Patent Description:
The development of medicament delivery devices has become more and more directed towards self-medication, i.e. to let the patient administer a medicament to him- or herself in an easy, safe and reliable way. There are different types of medicaments that can be stored for a long time and that are packaged in cartridges or the like, containing a ready-to-use medicament in liquid state. There are also other types of medicaments that are stored in separate compartments. An agent (e.g. lyophilized, powdered or concentrated liquid) is stored in one compartment of the container, and a diluent (e.g. water, dextrox solution or saline solution) is stored in a separate compartment. These types of medicaments cannot be pre-mixed and stored for a long time because the medicament agent is unstable and can be degraded and will lose its effect quickly. Hence, the patients have to perform the mixing shortly before administration. During the mixing step, a significant amount of air needs to be evacuated from the powder compartment as it is filled with diluent. This air needs to escape through a delivery member, e.g. a needle, a mouthpiece or a nozzle, of the device. At the same time it is important not to spill any of the liquid medicament during the mixing procedure.

Other types of delivery devices comprise a container with a pre-mixed solution. Still, some air may need to be evacuated before use. The device needs to be "primed". Priming is necessary to avoid injecting air into the bloodstream and to make sure that a correct dosage is administrated.

In both types of delivery devices, the devices must be oriented with its delivery member pointing upwards. Conventionally, air is evacuated by the patient tapping the device with a finger, to make sure that any air in the container is collected at the top, near the opening of the container. Thereafter, the container is pressurized, such as by pushing the piston rod forward, until some of the liquid medicament appears at an opening of the delivery member, e.g. at the tip of an injection needle. The patient therefore needs to be taught and trained on how to handle the medicament delivery device before usage.

There are a number of prior art devices that register patient handling of medicament delivery devices. One example is <CIT>, wherein sensors are used to detect the progress of an injection process, such as temperature, dosage and orientation. A controller determines the progress and provides a notification thereof, both directly, by beeping, and indirectly, by sending data to a smartphone app.

Document <CIT> discloses a pen-type injector which has a priming detection facility to identify when the injector is inverted.

The disclosed solution is unnecessarily complicated for many applications. The present invention provides a simple and robust orientation indicator that is also reliable and easy to use.

An object of the present invention is to provide an orientation indicator for a medicament delivery device, wherein the drawbacks of the state of the art devices are remedied.

In the present application, when the term "distal" is used, this refers to the direction pointing away from the dose delivery site. When the term "distal part/end" is used, this refers to the part/end of the delivery device, or the parts/ends of the members thereof, which under use of the medicament delivery device is/are located furthest away from the dose delivery site. Correspondingly, when the term "proximal" is used, this refers to the direction pointing to the dose delivery site. When the term "proximal part/end" is used, this refers to the part/end of the delivery device, or the parts/ends of the members thereof, which under use of the medicament delivery device is/are located closest to the dose delivery site.

Further, the term "longitudinal", with or without "axis", refers to a direction or an axis through the device or components thereof in the direction of the longest extension of the device or the component.

The term "lateral", with or without "axis", refers to a direction or an axis through the device or components thereof in the direction of the broadest extension of the device or the component.

In a similar manner, the terms "radial" or "transversal", with or without "axis", refers to a direction or an axis through the device or components thereof in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, e.g. "radially outward" would refer to a direction pointing away from the longitudinal axis.

Also, if nothing else is stated, in the following description wherein the mechanical structure of the device and the mechanical interconnection of its components is described, the device is in an initial non-activated or non-operated state.

As stated above, the aim of the present invention is to provide a simple and robust orientation indicator that is also reliable and easy to use.

According to a main aspect of the invention it is characterized by the features of the independent patent claim. Further advantageous features are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to a main aspect of the invention it is characterised by an orientation indicator for a medicament delivery device, which orientation indicator comprises a support element having a proximal end and a distal end, an activation member, movable, in relation to the support element, between a first position and a second position, an electrical circuit comprising a signal switch, and a signalling element connected to the electrical circuit, wherein the activation member may move under gravitational force when the support element is tilted to actuate the signal switch, such that a signal may be generated by the signalling element.

A movable element, which moves under the influence of gravity, is a robust and simple solution. The element may slide, roll, pivot or fall between the first and the second positions, as long as it is able to interact with, i.e. to close, or to open, the signal switch.

According to another aspect of the invention the activation member is made of a conductive material, such that actuation of the signal switch, by the activation member, closes or opens the signal switch.

Conductivity is a further advantage in that the movable element may directly close or open the electrical circuit by bridging or opening the gap between the poles of the signal switch. No additional mechanical or electrical component needs to be involved in actuating the switch.

According to another aspect of the invention the activation member is slidably movable between the first position and the second position.

A slidable activation member may have any suitable shape and may be formed to provide a small contact surface with a substrate on which it slides. The slidable activation member may be made of a material that provides a low coefficient of friction with the substrate on which it slides.

According to another aspect of the invention the activation member is rollably movable between the first position and the second position.

A rollable activation member may be ball-shaped, cylindrical, or have any other shape that allows a rolling motion.

According to another aspect of the invention the activation member is a ball and wherein the ball and the signal switch constitute a tilt ball switch.

According to another aspect of the invention the activation member is made of a liquid conductor.

According to another aspect of the invention the liquid conductor is mercury and wherein the liquid conductor and the signal switch constitute a mercury switch.

Mercury switches are generally known in other fields of technology. Nowadays, however, mercury is often avoided due to its poisonous and environmentally polluting properties.

According to another aspect of the invention the activation member is held fixed in the first position until released by a manually operable locking member.

During normal handling of a medicament delivery device, the device is often tilted in various directions. In order to avoid activating the signalling element, the activation member may be held fixed in the first position until it is time to use the device. The manually operable locking member may be of any configuration known in the art. It may be operated by pushing or sliding a button, turning a knob, etc..

According to another aspect of the invention the electrical circuit further comprises a manually operable second switch, and wherein the signal is generated by the signalling element when the signal switch and the second switch are actuated.

In a similar fashion to the manually operable locking member, the second switch serves to prevent the signalling element from being activated prematurely, i.e. to prevent the signalling device from activating accidentally before the device is to be used. The second switch may be opened or closed to set the electrical circuit in an active state, before or after the signal switch is actuated. The second switch may be actuated by turning a knob, operating a button, etc..

According to another aspect of the invention the signal generated by the signalling element is an audible signal and/or a tactile signal and/or a visual signal.

The signalling element may display a visible light, or a colour, or a symbol, or the like.

The signalling element may generate a sound, which may sound positive or negative, depending on the orientation in which the electrical circuit and the signalling element are designed to be activated.

The signalling element may generate a tactile sensation, such as a vibration, which is distributed in the device in which the orientation indicator is arranged.

According to another aspect of the invention the second position is located proximally, relative to the first position, such that a negative signal is generated by the signalling element, indicating an incorrect orientation.

The activation member moves under the influence of gravity. Therefore, if the second position is proximal of the first position it means that the signalling element is activated when the proximal part of the orientation indicator is lower than the distal part, meaning that a negative signal will be generated. A negative signal may for instance be a red light, a dissonant noise or an unpleasant vibration.

According to another aspect of the invention the second position is located distally, relative to the first position, such that a positive signal is generated by the signalling element, indicating a correct orientation.

As opposed to the situation above, if the second position is distal of the first position it means that the signalling element is activated when the proximal part of the orientation indicator is higher than the distal part, meaning that a positive signal will be generated. A positive signal may for instance be a green light, a harmonic melody or a soft vibration.

According to another aspect of the invention the support element is attachable to a medicament delivery device.

The orientation indicator may be designed as a packaged module that may be attached to an outer part of a medicament delivery device. In this way, the orientation indicator may be used for many types of medicament delivery devices, which do not need to be further adapted to accommodate the orientation indicator.

According to another aspect of the invention the support element is integrated in a medicament delivery device.

By integrating the orientation indicator in a medicament delivery device, a more compact design may be achieved. The orientation indicator may thereby be arranged on the inside of the device, such that visual signals may be viewed through a window.

According to another aspect of the invention the electrical circuit also comprises a control unit and a communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating orientation data with an external device, which orientation data is retrieved from the control unit.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising an orientation indicator according to any of the previous aspects of the invention. Alternatively, the orientation indicator can be used for a training device or a trainer, which is simulating the medicament delivery device and used for training of users prior their use of a real medicament delivery device. The trainer may comprise an orientation indicator.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.

The figures below disclose an embodiment of the invention for illustrational purposes only. In particular, the disclosure within the figures is not meant to limit the range of protection of the invention. The embodiment shown may be modified in different ways within the scope of the claims.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a medicament delivery device <NUM> comprising an orientation indicator according to the presently claimed invention. A support element <NUM>, having a proximal end and a distal end, is shown. The support element <NUM> is generally elongated along a longitudinal axis A (<FIG> and <FIG>) of the medicament delivery device <NUM>. An activation member <NUM> is movable in relation to the support element <NUM>, between a first position and a second position. The activation member <NUM> may be accommodated in the support element <NUM>. The first position and the second position may be defined as end points of longitudinal movement of the activation member <NUM> in relation to the support element <NUM>. The activation member <NUM> may move between the first position and the second position, under influence of gravitational force, when the orientation indicator is tilted in relation to a horizontal plane.

<FIG> further shows a delivery member <NUM> through which a medicament of the medicament delivery device <NUM> may be expelled. The delivery member may be a needle, or a nozzle, or a mouthpiece, etc. A container (not shown), holding the medicament to be expelled, may be visible through a window <NUM>.

The support element <NUM> of the orientation indicator may be integrated in a medicament delivery device as shown in <FIG>. The support element <NUM> may also be a separate module that may be attached to a medicament delivery device <NUM> to provide an orientation indication function (<FIG>) to almost any existing delivery device.

<FIG> displays the support element <NUM> as comprising an elongated compartment comprising the activation member <NUM>. The support element further comprises a power source <NUM> and a signalling element <NUM>. The power source <NUM> may for instance be a battery. The signalling element <NUM> may be sound-generating, such as a speaker, and/or visual, such as a light emitter or a display. The signalling element may also be tactile, such as a piezoelectric element configured to generate mechanical vibrations. The support element <NUM> comprises an electrical circuit and a signal switch <NUM>. The signal switch <NUM> may be actuated by the activation member <NUM> by movement of the activation member <NUM> relative to the support element <NUM>. The signal switch <NUM> may be actuated by the activation member <NUM> either opening or closing the signal switch <NUM>. The signal switch is defined to be located at the second position of the activation member <NUM>.

When integrated in a medicament delivery device <NUM>, the support element <NUM> may be generally regarded as comprised in a body of the medicament delivery device <NUM>. Accordingly, the various components comprised by the support element <NUM> may be distributed throughout the medicament delivery device, as appropriate, to be properly adapted to the various functions and features of both the medicament delivery device <NUM> and of the orientation indicator.

An advantage of the orientation indicator as a separate module is that it may be used for most kinds of already existing medicament delivery devices.

The activation member <NUM> is preferably made of a conductive material, e.g. metal, such that actuation of the signal switch <NUM>, by the activation member <NUM>, closes the signal switch such that an electrical current from the power source <NUM> activates the signalling element <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment the electrical circuit may be designed such that the signal switch <NUM> is opened by movement of the activation member <NUM>.

Using conductivity as an activating means is advantageous in that the movable element may in itself directly close or open the electrical circuit by bridging or opening the gap between the poles of the signal switch. No additional mechanical or electrical component needs to be involved in activating the switch.

The activation member <NUM> may be designed in different ways to achieve the preferred characteristics, e.g. speed of movement, friction, etc. The activation member <NUM> may be slidably movable between the first position and the second position. A sliding motion is relatively slow and needs a certain tilting angle to overcome the friction between the activation member <NUM> a sliding surface of the support element <NUM>.

The slidable activation member may have any suitable shape and may be formed to provide a large or a small contact surface with the sliding substrate on which it slides. The slidable activation member may be made of a material that provides a required coefficient of friction with the substrate on which it slides.

The activation member may alternatively be rollably movable between the first position and the second position. A rollable activation member <NUM> may be ball-shaped, cylindrical, or have any other shape that allows a rolling motion. Friction is negligible and movement may be initiated by only a small tilt of the orientation indicator.

In the illustrated embodiment, the activation member <NUM> is a ball, and the ball and the signal switch <NUM> may constitute a tilt ball switch.

The activation member <NUM> may be a liquid conductor. The liquid conductor may be mercury, and the liquid conductor and the signal switch <NUM> may constitute a mercury switch.

Mercury switches are generally known in other fields of technology. Nowadays, however, mercury is often avoided due to its poisonous and environmentally polluting properties. However, other liquid conductors are also conceivable.

The activation member <NUM> may be held fixed in the first position until released by a manually operable locking member <NUM>. During normal handling of a medicament delivery device, the device is often tilted in various directions, which might cause the orientation indicator to accidentally generate signals. In order to avoid activating the signalling element, the activation member may therefore be held fixed in the first position until it is time to use the device. The manually operable locking member may be of any configuration known in the art. It may be operated by pushing or sliding a button, or turning a knob, etc. As illustrated in the figures, the manually operable locking member <NUM> may be moved between a locking position in which the activation member <NUM> is prevented from moving, and a released position in which the activation member <NUM> is released for movement. In the figures, the locking position is marked "<NUM>" and the released position is marked "I". The locking mechanism that fixes the activation member <NUM> may be selected from any suitable locking mechanism known to the skilled person.

Alternatively, the electrical circuit may comprise a manually operable second switch, and wherein the signal is generated by the signalling element <NUM> when both the signal switch <NUM> and the second switch <NUM> are actuated.

In a similar fashion to the manually operable locking member <NUM>, the second switch <NUM> serves to prevent the signalling element <NUM> from being activated prematurely, i.e. to prevent the signalling element <NUM> from accidental activation before the device is to be used. The second switch <NUM> may be opened or closed to set the electrical circuit in an active state, before or after the signal switch <NUM> is actuated. The second switch <NUM> may be actuated by turning a knob, operating a button, etc. The second switch <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may be turned between an inactive state "<NUM>" and an active state "I".

The signal generated by the signalling element <NUM> may be an audible signal, a tactile signal or a visual signal. The generated signal may also be a combination of those. The visual signal may be visible light, or a colour, or a symbol, or the like. The tactile signal may be a tactile sensation, such as a vibration, which is distributed from the support element <NUM>, throughout the device in which the orientation indicator is arranged.

The signal generated by the signalling element <NUM> may be designed to be perceived as either positive or negative, depending on the orientation in which the electrical circuit and the signalling element are designed to be activated. A light may be green (positive) or red (negative). A sound may be harmonious (positive) or dissonant (negative). A tactile signal may be soft (positive) or hard and intense (negative).

A correct orientation of a medicament delivery device, comprising the orientation indicator, during a mixing or a priming operation is to have the delivery member <NUM> pointing upwards from a horizontal plane. Consequently, the orientation indicator must be configured to signal either a good orientation or a bad orientation. The electrical circuit may also be configured to activate the signalling element <NUM> when the activation member <NUM>, moving under the force of gravity, either closes or opens the signal switch <NUM>. As explained earlier, the signal switch <NUM> is located at the second position of the activation member <NUM>. Thus, four configurations are conceivable:.

<FIG> serve to exemplify the use of the orientation indicator. The illustrated case is applicable for alternative configurations (a) or (d) above. The medicament delivery device <NUM> comprises a second switch <NUM>, which is in the inactive state "<NUM>". The medicament delivery device <NUM> is tilted such that the proximal end comprising the delivery member <NUM> is at an angle α below the horizontal plane H. When compared to the situation shown in <FIG>, where the delivery member of the medicament delivery device <NUM> is tilted an angle β above the horizontal plane H, the activation member <NUM> of <FIG> has moved to the second position and has closed the signal switch <NUM>. Since the medicament delivery device <NUM> is equipped with the manually operable second switch <NUM>, no signal is generated since the second switch is in the inactive position "<NUM>".

When the user sets the second switch <NUM> to the active position "I" (<FIG>), the signalling element <NUM> will be activated and may immediately generate a negative signal if configured as configuration (a) because the signal switch <NUM> is closed and the second switch <NUM> is in the active position. In an alternative embodiment the orientation indicator will generate a positive signal, if configured as configuration (d), as soon as the delivery member is tilted above the horizontal plane, because the activation member <NUM> will move towards the first position and thereby open the signal switch <NUM> while the second switch <NUM> is in the active position.

The electrical circuits that provide the above-described functions are readily available to the skilled person and do not require any further explanation, except to note that in case of activation by opening a switch, a detection circuit may need to be provided as part of the electrical circuit, in order to detect the opening of the switch and to at least partly activate the signalling element <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An orientation indicator for a medicament delivery device (<NUM>) having a longitudinal axis (A) and a delivery member (<NUM>); the medicament delivery device (<NUM>) being configured to be oriented with its delivery member (<NUM>) pointing upwards during mixing or priming, wherein the orientation indicator comprises
- a support element (<NUM>) having a proximal end and a distal end and generally elongated along the longitudinal axis (A) of the medicament delivery device (<NUM>),
- an activation member (<NUM>) movable in relation to the support element (<NUM>), between a first position and a second position,
- an electrical circuit (<NUM>) comprising a signal switch (<NUM>),
- a signalling element (<NUM>) connected to the electrical circuit (<NUM>),
wherein the activation member (<NUM>) is movable under gravitational force when the support element (<NUM>) is tilted, to actuate the signal switch (<NUM>), such that a signal is generated by the signalling element (<NUM>) informing a user that a proper orientation of the device (<NUM>) has been attained for mixing or priming.