From left are Yonsei College Division of Supplies professor Kim Sang-woo, Samsung Medical Middle professor Choi Byung-ok and Yonsei College Division of Supplies professor Lee Kyu-hyoung. Courtesy of Yonsei College
A analysis staff led by professors at Yonsei College’s Division of Supplies Science Engineering and Samsung Medical Middle has developed applied sciences for an digital drug that doesn’t require battery or electrodes, the college mentioned Monday.
Yonsei College professors Kim Sang-woo, Lee Kyu-hyoung and hospital professor Choi Byung-ok revealed their analysis within the famend journal Nature Biomedical Engineering on Friday.
The analysis staff developed a know-how that permits a wi-fi digital drug to alleviate ache utilizing ultrasound, by producing triboelectric vitality contained in the physique to selectively block ache indicators with out using prescribed drugs.
Present digital drug applied sciences have confronted structural limitations, together with irritation and uncomfortable side effects brought on by wires or electrodes related to nerves.
The brand new analysis presents a novel type of digital medication that eliminates metallic electrodes, lead wires and batteries. Throughout a surgical process, a biocompatible medical polymer that naturally degrades over time is implanted close to the nerves. When ache happens, an exterior ultrasound is utilized, inflicting the polymer to generate its personal triboelectric vitality and block ache indicators.
Via animal testing, the analysis staff confirmed that ache indicators have been instantly decreased when the ultrasound was utilized. When the ultrasound was turned off, nerve perform shortly recovered. After ache management is accomplished, the medical polymer naturally degrades contained in the physique, eliminating the necessity for extra elimination surgical procedure.
“This can be a breakthrough digital drug know-how, as it could generate an electrical discipline contained in the physique utilizing solely ultrasound to dam nerve indicators,” Kim mentioned. “It permits ache management with out medicine and eliminates the necessity for elimination surgical procedure, giving it robust potential for scientific purposes.”
Choi mentioned the digital drug exactly targets nerves contained in the physique utilizing innocent ultrasound, including “it’s anticipated to be utilized not solely to acute and persistent ache but in addition to a variety of neuromodulation therapies sooner or later.”
