Ceramic Needles Promise Take The Sting Out Of Injections January 15, 2008
Read more Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Technology
Those who wet themselves at the sight of needles – Trypanophobes – should be chuffed to know that there’s a needle on the horizon that promises a pain-free alternative.
A team of researchers at the University of North Carolina and Laser Zentrum Hannover have used something called “two-photon polymerisation” to create hollow needles so fine that patients won’t feel them piercing their skin. The needles can be used for drawing blood or delivering drugs.
“Microneedles may be integrated with micropumps and biosensors to provide autonomous sampling of blood, analysis, and drug-delivery capabilities for treatment of chronic disease,” said Roger Narayan, MD, PhD, of the University of North Carolina. “For example, one needle, pump and sensor unit would assay the glucose level in interstitial fluid of patients with diabetes mellitus. Another needle, pump and drug-delivery unit would deliver insulin in a continuous or programmed manner.”
Considering the number of people suffering some form of trypanophobia, or needle phobia, could be as high as 1 in 10, this could be a real breakthrough.
Just don’t expect to see them on the NHS anytime soon.-Martin Lynch
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Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
Comments
Suck it up wussies! When I was in the war they gave us morphine through sharpened rusty gutter pipes...
Is it not ironic? Do you not fight a war in order to protect wussies? i.e. people not brave enough to join the war.
No, you fight in a war because you're the only sap stupid enough to go.
If you had to take a flu-jab today Russo, would you choose the ceramic needle or the sharpened rusty gutter pipe? Or do you not take any kind of medicine because you are such a brave man.
It was actually a joke but, seeing as war is such a sensitive subject in The United Amerikingdom I suppose I should have said "...back in my day". tories.