Needleless injection systems

Problems facing needleless injection systems include the high developmental cost of both the device and dosage form and the inability, unlike some of the other techniques described previously, to programme or control drug delivery in order to compensate for inter-subject differences in skin permeability. In addition, the... 

Other delivery systems are transdermal patches, metered dose inhalers, nasal sprays, implantable devices, and needle-free injections. A description of needleless injection is given in Exhibit 5.16. 

Several self-administration subcutaneous injection systems are available and include conventional syringes, prefilled glass syringes, autoinjectors, pen pumps, and needleless injectors. Subcutaneous still remains a predictable and controllable route of delivery for peptides and macromolecules. 

FIGURE 2.5 A flow injection system for the potentiometric determination of ammonium in Kjeldahl plant digests used in Brazil in 1976. The flow setup is supported by LEGO blocks and includes a needleless syringes for manual sample injection, an air-gap ammonium electrode (in white), a model 8511 Polymetron peristaltic pump and a model 64 Radiometer pH meter (recorder not shown). For experimental details, see Ref. [43],... 

The term needleless systems refers to any devices that provide an alternative to needles for procedures with a risk of injury involving contaminated sharps. Examples include IV systems that administer medication or fluids through a catheter port using nonneedle connections. Consider jet injection systems that deliver liquid medication beneath the skin or through a muscle as another example. 

Abbott Laboratories http //www.abbott.com Premixes, IV solutions—Lifecare, injectable drug delivery systems, needleless systems, infusion pumps, Add-Vantage... 

Diabetics have traditionally been forced to perform self-injection, so auto-injectors have been developed for use in this area and look like a modem felt-tip pen. Quantities of insulin can be pre-set by turning a knob on the pen which has features including an audible click, clear resistance prior to each dose and a visual indication on the scale thus helping to eliminate dosing errors. Quick and easy dosing is possible with such systems. Auto-injectors are marketed by a number of companies under the following tradenames Novopen , Novepen II, NovoLet , Optipen II and D-Pen . Pressurised needleless systems are also now available. 

In medical technology, there is an increasing trend for smart products. These are made possible by modem processes such as laser marking, two-component injection moulding and MID technology. Current examples include functional dmg delivery systems like pens for active ingredient injection and needleless syringes. 

---