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July 30, 2015

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Microneedles are less of a pain

GOOD news for those with a fear of needles but who need regular injections. Scientists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University have unveiled the design of a painless insulin patch with tiny “microneedles” for diabetes treatment.

Animal experiments have found the patch to be almost as effective as regular diabetes pens and scientists will now apply for approval from the authorities for clinical trials.

The design is also suitable for other injections, since diabetes shots have the highest requirements on accuracy and need the highest frequency, scientists said yesterday.

The patch, the size of a coin, is covered with microneedles less than 1 milliliter in length. These are made of the material used in contact lens and insulin is inside the needles. When the patch is stuck on the skin and pressed, the needles release the insulin.

“We were looking to developing microneedles with higher safety but less pain than insulin pens,” said Jin Tuo from Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s School of Pharmacy and the leading scientist on the project.




 

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