Device inspired by MUSSELS plugs its own puncture wound after an injection

October 3, 2016

Scientists developed a syringe which seals hole it leaves once removed
It could prevent problems for people whose blood doesn’t clot properly
This includes people with haemophilia, diabetes and advanced cancer
Formula is inspired by shellfish’s ability to stick to a surface in the wet

Colin Fernandez Science Correspondent For The Daily Mail

Published:
11:14 EST, 3 October 2016

|
Updated:
13:25 EST, 3 October 2016

e-mail

View
comments

It may not be enough to remove the fear some of us have of needles

But now scientists have invented a hypodermic syringe which seals the hole it leaves behind after it is removed.

The needle coated in a film physically plugs the gap left in a vein when it is removed.

And thanks for the breakthrough comes from an unlikely quarter – the mussel.

The shellfish’s ability to stick to a surface in the wet inspired the adhesive material used on the syringe.

The breakthrough could help prevent a vast range of problems caused by bleeding under the skin.

Scientists from South Korea have invented a hypodermic syringe which seals the hole it leaves behind once it has been removed

Those most likely to benefit from the invention are people with whose blood does not clot properly.

These include people with haemophilia, diabetes and those with advanced cancer.

The authors from the Korean Institute of Technology said bleeding caused by hypodermic syringes being removed also evokes ‘a certain degree of psychological fear’.

The embarrassing female health problems millions of women…

Teenager with an ingrown toenail pays £5,000 to have her leg…

Men who smoke are THREE times more likely to have children…

Good news for prosecco lovers: New ‘diet’ version contains…

The bleeding can also cause bruises that can prevent further therapeutic injections.

And many routine surgical operations – such as plastic surgery – have to be avoided in patients with blood clotting problems in case they suffer uncontrolled bleeding.

Alternatives to syringes are few – although micro needle patches and oral and nasal delivery are options.

The key hurdles to overcome by the team were getting the sealant gel to grip the needle – and then to completely seal the puncture site after removal.

To overcome this, the team used polymers called catecholics which were inspired by those used by mussels to grip to rocks.

The polymer film on the needle is converted to an adhesive thin gel-like material ‘which exhibits immediate self-sealing of the punctured vessels, resulting in complete prevention of bleeding for both normal and haemophilia animal models.’

Mussels’ ability to stick to a surface in the wet inspired the adhesive used on the syringe

The authors conclude ‘we have developed haemostatic needles able to completely prevent blood loss following tissue puncture, thus showing significant promise for use in patients with conditions affecting haemostasis as well as those with infectious blood-borne diseases.’

The word syringe derivers from Greek mythology. Syrinx, a chaste nymph was chased to the waters edge and disguised herself as water reeds.

Pan chopped the hollow reeds off and blew into them to create a musical whistling sound – fashioning the first of his pan pipes.

The famous Greek surgeon Galen knew of syringes – inspired by how snakes transmit venom, they were used to administer ointments, but not intravenously.

An unlikely pioneer in syringes figure of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect, in the 17th century.

Sir Christopher carried out experiments on dogs – using goose quills and pigs bladders to inject them with opium and wine.

Scottish surgeon Alexander Wood, of Edinburgh, is credited with pioneering the modern hypodermic syringe, by combining a hollow steel needle with a proper syringe to inject morphine into a human.

He and his wife both became addicted to injecting morphine, and his wife was reputedly the first person to die of a drug overdose.