The PatchPump wearable drug-delivery system

The number of medical gadgets we've seen to ease medicine delivery is pretty staggering, with everything from the simple (digital pill box) to the insane (drug-infused false teeth). Now it looks like Israeli outfit SteadyMed is ready to enter the fray with the PatchPump, a wearable battery-powered drug pump that hits you with a constant dose of your prescription throughout the day. The system is based around a unique battery that gets bigger as it depletes, providing both the power supply and the motive force behind the pump. SteadyMed is working on version of the PatchPump that last from 48 hours up to 7 days, but there's no word on when these might hit hospitals.

[Via MedGadget]

[derX @ Nov 6th 2007 10:56AM]

"The system is based around a unique battery that gets bigger as it depletes, providing both the power supply and the motive force behind the pump."

Ingenius.

[Trevor @ Nov 6th 2007 3:36PM]

gets bigger as it depletes=swells before it explodes. Ingenius. Right.

[JAmerican @ Nov 6th 2007 11:05AM]

If it malfunctions, someone's getting an overdose.

[BigD145 @ Nov 6th 2007 1:57PM]

If it malfunctions, someone is getting injected with battery fluid.

[HineyWipe @ Nov 6th 2007 11:08AM]

Stims?

[jpn @ Nov 6th 2007 11:25AM]

*shudder* that needle....ew

and yeah, that malfunctioning battery COULD kill you....

[michas_pi @ Nov 6th 2007 11:31AM]

I'd have Sony provide the batteries for these, put the patients who have these on an island and have them fight to the death. If someone breaks the rules, the batteries explode, a la Battle Royale.

[David Clark @ Nov 6th 2007 7:10PM]

Most painful drug delivery system EVER.

[Blake Bowen @ Nov 6th 2007 11:38AM]

Jeez, you'd better find a nice isolated patch of skin to put this own. Get a hug and die from an overdose

[DickHardknocks @ Nov 6th 2007 12:09PM]

MY PROPOSED USES FOR THE TECHNOLOGY:

#1 Students - instant injections of riddelin, prozac, etc to keep teachers from losing their hair.

#2 teachers - instant injection of prozac keeps students from getting them down.

#3 soldiers - one word: MORPHINE

#4 mental ward patients - whatever drug shuts them up

[Craig @ Nov 6th 2007 12:31PM]

My proposal to alter your Rx recommendations:
#1 Students - a barbiturate sedative would probably be better.
#2 Teachers - a short acting benzodiazepine like Xanax would be more efffective.
#3 Soldiers - An amphetamine would better equip them to complete their tasks, and hopefully they'll never need morphine.
#4 Mental ward patients - the drug you're thinking of is called Haldol

[Major_Blud @ Nov 6th 2007 12:53PM]

umm...I've been wearing one of these for quite awhile, it's called and insulin pump.

Nothing to see here, please move along.

[SushiPillow @ Nov 6th 2007 2:45PM]

I doubt you're using an insulin pump with a battery that doubles as the pump itself.

[largar @ Nov 6th 2007 3:21PM]

no, this is pretty different from an insulin pump. this only administers the drug in a steady dose, so, unless your basal rate is the same all day and you never give yourself a bolus, it couldn't work for you. also, the insulin pump is mechanically driven, unlike this patchpump.

[largar @ Nov 6th 2007 3:24PM]

no, this is pretty different from an insulin pump. this only administers the drug in a steady dose, so, unless your basal rate is the same all day and you never give yourself a bolus, it couldn't work for you. also, the insulin pump is mechanically driven, unlike this patchpump.

[Rainier @ Nov 6th 2007 5:07PM]

I'd like one with a Smiley face while it pumps Morphine into my stream....

Then I can have an intoxicated look on my face as I walk around saying, "Have a happy day"