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Aespironics Drug Inhaler Should Fit in Wallet, Be Cheap, Effective
Posted by Kit Eaton at 9:15 PM on August 5, 2008
An Israeli company, Aespironics, is trying a new approach in re-designing an old faithful drug delivery system: the inhaler. They've teamed up with an expert in drug atomisation and a wind turbine researcher, and have come up with a breath-activated, turbine-assisted design that should be slim, cheap and easy to produce, and deliver dry drugs to the users lungs without leaving them sticking inside the mouth. Sounds amazing doesn't it? Particularly when you consider the implications of a simple, compact and cheap dispenser for aiding ill people in the developing world. The team is planning tests for the year end, and thinks a product could be on the market within three years. If it's an inhaler slim enough to fit in a wallet, I'll take one soon, please: lugging around a conventional one is annoying. [I21c via Medgadget]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Jon!
Posted 10:01 PM 5/8/08
@strider_mt2k: Agreed,the last thing we need to see are these laying all over the ground like cigerette butts
Jon!
strider_mt2k
Posted 9:46 PM 5/8/08
That seems pretty darn clever!
-but biodegradable if it can be managed, please?
strider_mt2k
generalassembly
Posted 10:36 PM 5/8/08
Minority Report, anyone?
generalassembly
ps61318
Posted 11:18 PM 5/8/08
The pictures don't clarify it, but I would be interested to see how they are controlling dosage. It's a great idea - aerosols... well, "suck" would be the wrong word in this context... are inferior for many reasons. And the size issue is very relevent.
Cool stuff.
On an editorial note, this is a very cool, very useful medical gadget - it's simple, elegent, potentially inexpensive, etc. Got four comments. Sigh.
ps61318
strider_mt2k
Posted 12:26 AM 6/8/08
@ps61318: Well four so far, yes.
Make that five. :)
strider_mt2k
godwhacker
Posted 1:09 AM 6/8/08
isn't the point of an aerosol inhaler to deliver the goods to the person who isn't having a good respiratory experience?
i guess if it doesn't take a bunch of lung power to make it go, that's cool.
on the other hand, if you smoke a doobie, and do a couple hits off an adrenaline inhaler, the whole world turns golden.
remember kids, don't do drugs!!
godwhacker
moo083
Posted 1:36 AM 6/8/08
@generalassembly: Minority Repost indeed. You took the words from my mouth.
moo083
coolest_geek_ever
Posted 4:48 AM 6/8/08
Shove a little OG Kush in there and the sky is the limit. Or jail. Either way.
coolest_geek_ever
VideoVampire
Posted 8:15 AM 6/8/08
Drugs are bad...MmmmKay?
VideoVampire
kanon
Posted 9:14 AM 6/8/08
ON the other hand, you could make a cigarette-sized and -shaped container that you inhale through, sucking a measured dosage of your your doctor's choice of pharmaceuticals through a slightly thicker turbine and into your mouth/nose/tracheotomy port.
This would be an excellent way to inhale nicotine when there are "NO SMOKING" signs around.
kanon
SF_iris
Posted 11:49 AM 6/8/08
The possibilities for developing countries could be phenomenal, especially if manufacturing prices are low.
On a totally spoiled brat note, I'm so sick of the need for carrying an inhaler around deciding whether or not I leave the house with a purse. This would be awesome!
SF_iris