Markets

Ultrasound Beam Triggers ‘Nanodroplets’ to Deliver Drugs

What if drug delivery could be targeted at exactly the right spot? This would allow the total dose to be dramatically lower, thus minimizing side effects. Now, U.S. scientists have found a way to perfect a promising, emerging method that does just that. Read on to learn more.

Future Medications Could Be Personalized on a 3D Printer

In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first 3D-printed drug, Spritam (levetiracetam), for epilepsy. Several other manufacturers and drug companies are develop.ing their own ones. But the widespread adoption of 3D drug printing will require stringent quality control measures to ensure that people get the right medication and dosage. Read on to learn more about the subject.

Video Spotlight on Products and Services

See which products and services the video spotlight is on, including Dotmatics, an integrated scientific informatics platform that supports research and development activities; an autoinjector testing system featuring precise measurement and control capabilities; BD’s Physiojet disposable autoinjector; testing software that takes over the test sequence with determination of the results; Stevanto Group’s technology centers; and more.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on drug-loaded 3D-printed films that could change cancer treatments forever; one on CELMoDs, which are designed to attack cancer in a novel way, by binding to a regulatory protein called cereblon, which then triggers the degradation of key cancer-driving proteins; one on the bridge recombinase mechanism, a precise and powerful tool to recombine and rearrange DNA in a programmable way; and one on immune cells called regulatory T-cells.

Implantable Uses Light to Treat Cancers

Certain types of light have proven to be an effective, minimally invasive treatment for cancers located on or near the skin when combined with a light-activated drug. But deep-seated cancers,...

AI + Computer Simulations = Enhanced Robotic Exoskeletons

Researchers have demonstrated a new method that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and computer simulations to train robotic exoskeletons to autonomously help users save energy while walking, running, and climbing stairs.

Implant Targets Optical Stimulation

A new device platform allows for smaller wireless light sources to be placed within the human body. Research indicates that such light sources will enable novel, minimally invasive means of treating and...

Smart Implant Holds Promise for the Blind

By sending electrical impulses via an implant to the visual cortex of the brain, an image can be created, and each electrode would represent one pixel.

Improved Ultrasound Wireless Charging for Implantable Biomedical Devices

Ultrasound-based wireless power transfer is becoming a more attractive option to power implanted biomedical devices because it could overcome many of the limitations and challenges facing other wireless charging approaches. Now, a new study has shown that the shape of the implanted receiver can significantly increase the efficiency of power harvesting from the ultrasound beam.

Device Delivers Gene Therapy for Lung Disease

Drug-delivery researchers have developed a device with the potential to improve gene therapy for patients with inherited lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis. In cell culture and mouse models,...

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on research that pioneers transformative approaches to intuitively control prosthetic devices; one on how medical professionals can map the radiation dose within the body, giving them new data to guide treatments in real time; one on a new smart material that is activated by both heat and electricity; and one on what bats can teach us about co-existing with viruses and preventing severe disease.

Product Development

In honor of International Women in Engineering Day (June 23), what device did American nurse Letitia Mumford Geer invent in 1896?

Nanofluidic Implantable Delivers Potent HIV Antiviral

A nanofluidic implant delivered an HIV drug that achieved more potency than other forms of drug administration (oral) and other HIV drugs.

Smart Nanoprobe Illuminates Prostate Cancer Cells

Obtaining detailed images of cancer cells buried deep within normal tissues has slowed the usefulness of existing imaging technology. An approach biomedical engineers are pursuing to...

On-Skin Wearable Bioelectronic Device Uses Breathable, Stretchable Material

Researchers at the University of Missouri have made a significant breakthrough in their ongoing development of an on-skin wearable bioelectronic device. Zheng Yan’s lab recently added an important component to the team’s existing ultrasoft, breathable and stretchable material. The key feature: wireless charging — without batteries — through a magnetic connection.

Targeted Drug Delivery: Nanomedicine Paves the Way for Treatments

In a study published in Advanced Materials, researchers have demonstrated that an innovative nanovector (nanogel), which they developed, is able to deliver anti-inflammatory drugs in a targeted manner into glial cells actively involved in the evolution of spinal cord injury, a condition that leads to paraplegia or quadriplegia.

Mini Implantable Sensor Monitors Health

An EU-funded lab is developing a multi-sensing device that can be implanted into blood vessels, such as peripheral veins or arteries, to monitor various body parameters and the overall health status...

Cardiology

What miniaturized device introduced in less than 10 years ago led to significant advancements in cardiac rhythm management technology?

Neural Prosthetic Helps Restore Memory

A team of scientists has demonstrated the first successful use of a neural prosthetic device to recall specific memories. This groundbreaking research was derived from research that showed the...

Under-the-Skin Implant Could Treat Type I Diabetes

Researchers have created a new technique to treat Type 1 diabetes: implanting a device inside a pocket under the skin that can secrete insulin while avoiding the immunosuppression that...

Personalized Adhesives for Medical Implants

A team has developed medical adhesives that are not only safe for human use but also customizable for different organs. The researchers used mussel-derived adhesive proteins to develop customized...

Transparent Brain Implant

A neural implant provides information about activity deep inside the brain while sitting on its surface. The implant is made up of a thin, transparent, and flexible polymer strip that is packed with a dense array of...

Nanofiber Bandages Fight Infection, Speed Healing

Researchers have identified an innovative way to harness the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the botanical compound lawsone to make nanofiber-coated cotton bandages that fight...

Bioengineering the Body to Make its Own Medicine

Delivering genetic material tagged with a cellular “ZIP code” prompted cells to secrete proteins or drugs into the bloodstream that successfully treated psoriasis and cancer in mouse models....

DNA Particles That Mimic Viruses Hold Promise as Vaccines

Researchers have created a vaccine that can induce a strong antibody response against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine, which has been tested in mice, consists of a DNA scaffold that carries...

Using Static Electricity to Enhance Biomedical Implants

Researchers have created electrostatic materials that function even with extremely weak ultrasound, heralding the era of permanent implantable electronic devices in biomedicine.

‘Smart Glove’ Boosts Hand Mobility

A new washable wireless smart textile technology has potential uses in virtual reality and American Sign Language. The glove incorporates a sophisticated network of highly sensitive sensor yarns and pressure sensors.

Infection-Resistant, 3D Printed Metals Developed for Implants

The work could lead to better infection control in many common surgeries, such as hip and knee replacements, that are performed daily around the world. Bacterial colonization of the implants is one of the leading causes of their failure and bad outcomes after surgery.

Squishy, Metal-Free Magnets to Power Robots and Guide Medical Implants

Creating robots from flexible materials allows them to contort in unique ways, handle delicate objects, and explore places that other robots cannot. More rigid robots would be crushed by the deep ocean’s pressure or could damage sensitive tissues in the human body, for example.