Patent ID: 6716190
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A system for injecting a therapeutic or diagnostic agent into a target site within the body of a patient comprising:(A) a nozzle assembly having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises: an ampule having a distal end, a proximal end, and a reservoir for containing a volume of the agent, wherein the reservoir has at least one reservoir orifice to allow the agent to travel from the reservoir and through the reservoir orifice disposed in a first direction towards the distal end of the nozzle assembly; a dispersion fixture distal to the ampule, wherein the dispersion fixture has a plurality of dispersion orifices oriented in the first direction and the dispersion fixture is mated to the distal end of the ampule; and a plurality of channels disposed on a plane orthogonal to the first direction of the reservoir orifice, wherein each channel defines a delivery pathway in direct fluid communication with the reservoir orifice, and (B) a propulsion mechanism operatively coupled to the reservoir for propelling the agent from within the reservoir, through the reservoir orifice and the channel and the dispersion orifice, at a pressure sufficient to cause the agent to penetrate the target site without penetration of the target site with the dispersion fixture.