Last month we witnessed MagnetoSperm microrobots for the nanoworld and now research scholars at MIT lab have devised a technology oriented birth control drug delivery system, which can be controlled from the outside. The 20 x 20 x 7 millimeters devise is supposed to be implanted inside the skin somewhere around buttocks, abdomen or upper arm.
The mechanism
Single implant will last for about 16 years with 30mg of levonorgestrel doling out per day. Levonorgestrel is the same hormone that is used in most of the over the counter contraceptives. When a woman is looking forward towards conception, all she is required to do is switch off the implant with the provided remote control. While with the second click, the system gets re-started, simple.
The nanochip devise would be implanted and explanted under the affect of local anesthesia.
Pre-clinical testing by 2015
MicroCHIPS of Lexington, Massachusetts, the name behind the manufacturing of the devise said that the devise’s pre-clinical testing would initiate by next year in the US itself and by 2018, it would be made available for the market.
The firm envisions that this system would provide for precision with respect to drug delivery with lessen cost of care relatively and hence might improve patient outcomes.
The device looks promising but I’m sure most of the people might also want an optional tracker mechanism with the device. Although it is not embedded currently but might get added during the production process.
Source: MIT Technology Review
