Under-the-skin implant could treat Type I diabetes

A collaboration between researchers from Cornell and University of Alberta, Edmonton, has created a new technique to treat Type 1 diabetes: implanting a device inside a pocket under the skin that can secrete insulin while avoiding the immunosuppression that typically stymies management of the disease. The approach would offer an easier, long-term and less invasive alternative to insulin injections or […]

An implantable device could enable injection-free control of diabetes

One promising approach to treating Type 1 diabetes is implanting pancreatic islet cells that can produce insulin when needed, which can free patients from giving themselves frequent insulin injections. However, one major obstacle to this approach is that once the cells are implanted, they eventually run out of oxygen and stop producing insulin. To overcome that hurdle, MIT engineers have […]

Biotronik receives FDA approval for next-generation family of pacemakers

Biotronik announced FDA approval of its portfolio of Amvia Edge pacemakers and cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P), its latest innovation in cardiac rhythm management. Amvia Edge, the market’s smallest single-chamber MR conditional pacemaker, introduces a unique set of patient-centric clinical solutions coupled with automated workflow efficiency. Amvia Edge pacemakers feature Biotronik’s proprietary MRI Guard 24/7 technology, which uses always-on, dedicated […]

‘Smart’ walking stick could help visually impaired with groceries, finding a seat

Engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder are tapping into advances in artificial intelligence to develop a new kind of walking stick for people who are blind or visually impaired. Think of it as assistive technology meets Silicon Valley. The researchers say that their “smart” walking stick could one day help blind people navigate tasks in a world designed for […]

Pharmacy researchers receive patent for chemical probe

Many brain diseases and disorders lead to neuroinflammation, a swelling of brain tissue that is increasingly recognized as one of the telltale signs and disease progression factors of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Neuroinflammation can limit blood flow to areas in the brain, which can lead to the inhibition of the body’s natural disease fighting mechanisms. Traumatic brain injuries also cause […]

Inflatable robotic hand gives amputees real-time tactile control

Prosthetic enables a wide range of daily activities, such as zipping a suitcase, shaking hands, and petting a cat. Massachusetts Institute of Technology An MIT-developed inflatable robotic hand gives amputees real-time tactile control. The smart hand is soft and elastic, weighs about half a pound, and costs a fraction of comparable prosthetics. But this high-tech dexterity comes at a price. […]