• Home
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Media Kit 2023
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Events
  • Comments
  • Posts
Health Care Asia LogoHealth Care Asia Logo
HCA Twitter HCA Meta Holiday ad
  • Home
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Media Kit 2023
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Events

Implantable stimulator powered by walking to treat damaged tendons

September 1, 2021
stimulator device

A novel stimulator device developed at the National University of Ireland-Galway (NUI Galway) harnesses energy from mechanical action, such as walking, to speed up musculoskeletal tissue regeneration – timely tissue regeneration is important notably for tendons or vital support structures damaged either by disease or injury.

The stimulator device by NUI Galway uses a piezoelectric material-based mesh that produces electricity when stretched or is put under mechanical pressure. Similar to fabric, it is made using a scaffold of nano-fibres which are one-thousandth of the thickness of a human hair.

The device is powered by the simple and repetitive act of walking: in in-vitro experiments and experiments in rats with acute Achilles injuries, applying electrical currents to the site of an injury activated tissue regeneration signaling specific to the tendon.

Related: Experimental ankle exoskeleton system increases walking speed

“Successful treatment of tendon damage and disease represents a critical medical challenge,” said principal researcher Dr. Marc Fernandez.

“Our discovery shows that an electrical charge is produced in the treatment target area – the damaged or injured tendon – when the implanted device is stretched during walking. The potential gamechanger here is like a power switch in a cell – the electrical stimulus turns on tendon-specific regenerative processes in the damaged tendon.”

The research establishes the engineering foundations for new treatment devices that take bioelectric cues for repair, without the use of drugs or external stimulation.

According to the NUI Galway’s Dr. Manus Biggs: “This unique strategy of combining a device which is powered through body-movement, and which can induce accelerated tendon healing is expected to significantly impact the field of regenerative devices, specifically in the area of sports or trauma associated injuries.”

“These devices are cost-effective, relatively easy to implant and may pave the way for a whole new class of regenerative electrical therapies,” he added.

Content source

Tags: Implantable stimulator powered, treat damaged tendons, walking

Category: Features, Technology & Devices

Email Facebook Google StumbleUpon Tumblr Twitter

Subscribe

If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.

Privacy guaranteed. We never share your info.
Subscribe via RSS Feed Follow Us on Twitter Connect on Facebook

Comments are closed.

« Portable MRI pinpoints strokes that need surgical treatment
Stingless bee honey found to contain high levels of healthy sugar »
2023 MJN Media Kit
Subscribe to HCA for exclusive updates

Sponsored Content

6 Ways to improve your hearing and prevent hearing loss

6 Ways to improve your hearing and prevent hearing loss

Caring for your hearing health is essential regardless of your age. Not only does it reduce the risk of suffering from irreversible hearing loss... Read More

Top Viewed News

Sunway Sanctuary upscale senior living facility to open in 2023 in Kuala Lumpur

Sunway Sanctuary upscale senior living facility to open in 2023 in Kuala Lumpur

Sunway Healthcare Group (Sunway Healthcare) is set to launch its flagship senior living residence in response to increasing... Read More

A look into type 1 diabetes

A look into type 1 diabetes

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has mentioned that diabetes claims about three lives every minute worldwide – to narrow it down diabetes has been found to affect over 1 in 5 Malaysians... Read More

Regular breast cancer screening and self-examination helps your chances of survival

Regular breast cancer screening and self-examination helps your chances of survival

The prevalence of breast cancer is expected to cause more than 2.5 million deaths between 2020 and 2040, if nothing is done to avert it... Read More

Identifying childhood diabetes

Identifying childhood diabetes

Type 1 diabetes mellitus mostly afflicts young children – it is apparently the most common form of childhood diabetes in Malaysia... Read More

Free counters!

2023 -2024 Exhibitions



2023 Events


3-4 November
Eldercare Exhibition and Conference Asia (ELDEX Asia 2023)
Suntex Singapore Exhibition and Convention Centre
www.eldexasia.com


7-9 November
AI Asia Expo Philippines
Marriott Grand Ballroom Convention Center, Manila
www.aiasiaexpo.com


28 November 2023 @ 9:00 am to 29 November 2023 @ 5:30 pm
Hospital @ Home Asia
Singapore
www.hospitalmanagementasia.com


2024 Events


29 January – 1 February
Arab Health
Dubai World Trade Centre
www.arabhealthonline.com


6-7 March
Future Healthcare Asia
Berjaya Times Square, Malaysia
www.futurehealthcareasia.com


17-19 April
MEDEXPO Africa
Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
www.medhospafrica.com


24-26 April Lab Indonesia
Lab Indonesia
Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia
www.lab-indo.com


9-12 May
Vietnam Medi-Pharm
Friendship Cultural Palace , Hanoi
www.vietnammedipharm.vn


24-27 May
8th International Conference on Advance Care Planning
Singapore
www.acp-i2023.org


4-6 June
APHM
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
www.aphmconferences.com


14-16 June
China (Guangzhou) International Health Industry Expo
China Import and Export Fair Complex
www.ihe-china.com


19-21 June
CPhI China
SNIEC, Shanghai, China
www.cphi.com


19-21 June
Medical Device Development (MEDIX) – Osaka
INTEX Osaka
www.manufacturing-world.jp


27-28 June
OSH India South
Chennai Trade Center
www.oshindia.com


17-19 July
SE-Asian Healthcare & Pharma Show
Kuala Lumpur
www.abcex.com


27-30 August
Hospital Management Asia
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.hospitalmanagementasia.com


27-30 August
Hospital Management Asia
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.hospitalmanagementasia.com


11-13 September
Medical Fair Asia
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
www.medicalfair-asia.com


11-13 September
Medical Fair Asia
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
www.medicalfair-asia.com


11-13 September
Thailand LAB INTERNATIONAL
BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand
www.thailandlab.com


2-4 October
Medical Device Development (MEDIX) – Osaka
INTEX Osaka
www.manufacturing-world.jp


28-30 October
Saudi International Pharma Expo
Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center
www.saudipharmaexpo.com


28-30 October
Saudi International MedLab Expo
Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center
www.saudimedlabexpo.com


2025 Events


13-15 September
Medical Fair Thailand
BITEC, Bangkok
www.medicalfair-thailand.com


Tweets by @healthcareasia

© 2023 Healthcare Asia Daily News | Asia's Leading News and Information Source on Healthcare and Medical Industry, Medical Technology, Healthcare Business and R&D, Healthcare Events. Online since 2010. All rights reserved