Abstract: A shielded, sterile, single-use unit dose needle assembly includes a unit dose needle with a hub and a packaging shield. The unit dose needle has a handle end and a prong end configured to hold a unit dose of a vaccine. The hub is fixedly attached to the handle end of the unit dose needle and includes a tapered mating surface. The packaging shield includes a tubular housing having an open end and a closed end with an internal opening extending therebetween. The open end of the packaging shield can be removably attached to the tapered mating surface of the hub to form an air-tight seal, with the unit dose needle contained within the internal opening.

Abstract: A shieldable unit dose needle assembly including a unit dose needle, a shield in pivotal engagement with respect to the needle, and a collar providing pivotal engagement between the needle and the shield. The shield is pivotally movable between a retracted position and a shielded position in which a portion of the shield encompasses the unit dose needle for safety purposes. The collar further includes a handle for holding the needle assembly during use, which handle may include a profile for accommodating a user's fingers.

Abstract: A shieldable, single-use unit dose needle assembly for administering a unit dose of a vaccine includes a unit dose needle attached to a base with a sleeve slidably attached thereto. The sleeve includes a guide slot that extends through the tubular sleeve wall. The base includes a tab disposed on an outer surface and extends through and beyond the guide slot. The unit dose needle includes a base end attached to the base and an opposed prong end configured to hold a unit dose of a vaccine. The needle assembly is configured such that movement of the tab through the guide slot enables an extension and a retraction movement of the needle between an extended position with the needle extending from the distal end of the sleeve and a retracted position with the needle contained within the internal sleeve opening.

Abstract: Methods and devices for administration of substances into the intradermal layer of skin for systemic absorption.

Abstract: A method of making an intradermal injection using a drug delivery device containing the substance to be injected. A device for practicing the method includes a needle cannula having a forward tip and a limiter portion having a skin engaging surface surrounding the needle cannula. The needle cannula is in fluid communication with the substance and the tip of the needle cannula extends beyond the skin engaging surface a distance equal to approximately 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. The needle cannula includes a fixed angle of orientation relative to the plane of the skin engaging surface. The skin engaging surface limits penetration of the needle tip into the skin so that the substance can be expelled through the needle tip into the dermis layer. Preferably, the fixed angle of orientation of the needle cannula is generally perpendicular relative to the skin surface, and the skin engaging surface is generally flat.

Abstract: A prefillable delivery device for administering intradermal injections includes a prefillable container adapted to store a substance. The substance is expelled through a needle cannula having a forward tip adapted to administer the intradermal injection. A limiter surrounds the needle cannula having a generally flat skin engaging surface extending in a plane generally perpendicular to the needle cannula. An insert is centrally located within the skin engaging surface and is piercable by the forward tip. A sleeve with a first end and a second end surrounds the prefillable container. The limiter is slidably inserted through the first end and the second end is affixed to a depressable plunger for expelling the substance from the container. The limiter is movable between a first position and a second position thereby exposing the forward tip and is selectively movable between a third position and a fourth position thereby concealing the forward tip.

Abstract: A nasal delivery device is provided for delivering substances such as liquid drugs, vaccines and the like to a nasal passage. The nasal delivery device preferably comprises a drug container such as syringe and a separable spray nozzle. The spray nozzle includes a rigid plastic cap having a spray aperture at a distal end of the nozzle for delivering the liquid substance to the nasal passage. Attachment means is provided for attaching the spray nozzle to the syringe at the time of the delivery of the liquid substance to the nasal passage. The nozzle defines a conduit that allows fluid communication from the syringe to the spray aperture. The nozzle includes an internal valve between the spray aperture and the syringe for allowing only pressurized liquid substance to flow through the conduit and the aperture so that a mist or spray is delivered through the spray aperture.

Abstract: Methods and devices for administration of vaccines and gene therapeutic agents into the intradermal layer of skin.

Abstract: A method of making an intradermal injection using a drug delivery device containing the substance to be injected. A device for practicing the method includes a needle cannula having a forward tip and a limiter portion having a skin engaging surface surrounding the needle cannula. The needle cannula is in fluid communication with the substance and the tip of the needle cannula extends beyond the skin engaging surface a distance equal to approximately 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. The needle cannula includes a fixed angle of orientation relative to the plane of the skin engaging surface. The skin engaging surface limits penetration of the needle tip into the skin so that the substance can be expelled through the needle tip into the dermis layer. Preferably, the fixed angle of orientation of the needle cannula is generally perpendicular relative to the skin surface, and the skin engaging surface is generally flat.

Abstract: A method of making an intradermal injection using a drug delivery device containing the substance to be injected. A device for practicing the method includes a needle cannula having a forward tip and a limiter portion having a skin engaging surface surrounding the needle cannula. The needle cannula is in fluid communication with the substance and the tip of the needle cannula extends beyond the skin engaging surface a distance equal to approximately 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. The needle cannula includes a fixed angle of orientation relative to the plane of the skin engaging surface. The skin engaging surface limits penetration of the needle tip into the skin so that the substance can be expelled through the needle tip into the dermis layer. Preferably, the fixed angle of orientation of the needle cannula is generally perpendicular relative to the skin surface, and the skin engaging surface is generally flat.

Abstract: A drug delivery device including a needle assembly facilitates making intradermal injections using a variety of drug container types such as a syringe. A hub supports the needle while a limiter surrounds the needle. The limiter includes a skin engaging surface that is adapted to be received against the skin of an animal to be intradermally injected. A forward end of the needle extends beyond the skin engaging surface a selected distance to limit a depth that the needle penetrates into the animal's skin.

Abstract: A nasal delivery device is provided for delivering substances such as liquid drugs, vaccines and the like to a nasal passage. The nasal delivery device preferably comprises a drug container such as syringe and a separable spray nozzle. The spray nozzle includes a rigid plastic cap having a spray aperture at a distal end of the nozzle for delivering the liquid substance to the nasal passage. Attachment means is provided for attaching the spray nozzle to the syringe at the time of the delivery of the liquid substance to the nasal passage. The nozzle defines a conduit that allows fluid communication from the syringe to the spray aperture. The nozzle includes an internal valve between the spray aperture and the syringe for allowing only pressurized liquid substance to flow through the conduit and the aperture so that a mist or spray is delivered through the spray aperture.

Abstract: Methods and devices for administration of substances into the intradermal layer of skin with improved bioavailability.

Abstract: A method for directly delivering whereby a substance is introduced into an intradermal space within mammalian skin which involves administering the substance through at least one small gauge hollow needle having an outlet with an exposed height between 0 and 1 mm. The outlet is inserted into the skin to a depth of between 0.3 mm and 2 mm such that the delivery of the substance occurs at a depth between 0.3 mm and 2 mm.

Abstract: An intradermal needle assembly that is attachable to a prefillable container intended for intradermally injecting substances into an animal includes a needle cannula supported by a hub portion. The hub portion is adapted to receive the prefillable container just prior to administering the intradermal injection. A limiter portion surrounds the needle cannula and extends away from the hub portion toward a forward tip of the needle cannula, and includes a skin engaging surface with the needle cannula having a fixed angle of orientation, preferably generally perpendicular, relative to the plane of the skin engaging surface. The skin engaging surface is received against the skin of an animal to administer an intradermal injection. The forward tip extends beyond the skin engaging surface a distance enabling penetration of the needle cannula into the dermis layer of the skin of the animal enabling injection of the substance into the dermis layer.

Abstract: An intradermal delivery device for use in intradermally injecting substances into the skin of an animal includes a needle cannula supported by a hub portion that is attachable to a prefillable container. A limiter portion surrounds the needle cannula and extends away from the hub portion toward a forward tip of the needle cannula. The limiter portion includes a skin engaging surface extending in a plane generally perpendicular to an axis of the needle cannula. The skin engaging surface is received against skin of an animal to administer an intradermal injection. The forward tip extends beyond the skin engaging surface a distance that enables penetration of the needle cannula into the dermis layer of the skin of the animal enabling injection of the substance into the dermis layer of the animal. The device includes enclosure means that is moveable for concealing the needle cannula after the injection has been administered.

Abstract: A method of making an intradermal injection using a drug delivery device containing the substance to be injected. A device for practicing the method includes a needle cannula having a forward tip and a limiter portion having a skin engaging surface surrounding the needle cannula. The needle cannula is in fluid communication with the substance and the tip of the needle cannula extends beyond the skin engaging surface a distance equal to approximately 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. The needle cannula includes a fixed angle of orientation relative to the plane of the skin engaging surface. The skin engaging surface limits penetration of the needle tip into the skin so that the substance can be expelled through the needle tip into the dermis layer. Preferably, the fixed angle of orientation of the needle cannula is generally perpendicular relative to the skin surface, and the skin engaging surface is generally flat.

Abstract: A prefillable delivery device for administering intradermal injections includes a prefillable container adapted to store a substance. The substance is expelled through a needle cannula having a forward tip adapted to administer the intradermal injection. A limiter surrounds the needle cannula having a generally flat skin engaging surface extending in a plane generally perpendicular to the needle cannula. An insert is centrally located within the skin engaging surface and is piercable by the forward tip. A sleeve with a first end and a second end surrounds the prefillable container. The limiter is slidably inserted through the first end and the second end is affixed to a depressable plunger for expelling the substance from the container. The limiter is movable between a first position and a second position thereby exposing the forward tip and is selectively movable between a third position and a fourth position thereby concealing the forward tip.

Abstract: A drug delivery device including a needle assembly facilitates making intradermal injections using a variety of drug container types such as a syringe. A hub supports the needle while a limiter surrounds the needle. The limiter includes a skin engaging surface that is adapted to be received against the skin of an animal to be intradermally injected. A forward end of the needle extends beyond the skin engaging surface a selected distance to limit a depth that the needle penetrates into the animal's skin.