Implantable, Degradable, Therapeutic Terahertz Metamaterial Devices

Metamaterial (MM) sensors and devices, usually consisting of artificially structured composite materials with engineered responses that are mainly determined by the unit structure rather than the bulk properties or composition, offer new functionalities not readily available in nature. A set of implantable and resorbable therapeutic MM devices at terahertz (THz) frequencies are designed and fabricated by patterning magnesium split ring resonators on drug-loaded silk protein substrates with controllable device degradation and drug release rates. To demonstrate proof-of-concept, a set of silk-based, antibiotics-loaded MM devices, which can serve as degradable antibacterial skin patches with capabilities to monitor drug-release in real time are fabricated. The extent of drug release, which correlates with the degradation of the MM skin patch, can be monitored by analyzing the resonant responses in reflection during degradation using a portable THz camera. Animal experiments are performed to demonstrate the in vivo degradation process and the efficacy of the devices for antibacterial treatment. Thus, the implantable and resorbable therapeutic MM devices do not need to be retrieved once implanted, providing an appealing alternative for in-vivo sensing and in situ treatment applications.