ARTIFICIAL MUSCLES RELEASE MEDICINE FROM TINY IMPLANTS

Electron micrograph of an artificial muscle ring opening over a hole in a prototype "smart pill" implant developed at Ohio State University. Marc Madou, professor of materials science and engineering, and his colleagues designed the implant, which is about the size of a matchstick. The holes measure only a few micrometers across -- much smaller than the diameter of a human hair. According to the design, the muscles open and close to dispense medication contained in the pill when needed.

Electron micrograph of an artificial muscle ring closing over a hole in a prototype "smart pill" implant developed at Ohio State University. Marc Madou, professor of materials science and engineering, and his colleagues designed the implant, which is about the size of a matchstick. The holes measure only a few micrometers across -- much smaller than the diameter of a human hair. According to the design, the muscles open and close to dispense medication contained in the pill when needed.

Electron micrograph of an artificial muscle ring opening over a hole in a prototype "smart pill" implant developed at Ohio State University. This photo shows in detail the "backbone" of conducting plastic (right) that sends electronic signals to the artificial muscle (left), telling the muscle to open and close. The holes measure only a few micrometers across -- much smaller than the diameter of a human hair.

Fiber-optic camera photograph of an artificial muscle ring closing (left) and opening (right) over a hole in a prototype "smart pill" implant developed at Ohio State University.

Diagram of the "smart pill" implant developed at Ohio State University. Marc Madou, professor of materials science and engineering, and his colleagues designed the implant, which is about the size of a matchstick, to dispense medicine to the body. Artificial muscles open and close over the drug release holes labeled on the right.

---

Return to related research story.

Return to Research News website.