Electronic medical delivery pen having a multifunction actuator

Abstract

A medication delivery pen includes a housing having opposing proximal and distal ends. An actuator is disposed in the proximal end of the housing for setting and administering a dosage of medication. The pen also includes a medication-containing cartridge assembly having a cartridge with a pierceably sealed distal end, an open proximal end removably attachable to the distal end of the housing, and a piston in sliding fluid tight engagement within the cartridge. A drive mechanism is coupled between the actuator and the cartridge to exert an axial force on the piston to inject the set dosage of medication. The actuator triggers the drive mechanism to administer the injection of medication held in the cartridge. A processor is coupled to the actuator to determine a value equal to the dosage set by the actuator. A memory device is coupled to the processor to store at least the dosage value determined by the processor. A display is located on the housing and coupled to the processor for displaying information provided by the processor. In a first state the actuator engages with the drive mechanism to deliver the medication and in a second state is disengaged from the drive mechanism. In its second state, the actuator serves as a user adjustable input for changing and setting mode parameters of at least one preselected mode of the pen.