Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
Adv Mater. 2024 Sep;36(36):e2404101. doi: 10.1002/adma.202404101. Epub 2024 Jun 14.
Implantable bioelectronics has attracted significant attention in electroceuticals and clinical medicine for precise diagnosis and efficient treatment of target diseases. However, conventional rigid implantable devices face challenges such as poor tissue-device interface and unavoidable tissue damage during surgical implantation. Despite continuous efforts to utilize various soft materials to address such issues, their practical applications remain limited. Here, a needle-like stretchable microfiber composed of a phase-convertible liquid metal (LM) core and a multifunctional nanocomposite shell for minimally invasive soft bioelectronics is reported. The sharp tapered microfiber can be stiffened by freezing akin to a conventional needle to penetrate soft tissue with minimal incision. Once implanted in vivo where the LM melts, unlike conventional stiff needles, it regains soft mechanical properties, which facilitate a seamless tissue-device interface. The nanocomposite incorporating with functional nanomaterials exhibits both low impedance and the ability to detect physiological pH, providing biosensing and stimulation capabilities. The fluidic LM embedded in the nanocomposite shell enables high stretchability and strain-insensitive electrical properties. This multifunctional biphasic microfiber conforms to the surfaces of the stomach, muscle, and heart, offering a promising approach for electrophysiological recording, pH sensing, electrical stimulation, and radiofrequency ablation in vivo.
可植入生物电子学在电疗学和临床医学中引起了广泛关注,可用于精确诊断和有效治疗目标疾病。然而,传统的刚性可植入设备在手术植入过程中面临着与组织的不理想界面和不可避免的组织损伤等挑战。尽管人们一直在努力利用各种软材料来解决这些问题,但它们的实际应用仍然有限。在这里,我们报道了一种由可相变液态金属(LM)芯和多功能纳米复合材料壳组成的针状可拉伸微纤维,可用于微创软生物电子学。这种锋利的锥形微纤维可以通过类似于传统针的冻结来变硬,从而以最小的切口穿透软组织。一旦植入体内使 LM 熔化,它就会恢复柔软的机械性能,与传统的硬针不同,这有助于实现无缝的组织-器件界面,而不像传统的硬针那样。包含功能纳米材料的纳米复合材料具有低阻抗和检测生理 pH 值的能力,提供生物传感和刺激功能。嵌入在纳米复合材料壳中的流体 LM 具有高拉伸性和对应变不敏感的电性能。这种多功能双相微纤维能够顺应胃、肌肉和心脏的表面,为体内的电生理记录、pH 感应、电刺激和射频消融提供了一种有前途的方法。