Design of a robust, intuitive piston interface for a needle free injection system

Abstract

The MIT BioInstrumentation Lab's linear Lorentz force actuator based needle free injection system has been shown to have numerous benefits over needle-based and other needle-free drug delivery systems in a research environment. While the device has been used extensively on post mortem tissue and live animals, its use on humans has been restricted in large part because of an ineffective drug delivery ampoule interface which compromises sterility. A new ampoule interface has been developed to allow sterility to be maintained, while also improving robustness against manufacturing tolerances and user error. The new ampoule interface has been tested and compared to the previous ampoule interface and shown to have comparable performance during normal use, while also surviving misuse. An intuitive user interface has also been developed which eases the process of mounting and dismounting ampoules.