MIT Researchers Develop Needle-Free Drug Delivery Device Inspired by Squid Jets

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled a groundbreaking needle-free drug delivery device, inspired by the high-pressure liquid jets used by squids. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize how medications are administered, eliminating the need for traditional needles.

Needle-based drug delivery poses several challenges, including the need for specialized training, risks of needle-stick injuries, and safe disposal concerns. “Needles require specialized training to administer, present challenges with safe disposal, and carry the risk of needle-stick injuries, whether used externally or for deeper, internal applications,” explains Giovanni Traverso, a translational engineering researcher at MIT.

In a study published on November 20 in Nature, Traverso and his team described their microjet device, which uses pressurized liquid to deliver drugs to internal organs. This device mimics the propulsion mechanism of squids, which use muscular contractions to pressurize and propel liquid through funnel-like siphons. The microjet can precisely target different organs by adjusting the direction and pressure of the liquid, offering a safer alternative to needles.

The device operates as part of a capsule that travels through the gastrointestinal tract. Once the capsule dissolves at a specific pH level, the microjet activates, injecting drugs directly into the surrounding tissue. This approach was successfully tested on pigs and dogs, where researchers injected drugs into various organs such as the stomach, colon, and esophagus. The team tailored the jet’s pressure to account for the delicacy and thickness of the targeted tissue, ensuring safety.

“One of the most challenging aspects was optimizing the balance between jet force and safety,” says Traverso. The team reported no adverse effects during the tests.

Samir Mitragotri, a drug delivery researcher at Harvard University who was not involved in the study, commended the innovation. “This is the first study demonstrating the use of microjets for delivery of drugs into the gastrointestinal tract. All in all, this is a very creative design,” he noted.

While promising, this technology still requires extensive development before it can be used in humans. Future research will likely focus on targeting specific tissue types, such as tumors, and ensuring that repeated injections do not cause safety issues.

For now, those who fear needles may need to rely on existing coping strategies. However, this innovative approach brings hope for a needle-free future in medical treatments.