They develop an implantable device to control the urge to urinate

US scientists have developed a small implantable device capable of preventing patients with bladder problems from using drugs or electronic stimulators

The study, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, describes the flexible device capable of detecting an activity. in the bladder and use biointegrated LED light to control the urge to urinate.

According to researchers at the University of Washington, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University, the apparatus was working on rats laboratory workers suffering from incontinence or who often feel the need to urinate and who could one day be used in humans

Previously, those who suffered from serious bladder problems were treated with stimulators that sent an electrical current to the nerve that controls the bladder. , but they can also interrupt the normal nerve signal to other ganos organs.

The researchers implanted a device similar to a flexible and elastic belt around the bladder. When the bladder fills up and empties, the belt expands and contracts.

They also inject proteins called opsins into the animal's bladder, which makes nerve cells in the bladder sensitive to bladder signals. external light

"When the bladder is too often emptied, the external device sends a signal that activates the micro-LEDs of the device of the bladder band, then the lights shine on the sensory neurons of the bladder", said Robert Gereau from the University of Washington, one of the studios. seasoned researchers

"This reduces the activity of sensory neurons and restores the normal functioning of the bladder," said Gereau.

According to the researchers, it is likely that devices intended for people will be implanted without surgical intervention, using catheters to place them through the urethra into the bladder.