Healing microchips novel tech capable accelerating human healing

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Healing microchips: Novel tech capable of accelerating human healing

Nanotechnology is being used to change the function of body parts to self-heal and regenerate tissues.

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Quantumrun Foresight
February 15, 2023

Tech-enabled devices such as cell reprogramming microchips and smart bandages are a rapidly advancing field of medical research. These devices have the potential to revolutionize the way diseases and injuries are treated and monitored by providing a non-invasive and more efficient way to repair damaged tissue and organs. They can also improve patient outcomes and save on healthcare costs.

Healing microchips context

In 2021, a team of researchers at the US-based Indiana University School of Medicine tested a new nanochip device that can reprogram skin cells in the body to become new blood vessels and nerve cells. This technology, called tissue nano-transfection, uses a silicon nanochip printed with channels ending in an array of micro-needles. The chip also has a cargo container on top of it, which holds specific genes. The device is applied to the skin, and the micro-needles deliver the genes into the cells to reprogram them.

The device uses a focused electric charge to introduce specific genes into living tissue at a precise depth. This process alters the cells at that location and turns them into a bioreactor that reprograms the cells to become different types of cells or multicellular structures, such as blood vessels or nerves. This transformation can be done without complicated laboratory procedures or hazardous virus transfer systems. These newly created cells and tissues can be used to repair damage in various body parts, including the brain.

This technology has the potential to be a simpler and less risky alternative to traditional stem cell therapies, which can require complicated laboratory procedures and have the potential to give rise to cancerous cells. It is also a promising development for regenerative medicine, as it allows for the growth of cells, tissues, and eventually organs that will be completely compatible with the patient, eliminating the problem of tissue rejection or finding donors.

Disruptive impact

This technology can be expected to be integrated into medicine and healthcare at increasing rates to transform operations and healing, especially in regenerative medicine. Healing microchips have the potential to provide a more cost-effective and streamlined method to repair damaged tissue and organs. This development could significantly improve patient outcomes or quality of life and reduce the need for costly surgeries.

Additionally, successful tests in this area will accelerate research into fields beyond skin and blood tissue. Such devices can go as far as to save entire organs from amputation, enhancing the survival rates of patients and victims of war and accidents. Additionally, tracking the progress of wounds without visiting hospitals will further decrease the chances of the patients being exposed to potential infections and help save on transportation costs.

Research in smart bandages and other related technologies is also likely to increase. In 2021, the National University of Singapore researchers developed a smart bandage that allows patients with chronic wounds to remotely monitor their healing progress through an app on their mobile device. The bandage is equipped with a wearable sensor that tracks various parameters such as temperature, bacteria type, pH levels, and inflammation, which are then transmitted to the app, potentially eliminating the need for frequent visits to the doctor.

Applications of healing microchips

Some applications of healing microchips can include:

Improved drug development by providing new ways to test chemicals on specific types of cells and tissues, which could accelerate the drug development process and improve the chances of success.

A reduced need for expensive surgeries and treatments, potentially decreasing the overall cost of healthcare.

Induced tissue regeneration improving the lives of people with chronic diseases, injuries, or congenital disorders that affect the ability to regenerate tissue.