Subscribe now

Laser triggers drug release any time, any place

By Alexandra Goho

22 March 2003

ONE of the many stressful aspects of chronic illness is the need for regular pills or injections. But if a project now under way succeeds, a wristwatch-like laser device could activate release of precise doses of a drug whenever the patient needs them.

Polymer implants that release a steady stream of a drug as they degrade are already available, and work well for treating certain forms of brain tumour. But for conditions that require large drug doses at specific intervals patients need a way of turning the flow of drug from the polymer implant on and off. The question is…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop