Chinese researchers develop “smart band-aid” for precision drug delivery
A team of Chinese scientists has developed an ultra-thin electronic patch, dubbed a “smart band-aid for organs”, that may improve how medications are delivered within the body.
Created by researchers from Beihang University, Peking University, and other institutions, the patch is designed to deliver drugs directly to organs, bypassing the inefficiencies of oral and intravenous delivery methods, CGTN reports.
“It’s like creating a highway for drug delivery,” said Chang Lingqian, a professor at Beihang University’s School of Biological and Medical Engineering. "This study has already been applied in medical aesthetics and skin trauma repair, and it holds great promise for future treatments of major health issues like cancer and trauma," Chang added.
Using a combination of flexible electronics and nano-pore technology, the patch gently perforates cell membranes with ultra-high electric field strength, allowing drug molecules, especially large-molecule therapies, to enter targeted tissues with precision.
The device is wirelessly powered and as thin as a sheet of paper, making it both discreet and effective.
