An electronic device can detect warning signs of kidney transplant rejection up to three weeks earlier than current methods.
- American researchers have developed the first electronic device to continuously monitor the health of transplanted organs in real time.
- It thus makes it possible to identify the first signs of rejection up to 3 weeks earlier than current examinations.
- The flexible implant is 0.3 centimeters wide, 0.7 centimeters long and 220 microns thick.
In 2022, 3,376 kidney transplants were carried out, including 511 from living donors. Although transplantation saves many patients, some unfortunately result in rejection of the transplanted kidney.
To combat the complication, researchers from the University Northwestern have developed an electronic device that can continuously monitor the health of transplanted organs in real time.
Graft of a kidney: the implant is no bigger than a hair
This device, presented in the magazine Science September 7is only 0.3 centimeters wide, 0.7 centimeters long and 220 microns thick. It is thus smaller than a fingernail and the width of a hair.
Directly placed on the transplanted kidney, this sensor contains a highly sensitive thermometer capable of detecting extremely slight variations in the organ’s temperature, up to 0.004 degrees Celsius. The implant can thus detect temperature irregularities associated with inflammation and other bodily responses that occur in the event of graft rejection.
If it notices something worrying, the device alerts the patient or doctor by transmitting the data to a nearby smartphone or tablet.
THE signs of rejection detected up to 3 weeks earlier
The electronic implant has so far been tested on small transplanted animals. The results are promising. The device was able to spot warning signs of rejection up to three weeks earlier than current monitoring methods like blood testing or biopsy.
“This additional time could allow doctors to intervene sooner, improving patient outcomes and well-being, as well as the chances of preserving donated organs, which are increasingly valuable due to increasing demand in a context of organ shortage crisis”explains the research team in its communicated.
“If rejection is detected early, doctors can administer anti-rejection therapies to improve the patient’s health and prevent them from losing the donated organ”specifies John A. Rogers, expert in bioelectronics who led the development of the device.
Although the trials were conducted on kidney transplants, the scientists believe their implant could also work for other organ transplants, including liver and lungs.
An implant that could reassure transplant recipients
For researchers, the device could also improve the quality of life and well-being of transplant recipients. “I have noticed that many of my patients feel constant anxiety, not knowing whether or not their body will reject the transplanted organ“, confides Dr. Lorenzo Gallon, nephrologist specializing in transplantation at Northwestern Medicine. “They sometimes waited years for a transplant and finally received one from a loved one or a deceased donor. Then they spend the rest of their lives worrying about the health of that organ. Our new device could offer some protection, and continued monitoring could provide reassurance and peace of mind.”
The scientists plan to continue testing with larger animals and improve the device’s performance.