A study demonstrated that an experimental hydrogel formulation was safe and effective in substantially relieving chronic low back pain. Research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston supported the hydrogel, which was injected into spinal discs in an effort to relieve chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease […]
hydrogels
Axonics acquires Contura and its Bulkamid bulking agent for $235M
Axonics (NSDQ: AXNX) announced today that it acquired Contura and its flagship Bulkamid product for up to $235 million. London-based Contura’s Bulkamid is a urethral bulking agent for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). It is a next-generation hydrogel injected into the urethral wall in a minimally invasive office or outpatient facility procedure to restore the natural […]
MIT researchers tout origami-inspired medical patch for internal injuries
Engineers at MIT are touting a medical patch capable of being delivered through narrow spaces to patch up internal injuries. With inspiration from the art of origami, the engineers designed the patch to be folded around minimally invasive surgical tools and delivered through airways, intestines and other narrow spaces to patch up internal injuries, according […]
Could hydrogels and magnetic fields grow new cartilage?
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are touting a new way to potentially rebuild complex body tissues to fix common injuries like cartilage degeneration. Following the publication of research in Advanced Materials, those involved are suggesting that the rebuilding process for these body tissues could be done by using a magnetic field and hydrogels, according to […]
6 ways hydrogels are enabling medtech innovation
Hydrogels are water-based biomaterials developed specifically for human use, according to a Biomaterials journal article. They are a water-swollen polymeric material that doesn’t change its distinct 3D structure. They are formed from super-absorbent, chain-like polymers and are not soluble in water. However, their porous surface allows for nutrients and cell waste to pass through. They have shown the […]
This new hydrogel can regrow bone in skulls
Researchers in Illinois say they were able to regrow bone to repair a hole in a mouse’s skull. The researchers, based at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, think their work could lead to significant improvement in the care of people with severe skull or face trauma. They say they were able to regenerate skull bone […]
New material illuminates when exposed to chemicals on the body
MIT engineers and biologists teamed up and designed a living-cell-injected hydrogel that can illuminate when exposed to certain chemicals. The MIT team made wearable sensors using the hydrogel with living cells that lit up after touching a surface with certain chemicals. The new material has the potential to detect chemicals in the environment and the […]
MIT creates gentle robot that works using water
Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineers have created a robot that is made of hydrogels and powered by water that has the potential to be used in surgical applications. Tough, rubbery and mostly water, these robots can perform an array of tasks including kicking a ball or grabbing and releasing live fish. The transparent robots move […]
