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SonoPrep Sontra Medical Corporation has a device called the SonoPrep ultrasonic skin permeation device. It was just FDA approved for speeding up the time it takes for lidocaine to work. In 15 seconds it uses low-frequency, ultrasonic energy make the skin "permutable," an effect that lasts about 24 hours. Then lidocaine is dabbed on and it goes right through the skin in about five minutes (as compared to the 60 minutes it would take without the SonoPrep). That means more doctors will be willing to use this device than wait the 60 minutes it takes for lidocaine to work without it. The device was invented by Dr. Joseph Kost, Dr. Robert Langer, Professor Daniel Blankschtein of MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, and MIT alumnus Samir Mitragotri (MIT Ph.D). In the future SonoPrep will also be used to deliver vaccines without the use of needles using the same skin permeability factor. Vaccines will just be dabbed on and they will go through the skin. Antibiotics are another possibility, as is Insulin. Also SonoPrep is working with Bayer in development of the Symphony Diabetes Management System for 24/7 non-invasive glucose monitoring. Symphony consists of the SonoPrep device and a sensor/patch that will be worn by the patient. This can detect glucose levels and transmit continuous data wirelessly to a glucose meter. One big hurdle to doctors and diabetics using the SonoPrep for lidocaine delivery and anything else, is that it costs $2,000. I can see insurance companies and HMO's putting up a big fight. It is up to the general public to demand the right for themselves and their children not to be put in unnecessary pain during medical procedures. I can see lots of unwilling companies getting letters from kids. Maybe it will touch their hearts, if they have any!
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