Switzerland: A team of scientists from the ETH Zurich research institute has developed tiny suction cups that attach inside the cheek to deliver medication into the bloodstream in minutes.
The suction cup containing the medication temporarily sticks to the inner lining of the cheek. Photo: Luo Z
Some medications can only be administered by injection, although most people dislike this method. The problem with injectable medications is that they are made up of relatively large molecules. These molecules would be broken down by the digestive system if taken orally, and furthermore, they are too large to enter the bloodstream through the intestinal wall. They are also too large to pass through the mucous membranes that line the inside of the cheeks (called buccal mucosa) and the underside of the tongue.
To address these issues, a team of scientists at the ETH Zurich research institute (Switzerland) developed a tiny suction cup inspired by octopuses, New Atlas reported on September 29. The device, 10 mm wide and 6 mm thick, is filled with the aforementioned injectable drugs and then attached to the inner lining of the cheek simply by pressing on it with two fingers. The cup stretches the mucous membrane underneath, making it more permeable.
To increase absorption, scientists added a naturally derived chemical to the medication, which temporarily loosens the cell network of the membrane. As a result, the medication is transported across the cheek lining and into the bloodstream within minutes.
In (non-harmful) dog trials, the suction cups successfully delivered the medication into the bloodstream. Empty cups were also tested on 40 people, most of whom said they preferred this method to injections. The cups remained in the volunteers' cheeks for about half an hour without causing any discomfort.
The suction cup is 10 mm wide and 6 mm thick. Photo: Transit Bio
"We have a prototype and have been granted a patent for this technology. Our next step is to manufacture the suction cup in a way that meets current pharmaceutical regulations," said Nevena Paunović, an expert at ETH who led the research along with David Klein Cerrejon.
The suction cup is being commercialized by Transire Bio. Research on this device has been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Thu Thao (According to New Atlas )
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