Researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed a flexible, wireless implantable device that could make future bladder cancer treatment more precise and less invasive.
The technology uses tiny wirelessly powered micro-LEDs to deliver light directly to tumours, improving the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy. This treatment uses light-sensitive drugs to destroy cancer cells.
Current photodynamic therapies often require invasive procedures and bulky external equipment because human tissue absorbs light, making it difficult to reach deeper tumours in the body. The new implantable platform aims to overcome that challenge while potentially making treatment more comfortable and scalable in the future.
The study, published in Opto-Electronic Advances, also highlights how flexible bioelectronics and wireless power delivery could support next-generation cancer therapies. ‘A Flexible Wireless System for Prospective Photodynamic Therapy Applications’,