Patent Abstract:
An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container, an actuator, and a biasing member. The actuator is configured to move the medicament container within the housing when the actuator is moved from a first configuration to a second configuration. The actuator includes a gas container and a puncturer. When the actuator is in the first configuration, a portion of the puncturer is disposed apart from the gas container. When the actuator is in the second configuration, the portion of the puncturer is disposed within the gas container. The gas container has a longitudinal axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container. The biasing member is configured to bias the actuator toward the second configuration.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/149,425, entitled, “Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery,” filed May 9, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/581,693, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,352,091, entitled “Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery,” filed Dec. 23, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/866,296, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,377, entitled “Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery,” filed Apr. 19, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/353,769, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,425,462, entitled “Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery,” filed Jan. 19, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/794,014, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,105,281, entitled “Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery,” filed Jun. 4, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/138,987, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,690, entitled “Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery,” filed Jun. 13, 2008, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/515,571, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,540, entitled “Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery,” filed Nov. 23, 2004, which is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2004/039386, entitled “Devices, Systems and Methods for Medicament Delivery,” filed Nov. 23, 2004, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Exposure, such as via ingestion, inhalation, and/or injection, to certain allergens, toxins, and/or other substances can cause profound reactions for some and/or all people and/or animals. For example, certain people are highly allergic to certain substances, such as peanuts, shellfish, particular drugs, certain proteins, bee venom, insect bites, etc. The allergic response to the exposure can lead to anaphylactic shock, which can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure, hives, and/or substantial breathing difficulties caused by severe airway constriction. As another example, inhalation of certain nerve agents can cause severe physiological trauma. Responding rapidly to such exposures can prevent injury and/or death. For example, in response to an exposure leading to anaphylactic shock, an injection of epinephrine (i.e., adrenaline) can provide substantial and/or complete relief from the reaction. As another example, injection of an antidote to a nerve agent can greatly reduce and/or eliminate the potential harm of the exposure. As yet another example, rapid injection of certain drugs, such as a beta blocker, blood thinner, nitroglycerine, antihistamines, insulin, and opioids, etc., can provide substantial relief from various dangerous medical conditions. 
         [0003]    Thus, certain exemplary embodiments provide systems, devices, and/or methods for rapidly injecting a medicament. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Certain exemplary embodiments comprise an apparatus, comprising: a compressed gas container; a plurality of vials adapted to store a liquid medicament, each vial defining a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the plurality of vials parallel and non-co-axial, the plurality of vials fluidly coupleable to an actuating portion of a contents of the gas container; and a plurality of pistons, each piston adapted to move within a corresponding vial from the plurality of vials, the plurality of pistons adapted to, in response to discharge of the actuating portion of the contents of the compressed gas container, transfer at least a portion of the liquid medicament from the plurality of vials and through a needle that is extendable into a patient. Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising a plurality of activities, comprising: discharging an actuating portion of a contents of a compressed gas container, the compressed gas container contained within an apparatus; in reaction to said discharging activity, moving a piston within a vial, the vial one of a plurality of vials contained within the apparatus, each vial adapted to store a liquid medicament, each vial defining a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the plurality of vials parallel and non-co-axial, the plurality of vials fluidly coupleable to a contents of the gas container; and transferring a liquid medicament from the vial and through a needle that is extendable into a patient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    A wide variety of potential embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3  of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000  in a first operative position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3  of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000  in a second operative position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3  of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000  in a third operative position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3  of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000  in a fourth operative position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3  of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000  in a fifth operative position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3  of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000  in a sixth operative position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method  10000 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of system  1000 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along lines B-B of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of actuation stick  2200 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of gas venting mechanism  8000  taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    When the following terms are used herein, the accompanying definitions apply:
       actuating portion—that part that puts something into action.   actuation lock—a device adapted to prevent actuation, such as, for example a pivotable, translatable, keyed, squeezable, and/or removable lock.   actuator—a mechanism that puts something into action.   adapted to—suitable or fit for a particular purpose.   apparatus—a mechanism and/or device.   arm—an elongated structural member, which need not be solely linear.   can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments.   channel—a conduit for one or more fluids.   compressed gas—a substantially pressurized substance, such as helium, nitrogen, and/or carbon dioxide, etc., in a gaseous form.   comprising—including but not limited to.   contain—to hold within.   contents—a contained compressed gas.   credit card—a card (usually plastic) that assures a seller that the person using it has a satisfactory credit rating and that the issuer will see to it that the seller receives payment for the merchandise and/or services delivered. Typically measuring in size from approximately 3 to approximately 4 inches in length, such as approximately 3.40 inches, 3.375 inches, 85 millimeters, etc., and from approximately 1.75 to approximately 2.75 inches in width, such as approximately 2.10 inches, 2.2125 inches, 2.5 inches, 55 millimeters, etc.   discharge—to release from confinement; to emit.   eject—to expel.   escape port—an opening for the exit of a gas.   expulsion pressure—a force applied over an area of a liquid, the force sufficient to expel the liquid in a predetermined manner.   extend—to move out and/or away from.   extendable—able to move out and/or away from.   fluid—a gas and/or liquid.   fluidly coupleable—able to be related via a fluid.   frangible—a device that is capable of being broken and/or penetrated to allow fluid to flow therethrough.   housing—something that covers, protects, holds, and/or supports.   in reaction to—responding indirectly and/or directly to.   indicate—to show, mark, signify, denote, evidence, evince, manifest, declare, enunciate, specify, explain, exhibit, present, reveal, disclose, and/or display.   indicator—a device and/or substance that indicates.   liquid medicament—a medicine, medication, drug, pharmaceutical, prescriptive, antidote, anti-venom, hormone, stimulant, vasodilator, anesthetic, and/or nutritional supplement in a substantially liquid form.   may—is allowed to, in at least some embodiments.   needle—a hollow, slender, sharp-pointed instrument used for injection. Includes cannulas.   non-co-axial—not having co-linear axes.   patient—a receiver of a liquid medicament, such as a human, mammal, animal, etc.   piston—a sliding piece which either is moved by, or moves against, fluid pressure.   pivotable—capable of pivoting.   plurality—the state of being plural and/or more than one.   predetermined—established in advance.   puncturer—a device adapted to penetrate using a substantially sharp and/or tapered point, tip, edge, or the like.   pusher—a device adapted to convert fluid pressure to mechanical movement.   retract—to pull inward.   reservoir—a receptacle or chamber for storing and/or directing movement of a fluid.   spring—an elastic device, such as a coil of wire, that regains its original shape after being compressed or extended.   status—a state or condition.   substantially—to a great extent or degree.   system—a collection of mechanisms, devices, data, and/or instructions, the collection designed to perform one or more specific functions.   tip—a terminal end.   transfer—to convey from one place to another.   translatable—capable of being transferred from one place to another and/or of being moved with respect to something else.   valve—a device that regulates flow through a pipe and/or through an aperture by opening, closing, and/or obstructing a port and/or passageway.   vent—to release from confinement.   vial—a closable vessel.       
 
         [0070]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view,  FIG. 2  is a front view, and  FIG. 3  is a side view, of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000 , which can comprise a housing  1100 , which, in certain operative embodiments, can comprise a handheld portion  1800  separated via an actuation guard  1200  from an actuation bar  1300 . Actuation guard  1200  can prevent accident activation of system  1000 . Housing  1100  can be constructed of a durable material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, polycarbonate, etc., to protect a compressed gas container, medicament, injection apparatus and/or user of system  1000 . The injection apparatus can be actuated by a fluid pressure, such as pressure provided by the compressed gas, which upon completion of its actuation duties can escape housing  1100  via gas escape opening, such as via status indicator  1400 . 
         [0071]    A status of a system  1000  can be determined via status indicator  1400 , which can provide a view, such as via a UV blocking, photo-sensitive, and/or translucent window, into an interior of housing  1100 . Viewable through the window can be a status of medicament carried by housing  1100 , a location of a needle and/or injection apparatus for the medicament, and/or an activation status of system  1000 . For example, if the medicament has aged to the point of discoloration, which aging might or might not render the medication useless, harmful, etc., status indicator  1400  can allow that situation to be determined. In certain exemplary embodiments, gas can escape housing  1100  via status indicator  1400  and/or another opening in housing  1100 . 
         [0072]    Certain exemplary embodiments of system  1000  can provide a compact medicament delivery mechanism that can efficiently and/or rapidly deliver a prescribed dose. The length (L) and width (W) of system  1000  can be similar to that of a credit card, and the thickness (T) can be less than one inch. Thus, certain exemplary embodiments of system  1000  can provide a conveniently carried, easy-to-use, easy to activate drug delivery apparatus that can require little to no training to safely carry, use, and/or dispose of. 
         [0073]    To assist a user in positioning system  1000  in a correct orientation for injection, system  1000  and/or housing  1100  can provide various tactile clues. For example, a top  1110  of housing  1100  can be rounded, and a bottom  1120  of actuation bar  1300  of housing  1100  can be flat. Other tactile clues are also possible, such as bulges, ribs, grooves, gaps, roughened surfaces, indentations, etc. 
         [0074]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3  of an exemplary embodiment of a system  1000  in a first operative position.  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9  show system  1000  of  FIG. 4  in second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth operative positions, respectively. 
         [0075]    System  1000  can comprise a housing  1100 , handheld portion  1800 , actuation guard  1200 , and/or actuation bar  1300 . System  1000  can comprise system actuator  2000 , gas reservoirs  3000 , medicament actuator  4000 , medicament storage assembly  5000 , medicament carrier  9000 , needle assembly  6000 , use indicator  7000 , and/or gas vent mechanism  8000 , etc. 
         [0076]    Upon removal, release, rotation, and/or relocation of actuation guard  1200 , system actuator  2000  can be adapted to rapidly discharge an actuating portion of a contents of a compress gas container. For example, system actuator  2000  can comprise a compressed gas container  2400 , which initially can contain a compressed gas  2500 , an actuating portion of which can be released from container  2400  by penetration of a gas port  2600  via a point of a puncturer  2700 . Upon removal and/or relocation of actuation guard  1200 , actuation bar  1300  can be moved closer to and/or in contact with handheld portion  1800 . Upon removal and/or relocation of actuation guard  1200 , gas container  2400  can be brought into contact with puncturer  2700  via extension of a pre-compressed spring  2300  and/or movement of an actuation stick  2200 . Thus, actuation guard  1200  can prevent accident activation of system  1000  and/or unintended discharge of an actuating portion of the contents  2500  of gas container  2400 . 
         [0077]    Once gas port  2600  has been punctured, an actuating portion of compressed gas  2500  can escape from container  2400  and flow via gas reservoirs  3000 , such as gas channel  3100 . The flowing gas can meet and/or apply gas pressure to medicament actuator  4000 , which can comprise a pusher  4100 , which can travel within a sleeve  1500  defined by walls  1520 . Sleeve  1500  can be constructed of metal, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, polycarbonate, etc. Seals  4200 , such as o-rings, can resist gas leakage, such as past pusher  4100  and/or out of housing  1100 . Thus, pusher  4100  can function as a piston traveling within a cylinder, although it is not necessarily required that the cross-sectional shape of sleeve  1500  be round. 
         [0078]    Medicament actuator  4000  can interface with medicament storage assembly  5000 . For example, medicament actuator  4000  can comprise a plurality of plungers  4300 , each of which can be capped with a piston  4400  which can sealingly slide and/or move within a corresponding vial  5100  containing a liquid medicament  5200 . For example, in response to pressure applied by an actuating portion of the contents  2500  of compressed gas container  2400 , pusher  4100  can cause plungers  4300  and/or pistons  4400  to simultaneously move. The number of corresponding sets of plungers  4300 , pistons  4400 , and/or vials  5100  can be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more. Pistons  4400  can be constructed of a resilient, durable, and/or sealing material, such as a rubber. Each plunger  4300  from the plurality of plungers can define a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes (e.g., axes  4310 ,  4320 ,  4330 ,  4340 ) of the plurality of plungers parallel, non-coaxial, and/or co-planar. 
         [0079]    Each vial  5100  from the plurality of vials can be substantially cylindrical with a substantially round and/or substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape. Thus, each vial  5100  can define a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the plurality of vials parallel, non-coaxial, and/or co-planar. The longitudinal axis of each vial can be co-axial with the longitudinal axis of its corresponding plunger. 
         [0080]    Each vial can be capped at one end with a frangible  5300 , which can be burst when piston  4400  generates sufficient pressure upon medicament  5200 , thereby allowing at least a portion of medicament  5200  to flow out of vial  5100  and into medicament carrier  9000 . Thus, the plurality of vials can be fluidly coupleable to the actuating portion of the contents  2500  of gas container  2400 . 
         [0081]    Medicament carrier  9000  can hold each of vials  5100  and can travel within sleeve  1500 . Medicament carrier  9000  can comprise a plurality of channels  9200  adapted to receive medicament  5200  as it exits its respective vial  5100 , and direct medicament  5200  to a common conduit  9300 . Medicament carrier  9000  can interface with needle assembly  6000  and/or use indicator  7000 . 
         [0082]    From common conduit  9300 , medicament  5200  can enter needle assembly  6000 , such as into a single needle  6100  via which medicament can approach needle tip  6200 . As medicament actuator  4000  and/or medicament carrier  9000  are driven toward actuator bar  1300 , needle tip  6200  can penetrate an end  6400  of needle sheath  6300  and exit actuator bar  1300  at needle port  1340 . 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , upon movement of actuation bar  1300  closer to handheld portion  1800 , sheath seat  1330  can come in contact with sheath tip  6400 , thereby causing sheath  6300  to buckle and/or crumble. As actuator bar  1300  comes in contact with handheld portion  1800 , bar stop  1320  can approach medicament carrier stop  9400 , while carrier spring  1600  is compressed. 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , as at least a portion of contents  2500  of gas container  2400  escapes, it can flow through channel  3100 . The gas, which can still be relatively pressurized, can begin to accumulate behind pusher  4100  to form an expanding gas chamber  3200  and to cause medicament actuator  4000 , medicament storage assembly  5000 , and medicament carrier  9000  to slide together within sleeve  1500 . As medicament actuator  4000 , medicament storage assembly  5000 , and medicament carrier  9000  slide closer to actuator bar  1300 , spring  1600  becomes increasingly compressed between bar stop  1320  and medicament carrier stop  9400 . As medicament actuator  4000 , medicament storage assembly  5000 , and medicament carrier  9000  slide closer to actuator bar  1300 , needle tip  6200  can extend further from actuator bar  1300  and sheath  6300  can become further compressed and/or deformed. At its ultimate extension point, needle tip  6200  can extend from housing  1100  from approximately 0.25 millimeters to approximately 20 millimeters, including all values and subranges therebetween, such as up to approximately 2 millimeters, greater than approximately 5 millimeters, from approximately 5.13 millimeters to approximately 9.98 millimeters, etc. 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , as gas chamber  3200  continues to expand, medicament carrier  9000  can be driven until medicament carrier stop  9400  contacts actuator bar stop  1300  thereby resisting further travel of medicament carrier  9000 . At that point, additional expansion of gas chamber  3200  can cause medicament actuator  4000 , pusher bar  4100 , plungers  4300 , and/or pistons  4400  to initiate travel with respect to medicament storage assembly  5000 , thereby generating an expulsion pressure in vials  5100 , and/or thereby rupturing frangibles  5300  and allowing medicament  5200  to enter medicament carrier  9000 , and begin flowing through medicament channels  9200 , medicament conduit  9300 , needle  6100 , and/or out needle tip  6200  and into a patient. Alternatively, frangibles  5300  can be replaced and/or augmented by a frangible located at or near where medicament conduit  9300  couples to needle  6100 . Frangibles  5300  can be constructed of a thin, taught, resilient, durable, and/or sealing material potentially having a predetermined yield strength, such as a rubber, such as chromo butyl rubber, and/or of a relatively brittle material potentially having a predetermined yield strength, such as ceramic, certain plastics, such as polystyrene, etc. 
         [0086]    As medicament carrier stop  9400  contacts actuator bar stop  1300 , medicament carrier hooks  9600  can engage with engagement receivers  7100  in use indicator  7000 . 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , as gas chamber  3200  continues to expand, medicament actuator  4000 , pusher bar  4100 , plungers  4300 , and/or pistons  4400  can continue moving until they complete their travel within medicament storage assembly  5000 , thereby expelling a predetermined dose of medicament  5200  from vials  5100 , out of needle assembly  6000 , external to housing  1100 , and/or into the patient. As gas chamber  3200  reaches its maximum size, medicament actuator  4000 , pusher bar  4100 , plungers  4300 , and/or pistons  4400  can continue moving until they complete their travel with respect to medicament carrier  9000 , thereby causing gas release actuator  9700  to engage with gas release valve  8200 . Engagement of gas release actuator  9700  with gas release valve  8200  can cause within gas chamber  3200  to exit gas chamber  3200 , discharge away from pistons  4400 , and/or exhaust from system  1000  and/or housing  1100 , such as via status indicator  1400  and/or a gas escape port located on housing  1100 ). 
         [0088]    Referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , as sufficient gas is vented from gas chamber  3200 , the pressure applied by the gas in gas chamber  3200  can decrease until the force applied by the gas on medicament actuator  4000  is less than the force of compressed spring  1600 . Thus, spring(s)  1600  can begin to expand, thereby moving medicament carrier  9000 , vial assembly  5000 , and medicament actuator  4000  away from actuator bar  1300  and helping to exhaust gas from gas chamber  3200 . As medicament carrier  9000  moves, use indicator  7000  can travel with it, due to the engaged relationship of medicament carrier hooks  9600  and engagement receivers  7100  and/or engagement catches  7200  in use indicator  7000 . As use indicator  7000  moves away from actuation bar  1300 , sheath  6300  can travel with it, thereby creating a gap between sheath tip  6400  and needle port  1340 , and thereby exposing a previously non-visible colored portion  1350  of actuation bar  1300  and/or providing an indication that system  1000  has been used (and likely substantially exhausted of its medicament), thereby discouraging any further attempts to use system  1000 . 
         [0089]    As medicament carrier  9000  moves away from actuator bar  1300 , needle  6100  can retract into sheath  6300  which un-buckles and/or un-deforms towards its original shape. Eventually, needle  6100  can retract completely within the boundaries of housing  1100 , thereby tending to prevent accidental needle sticks after the initial injection and/or potentially reducing and/or eliminating a sharps hazard. 
         [0090]    In certain exemplary embodiments, system actuator  2000  can comprise a finger triggered, twistable, pivotable, and/or lever-operated mechanism. For example, system actuator  2000  can comprise a twistable handle that can screw into gas port  2600 . In certain exemplary embodiments, system actuator  2000  can be a finger trigger located on a side of the housing. 
         [0091]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method  10000  for operating a medicament delivery apparatus. At activity  10100 , an actuation lock for the apparatus is released. At activity  10200 , an actuating portion of the contents of a compressed gas container are released. At activity  10300 , via pressure provided by the released gas, a needle is extended from the apparatus. At activity  10400 , via pressure provided by the released gas, a piston applies pressure to a medicament stored in one of a plurality of vials. At activity  10500 , a frangible containing the medicament in the vial is burst. At activity  10600 , the medicament flows from the vial, through the needle, and into a patient. At activity  10700 , once a predetermined dose is expelled and/or injected, the needle is withdrawn from the patient and/or retracted into the pre-use bounds of the apparatus. At activity  10800 , the apparatus is rendered unusable for additional injections and/or indicated as previously utilized. 
         [0092]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of system  1000 , showing actuation guard  1200  removed from housing  1100 , so that actuation guard  1200  no longer separates actuator bar  1300  from handheld portion  1800 . Actuation guard  1200  can comprise a grippable portion  1220  that can be gripped by a user to pull actuation guard  1200  away from housing  1100 , thereby allowing system  1000  to be activated, such as via slapping actuator bar  1300  against a thigh of the user. Actuation guard  1200  can comprise an actuation stick separator portion  1240 , that can keep separate actuation stick prongs  2240  when actuation guard  1200  is installed on housing  1100 . Actuation guard  1200  can comprise a guard portion  1260  that can separate actuator bar  1300  from handheld portion  1800  when system  1000  is not in use and/or when system  1000  has not been used. 
         [0093]      FIG. 12  is a perspective cross-sectional view taken along lines B-B of  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of actuation stick  2200 . Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , system  1000  can comprise housing  1100 , actuation bar  1300 , and system actuator  2000 , which can comprise prong squeezer  1390 , actuation stick  2200 , prong retainer  2100 , spring  2300 , upper spring retainer  2260 , gas container  2400 , gas port  2600 , and/or puncturer  2700 . When actuation bar  1300  is pressed firmly against a user&#39;s body, such as via slapping housing actuation bar against the user&#39;s thigh, buttocks, and/or arm, prong squeezer  1390  can urge prong tips  2220  of prongs  2240  of actuation stick  2200  toward one another. Note that prong tips  2200  can have a triangular, wedge, angular, and/or frustro-conical shape. As prongs tips  2220  slide along the angled V-groove of prong squeezer  1390 , prong catches  2230  can substantially loose contact with prong retainer  2100 . This can allow compressed spring  2300  to rapidly urge actuation stick  2200  and gas container  2400  toward puncturer  2700 , which can penetrate gas port  2600 , thereby allowing gas to escape from gas container  2400 . Although any of many different types of gas containers can be utilized, an exemplary gas container can be obtained from Leland Limited, Inc. of South Plainfield, N.J. 
         [0094]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of gas venting mechanism  8000  of system  1000  taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3 . System  1000  can comprise handheld portion  1800 , actuator bar  1300 , sleeve  1500 . As pistons  4440  near the limit of their travels, medicament  5200  can be expelled along medicament path  5900 , which can extend past frangible  5300 , through medicament channels  9200 , medicament conduit  9300 , and needle  6100 , and into the body of a user, such as subcutaneously, intramuscularly, and/or at a depth of from approximately 0.25 millimeters to approximately 20 millimeters, including all values and subranges therebetween, such as up to 2 millimeters, greater than 5 millimeters, etc. 
         [0095]    As pistons  4440  near the limit of their travels, engagement of gas release actuator  9700  with gas release valve  8200  can cause compressed spring  8300  to move valve arm such that o-ring  8400  is urged away from its seat  8500 . This movement can reveal a passage  8600 , via which gas can exit gas chamber  3200  along gas exhaust path  8900 , which can extend between sleeve inner walls  1520  and outer walls  9100  of medicament carrier  9000 . Eventually, gas exhaust path  8900  can extend between handheld portion  1800  and actuator bar  1300 . Likewise, an alternative embodiment of valve  8200 , made of rubber or any other resilient material, can be placed across seat  8500  to provide a seal that, once gas release actuator  9700  interacts with valve  8200 , allows valve  8200  to bend or flap upwards away from seat  8500 , causing the gas to escape via passage  8600 . 
         [0096]    Still other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from reading the above-recited detailed description and drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of this application. For example, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated. Further, any activity or element can be excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary. Accordingly, the descriptions and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such incorporated by reference material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0