Researchers from Northwestern University pioneered a bioelectric implant that can detect changes in temperature during an organ transplant.
New Bioelectric Implant Technology
The new sensor technology is estimated to be smaller than a fingernail and just 220 micrometers thick. Moreover, the sensor will be put directly on the kidney's fibrous layer, the renal capsule, a layer that protects the organ.
The invention came as an early detection of any signs of organ rejection after a transplant. According to the study, any sign of rejection must be caught as early as possible to preserve the organ. More so, the team reminded that rejection of transplanted organ can happen any time, even decades later.
Once implanted, the sensor will continuously monitor the blood flow and temperature. When there's a temperature change, the device will send an alert to the patient or physician through wireless streaming data to nearby smartphone or tablet.
Kidney Failure Rates in US
The university logged that more than 37 million adults in the United States suffer from kidney diseases. Once the disease gets worse, a kidney transplant is needed to be done. However, not all transplant remains successful as sometimes the organ can be rejected after so many years.
The new implant aims to give extra time for physicians to act and intervene with the rejection faster. The sooner they catch any irregularities, the more chances the patient outcomes becomes better. Most importantly, the organ will be preserved well.
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