Design and Verification of a Reloadable Adrenaline Auto-Injector for Intramuscular Injections

Abstract

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction when a patient is exposed to an antigen to which they have become hypersensitive. Exposure to these antigens results in the release of mediators from mast cells in the body, causing inflammation of critical organ systems. Without immediate treatment, it can lead to patient mortality within 15 minutes. To increase the probability of patient survival, a dose of adrenaline must be administered. There are several routes of administration, but the use of an Adrenaline Auto Injector is the safest, quickest and most efficient route. An Adrenaline Auto-Injector (AAI) is an injection device that delivers adrenaline to the deep muscle tissue of the body, preferably via the vastus lateralis muscle (as the rate of absorption is more effective than other injection sites such as the deltoid, gluteus maximus etc). Adrenaline Auto-Injectors are preferable to syringes, or prefilled syringes as they are easier to use, and can be used by people that are not medically trained. They can also be used in highly stressful situations without much risk of injury.