Cartridge Hub with Active Valve

Abstract

The invention is related to a dispense interface ( 402 ) for a drug delivery device for delivering at least two drug agents, wherein the dispense interface ( 402 ) is configured to be coupled to a cartridge holder of the drug delivery device, wherein the cartridge holder is configured to hold at least two cartridges ( 416, 418 ), wherein the dispense interface ( 402 ) comprises at least two inlet channels ( 404, 406 ), each comprising a fluid inlet opening ( 408, 412 ), wherein each fluid inlet opening ( 408, 412 ) is configured to receive fluid from a respective cartridge of the at least two cartridges ( 416, 418 ) when the dispense interface ( 402 ) is axially coupled to the cartridge holder, an outlet channel ( 424 ) comprising a fluid outlet opening ( 426 ), a valve structure ( 420 ) configured to be selectively moved into any one of a plurality of positions, wherein in at least one position the valve structure ( 420 ) selectively permits or prevents fluid flow from any of the at least two inlet channels ( 404, 406 ) to the outlet channel ( 424 ). The invention is further related to a drug delivery device for delivering at least two drug agents comprising a dispense interface ( 402 ) of the aforementioned kind.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A dispense interface for a drug delivery device for delivering at least two drug agents,
 wherein the dispense interface is configured to be axially coupled to a cartridge holder of the drug delivery device,   wherein the cartridge holder is configured to hold at least two cartridges,   wherein the dispense interface comprises:   at least two inlet channels, each comprising a fluid inlet opening configured to receive fluid from a respective cartridge of the at least two cartridges when the dispense interface is axially coupled to the cartridge holder;   an outlet channel comprising a fluid outlet opening; and   a valve structure configured to be selectively moved into any one of a plurality of positions, wherein in at least one position the valve structure selectively permits or prevents fluid flow from any of the at least two inlet channels to the outlet channel,   wherein the valve structure comprises a coupling structure configured to engage a valve coupling feature of the cartridge holder when the dispense interface is coupled to the cartridge holder; and   wherein the coupling structure is configured to enable moving the valve structure into any one of the plurality of positions by the cartridge holder when the coupling structure is engaged to the valve coupling feature.   
     
     
         16 . The dispense interface of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the coupling structure is an opening with an asymmetric cross-section and the valve coupling feature is a protrusion with a corresponding cross-section.   
     
     
         17 . The dispense interface of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the valve coupling feature is an opening with an asymmetric cross-section and the coupling structure is a protrusion with a corresponding cross-section.   
     
     
         18 . The dispense interface of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the coupling structure is a protrusion of the valve structure along a longitudinal axis of the valve structure.   
     
     
         19 . The dispense interface of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the coupling structure is a notch and the valve coupling feature is a protrusion.   
     
     
         20 . A dispense interface for a drug delivery device for delivering at least two drug agents,
 wherein the dispense interface is configured to be axially coupled to a cartridge holder of the drug delivery device,   wherein the cartridge holder is configured to hold at least two cartridges,   wherein the dispense interface comprises:   at least two inlet channels, each comprising a fluid inlet opening configured to receive fluid from a respective cartridge of the at least two cartridges when the dispense interface is axially coupled to the cartridge holder;   an outlet channel comprising a fluid outlet opening; and   a valve structure configured to be selectively moved into any one of a plurality of positions, wherein in at least one position the valve structure selectively permits or prevents fluid flow from any of the at least two inlet channels to the outlet channel,   wherein the valve structure comprises a propelling feature   wherein the propelling feature is configured to engage a linking arrangement of the cartridge holder;   wherein the propelling feature is configured to pull the cartridge holder towards the dispense interface when the valve structure is moved into an attachment position of the plurality of positions; and   wherein the propelling feature is configured to push the cartridge holder away from the dispense interface when the valve structure is moved into a detachment position of the plurality of positions.   
     
     
         21 . The dispense interface of  claim 20  wherein:
 the propelling feature is a groove and the linking arrangement is a ridge. 
 
     
     
         22 . The dispense interface of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the linking arrangement is a screw threaded nut and the propelling feature is a length of a screw thread mounted axially upon a shaft.   
     
     
         23 . The dispense interface of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the dispense interface is attached to the cartridge holder by turning the shaft in a first direction.   
     
     
         24 . The dispense interface of  claim 23 , wherein:
 further turning the shaft in the first direction moves the valve structure.   
     
     
         25 . A dispense interface for a drug delivery device for delivering at least two drug agents,
 wherein the dispense interface is configured to be axially coupled to a cartridge holder of the drug delivery device,   wherein the cartridge holder is configured to hold at least two cartridges,   wherein the dispense interface comprises:   at least two inlet channels, each comprising a fluid inlet opening configured to receive fluid from a respective cartridge of the at least two cartridges when the dispense interface is axially coupled to the cartridge holder;   an outlet channel comprising a fluid outlet opening;   a valve structure configured to be selectively moved into any one of a plurality of positions, wherein in at least one position the valve structure selectively permits or prevents fluid flow from any of the at least two inlet channels to the outlet channel, the valve structure comprising a coupling structure configured to engage a valve coupling feature of the cartridge holder when the dispense interface is coupled to the cartridge holder, and   a valve driving construction configured to selectively move the valve structure into any of the plurality of positions,   wherein the valve driving construction comprises an electrical motor configured to move the valve structure,   wherein the valve driving construction comprises at least one electric contact configured to receive electrical signals from the cartridge holder, and   wherein the electrical motor is configured to move the valve structure based on the electrical signals received from the cartridge holder.   
     
     
         26 . The dispense interface of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the electrical motor is configured to be powered by electricity received from the cartridge holder when the dispense interface is coupled to the cartridge holder.   
     
     
         27 . The dispense interface of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the electrical signals comprise control signals.   
     
     
         28 . The dispense interface of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the electrical signals comprise an electrical power supply signal to power the electrical motor.   
     
     
         29 . The dispense interface of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the electrical signals comprise pulse-width or otherwise modulated signals.   
     
     
         30 . The dispense interface of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the valve structure comprises a fluid transfer pathway on a lateral surface of the valve structure,   which fluid transfer pathway is configured to permit, in at least one of the plurality of positions, fluid flow from any one inlet channel to the outlet channel and to prevent fluid flow from the other inlet channels to the outlet channel.   
     
     
         31 . The dispense interface of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the fluid transfer pathway is a groove.   
     
     
         32 . The dispense interface of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the coupling structure is configured to block the engaging of the valve coupling feature of the cartridge holder, thereby preventing coupling of the dispense interface to the cartridge holder, when the valve structure is in at least one blocking position of the plurality of positions.   
     
     
         33 . Drug delivery device for delivering at least two drug agents comprising a dispense interface according to  claim 15 .