esophagus-growing robotic implant tagged posts

The esophagus-growing robotic implant. Credit: Damian et al., Sci. Robot. 3, eaaq0018 (2018)

Mechanical pull stimulates stunted hollow organs to grow; could help treat defects like esophageal atresia and short bowel syndrome. An implanted, programmable medical robot can gradually lengthen tubular organs by applying traction forces – stimulating tissue growth in stunted organs without interfering with organ function or causing apparent discomfort, report researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital.

The robotic system induced cell proliferation and lengthened part of the esophagus in a large animal by about 75% while the animal remained awake and mobile...