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Ahypospray is a medical device in the science fiction television seriesStar Trek. It is similar to ajet injector, a real medical device, with the main difference being that the fictional medical device does not penetrate the skin.

The concept of the hypospray was developed when producers of the originalStar Trek series discovered thatNBC'sbroadcast standards and practices prohibited the use ofhypodermic syringes to inject medications; the needleless hypospray sidestepped this issue.^[1] The prop used in the original series appeared to be a modifiedfuel injector for a large automotivediesel engine, similar to the engines from which jet injectors were derived.^[2]

In theStar Trek universe, the hypospray was developed by the mid-22nd century, since it is featured inStar Trek: Enterprise. Many characters use it, includingDr. Crusher inStar Trek: The Next Generation,The Doctor inStar Trek: Voyager, andDr. McCoy inStar Trek: The Original Series.^{[citation needed]}

The device applies medication by spraying it onto the skin, and can be used directly or through clothing.^[3] The real-life jet injector is usually applied at the top of the arm, but the fictional hypospray is sometimes applied at the neck. It administers medicationsubcutaneously andintramuscularly.^[4]

The hypospray is extremely versatile, as the medicine vials can be quickly swapped out from the bottom of the hypospray. As the hypospray is bloodless, it is notcontaminated by use. This allows it to be used on many patients until the hypospray is depleted.

• Hypospray atMemory Alpha

• Comparison of two steroid preparations used to treat tennis elbow, using the hypospray (1975)
• The use of the hypospray in the treatment of minor orthopaedic conditionsArchived 27 September 2007 at theWayback Machine (1969)
• Use of the hypospray jet injector for intra-articular injection (1967)

• Star Trek devices

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