Transdermal: Why it doesn't work, how we can make it work.
So, in implantable tech, one of the most troubling and restricting challenges is that transdermal implants are a big no-no. The problem with these implants is that they leave microscopic holes in the skin that can allow bacteria to enter. So, forgive me if someone's already working on this and is ahead of me, but how can we get these holes to close? My thinking is that it wouldn't be feasible or smart to have some kind of glue or sealant between the implant and the skin, but I think we could develop some artificial manner in which the skin cells bond to the sides of the implant. I'm no microbiologist, but I think it's possible. What I find appealing about this method is that it takes the human element out of it (or adds a cellular human element, depending on how you look at it). Instead of physically closing microscopic holes or filling them with some paste, the body does the work for you. Here's how I think this could be done:
- Figure out how skin cell production is regulated in the body, what chemical and electrical signals need to be sent out to tell the skin to grow.
- Develop a material that the skin can bond to that is not permeable, is tough enough to stand up to regular abuse, and possibly works symbiotically with the skin cells to keep their bond strong.
- Use the usual transdermal implant procedure (lift skin, poke hole a little to the side, push implant in, slide over, poke hole, pull implant through)
- Provide chemical, electrical, hormonal therapy to the skin cells to tell them soup's on and they need to grow onto the implant.
I'm not saying it's easy or that I've got it all figured out, but it seems like it can be done with some hard work. I don't think step 1 will be so hard, but 2 is a hell of a project. What do you think? Have I forgotten some consideration?
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Edit: What about the false teeth 'anchors' that are used in the mouth? They're transdermal - how have there not been massive complications with them? Unless the gums seal more readily around the post than skin would.
Regarding the lifespan of the rams, I suppose it's a little bit up to interpretation, but
"It has been successfully used in rams for 16 months without complications." sounds to me like they had complications at 17 months and
"...fistulated animals maintained functioning satisfactorily for about 10 months..."
sounds like the animals died or became dysfunctional at about 11 months. I don't see anything in the study that tells us if they intentionally did the experiment for 16 months or if that is just how long the animals lasted.
Regarding the "hernia", I was mistaken in thinking the swelling in figure 6 and 7 were complications, but that was actually the Rumen (sheep organ) being pulled out so it could be worked on before being reinserted.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Albert_experiment
A PICC line was mentioned above.. much much better. It's a catheter that snakes up through a major vein and sits near the S. Vena Cava (right side of the heart basically). Properly maintained they can remain in a person as long as a year. Maintenance really is daily though and for such long term use they are usually heparin locked rather than saline.
The GI access stuff discussed above is used in humans all the time. A Gastric tube passes right through the abdominal wall to the stomach. An actually tube like opening forms too. The inside of the stomach/duodenum etc.... isn't actually "inside" the body though. This is really more like a really big earing. The GI tract is a tube of "outside" running through the body.
The "transdermal" we are really discussing here thought is essentially something sitting subcutaneous. The issue isn't whether or not it's doable. I put in 12 micros for a NMS project. The issue is how long they last, how much care is required, and how delicate and limiting placement is. I've lost 3 damn micros and had to replace. Two were because of placement where my work scrubs rub and the other was from tackling Glims and having it rip right out. Now if these things were being used as an access point for an implanted device... I'd be very upset. So, we need to improve the design...
http://forum.biohack.me/discussion/867/transdermal-project#Item_5
Maybe some day we'll just have the cables get out of our nose: Exiting the body in the mouth, then going through the air canals to the nose. Nah, just kidding but some people have stretched piercings at their cheeks, for example. Wait... If we exit in the mouth and use healed cheek piercings holes to get out of the mouth?
Hope this helps you guys a bit with brainstorming and if you ever need a testing rabbit feel free to ask me. :)
//EDIT: This image is from Wikipedia, showing an anchor for braces - for
me this almost looks like a cable plug.
Hopfully ive help point some one the right way if not please can you explain how this wont work