Abu Dhabi: Researchers are developing a new device to treat chronic pain and movement disorders

ABU DHABI, June 13 / WAM / A team of researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, has developed a small injectable medical device that offers a new approach to treating chronic pain and movement disorders by precisely controlling nerve activity without the need for surgery, batteries or wires, providing a simpler and less invasive method of treating neurological conditions.

Thanks to its small size, which is the size of a “small seed,” the device can be injected into the body with a regular needle near the targeted nerve, where it emits electrical signals according to the desired specifications that affect the nerve’s activity.

The electrical signals sent by the device are controlled wirelessly from outside the body, allowing doctors or patients to control its activity in times of need.

This research, which was published in the international journal Science Advances, offers an alternative that combines precision in targeting the desired nerve with minimal surgical intervention.

The new technology comes to enhance the treatment options available for neurological conditions, which may include implanting medical devices or using medications according to the condition and the patient’s needs.

“This work represents a shift in how we treat nerve-related conditions,” said Khalil Ramadi, assistant professor of bioengineering at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Tandon College, and lead author. “With this injectable device, we are making treatments simpler, safer and more accessible, while maintaining precise control over nerve activity.”

Dr. Sawsan Abdel Razek, CEO of the Academic Office at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said: “This collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi reflects our commitment to promoting innovative research that is directly relevant to clinical practice, and that translates into tangible improvements in patient care. By uniting multidisciplinary expertise, this work highlights the role of academic partnerships in accelerating the development of safer, less invasive treatments, and expanding access to advanced treatments for patients.”

For his part, Mohammed Al Sharif, first author of the study and a research fellow at New York University Abu Dhabi, said: “This technology has the potential to bridge the gap between surgical techniques and non-surgical techniques, and it opens the door to effective and easy-to-apply treatments, which can significantly improve patient care.”

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