Patent Publication Number: US-2020297927-A1

Title: Flow adapter for drug delivery device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/567,977, filed Oct. 4, 2017, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to drug delivery devices and, more particularly, to drug delivery devices having reduced variance in injection rates. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Drug delivery devices, such as injectors, are used to deliver liquid drugs to a patient. Upon activation, a drug delivery device will expel a drug stored within an internal reservoir through a hypodermic needle, cannula, or other delivery member into the patient. Some drug delivery devices, such as on-body injectors, may be temporarily attached to a patient to deliver a drug via a hypodermic needle, cannula or some other means over an extended period of time. The drug delivery device may be adhesively attached to the tissue of the patient&#39;s abdomen, thigh, arm, or some other portion of the patient&#39;s body. 
     In some cases, a viscosity of the drug may vary due to a number of factors such as internal and/or external temperatures and drug concentration. The drug&#39;s viscosity may vary during a single drug administration process and may also vary among different drug delivery processes. For example, in some environments, the drug may initially have a high viscosity and thus require substantially high forces to maintain flow rates, but upon the drug&#39;s viscosity decreasing due to an increase in temperature, for example, lesser forces and higher flow rates may result. In some cases, if the drug&#39;s viscosity is different than the viscosity during a previous administration process, a user may become dissatisfied upon experiencing a longer or shorter than expected drug administration, which may lead to patient uncertainty, discomfort, and/or partial dosing due to premature removal of the device by the patient. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present disclosure provides a drug delivery device that includes a housing defining a shell, a container, a drive mechanism, a needle assembly having first and second ends, a fluid flow connection, and a flow adapter, each of which is at least partially disposed within the housing. The container has first and second ends and an inner volume to contain a medicament to be administered to a user. The drive mechanism is adapted to exert a force to urge the medicament out of the second end of the container. The fluid flow connection is coupled to the second end of the container and the first end of the needle assembly and is adapted to allow the medicament to flow from the container to the needle assembly. The flow adapter includes at least one protrusion for generating a minor head loss to the medicament flowing within the fluid flow connection. 
     In some examples, the flow adapter includes an elongated member having a shell that defines an inner volume. The inner volume includes at least one protrusion extending inwardly from the shell into the inner volume. In some of these examples, the at least one protrusion may form a narrow channel portion through the inner volume. In other examples, the at least one protrusion may be in the form of an orifice. 
     In still other forms, the at least one protrusion may be a globe or a gate valve. The globe valve may be manually controlled upon actuating the drug delivery device. Alternatively, the globe valve may be electronically controlled via a controller. 
     In some approaches, the flow adapter may include any number and combination of narrow channels, orifices, valves, and the like. 
     In many approaches, the fluid flow connection is constructed from a flexible tube. The flexible tube is constructed from a polymer material. Further, the flow adapter may be constructed from a material having a greater rigidity than the flexible tube such as, for example, a metallic material. 
     A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a flow adapter for a drug delivery device having a housing, a container at least partially disposed within the housing and adapted to contain a medicament to be administered to a user, a drive mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing, a needle assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, and a fluid flow connection coupled to the container and the needle assembly. The flow adapter includes an elongated member having a shell that defines an inner volume. The inner volume includes at least one protrusion extending inwardly from the shell into the inner volume. The flow adapter is configured to generate a minor head loss to a medicament flowing within the fluid flow connection. 
     A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a wearable drug delivery device that is securable to a user via an adhesive patch. The wearable drug delivery device includes a housing defining a shell, an activation button coupled to the housing, a container, a drive mechanism, and a needle assembly each being at least partially disposed within the housing, a fluid flow connection, and a flow adapter disposed in line with the fluid flow connection. The container has a first end, a second end, and an inner volume to contain a medicament to be administered to a user upon actuation of the activation button. Upon actuation of the activation button, the drive mechanism is adapted to exert a force to urge the medicament out the second end of the container. The needle assembly has a first end and a second end. The fluid flow connection is coupled to the second end of the container and the first end of the needle assembly. Further, the fluid flow connection is adapted to allow the medicament to flow from the container to the needle assembly. The flow adapter includes an elongated member having a shell that defines an inner volume. The inner volume includes at least one protrusion extending inwardly from the shell into the inner volume for generating a minor head loss to the medicament flowing within the fluid flow connection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the flow adapter for a drug delivery device described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a drug delivery device in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example flow adapter for the drug delivery device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative example flow adapter for the drug delivery device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another alternative example flow adapter for the drug delivery device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of yet another alternative example flow adapter for the drug delivery device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a further alternative example flow adapter for the drug delivery device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a flow adapter for a drug delivery device. Generally, the drug delivery device includes a housing defining a shell, a container, a drive mechanism, a needle assembly having first and second ends, a fluid flow connection, and a flow adapter, each of which is at least partially disposed within the housing. The container has first and second ends and an inner volume to contain a medicament to be administered to a user. The drive mechanism is adapted to exert a force on the first end of the container to urge the medicament through the container towards the second end thereof. The fluid flow connection is coupled to the second end of the container and the first end of the needle assembly and is adapted to allow the medicament to flow from the container to the needle assembly. 
     The flow adapter is a fluid path element that generates a minor head loss to the medicament flowing within the fluid flow connection. Because the flow adapter is designed as a source of minor head loss, it causes a pressure drop in the fluid flowing across the flow adapter that depends on the flow rate but does not depend explicitly on fluid dynamic viscosity. As a result, the pressure drop over the flow adapter regulates the flow rate by reducing the drive pressure at a factor that is directly proportional to the square of the flow velocity. Further, the flow adapter serves as a reserved pressure which can be accessed in the event of an unexpected increase in resistive pressure of the tissue and/or fluid path to complete the injection at a lower rate. Using a source of minor loss for the flow adaptor (as opposed to a source of major loss) provides the advantage of having less variability in the injection rate of the medicament across a range of viscosities. The resulting minor head loss reduces the sensitivity of injection time to the drug viscosity. As a result, the flow adapter may eliminate the need for expensive electromechanical drive systems and/or closed loop feedback controls and/or systems. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a drug delivery device  10  constructed in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. The drug delivery device  10  may be operated to subcutaneously or transdermally deliver a drug to a patient. In the illustrated embodiment, the drug delivery device  10  is configured as a wearable drug delivery device, such as an on-body injector or an ambulatory infusion pump, and is releasably attachable to the patient&#39;s tissue  11  (e.g., the patient&#39;s skin). In other embodiments (not illustrated), the drug delivery device  10  may be configured as a pen-type injector, such as a handheld autoinjector or injection pen, which is temporarily held against the patient&#39;s tissue  11  over the course of the injection. The drug delivery device  10  may be configured to automatically deliver a fixed or a patient/operator-settable dose of the drug over a controlled or selected period of time. Furthermore, the drug delivery device  10  may be intended for self-administration by the patient, or may be operated by a formally trained healthcare professional or other caregiver to administer the injection. 
     Generally, the drug delivery device  10  may include a needle assembly or insertion mechanism  12 , a container  14 , a fluid pathway assembly  22 , a drive mechanism  24 , and a controller  26 , each of which may be disposed within an interior space of a main housing  29  that defines a shell. An actuator  28  (e.g., a user-depressible button, touchscreen, microphone, etc.) may protrude through or otherwise be disposed at an exterior surface of the housing  29  and may be configured to initiate operation of the drug delivery device  10  by activating, via mechanical and/or electrical means (shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 1 ), the insertion mechanism  12 , the fluid pathway assembly  22 , the drive mechanism  24 , the controller  26 , and/or other mechanisms and/or electronics. In embodiments where the actuator  28  is a button that is depressed or otherwise physically moved by a user or patient, the actuator  28  may be configured to exert a motive force needed to activate the insertion mechanism  12 , the fluid pathway assembly  22 , the drive assembly  24 , the controller  26 , and/or other mechanisms. In such embodiments, the actuator  28  may be physically connected to, either directly or indirectly via a mechanical linkage, the insertion mechanism  12 , the drive mechanism  24 , the fluid pathway assembly  22 , and/or other mechanisms such that manually depressing or otherwise interacting with the actuator  28  supplies the motive force necessary to activate the insertion mechanism  12 , the drive mechanism  24 , the fluid pathway assembly  22 , and/or other mechanisms. For example, in some embodiments, manually depressing the actuator  28  may cause the fluid pathway assembly  22  to move towards the first end  14   a  of the stationary container  14 , or cause the container  14  to move towards the stationary fluid pathway assembly  22 , and thereby cause a container access needle to penetrate through a seal member into a reservoir or interior volume  14   a  of the container  14 . Additionally or alternatively, the actuator  28  may operate as an input device that transmits an electrical and/or mechanical signal to the controller  26 , which in turn may execute programmable instructions to control operation of the insertion mechanism  12 , the drive mechanism  24 , the fluid pathway assembly  22 , and/or other mechanisms. In such embodiments, the controller  26  may include a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) and a non-transitory memory for storing the programmable instructions to be executed by the processor. Furthermore, in such embodiments, the drug delivery device  10  may include an internal actuator (e.g., an electric motor, a pneumatic or hydraulic pump, and/or a source of pressurized gas or liquid) which is separate from the actuator  28  and which, in response to an electrical control signal received from the controller  26 , exerts the motive force needed to activate the insertion mechanism  12 , the drive mechanism  24 , the fluid pathway assembly  22 , and/or other mechanisms. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the housing  29  may include a bottom wall  25  configured to be releasably attached (e.g., adhered with an adhesive) to the patient&#39;s tissue  11 , and a top wall  27  including one or more visual indicators  42  (e.g., lights, graphical displays, etc.) and/or a window  35  for viewing the container  14  and a drug  32  contained therein. The one or more visual indicators  42  may be used to communicate information to the user about the operational state of the drug delivery device  10  and/or the condition of the medicament or drug  32 . An opening  31  may be formed in the bottom wall  25 , and optionally a pierceable sterile barrier  33 , such as a pierceable septum, may extend across the opening  31  to seal the interior of the housing  29  prior to use. In some embodiments, the pierceable sterile barrier  33  may be omitted, and instead a removable sealing member (not illustrated) may cover and seal close the opening  31  prior to use. 
     After the bottom wall  25  of the housing  29  is attached to the patient&#39;s tissue  13 , the insertion mechanism  12  may be activated to move a delivery member from a retracted position within the housing  29  to a deployed position extending outside of the housing  29 . In the present embodiment, this may include the insertion mechanism  12  inserting a needle or trocar  21  and a hollow cannula  23  surrounding the trocar  21  through the pierceable sterile barrier  33  and into the patient&#39;s tissue  11 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Immediately or shortly thereafter, the insertion mechanism  12  may automatically retract the needle  21 , leaving the distal open end of the cannula  23  inside the patient for subcutaneous delivery of the drug  32 . The needle  21  may be solid and have a sharpened end for piercing the patient&#39;s skin  11 . Furthermore, the needle  21  may be made of a material that is more rigid than the cannula  23 . In some embodiments, the needle  21  may be made of metal, whereas the cannula  23  may be made of plastic or another polymer. The relative flexibility of the cannula  23  may allow it to be disposed subcutaneously within the patient&#39;s tissue  11  for a period of a time without causing pain or significant discomfort to the patient. 
     In some embodiments, the insertion mechanism  12  may include one or more springs (e.g., coil springs, torsion springs, etc.) initially retained in an energized state, and which are released upon depression of the actuator  28  in order to insert the needle  21  and cannula  23 , or hollow needle, into the patient. Furthermore, retraction of the needle  21  may be achieved by the automatic release of another spring after the needle  21  and cannula  23  have been inserted into the patient. Other power sources for insertion and/or retraction are possible, including, for example, an electric motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic pump, or a canister that releases a pressurized gas or pressurized liquid to provide actuation energy. 
     The container  14 , which in some contexts may be referred to as a primary container, may include a wall  38  with an interior surface  43  defining a reservoir  30  that is filled with the drug  32  and an exterior surface  47 . In some embodiments, the reservoir  30  may be pre-filled with the drug  32  by a drug manufacturer prior to installation of the container  14  in the drug delivery device  10 . In some embodiments, the container  14  may be rigidly connected to the housing  29  such that the container  14  cannot move relative to the housing; whereas, in other embodiments, the container  14  may be slidably connected to the housing  29  such that the container  14  can move relative to the housing  29  during operation of the drug delivery device  10 . The container  14  may have an elongate, barrel-like or cylindrical shape extending along a longitudinal axis A. In embodiments where the drug delivery device  10  is configured as an on-body injector, the longitudinal axis A of the container  14  may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular, or otherwise non-parallel, to a direction in which the insertion mechanism  12  inserts a delivery member such as the cannula  23  into the patient. This configuration may allow the on-body injector to have a generally planar, low-profile shape that can be worn by the patient without impeding the patient&#39;s movement. Initially, a stopper  34  or other piston member may be positioned in the reservoir  30  at a first end  36  of the container  14 . The stopper  34  may sealingly and slidably engage the interior surface  43  of the wall  38  of the container  14 , and may be movable relative to the wall  38  of the container  14 . 
     The volume of the drug  32  contained in the reservoir  30  prior to delivery may be: any volume in a range between approximately (e.g., ±10%) 0.5-20 mL, or any volume in a range between approximately (e.g., ±10%) 0.5-10 mL, or any volume in a range between approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-10 mL, or any volume in a range between approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-8 mL, or any volume in a range between approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-5 mL, or any volume in a range between approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-3.5 mL, or any volume in a range between approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-3 mL, or any volume in a range between approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-2.5 mL, or any volume in a range between approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1-2 mL, or any volume equal to or less than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 4 mL, or any volume equal to or less than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 3.5 mL, or any volume equal to or less than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 3 mL, or any volume equal to or less than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 2.5 mL, or any volume equal to or less than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 2 mL, or any volume equal to or less than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1.5 mL, or any volume equal to or less than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 1 mL, or any volume equal to or greater than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 2 mL, or any volume equal to or greater than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 2.5 mL, or any volume equal to or greater than approximately (e.g., ±10%) 3 mL. The reservoir  30  may be completely or partially filled with the drug  32 . The drug  32  may be one or more of the drugs listed below under the heading “Drug Information”, such as, for example, a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) specific antibody, a sclerostin antibody, or a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibody. 
     During operation of the drug delivery device  10 , the drive mechanism  24  may exert a force on the first end  36  of the container  14 . For example, the drive mechanism  24  may push the stopper  34  along the longitudinal axis A from the first end  36  of the container  14  to a second end  37  of the container  14  in order to expel or urge the drug  32  from the container  14 . In some embodiments, the drive mechanism  24  may include one or more springs (e.g., coil springs, torsion springs, etc.) initially retained in an energized state, and which are released upon depression of the actuator  28 . Following their release, the spring(s) may expand or contract to move the stopper  34  through the reservoir  30  along the longitudinal axis A from the proximal end  36  of the container  14  to the second end  37  of the container  14 . In other embodiments, the drive mechanism  24  may include an electric motor (not illustrated) which rotates a gear mechanism, including for example one or more sprocket gears, to cause axial motion of the stopper  34  through the reservoir  30 . In still further embodiments, the drive mechanism  24  may include both an electric motor and spring(s), wherein the electric motor regulates expansion of the spring(s) via a tether or pulley system. In still further embodiments, the drive mechanism  24  may include a canister that releases a pressurized gas or pressurized liquid to provide actuation energy. Other examples are possible. 
     The fluid pathway assembly  22  may be configured to establish fluid communication between the container  14  and the insertion mechanism  12  via a sterile fluid flow path during operation of the drug delivery device  10 . The first end  44  of the fluid pathway assembly  22  may include the container access needle  60  and an overmold member  62 . In general, the overmold member  62  may serve as a mounting member or connection hub for the container access needle  60  and provide a portion of the container access needle  60  which does not access the reservoir  30  with an enlarged outer dimension, such as an enlarged outer diameter. The container access needle  60  may have a sharpened end or point  63 , corresponding to a proximal end of the container access needle  60 , and a distal end  64  in fluid communication with a fluid flow connection  50 . 
     The fluid pathway assembly  22  may include a first end  44  connected to the second end  37  of the container  14 , a second end  48  connected to a first end  12   a  of the insertion mechanism  12 , the fluid flow connection  50  extending between the first end  44  and the second end  48 , and a flow adapter  70  disposed within the fluid flow connection  50 . As described in more detail below, in some embodiments the first end  44  of the fluid pathway assembly  22  may be connected to the container  14  via a clip member  53 . The fluid flow connection  50  may be sterilized, and may be partially or entirely made of a flexible tubing  52  such as, for example, a polymer or other material. Initially, there may be slack in the flexible tubing  52  to allow the fluid pathway assembly  22  to move relative to the housing  29  and/or to allow components of the insertion mechanism  12  to which the fluid pathway assembly  22  is attached to move relative to the housing  29 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-6 , the flow adapter  70  is an elongated member having a shell  72  that defines an inner volume  73 . In some examples, the flow adapter  70  is inserted into the flexible tubing  52  of the fluid flow connection  50 . In other examples, the fluid flow connection  50  may be formed in two or more sections, and the flow adapter  70  may be used to connect these sections using any number of approaches. Other examples are possible. 
     The inner volume  73  of the flow adapter  70  includes any number of protrusions  74  that extend inwardly into the inner volume  73 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the flow adapter  70  can include any number of protrusions  74  defining narrow channel portions  75  positioned between expanded portions  76 . The narrow channel portions  75  restrict flow of the medicament  30 . The narrow channel portions  75  can include a front surface  75   a , a narrow channel  75   b , and a rear surface  75   c . The front surface  75   a  may have any number of orientations to impact flow of the drug  30 . For example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the front surface  75   a  may be generally perpendicular to the flow path to create a substantial disruption in fluid flow. In other examples, the front surface  75   a  may form an oblique angle relative to the fluid flow path. 
     A corner connection point  75   d  between the front surface  75   a  and the narrow channel  75   b  may be a right angle or may alternatively be a beveled and/or a chamfered edge. Other examples are possible. In some examples, the narrow channel  75   b  is generally cylindrical in shape and thus may have a generally circular cross section. In other examples, the narrow channel  75   b  may be tapered (e.g., convergent) such that the opening formed at the front surface  75   a  is larger than the opening formed at the rear surface  75   c . Alternatively, the narrow channel  75   b  may be tapered (e.g., divergent) such that the opening formed at the front surface  75   a  is smaller than the opening formed at the rear surface  75   c . Other shapes and/or configurations of the narrow channel  75   c  are possible. 
     Like the front surface, the rear surface  75   c  may have any number of orientations to impact flow of the drug  30 . For example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the rear surface  75   c  may be generally perpendicular to the flow path. In other examples, the rear surface  75   c  may form an oblique angle relative to the fluid flow path. A corner connection point  75   e  between the narrow channel  75   b  and the rear surface  75   c  may be a right angle or may alternatively be a beveled and/or a chamfered edge. Other examples are possible. 
     The narrow channel  75   b  and the expanded portions  76  may cooperate to cause a sudden expansion in fluid flow, which may in turn create a minor head loss. As a result, the device  10  may produce consistent and predictable injection rates when delivering the drug  32 . 
     In other examples, and as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the flow adapter  70  can include any number of protrusions  74  in the form of walls  80  that include any number of orifices  82 . The flow adapter  70 , and any number of the components thereof, can be constructed from a material having a greater rigidity than the flexible tube  52 . For example, the flow adapter  70  may be constructed from a metallic material, a plastic or a polymer, a glass, and/or a ceramic material. The flow adapter  70  may be constructed from a single material or a combination of mixed material types. In some examples, the walls  80  may be separated by an open area  83  defined by the shell  72 . A front surface  80   a  may have any number of orientations to impact flow of the drug  30 . For example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the front surface  80   a  may be generally perpendicular to the flow path to create a substantial disruption in fluid flow. In other examples, the front surface  80   a  may form an oblique angle relative to the fluid flow path. 
     The orifices  82  may be of any size, shape, and/or orientation relative to the walls  80 . For example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the orifices  82  may be formed at a perpendicular angle relative to the walls  80 . In other examples, the orifices  82  may be formed at non-perpendicular angles relative to the walls  80 . An edge  84  formed by the walls  80  and the orifices  82  may be beveled, rounded, chamfered, and/or perpendicular to affect flow of the drug  30 . Other examples are possible. 
     In other examples, and as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the flow adapter  70  can include any number of protrusions  74  in an arrangement of a globe valve  90 . The globe valve  90  may include a seating portion  91  extending from a plurality of inwardly-protruding walls  92  and a plug  93 . In some examples, the plug  93  is movable to engage the seating portion  91 , thereby limiting and/or restricting fluid flow. In other examples, the plug  93  may be stationary, and the walls  92  and/or the seating portion  91  may movably engage the plug  93 . In still other examples, the seating portion  91 , the walls  92 , and the plug  93  may remain stationary and thus affect fluid flow by altering the flow path of the drug  30 . 
     In examples where the seating portion  91 , the walls  92 , and/or the plug  93  are movable, the moving component may be manually controlled upon actuating the actuator  28 . In other words, the actuator  28  may include a mechanical coupling that extends to the flow adaptor  70  that causes the seating portion  91 , the walls  92 , and/or the plug  93  to move. In other examples, movement of the seating portion  91 , the walls  92 , and/or the plug  93  may be electronically controlled via any number of computing systems or other components. Other examples are possible. In some examples, the opening formed between the plug  93  and the seating portion  91  may be adjusted to achieve a desired flow restriction. 
     In other examples, and as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the flow adapter  70  can include any number of protrusions  74  in an arrangement of a gate valve  96 . The gate valve  96  may include any number of walls  97 ,  98  disposed in the interior volume  73  of the shell  72 . The walls  78 ,  79  extend partially into the interior volume  73  such that an opening  97   a ,  98   b  is formed between the ends  97   b ,  98   b  of the walls  97 ,  98 , respectively, and the opposite side of the shell  72  from which the walls  97 ,  98  extend. In some examples, the ends  97   b ,  98   b  of the walls  97 ,  98  are generally flat and extend in a direction that is parallel to the fluid flow path. In other examples, the ends  97   b ,  98   b  of the walls  97 ,  98  may have any other suitable configuration. Further, while the example illustrated in  FIG. 5  includes two walls  97 ,  98 , the gate valve  96  may have any number of walls that protrude into the interior volume  73  of the shell  72 . 
     In some examples, any number of the walls  97 ,  98  are movable to further extend into the interior volume  73  to engage the opposite side of the shell  72 , thereby limiting and/or restricting fluid flow. In other examples, the walls  97 ,  98  may be stationary, and the shell  72  may be movable or compressible to reduce an overall diameter or dimension of the interior volume  73  such that the walls  97 ,  98  engage the opposite side of the shell  72 . In still other examples, the walls  97 ,  98  and the shell may remain stationary and thus affect fluid flow by altering the flow path of the drug  30 . 
     In examples where the walls  97 ,  98  and/or the shell  72  are movable, the moving component may be manually controlled upon actuating the actuator  28 . In other words, the actuator  28  may include a mechanical coupling that extends to the flow adaptor  70  that causes the walls  97 ,  98  and/or the shell  72  to move. In other examples, movement of the walls  97 ,  98  and/or the shell  72  may be electronically controlled via any number of computing systems or other components. Other examples are possible. In some examples, a size of the opening  97   a ,  98   a  formed between the walls and the shell  72  may be adjusted to achieve a desired flow restriction. 
     In other examples, and as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the flow adapter  70  can include any number of previously-described protrusions  74  used in conjunction with each other. For example, a narrow channel portion  75  may be formed that includes an additional wall  80  and/or a plug  93  positioned in the narrow channel  75   b . Any or all of these components may be movable relative to the shell  72  to create a desired flow reduction. 
     So configured, the flow adapter  70  generates an optimal amount of minor head loss to reduce the variability in fluid injection rates. The flow adapter  70  may be beneficial in limiting changes to injection rates caused by changes of the drug&#39;s viscosity. The flow adapter  70  may further enable reducing major loss, or pressure drops that occur due to fluid friction without increasing the injection rate. By providing the flow adaptor  70 , major losses are reduced, thereby reducing the required forces to drive the drug  30  at the same injection rate at higher than nominal viscosities. Further, in examples where the injector is in the form of a pen-type or handheld injector, reduced variability of flow rates can reduce occurrences of the patient misjudging injection times and prematurely removing the device. Additionally, the flow adapter  70  can be implemented in handheld devices in a cost-effective manner, since these devices may not contain complex electromechanical drive systems with feedback to correct variability. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept. 
     The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s). The systems and methods described herein are directed to an improvement to computer functionality, and improve the functioning of conventional computers. 
     Drug Information 
     As mentioned above, the container of the drug delivery device may be filled with a drug. This drug may be any one or combination of the drugs listed below, with the caveat that the following list should neither be considered to be all inclusive nor limiting. 
     For example, the syringe may be filled with colony stimulating factors, such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Such G-CSF agents include, but are not limited to, Neupogen® (filgrastim) and Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim). In various other embodiments, the syringe may be used with various pharmaceutical products, such as an erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA), which may be in a liquid or a lyophilized form. An ESA is any molecule that stimulates erythropoiesis, such as Epogen® (epoetin alfa), Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa), Dynepo® (epoetin delta), Mircera® (methyoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta), Hematide®, MRK-2578, INS-22, Retacrit® (epoetin zeta), Neorecormon® (epoetin beta), Silapo® (epoetin zeta), Binocrit® (epoetin alfa), epoetin alfa Hexal, Abseamed® (epoetin alfa), Ratioepo® (epoetin theta), Eporatio® (epoetin theta), Biopoin® (epoetin theta), epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, epoetin zeta, epoetin theta, and epoetin delta, as well as the molecules or variants or analogs thereof as disclosed in the following patents or patent applications, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,703,008; 5,441,868; 5,547,933; 5,618,698; 5,621,080; 5,756,349; 5,767,078; 5,773,569; 5,955,422; 5,986,047; 6,583,272; 7,084,245; and 7,271,689; and PCT Publication Nos. WO 91/05867; WO 95/05465; WO 96/40772; WO 00/24893; WO 01/81405; and WO 2007/136752. 
     An ESA can be an erythropoiesis stimulating protein. As used herein, “erythropoiesis stimulating protein” means any protein that directly or indirectly causes activation of the erythropoietin receptor, for example, by binding to and causing dimerization of the receptor. Erythropoiesis stimulating proteins include erythropoietin and variants, analogs, or derivatives thereof that bind to and activate erythropoietin receptor; antibodies that bind to erythropoietin receptor and activate the receptor; or peptides that bind to and activate erythropoietin receptor. Erythropoiesis stimulating proteins include, but are not limited to, epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, epoetin delta, epoetin omega, epoetin iota, epoetin zeta, and analogs thereof, pegylated erythropoietin, carbamylated erythropoietin, mimetic peptides (including EMP1/hematide), and mimetic antibodies. Exemplary erythropoiesis stimulating proteins include erythropoietin, darbepoetin, erythropoietin agonist variants, and peptides or antibodies that bind and activate erythropoietin receptor (and include compounds reported in U.S. Publication Nos. 2003/0215444 and 2006/0040858, the disclosures of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) as well as erythropoietin molecules or variants or analogs thereof as disclosed in the following patents or patent applications, which are each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,703,008; 5,441,868; 5,547,933; 5,618,698; 5,621,080; 5,756,349; 5,767,078; 5,773,569; 5,955,422; 5,830,851; 5,856,298; 5,986,047; 6,030,086; 6,310,078; 6,391,633; 6,583,272; 6,586,398; 6,900,292; 6,750,369; 7,030,226; 7,084,245; and 7,217,689; U.S. Publication Nos. 2002/0155998; 2003/0077753; 2003/0082749; 2003/0143202; 2004/0009902; 2004/0071694; 2004/0091961; 2004/0143857; 2004/0157293; 2004/0175379; 2004/0175824; 2004/0229318; 2004/0248815; 2004/0266690; 2005/0019914; 2005/0026834; 2005/0096461; 2005/0107297; 2005/0107591; 2005/0124045; 2005/0124564; 2005/0137329; 2005/0142642; 2005/0143292; 2005/0153879; 2005/0158822; 2005/0158832; 2005/0170457; 2005/0181359; 2005/0181482; 2005/0192211; 2005/0202538; 2005/0227289; 2005/0244409; 2006/0088906; and 2006/0111279; and PCT Publication Nos. WO 91/05867; WO 95/05465; WO 99/66054; WO 00/24893; WO 01/81405; WO 00/61637; WO 01/36489; WO 02/014356; WO 02/19963; WO 02/20034; WO 02/49673; WO 02/085940; WO 03/029291; WO 2003/055526; WO 2003/084477; WO 2003/094858; WO 2004/002417; WO 2004/002424; WO 2004/009627; WO 2004/024761; WO 2004/033651; WO 2004/035603; WO 2004/043382; WO 2004/101600; WO 2004/101606; WO 2004/101611; WO 2004/106373; WO 2004/018667; WO 2005/001025; WO 2005/001136; WO 2005/021579; WO 2005/025606; WO 2005/032460; WO 2005/051327; WO 2005/063808; WO 2005/063809; WO 2005/070451; WO 2005/081687; WO 2005/084711; WO 2005/103076; WO 2005/100403; WO 2005/092369; WO 2006/50959; WO 2006/02646; and WO 2006/29094. 
     Examples of other pharmaceutical products for use with the device may include, but are not limited to, antibodies such as Vectibix® (panitumumab), Xgeva™ (denosumab) and Prolia™ (denosamab); other biological agents such as Enbrel® (etanercept, TNF-receptor/Fc fusion protein, TNF blocker), Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim, pegylated filgastrim, pegylated G-CSF, pegylated hu-Met-G-CSF), Neupogen® (filgrastim, G-CSF, hu-MetG-CSF), and Nplate® (romiplostim); small molecule drugs such as Sensipar® (cinacalcet). The device may also be used with a therapeutic antibody, a polypeptide, a protein or other chemical, such as an iron, for example, ferumoxytol, iron dextrans, ferric glyconate, and iron sucrose. The pharmaceutical product may be in liquid form, or reconstituted from lyophilized form. 
     Among particular illustrative proteins are the specific proteins set forth below, including fusions, fragments, analogs, variants or derivatives thereof: 
     OPGL specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like (also referred to as RANKL specific antibodies, peptibodies and the like), including fully humanized and human OPGL specific antibodies, particularly fully humanized monoclonal antibodies, including but not limited to the antibodies described in PCT Publication No. WO 03/002713, which is incorporated herein in its entirety as to OPGL specific antibodies and antibody related proteins, particularly those having the sequences set forth therein, particularly, but not limited to, those denoted therein: 9H7; 18B2; 2D8; 2E11; 16E1; and 22B3, including the OPGL specific antibodies having either the light chain of SEQ ID NO:2 as set forth therein in  FIG. 2  and/or the heavy chain of SEQ ID NO:4, as set forth therein in  FIG. 4 , each of which is individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety fully as disclosed in the foregoing publication; 
     Myostatin binding proteins, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, including myostatin specific peptibodies, particularly those described in U.S. Publication No. 2004/0181033 and PCT Publication No. WO 2004/058988, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety particularly in parts pertinent to myostatin specific peptibodies, including but not limited to peptibodies of the mTN8-19 family, including those of SEQ ID NOS:305-351, including TN8-19-1 through TN8-19-40, TN8-19 con1 and TN8-19 con2; peptibodies of the mL2 family of SEQ ID NOS:357-383; the mL15 family of SEQ ID NOS:384-409; the mL17 family of SEQ ID NOS:410-438; the mL20 family of SEQ ID NOS:439-446; the mL21 family of SEQ ID NOS:447-452; the mL24 family of SEQ ID NOS:453-454; and those of SEQ ID NOS:615-631, each of which is individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in their entirety fully as disclosed in the foregoing publication; 
     IL-4 receptor specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, particularly those that inhibit activities mediated by binding of IL-4 and/or IL-13 to the receptor, including those described in PCT Publication No. WO 2005/047331 or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/37242 and in U.S. Publication No. 2005/112694, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety particularly in parts pertinent to IL-4 receptor specific antibodies, particularly such antibodies as are described therein, particularly, and without limitation, those designated therein: L1H1; L1H2; L1H3; L1H4; L1H5; L1H6; L1H7; L1H8; L1H9; L1H10; L1H11; L2H1; L2H2; L2H3; L2H4; L2H5; L2H6; L2H7; L2H8; L2H9; L2H10; L2H11; L2H12; L2H13; L2H14; L3H1; L4H1; L5H1; L6H1, each of which is individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety fully as disclosed in the foregoing publication; 
     Interleukin 1-receptor 1 (“IL1-R1”) specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, including but not limited to those described in U.S. Publication No. 2004/097712, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety in parts pertinent to IL1-R1 specific binding proteins, monoclonal antibodies in particular, especially, without limitation, those designated therein: 15CA, 26F5, 27F2, 24E12, and 10H7, each of which is individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety fully as disclosed in the aforementioned publication; 
     Ang2 specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, including but not limited to those described in PCT Publication No. WO 03/057134 and U.S. Publication No. 2003/0229023, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety particularly in parts pertinent to Ang2 specific antibodies and peptibodies and the like, especially those of sequences described therein and including but not limited to: L1(N); L1(N) WT; L1(N) 1K WT; 2xL1(N); 2xL1(N) WT; Con4 (N), Con4 (N) 1K WT, 2xCon4 (N) 1K; L1C; L1C 1K; 2xL1C; Con4C; Con4C 1K; 2xCon4C 1K; Con4-L1 (N); Con4-L1C; TN-12-9 (N); C17 (N); TN8-8(N); TN8-14 (N); Con 1 (N), also including anti-Ang 2 antibodies and formulations such as those described in PCT Publication No. WO 2003/030833 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as to the same, particularly Ab526; Ab528; Ab531; Ab533; Ab535; Ab536; Ab537; Ab540; Ab543; Ab544; Ab545; Ab546; A551; Ab553; Ab555; Ab558; Ab559; Ab565; AbF1AbFD; AbFE; AbFJ; AbFK; AbG1D4; AbGC1E8; AbH1C12; AbIA1; AbIF; AbIK, AbIP; and AbIP, in their various permutations as described therein, each of which is individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety fully as disclosed in the foregoing publication; 
     NGF specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like including, in particular, but not limited to those described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0074821 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,919,426, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety particularly as to NGF-specific antibodies and related proteins in this regard, including in particular, but not limited to, the NGF-specific antibodies therein designated 4D4, 4G6, 6H9, 7H2, 14D10 and 14D11, each of which is individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety fully as disclosed in the foregoing publication; 
     CD22 specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,554, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as to CD22 specific antibodies and related proteins, particularly human CD22 specific antibodies, such as but not limited to humanized and fully human antibodies, including but not limited to humanized and fully human monoclonal antibodies, particularly including but not limited to human CD22 specific IgG antibodies, such as, for instance, a dimer of a human-mouse monoclonal hLL2 gamma-chain disulfide linked to a human-mouse monoclonal hLL2 kappa-chain, including, but limited to, for example, the human CD22 specific fully humanized antibody in Epratuzumab, CAS registry number 501423-23-0; 
     IGF-1 receptor specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, such as those described in PCT Publication No. WO 06/069202, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as to IGF-1 receptor specific antibodies and related proteins, including but not limited to the IGF-1 specific antibodies therein designated L1H1, L2H2, L3H3, L4H4, L5H5, L6H6, L7H7, L8H8, L9H9, L10H10, L11H11, L12H12, L13H13, L14H14, L15H15, L16H16, L17H17, L18H18, L19H19, L20H20, L21H21, L22H22, L23H23, L24H24, L25H25, L26H26, L27H27, L28H28, L29H29, L30H30, L31H31, L32H32, L33H33, L34H34, L35H35, L36H36, L37H37, L38H38, L39H39, L40H40, L41H41, L42H42, L43H43, L44H44, L45H45, L46H46, L47H47, L48H48, L49H49, L50H50, L51H51, L52H52, and IGF-1 R-binding fragments and derivatives thereof, each of which is individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety fully as disclosed in the foregoing publication; 
     Also among non-limiting examples of anti-IGF-1R antibodies for use in the methods and compositions of the present disclosure are each and all of those described in: 
     (i) U.S. Publication No. 2006/0040358 (published Feb. 23, 2006), 2005/0008642 (published Jan. 13, 2005), 2004/0228859 (published Nov. 18, 2004), including but not limited to, for instance, antibody 1A (DSMZ Deposit No. DSM ACC 2586), antibody 8 (DSMZ Deposit No. DSM ACC 2589), antibody 23 (DSMZ Deposit No. DSM ACC 2588) and antibody 18 as described therein; 
     (ii) PCT Publication No. WO 06/138729 (published Dec. 28, 2006) and WO 05/016970 (published Feb. 24, 2005), and Lu et al. (2004), J. Biol. Chem. 279:2856-2865, including but not limited to antibodies 2F8, A12, and IMC-A12 as described therein; 
     (iii) PCT Publication No. WO 07/012614 (published Feb. 1, 2007), WO 07/000328 (published Jan. 4, 2007), WO 06/013472 (published Feb. 9, 2006), WO 05/058967 (published Jun. 30, 2005), and WO 03/059951 (published Jul. 24, 2003); 
     (iv) U.S. Publication No. 2005/0084906 (published Apr. 21, 2005), including but not limited to antibody 7C10, chimaeric antibody C7C10, antibody h7C10, antibody 7H2M, chimaeric antibody *7C10, antibody GM 607, humanized antibody 7C10 version 1, humanized antibody 7C10 version 2, humanized antibody 7C10 version 3, and antibody 7H2HM, as described therein; 
     (v) U.S. Publication Nos. 2005/0249728 (published Nov. 10, 2005), 2005/0186203 (published Aug. 25, 2005), 2004/0265307 (published Dec. 30, 2004), and 2003/0235582 (published Dec. 25, 2003) and Maloney et al. (2003), Cancer Res. 63:5073-5083, including but not limited to antibody EM164, resurfaced EM164, humanized EM164, huEM164 v1.0, huEM164 v1.1, huEM164 v1.2, and huEM164 v1.3 as described therein; 
     (vi) U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,498 (issued May 2, 2006), U.S. Publication Nos. 2005/0244408 (published Nov. 30, 2005) and 2004/0086503 (published May 6, 2004), and Cohen, et al. (2005), Clinical Cancer Res. 11:2063-2073, e.g., antibody CP-751,871, including but not limited to each of the antibodies produced by the hybridomas having the ATCC accession numbers PTA-2792, PTA-2788, PTA-2790, PTA-2791, PTA-2789, PTA-2793, and antibodies 2.12.1, 2.13.2, 2.14.3, 3.1.1, 4.9.2, and 4.17.3, as described therein; 
     (vii) U.S. Publication Nos. 2005/0136063 (published Jun. 23, 2005) and 2004/0018191 (published Jan. 29, 2004), including but not limited to antibody 19D12 and an antibody comprising a heavy chain encoded by a polynucleotide in plasmid 15H12/19D12 HCA (γ4), deposited at the ATCC under number PTA-5214, and a light chain encoded by a polynucleotide in plasmid 15H12/19D12 LCF (κ), deposited at the ATCC under number PTA-5220, as described therein; and 
     (viii) U.S. Publication No. 2004/0202655 (published Oct. 14, 2004), including but not limited to antibodies PINT-6A1, PINT-7A2, PINT-7A4, PINT-7A5, PINT-7A6, PINT-8A1, PINT-9A2, PINT-11A1, PINT-11A2, PINT-11A3, PINT-11A4, PINT-11A5, PINT-11A7, PINT-11A12, PINT-12A1, PINT-12A2, PINT-12A3, PINT-12A4, and PINT-12A5, as described therein; each and all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties, particularly as to the aforementioned antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins and the like that target IGF-1 receptors; 
     B-7 related protein 1 specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins and the like (“B7RP-1,” also is referred to in the literature as B7H2, ICOSL, B7h, and CD275), particularly B7RP-specific fully human monoclonal IgG2 antibodies, particularly fully human IgG2 monoclonal antibody that binds an epitope in the first immunoglobulin-like domain of B7RP-1, especially those that inhibit the interaction of B7RP-1 with its natural receptor, ICOS, on activated T cells in particular, especially, in all of the foregoing regards, those disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2008/0166352 and PCT Publication No. WO 07/011941, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties as to such antibodies and related proteins, including but not limited to antibodies designated therein as follow: 16H (having light chain variable and heavy chain variable sequences SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:7 respectively therein); 5D (having light chain variable and heavy chain variable sequences SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:9 respectively therein); 2H (having light chain variable and heavy chain variable sequences SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:10 respectively therein); 43H (having light chain variable and heavy chain variable sequences SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:14 respectively therein); 41H (having light chain variable and heavy chain variable sequences SEQ ID NO:5 and SEQ ID NO:13 respectively therein); and 15H (having light chain variable and heavy chain variable sequences SEQ ID NO:4 and SEQ ID NO:12 respectively therein), each of which is individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety fully as disclosed in the foregoing publication; 
     IL-15 specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, such as, in particular, humanized monoclonal antibodies, particularly antibodies such as those disclosed in U.S. Publication Nos. 2003/0138421; 2003/023586; and 2004/0071702; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,507, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as to IL-15 specific antibodies and related proteins, including peptibodies, including particularly, for instance, but not limited to, HuMax IL-15 antibodies and related proteins, such as, for instance, 146B7; 
     IFN gamma specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins and the like, especially human IFN gamma specific antibodies, particularly fully human anti-IFN gamma antibodies, such as, for instance, those described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0004353, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as to IFN gamma specific antibodies, particularly, for example, the antibodies therein designated 1118; 1118*; 1119; 1121; and 1121*. The entire sequences of the heavy and light chains of each of these antibodies, as well as the sequences of their heavy and light chain variable regions and complementarity determining regions, are each individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety fully as disclosed in the foregoing publication and in Thakur et al. (1999), Mol. Immunol. 36:1107-1115. In addition, description of the properties of these antibodies provided in the foregoing publication is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Specific antibodies include those having the heavy chain of SEQ ID NO:17 and the light chain of SEQ ID NO:18; those having the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:6 and the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:8; those having the heavy chain of SEQ ID NO:19 and the light chain of SEQ ID NO:20; those having the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:10 and the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:12; those having the heavy chain of SEQ ID NO:32 and the light chain of SEQ ID NO:20; those having the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:30 and the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:12; those having the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 and the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO:22; those having the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:14 and the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:16; those having the heavy chain of SEQ ID NO:21 and the light chain of SEQ ID NO:33; and those having the heavy chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:14 and the light chain variable region of SEQ ID NO:31, as disclosed in the foregoing publication. A specific antibody contemplated is antibody 1119 as disclosed in the foregoing U.S. publication and having a complete heavy chain of SEQ ID NO:17 as disclosed therein and having a complete light chain of SEQ ID NO:18 as disclosed therein; 
     TALL-1 specific antibodies, peptibodies, and the related proteins, and the like, and other TALL specific binding proteins, such as those described in U.S. Publication Nos. 2003/0195156 and 2006/0135431, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as to TALL-1 binding proteins, particularly the molecules of Tables 4 and 5B, each of which is individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety fully as disclosed in the foregoing publications; 
     Parathyroid hormone (“PTH”) specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,480, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, particularly in parts pertinent to proteins that bind PTH; 
     Thrombopoietin receptor (“TPO-R”) specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,835,809, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, particularly in parts pertinent to proteins that bind TPO-R; 
     Hepatocyte growth factor (“HGF”) specific antibodies, peptibodies, and related proteins, and the like, including those that target the HGF/SF:cMet axis (HGF/SF:c-Met), such as the fully human monoclonal antibodies that neutralize hepatocyte growth factor/scatter (HGF/SF) described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0118643 and PCT Publication No. WO 2005/017107, huL2G7 described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,410 and OA-5d5 described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,686,292 and 6,468,529 and in PCT Publication No. WO 96/38557, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, particularly in parts pertinent to proteins that bind HGF; 
     TRAIL-R2 specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins and the like, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,521,048, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, particularly in parts pertinent to proteins that bind TRAIL-R2; 
     Activin A specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like, including but not limited to those described in U.S. Publication No. 2009/0234106, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, particularly in parts pertinent to proteins that bind Activin A; 
     TGF-beta specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like, including but not limited to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,453 and U.S. Publication No. 2007/0110747, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, particularly in parts pertinent to proteins that bind TGF-beta; 
     Amyloid-beta protein specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like, including but not limited to those described in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/081171, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, particularly in parts pertinent to proteins that bind amyloid-beta proteins. One antibody contemplated is an antibody having a heavy chain variable region comprising SEQ ID NO:8 and a light chain variable region having SEQ ID NO:6 as disclosed in the foregoing publication; 
     c-Kit specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like, including but not limited to those described in U.S. Publication No. 2007/0253951, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, particularly in parts pertinent to proteins that bind c-Kit and/or other stem cell factor receptors; 
     OX40L specific antibodies, peptibodies, related proteins, and the like, including but not limited to those described in U.S. Publication No. 2006/0002929, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, particularly in parts pertinent to proteins that bind OX40L and/or other ligands of the OX40 receptor; and 
     Other exemplary proteins, including Activase® (alteplase, tPA); Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa); Epogen® (epoetin alfa, or erythropoietin); GLP-1, Avonex® (interferon beta-1a); Bexxar® (tositumomab, anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody); Betaseron® (interferon-beta); Campath® (alemtuzumab, anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody); Dynepo® (epoetin delta); Velcade® (bortezomib); MLN0002 (anti-αβ7 mAb); MLN1202 (anti-CCR2 chemokine receptor mAb); Enbrel® (etanercept, TNF-receptor/Fc fusion protein, TNF blocker); Eprex® (epoetin alfa); Erbitux® (cetuximab, anti-EGFR/HER1/c-ErbB-1); Genotropin® (somatropin, Human Growth Hormone); Herceptin® (trastuzumab, anti-HER2/neu (erbB2) receptor mAb); Humatrope® (somatropin, Human Growth Hormone); Humira® (adalimumab); insulin in solution; Infergen® (interferon alfacon-1); Natrecor® (nesiritide; recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (hBNP); Kineret® (anakinra); Leukine® (sargamostim, rhuGM-CSF); LymphoCide® (epratuzumab, anti-CD22 mAb); Benlysta™ (lymphostat B, belimumab, anti-BlyS mAb); Metalyse® (tenecteplase, t-PA analog); Mircera® (methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta); Mylotarg® (gemtuzumab ozogamicin); Raptiva® (efalizumab); Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol, CDP 870); Soliris™ (eculizumab); pexelizumab (anti-C5 complement); Numax® (MEDI-524); Lucentis® (ranibizumab); Panorex® (17-1A, edrecolomab); Trabio® (lerdelimumab); TheraCim hR3 (nimotuzumab); Omnitarg (pertuzumab, 2C4); Osidem® (IDM-1); OvaRex® (B43.13); Nuvion® (visilizumab); cantuzumab mertansine (huC242-DM1); NeoRecormon® (epoetin beta); Neumega® (oprelvekin, human interleukin-11); Neulasta® (pegylated filgastrim, pegylated G-CSF, pegylated hu-Met-G-CSF); Neupogen® (filgrastim, G-CSF, hu-MetG-CSF); Orthoclone OKT3® (muromonab-CD3, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody); Procrit® (epoetin alfa); Remicade® (infliximab, anti-TNFα monoclonal antibody); Reopro® (abciximab, anti-GP IIb/IIIa receptor monoclonal antibody); Actemra® (anti-IL6 Receptor mAb); Avastin® (bevacizumab), HuMax-CD4 (zanolimumab); Rituxan® (rituximab, anti-CD20 mAb); Tarceva® (erlotinib); Roferon-A®-(interferon alfa-2a); Simulect® (basiliximab); Prexige® (lumiracoxib); Synagis® (palivizumab); 146B7-CHO (anti-IL15 antibody, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,507); Tysabri® (natalizumab, anti-α4integrin mAb); Valortim® (MDX-1303, anti- B. anthracis  protective antigen mAb); ABthrax™; Vectibix® (panitumumab); Xolair® (omalizumab); ETI211 (anti-MRSA mAb); IL-1 trap (the Fc portion of human IgG1 and the extracellular domains of both IL-1 receptor components (the Type I receptor and receptor accessory protein)); VEGF trap (Ig domains of VEGFR1 fused to IgG1 Fc); Zenapax® (daclizumab); Zenapax® (daclizumab, anti-IL-2Rα mAb); Zevalin® (ibritumomab tiuxetan); Zetia® (ezetimibe); Orencia® (atacicept, TACI-Ig); anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody (galiximab); anti-CD23 mAb (lumiliximab); BR2-Fc (huBR3/huFc fusion protein, soluble BAFF antagonist); CNTO 148 (golimumab, anti-TNFα mAb); HGS-ETR1 (mapatumumab; human anti-TRAIL Receptor-1 mAb); HuMax-CD20 (ocrelizumab, anti-CD20 human mAb); HuMax-EGFR (zalutumumab); M200 (volociximab, anti-α5β1 integrin mAb); MDX-010 (ipilimumab, anti-CTLA-4 mAb and VEGFR-1 (IMC-18F1); anti-BR3 mAb; anti- C. difficile  Toxin A and Toxin B C mAbs MDX-066 (CDA-1) and MDX-1388); anti-CD22 dsFv-PE38 conjugates (CAT-3888 and CAT-8015); anti-CD25 mAb (HuMax-TAC); anti-CD3 mAb (NI-0401); adecatumumab; anti-CD30 mAb (MDX-060); MDX-1333 (anti-IFNAR); anti-CD38 mAb (HuMax CD38); anti-CD40L mAb; anti-Cripto mAb; anti-CTGF Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Phase I Fibrogen (FG-3019); anti-CTLA4 mAb; anti-eotaxin1 mAb (CAT-213); anti-FGF8 mAb; anti-ganglioside GD2 mAb; anti-ganglioside GM2 mAb; anti-GDF-8 human mAb (MYO-029); anti-GM-CSF Receptor mAb (CAM-3001); anti-HepC mAb (HuMax HepC); anti-IFNα mAb (MEDI-545, MDX-1103); anti-IGF1R mAb; anti-IGF-1R mAb (HuMax-Inflam); anti-IL12 mAb (ABT-874); anti-IL12/IL23 mAb (CNTO 1275); anti-IL13 mAb (CAT-354); anti-IL2Ra mAb (HuMax-TAC); anti-IL5 Receptor mAb; anti-integrin receptors mAb (MDX-018, CNTO 95); anti-IP10 Ulcerative Colitis mAb (MDX-1100); anti-LLY antibody; BMS-66513; anti-Mannose Receptor/hCGβ mAb (MDX-1307); anti-mesothelin dsFv-PE38 conjugate (CAT-5001); anti-PD1mAb (MDX-1106 (ONO-4538)); anti-PDGFRα antibody (IMC-3G3); anti-TGFβ mAb (GC-1008); anti-TRAIL Receptor-2 human mAb (HGS-ETR2); anti-TWEAK mAb; anti-VEGFR/Flt-1 mAb; anti-ZP3 mAb (HuMax-ZP3); NVS Antibody #1; and NVS Antibody #2. 
     Also included can be a sclerostin antibody, such as but not limited to romosozumab, blosozumab, or BPS 804 (Novartis). Further included can be therapeutics such as rilotumumab, bixalomer, trebananib, ganitumab, conatumumab, motesanib diphosphate, brodalumab, vidupiprant, panitumumab, denosumab, NPLATE, PROLIA, VECTIBIX or XGEVA. Additionally, included in the device can be a monoclonal antibody (IgG) that binds human Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9). Such PCSK9 specific antibodies include, but are not limited to, Repatha® (evolocumab) and Praluent® (alirocumab), as well as molecules, variants, analogs or derivatives thereof as disclosed in the following patents or patent applications, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes: U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,030,547, 8,563,698, 8,829,165, 8,859,741, 8,871,913, 8,871,914, 8,883,983, 8,889,834, 8,981,064, 9,056,915, 8,168,762, 9,045,547, 8,030,457, 8,030,457, 8,829,165, 8,981,064, 8,030,457, U.S. Publication No. 2013/0064825, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0093818, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0079502, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0357850, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0027287, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0357851, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0357854, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0031870, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0085265, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0079501, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0213797, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0251544, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0072665, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0058944, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0052201, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0027765, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0087819, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0117011, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0004174, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/957,668, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/008,965, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/010,630, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/086,133, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/125,304, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/798,970, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/841,039, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/002,623, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/024,399, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/019,729, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/067,637, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/777,371, International Patent Application No. PCT/US2013/048714, International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/040211, International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/056972, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2008/057457, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2008/057458, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2008/057459, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2008/063382, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2008/133647, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2009/100297, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2009/100318, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2011/037791, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2011/053759, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2011/053783, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2008/125623, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2011/072263, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2009/055783, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2012/0544438, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2010/029513, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2011/111007, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2010/077854, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2012/088313, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2012/101251, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2012/101252, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2012/101253, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2012/109530, and International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2001/031007, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2009/026558, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2009/131740, International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2013/166448, and International Patent Application Publication No. WO/2014/150983. 
     Also included can be talimogene laherparepvec or another oncolytic HSV for the treatment of melanoma or other cancers. Examples of oncolytic HSV include, but are not limited to talimogene laherparepvec (U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,223,593 and 7,537,924); OncoVEXGALV/CD (U.S. Pat. No. 7,981,669); OrienX010 (Lei et al. (2013), World J. Gastroenterol., 19:5138-5143); G207, 1716; NV1020; NV12023; NV1034 and NV1042 (Vargehes et al. (2002), Cancer Gene Ther., 9(12):967-978). 
     Also included are TIMPs. TIMPs are endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and are important in many natural processes. TIMP-3 is expressed by various cells or and is present in the extracellular matrix; it inhibits all the major cartilage-degrading metalloproteases, and may play a role in role in many degradative diseases of connective tissue, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as in cancer and cardiovascular conditions. The amino acid sequence of TIMP-3, and the nucleic acid sequence of a DNA that encodes TIMP-3, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,596, issued May 13, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Description of TIMP mutations can be found in U.S. Publication No. 2014/0274874 and PCT Publication No. WO 2014/152012. 
     Also included are antagonistic antibodies for human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor and bispecific antibody molecule that target the CGRP receptor and other headache targets. Further information concerning these molecules can be found in PCT Application No. WO 2010/075238. 
     Additionally, a bispecific T cell engager antibody (BiTe), e.g. Blinotumomab can be used in the device. Alternatively, included can be an APJ large molecule agonist e.g., apelin or analogues thereof in the device. Information relating to such molecules can be found in PCT Publication No. WO 2014/099984. 
     In certain embodiments, the drug comprises a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) or TSLP receptor antibody. Examples of anti-TSLP antibodies that may be used in such embodiments include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,982,016, and 8,232,372, and U.S. Publication No. 2009/0186022. Examples of anti-TSLP receptor antibodies include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,101,182. In particularly preferred embodiments, the drug comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the anti-TSLP antibody designated as A5 within U.S. Pat. No. 7,982,016. 
     While the present disclosure has been described in connection with various embodiments, it will be understood that the present disclosure is capable of further modifications. The present disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosed subject matter following, in general, the principles of the present disclosure, and including such departures from the present disclosure as, within the known and customary practice within the art to which the present disclosure pertains. 
     It is noted that the construction and arrangement of the drug delivery device and its various components and assemblies as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the subject matter at issue have been described in detail in the present disclosure, those skilled in the art who review the present disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, and vice versa. Also, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.