A National Taiwan University-led team has developed a biodegradable “smart” patch designed to sense pressure changes from blood accumulating around the spinal cord after surgery and release the clot-dissolving drug urokinase when activated by ultrasound. In laboratory tests, the patch generated about 8 volts under 80 pascals of pressure, released roughly six times more urokinase with ultrasound than without it, and degraded about 70% of a test clot. Those are laboratory measurements—not evidence that the device is safe or effective in patients.
What the spinal-surgery patch is
The device is an ultrathin, biodegradable nanofiber patch that combines two functions usually handled by separate systems:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Pressure sensing: polymer and glycine fibers have piezoelectric behavior. When pressure changes, they generate an electrical signal without a separate sensing battery or power source.
- Local treatment: the patch carries urokinase, an enzyme used experimentally to break down blood clots. External ultrasound is used to trigger drug release.
The intended use is monitoring for pressure associated with postoperative blood accumulation near the spinal cord and, if treatment is needed, delivering urokinase at the site rather than relying on a drug circulating throughout the body.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchHow the patch is intended to work
1. Pressure creates a signal
After placement, pressure on the piezoelectric nanofibers produces an electrical output. In the reported laboratory setup, approximately 80 pascals of applied pressure generated about 8 volts. Because the material produces this signal mechanically, the sensing element does not require an external power source to create the signal.
#1 Best Overall
- [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
- [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
- [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
- [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
- [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.
2. Ultrasound provides the treatment trigger
The sensing function does not automatically dissolve a clot. Ultrasound is the separate activation step. When ultrasound is applied, it increases the release of urokinase from the patch; the National Taiwan University report measured approximately six times more release with stimulation than without it.
3. Urokinase acts locally on the clot
Urokinase is the experimental payload in this design. In laboratory blood-clot experiments, the ultrasound-responsive patch produced approximately 70% clot degradation. That result describes a controlled experiment with a test clot, not recovery in a person and not proof that a postoperative spinal clot would respond in the same way.
Rank #2
- 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
- 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
- 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
- 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
- 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.
What the reported numbers actually show
| Measurement | Reported result | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Piezoelectric output | Approximately 8 volts at 80 pascals of applied pressure | Demonstrates pressure-to-signal behavior in the laboratory; it does not establish a clinically useful readout or diagnostic threshold. |
| Ultrasound-controlled release | Approximately sixfold more urokinase release with ultrasound than without stimulation | Shows that ultrasound changed drug release under test conditions; it does not define a safe dose for patients. |
| Clot degradation | Approximately 70% in laboratory blood-clot experiments | Indicates clot breakdown in vitro; it is not a patient outcome, success rate, or guarantee of spinal-cord protection. |
National Taiwan University reported these figures in 2026. The associated paper is Fu-Cheng Kao et al., “Ultrasound-responsive piezoelectric core-shell nanofiber patch for theranostic management of blood clot-related complications,” published in Nano Energy (2026), DOI 10.1016/j.nanoen.2026.112363.
What the study proved—and what it did not
Established by the reported work
- A biodegradable nanofiber platform can combine pressure-responsive electrical output with a drug reservoir.
- Ultrasound can increase urokinase release from the patch in laboratory testing.
- The released urokinase degraded a substantial portion of a laboratory clot under the reported experimental conditions.
Still unproven
- Whether the pressure signal can reliably identify clinically important blood accumulation in a human spine.
- Whether the patch remains in the right position, degrades predictably, or causes inflammation, infection, nerve injury, or other complications after implantation.
- Whether ultrasound can reach the patch and deliver an effective dose without harming nearby tissue.
- Whether urokinase treatment would improve neurological outcomes or avoid a repeat operation.
- Whether the device is safe, effective, or suitable for any particular patient, surgical technique, or postoperative time window.
The researchers therefore identify animal studies and clinical evaluations as necessary next steps. Until those studies are completed, the reported percentages and voltage should not be presented as clinical performance.
Rank #3
- [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
- [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
- [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
- [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
- [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by
How it compares with an earlier smart clot-treatment patch
The concept belongs to an emerging research area rather than an established medical-device category. A prior patch developed by researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina used thrombin-responsive release of heparin and was evaluated in an animal model. The two approaches illustrate different designs:
| Approach | Biological signal or trigger | Payload | Evidence stage | Human-use status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Taiwan University patch | Pressure sensing; ultrasound-controlled activation | Urokinase | Laboratory pressure, release, and clot experiments | No clinical clearance or routine patient use established |
| NC State/UNC patch | Thrombin-responsive release | Heparin | Animal-model research | Experimental; not an established patient product |
The comparison is about research strategies, not a head-to-head test. Neither study establishes a consumer-ready solution for managing postoperative spinal blood clots.
Rank #4
- Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
- Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
- All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
- Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
- Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.
Is the patch available to patients now?
No. The report describes a research prototype, not a product that hospitals can order or patients can buy. It has no established regulatory clearance, clinical indication, approved dosing protocol, or routine surgical workflow. There is also no patient-ready retail equivalent supported by the reported evidence, including an honest consumer substitute sold through general marketplaces.
Any future availability would depend on successful animal testing, carefully designed human trials, manufacturing and sterilization validation, and review by the relevant medical-device and drug regulators. The patch combines an implantable material, a thrombolytic drug, and an external ultrasound procedure, so each component—and their interaction—would need to be evaluated.
Why the idea matters if it reaches clinical testing
Postoperative monitoring and treatment are currently separate clinical decisions. A biodegradable patch that senses a pressure change and can be activated to release a clot-dissolving drug could, in principle, provide localized information and treatment without immediately requiring another invasive procedure. That potential is the reason the team is pursuing a “theranostic” platform—one that combines diagnosis-related sensing with therapy.
Co-corresponding author Lin, a distinguished professor and chair of National Taiwan University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, said the goal is to combine self-powered sensing with ultrasound-controlled drug delivery so future devices can detect complications and support localized treatment. The statement describes the intended direction of the research, not a demonstrated clinical benefit.
Quick Recap
What patients and surgeons should take from the announcement
- Treat the patch as an experimental biomedical technology, not a current postoperative option.
- Read the 8-volt, sixfold-release, and 70% degradation figures as laboratory endpoints with specific test conditions.
- Do not delay urgent medical assessment after spinal surgery because of claims about a future patch; new weakness, numbness, severe pain, or other postoperative concerns require the surgical team’s advice.
- Look for results from animal and human studies before judging safety, effectiveness, or availability.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
