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Wednesday, 15th October 2008 (1907 views)

A new device made from gold nanowires has the potential to improve treatments for patients with severe impairments.

Researchers from the University of Arkansas have created a 'neural probe' that has a significantly larger capacity for electrical charge than current applications.

This means it can be used in prosthetics, to stimulate tissues and nerves in the human body, with less damage and better sensitivity.

Hargsoon Yoon, research assistant professor in the insitiution's College of Engineering, remarked: "Our goal is to develop functional systems that can simultaneously stimulate nerves or muscle cells and record physiological changes in the human body."

Such treatments are used in eye implants, heart pacing and defibrillation, paralysis, restoration of urinary function, and brain stimulation for people with Tourette's syndrome or Parkinson's disease.

Gold is also used in cancer treatment research, relief for arthritis and several drug delivery research programmes.

 

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