Researchers at collaborating universities in Illinois developed miniature biological robots with remote control capabilities. The hybrid “eBiobots” combine soft materials, living muscle and microelectronics. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University and collaborating institutions developed them. In a post on the University of Illinois website, they described them as centimeter-scale biological machines. They…

As scrutiny of microplastics mounts for their health and environmental impacts, a team of researchers are looking into silk protein as a naturally biodegradable alternative. Silk protein fiber can be used as a nontoxic, delayed-release coating that’s safe for medical use instead of microplastics. That’s according to findings recently published in the journal Small by…

Harvard University researchers used focused rotary jet spinning (FRJS) technology to fabricate polymer fibers that mimic the helical structure of heart muscles. They created ventricle structures with the method and then seeded them with rat cardiomyocyte or human stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte cells, according to a news release from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering…

Aquadex, from Nuwellis, removes excess fluid in adults and children suffering from fluid overload, a common condition that can be caused by heart or kidney failure, or IV fluids given for various reasons. The technology filters the patient’s blood, removing excess plasma water to maintain stable blood flow in the heart and vessels. Providers can…

To support active research and surveillance of viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched two new reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)-based solutions. While PCR remains the gold standard for diagnostic, lab-based testing, isothermal RT-LAMP nucleic-acid-based amplification provides a rapid and low-cost option for viral pathogen detection. “In the global fight against COVID-19…

Medical device and technology company Lazurite Holdings announced a new phase of collaboration with University Hospitals (UH) Ventures, the innovation and commercialization arm of University Hospitals Health System in Cleveland, which will include an investment from UH Ventures. The amount and details of the investment were not specified. This past August, Lazurite announced its collaboration…

Nalu Medical’s The Nalu mIPG, system is a miniaturized implantable pulse generator (mIPG) for treating chronic pain. The implant is 9 to 27x smaller than the commercially available implantable pulse generators (IPGs) yet delivers treatment outputs similar to larger IPGs but with additional capabilities around advanced waveforms, programming and upgradability. The Nalu mIPG offers the…

Vicarious Surgical, a next-generation robotics technology company seeking to improve both cost and efficiency of surgical procedures as well as patient outcomes, has announced that the shareholders of D8 Holdings have approved the previously announced business combination at the shareholder meeting held this week. The business combination is expected to provide approximately $220 million in…

By Tim Studt, Contributing Editor For 62 years, R&D World and its predecessors have published an annual R&D funding forecast. These reports predict the combined dollar amount of R&D investments expected by industry, government and academia for the upcoming calendar year. Over those years, the publications these reports have appeared in have changed their ownership…