NEEDLE-FREE LIQUID JET INJECTOR FOR DRUG AND VACCINE DELIVERY

UC2007-448 

BACKGROUND: Most vaccines and protein therapeutics are currently delivered using needles and syringes. Despite their common use, needle-based methods have several limitations such as needle phobia, accidental needle sticks and re-use of needles and syringes in developing countries leading to a large number of HIV and HBV cases. Several methods are under investigation for needle-free drug and vaccine delivery, including needle-free liquid jet injectors. To date, liquid jet injectors have been used to deliver a number of macromolecules, such as vaccines, insulin and growth hormone, as well as several small molecules. However, needle-free jet injectors have not yet reached their full potential, with problems such as occasional pain, inconvenience of use and cost.
DESCRIPTION: Researchers at the University of California have developed a new device for needle-free liquid jet injection. This new device reduces the variability in penetration during injection to generate a reproducible injection. The needle-free jet injector can be used to deliver active agents, such as drugs, DNA, etc., to a patient through the skin in a precise and reproducible manner. The delivery of the active agent may occur subcutaneously, intradermally, and/or intramuscularly.

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