Implantable Electronics

The next gen of implantable medical devices will rely on a high-tech material forged not in a factory, but in the belly of a worm. this new device is being developed at Tufts University by biomedical engineer Fiorenzo Omentteo, it is a flexible silicon electronics held together by a silk film. the devices would incorporate antibodies or enzymes into the film which will allow other medical devices to detect biomarkes; and the best part over time, the array will just dissolve away, eliminating the need for surgery to remove the implants. the implated electronics could provide a clearer picture of whats going on inside the body' like monitoring chronic diseases or progress after surgery, but there are still some problems with the biocompatility restrict their use because the materials used may cause a immune reactions when implanted.

Today's implantable devices must be surgically replaced or removed at some point, so its only worth using an implant for important devices such as pacemakers. Silk is biodegradable and soft, can carry light like optical glass or made into transistor or wire. this means that silk can sit right on top of tissues without irritation for years or just a instance.Soon we may have are health charts in our arm or legs. and our doctors can montior our health wireless and our own bodies tells us of a problems well bofore it happens.



http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/25086/