After a decade of dedicated research, Moroccan physicist Ahmed Hamraoui has achieved a major breakthrough in the treatment of nerve damage. He has developed an electroactive implant designed to guide the regrowth of nerve fibers using a localized electric field, opening new possibilities in regenerative medicine.
The device is built around an insulating tube filled with a biocompatible gel and wrapped in electrodes. This setup creates a stimulating electric field without making direct contact with the nerve tissue itself. This innovation addresses the long-standing limitations of traditional nerve repair techniques, which often fall short when it comes to bridging large gaps in nerve tissue.
Today, repairing a severed nerve with a gap larger than three centimeters remains a complex and often ineffective process. Harvesting a healthy nerve for grafting is highly invasive, while synthetic tubes, which typically lack specialized functionality, have shown limited success in clinical settings.
Hamraoui’s implant offers a dynamic alternative. It not only promotes nerve growth but also directs it, eliminating the need for drugs or intricate chemical interventions. Crafted from biodegradable materials, the implant seamlessly integrates into the body while maintaining high therapeutic efficiency.
The inspiration for this device traces back to 2010, during Hamraoui’s doctoral research, which explored how the physical environment influences neuron development. Early experiments demonstrated that purely physical changes in the extracellular matrix could trigger axon regeneration without chemical stimulation, laying the foundation for this cutting-edge technology.
This innovation primarily targets the repair of peripheral nerves, particularly in cases of severe trauma or complex surgeries. Damage to these nerves can result in debilitating loss of mobility, sensation, and sometimes lead to chronic pain.
Initial tests on mice have shown that the implant is well tolerated and significantly enhances the speed and directionality of nerve regrowth. To move toward clinical use, Hamraoui is working closely with neurosurgical teams and research centers. Talks are also underway with potential investors to support the transition from lab to human application.
The project is backed by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the technology transfer company SATT Lutech, and the National Research Agency (ANR). This achievement reflects a broad collaborative effort, bringing together physicists, biologists, neurophysiologists, and engineers within a multidisciplinary laboratory setting.
