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3D Printable Suture-Free Bioadhesive Electronic Interface for Hypertension Therapy
Marzia Momin1,2, Salahuddin Ahmed1,2, Arafat Hossain3,2
1Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Insights
A new device, CaroFlex, uses soft, adhesive electrodes for suture-free fixation to stimulate the carotid sinus baroreflex (CSB). This offers a stable, minimally invasive approach for treating hypertension and related cardiovascular conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Hypertension is a leading cause of global mortality, causing severe cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular complications.
- Current carotid sinus baroreflex (CSB) electrical stimulation therapies require invasive, suture-based implantation, leading to tissue damage and instability.
- There is a need for less invasive and more stable methods for chronic baroreflex activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate CaroFlex, a novel device for suture-free carotid sinus baroreflex activation.
- To assess the feasibility of using soft, stretchable hydrogel electrodes and a bioadhesive interface for stable CSB stimulation.
- To establish a framework for minimally invasive bioelectronic therapies for hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Engineering of soft, stretchable hydrogel electrodes and a bioadhesive interface for device fixation.
- Development of a novel suture-free fixation strategy for the carotid sinus.
- In vivo evaluation of the CaroFlex device in a rat model for adhesion and baroreflex stimulation efficacy.
Main Results:
- The CaroFlex device demonstrated stable adhesion to the carotid sinus in vivo without the need for sutures.
- Effective baroreflex stimulation was achieved using the suture-free device.
- The soft, bioadhesive materials and suture-free design facilitated minimally invasive implantation and stable chronic application.
Conclusions:
- CaroFlex represents a significant advancement in carotid sinus baroreflex activation devices, offering a suture-free, minimally invasive approach.
- The device's stable adhesion and effective stimulation pave the way for improved chronic bioelectronic therapies for hypertension.
- This technology provides a foundation for developing next-generation treatments for cardiovascular disorders.
Abstract:
Hypertension is a major global contributor to morbidity and mortality due to uncontrolled blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular complications. Electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus baroreflex (CSB) offers a promising alternative therapy; however, current devices require suture-based fixation, leading to invasive implantation, tissue damage, and poor long-term stability. Here, we report CaroFlex, a next-generation carotid sinus baroreflex activation device that integrates soft, stretchable hydrogel-based electrodes with a bioadhesive interface to achieve suture-free fixation on the carotid sinus. In vivo studies in rats demonstrated its stable adhesion on the carotid sinus and effective baroreflex stimulation without sutures. Through soft and bioadhesive material engineering and a suture-free fixation strategy for stimulating the CSB, CaroFlex establishes a framework for minimally invasive, chronic bioelectronic therapies for hypertension or other cardiovascular disorders.
