Hate needles? Well, I have some good news for you: a Japanese inventor has created a needle-free, completely painless injection that'll let you get your vaccinations without the embarrassment of hyperventilating in front of someone with a better education than yourself. We've seen solutions like this before, but most are too expensive to be viable.
The device, dubbed "Mother's Kiss," uses little plastic ampules to deliver meds. It's not only painless, but its cheaper and safer than traditional syringes, making it perfect for developing countries where shared needles spread diseases like wildfire. If they can get costs down low enough, look to see this thing in your doctor's office next time you're in for a checkup. Breathe easier!
National Geographic, via Gizmodo
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By fullman at 4:13 PM ON 09/29/08
The Hypospray is closer!
By IsoTek at 5:05 PM ON 09/29/08
To Fullman: The hypospray has been closer for somethime now. Back in the 90's a company called Bioject created a handheld device along these lines, complete with discardable pre measured ampules of medication and the ability to fill said ampules if medication is not pre encapsulated.
By VeritasBlue at 4:04 PM ON 09/30/08
I don't understand. The National Geographic article doesn't mention anything about this being 'painless.' Where does this claim come from? Are you sure this claim is accurate?
By Wyle_E at 10:59 PM ON 10/23/08
The jet hypodermic injector has been around for decades. I got several immunizations with such a device in Navy boot camp in 1968. There may not be a needle, but that high-pressure jet of liquid sure feels like one. Worse, if the injectee flinches, the jet *cuts*. The fellow ahead of me in line got a miniature Mark of Zorro in his shoulder.