EP1161961A1 — Jet injector

USPTO Abstract

An injector, in particular a jet injector for the intra-muscular, subcutaneous, or intra-dermal delivery of a fluid medicament to a patient includes a cylindrical member which has a closed end and an open end, and which is formed with a compartment between these two ends. An injection tube extends from the closed end through the cylindrical member and into the compartment. A suction pump is connected in fluid communication with the compartment to create a partial vacuum in the compartment when the open end of the cylindrical member is held against the skin of the patient. Due to this vacuum, skin of the patient is drawn into the compartment to position the tip of the injection tube against the skin. Also, skin that is adjacent the tip is drawn by the vacuum into the compartment. This stabilizes the skin around the injection tube tip and thereby minimizes any movement of skin relative to the tip during an injection of fluid medicament into the patient.