IIT-Bombay Develops Needle-Free ‘Shock Syringe’ for Painless Injections

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, have developed a revolutionary needle-free “shock syringe” for painless drug delivery. This innovation, led by Professor Viren Menezes from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, has significant implications for healthcare, including immunization drives and the prevention of needle-related injuries.

About Shock Syringe:

Objective: To provide painless drug delivery for patients with a fear of needles.
The project was led by Professor Viren Menezes, and the findings were published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials and Devices.

How It Works:

Shock Wave Mechanism: The syringe generates high-energy pressure waves that travel faster than sound to pierce the skin.
Similar to a sonic boom, these waves compress the surrounding medium to create a microjet for drug delivery.
The device consists of three sections:
- Driver Section: Uses pressurized nitrogen gas.
- Driven Section: Houses the liquid drug.
- Drug Holder: Guides the drug through the nozzle.
The microjet travels at speeds twice as fast as a commercial airplane during take-off, ensuring rapid and gentle drug penetration.

Benefits and Applications

Pain-Free Injections: Patients experience minimal or no discomfort during drug delivery.
Reduced Risk of Blood-Borne Diseases: Eliminates needle-stick injuries, preventing the spread of infections caused by improper handling or disposal.
Enhanced Efficiency: Accelerates immunization drives for children and adults.
Durability: Each shock syringe can perform over 1,000 injections with periodic nozzle replacements.
Safety Features: Continuous pressure monitoring and rigorous testing on synthetic skin ensure precise and safe drug delivery.