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Flexible and Scalable Dry Conductive Elastomeric Nanocomposites for Surface Stimulation Applications
IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering
|June 23, 2023
Summary
A new flexible electrode, Flexatrode, made from carbon black and PDMS, offers stable electrical and thermal properties for long-term wearable bioelectronics. This dry electrode technology significantly improved chronic wound healing compared to inactive devices and standard care.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Traditional gel-based electrodes for wearable bioelectronics face limitations like skin irritation, dehydration, and signal degradation.
- There is a growing need for advanced electrode materials that ensure sustained monitoring and treatment.
- Dry surface stimulation electrodes offer a promising alternative to overcome the drawbacks of hydrogel electrodes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and test a novel, low-cost, flexible, and scalable dry surface stimulation electrode, termed Flexatrode.
- To evaluate the mechanical, electrical, and thermal stability of the Flexatrode for long-term applications.
- To assess the efficacy of Flexatrode in a chronic wound healing model.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a flexible nanocomposite electrode using carbon black (CB) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).
- Optimization of CB dispersion in PDMS to achieve uniform distribution and enhanced properties.
- Long-term testing of mechanical and functional stability (up to 7 days), including electromechanical and thermal assessments.
- Evaluation of chronic wound healing in vivo using the Flexatrode for electrotherapy.
Main Results:
- The optimal concentration of CB in PDMS was determined to be 25 wt.%.
- Flexatrode demonstrated stable electromechanical and thermal properties in the through-thickness direction over a week.
- Electrotherapy using Flexatrode resulted in an 81.9% reduction in chronic wound size by day 10, significantly outperforming inactive devices and standard care.
Conclusions:
- Flexatrode offers a promising platform technology for wearable bioelectronics due to its stable electrical properties, high flexibility, and elasticity.
- The dry nature of Flexatrode mitigates issues associated with gel-based electrodes, enabling reliable long-term use.
- The demonstrated efficacy in promoting chronic wound healing highlights the therapeutic potential of this novel electrode technology.
