A team of doctors, engineers, and data scientists led by Dr. Talha Durrani of Peshawar’s Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) has developed a painless insulin delivery device using transdermal patches.
The device has the potential to replace traditional injections/pens used to inject insulin into the body if mass-produced.
The device’s prototype, according to details, has passed initial bench testing and is undergoing further pilot laboratory tests. The team has already applied for a patent and is collaborating with academics in England. While the device is still in testing, it has piqued the interest of a few international investors.
Diabetes is extremely common in Pakistan, according to a recent independent survey, with one in every five people suffering from the disease. The pain associated with daily insulin injection treatment leads to a lower quality of life and treatment non-compliance, particularly in children.
About The Team
Prof. Dennis Douroumis from England led the team, along with Dr. Anam Abid, a Mechatronics Engineer who investigated more child-friendly and cost-effective solutions, while Dr. Mian Ayaz ul Haq, a UK-based Consultant Neurologist, served as a mentor to the team, providing oversight and guidance throughout the project.
Prof. Dennis, Professor of Process Engineering and Director of CIPER at the University of Greenwich in London, told a blog website exclusively, “Our aim is to develop medical devices and dosage forms that are friendly to children and improve medication adherence.”
Dr. Anam, Lecturer, Mechatronics Engineering, UET Peshawar, added, “Only a handful of patients in the country can afford the less-invasive treatments available in some advanced countries.
Therefore, we have developed an effective treatment that will be within reach of an average person once mass-produced.”
Dr. Talha, Resident Physician, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, said, “No one person can innovate on their own. It’s a team game and involves field specialists with vastly different experiences to solve a single problem.
I hope our work encourages doctors, engineers, business administrators, and investors to come together at one table and explore ideas for such projects.”
The team concluded that the production of such devices represents a positive development in Pakistan’s academic landscape, and they encouraged all stakeholders to work together to bring innovative projects from concept to reality.
To read our blog on “Pakistani inventions and discoveries,” click here.
