Multiple needle injector

Abstract

A fluid injection device can include a plurality of needles, a hub from which the needles project, and a base component. The hub can have a directing portion extending therefrom. The plurality of needles can each be in fluid communication with a respective needle base, and the needle bases can at least partially surround the directing portion. The directing portion can extend in a direction away from the hub for diverting flow toward the plurality of needle bases. The base component can be separate from and couplable to the hub such that when coupled thereto, the hub directing portion extends into a cavity of the base component upstream of the plurality of needle bases.

1 . A fluid injection device comprising:
 a plurality of needles, each being in fluid communication with a respective needle base;   a hub having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a directing cone extending from the second end portion, the plurality of needles projecting from the first end portion of the hub, the needle bases being disposed at the second end portion and at least partially surrounding the directing cone, the directing cone tapering in a direction away from the first end portion for diverting flow toward the plurality of needle bases; and   a base component, separate from and couplable to the second end portion of the hub such that when coupled thereto, the hub directing cone extends into a cavity of the base component upstream of the plurality of needle bases, the base component comprising an inlet for connecting the device to a fluid source.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of needles consists of at least two needles. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of needles consists of four needles. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of needles comprise 21 gauge needles. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a base member coupled to the second end portion, wherein the base member is configured to be coupled to tubing having a terminal portion having a female luer lock base. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hub includes handles extending therefrom for enabling easier insertion of the needles into an injection port. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hub has graded walls surrounding the base of the needles to increase laminar flow. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of needles comprises an ultra-thin wall needle. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of the needles comprises a longitudinal length from the base to a tip of the needle, the longitudinal lengths of the plurality of needles being approximately equal. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of needles are spaced no more than about 5 millimeters apart. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hub has a diameter in the range of about 0.25 cm to about 3 cm in diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base component comprises a tubing connection section and a central section interposed between the tubing connection section and a cavity, at the tubing connection section having a first diameter, the central section comprising a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid injection device comprising:
 a plurality of needles each being in fluid communication with a respective needle base;   a hub having a first end portion, a second end portion, the first end portion being configured to receive the plurality of needles to permit the plurality of needles to project from the first end portion of the hub, the needle bases being formed along the second end portion, the hub further comprising a directing surface having a tapered shape and being angled toward the plurality of needle bases, the plurality of needle bases being arranged along the directing surface to promote laminar flow of a fluid along the directing surface toward the plurality of needle bases; and   a base component being separate from and couplable to a second end portion of the hub, the directing surface extending into a cavity of the base component upstream of the needle bases when coupled thereto, the base component comprising an inlet for connecting the device to a fluid source.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the base component comprises a tubing connection section and a central section interposed between the tubing connection section and a cavity, at the tubing connection section having a first diameter, the central section comprising a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the directing surface comprises a directing cone. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the directing surface comprises a directing wall. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of needles are hypodermic needles. 
     
     
         18 . A method of increasing fluid flow into an injection port of a tissue expander comprising the steps of:
 providing a fluid injection device having a plurality of needles, a hub, and a base component coupled to a tubing for receiving fluid from a fluid source, each of the plurality of needles being in fluid communication with a respective needle base, the hub having a first end portion from which the plurality of needles project and a second end portion configured to receive the fluid from the tubing, the respective plurality of needle bases being formed along the second end portion, the hub further comprising a directing surface having a tapered shape and being angled toward and at least partially bordered by the needle bases to promote laminar flow of a fluid toward the needle bases, the base component being separate from and couplable to the second end portion of the hub such that the directing surface extends into a cavity of the base component upstream of the plurality of needle bases when coupled thereto; and   pushing fluid through the tubing to permit the fluid passing through the hub and into each of the plurality of needles.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising inserting the plurality of needles into a subcutaneous port. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the base component comprises a tubing connection section and a central section interposed between the tubing connection section and a cavity, at the tubing connection section having a first diameter, the central section comprising a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter.