阅读说明：本技术 注射装置和使用方法 (Injection device and method of use ) 是由 G·戈登堡 A·哈拉米什 J·M·本德海姆 A·芬格 U·阿斯哈什 于 2020-04-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请公开了用于向受试者注射药剂的装置,其可包括手持单元、至少一个控制单元和流体联接到控制单元的一个或多个药剂室。手持单元具有头部和主体部分,头部包括至少一个针和可移动头,可移动头能够相对于主体部分在延伸位置和缩回位置之间轴向移动。控制单元流体联接到手持单元并且具有带配量室的泵。(Devices for injecting a medicament to a subject may include a handheld unit, at least one control unit, and one or more medicament chambers fluidly coupled to the control unit. The handheld unit has a head portion and a body portion, the head portion including at least one needle and a movable head axially movable relative to the body portion between an extended position and a retracted position. The control unit is fluidly coupled to the handheld unit and has a pump with a metering chamber.)

1. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a head including at least one needle;

at least one control unit remote from and fluidly coupled to the handheld unit via one or more connecting tubes, the at least one control unit including a pump having a piston.

2. The injection device of claim 1, wherein the head comprising the at least one needle is removably coupled to a body portion of the handheld unit.

3. The injection device of claim 2, wherein the head portion comprises a first connector configured to engage a corresponding second connector of the body portion.

4. The injection device of claim 3, wherein the first connector has a threaded portion configured to engage a corresponding threaded portion of the second connector.

5. An injection device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the head comprises a movable head which is axially movable relative to a body portion of the handheld unit between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, wherein a distal point of the needle is exposed when the movable head is in the retracted configuration.

6. The injection device of claim 5, wherein the movable head comprises a safety cap.

7. The injection device of claim 6, wherein the safety cap comprises an angled cut configured to abut a subject and a restraining portion configured to engage the subject.

8. The injection device of claim 5, wherein the injection device further comprises:

a protrusion extending from the head portion rearwardly toward the body portion;

a sensor coupled to the body portion;

wherein the protrusion engages the sensor when a selected length of the at least one needle is exposed from the movable head; and

wherein, when engaged, the sensor is configured to inject a medicament.

9. The injection device of claim 8, wherein the medicament comprises newcastle disease vaccine under the registered trademark Nectiv, infectious rhinitis quadruple vaccine, newcastle disease + infectious bronchitis + egg drop syndrome vaccine, avian bacterial rhinotracheitis triple vaccine, salmonidine, salmonella larvas vaccine, newcastle disease + infectious bursal disease + infectious bronchitis + viral joint vaccine under the registered trademark Quadractin VP2, infectious bursal disease + newcastle disease vaccine under the registered trademark Gumbin, ceftiofur sodium, amikacin, gentamicin injection, and combinations thereof.

10. The injection device of any of claims 5-9, wherein the movable head comprises a collection sleeve configured to collect medicament within the movable head, and the needle comprises a recess configured to hold a selected dose of medicament.

11. The injection device according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the control unit is configured to be worn by a user.

12. The injection device of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the injection device further comprises one or more medicament containers fluidly coupled to the control unit.

13. The injection device of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the at least one needle is a first needle and the head comprises a second needle.

14. The injection device of claim 13, wherein the at least one control unit is a first control unit, wherein the injection device comprises a second control unit, and the first needle is fluidly coupled to the first control unit and the second needle is fluidly coupled to the second control unit.

15. The injection device of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the injection device further comprises at least one control panel configured to allow an operator to input a medicament dose volume of one or more medicaments.

16. The injection device of claim 15, wherein the control panel is located on the at least one control unit.

17. The injection device of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the control panel is configured to display information relating to an injection procedure.

18. The injection device of any one of claims 1-17, wherein the pump is removably coupled to the control unit.

19. The injection device of any one of claims 1-18, wherein the pump comprises two or more check valves.

20. The injection device of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the medicament is automatically administered upon insertion of the at least one needle to a selected depth within the body of the subject.

21. The injection device of claim 1, wherein the injection device further comprises a second pump having a second piston, the second pump being located at the handheld unit, wherein the first piston is operatively coupled to the second piston such that movement of the first piston causes corresponding movement of the second piston.

22. The injection device of claim 21, wherein the first piston is operatively coupled to the second piston via an actuator.

23. The injection device of claim 22, wherein the actuator comprises a wire.

24. The injection device of claim 22, wherein the actuator comprises hydraulic fluid contained within a connecting tube.

25. The injection device of any one of claims 21-24, wherein the injection device further comprises one or more medicament containers fluidly coupled to the metering chamber of the second pump.

26. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a head portion and a body portion, the head portion including a needle and a movable head axially movable relative to the body portion between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, the retracted configuration exposing a distal point of the needle;

at least one control unit remote from the handheld unit and coupled to the handheld unit via one or more connecting tubes, the control unit including a pump having a piston, the pump being removably coupled to the control unit, the pump being fluidly coupled to the needle of the handheld unit;

at least one medicament container fluidly coupled to the at least one control unit;

a control panel operatively coupled to the at least one control unit and configured to allow an operator to input a medicament dose volume of one or more medicaments; and

wherein the medicament is automatically administered upon insertion of the needle to a selected depth within the body of the subject.

27. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a head portion and a body portion, the head portion comprising a movable head and two or more needles, the movable head being axially movable relative to the body portion between an extended position and a retracted position;

two or more control units, each control unit comprising a pump fluidly coupled to a respective needle of the handheld unit, each of the two or more control units being remote from the handheld unit and connected to the handheld unit via a respective connecting tube.

28. The injection device of claim 27, wherein the injection device further comprises two or more medicament containers, each medicament container being fluidly coupled to a respective control unit.

29. An injection device as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein a distal point of each needle is partially exposed when the movable head is in the retracted position.

30. The injection device of any one of claims 27-29, wherein the two or more needles comprise a first needle and a second needle, the two or more control units comprise a first control unit and a second control unit, and the first control unit is fluidly coupled to the first needle and the second control unit is fluidly coupled to the second needle.

31. The injection device of claim 30, wherein the first control unit and the first needle are configured to deliver a first medicament and the second spray device and the second needle are configured to deliver a second medicament.

32. The injection device of any one of claims 27-31, wherein at least one of the two or more control units comprises a control panel configured to allow an operator to input one or more selected medicament dose volumes.

33. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a head portion and a body portion, the head portion including a movable head and at least one needle, the movable head being axially movable relative to the body portion between an extended position and a retracted position;

a protrusion extending from the head portion rearwardly toward the body portion;

a sensor coupled to the body portion;

wherein the protrusion engages the sensor when a selected length of the at least one needle is exposed from the movable head; and

wherein, when engaged, the sensor is configured to inject a medicament.

34. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a head including at least one needle having a recess and a tip portion distal to the recess;

wherein the recessed portion is configured to retain a selected dose of medicament; and

wherein the tip portion prevents the agent from exiting the needle via its distal point.

35. The injection device of claim 34, wherein the head comprises:

a movable head axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the movable head further comprising a collection sleeve having a lumen; and

wherein the collection sleeve is configured to hold a medicament; and

wherein the grooved portion of the needle is located within the lumen of the collection sleeve when the movable head is in the extended position.

36. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a first pump including a first piston, a metering chamber, and a head including at least one needle;

a second pump remote from the handheld unit, the second pump including a second piston operatively coupled to the first piston via an actuator such that movement of the second piston causes corresponding movement of the first piston.

37. The injection device of claim 36, wherein the actuator comprises a wire.

38. The injection device of claim 36, wherein the actuator comprises hydraulic fluid contained within a connecting tube.

39. The injection device of claim 36, wherein the injection device further comprises two or more electronic valves coupled to the dosing chamber, wherein each electronic valve is coupled to a respective medicament container.

40. The injection device of claim 39, wherein the metering chamber is coupled to at least one needle via at least one check valve.

41. A method, comprising:

providing an injection device according to claim 1; and

using the device.

42. A method, comprising:

providing an injection device according to claim 34; and

using the device.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the act of using the device comprises: inserting the needle into a pterygoid lamina of a subject such that the groove is aligned with the pterygoid lamina.

44. A pump for an injection device, comprising:

a metering chamber;

a first valve having an inlet, a first opening, a first biasing member, and a first stop, the first biasing member being movable between a biased position in which the first stop blocks the first opening and an open position in which the first stop does not block the first opening.

A second valve having an outlet, a second opening, a second biasing member, and a second stop, the second biasing member being movable between a biased position in which the second stop blocks the second opening and an open position in which the second stop does not block the second opening;

a piston extending into the dosing chamber and movable relative to the dosing chamber between a first position and a second position, the piston configured to reduce a pressure within the dosing chamber as the piston moves from the first position to the second position, the reduced pressure being sufficient to move the first biasing member from the biased position to the open position, and the piston configured to create a positive pressure within the dosing chamber as the piston moves from the second position to the first position, the positive pressure being sufficient to move the second biasing member from the biased position to the open position.

45. The pump of claim 44, wherein the outlet is positioned such that the flow of medicament through the outlet is perpendicular to the flow of medicament through the second opening.

46. The pump of any of claims 44-45, wherein the second stop partially blocks the outlet in the open position.

47. The pump according to any one of claims 44-47, wherein the pump further comprises:

a first O-ring disposed about the first end of the first stopper and a second O-ring disposed about the first end of the second stopper, the first O-ring sized to block the first opening and prevent passage of medicament therethrough in conjunction with the first stopper when the first biasing member is in the biased position, and the second O-ring sized to block the second opening and prevent passage of medicament therethrough in conjunction with the second stopper when the second biasing member is in the biased position.

48. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a head including at least one needle;

a control unit fluidly coupled with the handheld unit via at least one connecting tube; and

the pump of claim 1, configured to pump a dose of medicament from the handheld unit to the control unit.

49. The injection device of claim 48, wherein the pump is disposed within the handheld unit.

50. The injection device of claim 48, wherein the pump is disposed within the control unit.

51. The injection device of any one of claims 48-50, wherein the piston is configured to automatically move from the second position to the first position upon insertion of the at least one needle.

52. The injection device of any one of claims 48-51, wherein the pump is a first pump disposed within the control unit, and the injection device further comprises a second pump disposed within the handheld unit.

53. The injection device of claim 48, further comprising a medicament container fluidly coupled to the control unit via at least one connection tube, wherein the pump is configured to pump the dose of medicament from the medicament container to the control unit and the handheld unit.

54. The injection device of claim 53, wherein the pump is disposed on the medicament container.

55. The injection device of claim 53, wherein the injection device further comprises a second medicament container, the injection device further comprises a second pump, and the pump is disposed on the medicament container and the second pump is disposed on the second medicament container.

56. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a head including at least one needle;

a control unit remote from the handheld unit and fluidly coupled with the handheld unit via one or more connecting tubes; and

a pump disposed within the control unit, the pump comprising:

a metering chamber;

a first valve having an inlet, a first opening, a first biasing member, and a first stop, the first biasing member movable between a biased position in which the first stop blocks the first opening and an open position in which the first stop does not block the first opening;

a second valve having an outlet, a second opening, a second biasing member, and a second stop, the second biasing member being movable between a biased position in which the second stop blocks the second opening and an open position in which the second stop does not block the second opening;

a piston extending into the dosing chamber and movable relative to the dosing chamber between a first position and a second position, the piston configured to reduce a pressure within the dosing chamber as the piston moves from the first position to the second position, the reduced pressure being sufficient to move the first biasing member from the biased position to the open position, and the piston configured to create a positive pressure within the dosing chamber as the piston moves from the second position to the first position, the positive pressure being sufficient to move the second biasing member from the biased position to the open position.

57. The injection device of claim 56, wherein the piston is configured to automatically move from the second position to the first position upon insertion of the at least one needle.

58. The injection device of any one of claims 56-57, wherein the control unit is configured to be worn by a user.

59. A method, comprising:

providing an injection device according to claim 56; and

using the device.

60. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a head comprising a movable head and at least one needle, the movable head being movable between an extended position and a retracted position in which a distal point of the at least one needle is exposed;

at least one control unit remote from and fluidly coupled to the handheld unit via one or more connecting tubes, the at least one control unit including a pump having a piston; and

a safety cap coupled to the movable head, the safety cap having a first end and a second end, the first end including a viewing window positioned to allow a user to view the needle when the movable head is in the extended position.

61. The injection device of claim 60, wherein the second end comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a corresponding threaded portion on the movable head.

62. The injection device of claim 61, wherein the first end has a generally semi-circular cross-section and the second portion has a generally circular cross-section.

63. The injection device of claim 60, wherein the viewing window is an aperture extending through a thickness of the safety cap.

64. The injection device of claim 60, wherein a portion of the viewing window comprises at least one of a transparent, translucent, and semi-permeable material.

65. The injection device of claim 60, wherein the safety cap further comprises a shoulder configured to engage a subject to prevent movement of the safety cap relative to the subject.

66. An injection device comprising:

a handheld unit having a head comprising a movable head and at least one needle, the movable head being movable between an extended position and a retracted position in which a distal point of the at least one needle is exposed;

at least one control unit remote from and fluidly coupled to the handheld unit via one or more connecting tubes, the at least one control unit including a pump having a piston; and

a safety cover coupled to the movable head, the safety cover having a first end including an arm member and a second end, the arm member having a curved shape including a distal end configured to engage a subject to prevent movement of the distal end relative to the subject.

67. The injection device of claim 66, further comprising an annular lip extending circumferentially around the safety cap, the annular lip configured to engage the subject to prevent movement of the safety cap relative to the subject.

68. The injection device of claim 67, wherein the annular lip comprises a plurality of ridges.

69. The injection device of claim 66, wherein the distal end of the arm member comprises one or more protrusions.

70. A method, comprising:

providing an injection device according to claim 60; and

using the device.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein using the injection device comprises:

placing the distal point of the needle at a selected injection site on a subject by viewing the needle through the viewing window;

actuating the movable head to insert the distal point of the needle into the subject; and

administering an agent when the distal point of the needle has reached a selected depth within the subject.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the selected depth is a subcutaneous depth such that the distal point of the needle is disposed between skin and muscle of the subject.

73. A method, comprising:

providing an injection device according to claim 66; and

using the device.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein using the device comprises:

positioning the distal end of the arm member at a selected injection site on a subject;

engaging a surface of the subject with the distal ends of the arm members to prevent movement of the arm members relative to the subject;

actuating the movable head to insert a distal point of the needle into the subject; and

administering an agent when the distal point of the needle has reached a selected depth within the subject.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the selected depth is a subcutaneous depth such that the distal point of the needle is disposed between skin and muscle of the subject.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to injection devices for injecting subjects, particularly farm animals, and more particularly to automatic injection devices for injecting large-volume feeding or companion animals (e.g., poultry, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, ungulates, cats, dogs, and/or aquatic species (including fish)) using one or more medicaments.

Background

In animal husbandry, animals often must administer substances such as drugs for a variety of reasons. Typically, each producer must treat a large number of animals. Treatment oftentimes requires the injection of multiple drugs, usually in liquid form, into each animal. Such medicaments may include pharmaceuticals, vaccines, hormones, food supplements, and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as "medicaments"). Administering such agents typically involves the use of an administration device, such as a syringe or infusion unit, from which a dose of the agent is administered to the animal, either manually or automatically. This type of administration typically involves hand actuation or pumping of a drug device to deliver the drug to the animal.

Treating a large number of animals (e.g., via hand-actuated devices) causes operator fatigue. This can lead to a number of failures, for example: (i) the operator accidentally injects himself; (ii) administering a dose of the agent when the needle has not penetrated the skin of the subject or to a desired depth; (iii) administering a dose after the needle has been removed from the subject; (iv) administering only a portion of the desired dose; (v) inserting the needle into the subject at a non-optimal orientation; and/or (vi) administering repeat doses to the same individual, etc.

Furthermore, in many cases, it is desirable to administer more than one agent to a single animal. Without a ready composition of different agents, or where it is not possible to combine two or more agents together, more than one injection must be made per subject, resulting in operator fatigue.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved injector devices and methods of use thereof, such as devices for injecting one or more medicaments into a large number of animals.

Disclosure of Invention

Described herein are embodiments of injection devices for administering one or more agents to a subject (e.g., poultry, swine, cattle, sheep, goats, ungulates, cats, dogs, and/or aquatic species containing fish). The injection device may be used to administer a medicament to a large number of subjects in a quick and efficient manner to prevent and/or reduce operator error, operator fatigue, and injection failures.

In a representative embodiment, an injection device may include a handheld unit having a head including at least one needle, and at least one control unit remote from the handheld unit and fluidly coupled to the handheld unit via one or more connecting tubes. The at least one control unit typically comprises a pump with a piston.

In some embodiments, the head (containing the needle) may be removably coupled to the body portion of the handheld unit. In some embodiments, the head portion includes a connector having a threaded receiving portion configured to engage a corresponding threaded portion of the body portion. In some embodiments, the head portion comprises a movable head that is axially movable relative to the body portion of the handheld unit between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. When the movable head is in the retracted configuration, a distal point portion (digital point portion) of the needle is exposed.

In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to be worn by a user. In some embodiments, the pump may be removably coupled to the control unit and may include at least one, and typically two or more check valves to allow fluid flow in the first direction but not in the second direction. For example, check valves may allow fluid to flow from one or more containers to one or more control units and prevent fluid from flowing from a control unit to a container.

In some embodiments, the injection device further comprises one or more medicament containers fluidly coupled to the control unit.

In some embodiments, the at least one needle is a first needle and the head comprises a second needle. In some embodiments, the at least one control unit is a first control unit and the injection device comprises a second control unit. In such embodiments, the first needle may be fluidly coupled to the first control unit and the second needle may be fluidly coupled to the second control unit.

The injection device may include a control panel configured to allow an operator to input a medicament dose volume of the one or more medicaments. A control panel may be located on the at least one control unit, and the control panel may display information related to the injection procedure.

The medicament may be automatically administered upon insertion of the at least one needle to a selected depth within the subject.

The injection device may further include a protrusion extending from the head portion rearward toward the body portion and a sensor coupled to the body portion. The protrusion may engage the sensor when a selected length of the at least one needle is exposed from the movable head. When engaged, the sensor is configured to inject a medicament.

The injection device may further comprise a second pump having a second piston, the second pump being located at the handheld unit. The first piston is operatively coupled to the second piston such that movement of the first piston causes corresponding movement of the second piston. The first piston may be coupled to the second piston by an actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator may be a wire. In other embodiments, the actuator may be a hydraulic fluid contained within a connecting tube. The injection device may further comprise one or more medicament containers fluidly coupled to the dosing chamber (dosing chamber) of the second pump.

The movable head may further comprise a collection sleeve configured to collect medicament within the movable head, and wherein the needle comprises a recess configured to hold a selected dose of medicament.

A pump for an injection device may include a metering chamber into which a piston extends, a first valve, and a second valve. The piston is movable relative to the metering chamber between a first position and a second position. The first valve may have a first opening and may include a first biasing member and a first stop, the first biasing member being movable between a biased position in which the first stop blocks the first opening and an open position in which the first stop does not block the first opening. The second valve may have a second opening and may include a second biasing member and a second stop, the second biasing member being movable between a biased position in which the second stop blocks the second opening and an open position in which the second stop does not block the second opening. The piston may be configured to create a reduced pressure within the metering chamber when the piston moves from the first position to the second position, the reduced pressure being sufficient to move the first biasing member from the biased position to the open position, and the piston may be configured to create a positive pressure within the metering chamber when the piston moves from the second position to the first position, the positive pressure being sufficient to move the second biasing member from the biased position to the open position.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary injection device.

Fig. 2 is a side view of a handheld unit of an exemplary injection device with the head removed.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the handheld unit of fig. 2 showing the head in an exploded view.

Fig. 4 is a side view of an exemplary head of an injection device.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the head of fig. 4 for subcutaneous injection.

Fig. 6 is a partially exploded view of the control unit of the exemplary injection device with the door and pump removed.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a pump of an exemplary injection device.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the pump of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the control unit of an exemplary injection device.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the control unit of the exemplary injection device with the power source removed.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the control unit of fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary handheld unit and control unit.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary injection device.

Fig. 14 is a top view of an exemplary handheld unit.

Fig. 15 is a top view of the handheld unit of fig. 14 showing the head in an exploded configuration.

Fig. 16 is a top view of a head of an exemplary handheld unit.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the head of fig. 16 along line a-a.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the head of FIG. 16 with the movable head in a retracted configuration.

Fig. 19 is a side view of an exemplary needle.

Fig. 20 is a top view of an exemplary needle including an extension.

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of the needle of FIG. 20, as seen along line A-A.

Fig. 22 is a side view of an exemplary head for administering a medicament to a subject.

Fig. 23 is a side view of the head of fig. 22 for administering a medicament to a subject.

Fig. 24 is a side view of the head of fig. 23 for administering a medicament to a subject.

Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary handheld unit coupled to an exemplary control unit.

Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional side view of the handheld unit and control unit of fig. 25.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary handheld unit coupled to an exemplary control unit.

Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional side view of the handheld unit and control unit of fig. 27.

FIG. 29 is a cutaway top view of an exemplary pump.

Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary handheld unit coupled to an exemplary control unit.

Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of the handheld unit and control unit of fig. 30.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of one disclosed embodiment of an exemplary safety cover.

Fig. 33 is an end view of one disclosed embodiment of an exemplary safety cover.

Fig. 34 is a side view of one disclosed embodiment of an exemplary safety cover.

Fig. 35 is a side view of an exemplary head of an injection device.

Fig. 36 is a side view of the head of fig. 35 for subcutaneous injection.

Fig. 37 is a perspective view of a pump of an exemplary injection device.

Fig. 38 is a cross-sectional side view of the pump of fig. 37.

Fig. 39 is another cross-sectional side view of the pump of fig. 37.

Fig. 40 is a side view of a head including an exemplary safety cap in an extended position.

Fig. 41 is a side view of a head including the safety cap of fig. 40 in a retracted position.

Fig. 42 is a perspective view of the safety cap of fig. 40.

Fig. 43 is a front end view of the security cover of fig. 40.

Fig. 44 is a side view of a head for subcutaneous injection including the safety cap of fig. 40.

Fig. 45 is a perspective view of a head including the safety cap of fig. 40.

Fig. 46 is a top view of a head including the safety cap of fig. 40.

Fig. 47 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a safety cover.

Fig. 48 is a side view of the safety cap of fig. 47.

Fig. 49 is a bottom view of the safety cover of fig. 47.

Fig. 50 is a side view of the safety cap of fig. 47 coupled to a head.

Fig. 51 is a perspective view of the safety cap of fig. 47 coupled to a head.

FIG. 52 is a representative diagram of an exemplary computing environment.

FIG. 53 is an embodiment of a graphical user interface including a device management display pane.

FIG. 54 is an embodiment of a graphical user interface including a device sub-pane.

FIG. 55 is an embodiment of a graphical user interface including a navigation menu

Detailed Description

A, define

For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of embodiments of the disclosure are described herein. The disclosed methods, apparatus, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any way. Rather, the present disclosure is directed to all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and subcombinations with one another. The methods, apparatus and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.

Although the operations of some of the disclosed embodiments are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular order is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods. Moreover, the description sometimes uses terms such as "providing" or "implementing" to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are high-level abstractions of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and are readily discernible by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As used in this application and the claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, the term "comprising" means "including". Further, the term "coupled" generally means physically, mechanically, chemically, magnetically and/or electrically coupled or linked, and the presence of intervening elements between the coupled or associated items is not excluded in the absence of a particular language contrary.

As used herein, the term "proximal" refers to a location, direction, or portion of the device that is closer to the operator and further away from the site of administration. As used herein, the term "distal" refers to a position, direction, or portion of the device that is further from the operator and closer to the site of administration. Thus, for example, proximal movement of the device is movement of the device away from the administration site and toward the operator (e.g., away from the subject's body), while distal movement of the device is movement of the device away from the operator and toward the administration site (e.g., into the subject's body). Unless otherwise specifically defined, the terms "longitudinal" and "axial" refer to an axis extending in the proximal and distal directions.

In the description, certain terms may be used, such as "upward," "downward," "upper," "lower," "horizontal," "vertical," "left," "right," and the like. Where applicable, these terms are used to provide some clear description of the relationship being processed. However, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, the "upper" surface may be changed to the "lower" surface by simply turning the object over. However, it is still the same object.

Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure of numerical ranges should be understood to refer to each discrete point within the range, including the endpoints. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, molecular weights, percentages, temperatures, times, and so forth, used in the specification or claims are to be understood as being modified by the term "about". Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated implicitly or explicitly or unless the context is properly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to have a more explicit interpretation, the numerical parameters set forth are approximations that may depend upon the desired properties sought and/or the limits of detection under standard test conditions/methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The example numbers are not approximations unless the word "about" is recited directly and unequivocally to distinguish the example from the prior art discussed. As used herein, the term "about" refers to the listed values and any values within 10% of the listed values. For example, "about 100 degrees" means any value between 90-110 degrees, including 90 degrees and 110 degrees.

As used herein, the term "agent" refers to any substance that can be administered to a subject. Specific examples include, for example, antibiotics, vaccines, hormones, food supplements, oils, vitamins, minerals, and the like. In some embodiments, the medicament is in liquid form. In other embodiments, the medicament may be in powder form and may be mixed with one or more solvents within two or more containers or prior to being disposed therein. Exemplary agents include, but are not limited to: newcastle disease vaccine (Nectiv, registered trade Mark)Forte), infectious rhinitis quadruple vaccine (IC Quadro), newcastle disease + infectious bronchitis + egg drop syndrome vaccine (ND + IB + EDS), avian bacterial rhinotracheitis Triple vaccine (Ornitin Triple), salmonid Plus (Salmin Plus), Salmonella larval vaccine (Salmonella infarnitis), newcastle disease + infectious bursal disease + infectious bronchitis + viral joint vaccine (Quadractin) with the registered trade mark quadrastin VP2) Infectious bursal disease and Newcastle disease vaccine (Gumbin;)VP2), ceftiofur sodium (natrum ceftiofur), Amikacin (Amikacin), gentamicin injection (Gentaject), and combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term "subject" refers to a human or non-human animal undergoing treatment, observation or experiment.

The term "animal" may refer to a land animal, an aquatic animal, a bird, or an amphibian. For example, animals include, but are not limited to: poultry, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, ungulates, cats, dogs and/or aquatic species comprising fish. In some embodiments, the mammal is a cow, horse, sheep, pig, or goat. The cattle may be cows or animals raised for beef. The animal may comprise an animal or a domestic animal raised for human consumption. Examples of animals that can be fed and/or administered with the combinations of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, ruminant species such as sheep, goats, cows, heifers, bulls, oxen, castrated bulls, deer, bison, buffalo, elk, alpaca, camel, or llama; ungulates such as horses, donkeys or pigs; birds, such as chickens, including laying and broiler chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, conway pheasants, quail, partridge, pheasant, guinea fowl, ostrich, emu, swan or pigeon; aquatic animals, such as aquaculture species, such as fish (e.g., salmon, trout, tilapia, sea bream, carp, cod, halibut, snapper, herring, catfish, flatfish, pollack, smelt, anchovy, crucian-like salmon, morbid (moi), sea bass, orange-red sea bream, sea bass, tuna, maackia, mackerel, eel, barracuda, tuna, pacific sea bass, red mackerel, walleye salmon, haddock, alaskan cod, turbot, salmonids, freshwater barracuda, ray, sturgeon, pacific, common sturgeon, wolffish, mink, american herring, sea bream, grouper, anglefish, angry, butterfish, whitefish, lake, lobster, mackerel, shark, herring, sargash, angora, herring, cod, croakebiax, cod, fish, cod, fish, cod, fish, cod, fish, cod, fish, cod, fish, Shrimp, prawn, crab, krill, crawfish, barnacle, copepods, etc.) or mollusks (e.g., squid, octopus, abalone, conch, rock snail, whelk, clam, oyster, mussel, clam, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the animal may be a companion animal, such as a canine; a feline; a rabbit; rodents such as rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, or chinchillas; birds, such as parrots, canaries, parakeets, bromatodes, cockatoots, macarots, parakeets or macadamia parrots; reptiles, such as snakes, lizards, turtles, or water turtles; fish; crustaceans; and amphibians such as frogs, toads, and salamanders.

As used herein, the terms "food supplement," "dietary supplement," and "feed additive" may refer to a product intended to supplement the diet of a subject. Food supplements may include, but are not limited to, vitamins, fatty acids, probiotics, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, herbs and botanicals (including plant materials, algae, macrofungi, and combinations thereof), and other substances.

Second, exemplary embodiment

Disclosed herein are injection devices that can be used to administer one or more agents to a subject (e.g., poultry, such as chickens, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, ungulates, cats, dogs, and/or aquatic species containing fish), either simultaneously or sequentially.

Fig. 1-12 illustrate an exemplary injection device 10 according to one embodiment. In certain embodiments, the injection device 10 may be used to inject one or more agents into a subject. As shown in fig. 1, embodiments of the disclosed injection device 10 may include a handheld unit 100, at least one control unit 200 fluidly coupled to the handheld unit 100 by at least one connecting tube 202, and one or more containers 300 removably coupled to the at least one control unit 200 and/or the handheld unit 100 by the one or more connecting tubes 202. In some embodiments, the container 300 may be directly coupled to the handheld unit 100 and/or the control unit 200. The one or more connecting tubes 202 may be sufficiently flexible to allow a user to manipulate the handheld unit 100 and the control unit 200, and sufficiently rigid to prevent the connecting tubes from changing volume, such as becoming wider due to internal pressure when transferring medicament from the container 300 or the control unit 200 to the handheld unit. Widening of the tube can cause inaccurate dosing of the medicament. Further details of flexible connecting tubes can be found in at least WO2018/203203, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment, one or more control units 200 may be remote from the handheld unit 100 and may be coupled to the handheld unit 100 by one or more connecting tubes 202. In such embodiments, the at least one control unit 200 may be configured to be worn by the user, such as being worn on a belt, in a belt pack, in the vest, or in a carry-on bag. In other embodiments, one or more control units may be directly coupled to the handheld unit and/or may be integrally formed with the handheld unit.

The connection tube 202 is flexible enough to allow the user to move the handheld unit 100 in any direction, long enough to allow the user to fully extend his/her arm holding the handheld unit 100, and rigid (i.e., non-inflatable and non-deformable) enough to prevent the tube from widening due to pressure caused by the passage of the medicament through the tube. Pressure variations may deform the tube which lacks sufficient rigidity during administration of the medicament, which may cause inaccurate dosing of the medicament or a delay between pump action and administration of the medicament to the animal. In some embodiments, the connecting tube 202 may flex in all directions and may withstand twisting. In some embodiments, the connecting tube may elastically return to its original shape after being bent, twisted, extended, or otherwise deformed. For example, the tube may have an outer diameter size of typically about 1mm to 10mm, more typically about 4mm to 5 mm. The inner diameter may typically be about 1mm to 5mm, and more typically about 2mm to 3 mm. In some embodiments, the tube may be formed from a polymeric material, such as polyamide. In some embodiments, the tube may further comprise a spring that allows the tube to be flexible in all directions while resisting expansion of the tube. The spring may be external to the tube, internal to the tube, and/or integrally formed with the tube.

In some embodiments, the connecting tube may comprise a housing in combination with an elastic tube. In some embodiments, the housing may be formed separately and wrapped around the elastic tube or placed within the tube. In other embodiments, the housing may be integrally formed with the tube. In other embodiments, the resilient tube may be formed of a material having a stiffness capable of withstanding the force applied by the internal passage of fluid.

In some embodiments, the connecting tube 202 may be manufactured by laser cutting stainless steel to form an integral connector having a design that allows flexibility of the tube while preventing radial expansion of the tube. Once laser cut, the resulting laser cut steel pipe is mounted onto a flexible pipe made of or coated with a polymer or elastomeric material.

In some embodiments, one or more containers 300 may be large containers, such as drums, or may be of a size and/or shape configured to be worn by a user, such as on a belt, in a waist pack, in a vest, or in a backpack.

Referring now to fig. 2, the handheld unit 100 includes a head 102 and a body 104, the body 104 having a grip 106 for holding by an operator. The head 102 may be removably coupled to the body 104. In some embodiments, the handheld unit 100 may further include a light 108.

In some embodiments, the head 102 is a removable and replaceable unit that can be removed and replaced with the same head 102, or in some cases, with a head of another embodiment, as described in more detail below. This enables the operator to switch between needle types (e.g., between needles having different lengths and/or widths, between sub-dermal or subcutaneous needles, between fixed and movable needles, etc.), replace a damaged needle or head, and/or switch the head of one embodiment to another.

The injection device 10 may be configured such that the head 102 may be easily removable and replaceable, for example, in a field or operating setting. This configuration allows the operator to reduce interruptions in the injection process due to broken needles or head blockage. In some embodiments, the pump may be removed and replaced without the use of tools. For example, the head 102 may include a connector 103, the connector 103 configured to couple with a corresponding connector 105 of the body 104. In some embodiments, the connector 103 may have a threaded receiving portion and the connector 105 may have a corresponding threaded protrusion. To remove the head 102 (e.g., replace the head 102), the connector 103 may be rotated in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise) causing the threads of the connector 103 to disengage from the corresponding threads of the connector 105, thereby causing the head 102 to disengage from the body 104. To couple the head 102 (or a replacement head) to the body 104, the connector 103 may be rotated in a second direction (e.g., clockwise) causing the threads of the connector 103 to engage with the corresponding threads of the connector 105, thereby coupling the head 102 to the body 104. In other embodiments, the corresponding connector may be, for example, a snap or clip connector.

As shown in fig. 3, the head 102 may include a needle 110 fluidly coupled to the body 104 using a luer lock 112. The needle 110 may be covered by a safety cap 114 removably coupled to a movable head 116. The movable head 116 (and safety cap 114) may be axially movable between an extended position (see, e.g., fig. 2) in which a distal point (e.g., distal edge) of the needle 110 is covered by the safety portion, and a retracted position (see, e.g., fig. 5) in which the distal point of the needle 110 is exposed. In some embodiments, the movable head 116 may include a biasing member (e.g., a spring, a compressible sleeve, etc.) configured to bias the movable head to the extended position. The movable head 116 may move relative to the support 120 as indicated by arrow 118. Pushing safety cap 114 (and thus movable head 116) rearward (i.e., proximal) relative to support 120 exposes a distal point of needle 110 and allows insertion of the needle into the subject's body. In other embodiments, the needle may be movable relative to the support 120, and the movable head 116 and safety cap 114 may be fixed relative to the support 120.

In some embodiments, pushing movable head 116 back into the retracted position (e.g., by pressing safety cap 114 against a desired injection location on the subject) triggers the release of a predetermined dose of medicament (e.g., by opening a valve associated with the needle and/or by triggering movement of the pump, as described in more detail below).

Referring now to fig. 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the head 102 may be used for subcutaneous injection. Subcutaneous injection requires that the needle penetrate the skin 126 of the subject, but stop before penetrating the muscle 128 of the subject, so that the agent is deposited between the skin and the muscle. Such an injection requires the needle 110 to enter almost parallel to the skin 126 (see, e.g., fig. 5). As used herein, the term "parallel" encompasses the term "substantially parallel" unless specified in an absolute term such as "perfectly parallel. For example, when an object is oriented at an angle of ± 20 ° or less with respect to a reference object or plane, the object is substantially parallel to the reference object or plane.

The movable head 116 may further include a protrusion 122 coupled to a proximal end of the movable head 116, and the body 104 of the handheld unit 100 may include a corresponding sensor 124. In some embodiments, the sensor may become a photointerrupter. When the movable head 116 is retracted as indicated by arrow 130, the protrusion 122 engages the sensor 124. In such embodiments, the safety cover 114 may be configured to only partially cover the needle, as shown in fig. 4, such that the movable head and safety cover are retracted only a small distance, such as about 1mm, before engaging the sensor 124. Once engaged, the sensor 124 may trigger injection of a predetermined dose of medicament. If the needle is removed from the subject prior to administering the full injection dose, the movable head 116 will be biased to the extended position and the protrusion 122 will no longer engage the sensor 124. The injection device may then send an alert that the injection failed. The alert may be audible, visual, or tactile, such as a vibration.

Typically, the medicament is administered in liquid form. In some embodiments, the container 300 is provided with a ready-to-use liquid medicament. In other embodiments, the agent to be administered is administered in a dry form (e.g., as a spray powder). In such embodiments, the medicament is maintained in a dry form within the container. In other embodiments, the container 300 is provided with a medicament (e.g., in dry form or powder form) that requires treatment or preparation (e.g., by addition of water or other solvent thereto) prior to use. Thus, in some embodiments, the container 300 may be internally divided into two or more compartments for holding one or more powdered medicaments and one or more solvents. One or more solvents may be mixed with the powder to form a ready-to-use medicament prior to administration of the medicament. In certain embodiments, the medicament comprisesBut are not limited to: newcastle disease vaccine (Nectiv, registered trade Mark)Forte), infectious rhinitis quadruple vaccine (IC Quadro), newcastle disease + infectious bronchitis + egg drop syndrome vaccine (ND + IB + EDS), avian bacterial rhinotracheitis Triple vaccine (Ornitin Triple), salmonid Plus (Salmin Plus), Salmonella larval vaccine (Salmonella infarnitis), newcastle disease + infectious bursal disease + infectious bronchitis + viral joint vaccine (Quadractin) with the registered trade mark quadrastin VP2) Infectious bursal disease and Newcastle disease vaccine (Gumbin;)VP2), ceftiofur sodium (natrum ceftiofur), Amikacin (Amikacin), gentamicin injection (Gentaject), and combinations thereof.

Referring again to fig. 1, in some embodiments, the container 300 may be formed separately and may be removably coupled to the at least one control unit 200 via one or more connecting tubes 202. In some embodiments, each control unit 200 may be fluidly coupled to a respective container 300. The container may be refilled or replaced with a full container when emptied. In some embodiments, the container 300 may be integrally formed as part of the handheld unit 100, the control unit 200, or both, and may be refilled with a suitable liquid medicament when emptied. In some embodiments, the container 300 may be made of a rigid material (e.g., metal or a rigid polymeric material). In other embodiments, the container 300 may be made of a flexible material (e.g., a plastic bag or a flexible polymeric material). In some embodiments, the container 300 may be transparent or substantially transparent, allowing a user to see the contents and the height of the contents therein. In other embodiments, for example, the containers 300 may be opaque when the medicament they hold is a light sensitive medicament.

As described above, in some embodiments, each medicament may be injected by pressing the safety cap 114 and the movable head 116 against the subject. In other embodiments, each medicament may be injected by manually actuating the injection device, for example by manually pressing and/or pulling a trigger located on a grip portion of the handheld unit. Suitable triggers may be, for example, levers or buttons. In such embodiments, each depression of the trigger will administer a predetermined amount of the medicament, such as by actuating a motor of the device. In some embodiments, the device may be configured to sequentially deliver doses of two or more different medicaments. In such embodiments, a first press of the trigger will inject a selected dose of the first medicament and a second press of the trigger will inject a selected dose of the second medicament, or alternatively, a single trigger press will result in multiple successive administrations of the medicament, such as two or more administrations of the medicament. In some embodiments, each dose may have the same volume, however, in other embodiments, the volume of the dose may vary depending on the medicament being injected, the size of the animal, the type of animal, or other factors (e.g., using an encoder to control the position of a piston within a pump).

As mentioned above, the injection device 10 may comprise one or more control units 200. Each control unit 200 may deliver a medicament from a respective container 300 to the handheld unit 100 and into the subject. For example, each control unit 200 may include at least one pump coupled to one or more check valves. In the illustrated embodiment, each control unit 200 includes one pump 204, the pump 204 being fluidly coupled to two check valves 208, 210.

Suitable check valves may be, for example, but not limited to, check valves, inlet check valves, poppet check valves, etc., that allow the medicament to pass therethrough in only a single direction. For example, a first non-return valve may allow passage of medicament from the container 300 to the respective control unit 200 but prevent backflow from the control unit 200 to the container 300, and a second non-return valve may allow passage of medicament from the respective control unit 200 to the handheld unit 100 but prevent backflow from the handheld unit 100 to the control unit 200. The particular embodiment of fig. 6-8 includes valves 208, 210, each of which includes a spring 212 and a stop 214 (which may be any of a variety of shapes including, for example, spherical, disk-shaped, conical, etc.). The spring 212 applies a biasing force to the stopper 214 to bias the valve to the closed position and prevent the flow of medicament through the valve. If the pressure outside the valve (e.g., in the connecting tube 202) is less than the opening (or "cracking") pressure of the check valve (e.g., less than the force imparted by the spring 212), the valve remains closed. This may prevent fluid from the container 300 from flowing into the control unit 200 until the pump is activated to pressurize the fluid and/or prevent fluid from the control unit 200 from flowing into the handheld unit 100 until desired. If the external pressure is greater than the cracking pressure of the check valve, the medicament may push the stopper 214 toward the spring 212, compressing the spring and allowing the medicament to flow through the valve in one direction.

In other embodiments, the valves may be configured such that they may be electrically actuated (e.g., by a microprocessor) between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In other embodiments, the valves may be configured such that they may be manually actuated (e.g., by pressing a button, pressing a switch, or turning a lever).

Referring to fig. 6, in some embodiments, each pump 204 may be removable such that it may be replaced by the same or similar pump. The control unit 200 may be configured such that the pump 204 may be easily removed and replaced, for example, in a field or operating setting. This configuration allows an operator to reduce interruption of the infusion process by clogged and/or malfunctioning pumps by quickly and easily replacing the pump with a new one. In some embodiments, for example, the illustrated embodiment, the pump may be removed and replaced without the use of tools. The pump 204 may be located behind a door 206 that includes a latch 208. The latch 208 couples the door to the control unit 200 and prevents the door 206 from opening unless the user actuates the latch.

At least one pump 204 may be fluidly coupled to one or more containers 300 and/or handheld unit 100. The pump 204 may be configured to push/pull the same or different amounts of medicament from each container 300 and deliver these amounts to the handheld unit 100. As shown in fig. 7-8, the pump 204 may be fluidly coupled to the one or more containers 300 through a first check valve 208 and may be fluidly coupled to the handheld unit through a second check valve 210.

In some embodiments, each control unit may include two or more pumps 204, wherein the number of pumps is the same as the number of containers 300, and wherein each pump 204 is coupled to a discrete container 300. In such a configuration, each pump 204 is designed to pull and/or push a predetermined amount of the medicament from its respective container 300 and deliver the medicament sequentially to the handheld unit 100 and into the subject according to a predetermined order of administration.

The pump 204 may be a plunger pump or a piston pump. Referring now to fig. 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the pump 204 is a piston pump having a piston 216, which piston 216 may selectively extend into a metering chamber 218. The piston 216 may have a head 217. In use, the pump 204 may pull the medicament into the metering chamber via the first check valve 208 and may then push the medicament from the metering chamber towards the holding unit 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the metering chamber 218 is located in the control unit 200. In other embodiments, the metering chamber may be located in the handheld unit 100. Further details of exemplary metering chambers may be found in at least WO2018/203203, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The pump 204 may be actuated by a motor 220. The motor may be, for example, a DC motor. Motor 220 may actuate a drive shaft 222 coupled to piston 216. For example, the motor 220 may have a rotating gear 224 that engages a plurality of corresponding teeth on the drive shaft 222. The motor 220 may further comprise an encoder (not shown) configured to set the position of the piston head 217 within the dosing chamber by controlling the rotation of the motor 220, thereby controlling the volume of the dose of medicament to be injected. This function is used to set different medicament volumes to be injected.

In some embodiments, the injection device may be configured to be suitable for remote locations where power supply is limited. Referring now to fig. 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 200 of the injection device 10 includes a power supply 226. The power source may be, for example, a battery, a solar panel, a hydrogen fuel cell, or the like. A combination of power sources may also be used, where the power sources may be the same, such as two batteries, or different, such as a solar panel and a battery. In some embodiments, the power source may be rechargeable. In other embodiments, the power source may be disposable (e.g., a disposable battery). In some embodiments, the injection device 10 also includes a power meter configured to display (e.g., on the control unit 200 and/or handheld unit 100) the amount of power remaining in the power source 226. The injection device may also be configured to generate an alert (e.g., an audible, visual, and/or tactile alert, such as a vibration) when the power source 226 reaches a selected power level, such as power that may interfere with proper operation of the injection device 10.

The power source 226 may be removably coupled to the control unit 200 and may be configured to provide power to the injection device 10. The power supply 226 may include a latch portion 228 configured to releasably couple the power supply 226 to the control unit 200. In other embodiments, the power source may be coupled to the handheld unit 10, the receptacle 300, or may be a separate piece operatively coupled to the injection device via one or more power cables. In other embodiments, the handheld unit 100 may include a second power source configured to provide power to the handheld unit.

Referring to fig. 11, the control unit 200 may further include one or more cables integral therewith or coupled thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, a cable 230 operatively couples the control unit 200 to the handheld unit 100. The cable 230 is configured to provide power to the handheld unit 100 and/or to allow communication between the handheld unit 100 and the control unit 200. For example, the handheld unit 100 may send a signal to the control unit 200 when the needle 110 is in place to perform an injection.

The control unit 200 may include a control panel 233. Control panel 233 can include, for example, an input device 232 (e.g., a keyboard or touch screen) and/or a display 234. The input device 232 may be configured to allow an operator to input a selected medicament dose volume of one or more medicaments and/or a selected injection sequence of one or more medicaments. In the illustrated embodiment, the input device includes a keyboard. The display 234 may be configured to display selected information related to the injection procedure to the operator and/or to enable the operator to control various functions of the injection procedure. The display 234 may display information such as, for example, the amount of medicament remaining in each container, the number of subjects who have received the medicament, the total number of injections given, the total time spent during the injection, a power indicator (such as a battery life indicator), a selected dose volume of each medicament, a selected injection order of one or more medicaments, and the like.

The control unit 200 may be configured to receive and store a selected volume of medicament input by the operator using the input device 232, and may adjust the motor and pump such that each injection injects the selected volume of medicament. The control unit 200 may be further configured to receive and store an injection sequence input by the operator and to actuate the pumps 204 in a sequence dictated by the injection sequence. In the illustrated embodiment, the input device 232 and the display 234 are both located on the control unit 200. In other embodiments, the input device 232 and/or the display 234 may be located on the handheld unit 100.

In some embodiments, the control unit 200 may be configured to transmit real-time information to a remote device, thus allowing remote control of the data storage and/or injection apparatus.

As described above, the control unit 200 may be fluidly coupled to the one or more containers 300 by one or more connecting tubes 202. Referring now to fig. 12, in some embodiments, the connecting tube 202 may include a piercing device 236 configured to pierce a membrane (not shown) of the respective container 300, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the container 300 into the connecting tube 202. In some embodiments, connection tube 202 may further include pinch valve 238, e.g., a manual pinch valve. Pinch valve 238 may be configured to prevent fluid from flowing from container 300 to control unit 200 when actuated by an operator (e.g., by manually pinching the valve).

In some embodiments, each receptacle 300 may include a membrane over the opening of the receptacle 300. The membrane prevents the medicament from leaving the container. In other embodiments, each container may include a valve actuatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the medicament may pass through the valve, and in the closed configuration, the medicament is prevented from passing through the valve. In some embodiments, the valve is a check valve or non-return valve that allows fluid to pass in only a single direction. In other embodiments, the valves may be configured such that they may be electrically actuated between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In other embodiments, the valves may be configured such that they may be manually actuated (e.g., by pressing a button, pressing a switch, or turning a lever).

As shown in fig. 13, in some embodiments, only one of the at least one control unit includes a control panel 233. In such embodiments, the control unit that includes the control panel may be referred to as a primary control unit 200a, while the one or more control units that do not include the control panel may be referred to as secondary control units 200 b. The operator may use the primary control unit 200a to control device functions such as setting a selected volume of medicament for each of the primary and secondary control units. In such embodiments, the primary control unit 200a and the secondary control unit 200b may be communicatively coupled by one or more cables 230. The cable 230 is configured to provide power to the secondary control unit 200b and/or to allow communication between the primary control unit 200a and the secondary control unit 200 b.

In other embodiments, each control unit 200 may have a respective input device configured to set a medicament volume for the respective control unit.

Still referring to fig. 13, in some embodiments, the injection device may be configured to inject two or more different agents into the subject at two or more different locations using a single needle. In such embodiments, the injection device may, for example, comprise three main subsystems: (1) a handheld unit 100 comprising a single needle; (2) one or more control units 200, each comprising a pump, one or more non-return valves and a power source; (3) two or more containers 300 containing different medicaments. Further details of this arrangement can be found in, for example, WO 2018/203203.

Referring to fig. 14-15, in some particular embodiments, the handheld unit 100 may include a head 400 instead of the head 102. The head 400 may include a plurality of pins, and the illustrated embodiment includes two pins 402, each coupled to a support 404 by a luer lock 406. Each needle 402 may be covered by a respective safety cap 408. Each safety cover 408 may be removably coupled to a movable head 410. The movable head 410 (and safety cap 408) is axially movable between an extended position (see, e.g., fig. 14) in which a distal point of the needle 402 is covered by the safety cap 408, and a retracted position in which the distal point of the needle 402 is exposed. The movable head 410 may move relative to the support 404 as indicated by arrow 412. Pushing the safety cap 408 (and the moveable head 410) toward the body 104 (i.e., in a proximal direction) exposes a distal point of the needle 402 and allows the needle 402 to be inserted into the body of the subject. In other embodiments, the needle 402 may be movable relative to the body 104, and the movable head 410 and the safety cover 408 may be fixed relative to the body 104.

In the illustrated embodiment, the needles 402 are placed a set distance from each other. However, in other embodiments, the head 400 may be configured such that the distance between the needles 402 may vary based on anatomical considerations of the subject.

In some embodiments, pushing movable head 410 back into the retracted position may be accomplished by pressing safety cap 408 against the desired injection location on the subject. As described above, this triggers the release of the predetermined dose of medicament, such as by opening a valve associated with the needle and/or by triggering movement of the pump.

The removable head 400 may be coupled to the body 104 of the handheld unit 100 by any effective method as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, such as by using a connector 414. The connector 414 may have a threaded receiving portion configured to couple with a corresponding threaded connector 105 of the body 104. To remove the head 400 (e.g., replace the head 400 with a new version or switch to a different head embodiment), the connector 414 may be rotated in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise) causing the threads of the connector 414 to disengage from the corresponding threads of the connector 105, thereby causing the head 400 to disengage from the body 104. Coupling the head 400 (or a replacement head) to the body 104, the connector 414 may be rotated in a second direction (e.g., clockwise) causing the threads of the connector 414 to engage the corresponding threads of the connector 105, thereby coupling the head 400 to the body 104.

The injection device 10 including the head 400 may be used to simultaneously inject two or more medicaments into a single subject at discrete injection locations. As previously described, each needle 402 may be fluidly coupled to the control unit 200, which control unit 200 is fluidly coupled to a respective container 300.

In some embodiments, head 400 may be used for subcutaneous injection. Subcutaneous injections require that the needle penetrate the skin of the subject, but stop before penetrating the muscle of the subject, so that the agent is deposited between the skin and the muscle. Such an injection requires the needle 402 to enter almost parallel to the skin. In such embodiments, the safety caps 408 may be configured such that they do not cover the entire length of the needle 402. In such a configuration, the movable head 410 may retract only slightly, such as about 1mm, when pressed against the skin of the subject. The movable head 410 may also include a protrusion (not shown) coupled to a proximal end of the movable head 410, and the body 104 of the handheld unit 100 may include a corresponding sensor (see, e.g., sensor 124 of fig. 5). When the movable head 410 is retracted, the protrusion engages the sensor. Once engaged, the sensor may trigger the release of a predetermined dose of the medicament.

Referring to fig. 16-24, in some particular embodiments, the handheld unit 100 may include a removable head 500 instead of the removable head 102. The head 500 may be used, for example, to inject a medicament into the membranes of the birds' wings. For example, the head 500 may be used to vaccinate chickens with a fowlpox vaccine using a winged membrane injection. The head 500 may include a needle 502 coupled to a support 504 by a luer lock 506. The needle 502 may be covered by a safety cap 508. The safety cap 508 may be removably coupled to the movable head 510 and may include a medicament collection sleeve 514 at a distal end thereof.

The movable head 510 (and safety cap 508) is axially movable between an extended configuration (see, e.g., fig. 17) in which the distal end of the needle 502 is covered by the safety cap 508, and a retracted configuration (see, e.g., fig. 18) in which the distal end of the needle 502 is exposed. The movable head 510 may move relative to the support 504 as indicated by arrow 512. Pushing the safety cover 508 (and the movable head 510) toward the body 104 of the handheld unit 100 (i.e., in a proximal direction)) exposes the distal end of the needle 502 and allows the needle 502 to be inserted into the body of the subject. In other embodiments, the needle 502 may be movable relative to the body 104, and the movable head 510 and safety cap 508 may be fixed relative to the body 104.

In some embodiments, the moveable head 510 may include a biasing member 516, the biasing member 516 configured to bias the moveable head to the extended position. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing member 516 is a spring. In other embodiments, the biasing member may be any member configured to bias the moveable head to the extended position. The biasing member may be, for example, a compressible elastomeric sleeve.

Referring now to fig. 17, the head 500 may further include an extension 518 having a lumen through which the needle 502 extends. An extension 518 may extend distally from the distal end of luer lock 506 and may be sized such that it extends into medicament collection sleeve 514 when movable head 510 is in the extended configuration as shown in fig. 17. The diameter of the extension 518 may be slightly smaller than the diameter of the collection sleeve 514 such that when the extension 518 is within the collection sleeve 514, a fluid seal is formed between the two components at the proximal end of the collection sleeve 514. This allows the medicament to collect within the collection sleeve 514 without leaking proximally into the lumen of the head 500.

Referring now to fig. 21, a needle 502 may have a lumen (not shown) fluidly coupled to the control unit 200. The circumferential wall of the needle 502 defines a dimple or groove 520 at the distal end of the needle 502. The groove 520 is in fluid communication with the lumen of the needle 502. The tip portion 522 of the needle 502 (i.e., the portion of the needle distal to the aperture) may be closed (e.g., without a lumen), forming a lip 524. In other words, for example, the lumen may extend axially along the length of the needle and terminate at the proximal end of tip portion 522. As described in more detail below, this configuration allows the medicament to flow through the lumen of the needle 502 and pool within the groove 520. Tip portion 522, including lip 524, has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of collection sleeve 514 such that when needle 502 is within collection sleeve 514, a fluid-tight seal is formed at the distal end of groove 520. This allows the medicament to be collected within the collection sleeve 514 without leaking from the distal end of the injection device.

The head 500 may further include a sensor (such as the sensor 124 described above). When the movable head 510 is in the retracted configuration (e.g., exposing the needle), a protrusion (such as the protrusion 122 described above) engages the sensor. When the movable head 510 returns to the extended configuration, the protrusion no longer engages the sensor, thereby triggering the control unit to activate the pump and supply the medicament to the handheld unit. The medicament travels through the lumen of the needle and into the collection sleeve 514, filling the groove 520. The tip portion 522 of the needle 502 prevents the medicament from exiting the cartridge 514. Once the needle 502 is exposed from the head, the medicament is retained within the groove 520 by the shape of the groove and the surface tension of the medicament.

Once the groove 520 is filled, the medicament may be injected into the subject. In the illustrated embodiment, the injection process is described with reference to poultry wing membrane injection. However, the head 500 and following methods may be used for thin skin injection of any feeding or companion animal (e.g., poultry, swine, cattle, sheep, goats, ungulates, cats, dogs, and/or aquatic species including fish).

Referring to fig. 22-24, the injection process may proceed in the following exemplary manner. The safety cover 508 may be pressed against the subject's wing membrane 526. When the safety cover 508 (and movable head 510) is moved rearwardly relative to the support portion 504 as indicated by arrow 528, the distal end of the needle 502 is exposed from the safety cover 508 (as shown in fig. 23)). Referring now to fig. 24, when the needle 502 penetrates the wing membrane 526, the recess 524 aligns with the wing membrane, thereby allowing the medicament to be absorbed.

The removable head 500 may be coupled to the body 104 of the handheld unit 100 using a connector (not shown). In some embodiments, the connector may have a threaded receiving portion configured to couple with a corresponding threaded connector 105 of the body 104. To remove the head 500 (e.g., replace the head 500 with a new version or switch to a different head embodiment, such as the head 102 or 400), the connector may be rotated in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise) causing the threads of the connector to disengage from the corresponding threads of the connector 105, thereby causing the head 500 to disengage from the body 104. To couple the head 500 (or replacement head) to the body 104, the connector may be rotated in a second direction (e.g., clockwise) causing the threads of the connector to engage with the corresponding threads of the connector 105, thereby coupling the head 500 to the body 104.

As described above, the injection device 10 may be modular, and each embodiment of the head may be interchangeable with one or more other embodiments of the head. For example, the head 102 may be replaced with the head 400, and/or the head 500, or vice versa. In such modular embodiments, one or more of the control unit 200 and the handheld unit 100 may be configured as many inlets and/or outlets as needed for a desired number of medicaments.

In certain embodiments, each receptacle 300 of the injection device 10 further includes an identification mark (not shown). The identification indicia may be any suitable indicia for conveying information (e.g., RFID code, QR code, bar code, color sticker, etc.). In some embodiments, the identifying indicia indicates, for example, the type of medicament within each container, the amount of medicament that needs to be administered from each container, the date of manufacture, and/or the expiration date. Thus, in some embodiments, the injection device further comprises a reader unit configured to read data provided by the identification tag and transmit the data to the control unit and/or the remote unit. The reader unit may be located on the handheld unit 100 and/or the control unit 200. In such an embodiment, the operator may use the reader unit to scan each container in a selected injector order, thereby entering the selected injection order and/or dose volume of each medicament into the control unit 200.

In some embodiments, the reader unit may be configured to transmit and receive light. In such embodiments, the identifying indicia may include light absorbing materials and/or light reflecting materials. For example, a first container may have a light absorbing sticker (e.g., a black sticker) and a second container may include a light reflecting sticker (e.g., a white sticker). When the containers are coupled to the control unit, the reader unit may read the identification indicia to distinguish the first and second containers and determine the contents of each container and/or the required dose. The reader unit may then transmit this information to the control unit and/or the remote unit.

Some disclosed embodiments are configured for use with animals implanted with RFID tags. The RFID tag of the animal may be scanned prior to administration to ensure that the animal has not received the medicament. During or after administration, the RFID tag of the animal is entered and data is transmitted to a control system (e.g., a smartphone, cloud-based data storage system, or local server).

When administering a medicament to a large number of animals, the user may need to hold the injection device for a long time. Thus, in some embodiments, the weight of the handheld unit 100 (including the head 102 or 400) is configured to be as light as possible. For example, certain disclosed embodiments weigh between about 150 grams and about 200 grams, such as 160 grams, 170 grams, 180 grams, or 190 grams.

In some embodiments, the injection device further comprises one or more temperature control units for heating or cooling the medicament to be injected. Preheating some of the agents to approximately body temperature of the animal prior to administration may increase the agent uptake rate. In some embodiments, each vessel 300 may have a respective temperature control unit, and one or more temperature control units may be placed along the respective connecting tube 202; one or more temperature control units may be disposed within the handheld unit 100, or any and all combinations thereof. The temperature control unit used may be selected according to system requirements. In some embodiments, the heat for raising the temperature may be generated by an engine or motor of the injection device, and/or by a Peltier device or other thermoelectric cooling device. This can reduce energy consumption and improve the cost and performance of the device.

In some embodiments, a small lithium ion battery may be used to power a peltier device that supplies heat to or removes heat from the medicament until a desired temperature is reached. Notably, the temperature control unit controls the temperature to prevent overheating of the medicament, which in some cases renders it unusable. In this way, the battery power of the injection device can be used more efficiently, since the battery only needs to provide a part of the heating power. Peltier devices work best when the "temperature rise" (e.g., the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides) is kept to a minimum. For example, in some embodiments, the lift may be about 10 ℃, which is low enough to enable peltier to operate effectively. In an exemplary embodiment, a coefficient of performance (COP) of approximately 3 may be achieved, reducing the battery requirements to 1/3, the battery energy required by a "battery only" system. In practice, such an energy load can be achieved by, for example, a lithium ion battery of about 50g, a size of 50X 50X 10mm, a capacity of 2500m Ah, and a power of 1.8-2W.

In some embodiments, the peltier device may be used in conjunction with waste heat from the motor of the injection apparatus by capturing the waste heat and using it as additional heat input to the "cold side" of the peltier device. In an exemplary motor, the efficiency may be around 60%, and thus 1-2W of heat may be generated in the motor body. This additional heat can be utilized by the peltier device, thus improving overall heat pump performance and greatly reducing battery energy budget.

Thus, in certain embodiments, the injection device comprises a heat generating unit based on peltier/pump motor assisted heating. The amount of medicament injected by the peltier/pump motor assisted heating device is critical. Thus, the injection device may require calibration prior to initial use or prior to each use. Therefore, in some embodiments, the device further comprises a calibration unit for calibrating the position of the piston or pump, thereby obtaining an accurate calibration.

In particular embodiments, the injection device 10 may be configured to meet any or all of the following requirements:

(1) the device can administer 3 liters (about 2.55kg) of the medicament over a 6 hour time frame. The injection rate may be, for example, 60 injections per minute and the dose volume may be, for example, 0.6ml, resulting in an injection rate of 36ml per minute. The operator expects to carry 1L to 2L of the medicament and refill it from a central location when needed.

(2) The heating system has the capability of heating 3 kg of the medicament.

(3) The agent is protein in mineral oil emulsion with specific heat capacity of 2130J/kg. The medicament will be heated to about 38 deg.c. For example, if heating from about 28 ℃ to about 38 ℃, the total heat requirement is 54315J or 0.15 kwh (Q2.55 2130 10). Additionally, pumping energy and pump motor cooling should also be considered, which may add an additional 40-50,000J of energy requirement.

(4) Assuming a 6 hour day, the required heating power is 2.5W (P54315/(6 x 3600) — the pump is expected to add about another 3W to the load, so the total power demand is about 5-6W.

(5) The temperature of the liquid at the time of injection is within +/-1 deg.C accuracy of the preselected temperature.

(6) The total weight of the equipment containing the medicament is not more than 5 kilograms, and the volume is not more than 5 liters.

(7) The temperature control system prevents the medicament from overheating through the thermocouple switch.

(8) The temperature control system is safe for the user.

In some embodiments, the injection device may be configured to administer, for example, 3 liters (about 2.55kg) of medicament over a 6 hour time frame. In some embodiments, the container 300 may be sized such that an operator may carry 1L to 2L of medicament within the container (e.g., in a backpack) and may refill the container from a central location when needed. This prevents the injection device from becoming too heavy for the user to transport. In some embodiments, for example, the weight of the injection device should not exceed 5 kg.

Many known injection devices use manual calibration of the injected dose, which may result in large deviations in the dose volume due to, for example, operator error and inaccuracies in cylinder measurement techniques. In contrast, in some embodiments of the present device, the encoder can achieve a radial resolution of 5 degrees of piston drive, which results in linear piston movement as small as 0.0006 mm. This provides high dose accuracy. However, over time, dose deviations may occur due to manufacturing tolerances leading to cylinder differences and/or certain degrees of freedom between moving mechanical parts that vary due to corrosion and wear. In certain embodiments, each injection device may be calibrated during manufacture and additional calibrations may be performed by the end user before or periodically with each use, as desired.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the injection device further comprises an automatic calibration system that enables an end user to calibrate the injection device. In such an embodiment, the automatic calibration system may include a sealed container having electrodes at its bottom and top, where the size of the container and the distance between the electrodes are known. To calibrate the apparatus, the user turns the injection device to "calibration mode" so that the apparatus administers (e.g., by injection) a predetermined dose of test liquid (e.g., 1cc of water) into the sealed container. Once the liquid reaches the top electrode, the calibration system will notify the device and stop the injection. The calibration system determines the number of doses required to fill a container of known volume, calculates the volume of each dose, and compares it to a predetermined amount for each dose. This allows the calibration system to determine if there are any differences in the doses and enables the calibration system to automatically calibrate the injection device according to the measured differences.

In certain embodiments, the injection device 10, in particular the at least one control unit 200, is configured to identify malfunctions during the injection process, such as partial dosing, clogging, air bubbles in the tube, leakage and/or emptying of the container. The control unit 200 may additionally identify faults within different components of the injection device, such as low power, problematic pumps, broken tubing, etc.

Incomplete dosing and other failures may occur due to human error. For example, the user may withdraw the needle from the subject before all of the medicament has been injected. Dosing errors may also occur due to mechanical failure. For example, the piston may not move all the way forward in the metering chamber to expel the medicament, the tube or nozzle may become clogged due to dirt or viscosity of the liquid, air bubbles may penetrate the system, which may change the final volume of medicament injected. For whatever reason, incomplete injection results in the subject receiving only a fraction of the intended dose of the agent. These malfunctions may prevent accurate injection of the medicament into the subject or extend the duration of each injection.

In certain embodiments, the injection device further comprises a fault identification system, which may be configured to identify the above-mentioned faults, as well as other faults, and to send an alert to the user. Such fault identification systems may include various mechanisms, such as a probe at the needle or needle tip, which identifies premature withdrawal of the device prior to completion of the injection; a probe coupled to the dosing chamber that identifies whether the piston head has moved all the way to the end of the dosing chamber; a probe at the piston head that identifies whether the piston head is moving backwards (e.g., indicating incomplete administration) before the piston head moves all the way to the end of the metering chamber; sensors that identify whether the piston is not moving or moving very slowly (e.g., using an encoder and an internal clock), which may indicate an occlusion; and/or a sensor (e.g., using an encoder and an internal clock) that identifies whether the plunger is moving too fast, which may indicate a bubble or leak. The fault identification system may further be used to calculate the amount of medicament remaining in each container (e.g., by multiplying the number of doses by the injected dose), measure the current used to activate the motor, which may correspond to the occurrence of a bubble, leak, or blockage, etc. The fault identification system may also be configured to measure the duration of each dose and/or the current used, wherein any increase in duration and/or current used beyond a certain amount may indicate a blockage within the system, and any decrease in duration and/or current used beyond a certain amount may indicate a bubble or leak within the system, or the end of a dose in the container.

In some embodiments, the injection device further comprises a clearing process to remove blockages that may be present in the needle or in the connecting tube. The deoccluding process can include spraying water or other cleaning fluid through a blocked needle, the water or cleaning fluid being contained in a container in parallel with the handheld unit, such that the deoccluding process can be performed as part of the application process without the need to stop and clean the device. For example, in a representative embodiment, an injection device may include a handheld unit fluidly coupled to a control unit that is fluidly coupled to two containers. One container may hold a medicament and the other may hold a cleaning solution. In use, the injection device may be configured to alternate between a dose of medicament and a dose of cleaning fluid, such that a user may inject a dose of medicament to a subject, remove the needle from the subject, expel a dose of cleaning solvent (e.g., to the ground), and continue with the next subject.

In certain embodiments, two or more handheld units may be connected to the same set of one or more containers, allowing two or more operators to work side-by-side to administer a medicament from the same container. In such embodiments, the container may be coupled to a stationary unit and may have a larger volume than the portable container described above.

Although the embodiments referenced above relate to animal subjects, the embodiments of the injection device disclosed above may also be used to inject a medicament into a human subject.

Referring to fig. 25-28, in another embodiment, an injection device may have a handheld unit 600, a control unit 700, and one or more containers (not shown) for holding a medicament. The container may be coupled to the handheld unit 600 via the inlet 620. Handheld unit 600 may include any of the heads described above, such as head 102, 400, or 500. In some embodiments, the injection device may be configured to inject a dose of medicament when the trigger is pressed, in other embodiments, the injection device may be configured to inject a dose of medicament when the head (e.g., head 102, 400, or 500) is pressed against the subject while the trigger is pressed. In other embodiments, the injection device may be configured to inject a dose of medicament when the head is pressed against the subject.

The control unit 700 may be similar to the control unit 200 and may include a first pump 702 having a first piston 704, the first piston 704 including a plurality of teeth and being movable within a chamber 710 between a retracted configuration (see, e.g., fig. 26) and an extended configuration (see, e.g., fig. 25). The first piston 704 may be actuated by a motor (not shown) having a rotary gear 708, the rotary gear 708 configured to engage a plurality of teeth of the first piston 704, thereby moving the first piston distally and proximally relative to the rotary gear 708.

As shown in fig. 25, the handheld unit 600 may include a second pump 602 having a second piston 604 and a metering chamber 606 (see fig. 26). The second pump 602 may be coupled to the first pump 702 via a connecting tube 706 extending between the handheld unit 600 and the control unit 700.

Second piston 602 may be operatively coupled to first piston 702 via actuating member 608 such that movement of the first piston causes corresponding movement of second piston 604. For example, distal (e.g., pushing) movement of first piston 702 causes corresponding distal (e.g., pushing) movement of second piston 602, and proximal (e.g., pulling) movement of first piston 702 causes corresponding proximal (e.g., pulling) movement of second piston 602. Actuation member 608 may be, for example, a wire, cable, and/or shaft configured to transmit axial (e.g., push and pull) forces from first pump 702 to second pump 602. The actuating member 608 may extend through the connecting tube 706.

Referring now to fig. 30-31, in some embodiments, second pump 602 can further include a spring 618 operatively coupled to second piston 604. For example, the biasing member 618 may extend around a body portion of the piston 604 and abut the head portion such that the spring may apply a distally directed force to the head portion of the second piston 604. In such embodiments, proximal movement of first piston 704 causes corresponding proximal movement of second piston 604 using actuation member 608, thereby compressing biasing member 618 (see fig. 31). Once application of the proximally-directed force is terminated (e.g., upon depressing and/or releasing a trigger of handheld unit 600), biasing member 618 extends distally, applying a distally-directed force to the head of second piston 604.

For example, in use, first piston 704 may move proximally, applying a proximally directed force to actuating member 608, and thus second piston 604. As it moves proximally, the second piston 604 empties the metering chamber 606 and compresses the biasing member 618. The medicament may then enter the metering chamber 606. Once the metering chamber 606 is filled, the proximally-directed force applied to the actuating member 608 may cease. Once the proximally directed force ceases, biasing member 618 will be biased to its extended position, applying a distally directed force to second piston 604. Second piston 604 will then move distally causing corresponding distal movement of actuating member 608 and first piston 604. The movement of the second piston 604 within the metering chamber forces the medicament out of the chamber through the check valve 612.

Referring now to fig. 27-28, in an alternative embodiment, the injection device may include a hydraulic fluid 616 contained within the connecting tube 706 in place of, or in addition to, the actuating member 608. The hydraulic fluid may be, for example, water, mineral oil, or other fluid that is not compressible. The volume of hydraulic fluid 616 may be configured such that when the first piston is moved to the extended configuration, as shown in fig. 28, the hydraulic fluid is pushed out of the chamber 710 and through the connecting tube 706 such that it actuates the second piston 604, causing the second piston 604 to move within the metering chamber 606 and expel the medicament contained therein. When the first piston 704 moves to the retracted position, hydraulic fluid is drawn into the chamber 710, thereby relieving the pressure applied to the second piston 604 and allowing the medicament to enter the second pump 602.

Referring again to fig. 25, the second pump 602 may further include one or more check valves. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second pump 602 includes a first check valve 610 configured to allow the flow of medicament from one or more containers into the metering chamber 606 of the second pump 602. The second pump 602 also includes a second check valve 612 configured to allow the medicament to flow from the metering chamber 606 into the needle 614 of the handheld unit, and thus into the subject.

The check valve may be, for example, a non-return valve, an inlet check valve, a poppet check valve, etc., that allows the medicament to pass therethrough in only a single direction. The particular embodiment of fig. 25-28 includes check valves 610, 612, each of which includes a spring and a stop (which may be any of a variety of shapes including, for example, spherical, disk-shaped, conical, etc.). The spring applies a biasing force to the stopper to bias the valve to the closed position and prevent the flow of medicament through the valve. If the pressure outside the valve is less than the opening (or "cracking") pressure of the check valve (e.g., less than the force imparted by the spring), the valve remains closed. This may prevent fluid from the container from flowing into the handheld unit 600 until the metering chamber 606 is emptied by the piston 604 pulling back. The reduced pressure created within the metering chamber 606 by the retraction of the piston 604 allows the medicament to be drawn into the metering chamber to flow in one direction through the valve.

The injection device comprising the handheld unit 600 and the control unit 700 may be used in the following exemplary manner. The operator may push the head (e.g., head 102 or any other head described herein) against a selected injection site on the subject, thereby moving the movable head to the retracted position and exposing the distal end of the needle. Once the needle has reached a selected depth within the subject, the first pump 702 may automatically inject the medicament. The pump 702 may be moved to the extended configuration such that the first piston 704 pushes the actuation member 608 forward (i.e., distally) against the second piston 604, moving the second piston 604 within the metering chamber 606, and thereby delivering the medicament to the needle and into the body of the subject.

Once the medicament has been injected, the first piston 704 may move to the retracted configuration, pulling the actuation member 608 back (e.g., distally) towards the control unit 700 such that the second piston 704 is pulled back within the metering chamber 606. The second piston 704 moves out of the metering chamber to draw the next dose of medicament into the metering chamber.

Referring now to fig. 29, in some embodiments, an injection device comprising a handheld unit 600 and a control unit 700 may be configured to inject two different volumes of two different medicaments. In such embodiments, the handheld unit 600 may include a second pump 620 having a piston 622 operatively coupled to the first piston 704 of the first pump 702, as described above. The second pump 620 may further include a metering chamber 624 into which the piston 622 may extend and a check valve 626. The check valve 626 may be configured to allow the medicament to pass through the check valve from the metering chamber 624 to the needle and into the subject.

The second pump 620 may further include two or more electrically actuated valves, each fluidly coupled to a respective container containing a medicament. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second pump 620 includes a first electro-actuated valve 628 and a second electro-actuated valve 630. Each valve 628, 630 may be configured to block a respective fluid inlet 632, 634 when in a closed configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, valve 628 is shown in a closed configuration, while valve 630 is shown in an open configuration. When a valve, such as valve 630, is in an open configuration, medicament may flow through the fluid inlet 634 and into the metering chamber 624. The piston 622 may then be actuated, forcing the medicament through the check valve 626 and into the needle.

In some embodiments, the valves 628, 630 are configured such that the two or more medicaments are injected sequentially (i.e., one after the other). For example, sequential injections may be achieved by opening the first valve 628 and filling the metering chamber 624 with the first medicament. The first valve may then be closed. The first agent can then be injected into the subject. The second valve 630 may then be opened and the metering chamber may be filled with the second medicament. The second valve 630 may then be closed. The second agent can then be injected into the subject.

In other embodiments, the valves 628, 630 may be used to facilitate mixing of the medicaments. For example, to form a mixture comprising 0.3ml of vaccine a and 0.5ml of vaccine B, the following exemplary method may be used. When the piston 622 is retracted to pull a volume of 0.3ml of medicament a into the metering chamber, the first valve 628 may be opened. The first valve 628 may then be closed and the second valve 630 may then be opened while the piston 622 is retracted to pull a volume of 0.5ml of medicament B into the metering chamber. The second valve 630 may then be closed. The mixture can then be injected into the subject by distally actuating the piston 622, causing 0.8ml of the mixture to be ejected from the metering chamber through the needle.

Fig. 32-34 illustrate another embodiment of a safety cap 800. The safety cover 800 may be used in place of or in addition to any of the safety covers previously described (e.g., the safety covers 116, 408, and/or 508), and may be coupled to the movable head 802 (fig. 35). The movable head 802 may be similar to the movable heads 116, 410, and 510 described previously. As shown in fig. 35, the safety cap 800 may cover the needle 804. The movable head 802 and safety cap 800 are axially movable relative to the fixed portion 826 (fig. 35) between an extended position (see, e.g., fig. 35) in which a distal point of the needle 804 is covered by the safety portion 800 and a retracted position (see, e.g., fig. 36) in which the distal point of the needle 804 is exposed.

Referring to fig. 32, the safety cap 800 includes a first end 806 and a second end 808. The first end 806 may have a generally cylindrical shape. The second end 808 of the illustrated embodiment has a generally frustoconical shape that tapers from a proximal portion 812 to a distal portion 814. Second end 808 includes an angled cut 816 extending from proximal portion 812 to distal portion 814 and forming an opening 810 (fig. 33). The angled cut 816 may be configured to allow a user to press the second end 808 of the safety cap 800 against a subject such that the needle 804 is disposed substantially parallel to the skin of the subject and such that a medicament may be injected subcutaneously, as shown in fig. 35-36.

The illustrated safety cap 800 further includes a restraining portion 818, the restraining portion 818 configured to resist movement of the safety cap 800 relative to the subject when engaged. In some embodiments, the restraining portion 818 may include one or more protrusions (e.g., two in the illustrated embodiment) that extend into the opening 810 (e.g., extend downward in the orientation shown in fig. 32) configured to engage the skin of the subject. The term "skin" as used herein includes skin, feathers, fur and/or scales of a subject. For example, the operator may press the restriction 818 against the subject's skin, thereby engaging the skin with the restriction.

Referring now to fig. 35-36, in some embodiments, the injection device 10 including the safety cap 800 may be used for subcutaneous injections. For subcutaneous injection, the needle penetrates the skin 820 of the subject but stops before penetrating the muscle 822 of the subject, such that the agent is deposited between the skin and the muscle.

In use, the angled cut 816 of the safety cap 800 can be aligned with and abut the skin of the subject, as shown in fig. 35. For example, the restraining portion 818 (FIG. 32) engages the skin of the subject by pressing the restraining portion down against the skin in the orientation shown in FIG. 35. Once the restraining portion 818 is engaged, the operator may actuate the movable head (and thus the safety cap 800) to expose the distal point 824 of the needle 804 and insert the distal point 824 of the needle into the subject. In some embodiments, the medicament may be automatically injected once a preselected length of needle has been exposed, as described above with respect to fig. 4 and 5. In other embodiments, the user may manually inject the medicament using a trigger or other actuation mechanism.

Referring now to fig. 37-39, in some embodiments, an injection device can include one or more pumps 900 in place of or in addition to any of the pumps described above (e.g., pumps 204, 602, 702). In some embodiments, the pump 900 may be arranged in a control unit, such as the control unit 200. In other embodiments, the pump 900 may be disposed in a handheld unit, such as the handheld unit 100.

The pump 900 may include a metering chamber 902, a piston 904, and one or more check valves (e.g., two valves 906, 908 in the illustrated embodiment). The pump 900 may be actuated using a motor, such as the motor 220 previously described. The motor may actuate a drive shaft (not shown) coupled to the piston 904 to move the piston 904 forward or backward relative to the metering chamber 902. The dose of medicament may be drawn into the metering chamber 902 via the inlet valve 906 and may exit the metering chamber via the outlet valve 908, as described in more detail below.

Referring to fig. 38, the inlet valve 906 may include an inlet 907, an opening 910, a biasing member 912 (see fig. 39), a stopper 914, and an O-ring 916 disposed about a first end of the stopper 914. The outlet valve 908 may include an outlet 917 (see fig. 37), an opening 918, a biasing member 920 (see fig. 39), a stop 922, and an O-ring 924 disposed about a first end of the stop 922. Each O-ring 916, 922 may be sized to cooperate with a respective stop 914, 922 to help block the respective opening 910, 918. The outlet 917 may be positioned perpendicularly with respect to the opening 918 such that the flow of the medicament through the opening 918 is perpendicular to the flow of the medicament through the outlet 917.

In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing members 912 and 920 are springs. In other embodiments, the biasing member may be, for example, a compressible elastomeric sleeve. The biasing members 912, 920 may be configured to bias the stops 914, 922 to the first position. In the first position, each stopper 914, 922 may block the respective opening 910, 918, thereby preventing the flow of medicament through the openings 910, 918.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stop 914 has a cylindrical shape with a tapered first end. However, in other embodiments, the stop may have any of a variety of shapes, including but not limited to spherical, disc-shaped, conical, cubic, rectangular, pyramidal, truncated conical, and the like.

In use, the metering chamber 902 may be filled in the following exemplary manner. The piston 904 may move rearward (e.g., in the direction of arrow 903) relative to the metering chamber 902. As the piston 904 moves rearward, the pressure in the metering chamber 902 decreases. The pressure within the metering chamber 902 causes the stopper 914 to move such that it no longer blocks fluid flow through the opening 910, as shown in fig. 38. The medicament may then flow through the inlet 907, through the opening 910, and into the metering chamber 902 until the chamber is filled. Once the metering chamber 902 is filled with medicament, there is no longer a pressure differential within the metering chamber, and the biasing member 912 moves to the first position such that the stopper 914 and associated O-ring 916 block the opening 910 and further medicament is prevented from entering the metering chamber.

Once the metering chamber 902 is filled, a dose of medicament may be injected by moving the piston 904 forward, creating sufficient positive pressure within the metering chamber 902 to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member 920. This causes the biasing member 920 (and thus the stopper 922) to retract to the second or open position such that the stopper 922 no longer obstructs the opening 918, as shown in fig. 39. In the open position, the stopper 922 is moved axially such that at least a portion of the outlet 917 is unobstructed such that medicament may pass therethrough. The medicament can exit the pump 900 through the opening 918 and through the outlet 917 (see fig. 37). The positive pressure created by the piston 904 pushes the medicament through a connecting tube (such as connecting tube 202) through the needle of the handheld unit and into the subject.

In some embodiments, during the injection of the medicament, the connecting tube (e.g., connecting tube 202) may expand slightly due to the positive pressure within the tube. Once the injection is complete and the pressure inside the tube is reduced, the tube shrinks to its original size. The contraction of the tube to its original size may cause the medicament to leak from the needle. In such embodiments, when the biasing member 920 is in the second position, the stop 922 partially obstructs or blocks the outlet 917, thereby reducing the volume of the outlet 917. The reduced volume of the outlet 917 can correspond to a volume difference between an expanded volume of the tube and a contracted volume of the tube. In this manner, leakage of the medicament from the needle tip after completion of the injection can be eliminated or mitigated.

In other embodiments, the valves 906, 908 can be configured such that they can be electrically actuated (e.g., by a microprocessor) between the first configuration and the second configuration. In other embodiments, the biasing members may be configured such that they may be actuated manually (e.g., by pressing a button, pressing a switch, or turning a lever), magnetically, hydraulically, and/or pneumatically.

Fig. 40-46 illustrate another embodiment of a security cover 1000. The safety cover 1000 may be used in place of or in addition to any of the previously described safety covers (e.g., safety covers 114, 408, 508, and/or 800) and may be coupled to the movable head 1002. The movable head 1002 may be similar to the movable heads 116, 410, 510, and 802 previously described. As shown in fig. 40, the safety cap 1000 may selectively cover the needle 1004. The movable head 1002, as well as the safety cover 1000, can be axially movable relative to the fixed portion 1006 between an extended position (see, e.g., fig. 40) in which the distal point 1008 of the needle 1004 is covered by the safety cover 1000 and a retracted position (see, e.g., fig. 41) in which the distal point 1008 of the needle 1004 is exposed.

In some embodiments, movable head 1002 may include a biasing member (e.g., a spring, a compressible sleeve, etc.) configured to bias movable head 1002 to an extended position to prevent or mitigate the possibility of an accidental injection. Pushing the safety cover 1000 (and thus the movable head 1002) backwards (i.e., proximally) relative to the fixed portion 1006 exposes a distal point 1008 of the needle 1004 and allows insertion of the needle into the body of the subject. In some embodiments, pushing movable head 1002 back into the retracted position (e.g., by pressing safety cap 1000 against a desired injection location on the subject) triggers the release of a predetermined dose of medicament (e.g., by opening a valve associated with a needle and/or by triggering movement of a pump, as described in more detail below).

Referring to fig. 42, the safety cap 1000 includes a first end 1010 and a second end 1012. The first end 1010 may have a generally cylindrical shape and may include a threaded portion 1014 configured to couple the safety cover 1000 to the movable head 1002. The second end 1012 may include a shoulder 1016 and a cap 1018. The shoulder 1016 may have a first corner 1022, a second corner 1024, and a curved portion 1026. The shoulder 1016 may be configured to rest against the body of a subject (e.g., a bird) when the operator pushes the needle 1004 under the skin, as described in more detail below with respect to fig. 44.

Referring to fig. 43, the cross-section of the cover portion 1018 may have a generally semi-circular shape and may define a lumen 1019 through which the needle 1004 may extend. The cover portion 1018 may further include a viewing window 1020 configured to allow an operator to view the distal point 1008 of the needle 1004 when the safety cover 1000 is in the extended position, thereby allowing the operator to place the distal point 1008 of the needle 1004 in a selected injection position. The viewing window 1020 may be formed within the cover portion 1018 and may extend a length less than the length of the cover portion 1018. In some embodiments, the viewing window 1020 may be an opening or aperture that extends completely through the thickness of the cover portion 1018 such that the needle 1004 is visible through the viewing window. In other embodiments, the viewing window 1020 may be a portion of the cover portion 1018 formed of a transparent, translucent, or semi-permeable material configured such that the needle 1004 is visible through the viewing window.

Referring now to fig. 44, in some embodiments, an injection device including a safety cap 1000 may be used for subcutaneous injections, which require a needle to penetrate the skin but stop before penetrating the muscle of the subject, such that the medicament is deposited between the skin and the muscle. For example, the operator may use the safety cap 1000 for subcutaneous injections by placing the cap 1000 such that the needle 1004 is at an angle with respect to the subject's skin. In other embodiments, the operator can use the safety cap 1000 for intramuscular injections, for example, by placing the cap 1000 such that the needle 1004 is perpendicular to the subject's skin.

In use, an operator can view the needle 1004 through the viewing window 1020, aligning the distal point 1008 of the needle with a selected injection site on a subject. As shown in fig. 44, when the operator pushes the injection device against the subject, one or both of the corners 1022, 1024 may frictionally engage the subject, holding the safety cap 1000 stationary relative to the subject. In other embodiments, the security cover 1000 may lack corners. When the operator applies force to the injection device, the safety cap remains fixed relative to the subject, thus exposing the needle 1004 and allowing the needle to enter the subject. Once the needle 1004 is disposed at a selected depth (e.g., subcutaneous depth) within the subject, the medicament may be injected automatically or manually.

Fig. 47-51 illustrate another embodiment of a security cover 1100. The safety cover 1100 may be used in place of or in addition to any of the previously described safety covers (e.g., safety covers 114, 408, 508, 800, and/or 1000), and may be coupled to a movable head 1102 (see, e.g., fig. 50). The movable head 1102 may be similar to the movable heads 116, 410, 510, 802, and/or 1002 previously described. The safety cap 1100 may extend over the needle 1104 and may be axially movable relative to the fixed portion 1106 (see, e.g., fig. 50) between an extended position (not shown) in which the distal point 1108 of the needle 1104 is covered by the safety cap 1100 and a retracted position (fig. 50) in which the distal point 1108 of the needle is exposed.

In some embodiments, the movable head 1102 may include a biasing member (e.g., a spring, a compressible sleeve, etc.) configured to bias the movable head 1102 into an extended position to prevent or mitigate the possibility of an accidental injection. Pushing the safety cover 1100 (and thus the moveable head 1102) backwards (i.e., proximally) relative to the fixed portion 1106 exposes a distal point 1108 of the needle 1104 and allows the needle to be inserted into the body of a subject. In some embodiments, pushing movable head 1102 back into the retracted position (e.g., by pressing safety cap 1100 against a desired injection location on the subject) triggers the release of a predetermined dose of medicament (e.g., by opening a valve associated with the needle and/or by triggering movement of a pump, as described in more detail below).

Referring to fig. 47, safety cap 1100 can include a first end 1110 and a second end 1112, and can define a central lumen 1113 through which needle 1104 can extend. The first end 1110 may have a generally cylindrical shape and may include a threaded portion 1115 configured to couple the safety cap 1100 to the moveable head 1102. The second end 1112 may include an annular lip 1114 and an arm member 1116.

The annular lip 1114 may be configured to rest against the body of the subject in order to stabilize the injection device during injection. In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, the annular lip may have a generally circular cross-section and may include a plurality of ridges 1118 configured to frictionally engage the skin (e.g., skin, fur, feathers, and/or scales) of the subject. In other embodiments, the annular lip 1114 can have any of a variety of shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the annular lip 1114 may include a shoulder that includes one or more corners, such as shoulder 1016 having previously described corners 1022 and 1024.

The arm 1116 may extend distally from the annular lip 1114. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 1116 has a curved or hooked shape with a width that is slightly wider than the width of the needle 1104. The distal end 1120 of the arm 1116 may include an engagement portion 1122 including, for example, one or more protrusions 1124 (e.g., two in the illustrated embodiment). The protrusions 1124 may extend on either side of the needle 1104 toward the surface of the subject (e.g., downward in the orientation shown in fig. 47) and may be configured to engage the subject to prevent the distal end 1120 of the safety cap 1100 from moving relative to the subject during an injection.

In use, an operator may align the distal end 1120 of the safety cap with a selected injection site. The engagement portion 1122 may rest against or press down into the subject's skin. Once the engagement portion 1122 engages the subject, the operator may actuate the movable head 1102 (and thus the safety cover 1100) to expose the distal point 1108 of the needle 1104 and insert the distal point of the needle into the subject. The low profile of the safety cap 1100 may be particularly advantageous when used with a subject having feathers, where it is more difficult to penetrate the skin of the subject using a wider cap.

In some embodiments, the control unit 200 may be configured to receive data from and/or transmit data to a remote device. In such embodiments, the remote device may be configured to store data from the injection apparatus 100, transmit data to the injection apparatus 100, and/or remotely control the injection apparatus 100. The remote device may be, for example, a general purpose computer, a handheld mobile device (e.g., a cell phone or tablet), and/or any type of accessory (e.g., "smart watch," etc.).

The following is a general description of a computing environment suitable for use with the disclosed control unit 200. FIG. 52 depicts a generalized example of a suitable computing environment 1200 in which software and control algorithms for the innovations may be implemented. The computing environment 1200 is not intended to suggest any limitation as to scope of use or functionality, as the innovations may be implemented in various general-purpose or special-purpose computing systems. For example, the computing environment 1200 may be any of a variety of computing devices (e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers, server computers, tablet computers, gaming systems, mobile devices, programmable automation controllers, etc.).

Referring to fig. 52, computing environment 1200 includes one or more processing units 1202, 1204 and memories 1206, 1208 (e.g., for storing system input data). In fig. 52, this basic configuration 1210 is included within the dashed line. The processing units 1202, 1204 execute computer-executable instructions. The processing unit may be a general purpose Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processor in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or any other type of processor. In a multi-processing system, multiple processing units execute computer-executable instructions to increase processing power. For example, fig. 52 shows a central processing unit 1202 and a graphics processing unit 1204. The tangible memory 1206, 1208 may be volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two, accessible by the processing unit. The memories 1206, 1208 store software 1212 implementing one or more of the innovations described herein in the form of computer-executable instructions suitable for execution by the processing unit.

The computing system may have additional features. For example, in some embodiments, computing environment 1200 includes storage 1214, one or more input devices 1216, one or more output devices 1218, and one or more communication connections 1220. An interconnection mechanism (not shown) such as a bus, controller, or network interconnects the components of the computing environment 1200. Generally, operating system software (not shown) provides an operating environment for other software executing in the computing environment 1200 and coordinates activities of the components of the computing environment 1200. In some embodiments, the computing system may include Virtual Network Computing (VNC) functionality configured to allow an operator to access the control unit 200 and/or computing environment 1200 from a remote location. For example, the computing environment 1200 may have remote dial-in capability. The VNC functionality may allow an operator to remotely access the computing environment, for example, to perform maintenance or real-time monitoring of the injection device 100, or to train the operator in using the injection device 100.

The tangible storage 1214 may be removable or non-removable, and includes magnetic disks, magnetic tapes or cassettes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or any other medium which can be used to store information in a non-transitory manner and which can be accessed within the computing environment 1200. The storage 1214 stores instructions (e.g., for storing sequential data, temperature data, template type data, location, date, etc.) for implementing the software 1212 for one or more of the innovations described herein. In some embodiments, the storage device may be a "cloud-based" system configured to store data, allow access to data, and/or generate reports. For example, data logs may be sent to and reports generated from the cloud system. A user (including, for example, a customer) may remotely access the cloud system by using selected login credentials.

Input devices 1216 may be, for example: a touch input device such as a touch screen display, a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, or a trackball; a voice input device; a scanning device; any of a variety of sensors (e.g., a quantity indicator, a speed indicator, a location unit, etc.); another device that provides input to a computing environment; or a combination thereof. The input device may be remote from the control unit. The output device 1218 may be a display, printer, speaker, CD writer, transmitter, or another device that provides output from the computing environment 1200.

Communication connection(s) 1220 enable communication with another computing entity over a communication medium. For example, the communication connection may enable communication between the control unit 200 and a remote input device (e.g., a telephone application or computer browser). The communication medium conveys information, such as computer-executable instructions or other data, in a modulated data signal. A modulated data signal is a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may use electrical, optical, RF, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other carrier.

Any of the disclosed methods can be implemented as computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media (e.g., one or more optical media disks, volatile memory components (such as DRAM or SRAM), or non-volatile memory components (such as flash memory or hard drives)) and executed on a computer (e.g., any commercially available computer, including smart phones, other mobile devices that include computing hardware or programmable automation controllers). The term computer readable storage medium does not include communication connections such as signals and carrier waves. Any computer-executable instructions for implementing the disclosed techniques, as well as any data created and used during the implementation of the disclosed embodiments, can be stored on one or more computer-readable storage media. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, a dedicated software application or a portion of a software application that is accessed or downloaded via a web browser or other software application, such as a remote computing application. For example, such software can be executed on a single local computer (e.g., any suitable commercially available computer) or in a network environment (e.g., via the internet, a wide area network, a local area network, a client-server network (such as a cloud computing network), or other such network) using one or more network computers.

For clarity, only certain selected aspects of the software-based implementation are described. Other details known in the art are omitted. For example, it should be understood that the disclosed technology is not limited to any particular computer language or program. For example, the disclosed techniques may be implemented by software written in C, C + +, Java, Perl, JavaScript, Adobe Flash, or any other suitable programming language. Also, the disclosed techniques are not limited to any particular computer or type of hardware. Certain details of suitable computers and hardware are well known and need not be set forth in detail in this disclosure.

It should also be well understood that any of the functions described herein may be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components rather than software. By way of example, and not limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that may be used include Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), program Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), program specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-Chip Systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and the like.

Further, any software-based embodiment (including, for example, computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the disclosed methods) may be uploaded, downloaded, or remotely accessed via suitable communication means. Such suitable communication means include, for example, the internet, an intranet, software applications, cables (including fiber optic cables), magnetic communication, electromagnetic communication (including RF, microwave, and infrared communication), electronic communication, or other such communication means.

As previously described, the remote device may contain an application program or "app" configured to control the administration process and/or track information related to the administration process. In some embodiments, the control unit 200 may transmit real-time information displayable by an application to a remote device. In some embodiments, multiple control units 200 from multiple devices may transmit real-time information to the same remote device.

The display may be configured to display a Graphical User Interface (GUI) including one or more data outputs (e.g., injection count, error count, injection rate, medication volume tracking, alert/alarm display, power level display, etc.) from one or more injection devices 100. In some embodiments, the display may be a touch screen display/UI and configured to receive user input. The display may have any configuration suitable for displaying one or more of the following: (1) system input information such as type of medicament; (2) system output information such as injection count, injection rate, medicament volume, power level, medicament temperature, ambient temperature, and/or error count; (3) instructions to the user; (4) alerts/alarms; or (5) any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the display may be configured such that a user may input data to the control unit 200 via the display.

Fig. 53-55 illustrate embodiments of an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI) 1300. Although the GUI below is described with reference to a smartphone 1302, it should be understood that the GUI may also be displayed on any of the other various devices previously described. In the illustrated example, the GUI 1300 may include a navigation bar 1304 that includes one or more navigation buttons 1306, and a device management pane (pane)1308 that includes one or more device panes 1310 configured to display data related to the selected injection device 100. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the device management pane 1308 includes three device panes 1310, each of which displays data related to a selected device. In other embodiments, the device management pane 1308 may display a greater or lesser number of device panes 1310.

Each equipment pane 1310 may display, for example, an injection count, an injection rate, and an error count for the corresponding injection device. Each device pane 1310 may further display icons corresponding to one or more power sources 1312 and/or one or more medicament containers 1314. The power source icon 1312 may indicate a power level of the respective power source and the medicament container icon 1314 may indicate a medicament volume within the respective medicament container. In some embodiments, each equipment pane 1310 may further indicate the name of the operator using the selected injection device 100.

By pressing a particular device pane 1310, the user can open the device sub-pane 1316, as shown in FIG. 54. The equipment sub-pane 1316 may display further details of the selected injection device (e.g., power percentage 1318 and/or volumetric measurements of the medicament container 1320) and/or may allow a user to modify the selected injection device. For example, a user may enter a title (e.g., a number or name) of the injection device in the first input pane 1322, may enter a name and/or location of an operator using the injection device in the second input pane 1324, and may select an injection mode (e.g., single, dual, alternating, manual, automatic, or any combination thereof) for the device in the third input pane 1326, which includes a plurality of buttons 1328, for example. The user may further enter (e.g., manually or by scanning a barcode or tag, such as a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag) one or more medicaments to be injected by the injection device 100 in the fourth input pane 1330. The user may further enter the location (e.g., chest, wings, etc.) and type (e.g., intramuscular, subcutaneous, etc.) of the injection in fifth input pane 1332. The user may then transmit information to the control unit 200 of the selected injection device 100, or to all injection devices within communication range in the same region, by pressing the send button 1334. The user may return to the device management pane 1308 by pressing a return or back arrow 1336.

Referring to FIG. 55, in some embodiments, pressing navigation button 1306 on GUI 1300 opens navigation menu 1338. The user can press the listed options (e.g., device management 1340, vaccination management 1342, operator management 1344, location management 1346, logoff 1348, settings 1350, synchronization 1352, help 1354) to open one or more corresponding display panes. For example, by pressing the listed option labeled "device management," the user may open the device management pane 1308 shown in FIG. 53.

The GUI may be further configured to display one or more alerts and/or alarms associated with the selected device pane 1310 shown on the device management pane 1308.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. We therefore claim as our invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.