A collaborative effort between researchers at the University of Galway and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has resulted in a significant breakthrough in medical device technology. This advancement harnesses the capabilities of soft robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to create an intelligent and enduring implantable device. This device not only delivers medication but also possesses the ability to detect when the body may be rejecting it. Furthermore, it can adapt its shape to maintain precise drug dosages, thereby preventing the buildup of scar tissue and ensuring continuous treatment.
Implantable medical devices have the potential to usher in advanced therapeutic interventions in healthcare, such as precise insulin delivery for individuals with diabetes. However, a major challenge has been the body's response to foreign objects. The novel technology developed through soft robotics addresses this challenge by enabling implantable devices to function within a patient's body for extended periods, offering long-term therapeutic benefits.
This innovative approach merges AI with soft robotics, enabling therapeutic implants to sense their surroundings and respond dynamically. Such technology has the potential to revolutionize implantable drug delivery for various chronic diseases.
The initial soft robotic implants created by the University of Galway-MIT research team improved drug delivery and reduced the formation of fibrous tissue. Nonetheless, these earlier versions were considered somewhat one-size-fits-all and did not account for individual patient variations or the progressive nature of fibrosis. Fibrosis involves the gradual buildup of scar tissue around the implant, ultimately obstructing its function and causing it to fail.
At the core of this advanced implantable device is a conductive porous membrane designed to detect blockages caused by scar tissue. This membrane identifies these obstructions when cells and the materials they produce impede the flow of electrical signals through it. This groundbreaking technology offers immense promise for delivering personalized, effective, and long-lasting medical treatments.
Source:universityofgalway.ie
