Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have made a groundbreaking innovation for severe muscle injuries. They have published a paper on self-powered bio-implantable wearable technology, which will catalyze the recovery of injured muscles. The new implantable device is designed to focus on volumetric muscle loss.
Volumetric muscle loss is a medical condition in which large sections of muscle don’t regenerate naturally. Bai Shuo, Professor from the Institute of Process Engineering, led the research team and developed the “muscle defect-electrical stimulation (MD-ES) system.”
What is the MD-ES System?
The MD-ES system is an implantable medical device that functions as a closed-loop therapeutic system featuring a piezoelectric film made of a chitosan composite and a conductive silk fibroin hydrogel scaffold. Unlike other stimulators that need bulky batteries and external wires, this device will run on the kinetic energy produced by the patient’s movement.
The device is implanted near the joints, and the film takes energy from the patient’s natural kinetic movements, such as shoulder shrugs and knee extensions. The device generates a stable 500-millivolt electric signal through the kinetic movements. Later, the electric signals are transferred to the scaffolds at the injury site, which helps in the growth of new muscle cells. It also provides a physical structure for the new tissues to attach.
Next-Gen Implants Heal and Disappear
Clinical trials were performed on the rats for this bio-implant technology. The MD-ES system showed complete and healthy recovery from injured muscles within the first 14 days. The time period was much lesser than the traditional stimulators. Additionally, the system was reabsorbed by the body within four weeks of implantation, eliminating risks of infection in the patient’s body.
Metallic implants are difficult to remove and have a high risk of infection if not removed properly. This system is the first of its kind in the wearable medical device industry. MD-ES system not only reduces the risk but it also requires less machinery to operate as it generates energy from patients movement.
However, the MD-ES system has still not passed the human trials. Once approved, this device can clear the way for upcoming bio-implant technology, making human life easier.
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