Patents by Inventor Daniel David Higgins

Daniel David Higgins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240131271
    Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device is described. The drive train includes a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle, a rotationally driveable expelling mechanism adapted to expel the liquid drug, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and including a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions against the torque of the torsional energy storage. The clutch element is adapted to transmit the torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, or alternatively from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism. The ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage. The drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks visco-elastically and/or visco-frictionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Jugl, Stefan Blancke, Axel Teucher, Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Anthony Paul Morris, Matthew Meredith Jones, William Geoffrey Arthur Marsh, Samuel Keir Steel
  • Patent number: 11918794
    Abstract: A button for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a plate-like button body forming a touch surface, wherein the plate-like button body is coupled by an axial supporting member to a noise-generating interface of the drug delivery device and movable into a longitudinal direction of the drug delivery device, wherein the plate-like button body includes a material composite with at least one first component consisting of a first material and at least one second component consisting of a second material different from the first material, wherein the at least one first component and the at least one second component are coupled via at least one coupling plane that is at least sectionwise slanted or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Further, the disclosure describes a button assembly for a drug delivery device which is shock resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventors: Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Matthew Meredith Jones, Anthony Paul Morris, Sophie Sladen, William Geoffrey Arthur Marsh, Denny Lustosa Horn, Stefan Blancke, Michael Jugl
  • Patent number: 11872381
    Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device is described. The drive train includes a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle, a rotationally driveable expelling mechanism adapted to expel the liquid drug, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and including a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions against the torque of the torsional energy storage. The clutch element is adapted to transmit the torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, or alternatively from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism. The ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage. The drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks visco-elastically and/or visco-frictionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventors: Michael Jugl, Stefan Blancke, Axel Teucher, Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Anthony Paul Morris, Matthew Meredith Jones, William Geoffrey Arthur Marsh, Samuel Keir Steel
  • Publication number: 20230320475
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid formulation product comprising steps of: positioning a platform into a cup comprising an open end comprising a skirt, such that the platform is at least partially received by the cup; then filing the cup with liquid formulation to a predetermined level such that the platform is at least partially submerged in the liquid formulation; solidifying the liquid formulation in the cup to form a solid formulation; once the solid formulation is formed, deforming then releasing the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy Huw Gray, Adil Faysal Kadar, Benjamin George Oglesby, Simon Paul Gregory, Daniel David Higgins, Colin Marc Webb
  • Patent number: 11666709
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a dose selector, a housing, and a ratchet with a gear element comprising a plurality of gear teeth connected with the dose selector and a pawl element rotationally constrained to the housing comprising at least one pawl tooth. The at least one pawl tooth engages with the gear teeth and is located opposite to the gear teeth. One of the gear element and the pawl element moves forth and back relative to the other element of the gear and pawl elements along a first direction for de-engagement and re-engagement of the opposite gear teeth and at least one pawl tooth when the gear element rotates relative to the housing during dose setting using the dose selector. The pawl element and/or gear element comprises a noise reduction characteristic at a surface which dampens the noise produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventors: Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Jack Carroll, Timothy Robin Quigg, Laura Stein, Stefan Blancke, Sophie Sladen
  • Patent number: 11565052
    Abstract: A system comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first and second members are rotatable relative to the third member, wherein the first and second members are coupled to one another by a dead-angle follower coupling, wherein the dead-angle follower coupling is configured such that the first and second members are rotatable relative to one another, wherein the second and third members are rotationally coupled to one another by a switchable coupling mechanism, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is switchable between two different states, a locked state and a non-locked state, wherein the maximum torque transferable between the second and third members via the switchable coupling mechanism in the locked state is greater than in the non-locked state, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is in the locked state when the first member is in a locking position relative to the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventors: Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Stefan Blancke
  • Patent number: 11497854
    Abstract: A system comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first and second members are rotatable relative to the third member, wherein the first and second members are coupled to one another by a dead-angle follower coupling, wherein the dead-angle follower coupling is configured such that the first and second members are rotatable relative to one another, wherein the second and third members are rotationally coupled to one another by a switchable coupling mechanism, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is switchable between two different states, a locked state and a non-locked state, wherein the maximum torque transferable between the second and third members via the switchable coupling mechanism in the locked state is greater than in the non-locked state, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is in the locked state when the first member is in a locking position relative to the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventors: Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Stefan Blancke
  • Publication number: 20210170111
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a dose selector, a housing, and a ratchet with a gear element comprising a plurality of gear teeth connected with the dose selector and a pawl element rotationally constrained to the housing comprising at least one pawl tooth. The at least one pawl tooth engages with the gear teeth and is located opposite to the gear teeth. One of the gear element and the pawl element moves forth and back relative to the other element of the gear and pawl elements along a first direction for de-engagement and re-engagement of the opposite gear teeth and at least one pawl tooth when the gear element rotates relative to the housing during dose setting using the dose selector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Jack Carroll, Timothy Robin Quigg, Laura Stein, Stefan Blancke, Sophie Sladen
  • Publication number: 20210038824
    Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device, comprises a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle coupled with a button, a rotationally drivable expelling mechanism, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and comprising a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions, wherein via the rotatable element, the clutch element is adapted to transmit a torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage or from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism, and wherein the ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, and wherein the drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks by a flexible impact portion in the area of the clutch element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Jugl, Matthew Meredith Jones, Axel Teucher, Stefan Blancke, Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher
  • Publication number: 20200368446
    Abstract: A system comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first and second members are rotatable relative to the third member, wherein the first and second members are coupled to one another by a dead-angle follower coupling, wherein the dead-angle follower coupling is configured such that the first and second members are rotatable relative to one another, wherein the second and third members are rotationally coupled to one another by a switchable coupling mechanism, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is switchable between two different states, a locked state and a non-locked state, wherein the maximum torque transferable between the second and third members via the switchable coupling mechanism in the locked state is greater than in the non-locked state, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is in the locked state when the first member is in a locking position relative to the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Stefan Blancke
  • Publication number: 20200345945
    Abstract: A drive train (T) for a wind-up injection device (1) for injecting a liquid drug comprises a torsional energy storage (9) adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element (6), a rotatable user handle (8), a rotationally driveable expelling mechanism (5) adapted to expel the liquid drug and a clutch element (12) coupled with the torsional energy storage (9) via the rotatable element (6) and comprising a ratchet (12.4) for maintaining the rotatable element (6) at one of a number of discrete angular positions against the torque of the torsional energy storage (9). The clutch element (12) is adapted to transmit a torque from the user handle (8) via the rotatable element (6) to the torsional energy storage (9) or alternatively from the torsional energy storage (9) via the rotatable element (6) to the expelling mechanism (5), wherein the ratchet (12.4) is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle (8) to the torsional energy storage (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Jugl, Stefan Blancke, Axel Teucher, Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Anthony Paul Morris, Matthew Meredith Jones, William Geoffrey Arthur Marsh, Samuel Keir Steel
  • Publication number: 20200330697
    Abstract: A button (70, 270, 370, 470) for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness comprises a plate-like button body forming a touch surface (70b, 270b, 370b, 470b), wherein the plate-like button body is coupled by an axial supporting member (75, 275, 375, 475) to a noise-generating interface of the drug delivery device and movable into a longitudinal direction of the drug delivery device, wherein the plate-like button body comprises a material composite with at least one first component (271, 272, 371, 372, 373, 374, 471) consisting of a first material and at least one second component (278, 378, 478) consisting of a second material different from the first material, wherein the at least one first component (271, 272, 371, 372, 373, 374, 47) and the at least one second component (278, 378, 478) are coupled via at least one coupling plane (270d, 270e, 370d, 470d) that is at least sectionwise slanted or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph Donald Quentin Collings, James Robert Coop, James Anthony West, Stephen Francis Gilmore, Daniel David Higgins, Mark Digby Teucher, Matthew Meredith Jones, Anthony Paul Morris, Sophie Louise Sladen, William Geoffrey Arthur Marsh, Denny Lustosa Horn, Stefan Blancke, Michael Jugl
  • Patent number: 10549046
    Abstract: A drive mechanism (1) for use in a drug delivery device (100) is provided. The drive mechanism (1) comprises a housing (10, 11, 12, 14, 15) with a proximal and a distal end and a piston rod (22) which is rotatable with respect to the housing (10, 11, 12, 14, 15). The drive mechanism (1) further comprises a nut member (31) which is selectively rotationally lockable with respect to the housing (10, 11, 12, 14, 15), wherein the drive mechanism (1) is switchable between a setting mode of operation and a dispensing mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventors: Simon Lewis Bilton, Robert Veasey, Matthew Jones, David Aubrey Plumptre, William Marsh, Michael Bainton, Daniel David Higgins
  • Patent number: 10092705
    Abstract: The invention refers to an injection device comprising a housing (10), containing a cartridge (170) with an amount of liquid to be dispensed, a drive sleeve (41), which is rotationally constrained to the housing (10) during dose setting and spring driven rotatable relative to the housing (10) during dose dispensing, a dose dial member (60) for setting a dose to be dispensed, which is rotatable relative to the housing (10) during dose setting and during dose dispensing, and which is rotationally coupled to the drive sleeve (41) during dose dispensing. The device further comprises a last dose protection mechanism (41, 50, 60) for preventing the setting of a dose, which exceeds the amount of liquid left in the cartridge (170), with a limiter (50), which is interposed between the drive sleeve (41) and the dose dial member (60). Further, the device comprises two different display members (110, 120), each indicating the set dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventors: Daniel David Higgins, Joseph Butler, David Aubrey Plumptre, Matthew Jones
  • Patent number: 9956347
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an attachment for an operable drug delivery device, comprising a gripping sleeve member that is configured to receive a first member of the operable drug delivery device, wherein the gripping sleeve member comprises a first gripping sleeve member part comprising a first engagement feature at its inner surface that is configured to engage the first gripping sleeve member part in a torque-proof manner with the first member of the operable drug delivery device. Further, the present invention concerns a use of the attachment or a system of attachments for operating the operable drug delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Naceur Rekaya, Paul Richard Draper, David Aubrey Plumtre, Robert Veasey, Daniel David Higgins, Matthew Jones, Michael Bainton
  • Patent number: 9802001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing speed control mechanism for use in an injection device. The injection device may have a housing (10, 30, 40; 40?; 40?; 40??) and a drive member (70), which is driven by a power reservoir (100, 100?) and axially movable between a dose setting position, in which the drive member (70) is rotationally constrained to the housing (10, 30, 40; 40?; 40?; 40??), and a dose dispensing position, in which the drive member (70) is rotationally de-coupled from the housing (10, 30, 40; 40?; 40?; 40??). The speed control mechanism comprises friction means (42) for retarding the drive member (70) during dose dispensing depending on the axial position of the drive member (70). Further, the invention relates to an injection device with such a dispensing speed control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sanofi
    Inventors: Daniel David Higgins, Matthew Jones, Joseph Butler, William Marsh
  • Publication number: 20160220760
    Abstract: A drive mechanism (1) for use in a drug delivery device (100) is provided. The drive mechanism (1) comprises a housing (10, 11, 12, 14, 15) with a proximal and a distal end and a piston rod (22) which is rotatable with respect to the housing (10, 11, 12, 14, 15). The drive mechanism (1) further comprises a nut member (31) which is selectively rotationally lockable with respect to the housing (10, 11, 12, 14, 15), wherein the drive mechanism (1) is switchable between a setting mode of operation and a dispensing mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Simon Lewis Bilton, Robert Veasey, Matthew Jones, David Aubrey Plumptre, William Marsh, Michael Bainton, Daniel David Higgins
  • Patent number: 9402961
    Abstract: A drug delivery device having a spring element that provides dispense assistance. The drug delivery device includes a variable dose setting mechanism, a fixed dose setting mechanism, and a mechanical coupling having a spring element. The variable dose setting mechanism is operably coupled to a first reservoir holding a first medicament, and the variable dose setting mechanism comprises a dose setter. The fixed dose setting mechanism is operably coupled to a second reservoir holding a second medicament. The mechanical coupling operably couples the variable dose setting mechanism and the fixed dose setting mechanism. Further, the variable dose setting mechanism is configured to set a variable dose of the first medicament upon activation of the dose setter, and the fixed dose setting mechanism is configured to set a fixed dose of the second medicament during variable dose setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: David Martin Leak, Malcolm Stanley Boyd, Daniel Thomas De Sausmarez Lintell, Simon Lewis Bilton, Daniel David Higgins
  • Publication number: 20160082196
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld automatic injection device comprising a housing (10, 30, 40; 40?), a piston rod (80) located within the housing (10, 30, 40; 40?), a drive member (70) permanently coupled to the piston rod (80), a dose setting member (50), which during dose setting rotates relative to the housing (10, 30, 40; 40?) in a first direction and which during dose dispensing rotates relative to the housing (10, 30, 40; 40?) in a second opposite direction, and a power reservoir (100) for driving the drive member (70). The drive member (70) is axially movable between a dose setting position, in which the drive member (70) is rotationally constrained to the housing, and a dose dispensing position, in which the drive member (70) is rotationally decoupled from the housing (10, 30, 40; 40?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: SANOFI
    Inventors: Daniel David Higgins, David Aubrey Plumptre, Robert Veasey, Matthew Jones, William Marsh, Joseph Butler
  • Publication number: 20160067420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing speed control mechanism for use in an injection device. The injection device may have a housing (10, 30, 40; 40?; 40?; 40??) and a drive member (70), which is driven by a power reservoir (100, 100?) and axially movable between a dose setting position, in which the drive member (70) is rotationally constrained to the housing (10, 30, 40; 40?; 40?; 40??), and a dose dispensing position, in which the drive member (70) is rotationally de-coupled from the housing (10, 30, 40; 40?; 40?; 40??). The speed control mechanism comprises friction means (42) for retarding the drive member (70) during dose dispensing depending on the axial position of the drive member (70). Further, the invention relates to an injection device with such a dispensing speed control mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Sanofi
    Inventors: Daniel David Higgins, Matthew Jones, Joseph Butler, William Marsh