To ensure proper dosage of pills with ease to patients Dr. Andy Wolff, an Israeli dentist has came up with the new concept to develop a tiny drug-dispensing tooth called IntelliDrug.
This drug filled tooth fits into the replacement tooth placed in the back like a molar device to releases a definite quantity of medicine at certain periods to ensure that the patients gets proper dosage at regular intervals.
This considerable project is funded by the European Union under a program that promotes cooperation between EU nations and Israel and to make it appear finally for the physician’s researchers from Europe and Israel are working together on this tiny drug-dispensing system that goes into a person’s mouth.
After placing the device in the mouth the drugs can be easily delivered directly into the bloodstream through the lining of the cheek and around the mouth so that Salvia mixes with the drug to carry it into the inside layers of our body time and again. This new system can prove beneficial to diabetic patients who take regular injections of insulin to maintain low blood-glucose level. Now, instead of swallowing pills again and again or to prick skin for injections, patients can simply put the drug-dispensing tooth in their mouth to carry drug into the inside layers of their body.
Out of 15 organizations two big names like Wolff’s company, Saliwell Ltd, and German microelectronics institute HSG-IMIT are also involved in the development of this significant device. Other organizations include universities, companies, research institutes and hospitals. To support this new development in terms of communications technology another noteworthy name Spanish telephone company Telefonica SA is also in the list.
The need to develop this drug-filled tooth aroused by keeping in view those average patients who often forget to take medicine on scheduled times or especially those who need scheduled drugs to survive primarily at middle of the night. It is also believed that the device can resolve the problem in a routine process.
The device is designed with stainless steel housing, a pump and custom valves to regulate the drug flow, a microprocessor, batteries, and a reservoir for the drug pill to enable effective drug flow. This tooth shaped device is equivalent to size of two teeth’s and can be easily strapped on the side of the teeth to hug the inside portion of the cheek but the researchers hope to develop it finally into a replacement tooth.
The module allows users to control the device with the help of remote control via its communication port. The device can also be easily removed or re-filled from the mouth to enable the technician to refill the drug reservoir, to clean the system and to replace the battery if required.
Mr.Wolff said:
This approach combines dentistry with software, communication and technology
However this highly developed approach is in its early stages of development but the concept of this IntelliDrug sample will soon get ready for human testing by the end of this year.
Via: Newsvine
