Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a system for trans- dermal delivery of doses of a medicament comprising a delivery device to be placed in dermal contact with a patient and methods of activating said delivery device by a separate drive device.

Background of the invention

Many medical conditions often require the regular administration of doses of medicaments. These medicaments are often provided as liquid solutions to be administered intravenously or trans-dermally . Diabetic patients, for example, may require several injections of insulin every day. Patients with chronic diseases may require frequent doses of a pain drug, etc... Mostly, injection pen devices are used by these patients, because they allow an easier and more convenient administration of doses of medicament than with standard syringe and vial. Pen devices however require complex manipulations too, e.g. assembling a new needle every time, replacing a medicament vial when empty, and force the patient to make a new injection every time. This may cause various problems like possible contamination, uncomfortable and embarrassing situation in public place, sore body parts due to multiple injection points. In the attempt to make the life of these patients easier, infusion devices have been developed. The infusion devices known in the art typically comprise a storage device, such as a cartridge, a syringe, a reservoir, containing the liquid medicament, and use electro-mechanical pumping to deliver the medicament to the patient via tubing to a needle that is inserted through the skin. They typically comprise also all the elements needed for operation and control, e.g. a processor, electric components, a battery, buttons or switches located on the housing of the device, visual feedback via text or graphic screens, such as LCDs, etc... Such devices can be worn in a harness or pocket or strapped to the body of the patient. Currently available infusion devices are expensive, difficult to program and use and tend to be bulky and heavy. Filling these devices can be difficult and require specialized care, maintenance, and cleaning to assure proper functionality and safety for their intended long-term use. In US 6740059 an infusion device is disclosed comprising an exit port, a dispenser for causing fluid from a reservoir to flow to the exit port, a local processor programmed to cause a flow of fluid to the exit port based on flow instructions from a separate, remote control device, and a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving the flow instructions. This infusion device is provided with a housing that is free of user input components, such as a keypad or visual screen as these features have been transferred to a separate remote device thus reducing size and complexity of the infusion device. The infusion device, however, still retains all the electro-mechanical components, such as a driving motor, a processor, a battery, and since it needs to be replaced after a few days, appears to be a very expensive disposable. An object of the present invention is to solve some of the problems encountered in the prior art, particularly to provide a cheap device for the delivery of doses of a medicament. This is achieved by providing a system comprising a delivery device, which is small, comprises a minimum number of components, is easily manufactured, is thus cost-effective and may be disposable. Another advantage of the present invention is that the system is easy and convenient to use. It allows for example easy activation by another person taking care of a patient, a typical situation encountered e.g. when the patient is a child, with elderly people, with temporarily or permanently impaired patients. This is possible because, the present invention enables nearly unnoticed and thus discrete administration of a medicament, and eliminates the need, the fear, the pain, and all problems caused by multiple and repeated injections. Another advantage is that the device is safe to use.

Description of the invention

The present invention refers to a system for trans-dermal delivery of doses of a medicament, comprising a delivery device to be placed in dermal contact with a patient, the delivery device comprising a reservoir for holding a medicament to be delivered, a trans-dermal injection element for delivering doses of the medicament to the patient, a control unit for controlling the delivery of the medicament when activated. The system further comprises a separate hand-held drive device to be temporarily placed in proximity of the delivery device when a dose of medicament is required, the drive device comprising an activation unit for activating the control unit of the delivery device.

A delivery device according to the present invention is a medical unit, which is adapted to deliver trans-dermally to a user multiple doses of a medicament without the need of multiple injections. A typical example of user is a diabetic patient requiring frequent doses of insulin, e.g. in correspondence of each meal. According to a preferred embodiment the delivery device is placed, at least partially, in dermal contact with the user, e.g. removably fixed by means of an adhesive base to the skin of the patient.

The delivery device comprises a reservoir for holding a volume of the medicament to be delivered which is sufficient for several doses. Typically, the delivery device is replaced after a period of time, e.g. 1 to 7 days, typically 2 to 4 days, after several doses of the medicament have been delivered and the reservoir is nearly empty. The reservoir may be of any type, e.g. a syringe or syringe-like, a collapsible pouch, a coiled tube, and may be either pre-loaded with the medicament according to a preferred embodiment or loaded by the patient just before use. According to one embodiment, the reservoir comprises a series or array of chambers, pockets, blisters or pouches disposed on a substrate, e.g. a plate or microfluidic device, wherein each chamber, pocket, blister or pouch contains e.g. a dose or a fraction of dose of medicament to be delivered and is connected by microfluidic channels or tubes to a transdermal injection element.

According to one embodiment the delivery device comprises a base rotor for holding the reservoir, so that the reservoir is capable of rotating, at least partially, e.g. when a new dose is required.

The delivery device comprises a trans-dermal injection member, which is adapted to penetrate at least partially the skin of the patient and remain in a trans-dermal position for the duration of use of the delivery device. The trans-dermal injection member is preferably a thin needle, inserted at a controlled depth, but it may be a canula, a catheter, or other form of hollow fluid transport means, inserted e.g. via a removable needle, and adapted to deliver trans-dermally doses of a medicament. More than one, e.g. an array of trans-dermal injection members, is also possible.

The delivery device may further comprise a pump for pumping the medicament from the reservoir to the transdermal injection element and thus through the transdermal injection element to the patient. The pump may be any sort of pump, e.g. a pouch pump, a peristaltic pump, a membrane pump, a micropump, as known in the art, adapted for trans-dermal delivery of a medicament. Examples of suitable pumps are disclosed e.g. in US5827219 and WO2007074363. According to a preferred embodiment, the delivery device comprises at least one pump rotor transforming rotational force into pumping force when rotating around an axis. The pump rotor may be a rod or pin-like element. It may be connected to the pump if present, e.g. directly inserted into the pump or have the form of a disc or the like directly attached to the pump or connected to it, e.g. via a gear mechanism.

According to another preferred embodiment, the delivery device comprises at least one axial pump element transforming axial force into pumping force. The axial pump element may be a plunger-like, a screw-like or any push element, as well as any adapter coupled to a push element, applying axial force. The axial pump element may be directly attached to the pump, if present, or connected to the pump, e.g. adapted to apply axial force on another element of the pump. According to a preferred embodiment the axial pump element is adapted to apply axial force on the liquid contained in the reservoir, the reservoir being e.g. a syringe or a compressible chamber, pouch, pocket, blister, tube, coil or the like.

The axial pump element may move in alternate directions along an axis. In applying the axial force, the axial pump element may vibrate or oscillate, i.e. the axial force may be vibrational or oscillatory. According to one embodiment the axial pump element is a membrane. According to one embodiment the pump is a membrane pump.

According to the present invention the delivery device comprises a control unit. The term control unit refers to a mechanism, preferably a non-electronic mechanism, which prevents the medicament to be delivered, e.g. to pass from the reservoir to the trans-dermal injection element, until this mechanism is activated in a secure manner by receiving from outside the delivery device the correct amount and form of energy required. Thus the control unit has the function to control the way any force, ^' e.g. rotational force or axial force, is transformed into pumping force when activated and to guarantee that the correct dose of medicament is pumped and only when a dose is requested.

According to a preferred embodiment the control unit comprises at least one primary rotor transferring rotational force to the at least one pump rotor, e.g. via a gear mechanism, a spring mechanism, a belt mechanism.

According to a preferred embodiment the primary rotor and the pump rotor have the same axis of rotation, i.e. they are concentrically arranged, but they might have also different axis, e.g. parallel or orthogonal between them. A primary rotor may have the function e.g. to change the magnitude of the torque on the pump rotor and/or to minimize the moment of tilt of the pump rotor, that is to minimize inclinations of the axis, which may otherwise cause e.g. leakage, incorrect dosage, more friction, etc...

The control unit may further comprise at least one secondary rotor transferring rotational force to the at least one primary rotor, e.g. via a gear mechanism or spring mechanism.

According to a preferred embodiment, the secondary rotor and the primary rotor have the same axis of rotation, i.e. they are concentrically arranged, but they might have also different axis, e.g. parallel or orthogonal between them.

A secondary rotor may have the same function as a primary rotor.

The control unit may comprise a spring located between the pump rotor and the primary rotor or between the primary rotor and the secondary rotor. According to a preferred embodiment the spring is a mainspring.

One or more axial pump elements may be connected to one or more of the rotors selected from the group of base rotor, pump rotor, primary rotor, secondary rotor, or any other rotor, so that rotational force may be transformed into axial force and vice versa.

Also, an axial pump element may rotate before and/or during and/or after movement in axial direction. Analogously, a rotor may move in axial direction before and/or during and/or after rotation. This means that a rotor may also work as an axial pump element and an axial pump element may also work as a rotor.

The term rotation is used here generically to indicate any number of revolutions or fractions of a revolution without limit of time. Also, rotation may occur in opposite or alternate directions, with constant motion, accelerated motion, or pulse.

According to a preferred embodiment the control unit comprises at least one directional element, allowing any one or more of the rotors selected from the group of base rotor, pump rotor, primary rotor, secondary rotor, to rotate in a preferred direction, and/or one or more axial pump elements to move in a preferred direction. The directional element may be for example an inclined flexible elastic tongue or palette made e.g. of a plastic or metallic material, fitting e.g. between the teeth or grooves of a saw-like or screw-like edge of any rotor or axial pump element.

According to a preferred embodiment any one or more of the elements selected from the group of base rotor, pump rotor, primary rotor, secondary rotor, axial pump element, comprises at least one magnet.

The magnet may be for example a permanent magnet or a combination of different permanent magnets arranged e.g. to form a specific magnetic configuration.

According to a preferred embodiment the control unit comprises at least one stabilization element for minimizing the moment of tilt, that is to minimize inclinations of the axis, of any one or more of the elements selected from the group of base rotor, pump rotor, primary rotor, secondary rotor, axial pump element, while still rotation and/or movement in the axial direction is allowed. The stabilization element may be for example a primary rotor concentrically arranged with respect to a pump rotor wherein the primary rotor is allowed to incline its axis within a tolerance range without causing an inclination of the axis of the pump rotor. The stabilization element or part of the stabilization element may be also a carved compartment or chamber so designed to fit the outer dimensions or footprint of any one or more elements selected from the group of base rotor, pump rotor, primary rotor, secondary rotor, axial pump element. According to another embodiment the stabilization element may have the form of a cavity or groove into which a part, e.g. a pin, extending from any one or more of the elements selected from the group of base rotor, pump rotor, primary rotor, secondary rotor, axial pump element, may fit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit comprises at least one safe-lock mechanism preventing any one or more elements selected from the group of a base rotor, a pump rotor, a primary rotor, a secondary rotor, to rotate, and/or any one or more axial pump elements to move in any direction, until unlocked. Alternatively, the safe lock mechanism may exercise a pressure on or differently occlude the passage of medicament from the reservoir to the trans-dermal injection device until unlocked. The safe-lock mechanism thus eliminates the risk that medicament is pumped when not reguired. The safe-lock mechanism may be for example in the form of an insertable/retractable rod or finger or an L-shaped or comb-shaped pivotable arm with one or more teeth, designed e.g. as a clamp, which can assume either of two positions, an engaged or tight position when it is in a locked status and a retracted or enlarged position when it is in an unlocked status. The safe-lock mechanism may be made e.g. of a plastic or metallic material, designed to fit e.g. between the teeth of a saw-like or screw-like edge or cavity at the edges of any rotor or axial pump element, and may comprise a spring, e.g. to return to the locked status after being unlocked, or it may be itself flexible or elastic, e.g. capable of being stretched and to return to its original position afterwards.

According to a preferred embodiment, the safe-lock mechanism is represented by an axial pump element or a rotor e.g. a primary rotor, which needs to move in axial direction and engage with e.g. a pump rotor before rotational force can be transferred to the pump rotor and hence transformed into pumping force.

Alternatively, the pump rotor itself may need to be pushed or pulled in the axial direction before freedom to rotate is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment the at least one safe-lock mechanism comprises at least one magnet or coil. The magnet may be for example a permanent magnet or a combination of different permanent magnets arranged e.g. to form a specific magnetic configuration, so that for example only a specific corresponding magnetic field can be used to unlock the safe-lock mechanism.

In order to deliver a dose of medicament the control unit needs to be activated. Activating the control unit means for example unlocking one or more safe-lock mechanisms.

Activating the control unit means also transferring rotational force to at least one rotor, e.g. a base rotor, a pump rotor, a primary rotor, a secondary rotor and/or axial force to at least one axial pump element comprised in the delivery device without an energy source being present in the delivery device itself. The energy source required to activate the control unit comes from a separate hand-held drive device to be temporarily placed in proximity of the delivery device when a dose of medicament is required, the drive device comprising an activation unit. The activation unit enables to deliver a dose of medicament when it is requested by providing the correct amount and form of energy to the control unit.

Thus all or most electronic components, such as e.g. a processor, a memory, switch and operational buttons, electric circuits, printed circuit board, wires, a visual and/or Braille-like display, a battery or other form of power supply, one or more ports for recharging and/or for connecting to other devices, e.g. a computer, e.g. for exchanging data, alert or warning lights and audio or vibration signals and alarms, may be integrated on the separate hand-held drive device rather than on the delivery device, which remains preferably as simple as possible. The drive device may advantageously comprise a feedback system, e.g. a receiver, capable of receiving information from the delivery device, e.g. a signal confirming that the correct amount and form of energy has been transferred and/or that the correct dose of medicament has been delivered. The feedback signal may be for example, electromagnetic, e.g. generated by the movement of magnets or by a coil in the delivery device, or acoustic, e.g. a noise generated in the delivery device.

According to a preferred embodiment the activation unit comprises at least one unlocking element for unlocking the at least one safe-lock mechanism of the control unit when the hand-held drive device is placed in proximity of the delivery device.

According to a preferred embodiment the unlocking element comprises at least one magnet. The magnet may be for example a permanent magnet or a combination of different permanent magnets, or an electromagnet, e.g. a coil capable of generating a magnetic field, which interacts with the at least one magnet or coil comprised in the 2010/072005 - - -

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safe-lock mechanism. Such interaction between magnetic field generated by the unlocking element and magnet or magnets or coils comprised in the safe-lock mechanism may be specific, or modulated, meaning that only in presence of the magnetic field generated by the unlocking element and only at a certain distance the safe-lock mechanism can be unlocked, while it remains in the locked status in the presence of any other magnetic field which may be encountered in the environment. This specific activation may thus introduce a further safety measure in the use of the delivery device.

According to a preferred embodiment the activation unit comprises a drive unit providing rotational force and/or axial force to any one or more elements selected from the group of a base rotor, a pump rotor, a primary rotor, a secondary rotor, axial pump element when the hand-held drive device is placed in proximity of the delivery device.

The drive unit may comprise electromagnets or a drive rotor or a drive element connected to a motor, the drive rotor or drive element comprising at least one magnet. The magnet may be for example a permanent magnet or a combination of different permanent magnets arranged e.g. to generate a specific magnetic field. According to a preferred embodiment the separate handheld drive device in correspondence of the activation unit is shaped as to form a complementary cavity into which at least a part of the delivery device comprising the control unit substantially fits. The term substantially here refers to a tolerance range in which activation is still possible while at the same time leaving enough space e.g. for one or more layers of clothing to be sandwiched in between. According to another embodiment electrical contact is established between the drive device and the delivery device or between the activation unit and the control unit. Thus energy may be transferred from the drive device to the delivery device in the form of current via contact. Alternatively a current may be induced in the delivery device by the drive device. The delivery device may comprise e.g. coils or transformers, capable of generating current when exposed to a magnetic field generated by the activation unit. The induced electrical power may be used e.g. to transform rotational force and/or axial force into pumping force and/or to unlock the safe-lock mechanism and/or to generate a feedback signal . The present invention also refers to a method of activating the control unit comprising any one or more of the following steps: unlocking a safe-lock mechanism in the control unit, by means of an unlocking element comprised in the activation unit, providing rotational force and/or axial force to any one or more elements selected from the group of a base rotor, a pump rotor, a primary rotor, a secondary rotor, axial pump element , by means of a drive unit comprised in the activation unit, loading a spring, located between a pump rotor and a primary rotor or between a primary rotor and a secondary rotor, by providing rotational force to either the primary rotor or the secondary rotor respectively, - allowing the spring to return to a relaxed status while causing rotation of the pump rotor either directly or via rotation of the primary rotor. The present invention also refers to a method for delivering doses of a medicament to a patient, comprising the steps of a) placing a delivery device in dermal contact with the patient, the delivery device comprising a reservoir comprising a medicament to be delivered, a trans-dermal injection element for delivering discrete doses of the medicament to the patient, a control unit for controlling the delivery of the medicament when activated, b) activating the control unit of the delivery device by temporarily placing a separate hand-held drive device in proximity of the delivery device when a dose of medicament is required, the drive device comprising an activation unit.

More in detail the present invention is explained with reference to the following drawings representing schematically favorite embodiments where like numbers refer to like features.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. Ia shows a system comprising a delivery device and a separate drive device temporarily placed in proximity of the delivery device. Fig. Ib shows a variant of fig. Ia wherein the delivery device comprises also a pump.

Fig. 2 shows a pump rotor connected to the pump inside the delivery device. Fig. 3 shows part of a control unit comprising a primary rotor.

Fig. 4 shows a variant of the embodiment of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows part of a control unit wherein a primary rotor is locked by a safe-lock mechanism.

Fig. 6 shows the pump of fig. 2 connected to an axial pump element locked by a safe-lock mechanism.

Fig. 7 shows a secondary rotor and a primary rotor having different axis of rotation, the primary rotor being locked by a safe-lock mechanism.

Fig. 8a is a perspective view of an embodiment comprising a spring located between a primary rotor and a secondary rotor.

Fig. 8b is a bottom view of the embodiment of fig. 7. Fig. 9 shows a pump rotor designed to engage with an axial pump element and to transform rotational force into axial force upon activation.

Fig. 10 shows another example wherein the pump rotor needs to move in the axial direction before freedom to rotate is provided.

Fig. 11 shows a coil integrated in the delivery device capable of providing induced electrical power for unlocking a safe-lock mechanism.

Fig. 12 shows a reservoir comprising an array of blisters disposed on a base rotor.

Fig. 13 shows the elements of an activation unit comprised in the drive device. Fig. 14 shows a different embodiment of an activation unit .

Fig. 15 shows another embodiment of an activation unit.

Fig. Ia shows a system 300 for trans-dermal delivery of doses of a medicament, comprising a delivery device 100 to be placed in dermal contact with a patient. The delivery device 100 comprises a reservoir 101 for holding a medicament to be delivered, a trans-dermal injection element 102 for delivering doses of the medicament to the patient, a control unit 120 for controlling the delivery of the medicament when activated. The system 300 further comprises a separate hand-held drive device 200 temporarily placed in proximity of the delivery device 100, the drive device 200 comprising an activation unit 220 for activating the control unit 120 of the delivery device 100. The drive device 200 in correspondence of the activation unit 220 is shaped as to form a complementary cavity 221 into which the delivery device 100 comprising the control unit 120 substantially fits. The drive device 200 further comprises all the elements needed for operation and control, e.g. a processor 230, other electronic components (not shown) such as a memory, a printed circuit board, wires, etc., a battery 240, a port 250 for recharging and/or for connecting to other devices, e.g. a computer, e.g. for exchanging data, buttons or switches 260 located on the housing of the device, visual and/or Braille-like screens, e.g. an LCD 270, alert or warning lights (not shown) . Fig. Ib is the same as fig. Ia except that the delivery device 100 further comprises a pump 110 for pumping the medicament from the reservoir 101 to the trans-dermal injection element 102. Fig. 2 shows a pump rotor 111 connected to the pump 110 located in the delivery device 100 transforming rotational force into pumping force when rotating around an axis 112. The pump rotor 111 presents a saw-like or gear-like edge 113.

Figures 3 to 11 depict preferred embodiments of the control unit 120.

Fig. 3 shows a primary rotor 130 connected to the pump rotor 111 via a gear mechanism, adapted to transfer rotational force to the pump rotor 111. The pump rotor 111 fits with a certain tolerance into a cavity 131 at the bottom of the primary rotor 130. The primary rotor 130 and the pump rotor 111 thus have approximately the same axis of rotation 112, i.e. they are concentrically arranged. The primary rotor 130 comprises a pin 132 parallel to the axis of rotation 112, which fits into a cavity (not shown) . The primary rotor 130 works as a stabilization element wherein it is allowed to incline its axis within a tolerance range without causing an inclination of the axis of the pump rotor 111. In this way the moment of tilt of the pump rotor is minimized, that is inclinations of the axis 112 during rotation are minimized. The pin 132 could be attached directly to the pump rotor 111. The primary rotor 130 comprises also a series of permanent magnets 133 arranged according to a specific magnetic configuration. Magnets 133 could have been disposed also on the primary rotor 111.

Fig. 4 shows a variant of the embodiment of fig. 3 wherein a compartment 134 carved in the housing of the delivery device 100 and designed to fit the footprint of the primary rotor 130 is part of the stabilization element. This could be used together with the pin 132. Fig. 5 shows part of a control unit 120 wherein a primary rotor 130 is locked by a safe-lock mechanism 140. The safe-lock mechanism 140 prevents the primary rotor 130 to rotate until unlocked. The safe-lock mechanism 140 thus eliminates the risk of external interferences, i.e. that medicament is pumped when not required. The safe-lock mechanism 140 has the form of L-shaped pivotable arms, designed as a clamp, which can assume either of two positions, a tight position (as shown in the figure) when it is in a locked status and an enlarged position when it is in an unlocked status (not shown) . The safe-lock mechanism 140 is designed to fit at one extremity between the teeth of a saw-like edge 135 of the primary rotor 130 and is made of a rigid but flexible elastic material capable of being stretched and to return to its original position afterwards. The safe-lock mechanism 140 comprises permanent magnets 141. Also shown in fig. 5 is a directional element 142, which allows the primary rotor 130 to rotate in one direction only when unlocked. The directional element 142 is an inclined flexible elastic tongue fitting between the teeth of the saw-like edge 135 of the primary rotor 130.

Fig. 6 shows the pump 110 connected to an axial pump element 150 locked by a safe-lock mechanism 140. The axial pump element 150 is directly attached to the pump 110 and is adapted to transform axial force into pumping force. Disposed on the axial pump element is a magnet 133. The safe-lock mechanism 140 is similar to that shown in fig. 5. In this case, it prevents the axial pump element 150 to move up and/or down until unlocked.

Fig. 7 shows a secondary rotor 160 and a primary rotor 130 having different axis of rotation 115 and 112 respectively, while the primary rotor 130 and the pump rotor 111 have the same axis of rotation 112. The secondary rotor 160 has here the function to change the magnitude of the torque on the primary rotor 130 and hence on the pump rotor 111 by means of a gear mechanism 162. The secondary rotor 160 comprises a series of permanent magnets 133 and is capable of transferring rotational force to the primary rotor 130, which in turn is capable of transferring rotational force to the pump rotor 111. The primary rotor 130 is locked by a safe-lock mechanism 140, which acts as a brake on the primary rotor 130 until unlocked. The safe lock mechanism 140 may be unlocked analogously to figure 5 and 6 magnetically or electronically, e.g. powered by an induced electric current . Fig. 8a is a perspective view of an embodiment comprising a mainspring 170 located between a primary rotor 130 and a secondary rotor 160. The secondary rotor 160 comprises a series of permanent magnets 133 arranged according to a specific magnetic configuration. The secondary rotor 160 is locked by a safe-lock mechanism 140 similar to that shown in fig. 5. The safe-lock mechanism 140 fits at one extremity between the teeth of a saw-like frame 161 of the secondary rotor 160 and prevents the secondary rotor 160 to rotate until unlocked. A second safe-lock mechanism (not shown) may lock the primary rotor 130 while the secondary rotor 160 is unlocked and allowed to rotate. A directional element 142 allows the secondary rotor 160 to rotate in one direction only when unlocked. Rotation of the secondary rotor 160 in one direction has in this case the function to load the mainspring 170. Once the mainspring 170 is loaded the drive device 200 may be removed as rotational force is transferred now to the primary rotor 130 by the mainspring 170 while returning to its relaxed status. The mainspring 170 may be differently loaded according to the dose to be delivered.

Fig. 8b is a bottom view of the embodiment of fig. 8a wherein the secondary rotor 160 has been made transparent for clarity. The pump rotor 111, the primary rotor 130 and the secondary rotor 160 are concentrically arranged with the mainspring 170 located between the secondary rotor 160 and the primary rotor 130. The primary rotor

130 could have been in place of the secondary rotor 130 and the mainspring 170 could have been located between the primary rotor 130 and the pump rotor 111.

Fig. 9 shows a pump rotor 111 designed to engage with an axial pump element 150 and to transform rotational force into axial force upon activation. The pump rotor 111 and the axial pump element 150 are not connected to each other, i.e. the pump rotor 111 may be allowed to rotate but eventual rotational force applied to the pump rotor 111 is not transferred to the axial pump element 150 and transformed into axial force, until the separate hand- held drive device 200 comprising the activation unit 220 is temporarily placed in proximity of the delivery device 100. Thus the separation of the pump rotor 111 and the axial pump element 150 has the same function of a safe- lock mechanism 140. Unlocking the safe-lock mechanism here means moving the pump rotor 111 in axial direction in order to engage with the axial pump element 150. In particular, a gear element 114 of the pump rotor 111 is engaged with a gear element 151 of the axial pump element 150. The pump rotor 111 comprises a series of permanent magnets 133, 136 arranged according to a specific magnetic configuration. The axial pump element 150 is here the plunger of a syringe-like reservoir (not shown) , comprising the medicament to be delivered. A spring 138 allows the pump rotor 111 to disengage and return to its original locked status once the drive device 200 is no longer in proximity of the delivery device 100.

Using a similar mechanism and with reference to fig. 3 one can imagine a primary rotor 130, which needs to move in the axial direction in order to be engaged with the pump rotor 111.

Fig. 10 shows another example wherein the pump rotor 111 needs to be pulled in the axial direction out of its locked position 137 before freedom to rotate is provided.

Fig. 11 shows a coil 180 integrated in the delivery device 100. A specific magnetic field generated by the activation unit 220 when the drive device 200 is placed in proximity of the delivery device 100 induces a specific current, e.g. modulated, in the coil 180, which provides electrical power for unlocking the safe-lock mechanism 140.

Fig. 12 shows a reservoir 101 comprising an array of blisters 103 disposed on a base rotor 104, each blister 103 containing a fraction of dose of medicament to be delivered and being connected by a microfluidic channel 105 to the trans-dermal injection element 102. The base rotor 104 is capable of rotating, at least partially when a new dose is required. The control unit comprises a safe-lock mechanism (not shown) preventing the base rotor 104 to rotate until unlocked and an axial pump element (not shown) transforming axial force into pumping force by pressing on the blisters 103 one at a time. Instead of a rotating base rotor 104 a rotating axial pump element (not shown) could be used as well. Instead of an array of blisters 103 a single larger pouch (not shown) could be used as well. Fig. 13 shows the elements of an activation unit 220 comprised in the drive device 200. The design of the activation unit 220 may vary in order to adapt to different control units 120. The activation unit 220 of fig. 13 is for example suitable for a control unit as shown in fig. 5 to 8. In particular, the activation unit 220 comprises an unlocking element 221 for unlocking the at least one safe-lock mechanism 140 of the control unit 120 when the hand-held drive device 200 is placed in proximity of the delivery device 100. The unlocking element 221 comprises permanent magnets 223 symmetrically arranged. This symmetry may be convenient in order to avoid dependency on the angle with which the hand-held drive device 200 is placed in proximity of the delivery device 100. An electromagnet could have also been used. The magnetic field generated by the unlocking element 221, which may be specific, is the key for unlocking the safe-lock mechanism 140. The activation unit 220 further comprises a drive unit 222 providing rotational force and/or axial force to any one or more elements selected from the group of a base rotor 104, a pump rotor 111, a primary rotor 130, a secondary rotor 160, an axial pump element 150 when the hand-held drive device 200 is placed in proximity of the delivery device 100. The drive unit 222 comprises a drive rotor 230 connected to a motor 240 via a belt 250, the drive rotor 230 comprising a series of magnets 231. An electromagnet could have also been used.

Fig. 14 shows a different embodiment of an activation unit 220 wherein the magnets 231 comprised in the drive rotor 230 are differently arranged. The drive rotor 230 comprises also another magnet 232 at the center, which acts as unlocking element 221 for a safe-lock mechanism like that described e.g. in relation to fig. 9 and 10. Fig. 15 shows still another embodiment of an activation unit comprising a magnet 232 at the center and acting as unlocking element 221 similarly to that shown in fig. 14. As a drive unit 222 a series of electromagnets represented by coils 233 are used instead.

Of course numerous variations of the described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.