BI-DIRECTIONAL MOTION OF A LORENTZ-FORCE ACTUATED NEEDLE-FREE INJECTOR (NFI)

• US 20110166549A1
• Filed: 12/03/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Hunter, Ian W., Hogan, N. Catherine, Taberner, Andrew J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,125,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/518
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0283 with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/008 Interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3128 Incorporating one-way valves, e.g. pressure-relief or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8287 operated by an external magnetic or electromagnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/19 having more than one chamber , e.g. including a manifold coupling two parallelly aligned syringes through separate channels to a common discharge assembly surgical glue applicators A61B17/00491
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules

Abstract

The present invention relate to a method and corresponding apparatus for just in time mixing of a solid or powdered formulation and its subsequent delivery to a biological body. In some embodiments, a powdered formulation is maintained in a first chamber. A bi-directional electromagnetic actuator is in communication with the chamber. The actuator, when activated, generates a pressure within the first chamber. The pressure results in mixing of the powdered formulation and a diluent in time for delivering into the biological body.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering a formulation to a biological body, the apparatus comprising:

a first chamber for holding a powdered formulation; and

a bi-directional electromagnetic actuator in communication with the first chamber, the actuator, when activated, generating a pressure within the first chamber that results in mixing of the powdered formulation and a diluent in time for delivering into the biological body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a second chamber for holding the diluent for mixing with the powdered formulation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including at least one valve, the at least one valve including at least two ports, a first port coupled with the first chamber and a second port coupled with the second chamber for passing the diluent.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further including a nozzle in fluid communication with the first chamber, the nozzle being configured to deliver the resulting mixture near the distal end thereof into the biological body.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator, upon activation, aspirates a diluent into the first chamber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator aspirates the diluent from at least one of a medication vial or the biological body.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further including at least one valve, the at least one valve having a fluid path to a fluid source that upon being opened delivers the diluent for mixing with the powdered formulation.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator, upon actuation, oscillates contents of the first chamber resulting in mixing of the powdered formulation and the diluent in time for delivering into the biological body.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator, upon actuation, delivers a mixture resulting from mixing of the powdered formulation and the diluent into the biological body.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator is activated using a preprogrammed waveform to deliver the mixed formulation into the biological body.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diluent is water or physiological saline.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first chamber further holds the diluent, the powdered formulation and the diluent being separated by an air gap.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further including a sensor that monitors displacement and volume of the powdered formulation and the diluent in relation to the air gap.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a reservoir connected to the first chamber by at least one valve, the valve when opened allowing pressurized diluent to flow into the first chamber through the powdered formulation resulting in fluidization of the powered formulation in time for delivering into the biological body.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the diluent is gas.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the gas is hydrogen.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diluent and the powdered formulation are mixed within the first chamber.

18. (canceled)

19. A method for delivering a formulation to a biological body, the method comprising:

maintaining a powdered formulation in a first chamber and

activating a bi-directional electromagnetic actuator to generate a pressure within the first chamber, the pressure resulting in mixing of the powdered formulation and a diluent in time for delivering into the biological body.

20. The method of claim 19 further including storing the diluent for mixing with the powdered formulation in a second chamber.

21. The method of claim 19 further including aspirating the diluent into the first chamber.

22. The method of claim 21 further including aspirating the diluent from at least one of a medication vial or the biological body.

23. The method of claim 19 further including mixing of the powdered formulation and the diluent in time for delivering into the biological body by oscillating contents of the first chamber.

24. The method of claim 19 further including activating the actuator using a preprogrammed waveform.

25. The method of claim 19 wherein the diluent is water or physiological saline.

26. The method of claim 19 further including holding the diluent and the powdered formulation in the first chamber, the diluent and powdered formulation being separated by an air gap.

27. The method of claim 26 further including monitoring displacement and volume of the powdered formulation and the diluent in relation to the air gap.

28. The method of claim 19 further including fluidizing the powdered formulation as a function of directing pressurized diluent into the first chamber.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the diluent is gas.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the gas is hydrogen.

31. The method of claim 19 further including mixing the diluent and the powdered formulation within the first chamber.

33. The method of claim 19 further including delivering the resulting mixture to the biological body.

34. The method of claim 26 further including purging air from the first chamber before delivering the resulting mixture.

32. (canceled)