Automated injection device for administration of liquid medicament

An automated injection device comprising:

• a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining an opening at the second end;
• a piston member slidably mounted within the housing;
• a reservoir slidably mounted within the piston member;
• a needle in fluid communication with the reservoir;
• a piston mounted within the piston member with a piston face positioned within the reservoir;
• a spring that bears against the piston member on a side of the piston member adjacent the first end of the housing;
• and
• a loading member oriented to drive the piston member toward the first end of the housing and thereby compress the spring, wherein the piston member and the loading member are configured to permit relative movement of the piston member and the loading member following compression of the spring, and the loading member defines a stop member that limits travel of the reservoir toward the second end of the chamber,
• whereby the spring drives the piston member relative to the loading member and toward the second end of the housing, and the piston member drives the reservoir against the stop member such that continued movement of the piston member relative to the reservoir drives the piston face through the reservoir and expels the contents of the reservoir through the needle.

A method for injection of a liquid medicament using a device having a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining an opening at the second end, a piston member slidably mounted within the housing, a reservoir slidably mounted within the piston member, a needle in fluid communication with the reservoir, a piston mounted within the piston member with a piston face positioned within the reservoir, a spring that bears against the piston member on a side of the piston member adjacent the first end of the housing, and a loading member oriented to drive the piston member toward the first end of the housing and thereby compress the spring, wherein the piston member and the loading member are configured to permit relative movement when the compressed spring reaches a sufficient level of spring force, the loading member defines a stop member that limits travel of the reservoir toward the second end of the chamber, and a portion of the loading member extends outward from the opening, the method comprising:

• pushing the loading member against a patient to drive the loading member into the device and toward the piston member, thereby compressing the spring,
• wherein the spring expands to drive the piston member relative to the loading member and extend the needle outward from the opening and drive the piston face to expel the contents of the reservoir through the needle.

An automated injection device comprising:

• a reservoir;
• a needle in fluid communication with the reservoir;
• a piston member with a piston face positioned within the reservoir;
• a spring adjacent the piston member;
• and
• a loading member that is movable to compress the spring and permit the spring to expand following compression, the expanding spring driving the piston member such that the piston face moves within the reservoir and expels the contents of the reservoir through the needle,
• wherein the piston member and the reservoir partially overlap along a longitudinal extent of the device and are sized such that the device has a length of less than or equal to approximately 3.0 inches and a width of less than or equal to approximately 2.0 inches.

A method for injection of a liquid medicament using a wireless-enabled injection device, the method comprising:

• providing an automated injection device having a housing, a reservoir positioned inside the housing, a needle in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a wireless communication apparatus affixed to the housing;
• deploying the automated injection device to expel the contents of the reservoir through the needle;
• and
• activating the wireless communication apparatus to transmit a signal when the automated injection device is deployed;
• wherein the signal from the wireless communication apparatus is used to call for medical assistance.

An automated injection device comprising:

• a reservoir;
• a needle in fluid communication with the reservoir;
• a piston member with a piston face positioned within the reservoir;
• a spring adjacent the piston member;
• a loading member that is movable to compress the spring, the loading member permitting the spring to expand following compression, whereby the expanding spring drives the piston member such that the piston face moves within the reservoir and expels the contents of the reservoir through the needle;
• and
• a wireless communication apparatus affixed to the automated injection device, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is activated to call for additional medical assistance when the automated injection device is deployed.

An automated injection device comprising:

• a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining an opening at the second end;
• a piston member slidably mounted within the housing;
• a reservoir slidably mounted within the piston member;
• a needle in fluid communication with the reservoir;
• a piston mounted within the piston member with a piston face positioned within the reservoir;
• a spring that bears against the piston member on a side of a piston member adjacent the first end of the housing;
• and
• a loading member oriented to drive the piston member toward the first end of the housing and thereby compress the spring, wherein the piston member and the loading member are configured to permit relative movement of the piston member and the loading member following compression of the spring, and the loading member defines a stop member that limits travel of the reservoir toward the second end of the chamber,
• whereby the spring drives the piston member relative to the loading member and toward the second end of the housing, and the piston member drives the reservoir against the stop member such that continued movement of the piston member relative to the reservoir drives the piston face through the reservoir and expels the contents of the reservoir through the needle;
• and
• a wireless communication apparatus affixed to the housing, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is activated to call for additional medical assistance when the automated injection device is deployed.

An automated injection device comprising:

• a reservoir;
• a needle in fluid communication with the reservoir;
• a piston member with a piston face positioned within the reservoir;
• a spring adjacent the piston member;
• a loading member that is movable to compress the spring and permit the spring to expand following compression, the expanding spring driving the piston member such that the piston face moves within the reservoir and expels the contents of the reservoir through the needle,
• wherein the piston member and the reservoir partially overlap along a longitudinal extent of the device and are sized such that the device has a length of less than or equal to approximately 3.0 inches and a width of less than or equal to approximately 2.0 inches;
• and
• a wireless communication apparatus affixed to the automated injection device, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is activated to call for additional medical assistance when the automated injection device is deployed.