Squid-Inspired Capsule Revolutionizes Drug Delivery, Eliminates Need for Needles
November 21, 2024The device's design features two versions: one with a flat bottom for downward drug ejection and another tube-like version for targeted side delivery.
This innovation addresses the common preference for pill medications over injections, potentially improving patient compliance and comfort in receiving necessary treatments.
As the healthcare landscape evolves, such advancements in drug delivery could play a crucial role in making medications more accessible and user-friendly.
Researchers have developed an innovative drug delivery device inspired by squids, allowing patients to swallow a capsule that delivers medication without the need for needles.
Unlike traditional needles, the microjet system can administer medication from a distance or at a slight angle, reducing localization issues and improving patient comfort.
Future plans include further development and human testing of these capsules, supported by funding from organizations like Novo Nordisk and the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.
This device utilizes jets to eject drugs into the tissue lining of the digestive tract, significantly enhancing drug delivery efficiency, as detailed in a study published in Nature.
The capsules are designed to target various sections of the digestive tract, combining the convenience of oral delivery with the efficiency of deeper tissue penetration for optimal drug absorption.
Animal testing has shown that the device can effectively deliver insulin and other medications, achieving blood concentration levels comparable to those obtained through injections.
Made from metal and plastic, the capsules pass through the digestive system and are excreted after drug delivery, minimizing the risks associated with needle use.
Experts, including Giovanni Traverso from MIT, emphasize the potential of this technology to transform treatment for conditions like diabetes by enabling the oral delivery of macromolecules.
Summary based on 7 sources
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Sources
Nature • Nov 20, 2024
Swallowable injections: the octopus-inspired pill that delivers drugs with a jetNature • Nov 20, 2024
Squid-inspired pills squirt drugs straight into your gutThe Boston Globe • Nov 21, 2024
MIT scientists develop squid-inspired device to deliver drugsMIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Nov 20, 2024
A bioinspired capsule can pump drugs directly into the walls of the GI tract