Light-sensitive “tattoo” sensor could measure substances in the blood

When treating patients for certain conditions – including COVID-19 – it’s important to monitor their blood oxygen levels. A new sub-dermal photosensitive sensor provides a new means of doing so, plus it could one day be used to measure other blood-born… Continue reading Light-sensitive “tattoo” sensor could measure substances in the blood

Bone-inspired materials offer light weight and tunable stiffness

Scientists regularly turn to nature for inspiration in their pursuit of next-generation materials, and a team of engineers studying the porous microstructures of bone and wood has come up with a clever example of biomimicry with wide-ranging potential…. Continue reading Bone-inspired materials offer light weight and tunable stiffness

Implanted generator could use ultrasound to charge pacemaker batteries

When a pacemaker’s battery gets low, the whole implant typically has to be surgically replaced. Scientists are therefore developing a noninvasive battery recharging system, which utilizes externally applied ultrasound.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical,… Continue reading Implanted generator could use ultrasound to charge pacemaker batteries

Implantable film fires up nearby nerve cells when triggered with light

By taking ultrathin films and color pigments used routinely in the food industry, scientists have developed an implantable device that can stimulate nerve cells to accelerate healing. Activated by light, the technology was demonstrated in first-of-a-ki… Continue reading Implantable film fires up nearby nerve cells when triggered with light

New wireless tech lets implants transmit data through ions in tissue

Transmitting data from medical implants in the body can be tricky, but researchers at Columbia University have now developed a new technique that essentially writes data to ions in human tissue, where it can then be read from a receiver outside the bod… Continue reading New wireless tech lets implants transmit data through ions in tissue

Non-surgical implant uses laser light to treat obesity

While some folks might say that obese people should just exercise more and eat less, things aren’t always quite that simple. With that fact in mind, a new implant is being designed to help boost the weight-loss process, by killing hunger-inducing cells… Continue reading Non-surgical implant uses laser light to treat obesity

Drug-doped silicone may stop implants from being rejected

Even though electronic implants such as pacemakers may save people’s lives, the body’s immune system sees those same implants as unwanted foreign objects. An experimental new drug-doped coating, however, may help keep that from happening.Continue Readi… Continue reading Drug-doped silicone may stop implants from being rejected

“Sonogenetics” could replace implants with ultrasound-activated cells

Currently, devices such as pacemakers and deep-brain-stimulating electrodes have to be surgically implanted within patients’ bodies. According to a new study, however, such implants may someday be replaced with cells that are activated by ultrasound.Co… Continue reading “Sonogenetics” could replace implants with ultrasound-activated cells