Experimental Ultrasound Implant Could Aid Spinal Cord Injury Recovery
Experimental ultrasound implant targets spinal cord injury monitoring
An experimental implant designed to act as a mobile MRI might one day help people better recover from spinal cord injuries, HealthDay reported Nov. 6. The tiny ultrasonic device is roughly the size of a small Band-Aid and sits directly over the injury site, allowing clinicians to track blood flow, analyze spinal fluid, and check for excess fluid accumulation without moving immobile patients.
Researchers detailed the proof-of-concept study Nov. 4 in the journal Science Advances. Developed by a team of engineers and surgeons at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the device is officially named the Multimodal Ultrasound System for Injury Care, or MUSIC. Beyond tracking local physiology, the implant can deliver therapeutic ultrasound directly to the damaged tissue, which researchers suggest may stimulate biological recuperation and help measure how a patient responds to medications.
Most of the estimated 18,000 spinal cord injuries occurring annually in the United States stem from vehicle accidents. To test the feasibility of continuous monitoring, investigators implanted the device in three laboratory pigs, gathering data across 30 repeated sessions. Despite these initial findings, the research team emphasizes that more animal studies are needed before the device is ready for implantation in humans.
Senior researcher Amir Manbachi, an associate professor of neurosurgery and biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins, explained the rationale behind the localized design in a university news release. When the biology of a spinal cord injury remains strictly local, monitoring tools must track and treat that same local physiology. Dr. Nicholas Theodore, an adjunct professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins who co-created the device, noted that timing dictates recovery success. Theodore added that the technology merges multiple disciplines to personalize post-surgical care and improve long-term health outcomes.
Funding for the development of the MUSIC implant came from a $13 million award provided by the U.S. Department of Defense. Prior to the recent publication of the animal study, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration designated the hardware as a breakthrough device in 2023.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.