Researchers have developed the world’s first electronic device capable of continuously monitoring the health of transplanted organs in real-time.
Wireless technology senses warning signs up to three weeks earlier than current monitors.
The soft, ultrathin implant no bigger than a fingernail – adheres directly to transplanted kidneys, detecting temperature irregularities associated with inflammation and other rejection indicators.
The device transmits data wirelessly to nearby smartphones or tablets, allowing swift intervention when necessary.
In a study published in the journal Science, the researchers found that the device, using a small animal model with transplanted kidneys, detected three weeks earlier than current systems.
This extended timeframe offers the opportunity to intervene promptly, ultimately improving patient outcomes and increasing the chance of preserving donated organs.
Given the escalating demand for organs amid a current shortage, this breakthrough carries significant implications for the field of transplant medicine.
Dr Lorenzo Gallon, a transplant nephrologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, Illionois, US, who led the clinical part of the study, noted: ‘Many of my patients live with constant anxiety, not knowing if their body is rejecting their transplanted organ. Our new device could offer protection, and continuous monitoring could provide reassurance and peace of mind.’
Northwestern’s Dr John A Rogers, a bioelectronics pioneer, spearheaded the device’s development. He emphasised the importance of identifying rejection events as soon as they occur, as individual responses to anti-rejection therapy vary significantly.
This real-time monitoring can pave the way for personalised dosing and medical care.
Measuring specific markers in the blood is the most common approach for monitoring transplant organ health, but it lacks sensitivity and specificity, often leading to false results.
Biopsies, the current ‘gold standard’ for detecting rejection, are invasive and time-consuming, with results taking several days. These limitations can have life-altering consequences for patients.
Northwestern's bioelectronic implant offers a simple and reliable alternative by monitoring The test has low sensitivity and specificity temperature changes.
As inflammation often accompanies rejection, abnormal temperature increases and variations are early indicators. The device detected rejection signs earlier than other methods and provided continuous, real-time monitoring, addressing the gaps left by less frequent blood tests.
Dr Joaquin Brieva, a Northwestern Medicine dermatologist and kidney transplant recipient, attested to the anxieties faced by organ recipients. He emphasised that a continuous monitoring device like this could help patients avoid unnecessary medications while offering peace of mind.
The implant itself is tiny, measuring only 0.3 centimetres wide, 0.7 centimetres long, and 220 microns thick, making it smaller than a fingernail and about the width of a single hair.
It is placed beneath the renal capsule, ensuring a secure fit and minimising organ damage risk.
The device contains a highly sensitive thermometer and measures blood flow, with temperature proving to be the better rejection indicator.
The researchers are now moving forward with testing the system in a larger animal model and exploring ways to recharge the coin cell battery, potentially extending its lifetime.
Although the primary studies were conducted with kidney transplants, the researchers believe the technology could also apply to other organ transplants, offering hope to those in need.
You can watch a video about the sensor by Northwestern University here
Photo caption: One sensor on a fingertip.
