Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
As an answer to the fear of needle-syringes, a team of researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a shock syringe, which doesn’t rely on piercing the skin with a sharp tip. Instead, it uses high-energy pressure waves (shock waves) that can travel faster than the speed of sound to pierce the skin.
The team led by Prof. Viren Menezes from the Department of Aerospace Engineering in their study published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials & Devices, the IIT Bombay researchers compared the effectiveness of drug delivery by a shock syringe versus a regular needle on laboratory rats. The team explained, “These waves, when generated, compress the surrounding medium (such as air or liquid) through which they travel. A similar effect happens during a sonic boom; when an aircraft flies faster than the speed of sound, it creates shockwaves that push and disturb the air.”
As per information shared by IIT Bombay, the shock syringe, developed earlier in 2021 in Prof. Menezes’ lab, is slightly longer than a regular ballpoint pen. The device has a micro shock tube consisting of three sections: the driver, driven, and drug holder, which work together to create the shockwave-driven microjet for drug delivery. Pressurised nitrogen gas is applied to the shock syringe (driver section of micro shock tube part) filled with liquid drugs to create a microjet of the drug. The microjet travels at a speed nearly twice as fast as a commercial aeroplane at takeoff. This jet stream of liquid drug passes through the nozzle of the syringe before penetrating the skin. The entire process of delivering drugs using a shock syringe is rapid and gentle; most patients wouldn’t feel a thing, said the team.
Priyanka Hankare, research scholar and lead author of the study, said, “The shock syringe is designed to deliver the medication rapidly. However, if a regular syringe is inserted too quickly or with excessive force, it can cause unnecessary trauma to the skin or underlying tissues.”
The development of a shock syringe according to the researchers promises more than pain-free injections. It could make immunisation drives quicker and more efficient for both children and adults. It could prevent the occurrence of bloodborne diseases caused by needle-stick injuries due to mishandling or improper disposal. Furthermore, “Shock syringes are designed to perform multiple drug delivery shots (e.g., over 1000 shots tested), offering reliability and cost-effectiveness over time at the expense of nozzle replacement,” explained Hankare.
[Excerpt from Indian Express "IIT Bombay Develops Painless Needle-Free Shock Syringes" Dated 31/12/24]
Q1: What technology does the needle-free syringe developed by IIT Bombay use?
(a) Laser technology
(b) Shockwave technology
(c) Ultrasound technology
(d) Infrared technology
Ans: (b)
Sol: The passage mentions that the needle-free syringe employs shockwave technology to deliver medication painlessly.
Q2: What is one key advantage of the shockwave syringe for patients?
(a) It is reusable and cost-effective.
(b) It eliminates the need for doctors during administration.
(c) It reduces pain and anxiety associated with injections.
(d) It delivers medicine in smaller doses.
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage highlights that the syringe reduces pain and anxiety, making it especially useful for patients with needle phobia.
Q3: How does the shockwave syringe deliver medication?
(a) By heating the skin and allowing the medicine to seep in
(b) By using electromagnetic waves to penetrate the skin
(c) By using high-energy pressure waves to create a pathway for medication
(d) By vibrating the skin to absorb the medicine
Ans: (c)
Sol: The mechanism described in the passage involves high-energy pressure waves (shockwaves) that travel through the skin to deliver medication.
Q4: Who can benefit the most from this new technology?
(a) Patients with chronic conditions requiring regular injections
(b) Only elderly patients with diabetes
(c) People who already receive painless treatments
(d) Patients who need surgery
Ans: (a)
Sol: The passage specifically mentions individuals with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, who require regular injections, as key beneficiaries.
Q5: What is a significant safety benefit of the shockwave syringe?
(a) It reduces the cost of medication delivery.
(b) It allows for faster diagnosis of diseases.
(c) It minimizes the risk of injuries caused by improper use of traditional syringes.
(d) It ensures medication reaches all parts of the body instantly.
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage explains that the shockwave syringe mitigates risks associated with injuries caused by improper use of traditional syringes.
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