Techniques for injecting insulin 'remotely' for diabetics

In order to help diabetics with less pain due to daily insulin injections, researchers at the University of North Carolina (USA) have developed a new non-invasive injection method. It is using a remote control device that can shoot ultrasound waves through the skin in the arm, where the implant contains insulin to release this hormone into the blood.

First, the implant containing enough 10-day insulin (the size of a cell phone sim) will be implanted under the skin in the biceps thanks to a local anesthesia procedure. When patients need insulin injections, they will use a device like a remote television toward the biceps and press the trigger button for 30 seconds.

Photo: nyu.edu

The ultrasonic waves emitted by the device will impact the implant containing thousands of nanoparticles covering insulin, causing them to vibrate and detach, releasing insulin into the blood. When the button is turned off, the nanoparticles on the surface of the implant will close to keep the remaining insulin.

Although the insulin injection technique with new remote has been tested in mice, experts say it may soon help thousands of diabetic patients no longer suffer from pain because the scene requires 4 injections of insulin per day.

It is known that diabetes - affecting millions of people around the world - occurs when the pancreas reduces or stops producing insulin, the hormone needed to convert nutrients into energy. Lack of hormone insulin can impair the functioning of organs such as kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart and arteries.