The
needle technology that is referred to as hypodermic needle was first used by
ancient Romans and Greeks to inject cures into the body and prevent death via
snakebites or poisoned weapons. Christopher Wren was the first documented
scientist who performed the first intravenous injections using hypodermic
needles in the late 17th century. As technology advanced and pharmaceutical
industry reached a breakthrough, newer technologies were incorporated within
this segment. The recent technology used is the development of needless
injections. Needle free Injection technology (NFIT) is a very new concept that
is being used to delivery specific type of drugs through the skin using scientific
principles of shockwaves, pressure, Lorentz or electrophoresis which forces the
drug into the skin thereby negating the use of a needle in an injection.
According
to the study, ‘Needle
Free Injections - Medical Devices Pipeline Assessment, 2018’, some
major companies and organizations developing this technology are B. Braun Melsungen AG, Boston Scientific
Corp, Crossject SA, Enable Injections Inc, Enesi Pharma Ltd, Eternity
Healthcare Inc., Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc, Medical International Technologies
(Mit Canada) Inc, PharmaJet Inc, Queen's University, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co
Ltd, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
The
basic principle behind NFIT is that a drug in a pre measured amount is loaded
in cassettes which are then transmitted into the body via the skin by
harnessing a strong amount of energy. The force can be generated either via
electromagnetic devices or shockwaves or any other form of energy that is
capable enough to impart motion to the medicine. There are various
classifications for these needlefee devices. They are on the basis of working
(Spring system, laser powered, energy propelled systems) or on the basis of
type of load (liquid, powder or projective) or on the basis or site of
delivery.
This
technology can be used to administer local anesthesia, direct palmar BoNT-ONA
and Intralesional corticosteroids to name a few. Recently clinical trials have
revealed that intraject technology delivers reliable subcutaneous injections.
Studies have also revealed that large and complex drugs are not modified when
huge pressure is applied during the process of administration via needle free
technology.
The
prime advantage of this device is that it saves the patient from unnecessary
pain and not only this but physical drug can also be administered via this
technology. Although traditional hypodermic needles are cheap and quick to use
however, the use of these needles often cause needle stick injury which leads
to infections or injury to the skin which results in further expensive
treatments. It is because of this reason many US states in 2015 came up with
legislations requiring the use of needle free systems wherever it was
available. A huge number of medicines are now being administered via injections
rather than oral or any other mode. Each
year the medical experts are devising techniques to shift from oral medication
to direct mode. This could also prove to be a key driver for the needle free
injection market.
Market
forces have led to pharmaceutical companies to adopt newer technology in their devices
which propagates the needle free injection market. The future of this sector
seems promising as consumer preferences clearly show that needle less
technology is the future.
To know more, click on the link below:
Contact
Us:
Ken Research
Ankur Gupta, Head Marketing &
Communications
0124-4230204