Abstract: Fluid path assemblies for drug delivery devices and methods of establishing a fluid flow path for drug delivery devices are described that include a needle shield valve member that couples to a reservoir having a needle mounted thereto. The needle shield valve member includes an internal barrier that protects the needle and/or contains a drug within the reservoir until activation of the drug delivery device. Upon activation, there is relative movement between the reservoir and needle shield valve member until the needle pierces the barrier to establish a fluid flow path from the reservoir through the needle shield valve member.

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: A flexible plunger rod, drug delivery mechanism, drug delivery device, and methods are described that utilize the flexible plunger rod perform drug delivery operations. In embodiments, the flexible plunger rod can be stored in a curved configuration to thereby reduce a footprint of the drug delivery mechanism and device.

Abstract: An insertion/retraction mechanism for a drug delivery device is disclosed. The insertion/retraction mechanism includes a retraction hub, an insertion hub, an insertion/retraction mechanism housing, and a dual torsion spring system. The retraction hub includes a first primary rotational stop and a second primary rotational stop extending radially inwardly from an inside surface. The insertion hub is disposed inside the retraction hub and comprises a first complementary rotational stop and a second complementary rotational stop extending radially outwardly from an outside surface.

Abstract: A wearable drug delivery device includes a housing, a needle assembly at least partially disposed in the housing, and a drive assembly at least partially disposed in the housing and coupled to the needle assembly. The needle assembly includes a needle or cannula and a sterile barrier disposed proximal to the needle or cannula in a first configuration where the sterile barrier is intact. The drive assembly includes a container that contains a medicament to be administered, a first plunger disposed in the container, and a drive mechanism that forces the first plunger to urge the medicament through the container. Upon engaging the drive mechanism, the needle or cannula and the sterile barrier move relative to each other from the first configuration to a second configuration where the needle or cannula breaks the sterile barrier, thereby allowing the medicament to be administered via the needle or cannula.

Abstract: Modular fluid path assemblies are provided that include conduit, coupling, and needle portions of a fluid path fluidly coupled to an outlet of a container. The modular fluid path assemblies further include a needle shield having a tip of the needle embedded therein. So configured, in embodiments, the modular fluid path assemblies can be sterilized, a medicament can be filled in the container, and a stopper inserted in the container so that the pre-sterilized and pre-filled modular fluid path assemblies can have a closed container integrity (CCI) seal.

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 sensing system for determining a position of a plunger within a fluid container. The sensing system includes a light source, a light detector and a controller. The light source is configured to emit light into a barrel wall of the fluid container so that the barrel wall serves as a waveguide to guide the light to travel therein in an axial direction. The light detector is positioned to detect reflected light that was emitted by the light source, traveled through the barrel wall serving as the waveguide, and then reflected off a surface of the plunger. The controller is in communication with the light detector to determine an axial position of the plunger surface based on data from the light detector of the detected reflected light.

Abstract: A sensing system for determining a position of a plunger within a fluid container. The sensing system includes a light source, a light detector and a controller. The light source is configured to emit light into a barrel wall of the fluid container so that the barrel wall serves as a waveguide to guide the light to travel therein in an axial direction. The light detector is positioned to detect reflected light that was emitted by the light source, traveled through the barrel wall serving as the waveguide, and then reflected off a surface of the plunger. The controller is in communication with the light detector to determine an axial position of the plunger surface based on data from the light detector of the detected reflected light.

Abstract: A fluid injecting device (30) generally including a fluid delivery assembly (32) and a needle-free injecting assembly (34). The fluid delivery assembly (32) delivers or transfers the fluid medicine from a cartridge (40) into the needle-free injecting assembly (34) for injecting into a patient. A drive train (112) applies a force to a piston (64) inside the cartridge (40) during the delivery of the fluid to the needle-free injecting assembly (34) to prevent adhesion or static friction between the piston (64) and the cartridge (40). In addition, sensors can be used to help ensure the proper amount of dosage is transferred to the needle-free injecting assembly, conserve power, reduce leakage during disassembly, among other functions.

Abstract: A fluid injecting device (30) generally including a fluid delivery assembly (32) and a needle-free injecting assembly (34). The fluid delivery assembly (32) delivers or transfers the fluid medicine from a cartridge (40) into the needle-free injecting assembly (34) for injecting into a patient. A drive train (112) applies a force to a piston (64) inside the cartridge (40) during the delivery of the fluid to the needle-free injecting assembly (34) to prevent adhesion or static friction between the piston (64) and the cartridge (40). In addition, sensors can be used to help ensure the proper amount of dosage is transferred to the needle-free injecting assembly, conserve power, reduce leakage during disassembly, among other functions.

Abstract: Ion exchange membrane-based sensors, actuators and sensor/actuators and methods of making same for applications requiring sensing, actuating and controlling displacement. Sensors, actuators, and sensor/actuators are useful in biological as well as other applications. Encapsulation of the sensors, actuators, or sensor/actuators further increases the utility of the present invention. Devices according to the present invention made using lithium are preferred over those made using only sodium.

Abstract: Ion exchange membrane-based sensors, actuators and sensor/actuators and methods of making same for applications requiring sensing, actuating and controlling displacement. Sensors, actuators, and sensor/actuators are useful in biological as well as other applications. Encapsulation of the sensors, actuators, or sensor/actuators further increases the utility of the present invention. Devices according to the present invention made using lithium are preferred over those made using only sodium.

Abstract: A chemical (coating and reduction)/mechanical/electrical treatment of ion-exchange materials (preferably ion-exchange membranes) to convert them to artificial muscles. The figure is a perspective view of an actuator of the invention showing the treated membrane actuator (A) with electrodes (25 and 26) placed at one end of the membrane, the electrodes being further attached to a power source (35). Artificial muscles created by the inventive method are capable of undergoing electrically-controllable large deformations resembling the behavior of biological muscles. A typical flap muscle of 0.2-0.4 mm thickness, 2-5 mm width and 20 mm length manufactured by the inventive process can achieve a completely reversible maximum deflection of 12-15 mm under a maximum voltage of 2.0-2.5 volts.