Researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, have developed a tiny, injectable medical device that introduces a new approach to treating chronic pain and movement disorders by controlling nerve activity without the need for surgery, batteries or wires, offering a simpler and less invasive way to treat neurological conditions.

To utilize flexible bioelectronic systems for wound healing, researchers designed the MSWZ. The MSWZ is made up of a mechanical metamaterial in a lattice structure that shrinks and responds like human skin, a reliable conductive layer, and a breathable, flexible encapsulation material.

For patients suffering from traumatic injuries that leave behind “volumetric” gaps—where significant bone and blood vessels are lost—the clock is always ticking. Without a nearby blood supply, cells in the center of a large injury cannot survive, often leading to permanent tissue loss or failed grafts.