Scientists develop "smart sutures" that use electricity to speed up healing -- no battery required

[Judi Lynn]

Electrical stitches powered by the patient's own movements could significantly improve wound recovery post surgery.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu October 8, 2024
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Edited and reviewed by Zoe Gordon

When you think of sutures, you probably imagine the simple thread used to close wounds. But a team of researchers has taken this ancient medical tool into the future. They’ve designed an electricity-based suture that not only seals wounds but also generates electrical stimulation as it biodegrades, promoting faster healing.

How does it work?
The suture, known as the BioES-suture, is made from a biodegradable polymer combined with a magnesium core. As it stretches and contracts with muscle movement, it generates a small electric field. There is no external power source. This electric field mimics the body’s own internal electrical systems, helping cells to proliferate and wounds to close more quickly.

When skin or muscle tissue is injured, cells begin to migrate toward the wound, drawn by subtle electric fields created by ions flowing through the damaged area. These fields direct key processes, like the movement of cells that form new tissue, the creation of blood vessels, and the signaling of growth factors, which help regenerate healthy tissue. One 2023 study found that electrical stimulation could heal wounds up to three times faster.

The idea of using electricity to speed up wound healing is not new. Electrical stimulation has been previously shown to promote tissue repair, stimulate growth factors, and even reduce the risk of infection. Until now, however, most devices that harness this process were bulky or required an external power source like a battery.

More:
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/scientists-develop-smart-sutures-that-use-electricity-to-speed-up-healing-no-battery-required/