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Tringides CM, Mooney DJ. Materials for Implantable Surface Electrode Arrays: Current Status and Future Directions. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2107207. [PMID: 34716730 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202107207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Surface electrode arrays are mainly fabricated from rigid or elastic materials, and precisely manipulated ductile metal films, which offer limited stretchability. However, the living tissues to which they are applied are nonlinear viscoelastic materials, which can undergo significant mechanical deformation in dynamic biological environments. Further, the same arrays and compositions are often repurposed for vastly different tissues rather than optimizing the materials and mechanical properties of the implant for the target application. By first characterizing the desired biological environment, and then designing a technology for a particular organ, surface electrode arrays may be more conformable, and offer better interfaces to tissues while causing less damage. Here, the various materials used in each component of a surface electrode array are first reviewed, and then electrically active implants in three specific biological systems, the nervous system, the muscular system, and skin, are described. Finally, the fabrication of next-generation surface arrays that overcome current limitations is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M Tringides
- Harvard Program in Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division in Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - David J Mooney
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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Digital Health Technologies in Pediatric Trials. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2022; 56:929-933. [PMID: 35344202 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-021-00374-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in the miniaturization of sensors and other technologies provide opportunities to collect physiological and/or functional data directly from patients participating in clinical trials. The use of such technologies in children is particularly promising. Objective, quantifiable measurements made by these technologies, often on a continuous or frequent basis, may provide more robust data than the episodic reports from caregivers that are used in traditional pediatric trials. METHODS We reviewed the pros and cons of these technologies for use in a variety of pediatric diseases, including seizure and neuromuscular disorders, cardiorespiratory diseases, and metabolic disorders. RESULTS Correlation between sensor measurements and patient observations or traditional clinical measurements varied depending on the disease being evaluated. There was a notable dearth of reports on the use of digital health technology in pediatric patients. Given the range of sensors and measurements that can be made by DHTs, selection of the design, metrics and types of sensors best suited to disease evaluation presents challenges for adoption of these technologies in clinical trials. CONCLUSION Traditional measurements of drug effects are often deficient, particularly in the evaluation of infants and young children. The opportunity to make objective, frequent measurements may increase our power to detect and quantify responses to therapy in these populations. Further research and evaluation are needed to realize the full scientific potential of remote monitoring in pediatric clinical trials.
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Liu Y, Feig VR, Bao Z. Conjugated Polymer for Implantable Electronics toward Clinical Application. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001916. [PMID: 33899347 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Owing to their excellent mechanical flexibility, mixed-conducting electrical property, and extraordinary chemical turnability, conjugated polymers have been demonstrated to be an ideal bioelectronic interface to deliver therapeutic effect in many different chronic diseases. This review article summarizes the latest advances in implantable electronics using conjugated polymers as electroactive materials and identifies remaining challenges and opportunities for developing electronic medicine. Examples of conjugated polymer-based bioelectronic devices are selectively reviewed in human clinical studies or animal studies with the potential for clinical adoption. The unique properties of conjugated polymers are highlighted and exemplified as potential solutions to address the specific challenges in electronic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Liu
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering Agency for Science, Technology and Research Singapore 138634 Singapore
| | - Vivian Rachel Feig
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston MA 02115 USA
| | - Zhenan Bao
- Department of Chemical Engineering Stanford University Stanford CA 94305 USA
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How is flexible electronics advancing neuroscience research? Biomaterials 2020; 268:120559. [PMID: 33310538 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Innovative neurotechnology must be leveraged to experimentally answer the multitude of pressing questions in modern neuroscience. Driven by the desire to address the existing neuroscience problems with newly engineered tools, we discuss in this review the benefits of flexible electronics for neuroscience studies. We first introduce the concept and define the properties of flexible and stretchable electronics. We then categorize the four dimensions where flexible electronics meets the demands of modern neuroscience: chronic stability, interfacing multiple structures, multi-modal compatibility, and neuron-type-specific recording. Specifically, with the bending stiffness now approaching that of neural tissue, implanted flexible electronic devices produce little shear motion, minimizing chronic immune responses and enabling recording and stimulation for months, and even years. The unique mechanical properties of flexible electronics also allow for intimate conformation to the brain, the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the retina. Moreover, flexible electronics enables optogenetic stimulation, microfluidic drug delivery, and neural activity imaging during electrical stimulation and recording. Finally, flexible electronics can enable neuron-type identification through analysis of high-fidelity recorded action potentials facilitated by its seamless integration with the neural circuitry. We argue that flexible electronics will play an increasingly important role in neuroscience studies and neurological therapies via the fabrication of neuromorphic devices on flexible substrates and the development of enhanced methods of neuronal interpenetration.
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Liu Y, Li J, Song S, Kang J, Tsao Y, Chen S, Mottini V, McConnell K, Xu W, Zheng YQ, Tok JBH, George PM, Bao Z. Morphing electronics enable neuromodulation in growing tissue. Nat Biotechnol 2020. [PMID: 32313193 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-41020-40495-41582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectronics for modulating the nervous system have shown promise in treating neurological diseases1-3. However, their fixed dimensions cannot accommodate rapid tissue growth4,5 and may impair development6. For infants, children and adolescents, once implanted devices are outgrown, additional surgeries are often needed for device replacement, leading to repeated interventions and complications6-8. Here, we address this limitation with morphing electronics, which adapt to in vivo nerve tissue growth with minimal mechanical constraint. We design and fabricate multilayered morphing electronics, consisting of viscoplastic electrodes and a strain sensor that eliminate the stress at the interface between the electronics and growing tissue. The ability of morphing electronics to self-heal during implantation surgery allows a reconfigurable and seamless neural interface. During the fastest growth period in rats, morphing electronics caused minimal damage to the rat nerve, which grows 2.4-fold in diameter, and allowed chronic electrical stimulation and monitoring for 2 months without disruption of functional behavior. Morphing electronics offers a path toward growth-adaptive pediatric electronic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jinxing Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shang Song
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jiheong Kang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuchi Tsao
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shucheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vittorio Mottini
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kelly McConnell
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Wenhui Xu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yu-Qing Zheng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey B-H Tok
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Paul M George
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Stroke Center and Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Zhenan Bao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Morphing electronics enable neuromodulation in growing tissue. Nat Biotechnol 2020; 38:1031-1036. [PMID: 32313193 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0495-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectronics for modulating the nervous system have shown promise in treating neurological diseases1-3. However, their fixed dimensions cannot accommodate rapid tissue growth4,5 and may impair development6. For infants, children and adolescents, once implanted devices are outgrown, additional surgeries are often needed for device replacement, leading to repeated interventions and complications6-8. Here, we address this limitation with morphing electronics, which adapt to in vivo nerve tissue growth with minimal mechanical constraint. We design and fabricate multilayered morphing electronics, consisting of viscoplastic electrodes and a strain sensor that eliminate the stress at the interface between the electronics and growing tissue. The ability of morphing electronics to self-heal during implantation surgery allows a reconfigurable and seamless neural interface. During the fastest growth period in rats, morphing electronics caused minimal damage to the rat nerve, which grows 2.4-fold in diameter, and allowed chronic electrical stimulation and monitoring for 2 months without disruption of functional behavior. Morphing electronics offers a path toward growth-adaptive pediatric electronic medicine.
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