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Insertion of Flexible Neural Probes Using Rigid Stiffeners Attached with Biodissolvable Adhesive
Published on: September 27, 2013
Soft biodegradable implants for long-distance and wide-angle sensing
Yuqun Lan1,2, Shuang Li3,4, Haitao Guo5
1State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
None:
Monitoring internal physiological signals is essential for effective medical care1, yet most current technologies rely on external measurements or imaging systems that cannot capture enough deep-tissue dynamics2-6. Implantable devices offer a solution, but conventional designs often require batteries or magnets7-11, which carry risks during removal, and existing biodegradable sensors based on passive inductor-capacitor circuits are limited by short readout distances and unstable communication issues12-19. Here we describe a soft, biodegradable, wireless sensing device that can monitor pressure, temperature and strain over long distances (up to 16 cm), maintaining accuracy across varying positions and angles. This is achieved through a 'pole-moving sweeping' readout system combined with a folded structure that integrates mechanical flexibility with electromagnetic function. In vivo tests in the abdominal cavity of horses reliably captured deep-tissue pressure and temperature, and ex vivo measurements demonstrated accurate strain monitoring without strict positional control. The long-distance and wide-angle readout of soft biodegradable implants holds translational promise for accessing deep-tissue physiological signals.

