# 127. Pills No More: Patches As The Future of Drug Delivery

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2023-06-20
- Length: 21m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-06-20-127-pills-no-more-patches-as-the-future-of-drug-delivery
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/127-pills-no-more-patches-as-the-future-of-drug-delivery-G_BTZOEI

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss research from MIT on a wearable patch that painlessly delivers drugs through the skin using ultrasonic vibrations. The device employs piezoelectric transducers to create microjets that bypass the epidermis, delivering medication 26 times more effectively than topical application and 12 times more effectively than micro-needling. The hosts highlight the technology's ability to reduce drug dosage requirements, eliminate the pain of needles, and integrate healthcare into daily life without bulky machinery.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-06-20-127-pills-no-more-patches-as-the-future-of-drug-delivery#t=0) Introduction: Wearable Drug Delivery and Sponsor Read
- [3:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-06-20-127-pills-no-more-patches-as-the-future-of-drug-delivery#t=218) The Problem: Skin Barrier and Oral Drug Loss
- [6:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-06-20-127-pills-no-more-patches-as-the-future-of-drug-delivery#t=382) The MIT Solution: Piezoelectric Transducers and Microjets
- [10:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-06-20-127-pills-no-more-patches-as-the-future-of-drug-delivery#t=602) Why It Is Painless: Epidermis vs. Dermis Anatomy
- [15:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-06-20-127-pills-no-more-patches-as-the-future-of-drug-delivery#t=949) Performance Metrics: 26x Efficiency and 30-Minute Delivery
- [17:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-06-20-127-pills-no-more-patches-as-the-future-of-drug-delivery#t=1034) Benefits: Convenience, Waste Reduction, and Future Applications

## Topics

- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- MIT (company)
- Wevolver (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 89: Medicinal microrobots - Simone Schuerle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-14-episode-89-medicinal-microrobots-simone-schuerle) (Robot Talk)
- [#028 - Meet the creators of FitBit for medication, with Peter Havas of PillDrill, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-05-31-028-meet-the-creators-of-fitbit-for-medication-with-peter-havas-of-pilldrill-usa) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [030 - "Why Don't I Try?" with Marc Koska](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-04-27-030-why-dont-i-try-with-marc-koska) (Let's Combinate)
- [101 - Micro-Array Patches, Combination Products in Australia, Differences between TGA and RoW, Novel Delivery Systems, and Clinical Trials with Megan Polidano](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2023-09-06-101-micro-array-patches-combination-products-in-australia-differences-between-tg) (Let's Combinate)

## Citing this page

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