Electronic Fiber Provides Stretchable Sensing

EPFL researchers have engineered a fiber-based electronic sensor that remains functional even when stretched to over 10 times its original length. The device holds promise for smart textiles, physical rehabilitation devices, and soft robotics. Read on to learn more about it.

Probe Powerfully Records Neural Circuits During Behavior

A newly developed probe, called Neuropixels Ultra, overcomes some key technical challenges in recording the cell type and activity of thousands of individual cells across many brain regions during a single experiment. Read on to learn more.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on using microfluidic devices for gene therapy; one on resisting antibiotic resistance; one on a humanoid robot surgeon; and more.

Biosensor Could Lead to Breath Test for Lung Cancer

University of Texas at Dallas researchers have developed biosensor technology that when combined with artificial intelligence (AI) shows promise for detecting lung cancer through breath analysis. Read on to learn more.

Tiny Neural Implant Wirelessly Tracks Brain

Cornell researchers and collaborators have developed a neural implant so small that it can rest on a grain of salt, yet it can wirelessly transmit brain activity data in a living animal for more than a year. Read on to learn more about it.

Multifunctional ANF/Mxene-Enhanced Hydrogels for Flexible EMI Shielding and Wearable Sensing Applications

Researchers from Harbin Institute of Technology and their collaborators have developed a multifunctional polyelectrolyte hydrogel reinforced with aramid nanofibers (ANFs) and MXene nanosheets, achieving outstanding performance in absorption-dominated electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and wearable sensing. Read on to learn more.

Closing the EEG Bottleneck: How AI-Driven EEG Signal Analysis Is Reshaping Neurological Diagnostics

How do AI-assisted programs fit into the EEG picture? That’s what this article will explore.

FDA Deploys Agentic AI to Modernize Regulatory Workflows

The FDA has taken a substantial step in its digital modernization strategy with the deployment of agentic AI capabilities across all agency employee groups. The move represents an expansion of the agency’s internal AI tools, intended to streamline complex, multi-step processes that support regulatory science, product review, and compliance activities. Read on to learn more.

Advanced High-Repetition-Rate Lasers Drive Next-Gen Imaging

By overcoming some of the traditional constraints in pulse frequency, energy output, and tuning speed, tunable high-repetition rate OPO lasers will enable researchers to develop next-generation imaging modalities that capture much higher resolution images in a fraction of the time. Read on to learn more.

From the Editor: FDA’s Big AI Moment Signals a New Era for Medtech

"If regulators are accelerating their digital transformation, the medtech community must be ready to meet them there." Read more about Editor and Director of Medical Content Sherrie Trigg's opinion in From the Editor.

Wearables: Controlling Machines on the Move

Engineers have developed a next-generation wearable system that enables people to control machines using everyday gestures — even while running, riding in a car, or floating on turbulent ocean waves. Read on to learn more about it.

Conductive Hydrogel Holds Promise for Implants

A team of scientists has developed a soft polymer hydrogel that can conduct electricity as well as metal can. Read on to learn more.

Biosensor Identifies Protein Linked to Depression

A low-cost, portable biosensor can quickly identify a protein whose altered levels are associated with psychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. When it becomes commercially available in the future, it may contribute to early detection, which is essential for treating and monitoring patients’ clinical conditions. Read on to learn more.

3D Printing Method ‘Grows’ Ultra-Strong Materials

Researchers have pioneered a 3D printing method that grows metals and ceramics inside a water-based gel, resulting in exceptionally dense, yet intricate constructions for next-generation biomedical technologies. Read on to learn more about it.

Bioadhesive Sponge Stops Internal Bleeding

Researchers combined mussel adhesive protein with decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) to develop a composite hemostatic sponge that offers both strong tissue adhesion and biocompatible biodegradability. Read on to learn more.

Wearable Health Tech Brings Research to People

Researchers are exploring new ways to utilize microwave technology in monitoring and assessing health conditions. The results of experiments conducted with realistic models are promising. Bras that detect breast cancer, leg sleeves that identify blood clots, and a helmet that monitors the effects of radiation therapy offer a glimpse into what future healthcare might look like. Read on to learn more.

MD&M West Show Preview

Returning to Anaheim this February, MD&M West 2026 brings the global medical device community together for three days of engineering insight, manufacturing expertise, and technology breakthroughs. As one of the largest gatherings of medtech professionals in North America, the event showcases the full spectrum of product development. Read on to learn all about it.

Engineering for the Future: The Trends Transforming Medtech in 2026

Success in 2026 will favor organizations that address these shifts directly: designing for interoperability, validating at the individual level, building security to keep pace with threats, and engineering for real-world clinical use. The innovations that define this year will not only improve device capabilities but reshape how healthcare itself is delivered. Read on to learn more.

Faster From Lab to Patient to Win the Race Against Time

This article explores the essential ingredients of pharmaceutical success, from research and design to development, production and ultimately, the patient. Read on to learn more.

Technology

What is the first noninvasive spinal cord stimulation system authorized by FD) for improving hand strength and sensation after chronic spinal cord injury?

Wireless Patch Enables Early Cancer Detection

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking, battery-free wearable patch that could help detect skin cancer earlier and more accurately, potentially saving lives by making screening more...

Developing Sustainable Drug-Delivery Devices

The challenges and opportunities in developing greener drug delivery solutions without compromising performance and safety.

Brain Implant Enables Safer Drug Delivery

Researchers have developed a new type of brain implant that can deliver drugs to multiple regions of the brain with high precision, offering fresh possibilities for the treatment of neurological...

Mitigating Biocompatibility Risks from Material and Supplier Changes in Medical Devices

In this Q&A, Audrey Turley, director of lab operations – biosafety at Nelson Laboratories, spoke with Medical Design Briefs about the critical importance of monitoring and managing material changes in medical devices. Read on!

Automation: How Custom Motion Control Transforms Medical Equipment Design

In today’s medical equipment market, reliability is not a luxury — it is a necessity. Every adjustment, every movement, and every interaction with the equipment must be performed flawlessly to ensure patient safety, caregiver efficiency, and long-term service life. Behind this design and precision are highly engineered motion control components. Read on to learn more.

OEM Toll Processing Advances High-Value Products

Toll processing (or toll manufacturing) involves a manufacturer processing customer-supplied materials or parts for a predetermined fee. The customer retains ownership of the materials, while the toll provider applies specialized technologies, equipment, and expertise to deliver the finished components. Read on to learn more about it.

Elevating Antimicrobial Coatings to a New Standard: Introducing Surface-Active Systems

There are two main product ranges: Surface-active therapeutics and surface-active materials. Read on to learn more about them.

Mitigating Leak Failures Using Radial Grinding Equipment

The development of the grinding machine was a complex task, requiring ample hours and engineering trials to complete. Read on to learn more about it and what it can do.