One of the main reasons people decide not to receive a shot is the pervasive fear of needles. Some estimates show 10 percent of people in the United States suffer from it, but this number may in fact be much higher due to under-reporting. After all, some people would completely forego medical treatment in all but the direst of circumstances in order to avoid the unwelcome prick of a needle. It can be difficult to convince these people to receive vaccinations and other medical treatments in spite of their fears, especially when only the sight or thought of a big needle is enough to make some people faint. This is an especially pressing concern for chronically ill patients who have to receive regular injections at the hands of medical specialists, or, perhaps more difficult, at their own hands, as in the case of some people afflicted with diabetes.

In an effort to ensure that those needing medical treatment don’t avoid or neglect it by the method of delivery, researchers have been rethinking the typical syringe and hypodermic needle combination for years. Over the last decade or so, they’ve made some major progress in making it less painful to use. One of the most promising changes that they propose is making the needles smaller in diameter, and thus less likely to be felt by patients. Some of these small syringes are only a tenth of the size of a usual needle, a change that brings its own issues. For instance, it was difficult to find a readily available material that could be fashioned into such a needle. Until recently, it was difficult to craft hollow needles fine enough for these syringes with the typical metals used for their larger cousins. This limitation left scientists to instead fashion them from silicon-based compounds that were easier to manage, but they are also weaker and more prone to breaking. Not only was this a practical problem for medical professionals, but it could leave patients with the scary notion of a tiny needle snapping off during an injection! Fortunately, researchers found a method to create small titanium needles that remedy this issue.

But even if the needles are so small patients can barely feel them, some are terrified by the very thought of needles themselves, and they may have an uncontrollable vasovagal reaction that can produce a syncope, or loss of consciousness. These patients often require use of a sedative before receiving an injection. But what if scientists could design a syringe that could inject medication without the needle? MIT researchers have designed a syringe that shoots medication out in a very powerful stream that can actually pierce the skin without the use of a needle. While the mechanism may sound painful at first, much like the aforementioned needles, this stream is incredibly small in order to minimize or eliminate any discomfort the patient might feel.

With all of these recent breakthroughs, it’s almost as if science fiction is becoming reality. But more importantly than giving doctors and nurses tools that make them feel like they walked out of a Star Trek scene, these researchers have been making life easier and healthier for people who might have missed out on medical treatment before. It’s easy to imagine how much better diabetics would feel about their insulin injections or to think of how many more people would receive a flu shot if it wasn’t prefaced with a that old doctor’s refrain, “You’ll just feel a little pinch.”

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare technology.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for many notable publications. Thomas is able to offer advice on healthcare technology. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/laser-spine-institute-partners-with-marodyne-medical-to-offer-the-latest-in-low-intensity-vibration-science-2013-02-19

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare technology.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: health care technology, healthcare technology, medical technology