Conformal Flexible Electronics for Cardiac Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cardiac electrophysiology (EP) devices are limited by their rigid, planar electronics that cannot effectively integrate with the curvilinear, soft surfaces of biological tissues, leading to prolonged procedures and inadequate real-time mapping of cardiac electrical activity.
Innovation Solution
Development of flexible and stretchable biomedical devices with conformable electronic circuits and barrier layers that establish intimate contact with tissues, allowing for conformal contact and continuous sensing or actuation, including the use of flexible substrates and inorganic semiconductor circuit elements encapsulated by barrier layers to maintain electrical and thermal isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rigid, planar electronics are used in conventional EP devices, then electronic circuit functionality is achieved, but the device cannot effectively integrate with curvilinear, soft surfaces of biological tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible substrates and thin film encapsulation layers to create implantable electronic devices that can conform to curvilinear tissue surfaces. The flexible substrate replaces rigid printed circuit boards, allowing the device to bend and adapt to the contours of biological tissues while maintaining electrical connectivity and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the electronic device with curved, non-planar geometries that match the natural curvature of biological tissues. The flexible circuit board and encapsulation structure are engineered to accommodate spherical or cylindrical tissue surfaces, enabling intimate contact and effective integration with curvilinear anatomical structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible substrates and encapsulation layers are added to enable conformal contact, then adaptability to tissue surfaces is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested multilayer structure where the flexible substrate, electronic circuits, and encapsulation layers are integrated in a compact, concentric arrangement. The flexible circuit board is embedded within or bonded to the flexible substrate, which is in turn encapsulated by protective thin film layers, creating a compact nested architecture that minimizes overall device thickness and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining flexible polymers, conductive traces, dielectric layers, and biocompatible encapsulation materials. These composite constructions integrate multiple functions (structural support, electrical connectivity, flexibility, and protection) into unified material systems, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are biomedical devices and methods of making and using biomedical devices for sensing and actuation applications. For example, flexible and/or stretchable biomedical devices are provided including electronic devices useful for establishing in situ conformal contact with a tissue in a biological environment. The invention includes implantable electronic devices and devices administered to the surfaces(s) of a target tissue, for example, for obtaining electrophysiology data from a tissue such as cardiac, brain tissue or skin.