Crack-Enhanced MXene-Carbon Nanotube Soft Contact Lens for Body-Induced Intracranial Pressure Application

Continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) can guarantee stable vital signs and help avoid the risk of debilitating headaches, transient ocular blindness, and optic atrophy caused by elevated ICP, which are critical for patients or specific groups like astronauts and athletes. However, in situ ICP detection typically relies on neural pixels that require a surgical procedure, such as a craniotomy. Here, we report a continuous and nondestructive ICP detection approach via an in situ intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring system, which includes a pressure response unit using a microcracked MXene@carboxylated carbon nanotube (C-MWCNT) IOP sensor with Wheatstone bridge architecture, an electrical circuit, and a mobile platform to record and display the IOP value. Inspired by the ″lotus root″, the microcracked MXene@C-MWCNT IOP sensor capabilities include both high sensitivity of 33.21 mV/mmHg and a wide monitoring range of 60 mmHg, ensuring real-time IOP monitoring and early warning of elevated IOP or ICP levels. The real-time IOP and ICP data recorded by live rabbits wearing our devices or embedding a commercial implant probe show superior consistency across different body positions, demonstrating the feasibility of ICP monitoring using the eye-wearable IOP sensor system and its potential applications in cerebrovascular/ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment, as well as astronaut training.