A female condom which can protect against pregnancy and sexual diseases by dissolving inside the body has been developed.
Experts claim the ‘discreet protection’ can safeguard people from HIV and unwanted pregnancy by ‘melting’ and releasing chemicals.
Researchers at the University of Washington (UW) developed the condom from tiny microfibres through a method called ‘electrospinning’.
The cloth-like fibres can be woven from medicine into extremely thin ‘webs’
They are then designed to dissolve after use, either within minutes or over several days.
Not only would the condom block sperm, it could time-release a potent mix of anti-HIV drugs and hormonal contraceptives.
The team was given $1m to develop the technology, which uses an electric field to charge fluid through air to create the very fine, nanometer-sized fibres.
The team say it could replace existing contraception such as the pill
Kim Woodrow, a UW assistant professor of bioengineering, said: ‘Our dream is to create a product women can use to protect themselves from HIV infection and unintended pregnancy.
‘We have the drugs to do that. It’s really about delivering them in a way that makes them more potent, and allows a woman to want to use it.’
Prof Woodrow presented the idea, and co-authors Emily Krogstad and Cameron Ball, both first-year graduate students, agreed to pursue the project, at a meeting held last year.
Ball added: ‘This method allows controlled release of multiple compounds.
‘We were able to tune the fibers to have different release properties.’
One of the fabrics dissolves within minutes, offering users immediate protection, while another fabric dissolves gradually over a few days, providing an alternative to the birth-control pill, to provide contraception and protect against HIV.
While the researchers agree the technology is more discrete, they admit it people mayhave some doubts.
‘At the time of sex, are people going to actually use it? That’s where having multiple options really comes into play,’ Krogstad told the University of Washington.
– Daily Mail
Its a gud development but was the side effect
Can't dey use the technology 2 creat drugs that will fight Hiv instead of all dis condom of a tin. Peeps re dying everyday cos of HIV.
so nice
ah congratulation to men. Those u who don't to use condom are now very.
Its a gud one though,bt wt ar d side effects?
Tecnology definately causin more harm than gud.
Very good development.
I think this new contraceptive is better if it can realy be active like it was said to be. The issue of who will use it at the point of having sex is not effective now, I give kudos to UW.
pls let we that common villiage have acess of drugs bcos Our God is every were.kudos to them.
it is good