Claims for Patent: 9,623,189

Summary for Patent: 9,623,189

Title:	Relating to drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices
Abstract:	A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.
Inventor(s):	Veasey; Robert Frederick (Warwickshire, GB), Perkins; Robert (Warwickshire, GB), Plumptre; David Aubrey (Worcestershire, GB)
Assignee:	Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH (Frankfurt am Main, DE)
Application Number:	14/319,371
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases:	See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 9,623,189
Patent Claims:	1. A drive mechanism for use in a drug delivery device comprising: a housing; a dose dial sleeve threadedly engaged with the housing; a drive sleeve releasably connected to the dose dial sleeve so as to allow coupling and decoupling of the drive sleeve and dose dial sleeve, wherein the dose dial sleeve is rotatable with respect to the drive sleeve when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are decoupled; a piston rod engaged with the drive sleeve; and a clutch located between the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve, where the clutch is biased distally in a dose setting position. 2. The drive mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a biasing element to exert a biasing force against the clutch in the distal direction. 3. The drive mechanism of claim 2 where the clutch comprises axially projecting face teeth at both a proximal end and a distal end. 4. The drive mechanism of claim 3 where the dose dial sleeve is engaged with the clutch through the distal projecting face teeth when the clutch is in the dose setting position. 5. The drive mechanism of claim 2, wherein the biasing element releasably connects the drive sleeve to the housing. 6. The drive mechanism of claim 1 where the clutch comprises internal splines configured to engage the drive sleeve such that the drive sleeve and clutch are rotationally fixed and axially slidable relative to each other. 7. The drive mechanism of claim 1 where the drive sleeve has two radially extending flanges spaced a distance apart and having an outer helical thread there between. 8. The drive mechanism of claim 6 where the drive sleeve has a distal end having a shoulder and an extension. 9. The drive mechanism of claim 8 further comprising an outwardly directed flange on the extension. 10. The drive mechanism of claim 1, wherein the piston rod is threadedly engaged with the drive sleeve.