Uma seringa a laser, sem agulha, está a ser desenvolvida em Coimbra e deverá chegar ao mercado dentro de um ano, anunciou hoje Carlos Serpa, um dos investigadores envolvidos.
O Laserleap (seringa a laser) é um sistema em nada semelhante às tradicionais seringas com agulha, mas que, tal como estas, permite fazer chegar o medicamento ao destino pretendido, só que sem picada e recorrendo a laser.
O protótipo da "seringa" foi hoje apresentado na Universidade de Coimbra (UC), onde o projecto nasceu, em 2008, por um grupo de três investigadores do Departamento de Química, que inclui também Luís Arnaut e Gonçalo Sá.
"Tremor de terra na pele"
Através do laser, é criada uma onda de pressão que, ao chegar à pele, gera uma "espécie de tremor de terra", deixando-a "durante alguns segundos permeável", o que facilita a aplicação do fármaco, administrado em creme ou gel, explicou Carlos Serpa.
O fármaco "surte efeito mais rapidamente, nomeadamente no caso dos analgésicos tópicos", acrescentou.
Aplicações no tratamento do cancro da pele e de determinadas doenças dermatológicas, administração de vacinas ou aplicações em cosmética são algumas das utilizações da tecnologia Laserleap.
Pica sem dor
Testado em três dezenas de estudantes do Departamento de Química, o sistema "não provoca dor nem vermelhidão, de uma maneira geral - "apenas cinco por cento dos casos, mas passa rapidamente" - e é considerado "seguro para os humanos".
Vencedor da primeira edição do prémio RedEmprendia (2010), no valor de 200 mil euros, o Laserleap, levou já à criação de uma empresa - LaserLeap Tecnologies, em setembro de 2011, e atualmente incubada no Instituto Pedro Nunes - e a um pedido de patente internacional, em abril de 2011.
Ainda recentemente, o projeto venceu o desafio internacional lançado no Photonics West 2012, um dos maiores encontros científicos do mundo na área da fotónica.
A RedEmprendia é uma associação criada com apoio do Grupo Santander e orientada para o empreendedorismo, que congrega 20 universidades ibero-americanas - em Portugal, as Universidades de Coimbra e do Porto.
Projecto "excepcional"
Durante a apresentação do protótipo, o presidente da RedEmpreendia, Senen Barro, classificou o projecto português de "excecional", referindo que, na "corrida" ao prémio, estiveram outros também "bastante bons".
"A qualidade de vida de muitas pessoas pode mudar radicalmente" com a nova seringa, considerou.
O diretor da divisão do Santander Universidades para Portugal, Marcos Ribeiro, afirmou, por sua vez, que "o país precisa agora, mais do que nunca, que as universidades prossigam o motor de desenvolvimento" que representam para o "crescimento sustentável das sociedades".
Depois de salientar a importância da RedEmpreende no desenvolvimento dos projetos de investigação, o reitor da UC, João Gabriel Silva, manifestou-se preocupado com a "diminuição global dos montantes disponíveis para os projetos de investigação", através da Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia.
"Se estas restrições se mantiverem, é óbvio que muito do percurso positivo que Portugal tem feito nos últimos 10, 15 anos vai ser posto em causa, o que é preocupante e não é compatível com as afirmações que se fazem de que as universidades são decisivas para o desenvolvimento do país", sustentou.
A laser syringe without needle, is being developed in Coimbra and will reach the market within a year, today announced Carlos Serpa, one of the researchers involved.
The Laserleap (syringe laser) is a system in any way similar to traditional syringes with needles, but that, as such, allows the drug to reach its intended destination, but without biting and using laser.
The prototype of the "syringe" was presented today at the University of Coimbra (UC), where the project was born in 2008 by a group of three researchers from the Chemistry Department, which also includes Luis Arnaut and Goncalo Sa.
"Earthquake in skin"
Through the laser creates a pressure wave, on reaching the skin, creates a "kind of earthquake," leaving it "for a few seconds permeable", which facilitates the application of the drug, administered as a cream or gel said Carlos Serpa.
The drug "has an effect more quickly, particularly in the case of topical analgesics," he added.
Applications in the treatment of skin cancers and certain skin diseases, the administration of vaccines or in cosmetic applications are some uses Laserleap technology.
Pica without pain
Tested on three dozen students from the Department of Chemistry, the system "does not cause pain or redness, in general -" only five percent of cases, but it passes quickly "- and is considered" safe for humans. "
Winner of the first edition of the prize RedEmprendia (2010), amounting to 200,000 euros, Laserleap, has already led to the creation of a company - LaserLeap Technologies, in September 2011, and currently incubated at the Instituto Pedro Nunes - and a patent application International in April 2011.
Recently, the project won the international challenge launched in Photonics West 2012, one of the world's largest scientific meetings in the area of photonics.
The RedEmprendia is an association created with the support of the Santander Group-oriented entrepreneurship, bringing together 20 Latin American universities - in Portugal, the Universities of Coimbra and Porto.
Project "exceptional"
During the presentation of the prototype, the president of RedEmpreendia, Senen Barro, called the Portuguese project of "excepcional", stating that in "race" to the premium, others were also "very good".
"The quality of life for many people can radically change" with the new syringe considered.
The head of the Santander Universities for Portugal, Marcos Ribeiro said in turn that "the country needs now more than ever, that universities pursue the engine of development" representing for the "sustainable societies" .
After emphasizing the importance of RedEmpreende in the development of research projects, the dean of UC, João Gabriel Silva, expressed concern with the "overall reduction of the amount available for research projects", through the Foundation for Science and Technology .
"If these restrictions remain, it is obvious that much of the route that Portugal has made good in the last 10, 15 years will be undermined, which is worrying and is not compatible with the statements are made that universities are crucial for the development of the country, "he maintained.
The Laserleap (syringe laser) is a system in any way similar to traditional syringes with needles, but that, as such, allows the drug to reach its intended destination, but without biting and using laser.
The prototype of the "syringe" was presented today at the University of Coimbra (UC), where the project was born in 2008 by a group of three researchers from the Chemistry Department, which also includes Luis Arnaut and Goncalo Sa.
"Earthquake in skin"
Through the laser creates a pressure wave, on reaching the skin, creates a "kind of earthquake," leaving it "for a few seconds permeable", which facilitates the application of the drug, administered as a cream or gel said Carlos Serpa.
The drug "has an effect more quickly, particularly in the case of topical analgesics," he added.
Applications in the treatment of skin cancers and certain skin diseases, the administration of vaccines or in cosmetic applications are some uses Laserleap technology.
Pica without pain
Tested on three dozen students from the Department of Chemistry, the system "does not cause pain or redness, in general -" only five percent of cases, but it passes quickly "- and is considered" safe for humans. "
Winner of the first edition of the prize RedEmprendia (2010), amounting to 200,000 euros, Laserleap, has already led to the creation of a company - LaserLeap Technologies, in September 2011, and currently incubated at the Instituto Pedro Nunes - and a patent application International in April 2011.
Recently, the project won the international challenge launched in Photonics West 2012, one of the world's largest scientific meetings in the area of photonics.
The RedEmprendia is an association created with the support of the Santander Group-oriented entrepreneurship, bringing together 20 Latin American universities - in Portugal, the Universities of Coimbra and Porto.
Project "exceptional"
During the presentation of the prototype, the president of RedEmpreendia, Senen Barro, called the Portuguese project of "excepcional", stating that in "race" to the premium, others were also "very good".
"The quality of life for many people can radically change" with the new syringe considered.
The head of the Santander Universities for Portugal, Marcos Ribeiro said in turn that "the country needs now more than ever, that universities pursue the engine of development" representing for the "sustainable societies" .
After emphasizing the importance of RedEmpreende in the development of research projects, the dean of UC, João Gabriel Silva, expressed concern with the "overall reduction of the amount available for research projects", through the Foundation for Science and Technology .
"If these restrictions remain, it is obvious that much of the route that Portugal has made good in the last 10, 15 years will be undermined, which is worrying and is not compatible with the statements are made that universities are crucial for the development of the country, "he maintained.
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