Drug delivery device for drug suspensions

Abstract

A drug delivery device is provided herein, the device including a reservoir for containing a medicament. The medicament includes a suspension of solids in a liquid carrier. The device also includes a needle having a distal end for injection into a patient, a proximal end in communication with the reservoir, and a lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends. A path is defined from the reservoir to the distal end of the needle through the lumen, the path having an inner diameter that decreases in the proximal to distal direction along at least a portion thereof. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a flow path may be defined which provides a more gradual transition in diameter from the reservoir to the distal tip of a needle. In this manner, changes in velocity of the suspension may be less abrupt than in the prior art, thus better maintaining solid particles in the suspension.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to drug delivery devices for addressing the problems associated with solids coming out of drug suspension.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Certain drugs or medicaments (those terms being used interchangeably herein) are preferably provided in powder or dry form (e.g., lyophilized form). Such powdered drugs are commonly suspended in a liquid diluent or carrier to allow delivery to an individual through injection. The powder drug is combined with the diluent prior to injection and administered in solution form. Drug delivery systems typically have a reservoir with a large diameter, for example a syringe barrel or drug cartridge, for containing the drug solution.[0003]Prior art devices have been developed that provide a diluent and dry substance in separate chambers of a common container or reservoir, with the container being configured to permit the flow of the diluent to the dry substance to cause mixing thereof in forming a solution...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]A drug delivery device is provided herein, the device including a reservoir for containing a medicament. The medicament includes a suspension of solids in a liquid carrier. The device also includes a needle having a distal end for injection into a patient, a proximal end in communication with the reservoir, and a lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends. A path is defined from the reservoir to the distal end of the needle through the lumen, the path having an inner diameter that decreases in the proximal to distal direction along at least a portion thereof. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a flow path may be defined which provides a more gradual transition in diameter from the reservoir to the distal tip of a needle. In this manner, changes in velocity of the suspension may be less abrupt than in the prior art, thus better maintaining solid particles in the suspension.

Problems solved by technology

However, due to differences in density of solids and liquids in a solid / liquid suspension, the relative velocities of the two suspension constituents may be different, thus leading to possible separation of the solid particles out of solution.

Images