Hypospray

Hypospray:
The 24th Century hypospray is descended from a primitive medical device called a hypodermic syringe. Both devices are used to inject fluid into a living body, but whereas the syringe accomplishes this through a fine, hollow needle, the hypospray accomplishes this through a high-pressure, microscopic, aero-suspension stream that can penetrate both cloth and epidermis. By the 24th Century, this procedure is painless ; when it was first experimented with in the late 1970's, it was more painful than a small needle. Tens of thousands of children were immunized against some disease or other, using a primitive high-pressure hypospray device, that left a severe ache for about an hour afterward, and a star-shaped scar permanently on the skin.

A hypospray can be adjusted for a wider distribution pattern that yields a high absorption rate, but then it cannot be injected deep under the skin.

The hypospray delivers small amounts of medication from a transparent ampule, which contains a reservoir of the medicine. These small transparent ampules are inserted into the bottom of the hypospray.

Usually, the hypospray is pressed to the carotid artery in the neck, where it's contents are injected with the press of a button.

A Field Hypospray included in Away Team medkits are intended for emergencies outside of a sickbay, or when basic resources are not available. These field hypos are capable of holding 5 different medication ampules at the same time, and can be selected by the buttons on the hypo's head; hitting the inject button then adds some concentrated medication to standard saline solution, and injects it into the patient.