Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
08:54
Chronic Implantation of Multiple Flexible Polymer Electrode Arrays
Published on: October 4, 2019
Design, Implantation, and Biodistribution Study of a Resorbable Epidural Electrode Array Embedding Bioresorbable
Simon Regal1, Jenny Molet1, Benoit Gilquin1
1Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, DTIS, 38000 Grenoble, France.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 26, 2026
Summary
This study developed a novel bioresorbable electronic device for two-month electrophysiological monitoring. The transient implant demonstrated biocompatibility and safe degradation, paving the way for new medical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Transient electronic devices offer potential for medical applications by dissolving after use.
- Current monitoring technologies often require removal, posing risks.
- Developing biodegradable implants is crucial for minimizing patient burden and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel bioresorbable electrode array for medium-term electrophysiological monitoring.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility, degradation, and performance of the device in vitro and in vivo.
- To explore the potential of conductive polymer inks in bioresorbable electronics.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a bioresorbable electrode array using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), molybdenum (Mo), and a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT):hyaluronan (HA) conducting polymer.
- In vitro characterization of biocompatibility, mass loss, and electrochemical properties.
- In vivo implantation in rat cortex for 205 days to record electrochemical impedance and visual evoked potentials.
- Post-mortem assessment of neuroinflammation and tissue analysis for molybdenum traces.
Main Results:
- The bioresorbable device demonstrated biocompatibility for its implantation lifetime, with no significant neuroinflammation observed.
- The conductive polymer coating led to decreased impedance compared to uncoated electrodes, indicating improved signal monitoring.
- In vivo and in vitro studies estimated the conductive polymer's lifetime at 45 and 28 days, respectively.
- No measurable traces of molybdenum were detected in brain or liver tissues, suggesting safe degradation.
Conclusions:
- The developed transient electronic device is suitable for medium-term (up to two months) electrophysiological monitoring.
- The use of bioresorbable conductive polymer inks enhances device performance and ensures biocompatibility.
- This technology holds promise for future applications in neural recording and electrical stimulation for therapeutic purposes.
