Jet injector

An injector for delivering a fluid medicament to a patient which comprises:

• a hollow substantially cylindrical member defining a central axis and having a closed end and an open end and formed with a compartment between said closed end and said open end;
• an injection tube having a tip extending along said central axis from said closed end;
• suction means in fluid communication with said compartment for creating a partial vacuum therein when said open end of said cylindrical member is held against the patient, said vacuum drawing the skin of the patient into said compartment to position said tip of said injection tube against the skin and to stabilize skin adjacent said tip against movement of skin relative to said tip during injection of fluid medicament through said tube;
• an abutment extending from said closed end into said compartment between said cylindrical member and said injection tube to limit the drawing of skin into said compartment;
• and
• a drive means connected to said injection tube for expelling fluid medicament through said injection tube during an injection of fluid medicament.

A method for delivering a medical medicament to a patient which includes the steps of:

• positioning an injector against the skin of the patient, said injector including a hollow substantially cylindrical member having a closed end and an open end and formed with a compartment therebetween, an injection tube having a tip extending from said closed end, a suction means in fluid communication with said compartment, an abutment extending from said closed end into said compartment between said cylindrical member and said injection tube, and a drive means connected with said injection tube for injecting fluid medicament therethrough;
• holding said open end of said cylindrical member against the patient;
• activating said suction means to create a partial vacuum in said compartment, said vacuum drawing the skin of the patient into the compartment and against said abutment to position said tip of said injection tube against the skin and to stabilize skin against movement thereof relative to said tip during injection of fluid medicament through said tube;
• and
• activating said drive means to expel fluid medicament through said injection tube for subcutaneous delivery of fluid medicament to the patient.