• IIT Bombay researchers have developed a needle-free shockwave-based syringe for painless drug delivery.
• The shock syringe uses high-energy pressure waves to deliver medication, offering a less invasive experience.
• Testing showed the shock syringe to be as effective as needles, with less damage to the skin and faster healing.
• The team is filing for a patent, marking a significant advancement in medical technology.

In a significant breakthrough, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have pioneered a needle-free shockwave-based syringe. This innovative technology is set to transform the medical field, offering painless and safe drug delivery. The development is particularly beneficial for individuals with needle phobia and patients who require frequent insulin injections, such as those suffering from diabetes.

The research team, spearheaded by Priyanka Hankare from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, has ingeniously designed the shock syringe to deliver medication rapidly. Unlike traditional syringes that rely on piercing the skin with a sharp tip, the shock syringe employs high-energy pressure waves, or shock waves. These waves travel faster than the speed of sound to pierce the skin, compressing the surrounding medium, such as air or liquid, through which they travel. This ensures a less invasive and more comfortable experience for the patient.

The researchers have meticulously optimized the nozzle design of the shock syringe to have an opening of just 125 μm, approximately the width of a human hair. This fine design minimizes pain during insertion while being robust enough to handle the mechanical forces needed for the swift deployment of the microjet.

Testing and Results of the Shockwave Syringe

To ensure safety and comfort, the pressure in the shock syringe is continuously monitored. Rigorous testing on tissue simulants, such as synthetic skin, helps calibrate the force and speed of jet insertion. The effectiveness of the shock syringe was tested by injecting three different types of drugs into rats and monitoring drug distribution and absorption in the body using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.

The results were promising. The shock syringe achieved the same effect as needles when an anaesthetic was injected. For viscous drug formulations, such as an antifungal, the shock syringe outperformed regular needles, depositing more of the drug deeper into the skin layers. When insulin was administered to diabetic rats, the shock syringe effectively lowered and maintained blood sugar levels for a longer time compared to needles.

The Future of Drug Delivery

The shock syringe also caused less damage to the rat's skin than syringes, leading to faster healing of the wound at the injection spot. Hankare noted that shock syringes are designed to perform multiple drug delivery shots, offering reliability and cost-effectiveness over time at the expense of nozzle replacement.

This development is reminiscent of the historical shift from reusable glass syringes to disposable plastic ones in the mid-20th century, which significantly improved patient safety by reducing the risk of infection. Similarly, the shock syringe promises more than just pain-free injections. It represents a significant advancement in drug delivery technology, potentially transforming the way medical treatments are administered and improving patient comfort and compliance.

The team is currently in the process of filing for a patent and will then apply for regulatory approval. This development is a testament to the innovative research being conducted at IIT Bombay, which continues to push the boundaries of science and technology to improve human health and wellbeing. The shock syringe is a prime example of how engineering principles can be applied to solve real-world problems, paving the way for future advancements in the field of medical technology.