Tiny implants monitor brain temperature and pressure, then melt away without additional surgery
Recovery from any type of brain injury can be a long and arduous process. This is especially true in the case of injuries that require brain surgery. However, a new device recently developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign could help make the recovery process a bit easier.
No More Bulky Monitoring Gear
After a traumatic brain injury, there can be swelling and pressure on the brain. If undetected or untreated, this can cause ongoing injury or even death. Traditionally, patients were monitored for swelling and pressure using equipment that required a hard-wire connection to the brain. In addition to presenting a risk of allergic reaction, infection, and hemorrhage at the points of connection, this kind of conventional equipment creates a tangle of wires that are very uncomfortable for patients.
Worse still, the need for monitoring with this equipment can reduce recovery time. First of all, it restricts patient movement to the point where they cannot complete necessary physical therapy, and secondly, additional surgery is often required to remove the monitoring points.
Fortunately, the electronic biomechanical implants that seem poised to replace bulky, restrictive hard-wire connections for post-brain injury monitoring promise a much better experience.
The tiny implants are smaller than a grain of rice, yet can measure temperature and pressure just as effectively as traditional monitoring equipment. In addition to freeing up patients’ movements, these implants also help reduce risk of complications and promote faster recovery. Because the implants are made from dissolvable silicon, there is no need for additional surgery to remove them once their work is complete. Instead, they can be naturally absorbed by the body.
These implants have been successfully tested on animals, and researchers are now moving towards clinical trials in humans.
Compensation for Brain Injuries
For a severe traumatic brain injury, medical treatment can be expensive and recovery quite lengthy. This means that victims often need help paying their medical bills and making up for the income they miss out on during recovery. Fortunately, in many cases it is possible to secure compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses via a personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in an accident that was someone else’s fault, and you would like to learn about your options for securing compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas now.
