated, the medicinal pen10is an insulin pen used to inject insulin into a body. Example insulin pens include the Novo Nordisk Flextouch, the Novo Nordisk Flex pen, the Sanofi-Aventis Solostar, and the Lilly Kwikpen. The medicinal pen10may be used to inject insulin (or any other medicine or pharmaceutical or nutraceutical product) into any type of body, such as the body of a person, an animal, or any other type of body. The medicinal pen10may be also used to inject insulin (or any other medicine or pharmaceutical or nutraceutical product) into any portion of a body, such as a leg, an arm, a shoulder, or any other portion of a body.

The medicinal pen10includes a rotary dial14and an injection port18. The rotary dial14may be any device that may be rotated in order to select an amount of medicine to be injected using the medicinal pen10. For example, the rotary dial14may be a dial, a button, a lever, any other device that may be rotated in order to select an amount of medicine to be injected using the medicinal pen10, or any combination of the preceding. The rotary dial14may be rotated in order to select an amount of units of medicine to be injected using the medicinal pen10. In such an example, the further the rotary dial14is rotated, the more units of medicine are selected (e.g., rotating the rotary dial14two clicks clockwise selects two units of medicine, while rotating the rotary dial14three clicks clockwise selects three units of medicine). The rotary dial14may be rotated in any direction in order to select an amount of units of medicine to be injected. For example, the rotary dial14may be rotated clockwise to increase the amount of medicine to be injected and counter-clockwise to decrease the amount of medicine to be injected.

The rotary dial14may further be depressed (or otherwise pushed down on) in order to cause the medicine to be injected. The rotary dial14may be depressed in any manner. For example, a person may use a finger (such as a thumb) to apply force on the rotary dial14. The depression of the rotary dial14may be the result of a downward force. As another example, depending on the orientation of the medicinal pen10, the depression of the rotary dial14may be the result of an upward force, a sideways force, or any other force that may cause the rotary dial14to be depressed (or otherwise pushed down on). To inject the medicine, the rotary dial14may be connected to, for example, a plunger that may inject the medicine (such an insulin) out of the medicinal pen10and into the body through the injection port18.

The rotary dial14may have any shape. For example, the rotary dial14may have an outer boundary shaped as a circle, an octagon, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, a pentagon, a hexagon, a cylinder, a stadium, an irregular shape, any other shape, or any combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the rotary dial14is shaped as a circle. The shape of the rotary dial14may further include one or more indentations or protrusions that may assist a person in gripping the rotary dial14. The rotary dial14may also have any size. For example, the rotary dial14may have an outer diameter of 12 millimeters (mm), 14 mm, 16 mm, 18 mm, or any other size. The rotary dial14may further be positioned at any location on the medicinal pen10. For example, the rotary dial14may be positioned on the top of the medicinal pen10, a side portion of the medicinal pen10, or any other location on the medicinal pen10. As illustrated, the rotary dial14is positioned on the top of the medicinal pen10. Additionally, contrary to the many different sizes, shapes, and/or positions of the rotary dials14of medicinal pens10, the handle22may be used with each of the medicinal pens10, for example.

The rotary dial14may function in any manner to allow the user to select an amount of medicine to inject into their body, and may further function in any manner to allow the user to inject that amount of medicine. Furthermore, different medicinal pens10may have rotary dials14that function in different ways. For example, the Sanofi-Aventis Solostar medicinal pen10may include a rotary dial14that moves upward (or distally) in relation to the injection needle when the rotary dial14is rotated to select an amount of medicine. Furthermore, when the rotary dial14of this medicinal pen10is depressed (or otherwise pushed down on) to inject the medicine, the rotary dial14may both rotate (in the opposite direction used to select an amount of medicine) and move downward (or proximal) in relation to the injection needle. As another example, the Novo Nordisk Flextouch medicinal pen10may include a rotary dial14that is rotated to select an amount of medicine, but does not rotate when the rotary dial14is depressed (or otherwise pushed down on) to inject the medicine (unlike the Sanofi-Aventis Solostar medicinal pen10discussed above). Contrary to the many different manners in which the rotary dial14of the medicinal pens10function, the handle22may be used with each of the medicinal pens10, for example.

The medicinal pen10further includes an injection port18. The injection port18may be any port-like device for injecting medicine into a body. For example, the injection port18may be a needle, a needleless injection port, a nozzle, tubing, any other port-like device for injecting medicine into a body, or any combination of the preceding. The injection port18may have any size and/or shape. Furthermore, the injection port18may be positioned at any location on the medicinal pen10.

FIGS. 1A-1Cfurther illustrate a handle22that may be used with the medicinal pen10. For example, the handle22may be inserted onto the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, allowing the handle22to be used to assist a user in rotating the rotary dial14(e.g., to select an amount of medicine) and to further assist the user in depressing the rotary dial14(e.g., to inject the amount of medicine).

As illustrated, the handle22includes a frame26, a connection surface46coupled to the frame26, and a cap78rotatingly coupled to the frame26. The frame26may be any structure that may be used to rotate the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. For example, the frame26may be a base structure that may be coupled to the rotary dial14(as is discussed below), and that may have a diameter or surface area greater than the diameter or surface area of the rotary dial14. As such, due to the increased diameter or surface area, a user may be able to more easily grasp the frame26(in comparison to the rotary dial14) and rotate the frame26(to rotate the rotary dial14).

The frame26may have any shape. For example, the frame26may have an outer boundary shaped as a circle, an octagon, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, a pentagon, a hexagon, a cylinder, a stadium, an irregular shape, any other shape, or any combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the frame26has an outer boundary shaped as a circle. The shape of the frame26may further include one or more protrusions30that may extend from the shape of the frame26. The protrusions30may assist a user in grasping the frame26. For example, the protrusions30may create ridges that may increase the frictional forces of the outer boundary of the frame26. These ridges may make the outer boundary of the frame26less slippery (and therefore easier to grasp).

The shape of the frame26may further include a lip34(shown inFIG. 1C) that extends upward from a bottom portion36of the frame26. The lip34may define the outer boundary of the frame26. Furthermore, the lip34may further define a containment area that may allow one or more features (such as the connection surface46and a cap78) to be coupled to the frame26. The frame26may also include an opening38(shown inFIG. 1C). The opening38may be any opening (or hole) that may allow the frame26to be inserted onto (or coupled to) the rotary dial14of a medicinal pen10. As is illustrated inFIG. 1B, the rotary dial14may be inserted through the opening38so as to extend above the bottom portion36of the frame26. The opening38may have any shape and/or size that may allow the handle10to receive the rotary dial14through the opening38. As is illustrated, the opening38is shaped as a circle. The opening38may have a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, thereby allowing the rotary dial14to fit within the diameter of the opening38. Additionally, the components of the handle10(including, for example, the frame26, the connection surface46, the locking surface58, and the cap78), when assembled, may create a cylindrical cavity inside of the handle10that may receive the rotary dial14, or a portion thereof, when the rotary dial14is inserted into the handle10.

The frame26may be any size that may assist a user in rotating a rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. For example, the frame26may have an outer diameter42that is larger than an outer diameter of the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. This larger outer diameter42of the frame26may allow the user (such as a user with arthritis) to more easily grasp the outer circumference (or boundary) of the frame26(in comparison to the smaller outer circumference of rotary dial14).

The outer diameter42of the frame26may be any size larger than an outer diameter of the rotary dial14. For example, if the outer diameter of the rotary dial14is 16 mm, the outer diameter42of the frame26may be any size greater than 16 mm. Example sizes of the outer diameter42of the frame26may include 40 mm, 45 mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, 80 mm, approximately (i.e., +/−5 mm) 40 mm, approximately 45 mm, approximately 50 mm, approximately 55 mm, approximately 60 mm, approximately 65 mm, approximately 70 mm, approximately 75 mm, approximately 80 mm, or any other size that may assist a user in rotating the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. As another example, the size of the outer diameter42of the frame26may be within a range of 40 mm-80 mm, 50 mm-80 mm, 50 mm-70 mm, 50 mm-65 mm, 60 mm-65 mm, or any other range that may assist a user in rotating the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. As a further example, the size of the outer diameter42of the frame26may be larger than or equal to 2 times the size of the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, 3 times the size of the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, 4 times the size of the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, 5 times the size of the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, 6 times the size of the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, or any other amount larger than the size of the outer diameter of the rotary dial14.

As another example, the size of the outer diameter42of the frame26may be different depending on the type of user the handle22is intended to be used by. For example, the size of the outer diameter42of the frame26may be different depending on whether the user is an adult person or a child, or whether the user is male or female. In such an example, the outer diameter42of the frame26may be larger if it is intended to be used by an adult, and smaller if it is intended to be used by a child.

As a result of having a larger outer diameter42, the frame26may also have a larger surface area than the surface area of the rotary dial14. For example, the frame26may have a surface area that larger than or equal to 3 times the size of the surface area of the rotary dial14, 4 times the size of the surface area of the rotary dial14, 6 times the size of the surface area of the rotary dial14, 10 times the size of the surface area of the rotary dial14, 15 times the size of the surface area of the rotary dial14, 20 times the size of the surface area of the rotary dial14, or any other amount larger than the size of the surface area of the rotary dial14.

The frame26may be made of (or otherwise constructed of) any material that may allow a user to rotate the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. For example, the frame26may be made of a metal (such as steel or aluminum), a rigid rubber or elastomer, a plastic or polymer (such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acetyl, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), any other material that may allow a user to rotate the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, or any combination of the preceding. As is illustrated, the frame26is made of polypropylene.

As illustrated, the handle22further includes a connection surface46coupled to the frame26. The connection surface46may grasp the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. Such a grasping of the rotary dial14may refer to the connection surface46being able to hold the rotary dial14, so that when the connection surface46is rotated (with the frame26), the hold causes the rotary dial14to also rotate. Such a grasp may cause the rotary dial14to rotate the same amount of rotation as the connection surface46(and frame26). Alternatively, such a grasp may cause the rotary dial14to rotate a slightly less amount of rotation than the connection surface46and frame26(e.g., each 360° turn of the connection surface46and frame26causes a 350° turn of the rotary dial14), or to rotate a slightly more amount of rotation than the connection surface46and frame26(e.g., each 360° turn of the connection surface46and frame26causes a 370° turn of the rotary dial14). In addition to grasping the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, the connection surface46may further be removable from the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. As such, the connection surface46(and the handle22) may be removed from the rotary dial14, and the connection surface46may be used to grasp a different rotary dial14of a different medicinal pen10. Therefore, the handle22may be more easily used with different medicinal pens10and/or may be more easily added to and removed from the same medicinal pen10(e.g., it may be reusable with the same or different medicinal pens10).

The connection surface46may be any structure that may grasp the rotary dial of the medicinal pen10. For example, the connection surface46may be a washer, a solid disc with a cutout portion for grasping the rotary dial14, a ring, a clamping (or clasping) device for grasping the rotary dial14, any other structure that may grasp the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, or any combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the connection surface46is a washer (such as an elastomer washer) that may grasp the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10.

The connection surface46may grasp the rotary dial14in any manner. For example, the connection surface46may have two or more clamping (or clasping) arms that may be closed against the outer boundary of the rotary dial14. This closure of the clamping arms may apply pressure to the rotary dial14, and result in the rotary dial14being grasped by the connection surface46. As a further example, the connection surface46may have one or more protrusions that may be inserted into an opening in the rotary dial14(e.g., where the protrusions being inserted into an opening in the rotary dial14is similar to a key being inserted into a respective lock). As another example, and as is illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1C, the connection surface46may include an opening50(shown inFIG. 1C) that is sized and/or shaped to grasp the rotary dial14. In such an example, the rotary dial14may be inserted into the opening50, causing the opening50to provide a friction-based hold (and/or a pressure-based hold) of the rotary dial14. Therefore, as the frame26and the connection surface46is rotated, the hold on the rotary dial14may cause the rotary dial14to also rotate.

The opening50may have any size for grasping the rotary dial14. For example, the opening50may have an inner diameter54that is smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14. Such a smaller inner diameter54may cause the connection surface46to apply pressure and/or friction to the outer boundary of the rotary dial14when the rotary dial14is inserted into the opening50, thereby grasping the rotary dial14. Furthermore, in addition to being sized to grasp the rotary dial14, the inner diameter54of the opening50may further be sized so that the connection surface46(and the handle22) may be easily removed from the rotary dial14(but not too easily removed, as that may cause the connection surface46to accidentally fall off of the rotary dial14).

The inner diameter54of the opening50may be smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14by any amount that allows the connection surface46to grasp the rotary dial14, and that further allows the connection surface46to be easily removed from the rotary dial14. As an example, the inner diameter54may be 0.5 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, 1 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, 1.5 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, 2.0 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, approximately (i.e., +/−0.5 mm) 0.5 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, approximately 1.0 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, approximately 1.5 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, approximately 2.0 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14, or any other size smaller than the outer diameter of the rotary dial14.

The opening50may have any shape for grasping the rotary dial14. For example, the opening50may be shaped as a circle, an octagon, a square, a triangle, an oval, a pentagon, a hexagon, an irregular shape, any other shape, or any combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the opening50is shaped as a circle.

The connection surface46may have any shape. For example, the connection surface46may have an outer boundary that is shaped as a circle, an octagon, a square, a triangle, an oval, a pentagon, a hexagon, an irregular shape, any other shape, or any combination of the preceding. As is illustrated, the connection surface46has an outer boundary that is shaped as a circle. Furthermore, the connection surface46may have an opening50, as is discussed above.

The connection surface46may be coupled to the frame26. For example, as is illustrated, the connection surface46may be coupled to the frame26so as to be coaxial with the frame26.

The coupling of the connection surface46to the frame26may prevent the connection surface46from rotating with respect to the frame26. As such, when the frame26is rotated, the connection surface46(and the rotary dial14being grasped by the connection surface46) is rotated the same (or nearly the same) amount of rotation. The connection surface46may be coupled to the frame26in any manner that may prevent the connection surface46from rotating with respect to the frame26. For example, the connection surface46may be coupled to the frame26by an adhesive, a locking structure58(as is discussed below), a welding, one or more screws, one or more nuts and bolts, one or more clips, one or more rivets, any other means of coupling that may prevent the connection surface46from rotating with respect to the frame26, or any combination of the preceding. As another example, the connection surface46may be formed integral with the frame26. As is illustrated, the connection surface46is coupled to the frame26by the locking surface58.

The connection surface46may be coupled to any portion of the frame26. For example, the connection surface46may be coupled to an inside surface of the bottom portion36of the frame26, an outside surface of the bottom portion36of the frame26, or any other portion of the frame26. As is illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 1C, the connection surface46is coupled to the inside surface of the bottom portion of the frame26.

The connection surface46may be made of (or otherwise constructed of) any material that may allow the connection surface46to grasp the rotary dial14. For example, the connection surface46may be made of an elastomer material. This elastomer material may be flexible, so that is stretches when the rotary dial14is inserted into the opening50of the connection surface46. As such, the elastomer material may assist the connection surface46in grasping the rotary dial14, by providing a friction-based hold (and/or a pressure-based hold) of the rotary dial14. The connection surface46may be made of any elastomer material, such as silicone, nitrite rubber (NBR), santoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), any other elastomer, or any combination of the preceding. As another example, the connection surface46may be made of a metal (such as steel or aluminum), a plastic or polymer (such as ABS, acetyl, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PET), any other material that may allow the connection surface46to grasp the rotary dial14, or any combination of the preceding. As is illustrated, the connection surface46is made of silicone.

As illustrated, the handle22further includes the locking surface58. The locking surface58may be any structure that may couple the connection surface46to the frame26. For example, the locking surface58may be a block, a locking wafer, a disc, any other structure that may couple the connection surface46to the frame26, or any combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the locking surface58is a locking wafer. The locking surface58may be positioned so as to be coaxial with the connection surface46and frame26, as is also illustrated.

The locking surface58may couple the connection surface46to the frame26in any manner. For example, the locking surface58may be shaped and/or sized to be locked into one or more locking hooks62(shown inFIG. 1C) positioned on the frame26. In such an example, the connection surface46may be positioned directly on the inside surface of the bottom portion36of the frame26, as is illustrated inFIG. 1C. Furthermore, the locking surface58may be positioned directly on top of the connection surface46(thereby positioning the connection surface46in-between a bottom portion of the locking surface58and an inside surface of the bottom portion of the frame26).

In addition to being positioned directly on top of the connection surface46, the locking surface58may be inserted into the locking hooks62on the frame26. This insertion of the locking surface58into the locking hooks62may be accomplished by positioning the small-diameter portions66of the locking surface58in line with each of the locking hooks62of the frame26. Once this positioning has occurred, the locking surface58may be rotated, for example, clockwise so that the medium-diameter portions70of the locking surface58are positioned underneath the hook portions of each of the locking hooks62. Additionally, the large-diameter portions74of the locking surface58may prevent the locking surface58from being rotated too far clockwise, for example.

The insertion of the locking surface58into the locking hooks62may lock the locking surface58into the frame26(thereby coupling the connection surface46to the frame26). Additionally, this insertion may also cause the locking surface58to compress the connection surface46in-between the frame26and the locking surface58, which may further couple the connection surface46to the frame26.

The locking surface58may have any shape and/or size for coupling the connection surface46to the frame26. For example, as is discussed above, the locking surface58may be shaped to have small-diameter portions66, medium-diameter portions70, and large-diameter portions74to lock the locking surface58into the frame26(thereby coupling the connection surface46to the frame26). Additionally, the shape of the locking surface58may also include an opening (or hole) that may allow the rotary dial14to be inserted through the opening so as to extend above the top surface of the locking surface58. This may allow protrusions86(discussed below) to contact an upper surface of the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10when a user applies force against an outside top surface94of the cap78(as is also discussed below). The opening may have any shape and/or size that may allow the rotary dial14to be inserted into the opening. As is illustrated, the opening in the locking surface58is shaped as a circle.

The locking surface58may be made of (or otherwise constructed of) any material that may allow the locking surface58to couple the connection surface46to the frame26. For example, the locking surface58may be made of a metal (such as steel or aluminum), a rigid rubber or elastomer, a plastic or polymer (such as ABS, acetyl, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PET), any other material that may allow the locking surface58to couple the connection surface46to the frame26, or any combination of the preceding. The locking surface58may be made of the same material as the frame26and/or the connection surface46, or the locking surface58may be made of a different material. As is illustrated, the locking surface58is made of the same material as the frame26, such as, for example, polypropylene.

As illustrated, the handle22further includes a cap78rotatingly coupled to the frame26. The cap78may be any structure that may assist the user in depressing (or otherwise pushing down on) the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, and that may further rotate with respect to the frame26(and connection surface46). For example, the cap78may be a solid disc, a hollowed out disc, a cover, a plate, any other structure that may assist the user in depressing (or otherwise pushing down on) the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, and that may further rotate with respect to the frame26, or any combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the cap78is a solid disc. The cap78may be positioned so as to be coaxial with the locking surface58, connection surface46, and frame26, as is also illustrated.

The cap78may have any shape. For example, the cap78may have an outer boundary shaped as a circle, an octagon, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, a pentagon, a hexagon, a cylinder, a stadium, an irregular shape, any other shape, or any combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the cap78has an outer boundary shaped as a circle. In addition to the shape of the cap78, the cap78may further include a lip82(shown inFIG. 1C) that extends horizontally outward from the shape of the cap78. The lip78may allow the cap78to be rotatingly coupled to the frame26, as is discussed below.

Furthermore, the shape of the cap78may further include one or more protrusions86extending from the inside top surface90of the cap78towards the frame26. A protrusion86may be any feature that may contact an upper surface of the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10when a user applies force against an outside top surface94of the cap78. An example of such a force is illustrated inFIG. 1Bas downward force98. By contacting an upper surface of the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, the protrusion86may be able to focus the force applied by the user onto the top surface of the rotary dial14(causing the rotary dial14to be depressed). As such, the user may apply the force98on any portion of the cap78, and may still be able to depress (or otherwise push down on) the rotary dial14in order to inject the medicine. The protrusion86may have any size and/or shape. Furthermore, the cap78may have any number of protrusions86, such as 1 protrusion86, 2 protrusions86, 3 protrusions86, 4 protrusions86, or any other number of protrusions86.

Additionally, although the protrusion86has been described as contacting an upper surface of the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10when a user applies force against an outside top surface94of the cap78, the protrusion86may further contact the upper surface of the rotary dial14even when a user is not applying force against the outside top surface94of the cap78. For example, the protrusion86may be sized and/or shaped to continuously contact the upper surface of the rotary dial14when the rotary dial14is inserted into the handle22.

A user may apply a force against the cap78(such as to an outside top surface94of the cap78) in order to depress the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. The force may be applied against the cap78in any manner. For example, a user may apply the force using one or more fingers (such as a thumb or index finger), a palm of a hand, one or more hands, a surface (such as pressing the outside top surface94of the cap78against a desk surface to inject the medicine), any other manner of applying a force, or any combination of the preceding.

The cap78may have any size that may assist a user in depressing the rotary dial14in order to inject the medicine. For example, the cap78may have an outer diameter102that is larger than an outer diameter of the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. This larger outer diameter102of the cap78may allow the user (such as a user with arthritis) to more easily push down on (or otherwise apply force to) the rotary dial14(using the cap78) by increasing the surface area available for depression, in comparison to the smaller outer diameter of the rotary dial14. This may allow a user to use several fingers (or even their palm) to depress the rotary dial14, if desired, using the cap78.

The outer diameter102of the cap78may have any size larger than an outer diameter of the rotary dial14. For example, if the outer diameter of the rotary dial14is 16 mm, the outer diameter102of the cap78may be any size greater than 16 mm Example sizes of the outer diameter102of the cap78may include 39 mm, 44 mm, 49 mm, 54 mm, 59 mm, 64 mm, 69 mm, 74 mm, 79 mm, approximately (i.e., +/−5 mm) 39 mm, approximately 44 mm, approximately 49 mm, approximately 54 mm, approximately 59 mm, approximately 64 mm, approximately 69 mm, approximately 74 mm, approximately 79 mm, or any other size that may assist a user in depressing the rotary dial14in order to inject the medicine. As another example the size of the outer diameter102of the cap78may be within a range of 39 mm-80 mm, 49 mm-80 mm, 49 mm-70 mm, 49 mm-65 mm, 59 mm-65 mm, or any other range that may assist a user in depressing the rotary dial14in order to inject the medicine. In a further example, the outer diameter102of the cap78may be smaller than the outer diameter42of the frame26, thereby allowing the cap78to fit within the frame26.

As is discussed above, the cap78is rotatingly coupled to the frame26. The cap78may be rotatingly coupled to the frame26in any manner. For example, the frame26may include one or more mechanical tracks that may couple the cap78to the frame26, and allow the cap78to rotate with respect to the frame26. As another example, the frame26may include one or more wheels or gears that may couple the cap78to the frame26, and allow the cap78to rotate with respect to the frame20. As a further example, and as illustrated in FIG. IC, the frame26may include one or more rotational hooks106. In such an example, the lip82of the cap70may be positioned underneath the hook portion of the rotational hooks106. This positioning may couple the cap78to the frame26, but may further allow the cap78to rotate with respect to the frame26.

As a result of the cap78being rotatingly coupled to the frame26(and thereby able to rotate with respect to the frame26and the connection surface46), the handle22may more easily work with a rotary dial14that rotates when depressed by a user. For example, as is discussed above, particular medicinal pens10(such as the Sanofi-Aventis Solostar medicinal pen10) include a rotary dial14that rotates when a user depresses (or otherwise pushes down on) the rotary dial14in order to inject the medicine. In such an example, the handle22may be inserted onto such a rotary dial14, and the cap78may not rotate when the rotary dial14rotates from being depressed. In particular, when the user presses down on the cap78, the cap78may depress (or otherwise pushed down on) the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10, causing the rotary dial14to rotate. However, due to the rotating coupling of the cap78to the frame26, the cap78may not rotate at all. Instead, the rotation of the rotary dial14may cause only the frame26(and the connection surface46, which is grasping the rotary dial14, and the locking surface58) to rotate with the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10. This rotation of the frame26(and the connection surface46and the locking surface58) may cause the frame26(and the connection surface46and the locking surface58) to rotate with respect to the cap78. It may not, however, cause the cap78rotate at all (or only a minor amount, due to friction). As such, the cap78may be easier to push down on by a user because the cap78may not rotate when the rotary dial14rotates.

The cap78may be made of any material that may assist the user in depressing (or otherwise pushing down on) the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10using the cap78, and that may further allow the cap78to rotate with respect to the frame26(and connection surface46). For example, the cap78may be made of a metal (such as steel or aluminum), a rigid rubber or elastomer, a plastic or polymer (such as ABS, acetyl, polypropylene, polycarbonate, PET), any other material that may assist the user in depressing (or otherwise pushing down on) the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10using the cap78, and that may further allow the cap78to rotate with respect to the frame26(and connection surface46), or any combination of the preceding. In one example, the material of the cap78and the material of the frame26may both be selected to reduce friction between the cap78and the frame26and/or may both be selected to reduce the weight of the handle22. The cap78may be made of the same material as the frame26, the connection surface46, and/or the locking surface58, or the cap78may be made of a different material. As is illustrated, the locking surface58is made of the same material as the frame26and the locking surface58, such as, for example, polypropylene.

The cap78may further include one or more rubber tips110positioned on the outside top surface94of the cap78. A rubber tip110may be a structure that may increase the friction between the cap78and another surface, such as a desk. By increasing the friction, the rubber tip110may allow the handle22to be positioned upside down on the other surface (such as a desk) without the handle22slipping over the surface (or reducing the amount of slippage). As such, the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10may be more easily inserted into the handle22. For example, some users (such as users with arthritis) may have difficulty inserting the rotary dial14into the handle22. To alleviate this problem, the handle22may be placed upside down on a surface (such as a desk), and then the medicinal pen10may be turned upside down and the rotary dial14may be inserted into the handle22. While doing so, the rubber tips110may prevent the handle22from slipping on the surface (or reduce the amount of slippage), which may make the insertion of the rotary dial14into the handle22easier, for example.

The cap78may include any number of rubber tips110. For example, the cap78may include 1 rubber tip110, 2 rubber tips110, 3 rubber tips110, 4 rubber tips110, 5 rubber tips110, or any other number of rubber tips110. As illustrated, the cap78includes 4 rubber tips110. The rubber tips110may have any shape. For example, the rubber tips110may have an outer boundary shaped as a circle, an octagon, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, a pentagon, a hexagon, a cylinder, a stadium, an irregular shape, any other shape, or any combination of the preceding. As illustrated, the rubber tips110are shaped as a circle.

The rubber tips110may be coupled to the outside top surface94of the cap78. The rubber tips110may be coupled to the outside top surface94of the cap78in any manner. For example, the rubber tips110may be coupled to the outside top surface94of the cap78by an adhesive, one or more screws, one or more nuts and bolts, one or more clips, one or more rivets, any other means of coupling, or any combination of the preceding. As another example, the rubber tips110may be formed integral with the outside top surface94of the cap78. As is illustrated, the rubber tips110are coupled to the outside top surface94of the cap78by an adhesive.

The rubber tips110may be made of (or otherwise constructed of) any material that may increase the friction between the cap78and another surface. For example, the rubber tips110may be made of an elastomer material, such silicone, NBR, santoprene, SBR, any other elastomer, or any combination of the preceding.

Modifications, additions, combinations, or omissions may be made to the handle22ofFIGS. 1A-1Cwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, although the cap78has been described above as rotating with respect to the frame26, in some examples the cap78may not rotate with respect to the frame26. As another example, although the handle22has been described above as including a locking surface58, in some examples the handle22may not include a locking surface58. Instead, the connection surface46may be coupled to the frame26in another manner, such as using an adhesive. As a further example, although the connection surface46has been described above as being separate from the frame26, in some examples the connection surface46may be integral with the frame26or form a portion of the frame26.

Additionally, although the handle22has been described above as being used with a medicinal pen10(such as an insulin pen), the handle22may be used (and sized to be used) with any other device that a user may have difficulty opening or depressing, such as soda bottles, medicine bottles, jars, or any other device that a user may have difficulty opening or depressing.

FIG. 2illustrates various views of one example of a frame26. The frame26ofFIG. 2may be similar to the frame26ofFIGS. 1A-1C. Additionally, the frame26may have the following dimensions:

Although the frame26has been illustrated as including particular dimensions, the frame26may have any other dimensions.

FIG. 3illustrates various views of one example of a connection surface46. The connection surface46ofFIG. 3may be similar to the connection surface46ofFIGS. 1A-1C. Additionally, the connection surface46may have the following dimensions:

Although the connection surface46has been illustrated as including particular dimensions, the connection surface46may have any other dimensions.

FIG. 4illustrates various views of one example of a locking surface58. The locking surface58ofFIG. 4may be similar to the locking surface58ofFIGS. 1A-1C. Additionally, the locking surface58may have the following dimensions:

Although the locking surface58has been illustrated as including particular dimensions, the locking surface58may have any other dimensions.

FIG. 5illustrates various views of one example of a cap78. The cap78ofFIG. 5may be similar to the cap78ofFIGS. 1A-1C. Additionally, the cap78may have the following dimensions:

Although the cap78has been illustrated as including particular dimensions, the cap78may have any other dimensions.

FIG. 6illustrates another example handle22that may be used with a medicinal pen10. As illustrated, the handle22includes a frame26and a connection surface46coupled to the frame26. In contrast to the handle shown inFIGS. 1A-5and as further illustrated, the handle22ofFIG. 6does not include a cap78. Instead, in order to inject medicine from the medicinal pen10, a user may depress the rotary dial14by directly contacting the rotary dial14with their finger(s) (and/or palm) or directly contacting the rotary dial14with another surface, such as a table surface or the surface of a wall, as described further below.

The frame26ofFIG. 6may be similar to the frame26ofFIGS. 1A-5. However, the frame26ofFIG. 6may further include a ledge114recessed or positioned inside of the depth118of the frame26. The ledge114may couple the connection surface46to the frame26. The ledge114may have any shape and/or size. Additionally, the ledge114may be positioned at any location along the depth118of the frame26. For example, the ledge114may be positioned at a location that is equidistant from a first side122aand a second side122bof the frame26, as is illustrated. As another example, the ledge114may be positioned at a location that is a different distance from the first side122athan the second side122b. In some examples, the distance between the ledge114and the first side122a(and/or second side122b) may be equal to or approximately equal (i.e., equal +/−1 mm) to half of the height (i.e., the midportion of the height) of the rotary dial14.

The connection surface46ofFIG. 6may be similar to the connection surface46of FIGS. A-5. Additionally, the connection surface46ofFIG. 6may be coupled to the frame26in any of the manners discussed above with regard to connection surface46ofFIG. 1A-5. As is illustrated, the connection surface46is molded with, onto (and/or into) the ledge114of the frame26. When molded with, onto (and/or into) the ledge114, the connection surface46may not be removable from the frame26(without, for example, breaking the handle22). As such, the frame26and the connection surface46may be a single piece.

As a result of being coupled to the ledge114, the connection surface46may be positioned at the same location along the depth118of the frame26as the ledge114. For example, the ledge114and the connection surface46may both be positioned at a location that is equidistant from a first side122aand a second side122bof the frame26, as is illustrated inFIG. 6. As another example, the ledge114and the connection surface46may both be positioned at a location that is a different distance from the first side122athan the second side122b. For example, the center point of the ledge114and the center point of the connection surface46may both be positioned at a location that is approximately 4 times (e.g., 4+/−0.5 times) as far from the first side122aas it is from the second side122b, approximately 3 times as far from the first side122aas it is from the second side122b, approximately 2 times as far from the first side122aas it is from the second side122b, approximately 1.5 times as far from the first side122aas it is from the second side122b, or any other distance from the first side122athan the second side122b.

In some examples, the position of the connection surface46along the depth118of the frame26may be designed to allow the handle22to be used with different medicinal pens10. For example, different medicinal pens10may have different heights of the rotary dial14. In such an example, the position of the connection surface46along the depth118of the frame26may correspond to two different heights of rotary dials14. That is, the position of the connection surface46along the depth118of the frame26may have a first distance between the connection surface46and the first side122athat is designed to allow a large height rotary dial14to be inserted into and grabbed by the connection surface46, and the position of the connection surface46along the depth118of the frame26may have a second distance between the connection surface46and the second side122bthat is designed to allow a small height rotary dial14to be inserted into and grabbed by the connection surface46. In such an example, if the user is using a medicinal pen10with a large height rotary dial14, the handle22may be positioned on a surface (such as a table surface) with the first side122afacing upward so that the large height rotary dial14can be inserted into the handle22. Alternatively, if the user is using a medicinal pen10with a small height rotary dial14, the handle22may be flipped around so that the second side122bis facing upward so that the small height rotary dial14can be inserted into the handle22.

In some examples, the first distance between the connection surface46and the first side122amay be a distance that is equal to or approximately equal (i.e., equal +/−1 mm) to half of the height of the large height rotary dial14. Additionally, in some examples, the second distance between the connection surface46and the second side122bmay be a distance that is equal to or approximately equal (i.e., equal +/−1 mm) to half of the height of the small height rotary dial14.

As is illustrated, the handle22may have the following dimensions:

Although the handle22has been illustrated as including particular dimensions, the handle22may have any other dimensions.

In one example of use of the handle22ofFIG. 6, the rotary dial14may be inserted into the opening50of the connection surface46. The rotary dial14may be inserted into the opening50of the connection surface46in any manner. For example, the user may position the frame26onto a surface, such as the surface of a table, and then the user may push the rotary dial14into the opening50of the connection surface46. By inserting the rotary dial14into the opening50of the connection surface46, the connection surface46may grasp the rotary dial14, as is discussed above. As is also discussed above, the frame26may be positioned onto the surface so that either first side122aor second side122bis facing upward. In some examples, this positioning may be based on a particular height of the rotary dial14of the medicinal pen10.

When the rotary dial14is inserted into the opening50of the connection surface46, a portion of the rotary dial14(such as the top portion of the rotary dial14) may extend through the opening50into the other side of the handle22. For example, if the rotary dial14is inserted into the opening50through the first side122aof the handle22, a portion of the rotary dial14may extend through the depth of the opening50(and the connection surface46) into the second side122bof the handle22. This may allow the rotary dial14to be accessible to a user of the medicinal pen10from, for example, the second side122bof the handle22. Furthermore, due to this accessibility, the user may be able to touch the top of the rotary dial14, which may allow the user to depress the rotary dial14by directly contacting the rotary dial14with their finger(s) (and/or palm) or directly contacting the rotary dial14with another surface, such as a table surface or the surface of a wall. As such, a cap78may not be needed to depress the rotary dial14.

Following the insertion of the rotary dial14into the opening50, the frame26may be used to select an amount of medicine for injecting into a body of the user. This may be accomplished in any manner, such as rotating the frame26so that the rotary dial14also rotates.

Following the selection of the amount of medicine to be injected into the body of the user, the injection port18of the medicinal pen10may be inserted into the body of the user, and the user may depress the rotary dial14. Because the handle22ofFIG. 6does not include a cap78, the user may depress the rotary dial14by directly contacting the rotary dial14with their finger(s) (and/or palm) or directly contacting the rotary dial14with another surface, such as a table surface or the surface of a wall.

Modifications, additions, combinations, or omissions may be made to the handle22ofFIGS. 1A-6without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the elements, dimensions, shapes, and/or couplings of the handle22ofFIGS. 1A-6may be added to, combined with, or substituted for any of the elements, dimensions, shapes, and/or couplings of the handle22of any of the otherFIGS. 1A-6. As just one example of this, the handle22ofFIG. 6may further include a cap78.

FIG. 7illustrates an example method of making and/or using a handle22. One or more of the steps (such as all of the steps) of method600may be performed using the handle22(or any of the elements) ofFIGS. 1A-6, or any other handle. Furthermore, one or more of the steps (such as all of the steps, for example) of method600may be performed by a manufacturer of a handle, a seller of a handle, a re-seller of a handle, and/or a user of a handle.

The method begins at step605. At step610, a connection surface may be coupled to a frame of a handle. The connection surface may be any structure that may grasp a rotary dial of a medicinal pen. For example, the connection surface may be connection surface46ofFIGS. 1A-6. The frame may be any structure that may be used to rotate the rotary dial of the medicinal pen. For example, the frame may be frame26ofFIGS. 1A-6. The handle may be used with the medicinal pen. In particular, the handle may be inserted onto the rotary dial of the medicinal pen, allowing the handle to be used to assist a user in rotating the rotary dial (e.g., to select an amount of medicine) and to further assist the user in depressing the rotary dial (e.g., to inject the amount of medicine). For example, the handle may be handle22ofFIGS. 1A-6. The connection surface may be coupled to the frame in any manner, as is discussed above. For example the connection surface may be coupled to the frame using a locking surface, such as locking surface58ofFIGS. 1A-5.

At step615, a cap is rotatingly coupled to the frame. The cap may be any structure that may assist the user in depressing (or otherwise pushing down on) the rotary dial of the medicinal pen, and that may further rotate with respect to the frame (and the connection surface). For example, the cap may be cap78ofFIGS. 1A-5. The cap may be rotatingly coupled to the frame in any manner, as is discussed above. For example, a lip of the cap may be inserted into rotational hooks of the frame. This may couple the cap to the frame, but may allow the cap to rotate with respect to the frame.

At step620, the rotary dial of the medicinal pen may be inserted into an opening of the connection surface. The medicinal pen may be any pen-like instrument that may be used to inject medicine into a body. For example, the medicinal pen may be medicinal pen10ofFIGS. 1A-6. The rotary dial of the medicinal pen may be any device that may be rotated in order to select an amount of medicine to be injected using the medicinal pen. Additionally, the rotary dial may further be depressed (or otherwise pushed down on) in order to cause the medicine to be injected. The rotary dial may be rotary dial14ofFIGS. 1A-6. The rotary dial may be inserted into the opening of the connection surface any manner. For example, a user may push the rotary dial into the opening of the connection surface. By inserting the rotary dial into the opening of the connection surface, the connection surface may grasp the rotary dial, as is discussed above.

At step625, the frame may be rotated so that the rotary dial of the medicinal pen also rotates. The frame may be rotated in any manner. As an example, the user may grasp the outer boundary of the frame and twist it, causing the frame to rotate. By rotating the frame (and the connection surface grasping the rotary dial), the rotary dial of the medicinal pen may be rotated. This rotation of the rotary dial may allow the user to select an amount of medicine to be injected.

At step630, an injection port of the medicinal pen may be inserted into a subject. The injection port may be any port-like device for injecting medicine into a body. For example, the injection port may be injection port18ofFIGS. 1A-6. The injection port may be inserted into any portion of the body of any type of subject. Furthermore, the injection port may be inserted in any manner.

At step635, force may be applied against an outside top surface of the cap so that the medicinal pen injects medicine into the subject through the injection port of the medicinal pen. Force may be applied against an outside top surface of the cap in any manner. For example, a user may apply the force using one or more fingers (such as a thumb or index finger), a palm of a hand, one or more hands, a surface (such as pressing the outside top surface of the cap against a desk surface to inject the medicine), any other manner of applying a force, or any combination of the preceding. The force applied by the user may cause one or more protrusions of the cap to focus the force onto the top surface of the rotary dial, which may depress the rotary dial. Furthermore, although the rotary dial may rotate as it is depressed, the rotating coupling of the cap to the frame may cause the cap to not rotate. Instead, only the frame (and the connection surface grasping the rotary dial, and the locking surface) lay rotate. As such, the cap may be easier to press down on. Once the medicine has been injected into the subject, the method600may move to step640, where the method ends.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method600. For example, only steps610-615may be performed. Alternatively, only steps620-635may be performed. As another example, although a handle (such as handle22) has been discussed above as being used to perform the steps of method600, in some examples the handle may only be used to perform particular steps. For example, the handle may only be used to rotate the rotary dial of the medicinal pen, as is discussed above with regard to step625. In such an example, the user may not use the handle to inject the medicine. As another example, the handle may only be used to inject the medicine into the subject, as is discussed above with regard to step635. In such an example, the user may not use the handle to rotate the rotary dial of the medicinal pen.

This specification has been written with reference to various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments or examples. However, it will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosed embodiments or examples (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of this specification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that this specification supports additional embodiments or examples not expressly set forth in this specification. Such embodiments or examples may be obtained, for example, by combining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed steps, components, elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations, and the like, of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments or examples described in this specification. In this manner, Applicant reserves the right to amend the claims during prosecution to add features as variously described in this specification.