Abstract: A needle-free injection device. The injection device includes a user-grippable housing and a syringe assembly movably secured to the housing. The syringe assembly is configured to expel injectable fluid out of a nozzle upon application of pressurized gas to the syringe assembly. The injection device also includes a pressurized gas delivery mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to selectively apply pressurized gas to the syringe assembly. The pressurized gas delivery mechanism is at least partly actuated by pressing the nozzle onto an injection site so that the syringe assembly moves relative to the housing.

Abstract: One form of the present invention provides a needle-free injection system including the following components: a cartridge for holding liquid drug prior to injection, the cartridge having a rear end and a front end; a plug mounted to the front end of the cartridge, the plug including a channel; a displaceable valve positioned within the channel prior to injection; and a nozzle portion for receiving liquid drug from the glass cartridge for injection, the nozzle portion including an injection orifice and a drug chamber having a valve seat designed to receive the valve to facilitate injection of liquid drug through the injection orifice.

Abstract: One form of the invention provides a needle-free injection system including the following components: a nozzle portion having a glass wall defining a drug storage space, and an injection wall defining a drug injection space, the injection wall being aligned with the glass wall and defining a plurality of drug bypass conduits disposed adjacent a forward end of the drug injection space; an injection orifice defined at the forward end of the injection space; a drug plunger defining a rearward end of the storage space; a portion of dried drug initially disposed between the storage space and the injection space, and being displaceable into the injection space adjacent the bypass conduits; and a pierceable gas cartridge for providing injection power to the drug plunger.

Abstract: In accordance with the current invention, a needle-free injection system includes a cap that has a first seal for sealing an injection orifice when the cap is engaged with an injection end of the system. The cap also includes a push-rod for facilitating priming of the system when engaged with a priming end of the system. The system also includes a push-rod engaging mechanism disposed at the priming end of the system for receiving the push-rod for priming the system. The system further includes a gas cylinder for supplying pressurized gas for injecting, via the injection orifice, an injectate initially disposed within a storage chamber, and a sealing system for preventing the pressurized gas from ejecting the injectate from the system prior to actuation of the system. Actuation of the system is achieved via a slidable trigger plate.

Abstract: In accordance with the current invention, a needle-free injection system includes a cap that has a first seal for sealing an injection orifice when the cap is engaged with an injection end of the system. The cap also includes a push-rod for facilitating priming of the system when engaged with a priming end of the system. The system also includes a push-rod engaging mechanism disposed at the priming end of the system for receiving the push-rod for priming the system. The system further includes a gas cylinder for supplying pressurized gas for injecting, via the injection orifice, an injectate initially disposed within a storage chamber, and a sealing system for preventing the pressurized gas from ejecting the injectate from the system prior to actuation of the system. Actuation of the system is achieved via a slidable trigger plate.

Abstract: One form of the invention provides a needle-free injection system including the following components: a nozzle portion having a glass wall defining a drug storage space, and an injection wall defining a drug injection space, the injection wall being aligned with the glass wall and defining a plurality of drug bypass conduits disposed adjacent a forward end of the drug injection space; an injection orifice defined at the forward end of the injection space; a drug plunger defining a rearward end of the storage space; a portion of dried drug initially disposed between the storage space and the injection space, and being displaceable into the injection space adjacent the bypass conduits; and a pierceable gas cartridge for providing injection power to the drug plunger.

Abstract: One form of the invention provides a needle-free injection system including the following components: a nozzle portion having a glass wall defining a drug storage space, and an injection wall defining a drug injection space, the injection wall being coaxial with the glass wall and defining a plurality of drug bypass conduits disposed adjacent a forward end of the drug injection space; an injection orifice defined at the forward end of the injection space; a drug plunger defining a rearward end of the storage space; a drug plug initially disposed between the storage space and the injection space, and being displaceable into the injection space adjacent the bypass conduits; and a pierceable gas cartridge for providing injection power to the drug plunger.

Abstract: One form of the invention provides a needle-free injection system including the following components: a nozzle portion having a glass wall defining a drug storage space, and an injection wall defining a drug injection space, the injection wall being coaxial with the glass wall and defining a plurality of drug bypass conduits disposed adjacent a forward end of the drug injection space; an injection orifice defined at the forward end of the injection space; a drug plunger defining a rearward end of the storage space; a drug plug initially disposed between the storage space and the injection space, and being displaceable into the injection space adjacent the bypass conduits; and a pierceable gas cartridge for providing injection power to the drug plunger.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a needleless injection apparatus includes a cartridge having a plunger disposed at a rearward end. The cartridge includes an inner portion with a throat at a forward portion and a displaceable outlet valve initially disposed within the cartridge throat. The cartridge further includes a generally outwardly facing surface and a system for selectively providing driving force to drive the plunger in a forward direction. The apparatus also includes a nozzle for receiving the cartridge, the nozzle defining a rearward, cartridge-receiving portion, and having a forward portion terminating in and defining a valve abutment surface with a plurality of channels and an injection orifice.

Abstract: A system for injecting DNA-based medications into humans is provided by the present invention. The system includes a needle-free injector with an injection orifice of approximately 0.004 inches for supplying DNA-based medication at an initial pressure of from 3900 to 4300 psi, and then immediately declining to a level of about 2800 to 3800 psi, and then immediately cutting off pressure to terminate the injection. The injector includes an annular adapter for spacing the injection orifice from the skin of the patient. The adapter includes an abutment against which the injector is disposed so that the orifice is spaced approximately 0.76-1.0 inch from the skin of the patient, the adapter having an inner diameter at the distal end of approximately 0.50-0.70 inches.