MIT researchers develop swallowable paper battery for medical devices

bioresorbable battery ingestible medical devices paper-based battery bioelectronic medicine magnesium anode

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a bioresorbable, paper-based battery designed to power ingestible medical devices before safely dissolving in the body. Published in Nature Chemical Engineering, the study details a battery using a magnesium alloy anode and a molybdenum trioxide cathode, supported by a biodegradable ionic electrolyte and protected by natural waxes like beeswax to delay degradation in gastric acid.

In preclinical studies involving pigs, the battery demonstrated the ability to provide a peak voltage of 1.84 volts and function for up to three days. It successfully powered a wireless RFID tag and a capsule used for electrical stomach stimulation to treat gastrointestinal motility issues.

This technology aims to eliminate the need for surgical retrieval of power sources, reducing the risks of tissue damage and device retention associated with conventional batteries. While promising for temporary health monitoring and drug delivery, researchers noted that further studies are required to assess long-term safety in humans and to develop fully biodegradable circuitry.

Entities

Giovanni Traverso · MIT · Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Nature Chemical Engineering

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] A team led by MIT has developed a bioabsorbable paper battery for ingestible electronic devices. www.informacion.es · www.lne.es
[● 2 SOURCES] In one configuration, the battery can provide a capacity of 3.5 mAh. www.informacion.es · www.lne.es
[● 2 SOURCES] The battery was tested in pigs to power an RFID tag inside the gastrointestinal tract. www.informacion.es · www.lne.es
[● 2 SOURCES] The battery reaches an open circuit voltage of up to 1.84 volts. www.informacion.es · www.lne.es
[● 2 SOURCES] The study regarding the bioabsorbable battery was published in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering. www.informacion.es · www.lne.es
[● 2 SOURCES] The battery uses a magnesium alloy anode and a molybdenum trioxide cathode on a paper support. www.informacion.es · www.lne.es