Microrobot system regenerates knee cartilage in rabbits
Researchers from multiple institutions in China, as well as one in Korea, have developed a microrobot system to regenerate knee cartilage in rabbits. The group described their system in a paper published by Science Advances.
The population of many developed countries is aging, and this means that aging-related diseases are on the increase. Degeneration of cartilage is a common problem among older people. A common treatment for this is to replace the knee or hip joints with artificial devices. Researchers have discovered a new way to deal with the problem: regrowing cartilage.
Researchers have shown in the past that stem cells from bone marrow or fat can be induced to grow into cartilage. Researchers have found that stem cell therapy can also be used to repair cartilage damage. The challenge is to place the stem cells where they are required and keep them there until they attach themselves to the surrounding tissues. Researchers have developed a new system to overcome these obstacles, at least in rabbits.
Source:
https://techxplore.com/news/2020-01-microrobot-regenerates-knee-cartilage-rabbits.html
