July 27, 2010

Canadian researchers develops new methods for needle-free injectors

New methods being developed by the University of Manitoba for analysing the jet stream produced by needle-free injectors are expected to assist manufacturers in improving the devices.

Needle-free injectors use pressurised gas to drive veterinary compounds through the skin into the subcutaneous layer or into the muscle of the animal.

Researchers with the University of Manitoba in partnership with AcuShot Inc. are using high-speed photography to track the dispersion of liquids injected into different mediums, including various kinds of ballistic gels and commercial foams, with needle-free injectors.

Jason Morrison, an assistant professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering, said researchers will track where the fluid goes once it has been injected and what the distribution of the stream looks like in tissue.

Morrison said the goal of the project is to identify the best testing mediums for assessing modifications made to needle-free injectors.

He hopes the work will result in additional collaborations with AcuShot aimed at making improvements that will allow the delivery of a wider range of medications and supplements through the use of these devices.