Solid state fluid delivery system

摘要

An apparatus and method are disclosed that utilize piezoelectric materials as part of a delivery system capable of the rapidly repetitive dispensing of a fluid to an intended target site. In a particular embodiment, the appartus contemplates a solid state needleless injection system which comprises a first housing structure having a dispensing chamber of variable volume capacity and at least one nozzle element for fluid discharge, and a fluid reservoir operatively connected to the first housing structure, and a second housing structure containing at least one piezoelectric actuator. A valve means is disposed between the fluid reservoir and the dispensing chamber to control the flow of said fluid therebetween. The fluid which may be a medication, is forced out of the dispensing chamber through an injection port upon actuation of the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator interacts with the dispensing chamber in such a manner that the overall capacity of the dispensing chamber may be altered by altering the degree of actuation of the piezoelectric actuator.