Introduction to Innovative Bioelectronics: Revolutionizing Psoriasis Treatment
Chronic skin conditions like psoriasis have long plagued sufferers, including Simiao Niu, an engineer and researcher. Through his personal and professional journey, Niu has contributed to a groundbreaking development in treating psoriasis: a living bioelectronic device. This innovation promises to provide continuous feedback and effective treatment for various skin ailments.
Personal struggles inspire innovation.
Simiao Niu’s battle with psoriasis began in his childhood. The prescribed ointments sometimes alleviated his symptoms, but the uncertainty of proper usage and treatment efficacy persisted. These personal challenges fueled his desire to find a better solution.
Bridging technology and medicine
As an engineer at Apple Inc., Niu worked on the electronics for Apple watches, which monitor heart rhythms. This experience sparked an idea: could we create a similar wearable device to treat skin conditions like psoriasis? This question led to his collaboration with leading scientists and his role as an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Rutgers-New Brunswick.
The Living Bioelectronic Prototype
Niu, alongside collaborators from the University of Chicago and Columbia University, developed a unique prototype—a living bioelectronic patch designed to treat psoriasis. Published in Science magazine, this patch combines advanced electronics, living cells, and hydrogel, showing promising results in mouse experiments.
A Multifunctional Treatment Platform
This innovative patch not only targets psoriasis but also serves as a potential platform for treating other medical conditions, including wounds and certain skin cancers. Niu’s team sought to create a device that merges sensing and treatment capabilities for managing skin inflammation diseases.
Composition and Functionality
The circular patch, about 1 inch in diameter and wafer-thin, contains electronic chips, bacterial cells, and a starch-gelatin gel. Tests in mice demonstrated that this device could continuously monitor and alleviate psoriasis-like symptoms without causing skin irritation.
Advancing Beyond Conventional Bioelectronics
Unlike traditional bioelectronics, which typically encase electronic components in a synthetic layer to minimize irritation, Niu’s invention incorporates living cells. Within its gel casing, the patch contains S. epidermidis, a bacteria known for reducing inflammation. A flexible printed circuit forms the device’s backbone, allowing it to conform to the skin’s surface.
Real-time monitoring and healing
When applied to the skin, the bacteria within the patch secrete anti-inflammatory compounds. Simultaneously, sensors within the flexible circuits track indicators of healing, such as skin impedance, temperature, and humidity. Patients can monitor their healing process in real time by wirelessly transmitting this data to a computer or smartphone.
Inspiration and Future Direction
Customers who positively impacted their lives received numerous thank-you notes for Niu’s previous work at Apple, particularly for the heart rate monitoring features of the Apple Watch. These experiences inspired Niu to pursue research that could similarly benefit those with chronic skin conditions.
Path to Commercialization
The next step for Niu and his team is to conduct clinical trials to test the device on human patients. Positive results with minimal side effects would pave the way for FDA approval and commercialization. Once approved, this living bioelectronic patch could revolutionize the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions.
Conclusion
The development of this living bioelectronic device represents a significant advancement in medical technology. By integrating advanced electronics with living cells, Niu and his team have created a promising new treatment platform. As clinical trials progress, this innovation holds the potential to improve the quality of life for many individuals suffering from chronic skin conditions.
