SpectRx and Altea Technologies of Atlanta, Georgia are patenting
(WO 00/03758) a way of using tiny explosive charges to inject drugs, take blood
samples or even etch tattoos. In place of a needle the syringe uses a blunt
probe tipped with a pyrotechnic mixture. The explosion produces a tiny opening
in the skin through which fluids鈥攊ncluding drugs or tattoo dyes鈥攃an
be pushed or sucked. The flash of a laser diode or an electrical pulse triggers
the charge. It all happens in 10 milliseconds, so the skin temperature never
rises above 40 掳C鈥攚ell below the human pain threshold. The…
Technology
This won't hurt
By Barry Fox
17 June 2000



