IIT Mumbai Revolutionizes Injections with Needleless Shock Syringe
For many, just the thought of injections can trigger a sense of dread. This fear is particularly acute among diabetic patients who must endure regular insulin shots. However, a breakthrough development by researchers at IIT Mumbai promises to change this scenario. The team has successfully created a needleless shockwave-based syringe that offers a pain-free and safer alternative to traditional injections. This innovation has the potential to alleviate much of the discomfort associated with injections, particularly for those who need frequent treatments.
The team, led by Professor Viren Menezes from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Mumbai, has developed a ‘shock syringe’ that releases medication into the body using high-energy shockwaves. Unlike conventional syringes that use needles, this syringe relies on shockwaves that travel faster than the speed of sound to puncture the skin, allowing the drug to be injected without pain or trauma. The syringe, slightly longer than a regular ballpoint pen, was first developed in 2021 and has since undergone rigorous testing.
The shock syringe works by creating a microscopic spray of medicine, which is ejected from the syringe’s tiny mouth – measuring only 125 micrometers wide, roughly the thickness of a human hair. This spray enters the skin swiftly and gently, without the patient feeling discomfort. A study conducted by the IIT Mumbai team compared the shock syringe’s effectiveness in mice to that of traditional needles. Their results, published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials and Devices, demonstrated that the shock syringe was just as effective in delivering drugs, including anesthetics, antifungal medications, and insulin, while causing significantly less tissue damage.
In their experiments, the researchers found that shock syringes delivered antifungal drugs more effectively than traditional syringes. When insulin was administered to diabetic mice, the shock syringe resulted in a more significant and prolonged reduction in blood sugar levels compared to regular injections. Moreover, the shock syringe was less likely to cause skin damage or inflammation, which are common side effects of needle-based injections. The shock syringe operates via a miniature shock tube, which consists of three parts: a driver, a driven component, and the drug holder. These parts work together to create a high-speed spray of liquid medicine that penetrates the skin and delivers the drug to the body. The speed of the spray is twice the speed of an airplane, ensuring quick and efficient drug delivery.
Beyond the benefits of painless injections, the shock syringe could revolutionise vaccination campaigns. With its ability to deliver vaccines quickly and without the risks associated with needle handling and disposal, it could reduce the transmission of blood-borne diseases and streamline public health efforts. According to Priyanka Hankare, a PhD student and lead author of the study, the shock syringe could significantly improve the efficiency and safety of medical treatments worldwide. This cutting-edge technology holds the promise of making injections safer, more accessible, and more comfortable, particularly for people who require regular medication. It represents a crucial step forward in medical innovation, offering a practical solution to one of the most widespread fears in healthcare.
