By Lily Bourne
Most people cringe at the thought of getting a shot. The uncomfortable process of being physically injected with medicine is widely renowned as one of the worst parts of routine wellness. Unfortunately, these vital medicines need to be delivered directly into bodily tissue, which has previously ruled out most alternatives to the needle-based approach.
However, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have recently discovered a possible solution in an unlikely place: squids. Squids use siphons to pressurize water and propel themselves in a specific direction. Scientists constructed microjet delivery systems that can penetrate gastrointestinal tissue, inspired by the mechanics of the squids’ jets. Unfortunately, this technology still has a ways to go before it can be introduced into the medical field, but testing and iterating have been promising.
The team has created two different methods of using this technology: endoscopic (connected to a thin tube) and ingestible. They hope that these devices can reduce the use of needles, especially for drugs like insulin which must be taken frequently. The devices can deliver their contents through the sides or bottom, making them more efficient for a range of medicines, especially in the esophagus and stomach. To ensure the drug is delivered correctly. scientists developed a capsule that dissolves at a specific pH equivalent to the necessary delivery site.
Recently, researchers have found success when testing these microjet devices with insulin and other macromolecules in pigs and dogs, but have more safety considerations and tests to consider before they reach the human body. While the microjets may not be ready quite yet, they provide another example of how nature can inspire new solutions to old problems.
