>>  Background There is widespread acceptance that the traditional transdermal drug delivery method of using a syringe and a hyperdermic needle is far from ideal. Health-care professionals, such as Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, and Dentists -- who globally administer almost 1 billion injections a month -- have highlighted the following shortcomings of this invasive technique: needle-stick injury; difficulties in "overcoming" patient needle phobia; transmission of blood-born diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis; pain. * Highland Innovation is looking for a partner(s) to assist in developing the technology for delivering drugs transdermally using ultrasound. A US Patent is already held for accelerated transfer of substances across porous boundaries. The partner could be a pharmaceutical company or medical instrument manufacturing company. Figure 3.3.1  The syringe and needle is the traditional method of delivering liquid drugs through the skin. From right to left, this disposable device comprises a plunger, a drug compartment, and a hyperdermic needle. Figure 3.3.2  An early prototype of HIC's needle-free injection system. Instead of using compressed gas to accelerate the drug, this device uses inaudible high-frequency sound waves. A mains powered signal generator (not shown) is used to energise the ultrasound transducer (rear of "gun"). Health-care managers have also highlighted the following shortcomings: significant needle disposal costs; loss of productivity due to delays in "overcoming" needle phobia; the amount of training staff need to administer an injection correctly; possible malpractice lawsuits. Consequently, several companies have developed methods of delivering drugs through the skin without using a hyperdermic needle. These devices generally work by using compressed gas or a mechanical spring to force the drug through the skin and into the underlying tissue. However, there is a criticism of some of these products, namely, that they are disposable, and therefore the cost per use is too high. >>  Advantages The Highland Innovation Centre is developing a reusable needle-free injection device that uses Ultrasound to transfer the drug through the skin. The potential advantages of the PhonoJect over conventional syringes include: no danger of needle-stick injuries; fewer injection-related complications; reduced risk of transmitting viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis; drug cartons can be disposed of in low-hazard bins; overcomes needle phobia; The potential advantages of the PhonoJect over other needle-free injection devices include: reusable design; pain-free drug delivery; quick and easy to empty/reload; easy to operate; good reliability

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