Reminder device for drug delivery devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reminder device for a drug delivery device, comprising: a base member, an adjusting element movably disposed with respect to the base member between at least two stop positions, and a display means comprising an information surface being only partially discernible through an aperture, wherein at least two designated segments of the information surface become selectively discernible by a displacement of the adjusting element relative to the base member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a U.S. National Phase Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT / EP2010 / 062433 filed Aug. 26, 2010, which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 09010974.5 filed on Aug. 27, 2009. The entire disclosure contents of these applications are herewith incorporated by reference into the present application.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a reminder or indicator device particularly adapted for drug delivery devices for keeping a user of the device informed about a given time schedule to apply or to take a particular medicament.BACKGROUND[0003]With patients suffering chronic diseases, such like diabetes, frequent and regular administering of a particular medicament, like e.g. insulin has to be conducted. Since the patients are highly accustomed to a regular or irregular administering of the medicament, it may occur, that a patient already shortly a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reminder device particularly adapted for a drug delivery device which is rather simple, both in construction as well as in regard of its handling.

[0017]According to another preferred aspect, the aperture is formed in the base member. With the adjusting element movably disposed inside the base member, at least one of the at least two designated segments of the information surface becomes discernible through the aperture. By having the aperture integrally formed in the base member or even in a housing component of the drug delivery device, construction and design of the reminder device can be kept on a rather simple and cost-efficient level.

[0022]It is further of advantage, when the adjusting element and the base member comprise mutually corresponding latching elements for keeping the adjusting element in a selected position. By way of the latching elements disposed on the adjusting element as well as on or in the base member, inadvertent displacement of the adjusting element can be effectively prevented. For instance, the adjusting element may feature protruding pins at distal and / or proximal end sections of its display means. These pins may for instance project radially outwardly, hence towards an inside wall section of the base member. Correspondingly, the base member may feature respective radially inwardly protruding latching elements adapted to form a positive interlock or a snap-in feature with said radially outwardly protruding pins of the display means and / or of its adjusting element.

[0025]In this embodiment it is further of advantage, when the aperture is formed in the adjusting element while the information surface is disposed on the outer circumference of the base member. It may be also beneficial, when the information surface at least partially or entirely surrounds the circumference of the base member. Moreover, it is intended, that the adjusting element comprises a ring structure having an aperture and that by rotating the ring, a designated portion of the information surface becomes discernible through said aperture, either by way of visible perception or by way of tactile sensing.

Problems solved by technology

Since the patients are highly accustomed to a regular or irregular administering of the medicament, it may occur, that a patient already shortly after taking or injecting the medicament is no longer aware of this event.

Hence, there is a certain danger, that the patient takes the medicament repeatedly.

Hence, with drug delivery devices particularly adapted and designed for self-medication, e.g. in a home environment, there always exists a non-negligible risk and danger of underdosage or overdosage, respectively.

However, such an indicator apparatus has not been considered to be applicable on pen-shape medical delivery devices for ergonomic as well as for technical reasons.

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