阅读说明：本技术 具有用于防止意外启动的锁定构件和可移除盖的药物递送装置 (Drug delivery device with locking member and removable cap for preventing accidental activation ) 是由 阿拉斯泰尔·威洛比 乔治·萨维尔 唐纳德·斯蒂尔 于 2019-01-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种药物输送装置,其包括外壳,该外壳用于接收注射器,该外壳具有可分离地附接至彼此的第一壳体部分和第二壳体部分。该装置进一步包括套筒,该套筒可接收在所述外壳内,并且包括具有界定孔的内表面和相对的外表面的管状壁。锁定构件可接收在第二壳体部分内,使得锁定构件可相对于第二壳体部分在第一轴向位置与第二轴向位置之间轴向移动。在第一轴向位置,锁定构件可与外表面接合,以阻止套筒相对于第一壳体部分的轴向移动。在第二轴向位置,锁定构件与外表面脱离。该装置可以具有作为自动注射器的应用。(A drug delivery device is provided comprising a housing for receiving a syringe, the housing having a first housing part and a second housing part detachably attached to each other. The device further includes a sleeve receivable within the housing and including a tubular wall having an inner surface defining a bore and an opposite outer surface. The locking member may be received within the second housing portion such that the locking member is axially movable relative to the second housing portion between a first axial position and a second axial position. In the first axial position, the locking member may engage the outer surface to prevent axial movement of the sleeve relative to the first housing portion. In the second axial position, the locking member is disengaged from the outer surface. The device may have application as an auto-injector.)

1. A drug delivery device comprising:

a housing for receiving a syringe, the housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion detachably attached to each other;

a sleeve receivable within the housing and including a tubular wall having an inner surface defining a bore and an opposite outer surface; and

a locking member receivable within the second housing portion such that the locking member is axially movable relative to the second housing portion between a first axial position and a second axial position, the locking member including a body portion having one or more radially inward projections extending therefrom such that in the first axial position the one or more radially inward projections are engageable with the outer surface to prevent axial movement of the sleeve relative to the first housing portion and in the second axial position the one or more radially inward projections are disengageable from the outer surface.

2. A drug delivery device as in claim 1, wherein the drug delivery device is actuatable by axial movement of the sleeve.

3. A drug delivery device as in claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking member is movable from the first axial position to the second axial position by separation of the first and second housing portions from each other.

4. A drug delivery device as in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the body portion is annular.

5. A drug delivery device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion is circumferentially continuous.

6. A drug delivery device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion defines an opening through which the sleeve is receivable.

7. A drug delivery device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is engageable with the outer surface, wherein the outer surface has a radially inward groove extending therealong in which the one or more radially inward projections are engageable.

8. The drug delivery device of claim 7, wherein the radially inward groove is circumferentially continuous.

9. A drug delivery device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion has one or more first axially extending arms, a respective one of the one or more radially inward projections being integrated or coupled proximate a free end of the first axially extending arms.

10. A drug delivery device as in claim 9, wherein the plurality of first axially extending arms are equally spaced around the body portion.

11. A drug delivery device as in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is disengageable from the outer surface by radially outward movement of the one or more radially inward protrusions.

12. A drug delivery device as in claim 11, wherein the radially outward movement of the one or more radially inward protrusions is by deformation of the locking member.

13. A drug delivery device as claimed in claim 12 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the radially outward movement of the one or more radially inward projections is by deformation of the one or more first axially extending arms.

14. A drug delivery device as in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein in the first axial position, radially outward movement of the one or more radially inward protrusions is prevented by abutment of the locking member against the second housing portion.

15. A drug delivery device as in claim 14, wherein radially outward movement of the one or more radially inward protrusions is prevented by the locking member abutting against a first radially inward extending region of the second housing portion.

16. A drug delivery device as in claim 15, wherein the first radially inwardly extending region comprises one or more first ridges, ridges and/or ribs extending over the first portion of the second housing portion.

17. The drug delivery device of claim 15 or 16, wherein in the first axial position the first radially inwardly extending region is radially aligned with the one or more radially inward projections, and in the second axial position the first radially inwardly extending region is not radially aligned with the one or more radially inward projections.

18. A drug delivery device as in any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is disengageable from the outer surface by separation of the first and second housing portions from each other.

19. A drug delivery device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion has one or more radially outward projections extending therefrom engageable with the second housing portion to retain the locking member within the second housing portion.

20. A drug delivery device as in claim 19, wherein the body portion has one or more second axially extending arms, a respective one of the one or more radially outward projections being integrated or coupled proximate a free end of the second axially extending arms.

21. A drug delivery device as in claim 19 or 20, wherein the one or more radially outward projections are engageable with the second housing portion by abutment of the one or more radially outward projections against a second radially inward extending region of the second housing portion.

22. A drug delivery device as in claim 21, wherein the second radially inwardly extending region comprises one or more second ridges, ridges and/or ribs extending over the second portion of the second housing portion.

23. A drug delivery device as in any preceding claim, wherein the second housing part comprises a cap detachably attached to the first housing part at an end of the drug delivery device.

24. A drug delivery device as in any preceding claim, wherein the cartridge comprises a needle guard to selectively cover a needle of the drug delivery device.

25. A drug delivery device as in any preceding claim, wherein the second housing portion comprises or is coupled to a needle guard removal portion receivable within the aperture.

26. A drug delivery device as in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second housing portions form one of a push fit, a snap fit and a screw thread fit with each other.

27. A drug delivery device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a power source provided as a propellant.

28. The drug delivery device of claim 27, wherein the power source comprises a propellant comprising a hydrofluoroalkane ("HFA").

29. The drug delivery device of claim 27 or 28, wherein the power source comprises a propellant comprising a hydrofluoroolefin ("HFO").

30. A drug delivery device as in any of claims 1 to 26, comprising a power source provided as a compression spring.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a drug delivery device, and in particular to an automatically actuated injector.

Background

Automatically actuated injectors (sometimes referred to as autoinjectors) are well known. These devices include a power source, such as a compressed spring or a container of propellant, for delivering a dose of medicament to a patient. Additional components may include a needle shield for selectively covering the needle of the device during various stages of storage and delivery. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a needle shield may generally be used to actuate the device by displacing the internal components of the device rearwardly as the user presses the device against an injection site in order to release a compressed spring or open a container of propellant. However, in the event that the device falls onto a hard surface, the internal components may be displaced rearwardly by inertia, causing the device to be inadvertently actuated. Clearly, it is desirable to prevent inadvertent actuation to maintain the efficacy of the device. It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to at least reduce problems associated with one or more known arrangements.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drug delivery device comprising: a housing for receiving a syringe, the housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion detachably attached to each other; a sleeve receivable within the housing and including a tubular wall having an inner surface defining a bore and an opposite outer surface; and a locking member receivable within the second housing portion such that the locking member is axially movable relative to the second housing portion between a first axial position in which the locking member is engageable with the outer surface to prevent axial movement of the sleeve relative to the first housing portion and a second axial position in which the locking member is disengageable from the outer surface. In this way, the locking member can selectively maintain the relative position of the housing with respect to the sleeve. Of course, the locking member may be disengaged from the outer surface to allow axial movement of the sleeve. By engaging with the outer surface, the locking member does not obstruct or extend into the bore of the device.

In certain embodiments, the drug delivery device may be actuated by axial movement of the sleeve, i.e. as a direct result of axial movement of the sleeve. In this way, the locking member may reduce the likelihood of accidental actuation of the device. The axial movement may be a rearward movement. The locking member may be movable from a first axial position to a second axial position by separation of the first and second housing portions from each other.

Optionally, the locking member may be engageable with the outer surface, wherein the locking member may comprise a body portion having one or more radially inward projections extending therefrom engageable with the outer surface. The body portion may be an annular body portion. The body portion may be circumferentially continuous or discontinuous. In some embodiments, the body portion may define an opening through which the sleeve may be partially or fully received. In this way, the locking member, or at least a portion thereof, may be concentrically received between the sleeve and the second housing portion.

The locking member may be engaged with the outer surface, wherein the outer surface may have a radially inward groove extending therealong (i.e., around the circumference of the sleeve) in which one or more radially inward protrusions may be engaged. The radially inwardly recessed groove may be circumferentially continuous or discontinuous. The groove may engage the one or more radially inward projections with the outer surface in any rotational orientation of the sleeve relative to the locking member.

In some embodiments, the body portion may have one or more first axially extending arms, and a respective one of the one or more radially inward projections may be integrated or coupled proximate a free end of the first axially extending arms. The plurality of first axially extending arms may be arranged at equal intervals around the body portion.

The locking member may be disengaged from the outer surface by radially outward movement of one or more radially inward protrusions. The radially outward movement of the one or more radially inward protrusions may be by deformation (e.g., elastic deformation) of the locking ring. More specifically, the radially outward movement of the one or more radially inward protrusions may be performed by deformation (e.g., elastic deformation) of the one or more first axially extending arms.

In certain embodiments, in the first axial position, radially outward movement of the one or more radially inward protrusions may be prevented by abutment of the locking member against the second housing portion. More specifically, radially outward movement of the one or more radially inward protrusions may be prevented by abutment of the locking member against a first radially inward extending region of the second housing portion. The first radially inwardly extending region may comprise one or more first ridges, ridges and/or ribs extending over the first portion of the second housing portion.

In a first axial position, the first radially inwardly extending region may be radially aligned with the one or more radially inward projections, and in a second axial position, the first radially inwardly extending region may not be radially aligned with the one or more radially inward projections. In this way, in the second axial position, space may be provided to accommodate the deflection of the locking member. The locking member may be disengaged from the outer surface by separation of the first and second housing portions from each other.

Optionally, the body portion may have one or more radially outward projections extending therefrom which are engageable with the second housing portion to retain the locking member within the second housing portion. The body portion may have one or more second axially extending arms with a respective one of the one or more radially outward projections integrated or coupled proximate a free end of the second axially extending arms. The one or more radially outward projections may engage with the second housing portion by the one or more radially outward projections abutting against a second radially inward extending region of the second housing portion. The second radially inwardly extending region may comprise one or more second ridges, ridges and/or ribs extending over the second portion of the second housing portion.

In certain embodiments, the second housing part may comprise a cover detachably attached to the first housing part at an end of the drug delivery device. Additionally or alternatively, the cartridge may comprise a needle guard to selectively cover a needle of the drug delivery device. The second housing portion may include or be coupled to a needle guard removal portion receivable within the aperture. The first and second housing portions may be detachably attached to each other, wherein the first and second housing portions form one of a push fit, a snap fit, and a threaded fit with each other.

In certain embodiments, the drug delivery device may further comprise a power source provided as a propellant. The propellant may be a liquefied gas propellant. The power source may include a propellant comprising a hydrofluoroalkane ("HFA"). Additionally or alternatively, the power source may include a propellant comprising a hydrofluoroolefin ("HFO"). In certain embodiments, the drug delivery device may comprise a power source provided as a compression spring.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drug delivery device comprising: a housing for receiving a syringe, the housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion detachably attached to each other; an actuator member receivable within the housing and comprising a tubular wall having an inner surface defining an aperture and an opposite outer surface, the drug delivery device being actuatable by an actuating movement of the actuator member relative to the first housing part; and a locking member receivable within the second housing portion such that the locking member is axially movable relative to the second housing portion between a first axial position in which the locking member is engageable with the outer surface to prevent actuation movement and a second axial position in which the locking member is disengageable from the outer surface.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the features described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention may be combined with features of another aspect of the invention.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drug delivery device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the proximal end of the drug delivery device of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a perspective view of a locking member of the drug delivery device of fig. 1;

fig. 4a and 4b are partial cross-sectional views of the proximal end of the drug delivery device of fig. 1, with the locking member in a first axial position;

fig. 5a and 5b are partial cross-sectional views of the proximal end of the drug delivery device of fig. 1, with the locking member in a second axial position;

fig. 6a and 6b are partial cross-sectional views of the proximal end of the drug delivery device of fig. 1, wherein the locking member is in the second axial position and the locking ring is deformed; and

fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the proximal end of the drug delivery device of fig. 1, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion of the drug delivery device are separated from each other.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a drug delivery device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 has particular application as an auto-injector. The device 10 includes a housing 12 having a first housing portion 14 and a second housing portion 16. The first housing portion 14 and the second housing portion 16 are detachably attached to each other, for example by a push-fit engagement. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the second housing portion 16 may be an end cap that is detachably attached to the first housing portion 14 at the proximal end 18 of the device 10. The housing 12 is configured to receive a syringe 20 having a needle 22. The syringe 20 is movable within the housing 12 to deliver a dose of medication to a patient. The device 10 further includes a sleeve 24 (best shown in fig. 2) receivable within the housing 12 such that the sleeve 24 is axially movable relative to the first housing portion 14. The sleeve 24 includes a tubular wall 26 having an inner surface 28 and an outer surface 30. The inner surface 28 defines (i.e., delimits) a bore 32 in which the needle 20 can be received. The aperture 32 may have an open end 34 through which the needle 20 may be selectively passed to deliver a dose of medicament, in use. As such, sleeve 24 may include or function as a needle guard. Thus, the sleeve 24 may reduce the likelihood of needle sticks and/or prevent undesired reuse of the device 10. Although the sleeve 24 is shown in the figures as being cylindrical, other shapes are also contemplated, such as oval or rectangular. Further, the sleeve 24 may be circumferentially continuous or circumferentially discontinuous.

In certain embodiments, the sleeve 24 may be axially movable relative to the first housing portion 14 to actuate the device 10, i.e., release the power source 48 to drive delivery of a dose of medicament. In certain embodiments, power source 48 may include a compression spring (not shown). In certain embodiments, the power source 48 may include a container 50 of propellant. The propellant may comprise a liquefied gas propellant which vaporizes to provide a vapor pressure. Prior to use, the propellant may be contained in the container 50 at the distal end 52 of the device 10. Axial movement of the sleeve 24 may compress the container 50 to expel the propellant and thereby drive delivery of a dose of medicament. The propellant may be or include any suitable propellant as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. However, in certain embodiments, the propellant may be or include a hydrofluoroalkane ("HFA"), such as HFA341a, HFA 227, HFA 422D, HFA 507, or HFA 410A. In certain embodiments, the propellant may be or contain a hydrofluoroolefin ("HFO"), such as HFO 1234yf or HFO 1234 ze.

The device 10 further includes a locking member 36 (best shown in fig. 3). As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 36 may include an annular body portion 38. However, non-annular configurations are also contemplated. The annular body portion 38 may be circumferentially continuous at least over its axial length. As such, the annular body portion 38 may define an axially extending opening 40 therethrough. The annular body portion 38 may have one or more radially inward projections 42 extending therefrom. In certain embodiments, the radially inward projections 42 may include a pair of diametrically opposed radially inward projections 42. Thus, the radially inward projections 42 may be equally spaced about the annular body portion 38, but such equally spaced arrangement may also be achieved by three or more radially inward projections 42. The annular body portion 38 may have one or more first axially extending arms 44, to which respective ones of the radially inward projections 42 may be integrated or coupled. Each radially inward projection 42 may be proximate a free end of each first axially extending arm 44. Additionally or alternatively, the annular body portion 38 may have one or more radially outward projections 54 extending therefrom. The annular body portion 38 may have one or more second axially extending arms 56, and a respective one of the radially outward projections 54 may be integrated on or coupled to the second axially extending arm. Each radially outward projection 54 may be proximate to a free end of each second axially extending arm 56. The radially outward projections 54 may be equally spaced about the annular body portion 38, but such equal spacing may also be achieved by three or more radially outward projections 54.

The locking member 36 is receivable within the second housing portion 16 such that the locking member 36 is movable relative to the second housing portion 16 between a first axial position and a second axial position, i.e., the locking member is axially slidable within the second housing portion 16. The first axial position is best shown in fig. 4a and 4b, which are offset from each other by 90 ° to illustrate various features of the device 10. The second axial position is best shown in fig. 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b, which are similarly offset from each other by 90 °. Importantly, in the first axial position, the locking member 36 is engageable with the outer surface 30 of the sleeve 24 to prevent axial movement of the sleeve 24 relative to the first housing portion 14. The axial movement may be a rearward movement. In the illustrated embodiment, engagement of the locking member 36 with the outer surface 30 is achieved by the radially inward projection 42 being received within a groove 46 of the outer surface 30. The groove 46 provides an abutment surface against which the locking member 36 may abut to interrupt the axial path of the sleeve 24. The groove 46 may extend radially inward along the outer surface 30 partially or completely around the circumference of the sleeve 24. However, in certain embodiments, engagement of the locking member 36 with the outer surface 30 may alternatively be achieved, for example, the outer surface 30 may include a radially outward ridge receivable within a groove of the locking member 36.

The locking member 36 may be disengaged from the outer surface 30 by radially outward movement of the radially inward projection 42. In certain embodiments, the radially outward movement may cause the radially inward projection 42 to be removed from the groove 46. The radially outward movement may be by deformation of the locking ring 36, such as elastic deformation of the locking ring 36. More specifically, the radially outward movement may be performed by deformation of the first axially extending arm 44, and the radially inward protrusion 42 may be integrated on or coupled to the first axially extending arm.

Prior to use of the device 10, the locking member 36 may be in the first axial position. In the first axial position, the locking member 36 may be substantially undeformed, i.e. the locking member 36 may be in a free state in which the first housing part 14 and the second housing part 16 are attached to each other. In this way, in the first axial position, the locking member 36 may be concentrically received between the second housing portion 16 and the outer wall 30 of the sleeve 24, as shown in fig. 4a and 4 b. In the first axial position, the locking member 36 cannot be disengaged from the outer surface 30. This is because outward movement of the radially inward projection 42 may be prevented by the locking member 36 abutting against the second housing portion 16 (i.e., in the first axial position, the radially outer side of the locking member 36 has no space available to provide the radially outward movement). To this end, the second housing portion 16 may include a first radially inwardly extending region 58 against which the locking member 36 may abut to prevent outward movement of the radially inward projection 42. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first radially inwardly extending region 58 may include one or more ribs. Additionally or alternatively, the first radially inwardly extending region 58 may include an annular ridge and/or one or more ridges.

In the event that the device 10 bumps or falls on the distal end 52, the inertia of the sleeve 24 and/or other components of the device 10 (to which the sleeve 24 may be coupled) may urge the sleeve 24 to move axially rearward. Rearward axial movement of the sleeve 24 relative to the first housing portion 14 may actuate the device 10. In certain embodiments, rearward axial movement of the sleeve 24 may alternatively activate the device 10 or undesirably misalign various components of the device 10. However, axial movement of the sleeve 24 relative to the first housing portion 14 may be prevented by axial abutment of the sleeve 24 against the locking member 36, as the radially inward projection 42 may interrupt or block the axial path of the sleeve 24. Thus, the load may be transferred from the sleeve 24 to the locking member 36 and subsequently from the locking member 36 to the first housing portion 14. In other words, the sleeve 24 may be axially supported by the locking member 36, and the locking member 36 may be supported by the first housing portion 14. The first housing portion 14 may be strong enough to absorb the impact of a device 10 being dropped (e.g., dropped on a floor) or impacted.

To prepare the device 10 for use, a user may separate the second housing portion 16 from the first housing portion 14, such as by pulling the second housing portion 16 axially away from the first housing portion 14. In so doing, the locking member 36 may be axially movable relative to the second housing portion 16, while the locking member 36 may remain engaged with the sleeve 24. Thus, the locking member 36 may be moved to the second axial position. In the second axial position, the locking member 36 may be substantially undeformed, as in the first axial position. In the second axial position, the locking member 36 may be concentrically received between the second housing portion 16 and the outer wall 30, as shown in fig. 5a and 5 b. Thus, in the second axial position, the first housing portion 14 and the second housing portion 16 may remain at least partially attached to one another. In the second axial position, the locking member 36 may be disengaged from the outer surface 30. This is because, in the second axial position, outward movement of the radially inward projection 42 may no longer be prevented by abutment of the locking member 36 against the second housing portion 16 (i.e., in the second axial position, there may be space radially outward of the locking member 36 available to provide radially outward movement of the radially outward projection 42). Thus, in the second axial position, the first radially inwardly extending region 58 may be moved from an axial position in which the first radially inwardly extending region 58 is radially aligned with the radially inward projection 42 to an axial position in which the radially inwardly extending region 58 is not radially aligned with the radially inward projection 42.

Continued axial movement of the locking member 36 relative to the second housing portion 16 may be prevented because the radially outward projection 54 may engage the second housing portion 16 to retain the locking member 36 within the second housing portion 16. More specifically, in the second axial position, the radially outward projection 54 may abut a second radially inward extending region 60 of the second housing portion 16 to retain the locking member 36 within the second housing portion 16. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the second radially inwardly extending region 60 may be one or more ridges. Additionally or alternatively, the second radially inwardly extending region 60 may include one or more ribs and/or one or more ridges. Continued axial movement may cause the radially inward protrusion to move radially outward as shown in fig. 6a and 6b, which are offset from each other by 90 °. This is because, in the second axial position, the radially inward projection 42 may be deflected radially outward by the radially inward projection 42 abutting against the outer surface 30. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the radially inward projection 42 may deflect radially outward by abutting against the groove 46, thereby causing deformation of the first axially extending arm 44. In this way, the locking member 36 may be disengaged from the outer surface 30 by separation of the first and second housing portions 14, 16 from one another. To facilitate deflection of the radially inward protrusion 42, one or both of the radially inward protrusion 42 and the outer surface 30 may include a chamfered surface.

Fig. 7 shows the first housing portion 14 and the second housing portion 16 separated from each other and the locking member 36 retained in the second housing portion 16. Fig. 7 shows the device 10 ready for use.

In certain embodiments, a removable needle cover 62 may cover the needle 22 prior to use of the device 10. As such, second housing portion 16 may include a needle hub removal portion 64 engageable with needle hub 62 such that needle hub 62 may be removed from needle 22 by separation of first housing portion 14 and second housing portion 16 from one another. Since the needle 22 may be received within the bore 32, the needle hub removal portion 64 may also be received within the bore 32. The needle hub removal portion 64 may be received within the bore 32 via the open end 34.

As used herein, the terms "axial" and "axially" refer to an axis extending between proximal end 18 and distal end 52 of device 10. The terms "radial" and "radially" refer to directions extending at least substantially perpendicular to and away from the axis. Forward movement refers to movement parallel to the axis and toward the proximal end 18, while rearward movement refers to movement parallel to the axis and toward the distal end 52. As used herein, the term "proximal" refers to the end of the device 10 where the needle 22 is located and/or attachable. As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the end of the device 10 that is furthest from where the needle 22 is positioned and/or attachable. As used herein, the terms "include" and "comprise" are used synonymously, and these terms and their variants should be construed as non-limiting.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims are not to be interpreted to cover the aforementioned embodiments only, but also to cover any embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.