Portable Drug Mixing and Delivery Device and Associated Methods

Abstract

A portable auto-injector configured to store a dry medication separately from a liquid component, wherein removal of a cap opens a rotary valve allowing for the initiation of a mixing step prior to injection. An extendable needle guard is provided over the delivery assembly which prevents premature injection as well as inadvertent sticks or other cross contamination of a needle. The needle guard can also form part of a secondary trigger mechanism which injects the reconstituted drug after the mixing stage is complete.

What is claimed: 
     
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         21 . A medication mixing device comprising:
 a housing containing a first chamber and a second chamber;   a first medicament component provided in the first chamber, wherein the first medicament component being provided in liquid form;   a second medicament component provided in the second chamber, the second medicament component being dry and including an epinephrine compound;   a valve assembly being disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the valve assembly being configured to selectively allow fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber;   a first displacement mechanism, the first displacement mechanism being configured to cause movement of the first medicament component from the first chamber into the second chamber, thus causing the first medicament component and the second medicament component to mix thus resulting in a mixed medicament compound.   
     
     
         22 . The medication mixing device of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a pre-loaded energy source, the pre-loaded energy source containing energy configured to drive the first displacement mechanism.   
     
     
         23 . The medication mixing device of  claims 21 , wherein the first chamber is structurally independent from the second chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The medication mixing device of  claim 23 , wherein the first chamber is formed from a first vial, and the second chamber is formed from a second vial. 
     
     
         25 . The medication mixing device of  claim 23 , wherein a bottom portion of the valve assembly extends partially into the second chamber. 
     
     
         26 . The medication mixing and delivery device of any of  claims 25 , further comprising a second displacement mechanism, the second displacement mechanism being provided in association with the second chamber, the second displacement mechanism being configured to displace the mixed medicament compound from the second chamber, the pre-loaded energy source also containing energy configured to drive the second displacement mechanism. 
     
     
         27 . The medication mixing and delivery device of  claim 26 , wherein the second displacement mechanism is provided on a lower portion of the valve assembly. 
     
     
         28 . The medication mixing device of any of  claims 27 , further comprising: a first actuation assembly being provided in communication with the first displacement mechanism, whereupon actuation of the first actuation assembly releases a first portion of energy from the pre-loaded energy source so as to cause the first displacement mechanism to displace the first medicament component from the first chamber into the second chamber. 
     
     
         29 . The medication mixing device of  claim 26 , further comprising a delivery assembly, the delivery assembly being provided in fluid communication with the second chamber. 
     
     
         30 . The medication mixing device of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 a second actuation assembly;   a delivery assembly being operatively connected to the second chamber;   wherein during a second actuation the second actuation assembly is configured to release a second portion of energy from the pre-loaded energy source; and   wherein, upon release of the second portion of energy from the pre-loaded energy source, a second displacement mechanism forces the mixed medicament compound out of the second chamber through the delivery assembly.   
     
     
         31 . The medication mixing device of any of  claim 30 , further comprising a frame provided between the housing and the first chamber. 
     
     
         32 . The medication mixing device of  claim 31 , wherein a first actuation assembly is formed in part by the housing, the frame, and a rotatable cap. 
     
     
         33 . The medication mixing and delivery device of  claim 32 , wherein the rotatable cap is removably attached to the housing. 
     
     
         34 . The medication mixing device of  claim 30 , further comprising a needle shield assembly, the needle shield assembly further comprising a needle shield and a secondary spring, the secondary spring biasing the needle shield in an extended position. 
     
     
         35 . The medication mixing device of  claim 34 , wherein the needle shield assembly forms part of the second actuation assembly, wherein a depression of the needle shield into the housing initiates actuation of the second actuation assembly. 
     
     
         36 . The medication mixing device of any of  claims 21 , wherein the valve is a rotary valve or sliding valve. 
     
     
         37 . The medication mixing device of  claim 31 , wherein the frame includes a channel disposed on an inner surface. 
     
     
         38 . A medication mixing and delivery system comprising:
 a housing containing a first chamber and a second chamber;   a first medicament component provided in the first chamber;   a second medicament component provided in the second chamber, the second medicament component being dry and including an epinephrine compound;   a valve assembly disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber;   a first displacement mechanism, the first displacement mechanism being provided in association with the first chamber;   a second displacement mechanism, the second displacement mechanism being provided in association with the second chamber;   a first actuation assembly coupled to a pre-stored energy source provided within the housing and associated with the first displacement mechanism, whereupon actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the pre-stored energy source to release a first portion of energy and the first displacement mechanism to displace the first medicament component from the first chamber into the second chamber so as to mix with the second medicament component thus resulting in a mixed medicament compound; and   a needle assembly in fluid communication with the second chamber.   
     
     
         39 . The medication mixing and delivery system of  claim 38 , further comprising: a second actuation assembly associated with the second displacement mechanism. 
     
     
         40 . The medication mixing and delivery system of  claim 39 , wherein the second actuation assembly is configured to be actuated so as to allow the second displacement mechanism to displace the mixed medicament compound from the second chamber and through the needle assembly, and wherein the pre-stored energy source is also associated with the second displacement mechanism. 
     
     
         41 . The medication mixing and delivery device of  claim 38 , wherein the first actuation assembly is formed in part by the housing, a frame, and a rotatable cap. 
     
     
         42 . The medication mixing and delivery device of  claim 41 , wherein the rotatable cap is removably attached to the housing.