NanoPass needles set to vaccinate sans pain

Given the choice, even we'd take the pills over the vaccination, but a new Israeli startup is hoping to ease the fears so commonly associated with needles. NanoPass Technologies is working to develop its "proprietary intradermal drug delivery technology," which supposedly deliver injections without the painful side effects by actually not reaching the nerve endings of the skin. Based on MicroPyramids, which are manufactured by MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), the pure silicone crystals are used in extremely diminutive microneedles for intradermal injections, and the tip of the device measures less than one-micrometer in diameter. The company touts its pain-free technology (sound familiar?) as a breakthrough that is "non-intimitdating," which should reduce the likelihood of fainting both youngsters (okay, and adults) face when dealing with needles, and is even said to be easier to administer. Unfortunately, we've got no good news proclaiming that these will be replacing intramuscular and subcutaneous methods later this week, but the $6.5 million in funding that the company has acquired should go pretty far is helping its cause.

[Via MedGadget]

[Scabies @ Feb 19th 2007 12:49PM]

seeing as you cant use the same needle twice, I have to ask if replacing the "head" of this thing will be expensive? or if it can be acceptably sterilized for repeated use?

[Ray-- @ Feb 19th 2007 12:58PM]

now all they need to do is fix the incompetent nurse who misses your vein 5 times before actually get the need in the right place.

[Pingspike @ Feb 19th 2007 1:02PM]

All I want to know is, do they make the satisfying 'Psssst' sound a-la Star Trek ?

[Chotsang @ Feb 19th 2007 1:30PM]

So, you realize the micro needles are made from silicon (NO E at the end), not silicone. Silicone is PDMS (PolyDimethylSiloxane), a completely different material which isn't crystaline. It always bugs me when people get this wrong. I'm disappointed engadget...

[gene f @ Feb 19th 2007 8:59PM]

Chotsang, you are so correct. None of these guys have any technical education. They are just fluffy, word merchants. It's too bad!

[Shane @ Feb 19th 2007 1:52PM]

I thought the same thing initially. However, if you look at the original article it does say silicone rather than silicon. My guess is that the original article got it wrong and Engadget just mirrored the mistake.

[findo @ Feb 19th 2007 2:04PM]

Needle-less injection devices already exist but they still cause pain because you are forcing something through the skin. Diabetics in particular may experience pain from needles because they are reusing a needle more times than recommended. Modern fine needles can blunt quickly and it won't be obvious when you look at them. So one good way to reduce injection pain is to ask your doctor or, better still, your specialist nurse to find you the thinnest possible needle & then follow the rules on how many times you use it.

US drug companies can tell patients what needles and devices they make; UK companies are forbidden to give out such information as it is considered advertising even if the patient contacts the company. Thankfully US websites give details of what's available so if you or your child have to inject drugs for a medical condition, do some online homework and see if you can find out if thinner needles or alternative devices are available.

[boynamedsue @ Feb 19th 2007 2:07PM]

Its all fun and games until Dr Mccoy falls on his, jumps through the guardian of forever back to earths past, saves edith keeler and the fucking nazi's win the war instead.

[jm @ Feb 19th 2007 3:11PM]

I don't think this will replace insulin injections anytime soon since it only applies to intradermal injections. The needle here is an array of microneddles so small that they don't penetrate deep enough for pain nerves to sense. If they made the needles long enough for subcutaneous insulin injections they would stimulate pain nerves and make the technology pointless.

[adaminc @ Feb 19th 2007 3:24PM]

buck up wussies and take it like a man, or woman!

[cfrank @ Feb 19th 2007 11:39PM]

This is great. I wonder if they will have this for diabetics? My daughter has 4 shots a day and any way that can make it easier on her would be sweet!

[endodoc @ Feb 20th 2007 5:20PM]

Most of the painful sensation from a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection is from the liquid being injected, not the needle itself. The liquid coming out the end of the needle will spread the tissue apart (think internal blister) if it is injected too fast. This is why electronic syringes are much more comfortable even though they use the same exact needle. (Dentsply Comfort Control syringe or The Wand) The electric motor can push the liquid in very slowly and steadily, so it can perfuse through the tissue. A thinner needle makes no difference in pain sensation when the flow rate of the liquid is the same. However, a thinner needle does offer more resistance to flow of the liquid thereby making it easier to inject slowly and steadily when using a traditional hand syringe.
Using this Nano-needle would not be very useful for most subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. The needles don't penetrate far enough for intramuscular. Most injectable medications (think lidocaine) need a large volume of liquid. If these nano-needles did manage to get the liquid into the subcutaneous area, you would still have the volume issue to contend with. The liquid distending the tissue would still cause pain.
Vaccines are more appropriate for this because they typically have a very low volume that needs to be injected.

[findo @ Feb 21st 2007 11:04AM]

endodoc, While I take your point about liquid flow during an injection, I've used a thin needle on myself and trust me, it hurts less going in than the normal thick kind. (Cue cheap jokes...) If I were diabetic and injecting four times a day, I'd want the thinnest needle possible; it hurts less, it leaves less of a mark, and you'll have a smaller sore spot leaving you with more room for further injections. I've not heard of a pain-free injection system for diabetes which is why you get companies looking into nasal sprays and suchlike; they know the first person to offer a pain-free but rapid delivery system will make loads of $$.