03/04/2024

A new medical device developed by researchers at Northwestern University might soon offer individuals with bladder dysfunctions a way to monitor their condition in real time, thanks to a groundbreaking implant and accompanying smartphone app.

This approach aims to provide patients, especially those with conditions like paralysis, spina bifida, bladder cancer, or end-stage bladder disease, the ability to track bladder fullness, potentially improving bladder function management.

Image: A bladder implant consisting of a small stretchable sensor with a green implantable box as base station; Copyright: Northwestern University

The elongated section near the tip of the tweezers is the soft, stretchable sensor. The green box is the implantable "base station," which holds electrical components to power the device and wirelessly transmit data.

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Understanding the technology

The device, a soft, flexible, battery-free implant, attaches to the bladder wall, sensing its filling and wirelessly transmitting data to a smartphone app. This allows users to monitor their bladder's fullness, offering a new level of autonomy and ease in managing their condition. The forthcoming study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) marks a significant advancement in bioelectronic sensors for bladder function monitoring.

Potential impact for patients

For individuals with compromised bladder nerves due to conditions like spina bifida or surgical procedures, this technology could mean moving away from invasive catheters and hospital-based monitoring methods. This device aims to bypass current monitoring procedures with a less invasive, more comfortable solution.

The implant comprises multiple sensors measuring bladder strain, with the data transmitted to a mobile device via embedded Bluetooth technology. "The key advance here is in the development of super soft, ultrathin, stretchable strain gauges that can gently wrap the outside surface of the bladder, without imposing any mechanical constraints on the natural filling and voiding behaviors," explains John A. Rogers, a co-lead on the study. Initial tests in small animal studies and non-human primates have shown promising results for long-term, real-time bladder monitoring.

Bladder regeneration and future applications

The researchers envision integrating this technology with bladder regeneration techniques, such as the recently introduced biodegradable synthetic bladder patch, enhancing bladder function restoration. Looking ahead, the team is exploring functionalities that could stimulate urination on demand, further enhancing patient quality of life.

A step towards smart regenerative systems

This work represents a significant step toward smart regenerative systems that can monitor internal conditions and communicate wirelessly with external devices. It could avoid the need for using intestinal tissues in bladder reconstruction, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Northwestern University

More about Northwestern University at: www.northwestern.edu