FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to medication delivery devices and more particularly, to
5 an auto-injector device for delivering medicaments.
BACKGROUND
With the advancement m technology, vanous injection devices, such as manual
injection devices and auto-injector devices, are employed for administering medicaments for
applications such as medical, therapeutic, diagnostic, pharmaceutical and cosmetic.
10 Nowadays, users and healthcare professionals are more inclined towards using the autoinjector
devices for administering medicaments. One of the prominent reasons for such
inclination is a substantial reduction in the amount of training required for using the autoinjector
devices.
Generally, an auto-injector device includes a prefilled syringe or cartridge filled with a
15 specific volume of a medicament to be delivered to the user. A volume of the medicament
filled in the auto-injector device depends on various parameters, such as a type of medicament
and a medical condition of the user. Currently, the auto-injector device can only be configured
to carry the specific volume of the medicament and fail to provide provisions for varying the
volume of medicament without altering the constructional or operational features of various
20 sub-components of the auto-injector device.
Hence, this may lead to a substantial reduction in the overall reusability of the autoinjector
device for administering different types and doses of medicaments. Further, the type
and dose of medicaments to be administered may act as design constraints for the
manufacturing of the auto-injector devices. For instance, sub-components of the auto-injector
25 devices are required to be manufactured based on the type of medicament and a corresponding
dose of such medicament to be administered through the auto-injector device. This may result
in a substantial increase in the overall manufacturing cost of the auto-injector device.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format,
30 that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither
intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended
for determining the scope of the invention.
3
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an auto-injector device for delivering
medicaments is disclosed. The auto-injector device includes a syringe assembly having a
needle adapted to expel medicaments from the syringe assembly. The syringe assembly
includes a barrel adapted to hold the medicaments and to be coupled to the needle. A flow of
5 medicaments is directed out of the barrel through the needle. The syringe assembly includes
a plunger positioned coaxially with respect to the barrel and adapted to reciprocate within the
barrel to expel the medicaments from the barrel. Further, the syringe assembly includes a
locking member adapted to be engaged with the plunger to hold the plunger in a position with
respect to the barrel. The position of the plunger with respect to the barrel is adapted to be
10 adjusted to vary a volume of medicaments to be expelled from the barrel. The position of the
plunger is adjusted by engaging the locking member with the plunger at one of a plurality of
positions along a length of the plunger.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
15 which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only
typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its
scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail
with the accompanying drawings.
20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become
better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings,
wherein:
25 Figure 1 illustrates an auto-injector device and steps involved in the implementation of
the auto-injector device for delivering medicament, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
Figure 2a illustrates a perspective view of the auto-injector device, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
30 Figure 2b illustrates an exploded view of the auto-injector device, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figures 3a and 3b illustrate sectional views of the auto-injector device, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
4
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a plunger of the auto-injector device, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figures 5a-5c illustrate operation of the auto-injector device for delivering
medicaments, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
5 Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a portion A of the auto-injector device
as shown in Figure 5c, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for
simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow
charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve
10 understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction
of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the
drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details
that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to
obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
15 art having benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention,
reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific
20 language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further
modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the
invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in
the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific
25 terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled
in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein
are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
The term "some" as used herein is defined as "none, or one, or more than one, or all."
Accordingly, the terms "none," "one," "more than one," "more than one, but not all" or "all"
30 would all fall under the definition of"some." The term "some embodiments" may refer to no
embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments.
Accordingly, the term "some embodiments" is defined as meaning "no embodiment, or one
embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments."
5
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and
illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit,
restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to "includes,"
5 "comprises," "has," "consists," and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact
limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more
features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude
the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise
stated with the limiting language "MUST comprise" or "NEEDS TO include."
10 Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either
way it may still be referred to as "one or more features" or "one or more elements" or "at least
one feature" or "at least one element." Furthermore, the use of the terms "one or more" or "at
least one" feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element,
unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as "there NEEDS to be one or more ...
15 "or "one or more element is REQUIRED."
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms,
used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having
an ordinary skill in the art.
Reference is made herein to some "embodiments." It should be understood that an
20 embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements
presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of
illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements
of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to "a first embodiment," "a
25 further embodiment," "an alternate embodiment," "one embodiment," "an embodiment,"
"multiple embodiments," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," "further
embodiment", "furthermore embodiment", "additional embodiment" or variants thereof do
NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more
particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments
30 may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be
found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features
and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or
alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the
context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately
6
or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements
described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing
together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some
5 embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the
attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context
of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
10 Figure 1 illustrates an auto-injector device 100 and steps involved in the
implementation of the auto-injector device 100 for delivering medicament, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the auto-injector device 100 may
be employed for delivering medicaments, interchangeably be referred to as drugs, to a patient.
The auto-injector device 100 may include a proximal end 102 and a distal end 104. Further,
15 the auto-injector device 100 may include a cap 106 removably attached to the distal end 104
of the auto-injector device 100. The cap 106 may be provided to protect a needle of the autoinjector
device 100 and to restrict the ingress of any contaminants within the auto-injector
device 100.
In order to implement the auto-injector device 100 for medication, referring to Figure
20 1, at step 108, the cap 106 of the auto-injector device 100 may be removed for delivering
medicaments to the patient. Subsequently, at step 110, the distal end 104 of the auto-injector
device 100 may be placed on a site of injection corresponding to a subcutaneous (sub-Q)
region, on the patient for delivering the medicaments. Upon placing the auto-injector device
100 on the site, the auto-injector device 100 may be pressed in a direction towards the site of
25 injection and held for a predefined period of time for delivering the medicaments to the patient
through the site. Subsequently, at step 112, the auto-injector device 100 may be removed from
the site of injection and disposed in sharp collectors.
Constructional and operational details of the auto-inject<
detail in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.
rice 100 are explained in
30 Figure 2a illustrates a perspective view of the auto-injector device, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2b illustrates an exploded view of the autoinjector
device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 3a and
3b illustrate sectional views of the auto-injector device 100, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2a, Figure 2b, and Figure 3a, in an embodiment,
7
the auto-injector device 100 may include a first body member 202 and a second body member
204. The first body member 202 and the second body member 204 may be adapted to be
coupled to each other in order to define a housing 205 for accommodating various subcomponents
of the auto-injector device 100. In an embodiment, the first body member 202
5 and the second body member 204 may be coupled with each other through snap locks, without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Further, the auto-injector device 100 may include a syringe assembly 206, a Pre-filled
Syringe (PFS) holder 208, a needle guard 210, a needle guard spring 212, a locking member
214, a plunger 216, a plunger spring 218, and spring release arms 220. In an embodiment, the
10 syringe assembly 206 may include, but is not limited to, a needle 222 and a barrel224 adapted
to be coupled to the needle 222. The barrel224 may be adapted to hold the medicaments. The
barrel 224 may include a front portion and a rear portion distal to the front portion. The front
portion may be adapted to be coupled to the needle 222 and the rear portion may be adapted
to movably receive the plunger 216.
15 Further, the needle 222 may be adapted to expel medicaments from the synnge
assembly 206. The needle 222 may be adapted to be coupled to the front portion of the barrel
224 such that a flow of the medicaments may be directed out of the barrel 224 through the
needle 222 during an operation of the auto-injector device 100. Further, the PFS holder 208
may be adapted to hold the syringe assembly 206 within the housing 205 of the auto-injector
20 device 100.
In an embodiment, the needle guard 210 may be adapted to accommodate the PFS
holder 208 along with the syringe assembly 206 in the auto-injector device 100. The needle
guard 210 may include a proximal end 210-1 and a distal end 210-2. Further, the needle guard
spring 212 may be adapted to be coupled to the needle guard 210. The needle guard spring
25 212 may be provided to allow a resilient movement of the needle guard 210 in a direction
along an axis X-X' of the auto-injector device 100 during the operation of the auto-injector
device 100.
Further, the spring release arms 220 may be positioned at the proximal end 102 of the
auto-injector device 100. In an embodiment, the spring release arm 220 may be adapted to be
30 coupled to the second body member 204. The spring release arms 220 may be adapted to
support the plunger 216 and the plunger spring 218 within the auto-injector device 100. The
plunger 216 may be positioned coaxially with respect to the barrel224. The plunger 216 may
be adapted to reciprocate within the barrel 224 to expel the medicaments and to draw the
medicaments in the barrel224. The plunger 216 may be adapted to be moved along the axis
8
X-X' of the auto-injector device 100. The plunger 216 may be adapted to reciprocate within
the barrel 224 of the syringe assembly 206 for expelling the medicaments from the syringe
assembly 206 and for drawing the medicaments within the barrel 224.
Further, the plunger spring 218 may be provided to allow resilient movement of the
5 plunger 216 within the barrel 224 in the direction along the axis X-X'. In particular, during
the operation of the auto-injector device 100, the plunger spring 218 may be adapted to
resiliently push the plunger 216 within the barrel224 in order to expel the medicaments from
the barrel 224 of the syringe assembly 206. The plunger spring 218 may be adapted to be
compressed between a head portion of the plunger 216 and the locking member 214.
10 Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the plunger 216 of the auto-injector device
100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the locking
member 214 may be adapted to be engaged with the plunger 216 to hold the plunger in a
position with respect to the barrel 224. Further, the locking member 214 may be adapted to
hold the spring release arm 220 in a locking position to ensure engagement of the spring
15 release arm 220 with the plunger 216. In an embodiment, the locking member 214 may be
adapted to circumscribe at least a portion of the spring release arm 220 to eliminate flexing of
the spring release arm 220 in a radially outward direction with respect to the plunger 216 and
thereby, ensuring engagement of the spring release arm 220 with the plunger 216.
Referring to Figure 3a, Figure 3b, and Figure 4, the plunger 216 may include an
20 engaging portion 402 extending along a length L of the plunger 216. In an embodiment, the
engaging portion 402 may be embodied as one of spiral grooves and circular grooves, without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The locking member 214 may be adapted
to be engaged with the engaging portion 402 of the plunger 216 to hold the plunger 216 in the
position within the auto-injector device 100. In particular, the locking member 214 may
25 engage at one of the plurality of positions in the engaging portion 402 along the length L of
the plunger 216.
The position of the plunger 216 with respect to the barrel 224 may be adapted to be
adjusted to vary a volume of medicaments to be expelled from the barrel224. The position of
the plunger 216 may be adjusted by engaging the locking member 214 with the plunger 216
30 at one of a plurality of positions along the length L of the plunger 216. In an embodiment, the
locking member 214 may include locking teeth 302 adapted to be engaged with the engaging
portion 402 of the plunger 216. The locking member 214 may be operable between an engaged
position and a disengaged position.
9
In an embodiment, the needle guard 210 may be adapted to move the locking member
214 from the engaged position to the disengaged position. In the engaged position, the locking
teeth 302 may be engaged with the engaging portion 402 to hold the plunger 216 in a position
away from the distal end 104 of the auto-injector device 100. In such a position, the plunger
5 spring 218 may be compressed between the head portion of the plunger 216 and the locking
member 214. Further, in the disengaged position, the needle guard 210 may move the locking
member 214 towards the proximal end 102 of the auto-injector device 100. Owing to such
movement of the locking member 214, the locking teeth 302 may be disengaged from the
engaging portion 402 of the plunger 216. Subsequently, the plunger spring 218 may push the
10 plunger 216 towards the distal end 104 of the auto-injector device 100 within the barrel 224
to expel the medicaments from the syringe assembly 206.
As mentioned earlier, the position of the plunger 216 with respect to the barrel 224
within the auto-injector device 100 may be adjustable for delivering different volumes of
medicaments from the auto-injector device 100. Referring to Figure 3b and Figure 4, in one
15 instance, the locking member 214 may be engaged with the engaging portion 402 at a distance
X1 with respect to the length L of the plunger 216. In such an instance, the plunger 216 may
be held at a position P1 with respect to the front portion 210-1 of the barrel 224 within the
auto-injector device 100.
Owing to such a position of the plunger 216, the barrel 224 may hold a volume V 1, i.e.,
20 a maximum volume, of medicaments for dispensing through the needle 222 during the
operation of the auto-injector device 100. In another instance, the locking member 214 may
be engaged with the engaging portion 402 at a distance X2 with respect to the length L of the
plunger 216. In such an instance, the plunger 216 may be held at a position P2 with respect to
the front portion 210-1 of the barrel224 within the auto-injector device 100. Owing to such a
25 position of the plunger 216, the barrel 224 may hold a volume V2 of medicaments for
dispensing through the needle 222.
Although, in the illustrated embodiment, operation of the plunger 216 and the locking
member 214 is explained with respect to the positions P1 and P2 of the plunger 216 within
the auto-injector device 100. As would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the
30 plunger 216 can be locked at a plurality of positions by the locking member 214 for varying
the volume of the medicaments to be delivered from the auto-injector device 100 as per the
requirement, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Figures 5a-5c illustrate operation of the auto-injector device 100 for delivering
medicaments, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates an
10
enlarged sectional view of a portion A of the auto-injector device 100 as shown in Figure 5c,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Firstly, in order to deliver the
medicaments to the sub-Q region of the patient through the auto-injector device 100, the cap
106 may be removed from the distal end 104 of the auto-injector device 100 to expose the
5 needle 222 of the syringe assembly 206.
Further, referring to Figure 5b, the distal end 104 of auto-injector device 100 may be
placed on the site of injection i.e., like skin, corresponding to the sub-Q region of the patient.
In an embodiment, the site of injection may be selected based on various parameters, such as
a medical prescription, type of medication, and volume of medicament to be injected, without
10 departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Subsequently, the auto-injector device 100
may be pressed against the skin such that the needle guard 210 is pressed against the skin
which results in movement of the needle guard 210 in a direction towards the proximal end
102 of the auto-injector device 100. Owing to such movement of the needle guard 210, the
needle 222 may be inserted in the sub-Q region of the patient for delivering the medicaments.
15 Further, upon injecting the medicaments, the auto-injector device 100 may be moved away
from the skin which results in the movement of the needle guard 210 to cover the needle 222
of the auto-injector device 100. This substantially eliminates probable injuries which might
cause due to exposed needle while withdrawing the auto-injector device 100 from the
injection site.
20 Referring to Figure 5c and Figure 6, the movement of the needle guard 210 may push
the locking member 214 towards the proximal end 102 of the auto-injector device 100. Such
movement of the locking member 214 may result in disengagement of the locking teeth 302
with the engaging portion 402 of the plunger 216. In particular, the locking teeth 302 may
move in a lateral direction away from the engaging portion 402 and thereby, unlocking a
25 movement of the plunger 216 under a resilient force of the plunger spring 218. Subsequently,
the plunger 216 may move towards the distal end 104 of the auto-injector device 100 within
the barrel224 under the resilient force of the plunger spring 218. The plunger 216 may push
the medicament held within the barrel224 for delivering the medicament to the sub-Q region
of the patient through the needle 222 of the syringe assembly 206. In an embodiment, a rubber
30 stopper (not shown) may be attached to the plunger 216 and adapted to be moved along with
the plunger 216 within the barrel224 to expel the drug held within the barrel224 of the syringe
assembly 206. The rubber stopper may be adapted to be inserted in the barrel224 in a manner
that the rubber stopper may act as a sealing member to prevent egress of the drug from one
end of the barrel224. The rubber stopper may be moved along with the plunger 216 to expel
11
the drug from the barrel 224 through the needle 222 positioned at another end of the barrel
224.
As would be gathered, the auto-injector device 100 of the present disclosure includes
the locking member 214 adapted to lock the plunger 216 at different positions in order to
5 administer different volumes of medicaments through the auto-injector device 100. The
plunger 216 may include the engaging portion 402 extending along the length L of the plunger
216. The locking member 214 may be engaged with the engaging portion 402 to hold the
plunger 216 in a pre-loaded position for expelling the medicaments from the syringe assembly
206. The locking member 214 can be engaged with the engaging portion 402 at different
10 positions along the length L of the plunger 216 in order to vary the volume of medicament to
be administered through the auto-injector device 100.
Therefore, the auto-injector device 100 can be re-used for different types and doses of
medicaments without incorporating any alteration to the sub-components of the auto-injector
device 100. In particular, this may eliminate the requirement for manufacturing different sub-
15 components of the auto-injector device 100 for administering different types and doses of
medicaments. Further, this substantially eliminates the overall manufacturing cost of the autoinjector
device 100. Therefore, the auto-injector device 100 of the present disclosure is
flexible in implementation, compact, cost-effective, convenient, and has a wide range of
applications.
20 The auto-injector device 100 described herein may be used for delivering different
therapeutic compounds such as drugs and biologics, including but not limited to, antibodies,
antisense, RNA interference, gene therapy, primary and embryonic stem cells, vaccines, and
combinations thereof. For instance, the embodiments described herein may be utilized in
combination with known monoclonal antibodies including but not limited to Abciximab,
25 Abituzumab, Abrilumab, Actoxumab, Adalimumab, Adecatumumab, Aducanumab,
Afasevikumab, Afelimomab, Afutuzumab, Alacizumab pegol, ALD518, ALD403,
Alemtuzumab, Alirocumab, Altumomab pentetate, Amatuximab, AMG 334, Anatumomab
mafenatox, Anetumab ravtansine, Anifrolumab, Anrukinzumab, Apolizumab, Arcitumomab,
Ascrinvacumab, Aselizumab, Atezolizumab, Atinumab, Atlizumab, Atorolimumab,
30 Avelumab, Bapineuzumab, Basiliximab, Bavituximab, Bectumomab, Begelomab,
Belimumab, Benralizumab, Bertilimumab, Besilesomab, Bevacizumab, Bezlotoxumab,
Biciromab, Bimagrumab, Bimekizumab, Bivatuzumab mertansine, Bleselumab,
Blinatumomab, Blontuvetmab, Blosozumab, Bococizumab, Brazikumab, Brentuximab
vedotin, Briakinumab, Brodalumab, Brolucizumab, Brontictuzumab, Burosumab,
12
Cabira1izumab, Canakinumab, Cantuzumab mertansine, Cantuzumab ravtansine,
Cap1acizumab, Capromab pendetide, Casirivimab, Car1umab, Carotuximab, Catumaxomab,
cBR96-doxorubicin immunoconjugate, Cede1izumab, Cergutuzumab amuna1eukin,
Certo1izumab pego1, Cetuximab, Citatuzumab bogatox, Cixutumumab, C1azakizumab,
5 C1eno1iximab, C1ivatuzumab tetraxetan, Codrituzumab, Co1tuximab ravtansine,
Conatumumab, Concizumab,
Daclizumab, Da1otuzumab,
CR6261, Crenezumab, Crotedumab,
Dapiro1izumab pego1, Daratumumab,
Dacetuzumab,
Dectrekumab,
Demcizumab, Denintuzumab mafodotin, Denosumab, Depatuxizumab mafodotin,
Derlotuximab biotin, Detumomab, Dinutuximab, Diridavumab, Domagrozumab,
10 Dorlimomab aritox, Drozitumab, Du1igotumab, Dupi1umab, Durva1umab, Dusigitumab,
Ecromeximab, Ecu1izumab, Edobacomab, Edreco1omab, Efa1izumab, Efungumab,
E1de1umab, E1gemtumab, E1otuzumab, E1si1imomab, Emactuzumab, Emibetuzumab,
Emicizumab, Enavatuzumab, Enfortumab vedotin, En1imomab pego1, Enob1ituzumab,
Enokizumab, Enoticumab, Ensituximab, Epitumomab cituxetan, Epratuzumab, Erenumab,
15 Erlizumab, Ertumaxomab, Etaracizumab, Etro1izumab, Evinacumab, Evo1ocumab,
Exbivirumab, Fano1esomab, Fara1imomab, Far1etuzumab, Fasinumab, FBTA05, Fe1vizumab,
Fezakinumab, Fibatuzumab, Ficlatuzumab, Figitumumab, Firivumab, Flanvotumab,
Fletikumab, Fonto1izumab, Fora1umab, Foravirumab, Freso1imumab, Fu1ranumab,
Futuximab, Galcanezumab, Ga1iximab, Ganitumab, Gantenerumab, Gavi1imomab,
20 Gemtuzumab ozogam1cm, Gevokizumab, Girentuximab, G1embatumumab vedotin,
Go1imumab, Gomi1iximab, Guse1kumab, Iba1izumab, lbritumomab tiuxetan, Icrucumab,
Idarucizumab, Igovomab, IMA-638, IMAB362, Ima1umab, Imciromab, Imdevimab,
Imgatuzumab, Inclacumab, Indatuximab ravtansine, Indusatumab vedotin, Inebi1izumab,
Infliximab, Ino1imomab, Inotuzumab ozogamicin, Intetumumab, Ipi1imumab, Iratumumab,
25 Isatuximab, lto1izumab, Ixekizumab, Ke1iximab, Labetuzumab, Lambro1izumab,
Lampa1izumab, Lanade1umab, Landogrozumab, Laprituximab emtansine, LBR-
101/PF0442g7429, Lebrikizumab, Lema1esomab, Lenda1izumab, Lenzi1umab,
Lerde1imumab, Lexatumumab, Libivirumab, Lifastuzumab vedotin, Lige1izumab, Li1otomab
satetraxetan, Lintuzumab, Liri1umab, Lodelcizumab, Lokivetmab, Lorvotuzumab mertansine,
30 Lucatumumab, Lu1izumab pego1, Lumi1iximab, Lumretuzumab, L Y29517 42,
Mapatumumab, Margetuximab, Mas1imomab, Matuzumab, Mavri1imumab, Mepo1izumab,
Mete1imumab, Mi1atuzumab, Minretumomab, Mirvetuximab soravtansine, Mitumomab,
Mogamu1izumab, Mona1izumab, Moro1imumab, Motavizumab, Moxetumomab pasudotox,
Muromonab-CD3, Naco1omab tafenatox, Nam i1umab, Naptumomab estafenatox,
13
Naratuximab emtansine, Narnatumab, Nata1izumab, Navicixizumab, Navivumab,
Nebacumab, Necitumumab, Nemo1izumab, Nere1imomab, Nesvacumab, Nimotuzumab,
Nivo1umab, Nofetumomab merpentan, Obi1toxaximab, Obinutuzumab, Ocaratuzumab,
Ocre1izumab, Odu1imomab, Ofatumumab, 01aratumab, 01okizumab, Oma1izumab,
5 Onartuzumab, Ontuxizumab, Opicinumab, Oportuzumab monatox, Oregovomab, Orticumab,
Ote1ixizumab, Otlertuzumab, Oxe1umab, Ozanezumab, Ozora1izumab, Pagibaximab,
Pa1ivizumab, Pamrev1umab, Panitumumab, Pankomab, Panobacumab, Parsatuzumab,
Pasco1izumab, Pasotuxizumab, Pateclizumab, Patritumab, Pembro1izumab, Pemtumomab,
Perakizumab, Pertuzumab, Pexe1izumab, Pidi1izumab, Pinatuzumab vedotin, Pintumomab,
10 P1acu1umab, P1oza1izumab, Poga1izumab, Po1atuzumab vedotin, Ponezumab, Preza1izumab,
Pri1iximab, Pritoxaximab, Pritumumab, PRO 140, Qui1izumab, Racotumomab, Radretumab,
Rafivirumab, Ra1pancizumab, Ramucirumab, Ranibizumab, Raxibacumab, Refanezumab,
Regavirumab, Res1izumab, Ri1otumumab, Rinucumab, Risankizumab, Rituximab,
Rivabazumab pego1, Robatumumab, Ro1edumab, Romosozumab, Ronta1izumab,
15 Rova1pituzumab tesirine, Rove1izumab, Rup1izumab, Sacituzumab govitecan, Sama1izumab,
Sape1izumab, Sari1umab, Satumomab pendetide, Secukinumab, Seribantumab, Setoxaximab,
Sevirumab, SGN-CD19A, SGN-CD33A, Sibrotuzumab, Sifa1imumab, Si1tuximab,
Simtuzumab, Sip1izumab, Sirukumab, Sofituzumab vedotin, So1anezumab, So1itomab,
Sonepcizumab, Sontuzumab, Stamu1umab, Su1esomab, Suvizumab, Taba1umab,
20 Tacatuzumab tetraxetan, Tadocizumab, Ta1izumab, Tamtuvetmab, Tanezumab,
Tap1itumomab paptox, Tarextumab, Tefibazumab, Te1imomab aritox, Tenatumomab,
Tene1iximab, Tep1izumab, Teprotumumab, Tesido1umab, Tetu1omab, Tezepe1umab,
TGN1412, Tici1imumab, Tigatuzumab, Ti1drakizumab, Timo1umab, Tisotumab vedotin,
TNX-650, Toci1izumab, Tora1izumab, Tosatoxumab, Tositumomab, Tovetumab,
25 Tra1okinumab, Trastuzumab, Trastuzumab emtansine, TRBS07, Trega1izumab,
Treme1imumab, Trevogrumab, Tucotuzumab ce1mo1eukin, Tuvirumab, Ub1ituximab,
U1ocup1umab, Ure1umab, Urtoxazumab, Ustekinumab, Utomi1umab, Vadastuximab ta1irine,
V andortuzumab vedotin, V antictumab, V anucizumab, V apa1iximab, V arli1umab,
V ate1izumab, V edo1izumab, V e1tuzumab, V epa1imomab, V esencumab, Visi1izumab,
30 Vobari1izumab, Vo1ociximab, Vorsetuzumab mafodotin, Votumumab, Xentuzumab,
Za1utumumab, Zano1imumab, Zatuximab, Zira1imumab, and Zo1imomab aritox or
combinations thereof.
14
While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any
limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in
the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the
inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples
5 of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described
elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain
elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may
be added to another embodiment.

WE CLAIM:
15
5
1. An auto-injector device (100) comprising:
a syringe assembly (206) comprising:
a needle (222) adapted to expel medicaments from the syringe assembly
(206); and
a barrel (224) adapted to hold the medicaments and to be coupled to the
needle (222), wherein a flow of medicaments is directed out of the barrel (224)
through the needle (222);
a plunger (216) positioned coaxially with respect to the barrel (224) and adapted
10 to reciprocate within the barrel (224) to expel the medicaments; and
a locking member (214) adapted to be engaged with the plunger (216) to hold the
plunger in a position with respect to the barrel (224 ),
wherein the position of the plunger (216) with respect to the barrel (224) is
adapted to be adjusted to vary a volume of medicaments to be expelled from the barrel
15 (224), the position of the plunger (216) is adjusted by engaging the locking member
(214) with the plunger (216) at one of a plurality of positions along a length (L) of the
plunger (216).
2.
20
3.
25
4.
30
The auto-injector device (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a first body
member (202) and a second body member (204), wherein the first body member (202)
and the second body member (204) are adapted to be coupled to each other to define a
housing (205) therein.
The auto-injector device (100) as claimed in any of the claims 1 and 2 further
comprising a Pre-filled Syringe (PFS) holder (208) adapted to hold the syringe assembly
(206) within the housing (205).
The auto-injector device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plunger (216) includes
an engaging portion (402), extending along the length (L) of the plunger (216), wherein
the locking member (214) engages at one of the plurality of positions in the engaging
portion (402) along the length (L).
16
5. The auto-injector device (100) as claimed in any of claims 1 further comprising a spring
release arm (220) positioned at a proximal end (102) of the auto-injector device (100)
and adapted to support the plunger (216) and a plunger spring (218).
5 6. The auto-injector device (100) as claimed in any of claims 4 and 5, wherein the locking
member (214) includes locking teeth (302) adapted to be engaged with the engaging
portion (402) of the plunger (216), wherein the locking member (214) is adapted to hold
the spring release arm (220) in a locking position to ensure engagement of the spring
release arm (220) with the plunger (216).
10
7. The auto-injector device (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a needle guard
(210) adapted to move the locking member (214) from an engaged position to a
disengaged position.
15 8. The auto-injector device (100) as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a needle guard
spring (212) adapted to be coupled to the needle guard (210), wherein the needle guard
spring (212) is adapted to allow a resilient movement of the needle guard (210).
9.
20
The auto-injector device (100) as claimed in any of claims 6 and 7, wherein:
in the engaged position, the locking teeth (302) engages with the engaging portion
( 402) to hold the plunger (216) in the position away from a distal end ( 104) of the autoinjector
device (100); and
in the disengaged position, the needle guard (210) moves the locking member
(214) towards the proximal end (102) of the auto-injector device (100) to disengage the
25 locking teeth (302) from the engaging portion ( 402).
10. The auto-injector device (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a plunger spring (218) adapted to be compressed between a head portion of the
plunger (216) and the locking member (214), wherein the plunger spring (218) is
30 adapted to resiliently push the plunger (216) within the barrel (224) to expel the
medicaments from the barrel (224).