Biodegradable smart patch can detect and treat blood clots

An international research team, led by Professor Zong-Hong Lin from National Taiwan University, has developed a biodegradable smart patch that detects pressure changes and releases blood clot-dissolving medication when activated by ultrasound. Described in the journal Nano Energy, the technology offers a promising approach to detecting pressure changes and delivering treatment directly to affected areas.

Blood clots that develop after spinal surgery can lead to serious complications. When blood accumulates around the spinal cord, it may increase pressure on surrounding nerves, potentially causing severe pain, muscle weakness, or even paralysis. Early detection and timely treatment are therefore essential; however, continuously monitoring for complications remains challenging, and conventional treatments may require additional surgery.

To address this issue, researchers created an innovative patch that combines pressure monitoring with ultrasound-triggered drug delivery. The patch is made from extremely thin fibres composed of a biodegradable polymer and glycine, a naturally occurring amino acid. These fibres exhibit a property called piezoelectricity, allowing them to generate electrical signals when subjected to mechanical pressure. By monitoring these signals, the patch can detect changes in pressure without requiring an external power source for sensing.

In laboratory experiments, the patch demonstrated very good pressure sensitivity, producing electrical signals of approximately 8 V under an applied pressure of 80 pascals. This capability highlights its potential for monitoring pressure changes associated with blood clot formation.

Beyond monitoring, the researchers incorporated urokinase — a medication that helps dissolve blood clots — into the inner structure of the fibres. When ultrasound is applied from outside the body, the fibres respond by releasing the medication in a controlled manner. This approach could potentially allow treatment to be delivered when needed while reducing unnecessary drug release.

Under ultrasound stimulation, the patch released approximately six times more urokinase than under unstimulated conditions. In laboratory blood clot experiments, the system achieved approximately 70% clot degradation. And while further animal studies and clinical evaluations are necessary, the work clearly represents an important step towards developing smart medical materials capable of both monitoring and controlled drug delivery in a single biodegradable device.

“Our goal is to develop intelligent biomaterials that can do more than simply monitor physiological conditions,” said co-corresponding author Zong-Hong Lin, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at National Taiwan University.

“By combining self-powered sensing with ultrasound-controlled drug delivery, we hope to create a new generation of medical devices that can detect potential complications and support timely, localised treatment. This technology could eventually help improve patient safety and reduce the need for additional invasive procedures.”

Image credit: iStock.com/anusorn nakdee