Development of a Flexible Sensor-Integrated Tissue Patch to Monitor Early Organ Rejection Processes Using Impedance...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Device Technology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Heart failure is a leading cause of mortality, with transplantation often the only treatment.
• Organ rejection is a major post-transplant complication, traditionally monitored via invasive endomyocardial biopsies (EMB).
• EMB procedures carry risks and patient burden, necessitating less invasive monitoring methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, non-invasive biosensor for continuous monitoring of heart transplant rejection.
• To develop a flexible, sensor-integrated patch utilizing electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
• To provide an alternative to EMB, reducing procedural risks and patient discomfort.

Main Methods:

• Developed a rapid prototyping approach for a sensor-integrated flexible patch.
• Employed electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with titanium-dioxide-coated electrodes for contactless sensing.
• Incorporated design features like electrode passivation and 3D microelectrode protrusions for cardiac curvature adaptation.
• Validated sensor performance using SPICE simulations, SEM, cyclic voltammetry, and chicken heart tissue models.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the potential of EIS to detect resistive and capacitive changes indicative of tissue rejection.
• The biosensor design facilitates effective monitoring by conforming to cardiac curvature and responding to contractions.
• Experimental validation showed promise in simulating healthy and rejected cardiac tissue states.
• Simulations and experimental data support the sensor's efficacy in detecting rejection markers.

Conclusions:

• Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) offers a viable non-invasive method for monitoring heart transplant rejection.
• This flexible biosensor patch has the potential to significantly reduce the need for invasive endomyocardial biopsies.
• The technology promises earlier detection and continuous monitoring of organ rejection, enhancing patient care and healthcare efficiency.