New Needle Could Reduce Medical Complications

A new needle which borrows concepts from the oil industry could reduce complications from hypodermic needles that penetrate too far under the skin. MIT engineers have developed the novel device, which uses a hollow, S-shaped needle containing a filament that acts as a guide wire. When the needle pushes against, the skin, the wire filament releases the needle. After the skin is penetrated, there is less pressure on the filament, and the filament acts as a clutch to remove the pressure on the needle itself. Researchers believe that the device could reach clinics within three to five years pending further pre-clinical and clinical testing.