Pressure/force computer controlled drug delivery system with exit pressure control

The present invention relates generally to improvements to the delivery of drugs, particularly to systems for subcutaneous injection/aspiration (syringes) for drug delivery providing intermittent, episodic or limited drug delivery (as opposed to continuous drug delivery of syringe pumps). More specifically, this invention relates to an improved means of subcutaneous drug (fluid) injection and aspiration, providing a means and method of controlling and monitoring the interaction of specific flow rate and pressure during fluid injection and aspiration with a hypodermic hollow-core needle. b. Description of the Prior Art An automatic injection device includes a drive mechanism and a sensor used to determine an internal characteristic such as a force or internal pressure generated during an injection process. This characteristic is then used as a control parameter by a microprocessor or controller which generates corresponding commands to the drive mechanism. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the characteristic is used to calculate an exit pressure at which fluid ejected by the device through an elongated tube. The drive mechanism is then operated in such a manner that the exit pressure is maintained at a predetermined level to insure that a patient does not suffer pain and/or tissue damage.