Patent Publication Number: US-2020282148-A1

Title: Substance delivery device

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/950,862 filed Apr. 11, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/604,498 filed Jan. 23, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,968,745 issued May 15, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/932,016, filed Jan. 27, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by this specific reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     As new substances have been developed for implanting into patients there exists a need for devices that are capable of quickly and easily delivering substances into patients. In particular, substances have been developed that are used to fill wrinkles, scars, and other marks on the skins of patients. These substances can be injected into patients close to the epidermis in order to properly function. Therefore, there exists a need for a device that is capable of delivering substances into a patient in a targeted manner to wrinkles, scars and marks all over a patient&#39;s body including the patients face. Generally, these substances are delivered into patients in an office setting in a quick procedure. Therefore, there exists a need for a device that is capable of delivering substances into a patient in a quick manner. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools, and methods that are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not necessarily limiting in scope. 
     In one embodiment, a substance delivery device is provided. The substance delivery device includes a hypodermic needle that includes a tube for receiving and containing a volume of a substance. The hypodermic needle includes an aperture on the distal end of the hypodermic needle that forms an opening to the tube within the hypodermic needle. The substance delivery device includes a rod. A portion of the rod is of a size and shape to fit within the tube of the hypodermic needle. The rod can be displaced into and within the tube to contact and apply a force to a volume of substance contained within the tube to cause, at least in part, the volume of substance to be discharged out of the tube. In one embodiment, the substance delivery device includes a rod displacement mechanism that applies a force to the rod to cause the rod to be displaced into and within the tube. Further in one embodiment, the substance delivery device also includes a needle retraction mechanism that is configured to apply a force to the hypodermic needle to cause the hypodermic needle to retract from within a patient. 
     These and other advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art upon a reading of the following descriptions and a study of the several examples of the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device in an example operational configuration. 
         FIG. 1B  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device in an example operational configuration. 
         FIG. 1C  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of substance delivery device in another example operational configuration. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device with a curved needle. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a needle substance delivery device with a needle retraction mechanism. 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device that includes an internal taper guide. 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device that includes an internal taper guide configured to guide a volume of substance into a tube within a needle. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device with a rod displacement mechanism that is a twist-feed mechanism. 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a top view of an example of a substance delivery device with a rod displacement mechanism that is a manual sliding mechanism. 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device with a rod displacement mechanism that is a sliding mechanism. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device with a rod displacement mechanism that is a pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device with a rod displacement mechanism that is a spring-loaded bolt action mechanism. 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a perspective view of an example of a substance delivery device with a rod displacement mechanism and a needle retraction mechanism. 
         FIG. 9B  depicts a perspective view of an example of a substance delivery device with a rod displacement mechanism and a needle retraction mechanism after a needle is retracted from within a patient. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device with a needle retraction mechanism. 
         FIG. 11A  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a holding assembly. 
         FIG. 11B  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of another holding assembly. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a side perspective view of an example of a portion selection assembly. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a cross-sectional perspective view of an example of a substance delivery device that includes a cartridge that holds multiple volumes of substances. 
         FIG. 14  depicts an exploded perspective view of an example of a substance delivery device that includes a needle cartridge that holds multiple needles. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Device 
       FIG. 1A  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device  100  in an example operational configuration. The example device  100  shown in  FIG. 1A  includes a hypodermic needle  102  and a rod  104 . In the example operational configuration shown in  FIG. 1A , the hypodermic needle  102  is inserted into a patient, underneath an outer surface of an epidermis  114  of a patient. Further in the example operational configuration shown in  FIG. 1A , the hypodermic needle  102  can be inserted into a patient in a manner such that at least a portion of hypodermic needle  102  is in a specific desired region within a patient, such as the dermis, the subcutaneous tissue, or beneath the outer surface of the epidermis  114  of the patient. 
     The hypodermic needle  102  includes a tube  106  within the needle  102 . The tube is a hollow region within the needle  102  that extends a length of the hypodermic needle  102 . In one example, the tube  106  extends an entire length of the hypodermic needle  102 . In another example, the tube  106  extends a portion of an entire length of the hypodermic needle  102 . 
     The tube  106  functions to contain a substance. A substance contained by the tube  106  can be an applicable substance (e.g. a substance described in the compositions/substances section included herein) that is contained by the tube  106  and/or extruded through the tube  106 . 
     The needle  102  includes a distal end  108 . In one example, the distal end  108  of the needle  102  can be either blunt, beveled, or cone shaped. The distal end  108  of the needle  102  includes an aperture  110 . The aperture  110  provides an opening to the tube  106 , through which a substance contained within the tube  106  can pass out of the tube  106 . In one embodiment, a substance contained within the tube  106  is passed out of the tube  106  as a result of extruding the substance out of the tube  106  by applying a force to the substance. In another embodiment, a substance contained within the tube  106  is passed out of the tube  106  by retracting the needle  102  from within a patient and applying a force to the substance as the needle  102  is retracted out of the patient. In an example of an operational configuration of the example device  100  shown in  FIG. 1A , the hypodermic needle  102  can be positioned in a patient such that the aperture  110  is in a specific region in the patient, including the dermis region, the subcutaneous tissue region, or a region beneath the outer surface of the epidermis  114  of the patient. Further in another example of an operational configuration of the example device  100  shown in  FIG. 1A , the hypodermic needle  102  is positioned in a patient such that the aperture  110  is at a position within the patient where it is desired to deposit a substance contained within the tube  106  into the patient. 
     The rod  104  functions to apply a force to a substance contained within the tube  106  of the hypodermic needle  102 . In applying a force to a substance contained within the tube  106 , the rod  104  is sized to fit within the tube  106 . Specifically, the rod can move within the tube  106  to apply forces of various magnitudes to the substance contained within the tube  106 . In one example, a diameter of the rod  104  is less than a diameter of the tube  106 , such that the rod  104  can move within the tube  106  for at least a portion of a length of the tube  106 . 
     The rod  104  includes a rod distal end  112 , that contacts a portion of a volume of substance that is contained within the tube  106  as the rod  104  is displaced within the tube  106 . In contacting a portion of a volume of substance contained within the tube  106 , as the rod  104  is displaced within tube  106 , the rod  104  applies a force to the volume of substance contained within the tube. In one example, the rod distal end  112  is of a shape or size or comprised of materials such that as the rod  104  applies a force to a substance contained within the tube  106 , an amount of substance contained within the tube  106  that passes beyond the rod distal end  112  as the rod  104  is displaced within the tube  106  is minimized. For example, the rod distal end  112  can include a rubber plunger that remains in contact with walls of the tube as the rod  104  is displaced within the tube  106 . 
     The example device  100  shown in  FIG. 1A  and the example substance delivery devices described throughout this paper can include a rod displacement mechanism, such as a spring-loaded mechanism  116 . A rod displacement mechanism can be an applicable mechanism to cause the rod  104  to displace within the tube  106  away from a starting position towards a volume of substance contained within the tube  106 . Specifically, a rod displacement mechanism can be an applicable mechanism to apply a force to the rod  104  to cause the rod to displace within the tube  106 . In one embodiment, a rod displacement mechanism is used to cause the rod to displace and subsequently apply a force to a substance contained with the tube  106  to cause the substance to extrude out of the tube  106 . In another embodiment, a rod displacement mechanism is used to cause the rod to displace within the tube  102  to a position where it applies a force to a substance contained within the tube as the needle  102  is retracted out of a patient, thereby discharging the substance into the patient. 
     The example device  100  shown in  FIG. 1A  and the example substance delivery devices described throughout this paper can include a rod retraction mechanism, such as the spring-loaded mechanism  116 . A rod retraction mechanism can be an applicable mechanism to cause the rod  104  to retract towards a starting position after being displaced. In one embodiment a rod retraction mechanism causes the rod  104  to retract from within the tube  106  of the hypodermic needle  102  after the rod  104  is displaced into the tube  106 . In one example a rod retraction mechanism is a spring-loaded bolt action mechanism that applies a force to the rod  104  to cause the rod  104  to retract towards a starting position. In another example, a rod retraction mechanism is a pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism that applies a force to the rod  104  to cause the rod  104  to retract towards a starting position. In one embodiment, a rod retraction mechanism is used to retract the rod  104  from within a patient after a volume of substance is extruded out of the tube  106 . In another embodiment, a rod retraction mechanism is used to retract the rod  104  from within a patient as the rod  104  applies a force to a volume of substance contained within the tube  106 , thereby discharging the substance into the patient. 
     The example device  100  shown in  FIG. 1A  and the example substance delivery devices described throughout this paper can include a rod locking mechanism, such as a switch  118 . A rod locking mechanism can be a mechanism that engages the rod  104  and prevents the rod from displacing from within the tube  106 . In one embodiment, a rod locking mechanism engages the rod  104  and prevents the rod  104  from displacing within the tube  106  after the rod  104  is displaced in the tube  106  to contact a portion of a volume of substance contained within the tube  106 . Further in the one embodiment, a rod locking mechanism can lock the rod  104  in place as the needle  102  is retracted from within the patient, thereby causing the rod  104  to apply a force to a volume of substance contained within the tube  106  as the volume of substance is discharged into the patient. 
       FIG. 1B  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device  100  in an example operational configuration. In the example operational configuration, the needle  102  is inserted into a patient, underneath an outer surface of an epidermis  114  of the patient. Further in the example operational configuration, the needle  102  is inserted underneath the outer surface of the epidermis  114  at a depth within the patient where it is desired to discharge a volume of substance  120  contained within the tube  106  of the needle  102 . 
     In the example operational configuration shown in  FIG. 1B , the rod  104  is displaced within the tube  106  along directional arrow  122 . Further in the example operational configuration, the rod  104  is displaced a distance X within the tube  106 . The rod  104  is displaced through a rod displacement mechanism, such as a spring-loaded mechanism  116 . In one example, the spring-loaded mechanism includes a spring with a low k value to displace the rod  104 . In various other examples, the rod displacement mechanism can be a twist-feed mechanism, a spring-loaded click mechanism, a sliding mechanism, a spring-loaded bolt action mechanism, or a pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism. As a result of displacing the rod  104  within the tube  106 , a distal rod end  112  contacts the volume of substance  120  contained within the tube  106 . Furthermore, displacing the rod  104  within the tube  106  along direction arrow  122 , causes the rod  104  to apply a force to the volume of substance  120  contained within the tube  106 . As the rod  104  is displaced a distance X within the tube  106 , a portion of the volume of substance  120  contained within the tube  106  is extruded out of the needle  102  and into a patient. Further in the example operational configuration a portion of the volume of substance  120  corresponding to the distance X can be extruded out of the needle  102 . For example a portion of the volume of substance with a length of X can be extruded out of the needle  102 . 
     In various embodiments, the entire volume of substance  120  contained within the tube  106  is extruded out of the needle  102  into a patient. As a result, the volume of substance  120  does not extend out of an incision in a patient made by the needle  102 , after the needle  102  is removed from within the patient, thereby leading to fast healing times. Further, if the volume of substance  120  is a dermal filler thread, in extruding the entire dermal filler thread into a patient, excess dermal filler thread does not need to be trimmed from an incision in a patient made by the needle  102 , after the needle  102  is removed from within the patient. 
       FIG. 1C  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of substance delivery device  100  in another example operational configuration. The example device  100  shown in  FIG. 1C  and the example substance delivery devices shown in this paper can include a needle retraction mechanism, such as a spring-loaded mechanism  128 . A needle retraction mechanism can be an applicable mechanism to cause the needle  102  to retract out of a patient. In one example a needle retraction mechanism is a spring-loaded bolt action mechanism that applies a force to the needle  102  to cause the  102  to retract out of a patient. In another example, a needle retraction mechanism is a pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism that applies a force to the needle  102  to cause the needle  102  to retract out of a patient. In one embodiment, the needle retraction mechanism causes the entire needle  102  to retract from underneath the outer surface of the epidermis  114  and out of a patient. 
     In an example operational configuration shown in  FIG. 1C , the needle  102  is inserted into a desired region in a patient, underneath the outer surface of the epidermis  114  of the patient. Further in the example operational configuration, the rod  104  is displaced within a tube  106  of the needle  102  such that rod distal end  112  contacts a volume of substance  120  contained within the tube  106 . 
     Further in the example operational configuration, the rod  104  can be held in the position at which rod distal end  112  comes into contact with the volume of substance  120  contained within the tube  106  such that the rod distal end  112  remains in contact with the volume of substance  120  as the needle is retracted  102  from within a patient. The needle can be retracted from within a patient using an applicable needle retraction mechanism. The rod  104  can be held in place through either or both a rod displacement mechanism and a rod locking mechanism as the needle  102  is retracted from within a patient. Therefore, the rod  104  can apply a force to the volume of substance  120  as the needle  102  is retracted out of a patient to prevent the volume of substance  120  from moving in along direction  126  in which the needle  102  is retracted from within the patient. Further, as the rod  104  applies a force to the volume of substance  120  to prevent the volume of substance from moving in the direction  126  in which the needle  102  is retracted, the volume of substance  120  is discharged out of the tube  106  in the needle  102  and into the patient. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device  200  with a curved needle. The example device  200  shown in  FIG. 2  includes a curved hypodermic needle  202 . The curved needle  202  curves in a curved region  206 . Additionally, the curved needle  202  can include a curved tube  204  that curves within the curved region  206 . In one example, the curved needle  202  is a Tuohy needle. By curving in the curved region  206 , the curved needle  202  can be inserted into a patient and travel along a plane that is substantially parallel to a plane formed by an outer surface of an epidermis  114  of the patient. Additionally, by the curved needle  202  curving in the curved region  206 , the example device  200  shown in  FIG. 2  is capable of discharging a volume of substance  120  contained within the curved tube  204  into a patient along a plane that is substantially parallel to a plane formed by the outer surface of an epidermis  114  of the patient. Further, the example device shown in  FIG. 2 , can include a rod  104  configured to move within the curved tube  204  of the curved needle  202 . For example, the rod  104  can be comprised of a flexible material, such as rubber, that allows the rod  104  to bend and pass through a curved portion of the curved tube  204  in the curved region  210  as the rod  104  is displaced within the curved tube  204  of the curved needle  202 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a needle substance delivery device  300  with a needle retraction mechanism. The example device  300  shown in  FIG. 3A  includes a needle  102  with a tube  106  for containing a volume of a substance  120 . The example device shown in  FIG. 3A  also includes a rod  104  that is configured to fit and be displaced within the tube  106 . 
     The example device  300  shown in  FIG. 3  also includes a latching piece  302 . The latching piece  302  can serve as a rod displacement mechanism to engage the rod  104  and cause displacement of the rod  104  within the tube  106 . The latching piece  302  can engage the rod  104  through any applicable mechanism for engaging the rod  104  and allowing a force to be transferred and subsequently applied to the rod  104  to cause the rod to displace within the tube  106 . For example the latching piece can engage the rod  104  through opposing grooves to transfer a force to the rod  104  and cause the rod  104  to be displaced within the tube  106 . Additionally, the latching piece  302  can also serve as a rod locking mechanism. For example, the latching piece  302  can engage the rod  104  and transfer a force to the rod  104  to prevent the rod from being displaced within the tube  106 . The latching piece  302  also includes an abutting region  304 . In various embodiments, the abutting region  304  can include an opening or be of a shape to allow the needle  102  to thread through the abutting region  304 . 
     The example device  300  shown in  FIG. 3  includes a spring-loaded mechanism  306  that couples the latching piece  302  to the needle  102 . Specifically, in the example device  300  shown in  FIG. 3 , the spring-loaded mechanism  306  is coupled to a flailed region  308  of the needle  102  that is located at the proximal end  310  of the needle  102 . The spring-loaded mechanism  306  can serve as a needle retraction mechanism. Specifically, as the rod  104  is moved within the tube  106  along directional arrow  312 , energy is stored in the spring-loaded mechanism  306 . The energy stored in the spring-loaded mechanism  306  can then be used to generate and apply a force to the needle  102  to cause the needle  102  to retract out of the patient along directional arrow  314 . 
     In the example operational configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , the abutting region  304  of the latching piece  302  comes into contact with an outer surface of the epidermis  114  of a patient. In coming into contact with the outer surface of the epidermis  114  of a patient, the abutting region  304  prevents the latching piece  302  from being inserted into the patient. Additionally, in coming into contact with an outer surface of the epidermis  114 , the abutting region of the latching piece  302  provides leverage to either or both an operator of the example device  300  and the spring-loaded mechanism  306  in retracting the needle  102  from within the patient. In one embodiment, the abutting region  304  can be used to control the distance into a patient in which the needle  102  is injected. For example, the abutting region can be moved so that only the desired length of needle  102  extends out through the abutting region  304 , wherein the abutting region prevents a length of needle that does not extend out through the abutting region  304  from being inserted into the patient. 
     In one embodiment, the volume of substance  120  contained within the tube  106  can be extruded into the patient by causing the rod  104  to displace down the entire length of the tube  106 , thereby pushing the entire volume of substance  120  into the patient. Further in the one embodiment, after the volume of substance  120  is extruded into the patient, the needle  102  can be retracted from within the patient using the spring-loaded mechanism  306 . In another embodiment, the needle  102  can be retracted from within the patient as the rod  104  is held in place by the latching piece  302 , thereby causing at least a portion of the volume of substance  120  to discharge into the patient. 
       FIG. 4A  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device  400  that includes an internal taper guide. The example device  400  shown in  FIG. 4A  includes a hypodermic needle  102  and a rod  106 . The example substance delivery device shown in  FIG. 4A  also includes a housing  402 . The housing  402  is coupled to the needle  102  and the rod  106 . The rod  106  is configured to move within the housing  402  and into a tube  106  within the needle  102 . 
     In the example device  400  shown in  FIG. 4A , the housing  402  includes an internal taper guide  404 . The internal taper guide functions to control the displacement of the rod  106  within the housing  402  so that it is guided into a tube  106  within the needle  102  as the rod  106  is displaced within the housing  402  along directional arrow  406 . In the example device  400  shown in  FIG. 4A , the internal taper guide  404  can be one contiguous flange or a plurality of flanges that extend out from the inner surface of the housing. The one contiguous flange or plurality of flanges form a funnel aperture  408  through which the rod  104  is threaded through at it is displaced within the housing  402  along directional arrow  406 . The funnel aperture  408  can be formed by positioned directly above or substantially directly above the tube within the needle  102  to cause the rod  106  to be positioned above and into the tube  106  within the needle  102 . 
     The example device  400  shown in  FIG. 4A  also includes a needle taper guide  410 . The needle taper guide  410  is formed as part of the needle  102  as flanges that extend out from the needle within the housing  402  at a proximal end  310  of the needle  102 . The needle taper guide  410  can function to further guide a rod that is displaced within the housing  402  into a tube  106  within the needle  102 . 
       FIG. 4B  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device  420  that includes an internal taper guide configured to guide a volume of substance into a tube within a needle. The example device  420  shown in  FIG. 4B  includes a hypodermic needle  102  with a tube  106 . The needle  102  is coupled to a housing  402  that contains a rod  104  that is displaced within the housing  402 . The rod  104  is configured to be displaced within the housing  402  and into and within the tube  106  of the needle  102 . In the example device  420  shown in  FIG. 4B , the housing  402  contains a volume of substance  120  that can be displaced within the housing  402  and into the tube  106  within the needle  102  and subsequently discharged into a patient. 
     In the example device  420  shown in  FIG. 4B , the rod  104  is configured be displaced to contact the volume of substance  120  and apply a force to the volume of substance  120 . The force applied to the volume of substance  120  by the rod  104  causes the volume of substance  120  to move within the housing  402  into the tube  106  within the needle  102 . The example device  420  shown in  FIG. 4B  includes a spring-loaded mechanism  116  that serves as a rod displacement mechanism to cause the rod  104  to displace and apply a force to the volume of substance  120 . In various embodiments, an applicable rod displacement mechanism can be used to cause the rod  104  to displace and subsequently apply a force to the volume of substance  120 . 
     The example device  420  shown in  FIG. 4B  includes an internal taper guide  404 . The internal taper guide  404  forms a funnel aperture  408  through which the rod  104  is thread through as the rod  104  is displaced within the housing  402 . Additionally, the internal taper guide  404  forms a funnel aperture  408  through which the rod  104  is thread through as the rod  104  applies a force to the volume of substance  120 . The internal taper guide  104  functions to guide the rod  104  as the rod applies a force to the volume of substance  120  contained within the tube, such that the volume of substance  120  is displaced towards the tube  106  within the needle  102 . In various embodiments, the internal taper guide  104  can function to guide the volume of substance  120  contained within the housing  402  towards the tube  106  within the needle  102  as the volume of substance  120  is displaced within the housing towards the tube  106 . 
     The example device  420  shown in  FIG. 4B  also includes a needle taper guide  410 . The needle taper guide functions to guide either or both the rod  104  and a volume of substance  120  contained within the housing into the tube  106 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device  500  with a rod displacement mechanism that is a twist-feed mechanism. The example device  500  shown in  FIG. 5  includes a housing  402  that contains a rod  104  that is configured to move within the housing  402 . The rod  104  is coupled to a to a twist displacer piece  502  that serves, in part, as a twist feed mechanism in causing the rod  104  to displace within the housing  402 . In the example device  500  shown in  FIG. 5 , the twist displacer piece  502  is rigidly secured to the rod  104  so that a rotational force that is applied to the twist displacer piece  502  is translated to the rod  104 . Similarly, in being rigidly secured to the rod  104 , a linear force that is applied to the rod is translated to the twist displacer piece  502 . 
     In the example device  500  shown in  FIG. 5 , the housing  402  houses a threaded engagement piece  504 . In various embodiments, the threaded engagement piece  504  is secured within the housing  402  to not move within the housing. The thread engagement piece  504  includes a threaded opening  506  through which the rod  104  can extend. The thread engagement piece  504  is coupled to the rod  104  through threads  508  in the threaded opening  506 . Specifically, in the example device  500 . The threads  508  functions to translate rotation force applied to the twist displacer piece  502  into linear force, thereby causing the rod  104  to displace along directional arrows  510  and  512  as a rotational force is applied to the twist displacer piece  502 . 
     Additionally, in the example device  500  shown in  FIG. 5 , as the rod  104  is rigidly secured to the twist displacer piece  502 , the linear displacement of the rod  104  within the housing  402  causes the twist displacer piece  502  to linearly displace as the rod  104  is linearly displaced. Therefore, when a rotational force is applied to the twist displacer piece  502  to cause the rod  104  to linearly displace through the threads  508  coupling the rod  104  to the thread engagement piece  504 , the twist displacer piece  502  linearly displaces. The twist displacer piece  502  includes graduations  514 . The graduations  514  can include indicia that indicate an amount that the twist displacer piece  502  has been linearly displaced into the housing  402 . As the rod  104  is rigidly secured to the twist displacer piece  502 , the graduations  514  can be used to indicate the amount that the rod  104  has been displaced within the housing  402 . In various embodiments, the graduations  514  can be used to indicate an amount of a volume of substance that has been displaced into a tube within a needle. 
     The example device  500  shown in  FIG. 5  includes a spring-loaded mechanism  116 . In the example device  500  shown in  FIG. 5 , the spring-loaded mechanism  116  couples the thread engagement piece  504  to a needle. In various embodiments, the spring-loaded mechanism  116  can function to cause a needle to retract into the housing  402 . 
       FIG. 6A  depicts a top view of an example of a substance delivery device  600  with a rod displacement mechanism that is a manual sliding mechanism. The example substance delivery device shown in  FIG. 6A  includes a housing  402 . The housing  402  can contain a rod that is displaced within the housing  402  to apply a force to a volume of substance contained within a hypodermic needle. 
     The example device  600  shown in  FIG. 6A  also includes a sliding bar  602  that forms part of a manual sliding mechanism. The sliding bar  602  is configured to move along an outer surface of the housing  402  in directions indicated by directional arrows  604  and  606 . The sliding bar  602  is coupled to a rod that is contained within the housing  402 . As a result of the coupling between the sliding bar  602  and a rod contained within the housing  402 , moving the sliding bar  602  causes the rod to displace. Therefore, the sliding bar  602  serves part of a manual sliding mechanism that is a rod displacement mechanism. In one embodiment, a rod is coupled to the sliding bar  602  such that the rod is displaced in the same direction as the sliding bar  602  is displaced. 
     The example substance delivery device shown in  FIG. 6A  can include grooves  608  that engage portions of the sliding bar  602  to prevent the sliding bar  602  from being displaced. As the sliding bar  602  is coupled to a rod contained within the housing  402 , the groves  608 , in preventing the sliding bar  602  from being displaced  602  can prevent the rod from being displaced, and thereby serve as a rod stopping mechanism. 
     The housing  402  of the example device  600  shown in  FIG. 6A  includes graduated indicia  610  indicating graduated measurements. The graduated measurements can represent the amount that the sliding bar  602  has been moved. As follows, since the sliding bar  602  is coupled to a rod within the housing, the graduated measurements can be the represent the amount that the rod has been displaced. In one example, an operator can use the graduated measurements to determine the amount of a volume of a substance that has been discharged or will be discharged into a patient. 
       FIG. 6B  depicts a cross-sectional view an example of a substance delivery device  620  with a rod displacement mechanism that is a sliding mechanism. The example device  620  shown in  FIG. 6B  includes a housing  402  and a sliding bar  602 . The sliding bar  602  extends into the housing  402  where it is guided by a sliding bar guide  622 . The sliding bar guide  622  functions to limit displacement of the sliding bar  602  to lateral displacement of the sliding bar  602 . 
     In the example device  620  shown in  FIG. 6B , the sliding bar  602  is coupled to a rod  104 . The rod  104  is configured to move within the housing  402  into a tube within a needle  102  coupled to the housing  402 . 
     The example device  620  shown in  FIG. 6B  includes a rod guide  624  and a gear  626 . The sliding bar guide  622  and corresponding rod  104  is rotationally coupled to the rod guide  624  through the gear  626 . Specifically, in being rotationally coupled, as the sliding bar  644  and the sliding bar guide  622  is moved, the gear  626  rotates along the rod guide  624 , thereby ensuring that the sliding bar  602 , the sliding bar guide  622  and the rod  104  is displaced in a roughly linear fashion. In the example device  620  shown in  FIG. 6B , the rod guide  614  includes a taper guide  628 . The taper guide  628  functions to guide the rod  104  into a tube within the needle  102 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device  700  with a rod displacement mechanism that is a pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism. The example device  700  shown in  FIG. 7  includes a housing  702  that is coupled to a hypodermic needle  102 . 
     The example device  700  shown in  FIG. 7  includes a pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism that serves as a rod displacement mechanism. The pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism can be any pneumatic based mechanism for applying a force to a rod contained within the housing  702  to cause the rod to move. The example device  700  shown in  FIG. 7  includes a pressurized gas or liquid reservoir  704  that can pneumatically load the pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism. For example, the pressurized gas or liquid reservoir  706  can be a CO2 canister. In the example device  700  shown in  FIG. 7 , the housing  702  is configured to house or receive the pressurized gas or liquid reservoir  704 . 
     The example substance delivery device shown in  FIG. 7  can also include a pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism that serves as a rod retraction mechanism. The pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism can be an applicable pneumatic based mechanism for applying a force to a rod contained within the housing  702  to cause the rod to retract towards a starting position. The pneumatically-loaded bolt action mechanism can be pneumatically loaded using the pressurized gas or liquid reservoir  704 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device  800  with a rod displacement mechanism that is a spring-loaded bolt action mechanism. The example substance delivery device shown in  FIG. 8  includes a housing  402  that is coupled to a hypodermic needle  102 . The hypodermic needle  102  includes a tube  106  that can contain a volume of substance  120  to be discharged into a patient. The housing  402  contains a rod  104  that can be displaced into and within a tube  106  of the hypodermic needle  102 . 
     In the example device  800  shown in  FIG. 8 , the rod  104  is operationally coupled to a spring-loaded gear  802 . The rod  104  is also coupled to a cocking piece  804  that extends out of the housing  402 . The spring-loaded gear  802  and the cocking piece  804  can function to form at least part of a spring loaded-bolt action mechanism. An operator of the example substance delivery device can engage the cocking piece to cause the rod  104  to displace along direction arrow  806  to a cocked position. In one example, a cocked position can vary based on the amount of a volume of substance that an operator wishes to discharge into a patient. In being operationally coupled to the spring-loaded gear  802 , the displacement of the rod  104  along direction arrow  806  causes the spring-loaded gear  802  to store rotate. As the spring-loaded gear  802  rotates it stores energy that can be used to apply a force to the rod  104  to cause the rod  104  to linearly displace. 
     The example device  800  shown in  FIG. 8  includes a trigger lock  808  that functions as a rod locking mechanism to prevent the rod  808  from being displaced into a tube  106  within the hypodermic needle  102 . Specifically, the trigger lock  808  prevents the rod  104  from being displaced as a force is applied to the rod by the spring-loaded gear  802 . The trigger lock  808  is configured to allow the rod  104  to move freely along direction arrow  806  as an operator of the device  800  moves the rod  104  into a cocked position. In one example, the trigger lock  808  is spring activated, whereby pushing a button causes the trigger lock to disengage. The trigger lock  814  can be disengaged such that it no longer keeps the rod  806  locked from displacing into a tube  106  within the needle  102  after the rod  104  is pushed to a cocked position. 
       FIG. 9A  depicts a perspective view of an example of a substance delivery device  900  with a rod displacement mechanism and a needle retraction mechanism. The example device  900  shown in  FIG. 9A  includes a housing  402  that is coupled to a hypodermic needle  102 . The housing contains a rod that can be displaced into and within a tube in the hypodermic needle  904 . The example substance delivery device includes a needle cocking piece  902  that forms part of a needle retraction mechanism. In one example the needle retraction mechanism is a spring-loaded bolt action mechanism. The needle cocking piece  902  is coupled to the hypodermic needle  102  such that the as the needle coking piece  902  moves so does the needle  102 . As a result displacing the needle cocking piece  902  causes the needle  102  to move out from or retract into the housing  402 . The needle retraction mechanism can function as a needle locking mechanism when the needle cocking piece  902  is at a cocked position corresponding to the needle  102  extending from the housing  402 . Specifically, in functioning as a needle locking mechanism, the needle retraction mechanism can hold the needle  102  in place while it is extended form the housing  402 . 
     The example device  900  shown in  FIG. 9A  also includes a cocking piece  904  that forms part of a rod displacement mechanism. The cocking piece  904  is coupled to a rod within the housing and causes the rod to displace when a user moves the cocking piece  904 . The rod displacement mechanism formed in part by the cocking piece  904  can be used to load a volume of substance contained within the housing  402  into a tube within the needle  102 . Additionally, the rod displacement mechanism formed in part by the cocking piece  904  can be used to discharge a volume of substance from a tube in the needle  102  into a patient. 
       FIG. 9B  depicts a perspective view of an example of a substance delivery device  920  with a rod displacement mechanism and a needle retraction mechanism after a needle is retracted from within a patient. The example device  920  shown in  FIG. 9B  includes a needle cocking piece  902  that forms part of a needle retraction mechanism. In one example the needle retraction mechanism is a spring-loaded bolt action mechanism. The needle cocking piece  902  is coupled to a hypodermic needle  102 . Upon being activated, the needle retraction mechanism causes the needle  102  to retract into the housing  402 . Additionally, upon activating the needle retraction mechanism, the needle cocking piece  902  moves along direction arrow  922  as the needle retracts into the housing  402 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a substance delivery device  1000  with a needle retraction mechanism. The example device  1000  shown in  FIG. 10  includes a housing  402  and a hypodermic needle assembly  1002 . The hypodermic needle assembly  1002  and the housing  402  can include male and female lure interfaces that are used to couple the hypodermic needle assembly  1002  to the housing  402 . Alternatively, the hypodermic needle assembly  1002  and the housing  402  can include threads that are used to couple the hypodermic needle assembly  1002  to the housing  402 . 
     The hypodermic needle assembly  1002  includes a hypodermic needle  102 . The hypodermic needle  102  includes a tube that can contain a volume of a substance. In one example, the hypodermic needle  102  is preloaded with a volume of a substance to discharge into a patient before the hypodermic needle assembly  1002  is coupled to the housing  402 . In another example, the hypodermic needle  102  is preloaded with a volume of a substance to discharge into a patient before the hypodermic needle assembly  1002  is shipped to an operator. In various embodiments, the hypodermic needle  102  of hypodermic needle assemblies  1002  can be preloaded with various volumes of substances and color coded to indicate the volume of substance that is preloaded in the hypodermic needle  102 . 
     The hypodermic needle assembly  1002  includes a spring  1004  that can form in part of a needle retraction mechanism. The spring  1004  is wrapped around the hypodermic needle  102  and engages a flange  1006  that extends out from the hypodermic needle  102 . In engaging the flange  1006 , the spring  1004  can apply a force to the hypodermic needle  102  to cause the hypodermic needle to retract back into the hypodermic needle assembly  1002 . 
       FIG. 11A  depicts a cross-sectional view of an example of a holding assembly  1100 . The example holding assembly  1100  shown in  FIG. 11A  can be used as part of a needle retraction mechanism, a rod displacement mechanism, a rod locking mechanism, or a needle locking mechanism. The example holding assembly  1100  includes a first piece  1102  that includes a collet  1104 . The collet  1100  has an opening through which a needle or a rod that is threaded. The example holding assembly includes a second piece  1106  with a collet tightening mechanism  1108 . The collet tightening mechanism  1108  is an opening that receives the collet  1104  and tightens the collet  1104  as the collet is moved into the collet tightening mechanism  1108 . As a result, of tightening the collet  1104  the needle or rod that is threaded through the collet  1104  becomes secured to the first piece  1102  of the example holding assembly, such that as the first piece  1102  and the second piece  1106  are moved, the secured needle or rod moves with the first piece  1102  and the second piece  1106 . As such, by securing a needle or a rod to the example holding assembly, the example holding assembly can be used to displace or retract the needle or the rod. Further, in securing a needle or a rod to the example holding assembly, the example holding assembly can be used to stop displacement of the needle or rod and lock the needle or rod into a specific position. 
       FIG. 11B  depicts a cross-sectional view  1120  of an example of another holding assembly. The example holding assembly shown in  FIG. 11B  includes the same elements as the example holding assembly shown in  FIG. 11A . Additionally, the example holding assembly shown in  FIG. 11B  includes a spring  1122  that is used to apply a force to the first piece  1102  to cause the first piece  1102  to displace towards the second piece  1106 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts a side perspective view of an example of a portion selection assembly  1200 . The portion selection assembly  1200  can be used with the various substance delivery devices described in this paper. The portion selection assembly  1200  can be used to select a portion of a volume of substance to discharge into a patient. The portion selection assembly  1200  includes a first region  1202  through which a volume of substance is threaded through and a second region  1204  through which the volume of substance is threaded through. In operation, an operator can slide the portion selection assembly  1200  such that either the first region  1202  or the second region  1204  is at the desired portion of the volume of substance to discharge into a patient. Further in operation, an operator can apply a force to the portion selection assembly  1200  to cause the selection assembly  1200  to rotate. In one example, as a result of rotating, the portion of the volume of substance is segmented in either or both the first region  1202  and the second region  1204 . In another example, as a result of rotating, the portion of the volume of substance is secured against the portion selection assembly  1200  in either or both the first region  1202  and the second region  1204 . 
       FIG. 13  depicts a cross-sectional perspective view of an example of a substance delivery device  1300  that includes a cartridge that holds multiple volumes of substances. The example substance delivery device  1300  shown in  FIG. 13  includes a housing  402  coupled to a hypodermic needle  102 . The housing  402  contains a rod  104  that can be displaced within the housing  402  and a tube within the hypodermic needle  102 . 
     The housing  402  includes a substance cartridge  1302 . The substance cartridge  1302  can be any mechanism that holds multiple volumes of substances. In one example the substance cartridge  1302  is a dermal thread cartridge that holds multiple dermal filler threads. The substance cartridge  1302  can hold various types of difference substances at the same time. The substance cartridge  1302  can be a revolving magazine that contains multiple chambers that can hold volumes of substances. The substance cartridge  1302  can be coupled to a substance cartridge positioning mechanism. In one example a substance cartridge positioning mechanism is a dermal thread cartridge positioning mechanism. The substance cartridge  1302  positioning mechanism can be any mechanism that allows an operator to position the substance cartridge  1302  such that a desired volume of substance can be pushed into the tube within the hypodermic needle  102  using the rod  104 . In one example in which the substance cartridge  1302  is a revolving magazine, the substance cartridge positioning mechanism allows a user to revolve the revolving magazine until the chamber that contains the desires volume of substance is in the path in which the rod  104  is displaced within the housing  402 . 
       FIG. 14  depicts an exploded perspective view of an example of a substance delivery device  1400  that includes a needle cartridge that holds multiple needles. The example substance delivery device shown in  FIG. 14  includes a housing  402 . The housing  402  includes an aperture  1402  through which needles can be extended out from and retracted back into the housing  402 . The housing  402  contains a needle cartridge  1404  that contains a plurality of hypodermic needles. The hypodermic needles can be preloaded with a volume of a substance before the needle cartridge  1404  is loaded into the housing  402 . In one example the needle cartridge  1404  is a revolving magazine that can be rotated to select a specific needle contained within the needle cartridge  1404 . 
     The housing  402  contains a rod  104  that can be displaced within the housing. In being displaced within the housing  402 , the rod  1408  can contact and apply a force to a needle in the needle cartridge  1404  thereby causing the needle to displace and extend out from the housing  402  through the aperture  1402 . The rod  104  can include an outer cylinder region that is of a size greater than an inner tube of a hypodermic needle. As a result, the rod can engage the needle and apply a force against the needle to cause the needle to displace. Further in being displaced within the housing  402 , the rod  104  can contact and apply a force to a volume of substance preloaded within a hypodermic needle to cause the substance to be discharged into a patient. The rod  102  can include an inner cylinder region that is of a size to fit within a tube of the hypodermic needle, thereby contacting and applying a force to a volume of substance contained within a tube of the hypodermic needle. 
     The needle cartridge  1404  can be coupled to a needle selection mechanism that allows an operator to select which needle to extend out from the housing  402 . In an example where the needle cartridge is a revolving magazine, the needle selection mechanism can allow an operator to rotate the magazine such that the desired needle is in the path in which the rod  104  is displaced within the housing  402 . 
     Compositions/Substances 
     As is used in this paper, dermal filler is a substance that is used to fill a wrinkle, a scar or a mark on a patient. Specifically, a dermal filler can be a substance that expands by absorbing fluids, thereby pushing out a wrinkle, a scar, or a mark, when deposited into a patient underneath the wrinkle, scar, or mark. A dermal filler can be a gel solution, including gel solutions that comprise hyaluronic acid, such as Restylane® and Juvederm®. A substance contained within the tube  106  can also include a dermal filler thread. A dermal filler thread is a substance, that is in a solid form at least before being deposited into a patient, and expands by absorbing fluid, thereby pushing out a wrinkle, a scar, or a mark, when deposited into the patient underneath the wrinkle, scar, or mark. A dermal filler thread can include a sheath that protects the dermal filler thread before it is discharged into a patient. A dermal filler thread can be biocompatible and compressible. Biocompatible refers to the fact that a substance will not produce a toxic, injurious, or immunological response in living tissue. 
     For example, suitable biocompatible threads can comprise epoxies, polyesters, acrylics, nylons, silicones, polyanhydride, polyurethane, polycarbonate, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), polycaprolactone, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, poly(vinyl chloride), polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polypropylene oxide, poly(alkylene)glycol, polyoxyethylene, sebacic acid polymers, polyvinyl alcohol, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymers, polymethyl methacrylate, 1,3-bis(carboxyphenoxy)propane polymers, lipids, phosphatidylcholine, triglycerides, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxyvalerate, poly(ethylene oxide), poly ortho esters, poly (amino acids), polycyanoacrylates, polyphophazenes, polysulfone, polyamine, poly (amido amines), fibrin, graphite, flexible fluoropolymer, isobutyl-based polymers, isopropyl styrene polymers, vinyl pyrrolidone polymers, cellulose acetate dibutyrate polymers, silicone rubber, hyaluronic acid, collagen, chondroitin sulfate, cyclodextrin, alginate, chitosan, carboxy methyl chitosan, heparin, gellan gum, agarose, cellulose, poly (glycerol-sebacate) elastomer, poly(ethylene glycol)-sebacic acid, poly(sebacic acid-co-ricinoleic acid), guar gum, xanthan gum, and combinations and/or derivatives thereof. 
     In certain embodiments, dermal filler threads are comprised of a thread of hyaluronic acid or salts, hydrates or solvates thereof or a thread of cross linked hyaluronic acid or salts, hydrates or solvates thereof or a combination thereof. Suitable hyaluronic acid threads are known in the art (see, e.g., WO 2010/028025, WO 2011/109130 and WO 2011/109129). 
     In certain embodiments, dermal filler threads are comprised of cross-linked hyaluronic acid or salts, hydrates or solvates thereof cross linked with butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), divinyl sulfone (DVS) or 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that many other cross-linking agents may be used to cross-link hyaluronic acid or salts, hydrates or solvates thereof. The above list of cross-linking agents is illustrative rather than comprehensive. In one embodiment, the needle as disclosed herein is attached to a thread comprised of cross-linked hyaluronic acid or salts, hydrates or solvates thereof, wherein the hyaluronic acid has been cross linked with butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE). 
     In some embodiments, dermal filler threads are comprised of a thread of cross-linked hyaluronic acid. For example, in one embodiment, the cross-linked hyaluronic acid is a gel composition comprising at least 5% hyaluronic acid, wherein the hyaluronic acid is substantially cross-linked with at least about 15 mole % of a butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) derivative relative to the repeating disaccharide unit of the hyaluronic acid. In some embodiments, the cross-linked hyaluronic acid further comprises a binder, such as noncross-linked hyaluronic acid. 
     In some embodiments, dermal filler threads that include cross-linked hyaluronic acid can be prepared using a composition comprising substantially cross-linked hyaluronic acid, wherein hyaluronic acid is cross-linked with at least about 15 mole % of a butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) derivative relative to the repeating disaccharide unit of the hyaluronic acid. In some embodiments, the composition comprises at least 5% hyaluronic acid before cross-linking, such as 8%, 10% or 12% hyaluronic acid. Further, in some embodiments, the threads include both cross-linked and noncross-linked hyaluronic acid. 
     Various aspects of the thread manufacturing process (e.g., rinsing, deaeration, extrusion, and drying of precursor gels, as well as the terminal sterilization of the dry threads) can be altered to produce threads having improved physical characteristics, suitable for the present technology. Specifically, threads comprising cross-linked hyaluronic acid can be prepared with significant cross-linking (e.g., at least about 15% BDDE derivative) relative to the repeating disaccharide unit of the hyaluronic acid. Further information about compositions and methods for preparing threads suitable for use in the present technology can be found at United States Patent Publication 2013-0122068, WO 2010/028025; WO 2011/109129; WO 2011/109130; WO 2012/054301; WO 2012/054311; the content of which is incorporated into the present disclosure by reference in its entirety. 
     Also contemplated for use with the device described herein are one or more alternative shapes, including spheres, cylinders, oval, etc. For example, a plurality of spheres may be delivered to the desired location. Spherical forms useful in the devices described herein are more fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/604,017, filed on Jan. 23, 2015, entitled “Spherical Forms of Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid and Methods of Use Thereof”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this specific reference. 
     In one embodiment, the threads or spheres are comprised of hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof, wherein the hyaluronic acid is cross-linked in with butane diglycidyl ether (BDDE). In another embodiment, the threads or spheres further comprise noncross-linked hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof