Multimodal Biomedical Implant with Plasmonic and Simulated Body Temperature Responses

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Abdominal hernia repair often utilizes polypropylene meshes.
• Monitoring mesh temperature is crucial for detecting complications like infection or inflammation.
• Current monitoring methods are often invasive or lack precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel nanoparticle-based thermosensor implant for real-time temperature monitoring of surgical meshes.
• To integrate plasmon resonance and Raman spectroscopy with a hydrogel responsive system for multimodal sensing.
• To assess the biocompatibility and efficacy of the functionalized mesh for hernia repair applications.

Main Methods:

• Functionalization of polypropylene mesh with biocompatible gold nanoparticles coated in chitosan and loaded with Raman reporter molecules.
• Integration of a thermoresponsive hydrogel (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-poly(acrylamide)) to enhance signal sensitivity.
• Utilizing Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) for temperature and positional tracing.
• In vitro studies using fibroblast cells to evaluate biocompatibility.

Main Results:

• The nanoparticle-functionalized mesh demonstrated precise temperature tracking of polymer filament contractions and expansions.
• The SERS signal was potentiated by the hydrogel layer, which contracts above its Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST).
• In vitro studies confirmed the mesh's biocompatibility, with no toxic substance leaching.
• The device successfully combined plasmon resonance and Raman spectroscopy for multimodal sensing.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanoparticle-based thermosensor implant offers a novel approach for semi-invasive diagnosis and infection prevention in hernia repair.
• The SERS-based mesh sensor opens new diagnostic possibilities and enhances patient safety.
• This technology has potential for functionalizing other healthcare products requiring temperature monitoring.