What You Need to Know About Needle-Free

Needles are a 150-year-old technology. The world around us is rapidly evolving but drug delivery has not made the same technological strides that other medical devices have. Portal Instruments is looking to change that with a highly innovative needle-free drug delivery injector, designed to improve the patient’s experience. Trying new things can be intimidating, so we asked a group of people what they wanted to know about needle-free drug delivery. 

“How does it work without a needle?”

With pressure and speed, the jet injector creates a thin liquid stream of medication that can pierce the skin.  Our jet stream is about the same size as a piece of hair and can complete the injection in less than ½ a second.¹  In contrast, it can often take 10-15 seconds to inject the same amount of a biologic drug using a needle and syringe.  In other words, the Portal injector is up to 30 times faster than the conventional needle and syringe!²

“Portal is an MIT spinout.  What technology is used with this injector?”

Portal’s drug delivery device is innovative in that the motor and controls can create enough speed,  pressure, and control to enable high volumes of medication to penetrate the skin.  The computer inside the injector adjusts the speed so that the drug will enter the subcutaneous layer of tissue between the skin surface and the muscle, which is mostly made of fat cells.  The system is able to adjust in microseconds to accurately deliver the drug. 

“Are there any side effects?”

The side effects are similar to a needle and syringe.  However, studies have shown that patients prefer the Portal needle-free injection over a needle and syringe injection.¹

“What does it feel like?”

Some people say it feels like a tickle or has a pressure sensation; some say they feel nothing; others say it feels like a quick traditional shot.  Many people remark on how quick it is and the majority prefer the needle-free injector over the needle and syringe.   

“Who is a good candidate for needle-free?”

Usually, anyone who receives an injection using a needle and syringe can be a candidate for needle-free injections.  Portal’s needle-free injector can only be used with our partners’ medications, after regulatory approvals. 

“Can I get this for my medication?”

Portal’s needle-free device and cartridge are components of a drug delivery platform, completed and made available through our biopharma partners. We would be delighted to work with your pharmaceutical company and bring you a needle-free option. The Portal jet injector device is in development and is not available for commercial or investigational use.

¹Kojic, et al.  AAPS PharmSciTech. 2017 Nov;18(8):2965-2970
²Portal Data on file.