With some 1,500 dead animals in its wake, Neuralink heads to humans

Following years of controversy, including whistleblowers reporting of rushed experimental “hack jobs” that resulted in as many as 1,500 animal fatalities, Elon Musk’s brain-chip implant company has begun recruiting for its landmark first human trial.Co… Continue reading With some 1,500 dead animals in its wake, Neuralink heads to humans

Diabetes-treating implant produces oxygen to support islet cells

The current version of the device is about the size of a US quarter-dollar coin – a version for use in humans may be more around the size of a stick of chewing gum

Daily insulin injections are painful and inconvenient, which is why scientists are developing implants that treat diabetes without any need for needles. A new one looks particularly promising, as it produces oxygen to feed onboard islet cells.

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Drug-delivery implant thwarts scar tissue by being a moving target

While we’ve heard about a number of drug-dispensing medical implants, most of them have the same drawback – they end up getting covered in scar tissue. An experimental new one avoids that problem by changing shape as the tissue starts to form.Continue … Continue reading Drug-delivery implant thwarts scar tissue by being a moving target

Neuralink gets FDA approval for human trials, but others are way ahead

Several years after Elon Musk’s “aspirational” timeframe, Neuralink has announced it’s received FDA approval for the first human trials of its brain-computer interface. But it’s worth noting that another company has already done more than 50 implants.C… Continue reading Neuralink gets FDA approval for human trials, but others are way ahead

Soft-bodied brain electrode array squeezes through a hole half its size

In the treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders, doctors will sometimes implant arrays of stimulating electrodes on the surface of a patient’s brain. A new soft robotic system allows those electrodes to be placed far less invasively than … Continue reading Soft-bodied brain electrode array squeezes through a hole half its size

Bug-inspired coating could make for better bone and joint implants

Inspired by the wings of dragonflies and cicadas, researchers have developed a new coating for orthopedic implants. It not only shreds harmful bacteria, but also monitors stress on the system, meaning it could warn of impending implant failure.Continue… Continue reading Bug-inspired coating could make for better bone and joint implants

Special headgear allows deaf athletes to better hear shouts and cheers

When deaf athletes with cochlear implants take part in sports like rugby, they have to wear headgear that protects the external parts of their implant. A new wearable serves that same purpose, while reportedly allowing users to hear the sounds around t… Continue reading Special headgear allows deaf athletes to better hear shouts and cheers

Implantable graphene e-tattoo uses light to monitor, correct arrhythmias

A team of researchers led by Northwestern University and the University of Texas at Austin (UT) have developed a novel graphene heart implant that’s about the thickness of a strand of hair and monitors and corrects abnormal heart rhythms using light.Co… Continue reading Implantable graphene e-tattoo uses light to monitor, correct arrhythmias

Light-activated biodegradable implant delivers meds on demand

While there are already a variety of implants that dispense medication within the body, most of them either can’t be externally controlled, or they eventually have to be surgically removed. A new one, however, uses light to avoid both problems.Continue… Continue reading Light-activated biodegradable implant delivers meds on demand