'First bio-electronic medicine developed'

Washington DC: Scientists say they have developed the first bioelectronic medicine -- an implantable, biodegradable wireless device that speeds nerve regeneration and improves the healing of a damaged nerve.

Researchers at the Washington University in the US developed a device that delivers regular pulses of electricity to damaged peripheral nerves in rats after a surgical repair process, accelerating the regrowth of nerves in their legs and enhancing the ultimate recovery of muscle strength and control. The size of a dime and the thickness of a sheet of paper, the wireless device operates for about two weeks before naturally absorbing into the body, according to the study published in the journal Nature Medicine.

The researchers envision that such transient engineered technologies one day could complement or replace pharmaceutical treatments for a variety of medical conditions in humans. The technology, called "bioelectronic medicine," provides therapy and treatment over a clinically relevant period of time and directly at the site where it's needed, thereby reducing side effects or risks associated with conventional, permanent implants.

"These engineered systems provide active, therapeutic function in a programmable, dosed format and then naturally disappear into the body, without a trace," said John A Rogers from the Northwestern University in the US.

"This approach to therapy allows one to think about options that go beyond drugs and chemistry," Rogers said.

While the device has not been tested in humans, the findings offer promise as a future therapeutic option for nerve injury patients, researchers said.

For cases requiring surgery, standard practice is to administer some electrical stimulation during the surgery to aid recovery. However, until now, doctors have lacked a means to continuously provide that added boost at various time points throughout the recovery and healing process.