Published • loading... • Updated
New Implant May Alter How Spinal Cord Injuries Are Treated
The flexible implant gave surgeons real-time blood-flow data in animals, a step researchers say could guide treatment after spinal cord injury.
- Johns Hopkins researchers successfully tested a flexible ultrasound implant in an animal study published Nov. 4 in Science Advances. The device, called Multimodal Ultrasound System for Injury Care , monitored spinal cord blood flow in real time.
- About 18,000 spinal cord injuries occur in the United States annually, often from vehicle crashes. Doctors currently lack direct methods to monitor blood flow at injury sites after surgery, potentially missing damage that spreads in the days following.
- Former Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon Nicholas Theodore, who co-created MUSIC, said "Timing is critical for recovery." The device functions as a mobile MRI providing on-demand feedback to medical teams in intensive care units.
- The project received $13.48 million from the Defense Department, with additional support from NIH and NSF. While it received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2023, the technology remains unapproved and has not been tested in humans.
- Researchers aim to bring the device to human use, though no trial dates are set. Families should avoid clinics claiming to offer it outside research and consult ClinicalTrials.gov for updates on legitimate study opportunities.
Insights by Ground AI
35 Articles
35 Articles
Experimental ultrasound patch monitored blood flow and imaged injured spinal cords in real time—but human testing has not begun
Johns Hopkins researchers reported that an experimental flexible ultrasound implant monitored blood flow and imaged injured spinal cords in real time during an initial animal study.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources35
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center25Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Center
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
73% Center
15%
C 73%
12%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
