A research team led by MIT has developed a capsule that can deliver doses of insulin, this can potentially replace injections for people with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers made test on animals and found out that they can deliver enough insulin that can lower down blood sugar to levels similar to what injections on the skin can produce. The same technology can also be adapted to deliver some protein drugs. The capsule has a small compressed insulin inside, and after it reaches the stomach it will be injected.The capsule made was just about the size of a blueberry.
“We are really hopeful that this new type of capsule could someday help diabetic patients and perhaps anyone who requires therapies that can now only be given by injection or infusion,” says Robert Langer, “We are really hopeful that this new type of capsule could someday help diabetic patients and perhaps anyone who requires therapies that can now only be given by injection or infusion,” says Robert Langer, David H. Koch Institute Professor, also a member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, and one of the senior authors of the study.
Co-author of the study, Assitant professor Giovanni Traverso of Brigham and Women's hospital, a Harvad Medical School affiliate, said: “Our motivation is to make it easier for patients to take medication, particularly medications that require an injection. The classic one is insulin, but there are many others.”
The inspiration of the shape of the capsule is inspired by the leopeard tortoise, which is found in Africa. This animal's shell is domed and steep which allows the animals to get back on its feet when it roll or fell on its back.This shape helps the capsule to be always reoriented towards the stomach wall. Inside is a needle attached to a compressed spring and a disk made of sugar is used as a restrain. When the capsule reaches the stomach, water will dissovle the disk and would trigger the spring to release and injectting the needle to the stomach wall.
And since stomach does not have pain receptors, it is unlikely to cause discomfort.It would take an hour for the insulin needle to dissolve into the bloodstream.When tested on pigs, researcher were able to deliver five milligrams on insulin -comparable to the amount of what is needed for type 2 diabetic patients.
The metal spring and the capsule just passed through the digestive system with no problems.
Researchers are still doing test on pigs and dogs. They are hoping they can start first human trials in the next three years.
A more detailed information can be found at MIT News
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