Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a housing, a container disposed in the housing, an activation mechanism, a needle insertion mechanism, and a fluid flow path. The container has an inner volume to contain a medicament which is urged out of the container by the activation mechanism. The needle insertion mechanism includes an actuation assembly adapted to insert a needle and a cannula to deliver the medicament from the container and a valve assembly. The fluid flow connection is coupled with the container and the needle insertion mechanism and is adapted to allow the medicament to flow from the container to the needle insertion mechanism. The valve assembly is repeatedly movable between at least a valve open position and a valve closed position to selectively allow and restrict the medicament to flow through the needle and/or the cannula.

Abstract: Impact testing apparatuses are disclosed which simulate and measure various impact-related events associated with the operation of a drug delivery device. The impact testing apparatus may include an impactor configured to simulate a plunger rod of the drug delivery device, and a guide sleeve configured to receive a syringe corresponding to the drug delivery device. The syringe may have a proximal end, a distal end defining an outlet, and an interior chamber extending between the proximal and distal ends and carrying a plunger. Additionally, the impact testing apparatus may include an energy source configured to reduce a distance between the impactor and the plunger so that the impactor strikes the plunger. Various sensors may be included to measure characteristics of one or more impacts caused by the impactor. Methods of impact testing a syringe filled with a fluid and carrying a plunger are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a housing defining a shell and an inner volume, a container, a drive mechanism, a needle assembly, a fluid flow connection, and a backflow prevention mechanism. The container has an inner volume to contain a medicament to be administered to a user. The drive mechanism is at least partially disposed within the housing and exerts a force to urge the medicament out the container. The fluid flow connection is coupled to the container and the needle assembly and allows the medicament to flow from the container to the needle assembly to be administered. The backflow prevention mechanism is associated with at least one of the container, the fluid flow connection, or the needle assembly and includes at least one flow restrictor to restrict a fluid from flowing from the needle assembly to the container.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a housing, a container disposed in the housing, a drive mechanism, a needle assembly, a fluid flow path, and a vortex flow adapter. The container contains a medicament which is urged out of the container by the drive mechanism. The needle assembly has a needle and/or a cannula to deliver the medicament from the container. The fluid flow path fluidically connects the container and the needle assembly. The vortex flow adapter is disposed within or defines at least a portion of the fluid flow path, and is adapted to urge the medicament to flow in a vortex pattern.

Abstract: Impact testing apparatuses are disclosed which simulate and measure various impact-related events associated with the operation of a drug delivery device. The impact testing apparatus may include an impactor configured to simulate a plunger rod of the drug delivery device, and a guide sleeve configured to receive a syringe corresponding to the drug delivery device. The syringe may have a proximal end, a distal end defining an outlet, and an interior chamber extending between the proximal and distal ends and carrying a plunger. Additionally, the impact testing apparatus may include an energy source configured to reduce a distance between the impactor and the plunger so that the impactor strikes the plunger. Various sensors may be included to measure characteristics of one or more impacts caused by the impactor. Methods of impact testing a syringe filled with a fluid and carrying a plunger are also disclosed.

Abstract: Impact testing apparatuses are disclosed which simulate and measure various impact-related events associated with the operation of a drug delivery device. The impact testing apparatus may include an impactor configured to simulate a plunger rod of the drug delivery device, and a guide sleeve configured to receive a syringe corresponding to the drug delivery device. The syringe may have a proximal end, a distal end defining an outlet, and an interior chamber extending between the proximal and distal ends and carrying a plunger. Additionally, the impact testing apparatus may include an energy source configured to reduce a distance between the impactor and the plunger so that the impactor strikes the plunger. Various sensors may be included to measure characteristics of one or more impacts caused by the impactor. Methods of impact testing a syringe filled with a fluid and carrying a plunger are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a housing, a container disposed in the housing, an activation mechanism, a needle insertion mechanism, a fluid flow connection, and a valve in fluid communication with the fluid flow connection and the needle insertion mechanism. The container has an inner volume to contain a medicament which is urged out of the container by the activation mechanism. The needle insertion mechanism is adapted to insert a needle and/or a cannula to deliver the medicament from the container via the fluid flow connection. The valve is in fluid communication with the fluid flow connection and needle insertion mechanism, and is movable between first and second positions. Upon insertion of the needle and/or the cannula, the valve remains in the first position whereby fluid flow is restricted. At a later time, the valve is urged to the second position whereby fluid may flow through the needle or cannula.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a housing, a container disposed in the housing, an activation mechanism, and a needle insertion mechanism (NIM). The container has an inner volume to contain a medicament which is urged out of the container by the activation mechanism. The needle insertion mechanism (NIM) is operably coupled with the activation mechanism and includes an actuation assembly adapted to insert a needle and a cannula to deliver the medicament from the container. The actuation assembly is movable between a storage state, a first operational state, a second operational state, and a third operational state to selectively position the needle and the cannula.

Abstract: Drug delivery devices are configured to include a gas-driven piston assembly having a flexible pushrod, a non-linear guide include a non-linear guide pathway at least partially surrounding the flexible pushrod, a cylinder at least partially surrounding the flexible pushrod, and a piston movable within the cylinder in response to the pressurized gas entering the cylinder. Some arrangements include a roller pushrod guide system and/or a gear pushrod guide system.

Abstract: Impact testing apparatuses are disclosed which simulate and measure various impact-related events associated with the operation of a drug delivery device. The impact testing apparatus may include an impactor configured to simulate a plunger rod of the drug delivery device, and a guide sleeve configured to receive a syringe corresponding to the drug delivery device. The syringe may have a proximal end, a distal end defining an outlet, and an interior chamber extending between the proximal and distal ends and carrying a plunger. Additionally, the impact testing apparatus may include an energy source configured to reduce a distance between the impactor and the plunger so that the impactor strikes the plunger. Various sensors may be included to measure characteristics of one or more impacts caused by the impactor. Methods of impact testing a syringe filled with a fluid and carrying a plunger are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a housing defining a shell and an inner volume, a container, a drive mechanism, a needle assembly, a fluid flow connection, and a backflow prevention mechanism. The container has an inner volume to contain a medicament to be administered to a user. The drive mechanism is at least partially disposed within the housing and exerts a force to urge the medicament out the container. The fluid flow connection is coupled to the container and the needle assembly and allows the medicament to flow from the container to the needle assembly to be administered. The backflow prevention mechanism is associated with at least one of the container, the fluid flow connection, or the needle assembly and includes at least one flow restrictor to restrict a fluid from flowing from the needle assembly to the container.