In a significant breakthrough in the field of medical technology, researchers from the University of Galway and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an AI-powered medical device that can adapt its drug release mechanism based on the patient’s needs. The device is designed to detect surrounding scar tissue and adjust its shape accordingly to maintain the drug dosage, thereby ensuring consistent and effective treatment.
The research, published in Science Robotics, represents a major leap forward in the development of smart, implantable devices that can revolutionize treatment for chronic diseases. These devices could provide long-lasting therapeutic action by sensing their environment and responding as needed using artificial intelligence. They can potentially transform the field of implantable drug delivery, overcoming the challenges posed by the body’s natural reaction to foreign bodies.
Dr. Rachel Beatty, co-lead author of the study from the University of Galway, explained, “We have harnessed the power of soft robotics and artificial intelligence to create a device that can stay in a patient’s body for extended periods, providing long-lasting therapeutic action. This approach could generate revolutionary changes in implantable drug delivery for a range of chronic diseases.”
The research team had previously developed first-generation flexible devices, known as soft robotic implants, to improve drug delivery and reduce fibrosis. However, these devices were not able to account for individual patient reactions or the progressive nature of fibrosis, where scar tissue encapsulates the device, impeding its function and eventually causing it to fail.
The new technology significantly advances this concept by making the device responsive to its implant environment. It uses artificial intelligence to defend against the body’s natural urge to reject a foreign body, thereby potentially increasing its longevity.
The researchers used a technique known as mechanotherapy to prevent scar tissue formation. This involves using soft robotic implants that make regular movements in the body, such as inflating and deflating. The key to this advanced technology is a conductive porous membrane that can sense when pores are blocked by scar tissue.
The team also developed a machine learning algorithm to predict the required number and force of actuations to achieve consistent drug dosing, regardless of the level of fibrosis present. Using computer simulations, they explored the device’s potential to release drugs over time with varying thicknesses of surrounding fibrotic capsules.
“The device worked out the best regime to release a consistent dose, by itself, even when significant fibrosis was simulated,” said Professor Garry Duffy, Professor of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Galway and senior author on the study. “We could finely control the drug release using soft robotics, regardless of significant fibrosis.”
The researchers believe that this breakthrough could pave the way for completely independent closed-loop implants that not only reduce fibrotic encapsulation but also sense it over time and intelligently adjust their drug release activity in response.
“This is a new area of research that can have implications in other places and is not solely limited for the treatment of diabetes,” added Professor Duffy. “Our discovery could provide consistent and responsive dosing over long periods, without clinician involvement, enhancing efficacy and reducing the need for device replacement because of fibrosis.”
With this development, we are witnessing an exciting confluence of medical technology, electronics, and programming languages. It is a testament to how advancements in coding and AI can revolutionize healthcare and pave the way for personalized, precision drug delivery systems.
