Search for: All records

Needle-free jet injections are actuated by a pressure impulse that can be delivered by different mechanisms to generate high-speed jets (Vj ∼ 102 m/s). During filling and transportation of disposable cartridges and ampoules, bubbles can form, which can be problematic especially for viscous fluids. Here, we report on the effect of location and size of entrapped air pockets in cartridges used in spring-powered jet injections. As air bubbles pass through the orifice, they undergo depressurization, which results in intermittent atomization and spray formation, temporarily increasing the jet dispersion. Atomization and dispersion of the jet can lead to product loss during an injection. We find that the effect of bubble location on the jet exit speed, delivery efficiency, and the projected area of the blebs formed after the injection was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The findings of this study have implications for the development of pre-filled cartridges for jet injection applications.