New Atlas

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Flexible, high-performance transistors pave the way for mini medical sensors and implants

Dario Borghino February 28, 2019

Scientists at Columbia University have developed flexible, functional, waterproof transistors. These could find use in building miniaturized medical sensors, brain-machine interfaces, or long-term implants.

A high-performance, biocompatible, flexible transistor developed at Columbia University could serve as the building block for ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Potential Parkinson's treatment delivers protein directly to the brain

Ben Coxworth February 27, 2019

It was just last month that we heard about a brain implant which dispenses a protein to stop seizures in epileptic rats. An unrelated study now suggests that a brain implant in humans, which delivers that same protein, could be used to treat and even reverse the effects of Parkinson's disease.

The Convection Enhanced Delivery system consists of four tubes implanted within the brain, all of which ...

Medical

Implant uses copper to fight bone infection

Ben Coxworth January 30, 2019

Resulting from bone-breaks, deep puncture wounds, severe tooth decay or other causes, osteomyelitis is a bone infection that in serious cases may lead to amputations or even death. It's also notoriously difficult to treat, although a newly-developed implant could help change that.

An X-ray showing osteomyelitis in a young person's tibia

Medical

Smart artificial knee could reduce the need for replacement surgery

Ben Coxworth January 29, 2019

When a young person receives an artificial knee joint, they're left in a bit of a quandary – they're expected to stay active, yet too much of the wrong activity may cause the device to wear out prematurely. An experimental new implant could help address that situation.

The technology may allow patients to wait longer before having to get a new artificial knee ...

Medical Audio available

Brain implant shows promise for stopping seizures

Ben Coxworth January 21, 2019

There may be new hope for people who suffer from epilepsy. A recent study has shown that an experimental implant reduces seizures in epileptic rats by 93 percent, and that the effects remain after the device has been removed.

The implant delivered GDNF protein to epileptic rats' hippocampus (shown here on a human), a region ...

Medical

Wireless blood-flow sensor dissolves when its job is done

Ben Coxworth January 8, 2019

When someone has had blood vessel surgery, it's important for doctors to check that the vessel doesn't become blocked as it heals. Such blockages could someday be detected earlier and more easily than ever, thanks to an experimental new biodegradable blood flow sensor.

An artist’s depiction of the pressure sensor wrapped around a blood vessel, with the antenna off ...

Medical Audio available

Wirelessly-activated implant treats bladder problems using light

Ben Coxworth January 3, 2019

Currently, if people have urinary problems such as incontinence or an overactive bladder, medication and/or electronic nerve-stimulating implants are required. An experimental new implant may work better, however, treating the problem using integrated micro-LEDs.

This CT scan of a rat shows the device implanted around the bladder

Medical Audio available

Incredible battery-free implant battles obesity by suppressing appetite

Rich Haridy December 17, 2018

A remarkable new implantable device developed by engineers at University of Wisconsin–Madison promises a new way to battle obesity. By gently stimulating a nerve that links the stomach to the brain, the device tricks your brain into thinking you're full.

Graduate student Guang Yao (left) and Xudong Wang (right) hold a small implantable device that helped ...

Medical Audio available

Fraunhofer develops adjustable-length artificial hip

Ben Coxworth December 3, 2018

When someone gets a hip replaced, it's not uncommon for that leg to subsequently be a little longer or shorter than it was before. Thanks to a new system developed by German scientists, however, that may soon no longer be the case.

The artificial hip's ball and socket components are connected by a sliding screw, which can be ...

Medical Audio available

Electrically-induced smells pave way for "cochlear implant for the nose"

Ben Coxworth November 27, 2018

Cochlear implants allow deaf people to hear by electrically stimulating their auditory nerves. While that's all very well and good, what about people who have lost their sense of smell? Well, new research suggests that we may be getting closer to an electrical implant for them, too.

The study involved stimulation of the olfactory bulb, depicted here as the bulb visible behind the ...