MIT engineers develop a bioadhesive to stop the body from rejecting implants, extending the life of pacemakers and sensors

 

Engineers at MIT have developed a novel bioadhesive that could significantly extend the functional lifespan of implantable medical devices. One of the primary causes of implant failure is the body's "foreign body response," where fibrous scar tissue encapsulates the device, insulating it from the target tissue and degrading its performance over time. This new adhesive material not only secures the device to the tissue but also actively resists this fibrotic encapsulation, maintaining a pristine electrical interface for months rather than weeks.

For clinicians and medical device manufacturers, this innovation is a potential game-changer for chronic condition management. It could drastically reduce the need for replacement surgeries for devices like pacemakers, continuous glucose monitors, and neuromodulators. By preserving the fidelity of the electrical signal between the device and the nerve or muscle, this technology promises to make long-term bioelectronic therapies more reliable and less invasive for patients.

Read the original article at: https://news.mit.edu/2025/new-bioadhesive-strategy-can-prevent-fibrous-encapsulation-around-device-implants-peripheral-1203


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