Symposium BI01: Democratizing AI in Materials Science—A Pathway to Broaden the Impact of Materials Research
2024 David Turnbull Lectureship

Symposium SB08: Smart and Living Materials for Advanced Engineering Systems

Romario Lobban, Vanderbilt University

Thermoresponsive Hydrogel Composite Devices for Cooling-Triggered Release of Therapeutics for Pain Relief

Written by Ethan To

Romario Lobban and colleagues at Vanderbilt University are developing an exciting new approach to pain relief that could replace addictive opioids and systemically harmful anesthetics/anti-inflammatory drugs with safer alternatives. They have created an implantable thermoresponsive hydrogel that can be triggered via cooling to release pain-relief drugs such as local anesthetics or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). By applying something as simple as an ice pack, Lobban demonstrates a ~40x increase in drug release rate from the polymer hydrogel, highlighting its potential as a non-invasive method of controlled drug delivery. Overall, this innovative strategy takes advantage of a familiar and non-invasive cooling process, offering localized pain relief without the need for complex equipment or systemic side effects. Initial tests in vitro show promising results, paving the way for future in vivo trials. This breakthrough could revolutionize pain management, providing an easy and effective alternative to opioids.

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