Injection training device and method for using same
An injection training device is configured to simulate the tactile sensations and forces associated with the operation of a corresponding injection device. However, the injection training device does not carry the medication or a needle. The injection training device includes a plunger that is depressed to drive a rotor to rotate. A viscous fluid resists rotation of the rotor, which thereby resists depression of the plunger.
1. An injection training device comprising:
a barrel;
a first assembly including a plunger and a damper housing coupled to the plunger, wherein the first assembly is translatable with respect to the barrel; and
a second assembly including a rotor, such that a damper chamber is defined between the rotor and the damper housing, wherein a viscous fluid is disposed in the damper chamber,
wherein translation of the first assembly causes a force to be applied to the rotor that causes the rotor to rotate about an axis of rotation with respect to the damper housing, and the viscous fluid resists rotation of the rotor about the axis with respect to the damper housing.
2. The injection training device of claim 1 , wherein the second assembly is rotatable with respect to the first assembly.
3. The injection training device of claim 1 , wherein the first assembly is rotatably fixed.
4. The injection training device of claim 1 , wherein translation of the plunger in a distal direction causes the rotor to rotate in a first direction of rotation.
5. The injection training device of claim 4 , wherein translation of the plunger in the distal direction causes the rotor to travel in the distal direction as the rotor rotates in the first direction of rotation.
6. The injection training device of claim 4 , wherein translation of the plunger in a proximal direction opposite the distal direction causes the rotor to travel in the proximal direction.
7. The injection training device of claim 6 , wherein the rotor travels in the proximal direction without being driven to rotate about the axis.
8. The injection training device of claim 4 , further comprising a helically threaded shaft operably coupled to the rotor, such that when the force is applied to the rotor in the distal direction, the helically threaded shaft causes the rotor to rotate in the first direction of rotation.
9. The injection training device of claim 8 , wherein the second assembly further comprises a clutch that is threadedly mated with the helically threaded shaft, and is in engagement with the rotor.
10. The injection training device of claim 9 , wherein the rotor applies the force in the distal direction to the clutch, thereby driving the clutch to travel in the distal direction, wherein the clutch rotates in the first direction of rotation along the helically threaded shaft as the clutch travels in the distal direction.
11. The injection training device of claim 9 , wherein the clutch is rotatably engaged with the rotor in the first direction of rotation, such that rotation of the clutch in the first direction of rotation drives the rotor to rotate in the first direction of rotation, and the viscous fluid resists rotation of the rotor in the first direction of rotation.
12. The injection training device of claim 11 , wherein the helically threaded shaft causes the clutch to rotate in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation as the clutch travels in a proximal direction opposite the distal direction.
13. The injection training device of claim 12 , wherein the clutch is rotatably disengaged from the rotor in the second direction of rotation, such that rotation of the clutch in the second direction of rotation does not drive the rotor to rotate in the second direction of rotation.
14. The injection training device of claim 9 , further comprising a biasing member that provides a force against the clutch in a proximal direction opposite the distal direction, thereby urging the clutch into abutment with the rotor.
15. The injection training device of claim 14 , wherein the biasing member comprises a coil spring.
16. The injection training device of claim 14 , further comprising a damper housing cap that is attached to the damper housing, wherein the damper housing cap defines a seat for the biasing member that extends from the damper housing cap to the clutch.
17. The injection training device of claim 16 , wherein the damper housing cap defines a stop surface that abuts the barrel so as to prevent further translation of the first assembly in the distal direction.
18. The injection training device of claim 1 , further comprising a rotor retainer cap that is attached to the damper housing and extends into the rotor, and a seal member disposed at an interface between the rotor retainer cap and the rotor.
19. The injection training device of claim 1 , wherein the rotor has a textured outer surface that faces the damper housing so as to define variable distances from the outer surface of the rotor and the damper housing.
20. The injection training device of claim 19 , wherein the textured outer surface comprises a plurality of knurls that are spaced from each other along a plane that is oriented perpendicular to the axis.
21. The injection training device of claim 1 , wherein the plunger and the damper housing of the first assembly are translatable with respect to the barrel, and translation of the plunger and damper housing of the first assembly causes the force to be applied to the rotor that causes the rotor to rotate about the axis of rotation with respect to the damper housing.