Drug Delivery Device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a drug delivery device, having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plunger movable along the longitudinal axis and a guide curve adapted to engage at least one part of the plunger so as to guide the plunger when the plunger is being released to move along the longitudinal axis.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An assembly for a drug delivery device, the assembly comprising:
 a case;   a stop surface; and   a plunger movable in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis,   wherein the plunger comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding radially from the plunger,   wherein the second protrusion is circumferentially offset from the first protrusion on the plunger,   wherein the assembly comprises a first state and a second state,   wherein, in the first state, the plunger is locked against movement in the axial direction and, in the second state, the plunger is free to move in the axial direction,   wherein the plunger is rotated relative to the case in order to switch from the first state to the second state,   wherein the first protrusion is configured to cooperate with the case in the first state, and wherein when switching from the first state to the second state, the plunger rotates relative to the case and the rotation of the plunger is limited by the second protrusion abutting the stop surface.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the second protrusion overlaps with the first protrusion in the axial direction along the extension of the plunger. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein an additional portion of the second protrusion does not overlap with the first protrusion in the axial direction. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the second protrusion extends further in a distal direction than does the first protrusion. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the first and the second protrusions are located at a proximal end of the plunger. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the second protrusion is in contact with the stop surface during the axial movement of the plunger. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein in the second state, the second protrusion is movably arranged in an axial direction relative to the stop surface. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the second protrusion generates a noise when the second protrusion hits the stop surface. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the stop surface is partially curved. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the case comprises a case slot adapted to engage the first protrusion so as to restrict movement of the plunger along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the plunger is configured to be rotated such that the first protrusion disengages the case slot, thus releasing the plunger for axial translation in a distal direction. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly according to  claim 25 , wherein the case slot and the stop surface are integral with the case. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the second protrusion has a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the second protrusion is at least partially chamfered or rounded in a proximal direction. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the first and the second protrusions extend to the same distance in a proximal direction. 
     
     
         30 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the assembly comprises a drive spring that is configured to exert a force in a distal direction on the plunger. 
     
     
         31 . The assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the case is configured to receive a medicament container containing a medicament. 
     
     
         32 . A drug delivery device comprising:
 an assembly for the drug delivery device, the assembly comprising:
 a case, 
 a stop surface, and 
 a plunger movable in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis, 
 wherein the plunger comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding radially from the plunger, 
 wherein the second protrusion is circumferentially offset from the first protrusion on the plunger, 
 wherein the assembly comprises a first state and a second state, 
 wherein, in the first state, the plunger is locked against movement in the axial direction and, in the second state, the plunger is free to move in the axial direction, 
 wherein the plunger is rotated relative to the case in order to switch from the first state to the second state, 
 wherein the first protrusion is configured to cooperate with the case in the first state, and wherein when switching from the first state to the second state, the plunger rotates relative to the case and the rotation of the plunger is limited by the second protrusion abutting the stop surface; and 
   a medicament container containing a medicament.   
     
     
         33 . The drug delivery device of  claim 32 , wherein the drug delivery device is an autoinjector. 
     
     
         34 . A method of using a drug delivery device, the drug delivery device comprising:
 an assembly comprising:   a case,   a stop surface, and   a plunger movable in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis,   wherein the plunger comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding radially from the plunger, wherein the second protrusion is circumferentially offset from the first protrusion on the plunger, wherein the assembly comprises a first state and a second state, wherein, in the first state, the plunger is locked against movement in the axial direction and, in the second state, the plunger is free to move in the axial direction, wherein the plunger is rotated relative to the case in order to switch from the first state to the second state, wherein the first protrusion is configured to cooperate with the case in the first state, and wherein when switching from the first state to the second state, the plunger rotates relative to the case and the rotation of the plunger is limited by the second protrusion abutting the stop surface; and   a medicament container containing a medicament,   wherein the method comprises dispensing the medicament from the medicament container.