Barnacle-inspired bioglue stops bleeding in as little as 15 seconds

Stemming the bleeding from a traumatic injury can save lives, but it’s hard to get adhesives to stick when blood is making everything wet. Now, MIT researchers have developed a new surgical glue that can halt bleeding within 30 seconds, inspired by the… Continue reading Barnacle-inspired bioglue stops bleeding in as little as 15 seconds

Self-powered implant could restore sense of touch to injured fingers

When someone injures a nerve in a body part such as a finger, it’s not uncommon for that part to end up with a permanently decreased sense of touch. A self-powered implantable sensor, however, could one day restore sensitivity to such injured areas.Con… Continue reading Self-powered implant could restore sense of touch to injured fingers

Self-powered biodegradable patch zaps broken bones to heal them

Studies have already shown that electrical stimulation helps heal wounds, including broken bones. Scientists have now developed what could be a better way of delivering electricity to such bones, in the form of a biodegradable implant.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Self-powered biodegradable patch zaps broken bones to heal them

Adaptable AdhFix patches could replace metal plates on broken bones

Presently, orthopedic surgeons use screwed-in metal plates to hold unstable broken bones together. There may soon be a less problematic, more customizable alternative, though, which incorporates a light-cured composite material.Continue ReadingCategory… Continue reading Adaptable AdhFix patches could replace metal plates on broken bones

Protein discovery promises powerful new muscle regrowth treatments

Although muscle stem cells are able to grow and repair torn muscle tissue after we sustain an injury, they become less effective as we age. Now researchers at the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash University have discovered a novel p… Continue reading Protein discovery promises powerful new muscle regrowth treatments

Origami-inspired surgical patches could be applied laparoscopically

Although many surgical procedures can now be performed laparoscopically (through a small incision in the skin), it’s still difficult to seal up internal injuries in this manner. MIT is developing a way of doing so, though, that’s inspired by origami.Co… Continue reading Origami-inspired surgical patches could be applied laparoscopically

Portable X-ray device would let patients check their own bones

Presently, if someone has been involved in a potentially bone-breaking mishap, they have to be X-rayed by trained staff at a hospital. Soon, however, it may be possible for them to perform their own X-rays, using a compact device that could be located … Continue reading Portable X-ray device would let patients check their own bones

Wound-healing hydrogel reduces scars by triggering immune response

Scar tissue is an effective short-term solution to quickly patch up wounded skin, but it’s not so great long-term. Now, researchers at Duke University and UCLA have created a new hydrogel that can trigger a regenerative immune response, helping skin he… Continue reading Wound-healing hydrogel reduces scars by triggering immune response

Implantable material grows bone to heal holes in the skull

When a patient has a hole in their cranium, it typically has to be filled either with bone harvested from another part of their body, or with a solid piece of steel or plastic. There may soon be a better alternative, though, that stimulates the growth … Continue reading Implantable material grows bone to heal holes in the skull