Auto-injector concept set to ease IVF process
A new auto-injector concept has been developed by Cambridge Consultants in a bid to ease the trauma for women undergoing fertility treatment.
The piOna device is designed to help patients who need regular injections of progesterone in oil (PiO).
These injections involve warming the oil to make it less viscous and then using a syringe fitted with a 1.5in needle to inject the progesterone deep into the muscle. Patients often find it difficult to find the right angle, speed and temperature to ensure correct and painless drug delivery.
The new auto-injector concept guides the patient though the injection process – with audible, visual and tactile signals at each stage and the needle hidden from view – reducing the injection duration by up to 30%.
The piOna device automatically warms the oil to the optimum temperature, and its ergonmic design makes it easy to hold and use. Once the device has made contact with the skin, only a small downward pressure is required to trigger the auto-injection.
As well as being faster and easier to use, Cambridge Consultants says the piOna device could help reduce the amount of swelling and additional side effects around the injected area that patients have to endure.
Lai Chiu Tang, the company's senior industrial designer, commented: "Fertility treatment is a very stressful and difficult process for a woman to go through and – after discussions with fertility nurses – we felt it was important to tackle the usability issues of self-administered PiO injections.
"Providing women with the confidence to administer a drug dosage without fear of unnecessary pain and stress will open doors to this technology platform being used in all manner of drug delivery. Improving the user experience will help women all over the world to gain access to health opportunities which were previously perceived to be unobtainable."
