New technology eliminates the need to take pills on schedule
Houston Methodist: a Bluetooth-controlled nanochannel implant delivers medications for arthritis, diabetes and hypertension without pumps — up to a year between refills.
Houston Methodist: a Bluetooth-controlled nanochannel implant delivers medications for arthritis, diabetes and hypertension without pumps — up to a year between refills.
Houston Methodist Hospital has tested a unique drug delivery system that will be indispensable for patients with chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. It is a small subcutaneous implant with nanochannels that can be controlled remotely via Bluetooth.
Placed under the skin, the implant provides fully controlled release of two agents (in the experiment, drugs for arthritis and hypertension) without the use of pumps. It can be used for up to a year without refilling. Next year researchers plan to test the technology in space aboard the ISS.
The system offers three release modes — standard, reduced and increased activity. The operating regimen can easily be tailored to each patient's needs. The implant uses a nanofluidic membrane with tiny channels that enable controlled drug delivery.
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