An Anisotropic and Stable-Conductance Patch for Mechanical-Electrical Coupling With Infarcted Myocardium

Polymeric conductive patches have conventionally been employed to facilitate the repair of infarcted myocardium by enhancing myocardial electrical conduction and providing mechanical support. However, it remains a challenge to restore the electrical conduction and diastolic-systolic functions with stable and anisotropic mechanical and electrical cues in the dynamic physiological environment. Herein, inspired by the hierarchical myocardial fiber microscopic striated structure, we established a weaving-based processing method to compound a striated polypyrrole conductive coating on the surface of highly oriented elastic fiber bundles. This unique design endows the patch with exceptional stretchability (elongation at break > 400%), stable conductance (ΔR/R ₀ = 0.04 within 20% strain), and excellent fatigue resistance (ΔR/R ₀ = 0.01 after 1,000,000 cycles). In addition, the precision process grounded on woven molding accomplished the tunable mechanical and electrical properties of the patch, which facilitates the achievement of long-term, stable, and anisotropic mechanical-electrical coupling with the infarcted myocardium. The rat MI model experiments demonstrated that this anisotropic conductive patch can not only improve cardiac function and electrical activity over an extended period, but also effectively inhibit myocardial inflammation and fibrosis and promote angiogenesis. This study proposes a promising MI-treatment patch and highlights the potential of woven technology in processing biomaterials composed of both rigid and elastic materials.