Wireless Implants for Antibiotic Delivery
Researchers at Tufts University and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana have developed an implantable device, made of magnesium, for delivering heat or drugs to a specific site. It is wirelessly activated and dissolvable during a programmed time. Here is how they describe it in mice studies: “Devices were implanted in vivo in S. aureus-infected tissue and activated by a wireless transmitter for two sets of 10-minute heat treatments. Tissue collected from the mice 24 hours after treatment showed no sign of infection, and surrounding tissues were found to be normal. Devices completely dissolved after 15 days, and magnesium levels at the implant site and surrounding areas were comparable to levels typically found in the body. The researchers also conducted in vitro experiments in which similar remotely controlled devices released the antibiotic ampicillin to kill E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. The wireless activation of the devices was found to enhance antibiotic release without reducing antibiotic activity.” MORE
Image Credit: Tufts University