Number ten in the Top 10 new tech advances of 2010 goes to an ancient material…
Implanted under the skin, an array of light-emitting diodes could signal the concentration in the blood of biomarkers such as insulin. Over time, the array will dissolve away, eliminating the need for surgery to remove the implant. Flexible silicon electronics (inset) are held in place with a silk film. Incorporating antibodies or enzymes into the film will allow devices to detect biomarkers. Credit: Bryan Christie Design. Source: MIT's Technology Review
According to MIT’s Technology Review, such “dissolvable devices make better medical implants.”
And what is that mysterious yet familiar bioabsorbable material for advanced implantable electronics?
Silk! It can be engineered to transmit images via light waves along its fibers, deliver drugs, measure vital signs or test blood, and can be resorbed over hours or as long as two years depending upon how long it is needed. And all from the belly of a worm? Amazing. For more amazing apps…read on.
Got silk?
- Implantable Electronics
- Dissolvable devices make better medical implants.Implantable Electronics
Dissolvable devices make better medical implants.
