Needle-free delivery of macromolecules through the skin using controllable jet injectors

Abstract

Introduction: Transdermal delivery of drugs has a number of advantages in comparison to other routes of administration. The mechanical properties of skin, however, impose a barrier to administration and so most compounds are administered using hypodermic needles and syringes. In order to overcome some of the issues associated with the use of needles, a variety of non-needle devices based on jet injection technology has been developed.

Areas covered: Jet injection has been used primarily for vaccine administration but has also been used to deliver macromolecules such as hormones, monoclonal antibodies and nucleic acids. A critical component in the more recent success of jet injection technology has been the active control of pressure applied to the drug during the time course of injection.

Expert opinion: Jet injection systems that are electronically controllable and reversible offer significant advantages over conventional injection systems. These devices can consistently create the high pressures and jet speeds necessary to penetrate tissue and then transition smoothly to a lower jet speed for delivery of the remainder of the desired dose. It seems likely that in the future this work will result in smart drug delivery systems incorporated into personal medical devices and medical robots for in-home disease management and healthcare.

Keywords:

• drug delivery
• needle-free injectors
• skin
• transdermal
• vaccination

Declaration of interest

The research is supported by Sanofi and MISTI Global Seed Fund. NC Hogan is a co-founder, minor stockholder and part-time employee of Portal Instruments (a company developing needle-free technology). AJ Taberner is a co-founder, minor stockholder and independent contractor for Portal Instruments. IW Hunter is a co-founder of Portal Instruments. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Notes

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