Korean researchers develop a medical patch for delivering medication to the eye

New technology for drug delivery

Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea have developed a flexible, wearable patch that enables drug delivery to the eye in microgravity conditions, a technology that could facilitate the use of eye treatments for astronauts during space missions.

The scientific website Phys.org reported on Wednesday that the patch was developed by a research team from the institute in collaboration with researchers from Seoul National University Hospital in Bundang, South Korea, with the aim of finding an easier way to deliver medication to the eye in environments where traditional drops are difficult to use.

Mechanism of the medical patch

The patch relies on a precise drug delivery system that does not require external pumps or an electrical power source. It utilizes a chemical reaction between vitamin C and sodium bicarbonate in the presence of water, which produces carbon dioxide gas. This gas generates pressure that pushes the liquid medication through microchannels toward the eye.

The importance of this technology stems from the fact that fluids behave differently in microgravity conditions, making it more difficult to control and direct eye drops to the required position. The patch offers an alternative approach to drug delivery that does not rely on gravity direction.

Test results and future applications

Initial tests demonstrated the patch's ability to deliver liquid when the direction of gravity changes. Trials involving human participants indicated that the drug could be delivered at a level comparable to that achieved by traditional eye drops.

The potential applications of this technology are not limited to space missions; they may extend in the future to individuals who face difficulty using eye drops, particularly those suffering from motor disorders that affect hand control. However, its adoption for medical use requires further studies to verify its safety, efficacy, and the accuracy of the doses delivered.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)