Scientists have developed small, soft, flexible implants that relieve pain as needed without the use of drugs.
The researchers suggest that the new devices may offer alternatives to opioids and other high-end drugs.
It works by gently wrapping around nerves, paralyzing them and providing precise, targeted cooling that blocks the pain signal to the brain.
This is similar to the mechanism by which cold acts when a person’s fingers are paralyzed.
Users can remotely activate the device using an external pump to increase or decrease its force.
Studies show that when a device is no longer needed, it is naturally absorbed by the body. That is, it is not necessary to remove it surgically.
According to the researchers, a flexible nerve-cooling device that is softer than the thickness of the sheet is ideal for treating sensitive nerves.
John Rogers of Northwestern University in the US, who led the development of the device, said: “Opioids are very effective, but they are also addictive.
“As engineers, we are motivated by the idea of ​​treating pain without medication, which means the user can control the strength of the relief and quickly turn it on and off.
“The technique reported here uses a mechanism that has some similarities to the mechanism that paralyzes fingers in the cold.
“Our implants allow us to produce effects by programming directly and locally on the target nerve, deep in the surrounding soft tissue.”
The researchers believe the device is most valuable to patients undergoing regular surgeries and amputations. This patient often needs pain medication after surgery.
Surgeons can implant the device during surgery to control the patient’s postoperative pain.
“Implantable cooling with on-demand local analgesia will be a major advance in long-term pain management,” wrote Shan Jiang and Guosong Hong in a related opinion.
This device uses a simple concept that everyone knows: evaporation.
When evaporated sweat cools the body, it contains a liquid refrigerant that evaporates at specific points on sensory nerves.
At the widest point, the width of a small device is only 5 millimeters.
One end is wrapped around the cuffs and gently wrapped around a single rib. That is, no stitches are needed.
Professor Rogers added: “Thinking about soft tissue, fragile nerves and bodies in constant motion, any interface device needs to be able to flex, flex, twist and stretch easily and naturally.
Furthermore, the device simply needs to be hidden when it is no longer needed to avoid delicate and dangerous surgical procedures.
The findings are published in the journal Science.
Source: Metro
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
