Adapter and drug cartridge alignment device

Abstract

An alignment device for coupling a liquid drug cartridge with a longitudinal cartridge axis and a constricted neck portion with a cap and a piercable septum distal from the neck portion with an adapter is presented. The septum is perpendicular to the cartridge axis. The device comprises an adapter cannula with a longitudinal cannula axis to pierce the septum and a proximal cartridge engagement structure for axial aligned engagement with a distal end section of cartridge body. The device further comprises a distal adapter engagement structure for axial aligned engagement with the adapter. A coupling of the cartridge with the adapter is enabled via the alignment device. The adapter and the cartridge are, during the coupling, aligned by the cartridge engagement structure and the adapter engagement structure, respectively relative to each other such that the longitudinal cartridge axis and the longitudinal cannula axis form a common longitudinal axis.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A liquid drug cartridge for use in an ambulatory infusion device, the cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body extending along a longitudinal cartridge axis (Z);   a distal end section comprising a self-sealing, piercable septum perpendicular to the longitudinal cartridge axis (Z); and   a number of alignment members distributed about an outer circumference of the cartridge body and extending along the longitudinal cartridge axis (Z).   
     
     
         2 . The liquid drug cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the number of alignment members is three or four. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid drug cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the alignment members are integral with the cartridge body. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid drug cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the alignment members are wings equally distributed about the cartridge body. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid drug cartridge according to  claim 4 , wherein the alignment members include four of the wings. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid drug cartridge according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a cap with a proximal front surface and a cap radius;   wherein the cartridge body has a distal end; and   wherein the wings extend along the longitudinal cartridge axis (Z) between the distal end of the cartridge body and the proximal front surface of the cap.   
     
     
         7 . The liquid drug cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the wings have a radial dimension corresponding to the cap radius. 
     
     
         8 . A cartridge kit, the cartridge kit comprising a liquid drug cartridge and an adapter, the cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body extending along a longitudinal cartridge axis (Z);   a distal end section comprising a self-sealing, piercable septum perpendicular to the cartridge axis (Z); and   a number of alignment members distributed about an outer circumference of the cartridge body and extending along the longitudinal cartridge axis (Z);   
       the adapter comprising an adapter cannula with a longitudinal cannula axis (Z′) to pierce a septum of a liquid drug cartridge and an infusion device coupler to mechanically couple to and engage with a housing of the infusion device; and 
       wherein the adapter and the cartridge are coupled or designed to couple via the alignment members. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge kit according to  claim 8 , wherein the number of alignment members is three or four. 
     
     
         10 . The cartridge kit according to  claim 8 , wherein the alignment members are integral with the cartridge body. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge kit according to  claim 8 , wherein the alignment members are wings equally distributed about the cartridge body. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid drug cartridge according to  claim 11 , wherein the alignment members include four of the wings. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge kit according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a cap with a proximal front surface and a cap radius;   wherein the cartridge body has a distal end; and   wherein the wings extend along the longitudinal cartridge axis (Z) between the distal end of the cartridge body and the proximal front surface of the cap.   
     
     
         14 . The cartridge kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the wings have a radial dimension corresponding to the cap radius. 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge kit according to  claim 11 , wherein the adapter includes a counter coupling structure configured to engage the wings.