Patent Publication Number: US-2022233771-A1

Title: Reporting syringe

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of and claims the right of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/131,749 having a filing date of Sep. 14, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to syringes and data reporting. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Injection is the act of putting a liquid, especially a drug, into a person&#39;s body using a needle (usually a hypodermic needle) and a syringe. Injection is a technique for delivering drugs by parenteral administration, that is, administration via a route other than through the digestive tract. Parenteral injection may include subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intracardiac, intraarticular and intracavernous injection. 
     Injection may be administered as a single dose or bolus, but can possibly be used for continuous drug administration as well. Even when administered as a one-time injection, the medication may be long-acting, and can then be called depot injection. Administration by an indwelling catheter may also be possible in cases of long-term or recurrent drug administration. 
     Injections may be among the most common health care procedures, with at least 16 billion administered in developing and transitional countries each year. 95% of injections may be administered in curative care, 3% may be for immunization, and the rest for other purposes, such as blood transfusions. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the present invention relate to a reporting syringe, including a barrel in fluid communication with a needle connected with a first end of the barrel, a piston including a plunger, the piston positioned within a second end of the barrel and the plunger having a fluid-tight interaction with an interior of the barrel, and a microprocessor in electronic communication with a switch and a wireless module, the microprocessor configured to send an administration completion data from the wireless module after triggering the switch. 
     Additional aspects of the invention relate to a syringe, including a barrel in fluid communication with a needle connected with a first end of the barrel, a piston including a plunger, the piston positioned within a second end of the barrel and the plunger having a fluid-tight interaction with an interior of the barrel, and a microprocessor in electronic communication with a temperature sensor and a locking mechanism engaged with a stalk of the piston to prevent injection. 
     Further aspects of the invention relate to a method of reporting patient compliance, including generating, by a syringe including reporting components, an administration completion data including a binary administration completion flag, and sending the administration completion data. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  A depicts a diagram of a reporting syringe in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  B depicts a diagram of a reporting syringe of having an alternate arrangement of reporting components in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates reporting components of the syringe of  FIG. 1  A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts the reporting components of the reporting syringe of  FIG. 1  Bin accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  depicts a locking mechanism of the reporting components of the reporting syringe of  FIG. 1  A with the locking mechanism disengaged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2D  depicts the locking mechanism of the reporting components of the reporting syringe of  FIG. 1  A with the locking mechanism engaged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2E  depicts an alternate view of the reporting components of  FIG. 2B  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a diagram of a microprocessor of the syringe of  FIG. 1  A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a diagram of data generation by the syringe of  FIG. 1  A and data sharing in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a block-level diagram of an administration completion data as can stored on the syringe of  FIG. 1  A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a block-level diagram of treatment data as can be stored on server of  FIG. 4  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a block-level diagram of sending an administration completion data to the server in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a block-level diagram of recording a missed injection in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a diagram of a head of the reporting syringe comprising a load sensor in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9B  depicts a diagram of a conductor of the reporting syringe in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9C  depicts a diagram of the interaction of a stalk of the reporting syringe and a load sensor receiver in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10A  depicts a diagram of a mechanical switch of the syringe of  FIG. 1  A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10B  depicts a diagram of an alternative view of the mechanical switch of  FIG. 10A  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 100  depicts a diagram of another alternative view of the mechanical switch of  FIG. 10A  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  A depicts a diagram of an attachable reporting module in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  B depicts a diagram of the reporting module of  FIG. 11  A attached to a standard syringe in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  C depicts a diagram of the reporting components of the reporting module of  FIG. 11  B in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  D depicts an alternative view of the reporting components of  FIG. 11  C in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  E depicts an internal view of the reporting components of  FIG. 11  C in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  F depicts a zoomed view of the reporting components of  FIG. 11  C in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  G depicts an alternate zoomed view of the reporting components of  FIG. 11  C in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates generally to syringes and, more particularly, to data reporting regarding administration completion of an injectable pharmaceutical. 
     Injection is the act of putting a liquid, especially a drug, into a person&#39;s body using a needle (usually a hypodermic needle) and a syringe. Injection is a technique for delivering drugs by parenteral administration, that is, administration via a route other than through the digestive tract. Parenteral injection may include subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intracardiac, intraarticular and intracavernous injection. 
     Injection may be administered as a single dose or bolus, but can possibly be used for continuous drug administration as well. Even when administered as a onetime injection, the medication may be long-acting, and can then be called depot injection. Administration by an indwelling catheter may also be possible in cases of long-term or recurrent drug administration. 
     Injections may be among the most common health care procedures, with at least 16 billion administered in developing and transitional countries each year. 95% of injections may be administered in curative care, 3% may be for immunization, and the rest for other purposes, such as blood transfusions. 
     An injection may be administered to different depths in different types of injections, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intradermal (ordered from greatest to least depth). For example, the depth may be gauged by length of needle or angle of injection. Intramuscular injections may be administered at 90 degrees. Subcutaneous injections may be administered at 45 degrees. Intravenous injections may be administered at 25 degrees. Intradermal injections may be administered at 10 to 15 degrees. 
     Diabetes, among other health issues, may require regular injections for disease management. However, health care providers, insurance providers, and other stakeholders may rely on patient self-reporting for treatment compliance. Furthermore, orphan drugs and limited distribution drugs may have limited availability and/or high cost. Therefore, real-time tracking of patient compliance, as described with respect to the present invention, may be beneficial to physicians to gauge outcomes, for pharmacies to maintain timely drug supply, and for health insurance providers to maintain coverage. For example, Harvoni may be used for seven months as a treatment that may cure Hepatitis C. However, it will be unknown to the doctor, except through patient self-reporting, whether the patient is compliant with treatment. If the patient is compliant and a cure and/or remission is achieved, then the physician knows the treatment was successful. However, if the patient is compliant and cure and/or remission is not achieved, then the physician knows to continue treatment for a longer period or to pursue alternative treatment options. In some instances, patients may have multiple insurance payers, such as Medicare or Medicaid coverage with a supplemental private insurance plan. When this occurs, real-time patient administration completion data may be used to make coverage determinations between the patient and insurers and/or between insurance providers. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may bring novel biologics compliance to the market for the first time. Insurers, employers, health care providers, and loved ones may benefit when patient care plans receive a monocular focus on quality and completion. Embodiments of the present invention may provide those with acute and chronic conditions in need of regular pharmaceutical therapy, such as an ongoing course of life-saving injectable drugs, with real-time data management related to both timing of and compliance in dosing. Information shared across the care continuum may provide valuable insight into how and when providers should intervene, and may further eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within this expensive space. Embodiments of the present invention may drive compliance, illuminate opportunities for intervention, and save money in the pharmaceutical space with great need for innovation and within a population that deserves the best care available. 
     For example, many biologics may have a high cost per injection. Humira, Enbrel, and/or Remicade may be used as an immunosuppressant to treat autoimmunity. These biologics may be expensive. For example, Humira may cost up to $5,000 per injection. Furthermore, the biologics may be temperature sensitive. Humira and Enbrel may be recommended to be stored between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, without freezing, and may be kept at room temperature for up to 14 days. Such a temperature range corresponding to the temperature tolerance of a pharmaceutical may be referred to as a predetermined temperature range. The time period that a pharmaceutical may exceed the predetermined temperature range may be referred to as a time tolerance. Regarding some pharmaceuticals, such as biologics, the time tolerance may exclude freezing. Remicade may be recommended to be stored between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, without freezing, and may be kept at room temperature for 24 hours. Due to the sensitivity of these biologics, a pharmacist may refuse inventory shipments wherein cold chain storage has been broken. These biologics may be shipped preloaded into syringes. 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the invention. 
     As used herein, “near” means within ⅓ of the area of the container unit. For example, if a portion of a first structure is described as “near” a second structure, the first structure is within ⅓ of the length of the container unit from the second structure. 
     As used herein, “about” means within plus or minus one at the last reported digit. For example, about 1.00 means 1.00±0.01 unit. In fractions, about 
     
       
         
           
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     units. In percentages, about 11% means 10% to 12%. 
     As used herein, “Id” refers to a unique identifier corresponding to a real world counterpart. For example, patient Id refers to a unique identifier corresponding to a patient. The unique identifier may be used to associate other data to the counterpart, such as the patient, by association of the Id. Furthermore, the Id may be used in electronic storage, such as a unique key to distinguish patients and patient-related information in a database. 
     With respect to the present application, “around” used in conjunction with a numeral measurement means within plus or minus one unit. For example, around 50% means 49%-51%. For example, around 11.01 units means 10.01-12.01. 
     With respect to the present application “and” and “or” shall be construed as conjunctively or disjunctively, whichever provides the broadest disclosure in each instance of the use of “and” or “or.” 
     “Substantially,” as used herein with reference to a shape, means within manufacturing tolerance of manufacturing the referenced shape as well as any other shape falling within the doctrine of equivalents for the referenced shape. 
     Any directional words, such as “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” etc. used herein refer to the direction depicted in the figure described. If the described device is rotated, these directions remain indicative of the position described relative to the figure. 
     “Connected to,” as used herein, means a direct physical connection between structures without intervening structures. 
     “Connected with,” as used herein, means a physical connection between structures, with or without intervening structures. 
     “Administration completion,” as used herein, means a complete or substantially complete administration of a pharmaceutical from a syringe. A “substantially complete administration” of a pharmaceutical means that injection has been administered such that a switch of reporting components is triggered to correspond with administration completion. 
       FIG. 1  A depicts a diagram of a syringe  100  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Syringe  100  may include a barrel  102 . The barrel  102  may be sized to receive and/or store a pharmaceutical, such as a medication, a biologic, etc. With respect to diabetes management, the barrel  102  may be sized to retain sufficient insulin for one prescribed administration. The pharmaceutical may be injected into a patient, such as via needle  104 . The needle  104  may comprise a hollow conduit through which the pharmaceutical may be transported from barrel  102  through needle  104  and into the patient. 
     Injection may be driven by a piston  106 . Piston  106  may comprise a plunger  108 , a stalk  110 , and a head  112 . The plunger  108  may engage the inside of the barrel  102  such that a seal is created sufficient to push retained pharmaceutical from the barrel  102  through the needle  104 . The plunger  108  may be connected to the stalk  110 . The stalk  110  may be connected to the head  112 . The plunger  108  may be driven through the barrel  102  by operation of pressing the head  112  toward the barrel. The plunger may comprise rubber, plastic, or any other material sufficient to maintain a fluid-tight interaction between the plunger  108  and an interior of the barrel  102  such that the pharmaceutical is administered as the piston  106  is compressed. The stalk  110  may have sufficient length to drive the plunger  108  to a distal end of the barrel  102 . In this manner, most or all of the pharmaceutical may be driven out of the barrel  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the head  112  may comprise a magnet  114 . The magnet  114  may comprise a neodymium or other magnet sufficient to induce its magnetic field onto reporting components  116  when the head  112  is completely pressed to the casing of the reporting components  116 . When the magnetic field is induced onto the reporting components  116 , the reporting components  116  may send an administration completion data to a server over an internet connection (e.g. wireless, cellular data, etc.). In some embodiments, the magnetic field may be induced onto the reporting components  116  when the head  112  is almost completely pressed to the casing of the reporting components  116 , such as when the injection administration is effectively complete (e.g. when the head  112  is 98% compressed). 
     Alternatively, a mechanical switch may be used to indicate that the injection has been administered by compressing the switch when the head  112  is completely pressed to the casing of the reporting components  116  or to an end of the barrel  102 . In these embodiments, a reporting circuit may be completed or broken. Detection of this change in the circuit may allow for reporting components  116  (e.g. a microprocessor) to alter an administration completion data to reflect a completed injection. 
       FIG. 1  B depicts a diagram of a reporting syringe  120  having an alternate arrangement of reporting components  116  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As can be seen, the magnet  114  may be positioned in the plunger  108 . The reporting components  116  may be positioned at the end of the barrel  102  proximate the needle  104 . 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates reporting components  116  of the syringe  100  of  FIG. 1  A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. For example, reporting components  116  may comprise a temperature sensor  202 , a wireless module  204 , a switch  206 , a battery  208 , a microprocessor  210 , and/or a locking mechanism  212 . 
     The battery  208  may comprise a coin cell battery or any other battery sufficient to power the reporting components  116 . Coin cell batteries may provide stable output voltage until the end of life of the battery. Coin cell battery capacities may range from 150 to 200 mAh and voltage characteristics may range from gradually reducing to fairly constant. Some coin cell batteries may be specified for continuous low drain with high pulse on demand. 
     The temperature sensor  202  may comprise any device for measuring temperature and providing an electronic measurement to the microprocessor  210 . Examples include a thermistor, a resistance temperature detector, a thermocouple, and/or a semiconductor-based sensor. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor  202  may be positioned on a circuit board of the reporting components  116 . The temperature sensor  202  may be configured to measure the temperature ambient to the syringe  100 , such as by measuring the temperature of the air around the reporting components  116 . However, embodiments may include a temperature probe within the barrel  102  in order to measure the temperature of the pharmaceutical. 
     A thermistor may comprise a thermally sensitive resistor that may exhibit a large, predictable, and precise change in resistance correlated to variations in temperature. A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor provides a very high resistance at low temperatures. As temperature increases, the resistance may decrease. Because an NTC thermistor may experience a large change in resistance per ° C., small changes in temperature may be reflected quickly and with high accuracy (0.05 to 1.5° C.). Because of its exponential nature, the output of an NTC thermistor may require linearization. The effective operating range may be −50 to 250° C. for gas encapsulated thermistors or 150° C. for standard. 
     A Resistance temperature detector (RTD), also known as a resistance thermometer, may measure temperature by correlating the resistance of the RTD element with temperature. An RTD may consists of a film or, for greater accuracy, a wire wrapped around a ceramic or glass core. The most accurate RTDs may be made using platinum. However, lower cost RTDs can be made from nickel or copper, at a cost to accuracy. Platinum RTDs offer a fairly linear output that may be highly accurate (0.1 to 1° C.) across −200 to 600° c. 
     A thermocouple may consist of two wires of different metals connected at two points. The varying voltage between these two points may reflect proportional changes in temperature. Thermocouple may be non-linear, requiring conversion when used for temperature control and compensation. However, conversion can be accomplished using a lookup table. Accuracy may be relatively low, from 0.5 to 5° C. However, thermocouples may operate across the widest temperature range, from −200 to 1750° c. 
     A semiconductor-based temperature sensor may be placed on an integrated circuit (IC). These sensors may comprise two identical diodes with temperature-sensitive voltage vs current characteristics that can be used to monitor changes in temperature. They may offer a linear response but may have the lowest accuracy of the basic sensor types at 1 to 5° C. They may have the slowest responsiveness (5 to 60 s) across the narrowest temperature range (−70 to 150° C.). 
     The wireless module  204  may be place on the circuit board  200  such that the wireless module  204  may be in electrical communication with the microprocessor  210  and the battery  208 . The wireless module  204  may comprise a Bluetooth interface, a Bluetooth low energy interface, a Wi-Fi interface, an infrared interface, a cellular interface (e.g. a fixed area transceiver), a near field communication (NFC) interface, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) interface, etc. 
     Wireless module  204  may connect to the internet, a computer, and/or a mobile phone. For example, the wireless module  204  may connect directly or indirectly to a local router, modem, server, transmitter tower such as a radio tower, satellite and/or any other gateway to the worldwide web. In some embodiments, the wireless module  204  may be wirelessly connected directly to another computer or handheld device, such as a phone, watch, or tablet. In other embodiments, wireless module  204  may engage in electronic communication with another computer or device by infrared (IR) transmitter and receiver, Bluetooth connection, fiber optic connection, cellular or mobile network (e.g. fixed area transceivers), or any other connector for transferring electronic data. For example, the wireless module  204  may send data over Bluetooth connection to a computer, server, or other device. The server may then upload the data for access via internet connection. Wireless module  204  may transmit data via analog or digital signal, UDP or TCP, http, https, ssh, ftp, sftp, etc., or any other protocol or means to transfer electronic data. 
     The switch  206  may comprise a magnetic and/or electrical switch, such as a reed switch. The switch  206  may be positioned on the circuit board  200 . The switch  206  may be in electrical communication with the microprocessor  210 , the locking mechanism  212 , and/or any other reporting components  116 . A reed switch may be operated by an applied magnetic field. The reed switch may comprise a pair of contacts on ferromagnetic metal reeds in a hermetically sealed glass envelope. The contacts may be normally open, closing when a magnetic field is present, or normally closed and opening when a magnetic field is applied. The reed switch may be actuated by a coil, making a reed relay, or by bringing a magnet near to the switch. Once the magnet is pulled away from the switch, the reed switch may go back to its original position. In this manner, the switch  206  may be actuated by application of the magnetic field of magnet  114 , such as when the piston  106  is compressed upon administering an injection or bolus of a pharmaceutical from the barrel  1   02 . 
     The locking mechanism  212  may be positioned on the circuit board  200 . In this manner, the locking mechanism  212  may be in electrical communication with the other components on the circuit board  200 , such as the wireless module  204  and/or the microprocessor  210 . The locking mechanism  212  may prevent injection of the pharmaceutical by interaction with the stalk  110 , when in the locked position. However, the locking mechanism  212  may be switched to an unlocked position, wherein the locking mechanism  212  no longer interact with the stalk  110 . Thereby, the piston  106  may be compressible to allow an injection when the locking mechanism  212  is in the unlocked position. 
     In some embodiments, the locking mechanism  212  may engage the locked position upon filling the barrel with a prescribed amount or bolus of a pharmaceutical. The locking mechanism  212  may remain in the locked position until predetermined conditions are met. For example, the locking mechanism  212  may remain in the locked position until the microprocessor  210  verifies a user connection between the wireless module  204  and a user device, such as an app on a mobile device. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism  212  may switch to the unlocked position upon meeting one or more, or all, of the predetermined conditions. 
     An example may include sensing that an injection physically occurs within a patient, such as by a load sensor. The load sensor will be explained further with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9C . 
     The microprocessor  210  may be positioned on the circuit board  200 . In this manner, microprocessor  210  may be in electrical communication with the other components on the circuit board  200 , such as the temperature sensor  202 , the wireless module  204 , the switch  206 , the battery  208 , and/or the locking mechanism  212 . The microprocessor  210  will be described further with regard to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 2B  depicts the reporting components  116  of the reporting syringe  120  of  FIG. 1  Bin accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2C  depicts the locking mechanism  212  of the reporting components  116  of the reporting syringe  120  of  FIG. 1  A with the locking mechanism  212  disengaged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     The locking mechanism  212  may comprise a stepper motor, such as micro stepper motor  214 . The micro stepper motor  214  may be in rotary communication with a screw  216  such that rotation of the micro stepper motor  214  may rotate screw  216 . Slider block  218  may be disposed on screw  216  such that rotation of the screw  216  may alter the linear displacement of the slider block  218 . For example, slider block  218  may comprise threads that interact with the threads of screw  216 . Therefore, rotation of screw  216  in a first direction may move the slider block  218  proximally to the micro stepper motor  214 . Furthermore, rotation of the screw in a second direction may move the slider block  218  distally from the micro stepper motor  214 . 
     The locking mechanism  212  may further comprise a slider block receiver  220 . The slider block receiver  220  may be integrally formed with the plunger such that plunger wall  222  comprises a flange  224  configured to contact the slider block  218  when the slider block  218  is positioned under the flange  224 . However, the flange  224  may not necessarily contact anything when the slider block  218  is not positioned under the flange  224 . In this manner, the wall  222  may pass the slider block  218  and the syringe  100  may be compressed. 
       FIG. 2D  depicts the locking mechanism  212  of the reporting components  116  of the reporting syringe  120  of  FIG. 1  A with the locking mechanism  212  engaged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In this manner, flange  224  may contact the slider block  218 . Because the flange  224  and/or the wall  222  will not pass through the slider block  218 , the syringe  100  will be prevented from compression and/or injection. 
     The mechanism of locking and/or unlocking may be made possible by the disposition of the axis of the screw  216  through the plane of the wall  222  such that flange  224  is not capable of contacting screw  216  and is capable of contacting slider block  218  when the slider block  218  is positioned under the flange  224 . In some embodiments, a mortise of the wall  222  may comprise flange  224  that may contact the slider block  218  (e.g. as a tenon) to prevent injection when the slider block  218  is positioned in the mortise. 
     One of ordinary skill may recognize alternative locking mechanisms. 
       FIG. 2E  depicts an alternate view of the reporting components  116  of  FIG. 2B  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Embodiments of the syringe  120  include reporting components  116  that do not necessarily include a locking mechanism  212 . The alternate arrangement syringe  120  depict in  FIGS. 1  B,  2 B, and  2 C may be similar in all other respects to the syringe  100  of  FIG. 1  A. Thus, the switch  202  may detect proximity of the magnet  114  in the plunger  108 , when an injection is completely administered. The microprocessor  210  may record the injection administration completion event and may send the administration completion data over the wireless module  204 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a block-level diagram of a microprocessor  210  of the syringe  100  of  FIG. 1  A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The microprocessor  210  may be any device capable of sending and receiving electronic data over an interface. For example, a microprocessor or a computer could be used. The microprocessor  210  may also perform operations on and/or modify the data it receives. 
     The microprocessor  210  may be embodied as hardware circuits or may be software embodiments wherein program code, such as java, C++, etc., manipulates the hardware of a general purpose hardware circuit. Software embodiments may be implemented as low-level code or even as high level code operating within an operating system, such as Unix, BSD, Microsoft Windows, iOS, etc. 
     Microprocessor  210  may comprise a processing unit (CPU)  302 , local memory  308 , peripherals and interfaces, and a general purpose input/output (I/O) interface. The CPU may further comprise local storage. Local storage may be used to store variables, constants, etc. for complex calculations. Local memory may interface with the CPU via a memory interface. The memory interface may allow the CPU to store calculated values, variables, constants, or any other important electronic signal onto the physical local memory. The memory interface may include one or more direct memory access controllers. Of course, part or all of the local memory may be committed to program storage, in which data relevant to the operation of the program is stored. Program storage may also be organized into useful data structures such as a stack or heap. The peripherals and interface and the general purpose 1/0 interface may interface to external input or output devices. Examples of external input or output devices include any electronic device capable of sending or receiving an electronic signal such as keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, digital sensor, analog sensors, Ethernet, analog to digital converters, ADC, UART, USB etc. Program storage, local memory, peripherals and interface, and general purpose 1/0 interface may be contained on the circuit board of the CPU. The microprocessor  210  may further comprise a screen whereby the graphics adapter  616  may alter the display, such as at validation or denial of a ticket. In other embodiments, any of these parts may be external to the CPU. 
     Microprocessor  210  may comprise a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system or other configuration including a plurality of processors  302  connected to system bus  304 . Alternatively, a single processor  302  may be employed. Also connected to system bus  304  is memory controller/cache  306 , which may provide an interface to local memory  308 . An 1/0 bridge  310  may be connected to the system bus  304  and may provide an interface to an 1/0 bus  314 . The 1/0 bus  312  may be utilized to support one or more buses and corresponding devices, such as bus bridges, input output devices (1/0 devices), storage, network adapters, etc. Thus, a network adapter may be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. 
     Also connected to the 1/0 bus  312  may be devices such as a graphics adapter  316 , storage  318  and a computer usable storage medium  320  having computer usable program code embodied thereon. The computer usable program code may be executed, e.g., by the processor(s) to implement any aspect of the present invention, for example, to implement any aspect of any of the methods, processes and/or system components with respect to the present invention. For instance, the computer usable program code can be utilized to implement a linker that implements any one or more of the methods described herein. Moreover, the computer usable program code may be implemented in the local memory  308  or other suitable storage medium. 
     In some embodiments, the reporting components  116  may comprise an attachable and/or detachable self-contained unit. In these embodiments, the reporting components  116  may comprise a case that is shaped to snap fit over the piston receiving end of the syringe  100 . Furthermore, sensors, such as the temperature sensor  202 , may detect the ambient temperature of the reporting components  116  as an approximation of temperature of the pharmaceutical in the barrel  102 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a diagram of data generation by the syringe  100  of  FIG. 1  A and data sharing in accordance with the principles of the present invention. A processor and/or microprocessor of a patient device  402  and/or a server  404  may be substantially similar to the microprocessor  210  such that patient device  402  and/or server  404  may be programmable to carry out the processes described in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     Internet connection, such as wireless connection  401 , internet connection  403 , and/or internet connection  405   a - 405   d , may be established via internet connection hardware such as a circuit configured as a wired or wireless internet adapter or other means of electronic communication. In some embodiments, wireless connection  401  may connect the syringe  100  to the patient device  402  over wireless interface  204 , as described above. 
     For example, the internet connections  403  and  405   a - 405   d  may be substantially similar to wireless connection  401 . In some embodiments, internet connections  403  and  405   a - 405   d  may comprise an Ethernet jack for wired connection directly or indirectly to a local router, modem, server, transmitter tower such as a radio tower, satellite and/or any other gateway to the worldwide web. In other embodiments, the internet connections  403  and  405   a - 405   d  may comprise a wireless card or circuit. The wireless card may be wirelessly connection directly or indirectly to a local router, modem, server, transmitter tower such as a radio tower, satellite and/or any other gateway to the worldwide web. In some embodiments, the internet connections  403  and  405   a - 405   d  may be wirelessly connected directly to another computer or handheld device, such as a phone, watch, or tablet. In other embodiments, internet connections  403  and  405   a - 405   d  may engage in electronic communication with another computer or device by infrared (IR) transmitter and receiver, Bluetooth connection, fiber optic connection, cellular or mobile network (e.g. fixed area transceivers), or any other connector for transferring electronic data. For example, the internet connections  403  and  405   a - 405   d  may send data over Bluetooth connection to a computer, server, or other device. The server may then upload the data for access via internet connections  403  and  405   a - 405   d . Additional embodiments include an internet connections  403  and  405   a - 405   d  that is configured to send the store data over Bluetooth, infrared communication, etc. directly to the server  404 . Internet connections  403  and  405   a - 405   d  may transmit data via analog or digital signal, UDP or TCP, http, https, ssh, ftp, sftp, etc., or any other means to transfer electronic data. 
     Internet connection  403  may provide for electronic communication between patient device  402  and server  404 . Internet connection  405   b  may provide for electronic communication between server  404  and a health care stakeholder, such as a physician  408   b . Internet connection  405   c  may provide for electronic communication between server  404  and a health care stakeholder, such as a pharmacy  408   c . Internet connection  405   d  may provide for electronic communication between server  404  and a health care stakeholder, such as an insurance provider  405   d.    
     In some embodiments, patient device  402  may comprise app  406 . The app  406  may manage wireless connection  401  and electronic communications between syringe  100  and patient device  402 . For example, the app  406  may be registered to a patient, such that the patient may be verified. Patient verification may be provided through a password protected login system and/or a digital certificate system. Once verified, the patient may review treatment data stored by the server  404  by communication between the patient device  402  and the server  404  over internet connection  403 . Treatment data may comprise treatment history, and may include patient compliance data. 
     Furthermore, verification of the patient may unlock the locking mechanism  212  in the syringe  100 , such that a may be administered. In some embodiments, the syringe  100  may be preregistered to a patient, such as by a pharmacy  408   c  that fills the prescription for the drug in the syringe  100 . In these embodiments, the app  406  may provide patient verification data to the microprocessor  210 . The microprocessor  210  may unlock the locking mechanism  212  upon patient verification. However, the present invention may include embodiments wherein the syringe  100  may not necessarily be preregistered to a patient. In these embodiments, the app  406  may provide patient information, such as a patient Id, or the app  406  may record syringe information, such as a syringe Id. The app  406  may signal that injection may proceed, and the microprocessor  210  may unlock the locking mechanism  212 . 
     In some embodiments, wireless connection  401  may establish electronic communication between the syringe  100  and the patient device  402 . The syringe  100  may send administration completion data to the patient device  402  over wireless connection  401 . Wireless connection  401  may establish electronic communication between the syringe  100  and the server  404 . The syringe  100  may send administration completion data to the server  404  over wireless connection  401 . 
     Furthermore, health care stakeholders  408   a - 408   d  may access server  404  to review treatment data stored on the server  404  for corresponding patients. In this manner, stakeholders  408   a - 408   d  may make treatment and/or coverage decisions. For example, a provider (e.g. a hospital  408   a  or a physician  408   b ) may guide a noncompliant patient towards compliance in order to achieve better treatment outcomes. Additionally, if the desired treatment outcome is not achieved by compliance, alternative treatments may be chosen. Insurance provider(s)  408   d  may incentivize compliance through allowable avenues or vehicles, such as with additional coverage and/or lower premiums. However, insurance provider  408   d  may intervene when non-compliance occurs, such as by withdrawing coverage for treatments wherein the patient is noncompliant. Pharmacy stakeholders  408   c  may compare treatment data to prescriptions in order to provide for timely refills available to encourage patient compliance and also to assess for compliance with a treatment regimen. This process may encourage compliance of proper administration of prescribed pharmaceuticals. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a block-level diagram of administration completion data  500  as can stored on the syringe  100  of  FIG. 1  A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     The administration completion data  500  may comprise the syringe Id  502 . The syringe Id  502  can be associated with manufacturing lot of the syringe  100  or of a contained pharmaceutical. Furthermore, the administration completion data  500  may comprise a drug Id  514  of the contained pharmaceutical for identifying the drug and/or manufacturing lot of the drug. 
     The administration completion data  500  may further comprise the patient Id  504 . The patient Id  504  may be set by the pharmacy  408   c  or by the app  406 . The potency  506  may comprise the volume and/or concentration of the entire amount of the injectable drug contained in the syringe. The administration completion flag  508  may comprise a binary indicated of whether the injection was completely administered, as detected by the syringe  100 . Upon completion of injection administration, the administration completion flag  508  may be changed from False to True. Furthermore, upon completion of injection administration the administration completion data  500  may be sent to the patient device  402  and/or the server  404 . In some embodiments, the administration completion data  500  may comprise a treatment schedule  516 . When an injection is missed, the syringe  100  may send administration completion data  500  to the patient device  402  and/or the server  404  reflecting a missed injection (e.g. administration completion flag  508  set to False). Further embodiments include sending the administration completion data  500  indicating an incomplete administration when administration is started, but not completed. For example, if a load sensor indicated that an injection was not performed, or if a partial administration was injected. 
     The administration completion data  500  may comprise a timestamp  510 . The server  404  may use the timestamp  510  to determine compliance of the injection. The administration completion data  500  may further comprise a temperature data  512  as detected by the syringe  100 . The temperature data  512  may aid in estimation of degradation of the pharmaceutical below the prescribed potency in the injectable. 
     By way of example, the administration completion data  500  may comprise a fraud, waste, and abuse data  518 . The fraud, waste, and abuse data  518  may comprise an analog and/or digital force measurement as detected by a load sensor (described with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9C ). The server  404  may then determine whether an autoinjection was dispensed into the air (as a fraud, waste, and abuse rather than treatment). In alternative embodiments, the fraud, waste, and abuse data  518  may comprise a flag corresponding to whether the injection was legitimate or wasteful/fraudulent. In these embodiments, the microprocessor  210  may use the load sensor data to determine the flag. In these embodiments, the load sensor measurements may be compared to a predetermined force threshold, as injections into a patient may cause more resistance and corresponding higher force compared to a wasteful/fraudulent injection to the air. In some embodiments, a change in force (e.g. a delta) may be sensed and/or used to determine legitimacy of the injection. For example, an intradermal, intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injection may be detectable by corresponding predetermined force thresholds (ordered by lowest force to highest force threshold). 
     In some embodiments, the syringe  100  may be paired to a modem  410 . The modem  410  may be substantially similar to wireless module  204 . For example, the modem  410  may be in electronic communication with patient device  402 , server  404 , or the internet. The electronic communication connection may occur via ethernet, wireless, Bluetooth, cellular connection, etc. In this manner, the syringe  100  may not necessarily be connected directly to the server  404  or to cellular towers. Rather, these embodiments include the syringe  100  pairing to the modem  410  via modem connection  412 . Modem connection  412  may be substantially similar in all respects to wireless connection  401 . For example, modem connection  412  may allow electronic communication between the syringe  100  and the modem  410 . Modem connection  412  may be wireless or wired, and may be Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, cellular, etc. In these embodiments, identifying information, such as the syringe Id  502 , patient Id  504 , potency  506 , drug Id  514 , etc. as stored on the syringe  100  may be set by the manufacturer, pharmacist, or other provider before receipt by the patient. Additionally, the syringe  100  may be set with a modem Id corresponding to the patient&#39;s modem  410  for verification of the patient&#39;s modem  410  with the particular syringe  100  and contained pharmaceutical. In some embodiments, the pharmacist or provider may update the patient&#39;s modem  410  with identifying information, such as syringe Id  502 , patient Id  504 , potency  506 , drug Id  514 , temperature data  512 , treatment schedule  516 , and/or fraud, waste, and abuse data  518 . The identifying information of the syringe  100  may be compared to identifying information on the modem  41   0 . If the identifying information matches, e.g. the patient Id  504  and drug Id  514  match between the syringe  100  and the modem  410 , then the syringe  100  may establish electronic communication with the modem  410  to send the administration completion data  500  to the server  404  through modem  410 . In this manner, modem  410  may comprise a cellular module and the syringe  100  and subsequent reporting syringes may connect to the modem  410  to send the administration completion data  500  to the modem  410 , which may send the administration completion data  500  over the cellular connection. In some embodiments, establishing connection with modem  410  may also unlock syringe  100  to allow injection. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a block-level diagram of treatment data as can be stored on server  404  of  FIG. 4  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Treatment data  600  may be stored, collected, and/or calculated by the server  404 . For example, treatment data  600  may correspond to a patient associated by a patient Id  602 . A corresponding treatment schedule  604 , as prescribed by physician  408   b  may be stored. The treatment schedule  604  may comprise prescribed potencies and prescribed injection timings. For example, the treatment schedule  604  may include the prescribed pharmaceuticals, corresponding potencies, and the injection regularity (e.g. daily, twice daily, etc.). 
     Syringe data schedule  606  may be stored and/or modified by the server  404 . The syringe data schedule  606  may comprise the syringe data history received by the server  404  corresponding to the patient. For example, the syringe data schedule  606  may comprise the temperature of the pharmaceutical, the timestamp of administration, the potency, the administration completion flag, the syringe Id, the patient Id, the drug Id, etc. 
     Patient compliance  608  may be stored and/or calculated by the server  404 . Patient compliance  608  may be determined by comparing the treatment schedule  604  to the syringe data schedule  606 . If the syringe data schedule  606  is substantially similar in drug Id, potency, and injection timing to the treatment schedule  604 , then patient compliance  608  may be set to reflect patient compliance. Otherwise, patient compliance  608  may be set to reflect patient non-compliance. In some embodiments, patient compliance  608  may be stored with regard to the full history of data recorded, by year, by month, by week, and/or by day. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a block-level diagram of sending an administration completion data  500  to the server  404  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In optional step  702 , the patient may be verified by the app  406  on the patient device  402 . Over wireless connection  401 , the patient device  402  may indicate that the patient is verified and/or may send the patient verification data. The patient may be verified by username, password, patient Id, and/or digital certificate. In some embodiments, the patient may be verified by RSA key, fingerprint by sensor of patient device  402 , and/or facial recognition by camera of patient device  402 . Embodiments include two-factor verification, wherein two methods may be required to satisfy patient verification. For example, the app  406  may include a code or key that corresponds to the patient, but the patient must also provide fingerprint and/or facial verification through the patient device  402 . 
     In optional step  704 , the patient device  402  may communicate patient verification and/or verification credentials to the syringe  100 . Later, the syringe  100  may unlock the locking mechanism  212  based on positive patient verification. In some embodiments, the microprocessor  210  may perform verification based on one or more of username, password, patient Id, face verification, retinal verification, vocal verification, fingerprint verification, and/or digital certificate. However, embodiments include receiving an indication of positive patient verification as performed by the app  406 , patient device  402 , and/or the server  404 . 
     Upon verification, the syringe  100  may unlock the locking mechanism  212 . In this manner the plunger  106  may be allowed to be compressed to administer the contained pharmaceutical. 
     In step  706 , the syringe  100  may unlock, allowing for the administration of the drug in the barrel  102 . However, embodiments include preventing the syringe  100  from unlocking when patient identification is not verified or when temperature data indicates that cold chain storage has been broken for the corresponding drug. 
     As described above, locking mechanism  212  may be reset from the locked position to the unlocked position in this step. By way of example, the microprocessor  210  may generate the administration completion data  500  corresponding to the current injection upon unlocking the syringe  100 . The administration completion flag  508  may be set to False upon beginning administration of the injection. In some embodiments, the administration completion flag  508  may not necessarily be changed until the head  112  is fully compressed to the barrel  102 . In this manner, partial injections may be reported. Thus, the microprocessor  210  may cause the administration completion data  500  to be sent to the server  404  after a predetermined elapsed time following unlocking the syringe  100  and/or load sensor detection, even if the sensor  206  does not indicate that injection has occurred. 
     In step  708 , the injection may be completely administered to the patient. In this step, the head  112  may be substantially fully compressed when the injection is substantially completely administered. Magnet  114  may be sufficiently proximate the switch  206  such that the magnetic field may be detected. In this manner, an administration completion may be triggered. Alternatively, a mechanical switch may be pressed to trigger notification of administration completion. Therefore, an administration completion data  500  may be generated upon detection of the magnetic field, wherein the administration completion flag  508  reflects the completed injection (e.g. the administration completion flag  508  is set to True). 
     Administration completion may further trigger step  710 , in which the syringe  100  may send the administration completion data  500  to the server  404 . In step  712 , the server  404  may update the treatment data  600  to reflect the received administration completion data  500 . 
     The method described with respect to  FIG. 7  may also be performed with respect to an attachable reporting module, as depicted in  FIG. 11  A. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a block-level diagram of recording a missed injection in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In step  802 , an injection may be missed based on a treatment schedule  516  and/or  604 . In some embodiments, the treatment schedule  604  may be stored on the server  404 , and the server  404  may automatically update the treatment data  600  to reflect the missed injection  804 . In other embodiments, the treatment schedule  516  may be stored on the syringe  100 , and the syringe may send the administration completion data  500  reflecting the missed injection to the server  404  in step  806 . Step  806  may further comprise sending an administration completion data  500  reflecting an incomplete injection (e.g. administration completion flag  508  set to False) to the server  404  when an injection is non-compliant. A noncompliant injection can include an injection where administration was started, but not complete. Other non-compliant injections can include ejection of the drug from the syringe  100  without injecting into the patient, such as emptying the syringe  100  into air. In step  808 , treatment data  600  may be updated to reflect the missed injection. 
     In some embodiments, the temperature sensor  202  may be used to record temperatures at a predetermined interval through the life cycle, such as transport, storage, etc., of the pharmaceutical. For example, the temperature sensor  202  could record temperatures daily, hourly, and/or every half-hour. In some instances, the temperature sensor  202  may record irregular temperatures, wherein the irregular temperature is known to risk degradation of the pharmaceutical. This temperature data  512  may be stored on the microprocessor  210  (e.g. temperature data  512 ). Upon sending the administration completion data  500 , the sent administration completion data  500  may include life cycle data, such as the temperature history (e.g. temperature data  512 ). 
     The temperature data  512  may be used to determine whether the pharmaceutical remains potent and/or safe for injection, and subsequently, whether providers, pharmacists, insurers, and other stakeholders should rely on, use, or pay for that pharmaceutical. The temperature data  512  may comprise a temperature compliance flag that may be positive when the pharmaceutical remains within a predetermined threshold of temperatures for that pharmaceutical (e.g. cold chain storage), as detected by the temperature sensor  202 . The temperature data  512  may comprise a temperature compliance flag. For example, the temperature compliance flag may default to True and may be changed to False upon detection of a freezing of the pharmaceutical by the temperature sensor  202 . The temperature compliance flag may be changed to False upon elevation of the temperature above the predetermined temperature range threshold and/or temperature drop below the predetermine temperature range threshold. In some embodiments, the temperature data  512  and or temperature compliance flag may allow for a time tolerance for exceeding the predetermined temperature range (except that freezing is not allowed in some embodiments). In embodiments containing Humira, Enbrel, or Remicade, the temperature compliance flag may remain True unless the temperature of the drug is detected outside the range of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the temperature compliance flag may not necessarily be changed until extended storage at room temperature is detected. In the embodiments of Humira and Enbrel, the temperature compliance flag may become False when the syringe  100  containing the drug is stored at room temperature for over 14 days. In embodiments having Remicade, the temperature compliance flag may become False when the syringe  100  is stored at room temperature for over 24 hours. 
     The predetermined temperature range thresholds may correspond to the particular pharmaceutical in the corresponding syringe  100 . The predetermined temperature range thresholds may be set by a manufacturer, the pharmacist, an insurance provider, and/or a health care provider. 
     Some embodiments may include a temperature safety feature to prevent injection of degraded pharmaceuticals. For example, the locking mechanisms  212  may remain locked after the temperature compliance flag of temperature data  512  becomes False, regardless of verification of patient identification. 
     In some embodiments, the microprocessor  210  may be configured to calculate a degradation risk correlating to the pharmaceutical. In these embodiments, if the degradation risk is above a predetermined threshold, then the locking device  212  may prevent injection, even if the other criteria, such as patient verification, are satisfied. Additional embodiments include a timing circuit on the microprocessor  210 . In some embodiments, the timing circuit may be used with the temperature sensor  202  to detect when the syringe  100  and/or pharmaceutical is removed from temperature controlled storage. The timing circuit may be used to ensure that the injection is made before a predetermined elapsed time. In these instances, the locking device  212  may prevent injection after the predetermined elapsed time from removal from storage, even if the other criteria are satisfied. 
     In some embodiments, the syringe  100  may be a multi-use system, wherein the syringe may be reusable and/or the reporting components  116  may be reusable. In these embodiments, the needle  104  may be replaceable and the reporting components  116  and/or administration completion data  500  may be reset upon changing the needle  104 . Furthermore, the reporting components  116  and/or administration completion data  500  may be reset upon snap fit of the reporting components  116  to a new syringe  100 . Resetting the reporting components  116  and/or administration completion data  500  may be triggered by a mechanical switch, such as when the mechanical switch is closed or opened. Changing the needle  104  and/or snap fitting the reporting components  116  to the syringe  100  may trigger the mechanical switch. However, many biologics may be provided as prefilled syringes  100  intended for single use administration. In these embodiments, the needle  104  may not necessarily be changed. 
     Additional embodiments of the syringe  100  may include a load sensor (described with respect to  FIGS. 9A-9C ). In these embodiments, the load sensor may be positioned on the needle proximate the barrel  102 . In other embodiments, the load sensor may be positioned within the barrel  102  such that a pressure gradient in the syringe may be detected. The load sensor may be in electronic communication with the microprocessor  210  such that the load sensor may send detected pressure to the microprocessor  210 . The microprocessor  210  may record and/or send the pressure data with the administration completion data  500 . The load sensor may detect, for example, subcutaneous applied pressure, such as to determine that an intermuscular injection is occurring. In some embodiments, locking device  212  may prevent injection without the appropriate pressure detection by the load sensor. In other embodiments, the injection may be allowed, but administration completion data  500  may include a pressure data reflecting improper pressure detected. Embodiments also include the administration completion data  500  comprise pressure data, even with proper pressure detected. 
     The method described with respect to  FIG. 8  may also be performed with respect to an attachable reporting module, as depicted in  FIG. 11  A. 
       FIG. 9A  depicts a diagram of the head  112  of the reporting syringe  100  comprising a load sensor  900  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The load sensor  900  may be present with or without the magnet  114 . The load sensor  900  may comprise a force sensor. For example, some force sensors comprise a force sensing resistor that comprises a material that changes resistance when a force, pressure, or mechanical stress is applied. Such materials may include a conductive polymer. 
     The changes in resistance may be interpolated to correspond to the force applied. In this manner, the force applied to inject the drug from the barrel  102  can be measured. This force may be higher when injecting into a patient, such as an intermuscular injection, rather than dispensing the drug through the needle without injection. By way of example, the additional force may result from mechanical resistance of the body of the patient to the injection compared to the relatively lower resistance when dispensing the drug into the air. 
     In these embodiments, a predetermined force threshold may be used to determine whether dispensing the drug resulted in a compliant injection or a noncompliant fraud, waste, and abuse. For example, measured force greater than the predetermined force threshold may correspond to a compliant administration of the drug. Furthermore, measured force less than the predetermined threshold may correspond to a wasteful or fraudulent occurrence, such as dispensing the drug into a sink. 
     Example force sensors may include the Honeywell FSA series, FSG series, FSS series, TBF series, or 1865 series. For example, the load sensor  900  may be able to measure from about 1 bar to about 10 bar, about 100 kPa to about 1 MPa, or about 15 psi to about 150 psi in pressure. The load sensor  900  may comprise millivolt analog output. Alternative embodiments may include other load cells that may be electronically read by the microprocessor. 
       FIG. 9B  depicts a diagram of a conductor  902  of the reporting syringe in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The load sensor  900  may be in electrical and/or electronic communication with the conductor  902 . The conductor  902  may comprise one or more electrically conductive traces and/or wires that run the length of the stalk  110 . In this manner, the conductor  902  may remain in electrical communication with the circuit board  200  during the injection. Furthermore, the conductor  902  may allow the load sensor  900  to be in electrical communication with the circuit board  200  and/or the microprocessor  210  before, during, and/or after the injection. In embodiments wherein the load sensor  900  provides analog output, this output may be relayed to the microprocessor to be compared to the predetermined force threshold or converted to digital measurement and then compared to the predetermined threshold. 
       FIG. 9C  depicts a diagram of the interaction of a stalk  110  of the reporting syringe  100  and a load sensor receiver  904  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In some embodiments, the load sensor receiver  904  may be in electrical communication with the conductor  902  and/or the circuit board  200 . In this manner, the load sensor receiver  904  may relay electrical and/or electronic signals and/or information from the conductor  902  to the microprocessor  210 . In some embodiments, the load sensor receiver  904  may convert analog signals to digital signals. However, embodiments include a load sensor that may convert the analog signal to digital, in which the load sensor receiver  904  may relay the digital signal to the microprocessor  210 . In other embodiments, the load sensor receiver  904  may relay the analog signal to the microprocessor  210  for conversion by the microprocessor, in embodiments wherein conversion is performed before comparison to the predetermined force threshold. 
       FIG. 1   0 A depicts a diagram of a mechanical switch  1002  of the syringe  100  of  FIG. 1  A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In these embodiments, the mechanical switch  1002  may optionally replace the switch  206 . The mechanical switch  1002  may be in electrical communication with the reporting components  116  such that the administration completion data  500  may be sent upon pressing the mechanical switch  1002 . The mechanical switch  1002  may comprise a resistance spring. The mechanical switch  1002  may further comprise a circuit. Upon pressing the mechanical switch  1002 , the circuit may become opened or closed. The change in state of the circuit of the mechanical switch  1002  may trigger alteration and/or sending of the administration completion data  500 . 
       FIG. 1  OB depicts a diagram of an alternative view of the mechanical switch  1002  of  FIG. 1  OA in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  FIG. 1  OB depicts that the mechanical switch  1002  may extend beyond a housing  1004  of the reporting components  116 . In these embodiments, the head  112  may not necessarily comprise a magnet. Rather, the head  112  may press the mechanical switch  1002  upon injection completion (e.g. when the head  112  is pressed to the housing  1004 ). 
       FIG. 1  OC depicts a diagram of another alternative view of the mechanical switch  1002  of  FIG. 1  OA in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The head  112  may comprise a stamping  1008  that may press the mechanical switch  1002  when fully pressed. The mechanical switch  1002  may comprise a mechanical switch contact  1006  that may be in electrical and/or electronic communication with the reporting components  116 . Upon pressing the mechanical switch  1002 , the reporting components  116  may generate or alter the administration completion data  500 . Upon pressing the mechanical switch  1002 , the reporting components  116  may send the administration completion data  500 . 
       FIG. 11  A depicts a diagram of an attachable reporting module  1101  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The reporting module  1101  may be attachable and/or detachable from a standard syringe  1100 . For example, the reporting module  1101  may comprise a barrel receiver  1105 , a grip receiver  1103 , and/or a head receiver  1107 . The reporting module  1101  may further comprise a slide  1109  such that the head receiver  1107  may be pressed with a head  1106  of the syringe  1100 . These structures may allow the reporting module  1101  to be attached to the standard syringe  1100  by frictional engagement. For example, a barrel  1102  of the syringe  1100  may be received in the barrel receiver  1105 . The barrel receiver  1105  may comprise a conical or frusto-conical shape configured to receive and/or frictionally engaged the barrel  1102  proximate a needle  1108 . 
     The grip receiver  1103  may be configured to receive and/or frictionally engage a grip  1104  of the syringe  1108 . The grip receiver  1103  may be positioned the length of the barrel  1102  from the barrel receiver  1105 . The grip  1104  may comprise flat flanges extending orthogonally from an end of the barrel  1102 . The grip receiver  1103  may comprise a first support and a second support set apart at a sufficient distance to frictionally engage the flanges of the grip  1104  when inserted. 
     Furthermore, the head receiver  1107  may be in slideable communication with a base  1111  of the reporting module  1101  via slide  1109 . In this manner, the head receiver  1107  may rest against and/or frictionally engage the head  1106  such that pressing the head receiver  1107  may press the head  1106  thereby administering an injection. Head receiver  1107  may comprise a single projection orthogonal to the slide  1109 . Alternative embodiments include a first projection and a second projection. The first projection and second projection may be spaced apart such that the first projection may engage a distal side of the head  1106 . The second projection may be distance sufficiently to engage a proximate side of the head  1106 . In some embodiments, the second projection may frictionally fit against a feature, such as a stamping of the head  1106 . 
       FIG. 11  B depicts a diagram of the reporting module  1101  of  FIG. 11A  attached to a standard syringe  1101  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As depicted, the syringe  1101  may be frictionally engaged with the reporting module  1101 . In some embodiments, the second projection of the head receiver  1107  may frictionally engage one or more features of the head  1106 , such as the stamping. 
       FIG. 11  C depicts a diagram of the reporting components  1113  of the reporting module  1101  of  FIG. 11  Bin accordance with the principles of the present invention. In some embodiments, the reporting components  1113  may be substantially similar to the reporting components  116 . By way of example, the reporting components  1113  may comprise one or more of a temperature sensor, a wireless module, a switch, a battery, a microprocessor, a locking mechanism, etc. Furthermore, the components may be in electrical and/or electronic communication with one another, such a via a circuit board. For example, locking mechanism  1115  may comprise a mortise formed in the slide  1109  that may receive a tenon of the locking mechanism  1115  to prevent injection when the reporting module  1101  is engaged to the syringe  1100 . 
       FIG. 11  D depicts an alternative view of the reporting components of  FIG. 11  C in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The reporting components  1113  may comprise a wireless module  1117 , a temperature sensor  1119 , a microprocessor  1121 , and/or a battery  1123 . These components may be substantially similar to the corresponding components of reporting syringe  100 . 
       FIG. 11  E depicts an internal view of the reporting components of  FIG. 11  C in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The reporting components  1113  may comprise a switch  1125 . The switch  1125  may comprise any structure sufficient for generating an electrical signal to the processor upon triggering the switch  1125 . The switch  1125  may comprise a mechanical switch that is substantially similar to mechanical switch  1002 . In other embodiments, the switch  1125  may comprise an electronic switch that is substantially similar to switch  206 . In some embodiments, the switch  206  may comprise the mechanical switch  1002 . In embodiments wherein the switch  1125  comprises a Reed switch, the slide  1109  may comprise a magnet positioned to trigger the switch  1125  when fully pressed. 
       FIG. 11  F depicts a zoomed view of the reporting components  1113  of  FIG. 11  C in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In some embodiments, the switch  1125  may comprise a Reed switch  1127  and a magnet  1129 . The magnet  1129  may induce a magnetic field to trigger the Reed switch  1127  when the slide  1109  is compressed. The switch  1125  may comprise a microswitch  1128 . A microswitch  1128  may comprise a miniature snap-action switch. The microswitch may comprise an electric switch that may be actuated by relatively low physical force, such as through the use of a tipping-point mechanism or an “over-center” mechanism. 
       FIG. 11  G depicts an alternate zoomed view of the reporting components  1113  of  FIG. 11  C in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In some embodiments, the switch  1125  may comprise a mechanical switch  1131 . The mechanical switch  1131  may comprise one or more spring-loaded PCB (printed circuit board) contacts. When the slide  1109  is compressed, the spring-loaded PCB contacts  1133  may be pressed to open or close a circuit. The action of the spring-loaded PCB contacts may trigger generation and/or sending the administration completion data  500 . A circuit board  1135  of the reporting components  1113  may comprise pressure sensitive spring-loaded PCB contacts. In some embodiments, the circuit board  1135  may simply comprise contacts and the slide  1109  may comprise the spring-loaded contacts that provide electrical communication to trigger generating and/or sending the administration completion data  500  when the spring-loaded contacts are aligned with the circuit board contacts. 
     In some embodiments, the switch  1125 , such as the spring-loaded PCB contacts, may reset the administration completion data  500 . In this manner, the spring loaded PCB or other mechanical switch may be pressed when attaching the reporting module  1101  to a new syringe  1100 . 
     The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with each claim&#39;s language, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”