Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/622,681 filed Apr. 11, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to hypodermic auto-injection devices. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a hypodermic auto-injection device mounted within a case for a portable electronic device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Auto-injection devices have been employed to inject epinephrine during emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). Such devices are generally available by prescription to be carried by individuals having sufficiently severe allergic reactions. Available personal auto-injection devices are generally cylindrically-shaped devices that include an internally stored needle suitable for hypodermic injection. The needle is exposed during an injection sequence by penetrating a protective sheath. At the same time, a spring-loaded plunger is released to force an ampoule of epinephrine through the needle, thereby delivering a dose of epinephrine suitable to treat anaphylaxis. The amount of the dosage can be controlled by adjustable spacers or stops that control the depth of travel of the spring-loaded plunger. 
         [0004]    While conventional auto-injectors are not in use, they are generally stored within protective cases. Such protective cases may have a hard outer shell and/or interior foam padding to protect the auto-injector from damage during falls and drops. Some cases are integrated into purses or handbags, while others are integrated into a leg strap or belt to allow the case to be carried by an individual. The cases may also include straps, handles, or clips to allow the individual to carry the auto-injector or to attach the auto-injector to other items they are carrying. 
         [0005]    Personal electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, electronic readers, digital music players, etc., are typically stored in protective cases to prevent damage to the devices. In some instances, the cases are closely form-fitting and formed of a rigid material such as hard plastic. In other instances, cases for electronics can be formed of flexible cushioning foam or neoprene to protect the electronics against drops. Some cases for personal electronics include additional pouches, sleeves, etc., to hold items such as loose change, credit cards, make-up, etc. Other cases for personal electronics may include supplemental batteries for the device or circuitry to connect the device to a charging station while still connected to the case and via terminals integrated on the outside of the case. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Aspects of the present disclosure provide a hypodermic injection device configured to be attached to a portable electronic device. The hypodermic injection device can be an auto-injector for delivering a dose of an injectable medicament. The injection device can include a durable barrier providing a sheath over an injectable cannula to maintain sterility of an injectable cannula that delivers the medicament. The injection device can also include tamper proof features such as by requiring that deployment of the device only be possible after completing two mechanical manipulations so as to prevent accidental discharge of the injection device. By incorporating the injection device within a case for a portable electronic device, the injection device is readily available to those that rely on auto-injectors to provide emergency therapeutic treatment, and is much less likely to be forgotten or left behind by a user than a typical auto-injector. 
         [0007]    One of more aspects of the present disclosure provide a hypodermic injection device that includes an enclosure and a cartridge including a reservoir, a cannula, a spring-loaded plunger, a resilient sheath, and a release arm. The enclosure can have an internal cavity and can include a safety cover preventing access to a button while the safety cover is in a closed position. The cartridge can be situated within the cavity and configured to be slidably displaced within the cavity. The reservoir can house at least one dose of a fluid medicament. The cannula can have a first end configured for hypodermic injection, a second end opposite the first end, and an inner channel in fluid connection with the reservoir. The inner channel can terminate proximate the first end of the cannula. The spring-loaded plunger can be configured to urge the fluid medicament through the inner channel of the cannula responsive to release of a safety catch preventing actuation of the spring-loaded plunger. The resilient sheath can cover the first end of the cannula so as to maintain the cannula in a sterile condition. The release arm can be situated to release the safety catch responsive to the resilient sheath being urged toward the cannula. The cartridge can be configured to be urged from a first position, where the cannula is situated entirely within the internal cavity of the enclosure, to a second position, where the first end of the cannula extends from the internal cavity to an exterior of the enclosure. The cartridge can be urged to the second position in response to the depression of the button covered by the safety cover. 
         [0008]    One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide a cartridge configured to be slidably mounted within a cavity of an enclosure configured to be securely attached to a portable electronic device. The cartridge includes a reservoir, a cannula, a spring-loaded plunger, a resilient sheath, and a release arm. The reservoir houses at least one dose of a fluid medicament. The cannula has a first end configured for hypodermic injection, a second end opposite the first end, and an inner channel in fluid connection with the reservoir. The inner channel terminates proximate the first end of the cannula. The spring-loaded plunger is configured to urge the fluid medicament through the inner channel of the cannula responsive to release of a safety catch preventing actuation of the spring-loaded plunger. The resilient sheath covers the first end of the cannula so as to maintain the cannula in a sterile condition. The release arm is situated to release the safety catch responsive to the resilient sheath being urged toward the cannula. 
         [0009]    The injection devices described herein can be generally adapted for use with or without a ventilator. Additionally, the injection devices described herein can be adapted for use in any environment, including, but not limited to, at home, in clinics, in hospitals, or during transport from one place to another. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the figures: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a portable electronics case with a cartridge including an injection device where a sheath covering the injection device is visible. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is another perspective view of the portable electronics case shown in  FIG. 1A  where a safety cover preventing access to the injection device is visible. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case shown in  FIG. 1A  where the auto-injector cartridge is not deployed and the safety cover partially covers the cartridge. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case shown in  FIG. 2A  with the cartridge is engaged in a deployed position by actuation of the locking pins with ports within the case. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2C  is a is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case shown in  FIG. 2A  with the sheath pushed into the cavity by contact with tissue such that the cannula extends past the sheath and into the tissue. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case shown in  FIG. 2A  with the spring-loaded plunger being deployed so as to inject a dose of the fluid medicament into the tissue. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2E  is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case shown in  FIG. 2A  with the cannula retracted from the tissue and enclosed within the sheath. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cartridge that is configured to be slidably mounted within a portable electronics case. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of an alternative case with a cartridge including an injection device, where the case has a curved profile and a safety latch is moveable along a height dimension of the case, rather than along a width direction. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a portable electronics case  10  with a cartridge including an injection device where a sheath  44  covering the injection device is visible.  FIG. 1B  is another perspective view of the portable electronics case  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  where a safety cover  46  preventing access to the injection device is visible. The case  10  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  can be a case appropriate for securely containing a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, digital music player, or similar device. For simplicity herein, the electronic device is described as a cell phone, it being understood that the present disclosure applies to cases attached to a range of personal electronic devices. The case  10  includes an exterior shell  20 , which has an approximately rectangular back surface  34 , and a first side  22  (visible in  FIG. 1A ), a second side  26  (visible in  FIG. 1B ), a bottom  24  (visible in  FIG. 1A ), and a top  28  (visible in  FIG. 1B ). 
         [0021]    The case  10  has two portions, along a depth of the case  10  (a direction normal to the back surface  34 ): an injection portion  40 , and a phone portion  42 . A cell phone is mounted within the phone portion  42  of the case  10  by situating the cell phone within the phone portions while a display screen on the phone remains visible through an opening in the front side of the case  10  (not visible in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , but generally opposite the back surface  34 ). Mounting the phone within the case  10  may be carried out by stretching, or otherwise manipulating, the sides  22 ,  26 , top  28 , and bottom  24  of the case  10  around the body of the cell phone so as to securely couple the case  10  to the cell phone. While mounted, a back side of the cell phone, opposite the side of the cell phone having the display screen, is situated adjacent to the injection portion  40 . For example, the back side of the cell phone can be touching an internal wall of the case  10  that divides the phone portion  42  from the injection portion  40 . Thus, in the views shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the phone portion  42  is faced downward, and the display of the cell phone mounted within the phone portion  42  is not visible. 
         [0022]    However, various user-input and output ports and buttons on the phone are accessible through the case  10  on the sides  22 ,  26 , top  28 , and bottom  24 . For example, two volume control buttons  32  are located on the second side  26 . The buttons  32  may be integrated with the shell  20  and positioned so as to push against buttons on the phone located on corresponding positions of the side of the phone. Alternatively, the buttons  32  may be buttons on the phone that are accessible through apertures in the second side  26  of the shell  20 . Similarly, the case can include one or more ports  30  to allow for operation of a camera and/or flash bulb included on the phone. Thus two ports  30  can be located on the back surface  34  of the shell  20  and positioned so as to align with a camera lens and a flash bulb located on the back side of the cell phone. The ports  30  thus pass through the entirety of the injection portion  40  and into the phone portion  42  of the case  10  such that a camera and/or flash bulb provided on the back side of the phone is operational while the phone is mounted within the case  10 . Other buttons, apertures, ports, etc. may be included in the case  10  to allow features such as user-inputs, output jacks, microphones, speakers, audio jacks, power buttons, mute buttons, etc., of the phone to be accessible while the phone is mounted in the case  10 . The location of the various ports (e.g., the ports  30 ), buttons (e.g., the buttons  32 ), etc., can be selected so as to align with input/output ports, etc., of particular cell phones or other personal electronic devices. 
         [0023]    The case  10  also includes the injection portion  40 . The injection portion  40  generally includes a hollow channel passing from the top  28  to the bottom  24  of the case  10 , and an auto-injection cartridge (e.g., the cartridge  100  of  FIG. 2A ) mounted within the case. The internal structure and operation of the cartridge  100  will be described below in connection with  FIGS. 2A through 2E . From the outside of the case  10 , the cartridge is evidenced by a sliding safety latch  46 , on the top  28 , and a sheath surface  44 , on the bottom  24 . The sheath surface  44  covers the bottom side of the cartridge located within the hollow channel. The sheath surface  44  can be positioned to seal, at least temporarily, the bottom opening of the hollow cavity. In some instances, the sheath  44  includes a resilient barrier, such as a fluid-impermeable barrier to prevent contaminants from entering the cartridge and thereby maintain the cartridge in a sterile condition. The sheath surface  44  can be arranged generally co-planar with the bottom  24  of the shell  20 . In some instances, the sheath  44  is color-coordinated with the shell  20  and/or formed of a material resembling the shell  20  such that the sheath surface  44  is not readily distinguishable from the surrounding regions of the bottom  24  of the shell  20 . 
         [0024]    The sliding safety latch  46  is located on the top  28  and is provided to prevent access to the cartridge located in the hollow cavity. When closed, the sliding safety latch  46  covers the top opening of the hollow cavity such that the cartridge located within the cavity cannot be accessed from outside the case  10 . The latch  46  includes raised ridges  48  to provide a textured grip when sliding the latch  46  along the track  50  so as to move the latch  46  to an opened position. When opened, the latch  46  is moved to a position where the internal cavity is no longer covered, and the cartridge within the cavity can be accessed from outside the case  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the track  50  is located along the top surface  28 , however the track  50  can optionally be at least partially internal to the case  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2E  so long as the latch  46  is able to be displaced from a closed position, where the cartridge is covered, to an opened position, where the cartridge is uncovered. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case shown in  FIG. 1A  where the auto-injector cartridge  100  is not deployed. The cartridge  100  is mounted within the hollow cavity of the phone portion  40  of the case  10 . Within the cartridge  100 , a reservoir  134  is loaded with at least one dose of a fluid medicament. A cannula  140  has an interior channel in fluid connection with the reservoir  134  and includes an end configured for hypodermic injection. In some instances, the cannula  140  is rigidly connected to the reservoir  134 . A plunger  132  seals one end of the reservoir  134  such that forcing the plunger  132  into the reservoir  134  pushes the fluid medicament through the cannula  140 . The operation of the auto-injector cartridge  100  to provide a dose of fluid medicament will be described in connection with  FIGS. 2B through 2E , which illustrate the cartridge  100  in various states during an injection operation. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , the cartridge  100  includes a housing  110  having side walls that enclose the cartridge  100  and provide structural support for the various components mounted within the cartridge  100 . The side walls of the housing  110  extend along the length of the cartridge  100 . However, the side walls of the housing  110  may not extend the entire length of the cartridge  100 , and may be shorter than the cartridge by an amount determined by the displacement of the cartridge when it is slidably moved to the deployed position (as shown in  FIG. 2B ). Such a configuration allows the cartridge  100  to be engaged in the deployed position while the housing  110  remains generally within the case  10 . As will be explained in connection with  FIG. 2D , keeping the housing  110  substantially within the case  10  avoids undesirable interference with the operation of the injection device. Thus, the bottom portion of the housing  110  is open, such that components within the cartridge  100  including the cannula  140  can slide in and out of the open bottom end of the housing  110 . The external bottom end of the cartridge  100  is therefore formed by the sheath  154 , which extends from the bottom of the housing  110  by an amount given by the displacement of the cartridge  100  when it is slidably moved to the deployed position. 
         [0027]    The side walls of the housing  110  can optionally have outward-facing ridges along the length of the cartridge  100  configured to engage matching channels within the hollow cavity of the case  10  so as to provide a track along which the cartridge  100  is slidably moved within the case  10 . Additionally or alternatively, the outward-facing sides of the housing  110  (i.e., the side of the housing  110  situated against the internal walls of the hollow cavity within the case  10 ) can include wheels or smooth gliding pads arranged to ride on rails or tracks defined in the hollow cavity. 
         [0028]    Referring again to  FIG. 2A , the top-most portion of the housing  110  defines a depressible button  102 . The safety cover  46  is shown being moved between its closed position, where it completely covers the button  102 , and its opened position, where the button  102  is accessible from the exterior of the case  10 . The safety cover  46  is partially recessed within the recessed channel  50 ′. The portion of the housing  110  defining the button  102  covers a hollow region in the housing containing two locking pins  112 ,  114 . The locking pins  112 ,  114  are outwardly-biased, with respect to the housing  110 , by a spring  120  that urges both pins  112 ,  114  away from one another. Of course, in an alternative configuration, the housing  110  can include a center wall bisecting the hollow region and separate springs can be mounted on opposing sides of the center wall to provide an outward bias to the first locking pin  112  and the second locking  114 , respectively. The outward bias is provided by compressing the spring  120  beyond its natural compression such that the pins  112 ,  114  are urged outwardly away from the housing and against the inner walls of the hollow cavity in the case  10 . Of course, alternatively elastic elements can be substituted for the spring  120  to provide the outward biasing of the pins  112 ,  114 . 
         [0029]    Two ports  116 ,  118  are defined within the hollow cavity in the case  10 . The ports  116 ,  118  are dimensioned to receive the locking pins  112 ,  114  and are positioned such that urging the cartridge  100  downward, by pushing the button  102  in to the case  100 , moves the pins  112 ,  114  to align with the ports  116 ,  118 . For example, the ports can be located further, along the length of the hollow cavity, from the top side  28  of the case  10  (and the button  102 ) than the locking pins  112 ,  114 , such that the locking pins  112 ,  114  are not aligned with the ports  116 ,  118  while the cartridge remains in the not deployed position shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0030]    On the other side of the hollow region housing the pins  112 ,  114 , the cartridge  100  includes an injection spring  124  coiled around a guide rod  122 . The guide rod  122  is internally mounted within the housing to be generally central and oriented along the length of the cartridge. The guide rod  122  both retains the injection spring  124  and directs a travel path for the plunger  132  within the reservoir  134 , as will be discussed in connection with  FIG. 2D . The injection spring  124  pushes against a stop plate  126  that is biased downwardly, i.e., away from the button  102  on the top side of the cartridge  100 , by the injection spring  124 . The injection spring  124  can be compressed to smaller than its unbiased (“resting”) compression length to allow the stop plate  126  to be downwardly biased. The guide rod  122  extends through the stop plate  126  and is telescopically received by a plunger rod  130  on the other side of the stop plate  126 . 
         [0031]    The side of the stop plate opposite  126  the injection spring  124  rests against pivoting safety catches  128 . The safety catches  128  keep the stop plate  126  in place against the biasing force from the injection spring  124 , which is applied to the opposite side of the stop plate  126 . The pivoting safety catches  128  are mounted to the internal side walls of the housing  110  on pivots that allow the safety catches  128  to pivot outwardly from the walls of the housing  110  to an extended position, where the catches engage the stop plate  126 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . The catches  128  can also pivot to a release position as to be nearly flush against the internal walls of the housing  110 , where the stop plate  126  is not engaged by the catches  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2C . 
         [0032]    The plunger rod  130  that telescopically engages the guide rod  122  is rigidly connected to the plunger  132  such that urging the plunger rod  130  downward (away from the button  102  on the top of the cartridge  100 ) depresses a plunger  132  within the reservoir  134 . The reservoir  134  is mounted within the cartridge  100  by a mounting  158  that is securely connected to the housing  110 . The mounting  158  is securely attached to the reservoir  134  so as to securely couple the reservoir  134  to the housing  110 . The mounting  158  can be arranged to substantially surround the sides and upper and lower indented lips of the reservoir  134  as shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2E , or can be disposed to surround only such portions of the reservoir  134  as are necessary to securely connect (e.g., rigidly connect) the reservoir  134  to the housing  110 . While shown in cross-section, the mounting  158  can be connected to internal walls of the housing  110  which are not visible due to the cross-section view. Due to the mounting  158 , the reservoir  134  is arranged to be co-moving with the housing  110 . 
         [0033]    The cannula  140  is rigidly connected to the reservoir  134  and arranged to extend from the reservoir  134  opposite the plunger  132 . The cannula  140  is an injection needle, such as a commonly utilized medical needle for injections of fluid medicaments under the skin. The end of the cannula  140  extending from the reservoir  134  is an injection end suitable for hypodermic injection. The end of the cannula  140  opposite the injection end is rigidly connected to the reservoir  134 . An internal channel within the cannula  140  is in fluid connection with the reservoir  134  and terminates near the injection end of the cannula such that the cannula can be employed to hypodermically inject fluid medicaments from the reservoir  134 , through the internal channel in the cannula. A rebounding spring  142  surrounds the cannula  140  extending from the reservoir  134  to bias the cannula  140  within the sheath  154 . The rebounding spring  142  can be arranged to be slightly compressed, relative to its resting length, while the cannula  140  is situated entirely within the sheath  154  (i.e., not protruding from the exit point  156  in the sheath  154 ), as shown in  FIG. 2A . The compression of the rebounding spring  142  provides a bias between the reservoir  134  and the sheath  154  to maintain the cannula  140  within the sheath  154 . 
         [0034]    The sheath  154  protrudes from the open bottom end of the housing  110  to form the bottom end of the cartridge  100 . On the exterior of the case  10 , the sheath  154  forms the sheath surface  44  discussed in connection with  FIG. 1A . The sheath  154  extends into the cartridge  100 , along the side walls of the housing  110 , on either side of the mounting  158  surrounding the reservoir  134 . The sheath  154  is configured to slide into the cartridge  100 , through the opening in the bottom of the housing  110 , as will be described in connection with  FIG. 2C . The sheath  154  includes release arms  157  aligned to engage the pivoting safety catches  128  when the sheath  154  is urged upward into the cartridge  100  (toward the button  102 ). 
         [0035]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case  10  shown in  FIG. 2A  with the cartridge  100  engaged in the deployed position by actuation of the locking pins  112 ,  114  with the ports  116 ,  118  within the case. The latch  46  is moved entirely within the recessed channel  50 ′ such that the button  102  is exposed from the outside of the case  10 . The button  102  is pressed downward into the case  10  to move the cartridge through the hollow cavity in the case  10  far enough that the locking pins  112 ,  114  are aligned with ports  116 ,  118 . The locking pins  112 ,  114  expand from the hollow region, under force of the spring  120 , to engage the ports  116 ,  118 , and thereby securely couple the cartridge  100  to the case  10  in the deployed position. 
         [0036]    The dimensions of the locking pins  112 ,  114 , and the ports  116 ,  118 , are selected such that a portion of the pins  112 ,  114  remain within the hollow region of the cartridge  100  while the pins  112 ,  114  are fully seated in the ports  116 ,  118 . For example, the pins  112 ,  114  can have a length exceeding the depth of the ports  116 ,  118 , such that the pins  112 ,  114  can be fully seated within the ports  116 ,  118  while a portion of the pins  112 ,  114  remains within the hollow region of the cartridge  100 . By allowing for the pins  112 ,  114  to simultaneously engage the ports  116 ,  118 , and the hollow region in the housing  110 , the housing  110  is securely coupled to the case  10 . Once engaged, the locking pins  112 ,  114  prevent the cartridge  100  from moving within the hollow cavity of the case  10  by securely coupling the housing  110  to the internal walls of the hollow cavity in the case  10 . In particular, in the deployed position shown in  FIG. 2B , the cartridge  100  does not continue to travel downward through the case  10  even if urged downward by a force on the button  102 . 
         [0037]    In the deployed position, the side walls of the housing  110  terminate near the bottom  24  of the case  10 , without protruding from the case  10 . At the same time, the lowest portion of the cartridge  100 , formed by the sheath  154 , protrudes from the bottom  24  of the case  10 . Moving the housing  110  to the deployed position also moves the reservoir  134  by the same amount as the button  102  due to the connection between the reservoir  134  and the mounting  158 . The cannula  140  is rigidly connected to the reservoir  134  and is also displaced by the depression of the button  102 . In the deployed position, the injection end of the cannula  140 , protrudes from the case  10  such that the cannula  140  breaks an imaginary plane defined by the bottom  24  of the case  10 . The cannula  140  remains entirely within the sheath  154  by action of the rebound spring  142 , which maintains the separation between the reservoir  134  and the internal edge of the sheath  154  at substantially the same distance as in the non-deployed position shown in  FIG. 2A , so long as no external forces act on the sheath  154  to compress the rebound spring  142 . 
         [0038]    While in the deployed position, the sheath  154  maintains the sterility of the inner portion of the cartridge  100 , and particularly the cannula  140  and the reservoir  134 . The sheath  154  can include an integrated resilient barrier, such as a fluid-impermeable barrier, to provide a sterile covering over the bottom of the cartridge  100  and thereby prevent contamination of the cannula  140  or the fluid medicaments within the reservoir  134 . In some embodiments, the cartridge  100  can include a sterility indicator visible through a window through the sheath surface  44  forming the bottom of the sheath  154 . The sterility indicator can be a color-changing element that reacts by changing color in response to indicators of sterility being compromised within the cartridge  100 , such as indicators based on chemical signatures, optical signatures, temperature, etc. Situating a sterility indicator visible from the exterior of the case  10  allows a user to determine whether the contents of the cartridge  100  remain sterile and suitable for use as a hypodermic injection device, and thereby determine whether the cartridge  100  and/or case should be replaced. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2C  is a is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case  10  shown in  FIG. 2A  with the sheath  154  pushed into the cavity by contact with tissue such that the cannula  140  extends past the sheath and into the tissue. The cannula  140  exits the sheath  154  at the exit point  156 . In examples where the sheath  154  includes an integrated resilient barrier configured to maintain the sterility of the cannula  140 , the resilient barrier can cover the exit point  156  and the exit of the cannula  140  through the exit point  156  can be achieved by the cannula  140  piercing the resilient barrier. 
         [0040]    The sheath  154  extends into the cartridge  100 , along the internal side walls of the housing  110 . The extended portions of the sheath  154  advantageously is configured to slide along the internal side walls of the housing  110 . The extended portions of the sheath  154  include a shoulder  150  where the sheath narrows to form the release arms  157 . At the shoulder  150 , the sheath  154  extends away from the side walls of the housing  110  by a distance corresponding to the ledge  152 , which protrudes from the side wall  110  at a location upward from the shoulder  150 , i.e., closer to the button  102  forming the top of the cartridge  100 . The ledge  152  is securely coupled to the side wall of the housing  110 . 
         [0041]    The ledge  152  and the shoulder  150  combine to define an inward limit to the travel path of the sheath  154  into the housing  110 . The release arms  157  are located interior to the ledge  152  (i.e., closer to the guide rod  122  in the center of the cartridge  100 ), such that the release arms  157  travel inward without interfering with the ledge  152 . The length of the release arms  157  and the locations of the shoulder  150  and ledge  152  are selected such that during the inward travel of the sheath  154 , the release arms  157  engage the pivoting catches  128  prior to the shoulder  150  stopping against the ledge  152 . The location of the ledge  152  can also be selected to allow the sheath  154  to be nearly entirely within the case  10  when the shoulder  150  engages the ledge  152 . For example, the sheath surface  44  forming the bottom surface of the sheath  154  can be approximately co-planar with the bottom  28  of the case  10  when the shoulder  150  engages the ledge  152 . 
         [0042]    The release arms  157  are securely connected to the sheath  154  such that moving the sheath  154  upward with respect to the housing  110  such that the sheath  154  is urged into the open bottom of the housing  110  in the cartridge  100 , causes the release arms  157  to push the safety catches  128  to pivot about their respective axes away from the stop plate  126  and toward the internal walls of the housing  110 . 
         [0043]    The lowest portions of the sheath  154  (including the sheath surface  44 ), the release arms  157 , and the extended portions of the sheath  154  (including the shoulder  150  and the release arms  157 ) can either be distinct components securely connected to one another, can be integrally formed with one another, or some combination thereof. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case shown in  FIG. 2A  with the spring-loaded plunger  132  being deployed so as to inject a dose of the fluid medicament into the tissue. Once the safety catches  128  are pivoted to be flush against the internal walls of the housing  110 , as shown in  FIG. 2C , the stop plate  126  is no longer held in place between the safety catches  128  and the injection spring  124 . Once released the stop plate  126  slides past the guide rod  122  to move downwardly, with respect to the housing  110 , under the force of the injection spring  124 . The stop plate  126  engages the plunger rod  130  and urges the plunger rod  130  downwardly (away from the button  102  at the top of the cartridge  110 ), which causes the plunger  132  to be depressed in the reservoir  134 . The plunger rod  130  travels downward along the path defined by the guide rod  122 , which is telescopically engaged in the plunger rod  130  to allow the plunger rod  130  to move up and down along the length of the guide rod  122 . The downward movement of the plunger  132  exerts a hydraulic pressure on the fluid medicament stored in the reservoir  134 , which is urged through the cannula  140  and into the tissue, as shown in  FIG. 2D . The injection of a dose of the fluid medicament into the tissue can require that the case be left in place against the tissue for a brief period, which will generally depend on the gauge of the cannula  140 , the strength of the injection spring  124 , and the viscosity of the fluid medicament in the reservoir  134 . The injection spring  124  is generally stronger than the rebound spring  142  to prevent the force from the rebound spring  142  from interfering with the injection sequence. 
         [0045]    The dose of the delivered fluid medicament is thus determined at least in part according to an initial separation, before injection, between the stop plate  126  and the stop surface  159 . The separation between the stop plate  126  and stop surface  159  controls the vertical travel distance of the plunger  132  within the reservoir  134 . By selecting the vertical travel distance of the plunger  132  in the reservoir  134 , the volume of fluid displaced by the plunger  132  can be selected to correspond to a single dose of the fluid medicament. Thus, in examples where the cartridge is a hypodermic auto-injector for epinephrine, different initial locations for the stop plate  126  are suitable for adult users and child users, for example. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2E  is a cross-sectional view of the portable electronics case shown in  FIG. 2A  with the cannula  140  refracted from the tissue and enclosed within the sheath  154 . Following injection, the case  10  is urged away from the tissue, which withdraws the cannula  140  from the tissue due to the secure coupling between the cannula  140  and the case  10  via the mounting  158 . As the cannula  140  is withdrawn from the tissue, the sheath  154  extends to cover the cannula  140  again, under force of the rebound spring  142 . Once the cannula  140  is fully withdrawn from the tissue, the sheath  154  moves to the protruding position to enclose the cannula  140  again, which concludes the injection sequence. Enclosing the cannula  140  following the injection prevents the cannula  140  from being inadvertently exposed to another person, which increases safety of those handling the cartridge  100  following the injection sequence. However, the cartridge  100  is not entirely reset to its initial position following the injection sequence. As shown in  FIG. 2E , the cartridge  100  remains in the deployed position via the pins  112 ,  114  and the plunger  132  remains at the position in the reservoir  134  defined by the stop surface  159 . 
         [0047]    In operation, the case  10  can be used to provide an emergency injection of the fluid medicament stored in the reservoir  134 . An individual carrying the case  10  first manipulates the cartridge  100  to the deployed position by sliding the safety latch  46  into the recessed channel  50 ′ to uncover the button  102 , as in  FIG. 2A . Once uncovered, the individual can press the button  102  downward, into the hollow cavity of the case  10  such that the sheath  154  (and the cannula  140  within the sheath  154 ) protrudes from the opposite side of the case  10 , as in  FIG. 2B . The button  102  is pushed downward until the locking pins  112 ,  114  engage the ports  116 ,  118  to hold the cartridge  100  in the deployed position. The bottom  28  of the case  10  with the protruding sheath  154  is then firmly pressed against tissue, such as a thigh, and the sheath  154  is urged in to the case  10  while the cannula  140  is held in position by its secure connection with the housing  110  (via the mounting  158  securing the reservoir  134 ), as in  FIG. 2C . The cannula  140  exits the sheath  154  at the exit point  156  and the injection end of the cannula  140  enters the tissue. As the sheath  154  continues to travel upward into the cartridge  100 , release arms  157  connected to the sheath  154  release pivoting safety catches  128 , which is shown in  FIG. 2C . The safety catches  128  release an injection spring  124  to push against a plunger  132  (via the plunger rod  130 ), as shown in  FIG. 2D . The pressure on the plunger  132  hydraulically forces fluid medicament in the reservoir  134  through the cannula  140  and into the tissue, shown in  FIG. 2D . The case  10  is held firmly against the thigh while the fluid medicament is injected under force of the injection spring  124 . The injection of the fluid medicament continues until the stop plate  126  strikes the stop surface  159  connected to the housing  110 . Upon pulling the case  10  away from the tissue, the sheath  154  initially maintains contact with the thigh under force of the rebound spring  142 , such that the cannula  140  is shielded by the sheath  154  as it is withdrawn. The cannula  140  is removed from the tissue and surrounded again by the sheath  154 , which returns the sheath to the protruding position shown in  FIG. 2E . 
         [0048]    Various features and components of the cartridge  100  described in connection with  FIGS. 2A through 2E  are described for convenience with respect to “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “downward,” “upward,” and similar terms of orientation for clarity in referring to the drawings. However, it is noted that the orientation of the features of the cartridge  100  will be dependent on the orientation of the cartridge and may be rotated depending on the orientation of the cartridge  100 , and that references to a top side, or a bottom side, for example, may also refer to a first side, and a second side, respectively. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cartridge  100  that is configured to be slidably mounted within a portable electronics case  10 . The cartridge  100  can be a generally rectangular three-dimension object with a height, a width, and a depth. The height can be greater than the width, and the width can be greater than the depth, and the features within the cartridge  100  can be arranged to spread along the width direction of the cartridge, rather than along the depth direction, to provide a slim profile for the cartridge  100  within the case  10 . The height of the cartridge  100  can be determined based on the size of the case  10 , which can be determined according to the dimensions of the phone held within the case  10 . The depth of the cartridge  100  generally corresponds to the amount of thickness the case  10  adds to the profile of the phone, i.e., the thickness of the injection portion  40 . The width of the cartridge  100  is determined according to the requirements to fit the various components within the case, given the restrictions on depth. For example, the reservoir  134  can be wider, along the width direction, than along the depth direction, to allow the cartridge  100  to have a slimmer profile and thereby decrease the total thickness of the case  10 . 
         [0050]    In some instances, features such as the reservoir  134 , the stop plate  126 , etc., are not cylindrically symmetrical about the central axis through the cartridge  100  defined by the guide rod  122  and the cannula  140 , and instead are arranged to extend in an elliptical or rectangular arrangement, elongated along the width direction. In some examples, cartridge  100  is configured to be sufficiently slim that the total thickness of the injection portion  40  is less than ⅜ of an inch. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of an alternative case  210  with a cartridge including an injection device, where the case has a curved back surface  234  and a safety latch  246  is moveable along a height dimension of the case, rather than along a width direction. The alternative case  210  includes a phone portion  242 , which can be similar to the phone portion  42  of the case  10 , and an injection portion  240 . The injection portion  240  includes a hollow cavity suitable for being loaded with the cartridge  100 , similar to the hollow cavity in the case  10 . The safety latch  246  is situated to cover the hollow cavity, when in a closed position to prevent access to the cartridge in the cavity. Similar to the safety latch  46  in the case  10 , the safety latch  246  is configured to slide to an open position where the cartridge can be accessed. The safety latch  246  slides along a channel  250  defined in the case  210 . 
         [0052]    The channel  250  extends toward the phone portion  242  of the case  210 , from the injection portion  240 , along the height of the case  210 . Similar to the movement of the safety latch  46  in the case  10 , the safety latch  246  is moved in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the depression of the button such that deployment of the cartridge requires a two-step operation with manipulations in two distinct directions. Providing a two-step procedure to deploy the cartridge reduces incidences of accidental deployment. 
         [0053]    The curved back surface  234  gives the alternative case  210  a reduced profile, in comparison to the case  10 . However, the alternative case  210  can have a hollow cavity for housing the cartridge that is equivalent in dimensions to the hollow cavity in the case  10  described above in connection with  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         [0054]    In at least some examples, the function of the auto-injection cartridge  100  to hypodermically deliver fluid medicaments is performed entirely without reliance on electrical power. In some examples, the auto-injection cartridge  100  is operated via mechanical elements only, such as the operation of the button  102  and locking pins  112 ,  114 , the forces from the springs  120 ,  124 ,  142 , and the movement of the pivoting catches  128  via the release arms  157 . By configuring the cartridge  100  to provide hypodermic delivery of fluid medicaments via mechanical elements only, the cartridge  100  operates in the absence of any electrical power source, which allows the cartridge  100  to be operated in an emergency without reliance on electrical power. 
         [0055]    Generally, the cartridge  100  is a one-time use auto-injector device. Thus, after a single use, the cartridge  100  and/or case  10  can be replaced. Replacing the cartridge  100  and/or case  10  after a single use circumvents problems with refilling the reservoir  134  with an appropriate dose of fluid medicaments, un-seating the locking pins  112 ,  114  from the ports  116 ,  118 , and re-sterilizing the cannula  140  and the contents of the reservoir  134  to be suitable for hypodermic injection. In some instances, the case  10  can be marketed with a shelf life comparable to available auto-injector devices containing single doses of fluid medicaments, such as auto-injector devices for epinephrine, insulin, etc. In other instances, the cartridge  100  can be a refillable cartridge that is removable from the case  10  after a single use and re-sterilized before inserted again. 
         [0056]    In an emergency, an individual in need of hypodermically injected fluid medicaments carrying a cellular phone in the case  10  can rapidly transform the case to a hypodermic auto-injector by moving the cartridge  100  to the deployed position. Once in the deployed position, the protruding sheath  154  containing the cannula  150  and firmly pressing the protruding cannula  140  (situated within the protruding sheath  154 ) case against tissue to be injected. By situating the hypodermic injection cartridge  100  within a case for a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, an individual in need of emergency delivery of hypodermically injected fluids is no longer required to travel with a separate auto-injection device. Individuals with severe allergic reaction that have previously carried separate auto-injection devices are now less likely to inadvertently leave behind their auto-injection device, because it is integrated within the case for the cellular phone (or other personal electronic device). 
         [0057]    In still further examples, the cartridge  100  can be configured to alert emergency personnel upon deployment of the device. In cooperation with the phone (or other communicative personal electronic device housed in the case  10 ), emergency notification signals can be sent to emergency personnel and/or designated emergency contacts to indicate that the auto-injection device has been deployed. The emergency notification signals can be generated according to a processor executing instructions stored in a memory of the phone and can include indicators of the location of the phone based on GPS signals or other coordinate indicators, such as locations derived from cell phone tower strengths and/or detected Wi-Fi connections, etc. The emergency notification signals can also include information indicative of known allergens, diabetic conditions, and/or other pertinent medical information of the carrier of the case to be used by emergency response personnel. Automatically generating emergency notification signals as described herein desirably enhances emergency response times for individuals suffering from anaphylaxis. 
         [0058]    The generation of the emergency notification signals can be carried out in response to signals from a sensor located in the cartridge that is arranged to detect the movement of the cartridge  100  to the deployed position. In some instances, a pressure sensitive sensor, such as button, can be situated at the internal wall of one or both of the ports  116 ,  118  such that the sensor is pressed when the pins  112 ,  114  are locked in place in the ports  116 ,  118 . Providing signals to the phone can be accomplished by a wireless connection, such as a Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth® connection, etc. Some examples that notify the phone via wireless signals can be carried out by a wireless signal generator within the injection portion of the case powered by a power source, such as a battery, with a stable operating life comparable to the expiration term of the fluid medicaments in the cartridge. 
         [0059]    In other examples, the deployment of the cartridge  100  can be detected entirely by the phone, without receiving a separate signal from the case  10 . For example, the phone can operate software configured to detect characteristic sounds and/or vibrational feedback associated with the deployment of the cartridge  100 . In phones equipped with microphones and/or accelerometers, the clicks, sounds, and detectable vibrations transferred to the case  10  through the housing  110  associated with the movement of the safety latch  46 , the depression of the button  102 , the release of the spring  120 , and the engagement of the locking pins  112 ,  114  with the ports  116 ,  118  can be detected by the phone, and the emergency notification signals can be generated automatically. 
         [0060]    Manufacture of the cases described herein (e.g., the cases  10 ,  210 ) can be achieved by separately producing an injection portion having a hollow cavity and safety latch covering the cavity (e.g., the injection portions  40 ,  240 ). The injection portion once produced can be welded, melded, or otherwise rigidly adhered to a number of different phone portions that are configured to securely adhere to a personal electronic device. 
         [0061]    In some instances, the fluid medicament hypodermically delivered by the auto-injector cartridge  100  is epinephrine, insulin, or calcium, or another fluid medicament suitable for hypodermic injection. 
         [0062]    While there has been shown and described in some embodiments of an auto-injection device, it will be appreciated that many changes and modifications can be made therein without, however, departing from the essential spirit thereof. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, for it can be realized that various size and/or shapes of the housing of the case, the sheath, the cartridge, and/or the features of the injection device can be readily modified to take on a different form factor for the purposes of the present disclosure. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims. 
         [0063]    The singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
         [0064]    Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of this disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The term “comprises” means “includes.” The abbreviation, “e.g.” is derived from the Latin exempli gratia, and is used herein to indicate a non-limiting example. Thus, the abbreviation “e.g.” is synonymous with the term “for example.” 
         [0065]    All numbers expressing quantities used herein should be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.” The term “about” or “approximately” when used in connection with percentages may mean±1%. 
         [0066]    Various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments, which will be apparent to those of skill in the art, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, all patents and other publications identified are expressly incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the methodologies described in such publications that might be used in connection with the present invention. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.

Technology Category: 5