Current trends in needle-free jet injection: an update

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pharmacology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Jet injection is a needle-free drug delivery system utilizing a high-speed fluid stream to administer medication transdermally.
• Despite its long history, jet injection technology has not fully realized its potential for strategic medication delivery through the skin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the historical evolution of jet injection for intradermal drug delivery.
• To highlight technological advancements and emerging applications of this needle-free method.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted without restrictions on publication dates.

Main Results:

• Needleless injectors enhance patient comfort by reducing pain during administration.
• Optimal drug confinement within the dermis is achieved through understanding skin properties and precise injector parameter settings.
• Disposable cartridges and autoclaving are key for infection control.
• Intradermal injections of corticosteroids and local anesthetics via jet injectors show promising results and developing indications.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence is limited by low-quality studies, small sample sizes, variable parameters, and potential publication bias.
• Recent advancements may revitalize interest in jet injection technology.
• Future research should prioritize defining measurable, optimized parameters for ensuring safety and efficacy.