Sunday, 22 December, 2002, 00:05 GMT

Pain-free syringes developed

Demand for painless needles is high among diabetics

Scientists have developed a tiny hypodermic syringe that can be used to give virtually pain-free injections. The breakthrough could potentially be very good news for people with conditions such as diabetes, who require daily injections of insulin to manage their condition.

Japanese medical equipment maker Terumo Corporation has developed a prototype needle that is just 0.2 millimetres (0.008 inches) in diameter.

Many people feel almost no twinge of pain with this needle

Takako Ogawa It uses a tapering technique to administer a flow of drugs through an extremely fine tip.

No super-thin hypodermic syringes had been developed until now for fear that they could not guarantee full, uninterrupted flow of liquid medicine.

'High demand'

Company spokeswoman Takako Ogawa said: "It depends upon the individual, but many people feel almost no twinge of pain with this needle."

"Demand for a painless needle is very high among diabetics, who are supposed to inject insulin four or five times a day,.

"We are also looking into the possibility of marketing the needle overseas."

The company hopes the needle will be commercially available for purchase within the next five or six years.

Amanda Vezey, of the charity Diabetes UK, said: "We've come a long way since people with diabetes needed to inject insulin with unwieldy glass syringes and large, painful needles.

"Although this is a few years off, Diabetes UK would welcome any safe, effective advances which make the treatment of diabetes easier and more comfortable"

Terumo's invention is thought to be the smallest conventional needle in the world.

However, a separate group of Japanese researchers has developed a microscopic alternative with a diameter of just 60 microns (60 millionths of one metre).

The device is connected to a miniature electric pump modelled on the mechanics of a mosquito bite.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2579363.stm

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2002

Answers

Link to Maggie's story

Terumo is a well-known name among those in feline chronic renal failure circles. Every site recommends using these needles for administering subQ fluids because they're much sharper than others, such as Monoject. In addition, the hollows inside are bigger so that the fluids flow faster. It's true! Someone did a comparison of flow rates and put them up on one of the CRF websites. I tried the Terumos and am completely convinced. I can use a smaller gauge needle for Polly, thereby decresing the amount of pain AND scar tissue, and the time needed to administer is still less than with a Monoject. Polly is a patient little thing (no pun int.) but, still, it has to be uncomfortable and the shorter the time involved, the better.

Obviously, this is a crucial difference for those who need daily injections, like diabetics. Whenever I have to quit the meds and go to insulin, I shall be VERY happy about these even better Terumo needles. I just wish they were available now so that Polly could take advantage too. I think I shall get a supply of them (when available) so I can take them to the vet for injections--most vets use larger gauge needles because they're faster.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2002