SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DAMPENING FRICTION IN AN AUTOINJECTOR DEVICE
Systems, devices, and methods are described for using an autoinjector device. In one aspect, an autoinjector device comprises a housing and a plunger slidably mounted to the housing, the plunger including a tapered region. An actuator urges the plunger with respect to the housing from a storage position to a launch position, and a friction element about a portion of the tapered region resists a movement of the plunger from the storage position to the launch position.
1 . An autoinjector device, comprising:
a housing;
a plunger slidably mounted to the housing, the plunger including a tapered region;
an actuator for urging the plunger with respect to the housing from a storage position to a launch position; and
a friction element about a portion of the tapered region for resisting a movement of the plunger from the storage position to the launch position.
2 . The autoinjector device of claim 1 , wherein the tapered region has a variable diameter.
3 . The autoinjector device of claim 2 , wherein:
the tapered region has a central region between a proximal region and a distal region;
the proximal region is closer to the storage position and the distal region is closer to the launch position.
4 . The autoinjector device of claim 3 , wherein the proximal region has a diameter larger than a diameter of the central region.
5 . The autoinjector device of claim 3 , wherein the distal region has a diameter larger than a diameter of the central region.
6 . The autoinjector device of claim 3 , wherein the tapered region is tapered between the distal and central regions and between the proximal and central regions.
7 . The autoinjector device of claim 1 , wherein the friction element presses against a wall of the housing when the plunger is urged from storage position to the launch position, resulting in a frictional resistive force.
8 . The autoinjector device of claim 1 , wherein the movement of the plunger from the storage position to the launch position causes a position of the friction element to be at a proximal region of the tapered region.
9 . The autoinjector device of claim 1 , wherein the plunger is configured to return to the storage position from the launch position.
10 . The autoinjector device of claim 9 , wherein the tapered region includes a mechanism for reducing a resistive effect of the friction element when the plunger returns to the storage position from the launch position relative to a resistive effect of the friction element when the plunger moves from the storage position to the launch position.
11 . The autoinjector device of claim 10 , wherein the mechanism causes the friction element to bend when the plunger returns to the storage position from the launch position, wherein bending of the friction element results in a reduced amount of friction between the friction element and a wall of the housing.
12 . The autoinjector device of claim 10 , wherein the mechanism is a ridge on the distal region of the tapered region.
13 . The autoinjector device of claim 1 , wherein the autoinjector device is a demonstration device used for simulating auto-injection.
14 . The autoinjector device of claim 1 , wherein the autoinjector device is configured to provide a first haptic feedback at an initiation of the plunger's movement from the storage position to the launch position.
15 . The autoinjector device of claim 14 , wherein a release of the actuator from at least one locking clip provides the first haptic feedback.
16 . The autoinjector device of claim 14 , further comprising a puller coupled to the plunger and a cap, wherein the puller and the cap are configured to contact, thereby providing the first haptic feedback.
17 . The autoinjector device of claim 14 , wherein the autoinjector device is configured to provide a second haptic feedback at a conclusion of the plunger's movement from the storage position to the launch position.
18 . The autoinjector device of claim 17 , wherein a release of the friction element causes the plunger to accelerate.
19 . The autoinjector device of claim 18 , wherein the second haptic feedback is provided when portions of the device contact.
20 . The autoinjector device of claim 19 , wherein the portions include a base and a puller coupled to the plunger.
21 . The autoinjector device of claim 20 , wherein the puller is configured to contact an outer wall of a widened portion of the base.
22 . The autoinjector device of claim 1 , wherein the autoinjector device is a medical device used for administering medication.
23 . The autoinjector device of claim 22 , wherein the plunger is a part of a syringe assembly including a needle and a fluid container.
24 . The autoinjector device of claim 1 , wherein the friction element is a rubber ring.
25 . A method for actuating an autoinjector, the method comprising:
applying a first amount of resistance against a movement of a plunger slidably mounted to a housing from a storage position to a launch position; and
applying a second amount of resistance against a return of the plunger from the launch position to the storage position, wherein the second amount of resistance is smaller than the first amount of resistance.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the resistance against the movement is caused by friction resulting from contact between a friction element about a portion of the plunger and a wall of the housing.
27 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising providing a first haptic feedback when the movement of the plunger from the storage position to the launch position initiates.
28 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising providing a second haptic feedback when the movement of the plunger from the storage position to the launch position concludes.
29 - 31 . (canceled)