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Needle Free Injections With Microjets

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the very-star-trekkish dept.

IZ Reloaded writes "Do you hate needles? In the near future, the fear of needles would be a thing of a past. Bioengineering students at the University of California, Berkeley have developed the MicroJet. It uses an electronic actuator that could one day propel vaccinations, insulin or other drugs through the skin of the patient - without the device even touching the skin - with far less pain than a hypodermic needle."

5 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. I'm a type 1 diabetic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    And they've had "needle-less" injectors around for a long while, however the current ones are expensive and rather inaccurate at dosing when compared to needles.

    However, I must say I really don't care if they come out with a needle-less injector that works better. It's not the shots themselves that bother me, but rather the constant maintenance that people take for granted. I'd still need to do something. Right now I have a pump, and it's better than doing individual injections, but it's always with me. I'm waiting for the day when I no longer have to worry about this disease any longer because I've been cured.

  2. Yes, do you prefer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Hypospray, anyone?

  3. The first? by ImTwoSlick · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I have distinct memories of getting shots in basic training, where a needleless gun was used. How is this any different?

    And trust me.. It is not exactly pain-free.

  4. pneumatic injectors are painful by johnny+cashed · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I got vaccinated with an "air gun" back in the day. it hurts, probably as much as a needle. But you can do a whole group of people quickly, 'cause you don't need to change needles.

  5. Re:Jetgun by charyou-tree · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Sounds similar to the jetgun the military use to use. Does anyone know the difference?

    Well, they're promising "far less pain" with this device.

    Once upon a time, I had the misfortune to receive a yellow fever vaccination with one of the military's needleless injectors. It felt like some steroid-pumped baseball player had swung a bat at my shoulder. Nearly as bad as the pain was the gathering anticipation of the pain, as I watched the 200-odd people in line ahead of me get their shots.