Dissolving Electronics Fight Infection (IMAGE)
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Researchers at Tufts University School of Engineering have demonstrated for the first time a dissolving electronic implant, made of silk and magnesium, that eliminated bacterial infection in mice by delivering heat to infected tissue when triggered by a remote wireless signal. The devices then harmlessly dissolved. In vitro studies also showed the devices could kill bacteria by releasing antibiotics. This is an important step forward for future development of on-demand medical devices that can be turned on remotely to perform a therapeutic function, such as managing post-surgical infection, and then degrade in the body.
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Tufts University
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