Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025
An Implantable System For Chronic In Vivo Electromyography
Published on: April 21, 2020
Soft implantable printed bioelectronic system for wireless continuous monitoring of restenosis
Bruno Rigo1, Allison Bateman2, Jimin Lee2
1IEN Center for Human-Centric Interfaces and Engineering at the Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel implantable vascular bioelectronic device with a miniaturized strain sensor for real-time monitoring of cardiovascular diseases like in-stent restenosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Materials Science
Background:
- Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases are leading global causes of death.
- In-stent restenosis, artery re-narrowing after angioplasty, is a frequent complication.
- Current restenosis detection relies on invasive procedures with infrequent monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an implantable bioelectronic device for wireless monitoring of cardiovascular conditions.
- To create a miniaturized, high-resolution capacitive strain sensor using microneedle printing.
- To integrate the sensor with a vascular stent for real-time, biocompatible monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a capillary-based printing system for high-resolution patterning of a soft capacitive strain sensor.
- Evaluated ink and printing parameters for a fully printed sensor.
- Studied sensor design and sensing mechanisms to enhance sensitivity and minimize size.
- Integrated the sensor with a wireless vascular stent for a battery-free system.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a fully printed, miniaturized capacitive strain sensor via microneedle printing.
- Developed a biocompatible, battery-free, wireless vascular sensing system integrated with a stent.
- Successfully demonstrated the system in an artery model for monitoring restenosis progression.
Conclusions:
- The implantable vascular bioelectronic system offers potential for wireless, real-time monitoring of cardiovascular diseases.
- The device enables continuous sensing integrated directly with vascular stents.
- This technology could improve patient management for conditions like in-stent restenosis.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis is a prominent cause of coronary artery disease and broader cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death worldwide. Angioplasty and stenting is a common treatment, but in-stent restenosis, where the artery re-narrows, is a frequent complication. Restenosis is detected through invasive procedures and is not currently monitored frequently for patients. Here, we report an implantable vascular bioelectronic device using a newly developed miniaturized strain sensor via microneedle printing methods. A capillary-based printing system achieves high-resolution patterning of a soft, capacitive strain sensor. Ink and printing parameters are evaluated to create a fully printed sensor, while sensor design and sensing mechanism are studied to enhance sensitivity and minimize sensor size. The sensor is integrated with a wireless vascular stent, offering a biocompatible, battery-free, wireless monitoring system compatible with conventional catheterization procedures. The vascular sensing system is demonstrated in an artery model for monitoring restenosis progression. Collectively, the artery implantable bioelectronic system shows the potential for wireless, real-time monitoring of various cardiovascular diseases and stent-integrated sensing/treatments.
