Feedback Mechanism for an Injection Device

Abstract

A feedback mechanism for an injection device that is configured to deliver a medicament to a user is described. The feedback mechanism has a biasing member that is arranged to apply a force to a delay element, and the delay element is configured to deform and/or break under the force. The feedback mechanism also includes an indicator arranged to generate user feedback after the delay element is deformed and/or broken. The delay element is configured to deform and/or break at a time after the force is applied by the biasing member to create a delay before the user feedback is generated.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An injection device comprising:
 a reservoir containing a medicament;   a plunger configured to move from a first position to a second position to displace the medicament from the reservoir;   a delay element configured to be deformed and/or broken to generate user feedback; and   a biasing member configured to apply a force to the delay element, wherein the delay element is configured to be deformed and/or broken by the force at a time after the force is applied by the biasing member.   
     
     
         27 . The injection device of  claim 26 , further comprising a restraining element configured to be movable from a first position, in which the restraining element prevents the delay element from being deformed and/or broken by the force of the biasing member, to a second position, in which the delay element is deformed and/or broken by the force of the biasing member applied to the delay element. 
     
     
         28 . The injection device of  claim 26 , wherein the biasing member is configured to apply a distally-directed force to the plunger to cause the plunger to move from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         29 . The injection device of  claim 26 , further comprising a movable member configured to engage a proximal end of the biasing member and a distal end of the delay element. 
     
     
         30 . The injection device of  claim 26 , further comprising a restraining element configured to releasably engage a movable member to limit proximal movement of the movable member relative to the delay element when the plunger is in the first position. 
     
     
         31 . The injection device of  claim 30 , wherein the restraining element is configured to releasably engage the plunger such that when the plunger is in the first position the restraining element is in engagement with the plunger and when the plunger is in the second position the restraining element is out of engagement with the plunger. 
     
     
         32 . The injection device of  claim 30 , wherein the restraining element comprises an angled surface configured to releasably engage the movable member to limit the proximal movement of the movable member relative to the delay element when the plunger is in the first position. 
     
     
         33 . The injection device of  claim 30 , wherein the restraining element is configured to move relative to the movable member when the plunger is in the second position. 
     
     
         34 . The injection device of  claim 30 , wherein the force of the biasing member causes the movable member to move proximally relative to the restraining element when the plunger is in the second position. 
     
     
         35 . The injection device of  claim 30 , wherein the restraining element comprises one or more arms that are configured to pivot relative to the movable member. 
     
     
         36 . A feedback mechanism for an injection device, the injection device configured to deliver a medicament, the feedback mechanism comprising:
 a delay element configured to be deformed and/or broken to generate user feedback; and   a biasing member configured to apply a force to the delay element, wherein the delay element is configured to be deformed and/or broken by the force at a time after the force is applied by the biasing member.   
     
     
         37 . The feedback mechanism of  claim 36 , further comprising a restraining element configured to be movable from a first position, in which the restraining element prevents the delay element from being deformed and/or broken by the force of the biasing member, to a second position, in which the delay element is deformed and/or broken by the force of the biasing member applied to the delay element. 
     
     
         38 . The feedback mechanism of  claim 36 , further comprising a movable member configured to engage a proximal end of the biasing member and a distal end of the delay element. 
     
     
         39 . The feedback mechanism of  claim 38 , further comprising a restraining element configured to limit proximal movement of the movable member relative to the delay element. 
     
     
         40 . The feedback mechanism of  claim 36 , wherein the force is a compressive force. 
     
     
         41 . The feedback mechanism of  claim 40 , wherein the biasing member is configured to apply the compressive force to the delay element via a movable member. 
     
     
         42 . The feedback mechanism of  claim 36 , wherein the delay element comprises one or more angled members, wherein a connection between the one or more angled members is configured to be deformed and/or broken by the force of the biasing member. 
     
     
         43 . The feedback mechanism of  claim 36 , wherein the delay element is configured to mechanically fracture to generate the user feedback. 
     
     
         44 . A method comprising:
 dispensing a medicament from an injection device by moving a plunger of the injection device from a first position to a second position; and   deforming and/or breaking a delay element of the injection device by a force applied by a biasing member of the injection device to generate user feedback, the deforming and/or breaking occurring at a time after the force is applied.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , comprising moving a restraining element from a first position, in which the restraining element prevents the delay element from being deformed and/or broken by the force of the biasing member, to a second position, in which the delay element is deformed and/or broken by the force of the biasing member applied to the delay element.