Automatic injection of medication into animals

An injection safety applicator comprising:

• an applicator housing;
• and
• a two stage insertion and delivery mechanism within the applicator housing that includes an insertion portion, a cavity, a delivery portion and a selectably actuatable mechanism, the selectably actuable mechanism arranged to sequentially
• engage the delivery portion so that the insertion portion and the delivery portion move together relative to the applicator housing when the two stage insertion and delivery mechanism is actuated with a first force that is less than or equal to a predetermined force threshold, and then
• disengage the delivery portion to allow the delivery portion to move within the cavity independently of the insertion portion when the two stage insertion and delivery mechanism is actuated with a second force that is greater than the predetermined threshold force.

A method of injecting and delivering a dose of medication, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing a user holding a handle of a handheld applicator, which triggers a first sensor in the handle to indicate that the applicator is being held by the user;
• receiving a first signal from the first sensor that the user is holding the applicator;
• sensing the user applying the applicator to the skin of an animal to be injected, which triggers a second sensor in the applicator to indicate that an animal is ready to be injected;
• receiving a second signal from the second sensor that the user is applying the applicator to the skin of the animal;
• inserting a retractable needle into the animal only after receiving the first and second signals from the first and second sensors;
• and
• delivering a dose of medication through the retractable needle into the animal only after the needle has been inserted into the animal,
• wherein the force required to insert the retractable needle into the animal, and the force needed to deliver the dose is provided by applicator and not the user.