New Delhi, Aug 18
US researchers are building a non-invasive system using ultrasound to deliver drugs anywhere in the body with precision, as well as with reduced side effects.
The new system, being developed by a team of Stanford University researchers, uses nanoparticles to encapsulate drugs along with ultrasound to unleash the drugs at their intended destinations.
In a study published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, the team showed in rats that their system can deliver ketamine to specific regions of the brain and painkillers to specific nerves in limbs. Using a new sucrose formulation, they found that nanoparticles are safer, more stable, and easier to produce.
“Turns out just a little bit of sugar is all you need to make this work,” said Raag Airan, Assistant Professor of radiology, Stanford Medicine.
The researchers found that a 5 per cent sucrose solution inside the nanoparticles made them relatively stable in the body, yet responsive to ultrasound stimulation.