Printers are basis for new patch technology

Ink jet printer technology is at the heart of a new drug patch system developed by HP on behalf of an Irish company, Crospon.

While most of the media focus is on the printing aspects of this, Crospon CEO John O'Dea told ZDNetAsia that this is an active dosing mechanism, not the passive, timed-release dosing you're used to with patches.

The HP-Crospon patch will include a computer chip and microneedles which will actively deliver drug dosages through the top layer of the skin. Multiple drugs can be on the same patch. Very small doses can be administered.

HP actually delivered all the technology in this patch. Crospon is mainly acting as an OEM, an entree into the medical market.

Crospon was founded last year to concentrate on endocrinology and gastroenterology. It is working on a non-invasive glucose monitor and a device called the Endo-Flip for diagnosing gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

This would seem to take the company into entirely new areas.

It's interesting that HP chose to do business with a small start-up here, rather than one of the giant device makers. Crospon's success could easily put HP directly into the medical market.