Drug delivery systems and methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drug delivery device for mixing and delivering a drug by injection. The device includes a housing having a first port or opening therein that receives a first container that contains a fluid or powdered drug, for example a lyophilized drug. The housing can also include a second port or opening that receives a second container that contains a fluid to be mixed with the drug to form an injectable fluid. The device includes a manifold having a channel that fluidly connects the first and second containers. A penetrating membrane such as a needle is used to inject the drug into a patient which is in fluid communication with the first container. The needle is movable from a storage position in the housing to an injection position extending through the housing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A liquid drug transfer system comprising: 
 a housing;    a port in said housing that received a container;    a delivery device that can be connected to the housing to receive a liquid from the container; and    an end of delivery indicator.    
     
     
         2 . The liquid drug transfer system of  claim 1  wherein said end of delivery indicator comprises a diaphragm.  
     
     
         3 . A liquid drug transfer system comprising: 
 a housing;    a port in said housing that received a container;    a delivery device that can be connected to the housing to receive a liquid from the container;    a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes said container; and    a locking mechanism that prevents activation of said pressurizing mechanism before said container is inserted in said port.    
     
     
         4 . A liquid drug transfer system comprising: 
 a housing;    a port in said housing that received a container;    a delivery device that can be connected to the housing to receive a liquid from the container;    a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes said container; and    a locking mechanism to prevent activation of the pressurizing mechanism when said device is not vertically oriented.    
     
     
         5 . A liquid drug transfer system comprising: 
 a housing;    a port in said housing that received a container;    a delivery device that can be connected to the housing to receive a liquid from the container; and    wherein a predetermined volume of a liquid drug is delivered using a penetrating member having an adjustable height that pierces said container of liquid drug.    
     
     
         6 . The liquid drug transfer system of  claim 5  wherein said penetrating member comprises a spike that is threadedly engaged with said housing.  
     
     
         7 . A liquid drug transfer system comprising: 
 a housing;    a port in said housing that received a container;    a delivery device that can be connected to the housing to receive a liquid from the container; and    a support surface on said housing such that a user can insert said container with one hand while said housing is positioned with said support surface.    
     
     
         8 . A liquid drug transfer system comprising: 
 a housing;    a port in said housing that received a container; and    a pen injector that can be connected to the housing to receive a liquid from the container.    
     
     
         9 . A method for transferring a liquid comprising: 
 inserting a container in a housing;    transferring a liquid in the container to a delivery device, said delivery device having a penetrating member;    separating the delivery device from said housing; and    providing an end of delivery indicator.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said step of transferring the liquid comprises providing a syringe as said delivery device.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of providing an end of delivery indicator comprises using a diaphragm.  
     
     
         12 . A method for transferring a liquid comprising: 
 providing a port in a housing;    providing a locking mechanism in said housing that prevents activation of a pressurizing mechanism before a container is inserted in said port;    inserting said container in said port of said housing;    actuating said pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes said container;    transferring a liquid in said container to a delivery device, said delivery device having a penetrating member; and    separating the delivery device from said housing.    
     
     
         13 . A method for transferring a liquid comprising: 
 inserting a container in a housing;    providing a locking mechanism to secure the container in said housing;    transferring a liquid in the container to a delivery device, said delivery device having a penetrating member; and    separating the delivery device from said housing.    
     
     
         14 . A method for transferring a liquid comprising: 
 inserting a container in a housing;    actuating a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes said container;    transferring a liquid in the container to a delivery device, said delivery device having a penetrating member;    separating the delivery device from said housing; and    wherein a locking mechanism is provided to prevent activation of said pressurizing mechanism when said device is not vertically oriented.    
     
     
         15 . A method for transferring a liquid comprising: 
 inserting a container in a housing;    transferring a predetermined volume of a liquid drug by adjusting the height of a penetrating member which pierces the container of liquid drug into a drug delivery device; and,    separating the delivery device from said housing.