BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to medication delivery devices, and, in particular, to a mechanical locking system for a medication delivery device.

A variety of medication delivery devices, including for example pen injectors and infusion pumps, are commonly used for periodic administration of medications. Some of these devices may include electronics that use rechargeable batteries, and/or may have a capacity to download or upload data with an external computer element. Electrical cables that plug into these devices may be used to provide such recharging or data transfer capabilities.

To reduce the likelihood of electric shock to a device user, some devices are equipped with a feature that prevents a user from delivering medicine with such a device when it is plugged into an electrical cable. While useful, such device designs are not without their shortcomings, such as making it difficult or impossible to inspect the device's medication contents, or to change a a needle on the device, when the device is plugged into the electrical cable.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a medication delivery device that can overcome one or more of these and other shortcomings of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form thereof, the present invention provides a medication delivery device connectable to an electrical plug of a conduit for at least one of charging and data transfer. The medication delivery device includes: an external housing having an outer surface and defining an interior volume, the outer surface defining an opening that ports to a plug receiving hollow within the interior volume; a dose delivery assembly operable for forcing medication from the device; an electrical circuit within the interior volume connected to at least one of a rechargeable battery and a memory controller within the interior volume, the electrical circuit including a connection element within the plug receiving hollow for electrically interfacing with the plug when the plug is inserted, from external to the external housing, through the opening into the plug receiving hollow; a lock element within the interior volume operably connected to the dose delivery assembly to travel within the plug receiving hollow when the dose delivery assembly operates for forcing medication from the device, the lock element sized and positioned to have its travel halted by abutment with the plug, when the plug is within the plug receiving hollow and electrically interfacing with the connection element, to thereby halt the dose delivery assembly from further operating for forcing medication from the device.

One advantage of the present invention is that a medication delivery device with mechanical locking system may be provided that prevents a user from delivering a dose with it when connected to an electrical cable.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a medication delivery device with mechanical locking system may be provided that has a locking system that does not change the external appearance of the device.

