A biodegradable implant developed by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School may offer new hope for patients with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer known for its high recurrence rate. The device, called the CANDI wafer, is designed to be placed directly into the brain cavity after tumor removal, where it slowly releases a combination of drugs that reprogram immune cells to fight residual cancer. Glioblastoma typically returns after surgery and radiochemotherapy due to the presence of immunosuppressive myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. The CANDI wafer targets these cells by delivering immune-modulating molecules that activate their cancer-fighting…

A miniature bioprinter developed by researchers at McGill University is offering a new way to reconstruct vocal cord tissue during surgery. Designed to deliver healing hydrogels directly to damaged vocal folds, the device measures just 2.7 millimeters across, making it the smallest bioprinter ever reported. This innovation could help prevent post-surgical fibrosis, a common complication that stiffens vocal cords and impairs speech. The bioprinter was engineered to fit within the narrow confines of a patient’s throat during laryngoscopic surgery. Inspired by the flexibility of an elephant’s trunk, the device features a tendon-controlled nozzle mounted on a surgical microscope. Surgeons can…

Spinal fusion patients may soon benefit from real-time recovery tracking, thanks to a new wireless implant developed at the University of Pittsburgh. Engineers and surgeons have created a metamaterial-based device that monitors healing from inside the body, transmitting data wirelessly without the need for batteries or imaging scans. This innovation could reduce complications and improve outcomes for the nearly one million Americans who undergo spinal fusion each year. The procedure involves placing a metal cage and bone graft between vertebrae to stabilize the spine. Traditionally, clinicians rely on X-rays and patient feedback to assess healing, which can miss early signs…

A new approach to kidney stone treatment is gaining attention for its simplicity and effectiveness. Researchers at the University of Chicago and Duke University have developed a nanoparticle-infused saline solution that significantly improves the performance of laser lithotripsy, a common outpatient procedure used to break apart kidney stones. This innovation enhances energy delivery to the stone without requiring any changes to the laser hardware itself. Laser lithotripsy typically uses holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho-YAG) lasers to fragment kidney stones into smaller pieces that can be passed naturally. However, the saline solution used to irrigate the surgical site absorbs a large portion of the…

A new ultrasound imaging system developed by researchers at Inserm’s Physics for Medicine Institute in Paris is redefining how clinicians visualize blood flow across entire organs. The probe captures four-dimensional imaging—three spatial dimensions plus time—allowing dynamic, high-resolution views of vascular networks in organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. This technology offers a rare combination of full-organ coverage and micrometer-level precision, which has long been a trade-off in conventional ultrasound systems. The device uses 252 acoustic lenses arranged across a flat 8 by 10 centimeter array. This multi-lens configuration enables simultaneous imaging of volumes up to 120 by 100…

Hot on the heels of Kohler’s Dekoda poop analyzer announced last week, Withings has announced the launch of its toilet-mounted tracker, the U-Scan Nutrio. Though it’s number two in the smart-toilet segment, unlike Dekoda, U-Scan Nutrio analyzes your “number one”. U-Scan Nutrio is a home urine analysis device designed to monitor hydration, nutrition, and metabolic indicators through passive testing. Installed inside a toilet bowl, the device uses replaceable cartridges to perform up to 44 tests per cycle, automatically detecting urination events and transmitting data to the Withings app via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The system tracks four biomarkers: ketones, vitamin C,…

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a magnetic soft robotic valve designed to restore function in organs affected by muscular dysfunction, including the esophagus, intestines, and urinary tract. This innovation offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical implants and could transform treatment for conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which affects millions of people worldwide. The research team created a valve that mimics the natural contractions of smooth muscle, allowing it to regulate flow in tubular organs without relying on rigid materials or electrical stimulation. The device is constructed from soft polymers and uses magnetic actuation to produce…

A team at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has introduced MagFlow, an ultraminiaturized neurovascular microcatheter designed to reach the smallest and most complex blood vessels in the human body. Unlike conventional catheters that rely on guidewires and manual manipulation, MagFlow uses the kinetic energy of blood flow and magnetic steering to navigate arteries as narrow as 150 microns—roughly the width of a human hair. This innovation could revolutionize how clinicians deliver targeted therapies to previously inaccessible regions of the brain and body. Traditional microcatheters are limited by size and maneuverability. Interventional neuroradiologists typically use a push-pull-torque technique to…

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have demonstrated that wearable foot sensors and depth cameras can accurately measure gait in clinical settings, offering a scalable alternative to traditional electronic walkways. This breakthrough could improve how clinicians monitor mobility, detect fall risk, and identify early signs of neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Gait analysis is a valuable tool for assessing physical health, especially in older adults. However, conventional systems like the Zeno Walkway are expensive, bulky, and confined to laboratory environments. To address these limitations, the FAU team conducted a study comparing three technologies: foot-mounted inertial measurement units,…

Scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have developed a wearable patch that can detect early signs of skin cancer by analyzing biomarkers in sweat. The patch uses a combination of microfluidics and biosensing to identify abnormal protein levels associated with skin malignancies, offering a noninvasive alternative to traditional biopsies. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and early detection is critical for successful treatment. However, current screening methods rely heavily on visual inspection and invasive tissue sampling, which can be uncomfortable and costly. The new patch aims to simplify and accelerate the diagnostic process…