IIT Kharagpur researchers develop microneedle to administer drug in a painless way

    Kolkata, Aug 29 (PTI) Researchers at IIT Kharagpur
have developed a microneedle which is capable of administering
large drug molecules in a painless way, a statement issued by
the institute said on Saturday.
    The Institute's Department of Electronics
and Electrical Communication Engineering has not only reduced
the diameter size of the microneedles but also increased the
strength so that they do not break while penetrating the skin,
it said.
    The microneedle can be used even in COVID-19
vaccination in future, besides for insulin delivery, the
statement said.
    "A typical use could be achieved in insulin delivery
or medication for diseases of the lymphatic system, skin
including some forms of cancer, or even COVID-19 vaccine,"
lead researcher Prof Tarun Kanti Bhattacharyya said.
    He said, "We have fabricated high strength glass
carbon microneedles which can withstand the skin resistive
forces. Added to this is our designing of the ionic polymer
metal composite membrane based micropump which increases the
flow rate of the drug molecules in a controlled and precise
manner. We have further integrated this microneedle and
micropump to achieve controlled drug delivery."
    He said the device would find extensive use in any
form of transdermal medication.
    "The more we engage in multidisciplinary R&D, the
better we would be able to produce customized microneedle
based effective delivery systems," he added.
    The microneedle has the potential to transform the
drug delivery system from the current syringe based one to a
painless but effective experience for the patients.
    The drug delivery device has been successfully tested
with animals as per medical protocol.
    The researchers have also filed for a patent in India
and published the research in IEEE and Nature journals.
    The research for this innovation was funded by the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) and
Department of Science of Technology of Government of India,
the statement added. PTI SUS
RG RG

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)