Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for making an article such as the body of a needleless injector capsule, from a formable material, such as glass, the article having a cavity communicating with the exterior via an orifice. A blank having an open end is mounted on a first forming tool, and the open end is engaged by a second forming tool while an end region of the blank adjacent the open end is in a condition to permit it to be formed. One of the tools has a pin extending therefrom, and when the tools are brought together to form the end region into the desired shape the pin defines the orifice.

Abstract: An assembly is provided comprising a container and a break-off closure made of plastic. The container comprises a surface with a passage opening, which opening is sealed by the break-off closure An attachment area is provided between the break-off closure and the surface of the container, which area is situated around and at a distance from the circumference of the passage opening. The attachment being obtained by heating the attachment surface of one of the container and break-off closure to such a temperature that a breakable attachment is formed between them.

Abstract: A needleless injector cartridge has an adaptor for introducing fluid from a filling device into an orifice of the cartridge. The adaptor has a frangible connection which is broken to allow removal of the filling device after the cartridge is filled with the fluid.

Abstract: A needle-less injector comprises a cartridge (3) prefilled with liquid ((9), which cartridge contains a free sliding piston (32) and an injection orifice (10). A ram (22) is urged by a pre-loaded spring (24) for striking the said piston to cause the injections. Adjusting means (6) can be provided to vary the volume injected. A trigger device (26, 30) initiates injection only when the optimum contact pressure is reached between the discharge orifice (1) and epidermis of the subject. The initial loading of the power spring (24) is sufficient to dispense all of the contents of the medicament cartridge in one dose or multiple sequential doses. Disposable and reusable embodiments are described.

Abstract: A needleless injector cartridge, comprises an injection component (1) defining a void (17) therein for receiving medicament, and having an injection discharge orifice communicating with the void. The cartridge further comprises a transfer device (2) comprising a liquid-containing reservoir (4), and transfer means for causing the liquid (5) to flow from the reservoir, through a reservoir outlet, into the void in the injection component.

Abstract: A needleless injector drug capsule assembly comprising a container, housing therefor, a piston, and resilient seals to permit filling and sealing thereafter to maintain sterility of the contents.

Abstract: An injection aid is provided for use in injecting material through the skin of a recipient at a precisely defined point. The injection aid has a boss or the like which receives the outlet end of the injector. The injection aid is maintained at the desired location on the skin. In one embodiment, designed for use in treating erectile dysfunction, this is achieved by a C-shaped ring, and in another embodiment this is achieved by an adhesive-coated flange.

Abstract: A needleless injector capsule for a liquid medicament has a filling adaptor removably, and preferably frangibly, attached thereto. The capsule has a chamber for receiving injectate, the chamber being provided with an injection orifice, and having a piston located for movement therein. The adaptor has a bore which communicates with the capsule chamber via the injection orifice. The capsule is filled by introducing injectate into the capsule chamber through the injection orifice and excess injectate into bore of the adaptor, and closing the bore of the adaptor to the exterior by a sealing means, leaving the bore partly filled with excess injectate.

Abstract: A transparent needleless injector drug capsule suitable for prefilling with a liquid drug comprises a first inner layer of drug compatible transparent plastics defining a chamber for receiving a liquid drug and a second outer layer of transparent plastics forming a supporting sleeve around the first layer of plastics. Each of the first and second layers of transparent plastics is resistant to discoloration when irradiated by high energy radiation. Thus, a low cost, transparent, needleless injector drug capsule is provided which is capable of being sterilized by high energy irradiation. The capsule may define a body having a main chamber for receiving a liquid drug and for retaining a free piston in a sealing fit for subsequent use in the discharge of a drug, the body also having an extension chamber having an opening for receiving the free piston in a loose fit.

Abstract: A needleless injector capsule for a liquid medicament has a filling adapter removably, and preferably frangibly, attached thereto. The capsule has a chamber for receiving injectate, the chamber being provided with an injection orifice, and having a piston located for movement therein. The adapter has a bore which communicates with the capsule chamber via the injection orifice. The capsule is filled by introducing injectate into the capsule chamber through the injection orifice and excess injectate into the bore of the adapter, and closing the bore of the adapter to the exterior by a sealing means, leaving the bore partly filled with excess injectate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for making an article such as the body of a needleless injector capsule, from a formable material, such as glass, the article having a cavity communicating with the exterior via an orifice. A blank (1a) having an open end is mounted on a first forming tool, and the open end is engaged by a second forming tool (22) while an end region of the blank (1a) adjacent the open end is in a condition to permit it to be formed. One of the tools (7a) has a pin (21) extending therefrom, and when the tools are brought together to form the end region into the desired shape of the pin (21) defines the orifice.

Abstract: A metering device for pressurized fluids has a rotor containing an oscillating free piston operating in a bore at right angles to the rotor axis. The piston is driven by the fluid to be metered. The rotor is retained within a stator having inlet and outlet ports. When the rotor is rotated, a first end of the bore becomes in fluid connection with the inlet port and the piston is operated upon by the pressurized fluid and moves within the bore in a first direction towards the outlet port. As the rotor is turned further, the second end of the bore becomes in fluid connection with the inlet port whilst the first end is made in fluid connection with the outlet port, and the piston reverses to move in a second direction, i.e. towards the outlet port to discharge the fluid which had previously moved the piston in a first direction.

Abstract: A needleless injector cartridge has an adaptor for introducing fluid from a filling device into an orifice of the cartridge. The adaptor has a frangible connection which is broken to allow removal of the filling device after the cartridge is filled with the fluid.

Abstract: An injection aid is provided for use in injecting material through the skin of a recipient at a precisely defined point. The injection aid has a boss or the like which receives the outlet end of the injector. The injection aid is maintained at the desired location on the skin. In one embodiment, designed for use in treating erectile dysfunction, this is achieved by a C-shaped ring, and in another embodiment this is achieved by an adhesive-coated flange.

Abstract: A dispensing device, such as a needleless injector, comprising a spring, which provides an energy store, and a dispensing member movable, to effect a dispensing, under the force of the spring. A latch has a first position in which it restrains movement of the dispensing member and a second position in which it permits such movement. A trigger is operable by the user for moving the latch from the first position to the second position. A safety mechanism, preferably in the form of an appropriately shaped slot in the dispensing member, is effective before the device has been completely assembled to prevent movement of the latch to the second position.

Abstract: A needleless injector is described for dispensing a liquid material, comprising a dispensing member which moves under the force of a spring providing an energy store. A damping arrangement, employing a viscous damping medium such as grease, is used to damp recoil during dispensing.

Abstract: In a needle-less injector combining an actuator and a medicament cartridge, the actuator includes a housing with a forward portion to which the cartridge is connected. An impact member is mounted within the housing inward of the forward portion so as to be movable toward the forward portion, where it may strike components of the cartridge to effect expulsion of a dose of medicament. A chamber is provided within the housing and is pre-filled with a pressurized gas which is in communication with and exerts a constant force on the impact member, tending to urge it towards the forward portion.

Abstract: A metered dose inhaler comprises a piston which is mounted in a cavity within a body, and is urged by a pre-loaded spring into a reduced cross-section pressure chamber. The piston may be loaded by means of an actuating rod having a handle, and may be latched in a loaded position by a latching means. A liquid drug (e.g. in aqueous solution) is contained in a collapsible bag. Metered quantities of the drug are successively presented in the pressure chamber, and then subjected to a sudden and great increase in pressure, to eject the liquid drug through an atomising head, to reduce it to fine atomised spray of small mean particle size--for example less than 30 micrometers. Non-return valves control the flow of liquid through the device. The sudden pressure pulse is caused be releasing the spring loaded piston, upon depressing an actuating button connected by the latching means.