Needleless injection system

Abstract

A pneumatic needleless injector is provided. The pneumatic needleless injector includes a gas spring in communication with a piston. The vaccine dose chamber is configured to receive one or more vaccines or components thereof. A ball screw is coaxial with the gas spring and the vaccine dose chamber and is configured to receive at least a portion of the piston. The ball screw is configured to move the piston between a first position and a second position. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to needleless injection systems, and more particularly, to needleless injection systems including an actuating gas spring for pressure regulation, an axial push-back mechanism, and / or an electro-hydraulic trigger. Background Art

[0002] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Traditionally, hypodermic syringes have been used to inject medications and the like for various animal and human health applications. However, these devices have significant drawbacks, including, for example, an increased risk of disease transmission among injection recipients, as well as breakage and possible tissue damage at the injection site, which not only pose serious health problems but also result in significant profit losses for meat producers. Needleless injection systems address many of these problems. Mechanical springs are commonly used to provide a compact energy storage mechanism for needleless injection. However, force adjustment is often required to change the injection depth, for example, from neonatal piglets to adult sows. For mechanical springs, such adjustments are often impractical. A common alternative is a pneumatically driven system. However, these systems typically require tethering the injection system to a compressor, which affects ergonomics. Gas springs are an alternative to mechanical systems and pneumatically driven systems and are generally considered to be the lowest quality springs for needleless injection. However, gas springs typically drift undesirably with temperature (e.g., changes in ambient temperature and / or cooling after gas compression, such as during precharging). Further, a mechanical frame is often required to prevent distortion and accelerated seal wear for both mechanical springs and gas springs. Such a mechanical frame may undesirably increase the total mass of the needleless injection system. Similarly, mechanical trigger mechanisms are commonly used to release gas springs or mechanical springs. However, due to the large applied force, such mechanisms typically suffer from associated wear and service life issues. A common alternative includes a mechanically operated hydraulic trigger, but a mechanically operated hydraulic trigger requires a pressure drop in the hydraulic hose to reset, thereby limiting the ability to accurately deliver small doses. Accordingly, it is desirable to develop devices and methods for addressing each of these problems. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary pneumatic needleless syringe in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the gas spring is fully extended;

[0006] Figure 2Another perspective cross-sectional illustration of an example pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the gas spring is fully extended;

[0007] Figure 3 A close-up illustration of the receiving port of a pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0008] Figure 4 A cross-sectional illustration of the nozzle end of the vaccine dose chamber of an example pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 5 Another cross-sectional illustration of the nozzle end of the vaccine dose chamber of an example pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the solenoid actuator is in the "closed" position;

[0010] Figure 6 Another cross-sectional illustration of the nozzle end of the vaccine dose chamber of an example pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the solenoid actuator is in the "open" position;

[0011] Figure 7 A cross-sectional illustration of an example pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 8 A schematic illustration of the vaccine dose chamber of an example pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 9 Is Figure 8 An enlarged illustration of the receiving port of the vaccine dose chamber of;

[0014] Figure 10 A close-up illustration of the motor belt system of a pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 11 A partial cross-sectional illustration of an example pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the gas spring is fully extended;

[0016] Figure 12 A partial cross-sectional illustration of an example pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the piston of the gas spring is pushed back by a ball screw, the action of which causes the vaccine and / or vaccine components to be aspirated into the vaccine dose chamber;

[0017] Figure 13 A partial cross-sectional illustration of an example pneumatic needleless injector in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the pneumatic needleless injector is in a loaded state ready to administer the vaccine and / or vaccine components;

[0018] Figure 14A partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary pneumatic needleless syringe in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the hydraulic valve is in the open position to administer a vaccine and / or vaccine component, and administration continues until the piston reaches the end station;

[0019] Figure 15 A partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary pneumatic needleless syringe in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the piston of the gas spring is in the fully extended position;

[0020] Figure 16 A partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary pneumatic needleless syringe in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the piston of the gas spring is in the retracted position;

[0021] Figure 17 A partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary pneumatic needleless syringe in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the piston of the gas spring is in the fully extended position;

[0022] Figure 18 A partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary pneumatic needleless syringe in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the piston of the gas spring is in the retracted position; and

[0023] Figure 19 A schematic view of another exemplary pneumatic needleless syringe in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the gas spring is fully extended.

[0024] In several views of the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope thereof to those skilled in the art. To provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods. Those skilled in the art will understand that specific details need not be employed and that the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

[0027] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the singular forms "a / an" and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless specifically identified as an order of execution, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0028] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless the context clearly indicates. Thus, the first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0030] For ease of description, this document may use spatial relative terms such as "inner", "outer", "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition to the orientation depicted in the figures, the spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, an element described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features will be oriented "above" these other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can cover both the upper and lower orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations) and the spatial relative descriptors used herein are to be interpreted accordingly.

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are cross-sectional views of an exemplary pneumatic needleless injector 100. The pneumatic needleless injector 100 includes a pneumatic energy storage element (e.g., a gas spring 110) that communicates with a dose chamber (e.g., a vaccine dose chamber 150), the dose chamber being a high-pressure chamber configured to receive a fluid such as one or more vaccines and / or components for making one or more vaccines. For example, as shown, a piston 170 (e.g., a high-pressure piston) may connect the gas spring 110 and the vaccine dose chamber 150. A housing 120 may surround and support the gas spring 110 and the vaccine dose chamber 150. For example, the housing 120 may include a first end plate 122 parallel to a second end plate 124 and a plurality of rods (or pins) 126 that extend between and are coupled to the first end plate 122 and the second end plate 124. The housing 120 may further include a support structure 128 that is coupled to one or more of the rods 126. As shown, the support structure 128 may include or act as a linear actuator, such as a ball screw actuator having a ball screw bearing 135. The support structure may further include a motor mount (not shown).

[0032] The ball screw bearing 135, the vaccine dose chamber 150, and the gas spring 110 can be coaxial. For example, in some variations, the support structure 128 can be disposed at the interface between the gas spring 110 and the vaccine dose chamber 150 to support and align the gas spring 110 and the vaccine dose chamber 150. As shown, the first end 111 of the gas spring 110 can be coupled to the first end plate 122, while the second end 112 of the gas spring 110 can be coupled to the support structure 128, and the vaccine dose chamber 150 can be coupled to the second end plate 124 and extend through the support structure 128 toward the second end 112 of the gas spring 110. As shown, in some variations, the support structure 128 can include one or more connectors 129 configured to connect to the second end of the gas spring 112. In some variations, the vaccine dose chamber 150 can interface with or extend into the second end of the gas spring 110. For example, the support structure 128 can include a hollow drive nut 130 that defines a cavity 132 configured to receive the ball screw 134, which has a cavity 136 that receives the piston 170 and is configured to move over the vaccine dose chamber 150. The piston 170 can also be configured to move through one or more connectors 129 that connect the support structure 128 and the gas spring 112.

[0033] The vaccine dose chamber 150 is in communication with a nozzle 180 that extends from or through the second end plate 124. In some variations, the nozzle 180 can be formed of a wear-resistant material such as stainless steel or ruby and can be removable for cleaning and / or replacement. Further, the nozzle can have a single injection orifice. In contrast, spray nozzles generally have multiple small holes that point in different directions. The single injection orifice according to the present disclosure can have an inner diameter greater than or equal to about 200 micrometers (μm) to less than or equal to about 400 μm and optionally about 300 μm in some aspects. In each case, the nozzle 180 can contact a subject (e.g., a sow, a piglet) to administer one or more vaccines and / or components for making one or more vaccines. For example, the injection orifice can be configured to produce a single coherent jet that penetrates the tissue of the subject.

[0034] One or more sensors 140, such as optical switches, can be used to determine the positioning of the piston 170. In some cases, for example, the sensed element 145 can be coupled to the piston 170 such that the sensed element 145 interacts with the sensor 140 to determine the position of the piston 170.

[0035] The nozzle 180 includes one or more triggers 182 configured to initiate movement and cause the nozzle 180 (and the pneumatic needleless injector 100) to move from a closed position to an open position. The one or more triggers 182 can be configured to prevent air from moving into the nozzle 180. For example, Figures 3 to 6 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle end of the pneumatic needleless injector 100, and as shown, the one or more triggers 182 can actuate the solenoid actuator 300. Such a nozzle 180 can include an injection orifice 302, a valve spring 304, a plunger 306, a housing 308, a filter 310, and an electrical attachment portion 312. Figure 5 Shows the solenoid actuator in the "closed" position, thus preventing fluid from dispersing from the injection orifice 302. Figure 6 Shows the solenoid actuator in the "open" position, thus allowing fluid to disperse from the injection orifice 302.

[0036] In certain variations, as Figure 7 shown, the vaccine dose chamber 150 and the nozzle 180 can be connected using a flexible hose 189. The flexible hose 189 can be connected to a wearable handheld device. In some cases, a pressure hydraulic hose can connect the vaccine dose chamber 150 to the solenoid actuator 300.

[0037] Continuing to refer to Figure 7 , according to one aspect, the gas spring 110 can be connected to the dose chamber 150, which in some cases is under high pressure. This connection can be arranged to be "floating" to allow for tolerances in the axial alignment of the gas spring 110 and the dose chamber 150, but no gap is formed because the gas spring 110 exerts a constant pressure on the piston 170. The dose chamber 150 can be filled, and the gas spring 110 can be pushed backward by a ball screw actuator coaxial with the dose chamber 150 and the gas spring 110. The dose chamber 150 can be filled through a one-way inlet valve, and the hydraulic trigger valve 160 is closed to prevent air from entering the nozzle. Driving the ball screw actuator back to different positions allows for changing the delivered dose. When pre-filling the system, the ball screw actuator retracts, and this position is maintained by the pressure in the hydraulic fluid (which in some cases is the vaccine). To release the injection, an electrically or mechanically operated hydraulic trigger valve 160 is opened, which can be located in the wearable portion or in a handheld piece held by the operator. In some cases, the hydraulic trigger valve 160 can form the injection nozzle of the handheld piece. The injection is completed when the piston 170 reaches its end position or when the hydraulic trigger valve closes. The latter allows for more accurate delivery of small doses and allows for changing the dose for a fixed pre-filled position.

[0038] In some cases, the hydraulic trigger valve can be an electro-hydraulic trigger, which is wear-free and does not apply an unbalanced force to the main power generator. Further, since the injection can be electrically shut off, rather than requiring depressurization of the flexible hose, more accurate dose control can be achieved for small doses (e.g., micro-doses). This is superior to mechanically operated hydraulic triggers, as mechanically operated hydraulic triggers require a pressure drop in the hydraulic hose to reset, thus limiting the ability to accurately deliver small doses.

[0039] The vaccine dose chamber 150 may also include one or more one-way inlet (or receiving) ports (or openings) configured to receive one or more vaccines and / or components for making vaccines. For example, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, the vaccine dose chamber 150 may have a receiving port 152 disposed near the second end plate 124. The receiving port 152 may include a valve configured to communicate with a vaccine vial. For example, in certain variations, the valve may include multiple threads, with or without an O-ring. In certain variations, the valve may be actuated by pushing down from a higher (or top) position at low pressure, but forms a metal-to-metal seal when compressed downward at high pressure (e.g., about 600 bar). Figure 3 and Figure 9 A close-up view of the receiving port 152 in certain cases is provided.

[0040] The movement of the piston 170 from the first fully extended position to the second retracted position can create a negative pressure to draw in one or more vaccines and / or components for making one or more vaccines through the receiving port 152. The movement of the piston 170 from the second retracted position to the first fully extended position (e.g., release of the piston 170) can cause one or more vaccines and / or components for making vaccines to be discharged via the nozzle 180. In certain variations, the movement of the piston 170 can be controlled by a drive motor 190, which is connected and supported by a support structure 128. For example, as Figure 10 best shown, the drive motor 190 can be configured to move (e.g., rotate) a belt 192, which can be configured to move (e.g., rotate) a ball screw 134. The drive motor 190 can be powered by a battery (not shown) and controlled using a control system. For example, in various aspects, the control system can be configured to initiate the movement of the drive motor 190 to cause the piston 170 to change at a variable angle, for example, using rotational impact, thereby allowing the amount of vaccine injected to be changed.

[0041] Figures 11 to 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the needleless syringe 100, showing the movement of the piston 170 for inhaling and injecting the vaccine. For example, Figure 11 (compared with Figure 1 and Figure 2Similar) shows a stationary or starting position in which the gas spring 110, and more particularly, the piston 170, is in a first fully extended position. By way of comparison, Figure 12 shows the piston 170 as it moves from the first fully extended position to the second retracted position. As shown, the negative pressure generated by the movement of the piston 170 from the first position to the second position allows one or more vaccines and / or components for making one or more vaccines to enter through the receiving port 152. Figure 13 shows the loaded state of the needleless syringe 100 in which one or more vaccines and / or components for making one or more vaccines have been drawn into the vaccine dose chamber 150 and are ready to be administered to a subject. Figure 14 shows the release (or administration) of one or more vaccines and / or components for making one or more vaccines when one or more valves (or triggers) 182 are moved and the nozzle 180 is opened. As a further illustration, Figure 15 and Figure 16 are partial cross-sectional views showing the piston 170 as it moves from the first fully extended position to the second retracted position, and Figure 17 and Figure 18 are additional partial cross-sectional views showing the ball screw 134 as it moves from the first fully extended position to the second retracted position.

[0042] Figure 19 is a schematic illustration of another example pneumatic needleless syringe 200 having a first part (or component) 210 and a second part (or component) 250. The difference between the first part 210 and the second part 250 may be that the first part 210 is a transportable or wearable component, and the second part 250 is a hand-held dosing device (e.g., a single nozzle 252A or a double nozzle 252B). The first part 210 may include one or more pneumatic components 292, 294 having a construction similar to that of Figures 1 to 18 the pneumatic needleless syringe 100 shown.

[0043] As Figure 19As shown, the first portion 210 may include one or more pneumatic high-pressure vaccine delivery units (e.g., gas springs 201, 202, which define a first sub-component or portion), the one or more pneumatic high-pressure vaccine delivery units being in communication with a pressure adjustment cylinder 203 (which defines a second sub-component or portion), the pressure adjustment cylinder allowing adjustment of the pressure in the gas springs 201, 202. For example, in certain variations, the first portion 210 may include a first pneumatic needleless syringe spring 201 and a second pneumatic needleless syringe spring 202 disposed downstream of the pressure adjustment cylinder 203. As shown, the first pneumatic needleless syringe spring 201 may be disposed in parallel with the second pneumatic needleless syringe spring 202. The one or more pneumatic needleless syringe springs 201, 202 may be connected to the pressure adjustment cylinder 203 using one or more connecting hoses or tubes 204, 205. For example, as shown, the first connecting hose 204 may connect the first pneumatic needleless syringe spring 201 to the pressure adjustment cylinder 203, and the second connecting hose 205 may connect the second pneumatic needleless syringe spring 202 to the pressure adjustment cylinder 203.

[0044] In certain variations, the one or more connecting hoses 204, 205 may include one or more gate valves 206, 207. For example, as shown, the first connecting hose 204 may include a first gate valve 206, and the second connecting hose 205 may include a second gate valve 207. The first gate valve 206 may be positioned at any point along the first connecting hose 204. As shown, the first gate valve 206 may be located at approximately half-way (by way of example only) between the pressure adjustment cylinder 203 and the first pneumatic needleless syringe spring 201. Similarly, the second gate valve 207 may be positioned at any point along the second connecting hose 205. As shown, the second gate valve 206 may be located at approximately half-way (by way of example only) between the pressure adjustment cylinder 203 and the second pneumatic needleless syringe spring 202. The first gate valve 206 may be positioned independently of the second gate valve 207. In each case, the one or more gate valves 206, 207 may be closed at a particular time, e.g., during the firing stroke of the pressure adjustment cylinder 203, in order to restrict or prevent unnecessary gas flow.

[0045] The first portion 210 may also include one or more vaccine dose chambers 211, 212 (defining a third sub-component or portion). For example, the first vaccine dose chamber 211 may communicate with the first pneumatic needleless injector spring 201, and the second vaccine dose chamber 212 may communicate with the second pneumatic needleless injector spring 202. As shown, each of the pneumatic needleless injector springs 201, 202 includes a volume receiving portion 201A, 202A and a plunger or piston 201B, 202B that moves relative to the volume receiving portions 201A, 202A. The pistons 201B, 202B may be configured to move between a first position and a second position. In some variations, as discussed above, the motors 213A, 213B may communicate with the pistons 201B, 202B to assist in the movement of the pistons 201B, 202B from a first extended position to a second retracted position. As shown, a portion of the pistons 201B, 202B extends into a receiving cavity 211A, 212A of one of the one or more vaccine dose chambers 211, 212, and the movement of the pistons 201B, 202B may depend on the pressure in the volume receiving portions 201A, 202A and / or the pressure applied to the pistons 201B, 202B. In each variation, the second and third sub-components may be individually configured to allow for greater manufacturing flexibility.

[0046] The first portion 210 may be connected to the second portion 250 via one or more connecting tubes or hoses 254, 255. For example, as shown, the third connecting tube 254 may connect the first vaccine dose chamber 211 and the first inlet port 256A of the dual nozzle 252B, and the fourth connecting tube 255 may connect the second vaccine dose chamber 212 and the second inlet port 256B of the dual nozzle 252B. The one or more connecting hoses 254, 255 may include one or more gate valves 260, 262. For example, as shown, the third connecting hose 254 may include a third gate valve 260, and the fourth connecting hose 255 may include a second gate valve 262. The third gate valve 260 may be positioned at any point along the third connecting hose 254. As shown, the third gate valve 260 may be located at approximately half (by way of example only) the position between the first vaccine dose chamber 211 and the first inlet port 256A of the dual nozzle 252B. Similarly, the fourth gate valve 262 may be positioned at any point along the fourth connecting hose 255. According to some aspects, the gate valves 260, 262 may be positioned inside the dual nozzle device 252B so as to position the gate valves closer to the nozzle 180.

[0047] As shown, the fourth gate valve 262 can be located, by way of example only, at approximately half the position between the second vaccine dose chamber 212 and the second inlet port 256B of the dual nozzle 252B. The third gate valve 260 can be positioned independently of the fourth gate valve 262. According to some aspects, since the pressure is not regulated during the firing stroke of the actuating gas spring 203, the connecting hoses 204, 205 (for air flow) can have a relatively small inner diameter compared to the connecting hoses 254, 255 (for liquid flow; e.g., vaccine). For example, in certain variants, the connecting hoses 254, 255 can each have an average inner diameter greater than or equal to about 1 millimeter to less than or equal to about 3 millimeters and, in some aspects, optionally about 2 millimeters. In some cases, the connecting hoses 204, 205 can have the same or a larger inner diameter compared to the connecting hoses 254, 255.

[0048] Similar to the first pneumatic needleless injector spring 201 and the second pneumatic needleless injector spring 202, the actuating gas spring 203 can include a plunger or piston 251 that moves relative to the volume receiving portion 253. For example, the piston 251 can be configured to move between a first position and a second position. In certain variants, as discussed above, the motor 254 can be in communication with the piston 251 to assist in moving the piston from the first extended position to the second retracted position. As further discussed below, a smaller movement of the actuating gas spring 203 can be used to compensate for temperature drift. For example, in certain variants, the actuating gas spring 203 can be used in combination with one or more pressure sensors (not shown) to ensure that the firing force of the pneumatic needleless injector 200 is maintained during temperature drift. Conversely, a larger movement of the actuating gas spring 203 can be used to change the total pressure, enabling the pneumatic needleless injector 200 to be used for different injection depths.

[0049] In some cases, it may be desirable to deliver a small dose (e.g., a microdose) to a subject in a needleless manner. However, the inventors have found that due to pressure transients during the initial injection period, existing needleless systems are unable to accurately administer such small injection doses. That is, compared to the transmission time of the pressure wave, such systems become large, resulting in pressure oscillations that take some time to decay. It has been determined that the cause of such oscillations is due to rigid tubes or hoses, which are typically mounted in a handpiece or nozzle from which fluid is delivered, and more specifically at the junction of the rigid tube / hose and a flexible hose (e.g., a hydraulic hose). In this regard, the pressure wave in the rigid tube / hose travels at a faster speed than the pressure wave in the flexible hydraulic hose. In the case where the rigid hose and the flexible hose are joined, there is an impedance mismatch in the propagation of the wave, resulting in reflection and standing waves.

[0050] Thus, according to some aspects of the present disclosure, a flexible (e.g., elastomeric) hose 189 (such as a flexible hydraulic hose) is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and is connected proximate to the injection orifice 302 of the nozzle 180. According to some aspects, the flexible hose 189 may be connected to a location less than about 10 cm from the injection orifice 302. In some cases, the flexible hose 189 may be connected to a location less than about 2 cm from the injection orifice 302. By connecting the flexible hose 189 close to the injection orifice 302, the time scale of the oscillation is compressed, and thus, the initial turbulent time scale is also compressed. Such systems can be used to accurately deliver dose injections of less than 0.5 ml and have a high injection fraction.

[0051] According to some aspects, a damping element (such as a viscoelastic material) may be incorporated near the nozzle to help damp any high-frequency oscillations. In some cases, an O-ring seal may be used, but to provide good damping functionality, a non-sealing viscoelastic component, such as an O-ring that does not act as a seal but rather as a volume compression damper, may be used.

[0052] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be changed in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A pneumatic needleless injector, the pneumatic needleless injector comprising: A gas spring, the gas spring being in communication with a piston; A vaccine dose chamber, the vaccine dose chamber being configured to receive one or more vaccines or components thereof; And A ball screw, the ball screw being coaxial with the gas spring and the vaccine dose chamber and being configured to receive at least a portion of the piston, the ball screw being configured to move the piston between a first position and a second position.

2. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic needleless injector further comprises: A first nozzle, the first nozzle being configured to contact a subject and being in fluid communication with the vaccine dose chamber, the first nozzle including a first single injection orifice and being configured to produce a single coherent jet containing the one or more vaccines.

3. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 2, wherein the pneumatic needleless injector comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including the gas spring, the vaccine dose chamber and the ball screw, and the second portion including the first nozzle.

4. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 3, wherein the first portion is a wearable component, and the second portion is a hand-held dosing device.

5. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 4, wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected by one or more connecting tubes.

6. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 2, wherein the gas spring is a first gas spring, the vaccine dose chamber is a first vaccine dose chamber, and the ball screw is a first ball screw, and the pneumatic needleless injector further comprises a second gas spring, a second vaccine dose chamber and a second ball screw, wherein the first gas spring, the first vaccine dose chamber and the first ball screw define a first assembly, and the first assembly is in communication with the first single injection orifice, and the second gas spring, the second vaccine dose chamber and the second ball screw define a second assembly.

7. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 6, further comprising: A second nozzle, the second nozzle being configured to contact a subject and being in fluid communication with the second vaccine dose chamber, the second nozzle including a second single injection orifice and being configured to produce a single coherent jet containing one or more vaccines, wherein the second assembly is in communication with the second single injection orifice.

8. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 7, further comprising: A first connecting tube including one or more first valves, the first connecting tube connecting the first vaccine dose chamber and the first single injection orifice; and a second connecting tube including one or more second valves, the second connecting tube connecting the second vaccine dose chamber and the second single injection orifice.

9. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 8, wherein the first valve and the second valve are disposed within the hand-held dosing device.

10. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 8, wherein the first valve and the second valve are electrically actuated.

11. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 7, wherein the pneumatic needleless injector further comprises: A pressure adjustment cylinder, the pressure adjustment cylinder being configured to adjust a first pressure of the first gas spring and a second pressure of the second gas spring.

12. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 11, wherein the pneumatic needleless injector further comprises: A first tube; A first connecting pipe including one or more first valves, the first connecting pipe connecting the pressure adjusting cylinder and the first air spring; and a second connecting pipe including one or more second valves, the second connecting pipe connecting the pressure adjusting cylinder and the second air spring.

13. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic needleless injector further comprises: A pressure adjusting cylinder configured to adjust the pressure of the air spring.

14. The pneumatic needleless injector according to claim 13, wherein the pneumatic needleless injector further comprises: A connecting pipe including one or more valves, the connecting pipe connecting the pressure adjusting cylinder and the air spring.

15. A method of delivering a fluid, the method comprising: Receiving a fluid into a dose chamber of a pneumatic needleless injector, the pneumatic needleless injector having an air spring in communication with a piston, and the pneumatic needleless injector further having a ball screw coaxial with the air spring and the dose chamber and configured to receive at least a portion of the piston, the ball screw configured to move the piston between a first position and a second position; And Actuating the air spring to discharge the fluid from the dose chamber.

16. A needleless injection device, the needleless injection device comprising: A nozzle defining an injection orifice; And A flexible hose connected to a fluid reservoir, wherein the flexible hose is connected to the nozzle adjacent to the injection orifice.

17. The needleless injection device according to claim 16, wherein the flexible hose is connected to the nozzle at a position within less than about 10 cm from the injection orifice.

18. The needleless injection device according to claim 16, wherein the flexible hose is connected to the nozzle at a position within less than about 2 cm from the injection orifice.

19. The needleless injection device according to claim 16, wherein the flexible hose is an elastomeric hydraulic flexible hose.

20. The needleless injection device according to claim 16, further comprising means for moving fluid from the fluid reservoir to the nozzle for dispensing the fluid from the injection orifice.

21. A needleless injection device, the needleless injection device comprising: A pneumatic needleless injector having a first part as a wearable component and a second part as a hand-held dosing device.

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