Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/90903
++++++++++++++++++++ TECHNOLOGY +++ +++ ++++++++++++++++++++ + + Device Takes the Needle — and the Pain — Out of Injections RESEARCHERS AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT) ARE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE THE PAIN OUT OF GETTING A SHOT AND REDUCE THE RISK OF HOSPITAL-BASED HEALTH CARE WORKERS BEING ACCIDENTALLY PRICKED BY CONTAMINATED NEEDLES. A RECENT RESULT OF THEIR WORK, A NEW, JET-INJECTED DRUG TECHNOLOGY THAT SHOOTS MEDICINE THROUGH THE SKIN, OFFERS A PAINLESS ALTERNATIVE TO HYPODERMIC NEEDLES. W HILE SEVERAL JET- INJECTION devices are on the market, they all deliver the same amount of medication to an identical skin depth. With the new technology, a tiny, high- pressure jet delivers a controlled amount of medicine that can painlessly penetrate the skin. In using this noninvasive device, researchers have shown they can precisely monitor the speed of the drug stream and continuously regulate the amount delivered during the injection process for better absorption. Additionally, the pressure can be adjusted according to the skin type of the patient. For instance, the drug jet pressure used on an infant would be much lower than that used on an adult. For the 15 million adults in the United States who suffer from fear of needles or injection phobia, health care profes- sionals are hopeful that this advanced technology could help increase compli- ance when it comes to patients receiving shots. The jet-injection device would also potentially benefi t diabetes patients who are hesitant to give themselves shots on a daily basis. Protecting Professionals The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that, each year, more than 350,000 health care personnel accidentally prick themselves or suffer needle-stick injuries while on the job. The new MIT injector could help lower the risk of the transmission of blood-borne pathogens to health care workers. The health risks pri- marily associated with occupational transmission include the hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodefi ciency virus. Pain-Free Patches Pain-free drug-delivery options have been in development for years. Today, transdermal drug-delivery systems such as skin patches are becoming popular among physicians. Patches provide an alternative to oral delivery and hypodermic injections when long-term treatment is required. Certain low-dose drugs can be adminis- tered in this form. Drug-delivery patches currently available include: + antidepressant patch + birth control patch + blood pressure patch + hormone patch + motion sickness patch + narcotic pain patch + nicotine patch One of the many benefi ts to trans- dermal patches is that they maintain an even level of medicine within the blood and can be easy to use. However, skin irritation and certain side effects are common. s