초록

A needleless syringe having a membrane (28) which is ruptured by gas pressure to generate a supersonic gas flow in which particles containing a therapeutic agent are injected.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A sealed unit for use with a needleless syringe, the unit comprising first and second rupturable diaphragms which are directly or indirectly sealed to each other around their edges to form a compartment which contains particles of a powdered therapeutic agent, wherein at least one of said first a

1. A sealed unit for use with a needleless syringe, the unit comprising first and second rupturable diaphragms which are directly or indirectly sealed to each other around their edges to form a compartment which contains particles of a powdered therapeutic agent, wherein at least one of said first and second diaphragms is constructed from a material having a burst pressure of between 20 and 75 atmospheres in a pressure chamber having a volume of between 1 and 5 ml, whereby said at least one diaphragm is rupturable by a flow of gas to initiate a gas flow through said sealed unit.2. The unit of claim 1, in the form of a sealed rupturable sachet or capsule.3. The unit of claim 2, further comprising a third diaphragm disposed between the first and second diaphragms to provide at least two compartments containing different powdered therapeutic agents.4. The unit of claim 1 in which the powdered therapeutic agent is a stable mixture of drugs which are unstable when mixed wet.5. The unit of claim 1 in which the therapeutic agent comprises insulin.6. The unit of claim 1 in which the particles have a size predominantly in the range of 0.1 to 250 μm.7. A product according to claim 6, wherein the size range is 1 to 50 μm, preferably 10 to 20 μm.8. A sealed capsule for use in a needleless syringe, wherein said capsule contains a dose of a powdered agent and has a burst pressure of between 20 and 75 atmospheres in a pressure chamber having a volume of between 1 and 5 ml, whereby said capsule will release the powdered agent for transdermal delivery thereof when said capsule is contacted with a source of pressurized gas.9. The sealed capsule of claim 8 wherein said capsule comprises at least one membrane which retains the powdered agent within the capsule prior to contact with a source of pressurized gas.10. The sealed capsule of claim 8 wherein the powdered agent is comprised of particles having a size predominantly in the range of 0.1 to 250 μm.11. The sealed capsule of claim 10 wherein the particles have a size predominantly in the range of about 10 to 20 μm.