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BK-GAlm Electrophoresis Machine for Transdermal Drug Delivery |
Engineers from the Biomedical Electronics Center, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, have developed a new version of the electrophoresis machine. This device is designed to deliver medication through the skin, making it highly beneficial in the field of physical therapy.
After applying the medication onto a cushion placed on the electrode, the doctor positions an electrode made of lead or conductive rubber on the area requiring treatment.
Under the influence of a direct current, the medication permeates through the skin, creating a drug reservoir beneath the surface.
This drug reservoir is gradually released, providing effective pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects (such as in arthritis), and aiding in the recovery of neurological and muscular functions (for example, stiffness after injury), cerebrovascular accidents, hypertrophic scars, and keloids.
Two of these machines are currently being tested at E Hospital in Hanoi.
This new version is an upgrade from the original machine created by a research team led by Professor Nguyen Duc Thuan in 2002.
The new electrophoresis machine features a modern design, improved safety, utilizes microcontrollers, and allows treatment durations to be set from 1 to 59 minutes.
According to Dr. Hung, Head of the Physical Therapy Department, the advantage of this machine is its ability to deliver medication directly to the treatment site. As a result, the amount of medication entering the body is significantly lower compared to oral administration, yet it maintains the same effectiveness. Additionally, this technique helps patients avoid side effects, such as stomach irritation and gastrointestinal bleeding, which may occur with some oral anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications.
It is reported that an average of 20-30 patients are treated daily with the electrophoresis machine, covered by health insurance, at E Hospital. Although it is a specialized device, its cost is very affordable, at just over 1 million VND. Previously, the research group at the Biomedical Electronics Center also developed an electrophoresis machine for delivering medication to the eyes through the skin.
A patient receiving treatment at E Hospital
A machine capable of delivering medication to two points simultaneously
During treatment, patients feel a slight sensation akin to a light sting where the electrodes are attached
A technician attaching electrodes to a patient’s body
