Researchers develop new medical device to optimise the success of future medical implants.
Researchers from multiple institutions (Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) at MIT, the National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway) and AMBER, the SFI Research Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research) claims to have discovered a way to enable longer-lasting and better-functioning implantable devices.
The research is focused around soft robotics which aim to tackle common issues experienced with implants. Soft robotics are flexible devices that can be implanted into the body and are typically more comfortable than standard robotics for patients due to this property. However, following implantation of the soft robotics, often the body’s protection mechanism causes issues as the implant is recognised as foreign material and the cells react to protect the body as they would against a virus.
One common reaction that can occur is fibrosis. Fibrosis is when a dense fibrous capsule surrounds the implanted device and impairs the function of the device. In some cases, this can result in the failure of the implant.
Together in an attempt to combat this issue researchers have created a tiny, mechanically actuated soft robotics device which they claim is able to manipulate the environment at the interface between the device and the body, and as a result reduce the build-up of fibrous capsule. This therefore reduces the likelihood of rejection and increases the chance of implant success.
Talking about the research, Garry Duffy, AMBER principal investigator added: “We feel the ideas described in this paper could transform future medical devices and how they interact with the body.”
Ellen Roche, IMES core faculty member commented: “This study demonstrates how mechanical perturbations of an implant can modulate the host foreign body response. This has vast potential for a range of clinical applications.” This isn’t Roche’s first soft robotics device. She previously received international praise for her role in the creation of a soft robotic sleeve for patients with heart failure.
Soft robotics are steadily increasing in popularity within the medical sector and according to reports, J&J are currently working on a soft robotics platform. Soft robotics have also been tested for their use as replacement muscles for disabled people, due to its flexibility.
Although currently the implantable medical market is estimated around $100 billion, there is huge pressure to find methods to optimise the success rates and patient outcomes associated with implantable medical devices. Soft robotics could be the solution.