New technologies may eliminate the need to drink pills on schedule

As Eurek Alert notes, Houston Methodist Hospital has tested a unique drug delivery system that may become indispensable for patients with chronic illnesses, such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. This is a small implant with nano-channels that can be remotely controlled via Bluetooth.

The implant, located under the skin, gives a completely controlled release of two drugs without the pumps using (in the experiment they were drugs for arthritis and hypertension). The implant can be used for a year and do not require drug refilling. Next year such technology is going to be tested in space on ISS.

The system has three modes of drug release, such as standard, reduced and increased activity. The mode can be easily adjusted for the needs of each patient. The implant uses a nanofluidic membrane, including tubules, through which the controlled drug delivery occurs.

Source: Eurek Alert