Medication delivery apparatus

A medication delivery apparatus comprising:

• a housing elongated in an axial direction and comprising forward and rearward axial ends, said housing further comprising a generally tubular base and a gripping layer, said gripping layer covering at least a portion of said base and extending the entire axial length of said housing, said gripping layer being formed from a material that is softer than a material used to form the portion of said base covered by said gripping layer;
• a container of medication mounted to said housing;
• an outlet in flow communication with said container to receive medication forced therefrom;
• and
• a drive assembly comprising an actuator, said actuator advanceable toward said housing in said axial direction from a first position beyond said forward axial end of said housing to a second position, said drive assembly operatively connected with said container to force a dosed quantity of medication from said container and through said outlet upon movement of said actuator from said first position to said second position;
• and a dosage member operable to control said dosed quantity of medication delivered from said container by said drive assembly.

A housing for a medication delivery apparatus of the type wherein medication is delivered to a user via a needle in communication with medication disposed in a container within said housing, comprising:

• a generally tubular base member, said generally tubular base member having an exterior surface and having a length extending between a forward axial end and a rearward axial end, said forward axial end attachable to said needle;
• a gripping layer covering at least a portion of said exterior surface, said gripping layer being formed of a material that is softer than a material used to form the portion of the base member covered by said gripping layer, said gripping layer comprising a projecting abutment for digit engagement, said abutment being axially arranged along the length of said base member and comprising an ergonomically curved surface contoured to fit a first digit of a hand of a user when the housing is grasped by a user, and wherein said abutment comprises a crest portion at an axial end of said ergonomically curved surface, said ergonomically curved surface axially disposed between said crest portion and said forward axial end of said base member, said abutment further comprising a stop surface, said stop surface axially disposed between said crest portion and said rearward axial end of said base member, wherein said ergonomically curved surface slopes radially outward from said generally tubular base member to said crest portion, and wherein said stop surface slopes radially inward from said crest portion to said generally tubular base member, said stop surface abuttable by a digit of a hand of a user to receive an axial force on said housing when said housing is gripped by the user during insertion of said needle into a user.