Infographic: Tissue Implant Gets Muscles Moving, Prevents Atrophy

An experimental device called MAGENTA (mechanically active gel-elastomer-nitinol tissue adhesive) contains a super-sticky adhesive layer that attaches it directly onto muscle tissue. A spring made of the shape-memory alloy nitinol shortens when it is heated by an electric current, pulling on the attached muscle and forcing it to contract. When the current stops, the spring returns to its original shape and the tissue relaxes. The device reduced muscle wasting in mice with a leg immobilized in a cast for two weeks.

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