Scientific Research - 2018 - (291):
First example of a bioelectronic medicine
Biodegradable implant provides electrical stimulation that speeds nerve regeneration
-Researchers have developed the first example of a bioelectronic medicine: an implantable, biodegradable wireless device that speeds nerve regeneration and improves healing of a damaged nerve.
-Their device delivered pulses of electricity to damaged nerves in rats after a surgical repair process, accelerating the regrowth of nerves and enhancing the recovery of muscle strength and control.
-The device is the size of a dime and the thickness of a sheet of paper.
Jahyun Koo, Matthew R. MacEwan, Seung-Kyun Kang, Sang Min Won, Manu Stephen, Paul Gamble, Zhaoqian Xie, Ying Yan, Yu-Yu Chen, Jiho Shin, Nathan Birenbaum, Sangjin Chung, Sung Bong Kim, Jawad Khalifeh, Daniel V. Harburg, Kelsey Bean, Michael Paskett, Jeonghyun Kim, Zohny S. Zohny, Seung Min Lee, Ruoyao Zhang, Kaijing Luo, Bowen Ji, Anthony Banks, Hyuck Mo Lee, Younggang Huang, Wilson Z. Ray, John A. Rogers. Wireless bioresorbable electronic system enables sustained nonpharmacological neuroregenerative therapy. Nature Medicine, 2018; DOI: 10.1038/s41591-018-0196-2