AI Summary
- Researchers have created an electronic device to monitor transplanted organs in real time. - The device is placed on the transplanted kidney and can detect temperature irregularities associated with rejection. - It sends data wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet, alerting the patient or physician. - In a rat study, it detected rejection three times earlier than blood biomarkers and biopsies.
Researchers have developed the first electronic device for continuously monitoring the health of transplanted organs in real time. Sitting directly on a transplanted kidney, the ultrathin, soft implant can detect temperature irregularities associated with inflammation and other body responses that arise with transplant rejection. Then, it alerts the patient or physician by wirelessly streaming data to a nearby smartphone or tablet. In a rat study, it detected rejection up to three times earlier than blood biomarkers and biopsies.