皮肤下植入微型晶片成为新的服药方式(2/2)

英语自学网

美国的研究人员发明了可以直接通过在皮肤下植入微型晶片为人体提供药物的装置。微芯公司已经生产出了这种装置，并在丹麦成功完成了人体测试。
Hints:
Mr. Farra
翻译：龙猫08
校对：OFELIA1030
组长：李奇亮
答疑：凌云飞雪The microchip is a few centimeters long. It has small sections that each hold a single dose of medicine. Mr. Farra says the device has to be programmed with the times to release the drug.
"For osteoporosis, the physician will program the device, and the device has the ability to release a dose at a given time, every single day. For other diseases, where the physician may want to alter the dosing schedule, they will have the ability to wirelessly reprogram that dosing schedule."
He says doctors will be able to reprogram the device from a computer or even a cell phone.
The seven women in the study were ages 65 to 70. The researchers say the implants were just as effective as daily injections. And they say the dosage amounts were more exact than patients often give themselves.
The microchips in the study held only 20 doses of medicine. Mr. Farra and his team are now designing a version that could hold a full year's worth of medicine.
"We anticipate two years to complete the design, and then we may be required to do two additional trials, taking us out to a total of four years before the device is available on the commercial scale."
He says the microchips may one day free patients from having to remember to take their medicine, or give themselves injections. He says the device may also be useful in treating other chronic diseases, including heart disease and multiple sclerosis.这种微型芯片只有几厘米长，分为很多小区域，每个区域都装有一个剂量的药物。法拉说，微芯片需要预先编程，来按时释放药物。
“医生会针对骨质疏松症对该设备编程，其在每天特定的时间释放一个剂量的药物。治疗其他疾病的时候，医生可能希望改变药剂的服用时间，他们可以通过无线传输对给药方案重新编程。”
他说医生可以通过电脑，甚至手机对该设备进行重新编程。
参与该研究活动的七位女性，其年龄在65至70岁之间。研究者表示，植入芯片和日常的注射一样有效。他们还表示，用这种方式进行药剂注射，其用量比病人自己注射更为精确。
实验中的微芯片只有20个剂量的药物。法拉和他的团队正在设计可以承载一年用药量的新版本。
“我们预计两年完成该设计，我们可能需要做两次附加试验，在该设备投入商业用途之前，总共需要四年时间。”
他说，总有一天，这种微芯片能让病人不用总记着按时服药或是打针。他说这个设备可能对于其他慢性疾病的治疗有效，包括心脏病和多发性硬化症。