Details for Patent: 7,731,690

Which drugs does patent 7,731,690 protect, and when does it expire?

Patent 7,731,690 protects EVZIO, EVZIO (AUTOINJECTOR), and NALOXONE HYDROCHLORIDE (AUTOINJECTOR), and is included in three NDAs.

This patent has one hundred and six patent family members in fourteen countries.

Summary for Patent: 7,731,690

Title:	Devices, systems and methods for medicament delivery
Abstract:	An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container, an actuator, and a biasing member. The actuator is configured to move the medicament container within the housing when the actuator is moved from a first configuration to a second configuration. The actuator includes a gas container and a puncturer. When the actuator is in the first configuration, a portion of the puncturer is disposed apart from the gas container. When the actuator is in the second configuration, the portion of the puncturer is disposed within the gas container. The gas container has a longitudinal axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container. The biasing member is configured to bias the actuator toward the second configuration.
Inventor(s):	Edwards; Eric Shawn (Midlothian, VA), Edwards; Evan Thomas (Gordonsville, VA)
Assignee:	Intelliject, Inc. (Richmond, VA)
Application Number:	12/138,987
Patent Claim Types: see list of patent claims	Device;

Analyzing the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 7,731,690

Introduction

United States Patent 7,731,690, titled "Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery," is a significant patent in the field of medical devices. This analysis will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this invention.

Patent Overview

Patent Number and Title

• The patent number is US 7,731,690 B2, and it is titled "Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery."

Filing and Grant Dates

• The patent was filed on June 13, 2008, and granted on June 8, 2010[5].

Background and Invention

• The patent describes various devices, systems, and methods for delivering medicaments, particularly focusing on improvements in drug delivery mechanisms. This includes detailed descriptions of the device components, their interactions, and the operational methods.

Scope of the Patent

Patent Claims

• The patent includes 20 claims, which are crucial in defining the scope of the invention. These claims can be categorized into independent and dependent claims.
  • Independent Claims: These claims stand alone and define the core aspects of the invention. For example, Claim 1 describes a medicament delivery device with specific components and functionalities[5].
  • Dependent Claims: These claims build upon the independent claims, adding additional features or limitations. For instance, Claim 2 depends on Claim 1 and adds a specific type of medicament container[5].

Claim Length and Count

• The length and count of claims are important metrics for assessing patent scope. Research suggests that narrower claims, as measured by independent claim length and count, are associated with a higher probability of grant and a shorter examination process[3].

Claim Analysis

Independent Claim Length (ICL) and Independent Claim Count (ICC)

• The ICL and ICC metrics can provide insights into the patent's scope. For US 7,731,690 B2, the independent claims are detailed and specific, indicating a well-defined scope.
  • Example: The first independent claim is lengthy and detailed, specifying the components and their interactions, which suggests a narrow but well-defined scope[5].

Claim Construction and Examination Process

• The examination process at the USPTO tends to narrow the scope of patent claims. This patent, having gone through a rigorous examination process, likely had its claims refined to ensure clarity and validity[3].

Patent Family and Continuations

Patent Family

• US 7,731,690 B2 is part of a larger patent family, which includes various continuation and divisional applications. This is common in patent strategies to protect different aspects of an invention.
  • Example: The patent is a divisional of application No. 12/794,014, which is itself a continuation of earlier applications, highlighting the complex nature of patent families[2].

Continuation Procedures

• The use of continuation procedures such as Requests for Continued Examination (RCEs) and Continuations-in-Part (CIPs) allows applicants to refine their claims and introduce new subject matter. This patent's history shows multiple continuations, indicating a thorough development process[4].

Geographic and Ownership Analysis

Inventor and Ownership Location

• The patent's inventor and ownership locations are important for understanding the geographic distribution of innovation. For US 7,731,690 B2, the inventors and assignees are likely based in the United States, given the filing history and patent office interactions[1].

Technology Field and Classification

Technology Field

• The patent falls under the "Drugs and Medical" technology field, one of the broad categories used by the National Bureau of Economics Research (NBER) classification scheme[4].

USPTO Classification

• The patent is classified under various USPTO technology classes, such as A61M, which pertains to medical or veterinary science and hygiene[5].

Forward Citations and Patent Maintenance

Forward Citations

• Forward citations, which are citations received by the patent from later patents, can indicate the patent's impact and relevance. A higher number of forward citations often suggests that the patent is influential in its field[3].

Patent Maintenance Payments

• The maintenance payments for this patent would be an indicator of its ongoing value. Patents with narrower claims tend to have higher maintenance payments, reflecting their continued relevance and enforcement[3].

Industry Impact and Market Relevance

Market Relevance

• The medicament delivery devices described in this patent are crucial in the healthcare industry, particularly in areas such as diabetes management and other chronic conditions. The innovation here can significantly impact patient care and treatment outcomes.

Competitive Landscape

• The patent landscape in the medical device sector is highly competitive. This patent, along with its family members, helps the assignee to maintain a competitive edge by protecting key innovations.

Key Takeaways

• Narrow Claims: The patent's claims are detailed and specific, indicating a well-defined scope.
• Complex Patent Family: The patent is part of a complex family with multiple continuations and divisional applications.
• Geographic and Ownership Analysis: The inventors and assignees are likely based in the United States.
• Technology Field: The patent falls under the "Drugs and Medical" technology field.
• Industry Impact: The patent has significant implications for the healthcare industry, particularly in medicament delivery.

FAQs

Q: What is the title and number of the patent analyzed?

• The patent is titled "Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery" and has the number US 7,731,690 B2.

Q: How many claims does the patent include?

• The patent includes 20 claims.

Q: What metrics are used to assess the scope of the patent?

• The scope is assessed using metrics such as independent claim length (ICL) and independent claim count (ICC).

Q: What is the significance of continuation procedures in this patent?

• Continuation procedures allowed the applicants to refine their claims and introduce new subject matter, ensuring comprehensive protection for the invention.

Q: In which technology field does this patent fall?

• The patent falls under the "Drugs and Medical" technology field.

Sources

1. National Science Foundation, "Invention, Knowledge Transfer, and Innovation," Science and Engineering Indicators 2024: Technical Documentation, February 2024.
2. United States Patent and Trademark Office, "United States Patent No. 9,352,091 B2," June 2016.
3. Hoover Institution, "Patent Claims and Patent Scope," August 2016.
4. Yale Journal of Law & Technology, "What Is the Probability of Receiving a US Patent?", 2015.
5. United States Patent and Trademark Office, "United States Patent No. 7,731,690 B2," June 2010.

Drugs Protected by US Patent 7,731,690

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Patented / Exclusive Use	Submissiondate
Kaleo Inc	EVZIO	naloxone hydrochloride	SOLUTION;INTRAMUSCULAR, SUBCUTANEOUS	205787-001	Apr 3, 2014		DISCN	Yes	No			Y
Kaleo Inc	EVZIO (AUTOINJECTOR)	naloxone hydrochloride	SOLUTION;INTRAMUSCULAR, SUBCUTANEOUS	209862-001	Oct 19, 2016		DISCN	Yes	No			Y
Kaleo Inc	NALOXONE HYDROCHLORIDE (AUTOINJECTOR)	naloxone hydrochloride	SOLUTION;INTRAMUSCULAR, SUBCUTANEOUS	215457-001	Feb 28, 2022		DISCN	Yes	No			Y

International Family Members for US Patent 7,731,690

Country	Patent Number	Estimated Expiration	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration
Australia	2004325202
Australia	2006210865
Australia	2007245139
Australia	2009200841