Imagine this: You're an astronaut. After a long day of exploring a distant Earth-like planet, you're feeling ill. But instead of heading home to visit a doctor, a sensor implanted just under the skin of your thigh starts releasing cells that sense an imbalance in your system, and start working to correct it. The next day, you're feeling better — all because of a tiny device implanted before you left Earth.
That sensor isn't science fiction — it's reality at the NASA Space Biosciences Division. Researchers there have patented a carbon nanotube biocapsule that is capable of dispensing medication for years after its implanted under the skin.
While the primary use of the biocapsule is to protect astronauts' immune systems from bursts of radiation in space, the real-world uses could be almost too many to count. It's been suggested that these biocapsules could monitor diabetes patients' glucose levels, and automatically dispense medication to treat imbalances — all without the patient needing to act. Hemophiliacs, cancer patients, and even allergy sufferers could easily benefit as well.
The technology isn't ready for your doctor's office quite yet. NASA is still working out the kinks. Still, one day — and perhaps one day soon — we could all have our very own hospital lurking right beneath the surface of our skin.
[Image credit: Geoff Hutchison]
This NASA biocapsule will one day save your life
Carbon nanotubes could cure you before you know you're sick
Health and Fitness | Biotechnology | Space | Innovations | Science
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