Needle-free insulin delivery?

[dcress]

Hi,

I was hoping to get some feedback for an article I'm writing about needle-free injection technology.

Although needle free injectors have been around since the sixties, they've never caught on among diabetics. The latest info I could find shows that .6% of insulin-dependent diabetics use this type of device.

Has anyone had experience using needle-free injectors for their insulin delivery?

I've compiled some of the latest offerings in needle-free technology here. (http://www.onemedplace.com/blog/archives/362)

Hope to hear some of your thoughts.

Doug

[johnd]

I think it's a great idea!

[BlueSky]

I can understand that these devices might be useful when getting children used to the idea of injecting themselves. But anxiety caused by self-injecting is essentially a psychological barrier, and it is quickly overcome. I have never used one of these devices myself and really can't see the point. Injecting with a pen is normally painless. And more importantly, convenience is unbeatable.

Lack of dosing accuracy and inconsistent absorption are further major drawbacks of non-invasive delivery methods (inhaleable insulin and patches). They might be acceptable for T2 but are not good enough for T1 diabetics. After 30 years of using injections, I would only consider switching to a pump. And that would because it offers additional tools for improving control.

[Wildbill]

Jet injectors have been available for many applications for a long time. Over the course of time they have not proven popular for a variety of reasons as the last respondent mentioned, dosing and convenience, and the fact that they hurt too much. Needles are cheap, and effective, and they don't hurt enough to reinvent the wheel.

[xMenace]

I would never even consider one.

[shockme]

i've heard they hurt waaay worse than needles and leave alot of bruises. trish

[Huckleberry]

I did use one about 15 years ago for less than a week. I felt I could never be certain about the dose or absorption and it was uncomfortable. I found the needle much more reliable.

[dcress]

Hi Everyone. Thanks for the feedback. Ill investigate the dosing and absorbtion issues. I could see why these might be problematic. It might make for an interesting story on its own.

As per the insulin delivery pumps - I'll see what I can dig up. I'm sure these devices are getting better and better.