ETH Zurich researchers develop electronic implant to regulate blood sugar

Researchers at ETH Zurich, led by Martin Fussenegger, have developed an experimental electronic implant designed to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity without traditional drugs or insulin. The device, named ECHO (electrocatalytic closed-loop health optimization), uses an inorganic catalyst to convert excess glucose into gluconate, which can then be excreted through urine.

The implant is approximately 1 by 2 centimeters in size and is intended to be placed under the skin of the upper arm or thigh. It utilizes an electrocatalytic process involving a graphite felt catalyst decorated with gold nanoclusters and platinum particles. This system operates in a closed loop, receiving wireless power at 13.56 MHz and communicating via Bluetooth with devices like smartphones or smartwatches to coordinate with glucose sensors.

In preclinical tests on diabetic mice, the device successfully lowered blood sugar levels to normal ranges within one hour of activation. The system maintained stable glucose levels for six weeks without causing detectable tissue damage or adverse effects. While the results are promising for treating 'diabesity,' the technology remains in the preclinical stage, and its safety and efficacy in humans have not yet been determined.