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A '''hypospray''' (colloquially, '''hypo''') was a [[medical equipment|medical device]] used to [[injection|inject]] liquids into the body. The system used a noninvasive transport mechanism of compressed air to transfer the injectant from the device into the subdermal layer below the skin of the body, or artery. This was done without the use of a needle, ensuring that the skin was not punctured during use, thus reducing the risk of infection or pain at the site of injection. Various [[drugs and treatments|drugs]] could be used, inserted into the hypo in vials attached to the end of the instrument.
[[Image:Hypospray_23rdC.jpg|thumb|A 23rd century hypospray]]
 
[[Image:Hypospray_24thC.jpg|thumb|A 24th century hypospray]]
 
A '''hypospray''' (colloquially, '''hypo''') is a [[medical equipment|medical device]] used to inject liquids into the body. The system uses a noninvasive transport mechanism of compressed air to transfer the injectant from the device into the body without the use of a needle, ensuring that the skin is not punctured during use, thus reducing the risk of infection. Various [[drugs and treatments|drugs]] can be used, inserted into the hypo in vials attached to the end of the instrument.
 
   
The [[23rd century]] [[Federation]] hypospray resembled the [[intravenous]] needles of previous centuries, whilst the [[24th century]] version of the device was more compact, employing an angled head and rounded tip to transfer the drug more easily. Controls at the injection head set the dosage to be injected. ([[TOS]]: "[[Amok Time]]"; [[TNG]]: "[[Haven (episode)|Haven]]")
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The [[23rd century]] [[Federation]] hypospray resembled the [[intravenous]] needles of previous centuries, while the [[24th century]] version of the device was more compact, employing an angled head and rounded tip to transfer the drug more easily. Controls at the injection head set the dosage to be injected. ({{TOS|Amok Time}}; {{TNG|Haven}})
   
The typical injection site used is the side of the neck, but the hypospray can inject even through clothing. Unlike hypodermic needles, the hypospray can be used on multiple patients without worries of spreading blood-borne [[Medical conditions|illnesses]]. ([[TNG]]: "[[Angel One (episode)|Angel One]]")
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The typical injection site used is the side of the neck, to the carotid artery, but the hypospray can inject even through clothing. Unlike hypodermic needles, the hypospray can be used on multiple patients without worries of spreading blood-borne [[Medical conditions|illnesses]]. ({{TNG|Angel One}}; {{film|8}}; {{VOY|Endgame}})
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A hypospray can also be used to collect air samples in order to test it or condense air and store it for later use. ({{VOY|Parturition}}, {{TNG|Genesis}})
   
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<gallery>
==See also==
 
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File:Hypospray, 2151.jpg|Earth Starfleet hypospray, 2150s
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File:Ferengi hypospray, 2150s.jpg|Ferengi hypospray, 2150s
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File:Hypospray (Vulcan), TAS.jpg|Vulcan hypospray, 2230s
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File:AR hypospray.jpg|Federation hypospray, 2250s ([[alternate reality]])
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File:Hypospray, TOS.jpg|Federation hypospray, 2260s
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File:Hypospray, 2364.jpg|Hypospray, 2360s
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File:Hypospray vial, 2364.jpg|Hypospray vial
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</gallery>
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== See also ==
 
*[[Isomiotic hypospray]]
 
*[[Isomiotic hypospray]]
 
*[[Spray applicator]]
 
*[[Spray applicator]]
   
==Background==
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== Background information ==
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*In the script for {{TOS|Where No Man Has Gone Before}}, hyposprays are commonly referred to as "hypo-guns."
*[[Gates McFadden]], who plays [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]], came up with the idea of injecting the hypospray at the base of the patient's neck because she felt it was the place where she would least want a shot.
 
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*The design of the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation|Next Generation]]'' style of hypospray was inspired by a then-contemporary commercial inhaler. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'' 3rd ed., p. 11)
*Some say that the hypospray inspired the real-life "jet injector", but
 
 
*[[Gates McFadden]], who played [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher]], came up with the idea of injecting the hypospray at the base of the patient's neck because she felt it was the place where she would least want a shot. {{incite}}
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_injector Wikipedia's jet injector page] says that the first real jet injector was invented in the 1940's (before any Star Trek stories were written).
 
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*Some say that the hypospray inspired the real-life "jet injector", but according to {{w|jet injector}}, the first real jet injector was invented in 1962; the first of the ''Star Trek'' stories were released in September 1966. In the real world, accidental jet injections by various industrial devices have been known as workshop accidents since the 19th century.
*A [[Design patents|design patent]] was issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to [[Rick Sternbach]] in 1991 for the "ornamental design" of the prop.
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*A [[Design patents|design patent]] was issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office to [[Rick Sternbach]] in 1991 for the "ornamental design" of the prop.
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*A [[Thorax|thoracic]] hypospray from ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' was auctioned off in the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction|''It's A Wrap!'' sale and auction]]. The hypospray resembled a needle, with the needle being spring-loaded for retraction to create an injection effect.
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*In the same auction, another model of hypospray was auctioned off. This medical device is identified as a Mk. VII hypospray and has a different design than the thoracic hypospray.
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*[[J. J. Abrams]] acknowledged, on the {{film|11}} [[audio commentary]], that {{alt|Leonard McCoy}}'s constant administering of the [[Melvaran mud flea]] vaccine is the only time the hypospray seems to hurt.
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==External links==
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* {{mbeta}}
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* {{Wikipedia}}
   
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[[cs:Hyposprej]]
[[de:Hypospray]][[Category:Medical equipment]]
 
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[[de:Hypospray]]
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[[it:Ipospray]]
 
[[Category:Medical equipment]]

Revision as of 11:11, 24 January 2016

A hypospray (colloquially, hypo) was a medical device used to inject liquids into the body. The system used a noninvasive transport mechanism of compressed air to transfer the injectant from the device into the subdermal layer below the skin of the body, or artery. This was done without the use of a needle, ensuring that the skin was not punctured during use, thus reducing the risk of infection or pain at the site of injection. Various drugs could be used, inserted into the hypo in vials attached to the end of the instrument.

The 23rd century Federation hypospray resembled the intravenous needles of previous centuries, while the 24th century version of the device was more compact, employing an angled head and rounded tip to transfer the drug more easily. Controls at the injection head set the dosage to be injected. (TOS: "Amok Time"; TNG: "Haven")

The typical injection site used is the side of the neck, to the carotid artery, but the hypospray can inject even through clothing. Unlike hypodermic needles, the hypospray can be used on multiple patients without worries of spreading blood-borne illnesses. (TNG: "Angel One"; Star Trek: First Contact; VOY: "Endgame")

A hypospray can also be used to collect air samples in order to test it or condense air and store it for later use. (VOY: "Parturition", TNG: "Genesis")

See also

Background information

  • In the script for TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before", hyposprays are commonly referred to as "hypo-guns."
  • The design of the Next Generation style of hypospray was inspired by a then-contemporary commercial inhaler. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion 3rd ed., p. 11)
  • Gates McFadden, who played Doctor Beverly Crusher, came up with the idea of injecting the hypospray at the base of the patient's neck because she felt it was the place where she would least want a shot. (citation needededit)
  • Some say that the hypospray inspired the real-life "jet injector", but according to jet injector, the first real jet injector was invented in 1962; the first of the Star Trek stories were released in September 1966. In the real world, accidental jet injections by various industrial devices have been known as workshop accidents since the 19th century.
  • A design patent was issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office to Rick Sternbach in 1991 for the "ornamental design" of the prop.
  • A thoracic hypospray from Star Trek: Enterprise was auctioned off in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction. The hypospray resembled a needle, with the needle being spring-loaded for retraction to create an injection effect.
  • In the same auction, another model of hypospray was auctioned off. This medical device is identified as a Mk. VII hypospray and has a different design than the thoracic hypospray.
  • J. J. Abrams acknowledged, on the Star Trek audio commentary, that Leonard McCoy's constant administering of the Melvaran mud flea vaccine is the only time the hypospray seems to hurt.

External links