Injection Tube for Jet Injection Device

Abstract

A non-metal, polymeric tubular device for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment site within a patient. The non-metal, polymeric tubular device can be fabricated using suitable high strength polymers and in some versions can be reinforced through the inclusion of reinforcement materials or braiding. The non-metal, polymeric tubular device can be fabricated so as to have a burst strength exceeding at least about 2,000 psi. The non-metal, polymeric tubular device can be fabricated so as to have distention properties, wherein an orifice or jet port located at a distal end of the polymeric tubular device retains its shape and/or size without suffering swelling that can have a detrimental impact on a fluid jet used to deliver the therapeutic fluid at the treatment site.

1 . A non-metal, polymeric tubular device for delivering therapeutic fluids to treatment locations within a patient's body comprising:
 an applicator body defining a lumen, the applicator body including a distal end and a proximal connection end, wherein an administration orifice is positioned proximate the distal end, and wherein the applicator body has a burst pressure of at least about 2,000 psi such that dimensional characteristics of the administration orifice remain constant under the influence of a fluid jet.   
   
   
       2 . The non-metal, polymeric tubular device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator body is fabricated of a polymer selected from the group consisting of: a polyimide polymer, a polyetherimide polymer and a liner aromatic polymer. 
   
   
       3 . The non-metal, polymeric tubular device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator body is fabricated of a polymer having a reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of: nano-particles, clay particles and glass particles. 
   
   
       4 . The non-metal, polymeric tubular device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator body is fabricated of a polymer having a reinforcing fiber selected from the group consisting of: carbon fiber and a synthetic para-aramid fiber. 
   
   
       5 . The non-metal, polymeric tubular device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator body has a tube length of about 18 inches to about 72 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The non-metal, polymeric tubular device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator body comprises an extruded applicator body. 
   
   
       7 . The non-metal, polymeric tubular device of  claim 1 , wherein the burst pressure of the applicator body is about 2,000 to about 5,000 psi. 
   
   
       8 . A needleless fluid delivery system comprising:
 an injector; and   an applicator body defining a lumen, the applicator body including a distal end and a proximal connection end, wherein an administration orifice is positioned proximate the distal end, and wherein the applicator body has a burst pressure of about 2,000-5,000 psi such that dimensional characteristics of the administration orifice remain constant under the influence of a fluid jet.   
   
   
       9 . The needleless fluid delivery system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a medical imaging system for visualizing the position of the administration orifice at a treatment location.   
   
   
       10 . The needleless fluid delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the injector comprises a syringe. 
   
   
       11 . The needleless fluid delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the injector comprises an automated injector having a user interface and a connector member attaching to the proximal connection end. 
   
   
       12 . The needleless fluid delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the applicator body is fabricated of a polymer selected from the group consisting of: a polyimide polymer, a polyetherimide polymer and a liner aromatic polymer. 
   
   
       13 . The needleless fluid delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the applicator body is fabricated of a polymer having a reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of: nano-particles, clay particles and glass particles. 
   
   
       14 . The needleless fluid delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the applicator body is fabricated of a polymer having a reinforcing fiber selected from the group consisting of: carbon fiber and a synthetic para-aramid fiber. 
   
   
       15 . The needleless fluid delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the applicator body has a tube length of about 18 inches to about 72 inches. 
   
   
       16 . The needleless fluid delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the applicator body comprises an extruded applicator body. 
   
   
       17 . A method for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment location with a non-metal, polymeric tubular device comprising:
 providing a non-metal, polymeric applicator body having a distal end and a proximal connection end, wherein an administration orifice is positioned proximate the distal end, and wherein the applicator body has a burst pressure of at least about 2,000 psi;   positioning the administration orifice proximate a treatment location; and   generating a fluid jet through the administration orifice for dispensing a therapeutic fluid at the treatment location such that dimensional characteristics of the administration orifice remain constant under the influence of the fluid jet.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 reinforcing the non-metal, polymeric applicator body through the inclusion of reinforcing materials.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 reinforcing the non-metal, polymeric applicator body through the inclusion of a reinforcing fiber.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein generating the fluid jet comprises pressurizing the therapeutic fluid with an injector attached to the proximal connection end.