The device under the skin sends medicine when needed. It works by wireless signal and helps in low blood sugar or allergic reactions.
MIT engineers have developed an implantable device that can wirelessly deliver emergency drugs like glucagon and epinephrine. This system could help people with Type 1 diabetes, who face the risk of low blood sugar, especially during sleep or in children who may not notice the symptoms. The device releases glucagon when needed, avoiding manual injections.
The same device was also used to deliver epinephrine, a drug used during heart attacks or to stop allergic reactions like anaphylactic shock. About the size of a coin, the implant has a drug reservoir made from 3D-printed polymer. It is sealed using a shape-memory alloy—nickel-titanium—that changes shape when heated to 40 degrees Celsius.
Each implant can carry one or four doses of glucagon and includes an antenna that detects a radiofrequency signal. When the signal is received, it triggers a small electric current, heating the alloy. At 40 degrees Celsius, the alloy bends and releases the drug. Since the signal is wireless, the device could link to a glucose monitor to release the drug when blood sugar drops.
In tests, the device was implanted in diabetic mice and released glucagon as blood sugar fell. Within 10 minutes, glucose levels returned to a stable range, preventing hypoglycemia. The team also tested the system with powdered epinephrine. When triggered, the drug entered the bloodstream in 10 minutes and raised the heart rate, showing potential use in allergic or cardiac cases.
The implant stayed in place for up to four weeks during the study. The researchers now want to test whether it can work for at least a year. Implanted devices usually face issues from scar tissue forming around them, which can affect performance. In this study, the device still released the drug after fibrotic tissue formed.
The team is planning more animal studies and expects to begin clinical trials in the next three years.
