Swallowing a capsule everyday as a means of contraceptive is equal part inconvenient, and equal part dangerous, potentially throwing off the entire reproductive cycle if a single dosage is forgotten. A much, much more efficient method is being developed by a company called MicroCHIPS, that uses ─ you guessed it ─ an embedded microchip. The chip will be implanted under the skin to automatically release 30 mg of the hormone levonogestrel, the same kind used in several hormonal contraceptives and emergency contraceptives.
The 20 x 20 x 7 millimeter chip is wirelessly programmed to release its contents on a fixed schedule determined by the user, so if a couple wants to conceive, they can simply deactivate the chip for as long as necessary. The hormone, or any medication for that matter, is housed in a series of reservoir arrays that are opened when a minute electric current from the internal battery melts away the sealing. A combination of preprogrammed microprocessors, wireless telemetry, and sensor feedback loop provide the active control. According to MicroCHIPS’ web page, “Individual device reservoirs can be opened on demand or on a predetermined schedule to precisely control drug release or sensor activation.”
The chips have already passed their first set of human clinical trials, delivering osteoporosis medication to post-menopausal women over the course of 30 days, proving the mechanism’s efficiency at delivering treatment without any adverse side effects. FDA approval for pre-clinical trials is slated for next year, with the hope of making the product available by 2018. But before this can become a reality, there is one little kink that still needs to be resolved: ensuring with absolute certainty that the chips’ wireless data signal is secure to avoid pregnancy hacking.
Via MChips
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