Needle array device

Abstract

Methods of actuating a needle array device can include causing fluid to move through flow channels to needle apertures that are spaced apart from an inflow aperture at different distances where flow channels that have approximately equal pathway lengths and where the fluid can reach tips of the needle apertures approximately simultaneously, which can provide an approximately equal dosage or fluid volume through the tips of the needle apertures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of actuating a needle array device comprising causing a fluid to pass from an inflow aperture to needle apertures that are spaced apart from the inflow aperture at different distances, the fluid passing through a plurality of flow channels that have approximately equal pathway lengths thereby permitting the fluid to reach tips of the needle apertures approximately simultaneously. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the needle apertures is in fluid communication with a respective needle such that the fluid reaches a tip of each needle approximately simultaneously. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising coupling a first sleeve to the needle array such that the tip of each needle is spaced apart from an outer surface of the sleeve by a first length. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising coupling a second sleeve to the needle array such that the tip of each needle is spaced apart from an outer surface of the sleeve by a second length, wherein the second length is different than the first length. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling a needle base of the needle array device to a support base of the needle array device to define the plurality of flow channels between the needle base and the support base. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein coupling a needle base to a support base comprising engaging a locating pin of any of the needle base or the support base against an aperture of the other of the needle base or the support base. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling a syringe device to the needle array device such that the syringe device is in fluid communication with the inflow aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising injecting a fluid from the syringe device to the inflow aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising withdrawing a fluid from the inflow aperture to the syringe device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing the fluid to pass through a fluid reservoir of a fluid manifold between the inflow aperture and the plurality of flow channels. 
     
     
         11 . A method of actuating a needle array device comprising injecting a fluid into a fluid manifold that diverts the fluid into a plurality of flow channels that have approximately equal lengths and terminal ends positioned at different distances from an inflow aperture fluidly coupled to the fluid manifold. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the terminal ends is in fluid communication with a respective needle such that the fluid reaches a tip of each needle approximately simultaneously. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising coupling a first sleeve to the needle array such that the tip of each needle is spaced apart from an outer surface of the sleeve by a first length. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling a second sleeve to the needle array such that the tip of each needle is spaced apart from an outer surface of the sleeve by a second length, wherein the second length is different than the first length. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a needle base of the needle array device to a support base of the needle array device to define the plurality of flow channels between the needle base and the support base. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein coupling a needle base to a support base comprising engaging a locating pin of any of the needle base or the support base against an aperture of the other of the needle base or the support base 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a syringe device to the needle array device such that the syringe device is in fluid communication with the inflow aperture. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising injecting a fluid from the syringe device to the inflow aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising withdrawing a fluid from the inflow aperture to the syringe device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising causing the fluid to pass through a fluid reservoir of the fluid manifold between the inflow aperture and the plurality of flow channels.