A New Concept of Needle-Free Jet Injector by the Impact Driven Method

Abstract

Currently, most of commercial needle-free jet injectors generate the liquid jet by a method called “driving object method” (DOM); however, the reliability and efficiency are still questioned. This paper proposes a new concept of jet generation method, known as “impact driven method” (IDM). A prototype of an IDM jet injector is designed, built, tested, and compared to a commercial device (Cool.click, Tigard, OR). Fundamental characteristics, i.e., the exit jet velocity and impact pressure, are measured. Jet injection processes are visualized both in air and in 20% polyacrylamide by high speed photography. In this study, from the prototype of the IDM jet injector, a maximum jet velocity of 400 m/s and impact peak pressure of 68 MPa can be obtained. It is clear that the IDM jet injector provides a double pulsed liquid jet, which is a major advantage over the commercial jet injector. Because, the first pulse gives a shorter erosion stage, and then, immediately the second pulse follows and provides a better penetration, wider lateral dispersion, and considerably less back splash. Hence, lower pain level and higher delivery efficiency should be achieved. It can be concluded that the IDM concept is highly feasible for implementation in real applications, either for human or animal injection. However, the control and accuracy of IDM still needs to be carefully investigated.