Skin Retention Device for a Medical Jet Injection Unit

Abstract

A skin retention device 10 for a medical jet-injection unit 20 comprises a contact face provided with adhesive 12 in the area surrounding and close to the injection opening(s) 11 of the nozzle 21 which ensures god contact between the nozzle 21 and the skin 30 of a subject in the area chosen for an injection. Consequently the injection force can be lowered dramatically. In case of two-stage jet-injections, the initial injection force can be lowered because the skin retention close to the injection point significantly reduces the energy consuming elastic expansion of the skin 30 in the injection area, and the second injection force can be lowered because of the high degree of fixed positioning of the injection opening of the nozzle 21 relative to the injection channel in the skin 30 made during the initial injection stage. Thus a high degree of injection safety is achieved, minimizing the risk of whet shots, while skin lift and lower injection force decreases the risk of damage of the underlying tissue.

Description

[0001]The invention relates to a nozzle device adapted for placement against a skin surface of a subject, the nozzle device providing a tool for retaining and stretching the skin. The nozzle device may advantageously be used in a drug delivery device to improve interaction between the delivery device and a skin surface. For example, the nozzle device may be used in combination with an impulse generating jet injection unit.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Subcutaneous and intramuscular delivery of liquid drugs by injection is common in the medical arts. As some medications such as insulin must be given frequently by injection to an individual, easy performance of the injections is desirable.[0003]Many patients dislike needle injections due to pain or fear for needles. Further, blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV and hepatitis, can be transmitted to health care workers by accidental needle-sticks. Also, the disposal of used needles is a growing concern. This disposal presents a problem...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In a further aspect of the invention, the skin retention device is also adapted to stretch the skin in the proximity of the injection point. The skin stretching means are arranged circumferentially relative to the outlet nozzle, the skin stretching means having an initial first configuration corresponding to an initial state in which the skin stretching means is adapted to be placed against the skin surface of the subject, the skin stretching means being moveable to a second configuration, wherein movement of the skin stretching means to the second configuration after the skin stretching means has been placed against the skin of the subject results in the skin being stretched relatively to the outlet nozzle. By engaging and stretching the skin the likelihood that the nozzle moves relative to the skin during injection is reduced. Further, stretching of the skin will aid in keeping open the injection channel during injection (e.g. through an initially established channel during the first stage of a two-stage injection), the channel subsequently being “closed” as the stretching action is removed.

[0013]Depending on the position of the skin-engaging nozzle portion before, during, and after actuation of the skin stretching and stretching means, the skin can be stretched in different ways. For example, when the nozzle portion engages the skin at an early stage, movement of the skin stretching means between the first and second configurations may result in the skin stretching means being displaced proximally relative to the outlet nozzle, thereby stretching the skin “upwardly around” the nozzle portion. If the nozzle portion engages the skin after movement of the skin stretching means between the first and second configurations, the nozzle will engage a radially stretched skin surface. Indeed, a number of combinations are possible, for example the skin may be stretched both radially and upward

Problems solved by technology

Hitherto it has been necessary to apply an undesirable high injection force to minimize the risk of wet shots.

This has increased the risk of damage caused by intramuscular injections and the risk of altering the pharmaco-kinetics resulting in unpredictable plasma levels of insulin.

Further, by p

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